sounds incorporated

Cilla Black & Sounds Incorporated – Hastings Pier 4th April 1964

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all cuttings Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Andre Martin….Its the 4th March 1964  and  its the visit from the Liverpool Lass – Cilla Black, plus Sounds Incorporated and supporting group Rock and Roll outfit from London Earl Sheriden and the Houseshakers.
I have found out a very interesting newspaper cutting from the Hastings Observer following the show and it gives some interesting information. Cilla was about to release her follow-up to “Anybody Who Had A Heart” at the beginning of May “You’re My World”, was an English language rendition of the Italian popular song, “Il Mio Mondo”. Produced by George Martin at the Abby Studios and featuring Johnny Pearson at the baton, incidentally looking into my crystal ball, this single would reach the no 1 spot in the UK by the end of May – just in time for the next Bank Holiday.
A great part of the show was the music of Sounds Incorporate, who hailed from Dartford and had been part of the Brian Epstein Empire scene for about 18 months, and during this time had worked with many of the Liverpool acts on the numerous touring shows that were so popular in this country. They had a excellent recording pedigree and had been regulars as supporting many popular US artistes such as Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brenda Lee and Sam Cooke.Very little known about the support band, they were a south London outfit, that had previously played at the Pier – if any more comes to light I will post.

Alan Esdaile….The story I remember from Bob Knights the pier manager on Cilla Black was that on her first appearance on the Pier she was so broke they could not afford accommodation and they usually slept in the van and looked like they hadn’t eaten for days. After the gig they stayed at Bob Knights house for the night and he gave them a big meal.

Andre Martin…..Knowing Bob, that sounds like a true story, thanks for sharing – I know Bob could be a “old Woman” at times, but he had the Pier at heart and made our lives safer, even with the gaps in the planking !!

Susan Duck… I was there. Went to the dressing room to get her autograph. Brian Epstein was there. Cilla was so full of personality even back in those early days.

Moya Wilson… Wow that’s brilliant Susan.

Sounds Incorporated & Gene Bennett and The Initials – Hastings Pier 6th June 1964 by Andre Martin

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Its Saturday 6th June 1964 and for the History Fans of 50 years ago we are again at the Happy Ballroom on Hasting Pier, for what looks like being another great night – top of the bill today are Sounds Incorporated, making yet again another visit to us here on the South coast, and in support Gene Bennett and the Sidewinders, a truly value for money show – for those who would like to know 6/- on the door [30p] and this would also have included FREE admission to the pier and all the attractions along the way from the toll house and the Ballroom – again what value, if you were good you could also have fitted in a game or two of BINGO !
Sounds Incorporated formed in Early 1961, in Dartford, Kent, and gained a local reputation in nearby South London for the fullness of their saxophone-led instrumental sound. In August 1961, after Gene Vincent’s band, The Blue Caps, had been denied permission to work in the UK, they won the opportunity to back Vincent on his British tour and on recordings in London. This led to further opportunities to back other visiting American artists, including Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Brenda Lee and Sam Cooke.[1]
Their first two singles on new label Columbia, “The Spartans” written by Russ Conway and “Spanish Harlem” co-written by Jerry Leiber and Phil Spector and originally released by Ben e King in early 1960 made the UK Singles Chart in 1964 but these were the only successes in this country. That year also saw their becoming Cilla Black’s backing band; they supported her recently on her appearance in The Happy Ballroom. And the recording of their first album which incidentally coincided with this visit to Hastings, called Sounds Incorporated containing many stage favourites, although not their chart successes. Their third Columbia single was included and turned out to be their greatest success in Australia, their version of the “William Tell Overture” reached No2. So it is clear to see the musical background to this outfit that made them very popular wherever they performed and from all account this was a sell out that weekend in the Happy Ballroom. For technical reasons I have flipped the “Spanish Harlem” single today and have included the b side – “Rinky Dink” – http://youtu.be/OTOmAi0rC9E
Of the Supporting act – Gene Bennett & The Sidewinders, as with so many of these outfits very little is known other then they were from Ipswich in Suffolk, and have been described as a rockabilly 5 piece that were kept busy on the Ballroom circuit in the south and London.    Andre Martin

Mick Law…  I was Gene Bennett, but it should be Gene Bennett and the Initials.

Alan Esdaile… Thanks for updating Mick. Photo below.

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Gene Bennett and The Initials. Photo from Mick Law Facebook page.

John Beck… There used to be a Gene Bennett and the Initials who played a number of times in the early 1960’s for the youth club on Saturdays at St Mary’s hall in Lewes, Sussex. I believe they were based in Brighton, Sussex. A signature number of Gene’s used to be “Ain’t that a Shame” which was often requested. Were they the same group I wonder?

Lloyd Johnson… I saw ‘Sounds Incorporated’ on the Pier probably this gig as I also saw ‘The Baron Knights’ they were both great Groups!…we all Loved them…