Hastings Pier - Big Beat Reunion 1987 - The Long Walk

For those of you that want to see one of the last "marches" onto the Hastings Pier to see the Searchers, Cliff Bennett, The Confederates and the Talismen on 14th November 1987, here is the first of several videos I'll be posting which re-creates the hey-day of live music on the Hastings Pier.

[@lensmith4434]

Remember that long walk, humping on the amps, etc., if I remember correctly on a small flat truck!

[@gingermil1946]

Yes we all used that truck including the Rolling Stones!!

[@mjh5437]

Is that the pier building which the Sex Pistols,Clash,Rolling Stones,The Who played in which burnt down?

[@gingermil1946]

Yes it is/was. It remained unchanged between 1961 through to the big fire - sad loss

[@mjh5437]

@@gingermil1946 Tragic

[@mjh5437]

@@gingermil1946 What`s happening with the pier now,I heard the Indian who bought it just shut it down to let it rot(?)

[@gingermil1946]

@@mjh5437 Sadly, the new owner seems to have grabbed a bargain and is doing the absolute minimum. The bar closes early in the evening and the open space remains for the most part full of "pop-up" shacks. Hardly an investment worth crossing the road to see.
Many of the people that frequented the pier in the 60's 70's and 80s (I played there during these years supporting the big groups) were hoping for more when the pier was funded and redeveloped by local and National Lottery money. Sadly, our predictions about it being a waste of time and money if the plan didn't include some sort of covered venue for all weather uses. Our fears have been realised and we have a "white elephant" that can't be used in any kind of inclement weather.

[@mjh5437]

@@gingermil1946 What a terrible waste of a great location!