Cromford Court, off Market Street
(sadly now under the Arndale Centre)
See also Manchester Cavern and Magic Village
Memories
Ah the Jigsaw club. It was where we usually ended up when the many late (and probably illegal) bars threw us out. Not a huge club but it was a perfect alternative to the Wheel which was by the late sixties starting to be taken over by out of town speed freaks.
The Jigsaw was ahead of it's time. In a soul obsessed town they showcased top of the market electric bands. For instance, for about fifty pence I saw Paul Butterfield's Blues Band with Mike Bloomfield play virtually all night, all this plus the most stunning girl (you wore a red dress) I've ever seen dance unmolested and without a break until the watery Sunday morning light broke......wonderful days.
Allan Jones
I remember The Who playing at the Jigsaw when it first opened. It was a big mistake because they almost trashed the joint at the end of their set; primarily the black and white jigsaw used as a back drop.
Mo Caldwell
I also remember seeing the Who at the Jigsaw in the late sixties. They where great, I also saw the Manfred Mann band with Paul Jones on vocal, they were brilliant, very bluesy.
Harry Nightingale
I saw Joe Cockers Grease Band there, he wore a gasman's uniform I think?
What a fabulous place Manchester was then ... you could smell the sixties.
Phil Bell
25/1/09
The Move played three consecutive nights, 16, 17 and 18 September 1966, also June 1966 and a couple of occasions in 1967. They'd only been together since February 66 and their early appearances were pre the release of Night of Fear. They were, in my opinion, brilliant.
Not totally sure how I got in as I was only 14/15!
Liz Williams
2/8/09
Yep.. I saw The Who at the Jigsaw too. Pete Townsend stuck his guitar in the low ceiling and still played it as it howled away hanging there..Keith Moon just kicked his kit out all over the place and caused mayhem.
I was at the front, stood next to 2 huge speakers ... a big mistake because I was deaf for 2 days afterwards!
I think I saw them twice at this small venue along with other top bands...
Derek Alltree
6/1/10
The following live dates are from The Manchester Evening News:
- The Move - 16 September 1966
- Alvin Robinson - 30 October 1966. This might have been with The Noblemen backing him, featuring pre-Jethro Tull guitar man, Martin Barre
Nick Warburton
26/6/10
Although a regular at the Wheel in 65/66 I payed one visit to the Jigsaw all-nighter in I think in 65, to see the great Wilson Pickett.
He was great and totally lived up to expectations. I went with a group of friends from Newton-le-Willows. The club was also advertising a booking in the near future for the great James Brown.
I never did find out if he did appear at the Jigsaw, does anyone know if he did.
Wayne Hill
30/8/11
Saw Don Covey at the Jigsaw, at the time his single Seesaw was a big sound on the soul scene. He was wearing a cloak on stage which was a bit strange but the music was fantastic!!!
The Jigsaw was an underated club!!!!
Geoff Barrett
15/11/11
I remember talking to Roy Wood at the Jigsaw, who then was the bass player of The Move. They were very good.
I also went to see Alexis Corner & his band. Problem was just before he was due to go, on the M/c drug squad rushed in and arrested over half his band & he went on with what was left. Nnot good and he wasn't very good either.
That night I spent a lot of time at the old Twisted Wheel in Brazenose St and seen some brilliant bands there. The Yardbirds with Eric Clapton, Spencer Davies Group and my hero, Georgie Fame & the Blue Flames and The Kinks & The Small Faces & Julie Driscol & Jimmy Cliffe plys many, many more.
Roy Mozley
10/12/11
Seen Spencer Davies there they had just made their 1st No was interesting to see them unload their gear out of a battered old van at the front and Stevie Winwood - think he was just 15 /16 at the time in a fur coat and the compulsory hipster pants (check).
Was there also when the who erupted on stage. Think I still have one drum stick thrown into the crowd by Keith Moon.
There were some great groups on. Some became very famous, some not. Can still smell the place when I think of it sweat and fresh coffee.
Stuart McCaig
23/1/12
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