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 area 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!
The lads ended up in Perth, Australia after their Warrington agent sent them to London to audition for a guy from Australia. They got the trip over and stayed.
For a great choice of Manchester accommodation for your next trip to the city look no further than Citybase Apartments.
We have a great selection of serviced apartments for you to choose from with something to cater every taste and budget.
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What's NEW on manchesterbeat?
We have just added an RSS feed. A what?
If you click on the orange icon, you will be taken to a page which lists our latest news. If you choose to subscribe to it, it is added to your list of feeds (in Explorer it is under Favourites).
Updated information from the feed is automatically sent to your computer, so you can keep upto date with Manchesterbeat site news and additions.
1/9/10
Sad to hear of passing of Martin Sleater, bass player with (amongst others) Life 'n' Soul and Pete and The Persuaders
23/8/10
Just adding great pics from Phil Rae - his group Obediah Heap at the Magic Village - great shots of the stage.
15/8/10
Sorry for delay but just adding "stuff" about Phil Moore's special evening - click here
Also additions to The Principals page and new group The Swaggers - if you can count a group from 1960 as "new" :-).
7/8/10
Just added The Squires from Stalybridge - courtesy Alan Cottam.
Some days I add stuff and it just goes into the background - so here's what's going on tonight. Three new Freddie pics (have you seen Brian Higham's great Blackpool pics), a 45rpm cover for O'Hara's Playboys, a 45rpm label for Rev Black and The Rocking Vickers, added a comment about the Rhythm House (Stockport), memories of The Stylos, translated an email in Spanish to English and added it to the Miller Bourne agency info, added a bit about Club 43, received some info on Big City Soul Band, some info on Phil's Swaggers, new Art Nouveau line-up info (late 60s) and added six people to the newsletter (must do one soon)
... and all done whilst listening to one of the best albums ever - London Live at the Marquee with The Alan Bown! I always remember the day I bought it at Ralph's - 32/6d well spent. Ah ... just done the key change in Sunny!
29/7/10
A special event is being held at the Apple and Pear public house, Alkrington on the 4th August from 7pm.
Phil Moore is very sick and friends are trying to organise a get together with his old mates.
There are 4 bands made up of Phil's close friends.
Please try your best to make it. All money collected will be going to The Christie.
Marlene Hobson has asked a question. Was The Scene Club opened up in the 60's in the basement of The Plaza. If not, where it was? New one to me!
Thanks to Kevin Parrott for sharing his first letter home to mum, whilst The Big Sound were on their first overseas tour. Well worth a read to gain a real insight into the excitement what it was like "in them days"
27/7/10
Just added some nice pictures of The Strangeways - thanks Peter
22/7/10
No sooner had I said "bit quiet at the moment" and it isn't anymore (but thats good).
Help wanted: One of our Manchesterbeat contributors is helping a friend on a book on Rod Stewart during the Sixties and updating his Who book. Is there's anyone that might have any memories to share? Stories to paul@manchesterbeat. Thanks
3/7/10
Pete Royle has added to his excellent info on The Vincents - have a look, it a good read! Also just added Ray Mozley's group Karl's Marals.
20/6/10
New additions to the site.
Just added The Hobos - courtesy of Dave Ashton and The Midnighters and The Clan, both from Pete Shelton. Great pics of the Clan and an interesting journey for a Manchester lad.
Looking for info on Sale's Jason and The Argonauts.
6/6/10
Lots of new stuff being added - check them out!
Congratulations must go to Anru Cann (from Life 'n' Soul, aka Andrew McCann) on the release of his movie Albert and Alice, taken Andru's musical based on his real life experiences of life on the Lower East Side of New York, where he now lives).
Manchesterbeat books - final print
Vol 1 - 10 left! Vol 4 - 18 left! Vol 5 - 40 left and still haven't finished the reprint of Vol 2. I am trying to improve the cover.
Sad News
Sad to note the passing of Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote "The Hokey Cokey", died peacefully at age 93.
The most traumatic part for his family was getting him into the coffin. They put his left leg in. And then the trouble started.
And in reply, a reply!
I would like to commend your bravery in exhuming and publishing the Hokey Cokey joke. I must have been but a babe in arms when I first heard this and I remember my Nannie emitting a groan even then. It did however bring a tear to my eye as it made me think of a dear friend who, after a lifetime of working for Turners Asbestos Cement in Trafford Park, died of Asbestosis. It took them three weeks to cremate him.
I remain as ever
Dreary Deidre of Droylsden
(I suspect it is Graham Attwood)
28/4/10
Peter Cowap Music Festival - Middleton Arena THIS Sunday 2nd May.
"The festival will begin at 12.00 Sunday 2 May at the Middleton Arena. If you are not sure where it is try Google Maps.
Bands, if you can be there before 12 o'clock it will be a big help, especially if you are the first band on.
If anyone has a ticket that they do not need can they let us know as there are people desperate to get hold of them.
It will be a long day so if you want to bring food it is OK with the management as long as you do not set up camping stoves, or worse still, open fires in the main auditorium.
We are holding the festival for terminally ill children this year so expect to be accosted by a collector at the door, in the main hall and probably the toilets. Give generously!
But more than anything have a ball."
Sounds like another top day!!!!
28/4/10
One of our Manchesterbeat regulars from Melbourne in Australia is writing a book on The Hollies.
He will be in Manchester area mid-May. Is there anyone willing to have a chat and assist with info, stories, etc?
If so please contact me (paul@manchesterbeat.com) and I will pass on details.
Perhaps you could meet under the clock at Exchange station, carrying a Football Pink under one arm, a Manchester Chron under the other - whilst nibbling on a Pendleton's Twicer. What could be nicer (ice-cream with a lolly each end).
Is Dave Ballinger around? Can you contact me? Are you a Manchester Dave Ballinger or the BK Dave Ballinger?
20/4/10
Need something to do on 28th April
Joyce Gill writes:
I and some other people, in Manchester are becoming involved in arranging a club night in the city centre for the age group 55+ for people of my generation who still like to listen to and dance to the music ofthe late 50's 60's and the early 70's.
The first meeting was very positive, and the next one has been arranged for 28th April at 1'ish at the Band On The Wall on Church Street Manchester City Centre.
Are you or any of your colleagues interested in attending. We are hoping to hold the first event round about June/July.
As you can imagine, there is a lot to be done, but any input would be welcome, it would nice if you could attend.
I used to frequent all the clubs in Manchester during the 60's, and would love the opportunity to experience it all once again, with like minded people, in a safe environment.
5/4/10
Just added a superb biography of Stretford's The Vincents - courtesy Pete Royle. Good read.
Hope you all had a good Easter!
Warning: Manchesterbeat book stocks low ... no reprints
... except Vol 2 which I promise to do in next week or so but only ordering 25 ... less than 20 each left of Vols 1, 4 and 5. Not good at counting but I still have some toes uncounted, so stocks must be low. Wife tells me just 12 Volume 1 left - which is certainly less than 20. She is good at counting.
Accountant, wife and psychiatrist say no more reprints! I normally only listen to the voices from the spaceship but this time, I have to listen. No more reprints. Particularly as the UK peso is now almost worthless :-)
The series of Manchesterbeat books has to-day received one of the UK's most prestigious publishing awards - the April Literary Prize. The award, presented annually, came as a surprise to the Manchesterbeat team - although Paul has been anticipating an MBE, keys to the city or knighthood for some time.
"This is our first April award", he announced, thanking his hardworking crew, especially Brian Marks on quality control.
The post-award party featured the Manchesterbeat girls, who performed a range of songs, including James Brown's Papa's got a brand new cholestomy bag and a personal favourite of mine, Cliff's (We're all going on a) SAGA holiday.
31/3/10
Just added a great history of Salford's Con Brios - thanks Brian and Dave.
Who are THE UGLY DUCKLINGS? Where did YOU go on Sunday nights in 1965?
Phil Harrison, Pete Martin, John Oliver and Mike Sutton were all members of The Servite Youth Club in the early 1960s. At that time the club was held in one of the classrooms and that was where they met and started to play music together. They called themselves “The Ugly Ducklings” and they had their first gig at the youth club. They continued to play music and have fun together till round about 1965 when they went their separate ways.
Who knows the answer to the great Cheadle Hulme Parish Hall mystery?
Alan Jackson added this to the Cheadle Hulme Parish Hall page:
I played the Cheadle Hulme Parish Hall on a number of occasions with Bobby Laine & The Confederates. All the other group members lived in Cheadle Hulme so this was their 'home' venue.
When we played 'Jezebel' all the audience used to turn around, face one wall and then chant something together at the end. I asked the lads why they did this and never got a meaningful answer. Very strange experience!
Do you know why? We need to know!!!!
20/3/10
Chris Hazelhurst will be doing a tribute to Kevin Neill on Monday 29 March from 12.00.till 2.pm. North Manchester Radio 106.6 fm.
Music Artefact Exhibition featuring Joy Division and John Peel related artefacts is back at Heywood Library foyer
from16th March 2010 for around six weeks - admission is totally free
The Music Artefact Exhibition which covers the links between Heywood and Rochdale recording studios and Joy Division and John Peel is back in Heywood Library foyer by popular demand.
Spurred on by the incredible Tractor story, I just added a STUDIOS page under GEAR menu option. Love some studios stories, pictures, etc.
14/3/10
Kevin Neill former lead guitarist with The Karl Denver Trio died at his Blackley, Manchester home last night, (Saturday 13 March 2010).
Kevin who worked with Karl for over 26 years, recording on all the Trio's hits, enjoyed a phenominal career.
He also toured with Johnny Ray 1954, accompanied Vera Lynn, Frankie Vauaghan, Frankie Laine and toured with Anthony Newley. Kevin played with Eric Winstone, Vic Lewis bands, BBC Midland Orchestra and with Joe Loss at Princess Margaret's Buckingham Palace wedding ball and a Royal Command Performance. He also played trombone in the 1950s with Don Lang and the Frantic Five and on Lord Rockinhgham's hit recording Hoots Mon.
In recent years he was one third of John Stokes Bachelors with whom I'm told he last appeared at Lincoln in July, 2009 at onset of his illness.
Kevin was an examiner, Electric Guitar, at
The London School of Music
A couple of years ago Kevin met his guitar hero, the great Les Paul, who presented him with a guitar.
Check Manchester Evening News obituries and announcement columns for further details.
Great stuff from Alan Faulkner. Cheadle Parish Hall poster, great pic of Johnny and the Avengers and a poster showing the band plus ... they really did exist ... NG and The Bogstompers! What a great name!
Great info and superb posters of dances at St Pauls YC, Eccles from Albert Beckett. These posters are a real, dated record of timelines and are a wonderful example of how we can build up factual info on such great times.
As a REAL bonus - a letter re their attempt to book the Beatles. Again, more than nostalgia! Thanks Albert.
Who is this Skiffle Group?
OK - put your thinking caps on and cast your memories a long way back. Any idea who this skiffle group are?
Signature looks like Johnny Dixon.
No prizes but Butch Mepham and Lord Sir Frederick Fielder would be keen to find out - as indeed I would.
