Description

Mike Read deserves commendation for crafting a remarkable social history and time capsule that illustrates how the emergence of a new generation known as ‘teenagers’ in the mid-50s impacted a small region of England—specifically, the South Coast from Brighton to Portsmouth—through their music-driven youth culture.

While the title may suggest a narrow focus on what local newspapers of the era eagerly labeled as ‘The Bognor Beat Scene’ or ‘The Hove Sound,’ the story quickly transcends the limited recognition of many bands outside the area. The narrative of the South Coast music scene, tracing the evolution from skiffle to psychedelia throughout the sixties, resonates with any part of the country.

The collection of scruffy posters and well-worn flyers sprinkled throughout the book captures the spirit of the times, invoking the scent of aging paper. Mike also presents a delightful array of photographs, many salvaged from personal archives, showcasing countless bands attempting to project a moody and alluring image for the camera.

As musical styles evolve, so do the band names and fashion statements that define their ‘stage uniforms.’ In 1959, Deke Arlon and the Tremors sport the iconic DA hairstyle paired with matching sweaters knitted by their mothers. In the early sixties, The Eggheads briefly don uncomfortable fake bald caps for a gimmick, only to later pose for David Bailey as the fashionable Aztecs in their paisley shirts. In 1965, The Noblemen attempt to evoke a sense of ‘nobility’ on the roof of EMI, adorned in buckled shoes, frilly shirts, and waistcoats decorated with a ‘heraldic crest.’

Mike has unearthed an abundance of captivating stories. His own band, Amber, formed in 1967, had the unique opportunity to rehearse in the ballroom of Julie Andrews’ mother, Barbara’s home. There’s the singer who appeared as a pop artist in ‘Crossroads,’ and the quirky vocalist Tony ‘Binky’ Baker from the comedy act, Camp, who later released the whimsically titled single ‘Tony Blackburn.’ Additionally, who can forget Tim Rice’s name being mistakenly changed to ‘Jim Price’ in the pages of a notoriously inaccurate local newspaper?

The book also recounts heart-wrenching ‘might have been’ stories, such as the member of the Diamonds who tragically lost his life in a car accident, or the young man from Four and Seven Eighths whose father prohibited him from traveling to Hamburg to perform at the Star Club, ultimately shutting down the entire band’s opportunity. It also highlights disillusioned musicians who left the industry to pursue careers as postmen or accountants.

For those who cherished the sounds of the Fifties and Sixties, whether as musicians or fans of the local music scene, The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s offers an abundance of treasures to discover.