normans blog

IMPORTANT MESSAGE…. GOOD TIMES AT CARNIVAL 2011

12:14pm Thu 21st Jul 2011

IMPORTANT MESSAGE…

It is with real sadness and profound regret that I am left with no alternative but to officially announce today that GOOD TIMES sound system are unable to participate in this year’s Notting Hill carnival festivities due to a myriad of extenuating circumstances, some of which were simply beyond our control. After endless meetings, countless late night brainstorming sessions and many sleepless nights, we concluded it just wasn’t possible for us this year to present a show worthy of your high expectations of us.

So after more than 3 decades of deejaying at the Notting Hill carnival (20 of those at our current location on the corner of West Row and Southern Row) entertaining generations of our fans, the realisation that we cannot be there on August 28th and 29th has been a particularly devastating one for us all to come to terms with. Saying that, on a more positive note, we feel that a one year sabbatical away from carnival and all that it entails will prove to be of real benefit to all concerned in the long run, giving us all a bit of time and space to evaluate what it really means to be part of the greatest street festival in Europe. A precedent has already been set with regard to established UK festivals taking a gap year with even the ‘mother’ of all UK festivals, GLASTONBURY officially announcing a one year break in 2012. Good Times will not be hosting an official after party either this year.

I must stress at this point that the world famous Notting Hill carnival NEEDS to be supported and needs your continued support. Although it remains the UK’s largest FREE cultural event, Notting Hill carnival continues to offer the visitor unrivalled cultural and musical experiences throughout the weekend which still NEEDS to be supported and needs your support. And even though our GOOD TIMES sound system is unable to be there this year, I implore you dedicated music and party loving fans to still come along on August bank holiday weekend and enjoy more than just the sight and sounds of the iconic red double decker bus.

All that remains to be said is that GOOD TIMES would like to sincerely thank you for over 30 unbelievable years of continuous partisan support, not only of our original sound system but of our music events and brand too.
Therefore we very much look forward to seeing you massed around West Row and Southern Row in 2012. So all is not as bad as it at first seems. We will be back!

  • Maliksta

    Wow. I have been coming from the USA to Carnival for you the last 4 years. this would of been 5. PLEASE let me know you will be playing somewhere at least?  I also had a blast when you came over to Washington DC for the Innauguration when you played in DC. Thank you for being such a legend.

  • Kimberleywalker7

    Well, what can I say? For me  the Carnival is the about people the floats and the Good Times! you all will be truly missed, enjoy your gap year, see you at the next one 2012.   xxx

  • http://twitter.com/angrynoel Joel Godfrey

    Devastated. I missed last year because i was getting married *shakes fist at wife*.

    As long as you come back in 2012 I can hold back the tears. Plus I got to see Sir Norman at the Westbourne Studios and Croatia already year :)

  • Daviddrs

    Outrage total outrage!!

  • Mrfixitlp

    sorry sir norman, you are carnival to me and a lot of my friends we only came to your bit and stayed there all day.

    no good times = no carnival

    hope to see you next year. you played a blinder at vintage.

  • Robalias

    Sad sad news, for many people an essential part of the Noting Hill Carnival experience will be missing.

    See you in 2012 Norman.

    Rob Alias
    Starpoint Radio

  • Threesweedes

    Sad news. For the third year in a row we are comming to the Carneval from Sweden, mainly to see you. However we are looking forward to your new compilation and hope to see you again in 2012

  • Sam Warriner

    No mention of the contractual obligations to London 2012?
    Working for that MBE to the detrement of 30 years of loyalty. Nice

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Pamela-Irving/100001436983659 Pamela Irving

    Will hear you where ever you are Norman Jay  …..

  • mindbase

    sorry to hear… coming this year all the way from berlin  with my wife to let her experience the good times vibe… too late to cancel hotles/flights… feel a bit gutted!

  • dj jon bradley

    such a shame  - i missed your set at the big chill – was working too far away in another field – gutted for myself but for all those that will now miss out on a legendary yearly event – west row good vibes.

  • Dave

     Lets hope this cloud has a silver lining… xxx

  • Rafiki

    Sad, sad, sad. Might sound sad but one of my greatest dreams is to DJ for good times.

  • http://www.facebook.com/murray.alexander Murray Alexander
  • Pete Lewis

    Fab news that GOOD TIMES IS back at NHC!  Let the good times roll

  • Ktkellyturner3007

    carnival without GOOD TIMES is not carnival  ????????? will not be the same where can we go 

  • Lauratully

    no!!  want you there!!

  • Dave

    You know what, this means I might get to see a bit more of carnival for once, so maybe not such a bad thing.  Just make sure you are back next year though…

  • Si Loot

    What a load of Bollox…what extenuating circumstances?? Explain please! ( not that I got to see you last year anyway despite trying both days and being turned away a wall of miserable police)

  • thenji ( pronounced 10g)

    Love you long time! we meet at the Big Chill Goa!! Peace x

  • CC

    I feel TOTALLY let down – shame on you Good Times!! 

    I refuse to believe there is not a solution to the issues you face. Good times IS Carnival for so many of us, its an institution and something we look forward to each and every year. 

    Carnival needs to be supported by the artists and by Good Times letting down the public when we need you most – as its been a horrendous summer for Londoners – really isn’t good enough.

  • SoundbwoyBurrell

    Sadness, Carnival is Good Times for me i will have to wait till next year wall space reserved for 2012 Channel One for me then.

  • http://www.facebook.com/bryanblw Bryan Wilson

    this is heartbreaking been there for every one of them 30 years the best vibe in carnival…

  • Chris Philips

    Can’t beleedat mate :-( Anyway your album has been ‘album of the week’ all week on Jazz FM :-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=733096104 Nick Symbiosis

    Didnt go to big chill this year after the new owners ”threw” you out on the stage with a tressle table last year and then cut your set back! That safe in the knowledge that I would catch you at Carnival – sad times :-( ….

    Dont blame you though -you’d be thee if you could I’m sure

  • Nadeem Chughtai

    West Row was looking pretty deserted today… looked most odd after 20 years of seeing Good Times grow and grow.

     

  • artois

    Thank u for providing years of “good times “and great memories at NHC. Lets focus on the positive, you’ll be back, bigger and better… See you next year.

  • Asianghostdog

    The security on the Good Times bus is absolutely shite and the fact that the administrator for Norman Jay who I saw treated guests appaling – even myself and I was a crew member, and later not paid as I told him what I thought of him and how he treated people.

  • go

    after ur pooor showing at new year (north london – how many stayed til the end?) this seems to speak volumes bout where u are at. not good for london for carnival. talk bout diggin ur own grave. Norman Jay RIP.

  • paddyc69

    GUTTED went up early to southern Row aswell my heart felt bad when got near and found u could walk up the road no police stopping u no show ,went to next door to Sancho Pansa for longer then i normally do.
    hope norman will be back next year, hope ur ok
    one thing the Tree looked looked safe all on its own  not pulled from its roots,

    X Paddyc69  

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