The things we did!
Last updated 09:19, Saturday, 07 June 2008
However nothing stays the same and alas some of the brilliant musicians from this wonderful era of music are no longer with us – Roy Orbison, Freddie Garrity, Desmond Decker, Long John Baldry and Joe Dolan, to name but a few.
Some groups carry on without their front-man, but already this year Rod Allen of The Fortunes and Mike Smith of The Dave Clark Five have passed away.
All the more reason therefore, to keep supporting the Sixties bands still doing the circuit. Only a couple of months ago my friend and I had a brilliant evening in the company of Union Gap at Ellenborough Social Club, Maryport.
On Friday, the legendary PJ Proby will be performing at The Buccleuch Centre, Langholm along with Chris Farlowe, Brian Poole, Vanity Fare and Mike Pender and later in the year Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen (October 31) and my favourite group The Searchers (November 28) will be performing at the Hilltop Hotel in Carlisle.
Although PJ Proby had an amazing influence on the music scene during the Sixties with hits like Hold Me and Somewhere, he is probably best remembered for repeatedly splitting his too-tight trousers on stage, which resulted in him being banned from the circuit and television.
At the time, three local teenagers were up in arms about this.
Margaret Murray (nee Morrison) of Rockcliffe told Timeline: “In 1964 I lived in Langholm and my friends Ann and Margaret Johnston lived in Longtown.
“We were outraged about the PJ ban and raised a petition to have the ban lifted.
“Sadly it was to no avail and the ban remained in place, which only strengthened the ‘hero worship’ bestowed on PJ by us and his legions of fans.”
Lexie Collier of Carlisle has followed the career of The Searchers since the sixties.
“My friend and I joined The Searchers’ Appreciation Society (SAS) back in the Sixties, so we could be kept informed where they would be performing.
“Once we found they were appearing at Charnock Richards so we booked the hotel and the day off work. We were then notified by the hotel that we would not be allowed into the cabaret to see The Searchers as it had been booked by a private company.
“We were livid. First of all I wrote to Frank Allen (The Searchers’ front man) who wrote back telling me which company had booked them. So, not to be out-done, I wrote to the managing director of the company telling him in no uncertain terms of our anger and disappointment.
“I received, not only a letter apologising for ruining our night, but tickets to the private function, including dinner, and a disposable camera each so we could have a record of our evening.
“A very good PR exercise it may have been, but it made two ‘golden oldies’ very happy.”
“The society also holds annual conventions. A few years ago while attending the one in Birmingham, we were told to mention, when we checked in, who we were with.
“You can imagine the looks we got when the receptionist said in a very loud voice: “Oh are you in the SAS?”
“I’m sure the members of the public standing in the same queue wondered who we really were!”
“I also had the pleasure of attending Frank Allen’s 50th birthday in 1993, which was held after their performance at Kenilworth.
“He joined a few of us in the hotel lounge and sat and chatted for quite a while.
“He was presented with a zimmer frame as well as individual gifts which we had all bought for him and afterwards we all received a hand-written thank-you note from him.
“A true gent and a brilliant performer!”
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