Gerry Brooke looks back on performances by Chas and Dave, Robin Cousins and the Newbeats

The only big names about this August week in 1985 were those irrepressible London lads Chas and Dave, on stage at Weston's Playhouse.

The Post's Andy White was there.

"With boots tightly laced and caps firmly planted on heads Cockney rockers Chas and Dave - plus their mighty drummer Mick - took the Playhouse by storm" he wrote the next day.

"The dynamic duo - nor forgetting puffing Mick of course, who at times resembled a human Mount Vesuvius - knocked 'em in the aisles with their unique brand of rock 'n roll dubbed, quite rightly too, as "Rockney."

"The pair are now combining their musical heritage with the days of music hall and the mixture works wonders.

" Old favourites like Gertcha and Rabbit roll cleverly off their combined tongues in an amusing and irreverent selection.

"Last night's show was a virtual sell out and tickets for tonight's repeat performance will no doubt be difficult to find.

"Chas, Dave, Mick and their excellent brass backing section are certainly something to savour.

"Cor blimey! Not arf!

The big star in Bristol was our very own king of the ice Robin Cousins who was staring in his own show, Ice Majesty, at the Hippodrome.

This Bristol show was planned as the start of a national tour - it was shortly due to move on to Liverpool - but young Robin had run into trouble with the Musicians Union over his use of taped music.

The Union was demanding that Robin use live musicians in his show - a demand which would increase his costs by as much as £12,000 a week.

" Ice Majesty ended its run on Saturday with a standing ovation from the capacity audience" wrote the Post's David Harrison

" Afterwards the cast presented the champion skater with a framed picture of the Hippodrome with his name in lights and their signatures around the border.

"Robin's mother, Jo Cousins, said afterwards, " It was fantastic, the atmosphere was really terrific.

"Robin is really choked up now it's ended."

If you were a Simon Ward fan then you could see him in Ivor Novello's romantic musical "Perchance to Dream" at the Hippodrome.

"The end of the war was just a fortnight away when "Perchance" opened" wrote the Post's Alston Thomas.

"It's the story of Hunters Moon, an elegant Georgian mansion in which three generations sought desperately and tragically to find happiness.

"It was to give Novello his longest running hit.

"But that was 40 years ago and sadly the musical has not worn well over the years.

"That's not to underestimate the qualities of Simon Ward, in the Novello role, and the splendid singers who surround him."

Not yet making the big time, but rising stars nevertheless, were Bristol band the Newbeats.

"This five piece, whose looks have more than a hint of the Liverpool beat boom, are great Searchers fans" wrote the Post's pop critic James Belsey.

"In fact Frank Allen of the Searchers - the band's two big hits were Sugar and Spice and Sweets for My Sweet - has taken a kindly interest in their career, giving them advice wherever possible.

"And Frank has gone on to give their home made recordings of the songs, Somebodies Girl and She's Gone, a very clear thumbs up.

" We are really enjoying playing these days" explained Newbeat spokesman Dave Dunn.

"And Frank's confidence has done us a power of good.

"We played the Rummer Cavern that other day, and although its a small place we crammed 200 in down there.

Does anyone know what happened to the Newbeats? If you do then please email or drop a line to the Bristol Times office