A personal perspective by Roger Smith. Yours nostalgically I then returned to a normal life !!!! Me and my brother had some great nights in La Strada. The Majestic Ballroom on the junction of Westgate Road and Clayton Street was originally built as a cinema. I came up to Newcastle in 1968 when the clubs in london were on the way out. 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. My mobile no is 07580452584. 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. 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. 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. Bars & Clubs. 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. 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.. Just spent a couple of hours wallowing in nostalgia. Hi, does anyone remember by dad Alan Clay? La Strada in South Shields opened around 1962 and ran throughout the 1960s. We worked many times in Newcastle and the North East area. I recognize some of the names of people who have contributed here with their memories and of course I knew many of the people who were around during that great period during the 60s. 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. The sound system was said to be second to none. Might be worth trawling facebook or look for Brenda Marsh who was close. 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! Lead singer John Little or possibly used the name Osbourne or Osmond. Today, the pub is called Kennedy's 3 of 10 The. 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. 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. Went to nearly all the clubs mentioned. HiFred If you have any photographs of that time I would love to see them. The Beacon The Beacon in Green's Place on the Lawe Top was one of the oldest pubs in South Shields, having served drinks since the late 1800s. Brought back a loot of memories. it was Alfie wright who owned the Crescendo Club at Whitley Bay, not Ray Grehan, trust me I opened it Often return back to the area and go walkabout. Hi, I was in the Ken Maddison band for a number of years but when he died then Margaret I lost touch with her. Does anybody remember the house band at La Dolce Vita in the early seventies, Robbie was the bass player, John the lead guitar. La Dolce Vita was situated on Low Friar Street not far from the Mayfair Ballroom. My dad Bob Stephenson (pianist) played at both La Dolce Vita and La Strada. THE 10 BEST South Shields Bars & Clubs (with Photos) - Tripadvisor So if you two ever want to meet up just let me know, my email is david.coates@autosounds.co.uk. We all used to gather around the juke box trying to get our favourite records played. The drummer had an American car. I have often wondered what became of Margaret Armstrong who lived on Benjamin Road in Howden and worked in a large Civil Service Centre (name forgotten). Thanks to Roger, I have been able to share memories with someone else who was working in Change Is at that time and I know he mustve played great music as I was always the last one dancing every night! What a star she could have been. Also, does anyone remember the DJ John Harker who worked at Annabels in Sunderland and in Whitley Bay but died a few years ago. Hello, this has been a great read. I cant believe that we dont have a single photos of inside the club? Id listen to the bands, be dazzled by the girls! 15 years of age in 1962. my 1st beer was in the railwaiy, whist livin on hillheads road. Happy times, gone forever, but never forgotten. Anyway, I hope your life is going well Trevor. Then he worked for Baileys moving between the likes of La Dolce Vita, Wetherals, the Latino. Dawn Ralston (nee. Sadly it all changed and went bad, but interesting times! They played Family In My Own Time and Curved Air Back Street Love and T Rex Get It On. The North East in the 60s as a wonderful time for musicians and performers and I am so pleased to have been there. 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. Also played at Muscle In as I was friendly with the owner Walter McCrae. On the left, the dark haired lady is Barbara Young, and on the right is her sister Joan Young. JT, Try playing the 1967 Gamblers version of Cry me a River (on YouTube) Certainly stands the test of time. Great time being a teenager in the 60s in Newcastle. I went to Change Is regularly from about 1969/70 until Scamps opened at the beginning of 1974 I think? Fantastic read! Can you remember what the music was that was played at the start of every evening- was it by the BarKays? Good Luck, Hi Jill, They are both sisters of my mother Loretta, who also worked there. Does anyone remember seeing Dick Haymes at either La Dolce Vita or Greys & The Cavendish in the 1960s? How time flies. Any info would be really appreciated. they played for various bands and clubs. 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. Was the crescendo manager Ken Brady from the Gamblers? Real name Northumberland Arms. 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 ! Would appreciate any current information regarding Margaret. Is Jim wright still alive? 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.. I know I had a great time working at many NE clubs during the late sixties and early seventies. old nightclubs in south shields - jjbluesbar.com Two Scotsmen together in a nightclub, what could possibly go wrong! We also got introduced to Newcastle Brown too! Pete Coulson here ,was lead singer with the Pilgrims & later Bassist with the Hillcresters e mail is geordie38@wildblue.net would like to correspond & anyone else who remembers me from those good times,now living nr.Boston USA, cheers, Hi Holly here lead singer with Toby Twirl. Sydney Australia. Oh how I wish I couldve been there! Ziggy's 19 Bars & Clubs By jacquelinesQ1680QF There were around a dozen night clubs with top acts appearing in the city every day of the week. Mike Pemberton and Mick Pickering had Club Eleven, what memories. If you went there please let me know. ___________________________________________________________________________. My mum used to sing with Jimmy Bence at the Mayfair back in the day. Great site..lots of nostalgia. It was only a step-up (not a high stage) He looked down at me, held out his hand, and said, Cmon little lady. But you'll always have your memories. Wright). Geoff Wonfor became famous as a music video producer. I have googled and tried Face book but without any success. I was then a young post-grad at Kings College 1966/67 and my girl-friend and I attended the Cavendish club regularly. Dave Coates. We went often and went for the great music and danced all night. They were on the beaten track, but does anyone remember Billy Bottos Club on Shields Road (owned by a big local bookmaker) and the 69 Club, which was managed by Tot and Gloria Anderson, who also used to manage The Avenue in Whitley Bay, just opposite the Pickwick. There was mutual respect there. 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. On a different note, is Keith Crombie the same guy who I bought a truck from when he was a truck salesman at Minories in the sixties. Sadly Geordie is now in a care home after having several serious strokes and has no memory. We actually had our engagement party (Nov 1974 I think) upstairs in Bloomers or Change Is not sure when name changed. Dusk was known for its huge New Year's Eve events, staying open till 7am. Heres a reminder of some of those Newcastle clubs and venues and where they were. Thank you. Basically we went to anywhere where Eric Burdon was! 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. He still talks about those days in the 1960s, happy days. I wonder if Stan Henry the owner of the Bailey organisation has any archives. Me mam and dad met there in 1970 and Id love to get them a photo made? Chas Chandler lived in Heaton and his dad was the roadie. Garry Steckles, Hi Melina Manning your mum Irene was my first girlfriend, at 16. They gave me a flyer which had their past and present in it. http://readysteadygone.co.uk/bryan-ferry/, Unveiling the past Amanda, Mike and the plaque. Naturally had my photo took with him as well. The Old Ship Inn (South Shields) - Tripadvisor loved those ..times i/ve never lost my love of Jazz, and am still singing those beautifull songs in and around the Northeast. Sounds as if those were the days alright! 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. Pete Wallis. La Dolce Vita went into decline in the seventies and had several name changes before finally closing its doors as a venue in 2002. I beleive he appeared at a number of clubs in Newcastle and the north east. I also went to the Majestic when I was about 14. I left England in 1966 to emigrate to Canada but still look fondly back to my younger days and great music in Newcastle. I was a regular there in the 60s maybe 63-64-65ish 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. 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. 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! OK strange that, exactly the same names. During the seventies it was run by David Macbeth, a popular northeast singer in the late fifties and early sixties. Buy tickets from a trusted primary outlet. Many happy memories flooding back. And dont even think about the Downbeat!! any stories to share or anyone who knows my granddad or great uncles feel free to share! ha ha ha. Do you know where any of the surviving ex members are now? Later, graduated on to the Cavendish and Greys, dont know what happened to Sect. #11 of 20 Nightlife in South Shields. Read more about the Marimba on this link. My dad owned Greys Club making it the club to be seen at! On club nights the occasional drunken troublemaker would be invited upstairs to the wrestling ring and taught the error of his conduct!HAPPY DAZE!!! 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. 69 Club Westgate Street plus MANY social clubs all around the North East. 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. Thanks for the memories though, and keep up the good work. 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. Where is she now I wonder. It was so dark and there were couples kissing in corners and dancing where they stood. 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. I have a photo from The Viewer (the forefunner of the TV Times) showing a line-up of pianists and singers, Dad is on there but the only other pianist I recognise is (the much-admired, not least by my Dad) Billy Hutchinson. Sadly he passed away at a comparatively young age. 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. 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.