Black USAF: Cultural Connections in Cold War East Anglia is a groundbreaking cultural heritage project, which is researching and sharing untold stories of African American US Air Force (USAF) personnel stationed in East Anglia during the Cold War. 

The research and storytelling initiative is exploring the cultural influence of African American USAF airmen/women based in East Anglia from the 1950s to the 1990s. Despite their lasting impact, the community’s stories have largely been undocumented in regional and national history; they are at risk of being entirely forgotten. 

We're looking for people's stories of their links to the Black American culture - did you DJ on base? Did you go dancing with the airmen? Did you perform with musicians? Perhaps they supplied you with vinyl from the States?

These stories will be loaded on to the project website, celebrating an overlooked chapter of Britain’s heritage. 

We launched in June with a story from the legendary soul singer and former US airman, Geno Washington. 

Lots of US military men in the UK were entertainers on the side & interacted with locals. The likes of Sonny Childe (aka R B Greaves) came from a military family & was a constant on the UK club scene for some years. Others (from bases close enough to London) would frequent London soul clubs that held allnighters -- when given the opportunity they'd get up on stage with which ever band was performing that night. . . . Also lots of US based black singers / groups were brought over by USO to perform at bases such as Lakenheath, Mildenhall & Upper Heyford -- there's an old thread on here about US based singers doing gigs at US bases overseas. USO arranged Tours of UK / European USA military bases. I documented Kenny Hamber's experiences of playing USAF bases in the UK in the book he & I penned about his life & career. I also researched the US acts that played these bases many years ago using the base's in-house newspapers (copies of which were then kept by the library in Norwich).

I'm sure folk on here will be able to help you out. I used to drive passed RAF Upper Heyford most days in the 1990's & used to see the bases military police cars going about their business (heading between the base & the personnels housing estates in Bicester & Brackley). Before that I would inspect the new USAF housing estate infrastructure when it was being constructed -- unfortunately this was before any military folk had moved in.

I (later) got to know local Brits who would visit the base to go bowling & would therefore fraternize with people on the base.

Edited 3 hours ago3 hr by Roburt

Wow - thanks for your reply.

I'd love to get hold of a copy of the book - it could be a bit of a treasure trove. Although we're focusing on the East of England, there was lots of moving about, as you say. So there's lots of overlap. The USO is shut down like all over government agencies so they won't be able to help signpost me to archive info about who they sent over the UK bases to entertain. My mum told me of bumping into Wilson Pickett in a pub near Mildenhall, and other Black music stars would hang out in local pubs while in the area. Sadly, there are no photos freely available (I found one of Sammy David Jr in the50s and one of Latoya Jackson in the 80s), so any additional content you may have would be helpful.

Did you ever come across Leaping Lord Lucas - think he was performing until fairly recently? He's in Norwich still but I can't get in touch with him sadly.

Obviously, I've already had a chat with Geno - he's still performing.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Black USAF

1 hour ago, Black USAF said:

I'd love to get hold of a copy of the book - it could be a bit of a treasure trove. Although we're focusing on the East of England, there was lots of moving about, as you say. So there's lots of overlap. The USO is shut down like all over government agencies . . . . Did you ever come across Leaping Lord Lucas ... He's in Norwich still but I can't get in touch with him sadly.

By Leaping Lord Lucas do you mean Lucas (Bruce McPherson Lucas) who used to be the singer with the Mike Cotton Sound ? ... I guess you do. . . . If so, someone on here may have been in touch with him & may have a way of contacting him.

Unfortunately, a lot of the people who were involved have now passed as the time period we're talking about is the 1960's & 70's. Sonny Childe aka R B Greaves passed a good few years ago. In addition to the acts who did shows at the military bases for the USO, lots of US artists doing normal UK tours would be booked to play the East Anglian military bases while over here. The good thing about that is ... they would be teamed with a UK backing band (usually young British musicians who loved soul music). Though many of the American singers themselves have passed, some of the British musicians who backed them up are still around. Check out the web site GARAGEHANGOVER for details. You can also put a post up there telling readers what info you are after & asking folk who played gigs on the bases to get in touch. There's also a guy on Facebook who would act as tour manager / driver for visiting US acts & he most probably took them to some gigs at US military bases.

I recall that the UK magazine, Blues & Soul had a section around 1970 titled STARS & STRIPES and that dealt with military linked entertainment matters from the time. I have all those B&S mags up in the loft (lots of others here will also have copies) & if I can find the time I will check them for relevant info.

I'll also message you with regard to my book on Kenny Hamber & his shows at Lakenheath & Mildenhall. I wrote it quite a while back but do instantly recall him telling me he went on the bases' radio stations to promote his shows. Is there anyway for you to contact the bases about archived radio station shows or details.

Quite a few venues in Norfolk would book visiting & UK based soul acts back in the late 60's / early 70's. There was the Industrial Club in Norwich (which became the Talk & the Melody Rooms) and the Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer + others. Facebook may have local groups where the members have discussed old shows at these venues.

HOPE THAT HELPS.