THE STAGE 3 PAGE

Stage 3 was based in Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppy Kent and was my second home from around 1979 - 1985 Its owners Robert and Mark Wilson had obviously invested quite a lot of money into the club at that time as it had all of the latest equipment and lighting aswell as a smoke (Dry Ice) machine that I swear I can still smell when I think about those days! However I am sure the investment must have paid off as every Friday and Saturday was full of around 1000 funkateers who had travelled from all parts of London and the South and had stood in the long que that stretched along the main promenade to get into the club. (Never had to que myself - had a V.I.P. card) The club was also unique at the time as it not only had a resident DJ (Tom Felton) but also a light DJ who's sole job was to control the complex display of lighting. The Club also had an upper and lower dance floor, The lower or main dance floor had a party atmosphere were the majority would dance whereas the upper floor with mirrored pillars was where the Jazz boys or cool dancers hung out. The DJ - Tom Felton was a local guy who knew his music, Tom was a fringe DJ who aspired to be one of the Caister Djs and although he never quite made those heights he was involved in some of the local weekenders around the South East.

Robert Wilson

Mark Wilson

The Wilsons

DJ Tom Felton

LISTEN TO TOM FELTON

A live Stage 3 recording from 1982

( Excuse the old tape recorder sound)

Leysdown

STAGE 3 PEOPLE

(Please allow a few seconds for Gallery to load)

Inside Stage 3

Isle of Sheppy

Here for your listening pleasure is a collection of Stage 3 Classics.

I have a massive collection of mp3's so if you would like any tunes added just leave a message

STAGE 3 JUKEBOX

The two banners used to be on the walls at Stage 3 and are now in the posession of Tom Felton

Although it is not a Jazz Funk or Soul track - Tom Felton would always finsh the evening at stage 3 with a track called The Long March by Vangelis. I cannot find the original - which is a little more uptempo but for all ex Stage 3 clubbers click below to hear the Finale

LEAVE A COMMENT OR MESSAGE

Comments and Messages

  1. going to stage 3 every weekend was the best time of my life.met some great people.so excited about reunion.will definitly be there

    (Posted on 2010-03-09 19:16:00 by lorraine)

  2. Hi Ya'll

    Back in the day....I used to go to various discos in Kent (Hunting Lodge, Atlantis, Kings Lodge, Tudor House, Spring Tavern, The Mote in Wrotham, Kempton Manor, Good Companions Club in Rochester etc. The DJ's were Gentleman Jack & Funky Malc, going under the name of "Southern Soul Express" Anybody remember being 'Funked' by them two dudes?

    I remember one night in 76' they had Chris Hill appearing on stage, that was the 1st time 'Hilly' he had played in Kent.

    (Posted on 2010-02-18 21:41:00 by Angie)

  3. You gotts add "Searching - Cahnge" to your list of Stage 3 choons, it so reminds me of heading outta Bromley with bags full of the new burger bar "Mcdonalds!!" heading south for a banging night out ("anyone for the bumper cars before we go in?") Great memories of Stage 3, wicked club, nuff said..............

    (Posted on 2010-02-11 22:50:00 by Pistol_London_Funky_Geezer)

  4. For the latest Stage 3 Reunion details check out http://www.strawberrymoons.co.uk/stage3/

    (Posted on 2010-01-22 15:48:00 by Ade Rowswell)

  5. Happy New Year Everyone, Looks like Easter Bank Holiday Sunday4th is on for the Stage3 Reunion. Just tying everyone down but the line up should be Thomas, Greg Edwards, Tom Holland, John Osbourne, Sean French and a few more names to be confirmed.

    It will be called the Southern Soul Spectacular and held at Strawberry moo...ns over three floors plus roadhouse next door will be good for chill out it also opens till 4am so if we want to keep the party going we can :) Hopfully by the end of next week we should be good to go. All the best and cant wait to see everyone again.

    Rob & Mark :)

    (Posted on 2010-01-05 16:04:00 by Rob Wilson)

  6. Ah yes, I only went to stage3 a few times between 1980 to 1983, but by 1983, things took a tumble with the odd drunk fueled brawl that broke out within the club itself, but my first visit was on a friday night august 1980 with a fella known as Tony Baron, who would dj in The Bali Hai, Streatham during that time, and Tony Prince of Radio Luxemborg was there, a small fella, he offered me a job to do with the radio station, but unfortunately I did not posses a driving licence, how oppertunities come and go in life, and goodness knows if both these kind hearted people are still alive, one thing I do recall is the Cerwin Vega Speaker System, bass units in brick surround for that punchy sound, three technics direct drives, a good lighting show, I heard a rumour that the club was burnt down during the mid 1980's?, but that is only hearsay, you know what it's like, rumours can get around and exagerated, anyway, my last cisit to Leysdown was bearly a year ago, places change, thankyou for reading, Regards, Tom, Crystal Palace, London.

    tomlyons77@btconnect.com

    Ripple, Beat Goes On, Available if required

    Francine Magee, Delirium, Also Available

    Munich Machine, Get On The Funk Train, Also Available

    (Posted on 2009-12-31 23:06:00 by tomlyons)

  7. I was the cook at Stage 3 (was rubbish behind the bar)...Stage 3 gave me the best years of my life...what a great time that was, the best years of my life were at Stage 3....but hey, a re-union comin up soon in the new year!!!

    (Posted on 2009-12-29 20:00:00 by Cungi)

  8. Both my wife and i worked there. its where we first met she worked there in 81 through to when iy burned down i was there for a year or so working the front bar and the 007 bar. good times good friends

    (Posted on 2009-11-08 20:34:00 by michael adach)

  9. great music? not been there but hearing the music sounds like bridge country club in kent there had soul music monday"s ask shev about this i am sure i know you thought shev years ago lol my cousin sally ring a bell big house went there after bridge one night i was seeing shev years ago

    (Posted on 2009-08-12 01:18:00 by susan)

  10. the finale was a vangelis track but not the long march. its entitled Chung Kuo. and many a night i spent in front of lighting controls trying to master them to this tune. had some good times at club with tom,glen,ken the doorman an co.

    (Posted on 2009-07-15 17:48:00 by andy)

  11. I used to go to Stage 3 in 1980 with a girlfriend called Ann. It was just the best. When I found your site,(via jazzfunksoulbrothers) I fell off my seat. I now live and work in Bangkok, Thailand, so there's not much, if any, real music out here. Anyhow, great site. I'll message again, promise. John H.

    (Posted on 2009-07-05 15:10:00 by arthuristheboy)

Click on the image

to link to Strawberry Moons

for detailed information

STAGE 3 ON FACEBOOK

JAZZ FUNK & SOUL

For those who like to groove!

You are viewing the text version of this site.

To view the full version please install the Adobe Flash Player and ensure your web browser has JavaScript enabled.

Need help? check the requirements page.

Get Flash Player