I was a regular there in the 60s maybe 63-64-65ish The photo is of her from when she used to sing at Mayfair and when she appeared on American Bandstand. 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. 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. Happy days. Saw Ralph Brough our lead singer some years ago, we were running the Peterlee half marathon, theres a change. Thursday nights at the Agogo were the highlights of my week thats when the big-name touring acts played there, and admission was seven shillings and sixpence. Those of us of a certain age will remember clubs like La Dolce Vita, Greys Club, the Cavendish and the Club AGogo. It was so dark and there were couples kissing in corners and dancing where they stood. We got on talking about old Sunderland and thats how I found out who he was. Then he worked for Baileys moving between the likes of La Dolce Vita, Wetherals, the Latino. The late Mike Carr appeared there as well as his brother Mike(vibes). My number is 0191 4922316 Suzanne x, Hi Suzanne, great to have someone else writing about Change Is. 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. 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. Happy days indeed!!! Great bunch of guys. 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. The Whitley Bay boys club venue was called Zone 22. JT, Hi Micky Dunn/ John Taberham, Any information you have would be great. If I had three wishes . Then went soth and played with Entire Sioux Nation. old nightclubs in south shields. ha ha ha. I remember you, Dave Elliott, Bob Anderson and my other dads mate Alf. The Guys & Dolls ran as an unlicensed venue and described itself as a coffee dance club. Great site. But I am sure that they also got a lot of bands from London. I was amazed at the club scene in the North East! Sydney Australia. Jill, Hi Jill, 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. I was so petrified that I felt that every part of my body froze. I also spent many a Monday night at your home testing scotch with your folks and a feisty small terrier before you moved from Whitley Bay. ANNE MILLAR (TAYLOR) I DONT REMEMBER THE VENUE ANNE, BUT WE WORKED ALL OF THE AREA IN THE SIXTIES. They also used to play to a younger audience at the Hop in Whitley Bay. Fuelled by this success, they picked a fight with Family singer Roger Chapman who proceeded to chin both of them in two minutes. Just been reading a comment from Pete Wallis from May 2015. I remember you Chic Reid if you see this please get in touch. Chas Chandler lived in Heaton and his dad was the roadie. 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. I would like to think so. To Anna (156) yes I remember The Kontors. It sadly closed around 2016 and briefly turned into German bar, Das Wunderbar before closing completely. That totally made my day, especially after having visited his grave just last week. 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. In the event they failed to show up, probably much to the relief of the host Keith Crombie. norwood surgery opening times; catholic bible approved by the vatican. If anyone has any input on my post please respond. ___________________________________________________________________________. Dont know how she knew cos she had never been there!!! My friend dad played with Del & the Infernos, from South Shields. Id listen to the bands, be dazzled by the girls! I love this blog I am originally from Sunderland and have been trying to recall some of the clubs from this time this site has hit almost all of the ones I went to (mostly on Wearside) starting with the Seaburns cats night out on Wednesday nights, the Cellar (lying about our ages to get in) the Grange, the Bay Hotel and Wetheralls. Some magic names and places. 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. I remember you singing at the Majestic with the Gamblers. HAPPY DAYS>, Anyone still keep in contact with David or Tommy Findlay? 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. Ill post a comment as soon as I have anything to report. I went to Change Is regularly from about 1969/70 until Scamps opened at the beginning of 1974 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. Thank you again Roger Im now in trouble for being late for an appointment as Ive just read through all of the comments again!!! 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. ___________________________________________________________________________. Billy. Anyone remember Jumpin Joe Jackson and drummer Geordie Kinnell from the 60s club scene? 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. The resident band at the Crescendo was the Del 5, the singer was Billy Wilson from Gateshead, there was 2 sax players one was Peter Parkinson from South Shields but Im sorry the other name eludes me. Remember Mike Jeffrey trying to get Legalite roulette system into me CIU clubs. Can you believe I used to have to buy a friend a drink just to get her to dance to something I loved probably JamesBrown or Family or something great! Good times- great musicians. 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) A slideshow of pictures taken at Laygate South Shields in the 50's & 60's.. Pictures by Bill Claverly & narrated by Janet Wylie Oh how I wish I couldve been there! 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. 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! Bernie died a couple of years ago and I hear his collection of guitars were donated to The Sage. I remember I had a blue suede Levi jacket with leather collar that I bought off Kenny Richardson/Davy Hembro. 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. In North Shields, for quite a long time in the 60s, the basement of The Jungle was a night club. Just stumbled across your website. Should additionally have said that John Harker was also still at school when he met me after school in my uniform and wasnt someone older who hung around at school gates!!! 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. 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! Also the GoGo and the majestic, many others wish I could turn the clock back, just to revisit these places. I lived in Whitley Bay in the apartment of a house owned by Jimmy Bence. Im not sure what Dave does now as my dad lost touch with him. i was the original singer with the Gamblers when we split they joined Billy Fury, who also stole my girlfriend ! I remember a night run by the students union at the Mayfair where they would have on 3 or 4 top groups of the sixties. What a star she could have been. I also went to the Playground on Westgate Road until about 1976. Fantastic!!!!! 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. The Del 5s drummer was Quentin (think thats how you spell it) Bernie Watsons brother cant think of the other sax player though. 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 have fond memories of the Cavendish Club from 1967. Photo: Shields Gazette Photo Sales 2. please HELP solve the mystery that was geoff manning. #11 of 20 Nightlife in South Shields. Many happy memories flooding back. OK strange that, exactly the same names. 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. Marcus now lives in Leeds and is a professional artist. Equally we are desperately trying to find an internal shot of Scamps? Lovely to see Ray Grehans name mentioned. Thank you for telling me where I can locate some photos taken inside Bloomers Nightclub in the early 1970s. old nightclubs in south shieldscharles upham daughters. We went often and went for the great music and danced all night. Your dad is on Jesmond and not too well at present, Re comment 72 by David Parks 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. Like George I have been looking for pics for years. After he left the Gamblers he went to work for Ray Grehan. The Quay Club, which opened in 1965, was a popular venue in the sixties. How embarrassing. Its no wonder that London gangsters such as the Kray twins were keen to get in on the action. So if you two ever want to meet up just let me know, my email is david.coates@autosounds.co.uk. My sister was the girlfriend of Gordon Cleghorn. Great site..lots of nostalgia. 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.. The time of the Club AGoGo was probably the best for live music in the city. would love to find out anything from this.thank you Shyirra. He still talks about those days in the 1960s, happy days. Pete Wallis. Great site.Keep it up, Paul x. La Dolce Vita included a large cabaret lounge with seating for 500 and an illuminated glass dance area in front of the stage. Reading this took me back to my childhood. In North Shields, for quite a long time in the 60's, the basement of "The Jungle" was a night club. The demon drink (Pernod) was to blame. He played a vital role in its history and the history of Newcastles night life in the 60s. I spend my time between Corbridge and Florida. You may remember us as Jean and John the tall couple who danced a lot! Bumped into old school friend, Hylton Valentine and his mates (Animals) there on occasions. The Club AGogo opened in 1962 and ran for just over six years. The club closed as Change Is and reopened as Bloomers. Tunes such as Back Street Luv by Curved Air and In My Own Time by Family were played a lot. In the late 1950s it was converted to a ballroom and became the Majestic. 2. Yours nostalgically At 3.10 a pint they should be kept in better condition. Does anyone remember the coffee bar called the Palleta on Blacket Street? Just discovered this site. Myself, Cass and Ken went down to Kings Road and came back with Leather Coats down to the ankles. My mobile no is 07580452584. Now a block of flats. away from him: Jeffrey managed the ANIMALS & JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE like small club bands. David and Tommy Finlay did work the door at the Crescendo Club in Whitley Bay. Happy Days. Oh I could go on all day. Ifeel so incredibly nostalgic about those very important days, which went over much too quickly. Hi, could anybody please give me any information about my father geoff manning aka harry branson gorst, who married my MOTHER, irene graham. 2. I was with the MARTELLES, we played at Club Eleven every Thursday, it was a blues night gig, great from the basement blues music. The concept was that the club would not be the same from one week to the next. I was a teenager in the 60s and along with my friends we went to a lot of the clubs mentioned, especially the GoGo, Downbeat Club, the Pickwick in Whitley Bay, and sometimes the La Dolce Vita. I was then a young post-grad at Kings College 1966/67 and my girl-friend and I attended the Cavendish club regularly. I had the Landlords bitter the following day in Wetherspoons and it tasted . 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. AJS 170. 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. Thank you. We made many friends and had a wonderful time with so many happy memories. Owner, Sandford Goudie, opened a second La Strada in Sunderland in 1967. What a tremendous website with loads of nostalgic detail of the early music scene in North East. June 30, 2022; my septum piercing won't flip up; vegan mochi cake recipe I think he still lives in the North East and owned the Springs fitness centres. Does anyone have any info on Jimmy Bence and his Orchestra, particularly around 1965ish? If anyone reading this knew my mother or any other members of the Jimmy Bence Orchestra, please leave a comment on this site. 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! they played for various bands and clubs. Also when I used go to the Dolce there used to be a DJ called Jimmy Walker. TO MIKE GRAHAM, hey !! Sadly he passed away at a comparatively young age. I bet he wasnt too happy when he was told. Im trying to find anyone who may have worked with her. Gordon Livingstone. I have googled and tried Face book but without any success. Regards George, Re Photographs and Tom Oxley. 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. The band consisted of George Richardson vocal/ piano, Billy Mordue/ drums, John Edwards/ bass, wonderful musicians, great times. My sister is Anna Louise Findlay. There is a good article by The Evening Chronicle when the last record went on sale in auction. Saw a lot of these bands at the Rex Hotel in Whitley Bay.It was mobbed when Love Affair on.!!! old nightclubs in south shields. Jean McGowan, Hi Trevor Chance. Unofficially, the jazz sessions at the Marimba continued long after midnight. Phila. Saw some great people there including Joe Harriott and Abdullah Ibrahim (Dollar Brand). Wish I had been a fly on the wall.. ______________________________________________. 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. 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.