Lovely girl I went to a place in 1972 which I knew only as the dive bar and could never understand why. Big hair and big eyes and John with his shoes wouldve been 65 We married in 1976 and continued to go out to Scamps and are still married now. i was a regular and married Vicky Hope a gorgeous bunny girl sadly she died 5yrs ago. We were more 18 year olds from Sunderland who found our way to the Club A Gogo hoping to meet someone to give us a lift home! Oh Mike Jeffrey. He was playing at the Arcadia Theatre. The North East in the 60s as a wonderful time for musicians and performers and I am so pleased to have been there. If anyone has any good images or information, please post on here or contact me personally. I had an input early in the posts re La Strada and Ken Maddison and was lead vocalist at the Sunderland and South Shields nightclubs. My dad, George McGuinness, was the pianist at the Mayfair in the 60s. My sister was the girlfriend of Gordon Cleghorn. Thursday nights at the Agogo were the highlights of my week thats when the big-name touring acts played there, and admission was seven shillings and sixpence. Went to nearly all the clubs mentioned. Hello, this has been a great read. Also played drums on I Keep Singing that same old song, Heavy Jelly (Skip Bifferty). The Majestic Ballroom is probably most famous for hosting the Beatles very first appearance in the city on 28th January 1963. The Guys and Dolls, Marimba and the El toro featured a lot in my life then, my sister Ann Taylor worked as a receptionist at the Turks and has contributed previously, happy days. ___________________________________________________________________________. In 1967 I spent a short time singing with the Don Smith orchestra of the Oxford Galleries after we finished we always used the Cavendish club or Billy Bottos in Byker. Alan Price was, I think, born in Jarrow and worked at the tax office. Robbie use to lean out of the passenger window as they were driving around shouting LOOK NO HANDS ! Does anyone remember Joe and Pat McBeth,fab dancers, Does anyone know of any Italian restaurant where someone called Frank Calzini or Franco Calzini worked in 1967 it was in Pink Lane. I used to go to the Marimba on a Saturday morning, I remember going down to the cellar which was typical of all the cellars in Grey Street as I believe it was known as smugglers run in the past, as they went down to the river. Yes I was a big fan of The Kon-Tors, the forerunners of The Animals. I later joined the Gamblers backing Billy Fury. Jean McGowan ( still dancing) xx, Hi David I also used to be a DJ at the New Cellar Jazz Club later the Chelsea Cat sent some pics etc for the site good to hear you are still with us great memories of a great time in our lives. I lived there from when it opened in late1973 or early 1974. HAPPY DAYS>, Anyone still keep in contact with David or Tommy Findlay? there was a keyboard player and a drummer called Allan, who drove around Newcastle in a big left hand drive American car. Saw Alan Bown Set, Downtown Faction and a group from Teeside(?Rivers Invitation)there. Other people I remember from that period were Greg Burman (sound equipment), Dave Woods ( Impulse Records) and Dave Dixon and Geoff Wonfor from Tyne Tees Television. Also seem to remember a free concert at Leazes Park with a lot of local bandsmay have been 1967-68? old now and remember the Change Is days like they were yesterday. Your email address will not be published. Anyone coming to the club during that period would have had to have been let in by me. I WAS A (VERY)YOUNG LEAD SINGER WITH THE CRUSADERS RESIDENT GROUP AT LA STRADA CLUBS 63/69,IF JANE IS READING THIS I WORKED WITH HER DAD KEN MADDISON FOR YEARS.HE WROTE MUSIC FOR ME FOR OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AND WE MADE DEMO RECORDINGS TOGETHER FOR ERIC BOSWELL.I LOVED HIM AND BOY WHAT A MUSICIAN.I LEARNED OF HIS PASSING NOT LONG AFTER AND SHED A TEAR.I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN HIM ONE MORE TIME.THOSE YEARS RIGHT THRO THE BEATLES ERA AND WORKING WITH ALL THOSE STARS WAS UNFORGETTABLE .OH I COULD WRITE A BOOK.GOD BLESS YOU KEN. Sydney Australia. Im always on the hunt for any photos of either, of these clubs and wondered if you had any at all. Sunderland. In 2011, north east photographer and author, Ian Wright who now lives in Las Vegas, had the bright idea of organising a get together for the people involved in the sixties club scene. Maggy Ross could be Maggy Heskith who died a few years ago. The Tunnel nightclub, Jarrow, December 1991 (Image: NCJ Archive)1 of 9 Sylvesters nightclub in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, in Tyne and Wear, circa 1990s (Image: NCJ Archive)2 of 9 The Casablanca. What a star she could have been. Dawn Ralston (nee. Things started to go wrong the following year when Bob Monkhouse found out that Ronnie Markham (who later rebranded himself as the hypnotist Romark) had been helping himself to the club takings and cooking the books. Check out our Memory Lane local history website. It was situated on the forth and fifth floor of a building at 1 Pink Lane, opposite Bowers restaurant. What a tremendous website with loads of nostalgic detail of the early music scene in North East. The late Joes favourite tale which I have heard dozens of times was the night they were working the GoGo and a very young band were guests, in Joes words bloody useless. I stayed with Kim when she went solo but only again for a short time. Theres also a poster from the 60s of The Seaburn Hall when the Crusaders supported the Moody Blues. (Payne) He was a singer on the circuit in 70s or Bevan Orchard who played keyboard for him? The club was situated on Bath Lane, Newcastle and was spread over three floors with a reception, a disco and a cabaret room, all with curved walls. Under new management I. From the Soap . I have very blonde hair so Don Smith the band leader insisted on calling me Mike White. The lion was not part of the act, the guy just had it as a pet,it was amazing when he walked into the club with the lion on the lead. I can remember seeing The Nashville Teens who played Tobacco Road it seemed like a dozen times. Hi David, great to hear from someone who worked in so many places, back in the disco days, doing such an important job by providing the fab music. South Shields is a coastal town in the North East of England at the mouth of the River Tyne, about 3.7 miles (6.0 km) downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne. Facebook Instagram Email. Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By jacquelinesQ1680QF Hi Anna #156. Tommy Oxley can be seen in the film Get Carter. My favourite place ever was Scamps. My mother Barbara Berg who worked At the Gogo when she was younger is in the second picture, along with the blonde lady on the right who is my Aunty Joan Tenniswood (young) who also worked there! How embarrassing. A long time ago! thank you. Fantastic read! Both my grandmothers once worked in the Tyne Dock Hotel, now Kennedys at Tyne Dock, and I remember passing Slake Terrace on my way to work in Newcastle, with the Grapes Hotel and many other public houses before they were demolished. What a very comprehensive and informative site and great to see some of the places that meant quite a lot to me in my younger days. Read more about the Club AGogo on this link. My dad nicknamed one of youre daughters shoulders I think her name was Siobhan or Dionne or something? Thanks for the memories though, and keep up the good work. Detroit sounds the hinge the outfit perfumed garden well me for one as I was in ALL of them our biggest claim to fame was backing the opportunity knocks star the muscle man at the middle club, byker. I always say that a photograph is a moment of time captured, that youll never get back! you? June 14th, 2022 mandarin high school basketball mandarin high school basketball Cheers. He played a vital role in its history and the history of Newcastles night life in the 60s. could.nt aford a leather jacket I was an early mod, not wantin any botha, then bought me 1st real bike from kens on westgate road. I remember you Chic Reid if you see this please get in touch. Amongst those talked about were two men who were heavily involved in the north east club scene in the sixties Mike Jeffery and Ray Grehan. Blue Parrot in Sunniside. Hi Dave Coates enjoyed reading your post I dont live in Newcastle but had lots of contacts, friends and customers from my Disque records days in town. me and me mates were rockers, wed move down to the rockliffe arms and the station hotel then the club a go go. ___________________________________________________________________________. Dave Finlay was a very good decorator and I used to pick him up at his house in Jesmond and travel on to Whitley Bay At the time the club was only open on Friday and Saturday evenings . Myself and Ken Cooper were friends from Broadwood Junior school and we started going into town aged 14, as rockers with Brylcream quiffs, Jackson the Tailor drapes, drainpipes and beetle crushers and walking around in circles at the Maj Westgate road. lol. Bernie MacKie was rhythm guitar and started his working life in a shop on Gateshead High St. called Barkers, an electrical shop. There used to be a competition in the Panama dip in Whitley Bay in the summer which usually featured the same three groups which were the Wildcats, the Sixteen Strings & the invaders. The photos are of the Crusaders (with manager Dave Golden in the dark suit) and the Crusaders with Jimmy Tarbuck and Ray Ellington in 1963. We all used to gather around the juke box trying to get our favourite records played. My dad owned Greys Club making it the club to be seen at! Buy Tickets . of Newcastle in the 60s. I have googled and tried Face book but without any success. From enjoying a post-work tipple to celebrating the football result on a Saturday evening, the pub is the hub of the community, and an iconic part of Britains high streets.. Went to the Dolce for years and my mate at the time was DJ at Sloopys. Anyway, I hope your life is going well Trevor. I am researching his club appearances in the UK any help would be ace. Later, graduated on to the Cavendish and Greys, dont know what happened to Sect. Happy days, Dawn the Nelson Street Jazz Club is mentioned on the page about the Marimba Coffee House. It was situated at the junction of Newgate Street and Low Friar Street. away from him: Jeffrey managed the ANIMALS & JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE like small club bands. Whatever happened to them ? The resident band at the Crescendo was the Del 5, the singer was Billy Wilson from Gateshead, there was 2 sax players one was Peter Parkinson from South Shields but Im sorry the other name eludes me. Myself, Cass and Ken went down to Kings Road and came back with Leather Coats down to the ankles. Some pubs might aim to attract a younger 'trendy' crowd; while others cater for a 'traditional' clientele who want nothing more than a pint of proper ale and the environment in which to enjoy some peace and quiet or an uninterrupted conversation. Jill, Hi Jill, "These areas were thriving communities - and people love to reminisce by looking at old photographs and sharing stories.. He was always a dapper dresser!! I talked to Ken Brady today and he remembers Pete with affection. The lavishly decorated premises had once been the Piccadilly Club, which was run by Dennis Stafford who was later jailed for the 1967 murder of Angus Sibbett in the notorious One-Armed Bandit case. The builders had only erected the wall a few days earlier HAPPY DAYS !!! Initially the Downbeat was a jazz venue but towards the end of its life it featured mainly Rhythm & Blues bands. Venues were St.Georges Drill Hall by Northumberland Rd. I went to opening night and subsequent first Sunday of Whitley Bay AGoGo. He even stood in for the pianist who hadnt turned up on my Mum and Dads wedding day! Dont know how she knew cos she had never been there!!! Thank you. I remember I had a blue suede Levi jacket with leather collar that I bought off Kenny Richardson/Davy Hembro. Newcastle in the mid to late sixties had a vibrant night life which, outside of London, was probably the best in the country for wining, dining, dancing, music and gambling. I remember queueing to get inside where you went down lots of dark stairs to an amazingly even darker area with fantastically loud but mesmeric music. Two Scotsmen together in a nightclub, what could possibly go wrong! Im the daughter of Ken Maddison who had a resident trio in various local clubs in the 60s the Pickwick in Whitley Bay, La Strada in South Shields, and the Baileys clubs in Newcastle, I remember him being at La Dolce Vita, and (I think) the Latino.Sadly hes not around any more to ask, but I remember as a child hearing some of the names you mention here. The event is free to enter, with collection buckets out for those who wish to donate and will run from an early time of. Hi. My Mam, Cathy worked in the Cavendish 60s 70s in the kitchen, my dad Eddy, worked in the cloakroom with Jack I worked in the cloakroom to help out a few times alongside Jack. Fond memories of him. We used to wet the backs of our hands and press them onto someone elses hand trying to transfer the fluorescent stamp that was needed to get into JAZZ LOUNGE. went to most of the other clubs mentioned, brilliant times ? I heard later from her father, that she married a fellow called Bill. My friend joy married Tommy. The Marimba was open for just over a year before being gutted by fire. It was quite difficult to get a membership in the early days. I have tried unsuccessfully to find photos but no one took photos way back then and so all of those precious moments and memories were never captured. That building and those surrounding it were demolished and have been rebuilt. The line up was Ken Brady, Jimmy Crawford, Alan Blacks, Barry Preston, Spud Tate ( sadly passed away ). My favourite thing to do was go immediately to the clubs ( can you believe I used to think going to the pubs a waste of good dancing time!) Often return back to the area and go walkabout. I was told that Davey FINLAY my dad was sent to prison for 10 years for something done down the country but as I dont really know him I cant say. - Mike Mezz. Some of the pubs in our image selection, such as the New Ferry Tavern which overlooked the ferry landing on the River Tyne, have gone. Ironically my son is now engaged to Billy Furys great niece! He told me about his time as a photographer at Newcastle Night Clubs in the 1960s. Hope all is well. In the 21st century, we've seen many pubs adapting to cater for families, or attracting sports fans by providing large-screen coverage, and increasingly serving meals - not just pork scratchings. The Downbeat was another of Mike Jefferys clubs. The Crays were huge guys ,looked the part and were decked out in very flash but obviously very expensive suits . old nightclubs in south shieldscharles upham daughters. Does anyone remember seeing Dick Haymes at either La Dolce Vita or Greys & The Cavendish in the 1960s? If anyone knows how to get info on the bands that played there I would be most grateful. loved those ..times i/ve never lost my love of Jazz, and am still singing those beautifull songs in and around the Northeast. The Forever 54 charity night will take place at Arbeia on Saturday, July 2nd. Does anyone remember my dad Mike Mccormick who worked for teddy berg at greys, Having read through these posts I dont think anyone has mentioned the fantastic group called the Gas Board they played at the Quay Club also the Majestic, Theres a bit about the Gas Board on this page, Liz: http://readysteadygone.co.uk/bryan-ferry/. This pub used to have a bad reputation but what a change, visited for Sunday Lunch and enjoyed a lovely meal, a good choice of meals served Carvery style, with the largest choice of vegetables we have ever seen. View listing packages . I was only 5 or 6 but my uncle Michael who owned the places used to give me Coca Cola he seemed like a god to me then! I was then a young post-grad at Kings College 1966/67 and my girl-friend and I attended the Cavendish club regularly. Enter Your Postcode Submit. Sloopys Disco was opened upstairs at the Dolcey.