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This section of Kentgigs.com is called "Kent MusicBiz" and is dedicated to the people in South East Kent who helped form the live music scene as it is today. Good or bad, we are going to share some odd facts and figures, puff ourselves up, bring ourselves down. Some of us have been "at it" since the 50's and some are babies. The heroes we remember are not just those who "made it" but those who entertained us. "Every pop star is someones next door neighbour", local band is not a dirty word here.
Some want to share a few experiences with those on the scene now that are unlucky enough to be "too young" to have shared the best years of live music in Kent. Alright, you can argue about that if you like, but browse through the project and see what's been happening.
As the project grows it will cover 50 years of Music in Kent because the motivators are still there, stirring it up. (Including me - Ed).
We want your input, if you can show a link to the people, gigs, venues, recordings etc. already on Kent MusicBiz you can join in sooner, email your stories pics. and links to Kent MusicBiz Project.
Do you know any old Muso's that would like to tell their story?
Please be patient if your submitted an article, CV, photo or whatever and its is not here yet. The construction will concentrate on the oldest info first, it's a monster of a story and is under permanent construction.
Current bands and new venues should goto kentgigs.com and request link there we hope you feel you are a part of the future not the past.

Photo attachments should be minimum 640x480 pixels and should have full descriptions, names, and other details in the text of the email. You grant us permission to use any photograph, picture,logo,item or wording that you send to us for use on this site. It is your responsibility to obtain permission from the copyright owner for this purpose and declare them.

Start your journey below - follow blue text links or use the back arrow on your browser to navigate. Graphics with borders link to press cuttings etc.
Warning this site is "Picture Rich" to get the most out of it, wait for the pictures, they only need to download once, then they will be available in your cache ready for your next visit. Please let us know if you find a broken link, there will be some. - Have fun.

LINKS

Manchester Beat - Bands of ther 60's
Not from Kent? Why not send your details to Roll Back The Years a new site now running in t'north of t'country
Vintage Sixties Live - a non-commercial web site and monthly club night for all the groups (we didn't call them bands then) who worked the North East UK club circuit in the Sixties
Kent Band Archive - a new site dedicated to preserving the memory of past Kent bands
Kent Band Family Tree

MESSAGES

CRISPIAN ST. PETERS (Robin Peter Smith) died this week 8th June 2010  

Hello Chris,

I see on your site the question 'Does anyone remember Beat 65?.  Well I know It became Kent Beat when it was taken over by Ian Bright  - a graphic designer - so the revamped version looked pretty good for 1965 even if it did cost the equivalent of 5p an issue.

Ian roped me in - a pretentious 19 year old - with my art school girlfriend Joanna (We are still married) to write, draw, model(!) and interview groups for it.  Ian drove me - scared stiff - to venues around Kent at high speed in his red Austin Healy 3000 but they were happy and exciting times for me.

I interviewed The Graham Bond Organization when Jack Bruce, Dick HS and Ginger Baker were part of the lineup and the Who for the second issue.

There were only two issues - the July one with Donovan on the cover - see jpeg - interviewed but not by me. The other August? September?cover may have had The Who on it but my mind's going so I can't be sure.

I'd really like to see a copy of the second issue if anyone out there has one - or knows where I could buy a copy.
Thanks
Andrew Dickerson

Hi Chris,         
I am trying to track down any copies of Kent Beat possibly the second edition, I think it did feature The Who,but I am more interested in a local Wrotham Heath based group called Beau Kent and the Loosends,which also featured in the same issue. Beau Kent was lead singer,
 
Vince McGee lead guitar,Wally King on bass,Robin Gough on drums and on rythem guitar (Me) Mick Sloman although they miss-spelt my name   with a W. The group was resident at The Wheatsheaf pub on the junction of Sutton Road and Loose Road in Maidstone,we also had other gigs around Maidstone and the surrounding area.
 
I did have a copy but I must have lost it during several house moves over the years, I may be able help with details of other venues in Kent and names of some of the other groups of that era. If anyone can help with my search for a copy,or if I can be of any assistance please forward my email address,
kind regards Mick Sloman

60s Beat / Mod, Soul or Psych
We are looking for any bands that have unreleased material on acetate or reel to reel tape from about 1964-1969 that we can use on a second compilation CD/LP fo a well known record company..

We're looking for bands that played 60s Beat/Mod, Soul or Psych. Do you know any of bands that have recordngs we can hear for possible release. If the tracks get released the owner would of course get paid royalties against sales, the last volume which was issued 5 weeks ago has already sold 3000 copies which is no mean feet

If you know of anyone please let me know ASAP.

Chris
chris@kentgigs.com
01303 893472

Hi Chris
I have just discovered your site, it made me want to go out and buy an old van covered with the groups names in lipstick (written by the members) and a kit of drums and start practising in a hall behind a pub in Canterbury.
Great to see all our old mates from years gone bye! What a fantastic privilege it was to live and survive that great period of fun music and history,i would not change it for the world.
 
Many Thanks for a fantastic site.
 
David Legge ( Dave Lee)
The Swinging Secrets, The Others, The Ways And Means and Chaucers Tales
 
www.dave-lee.co.uk
Hi Chris,
Your Gig guide is great and looking through it has brought back some good memories especially about Freddie Mack, Vanity Fair Candy Choir etc,etc. I saw Freddie Mack and his band at the Aurora Hotel, Brompton, Gillingham when my now wife and I were just starting to go out together, so that brings back fond memories.
I also wonder if anyone out there remembers the night Amen Corner played at the Central Hotel, Gillingham. Apart from Jimi Hendrix the Corner were one of my favourite bands so as you can imagine seeing them live was mind blowing. 
My band supported Amen Corner at the Leas Cliff Hall around Christmas 1968. They were late arriving. The stage was a dangerous place to be with 1000 nutty females a yard away.... Chris
Regards, - Bob.
At last, thanks to BFBS Radio and Sanctuary, I've now been able to post a PODCAST of an archive interview I did with legendary DJ Tommy Vance in 1978. It lasts about 16 minutes and includes plays of Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer <http://pages.britishlibrary.net/johnscottcree/A%20superfluous%20man.html>, His greatest hit, and The original Flamenco. I hope you enjoy it.

You can find the Podcast at http://pages.britishlibrary.net/johnscottcree/1%20Track%2001.mp3

best
John
John Scott Cree
Horley, England

website - http://pages.britishlibrary.net/johnscottcree/

LOOKING FOR INFO

Hello
I am trying of collect all the known live appearances of Slade pre to the chart fame days in 1971..as you can appreciate this involves trawling through a number of sources including Ebay ..last week I was unsuccesful in winning a copy of Melody Maker for August 1969 ..it included an advert for Tofts of Folkestone..Ambrose Slade were appearing there on 9th August 1969.

This would have been one of their last gigs before their name change to Slade and the skinhead haircut stunt.

I did a search for Tofts and discovered your excellent site and have just been happily browsing in the hope of finding a mention of Slade,Ambrose Slade,The 'Nbetweens or Steve Brett and the Mavericks..no luck..unless my eyesight is worsening.

They must have played in your area at some time between 1964-1970..the groups I've mentioned toured the UK and the continent between these years constantly.

Hope the date is of some use to you.

Regards
Chris Selby
Many fond memories come flooding back of my time living in Margate in
the early eighties!
Would love to get in contact with Jenx from Naughty Thoughts.
Does anyone remember another local band at the time called Ghost?
Both these bands were responsible for some great nights out at
the Kokomo Wine Bar and The Saracens Head in Margate!
Also remember a great band called Flux.

Best wishes
Dave Kirby (Northampton)

Hi can you help please

I am a local musician and am currently writing a book concerning venues that I have played since I began in the early 60's

In particular - I am trying to get some info on places that I rembember playing - but can find little or no no reference to in local archives

Here are some of them - the year could be one adrift either way

49) Headcorn Youth Club Headcorn Kent (1966)
50) Silver Palms - Maidstone Barracks, Maidstone, Kent (1966)
51) Regency Club - Rochester, Kent (1966)
52) (Queen) Carolines Bedroom - Rochester, Kent (1966)
53) Galahad Club - Strood, Kent (1966)
54) Cardijn Club - Chatham, Kent (1966)
55) The Big 6 Club Tonbridge (1966)
56) HMS Pembroke - Chatham, Kent (1966)
57) The Central Hotel - Chatham, Kent (1966)
58) Lenham Carnival - Village Hall, Lenham, Kent (1966)
59) Brompton Barracks - Chatham, Kent (1967)
60) Chuff Club - Wigmore, Kent (1967)
61) Hook & Hatchet - Walderslade, Chatham, Kent (1967)
62) The Seaview Hotel Sheerness - (1967)

Also the Supreme Ballroom Ramsgate and Micks Flamingo in Tontine Street Folkestone - both in 1967
Here are some clues .......

51 and 52 were the same venue - closed and reopened with a change of name
They were - I think - on th left as you come down Strood hill into Strood heading east
The Cardijn was behind Chatham station

I think I played downstairs at the Central - would that be right in those days or was that at Central halls ?

The Chuff Club may have been held in a pub ??

Were the Pembroke and the Brompton Barracks 'the same gig'?
When did 62 close ?

Ive got to cover around 400 in all mainly in London and the SouthEast but this early period has got me a bit stuck

All contributions gratefully received

cheers
Email : Brian Brockie
My name's Greg Palmer. I used to be in bands in the kent area in late 70s.
I'm trying to get some info. on a few bands - personnel etc - from early 70s and wondered if you could help.
I'm interested in getting info. on a guitarist called Mick Curd and his brother Martin who played bass.
The bands i think they were in were Funk and Wagnall ?, Porcelain Frog, Roundabout and a function band called Jenie. Don't know if you could post this anywhere where others might see it?
Thanks for your help.
Regards,
Greg Palmer

Where Were You 31st Dec 1966. Did you see Jimi Hendrix Experience gig at the Hillside Social Club In Folkestone.

Where was the un-official Experience Gig In Folkestone 1967-68?

Do you remember Beat 65 a magazine showing different bands about at that time.
Hi Chris

I am looking for a copy of a vinyl album recorded live at Tofts in
Folkestone by Laurel Aitken around 1968/69
I think it was called Laurel Aitken live at Tofts. The front cover showed a
load of my skinhead mates crammed onto that tiny stage
Can anybody help?

Thanks
Ray Smith

Hi Chris,
Was just wondering if you happen to have or if you know where I could get a
picture of The Casuals - hit song - Jesamine - 1968 (approx). I am specifically after a pic of Peter Ward of The Casuals.

cheers
Maureen
Do you know any of these Kent Musicians from the band
Sounds Incorporated
Alan Holmes (Boots)
David Glyde (Griff West)
John Gillard (John St.John)
Barrie Cameron (Baz Elmes)
Dick Thomas (Wes Hunter)
Richard Anthony Newman (Tony Newman)
If you do, please get them to contact us. The BBC would like to do a feature on them in December chris@kentgigs.com
Thanks to all those replys - we found them.... Chris

does anyone remember The Spirits of Sound ?
Margate based band. Les Mighall on drums. Reg Golden on lead guitar , Paul Craswell on bass......lead singers name escapes me.i went with them to The Oval , Cliftonville , `65/66 , met "The Others" ( Ways & Means ) plus Bob Levy,
i ended up lead singer with "The Koalas".
Regards Mick Janisch.

From: tony freer antfreer@yahoo.ca
To: chris@kentgigs.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2005 1:05 AM
Subject: Freddie Mack Show


Do you, or anyone know anything about the 1960's
recording made at Tofts by the "Freddie Mack Show"
released on the Raynik label. Is it still available ?

Anyone know where Freddie Mack is today. Thanks, Tony.

Dear Chris,

I was most fortunate to find your website whilst trying to track down some of my old friends in the music business and am availing myself of your kind invitation to contact you.

I used to play tenor saxophone in the horn section of Freddie Mack Extravaganza ( amongst others ! ) from circa 1968 - 1971 and am attempting to find the people noted below :

Freddie Mack - The Main Man
Tex Makin - Bass Player ( originally with Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames )
Viv Prince - Drummer ( originally with the Pretty Things )
Tony Gomez - Keyboards ( originally with the Foundations )

Even if you not able shed any light on their whereabouts Chris I should be delighted to hear from you in any case and look forward in anticipation to your reply.

Best regards,

Chris Burdett

Does anyone know the name and what happened to a singer on the Freddie Mack Show called 'The Little One' please? Roger at Mmillslondon@aol.com

Hi Chris,

Sorry to take so long, but thank you for the scans of the Bridge posters.( Ref - Yardbirds at Bridge Country Club)
I would be very keen to hear from anyone who attended these Yardbirds/Zeppelin gigs back in '68 as I know of no reviews nor info from these venues.

Thanks very much,
David Hope

Hi Chris

Can you help please. I am trying to trace Jack Mattin who I knew in the 60's in Gillingham. He was a brilliant pianist then and had a band named JMQ.

You can either email me with any details, or if you know Jack by all means forward this email to him. My tel no. is 01303 239791.

Your help appreciated.

Regards
Jane Milton
PS - I have searched the net high and low and have only come up with Mattin/Clark Band Jazz - but no contact details.

Hi Chris

I'm a big Pink Floyd collector and am currently undertaking extensive research concerning a future edition of a Pink Floyd performance history originally released in 1997.

Pink Floyd played the Canterbury Techncial College on two occasions : 19/11/66 and 11/3/67

A Margate based local band called 'The Koalas' supported on 19/11/66 and a Herne Bay band called - Spectra Quin / Spectre Quin / Spectre Quinn / Spectre Quin Team (spelling differs in places I've seen) supported on 11/3/67.

Have you ever heard of or collated any info on these bands ? I know from looking at your site that nothing is mentioned on your website.

I know this much of the the above mentioned bands -

The Koalas - Mick Janisch (vocals) / George Gurden (drums) / Chris Martin (bass guitar) / Bob Levy (lead guitar). Seemed to play in Thanet area from around late 1966 to 1968.

Spectre Quin - Band members unknown. Possibly gigged in 1967.

I'm not fromteh lcoal area, but I'm not sure of you have any other guys you might know from your site from that area and era who might be able to help. I gather a local venue was the 'Herne Bay Jazz Club', although there were no doubt loads in the 60s.

Hope to hear from you soon

Cheers

Chris Leith
email : pfchris@btinternet.com

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