Gallery Two
The Syd Dean band was very popular in Brighton throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Syd and his band were resident at the Regent Ballroom for many years and appeared at venues all around Brighton. Unfortunately we do not have details of the individuals and locations in these photographs. Let us know, by using the make a comment link, if you have any information about the people and locations shown in any of the images held in the Syd Dean Gallery below.
All the images shown are from the private collection of Trevor Chepstow
Editor’s note: We are not able to credit the individual photographers of these images but if you believe that you own the copyright to any of the images shown, please contact us so we can credit you accordingly. We do acknowledge the work of Mr Ernie Charman who prepared some of the images shown, while collaborating with Syd Dean on a proposed book which sadly was never published.
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Those photos are small and my eyesight is not as good as it used to be, but top row 4th from left the line up is Bill Richards, Harry Bolton,Sid and Vicky Anderson. On the bottom row 2nd from left Frank Ireland, Stan Vickers,Johnny Nichols.[Editor’s note: You can click on each image to open it larger in a new page].
I’m not sure but it looks like Harry Strain is situated on the right. He was my grandfather’s oldest brother. He was self taught, as was my grandfather and younger brother Cecil.
I remember the Syd Dean Band used to do a venue at the Top Rank Suite down West Street. They used to come on and off between the DJ. This was approx 1970/71.
I managed to find a live recording of my old friend Frank Ireland. Not with Syd I’m afraid but with my group The Polygon. The live recording is about 1973, the function was the Lewes Post Office Social Club Dance. If any of Franks friends are on this site they may like to have a listen on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsq6C5G9G7I
I recall attempting to dance to Syd Dean at the Regent where they performed their spots using a revolving stage back to back with another band, probably a local one. I played from 65′ to ’67 with The Modernaires led by Doug Boniface on drums. We used to do the New Years Eve gig at The Pavilion Music room before its fire and also I recall playing at the old Hove Town Hall the night before the fire there. No, I was not a pyromaniac! Also gigged at many of the main seaside hotels such as the Ship and the Metropole. I played double bass in those days after leaving the RAF Music Services in ’65 where my main instrument was Tuba. I married in ’67 and went back in the RAf to The RAF College band at Cranwell where I took up Bass Guitar retiring in ’84. I still play Tuba these days in Dereham Norfolk. Does anyone remember The Modernaires?
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