BANDS

 

For fourteen years I lived on the Costa Blanca in Spain. Following a visit I made to my hometown of Hartlepool in June 2004, it was suggested to me to start a web page featuring some of the old bands, or groups, that graced the pubs and clubs of the area back in the 1960's. The idea started after Billy Crallan, George Hart and Ed Saul all joined forces to play some of the old songs to help celebrate Ron Blair's 60th birthday. Billy Crallan, Ron and I played together in The Trakkers and George, of course, was the original lead guitarist of The Hartbeats. The photograph above shows George, Billy, me and Ron at Hartlepool Cricket Club. So, what started as an idea has now expanded into many pages - and is dedicated to the great bands of that era and the friendship we all enjoyed. Photograph © Marion Crallan.

When the Evening Gazette, in Middlesbrough, printed a story about The Zephyrs in March, it certainly created a lot of interest. So much so that Paul Delplanque, who writes the "Remember When" column in the paper, has published more features based on the Beat Boom of that era and, more recently, a wonderful feature on The Blue Caps. What are your memories of those glory days and do you have photographs that you'd like to share? You can either email me or contact Paul at the Gazette.

Alan Lindridge, Charlie McKie, Stan Laundon and Ron Blair - all members of The Trakkers during the 1960's - met at Jackson's Wharf, in Hartlepool on June 15th, 2009, to reminisce about old times and to celebrate a few birthdays. Alan was 68 on June 13th, Stan was 66 on June 15th and Ron was 65 on June 13th. Charlie, who's now 67, wasn't celebrating a June birthday, but enjoyed the get together! Photograph © Karen Laundon

Former members of Magic Roundabout - Mic Rafferty, Rod Millgate and Kenny Allen meet again after almost 40 years. When Robin O'Carroll disbanded the Toffees, he formed Magic Roundabout with himself, Kenny and Mic. When Robin left, Rod joined on keyboards. They met in a Hartlepool Marina bar, on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009 and their celebration was covered by Hartlepool Mail in their "Together Again" series. Mic and Rod had not seen each other for 39 years and Kenny hadn't seen Rod for about 25 years. Photograph © Stan Laundon.

Brian 'Smirky' Moon and Dave Griffiths - two Hartlepool musicians played together for the first time in 40 years in November, 2008 when they rehearsed for a fund raising concert. Brian Moon and Dave Griffiths appeared at the annual 'Touchdown Reunion' which was held on November 29th at Cameron's Club in Hartlepool. The event, now in its fourth year, is organised by Dave to help raise money for the Hartlepool and Butterwick Hospices. Photograph © Kenny Leighton.

Three Hartlepool musicians - Robin O'Carroll, Kenny Allen and Alan Lindridge - met for the first time in more than 40 years at a reunion at a bar in Hartlepool Marina on July 24th, 2008. Robin, who has lived in Canada and the United States for the last 33 years, was the founder and lead guitarist of The Toffees. Kenny was with Robin in Magic Roundabout and also played with Reaction and the Tony King Sound. Alan was also a member of The Toffees and also played with The Trakkers, The Rock-Avons and Reaction. The get-together was organised through our website and bands pages. Also on the photograph is Stan Laundon, on the right, who organised the reunion.

It was almost 22 years since Eric Whitehouse and Bart Bardsley last met. They were both part of the comedy duo Bart & Pluto Bennett between 1968 and 1972/3. Bart, who was also a member of The Midnighters, The Fireballs, The Stormers and Zorba and Bart, now lives in Canada. He made a brief visit to Teesside during late March, 2008 and enjoyed some leisure time with friends. The photographs shows Eric, Stan Laundon and Bart in Stockton.

Fender Telecaster gif © Sevenoaks Art