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Recollections - Entertainment Clubs and Discos Recollections 1-100 |
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Links to other pages Recollections 101-200 Recollections 201+ |
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Recollections |
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1. |
Linda Montgomery |
The Story Club The Gamp The Place More Discos Magoos The International Club Bungies The Athenians Music |
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2. |
Barry Fawcett |
The International Club |
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3. |
Lenny Toshack |
1960s McGoos Reunion - 2008 |
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4. |
Eric Gold |
McGoos |
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5. |
Eric Gold |
Victoria Street |
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6. |
Lenny Toshack |
Battle at McGoos |
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7. |
Jimmy Davidson |
The Place and Bungies |
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8. |
Frank Ferri |
Band Reunion |
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9. |
Lyndsay Montgomery |
After McGoos and Bungies The International Club The International Club - Fire Where was The Gonk? |
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10. |
Lenny Toshack |
The Gonk |
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11. |
Barry Fawcett
with reply from |
Clubs |
| 12. |
Lyndsay
Montgomery |
Music Shop Cafés |
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12.
Reply |
Gregor Henderson |
Music Shop Cafés |
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12.
Reply |
Lyndsay
Montgomery |
Music Shop Cafés |
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12.
Reply |
Irene Elder |
Café in Hanover Street |
| 13. |
Ian Foster |
The Americana The Gamp |
| 14. |
Lyndsay Montgomery |
The Americana The Gamp The Screaming Citizens |
| 15. |
Ian McCallum |
The Abstracts |
| 16. |
Ian McCallum |
Café - George IV Bridge Café - Hanover Street |
| 17. |
Lyndsay Montgomery |
Café - George IV Bridge Café - Hanover Street |
| 18. |
Patrick Hutton |
The Laigh Coffee House |
| 19. |
John Gray |
The Nash Salvation |
| 20. |
Linda Montgomery |
Toto McNaughton |
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21. |
Frank Ferri |
Toto McNaughton |
| 22. |
Lyndsay
Montgomery
+ reply from
+ reply from
+ reply from |
The Gamp |
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Pals at The Gamp |
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Pals at The Gamp |
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Davie Sutherland |
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| 23. |
+ replies from
1. Brian Porteous
2. Stuart
Old
3.
Phil Wilson
4.
Joyce Anderson
5.
Lynda Maine |
The Plaza: 'Kentones' |
| 24. |
Jim Di
Mambro |
Toto McNaughton |
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25. |
Linda Montgomery |
The Gamp |
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26. |
Lenny Toshack |
McGoo's Re-union Dance, 2009 |
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27. |
Lenny Toshack |
The Gamp |
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28. |
Pat Reid |
Phil and the Flintstones |
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29. |
Pat Reid |
Beat News and Edinburgh groups |
| 30 |
George Smith |
Phil and the Flintstones |
| 31 |
Keith
Main |
Flannigan's Walkers The White Elephant The Laughing Duck The International Club Cinderella Rockerfella's Other Discos Music |
| 32 |
June Sutherland |
Top Rank |
| 33 |
John Spence |
Hanover Street Café |
| 34 |
GM Rigg |
The Nash Chameleon Club Near the Tron Kirk Top Rank Lothian Road Pink Elephant Between Playhouse and Salon |
| 35 |
Ian Taylor |
The Place |
| 36 |
Andy Wishart |
Andy Russell Seven - Bungies and The Place - Opening of The Place - Photo - Toto McNaughton |
| 37 |
Doreen Powell |
Plastic Meringue |
| 38 |
Andy Wishart |
Andy Russell Seven - The Borders - Ali Ben the Hoose and the Tauregs - Advertisement |
| 39 |
Johnny Frazier Good Companion Pub |
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| 40 |
David Sanderson |
The New International Club |
| 41 |
The Athenians The Avengers The Gamp |
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| 42 |
The Place |
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| 43 |
Murieston, Livingston, |
The Place The Gamp The International Mcgoos Smiths |
| 44 |
Frank Ferri |
'The Roaring 20s Night' |
| 45 |
John Gray |
The Gamp |
| 46 |
Bob Penry |
The Gatekeepers |
| 47 |
Irene Cordier |
The Place and Toto |
| 48 |
Jim Cairns |
Top Rank Club Vic's Records |
| 49 |
Heather
Peebles |
Bungies Casino The Tryst Princes Street Friends |
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49 Reply 1 |
The Attic |
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| 50 |
Ian Hampton |
The Sect The Borders Memories |
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50 Reply 1 |
Sidney, New South Wales, Australia |
The Zodiax The Gamp The Athenians The Partisans |
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50 Reply 2 |
The Zodiax |
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| 51 |
Frank Ferri |
The Crew Cuts |
| 52 |
Mike Crean |
The Gamp The Embers 1965 |
| 53 |
Peter Lehany |
The Gamp Regulars 2010 |
| 54 |
Frank Ferri |
Reply to Recollections 53 Reunion |
| 55 |
Mason Webb |
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| 56 |
Andy Russell Seven |
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| 57 |
Ian Ross |
Bungies Beat Club Gene Vincent The Gamp and The Place Bands |
| 58 |
Alan Raeburn |
The Athenians |
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59. |
Frank Ferri |
Alex Welsh Minto's Bar Palace Ballroom Victoria Halls and Oddfellows Halls New Orleans |
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60 |
The Berkley |
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61 |
Mike Cheyne |
The Berkley |
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62 |
+ replies from
1.
Lenny Toshack
2. Ian Young 5. Ian Doyle |
The Beachcombers |
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63 |
Frank Ferri |
Tam White RIP The Gamp Boston Dexters Film and TV |
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64 |
Jean-François |
The Place Tiffany's |
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65 |
John Gray |
The Images |
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65 Reply 1 |
Douglas
Mackenzie |
The Images |
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66 |
Marilyn
Mauran |
The Berkeley Club |
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67 |
Silverknowes, Edinburgh |
The Laughing Duck |
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67 Reply 1 |
Peter Stubbs |
The Laughing Duck |
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67 Reply 2 |
Anna Stevens |
The
Laughing Duck |
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68 |
Marilyn
Mauran |
The Hunters |
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68 Reply 1 |
The Hunters The Images Gully Foyle |
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69 |
The Howff Bungies and The Place |
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70 |
Betty
Fraser |
YWCA Club Concert |
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71 |
James McEwan |
Live Bands |
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72 |
James McEwan |
The Aabano |
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73 |
Eric Gold |
Club Owners: 1950s to 1970s |
| 74 |
Jim Di
Mambro |
The International |
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75 |
Eric Gold |
The International |
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76 |
Jim
Archibald |
Top Storey and Gamp Opposite McGoos - Question |
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77 |
Frank Ferri |
Opposite McGoos - Reply 1 |
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78 |
John
Dickson |
Opposite McGoos - Reply 2 |
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79 |
John Gray |
Opposite McGoos - Reply 3 |
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80 |
Jim
Archibald |
Opposite McGoos - Reply 4 |
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81 |
Eric Gold |
The Grafton The International |
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82 |
Bob
Sinclair |
The Grafton |
| 83 |
Jim Di
Mambro |
The International |
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84 |
John Gray |
The International |
| 85 |
Eric Gold |
Peter Williamson and Paddy Reilly |
| 86 |
Bruce
Johnstone |
Goldenacre Scout Hall Dances |
| 87 |
Mike Crean |
The Partisans The Embers The Albino Club |
| 88 |
Dave Lowe |
The Aabano Adele Dance Studios The Bowler & Brolly The Greenhill The Casablanca The Palais |
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89 |
James McEwan |
The Bowler & Brolly The International |
| 90 |
Paddy Reilly |
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| 91 |
Terry Cox |
Paddy Reilly |
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92 |
Eric Begbie |
Acker Bilk |
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93 |
Martin Stoggell |
Membership Cards McGoos The Place Hanover Street Café |
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94 |
John Cairns |
Top Storey |
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95 |
John Cairns |
Weekends in 1960s |
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96 |
Frank Ferri |
Band Reunion |
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97 |
Frank Ferri |
Kirknewton Airmans Club UPDATE - Dates |
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98 |
Frank Ferri |
The Gonk Club UPDATE - Dates UPDATE 2 - Recording Sessions |
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99 |
John Cairns |
Groups in 1960s Top Storey Club |
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100 |
Frank Ferri |
Posters |
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Recollections 1. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Thank you Linda (now Lyndsay) Montgomery for sending her memories of some of the clubs around Edinburgh Lynda wrote: |
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Top Story Club "I remember there was a live music club at the top of Leith Street. I used to go there as a teenager. It was at the end of the part with the balcony running along it, and was called the Top Storey Club. It was always packed to the roof. I've no idea how on earth we found the room to dance! The local band at the time was the Embers, lead singer, Jimmy Cruickshank who did some really great covers of rhythm and blues numbers, so popular at the time. The club closed in the sixties, with the street being demolished." |
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The Gamp "The Gamp club on Victoria Terrace where I was an habitué as often as it was open. A band called The Screamin' Citizens held court there on maybe Saturday nights. Stewart Smith was their singer." |
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The Place "After The Gamp, we'd go to The Place, just across the street. I think that's now Espionage in Victoria Street. Various bands played there, but the one that stands out for me was Tam White and the Boston Dexters. The Place and The Gamp were probably the first clubs to do Discotheque in town, given that there was still the Palais in Fountainbridge with a big band." |
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More Discos "There was also a disco above the cinema on Clark Street on a Friday night, and when The Gamp closed, another club opened on the High Street on the left side going down from the cross- roads with the Bridges. I can't remember the name, it wasn't open long, and was run by the same folk (Pops and Buddy) who had run The Gamp." |
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Magoos "Magoos was farther down the High Street on the other side of the road. It used to be an old cinema, and was again packed to the gunnels every night it opened. This too didn't last very long, |
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The International Club "The International Club was in Princes Street, I think above Watches of Switzerland. It was a big place with a few different floors with different styles of music played. Please see 'Recollections 9' below. |
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Bungies "Another club opened in Fishmarket Close called Bungies. I think it had been a seedy Café in the early sixties or late fifties at the time of 'beatniks'." |
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The Athenians "Another well known band from these heady days was, of course, The Athenians with the famous restauranteur, Ally Black, owner of Shapes Restaurant in town. |
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Music "In those far-off days I don't think I ever stayed in at night, not even to wash my hair! Music was a big thing for me and still is, unfortunately for my wallet. You can see I've had a mis-spent youth! My father was in a band, I'm told, so maybe that's why I have the interest." I'd love to see some other's memories of the live music scene from this time." |
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Linda (now Lyndsay) Montgomery, Old Town, Edinburgh: July 16, 2008 |
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Recollections 2. Barry Fawcett Canada |
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Thank you to Barry Fawcett who wrote: |
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The International Club "I'm writing this from Canada but I grew up in Edinburgh and went to most of the local hangouts. The one that gets little mention is The International Club on Princes Street. I would be most grateful for any info you can provide." Barry Fawcet: July 27, 2008 |
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If you'd like to reply to Barry Fawcett's comments above, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to him. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: July 27, 2008 |
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Recollections 3. Lenny Toshack Leith, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lennie Toshack, Leith, Edinburgh, who wrote: |
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1960s "I was very interested after reading your take on the Edinburgh clubs of the 1960s. I used to frequent these clubs almost as a slave." |
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McGoos "My fave club was McGoos in the High Street which was converted from the Palace Picture House to a brilliant teenagers' club. I virtually lived in the place until it's untimely demise due to local gangsters trying to muscle in on the club which was packed just about every night. Mr Crolla who ran the club shut it down rather than pay these hoods and it was sorely missed by a heck of a lot of people not least me! |
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A Re-union Charity Dance is to be held for those who went to the Edinburgh clubs in the 1960s such as: - Americana Discotheque - Bungies - The Gonk - The Green Light - The International Club - McGoos - The Place - Romanos - The Top Storey - Walkers. |
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The Re-union Dance will be on September 12, 2008 at the Masonic Club at Shrubhill, Leith Walk. All proceeds from this night are to be given to charity. Please click on the thumbnail image below to enlarge it and read about how to get tickets for this event: * Reunion Charity Dance 2008 - Postponed until 2009. See below. Lenny Toshack, Leith, Edinburgh: July 29, 2008 |
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Updates |
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Reunion Charity Dance - February 2009 The Re-union Charity Dance has now been rescheduled for February 27, 2009. Please click on the poster below for further details, including telephone numbers. |
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Reunion Charity Dance - June 2010 Lennie has organised another dance, this one to be held on 25 June 2010. Please click on flyer below to read more details. |
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Recollections 4. Eric Gold East London |
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Thank you to Eric Gold, East London, who wrote: |
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McGoos "Lennie is right, you would get wee gangsters trying to muscle in on the club scene. Peter Williamson in the early 1970s to the mid 1980s was the big fish in town. He had bars and clubs in Edinburgh. He was my uncle Paddy's best mate and these wee gangsters would be sent packing (ha ha ha ha)." Eric Gold, East London: July 29, 2008 |
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Recollections 5. Eric Gold East London |
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Eric Gold added: |
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Victoria Street "I’m still trying to think of the club or pub with all those wee bars and where folk music would be played. It could be The Place. It was on the left-hand side as you went down Victoria Street to the Grassmarket." Eric Gold, East London: July 29, 2008 |
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Eric investigated further, then wrote: |
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Nicky Tams "The name of the club in Victoria Street was Nicky Tams. The Place was downstairs in the same building, under the same ownership." Eric added "Nicky Tams was the name given to the string used by farm workers to tie their trousers below the knees, partly to hitch them up out of the mud." Eric Gold, East London: July 30, 2008 |
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Recollections 6. Lenny Toshack Leith, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lennie Toshack who replied to Eric Gold's comments in 4 above. Lennie wrote: |
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Battle at McGoos "Yes that was the norm back then. I vividly remember seeing an almighty battle in McGoos one night. We were all told quietly to get off the floor by some regulars and then it kicked off. Many years later, I recognised one of the guys who was on McGoos side. He had an incredible memory. He told me that the fight was to sort out a gang from Musselburgh trying to take over the club security by intimidation." |
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Lenny Toshack, Leith, Edinburgh: July 29, 2008 |
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Recollections 7. Jimmy Davidson East Lothian, Scotland |
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Jimmy Davidson, East Lothian, who attended James Clark school, St Leonard's around 1960-63, wrote: |
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The Place and Bungies "The posters advertising The Place and Bungies were really interesting and brought back a lot of happy memories. I used to go to both clubs on a Saturday night / Sunday morning along with Bobbie Wright, Cliff Davidson and Derek Johnstone, a cousin of Cliff Davidson." Jimmy Davidson, East Lothian, Scotland: August 1, 2008 |
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Recollections 8. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh, wrote: |
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Band Reunion "I organised a Sunday afternoon band reunion at Leith Dockers Club last year. Frankie Connor came up with Johnny (Rainbow) Laidlaw, Toto McNaughton (Drummer) and a number of others. We all had a great jam session, would like to organise another one." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: August 5, 2008 |
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Recollections 9. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Lyndsay Montgomery wrote: |
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After McGoos and Bungies "I was reading Barry Fawcett's comments about the International Club. (2 above). I can't remember when it started exactly, I think it was after Magoos closed and after the incident at Bungies, where someone got stabbed, and we all spent the rest of the night waiting to be searched at the cop shop up the street .I don't know if they ever caught the culprit." |
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The International Club "The International was run or owned by an Italian. I can't remember their name. On the door, when you got upstairs, was Eddie, and usually someone else. Eddie was an ex-boxer who spoke very quietly and slowly, and was an all round nice guy unless you got on his wrong side. There were at least two dance floors. In the one looking out on Princes Street there was a balcony where you could have a soft drink and talk to your friends. There were live bands or a disco, depending on the night. The cloakroom was at the very back of the building, virtually at the back door. I can't remember missing many nights, but the club might have been closed one night a week. I just remember the great times to be had there." |
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The International Club Fire "Later, I remember there was a fire in the club. A famous person who shall remain nameless, was supposed to have started the fire in order to frighten the owner, and so offer to buy the club. I remember being in someone's house when the person who was supposed to have done it was asked, and admitted it was an accident. I was away for a while after that, and can't remember what happened to the club. I only know that whoever had it sometime in the 1980s gave it a good name - 'Fire Island'." |
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Lyndsay asks: Where was The Gonk? "Where was the Gonk Club? Was it the upstairs of the Cavendish in Tollcross?" |
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Lyndsay Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: August 2, 2008 |
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Recollections 10. Lenny Toshack Leith, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lennie Toshack for replying to the final paragraph of Lyndsay's message in 9 above Lennie wrote: |
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The Gonk "The Gonk Club was in Riego Street in Tollcross. It was, if I remember correctly, in the middle of a street of houses. The area has been completely demolished and rebuilt with the same name given to the street. It actually ran parallel to the present Riego Street. |
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Lenny Toshack, Leith, Edinburgh: July 29, 2008 |
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Recollections 11. Barry Fawcett Canada |
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Thank you to Barry Fawcett for writing again. Barry wrote: |
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Clubs "I've compiled this list of the clubs which, due to a mis-spent youth, I suppose, I frequented more regularly than I should have."
Barry Fawcet: August 7, 2008 |
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***
Reply to 11. John Dickson Silverknowes, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to John Dickson for emailing me to tell me: "Barry Fawcett's missing club name on the Bridges was 'The Attic'." John Dickson, Silverknowes, Edinburgh: September 6, 2010 |
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Recollections 12. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Lyndsay Montgomery wrote: |
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Music Shop "I seem to remember a large music shop in St Mary's Street in the 1960s or 1970s. I can't remember the name of it, but I think it sold second-hand albums, and might have been where there is a musical instrument shop now. Does anyone remember this shop?" |
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Cafés "There was also a late night Café-resto on the corner of the High Street and George IV Bridge, and another basement-type place on Hanover Street that had folk music singers. Does anyone remember the names of these Cafés?" |
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Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: August 6, 2008 |
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If you know the answers to the questions that Lyndsay asks, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: August7, 2008 |
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Recollections 12. Reply 1 Gregor Henderson North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to Gregor Henderson who replied to Lyndsay Montgomery's questions above. Gregor wrote: |
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Music Shop "I'm sure the record shop in the St Mary's St. was called the 'Other Record Shop'." |
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Café "The Café on the corner of Thistle St. and Hanover St. was called 'The Stockpot' and was where Bert Jansch was an early performer. I guess it must have gone by 1966. |
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Gregor Henderson: North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland: October 21, 2008 |
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Recollections 12. Reply 2 Linda Montgomery (now Lyndsay Montgomery) Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lyndsay Montgomery who replied to Gregor Henderson's comments above. Lyndsay wrote |
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Music Shop and Café "Gregor is dead right. Iimmediately, when I read his reply giving the names, I could picture both of them. It was worth waiting for. I wish we could, all of us with the same memories, get together and talk about them....... Those were the days!" Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: October 25, 2008 |
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Recollections 12. Reply 3 Irene Elder Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Irene Elder for replying to Lyndsay's question about the cafe in her Recollections 12 above. Eileen wrote |
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Cafe in Hanover Street The Stockpot "The basement folk cafe in Hanover Street circa 1965 was called 'The Stockpot'." Irene Elder, Edinburgh: 25 January 2016 |
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Recollections 13. Ian Foster Western Australia |
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Ian Foster wrote: |
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The Americana "I remember a Café called the Americana, I'm sure in Hanover Street." * * But see the reply in Recollections 14 below. |
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The Gamp "Does anyone remember the Gamp? It was opposite the Place in the early 1960s" |
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Ian Foster, Perth, Western Australia: Message posted in guest book: August 8, 2008 |
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Recollections 14. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Lyndsay Montgomery wrote: |
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The Americana "Hi there Ian (who wrote Recollections 13 above). The place in Hanover Street wasn't called the Americana. That was the name of a disco at the corner of Fountainbridge and Semple St." |
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The Gamp "I was a regular at the Gamp, and when it finished at around 1.30am, I'd go across the road to the Place, which was always open later. I have a recollection of a band that sometimes played in the Gamp. The singer wore a a toilet pull handle on a chain round his neck, I think they were good, one of the band was called Ricky, but I don't remember what he played or their name." |
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The Screaming Citizens "Do you remember any other clubs or any of the bands that played in them? I remember the Screaming Citizens. They played on either Friday or Saturday nights. - Stewart Smith, who left to try his luck in London, was their singer - Scott Murray was a guitarist. Scott is now at Murray's tool shop that used to be at Haymarket and is now at Morrison Street. So, any of you music fans, that's the place to go for your tools or advice, and a blether about the old days. This is a free ad!" |
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Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: Message posted in guest book: August 8, 2008 |
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Recollections 15. Ian McCallum Rosyth, Fife, Scotland |
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Thank you to Ian McCallum for replying to Lyndsay Montgomery (Recollections 14 above). Ian wrote: |
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The Abstracts "I recall the guy in the group with the toilet chain around his neck. The Group was called 'The Abstracts'. They also used to play on a Sunday in 'Wilkie House', a university building just off Chambers Street, a popular venue." |
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Ian McCallum, Rosyth, Fife, Scotland: August 10, 2008 |
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Recollections 16. Ian McCallum Rosyth, Fife, Scotland |
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Thank you to Ian McCallum for replying to more questions asked by Lyndsay Montgomery (Recollections 12 above) Ian wrote: |
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Café George IV Bridge "I remember the Café on the corner of George IV Bridge and High Street. It was known as 'The Bothy'." Ian McCallum, Rosyth, Fife, Scotland: August 14, 2008 |
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Cafés Hanover Street "The basement Café on Hanover Street could be 'The Laigh' or 'Henderson's Salad Table' They were both across from one another at the top of Hanover Street." Ian McCallum, Rosyth, Fife, Scotland: August 14, 2008 |
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Cafés Hanover Street Both the Cafés that Ian mentions above were between Queen Street and Thistle Street. Henderson's was on the west side of Hanover Street and The Laigh was on the east side of Hanover Street.. - Henderson's was a fairly large vegetarian restaurant. It is still in business. Henderson's shop is above the restaurant. - The Laigh was a coffee shop that unfortunately closed a few years ago. I used to find it very welcoming when I visited on cold winter Saturday mornings in the 1980s for cheese scones and coffee, long before the time that Starbucks arrived in Edinburgh. There were stools, chairs and tables scattered around an open fire at The Laigh, and small groups at the tables often chatting about theatre and the arts. Peter Stubbs: August 15, 2008 |
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Recollections 17. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Lyndsay Montgomery wrote: |
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High Street Café "I think Ian (16 above) is probably right about the Café on the High Street." |
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Hanover Street Café "I seem to remember the Café on Hanover Street was, maybe, where there's now an Italian resto, just above Thistle Street. It was open late. I remember being there one evening after coming out of the Gamp Club, and that would have been after 1 - 1.30am, with Derek Cossar and Peter Cassidy already mentioned from Portobello. I'm sure there was a folk type singer playing as well. So that puts Henderson's out. I don't think it was on the other side of the street, but I could be wrong. It wasn't yesterday, after all !!" |
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Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: Message posted in guest book: August 16, 2008 |
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Recollections 18. Patrick Hutton New Town, Edinburgh |
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Patrick Hutton wrote: |
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The Laigh Hanover Street "I believe that the Laigh was owned by the (late) actor Moultrie Kelsall, who co-authored a book with Stuart Harris (of 'Place Names of Edinburgh' fame) called 'A Future for the Past'. I've a copy of the book at home. It's an odd coincidence, because you mentioned Stuart Harris' 'Place Names' book elsewhere on edinphoto the same day!" |
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Patrick Hutton, new town, Edinburgh: August 16, 2008 |
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Recollections 19. John Gray Stenhouse, Edinburgh |
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John Gray wrote: |
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The Nash "I remember The Top Rank above The Odeon in Clerk Street and the Aquarius in Grindlay Street, but the best was The Nash on Princes Street I can still remember being on my Lambretta scooter with lots of mirrors on the front, mostly stolen from cars, and my parka with the fishtail back and fur around the hood" |
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Salvation "The band, 'Salvation' with Midge Ure used to play there a lot. My fave tunes they played were the 'Badfinger' songs: - 'No Matter What' and - 'If you want it, Come and get it'. Great memories!" |
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John Gray, Stenhouse, Edinburgh: August 31, 2008 |
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Recollections 20. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lyndsay Montgomery for leaving a message in the EdinPhoto guest book on October 7, 2008, telling people about the death of the drummer, Toto McNaughton. Lynda also contacted the Evening News in Edinburgh and suggested that the paper should include an article on him in its 'Real Lives' section. The Evening News published the article on October 7. Here are some details from the article |
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Toto McNaughton Thomas (Toto) McNaughton died on October 1, 2008, aged 72. - He was born in Leith and attended Bonnington Roan primary school and David Kilpatrick secondary school. - He got his break as a drummer, playing with 'The Crusaders'. They were the resident group at the Palais. - He moved on to join Boston Dexters when they were formed, and played with them for two years in London. - He also played in: - Harry's Bar, Randolph Place - The White Cockade, Rose Street - Merriman's Cellar, Hanover Street - Preservation Hall, Forrest Road (with Charlie McNair's band) - He also played football. He had a trial with Falkirk and at the age of 45 was still playing in goal for the Fire Brigade. [Taken from an article in Edinburgh Evening News, October 7, 2008, p.16] |
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Acknowledgement: Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: October 7, 2008 |
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Recollections 21. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh, wrote: |
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Toto McNaughton "Today, I sadly attended the funeral of a famous Leither, the well kent drummer, Thomas (Toto) McNaughton. He was brought up in Burlington Street, then Manderson Street, Leith. The service at Warriston Crematorium was well and truly oversubscribed by those wishing to show their respects, musicians and entertainers from all over the City and elsewhere, covering ages from several decades - Tam White, Alex (Happy) Howden, Liz McEwan, Tam Paton, Johnny (Rainbow) Laidlaw, Shorty Rogers and many more. Toto was a great Leith character who will be sadly missed. I'm sure many of your readers will have known him" Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 8, 2008 |
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Recollections 22. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lyndsay Montgomery who wrote: |
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The Gamp "I wish that all of us with the same memories could get together and talk about them. Does anyone know any of these, all of them Gampers? - Sanders - George Kelly - Graham Gourley - Black Eddy, - Tommy - Big Davie, who went off to India They all used to start from the Wee Windaes bar on the High Street before going to the Gamp. Are they still around?" Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: October 25, 2008 |
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Recollections 22. Reply 1. Charlie Watt |
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Thank you to Charlie Watt who replied to Lyndsay's questions above. |
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Charlie wrote: "Eddie Wiltshire, George Kelly and David Sunderland were all pals of mine.
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Eddie Wiltshire
and - David Sutherland is still in India, I think. ** - Zanders I saw at Eric Kent's birthday party." Charlie Watt: July 22, 2009 |
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** But see Reply 3 below. |
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Recollections 22. Reply 2. Peter Lehany Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Peter Lehany who wrote: |
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Pals at The Gamp "I wish that all of us with the same memories could get together and talk about them. Does anyone know any of the following. They were all Gampers. They all used to start from the Wee Windaes bar on the High Street before going to the Gamp. How many are still around? - Sanders: who did not come to Jakes 60th Birthday 2009 - Eric Kent: who was there. - George Kelly: 'no news' - Graham Gourley: who went to South Africa in the late-1960s - Black Eddy: Wiltshire - I believe he has passed on. - Tommy ? - Big Davie: who went off to India. He was Davie Sutherland" Peter Lehany, Edinburgh: March 23, 2010
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Recollections 22. Reply 3. Kate Deignan |
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Thank you to Kate Deignan for following up the mention of David Sutherland in Reply 1 above to Recollections 22. Kate wrote |
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Discos "I used to go to Bungie, the Gamp, the Place and Flannigan's." David Sutherland "I went about with Davie Sutherland for about 2 years, and went to India with him in 1976. I came back after 3 months and he continued travelling. Sadly, Davie died in June 2012." Kate Deignan: November 27, 2013 |
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Recollections 23. Brian Porteous |
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Brian Porteous wrote: |
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The Plaza - The Kentones - Question "I'm trying to find out who played at the Plaza Dance Hall, in the late-1960s / early-1970s. Was it 'Stella and the Kentones' or 'Cathy and the Kentones'? This would settle a dispute." Brian Porteous: October 26, 2008 Question added to the web site: November 11, 2008 |
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Recollections 23 Answer 1. Jim Di Mambro South Africa |
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Thank you to Jim Di Mambro who replied: |
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The Plaza - The Kentones - Answer 1 "It was 'Kathy and the Kentones'." Jim Di Mambro, South Africa: November 13, 2008 |
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Recollections 23 Answer 2. Stewart Old Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Stewart Old who replied: |
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The Plaza - The Kentones - Answer 2 "Definitely 'Cathy and the Kentones', according to my pal Mags, who was there!" Stuart Old, Edinburgh: November 13, 2008 |
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Recollections 23 Answer 3. Phil Wilson Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
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Thank you to Phil Wilson who replied: |
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The Plaza - The Kentones - Answer 3 "The leader of the Kentones band, Ken, a trumpeter, has a set of photos on Picasa which includes one of the band at The Plaza in 1964." Phil Wilson, Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland: August 27, 2008 |
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Recollections 23 Answer 4. Joyce Anderson Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to Joyce Anderson who replied: |
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The Plaza - The Kentones - Answer 4 "Kathy and Stella both sung with the Kentones. I know that Kathy and the Kentones left the Plaza to perform at the Raith Ballroom in Kirkcaldy. Possibly Stella replaced Cathy, or was it the other way round? Cathy was my husband's cousin. After she got married, she and her husband emigrated to South Africa where I believe she sang jazz. I have no idea now where she is, though. I remember watching her get ready for a gig at the Plaza in the early 1960s - back-combing to the sky and probably half a tin of lacquer! I was awestruck." Joyce Anderson, Penicuik, Midlothian, Scotland: March 26, 2010 |
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Recollections 23 Answer 5. Lynda Maine Colinton Mains, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lynda Maine who replied: |
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The Plaza - The Kentones - Answer 5 "I remember the band, Kate and the Kentones, at the Plaza. There were two singers. One was Kate. I heard they had made a record, and that Kate had left them and another singer had come in, who belted out the songs. One of the band members stayed quite near me. If I did not meet anyone, he used to give me a lift home, which at the time was very nice of him. Another members of the band was married to an occupational therapist at the hospital where I worked, but he died about 1990, very suddenly." Lynda Maine, Colinton Maines, Edinburgh: April 26, 2010 |
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Recollections 24. Jim Di Mambro South Africa |
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Jim Di Mambro wrote: |
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Toto McNaughton "It was nice to read the messages sent in by Lyndsey Montgomery, and Frank Ferri about Toto (Recollections 20 + 21 above). I'd like to add a wee bit aboot the legend! American Bases I was playing in a band (Scots & Soda) in the American Bases in Germany in the mid-1960s. Our drummer Alec Robertson ('Wee Eck') ) decided to go back to Edinburgh. I phoned Pete Seaton (music shop) to find out who was available. Toto happened to be in the shop at the time, got on the phone, and with his normal impeccable command of the Queen's English, said: "HOWYEDAINTHENGADGY" Toto to Germany He was on the train to Frankfurt a couple of days later. Words cant explain the vibe he had with the Yanks. They just loved him, his humour, his playing (obviously) and his wee stories! You'll know he had a wee scar on his neck. I believe it wiz a 'doin' in some Edinburgh dance hall, unless he wiz kiddin' me on as well. But for the Yanks, it was that look on his face and "Dinae want tae talk aboot it boys." After a couple a bevies, and some pressure, he would look solemnly at the guys and start the story: "There I was in Korea," separated from the squad, and I had to take this big hill. I never felt the piece a shrapnel etc, etc. Last Seen 4 Years Ago We had a fantastic couple of years together. I last saw Toto about 4 years ago, when i was in Edinburgh. We met at Mather's at the West End, for a pint or 3 before his gig at Harry's Bar. He gave me his Zippo lighter as a wee memento. There weren't many like him! Jim Di Mambro, South Africa: November 4, 2008 |
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Recollections 25. Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery Old Town, Edinburgh |
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Lyndsay Montgomery left more messages in the EdinPhoto guest book on November 5, 2008 Lyndsey wrote: |
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The Gamp "I have another couple of people to add to the list of folks who went to the Gamp. - One was a guy called Ian. He drove a dark green sports car and either owned or ran a dairy in town. I think. Ian lived in Portobello. He was not very tall, with dark hair - The other was a bloke called Gerry. He had a Café in Rose Street, just at the corner opposite the Kenilworth pub. . Where are they now? Come on, somebody, get us all together for a blether and a drink." ** Lyndsay (formerly Linda) Montgomery, Old town, Edinburgh: November 5, 2008 |
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** Lyndsay: I think the Charity Re-union Dance advertised in the poster (26 below) may be what you are looking for. Peter Stubbs: November 15, 2008 |
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Recollections 26. Lennie Toshack Leith, Edinburgh |
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Lennie Toshack has sent me details of the Reunion Charity Dance for those who remember The Place, Bungies, McGoos and some of the other clubs and discos in Edinburgh in the 1960s. The poster below gives details and telephone contact numbers. |
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Reunion Charity Dance - 2009
© Reproduced with acknowledgement to Lennie Toshack, Leith Edinburgh
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TICKETS NOW AVAILABLE Lennie tells me that the tickets for the dance are now available (but please see UPDATE below.) Peter Stubbs: January 22, 2009 |
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UPDATE Message from Lennie Toshack on February 13, 2009. Lennie tells me: "Tickets for the dance are now all Sold Out." |
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Acknowledgement: Lennie Toshack: Nov 12, 2008 + Jan 22 + Feb 13, 2009 |
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Recollections 27. Lennie Toshack Leith, Edinburgh |
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Lyndsay Montgomery listed some of the people she remembers who used to go to the Gamp. ( Recollections 22 + 25 above). Lennie Toshack, who sent the message about the re-union dance above replied: |
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"I only recognise one name from the list of Gampers - Zander He is a very good friend of a mate of mine, Eric Kent, who used to be the DJ at the Place. He, and probably Zander, will be at the re-union dance in February. Lennie Toshack, Leith Edinburgh: November 13, 2008 |
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Recollections 28. Pat Reid Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Pat Reid for sending me these memories from the 1960s. Pat wrote: |
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Phil and the Flintstones "I enjoyed reading the various recollections about Edinburgh Beat Groups from the 1960s, one of whom was 'Phil and the Flintstones'. I recently discovered that my daughter's next door neighbour actually was a member of 'Phil and the Flintstones'. He very kindly gave me these photos of the group and some 1960s Beat Paper articles that refer to the group." These are the two photos of 'Phil and the Flintstones' mentioned above. Please click on the thumbnail images below to enlarge them. At Wilkie House At St Mary's Street Church Hall |
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Pat Reid Granton, Edinburgh: November 1, 2008 |
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Recollections 29. Pat Reid Edinburgh |
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The Beat paper that Pat
refers to in 28 above was the 'Lennoxbank News'.
The paper mentioned the following: |
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Recording Studios
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Pat Reid Granton, Edinburgh: November 1, 2008 |
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Recollections 30 George Smith Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada |
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Thank you to George Smith, British Columbia, Canada who replied: |
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Phil and the Flintstones "The guitarist in the middle of the first photograph and extreme left second photo is my younger brother Kenneth who still lives in Edinburgh and currently plays in a group entertaining 'oldies' who enjoy oldies." At Wilkie House At St Mary's Street Church Hall |
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George Smith, Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada: December 11, 2008 |
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Recollections 31 Keith Main London, England |
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Thank you to Keith Main for writing about his recollections of Edinburgh discos in the 1970s. Keith wrote: |
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Flannigan's "Flannagans in Rose Street Lane was brilliant for soul music. It was and owned by a real wide boy. Its motto on a poster that I still have says it's: ''The TRENDIEST discotheque in the TRENDIEST street' Ostensibly, no alcohol was served but you could buy a coffee and a sausage roll, bridie or Scotch pie - just what you needed before hitting the dance floor! One of the Bay City Rollers DJd here on a regular basis. It was the only place in town to be seen. Luminaries such as Pete Clark who owned several trendy Rose St denim boutiques went there. If the owner liked you, you'd be admitted to 'The Office' - a speakeasy where booze was served." |
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Walkers "Walkers, upstairs at Shandwick Place even had a disco at lunchtime with go go girls on the bar" |
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The White Elephant "The White Elephant had more go go girls at what used to be the Palladium, behind Bread Street store, next to The Muscular Arms theme pub. It was considered cutting edge! It later became Valentinos." |
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The Laughing Duck "The Laughing Duck, at 24 Howe Street, was the only gay disco. It was owned by Diane Mckean whose folk owned Salon Henry in Frederick Street, THE hairdresser before Brian Drumm arrived ." |
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The International Club "The International Club, upstairs on Princes Street, also became a gay club called Fire Island later in the 1970s." |
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Cinderella Rockerfella's "Cinderella Rockefella's, also called Tiffanys at some point, was in what was the old Grand Cinema at the end of St Stephen's Street. It was considered a bit tacky." |
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Other Discos "I also remember: - Buster Brown's in Market Street - Clouds at Thorneybauk - The Americana, also known as the meat market for more than just its beef connections!" |
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Music "You'd buy the music you heard at these discos in: - Bruce's Records on Rose Street (bright red paper bag) or - Sweet Inspiration beside the ABC in Lothian Road" |
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Keith Main, London, England: December 20, 2008 |
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Recollections 32 June Sutherland Oxfordshire, England |
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J Sutherland asked: |
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Question Top Rank "Does anybody have any information, recollections or photos of The Top Rank, which was a small dance hall we used to frequent, back in the late-1960s? It was above a cinema."June Sutherland, Oxfordshire, England: January 14, 2009 |
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Answers? If you can help to answer the question above, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to J Sutherland. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs |
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Update Please see recollections 48 below.Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: March 1, 2009 |
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Recollections 33 John Spence Silverknowes, Edinburgh |
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John Spence wrote |
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Hanover Street Café "Linda Montgomery (17 above) mentioned a Café in Hanover Street with folk music. I think the name of the Café was the Stockpot Café. That's where myself and a crowd went most nights around 1964/65."John Spence, Silverknowes, Edinburgh, January 5, 2009 |
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Recollections 34 G M Rigg New Zealand |
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G M Rigg wrote: |
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The Nash "I went to 'The Nash', where we used to dance with the original Bay City Rollers. That was when they had the 'real' singer on their first hit record in the band - Way Back When!" |
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Chameleon Club "Also, the 'Chameleon Club'. The DJ used to be our youth club DJ when I went to the weekly church hall disco at Restalrig Village. I remember, once, I was sitting on the edge of the stage, chatting to the DJ, when I bumped the overloaded plugs in the side of the socket board out and everything went black & silent - oops." |
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Near the Tron Kirk "There was a club my friends and I went to once, somewhere near the Tron Kirk. But we never went back there - it was full of creepy hippy types." |
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Top Rank Club "We also went to one near the Odeon, or even part of it. I think it was called the Top Rank Club. It was pretty rough." |
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Lothian Road "My cousin took me too a dive off Lothian Road, somewhere behind the cinema on the corner of Bread Street, another 5 minute look - in and straight out again!" |
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Pink Elephant "If I remember correctly, there was a club near or behind the Bread Street Co-op called the Pink Elephant, it was okay, but not my scene. |
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Between Playhouse and Salon "There was a good PUB/disco between The Playhouse & The Salon cinemas. I can't recall its name, but the pub was on street level and the disco was one floor down. Great atmosphere, good music and no weirdos." |
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GM Rigg, New Zealand: Message left in EdinPhoto Guest Book, February 11, 2009 |
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Recollections 35. Ian Taylor South Glasgow, Scotland |
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Thank you to Ian Taylor who wrote: |
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The Place "What about 'Old Bailey and the Jazz Advocates'? They played at The Place, up to early-1964." |
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Ian Taylor, South Glasgow, Scotland: February 19, 2009 |
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Recollections 36. Andy Wishart Staffordshire, England |
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Thank you to Andy Wishart who wrote: |
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Andy Russell Seven |
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'Bungies' and 'The Place' "I've just returned from living in Colorado USA and was very interested to read all the comments about 'Bungies' and 'The Place' in the early-1960s." I used to lead a band called 'The Andy Russell Seven'. We played every Sunday night at 'Bungies'. The Waldman brothers owned 'Bungies' then." |
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Opening of 'The Place' "Brian Waldman booked us to play at their new club 'The Place' when it was ready for opening. He had booked the Humphrey Lyttelton band for the official opening night. However, the club was ready for business about a week earlier and we were actually the first band to play there. Humph did the proper opening a week later." |
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Andy Russell Seven "Here is a photo of 'The Andy Russell Seven' playing at 'The Place'. I hope some of your readers might recognise us. Some of the band also played Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at the old Imperial Hotel, Leith Walk, at that time." |
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Toto McNaughton "I was sorry to learn of Toto McNaughton's passing last year. I knew him when he played with Tam Paton's 'Crusaders'. Both 'The Crusaders' and 'The Andy Russell Seven' played for Border Dances at that time and we would often bump into each other in exotic venues like Dumfries, Carlisle, Kelso and even Hexham!" |
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Andy Wishart, Staffordshire, England: February 20, 2009 |
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Recollections 37. Doreen Powell Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland |
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Thank you to Doreen Powell, now living in Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland, for sending this photograph of the band that her brother played in, in the 1960s. |
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Doreen wrote: Plastic Meringue "The band member Bob Clark is my brother. I can remember the hours of practice he did at home. Some of the clubs and bands on the site also bring back many memories for me. Doreen Powell, Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland: February 24, 2009 |
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Recollections 38. Andy Wishart Staffordshire, England |
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Thank you to Andy Wishart who wrote again to tell me more about his band. |
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Andy Russell Seven |
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Andy wrote: The Borders "In between playing at: - Imperial Hotel, Mondays thru Thursdays and - our weekly gig at Bungies on Sundays the Andy Russell Seven used to work for the Border Dances Company on Fridays and Saturdays and travel to play at dances from Ardrossan in the west to Hexham just over the border in the east. Border Dances used to organise jazz or rock shows at Waverley Market. They also booked touring English bands and would send them all over Scotland. My great friend Gerry Scott used to manage Border Dances. He knew everybody in the business - Acker Bilk, John Dankworth, Johnny Kidd to name a few, and even took an obscure group named The Silver Beatles from Liverpool on a Scottish tour in the very early 1960s." Andy Wishart, Staffordshire, England: April 12, 2009 |
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Andy added: Ali Ben the Hoose and the Tauregs "Some of the English groups had rather exotic names so, rather than be left out, I decided to rent some theatrical outfits in Edinburgh and do a bit of dressing up on our next trip south of the border to Carlisle. We thought 'Ali Ben the Hoose and the Tauregs' would sound a bit different and may even pull in a crowd. Here is a photo that I took of the Andy Russell Band en route to Carlisle, being silly. It shows the Tauregs relieving Dave Ewart, our drummer, of an old fashioned £1 note at the Devil's Beeftub near Moffat. The guy who put the ad. in the Carlisle paper obviously could not spell Taureg and just did his best, bless him. Andy Wishart, Staffordshire, England: April 12, 2009 |
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Advertisement Andy Wishart also send me an advert for the Tauregs' gig in the Borders that appeared in the Carlisle paper. It read:
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Recollections 39. Mark Wallace |
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Mark Wallace asked a question. |
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Question |
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Mark wrote: Johnny Frazier "Can anyone help me to locate a friend of my mother? I believe his name was Johnny Fraser (or perhaps Frazer or Fraser). He lived with his family in the Oxgangs area. I believe their religion may have been Roman Catholic." Good Companion Pub "He was the vocalist in a group that played in The Good Companion pub in Oxgangs, in 1963-1964. I believe they toured for years and even went to Australia." Andy Wishart, Staffordshire, England: April 12, 2009 |
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Reply? If you'd like to reply to Mark, please email me, then I'll forward your message to him. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: April 23, 2009 |
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Recollections 40. David Sanderson Lake Forest, California, USA |
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David Sanderson wrote: |
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The New International Club "When I was a lad, back in the early-1970s, we used to almost live in the International Club on Princes Street. By that time, it had been renamed the 'NEW International Club' or simply 'The Nash'. Every Saturday night we would be there as soon as the pubs closed at 10pm. I remember there being three separate dance halls, the main one up front overlooking Princes Street and two more in the back, all three with live bands playing." David Sanderson, Lake Forest, California: May 22, 2009 |
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Recollections 41. Brian Waugh |
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Thank you to Brian Waugh who wrote: |
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The Athenians "I recently found this site, which to a degree is rather ironic as over the last year I have been to Shapes Restaurant to see the Athenians three times. As a group they are still performing well after all these years." |
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The Avengers "I have just remembered the Avengers. They were the band that took over from the Athenians. The lead singer was Kenny Charleson who was the brother of the late actor, Ian." |
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The Gamp "I knew Lindsay Montgomery (1 above) and Lenny Toshack (3 above). Here are the names of some of the other people I remember from the past, who used to go to the Gamp Club:
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Brian Waugh: June 12, 2009 |
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Recollections 42. Tom Flanagan Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, England |
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Thank you to Tom Flanagan who wrote: |
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The Place "I thought your 'club page' might be interested in the attached flyer. If I recall correctly it was one of the originals, printed prior to the opening of The Place. I had a sneak preview of the Place, thanks to Frankie Connor who worked as a joiner on the renovations." Tom Flanagan, Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England: June 23, 2009 |
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Recollections 43. Joyce Mckay (née Ford) Murieston, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to Joyce McKay who wrote: |
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The Place, The Gamp, The International, Mcgoos "I have just found this website and have sat up all night looking for names I recognize. As a regular of the Place in Victoria Street I was glad to see a mention of the Hippo People!! - and I remember my sister (Irene Ford) talking about The Embers. I met my husband (John Mckay) in the Place, I was never out of there. He was a Gamp person. Those were the days, eh! I used to go to Mcgoos, the International and the Place. John and I got married in 1970. Next year will be our Ruby wedding. I would love to hear from anybody who remembers us. I came from Saughton Mains and John from Stockbridge. Smiths I have been reading all the recollections, but not seen any mention of Smiths in Lothian Road. We used to go there after school. It must have been in 1964-65. Joyce McKay (née Ford), Murieston, Livingston, West Lothian, Scotland: July 26, 2009 |
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Update 1 Note for Joyce McKay I've just received an email from Gordon Rule who remembers you and John at the clubs and discos. He would like to contact you but, unfortunately, the email address that I have for you seems to now be out of date. If you let me know your current email address, I'll pass on Gordon's contact details to you. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: September 30, 2010 |
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Update 2 Thank you, Joyce Thank you, Joyce, for sending your latest email address to me. I've now passed it on to Gordon Rule. I hope you'll hear from him soon. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: February5, 2012 |
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Recollections 44. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri for telling me about the event below: |
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Leith Dockers' Club presents: 'The Roaring 20s Night' Sunday September 27th, 2009 7.30 to 11.30pm Featuring The Diplomats of Jazz
Get into the swing of things, dressed up as a flapper, TICKETS £3 Ticket also entitles you to Two FREE Drinks Tickets at the BAR or see Frank Ferri, Social Convener |
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Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: August 14, 2009 |
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Recollections 45. John Gray Stenhouse, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to John Gray who wrote: |
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The Gamp "My wife, Cathy Banks and her friends: - Janet Grieve - June Archer and - Margaret Kinnear were all regulars at The Gamp and know many of the people mentioned in the list from Brian Waugh. This is just to let everyone who knows them that they are alive and kicking!!!" John Gray, Stenhouse, Edinburgh: August 19, 2009 |
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Recollections 46. Bob Penry Ohio, USA |
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Thank you to Bob Penry who wrote: |
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The Gatekeepers "I had a folk group in Edinburgh in 1965-66, 'The Gatekeepers'. We performed at a pub called the 'Stockpot' and at 'Walkers'. We also played in Galashiels. We were a trio: - Butch Garrard from Miami Florida - Dee Watt from Edinburgh - me, Bob Penry from Richwood, Ohio. Butch and I were stationed at RAF Kirknewton." The Singers' Club "After our show, we would always head to the Singers' Club, run by Ewen MacColl and Peggy Seeger. I have pictures of our group and also pictures in the Singers Club. The folk scene in Edinburgh was fabulous with a lot of local and regional entertainment: - Barney McKenna - Hamish Imlach - The Edinburgh Singers - The Doobries - Tom Paxton, etc. Oh, if I could live those days again!" Bob Penry, Ohio, USA: January 6, 2010 |
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Arthur's Seat Thank you to Bob for also sending me this photograph of him, taken on Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, in 1965-66. Acknowledgement: Bob Penry, Ohio, USA: January 10, 2010 |
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Recollections 47. Irene Cordier (née Heron) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
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Thank you to Irene Cordier (née Heron) who wrote: |
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The Place - and Toto "Your site brings back a lot of memories: - The prefabs in Greendykes we lived there from 1948 to 1957/58 - The Place - The Gamp to name just a few. I was sorry to read about Toto, I remember him playing with Tam White and the Boston Dexters in the Place every weekend. At one time, I worked there on the weekends (very cool, or so I thought. I could get in for free when not working) I also remember Toto's late wife Annie. She was a friend of mine. We once took off to Spain for a couple of weeks had a great time !" Irene Cordier, Toronto, Ontario, Canada: February 25, 2009 |
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Recollections 48. Jim Cairns Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland |
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Thank you to Jim Cairns, Dunfermline, Fife, for replying to 'Recollections 32' above. Jim wrote: |
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Top Rank Club "In reply to J Sutherland's query regarding the Top Rank Club, here are my recollections, and a copy of my membership card. The Top Rank club was in South Clerk Street, and was part of the New Victoria Cinema (later the Odeon). It was on the first floor with windows onto the street." Vic's "In the early 1960s, it was always referred to as 'Victor's', or 'Vic's', because of the Victor Sylvester connection. Most nights of the week, it was a dance school. We used to go there on Saturday nights - 7.30 to 11.00! At Vic's, we danced to records, not bands, I believe that it was the first proper Discotheque in Edinburgh. It catered in the early 1960s mainly for a young crowd 15-18s. Of course in those days there was no alcohol allowed or sold there, but most of the young lads would visit the pub for Dutch courage before going in!" Records "The DJ would play three fast records for jiving to, followed by three slow records for 'mooning', a cheek-to-cheek waltzing shuffle. Favourite tunes of the time were:
- Roy
Orbison: Running Scared There was a refreshment break halfway through the night, soft drinks of course! Then just before 11.00, it was a mad rush to get someone up for the last dance, and hopefully walk her to the bus stop, or home. Happy days!!" Jim Cairns: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland: March 1, 2010 |
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Recollections 49. Heather Peebles Hong Kong |
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Thank you to Heather Peebles who wrote: |
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Bungies "I used to work at Bungies late-1961 or early-1962. I was paid 2/6 an hour from 8pm till whenever, 2 or 3 in the morning. I danced with the customers, cooked Spanish Omelettes, made coffees and helped the bouncer, Dave McKenzie, when things got a bit 'busy'. Casino "Brian Waldman introduced Edinburgh's first so-called casino, up stairs, called Legalite. It was very tame but the customers loved it." The Tryst "There was a Folk Club almost across the road in the High Street. I think it was called The Tryst. Bert Jansck, Archie Fisher, Roy Guest, Dolina McLellan and so many others whose names I have forgotten were there. Princes Street "Then I got a job in 'Boots the Chemist' in Princes Street. I used to go to a dance hall just off the end of Princes Street, down towards Leith Walk, upstairs from a pub. I don't remember its name. Climbing the stairs was always a hazard, dodging the bodies as they were being thrown out by the bouncers. There were fights every night - but a great band and good dancing." Friends "I'd love to make contact with some old friends after all these years." Heather Peebles: Hong Kong: March 9, 2010 |
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Reply to Heather If you remember Heather and would like to send a reply to her, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: March 9, 2010 |
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Recollections 49. Reply 1 Norma |
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Thank you to Norma who replied: |
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The Attic "The folk club that you asked about in the High Street was callet 'The Attic'. My friend, Margaret Keith and I went there a few times. Norma: June 10, 2012 |
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Recollections 50. Ian Hampton Wales |
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Thank you to Ian Hampton who wrote: |
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The Sect "Reading these recollections of the Edinburgh clubs has blown me away! - especially, as two days ago, I heard from Roger Cairns, an old pal who played drums with me in 'The Sect' in the early 1960s. He's now in LA doing his stuff, and I'm in wet Wales doing mine! I so-o-o miss Em'bry, as they call it in Glesgay, and want to come home!!!" I played in many Edinburgh bands in the 1960s, then went to Los Angeles. The Borders I supported many bands in The Borders - Hawick, Jedburgh, Selkirk and Galashiels: - The Herd (Peter Frampton). - The Big Three. - Gino Washington and the Ram Jam Band. Golden days indeed - a long time ago. I moved on from those halcyon days, and would love to hear more memories from back then. "I remember supporting 'Lulu & The Luvvers' in 'The Place'." My memories of 'The Gamp', 'Bungies', 'The Place' et al, have just come roaring back! My word, the past comes back to haunt you! Ally Black was at my school, a couple or so years above me. I worshipped his rendition of 'The Teddy Bears' Picnic'! - Does anyone recollect the joint at the west end of Rose Street? I think Jimmy Roccio may have owned it. I played there with Tam White. The last time I saw him was in Braveheart! - There was a place called 'The Joint''. It was down a close off the Royal Mile, as I recall. It was a 'Beatnik' place to begin with, then it evolved into a kinda rock / pop venue. Any memories?
- Does anyone
remember The Zodiax. Ian Kimmet was lead singer with The
Strollers and The Zodiax.
He went on to huge things. - I joined the LA band, 'Sparks' in the 1970s, after a stint with 'Catch 22'. Does anybody remember them? I did sessions with loads of folks. It's a big world out there, mostly populated by Edinburgh folk." Ian Hampton, Wales: March 9, 10, 12, 2010 |
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Reply to Ian If you'd like to send a reply to Ian Hampton, please email me, then I'll pass it on to him. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: March 11, 2010 |
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Recollections 50. Reply 1. Sandra Smith (née Denholm) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Ian Hampton asked several questions in Recollections 50 above, in 2010. We now have the first reply to one of his questions. Sandra Smith wrote: |
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The Zodiax "I remember The Zodiax and Ian Kimmett. I worked for a short time with his girlfriend Helen Breustedt. Her parents owned an Hotel in the Scottish Borders, at Jedburgh I think. I also remember he drummer in the band. Was his name Ian?" The Gamp "My friend, Blanche, and I were regulars at: - The Gamp - The Place - Casablanca. I think we used to go nearly every night the Gamp was open. We even worked there sometimes, upstairs in the cafe." The Athenians "The Athenians, of course, were very popular. I can remember going through to Glasgow in a bus organised by the Gamp, to watch a band competition in which the Athenians were taking part." The Partisans "The Partisans was another group we knew. Blanche went out with the drummer, Lloyd. Great days - so long ago! I'm lucky enough to get back to the UK often and always pop up to Edinburgh." Ian Hampton, Wales: March 9, 10, 12, 2010 |
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Recollections 50. Reply 2. Ron Spalding Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Ron Spalding added: |
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The Zodiax "With reference to Ian Hamptons recollections (50 above), I remember 'The Zodiax' from Edinburgh in fact I was only speaking with Ian Spalding on New Year's Day. Ian was 'the drummer' who formed the band back in 1959 and ran through to circa 1965. He is my younger brother. Ian Kimmett was 'singer number 2' with the band, due to the original singer having had a fall out with another band member. Ian Spalding remembers him well and was aware that he had moved abroad. Another band member that I can remember was Gordon Johnson (guitarist) who worked in Rae Macintosh music shop when they were in Stafford Street in Edinburgh. 'The Zodiax' played at a number of venues around Edinburgh including the 'Palais de Danse' in Fountainbridge with the revolving stage. They would come round on the stage after the big band had completed their stint, giving way to the group of the night. They also played across the uk even being on the bill with Jet Harris and Tony Meehan. Ron Spalding: January 2, 2015 |
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Recollections 51. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Ian Hampton who wrote: |
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The Group Frank wrote:
"Does anyone remember 'The Crew
Cuts'? I got this signed picture of them at the Empire Theatre in the early-1950. Their popular songs were: - Shaboom Shiboom - Earth Angel."
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Recollections 52. Mike Crean Dorking, Surrey, England |
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Thank you to Mike Crean, who was born and brought up in Edinburgh and now lives in Dorking Surrey, for writing about his experience of groups in Edinburgh in the 1960s. Mike wrote: |
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The Gamp "I first started to go to The Gamp in January 1963. Some favourite acts in those days were: - The Corrie Folk Trio with Paddy Bell on Monday nights. - The Dave Roberts Quartet on Tuesdays. This was a jazz quartet formed of members of the Dean Hamilton Combo. - The Athenians on Saturdays. - The Dean Hamilton Combo on Sundays. They later became The Boston Dexters in 1964. - The Avengers played Thursdays, starting in 1964/65." The Embers "I thought you might be interested in reading some post-scripts about the Embers and other bands. I played guitar and we started a band called The Partisans. We played lots of gigs with both The Embers and The Avengers. We became friendly with the guys in the groups, especially their singers: - Kenny Charleston from The Avengers and - Jimmy Cruickshank from The Embers. In 1965, both Kenny and Jimmy left their bands and joined us in The Partisans as joint singers. The band enjoyed a lot of success in 1965 and played regularly at: - The Gamp - The Place - The International - The Top Storey - The Cephas and - The Gonk." 1965 "In June 1965, we entered the East of Scotland Band Competition, held in the Regal Ballroom, Kirkcaldy. We had a great time that night and eventually finished third behind the Hipple People and The Embers. We enjoyed the rest of 1965 before disbanding in early 1966. We all went on to play in other bands and groups, throughout the rest of the 1960s. Best regards to all other band members and friends who may remember us. Great days and great memories."
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Recollections 53. Peter Lehany Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Peter Lehany who wrote: |
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The Gamp Regulars - 1960s "Jimmy Moffat (sadly passed on) and I were both apprentices at Ferranti's along side the Embers. Others were who attended the Gamp were: - Charley McKinley - Kenny Green - George Leitch (GBL Motors) We were all regulars at the Gamp and know many of the people mentioned in the list from Brian Waugh (41 above). All of us have been to Shapes to see the Athenians 'Brilliant Night'. See them live on YouTube. |
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2010 P.S. Tam White is a member at Greens Health Club, next to the Corn Exchange Slateford. He is playing there this Friday, March 26, 2010. Does anybody have any info on Johnny (Rainbow) Laidlaw? |
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Peter Lehany, Edinburgh: March 22, 2010 |
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Recollections 54. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote: |
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Reply to Recollections 53 "Peter Lehany asked about Johnny (Rainbow) Laidlaw. He is an old pal of mine who worked beside me at Ferranti. In the mid-1960s, he once played lead in my band, The Jokers. Johnny used to perform on passenger liners with the famous Edinburgh lead guitarist, Frankie Conners (formerly of the Crusaders/Boston Dexters). Johnny has now retired and lives in Fife. He has the wee boat that he uses to take tourists around the Forth." |
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Reunion "Two or three years ago, I organised a 1960s reunion of Edinburgh singers and musicians at Leith Dockers' Club. It was a great success, with many old faces turning up." |
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Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: March 26, 2010 |
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Recollections 55. John Carroll |
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Thank you to John Carroll who wrote: |
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Mason Webb "Does anybody remember a group in the Edinburgh area in the 1970s called Mason Webb? I think one of the guys was a hairdresser who worked in a shop in Dalry Road." John Carroll: March 24, 2010 |
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Recollections 56. Dave Roberts |
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Thank you to Dave Roberts who read Recollections 36 and 38 above. Dave wrote: |
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Andy Russell Seven "Imagine my surprise when online I stumbled across the good old Andy Russell Seven Band and discovered the photos and the data on your site. This was a fun group to play with and we had a great time travelling all over Scotland playing rock gigs from Stonehaven to Dumfries. I'd forgotten the really smart gear we wore back then, the makeup and the tight trousers! I especially remember Alf Smith the keyboard player. He was a graduate and taught Physics in the same school, Lasswade High, as I taught Maths at. His piece de resistance was diving off the stage into the dancers towards the end of his favourite tune, the name of which I cannot, for the life of me, remember! What a character but sadly, as far as I know, he is no longer alive. As for the other members of the band I have no knowledge of how they are at present, but it would be nice to hear how they are doing these days. ** Although 72, I'm still playing but not as often as I would like. Here is a recording of my most recent efforts, recorded in Scotland with the Simon Abbott Band. This recording includes many tunes that I wrote." Dave Roberts: March 30, 2010 |
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Reply to Dave Roberts? ** If you'd like to send a reply to Dave Roberts, please email me then I'll pass on your message to him. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: March 30, 2010 |
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Recollections 56. Reply 1. Andy Wishart Staffordshire, England |
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Thank you to Andy Wishart for replying to the comments from Dave Roberts in Recollections 56 above. Andy wrote: |
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Andy Russell Seven "You have note above saying that anybody wishing to get in touch with Dave Roberts who used to play with the Andy Russell Seven should send an email to you and you would forward it to Dave. Andy Russell was me, actually. 'My Rock 'n Roll Daze' "I'm currently writing a slice of my memoirs, a book called 'My Rock 'n Roll Daze' and I'd love to get in touch with Dave again. He was my tenor playing hero! He often appears in this book. It would help if I could check with him from time to time to make sure I have got my story straight! I am always in touch with Dave Ewart in Penicuik and he tells me that Stan Wilson, our ex bass player has surfaced recently. It would be great if I could get Dave Roberts to surface as well. 'My Army Daze' "I have just published, 'My Army Daze' on Amazon Kindle. It is about my National Service in the Far East where I served with The Kings Own Scottish Borderers (The Edinburgh Regiment). Andy Wishart (alias Andy Russell), Staffordshire, England: November 11, 2012 |
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I have forwarded Andy's message and email address to Dave, so hope they will be able to get in touch with each other again. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: November 27, 2012 |
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Recollections 57. Ian Ross Craigentinny, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Ian Ross who wrote: |
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Bungies Beat Club "Here is a copy of my 'Bungies Beat Club' Membership Card (front and back). You'll see, from the back of the card, why I kept it!" Gene Vincent "I was in London on a course in December 1964, staying at the Russell Hotel. On our very first night, I spotted Gene Vincent sitting in the Lounge Bar, dressed all in black leather with gammy leg (motorbike accident) stretched out in front of him. He was with a very nice 60s 'chick' dressed all in white leather. Anyway, he was very happy to autograph my Bungies Card. The Gamp and The Place "I wasn't too keen on Bungies. When I discovered The Gamp, I never went back to Bungies. We all went to The Place as well, but it was just a bit too frantic there. I remember the condensation pouring down the walls on a Saturday night. Saw Jimmy James and the Vagabonds there. Gamp was smaller, more intimate and much friendlier. I even went there on my own, a couple of times. I would never have done that at The Place! Bands "My favourite bands were: - Screaming Citizens - Athenians - Avengers (Kenny Charleson was in my class at school.) Ian McCalman of The McCalmans was also in my class at school." Ian Ross, Craigentinny, Edinburgh: May 6, 2010 |
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Recollections 58. Alan Raeburn Perth, Western Australia, Australia |
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Thank you to Alan Raeburn for replying to Ian ross' comments above. Alan wrote: |
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The Athenians "I also went to these clubs around the years Ian Ross went there. Ian also mentions the Athenians. I remember getting a record from the group themselves, called 'I'm a Lover not a Fighter' on the Edinburgh label, Waverley - yellow label. I still have the record, made in 1964. I wonder if there are any other Athenian's records out there - my fave group, they were. I also saw Jimmy James and countless others through the 1960s - great times! Alan Raeburn, Perth, Western Australia, Australia: May 9, 2010 |
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Recollections 59. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri for sending me a copy of a letter that he has just sent to the Edinburgh Evening News. Here is an extract from his letter. Frank Ferri says he wonders if anybody else remembers the Palace Ballroom above Woolworths at the foot of Leith Walk. |
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Alex Welsh "I was interested in this article on Alex Welsh, renowned jazz trumpet player from Leith. In the late-1950s and early-1960s, the Trad Jazz era, I was an aficionado of all Dixieland music and familiar with the Chicago styles of New Orleans jazz." Minto's Bar "Although I don’t remember Alex Welsh playing at the Nova Scotia pub on the corner of Duke St and Academy St (formerly know as Morton St and Minto’s bar in the early 50s) I do remember Archie Semple well He was responsible for my interest in Dixieland jazz to this day. It was circa 1949, I was only aged 14, with nothing for kids to do of a Sunday night in those days but wander the streets, everything including shops and cinemas were closed." Palace Ballroom One Sunday night, my mate Billy Harper and I, were passing a small doorway at the side of Leith Woolworth’s, Constitution St, when we heard music coming from the third story above Woolies, then known as the Palace Ballroom. Curiosity aroused, we tentatively climbed the stairs and a man appeared. Having great respect for adults in those days and getting ready to run if the response was negative, we stuttered, “Can we get in” He replied “Yes if you’ve got 1/9d" (about 9p in today’s money). The old dancehall had a stage, and the dance floor area was interrupted by various pillars. On taking our places at a table, we were greeted with what we thought was a huge wall of unamplified sound coming from the band... It was non other than Archie Semple. On reflection, it was not loud to today’s standards with great amplifiers and Dolby sound etc, but noisy to us, having never heard live music in an enclosed space before. For our 1/9d we got a cup of tea and two cakes, we sat out the whole performance through, feeling quite grown up in this new and strange environment." Victoria Halls and Oddfellows Halls "Suitably impressed with this new found music, by the age of 17, I had discovered the Victoria Halls at the top of Victoria Street and the Oddfellows Halls in Forrest Rd, the main venues for Traditional Jazz in the early 50s. It was here that I discovered Sandy Brown, the famous Edinburgh clarinetist. He was also a qualified acoustics expert and I believe was involved in perfecting the acoustics of the Usher Hall." New Orleans "In 1954 whilst at sea in the Merchant Navy, I was privileged to visit the Mecca of Jazz, New Orleans, spending 3 days there visiting all the spots synonymous with Jazz such as South Rampart St, Basin St and Bourbon Sts etc. Wonderful memories!" Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: June 4, 2010 |
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Recollections 60. Kenny Bell |
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Thank you to Kenny Bell who wrote: |
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The Berkeley "There was a pub or club in Lothian Road. I think it was called Berkeley. Is that true? If so, when did it close? Kenny Bell: May 28, 2010 |
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Reply to Kenny If you can help to answer Kenny's question above, please email me, then I'll pass your message on to him. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: June 5, 2010 |
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Update |
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Recollections 61. Mike Cheyne |
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Thank you to Mike Cheyne for leaving this message in the EdinPhoto guest book. Mike wrote: |
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The Berkley "I remember The Berkley in Lothian Road. In the late-1950s /early-1960s, it was a pub next door to the Caley cinema and underground. On Fridays and Saturdays it was full of American servicemen from the spy base at Kirknewton. i don't know when it closed. Mike Cheyne, Newcastle-upon-Tyne: Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book: June 6, 2010 |
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Recollections 62. Isa White Beniarries, Spain |
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Isa White wrote: |
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Question The Beachcombers "Do you know the whereabouts of any of the Beachcombers beat group from the 1960s? I would love to hear from Sandy, Kenny, Mike or the two Daves. I knew them very, very well when they played The International Club, and they were very popular when they played in Bowhouse Community Centre in Grangemouth. Isa White: June 5, 2010 NOTE: The Beachcombers were (left to right in the photo above): - Sandy - Kenny (Eccles) - Mike - David A - David P |
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Isa subsequently wrote: |
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Grangemouth "Many years ago I was Secretary of Bowhouse Community centre in Grangemouth and used to run beat dances to raise funds. Jimmy Roccio of the International Club in Princes Street contacted me and asked me to try out various groups for him. One of them was the Beachcombers and they went down a bomb! They played for me for a long time and always came back to my house for their supper! They were so so popular in Grangemouth. Mike used to bring the house down and Kenny (Eccles) was described, one time, in the Daily Express, as the wildest drummer this side of Africa. I can well remember how very chuffed he was with that cutting from the paper. He showed it to everybody, until it was in tatters - happy days!! Where are they now? Somewhere, I have a copy of a record they made. I wonder if it's worth any money! I have often wondered what happened to them. I'd dearly love to hear how and where they all are now." Isa White: June 6, 2010 |
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Reply to Isa If you know where any of The Beachcombers are now, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Isa. Thank you. Peter Stubbs: June 6, 2010 |
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Recollections 62. Reply 1. Lenny Toshack Leith, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Lenny Toshack who replied to Isa White's question above. Lenny wrote: |
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The Beachcombers "Kenny McLean (Eccles) used to own the pub 'Four in Hand' up Easter Road, but has since sold it. I spoke to him a few years ago, but he did not want to talk about his old group. Dave Paton used to live in the Drum Brae area of Edinburgh. I don't know whether he is still there or not. When I spoke to him at a function last year, he was vey nice and taken aback that I remembered the Beachcombers." Lenny Toshack, Leith, Edinburgh: June 7, 2010 |
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Recollections 62. Reply 2. Ian Young Hawick, Borders, Scotland |
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Thank you to Ian Young who replied: |
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The Beachcombers "Dave Paton was a member of the Bay City Rollers in their early days and went on to form Pilot. He is a much sought after session bass guitarist. I’m sure I saw him in a band in the Jam House last year. He has his own website." Ian Young, Hawick, Borders, Scotland: June 8, 2010 |
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Here is a link to the David Paton web site. Peter Stubbs: June 12, 2010 |
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Recollections 62. Reply 3. Iain Rowberry |
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Thank you to Ian Rowberry who wrote: |
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The Beachcombers "Isa White was was wondering what had happened to members of the 1960 band, Beachcombers. Mike Cummings, my step brother, was lead singer in the band, but unfortunately he died a few years ago in Edinburgh. I remember as a young boy, the days when the band members used to stay with my family. My own son is presently going through similar things that his Uncle Mike did in the 1960s with his band Pose Victorious, probably Edinburgh’s finest Indie rock band at the moment." Ian Rowberry: July 6, 2010 |
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Recollections 62. Reply 4. Steven Rowberry |
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Thank you to Ian Rowberry who wrote: |
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The Beachcombers Mike Cummings "Mike Cummings of The Beachcombers was, in fact, my father. He sadly passed away 6 years ago of cancer, aged 57. He was a great man who loved his music right till the end. David Paton The other members, I don't know much about, apart from David Paton who went onto huge success. I contacted his web site and he agreed to meet. We had a great chat talking about the old days. I'm sure he would have mentioned Grangemouth. I remember my dad talking about these places." Steven Rowberry: September 20, 2011 |
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Recollections 62. Reply 5. Ian Doyle |
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Thank you to Ian Doyle who wrote: |
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The Beachcombers Roadie "I was a roadie with The Beachcombers, along with: - wee Joe - John Smith - Kenny McLean snr who sadly passed away. Mike, the singer has also passed away. Sandy lives in London. Kenny McLean jnr is a very successful publican. Ian Doyle: June 12, 2015 |
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Recollections 63. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri for passing on the sad news about Tam White. Frank wrote: |
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Tam White RIP "I've just heard of the sad demise of the well known Edinburgh Blues singer, Tam White. He died suddenly, yesterday, aged 66. I knew him well. It was only a few months ago that I was talking to him during a break at a gig in Leith Dockers' Club. The Gamp The first time that I encountered the cheeky, confident wee chappy was I when I was working in the old Gamp Club as a steward, before he got involved in singing. He'd swagger in, wearing a narrow-brimmed Frank Sinatra cut hat, full of confidence. The Boston Dexters We met up a few years later in the mid-1960s when he formed 'The Boston Dexters' and I was doing similar venues as he with the my band 'The Jokers'. Film and TV He was in a couple of films, Braveheart for one, and a couple of Scottish TV soaps. He was great friends with many Edinburgh entertainers: - Alex (Happy) Howden - Frankie Conners - Toto McNaughton - Johnny (Rainbow) Laidlaw - the late Tam Paton - etc. There will probably be a tribute concert in the city soon. Expect it to be a sell out." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: June 22, 2010 |
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Recollections 64. Jean-François Paris, France |
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Thank you to Jean-François who wrote: |
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The Place "I'm French. In the summer 1978 / 79 / 80, during my holiday's I used to go to perfect my English at 'The Place' disco in Victoria Street. We were a group of students (17-19 years, approx). Every night, we used to go to dance there in July or August !" Tiffany's "Another discotheque that we went to was 'Tiffany's'." "Do you have any info about these places?" Jean-François, Paris, France: July 18, 2010 |
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Reply Jean: If you read what has been written higher up on this page, you should find a few comments about 'The Place' from the 1960s onwards, and about 'Tiffany's'. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: July 18, 2010 |
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Recollections 65. John Gray Stenhouse, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to John Gray, Stenhouse, Edinburgh for sending me these two photos: |
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The Images Edinburgh John wrote: "My wife has just received this photo from a recently deceased auntie's collection. It is one of two photos of the group found amongst a collection of 1500 family photos. I'm guessing that they are from around the1960s. I wonder if anyone has any idea who these guys were." John Gray, Stenhouse, Edinburgh: August 29, 2010 |
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Recollections 65. Reply 1. Douglas Mackenzie Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to Douglas Mackenzie who wrote: |
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The Images Edinburgh Douglas wrote: "The Images were indeed a band in the mid-1960s. They played most of the clubs in Edinburgh. Their line up was: - Andy Gupta: guitar - Gordon Hastie (Moses): bass - Alan Smith: drums - Alan Guthrie **: vocals - Douglas Mackenzie (me): guitar. The line up eventually changed. - Alan Guthrie turned professional - Alan Smith turned professional - Gordon Hastie turned professional - Brian Johnston became the new guitarist." Douglas Mackenzie, Lasswade, Midlothian, Scotland: July 23, 2012 |
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** See also: Recollections 163 |
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Recollections 66. Marilyn Mauran Kellas, Dundee, Tayside, Scotland |
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Thank you to Marilyn Mauran, Stenhouse, Edinburgh for sending a reply to the question in 60 above Marilyn wrote: |
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The Berkeley Club "I have a faint recollection that the Berkeley Club changed its name in the late-1960s, but I can’t remember its new name. I’m sure it eventually had a fire and subsequently closed. Was it not owned or run by Peter Williamson?" Marilyn Mauran, Kellas, Dundee, Tayside, Scotland: September 4, 2010 |
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Recollections 67. Bill Hunter Silverknowes, Edinburgh |
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Keith Main mentions 'The Laughing Duck' in his Recollections 31 above Now, Bill Hunter writes: |
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Question The Laughing Duck "My wife and I were trying to remember what 'The Laughing Duck' used to be called. I wonder if any of your contributors might remember." Bill Hunter, Silverknowes, Edinburgh: September 11, 2010 |
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Recollections 67. Reply 1. Peter Stubbs Edinburgh |
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The Laughing Duck "This page on the Great Places to Eat in Scotland web site gives a little information about 'The Laughing Duck' at 24 Howe Street and its recent £2.1m refurbishment." The Howard The web page above says: 'Over recent years the pub has changed names a couple of times. It became an Irish pub, a wine bar called the Howard, but then switched back to its original name, The Laughing Duck'." Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: September 11, 2010 |
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Recollections 67. Reply 2. Anna Stevens Edinburgh |
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Anna Stevens remembers 'The Laughing Duck' under its old name, when it used to have a jazz band on a Friday evening. Thank you Anna for writing to tell me: |
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'The Laughing Duck' previously 'The Athenian' "The Laughing Duck at 24 Howe Street used to be called 'The Athenian'. On Fridays around 1965-67, it had jazz bands. I remember Gordon Cruikshank playing at 'The Athenian'. He must have been almost still school age then." Anna Stevens, Edinburgh: 23 November 2016 +14 January 2017 |
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Recollections 68. Barry Fawcett Canada |
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Barry Fawcett wrote: |
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Question The Hunters "I'm trying to get information on the group, 'The Hunters', who played as the resident band at Murrayfield Ice Rink in the 1960. They later changed their name to 'Scratch' and then to 'Leaven Bread [?]" I would be most grateful for any info you can provide." Barry Fawcet, Canada: July 27, 2008 |
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Reply Please click here to read the Reply received from Gordon Hastie The reply mentions several groups and venues. Peter Stubbs: September 12. 2010 |
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Recollections 68. Reply 2. Iain McLeod |
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Iain McLeod wrote |
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'The Hunters' "I've just had a tremendously interesting time reading about divers bands and clubs in Edinburgh, and came across a Barry Fawcett from Canada asking about 'The Hunters' in his Recollections 68 above. The Hunters had a tremendously charismatic singer. I can't remember his name, but I came across him in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1970, when I was drummer for 'Gully Foyle'. The picture of meeting him remains with me to this day. We recognised each other as I was walking into the K65 in Frankfurt to play a weekly residence. He was sitting at the entrance to the club under a wee bridge. He was begging for money for drugs and looked an absolute wreck. I would very much doubt if he is still alive but I will never forget that picture of someone who was at the top of the tree a year or so before and was now a broken man. 'The Images' "'The Images' also had a tremendously charismatic singer, Alan Guthrie. I'd love to know what happened to him Gully Foyle "I played drums with 'Gully Foyle', whose main claim to fame was their Scottish singer, Jim Diamond. I also played with other bands. Iain McLeod, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: November 16 + December 21, 2014 |
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Recollections 69. Harry |
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Harry wrote that the recollections above brought back his memories of the 1960s and 1970s. He added his own memories, writing: |
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The Howff "I' loved the Howff, Roy Guest and Archie Fisher - Great times! Honest Joe and Charlie the Gangster from Leith, what characters!" Bungies and The Place "I was associated with Bungies and The Place, working with Sydney Brian and Paul Waldman. I was actually up in Edinburgh last year and had my photo taken at door of Bungies, a door I entered many times. I used to knock about with Eddie Phillips. He was a bouncer at Bungies and The Place." |
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Recollections 70. Elizabeth Fraser (née Betty Simpson) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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Thank you to Elizabeth Fraser (née Betty Simpson) for allowing me to reproduce this photograph of a club concert at the Edinburgh YWCA Club which she attended from around 1946 to 1952 Please click on the thumbnail image above to enlarge it. |
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Elizabeth wrote: YWCA Club Concert "I keep looking in the EdinPhoto 'Recollections' pages, hoping to find someone of my era who went to the YWCA in what was, I think, St James' Square, around 1946- 52. It was a mixed club, run by a Mr. and Mrs Masters. They were good times with some amateur concerts. Here is a photo of one of the concerts. I think it appeared in the ‘Dispatch’ newspaper. I'm just curious to see if anyone recognizes some of the dancers, including: - me - May McIntosh, as she was then - June Hanratty (now deceased) - any of the other girls. I cannot recall their names" Elizabeth Fraser (née Betty Simpson), Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: October 12, 2010 |
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Reply to Elizabeth Fraser? If you'd like to send a reply to Elizabeth, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to her. Thank you. - Peter Stubbs: October 15, 2010 |
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Recollections 71. James McEwan Duddingston Mills, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to James McEwan who wrote: |
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The Aabano "A club I've never seen any mention of was the Abano in Waterloo Place. I only ever went there twice. That was in January 1965. I think it was a relatively short lived venue. It was a floor or two above what is now 'The Waterloo'. I wonder if anyone else has memories of this club." James McEwan, Duddingston Mills, Edinburgh: October 14, 2010 |
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Hi James: I made a brief reference to the Abano on this page of the EdinPhoto web site: Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 17, 2010 |
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Update The club is also mentioned in Recollections 88 below. |
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Recollections 72. James McEwan Duddingston Mills, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to James McEwan who wrote: |
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Live Bands "I saw lots of the top groups that came to Edinburgh from the mid-1960s onwards, including: - The Stones at the Usher Hall - The Kinks at The Place - The Beatles at the ABC. The best live bands I've ever ssaw were: - Sounds Incorporated playing at the Top Storey in 1965. They were an instrumental band and never gained the prominence of the other top bands of the time but they really knew their stuff and 'sounded' ace - 10cc at the Usher Hall, a decade later. They performed with their original line up and they sounded just as good as their recordings, if not better." James McEwan, Duddingston Mills, Edinburgh: October 17, 2010 |
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Recollections 73 Eric Gold East London, England |
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Thank you to Eric Gold who wrote |
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Club Owners: 1950s to 1970s "A lot of people have added nice comments about the Edinburgh night clubs from the 1950s onwards. Most of these were owned by Peter Williamson, my uncle Paddy Deighan's business partner. They sold up in 1980. Peter settled in Spain ( - I spoke to him just last week) and my uncle Paddy had a wee building company until his death in 2000." Eric Gold, East London, England: October 15, 2010 |
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Recollections 74. Jim Di Mambro South Africa |
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Jim Di Mambro wrote: |
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The International "Eric Gold (Recollections 73 above) mentions Peter Williamson's partner, Paddy Deighan. In the days of 'The International', Peter Williamson's partner was Paddy Reilly. Did he change his name?" Jim Di Mambro, South Africa: October 21, 2010 |
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Recollections 75 Eric Gold East London, England |
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Thank you to Eric Gold who replied to Jim Di Mambro's comments above. Paddy Deighan does not appear to have changed his name. Eric wrote: |
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The International "Paddy Deighan (my uncle) and Peter Williamson were partners for years. They started a garage business together in Royal Circus Place. They owned the International Club at Tollcross. This was a casino at first. There was also another guy involved. He was an Egyptian called Farruk. He sold his share to Peter and my uncle. Later, the International became a disco. Paddy and Peter put other people in to manage it. They also had a few pubs and my uncle Paddy bought the Haymarket Hotel in Coates Gardens near Haymarket Station." Eric Gold, East London, England: October 22, 2010 |
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Recollections 76 Jim Archibald Polmont, Central Scotland |
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Jim Archibald wrote: |
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Top Storey and Gamp "We had great times, with many happy memories of the 1960s. We started off at the Top Storey and graduated to the Gamp (best ever). Highlights included Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, and songs, especially 'Amen'." |
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Question Opposite McGoos "Can anybody help please? I met my wife at a club opposite McGoos, but can't remember the name of it. I'm sure it was down a lane. |
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Jim Archibald, Polmont, Central Scotland: October 15, 2010 |
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Recollections 77 Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri who replied to Jim Archibald's question in 'Recollections 76' above. Frank wrote: |
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Reply 1 Opposite McGoos "Was the club not Lunar Park owned by Demarc or Jimmy Roccio?" Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: October 23, 2010 |
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Recollections 78 John Dickson Silverknowes, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to John Dickson who also replied to Jim Archibald's question in 'Recollections 76' above. John wrote: |
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Reply 2 Opposite McGoos "I'm sure it was called 'The Joint'. Am I right Jim?" John Dickson, Silverknowes, Edinburgh: October 23, 2010 |
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Recollections 79. John Gray Stenhouse, Edinburgh |
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John Gray replied: |
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Reply 3 Opposite McGoos "My wife confirms Frank Ferri's memory. The club was The Lunar Park. It was owned by Jimmy Roccio." John Gray, Stenhouse, Edinburgh: October 24, 2010 |
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Recollections 80 Jim Archibald Polmont, Central Scotland |
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Jim Archibald replied: |
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Reply 4 Opposite McGoos "Thanks for the two suggestions. I just can't remember which it was. I'm thinking towards 'The Joint'. Jim Archibald, Polmont, Central Scotland: October 15, 2010 |
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Update Please see also 'Clubs & Discos: Recollections 147' Peter Stubbs: January 15, 2012 |
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Recollections 81 Eric Gold East London, England |
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Thank you to Eric Gold for sending another email about his uncle, Peter Williamson. Eric wrote: |
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Grafton Club "Amazingly, Peter Williamson phoned me tonight. He told me that his Casino in Tollcross, near the Cameo cinema in Holm Street was, in fact, called the Grafton Club. International Club The Grafton Club closed and was re-opened as a disco, named The International Club, by Peter and my Uncle Paddy. Peter told me that: - he has never heard of a Paddy Reilly - he has not been in business with any other third party, only my uncle Paddy Deighan. - someone may have been a bit nosey, and my uncle may have called himself Reilly in order to protect his identity. Eric Gold, East London, England: October 23, 2010 |
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Recollections 82 Bob Sinclair Queensland, Australia |
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Thank you to Bob Sinclair for responding to comments from Eric Gold in 81 above. Bob wrote: |
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Grafton Club "I do remember the Grafton, since I knew one of the bouncers there. He was a Polish guy called Eddie whose wife minded a shop round in Brougham place. I went up to the Grafton once with a couple of others who had connections there, and played the craps table. The system I used allowed me to win but it took so long that my companions got fed up and insisted that we leave." |
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Recollections 83 Jim Di Mambro South Africa |
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Thank you to Jim Di Mambro who wrote: |
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The International Club "The International Club that I was referring to (in 74 above) was in Princes Street. It was, owned by Peter and Paddy and run by another Scots Italian, like myself, Jimmy Roccio." Jim Di Mambro, South Africa: October 27, 2010 |
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Recollections 84 John Gray Stenhouse, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to John Gray who wrote: |
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The International Club "Both my wife and I remember the names of the partners: - Peter Williamson (Did he have a brother called Dykes?) - Paddy Reilly. (Obviously, Eric Gold confirms that this was not his real name, but maybe those who did not know him personally just called him that, due to his obvious Irish heritage, or more likely because they did not know how to pronounce Deighan! The partners had a fearsome reputation around Edinburgh at the time, but i sure liked the clubs they had. I have many happy memories in them" John Gray, Stenhouse, Edinburgh: October 29, 2010 |
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Recollections 85 Eric Gold East London, England |
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Thank you to Eric Gold for writing again about the name 'Paddy Reilly'. Eric wrote: |
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Peter Williamson and Paddy Reilly "Peter Williamson spoke to me recently and mentioned that in the early-1970s he and Paddy Deighan (my uncle) bought a few bookies shops, but could not hold licences themselves, so they put in a Victor Brielly as a figurehead for six of them. That may be where the confusion arose - Peter and Paddy owning the shops and Victor Brielly managing them, leading someone to believe that there was a 'Peter Williamson / Paddy Reilly' partnership!" *** Eric Gold, East London, England: November 1, 2010 |
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*** = But see Eric's 'Update' below, written about a week later, for a better explanation. |
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Eric wrote: Update Peter Williamson and Paddy Reilly "I was speaking to my cousin Rena who lives in Orpington, Kent yesterday. She is the oldest daughter of my late uncle, Paddy Deighan. She told me that there was a Paddy Reilly who was a partner of Peter Williamson in the Royal Chimes Casino in Royal Circus Place, but only that casino. So, that's the mystery of Paddy Reilly (84 above) solved! However, my uncle Paddy Deighan and Victor Brielly were the main people associated with Peter Williamson in Edinburgh. Eric Gold, East London, England: November 7, 2010 |
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Recollections 86 Bruce Johnstone Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to Bruce Johnstone who wrote: |
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Goldenacre Scout Hall Dances "Who remembers the Goldenacre Scout Hall dances that were held, mainly in 1962/ 63, to raise funds? The Scout Group held dances featuring the local Edinburgh Groups: - Dean Hamilton Combo - Saracens - others (Suggestions please!)" |
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Groups "The Saracens Group members were mainly Trinity pupils: - Brian Ryalls - Robin MacKenzie - "Smiggy" - Roy Oliver - Johnny Robertson? (Royal High). I believe Royal High and Heriots also had similar Groups. These Beat Groups also played at other Church Halls or at Wardie Masonic Hall." |
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Groups "The tickets for these events were like 'gold dust' and were sold mainly either locally or to pupils at Trinity, Heriots, Royal High, Daniel Stewarts and James Gillespie's schools. The evening would finish with a rendering of 'Blueberry Hill' with the lights dimmed and next meeting arrangements made!" |
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Bruce Johnstone, Haddington, East Lothian, Scotland: November 5, 2010 |
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Recollections 87. Mike Crean Dorking, Surrey, England |
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Thank you to Mike Crean for writing again, responding to James McEwan's question about the Albino Club in Waterloo Place (71 above). Mike wrote: |
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The Partisans "Our group, The Partisans, had a Sunday night residency at The Abano Club during January and February 1965. It was in a very small attic-type area at the top of the building. Access for the group was by an old, creaky lift which never felt too safe, especially when we were carting our equipment up in it. Everyone else had climb the rickety staircase to the top. The club got really busy on Sunday nights and we regularly packed it out. However, this may just have been an overspill from punters who couldn't get into the Top Storey which was just down the road in Leith Street. The Embers "Our rivals, The Embers, were the big attraction at The Storey on Sunday nights and the doors were closed very early in the evening. That said, we always enjoyed playing at The Abano and we build up a good support of our own. Jimmy Cruickshanks, the singer with The Embers, later joined The Partisans in June of 1965." The Albino Club The owner of the Albino Club was a real eccentric character, although I can't remember his name. For someone in the Edinburgh music business, he was very well-spoken, quite posh in fact. He also had a unique 'bouncer' - a very large and aggressive Alsatian dog! He kept this beast in the fore mentioned lift where it barked and alarmed all the poor customers as they came into the club. There were obviously very few brawls as everyone was scared stiff of the beast. However, on the odd occasion when a fracas broke out, the dog was let out of the lift and quickly got ''tore in' to the unfortunate culprits! The punch-up very quickly ended and everyone scattered. I think the fire people finally got involved in the safety measures at the club and The Abano closed later in 1965. Great memories, though, and thanks to James for bringing it up.
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Recollections 88. Dave Lowe Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland |
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Thank you to David Lowe who wrote: |
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The Aabano "The Aabano Club is mentioned in Recollections 71 above. We used to go there to listen to The Hipple People. The club was up the stairs in a tenement at the end of Waterloo Place." |
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Reply 5 Opposite McGoos Adele Dance Studios "Jim Archibald asked about a club opposite McGoos. Might this have been Adele Dance Studios? The guy did ballroom-type dancing but I seem to remember he attempted to move with the times and changed it to a 'beat club'. Did I not go there to watch Jimmy James and the Vagabonds? Or was that down another lane opposite McGoos?" |
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The Bowler & Brolly "What about 'The Bowler and Brolly' in Reigo Street? I'm not sure it ever took off. " |
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The Greenhill "What about 'The Greenhill' at Holy Corner? It was always packed out on a Saturday." |
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The Casablanca "I don't see any mentions of 'The Casablanca', in one of the lanes off Rose Street, near the Kenilworth. It had live bands until about midnight and then it became a disco, which was a bit unusual for the 60s." ***
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The Palais "Boroughmuir Basketball Club used to hire the Palais in Fountainbridge and put on acts for fundraising, like Long John Baldry, Manfred Mann and others." |
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Dave Lowe, Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland: September 29, 2009 |
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Recollections 89. James McEwan Duddingston Mills, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to James McEwan who began by replying to a question by David Lowe in 'Recollections 88' above. James wrote: |
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The Bowler & Brolly "I'm sure that 'The Bowler and Brolly' was formerly 'The Gonk', and that not long after the name change, Riego Street was earmarked for demolition." |
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The International "I'm sure that the opening of 'The International' was performed by Jim Baxter in July 1965. By this time, he had left Rangers and had signed for Sunderland." |
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James McEwan, Duddingston Mills, Edinburgh: December 6, 2010 |
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Recollections 90. Donna Ewen |
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Answer Thank you to Donna Ewen for resolving a question that was discussed in Recollections 71, 74, 81 and 85 above: 'Who was Paddy Reilly?' |
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Paddy Reilly Donna told me about an Appreciation article for Paddy that was published in The Scotsman newspaper on August 15, 2006, a week after Paddy's death at the age of 81. It included the following details: - John Paddy Reilly - born: Aug 17, 1924 - died: Aug 8, 2006 - age 13 or 14: left school and became a stable boy in Edinburgh. - age 16: became a milk roundsman with St Cuthbert's milk horses. - served with RAF for seven years. - aged 20s: sold insurance, then drove cabs THEN - opened a casino at Hamilton Place, Stockbridge. - with Peter Williamson, he created The Grafton Club, Tollcross casino. - alone, he opened Walkers night spot at Shandwick Place. - with Peter Williamson, he launched the International Club, Princes St. - alone, he opened the Teenage Club, South Bridge. - converted the meat market, East Fountainbridge to The Americana. - launched Annebelle's at Semple Street, East Fountainbridge. |
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Acknowledgement Donna Ewen: January 2, 2010 |
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Recollections 91. Terry Cox Swanston, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Terry Cox for passing on his own memories of Paddy Reilly. Terry wrote: |
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Paddy Reilly "I never knew Paddy Reilly or his partner or his partner, Peter Williamson, personally, but I frequented a few of their establishments in the 1970s. I seem to remember that Paddy Reilly stayed in a house just along from Darroch School, just off Gilmore Place. He used to park his Rolls Royce in the street." |
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Acknowledgement Terry Cox, Swanston, Edinburgh: January 12, 2011 |
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Recollections 92. Eric Begbie Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, Scotland |
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Eric Begbie wrote: |
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Acker Bilk "There is a photograph in 'The Scotsman' this morning of Acker Bilk at the Palais in April 1964. I am almost certain that this was at the Jazz 'n' Beat Ball, an annual Edinburgh University Charities Week event that usually featured two national bands backed by two local bands. If my memory is correct, the line up in 1964 was: - Acker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band - Old Bailey and his Jazz Advocates - The Big Three - The Athenians" Eric Begbie, Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, Scotland: January 17, 2010 |
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Recollections 93. Martin Stoggell Texas, USA |
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Thank you to Martin Stoggell for sending me this photograph of his membership cards from Edinburgh Clubs and Discos. Martin wrote: |
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Membership Cards "Here are some of my membership cards from the 1960s:" |
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McGoos "McGoos was great I have a recollection of seeing Cream play there in 1967." |
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The Place "The Place was my favourite club, I always remember the Pathfinders with Clewsy up front doing some inspired performances. I saw Jethro Tull do a gig there once. In the early 1960s, the BBC used to screen the folk club that met at The Place on Tuesday ? evenings." |
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Hanover Street Café "There was also a cool café around the 1960s, where Hendersons the vegetarian restaurant is now, but I can’t remember the name of it." *** |
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Martin Stoggell, who lives beside a swamp in Texas, USA: January 17 + 18, 2011 |
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*** Update |
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Martin wrote again to say: The Stockpot. "The wife of a friend in Edinburgh has confirmed that the name of the café that I was asking about was 'The Stockpot. It was a real dive, as I remember, but it captured the essence of the times." Martin Stoggell, Texas, USA: January 27, 2011 |
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Recollections 94. John Cairns South of France |
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Thank you to John Cairns for posting a message in the EdinPhoto guest book. John wrote: |
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Top Storey "I remember going to the Edinburgh clubs, particularly the Top Storey, in 1964-66. I'd like to know if anyone remembers me, particularly my old friends: - Ned Munro - Lennie Campbell - Gerry Clarke - Sheila Brodie - Jaqueline Paterson - Anne Kean Who was the owner of the Top Storey?" |
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John Cairns, South of France: Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, January 23, 2011 |
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Recollections 95. John Cairns South of France |
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John Cairns posted another message about Edinburgh clubs in the 1960s. John wrote: |
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Weekends in 1960s "My weekend started at the Top Storey from around 8-11pm, then on to Bungies til around 7am when we staggered to the Café at Waverley Station for breakfast, then on to the Bus Station for a coffee and chat. Great times! Every weekend was exciting and fun. It's a pity we didn't have any money then. Did anyone else do this?" |
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John Cairns, South of France: Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, January 25, 2011 |
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Recollections 96. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri who wrote: |
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Acker Bilk "I remember a Jazz festival in Waverly Market around 1957/58. Many bands appeared, including Acker Bilk who took the place by storm at the peak of the Trad Jazz era of that time. Little did I know that six or seven years later, I'd be sharing the same stage with him with my band, the Jokers. We were the support band at Haddington Corn Exchange. He was a very nice guy and we had a great jam session in the dressing room after the show, supported by a bottle of whisky." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: January 26, 2011 |
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Recollections 97. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri for sending me a copy of a Kirknewton Airmans Club programme from 1965. It's good to see that this has survived for almost fifty years. Frank's band was 'The Jokers'. If you click on the thumbnail image below to enlarge it, and you'll find 'The Jokers' listed on June 12 and June 19. Frank wrote: |
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Kirkliston "Kirknewton, American Air Base was another great venue for bands in the 1960s. We played there often." 1965 Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: January 26, 2011 |
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Update Dates I asked Frank which years it was when his band played at Kirkliston. He did not know the exact dates but sent me a copy of a receipt the payment made for one of his band's performances there. The receipt was for £18 and was dated August 30, 1965 Acknowledgement: Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: January 29, 2011 |
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Update 2 1965 Frank believes that his performance at Kirkliston, on June 19 would have been a Saturday in the 1960s. Using this page on the Search for Ancestors web site, we find that the only year in the 1960s when June 19 fell on a Saturday was 1965 |
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Recollections 98. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Thank you to Frank Ferri for sending me a copy of a Gonk Club programme from 1965 - another programme that has survived for almost fifty years. I expect quite a few people might remember some of the bands and performers listed here. 1965 Frank's band was 'The Jokers'. If you click on the thumbnail image above to enlarge it, and you'll find 'The Jokers' listed on September 10. Acknowledgement: Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: January 26, 2011 |
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Update I asked Frank which years it was when his band played at Gonk Club. He replied: Dates "I can only guess at 1964/65." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: January 29, 2011 |
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Update 2 Frank also sent me a copy of a bill for £21 5s 0d for a recording session at Craigleith Studios. The bill is dated March 12, 1966. Frank added: Recording Session "My band (the Jokers) attempted to enter the big time. A recording we made at our own expense. We sent copies to the popular pirate radio stations etc. No joy. At the time, we thought it was great. In fact, the recording was absolute rubbish. I have both original tracks on my computer. The tracks were cover versions of 'Nadie' (Chuck Berry) and 'You Won't See Me' (Beetles)." Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: January 29, 2011 |
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Update 3 1965 Thank you to David Bain who checked this page on the Search for Ancestors web site, and told me: "August 27 was a Friday in 1965." The only year in the 1960s which had a 'Friday August 27 ' was 1965, so the Gonk Club programme above must have been for 1965. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: January 30, 2011 |
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Update 4 1965 I found another copy of this Gonk Club programme for 1965 on the Edinburgh Gig Archive web site. This one was similar to the one above but was printed on blue paper. It was also provided by Frank Ferri. Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: October 20, 2011 |
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Recollections 99. John Cairns South of France |
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Thank you to John Cairns for posting another message in the EdinPhoto guest book. John wrote: |
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Groups in 1960s "The groups that I used to enjoy, in the 1960s, were: - Embers. - Athenians. - Beachcombers. - Hipple People. - Moonrakers." |
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Top Storey Club "I also remember two nights when groups with chart hits came to the Top Storey Club: - Applejacks. - Rocking Berries. They were fantastic nights. All credit to the owner of the club who brought these groups to the club at his own expense and probable loss. Where were you then, and do you remember these nights?" |
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John Cairns, South of France: Message posted in EdinPhoto guest book, February 4, 2011 |
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Recollections 100. Frank Ferri Newhaven, Edinburgh |
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Posters Thank you to Frank Ferri for sending me posters for performances by his band, The Jokers, in the mid-1960s. Here are four of the posters. I've added colours to them to make them easier to follow. August 6, 1965
September 4, 1965
January 7, 1966
April 9, 1966
The Jokers split up in 1966 and re-formed as Carnaby Set. |
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Acknowledgement: Frank Ferri, Newhaven, Edinburgh: January 31, 2011 |
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Links to other pages Recollections 101-200 Recollections 201+ |
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Dance Halls: Table of Names, Dates and Addresses |