The bands reformed and the dancers returned… the Evening News and BBC Radio Norfolk Golden Years concerts brought back the good times for the rock and rollers.

And what better way to support charities and good causes in the city and county. More than £120,000 was raised over twenty great years.

But let’s, for a change, take a look at those who helped to make the gigs such a great success. The people who bought the tickets and jived the years away.

Norwich Evening News: No room for dancing at the first Golden Years concert at The Talk, Norwich, in 1996.No room for dancing at the first Golden Years concert at The Talk, Norwich, in 1996. (Image: Archant Library)

It was our story about Derek Moore looking for members of The Toffs which resulted in Terry Wickham stepping forward to organise a “one-off” reunion concert at The Talk in Norwich 1996.

Even the bands had to pay for their tickets at the sell-out gig which led to annual two-day rock festivals at the UEA, where the legendary Nick Rayns looked after us so well.

Norwich Evening News: Dancing the night away at one of the Golden Years gigs at UEA in 2009.Dancing the night away at one of the Golden Years gigs at UEA in 2009. (Image: Archant Library)

It was a big night for these bands. They hadn’t played for decades but once back on stage… wow. They were good. The music. The memories.

The skiffle boys had turned into the grandfathers of rock. So many groups from across Norfolk and Suffolk got back together again.

Although there was no room for dancing at the first concert, once we moved to the much-larger UEA, they took to the floor and helped to make the concerts so special.

Norwich Evening News: Happy times at the Golden Years gig where people sat on the steps inside The Talk to watch rock and roll dancers.Happy times at the Golden Years gig where people sat on the steps inside The Talk to watch rock and roll dancers. (Image: Archant Library)

Norwich Evening News: The 12th Golden Years concert at UEA, Norwich organised by the Evening News, BBC Radio, raised £120k for local charities with performances by bands from the 1950s to the present day. Date: 2008.The 12th Golden Years concert at UEA, Norwich organised by the Evening News, BBC Radio, raised £120k for local charities with performances by bands from the 1950s to the present day. Date: 2008. (Image: Archant Library)

And Radio Norfolk presenters such as David Clayton, Andy Archer and the late, great Roy Waller, all helped to make the Golden Years so special.

Terry, who died in January 2019, said: “That is what the what the Golden Years is all about – making people happy and helping others.”

It certainly did that.

Mike Lorenz, of The OffBeats and other groups, said: “Terry’s vision for the Golden Years not only gave many years of enjoyment to lovers of rock ‘n’ roll but also revived some great bands who relished the opportunity to reform and entertain once again.

“Not forgetting the large sum of money which was raised for so many local charities,” he added.

Norwich Evening News: Dancing the night away at the Golden Years concert at UEA in 2012.Dancing the night away at the Golden Years concert at UEA in 2012. (Image: Archant Library)

Norwich Evening News: Dancing the night away at the final Golden Years gig at the UEA, Norwich in 2016.Dancing the night away at the final Golden Years gig at the UEA, Norwich in 2016. (Image: Archant Library)