Twist issue 148 April 2023

Tw st
At last! Dave has Bolsover date
N
ORTH Derbyshire singing star
Dave Berry has performed at
most of the UK’s most prestigious
entertainment venues over a career
spanning more than 60 years... but
he has never set foot on stage in
one local town - Bolsover.
That omission is to be put right this
summer when, together with his band The
Cruisers, Dave will appear at Bolsover
Assembly Rooms in a show organised by
the town’s Rotary Club.
Dave was one of Britain’s original teen
idol pop stars, enjoying a string of hits in
the 1960s including Memphis Tennessee,
Little Things, Mama and the classic Crying
Game. On the continent he was
presented with a Gold Disc for his
recording of This Strange Effect which
was written for him by Ray Davies of The
Kinks.
Originally from the Beighton and
Woodhouse area of Sheffield, but living in
Dronfield for almost 60 years, Dave
reflects on his early days in the music
business with pride.
With a unique stage presence, he
performed his favourite rhythm ‘n’ blues
and rock ‘n’ roll songs for enthusiastic
audiences at a number of dance halls and
other concert venues in the Chesterfield,
Worksop and Mansfield area - but never
in Bolsover.
“North Derbyshire was a very important
area for me and my band and we enjoyed
performing at both the Victoria Ballroom
and also ‘Jimmy’s’ - St James’ Hall - in
Chesterfield. I was back in the town
performing at The Winding Wheel just 18
months ago.
“Peter Stringfellow came to Chesterfield
to see us perform one night - either in
1961 or ‘62 - and then booked us to play
at one of his venues in Sheffield. He told
us we were the first band he had ever
made money on and his own career as a
promoter took off from there,” recalled
Dave.
“In Worksop we played at the Monaco Ballroom with Gene
Vincent in the very early days and down the road in Mansfield I
performed alongside The Ronettes and The Rolling Stones.
“I’ve played at venues large and small throughout the country
and I’m delighted to finally be booked to appear in Bolsover; I’m
looking forward to it very much.”
Dave’s show at The Assembly Rooms is on Saturday, June 10th,
and shortly after that his diary includes a nationwide tour with the
likes of PJ Proby, Steve Ellis from Love Affair and Herman’s
Hermits.
“I will be making my debut at the Assembly Rooms and then
taking to the stage at venues such as the Royal Concert Hall in
Glasgow and Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.”
Bolsover Rotarians decided to invite Dave to perform in the
town after hearing him speak about his career at one of their
meetings a year ago. Funds raised from the event will go
towards causes supported by the group.
After more than 60 years, Dronfield’s Dave Berry finally
finds himself at the centre of things in Bolsover
Dave revealed that although he has never sung in Bolsover, he
did once have an engagement in the town... for a fight!
“I have never been in a fight in my life and I can’t recall the
exact circumstances, but I do remember that in the early 1960s
five or six of us thought it might be a good idea to go to Bolsover
to look to take on some lads there.
“I can’t remember what happened, but hopefully they aren’t still
looking for me!”
Support act for Dave Berry & The Cruisers at the Assembly
Rooms is The Chris Firminger Band. Tickets are priced £20 and
booking information is available via bolsover-rotary.org.uk
Tickets are also available from Pages Paint Shop on Castle
Street, Bolsover.
Bolsover Rotary President Graham Weighill said: “This will be a
night to remember - don’t miss out.
“We are really excited about this concert and there will also be
some awesome raffle prizes to be won on the night. All proceeds
will go to support Bolsover Rotary charities.”
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