photo biog… supplied by Len Smith Eastbourne Bands from 1960 on
Witch Doctor gig – 30th April 1966
David Kirkwood… Hi, I met Andy Machecknie many years ago in Geraldton West Australia. He told us of his time in Shelley and their time in Norway. Is he back in England or still in WA? Would love to hear what he is up to.
Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Andre Martin…. Gosh another month has almost gone, and we are now Saturday 26th September 1964, and the Happy Ballroom, is moving into week TWO of this winter programme – all you can dance to for 5/- !
Looking at the Billing I see that headlining is The Herd and in support Brighton based Shelley. My immediate thoughts were, was this the same Herd that had Peter Frampton in the line up, but research tells me that he in fact did not join the group until 1966. This was the original group that he would join a little later. There is not much to tell, other than the group came from south London and had three record releases for Parlophone, that did not make much impact on the charts. However – supporting act Shelley – formerly known as The Sabres, were well known in the south and had made many visits to The Happy Ballroom over the years. Our Friday Night fix of music would be well covered by Ready Steady Go on Redifusion TV from Kingway, and this week would have included – -The Band of Angels, The Four, Gerry and the Pacemakers – “It’s Gonna Be Alright” Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders – “Um Um Um Um Um Um” , Little Eva , Little Walter. Interesting line up there with Mike d’Abo and the Band of Angels, who we booked several times for college dances, because of the family link with Hastings.
The Witch Doctor was buzzing with its 7 nights of entertainment, and on offer this week would have included: Saturday – The Shamrocks & The Profiles, Sunday – Soul Agents, Wednesday – Lee Castle & The Barons [scheduled to appear on Thank Your Lucky Stars the following night ] and to end the week on Friday The Beat Merchants.
Over the next few weeks, the Pier management will be reviewing the offer to the people of Hastings and we will see changes….but more about that later, it is still offering “ Longest Bar in Town “ and that bracing walk to and from the Happy Ballroom. Andre Martin
Joe Knight…love the record ‘From The Underworld’ mum use to tell me to turn it off she said it sounded like some one had died!!! lol ;-
Mick O’Dowd… Great band & they spawned Peter Frampton.
Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Andre Martin… The History of the Happy Ballroom continues into October, and we are now at Saturday 3rd October 1964 – there is a mood of change taking place, and we will see more about this in the coming weeks. Back to this Saturdays offerings – Top of the Bill, Brighton Based Shelley, a name that you recognise as they were regulars and in support Earl Sheriden and the Housebreakers, again a group that had appeared many times over the months.
The Shelley, had recently changed their name and were known locally for many years as The Sabres, and if it am to be perfectly correct, were both a Eastbourne & Brighton based outfit. The line up included James Hazelden, Stuart Hinchliffe and Geoff Cooper. The type of music that they were playing was a mixture of Soul & Motown plus chart covers of both UK and US acts. They were shortly to move to Denmark and become one of the Names on the Continent, but more of that later.
Times are changing, and there is a policy of cutting prices, still only 5/- for the nights entertainment but no longer booking name attractions – watch this space.
Friday night would have started well for all the Teenagers in Hastings with Ready Steady Go, and on the schedule for 2nd October, were — John Lee Hooker –Lulu and the Luvvers –Keith Powell.
The west-end entertainment centre aka The Witch Doctor, continues to grow, and the line up for this week included – Saturday The Voodoos, shortly to go on tour with Dionne Warwick & The Isley Brothers, plus from Thank your Lucky Stars – do you remember that one on ATV with Brian Matthews as the compere – The Beat Merchants. Sunday it was the turn for the Mark Four, from the Star Club in Hamburg, and Wednesday – Thee Little Richard Show. Friday would see the Beat Chicks – so a good weeks entertainment on offer, plus the usual record shows on the other nights and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
That’s all to report for this week’s lessons – How much longer will “ The Happy Ballroom “ be the centre of the dance scene in the town, what is new on the horizon ? keep following my blog and you never know what might pop up !! Andre Martin