“Star Night” At the Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, was invariably reserved for Saturday night when there was chance of a lie in on the Sunday to let the toxic aftermath of Brew 10 wear off. But occasionally, the management were offered an act of such stellar proportions that available slots on other nights had to be considered. And so it was that Tuesday (yes Tuesday) August 3rd, 1965, saw the arrival of an American band who had just flown in for a European tour… Read More

In the modest but always vibrant town of Nelson, “Star Night” at the Imperial Ballroom was the heartbeat of every Saturday. Locals clutched tightly to those cherished evenings – a euphoric blend of rhythm, romance, and recovery (especially from the effects of Brew 10, the beloved but notorious local pint). But every now and then, something so legendary came knocking that even tradition had to make way.

Such was the case on Tuesday, August 3rd, 1965 – a date that would burn brightly in the memory of all who walked through those ballroom doors.

Instead of a local quartet or a rising UK starlet, an American band fresh off a transatlantic flight graced the stage, setting the floor – and perhaps the entire town – ablaze with their presence. Their name? Lost to time for some, but for those who were there, it echoes louder than ever. Dressed to the nines and armed with brass, bass, and soul, they brought not just music but a movement.

For many in Nelson, this was their first taste of authentic American rhythm & blues, the kind that didn’t just play – it pulsed through your veins. The dancefloor shook. The walls sweated. And Brew 10 never tasted the same again.

There are whispers among older locals that this very night helped shape the region’s musical identity, inspiring budding musicians and setting a new standard for what live performance could be.

“It was electric. You could feel it before a single note was played. That band… they didn’t just perform – they preached,” recalled one attendee, now 81.

The Imperial Ballroom would go on to host dozens of acts, but for many, that Tuesday would never be topped. Not because it broke tradition, but because it broke boundaries.