kings road

Paine Electrics – Opening 22nd February 1971.

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Phil Gill… Great. I bought the first Taste album and The Mothers Live at the Fillmore there. Roger Carey bought a lot of music there too.

Alan Pepper… If you had a time machine and went back to ’71 what RECORDS would you get from Paine’s Electrics ?

Alan Esdaile… Loads of great albums in 1971. Subject to budget which was very tight then, I would say Carol King Tapestry, Who Who’s Next, Janis Joplin Pearl and Leonard Cohen Songs Of Love & Hate.

Andy Qunta… If I had a time machine, I would get Time Machine by Factory! I lost my copy! Also The Yes Album, Genesis’ Nursery Cryme, and Deep Purple’s Fireball came out that year, I think.

Nigel Ford… Seeing it was formerly HORNBROOKS, I think that was what the shop in Battle was called when I first bought my 7″s. I don’t desire anything else from that time other than those I have still : GRAND FUNK Live & HUMBLE PIE Performance Rockin the Fillmore, though the latter was much later in the year. I remenber getting GENESIS Nursery Crimes & HUMBLE PIE Smokin from the DISC JOCKEY at different times around then and taking them back as they were too boring, which BIG AL did no problem.

Andy Qunta… Nursery Cryme boring? No way!

Alan Esdaile… Great album Nursery Cryme. Also like Selling England by The Pound.

Ian Cramp… Thanks, fond memories of this shop Best album that year in my opinion Meddle by Pink Floyd.

Alan Esdaile… lots of great albums in 1971. Who’s Next, What’s Going On Marvin Gaye, Blue Joni Mitchell… difficult choice Ian.

Pete Fairless… Don’t forget ‘Sticky Fingers’, ‘Tapestry’ and ‘Hunky Dory’…

 

Hastings Sound – Kings Road St Leonards-On-Sea Christmas 1975

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Harry Randall… That was a great place to hang out and get amps repaired bought my JTM Marshall 45watt for £90.00 I think they fetch about £3000 now wish I’d kept it!

Jan Warren… Oh them prices??!!

Tony Qunta… Yes wish I could buy an electric guitar for £16.50!

Kevin Burchett… Im sure hastings sound supplied some of the lights and disco gear for Scalliwags

Dave Nattress… Memories…bought my first PA there – HH MA100? 5/6 channel 10 mixer/amp and a 100w slave, AKG D1200ES mike, HH speakers on stands, then a pair of Carlsbro bass bins, then another mixer/amp. Hastings Sound was a good hang-out.

Kevin Burchett… this is a full page spread in The Observer and Hastings Sound are in it, when they opened Scalliwags

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supplied by Kevin Burchett

Dave Weeks… Whatever happened to Leisure Music in Silverhill?

Supersound Amplifier Kings Road St Leonards featured in Hastings Independent Press

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photo and write up: Jude Montague

Matt Armstrong with the Supersound Amplifier

Browsing the internet on the trail of local manufacturing history, Matt Armstrong discovered an interesting early 1960s amplifier. When he noticed the label said 26A King’s Road, his heart started pounding. We went to pick it up from the seller who worked at Bexhill Trade Paints. He wanted the amp to stay in the local area…

Feature continues here... https://www.hastingsindependentpress.co.uk/?s=supersound

 

The Happening Coffee Bar – Tony Blackburn St Leonards On Sea 17th July 1967

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 Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection

and John Wilde had this to say –

moved to St Leonards in 1966 with my parents. They bought number 8 Kings Rd and turned it into a coffee bar club, we made the basement look like a cave. We called it The Happening, Tony Blackburn opened it with a disco night. It was a popular hang out for a soul crowd, we had a great jukebox, an espresso machine and pintables. We even had bands play downstairs. Does anyone remember this place? Apparently it has reopened recently as The Kave Klub. by John Wilde

Gerry Fortsch… I gigged here in 1967 several times. Far out man

Mick O’Dowd… DJ’d here many a time. Also was with Deep Purple (Hastings) when they appeared. John Wilde’s dad owned it.

Jeff Belton… Met Tony Blackburn at a gig he did in a London night club, got a request read out on the evening , and played on the radio, when he was on Radio London. It was my 21st birthday that day.

Tiffany Barton… Wonderful! What did he play for your birthday ? Thanks for the memories . 1967 supremes the happening ?

Pacman… Yes I loved “The Happening”. Went there all the time. John Wilde was a really nice guy. Very patient with some of the rowdier kids. My motorbike was very popular with the girls & was always being asked for a pillion ride. Remember the girls well. It all ended for me when I got a car & started going farther afield. Shame.

Michael Brugnoi… Brilliant place, was there every week.

Lloyd Johnson… It must have been a nice little scene what with Cyril Savages in the street as well…

Gerry Fortsch… We played a few coffee bars in the 60’s this was one of the better ones, looking back I can’t remember what I did for alcohol but I did smoke in those days man.

Helen Evans… I loved the Happening! Friends, music, laughter.

Jeanette Wilde… I’m extremely proud to have been part of it

The Deep Purple – The Happening Club Kings Road, St Leonards photo & Canterbury gig.

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The Happening1-1

St.Mildred's Hall Dance.

supplied by Peter Horton, last photo supplied by Len Benton

Peter Horton…. The photos show our original singer Kevin Clark who became manager/ Transport Manager when Tich joined Deep Purple and Mick O’Dowd left as manager. Before we became Deep Purple on Friday 4th August, 1967 we were called ” The Likes Of Us ” . We were all originally school friends from Bexhil and first got together in 1963. We went through many changes of names and members. The photo is taken at The Happening Club, Kings Road, St Leonards.

Who still has 78 rpm records? Hastings sleeves for sale on eBay.

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Martin Richter… it’ll be jitter-bugging next!

Kev Towner… Yes, a few. Mostly comedy/music hall.

Judy Atkinson… I have some that we brought back from mother in law’s house, & a few favourites from my childhood (Abdul Abulbul Amir, Burl Ives singing the Owl & the Pussycat). Unfortunately my turntable can’t play them

Andy Ives… Yes a few Dean Martin some others and Red River Rock

Tony May DJ – Speakeasy Club Kings Road 1982

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Tony May….While we are on the subject of D.J’s in situ, here’s a pic of me D.J’ing at ‘Speakeasy’ along Kings Rd from around 1982. How things have changed these days! No, mics for D.J’s, no record decks – no records!

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Pete Fairless….The DJ played a lot of ABC and Spandau Ballet, as I recall

Tony Court-holmes….i remember humping gear up into some strange places you had gigs

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all photos supplied by Tony May

Advert 1981

Tony May…..Yes, wonderful days – I was busy busy busy then most of it concerning a search for RECORDS – HA HA.

Matt Thomas…..HAIR!!!!!!!! LOL

Leigh Wieland-Boys…..we always used to wait for the first person to get up on the dance floor…..so that was you, was it?! Unfortunately I can’t seem to enlarge this photo so can’t see them very well. I worked various pubs & clubs, glass collector at Aquarius 1971-1972 – Cocktail waitress at Saturdays 1975-1976, Cinque Ports 1976-1979, also Scallis during that time (as well as a full time job)

Tony May…..Thanks guys! Yes, Leigh – I was always one of the first to ‘get on up and get down’ HA HA

Pete Fairless…..It was a great little club, spent quite a bit of time there, early ’80s…

Paul Bryant… I particularly liked the cinema section they had there,always showing a dodgy horror movie. Sure it was Colin Russell djing down there but my memory isn’t as good as it used to be,plus it was a long time ago

Jeff Belton… Reminds me when I did my second disco. In a place called Marlow House, Sidcup, Kent. Had their own set up, two decks, and a lighting control. All I had to take was my records , headphones, mic. This was in the late 1983.
Notice the pop group on the poster, The Thompson Twins or is it Imagination ?
After 1983 I carried on doing discos for 21 years , 2004. Those were the days lol.

Pete Fairless… That’s Imagination, Jeff

Paul Bryant… Sorry it’s actually Shalimar.

Terry Hardwick… I was the DJ Speakeasy Colin Russell worked with me . This is where I met Tony.

Tony Court-holmes… was big willie the bouncer there

The Club Happening Kings Road St Leonards-on-Sea – letterhead 1968

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supplied by John Wilde

John Wilde… My Dads coffe bar and club.

David Miller… When was The Club Happening happening?

Jeanette Wilde… David, soon as that door opened!

David Miller… Seems like the Wilde clan were a big part of the scene down Hastings way….and beyond. Love it!

John Wilde… David, we had a basement cave like room with dj booth and we had live bands. I took 1/6 on the door entry fee. I think you got in for a shilling if you were a member.

Claire Triance… Was later called Speakeasy in the late 70s

Jeanette Wilde… Tony Blackburn DJ’d for our opening night. We were packed……….so bloody exciting!

David Kent… Claire, The Speakeasy was along the road from no. 8. I know this because my parents owned and lived in no. 8 from about 1974 to about 1980. Speakeasy possibly no. 25. My mum operated a fancy dress hire from the “cave”.

Mick O’Dowd… Great place. First met John Wilde there when I managed Deep Purple (Hastings) and we playd there. I also used to DJ there . Totally hip place.

John Wilde… great memories!

Gerry Fortsch… My old band played there a few times, if I recall it right we had our van painted there as well Great days.

Roger Carey… I recently played and sang a version of “See Emily Play ” – Pink Floyd- on one of the stream gigs Liane Carroll and myself do from home. I mentioned to Liane and others that I first heard it in Kings Road , playing from a coffee bar- it was “The Happening ” without a doubt! This was at the time that song was current 1967 or 8….

Tony Bird… It’s the first time that the band wore their “caftans”

Ian Mcgilvray… I remember that. We played there a few times didn’t We Tony. Deep Purple that is.

Mike Waghorne… John your dads club I can just about remember going there once !

Deep Purple – The Happening Club around 1967

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The Happening.

supplied by Peter Horton  at The Happening Club Kings Road

The local ‘Deep Purple’ around 1967 with original singer ‘Kevin Clark'(who was later replaced by Tich Turner). So I think the rest of the band are Peter Horton, Tony Bird, Ian McGilvray & Len Benton.

Joe Knight….WOW!!!!

Mick O’Dowd….This pic was taken at The Happening in Kings Road St.Leonards the home of Jon Wilde!

Geoff Peckham….I saw them several times in Bexhill. Enjoyed a bit of faux-fame because of their namesakes and even covered “Hush”. Loved Mac’s drumming. Eventually changed their name to Whiskey Mac.

Alan Esdaile Johnny Mason….When I first started going to gigs I think every band played ‘Hush’ and ‘Knock On Wood’.

Geoff Peckham….I played those and Midnight Hour, Hold On, etc. in my early bands too. But when I first heard the Bexhill Deep Purple playing Hush, I asked Mac if it was his band that had the single; he just put his finger to his lips and went “ssshhhhhh”!

Tonny from Cornwall…..Any idea how long the Bexhill Deep Purple existed? I’m trying to work out if some info I have about ‘Deep Purple’ supporting Kippington Lodge end of May 1968 in Goudhurst, Kent relates to ‘your’ Deep Purple or the more famous later version who were just back from a tour of Denmark.  Kippington Lodge were on Parlophone records; so were ‘Deep Purple’ of ‘Hush (and more) fame….

Andre Martin….If it helps in the calculation – Friday 27th September 1968, they had their first public appearance as Whisky Mac at the Tackleways Boys Club in Hastings. Kippington Lodge were one of the “back-up” bands for Hastings Pier, when John Schofield ran the Sat & Sun nights, they would appear almost at a moments notice. They were still playing a Deep Purple up to April time, I have some reference to this at the Regent Hotel. I have posted this picture before – in the write up it mentions that they will be playing the Witch Doctor – or the newly renamed club the Cobweb, that did not open until the end of February 1968 !

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Andre Martin….The group played in Eastbourne – The Continental in October 1967 – billed as The Deep Purple

Battle Memorial Hall November 1967

Ken Copsey… Great picture

John Wilde… Wonderful to see these images. I was there in my Fathers club The Happening.

Paul Sleet… I remember seeing them at Woodlands Girls school if memory serves me right. Must have been around 1968 or 69.

The Club Happening – Membership Card – 1967

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The Club Happening – 8 Kings Road St Leonards, owed by John Wilde’s parents and opened in 1966 by Tony Blackburn. Here’s the membership card 1967 from Mick O’Dowd

Membership Cards copy 2

John Alexander Wilde….”Phew thats a holy relic!”

Mick O’Dowd….Thanx Jon. Those were wild times. Hope to see you soon. By the way can I have my 5 bob back now please?