penny black

source David William/ Facebook Eastbourne Bands From 1960 on

David William.. first photo Hastings early 70’s. far right Dave H Terry Creasey Terry Mcconnel Dermot

Robert Searle… Great pictures

Pete Millington… Great flares!

Mark Asseenontv Scutchings-Stevens… Is that a Watkins/WEM bass ?

Dave Nattress… Went to the old Hastings College with Terry Creasey. Iain Cobby was there as well at the time. We were all doing construction studies. Also had Mick Kemp, drummer and Paul Durrant, Keyboards from Damaris – all doing construction. I remember when Paul brought in his first synthesizer. There were a lot of musicians there at the time. I was there part time from about 1970 – 1975. I remember Phil Gill there but don’t know what course Phil was doing. Do I recall correctly, Penny Black became Steam. Terry was definitely in Steam.

Chris Dann… Well, my wife has just had a look at the two photos of Penny Black and she says that the bass player in the first photo is Dermot and I am in the second photo. I was the original bass player in Penny Black. Consequently, left to right in the first photo ; Dermot Searle, Terry McConnell, Terry Creasey, Dave Hacker. (circa 1972) Second photo; Terry McConnell, Chris Dann (me),Terry Creasey, Dave Hacker. (circa 1970). I played bass with Penny Black from 1970 to 1971. 2nd April 1971 we played with Factory and DJ Tony Kane at Hastings High School. That’s how I remember playing on the same stage as Factory. I remember they were really good although I seem to remember that there was only three in the band ?? Dermot took over from me in July 71 when I went over to Brighton Top Rank to play full time in the Ronny Keane Band. In 1972 I went to study Jazz at Leeds College of Music and stayed in Leeds until about 1978 when I joined the Jack Hawkins Showband in London. I stayed with Jack as a pro bass player from 78 to 84 and then (sick to the back teeth of travelling) I packed in playing and took a job teaching music at Seaford Head School. During the late 60’s early 70’s I played bass (part time) with the Ted Crouch Band, Penny Black , Ronny Keane and various others who I just can’t remember right now. I also did a short stint with a band called The Kingsmen. I seem to remember that we opened Kings Country Club and became the resident house band. I left after a very short stint because I hated it ! When I came back to Eastbourne in the 80’s I played odd gigs with Ted Crouch and also with a band called the Amazing Rubber Band which was run by (if I remember correctly) Gary Bonner from Bonner’s Music in Grove Rd Eastbourne. I think I have some photos of Penny Black. I’ll dig them out and forward them to you.

Ian Williams…  Was your father Roly Dann, excellent drummer?

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