What are your 'Getting Giggy' memories?

[WOLF ANGEL]

So, how good is your memory?
Once upon a long ago (well for me anyway) there was the experiences and enjoyment of my first gigs.

It was during the late 1970's, and early 80's one when I first got the the bug.
Living in Manchester there were two main venues for Bands that I frequented,- along with a very popular site 'Wyth in the shaw' where numerous high profile acts appeared.

I was perhaps a tad young for me to sneak into the club, but the venues were all too willing to accept my cash, - and I was similarly content to part with it.
Trouble is,- I saw a few acts so whilst the dates are blurry, the shows are never the less etched in the memory.

 

[WOLF ANGEL]

One of the first 'known' groups was
'The Hollies' = 1975 @ The 'Golden Garter' in Wythenshawe,-South Manchester



Within ye old style Northern working class club - serving 'Chicken in a basket snaps and alcoholic refreshment within a (cigarette-filled) smokey atmosphere, the line-up of: -

• Allan Clarke, Tony Hicks, Terry Sylvester, Bernie Calvert and Bobby Elliott,

... delivered a highly polished performance of their hits from their early years to 1975.

Playing, 'up close up and personal', they engaged with the audience for a mutually appreciated experience.

 

[WOLF ANGEL]

Joan Baez.
( @ The Apollo. Ardwick Green, Central Manchester).



I think I got lucky here by being the the right place/right time to pick up a single ticket to enjoy a wonderful acoustic performance from the songstress.

The Apollo was ( in it's 'day-job') a Cinema during the 1960's. though through this time and beginning in the 1970s' it increased it's doulbling up as a venue for pop groups, (some major acts included) to show their wares.

Within this setting of restrained appreciation, this was an evening of intimate story-telling in melodic form which touched the soul.

 

[WOLF ANGEL]

Then there was the time I spent in a Cattle shed with 'the Boss'...
Bruce Springsteen & the E Street band @ Bingley Hall
(also known as New Bingley Hall to distinguish itself from the Bingley Hall in Birmingham) is an exhibition hall located in Stafford, Stoke-on-Trent)
- Another venue with a double usage - as a exhibition hall, it was a single level area that was used for different events, - including Cattle shows!



Getting to the venue in timely manner, I was able to get a good place near to the front in quite a central position (mor luck than judgement) between the banks of speakers which were to produce an explosive sound of good ole Rock n' Roll.

There was no 'warm-up' band on, though the sound of R n' R was in itself such to get one in the mood, and when Johnny and the Hurricanes Red River Rock came on, the lights went down and upon timely point the curtains pulled back and te show was opened ....

The Three hour (and a bit) show was well over value for money with both Bruuuce and the big man in fantastic form.

..... with the highlight was (always a fan favourite) the formidable Rosalita
.

 

[WOLF ANGEL]

Then was the time I saw GENESIS @ the Palais des Sports (Paris - France') - on the "And Then They Were Three" Tour.
-

Well quite an adventure.
Deciding on the spur of the moment, I booked an away (3) day/s tour to see the group from a advertisment in a Newspaper, I made the trick down to London.
After staying with relatives overnight I was off to Victoria Bus station to pick up the Coach that would take us by ferry to Paris - France.
I made my way the back of the coacch (because that's ehre the fun is)
After asking "What time do the Pubs open in France?" - I was taken under the wing by 4 lads from Flint (North Wales) andanother 2 from Middlesex to form a fun-loving group that 20 years olds could have.

Trips to the Eiffel tower and Notre damme cathedral - along a quite eye-opening trip on the Paris Underground, put us all in the right spirit for fun
-----------------------------------------------------------.
The concert did not disappoint with the band right on the money both visually and music production
(and it's amazing what a olde '110 flip flash camera can pick up)
At the end of the Concert a Parisian give me his home-made banner as a momento
(Still got it = )

P, S . There was even more fun when the coach was stopped by customs.
- sharing out the cigarettes and alcohol with the other non-smoking, non-drinking passengers in order to meet the limits ... until we left the port, was another of those "Carry on Coaching" moments.

 

[WOLF ANGEL]

"BACK HOME"
(@ Manchester Arena - known as Nynex' at the time )
One of the most pleasing concerts I've seen.
Whilst the Monkees had performed as as a duo and trio, this was quite unique it that all four original members had got together to put on a 'show'

The country sound of 'Mike' Nesmith and 'Pete' Tork' and pop sound of 'Davy' Jones were good - though it was 'Micky' Dolenz who stole the show with Power vocal and on-point musical timings

The 'performance' was a mix of comedy, music and nostalgia - with a back drop of clips from their TV series.



Whilst more of a homage to their former teen days, the fact that all four were on-show was something that will last in the memory