Rye & District Lions Club were the sponsors for the Rock Class at this year’s Hastings Music Festival again. The Rock Class was adjudicated by two world-famous musicians, Roger Daltrey and Paul Roberts.
Roger Daltrey, who was founder and lead singer with The Who, followed this with an acting career in films and television, most notably in the title role in the film Tommy and also as Liszt in the film Lisztomania. He is also renowned for his work with charities and in 2004 he was appointed a CBE for services to music, the entertainment industry and charity. Paul Roberts was the lead singer with the rock group, The Stranglers, and also has gone on to a successful career in acting.
The class was won by a group of young men, called Stagefright, although both adjudicators said that they had found it very difficult as all the bands were very good, with only one point difference between each band and there was a tie for 3rd place.
“Stagefright”, the winning group, were presented with a certificate and a cheque for £150 by Rye Lions President, Conrad Freezer, who has just got his hearing back! He said that he now realised he could never be a rock musician for two reasons. First, he can’t play an instrument, but that’s not the main reason. The second, and main reason, is he has no flowing locks to toss to and fro.