What are your 'Getting Giggy' memories?

WOLF ANGEL

WOLF ANGEL

A Fool on the Hill
Location
Wyth in the shawe - South Manchester U.K.
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.
 

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

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

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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.

 

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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!

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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.

1758238729988.png ..... with the highlight was (always a fan favourite) the formidable Rosalita
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Then was the time I saw GENESIS @ the Palais des Sports (Paris - France') - on the "And Then They Were Three" Tour.
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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.
 
"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.

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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

 
Going back to The Apollo Manchester - There were - The Stranglers (February 1985)

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A proper grit n' grime punky performane from the band. - with Peaches and Nice and sleazy living up to their names, along with the oft under-rated 'Hanging around' being notable., (the auidence still a tad unsure about the more melodic 'Golden Brown'.

The gig was memorable for the lack of female toilets, which resulting in the Male's, unintentionally becoming unisex - how many lads get coy in female company when having a 'wee; = LOL
  • (Not from 1985 - but the scenes very much similar)
 
Gene Pitney @ Golden Garter Wythenshawe , South Manchester .
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It had been a deal of time since the singer had 'troubled the charts', however still plying his trade on the 'Club curcuit' )which was stll affording the opportunity for entertainers to entertain' GV played his back catalogue along with some fresher material to a still loyal UK fan base.


Another good night of musical memories and another time when a polished performance was given by a professional troubadour was exhibitted.

A respectful audience ensured he received the rightful and respectful response to his performance. --- which was mutually appreciated.

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Pitney's last hit on the UK charts came in 1989, after an absence of 15 years, when he and Soft Cell singer Marc Almond recorded a duet version of "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart"
Whilst the song had been a UK #5 for Pitney in 1967, this duet brought him his first UK #1, in late January 1989.
The single remained at the top for four weeks, and also went to #1 in Germany, Finland, Switzerland and Ireland.
 
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A rather unusual setting and accidental rendezvous saw an up-front and personal event with Badly drawn Boy @ On the Corner in Chorlton East, Manchester,

The venue was primarily a Health/Juice bar by day and a Community point for people to engage and interact with of an evening - and sometimes weekend.

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I attended the venue; of 'words and music evening' for free-thinking, open-minded folk from various age range and social diversity - (my contribution being a couple of poems).

The seemingly shy rather a badly drawn young man picked up his acoustic guitar and statred to play with a degree of unobvious familiarity.
It was only at the end of his second song that the host for the evening made the penny drop with his (belated) introduction.
A genuinely nice person whose simplistic obeservational melodies were quite astute
  • Akin to, but not actual, depiction of his performance
 
Down @ The Apollo - Manchester with The Jam (though a tad before Midnight)
At the start of the success, around the time of Punky alternative sound I got to see the band along with "Fast Cars" and "The Baccarudas" (*)

A raw and raunchy performance with their early hits Girl on the phone, Liza Radly and Kinks cover 'David Watts'


A lot of sweat and sneaked in alcohol made it a Rock n' Roll night to remember
 
A Star to remember - Paul Simon @ "G-Mex" Manchester

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On of the dates played on his "Graceland" Tour was at Manchester's G-"Mex" (Greater Manchester Exhibition)
The former Train station, Coach station come Car Park had been renovated into an Exhibition and Concert hall - which made the acoustic sets more melodic and personal

Manchester Central Convention Complex - Wikipedia

23 songs (including two encores) It was a performance of poetic perfection. that reamains in the memory
 
Back to @ the Apollo, Manchester and Squeeze

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Raw and melodically rockin, the exellent penmanship of the songwriting pairing of Chris Difford and Genn Tilbrook, along with Keyboard genius of (also renowned TV presenter and band leader) Jools Jolland put on an excellent show and performance.

 
There was a small festival held in Nantwich - Cheshire, of live music on with suprise guests.
I thought I'd take a mosey on down there to check it out.

A double marquee and a small area for an open-mike spot provided a setting to see a number of scts both local and tribute, and of course the 'Surprise act'

I was a tad suprised when it turned out to be Pauline Black (Ex The Selecter).

The style though not Ska, was an enjoyable ambience of mellow delight, in a quiet and warm setting and intimate audience.
The evening's entertainment was a delight.

 
AGAIN - @ the Apollo - Manchester, - there was the time when the Kinks came to town .
Whilst their high profile days of the 1960's had long since gone, the band had returnd to the charts with the nostalgic nod to the past with
  • "Come Dancing"

Destpite this upbeat sounding song, there were also the Pre-Punk sounds of ...
"You really got me" and "All day and all the all of the night"
(1964 was very much a time ..... Pre Punk)
With Original versions of David Watts (see #10) and the beautiful Waterloo Sunset (with its homage to actors Terence Stamp and Julie Christie)


This was another performance of epolish and musical excellence from a highly professional and oft under-rated band
 
Alice @ the Apollo - Manchester
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The Godfather - or should that be Grandfather of Shocking - Glam - Rock The Master of Entertainment.
All the Hits - with an unforgetable set-list and Encore.

Definitely one for the gritty and Rock-y youngsters - yes it was a long time ago - stiill a memory of youth, sweat, beer flowing and mass audience participation.

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Back in Wythy: @ The Golden Garter - (From Glam to Glitz) = The Three Degrees

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A few years early the trio of songstresses took to the local venue to perfom their 70's hits.
The group had been grounded in regular performances within the working mens clubs since the 60's, though it was that's to the "Dirty ol' man" when they were able to capture the British market.
By this time - thanks to their 'club' experience over time, by the time their market hit it's mark they had become a highly polished, respected group of strong , tight and professional performers. (even being named on 'T.S.O.P.' - M.F.S.B. track) tht hearalded in famous
'SOUL TRAIN'


It was however, the vocal power of Shelia Ferguson, syc'd cchoreography and personal interaction with their audience that made for a special night

 

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