seventies

Did anyone go on the Magic Bus coach trips in the 1970’s?

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Leigh Mitchell… No – but I’d go on one now at those prices

Rebecca Roach… What a memory – delighted to find this – I went on the Magic Bus to Athens from Kings Cross station in 1972/3 (?) stayed at The Funny Trumpet hostal in Athens – that was an experience!

R Stene… Yes. London to Athens in 1978. I was the oldest person on the ride (36) and best dressed it turned out. No head rests for three days and a memorable toilet stop for two girls on the side of the road in Yugoslavia in the snow. Lots of interesong smoking going on in the back seats.

Mike Curtis… No. Cos it was “too much”

John Wilde… Yes twice to Amsterdam.

Vicki Campbell… Yes, Athens to Amsterdam 1975. Yugoslavia we broke down near Skopje.  Pretty rough travel but the price was right! I remember how happy everyone was to cross into Austria! The fresh produce in Yugoslavia was the best anywhere.

Heather Sidery… Yes.. France and back. We we’re stopped in UK, and searched by police. Nothing found…..

Julie Findlay-jones… My uncle used to drive for them in the 70s.

David Hamblett… Went to Athens 1979, it cost £28,Should have been 3 days but took 4 as Yugoslavia police stopped the bus and took away the driver, Fantastic

Amanda Darling… David, I was on that bus too! My son was conceived on the roadside in Yugoslavia when the bus driver was taken off by the police!

Joan Hicks… I (a Kiwi) traveled Athens to London 1976. Alan was the lone driver. He had his kids Claire and Roger with him. Alan had a kidney stone attack in the Alps, so the whole busload baby sat until he came back. Also got stuck at the Yugoslavian border, the border guards demanding $200 US for a Visa I already had. Also got an unplanned day in Amsterdam. Brilliant trip. Made some good friends and still keep in touch with a couple of them. Traveled on with Alan down to Cornwall and stayed with him and his wife Flora for a few days. Happy days!

Meryl Gay… Yes, I took the 3day trip in 1975 from London via France, Italy over the ferry at Brindisi to Greece down to Athens. What a adventure. We had a puncture in France! Had many happy memories.

Peter Ellingworth… I didn’t myself but my youngest cousin Moira, sadly no longer with us having succumbed to cancer, and over from Australia at the time (1975-8) on their traditional overseas rite of passage, did so with her Canadian flat mate she lodged with in Shepherds Bush…..and ended up in Athens marrying a Greek. Did the bus go from the old coach station half way up Pentonville Rd., (now an upmarket restaurant) or from outside King’s Cross Rail station itself, most likely in York Way ?

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‘Group Scene’ talking about John Martyn’s forthcoming gig at The Carlisle 9th January 1976 and review.

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supplied by Sarah Harvey

Alan Esdaile… Remember going to this one.

Tony Court-holmes… he used to play and drink in the Nelson, i used to serve when i was behind the bar back in the 70s

Chris Sambrook… From what i can remember, John Martyn became very annoyed with people talking during his performance.,quite rightly so. Did Pendragon play support.? or did they play another night.

Paul Sleet… I remember going to the Nelson one night when he had just come back off a tour with his wife Beverley, and they did a free gig. The place was packed.

Yvonne Cleland… Yes, I was at that one, Paul. Stood at the bottom of the stairs!

Hans van den Berk… The concert must have taken place in the first week of January 1976. Does anyone have a more specific date? Either of the concert or the publishing date of the article (and the name of the paper). Greetings, http://www.johnmartyn.info

Alan Esdaile… The Hastings and St Leonards Observer but not sure of the correct date. Perhaps Sarah knows.

Phil Gill… I was there, great gig. He had Stallion’s PA – Digger, and Dave the Plank sorted that and did his sound. JM’s best put down of the night was aimed at a woman constantly talking loudly in the audience, and I quote: “Look, I’ve got a 2000 watt PA here and I still can’t hear myself for you talking, so shut up. If my wallet was as big as your mouth, I’d be the richest c*** in Hastings.” Only with more swearing involved…

Sarah Harvey… The article appeared in The Observer on January 3rd, 1976.

Hans van den Berk… Amazing, that means another new concert date.. One of the last shows in the UK before the sabbatical, me thinks. Still wondering if Beverley and Danny Thompson were actually present that night.

Alan Esdaile… I’m pretty sure Beverley was but don’t know about Danny Thompson.

Ken Copsey…  I was 13 and this was the first proper gig I attended. God knows how I got in. Pretty certain that neither Beverly or Danny Thompson played. I thought this was a warm up for an American tour. I think he played only electric. Gibson SG and a lot of extended improvisation through the Echoplex. Did he play more than once at the Carlisle in the 70’s?

Diddy David Hamilton – The Crypt Hastings August 1976

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Terry Tollan… That night i was his runner .I used his trick with the babies bottle for years on stage.

Steven Graham… My parents- Maureen and Hugh – ran the Crypt at this time!

Matt Thomas… This was probably around the same time I see him in a charity football match at the Pilot Field alongside Ed Stewart

Alan Esdaile… I saw him at the Radio One Club when it was in Lower Regent Street and he was introducing Slade and yes he was that colour!

 

 

Mods Convention – Hastings Pier – 15th December 1979 with Secret Affair, Squire, Seventeen & The Same

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supplied by John Gale

John Gale…15th December 1979 The Jam played Brighton Centre. I couldn’t get a ticket “oh well,, this’ll do “. Went to this instead. it was quite busy, considering the Jam were playing the same night in Brighton

Steve Sampson… Was at The Jam … was living over there at the time as was at Brighton Polytechnic… did go to The Purple Hearts one with The Teenbeats ? at the pier … and a very violent UK Subs Gig which I think The Teenbeats did the support

Scalliwags Disco St Leonards-on-Sea – Julian & Helen Party 11th Dec 1977

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supplied by Richard Best

Richard Best… Scalliwags 1977 woohoo 4 till 8

Kevin Burchett… this can only be one thing its a disco party for Brian Reades 2 children Julian and Helen

Richard Best… Kevin, spot on I went school with Helen

Edward Adams… formely The Regent

David Essex – White Rock Pavilion 19th November 1974

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Alan Esdaile… Shows how popular David Essex was, as his film was on at The Classic and The Curzon at the same time

Peter Fairless… Rock On!

Leigh Weiland-Boys… Saw him then & he stayed at The Queen Vic, where my friend was a receptionist, she worked that night so he gave her two free tickets to see him at the Brighton Dome & she took me! Double whammy!

Brigitte Lee… Where were the Penguin and The Orion?

Alan Esdaile… The Orion Cinema was next to the Old W H Smith (just down from the old main Post Office. The Penguin was where Dennies Club was, opposite Priory Street car park.

Chris Meachen… I was taking pictures for The Observer at that gig, along with the lovely Jennie Tocock who was attempting without much success, to get an interview with him..

Leigh Weiland-Boys… My Mum worked at the Observer at the time and got hold of a couple of photos from that night for me – I am not sure whether I still have them (moved a few times since 1974!!) but will have a look.

Jennie Tocock… He was a bit of a jerk if I remember rightly, Chris! We got so many great interviews with tons of the bands in those days … but dear old David was a bit too special to give us 5 minutes!

Alan Esdaile… Oh what a circus that must have been Jennie.

Lesley Bowles… My friend’s Mum worked in the White Rock box office and got me front row tickets, seat A20, I’ll always remember it – and so had the WR advertising poster on my wall for YEARS!!! Happy days!

Martin Curcher… I remember going to White Rock with my Mum, Aunt and Brother to see him perform, I was only 9, and it was loud. His hit song at that time was: Gonna make you a star.

Lesley Bowles… I was front row, 15 years old and cried through the whole thing – how I loved him