Music Memories

	Music Memories
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(any use of the text on this page is subject to permission from Maurice Hyde)

Click Here Chelmsford Corn Exchange

Bill Nelson From Be Bop Deluxe

This photo taken by Peter Ball at the Chancellor Hall in 1975.

Click on image to see all Peter Ball's Rock Photo's.

Dumpy's Rusty Nuts

Just found this site and it brought back a few memories. My first ever gig was Girlschool at the Chelmsford odeon in 1981, supported by AIIZ. An amazing night. I just saw Girlschool again on the recent Motorhead tour, and they were just as good. I also had some fantastic times at the radio Caroline roadshows at the Chancellor Hall (highlights were getting our photos at the Chancellor Hall included in the gatefold sleeve of Dumpys live album). The inside of the sleeve was a montage of photo's; with the one of us from Chelmsford included. The album is called "Somewhere in England". I'm the one headbanging over the stage,and my mate Pete Hart is just behind me, looking over my shoulder. Shame all the venues are gone now...the Yo-Yo's were amazing at the Army and Navy as well. Matt May 2010.

More on this link http://chelmsfordrocks.com/dumpysrustynuts.html

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A Band Called "Elected"
Margaretting Village Hall 1980s

Photo Link http://chelmsfordrocks.com/elected.html

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Dr Feelgood Live At The Chancellor Hall 1975

CHELMSFORD PUNK FSTIVAL FIRST EVER 1977

I really like this site. Especially the page about the Outdoor Punk Festival at Chelmsford City Football Stadium in 1977.

I knew this guy from my school called Jim Butcher who was in a band called The Gents who played at that Festival. The photograph on the site of the unknown band may have even been them?

It would be really great to re-run that festival with the acts that were supposed to appear and those that did. As a day of the V Festival or as a day of The Chelmsford Spectacular if that is ever revived.

A "where are they now page" based on all the people involved in that event would be interesting to take a look at.

Jim Butcher I know became James Vane and recorded on The Island label. He then moved to London in order to make it on the UK music scene. As far as I know and knowing what a determined and resilient person Jim is he is probably still there. Probably a record producer now or owns an indie label.

Unfortuneately I did not make it to The Punk Festival. I went to this Rock Concert at Southend Football Stadium at about that time. Probably couldn't afford to go to both. It was definitely a landmark occasion in the history of the town. Probably didn't realise it at the time.

Anyway...I thought that I would share the above with you.

Long may your site continue

Regards

Name:

Crispin

Comments:

Love the site but I just wanted to clarify a couple of points raised in this comments section. The Gents who featured local superstar Jim Butcher, released Get Out of My Be as their first single with Tearing Away as the B-side. They did not play at the Chelmsford punk festival. The only local band who played there if you discount Eddie and The Hot Rods was Solid Waste. Jim Butcher is very much alive and well and still playing in bands in London

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CHELMSFORD FOLK FESTIVAL 1972

I travelled from Middlesbro to the Chelmsford Folk Fest way back in 1972.

I remember the Strawbs 'cos they were the main reason we went..but there was also a guy called Harvey Andrews (he's still doing the rounds) who was obviouly memorable!

Nice site!

Keep up the good (hard) work!

David

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Bethnal

Just seen your Youtube posting of Bethnal. I saw them many times in seventies mostly on the south coast in and around the Medway towns. I used to do a bit of DJing and introduced them once at the Navy Base in Chatham. Csapo, Dowling, Michaels and Williams could really rock. Pete Townsend took them under his wing but things didnt turn out for them as hoped i feel. I am sure they did the Reading Festival on the undercard with The Doobie Brothers (i sort of was there if you know what i mean). I have the Dangerous Times and Crash Landing (produced by Pete Townsend and performed on the Mike Mansfield rock show) albums and somewhere out there is a double a side single ! Hope this gives a bit more info for you. They were a great band!

Tom & Lesley-Anne Jan 2010

Saw these way back in the late 70s. Their Baba O'Riley was MUCH better than the Who. Are they still about?

eggy

I managed to buy this album when it came out and still have it !

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60s Local Bands

What a great site! Love all the 60's stuff as that was when I was playing
drums with the Exchequers then with Ray Ford and the Statesmen. When the
Statesmen were playing in the Essex/Suffolk area in the 60's we supported
many of the big names at the Corn Exchange including The Who, Chris Farlowe,
Rufus Thomas and many more. In fact the memory listed on the site of Keith
Moon in the 'dressing room' with the pews was the night we supported them. I
too remember him offering pills to all and sundry. Wish I had kept the
posters.

Of all the great acts at the Corno, my favs were Zoot Money (still going!)
and Georgie Fame (still going!). Chris Farlowe is still great but Cliff
Bennett not so. I remember Georgie Fame strolling along the queue in his
trade mark sports jacket as we all waited to get in to see him. We played
and also saw loads of good bands at the Odeon too. Anyone remember Jobsworth
who was a real pain at the end of the night wanting to close up!

The big names are well represented on the site but what about the other good
local bands like the Roulettes, the Fairies, the Mooche all great with a big
following. Where is John Gandy (bass player with the Fairies) Where is Dave
Winthrop(?) who played sax in the Mooche and Albert the singer. Mike Clarke
who played bass with The Mooche is still playing with 60s band fat Old Dad.
Steve Marriot and the Moments were almost local before Steve went onto join
Rod Stewart and Co. Where is Ted Speakman drummer of the Roulettes now?

Trevor White who played dums before me then keyboards with the Statesmen is
in Oz and played with Sounds Incorporated after the Statesmen packed up then
played the lead in Jesus Christ Superstar in Sydney in the 70's.
I could go on....

Keep it up.
Bob Wiffen (now in Lincolnshire)

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WALLY

Just found your brilliant web site.

I went to see a band called Wally in Oct 1975
at Chancellor Hall.
Brilliant Concert. enjoyed every number they done.

Could not see it listed on the chart

Cheers
Mark

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CLASH/ECSTASY RECORDS

Just thought I would let you know I was at the Clash gig at the Chancellor Hall and the punk festival where the Damned refused to play.

Joe Strummer's closing words at the Chancellor were to " go home in a gang" and I had ringing in my ears for two days due to the volume, but it was a performance that no group I have seen since has come close to matching, the perfect time the perfect place etc.....

Highlight for me at the Punk Festival for me was the Doctors Of Madness.

The Ecstasy record shop in Chelmsford is something I think you should mention on your site, it was always the place to go to meet people and find out what was going on at the time.

Simon

STATUS QUO

Hi there

I came accross your website by chance and just wanted to say how impreesive this is.

What a lovely peice of history you have pyt together.

I can also add to the list Status Quo played at hylands Spectacular as headliners in Aug 1994

I remember it was my 21st birthday and my boyfriend had just dumped me. Magnum were the support act, both bands were brilliant.

Thanks

Sheila

THE HIGSON

The Higsons (Charlie Higson) played Mid Essex Tech (Gym) mid 80's, also John Otway and Wild Willie Barret played the Odeon in 80's (can't remember who they supported).

PUNK FESTIVAL

brilliant to record the bit of local history that was the chompsford punk festival

Q: do you know if there's any truth to the rumour that the bridge over the can in the park near centrals lake was built specifically for that festival? (not the ornate stone one at bottom of seymour street, next one downstream, well that was rebuilt recently but was a shitty bridge for years?

gib

ARMY & NAVY +

I admire your efforts, it’s a nigh on impossible task, particularly given the many many bands that played at the Y Club and the Army & Navy in the late eighties and early nineties.

I was at the first V in 96 and Paul Weller was the headliner of the other night on the main stage. The Cardigans also played that year.

I saw Sneaker Pimps play at the Y Club in… um 1996 I think.

I believe Carter USM also played the Y Club (1990-1), as did The Wonderstuff in the late (80s).

My sister Kate spent much of her youth taking photos of the bands that played at the Y Club, she’d be able to provide loads more information. She definitely got a shot Brett Anderson from Suede who attended at gig one night, I think it might have been a gig by a band called Geneva. Kate’s friend Victoria wrote reviews of all the shows for her fanzine, and Kate’s boyfriend John Dunne was the venue’s promoter.

I also remember one night in particular a much-hyped young band played and ended ripping part of the Y Club ceiling down, this was reviewed in the Melody Maker by former Chelmsfordian Everett True. Can’t for the life of me remember the name of the band. This was around 1997 I reckon.

I also saw Gene play a secret gig at the Army & Navy on 25/8/94 prior to their 1994 Phoenix Festival show. They also came back to the A&N on 20^th Jan 1995, and V97.

I saw “A” play at the Army & Navy as well sometime circa 1997-8, on a rotating triple header, with ManBREAK and other band whose name escapes me.

There was a great little band called “Salad” that featured a former MTV present on vocals, they played the A&N too probably in summer 1994 – I think I have their setlist from this show.

JASPER CARROTT

Jasper Carrott played Chelmford folk club at the Three Cups circa 1972/73

PAUL SIMON

Why are Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Bert Jansch, Martin Carthy etc not listed.

All played at the folk club more than once in the 60s -- Queen's Head in the High Street -- opposite Springfield Rd/Woolworths, and the White Horse/Dolphin/Spotted Dog in Tindal Street.

There was the famous occasion (Queen's Head I think) when Paul Simon had donea few songs, paused and said "I'd like to introduce a friend of mine who sings with me", and out came this curly-haired tall fellow, Art G. of course.

Great nights!

Roger Perry

SARACENS HEAD

Congratulations on a brilliant website. As an exiled Chelmsfordian of 30 years in Cornwall (which incidentally had its own Flamingo Club in Penzance) the memories of the Corn Exchange you provided were marvellous. Do you remember the ultra-violet marks that the doormen placed on your hand so you could go in and out? We worked out that because white shirts were so luminescent under the lamp they used to check the sign, that if you used a washing powder solution to put the mark on, you could get in free of charge. I carried a small bottle of the solution, asked a friendly spirit who had been in what the mark was, and me and friends put it on at the bar of the Saracens Head. We sometimes got bounced out when we got the sign wrong, but most Saturdays we had free entry to the greatest bands the world has ever seen.Fond memories.

Regards
DickPowell

BANDS THAT PLAYED CHELMSFORD

havent read through all the list but I do know a few that have definatly played here, cos I was at the gigs myself.

Wishbone ash - Odeon - 1980, just testing tour

UFO - Odeon - approx 1977-78 michael schenker/phil mogg/pete way/paul raymond/

White lion supporting.

Steve hackett - Odeon - approx 1980

Landscape - chancellor hall 1981

Girlschool - Odeon approx 1980-81

Bands that played the army and navy:

Oasis

wishbone ash

Daisy chainsaw and .

Queen Adreena both featuring Katie Jane Garside on vocals

Just to many to remember and list.

Local bands..

The Gents - released one single (tearing away) later the lead singer went on to become james vane and released two singles on Island records in the 1980's

I have both the original gents single and Judy's gone down his first single as james vane (real name jim butcher)

Suzie Quattro and Len (ex hubby) have both played locally as suzie lives locally.

Ps if you ever find out anything on the location of jim please let me know.. where old school mates and I lost touch during the james vane days.

I hope that helps..

Ian

FAIRPORT CONVENTION

Hi,

Richard & linda Thompson (plus Simon Nicol of Fairport Convention) played the 'Three Cups' pub Springfield Road on 3/2/74.

Richard Thompson also played solo in the Early 1980's at DJ's Disco Rainsford road on a Sunday Folk Club night.

Regards

Pat Clear

RT is no. 19 on the Rolling Stone magazines List of all time greatest Guitarists and a very good singer/songwriter.

DEEP PURPLE

Found your interesting website. Nice!! One update, DEEP PURPLE didn't plye shire hall in 1971 but on 15th may 1970. DO you maybe have na dvert/ticket/review/poster... whatever for that show??? We're working on a book.........

Cheers,

Tonny

Cornwall

AC/DC

I saw a band called Geordie at the Chancellor Hall I think in 1974/75 fronted by Brian Robson (now lead singer with AC/DC)

Round about 1974/75 also I saw George McKrea (hit single "Rock You baby") again at the Chancellor Hall.

CITY ROCK

really like this site. Especially the page about the Outdoor Punk Festival at Chelmsford City Football Stadium in 1977.

I knew this guy from my school called Jim Butcher who was in a band called The Gents who played at that Festival. The photograph on the site of the unknown band may have even been them?

As its the 30th aniversary of that event it would be really great to re-run that festival with the acts that were supposed to appear and those that did. As a day of the V Festival or as a day of The Chelmsford Spectacular if that is ever revived.

A "where are they now page" based on all the people involved in that event would be interesting to take a look at.

Anyway...I thought that I would share the above with you.

Long may your site continue

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STRAWBS

I travelled from Middlesbro to the Chelmsford Folk Fest way back in 1972.

I remember the Strawbs 'cos they were the main reason we went..but there was also a guy called Harvey Andrews (he's still doing the rounds) who was obviouly memorable!

Nice site!

Keep up the good (hard) work!

david

JUDAS PRIEST

Hi Chelmsford Rocks,

Just a note to say Judas Priest played Chelmsford Odeon in 1978, not the Chancellor Hall. It was the Killing Machine tour and we were there at the front. Also Ozzy Osbourne played the odeon 1980 on his first solo tour.

Phil

ADDITIONS TO YOUR CHELMSFORD GIGS

Hi,

I am Chelmsford born and bred and grew up in the town during the late 50's, 60's, and 70's, although I moved away in 1980, and now live in Cheshire. I can't remember how I happened upon your site, but at the time, I bookmarked it to come back to when I had more time to take it all in.

I've just been looking at it and must say that it brought back some memories. Also, until I saw them all listed it never occurred to me that so many bands had played there over the years.

Here is a list of some that you may have overlooked, or been unaware of, which includes a few that you already have but I have been able to firm up the dates for you. These are all gigs that I attended. Where I have given a specific year, I am pretty sure of this, either because I remember that they were touring a particular album, and I have looked up the date of its release; or, because I have been able to check the dates against other sources. Some of these were probably the same gig; I can't remember who Brewers Droop were supporting, for instance, but I definitely remember seeing them. I am sure that I have forgotten a few, as my memory of those days, especially from the early to mid seventies is pretty hazy! However, if any more come to mind I'll let you know.

Ace (Paul Carrack's band who had a hit with 'How Long') - Chancellor Hall (C.H.) - 1974, I think

Argent - Civic Theatre - Definitely 1972

Barclay James Harvest - C. H. - early 70's

Be Bop Deluxe - C. H. - mid 70's

Brewers Droop - Civic Theatre - 1971/2

Chicken Shack (blues band had 1969 hit single 'I'd Rather Go Blind') - Chelmsford Technical College - 1970 (1st gig I went to)

Kevin Coyne - C. H. - 1973

Deep Purple - Shire Hall - 1971, I think

Faust (Krautrock band) - C. H. - mid 70's

Focus (Dutch band big at time) - C. H. - 72 or 73

Rory Gallagher - C. H. - early 70's

Groundhogs - Civic Theatre - 1971 or 1972

Kokomo - C. H. - early/mid 70's

Man - C. H. - early 70's

Spice (forerunners of Uriah Heap) - Civic Theatre - 1970 I think

Spirit (cult Californian 60's band, a personal favourite) - C. H. - early 70's

Starry Eyed & Laughing (great little band) - Writtle Agricultural College (as was) - mid 70's

Steeleye Span - Chelms. Folk Festival, Essex Showground - September 1972

Strawbs - ditto (Steeleye headlined one night, Strawbs the other, wish I could remember who else was on)

Vinegar Joe (Robert Palmer & Elkie Brooks on vocals) - C. H. - 1972 I think

Wishbone Ash - can't remember where or when I saw them but think it was either C. H. or C. T. early 70's. I wasn't a big enough fan of the group to have travelled out of town.

I hope this list is useful, and please accept my apologies for any inaccuracies. As I said my memory of those days is pretty blurred at times. Keep up the good work.

Trevor Bass

ALEX HARVEY

I was watching a recording of The Old Grey Whistle test featuring The sensational alex Harvey Band..........dig the guitarist who looks like somone out of KISS. Now realise where KISS got their style.

All the best

DJ Muzza

Radio Redhead

Annan

Zal was wearing that clown suit before Kiss were about. Maurice, Alex Harvey Soul band played the Corn Exchnge twice and SAHB played Chelmsford Collage in 1974. Best Band Ever

ARGENT, SKID ROW DANBURY, HOME, BREWERS DROOP, GENESIS

Just come across you site and as I lived in Chelmsford in the seventies thought I give you a few more bands, that I saw at the time, to add to your list - all around the early 70's but can't remember the exact year.

Argent - Civic theatre

Skid Row (with a young 17 year old Gary Moore) - Danbury Village hall

Home (a YES style group) Chancellor Hall

Groundhogs - heavy rock band - Civic theatre

Brewers Droop - Civic

Genesis - pre Phil Collins - at the Eyes Sunday club (next to the Cathedral School)

If I remember any more I'll send them through

Regards

Graham

GIRLS SCHOOL

- One of my (Minor)
claims to fame is that about halfway through the set, guitarist Kelly
Johnson threw some cans of lager into the audience and i got brained! This
was a superb gig, and incredibly loud! Would love to get hold of the whole
gig. A friend of mine worked in the music shop "Future Music" which was
across the road from the odeon (It's now "Slipped Discs") and he sold the
band some guitar strings and drumsticks on the afternoon of the gig. (He
says they were great fun!).

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OZZY OSBOURNE

I must admit, i hadn't considered my thoughts for the website (more for
your information), but i'm perfectly happy to share them with everyone!

I have attached the rest of my ticket, badge, etc scans for you.

By the way, i had a phone call (completely out of the blue) from a friend
who i haven't seen for years. He tells me he has a tape of Ozzy Osbourne
during his first solo tour at the odeon! Really looking forward to
hearing that.

As promised, here's the info i have so far.

I've racked my brains and old diaries (As well as friends and even my
dad!) for as much info as i can find. I've attached a word document with
all the dates i've been able to find so far (these were gigs that either i
was at myself or friends/my dad) and will send an updated list when i have
tracked down some more. I've scanned one ticket as requested in JPEG
format. If that's ok let me know and i'll send the rest of what i have.I
found a few of my old badges from some of these gigs. Would sans of these
be any use?

I've also enclosed an mp3 of the 2 Girlschool tracks recorded at the odeon
(It was originally the b-side of "C'mon Lets Go" but they are also on a cd
compilation i have). If you listen to the end of "Demolition Boys" you can
hear guitarist Kim Mcauliffe say "Cheers Chelmsford". One of my (Minor)
claims to fame is that about halfway through the set, guitarist Kelly
Johnson threw some cans of lager into the audience and i got brained! This
was a superb gig, and incredibly loud! Would love to get hold of the whole
gig. A friend of mine worked in the music shop "Future Music" which was
across the road from the odeon (It's now "Slipped Discs") and he sold the
band some guitar strings and drumsticks on the afternoon of the gig. (He
says they were great fun!).

Hawkwind played in chelmsford 4 times in all, but they definitely played
the odeon (i had a ticket but had to go into hospital for an operation!).
This was the "Levitation" Tour. As you can see from the gig list, they
played at somewhere called the "Eyes Club" a couple of times. My mate got
these dates from his diary, but neither he nor i can recall where it was!

My band was called Sgt. Phallics Under Nourished Kids, and we played our
own songs (very much in the pistols/clash/test tube babies vein)at a
variety of venues around Essex/Canterbury/Colchester/London.

In Chelmsford we played with the following:

Splodgenessabounds - Army & Navy 12.09.96 (This made the chronicle, and i
have a cutting somewhere. If i can find it i;ll send a scan).

Peter and the test tube babies - Army & Navy 14.11.96

999 - Army & Navy 05.04.97

Uk Subs - Y Club 09.04.98

The Vibrators - Y Club 13.05.98

The Dickies - Army & Navy 09.07.01

For a full line up of all the V festivals, you could do a lot worse than
follow this link which hass all the bands from start to finish:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_Festival#History

Tony Knights

GENERATION X

Generation X Played the Chancellor Hall with Billy Idole in 1978, I was there they had regular Sunday night gigs at the Chancellor Hall. The Hall is closed now due to Asbestos in the building

shame because it was a great venue.

Paul

CITY ROCK

I was at the Chelmsford City Punk festival when John Peel was the host. Some of the bands on stage were Eddie and The Hot Rods, Slaughter and The Dogs, Doctors of Madness. Who else was on ?

Brian Johnson

STEVE HARLEY

Probably my favourite concert of all time was watching Steve Harley &
Cockney Rebel play at the Kursaal Ballroom in 1975 just as their single
“Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)” had made No.1 in the charts. The
site
of Steve Harley dressed in a red suit complete with bowler hat was
something
else. At that time they were supported by Sailor who later went on to
chart
success of their own.

Steve

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BOOMTOWN RATS

The Boomtown Rats played the Chancellor Hall when there single Looking After Number 1 went to number 1 in the charts

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PUNK

Hi there. Loving the website.

I've lived in chelmsford all my life and have seen many, many bands locally. If it's of use to you, i have several concert tickets and badges (from the old odeon mostly) from the punk and Very early 80's rock era which i'd be happy to scan for you.

I also played in a Punk band (Chelmsford Based) in the mid 90's and we supported many of the classic punk bands at the Army & Navy, 'Y' Club, etc. I've got photo's , dates and info if you want them.

If this is of use, let me know what format would be best to save them as and i'll get them to you.

PS: were you aware that the 'B' side of girlschool's "C'mon Let's Go" Single was 2 tracks recorded at the Chelmsford Odeon 1981?

Cheers,

MISSED GIGS XTC HAWKWIND

I may be wrong only having had a quick look ( I will spend some time on your site soon) but what about the gigs at the old Odeon Cinema in the 70's - XTC, Hawkwind and a few others that I can't remember.

I will see if I can fill in a few gaps, if you are interested that is.

DR FEELGOOD

Dr Feelgood played the Chancellor Hall on the Naughty Rhythms

Tour in 1975

Clash & Punk Festival

Just thought I would let you know I was at the Clash gig at the Chancellor Hall and the punk festival where the Damned refused to play.

Highlight for me at the Punk Festival for me was the Doctors Of Madness.

The Ecstasy record shop in Chelmsford is something I think you should mention on your site, it was always the place to go to meet people and find out what was going on at the time.

Simon

Southend

COMMENTS (new March 2010)

London Philharmonic Orchestra Programme Odeon Chelmsford 1952