BANDS - FROM HARTLEPOOL & TEESSIDE IN THE 60'S



How it all started: For almost 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 Hart, Billy Crallan, Stan Laundon and Ron Blair 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.

I really don’t know what to say about “Between The White Lines” by Chris Scott Wilson other than another superb book about some fantastic musicians! I admit, many names don’t mean much to me, but it was great to read about them. However, I am familiar with people like Chris Rea. I was the first person to play him on BBC Radio Teesside with “Love Is The Way” - long before he had a recording contract. Then there’s The Rolling Stones and The Swinging Blue Jeans. I saw the Stones at The Station Hotel in Richmond. I think it was in 1963 when Brian Jones was with the band - again before they had a record deal. Then there’s wonderful memories of The Club Fiesta in Stockton and all the great stars who appeared there - and I was there to witness the great Roy Orbison. When you talk about music and records you can’t ever forget The Kirklevington Country Club and Hamilton’s Record Shop in Middlesbrough - and being on local radio for more than 20 years I was a regular in there. Country music, too, has a mention in the book with Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton - two people I met on my first trip to Nashville in 1974. Then there’s the Horden lad Ray Minhinnett from Frankie Miller’s Full House. Ray visited my house in 2012 and blew me away with some outstanding picking on my guitar! The list is endless with so many wonderful memories. You, too, will have those great memories coming back with this first class book in your hands. Outstanding and absolutely superb! "Between The White Lines", sells for £34.99, is available on Chris's Website or from The Book Corner & Holly Blue in Saltburn, Guisborough Bookshop, Whitby Bookshop, Holmans in Whitby, Black Slab in Redcar, Retro #9 Finkle Street, Stockton and Northern Vinyl at Kiwi Trading in Hartlepool.

Stan Laundon, Ron Blair, Ed Saul, Billy Crallan and George Hart enjoying playing music from the 60's at Ron Blair's 60th birthday celebrations at Hartlepool Cricket Club in June, 2004.

This page is dedicated to my good friend Billy Crallan who passed away on September 21st, 2025. RIP Billy (10.9.45-21.9.25).

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