Update on the Satellites

Remember the email from Peter Johnson who was trying to trace other memebers of his old group the Satellites?

Well we got a result.I received this from Geoff Lawson and have passed his info on to Peter.


Dear Alan
I played drums for The Satellites and remember the time we played with the Animals.
We were also playing resident at the Flamingo night club on Heaton Rd on Tuesday and Thursday.The other members of the band were Brian lead guitar Dave guitar and Dave vocals.
I was serving my time at Parsons on Shields Rd at the time and when the group turned pro I decided to finish my apprenticeship and got a job playing resident at the Westfield Club on the West Rd.I then went resident at Cleadon Club South Shields.
After this I joined the Burn William Quintet playing for the next twelve years at Killingworth Club.I now play with a local eighteen piece rehersal big band mostly retired like my self still keeping music live.If possible could you please give my Email address to Peter as I have lost contact with all of the band.I have tried to join the club but am still waiting for my details to be confirmmed by yourselves. Regards Geoff Lawson.

It's getting like bl**dy Groups Reunited in here. I am expecting a deluge of requests from the Child support Agency any day now.

Support VSL - You know it makes sense.

The Stormbreakers Greatest hits ......

12 minutes of absolute nostalgia from Durham City Sixties Group the Stormbreakers.

Here are a few recordings they made in 1968, featuring lead singer Wilf Carr who a had a long and distinguished clubland career, both as a member of various local groups and later as a vocal guitarist.

Listening to this you are reminded what a great group they were and what a fantastic voice Wilf had (and still has as far as I know). He is still living in the area and it would be great to see him at a future club night (or ten).

There is one long track featuring four songs on this recording:
Ten Guitars - Over the Sea to Skye - Green Onions (Instrumental)- You Belong to me

Just click to play

Oldies rule the world....

When I first came across this on YouTube I could not believe my eyes.

This is what it says on their website.

What makes “The Amazing Echoes” so amazing? Well for starters...

Billed as the world’s first interactive classic rock n’ oldies experience, The Amazing Echoes is a fascinating collective of singers, performers, musicians and “characters” with one common goal: Entertain audiences while having fun on-stage themselves. Performing with equal parts comedy, music and audience participation, The Echoes offer an utterly unique, enjoyable and often hilarious experience for audiences of all ages.

The Amazing Echoes has a long history of performing and show business experience, spanning decades of musical styles and genres. Influences include the great originators of rock: Elvis, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ricky Nelson, Roy Orbison, Everly Brothers and dozens of “one hit wonder” artists, as well as early 60's sensations like The Coasters, Girl Groups, The Ventures, Peter Paul & Mary and the Beatles, right through the psychedelic era with The Doors, The Byrds, Donovan, Van Morrison, even into the 70s with Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, The Moody Blues, etc.

Nicknamed “The Human Jukebox” with his ability to perform hundreds of songs from memory, lead singer and lead guitarist Charlie Mayer brings over 35 years of performing to the stage. His renditions often involve new and unique arrangements to the familiar classics. Randy Rudd, Master of Ceremonies, vocalist and all around musician, keeps things moving and audiences guessing (even the band sometimes!) throughout performances. Gerry “Bulldog” Savoy, acclaimed sax-fiend of the legendary “Johnny Dee & The Rocket 88s” brings his “anything-goes” style of playing, comedy and performing into the mix. Rounding out our regular lineup is the one and only Don "Boom Boom" Hatcher on drums, along with the always enchanting and talented Morgan "Mad Dog" Leeth on bass. Then there are the surprise musicians! Sometimes WE don't even know who will show up and play.

Last but never least, the main stars of the show… our audience members! That’s right. Attending a performance of The Amazing Echoes virtually guarantees your participation. It’s impossible not to be caught up in the music and performance. The Echoes see to that — with a series of bits, skits and even live on-stage “total immersion” Karaoke, bringing the best of reality game show television to your venue. This act is nothing you or your audience have seen before…guaranteed!

THAT’S what makes “The Amazing Echoes” amazing! That’s also why you and your group are sure to enjoy dancing, singing and laughing along with the one-of-a-kind, lively, unpredictable and utterly amazing Echoes.


Great minds think alike - Spooky or what!!