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The Manchester area has nurtured thousands of musical acts, ranging in styles as diverse as Freddie and The Dreamers and Oasis. Although many have been adopted on a national scale, others have managed to stir only local interest before their eventual demise.
Despite their lack of national commercial success, they were part of the tremendous Manchester music scene that played such a major part in our lives.
Proudly based in the sixties, these pages salute the groups, disc jockeys and clubs in the Manchester area that gave us all such
a great time!
"Brought back great memories of fine friendships"
"Every time I look at the site, I find something different"
"My mate in the band told me about this site. If he wasn't a bloke, I would have kissed him"
Whats NEW on manchesterbeat?
23/6/09
There are two specials sixties shows taking place at Bernard Manning's Embassy Club.
On the 26th September 09 live on stage The Bachelors with John Stokes plus Carnaby Street, a great sixties tribute band. Top comic Johnny Corrigan dj and compere Frank Byrne.
On the 21st November 09 live on stage Herman's Hermits with Barry Whitwam plus top sixties female singer Miss Sheila G White. Plus dj and compere Frank Byrne.
For tickets priced at £10.00 each telephone Frank on 0161.740.7965 or the Embassy club on 0161 205 5281.
Plus thanks to Asda who will be doing bagpacks to raise money for Francis House Children's Hospice.
18/6/09
Singist wanted!
New band forming that requires a songsmith, mature and daft, male or female. Style. soul leading to progressive rock. As long as the bugger can sing, that will do for starters.
Just added new group Spice and multiple entries around the site from Pete Crooks. His additions to the site are varied, knowledgeable, highly readable and most amusing - offering a different perspective to life as a muso in the 60s.
How's about that for grovelling!
Also just added Circus - featuring Stuart Charles.
Volume 5 is now almost finished - we just need to make sure that the crayoning in hasn't gone over the lines. Watch this space!
Many people have written in somewhat enviously about the Manchesterbeat empire - are our offices in London, Paris, New York or just off Wilmslow Road (handy for a curry)? Do I drive Porsche or a Lamborgini? Can I even spell Lamborgini? Do I get first choice for my secretarial staff before Hugh Heffner - or just his cast-offs?
Just adding a new MY STORY - Pete Taylor, vocalist with The Pulsators, Pete and The Persuaders, The Magnet Trio and the Sioux Showgroup for many years.
It is a great story and a fine example to all you guys out there to write your story down before old age, dementia and incontinence strikes you down.
Too late for me ... another bedpan please, Nurse.
Once again The Dakotas are involved with the 2009 Solid Silver 60s Show.
This time alongside The Searchers and The Merseybeats, as well as their own spot they are playing for Wayne Fontana and also John Walker of the Walker Bros.
The fabulous Walker Bros hits are recreated live by the Dakotas.
A new CD entitled "Destiny" is released to tie in with the tour. As well as the hits and many of the band's live favoutites, this CD features 3 original songs written by the band.
Does anyone know what happened to the following (all from Oldham)who played in various groups in the 60s.
Kevin Smith (drums)
Pete Grear (lead guitar)
Johnny Kirkham (drums)
John is alive and kicking and still playing. For further info click on this site under " REUNIONS" and check out "DUSTING THE PLAQUE 2005" & 2006. There are several pics of John with different bands. So, Terry, if you still live in the area get yourself down to Middleton's Olde Boars Head next year. Watch this website for details of when nearer the time (Usually early May).
John Firth (Drummer ex POWERHOUSE
Derek Hamm (drums)
Colin Buckley (lead guitar)
Alan Moffat (lead guitar)
Keith Cooper (vocals)
Ray Firth (drums)
Ray Madelaine (vocals/guitar)
Any info, email Manchesterbeat.
12/5/09
Sad to announce the passing of Ray "Clarence" Stowell, roadie to my old band Phoenix City Smash.
9/5/09
Added lots of great pics of The Taveners - thanks to John Rowlands.
The Crooks Brown Band have a great story from Pete Crooks - always a great a great read from Pete.
Also The Talismen from Withington (thanks to John Atkinson).
4/5/09
Just added lots of Astoria, Rawtenstall flyers around the site, courtesy of Bryan Yorke.
As well as Bryan's excellent recollections of his career as agent and manager of The Swinging Hangmen, Bryan has created an extensive history of The Astoria here.
Well worth a read - more flyers on his site. Highly recommended.
BUT WHO WERE THE BEATMASTERS AND THE STIRLINGS? (image on left)
"Can anyone remember the large boutique that opened on Oldham st in 68/69 it was on the left hand side going out of town. It was very big and possibly one of the first to have loud music playing.I remember it took up three or four windows and opened in blaze of publicity. It was very big for a boutique with a name that was maybe a bit iconic. somebody help me its driving me mad! "
I remember there was a chicks boutique opposite Woolies, called something like "2000" - very white front, I think.
Then there was a multi-floored place, further down past C and A. Sold blokey stuff as well but that would be early 70s I think.
Any comments?
Geoff Phillips thinks it was Guys and Dolls
Thinking about C and A's, I remember buying these hideous Madras check trousers and a stripey top there. Add to it my pacamac (yes, they were a fashion item) and I was well kitted out for my trip on the train to Bury Palais.
28/4/09
Does anyone ...
Have any info on Chilterns, Cheetham Hill?
Know what happened to Alan Black, compere at the Southern Sporting Club
Just adding ...
Great pics of Hermans Hermits on stage at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, USA. Worth a look for those interested in gear. Easy to forget just how huge they were in USA and interesting to see that even on tour in USA, chart groups of the time still put their gear on a chair.
13/4/09
Sad to hear of the passing of Manchester's Johnny Roadhouse and Darrell Ogden, one time Hammond organist with POWERHOUSE.
Phil adds "It's the original that I sent for and drooled over the pages everyday until I saved enough money to buy the Watkins Rapier 33 and the Dominator".
30/3/09
Looking to contact: MAXTON G BEESLEY Brian Higham wants to get in contact. Email paul.
Anyone venturing overseas (to the Isle of Man) should catch the Radio Caroline North exhibition at Peel.
It will be continuing through until the end of August to take advantage of the ripples caused by 'The Boat That Rocked' film and to let TT 2009 fans take a look.
It tells the story of the offshore radio station which was
anchored off the Isle of Man in the Swinging 60s. The book is the companion publication for the Manx National
Heritage exhibition 'Pirates Of The Irish Sea'.
For those who don't subscribe to the newsletter and would not have received my info, my thanks to everyone who sent emails expressing concern about the bushfires ravaging Victoria in Australia, where I live.
We live some 90 mins from the closest fires, so for the moment, everything is fine for us. However, with the death toll close to 200, it is a sobering experience.
My thanks once again to you for kind emails.
Back to the site, just added Liverpool's The Maraccas, who were regulars at the CubiKlub, and John Mayall's The Blue Syndicate. Peter Quinn has kindly sent in pics of his 1964 Hofner Beatle Basswhich he has had since 1966. It's about time he got a new one - perhaps one of the Taiwanese jobs on Ebay. Give you a fiver for the old one, Pete.
Also got rid of the page "Out of Towners" and just added the groups to the A-Z page.
Another thing done recently is something I have meant to do for years - keep all the groups in a folder called GROUPS and not BANDS. I am late 60s, so used the term BANDS but feel GROUPS is more in keeping with the site. Pedantic but ...
This means that if you have any fixed links to pages, they will not work. Page is there - just replace BANDS with GROUPS.
Does anyone have any info regarding the 3 Coins Club, Upper Mill Hill, in Leeds early to mid 60s. I understand it was owned by Kennedy Street Enterprises.
