Motown Legends, Hemsby (Great Yarmouth) 2005

MOTOWN LEGENDS ,HEMSBY, GREAT YARMOUTH 2005

WHAT A WEEKEND ! Following on from our inaugural event at Hemsby last year we were looking forward to this Motown themed event with much anticipation.

Last years stunning performances from our acts The Vel-Veletttes and The Miracles (in my top 5 all-time live shows) would take some following. We also released that we were picking up a lot more bookings from the rare/northern crowd than we did the previous year. This could be that everyone who went from "The Scene" came back raving about it and most re-booked or that this years event wasn't held at half-term so discouraged a lot of "normal" punters just there for the commercial soul we offered.

Of the 1,100 people who attended about 300 were there for the commercial soul so we moved that room from the main arena in to our second room "Grooves". The atmosphere in this room was superb, with most of the crowd there for the "good time soul" and Motown which was programmed over the 3 days all up and dancing to the classics. DJ 's

Steve Fletcher, Bernie O,Brien, Snowy and Dave Tidswell all did excellent work behind the decks, blowing the dust off their boxes and reliving their "youth club" days !

On the Northern front the larger arena proved perfect for dancing, holding about 1,000 people and the room split 50/50 dance floor &seating area provided the perfect venue for a "Nighter". This arena also holds the stage where our acts would perform.

Our Third venue The Broadside is situated in a Prestatyn style Queen Vic Pub and covers the widest selection of soul music during the weekend. With rare Motown , rare 60s Northern, Crossover sets and Modern Soul. Plus special events like Chris Forrest doing the ultimate Motown trivia quiz and Troy's Magic show !(ask Snowy)

Friday night brought our "Bonus" act THE INVITATIONS to our main arena stage, after 33 years absence they were back ! Stalwarts of the early soul scene at clubs like the Twisted Wheel, The Dungeon and Golden Torch the Guys walked out on to the stage with new "guest" Invitation Richie Pitts (taking the place of Billy Morris who passed away last year) all immaculate in Black stage suits. Their set was a mixture of their own records and Motown covers. "My Girl", "Reach out" and the stunning "Ask the lonely" all had the packed crowd dancing and singing along. Their own numbers "they say the girls crazy", "what's wrong with me baby" and "skiing in the snow" had the dancers moving in the corners! Slick moves, changing lead vocalists, tight harmonies and superb sound all showed these guys knew how to cut the mustard. A truly great show.

We then carried on with our vinyl sets and had the all-nighter crowd swaying until 7 am with sets of rare northern and classic sounds in equal measure.

In the Broadside the tempo changed and Modern Soul/ crossover ruled the waves, a mini 'nighter until 4.30am got under way with d j s doing 30 min sets and doubling up. Steve Hobbs, Tats, Chris Forrest Conrad Boole and Mick Farrer each doing great sets that packed the dance floor all night. A special moment came when the Invitations walked in the room at 2.30am and Hobbsie whipped on the decks their Silver Blue sides "They say the girls crazy" and "look on the good side" . They were up and dancing away !

"Perks of the Job" : Rob Wigley and Francis Nero
photo by Mike Critchley

Saturday brought a glorious sunrise and fabulous weather ! Which gave a "Rimini" feel to the site and whole weekender ! The Broadside opened at 11.00am and was buzzing throughout the day. Chris Forrest's Motown quiz and Steve Fletcher's Motown album track sets were the standout events. Over 100 people were outside on the decking just drinking and talking and listening to the sounds !

On to Saturday night and our main show of the weekend, Kim Weston ,Francis Nero and Brenda Holloway . Three Motown "Diva's" for our entertainment. The personalities of these wonderful ladies were marvellous and so friendly that they just loved the crowd and ever minuet of the weekend. The stage was set and at 11pm sharp Kim Weston took to the stage with a Rip roaring "I got what you need" that took the crowd by storm, the Midnight hour soul band were as tight as usual and she held the crowd spell bound with her stage presence. Lots of talking from Kim in between numbers and classic tunes "Helpless", "looking for the right guy" and "take me in your arms" had everyone singing along. The final number she was joined on stage by Richie Pitts for "It takes two". Richie had seen Kim at the Apollo Theatre in 1964 and had wanted to perform with her for over 40 years ! A dream come true !

When Francis Nero came on stage the sheer adulation from the crowd was overwhelming she started her set with her top 20 hit "Footsteps" kept the Motown hits theme going with "You are the sunshine of my life" and then ripped the place apart with "Keep on loving me" a quick bow and all too soon she was gone !

Enter stage right the one and only Brenda Holloway. For those of you have never seen Brenda perform live (as I hadn't) if she's over again JUST GO ! Her set was stunning, "Just look what you have done " is a killer "Starting the hurt all over again" a tribute to her old friend Mary Wells included "My guy and Two lovers", the Ultra rare "crying time" and "lonely Boy" which she had never sung live and finishing off with "when I'm gone" and "Every little bits hurts" the place was in uproar. We brought Brenda back on for the last track the Northern classic "Reconsider".

The roof was lifted as we bought all the artists back for a final bow and they were joined by the Invitations for a off the cuff rendition of "dancing in the street". Phewww on with the nighter again !!!

We made off to the Broadside for Karen's birthday party with Fridays jocks being joined by Cliff Steel and Eric Duncan for a full night of fun ! When the venue closed it was back to the main hall until 7.00 am, it was still going strong when we staggered of to bed !!

Sunday brought more glorious sunshine and early doors at the pub many people were having a Sunday roast and a few pints before setting off home early afternoon. I picked up an extra spot in the pub and played some 70s tunes inc Eddie Billuphs, Nickey Newarkers

Flowers and Straight Jacket .before handing over to local lads Kev Laws and Mobbsy to

run into the evening sessions.

Our party night finale was to take place in the main room with the other two venues closed down by 9.30 pm about 600 stayed for the Sunday late session, featuring commercial soul and Motown until 11pm then Northern Classics until 3 am. Richie Pitts did his One man show at 10pm featuring classic soul tunes from 4 decades, Kim Weston was down on the front row looking up in adoration--a 40 year turn around for Richie !!

Brenda was also in the room dancing with fans and having a great time.

We called it a day at 2am with Steve Whittle and Brian Rae in full swing !

A great weekender, we'll miss the Hemsby site next year when we move the event up to Prestatyn, but we need the bigger stage and the travelling is easier for most people to get there. A special thanks to everyone who came and made this event so special and to everyone who was involved in the planning, especially John Poole and Mark Fletcher

Angie &Karen and Mick and Maxine, Dave Tidswell, Bernie O'Brien and the band. South West Audio and all our Djs and mates who helped.

PRESTATYN 29^TH SEPTEMBER-2^ND OCTOBER 2006 HERE WE COME !!!!!!