A QUESTION about Watford bands from the 1960's prompted Eddy Steel of South Oxhey to call the Nostalgia Hotline.

Eddy recalls going to hear bands at the Trade in Watford around 1964 and 1965, where local acts included Eddie and the Checkers, who played covers of pop hits, Irky Grant a Roy Orbison style singer, and Gene and The Cossacks.

Famous names who played at The Trade included The Who briefly known as The High Numbers, and Sonny Boy Williamson backed by The Animals.

Eddy attended the opening disco night at the Top Rank in Watford in late 1965 or early 1966 and recalls the very first record played was Hey Supergirl by Graham Bonney.

The Top Rank boasted a revolving stage and a smart dress policy, unlike the Trade which allowed casual dress.

Eddy recalls that young people used to gather on Saturday afternoons in a basement caf under a Chinese restaurant called The House of Taurus in an alleyway off Watford High Street.

He said: "Everyone used to meet down there. There was no alcohol, just coffee and Coke. It was where everyone used to gather on a Saturday afternoon."

In South Oxhey, there was a venue known as The Mine behind The Pheasant pub and acts which appeared there included The Who, Screaming Lord Sutch, The Pretty Things and the Rolling Stones.

Do any former band members or their fans have any further memories of these times that they would like to share?

What were the favourite shops for clothes and records?