Anyone remember The Vampires from Hawkhurst asks Barry Newton

Vampires66

photo source: Kent Music Biz

Barry Newton…Alan, Is it OK to use this forum to check my memory regarding a group from a few years back who used to play a lot of village gigs. If i remember correctly the group were from Hawkhurst and called the Vampires they had a blind drummer called Noel who left to play with a well known rock band of the time, possibly late sixties. Does anybody know if my facts are correct and what happened to Noel. Please note I am not 100% sure all names are correct.

Alan Esdaile… That’s fine Barry keep them coming. Found the above photo and more info if you check the link to the Kent Music Biz website. Jed Stacey was in the group The Vampires and played with Paul Dove in Candy Stripe. I will do a few more searches but Paul might know more info.

Barry Newton… Thanks Alan. I used to DJ (sort off) at Iden gigs when they played. Memory slightly of with names Jed not Noel. Always got a good turnout were they played in the sticks.

Jon McCallion… Jed Stacey was the drummer in the Vampires, his brother Tim was their manager. Both still very good friends. I see Tim a lot. Nigel has his own recording studio and still playing.

Paul Dove… Hi Barry, yes I was in a band with Jed &. Nigel, called Candy stripe,played a lot out in the sticks and Hastings, have lost touch with Jed, but have tracked Nigel down am out recording with him in March,on some of his own & my material, I have a band called The Beagles who play Eagles & Beatles , plus other covers.

Paul Huggett… Good band, remember them well. Bass player George Cramp? I auditioned as drummer when Jed left, didn’t get it. The band broke up not long after though, so didn’t miss much.

Mike Butler… Jed played in a little bedroom band back in the early 60’s with myself, Barry Marshal and Martin (can’t remember his last name). We had to get Martin’s dad to pick Jed up for Hawkhurst to bring him to Martin’s house in Cranbrook. Some time in 1964, I went to a local dance run by a band called The Saphires that Jed was playing in . I did a guest spot doing the bass solo from one of the Shadows hits of the time. I got invited to join the band and we practiced in a room above the bar of the Queen’s Arms in Hawkhurst. I never got to play live with them after that as I moved away. I did look Jed up a couple of years ago and found he was living in Maidstone, but I never got round to contacting him. Would be nice to know if he remembers those days!

Tony Court-holmes… good god are the cellars still there

Terry Hopper… Yep remember seeing the vampires in the late 60 ‘s at Brede village hall the drummer used to do a brilliant 5 minute drum solo while the rest of the band left the stage for a  break

Nigel Dance… Hi, I’m Nigel Dance and have fond memories of playing guitar with the Vampires. They were fun times. I’m still in touch with Jed, who lives in Ashford, and who has worked with me in a couple of bands since those 60’s days. I’m also still in touch with George Cramp, our Vampires bass player. I’ve met Monty (singer and front man) a couple of times but not recently. Lenny (keyboards) I’ve met a few times over the years but he has, sadly, since died.

Graham Bradley… I remember introducing Gordon Reade to the band after there blind drummer left who was fantastic, I think Gordon got the job who was also a good drummer. I was playing in a local band at that time so knew The Vampires pretty well .

Stuart Moir… Premier drums were the choice of the day in the sixties, remember pondering over my choice but went with Ludwig and have since gone Roland V drums, sold my Super Classic to a guy in the Czech republic for £1800 .

Stewart Grimes… I remember going with my dad to Bells Music in Hove to collect his burgundy pearl Premier Continental set complete with Ziljan cymbals which if I remember rightly cost as much if not more than the kit, this was in 69

Marcus Towner… Hi I’m MarcusT from Hawkhurst and remembered the Vampires with great fondness. Nash Dance guitar Lenny on keyboards, George on bass, Jed on drums and of course Monty on vocals. They were brilliant and so good I realise I’d never get to that level of excellence. The result was Jerry Fisher and I formed the Pink Banana mobile disco and were quite successful. However I doubt anyone remembers us and our crazy antics. Thanks boys.

Mike Haddock… I used to live in Northiam. Booked the Vampires many times and even got them a booking at Chislehurst Caves with the Radio Caroline dj’s of the day. Robbie Dale, Jonnie Walker, etc. Used to help Jed with his drums after a gig. One time had all the boys back to my parents’ house (they were away) and cooked them all a big breakfast! Very happy days.

Val Playford… My cousin, Jonnie Playford, played in the Vampires and I remember going to all the local dances and Chislehurst Caves, where I saw Screaming Lord Such, that was back in the day, so many memories, had a great time.

Gerry Fortsch… Graham, Have you any idea where Gordon is now Graham, I have not seen him since the mid seventies when we met up with our old mates in Nektar.

Graham Bradley… Hi Gerry, I’m afraid I haven’t see Gordon for years, I will ask around to see if anyone knows, hope all good with you mate

Paul Dove… Looks like Nigel Dance in the red top

Nigel Dance… Paul, Yes it is.

Gerry Fortsch… God that takes me back, they were so popular back then but of course it never bothered me.

Graham Matthews… The last I heard about Jed, the blind drummer, his brother told me he had a big band in the Ashford area.

John Sunderland… I always thought he was Fred? I remember them playing regularly at Staplecross village hall back then, even though I was still at primary school!

Marcus Towner… Yes I remember them well and even play with Dave Chapman’s band . He was one of the original Vampires. I have great memories of them and their village hall dances. They were an integral part of my youth.