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PREMIER BAND RE-CREATED1986
By 21, I had rejoined the Methodist Chapel, and putting the Church on the map and getting the outsider in became my consuming interest, although I was beginning to realise that when outsiders came in, they got bored by the orthodox services and dull, boring "local" preachers. Even regular attenders stayed away when certain preachers were scheduled.
(Summarised extracts from Frank Wappat’s Biography)
I had perfected a new project - a Circuit Magazine for Hebburn and Jarrow, with hard-hitting features, in-depth looks at local dance halls, pubs and clubs - and chapels, with testimony type articles from well known local personalities like shipyard foremen, dance band leaders and headmasters. I was appointed Editor and the magazine, "The Sword", became the first properly printed Methodist Magazine outside of London. With a coloured front and supported subsidies from local firms, it did very well, until I suggested having a fund-raising party dance night. Everyone, including the Minister, agreed, so I booked our local ballroom, an eight piece dance band and a seven piece jazz band. Then came a knock at the door.
"It's the Minister to see you, Frank," said my mother, "He won't come in - what's wrong?" I went to the door.
"I'm afraid you'll have to cancel the dance," he said. "You cannot stage an actual dance in the name of Methodism and that's just what you have done. You can have a game, a dance and a game, but not continuous dancing."
I just couldn't believe my ears. Were those Methodists completely mad? No wonder the working classes, now emancipated, never went near them. Imagine "Flip the Kipper, then a quickstep, then "Pass the Parcel"!
"I cannot cancel it," I said, "I'm honour bound to see it through. I have booked the hall, the artistes - and paid for the advertising."
The dance was a sell-out.
The Minister refused to take the money.
"It is tainted money," he said, "I don't want it."
The owners of the ballroom saw things in a different light. Everyone was talking about the wonderful dance night, so they offered me the contract to run the popular Tuesday Function night. At 23 years old, I was the youngest Dance Band Promoter/leader in the district. By 8.15 p.m. every Tuesday, the "House Full" notices were up. It was impossible to get in without queuing.
Then came another knock at the door.
"It's the Minister to see you, Frank," said my mother. "He won't come in - wot hev yi done this time?"
Once again, I went to the door.
"Frank, your name is on posters in pub windows and doors advertising the fact that you and your band play at the dance hall. You cannot really be Editor of a Methodist publication and allow your name to be seen in pub windows. I'm afraid you will have to choose between being a Methodist Editor or a dance hall promoter."
I made up my mind on the spot. I had given my life to God - not to silly, myopic, negativity.
Clearly he didn't for one moment imagine that I would give up preaching and editing the magazine but I did.
I took on Tyneside's second most popular and proficient dance band, the twelve piece Premier Band, which had given Joe Loss his lead trumpeter, Vic Mustard - and boasted the cream of local musicianship.
It was in the late 1930’s that The Premier Band was formed in Hebburn on Tyne. A Consortium of 4 musicians ran it as a ‘co-operative’. They were Albert Thompson (Sax) his brother-in-law, Tommy Roxborough (Sax) Tommy Coltman (Drums) and his brother Robbie Coltman (Trumpet) The Band played at various venues, mainly in South Tyneside until it obtained a residency at ‘The Mem” (Memorial Hall) Wallsend which was one of the most popular Ballrooms in the North.
Under a financial deal with its four promoters, I fronted the band, paid them a percentage of the door money and worked as lead vocalist at all of their other engagements in the region.
At last I was free to build upon my new found joy which combined all the thrills of organising public events, fronting shows and making people happy.
Photo – Number 1 – Taken in 1948 at the “Mem” shows:
Front Row: Bill Griffiths & Robbie Coltman (Trumpets) – a female “learner” (does anyone know who she is?) Albert Thompson - Leader (Sax), Unknown Sax (anyone know who this is?) Tommy Roxborough (Sax) Sax (anyone know who this is?), Vocalist Ivy Barnes (later to become resident at the ‘Oxford’ in Newcsatle and still singing today in 2009!!
Back Row: Johnny Dunlop (String Bass), Tommy Coltman (Drums) Harold Sadler (Accordeon), Unknown (anyone know who this is?) Tommy Lawson (Piano)
Photo – Number 2 – Taken in mid 1950’s at the “Mem” shows:
Front Row: Arthur Luke (Trombone), Robbie Coltman (Trumpet), Bill Griffiths, Unknown Sax (anyone know who this is?), Unknown Sax (anyone know who this is?)Tommy Roxborough (Sax)
Back Row: Attendant, Johnny Dunlop (String Bass), Unknown Female Vocalist (anyone know who she is?) Tommy Coltman (Drums), Tommy Lawson (Piano)
Photo – Number 3 – Taken in the later 1950’s at the “Andrews” (St Andrews Institute Hebburn) and shows:
Front Row: Frank Wappat (Vocalist) as the youngest Ballroom Promoter on the Tyne who ran the Ballroom and hired the Band, moves the solo microphone for Arthur Luke to take a trombone solo. To his left is Robbie Coltman (Trumpet) , Right is Johnny Dunlop (String Bass) To the Right of Arthur Luke is Albert Thompson (Sax) and his brother-in-law Tommy Roxborough (Sax)
