Ad supplied by Sarah Harvey. The Nice Ad Andre Palfrey-martin collection
Sarah Harvey… Two interesting bands in consecutive nights in June 1968 – Although Unit 4 Plus 2 and The Nice weren’t overly successful chart-wise, they both became well known in music history. The Nice probably produced one of the most famous musicians in keyboard player Keith Emerson who became part of the 70s supergroup’ Emerson Lake and Palmer….other members Keith “Lee” Jackson later appeared in Jackson Heights and Refugee, The late Brian Davison (drummer) later appeared in Gong. Geoff Peckham… I loved the Nice. I saw them three times in ’69: Bath Blues Festival, Plumpton Festival and Eastbourne Winter Gardens. Just loved Emerson’s reckless treatment of classical pieces and, of course, his Hammond Organ abuse! Andre Martin… Good Morning one and All – from another life The Happy Ballroom in 1968 – can I add a correction I do not recall who appeared in their place, nothing mentioned in my diary and John & Ron are no longer with us. But this was in the following weeks Observer.
Andre Martin…Remember that weekend very well. Looking to 1965, Unit 4+2 had a follow up about 2 months after the one that we all remember, this charted, but did not reach higher than 14
Jenny Tyler… I was there for Unit 4 plus 2.
Peter Pursglove… I have to differ with you Sarah,you say Unit Four were not succesful ,we had them up the Witch Doctor and Concrete and Clay was no 1 in the UK charts ,i thought they were a pretty good group.
John Storer… Really depends upon your definition of “successful” 🙂 Unit 4 + 2 hadn’t had a hit record for 3 years when this gig took place. In fact, they only ever had 2 Top 20 hits in the 7 years they were together. However, one of the “+ 2″ was Russ Ballard who was still with the band in 1968 and who went on to become the guitarist and joint-main songwriter in Argent. His songs have been recorded by many artists over the years, including Rainbow, Kiss, Roger Daltrey, Santana, Hot Chocolate.
Lynn Graham… Loved Concrete and Clay
Mick Knights… Saw unit four plus two at the Witch Doctor, where they had added another bass singer and we’re plus three on that occasion. Don, t remember them at the pier, but they obviously were.
Sarah Harvey… I wasn’t suggesting Unit 4 + 2 weren’t a good group Peter, I was merely reflecting on the fact that ‘Concrete and Clay’ was their only No.1 in the charts and one other “Never Been In Love Like This Before ” only reached No.14….a few others only just scraped into the Top 50 and most never made it at all. Even at my young age I remember them as a renowned group but their success in the charts never reflected that. Just came across the same apology printed in the Observer regarding The Nice Andre and as far as I can ascertain, they didn’t return.
Andre Martin… Unit 4+2 appeared a couple of more times on the Pier, I can remember them supporting Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames in June 1966at the first college All Nighter – June 24th. I agree, they were a good band, and were always working and filling clubs and ballrooms, and my experience working with them at different times would confirm this.
Carol Arnold… ahhhh memories
Ray Harper…. That’s Russ Ballard on the keyboard.
