Clubs In Manchester Mid To Late 70's

[Guest]

Hello, can anyone help me out with any memories of clubs in Manchester mid to late 70's ? Its for research im doing for a book. I know of The Ritz, The Carousel, Rafters, Lorraines... if anyone could suggest any other places, or recall the DJ's, records played etc at any of these venues i'd greatly appreciate it.

[Guest trickbag]

hi greg, remember going to the black lion in deansgate

with fiz and russ, upstairs it was, but cant remember

any of the djs names,73/74 wonder if those two are

still around.

ricky.

sockit to em shorty.

[soulfulsaint]

Hello, can anyone help me out with any memories of clubs in Manchester mid to late 70's ? Its for research im doing for a book. I know of The Ritz, The Carousel, Rafters, Lorraines... if anyone could suggest any other places, or recall the DJ's, records played etc at any of these venues i'd greatly appreciate it.

The Blue Rooms in Sale featuring Ian Levine. Rowntrees Sound. Motown in Shaw. But the guy who will have a real good memory of others across Manchester is Rod Shard who posts on Soul Source under the ill-informed pseudonym - modernsoulsucks. You may want to PM him.

[Modernsoulsucks]

Oh yeah!! If it was an ill-informed pseudonym I'd be calling myself "IMSORRYYOU'VEGOTMALARIA".

Im afraid it's all a blur from the day I stepped inside the Moon in Duckinfield. Does that count as Manchester?

ROD

[Citizen P]

above from the man who had the first copy of City of Angels LP by The Miracles, whish he brought down to the Piccadilly Club, and Brian Walker promptly scratched

Anyway, Try The Pendulum, Ashton Tiffs, Duckinfield Rugby Club, Carolines, Black Bird,

Rafters( complete wth live appearance of Major Lance), Rowntrees Sound &Spring Gardens(later Barons) Belle Vue.

And More.

Tony

[Tony Jackson]

Hello, can anyone help me out with any memories of clubs in Manchester mid to late 70's ? Its for research im doing for a book. I know of The Ritz, The Carousel, Rafters, Lorraines... if anyone could suggest any other places, or recall the DJ's, records played etc at any of these venues i'd greatly appreciate it.

Carolines, Deansgate Manchester,weekly Tuesday nights.....The Greatstone Hotel,Stretford, weekly Friday nights..... Blue Rooms Sale, weekly Thursday nights, sometime Tuesdsay nights if memory serves me....

[Modernsoulsucks]

Tony, are you referring to me? I don't remember that which kinda bears out my first post.

The Pendulem. The Carlsberg of all NS clubs. Barry Tasker and Dave White.So far ahead of it's time, Barry wore silvery suits and took his holidays on the moon!!

Sadly,sadly missed.

ROD

[Citizen P]

Tony, are you referring to me? I don't remember that which kinda bears out my first post.

The Pendulem. The Carlsberg of all NS clubs. Barry Tasker and Dave White.So far ahead of it's time, Barry wore silvery suits and took his holidays on the moon!!

Sadly,sadly missed.

ROD

Yes Rod.

Would the record stall on the underground market qualify as a club????

Tony

[Guest Soultown andy]

Dave withers ran a club on a friday at gaeatanoes greek restraunt about 78ish.Tony just and siz ran the ardree alldayers.

[Guest]

Hi Andy, do you have any more info on DJ's, street names of Gaeatanoes greek restraunt & the Ardree alldayers. Was the Ardree in Rusholme or Chorlton ?

Hi Rod, was Rowntrees located at 60 Spring Gardens - the club that became Manhattan Sound ? Can you tell me some more about it & Pendulem's location.

The Arndale opened in 1976. Did anyone ever like it !

Thanks for your help.

[Soulfulhound]

Hello, can anyone help me out with any memories of clubs in Manchester mid to late 70's ? Its for research im doing for a book. I know of The Ritz, The Carousel, Rafters, Lorraines... if anyone could suggest any other places, or recall the DJ's, records played etc at any of these venues i'd greatly appreciate it.

Hi Greg,

The Pendulum was a fantastic club, near the Rowntree Sound - a favourite haunt by us from Sheffield circa 73 , before getting the train at Victoria round the corner.

Coming out of Victoria on Sunday morning - severely blocked, you couldn't miss the "EL BOSA NOVA CLUB". This was the seediest looking joint this side of Harlem. We used to joke about it being a nighter, it was perfect, dingy and run-down as f**k!

One morning an old tart came out, sporting rolled down stockings ala Nora Batty, and black smudged mascara all over her kite, to let the cat in!! What was this joint? Brilliant.

Cheers, Chris

Edited September 29, 2006 by SOULFULHOUND

[Modernsoulsucks]

Er,Greg I wasn't kidding about things being a blur so I wouldn't take anything I say as gospel without confirmation first.

I do remember the old lady Chris referred to, a well known sight around Manchester,relieving herself wherever the fancy took her. She wasn't into Northern though.

I thought Rowntrees sound was on Corporation St between M&S and

Victoria train station/Ralph's Records. I think Zan used to hang about outside. Zan is still around.

As far as I remember Pendulem started at the Victoria Hotel in Hardman St. I went there after a Chairmen of the Board concert sometime before '71. It moved to MSG club probably on corner of Millgate which is near Cathedral and behind Corporation St. Definitely Barry Tasker and Dave White who started it but I think Dave dropped out, someone else came in maybe, but then Richard Searling got his break there.

Barry is still around and well worth getting in touch with.

Gaetaneo's was underneath an ice-cream and cafe Italian thingy. Back Piccadilly. Myself, Dave Witless and I think Dave McCadden played and had guests. Who, I've no idea. Maybe Tim Finch who is on this site and sold George Lemons there for £1 cos it was crap and no one would ever pay anything more for it. I did tell him one day it would be worth £1500 but he will of course deny that. I didn't buy it off him cos I wanted a kebab later.

I did check my Manchester A-T [some of the pages are missing] which is why although vague I do remember where some of the clubs were.

If I can be of any more help I'd be amazed.

Slight correction to earlier Soulful Hound post. It is SIZ not fis. Steve Sales I think real name. He's knocking about and is it Andy who runs Middleton. He's had recent business dealings with him.

Andy,£24 in!! Do you think Im made of money!!

ROD

PS Go to Greatstone next time it's on. Rubbish dancefloor, djs not as good as those now residing in Clitheroe but a lot of guys there who were around in the 70's and have stuck with it.

[Jaco]

Ok, so not strictly Manchester, but The Magnet in Oldham was a great mid week venue in approx 1974/5. If memory serves me right it was on a Wednesday but cannot remember who the dj's were.

Seriously for me the premier Manchester venue in the 70's was the Pendelum. Cellar club with superb atmosphere, walls dripping with condensation, Newcastle Brown behind the bar and a young Richard Searling in attendance ( I think), friday nights and a perfect warm up to the Mecca/Casino. Happy days!!!

[Guest pendulum]

Pendulum was also held at manchester evening news before it moved to msg.Zan was a scary looking ginger haired scottish guy who was one of the minders of the twisted wheel he also worked at ralphs records and i used to see him friday nights at msg.Another dj at the pendulum was the late martyn ellis who also did a saturday night spot at the torch.

[Mark B]

Pendulum was also held at manchester evening news before it moved to msg.Zan was a scary looking ginger haired scottish guy who was one of the minders of the twisted wheel he also worked at ralphs records and i used to see him friday nights at msg.Another dj at the pendulum was the late martyn ellis who also did a saturday night spot at the torch.

Zan does come into the greatstone on the odd occasion.

mark

[Drew3]

Hello, can anyone help me out with any memories of clubs in Manchester mid to late 70's ? Its for research im doing for a book. I know of The Ritz, The Carousel, Rafters, Lorraines... if anyone could suggest any other places, or recall the DJ's, records played etc at any of these venues i'd greatly appreciate it.

There was a place in Stockport called Blazers just off Grt Portwood St.

Older sister went there first around 1970 and later it burned down which was apt!!

KTF.

Drew.

[Mark B]

Er,Greg I wasn't kidding about things being a blur so I wouldn't take anything I say as gospel without confirmation first.

I do remember the old lady Chris referred to, a well known sight around Manchester,relieving herself wherever the fancy took her. She wasn't into Northern though.

I thought Rowntrees sound was on Corporation St between M&S and

Victoria train station/Ralph's Records. I think Zan used to hang about outside. Zan is still around.

As far as I remember Pendulem started at the Victoria Hotel in Hardman St. I went there after a Chairmen of the Board concert sometime before '71. It moved to MSG club probably on corner of Millgate which is near Cathedral and behind Corporation St. Definitely Barry Tasker and Dave White who started it but I think Dave dropped out, someone else came in maybe, but then Richard Searling got his break there.

Barry is still around and well worth getting in touch with.

Gaetaneo's was underneath an ice-cream and cafe Italian thingy. Back Piccadilly. Myself, Dave Witless and I think Dave McCadden played and had guests. Who, I've no idea. Maybe Tim Finch who is on this site and sold George Lemons there for £1 cos it was crap and no one would ever pay anything more for it. I did tell him one day it would be worth £1500 but he will of course deny that. I didn't buy it off him cos I wanted a kebab later.

I did check my Manchester A-T [some of the pages are missing] which is why although vague I do remember where some of the clubs were.

If I can be of any more help I'd be amazed.

Slight correction to earlier Soulful Hound post. It is SIZ not fis. Steve Sales I think real name. He's knocking about and is it Andy who runs Middleton. He's had recent business dealings with him.

Andy,£24 in!! Do you think Im made of money!!

ROD

PS Go to Greatstone next time it's on. Rubbish dancefloor, djs not as good as those now residing in Clitheroe but a lot of guys there who were around in the 70's and have stuck with it.

Thanks for the mention Rod the dancefloor is shit , are there any Dj's in clitheroe, siz ran quite a few functions in the late 70's. an all dayer at the willows in salford and middleton civic i think where andy Dj'd, and he ran some do's in wales with tony just under the SNOB (soul nights over britain) banner. that brilliant name was conjured up in manchester during an afternoon session with tony siz and myself

clubs not mentioned yet are the Carousel all nighters , Belle vue all dayers,

Didn't you have something to do with the black lion with dave sunday nights.

mark

[Modernsoulsucks]

Drew, was that what was once the Tabernacle [think it was called that]. Used to be allnighters there in late 60's.

I do remember Martyn Ellis at Torch but not so much the Pendulem. Maybe there as a punter and perhaps a guest spot. Richard was deffo a regular attender up until he got behind the decks and Va Va's started whilst he was dj-ing at Pendulem.

I have spoken to Zan a few times over past couple of years and he denies being a "scary looking ginger-haired Scottish guy" and his wife attested to him being a big pussycat at heart. I, of course, thought better of putting the counter argument.

What was that guy who ran a few things with Siz. Martin ? Always going round asking "What's the buzz".

ROD

[Drew3]

Drew, was that what was once the Tabernacle [think it was called that]. Used to be allnighters there in late 60's.

I do remember Martyn Ellis at Torch but not so much the Pendulem. Maybe there as a punter and perhaps a guest spot. Richard was deffo a regular attender up until he got behind the decks and Va Va's started whilst he was dj-ing at Pendulem.

I have spoken to Zan a few times over past couple of years and he denies being a "scary looking ginger-haired Scottish guy" and his wife attested to him being a big pussycat at heart. I, of course, thought better of putting the counter argument.

What was that guy who ran a few things with Siz. Martin ? Always going round asking "What's the buzz".

ROD

No Rod.

The Tabernacle was on Hillgate in Stockport.

Before my time but later became Sargent Peppers which was not a soul club I believe,(opposite side of the road to Strawberry Recording Studio)

Strangely enough the building that housed the Tabernacle and Sgt Peppers burned down also!!!!!!!!!!!!

KTF.

Drew.

[Alan Pollard]

Agree with most on here that The Pendulum was the venue, I went there regularly from about 1972 until it shut, Barry Tasker, Dave White and Richard Searling were the main DJ's, big tunes down there were, Lord Thunder "Thunder", The Autographs "Sad sad feeling", Dusty Springfield "What's it gonna be" (this version was played because they coldn't afford or track down a copy by Susan Barrett but for me Dusty's version is better anyway), The Marvelettes "Your love can save me", Larry Laster "Go for yourself", The Volcanos "The Laws of love", The Tempos "(Countdown) Here I come", I even remember Richard playing a new release by The Jackson Sisters "I believe in miracles", fabulous venue and Barry Tasker is still around, I talk to him regularly down at The Greatstone so like Rod suggests get yourself down to The Greatstone on the 3rd Saturday every month and bring your pen and a pad and you'll get most of the history of Manchester venues from the guys there, and I'm sure they will be very helpful, I know I'll help you all I can.

Other venues include, Carolines, Baverian Beer Kellar, Belle Vue Elizabethan, Rowntree Sounds, Rafters, just on the outskirts of town we had Blue Room at Sale Locarno, The Greastone at Old Trafford, Blazers Stockport, Tiffanies at Ashton and many many more, alot of people have already mentioned Steve Sale, Steve was one of the real characters of the Manchester scene, he promoted many venues and he is still around I bump him to him occasionally but unfortunately don't have any contact details.

Hope this helps a bit.

Regards

Alan

[Guest pendulum]

Martyn ellis lived in the whythenshaw area of manchester,He was the manager of an electricacal shop on shudhill which was about 200 yards from the pendulum.He also sold import soul records from this shop.He did a spot at the pendulum for about 6 months along with barry tasker who in my opion is one of the unsung heroes of the northern scene.Does anybody remember chambers in rochdale salmon??????

[Modernsoulsucks]

Greg, I have a contact # who can give you a contact # for Siz if none of Greatstone lads have it.

Alan, I don't disagree with your recollections of 45s played at Pendulem but I think the DJs there had no trouble in tracking down 45s to play.

Long before Richard got behind the decks I heard and bought there "No right to cry" SACK and Joseph Moore MAR-V-LUS. You could hear everything that was big at the Torch and MORE!!

Like Pendulem I think Barry Tasker should get more credit than he does. In fact he gets none really and he was definitely the major influence in my early NS days.

ROD

[Jaco]

Martyn ellis lived in the whythenshaw area of manchester,He was the manager of an electricacal shop on shudhill which was about 200 yards from the pendulum.He also sold import soul records from this shop.He did a spot at the pendulum for about 6 months along with barry tasker who in my opion is one of the unsung heroes of the northern scene.Does anybody remember chambers in rochdale salmon??????

Cut my soul teeth at the Chambers which was a youth club (no alcohol), heard all the early imports and Motown stuff there, also a similar club called the Motown in Shaw/Royton? There has been a Chambers reuinion in the past which was a massive turn out, it was fondly remembered by all who went there, no just the soulies.

[Guest trickbag]

thanks for refreshing my mind, rod, glad all is well

with siz it was a long time ago. 32 years.

[Tim Finch]

Gaetaneo's was underneath an ice-cream and cafe Italian thingy. Back Piccadilly. Myself, Dave Witless and I think Dave McCadden played and had guests. Who, I've no idea. Maybe Tim Finch who is on this site and sold George Lemons there for £1 cos it was crap and no one would ever pay anything more for it. I did tell him one day it would be worth £1500 but he will of course deny that. I didn't buy it off him cos I wanted a kebab later.

The selling it for £1 bit's true - in a company sleeve aswell. Oh, and it's still crap.

The rest is typical Rod - you didn't buy it because you hated it even more than I did. When we played it early doors one night as an 'unknown' I think it lasted about 30 seconds and it was all I could do to stop you frisbeein' it across the room. If we'd have actually got round to playing the vocal side I would'nt have bothered stopping you - I'd have beaten you to it!

I can't remember how long Gaetano's ran for - probably not that long - but we had some good Friday nights there. As for the guests, I remember Richard being on a couple of times and there was a really good one-off Pendulum revival night with, I'm sure, Richard, Barry Tasker and Dave White. Think I've still got a couple of flyers somewhere . . .

[Modernsoulsucks]

Well Tim you were obviously very drunk cos I remember perfectly saying those exact words whilst taking a call on my mobile from my broker about my Microsoft shares, neither of which you said would catch on either!!

I do now have George Lemons and may I say it was the worst $1 I ever spent.

ROD

[Guest]

Rod, thanks i'll chase up the Greatstone people.

Where / what was the MSG ?

Anyone know when Pendulem closed?

Can anyone suggest any mid to late 70's DJ's i should speak to regarding Manchester at that time...

Many Thanks Greg.

[Godzilla]

Rod, thanks i'll chase up the Greatstone people.

Where / what was the MSG ?

Manchester Sports Guild. (Long Millgate? ) Near the cathedral.

Godz

Edited October 4, 2006 by Godzilla

[Mark B]

Rod, thanks i'll chase up the Greatstone people.

Where / what was the MSG ?

Anyone know when Pendulem closed?

Can anyone suggest any mid to late 70's DJ's i should speak to regarding Manchester at that time...

Many Thanks Greg.

Barry Tasker, Siz (Steve Sayles), Dave Evison, Andy McCabe used to dj for Siz, Dave Stubbs, Dave Withers,

a lot of the well attended nights dj's were from out of town Richard Searling, Colin Curtis, Ian Levine,

mark

[Guest Soultown andy]

Siz comes to the middleton civic niters and should be at the next one on 28th oct.Tell you what mark we dj,d in some weird and wonderful clubs especialy in north wales,miself and siz would do a wedding or party gig before going on to the soul do,s great days .

[Soulandy]

The clubs I remember going to in the late 70's early 80's are the ones mentioned. Adri, Carousel, Bellvue, the Italian place (been trying to think of that place for years and years) the SNOBS club, was it on deansgate?, Ritz, blue rooms. As I got into the soul scene in the late 70's I couldn't get enough, thought it was just amazing that you could go out without any hassle from anyone and the music was, well, music to me ears. Fond memories

[Guest lee wild]

Anyone remember The old steam brewery Oxford road Manchester ?

[Scal]

Did the OSB become the Aqua Bar?

I think Rod and Dave may have done a few spots there in the 80's.

Do remember The John Bull pub in the city centre, near the entrance to the underground market, corner of Brown and Norfolk Streets....adjacent to Ivor's...Justin's.....Steve Glover's record stall?Probably around '78......Les Cokell used to play a few tunes on a Saturday dinner time.

Al Jackson, Hutchy etc; used to go there.

[Back Street Blue]

Never seen this old thread before!!.....(hope it's not too old for mods?)

Remember going in Sounds Saturday afternoons.....and nice to hear that The Motown, (which was over the C0-Op in Shaw), and the Magnet in

Oldham got a mention.

Another one that we made a trip to was the Watersplash in Salford, don't know how long it ran for....no f*cker there when we went!!

Edited November 28, 2013 by back street blue

[Guest oldsoulgit]

Remember Tiffs in Manchester, pipps think it changed to Placemate 7 or the other way round! spring gardens, Top of the town, Popin above the Coop in Moss side,

 

Bernadette's on Princess Parkway, The Oaks in Chorlton, 

 

Cheers Jim.

[Barry]

 I didn't buy it off him cos I wanted a kebab later.

 

 

   

[Citizen P]

Never seen this old thread before!!.....(hope it's not too old for mods?)

Remember going in Sounds Saturday afternoons.....and nice to hear that The Motown, (which was over the C0-Op in Shaw), and the Magnet in

Oldham got a mention.

Another one that we made a trip to was the Watersplash in Salford, don't know how long it ran for....no f*cker there when we went!!

Frack me.. The Watersplash...

 

Don't know if happened more than once when me, Brian Walker and Ricky Warburton tried to get it going...yes it was empty ..

 

Can't even remember the year-75/76 seems about right.

Edited November 28, 2013 by Citizen P

[Back Street Blue]

Frack me.. The Watersplash...

 

Don't know if happened more than once when me, Brian Walker and Ricky Warburton tried to get it going...yes it was empty ..

 

Can't even remember the year-75/76 seems about right.

Must've seen it in B&S?....and I coaxed my mates to come along.

Got there early so went in a little boozer just down the street....big ugly "Al Murray" type barman.

My mate Chris Buckley (RIP) was a bit of a wuss at the best of times and I can remember him saying "do you sell Guiness?"...

...and the bloke said..."Nah....do we f*ck!!!

Happy days.

[Drewtg]

Cut my soul teeth at the Chambers which was a youth club (no alcohol), heard all the early imports and Motown stuff there, also a similar club called the Motown in Shaw/Royton? There has been a Chambers reuinion in the past which was a massive turn out, it was fondly remembered by all who went there, no just the soulies.

I set up a Facebook page for Chambers but didn't get many takers. There was also Rochdale Tiffanies on Sunday nights with me and Dave Evison jocking.

[Jaco]

I set up a Facebook page for Chambers but didn't get many takers. There was also Rochdale Tiffanies on Sunday nights with me and Dave Evison jocking.

I must have gone to that because I can remember Dave Evison jocking there.

 

Surprised that there is not much of a take up for the Chambers Facebook page. That reunion was massive.

[Kegsy]

The Blue Rooms in Sale featuring Ian Levine. Rowntrees Sound.

 

 

Was the Rowntrees Sound actually  a club, did it do northern nights.?

I seem to remember it as more a pub/bar that we used

when passing through Manchester en route to somewhere else.

This was mainly because it was near Ralphs and Victoria station.

 

Kegsy

[Drewtg]

I must have gone to that because I can remember Dave Evison jocking there.

 

Surprised that there is not much of a take up for the Chambers Facebook page. That reunion was massive.

 

 

Yeah I agree. I went to a big re-union at the town hall in the early 90's. It was a benefit for Ben ------? or maybe Chris Shine. I was living in London at the time and made the trip specially.

[Drewtg]

Was the Rowntrees Sound actually  a club, did it do northern nights.?

I seem to remember it as more a pub/bar that we used

when passing through Manchester en route to somewhere else.

This was mainly because it was near Ralphs and Victoria station.

 

Kegsy

 

 

I think the "Rowntree Sound" was upstairs from the pub Rowntree Spring Gardens. Always sticks in my mind as it is were me and my mate went whilst waiting for the train on our first

 

visit to Wigan.

[Back Street Blue]

There was also Rochdale Tiffanies on Sunday nights with me and Dave Evison jocking.

Used to go to Rochdale Tiff's.....Searling did a spot or two I seem to remember?

[Scal]

Used to go in The Flying Horse before slouching up the hill onto that cobbled street for Rochdale Tiffs.

It was a place for "coming down" for a few of our chums after the excesses of the weekend.

It got turned into a roller-disco place by Bernard Manning Jnr.....I think!?

[Citizen P]

I think the "Rowntree Sound" was upstairs from the pub Rowntree Spring Gardens. Always sticks in my mind as it is were me and my mate went whilst waiting for the train on our first

 

visit to Wigan.

Ah the confusion..There were TWO Rowntrees

 

Rowntrees -Spring Gardens, which in later life became The John Bull-a few should remember that.

 

and

 

Rowntrees Sound on Cross Street/Corporation Street, which is the one most will remember as the Saturday night meeting place afore the train to Wigan...

 

Sound. had a "disco" downstairs, which grew up to be Rufus-jazz funk and all that doncherknow  

[Carty]

  Rowntrees sound   was a pub with a small disco behind that opened thurs to sat playing current soul and disco sounds  of the day,  The pub was THE  main meeting place for the Manchester soul crowd,   regulars included     Jonah, Johnny Mac ,  Steve Proudlove , Zan, Gordon Thompson , Ricky Warburton  Barry Big eyes , Steve Dodd,  Mad Tony, Eddie Battin,  and many  many more ,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Most trips to Wigan started here  and also the out of towners on route to Wigan would call in as it was near to the train station   , underneath was another club that at one point was called Rufus playing current imported soul mainly , Dj, Mike Shaft, who was also a regular in Rowntrees ,   Have read threads and stuff in books recently talking about the intimidating heirachy they encountered at some northern venues ,believe me, if you could handle Rowntrees , you could handle anywhere .                                                                                                      Still pass it regularly , sad to see it now as some soulless wine bar , Zinc i think it is called .                                      

[Carty]

Tony ! ( mad )   just writing similar , must have been at the same time      The John Bull also known as  Shorts for a time about 74 to 77 

[Drewtg]

Used to go to Rochdale Tiff's.....Searling did a spot or two I seem to remember?

 

 

Used to go in The Flying Horse before slouching up the hill onto that cobbled street for Rochdale Tiffs.

It was a place for "coming down" for a few of our chums after the excesses of the weekend.

It got turned into a roller-disco place by Bernard Manning Jnr.....I think!?

 

 

Yes Richard did do a spot or maybe two and no it did not get turned into a roller disco, I think that was somewhere else, Kingsway or somewhere.

 

If the original poster wants a playlist I could probably cobble one together (mine not Richards ).

[Soulfinger]

Gaetano's was in Back Piccadilly. Martin from Roger Eagle's Rafters Nights DJ'd there when I went.

 

Valentines in Chorlton used to have lots of good live acts.