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Kent MusicBiz - The index to South East Kent Music Motivators

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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


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


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 Jam, at the Hillside Social Club In Folkestone.

Where was the 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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