The Strange Case Of The Disappearing Blog

I’ve been trying to get in to this and my main blog since Sunday and have failed abysmally. Even this morning I’ve got two new passwords from WordPress and still couldn’t get the blog to let me in!

Somehow, Safari (the web browser I use) had switched on to “Private Browsing” and that seems to have stopped me accessing the blogs. Simply resetting Safari cured the problem and I’m back with you again. I’ll get on with updating the listings now…

1969 – and more from Shannies

My apologies to anyone who looked in last night or earlier today expecting to see 1969 online. A long day and maybe a tad too much white wine took its toll. Anyway, it’s up now and can be seen by clicking on December 1969 in the Archives box to the right.

As before, I’ll be adding the video clips along with more photos either later today or early tomorrow.

Shannies has added a few more thoughts about his time with the Rebel Sounds. You’ll find it in the comments for About This Blog. I’m looking forward to hearing more from him. His comment about playing two gigs a night is something I think we forget. Everyone did it. The Beatles would sometimes play 3 different gigs a night and one at lunchtime in their days of playing The Cavern and even headlining bands would do it. I once had a poster for a Rolling Stones performance at the Flamingo Ballroom, Ballymena which they travelled to after playing the Ulster Hall in Belfast. Crazy days!

“Shannies” of The Rebel Sounds

Take a look at the “Regular Bands” page for a great posting from James Shand or “Shannies”. I love his story about supporting David and Jonathan. It’s always amazes me the things that support bands saw and had to put up with. Shannies’ posting just goes to illustrate this.

I’m heading for the library in Nairn again and I’ll get my listings extended up to 1972 at least. The listing for 1969 will be online some time tonight.

The Rebel Sounds

I got a rather touching comment this evening from Drew Green, son of the late Benton who was a member of The Rebel Sounds. He asked if I could email him any photos or cuttings I have on the band but unfortunately all I have is on this blog.

I’m sure that some of the readers of this blog must have more than I do and possibly more important, memories of the band they might share with us and Drew. The blog was intended as a forum for memories and from my point of view it would be great to hear what people thought of The Rebel Sounds as they were obviously crowd pleasers or they would never have played the Ballerina so often.

Needless to say, my comment applies to anyone who played there. If you remember a group and enjoyed them, please share it with us.

Memorabilia Exhibition – Update

I walked into the Red Shoes Theatre in Elgin today, fully expecting to discuss what press we’d get and was stunned. The cafe area where I was intending holding the exhibition was running with water. One of the walls was visibly wet and there were buckets EVERYWHERE!

The recent rain seems to have played havoc with the theatre’s roof, a situation that appears to have been going on for some time. Maybe that’s the reason we’ve been unable to get insurance. Who knows?
I’m not even going to think of mentioning a possible alternative in case a major flood overtakes that building!

Memorabilia Exhibition Goes Ahead

After weeks of trying to get a rock memorabilia exhibition staged at the Ballerina Ballroom I will be holding one next week but it won’t be in Nairn. It will be at the Red Shoes Theatre in Elgin, previously known as the Two Red Shoes Ballroom and once also run by Albert Bonici.

The problem that dogged the exhibition from the outset has been insurance and while I could see no way of dealing with that, there was a simple solution. I’ll be on hand when the theatre is open to answer any questions and maybe even sell something!

One other things is I’m considering running a similar blog to this or even adding an Elgin section to this one. While there would be little difference from 1966 onwards, the Two Red Shoes was playing host to bands from 1962. The Beatles, of course, played there in January 1963. I’ll keep you posted on what I decide.

The actual dates for next week have still to be worked out but I’ll post them here when I do. It also means I can get along to the library in Nairn and get the listing I need from 1970 onwards.

1968

The complete listing for 1968 is now online. You’ll get to it from the box on the right. I’ll be adding the video clips tomorrow!

The Copycats with Elton John?

I wonder if anyone can help with this. I’ve an article from The Sun dated October 23, 2000 in which it clearly states “Seven years later Johnny quit the band and they hired unknown musician Elton John.” Checking all the biographies I’ve got on Elton, I can’t find any mention of it.

In 1969/70, I think The Copycats would have been known as My Dear Watson and still playing the Ballerina. Does anyone remember this?

Find A Year

It seemed really confusing to have to scroll through every post to get to 1966 for example, so I’ve changed the blog layout. The box to the right of the postings will give the archives. If you want to see 1966, just click on December 1966 and you’ll get the complete year. Hope that makes life easier. If not, please tell me!

Flyers Done!

I came up with over 1,400 flyers and all I’ve got left is a small bundle. Everyone that I asked has taken them. The Ballerina Ballroom needless to say, the library and the classroom wine bar. Add to that posters in nearly every shop and office that carries posters and I’ve done as much as I can. All I need to do now is get the missing 6 months online and I’ll be up to date again.

It seems there are more hacks here now than tourists. There was one in the library when I was on the microfiche. Three in the Classroom wine bar and at least one laden snapper, presumably told to go find some pics for the Sundays. I even borrowed one’s laptop to access my mail! I better not say who he worked for!

My great disappointment is that no-one came up to me in the street. I’m here for the last time I think. Tomorrow, I’d intended returning for John Byrne’s film in the evening but he sent me a text this afternoon to say there were none. C’est la vie! Seems he asked Tilda if she had any but there are none to be had. A second screening has been mentioned but I think that’s going to be unlikely.