Tom Jones and The Squires – Hastings Pier 24th April 1965

tom jones

Sheila Maile… Can we have him again?

Peter Fairless… It’s not unusual to be dropped suddenly by the BBC…

Jill Caine… More memories! Oh yes. He is another one I saw when working in the Pier bar! Happy days.

Yvonne Cleland… Wow! I didn’t know TJ played the pier!

Carol Ann Bolton… I remember seeing him on TV for the first time. He was a sensational singer but not my type. Too showbizzy.

Sally Evans… I was there and spoke to him afterwards, lovely man.

Colin Fox… We supported him at the Whitehall East Grinstaed in 1965. In fact we played there several times and I used to take one of the posters off the wall at the end of the evening. Unfortunately I threw them all away many years ago. We also supported the Kinks, P J Proby, the Searchers and many more that I can’t remeber at the moment.

Kay Lobb… I was too young to be allowed to see him then. I had to wait over 50 years to see him live in concert on the sands in Cornwall. Still got the voice. He was on stage for nearly two hours.

Eric Harmer… Kay, Two hours. !! Its not unusual

 

Trying to trace information on Tony Cornish

Sarah Preston… I am doing some research into finding my husbands grandfather. We know his name is Tony Cornish and he played the guitar in the support band for Tom Jones on the pier back in the 60s. Would you know anything about him or could point in the direction of someone who might. I’m not sure but I think the band he was in maybe Tony and the Condors but not 100% but he did play in the cafe regular on the pier back in the hey day and thanks again.

Can anyone help?

Richard Porter… My wife, Jacqui was there!! It was her birthday!!

Roy Penfold… An early mention of Tony Cornish is in the H&SLO of 08 February 1958 in a Skiffle group called “The Gamblers” playing washboard with John Newman on vocals and guitar, Barry Richardson; guitar and Douglas Steadman playing bass. They were apparently inspired by the Jeanagers.

Lloyd Johnson… The Jeanagers’ were our school skiffle group in the late 50s, Hastings Secondary School for Boys/ Priory Road. They won a National Skiffle Competition. I think it might have been Caroll Levis Discoveries which was a TV Talent Show. They wore Black Western shirts with white fringing and black jeans. Mr. Henshaw the headmaster let them give a concert for the whole school when they won the competition. We were very proud of them…😀😀😀😀…I remember Johnny Newman , last time I saw him was in Portobello road in the 90s. He looked like Lee Van Cleef. He use to hangout with Keith Perry and Johnny Blackman the guys that had KEPS Casuals in Hastings later in the early 60s. KEPS Casuals was just over the Road from Woolworths…

The Happy Ballroom and more 4th December 1965 by Andre Martin.

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ad Andre Palfrey-martin collection, poster supplied by Brian Wood

Here we are now in December 1965, the next part of the History of the Happy Ballroom – Hastings Pier, shows that changes are about to be made in the provision intended for the young people in this area. On Saturday 4th. From the minutes of the Directors of the Pier an outside promoter has booked the Ballroom for the next 4 weeks, to present “Beat Groups”. This first week the acts are Sextet 65, The Knights and The Flirts, with Special Guest star?? The interesting thing about this promotion is that it does not appear under the Pier usual banner, but by a small advertisement on the entertainments pages… we will wait and see the outcomes.
Our Friday night started as usual with the slice of “ MOD culture from Kingsway in London, with Ready Steady Go, and on the show this week Fontella Bass “ Rescue Me” : Wayne Fontana “ It was easier to hurt her” : The Hollies “ If I needed somebody” : Toys “ Lovers Concerto “ : The Walker Brothers “ My Ship is coming in “: The Who “ My Generation” also on the show Ketty Lester and Major Lance – so it would have been a powerful way to start the weekend.
The Witch Doctor is playing a low key week with the only live bands featured on Saturday 4th, with the Symbols, supported by The Disciples, the rest of the week is given over to Records, with the exception to “ the only” in that Thursday has become almost a national institution in the town with the Steve Maxted Show.
The BBC selection of programmes changes very little from previous weeks , Saturday for many would have started with Saturday Club introduced by Brian Matthew on this week’s show, Chris Andrews, The Searchers, Ketty Lester, Spencer Davis Group, The Lorne Gibson Trio and Thee Gibsons. Lunchtime would have seen another slice of music mixture with Jack Jackson. Sunday would give us Easy Beat, Two Way Family Favourites and Pick of the Pops.
Over on Television – Juke Box Jury, this week had Simon Dee. Ketty Lester, Stratford Johns and Car5olyn as the panel under the supervision of David Jacobs. Over on ITV Brian Matthew and Jim Dale are co-hoisting Thank Your Lucky Stars – this weeks participants include – The Kinks, The Beatles, The Shadows, Tom Jones, Mark Wynter, Dennis Lotis.
For the record collectors with money to spend, this week saw the release of ” Rubber Soul” album from the Beatles and “My Generation” from the Who – just in time for the Christmas market – 32/6d including Purchase Tax each – what a bargain !! Next week we will know more of what is happening with these new promoters on the Pier and how the Christmas plans are becoming known. Until next week you all keep well, don’t remember what the weather was like back in 1965, but I don’t recall it being a windy and wet as 2015.
Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2015