Swinging Blue Jeans are back in action
Derek James The boys who played on the first ever edition of Top of the Pops alongside the Rolling Stones will be blasting out a string of timeless hits at the only working men's club in Norwich this month.
Derek James
The boys who played on the first ever edition of Top of the Pops alongside the Rolling Stones will be blasting out a string of timeless hits at the only working men's club in Norwich this month.
Arkwrights - named after the tight-fisted shopkeeper played by Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours - will be welcoming The Swinging Blue Jeans.
Earlier this year I told how David Kyle and his partner Jeanie are now celebrating ten years at the little club that has survived against all the odds and now attracts some of the biggest bands from the 60s and some great acts from Norwich and Norfolk.
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“The Swinging Blue Jeans went down a storm when they first came to Arkwrights and now I am delighted they are coming back,” said David.
“Because we are such a small club it's a great chance to get to meet members of the bands and they love meeting their fans,” said David.
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The Bluegenes were formed in Liverpool as a semi-pro band in 1958, eventually turning pro and changing their name to the Swinging Blue Jeans in 1962. Today they are still led by the original singer Ray Ennis. In the early 60s they were playing in Germany with the likes of Norwich-born Tony Sheridan and The Beatles.
In 1963 the SBJ had their first hit with It's Too Late Now, followed by the multi-million seller Hippy Hippy Shake that resulted in them appearing on the first Top of the Pops.
A string of hits followed and they have been touring this country and the rest of the world ever since.
Drummer Phil Thompson has been with the band for more than 25 years, while ex-New Vaudeville Band lead guitarist Alan Lovell, acquitted his jeans in 1999 following the tragic death of Colin Manley.
Original member Les Braid died in July 2005 and by the request of fans a number of guest players take his place including Jim Rodford, ex Kinks & Argent and Pete Oakman, ex Lonnie Donegan & The Bruvvers.
And the boys in blue are being supported by the talented Norwich singer Clive Paul.
t Tickets for the gig on Friday, October 17 cost £8 in advance or £10 at the door. Call 01603 627309 or pop into the club at the top of Hall Road behind the Freemasons Arms.
