The good times are back again

One of Oxford's most successful 60s bands, The Falling Leaves

Since 2007, we have been remembering Oxfordshire's pop music history of the 1960s and 70s on BBC Radio Oxford.

We have talked to the local bands, managers, promoters, venue owners, photographers, visiting stars and the people who went to their gigs.

Some listeners asked us if any of the bands were still playing together and we're pleased so say that some do and have performed at two very special charity gigs.

Bringing Back The 60s - Rover Social Club, Cowley - 29th October 2011.

Oxford author Trevor Hayward at the 'Rocking in Oxford' book launch with local bands Steamroller and The Falling Leaves.

Radio Cherwell, Oxfords Hospital Radio put on a great fund-raising 60s night to re-unite some of Oxfordshire's best known sixties musicians on October 29th. It featured Steamroller, The Falling Leaves and The Gangbusters, live on stage at The Rover Sports and Social Club in Cowley. The Falling Leaves from Oxford were one of the biggest bands in the county in the 60s and managed to get a single in the national top 50. You can see a video of them and Steamroller playing here a couple of years ago for the launch of the 'Rocking in Oxford' book at the Cellar Bar in Oxford.

The Gangbusters 50 years in music

Also playing were The Gangbusters from Wallingford. They started out as the Club Six but changed their name when they recorded a single in 1963 on the Fontana label. You can hear their story by clicking on the video box. Four of them are still playing together these days, but this was a very special performance as their original singers came back to join them for this one off performance which included both sides of their single.

The line up was completed by Steamroller whose members started out in various local 60s bands. They also supported The Falling Leaves and did their own set which combined some of their favourite 60s songs, plus their own material. Here you can listen to some of the songs the groups played and a chat they had with Mark Watson after they came off stage.

Around 300 people came along and raised £3,195 for the BBC Children In Need Appeal and Radio Cherwell's Children's Show who broadcast live from one of the children's wards in Oxfords hospitals every week to cheer them up. You'll be able to hear more highlights from the night in the next Bringing Back The Good Times programme which is on BBC Radio Oxford at 3pm on 31st December 2011.

Watch video highlights from the Bringing Back The 60s Dance in Oxford by clicking here.

Bringing Back The Winter Gardens - General Foods Club, Banbury - 12 February November 2011

Bringing Back the Winter Gardens poster - February 2011

The General Foods Social Club in Banbury was packed for a dance to remember Banburys biggest 60s dance hall. Following the success of Bringing Back The Good Times, local people asked north Oxfordshire reporter Bob Dainty if there was any chance of getting some of the Banbury groups he had interviewed for the show back together again for a re-union dance. He was over the moon when The Astranoughts, The Road Knights, The Lee Malvern Four and The Teenbeats all agreed to play again live. The night sold out within 2 weeks and a packed audience were treated to a night of nostalgia, with special guests Cover to Cover who opened the show. The night raised over £3,000 for local charities The Brodey Centre, Katherine House and the Churchill Hospital.

You can hear a sample of how the groups sounded here and Mark Watson grabbed them as they came off stage to get their thoughts on the night. The 60s are definitely alive and well in Banbury with some of the bands now doing regular gigs again.