HISTORIANS got some satisfaction following an appeal for memories of a seminal rock gig in Winchester in the 1960s.

Hyde 900’s living history group appealed for people who attended a Rolling Stones concert at The Lido in Worthy Lane to come forward.

Among the 23 who got in touch were the Rolling Stones’ support act on December 20, 1963, and a fan that claims Mick Jagger bought him a drink in the Hyde Tavern.

There were also memories of what happened after the concert — which charged a 7s 6d entry charge. One respondent said she had shared a coffee with the band at a house in Romsey Road!

Pete Charman, of Franklin Road, Twyford, said he heard the band had gone into the Hyde Tavern after being thrown out of The Lido’s bar for having long hair!

The 62-year-old described how Mick Jagger came to buy him a half-a-pint of bitter.

“He didn’t intend to buy me a drink but it ended up that way,”

he said.

“I was waiting to get served and he bought Brian Jones a drink and I just got included in the round, I was under-age as it was!”

Mr Charman said there was about 1,000 people packed into The Lido, with people three-deep on the balcony, which was bouncing under the weight.

Tony Collier, whose band The Strangers were the support act that night, said: “I remember that we were all in this very small dressing room all together and they [Rolling Stones] were really nice guys, no problems at all.

“I can still see Rex Pragnell now [the promoter] — a really smart guy — in his suit and waistcoat, and I think a cigar, pleased as punch that he had pulled off a great coup getting them.”

Kathy Farr said she and friend Sue Blair — whose dad was manager of Sheriff & Ward (now Debenhams) — had got chatting to the band after the gig.

She said: “We took them back to my place for coffee, but my mother thought they were no good layabouts and threw them out, so we went to Sue’s house for coffee, her parents were in bed.

“We sat and talked for a long time drinking coffee,” she added.

“We were quite content just to sit and drink coffee and talk.”

Madelaine Key, who is co-ordinating the project for Hyde 900, said: “I’m really pleased with the response, it’s certainly given colour to the event which up to then was just rumour.

“It’s lovely to have different memories, from someone’s dad coming to take her home because she was late, to punch-ups.”

By the time the Rolling Stones appeared at the Winchester gig they had already enjoyed a couple of chart hits, including a number 12 placing for I Wanna Be Your Man — a Lennon and McCartney cover — the previous month.

They have so far released a total of 29 studio albums and 92 singles, not including live sets and compilations.

The living history project forms part of Hyde 900’s celebrations this year to mark the 900th anniversary of the burial of King Alfred in Hyde.

Do you have any memories of the concert? Leave them below.