FIrst band I was going to see at Brid Spa when I was 13. Had been to sit down concerts but first time at a dance and getting in after midnight. Unfortunately I had tonsillitis. Was laid on my bed feeling awful when my old man came in. As with so many parents in those days he had no time for long haired types singing music he didn' t like. "Just seen those Merseybeats getting out of a van. Didn't reckon this to them" as he clicked his fingers dismissively. My riposte that they would cope with it as over 4,000 people were paying six bob each to watch them tonight. How many are watching you tonight? didn't go down too well Meant my first dance was the Swinging Blue Jeans.
Always rated Johnny Gustafson - Big Three...Merseybeats http://www.independent.co.uk/news/p...ern-and-the-star-club-in-hamburg-9797142.html
If I was going to post another version Iwould have posted this one.Saw the Who at Brid Spa the week before England won the World Cup. Did the best version of Love Hurts I have ever heard and then launched into Heatwave. A 17 year old Robert ( he was then Alan) Palmer's band was one of the supports. A lad in my class at school played in a support band that night and another lad Iknew who was only 14 did as well. Young folk don't get those sort of opportunities these days. Was talking to the lad who was fourteen at the time not long ago. Hadn't seen him for years. Didn't realise he had played as we used to only leave the bar when the main band came on. He was disappointed to hear a poster for that concert was sold on eBay a few years ago for over £1500.
Admirer of his as well. Talented but modest. Saw the Big Three, one hell of a live band. Would have given anything in 1964 to have had hair like his. Although Brian Jones would have been first choice. School and the old man ensured that wasn't going to be the case.
I see. Thought you meant The Majestic Cinema (laterly The Criterion Cinema) when you actually meant The Majestic Ballroom (formerly The Gaumont Cinema) Heinous crime... shoot me!
