ITR - Continued Urgent Appeal for The Ricky Tick Club Windsor, UK - InTouchRadio.net (Glastonbury, UK & GLOBAL)
The Ricky Tick Club, Windsor, Berkshire U.K.
We are Urgently looking to contact those bands that played the Ricky Tick in those ground-breaking years between 1962 and 1967.
John Mansfield fondly recollects the first time he laid eyes upon the Rolling Stones. The music promoter was looking for bands to put on at his newly-established Ricky Tick club, at the Star & Garter hotel in Windsor. He'd heard about the Stones and booked them to play on 14 December 1962.
"It was a privilege to be there because you could see mega-artists for 50p."
Things were a little cheaper back then...!
"By the time they'd finished their first number you could tell that they'd hit the girls' musical G spot because they were all just screaming wild. It was like hypnotic music because it was a fusion between Bo Diddley and Chuck Berry - it was all pulsating rhythms."
Of course The Rolling Stones are now a multi-million-album-selling band, packing out stadiums across the world. But they got their first big break in Windsor.
In fact, The Rolling Stones played for Ricky Tick at least 39 times during 1962 and 1964.
Jimmy Hendrix Experience
There was another venue just down the road from the Tick Leo's Jazz Club (St. Leonards R
oad near Police Station), Amazing acts and times Long John Baldry, Screaming Lord Sutch to mention Two. On the way home call in at the Wimpy Bar (Peascod Street one up from the Regal Cinema and next to the Singer Sewing Shop?) those were the days.
Wow! Just read some of the memories from the ' Tick'. It brings it all back, it was pitch black when you went in,just a bit of ultra violet here and there, you went pass the 'cloaks' area and the faces on the walls, then into the main area
on the left.The girls were all dancing, covered with highlighted dust from the ultra violet lights, around their handbags!! Fantasic disco music on Stax, Atlantic and Motown.I remember the enormous stags head in the coffee lounge or was it the TV room?(as it was). There was hardly ever any trouble there, everybody just went to enjoy themselves. We used to ride our scooters there or even walk, as we were form the Windsor area. (Deworth). Who remembers Dedworth Green School? Can you believe I still have my Ricky Tick membership card and loads of cards advertising future artists, a bit sad really. Not! They were really great times and although I no longer live in Windsor, I still follow Georgie Fame, in fact I am seeing him in Southampton in October (08) with his sons. I know they say you should never go back, but a Ricky Tick Reunion Disco would be some party!!
Patricia Jefferson
4 girls from Aylesbury, me Sadie, Penny and Diane and a girl from Aston Clinton whose name I can't remember always hitched there on Saturday night then onto the (Pink) Flamingo and later the Scene Club - quite a weekend. We met some lads from Hoddesden. we danced on stage with Geno Washington, chatted to the Who and Rod (if only we had had a camera). great days. we were 15/16. one day an official got onto the stage saying that Sadie's parents and the police were here she may have been 14, we thought that was a hilarious joke till we got home the next day and it was true!
I used to go to the Sunday afternoon Ricky Tick at the Olympia in Reading.Saw many of the acts mentioned elsewhere.Two distict memories are; regularly seeing the ANIMALS who would set up their own equipment on stage before playing and ERIC BURDEN announcing The House of the Rising Sun was due out as their next single in a weeks time. They then launched into it and it was quite something else. My other great recollection was waiting to see JERRY LEE LEWIS, YES JLL at READING .He was supported by The Nashville Teens (one hit wonder but talented band) who also backed JLL .After the teens opening spot we all just stood around listening to these strange way out records that were played each week ,THEN, through the dance hall strolled JERRY LEE LEWIS suited as was the norm for stars and a white trench coat draped over his shoulder.He climbed up on stage swung off the coat, sat down at the piano, right up at the stage edge,and blasted out all his songs.At the end and after an encore he gathered up his coat came off the stage and walked across the hall down the entrance lobby corridor and out to his large American car which shot off to another performance he was giving that evening in London.
I could have written exactly the same as Peter Brian below. Must have bumped into all you guys at some time in the past What larks we had. Gotta stop - lump in my throat choking me!
Hi I'm chasing details of Ricky Ticks that was here in Carlton Australia in the late 70's? Just wondering whether you can help me with any details (photo's,wright ups, articles etc.Hopefully you can help.I believe the owners name was Shane Hanlon? Kind Regards Nick Charalambousnjnschara@bigpond.com
I and my girlfriends, usually 5 or 6 of us would either hitch a lift from Reading or take the train to the Mansion for a most incredible evening most weekends. The atmosphere was so hot and alive that condensation would drop from the ceiling on to us. There was an upstairs licensed bar if I remember but mostly soft drinks were served. We were between 15 and 17 years old then! I particularly remember Georgie Fame as an old favourite as well as John Mayall.
I Hope some Rolling Stones fans remember the Songs the Playing? in these early Days.
Went to the Ricky Tick nearly every weekend, remember Peter and the crew from Kilburn used to turn up at the R(icky)T(ick) every weekend in his blue Transit Van then takes some of us up to the clubs in London. Great Times, Cheers Pete.People I remember from Bracknell: Wayne Randal, Glen Magill,Sue Pratt and Denise, Frank Merry and brother, Helena Sumner, Irene and Linda, Candles,Jeff. Larraine. Used to meet in a club near the train station in Bracknell.People from Windsor/Slough/Maidenhead. J. Jones, Mark & Dave Thompson, John Gardener, Barry Croker, Yan Van derkemp, Peter/Dave, Norman, Ron Suds, Hughie. Those were the most memorable days of my life. The Ricky Tick was the best club in the country people from all over Britain came to see the bands and the atmosphere. Saw Little Stevie Wonder, Geno, Zoot, Herbie, John Mayall, Pretty Things, Yard Birds, Rolling Stones, many many more, shame kids of today don't have anything like the RICKI TICK. Boutique selling the 1st Ben Sherman shirts, the fantastic black walls painted with white images displayed with huge faces. The smell as you entered the club? Still can smell it. The times partying on a Sunday by the river waiting for the Tick to open. I am getting carried away now.
I was so lucky to be part of the Ricky Tick era. We lived above the Police Station in Eton as my dad was the Police Sergent so I didn't have far to go. He used to say why don't you take your bed down there because I rarely missed a night when it was open. I would also go mid week even when it was quite empty. The atmosphere was amazing. We all used to dress in leather coats and my dad used to call me 'The black shadow' because of the dark eye-make I wore. When I tell my children about all the groups we saw they think its really cool. I am a bit ashamed now that my friend Jacky and I used to stand in front of the Who and laugh at Pete Townsend. Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band sang happy birthday to me and I had to run all the way home so that my dad wouldn't go mad as it made me late.
Which Ricky Tick was featured in the film "Blowup", with The Yardbirds playing?
I used to go to the Star&Garter hotel five nights a week,and saw the Rolling Stones before they were famous. I am a lifelong fan and went to see 40 Licks tour and A Bigger Bang tour,BRILLIANT.Would love to read the book you are writing,brings back great memories.
All bar the Beatles played the Ricky Tick in the 1960's - If anyone has any posters I pay really good money for bands like the Who and Jimi Hendrix. I'll pay a thousand pounds for a 60's Who concert poster if anyone has one?
I used to go to the Ricky Tick at Windsor in the mid-sixties and there was also one above some shops in Hounslow High Street (not as good) Fond memories of Cream, John Mayall, Zoot Money, Geno Washington, Georgie Fame (he was there on closing night). If you want to meet somebody with much more intimate knowledge than me, there is a regular at the Trooper Pub in Windsor I met last September, I think his name is Kevin or Keith. I have moved away from the area and this was an occasional visit, we chatted about the old times and he said it made the hairs stand up on the back of his neck. We used to get a pass out to go the pub at the interval and it was the first time I saw an ultra-violet pen used on our hands. It was usually to crowded to dance there much but just to stand a few feet away from our heroes and sway was enough. I consider myself so fortunate to have been around in the 60's and being able to visit local venues and see the bands of that superbly revolutionary era. Rolling Stones in Slough, The Who in Camberley, the list is extensive.
The first act I saw at Windsor were the Graham Bond Organization, with the then young, fresh-faced Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker (later Cream). I remember there was a mixing (?) room into which you could peek through a window, and on one (some?) blackboard(s) the people who appeared there had signed their names and left comments. What happened to them? If they survived, they would be collectors items now. I managed to squeeze in to see the Animals once. Of course the place was absolutely packed, it was a "name" band...and then Ronnie Jones and the Blue Jays stole the show. Ironically, I stumbled on the Ricky Tick by chance. John Mansfield's brother was at SGS (Slough Grammer School?) the same time as me, so we would hear about what was going on.
Hi yes i remember the ricky tick club. I used to go every weekend, with some friends from Fleet, and pick up a few friends from Braknell, ie Glen Migell, and little Eddie. Good times,see all the top groups off the day. Used to follow Geogie Fame from thier tom the Flamigo club. Brill times, and stay all weekend in London. Two girls that came with me were Sue Pratt,and sue Odriscol.What happened to them 33 years later. Anouther group was Zoot Monney?. Still follow Geogie Fame, he is at Wimborne in Dorset next week with his two Sons. Bring back the sixties. Please, please. My friends used to call me Porky. so if you remember me leave a message. Bye. Porky
Yardbirds, Pretty Things and the Stones at the Pearce Hall in Maidenhead, But Saturday afternoons at the 'bridge watching Chelsea then over to the 'tick in the evening to see George or Geno then following George up to Tiles (Pantiles Club) or the 'mingo (Pink Flamingo) and ending up at Burnham Bowl (Burham Bowling Alley was on the edge of Slough Trading Estate on the way to Burnham, Buckinghamshire - had a very short life of 3 years or so) - seeing the same faces at each place - yeah a real privilege.
If you have contact with any members of those bands please contact Michael Dixon (michael@intouchradio.net) urgently as we are collaborating with the founder John Mansfield in bringing together the history of the Ricky Tick Club - time is passing and those memories to many are still unfaded - those that made it owe it to themselves to help write those magic moments and let those who feel they are struggling know the life of a gigging musician during that period.
Reminders of travelling those gigs from the various circuits that spread from London, from the Ford Thames to the Ford Transit - from column gear change to floor change. London Airport to get aircraft seats for long-distance comfort. Sitting jammed in the back with the gear after a sweaty performance. Up to the airport bowl for an all-nighter. Watford Gap, the Blue Boar - Guidlford Wooden Bridge, The Half Moon, Blue Moon, Marquee, Scotch of St. James, Bag o' Nails, 100 Club, International Club, Chalk Farm Round House, Angel, The Flamingo/later Pink Flamingo in the Flower-Power Days - upstairs The Whisky a-Go-Go, All the Town Halls, Eel Pie Island and The Ricky Tick in its various guises - most if not all now gone but influential in the music of today and up in the top numbers - The Ricky Tick at Windsor, Berkshire - travelling from London, first on the A4 then the M4 after 1964.
Please Help - if you can contact any of those luminaries who played there from The Who, Cream, Yardbirds, Elton John - give them the nod and let's have an off-the-record chat and then we can put together an Audio-Visual Documentary for all to know.
The Ricky-Tick was an influential 1960s rhythm & blues club in Windsor, host to many important acts such as The Rolling Stones, The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Cream.
The club was resident at several Windsor locations over its lifespan and in later days included clubs in Guildford, Hounslow and High Wycombe, but its most famous venue was the Windsor river-side mansion at Clewer Mead.
They also put on gigs at the Drill Hall at Maidenhead in 1963 and had bands like Yardbirds, Pretty Things and the Stones.
The original venue for the Tick was upstairs in the Star and Garter pub. It then moved to another pub called the Thames Hotel, not in Peascod Street Windsor but down on the Thames river front, before moving to Clewer Manor.
Sunday nights saw the Disco-Tick evenings with Fridays and Saturdays given over to live bands. Geno and the Ram Jam were regulars as were Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, The Alan Price Set and others including Herbie Goynes, John Mayall and Zoot Money.
The "Tick" also helped introduce Motown to the UK with The Supremes, Temptations and Stevie Wonder all appearing. There was also an in-house "Boutick" where you could buy great shirts and other clothes of the day.
So many bands played there in such a short period of time and John Mansfield has been working away with his meticulous memory and putting all those dates together.
I played there with my band at the time as many others did and no matter which venue the Tick was held it - it was The Tick and somewhere few of us would ever forget.
I look forward to hearing from you - all recollections are the building blocks that bring something like this together.
Love and Best Wishes
Michael Dixon
InTouchRadio.net (Glastonbury, UK & GLOBAL)
A Co-operative Collective - Not - A Corporate Selective ~ Networking the World As One.
Labels: In Touch Radio Update
posted by InTouchRadio.Net @ 15:30
0 Comments
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home