590 thoughts on “Local 60s group from Stockton.”

  1. Blue caps Mick Kemp, Eric Whitehouse, good old memories of these really good entertainer, l understand Eric still does a bit. The Zephyrs, Alan Coverdale, Albert Smith, fond memory’s of all these good entertainers.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  3. For those that haven’t heard, another colourful roadie fron our area passed away recently. I first met Malcolm ‘George’ Woodhead in around 1964. He was a still at school with Robert ‘Bob’ Evans, who became a member of ‘The Elastic Band’, fronted by Eugene McCoy. George teamed up with Will Grimston to become virtual freelance roadies and it was always a pleasure to have them transport our motley group (Denver Mule, amongst others) I remember when Fairport Convention were playing at the Redar Jazz Club and George was in the audience. There was a group of unruly over-refreshed lads talking loudly over Fairports performance and, in the middle of a gentle and heartfelt number (the name of which escapes me) George, obviously overcome by the beautiful music, stood up from his chair and shouted out with a volume the would have done credit to ‘The Who’,”Hoy! ******* shurrup or I’ll pan yer!!!!!” Amazing isn’t it? that I cannot for the life of me remmeber the music, but I will always remember that emotive outburst!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

  4. Chris Bailey & Trevor Davis – I’ve been doing some research into Dennis (Denny) Chatto for his son Jason, an old school friend of mine. The band ‘Rainy Day Feeling’ became GBI (Great British Invention) and appeared on ‘New Faces’ in 1977. Unfortunately their appearance looks to have been wiped. Looking back at all the memories here, I’m sure that Denny would be thrilled to discover that you have some film of him playing with The Firefly’s in the 60’s and I’m sure he would like a copy. Please get in contact with via the archive and I will pass on the family contact details. Denny recently retired after 40+ years in the business and still lives in Scarborough with his wife.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • Hi just seen this after doing some research into the Fireflies because my Dad is Denny’s brother Colin Chatto! I would love to obtain some film footage of them playing in the 1960s if it could be arranged? Thanks,
      Tara Tooley (nee Chatto)

      Like

      Reply ↓

  5. Visitor from down south here – Any of you know of a guy by the name of ‘Terry Hudson’ who was the drummer for the ‘National Smile Band’ 1978? – He came from your part of the world, would love to meet up with him again. He is featured in the book ‘Bright Lights Dark Days’ by TG Gayner

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • Hi Paul, I’m Des, Terry’s brother, unfortunately, terry passed away in December 2002. I’m 8 years younger than Terry, but I do remember the smile band back in 78, culminating in the stories in the national press. All Bristol lads, except Terry as I remember. I’m gonna have to get online and get a copy of the book now Paul.
      Cheers, Des

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • Hello Des
        I have only just read your reply, unfortunately for some reason I did not get any notification of your reply. Ironically just today, I made contact with the author of the book to let him know about your news, and he had “today” just received an email via a journalist, from Terry’s son Calvin, and has now written a message to him asking about Terry’s life etc.
        They were sad to hear the news regarding Terry and asked me to pass on his thanks for your reply and their deepest condolences.
        It is a great book, I hope you got a copy and enjoyed reading about your brother Terry – god bless him

        The author of the book ‘Gary’ has asked me to pass on his email address, he would love to hear from you and find out what become of Terry and his life post 78′
        ggayner@precisionprofiles.co.uk

        Regards
        Paul

        Like

        Reply ↓

  7. Somewhere above, no doubt dated a few years back, I related my recollection of the night that Jimmy Saville appeared at Mr McCoy’s Club in Bottomley Street, Middlesbrough -during 1966. Colin Bradley also contributed a posting about that night too. In view of the current intense media interest in Mr Saville’s personal life, and the many accusations as to his predilections, I thought they may be worth relating again.

    At that time, one of my part-time jobs (as an art-student) was running the coffee bar at Mr McCoy’s, which was actually situated adjacent to ‘the club’ in the original ‘Purple Onion Coffee Bar,’ but accessed via a short internal corridor. The club was unlicensed and only sold coffee and soft-drinks, the ages of the customers was therefore anything from 15-25.

    However, on that particular night, I noticed a much older guy, possibly’ 30+ ‘hanging around’ in the bar-area. Dressed in a raincoat and wearing small, round NHS spectacles with his hair heavily Brylcreem’d, this guy spent his whole time seated alone, sipping on a plastic cup of coffee whilst smoking his stash of ‘rolys’. Both his appearance and his demeanor were very odd, especially in a venue that was usually attended by fashion conscious and lively younger people.

    In fact, even then, Jimmy Saville had little ‘celeb’ appeal and I further recall that the night was not exactly a ‘capacity’ one. In most cases, the appearing artiste(s) inevitably came down after their ‘spot’ from the 1st floor dressing-room into the coffee-bar at which point I got to chat to them (I often sat in the kitchen making cheese sandwiches with Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll and Zoot Money!) I therefore expected Mr Saville to make an appearance…which he eventually did, puffing on a cigar and largely being ignored by the other customers, except one that is.

    For no sooner had JS ordered a coffee from my assistant, than the ‘odd guy’ rushed up to him and spurted-out, in a clichéd and almost grovelling manner, “Mr Saville, I’d like to introduce myself.. as your No.1. fan!” A statement I remember laughing about later, with my assistant.

    Now, having watched and listened to Jimmy Saville’s vocal mannerisms on TV and Radio, you’d have expected him to exchange a couple of bits of ‘clever’ parlance in his Leeds Market Trader voice, shake hands and then brush the ‘odd guy’ aside. But he didn’t.

    In fact Jimmy Saville and his ‘No.1 fan’, after exchanging a few words, moved away from the bar and stood together in a corner engaged in a low-voiced conversation for at least 40-minutes after which both Jimmy Saville and the odd-guy’ disappeared. At the time, being busy working, I thought little of it. Though I remember being a bit put-out, by the fact that I’d not actually spoken to ‘Jimmy Saville’ i.e. one of the few people appearing at Mr McCoy’s, that my mother would have known, as being ‘off the telly’.

    It must have been a few weeks later that I once again saw the ‘odd guy’. It was whilst returning home from art-college on my battered Lambretta scooter each afternoon, that I noticed him regularly standing on the Ormesby Road corner (opposite The Majestic Cinema/Buccaneer Pub) with a ‘roly’ clenched between his lips and dressed in the same raincoat.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

    • I have just found this site after looking at one that mentioned all the nightclubs in Middlesbrough.
      I remember Chris Bailey working in the Purple Onion and chatting to him. I used to go to McCoys and was entering the club when Lulu visited, she had been on the Fiesta I believe. I later married Tom Harris the brother of Don Harris. I recently went to a wedding and met Chris Gallagher the brother of Tony the DJ , we talked about McCoys and remembered the night that Unit 4 plus 2 played there and also a young Rod Stewart playing in the steam packet. We used to drink in the side room of the Corporation Hotel as we were only 16 yrs old but he ho…
      We had trips to the Twisted Wheel at Manchester. Barry Faulkner was part of our crowd and stayed at our house in North Ormbesby many times when we had parties, always wanted to press the crease in his trousers he was smart dresser.
      I also remember Billy Rowney his wife Pat (who sadly died), Jimmy Dover who I think emigrated, his wife was called Dot. I think I saw Chris in Safeway in Yarm about 3/4 weeks ago and was trying to think of his name.
      Please get in touch Chris for a catch up.

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • Hi Pam, Good to meet up by chance (at last) in Yarm today. I must confess that I had missed your previous post on here. Interesting, that you recall Lulu’s visit to Mr McCoy’s Club, after appearing in cabaret at The Club Fiesta in 1965. Lulu, aged just 16, was at that time riding high on her recording of ‘Shout’ which had charted at No.8. the previous year. This of course, was a Brit-cover of the Isley Brothers earlier 1959 release in the USA (Cilla Black had done the same in ’64, with Dionne Warwick’s ’63 USA hit ‘Anyone who had a heart’) This fact neatly brings us to D.J. Tony Gallacher ( and D.J. Tony Hargan) because, though difficult to conceive in a present age of multiple music-radio channels, I-tunes and Spotify the main music source of our lives back then, was the BBC, and this organisation once known as ‘Aunty’…hardly ever played ‘black’ music. It was therefore left to local DJ’s such as Tony G. and Tony H. to complete our ‘education’ regarding the unheard of Isley Brothers, The Contours, The Du-tones and many other ‘stateside’ black artistes who never received any airplay in the UK. As you also mentioned, our appreciation of such ‘underground’ music, was celebrated in the company of others at The Twisted Wheel Club’ Manchester. These ‘trips’ to the club’s Saturday all-nighter sessions, were organised by the 19 year old Tony Gallacher and usually involved a couple of ageing motor-coaches, making the long journey over the (pre-motorway) winding Pennine roads to Manchester. Once there, the whole night was spent dancing in a deep, dark cellar area on Whitworth Street drinking Coca-Cola, or coffee and staying awake, by means of what were known back then as ‘blueys’, or more simply, ‘pills’. We’d emerge bleary-eyed from the Club, onto the rain-soaked streets of Manchester at around 6am, ready to begin the 6-hour journey back to Teesside….where, if we were lucky, we’d arrive back home in time for our ‘Sunday dinner’ and then… collapse into bed! In later years, this ‘happy’, eminently danceable, music was ‘tribalised’, becoming more widely known to the subsequent generations, as ‘Northern Soul’, with the tag, ‘Keep the faith’. A phrase referring back to those days, when people like Pam, myself and many others of a similar mindset, ‘travelled’ in order to listen to music that was not ‘spoon-fed’ to us, via profit-mongering recording companies, radio stations and the likes of a certain Mr S. Cowell…

        Like

        Reply ↓

        • Hi Chris
          If I remember correctly it was off to Rowntrees which opened at 07:00 after the Wheel kicked out. Stayed there ’til lunch time then on the bus home (suffering big “come downs”) just in time to get changed and out to the Kirk. By the way, I think Tony’s name was spelled Gallisher and not Gallagher, But as you know memory fades with age so I might be a bit off with chronology.

          Like

          Reply ↓

          • Strangely enough Dave a client of mine purchased Rowntree’s, M/cstr (by then in the Arndale Ctr) and I had the job of re-designing it for him about 4yrs ago. Not been on this site for years, but pleased to see your own reminiscence on your post is only 2yrs old. Time marches on! Hope you’re well!

            Like

            Reply ↓

    • Strangely enough I remember that night. Wasn’t JS wearing his hair dyed white on one side and black on the other? He seemed to be wandering around wanting someone just to talk to, I don’t remember that he was actually on the decks.

      Like

      Reply ↓

    • From Dave Gibbons to Chris,
      I have vivid memories of The Who, who I believe opened the club. The recall I have most of that night is of Jeff Thompson hanging from a pipe running across the ceiling after climbing, I think, on Harris’s shoulders to get up there to get a better view.
      Ah! but what memories of upstairs Onion. Baldrey only letting RS sing a couple of songs, Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger etc. all doing superb sets. But wasn’t JS just the dogs at getting all the right acts at just the right time…Stevie Wonder when he was 12 I think….all the great Motown acts as well as what would be called today “alternative” bands.
      The whole of music loving Teesside owes a big debt to John for his entrepreneurial forsight.

      Like

      Reply ↓

    • Chris Bailey…
      Did the book being put together with all the resources from here with a massive contribution by your good self & Trevor Davis ever get published? if so would love to know how to purchase a copy, I tried emailing Trevor at his email address in France but it was bounced back, any information would be appreciated

      Like

      Reply ↓

  8. What an amazing thread has been created from that picture uploaded 7 years ago. As a Stockton seedling and a fan of music from this era, I’d love to see (or create myself) a YOUTUBE Teeside music channel. I wonder how many of these bands recorded singles or indeed albums. I am raking through all these 7 years of emails to get info. It’d be great if someone could list some releases from these acts.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • Three of the most popular club-acts of the mid 60’s, (who all appeared locally at The ‘Kirk’, Mr McCoy’s Club,The KD Club, & Redcar Jazz Club) amazingly still have ‘live’ and very evocative albums (in cd format) from that period, available on Amazon.
      These were;
      Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames / R&B live at The Flamingo.

      Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band / Live at Klooks Kleek

      Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band / Foot Stompin, Funky butt, live!

      An interesting fact, is that the young lead-guitarist who played with Zoot Money back in the 60’s, is clearly featured on many of the bands record sleeves in ‘group’ photographs. This of course was Andy Summers, who later went onto super-stardom alongside ‘Sting’ & Stuart Copeland as part of late ’70;s band
      ‘The Police’.

      Like

      Reply ↓

    • Hi Michelle, six years since you asked this question, did you ever get a reply from anyone. There was Mark Duffy also known as Mark Quentin, singer with the Hi-Lo`s and also with the Mark Davis Four.

      Like

      Reply ↓

    • Hi, my Uncle was Larry Burns who sang with The Singing Hilo’s, other members of the band were Peter Gaughan who played piano, Frances Wanley and Shiela Huggett who both sang with the band!!

      Like

      Reply ↓

  10. Mick Rowe/Wally Latheron
    The bits I had of the Chelfont Line are now on Stan Laundons site.
    Still waiting for the get together.
    JT

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • I have just been on Stan’s site and caught the Chelfont Line nostalgia trip. I wish I was that skinny now… Anyway message to John Taylor, Wally and others. I still spend enormous amounts of time in Aberdeen and when making trips home to Teesside there always seems too much to do before having to head back north. I do plan to be home in the period 22nd December to 7th January and hope we can meet up for a pint? You can contact me via my bands website. http://www.souledsylum.co.uk. Hope to hear from you both. By the way I have splashed out on a 1966 Fender Precision just like the CHelfont Line days except this one is sunburst. Soon have it white!

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • Are you the Mike Rowe from Cotswold Crescent? If so, somebody is trying to get in touch with your Dave on the Friends Reunited site. I believe he is in Australia isn’t he?

        Like

        Reply ↓

      • Hi Ian,
        Hope you are well.
        I am indeed the Mick Rowe from Cotswold Crescent. Brother David has lived in Oz for the last 40-years and I am afraid that my only contact is the annual exchange of Christmas cards. Brother Peter who lives on Bypass Road and frequents Billingham Social Club including doing time behind the bar is the best avenue for contacting David. Peter is in contact with Bob Blakelock if that helps. Best of luck.

        Like

        Reply ↓

        • Hi Mike, sorry it has taken so long but I just caught this reply today. Yes I remember your Dave going to OZ. he went a few years after I went to Canada. We were home on a visit and I met him in Stockton and he said he was ready to leave the next week.
          As for the Social Club, I worked the Bar there in ’68 I think it was, and loved it.

          Like

          Reply ↓

      • Mike
        I thought that I’d drop a line seeing as how you’re still active. You probably won’t remember me but I used to spend most weekends at my gran’s at 95 Cotswold and hung around with the lads from Braid Crescent. I remember our playing cricket on the school field, and as we grew up spent more time at the Synners Youth club or the KD. Moved to Burton after university and play on our boats in Cornwall, although I still keep in touch with some in Billingham and Middlesbrough. Please ask Picture Stockton for my email, if you’d like to get in touch (You may better remember me as the lad with the left leg shorter than the right).

        Like

        Reply ↓

  11. I have just discovered this site and have a little information on the drummer in the photograph – Frankie Smith. I knew him when he was in the Carnaby Rags from Hartlepool. I have a photo of the band which also featured him and Alan Plaice on guitar and the unforgettable Bill Collier on bass. Sadly Bill died last year but he will not be quickly forgotten. One thing about Frankie that was curious was that he fixed a second bass drum to the front of his main bass drum presumably to create more oomph – don’t remember whether it worked or not. Frankie was quite intense and he and Bill had regular punch ups at gigs usually over some triviality. Is Frankie still with us? Two contributors (Chris Bailey and Colin Bradley) mentioned seeing the Soft Machine at the Gaumont in early 1968. I thought it was at the Crypt. My memories of the gig are more positive than theirs as I thought the Soft Machine were a psychedelic treat in the midst of a grim NE winter, but if they would care to share their thoughts perhaps the Picture Stockton Team could put us in touch via email.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • I first met the Carnaby Rags when I played in my first band ‘Some Other Guise’ but came across them again when I played with ‘Harvest’, when we played at Outon Manner Youth Club. Bill was a character of that there is no doubt and they all could play. I admired Frankie’s playing but he did have a violent streak which he was still demonstrating when he was in the band in the photo. We used to meet at the cafe/club at Hartlepool which was Tizacks place. Fond memories

      Like

      Reply ↓

    • Alan Grange – just to this date I’ve just found this site. Its truly amazing and certainly brings back many memories, I can’t recall what band you were in? Yes I’m still with the land of the living and living in the south of England thanks for your comments. I do hope I can get in touch with my past band mates etc. through this letter many thanks . Frankie Smith.ex carnaby rags, arc ,custard beast, fanatics, connection, freshwater , macnamaras band,

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • Hi Frankie,
        This may come out of the blue but my grandad, Chris Barnes, keeps mentioning you and that he’d love to get in touch with you.
        I’ve heard plenty of fond stories about you and your cat back in the day. It would be great if you could email me…

        Contact Picture Stockton at pictures@stockton.gov.uk and they will forward on my email address and I could put him in touch with you.

        Like

        Reply ↓

  12. Having viewed the recent television programme concerning Alan Ludley’s son and ‘Rivers Invitation’ on BBC Iplayer, which I found extremely interesting, I rummaged through my hoard of old 7 inch records and found that I have in my possession an old demo recording by Rivers Invitation of ‘Marcie’. I cannot for the life of me remember how I came to possess it but, if any of the old members of the band would like it, I will gladly send it to them. The Picture Stockton Team can give you my email address.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  13. I have managed to keep in touch with most of the band members who played in The Victors over the years. However, Tommy Campbell and Ralph Chapman, both who played with us at sometime in the 60’s, remain elusive. If anybody has any idea where they are now then please ask them to get in touch via the administrator of this site.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  14. Dee Dale – Jed was a dear friend and his death was a great loss to his family and friends. He lived on Cotswold Crescent and his mom, Josie Sullivan, was a vivacious and attractive woman who had enjoyed her own career as a singer on the club/pub circuit some years before Jed’s untimely death. Their home, and in particular the shed at the bottom of their back garden, was a refuge for Jed’s friends at all hours of the day or night. I’ve really no other information to pass on, but perhaps others who read this thread may want to comment.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  15. Colin Bradley – ‘Jed Sullivan (another ‘minder’ who died in a tragic car crash on the A19 in 1967)looked out for us whenever we were playing’… Do you have any further information about Jed Sullivan?

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • I remember the night that Jed got killed, I’d been to a girls house in Norton and rode back on my trusty Vespa to hear the news that the car had hit a lamppost. There were hundreds at the funeral at Wolviston Church, and on my rare visits back in the area I do call at the grave to pay my respects to a guy I liked a lot.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  17. Mick McDermott – how nice to see that you have visited and read this thread. Hope you are doing well. Lots of fond memories from 1967-68 – Billingham Bowl, the Synners dances, parties in Neil Carlton’s flat etc. etc. Angela says hi!

    Like

    Reply ↓

  18. Wallah! It was the KD (Kave Dwellers) Club…later ‘Visions’, at Billingham. I recall Bob McConnell ,Tony Highams, George Tinkler and myself being there that night. On another night, I remember us all chatting with Jeff Beck, just after Clapton left the Yardbirds.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • Does anyone know where George Tinkler is now? He called at our house in the Midlands some 30 years ago and we then lost touch. As I recall the Yardbirds didn’t turn up to the KD when they were booked and we spent the night in the Smiths Arms instead. I was drinking cider and was sick, that was the first time that I got drunk. Usually we limited our drinking to one or two rum and blacks in the Corporation before going to McCoys.

      Like

      Reply ↓

      • Jim, just trawled thru’ this thread for the 1st time in a year or two. I saw George in Yarm High St last summer. I believe he’s still living in Linden Grove, Linthorpe, M’bro (towards the Cambridge Rd end-sorry no number!) Couldn’t believe you’ve not been in touch, for he often mentioned you in conversation and I believe he’s still in touch with Steve Gibbons whom I believe now lives in the USA.

        Like

        Reply ↓

  19. I dont get on this site as much as I would like to, a note to Mike Rowe, if you have any free time Mike for a get together with John and myself maybe we could persuade him to have a search for those photo`s of the Chelfont Line. Keith Davison gave me a great photo of the line up, I don’t know if you have ever seen it. The Picture Stockton Team can provide you with my email address. Does anyone remember the John Mayall band playing in a little club in Billingham, not sure of the name of the club? Eric Clapton was in the line up and when they took a break he came over to the pub for a drink with us and talked about his music – he was quite shy believe it or not, a nice man. He was wearing that short fur jacket that you see of him on the John Mayall Album – probably the only coat he possessed as they were poor back then. Come on you Historians what was the name of the club? Great site – keep the stories coming lads.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  21. By chance I was on Google and saw my fathers name mentioned on this site. I’m sure I recognise some of the band members on the photos, I have a similar one with my father in a group called the ‘Boston Movement’. Sadly, as mentioned, he passed away with Cancer after post CVA issues which was tragic as his voice was amazing similar to Roy Orbison, who in fact once thanked my dad for singing his songs before they became popular in the UK. I think he went under Colin Dale? I used to come up and see him singing in the clubs. It was a GREAT period by what I recall as a 10 year old, so much going on. I would get in backstage by bribes to club committee members who were usually drunk. Like Peter Kay’s Phoenix night. Does anyone else remember him or have any photographs?

    Like

    Reply ↓

  22. It was a nice surprise to hear from Wally Latheron and welcome to this great blog. Of all the bands that were around in our days, the Chelfont Line was certainly one of the most popular. Pity that it is not featured on Stan Laudons great website ….come on John Taylor you must have old piccies and a good memory to give our great band a mention. I remember the early days when we first formed. I was a lowly instrument apprentice and was constantly broke. Cattermole had an awesome purple drop top MGA with big wheels and I think Wally was running around in an MGB GT. I could only dream then. Mind you I couldnt drive so it didnt really matter. Times change and them early sacrifices have paid off. I spend a lot of time in Aberdeen, keep a flat here and get home whenever I can. I have a project on the go where we are digitising all our old Betamx and VHS tapes. Was looking at one from 1992 when we hired a marquee and threw a party for daughters 21st. Davey Shearers band played, with Johny Rhodes on guitar and I think the bass player vocalist was your mate Keith Davidson. There is some great band footage and in the second set, I got up with the old Fender Mustang bass, Cattermole did a spot ( still a great singer is Paul ) Colin Bilton did a bit and Keith did vocals. Got it all on video. I had a fantastic soul band on the go in Aberdeen but a few years ago shut it down due to bickering and fractions. Plus the lead singer emigrated and the drummer went back to Oz. Still got music in my blood and I am determined that this will continue either by reunions or forming another band. take care Wally and lets hope we can meet up sometime before its too late.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  23. Chris Bailey
    The great thing about the KD Club was that it had two stages. The main stage was for the headline act and the second area for the support group, which meant both bands could ‘set-up’ their kit independently. I recall Bob Mac’s band ‘The Machine’ played opposite ‘The Herd’ one night in 1966. Afterward, their young guitarist/singer came over and politely asked us if there was anywhere their band could grab something to eat? So, we took them to the Excel Bowl in M’bro, where we bought ’em all burger n’ chips. Ten-years later, that young guy had the No.1. album in the USA and the U.K., an album so popular, you’d think it had been given away with the Teesside Times. The guy’s name was was Peter, the album…’Frampton Comes Alive’.07/10/2011 00:00:15night in 1966. Afterward, their young guitarist/singer came over and politely asked us if there was anywhere their band could grab something to eat? So, we took them to the Excel Bowl in M’bro, where we bought ’em all burger n’ chips. Ten-years later, that young guy had the No.1. album in the USA and the U.K., an album so popular, you’d think it had been given away with the Teesside Times. The guy’s name was was Peter, the album…’Frampton Comes Alive’.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  24. Just wondered if anyone can shed light on two of the Ryan brothers. Ronnie Ryan, who briefly managed Colin Dale and the Boston Movement and who was a really good man. Also, Kevin Ryan (heard through the grapevine that he was a hospital porter) who was the drummer with the same band. Talking of ex-Colin Dale Drummers, anyone have any news of Stuart Mott?

    Like

    Reply ↓

  25. Jed Stonehouse, I am mighty saddened by the news that Dave Stonehouse has passed away and condolences to yourself, Peter and the rest of the family. To add to what Colin Bradley has said, I was bass player in both the early Steve Brown Soul Sect and then Psycho 67 and our regular meeting place was the legendary Billingham Arms. From here we would cram into the van and then onto gigs. Now and again after the gig we would go back to your place in Greatham when the parents were away, and party the night away. If we drew the short straw, we would be on the top floor with Dave suffering his DJ skills where every record was a Bob Dylan tune played on the old radiogram (stereo as well ). If not Greatham we would head back to Jed Sullivans place in Cotswold Crescent, Billingham where his parents had built a great wooden shed at the bottom of the garden. This was right done up with carpets, heating, furniture you name it. This is where the famous card schools took place. Both Dave and indeed Jed were bleeding fearless and I recall a gig in Hartlepool where brother Peter (lousy footballer/good butcher!) had been in a local pub with his girlfriend and had overheard the locals planning to pop into the gig and do our heads in. Big mistake. We had Dave, Jed, Ronnie Lambton, Andy ?? from Billingham as minders and with Mick McDermott, Stooky and the rest of the band we were tipped off and ready. End of last song and we were attacked. Bit like the Commitments I guess. Carnage on the dance floor with mic stands bouncing off cods heads… it was a no contest and the local bully boys soon fled. Dave would do anything for anyone and although he was a master tippler he had a heart of gold. I could go on all day with stories from that era involving Dave. May he RIP. Pass on my regards to Peter and tell him one of these Saturdays I will pop in to test his ribeyes…

    Like

    Reply ↓

  27. Very sad to read that Dave Stonehouse has passed away. Dave, along with Ronnie Lambton, managed an early iteration of the Steve Brown Soul Sect which later became Psycho 67. Dave lived life at warp speed, was a prodigeous consumer of beer, and a fun guy to be around. We often used to rehearse at his folks’ place in Greatham, and the first time I ever travelled at 100mph in a car was with Dave driving in his dad’s Vauxhall Cresta – very cool. He and his girlfriend at the time (Barbara) used to drive the band around in a 1961 VW Van – the ‘flower power’ kind. We played a gig in South Bank once, at which Dave, in his capacity of band ‘minder’, became involved in a fracas with a local hard case called Alan Appleton, which resulted in GBH charges being laid and a protracted court case etc. Dave, and Jed Sullivan (another ‘minder’ who died in a tragic car crash on the A19 in 1967)looked out for us whenever we were playing some of the more physically intimidating local gigs, particularly in places like Hartlepool or Grangetown. Whenever I see a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale, I’ll always think of Dave. Thanks for letting everyone know Jed, and best to Peter.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  28. Hi all…..I am Jed , Dave Stonehouse’s (from Greatham Butcher) younger brother and I’m afraid to say that he passed away a few weeks ago…I looked after him for a while and he used to go on about the groups he was involved in…Psycho 67 etc…I had not heard of any of this history as he was 14 years older than me…so when I got home I googled Psycho 67 and that led me to this site…I then searched for Stonehouse and was really pleased to find his name mentioned even though he was just the ‘heavy’….names he mentioned where Stooky and Mick Mcdermott so I printed all of this page into a little pamphlet for him…copywright [oops..sorry]..my other 2 brothers Peter and John and my sister Kay all had memories when we talked at his wake as they all attended Billingham schools…sorry to pass on bad news…this was an era I missed and would have enjoyed being part of it…cheers all…have a glass for Dave

    Like

    Reply ↓

  29. Mike(used to be ‘Micky’ Rowe) – your life has kind of mirrored my own, musically and professionally. How wonderfull that you are now almost ready to leave behind the ‘real job’ and focus on what you love. I hope to be in a similar position soon. It’s been a long time since our days in the Steve Brown Soul Sect and Psycho 67 with Mick McDermott, Stuky, Steve Bell etc, but the memories endure. Always loved your bass playing Mike, and that little brief re-union in December 2003 at the Smith Jaques studio in Billingham was a special time too. Good luck with the studio man – I hope to be there one day down the road. Had a great trip back to Teesside recently, and got to play the Metro Arena in Newcastle with my old mate Paul Rodgers – I’ll never play to as big a crowd again, but through Paul’s generosity, I lived the dream for a day. Take care Mike – great to know you are doing so well, and Angela says hi.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  30. Someone told me about this site and it makes great reading, such wonderful memories. Mike, well how long has it been since we saw each other, you could probably remember. I can remember when we first played in the Chelfont Line together, you and Johnny Mac from Billingham and the rest of us Boro lads, what a great sound Mike, that brass section was something else wasn’t it. John Taylor trumpet, Paul Rhucroft sax (god rest his soul), George ??? the man with no surname. John Taylor will remember his surname and the rest of us, happy days. The photo of the band is Connection, with Alan Harrison- singer, myself – masquerading on guitar, John McWilliams – guitar, Andy Hunter – bass and Franky Smith on drums. Those haircuts were rubbish even then. Keith Davidson told me about this site but I never got round to looking it up, I think it would be great if we could hear from some of the other band members. Keith asked me recently if I would like to join him in the Soul Rebels but unfortunately I couldn’t make all the dates. Keith is a great guy and still full of enthusiasm, a pity he is so shy and retiring, not! It would be great to hear from you Mike or Mickey as we use to call you, see if we can remember some of those crazy days we played together in the band. Here’s one memory for you – remember the old Ford Zephyr Johnny Mac had that used to have the exhaust fumes on the inside, himself and Alan use to go to the gigs in it but both had to cover their faces with hankies, they looked like Bonnie and Clyde driving along. Got to the gig and couldn’t sing, they were both choking on exhaust fumes. I think it improved Alan`s voice. Keep the memories coming lads I am sure we will remember a lot more in the years to come. PS Mick, I was in Aberdeen last week, never away from the place.

    Like

    Reply ↓

    • Just found this comment, 15 years after it was posted! I don’t recognise the John McWilliams from Billingham that I knew in the photo, though the nearest to him in looks is the top right. Are you talking about the one who played lead guitar in The Moonbeams 1963/4 and was a fireman on the railways? His mother was a music teacher and had also taught him to play the violin. He would be c. 75 now. The Moonbeams sometimes played in the Billingham Arms on a Sunday evening. On one occasion they were the support act to the Merseybeats, which meant I got to go backstage.

      Like

      Reply ↓

  31. It has been great reading this thread particularly the parts relating to my era and bands that I was fortunate to be part of (Chelfont Line, Gypo, Physco 67, Steve Brown Soul Sect, residency at Starlight Club with Coverdale and Merv Jones and at Walkerville Hotel Catterick with Paul Smith and Dave Burton). Work took me away and local band life ceased, its at that time that you lose complete touch. The thread has brought back loads of memories. I have been lucky in that travel with work has enabled me to play in Mexico, USA and Norway. Even luckier is my current 10-year stint in Aberdeen where, along with some very talented musicians, we formed Souled Asylum. From the photo I remember Wally who played great guitar in Chelfont Line, Andy Hunter who played an Epiphone Bass in the Veltics ( Mick McDermott on drums. Mick later became the keyboard player in Physco 67 and was a great footballer and a tough nut )and Jonny McWilliams where we played one solitary gig together.
    Anyway my time away working is coming to an end. I have been on the road since 1974, 20-years offshore in diving and subsea construction and the rest in offices doing commercial management. Its now 2011, so thats 37 years on the road. We are embarking on a music studio/rehearsal room at the Rowe residence in Stockton/Eaglescliffe and I hope to see out my time thumping out bass lines with other musicians old and new when I retire from the oil business. This room will house my Nexo/Turbosound PA, B3 yes B3,C3 and Chop Hammnds, bass rigs, guitar amps,and everything else required to have some live music fun.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  32. To anyone who is interested. The Pictures of Stockton team do, and continue to do a truly great service but if those of you who are interested more in the local band scene from the 60’s and through the years try Stan Laundon web site, his support for Hartlepool and the Teesside 60’s era has yet to be surpassed and his forum page focuses more to general memories all to do with the bands and their supporters (www.stanlaundon.com)

    Like

    Reply ↓

  33. I remember Alan Harrison very well, he and his group performed at the Billingham Campus Stephenson Hall school concert in about 1959/60 when he was a pupil there. I seem to remember he had a Billy Fury haircut in those days, I have vague recollections of them doing some Buddy Holly stuff, Alan played guitar and sang, this is probably one of his eariest public performances.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  34. Nice to see you on this forum Tommy. Very grateful to you & the rest of the Zephyrs for the great nights we had listening to you at the various club venues over past years. As I previously mentioned at the top of this forum this photograph was given to me by Alan Harrison (Rhett Alan)one night at the Low Grange social club. Alan, Bob Green & myself worked together for a number of years. There was never a dull moment when in the company of Alan Harrison, he was related to the Leeming’s from Portrack and music appeared to run in the veins of that family.

    Like

    Reply ↓

  35. Freshwater was the name of the band in the picture it featured Rhett Alan our former lead vocalist
    Tommy Harbron Zephyrs lead guitarist

    Like

    Reply ↓

  37. I was informed that Pink Floyd played an impromptu practise gig at the Durham University, Dunelm House Students Union building in 1970 or 1971. It was related to me that they were on their way to a gig in Edinburgh and were looking for a place for a last minute practice. This could be correct as Dunelm House was a popular and well known venue for many of the bands of the day.

    Like

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.