Who remembers this Hartlepool beat band from 1963

In 1963, they featured in the Northern Daily Mail when Marianne gave her view on the prospect of stardom. “I like singing but I could not do it full time,” she told our reporter.

It was a grounded reply from an 18-year-old lead singer of a “beat group.”

Marianne, from Davison Drive in West View and who worked as a school secretary, added: “I am happy the way things are at the moment. I would not say no to making a record or maybe a cabaret appearance but a professional singer’s life is not for me.”

Our reporter described Marianne’s outlook as “a little different from most pop youngsters. With many, it is a question of ‘find yourself a manager and hope for success’.”

We interviewed her in the week when The Comets were due to head to a studio in Newcastle to record a three-minute slot for a television show. Marianne had decided to sing the Julie Grant song Count On Me.

The show was called Double Chance. Each week, a different singer would perform and - after a few weeks - the public would vote for the singer they would like to see again.

The lucky act would return for another performance, hence the show’s name of Double Chance.

As well as Marianne, The Comets also consisted of Peter Savage (lead guitar), John Pontone (rhythm), Colin Temple (bass guitar) and John Madge (drums).

How did they do in the show? Email [email protected]