A 60s local group from Stockton, name unknown. Photograph courtesy of John Robson. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
A 60s local group from Stockton, name unknown. Photograph courtesy of John Robson.
In the wake of the news that Middlesbrough-born, uber-rocksinger Paul Rodgers is about to be awarded an Honorary Doctrate of Letters by Teesside University later this month.
His pal , and early band-mate in local ’60’s group, The Road Runners, Colin Bradley (see his regular postings above) has recently posted an excellent article on Vintage 60’s about the emergence of this young band under the guiding hand of Colin’s charismatic older brother Joe who lived in Norton. As well as being a fascinating story, the article features some high-quality and truly interesting photographs, both past and present. The Road-Runners band spawned no less than three professional musicians of international repute, who are all still performing on a regular basis to this day.
Surprised no one has mentioned the Tent Club at the Swan hotel in Billingham, I can remember seeing Elmer Gantry & his Velvet Opera (Smashed the drum kit up on stage) there in the sixties, I believe Joe Cocker also appeared. Met John McWilliams when he lived in a flat above the shops in Ochil Terrace, a true gentleman.
There has been so much response from the band photo. Names from past and present that have caused so many chuckles and lots of memories, and it is pleasing that all the people are remembered for being talented musicians, all from this area. But it has also informed us of some very sad losses and yet again someone has to come forward and let these muso’s know that another of its amass of talent has sadly left us – MARSHALL GRANT, at only 55, has left the building. I myself along with NEV REED and PHIL UDALL were together in IRON CHICKEN, 15 and 16 year old kids playing Baileys night clubs and going to school the next day after not getting in until gone 4, daylight. Mush, as he was known, was only 14 and considered a fine, fine player being talked about as being the next John ( Collie ) Collins , this in itself is a very high standard indeed. We toast and say again …to absent friends.
Thanks Mac. Sad news about Dessie. I recall him from donkeys years ago and I still remember his favourite quote when talking to us snotty nosed embryonic Musicians. We were quite overawed at his dexterity on the Piano. You have to understand that, at this stage in our musical development, a well played piano was almost unheard of. When I dared to compliment him on his prowess he retorted, not without passion, ‘I am not a Pianist…..I’m a bloody good piano player!’
I think that, because I am a habitual hoarder, I may still have a Piano part that Dessie wrote of one of his songs. As I remember it was a song called ‘Come along with Me’ and it was inspired by that current crop of dismal Eurovision Song Contest entries of the time. A character who will be sadly missed.
Kev Ryan is now a porter @ the James cook hospital Middlesbro…he hasn’t played that much really since his brother Dessy (Keyboards) passed away. Kev also used to do the bandboxes later on with Trev Bullock (RIP) & mad Tex the bass player. Kev was the drummer in my first ever band “The Rick Davis roadshow” he’d previously been in Freddy & the dreamers with Trev. I went on to play with “The Videos” & thereafter “Night train” (With Nev Reed & Andy Hunter)…”Six of the best” & finally “Spike” with ex Chris Rea band singer Steve Conway “The beautiful losers”
Ok, my previous message has not borne fruit so, does anybody have any information on a few other old members of Colin Dale etc? Specifically, Kevin Ryan (drums), Stuart Mott (drums) and Chris Holden (guitar)?
I worked with Stuart Mott in the 70’s he left the pop scene and was working in John Colliers but the factory shut down about 1980’s-ish and lost contact after that he was working at the Eston Working Men’s Club but that was years ago
As the ex Bass Player with ‘Colin Dale and the Boston Movement’, I wonder, does anybody have any information on what became of Colin Dale? Also, Ronnie Ryan who was briefly the manager?
According to Sue Stokeld in San Francisco, I’m informed that Terry Sedgewick is now living in Brighton, Sussex. Whether he is still playing, she knows not. What year did Terry become a member of The Jonboy Band? I seem to recall designing some publicity material for them during the early-mid ’70’s
I feel ive got to put this little baby to bed , well done to Bob Dale , precise about Johny Mac and Andy Hunter both great lads and players , the band above was Freewater they changed to Connection with Ian ? coming in on vocals , they were a superb outfit doing stuff by steely dan to a very high standard , the others in the photo who seem to get little mention or praise are on the left Alan Harrison no longher sadly with us but a character puts it mildly , and a boy for the girls was alan formerly he was the singer with The Zephyrs / Zephrons , next to alan is Wally Latheron , not often seen doing his gardening in tollesby , Wally was guitarist with the one of the best bands ever to come from this area Chelfont Line , for me wally packed in far too early and word has it from himself would like to get back into it for a bit of fun , have had a get together and wally hasnt lost any of it , a great player , finally going to the guy on the right thats Frankie Smith who hailed from Carnaby Rags , a Hartlepool lad originally also a good footballer , laugh a minute was Frankie but his downfall was his fiery temper as to which many band members and audience both found out but nevertheless a great lad ,how do i know so much ? I replaced Ian on vocals and had a few years of fronting what was an excellent band CONNECTION , my inspirations in them early days were Chelfont Line and a guy who played bass with The Crawdaddies , Real Mccoy , Rivers ,Fabulosa Brothers ,Tramline but a voice that sent shivers up my spine , yes TERRY SEDGEWICK so come on ? what and where is Terry Singewhistle…
As I remember, this a picture of “Freewater”. The centre figure is Johny MacWilliams, who was previously our lead quitar in the Moonbeams. The guy at the right back is Andy Hunter, I went to school with Andy. Sorry but the others I do not know. What an era that was – talking just last week with Ewgene McCoy and he also remembers the era with afection. I cannot recall any other time when Teesside had such a vibrant live music scene.
Hi Bob!
I didn’t realize it was you! I used to hang around with John and came to a lot of Moonbeams rehearsals between late 1963 and leaving home in April 1964.
I was the drummer in The Dirgers (aged 13 – 15) and then The Alicats (aged 15 – 18). The Dirgers line up was Sid (lead and vocals), Alan (rhythm), Kevin Prosser (bass). Although not a registered millionaire I have lived in Jersey since 1986 and am still drumming (with two bands!) at 58. Also drum on the cd “Let Yourself Fall” (2006) by Kevin Pallot and the Pinnacles.
All brings back many, many memories from Chris Bailey. I remember going to live in London and, believe me, I think the music scene was much better on Teesside than London. I remember the girls going to work “a season” in Jersey in various hotels and so forth. I wondered why none of them stayed then realized one had to be a registered millionaire to gain residence.
There”s a definition of the word “gentleman”, as being a guy who can play the accordion…but doesn”t! It”s a phrase that can never have been applied to a “lady” accordionist, because one of the greatest acts I ever saw at The Kirk was the extraordinary 60yr old Queen Ida. Along with a motley-crew of side musicians (incl. Flaco Jimenez & a pensionable-age washboard player)her band almost blew the windows out of the place (and nearly collapsed the dancefloor due to the “bouncing” audience) under the pressure of her particular brand of Cajun/Tex-Mex rock. Another seminal act was “Big Daddy” who played almost any chart classic in the style of 50″s rock n” roll. To hear Rick James”s funky 80″s hit “Superfreak” arranged, sung, and played like an Everly brothers smooch-song was downright genius! I am the proud owner (thanks to a big payout on Ebay) of their later album, “Sgt Pepper”, which song for Beatles song, recreated that iconic 60″s album, in a perfect 50″s stylisation. I mean, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”sounds as though it should have always been sung by Jerry “The Killer” Lee Lewis. We have much to thank John McCoy for, in exposing us to such a broad spectrum of music, at The Kirk..
Thanks for putting my mind at rest about Little Feat. I had moved away and heard a rumour when came back one weekend and have never substantiated it, until now. So I didn”t miss them after all. I remember the advert for Blinkers in the Gazette, Admission: Guys 10/- Dollies free. I don”t think that would be allowed now!
No, Little Feat did not play at the Kirk, at the time they where one of John”s favourite bands and I know he did try for them. Talking about Blinkers, I used to go there quite often as one of my mates was a DJ there (Bob Slater). Freddy had a policy in that if the bouncers threw you out of the back door for fighting, he would let you go round to the front and pay to get back in again.
Once again, Chris Bailey has come up with the definitive answer(Brogue/Blinkers)to follow his many interesting contributions about that special era. The in-depth knowledge is fascinating and always jogs the memory. My own question is to ascertain whether Little Feat played the Kirk in the 70s?
Freddie Veazey is still to be seen around M/bro these days. Freddie started in clubs as a croupier at the Marimba Club , Newport Rd in the early “60”s, and then became Manager of a combined bingo/casino venue in M/cstr, around the time of Georgie Best”s hey-day at Man Utd. George, had opened a mens “boutique” near Freddies “casino”, and it was with this in mind, Freddie returned to M/bro to open Brougue Mans-shop in Bottomley St, next door to the Purple Onion/Mr McCoys Club. This tiny shop was where many a local lad purchased his first “iconic” Ben Sherman shirt. “Blinkers Nitespot” was opened in Grange Rd by Freddie and his partner John Lewis. Freddie later had a partnership in the “Rock Garden & Bierkeller” on Newport Rd along with Paul Herbert, ironically, in the former Marimba Club premises. Sometime later he purchased the old “Dockers W.M. Club” on Southfield Rd and it became The Belmont Club. Having been made a “good offer” for the building by the University of Teesside, Freddie purchased, and transferred to The Havana Club (formerly The Barracuda, then Speakeasy Club) bought from Brian Andrews, who in turn took over the now vacant Rock Garden as The Arena. Freddie then later sold his “Belmont 2” Club to Tony Spensley of The Dickens Inn who, 6 months later, sold it to Boro Taxis. In retirement, Freddie has returned to his “trade” and become a leading light in the current U.K. attraction to “poker” tournaments.
Whatever did happen to Freddy Veazy”s club on Grange Road and also the man in question?
I have to concur with Steven Murray regarding local band “Rythym Method”, If anyone amongst the many “veterans” on this page has not seen them yet,..do so! I mean how long is it since any of us has seen a super-tight brass section featuring a trombone? Or a female sax-player who can also really sing! They are without doubt a real “show”. When I once caught them at The Dolphin Centre, during the Darlington Blues Festival, they had the whole place up dancing, within minutes of hitting the stage. Fabulous!
Eric Newton – there”s a Billingham lad from the past. I havent been on this site for maybe a year now, how are you?, Remember Kiora Hall rehearsals with “The King” Stukey? We used your Dads van to shift the gear if I remember correctly. John McWilliams, “The King”, Paul Smith and me on bass. We recruited Wally Latheron and Tony Relph a bit later. Alcatraz was the band and Bari Chohan fixed us a recording session in London, we did 4 takes with reasonable backing tracks and then added “The King” later on vocals, he forgot all the words the engineer lost all interest and we went home with no money, having borrowed the petrol money to get there from the manager of La Ronde, I think he was called Brian Lonsdale (?) Didn”t know you were in Qatar but then again I lost touch with everyone from Billingham 30 years ago, but still playing and have a band now ready for the road, guitar player is 19 and I”m 57, the rest fall somewhere in between.
This photo often brings up reference to the Steve Brown soul sect. My brother Alan Murray was the drummer for this band and still has some photos and newspaper clippings. I remember him mentioning a snake that the band used to have. Dave Macnamara also mentioned a photo of the band in thread dated 15/1/2008. Alan also played in the band Sneak Preview prior to the unfortunate death of John Cunningham whom I met in the late 80s – a great guy and most sadly missed. Alan is still bashing the bin lids around Teesside and now plays in a band called The Rhythm Method – check them out next time they”re in your area and say g”day.
Thanks to Chris Bailey for those kind words. I”ve just realised that I know Franky Smith from Connection. In the early 70s I played in the same sunday league team as him. It was sponsored by Blinkers, a club in Grange Rd owned by Freddy Veazy. Now Franky was a good footballer but inclined to a footie version of roadrage, which included a lot of off the ball tackles, so we did”t see him on the pitch that much.
Fantastic memories. Regarding Steve Brown Soul Sect”s,[Paul Strooks ( “Stookey”), real name Dave Struke is now working and living in Watford and still keeps in touch when I am home. Don”t remember the bands name he sang with at the time but recall they made a recording of Black Magic Woman produced by Chas Chandler. Also still in touch with John Rodgers (Bass Guitarist), had a few beers with him last year here in Qatar.
I”ve just returned to New Zealand after spending Christmas and New Year in Middlesbrough. For me there are still enough visual triggers around the town to bring the 60″s memories flooding back. Starting with the Railway Station which used to be quite busy on Saturday evenings as the tribe (those of us without cars) made the weekly trip to and from the Redcar venues, to the Gothic Town Hall which in my imagination could be dedicated to Bram Stoker!? Some great gigs were held in the Crypt and when the dancing got too hot the Central was only a stagger away. I see from the flags of origin of the blogs that many correspondents now appear to reside outside the UK, perhaps like all Diaspora we are searching to understand what has made us who we have become. A walk through Middlesbrough 40 years on surely helped me with that one.
There”s an old addage about D.J”s that goes like this.. Dad; ” What do you want to be when you grow up, son?” Son; ” a D.J., Dad”…Dad: “Come on son, you can”t have it both ways”. In the case of Tony Hargan, this is a long, long way, from the truth and much credit must be given, and be owed, to him locally. Tony was a D.J when the term was hardly understood, and for over 40 years has played a successive “opus” of rare-grooves, classic and cutting-edge music to several generations of club-goers. Even those who never ventured onto a dance-floor appreciated the quality of the music he was playing. Never your ubiquitous “party D.J.”. Tony has an encyclopaedic knowledge of quality music, and recording musicians, stretching way back. His long term residency at The Kirk actually “complimented” the very fine bands we all stood and watched during the “60”s,”70″s & “80”s. Billed on a Kirk “flyer” I still have, dated 1966, as playing “Hargans Hot Hundred”, he was as an important part of the music scene then, as he still is today. Well done Tony, good to see you here!
Just found this site and it brings back so many memories. I did DJ at Mr McCoys & the Kirk so you can imagine how many great bands I”ve seen. I was at the Outlook on the Rolling Stones night and I remember seeing The Beatles on the Astoria. As far as the Kirk is concerned, the live acts that stand out for me were – Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix. It”s A Beautiful Day a great soul singer Maxine Brown.
I remember when the Astoria changed its name to the Showboat and adopted the persona of the clubs like the Marimba, Tito”s and the Fiesta. Although they were the days of the Great Northern Clubs – if I recall correctly a man had to wear and jacket and tie to get in – so therefore a lot of short back and sides types frequented along with women who had the bouffant hair rocker type of look. I recall the Showboat and seeing quite a few top people there. It also had a casino and gave out free gambling chips on a Monday night. Oddly enough I used to win at roulette quite a bit back then. I remember one evening calling around at some friend”s house by Newport Road – the door to be opened by their Dad who greeted me with “Gillian, I heard you broke the Bank at Monte Carlo last night”. Great days.
Regarding the book project I”m still struggling on. I need info on Hamiltons music store (I cant remember where they had their first shop), John Burdons Stockton, Guitarzan and Bongo Bills. Any photos would be great too. Any other shops selling musical instruments you may know about plus the odd story may help too. The Picture Stockton Team will supply my email address on request for photos or publish any info on this site.
THE BAND PHOTOGRAPH IS A BAND CALLED CONNECTION FROM 1975, THE MAN ON THE RIGHT IS FRANK SMITH, THE DRUMMER AND THE MAN TOP LEFT IS WALLY LATHREN ,BASSIST. THE BAND USED TO PRACTICE AT A COMPANY CALLED J. GLEDSON IN PORTRACK LANE STOCKTON ON TEES , AND ALSO STARRED ON OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS. WALLY THE BASSIST WORKED FOR A COMPANY CALLED EGS .WHICH STILL TRADES TO THIS DAY. FRANK THE DRUMMER WORKED FOR NG BAILEY IN SOTHERBY RD IN MIDDLESBROUGH , AND LIVED IN AYRSOME ST. LATER WORKING FOR NEWEY AND AYRE OF STOCKTON. HE THEN MOVED ON TO WORK IN BIRMINGHAM AS A SALES REP IN 1981.
It would be almost impossible these days, to communicate to an 18yr old, the incredible “gulch” that existed in the club & music scene in Middlesbrough during the early to mid “60”s. Most people left school and were quickly wage-earning by age 15-16, i.e two years under the legal drinking age. Many young apprentices were earning almost as much as their own “unskilled” Dads. So, the emergence of unlicensed clubs was a viable option. Whilst the “licensed” Astoria ballroom in Wilson St had opened (on the site of the Hippodrome Cinema) in 1961, it catered mainly for the “Brylcreem n Winklepicker” brigade and their gals, who were by default, post 1950″s rooted. The Outlook (unlicensed) therefore provided an alternative for the new breed of young people who were rapidly becoming more interested in both “style” and music, and had a fair amount of disposable income. After all, the whole “Outlook” building itself, was a daytime high-fashion related “mini” department store aimed at such a market. Some of these youngsters, did a “season” each year in Jersey or other south-coast resorts, and as a result, returned with first hand knowledge of how the “new” London (and Manchester) fashion and music-scene was starting to bourgeon, this discovered from others they met whilst working away. As far back as 1964-65 I recall Mick Iley wearing “eye-liner” on a night out, a fashion statement adopted amongst early London “mods”!! Although the style leader, or “top-kiddy”,to my mind, had to be a guy called Peter Sibley. So, in effect, there were only two regular venues to attend. You paid your money, and took yer” choice of the “tribe” you wished to belong to. On the departure of John McCoy, as “manager” of the Outlook, he opened the short-lived “Scene” and then “Mr McCoys”, both of which were unlicensed. By this time, the “plush” cabaret-clubs (Marimba,Titos,Contessa etc) had started to emerge, and became the venue of choice for even Mums and Dads as well as many of the now slightly older Astoria crowd, a venue which in turn, then eventually “morphed”itself into The Showboat cabaret club. The KD club at Billingham seemed to be the only stalwart north of the Tees at this time operating outside the fringes, often booking the same quality live-music acts as Mr McCoys. However by 67-68, the original Outlook and MrMcCoys/KD crowd had grown older too, and by right of passage, and with many people, by now, proud second-hand car owners, moved out of town to The Kirk which had been purchased by John McCoy in late “66. The “cosy informality” and “edginess” of The Kirk, contrasted much, with the offerings of the “corporate” cabaret clubs, especially in it”s live-music policy, as testified to in postings above. At the same time, Redcar had now suddenly sprung into life on two, then three, fronts. The “back room” at Redcar Bowl (open until 4am!),and the Coatham-Jazz Club also provided much needed alternatives to those willing to “travel”. But,in 1967, it was the arrival in Redcar of Tony Zivanaris and Ron Gillette from Leeds, that set a completely new benchmark for clubs, in the form of the “Topdeck”. Pure n” simple “discotheque” had now arrived in the area, No stage, no bands, no live-acts, just dancing to records in modern, comfortable surroundings, played by stunning female D.J”s!! More importantly, it also operated on a very selective, almost extreme, door policy. That policy tended to drive standards of behaviour, and dress codes, ever upward. By 1968-9 the local “in-crowd” were firmly esconced in either The Kirk, or the Topdeck, alternating between the two, on different nights throughout the week. This despite, perhaps, a 15 mile travel distance either way. Meanwhile, back in M”bro, the Marimba cabaret club, suddenly closed its doors, and reopened as “Sloopy”s” discotheque in an attempt to corner the by now vacant market for the town-centre based 18-25yr olds. Bari Chohan”s “Barracuda” club (a former restaurant) on Linthorpe Rd, M”bro was a brave attempt, in 1968, to attract the Kirk/Topdeck crowd back into town which unfortunately for Bari, did not happen.(For the record: Sorry, Paul Rogers “Free” did not appear on the opening nite, but sometime later) Owing to poor attendances, and by 1970, this club had then passed into the hands of Billy Price, and incredibly, reopened as an overnight success (amongst the “downtown” heavy drinking crowd), in the form of the now infamous “Speakeasy”. Billy”s stroke of genius was that for the price of admission he”d almost guarantee anyone, in any state of dress, or enebriation, entry!! The term “claggy-mat” therefore passed into local parlance, whenever the “Speakeasy” was referred to. The 60″s had come to a close, it died, and along with it, the innocence of our original expectations. The early “tribes” did not exist anymore, as everyone was by now “singing-off-the same-hymn sheet”, as far as “style” and music was concerned. The era of the “uber- club” was on the way, and in 1974 it arrived, as Tony Zivanaris threw open the doors of his legendary, huge 1400 capacity, luxury, rooftop M”bro nightclub, “Madison”. The era of glitz, flares and excess had begun. Live-music went off to play in huge stadiums and arenas, with ticket prices to match. The new tribalism that became “punk”, did much to counteract and stem the flow. But the future “back-to-basics” post-modernist style of Manchester”s Hacienda Club, and even M”bro”s own “Havana”Club, had to wait to return, i.e. almost a full generation away from those early “60”s beginnings.
Yes Barri did open a club in Linthorpe Rd called the Barracuda and the opening night act was the group Free with Paul Rodgers.
I remember the Ford Galaxy that was often parked outside McCoys. It belonged to a rather flamboyant looking character that a mate of mine went out with a couple of times, I cannot remember his name but can see him. I think he was called Barry – not Barry Chohan but another Barry – and was well off.
Those comments by John Salmon raise a couple of good points. Cecil Gee opened only their 5th menswear shop outside London in Middlesbrough, on the site of what had formerly been Fred Burns Tailors, a small chain who would make-up,or custom-tailor, a dress suit in almost any style. From the late 50″s, this shop had been an invaluable style-haven to the local “Teddy-boy” population. The 1st manager of the new “cool” Cecil Gee”s was the redoubtable, and charismatic, Johnny Young. He could be found most weekends, inhabiting the cocktail-bar of The Corporation Hotel, immaculately dressed, and sporting the very “orangest” shade of “Tanfastic” tanning lotion.He was quite a local character. The Excel Bowl on Linthorpe Rd opened in 1964, and was unique in as much as, it was open 24-hours a day. Incorporating bowling-lanes , a cafeteria, and a cabaret-club, it was a far sighted venture, that seemed to coincide with the “new” up-all-night culture. As such, it became the gathering place, or communication-central venue,for clubbers wandering the streets in search of all-night partys, or after Mr McCoy”s, and sundry other clubs, had kicked-out at 2am. People would just “hang-about” talking on the concourse area, or sip a Coke for two hours, whilst waiting for something to happen. Aged just 17, I was “crushed” to be hauled out of there at 4:30am one morning, by my concerned parents, whilst sat chatting to Peter Frampton and The Herd, who we”d just played a support-gig with, at The KD Club in Billingham. By age 18, thankfully they”d given up! It took another 20yrs, and the mobile-phone, for the “80”s “rave” culture to create a more advanced form of that early – hours “gathering” phenomenon.
I think I rememberBarry Chohan! Was it Barry who opened a club on Linthorpe Road about 1968 and used to spend truckloads of money on Ben Sherman Shirts? I like many others was at Teespop 68 and the 24 hour bash at the Gaumont in 1967, I also recall that Ike and Tina Turner performed at Finnigans? Hall in Eston about 1967 and that Jnr Walker and the All Stars (Dressed In uniforms of the Confederacy!) and Simon and Garfunkel performed at the club which was part of the Bowling Alley on Linthorpe road. I was never a musician, but my (later) appreciation of seeing and hearing the best in the world pass right in front of me in the Teesside of the 60s staggers me, when I tell my NZ mates of the experiences their jaws drop in disbelief. I guess you just had to be there! I think we took to Soul, R&B , and all the other American influences and British interpretations because of the foresight of the promoters who seemed to understand what was wanted and also we (the consumers) understood the music in our minds, hearts and souls to the extent that, in a very real sense it was US performing and singing! This website appears to be a testament to the depth of those experiences. We were and are indeed a fortunate generation. Nevertheless, I gather that what we are trying to do is identify the group and people in the photo!? Frankly I dont have a clue who they are, but the cut of their jib and formality of the pose suggests to me that it may originate from the early 70s rather than the late 60s.
Hi, Ive just cost half a days income by getting engrossed in your website during working hours!! Hello Chris Bailey! I dont recall meeting you, but you have a great memory. Your recall of made to measure overcoats and suits leads me to ask if you recall the full length Suede overcoats worn by both the girls and the boys? God they cost about STG 30.00 in 1966. A months wages! Or when Cecil Gee opened a shop next to Marks and Spencers ? London Prices in Middlesbrough! Do you recall John and Brian Daly , John Yarker , Alan Richmond – all boys who made the trips from Middlesbrough to the Twisted Wheel for the music? Do you recall the size of the hands on Peter Betts? (huge). Who was it who used to park a Ford Galaxy outside Mccoys in Bottomly street on a Saturday Arvo? What happened to Paul Cattermole? My best mate was Mike Weldon, his Father ran the Undertakers on the corner of Park Road South and Linthorpe Road. He had a 175 Lambretta which we used to scoot all over Teesside on. THE drink at the Coatham was Barley Wine (it was like a double strength beer if I recall). The girls loved it but mayhem did break out occasionally. I was a St Philomenas boy then at St Mary,s College before serving my time at Dorman Long then leaving the UK for NZ in 1970 . The Stokelds, Rea,s and quite a few others were from the St Philomenas parish area around Linthorpe village .The 60,s were indeed Nuli Secundus . I shall be home on Sunday 21st to spend my first Christmas in Middlesbrough since 1969 Anyway , I must set an example to the young people here and do some work . Keep up the good work . I shall put a spinal tap into this blogsite on my return .
Well good to see you on here Chris and your comments. You have such a good memory for the old days. Yes, the Royal Standard was our pub. Incidentally do you know what happened to Elaine Wilson from Thorntree. I have been trying to locate her to no avail. Keep up your postings and memories.
Stan Gee, although a couple of years older than myself, was a fellow student at M”bro Art College where he was studying textile-design. Even in those days (1964-67), Stan was masterful at almost any instrument that was “twangable” i.e banjo,(4 & 5-string) guitar (6 & 12 string) and anything in between.He was already a very active performer in local folk-clubs. Nice to see he is still active both nationally, and internationally, to this day. “The Rifle”, a street-corner pub, off Newport Rd, had an upstairs concert-room in which a popular folk-club met on Friday nights. It was accessed by a narrow staircase that resembled the north-face of The Eiger, passage up which, was made more difficult, even dangerous, by people sitting on the steps talking, and drinking, during the interval. The late “60”s Steel Mill Blues Band, played another regular, well attended, Friday night gig, at the huge Bridge Hotel, Thornaby, on Victoria Bridge, which had a voluminous concert-room. Both Neil Hunter (keyboards/vocals) and Pete Gilgan (lead-guitar) still lead two of the N/E region”s most active and talented bands, in the form of The Smokin” Spitfires, and The Pete Gilgan Blues Band. Bass-player Dave McNamara,(who later auditioned for Paul Rogers “Free”), went on professionally to back artistes such as Brian Poole, and Tony Christie. He now resides in Macao, China.
From memory, almost all the Bridge Blues Club sessions were held in a regular bar (not the public bar) rather than a large concert room. It was a good size but I wouldn’t call it ‘vlouminous’. Just me being pedantic. 🙂 Good to hear about Dave. We got on well (as I did with Neil who I’d known since primary school days). Many a happy trip back from a gig in the back of the van driven by Hughie the Hat.
As to “The Who” at Mr McCoy”s Club, this was the only time that I was ever engaged in “club-security”. Chief-bouncer Chris “Buff” Harding, insisted that us Purple Onion coffee-bar staff (Pete Betts, John Stokeld & myself) joined a hand-linked cordon of door-staff in front of the stage to prevent any “surge” toward the band. This gave us a magnificent vantage-point of just 4-feet away from their performance, up on the small 2-foot high stage. Afterwards, I think most “punters” were secretly disappointed that Messrs Townsend and Moon had not gone into their infamous “auto-destruction” mania with the instruments and amplifiers. Perhaps, a 200-capacity crowd of young Teessiders on an early January night, was simply not the right “showcase” for that extra-over part of their stage act? The only other factor I recall of that evening, was the “magnificent” vent in the back of Pete Townsends mohair-suit jacket. It stretched up, almost to his shoulder blades. Amazing, how little things like that seemed “important” way back then, eh?
Good to see Gillian Walker on here! If I recall your Mum & Dad had The Royal Standard in Redcar, so you were more than handily placed for the train into the M”bro music scene and/or popping around the corner into the Redcar Jazz Club. Your memoire re: Denny Chatto and ” Lil” Stevie Wonder ” at Mr McCoy”s Club is quite correct, but, do you also recall that during Stevies multi-instrumental virtuoso number (harmonica/keyboards and drums) he dropped his drumsticks mid-solo,… which left him flailing around for a few seconds in complete silence! That is, until one of the roadies hurled himself across the small stage, to grab the “spares” from the bass-drum slots, and direct them into his hands. Poignant? or amusing? Denny Chatto played drums and sang vocals with a cabaret band called “Rainy Day Feeling” professionally for some years during the “70”s and now lives near Scarborough with his long-time wife Patti.
My Dad was in the Skyliners – Tony Wilson-Barker. I even have some records on vinyl that they recorded. I would have loved to have seen them live although that was before my time! If anyone has any stories, photographs or trivia to share I would love to hear it.
I played at Columbia House with the Jazzboard (a 5 piece outfit from Sunderland). According to my old diary we were there every Thursday between May and mid-July 1966. I remember it was always jam packed and had a great atmosphere. The dates for these gigs and others in the area are included on my Ready Steady Gone site.
I remember the Columbia House Club in Church Road, Stockton very well, it used to be wall to wall in those days on a Thursday night. Who did you play with? Mick Kemp”s mam Mary was the steward of the club for a number of years back then.
I knew Mick from his mums pub in Stockton, The North Eastern. A big Elvis fan and drummer with The Blue Caps, he taught drums for a while. The amateur band I played bass for (Essence) once gigged with them one New Year’s Eve to give them a break.
I was fortunate to be in the support band – the Jazzboard – when the Who played at the McCoy Club in January 1966. I was the sax player. We got to share the dressing room with them and I ended up with Keith Moon”s “POW” T shirt, which I still own. One of the places I played at regularly in 1966 and really enjoyed was a Thursday night dance at a place called Columbia House in Stockton. Does anyone remember this venue?
Well thanks for the information. It is great to see all these names from the past. I would like to hear from Dave McNamara Chris Bailey and Bari Chohan. I am on Friends Reunited.
Stan Gee is playing with The Fettlers folk group these days. He also has a fine website dedicated to “American” music as he calls it. Dave Macnamara, who played bass in the Steel Mill Blues Band, told me that in 1968 the line up included Nick Allen, drums; Neil Hunter, vocals; John “Whoop” Watson, alto sax; Paul Deduka, tenor sax and Pete Gilgan, lead guitar.
It was myself who inquired of the Steel mill blues and and also of Stan Gee. Good to hear he is still around playing. Although I was not a folkie, he did play exceedingly well like Bob Dylan if I recall. I used to go and see him play at the Rifle Inn – as I did like Bob Dylan and he was the nearest thing to him in the area at the time. Amazing he was your neighbour. If I recall he was a rather eccentric character who wore far out clothes at the time. Nice person as well, rather quiet.
I am pretty sure I saw the Steel Mill blues band play a few times a St Mary”s Youth Club in the late 60″s and early 70″s.
To Gillian – yes, its the very same Chris Bailey – I”m surprised he has not responded in person, as he scans this thread regularly. I too saw the Who and Stevie Wonder, meeting both acts back stage as part of the privilleges enjoyed as a “Road-Runner” courtessy of John McCoy. I still have the Who”s autographs somewhere, written on a Road Runners business card that was designed by Chris Bailey. To the person asking about Stan Gee – he was my next door neighbour in Victoria Road Middlesbrough for some years. He now lives in the Great Ayton area and is still acive musically.
Oddly enough – the Charles O”Connor you mention, I was in Whitby one day and stumbled into his antique shop and bought a lovely necklace and earings. He has the most fantastic shop. On chatting to him he commented that he was related to me – as my family the Walkers originate from Whitby. I was last over in 2006.
Does anybody remember a blues band by the name of Steel Mill? They played around the area in the late 60″s and early 70″s. Also a folk singer by the name of Stan Gee – who played at the Rifle Inn. I remember these well.