My clubbing began at " THE RINK " in Birchfields, a roller skating rink that was just dipping its toes in the entertainment water at the time.
Here I saw " THE PRETTY THINGS ", "THE IN CROWD " and also had a ticket to see " TOM JONES " but he got a hit with " ITS NOT UNUSUAL " and bailed on the gig.
The first club I went to in town was " THE HEAVEN AND HELL " which was situated close to where Chorlton Street bus station now sits.
I never saw any bands at this club but the music was always the thing and there were some interesting times to be had for a lad of seventeen especially downstairs or " HELL ", what with the total darkness and all.
The next clubs were the ones that really turned me on to LIVE music were " THE CAVERN " in Cromford Court where I saw, among others , " THE GROUNDHOGS " (still gigging as far as I know ), " THE EDGAR BROUGHTON BAND " (out demons out !) and "THE STEAM PACKET " with jULIE DRISCOL AND THE BRIAN AUGER TRINITY , LONG JOHN BALDRY ,AND THE KING OF THE MODS ROD STEWART.
Then there was " THE TWISTED WHEEL " at that time on Brazenose Street where I first saw " THE GROUNDHOGS " supporting " JOHN LEE HOOKER ". There seemed to be legends on at some club every weekend in those days.
Just a couple of hundred yards away from " THE WHEEL " round the corner in Jacksons Row was " THE OASIS " where I saw a very young looking " IKE AND TINA TURNER " - not to mention places like " THE MAJESTIC " on Deansgate, " BEAT CITY " on Fountain street.
MANCHESTER was a terrific place to have spent one's youth - later getting into the seventies the main venue was " THE FREE TRADE HALL " but that is another story .
Jim Massie
I went to the Cavern every week, all nighters too. I remember the Pretty Things playing the cavern they where joined on stage by Mick Jagger. I think he did two numbers with them, could have been more.
Malc Hurst
Unforgettable nights at the Cavern included seeing The Kinks do a memorable performance of their most famous songs, 'You Really Got Me' and 'All day and all of thre Night' over and over again to a sweaty, packed-out audience.
Watching 'Little Walter' the Blues harmonica-player swig from a bottle of Gin whilst pausing to drunkenly rub, dare I say it, his organ all over his mouth.
Talking to Sister Rosetta Tharpe after a great gospel singing performance.
Witnessing The Walker Brothers walk off stage at a sparsely attended all-nighter, with Scott Walker throwing his microphone on the floor in disgust due to the handful of people watching not bothering to applaud.
Peter Bradford
Oh! yes I remember the night when the Mick Jagger came to play with the Pretty Things, I think some one from The BBC (probably top of the pops) came and took some photos, that were later blown up and put on the wall.
I used to work behind the "bar" selling cokes and Cona coffee sharing the job with my friend Lynda. She used to "go out" with one of the dj's I cannot remember his name, but it wasn't Ric Jons.
Has any one read the book "It happened in Manchester"? If not try to get hold of it, there's a lot of history in it.
Josie Hamnett
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