pier

March is quickly going and here are already at Saturday 12th, in The Happy Ballroom there is nothing scheduled, all that is advertised is for next week Saturday 19th, A Big Night Out – with the return of Dave Berry, no mention of his Cruisers. The Disc Jockey Promotions are happening in the Restaurant on a Thursday with local band – Mud Milligans Big Boss Band.
Friday Night had been a special on Ready Steady Go – with a James Brown Night – he was complete with the Famous Flames and the whole show was built around his touring concept The JB Review.
The Witch Doctor put together an interesting programme – On Saturday Night the headline band was Dean Ford & the Gaylords, who had recently moved from their home of east Glasgow to London. The group had been rated the TOP Scottish band in the early 60s, within a few weeks of appearing at Hastings they would change their name to The Marmalade and go onto a successful career. Supporting the lads from north’o the border were another popular act The Way. Sunday Afternoon, Tuesday & Thursday Evenings would be with Records, with what was a key part of the weeks entertainment on Thursdays. The “Biggest Disc Show Around” The Muscles Maxted Show.[quoted from the newspaper advertisement. Friday night continued with a “Roman Rave” with a Band of Angels – but more about that later.
BBC Radio over the weekend included Saturday Club with Spencer Davis, Ivy League, Division 2, Elkie Brooks, Ray Anton & Proform [sound like something you bought in Boots] and Jimmy James & The Vagabonds. Brian Matthew spinning and new releases and linking the whole show together in his usual calm way. Later in the day you had Jack Jackson Record Show. In the afternoon on Saturday Bandstand it was the Aldershot Staff Band of The Corps of Royal Engineers and on Jazz Beat that night – Acker Bilk.
Sunday followed the usual format – Easy Beat with Keith Fordyce, 12noon – Two Way Family Favourites London & Koln, afternoon comedy with this week Round The Horn, Val Doonican and Benny Hill. Movie Time featured “Flight of the Phoenix” starring James Stewart, Richard Attenborough, Peter Finch & Hardy Kruger, I think this had been filmed in Libya with help from the British and US Forces. The other feature film was “Our Man Flint” starring James Coburn & Lee J Cobb.
Television offered on Saturday Dr Who, Juke Box Jury with David Jacob and his panel Patsy Ann Noble, Brian Matthew, Wendy Varnals and Bert Kaempfert. The evening continued with Dixon of Dock Green, the western film – “The Maverick Queen” followed by Terry Scott and at 9.10pm an Election Broadcast with the Prime Minister – Harold Wilson OBE. This was followed Dick Van Dyke on the Andy Williams Show. Nothing out of the ordinary on Sunday except perhaps Pinky & Perky !!
On the Pirates: Radio Caroline South with Tom Lodge @ 12 noon the charts were topped by Small Faces – Sha La La La Lee and the Hollies – I Can’t let Go. Radio London new Big L Top 40–Yardbirds – Shape of Things, Kinks -Dedicated Follower of Fashion. Walker Brother – The Sun Aint Gonna Shine Anymore. Hollies – I Can’t Let Go. Bob Lind –Elusive Butterfly.
A brief write up this week, as I have been very busy with projects that are all coming together nicely – including the Hastings Pier situation. Look out for more information as it’s trickled from the Trust over the coming weeks towards the Grand Opening on Saturday 21 May 2016.
Next week I will include more about the Friday 18th March 1966 and The Ides of March Rave at the Witch Doctor and the duel appearance of the d’Abo family !! Until then you all take care, fingers crossed that the warm weather continues.     Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2016.