The Deep Purple – The Happening Club Kings Road, St Leonards photo & Canterbury gig.

The Happening1-1

St.Mildred's Hall Dance.

supplied by Peter Horton, last photo supplied by Len Benton

Peter Horton…. The photos show our original singer Kevin Clark who became manager/ Transport Manager when Tich joined Deep Purple and Mick O’Dowd left as manager. Before we became Deep Purple on Friday 4th August, 1967 we were called ” The Likes Of Us ” . We were all originally school friends from Bexhil and first got together in 1963. We went through many changes of names and members. The photo is taken at The Happening Club, Kings Road, St Leonards.

The Deep Purple – 1968

From 68 – Tich Turner, Tony Bird , Len Benton, Peter Horton and Ian McGilvray.Deep Purple Pic Darker.(1)

Deep Purple Text Darker.

supplied by Pete Horton

Group Card                                                                    from Peter Horton

 

Paul Sleet – saw them at a gig at a girls school in Hastings. Think it was woodlands in tower road if memory serves. I was a mere schoolboy at the time.

Phil Gill – Brilliant – Tich, Tony Bird and Len Benton!
John Alexander Wilde – Fab! Great find Andre.
Graham Burfield – tich turner on the right I think & tony bird
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Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection

Ian McGilvray…The Deep Purple, What a fantastic Band, Shame We had to change Our name.

The Deep Purple – Cricket Ground Hastings and Cobweb letter 1968

Supplied by Len Benton

Len Benton, Peter Horton, Tony Bird, Tich Turner and Ian McGilvray.

Robert Searle… Tich looking quite normal

Jim Breeds… “bee off”

Pauline Richards… Peter Horton. Still looks so much like himself

Colin Fox… When Tich was just starting out in the music business, he used to come and see us play at Battle memorial hall. Got to know him well in those days, and had the pleasure of seeing him play some years later in one of the colleges in Meads Eastbourne. Great singer, great rock band.

Robert Searle… Last time I saw him play was with that really good R&B group, can’t remember the name,at the Archery at Seaside Eastbourne.That was in the 70s

Mick O’Dowd… A real” moody” pose as per group pics in those days. Nice pics of Deep Purple emerging from Len Benton. Haven’t seen these before .

Judith Monk… I wanted to come to the next meeting and meet Len and his wife but sadly decided to break my leg instead….

Peter Horton… I do agree that Pete Horton looks like Pete Horton, Pauline. In fact we all look as I remember us. Fresh faced and young!!! They were good times. I had never seen this one before. Thanks Len.

 

Kevin Clark singer of local Deep Purple dies

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photo supplied by Peter Horton

Mick O’Dowd… Sad to have to inform you of the passing of a good friend of mine Kevin Clark the original lead singer of Deep Purple( Hastings)

Jim Breeds… Sorry for your loss Mick.

Alan Esdaile… Very sorry to hear the news Mick. My thoughts are with you, his family and friends.

Dennis Torrance… It don’t end does it my thoughts to family

Linda Day… I remember Kevin bless him

Roxine Lucas… God bless 2 the family when is it going 2 stop i’m getting worried now! R. I. P.

Ernest Ballard… Sorry to hear that

Josie Lawson… R.I.P.Kevin and condolences to his friends and family…thinking of you Mick at this sad time.

Ian McGilvray… R.I.P. Kev. Enjoyed Our times in Deep Purple.

Mick O’Dowd… Funeral of Kevin Clark is at Hastings Crematorium at 12.30 on 30th January.