CONCORDE 2015

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COPYRIGHT

Please note that many images contained within this website may be subject to copyright, although many have been kindly sent to me and intended to be shared on this non commercial outlet. If anybody wishes to use any of the same, then please get in touch as well as possibly giving credit where due as well as setting up reciprocal links if relevant to the actual content on any webpage. Please note that I am able to monitor any image-copying and if published on other websites. I would appreciate any contact to report broken/outdated links and any corrections to the text that accompanies any images herein. Thank you and enjoy!

Page updated 10 January 2016 This was the original dedicated webpage set up during 2015 prior to the show - please see report of this great night at the end of the page

Door proceeds direct to local childrens charities via Concorde's established fund-raising section (Google it)

(I am repeating the basic overview below as before- it more or less sums up the idea of these very successful shows)

The well established 'Back To The Sixties' is back for another great night and features the cream of classic 60s bands, singers and DJs from the best ever decade. Original artistes who performed around the Southampton area and all over the country, provide some great sounds with over four hours of live music plus fills from the local 'vintage' DJs. Just take a look at the previous webpage reports for a feel of what it's all about. The Concorde Club celebrates its 58th anniversary in 2015, looking back to its early days from a jazz club based in the old Bassett Hotel pub in Burgess Road at the top of Southampton Common in 1957. The new premises in Stoneham Lane were founded in the early Seventies and now transformed into one of the finest music venues in the UK featuring many top names- just take a look at their own website. I have a dedicated webpage on my own site as well, which tells more of the legends that trod the old boards:

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This 'mini festival' has become well established over the last few years and witnessed some amazing performances from local Southampton musicians, many of them performing from the late Fifties and early Sixties. Many of the guest artistes have flown in from all corners of the world and linked in with visiting family, friends and hooking up with old pals after several years away as well as making some great music. The Concorde audiences cover a wide age group but many of the 'Baby Boomers' hit the dance floor from the first note of the evening and keep it packed throughout the night- some 4/5 hours of classic 60s hits, laughs, surprises and much more. The door proceeds go to the official Concorde Charity 'Pantomime' Fund that helps local childrens' charities, so we are hoping for another high turnout for this November show. The money raised provides trips out for local youngsters from difficult backgrounds and well supported by the local Mayor of Eastleigh and linked organisations.

Every year has been so good and so different, thanks to the wide variety of singers, bands and the 'vintage' DJs who come along to play some terrific 60s music in the breaks- just like the old dance hall days with live bands plus the Jocks 'spinning the platters'. A really nostalgic night that brings back the memories of a carefree age and sees the older generation dancing to the same groups as the did back in the Swinging Sixties! Also, the younger generations soak up the atmosphere as it gives them a taste of what it was all about- many of them wishing they had been born earlier! It's also a great opportunity for musicians, friends, family and former fans to meet up and celebrate the best time to be young as well as enjoying a full evening of the best sounds ever from the bands, singers, DJs and others who were lucky enough to have been there in the early days! For a really top night out, you can book a table in the restaurant area and enjoy the usual high standard Concorde 3 course meal as well as guaranteeing seats for the evening with a good view of the stage area. Otherwise- just pay the basic door charge of £10.00 with limited seating, so best to be early when club doors open at 7pm. The Concorde Moldy Fig Bar can be used for pre-show drinks or snacks so please get in touch to check out the options. If you are travelling some distance, then you may wish to book an overnight room at the hotel part of the Concorde establishment. Tables and hotel rooms need to be booked early due to high demand on these annual Sixties Shows. See below for contact information. For 2015, we have now broadened the theme to include the Seventies as this covers more groups that have a wide repertoire of music, so yet another different feel to this fantastic night of pure nostalgia.

As usual, we tend to arrange the draft schedule around springtime of each year and I can confirm the following acts who have kindly offered their services for the 2015 show, with more announcements over the coming weeks- please check back for updates. 2014 was fixed, but then we had an extra two bands crop up - one was Eddie Goodall's 'Firedogz' - then we had an incredible surprise when Ray Dorset/Mungo Jerry offered to headline the show! This was an amazing night and people are still talking about it - we hope to have more 'surprises' this year as well. As in every year, we welcome our 'vintage' DJs who will be playing some more great 60s/70s mixes in between the fantastic live acts

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If you have read the 2014 page, then you will note that many people enjoyed a great opening set from One 4 The Road, and we had several requests to see them back on our next show. They have kindly agreed to return for the 2015 show, and will once again perform classic 60s/70s harmony numbers as before. The early sets from the opening acts are very well received as the audience really watch and listen, before the later bands and DJs get the dancers up for most of the night! Best get there early for a good seat if you are not dining in the restaurant area, as the doors open at 7pm - then enjoy some classic sounds from our 'Jocks in the Box' before the live show kicks off.

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Following a few messages from John Walker - who used to drum with Ten Feet Five (later Troggs) I am overwhelmed with the news that he and a few buddies are making the trip across the Big Pond to appear on this 2015 show! You may know that TF5 took part in our very first 'Back to the Sixties' Reunion show way back in 2008 - take a look via the link above. John moved to the USA many years ago and has played with several different bands - one of which came over in 2012 with 'Johnny and the Rebels'. He is naturally coming back 'home' to visit family and friends in the UK, but is being accompanied by his latest group that go under the name of 'SUN 281'

This may give you a clue, if you know this iconic record label that brought us the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and many more great 50s stars, whose music never dies - most of us original 60s bands covered these early R&R hits that paved the way for our own decade. Sun 281 was the actual record number that featured one of the finest talents in the shape of a swaggering singer/piano player who invented 'attitude' - Jerry Lee Lewis, whose antics over the years are well documented! This will give you a clue to one of these great musicians who will be joining us in November, along with 'Sun 281'- Doug Cook, who pays tribute in the style of the young Jerry LL and you can get a brief taste of him in action via this You Tube link below:

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The History of Road's End: The band began in Southampton in early 1973 as Jupiter 5, when guitarist Steve Brown, one of the nephews of Rick & Burnsy Brown (Ricky & the Hi-Hites/Brownhill Stamp Duty) joined the band started by some friends at school. Along with drummer John Smith, guitarist Gary Mayley, bassist Mike Parsons and singer Malcolm Eyers (later of Rufus Stone) they started rehearsing some popular hits of the time. Mike Parsons quit the band soon after to continue his role as Millbrook School's youth club's DJ. This left the band without a bassist, so the band did a gig as a four piece at a family party as a support to the Brownhill Stamp Duty. Steve's brother was suggested as a replacement for Mike, so after the purchase of a bass & few weeks of intense learning, Andy Brown became the new bassist of the now named Road's End. Many line up & name changes have ensued since, but the Brown brothers have carried on in the music business ever since, either in separate or same line ups, the most recent of which was FOGG, a band which included ex Hi-Lite drummer (the late) Mick Hall, and guitarist Mark Kendle, who is part of this version of Road's End. Along with Steve & Andy, this year's line up also includes drummer & family friend Adrian (Ado) Comer (who was part of 70s prog rock outfit Agnes Strange).

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This line-up formed in January 2014 but they have all played with loads of bands right back to the Sixties of course!

George (drums) Tony (keys) Richard (bass) formerly with 'The Cadillacs' plus Dave (lead gtr) - and now fronted by Ray Mandeville.

Announcing the return of Kev Sheridan, who will be sharing lead vocals with Ray M. Kevin was a founder member of Silver Image, and has been working solo for some years, but now back with the band!

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This 'new' group were formed in 2015, but feature a veritable collection of some of the finest local musicians in the South- all with long pedigrees over many years. These guys have played with a variety of different groups, with recording history as well as appearing with many top names in the business. Mixing great musical ability with perfect harmonies - Goldrush perform a wide selection of 60s/70s numbers in the style of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Eagles and many more. Here are few recent photos plus some basic background on each of the members, but each one could fill a whole webpage of their own! Thanks to T.J. images for use of some images. Goldrush can be found on Facebook - just search the name. I am waiting for more info, but members listed as Eddie Hailwood, David Vane, Tony Collier, Dan Kelly, so come on back to this page for updates in the near future.

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We also have a student photographer (Tauntons College) who will be taking pics throughout the evening. Her name is J Jay, and you can check her work out on Facebook:

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Finally got round to a review! As you will have noticed from the above details, we were in for yet another fantastic night with a varied line-up of different styles - following on from the massive 2014 show that saw Ray Dorset/Mungo Jerry come along and tore the roof off! After a few months of planning and organising the 8th annual 'Back To The Sixties' show, we decided to broaden it to include the 70s music era as well. Once again, everybody mucked in by sharing the p.a. (thanks to Eddie 'Fret' Hailwood and Goldrush) plus amps, drums etc and we had quick smooth changeovers as our DJs filled the gaps with superb mixes etc. The room opened at 7pm and quickly filled up, as the 'jocks' (Geoff Knight, Joe Craen and Nicky Horne) played some great warm-up sounds of the 60s/70s before introducing me at 7-45 with an opening song ('California Dreaming') then straight into the welcome return of:

Cam and Steve set the scene for the night ahead, with brilliant harmonies and guitar playing - Beatles, Everlies and many more 'unplugged' acoustic gems. This early spot was just right as the audience could watch and listen, and our later bands naturally inspired the inevitable dancers to hit the floor of course. The lads had a great reception by the audience, and created the perfect atmosphere for the rest of the show.

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The next 'new' group line-up featured the cream of local musicians with long pedigrees in the business, as you may have read in the upper section, in the shape of:

Tony Collier and Geoff Chalke (bottom left of image above) have been in loads of groups since the early 60s, with recording careers and playing alongside many top names and venues over the decades. Goldrush were only formed back in 2015 and their combined talents brought a new dimension to our annual Concorde shows. Superb harmonies and slick music were on the menu as they knocked out classic covers of Eagles, CSNY and other similar hits that showcased just what they are all about. The sweet sounds of the pedal steel blended in perfectly, and really enhanced the whole set.

Eddie 'Fret' Hailwood (centre) has been an important part of these shows, by taking part with different groups as well as kindly supplying equipment, via his well established Fret Music business, so we are indebted to him yet again. The p.a. sounded good all night, thanks to the sound-guys who balanced each separate group's mixing, which varied from act to act!

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Next up- another great line-up of 'vintage' musicians by the name of 'Silver Image' whose brilliant set of 60s classics warmed the audience up and led to the invasion of the dance floor which was packed all through the evening, plus great DJ breaks in between as each changeover took place.

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Time for our headline act, and another amazing scoop as we welcomed an international act by the name of Sun 281, from the USA, featuring one of the best Jerry Lee Lewis tribute acts by the name of Doug Cook. It never ceases to amaze me as year after year, we see musicians and fans from all over the world make the effort to combine a short break around the same time as our Sixties shows - they tie in with visiting their UK family and friends, as well as coinciding with these great nights. Back in 2008, our first ever show featured a reformed Andover group- Ten Feet Five- who were the forerunners of the world-famous Troggs. Former drummer John Walker moved to the USA a few years ago but came over to play a great set with his old mates, and returned in 2012 with his own band Johnny & The Rebels. I was pleasantly surprised early 2015, as I was just sorting out the latest schedule for November, and John mentioned the possibility of coming back with his latest group plus an amazing vocal/piano man who emulates 'The Killer' ! Doug Cook fronts this fantastic new group, along with John Walker on drums/vocal plus Dan Chute (gtr/vc) and Roy Richardson (bass/voc) who travelled over in 2012 so good to see them back again.

After a DJ dance break, I had Sun 281 ready to go onstage, but delayed the music for a short while , in order to surprise our American visitors as we brought out a large Stars and Stripes flag, which was held by Mary Walker (John's American wife) and Southampton's own Chrystine Remnant - one of the girls who used to dance away many a night back in the Sixties, to many of the local bands who have played at our Concorde shows. She and her husband Doug usually attend every year, and Chrystine has been featured in many local/national press reports with her modelling and acting career, as well as as winning beauty contests for 'mature' ladies - still looks great! We then played and sang 'The Star Spangled Banner' with everybody in the room standing up with hands on hearts - this really made Sun 281s' night and they loved this great welcome.

Sun 281 kicked of with a stomping JLL classic of 'Drinking wine spo-dee-o-dee' followed by a nonstop colection of 'Killer' hits plus country/rockabilly music, and I jumped up for a harmonica fill on a number. The crowd danced and sang away for an all too short set, as time was ticking too fast and we needed to get the final act onstage. Rip-roaring 'Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lotta Shaking' nearly took the roof off as they closed this incredible set - JLL has always been a favourite of mine, and I was lucky to have seen him 'live' in the early Sixties, when he was at his peak - along with seeing Little Richard as well! The room was buzzing as they left the stage, having made a lot of new UK fans as well as enjoying chats with our local musos who were taking part or simply in the audience. Sun 281 spent a few more days in the country, before flying back to the States and have been busy ever since - no surprise there!

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Our final act took over, and offered a great Seventies set, as we had broadened the 60s era for this time round, this providing a real balanced variety for 2015. Led by Steve and Andy Brown - they paid homage to their uncle Rick Brown, who sadly passed away a few year back. One of Southampton's fines talents, who along with his late twin brother Burnsy, fronted Ricky & The Hi-Lites, plus Brownhills Stamp Duty (recorded at Abbey Road. You will find a lot of info on Rick & Burnsy on my webages and you can search for YouTube clips and more info across the net. We also paid tribute to many of our old bandmates who are no longer with us, including Andover's Reg Presley (Troggs) and one of the best drummers in the business- Roger Pope ('Popeye') whose wife Sue came along for this year's show. Roger started out with local groups, including the Soul Agents (later backed Rod Stewart) then achieved bigger success with Elton John band plus Hall & Oates and many more.

Sue Pope pictured here with Pat 'Yum' Othen who also attends most years and she takes some great videos each time.

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Yes - time for some Glam Rock and other 70s classics, by the reformed Roads End! Andy Brown dressed to the nines, and they delivered a superb set that kept everybody partying till after midnight. Our DJs took over for the last session till 1am, with a busy dancefloor yet again. They closed another successful show, that is now firmly established at the Concorde, with the new 2016 date being discussed - possibly the 11th November so please come back to this webpage soon, as well as looking out for a new 2016 page early in the year. You can also check the Concorde's own webpage to double check

The Concorde- view from the restaurant/bar area. Why not book NOW for 2016!!!! Tables/meal bookings usually sell out......

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We raised around £1400 by the raffle and door admissions (only £10!) - many said they would pay £15/20 to see such a night. These annual proceeds go direct to local kids' charities via the Concorde's official 'Pantomime Fund' that has provided around £100,000 over recent years, and we look forward to repeating this in the future.

Once again - a massive thanks to all the acts that offer their services each year and can be recommended or booked by YOUR local venue! Follow any links or get in touch with me, as I can put you in touch. However - I doubt if you can afford Sun 281...... We also thank manager Jamie Mathieson and all the hard working Concorde staff on these busy nights as well as thanking all audiences who enjoy these great nostalgic nights, listening to the best music from the best years of our lives!