Dave and the Cruisers were due on stage at 8.00pm at Reds, the largest of the four venues putting on acts during the 60`s weekend break. Doors opened at 7.00 and by 5.30 people had begun to queue outside even though it was cold, wet and windy. My wife and I were part of a group of fourteen people enjoying the weekend together, so the seven lads worked in shifts, taking turns to queue, to make sure we were near the front when the doors opened. It worked well and we were able to get seats with a great view of the stage.

At about 7.50 people began to gather at the front of the stage, so I joined them and took up a position just right of center.

8.00 pm and the curtain rises to the sound of the band playing the intro to, I’M READY [willing and able, to rock and roll all night]. Dave comes in with the vocals, while still backstage, and walks on stage, singing, to great applause.

Next came HEARTBEAT, with an introduction from Dave about how he was influenced by Buddy Holly at the start of his career

Then came LITTLE THINGS, after which Dave introduced the band, John on keyboards, Brian on Bass and backing vocals, John on Drums, Jason on Guitar and backing vocals, and Johnny, also on Guitar and backing vocals….. “I’ts the first time I’ve played in a band with three Johnny`s” declares Dave!!! He also explained that Johnny Machette’ at just nineteen, was the baby of the Band, Aaaaaaaw!!! goes the crowd. [He didn’t look so sweet and innocent to me as he gave the pretty young blonde stood next to me a sexy wink]!!!!!

STRANGE EFFECT followed before the tempo was increased with, KEEP A KNOCKIN` and JUMPIN` JACK FLASH, I`m not 100% sure but I can`t remember hearing IF YOU WAIT FOR LOVE “live” before but there it was, followed by, BABY IT`S YOU. And then a little talk by Dave saying how much he liked doing Rhythmn and Blues numbers, I had an outbreak of goosebumps as the band broke into HOOCHIE COOCHIE MAN, then came the very sing-a-longable TULSA TIME and then MYSTERY TRAIN.

I can`t remember at which point Dave performed an amazing act of balance, where, while standing on one leg only, he bent down and picked an imaginary hair from the floor, raised it slowly to above head height, released it and caught it again behind his back………… the crowd loved it!!!! Anyway, back to the music.

MAMMA, BAD MOON RISING, ALL MY LOVING, and then LET`S WORK TOGETHER were done before the finale of THE CRYING GAME. Then the band took a bow… The time was up, but the fans were shouting and stamping for more!…Dave and the Cruisers obliged with an encore of SHA LA LEE….again the fans cried out for more, and yes the boys delivered with a second encore…THE PRICE OF LOVE.. It had to end there, Butlins run a very tight schedule and had to get ready for the other two groups performing later, or I`m sure it would have gone on even longer!!!

Highlights for me were: Hoochie Coochie Man, Tulsa Time, and Let`s Work Together… OH! and, the very sexily [and scantily] dressed mannequin sat on stage during the whole performance, see picture No. 3

Can`t wait till March to do it all again, Thanks very much boys.

Regards……………………………….............................................................. John C