• We have a short feature in the February 2012 issue of Shindig! Magazine.
• The BMA has recently received publicity alongside The Mandrakes in an article for the Scarborough Evening News.
• We are now working with various lecturers and universities in offering the archive as an educational resource for use in existing modules related to popular culture, arts, media and audio engineering.
• We are working with localised youth and arts initiatives in offering the archive for use as part of their educational programs.
• We are endeavouring to promote the archive to the educational director at the British Music Experience (an exhibition of British popular music) based in the O2 bubble in London.
• We are currently producing a short programme for radio broadcast in 2013/14.
RECENT NEWS:
The British Music Archive will soonhave it's own channel on www.youtube.com where some selected content can be further enjoyed along with some recently discovered live footage of The Mandrakes featuring Robert Palmer as mentioned elsewhere in this newsletter.
The British Music Archive is now working with www.punkbrighton.co.uk in hosting previously unreleased recordings by bands from the Brighton area in the punk era. Please check the highly entertaining punkbrighton website for more details and for a fascinating look into the punk rock underground music scene in that area during the 1970s.
Please check our Twitter page for updates to the archive (BritMusArc). We are continuously adding artists and updating information.
Dave Allen and Mick Cooper who performed in Portsmouth bands' Rosemary and Heaven respectively have published a book entitled 'Pompey Pop' which showcases a plethora of original photographic memorabilia from Pompey's historical and vibrant music scene. View link: http://www.pompeypop.co.uk/Pompey_Pop/Welcome.html
Fairview studios based in East Riding, Yorkshire has produced a double CD that features numerous acts who ventured into and recorded at this little-known studio. Producer and musician, Keith Herd was the original founder and together with Rick Kemp and Barry Paterson, formed a songwriting team known as Fairview productions writing hits for artists such as Roger Bloom's Hammer. Clients included Robert Palmer, Michael Chapman, Def Leppard and Mick Ronson to name a very few! More details regarding the history of the studio and details on how to obtain the CD itself can be viewed here: http://www.frontroommasters.org/CD.html
Bill Hart who runs the great archival website dedicated to documenting bands from the past in Lancashire has published a book entitled Lanky Beat (named after his website) which can be purchased from:
In 1996ish at the Albion pub in New Brighton, Wirral, The Copycats were part of a packed show for the Merseybeat Story with Harry Prytherch of Liverpool band The Remo Four.
Our line-up that day was John Kendrick: R-I-P, John Cross on my Fender Telecaster rhythm guitar, Carl Hardin on drums and me, Gerry Eccles on lead. Earlier in the afternoon Atomic Kitten played -that was well before the girls had their first ever hit record. The Copycats played later at night.
Roll-up to see my new band Gerry's Hatrics playing at Lankykats and also, news has it that Lankykat John Cross will be bringing his new band 'Junction' to play soon.. We'll keep ya posted.. Yey! Gerry Eccles: April 2012
THE STAR CLUB - HAMBURG
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS ON..
Me 'n Horst Fascher meet in the home of Merseyrats in The Lathom in 2010. He was promoting his first book - 'Horst Fascher: The Guy Who Brought..' - and I was celebrating the Mersey Sound Wave guitar exhibition at The Beatles Story in Liverpool.
Horst was the first-ever manager of The Star Club and he also acted as mentor and guide to vulnerable young groups of musician's turning up from Liverpool and the north-west etc in the early 1960's - one such band was The Beatles.. Bill Hart: April 2012
Gerry Eccles of The Envoys shares this fab piece of memorabillia with Lanky Beat readers - Thanks Gerry..
RADIO CAROLINE
The MV Fredericia on July 4 1964 moving to Ramsey Bay,
the Isle of Man and changing name to Radio Caroline North.. giving the station almost national coverage of the UK.
Downtown Chicargo - Saturday morning market -1967
Bob Nasca sent this pic to Lank Beat for no other reason than to show we Lankylanders a cool glimpse of what it was like in his US hometown during the sixties. These guys are true performers - and they would pitch up every Saturday morning to strut their stuff in the early morning Chicargo sunshine.
Look at the depth of concentration on that drummer's face. The bass player and the lead guitarist are looking tight together and the superb showmanship from the rhythm guitar man is a real eye-catcher. They are using top-notch gear. Not sure about the PA system though.. one mic' on a single stand connected to what..? And could that be a power cable dropping down from the middle window frame?
In the foreground farmer John is temporarily distracted whilst the local 'hood' behind him checks the band out for their star-making potential.. Either that or he's come to collect his 'pitch protection money'. Thanks for the pic Bob! Mmmm.. Fancy that pork chop! Bill Hart: March 2012
? ? ? ? ?
"Who and where is this" No, it's not a quiz question. Lanky Beat would luv to hear from you if you can tell us anything at all about this mystery guitar man - and did he escape unharmed from that sudden bolt of lightning?
RONNIE & MALC' REMEMBER.. That fantasic night The Beat Boys played with The Rolling Stones at Wigan Empress Hall in 1963..
A couple of priceless pics sent in by Ronnie Carr of The Beat Boys. Malc' Grundy - lead guitar - enjoys a bedroom jam with Ronnie's son Robert on bass.
Ronnie Carr: March 2012
"Right lads I've been paid. Next stop! Motorway Cafe.."
February 2012: Duff News.. The House Of Commons passed a bill last Friday whereby publicans do NOT now need a live music licence if the audience capacity is less than 200. Hopefully this will encourage more live music in pubs. And more opportunities for young musicians.. 'AS LONG AS IT IS NOT AMPLIFIED MUSIC AND WHERE ALCOHOL IS ON SALE!'
LANKYTALK..
A Lankykat talks about his mother making tea for Rory Gallagher, jamming with Albert Collins in Florida and stepping in to play bass with John Lee Hooker at the age of 16 in Wigan's Bluesville Club in the 1960's.
Chris Bannister of 'Lost Wax Podcast' interviews legendary musician Michael ‘Mitch’ Mitchinson of Wigan bands Frenz,Ipso Facto and Pokie.
We are a small & casual restaurant in downtown Vancouver and we are looking for solo musicians to play in our restaurant to promote their work and sell their CD. This is not a daily job, but only for special events which will eventually turn into a nightly event if we get positive response. More Jazz, Rock..., & smooth type music, around the world and mixed cultural music. Are you interested to promote your work? Please reply back ASAP.
Reply:
"Happy new year! I am a musician with a big house looking for a restauranteur to promote their restaurant and come to my house to make dinner for my friends and I. This is not a daily job, but only for special events which will eventually turn into a nightly event if we get positive response. More fine dining & exotic meals and mixed Ethnic Fusion cuisine. Are you interested to promote your restaurant? Please reply back ASAP."
Via Facebook: January 2012
An Eve' of Chalk and Cheese..
Natural talent will always cut through like the proverbial hot knife through butter.. and so was last Saturday night when I took to the road back to Wigan to see two former 60's bands in concert - as different in styles as chalk is to cheese.
'JUNCTION 27'
Garswood is a cool but sleepy-tiny village of two pubs, a social club and a petrol station. In, out and not much shaking it about here on the hill between Wigan in the north, St Helens in the south with the M6 Juction 26 within a midges whisker away.
Now, a £1 entrance fee and an instant leap into the time warp.. Cosy and comfortable they sat - but I felt I had just lowered the average age in here by twenty years - and I'm 65.. Immaculate is the word to describe the 'concert' room. Fitted Axminster, maple dance floor, stage at knee high and bar staff wearing wall-to-wall winning smiles.. The bingo caller is announcingtonight's forthcoming attraction - "'Junction 27' - three lads all the way from Wigan." The reason I am here..
Malc' - Alan B - Alan T.
These three 'lads' are personal friends of mine and we go back to childhood school days and our teen years playing in a group together and starting as the Shyms, then Tynfoil and a more recent manifestation as 'Something Catchy.. On and off we have clocked up for getting on to fifty years. Success is 10% talent and 90% hard work. Or if you like - 100% success = 100% enthusiasm. Whatever way you want to measure it.. success is simply about having a gig to look forward to playing next week. We never needed anything else - fame - that was for somebody else to have a go at; 'eh lads..?'
The band Junction 27 are named after the M6 motorway near to where each of them live and now they are in action playing and getting paid for the first of two 45 minute sets at their very first gig using [for them] a new Cultural Performance Enhancement Unit: Viz-a-viz; backing tracks.
From being a live band for many years with heavy weight gear to lug around, they are now positively light-weight. And light-weight was always the name of the game too when it came to agreement's on choices of preferred music back then as of now.. Harking unashamedly back to the top of the poppermost pop-chart musical era of all time - the 1960's - they sqeezed in a few present day chart toppers too - they quickly established themselves as crowd pleaser's in spades. The audience went on to lap them up.
"Warra doing this New Years Eve?" asked the club's social secretary to the band. That indeed is the ultimate accolade. The one and only measure of success you'll ever need in this business - but it can only happen if you're talented enough and hard working enough to let the hot knife slide through the proverbial butter. Bob-on lads - great stuff- and here's to the next fifty years.
'COPPER KETTLE'
"The shortest of journey on the M6 has to be beween the two access points of the same M6 Junction - No 26. The northern and southern parts must be two miles apart with one in Marus Bridge and the other in Ashton In Makerfield - hence it must hold the record for the 'shortest' distance you can possibly travel on any British Motorway between two junction's - but this is the 'same' junction. I'll let you work that one out! A five minute drive between club car parks nailed it for me - without breaking any of the speed limits - honest!
Paying once again a £1 entrance fee - but this time coughing-up to the most surly faced female I have encountered in years. She had face like a slapped bottom.. like a walrus chewing a nettle it was! No matter though. I'm over it now!
I went in and took the pic above. Copper Kettle were in full flag. The place buzzed like a low flying RAF helicopter display. Goose Green LC - or Goose Gwas as the locals call it - was rocking tonight. 'Nights In White Satin' by the Moody Blues was the show-stopper and the guitar intro' was longest I have ever heard. Luckily, I found myself a seat - next to Mr & Mrs Keith Wright - evergreen rocker's just like me. The lighting rig and the volume of this six-piece outfit were befitting of any major rock concert to which I have ever been and seen.. its just that this setting was smaller than 'Arena's', where such events usually happen - and it was much cosier and intimate too.
There was much movement from crammed-in bodies. Customer's were promenading betwixed tables and bar areas - which is the 'norm' in such a northern place.. A dozen young dancers emerged on the dance floor as Copper Kettle took their well deserved and resounding applause in their stride. Soul music now in the form of 'Midnight Hour' and 'Mustang Sally' filled the dance floor further. It was eleven pm by now - a time not to long ago when a bell would have rung out and shouts of 'last orders please' would be heard - in other words - time to 'double up' on the ale. But not any more. This mixed aged audience were winding up for a big time finish some time preferably early tomorrow morning - a Sunday.
Jimmy Dyke - the lead singer was celebrating his state pension age - and Roy Gaskell the drummer was administering the rights. "We're doing awreet 'ent we," and the crowd roared their fond approval. "Yes Roy, you lads are doing just fine!" I thought - as 'happy birthday to you..' was ringing out.
Another such bunch of talented lads whose longevity is still hacking the hot knife through the butter - sorry! - after nearly fifty years. And still filling the venues too.. after all these years. Oh! I nearly forgot. 'Winston' were on as well - But more about them again - some time soon.."
Many grateful thanks go Winston - for the use of your Fab gear.. Jimmy D.
Hi Bill
’’
Thanks for bobbing in to Goose Green and seeing us on Saturday. I play with both bands so I was never off stage that night.
It was great to still attract such an audience, and I wish everyone who turned up sincere thanks - I for one put it down as 'one to remember'.
Next time you come watching us (17th December Goosewaz) introduce yourself, Bill - I'm the one that does the long solo's. If anybody is interested Winston are on at Windle Labour Club, St Helens 27th Aug.
Thanks Bill for a great site. Eddie Leverington: Copper Kettle & Winston’’
Drummers Johnny Sawyer and Bobby Graham do a friendly 'battle of the drums' based on
Gene Krupa's famous drum solo 'Skin Deep' at Butlins Holiday Camp in 1960.
Bobby Graham played here with Billy Gray & The Stormers then onto The Outlaws, Joe Brown & The Bruvvers, Marty Wilde & The Wildcats, The John Barry Sevenand then went on to become the 1960's most prolific rock session drummer of all time. Amongst his countless recording credits are Brenda Lee, The Nashville Teens and The Kinks.In June I962 Brian Epstein had asked him to 'replace Pete Best in The Beatles..' he turned them down. www.bobbygraham.co.uk
"Johnny Sawyer played professionally in his early career with The Squadronaires RAF Band before coming to Leigh from Wales and marrying a local girl. He got a regular job with Leigh's Jess Greenough Orchestra who were resident at the Hindley Monaco Ballroomwith whom he played for many years and then went on to play a few years at Bolton Casino.
He had a great love of jazz and did quite a bit of that with the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra and also Leigh Jazz Club which he helped to form. He ran a music shop in Leigh where everyone used to call in for a chat. His most famous caller being the bandleader Andy Prior whom he always advised and believed in. Together they formed the Andy Prior & Johnny Sawyer Orchestra of Leigh. A great man and drummer. Sadly Johnny passed away a couple of years ago."
Ronnie Carr with Bill Hart: February 2011
Johnny checks-out Bobby's 'bow' towards the audience.
Drummer's Nerdy Note:
Both drummer's sticks are an unusually longer length than might be regarded as normal for the time. A 'normal' A5 stick is 16" long. These two pairs of sticks could be up to 2" longer at 18". They were also a 'thin' stick which offered lighter weight and the extra length giving more leverage power. The combinations of a longer and thinner stick meantobtaining quicker and faster uptake
responses as would be essential for a solo as long and intricate as Skin Deep.
Bill Hart: February 2011
Pics courtesy: Ronnie Simms: February 2011
?..UNKNOWN BANDS..?
"Who are they?"
Band A Band B Band C
"I am a retired press photographer having worked 42 years for Wigan newspapers. I was a member of Wigan Casino in the beat group days and consequently took a few pictures there. I am currently putting a book together with pictures about my years on the paper's including a section on The Wigan Casino Club and wonder if anyone can identify the three pics that I have attached taken by me in the late 1960s or early 1970s. I think the two sets of twins were on Opportunity Knocks. I would be very grateful for any help from Lanky Beat readers in identification."
"I went to Goose Green LC last night to see Winston and Copper Kettle. Brilliant show by both bands, a credit to them.
It was a lovely, friendly evening meeting people that I had not seen for many years. The bands did themselves proud and everyone went home happy - as it should be."
Below is a link to one of the best pieces of sound engineering ever. This is a video of street singers from around the world being recorded, overlayed and mixed with one another while singing the song "Stand By Me".
It is a marvel to listen to and watch. They all deserve to be heard. The finished product is tremendous!
Usually, a contract with a major record company allows the artist to release three singles. That given contract would be maintained, re-negotiated, sold to another company - if possible!,etc., depending on the success of the singles.
Many, if not most, 1960s bands failed with their first single - some even failed on the second attempt. It took The Kinks three goes to break the charts - their first single completely flopped and their second single did not do much better, either!
Had two minor hits before scoring big with 'Yeh Yeh..' 14-01-1965: Two weeks at No 1 - 12 weeks in the charts.
Here is a short list, in alphabetical order, of single flops..
Artwoods (All five Decca singles flopped)
Marc Bolan (All early singles flopped) David Bowie (All early singles flopped) The Beach Boys (First four singles were flops) Dave Clark Five (First four singles were flops) Spencer Davis Group (First two singles were flops) The Escorts (All six singles failed) Adam Faith (& the Roulettes) (First two singles flopped) Georgie Flame (& the Blue Flames) (First two singles were very minor hits) Genesis (All three 1960s Decca singles flopped) The Herd (First three singles flopped) The In-Crowd (All three singles flopped) Elton John (First three singles were complete flops) Tom Jones (First single flopped) The Kinks (First two singles flopped) The Long & the Short (Two Decca singles failed) The Love Affair (First single completely flopped) Manfred Mann (First single failed)
The list goes on and on..
If all artists had only been given one chance, therefore, all judgement made from the success or failure of their first single, then most of the famous names would never occurred.
Bands such as; Queen, Slade, Deep Purple, Genesis, U.F.O., Black Sabbath, T. Rex, Alice Cooper, Sweet, Thin Lizzy, ABBA, Samson, New Order, R.E.M., U2, Bon Jovi, A-HA, Take That, Radiohead. All failed to make any impact with their first single.
Probably, regarded as our three top UK male performers - Elton John, Rod Stewart, David Bowie all failed with their first singles - it took them between
3 - 6 years to have a chart hit."
Ian Poulson: January 2011
At Belle Vue with the infamous Bobs Rollercoaster in the background.
16th of May 1964.
"Wearing drain-pipe trousers, winkle-picker shoes, hair in a quiff and Diane with a beehive hair-do and flowered dress - we posed to best effect in the old but golden days."
"I am in shock. I have just learned that we have lost Stuart - this within days of the loss of Oggie. two dear old mates - and The Membranes. I’ve already written a couple of stories about Stuart so I’ll just add a couple of memories of him as a kind of eulogy.
Stuart was 17 when I first met him, he was drumming in a band called The Dominant Four. They used to practice in a garage at the back of Stuarts dad’s shop, Kilshaw’s Butchers on Gerard Street in Ashton, it was the first live band I‘d ever seen. On rhythm guitar was Alan Hodson (Oggie), another band member was reputedly Kym Marsh’s dad. (Before Hearsay, Kym used to sing at the Golden Lion, one block up from Kilshaw’s).
Me and my mate Wally Hesketh wanted to start our own band and we got to know Oggie. meeting him regularly in Dickenson’s Temperance Bar in Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield. Stuart was a regular too. Oggie left. The Dominant Four and we formed Oggie & The Membranes, Stuart followed to join us a year later.
Stuart worked for his dad and he had half-day closing on Wednesdays. I was still at school and used to ‘wag it’ to go off somewhere with him (he could drive). We usually ended up in Liverpool or Manchester or we would go Ten- Pin Bowling in Leigh - that was the nearest bowling alley then, next to the canal. I think it’s a supermarket now?
I used to stay over at Stuart’s house sometimes when his parents had a weekend away - the parties!.. Oh! The parties!.. No - I assure you - we behaved ourselves. Stuart’s mother had a sun-lamp, which is supposed to effectively treat acne. Since I was a sufferer I gave it a go. Of course I overdid it. For the next week I looked like a beetroot and the week after I resembled The Singing Detective. It worked on the acne though. Stuart was in stitches, not giggling, I mean proper laughter. Stuart had a laugh like a machine gun. Later on, he bought a Lotus Elan convertible, a white one with orange stripes. It was the ultimate poser’s car, He used to zip around Ashton, the engine screaming in second gear, frightening the life out of me and everybody else. His party trick was to drive with his left foot on the accelerator and wave his right leg out of the window. He was only slightly mad, unlike some people we know.
Stuart’s dad got a gleaming new Bedford van, which Stuart borrowed to take us to gigs. After playing one Sunday night at The Room at the Top we came down to find it covered in lipstick-graffiti, it took him till after three am to clean it off, then he had to go to work at 5.30 - not a happy bunny. I remember playing the Ocean Room, Blackpool Tower when Stuart’s drum stool collapsed. All that could be seen of him were two little arms sticking out from behind the bass drum, it looked like the drums were playing themselves (the first drum machine?). On another occasion - I think it was the Co-op Ballroom, Farnworth? - the stage had a podium on which Stuart set up his drums. During the last spot there was a terrific crash as his whole kit slid off the podium, then off the stage - snare drum and tom-tom were sent rolling across the dance floor. Keith Moon must have heard about this because shortly afterwards he incorporated something similar into The Who’s act.
"I remember 'Never Never', great band. Shaun Groves (not sure if I have got Shaun right?) son of Joe and Beryl (Wayne Groves) still in touch."
"I was sax player in the Ric-Tic Soul Band in the late 80's early 90's. They used to have 'Room At The Top Club' revivals at the Norley Hall Cricket Club, Wigan. We jammed with the drummer from Copper Kettle and some members of other 60's group's who's names I can't remember."
"I was a student at St John Rigby VIth Form College at the same time as Stuart Maconi (BBC Radio & TV broadcaster & Writer). At the time, Stu was lead singer with a punk-ish band, Les Flirts. They performed at the College and at other venues as well. I remember their gig in Pemps Club, Wigan."
Sixties TV Ad.
"There was a young girl from Southend Who had only three-pence to spend But what could be nicer Than a Pendletons Twicer Ice cream with a lolly each end."
"Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames' and Alan Price of The Animals once did a gig at the top of Hall Lane, Hindley, Wigan in the late 60s. It was in held a marquee in a field on the Borsdane Wood side of Hall Lane,
William Leyland of the L E Agency organised it. One of the guests was Jennifer Moss of Coronation Street fame. I had my photo taken with her sat on my knee. It rained very heavily during the evening and most of the night. lan Price stole the show with his song 'The Amazing Dancing Bear'. ^Mark Calder: Wigan World 2008
"At the Castle Youth Club over top of the Tory Club in Hindley, 'The Vaqueros' were regulars and I always found it hard to get out of the Fingers Pub after the break.
I loved 'The Undertakers' from Liverpool. The singer used to climb out of a coffin and they always played 'I'm A Hog For You Baby' and 'Poison Ivy'. The Vulcans from Newton-le-Willows were also regulars.
"'Jump In The Woods' and are currently playing around
Wigan and Skelmersdale.
I have been playing in various bands in and around Wigan since the early ‘70s. 'Jump' is the current line up and we play predominantly ‘70s material (still goes down the best!). Dave the keyboard player is likewise and was a regular at the Wigan Casino’s all-nighter's. Not only were we there at the time, we continue to this day!"
Steve Corless: May 2010
~
^Are republished by kind permissions of Wigan World
The Theatre Royal was the former name of Leigh Casino.
Located at the side of the new building perimeter in
Silk Street, Leigh, opposite the main Post Office.
*RONNIE CARR
2008
LEIGH TOWNSHIP AWARD
GOOD CITIZEN
This award was made to Ronnie Carr for services to the local community.
"Ronnie worked tirelessly for the restoration and commemoration of a now demised Leigh Casino. Sadly the Casino was demolished save for the original headstone situated over the front door.
The Leigh Casino Headstone now stands adjacent to the old site as a tribute to the importance of this famous local venue. Here just about anybody who was anybody in the music business at sometime or other played.. including The Hollies and The Beatles."
Bill Hart: October 2010
~
Barry Tarbucks 'Sassy' Wigan..
Orrell British Legion was one of the biggest flesh-pots of all time.
People would come from as far away as Hindley which is a fair way when having to bus-it because they halted at the terminus which was just down the road from the Legion. Only running every half-hour, you had to catch the 10.30pm bus back so as not to miss the connection from Wigan or you were walking home.
The Legion was not very big. As usual a square room with the stage at the bottom end of the room, bar at the top end. At the entrance there were two doors one to the main room and one to the games room. Usually tere was no entrance charge; this to get drinks at a reasonable price and lure lots of ladies.
The music was a bit dated but that didn't matter as the object of the night was to pair up with one of the ladies which were a little older than the nymphets that were in Wigan.It had a big car park and it was always full. When you had been going a few weeks you could tell who was with whom and the intrigue they went to hiding that they were already paired up, needless to say most of them were married.
The ladies who were already paired up would dance with men who thought they were in with a chance and it was funny to watch them knowing that he was not in with a chance. On some occasions the person with whom she was paired with would if he thought things were getting a bit too friendly excuse the man she was was dancing with. Then a couple disappeared and then reappeared; no need to elaborate on what had just happened.
Never knew of any trouble there. This was because it would have drawn attention to the people who where going regularly; something most people wanted to avoid. It was unlikely that you would get to know one of the ladies the first time you went as they had to weigh you up first and ask other ladies did they know you and what you were about? All-in-all, not a place for the latest music but one for the getting to know you.
There was another club that was prominent in Wigan too. It was called the King of Clubs and was in a place that most people will not remember but it was one of the places to be when it first opened. It was down a side street joining King Street to Library Street.
The K of C was alive with group's from all over the place. It was not what you would call the best of venues but always full, just a square room with a bar on the left hand side as you went in and a stage at the bottom of the room. I seem to think that it had its own gambling area but not quite sure about that?
(Perhaps Lanky Beat readers would know?).
In those days it seemed that if building space became available someone would turn it into a Club. As is today most of the clubs and music venues where all around the centre of Wigan. Places like New Town Workingmen's Club, Swinley Labour Club and West Ward Labour Club on dance nights all come to mind.
After the groups had moved on in the mid 1970's Wigan's music-scene changed considerably. In town it went from being Night Club's to Fun Pub's - which, to say the least, were somewhat outrageous places.
The Tavern was one of the first to convert from Newtown Workingmen's Club.
This was the latest thing in town in the 1980s and early 1990s; it was your typical layout for a Disco Pub. A long room with dance floor at the bottom no other entertainment other than the music and of course - the ladies.
Clowns Bar was a little different to the other Fun Pubs. This was the first supporting Gay Pub with outlandish dancing performed by the staff on the bar tops and wearing skimpy clothes that left very little to the imagination. Upstairs is where you could take a lady for a quite chat and make future arrangements.
Henry Africa’s Bar was the most outrageous of them all. Openly, the Gay's were not afraid to show they were gay, and the stage acts were so blue that the shows there must have been bordering on the illegal. 'DJ' Davinia was one of the main acts. A transvestite that had the signature song of 'I Am What I Am'. Their clothes touched were they fitted and showed-off lots for-all-to-see. These days its called The Britannia Inn at Almond Brook, Standish. Just another typical pub resturant with a notorious hidden history.
The daddy-of-them-all for gays - as the owner Jimmy Collins was a gay man -was The Mabbs Cross Hotel in Standishgate. You could stop in there all night if you were one-of-the-set. It had a dance floor, three bars and a room that was used for after hour's lock-in's. It was situated in the middle of the Hotel so no one (the police) could see the lights burning and if they did - everyone was passed-off as a Hotel Resident anyway. So typically, it was empty-all-out and into the street at about 4 a.m. in the morning.
~
"Joe Moss told me about your Lankybeat website the other day and I have just had a quick look at it and I have to say it looks great, what a great idea. I have loads of info and pics about my early links with the Houghton Weavers, The Answers and Rainbow Cottage plus records and live recordings if required. I will start to gather it all together and will be in touch with you soon."
Brian Gibbs: The Answers: June 2010
"Just to say what a great web site. Keep up the good work.
I was with a band in the mid-sixties called The Nutterz. We were based in the sticks in mid-lankyland nr Clitheroe. Three of us are still living in the area but Joe Webbers our drummer moved to South Wales to marry a girl from Cardiff and we lost touch soon after that. I am 60 this year and plan to have a reunion of the band to celebrate. It could be that he might read your site and get back in touch through Lanky Beat and complete the line-up as it was back then, so we can once again be complete Nutterz."
R. Supwood: May 2010
~
John Lennon's Egg & Chips..
A John Lennon story..
"When I was about five years old, I had a very good mate by the name of Philip Garvin. We stayed friends until we both got married when we lost touch. However, through Friend's Reunited we are now in touch again. Philip’s mum used to work for a firm called ‘Roy Cafe’ and they used to do all the catering for The ABC Ritz Cinema in Wigan, when all the stars used to perform there.
When The Beatles were on, John Lennon asked for his favourite dish, which was double egg and chips. When the food was served John was busy talking as usual and Philip’s mum said to him, ‘Come on John, eat your chips, they’re getting cold.’
John replied, ‘Well sit on ‘em missus and keep them warm.’
Philip’s mum gave him a slap and said, ‘John Lennon or no John Lennon, don’t be cheeky or you‘ll get another slap.’
The best thing about that night was the fact that we had two tickets to see The Beatles. From what I can remember, I couldn’t hear much, but at least I can tell my kid's that I saw the best band in the world!"
Billy Winston: September 2010
GS VINYL RECORDS
'IF GEORGE HASN'T GOT IT -
HE CAN GET IT!'
30,000
Vinyl's in stock..
On the middle-left opp' the ramp..
just off Tulketh (main) Street. Southport, Merseyside.
~
JackMathews..
'Just a little thank you to Jack Mathews'.
"In 1972 I had my much loved Shaftesbury twelve-string guitar stolen from The Plaza Night Club in St Helens. Jack was fantastic with me and let me take loads of guitars from the shop in Hallgate, Wigan to try out. I had a Gibson SG, Epiphone Casino, Shergold, Yamaha, until finally, I settled on a Fender Telecaster. You don't get that level of service buying
on the net. Top bloke and he became a good friend.
It was Dawsons Music in Hallgate before they moved into Grimes's Arcade in King Street. Before Dawsons opened in Hallgate, there was another music shop in the same street called Melody House. There was a red Watkins Joker amp' in the window with red vinyl covering. It had a Copycat tape echo built-in and a mic' stand came out of the top.
Wow!!!!"
Mitch Mithinson: August 2010
"Jack used to play piano in the big bands arround the area, namely the Charlie Booth Orchestra at Formby HallAtherton in 1960-63ish and lots more venues of the time. Great gentleman as Mitch said, nothing too much trouble for you. I know he worked at Dawsons and also went into the social clubs backing act's on keyboards etc. Deserves a tribute does our old mate Jack."
Ronnie Carr: August 2010
"Jack Mathews was a great organist, I used to be resident drummer at Scholes LC Wigan well before my Winston days, and when bingo was on at the LC I used to run across the road to the Conservative Club where Jack used to play. I would go on drums and Dougie the drummer went on vibes; it was fantastic. I would only be about 18 at the time, what memories.."
whereby publicans do NOT now need a live music licence if the audience capacity is less than 200. Hopefully this will encourage more live music in pubs. And more opportunities for young musicians.. 'AS LONG AS IT IS NOT AMPLIFIED MUSIC AND WHERE ALCOHOL IS ON SALE!' 
