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
Re Mick Jagger joining Pretty Things on stage at the allnighter at the Cavern. I was there, it was great ... Dick Taylor of the Pretty Things was one of the founder members of the Stones.
They were in the Manchester area for a gig so Brian Jones and Mick Jagger called in to see their mates and Mick got on stage for a couple of numbers Wow ... trouble was it was a hard act for the Pretty Things to follow after that.
Incidentally my cavern card has Dick Taylor's autograph on the front from an earlier Pretty Things gig. I was there for the Kinks, Bo Diddley, 4 plus 1 and most of the other great groups.
I used to go every night and most allnighters too. Loved the Heaven and Hell and Twisted Wheel and Oasis.
Mike
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
Does anyone remember about 1963/4 an american film company MGM ? making a film about the English music scene and coming to Manchester's Cavern. We all were asked to go outside in groups of 3 or 4 whilst they filmed us. They also did Liverpool and London. Did the film ever come out ? It would be great to see it.
Mike
30 Jan 1965 |
I remember going to to the cavern on a regular basis and being let in by the bouncers for a couple of embassy coupons and used to go the all nighters on a saturday night.
One of the best nights though was going to see The Pretty Things when Mick Jagger and Keith Richards came in and got on stage and played along with them - all for 2/6p.
Geat times.
Steve Burgess |
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One of contributors mentioned the Cavern in Cromford street when the Kinks were playing, I remember watching the Kinks on stage stood next to the Rolling Stones.
Alan Fildes
29/1/09
I well remember the night the Kinks played the Cavern, I was right at the very front and even holding Ray Davies's hand while he was singing, a rather jealous girl stood behind me took exception to this and proceeded to rip the arm off my leather jacket, but it was all worth it.
I met my future husband Pete at the Cavern and he remembers the night Bo Didley and the Duchess his glamourous sister were on stage when there were problems with the plug on Bo's amp falling from the roof socket, Pete stood on stage holding the plug in position while the Duchess gyrated around him, he has had a thing about black satin pants ever since.
Good times
Joyce Cartner
5/5/09
I went to the Cavern in Manchester a few times and I remember seeing The Swinging Blue Jeans one night, they were fantastic, they had just released You're No Good,they sounded just like their records.
It was a small venue so one got a really good close-up view of the groups, I can still see the Blue Jeans in their blue denim! Saw Manfred Mann as well, Paul Jones stood near me when I was getting something from the cloakroom!I remember one occasion as I was going in the bouncer took my studded belt off me, so I was uncomfortable all night watching some group and trying to hold my trousers up.Oh yeah three of the Four Pennies,turned up they were supposed to play but they said one of them was in hospital so they just stayed around for a while then left. My mate went to see Eden Kane there and he said there were loads of coppers to hold back the expected crowds of screaming girls ,but hardly anyone bothered him!
A lot of these clubs insisted that you had to wear a tie, and a lot of them used to turn you away if you didnt wear one.I was looking forward to seeing Freddie and the Dreamers at the newly opened New Century Hall and one of the bouncers on the door wouldnt let me in because I didnt have a tie on, can you believe that.
Oddly enough sometimes it was our longish hair,and usually some of the groups had longer hair? Wearing a collar and tie in some of those places it used to be roasting.
Philip Hindley
13/1/10
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