Oasis
Sloopys
Yer Father's Moustache

"At the time, the owner was Tony Stuart who also owned and resided at Warmingham Grange Country Club down near Sandbach. The Stuarts were nice people who had owned various clubs in and around Manchester, there was another on Plymouth Grove which was more of a ballroomy sort of place. Can't remember the name (Astoria). Tony was proud to have had the Beatles and the Stones at the Oasis.

Me and a guy named Dave Backhouse built a light show of the liquid psychedelic type and we worked at the students union and other such gigs with our Aldis 1000 projectors borrowed from school unofficially of course.

Tony Stuart was very keen to have this lighting effect in Sloopy's and I was installed above the bar facing the stage and I believe that we were the first to do this.

The DJ at Sloopy's was Don Howard (Daffy Don Howard) who was a floor manager at Granada TV and was instumental in bringing lots of celebs in to the club. I remember he worked on Coronation St and Crown Court. We had bands on most weeks from London Attractions, some names to ponder, Sam the Sham, Drifters, Platters, Mack and Katie Kissoon, Ike and Tina Turner.

The band that accompanied most of these was called the Clan from London, not Pete MacLaines Clan. We had Edison Lighthouse who turned out to be 3 members of the Clan and the lead singer who was famous for Rosemary Goes."
Graham Rothwell

In the early sixties the Oasis, which became the biggest coffee dance club in Manchester,was owned by Hugh Goodwin. Graham and myself managed the club.
We also wrote the first of the flyers which eventually evolved into the Northern Beat Scene mag and which is now a useful reference for the early 60's.

Joyce Rawlings and I are putting the story of the Oasis,the musicians, and those who danced and drank coffee to the sounds of the bands..Little did we know in those days that 40 odd years on we would all become part of Manchester's musical history."

Pauline Clegg

I was looking at the website and marvelling at the picture of Phoenix City Smash (right). If you look at the back wall, it is painted white to accomodate my light show!

I recall a guy from Stoke who did all the odd jobs and maintenance, he was a grumpy old git and never forgave me for him having to put many many coats of white on the matt black wall.

Grahame Rothwell

Managed to get some of Tina Turner's sweat on my arm when she came off stage at the Oasis. In the Nags head one night I was sat with Jeff Beck  Paul Samuel Smith and of course the great lamented Keith Relf explaining the lay out of the Oasis.

My mates and I used to help as part time bouncers at the club with Shev as we called him, thats why I got so many free tickets. Chatting to Roger Daltry outside the Rising Sun. I still remember my first night at the Oasis walking through the swing doors into the darkness and excitement to see Cadillac and the Playboys.

Just remembered one of you contributors mentioned the night they filmed in the Oasis for American TV.  Yes I was there - that was a good night too.

The first all nighter @ the Oasis was Manfred Mann, when they came on stage I was asleep with my head next to Mike Vickers speakers I seem to remember one of his guitar strings snapping hitting me around the ear, as you know that's how close we got to the stage.

I also remember being stood in the Gents next to a young Rod Stewart telling him I fancied Julie Driscoll who was on with him.

Alan Fildes
26/1/09

I saw the Beatles at the Oasis Club on 22 February 1963. It was packed as Love Me Do was beginning to take off and people were beginning to think they might be big! 

The crowd was orderly and you could actually hear the music. My diary entry for that night reads "Great, Chris Narva's Combo also on".

I remember Paul McCartney sitting on the small stage after the gig chatting to anybody and signing autographs. I think I got one but I don't recall what I did with it. The Oasis had a great informality about it and you could get up close and personal to the singers. Especially true on Tuesday nights when local favourites like the Olympics and Pete Maclaine and the Dakotas had the house spot.

Louis Murray
6/2/09

I remember the Oasis, the queues used to be half way up the street before they opened, the staff were great with me though, as I wear a caliper they used to let me in early so I wouldn't have to stand too long. The DJ at the time was called Phil Woodbine but nobody apart from me seems to remember him!  I also remember once, Tony Stuart the then owner showed me a cheque for £800 made out for the Rolling Stones. 

Stuart

I worked at Washingtons on Deansgate in 1965. It was a store where people who paid weekly for goods from their homes purchased during the year from the major store in Manchester. Where agents or "tally" men or "collectors" used to go every week to houses all over Manchester to collect money and they, the customers, got issued with a "Chit" for £25-£100 about three times a year to "spend" in the store.

Alan Clarke and Graham Nash (of the Hollies) both worked there just leaving at about the time I started. Alan Clarkes mum used to be the "char lady" there.

I worked in the "boutique" in the basement and sold psycedelic shirts and ties as well a striped hipsters and paisley patterned things. I particularly remember I used to queue up to go into the Oasis club on a Thursday night after work, as we worked until 8pm on that night.

I later managed the club "Rubens" which was situated on the same site as The Oasis and it opened in 1972.

It was owned by 3 people at the same time (an arrangement that never works) and after a particular heated exchange with one of the owners I was told to "piss off", on boxing day 1973, by David Johnson. Colin Burn and another guy Maurice, (Dave's right hand man) were the other two owners.

ITN covered the opening and it was on the 10pm News sometime in the February of 1972. Dahlia Lavi was used to promote the club as she was going out with Colin Burn at the time, but that lasted about as long as he needed the publicity she brought, she left for Germany soon after the opening.

Rubens at the time was the ritzyist club in town, for the well healed entrepeuner type, rivalling but never quite beating "Blinkers" owned by the Demmy brothers on the site of another old club across the town. Rubens had the interior of a boys school used in its decor cost £60,000 then to open and they spent over £30 grand on the sound system, and it also boasted a really bad couple of Rubenesque oil paintings on the wall. A long way from the "old" Oasis decor.

I was asked back after Colin left in the Summer of 1973, but I never went back. David died at 33 a couple of years later. Maurice disapeared and Colin went on to own "Slack Alices" with George Best in 1974. I again like a fool went to work for him and then left shortly afterwards after another disagreement.

A nice guy called Tony Corless owned the restaurant at the side of the Rubens club, but he lost money too and quietly faded from the scene.

I used to go to the Top Ten Club from 1963-4 and saw Jimmy Hendrix, The Nashville Teens, Ike and Tina Turner, amongst others, with Jimmy Saville and Dave Eager both DJing. Later on used to go to Mr Smith's with the polystyrene balls on the dance floor.

I am suprised Geno Washington was not mentioned as part of the Oasis scene, he was nearly always appearing there.

The site of the old Oasis Club and Rubens in Lloyd St was re-vamped in the early 90's and it no longer exists.

Slack Alice's was opened on the same site as the Jazz/Blues club The Cossack Club, owned by "Russian Dave" at the Deansgate end of Bootle St, further down from where the police station is and the building is still standing.

The Mogambo coffee bar on Princess St was the only place in town in 1965 where you could get a "cold" glass of coke and a slice of lemon. "Cool" man!

Bought many of my clothes from "Guys and Dolls" in Oldham St. including a pair of "spats" 1966. What! a twonk.

Bought demo records from Shudehill market and American imports from the "Spinning Disc". Hyme and Addisons in John Dalton St was the best place to buy "Cool" American Soul and blues stuff. Bought the last copy available in 1967 of Billy Stewarts "Summertime" on the Chess label (still got it). They had booths where you took your chosen record and each booth had a danzig record player to take and listen to your record in privacy, before you had to pay the 6/8d or 29/11d or 32/- for the album you wanted. I was earning less than £4 a week. So a lot of money for an album. Twisted Wheel and the Heaven and Hell club other places to remember also

Mike Barlow

In 1964 the Oasis was my favourite club and as a 16/17 year old excitement not experienced before, no doubt due to leaving school and chasing girls. The Rising Sun nearby was the pub of choice - no alchohol on sale in the club. People usually circulated in pairs round the club looking for action.

I remember queuing up Lloyd St and into Albert square waiting for the club to open. When my mate Barry bought an 18cwt van we would just drive up to the entrance, park the van, and try to boogie in, pretending to be in the band. Notable bands I saw included: Screaming Lord Sutch; Temptations; Desmond Decker plus lots of local bands - St Louis Union was amongst the best. Happy days. 

David Metcalfe

I saw the Ike and Tina Turner Revue Show I think it was called at the Oasis some time in 1967.

I was 16 and it was the best live soul thing I'd seen up til then, and after the show the Ikettes came out into the club to mix with the audience.

I nearly died when the middle IKETTE - the one who had a broken arm at the time, asked me to dance with her - I WAS IN HEAVEN.

I only found out a couple of years ago her name was Rose, when I saw and met PP Arnold at Cheltenham Town Hall and was recalling the night to her. GOLDEN YEARS!!

Martin Sievey (ex Golden Rules)

Myself and my mate Trev didn't frequent "The Wheel" too often as we were pop fans rather than r'n'b. The Oasis was our choice along with Amigos, The Amber Moon and The Hacienda and we saw some great acts there. Pete Maclain and the Dakotas (who later joined Billy J. Kramer) were the house band. Wayne Fontana and the Jets were also frequent visitors as were Herman's Hermits.I remember we had to queue when The Beatles were on but as we were with our "birds" that night we kept nipping into the Nags Head whilst the girls held our place.

Top overseas acts were The Crickets, Bruce (Hey Baby) Chanel and Delbert Mclinton. The great thing was, none of the girls in the audience used to scream so you could actually hear the artists perform. We usually used to finish the evening off at the late night Wimpey on Oxford Road but one night whilst roaming round the back streets we stumbled across the Cosy Cafe situated near the Oxford Print Works and what a den of iniquity that was.

The clientele was made up of a lot of dodgy characters including a good cross-section of transvestites and some customers used to walk in and go straight upstairs. Never did find out why. Anyway they served up a great door-step bacon butty and there were some great sides on the juke-box.If we had any funds left we would visit the Black Cat nightclub on Hanging Ditch. They also boasted a great juke-box and the occasional artist as well as having strippers.     

Tony Dixon

I can remember Phil Cooper (Phil Woodbine) because we were very good mates. Occassionally I helped him out when he went on holiday and did the record playing until I joined the Army in 1965.

Whilst home on leave from Germany Phil and I went on holiday to Torquay and I met my future wife.

I can recall "Harry the bottle"behind the counter of the coffee bar. Tony Stuart was the main man in those days.
I can still picture the two stages,the ladies "handbag" store/cloakroom.Great days and fantastic people.

John Halford

The person behind the bar - Harry the bottle - was me!

Harry Proctor
9/5/09

Also the Walker Brothers who had to change their shirts after about one minute as their shirts had been torn off by the audience.

Very, very exciting days for a 16 year old!

David Haig

The Oasis was definitely the best club in Manchester for excitement, atmosphere and quality of local groups as well as all the big names of the day. I was a member and was there frequently from 1965 to approx 1968. The only nights I didn't go were when the Beat League, me being the drummer, were playing at whatever venue.

Had many wonderful times there. I can still remember the excitement of queing up down Lloyd street and the anticipation of another great time when reaching the steps leading down to the basement and in the club.

Remember the first time I saw and heard the Richard Kent Style. This was sometime in early 1965.was in the back bar and heard a mindblowing sound,led by a brass section, coming from the main stage.walked through to listen to this terrific sound.

Looked at the stage and was stopped in my tracks.couldn't believe what I saw. I was gob smacked to see Harvey Starr on trumpet.

Reason for the reaction was that i went to school with Harvey from 1960 to 1965 and had no idea he was in a group. Spoke to him next day at school and he had no idea I was in a group either.

In my opinion they were one of the best groups I heard at the time.

Harvey, if you ever read this page, have a look at the info page on the Beat League and see if you remember me, Dave Anderton the drummer.

We went to Salford Technical High school from 1960 to 1965. The old school was at the top of Frederick Road and Broad Street junction. We then moved to a newly built shool during our last year. This was next to Salford Grammar School near Irlam-o'-the Heights on Dronsfield Road. The school is now known as Pendleton College.

Dave Anderton

I absolutely have great memories of the Oasis Club.  The first group I saw there were the Rolling Stones in August 1963 for 6 shillings. The atmosphere was always friendly and you felt part of the club with your membership cards and Beat Scenes.  Of course there was no alcohol and no trouble. We were all so interested in listening to the music and dancing.  

Joan Smith
30/10/09

My strongest memory of the Oasis (though it doesn't seem to appear on the gig lists) was the Graham Bond Organisation, with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker. It must have been 1965/66. We were queuing on the steps to go in and Graham was struggling downstairs with his Hammond organ. He said to me: 'I wish I'd taken up the mouth organ!' - he was astounding, playing organ and alto-sax at the same time. I got all the band's autographs afterwards in a school exercise book!

Fred Pipes
11/11/09

I went to the Oasis 1963-65 but the list is too long of the groups. I saw the Rolling Stones (1964), Ivy League, Big Three (from Liverpool), the Chants (from Liverpool, Wayne Fontana, The Undertakers, Mersey Beats,etc.(I missed the Beatles)

Great times! Only alcohol at the Nags Head or Rising Sun.

People today are amazed at the number of clubs and other venues in Manchester at that time as well as events at the Apollo, Odeon and even the Free Trade Hall. 

Colin Foster
7/2/10

So many fantastic memories of the Oasis Club. First time I went there was December 1965 and I remember walking in to see Fontella Bass on stage singing Rescue Me.

I saw so many top acts, Ike & Tina Turner, Little Stevie Wonder (I remember his roadmanager pulling him through the club by the arm), The Who (I got to keep one of Keith Moons drumsticks), Them (Van Morrison tried to chat me up but I didn't want to know cos I thought he looked a bit scruffy!!).

We used to get there really early and queue up outside so we could get our "seat on the edge of the stage" (and also see the "mods" driving into Lloyd Street on their scooters).

A few of us used to get up on stage and dance with some of the acts like the Drifters, Isley Brothers, Temptations. I remember Phil Woodbine (the DJ), Tony Stuart and his daughter Carol.

I worked in the cloakroom a few times for them when they were short staffed. Everyone had a brilliant time, no trouble, just all out to enjoy ourselves dancing to top groups... and all for 2/6d!!

The local groups were amazing - the Stylos, the Measles and The Richard Kent Style. I used to go and hide in the ladies when Frankensteins Monsters were on as they used to run into the audience and carry girls onto the stage to "the coffin". Those were the days !

Carol (was Downs)
18/2/10

I used to go to the Oasis every Saturday and sometimes Monday, from 1963  - 1969.

I remember buying a record of the Measles so we could get in the flollowing Monday.

Used to love The Stylos  - had a bit of a thing for one of them Roy I think he was called. Liked the Factotums, and yes I saw the British Birds and it was Ronnie Wood.

One of the best I saw there were the Moody Blues with Denny Lane - fab.

Used to go to the Manor Lounge in Stockport as well  - ah, those were the days !!

Judith Sandiford
3/3/10

Does anyone remember ABC AT LARGE filming at the Oasis in 1963? Desmond Wilcox interviewed me! Also I was asked to join the Hollies at the club on the night they formed.

Dave Ballinger

Still have my Oasis membership card from 1962!

Saw The Beatles there when their record 'Love Me Do' had just entered the charts.  The place was packed and I was at the back. Didn't realise at the time what the future held for them, so sadly don't really remember much about them. At the time they were just another Liverpool group.

Remember also seeing 'The Hollies' there but it was a bizarre experience as I'm sure I recollect them coming out on stage dressed like The Flintstones. I suspect they were perhaps not performing under The Hollies name at that time.

Saw many others including B. Bumble & The Stingers who had just charted with 'Nut Rocker'. All I remember are them wearing brightly coloured jackets and that the pianist was very fat!    

Brian Hunt

I saw (Little) Stevie Wonder at the Oasis - not sure of the date but I can remember three things aboiut it. First the queses were immense - all the way up the street and nearly into Albert Square. Second that the place was steaming - fantastic music, Stevie playing drums as well as singing and playing the harmonica. Thirdly, I can't forget the way he was handled by his management - dragged onto and off that little stage at the Oasis. You had to feel for the guy - all that talent and pushed about so badly.

Also recall seeing the Birds (British mod band) in January of 1966. I think Ronnie Wood was in the band at that time but Im not sure.

Did anyone else see either of these gigs ? 

Gary Heywood-Everett

I also remember seeing Little Stevie Wonder at the Oasis. Over the years various people have told me I must have been dreaming it. It was true though as Gary has previously mentioned.

Yes, the place was bouncing that night. I was knocked out of the way by one of his minders who were just barging through the crowds pushing Stevie to the stage.

He went on stage and gave a performance I have never forgotten in 45 years. Yes, he did go on drums as well during one number.Hard to believe a world superstar played the Oasis. Tony Stuart, the owner, booked major stars of the time didn't he?

Glad somebody else remembers that night and that it wasn't a "figment of my imagination".

Dave Anderton

Half way through the gig he managed to bust two of our drummers drum skins. He was not a happy bunny.

He still has the very same Ludwig drumkit - he could now sell it as played on by the man himself .

Pete Quinn, The Bridgebeats
12/2/09

Loved the Oasis. Guess I saw most of the groups mentioned here but don't remember many as I went for the girls. Queued up for forever outside. Was there for the Walker Bros.

I worked at Top of The Pops in Dickenson Road at the time so not that impressed with the groups. Anybody remember the Measles? Saw Ike and Tina Turner. Remember the sweat dripping off the ceiling and the lights that gave me pearly white teeth.  The dingy coffee bar. If we didn't pull, which was usual, we ended up at the Wimpy bar in Picaddilly.

Jim
4/3/09

I remember being totally knocked-out when Sugar Pie DeSanto sang soulful dress. I still sing it now, only to myself though as my wife would think I'd gone strange.

Last I heard she was still performing 45 years on.

Paul R.
4/5/09

18 years of age with a love of music and girls, and needing extra cash to indulge my pleasure.

Solution, get a job in one of Manchester's most popular coffee bar/ clubs with live music on tap 4 nights per week.

I was one lucky boy who was employed in the cloakroom at the Oasis on LLoyd Street, where everything of interest to me was there on tap to fulfil my desires, at a great time to be a teenager.

Added bonus was that I worked with my friends Ken Howarth, Tony Connor and later Mike Cooper, on different nights, working part time and being paid for the pleasure - how great was that?

Apart from the obvious attraction of getting to meet loads of single and very trendy and single girls, I had the opportunity to see some of the best live acts and performers of the era, including the Beatles, Stones, Hollies, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers, Animals, Dave Berry and the Cruisers, Hermans Hermits, the list is endless, and of course the freaky Frankenstein and his Monsters. The Who later performed one of the loudest and most exciting shows I have ever witnessed.

All absolutely great experiences, so it could hardly be considered to be work!

Short of sufficient musical talent to actually be in one of the acts, this job offered me the chance to get close up to some fantastic musicians who went on to become world famous.

I will always be indebted to Tony Stuart and his daughter Carol, for giving me the chance of approximately 3 years of total pleasure before ... well that's another story, but I'm at least still here to tell the story.

Colin Barton
14/8/09

I was a regular at the Oasis in 1964 and 1965 when I was 16 or 17. I too remember Little Stevie Wonder, Dave Berry, Goldie and the Gingerbreads and one group I haven't seen mentioned here, Them, with Van Morrison. As others have said it was always packed and a happy friendly place. I seem to recall that Dave Lee Travis was the DJ in those days.For some reason the Beatle's Norwegian Wood is the one record I associate with the club.

John Coller
6/11/09

I loved the Oasis too..saw so many bands there..but does anyone remember if Dave Lee Travis was DJ there..? or was it my imagination..?

I remember him having a yellow Willys Jeep...

Derek Alltree
6/1/10

I used to go regularly around 66/68. Wonderful memories of Junior Walker, Geno Washington, Steam Packet etc. So  much brilliant music and such a wonderful experience for a 14 year old!

We used to tell our parents we were staying at each others houses and sometimes got found out. We sometimes used to start the evening across at Piccadilly Station, watching the much older boys (all of 17/18!) arriving via train, looking so cool in overcoats!

I wouldn't have missed it for the world!

Sally Coombes
11/2/10

I used to go to the Oasis in the early 60’s and played there once or twice, with my band the Jaguars from Bury. I would like to contact Pauline Clegg with a little anecdote which she might like to add to her history of the club.

The Jaguars’ drummer was Ian Wallace – who was also the lead singer. We played our first gig at the Oasis on a Wednesday night, with Shadows-style instrumentals and vocal covers of Mersey and Manchester bands. Afterwards Pauline came up to us and said “Your sound is great – but your vocals are diabolical.” She suggested Ian stick to drumming.

Ian went on to join the Accrington band The Warriors – where he met Jon Anderson in his pre-Yes days.

Ian later played with King Crimson and then moved to the States, where he worked with Bob Dylan, Ry Cooder, Don Henley, Roy Orbison and became a leading session drummer, working with a whole Who’s Who of top musicians.

Good advice from Pauline!!

Sadly Ian died a couple of years ago and his tribute web site attracted accolades from the rock aristocracy worldwide.

Fascinated to see Pete Mclaine is still performing and very saddened to hear of the death of Pete Bocking – a very fine guitarist who made a big impression when I saw him play with Pete back in 1960-something.

John Hemmingway
26/2/10