Vintage Sixties Live

Simply the Best ......

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:54:00 +0000

Simply the Best -

Rare opportunity to marvel at the legendary ALBERT LEE - one of world's greatest guitarists - here in the North-East of England.

Tickets are available NOW from Big JimTait on 0191 3720311 or email: jim@attention.eclipse.co.uk

The Road Runners

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 07:07:00 +0000

I received an email from Colin Bradley, in Toronto, the other day (pictured above with Paul Rodgers)
Colin was a founder member of the Road Runners - a very successful local group during the early Sixties - who hailed from Middlesbrough.

What I had not realised, until Colin contacted me, was just how influential some of the members later became on the the UK rock and pop scene.

Two of the founder members were Paul Rodgers and Micky Moody.

Paul, who started out as the Road Runner's bass player, was an original member of FREE and has enjoyed a 40 year career culminating most recently with his fronting of QUEEN.

Micky Moody eventually found success working with John McCoy's Tramline, Juicy Lucy, a series of side-man gigs with people like Gene Pitney and others, and in later years was a founding member of the hugely successful White Snake along with another son of Teesside, David Coverdale.

Bruce Thomas, who took over the role of bass player when Paul became the main vocalist and front man, ended up playing with the Sutherland Brothers & Quiver before beginning a long association with Elvis Costello and the Attractions. He is also an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a published author and expert on the career of martial arts icon Bruce Lee.

Not bad for a bunch of local lads Eh?
Read Colin's full account and pictures here

Sad News

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:16:00 +0000

It is with great sadness that we have heard of the death of Mervyn Forse, on Saturday 13th June 2009

In the early Sixties Mervyn played bass in the popular local group the Del 5, and was later to be the driving force behind White Sound Amplification.

The Del 5 pictured in happier days - Mervyn is second from the right.

The funeral takes place on Tuesday 23 June 2009 at 10.30 am at Sunderland Cematorium.

RIP Mervyn

Albert Lee was ......

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 04:54:00 +0000

..... great the other night.

But I'm not downhearted.

60s Live at the Vic

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:10:00 +0000

The pics for the first club night are to be found on the new web site which is here:

http://60sliveatthevic.co.uk/photogallery.aspx

NEW "60's Live at the Vic" web site

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:25:00 +0000

Under construction here:

http://60sliveatthevic.co.uk/default.aspx

Check back regularly for all the News and Gossip including the latest pics and video clips

Rare guitars found after 50 years (from BBC.co.uk)

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:21:00 +0000

The guitars were made during 1958-9 by Jim Burns and Alan Wootton
A collection of rare British-made electric guitars has been discovered in the basement of a house in Cheltenham.

The Supersound instruments came out of a brief partnership between Jim Burns and Alan Wootton during 1958 and 1959.

Guy Mackenzie from West Cornwall, who bought the guitars, described them as "the holy grail" of his collection.

"I don't actually play," he said "but I just love them in the same way that people collect old paintings even though they can't paint."

Mr Mackenzie heard about the find from a friend who knew he collected "weird and unusual" guitars.

"As soon as I tracked down these ultra-rare instruments - apparently some of the very first made by UK legend Jim Burns - I just had to meet the owner," he said.

They comprise an important, but hitherto virtually unknown chapter in UK guitar-making history

Guitar expert Paul Day
"I discovered he'd bought them from Alan Wootton's son several years ago and had kept them virtually untouched ever since."

Jim Burns' guitars have been played by pop groups and stars including The Shadows, The Searchers, Slade and Queen's Brian May.

"Musicians who play them now include Andy Bell of Oasis, Franz Ferdinand, Kaiser Chiefs and The Kooks," said Mr Mackenzie.

Paul Day, guitar expert and author of "The Burns Book" on Jim Burns and his guitars said: "In nearly 50 years of playing, working on and writing about the electric guitar, this is the first time I have actually seen one Supersound instrument, let alone 12.

"These are among the earliest electric guitars and basses from any British builder and therefore comprise an important, but hitherto virtually unknown chapter in UK guitar-making history."

Maundy Thursday Show Night

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 05:01:00 +0000

Golden Classics

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:29:00 +0000

Just had an email from Keith Abott - one of our regulars at VSL - to inform me that he will be appearing at Billy Row Club on Saturday 11th April 2009. Keith, formerly of the Golden Years, has recently formed a duo with Ed Armathwaite and they will be performing loads of old favourites from the 50s 60s and 70s.
So if you are looking for somewhere to go on Easter Saturday this is the place to be.

Small world innit .....?

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:19:00 +0000

FIRST THE GOOD NEWS

This is the earliest known footage of boy wonder guitarist and VSL co-founder Mr Alan Leightell playing his Triumph guitar.

During this piece his fingers can just be seen jumping up and down like maggots on the sunday joint and his wrists never leave his arms.

NOW THE BAD NEWS

As a result of recent correspondence on our guest book I have been contacted by the proprietors of the Bell Accordion Co. They would like Mr Leightell to contact them urgently in connection with an outstanding account for a triumph guitar.

Ah Well - some you win son.

Comments appreciated - Hee Hee Hee

VSL have now left the building ........

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:20:00 +0000

Yes I am afraid it is true - due to some pretty devastating news which has emerged since the last club night .

As some of you may know Alan Leightell has suffered from Tinnitus and associated hearing problems for several years.

Sadly, it has recently reached the point where significant permanent damage is being done by repeated and prolonged exposure to loud music.
This has brought Alan, very reluctantly, to the decision that it would be very unwise to continue to perform, either as a solo artist, or as a backing musician.

Obviously, we are all gutted by this and the effect on VSL is catastrophic. For the last three years Alan has prepared, orchestrated and performed on the vast majority of arrangements for live performances for both the club nights and the various charity Gigs we have done.

Taking all of these points into consideration, Alan and I have decided that the Vintage Sixties Live Club Nights should be discontinued.
VSL was begun by Alan L and myself very much as a joint venture and I feel that any success we have achieved has been due to the excellent working and personal relationship we have always enjoyed and the special skills and interests each of us have brought to the project, so it seems fitting, now that Alan L is unable to continue, that we ride off into the sunset together.

As far as the website is concerned we intend to continue to maintain it as a permanent record of the last three years and as an archive for all the group pictures and information kindly donated.

So what happens now?

Well, the message we are receiving loud and clear, from performers and audience alike, is that everyone would like the live entertainment nights to continue and – and whilst we will no longer be running the show – we are both happy to help in any way we can to make this possible.

One of my lasting and treasured memories of Vintage Sixties Live will always be of the old friendships revived and the new friendships made. We have been staggered by the professionallism, and sheer depth of talent, of the performers who have passed through our doors over the last three years. Between them they have performed well over a thousand of the songs and instrumentals from the fabulous Sixties - with little or no rehearsal - to a standard which has amazed and enthralled our packed audiences and has become the talk of Clubland and beyond.

It would clearly be wrong to allow a pool of talent and enthusiasm such as this to go to waste.
Everyone, without exception, has agreed to muck in and help so – with the continued support of your good selves – the Club Nights will continue under new management and with a new name – 60’s Live at the Vic.

So we'll see you all on April 16 (one week later than usual because of Easter)

"B there or B square"

Children in Need Appeal

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:42:00 +0000

As most of you know, our adopted charity for 2009 is the BBC Children in Need Appeal.

One of the ways we hope to raise money is to hold regular raffles on club nights and we would like everyone to consider donating a prize (or two) to this very worthwhile cause.

Most things will be accepted so get your thinking caps on!

Maybe that chemical toilet you got for Xmas?
Or those incontinence pants? (new goods only please)
That book - Cross Dress for Success - that you never got around to reading?

The King is coming back ....

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:58:00 +0000

Albert Lee - one of the finest guitarists in the world - and Hogan's Heroes are to make a return visit to the North East this April.

I have watched many top guitarists over the years, but Albert is the only guy I know who should come with a health warning. He can reduce a room full of guitar players almost to tears with one riff. It is worth the entrance money just to be able to look at some of the audience's expressions during Country Boy or Tiger Rag. They range from incredulity to outright misery - hee hee.

But this show is not only about speed twiddling. Each member of this band is a master of his craft - doing a job they obviously love - and the overall effect is awesome.

Don't miss it - I certainly won't.

Charity Show at Spennymoor Town Hall

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 03:33:00 +0000

I have just received advanced news of a great Charity Show you won't want to miss.

It is in aid of Blind Life and features four beautiful and talented girls - Emma, Joanne, Julia and Alice (pictured on the left) - who you will have seen several times at VSL.

As if that were not enough, they will be supported by a live band which will include another two VSL stalwarts Colin Ibbertson (talented but not beautiful) and Brian Luke.

£8 Admission will also include a hot buffet so book your tickets early to avoid disappointment.

Albert Lee Documentary on New Year's Day

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 07:25:00 +0000

I just received this email from Gudrun Schwartz - who runs the Albert Lee forum on MSN.
Should be well worth a listen. I can't promise anything but I will have a go at recording it.

Thanks Gudrun - you are a star!

Hello Alan, I thought this might be of interest to some of you. Best wishes for a good, healthy and rocking NEW YEAR. Gudrun from Berlin. Just in from ELIO PACE, please feel free to forward or post wherever you think it’s helpful; Albert Lee Documentary on National Danish Radio P4 - NEW YEARS DAYþ I wanted to let you know that Danish national radio is transmitting a 1-hour documentary on Albert on New Year’s Day. It’s going out from 3 - 4 pm UK time (d.h. 2 - 3 pm CET). I thought you would like to know and that you would like to inform as many of the fans as possible via your websites and forums. These are the instructions I was given; Go to www.dr.dk/netradio/ then click on the grey P4 button - and then when the available stations come up, click on P4 Syd or Esbjerg or Midt&Vest.

Calling all Toby Twirl fans ....

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 09:48:00 +0000

I received this email from Dave (Holly) Holland a couple of weeks ago. Dave was the lead singer with Toby Twirl during the late sixties - a group whose name still pops up often on the VSL site.

Hi its Dave Holland, Holly the lead singer from Toby Twirl.

I was recently in contact with John Reed the drummer and said I would like to keep in touch with all the great people and friends from the 60’s and 70’s .

I am currently the manager of the JOINERS ARMS pub in Blyth and have had many visits from lots of people from the great days of old. It would be great if lots of people from the era of The Cellar jazz club. Latino’s , Wetheralls, La Dolcie, The Gogo Downbeat, and many other clubs could meet up and share the great memories of that time.

I was chuffed that Brian Matthews played a couple of our records to celebrate my 60’th birthday the other week. How time flies. I still have some great photos and memories from the fantastic days when fun was fun and music was at its best. Holly

So, if you are in the Blyth area at anytime, why not give Dave a shout at the Joiner's Arms.

Sixties British Rock and Pop Chronology

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 09:43:00 +0000

I got this email a couple of weeks ago from Pete Townshend - who travelled all the way from Welsh Wales to our Club Night in November. Pete was originally a member of the Phantoms in the Sixties (from the Consett area)

Hi Alan.
Well it was a week ago when we were in Tudhoe and I have to say all three of us were knocked out with event. You can't beat LIVE MUSIC.
I was pleased that we had the opportunity to introduce ourselves to you, considering your gruelling timetable as musician, entertainer and compere.
I have to take my hat off to you, Alan Leightell and all the 'Regulars' that have made Vintage Sixties Live such a temendous success. I can only imagine the effort, time and sheer dedication you all must devote. And when you see such an enthusiastic crowd every month it must all feel worthwhile. I only wish I lived closer, I'd be there every month.
I get back 'Up North' a couple of times a year and you can imagine that I will now coincide my visits with the second Thursday in the month.
Have a great session on the the 11th December, please keep the video's coming on the website. I need them to get a 'fix' until the next visit.
Thought you might find this website of interest. Amazing that an American has put it together.
http://www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/britrock/60brchro/index.html
Have a great Christmas and all the Very Best to everyone for 2009.
Kind regards,Peter Townsend

We'd be happy to welcome you and the lads again anytime Pete.

The site he refers to is well worth a look.

Every Club Night brings its own surprises .......

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 09:00:00 +0000

.......... This time it was a visit from Ernie Algar, brother of Toy Dolls front man Olga, and former member of top local sixties group Del and the Infernos

Ernie also played bass with the Toy Dolls for a while - notably on their smash hit Nellie the Elephant - which currently has almost a million hits on You Tube alone.

Olga sends his best wishes and congratulations on our web site.

The Toy Dolls are still playing to packed houses especially in Europe and the Far East, where they are massive - but you would expect no less from a band whose set list varies from "Nellie" to "Sabre Dance".

Hopefully, we can look forward to a visit to one of our club nights when their busy schedule allows. In the meantime I will be delighted to add Olga to our Celebrity Friends.

Further details and info can be found at the Offical Toy Dolls web site at http://www.thetoydolls.com/

You could also search for Toy Dolls on You Tube for action packed stage performances - but I must warn you - I was knackered just watching the clips.

It's surprising what you find on You Tube ...

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 10:38:00 +0000

Look what Colin Woodland discovered the other day on a clip of the Fentones playing the Breeze and I.

If you look towards the bottom of the poster you will see the name Peter Lodge. This is none other than our own Pete Lodge, who is a regular performer at VSL - at least he was until Paula crept up behind him in her sussies last Christmas.

I''ll bet he dreamt many times back then - whilst appearing with Joe Brown, the Tornados, and Eden Kane - that one day he would get the chance to appear at Vintage Sixties Live, and on the same stage as Big Jim, Colin Woodland and Don Boot.
But the last pic is proof that dreams can come true.

You can come home now Pete - we have put her back in her cage.

Charity Gigs Update

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 06:40:00 +0000

The combined total the Charity Events held at Croxdale WMC on 7 June 2008 raised over £1200 for the Great North Air Ambulance.

The Charity Evening organised by the Pelton Fell Community Group in Aid of the Kelly McKitten Family Fund at Great Lumley WMC in September raised over £1300.

This is a copy of the letter of thanks received from the Pelton Fell Community Co-Ordinator Eileen Hayes.

Our next Charity Evening will be held in the Croxdale Community Centre on Saturday 22 November 2008. Proceeds will be divided between the Great North Air Ambulance and the Neurofibromatosis Association (details on the website at http://www.nfauk.org/).

Tickets - £3 each - will be available at the next VSL Club Night.

"Be there or B Square"

We've done it ..........

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 19:50:00 +0000

Here is the proof. We have passed the Quarter of a Million hits milestone on YouTube in just over a year.

A massive thank you to everyone who has helped and participated (and to those who are still trying to pluck up the courage .... go for it).

Let's go for a million!

Four Tops star Levi Stubbs dies ......

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 09:56:00 +0000

Levi Stubbs, lead singer of legendary Motown band The Four Tops, has died at his home in Detroit, US, aged 72. He was famous for his baritone voice.

The performer, who had suffered ill-health for several years, passed away in his sleep.

Abdul Fakir is the only surviving original member of the group, which has sold more than 50m records.

The Detroit band became one of Motown Records' biggest successes, scoring hits including Bernadette and Reach Out (I'll Be There). Founding members Lawrence Payton and Obie Benson died in 1997 and 2005 respectively.

Audley Smith, of the Motown Historical Museum, said that Levi Stubbs had a voice as unique as Marvin Gaye, Smokey Robinson or Stevie Wonder. "[He] fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," he said. Levi Stubbs was born in 1936 in Detroit and met Abdul "Duke" Fakir at High School. The Four Tops were one of Motown's biggest successes They met Payton and Benson while singing at a mutual friend's birthday . In 1953, they formed a group called The Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records.

Later they changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers. The group signed with Motown Records in 1963 and produced 20 Top-40 hits over the following 10 years, making music history with other acts in Berry Gordy's Motown stable.

They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.

Stubbs is survived by his wife Clineice, five children and 11 grandchildren.

Photo Slideshow on the VSL Website

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 13:50:00 +0000

Several people have asked recently where the pics come from to make up the Club Night Slideshows.

There are a few of the older slideshows here http://vslclubnights.blogspot.com/

They are all compliments of our own VSL photographer and videographer Malcolm Rocks.

Malcolm, in addition to videoing the whole of the proceedings at club and charity nights, and at considerable expense in terms of time and money, takes up to 250 excellent still shots of the performances, which he then gives to me to include on the website.

Copies of the videos are only available to performers, but if anyone would like a high resolution photo of any of the performers, I am sure Malcolm would be happy to oblige - if asked nicely.

I can think of several uses for them
- put one in the bottom of the budgie's cage to save on grit
- or in the gezunder for that late night target practice.
- or put one in the pantry to keep the flies off the meat.

Anyway thanks Malcolm mate, your efforts and expertise are greatly appreciated.

If you want to contact Malcolm he can usually be found at the back of the room with the cameras. I would have posted a pic of him but, would you believe, I haven't got one.

If you want to get into one of Malc's pics you can sing a song at one of the club nights (or stand near Angie)

50 years ago last Sunday .........

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:41:00 +0000

.... was the first time that Cliff, Hank and Bruce played together.

It happened at the Victoria Hall Hanley on the Kalin Twins tour and the rest they say is history.

I nicked this info from one of the Shadows forum sites.

Another poster responded by saying that he had appeared at the same venue four years later supporting the Shadows.

The next poster remarked that he had been there too - with Tony. You guessed it - none other than Jet Harris (who has also signed the VSL guestbook don't you know?) - with his typical dry sense of humour.

What a legend.

Earl Palmer dies .....

noreply@blogger.com (v60slive) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 05:53:00 +0000

Drummer Earl Palmer, who was described by rock 'n' roll pioneer Little Richard as "probably the greatest session drummer of all time" has died aged 84.
Palmer who played on Little Richard's hits including Tutti Frutti, died at his Los Angeles home after "a lengthy illness", his spokesman said. Other hits he drummed on include You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by The Righteous Brothers.
In 2000, he was inducted into the US Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He appeared on the records of artists as diverse as The Monkees, Elvis Costello, Frank Sinatra and Neil Young. Other records he performed on include Ike and Tina Turner's River Deep, Mountain High and I Hear You Knockin' by Smiley Lewis.
Ed Vodika, pianist in the Earl Palmer Trio - formed 10 years ago - said the drummer had "shaped American music for the '50s, '60s and '70s". "He worked with so many people in his career, you never knew who would be in the audience," he added. Palmer married four times and he is survived by seven children.