Other venues I remember were the RAFA club and The Bombers in Gateshead. 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. Man that was a great band. I have fond if hazy memories of that weekend! 2. Marcus now lives in Leeds and is a professional artist. Those of us of a certain age will remember clubs like La Dolce Vita, Greys Club, the Cavendish and the Club AGogo. If anyone has any input on my post please respond. . Im not sure what Dave does now as my dad lost touch with him. I briefly played guitar with the George Ricco Band, rotating between Wetherals, La Dolce Vita and the Cavendish, 1965/66, Maggy Ross could be Maggy Heskith who died a few years ago. Its no wonder that London gangsters such as the Kray twins were keen to get in on the action. 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. Closed to become Ocean & Collins and has since rebranded as Bliss and is now Voodoo. We all used to gather around the juke box trying to get our favourite records played. One of them snapped my new tie in half trying to garrot me. The Sounds Londoner Ronnie Pipe on piano Herbie Flowers bass Des ??? They also used to play to a younger audience at the Hop in Whitley Bay. My social life started at the Cellar Club in South Shields, moved on to the GoGo whilst it was at its height, back to the Cellar (renamed the New Cellar and then the Chelsea Cat), with a few detours along the way via the Latino, Dolce Vita, Greys Club, Change Is and finally Julies. The Quay Club, which opened in 1965, was a popular venue in the sixties. After leaving the Invaders I played there regularly with Blues Band Vermen, with the late Keith Waring on lead and harmonica,Malcolm,ex lead guitar from Kylastrones,forget bass players name and Les Proud singer. Hi. Does anyone remember the Kontors band; Alan price, Chas Chandler, Bernie Maguian, Gordon Cleghorn, Nick Brandon, Chunky Bourne, Barry Preston? Pete Wallis. He also played at The Cavendish and LA Dolce Vita. From the Soap . I have googled and tried Face book but without any success. As a PS Leam Lane WMC still have a thriving group night on Fridays, they also have a first class resident duo in Dougie and Carl, not many if any clubs still have live backing for the turns. We have a photo of the inside of Change Is with girls ( no men in sight!) The club was initially owned and run by Mike Jeffery who went on to manage The Animals and Jimi Hendrix. thank you. Jean, I wonder if you could share any photos you may have of Bloomers nightclub. I had the Landlords bitter the following day in Wetherspoons and it tasted . I read all the stuff about The Maj and Rue And the Rockets, does anyone remember the resident DJ, a young girl (said to be the youngest professional DJ around. Hope all is well. Great bunch of guys. Buy Tickets . In relation to the Hendrix gig my dads uncle was the manager at the Haymarket Hotel and he reckons the band had a pint in the back room ,presumably before they went on or between sets, Great to see Germain up there looking as animated as ever ..pity there is not a music track download of everyone in action! oops sorry just found them under media -great stuff thanks. My wife Joan still meets up with the girls every week, Jen Sherwood, Eleanor Robson, Brenda Grieves, Marlene Charlton, Wendy Wilson, Ros Daly, Jean Orr, Elaine McCleod. Photo: sg Photo Sales 2.. Change Is opened with a flourish on 9th February 1969 with a promise of first class entertainment from the best acts around. Had some great evenings there in the late 1950s as well as any evenings at the Oxford Gallerys and the Majestic. In North Shields, for quite a long time in the 60s, the basement of The Jungle was a night club. Ive exhausted all avenues looking for answers. Fantastic read! Davey, worked at club agogo sadly passed away yesterday morning great man. Im always on the hunt for any photos of either, of these clubs and wondered if you had any at all. Driving my dads car along the wet cobbled Melbourne street to visit The New Orleans Jazz club on a winters night in the early 60s to see what I thought of the music / jazz experience set me up for life. Sharing the ladies toilets with the staff from the bus company in the same building. Where is she now I wonder. Thanks The Best Nightlife in South Shields - Tripadvisor Greys club is one of the few Newcastle Clubs that has been running since the sixties. Ken was great with fashions and always wore the latest gear, he got a job at City Stylish so we always tried to keep up with the latest trends. And Shani, you mentioned your Dad playing piano at La Strada, which my Dad did too wow, amazing. Thanks for the memories though, and keep up the good work. If I had three wishes . I am still alive!! Absolutely loved it. to commemorate these experiences I have recently cut a CD called Cats Nite Out on which I have included the R & R music we used then.I went on the sing throughout my life as a solo artiste, called Ray Donne for a period and then back to my real name. Also the GoGo and the majestic, many others wish I could turn the clock back, just to revisit these places. A slideshow of pictures taken at Laygate South Shields in the 50's & 60's.. Pictures by Bill Claverly & narrated by Janet Wylie He said, Dance with me and started doing what he called The Pickett. I also worked through Ivan Burchall, as well as for myself. It was fun to meet and party with many stars of the times, Marty Wylde, Kathy Kirby etc. Rob . Ive lost touch with my dad who was the bouncer with Tommy at the go go club. It was a great place to go to if you liked dancing which I did. Where did his photos go? I attended this event At the jazz cafe with my parents Barbara and Teddy Berg. Blue Parrot in Sunniside. Our selection of photographs from the ChronicleLive archive recalls 10 South Shields pubs, past and present. After he left the Gamblers he went to work for Ray Grehan. Wow Rue and The Rockets have certainly filled out ! I also wore a lot of mascara and false eye lashes which sometimes pealed off! Just discovered this site. Remember them all.. On the left, the dark haired lady is Barbara Young, and on the right is her sister Joan Young. old nightclubs in south shields - eztransport123.com Can you remember a guy called Louie who also worked at Change is? AGE OF AQUARIUS future existence. He gave me my proverbial 5 minutes of fame. I spend my time between Corbridge and Florida. He had a son with cerebal palsy who needed to attend Prudhoe hospital on a regular basis and he felt he needed some sort of base in the north east. Can anyone remember my dad, who was the manager of Change is nightclub in late 60s early 70s James/Jimmy Cowie a Scottish chappie from Aberdeen. Memories just keep flooding back of all those tremendous venues. Met my husband there and saw some great bands and stood next to Eric Burdon at the bar. The Mayfair Ballroom opened by the Mecca organization on 12th September 1961 and continued to be a major venue in the city for 38 years. He was a great man. Many happy memories flooding back. Had some good nights at the Majestic. Apparently thats where John first spotted me when I was dancing and that was all I was interested in at the time! The clubs Jeffrey ran in NEWCASTLE explain now why a lot of the music groups of the ROCK groups of the era needed 2 PULL!!! It was an eye opener for a very young me and I loved it. _____________________________________________________________________, Great memories of the 60s, I met my wife in the club agogo in 1966 and we are stll together, when I remember some of the groups , and artists that I saw live in the clubs back then its just amazing , great days ,Im on face book if anyone remembers me . - Mike Mezz. Are you David Coates from the Felling and Ken Cooper from Windy Nook ? Just stumbled across this, I am the son of David Finlay please put all your stories from the hay days so I can get some sort of history to pass on to my kids as my mother jackie and davey split up when I was a baby and I only have his reputation to talk of and dont know if what I am told is true. I was born in a Newcastle club (the Hillfield on Grainger Park Road, which my parents owned) and spent a lot of my late teens at the Pickwick in Whitley Bay (my home town), with frequent trips to Newcastle and the big-city night spots, mainly the Agogo, followed by the Cavendish and the Dolce Vita, or Greys if we were a bit flush. My mobile no is 07580452584. He can remember going over and taking shots of the area when he heard it was going to be pulled down. Has had a number of . Great memories. Good bands played there. We all gave up the Go-Go after Sloopys opened at about 1967, Then it was Change Is which changed to Bloomers where I met my wife Joan, and by that time everyone had moved on and got married, I got married in 1976 aged 27 and now still Happily married with 3 kids and 3 grandchildren . They did a lovely beans on toast. I was hired by Ron Markem and Bob Monkhouse In January 1969 as Reception Manager for the Change Is club. Best wishes, Trevor. Good times- great musicians. Bernie died a couple of years ago and I hear his collection of guitars were donated to The Sage. Roger, thanks for a great website, it continues to bring back memories some good, some bad and some unprintable. I am a cockney! Notify me of follow-up comments by email. My friend joy married Tommy. I was only 18/19 years old and really loved the beat, the melody the arrangement and have been hooked all my life. Men 69 Club Westgate Street plus MANY social clubs all around the North East. June I knew John Harker ( he was a freind of my brother Gordon) and I do know Ray Huntley I will have to pass on your compliments. Wright). Gigging in the North East 1965-1972. There were around a dozen night clubs with top acts appearing in the city every day of the week. `you may already have it? We used to wet the backs of our hands and press them onto someone elses hand trying to transfer the fluorescent stamp that was needed to get into JAZZ LOUNGE. He was a drummer at La Strada, South Shields and Sunderland, in the 60s, my mother Rita Clay was taking the money on the door, I remember going to the kids Christmas parties that Sandford Goudie used to put on for us, he also played at the Pickwick in Whitley Bay, I can remember his band was called The Opus Three, he then went on to form a band called Paulas People who were resident at The Blue Star Club, Newcastle. 9 South Tyneside nightclubs and pubs we loved and lost - Shields Gazette Sorry to waffle on just wanted you to sayhello if it should be by any chance the Bill Colwell from 1967/8 years at our Newcastle shop. You know, that little moving side to side that all the Motown groups did on tele. ___________________________________________________________________________. Most of the lads my age in 1972 aspired to have their hair like the lovely Marc Bolan. I went there quite a few times in the late 60s. He even stood in for the pianist who hadnt turned up on my Mum and Dads wedding day! i was a regular and married Vicky Hope a gorgeous bunny girl sadly she died 5yrs ago. ___________________________________________________________________________. The late Mike Carr appeared there as well as his brother Mike(vibes). I still meet up with Paddy Plunkett, Bob Ackers, Bill Ross, Bryn Pringle, Cass, Bill Ross, Bill Colwill about every month for afternoon coffee. Charity event bringing back DJ's from South Shields nightclubs Victors Trevor Chance. My father never wavered in his belief that Michael was not guilty of infamous murder of Angus Sibbet the fruit machine man/ and said he was odds on the fall guy. Thanks, Great memories, and thanks to everyone for sharing them. Billy Bottos. you? Equally we are desperately trying to find an internal shot of Scamps? Many people (including myself) have mentioned photographs, or rather a lack of them and I wondered if it would be at all possible to make a plea for any photos your readers may have relating to 60s clubland 1972, Please forgive me if this is something youve already covered but photos bring back so many memories it may be worth another go? 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. Like George I have been looking for pics for years. I remember seeing Sandford Goudie and his glamorous wife there regularly.We watched a young comedian called Jimmy Tarbuck performing, just before he came to fame at the London Palladium. During the late fifties and early sixties the Maj was a very popular venue for dancing. My boyfriend was working and was 15. We had a drink with him at the hotel and what a lovely man he is. I wonder if anyone would be able to help me to find them or is there a way I can access them without being a member? I was told that Davey FINLAY my dad was sent to prison for 10 years for something done down the country but as I dont really know him I cant say. old nightclubs in south shields - consultoresayc.co old nightclubs in south shields - jjbluesbar.com LA DOLCE VITA CRAZY NIGHTS!!! I would love to hear from anyone who is related to me. thankyou for bringing back fantastic memories every one. Brilliant site! The Guys and Dolls, Marimba and the El toro featured a lot in my life then, my sister Ann Taylor worked as a receptionist at the Turks and has contributed previously, happy days. My Dad used to make roulett tables for Ray Grehan in the 60s, Hi my name is Helen Findlay the daughter of Dave Findlay. I beleive he appeared at a number of clubs in Newcastle and the north east. I remember the DJ Dave, I thought he was so hip. John and I are celebrating our 39th wedding anniversary today and so have been looking back to when we first met in two very special nightclubs in newcastle (long gone but never forgotten) mainly Change Is (later known as Bloomers) and our very favourite place Scamps. there was a keyboard player and a drummer called Allan, who drove around Newcastle in a big left hand drive American car. We got on talking about old Sunderland and thats how I found out who he was. away from him: Jeffrey managed the ANIMALS & JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE like small club bands. Saw Ralph Brough our lead singer some years ago, we were running the Peterlee half marathon, theres a change. However most photographs Tom took were of customers and he sold them copies. Good Luck, Hi Jill, Just found a post from Jane Maddison whos dad Ken Maddison was my bandleader for many years after I left groups to settle down. [Just stumbled across this, I am the son of David Finlay please put all your stories from the hay days so I can get some sort of history to pass on to my kids as my mother jackie and davey split up when I was a baby and I only have his reputation to talk of and dont know if what I am told is true. I remember going to the GOGO, but could only go in young set. #93 Roger. Does anyone have memories of seeing the singer Dick Haymes at any of the following in Newcastle. The Tunnel nightclub, Jarrow, December 1991 (Image: NCJ Archive)1 of 9 Sylvesters nightclub in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, in Tyne and Wear, circa 1990s (Image: NCJ Archive)2 of 9 The Casablanca. Starting with the Downbeat Jazz Club in 1960 and most of the other venues mentioned. Jane Maddison, How are you? Enjoy the trip. Ownership changed hands around 1966 and eventually the Gogo closed its doors two years later after the Bailey Organisation opened a disconightspot called Sloopys above the La Dolce Vita. Like you and George I have searched through every possible website trying to find photos and memorabilia. Tommy Oxley worked as a part-time Court Usher then. Nobody danced once they came out. Hi Does anybody remember the Dolce Vita house band, a guy named Robbie was the bass player and I cannot remember the names of the drummer, organist and lead Guitarist. A personal perspective by Roger Smith. they played for various bands and clubs. She was the resident singer. any help would be great as they are my great uncles. 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. Great site and yes the Club Agogo was a Great Venue.I met my wife there in October 63 and we married in June 66.We are still together.Neville McKittrick the Invaders Singer was a colleague of mine at British Paints.Last I heard of him he had his own Paint Company in Canada.I would love to make contact again. JT, #74. old nightclubs in south shields - mail.fgcdaura.sch.ng Johny Sampson provided the music with Mirelle Grey and later Johny Heenan. Five nightclubs in South Shields that we lost within the last 10 years Often return back to the area and go walkabout. Unofficially, the jazz sessions at the Marimba continued long after midnight. La Dolce Vita was situated on Low Friar Street not far from the Mayfair Ballroom. Some of the guests hadnt seen each other for decades so there was a lot of catching up to do. Ah, Dusk! l have always lived in the North east area and found loads of old haunts from the 50s on here. Bars & Clubs By 688iang The range of beers and ciders is magnificent, all superbly kept by Kath and the staff. Yes my mate the late Geordie Short was the drummer, they were regulars at the Bombers club and Central club and were resident band at the now demolished Mount Pleasant club until Geordie passed away. power bi relative date filter include current month; old nightclubs in south shields. 17:50, 2 MAR 2023. I was just a nipper at the time but I remember my folks going to all those clubs as well as Change Is. I have great memories of spending many nights, years later, listening to Nigel Stanger and Lindolph DOliviera playing with the East Side Torpedoes too. to be just a newcastle club owner & darn with the peace & love universal. Jill, Hi Jill, The builders had only erected the wall a few days earlier HAPPY DAYS !!! Im talking late 50s early 60salso played the Newcastle Empire on a show called Carrol Levis discovery.bit like opportunity knockscame 3rd out of 20 so no fame and fortune .I am 73 now and I have always said the best years were without doubt the 60s..When you said next to London came Newcastlecorrect.