December Club Night 2008 - It's party time .....

Charity Spectacular at Croxdale Community Centre

We raised £750 to be divided between the Great North Air Ambulance and the Neurofibromatosis Association (details on the website at http://www.nfauk.org/).

Thanks to everyone who performed and helped with the organisation

We had an absolute blast!!!

Club Night Nov 2008 - What credit squeeze?

October 2008 Club Night

The club was absolutely chokka by 7:30 with the entertainment running non-stop from 8:00pm until after 11:00pm in a vain attempt to include everyone who had volunteered to entertain us.
It was good to see so many old friends back for the new season and their efforts are really appreciated. Kenny "Spennymoor legend" Potts was supposed to be sidelined for this match on medical grounds but he did make it off the substitutes' bench for a few minutes to provide vocal backing for Angie.It is always great to see new faces and this month there were several including Keith, (featuring a "mean" sax on his version of Baker Street) and Dave Crawford on guitar and vocals - backed for the evening by the superb Stray Dogs. Sharron performed a version of Bette Midler's "the Rose", accompanied by Alan Leightell on acoustic guitar, which was fit for Gateshead's Sage (where she has performed it twice already).
Big Jim was up to his usual antics encouraged by Colin Woodland and Co (not that he needs any encouragement). Jim even brought along his brother-in-law Geoff to give us a C & W song.
In addition to our regular contributors there were several old friends back.Peter, together with his two brothers and an old friend, reminded us again once again why they were so popular during the Sixties.Jim Blenkhorn had travelled all the way from London once again to join us.Rock of Ages were back with their distinctive brand of rock - this time supported on backing vocals by none other than our Paula.

In the event we did not quite manage to fit everyone in - but the good news is that we already have the start of a list for next month.

Would you like to have a go?
Are you the next Paul Potts - ( sorry Kenny Potts)?
Are you an established act who likes to live dangerously? Then why not let us end your career?
We are always on the look out for new (and old) talent and will be happy to provide live backing if required.
The only proviso is that the music is Sixties(ish)
If you are a bit nervous we can even arrange for you to have a quick run through at our weekly rehearsal evening.

Go on - we won't bite (we can't most us of have no teeth)

The slots do fill up fast - so I guess the best advice is to get in early with your requests to Alan L - who can be contacted by e-mail anytime at alanleightell@vintagesixtieslive.co.uk

Lumley Charity Gig - 27 Sept 2008

During the Summer Break, VSL regulars responded in their usual magnificent way, to a request from Big Jim to help out with a local fund-raising project.

Kelly McKitten was only 31 years of age when she was tragically murdered, in February 2008, leaving two young sons.
The community of Pelton, where she lived, got together to organise a Family Support Fund for the boys, and a spectacular evening's entertainment was arranged at Great Lumley Workmen's Club as part of this initiative.

The evening included a fancy dress competition, games, a raffle and we were happy to provide the entertainment free of charge. The event raised almost £1300.

Thanks to all who took part. We had a blast.

June 2008 Club Night

The imminent approach of Summer was very evident at the VSL June Club night with the welcome return of the totally mad Carlos (who hails from the Spennymoor district of Espana). He had everyone falling about with laughter at his zany rendition of Phantom of the Opera which had to be seen to be believed. The props alone must have cost 20p.
Big Jim was back and in fine form with Colin "the orchestra" and Don "Fingers" Boot featuring heavily in his new backing group the "Gastric Band".
Kenny, the Spennymoor leg end, was in bouyant mood having just been given the go-ahead by his cardiologist, to continue doing all the things he is not supposed to do.
Brian was back from his cruise and ready to rock in his new stage shirt - which was so bright it should have carried a health warning.

But it was not left to the guys to provide all the glamour.

Our Paula was there looking resplendant in one of the shortest mini skirts I have ever seen and which brought a whole new meaning to the song "Bend me Shake Me". Poor Colin was stood behind her on stage and every time she "bent" he "shook". He didn't know where to look - FIRST.
Alluring Angie was brilliant, as usual, and proved conclusively that it is possible for the Mackems amongst us to get ecstatic at someone wearing black and white (see pics)

It was a big night for Catherine and Sharron, each making their solo VSL debuts with a live band, in addition to providing backing vocals for the other performers. Both looked and sounded absolutely fantastic.

Talking of backing, I have been asked by several of the performers to give a massive thank you to the guys who get very little recognition for their efforts but are there, month after month, providing the support which makes VSL the success it is. I am talking in particular of Bill Fields, Mike Morris, Colin Ibbertson, Mark, Dave, Kevin, Colin Woodland, Brian Luke, Billy Baker and everyone alse who has given their time and skill to supporting our ever growing list of performers. A particular mention is in order for our Malcolm, ace photographer and videographer to the stars (and us), who provides all the video and photographic coverage you see on this site.
Thanks are also due to Sam, the long suffering steward of Tudhoe Victory Club, and his staff, who put up with our antics month after month, and still manage a smile.

To be continued and .... pics to follow

May Club Night 2008

The May Club Night managed an almost full house despite the fact that it was held on the first beautiful, sunny and warm evening of 2008.

Several familiar faces were absent, due to an early start to the holiday season and various illnesses and work commitments, but the performers who did strut their stuff really did themselves proud, with almost three hours of non stop entertainment which brought great applause, and more than a few cheers, from the crowd.

Special welcome to Denny who was returning to the stage for the first time in many years and what better place to do it than VSL.

April 2008

Well - we had a feeling it was going to be a bumper evening and we weren't wrong.

By 7.45pm the Concert room and the lounge were full to capacity and by 8.30pm we had almost ran out of glasses.

Such is the current popularity of Vintage Sixties Live, added to by the publicity given by the excellent full page spread in the John North column of the Northern Echo recently.

The performance programme was bursting at the seams a week before the event - and even though we managed to get the show under way a few minutes early and continued, non-stop, from 8pm until 11.15pm - several would-be performers had to be disappointed. Needless to say they all took it in good part and we will endeavour to give them priority at the next club night.

And what a programme it was. We were treated to everything from the Dixie Cups to Cream and including Tom Jones, Gene Pitney, Jackson 5 (that's Michael not Bianca) the Shadows, Ventures, Jethro Tull (complete with flute) along the way.
I intend to post a full set list shortly as the depth and diversity we have on offer never ceases to amaze to amaze me.

This is an excerpt from one of the emails I received today which just about says it all.
Hi Alan,
Everybody says it can't get any better we always say, but can it? last night was probably the best of all, the artists were brilliant a credit to you and Alan, everything was so well organised and everyone went home singing. regards Peter.

It is always wonderful to watch our regulars present an ever-changing array of songs but it was especially pleasing this month to welcome VSL "virgins" Ian and Brendan (former members of such groups as White Rabbit and the Perfidians), Peter Knowles and friends ( formerly with, would you believe, top sixties group Paul Ryan and the Streaks ). It was also great to see Baz Waller again, who had travelled all the way up from London (wherever that is :>)) Baz played with many of the top local groups during the Sixties and Seventies,and teamed up again with old mates Keith Aston and Kenny Potts for the evening.
All great sets guys and please come back soon.

Anyone Fancy having a go ? Contact us and we will do our very best to fit you in (and even provide backing if required). Go on - you know you want to.

Can't wait for Thursday 8th May when we will do it all again.

"B there or B Square"

March 2008

Earlier fears that we may be in for a quiet night were anything but true.

Even with Big Jim working in Thailand for a few weeks, Colin Ibbertson, Mark Lishman and a few of our other regular star performers on holiday or otherwise engaged - plus Colin the Orchestra taking a well deserved break - we managed a full and varied programme for the usual packed house.

It was great to meet Mike Amos, from the Northern Echo, who called in for a pint and a chat.

Thanks go to everyone who performed or applauded - it is your efforts and enthusiasm which make VSL the success that it undoubtedly is.

...to be continued

February Club Night 2008

January Club Night 2008

Start the New Year with a Twang.
Well, we certainly did that - thanks to our special guests The Shadocasters. They really did us proud with a showcase set of Cliff and the Shadows hits supplemented by a bit of good old rock and roll. Thanks to Alan and Dave and also to Martin and Jimmy who had travelled all the way from Whitby to perform.
The run-up to this club night had been a worrying time for Alan L and myself due to the number of our regulars being struck down by the latest virus but, although we were without several of the familiar faces on the night, we were still able to deliver three hours of the best of Sixties music. This, in itself, is a tremendous credit to the commitment and enthusiasm of the many performers who have taken part over the 20 months since VSL began, and keep coming back for more.

Mike Gutteridge was back demonstrating his usual relaxed technique - the result, I suspect, of a great natural talent supplemented by many years of experience.

There were also one or two very pleasant surprises on the night. Colin Howson, turned up trumps yet again by bringing along a couple of his friends to appear with him in an excellent little semi-acoustic harmony set.

The ever popular Brian Mason followed Colin on to the stage, delivering the big ballads with his big voice, to a great response from the crowd.

The Stray Dogs had a big surprise of their own for us. Gorgeous lead singer Angie could not make it this month, so they scoured the doss houses and opeum joints of Spennymoor, and managed to engage the services of some young upstart guitarist by the name of Kenny Potts - a name and face vaguely familiar to many sixties fans.

The sight and sound of Kenny and Dave Hodges playing together was something many of us had wanted to see and hear for a long, long time and they did not disappoint. Supported by Mark on bass and Kev on drums they delivered a couple of Cream numbers which were par excellence. Magic guys - pure magic!!
You can't say that you don't get variety at VSL :>)
There was even more variety to come as Robin took us right back to the early sixties with It's only make believe, Diana and the Wanderer, followed by Billy Barr, who kept the party going, reliving hits from the Box Tops and Tremeloes, backed by the Two Alans and Mike Morris, with Bill Field on bass.

Then it was time to give the boppers an opportunity for short rest (well they aren't getting any younger are they?)
This month Colin Ibbertson and the guys had come up with a couple of lesser known instrumentals - Cossack Patrol (Jumping Jewels) and Magic Carpet (Dakotas) - which were delivered with their usual flair and expertise. This part of the show is rapidly becoming one of my favourites. Everyone recognises the melody but they are driven wild trying to remember who recorded it - Hee hee hee.

Meanwhile, the dancers had almost recovered and were raring to go, and who better to get them rocking than Rock of Ages, who were also making a welcome return to VSL. Mike and Co performed a great little set which left them gasping for more, but as we were rapidly approaching the witching hour I thought we had better get Paula on stage. She had enjoyed a quiet night by her usual standards but that was soon rectified with the old Chris Montez number Let's Dance followed by an unexpected cracker - Diana Ross's Chain Reaction.

By then it was time to wrap up another great night and who better to do that than Alan Wakes with his much requested version of the Marmalade hit - Reflections of my Life.
Thanks to all the performers and to everyone who supported the night. It really got 2008 off to a great start.
See you all next month.

B there or B square