1968 My first big step.

 Although my story starts properly in 1973, firstly a brief glimpse into the way I got started in the business way back in 1968.
      My name is Mike Easter  I was a young apprentice engineer working at A. K. Diesel's  of Lowestoft. It was there I met Les Wright a drummer who talked me into starting a duo/trio to hopefully get some  pub work.
      I had been classically trained on piano since a very young age & although terrified, reluctantly agreed.
       On my 21st Birthday with my City & Guilds in  engineering passed with  with distinction & 5 yr apprentiship completed, I threw the lever of my engineers lathe down to 'off' position packed my toolbox & turned my back on engineering, never to return again.
 Les & I joined up with a good singer named June Potter, got ourselves an agent and imediately the work started to  pour in.


First booking, the Lowestoft Football Social club.

Our very first Business Card 'posh eh' ?

Jolly Sailors Pakefield

The Hopton White Hart was the busiest little pub between Lowestoft & Gt. Yarmouth. Being surrounded  by  a dozen holiday camps this tiny bar used to be heaving during summer. We played there many nights alternating with Peter Carter an entertainer  who played organ & sang with gusto. Especially when it came to his party piece "Rawhide". in which he would fire off a couple of rounds from a blank firing six shooter frightening the living daylights out of the few OAPs sitting there half asleep. Yes our Peter could certainly whip up a crowd. No 'elf & safety' in those days ! 

The Hopton White Hart (above)

Peter showing off his new Wem Copicat.

On the subject of old musical gear here are pages out of the Bell's catalogue  showing some of the guitars we all grew up with 

Peter Carter & his partner Ken Smith

1968 "THE DUKE'S HEAD" SOMERLEYTON

Jack Wilkinson , the Landlord of the "The Duke's Head"  in Somerleyton ran a tight ship & was notorious for being a miserable old bugger, (he even printed the fact in his newspaper adverts). But I liked him & the feelings must have been mutual as he paid myself  & a drummer being my old schoolmate Ian  to play in the Lounge five nights per week.  Even in winter ( a lean time for musos) he retained us on the same wage. 

The Dukes head was a favourite 'watering hole' for our  seafaring visitors off the Broads. Here are some pics of some lively nights.

My old Mate Ian Dalgliesh on Drums

found on the piano after a break

All ready for the Gig

By now I had invested in a device called a 'Clavioline' keyboard, a single note playing small attachment to the piano, with a 'knee swell' (no not a medical condition ) this bar you pushed to the right with your knee to gain volume. There were two versions of these 'agony bags' as they were affectionatey known. the expensive one was supposed to sound better, the truth was they both sounded like a cat being strangled & mine being the cheap model sounded like my cat was in more pain.

1968 / 69 PONDEROSA HOLIDAY CAMP HOPTON

RECENTLY I PLACED THIS SNIP IN THE LOWESTOFT JOURNAL WHICH JUST ABOUT SUMS UP THE PONDEROSA.

John Crisp (Drums) from the popular group 'Barry Sherwood & the Foresters' & Harry (The Marshall) Wilkes 

Had a good laugh compering competitions & games 

Grahame Davidson (My old Mate)

Les Wright (Drums) & Grahame, Note my entrance into the latest electronic wizardry   a 'Vox Continental' organ (no more 'out of tune' Pianos) & when i stood up & played I looked like that bloke in 'The Dave Clark five'

The 'standing up' bit proved sometimes difficult working with Grahame.

Grahame & myself played many holiday camps like this one in Hopton called Seafields. did we have some laughs ?

1969 / 1970

Les & I used different singers for different venues, here is Paul Young at the 'Golden Galleon Motel' Oulton broad where we were resident for a long period. We were also resident band at the 'Hotel Victoria' Lowestoft's most prestigious Hotel.

Try to focus Les !

A few sound problems at Colby's holiday camp Pakefeild.!

 

Front of a 1966 Brochure

1969/70 Warner's Holiday Camp, Corton

I decided to take a resident pianist job at Warner's holiday camp Corton  five lunchtimes per week. A small decision at the time, but unknowingly one that was to shape the rest of my life. It was here I was to meet my 'wife to be' and Roger Lonsdale a caberet artist who would introduce me to life as a ''professional musician.'' 

Roger Lonsdale (centre) . Nicky Douglas (right), Nicky was the Entertainments manager at Warner's Corton. He was also a female impersonator with a very professional act on the same style of  Danny La Rue. Nick was a lovely bloke & was responsible for a very happy atmosphere amongst the staff

An Early postcard of Warner's Ballroom, probably 1950s. Although nothing much had changed except the fashion & that lovely grand Piano on stage. !

Warner's Wagtails. Aunties Sheila, Vanessa & Iris Singing Goodnight ! (Now the party begins)

Roger & I soon get playing a late night caberet set

The following Summer seasons I was enjoying a bit of compering and 'green coat' work.

ROGER HAD BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, AND WAS DOING VERY WELL ON THE NORTHERN CABERET CIRCUIT. HE HAD BEEN PLAYING ABROAD  & AN APPEARANCE ON HUGHIE GREEN'S 'OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS' WAS ALSO IN THE PIPELINE. HIS BIGGEST PROBLEM WHEN APPEARING AT VENUES WAS OFTEN THAT THE KEYBOARD PLAYERS FOUND HIS ARRANGEMENTS DIFFICULT. ALTHOUGH MY CLASSICAL TRAINING HAD BEEN A HINDRANCE WHEN BUSKING WAS REQUIRED, I SOON DISCOVERED IT'S VALUE WHEN ACCOMPANYING CABERETS.

WITH THIS IN MIND WE DECIDED TO WORK TOGETHER.