Christmas Eve, 1968.

[Torch56]

[David Meikle]

I had no idea that it was opened in 1968.

Was Carl Dene playing rare soul then?

In my opinion it was second only to the Twisted Wheel. 

Loved their adverts in Blues and Soul.

The only thing about the Catacombs was it closed at 2am which was terrible for us travelling back to Glasgow from Wolverhampton!

https://bethanackerley.com/2019/01/14/the-death-of-the-cats-northern-soul-wolverhampton-catacombs/

 

Edited Tuesday at 16:41 by David Meikle
8second sentence added

[Mal C]

1 hour ago, David Meikle said:

I had no idea that it was opened in 1968.

Was Carl Dene playing rare soul then?

In my opinion it was second only to the Twisted Wheel. 

Loved their adverts in Blues and Soul.

The only thing about the Catacombs was it closed at 2am which was terrible for us travelling back to Glasgow from Wolverhampton!

https://bethanackerley.com/2019/01/14/the-death-of-the-cats-northern-soul-wolverhampton-catacombs/

 

Must have been some good parties going on after though? 

[Torch56]

Catacombs opening night was November 22, 1968, with 'Top Radio 1 DJ' Mike Raven the star attraction. Carl Dene, known in those days as Farmer Karl, joined the roster in December, having been invited to do so because of his Chateau Impney reputation.

Despite what was proclaimed in those Blues and Soul adverts, the Cat's rarely closed as late as 2 a.m. and frequently much earlier. Even in its 1973 heyday (post Torch, pre Wigan) proceedings were halted at 1 a.m. leaving an enthusiastic crowd seeking alternative arrangements.

I recall being impressed by a group of lads who had travelled from Carlisle one night so hats off to Dave Meikle for making it to the Cat's from Glasgow.

[David Meikle]

Mal, we were unaware of parties when Cats closed at 2am

Torch,  between 1970 and 1973 I attended Twisted Wheel (10 times), Blackpool Mecca, Up The Junction, Golden Torch, Blackpool Casino club, Mr Smiths  Manchester, Rowntrees Sound in Manchester.

Like John Smith I  had free travel on the railway which explains my frequent visits to the North of England.

When I went to Cats, the place was heaving and I remember seeing many Wheel regulars there because the latter had closed a few months earlier.

Perhaps that explains me remembering it closed at 2am that night. Memory is fading now, so could be wrong.

There was an image on a cd of two guys looking at records on a BR trolley.

That always reminds me of Wolverhampton station for some reason.

Special memories.

 

 

 

[Mal C]

forward 20 years, If I'd stayed at the Old Vic, which was a soul night like the Cats, I could either stay at a mate’s, who was at Wolverhampton Uni, or call the old man, who would begrudgingly come and pick me up, we were living south of Solihull then, so he could do a round trip.

All I remember of Wolverhampton Station; was it was bloody cold in Jan and Feb... not the best place to spend any more than an hour waiting.

Pete Smith popped a pic of him at B’ham Locarno on FB tonight, that was 79, was the B'ham Locarno a destination back in the late 6ts early seventies?

[Olivernorth]

l frequented the Sunday northern soul night/dayers at the Birmingham Lacarno from 76 onwards usually after attending Wigan or Yate Saturday nighters, unaware of it earlier than that but others may enlighten

[Roburt]

In the mid 60's, most venues booking soul acts (US & UK based) were 'cellar like' clubs -- the Mojo, Wheel, Nite Owl, Club A Go Go, Gliderdrome, California Ballroom, Dungeon, Beachcomber, Boulevard, Blue Moon, Birdcage & numerous London clubs + various Uni venues across the UK. Venues like the Place, Hanley, Clouds, Derby & Golden Torch were already involved too.

It soon became evident, even to the 'square' bookers for the big ballroom chains that they'd do good business following suit. So a few dipped their toes in & booked acts like Geno Washington, Jimmy James, Jimmy Cliff (who was still doing soul back then), etc.

Stevenage Mecca (a Locarno ballroom) & the Palais (Newbury) were in early. The Locarno, Streatham; Top Rank, Reading & Locarno, Coventry soon also joined in. The Coventry Locarno must have done well as they soon started to book such acts on a regular basis. Word must have spread to other ballroom chain managers as next up was the likes of Sheffield Locarno, Locarno, Bristol, Locarno Wakefield (I went to a couple of nights there), Top Rank, Brighton & Royal Pier, Southampton (a Mecca venue). Others quickly followed; the Locarno, Derby and Tottenham Royal (Mecca), Donny Top Rank (my local ballroom venue), Leeds Mecca, Top Rank, Bristol and the Skyline, Hull (a Co-op owned venue - another I used to go to).

With all those other Locarno's (& similar 'chain' ballrooms) doing good business booking soul acts from 1966 onwards, I'm sure that the Brum venue must also have gotten involved -- especially with the like of Coventry's Locarno rebooking acts such as Jimmy James on a regular basis from early 67 onwards.