January 1st 1948 - At the Co-operative Hall Fratton Road, Nancarrow's Band. Details of the future Municipal Concerts at the Kings Theatre are published and the Evening News 'music critic' says 'Portsmouth's musical taste is improving'. At the Empress Ballroom music from Billy Norman and his electric guitar. At the Embassy Ballroom, Billy Forrest's broadcasting orchestra play for dancing. At the Savoy, Allan Green and his Savoy band plus Allan Young and his Organtones.
January 4th 1948 - The Atom Rays Variety Show was presented at the NAFFI in Cambridge Junction.
January 9th 1948 - Cyril Rice's Band at St Joseph'
s Hall Tangier Road Copnor.
January 13th 1948 - Search for a star final. Ad in the Evening News;- Miss Lester's "Moonbeams" are free for engagements, just finished 'Babes in the Wood' Panto, 23 Velder Avenue. At the Savoy ballroom, Portsmouth v Bournemouth in the British Amateur Dance teams championship. Portsmouth are top of the league.
January 16th 1948 - At the South Parade Pier, The Commanders Dance Band and Bill Cole's Clubmen alternating with Wally Fry and his Collegians.
January 18th 1948 - Silver Lining Discoveries finals at the Regent Cinema, winner Miss Marian Wright of 232 Devonshire Ave, musical support was given by Cyril Rice and the National Savings (Portsmouth) Accordion Band.
January 20th 1948 - Cyril Rice and his Band at Milton Church hall for the Kingston ward labour Party. Billy Bennett'
s Band at the Cosham Civic Centre for the Paulsgrove Social Club.
January 22nd 1948 - At the Savoy Portsmouth and Preston Supporters welcomed to pre cup tie dance with Alan Green and his Savoy Band and Johnny Lyne and his Music.
January 23rd 1948 - Cyril Rice and his band at St Joseph's Hall Copnor.
January 31st 1948 - The Portsmouth Choral and Orchestral Society present Bizet's Carmen at the Central Hall Fratton Road.
January 27th 1948 - At the Co-operative Hall Gosport music from the Jimmy James band.
January 28th 1948 - At the Savoy for one night only, Harry Davidson and his famous BBC broadcasting Orchestra play for dancing.
January 31st 1948 - At the Angerstein hall, the De-Riske Band play for an old time dance.
February 4th 1948 - Three bands in aid of the Confectioners benevolent fund, including Oscar Rabin At the South Parade Pier. At the Copnor Methodist Church, a performance by BBC organist Reginald Foort. Guest appearance of Phil Tate and his orchestra plus Alan Green and his Savoy Band.
February 7th 1948 - Saturday, Billy Norman and his electric guitar play at the Empress Ballroom.
February 10th 1948 - At Cosham Civic Centre, Billy Bennett's Band play for the Paulsgrove Social Club.
February 11th 1948 - The 'Gunworpheans' play old time music at the Co-operative Hall for a charity dance.
February 13th 1948 - At the Co-op Victory Hall, Fratton Road, Johnny Lyne's Band play for dancing.
February 14th 1948 - Dance at the Cosham Civic Centre with Madame Courtney'
s Band and cabaret for the Portchester Conservative Association.
February 18th 1948 - At the South Parade Pier for the RNOAC Grand Ball, music from the 'Oceanaires' Dance Orchestra. At St Saviour'
s Hall Stamshaw, dancing to the Skyline Serenaders eight piece Orchestra.
February 20th 1948 - For one night only at the Savoy Ballroom, Eric Winstone and his 17 piece Orchestra.
February 25th 1948 - At St Saviour'
s Hall Stamshaw, dancing to the Skyline Serenaders eight piece Orchestra.
February 28th 1948 - Saturday, At the Angerstein Hall, the De Reske band play for dancing.
March 6th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, two bands, Johnny Lyne and his Music and The New Orleans Dance Orchestra.
March 8th 1948 - At the Kings Theatre, Jack Buchanan in 'Canaries Sometimes Sing'.
March 10th 1948 - Oscar Rabin and his Band, with Harry Davis, play at the South Parade Pier. Theatre Licenses granted to St Peters Hall, Southsea and to Christ Church Hall, Portsdown. At St Saviours Hall Stamshaw, dancing to the Skyline Serenaders eight piece Orchestra.
March 11th 1948 - At the Embassy Ballroom, Leslie 'Jiver' Hutchinson and his All Star Orchestra.
March 13th 1948 - Johnny Ashley, vocalist and compare, takes over direction of the Billy Forrest Radio Band at the Embassy Ballroom.
-March 17th 1948 At the Unity Hall in Arundel street, the Mirthquakes Variety Company perform.
March 22nd 1948 - Phyllis Dixey, 'England's most fascinating star', comes to the Coliseum.
March 24th 1948 - The Empress Ballroom advertise The New Orleans Dance Band playing Monday to Saturday as does the Savoy Ballroom
March 29th 1948 - Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra at the South Parade Pier. At the Savoy Ballroom, a new band, Mick Mitchell and his Ballroom Orchestra with Johnny Lyne and his Music. Cyril Rice's Band play at St Joseph's Hall Copnor.
March 19th 1948 - Alf Hallman and his Band, with MC Bob Woolgar from the Sunshine Holiday camp, play at the Odeon Ballroom Cosham for the REME Dance.
March 24th 1948 - Harry Roy and his Orchestra plus Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom Southsea. Maureen Canavan 21 year old typist of 61 Manners Road, and Charles Ellis win the Portsmouth area Final, and third place in National Ballroom Queen contest in London. Copnor Methodist Hall packed to capacity with massed choirs from 12 churches and heard Mauder's 'Olivet to Calvery'
, amongst others.
March 26th 1948 - The Portsmouth Choral Union perform the Messiah at Portsmouth Northern Grammar School. At London Road baptist Church, the Portsmouth Glee Club perform Handel's Lenten Cantata amongst others.
March 27th 1948 - At the Embassy, Johnny Ashley and the with Billy Forrest's radio band also Charles Cowie and the Marksmen and a £2,000 Hammond Organ.
March 28th 1948 - The New Orleans Dance Orchestra join Johnny Lyne at the Savoy Ballroom.
March 29th 1948 - Terry Devon, well known BBC vocalist appears at the Savoy Ballroom. Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra appear at the South Parade Pier. At the Kings Theatre, Yvonne Arnaud and Charles Victor in Traveller's Joy. Johnny Lyne and his Music plus Mick Mitchell and his Ballroom Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 1st 1948 - A 'Butlins' Night with The Squadronnaires with Richard 'Stinker' Murdock and Sam Costa appear at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 5th 1948 - At the Co-operative Hall Fratton Road, music from Nancarrow's Band. Cyril Rice's Band at St Joseph'
s Hall, Copnor.
April 7th 1948 - Billy Ternent and his Orchestra with Pat O'Regan and Eve Beynon appear at the South Parade Pier.
April 14th 1948 - George 'Herr' Crow and his Blue Mariners Dance Orchestra at the South Parade Pier.
April 15th 1948 - Concert by the Southsea Revellers at St James' Hospital.
April 16th 1948 - At Christ Church Hall, Portsdown Hill, Leonard Leslie and his Orchestra play at a ISDC - SSDC Dinner/Dance. Tito Burns and his Sextet with Ronnie Scott, at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 17th 1948 - Saturday, At Cosham Civic Centre, dancing to the Fireflies Dance Band for the Vosper Sports and Social Club.
April 18th 1948 - Portsmouth Amateur Dance Club win the final match against Brighton and are declared League Champions of the South. The cup is presented to team Captain Charles Ellis.
April 20th 1948 - Fratton Labour Party Dance at the Victory Hall, Fratton Road with Eric Maddison's Orchestra.
April 21st 1948 - Joe Loss and his Band appear at the South Parade Pier.
April 22nd 1948 - The De Reske Orchestra appear at the Oddfellow'
s Hall Kingston Road. Mr C E Clarke, Chairman of Portsmouth Theatres who own the Theatre Royal announces that from next Autumn, there will be stage shows again after near 17 years as a cinema.
April 23rd 1948 - The Royal Marines Dance Orchestra join Wally Fry and his Collegians at South Parade Pier on 'RM Commemoration Day'Ray Ellington and his Quartette appear at the Savoy Ballroom.
April 24th 1948 - Saturday, Eddie Edwards and his Music appear in the evening at the Embassy Ballroom. The afternoon tea dance has Johnny Linker and his Quintette providing the music. Bob Kenny and his Dance Orchestra appear at the Angerstein Hall with music for dancing for the Association of Ex-Civil Servants.
April 26th 1948 - Eddie Edwards and his Music plus the voice of Norma Picard, appear in the evening at the Embassy Ballroom.
April 28th 1948 - Roy Cresdee and his 'New Orleans' featuring Jimmy Leach, appear at the Empress Ballroom.
April 30th 1948 - Jack Simpson and his Sextet appear at the Savoy Ballroom. The Gay Cameos, comprising Harry James, Len Sexton, Stan Stanbrooke, Rex Bale, Renee Gay and her Gaiety Girls produced by Harry Vincent perform to a large crowd at Hilsea barracks.
May 2nd 1948 - Carl Barriteau at the South Parade Pier.
May 7th 1948 - Nat Gonella and his Georgians appear at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Co-operative Hall Fratton Road, dancing to Les Ivemey's Band.
May 9th 1948 - Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra appear at the South Parade Pier. The 100th Municipal Concert with Mj. Vivian Dunn, who conducted the first concert, was again guest conductor for a varied programme of music at the Kings Theatre.
May 10th 1948 - American Drummer Tommy Joyce and his Band at the Empress Ballroom.
May 14th 1948 - At the Savoy ballroom, Robin Richmond and his Organ Grinders Swing.
May 28th 1948 - Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz band appear at the Savoy Ballroom. New manager at the Empress Ballroom, Jack Dunn.
May 30th 1948 - Big Bill Campbell and his Rocky Mountain Rhythm at the South Parade Pier. At the Coliseum, Wee Georgie Wood plus Hal Swain and his Swing Sisters.
May 31st 1948 - New resident band at the Embassy, Ronnie Hancox and his band. This week at the Savoy, Leslie Hutchinson and his Band. Evelyn Laye at the Kings Theatre in 'The School for Scandal'. The Portsmouth Bach Society give a performance of Bach's Requiem, conducted by Mj Vivien Dunn, at the Copnor Methodist Church.
June 4th 1948 - Bill Cole and his Clubmen return to Hilsea Lido on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
June 6th 1948 - The Famous Blue Rockets appear at the South Parade Pier.
June 8th 1948 - 199 school classes take part in the Portsmouth Schools Music Festival.
June 11th 1948 - The Ray Ellington Quartette return to the Savoy ballroom. The South Parade accounts show a profit of £17,464 for the year ending March 31st 1948.
June 12th 1948 - The Portsmouth Music Club now hold their meetings at the Central Public Library meeting room.
June 13th 1948 - Oscar Rabin and his Band with Harry Davis, return to the South Parade Pier.
June 16th 1948 - Ad in the Evening News;- South Parade Pier requires Violin and cello musicians wanted for pit orchestra for summer show July 5th to September 25th, at £9. 6s.8p per week.
June 18th 1948 - Jack Simpson and his Sextet play at the Savoy Ballroom.
June 20th 1948 - At the South Parade Pier, Sidney Lipton and his Grosvenor House Dance Orchestra play for dancing.
June 21st 1948 - At the Coliseum, Hit Parade of 1948 with Betty Driver.
June 27th 1948 - Leslie Douglas and his Orchestra at the South Parade Pier.
June 28th 1948 - At the Coliseum, Gloria Gaye and her all Girl band.
July 4th 1948 - On the South Parade Pier deck, Al Shaw and his Blue Hawaiians entertain, inside the Pier, Tito Burns and his Sextet and Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight, play for dancing.
June 30 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroon Freddie Randall from BBC jazz Club plays music for dancing.
July 2nd 1948 - Graeme Bell and his Australian Jazz Orchestra at the Savoy ballroom.
July 5th 1948 - 'Showtime' with Derek Roy, and variety act plus Stanley Passenger and the Theatre Orchestra, commences for the summer season at the South Parade Pier. At the Coliseum, "Scandals of 19 Naughty Eight".
July 9th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Nat Allen and his Radio Television Orchestra play for dancing.
July 11th 1948 - Felix Mendelssohn and his Hawaiian Serenaders at the South Parade Pier.
July 12th 1948 - Popular Irish vagabond singer Cavan O'Connor plus Douglas 'Cardew the Cad' Robinson at the Kings Theatre. At the Coliseum, Hall Monty plus the Four Aces.
July 15th 1948 - At the Savoy ballroom, Frank Wier and his Sextet with Alan Dean, play for dancing. Examples of rhymical entertainment provided for American servicemen was demonstrated by secretary Mr F. Hurlock at a recent meeting of the New Hot Club of Portsmouth.
July 18th 1948 - At the South Parade Pier, Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play for dancing.
July 19th 1948 - At the Kings Theatre, Ivor Novello stars in Perchance to Dream.
July 21st 1948 - Johnny Franks Sextet play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 23rd 1948 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight, play for dancing at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 24th 1948 - Resident Band, Mick Mitchell and his Ballroom Orchestra at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 28th 1948 - Mick Mitchell and his Ballroom Orchestra and the Johnny Franks sextet play at the Savoy Ballroom.
July 30th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Victor Feldman and his Quartette, with Alan Dean, El Casanova and his Calypso Band, play for dancing.
August 5th 1948 - BBC Organist Sandy McPherson plays at Trinity Methodist Church Southsea.
August 6th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Humphrey Lyttleton and his Dixieland Band play for dancing.
August 8th 1948 - On the South Parade Pier, The Radio Revellers play for dancing.
August 13th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Nat Temple and his Band play for dancing.
August 15th 1948 - Oscar Rabin and his Band with Harry Davis play on South Parade Pier.
August 16th 1948 - Ted Heath and his Music featuring Paul Carpenter, plus Mick Mitchell and his Ballroom Orchestra, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
August 22nd 1948 - Carl Barritaeu and his Orchestra at the South Parade Pier.
August 23rd 1948 - Winifred Attwell at the Coliseum Theatre.
August 25th 1948 - Shaw and his band, plus the Black and White Concert Party on the deck of South Parade Pier.
August 27th 1948 - Joe Daniels(drummer) and his Hot Shots featuring Shirley Gray, play at the Savoy Ballroom. Farewell dance to Ronnie Hancox and his Band at the Embassy Ballroom. At the British Legion Club, Sixth Avenue, Cosham, Harry Sutton's Band play for dancing. At the Victory Co-op Hall Fratton Road, dancing to Jimmy Harris's Quartette. At the Conservative Club, Fratton Road dancing to Doug Gower and his Music.
August 29th 1948 - Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier.
August 30th 1948 - New resident band at the Embassy Ballroom, Gordon Homer, his trumpet and his Band.
September 5th 1948 - Duncan Whyte and his Broadcasting Band featuring Reggie Dare, play at the Savoy Ballroom.Teddy Foster and his band at the South Parade Pier.
September 6th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom Mick Mitchell now has an augmented dance Orchestra including Harry Gee on guitar.
September 10th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Johnny Denis and his Novelty Radio Music, featuring the Westerners with Ivor Raymond. At the Victory Hall, Fratton Road, the Casino Orchestra play for dancing.
September 13th 1948 - Mrs Jupp re-commences her old and new dance at Milton Church hall. Dr Crock and his Crackpots return to the Coliseum Theatre.
September 14th 1948 - Leslie Douglas and his famous Orchestra play for dancing on the South Parade Pier. Film Discoveries Ball at the Savoy ballroom with Mick Mitchell and his Dance Orchestra.
September 17th 1948 - At the Savoy ballroom, Howard Lucraft and his Music with Terry Devon BBC vocalist, and Steve Race at the piano, play for dancing.
September 18th 1948 - Farewell night at the Hilsea Lido for Bill Cole and his Clubmen.
September 19th 1948 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier. Mick Mitchell continues his residency at the Savoy ballroom with an augmented orchestra play Harry Gee guitarist, vocalist and compere.
September 21st 1948 - Billy Bennett'
s Band play at the Cosham Civic Centre.
September 24th 1948 - Tito Burns and his Radio Accordion Sextet at the Savoy Ballroom. At the Conservative Hall Fratton, Douglas Gower and his Music.
September 25th 1948 - At the Central Hall Fratton Road, the chorus of the Portsmouth Glee Club sing and Rawicz and Landauer perform on two pianos.
September 26th 1948 - Municipal Concert at the Kings Theatre with the Southern Philharmonic Orchestra and Clifford Curzon (pianoforte). The Blue Rockets Dance Orchestra appear at the South Parade Pier.
September 27 1948 - The Theatre Royal reverts to stage shows after sixteen years only showing films. They start with 'Twinkle' with Clarkson Rose and Olive Fox.
October 1st 1948 - El Casanova and his Calypso Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 2nd 1948 - Tommy Joyce and his Band at the Empress Ballroom.
October 3rd 1948 - Harry Parry and his popular radio feature, The Jazz Club at the South Parade Pier. Pompey supporters want music before the game, and at half time at Fratton Park.
October 7th 1948 - Vic Lewis and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 9th 1948 - Jan Ralfini and his 14 piece Orchestra with Jerry Allen at the Wonder Hammond Organ with his Rumba Band, begin a residency on the South Parade Pier. New band at the Savoy Ballroom, "Smiling Johnnie" Smith and his Out of the Blue Orchestra, will join Mick Mitchell's Band.
October 11th 1948 - A new resident band at the Embassy, Benny Freedman and his Orchestra, featuring Joe "Tiny" Nicholls, 20 stones of entertainment. They are direct from three years residency at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone. Gordon Homer and his Band play on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday at the Embassy until then.
October 12th 1948 - The Empress Ballroom at North End advertise a new sprung floor, for dancing.
October 13th 1948 - Cab Kaye and his Brand New Orchestra, the Ministry of Swing, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 15th 1948 - The Ray Ellington Quartette play at the Savoy Ballroom. Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the Co-op Hall Fratton Road.
October 20th 1948 - Victor Silvester and his famous ballroom Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier at the 'Ball of the Season' for the Federation of Master Builders. Howard Lucraft and his Music at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 22nd 1948 - Billy Ternent and his full 18 piece Broadcasting Orchestra with Eve Beynon, and Portsmouth's own Pat O'Regan, play at the South Parade Pier. Oscar Rabin and his band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
October 23rd 1948 - The Portsmouth Choral and Orchestral Society perform Handel's 'Messiah' at the Central Hall Fratton Road.
October 25th 1948 - The Carl Rosa Opera Company return to the Kings Theatre. At the Theatre Royal, Frankie Howard, of Variety Bandbox fame.
October 26th 1948 - Amateur Talent night at the Pomme D'or Club, Clarence Parade.
October 29th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Cyril Stapleton and his Orchestra play for dancing. Portsmouth Gunnery Instructors dance at the Oddfellows Hall with music from Graham Leslie and his Band.
October 30th 1948 - Johnny Dennis and his Novelty Radio Music, featuring the famous Westerners and Ivor Raymond, appear at the Savoy ballroom. At the Odeon Ballroom Cosham, dancing to Fred Lanny and his Music with compare vocalist Jerry Leach.
November 3rd 1948 - Tommy Sampson and his Band play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 5th 1948 - Teddy Foster and his Star Orchestra at the South Parade Pier. Johnny Lyne and his Music play at the Co-op Hall Fratton Road.
November 10th 1948 - At the Savoy Ballroom, Harry Farmer and his Electric Organ and his Electrons play for dancing.
November 11th 1948 - Olive Dale who lives at 17 London Road, Portsmouth is singing at the Coliseum this week.
November 12th 1948 - Humphrey Lyttleton and his Dixieland Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 13th 1948 - The Portsmouth Choral Union perform Verdi's Aida at the Northern Grammar School, Mayfield Road.
November 15th 1948 - Portsmouth girl, sixteen year old June Jackman of 75 Farlington Road, is one of the John Tiller Dancers at the Royal Command performance and will soon be appearing in Panto in London.
November 16th 1948 - At the Cosham Civic Centre, the Teddy Hank's Band play for the Paulsgrove Social Club dance.
November 18th 1948 - Leonard Leslie's Band at the Co-op Hall, Fratton Road organised by the British Rail Social committee.
November 19th 1948 - Cyril Stapleton and his 17 piece radio Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom. At St Saviour's Hall Stamhaw, Teddy Hank's Band with 'Wendy' play for dancing for the Portsmouth North British Legion.
November 20th 1948 - It has been decided to resuscitate the adult Portsmouth music competition festival from June next year. Irene Harbour's 'Harbour Lights' give a concert at St Mary's Institute and raise £59.1s.6d for Portsea parish Church funds.
November 22nd 1948 - Portsmouth girl Babette O'Deal, youngest daughter of the late Mr S Smith of St Helier, Whitwell Road, Southsea, appears in the musical comedy, The Quaker Girl at the Kings Theatre. At the Theatre Royal, Michael Miles in 'Radio Forfeits' including the yes/no interlude, plus Wilson Kepple and Betty.
November 25th 1948 - Harry Gold and his Pieces of Eight, with Jane Lee and Geoff Love, play at the Savoy Ballroom.
November 26th 1948 - Joe Loss and his Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier.
November 28th 1948 - The new Portsmouth City Fire Brigade band, musical director Mr L Cooper, play their first concert at Portsea Parish Institute.
December 3rd 1948 - The Squadronaires Dance Orchestra play at the South Parade Pier. Eric Winstone and his Radio Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 10th 1948 - Harry Stares and his band play at the Forrester'
s Hall Fratton Road.
December 13th 1948 - At the Theatre Royal, Billy Reid and Dorothy Squires (his wife) appear. At the Fawcett Road Methodist Church, old people are entertained by the Black and White Concert Party.
December 15th 1948 - The Portsmouth Glee Club perform the Messiah at the Central Hall Fratton Road.
December 17th 1948 - Ted Heath and his Music play at the Savoy Ballroom.
December 18th 1948 - Ad in the Evening News;- The Modernaires Dance Band have vacancies apply Leader, 97 Battenberg Avenue.
December 20th 1948 - BB Discoveries at the Theatre Royal include Terry Hall with the Irish dummy Micky Flynn.
December 24th 1948 - Fred Lanny and his Music at the Odeon Ballroom, Cosham.
December 27th 1948 - At the Coliseum Dr. Crock and his Crackpots.
December 30th 1948 - Dennis Hale and his Orchestra play at the Savoy Ballroom.
NOTE: This is an edited version of Mick Cooper's research. The full version can be found at Mick Cooper's website