David and Steve back behind the decks
Looking good! David Clayton (left) and Steve “Dr Vinyl” Burns in the 1970s with their Gemini Disco. They are back at The Talk for the Eyes of Blond reunion party on Saturday January 24. - Credit: Archant
Just look at those snazzy bow-ties being sported by two trendy disc-spinners back in Norfolk during the 1970s when flapping flares, frizzy perms and hot pants were fab gear for a generation of disco kings and queens.
Radio Norfolk presenters publicising the volunteer campaign. From leftt: David Clayton, Chris Goreham, Helen McDermott, and Stephen Bumfrey.; Photo: Bill Smith - Credit: Archant © 2011
Recognise them? Yes, it's David Clayton, now the boss of Radio Norfolk, and Steve 'Dr Vinyl' Burns who is still running a 1960s/70s disco and writes a great page about music and records for our monthly magazine Let's Talk.
They ran the popular Gemini Disco across the city and county and were regulars at the great survivor on the Norwich entertainment scene, the much-loved Talk on Oak Street.
Now they will be returning to the night club on Saturday January 24 when Eyes of Blond, the band named by readers of the Evening News in the 1960s, have a grand reunion party
'It will be great to get back on stage at The Talk with EOB and we will only be playing tracks from 1966 to 1971 when the band was up and running,' said David.
Steve (Dr Vinyl) Burns today. Still rockin.’ - Credit: Archant
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This will be the first time EOB have played together in Norwich for many years.
They began life as Circuit Five, before a EN reader came up with the name Eyes of Blond and they turned professional touring this country and Europe, writing much of their own material and attracting many great musicians over the years. They were a class act.
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Last year they played again at Eastbourne where guitarist Phil Dimitri now lives and enjoyed themselves so much they agreed on a gig back 'home' and they will be raising money for two great local causes – Big C and EACH.
'It'll be very special to play records back at The Talk again after all this time but just great to be doing it to support Eyes of Blond,' said David.
'I have always known their reputation but never saw them play live back in the day. I saw them reunite in Eastbourne last year but now I will see them properly back in Norwich, their home city,' he added.
More than 40 years ago David and Steve were running Gemini Disco along with Dick Hunt who was the roadie.
'I was at the Talk from 1974 until the early 80s when I took up full-time broadcasting. It is a good few years since I was in the club – probably the last time was for the Evening News Golden Years gigs – but I haven't played records there for many, many years,' said David.
'Over the years we had some specially designed Gemini Disco fronts built but only one is left thanks to our other DJ Chris Winter who handed it over before starting a new life in Australia.
One used to be on the stage at the Talk,' he added.
Meanwhile...EOB are back rehearsing ahead of the gig at The Talk or the Melody Rooms as it was called when they last played there.
'We are all looking forward to a great night and helping two local charities at the same time,' said Phil Wade who will be joined on stage by Phil Dimitri, Neil Applegate and Paul Watts.
EOB have a website – www.eyesofblond.co.uk – and tickets can be bought there for the Steppin' Back in Time reunion party at The Talk, Oak Street, on Saturday January 24. Advance tickets cost £5 or £7.50 at the door. Don't forget those flares!
And you can still hear the Eyes of Blond documentary Younger Men's Eyes on the BBC iPlayer. It was first broadcast on New Year's Day on Radio Norfolk.
