photo cutting supplied by Andre Martin. Photo:The Searchers in Holland 1965 by Jac. de Nijs / Anefo. Source Nationaal Archief
Lawrence Ralph… The same Paramounts as Gary Brookers pre – Procol Harum band ?, sounds like a great evenings entertainment.
Autographs of Dave Clark, Bobby Elliott and Graham Nash of The Hollies, Mark Wynter, The Searchers Chris Curtis and John McNally, The Merseybeats Arron Williams, Billy Kingsley and John Banks and The Who 1965. Just a few of what Jackie has in her collection.
Andy Qunta… Fab!
Peter Houghton… Wow! That’s awesome!
Chris Baker… My Mum and Dad used to go up to London to see BBC EasyBeat recordings. Clinton Ford rings a bell from that time. Somehow I imagine him spending his latter years doing Cruise Ships.
Supplied by Anthony ‘Nan’ Morland
inside cover
Lyn Farkley Appleyard… Oh my goodness….reminds me of the Gaumont in Worcester. All the incredible music. I remember The Kinks appearing there….. amazing.
Peter Millington… Here is the second video of the great Big Beat Reunion held on 14th November 1987 on Hastings Pier. This one features The Confederates who re-formed for the occasion. I hope the video brings back some good memories of the Pier in its hey-day. It’ll never be the same, just look at everyone dancing!
Peter Millington… The Searchers in full flow. They were obviously impressed with the atmosphere on the pier and made the most of it, as did all the musicians from The Confederates, The Talismen, Cliff Bennett and Friends and of course the enthusiastic audience.
Pete Prescott….it was (i think) 87.i went to it.great night.so full.people couldn’t get a drink.they did it again some months later.got loads of bar staff in.a lot of people were drunk.not such a good night.not blaming drink it was how it was.Pete shaw and terry played with ray backing cliff Bennet.great singer.not sure if this is the poster for the 2nd one.
Peter Millington….Pete is right, this ticket is from the 1987 Big Beat Reunion party on the pier, the first of 3 similar events. This was the best and the other two that followed were good but the first is always the best. The other two were held October 22nd 1988 and May 6th 1989. The Talismen and the Confederates played at both, probably because we were cheap i.e. free! Wouldn’t have missed the evenings for the world and their success was due to the hard work of Lloyd Johnson and Chris Sayer. Let’s hope something similar can be organised for the re-opening of the Pier in ???? if someone’s up to the organisational challenge and of course if there’s a covered weather proof theatre in the new design????
Mick O’Dowd… Was there!
Stuart Moir… That was a lot of cash then but we was there
Lloyd Johnson… it was 1987 and this is a ticket for the first one. I put it on with the help of Chris Sayer, Henry Harvey, Noel D’Abo, Peter Millington,Terry Smith and Rod Holt who made the stage dressing. I had a dream about one last night on Hastings Pier like it was in the 60s.I mentioned it to Chris and Henry and they said let’s do it!…so I phoned Noel and he gave me the number of the booking agent for The Hollies and The Searchers.I wanted to do a double bill with supporting local groups from the 60s.The Hollies were unavailable. We book the Searchers once Chris had booked The Pier Ballroom. Peter Millington and Chris organised the local groups. Henry Harvey who was a postman at the time made sure promo handouts went through the right letter boxes all across the town.Tickets were sold at the record shops and The Pier box office and the rest is history! it sold out! it was such an emotional night for me and no doubt many others and all the profit went to Cancer Research….a great night!…there is a video of it.I think Peter Millington has a copy….
Mick O’Dowd… Would they be allowed to advertise an “all coloured group” for Ruby James & The Stax. Sounds like a band that i’d enjoy but don’t remember them at all and as I wouldn’t have gone to see Tony Jackson, I missed them.
Martin Richter… we still wear the scars!
https://whiterocktheatre.org.uk/Online/default.asp
Jim Breeds… You’d think that they’d have found what they’re searching for by now! :O
Jonathan Martin… Could be Utopia? And many are still searchin’ millenniums on. Hope they/we find it!
Steph Drayton… lol they should do a cover of ‘Still haven’t found what I’m looking for’ !
Jonathan Martin… One of the first tunes and 45’s I owned that struck me as a kid was by these kat’s! ‘Don’t Throw Your Love Away’, must have been a big influence on me, as one of my singles is of a similar title. I’ll try’n be there!! Cheers
Alan Esdaile… Great track Jonathan, also love When you walk in the room and What have they done to the rain.
Leslie Whitmarsh… Thats a dam shame we have the cutting crew in bexhill
Alan Pepper… They are actually a good live band. I remember seeing them TEN Years ago Silver SIXTIES tour. Take me for what I’m worth was my favourite !
cuttings Andre Palfrey-martin collection.
photo Jac. de Nijs / Anefo. source Nationaal Archief
Hurrah! We have reached Easter 1965 – and this would have been the first break from work since Christmas, the Easter Holiday is a strange one, because many people still work on Good Friday. Here we are the Saturday 17th April 1965. The Happy Ballroom on Hastings Pier was to be the centre of the Hastings Carnival Queen Selection, and its back to the world of Pop groups, topping the bill this weekend would be from Liverpool “The Searchers” supported by another group from Merseyside The Paramounts. The youngsters would have to brace themselves for the short walk from the Promenade to the Ballroom, as the weather for that weekend – “Rain, Wind and below average temperatures “ Bank Holiday Monday there would be the Easter Parade with the best Bonnets and fancy dress – Dancing from 10.30am to 1.00pm in the Happy Ballroom.
The weekend had kicked off with Ready Steady Go on the Friday night, thanks to Rediffusion broadcasting the London ITV programmes in Hastings. This week as a special was alive outside broadcast from the Ricky Tick Club in Windsor – a well know location for the Mods and some serious music. Cathy McGowan interviewed George Harrison and John Lennon. The music was supplied by Adam Faith “ I need your Love” : The Kinks “Everybody gonna be Happy”: Hermans Hermits “ Wonderful World”: The Yardbirds “ For Your Love” also on the programme Doris Troy, and Don & Dee Dee Ford.
For those who had made a Friday night venture to the Witch Doctor, they were entertained by The Echo’s – Dusty Springfields Backing Group. The weekend continued with Saturday night a double bill with The Washi9ngton DCs and The Shevelles. Sunday Club – it was the return of The Voodos. Bank Holiday Monday saw the WD favourites John L Watson & The Hummelflugs. Friday night’s live music was provided by one of Hastings best –The Talismen. The other nights discs with the WD crew playing the best music about.
One of the good things about the weekend is that BBC radio made some changes to their normal schedule, but there was an increase in the pop music – influence of the Pirates? Who knows? 10.00am Saturday Club, with Brian Matthews, on the bill this week –Hermans Hermits, Doris Troy, Moody Blues, Kenny Ball and His Jazz Men, Tony Rivers & The Castaways and Brian Jameson. 2.00pm Saturday Swings – Rosemary Squires, Jerry Allen Trio, Mike Redway, The Yardbirds and some “ swinging discs “ played by Bruce Wyndham. Brian Matthews was back at 4.00pm with The Animals and Goldie & the Gingerbreads on Top Gear. Later that evening from The Ricky Tick Club, Windsor – Tony Hall presents “Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames.
Sunday morning Easy Beat – Dionne Warwicks, Roger Miller, Val Doonigan, The Sorrows and The Johnny Howard Band, Keith Fordyce and his selection of the latest releases. 12noon – an institution – Two Way Family Favourites – this week it was in fact Three Way, with the inclusion of BFBS Cyprus from Nicosia. Sunday lunch at Easter was a special fro so many households – Roast Chicken with all the trimmings, and for the youngsters like us – was many Easter eggs as you could manage !!
Bank Holiday Monday for some it was sports programmes, for others more music programmes – 10.00am Holiday Pop – Anita Harris, Donovans, Unit 4 plus 2, Tom Jones & The Squires [ was this a rehearsal session from next weekend in the Happy Ballroom] The Hollies and The Artwoods. 12 mid day – Record Spin with Don Moss. 2.00pm Happy Holiday Beat – The Searchers, Mark Wynter, Maureen Evans, The Seekers, Sandra Brown, The Raindrop and Don Wardell “spinning a few discs”. 4.00pm Yeh!Yeh! Tony Hall with Gerry & The Pacemakers, Elkie Brooks, Roger Miller. The Bank Holiday ended with Teen Scene – 10.30pm – News Gossips & views Plus discs from the world of Young People in the chair Barry Chambers.
Television on Saturday featured – Juke Box Jury, with David Jacobs, Tony Bennett, Marianne Faithfull, Ertha Kit and Ted Rogers. Over on ITV – Thank Your Lucky Stars – Brian Matthews introduced, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Manfred Mann, Adam Faith & the Roulettes and The Honeycombs.
For many of us, the most important entertainment was the Radio, and as I have mentioned before – The Pirates, and how they were influencing charges in the music and entertainment scene.
That was Easter 1965 – how many of you remember making a trip to Eastbourne – The Continental on the Sunday or Monday? it was just the norm, as we had visitors coming over to Hastings to visit the PamDor or Witch Doctor.
Next week, we see the pop music is back with a Welshman would was just about to start taking over the world, yet again Hastings Pier Ballroom was in the forefront ! until next week you take care. Andre Palfrey-Martin © 2015.
Mick O’Dowd… I shall miss “togetherness dancing” but there we go. The Paramounts were the band that morphed into Procul Harum. Used to listen to Two-Way(3 Way and more) Family Favourites at Sunday dinner time.
04/11/2014 Marty Wilde’s Rock N Roll Party – Marty Wilde, Eden Kane and John Leyton with The Wildcats
18/11/2014 Sixties Gold – Gerry & The Pacemakers, The Searchers, PJ Proby, The Fortunes, Brian Poole & Chip Hawkes.
02/12/2014. 5.4.3.2.1. It’s The Manfreds – In Concert featuring Paul Jones & Mike d’Abo
for more information… http://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/What’s_On/index.asp?ID=all&enq=diary&v=WHAT’S%20ON
Mick O’Dowd… Just like taking a trip in the Tardis!
Dave Natress…If anyone wants to see a 101% top quality show, go see “The Manfreds”. Its a shame a few of this original Manfreds show line-up have retired from the show tour – but then, none of us are getting any younger but…..it’s a truly fabulous show. Top musicianship all round and top vocals from the true Peter Pan of Pop – Paul Jones – forget the other claimants to this title!! Paul, as some of you will surely know, is also a world class harmonica player.
Alan Esdaile… Saw the show at The White Rock Pavilion a couple of years ago and it was excellent. Had Alan Price and Maggie Bell also on the bill. Paul Jones still looks like he did in the sixties and doesn’t age.
Rontenn…I was a teenager for most of the 1960′s. I loved the music that came out in that decade whether it was from the U.K. or the U.S.A. Glad to see that there are lots of artistes from those magical years still around & still performing. Sadly many have “left the building” including two in the last couple of days Alvin Stardust & Jack Bruce. My personal top favourite of all the solo singers still around is P.J.Proby. The Beatles intoduced him to us all back in 1964. On November 6th P.J. will be 76. He’s still an amazing performer & if you get the chance to see him perform please take it. He’s up there in the same category & class as Elvis.
Rontenn…Manfred Mann were an absolute top group. I see Manfred himself has a new CD out called “Lone Arranger”. When did he leave his own group & why?
Steve Kinch… if you’re referring to the original Manfred Mann group, they split in the late 60s. If you mean MM’s Earth Band – They are still going strong. The Lone Arranger is a Manfred solo album with contributions by numerous artists and musicians, including Kris Kristofferson and members of the Earth Band.
Alan Esdaile… I think they wanted to know why Manfred Mann split in the first place. I think it was down to musical differences and he was not happy playing pop songs but maybe wrong?
Steve Kinch… Alan, that’s about right! Soon after Manfred mann (the pop group) folded Manfred formed MM’s Chapter Three, which was probably as far away from “pop” as it’s possible to get: A kind of jazz/rock outfit relying heavily on band members ability to improvise.