rare bird

Barclay James Harvest and Rare Bird. Hastings Pier 22nd June 1974

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Nick Webb… I was there again lol

Andy Qunta… Pretty sure I was there for this. Both good bands!

Martyn Baker… you were mate. I remember seeing you in the bar at half-time!

Ian Watling… That was a great night

Peter McLoughlin… Saw Bjh at the pier a couple of years earlier with about 50 other people!!

Anne Murray… Yep, I was at BJH

Catherine Ireland… The guy at the back right of picture looks like Chris Cozens, but I don’t think Chris was born then

Chris Meachen… Bloody excellent night, two brilliant bands.. still have the autographed BJH album..

Roger Dando… Classic band I never managed to see live . .

Mick O’Dowd… When I worked with them on a Martin-Casson gig on the Pier, I did not like rock music much. I introduced the band and went off stage but was waylaid by someone and we talked for a while. When I emerged to cross the dance floor to escape, I was half-way across and they were playing “Mockingbird”. Woah! I liked the sound of this! Stayed and watched the rest of their set. Made me realise that I had a bad case of tunnel vision and from that day have taken all music and given everything at least one listen before rejecting them as c**p! Wise decision as i’ve discovered a lot of bands/artists that I once wouldn’t have given the time of day to. Thank BJH!

Pete Houghton… Hi Mick yes Mockingbird is still one of favourite songs

Andy Davies… I was there too. Can’t have heard anything of their’s since ‘76! Are they worth revisiting?

Alan Esdaile… Andy, Yes definitely.

Pete Houghton… I was there a what great night Both Band’s signed there Autographs for me

Deb Hoad.. Love their music

Carol Cooksey… Love the music of B J H saw them lots of times

Terry Pack… I was at this one. Walked home to Bexhill afterwards as usual. The last train was at 22.37 and I nearly always missed it. I think the last bus was probably at about 7.00pm!! Beer was so cheap in 1974 that I couldn’t spend the £1 I had in my pocket at the start of the evening!

Mike Curtis… I remember going to “Beat Raves” at DLWP in the late 60s. Beer was 2/6 a pint – I used to spend my £1 and have difficulty walking home.

Iain Cobby… Long Live the BJH mellotron, king of orchestral sounds!

 

Rare Bird – Hastings Pier 1972?

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rare bird 1972?? hastings pier from pete fisher Rare Bird, Hastings Pier 1972? - 2 pete fisher

photos by Pete Fisher

Barry Newton… Is this the same RARE BIRD had a single released , Sympathy ?

Alan Esdaile… Same one Barry and still sounds excellent.

Barry Newton… I knew the band vaguley a long time ago. My brother had a flat in Battersea, by the park, and they lived in the flat above and I would visit for the parties. I used to leave the 58 club, jump on a fast motorbike and arrive when things were getting lively. Great times.

Alan Esdaile… Pete, the Rare Bird photos weren’t from 1974 when they supported Barclay James Harvest on the pier? Looks like you think this is 71/72 anyone confirm a date? I think the keyboard player is David Kaffinetti who went on to play Viv Savage in This is Spinal Tap?

Chris Sambrook… Former Rare Bird Keyboard player  David Kaffinetti did join Spinal Tap as Viv Savage on Keyboards.  He only spoke the words”Have a good time, all the time”.

Cliff Wootton… I remember that gig. Den & I had front row seats over on the right. Nice to see some pics. We didn’t have a camera with us that night.

Pete Fisher… As Chris Sambrook confirmed, it is indeed David Kaffinetti in this photo, who was one of the two keyboard players in the band and who went on to play Viv Savage in Spinal Tap.

Mick Bolton… I auditioned for Rare Bird when they were looking for a keyboard player – didn’t get the job though. It would have been in ’72 or early ’73 I think.

Alan Esdaile… Just as well Mick, otherwise you might have missed out on Mott The Hoople.