old nightclubs in south shields

I remember Chic standing there looking agahst, anyway that was just the way it was sometimes. Hi George, Im not absolutely sure but think my husband John may have an outside shot. My memories of that time are very hazy, I know we had good times, I just cannot remember many of them. Geoff Wonfor became famous as a music video producer. a great bunch of people used to drink the night there. Told him Id seen Tubby Hayes and John Dankworth/Clea Laine at Club 11. It was only a step-up (not a high stage) He looked down at me, held out his hand, and said, Cmon little lady. Sounds as if those were the days alright! He was the minder for Tom Jones when he came to the La Dolce Vita. Remember some of the places between 1968 to 73 as a 18 plus year old. 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 . 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. My dad, George McGuinness, was the pianist at the Mayfair in the 60s. I remember seeing Sandford Goudie and his glamorous wife there regularly.We watched a young comedian called Jimmy Tarbuck performing, just before he came to fame at the London Palladium. I went to Change Is regularly from about 1969/70 until Scamps opened at the beginning of 1974 I think? Do you remember the DJ Big Phil not sure if he ever worked in Change Is but he certainly worked in Scamps, which was the place I went to the most from 1974- onwards probably til I got to the stage where I couldnt go clubbing and get up for work in a Bank anymore-old age I think its called! I had a great time there and made a dreadful mistake by leaving to work at Leicester for Top Rank. My father never wavered in his belief that Michael was not guilty of infamous murder of Angus Sibbet the fruit machine man/ and said he was odds on the fall guy. OK strange that, exactly the same names. Also in Whitley Bay was an out of the way venue near the Ice Rink at Whitley Bay boys club on a Friday night. 54-56 Ocean Road, South shields, NE33 2JD 0191 4967500. John Colin Woodland, greetings. My old mans band (Alan NIcholson snr). 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. 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. Bringing back lots of stories! The Crusaders played La Stradas as resident band three times a week for over six years, but also played the big hotels, the Locarno in Sunderland, the Mayfair in Newcastle. It opened in 1959 and ran for around 6 years. There was mutual respect there. 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. Facebook Instagram Email. It was fun to meet and party with many stars of the times, Marty Wylde, Kathy Kirby etc. 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. 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. A weird coincidence is that the bearded chap in the middle is a friend of my wife, hes called Jason Robson, he used to work on the boxing show at the Hoppings, I wonder if he also worked at the Go Go? & 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. me and me mates were rockers, wed move down to the rockliffe arms and the station hotel then the club a go go. These included Tommy Hendersons Latin American Group and others such as the Bernie Thorpe Trio and Mike Carrs Emcee Four. Rehearsals were sometimes in the Engineers Club in Ellison place. The Sounds Londoner Ronnie Pipe on piano Herbie Flowers bass Des ??? Yes my mate the late Geordie Short was the drummer, they were regulars at the Bombers club and Central club and were resident band at the now demolished Mount Pleasant club until Geordie passed away. Often return back to the area and go walkabout. 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. Bob Redhead. During the mid/late 1960s I was half of the singing duo, Shirley and Johnny. Went to the Dolce for years and my mate at the time was DJ at Sloopys. I was hired by Ron Markem and Bob Monkhouse In January 1969 as Reception Manager for the Change Is club. 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. The only place in South Shields at the time that charged an entry fee. Any info would be really appreciated. Magnum Is now Unit, but was known as one of Southsampton's main gay clubs in its heyday. Loved the stories behind the venues and the old photos. im ABSOLUTELY desperate for any kind of info on him his life seemed to START in newcastle, ive heard all kinds of rumours, i can testify to what a nasty PIECE of work he was, so dont worry about hurting my feelings, i had none left by the time he was finished with me. went to most of the other clubs mentioned, brilliant times ? I remember the 60 they where wonderfull years. Bernie was the organist and his brother another name that eludes me were both from Sunderland. The Downbeat was situated in Carliol Square, Newcastle not far from Worswick Street bus station. The line up was Ken Brady, Jimmy Crawford, Alan Blacks, Barry Preston, Spud Tate ( sadly passed away ). I wonder if Stan Henry the owner of the Bailey organisation has any archives. You and I used to share guitar vocals with Ken Maddison in the early 70s at La Strada until I moved to Montego Bay. I believe they were the resident band at the Mayfair at that time. That building and those surrounding it were demolished and have been rebuilt. Great site..lots of nostalgia. The sound system was said to be second to none. Hello .would anyone have any information on Ken White..he was in a double act..Collins and Wright I believemy Dad was Ken and My Godfather was Lenny. Cheers. Jean McGowan x, re: comment 94 George Sinclair Me mam and dad met there in 1970 and Id love to get them a photo made? Later, graduated on to the Cavendish and Greys, dont know what happened to Sect. If Pete is still around you could use my email to get them together. JT, Try playing the 1967 Gamblers version of Cry me a River (on YouTube) Certainly stands the test of time. 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. 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. Chunky on drums used to work at Cut-Outs at the top of Byker Road before they were taken over by Field Cartons and moved to Killingworth. The Haymarket pub was our haunt and thats where we got to know everyone and Ill try and remember all we used meet up with. no one has mentioned the muscle inn built into the viaduct bottom of dene st, the club was run by wrestlers hence the name.The club room was tiny 40 punters it was full.an H girder ran the length of the bar (head height)where punters rested their beer (or whatever had fell off a wagon)this was circa 1962 on a friday it was jazzers M.C. What a star she could have been. Others such as the unique Grotto, built among caves on the seafront at Marsden, are very much still with us. 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. You know, that little moving side to side that all the Motown groups did on tele. Happy times, gone forever, but never forgotten. 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. Good bands played there. The Club AGogo was situated on Percy Street, Newcastle on the top floor of a building which was also above the famous Handyside Arcade (or Arcadia as it was sometimes called). Not in the same league as the other clubs in the area, but full of the essentials of life beer, women, music and food. I absolutely loved the place. Nice to see some old familiar names that I have met in my past days around NE. The band consisted of George Richardson vocal/ piano, Billy Mordue/ drums, John Edwards/ bass, wonderful musicians, great times. and myself on Hammond Organ. 2. Shields there was no late licence and it shut around 10-30. Do you know where any of the surviving ex members are now? It was situated on the forth and fifth floor of a building at 1 Pink Lane, opposite Bowers restaurant. Burlesque was my band until car accident and moved to London and became a session singer. The casino in La Strada (photo courtesy of Rob Quinn), 1963 advertisement for La Strada (courtesy of Rob Quinn), 1965 Advertisement for La Strada (Courtesy of Rob Quinn), Resident group the Crusaders with La Strada owner, Sandford Goudie on the right with a conga drum (photo courtesy of Rob Quinn). Uncle Bob n Uncle Alf. Sad to hear about Dave passing. Primary Menu. We went often and went for the great music and danced all night. 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. Brilliant site! Great site. My dad owned Greys Club making it the club to be seen at! Chas Chandler went on to become an impresario on the north east scene and was heavily involved with the Animals. Can you remember a guy called Louie who also worked at Change is? Plus Dave living in W. Bay! 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! Re the Dolce Vita. old nightclubs in south shields. (Payne) He was a singer on the circuit in 70s or Bevan Orchard who played keyboard for him? 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. In response to the comments about Bloomers on May 11th by George Sinclair, They always wore wine coloured suits and cowboy small ties. Brings back many memories. old nightclubs in south shields. If you go on Google and type in Rare cds- the Kon-Tors there is a site which will sell you a CD off this record for around 8. We step back for just a while to the South Shields, Jarrow, Hebburn and Boldon of four decades ago. The club was managed by Ken Brady who used to be in the resident band at the Majestic in Newcastle. 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. Nice to see the Dolce vita, too. My wife Joan still meets up with the girls every week, Jen Sherwood, Eleanor Robson, Brenda Grieves, Marlene Charlton, Wendy Wilson, Ros Daly, Jean Orr, Elaine McCleod. The opening of the club was preceded by an intense advertising campaign in the local press involving some quite off-beat and quirky adverts: . It sadly closed around 2016 and briefly turned into German bar, Das Wunderbar before closing completely. 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. 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). My sister was the girlfriend of Gordon Cleghorn. Had some great evenings there in the late 1950s as well as any evenings at the Oxford Gallerys and the Majestic. 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. Eileen Burnett wrote the book South Shields Pubs, published by Amberley, in 2014. Ah, Dusk! 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! Also seem to remember a free concert at Leazes Park with a lot of local bandsmay have been 1967-68? Jean, Great Blog takes me back to that time in my life, I was the drummer in Axtree Junction the lead singer and Guitarist being Bob Barton who went on to be in Becket and on the Old Grey Whistle test, I remember playing at the Blaydon Races for 10 pounds and many other venues throughout the Northeast for similar amounts, had the privilege of being the local band playing alongside many 60s bands including Family, Dave Dee and band The foundations, Love Affair and many more on the baily club circuit, now at 69 years I look back on those times with great pleasure. The dive bar under the Swallow Hotel was called the Gay Trooper in my day.. Wouldnt get away with that now. I attended this event At the jazz cafe with my parents Barbara and Teddy Berg. The reunion was a great success so full marks to Ian Wright for coming up with the idea and organising the event. 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. 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. I DONT KNOW WHERE THE BALANCE OF THE GAMBLERS ARE, BUT GREAT TIMES. 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. I remember you singing at the Majestic with the Gamblers. On club nights the occasional drunken troublemaker would be invited upstairs to the wrestling ring and taught the error of his conduct!HAPPY DAZE!!! 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. "These areas were thriving communities - and people love to reminisce by looking at old photographs and sharing stories.. ___________________________________________________________________________. Used to tell my mam I was going to the one at Whitley Bay as I wasnt allowed to go to the Newcastle one. Hi David, great to hear from someone who worked in so many places, back in the disco days, doing such an important job by providing the fab music. Hi During the late fifties and early sixties the Maj was a very popular venue for dancing. We always met at the Pit for coffee where we decided what time to meet before going to the Club Ago Go. Spent my late teens / early twenties in Newcastle 66 77 Worked in theatre but then at Change Is from 69 onwards till it turned into Bloomers, but have fond memories of all the venues listed here as well as Change Is. As well as the Crescendo he ran the Club Tempo in London and the Pentland Club in Edinburgh. Apparently thats where John first spotted me when I was dancing and that was all I was interested in at the time! Can you believe we dont have a single photo of this momentous occasion? Julie Macsorley had been cooking a chicken at her home near South Shields when her carbon monoxide (CO) alarm alerted her to the danger. My best friend married one of his friends (later divorced). Wow, thank you SO much to Rob Quinn for your lovely comments about working with my Dad,Ken Maddison. I played most north east theatres and eventually retired (I think) in 2016. I just wish I could remember them all. what a great club. Lol. Maggy Ross could be Maggy Heskith who died a few years ago. And Shani, you mentioned your Dad playing piano at La Strada, which my Dad did too wow, amazing. The Forever 54 charity night will take place at Arbeia on Saturday, July 2nd. JT, #74. 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. you? Wonder if anybody remembers him. He was an alto sax/clarinet player with Don Smith in the 60s and I worked in the cloakroom for about a year. While, the 1860s-built Criterion, on Ocean Road, closed in 2012 to become a Ladbrokes bookmaker, before reopening in 2018 after enjoying a major refurbishment recreating how it originally looked in Victorian times. My dad nicknamed one of youre daughters shoulders I think her name was Siobhan or Dionne or something? Find what you're looking for about Nightclubs in South Shields with city-visitor. He later managed Hendrix and Slade. Happy Days. Photo: Shields Gazette Photo Sales 2. But you'll always have your memories. 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. I also went to the Majestic when I was about 14. how about that for happenstance. The group met up last October for a reunion in Gosforth. The Crays were huge guys ,looked the part and were decked out in very flash but obviously very expensive suits . The night club continued to host cabarets Freddy Starr, Mud and many many more for a few more years and was always called the Dolce Vita until it was renamed Walkers.