The GT Strokers – The Kit Kat Club September/October 1967

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supplied by Andy Webster

The Kit Kat Club in Old London Rd, near Ore Village.
From the left on keyboards is Reverley Stockdale , Andy Webster (guitar), Tony Lambert (vocals), Graham Kent (bass), Paul Freeman (drums).

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supplied by Andre Martin

Membership card supplied by Mick O’Dowd

Chris Baker… Ha! Played there once in the early days of The Town Council! I remember learning My Generation especially for the gig.

Robert Searle… Wow what a great picture

Virginia Davis… Whereabouts in Old London Road was it and when did it close?

Alan Esdaile… It was virtually opposite the China Parade, not sure when it closed.

Colin Fox… This must have been taken a long time ago. Rev and Paul, (who Robert Searle and I lodged with in the early 70’s) look very young.

Mick O’Dowd… Deep Purple (Hastings) played there & I did discos there. The building is still there Virginia Davis. It is the long one-storey building with the parking space in front.

Virginia Davis… Thanks. The one that was a car or bike club for a while

Mick O’Dowd… GT Strokers were an excellent band

Chris Baker… As were the Town Council, allegedly! Not sure what year this was though. Thanks Alan for confirming 1967, in which case we probably weren’t that good then!

Alan Esdaile… I thought you were a Great band Chris and every gig was packed.

Andre Martin… What next – The Kit Kat Club and the world

Ken Copsey… Great picture.

Cliff Wootton… ‘m pretty sure that bass guitar is a Supersound bass made in Hastings. See Guy Mackenzie’s guitar collection site (https://www.theguitarcollection.org.uk/…/supersound…/) for more details. Company history here (https://www.supersound.org.uk) with details of their amps.

Guy Mackenzie… Thanks for your email Cliff… yes this is a Supersound bass and a rare picture of one too! Really interesting! Although I do have a picture of the one owned by Brian Davis of Dave Edmonds band, the Raiders in about 1963.

The GT Strokers – 58 Club Winchelsea Beach – 1967

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supplied by Tony Lambert

l to r: Andy Webster (very good rhythm and arranger),  Tony Lambert (now singing ?), Paul Freeman (on his Ludwig drums who was the best drummer around here) Revelle Stockdale (very talented) and  far right Graham Kent (good bassist and arranger).

Tony Lambert…  here is the GT Strokers about April ’67…. 58 club Winchelsea Beach. We had the Friday night spot for a while then took over from King Rod and co. on Saturdays, as they went touring.
This was before the flower power look took hold later in ’67, best time for many that year the summer of love! Bill who ran the 58 club didn’t like our new flower power look so we we left. When we broke up later that year Paul, Rev and i joined King Rod for a while but left and went our own ways. Tried several other bands but didn’t work out, pity because we were progressing very well as the GTS.

Geoff Peckham… I never saw The GT Strokers, but I’d certainly heard of them. A lady my mum knew, Blanche Adams, a retired governess and concert violinist took an interest in my musical progress and helped me buy some equipment. She was also Andy Webster’s landlady, and she introduced me to him as I think he was getting married and was selling some gear. He was really friendly and taught me “My Girl” among other songs. He also sold me the Leeds Chord Dictionary, which I still have! This was around ’68/’69.

Robert Searle… Great to see a picture with Paul Freeman on his Ludwig drums and Rev Stockdale on guitar.

Carol Arnold… aaa, loved the 58 club.

Mark Randall… Where abouts was the 58?

Alan Esdaile… It was behind The Ship Pub, Mark.

Tony Lambert… Paul Freeman’s cousin was Mick Taylor who played with the Stones after Brian Jones left us, so quite a talented family. I always encouraged Paul to go pro, with his talent and connections it could have come about…what a pity he missed out. When the GTS was in the flower power mode we used oil slide projection backgrounds and incense sticks with synchronized flashing lights,which most enjoyed but it was rather too much for some to bear especially at the 58 club !…..we always tried our best to entertain, we tried to learn at least 2 new numbers a week, not easy when doing a full time job.

Colin Fox… Rev Stockdale, Kevin Hoad, Chris Howard, Kate Honey and me when we played in the 80’s as ‘Elite’, at the Fishermens Club Eastbourne. Bob Searle and I used to lodge for a while at Paul Freemans house in the early 70’s in Windmill Hill. We had some great times, (I think), as we were always pissed.

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supplied by Colin Fox

Cliff Wootton… I remember a drum kit that dad bought home and put in our music room which had the GT Strokers artwork on the front. I have a picture somewhere which I’ll dig out and post here. I know he worked with Tony around that time so they must have made a deal or swop.

 

Morning Dew – group photo 1960’s

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Tony Bridger second from right.

Peter James Shaw…. Rev Stockdale first left!, Mr Drew Clifton next…!

Robert Searle….Paul Freeman drums,on the right. Fab picture.

Chris Baker….Wow! Tony Bridger!

Gaynor Duke… Dear old Rev Stockdale in that photo

Jane Hartley… Rev was in Index much later wasn’t he?

Andy Webster… Rev Stockdale far left and Paul Freeman far right. Who’s the guy in the middle?

Alan Esdaile… Still don’t know who the guy in the middle is? Is it possible the band were only a 4 piece and he was the manager or promoter?

Peter Horton… The guy in the middle is called Barry Jenkins as far as I can remember. He was the drummer when I joined them for a while in May/June 1968. The base guitarist was Clive somebody and at the time he was a hairdresser in a Hollington hairdressers just by the Blackman Avenue traffic lights. He used to cut and style the hair of the members of the band. I was recruited to replace Tony Bridger who was going off to the US. In the end he decided to stay and so I left after only 4 weeks.

Lynn Graham… Memories!

Peter Millington… That’s Clive Drew-Clifton

Colin Fox… Revvi on the left?

Alan Mitchell… The one in the middle is John Woolven he was the singer for the Springbeats before this group renamed themselves Morning Dew. The Springbeats line up Was John Woolven, Clive Drew-Clifton, Tony Bridger, and Barry Jenkins. The bass player was Tim Duke I believe.

Robert Searle… Freeman on the right

Nicola Dobson… Oh I have been asking about Barry Jenkins for some time and now I see him mentioned…which one is he as it was a long time ago?  I think Barry is second on the left..used to know him in 1968-9

Alan Mitchell… Nicola Dobson, I’m afraid Barry isn’t in this picture.

Gerry Forsch… This brings back some great memories, I never felt that there was any competition between this band and my band but good friendship. I was lucky enough to play with Tony and Tim years later in different bands.

Harry Randall… Remember Jonny and Tony (Vic) very well RIP Tony such a sad loss a brilliant guitarist and his black and white drawings were as good as a photo! i played with Tony for about 8 years a great mate!

Chris Jolly… What a GREAT NAME!

Andy Knight… I loved that band, so cool, or maybe hip then

 

Morning Dew promo photo 1960’s

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photos: Clive Drew-Clifton. Source: http://loosechange.uk.com/index.html

Rev Stockdale, Clive Drew-Clifton,  Tony Bridger, John Woolven, Paul Freeman

Neil Cartwright… Great to see the old photos of Clive. Just had a listen to Loose Change – good strong sound. Good to see them booked throughout the year too!

Justin Bridger… Wow.If you know anyone I can get copies of these and/or others of my dad please let me know.Im also after any footage, recordings and vinyl now I have a record player.Happy to pay of course and travel. Thanks.J

Robert Searle… Great picture Historic lineup

Alan Esdaile… Probably best to speak to Stuart Moir on Facebook who can put you in contact with Clive, Justin. Or leave a message on the Loose Change website… http://loosechange.uk.com/index.html

Pete Prescott… Which one is Clive?

Alan Esdaile… Second one in, Pete.

Ernest Ballard… Pete you need glasses ha ha. Had to put mine on to switch my FB on. He is the one with the hair. Great picture.

Dave Nattress… Now was I pleased to see another photo of the Cult/Kult, but now “Morning Dew” as well. Paul Freeman later played drums in the Kult.

Robert Searle… Paul was a really good drummer RIP Paul

Same Size – 1968/1969

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supplied by John Petrie

John Petrie, Mick Tordoff, Les Frethy, Pete Bailey, Steve Elliot.

Phil Thornton… cool shirt Johnny P !!!

John Wilde… Wow great look boys!

Robert Searle… Fremantle second left. Second left is Paul Freeman,I’m sure it is.

John Petrie… Its Paul Freeman in the second photo, not Steve.