The Walton Hop

1958 witnessed a piece of Walton history. A few years earlier, a resident of Bermuda, Deniz Cordy came to England together with a production company in tow. However, unable to obtain his equity card he took a job at another It was while working at Birkhead’s he came up with a plan. Why not play some of the records he liked in front of groups of people who could not only enjoy the songs but also dance! With his plan in plan he spoke to the Playhouse and booked up Saturday nights for the project. Thus began what was to be known as the Walton Hop. It was so successful that the doors usually had to shut almost as the first music played. It was only a matter of time before live acts also began to perform. Two notable bands that did just that were the Bay City Rollers and the Moody Blues. Local resident Jimmy Pursey also played there with his band. The boys, local Hersham lads began by miming to the Rollers. They soon started writing their own material, and the band that is Sham69 was born.

Do you have memories of the “Hop”? If you do, I would love to hear from you.

Email me at:

ex-icon of Walton, Birkhead’s, a record shop.

paul@villagematters.co.uk Source : Various