by Matt D’Arcy

It’s not so much “Rock Around The Clock” as turning back the clock. Vale da Telha certainly rocked in January when nostalgia for the music most of us grew up with brought people flocking to the first genuine rock ‘n’ roll show ever to be staged in the area.

And on Sunday April 3rd rock ‘n’ roll will once again return to Vale da Telha, barely two months after that full-blooded rock show made us all feel like teenagers once again!

Brian (DJ Rockindad) Jutsum really struck a chord when he staged this rock and roll party featuring red hot Lisbon group, the Wine-A-Billy Rollers at the Restaurante Vale da Telha on the Pines Roundabout on Sunday, January 31.

Around 120 people—some from Portimao, Lagos and points south who had never before been to Vale da Telha—turned up for this electrifying evening generated by a band whose pure quality of music is matched by the sheer spectacle and vibrancy of the show they put on.

People were dancing on the tables as the party went on until the wee small hours, showing a real nostalgia for the rock ‘n’ roll genre.

The band themselves were hugely delighted with their first visit to Vale Da Telha, saying they could not believe the audience reaction, as they have never had so many people up and dancing to their music.

Richie Brogden, aka Ricky Diamond, a talented guitarist who lives here on Vale Da Telha and has appeared in many shows in the area, including Amovate musical festivals, described the Wine-A-Billy Rollers’ performance as ‘flawless’, and said the band’s guitarist was the best he’d ever seen in Portugal. Praise indeed from someone who is a gifted guitarist himself!

It was such a night to remember that DJ Rockindad has decided to do it all again, this time with another fantastic Lisbon band, A J and The Rockin’ Trio.

This second rock ‘n’ roll party on Sunday April 3rd will again take place at the same venue, the Restaurante Vale Da Telha. Keep watching this space—more details will follow, telling you everything you need to know about the show and how you can get your tickets. Just put the date in your diary and wait for more news to appear here.

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Incidentally, Brian says anyone who has been bitten by the nostalgia bug and has rekindled their love of rock ‘n’ roll should make a note of another date—Saturday 13th Febuary at Horácio Costa Bafo Loule.

The Dixie Boys, guitarist Fernando Pereiras and a new band, T Perry and the Bombers will be playing their unique brand of American Roots Rock n Roll—with the added bonus of DJ Greaser and DJ Rockindad himself.

Brian adds: “If you want to know more about Rock n Roll and Rock events in the Algarve, and Portugal, you might like to join the Red Hot Rock n Roll Clube Algarve Facebook page.”

by Matt D’Arcy

Let’s rock ‘n’ roll…!

For probably the first time since Vale da Telha was just a blueprint in an architect’s office the area is to host a genuine rock ‘n’ roll show, courtesy of our own Brian ‘Rockindad’ Jutsum.

Brian has arranged for Lisbon rockers Wine-A-Billy Rollers to perform at the Restaurante Vale da Telha on the Pines Roundabout on Sunday, January 31.

The band, which mostly plays around Lisbon and Porto, is known to Brian who has been to see several of their shows in the capital and further north.

He was so impressed with their authentic rock ‘n’ roll he thought the old rockers up here who recall the music of the 50s and 60s would also enjoy them.

And, as a result, Brian has booked the band to appear here on Vale da Telha, 24 hours after he appears as a DJ alongside them at the Bafo De Baco in Loule.

The Wine-A-Billy Rollers, whose show is as much visual as it is musical, comprise Pedro Teixeira (vocals and guitar), Ruben El Pavoni (upright double bass) and Rui ”Tex” Gomes on drums, all of them having been active in the rock ‘n’ roll scene for more than 20 years.

They play a mix of rock ‘n’ roll and rock-a-billy music first popularised by the likes of Elvis Presley, Eddie Cochrane, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, Johnny Burnette, Bill Haley and Jerry Lee Lewis, as well as some of their own original material.

The doors for the show open at 7.30pm, with Brian Rockindad dee-jaying from 8pm, after which the band will perform from 9pm to midnight.

So, with apologies to the original lyrics…

Nine, ten, eleven o’clock, twelve o’clock rock

We’re gonna rock and jive ‘til midnight’s gone

Put your glad rags on and join me hon’

We’ll have some fun before the clock strikes one

We’re gonna rock around the clock tonight.

You don’t have to dig out your blue suede shoes, but, as Carl Perkins sang:

Well, it’s one for the money,

Two for the show,

Three to get ready,

Now go, cat, go.

Admission is only €4 if you buy your ticket in advance or €5 on the night. The tickets will be on sale at the Restaurante Vale da Telha from Monday January 11^th, when it re-opens, or you can contact Brian directly to reserve your tickets either of these two ways:

e.mail djrockindad@gmail.com

or message Facebook Brian Rockindad

https://www.facebook.com/elvis.rockindad

Remember, as it’s not exactly a large venue it’s probably wise to secure your tickets early.

So…

Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans

Get out from that kitchen and rattle those pots and pans

Well, roll my breakfast ’cause I’m a hungry man

[Chorus:]

I said Shake, rattle and roll

I said Shake, rattle and roll

I said Shake, rattle and roll

I said Shake, rattle and roll

Brian explained why he thought a rock ‘n’ roll, rock-a-billy show could be a success here on the West Coast, saying: “We first started the Red Hot Rock ‘n’ Roll Clube in Loule here on the Algarve just over a year ago and it’s gone really well.

“A lot of people are still nostalgic for and still enjoy this music. But equally there are large numbers of younger people drawn to it as well, and the Wine-A-Billy Rollers put on a fantastic visually exciting show, packed with energy.

“I thought it was about time we brought it to this neck of the woods—and, who knows, if it turns out to be a successful experiment then we can repeat it.”

You can see the Wine-A-Billy Rollers with Brian here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dACF78uZ2w

and you can also get a taste of their music and their style at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsITZwTw4pE

So, get ready for January 31—because there could be A Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On!

Now, let’s get down real low one time now

Shake, baby, shake

All you gotta do, honey, is kinda stand in one spot

Wiggle around just a little bit, that’s when you got it, yeah

Come on baby, whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on

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According to Wikipedia, Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s in the United States, especially the South. As a genre it blends the sound of Western musical styles such as country with that of rhythm and blues, leading to what is considered “classic” rock and roll. Some have also described it as a blend of the bluegrass style with rock and roll.

The term “rockabilly” itself is a portmanteau of “rock” (from “rock ‘n’ roll”) and “hillbilly”, the latter a reference to the country music (often called “hillbilly music” in the 1940s and 1950s) that contributed strongly to the style. Other important influences on rockabilly include western swing, boogie woogie, jump blues and electric blues.

But really, it doesn’t matter what style of music you enjoy and dance to, just as long as you have a good time.

So, reserve your tickets, get out there…and enjoy!