Met some real characters. 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. FANTASTIC SITE. Bumped into old school friend, Hylton Valentine and his mates (Animals) there on occasions. Saw a lot of these bands at the Rex Hotel in Whitley Bay.It was mobbed when Love Affair on.!!! Wow Rue and The Rockets have certainly filled out ! Some of the pubs in our image selection, such as the New Ferry Tavern which overlooked the ferry landing on the River Tyne, have gone. (remember him?) Does anyone remember seeing Dick Haymes at either La Dolce Vita or Greys & The Cavendish in the 1960s? Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By jacquelinesQ1680QF Also seem to remember a free concert at Leazes Park with a lot of local bandsmay have been 1967-68? I was hired by Ron Markem and Bob Monkhouse In January 1969 as Reception Manager for the Change Is club. I was the only doorman for over one year. old nightclubs in south shields. If anyone reading this knew my mother or any other members of the Jimmy Bence Orchestra, please leave a comment on this site. Greg Burmans speakers were legendary but were a bastard to transport and set up. Has had a number of . The Majestic Ballroom on the junction of Westgate Road and Clayton Street was originally built as a cinema. The second picture down, which has David Macbeth on, also has two of my aunts who both worked at Go Go. Was told to read your comments from one of the girls, Jen Sherwood, and it was nice to see that you are both still with us. But the Gogo was the best of them all I remember seeing Chris Farlowe, Brian Augers Trinity, Spencer Davis Group, The Family, Zoot Money, Geno Washington, Georgie Fame, Otis Redding. Loved them! The club was situated on Bath Lane, Newcastle and was spread over three floors with a reception, a disco and a cabaret room, all with curved walls. 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. Wow, thank you SO much to Rob Quinn for your lovely comments about working with my Dad,Ken Maddison. Near the North/South Shields ferry landing. Hi Alfie Wright AKA Tony Sands Hypnotist opened the Cresendo Club Whitley bay I named it after The Cresendo Club in U.S.A Loved the stories behind the venues and the old photos. 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. We were also friends with music journalist Phil Penfold. 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? Its said the owner of a Newcastle night club they visited instructed staff he was out and he retired to the cellar in order to escape an offer he couldnt refuse. Required fields are marked *. 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! The photo is of her from when she used to sing at Mayfair and when she appeared on American Bandstand. Garry Steckles, Hi Melina Manning your mum Irene was my first girlfriend, at 16. Loved both Dave and Tommy Findlay & Mel Torme At The Cresendo L/Palso also opened a casino upstairs had chemmy games until the early hours later sold it to Ray Grehan.mussoes used to Gig all night in the club into the early hours. Any information you have would be great. (Sect, Juncos, Harlem Shuffle etc) I DONT KNOW WHERE THE BALANCE OF THE GAMBLERS ARE, BUT GREAT TIMES. Today, the pub is called Kennedy's 3 of 10 The. I played most north east theatres and eventually retired (I think) in 2016. It was an eye opener for a very young me and I loved it. Lovely to see Ray Grehans name mentioned. i used to go to the old cellar club in south Shields i/m sure it did/nt sell alcohol then, any way my mam bought me a can can petticoat and it was made of lace that was starched and when us girs sat down the petticoat was a massive sea of lace and our [sussies and stockings] were often on view!! away from him: Jeffrey managed the ANIMALS & JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE like small club bands. La Dolce Vita included a large cabaret lounge with seating for 500 and an illuminated glass dance area in front of the stage. Also the GoGo and the majestic, many others wish I could turn the clock back, just to revisit these places. We made many friends and had a wonderful time with so many happy memories. Does anyone remember the coffee bar called the Palleta on Blacket Street? Any info would be really appreciated. Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By C9460ITmarkg 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. I remember the 60 they where wonderfull years. 1. Also when I used go to the Dolce there used to be a DJ called Jimmy Walker. 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. The sound system was said to be second to none. I have one photograph of me in Sloopys in 1970. That building and those surrounding it were demolished and have been rebuilt. The concept was that the club would not be the same from one week to the next. The opening of the club was preceded by an intense advertising campaign in the local press involving some quite off-beat and quirky adverts: . 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). If I had three wishes . So the Kon-Tors had to play a second set at Wetheralls in Sunderland as part of the fee. Occasionally, I heard it referred to as the Gay Trouper. John Colin Woodland, greetings. 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 . norwood surgery opening times; catholic bible approved by the vatican. Does anyone remember her and her then boyfriend Ron Thomas who worked at the A Gogo (later going on to work at the Quay Club) always had an alsation with him and lived in Sandyford. My sister was the girlfriend of Gordon Cleghorn. I read all the stuff about The Maj and Rue And the Rockets, does anyone remember the resident DJ, a young girl (said to be the youngest professional DJ around. Sydney Australia. Geoff Wonfor became famous as a music video producer. June 14th, 2022 mandarin high school basketball mandarin high school basketball Remember Mike Jeffrey trying to get Legalite roulette system into me CIU clubs. I also wore a lot of mascara and false eye lashes which sometimes pealed off! 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. The Dolly Peel 12 Bars & Clubs Open now By SteveLorro Very cosy little pub, friendly atmosphere, friendly staff and plenty of beers to choose from. Just stumbled across it whilst looking at pics. Great article, as with Michael(the previous poster)I have a family connection to these times. Dave Coates. The Cavendish Club at the bottom of Grey Street opened as a nightclub in the early sixties and became part of the Bailey Group. Id listen to the bands, be dazzled by the girls! 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. ha ha ha. Gosh this all brings back some fab memories of going dancing with my boyfriend at Change Is/Bloomers in Bath Lane from 1972 onwards and where I became a member at 14, still at school, yes 14, a rebel. And Shani, you mentioned your Dad playing piano at La Strada, which my Dad did too wow, amazing. Would love to get hold of Jane Maddison, Kens daughter. HAPPY DAYS>, Anyone still keep in contact with David or Tommy Findlay? My mobile no is 07580452584. Jean McGowan x, re: comment 94 George Sinclair What a great site this is, many personalities mentioned I knew well. My friend joy married Tommy. Hi. Uncle Bob n Uncle Alf. He even stood in for the pianist who hadnt turned up on my Mum and Dads wedding day! I went to a place in 1972 which I knew only as the dive bar and could never understand why. Good times- great musicians. Just stumbled across your website. The Majestic Ballroom is probably most famous for hosting the Beatles very first appearance in the city on 28th January 1963. 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. Ronnie P knew all about them being a Londoner tho little heard of them in Newcastle at the time.He said women and children wernt safe from them. When the bingo hall closed in 2005, the Academy Music Group bought the building and converted it back to a music venue. What a night!!!!!!! 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. pm me at cmburney@outlook.com. 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. Robbie use to lean out of the passenger window as they were driving around shouting LOOK NO HANDS ! Tom spent a lot of his time at The Dolce Vita when the club had super stag nights on Mondays and Crazy nights on Thursdays, Hi. I also remember the Findlay boys and one of their cohorts Big Paddy. My mate and I were upstairs buying hot dogs and I got ours and put plenty of Tomato sauce and Mustard on both and went to move away from the counter when a guy in a light tan suede cowboy Jacket backed into me covering his suede tassels in sauce. If anyone has any good images or information, please post on here or contact me personally. It was so dark and there were couples kissing in corners and dancing where they stood. Told him Id seen Tubby Hayes and John Dankworth/Clea Laine at Club 11. FABULOUS SITE MY HUSBAND DENNIS BRAZIL REMEMBERS THESE CLUBS WHEN WORKING IN NEWCASTLE YEARS LATER BEFORE WE WERE MARRIED I REMEMBER FROM WORKING IN NEWCASTLE WITH A FRIEND LOVED NEWCASTLE AND THE CLUBS ESPECIALLY THE PEOPLE WE ARE IN LEEDS. I met my husband at Nelson Street jazz club. 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. 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. me and me mates were rockers, wed move down to the rockliffe arms and the station hotel then the club a go go. I attended this event At the jazz cafe with my parents Barbara and Teddy Berg. 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. The best thing is Im still alive and have great memories. No ones mentioned Nelson Street jazz club. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. I probably went there between 1971 and 72 (I was 18 in 72) and can remember the feeling if excitement at hearing the very loud music coming from a juke box. I have googled and tried Face book but without any success. Roger, thanks for a great website, it continues to bring back memories some good, some bad and some unprintable. Gordon Clegg worked for the Post Office and passed away last year. I then returned to a normal life !!!! Yours nostalgically He was playing at the Arcadia Theatre. They are both sisters of my mother Loretta, who also worked there. 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. Eileen Burnett wrote the book South Shields Pubs, published by Amberley, in 2014. It was quite difficult to get a membership in the early days. Sadly Bob and Alf are no longer with us R.I.P. Many thanks for the site. 2. I remember you, Dave Elliott, Bob Anderson and my other dads mate Alf. re comment by margaret duz comment no. The Sounds Londoner Ronnie Pipe on piano Herbie Flowers bass Des ??? Then he worked for Baileys moving between the likes of La Dolce Vita, Wetherals, the Latino. to be just a newcastle club owner & darn with the peace & love universal. didnt Bob Monkhouse have something to do with Change Is? Save this search; Map View; List your business for Free! ANNE MILLAR (TAYLOR) I DONT REMEMBER THE VENUE ANNE, BUT WE WORKED ALL OF THE AREA IN THE SIXTIES. Best years of my life. George, John is still looking to see if he has any photos of the entrance to Bloomers on Bath Lane. Wonder if anybody remembers him. I went to Change Is regularly from about 1969/70 until Scamps opened at the beginning of 1974 I think? I remember a band called the Wildcats with Hilton Valentine & Chas Chandler (playing bass I think) ,who played at the Hotspur hall in Whitley Bay on Saturday nights in the sixties.I also remember the Alan Price combo playing frequently at the Victoria pub next to Woolworths in Whitley Bay, haven,t seen any mention of these venues in your lists! The person I refer to is David Finlay(spelt right) he is my farther and he was married to my mother Jackie for 3 years he had me and my sister with my mother, they split up not long after I was born and never really had any contact with us, you are confusing the name with the other Davey Finley of the same era but funny enough I also have an uncle Tommy who is my fathers brother but they are not the ones u think!! Restaurants in South Shields 1. We both looked and dressed older. 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. 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. Bob Redhead. 2. They gave me a flyer which had their past and present in it. He was always a dapper dresser!! Thanks 15 years of age in 1962. my 1st beer was in the railwaiy, whist livin on hillheads road. I remember queueing to get inside where you went down lots of dark stairs to an amazingly even darker area with fantastically loud but mesmeric music. Oh Mike Jeffrey. During the late fifties and early sixties the Maj was a very popular venue for dancing. I dont suppose you have any photographs or memorabilia of any of the clubs you worked in I have memberships cards and entrance tickets but no photos! 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. In particular a band member called Bill Mills. Vogue. 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. Near the North/South Shields ferry landing. June Viner. Exciting times. From enjoying a post-work tipple to celebrating the football result on a Saturday evening, the pub is the hub of the community, and an iconic part of Britains high streets.. My dad owned Greys Club making it the club to be seen at! I was with the MARTELLES, we played at Club Eleven every Thursday, it was a blues night gig, great from the basement blues music. 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 continued it in Newcastle Social Club residences and recently, after early retirement, had six years as a semi-pro touring the UK with a Hollies and Crosby Stills and Nash tribute. Let me know and Ill ask Roger if he could help us exchange email addresses! He had a son with cerebal palsy who needed to attend Prudhoe hospital on a regular basis and he felt he needed some sort of base in the north east. I was mortified. I was given an unopened and unused car sticker with the distinctive picture of the girl in bloomers (which is kept safely in my favourite memories box) but Im guessing that you already have a lot of the memorabilia. Sloopys Disco was opened upstairs at the Dolcey. As well as the Crescendo he ran the Club Tempo in London and the Pentland Club in Edinburgh. Sounds as if those were the days alright! Dave Finlay was a very good decorator and I used to pick him up at his house in Jesmond and travel on to Whitley Bay At the time the club was only open on Friday and Saturday evenings . Im not sure what Dave does now as my dad lost touch with him. Hi I just found a photograph of me with a young mountain lion on my knee. Gordon Livingstone. My dad, George McGuinness, was the pianist at the Mayfair in the 60s. 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! Any comments welcomedthanks. power bi relative date filter include current month; old nightclubs in south shields. He still talks about those days in the 1960s, happy days. I remember the Old Cellar club with Mrs Bailey on the door. Davey, worked at club agogo sadly passed away yesterday morning great man. Find what you're looking for about Nightclubs in South Shields with city-visitor. Along with La Dolce Vita, the Cavendish featured some of the best acts on the cabaret circuit. i also fondly remember the great Ken Maddison we worked together often. Used to ring Ivan Birchells office and find out where they were playing. It had a bad name she said. He must have been in his late fifties in the time I knew him, and I think me may no longer be with us forty years on. 69 Club Westgate Street plus MANY social clubs all around the North East. Basically we went to anywhere where Eric Burdon was! I stayed with Kim when she went solo but only again for a short time. Ended up working for the Bailey Org, for short time, I think they kinda helped ruin the scene though. Im 75yrs. I remember I had a blue suede Levi jacket with leather collar that I bought off Kenny Richardson/Davy Hembro. The Old Ship Inn 8 Bars & Clubs By Fairydusters It's like stepping back in time in this bar. 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. Change Is was financed by comedian, Bob Monkhouse who teamed up with Newcastle entrepreneur Ronnie Markham in an attempt to open a club that would offer something different to the many other clubs in the city at that time. There used to be a competition in the Panama dip in Whitley Bay in the summer which usually featured the same three groups which were the Wildcats, the Sixteen Strings & the invaders. Great site..lots of nostalgia. Clubs in South Shields: The biggest guide to club nights, with lineups, venue details and entry times. 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. Bars & Clubs By 688iang The range of beers and ciders is magnificent, all superbly kept by Kath and the staff. Pete Wallis ( ex Juncopartners and Gamblers), Re Jean McGowan, there are some photos of the inside of Bloomers nightclub on Facebook site called 70s Newcastle Nightclubs if thats a help still have not found a photo of the outside in its hey day but still looking. It has been lovely reading through these posts , brought a smile to my face x. I,VE JUST REMEMBERED I WAS THE DJ on the opening night of Sloopys the disco above La Dolce Vita. I had the Landlords bitter the following day in Wetherspoons and it tasted . Yes, Bob Monkhouse did own Change Is until it became Bloomers, I think. I gave my mate his and told him see that guy look at the back of his jacket just as he turned round and it was `Chris Farlow. When the Grey Street premises closed in the mid-seventies, the New Cavendish opened at the site previously occupied by Change Is and Bloomers on Bath Lane. 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. Does anyone remember the Carousel Club in Chester le Street? At the Dogs Bowl in South Shield we played with Chris Barber and his band, What a great guy Pat Halcox was, Also on the bill was Soonny Boy Williamson, that late great Southern states blues man. 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. Just been reading a comment from Pete Wallis from May 2015. lol. A personal perspective by Roger Smith. Tom was a regular photographer for the Bailey Organisation. I came up to Newcastle in 1968 when the clubs in london were on the way out. 5th Gear - Baltimore Pike, Media, PA. 19th Hole - North Hills, PA. 25th Hour - Wilkes Barre, PA. 94th Aero Squadron - 2750 Red Lion Rd. He now lives in High Heaton I believe. The Beatles played for 5 bob. It was fun to meet and party with many stars of the times, Marty Wylde, Kathy Kirby etc. Things started to go wrong the following year when Bob Monkhouse found out that Ronnie Markham (who later rebranded himself as the hypnotist Romark) had been helping himself to the club takings and cooking the books. Post author: Post published: June 23, 2022 Post category: assorted ornament by ashland assorted ornament by ashland As I am on a roll heres another one, local group from the Felling, started off as a skiffle group and went on the play many venues Ritson Hunters Silver Six, they had a female vocalist Ann Castlehow I think she was called which was unusual at the time, think they played the Oxford a few times, not sure of that tho, they eventually spawned the Decca Rhythm Group with Jimmy Laine. Phila. The resident band was called the Del 5 the singer was Billy Wilson from Gateshead There was 2 sax players Peter Parkinson from South Shields was one but Im afraid the other name escapes me, Bernie was the organist while his brother was the drummer they were from Sunderland. Ive exhausted all avenues looking for answers. Your parents would be overjoyed if you managed to find any photos. 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. I went back to work the club circuit in the 70s 80s and 90s but it was not the same, Hi, I wonder if anyone remembers a night club in Northumberland St I think it was above Callers it used to have a resident belly dancer and a casino. I remember Chic, he did incredible things with the sound and lights.