History recalled . Club a'GoGo , Newcastle upon Tyne .

[Andybellwood]

A great read about Club a’Gogo, Newcastle. 

'Alan Brack, a regular at the Club A’Gogo, remembers the club more for the DJs and the records they played than the bands that appeared there. Here’s what Alan has to say about the Gogo:

“It was by far the greatest club in the UK, even the planet for that matter and that’s an understatement! The Marquee (London), Pink Flamingo (London) … Twisted Wheel (Manchester), Mojo (Sheffield) etc. etc. – eat ya heart out! We all know about the list of every great band or artist that played there but sadly we tend not to mention the awesome, overwhelming, mesmerising dance and soul music that shook and vibrated the club dance floor to its foundations! Many a time the club members would be disappointed when the DJ switched off the music and announced the next act no matter who it was and that’s a fact. They were still in groove for the next belter. How on earth could an act follow the scintillating, fabulous, obscure rare foot stomping shattering soul / ska / Stax/ rhythm & blues music? – No contest!

Here’s a few unquestionable examples that shook that floor to its foundations Don Covay (Sookie Sookie); Rufus Thomas (Willy Nilly); Homer Banks (Sixty Minutes Of Your Love) – by far the best soul song ever; Willie Mitchell (Ever Things Gonna Be All Right); Shorty Long (Function At The Junction and his fantastic Shantilly Lace); Soul Brothers 6 (Some Kind Of Wonderful); William Bell (Never Like This Before ); Sam & Dave (You Got Me Hummin’).' 

 

Full article by Roger Smith from 13 years ago . https://readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/

 

[Chilli]

You're probably already aware of this, but Newcastle stalwarts Jools and Paul Donnelly have recently published a book covering the Club a'Gogo and Mod scene in 60s Newcastle. 

I've not bought a copy but I've heard good reports about it.  Further details here for anyone interested - https://www.clubagogo.co.uk/

 

 

 

[Roburt]

I got chatting with Darlington newspaper photo guy Ian Wright a few years ago (he's famous for many early Beatles / Stones pics) .. he told me that he would go to the Club AGoGo with his camera on a regular basis too back in the mid 60's.

He seemed to have no idea that his old pics taken in the club would be of interest to folk today.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58718909

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by Roburt

[Roburt]

A few gigs @ the club ... 

[ClubaGogo]

Thanks for sharing and yes we have published a book on the club ‘Club a’Gogo and the Mod Scene of 60s Newcastle’. The book has sold globally (currently sold out) and so far has received excellent reviews which we are delighted with. More books planned on the sun cult history is Newcastle. Cheers, Jools Donnelly 

[ClubaGogo]

Here’s the link to buy. Thanks Club a’Gogo Book

[Andybellwood]

Looks an outstanding 'must buy' imo. Suspect Ltd print run ? 

[Chilli]

On 26/07/2023 at 07:17, Andybellwood said:

Looks an outstanding 'must buy' imo. Suspect Ltd print run ? 

I think it does have limited print run, however I understand it's on it's third reprint so far

[ClubaGogo]

Hi there , it’s Jools. We self publish our book as we have our own publishing house (Handyside Arcade Publishing) we wanted to keep control over our book so we can reprint whenever we need to . A third print run has just been completed and the book is back in stock  which is good news! 

[Andybellwood]

Just ordered one ! 

[ClubaGogo]

Fantastic!! Give us a review when you’ve read it (hopefully a good one!!)

Cheers , Jools 

[Roburt]

ClubaGogo, did you approach Ian Wright about getting access to some of his 60's photos taken in the club ?

He lives in the US these days & gets lots of TV interviews coz of all his early NE England pics of the Beatles & Stones. The Beatles also took him with them to document their 1st US tour, so he's got loads of great pics from that too.

He worked for the Darlington newspaper (Northern Echo) back in the day & had left lots of his old negatives with the paper but they contacted him when they were clearing all their old stuff out & he came over to reclaim his 60's work product.

When a top UK theatre tour wasn't in the north-east, he'd go along to the Club aGoGo to take pics of the acts they had on there. 

 News: Legendary Photographer Ian Wright to Deliver a Talk About His Star-Studded Collection at Stockton Globe – NE Volume 

//nevolume.co.uk/culture/events/news-legendary-photographer-ian-wright-to-deliver-a-talk-about-his-star-studded-collection-at-stockton-globe/