ABC PROMOTIONS

AB(C) Promotions

This agency was the brainchild of Jack Barrie (1938- ) and Colin Edward George Atkinson (1937-2017) back in 1964. Jack Blumenow, aka Jack Barrie, was a prominent businessman and local restaurateur in King’s Lynn. His fish bar at 55 Railway Rd/London Rd was the meeting point for every hunger-ravished musician in and around the West Norfolk music scene, plus any bands passing through from further afield. Post gig munchies were no problem - at any time of day or night, Jack could and invariably would rustle up pie and chips. He would later coin the phrase Ousebeat for the press regarding West Norfolk’s challenge on Merseybeat. Colin Atkinson and his wife Mary had been managing The Maids Head Hotel in the heart of King’s Lynn’s Tuesday Market Place. The landlord of the bar was his father, Reginald Atkinson, who had been landlord since January 1950. In 1965 Reg retired, and Colin and Mary became the new licensees and were quick to turn the venue into the town's go-to hang-out. The agency acquired offices in Chapple Street, KL; however, Barrie soon relocated to London to run the famous LaChasse Club, which was considered the green room of the Marquee as the venue had no alcohol license. He became the Marquee's catering manager and later overall assistant to manager John Gee. Local man Alan Lockwood was also promoting in the town and did work for the agency - see Alan Lockwood. In April 1966, the agency became ABC promotions when Barry ‘Butch’ Tyler joined the set-up, having previously been involved with the Arthur Howard Agency in Hunstanton. Townsman and music enthusiast Geoff Chapel also helped with promotions at the agency. Andy Dawson was born in Terrington St Clement and was a hardy supporter of the West Norfolk music scene. He would often work alongside Jack and Colin and, on more than one occasion, acted as press officer for some of the agency's acts. Andy’s ambition, though, was to become a DJ, and he soon found himself a job on the infamous pirate radio ship ‘Caroline’. He was also one of the first people to be prosecuted under the new laws banning pirate broadcasting. A lifetime in radio saw Andy Archer, as he is better known working legally at Radio Norfolk. Butch Tyler briefly took on promotions at Brian Cross' Wellington Club in July 1967. From 1968 onwards, we can find no mention of the agency.

Morning Kingsley....Colin Edward George Atkinson was born in Peterborough on the 25th of December 1937. Sadly we lost him on the 15th of April 2017 after a long battle with cancer. We took over the Maids in 1965 although we had managed it for some time for his dad.....then left in 1972. We were the last landlord and landlady ....after us the brewery put in managers. I got my son Richard to send you the pubs history as I thought it might interest you. Stay well...regards...Mary.

Coined the phrase ousebeat

Atkinson & Barrie Entertaiments was the brainchild of Jack Barrie & Colin Atkinson back in 1964. Jack Barrie was a prominent businessman in Kings Lynn, his fish bar in 55 Railway Road was the meeting point for every hunger ravished musician in and around the West Norfolk music scene, post gig munchies, No problem - at any time of day Jack could and invariably would rustle up Pie & Chips. Colin Atkinson had taken over The Maids Heads Hotel in Kings Lynn’s, Tuesday Market Place in town centre from his father in [date required] and became the hub of the Kings Lynn music scene.

The agency acquired offices in Chappel Street, Kings Lynn. To raise the profile of the agency they became ABC promotions in April 1966. Barry ’Butch’ Tyler also joined the agency the same year having previously been involved with the Arthur Howard Agency in Hunstanton. Also involved with the Agency was Terrington St Clements man Andy Dawson. Andy was ardent fan of the West Norfolk music scene. He would often work alongside Jack & Colin and on more than one occasion acted as Press Officer to some of the agencies acts. Andy’s ambition though was to become a DJ and soon found himself a job on the infamous Pirate Radio ship  ‘Caroline’. Andy was one of the of the first people to be prosecuted under the new laws banning pirate broadcasting. Andy Archer as he is better known went on to work for Radio Norfolk and became one of the main compares for those Rock ‘n’ Roll reunion gig’s, The Golden Years.

The agencies success however seemed to be based entirely around achieving total success for their main group The Tea Time Four and once this goal had expired the partnership quickly dissolved with Jack Barrie heading off to London to run the famous LaChasse Club (the green room of The Marquee which had no alchohol license) and then to go on to manage Marquee itself. Colin continued promoting gigs along with the help of George Chappell.

Main local acts promoted: The Tea Time Four / Barry Lee & The Planets / The Three Quarters / The Moggs

Mediography:

Agency has new name 22/4/66[ ]

Jack Barries Chip Shop:

John Decamps: I can remember sharing a gig with them in '63ish [The Sabres] at Lakenheath village hall, also used to meet up after gigs at Jack Barries chippy in Kings Lynn before Jack took the TT4 down to London. Many laughs with all the bands in the upstairs room at Jacks.

It was on London Rd almost opposite Millfleet Rd, I recall there was a grocery shop across the road which had a vending machine outside with cartons of ice cold milk and frozen Kitkat bars.