When Bradford Rocked

10/06/2024

This is the link to the recent T&A piece on pianist Spike O'Brien.

DEREK AJ LISTER, who was resident DJ at Bradford’s Gaumont and Majestic dance halls, profiles rock ‘n’ roll pianist Spike O’Brien:

07/06/2024

We are pleased to announce what we hope will be the start of a new series in the T&A featuring 'mini-profiles' from the website.
We are starting with the brilliant local pianist, Spike O'Brien.
This first profile will be in Saturday's T&A.

08/05/2024

We have started a series of mini-profiles of Bradford's groups and solo artists. The first 5 are on there now. And we have more to come in the next couple of weeks. Hopefully, they will appear in the Telegraph & Argus in the forthcoming months.
If you have any suggestions for new topics, please feel free to let us know via the Contacts page on the website. Thank you for your continued interest in the site.

04/04/2024

Thank you to the ever-growing number of visitors to our website. It's encouraging and we will continue to add new features over the months.

18/03/2024

The T&A continue to feature articles from our website. The last was a look at the Alhambra's 'talent' nights. You can find all the articles under the T&A website 'Nostalgia'.

30/01/2024

Fashion in the 50s and 60s. This is a new section looking at the styles of dress for both the men and the girls. D.A quiffs - A-Line dresses and 'winkle-picker' shoes. Just some of the fashions.
Hair styling at Mario's in the Wool Exchange. One of the first barbers to engage with the D.A. hairstyle for men. I won't say what D.A. stood for. I'm sure you will all know!
Thanks to Emma Clayton at the T&A who featured this article on Tuesday 7th in the 'Remember When' section.
We are in the process of adding a section called " On the never-never" or how the groups bought their instruments and basic equipment. This follows the story of the "Tradesmen". They were typical of the financial struggle the groups had.

25/01/2024

We've been a little quiet since Xmas and the holiday period. We will be adding new pieces over the next few weeks, so keep a look out on the site.

12/01/2024

Further new sections on the website.
We have a reminder of the Gaumont staff and their popularity.
Larry Parnes's roster of singers including Georgie Fame, Joe Brown, Dickie Pride, and Vince Eager are just some of them featured.
Dal Stevens recollects an unfortunate booking he thought they had
at Christie's in Selby. Only to find there wasn't a booking for them and the ensuing 'drama' that followed.

14/11/2023

We have just added a new page reflecting on some of the group's 'original' members. Many groups went through line-up changes over their life, but here is a selection of the first iteration of some of them.

01/11/2023

We have just added a piece on drummers. The much-forgotten part of many groups. They were usually at the back of the stage - heard but not seen! Dal recalls a few of the drummers he remembers.
We have an article by Geoff Chew coming up along with his fabulous cartoons that describe the instruments every group needed and the Bradford music shops where they could be bought.

23/10/2023

We have another feature in the T&A for Saturday 21 October 2023 featuring Emile Ford and his visit to the book launch of Derek's first book, 'Bradford's Rock 'n' Roll published in 1991.
We have to thank Emma Clayton at the T&A for her continued support publishing these memories.

17/10/2023

Over the weekend we have added a further piece on Ray Moore's rise from doorman to manager. Also, Stan Pearson was a journalist for the Daily Herald, but also a freelance reporter for Melody Maker. Stan was a great supporter of Bradford's rock 'n' roll scene and wrote many times about the groups and venues. In this piece, he is seen with Vince Eager.

02/10/2023

We have added the most recent T&A piece on Jerry Lordan to the site. We are still looking for any photos of Bradford's 'doormen'.
We have had several inquiries about the availability of the original book 'When Bradford Rocked'. Sadly, it is no longer in print which is why we have created the website. You can read and download the book via the website.

26/09/2023

We have added some new stories. A look at Wee Willie Harris and Vince Eager.
We have updated the stories about Emile Ford's involvement in the Golden Years book launch in 1991 along with the recording session with many of Bradford's rock and rollers. The tracks are available on the website.
We were lucky to get another T&A piece by Emma Clayton looking at the writer and performer Jerry Lordan. Writer of Apache, which was news to me! You can read the article in the Nostalgia section of the T&A website.
We have added an article on the 'doormen' that looked after the venues across the city. Unfortunately, we can't find any images, so if you have family or friends who might have been working during the late 50's and early 60's as doormen we would love to see them and get them on the website.

29/08/2023

We have some new topics coming soon to the website.
Memories of the 'doormen' that looked after the dance halls across Bradford.
And 'Wee Willie Harris'.

21/08/2023

Sadly another addition to the obituaries with Harry Butler from The Tomboys and Helen.
There is a series on Talking Pictures UK available on Sky and Virgin along with a couple of other channels called UK Swings which features Brian Matthew, Kent Walton, and Alan Freeman in their black-and-white best! Many groups were featured. Try to have a look. Sadly we can't get the programme on to the website as it isn't available via YouTube or Vimeo.

07/08/2023

A few more updates to the site this week. We have a feature on Jerry Lordan. Who ? He wrote Apache and Wonderful Land along with a number of his own songs that had varied success. "Do I Worry" was very popular at the Gaumont and Majestic.
Many Bradfordians will know the hairdresser 'Mario's' in the Wool Exchange in Bradford. He was the hairdresser to go to for your 'Tony Curtis' or 'DA'. I'm sure you know what 'D.A' stood for, so I won't elaborate here.
Kiki Dee wrote the forward for Derek's book 'When Bradford Rocked', so we include her on the website.
The features appearing in the T&A are certainly driving traffic to the website. Hopefully, we will have more over the coming months.
Time to have another look at

03/08/2023

We have added the article on the "Grattan Connection" featured in the T&A on July 22 to the website T&A page on.

03/08/2023

Sadly we have had to add another obituary. That of Harry Foster, singer with the Tom Boys and Helen.
Harry is at the front in the middle.
Check Obituarys on the web site.

23/07/2023

New additions.
We have added a new page to cover popular male groups. I'm sure you'll recognise most of them.
A major addition is the full manuscript of 'Bradford's Own' by Derek A J Lister. You can download or read it online. You'll find it at the bottom of the HOME page.
This is a great opportunity to read it if you missed the first time it was published.
We have also added an obituary for Allan Holdsworth. A notable guitarist from Bradford who was much admired by many musicians.

11/07/2023

Thank you to Mark Nicholson who sent us a clipping from the T&A referring to Gene Vincent's struggle to get to the Majestic to perform. He was running late, so many of the audience thought he wouldn't get there, so left.
He did finally arrive and he did perform! If only for 20 minutes.
Read the full story in the Rock 'n' roll Pot Pouri page.

10/07/2023

It's been a while since we have been able to add some new sections to the website.
We have now added a section called "Popular Girl Groups" including the Ronnettes, The Shirelles, The Crystals, Brenda Lee, and Little Eva. There are more, so have a look. We'll add a 'popular male groups' in the next few weeks.
Also, the Allisons in Autographs with a Story Part 2, who came second in the 1961 Eurovision contest with "Are You Sure". Watch the video.
Fascinating stories!

31/05/2023

We have added a new section to the website called 'What you do for publicity'.
Standing on railway tracks - The Three Good Reasons or posing with your badly damaged van - The Deltics.
Perhaps advetising a product - Ben Shaws pop with The Nomads.
Below we have the Dave Lee trio as featured in the T&A this Saturday.

31/05/2023

Thank you to Emma Clayton at the Telegraph & Argus who featured Dave Lee in the 'Nostalgia' section this Saturday.
You can read the piece by following this link
https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/23545245.look-back-bradford-rock-n-roll-hero-dave-lee/
For the full story see the website
www.whenbradfordrocked.co.uk

23/05/2023

Added to the site is a look at the groups that weren't directly from Bradford. Such as Keighley, Ilkley, Steeton, and Silsden.
You'll find it under the 'Not just Bradford' page.

23/05/2023

Further content added. The story of Bobby Vee and Del Shannon.
What groups had to do by way of publicity. Including being photographed in front of their badly damaged van. Standing on railway tracks! H&S didn't seem to be a concern then.

16/05/2023

We have had further website coverage in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus. Check out the 2i's Coffeee Bar in London piece.
Alan Knight and the Chessmen played there.

http://whenbradfordrocked.co.uk

10/05/2023

The Telegraph & Argus were kind enough to feature the 2i's coffee bar section last week. Famous across the UK and the starting place for many groups. Alan Knight and the Chessmen performed there on a Sunday in the summer of 1963.
Drove down, performed, and drove straight back. They all had jobs to go to on a Monday morning!

10/05/2023

We've just added a new recording of Sandie Parish singing Twist & Shout. You can find it on the 'Introduction' page.