The Witch Doctor at The Dolphin, Marine Court, St. Leonards, Hastings, East Sussex opened on Saturday, July 17, 1964 with The Nashville Teens and Buddy Britton and the Regents from 7.30pm to 11.30pm.
It was advertised as Crazy ! Crazy ! Crazy ! McKiernan Entertainments (London) LTD proudly announces the South Coast's New 7 nights a Week Monster The Witch Doctor The Dolphin, Marine Court, St. Leonards Telephone: Hastings 1443 Opening next Friday, July 17th, 7.30 to 11.30 with Direct from their Sensational Nation-wide to with the '' Chuck Berry Show '' The Nashville Teens '' Tobacco Road '' Plus Buddy Brittan and the Regents Advance Tickets 4/- (5/- at the door) Tickets available at-The Disc Jocky, Queens Road, Hastings and The Witch Doctor, St. Leonards Featuring The Top in Rock ' Twist ' Shake ' R & B Each and Every Night. Destined to became the South's most exciting meeting place. Must be seen to be believed Fully Licensed Voodoo Bar. Join The Witch Doctor R & B Sunday Club. Membership only 1/- a year. You may join on the night.
Also advertised as At The Dolphin Both Dolphin ballrooms were packed to capacity last weekend. The Witch Doctor which has just opened, received a big reception, its star attraction being the Nashville Teens. The resident John Raye Orchestra played for the ballroom dancing in the first-floor ballroom.
It was run by Paddy McKiernan (b. Patrick McKiernan d. 1991).
The Manger of The Witch Doctor was Johnny Downes (b. John Downes, 1942, North Wales). At 17 he had joined a group called The Dolphins and worked with them for two and a half years. It seems on Saturday, September 29, 1962 The Dolphins backed singer Johnny Downes which was advertised in The Manchester Evening News of Friday, September 28, 1962 as
Three Coins - This Saturday, First Time Here Johnny Downes And The Dolphins.
Downs was a native of Llandundno, Clwyd, North Wales and obtained 9 G.C.E. O level passes. At 16 his girlfriend his girlfriend pushed him into a talent contest in Llandundno and he won first place singing 'A Certain Smile.' A TV producer negotiated singing dates in hotels and pubs and he graduated to The Winter Gardens, Llandundno. It was then that he joined The Dolphins for two and a half years. Then Downes became fully professional becoming resident singer with The Derek Hilton Trio who included Derek Hilton on organ (b. Derek Redvers Hilton, Thursday, February 3, 1927, York Street, Whitefield near Bury, Lancashire, England d. Monday, July 11, 2005, Manchester, Lancashire, England). They got their own TV series.
After a fortnight he was offered the job of compare as well. He also appeared for six weeks on American TV with the likes of Dean Martin (1917 - 1995) and Gene Pitney (1940 - 2006). It was then back to Manchester as entertainment manager and compare at Mr. Smiths,1 Brazil Street behind Whitworth Street Post Office, Manchester 1. The Derek Hilton Trio also played here. Downes was then offered a job at The Witch Doctor which at first, he turned down, but then he said yes.
The last gig at The Witch Doctor was on Saturday, October 7, 1967 with Si's Reaction and the Coconut Mushroom and then it closed.
It reopened on Friday, February 23, 1968 as The Cobweb Ballroom with At Last The 1958 Rock N Roll Show with Freddie Fingers Lee Supported by The Mojos (Liverpool) from 7.30pm to 11.45pm.
The Cobweb Ballrooms' final gig was on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 1970 with The Rudies.
On Wednesday, December 30, 1970 a fire at The Marine Court caused serious damage to The Cobweb Ballroom and The Dolphin Ballroom, causing damage to all the ceilings, floors and electrical equipment. Thus, the gig on Thursday, December 31, 1970 with Styvar Manor had to be cancelled.
