the lancastrians

all cuttings Andre Palfrey-martin collection

Andre Martin… Half-way through the first month of January 1965, here we are at Saturday 16th, as mentioned last week, Christmas and The New Year have gone and for some I know forgotten. I thought that I would have a check up on what the weather was like at this time, according to the Met Office – we were slightly warmer than average for January, however there had been some snow falls, and we would be experiencing two to three inches more later in the month, the days had been sunny but cold.
So what is happening in The History of the Happy Ballroom – Hastings Pier? as announced last week, The Percy Howe Orchestra have come to the end of their contract and in their place would be, from Eastbourne, The Gordon Rider Dance Orchestra – and as the press reported – “presenting a well balanced programme of Music“ 8.00pm – 11.45pm, spot prizes, table service and buffet – all for 5/- per dancer, and the longest bar in the town included in the package. We wait to see how the replacement orchestra will be received by the patrons; Gordon was very well known in the area and no doubt would have brought some of his following from other venues.
Along the other end of the Prom, the Witch Doctor, was presenting an interesting mix of live entertainments – Saturday night it was the double bill of the PYE recording outfit – The Lancastrians and in support The Classmates from London. Sunday R&B Club featured The Authentics. The mid-week jazz presentations continued this week with Terry Lightfoots Jazz Band 8.00pm – 11.00pm all for 2/6d. Thursday saw the first visit in 1965 of the Radio Caroline Roadshow, with DJ Chris Stanford spinning the discs and giving away the goodies, all for 2/6d – non members 3/- ! value assured was their motto. Friday was another return vats from one of the clubs favourite acts – John L Watson and the Hummelflugs. Ed- one of the best parts of writing this blog is to find out all these names from over 50 years ago !
The weekend out have kicked-off with Ready Steady Go on our screens from Kingsway in London, this week the special guests for Keith Fordyce and Cathy McGowan included The Rolling Stones featuring “ What a Shame” “Time is on my Side” “Down the Road a Piece” – also on the programme The Kinks – “Tired of Waiting”, from the US The Righteous Brothers “You’ve lost that Lovin Feeling” and Del Shannon “Keep Searchin” some of these releases will end in our charts in the next few weeks.
The BBC had some good music to offer, Saturday – Brian Matthews with Saturday Club, and on the show this week – Rockin Berries, Julie Grant, Migil Five, Jimmy Radcliff and the Blue Aces. Saturday Swings at 2.00pm – include in the line up –Manfred Mann, Ivy League, Fortunes, Julie Jones, Mrs Mills & Her Mates, The Viscounts and the NDO, with Don Wardell spinning an few new discs. Sunday Club – 10.30am with Keith Fordyce, included Brian Poole & the Tremeloes, Mike Hunt and the Johnny Howard Band.
Television was the usual range of shows, and for the musical interested BBC – “Juke Box Jury” with David Jacobs in the chair, this week’s panel were – Catherine Boyle, Maureen Cleeve, Rupert Davis and Richard Wattis. On ITV would have been “Thank Your Lucky Stars” – Brian Matthews introducing The Moody Blues, Manfred Mann, P.J.Proby and the Rockin Berries.Radio Caroline and Radio London are well established and they have started to broadcast up to 18hrs a day, all night was not yet available, but unless you worked all night, we were a generation that were home and tucked up in bed by midnight at the latest! Till next week…….               Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2015

Jim Breeds… ” Hummelflugs” 🙂

Andre Martin…  I have just looked up John L Watson… the band came from Swindon and there is not much known about them – John L Watson & The Hummelflugs were an English band, fronted by the African American singer, John L. Watson. After leaving the band, Watson would go on to front John L. Watson and the Web and later on The Odyssey Blues Band.

Mick O’Dowd… The Lancastrian’s disc “We’ll Sing In The Sunshine” had Jimmy Page playing on the session.