This photograph shows Roy Orbison at The Fiesta Club on Norton Road, April 7th 1969. Courtesy of Ian Payne. 
Picture Stockton Archive
A Pictorial History of Stockton-on-Tees
This photograph shows Roy Orbison at The Fiesta Club on Norton Road, April 7th 1969. Courtesy of Ian Payne.
These were times when artists were just down to earth people, not like the present bunch and celebrities who think they are super humans a cut above the rest of us. My mum worked at the fish and chip shop opposite the Fiesta, she told me about Matt Monroe coming in for fish and chips, no Lord of the Manor attitude
I wasn’t sure of the month, but knew it was 1969, I was with a bus trip from the Stranton Pub, Hartlepool, with Derek and Sandra “was Kennedy” Hugill. Fantastic front row seats, superb show that I will never forget 🕶🎤🕶😎👌
I was lucky enough to work as a receptionist at the fiesta 1969/1970. I worked during the day taking bookings and in the evening on the income desk. I got to meet all the artists (who stayed for a week at a time) during rehearsals. I can honestly say I met the most amazingly talented, warm friendly people. Roy Orbison was just one of many but he and his backing group hold a special place in my memories. My then husband to be Malcolm was working backstage looking after Roy and Barbara. Malcolm developed a severe pain in his stomach and Roy personally went with him to A & E. It turned out not to be to serious but the first thing Roy did was come straight to reception, he gave me a fatherly cuddle and told me not to worry he was going to be fine. Roy was a lovely man who died to you young. This year on December 6th it is the 30th anniversary of his death. I love all his music. The Fiesta really was a magical place to work as a young girl, not just all the artists I got to meet but the management and staff were all just the best and I have worked with a lot of people since then. Biggest regret from those days, never got a photo or autograph! Anyway many more stories but too many to relate. Another bit of trivia, Roy & The Art Movement recorded the album “The Big O” at Batlay Variety club in 1969. Penny Arcade was a worldwide hit written by Sammy King. Bob Munday the drummer from Roy’s backing group is writing a biography about his touring days with Roy.
Roy Orbison appeared at the Fiesta five times. The first was from 28 July to 3 August 1968 and this was his first tour of UK cabaret venues. Two days before he was due to fly home in September, he received the devastating news that a fire at his Nashville home had claimed the lives of two of his sons. He also played the Fiesta from April 20 to 26 1969, April 26 to May 9 1970, June 1 to 6 1971 and June 25 to July 1 1972. Roy Orbison was backed for each of his UK cabaret tours by British group Art Movement.
This looks like a later photo than 1969 as he and Barbara got married in May 1969 and he still had the pompadour hair style this looks like maybe 1970 or 1971 when hair styles changed to a more casual style. Is there a date on the photo that anyone can confirm?
Neil, I was a regular in the Fiesta during 60s/70s The best act I ever witnessed were the Four Seasons, I think they appeared in early 70s for 1 night only as I recall. Also the Beach Boys did a gig in the late 60s, again for 1 night only. Best reception for an artiste was Brenda Lee, can’t remember the exact date. Del Shannon also appeared on more than one occasion and never disappointed, he was brilliant live, as was the ‘big O’. I do remember Eric Fordy on the door with Kenny Ness and Frank Lucas. I got some tips on ‘yard of ale’ drinking from Frank, I wasn’t a winner, Billy Fury topped the bill that night
Eric Fordy may remember my mother and eldest sister, Dora Robson and Mary O’Neill, they worked on the ladies cloakroom for many years at the Fiesta Club. Mary is delighted to have news on Eric who she knew so well from those past days. Other people she recalls from that time are Alan Richardson, Kenny Ness, Betty on the gents cloakroom and many more. I met Eric at the door on numerous occasions when I was allowed into the club as guest of my mother and sister. We who loved the Fiesta Club for all the fabulous entertainment it provided, must be grateful to the Lipthorpe brothers for bringing such a palace of entertainment to us. Can I just send all good wishes to Eric Fordy from my sister Mary, now 84 years old.
‘Stockton’s legendary Fiesta Club’? Steady on there – it was NORTON’s legendary Fiesta Club. Stockton is way down the road, south of Lustrum Beck! ;-D
BOB, I was a very good friend of Eddie Moody also, very great guy. John Foster and myself knew each other as kids at school in Thornaby. I was the man that got John the job at Fiesta. When Sheffield Fiesta opened I went down for 8 weeks to help them get started on reception.
Hi Eric, nice to see you on this fantastic site. YES we do remember you from the FIESTA. Those were the days. We met again years later at Stockton Bowling Club. Lets see if you remember us. PS your club white washed us a few times.
Eric. I think I do remember you at the Fiesta. At that time I was very friendly with Eddie Moody and also John Foster. I think that at different times they were in charge of security there. When there was a large queue to get in I would phone the front desk from the kiosk outside and they would let me up the stairs and straight into the club. I had a concessionary club card.
I WORKED AT FIESTA FOR 6 YEARS, I WAS THE MAN AT THE FRONT DOOR, SAW ROY ORBISON MANY TIMES…..WONDER IF ANYBODY OUT THERE REMEMBERS ME, MY NAME IS ERIC, I NOW LIVE A LOT OF THE TIME IN MALTA.
Eric, My husband and I both worked at the Fiesta 69/70, Myself on reception, he Malcolm on the door & backstage. He was asking if you had any info on John Foster, Frankie Lucas or any other of the security staff. Do you remember them all ? whereabouts now maybe ? Cheers.
Roy Orbison died in December 1988 of a heart attack. At the time he was a leading figure in ‘The Travelling Wilburys’.
I saw him at the Fiesta live and he was the best live act I have seen in my life. Just had a stage presence and a fantastic voice. The place was full and nobody wanted him to leave, a superb performer.
I saw Roy Orbison too at the Fiesta along with a lot of other stars. I also saw the Beatles at the Globe in Stockton the night President Kennedy was assassinated. Wonderful memories.
I have very fond memories of the Fiesta. My Mother worked there during the 60’s and I knew the owners Jim & Keith Lipthorpe. I used to be able to go and watch the great artists during rehearsals and got to meet quite a few of them including Roy Orbison, Shirley Bassey, Del Shannon, Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Vicci Carr, Morecombe & Wise,Tommy Cooper, Gerry & The Pacemakers, Freddie Starr.
I must have missed Roy at the Fiesta, can’t think how, I saw most of the acts there, however, I did see him when he appeared at the Globe in Stockton, don’t know if both appearances were at the same time.
Does anybody remember FRED YORK, door manager and later commisioner at the Buffs and the Fiesta?
I was a great fan of Roy Orbison. Unfortunately I left Stockton for foreign parts in January of 1966 and missed his appearances at the Fiesta. While I was still in Stockton I had the pleasure of seeing some real super stars perform at the Fiesta. I left to go to Amsterdam and saw nothing like it again.
Unfortunately, I missed seeing the great Roy Orbison, I left for Canada in 1968. The Fiesta was a great place to see artists and listen to some fabulous music and like a lot of loacls, I did enjoy seeing many other musicians here.
He definitely did a show in April 69, the next show we saw was sometime in 1970. I think that was the last show he did at the Fiesta, but not sure.
I saw Roy at the Fiesta at an early show one Sunday night, we went in at about 6.30pm and left a couple of hours later. I thought it was later than 1969, did he have two stints at the Fiesta?
Great Photo, a class act. I had the pleasure of seeing Roy Orbison the twice he was at the Fiesta. It was amazing, his voice sounded just like his records. The Fiesta had some great artists especially in the 60’s, we were so lucky to have so many first class artists come to the Fiesta.
This is a great photograph. A star like Roy Orbison could be posing in any of the big cities of the world, but here he is in Norton. I very much regret not going to see him at the time. I would love to see a complete list of all of the acts that appeared at the Fiesta during its hey-day, does such a thing exist?