FUNDRAISER
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Dave and Peter on stage
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The Buddy Presley front man teamed up with singer 'Memphis Pete' Binns to play a four-way rockin' tribute night to Elvis, Buddy, Shaky and Motown. It took place in Leeds on July 31st, with proceeds going to Prostate Cancer UK.
"It was simply brilliant," said Dave. "Over 150 turned out to see us at Rowland Road Working Men's Club in Beeston. We have raised £980 for Prostate Cancer UK. We were donated two personalised baseball jackets by the East Coast Swing Jive and Dance Club. We auctioned these and they went for a total of £130. Also a brilliant raffle. We also produced a charity CD and those all sold out.
"The feedback on Facebook has been incredible with tons of congratulations on our show as well loads of friend requests. All everyone wants to know is when and where the next one will be. I'm sure this event will be repeated, but for now we need some rest."
Dave was diagnosed with the disease in May 2014. He told Planet Jive: "It was a total shock as I've been active all my life. I've never smoked, and like to think I have looked after myself.
"I then had four months of hormone therapy, then seven weeks' solid radiotherapy which started on December 30th, 2014. I was finally told in April that my cancer was in remission. I have just had another blood test for my first follow-up appointment. Fingers crossed.
"I then decided that I wanted to and could give something back. I approached Peter Binns, an Elvis tribute artist who also does Motown, about us putting on charity concert for Prostate Cancer UK. Pete had done a big fundraiser the year before and from the moment I approached him he was in."
Bad times
While undergoing treatment, Dave has continued to front
The Buddy Presley Show, playing the parts of Buddy and Elvis, backed by a seven-piece band.
He added: "It's been a bittersweet 12 months. My rockin' theatre shows with The Buddy Presley Band have gone from strength to strength. Then with the same band we have our 'Elvis v Jerry Lee Lewis The Showdown' with Peter Gill as Jerry Lee. I have also recently guested in the stage show Rock'n'Roll Paradise as Buddy Holly and will be returning to the production in Blackpool in October.
"So, as you can see, fighting cancer and playing rock'n'roll seem to be running in parallel with me at the moment. But my real 'rock' is my wife Anna. She made the first medical appointment for me and has nursed me through the really bad times. I would also urge men to go and get a test from your doctor if you find you're peeing a lot. I did, and it saved my life."
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After 15 years, Planet Jive has called it a day. Our news pages and gig guide have served the rockin' scene since January 2000, but
now the curtain is coming down.
Chief scribbler Ted Duggan explained: "I'm moving to Portugal later in the year and our 15th anniversary seems like a good time to quit while we're ahead. We've covered the scene with all its ups and downs... bands forming and splitting, clubs opening and closing. Laughs, tears, tragedies, fun and feuds. People are increasingly getting their news from social media and smartphone apps, so we feel we've gone as far as we can go as a traditional website.
"We'd like to say a huge thank you to the hundreds, possibly thousands of lovely people - musicians, promoters, jivers and r'n'r fans - who've helped out with listings info, news items, muso ads, readers chart votes, and sent us comments, compliments and criticisms. We couldn't have done it without you. Bands, clubs and websites may come and go, but rock'n'roll lives on."
Although our news and listings are ending, the links page, readers' chart and readers' jives will stay in place for now.
On other news pages, we've dusted down a few of our more memorable stories, features and interviews.
Pagan Gould is to release his debut album.
My Kinda Rockin' and will be out on January 2nd, with a launch party on the same evening at Spalding Ex-Servicemens Club in Lincolnshire.
On the bill will be Pagan performing solo, Pagan with his band The Blue Diamond Trio and also fronting his new Southern-based trio, Crash Vegas.
The album, however, is credited to Pagan Gould & The Nitro Men. Pagan explained: "I have been working on this with my very good mate John O'Malley of The Nitros fame and Mark Keeley's Good Rocking Tonight. It is an album I am very proud of with a very 80s neo feel and a mix of rockin', jive and even a slowy. There are 14 songs in all, including three self-penned.
"The covers I have chosen are the kind of songs that got me into the scene in the first place, with sleeve notes written for me by Bob Cotton of The Jets. I am really looking forward to 2016 with lots of new things happening."
Priced at £10, the CD will be on sale at Pagan's gigs and also available from various record stalls and websites. For more info, call 07805 629882.
Crazy Cavan played a session for Jools Holland's Radio 2 show.
Listeners were treated to My Baby's Been Cheatin' Again and Little Miss Misguided - two tracks from Cavan's new album, The Real Deal.
Cavan only recently discovered that Jools had been a Rhythm Rockers fan since his teens, after seeing the band play in a London pub.
In 1970, when the band was founded and before the completion of the M4, it took them five hours to get to the capital in their aging Bedford van.
Ibstock R'n'R Club in Leicestershire has been rescued from closure.
Musician Andy Horrobin has stepped in to keep the club going following the retirement of Rambler John who ran it for a number of years.
"I hope I can keep this great place open and on the rock'n'roll map," said Andy, who is bringing the Hot Rockin' Trio to Ibstock Working Men's Club on November 27th, with himself both playing bass and DJ-ing.
"It's got a big nice dance floor, huge stage, plenty of room and very friendly people. It would be such a shame to see one of the best venues in Leicestershire close. The door entry used to be £8. I am not running it to make money. I just want it to stay open and keep rockin'. So the door entry for as long as I can keep it, will be just £5. I'm hoping that the rockin' people will appreciate this and help in keeping this great place open."
In 2016 gigs will be on the last Saturday of the month. More info from Andy on 07964 077832.
Rock'n'roll gigs at Pill Memorial Hall in Bristol have ended after 12 years.
The final night, featuring Rockola, was on December 11th. The club's Ivor Bennett explained: "We are moving away from Pill because around 18 months ago the room was changed to support darts. This has meant fewer seats and a very low stage and we now feel it's time to move on. We are starting at Bedminster Down on January 8th."
The curse of Friday 13th has struck the
Jive Aces, with visa problems forcing the band to cancel a high profile gig in Los Angeles.
Despite applying early for work permits, the band were still without their documents on the day they were due to travel from London.
The November 13th gig at the Cicada Club, LA's premier swing dance venue, was eagerly awaited in Southern California, where the British band have a loyal following after several sell-out tours. Instead, they were replaced by the Jennifer Keith Quintet.
Front man Ian Clarkson said: "Words cannot express how sad we are to have to miss our LA show at the Cicada Club. Despite applying for visas even earlier than usual, we still haven't received them. This means legally we cannot arrive in the US in time for the show. We were so looking forward to seeing all our friends (not to mention the warm weather). It is one of our favourite shows and some of our favourite people.
"I guess this time Friday the 13th really is unlucky. We hope you forgive us for not being American, we intend to return as soon as we can."
Ian added: "I would definitely advise any British bands aiming to perform in the US to apply for visas early, due to the huge backlog the US immigration has. Especially if they need them for Viva Las Vegas, I'd start the process now! Plus security is tougher now."
Songwriter, producer and New Orleans r'n'b performer Allen Toussaint has died just days before a rare gig in London.
The 77-year-old suffered a heart attack after a show in Madrid on November 9th. He was due to play London's Barbican Centre on the 15th.
Born in New Orleans in January 1938, he started his musical career as an apprentice to composer, bandleader and producer Dave Bartholomew. Toussaint then came into his own as a session musician, before becoming a songwriter and producer.
He wrote Mother In Law, a 1961 US number one for Ernie K-Doe. But the song nearly never made it onto vinyl. After several unsuccessful takes, Toussaint screwed up the score and stormed out of the studio.
One of the backing singers, Willie Hopper, thought it was such a good song that he convinced Ernie K-Doe to give it one more try.
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Photo: Peter Stechman
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He has found it difficult to get to the band's London gigs since moving to East Kent 10 years ago.
"To be honest, I'm surprised it took him this long," said Kit (pictured). "But our parting is 100 per cent amicable, and he's made it clear he'll be happy to return for the occasional dep job with us." Replacing Perry will be Nick Tomalin.
One Jump Ahead's guitarist of 12 years, Steve Knight, is to reduce his workload with the band after developing a long-term problem with his inner ear, which causes him problems driving long distances, especially at night. He will share his role with John O'Reilly, who has depped regularly.
Members of new West Yorkshire-based rockin' trio, the Rockabilly Rebels, have nearly 100 years of experience between them.
In the band are double bass player David Roberts, John on guitar and vocals, and Steve on drums and vocals.
David said: "We have all been playing for many years and have now formed the Rockabilly Rebels, based near Leeds and playing authentic 1950s rock'n'roll with a rockabilly mood."
The band can be contacted on 01977 520101, 07949 361273 and 07930 996254 or by email at rockabillyrebels@excite.com
Teenage rockers
The Accidents
have released their debut album, Waiting To Happen.
In the Kent-based trio are brothers John and Charlie Blackwell along with little sister Keri.
Despite their relative youth, they boast a staggering 38 years as professional musicians - gathered since 2008 while playing together with their dad Nigel in their sister band, This Little Girl and The Dillicats.
Double bassist John shares vocal duties with guitarist Charlie. Keri plays the drums.
The original 1978 Restless line-up reunited for a gig in South West London and an album recording.
Drummer Ben Cooper hooked up with Mark and Paul Harman to play
Fujiyama's Hot Rockin' Club in Kingston on May 29th before flying out for two gigs in Finland. They are also recording the band's new album at the Bluelight Records studio in Helsinki.
It's the first time Ben has appeared with the Harman brothers since they backed Levi Dexter together at the Americana festival in July 2012.
But Ben said the reunion only happened by chance: "This all came about because Rob Tyler couldn't make the gigs or the recording. I was asked if I was available and luckily I was, despite having a load of gigs booked playing drums for Jackson Sloan and The Rhythmtones."
Ben Cooper launched Restless in 1978 but, bitter at losing influence in the band's direction,
he left in 1990 - to be replaced by Rob Tyler. Ben founded a funk rock band in the 1990s but re-joined Restless when it re-formed in 2002. He left in 2006.
Mark Bale and Sarah Vaissiere won the
Atomic Festival national jive finals.
The Suffolk duo beat dancers from all over the country who came through regional heats to compete at the Northamptonshire weekender on May 3rd. Their win came just weeks after they took top honours in a similar competition at the Shake Rattle & Roll weekender in Great Yarmouth.
A video of the couple in action at Atomic has had more than 23,000 views on
Facebook within a few days.
Colin Tenn from
Brighton Jive, who shot the video, said: "This is amazing and it's briliant that dancers on the jive scene can receive this recognition and are able to show their talents to a wider audience."
Gene Vincent tribute singer Ervin Travis is battling lyme disease.
The French musician has been unable to perform because of the
potentially fatal condition, which is spread by tick bites.
Nashville 1950, the Young Wild Boars, Sutting Bull and the Tom Cats played a gig on April 18th in the town of Rouffiac to raise funds for Ervin's treatment.
With Lyme disease not yet fully recognised by French medicine, Ervin is being treated privately in Germany. His sister has set up a
Facebook page to give updates on his condition.
The Jets have played their first gig in Brazil.
The Northampton trio appeared at the Rockerama Festival in Sao Paulo with
Slim Jim Phantom and the Go Getters.
Bob, Ray and Tony have been together for 41 years.
Their South American debut came two years after they performed on Australia's Gold Coast. In 2014 they headlined The Rockabilly Rockout in Las Vegas. They're returning in April 2016 for Viva Las Vegas.
Regular Joes singer Annie Young has launched her long-awaited new band.
Miss Annie & The Midnight Shift played their debut gig with a seven-piece line-up on March 13th in Christchurch, Dorset.
"It's been a long time in the making," Annie told Planet Jive.
"Our line-up consists of Nick Smith on tenor sax, Martin Chilvers on baritone sax, Geoff Westgate on guitar, Dave Brown on piano, Pete Mundy on drums and me on vocals!
"We play 1950s rhythm and blues celebrating some of the best artists of
the era including Ruth Brown, Lavern Baker, Wynona Carr, Etta James and
more. I am still with the Regular Joes and loving it! I just
wanted to start up my own band playing the music I love, which is old school r'n'b.
"
A noise limiting device failed to spoil the party when a
rock'n'roll club moved to a new venue.
Glos-Jive-45 relaunched at Wotton Hall Club in Gloucester on February 21st with a gig by The Heartbeats... only to find that the music would be cut off if sound levels exceeded 88 decibels.
But club boss Martin Reeves said the evening went without a hitch.
"The venue's limits on sound output were an initial concern, but everything worked out well. The limit is set at 88Dbs because of a nearby resident complaining to the Environmental Health. As a result, the club have to comply with the
restrictions. The volume is loud enough to party to, whilst quiet enough to have some sort of chat. We found it acceptable."
The gig marked Glos-45's return to Gloucester after 14 months sharing a rural venue, Corse Village Hall, with Tewkesbury Rock'n'Roll Club.
Martin explained:
"We had always planned to move out as soon as we could find an alternative venue. In January last year we secured bookings at Wotton Hall for 2015, being the earliest we could do this. Running two clubs from the same venue had also caused confusion, plus we want to create our own identity. Now we have our own venue we can now build on our club identity. We are very grateful to Sheila, who runs Tewkesbury R'n'R Club, for facilitating the use of there venue. It allowed us time to learn about running a club and to build a customer base."
Gigs or record hops will be held on the third Saturday of each month, with Bernie Woods, Rock Back The Clock, Greggi G and Jerry & The Jive Stars among forthcoming bookings.
Wotton Hall boasts a large wooden sprung dance floor, ample parking, a bar and even an Indian restaurant. Buses between Gloucester and Cheltenham stop outside.
Manchester's Rockaround Club has passed a new fundraising landmark after donating more than £10,000 to charities in four years.
Organisations to benefit include Derian House Childrens Hospice, Grace's Place Childrens Hospice, Cancer Research UK and Bury Cancer Support Centre.
A gig on February 27th raised a further £352 for the Bury Cancer Support Centre where the wife of club boss Colin Waddilove is a patient.
He told Planet Jive: "Barbara has been having cancer treatment for the last 12 months and is now going to the Bury Cancer Support Centre. The centre
offers professional consultations, various therapies, relaxation classes, hypnotherapy, a cafe and the chance to socialise with other people in similar circumstances."
Colin added: "We are not really profit oriented. It's just that we
try to stay in the black and enjoy what is basically a hobby, which I
know is the case with many other organisers in r'n'r clubs."
Rockaround has record hops every Tuesday at St Mary's Social Club, Pine Street, Radcliffe M26 2WQ. Admission £2. More info from Colin on 07845 560025.
An all-dayer has raised funds for
Hoedown Weekend boss Michael Klause Roberts as he recovers from a heart attack.
Tex Speed Combo, The Barracudas and The Hayriders played the 12-hour
Mick Fest fundraiser at
Fort San Antone in Warton, Lancashire on April 18th.
Mick has been in hospital since September.
Organiser Gillian Newsome said: "Although he is on the slow path to recovery, we as a community wanted to do something to help keep a roof over his head while he is in rehabilitation and take some pressure off his family."
The Inteli-Gents have shocked their fans by splitting.
After four years, the Midlands vocal harmony trio - Alan O'Donnell, Mick Colley and Zac Zdravkovic - played their final gig at the
Atomic festival in Northamptonshire in May.
Guitarist Zac said: "The Atomic fest will be our last gig. We haven't fallen out or anything like that. In fact we are very close friends like 'bruvvers from different muvvers'. But we feel that the band has just run its course and its time for us to move on and try other things. We achieved everything that we wanted to regarding the style and material that the Inteli-Gents are known for. We will however still be working on the rare occasion with the Sticky Wicket big band as we are getting too old and lazy to keep taking our instruments with us, so we just get to sing and wear a tux. Easy!
"I must add that it has been a fantastic experience playing great festivals around the UK and Europe and we have met some wonderful friends on our travels."
Two married couples from Birmingham have teamed up to form new band, The Autronics.
Guitarist Colin Smith and wife Debra share lead vocals. Jo and Simon Neale play sax and double bass. Completing the line-up are Jamie Morris on keyboards and Jez Smart on lead guitar.
Deb said:
"Being in a band with our other halves is brilliant. Its just a way of life for us and we love it. We are all great friends and spend a
lot of time together. We rehearse on Mondays and started swing jive lessons
together every Wednesday which created a whole new audience for the band
and who come to nearly all our gigs and have become good friends too.
"There are
no disadvantages I can think of apart from the odd domestic which we leave at the
stage door obviously. One of the best things is we get to enjoy performing together
and unless you were on stage no one can understand the buzz you get after a really
great gig."
Edinburgh's Fat Sam's Band have split after three decades.
The final gig was at the city's Queens Hall on Sunday 15th February - exactly 30 years and one day since Hamish McGregor's band launched their distinctive brand of swing and jump jive arrangements.
Proceeds are going to Maggie's Centres - a network of drop-in centres for anyone who has been affected by cancer.
Hula Boogie club boss Julie Miranda is campaigning for Big Jay McNeely to be admitted to the
Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame, describing his omission as "astounding".
The star, who is now 87, visited Julie's South London club in January 2013. She said:
"Big Jay McNeely is the pioneer of the honking, screeching saxaphone sound identified with the rock'n'roll sound of the 1950s.
He is one of the very few original rock'n'roll pioneers not recognised in the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.
"Deacon's Hop, Nervous Man Nervous and Blow Blow Blow are just three of his most recognisable compositions, typifying his screeching and honking sound, that has influenced saxaphone players all over the world. It is astounding that he has been overlooked by the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame.
"Big Jay still tours, plays, records and entertains regularly around the world and is one of the very few originals from the golden era to still be doing this successfully.
He is a more than worthy candidate for induction into the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame."
Julie's petition can be signed at
www.gopetition.com.
The newly relaunched
Johnny & The Jailbirds
have released their comeback CD, Roll On.
The band have also changed their guitarist, with
Jake Allen (pictured) replacing Jim Hammond. It's the third line-up change since the band relaunched at the end of 2013. In an earlier reshuffle, Garry Tyrrell Lynch replaced Paul Choppy Lambourne on double bass. He in turn replaced John Wright. Also in the new-look Jailbirds are Karl Kay on piano and Billy Sloane on drums.
Billy is picking up the sticks after a gap of ten years. He quit his last band, The Strollers, in 2003 to concentrate on DJ-ing.
He explained: "Johnny is my brother-in-law. He's married to Gina (Gina and the Strollers), my sister, who asked me a few months back if I would consider coming out of retirement to re-form a brand new Johnny & The Jailbirds.
"I've been drumming since the age of 13 drumming is in my blood and now feel that the time is right to get back. It was very easy picking it up again. It's like riding a bike. You never forget.
I'm very excited. Everyone is really enthusiastic about playing together and especially putting our new album together.
"The new album Roll On is totally self-penned by
Johnny with arrangements by the band. There are some real crackers on it."
If
it jumps, jives, bops or strolls we want to know about it.
Email
or call 07833 703189.