At the opening night the DJs were myself and Simon Dee. My mother Barbara Berg who worked At the Gogo when she was younger is in the second picture, along with the blonde lady on the right who is my Aunty Joan Tenniswood (young) who also worked there! Cant anyone remember a local band used to play in the dolce la vita called the bits and pieces? Brilliant site! Hello, this has been a great read. worked there opposite the Sounds with Eddie Farrow and Bobby Carr on a temporary basis untill a club in Low Fell was completed.. that name escapes me tho.,.One night at at the Picadilly, Ronnie Pipe in an agitated state (unusual for him MR laid back) informed my old man that the the CRAYS were in.. sure enough. Hi 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! Ill post a comment as soon as I have anything to report. That building and those surrounding it were demolished and have been rebuilt. Men The builders had only erected the wall a few days earlier HAPPY DAYS !!! Great times Anna. Went to a Motown concert at the Sunderland Empire a couple of years ago and, would you believe it, sitting next to me was Frank Pemberton who used to own Club 11 in Sunderland with Mickey Pemberton (I think). The sound system was said to be second to none. Uncle Bob n Uncle Alf. 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. From the Soap . 190 Dave, Hi, used to follow the Sect, go to various clubs and halls around Newcastle.Also the Elcorts, then the New Religion, and New Elcorts, I believe. Oh I could go on all day. i was a regular and married Vicky Hope a gorgeous bunny girl sadly she died 5yrs ago. Lovely girl The photograph was taken in the dressing room of The Tavern/Latino in South Shields (my memory for dates etc is very hazy)The lion was a pet and belonged to one of the acts playing at the club. power bi relative date filter include current month; old nightclubs in south shields. In October 1968 the Bailey Organisation opened Sloopys disco above La Dolce Vita. But who were the men and woman who owned and ran the north easts iconic clubs and kept us entertained throughout the sixties? King Crimson did their 1st try out gig at Change Is. He was on stage about ten minutes later and when he turned around to sing to people upstairs from the revolving stage the sauce had spread as a large black arc across his back. I never got to playground, when bloomers closed we all migrated to la dolce vita for a while but was never quite the same yes, loved dancing but fortunately my best mate Lesley was the same and we both hardly ever sat down ! They made an acetate demo at Morton Sound in Carliol Sq. When the bingo hall closed in 2005, the Academy Music Group bought the building and converted it back to a music venue. Hi I just found a photograph of me with a young mountain lion on my knee. 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). Hi Does anybody remember the Dolce Vita house band, a guy named Robbie was the bass player and I cannot remember the names of the drummer, organist and lead Guitarist. I seem to remember the band playing at The Majestic at the bottom of Westgate Rd. Had a great time in the 60s. In 2011, north east photographer and author, Ian Wright who now lives in Las Vegas, had the bright idea of organising a get together for the people involved in the sixties club scene. HAPPY DAYS>, Anyone still keep in contact with David or Tommy Findlay? anybody remember? The best thing is Im still alive and have great memories. Hi Anna #156. Ive exhausted all avenues looking for answers. Phila. 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! Yours nostalgically In North Shields, for quite a long time in the 60s, the basement of The Jungle was a night club. `you may already have it? Hi Dave Coates enjoyed reading your post I dont live in Newcastle but had lots of contacts, friends and customers from my Disque records days in town. I can still remember the feeling of excitement as you stepped down each dark stair til you opened the door and the whole place came alive, with music, gorgeous people and the amazing music which never sounded the same anywhere else and still doesnt! Most public houses have been swept away by what we are told is progress, but the communities that once lived in those areas often still remember the days when men would come out of the shipyards and offices to pop in for a pint. The North East in the 60s as a wonderful time for musicians and performers and I am so pleased to have been there. The Marimba opened in 1959 serving Italian food and snacks during the day at prices students could afford. I have fond if hazy memories of that weekend! What a star she could have been. I always thought of the area just as you opened the double doors as the viewing platform. The sixties may have belonged to London but in the seventies The NE was the place to be for the clubs! He had retired to the Seahouses area with his wife. Just been reading a comment from Pete Wallis from May 2015. They gave me a flyer which had their past and present in it. Our selection of photographs recall an era of social club beauty contests, colliery wagons,. The Crays quickly found the law too darned hot up here and returned south after a short and unproductive trip. Dusk was known for its huge New Year's Eve events, staying open till 7am. 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) Like you and George I have searched through every possible website trying to find photos and memorabilia. Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By C9460ITmarkg I have just came across your great website while looking for information of the bands that played at the Seaburn Hall Does nobody remember the Jimmy Bence Orchestra the resident band at the Mayfair? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Sunderland. By this time the Club AGogo on Percy Street was in decline and the opening of Sloopys was probably the final nail in the Club aGogos coffin. Exciting times. Ill gladly let you have copies of what I have a photo of Bloomers but boarded up and no sign and an internal shot of girls dancing and dry ice on the dancefloor from late 1960s also a flyer for the opening of Bloomers in July 1973. Does anyone have memories of seeing the singer Dick Haymes at any of the following in Newcastle. Occasionally, I heard it referred to as the Gay Trouper. on drums (not Des Omally) and Maggie Miles vocals. 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. unfortunately I missed the Go Go but spent many happy hours at The Dolce,Sloopys,Cavendish,Bloomers (Change Is) Ruperts,Annabels ,Sands Club,Sombrero,Chelsea Cat,Julies,Burgundy Cobbler,Latino,Fiesta the list goes on and on saw some great live acts over the years. Sadly Geordie is now in a care home after having several serious strokes and has no memory. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); But if you were there and you cant remember much, then this site will jog your memory, at least about the local north east music scene of the mid to late sixties. It was an eye opener for a very young me and I loved it. The dive bar under the Swallow Hotel was called the Gay Trooper in my day.. Wouldnt get away with that now. Bernie was the organist and his brother another name that eludes me were both from Sunderland. I worked at the Crescendo Club in Whitley Bay in 1968-9 and Ray Grehan owned it then . The Beatles played for 5 bob. One of our group was Pat Carling. We also played at the Seaburn Hall Cats night out regularly and the Rink ballroom. Does anyone have any info on Jimmy Bence and his Orchestra, particularly around 1965ish? 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. Ken, remembers you as a great singer. Spent lots of time at the Club Ago Go on Percy Street and at Windows listening to the latest music in the booths wearing headphones. You mentioned Bill Colwill there was a Bill C. who used to be always at the Mayfair maybe to do with the music and he was in my shop every lunch time with a Colin Topping and a guy called Brian. Happy days .most of the time.no mention of New Orleans jazz club at Forth Banks..I assisted on the door and behind the bar at timesand I used to play with a local band called The Pilgrims..named after the Arcade in Pilgrim street where we were based ..always used to end up at the Asia Chinese on Bath Lane where the cheapest thing on the menu was Curried chicken livers with boiled rice for 2 bob in old money The Tube being one of his projects. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Just discovered this site. I went to a few with Billys Mills bonzo.. remember Trevor Chance practising above a pub in Clayton Street,.. My dad used to service the fruit machines in lots of these clubs for my uncle in the 60s. which was poor quality, scratches etc. Anyone coming to the club during that period would have had to have been let in by me. Garry Steckles, Hi Melina Manning your mum Irene was my first girlfriend, at 16. Saw a lot of these bands at the Rex Hotel in Whitley Bay.It was mobbed when Love Affair on.!!! You may remember us as Jean and John the tall couple who danced a lot! My first event that I went to was every Saturday at the Miners Welfare hall which I think was in Burnopfield where the reqular group were Trevor Chance and the Gamblers. A former nurse said she feels "lucky to . I can remember seeing The Nashville Teens who played Tobacco Road it seemed like a dozen times. Sorry to waffle on just wanted you to sayhello if it should be by any chance the Bill Colwell from 1967/8 years at our Newcastle shop. The only place in South Shields at the time that charged an entry fee. Pete Wallis. Your email address will not be published. Any info would be really appreciated. Im not sure what Dave does now as my dad lost touch with him. 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. He played a vital role in its history and the history of Newcastles night life in the 60s. He told me he had a photo of Ronnie Kray with a bloke sitting on his knee! From then on it changed from a dance hall to a night club and over the years had various names Tiffanys, the Ritzy, Ikon, The Studio, Central Park, Diva, Liquid Envy the latest being Club LQ. Read more about the Mayfair Ballroom on this link. Bernie died a couple of years ago and I hear his collection of guitars were donated to The Sage. He was with his daughter who is also a sInger. Enjoy the trip. Remember Mike Jeffrey trying to get Legalite roulette system into me CIU clubs. Dave and Tommy Findley worked the door most week-endsI cant remember the name of the resident group but the singer was called Billy , the saxophinist was Peter and the organist was Bernie . Great time being a teenager in the 60s in Newcastle. 2. I would like to say a huge Thank You to Roger for first of all, building up this amazing website and secondly helping people, as you have with me, to share their memories of a very special time in their lives. 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. I bet he wasnt too happy when he was told. I noted last year when we posted vintage photos of clubs and music venues, that the 1970s and 1980s were great times in New Jersey for those who had a penchant for live music. My name is Bryan Jeffrey ex singer with The Playmates, The Mafia And The Surf Board, a lot of our time spent in Germany and Switzerland. Happy days. Just stumbled across this, I am the son of David Finlay please put all your stories from the hay days so I can get some sort of history to pass on to my kids as my mother jackie and davey split up when I was a baby and I only have his reputation to talk of and dont know if what I am told is true. The building which housed La Dolce Vita still stands but now contains luxury flats. My best friend married one of his friends (later divorced). old nightclubs in south shields. I think Wednesdays was Cats Night Out mainly only records being played but Saturdays it was bands,The Kylastrons were a favourite I remember in their leather trousers playing Hall Of The Mountain King with loads of echo. I worked in the baileys club Bloomers in bath lane first manager was Dave abbot who went to a bailey club in Stockton second manager was Bob Duncan who after three years moved over to manage La Dolce Vita . me and me mates were rockers, wed move down to the rockliffe arms and the station hotel then the club a go go. Im mainly interested in the lead singer of the time called John Little (or possibly also used the name Osbourne). JT, Try playing the 1967 Gamblers version of Cry me a River (on YouTube) Certainly stands the test of time. I was about 17 when Wilson Picket pulled me up onto the tiny stage at the Newcastle Club aGoGo Jazz Lounge. would love to find out anything from this.thank you Shyirra. Roger, thanks for a great website, it continues to bring back memories some good, some bad and some unprintable. 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. We worked with the likes of the Shadows, Seekers, Joe Brown, Lonnie Donegan, Roy Castle, Acker Bilk, Kenny Ball, the Barron Knights, Freddie Starr(oh dear), Jimmy Tarbuck, Dave Allan, Engelbert Humperdinck, Val Doonjcan to name but a few. The line up was Ken Brady, Jimmy Crawford, Alan Blacks, Barry Preston, Spud Tate ( sadly passed away ). I am a cockney! Fantastic!!!!! I remember you, Dave Elliott, Bob Anderson and my other dads mate Alf. Im 75yrs. - Mike Mezz. He still talks about those days in the 1960s, happy days. The club was opened on 6th February 1963 by the Levey brothers from Wallsend. We were more 18 year olds from Sunderland who found our way to the Club A Gogo hoping to meet someone to give us a lift home! I was told that Davey FINLAY my dad was sent to prison for 10 years for something done down the country but as I dont really know him I cant say. Marcus now lives in Leeds and is a professional artist. La Strada in South Shields opened around 1962 and ran throughout the 1960s. As a PS Leam Lane WMC still have a thriving group night on Fridays, they also have a first class resident duo in Dougie and Carl, not many if any clubs still have live backing for the turns. He told me about his time as a photographer at Newcastle Night Clubs in the 1960s. Bars & Clubs By 688iang The range of beers and ciders is magnificent, all superbly kept by Kath and the staff. I wanted to tell him but I chickened. Some magic names and places. Sixties and seventies I had 7 music and record shops around Tyneside so was involved with the discos and nightclubs dance music sounds and strings. If I could do one thing before its too late it would be to help her reconnect with people from her past in what was the prime of her life. they were with some very large chaps and i believe an escort of C.I.D. After the gig was finished Joe was going home and this band of youngsters were sitting in the arcade, one of them said Joe, lend us 10 bob to get some chips, were skint and starving so Joe took pity and obliged, that band turned out to be the Faces and the kid he loaned the 10 bob to was Rod Stewart, Joe was always moaning he never got his 10 bob back. The concept was that the club would not be the same from one week to the next. After he left the Gamblers he went to work for Ray Grehan. Used to go to the GoGo Young Set,we were only 14/15 , sit and watch the older ones dance then go home and practice, following week we were there on the dance floor, giving it large.. She was called Maggie Ross, quite a dancer as I recall. My sister is Anna Louise Findlay. I regularly caught last bus from Sunderland (where my Wife lived) to Worsick Street but missed last bus to Fenham so went to Jazz Lounge at Club Agogo until 01.30hrs and hada a few beers and watched some great acts.I then caught the All Night Entertainment bus from the Central Station at 02.00hrs with a Bun Burger in my hand from Bowers. 9. The Mayfair finally closed its doors in August 1999 and was later demolished to make way for the Gate Leisure Centre. I spent so many happy weekends there in the 70s and remember being devastated when it closed down and we all had to transfer to the dolce. The Old Ship Inn 8 Bars & Clubs By Fairydusters It's like stepping back in time in this bar. Amongst those talked about were two men who were heavily involved in the north east club scene in the sixties Mike Jeffery and Ray Grehan. Eileen, In the late fifties I played many of those venues, usually singing and paying guitar in the group called The Black Cats and The Billy Gamblin Trio. There were around a dozen night clubs with top acts appearing in the city every day of the week. I dont suppose anyone remembers Colin Lee? Did you ever go to the Playground on Westgate road -about the same time as I have a very grainy photo of the outside and also way before that I loved going to the Dive Bar part of the Swallow Hotel on Newgate Street? Cheers. I know this is a long shot. Our nightclub, Industry, will be launching at the end of March, we are next door to Arbeia Bar South Shields. Memories just keep flooding back of all those tremendous venues. My boyfriend was working and was 15. I must have known your Dad as I went there a lot (do you have any photos of your dad from then, Im certain that I will recognise him and then after I met John there in 1974 we shared our club nights between Change Is or was iit Bloomers then and Scamps. Thank you. June Viner. My old mans band (Alan NIcholson snr). A long shot here but wondering if you ever heard of a band called the Lyle Brown showband or similarplayed in whitley bay in the mid 60s. Near the North/South Shields ferry landing. Then when I went to work at the Ministry in Longbenton the next day people were coming up to me saying they saw me onstage with Wilson Pickett. So the Kon-Tors had to play a second set at Wetheralls in Sunderland as part of the fee. My sister was the girlfriend of Gordon Cleghorn. The club, which is in Greys Court at the bottom of Grey Street, has had several makeovers since opening as a cabaret club in the early sixties. there was a keyboard player and a drummer called Allan, who drove around Newcastle in a big left hand drive American car. I was there in the 60s with Joe Brown & The Bruvvers. Tatler Club in the Haymarket. I have mentioned (more than once) in my previous posts about what a real shame it is that there arent any photographs of such an amazing time; with so many good nightclubs in Newcastle alone. I remember Pat mentioning names of people like Keith Crombie, Tommy Finlay etc who she met through Ron but the rest of us never met them. Also, does anyone remember the DJ John Harker who worked at Annabels in Sunderland and in Whitley Bay but died a few years ago. 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. Many people (including myself) have mentioned photographs, or rather a lack of them and I wondered if it would be at all possible to make a plea for any photos your readers may have relating to 60s clubland 1972, Please forgive me if this is something youve already covered but photos bring back so many memories it may be worth another go?