Great pics and story on The Square Routes, courtesy Eric Hart.

Michael Clarke asks:

Karl was declared bankrupt in 1966, 1973 and 1978 (but never out of work or demand!) To add to his biography I have been searching for Press reports of these matters for along time. As an in the public eye entertainer these matters would have been reported and I am looking for Press cuttings,any ideas or knowledge please??

Any info, pass on thru me please.

Interesting obit for Peter Bocking in The Guardian

New info on Johnny Masters and The Mastersounds - courtesy Geoff Brannick

Just added some GREAT images of Phils Swaggers, courtesy Eddy Beales.

For those of you still able to get out (and find your way home again) just added some new dates on the Events page

I can't bring myself to call it a GIG GUIDE, more like a list of bookings to me.

WOW - Brian Palfreman has made my day with info on Warrington's first Mammoth Pop Show.  I was there - not as a mammoth, just a slug but a happy one, nevertheless.

Just added a great update and full story of Kris Ryan and The Questions, courtesy Geoff Wills.

Derek Alltree asks if anyone can add memories of the The Mersey Hotel later "The Snooty Fox" on Princess Parkway? Syd Lawrence Band/Orchestra used to be on there every week!

And what about The Oaks on Barlow Moor Rd - odd we don't have anything about that venue.

Can anyone confirm if this is the JH gig at the Sinking SHip in Stockport?  Does that roof look familiar? Please send your response to univibes@tiscali.it

21/1/10

Lots being added to the site but may be difficult for you to find - amusing memory of a trip to the Nile (club) from Philip Hindley, revamp of Barratts page to accommodate a great business card, new Moss Side club info, great ads for the Good Guys, update on Brian Higham's story and a great pic of Sean and the Sonics ... and LOTS more but I am too lazy to note them here. Go find :-)

Here's a question for you. 

Pictured on right is Mike Cawley, guitarist in a Salford group (which also featured John Cooper-Clark) ... but what was the groups name?

It was the ODD MEN

And a reminder ... Manchesterbeat isn't just for those who were in groups.  Great to get lots of stuff from those who just remember the great times.

Love some ideas on new ways of improving the site.

Colin Barnes writes:

At last someone to revive my memories of this great era and its club scene.A proper night out. Can anyone shed some light on clubs like the Cumberland, Broadway in Manchester,Copperfields in Bolton, Blightys in Farnworth (Neil Sedaka) best turn ever been there.

On the Manc scene Sweet Chariot,were my fav.There was also Talk of The North in Eccles or Golden Garter in Wyhthenshaw.And not forgetting The Garrick in Leigh .What fantastic nights out these were sadly all gone, but the memories still survive.

So true Colin - lets have a blitz on sending in memories of those great clubs.  There's more to our Manchester than the Wheel and the Hacienda!

Just added the line-up for The Nashville Men - courtesy Harry Proctor.

This years Dusting the Plaque has a new name and a new venue, it is now called the Peter Cowap Music Festival and will be held at the Middleton Arena on Sunday 2nd May.
 
Because of the popularity of the event and the problems of finding seats for everyone, over the last six years, we have decided to move to the Middleton Arena. There as been comments that the atmosphere will not be the same, but it is the people that make the event not the place and we have the best. There was a hire cost for the venue but the Middleton Township Office has agreed to cover it for this year, so as usual the event is still FREE ENTRY.
 
Another change from the norm will be charity fund raising from the audience on the day and hopefully Middleton's business community.

Just added great info about Club 43 in Amber Street (thank Pete Crooks).  I am much too young to know anything about the Club, so greatly indebted :- )

Also LOTS of stuff from Dave Ball, Philip Hindley and others.  Scattered around the site.

Thanks for the many (9) who commented on my own My Story - just added some pics and will add more as the days pass.

Love to add your My Story!

Lots of stuff being added around the site - thanks to Darek Alltree and others.

If you have a spare hour or so (its that good), have a look at this site

http://irishshowbands.net

Yes, not Manchesterrelated but a bloody good read.  Well done to webmaster Francis Kaye.

Anyone any info on THE NASHVILLE MEN?

Apologies for not doing the Christmas wishes bit this year.  No excuse - just never got round to it.

To make amends, I have added my own story to the My Story section.  Thousands of you have been asking for it, I know.

Its not finished yet, just have to add a bit more name dropping and photoshopped images of me looking thinner and pasted next to famous people.

PS Have a great New Year everyone. 

Been a bit quiet - so I took a short holiday and came home to great pics of Phils Swaggers!  Thanks Griff, not everyday we get a mention of Mandy Rice-Davies on the site. 

Hmmm, odd what we remember, wasn't there a stripper called Randy Mice-Davies (or was it a drag act?).

Hmmm again, must do a newsletter, almost Christmas (playing Slade's merry ditty at the moment)

Vegetarians should get one instead of a Turkey.

PS Don't laugh about the kids - you are paying for them :-)

PPS It's not really the Mrs (its my youngest daughter)

George Heathcote and Neil Scott of Tiger Fog and Les Brazil of Pink Engine formed Chalice and had success in Australia, where they have all lived since 1973.  Interesting article on the group here

Another great article  - this one about The Taverners in the South Manchester reporter. Click here to read

Just added a pic of Jason T Sound - many thanks to Andy Raynor).  Whooppee!  Been after a pic for ages.

This Saturday, 21st November @ The Embassy Club Rochdale Road, Manchester  - live on stage top Manchester sixties band Herman's Hermits plus top comedy from Mr Dave Baron and supporting act Miss Shelia Gott and dj and compere sixties dj Frank Byrne plus a charity raffle in aid of Francis House Children's Hospice.

Tickets £10.00 from Frank on 0161.740.7965 or the Embassy Club on 0161.205.5281. 

David Booker's incredible story has been updated and he has just identified members of the BogStompers!!!

WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND OF ENTERETAINMENT FOR MANCUNIANS!!!!!

Friday at the Greatstone in Stretford - great music for the over 35's,
Saturday Hermans Hermits at The Embassy
Sunday its Bass Day UK (Concerts - Clinics - Workshops and UK's best Trade Brands & Luthiers) at The Royal Northern College of Music124 Oxford Road.   Website. 

More info - click here or use the navigation on the right.

14/11/09

Well, 60 today.  People say I only look 58, so that's a small bonus. 

Got a great birthday present from Keith Fairhurst from The Chosen Few - a copy of his book A Chosen One.  The book tells the true story, warts and all, of how Keith's chance meeting with Cyril Davis provides the inspiration for a musical journey that includes Fitz and Startz, The Chosen Few and on into the swinging sixties London scene as The Hush.

A good read, thoroughly enjoyed - and something we should all consider doing, whether in a book form or on Manchesterbeat - before you forget it all.

Good one Keith! 

Just added some shots of Mike Lynch's new band, more shots of Tristar Airbus and lots of goodies scattered around the site, including update on one of my old groups The Jason T Alexander Sound.

13/11/09

John Constantine writes:

Sadly, Mary Asquith, folk-blues singer/songwriter extrordinaire,passed away yesterday, aged 63. She was a remarkable woman and a good friend. She will be much missed.

Mary started singing at the MSG in the mid 60s and went on to to play in Germany, Holland,and around the European circuit. She did not like the road too much and later confined her performances to clubs around the North West.

She recorded a seminal album in the 1970s "Closing Time" which has now been rereleased on CD on the Mother Earth label. God Bless you, Mary, wherever you are.

John Constantine (friend and musician).

Clive Kelly is now back in Blackpool and is considering running Catacoombs/CibiKlub revival nights.  If interested, please email me.

Clive can be viewed on BBC Videonation.  Great to have a look and leave comments.

1/11/09

Just added a new group to me - Stockport's Bog Stompers.  Anyone out there with some info?

After all the sad news recently, its good to get something really good.

Just adding a superb collage of some of David Booker's bands to his story in My Story section reminded me of just what a fabulous career he has made for himself.

Re-read the story - well worth it.

29/10/09

Seems like all bad news at the moment. Sad to announce the passing of Manchester guitar legend Pete Bocking.

Pete was there at the beginning of the '60s scene and his skills inspired a generation of Manchester musicians. 

Although I never met him, I found his emails to the site were fun and he had a wicked sense of humour. 

Knowing what a character he was, as well as a brilliant guitarist, I know Pete will be greatly missed by his many friends.

I have started a tribute page to Pete - click here.  It would be great if you could add something.

If anyone wants a copy of The 60's Remembered written by the Dave (Rick) Richards, copies available at £2-99 from Glenys Richards ghr@f2s.com.

I have ordered one and I am tight - so get in there!

Just adding Proud Paws, courtesy drummer Colin. 

Sad to hear of the news of the passing of Dave Solomon earlier this year.  As well as being a member of Proud Paws and Engine, Dave was in the the Sabres with Lol Creme and Kevin Godley in the very early 60s - plus loads of other bands.  A true Manchester icon.

Sad also to hear of the recent passing of Joe Pullen - legendary club owner of the Majestic Patricroft and Talk of the North.

Just added 80's group Baktrak - with Kenny Anders.

13/10/09

Sad news. George Heathcote, lead singer of Tiger Fog died last week after fighting cancer for many years.

He was a great front man and singer, a lover of life and a dear friend to many.

Les Brazil (Pink Engine), George and I went on to form Chalice and had success in Australia where we have all lived since 1973.

He will be sorely missed and was a very special man. R.I.P.

Neil Scott

Sad also to hear of the passing of Bob Garton - from The Chantelles and The Plantations.   He was a was a great guy and a tremendous help to many Manchester musicians.

Phew ... finding some time at last.  Added Clyne Country Four, the Black Watch, Edward Jon Dynamo and some great new pics of Mervs Bardots (thanks to Mervyn Horrocks).  Also Hemlock - thanks to Kenny Anders  e.

Get in soon for last of Vols 1 and 4 - no more reprints.  Once they is gone, they is gone.

PROIBABLY TOO LATE (Sorry)

The Norman Beaker band ex Morning After are playing at Tythe Barn School, Heaton Moor with Larry Garner from Louisiana USA on 9th and 10th )ctober. Tickets are available from the school on the night...

Tony Roberts will back in England between 29 October 2009 to 9th November 2009 and would love to catch up with old bandmates/friends.

Contact him on tonyvisit@live.com 

26/9/09

Rock 'n' roll
(Brian Marks)

Pictured above is Guitar George warming up the crowd.

Always eager to add new sections to Manchesterbeat and inspired by a poem sent in by Robert Wright, I have added a new page to the features section, called Beat Poetry.  Not sure if that the right term but until I am told differently, thats a good name.  Would love to add more!

Also, why not have a look at Brian Mark's works - truly an exceptional person, Brian (ex-Grit Band and others) has shared his story, his art and his poetry.

Thinking about the features page, there's a couple of sections that really could do with some more contributions.  The most obvious is the Cabaret page but there is a wealth of info out there about the Caribbean music scene at the time.

Love to add anything you can remember.

All Vol 5 orders now in post and should be with you mid next week.  If you haven't ordered yet - please do so asap to avoid disappointment (mine).

ONLY 43 left due to initial high order and Paul being tight with the original print run.

Another feature just added - courtesy of Paul Braddock - is info on the unveiling of the Heywood Blue Plaque.  To my shame, Tractor Music have provided me lots of stuff and I still haven't got round to adding it.  My apologies.

You can grab info and checkout the images at www.rockinrochdale.com and click onlatest news for all photos of the day  tv news clips and all press articles.

It was a massive day and there is a free pop music exhibition running now for three weeks at Heywood library.

The exhibition  contains  the history of Heywood/Middleton's Imaginary Records, The Seven Stars Music Venue, Deeply Vale Festivals, Wigwam Acoustics; Tractor Sound Studios, the band scene of Rochdale and Heywood from the 60's onward and much more

Also contains new order and joy division and martin hannett items.

The exhibition was opened by Peter Hook. It is totally free and not to be missed

Just had some great news - our site is now ranked 3,721,836 in the world!!!  Whoopee.

22/9/09

Just added The Vincents (Stretford) - courtesy Brian ODonoghue - and The Woodlanders - courtesy Ken Porter.

Interesed in gear?  John Featherstone has just listed The Chuckles gear.

Do you remember CLASSICAL GAS?  I do and so does Dave Anderton but ... any info available?

Just added Danny and The Strangers.  Thanks to Ron Mitchell  (The Meteors)

Can anyone assist?

Any info on a female singer called Dorothy Price?  Email me please if you can assist.

Be warned - Vol 5 is selling fast!  Sales now in double figures - watch out JK Rowling, I am hot on your heels.
Slight delay but should be with me on Wednesday. Will post all orders immediately on receipt of books, of course.

9/9/09

Nice new pic of the Formula Five and also possibly the only known colour picture of the Perfect Circle, left (thanks Danny Hardman and Mike Dodds).

Also, check out our Manchesterbeat stuff on Youtube - just added a couple of Bridgebeats (1962 and 2009) plus lots of goodies, including me in late 70s.  Handsome git then, still am now :-)

Also info on The Estelles (later Col Kennedy and The Presidents).

Oh ... forgot to add ... Volume 5 will be available for sale next week.  Its at the printers now!  Watch this space.

Front cover features Pat Casey and the Sovereigns - I fell in love with that photo the minute I saw it!  Senile old fool.

Sad to hear of the passing of Dennis Greenwood. 

Dennis worked at Renos, Barratts and Johnny Roadhouse and was a stalwart of the Manchester music scene.

He has had dealings with virtually everyone who bought an instrument or simply window shopped on Oxford Street.

"A great bloke,with a wicked sense of humour and a most decent human being".

There is a memorial guestbook for Dennis here - it would be fitting if those who knew him would add their message.

Thanks

Lots more Chuckles (thanks John) and some great Top of the Pops pictures and a Stylos on stage at Top Ten Club (courtesy Barbara Strickland).  Mike Dodds has provided info on the Formula Five and a Sounds Entertainment info sheet.

Also update on Mike Lynch's newest project.

Anyinfo on The Stroll Band and Polka Dot Train?

17/8/09

Just added lots of small items plus The Sleepwalkers from Blackley (thanks Ken) and some nice pics of Tow Bar Inn, including one of their legendary posters (thanks to Peter Laverick). 

Also sad to see final demolition of Brown's Stretford (The Stretford Banqueting Suite in later years).  Thanks to Mike Williams for the picture and Graham Pilkington for reminding me of great times.

Great pics of Dave Eager at the Top Ten Club and Ray Teret and Paul Pender at the Top Twenty Droylsden - thanks to Alan Strickland.

Wanted: Info on John Senior Blues Band.

Pictured left:  Manchester's very own Fred Fielder and his MBE.  Well done Fred!

Can anyone assist with this?  If you can, please email me

Congrats on the site it brings back some great memories.

Have just read the two letters posted about the Missin Lynx,and it would be great if anyone could tell us the where abouts of the lead singer Brian Whiteside. 

We have been looking for Bri for years now, phoning B Whitesides all over the country, wrote to the MEN, etc, with no luck. We last saw Brian in the mid 70s then he just seemed to disappear,you might be our last hope.

Thanks
Vic Ranicar & Dave Buck, Salford. 

21/7/09

Sad news.

Tony Cooke (Hickory Smith) died suddenly, of a heart attack, yesterday around 4.30pm.

Our thoughts are with Barbara and family.

Tribute to Hickory

Read Tony's story on the Bobby Dell and The Dellstars and Ivan Brothers pages.

To see his own website - click here

To view Tony's Youtube site click here

Thanks for the music, Hickory.

NEW BLUE PLAQUES PUT ROCHDALE ON MUSICAL MAP

Click here for more info and add the UNVEILING EVENT to your diary for 23 SEPTEMBER 2009.

Just added new group Sinders - thanks to Peter Lenihan and a first for the site - Kiwi band Me and The Others, who worked Manchester's Mr Smiths and group member Paul Muggleston joined Art Nouveau.

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

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.

Guitar, bass, drums and vocaliser.

18/6/09

Pete Crooks (the previously mentioned scribe par excellence has just added his story on life in a Skiffle Group - read here.  Worth the read!

Just added lots of Garrick Club, Leigh, adverts and info on The Q Factor.  Thanks Colin.

Also, just added an excellent story about a Middleton connection with Joe Meek - great reading from Danny Hardman.  Click here.

If you would like to grab a copy of the Dusting the Plaque 2009 DVD - it ison sale from Bill Tapp. He can be contacted at the E-mail address below
 
billtapp@hotmail.co.uk

Also new is a newspaper report on a great opportunity for The Emperors of Rhythm in 2009.

8/6/09

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?

All is revealed on our About Us page.

20/5/09

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.

Copies available from the Dakotas website.

Terry Liversidge asks:

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.

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).