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Jigsaw (Cromford Court, off Market Street)

The Jigsaw Club was at 11 Cromford Court off Market Street, Manchester 4 and opened on Saturday, November 13, 1965 with The Measles and The Mockingbirds from 7pm to 11pm.

In The Evening News and Chronicle of Monday, November 8, 1965 it said It's No Puzzle It's No Secret It's The Jigsaw Cromford Court, Market St It's The Tops It's Open This Saturday It's '' The Who '' What ? ? The Who ! ! ! Where The Jigsaw Why It's the Greatest, Man.

In The Evening News and Chronicle of Friday, November 12, 1965 it said Jigsaw Cromford Court, Market Street. Grand Opening Saturday, November 13, 7-11 pm, 6/- Only. Measles plus Mocking Birds.

In The Evening News and Chronicle of Friday, November 12, 1965 it said Jigsaw Cromford Court, Market Street. We provide Luxury All-Nighter Service This Saturday, 11 30 to 6 a.m. Wilson Pickett Measles St. Louis Union Mockingbirds Tom's Rig All this - 6/6 Only.

It had started out as The Manchester Cavern which opened on Saturday, May 23, 1964 with The Four Pennies.

It changed its name again to La Bamba which opened on Friday, October 27, 1967 and then later still it changed its name again to The Magic Village which opened on Saturday, March 9, 1968 with Jacko Ogg and the Head People.

John H. Warburg 1 March 2022

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

Just discovered your site and can confirm the incident where Pete Townsend stuck his guitar in the low roof above The Jigsaw stage. It was the sixties, say no more, as I remember it, it was through a picture of Georgie Fame.

Also remember seeing Victor Brox's Blues Train there when sax player Snake Davis, during a solo, wandered outside, still playing in the early hours followed by a bunch of people, like the pied piper. Can anybody confirm this?

Dave Tunny - 2/2/12

I went to the Jigsaw, Remember seeing Martha and the Vandella's one sunday. While she was singing, she kept smiling at me, the people in front of me, turned around and stared, probably thinking that I knew her. I was very embarassed. Remember, the gangster style suits with high vents, The TV Bar room,(where you could chill.) Not forgetting the girls with geometric hairsyles and bright coloured mini dresses.
Great times.

Dennis Davis - 1/9/12

Ah memories. I moved on from the Twisted Wheel cos the music was better. Those black and white jigsaw cutouts of artists were really cool. Wish I had one. If anyone does have one the Museum of Club Culture in Hull would love to display it.

To all those people I danced the night away with - hope you`re still cool and boogying.

Cassandra x - 1/10/12

I remember The Who at the Jigsaw.

Mo Caldwell - 12/2/12.

It was the second or third time I had seen them, they were just SO amazing. They did a very late set, possibly an all-nighter. I had been to The Wheel to see Graham Bond Organisation from 9pm to midnight and remember walking across Piccadilly to get there. I had hitch-hiked from Bourne in S Lincs to get there. Manchester was really too far but I was a regular at The King Mojo in Sheffield and The Boston Gliderdrome on my Vespa and Union Jack Parka.

Those were the days when there was a "little bit of friction" within the group and I stood in the gents with Roger on one side and Keith on the other and it was enlightening! I could say more but I won't.

Mike Fitzgerald - 19/2/14