The Sensational 60s Experience Sunderland Empire 19 November 2023

I saw this show around a month ago at Whitley Bay Playhouse. However, I was tempted to go along again for one reason: to see one of my all-time heroes Steve Ellis, formerly of the Love Affair, who had been added to the lineup this time. The rest of the bands are also fun anyway so all good! No programme to buy this time as I already had one from the previous show.

I have written about each of the bands previously so I am going to cheat a little and use some song lyrics to illustrate each act. This seems quite appropriate any way :-).

First up were The Fortunes who sang several of their hits including my favourite: “Here It Comes Again”

“When I see that girl go walking by, I know a boy shouldn’t cry

Here it comes again, that feeling, Here it comes again

When I see her look into his eyes, No matter how I try

Here it comes again, that feeling, Here it comes again

I find I’m cry-y-y-y-in’ over you, I know it’s not the thing to do-o-o-o” (Barry Mason, Les Reed, 1965)

Next in line were Vanity Fare who had some great songs in the late 60s and early 70s including: “Hitchin’ a Ride”:

“A thumb goes up, a car goes by, It’s nearly 1 AM and here am I

Hitchin’ a ride, hitchin’ a ride, Gotta get me home by the mornin’ light

I’ve got no fare to ride a train, I’m nearly drownin’ in the pourin’ rain

Hitchin’ a ride, hitchin’ a ride, Gotta get me home to my baby’s side

Ride, ride, ride, hitchin’ a ride, Ride, ride, ride, hitchin’ a ride” (Jonas Jeberg, Petter Anders Lindgard, Petter Holmberg, 1969)

Closing the first set was my main reason for going. I have told this story before but here it is again! When I was around 12 or 13 years old, I had several heroes. These included of course the Beatles and the Stones. However, on a Saturday morning I would attend a kids disco at Sunderland Top Rank Suite (The Rink). I would try and dress like a young mod and I modelled myself on Barry Ryan, Steve Marriott and the man who I went to see: the one and only main mod man Steve Ellis, the original lead vocalist and founder of Love Affair who had five Top 20 singles including: “Rainbow Valley”, “Bringing On Back The Good Times”, “A Day Without Love” and their classic No.1 “Everlasting Love”. Steve still looks and sounds great. Very much the Cockney swagger growing old disgracefully mod. He performed all of the aforementioned songs, and also included a great cover of Small Faces’ “All or Nothing” in tribute to “the boys” and the other Steve (Marriott).

I have seen Steve many times over the years including as lead singer of his own band Ellis, at Newcastle City Hall supporting the Groundhogs, and fronting Widowmaker at Newcastle Mayfair and opening for The Who at Charlton football ground in 1976. Steve made reference to the Top Rank and playing there over 50 years ago which, he told us, was the last time he played in Sunderland. Actually, I remember that particular concert although I was sadly a little too young to attend. My friends older sister went along and told us all how great it was. It must have been sometime around 1968. I would have been 11 years old at the time. The girl in question went to a string of concerts, I think they were on a Thursday night, and from my great memories I seem to recall that she saw Small Faces, Amen Corner and Love Affair all around the same time. I was so jealous when she told me how great each band was on our way to school on the morning. Anyway, Steve is still out there, knocking out the hits and is still THE MAN.

Opening the 2^nd half were the swinging blue jeans whose biggest hit was: “Hippy Hippy Shake”

“For goodness sake, I got the hippy hippy shakes

Yeah, I’ve got the shakes, I got the hippy hippy shakes

Ooh, I can’t sit still, With the hippy hippy shakes

Yeah, I get my fill now, With the hippy hippy shakes

Yeah, it’s in the back, Ooh, the hippy hippy shake” (Chan Romero, 1963)

Finally, the show was closed by headliners Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich (Beaky is the only original member). From their tremendous repertoire I choose the very strange song: “Zabadak”. What does it mean? Nothing. It was a song made up of nonsensical words!

“Zabadak, Zabadak, Karakakora kakarakak

Zabadak, Shai shai skagalak

Zabadak, Zabadak, , Karakakora kakarakak, Zabadak

Shai shai skagalak“ (Howard Blaikley, 1967)

A great evening spent with some wonderful memories. Many thanks to Jan, Elaine and Chris for the photographs and assisting me in creating this blog entry.

Sensational 60s Experience Whitley Bay Playhouse 20 October 2023

Another 60s show. No apologies this time. You know what, I enjoy the old hits and it doesn’t seem to matter anymore as to whether there are original members or not. I guess we return to my old question “When is a band not a band?”.

The bands on show here, as far as I can ascertain, contain only one original member between them all. But more on this later. I went along with carer Elaine and my old friend Norman and you know what? We all greatly enjoyed the “Sensational 60s Experience” and I knew every song! And this 60s concert even had a proper compere, just like a 60s package tour should. He looked great with lovely long blonde hair. I will use some of the tour blurb to describe each band and then will add my own comments on the lineup and the performance.

Opening the show were: “THE FORTUNES. Hailing from Birmingham England, the band first came into prominence in 1964 with their hit single Caroline, which was used as the signature tune for the influential Pirate Radio Station of the same name. Other classics include, Storm In A Teacup, You’ve Got Your Troubles, Freedom Come Freedom Go. The Fortunes still continue to tour the world with shows in Australia, New Zealand and The USA incorporating a week long residency in the Fabulous Las Vegas.” I have seen this band a few times over the years and they used to include original lead vocalist Rod Allen. After his sad passing, current singer Eddie Mooney took on the role of fronting the band and he does an excellent job too. So, no original members here. But, a great job of some great songs: “You’ve Got Your Troubles”, “Freedom Come Freedom Go”, “Storm in a Teacup” and my favourite “Here It Comes Again”. Very enjoyable set.

“VANITY FARE. Formed in 1966 (often misspelled Vanity Fair, due to the similarity of the novel and magazine title) are a British pop/rock group famously known for such hits as, I Live For The Sun, Early In The Morning and the worldwide classic, “Hitchin A Ride” which scored the band a number one on the Billboard 100 in the USA. The harmonies of Vanity Fare are renowned throughout the sixties scene which makes them one of the best vocal groups still touring today.” No original members once again, but excellent renditions of “I Live For The Sun”, “Hitchin’ A ride” and “Sun, Sun, Sun, Sun”.

Closing the first half were: “THE SWINGING BLUE JEANS. The SBJ’s have a history that spans back to the early 1960’s. Over the years their hit singles ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’, ‘You’re No Good, ‘Good Golly Miss Molly and ‘Don’t Make Me Over’ have been the bedrock of the band’s memorable live performances. The Swinging Blue Jeans have been led by Alan Lovell, faithfully carrying on the long tradition of the band. Peter Oakman continues with the band to this day along with Jeff Bannister and Graham Hollingworth who complete the line-up.” So, once again, no original members but many of the band have been in position for a long time and, of course, they all dress in denim jackets and denim jeans. Excellent renditions of “Good Golly Miss Molly”, “Don’t Make Me over”, “Hippie Hippie Shake” and my favourite “You’re No Good”.

Time for an ice cream!

Opening the second part of the show were: “THE TREMS (former members of The Tremeloes). Starting out as an English beat group founded in Dagenham Essex in 1958, originally called Brian Poole And The Tremeloes. The Tremeloes toured the world from 1963 through 1974. The Trems are still a massive draw in Europe as well as the UK today as much as they’ve ever been. They have the fantastic reputation as one of the most entertaining bands on tour today. Hits include, Even The Bad Times Are Good, Do You Love Me, Call Me Number One and their world-wide number one hit Silence Is Golden.” This band could just as easily have called themselves the Tremoloes, as I remember seeing the singer/bass player Jeff Brown fronting the Tremoloes about 20 years ago when they still featured original drummer Dave Munden and guitarist Alan Blakley. I am pretty sure that Jeff Brown has been in the band since then. But then I have seen another version of the Tremoloes, Chesney Hawkes’ Tremoloes, having inherited the band from his dad Chip. I have subsequently discovered that there is also a further version of the Tremoloes featuring no original members, including former member Chip Hawkes’ son on drums and directed by Chip himself. Band heritage does get confusing, doesn’t it? Once again, they sounded great and played, from memory, “Even the Bad Times Are Good”, “Do You Love Me?”, “My Little Lady” and finished with their classic massive hit “Silence Is Golden”, all four members joining together at the front to sing the song a cappella. Wonderful.

Closing the show were: “DOZY BEAKY MICK & TICH. Originally called Dave Dee And The Bostons formed in 1961. Changing their name to Dave Dee, Dozy Beaky Mick and Tich in 1964. In 1966 the band were in the charts for 50 weeks out of 52. In Germany alone in 1967, record sales outsold The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Hits include Bend It, Zabadak and The Legend Of Xanadu plus many more. This fast moving energetic set from DBMT will have you dancing and singing in the isles performing hit after hit after hit.” Well, when is a band no longer a band? In this case, lead singer and main man Dave Dee is sadly no longer with us and the only original member is Beaky. You know what, I am passed caring! Bring on the great music. According to my very poor memory they performed “Zabadak”, “The Legend of Xanadu” (complete with whip),” Hold Tight” and finished with “Bend it”. They didn’t play my particular favourite “Last Night in Soho”. Their sound of the 60s was pretty authentic and they deserved their spot as headliners..

Many thanks to Elaine and Chris for the photographs.

60s Gold The Sage Gateshead November 8th 2011

60s Gold tour The Sage Gateshead November 8th 2011
I can’t resist classic 60s bands. This show featured Gerry Marsden, The Searchers, The Fortunes and Chip Hawkes.
I’d bought two cheap tickets up in the gallery looking down onto the stage some time ago for this show. When it came to the night of the concert and after a very hectic day at work, I was feeling knackered and was in two minds whether to go. I guess I was also still feeling tired from the weekend in London seeing Roy Harper. However David said he’d come along with me so off we went to the Sage. My prime reason for buying the tickets was to see The Fortunes, as I’ve seen the other bands on the bill. When we arrived The Fortunes were on stage. They performed a pretty slick set of their hits such as You’ve Got Your Troubles and Storm in Teacup. The band has being touring consistently since the 60s, the line-up having changed along the way, with the last of the original band, Rod Allen, sadly passing away in 2008. Our compere (yes this was a proper 60s show) then introduced The Searchers. I’ve seen The Searcher on a number of occasions, the last being around 10 years or so ago. They always put on a professional show, and this was no exception with the hits Needles and Pins, Don’t Throw Your Love Away and What Have They Done to the Rain still sounding great. Guitarist John McNally was 70 this year and singer Frank Allen can’t be far behind him (is everyone I go to see now 70?) yet they still clearly enjoy playing and show no sign of slowing down.
David and I were both tired and beat a retreat home during the interval (sorry Gerry and Chip…will catch you next time).

ticket

programme (its very black and gold and didn't scan well.....)