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Gerry Fortsch… Was that John Conroy’s Confederates?
Alan Esdaile… Yes
Pete Millington… yes it was! Peter (Ginger) Millington – Bass Trevor Spears – Lead Guitar, Paul Burton – Rhythm Guitar, Dave Johnson- Drums and John Conroy- lead vocals – great times for the Confeds
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Pete Millington… The Confederates playing in the St Clements Caves, Hastings – Summer of 1965 — with Johnny Conroy, Paul Burton, Pete Millington, Dave Johnson (hidden on drums) and Trev Spears.
Alan Esdaile….Always a great sound playing in the Caves, the problem was it was a long way to take the gear and the leads ended up all covered in sand.
Royal Albert….My dads band midnight shift played there not that I was about lol
Alan Esdaile….I remember doing disco’s in the caves with Colin Bell. During the Arthur Brown song ‘Fire’ I used to set fire to my hands with lighter fluid which is fine for a few seconds but with everyone cheering you on, you left it burning too long. Talk about blisters with yellow puss, argh! That was one thing I didn’t try again.
Michael Mepham…..The very same Caves I played in with Die Laughing and where I met a young lady whose surname was Schneckenburger. Ahhhh, those were the days
Rosalie Copeland… Oh my gosh – remember them so well! We used to follow them around town when they played gigs!
Chrissie Daniels…Hi, I am the General Manager at Smugglers Adventure and would love to create a big signage board with pictures such as the above. If anyone is interested in sending me any pictures and a backstory we can of course credit you. My email is chrissied@bluereefaquarium.co.uk
Dave Nattress… Played the caves a couple of times with Samisen – it was felt to be a prestigious gig venue back in the day, but yes, getting the gear in and out was a game, even though we were young and fit back then – and the central cavern bit where the bands played was in itself quite a distance from the main entrance. But…really good memories, packed with foreign students and the sound was better – less bouncy with loads of bodies around – live bodies that is – well most of them.
Peter Fairless… Ask Chrissie if gigs are still a possibility?
Clifford Rose… Only ever went to one concert in the caves, and that was Fred Wedlock 02/05/87. He was very funny live.
Ralph Town… I saw a chap called Strange, in the caves. He was in early eps pf Men behaving badly and the 1989 Batman movie. As well as our own Mr.Mepham 🙂
John Wilde… Yes The Breathers supported Steve Strange in the caves probably 1979/80. Hang on maybe it was some other combo but I def remember supporting the Strange One RIP
Ralph Town… I think it was Richard Strange. I’m not so sure it was Steve Strange. I remember the act involved this chap looking like Tom Bakers Dr.Who with movies played on a screen. Under the heading of ,”The wonderful world of …….. Strange”. I saw Mick in there with one of his bands but was probably traumatised as some scrote stole my copy of Kiss Alive vol 1.So was more focused on the loss.
Alan Esdaile… Brilliant gig with The Breathers at the caves John, I pretty sure it was Richard Strange and not Steve Strange.
Wendy Weaver… We met Fred Wedlock once when we were having a drink with the Yetties. He was an extremely funny man when he wasn’t performing too :). Good old West Country humour.
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Here’s the recording…
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.
Pete Millington… That was certainly a “brown trousers” experience. So many heats to get to that final then to come second – hey ho, loved every minute of being a Confederate between 1962 to 1966/7
Robert Searle… Great photo Pete.
Colin Bell… You haven’t changed much Peter, have you got a picture in the attic..
Pete Millington… You’re too kind Colin. No I haven’t and I still avoid mirrors 
Oh to be 19 again
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.
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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.
Mike Raxworthy… Me too!
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
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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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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.
The Confederates live recording on the TVS Programme – Home Grown at the De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill on 22nd March 1966.
Mike Waghorne… Is that the same program that also has Dave dee, dozy, etc on at the de-la-warr around the same era ?
Leigh Wieland-Boys… Wow what a great memory to have! Loved it! Xxx
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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.
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