nick bloomfield

The Witch Doctor St Leonards on Sea 1964 to 1967 by Nick Bloomfield.

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Nick Bloomfield… Steve Marriott, David Bowie, The Moody Blues, Status Quo etc I’ve been fascinated by the story of a small live music club called the Witch Doctor which was started in St Leonards in 1964 and where many future pop stars and bands played. This video is not a detailed account but rather a personal view and a fond look at what became the place to go in Hastings for a few years in the 1960’s.. I have queried some of the claims made by others which is always dangerous but I worked hard on the research so hopefully most of this account is accurate… Hastings Pier was its big brother and had most of the big bands of the time but the Witch Doctor had a kind of magic. During my research I discovered that a Manchester based Business Man and major club owner was trying to expand his interests south. His name was Dougie Flood and some claim he had close connections with the ‘Quality Street Gang’ in Manchester. He bought clubs in both Catford and Hastings as ‘Witch Doctor’ clubs. Later the Catford club was rebranded as ‘Mr Smiths’ like the one in Manchester. Everyone knows about Hastings Pier and all the bands who played there From Hendrix to the Stones. The Who, Sex Pistols etc Pink Floyd played their last ever gig with Syd Barrett there. Much less well known though is The Witchdoctor which was a club formed in 1964 and based in Marine Court, St Leonards, the iconic 1930’s building that looks like a ship. It took much longer than I thought it would so if you don’t like it I don’t care as I’m knackered…

Gerry Fortsch… I was a bit to young to be allowed in to The Witch Doctor but as I was tallish and had long hair and sideburns I never had a problem.

Alan Esdaile… Well done Nick, must have taken you forever.

Andy Qunta… Very interesting! Thanks, Nick! I never went to the Witch Doctor as it closed before we moved to the Hastings area, but I remember my brother Tony & I played at the Cobweb in late ‘69/early ‘70 with our band Static Emotion, (also featuring Dave Austin, the late great Chris Sambrook).

Mick Knights… Was at the opening night and saw all the bands with the exception of Simon Dupree. Some famous names that were booked but cancelled on the night, one was Little Richard, I can remember Tony Powell sitting at the top of the stairs refunding the ltickets. I thought the owner was an organist and if I remember had a record out called Image which was played a lot but wasn’t really what people wanted to hear. I did see someone fire a shotgun at the main doors, was that to do with the Krays? Could go on but it’s time to take the dogs out.

Nick Bloomfield… I envy you seeing them all! There seems to have been a very flexible management structure in The Smiths organisation! I think the man you’re thinking of is Alan Haven and I’ve found the record you mentioned. ‘Images’ ‘from 1965.

Mick Knights… Nick, Yeah, a bit too sophisticated for the likes of us back then! You’ve certainly got the old grey cells working, I’ve posted about the Who gig before, of course nobody imagined they would become the force they did, back then they were just the best chart band around, I think I’m right in saying that Tony Powell booked them after taking a poll to find out which band people wanted to see. Always smile when I see the footage especially the sweaty bobbing head of Colin Gilcrest (Mr. G) sadly no longer with us. The girl dancing by herself I’m pretty sure is Silverhill Lill who was always there, as you can tell all the regulars had nicknames mine was ‘L I’ because I had the letters emblazoned across the front of my Lambretta. Really must stop rambling on, but between the Witch Doctor closing and the Cobweb opening the ballroom below was used for live bands on a Saturday night but sadly none come to mind!!

Chris Meachen… I went in once when it was the Cobweb, but the only feature I can remember was a tree trunk in the middle of the room, presumably as a funky kind of seating..

Stephen Moran… This is great Nick! I’m currently working on a PhD about the popular music histories of Hastings, and the Witchdoctor and the Cobweb made important contributions in addition to the Pier Ballroom of course, its great to see the Witchdoctor story captured so well.

Lynn Graham… I was in there at every available opportunity

Arthur Brown… I saw Steve Marriott at The Crypt

Tony MacDonnell… What a great film. Before our time in this area but so interesting. I played in a band in North Devon in the sixtes and we supported some of these acts in our local venue . Georgie Fame mentioned the Witch Doctor when he played a concert at the White Rock a few years ago. Once again – brilliant film and an important piece of local history.

Allan Testot-newick… I remember so well playing venue in 1966 with the King Bees we had a Brill night

George Underwood… Allan, ah yes, I remember now

Ian Williams… Allan, Local band ‘Spyke’ also played there

Mick O’Dowd… Used to be a member (still got membership card) even though I was underage. Saw some great bands there and always remember that the bouncers always seemed to wear Brut aftershave!

Stuart Moir… Played there many times supporting name bands of the era .

Jim Pluck…Played there in 1965 with Blues Syndicate think we supported a band called the Nite People ( Zoot Money) what a fab club and won the jackpot on the six penny fruit machine! Goood times.

 

The Small Faces and me – One Fans View by Nick Bloomfield

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Nick Bloomfield… Me and The Small Faces How they influenced my life and cheered me up too..

Nick Bloomfield… I have just received the most wonderful comment on one of my youtube videos. It is on a video I made about growing up with the band ‘The Small Faces’ and is nearly 30 minutes long so don’t even try to watch it unless you’re a fan. Here is the comment…

“I don’t know who you are mate. But to sum it up to you Mr Bloomfield, your video was blooming marvelous. At 55 years old I’ve just discovered the Small Faces. Just had my first ever listen this afternoon to Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake album and my socks can be found at the other side of the house, it was and is that good. Immediately I wanted to piece together the story of this insanely wonderful band and stumbled upon this video. You summed it up like a bygone picture postcard. I very rarely write a comment or get involved in the online world. But sir, I could not (in good conscience) move on until I had payed the Piper, which in this case is your good self Mr Bloomfield, for a most informative, delightful, delectable and jumptichimus frolick into the Small Faces story. A big thank you to you, and may the sun always be on your face and the wind behind yer back sunshine. Cheers”. I’m not used to nice comments from anyone, least of all you lot so it was very nice to get this and I really appreciate it. You could all learn from this chap! UPDATE: It is not a good video – which I made in 2017 but it does illustrate a bit what it is like to love your first band.

Allan Mitchell… Thank you for sharing this!

John Williams… Just reading all or nothing

Chris Chantler… Well done! I’m not sure we always appreciate what is written and shown on this site(and others), so easy to just take a look and scroll on, so thank you for all you share

Mark Randall… Its always lovely when you realise that not everyone is a b***ard. The last minute of the clip of them on Colour Me Pop is priceless. My band were scheduled to support Steve Marriott’s Packet of Three at the Red Lion Walthamstowe back in the late 80s. I shall never forgive my drummer or keyboard for pulling out the night before as they were going to an Aunty’s wedding. This is really my only regret in life, for not doing it as a solo act

Mike Vawdrey… You’re too modest it’s a great little video. A university house mate had been at school with Ronnie Lane known as ‘Plonker’. No reference to P P Arnold although I think she was glimpsed on one of the clips ….. Appreciated thanks a lot. BTW my late father spent his early childhood in Hale a long long time ago. That whole area is now threatened by HS 2 – an ill wind

Nick Bloomfield… Thanks Mike. I loved PP Arnold on Tin Soldier but I wasn’t aware that she had done a lot with them. I know about the song and video If You Think You’re Groovy which was recorded on Camber Sands but it’s always nice to learn new things. I started visiting Hale again in 2018 50 years after my family moved there before and it has been great reconnecting with old friends – a couple of whom are also Small Faces fans…

Remembering Chris Hutchinson The Mellow D Man

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Nick Bloomfield… I missed mentioning this on then 16th March but it was 4 years since local jazz musician Chris Hutchinson (Mellow D Man) died. I’d only got to know him in that last year and he was already seriously ill when I filmed four of his songs in Bexhill. He was a lovely man and was also musical director for a singing group of pensioners in Silverhill. I made a short video of rehearsals of that too. His father was the legendary pianist & singer Leslie ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson. Leslie Hutch Hutchinson from Grenada and was a jazz superstar in the 20’s and 30’s but managed to get in big trouble with all the affairs he had with the nobles. One resulting in a pregnancy which killed off his income to a large extent. His name is Leslie ‘Hutch” Hutchinson and he was the inspiration for the character Jack Ross in Downton Abbey. He allegedly had affairs with Edwina Mountbatten. The rumour scandalised the British upper classes, becoming the subject of tabloid news, and an embarrassment to Lady Mountbatten’s royal in-laws. The Mountbattens sued the tabloids for libel. As a result of the scandal, Hutch was shunned by many of his former patrons. Other reported mistresses were the Hollywood actors Tallulah Bankhead and Merle Oberon. Hutch may have been bisexual and was alleged to have had relationships with Cole Porter, and Ivor Novello. A very busy chap by all accounts. There is a playlist of Chris (including the short documentary on the pensioners) on my YouTube channel for those interested.

Pauline Richards… 4yrs!

Linda Lowcock… My late mother in law actually new Hutch as a child as he was friends with her parents .She remembered him playing the piano in their house in London. I took her to see Chris Hutchinson singing at St Michaels Hospice one evening and she managed to have a chat with him about her memories. He was amazed that she had known his father. She became a fan and I took her to see him sing on several occasions and she bought his CD. As a surprise for her 80th birthday party I contacted Chris and asked him to sing at her party which he very kindly did and she was so happy. Her favourite song was A nightingale sang on Berkeley Square. We were very sad to hear he had passed away. Happy memories .

Paul Cullen… Knew Hutch for a long long time. Sad news. Sleep easy my friend

Perri Ann Haste… Lovely man with a lovely voice, I used to see him with his wife walking their dog at the Bos regularly. I can’t believe it is 4 years.