Photo by F. Belfield...| ...... The Bands (page 7) |
Bruce Winters (SOLO) (1999- onwards)
Photo by F. Belfield...
Westgate Hall, Canterbury. 1999.
The theme was set for the evening, to re-create those great 'CITY YOUTH' dances that were held in Canterbury in the 60's. Barbara Sturgeon from Radio Kent, who is also a patron of Dave's charity would do the intro links and an old member from one of Busters 'pre Satans' band THE LONELY ONES agreed to come over with his band and do a spot. His name? Noel Redding- bassist with the late JIMI HENDRIX! As Noel was on tour in this country, although his drummer couldn't make it, Buster would help them out for the evening. THE COUNTDOWNS members included Gary Cooper (also an ex-Satan/Apley Rise member) and drummer Cliff Edwards (Ex Apley Rise/Now n' Then) as they were founder members of THE COUNTDOWNS. Also their original singer Alan Davis agreed to go back with them. As original member John Wilson had long ago ceased to play, they called in some help on guitar from Paul Creed, (Paul joined APLEY RISE a while after I had left ).
Another founder member, Colin Gower came over from the States to play with them. Phil Hadler was re-forming his band THE ROCK A BEATS and although a founder member came all the way over from Australia to take part, Phil couldn't form his complete original band together so other musicians were brought in. Phil is also part of Dave's charity, and very kindly loaned the charity a back-line amplification system for the night. A musicians dream! A line-up of powerful, lovely, new, Fender amps! Phil is a joy to know and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. So there you have a brief account of the bands who took part... incidentally our band TOMMY SAVAGE AND THE SATANS had the most authentic line-up, although Tommy had left the band before Buster officially joined back in 1964.
We were determined to keep the music as authentic as possible and so we decided to start with a couple of instrumentals (as we used to do way back) and then bring on our singer Tommy. It took about five rehearsals to get things tight. We practiced in John cellar and it was quite something to be all together again, we never thought this reunion would happen and we were determined to make the gig a night to remember.
Together again since
1963! Tommy Savage and The Satans. Rehearsing in Johns Basement.
Photos: F.Belfield.
We even hired some 'satan' cloaks for the evening, like the ones we used to wear, from a costume hire shop. What a night! It really was a great evening, all the bands played well and Noel Redding was a real gentleman. We went on in alphabetical order, THE COUNTDOWNS, THE ROCK A BEATS, TOMMY SAVAGE AND THE SATANS and finally THE WAYS AND MEANS. Ray doubled with this band as he had been a member after Les had left and Ray was with them when they recorded their second single 'Breaking up a dream', so he had twice as much rehearsal to do! Noel did a mid evening spot and then came on at the end with some of us to back Dave Lee singing 'Bye Bye Johnny B. Goode' as a finale. (I managed to get a guitar solo with Noel!) Seriously though, it was a highlight of my life and I'm sure I speak for a lot of the lads.
Tommy Savage and the Satans..
Westgate Hall,
Canterbury, Kent.2000.
All the bands involved were on a high and Dave suggested that maybe it could happen next year, we all agreed. The Charity made about £5000 and we had played in front of about 500 people. The only disappointment was my old mates Doug Copeland and Jim Brice who were unable to take part as Beat Ltd because Les Stankovitch had been their singer and he had declined the offer to be there. Never mind, maybe next year would give them a chance to take part with someone else. Looking back to 1964, I wouldn't have believed that in 35 years time we would still be able to get together and do it again!
The millenium was looming closer. New years eve 2000 AD It was at a local Canterbury club, I played in the bar whilst the disco played in the main hall. It was a long and grueling night, starting at 8.00pm and finishing at 2.00am! I did 45 minutes on and a quarter of an hour off all night. I thought the evening a bit of a let down and I missed the past two new years gigs that I'd done with my friends Tried and Tested. The evening and occasion turned out to be a nonentity as far as I was concerned.
2000......The New
Century.....
We’re now in the 21st century and I look back and ponder on all the things I have done in the past, all the music, bands, people I've met. And do you know? I don't think I would have liked to have missed a thing! It’s been great..........
I am playing clubs and a few selected pubs, done two weddings at Lympne Castle in Hythe, several barbecue’s and garden parties in 2000. One of the weddings at the castle included guests Freddy 'parrot face' Davis, Richard Digence and Radio Kents Barbara Sturgen. I had a great gig and lots of inquiries for work. And then another great event took place:
- The Marlowe theatre, Canterbury. 2000.
Early 2000 Dave Lee phoned me again... our 60's reunion this year will be at The Marlowe theatre in Canterbury, (where we did the Petula Clarke gig a few years back in Network) The date was fixed at 17th September. We all just hoped it would capture the magic just like the year before, after all, a stage show isn't like a dance and we knew we had to be better than last year, people will be sitting- not dancing!. The same four bands appeared, plus Doug and Jim in their old band Beat Ltd. Buster helped out on drums and Barry Morgan on keyboards. Les unfortunately had other commitments still and so Dave Lee agreed to sing, he would do his rock n' roll routine like he did with us in Network back at the Petula Clarke gig in 1991. Dave would also play drums with his old band 'The Ways and Means'.
Dave wanted to give well known local groups of the 60's a chance to appear at the most prestigious venue in Canterbury, The Marlowe. Although I'd played there before I was thrilled and I know all the band members were looking forward to it. Again all proceeds would go to HAPPY HOLIDAYS charity. Tickets went on sale and as the time approached, 700 seats were sold. The Marlowe holds about 1,000, so it wasn't a sell-out like the dance had been last year but still in crowd terms it was more attendance than the dance!
As it was the year before, everyone would go on in alphabetical order, starting with BEAT LTD, then THE COUNTDOWNS, then THE ROCK A BEATS, followed by us THE SATANS, and finally THE WAYS AND MEANS. Practices with the lads went well. John had moved home earlier in the year to Sturry, and had built a semi-soundproof room in his garage that he used as a practice studio with his own band TRIED AND TESTED, and so it was great for us still to have somewhere to rehearse. The sound was a lot better than it had been last year in his cellar. Buster had to do two lots of rehearsals as he was helping BEAT LTD as did Ray who was also with THE WAYS AND MEANS. So they both worked twice as hard and I take my hat off to both of them. All the rehearsing paid off, we all had a great show and EVERYONE performed at 150%! It was (I've said this before, but it true) one of the best nights of my life. To be there, with all my old friends and mates from the old days-the bands, and all the people that I'd been in other groups with, this was truly brilliant.
The original Satans line-up from 1964. Marlowe Theatre, September 2000. Photo. c. Ben May.
The surprise guest was Shaun Williamson, an actor who at the time, played 'Barry' in the TV soap 'East Enders'. Shaun was really nice and chatted with us all throughout the evening. The show went like clockwork. (THE SATANS) performed two slow songs: Buster sang 'Donna' beautifully, we harmonised on 'It's only make believe’. We kicked off with two instrumentals: 'Walk, don't run' and a SHADOWS instrumental called 'Shindig'. John sang Elvis's early hit 'Thats all right mama' and Ray sang Johnny Kidd's 'I'll never get over you'. Ray and I finished the set with a medley: 'Rock n' roll music' and 'Please don't touch'. We hardly made any mistakes (not that I think the public noticed anyway!). All the bands walked on the stage for the finale and we were all on a high for many days after. The evening was brilliant and was filmed on video by Joe Taylor, Doug Copelands daughter Jo's boyfriend. Everyone played a great set. I have just finished mixing a CD featuring my band THE SATANS and Dougs band BEAT LTD. called 'On Stage at The Marlowe'. Also a DVD of The Satans at The Marlowe is available..email me..
The other bands that shared the evening:
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| Beat Ltd. | The Countdowns | The Rock-a-beats | The Ways n' Means |
Bruce Winters...21st Century...
In January 2002 my life changed when I moved home to Sittingbourne Kent with my new partner Teresa. I still have a studio set up on the ground floor near the kitchen.
Teresa accompanies me to all the gigs and assists me in setting up on stage. She helps and encourages me with my music and supports me in every way.
In November 2003 we married and are now enjoying our life together.
Teresa gets an invite to a 'Buckinham Palace garden Party' in the summer of 2004.
Accompanied by two other ladies who work with her at the Charity 'Age Concern'. ..
Quite an honour!.I'm very proud for her!
She recently has been promoted at work and is now 'Day Centre Manager'.
Teresa has worked very hard over the years and deserves her new position.
2006:
Wow! time seems to go so fast these days...
2007
I have 'retired', but intend to carry on playing music. Now I can afford to be more choosy,
playing only the places I like and prefer, knocking out the more crappy venues.
I am 'semi pro' again and playing for fun.
2008:
Another year, still doing the clubs, Got another trip lined up for the USA in September, Florida this time.
I hope that you have enjoyed this brief account of my musical history
and as the years go by I hope I will add some more... who knows?
Thank you for reading my biography...
'Be seeing you..'
Bruce Winters....
See
me on 'You Tube': 
