CHIC APPLIN

Cambridge born piano, vibes and accordion player; Applin moved to Norwich in early 1960. He had learnt to play the piano accordion at the age of 11 and gave his first public performance aged 13. Prior to his national service in the RAF in 1945 he fronted and organised Cambridge band The Downbeats.

On leaving the forces in 1948 Applin began training as a draughtsman but soon gave it up in favour of travelling the country to play music. In 1950 The Applin Combo won the Melody Maker, South East England Championship and by the late fifties he had put together the first Chic Applin Orch and played regularly at venues such as The Guildhall, Camb.

He was still performing around the country when the Mecca Leisure Group wrote offering him the position of band leader at their new ballroom, The Norwood Rooms, Nch. On 8 October 1960 The Chic Applin Trio along with newly engaged big band Cyril Glover AHO played the opening night of The Norwood Rooms. Applin’s trio also at first played regularly at Samson & Hercules BR, Nch Downbeat Nights around this time, as both venues were Mecca owned.

In May 1962 the trio won the coveted Mecca Silver Cup with the Gold Cup going to another Norwich man Les Hague & His Combo, who were also Mecca retained at the Streatham Locarno, Ldn. In August 1964 Mecca promoted Applin to Musical Director of the Norwood Rooms and his group that year won the company’s Gold Cup. In mid 1965 Applin and fellow local band leader Trevor Copeman started the Trevor Copeman-Chic Applin Agency (appx3), however, the venture appears to be short lived with each going their own way, with Applin forming East Coast Entertainments (appx3) and later Chic Applin Entertainments/CAE (appx3). Applin was instrumental in the promotion of many of the county’s acts during the sixties and was the principal judge and compere throughout The NM&J Great Beat Comp (appx2) in 1965. His credits also include providing backing music on many record releases, including The Singing Postman; running his own record label CAE Records (appx3) and the London based Six Hit Records (appx3). Applin was quoted in the paper as saying of Norwich and its people, “Wild Horse’s couldn’t drag me away.” He continued to play and promote in Norwich until he passed away in 1980.

Chic Applin’s - 60s band timeline:

The transient nature of the resident band means there were many short term and seasonal musicians. This list has mainly been compiled from announcements in the local paper and is not conclusive.

Chic Applin Trio, The E60-M64

LVox, Gtr, Bs: Alan Carlos (2)Johnny Tallon

Keys: Chic Applin / Drums: Mike Johns

This is the line-up of the first trio we see playing at The Norwood Rooms from early 1960.

SSJun-Sept62: unk venue, Bournemouth

SSJun-Sept63: unk venue, unk area

On returning to the Norwood in October 1963, the band are playing as second ensemble to new resident big band The Derek Butterworth Orch.

SSJun-Sept64 The Garibaldi BR, GY

After this summer season Applin is promoted to Musical Director of The Norwood Rooms and puts together a bigger band for the ballroom.

Chic Applin AHM & Chic Applin Trio, The L64-L68

LVox: Christine Vance / LVox: Max Rayner

Keys: Chic Applin / ??: Eric Tansley

LVox, Gtr: Johnnie Tallon / ??: Pat Hague

TSax: Joe McKenna / ??: Ken Shore / ??: Ken Poole

LVox, Bs: Nicky Walker / Drums: Mike Johns

Most personnel for the period of 1964 to 1968 are unknown. This line-up was pictured in the EEN having won Mecca’s Bronze Cup in May 1966. Applin had now won all three cups with his Norwood bands.

SS ??-??65 unk East Coast Holiday Camp, Nfk

SSMay-Sept66 Caister Holiday Camp, Nfk

Back at The Norwood Rooms, Nch for the winter season, Applin adds singers Vance and Rayner to the group to replace departing Tallon and Walker. The band slims down to The Chic Applin Quartet with Max Rayner for the 1967 summer season

 SSJun-Sept67 The Hotel Victoria, Lwst, Nfk

We could not find a summer season for 1968 but a return is advertised in September when Applin launches his Magnificent Seven and new trio.

Chic Applin’s Magnificent Seven L68-M69

LVox: Christine Vance / Vib: Chic Applin

Keys: Trevor McDonald am

TSax: Joe McKenna / Tpt: Cliff Aldred

Bs: Andy Edgington / Drums: Tony Russell

Ft; Vox, Keys: Johnny Cleveland

Chic Applin Trio L68-70s

Keys: Chic Applin / Bs: Don Sheppard

Drums: Peter Hague

Ft; Vox, Keys: Johnny Cleveland

The Magnificent Seven finish in May1969 and Applin puts together a Quintet and Trio for the Norwood’s 1969 summer season. In September 1969 Applin unveils The Chic Applin Sound with Johnny Cleveland and this is the band that sees out the decade.

unplaced musicians

Fred Ward, Peter Pease,

Mediography:

Honour for city band-Norwich Trio runners-up SJ EEN 12/05/62 (P)

Chic Applin wins Mecca Gold cup OTTT EEN 17/04/64

Chic Applin is now musical director Whiffler EEN 31/08/64

Bronze cup for Norwich bandleader EEN SJ 14/05/66 (P)

Two new singers for Chic Applin EEN 24/09/66

Related titles:

Le Chic Applin Triaux / Rocket Propelled Chic Applin XL3½ Trio

Chic Applin Show Bd / Chic Applin AHB / Chic Applin Quintet

NB: Some early gigs incorrectly refer to Chick Applin

Chic Applin & His Band (Early 68 - ?? 68)

Max Rayner ??

Chic's Swinging Trio (Early 68 - Sept 68)

Max Rayner ?? / Organ: Chic Applin / Bass: Don Sheppard / Drums: Peter Hague

Chic Applin’s Magnificent Seven (Sept 68 -

Lead Vocals: Christine Vance / Vibes: Chic Applin / Organ: Trevor McDonald /Tenor Sax: Joe McKenna

Trumpet: Cliff Aldred / Bass: Andy Edgington / Drums: Tony Russell

Featuring: Vocals, Piano: Johnny Cleveland

Chic Applin Trio (Sept 68 season)

Organ: Chic Applin / Bass: Don Sheppard / Drums: Peter Hague

Featuring: Vocals, Piano: Johnny Cleveland

Chic Applin Sound (69?