Just about every town and many villages across Norfolk and Suffolk had a pop group in the 1960s…they played the dance halls across the county and gave us so much pleasure.

Yes, there were the chart-busting bands appearing at the bigger venues in Norwich, King’s Lynn, Cromer, Yarmouth, Lowestoft and more and the gigs often gave the locals the opportunity to share a stage with them.

But for many going professional and taking to the road was a massive gamble which could backfire…especially for those with a job they liked and a family to look after.

(Image: Peter Pease)

But we still remember them and now  get to meet the bands again in the smash-hit book Anglian Beat, An Account of East Anglian Bands of the 50s & 60s by Kingsley Harris of the East Anglian Music Archive.

On our journey through the pages we have reached the letter S which features a whole host of groups and bands such as The Sneakers and Some Other Guys  from Lowestoft and The Hill Billy Bd., from Snettisham.

(Image: Danny Eves)

Over in Acle The Five Angles became Somethin’ Else in 1967. Loved for their tight harmonies they changed their name again in early 1970 to Dawn Chorus and toured with Billy Fury.

And then, in Diss, we had The Sonics. A band I loved listening to. They were local heroes in South Norfolk.

(Image: Pete Leonard)

They were Alex Schulver, Sue Carey, Mick Morley, Jimmy Bobby, Clive Frindle (Clare), Bernard Shaw and Barry Dye.

Jimmy, Mick and Bernard got together at Diss Grammar School and their first gig was at the church hall in the town on December 13 1963.

Our South Norfolk News at the time wrote a piece about them saying: “Diss could be the cradle of a Norfolk Sound.”

They entertained us so well and continued into the 70s, making a number of albums.

In Norwich there was The Sonnie Day Bd and The Sorcerers, at Hindringham The Sons of Thunder, Soul Concern in Beccles, Soul Reaction at Lowestoft, Soul Rollers at Yarmouth and The Soul Sabres in Feltwell.

(Image: Supplied)

Sounds Natural with Dave Quinton were a popular group in the city while in Dereham, Sounds Reformed with Ian and Danny Eves, Edward Dimock, David and Bryan Seymour and Steve Henery were hitting the right notes.

One short-lived Norwich group featuring a bunch of talented musicians was The Southern Trust which had been formed as CBO Incorporated in 1963.

Members included the great Ricky Southern (Peter Read), Peter Johnny Balls, Lester Middleton, Dennis Matthews, Charles Berry (George Parsons) Mick Alvin and the great drummer Luke Watson.

There were The Spartans in Beccles, The Spectres and The Spex in Great Yarmouth, Spencer’s People were based in Raynham while over at Downham Market were a 50s group with a great name The Sputnic Skifflers.

(Image: Danny Eves)

Back in the city during the 50s we had The Stan Jennings QT with the legendary singer Beryl Bryden. Stans was a much-loved musician and in 1953 broke the non-stop piano-playing record (134 hours) while visiting Ireland.

He also played for the Al Collins Band, The Ken Stevens Orchestra, The Trevor Copeman Orchestra and was with A New Trio.

I am sure some of you will remember The Starbeats (Tony & The Starbeats) in Norwich with  Tony Smith, Pete Leonard, Chris Wright and Dave Spinks.

They became Mervyn (Hurn) and The Starbeats. Mervyn was a great singer and they appeared on Anglia TV’s Junior Angle Club playing Dancing to the Locomotion and Sweet Little Sixteen.

Another popular name was The Strangers with bands operating out of Bury St Edmunds, Colchester, Eye, Great Yarmouth and Snettisham while there were The Strollers in Halesworth, Norwich and Stoke Ferry.

The Stoke Ferry boys appeared on Anglia TV’s first talent contest, Showdate ’61 and backed a number of big names… especially at Lynford Hall at Mundford.

The bad news is the book has sold out. The good news is, it is being re-printed. Keep tuned for the latest information.

Rock on…