Winter Gardens - Eastbourne

© ShadowsFanSite 2001 – all rights reserved

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this evening but I went along with friends. Anyway if you were not there, here is what you missed....

The gig started at 7.30pm & finished around 1.00am.  The venue itself was a little dated - think faded old hall sort of thing and u have the idea, but with an audience of 500 there who were dancing to some great rock and roll music it was a good night.   There were people of all ages there, dancing and listening to the music - and some pretty good jiving as well - We had come to see the bands though - and appearing on the Bill of fare were: -

The Saints

Alexanders

St Johns Wood

Shelly

Leapy Lee - who topped the Bill.

We had of course come to see Dick Plant's band Shelly.   See a picture of the band here (note the lovely wooly hats!!)  Anyway , the band were 4 members Dick Plant - Lead Guitar, Warren Bennett - Bass, second lead guitar and drummer.  I enjoyed what they played... tracks such as "Leave my kitten alone" "gee whizz its you"   "twist and shout"  "twenty flight rock" - my absolute favorite I have to say, FBI and Dance On - played properly I hasten to add - as Hank would have done..  - well done Mr Dick Plant who is a good guitar player as well...   Hearing this went a long way to curing my "Hank withdrawal symptoms".           I was slightly worried in the pub before the gig by Warren and Dick saying they were unhappy with the sound and were all over the place - why they said this I don’t know because it sounded pretty good to me....   I must make mention of Warren's voice which some of u have heard on the Hank tours before, I have always thought hearing him sing he has a sweet toned voice - very like Hank - but it was pleasing to see when he "gets down" and rocks - HE CAN"! .... that pleased me a lot...more please Warren.... do an album of stuff like that perhaps?!..... just a thought...... It is always an interesting experience to meet Warren. It was also a pleasure to meet Dick Plant as well; Dick having of course been the "main man" with engineering duties on many of the Shadows and Hank albums.   But, all in all, a very good night out, Warren even autographed the table cloth in the Winter Gardens (vandal! LOL)... don't ask me why......!!   

Back.....