ROYAL PIER MEMORIES

This is one of my favourite buildings in Southampton , forming an important part of my early life in showbusiness and must also hold memories for so many people that enjoyed its many attractions over the Golden Years of the Fifties and Sixties. If you would like to read a brief history of this important part of Southampton's heritage then click on this link and learn more about: THE ROYAL PIER

You may have just arrived here from that link - if so - welcome! This page is mainly aimed at local people who enjoyed the Pier attractions throughout the boom years or visitors who passed through this busy port, when the docks were crammed with ships. Passengers and crews often took full advantage of the lively scene that Southampton offered and I was lucky enough to remember much of this. I intend to add new pages soon with more of my memories of the local nightlife and maybe more people can send me any of their own nostalgic info and photos which I can possibly include?

I have already featured many of the pop singers and bands that appeared at the Royal Pier on other pages within this website - just go to Call Up the Groups and you might recall some of the names there! There were other popular dance halls around town but the Pier led the way for many years before being rivalled by the new Top Rank Suite up in Banister Road a few miles away.

I suppose that my first real performance was that of an 'end of pier' act - a phrase that is used to mock certain entertainers in recent years but I am proud of that title as it fitted me back in 1958! The Royal Pier near Southampton docks is one of the most well loved buildings in the area and holds many memories of dance fans who flocked to the old Pavilion to dance away the hours to some of the best bands around. Many a romance was ignited as couples took to the floor which was lit by the light of a thousand mirrors from the revolving ball in the ceiling. Only the front entrance hall (above) now remains after years of general neglect and fires put an end to the golden days of the Royal Pier which has left a deteriorated jetty leading out to the waters of the busy shipping lanes of the dock area. There are now possibilities of a major development in an effort to renovate the old entrance building to rejuvenate this important part of local heritage and it is hoped to be underway by late 2007/early 2008 - who knows- I may even be able to perform there again!

The old Royal Pier Pavilion hosted some great entertainment throughout the post war years and its best times were during the late Fifties of the new Rock n Roll era, followed by the Sixties beat boom that produced some terrific bands that played the pier. The Seventies saw a decline in its fortunes and by the Eighties its fate was sealed as its fire ravaged skeleton cast a gloom over this once bustling area that was a major destination for miles around.

There are two names that are synonymous and forever linked with the Royal Pier - promoter Len Canham and DJ Johnny Dymond, so this page is also dedicated to these two great characters who worked as a team and were both responsible for some great publicity stunts that ensured a steady flow of audiences along the length of the pier to enjoy the delights of the ballroom through its Mecca days etc.

Len Canham was born and raised in Southampton and worked on the Red Funnel Steamers which links Southampton with the Isle of Wight. These ferryboats sailed from near the Royal Pier and Len soon took up residence as manager of the Pier Pavilion ballroom which had always hosted live entertainment since being built. He managed many top singers and bands and many of them featured covers of early rock and roll records brought over from America by the visiting ships and their crews who filled the lively streets of Southampton during the peak years of the Fifties and Sixties before the inevitable decline as fast cheap air travel sounded the death knell of Trans Atlantic crossings. The first 'Teenage Nights' kicked off in early 1958 and the ballroom was constantly packed week after week and later on that year saw me get the chance to sing onstage, backed by the Three Stars (see my biography page).

I am (once again) grateful to Pete Broyd who found this rare letter from Len to his 'Boys' as he fondly called his various bands and singers. It brings back fond memories of his very organised, polite manner and my mum used to love hearing him speak - "Ooh - he sounds so posh!" It was addressed to Tex Roberg (still going strong!) plus the Brook Brothers and other managed acts although I don't think that any written contracts existed as Len was respected on the basis of a gentleman's handshake and everybody was happy with his businesslike manner as well as his outgoing character. 'Pier House' was just his office backstage but it sounded quite prestigious at the time!

Len Canham went on to manage, and launch the careers of such acts as the Brook Brothers, Dave Dee & Co, the Mojos (Stu James) Barron Knights and many more. He was one of the most charismatic people in the business and very under-rated in those early days, whilst many of his colleagues went onto more successful careers - maybe Len was too nice and too honest to compete with some of the more ruthless people that he dealt with such as Larry Parnes, Don Arden, Reg Calvert and the like. Reg Calvert was a notorious figure on the shady side of the business and was based in a Rugby mansion from where he masterminded many a dodgy deal that ripped off many groups and other agents alike. His life ended when confronting a rival 'Pirate Radio' promoter and arguing about a transmitter - this ended with Reg being blasted to death with a shotgun, which did not really surprise anybody who knew or dealt with him.

One of the famous Pier publicity stunts! Len, Johnny & co pictured at the Bargate.

They used to wander round town plugging the New Year's Eve Ball- Fancy dress optional!

New Year Eve celebrations! Len Canham (bowler hat) and Johnny Dymond on the mike

The Junior Discos were very popular on Saturday afternoons and also featured live bands

One of these was a young group known as The Infereds(Infra-Reds) but changed this name to a more memorable name of:

Fronted by lead vocalist Peter Pod aka Mick Hayley, and the band is still around in recent years!

Len Canham will always be remembered with fondness by many musicians who were lucky enough to have enjoyed a taste of the spotlight, thanks to Southamptons' very own Mr Showbiz! He later formed Avenue Artistes - a very successful agency which promoted most of the top bands and later joined by booker Bob James who later moved to London and became one of the top names in agency/management, representing some of the biggest names in showbusiness. Bob James left Avenue Artistes in 1969 moving up to top showbusiness bookers such as Arthur Howes, Slim Millar, Marshall Arts and London Management dealing with many top stars from all over the world. He then set up his own conference booking company as well as being kept busy as President of the Agents Association (largest of its kind in the world) as well as being on the board of the European Live Music Forum plus sitting on the Government's Task Force on Ticket Touting! Bob also co-chairs the Variety and Light Entertainment Council so still very much involved with his love of the business after so many years.

The agency also had close links with the legendary Bob Potter whose early fortunes were made in running dance halls around the Hampshire/Surrey borders and I recall the Woking Atlanta Ballroom as one of of Bob's top venues. Bob later developed the Lakeside Country Club at Frimley Green which has featured many of the world's top artistes and he hasn't changed over the years with his gruff no nonsense approach to business - he was and is one of the true 'characters' in the game. Here are a couple of photos of Len's proudest moments at Lakeside and I am grateful to Bob James who has kindly put names to the faces:

I believe that some nearby wag said "Eh - who's that shaking hands with Len Canham??"

Usually - us bands were always bowing and scraping for more gigs from Avenue Artistes! Shirley was Bob Potter's terrific P.A. and driving force at the Lakeside Club. She sadly died a short while ago and is fondly remembered by all artistes and audiences over many years.

L-R Princess Margaret, May (London Management), Mary Marsh (wife of top impresario Billy),Sidney Vauncez (The Stage), Julia Foster, Len

Avenue Artistes is still going strong run by Terry Rolph - still in charge after many years and involved in many aspects of the business. Here is a rare picture of them both celebrating 40 years of Len's achievements and by clicking on this image it will take you to Avenue Artistes' own website

Len was very likeable and a real showman, who loved the business all of his life. During his later years, he should have slowed down but chose to be kept busy up and down the roads to Bob Potter's Lakeside Club near Camberley and this must have contributed to his health problems. He died of heart failure back in 1987 and his funeral attracted a massive turnout of musicians and colleagues from over the many years - they were even out in the street. You can just imagine dear old Len looking down and thinking "What a good door take I've missed out on!" As I've mentioned elsewhere - there should be a blue plaque on the wall at the Royal Pier!

Many of us have also suggested that a statue to 'Canny' Canham should also be considered and I am grateful to Johnny Dymond who has sent me a photo of what it might look like in the park. Let's hope that somebody can finance this 'erection' as Len would have loved it!!

You will notice the bird on Len's head - so many less scrupulous people crapped on him...........

To David,

I have just received from a niece, by email, the article on Southampton Pier and a lot of memories regarding my brother in law Len Canham. I agree he was a fantastic chap. When I arrived from Belgium to marry Jack, the middle brother, he straight away became and remained a great friend. He was godfather to my daughter and until his death we were in contact although we had moved to Yorkshire and visits were rarer.

When in living in Southampton I have a few times visited my mother- in-law in the morning , the weekends she spent with Len at the Pier and I remember opening the door of the lounge and seeing bodies in sleeping bags, and was told they were young artists having performed the night before. Those boys as she said could not afford hotels!

I certainly would love to hear about the follow up to the article......and should you have a statue erected in spite of my age I certainly would cross the Channel as I now live in Normandy.

Many thanks for the homage to Len.

Kindest regard,

Andrée Owen -Canham

Along with Len - one of Southampton's finest DJs ruled the roost at the Mecca Pavilion - Johnny Dymond who kicked off his long varied career at the Pier back in '63 ("Oh what a night....") I am glad to say that we still keep in touch after all these years! Johnny rummaged through his old scrapbooks and came up with some amazing old photographs of some of the singers and groups featured on this and other pages as mentioned above. In addition, he also provided me with these memory-stirring images of the ballroom - before the Mecca makeover featuring palm trees and more lighting effects although one always remembers the thousand flickering lights from the spinning mirrorball adding to the magic of a night out at the Pier

One of the most popular DJs and a real entertainer! Johnny was resident Disc Jockey at the Royal Pier from 1963 and later at the new Top Rank Ballroom at Banister Road. This venue was built on the site of the old Southampton Speedway and Stock Car Racing Stadium opposite the old Top Rank Ice Rink and Bowling alley - all now long gone. Johnny was well known for his flashy stagewear and fast-talking stage act with crazy competitions and much more. He has worked alongside many of the greatest pop singers and bands throughout the 60s and 70s, as well as stints with Radio One amongst others. He is still involved in the music scene and by a strange quirk of fate, Johnny's life took a different direction a few years ago and he is now an accomplished spiritual healer- his website can be found by clicking on the picture below:

One of the finest bands around pictured with Johnny Dymond at the Royal Pier. We all knew they were going to make it big, although a name change was necessary. Do you recognise them? Their real names and clues from L-R were as follows:

Dave Dee is now a respected businessman and JP in Cheshire (he was a policeman before turning to music!) He often joins up with the rest of the lads for various reunion gigs on Sixties Nostalgia Shows.

Sadly, the Royal Pier fell into disrepair and suffered a major fire in 1987 which damaged the main Pavilion Ballroom and this is a photograph taken shortly afterwards. The sight surely brought a tear to those of us lucky enough to have trodden the boards there as well as thousands of local dance fans who flocked to the best ballroom in town. Another fire damaged much more of the whole Pier structure in 1992 and you may wish to take a look at my other webpage (click below) that offers more insight into this much loved and much missed venue.