John Warner… Back in the 60’s the Beatles almost came to Maidstone. Brian Epstein and one of his management team came to the Star Ballroom to see Stan Stanwell with a view to arranging a gig. Money was agreed and most of the conditions met. The fly in the ointment was the fact that because the stage was low and the audience could get right up close to it. Epstein insisted on a wire netting barrier covering the whole of the stage. We consulted the fire brigade who rejected this item as a danger to both the groups and to the audience, so no Beatles. This news was never released, in the local paper as we knew how upset our punters would be.
Yvonne Cleland… I’d be tempted if I had several shedloads of unwanted cash and my own personal vault box.
Alan Esdaile… I thought mine was five hundred and something but I’m way out. My one is number 0412580.
Chris Giles… Id have it if I had loads of money
Colin Norton… Mine is 5343 which is pretty low 🙂
Jim Breeds… I think my number rubbed off, but I wrote it down somewhere before it went completely.
Paul Sleet… Doubt if it sounds any better.
Ralph Town… Why would he want to sell it?? He can,t be a bit short of cash.
Clifford Rose… I wonder who bought that one.
Jim Breeds… He has an auction of loads of stuff, not just this. Bidding starts at $20,000! Highlights from this historic auction include seven of Starr’s stage and studio used drum kits: Starr’s first Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl drum kit used to record some of The Beatles biggest early hits and used by Paul McCartney on his album McCartney; the custom built Jumbo Silver Sparkle kit used in the “Hello, Goodbye” film from 1967; the Ludwig Silver Sparkle kit used on Starr’s inaugural Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band tour; a kit of toms commissioned for Starr by George Harrison; among others. Also included are instruments gifted to Starr by bandmates and friends: a George Harrison Gretsch guitar, John Lennon’s “Beatle Backer,” and a Gibson Les Paul from Marc Bolan.
Nick Prince…. I love this. The Monkees, well Mike and Pete on guitar and Micky singing, Purple Haze, after Jimi Hendrix, somewhat peeved by being booed off stage by adolescent Monkees fans, stormed off and referred to his experience; “The Monkees. They’re dishwater, I hate them!”
However, prior to this, The Monkees, The Beatles and Hendrix had the most amazing jamming session, covering each others songs. The outcome was amazing. I have heard Hendrix do, A Little Bit Me a Little Bit You, and it is something to for.
There is enough material for a double album but I have always been led to believe that there is so much argument over copyright, mainly from Neil Diamond, Carol King and Yoko Ono, that it has not been possible to release. Let’s hope it is in our life time.
John Lennon on the Monkees; “I love them, they have the greatest comic talent since the Marx Brothers, I never miss an episode!”
Alan Esdaile… Not a big Monkees fan but the theme tune still sounds great and what about the excellent film ‘Head’.
Nick Prince… Wash your mouth out Alan! I sent this in because I think in light of the postings about Jimi Hendrix, it will be great to share. Hendrix was the support act to The Monkees on their 1967 US tour. It was a less successful marriage than that of George and Mildred. I don’t know how many of you are aware but before Hendrix was booed off stage by adolescent Monkees fans. Jimi left the tour proclaiming; “The Monkees. Dishwater. I hate them”. However, prior to this, one of the greatest jamming sessions in music history came about in which The Monkees, The Beatles and Hendrix covered each others songs. There is enough material for a double album but alas Neil Diamond, Carol King and Yoko Ono, have all put spanners in the works re copyright and percentage of sales. Rhino Records, a division of Warner, I believe have wanted to release this for years. I have been lucky enough to have heard Hendrix cover, A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You, and it is to die for……. Let’s hope this it is released in our life time. On The Monkees John Lennon said; ” They are the greatest comic genius since the Marx Brothers, I never miss an episode. In my opinion The Monkees could act and Dolenz could sing, and very well, Hendrix could play, and very well, and Lennon and McCartney, could write, and very well. Oddly enough, I am not a big Beatles fan until 1967 and from then on I love their catalogue. It would be boring if we all liked the same…..
Chris Giles… Having been of that era I loved The Monkees and as time has shown Mike Nesmith was very talented as well…
Jane Hartley… I didn’t like the Beatles either, the 3 remaining Monkees are all talented musicians, Peter and Mike particularly!
Chris Giles… I quite agree Jane. I’ve got all the Monkee LP’s I saw them live at Wembley in 1967 with Lulu… I couldn’t speak for days after…but my generation of music is very varied now..
Nick Prince… In 1967 (The Summer of Love) The Monkees outsold the Beatles and the Stones put together. They were also responsible for finally knocking The Sound of Music (Film Sound Track) off the number one spot in the UK album chart, with their first album, the self titled, The Monkees. Okay, after seven weeks, The Sound of Music was back, only to be knocked off by the follow up album, More of The Monkees. 1967 saw just four albums make number one, two of which were by the Pre Fab Four. A third album, Headquarters, stalled at number two, due to the groups own success. The forth album, Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn and Jones Ltd, got to number five, held up by the first three and the Sound of Music. Pisces is of extreme importance as it was the first release to use a synthesiser. The current line up is Dolenz, Tork and Nesmith. It has been mooted the Peter Noone will join them. Only Tork and Dolenz are partaking in the forthcoming Canadian tour although Nesmith has not left. He has other projects at this time. The surviving trio are likely to play the UK late 2015/early 2016. I’ve seen various line ups of the original four members and god do they give a great performance. Never knock them! They’re still here.
Phil Thornton… I love the Monkees and I love the Beatles. There are no words to describe how I feel about Jimi.
Nick Prince… Just to add, Peter Tork has confirmed a UK tour to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Monkees in 2016. Nesmith is currently on leave from the group for this year but the line up for the UK is set to be Dolenz, Tork and Nesmith. There have been no further press releases confirming Peter Noone in the line up.
Chris Giles… Interesting I might go just out of interest…
Nick Prince… They give a very good show. TBH, Micky was the main vocalist. The group counteract the Daydream Believer issue by playing the original video on big screens and hand it over to the audience with the remaining three joining in the chorus. In addition to the 2016 UK Monkees tour, Dolenz has announced that he and Peter Tork are headlining the Moseley Folk Festival in September this year as The Monkees. I can understand Peter Tork being there as his roots are with folk but even I am a little miffed at Dolenz or The Monkees being there.
Ralph Town… I,ve got the LP 🙂 Cheese and Onions is my fave track.Then theres the story George Harrison told of Neil Innes dressed in the Lennon white suit,during filming ouside of 3,Saville Row and loads of tourists thinking he was John,when the real George is standing there in make up getting no attention at all !!
Jim Breeds… I have the LP too 🙂
Mick O’Dowd… Got the film & Cd so there! Great film and soundtrack
Pete Fairless… I feel good, I feel bad, I feel happy, I feel sad…
Chris Sambrook… Drummer Barry Wom played with a band called Patto as John Halsey in the 70′s. Was this his new direction he wanted to keep a secret. Being a former Rutle it must have been hard for him
Paul Dengate… I very much enjoyed doing the FoH mix for the Rutles at a private event locally about 10 years ago. It was rather like doing the sound for the Beatles – but not quite!
Ralph Town… George Harrisons interview of “Derek Manchester” outside “Apple” total class.
John Storer… As much as I loved Python, and the Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, could never forgive this lot for taking the mickey out of my beloved Beatles.