| Back in the early sixties the Plaza used to run Saturday morning dance sessions for kids.We used to dance to stuff like Jett Harris and Tony Mehan, Tornadoes etc. I remember on a few occasions we even had Jimmy Savile up on stage.
Andrew Gibbons
My first experience of the Plaza was as a schoolkid in 1957. I went to Chorlton Grammar and towards the end of term it was GCE exam time. It was exams in the morning and the afternoons were supposed to be spent revising for the next days exam. No chance - as soon as we realised that nobody checked on us in the afternoons it was a 15 minute bus trip each day to the Plaza for the lunchtime hop (don't think the term 'disco' had yet been coined).
DJ was Jimmy Savile - posh suit and big cigar in evidence. Records played were mainly chart stuff by American rockers, but Jimmy's sessions always included some surprises. Frank Sinatra (French Foreign Legion), Peggy Lee (Fire Down Below), Sammy Davis (Something's Got To Give), etc., etc.
Also he used to hammer 'Little Darling' by The Diamonds.
Obviously, my Plaza days were only just beginning and I continued to enjoy their night time sessions for many years to come.
Tom Bancroft
My friends and I always went to the Plaza in the late 1950's. Jim and his big cigars were always very prominent and of course no alcohol, only soft drinks. You could also grab a table and leave your handbag there while you danced - it was very safe. You got a lot of boys just standing arund the outside of the dancefloor watching. They were either not too sure of their dance ability or were not keen on dancing but always hoped to click with a girl before the end of the night.
Before going to the Plaza my friends and I would meet up in either Amigos or the Can Can Coffee Bars or The York pub on York Street. Spend the night dancing then on to the 92 all night bus home - I lived in C-on-M and, in those days, if I missed the allnighter I could safely walk home down Downing Street and round Ardwick Green.
June Young
12/4/09
I remember the Plaza well. I used to go three or four times a week and Jimmy Saville was the DJ. I met lots of wonderful people there. Every time I hear 'Smoke gets in your eyes' I am transported back to a particular time when a certain lad used to always get me up to dance to the tune. We used to jive as well but this song was 'our song' Happy memories eh?
Theresa Halligan
15/5/09
I used to go to the Plaza each lunch time when I worked in Manchester City Centre, then again on Sat afternoons, then home for tea, to freshen up, and back again for the evening session.
I remember a DJ called Mad Mike as well as Jimmy Saville. At one time quite a lot of Manchester City players used to go on a Saturday night, I remember dancing with Mike Summerbee and Dave Wagstaffe.
I remember dancing the Madison and the Twist, I used to love to jive, and had a regular dancing partner called Dave, who could really move, I can't remember any trouble there, I am now 64, and still love 60's music and love to dance.
What wonderful memories.
Joyce Gill
29/3/10
In the early sixties I lived, breathed and loved the Plaza, there was no where on earth like it. I was there every night it was open when I could beg, steal or borrow the money. I was at college in Manchester and used to go in my lunch hour when all the Man City boys were there. Thank you Plaza for my lifelong memories.
Carole Matthews
25/5/10
My memories are from 1947/49 whilst doing my national service,looked forward to weekend pass from Padgate RAF to the Plaza. At that time the Manageress was Miss Petico (or similar) - great lady.
After demob returned home to Ardwick. Regular visits to the Plaza,Ritz the Town was alive in the evenings. Trouble was rare.
If you wanted a drink a quick call to Tommy Ducks was close by,and then a hurry back to the Plaza. A world apart.
Hugh Mechan
7/1/11
As a a group of young men we used to visit The Plaza on Saturday afternoons between 1940 & 44 .We all worked at Vickers Armstrong factory on munitions. In the interval we went downstairs to the billiard hall.
Alfie Proctor
15/2/11
I worked at the Plaza, very briefly, from 1962 to 1963 as "Box Office Manager" (Glorified Bouncer Supervisor, although they weren't called bouncers then, they were supervisors!)
The Mecca Dancing area manager was Jimmy Saville - he devised lunchtime disco sessions for the young city workers, who could have a snack lunch and a soft drink whilst enjoying the music and a jive. It wasn't called disco then, Jimmy called them "Off The Record" sessions. They were very popular.
The Ballroom manager was Terry Devine, Deputy Manager Terry Allen. The main DJ was called "Mad Mike" (I think his name was Tierney) who shared the disco duties with a young Dave Lee Travis. Disco wasn't the main feature however, there was Art Lester's Orchestra, his daughter Jo being the singer and the Eddie Gray Trio. When it was a "Disco" night we had to hire Eddie Gray for an hour's spot to satisfy the musician's union. One night I caused Jo some embarrassment - she was coming up from the dressing room and asked me to fasten the hook and eye at the back of her off-the-shoulder evening gown but unfortunately I fastened the hook to the top of the zip and when she was belting out a song the top of her dress fell away !!! Pure accident, honestly !!
A regular visitor then was the singer, Michael Holliday. We worked long hours and an old lady, Agnes, cooked an evening meal for us - Michael would time his visit to sample her home cooking.
On one occasion Freddy Cannon did a charity show at the Plaza, for the Jewish World Relief Organization and Freddy and The Dreamers did a supporting spot. The young people preferred Freddy Garrity and his group to Freddy Cannon.
The photo above was taken in the Autumn of 1962. We did an illuminations tableau. It shows, left to right, the ballroom handyman, can't remember his name, he was a painter & decorator, carpenter and did electrical repairs. Next, a young Dave Lee Travis, Lou --------------? senior supervisor, Terry Allen, Terry Devine and myself, Brian Cook.
Great reading the recollections, brought back some great memories.
Brian Cook
11/5/11
In the late 1950's I used to go to the Plaza on my lunch hour when Jimmy Saville was the DJ. I worked at Deakons (sp) Charted Accountant firm by the corn exchange. In those days who would ever dream that Jimmy Saville would become so famous. The Plaza and the Ritz bring back many many happy memories. (I live in California now)
Wendy Nichols
1/11/11
First mate Jimmy Saville at the Plaza, early '60, used to go dinner time from work. He would play a lot of Sinatra, but Elvis was the boy and all the rock n, roll was our music.
Great place for jiving, good times. Jimmy was the boy.
From there we would go to Tommy Ducks - we were known asTeddy Boys.
Tony Austin
1/11/11
I went to the Plaza around 1962 when ever I could. Lunchtime sessions for a tanner, see Hermans Hermits practising and listen to records. Saturday afternoon sessions for one & sixpence, Saturday night and then Sunday club. Running up those steep stairs was easy then.
No alcohol only orange juice and coffee. I saw lots of groups there, oddly the one that stands out were The Three Pennies; the singer had a great voice. I loved the Plaza Jive; the best dancers certainly went to the Plaza, and the best looking girls. Very, very happy memories from thoes youthful days.
John Gledhill
14/1/12
On January 1st 1951, I started what was to become a year's residency at the Plaza Ballrom as drummer with Andre Messeder band. The Manageress was Phyllis Paccito and the small band was run by Rochdale pianist Dave Egerton.
We played every afternoon and evening with alternate Sundays at the other Mecca Ballroom The Ritz. After a few months there was a new manager Terry McGrath, who brought in a new assistant manager Jimmy Savile.
they decided that it would be a good idea to have lunchtime dances. To promote this our band was sent on a tour of works and office canteens. That meant only one band was in residence two or three afternoons a week. To fill in the gap Jimmy played records and in the course of time became a full time dj and manager at the Locarno Leeds, another Mecca ballroom.
Roy Holliday
3/3/12
What a wonderful place the Plaza was. Remember all those lunchtimes jiving and then running like mad across Albert Square. Met Jess Conrad one time,thought he was gorgeous, well I was only 16 (as the song goes). Does anybody remember when it changed to Tiffanys ? Wonder what they did with all those palm trees ? What happy days the early 60's were.
Beryl Dawson (Nadin)
14/3/12
Great times at the Plaza, went every day 12 till 2, then off to work till 10, never missed a Monday night for years 62/65, with my mate John Buxton (wonder where he is now). Great nights,and then there was the TOP TEN club on Sunday nights at BELLE VUE with Jimmy Savile.
David Barlow
23/3/12
My friends and I had wonderful times at the Plaza - 1963 to 68. I remember the steep stairs and the "posh" ladies powder room at the top. You had to have the back of your hand stamped if you wanted to pop outside. I remember the dj at the time was Dave Plumb and we were there every weekend and some week nights, couldn't get to the lunch time sessions.
They were very happy times.
Joan Shemwell
2/4/12
I used to go to the Plaza at lunchtimes, especially Saturdays. I remember Jimmy Saville and Mike the other DJ. I also remember the guy on the door, Sam. Where are all the wonderful dancers who went in the late 50's ??
Jean Crolla
14/4/12
Used to go to the Plaza in our lunch time when working at the CPO British Rail, Mount Street. We used to say dont look at them the footballers, it will make them big headed"
Oh happy days.
Rita Nickson nee Spencer
17/5/12
Does anyone remember Nina Howlett ? She sang at the Plaza and I'm trying to find out more. I'm not sure if she was in a band or a solo singer. I would love to know anything anyone could tell me about her.
Sheryl Irving
18/6/12
What great times I had at the Plaza,I went to so many sessions from 1960 to about 1964. I remember well Stuart Allison and David Holland two lovely lads - what happened to them?I
remember Jess Conrad and Kenny Lynch, Mad Mike and Brian, one of the bouncers(weren't called bouncers then though). Happy Happy Day's - wish the kids today could experience what we had in the 60s.
Valerie Jones
29/7/12
I remember going to the dinner time sessions. I used to work at the Refuge Insurance. I remember Jimmy Savile - he used to wear a see-through shirt with pound notes in the pockets. Also went Fri and Sat nights - thought it was wonderful.
Linda Lawson
12/10/12
I frequently went to the Plaza on a Saturday nights. If I remember correctly Hermans Hermits were regular performers. Also the lunchtime sessions were great value at 6 old pence. Who can still dance the Plaza jive?
Pete Rose
14/11/12
Lunchtimes the Plaza in the early sixties - Savile had just left and I think Mad Mike was at the controls. Quick pork pie and beans at Nic's then upstairs for a bob's worth (or was it only 6d?) at the Plaza with Neville Horner, Reg Hardie, Mike Doodson, Michael Bligh, Malcolm Booth, Jon Guest, Barry ?? et al.
Chris Jones
23/12/12
Great memories of the Plaza in the early sixties one of the guys asked only a week ago which was my favourite. Just walking up those stairs and walking across the dance floor what a buzzzzz, needless to say his was smooch time that was if he didn't get a knock back.
Some six of us out of the old crew now meet up in the Grey Horse in Portland Street where we used to have a few beers before going to the Plaza just like the old days. Funny enough Glyn Ellis[Wayne Fontana] then an unknown was at that time one of the lads and he won the talent show singing Ain't That Funny, god they were happy days. My memory isn't as good as our Barry's alias Saph, he remembers everything as though it was yesterday and the stories he tells are just great. Roll on the next re union.
Dave Binns (Dusty)
30/12/12
I virtually lived at The Plaza 1960 till closed, dance partner and boyfriend Tony White, also very friendly with DJ Tony Wellbourne - little guy, his girlfriend Barbara even smaller. Great days.
If anyone remembers me was Irvine, lived Salford.
Heather Steeples was Irvine
18/1/13
I too remember spending lunch hours at the Plaza,almost every day and sometimes also Friday and Saturday evenings.What great times they were,never any trouble and we didn´t have a care in the world.We then dashed back to King street,The Vulcan Insurance Company,later in St.Mary's Parsonage. I was then called Mitchell and my best friend was Anne Davison.
So nice to read about peoples memories,mostly like mine.I am now 65 and live in Germany but will NEVER forget those great days with Hermans Hermits and The Hollies.
Pauline Lanner
5/5/13
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