white rock theatre

Summer season at The White Rock Theatre Hastings 1985

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Colin Bell… My great friend Vernon took me to see Hinge & Bracket (George & Patrick) off Piccadilly in the early 70’s before they became famous. To this day they remain the funniest live act i’ve ever seen, had me literally crying with laughter. So subtle and so hilarious.

Colin Fox… Black a White minstrel show eh? De camptown ladies sing this song doo dah doo dah

Stuart Moir… That was full of fantastic voices all blacked up like a jar of jam

Ralph Town… I saw Lenny Henry….mighty funny.

Andy Ives… I saw Lenny Henry that year too

The Three Degrees White Rock Theatre Hastings 30th June 1985

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Mike Waghorne… This must have been not long after the referb because Joseph was on when we were working in the later part of the works

Dave Nattress… A hark back then to the two performances a night days of late 50’s and early 60’s. Still I guess some live bands do two sets. With the exception of Damaris, the later bands I was in sometimes did two sets or half repeated the first anyway! The intermission enabled copious amounts of refreshments to be taken so the second set was a little looser and we all seemed to find 11 on the volume controls on the amps and PA!!

 

Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel – White Rock Theatre 12th June 1990

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ticket & cutting supplied by Iain Cobby

Peter Fairless… Made me smile!

Matt Thomas… I was working the bar that night

Andy Qunta… I did a tour with SH & CR in 1981. A really fun time! Great songs, great band! After that, we recorded a couple of songs, which Midge Ure produced. One of them, “I Can’t Even Touch You”, is the last track on the “Cream Of” album mentioned above. Just a bit of trivia for you!

Tony Davis… If I remember rightly Mr Cobby it was you and I that started the singing of Oh Dear Look What They’ve done to the blues. It was a good night. I think I also got hit by a small piece of falling ceiling.

Iain Cobby… Your memory serves you well, Mr Davis and if I’m correct, we were both in a video of his shot at Brighton Dome. More trivia, the bassist of his first Cockney Rebel band Paul Jeffery died on board flight Pan Am 103 with his bride on there honeymoon. Steve often would dedicate ” Sebastian” to him.

Tony Davis… Recently saw Cockney Rebel at the Leas Cliff in Folkestone. They were touring the album Best Years of Our  Lives for it’s 40th. Anniversary. Steve Harley and the band were fantastic that night. Instead of a support  act they incorporated it within the band. 2 sisters from Austria who were multi-instrumentalists and during Cockney Rebel’s set they played a couple of their own tunes. Really glad I went.

 

Hastings International Folk Festival 22nd May – 25th May 1987

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supplied by Mick Mepham

Also appeared Titus and Friends,  Blowabella, Ralph McTell, The Kipper Family, Barry Dransfield, Cecil Sharp, Ashley Hutchings, Bonnie Shalijean and loads more. Gigs at various venues and events took place throughout the town.

Robert Searle… Saw Tom Paxton at the Congress Eastbourne .The place was nearly empty ,so embarrassing for him and the audience. A really nice folky who i liked in the early sixties.

Will Cornell… I’d do anything to be able to see Blowzabella. They’ve played S.America a lot, but nary a nod to the ol’ USA. On my top 5 list of faves. Oh well, I do correspond with one of the guys quite a lot on matters re: Hurdy Gurdy!

White Rock Theatre – Easter 1991

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Sandy Max… I’d love those ticket prices these days! They.get a half empty theatre because many locals are priced out. Why don’t they consider cheap standby tickets as the London theatres do to sell the empty seats? A.full theatre makes for a much better atmosphere

Dennis Torrance… I missed button moon and the moon monster lol

Daryl Perkins… Took my Button Moon obsessed 4 year old to this!!

Carol Ann Bolton… I’ve been to Button Moon, followed Mr Spoon to Button Moon…etc

Mick O’Dowd… Went to see The Commodores. Good band but Lionel had already left. They didn’t miss him though.

Van Morrison – White Rock Theatre Hastings – 8th Dec 1991

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ticket supplied by Tim White http://www.whitehouse2002.co.uk/index.html

Jim Breeds… I did see him at Glastonbury some years ago.

Mick O’Dowd… Was at this one! Look at the price. Bet you can’t see him at that price now!

Doug Prentice… Saw him in the mid 70s, expecting the dynamic outgoing performer from the Caledonia Soul Orchestra (Too Late To Stop Now) days but got a grumpy singer who didn’t get up from the piano all night and didn’t speak a word to the audience. Certainly took the show out of show business!

John Wilde… I went with Beverly Martyn. Van had a great band who were quite young. We were awestruck. Even though he barely spoke his voice resonated across that theatre.

Rick Baldwin… I was there….”van the man” was as awesome as always.

Gavin Martin… Brilliant Rick Baldwin and Mick Odowd what a great place to see the master and you appreciated the privilege. Hymns is ace, saw him in Belfast round this time when he played the single first time he sung title Why Must I Always Explain? The heckler near me posed the inevitable “What’s this one about , Van?” Grrr

Liz Dees Dianto… I was there ! The female session musicians were amazing too !

Gavin Martin… Set list details from the night here. Essential Van site.

http://ivan.vanomatic.de/shows/1991-12-08_regular.shtml

Andy Ellison… Sat that gig. He was brilliant at Brighton Dome last Tuesday with the tightest band I have ever heard.

 

The Glitter Band – White Rock Theatre – date?

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supplied by Willie Wicking

Willie Wicking… From the White Rock Theatre, when they were on the same bill as The Rubettes and Alvin Stardust.

Alan Esdaile… Anyone confirm the date?

Daryl Perkins… There was a group of us who made a scrapbook for them…had our picture in the Observer. Think it was around 1975/76. Looking at picture again..different line up. Gerry Sheppard, John Springate, Tony Leonard, Harvey Ellison and Pete Phipps.

Willie Wickings… Loved them back then

Mick O’Dowd… Remember playing football in front of the stage in The Park where they were playing at the Hastings Carnival do with GG. Great guys.