Music

Brett Marvin and the Thunderbolts

Formed in 1968 by three friends at Thomas Bennett Comprehensive school, Graham Hine, Keith Trussell and teacher Peter Gibson, together with John Randall. Jim Pitts, who was performing on the same bill at a gig in East Grinstead, was invited to join, and John Lewie joined in 1969. As Terry Dactyl and the Dinosaurs they released a single in 1972 written by Lewie, Seaside Shuffle, reaching number two in the charts.

Blues Matters, April-May 2015

Crawley Silver Band

Crawley Silver band was founded by Moses Nightingale.


Crawley Town Band

The newly formed fire brigade started a band in 1866, from which the Crawley Town Band originated. One of its main supporters was John Penfold. In June 1935 they won the Southern Counties Band Association Military Band Contest. The band closed during the Second World War.



Hazeldene Orchestra

Hazeldene Orchestra was formed in 1884 by Moses Nightingale. His house, Hazeldene in the Brighton Road, had a large saloon overlooking the garden, with a stage at one end were the Orchestra performed. A practice room was also built in the back garden. Their first concert was at the George Hotel. In 1912 and 1926 they played at the Handel Festivals in the Crystal Palace. The Orchestra thrived until his death in 1934.



West Crawley Band

The West Crawley band started as a temperance band of the Baptist Church in about 1886 and lasted until the Second World War.


The Cure

Easy Cure was formed in January 1977 by Robert Smith, Michael Dempsey, Porl Thompson and Lol Tolhurst, and after winning a talent contest they were offered a recording contract. In 1978 they changed their name to The Cure.

Crawley and District Observer, 8th July 1977

The Feeling

The Feelng are a rock band from Horsham formed in 1995. Three members, Kevin Jeremiah, Ciaran Jeremiah and Paul Stewart, met when they were attending St Wilfrid's School, Crawley. Their debut album and single were released in 2006.


Chico

Yousseph Slimani was born on 2nd April 1971 in Bridgend, South Wales. His early life was spent in Morocco before moving to Crawley when he was 14, where he attended Hazelwick School. He appeared on the X Factor in 2005 and had a number one hit in 2006.