Rock Around the Block
Hatfield's Amazing Pop History
By Christine Martindale
In 2011 the Hatfield Youth Centre, Breaks Manor, celebrated their 60th anniversary. Over the years ‘The Breaks’ became a principal place for many aspiring local musicians.
The anniversary prompted the Hatfield Local History Society to compile a book ‘Rock Around the Block’ about pop music and venues in Hatfield for the half century leading up to 1990.
A compilation CD featuring songs by local artists soon followed
Then in 2014 an amazing film completed the trilogy.
A ‘Juke Box Jury’ panel of celebrities from the black & white TV days of 1960 pass judgement on colourful songs from the future, which they can see performed through the monitor of a time machine.
Featured in the film are great songs by unknown local pop acts of the 1970s & 80s who once performed at the Breaks Manor youth centre – where the film was made – a venue which also helped launch the careers of several international pop stars from the town.
Reggae, Punk, Gothic, Soul and Glam conspire to amuse, bemuse and shock the panel of historic celebrity experts.
The film can be seen on this Youtube link: http://youtu.be/04lD6EphYXs
To obtain copies of the book and CD email: hatfieldhistory@ntlworld.com
Visit the Breaks Manor website: http://www.breaksmanor.org/aboutus.html
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