The Springfields supported by The Midniters – Hastings Pier 31st August 1963

63 HP Springfields August 31SPRINGFIELDS 63-HP-Springfields-Press-HOBs

all cuttings Andre Palfrey-martin collection

John Storer…..I cannot understand why I never went to see the wonderful Dusty Springfield at the Pier Ballroom …. oh, that’s right …. I was only 7 at the time!  For me, THE greatest female singer of all time!

Alan Esdaile…..Agree, the GREAT Dusty but what is she wearing here….

Stuart Moir….A lamp shade .

Barry M Dyke…..I  saw them the same year at Weymouth. The under card included an almost unknown comedy duo, Morecombe and Wise.

Peter Millington… Saw them on the Pier – I was in the front row – Lovely legs! She didn’t wear that dress on the Pier. I was in the front row at ankle level. That dress would have sent me home a happy teenager . I seem to remember the short programme! Wasn’t very impressed, they seemed to be out of their depth with a list of numbers more suited to appearances on the TV.

Sarah Harvey….That is one hell of a dress! 🙂

Mark Gilham…. Mike Hurst on the left

Terry Pack…..On her left is Mike Hurst. I did a lot of sessions and gigs with him in various guises.

Andre Martin….Sarah – every time I see this publicity photo I just crease-up, its just such a strange shape !!

Carol Ann Bolton……Those were the days when women wore frocks that could stand up on their own when you took them off.

Andre Martin…..Interesting statistics -1638 patrons for Joe Brown and the Bruvvers – true or the Pier method of counting ??

Pete Prescott….I did some sessions for Mike Hurst. He told some amazing stories about her, not sure if its on You Tube but find the live version she did with Burt Bacherach singing House is not a home its wonderful ! she was so good. He also signed a couple of songs Chris Cozens and I wrote to southern music.

Mick O’Dowd… In answer to your question Andre, she is wearing the latest fab creation by Millets.

Andre Martin… Your quite right Mick it was Pebble Camo just right for the beach !!

Allan Osborne… I was there that night and still have the entry ticket signed by all three. Its not for sale to anybody either. To me its priceless! as is the memory of the performance . I should live so long already!

Andy Qunta… She would be invisible in the company of 101 dalmatians, and that can be useful sometimes! Did a keyboard session with Mike Hurst years later when he was with Sundance, with Mary Hopkin and Mike d’Alberquerque. We were doing a song called “What’s Love”. Ray Fenwick, Steve Demetri and Steve Price played on it too.

Karl Holden… I was bass player for The Midniters that night and me and our drummer got asked to support The Springfields for their act. Well pleased to accept of course but didn’t get paid any extra!

Andre Martin… Ah – the management were in charge – heh heh!!!!

Pete Fisher… wonderful photo…Dusty in her Springfields days, and in her Springfields dress…she did the right thing in 1963, the year this was taken, and left the band (and hopefully the dress) to go solo…the rest is history…

Pauline Lindsay… I also saw them that night & if I remember she had a skirt on with braces type straps and of course that thick black eye make up.

Lloyd Johnson…  was at this gig and there we not a lot of people in the audience maybe 30-40 max, it’s was almost empty wasn’t it!….I think she left The Springfield’s shortly after…..she was a wasted talent in that trio…..

Dave Boutwood… So was I!

Andre Martin… You have some good selections as ever. well that will mean a Dusty spot on Thursdays show on Conquest Hospital Radio without a doubt

Lloyd Johnson… You have to play ‘Can -Can 62’ Peter Jay and The Jaywalkers Andre… I can remember everyone going mad dancing to that on the Pier in the early 60s!…

Pete Prescott… I did a couple of sessions for Mike Hurst with Chris Cozens. He told some brilliant stories. He and Ray were funny at Chris’s wedding. Over to you Chris…

Lloyd Johnson… I saw The Springfield’s on Hastings Pier then but there certainly wasn’t an audience of 1200 which was the capacity of The Ballroom…it was almost empty…don’t believe everything you read in the papers…

Southern Sounds & Guy Darrell & The Midnighters. Sat 10th Oct 1964 by Andre Martin

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Andre Palfrey-martin collection. photo of Southern Sounds.

Andre Martin…October moves along and here we are at Saturday 10th, – History of the Happy Ballroom – Hastings Pier. The whole attractions seems on the surface, to have gone into a vacuum – things are happening, but nothing much is being reported, and with our ability to look back, know that things are about to change. However back to the Ballroom, and tonight me have 2 groups all for 5/- and if your 18 and over [laugh] access to the longest bar in town ! Top of the Bill are – Guy Darrell & The Midnighters, supported by Southern Sounds
There is little about Guy Darell and The Midnighters, although they did leave a few releases from the 1960s, and the Midnighters are not to be confused with the Merseyside band of the same name that featured Freddie Starr in the early 1960s. They recorded for Oriole having a couple of minor hits in 1964. The support act, were from Portsmouth – Southern Sounds, a five piece group, playing a lot of covers of both US and UK standards. Apart from this, very little is known about them, they had worked clubs, ballrooms and for the Navy.How times had changed, looking back over the past few months when you think that we had been able to see Chart Hitters, such as the Stones, Animals, Kinks on a regular basis, and now very much run-of-mill entertainments.
The Witch Doctor, had continued with its 7 nights a week policy and this week had included in the line up : Saturday – from Nottingham – The Sheerwoods supported by well known local group -The Talismen : Sunday from Merseyside – The Rhythm & Blues Incorporated : Wednesday it was Johnny Mike & The Shades : and a Blues special for Friday with Little Water. The weekends had started off with its usual bang, if you were able to get to see Rediffusion Cable TV with Ready Steady Go – and on the programme for the Friday night was –The Dave Clark Five –The Honeycombs – “Is It Because?” -Manfred Mann – “Sha La La.
Till next week’s episode, I will leave you with this thought, Bonfire Night processions are upon us, and Hastings for next Saturday will be one not to be missed – enjoy and be safe !! somewhat calmer than I remember from 50 years ago !!                Andre Martin