EDWIN EDDIE GATES

The name Eddie Gates (1913-1991) was synonymous with the Norwich and East Coast scene throughout the forties, fifties and sixties. Gates was a partially blind music teacher, having lost his sight following an illness at the age of two.

He went off to study at The Royal Normal College For The Blind in London, leaving at 21 with two music degrees. His first job was playing the organ at The Carlton Cinema in Norwich, and after touring the country as a guest organist for ABC cinemas, he returned to Norwich to set up as a music teacher.

In 1941 he became musical director of The Lido Dance Orchestra at The Lido BR, Nch and played resident at the local NAAFI Club. Post-war, he became the regular winter performer at The Floral Hall in Gorleston. An advert in 1964 lists him as not only teaching piano but organ, guitar, and accordion as well.

He owned a unique keyboard that he had customised to help him with his sight. Gates stayed busy with a variety of gigs that included playing churches, pubs, dance halls and theatres. In early 1955 he was at The Cottage PH, Thorpe, Nch, playing solo on Sunday nights and with his orchestra on Fridays. He then went on to become resident at The Ailwyn Hall, Nch, for the whole of 1957, providing the music for The Rock ‘n’ Roll Club and the venue’s Olde Tyme Dance nights.

1958 saw him out on the East Coast at The South Pier Pavilion, Lwst, after which he spent Saturday nights at the Samson & Hercules BR, Nch, with a midweek session at The Raven PH, Nch. In winter 1961, he took part in the new variety nights being tried out at The Tuckswood PH, Nch under Eddie Gates & The Gaytimers, although these only lasted one season. Gates’ performances became more sporadic after this period, possibly because of the beat era and from 1966 onwards, we only have his winter residencies at The Ship Inn, Reedham documented.

DISCOGRAPHY:

10" Act Live At The Floral Hall, Gorleston - unk trks udat

RESIDENCIES:

The Lido BR, Nch 41-45

The Floral Hall, Gorleston 45-56

The Cottage BR, Thorpe, Nch Jan55-Feb56

The Ailwyn Hall, Nch Jan-Dec57

The South Pier Pav, Lwst summer 58

The Samson & Hercules BR, Nch Oct58-Mar59

The Raven PH, Nch Oct58-Sept60

The Tuckswood PH, Nch Winter 61

RELATED TITLES:

Most often advertised as Eddie Gates At The Piano, he was also advertised as being at the Electric Organ, Thermotone, Hammond Organ and The Theatre Organ.

Eddie Gates AHO

The Eddie Gates Floral Hall Dance Orch

NB: [1] You could be forgiven for thinking a blind or partially blind musician would play very much by ear; however, Eddie said, “I can’t play by ear. I just memorise the braille music sheets.” These sheets of braille were produced for him by his friend and pianist, Mr Bob, who, over the course of Eddie's career, translated over 5000 sheets of music into braille. [2] No rules appear to apply to the truncation or spelling of Gates’ first name.

Timeline (unconfirmed)

1913 Born in Norwich (full date required), son of Norwich Electrical Engineer

1915 (Age2) Goes Blind through Meningitis (20 months old)

Parents prepare him for a career in music a traditional vocation for the blind

1919 (Age6) Goes off to Royal Normal College For The Blind, Upper Norwood, Crystal Palace, London. Founded in 1871 now situated in Hereford.

1931 (Age18) Associate Diploma of The Royal college of Organist (A.R.C.O)

He also wins two prestigious student awards. 1. Proficiency in all musical subjects 2.The student possessing the largest repertoire (see memory piece)

1932 (Age19) Licentiate of the Royal Academy Of Music (L.R.A.M) - Leaves school at 21

1934 Played at the Carlton Cinema Norwich. Then the Regal at Dewsbury and touring as cinemas all over the country as guest organist for ABC Cinemas and gets interested in electronic organs/Keys

1940/1 Marries

1941 Resident director of the Lido Dance Orchestra

1942 Buntings (Curl bros 1860) on Rampant Horse Street was damage by bombs then turned into The NAAFI a serviceman’s club Eddie Gates played resident

1946 buys first electronic organ / or 48?

1949-1991 Organist at The Octagon Unitarian Chapel Colgate, Norwich. (1951)

The first public concert in Norwich featuring the new Clavioline (pre May 1953) was given by Mr E.Gates at the Octagon Chapel.

1948 announcement of Floral hall residency and stated as pioneer of pioneer in the field of electronic music.

1946-48 He and Derek Buttifant build organ

1948-56 Floral Hall summer season (45-61)????

1953 Thermotone (seven years development)

1956 – Lived at 3 St Matthew’s Road. Thorpe Hamlet

Praises Derek Buttifant for his customised Organ

1876-1971 Mr Bob Wilkinson

Played organ at St Faith Crematorium (says full time job in 1986)

Cinemas, Ballrooms Pubs, Churches

When you think of Electronic music pioneers I’m sure the names, ??    all come to mind depending on your viewpoint, but can I ask you to spare a thought for Norwich born Eddie Gates. When Gates left music college in 193? He had two music degrees and had also won two of the college’s top student awards. The introduction of electric organs piqued his interest