This chapter still has to be written. However, we’ve just received permission to use some unique photographs from P.J. Proby’s performances in 1965. The photos are made with a glass plate camera on glass negatives and ultra sharp! This performance was in the Victoria Hall, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday 2 March 1965. The Fourmost and The Art Woods were supporting acts. There were two evening shows: at 6.30 and at 8.45PM.

The Photographs on this page are all copyright of  Horace Wetton.

It is not allowed to reproduce these pictures in any way e.g., Magazine,

Newspapers, Books, Webpage, Circulars, Television without the

prior permission of Horace Wetton.

Now, here are some more of

Horace’s 1965 photographs

of P.J. Proby in Hanley:

Article in the Evening Sentinel, 3 March 1965:

HALL ONLY HALF FULL - BUT CITY FANS BOIL IN P.J.PROBY'S HEAT

 

The wide-eyed Texan who has taken this country by storm during the past 12 months failed to attract the predicted record crowds to Hanley's Victoria hall last night.

    It was P.J.Proby's Potteries debut & in spite of his "The only group I will play second to are The Beatles" boasts he succeeded only in half filling the hall at his two shows.

    But there was nothing lacking in enthusiasm. Young fans boiled in the heat of his great rocking hits & simmered in the warm "glow" of his two latest chart successes "Somewhere" & the old Billy Eckstine hit "I Apologise". But throughout the performance which lasted 45 sizzling minutes the heat was definitely on!

  In recent months P.J. has managed to attract adverse publicity concerning his antics both on & off stage - particulary his stage act, which has received a barrage of criticism. But last night went off without a hitch, -not a trouser torn.

   The overall image of the performer is rather odd to say the least. His gesticulations & gyrations are strange & rather snake like. Proby was dressed in an elasticated blue velvet dress-shirt & trousers, with his shoulder length locks tied in a Tom Jones bow, also of blue velvet.

  SPARKLE

Despite the hysterical screeches of delight from fans it is the sparkle of the performance which is most striking to the spectator. His effervescence & the intimacy he achieves with his admirers are marks of a true showman.

  From the sizzling rocker to the sentimental ballad-all come under the wing of Mr. Proby. The result is an enthralled if noisy crowd & an interesting & very enjoyable act.

   Asked by a "Sentinel" reporter if he was disappointed with a small audience & whether it affected his act P.J. said "It doesn't affect my act, I sing the same to one as I would to 1,000"

   Others on the show included The Fourmost, The Art Woods, The Four Macs, Sandra Barry & Syd & Eddie.

* There was one small incident when police had to be called to girls who were trying to gain access to P.J.Proby's dressing room by climbing through the window which was eventually broken.

There was also a photo of P.J. onstage  (taken by Horace Wetton) with the following title & text underneath:

FANS OF P.J.PROBY

"Screaming fans of singer P.J.Proby were under control of an unflappable Hanley policeman as they tried to touch their idol in the Victoria Hall last night”

Below is another photo from this period. Sadly we haven’t yet discovered who the photographer is. If you have more info, please email it to us at info@dutchbrand.co.uk.

1965/1966: P.J. Proby and his 14-piece Orchestra

We thank baritone sax player Dave Willis for the following information:

“The picture was taken at the Fiesta Club Newcastle on Tyne where P.J. Proby had embarked on a sophisticated cabaret act put together, arranged and produced by leading American Buddy Bregman - we did a week there and I think another week in Stockton as a prelude to P.J.’s return to the States. I have listed below the line up of that band.

Top Left to Right : John Hughes (alto sax), Les Wigfield (tenor sax), Dave Willis (Baritone Sax), Alf Bigden (drums), Paul Carrol (alto sax).

Middle row Left to right  Pete Houchin (double Bass), Cliff Hardie (trombone), Al Spooner (trumpet), Chris Pyne (trombone), John Oldfield (trumpet), Frank Macdonald (piano).

Front Row Left to Right: Mike Barker (guitar), Trevor Lannigan (lead trumpet), P. J. Proby and orchestra leader and great friend Dick MacPherson (MD).