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. Ill post a comment as soon as I have anything to report. Brilliant site! I was best friends with Pongo (Keith to me) and for a short while roady for them. Quite a long time ago that Pete Wallis (ex Juncos and Gamblers) was trying to make contact with any of the Gamblers boys. - Mike Mezz. It sadly closed around 2016 and briefly turned into German bar, Das Wunderbar before closing completely. They also used to play to a younger audience at the Hop in Whitley Bay. JT, Try playing the 1967 Gamblers version of Cry me a River (on YouTube) Certainly stands the test of time. George, John is still looking to see if he has any photos of the entrance to Bloomers on Bath Lane. 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. Hi Cassie I would like to think so. Check out our Memory Lane local history website. 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? Solicitar ms informacin: 310-2409701 | administracion@consultoresayc.co. The concept was that the club would not be the same from one week to the next. The club ran for about five years and closed around 1966. One of my haunts was the Jazz Club at the bottom of Pilgrim Street which was a seedy little place during the day but came alive with light and music at night. my info is that Bob Monkhouse did indeed have an input in Change Is..formerly the Picadilly club the resident band that opened the Picadilly in the mid sixties was I still have the Badfinger single I won off the DJ in my treasure box. That totally made my day, especially after having visited his grave just last week. Greys; Dolce Vita; Cavendish. 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. 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. Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By C9460ITmarkg 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. Such a shame it all came to an end way too soon. Ken was great with fashions and always wore the latest gear, he got a job at City Stylish so we always tried to keep up with the latest trends. dancing from 1969. A long time ago! Maggy Ross could be Maggy Heskith who died a few years ago. 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. Ray Grehan, who owned various night clubs including the Blue Note in Sunderland and the Crescendo Club at Whitley Bay, passed away about eight years ago. Does anyone have a list of bands appearing at the Ballroom in the University Union in the 1960s, Eclection, Family, Jethro Tull, Graham Bond, Taste, Pink Floyd , Alex Harvey for starters. 2. Gigging in the North East 1965-1972. King Crimson did their 1st try out gig at Change Is. When they played The Cellar Club, So. Today, the pub is called Kennedy's 3 of 10 The. 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. Does anyone remember the Kontors band; Alan price, Chas Chandler, Bernie Maguian, Gordon Cleghorn, Nick Brandon, Chunky Bourne, Barry Preston? 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. I was there in the 60s with Joe Brown & The Bruvvers. Lovely to see Ray Grehans name mentioned. 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. I was hired by Ron Markem and Bob Monkhouse In January 1969 as Reception Manager for the Change Is club. Tom was a regular photographer for the Bailey Organisation. She was the resident singer. Would be good to have a reunion.. sorry to hear of joe lisles death the 69 club owner. It was quite difficult to get a membership in the early days. What a very comprehensive and informative site and great to see some of the places that meant quite a lot to me in my younger days. Mike Pemberton and Mick Pickering had Club Eleven, what memories. Roger, thanks for a great website, it continues to bring back memories some good, some bad and some unprintable. Occasionally, I heard it referred to as the Gay Trouper. Drink and lack of sleep took its toll.The candle which I burnt at both ends went out in 1977. Great site..lots of nostalgia. Great time being a teenager in the 60s in Newcastle. Suzanne, Of course I remember your dad Jimmy, many great times working together. I beleive he appeared at a number of clubs in Newcastle and the north east. He played a vital role in its history and the history of Newcastles night life in the 60s. The Oxford Galleries opened as a ballroom in 1925 and was a popular haunt for dancers through to the late sixties. In the 21st century, we've seen many pubs adapting to cater for families, or attracting sports fans by providing large-screen coverage, and increasingly serving meals - not just pork scratchings. At the opening night the DJs were myself and Simon Dee. Im trying to find anyone who may have worked with her. Sloopys Disco was opened upstairs at the Dolcey. Covid-19 permitting, most of us hope to enjoy the hospitality of pubs in South Shields, and elsewhere, once again in the not-too-distant future. Rumour had it that the ex-Club AGogo bouncer Dave Findlay and his brother Tommy were going to put in appearance. I also went to the Playground on Westgate Road until about 1976. Pete Wallis. Some of the other people there were Wally Nash (now a business man living in the USA) who managed the Marimba for Mike Jeffery and later the Blue Note in Sunderland for Ray Grehan; Sandford Goudie who owned the La Strada clubs in Sunderland and South Shields; Trixie Sullivan who was Mike Jefferys secretary and personal assistant (at the time he managed Jimi Hendrix), vocalist David Macbeth, Teddy Berg owner of Greys Club, Barabara Berg and Joan Tenniswood who both worked at the Club aGogo in the sixties. He was an alto sax/clarinet player with Don Smith in the 60s and I worked in the cloakroom for about a year. My memories of that time are very hazy, I know we had good times, I just cannot remember many of them. old now and remember the Change Is days like they were yesterday. She said: "The pubs of South Shields are numerous and each has its own fascinating history. I worked at the Crescendo Club in Whitley Bay in 1968-9 and Ray Grehan owned it then . Thank you. Jean McGowan x, re: comment 94 George Sinclair The dive bar under the Swallow Hotel was called the Gay Trooper in my day.. Wouldnt get away with that now. In this day and age, we could never have what we had back then. how about that for happenstance. View listing packages . Anyone still keep in touch with the Findlay brothers? Real name "Northumberland Arms". 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). Yours nostalgically 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. Owner, Sandford Goudie, opened a second La Strada in Sunderland in 1967. HI, 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! I dont suppose anyone remembers Colin Lee? Hi, I was in the Ken Maddison band for a number of years but when he died then Margaret I lost touch with her. 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. The Tube being one of his projects. Sadly he passed away at a comparatively young age. 1. 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. Initially the Downbeat was a jazz venue but towards the end of its life it featured mainly Rhythm & Blues bands. Had some great evenings there in the late 1950s as well as any evenings at the Oxford Gallerys and the Majestic. 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. any help would be great as they are my great uncles. The late Joes favourite tale which I have heard dozens of times was the night they were working the GoGo and a very young band were guests, in Joes words bloody useless. 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. Your dad is on Jesmond and not too well at present, Re comment 72 by David Parks Has anyone out there got an actually photo of Bloomers with its name on the building been looking for years .thank you. Bernie was the organist and his brother another name that eludes me were both from Sunderland. It was a no-brainer that these lads were something very special. I remember you Chic Reid if you see this please get in touch. Great site look forward to any info. My credentials for getting the job to the best of my knowledge were I was a pro wrestler along with my tag team partner Jason Joe Robson from the Teams Gateshead and my hobby, hypnotism. Our selection of photographs recall an era of social club beauty contests, colliery wagons,. The Greg Burman Sound was resident at the Quay Club and I will never forget Greg showing me the proper way to play James Browns I Feel Good top bloke. 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 heard later from her father, that she married a fellow called Bill. old nightclubs in south shields. Ill get back to you on that. He now lives in High Heaton I believe. I still meet up with Paddy Plunkett, Bob Ackers, Bill Ross, Bryn Pringle, Cass, Bill Ross, Bill Colwill about every month for afternoon coffee. Lived in Heaton as I remember. l have always lived in the North east area and found loads of old haunts from the 50s on here. i used to be a singer and guitarist in Newcastle in the 1960s in the MAYFAIR with The Gamblers (they became Billy Furys band) i then was a singer with George Ricco on the Bailey circuit and we moved to Jim Wrights 2 rooms in gallowgate Newcastle. My boyfriend was working and was 15. The late Mike Carr appeared there as well as his brother Mike(vibes). old nightclubs in south shields. Lol. i was discovered there by Dame Margot Fontaine and sent to RCA records to begin my recording career. I briefly played guitar with the George Ricco Band, rotating between Wetherals, La Dolce Vita and the Cavendish, 1965/66, Without the contribution of these two men the club and music scene of the north east would have been considerably different. I went to a place in 1972 which I knew only as the dive bar and could never understand why. Cheers. They played Family In My Own Time and Curved Air Back Street Love and T Rex Get It On. I also worked through Ivan Burchall, as well as for myself. 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. 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 was the original keyboard player in the Junco partners when we were resident at the agogo. Hi, does anyone remember by dad Alan Clay? June Viner. Read more about the Club AGogo on this link. Went to nearly all the clubs mentioned. The builders had only erected the wall a few days earlier HAPPY DAYS !!! 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). We also played at the Seaburn Hall Cats night out regularly and the Rink ballroom. Hi Margaret, 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. The Guys & Dolls club is less well known than some of the other Newcastle clubs of the early to mid sixties. However at night it became a private membership club with jazz being served up by some of the best musicians around. In the late 1950s it was converted to a ballroom and became the Majestic. Are you David Coates from the Felling and Ken Cooper from Windy Nook ? There is a good photo of the group playing in Wetheralls. 1. My mobile no is 07580452584. In the event they failed to show up, probably much to the relief of the host Keith Crombie. I left England in 1966 to emigrate to Canada but still look fondly back to my younger days and great music in Newcastle. Jean x, Jean that would be great. We also got introduced to Newcastle Brown too! He said that he had photos of the Kray twins from the Dolce Vita, as well as the likes of Tom Jones and other stars of the era who performed at the club. Tunes such as Back Street Luv by Curved Air and In My Own Time by Family were played a lot. 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. Naturally had my photo took with him as well. I have just came across your great website while looking for information of the bands that played at the Seaburn Hall I remember you singing at the Majestic with the Gamblers. 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). Buy Tickets . Newcastle was the place to be back then! Wow Rue and The Rockets have certainly filled out ! anybody remember? Just spent a couple of hours wallowing in nostalgia. Reading this took me back to my childhood. 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. Does anyone remember the Sands Club at Whitley Bay which is where I met my husband, his favourite haunts were the Old Vic Whitley Bay and also the Sovereign pub which was a good starting point for an evening out. Had great life Its been good reading all the names on this site . ha ha ha. My Dad used to make roulett tables for Ray Grehan in the 60s, Hi my name is Helen Findlay the daughter of Dave Findlay. 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 lion was not part of the act, the guy just had it as a pet,it was amazing when he walked into the club with the lion on the lead. 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. What a star she could have been. Hi Alfie Wright AKA Tony Sands Hypnotist opened the Cresendo Club Whitley bay I named it after The Cresendo Club in U.S.A Sounds as if those were the days alright! 1 of 10 The Neptune Inn, South Shields Pubs, by Eileen Burnett, published by Amberley 2 of 10 The Tyne Dock Hotel, South Shields, 1938. Another of those in attendance was Marcus Levey, who with his twobrothers ran La Dolce Vita before selling the club to the Bailey Organisation in 1965. Unfortunately I am not able to see them as I am not on Facebook. I was about 17 when Wilson Picket pulled me up onto the tiny stage at the Newcastle Club aGoGo Jazz Lounge. Julie Macsorley had been cooking a chicken at her home near South Shields when her carbon monoxide (CO) alarm alerted her to the danger. 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. #11 of 20 Nightlife in South Shields. I absolutely loved the place. I was there from day one for about 15 months. Ifeel so incredibly nostalgic about those very important days, which went over much too quickly. Hi does anyone know what happened to Tom Oxley the nightclub photographer? Theres also a poster from the 60s of The Seaburn Hall when the Crusaders supported the Moody Blues. Bars & Clubs By 688iang The range of beers and ciders is magnificent, all superbly kept by Kath and the staff. I was quite good friends with Russell Smith, son of baileys owner, John Smith and I remember the house band at the Latino having a mad Australian front man. 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. The Majestic Ballroom is probably most famous for hosting the Beatles very first appearance in the city on 28th January 1963. ___________________________________________________________________________. The reunion took place at the Jazz Caf, Pink Lane, Newcastle hosted by Keith Crombie who was involved in the day to day running of several Newcastle clubsback in the sixties. There were around a dozen night clubs with top acts appearing in the city every day of the week. I had a great time there and made a dreadful mistake by leaving to work at Leicester for Top Rank. I was so petrified that I felt that every part of my body froze. It was so dark and there were couples kissing in corners and dancing where they stood. 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! Best years of my life. 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. 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. The Quay Club, which opened in 1965, was a popular venue in the sixties. Where did his photos go? Yes, Bob Monkhouse did own Change Is until it became Bloomers, I think. Facebook Instagram Email. He later managed Hendrix and Slade. The club was taken over by the Bailey Group in 1965. Jeffrey was CONTENT!!! Vogue. Just been reading a comment from Pete Wallis from May 2015. 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. Im always on the hunt for any photos of either, of these clubs and wondered if you had any at all. From the Soap . Student Union do,s were good and remember Sect and Elcorts playing at a couple of them. Many happy memories flooding back. 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. June Viner, Sorry should have said Frank Pickering and Mickey Pemberton. The sixties may have belonged to London but in the seventies The NE was the place to be for the clubs! 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. Ended up working for the Bailey Org, for short time, I think they kinda helped ruin the scene though.