1964 – This event was a FAB “BEAT” CONTEST held at the Eldorado Ballroom in Leith with heats taking place over a period of 5 days with the Final on Monday 7th September.

We had only been rehearsing for a few months when this Competition came along and we were up against some of the top bands in town. We had very little equipment at that time so on the day we told the organizers that our Van with our equipment in it had broken down. They allowed us to use equipment belonging to the Diplomats. We played our heat on Monday 31st August and made the Grand Final on Monday 7th September but only managed 5th place.

The event was won by Mark V featuring Manny Charlton who in 1968 went on to achieve great success as the founding member and lead guitarist with the influential Scottish hard rock band Nazareth.

All proceeds went to the Oxfam Charity.

Ref no – 207 – 1964 – Jim