Johnny Conroy

The Confederates – 1963 to 1965 Grove School, White Rock Theatre and Broadstairs.

September 5, 2022September 5, 2022 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Peter Millington

Peter Millington… (photo 1) Anyone who watched part 1 of the Sky Arts programme about Queen recently would have seen Paul Watts of EMI talking about Queen from the record producers point of view. Here is a picture of Paul singing with the Confederates in July 1963 at the Grove School Summer Dance with Peter Millington in the background (with the mandatory Hank Hornrims). Paul was a founder member of The Confederates with Peter Millington on Bass, Lucian LeCoix-Lead Guitar and Dave Saunders-Drums. Record Collector in 1998 says… Justifiably proud, Paul Watts, then General Manager of EMI’s International Division, decided to commemorate the award(The Queen’s Award To Industry For Export Achievement) with the release of a special single. The choice of artist was easy: “The award represented the way in which Queen were so much a part of the fabric of the company,” he recalled. “They were central to what EMI was doing”. “Bohemian Rhapsody” seemed the natural choice for the record, as it was such a milestone and had been the single that had catapulted Queen into international superstardom.

To read more about the formative years of the Confederates/SPYKE/JINKS have a read and chuckle here –

https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks

(photo 2) THE CONFEDERATES playing at the Observer Christmas Dance at the White Rock Theatre – December 1965 – Posted by Peter Millington – Photo supplied by Margaret Ross

(photo 3) An early picture of THE CONFEDERATES from 1964. Playing in Broadstairs – L-R Tony Goodman, Dave Saunders, Johnny Conroy, Trevor Spears, Peter Millington.

The Confederates – St Clements Caves Hastings 1965

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Pete Millington https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks

Pete Millington… The Confederates playing in the St Clements Caves, Hastings – Summer of 1965 — with Johnny Conroy, Paul Burton, Pete Millington, Dave Johnson (hidden on drums) and Trev Spears.

Alan Esdaile….Always a great sound playing in the Caves, the problem was it was a long way to take the gear and the leads ended up all covered in sand.

Royal Albert….My dads band midnight shift played there not that I was about lol

Alan Esdaile….I remember doing disco’s in the caves with Colin Bell. During the Arthur Brown song ‘Fire’ I used to set fire to my hands with lighter fluid which is fine for a few seconds but with everyone cheering you on, you left it burning too long. Talk about blisters with yellow puss, argh! That was one thing I didn’t try again.

Michael Mepham…..The very same Caves I played in with Die Laughing and where I met a young lady whose surname was Schneckenburger. Ahhhh, those were the days

Rosalie Copeland… Oh my gosh – remember them so well! We used to follow them around town when they played gigs!

Chrissie Daniels…Hi, I am the General Manager at Smugglers Adventure and would love to create a big signage board with pictures such as the above. If anyone is interested in sending me any pictures and a backstory we can of course credit you. My email is chrissied@bluereefaquarium.co.uk

Dave Nattress… Played the caves a couple of times with Samisen – it was felt to be a prestigious gig venue back in the day, but yes, getting the gear in and out was a game, even though we were young and fit back then – and the central cavern bit where the bands played was in itself quite a distance from the main entrance. But…really good memories, packed with foreign students and the sound was better – less bouncy with loads of bodies around – live bodies that is – well most of them.

Peter Fairless… Ask Chrissie if gigs are still a possibility?

Clifford Rose… Only ever went to one concert in the caves, and that was Fred Wedlock 02/05/87. He was very funny live.

Ralph Town… I saw a chap called Strange, in the caves. He was in early eps pf Men behaving badly and the 1989 Batman movie. As well as our own Mr.Mepham 🙂

John Wilde… Yes The Breathers supported Steve Strange in the caves probably 1979/80. Hang on maybe it was some other combo but I def remember supporting the Strange One RIP

Ralph Town… I think it was Richard Strange. I’m not so sure it was Steve Strange. I remember the act involved this chap looking like Tom Bakers Dr.Who with movies played on a screen. Under the heading of ,”The wonderful world of …….. Strange”. I saw Mick in there with one of his bands but was probably traumatised as some scrote stole my copy of Kiss Alive vol 1.So was more focused on the loss.

Alan Esdaile… Brilliant gig with The Breathers at the caves John, I pretty sure it was Richard Strange and not Steve Strange.

Wendy Weaver… We met Fred Wedlock once when we were having a drink with the Yetties. He was an extremely funny man when he wasn’t performing too :). Good old West Country humour.

The Confederates – 1964

December 3, 2017December 3, 2017 by Alan Esdaile

The Confederates – 1964 – Playing at the Methodist Hall, Battle Road, St Leonards. Tony Goodman, Peter Millington, Dave Saunders, Johnny Conroy, Trev Spears – supplied by Jinks The Group website

Janice Ramsay(nee Saunders)… Great to find this link. Dave (always known as David to us!) was my cousin – my father’s nephew – and although I am too young to remember the group I certainly remember the drums!

Confederates with the Dormobile Workabus 1963

September 6, 2017 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Pete Millington

Pete Millington… 1963 – Confederates with the Dormobile Workabus – brilliant van with seats for all (except the roadie – Chris Huggett who was loaded in the back with all the gear) L-R Trevor Spears, Peter Millington, Johnny Conroy, Tony Goodman, Dave Saunders, Chris Huggett

The Confederates on stage Methodist Hall, Battle Road, St Leonards 1964

March 6, 2017March 6, 2017 by Alan Esdaile

photos supplied by Pete Millington, http://pet842.wix.com/jinks-the-group

Tony Goodman – with a Burns Sonic Guitar, Peter Millington – with a Burns Sonic Bass, Trevor Spears – with a Burns Super Sonic Guitar, Johnny Conroy – Vocals and Dave Saunders – Drums.

Robert Searle… Great photos

Tim Moose Bruce… Drool at those Vox amps…

Chris Barrett… They are fantastic

Pete Millington… All cost around £150.00 each back in early 1964 – broke the bank for a couple of years I can tell you! I expect someone can do the maths as to what £150.00 would be now – gulp!

Gerry Fortsch… John Conroy sang with my old band The Earl Dee Sound for while after this, what a nice guy and a good singer and mover. John sang with myself Graham Bradley and Paul Ritchie prior to his move to Canada, I think that Graham stayed in contact with him.

Pete Millington… He lives in a town called Midland which is on the lake north of Toronto. There’s a video of him singing some blues in a studio in 1974. I’m sure that it’ll pop up if you search John Conroy Toronto, Red House in studio.

Val Shoesmith… Remember these well. Church hall dances is Wishing Tree Road.

The Confederates 1963 and 1966

December 17, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by Peter Millington. http://pet842.wix.com/jinks-the-group

Peter Millington… The 1963 picture of the Confederates, L-R Tony Goodman, Peter (Ginger) Millington, Dave Saunders, Johnny Conroy, Trevor Spears. This is one of the earliest pictures of the group after Conroy joined which would put it at July 1963.

The 1966 (January) Confederates pic was taken at the Grove School, where we practiced and shortly after Dave Johnson departed and was replaced by Terry Chedzoy. L-R – Paul Burton, Peter Millington, Johnny Conroy, Terry Chedzoy, Trevor Spears.

Colin Fox… Love the Hank Marvin specs. lol. Obviously worked, as I have never seen you wearing glasses before. I know a lot of guys in bands used to wear glasses in the Shadows era even if they didn’t need them, in fact I think I did for a while. What a plonker.

Peter Millington… Correction glasses or a white stick, no choice really. Good enough for Buddy Holly good enough for me, LOL. Trev looks like a Jap fighter pilot – Kamakaze lead guitarist – explains a lot. Colin – now promoted to contact lenses – kept tripping over the white stick!

The Confederates – supporting Rod Stewart in 1965

July 17, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

supplied by….Jinks The Group website. http://pet842.wix.com/jinks-the-group

Peter (Ginger) Millington (Bass and BV) Johnny Conroy (Lead Vocals) Tony Goodman (Rhythm Guitar and Vocals) Trevor Spears, (Lead Guitar and BV) Dave Johnson (Drums) — Picture taken at Southampton University – when they played with Rod Stewart and the Soul Agents.