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. In the picture its the bluilding on the left with two upstairs windows. 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

The Heaven and Hell Beat Club. Wow! What a dive that was! It was situated next to Chorlton Street bus station and is now a car park. It was an old office building and was on two levels - heaven on the ground floor and hell down below (naturally enough). I used to go to school in Rusholme and passed the club everyday going to and from school as I caught my second bus from the bus station.

I saw it first being decorated and asked if I could join (still in my school uniform, of course). I think membership was about 2/6. I went later the same week with my friend Graham Hunt who was surprised to see his old pal Dave Smithies working there and dishing out bacon butties. Like most of the clubs at the time, it wasn't licensed. The first record I heard played there was Little Richard, Bamalama Bamaloo. To me the sound system sounded incredible after my own Dansette. The manager told me it has cost thousands.

Downstairs was furnished with double seats which originated from double decker buses and legend had it that much strange behaviour took place there. It was also mentioned in the Houses of Commons when there was an outcry against the clubs of Manchester - I can't quite remember why. I am fairly sure it became a hangout for the Dosser movement (`I'm on the road') and was pretty much dispised by Mods at the time.

Bob Cummings

18th December 1964