the herd

The Herd – The Witch Doctor 28th August 1966

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Paul Morfey… Still got the single, almost 50 years old. Great song, great era in English music!!

Mick O’Dowd… Great group. One of my faves even though they were short-lived. At least Frampton went on from being “The Face of 67” to being a very talented artist.

Lloyd Johnson… Before they became The Herd some of them were in a band called The Preachers. The Preachers also played The Witchdoctor around 1964.It was my mate Dave Muriel’s 21 Birthday and they were friends of his so they came to Hastings early and played his birthday party the evening before The Witchdoctor at The Pamdor Club above the Coffee bar in Queen’s road.There were around 20 or so of us.Les Martin who ran The Club kindly let Dave have his party there.

Tony Court-holmes… too young

The Herd – Witch Doctor St Leonards 4th June 1966

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Mick Wright… Pretty sure the tall blond guy was the bass player in The Hank Wangford Band. They all had fun names…vocalist Irma Setas ….guitarist Brad Breath and the ex Herd Guy was Amos Avachick Daley….a real fun band and all superb singers and musicians

Paul Morfey… Still got the single-From the Underworld.

Nick Bloomfield… Loved the Herd especially From The Underworld

The Herd – Hastings Pier 11th November 1967

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photo from an advert 1968 Fontana / Mercury Records

Mick O’Dowd… Loved this band and Peter Frampton

Linda Crane… One of my early fav bands

Andy Dinsdale… Great song, strange cine direction, Francoise Hardy in audience.

Colin Bell… I was there working backstage that night, great band and nice guys.

Group 004 + 1 & The Beat Syndicate – 1964/65

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Any flyers or posters on these bands?

The Beat Syndicate at the Photoshoot 001

The Beat Syndicate.. supplied by John Maskell

John Maskell… I was a vocalist for a support group on Hastings pier on the 19th September 1964. The group was called Group 004 + 1. I appeared with another group called The Beat Syndicate later that year or early in 1965 supporting Verne Rogers and the Rebounds.

Are there any archives that you know of that have flyers/posters or other details of the time. I am trying to trace my time in the bands, but not having much luck. I am attaching a photo of the group which was taken after we won a beat competition at Coronation Gardens Leytonstone London, which was where we were based.The good looking one is yours truly at the back, left to right is Tony the Drummer, Jim the Rhythm Guitarist, John the Bass player and Mick the Lead Guitarist.

Group 004 + 1 or Johnny and the Bobcats as they were previously known, also appeared at the West Cliffe Ballroom Ramsgate on occasions to raise money for the Football Club. We supported acts like Duffy Power and Deke Arlon and the Offbeats to mention a couple. I am sure you are aware that Deke Arlon went on to become a successful manager, Shena Easton being one of his big stars.

Andre Martin… Here is the Newspaper advert from 19 September, that shows the Beat Syndicate as supporting. Will see what else I can find out for you.

1421284_10202434732807657_1353946471_oAndre Palfrey-martin collection

John Maskell… I was very pleased to receive the West Cliff poster from Nick Warburton. This poster shows both groups that I sang with. At the time I didn’t realise that The Beat Syndicate were backing Duffy Power, We had been on a supporting list some time before on Hastings pier The Beat Syndicate. The Headline Group at that time was Verne Rogers & The Rebounds. Around three months after the West Cliff gig I joined The Beat Syndicate as lead singer. Regrettably, I have to announce that Jim Newton Rhythm Guitarist for The Beat Syndicate passed away in September 2018.

 

The Happy Ballroom Hastings Pier & more 24th September 1966 by Andre Martin

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14500627_10208953098642729_5926794635602122191_o the_herd

ad: Andre Palfrey-martin collection. The Herd photo: in 1968 Fontana / Mercury Records

Another month has come and almost gone, and we reach Saturday 24th September 1966,The Pier Ballroom has gone into snooze mode, with nothing advertised as being booked, although I have seen details of a “special” all-nighter to tie in with the 900th anniversary of The Battle of Hastings in October.
Friday nights start with Ready Steady Go, is another quieter night, featured this week – DDDBMT : Bend It, The Breakaways and The Walker Brothers ; Another Tear Falls. With Cathy & Keith keeping the show moving along.
Along at the St Leonards end, The Witch Doctor’s offering on Saturday live music from south London, The Herd featuring Peter Frampton. Tuesday was now Tamla & Soul, Wednesday Discs and the return on Thursdays of The Steve Maxted Show “the best night of the Week” and Friday simply titled – the Weekend Starts Here! We are all advised that “It is Changing – Watch this Space “
BBC Radio over the weekend was very similar to previous, The Light programme on Saturday included Saturday Club with Brian Matthew, presented Los Bravos, Paul & Barry Ryan, Robb Storm and The Whispers, Miki Dillon and The Magic Lanterns. Barry Aldis Swingtime Show. Later in the day it was time for Pop Over Europe, A Night at The Music Hall with Roy Castle, and Time For Old Time with Bob Potter and His Band. Sunday we had on offer Children’s Favourites, Mrs Mills, Easy Beat and Two Way Family Favourites [ London & Koln] Navy Lark, Mitchell Minstrels, Frankie Howard, Melody Hour, Pick of the Pops, Movie Go Round, Top of The Form, Sing Something Simple, Steptoe & Son and Star Variety. The evening ended with Jazz Scene.
Television again followed very much the same pattern, Saturday afternoon Sports Grandstand, Juke Box jury with David Jacobs and his guests – Lulu, Alma Cogan, Jimmy Henney and Reg Varney. After the News, Dr Who, The Munsters, Dick Van Dyke Show, Till Death do us Part, The Trouble Shooters, Match of the Day and Robin Day with Highlights of the Liberal Party Assembly. The high lights of BBC2 were live from the Liberal Party Assembly. On Sunday the Western was The Loner staring Lloyd Bridges, The National Youth Theatre and World Gymnastics, later the Billy Cotton Music Hall with Petula Clark and Peter & Gordon. BBC 2 featured Gaelic Football and Opera 625.
Over on the Pirates, this week’s top five were ; Radio London – Big L 266 with Ed Stewart – DDDBMT : Bend It, Seekers : Walk with Me, The Who : I’m a Boy, New Vaudeville Band : Winchester Cathedral, Bobby Hepp/Georgie Fame : Sunny. Radio Caroline South with Dave Lee Travis, The Who: I’m a Boy, Sonny & Cher : Little Man, Supremes : You Can’t Hurry Love, DDDBMT : Bend It, Jim Reeves : Distant Drums.  All in all a fairly quiet week, from what I can remember that far back, the weather good after the early morning mists had gone, and we were blessed with some Autumn Sunshine, however the evenings were drawing in. Schools and colleges back and the number of foreign students drastically reduced. Until next week keep smiling and the world will smile with you.  Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2016