Pendulum Club

[spike1]

Just been sent this link

https://www.mdmarchive.co.uk/archive/showartefact.php?vid=315

Any of you guys ever go here ?

It was before my time sounds amazing

Spike

[Guest JIM BARRY]

my very first northern experience, i was taken there by a girlfriend at the time, when i heard the music and saw the dancing that was me hooked, 1973.

[Citizen P]

Where my career kicked off September 1972.

Grabbed by the throat, shook and shown the light

Tony

[Guest JIM BARRY]

and if memory serves right, the bogs were just as bad as wigan's. its where i first heard duke browner, and i thought wtf....

[Citizen P]

and if memory serves right, the bogs were just as bad as wigan's. its where i first heard duke browner, and i thought wtf....

What??

In the bogs

Tony

[Guest Brian J]

I remember it was a basement club across trom Victoria Station with a concrete floor.

First time I went, someone gave me a handful of rubber-backed Pendulum patches to sell at the Casino.

He said he'd meet me there the following week and split the profits.

Never did see him again!

[Keithw]

1. yep - went from crewe to manchester on train after i finished work @ 1-24 i was a postman
   

in mancland about 2-15 - went to cafe in picadilly gdns (THE GOLDEN EGG) for dinner

then went to spin inn - ralphs - brown street market centre to siz snob stall

then to rowntrees bar for a chill n doss = till the Pendulum opened -- happy days - always nearly fell down the steps down

to the venue - then on to the Va Va at a later time - hitch back to Crewe - still have the badge

Edited January 5, 2012 by keithw

[Guest Brian J]

Does anyone else remember the square black rubber patches with the logo and Pendulum Club printed on them in white.

They came out well before the official ones.

[Quinvy]

My all time favourite place. It was a different age then though. Word of mouth was all you had, I never realised it was open on other nights. We just went on a Friday, and into the Sounds first. We had no transport so it was bus or nothing. We had to walk five miles to catch the Manchester [white lady] double decker bus. Then as it stopped at Colne, Nelson and Burnley, more soul fans got on. Some nights there was a good crowd, other times just me and my mate. If we were very lucky Kenny Judson and his mate Roy something, can't remember now, would turn up and we could get a lift home in his blue Hillman Super Minx. Luxury.........

Edited January 5, 2012 by Quinvy

[Modernsoulsucks]

I first found it by word of mouth too.

I took this girl to see Chairman of the Board In Manchester and to impress I'd asked a couple of guys in Ralphs Records where was a good place to go afterward. Im guessing it was 1971 cos I think I was still at school and it was at the Victoria pub. I seem to remember the dj's as being advertised [or announced] as Sam and Dave [White].

There may have been three with Barry [Tasker] or I suppose for dj purposes Barry was Sam. I think though there was a Sam for a short while.

Don't remember Soul Sam as a dj there at all but I suppose he could have done a guest spot in the later period. Mr. Ellis Im sure I heard one night but compared to the playlist of Barry and Dave he was a non-starter, more a showman and "face" than a dj.. Richard came later, maybe after Dave jacked it in. Va Va's followed soon after Richard started playing there.

There was always a warm-up where Bobby Bland would be played and just nice records [Rhonda Davis] that were not particularly Northern monsters but once it got going it was second-to-none playlist wise. Never went to the Cats but from what I've heard very similar.

Barry Tasker to me is one of the best dj's from the time I've ever heard play but he didn't appear to want to play the allnighters. I suspect Brian "45" Phillips on here played a big part in that too.

A fond memory now but it deserves a bit more exposure when we look back.

Forgot to mention where I first heard Mamie Galore on Sack and Joseph Moore on Mar-V-Lus

ROD

[Guest proudlove]

Yup,interesting place,interesting people,interesting times............Tales to be told,but not on an open forum.

[Modernsoulsucks]

I saw you looking Steve and was wondering what you were gonna say.

There were some "characters" there.

ROD

[Guest proudlove]

Hiya Rod,Characters indeed.........Gordon Thompson,Jonah,Jonny Mac,Barry Robinson....etc etc good times.

[Derek Pearson]

Manchester Local Image Collection https://images.manche...ov.uk/index.php?

whilst wandering about this fascinating site I found this picture taken in 1982 of the derelict building that was The Pendulum.

8-10 Long Millgate, Manchester ©1982

https://images.manchester.gov.uk/web/objects/common/webmedia.php?irn=82736&reftable=ecatalogue&refirn=80760

derek

Edited January 5, 2012 by Derek Pearson

[Citizen P]

Hiya Rod,Characters indeed.........Gordon Thompson,Jonah,Jonny Mac,Barry Robinson....etc etc good times.

Remember taking Gordon home one night.

That was ........interesting

Great days to be a young 'un

Tony

Edited January 6, 2012 by tonyp

[Guest proudlove]

Not to mention Zan,Pat Soye,Dennis Wilson,Ray DaSilva.

Went to Zans 60th Birthday do at the Greatstone last year and some of the above were in attendance,Barry Tasker was DJing,picked Johnny up on the way and had a really good night.There was the obligatory fall out at the end..............

Steve

[Mark B]

yes used to go with my brother paul it was probably my first proper Northern soul night around 1972, aged 15, it was a superb club some of the best music around at the time. i think Barry was one of the first to go on buying trips to the states for was it yanks records (called something else before this).

mark

[Micksmix]

yes used to go with my brother paul it was probably my first proper Northern soul night around 1972, aged 15, it was a superb club some of the best music around at the time. i think Barry was one of the first to go on buying trips to the states for was it yanks records (called something else before this).

mark

Global records Mark,remember going there,seem to remember having to walk down stairs to a warehouse type building and having to knock at the door to ask to be let in to look through the records/lists.

[Guest]

What??

In the bogs

Tony

Heard him straining behind the bog door?

Does anyone else remember the square black rubber patches with the logo and Pendulum Club printed on them in white.

They came out well before the official ones.

Hmmm rings a bell actually.

I only remember going once, me and Steve (Toofy) Howarth, we got the bus from burnley..what a brill place...after the Pendulum we got the last bus to Bolton for Va va`s........back home on the 1st bus to burnley, had brunch in the bus station cafe....beans on toast with 2 fried eggs.Went home and got changed.....so did Steve. Bus into Accrington to find some gear. Bus to Samlesbury (M6) and stood with thumbs akimbo and hitched down to Stoke (Top Rank) got the 50p coach up to Wigan.

Bummed a lift to Blackpool Mecca alldayer after swapping 2 tabs of acid for a dozen brown & clears

I probably went more than once but that particular weekend when everything fell into place stands out in my memory.....and I still don't think ive been to bed yet!

Edited January 6, 2012 by Guest

[Citizen P]

Not to mention Zan,Pat Soye,Dennis Wilson,Ray DaSilva.

Went to Zans 60th Birthday do at the Greatstone last year and some of the above were in attendance,Barry Tasker was DJing,picked Johnny up on the way and had a really good night.There was the obligatory fall out at the end..............

Steve

Teeth in Top Pocket ????

Can't remember the last time I saw Pat.

D'ye recall somebody slipping a 10p in his beer in Rowntrees-Pat duly swallowed it, and was carted off to hospital.

Johnny Mac called to see how he was doing.......

"No Change" was the reply.

T

[Citizen P]

Global records Mark,remember going there,seem to remember having to walk down stairs to a warehouse type building and having to knock at the door to ask to be let in to look through the records/lists.

Originally on Princess Street in one of the old office blocks, Asia House (or something like that), went into a small area with a counter, rang a bell and they (usually Rick Cooper) brought a list out for you to choose from.

Remember hearing Dean Parrish I. O. M. W. for he first time at The Pendulum and Bary announcing Global had 'em in.

The queue started early That Saturday

ATB

Tony

[Julianb]

About 7 years ago I was at the Greatstone chatting with Alan Pollard (R.I.P) when a pal (sorry can't remember your name if you read this) of his comes up and says 'Hi Julian, not seen you since the Pendulum' to which I reply, 'I never went to the Pendulum, it must be somewhere else you remember me from'.

So we have a chat and he goes away and comes back with Barry Tasker and says ' Barry, did Julian go to the Pendulum?' to which Barry replies 'yes, every week!'

I still don't bloody remember going - if this the SWONS or just a silly old bugger with a crap memory? ( no sarcastic comments Mr Baildon please! )

Julian

(either losing it or lost it )

[Irish Spinner]

First went there around 73/74, I travelled up from Cambridge to Huddersfield with a lad call Dean who came from there and who worked with me at Marshalls Airport Wrks we picked up his brother an old Wheeler and the best spinner on a dance floor i ever seen since The legend Frank Booper. I loved the place and the music Barry Tasker was playing.Just my kind of place not to big and grt atmosphere .You really wouldn't want to see it with the lights on lol. The second time i went back there Soul Sam did a set a little different from the norm played at the club. When the nite was almost over we left The Pendulum and travelled over to Leeds Central for the niter Happy days & Fab times.

Irish.

Edited January 6, 2012 by Irish Spinner

[Citizen P]

Not to mention Zan,Pat Soye,Dennis Wilson,Ray DaSilva.

Went to Zans 60th Birthday do at the Greatstone last year and some of the above were in attendance,Barry Tasker was DJing,picked Johnny up on the way and had a really good night.There was the obligatory fall out at the end..............

Steve

When was the reunion held ??

I reckon about 10 years back, what a cracking night that was..

Must be due another ???

Tony

[Guest proudlove]

No idea mate (no change there then!).........but there is a do on at Bury Town Hall in early Feb with Barry,Clarence and others that we went to last year and had a blast......going to get John out and try to get Pat Soye out.......they were at the last one and we had a little drinky poos.........Sunday 5th Feb 2-00 till 8-00 all for Charridee.

Steve

[Iancsloft]

Sold many a dap at the Pendlum Barry Tasker had some pretty decent 45,s back then and i think im right in saying kept most of them before

Mr Lucky Les Hare got them off him number of years ago Pat Lewis no one to love..Magnetics--I have a girl are two that spring to mind which i ended up with off Les the first Pat Lewis Les sold it Dave Withers at the Manchester record fair for wait fot it the grand total of £1 at the time Les i think mixed it up with Warning, Kev Barrett bought it off Dave couple hours later for over £100 and next day i got it off Kev for a lot more than £100 happy days you wont see Les makin mistakes like that these days

[Petedillon]

Absolutely loved it..the whole crack going over from Leeds via Halifax & Stalybridge(I wonder why?), then Rowntrees bar and the Pendulum..hazey days(daze)

[Mark B]

About 7 years ago I was at the Greatstone chatting with Alan Pollard (R.I.P) when a pal (sorry can't remember your name if you read this) of his comes up and says 'Hi Julian, not seen you since the Pendulum' to which I reply, 'I never went to the Pendulum, it must be somewhere else you remember me from'.

So we have a chat and he goes away and comes back with Barry Tasker and says ' Barry, did Julian go to the Pendulum?' to which Barry replies 'yes, every week!'

I still don't bloody remember going - if this the SWONS or just a silly old bugger with a crap memory? ( no sarcastic comments Mr Baildon please! )

Julian

(either losing it or lost it )

you never had it julian you probably went to the original club which was near the manchester evening news think it was called the pink pendulum then?

mark

[Guest proudlove]

Pink Pendulum..........please tell more

[Guest proudlove]

Blue Oyster Bar maybe...........

[Citizen P]

you never had it julian you probably went to the original club which was near the manchester evening news think it was called the pink pendulum then?

mark

I definately Do Not want to think about any Pink Pendulums swinging, thank you very much.

Tony

[Mark B]

Pink Pendulum..........please tell more

i dont know it was before my time but i do know it was near the newspaper bulidings on deansgate, just something at the back of my mind it was a colour but pink suits julian

[Julianb]

i dont know it was before my time but i do know it was near the newspaper bulidings on deansgate, just something at the back of my mind it was a colour but pink suits julian

Bugger off Baildon

[Mark B]

There was a previous Pendulum at Hardman Street, off Deansgate - upstairs over the Victoria Pub. thats from the newspaper clipping might stir some braincells julian all 3 of them

mark

[Guest Paul]

Other than local Youth Club discos etc, The Pendulum was my first soul club experience and it was great to hear so many gems, mostly for the first time. I think it was late 1973 or early 1974 and I was age 14 or 15.

I'd been too young to go to the Torch but me and my mates thought we might just look old enough to go to The Pendulum and follow it with a bus ride to VaVa's in Bolton.

That was the plan but we were quickly ejected from VaVa's for being under-age so we went back to Manchester, hung out in the park with some tramps and slept on benches at Victoria station.

All these things seemed pretty exciting at the time.

But The Pendulum was great for the music and we bought loads of 45s from Ralph's on the Saturday morning ...'If You Ask Me', 'Crying Over You', 'Unsatisfied', 'Last Minute Miracle', 'Working at The Go-Go', etc.

I can even remember the train ride home, listening to muffled soul sounds on my friend's cheap portable cassette ...'Bok To Bach' playing at half-speed because the batteries were so low.

Paul

[Guest proudlove]

Was talking to Barry Tasker and Johnny Mac last night about this thread and will be picking brains for next time we meet up.Incidentally last night was the 40th anniversary of Barrys first DJ spot................he has had the odd tune go through his hands in that time!

[Rick Cooper]

The attached pages are from Blues and Soul for July 1971 and give a brief description of the first Pendulum venue (not pink more like gray ). Anyone ID the DJ, I think it was the ''Sam'' from the DJ duo Sam and Dave.

I think the club started just after the Wheel closed and I first heard about it from an ad in the Manchester Evening News in late 70 or early 71. Most of the crowd were ex Wheelites and I remember the fashion seemed to be for blazers trimmed with coloured braid, one glove and long sideburns .Musically it was the classic UK stuff with some imports ,eg Ric-Tic, Mirwood, Chess.

It moved to the MSG building after a while and Barry Tasker was added to the DJ list, or replaced Sam. With Barry's record collection the music shifted to new US discoveries and really took off as the place to be even it wasn't an allnighter.Some of the records I remember the club for are The Gems, Dave Love, the Date trio,Salvadors, James Bounty, this last one I thought was called ''Change Your Ways'' for ages.

Richard Searling started DJing later and bought loads of new stuff from his Global Records buying trips. I remember him showing me his copy of ''Tainted Love'' before it got played, it was ,of course , ''the best record ever''.!!

Martyn Ellis was another DJ and a main Pendulum character. People say he never found much new stuff but I have a vague recollection that he went to the states and bought some good records back , Earl Jackson?, but I may be wrong.

One night I remember some guys coming up from London with a couple of boxes of fantastic records, but you weren't allowed to touch or buy them. I think they wanted to show us northerners how hip they were in London, was it you?

Anyone remember Malcolm with his unique dancing style?

Anyway it was a great club and is up there with Wheel ,Torch , Cats ,etc .

Julian, I never saw you there, much too scruffy for you.

Rick

[Mark B]

hi Rick you mean mad malcolm with his spin that could take out all the drinks on any table within 3 or 4 feet of him, from memory i think Al Birkhead found earl jackson (i maybe wrong though) also remember Lilie bryant being played (possibly a Barry discovery). I though Barry was one of the best DJ's in the 70's. a shame it was a short lived club as it probably would have been up there with the Mecca.

mark

[Mark S]

Malclm Lear the mans a legend

[Guest Miss3 G's]

Oh to have been as avid a photo taker as I am now as I would definitely have some shots of everyone that's posted!! It did prompt me to look for anything 'soulie' at all and only managed to find one photo of myself taken in 1973...that badge took me ages to embroider by hand!

Although Browns in Levenshulme was my first introduction to any sort of club scene back in 1968 Pendulum will always be my favourite soul club.......first went to the one in Hardman Street....memorable for me as that was my maiden name but much preferred the scruffy basement, concrete floor? and swigging bottles of Newcastle Brown.....after way too much home brew!!

At the time most of the folk I knew were local from Manchester, Stockport, Bury, etc but strange to think that I've since met many of you guys posting on here in the last ten years or so!! One of my best friends married Dave White and can see her now sitting near the decks with him......both are now happily re-married........ another went out with Martyn Ellis for a while......in fact I spent my 18th birthday out in Manchester with them both then went to the Mecca the next night......having to pretend to be married to get in a B&B...how times have changed!

Lots of familiar names and loads of clubs mentioned that I used to frequent.......does anyone on here remember the Keystone...I think it was somewhere in a Salford precinct but never yet found anyone who went there or can remember who ran it..... happy days.......

I still have a Pendulum tee shirt that Barry gave me at the Birch in Ashton a few years ago...not quite sure why he had them done...... will always have very fond memories of Pendulum and the characters that used to go, so many of whom are sadly in the great soul club in the sky.................thanks for bringing back the memories.....Linda x

[Citizen P]

Oh to have been as avid a photo taker as I am now as I would definitely have some shots of everyone that's posted!! It did prompt me to look for anything 'soulie' at all and only managed to find one photo of myself taken in 1973...that badge took me ages to embroider by hand!

Although Browns in Levenshulme was my first introduction to any sort of club scene back in 1968 Pendulum will always be my favourite soul club.......first went to the one in Hardman Street....memorable for me as that was my maiden name but much preferred the scruffy basement, concrete floor? and swigging bottles of Newcastle Brown.....after way too much home brew!!

At the time most of the folk I knew were local from Manchester, Stockport, Bury, etc but strange to think that I've since met many of you guys posting on here in the last ten years or so!! One of my best friends married Dave White and can see her now sitting near the decks with him......both are now happily re-married........ another went out with Martyn Ellis for a while......in fact I spent my 18th birthday out in Manchester with them both then went to the Mecca the next night......having to pretend to be married to get in a B&B...how times have changed!

Lots of familiar names and loads of clubs mentioned that I used to frequent.......does anyone on here remember the Keystone...I think it was somewhere in a Salford precinct but never yet found anyone who went there or can remember who ran it..... happy days.......

I still have a Pendulum tee shirt that Barry gave me at the Birch in Ashton a few years ago...not quite sure why he had them done...... will always have very fond memories of Pendulum and the characters that used to go, so many of whom are sadly in the great soul club in the sky.................thanks for bringing back the memories.....Linda x

Bloody Nora, I never thought I'd see the Keystone mentioned anywhere, very fond memories-even though I never went in,

I'll explain.

When we were first moved to Ellor Street( now more commonly called The Precinct) in 1970 I was 14, the bouncers at The Keystone were far too strict to let the likes of me through the doors. So we used to sit on a wall outside listening to the music

Sad, innit??

Many years later, Brian Walker told me that a number of" Wheelers" frequently attended.

ATB

Tony

[Mark B]

the keystone was a pub wasnt it went in with some of the gas fitters when i was an apprentice

[Citizen P]

the keystone was a pub wasnt it went in with some of the gas fitters when i was an apprentice

Yes, actually I think they called it a "Disco Pub"

Demolished years ago

Used to play a lot of Soul there, but could get quite "hairy" at the weekends.

ATB

Tony

[Guest bury masonic]

Bloody Nora, I never thought I'd see the Keystone mentioned anywhere, very fond memories-even though I never went in,

I'll explain.

When we were first moved to Ellor Street( now more commonly called The Precinct) in 1970 I was 14, the bouncers at The Keystone were far too strict to let the likes of me through the doors. So we used to sit on a wall outside listening to the music

Sad, innit??

Yes Tony it was hard to get into the Keystone,the bouncers were bastards, i was 16 & still found it hard to get in!!

I went most Friday nights back in the early 70,s,it was upstairs with a spiral staircase coming down into the pub

great music not all soul but great sounds,always packed to the rafters

Happy days

Many years later, Brian Walker told me that a number of" Wheelers" frequently attended.

ATB

Tony

[Mark B]

it was bad enough during the day luckily the blokes i went in with were all local so no bother.

mark

[Modernsoulsucks]

Went to Brown's a couple of times too around late 68/early 69.

ROD

[Guest Miss3 G's]

Went to Brown's a couple of times too around late 68/early 69.

ROD

First went August 68 with two lads we met at Platt Fields Fair and for quite a while after until it changed hands and wasn't quite the same.......lots of people from the Wheel used to go and I think big Charlie Slaney? used to DJ but could be wrong......it was a strange club that used to play all sorts of music and I first danced to The Radiants Hold On there doing the dance everyone did in a circle they called The Ritz Rhythm?.....we did a version of The Barn dance too swapping partners along the way.....obviously didn't catch on!! Saw some great bands there too....local ones like Sad Soul and some more well known like The Show Stoppers,The Pioneers, The Fantastics and various versions of The Drifters.......

As for The Keystone I think someone tried to start a Soul Night there to fill the void when Pendulum finished but I can't remember how many times we all went or who DJ'd there.......my friends don't recall going at all so at least now I know it existed !! Cheers Linda x

[Jbs]

Oh to have been as avid a photo taker as I am now as I would definitely have some shots of everyone that's posted!! It did prompt me to look for anything 'soulie' at all and only managed to find one photo of myself taken in 1973...that badge took me ages to embroider by hand!

Although Browns in Levenshulme was my first introduction to any sort of club scene back in 1968 Pendulum will always be my favourite soul club.......first went to the one in Hardman Street....memorable for me as that was my maiden name but much preferred the scruffy basement, concrete floor? and swigging bottles of Newcastle Brown.....after way too much home brew!!

At the time most of the folk I knew were local from Manchester, Stockport, Bury, etc but strange to think that I've since met many of you guys posting on here in the last ten years or so!! One of my best friends married Dave White and can see her now sitting near the decks with him......both are now happily re-married........ another went out with Martyn Ellis for a while......in fact I spent my 18th birthday out in Manchester with them both then went to the Mecca the next night......having to pretend to be married to get in a B&B...how times have changed!

Lots of familiar names and loads of clubs mentioned that I used to frequent.......does anyone on here remember the Keystone...I think it was somewhere in a Salford precinct but never yet found anyone who went there or can remember who ran it..... happy days.......

I still have a Pendulum tee shirt that Barry gave me at the Birch in Ashton a few years ago...not quite sure why he had them done...... will always have very fond memories of Pendulum and the characters that used to go, so many of whom are sadly in the great soul club in the sky.................thanks for bringing back the memories.....Linda x

[Jbs]

First went August 68 with two lads we met at Platt Fields Fair and for quite a while after until it changed hands and wasn't quite the same.......lots of people from the Wheel used to go and I think big Charlie Slaney? used to DJ but could be wrong......it was a strange club that used to play all sorts of music and I first danced to The Radiants Hold On there doing the dance everyone did in a circle they called The Ritz Rhythm?.....we did a version of The Barn dance too swapping partners along the way.....obviously didn't catch on!! Saw some great bands there too....local ones like Sad Soul and some more well known like The Show Stoppers,The Pioneers, The Fantastics and various versions of The Drifters.......

As for The Keystone I think someone tried to start a Soul Night there to fill the void when Pendulum finished but I can't remember how many times we all went or who DJ'd there.......my friends don't recall going at all so at least now I know it existed !! Cheers Linda x

I WENT ALL THE TIME TO THE KEYSTONE MY NAME IS BERNIE SMALLWOOD

[Modernsoulsucks]

My recollection is really hazy as it was only a couple of times.

Think I went upstairs and room was pretty narrow and not that big. Wasn't it next to that white cinema?

Also I think it was on a weekday. As you say mainly soul but odd pop record. Lot of Motown.

My mate took me on back of SX200 and I think there was this rockers cafe [black Cat maybe - can't remember] just down the street and as we were going back to Hazel Grove we got a bit of hassle.

If I knew we were going to be talking about it 40 odd years down the line I woulda paid more attention!

ROD