Twisting the afternoon away - 40s and 50s Day in King's Lynn

Afternoon of free live Rock and Roll music.

As I turn the corner into Tuesday Market Place it's a little like stepping back in time, rock and roll music playing, people dressed in 40s and 50s clothing, quiffs everywhere, lots of leather jackets and swing skirts and some jiving going on.  All of which can't help but make you smile.

Sally and Tina are bopping along and looking the part, "Sometimes you go out and people are like oh, you're in fancy dress, no - this is me - this is the way I dress, we live it. It's the music, the cars - everything really," says Tina, Sally adds, "It's a lifestyle for us, we just follow the music all over.  It's the music and it's the people."

Tina and Sally

Danny Fisher's been performing for the last hour and as his set comes to an end, 88 year old Dave who's been dancing with his friend Jill, takes the opportunity to sit down for a bit.  He tells me he's got two artificial hips and a knee,  "But we've got our dance shoes on.  We're here for the weekend from the West Midlands and stumbled across this, I think it's great, takes me back a few years I'll tell you!"

Towards the back of the stage Danny's signing autographs and having photos taken, "I enjoy the crowd and I like seeing people happy," he says. 

Danny Fisher with a fan

Up next is the V8 Rockets, and I'm pointed in the direction of lead singer Paul 'Potsie' McAlpine who's getting ready, "Stage looks great, crowd is good - really looking forward to playing. I've been doing this for donkeys years, it's not just the music, it's a lifestyle - a mid century life style - there's the hair, the clothes, the cars, we're not your run of the mill guys we're all living with one foot in the past.  And it's good fun, it harps back to a much nicer era."

I ask if he's always had a quiff and his answer doesn't disappoint, "Yep - all my life."

The V8 Rockets

As The V8 Rockets take to the stage Paul, who hasn't really left the dance floor, tells me he's been doing the jive since he was a teenager, "It's exciting music, very natural music, very descriptive and it keeps you very fit."

I stop to chat to friends Ann and Gina - whose outfits catch my eye.  Gina says, "We go to a lot of charity shops to buy the accessories and everything like that, we were both born in the 50's so we love the music." Ann adds, "Everybody's all so friendly, and everyone's just so happy at events like this."   

Ann and Gina

After the V8 Rockets, it's Sarah Mai's turn to perform more vintage tunes.  What a lovely way to spend a sunny Sunday afternoon.