sixties pop

The GT Strokers – 58 Club Winchelsea Beach – 1967

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supplied by Tony Lambert

l to r: Andy Webster (very good rhythm and arranger),  Tony Lambert (now singing ?), Paul Freeman (on his Ludwig drums who was the best drummer around here) Revelle Stockdale (very talented) and  far right Graham Kent (good bassist and arranger).

Tony Lambert…  here is the GT Strokers about April ’67…. 58 club Winchelsea Beach. We had the Friday night spot for a while then took over from King Rod and co. on Saturdays, as they went touring.
This was before the flower power look took hold later in ’67, best time for many that year the summer of love! Bill who ran the 58 club didn’t like our new flower power look so we we left. When we broke up later that year Paul, Rev and i joined King Rod for a while but left and went our own ways. Tried several other bands but didn’t work out, pity because we were progressing very well as the GTS.

Geoff Peckham… I never saw The GT Strokers, but I’d certainly heard of them. A lady my mum knew, Blanche Adams, a retired governess and concert violinist took an interest in my musical progress and helped me buy some equipment. She was also Andy Webster’s landlady, and she introduced me to him as I think he was getting married and was selling some gear. He was really friendly and taught me “My Girl” among other songs. He also sold me the Leeds Chord Dictionary, which I still have! This was around ’68/’69.

Robert Searle… Great to see a picture with Paul Freeman on his Ludwig drums and Rev Stockdale on guitar.

Carol Arnold… aaa, loved the 58 club.

Mark Randall… Where abouts was the 58?

Alan Esdaile… It was behind The Ship Pub, Mark.

Tony Lambert… Paul Freeman’s cousin was Mick Taylor who played with the Stones after Brian Jones left us, so quite a talented family. I always encouraged Paul to go pro, with his talent and connections it could have come about…what a pity he missed out. When the GTS was in the flower power mode we used oil slide projection backgrounds and incense sticks with synchronized flashing lights,which most enjoyed but it was rather too much for some to bear especially at the 58 club !…..we always tried our best to entertain, we tried to learn at least 2 new numbers a week, not easy when doing a full time job.

Colin Fox… Rev Stockdale, Kevin Hoad, Chris Howard, Kate Honey and me when we played in the 80’s as ‘Elite’, at the Fishermens Club Eastbourne. Bob Searle and I used to lodge for a while at Paul Freemans house in the early 70’s in Windmill Hill. We had some great times, (I think), as we were always pissed.

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supplied by Colin Fox

Cliff Wootton… I remember a drum kit that dad bought home and put in our music room which had the GT Strokers artwork on the front. I have a picture somewhere which I’ll dig out and post here. I know he worked with Tony around that time so they must have made a deal or swop.

 

The Happy Ballroom Hastings Pier, The Who & more 21st August 1966 by Andre Martin

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supplied by: Andre Palfrey-martin collection

The month continues and we are now almost at the next Bank Holiday Weekend. However it is still only Saturday 20th August 1966, over on the Pier the entertainment continues to attract many different visitors and residents alike. This Saturday it is the return of one of the most popular regular bands that appear in the Happy Ballroom – Tony Strudwick Big Band Party Night. The big attraction for the young people comes on Sunday with a return visit from The Who – the band had been recently on major tours in France and would shortly being going to Scandinavia, their music included such standards as Heatwave, Dancing in the Street, Barbra Ann and Daddy Rolling Stone, plus I Can’t Explain, Substitute, I’m Boy, A legal Matter & My Generation. They were working on their second album at the time – “A Quick One”. Tuesday it was Wrestling and in addition to the “Sensational American Style Tag team Contest” included in the bill was the Heavyweight contest between Steve Veidor and Al Fontayne. The week ended with Tony Strudwick Show Band. Friday night [19th] it was a great start to the weekend with the visit to “Ready Steady Go” Cathy and Keith in the hot seats and presenting live in the studio Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers : Got to get you into my Life, Salena Scott : I am Yours, Manfred Mann : Just Like a Woman & You gave me somebody to Love, Twice as Nice & The Who : A legal Matter & I’m a Boy. This would also have seen one of the very first appearances of Mike d’Abo in the new line up for Manfred Mann, with Paul Jones having left earlier in the summer. The Witch Doctor following its summer schedule of groups only on Saturday Night – this week it was a visit for the Oxford group Felders Orioles and the Yes “n” No. On Sunday Night it was a Record Rave and the rest of the week advertised as “ make sure you’re in the In crowd”
Let’s take a look at what was on radio, BBC Light Programme for Saturday – 10.00am Saturday Club – Brian Matthew introduced Manfred Mann, Twice as Nice, The Fourmost, Friday Brown & The Checkmates. Later in the day on Swing into Summer included Barron Knights, Acker Bilk, Clinton Ford, Ivy League, Billy J Kramer, Pinkertons Assorted Colours, Searchers, Jackie Trent & Wout Steenhaus. With the football season being under way, another feature on Saturday Afternoon – Association Football was back followed by Sports Report. In the evening it was time for BlackPool Night with Ken Dodd, Mrs Mills and Freddie Davies. A regular visit to the Promenade Concerts would have been followed with Time for Latin and Simon Dee.
On television – BBC 1 had Cricket with Brian Johnson, Peter West, Denis Compton and Richie Benaud, followed by Grandstand. Juke Box Jury this week with David Jacobs chairing –Don Moss, Patsy Ann Noble, Meg Wynn Owen and Fred Emney on the panel. Later in the evening the programmes included Laurel 7 Hardy, Creicket, Till Death us do Part, The Troubleshooters and a Visit to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo with Tom Fleming giving the commentary.  On Sunday we had a choice of BBC Light Programme – David Nixon, Children’s Favourites, Mrs Mills and Easy Beat. The forces link up this week at noon would include London Koln and Borneo, later in the afternoon it was the Morecomb & Wise radio Show, Movie Go Round – How to steal a Million with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O’Toole. Singe something simple followed by Steptoe & Son. Sunday half hour this week came from HMPrision Exeter. A womens hour special from Moscow was followed by Jazz scene. Over on television there was “It’s a KO” between Lytham St Annes and Fleetwood, and Ked Dodd from Blackpoo was another high light of the day
Over on the Pirate ships, this week’s charts would include Big L Radio London: Small Faces: All or Nothing, Ken Dodd : More than Nothing, Beatles : Yellow Submarine, Napoleon XIV : They’re coming to take me away, Ha Ha. Cliff Bennet & The Rebel Rousers : Got to get you into my Life. Over on Caroline South – Beatles : yellow Submarine, Beach Boys : God only Knows, Lovin Spoonful : Summer in the City, Mamas and Papas : I saw her again last night, Los Bravos : Black is Black. Here we are at the end of the week, and from records it shows that the weather went from warm in the early days to wet and cooler towards the end, I do recall that we had several days of heavy rain towards the end of the month, so much so that on some of the bus routes, the water came under the doors and made the floor a little wet and slippery. The 900th celebrations continue towards their climax on 14th October, and the town was decked out with bunting and flags making it very festive. Until next week episode, all take care out in the big wide world and watch this space for events and changes that are about to take place.
Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2016

Here’s The Who a few weeks later at Felixstowe on 8th Sept 1966.

Andre Martin… OMG – Lynne that would  have been within 200 yds of my Uncles house in Felixstowe, I wonder if my Lynne cousin would have been at that.

Peter Fairless… Hastings Pier 21st August, 50 years ago, today!

Andre Martin… As you say Pete, 50 years ago almost to the minute – the headline bands would start their act around 9.00pm/9.15pm to ensure that it was completed by the early Sunday Closing hours. No quite sure if that was the National Licencing Hours or Bob Knight’s Rules !!

Jim Breeds… Thanks as always Andre for an entertaining piece. Ked Dodd from “Blackpoo” boggles the mind, though! 🙂

Andre Martin… I could say a typo – but if you have ever work with Ken Dodd, you never knew when he would end, I have seen him stretch out a 1hrs cabaret for over 3 hours ! so I left the last “l” untill the show wnds. Hope your feeling better and enjoying getting out and about.

The Alexanders – 1964/65

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L-R Eddie Sergent, Dickie Durrant, Mick King, Geoff Matthews (drums) Laurie Brookman

Steve Hull… I have been looking for Eddie Sergent and Laurie Brookman for about 55 years. Laurie,Eddie and the Tarrant boys ,were mates and I have lost touch with them. I would love to catch up with them and see how there lives panned out. My name is Sid Hull, been known as Steve for many years. If you could get in touch it would mean a lot to me. My old address was Coxwold Crescent.

A number of messages have now been exchanged but happy to pass on anymore.

Eddie Sargent… Good old days

Keith Flanigan… In reply to Steve Hull. Hello Steve, Larie Brookman was a good friend, along with Chris Hermon and many others. I think I went to school with the Tarrant brothers at St Marys boys school in Green street Eastbourne Old Town. So many bands started up in Old Town, Too many to mention. Please get in touch with me. We can chat further.

Steve Hull… Hi Keith , are you the Keith Flanigan that worked for Lessons butcher’s? If you are I worked with you for a while ,and then you joined the Air Force. I also went to St Mary’s, Eddie ,Larie
And the Tarrant boys formed a group called the Juveniles which was a skiffel group. Tea chest base, washboard 3 guitars ,I was one of the guitars. It would be good to talk to you ,if you send me a telephone number to contact you on I would be pleased to ring you back

Keith Flanigan… Hi Steve, Great to hear from you. Yes That’s me. Ramon and Melville Leeson were my cousins. I joined the RAF in 1966 when I was eighteen and live in Holland now. I think Eddie Sargent still lives in Eastbourne, somewhere in Victoria Drive. Please mail me, as international calls can be costly.        Details have now been forwarded to Steve.

SMART coffee meet No. 38 Report

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Our 38th meet. Among the newbies this time were Harry Randall. Harry was talking about his bands Chain Reaction, The 6ts and The Patriots who appeared on New Faces and had a single out on Bus Stop Records called Rick Rack. Mick O’Dowd arrived with The Beatles live at the BBC cassette pack and a whole bunch of cd’s that he was happy to give away for a donation to the Conquest MRI Scanner appeal. Laurie Cooksey arrived with some more photos from the 6ts and the very first photo of Die Laughing, and interested in getting a book together of Hastings rock history. Cliff Wootton had with cd’s for his new progressive folk band ‘Where Once Giants Trod’ and Pete Prescott had with him The Simon Dee book, the Guitarist book from 87 featuring him and Ray Fenwick and Jazz UK and The Hastings Trawler, both with Liane Carroll on the covers. Wendy Weaver remembers seeing live Fred Astaire and Gene Vincent and going to The Simon Dee tv show. Iain Cobby was talking to John Petrie about Stallion at The Melody Maker rock contest and Tony Qunta was talking about how the Factory single Time Machine keeps rising in value and also amplification getting smaller and smaller.  Colin Bell mentioned that he did the first proper disco in Hastings at The Regent Hotel in 1968 for the EF students, prior to this Andre said that he played records in the same venue supporting bands like Unabridged Telephone Directory. Sarah Harvey is working on the Hastings Rock recordings of Colin’s interview with Roger Daltrey which she hopes to play on her Slammin Tunes programme some time in the near future. Kevin Burchett is working on some videos of The Lost Boys and Sergeant which will be posted on You Tube shortly. Also Kevin was pleased to announce that enough money has now been raised for a permanent statue to  Ron ‘Popeye’ Everett. Tony Davis was talking about an incident at his recent Birthday event , when The Kavemen played. Unfortunately someone stole the bass players pedal kit. Photos are all over social media and hopefully the person will be caught. Chat was also about the BBC Proms Stax Records tribute and PP Arnold’s finally releases her lost album. As we finished more people were arriving and ended up a very good afternoon. This is a small bit of what I can remember, anyone who wishes to add anything you were talking about, then please feel free to do so.

Phil Gill… Sorry not to make it this time Alan, work got in the way.

Lucy Pappas… Sounds like I missed another great afternoon xx

Mick O’Dowd…Everyone is always made welcome at the Meets.

Andy Qunta… Anyone else like to have their fire buckets checked?

Jim Breeds… I’ll avoid any joke about hoses!

Mick O’Dowd…  I think I needed a fire extinguisher after meeting her!

Pete Fairless… I saw them in September 1975 – 42 years ago, tomorrow… Yes, I recall it was rather warm!

Dennis Torrance… I was there

Martin Waghorne… Great night i remember it . just

Paul Hoggard… Great gig!

 

A love letter to The Byrds A love letter to The Byrds – and the part they played in a musical journey… by Darren Johnson

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I love folk and have attended numerous folk festivals and countless gigs, taken part in seminars on the history of English folk song and enjoy writing about it, both on here and in other publications. However, unlike rock which I loved from my early teens, my appreciation of folk came later in life. But after getting into heavy metal as teenager in the early 80s, I started exploring back – to 70s glam rock and 60s beat groups.

Continue reading here…. https://darrensmusicblog.com/2017/04/02/a-love-letter-to-the-byrds-and-the-part-they-played-in-a-musical-journey/

Alan Esdaile… still love Eight Miles High

Darren Johnson… Yes that late period of the band had some good moments. The Untitled album especially

Will Cornell… That McGuinn was able to still have a band around him when everyone was coming and going is one of rock n roll’s greatest historic achievements. From “Notorious” to “Sweetheart Of the Rodeo” and beyond to “Untitled” is pretty remarkable…and look what bands came about in their wake. Gram Parsons alone casts a huge shadow.

Darren Johnson… Plus other Byrds spin-offs like the magnificent Gene Clark solo albums

 

Guy Darrell & The Midniters – 1964

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supplied by Karl Holden

Karl Holden… Played Hastings a lot in 1963/1964. Also The Midniters supported The Springfields. I was bass player for The Midniters that night and me and our drummer got asked to support but didn’t get paid any extra!

Andre Martin…  This might well be the band on Hastings Pier.

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

The Happy Ballroom & more 8th October 1966 by Andre Martin

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The weeks continue, but with very little change, was life that much simpler back 50 years? Do let me know, anyway is Saturday 8th October 1966. Rumour has it that the Norman Invasion is on its way and things will start to happen next week. The Happy Ballroom on Hastings Pier remains quiet but the Invasion All Nighter has been planned for the actual day of the battle Friday 14th October, headlining the show is Georgie Fame, more on that to follow.
The start to the weekend – Ready Steady Go has topping the bill, The Rolling Stones – “Have You Seen Your Mother”, “Paint it Black” &” Lady Jane”. Paul & Barry Ryan – “Have you ever loved somebody” and Eric Burden + The Animals “Help Me Girl” The team of Cathy & Keith fronted the show an kept it moving along apace.  Down at Marine Court, The Witch Doctor is planning some changes, but are keeping it under wraps and on Saturday evening from Portsmouth came along R&B Band – The Loose Ends, regulars on the circuit here in southern England. Thursday night was as expected and enjoyed the Maidstone Manic Music Motivator & Muscle Man – Steve Maxted, with his particular style of Mayhem, and to think that we had to be out of the venue and on the way home by 11.00pm – those were the days. All that advertised for the changes – New Faces, New Shows, More Action – ??????  BBC Radio for the weekend started for many with Children’s Favourites with Leslie Crowther, followed b Saturday Club with Brian Matthew and his guests Georgie Fame with The Harry South Big Band, The Troggs, Herman’s Hermits, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers and The County Set. Lunchtime continued with David Frost at the Phonograph, Music from the Movies, Sorry I’’ll Read That Again, Swingtime with Chris Denning. Later in the evening the offer included – Have A Go with Wilfred Pickles, A Night at The Music Hall, Roy Castle, Time for Old Time, Ken Mackintosh and His orchestra and the evening drew to a close with two & half hours of Simon Dee, and Lennie Felix with Jazz Time.
On Sunday after Children’s Favourites, Mrs Mills and Phil Tate’s Happy Gang, it was Easy Beat with Keith Fordyce. Noon it was Two Way Family Favourites – London & Koln, the afternoons comedy entertainment included the Navy Lark, The Clitheroe Kid, Billy Cotton Band Show & Semprini. Pick of the Pops with Fluff at 4.00pm. Movie Go Round this week featured Kaleidoscope with Warren Beatty, Susannah York & Eric Porter. Steve Race this week included the music; content of Sea Films, in the chair Peter Haige. Later we had Top of the Form, Sing Something Simple, Frankie Howerd and Jazz Scene.
Television for the weekend: Saturday – Grandstand, followed by Juke Box Jury – David Jacobs in the chair and his guests Lynn Redgrave, Penny Valentine, Lionel Bart and Ronnie Carroll. Later, Dr Who, Dixon of Dock Green, the film “High Adventure” with Rock Hudson. The Dick Van Dyke Show, Trouble-shooters, Horse of The Year Show. Match of the Day ended the evenings viewing.
Sundays offerings included Film Matinee – The Solid Cold Cadillac starring Judy Holliday and Paul Douglas, Wlikie Collins “ the Woman in White”, Sooty’s Mammoth Circus, Songs of Praise, “The Road to Rio” with Bing Crosby,Bob Hope and Dorothy Lamour & The Andrews Sisters. Later it was The Billy Cotton’s Music Hall, Ages of Man, The Look of the Week with Robert Robinson.
Bobbing along on the ocean waves, the Pirates were presenting the weekends top hits – Radio Caroline South with Rick Dane – Georgie Fame: “ Sunny”, Sandpipers “ Guantanamera, DDDBMT : “Bend it”, New Vaudeville Band : “Winchester Cathedral “ and The Who “ I’m A Boy” Tony Blackburn on Radio London 266 BIG L played – Rolling Stones : “Have you seen your mother…”, New Vaudeville Band : “Winchester Cathedral”, Four Seasons “ I’ve got you under my skin”, Peter and Gordon “Lady Godiva and Sandpipers “ Guantanamera” . It is very much a typical week, as we know something is building up for next weekend, until then you all take care, the evenings are closing in.     Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2016