In April 1966 we opened the new Tiffanys club and started a new phase in our career with a new name, The Treetopsbut thats another story to follow. Parlophone R5669 1968 Mississippi Valley/A Man is a Man. Unsubscribe Description. The group were Banned: but invited back after a week or two, however the deal was different. I very much hope that this note will reach you and help me on my quest. [and Ill give you the low-down on Maxine!!!!] 67 years old and still cannot act my age, Hi Ian I am putting on an evening with Brian in Derbyshire in September and am wondering if you have any publicity-style piccies for Monotones/ Treetops. Nigel was renamed as Mark Lloyd and I was given the ridiculous name of Thurston Crane! we use to go to the broadway pub in them days before we came to tiffinys . Reading your recap of the Monotones early years brought back so many happy memories for me and Im a so glad to hear that you are still fit and well. Yes, I do live in Vancouver on Canadas Pacific Coast. In 1965 we became busier than ever and played several gigs at The Basildon Locarno as the support band to many chart bands. Alexanders was fun and I cant remember why you left, we had a succession of managers after you, no one quite as much fun.I think Tony was on keyboards when you were there, he formed his own trio and went to Benleys and I got Paddy Kirby on keyboards who was brilliant. However, following the article graffiti started to appear around the school such as Jim for headmaster and What Would I Do without Jim. Mark sang his songs with huge epic endings such as Im Gonna be Strong by Gene Pitney and Jezebel by Marty Wilde and Frankie Laine. I lived in Craven Gardens and the smog was down to less of a metre in front of your face and you could not see your feet. Hi Jamie, Sounds like you had a great time with Mark during your recent visit to Sydney. I remember being part of the crew that practised in Brians garagemainly Everly Brothers numbers at the time. Tiffanys was a nightclub that was at the end of the road from where I lived. It also meant we were chosen to play at many prestigious gigs. I didnt get to Alexanders as by that time I was in the states. And many years later Rob became, accidentally, a customer of mine. Its worth checking out his website on http://www.popset.com.au, Dont Worry Baby/ I Remember. Glad to hear that your Mum is still around, perhaps next time you visit you could look us up. worry worm printable poem. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly. Phil Thomas and myself still perform in the Rayleigh based band Full Circle and Keith Chesher occasionally deputises on drums. The home of Tennis on BBC Sport online. In June 1978, police were called to the Quay Club when someone let off a CS canister, at 11.30pm, causing chaos. We were travelling in a convoy of three VW mini-vans each carrying about six pupils. By 1978 the studio required more and more of Paddys time and he decided to leave the group to concentrate on it. As last year, the fourth round singles matches will be spread across two days, and the Gentlemen's and Ladies' singles matches will be mixed through the quarter-finals. Hello fellow GARAGEHANGOVER enthusiasts. He was a quiet modest sort of chap. The timber hit someone on the head on the opposite side of the stage rendering him temporarily unconscious.this was Nigel. Hi Chris, Sounds good,which one of us is going to wear a rose in the hair to assist recognition after forty odd years? Brian had three other venues Scotts in Croydon. Are you still head chef or retired? Anthony came off worse. You probably remember Marks wife Bobby who emigrated to Australia and we have seen once when we visited oud daughter. For years I kept following the English program of RADIO LUXEMBOURG and I think, I was the only person in the southern part of Germany holding a subscription of the NEW MUSICAL EXPRESS. We now needed a new bass player who we found in Rod Clarke who had been gigging with The Moody Blues. Marks sense of humour got us through many trying times, Brians business acumen kept the band employed, and yours and Peters talents glued everything together. Our equipment was very basic, I can remember using RAF throat microphones, which made us sound as though we were attempting to sing underwater. Its good to hear that you and others have enjoyed and made a success of their lives. Such wonderful memories! So if you go onto http://www.themoodyblues.co.uk/rod.htm You should find a section on the Monotones. Having played in various groups (In those days, a band was a large group of people who played a large variety of disparate instruments! Has there already been a funeral Maxine. In 1962 the Mustangs were formed with Phil Thomas (lead vocals), Bob Church (rhythm), Adrian Philpott (lead guitar), Keith Chesher (drums) and myself (bass guitar and keyboards). Hi Jim hope this finds you well, sorry for the delay in replying but lost the site never mind, computors arent my best media tool, have problems with remote controls to the video, you can contact me on acchelsea@hotmail.com, hope to hear from you soon. I know that the former band members throughout the early years will be sad to know that he has passed away. Office Hours; University. Hello Roy Sorry Ive not replied earlier due to unexpected busy diary. Thank God The Palace opened up on a Saturday night about that time and I remember going there regularly on Sunday nights too, but they relied on people feeding the jukebox for music and there would often be long gaps between the songs. Amp on 11. I see you still play the occasional charity gig with Full Circle, I think I am right in saying I have seen you a few time at the Priory Concert in the Park. Pete played a tune, possibly Trambone, Chet Atkins style followed by Bash and him doing Jezabel together. I suppose the only remaining members of The Treetops Appreciation Society are ourselves and families! Hi Judy, Good to hear from you. The only Treetops record to be recorded in another studio, was California My Way which we did at the De Lane Lea Studios in 1968. I see Pete regularly and Brian on rare occasions. Just an addition:- I remebered the name of the very good guitarist that played with Pete Willsher it was Johnny Short. This was even more horrendous than our last name and thankfully it didnt last too long. He had probably the best rock voice of the time along with Ronnie Gent. Are you still alive? I spent a year at the Anglo Continental School Of English in Bournemouth in 1963/64. This was a radical change, as we decided to replace Pete with a Hammond organist who played pedal bass.welcome to Tony Edwards. Here's what you need to know ahead of the tournament in the UK capital: When is Wimbledon? Part of the then right of passage seemed to be TV work: and naturally, becoming a Pop Star. Hi Jim, I regret that I was too young to see the Monotones at the Elms, but I knew you from when I was a pupil at Southchurch Hall boys school. In October 1966 The Beach Boys released the iconic Good Vibrations and I recall we rehearsed this number for hours and hours. Your email address will not be published. J s. As I was listening, a great big guy with a beard, apparently the manager of the pub, with an Alsatian dog came out and asked what I was doing? 
May 1966 
P018524 - B53B1R from Alamy's library of millions of high resolution stock photos, illustrations and vectors. I used to run a little garage business in Southend and frequently attended The Elms and other venues where you played. 1. I would trade my left nut for ANY rep of this exact model. It was on our way home from one of these gigs that we stopped for a burger in The Mile End road, came back to the van to discover that most of our equipment had been stolen. Since I play by ear, these gigs could be tricky, remembering each set! Our relationship with Andrew Loog Oldham seemed to fade after a while, but at least we had suits. I wonder how many of those members of local bands went on to musical careers. We booked in to some budget accommodation and went out to check out the famous red light district and clubs. When I left I went into business and officialy retired in 1999 and moved back to Southend where all the treetops went to school together. We all played together at Brians 40th anniversary bash and Pete and I did our thing at his daughters wedding. And years later in the early 70s, Gerry Poore, the Klansmens bassist came to work for me. Incidentally, I spoke with Pete Willsher a short while ago and after spending time abroad he is now back in Southend. This would please me enormously I would be even thinking about going to England again. I cant imagine where I had been for New Years Eve to drink such a hideous thing!). hehehehe ) Also ,I would be very interested in your compilation CD of the Monotones/Treetops/Mark Lloyd,as my partners son wants to know the music of my teenage years.He used to attend the Arts Education school in Chiswick and is now studying politics at Canterbury Uni. Captions are provided by our contributors. Of course! This immediately put the rest of the strings out of tune and likewise his guitar solo. Spookily that was the time we moved to the area from Liverpool. I have also recently managed to find a couple of their hits on a CD; Fab Gear: Beat Beat Beat Vol. The band I used to follow was called THE BLIZZARDS (ahem), specializing in THE SHADOWS and softer rock things. First to Review. 1972 saw a number of changes in the group. He had been a Japanese POW. Brian became the leader of this assortment of individuals by virtue of the fact it was all his idea to start with. Retired in 2005, had the regulation heart attack, recovered and bought a Strat/Roland Jazz Chorus and currently trying to play Joe Pass/Lil Darlin properlyfailed. Thanks for the memories. In February 1964 we decided it was time to release a record. Our stage was set into a cave with a door at the back leading to the dressing room. Phils elder brother was a Bluto lookalike, called Lionel. I took on another organist, but this time someone who could sing as well. Quite a world away from a waitress in Tiffanys! Finally, can anyone remember an excellent guitarist who used to play with Pete Willsher in a cafe on the Southend East sea front. Ive just read on this site that Nigel passed a couple of years ago and all sorts of long forgotten bits and pieces jump out at you and one of the abiding memories of Nigel was the constant attention his hair required and his ability to do the best Cliff Richard lip sneer ever. He started to give us advice on how we should present ourselves etc. Mark, who had for many years been a good drummer, was a natural on this new instrument. Dinner at Tiffany's, by Ed Waiter, Editor of Cuisine In order to finance moving from Edinburgh to London, Ian was offered and took a job playing in an Edinburgh nightclub called Tiffany's. In contrast to all the bands he had been part of in the past, this was well paid! Boy! The last re-union saw Dad and Jim guest play at my Sisters wedding in 2007, where they grabbed the live bands instruments and rocked for a couple of songsyouve still got it fellas! My first vocals included Marty Wildes Bad Boy and a tear jerking performance of Ole Shep I got to know Pete Stanley, Ian Middlemiss, Paul Dunning and Dick Vousden, who was only invited to join because he could play a reasonable version of Monty Sunshines Petite Fleure on a clarinet his mum had bought him. Theres 3 of us Monotones still alive and kicking ( rocking ? ) Maxine. Just to let you know that Jim and I went to The Beecroft Gallery and Im pleased [ and relieved.toilet joke ] to tell you that our display is not hanging in any of the loos! Brian was great at playing like Hank Marvin whilst doing The Shadows steps with myself and Pete. 89 reviews #10 of 46 Restaurants in Wailuku $$ - $$$ Bar Asian Vegetarian Friendly. On a Sunday night it was the under 18s disco (I cant believe they had a night for under 18s the day before school). Nama kecamatan ini diambil dari nama Pasar Minggu yang ternama tersebut. In one version of the Paramounts, Chris Copping of Southend High was on bass and Mickey Brownlee of Wentworth (or Eastwood) was on drums and he was a cracking little drummer. After years of living abroad I was so glad to be home and find this webpage about the Monotones as I often did a little spot with them at The Elms in 1964 under the name of Jimmy Dingo and later worked with Jim Eatons brother Freddie doing security work at venues.It has been a nice walk down memory lane for me and glad to know that some of us are still going. Little did I realise that I would be working there for another six yearsbut thats another story. Then would then alert the rest of the clubs staff to man their pre-appointed stations. He is going to the Dr. tomorrow cos he cannot breathe properly nor swallow.Fi phoned. Ive been asked to write a book about Southends music scene, from year dot to the present. Gary played a brilliant drum solo during The Shads number Little Bee which gave the rest of us a chance to get to the bar. Ian is now an eminent ceramicist. Normally these sessions took place in the mornings, and after a late previous night at the club some of the higher notes were a little difficult. They called themselves JONAH AND THE WHALES, me being paternal (??) Mark went on to create a successful event management company with the help of his wife Debbie, called Popset. Dec 09, 2014 at 1:03 pm. We did, however, reduce the number of people in the group. There is some cost involved and having factored in all concessions such as Senior Citizen and Loyalty Discount, I have calculated that at 3.00[ I resisted 2.99 as it looks like a marketing ploy ] to include UK p&p. Well push your creativity and go beyond your brief. A born business man always on the look out for the next opportunity. I can't be fairer than that! He also had an ear fetish, which was just too annoying. (Its not and never has been the Elms by the way). New Continental Club, Harter Street, Manchester. ada.lnk.to/Shadows. My wife also reminded me (We both used to commute to the City) Nigels late father was the stationmaster at Chalkwell, on the Fenchurch Street Line. Mark would sometimes would perform some guest vocals when not changing a barrel, throwing out a trouble maker or stocking up the bars. R.I.P Bash and entertain the great manager in the sky with your rendition of Jezabel. I think I had a uke-banjo at the time, but due to Brians enthusiasm graduated to acoustic guitar and then my first semi-solid Selmer. More information was not contained in those days. I must say I get envious as I would love an opportunity to join such a group so if ever you need a vocalist/rhythm guitar.let me know. The bridge is especially fine, with tremolo guitar behind the vocals if I say that I love you, and you know that its true . Gary asked me have a go on the drums, and then started to show me better ways to play the drums and teach me new techniques, and I had only been in there a few minutes, I was amazed you lot even spoke to me! He played at the Elms and The Halfway House and also with Jo Loss and his Ambassador Band. He played a Hammond organ with a Lesley cabinet and had a bank of keyboards on top including a string machine, a synthesiser and an electric piano. So I built a wall of sound, combining a Lowrey organ with a Hammond organ, a string synth, Roland synth and Hohner Clavinet, pumped through 2 massive JBL studio monitors and a Leslie rotary cabinet in the middle. This was our first meeting at the Ilford Palais with Andrew Loog Oldham, later to become the Rolling Stones Manager. I actually went to school with Gary Nichols, now sadly no longer with us, and also with Robin Trower. After a very pleasant email exchange with Jim, the landlord of the Elm, way back, was of course ROY and not TED Hughes. Around this time we got involved with a guy, who I believe was a friend of Brians family, named Nick Kirby. A fairly decent snooker player.I never did manage to beat him. They used to play The Elms on Wednesdays and the occasional Saturday. Tony Blackburn, Pete Brady, Dave Cash, Pete Murray, Dave Symonds , Jimmy Young and a few others. I read your information above What about your final rendition every evening MONEY !! Locarno. thanx in anticipation, Pete Day. Jim broadcast two interviews with BBC Essex last September recalling the good old days in Southend and if you are interested he is doing another two on 11th and 18th June recalling events and recordings during our period as The Treetops. ). Could this have been the U.S Monotones ? Emma Raducanu joined the likes of Beyonc and Jay-Z as Tiffany ambassadors (Image: Getty) "An evolution of a Tiffany icon, Tiffany T1 designs represent individual strength and perpetual power . Would be delighted to supply a CD if you email me direct at pncstanley@talktalk.net and Ill give you details. Anyone can find this group. I still fly a fair bit working as a shipping and port consultatnt so the music I listen to is mainly that of the Pacific which is interesting in itself! I recall being on a circular stage with The Joe Loss Orchestra and as they disappeared, around we came singing our first number. I remember thinking that by virtue of its meaning it was not a good name, but for the want of a better suggestion it was the one we adopted. Brian arranged for us to record What Would I Do which he had co-written with Pete at Pyes Marble Arch studios. he has only stopped performing himself in the last 5 years and now just manages. Stop laughing. The best Nightclub in Wimbledon back in the day. Gary Nicholls was our replacement drummer, Brian on lead guitar and general group management, Pete on bass guitar, Mark as lead vocalist and myself, having dropped the ridiculous name of Thurston Crane, on rhythm guitar and shared lead vocals. There was not much for me in the English charts then the stuff sounds so dated today! You could get my telephone number from her via her sister and give me a call. We left Southend in 1966 and went to play at Tiffanys night club in Wimbledon.Our name was changed to The Treetops and we released several records under thet name ( these regularly appear for sale on e-bay along with Monotones records ). I still have some flyers for the St. Clements gigs, very sad but I seem to keep everything. He used to be billed as Britains Strongest Teenager at local fetes and carnivals. All Rights Reserved. I recall someone threatening to put that whistle somewhere where the sun doesnt shine if they heard the tune one more time! Somehow,I was given the dubious honour of singing the falsetto in Rag Doll.It was OK at rehearsal but on the Sunday cabaret night,in front of an unusually attentive audience,I dried up.the mouth opened but nothing came out!I must have been wearing the wrong trousers..not tight enough.I think it was Nigel that came to the rescue or did Brian take a solo and turn it into the only instrumental version of that song? ( even if its on a zimmer frame!) You opened our entry into your website as a result , for which we have always been grateful . Went to Tiffanys. Former Tiffany's nightclub bartender James Cassells, 57, recalls working at the venue opposite the cop shop at Kildare Rd with fond memories for two years from when he was 19. Hello Steve, I would be pleased to talk with you. We had a lot of fun and accomplished a lot during my tenure with The Treetops and I have many fond memories from that time. Watched Gangsters & listened to Stevie Wonder, Sex Pistols etc. Watched Q7- Spike Milligan & Scully they were great. This was an offer I couldnt refuse, being worn out from travelling to different venues each night for some six years. 616. He was in the desk behind me at WHSB. 1955 Grace Bevins, Rogers Spookily that was the time we moved to the area from Liverpool. Nothing can compare to the brown, beige, cream random pattern on this midi length hooded monstrosity but they were all the rage then), (that must mean the number of weeks with Sam). Jim Eaton recently heard these songs again for the first time in about 47 years! Are you able to act as agent or alternatively give me his email address ? I remember Brian Clarke who used to transport your gear around and I used to help him on many occasions in fact I went with him to Brians 21st birthday party in Mill Hill if recall correctly. I last went to Alexanders Christmas 1985 and shortly after that Nigel went to live in Australia and Brian sold off the venues. I settled with the conviction of it being Dave Alexander, an American blues singer, or Arthur Alexander, an Ameican songwriter though I could never find the title in either of their work. The manageress told us that the room was needed for business and told us to wait in the hall, it was only then we realised we had booked into a brothel! The ballroom had opened on the site of a former cinema, the Charing Cross Electric Theatre, in 1926. And me right in the middle of it! I will, however, contact Jim who has a daughter in Australia that he visits. I used to love the end term dances with the Monotones playing. Our visionary founder, Charles Lewis Tiffany . Hi Colin,I was interested in your submission re the monotones.I still see Nigel each year in Australia and regularly see Brian and Pete.Most of your article was correct with the exception of Gus Chesney. Rod often asks about you and whether you still lived near The Worlds End. Just discovered your blogsite here and its amazing. I fell asleep on the train and woke with somebody tapping me on the shoulder and saying Hello Rodney. Alan Bowden - 24/6/12. The Ivy League who were enjoying chart success with Tossing and Turning refused to go on stage if we sang any of their numbers which they had heard us rehearse.