SNETTISHAM HILLBILLY BAND

Snettisham Hill Billy Band, The

(Snettisham)                                                               40s&60s

LVox, Gtr: Doug Harrison

Acc: Arthur Catton / Vox, Bs, Gtr: Ernie Pull

LVox, DBs, Fiddle: Eric Lofty Meek am

Keys: Lulu ?? / Bertha Thrower

DBs: Luke ?? (2)Noel Linge

Drums: Hank ?? (2)Dougie Mears

Eric Lofty Meek was the father of the King’s Lynn Sabres drummer Rick Meek. Rick takes up the story of The Snettisham Hill Billies. “The band was originally formed in the mid 40s by singer/guitarist Dougie Harrison with Arthur Catton on accordion they were joined by Ernie Pull (Tony Pull's father) who either played guitar or bass plus vocals, they also went under the name of Hank, Luke & Lofty. My dad replaced Ernie in the late 40s, I think when dad joined the band was also referred to as Hank, Luke & Lefty (as they had a new member) but for the most part it was back to Hank, Luke & Lofty (dad's forever nickname was always Lofty), dad played upright bass and fiddle plus vocals, later adding mandolin, banjo, steel guitar and pogo stick (a percussion type instrument). As Hank, Luke & Lofty they appeared on Carroll Lewis's 'Opportunity Knocks' (the BBC radio talent show) and won, they had offers of turning professional, but had to turn these down due to other commitments. Then the disastrous 1953 floods came, both Arthur and Doug lived at Snettisham Beach, they lost their homes and all possessions' they both decided to move to Canada to start a new life. Dad decided to form a new band using the original Snettisham Hill Billies name he got drummer Dougie Mears and various other personnel helped out, he later brought in Harry Quine  on accordion as a permanent member, then Bertha Thrower (piano and later clavinet one of the early electric keyboards) in early 1958 Noel Linge joined as singer/guitarist, he later added bass, this line-up is probably the most remembered (Harry Quine was tragically killed in a car accident soon after) they carried on with the four piece band for several years, always in demand playing for all the ITV Anglia private parties, society events etc. After Noel and Doug left dad and Bertha carried on until the late 80s using various drummers over the years, including myself and I always loved the opportunity of playing with them. Dad passed away in 1992, he was almost 80 years, Bertha went on to live to almost 100 yrs, Doug died about three years ago, while Noel, now in his 80s is still looking after his horses with the help of his partner BBC Radio Norfolk producer Jill Bennet.

Residencies:

The Kit Kat Club, Hunstanton 1958

NB: Not to be confused with The American Hill Billies who operated out of USAF ?? Around the same time and referred to themselves as the true Hill Billies, all being from the states.