supplied by David McLean via Matt Thomas
Alan Esdaile… pretty sure I was at this one and they were excellent.
the equals
The Equals plus Magic Alice – Hastings Pier 3rd August 1969
Colin Fox… That’s before I joined Road. I was in Copenhagen all through August 1969. I believe Trevor Spears was playing guitar with them at that time. Tony Kenward lead vocals, Bob Aylward drums, Roy Sanderson bass.
Neil Partrick… “Gonna walk right down …Priory Avenue…” eh….
Sheila Farmer… I saw them.
Neil Partrick… ..and Eddy Grant..! Colin…When you say “Road”, do you mean Noel Redding’s band?
Colin Fox… No, it was Tony Kenwards band in Eastbourne. Trevor left in 1970, and I replaced him.
Dave Nattress… Roy used to work at Drallim, Brett Drive, Bexhill with a bunch of mates, was in The Road then, later Lysander was it and others I guess. We used to see them a lot to give them support as he was a workmate of my friends. Bought my second car, a “C” reg, light Green Ford Anglebox 105E off his wife.
Colin Fox… We went from Lyzander to Performance.
2nd August 1969 – The Late Hastings Pier and Toast at The Cobweb
supplied by Sarah Harvey
Sarah Harvey… A choice of music on this day in 1969. The Late on the Pier and Toast at the Cobweb.
Andre Martin… The Road, were a local Band but I have no knowledge or memories of the Go Go Dancers on the Thursday Night. I cannot think why anybody would try and run against such a strong show at that with Steve Maxted at the Cobweb, it does not make any business logic.
Nicola Dobson… These were my years at the Cobweb loved it there! Summer of 69 first summer out of school!
Bob Marley’s first gig in the UK 1972 was at De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill by Mike Curtis.
live in concert in Dalymount Park on 6 July 1980. source: Eddie Mallin
cutting Bexhill Observer 8th July 1972 source: Bexhill Museum https://twitter.com/bexhillmuseum/status/601049135161171968
Mike Curtis… A bit of local music history.
1. Bob Marley and the Wailers’ first ever UK gig was at the De La Warr Pavilion.
2. Paul Simon played DLWP 30/8/1965, with Shirley Collins.
3. Paul also played at The New Inn in Sidley at around the same time.
4. Paul Robeson played at DLWP, pronouncing it to be be the best venue, acoustically, he had ever played.
Anyone lucky enough to go to any of these gigs?
Yvonne Cleland… I thought Bob Marley and the Wailers’ first ever UK gig was in Nottingham. When are you claiming they played the DLWP? Do you have any documentary or pictorial evidence please? Oh no, hang on, he toured as support for Johnny Nash first, with Wailers as backing band. Spring-Summer 1972. However, did 2 shows at Bexhill and Bexleyheath without Johnny Nash (I think). All info gratefully received plus any documentary evidence. This needs to be in Bexhill Museum archives!
Yvonne Cleland… The first ever Bob Marley gig in the UK – at the DLWP: Found out more from an old newspaper at Bexhill Museum. On the bill were:- Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Equals and Johnny Nash. It was a charity event.
John Gale… I had no idea about this, 2 Legends there.
Pete Shoesmith… I went to the concert at Bexhill, I was 16.
Kevin White… Never knew that
Andy Gunton… I’d heard about that gig many times, but that’s the first time I’ve seen that press cutting. Great stuff.
Yvonne Cleland… Andy, the museum has the cutting.
Graham Belchamber… Fabulous.
Pete Houghton… I remember going to See Bob Marley along with Johnny Nash I was 18 had a great time Got their Autographs but I have lost them over the year’s with regret
Ian Johnson… Wow I didn’t know that
Gary Lancaster… So I am from Rye and I went to school with a chap called Jamie Tiltman. Jamie, now lives in Bexhill. As it happens, the very white Tiltman family are directly related to Bob Marley. So probably without realising it, he played in his own county. He’s got Sussex roots…. And I’m not joking, you can look this up.
Leigh Wieland-Boys… I went to that concert to see Johnny Nash, didn’t know who Bob Marley was at the time, I was 16
Alan Esdaile… They did show a programme on Bob Marley a while ago, on his first visit. It showed that he played a school in London with Johnny Nash but still looks like the first proper gig here was Bexhill?
Michael Wilson… I remember watching a Paul Simon’s documentary on tv. And there was a folk concert at the De La warr in the early 1960s .He was bottom of the bill on the poster.
Jane Dorsett… Leigh, we went together, I was 15.lol.xx
The Sons Of Man, The Lonely Ones, Cathy McGowan Show featuring the Equals. Witch Doctor. 1965
Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Andre Martin… the Equals with Eddie Grant, appeared on the Cathy McGowan Show one Sunday at the Witch Doctor. For some unknown reason, I thought this had been in the afternoon, but the advert tells otherwise. Although the Equals are not billed, they appeared as Guests.
Barry M Dyke…. remember not seeing Eddie Grant and the Equals twice. Apparently Mr. Grant was too idle to travel to Hastings. Pre booked ticket money was, eventually, refunded.
Mick Knights… I danced my socks of at the Cathy McGowan show, but failed to get a ticket for Ready Steady Go. Not bitter or anything!!!!
Yvonne Cleland… I saw Eddy Grant on the pier and it was brilliant!
Mick O’Dowd… Eddie owned a flay in Devonshire Place in the late 70’s as I was introduced to him by a guy who was his plugger/confidente when I worked at Bonitas. Remember the Sunday Club gig.
Alan Esdaile… I saw The Equals on Hastings Pier, I think once was an allnighter and the other time was The Sunday Club and they were excellent.
Lynn Graham… Those were the days. The Witch Doctor was my second home:) not that my mum knew of course! Hehe.
Trevor Spears… The Lonely ones excellent band!
Aquarius – Christmas 1973
Don’t know a lot about Tony Morgan’s Muscle Power but they also recorded a version of The Equals hit Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boy and Racial Segregation written by Eddy Grant.
Claire Davis… Johnny Baker (John Baker) if that is the same one, still comes to Hastings and meets Tony Davis , they both DJd together at the Aquarius.