the confederates

Steve Marriotts’ Moments, The Confederates. The Witch Doctor Christmas 1964

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supplied by Peter Millington.

Talking of Steve Marriott here’s one of his best tracks from 1967 with The Small Faces.

Mick O’Dowd…..Steve is/was one of my musical heroes and if I had been in a band(no chance, can’t sing, can’t play an instrument) he would be who I would like to have been like.

Tony Court-holmes….sunday night tamla night

Mick Knights….I’ve always told those that would listen, that I saw Steve Marriot at the Witch Doctor before the Small Faces were formed, the thing I’m not too sure about is, did Steam Packett play the Witch Doctor, I know Long John did, as I do remember seeing him there. I feel sure someone will have the definative word.  I also think he appeared more than on the one occasion, I wait to be proved wrong.

Andy Qunta… Wow! Steve Marriott, pre-Small Faces! Interesting!

Andy Knight… What was the Confederates line up that night?

Mick O’Dowd… No you’re not wrong Mick, he also appeared with The Small Faces here. Oh for a return of this sort of Christmas line-up!

Peter Millington… Andy, The line up was probably Johnny Conroy (Lead Vocals), Dave Johnson (Drums) Paul Burton (Rhythm + Vocals), Peter (Ginger) Millington (Bass + Vocals), Trev Spears (Lead Guitar + Vocals). At about that time Terry Chedzoy replaced Dave Johnson so it could have been either one.

Mick Knights… I have this vague memory of Christmas and New Year’s eve at the witch Doctor being the best two nights of the year, could have something to do with being 16 in 64!!

Andre Martin… Read all about Christmas & The New Year 1965 in my blog later this week – but here is a taster for all the Witch Doctor Fans.

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David Bartlett…one of my all time heroes. love the music ( you,ve always been 10 years to late paul weller , c,est,la,vie ) long may you run stevie

Tony Court-holmes… the cobweb

 

The Confederates & The Jazz Caverners – Dolphin Ballroom 17th December 1965

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from Peter Millington  https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks Ad Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Joe Knight… like the girl bit!!! LOL & price!!

Mick Mepham… 25p to you young’uns.

Caz Simpson… Ha! I’d get in for two & six now!!

Andre Martin… Typical Alan Jensen SOH – Ha Hah!

Andy Qunta… I love the bit about free admission for girls wearing plastic macs, rubber aprons & leather knee pads! What was that all about?

Andre Martin… Andy, if you knew Alan Jensen you would understand, he has a great SOH and would put out such crazy offers to see who would take the bate – many of us know Alan from way back, he was a great guy, a businessman, a gentleman and somebody who would help you if he could, with no alterative motive.

Andy Qunta… Well, I didn’t know him that well, but I always thought he was a great bloke! I wonder if any girls took the offer that night!

Peter Millington… We played many gigs under the dubious management of Alan and can’t remember one taker for the plastic mac and knee pads – However, there were many blokes that came in the hope of seeing the dressed up girls – shrewd businessman as Andre says.

Big Beat Reunion – Searchers, The Confederates, The Talismen – 14th November 1987

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supplied by Peter Millington https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks

Peter Millington… First Big Beat Reunion – 14th November 1987 – Hastings Pier – what a great event! The surprise guests included Cliff Bennett being backed by a group comprising of Ray Fenwick, Pete Shaw, Chris Sayer, Pete Head and others from the show.

Chris Giles… And a brilliant night was had by me and hubby

Peter Millington… 1963 was the hey day of the big names playing the Pier – this “Big Beat” reunion was 24 years later. We’ve now moved on another 28 years – b****y frightening! A night I shall never forget, playing with my long term friends in the Confederates and being on the stage with all these legends, Wow! lump in the throat stuff.

Mick O’Dowd… I was there. I thought The Searchers looked too young to be any of originals but they were.

Pete Prescott…  I was at the first show. Brilliant gig. Fantastic line up. Packed. Crowd loved it. Some came in their original old clothes (the ones who could still fit into them !) Cliff Bennett was great ! The organisers didn’t know if many would show up so there were only a few people behind the bar. Very difficult to get a drink, so a lot of people were sober. lots of dancing. Fun night. The next one was packed. Lots of people behind the bar. Lots of drunk people. Not such a good night. Obviously just my opinion. I often watch people get plastered and pay less attention to what they came for and stagger and shout their way through the night. the music was great on that night as well.

Pete Millington… I played with Confederate friends at all 3 “Big Beat Reunions” but the first in 1987 was the best

Robert Searle… Great stuff

Mark Hardwick…  I Believe i have a 45 of The Talismen (whispering bells) given to me by a relative of theirs 30ish years ago. I’ve found the record on CREZENT label 1978 Whispering bells b/w Sounds in our minds. taken from LP album Sounds in our minds (Lightning records) b/w was written by M.Swift and B Baker. the wife was a lady cleaner from Hastings College, Archery Rd can’t remember her name, hope this helps.

Pete Millington… The Talismen broke up in 1966/67 if not earlier. Without the wife’s name and her husband’s surname we can’t do any verification. Let me know if you find any names that might help in validating this mystery

 

Big Beat Reunion Hastings Pier 6th May 1989 – The Merseybeats, The Mindbenders, The Talismen & The Confederates.

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supplied by Pete Millington https://pet842.wixsite.com/confeds-to-jinks

Alan Oliver… I’m going to see the Merseybeats on Saturday night also on the bill are Peter Noone, Bryan Hyland, and Dave Berry and the Cruisers and Amen Corner.

Alan Esdaile… wishin’ & hopin’ for a good gig then Alan.

Mick Bolton… Two connections to your poster in this pic. Backstage a couple of years ago at the Congress, Eastbourne – with Wayne Fontana (in the hat) and Lou Rosenthal, drummer with the Merseybeats. Lou was in my first band back in 1970 based in Lancashire. Met him again on Tuesday this week along with Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley who still front the Merseybeats.

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supplied by Mick Bolton

The Confederates – Home Grown 22nd March 1966

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supplied by Jinks The Group website

Peter Millington….The Confederates on 22nd March 1966 just before appearing on “Home Grown” a Television competition which was an early version of The X-Factor. Judges were George Melly – Jazz Singer, Johnny Morris – Animal man and children’s TV presenter, Mike Mansfield – Director of Southern ITV and Eve Taylor – Aritist Agent. The show was compared by Bill Pertwee of Dads Army fame (The Warden). — with Terry Chedzoy, Peter (Ginger) Millington, Keith (Budge) Harrison-Burgess, Paul Burton and Johnny Conroy.

Barry French… Great photo. What an amazing experience that must have been.

The Confederates – 1964

The Confederates – 1964 – Playing at the Methodist Hall, Battle Road, St Leonards. Tony Goodman, Peter Millington, Dave Saunders, Johnny Conroy, Trev Spears – supplied by Jinks The Group website

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Janice Ramsay(nee Saunders)… Great to find this link. Dave (always known as David to us!) was my cousin – my father’s nephew – and although I am too young to remember the group I certainly remember the drums!

The Cresters & The Confederates – The Witch Doctor – 24th October 1964

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supplied by Peter Millington http://pet842.wix.com/jinks-the-group

Mick Knights….Now that does take me back, I was there on the opening night to see the Nashville Teens!! The first steps I ever took on a dance floor were there, the tune was Pretty Woman and the young lady didn’t hang around for a second one!!!!

Peter Millington… The Cresters were so under-rated, we (The Confederates) were “gob smacked” they were fantastic! They were superb and such good individual musicians.

Mike Curtis… I saw Dave Curtis and The Tremors when I was on holiday at Butlins Clacton in 1963. First live band I ever saw.

 

The Confederates – Hollington/Wishing Tree Fete August 1964

supplied by Pete Millington

Pete Fairless… Where John met Paul, or something?

Pete Millington… Yes and we had the lorry as a stage as well

Martin Richter… …and the kids went wild!  That`s a big guitar on the left – and he looks huge compared to the singer!

Robert Searle… Very much like a Hofner

Pete Millington… yes it was a Hofner Verythin!

Tony Qunta… I spy an AC30!

Andy Qunta… Woo hoo! Well spotted, Tone!

Pete Millington… An AC 30 + a Super Twin (VOX) and a T60 Tony