Maddy's, run by Robin and Colette Weathersbee, is ending public classes.   The last cycle of courses begins in February at venues in Ealing, Hammersmith, Richmond, Slough and Watford.

The couple will be concentrating on school lessons and corporate training and event organisation.   A farewell Jiving Jamboree party will be held at Hammersmith Town Hall on May 19th with live bands.

Robin and Colette said: "We couldn't have dreamt of all the things our jive classes would lead to...   Over 30,000 people have taken our classes.   They are now spread far and wide and we get regular updates and photos from all over the world, from people who are part of our 'jive family'.   We've taught several well-known celebrities, some of whom have successfully attended our lessons without being recognised!

"We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved and truly value the great friends we’ve made.   Looking ahead, we have decided to change the emphasis of our teaching work and concentrate on the other things we do - providing lessons in schools, corporate training, event organisation, etc.   We also have some exciting new ideas and opportunities that we are really keen to explore.

"We announced the news at our classes this week and are already receiving an increased number of enrolments for our new courses.   So if you want to join us in February, or have friends who want to learn to jive, please book as soon as you can, at www.LearnToJive.com"

Amazing gigs

Early days: Maddys in 1991

They added: "We've run some amazing gigs.   We've taught in some great places in the UK and overseas - including having the honour of being the first people to teach jive at Viva Las Vegas and the Hemsby Rock'n'Roll Weekend.

"We've danced with The GI Jitterbugs at some incredible events - including VE night celebrations televised live from Piccadilly Circus and at lots of other amazing, historic and memorable venues.

"We've provided entertainment and taught at numerous weddings, events and special occasions. We have enjoyed 15 fun-filled years of organising the Rhythm Riot Weekend.   The list goes on... It's been a brilliant 21 years and we want to say a big thank you to you all."

		Newsbytes
		• Bob Scott is presenting a new rock'n'roll show on Cambridgeshire's Star Radio every Thursday from 10-11pm. • Rock'n'roll is to return to The Railway pub in Stockport after a gap of nearly a year. Gigs resume in April. • The Three Belles are moving their In The Mood show from an upstairs bar at Portsmouth Guildhall into the main hall as it returns for a second year on May 18th. • Emmerdale actor Alun Lewis is fronting Yorkshire rock'n'roll trio, the Chuck Wagon Band. • Manchester's Authentic 1950s R'n'R Club has moved gigs from Cheetham Hill to Chadderton and changed its name to Glenn's 1950s R'n'R Club. • Strollin' Steve has switched his Hertfordshire gigs to Arlesey Football Club. It follows the decision to close the Plinston venue in Letchworth for refurbishment. • Action Packed, a new monthly rockabilly record hop, has launched at The Magnet, Hardman Street, Liverpool L1 9AS.

Dates are February 3rd the The Octagon, Feb 4th at The Wyvern Swindon, Feb 5th at The Swan in High Wycombe, Feb 11th at The Palace Theatre in Redditch, Feb 14th at The Stables in Wavendon, Feb 16th at The Maltings in Farnham, Feb 18th The Embassy Theatre in Skegness, Feb 19th The Corn Exchange in Kings Lynn, Feb 22nd at The Pavilion in Worthing, Feb 23rd at the Martletts Hall in Burgess Hill, Feb 24th at The Gordon Craig Theatre in Stevenage, Feb 25th at Salisbury City Hall, Feb 26th at the Theatre Royal in Windsor.


The Zoltans are celebrating their tenth anniversary.

The Essex jump jive band got together in 2002 when musician Rick Dawson had a vision for a 1940s band in the style of Louis Jordan, Louis Prima and Big Joe Turner - and following in the footsteps of long-running local band, Rent Party.

The first gig took place on Valentines Day at the Spread Eagle pub in Prittlewell.   The publican was horrified when he saw seven musicians setting up their instruments in the downstairs bar.

“We have no music licence,” he said.   “If you want to play you’ll have to go upstairs to the function room.”   Upstairs they went, and played two sets of jump jive music to an astonished audience.

Since then the band members have changed, the venues have grown in size and number, the band has travelled further afield, but Rick says the message remains the same: "Play 1940s music with passion and enthusiasm and the audience will respond."

The Zoltans' 10th anniversary gig is on Monday 13th February at the Southend Jazz Club, Ekco Clubhouse, Thornford Gardens, Prittlewell SS2 6PU.   Admission £6.


Imelda May and husband Darrel Higham treated Radio 2 listeners to an hour of their personal rockabilly favourites.

The one-off special, Imelda's Mayhem, went out on Thursday 22nd December.   Featured artists included Nick Willett, Bill Haley and Patsy Cline.

The rockin' couple reminisced about the night they met at the Tennessee Club in North London and revealed how they often visit Billy Fury's grave.   Their radio debut came exactly a year after Mark Lamarr quit Radio 2, leaving the station a rockabilly-free zone.


The Metrotones are releasing their first recording in 19 years.

The album is called Let's Fall In Love.   Taking a relaxed approach, the doo-wop veterans have spent six years mixing the tracks since the live recording at a gig in West London in December 2005.

"How disgraceful is that?   One and a half hours to record, six years to mix," mused the band's Paul Solomons.

"The album was recorded at Robin and Collette's Jiving Jamboree at Ealing Town Hall and has been on the back-burner for a while.   Our former guitarist (now our bass player) Ian Finlay has done some fine mixing and we are happy to see it finally getting out there.   We've managed to track down some footage of the night and have edited a few of the songs into taster videos that can now be seen on our YouTube channel."

Joseph gives Len a lindy lesson

A Radio 2 documentary presented by Strictly chief judge Len Goodman traced the history of swing dancing from the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem to the present day.

Interviewed in Swinging At The Savoy, were Norma Miller, the only surviving member of the 1930s Savoy Ballroom lindy performers, Joseph Sewell from Hertfordshire-based JiveSwing, Scott Cupitt of Swing Patrol and Ian Clarkson of the Jive Aces.   The programme was a curtain-raiser to Radio 2's Dance Season.



British bass player Pete Pritchard got more than he bargained for on a visit to the US... when he was made an honorary member of the International Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Pete (pictured second from the right) had flown to Jackson, Tennessee to play bass at Jack Clement's induction ceremony and had no idea he too would be conferred with the prestigious honour.

"Needless to say it was a special moment for me," Pete told Planet Jive.   "Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be made an honorary member.   It's not often I'm lost for words but I confess I was absolutely speechless.   I feel very honoured to be placed among musicians that I have revered all my life and what a thrill to work alongside Jack Clement, Jm VanEaton, Charlie Rich Jr, James Lott, Billy Burnette and Shawn Camp."

Pete has been a permanent fixture on the scene since the 70s when he and drummer Terry Earl founded the Flying Saucers.   Pete provided bass for Chuck Berry on UK and European tours and has worked regularly with Scotty Moore.   In the eighties, Pete co-founded Alligator Records, which, gave young up and coming bands such as The Polecats, The Meteors and Johnny Key their first chance to record.


Former Toppkatz pianist Wayne Conn has unveiled his new band, Wayne Conn & The Big Beat.

Joining Wayne in the Worcester-based trio are drummer Steve Strain and bass player Steve White.

Wayne said: "When we got together for our first rehearsal it was like we'd been gigging together for years.   Both guys have a great feel and groove which I think has come from years of gigging experience.

"I've been very lucky in finding two great musicians who are also easy to get on with.   We are currently finishing our first CD and are very proud of the outcome."

Following Wayne's debut gig at The Cellar Bar in Worcester, promoter Robert "Poor Bob" Jones said: "We've rarely had such a stomping performance from anyone in all of our six years.   They're the hottest trio since Johnny Burnette."

More info from Wayne on 07597 756970 and on the band's website.


London Swing Cats supremo Robert Austin has composed a song to promote his new weekly club night, Swing Cats Jam.

The song featuring Robert crooning 1930s-style, can be downloaded from the Swing Cats website.   He explained: "I wrote the song and sing lead vocals while Pat Reyford produced the track and created the backing in Cats & The Fiddle style."

The new weekly club runs on Mondays nights at 229 The Venue on Great Portland Street.   It replaces the Tuesday night offering, Swing Cats Corner, at St Aloysius Social Club in Euston, which is on hold until the New Year.


A charity concert featuring the Jive Aces and Si Cranstoun raised £54,000.

Proceeds from the show at the Church of Scientology HQ, Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, have bought two fast response vehicles for the Sussex Air Ambulance.

In an extraordinary twist, the traditional charity cheque presentation was replaced by the dramatic arrival of the emergency vehicles themselves.   1500 guests - including ambulance service chief Adrian Bell - looked on in amazement as the vehicles were driven into the hall with their lights flashing.

The gala charity show - now in its 15th year - was hosted by actress Kirstie Alley.   Supporting the Jive Aces and Si Cranstoun was 13-year-old piano prodigy Cody Lee and dancers Darren and Lara from Swing Xtreme.

Si Cranstoun, who wowed the crowd with his famous cover of Jackie Wilson's Reet Petite, said: "I'm very proud to have been a part of a really great charitable evening."

In August the Jive Aces' Summertime Swing show raised £7,000 for Sussex Air Ambulance.

Planet Jive is at www.planetjive.com   www.planet-jive.com   www.planetjive.co.uk   and   www.planet-jive.co.uk