Oh my goodness me does this bring back memories? I was there in the crowd of spectators a young 12 y/old lad watching this. I remember how the police grays formed up behind us then on signal slowly walked through the lines with those big batons raised and then upon command proceeded to do battle. Anybody else remember this event?
When I emigrated to Australia in June that year, they wouldn't believe me when I told them about this.

I also remember being stuck on the beach near the Palace Pier when all this happened. I was with a couple of friends (John Green and Alan Bowyer, as I recall). We were 15 at the time and it was pretty terrifying. Brighton streets became deserted canyons while Mods and Rockers prowled around on and off their bikes and scooters. We were about 50 yards away from the Police horses when they moved in to clear the rioters. It wasn't pleasant being stuck in a sea of kids, some of whom were really looking for trouble, others like us just hanging around - how dumb can crowds be! On the way home walking along a deserted London Road, just opposite the Co-op, a scrawny rocker with a big transistor radio on his shoulder (a precursor to the Ghetto Blasters of the 1980s) yelled at John Green and I "who are you ****** screwing at?" We stupidly taunted him about his star tattoos on his ears (we could see them from across the street) and then had to run for what we though were our lives. His hefty Ghetto blaster was fortunately for us a serious impediment to his being able to catch us. Thankfully he was alone but had a large chain in his hands - as did many of his rocker buddies that day. Most people in the US also don't believe the violence that came to Brighton for a few years running around Whitsun. Going back to school (Varndean) after the "holiday" was a bit surreal. Phil Allsopp, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

I was a Rocker in Brighton. Had a great time sleeping under pier and in Volks Railway and being chased around by the police. Used to meet in a cafe by the station and get the Mods coming down to Brighton from Crawley.

The Whitsun Bank Holiday of May 1964 is etched in my memory. We always went to Brighton for bank hols and stayed at the St Martin's hotel off the seafront (anyone remember it?). I so vividly recall mum holding my hand and tippy toe-ing along the pebbles in front of the aquarium terrace. I asked mum what they were doing as deck chairs were crashed over heads. Those were the days!

I loved being a rocker - the bikers' cafes, daygo, littlechief. Fab days. Lucky to be part of that time.

I was never a Rocker as such, used to ride my 650 Thunderbird wearing a USAF parka sometimes but usually a waxed Belstaff Trialsmaster jacket to keep the rain out, I just like motorcycles more than scooters. My mate Bob Howell lived next door to the Daygo in Patcham and we were the first customers when Bob's Mum treated us to sausage egg and chips on the first night. Also there was the Hi lo at Fiveways near the current HSBC bank. Another place was in Waterloo Street called something like The White Pigeons and yet another was in Lewes. Happy days of chips, coffee and Coke, the occasional half of light ale in the Wilmington at Patcham. Bob's father George had a workshop near the Daygo where he repaired many of the local lads' bikes, my Thunderbird Combo came from him via its owner Rob Kenley. It had a Stieb sidecar and was bright red, I think I paid about £75 for it. I rode to the Carden youth club on the back of Jim Parkes' Vespa sometimes (never confused) - bikes were best.

Bet you wish you still had the Steib sidecar, Alan? Worth a king's ransom these days.

Yes Len, I wish I had most of the bikes now as I could retire in comfort. The Stieb was a 501, I think, with a cast alloy handgrip on the mudguard which housed the light, also a handy boot to carry the wet weather gear. My Father had several bikes including a couple of Norton Internationals and an early Manx. There is a Vincent Rapide on line for £33,000 if you fancy one - and they are still bidding !!

I becam a Mod in an "instant" after watching Quadrophenia. Next day , brought a parka , Fred Perry, Levis 501s and pork pie hat. They were great days, looking the bees knees, watching out for Skins and Punks circa 1979 and 1980. Still a Mod at heart at 52 - check out modclthin.com for some super gear.

Hi Tony Hayes, I've been a Modette since 1977 loved every minute of it gettng chased by rockers along the sea front, wish I could go back to those days again. I'm still a Modette today and I'm 44. Once a Mod always a Mod. If you'd like to, join my Paul Mod Weller page on Facebook. Tony plz do. K.T.F.

Hi Alan, I remember the Daygo coffee bar very well. I married Bob Howell in 1971. Sorry to say Bob passed away Dec 2004.

I'm new to this site but what memories it brings back. Bob Howell's family lived next door to the site of the old Daygo till 2004. What a great family - they were my in laws. Who remembers Paul Amery and Jenny?

Hi Alan. My fingers are so stiff I hit the wrong keys. Bob and I married in 1970; did you marry Liz Durant? Do you remember Bob Filby, Keith Rummary, Bruce Cousins, Pat Sheppard and all the crew from the public bar at the Wilmington pub? Am I right in saying your dad also had a bike? Do you remember Eileen, the lovely barmaid - think her surname was Wyndam

I was a rocker, still have my leather jacket that I would never part with. I left school in the summer that year so couldn't afford one at that time, but I definitely would have been there. I'm still a biker as we call ourselves now at the grand age of 62. We tour Europe and have all our holidays on the bike - weather permitting. Used to be in The Whiskey A Go-Go most nights, near the Clock Tower. I remember some names Fred Hall, Des & Ken Johnston, Phill ?, & my step sister of course Eileen Needham. I moved to Nottingham in 1965, but even came back down 3 weeks later for Easter. I stayed with a friend called Kip & his mum, also in a caravan somewhere that belonged to Phill's dad. My mum saw me on the news, as I was on a bike & side car with a friend, we had a load of empty bottles in it but never used them for anything. A few of us were put in a police van & let out again, I think it was just to frighten us, but we hadn't done anything anyway. I still love Brighton & go back now & then; the memories come flooding back!

Does anyone remember a mod called King Jerry? He seemed to have a big following.

I remember King Jerry from the late 60's and 70's. He's still around. The last I heard King Jerry was DJ at a monthly soul/Motown review at the Corals Stadium Hove.

I think he used to DJ at the Florida Club before it was the Aquarium.