Marine Court & The Sun Lounge

Does anybody remember Prince McBride who used to play the organ for ballroom dancing in the late 1970's early 1980's that I remember. I expect that he is longed departed by now, but just wondered who remembered him and how many years he played there.

My parents went to st Leonard's every year on holiday in that era, remember him well with his organ and old tunes I didn't know

I worked for Hastings Borough Council (HBC) during the 70's and 80's at the Sun Lounge (Marina Pavilion), Falaise Hall and The White Rock Theatre. I knew Prince McBride very well. I listened to him at the organ every day. At the end of every summer season I had to transport his organ along from the Marina Pavilion to the White Rock Theatre café where he would entertain our customers through the winter months. I will always remember him saying "Mind me pedals" as I tried to load his organ into a council van.

I remember on one occasion, in his later years he had to be excused while he used the toilet. He left his organ on 'auto pilot' with his regular dancers still dancing round the ballroom. He had a few issues and was away from the stage for almost half an hour. But he eventually emerged with his familiar little twitch and took over. I wondered what I would do if he had passed away in there.

He was always grateful to HBC who supported him right up to the end. He was very proud of his career. I really miss his organ sound and wish there were recordings made, but I am unaware of any. They were such happy times when the sun always seemed to shine and in an era that seems so long ago now.

I'm so please somebody remembers him.

...very wistful comments Paul....

Prince is my great uncle! He passed in the early 2000s