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 16 hours ago16 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 14 hours ago14 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.

You're a mine of information - thank you.

Yes, it's Bruce. I've actually written to him with a stamped addressed envelope but he hasn't replied and I obviously don't want to chase him up and pressure him. I'd love to showcase his talent and career though.

If you manage to dig out the old Blues and Soul mags that'd be fantastic. I used to read it in the 80s as a teenager but can't recall the listings! But totally makes sense. Looking back it's great how integrated it all was. Nothing like today unfortunately.

I've been to a few events on Mildenhall in the last few years, as I used to be an honorary commander. I'm in touch with Lakenheath but the historians aren't able to be involved due to government policies (I'll let you make the connection!). Massive shame.

But Lakenheath has been great in connecting me with external organisations linked to the airbases, e.g a veterans group.

Thanks for the names of Norwich clubs - I'll add those to our research list!

2 hours ago, Black USAF said:

. 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.

Wilson Pickett did 2 UK tours in the mid 60's & then another one around 1970 (when he was backed by the Midnight Movers US group). He would most probably have used UK backing bands in 64 / 65 -- Zoot Money's Big Roll Band ?). The 60's tours were arranged by his US & UK record companies (Atlantic US / Decca UK) and Decca may have details of what gigs he did back then. Another venue back then was ... Bluesville ’68 Club, St Matthew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk.

A US group that I do know played Mildenhall base was the Fantastics (ex the Velours when US based) -- they did a show on the base on 15 December 1968. Earlier (when jazz was more popular), US & UK jazz bands played shows at the base. One such I know about was UK band Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen. Lots of British jazz fans are very knowledgeable about such things & also may be able to help you with act / date info. Pop groups also played the bases. One such being David Essex & Mood Indigo in January 67. At the time, his latest 45 was a cover of a Ray Charles song. They also did a show at USAF Stanton base, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by Roburt

Oh, that's interesting too. How do you know all this?

11 minutes ago, Black USAF said:

Oh, that's interesting too. How do you know all this?

I'm retired (so have lots of time) & am a massive soul fan. So I do research on soul related matters all the time (I write for a UK soul magazine, so the research is for that purpose). However, I come across loads of facts that sometimes stick in my brain (whilst other info disappears into the mist of my mind).

By the way., I guess that Bentwaters & Woodbridge bases also staged music shows to keep the guys there entertained.

Edited 11 hours ago11 hr by Roburt

Excellent! I think we should have a conversation if you're up for that?

5 hours ago, Roburt said:

then another one around 1970 (when he was backed by the Midnight Movers US group). He would most probably have used UK backing ban

Off topic hope you both dont mind Would that one the one where he played Liverpool supported by Phillip Mitchell that I went to. Wilson wasn't very impressed by the poor attendance but put on a great show. I had seen Phillip Mitchell i think the previous year when he replaced a poorly Al Green at the CIS in Manchester.

If memory serves me right at Liverpool Mitchell had hurt his leg and either had a crutch or a stick. His set was completely different to the Manchester one due to his inability to dance.

I bought a poster of the night which both Wilson and Phillip signed, I had it on the steps going down to the cellar in our cottage. When we sold the cottage I forgot about the poster plus one from the American Blues Legends Manchester gig. We only moved 500yrds up rhe road to our new housei went back the following g day and the new owners had burnt the. posters.