James Compton - Photo by Peter Stechman

Move on

	Jim Hammond - Photo by Peter Stechman

Jim was the guitar and keyboard-playing front man with The Borderlines before agreeing to replace Kingcats veteran Rusty Lupton.

At the time, Jim said: "I stood in for Rusty a couple of weeks ago as he was in hospital.   The gigs went great and I really enjoyed them.   All the guys in the band are wonderful and so easy to get along with.   In fact it was breath of fresh air.

"My main aim is to get my teeth into the Kingcats and enjoy myself again.   These guys have been at the top of their tree for a long time now and it's a great honour to be a part of it all."

Although The Borderlines played their last gig at the end of November at Stafford R'n'R Club, they left behind them a new album called Proud Mary, which Jim says includes some great jive songs.

Jim also has a new new r'n'b band called Jim Hammond & The Deathrays which will be playing occasional festivals.   A new album is due out with 14 songs, including five originals.

Brilliant

A band statement said: "It is with much sadness that, at the end of the year, we are losing our brilliant piano player, Rusty.   By mutual consent it has been agreed that it’s best for Rusty due to deteriorating health.   His first gig with us was at Guildford Hot 50s in August 2007, and since that time he has been an asset to us.

"We thank Rusty for over five great years with us, and although we have his replacement lined up, we are sorry to see him go, and wish him all the best.   Rusty would like to thank all the friends he has made over the years for their support."

Sporting his trademark moustache and ginger quiff, Rusty is a veteran of the rockin' scene.   He was part of the original Matchbox line-up in the mid 70s, along with Steve Bloomfield, Fred Poke, Bob Burgos and, later, Graham Fenton.   He can be heard on their first album, Riders In The Sky.   In those days Rusty played both piano and rhythm guitar.

He later spent some time touring the UK and Europe with Cadillac, playing piano as part of Chuck Berry's backing band.   After a spell with Surrey band The Rockettes in the mid 1980s, Rusty got involved in the country scene for a few years.   He returned to rock'n'roll in 2006, spending a year in The Alleycats before joining The Kingcats in 2007.

Hospital

"The reason I am leaving The Kingcats is purely down to deteriorating health.   About three years ago I contracted double pneumonia and a serious lung infection.   This culminated in a condition called COPD (Chronic Obsructive Pulmonary Disease) which permanently damaged my lungs thereby making everyday movement and breathing more difficult.

	New line-up - Photo by Peter Stechman

"Coupled to this I had to stop smoking (after 40 years), resulting in me putting on 5 stone.   As you can imagine, this didn't do much for the breathing difficulties which reared its ugly head again last week necessitating another stay in hospital.   It was therefore agreed that after a wonderful five years in what I consider to be one of the best rock'n'roll bands in the land that I should step down at the end of the year in order to try to sort my health issues out.   I will miss the band terribly but hope to be back on the circuit next year, health permitting.

"I've had some wonderful times renewing old friendships and making new ones with bands and fans alike.   I have no plans to join another band as I think I would have to go a long way to top The Kingcats.   I am very proud of the time I have had with them and wish Bill and the boys the very best for the future, plus thanks for putting up with me for the last five years.

"Finally I would like to thank all the well wishers out there who have voiced their concern.   It means a great deal to me and I thank you all.   Hopefully, this is only au revoir not adieu.   In the words of my old buddy Bob Burgos: 'Keep on rockin'."

The Twinwood Festival runs from August 24th-26th at Clapham near Bedford.   This year there are 60 bands, ten stages and eight indoor venues.   Saturday features the Jive Aces, Red Stripe Band, Dominic Halpin & The Honey Bs, The Lamours, John Miller & His Orchestra, The Revolutionaires, Laura B And The Moonlighters, Mark Keeley's Good Rockin' Tonight, The Ding Dong Daddios, Maddie Brown and Jackson Sloan's Rhythm Tones.   On Sunday it's Si Cranstoun, Michael Laws' Piccadilly Dance Orchestra, The Lamours, Dominic Halpin & The Honey Bs, Carmen Ghia And The Hotrods, The Bombshellettes, Kai's Cats, Juke Joint Jump, The Doggone Honkabillies and The Bobcats.   Monday's line-up includes the Swing Commanders, Three Belles And The Bevin Boys Down For The Count, The Inteli-Gents, The Kingcats, and Lola And The Blue Light Boys.   Info on 01923 282725

Yesterday Once More has its Jive Weekend no.3 at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool from August 30th - September 1st with The Firebirds, The Bobcats, The Kingcats, Colin Paul & The Persuaders, The Heartbeats, Jive Street.

• From November 8th-10th there's a YoM jive weekend at Brean Sands, Somerset with Bernie Woods & The Forest Fires, Joey & The Jivers, Colin Paul & The Persuaders, The Heartbeats, Blast Off, Unconditionals, Firebirds, Jive Street, Alligators, Rockin' The Joint, Jets, Bobcats, Kingcats.

Strollin' Steve's Seacroft Rock'n Roll Party no.5 takes place from August 30th - September 2nd at Seacroft Holiday Village, Beach Road, Hemsby, Great Yarmouth NR29 4HR with The Kingcats, The Firebirds, The Revolutionaires, Mark Keeley's Good Rocking Tonight, Rockin' The Joint and Jerry & The Jive Stars.

• The Bournemouth 1950s/60s weekend runs from October 11th-14th at Heathlands Hotel, Grove Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth BH1 3AY.   There's music from Paul Hopkins (Roy Orbison, Gene Pitney) The Rock Island Rebels and Rockin' The Joint.

• The Devon Rock and Roll Party no.4 runs from October 18th-21st at the Royal Hotel, Beach Road, Woolacombe EX34 7AB with The Firebirds, Charlie Gracie, Rockin' The Joint and Class Of 58.

• Bournemouth Rock and Roll Party #13 takes place at Heathlands Hotel, Grove Road, East Cliff, Bournemouth BH1 3AY from November 22nd-25th with The Kingcats, The Inteli-Gents and The Downtown Daddyos.

Info from Strollin' Steve on 01638 712187 / 07808 340776 or visit www.strollinsteve.co.uk


Boogaloo are hosting a new Rock'n'Roll Extravaganza at Pontin’s Pakefield from September 13th-16th with The Jets, Earl Jackson Four, Downtown Daddyos, Greggi G, CC Jerome’s Jetsetters from The Netherlands, Porky’s Hot Rockin’, Danny & The Seniors, The Twangmasters, Bernie Woods & The Forest Fires and Lights Out.   Plus four DJs and a huge dancefloor.   The price is £149 per person including half board accommodation, and, for the first time, guests also have free admission to a Blues & Boogie Festival running at the same time in another room at the same venue.   Bookings through Boogaloo on 01252 793430 or www.boogaloopromotions.com/rnr.

• Boogaloo have a new Jump Jive & Boogie Festival at the luxurious Royal Bath Hotel in Bournemouth from November 15th-18th featuring the Swing Commanders, the Rockin’ All Stars featuring Earl Jackson and Greggi G, Richie Milton & The Lowdown, Joey & The Jivers, The Catfish Kings and the Ding Dong Daddios.   DJ is Pat da Kat and dance classes are provided by Get in The Swing, Swingsters and Dance Diversity.   Prices start at £179 for three nights half board including the music and dance classes.   Bookings can be made through Boogaloo on 01252 793430 or www.boogaloopromotions.com/jive

The Welsh Rockabilly Fair and Burlesque Fringe rocks Porthcawl from September 20th-22nd with the Rhythm Slicks, Johnny Flame & The Dragons, The Go Getters, Rudy La Crioux & The All Stars, The Killer Dillers, Meekats and more.



The Callander Jazz Festival takes place on October 5th and 6th with gigs by the Jive Aces, The Revolutionaires, the Fabulous Boogie Boys, King Louis & The Primas, The Revolutionaires, the Indigo Kings and the Declaration Band.



A new weekender - Wight Lightning - is coming to the Isle of Wight from November 8th-10th.   On the bill are Matchbox, the Downtown Daddyos, Rockatoons, Rusti Steel & The Star Tones, Paul Ansell's No9, the Rattle Shakin' Daddies, Lonesome Valley Boys, Intelli-Gents and Glenn Darren & The Krew Kats.   Venue is the Lower Hyde Holiday Park.   More info from wightlightning@live.co.uk or call 01983 866131 quoting promo code RNR13.   Day tickets from Vince on 07553 522885.


Venture Away Music Weekends has been running jazz weekends for the past 13 years, and is now launching its new Jump Jive & Swing Weekender from November 8th-11th at the Norbreck Castle Hotel, Blackpool.   Bands include the Swing Commanders, Jump Jive & Wail, the Fabulous Boogie Boys, Greggi G & His Crazy Gang, Hot Banana and Jeremy Huggett's Band of Gold.   More info at www.ventureawaymusicweekends.co.uk or phone 01305 750797.


The Barnstaple R'n'R Weekender No2 is at Braddicks Holiday Centre in Westward Ho! from November 8th-10th with Rusti Steel & The Star Tones, Rat Pack, Bill Fadden, the Mighty Atoms and Lynette Morgan & The Blackwater Valley Boys.   More info from Bill on 07899 701498


The 20th Blackpool R'n'R Weekend takes over the town's Savoy Hotel from November 14th-16th with music from Mike Berry & The Outlaws, The Jets, Jive Street, the Downtown Daddyos, Phil Haley & His Comments, Class of 58 and Mike Byrne & The Sunrockers.   Info from Brian Amos on 01332 872320


The Rhythm Riot rocks Pontin's Camber Sands from November 15th-18th with The Teenagers, Lazy Lester, Beverly 'Guitar' Watkins, Bobby Brooks Wilson, the Royal Rhythmaires, Nikki Hill, Barbara Clifford, the Truly Lover Trio, Ray Collins Hot Club, TT Syndicate, Miss Lily Moe, Joe & The Hornets, the Haystack Hi-Tones and many more.

If it jumps, jives, bops or strolls we want to know about it.   Email or call 07833 703189.