Talk of the North
Eccles

The Talk of the North was converted into a Night Club from the old Majestic Cinema (where I first saw The Wizard of Oz').

I think this would be 1962-1963, I know that when St Pauls YC were running their monthly dances at Eccles Town Hall, that the 'Talk' was never that full. Joe Pullen started getting better acts on the night we had dances. With the demise of the YC in 1963, his competition had gone.
I remember lots of great nights at the 'Talk' for many years after. My sister worked there, so complimentary tickets were always available.

One evening I was stood at the bar with Tom O'Connor as he downed a couple of whiskies, 'dutch courage' before going on stage.

No matter what the venue it was always easy to rub shoulders with the performers before and after the show, there was not the madness associated with celebrity as it is today.

Albert Beckett
13/3/10

Before it was named the Talk of the North it was just The Majestic Club they had disco nights for youngsters.  I remember going there for the first time - I remember they played Cilla Black's Anyone who had a heart. It was 1964 and I was 13 years old

John Walker
8/8/10

I used to work at Barclays Bank next door to the Talk of the North and quite often went there - seem to remember it was OK to go with your mum and dad!!! and I think I saw David Whitfield there when I was with them - I have his autograph.... 

Janet Gregory
8/8/10

Does  anyone remember  my  dad? He  played  the  Talk of  the  North  on  several  occasions -   he  was  a  comedian  named  Ronnie [Cease] Smith.

I  would love  to  be  able to  get  a bill  poster  or  something  with  his name  on  it. I  have  not  got  any memorabelia  of my  father. Does  anyone  remember  him or  seen  him perform  and  is  there  anywhere I  can  get  a  acts  bill  poster  with  his  name  please help.

Mark  Smith
29/12/10

It must be 40 years since I was there, and I was in the area last week but could not locate a site where it might have been.

Somebody mentioned it was next door to Barclay's Bank  at 331 Liverpool Road, but the land is not big enough.

Please advise.

Keith Baron
29/12/10

Hi  Keith

I was the owner of this great club and  yes it was big enough. Please beleive me every time I drive past I even question myself to think that the international stars and the amount of people that this club used to get in is quite good. 

In fact it was  the brain child of Joe Pullin and Fred Talbot.

I often sit back and think about the artists that I had there and when Joe and Fred had it.

Thank you.

Roy Mozley
26/6/11  

This picture was taken in  the Talk of the North office when Joe Pullen owned it.

I was in Tenerife recently and Barbara Law who was quite famous as a glowing singer  gave this to me.

On it, from left to right, is Joe Pullen, Matt Munroe, Barbara Law, Tom Jones & I think, Mike Newman (comic).

They had all appeared there in the last few weeks.

Roy Mozley
7/2/11  

Hi  Janet Gregory

Am I correct to say your dad Ronnie C Smith was the comedian?  If so,  your dad was a great comic - well liked.

I am sorry to say I dont have any pictures or any adverts but will ask around!

Roy Mozley
12/3/11

Hi  Mark Smith

Ref your request were the site of the Talk of the North.

The club was pulled down about five years ago for appatrments that never got of the ground. 

The site was up for sale for many years  - it is an empty building site now   - still next door to Barclays Bank, Liverpool Rd, Patricroft, Eccles.

Roy Mozley
12/3/11

Advertised Sat, 19 Aug 1967

Joe Pullen and Roy Mozley
at the re-opening of the club

Roy Mozley receives the Club Mirror Award for The Best Club of the year from Drifter Johnny Moore. 

Image courtesy Roy Mozley

Another great pic from Roy Mozley!

He adds " I found this in my files one of the great summer seasons at Blackpool in 1964.  Tthe amount of star artists on this picture is un believable!  Here we go - Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Marty Wilde, Matt Munro, David Whitfield, Morcambe and Wise, Jimmy Clitheroe, Des O'connor, Karl Denver, Barbara Law, Eden Kane, The Dallas Boys, Sooty and Harry Corbett., Pinky and Perky, Peter Butterworth (Carry On films), Lonnie Donegan, Danny Williams, Edna Savage, Daley and Wayne, Jimmy Edwards, The Vernon Girls, Billy Fury (at the back of Cliff Richard, you can see the hair).

What a great photo!" 

Robbie Wiliams and Gary Barlow of Take That rehearsing  at
The Talk of the North  when I used to do some dates for them in 1992 - Roy Mozley

I worked at the Talk a couple of times with a duo called The Alexis Brothers before Roy took over. Joe Pullen was a stickler for tradition - ladies could not wear trousers and men had to wear shirt tie and jacket. We were told that we were welcome to have a drink in the club after our set but we had to put on shirt and tie etc!

We wore either white suits or hippie style kaftans and coloured jeans. One time we were told not to wear the suits because Frank Ifield was top of the bill and he wore a white suit. You may remember that the dressing rooms were under the stage and the stage rose on a hydraulic lift up to the club itself. On one of the nights the lift stuck halfway up and poor Frank had to climb up the last few feet to the actual stage, getting oil all over his suit!

He had a lovely young lady with him whom I eventually recognised as Ayshea Brough. I was told she was the daughter of Peter Brough, of Archie Andrews fame, and although Frank was pleasant with us in the dressing rooms she totally ignored us. I think she was a tv presenter on a children's programme but I can't be sure.  (She was, her program "Lift Off with Ayshea was produced by Granada and featured many local groups - Paul.)

The Talk was certainly "the" place to work.

Bob Ainsworth
29/12/11