Gigging in the North East 1965-1972. Sadly Geordie is now in a care home after having several serious strokes and has no memory. Used to ring Ivan Birchells office and find out where they were playing. #11 of 20 Nightlife in South Shields. Top 10 Nightlife in South Shields, England - Things To Do There was mutual respect there. old nightclubs in south shields - nefrocaresolutions.com Bernie MacKie was rhythm guitar and started his working life in a shop on Gateshead High St. called Barkers, an electrical shop. Newcastle was the place to be back then! Then went soth and played with Entire Sioux Nation. Went to nearly all the clubs mentioned. Great article. Dawn Ralston (nee. Ive exhausted all avenues looking for answers. Yes I was a big fan of The Kon-Tors, the forerunners of The Animals. June I knew John Harker ( he was a freind of my brother Gordon) and I do know Ray Huntley I will have to pass on your compliments. didnt Bob Monkhouse have something to do with Change Is? Charity event bringing back DJ's from South Shields nightclubs Victors Just found a post from Jane Maddison whos dad Ken Maddison was my bandleader for many years after I left groups to settle down. Even better was the fact that he was actually staying at the same place as we were, the Pheasant Run Hotel. Your parents would be overjoyed if you managed to find any photos. Bounce Back 2 the Old Skool . These included Tommy Hendersons Latin American Group and others such as the Bernie Thorpe Trio and Mike Carrs Emcee Four. He also played at The Cavendish and LA Dolce Vita. Big hair and big eyes and John with his shoes wouldve been 65 We married in 1976 and continued to go out to Scamps and are still married now. The Tube being one of his projects. In relation to the Hendrix gig my dads uncle was the manager at the Haymarket Hotel and he reckons the band had a pint in the back room ,presumably before they went on or between sets, Great to see Germain up there looking as animated as ever ..pity there is not a music track download of everyone in action! oops sorry just found them under media -great stuff thanks. Bars & Clubs By 688iang The range of beers and ciders is magnificent, all superbly kept by Kath and the staff. I WAS A (VERY)YOUNG LEAD SINGER WITH THE CRUSADERS RESIDENT GROUP AT LA STRADA CLUBS 63/69,IF JANE IS READING THIS I WORKED WITH HER DAD KEN MADDISON FOR YEARS.HE WROTE MUSIC FOR ME FOR OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS AND WE MADE DEMO RECORDINGS TOGETHER FOR ERIC BOSWELL.I LOVED HIM AND BOY WHAT A MUSICIAN.I LEARNED OF HIS PASSING NOT LONG AFTER AND SHED A TEAR.I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN HIM ONE MORE TIME.THOSE YEARS RIGHT THRO THE BEATLES ERA AND WORKING WITH ALL THOSE STARS WAS UNFORGETTABLE .OH I COULD WRITE A BOOK.GOD BLESS YOU KEN. We also got introduced to Newcastle Brown too! Owner, Sandford Goudie, opened a second La Strada in Sunderland in 1967. http://readysteadygone.co.uk/bryan-ferry/, Unveiling the past Amanda, Mike and the plaque. How embarrassing. Hello, this has been a great read. Myself, Cass and Ken went down to Kings Road and came back with Leather Coats down to the ankles. Also loved the Gogo. According to her they had sex on the floor there. One of them snapped my new tie in half trying to garrot me. Post author: Post published: June 23, 2022 Post category: assorted ornament by ashland assorted ornament by ashland It was a great place to go to if you liked dancing which I did. He was an alto sax/clarinet player with Don Smith in the 60s and I worked in the cloakroom for about a year. theses lists and memories are priceless but who can remember the truly horrible bands? Not in the same league as the other clubs in the area, but full of the essentials of life - beer, women, music and food. Quite a long time ago that Pete Wallis (ex Juncos and Gamblers) was trying to make contact with any of the Gamblers boys. Wright). i was the original singer with the Gamblers when we split they joined Billy Fury, who also stole my girlfriend ! The Marimba was open for just over a year before being gutted by fire. Apparently thats where John first spotted me when I was dancing and that was all I was interested in at the time! He was from Sunderland and used to come and meet me after school when I was in my school uniform. to be just a newcastle club owner & darn with the peace & love universal. The decor must be 30 yrs old. The Mayfair finally closed its doors in August 1999 and was later demolished to make way for the Gate Leisure Centre. They gave me a flyer which had their past and present in it. Some time later I joined the Gamblers. Two Scotsmen together in a nightclub, what could possibly go wrong! Read more about the Marimba on this link. Me mam and dad met there in 1970 and Id love to get them a photo made? Roger, thanks for a great website, it continues to bring back memories some good, some bad and some unprintable. They always wore wine coloured suits and cowboy small ties. Tatler Club in the Haymarket. Newcastle in the mid to late sixties had a vibrant night life which, outside of London, was probably the best in the country for wining, dining, dancing, music and gambling. South Shields is a coastal town in the North East of England at the mouth of the River Tyne, about 3.7 miles (6.0 km) downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne. Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By C9460ITmarkg Trevor Chance. All The Clubs from back in the day | Facebook I remember being a young teenager and the Junco Partners practising in the bedroom at my family home Caroline Cottages, John is my brother and I do remember Pete Wallis being the keyboard player and amazing they are still playing after all these years. Hi June I do remember the Palleta, it used to be the place to go during the day, they cannot have done much business as we all used to buy one drink and make it last for hours until we got kicked out. thank you. Enjoy the trip. Are you David Coates from the Felling and Ken Cooper from Windy Nook ? I was a DJ at The Cellar club, The Tavern, Change Is, Sloopys, The Dolce Vita, The New Caverndish and a few more. Ill get back to you on that. I think my dad was a drummer for a while with a band called the After Eights. Im the daughter of Ken Maddison who had a resident trio in various local clubs in the 60s the Pickwick in Whitley Bay, La Strada in South Shields, and the Baileys clubs in Newcastle, I remember him being at La Dolce Vita, and (I think) the Latino.Sadly hes not around any more to ask, but I remember as a child hearing some of the names you mention here. I was amazed at the club scene in the North East! Cheers Anyway, I moved to the states in 1970 and after moving around a lot I ended up here in California where I have a couple of gyms. Myself and Ken Cooper were friends from Broadwood Junior school and we started going into town aged 14, as rockers with Brylcream quiffs, Jackson the Tailor drapes, drainpipes and beetle crushers and walking around in circles at the Maj Westgate road. If you're from South Tyneside, these 21 photos might - ChronicleLive Some good people who were pioneers back then and desrve a lot of credit for making Newcastle (a millon miles from London)a firm favourite with some great artists in the 60s from all over the UK and abroad wanting to play this region. I live in France now,so dont get many chances to visit the old stomping grounds. We went and sure enough it was them minus the Leopard skin leotard tho. I was hired by Ron Markem and Bob Monkhouse In January 1969 as Reception Manager for the Change Is club. Gordon Livingstone. Bars & Clubs By 688iang The range of beers and ciders is magnificent, all superbly kept by Kath and the staff. Blue Parrot in Sunniside. Hi George, Im not absolutely sure but think my husband John may have an outside shot. it is the same Ken Brady. Met some real characters. She was the resident singer. A personal perspective by Roger Smith. Kennedy's Bar South Shields 5 Bars & Clubs Open now By steveL794 This is a great Little bar great atmosphere and is such a welcoming bar, well worth a visit great chilling bar 3. I was there in the 60s with Joe Brown & The Bruvvers. La Dolce Vita went into decline in the seventies and had several name changes before finally closing its doors as a venue in 2002. Absolutely loved it. Greg Burmans speakers were legendary but were a bastard to transport and set up. My friend dad played with Del & the Infernos, from South Shields. Also played at Ray Grehans Cub in Roker Avenue Sunderland with Little Eva and the Fortunes. We went often and went for the great music and danced all night. He was always a dapper dresser!! Heres a few other pictures that should bring back the golden age of northeast clubbing: . If you went there please let me know. Detroit sounds the hinge the outfit perfumed garden well me for one as I was in ALL of them our biggest claim to fame was backing the opportunity knocks star the muscle man at the middle club, byker. blog 28 mentions thelate Mike Carr.. been on wikepedia and seems he still walks among us.. thankfully. Ive lost touch with my dad who was the bouncer with Tommy at the go go club. Im very interested in your post regarding a photographer who may taken photos of the nightclubs many of us attended. The photo is of her from when she used to sing at Mayfair and when she appeared on American Bandstand. Fond memories of him. I had the Landlords bitter the following day in Wetherspoons and it tasted . Ah, Dusk! A former South Shields nightclub is set to return to the town for one night only - and even has the support of Little Mix star Jade Thirwall. Fuelled by this success, they picked a fight with Family singer Roger Chapman who proceeded to chin both of them in two minutes. Often return back to the area and go walkabout. Kennedy's Bar South Shields 5 Bars & Clubs By steveL794 This is a great Little bar great atmosphere and is such a welcoming bar, well worth a visit great chilling bar 3. old nightclubs in south shields - kvkraigad.org If anyone reading this knew my mother or any other members of the Jimmy Bence Orchestra, please leave a comment on this site. Bars & Clubs By 688iang The range of beers and ciders is magnificent, all superbly kept by Kath and the staff. Please see cornell . He said, Dance with me and started doing what he called The Pickett. I think he still lives in the North East and owned the Springs fitness centres. They made an acetate demo at Morton Sound in Carliol Sq. Had some great evenings there in the late 1950s as well as any evenings at the Oxford Gallerys and the Majestic. John and I are celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary today and so have been looking back to when we first met in two very special nightclubs in newcastle (long gone but never forgotten) mainly Change Is (later known as Bloomers) and our very favourite place Scamps. Theres also a poster from the 60s of The Seaburn Hall when the Crusaders supported the Moody Blues. He is 93 living in South Africa. ANNE MILLAR (TAYLOR) I DONT REMEMBER THE VENUE ANNE, BUT WE WORKED ALL OF THE AREA IN THE SIXTIES. away from him: Jeffrey managed the ANIMALS & JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE like small club bands. I remember you singing at the Majestic with the Gamblers. Is Jim wright still alive? Both my grandmothers once worked in the Tyne Dock Hotel, now Kennedys at Tyne Dock, and I remember passing Slake Terrace on my way to work in Newcastle, with the Grapes Hotel and many other public houses before they were demolished. Today, the pub is called Kennedy's 3 of 10 The. My mobile no is 07580452584. and myself on Hammond Organ. #93 Roger. Fantastic!!!!! I was mortified. It was only a step-up (not a high stage) He looked down at me, held out his hand, and said, Cmon little lady. 2. Happy times, gone forever, but never forgotten. La Dolce Vita supporting P J Proby. Photo: sg Photo Sales 2.. I also wore a lot of mascara and false eye lashes which sometimes pealed off! I still have the Badfinger single I won off the DJ in my treasure box. It was a Valentines Dance and we had to do the last part of the show as the audience were clamouring for dance music and they couldnt dance to the Moody Blues! La Strada in South Shields opened around 1962 and ran throughout the 1960s. The sixties may have belonged to London but in the seventies The NE was the place to be for the clubs! The second picture down, which has David Macbeth on, also has two of my aunts who both worked at Go Go. Billy Bottos. We were also friends with music journalist Phil Penfold. Near the North/South Shields ferry landing. pm me at cmburney@outlook.com. I would like to think so. TO MIKE GRAHAM, hey !! Used to visit all the above clubs including the strange Muscle Inn..the Downbeat was something else.I cant even remember a Gents toilet being there.but there was a backyard that we used! Was at a place called St.Charles, outside Chicago, a couple of years ago and who should be playing there but Bill Smedley (Righteous Brothers). Sadly Bob and Alf are no longer with us R.I.P. It had a bad name she said. After he left the Gamblers he went to work for Ray Grehan. The club was managed by Ken Brady who used to be in the resident band at the Majestic in Newcastle. Greys club is one of the few Newcastle Clubs that has been running since the sixties. Former South Shields nurse 'lucky to be alive' after carbon monoxide One of our group was Pat Carling. I DONT KNOW WHERE THE BALANCE OF THE GAMBLERS ARE, BUT GREAT TIMES. I met John there in March of 1974 and we were there several times a week. they played for various bands and clubs. However most photographs Tom took were of customers and he sold them copies. We made many friends and had a wonderful time with so many happy memories. Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By jacquelinesQ1680QF Brilliant site! I remember early 70s nightlife which began for me in the Dive Bar underneath the Swallow hotel. Other people I remember from that period were Greg Burman (sound equipment), Dave Woods ( Impulse Records) and Dave Dixon and Geoff Wonfor from Tyne Tees Television. Fantastic read! Hi, could anybody please give me any information about my father geoff manning aka harry branson gorst, who married my MOTHER, irene graham. Great site and yes the Club Agogo was a Great Venue.I met my wife there in October 63 and we married in June 66.We are still together.Neville McKittrick the Invaders Singer was a colleague of mine at British Paints.Last I heard of him he had his own Paint Company in Canada.I would love to make contact again. June Viner, Sorry should have said Frank Pickering and Mickey Pemberton. The lavishly decorated premises had once been the Piccadilly Club, which was run by Dennis Stafford who was later jailed for the 1967 murder of Angus Sibbett in the notorious One-Armed Bandit case. old nightclubs in south shields. At the opening night the DJs were myself and Simon Dee. HiFred If you have any photographs of that time I would love to see them. I did overhear a conversation in which one of the guests asked the other if he had been present at the Gogo on the night that Dave Findlay knocked out Keith Crombies teeth! Can you remember a guy called Louie who also worked at Change is? My Dad used to make roulett tables for Ray Grehan in the 60s, Hi my name is Helen Findlay the daughter of Dave Findlay. In its hey day the Quay Club was a popular late night watering hole for both local and national musicians after completing their own gigs in the city. Our selection of photographs recall an era of social club beauty contests, colliery wagons,. Sandra ditched me after a couple of years and went to London and then Italy where she sadly died aged about 21. Further to my last comment, some of the regulars I remember from La Dolce Vita were The Barton Brothers (Andy and Phil), Brian Stanners, (Formula One) and Pauline Hall (Fenwicks) I was just a nipper at the time but I remember my folks going to all those clubs as well as Change Is. I have great memories of spending many nights, years later, listening to Nigel Stanger and Lindolph DOliviera playing with the East Side Torpedoes too. She was called Maggie Ross, quite a dancer as I recall. Hi I know Tommy and Davey findlay, Jesmond. i still havent managed to see any pics of inside Bloomers and would be really pleased if you could help, as Im not on Facebook. Five nightclubs in South Shields that we lost within the last 10 years The concept was that the club would not be the same from one week to the next. Thanks for the memories though, and keep up the good work. We did Rehearsal Room, a Tyne Tees weekly feature on local bands, a half hour show presented by David Hamilton, we did 3 numbers loads of fun, and , we even got well paid for it. I was with the MARTELLES, we played at Club Eleven every Thursday, it was a blues night gig, great from the basement blues music. My social life started at the Cellar Club in South Shields, moved on to the GoGo whilst it was at its height, back to the Cellar (renamed the New Cellar and then the Chelsea Cat), with a few detours along the way via the Latino, Dolce Vita, Greys Club, Change Is and finally Julies. We also played at the Seaburn Hall Cats night out regularly and the Rink ballroom. Reviews; Claim your business; Escape. Might be worth trawling facebook or look for Brenda Marsh who was close. I went to a place in 1972 which I knew only as the dive bar and could never understand why. old now and remember the Change Is days like they were yesterday. Comment by Michael finlay December 12, 2011], How can u be his son micheal -when u cant even spell his name rite -and he hasnt got a clue who jackie is, Anyone remember Purple Haze, a school band from Redwell School in 1968 Johnathan,Richard,Frank and Michael, Hello everyone I dont supose for one minute that anyone remembers me, I was lead singer for The Strangers and The Strollers,what Im really trying to find out kylastron Mac is buried so I can go and pay my respects to an old and dear friend who I lost touch with a long time ago thanks, Hi Just stumbled across it whilst looking at pics. On club nights the occasional drunken troublemaker would be invited upstairs to the wrestling ring and taught the error of his conduct!HAPPY DAZE!!! I was really 56 but had big hair and platforms. The Mayfair Ballroom opened by the Mecca organization on 12th September 1961 and continued to be a major venue in the city for 38 years. Jean McGowan, Hi Trevor Chance. I have just came across your great website while looking for information of the bands that played at the Seaburn Hall I was best friends with Pongo (Keith to me) and for a short while roady for them. When they played The Cellar Club, So. Our 10 photographs from the ChronicleLive archive recall some of the many and varied pubs, past and present, of South Shields, As anyone who's ever done it will vouch - South Shields is a great place to have a night out (in normal times, anyway!). This pub used to have a bad reputation but what a change, visited for Sunday Lunch and enjoyed a lovely meal, a good choice of meals served Carvery style, with the largest choice of vegetables we have ever seen. He had retired to the Seahouses area with his wife. Equally we are desperately trying to find an internal shot of Scamps? Saw Alan Bown Set, Downtown Faction and a group from Teeside(?Rivers Invitation)there. When the bingo hall closed in 2005, the Academy Music Group bought the building and converted it back to a music venue. But last week I did visit an old friend in Whitley Bay and realised that my Dad must have been working at The Pickwick shortly aftter it opened (which I guess was why we moved to Whitley in the first place). A couple of years ago we were in Benidorm and we got talking to these three couples, one of them said You are obviously from the Newcastle area, where did you go on Friday nights in Toon ? I answered The Maj Ok he said, now who where the resident group ? Rue and the Rockets I answered, Well meet Rue and the Rockets, its us three and we are still going in fact we are on the Dynastic tonight. Mike Pemberton and Mick Pickering had Club Eleven, what memories. Regards George, Re Photographs and Tom Oxley. Dont know how she knew cos she had never been there!!! Just stumbled across your website. Restaurants in South Shields 1. Please post photos, memories and exploits from your favorite hangout. Rehearsals were sometimes in the Engineers Club in Ellison place. Student Union do,s were good and remember Sect and Elcorts playing at a couple of them. 30 left on 9 February 2013. Your dad is on Jesmond and not too well at present, Re comment 72 by David Parks Save this search; Map View; List your business for Free! The Criterion, on the right, Ocean Road, South Shields, 1970s (Norman Dunn), The Neptune Inn, South Shields Pubs, by Eileen Burnett, published by Amberley, The Tyne Dock Hotel, South Shields, 1938. 5th Gear - Baltimore Pike, Media, PA. 19th Hole - North Hills, PA. 25th Hour - Wilkes Barre, PA. 94th Aero Squadron - 2750 Red Lion Rd. If anyone has any input on my post please respond. dancing from 1969. In 1967 I spent a short time singing with the Don Smith orchestra of the Oxford Galleries after we finished we always used the Cavendish club or Billy Bottos in Byker. Great memories, if somewhat hazy due to my then drink problem !! Primary Menu. I lived there from when it opened in late1973 or early 1974. Finally, in relation to the Seaburn Hall in Sunderland we also used to go there does anyone remember Ronnie Stephens and Ray Huntley great dancers. The North East in the 60s as a wonderful time for musicians and performers and I am so pleased to have been there. 9 South Tyneside nightclubs and pubs we loved and lost - Shields Gazette of Newcastle in the 60s. Chas Chandler lived in Heaton and his dad was the roadie. I met my first girlfriend Yvonne there, started going to the Downbeat also Club Eleven in Sunderland with my close pal Rod. Phila. 17:50, 2 MAR 2023. Thanks to Roger, I have been able to share memories with someone else who was working in Change Is at that time and I know he mustve played great music as I was always the last one dancing every night! I worked at Newcastle Crown Court from 1978-1980, and during that time, I worked with Tommy Oxley, who has been mentioned here on this site. Saw a lot of these bands at the Rex Hotel in Whitley Bay.It was mobbed when Love Affair on.!!! I lived in Whitley Bay in the apartment of a house owned by Jimmy Bence. Happy Times. Nowadays though I would just dance solo but back then I never did did. Nobody danced once they came out. Happy days! During his time working for the organisation he became aquainted with both Vince and Michael Lavaglio and Denis Stafford.. he always found them to be perfect gentlemen in his dealings both on a business and social level. View listing packages . My dad nicknamed one of youre daughters shoulders I think her name was Siobhan or Dionne or something? The Whitley Bay boys club venue was called Zone 22. Memories just keep flooding back of all those tremendous venues. Clubs in South Shields: The biggest guide to club nights, with lineups, venue details and entry times. Hi, does anyone remember by dad Alan Clay? Jane Maddison, How are you? Unofficially, the jazz sessions at the Marimba continued long after midnight. norwood surgery opening times; catholic bible approved by the vatican. How many of these South Tyneside nightclub photos - Shields Gazette THE 10 BEST Nightlife Activities in South Shields - Tripadvisor Happy Days. Any comments welcomedthanks. The Downbeat was situated in Carliol Square, Newcastle not far from Worswick Street bus station. Maggy Ross could be Maggy Heskith who died a few years ago. We always met at the Pit for coffee where we decided what time to meet before going to the Club Ago Go. I just wish I could remember them all. The Marimba Coffee House on High Bridge, Newcastle (off Grey Street) was another venue opened by Mike Jeffery. Saw Ralph Brough our lead singer some years ago, we were running the Peterlee half marathon, theres a change. to commemorate these experiences I have recently cut a CD called Cats Nite Out on which I have included the R & R music we used then.I went on the sing throughout my life as a solo artiste, called Ray Donne for a period and then back to my real name. Change Is opened with a flourish on 9th February 1969 with a promise of first class entertainment from the best acts around. Happy days. I always thought of the area just as you opened the double doors as the viewing platform. I also went to the Playground on Westgate Road until about 1976. . Others such as the unique Grotto, built among caves on the seafront at Marsden, are very much still with us. it was Alfie wright who owned the Crescendo Club at Whitley Bay, not Ray Grehan, trust me I opened it i was discovered there by Dame Margot Fontaine and sent to RCA records to begin my recording career. I absolutely loved the place. I was there from day one for about 15 months. Has had a number of . A Cumbrian group Rue & The Rockets were the resident band at the Majestic for a number of years and had a massive following in Newcastle. Can you believe we dont have a single photo of this momentous occasion? Thank you. Great site look forward to any info. Best years of my life. THE 10 BEST South Shields Bars & Clubs - Tripadvisor We went to Newcastle in 1967 to see them play Southampton. Tom was a regular photographer for the Bailey Organisation. I am a cockney! Drink and lack of sleep took its toll.The candle which I burnt at both ends went out in 1977. Ho Hum happy days and strange memories. Kennedy's Bar South Shields 418 South Eldon Street, South Shields NE33 5SY England +44 191 456 4363 https://www.facebook.com/kennedyssouthshields/ Excellent 100% Good 0% Satisfactory 0% Poor 0% Terrible 0% Overall Ratings 5.0 based on 4 reviews 2.