Rock'n'Roll Shindig with Phil Haley & His Comments & "Out With The Count" Swing Band

[Jitterbug]

Remember the name "Rock 'n' Roll Shindig" if you want to enjoy a good night out with 1950's style dancing, live bands & fashion. The gig at the St Kilda Town Hall a few months back was a great success from all reports. It was reminiscent of those great rock & roll dances at the various town halls in Springvale, St Kilda etc and wouldn't it be wonderful indeed if it did help trigger a robust revival of our beloved 1950's scene.

I missed the St Kilda Town Hall gig so even with inclement weather last Saturday, I wasn't going to be deterred. I arrived at the Whitehorse Club in Burwood as if greeted by a scene transported back in time to the 1950's era. Patrons have come dressed for the occasion obviously, and I just love the glamour of the 1950's fashion. Joining a long queue & waiting in great anticipation for the "party" that had already started inside with DJ Dingo spinning his rockabilly & rock'n' roll disc and the dance floor already well utilised so early in the night. At the foyer, there were merchandise stores, including womens 1950's style clothing & glam calendars on sale.

Melbourne's own swing band, "Out For The Count", got the mood into higher gear belting out Big Bands, Nat King Cole and Bobby Darin swing classics for those who love to swing, lindy & balboa. The rock & rollers were just as keen on the dance floor and no one was going to stop them from having a great time. Many others were happy sitting back catching up with friends, listening to those wonderful "swingy" tunes or just soaking in the electrifying atmosphere. But one could sense this was merely an "entree" to the main act as coming up next was Phil Haley & His Comments from the UK

In one word, how would I describe Phil Haley & His Comments? Fantastic! These guys don't just play rock & roll music. They put on a show for you! Their music gets you rockin' all night long but their stage performance and showmanship are quite something else. I especially love Martin Savage's antics on the double bass and the way he playfully twiddles, lifts, straddles, stands & sits on it. I always love the sax, and Allen Paris looks & plays the part with it. Brian Nicholls, the drummer, is a funny man on stage but deadly serious with the way he rocks it with the skin. And Phil Haley himself looks and sings just like the great Bill Haley himself. What a great band. Thoroughly enjoyable performance.

And what a great night too! There were prizes for the best dressed couple and also for the guy and gal. Lots of dancing and lots of happy patrons. Thanks Nada & Anthony for Rock 'n' Roll Shindig. Rock 'n' Roll rules!