mick o’dowd

Mick O’Dowd and T Rex Dino photo and zip gun boogie band from Hastings Pier 25th July 1975

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photo by Peter Houghton

Zip Gun Boogie band with Pete Houghton

Ernest Ballard… Looks like Phil Collins but it’s not ha ha

Pete Houghton… Hi Alan it’s the T Rex concert promoting the zip gun boogie album and the keyboard player was Dino Dines. The band was as follows Gloria Jones keyboard, Dino Dines keyboards Davy Lutton drums, Steve Currie bass.

Ralph Town… Don’t forget to mention Marc Bolan.I might take you to task on which LP was being promoted but it was a slightly overweight Bolan and the 74/76 T.Rex line up

Jan Warren… Yes, I remember Gloria Jones playing keyboard on this track and singing backing vocals with Marc in the “Zip Gun Boogie” video, but I don’t remember a “Zip Gun Boogie Band”?? –

Beez Neez – Ad, Pebbles Club, Mick O’Dowd and Warrior Hotel 1977

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ad & photos supplied by Mick O’Dowd

Warrior Hotel around 1977 supplied by Mark Harris & Dave Miller

Mick O’Dowd… More unseen Beez Neez just unearthed in a Time Team dig! Ad was posted in Hastings Observer in about July 1977. Managed to sneak me in as well(Jackie Hazell is to my right so it’s still Beez Neez) with hair!

Tony court-holmes… did we really dress like that

Janine Anne Scott… Judith Clarke, I do declare

Mick O’Dowd… Dead right Janine. Where is she now? Do I spy Hat Trick poster on wall in on-stage pic?

Mark Harris… Love all these old photos!

Mick O’Dowd… I’m a little teapot. Here’s my spout….. Any idea who the guy is in the background Mark? He’s seems familiar.

Mark Harris… Graham Parks (good mate of Chris Pook)

Beez Neez – Pebbles Nightclub Winchelsea Beach 1977 & Ashford Stour Centre 1978

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photos supplied by Mick O’Dowd

Ashford Stour Centre 1978 supplied by Martin Prior

Mick O’Dowd… Unseen pics of Beez Neez at Pebbles Nightclub Winchelsea Bech. This gig really highlighted the problems of managing a band with a young personnel, especially if one of the members of the band had a policeman for a dad. Having heard all bad things about Pebbles he refused to allow his daughter to perform. Luckily we had a reliable sub in the form of Julie Shaw who was a very good performer but didn’t want a regular commitment to the band. She stood in and gave a good performance. This gig also saw Keith Jenner make his debut appearance. As you can see Mark Harris is sitting at the back as usual.

Mark Harris… I was only 12!

Mick O’Dowd…There was a video taken at The Stour Centre . I lent it to Tereasa and never saw it again. I believe Mark Harris knows her whereabouts now. Could you ask her to return it please.

After Sunset Roadshow 1980’s/90’s

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supplied by Martin Prior

Brian Lowther, Stella Prior, Chris Knight and Mick O’Dowd

Mick O’Dowd… More likely in the 90’s. The twilight years of my music life. Sadly only 2 of the pictured quartet are still with us.Chris Hood was Chris Knight and I was Mike Day. Subtle eh!

Alan Esdaile… I remember spotlights like that. You all look a bit smart. The doctor will see you now!

Lance Collins… I still use spotlights like that on my Retro Roadshow

The Ballroom All Stars DJ’s – Hastings Pier 21st May 2016

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photo by Allyson Breeds

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                  photos by Kevin Burchett                            quotes photo Jim Breeds

Chris Gentry, Johnny Mason, Colin Bell and Mick O’Dowd.

Allyson Breeds… I don’t know why Mick looks like he is wearing a yellow wig?

Leigh Wieland Boys… DJs were excellent!

Chris Giles… Brilliant photo Allyson

Andre Martin… It was always Johnny M who had the Goldern Wig!! Great time with the “old hands” almost 200 years experience between us over the years!

Kevin Burchett… The Golden Oldies at Hastings Pier second session.

Archie Lauchlan… Poptastic

Sarah Harvey… I just think they all look so cute 🙂 xx

Jim Breeds… Old Skool Still Rules

Andre Martin… Brill – that sums up the Ballroom All Stars !!

Andy Qunta… Ha ha – love it! Those are some rock-star, legendary DJs!

Andy Gunton… I’m still wondering who that rogue hand, under the desk, belongs to?

Caz Simpson… The rogue hand definitely belongs to a female.

Andy Gunton… Where’s her other hand?!!!!

Chris Giles… I didn’t notice until Andy pointed it out..Ha ha

Alan Esdaile…Thanks Jim. I see what you mean about the hand Andy, it looks like its far too low to be Andre’s and It looks like its on my knee!

Jim Breeds… Done with the greatest of respect and affection 🙂

Mick O’Dowd… That’s awesome  Jim. Actually the yellow on my head was not a result of me rubbing on Colin’s T-shirt but is in fact my halo slipping after I mentioned a certain gentleman that appeared on the Pier in silver suits who I was not allowed to mention!  Nice to see you there on Saturday. Great to see you back.

Jim Breeds… One year ago today.

Chris Giles… What a fantastic time we all had x

Mick O’Dowd… A year ago! How time flies! Had a great time.

Alan Esdaile… They let us out on day release, as long as we had our name tags on.

Jeanette Jones… Nice photo, guys 🙂 We’ve all come a long way !

Sunday Club – Hastings Pier

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Membership Cards copy 2

supplied by Mick O’Dowd

Mick O’Dowd… Here’s my membership card to the legendary “Sunday Club” on The Pier> I believe it started in 67 and Jimi Hendrix was one of the first to appear(and probably the biggest name). When did it cease to be. It was started to get around Sunday licencing laws because no alchohol and music was aloud unless in a club.

Andre Martin…..The amazing thing when looking at all these posters/adverts for the bands that appeared on the Pier and other venues, it was not necessary to stay up half the night – most shows were over by 11.45 except for special occasions, and Sunday licencing hours were even stricter for Ballrooms – usually 11.00pm and it had to be membership admission. Interesting how things have changed today

Alan Esdaile…..I think most of the Sunday clubs finished at 10.00, as I had school next day! You had to be a member but the membership was free.

Martin Richter….weren`t sunday clubs a way of getting round “no dancing” laws?

Andre Martin….Yes, because there was a no dancing law on Sundays, Good Friday and another day, I cant remember – and that dance venue ie Ballrooms had to have a local authority Licence for such activities – think it was an A licence and this also controlled the numbers allowed at any one time in the venue, To get round this law, and because clubs were exempt, what Ballroom owners ie The Pier had to do was create a club in legal terms for their Sunday Night activities, with membership cards etc. The law was very complicated in many ways, but as the local magistrates were the authority – these rules had to be followed. I think that it changed in the late 1970s.

Alex Chapman… I wondered what the Sunday Club was. Just found this from the 60’s.

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supplied by Alex Chapman

Martin Richter… I believe you are right Alan 🙂 I *think* it`s part of a “section 67” license (the laws governing nightclubs) – since repealed? I think it was the “dancing” that was the problem?

 

Classic Albums – What’s Going On Marvin Gaye by Mick O’Dowd

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Mick O’Dowd… My all-time favourite album. A real classic!

Redstar Richter… an absolutely stunning album – we are not worthy! mother – too many crying – brother – too many dying (we need to think about this shit and move forward)

Alan Esdaile… Some albums are good, some are classics but this is in a different league. Excellent.

Redstar Richter… too true – if someone in the pub asked me I`d say “London calling” (lol) – but yeah – marvin was the man!

John Wilde… A pivotal album for Marvin which became an absolute classic. Amazing record.

Alan Pepper… Totally agree ! I never tire of listening to this great album . Followed closely by Stevie Wonders’ Innervisions. And side 2 of Abbey Road !!

John Storer… A great album but, when I’m in a Marvin kind of mood, I’ll tend to go for the follow-up to this album … the “Trouble Man” soundtrack. If I want things a little more upbeat, then it has to be 1983′s “Midnight Love” … also the NME’s “Album of the Year” back then. Taking nothing away from Mick’s choice, though.

The Fabulous 6Ts – review by Mick O’Dowd

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Mick O’Dowd… The Comet St Leonards-On Sea – 30th August 2014. 6T’s celebrated 28 years together last night with an excellent set. If you’ve never seen them, get away from any illusions of a 60’s pop covers band. The set included numbers by Cream, The Who and Creedence Clearwater! They put a rock twist into their set and of course their zany humour. Good turnout and well deserved applause after EVERY number (How many bands can claim that in a pub gig).  It was a good night even to the extent a neighbour complained about the noise to which the band responded by getting everybody to sing at the tops of their voices the chorus to Daydream Believer. That’s rock’n;roll!!!! They are there again on New Years Eve ,which ,in the words of Tel Corder, includes a buff-ett. They are at The Hollington Oak again soon as well. Give them a look you might be surprised.

Tony Qunta… Shame I couldn’t see them! Hopefully soon!

Mick O’Dowd… If you were intriqued by mt 6T’s review they are at The Hollington Oak on Saturday 13th September. Give ’em a whirl!