During the mid sixties, Newcastle’s Club A’Gogo was one of the top music venues in the North East. The ‘Gogo’ was to Newcastle what the Marquee club was to London. It is fondly remembered by musicians such as Eric Burdon, Brian Ferry and AC/DC’s Brian Johnson. The Gogo is probably best remembered for the few years between 1964 and 1967 when iconic British and American blues, rock and soul acts regularly appeared there; acts such as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, the Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis, Wilson Picket and John Lee Hooker.
Unlike the Marquee and other well known London clubs, there is very little publicly available information about the original Club A’Gogo on the internet. There are, of course, many references to the Animals being the resident band at the club in the early sixties. The Animals also recorded a live album at the Gogo and even wrote a song about the place.
The Club A’Gogo has become an important part of Newcastle’s musical heritage, in particular over the past four years because of a renewed interest in the club’s history. Lots of ex-Club a’Gogo members and former visitors to the club in the mid sixties still regard it as a seminal part of their lives when they were in their teens and twenties. Just scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the hundreds of comments made by some of those people over the past decade. If the Club a’Gogo was part of your life you may recognise some of the names.
The Club A’Gogo didn’t start its life as a venue for blues and rock bands. Although it opened up in the early sixties when Rock and Roll was becoming popular in the UK, the first music played there was a rollover from the previous decade – jazz.
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Newcastle’s pre-Gogo jazz scene
Michael Frank Jeffery was a Londoner who, after a spell in the British army, came north to study at Kings College, Newcastle. Outside of Newcastle, he is probably best known as being the man who managed both the Animals and Jimi Hendrix in the sixties and early seventies.
Over the years Mike Jeffery’s reputation has become tarnished by allegations that he fleeced the artists he was managing and more recently by an unproven accusation that he murdered Jimi Hendrix. However, had it not been for Mike Jeffery, there would have been no Club A’Gogo and the careers of many well known musicians may not have turned out the way they did.
His 1957 venture, the University Jazz Club did well as a music venue. The club was only nominally linked to the university, with the profits going into Mike Jeffery’s pocket.
Unlike the New Orleans Club, it catered for dancers as well as those people who just wanted to listen to jazz. The audience it attracted was younger than that of the New Orleans with a mixture of students and non-students. Although there were several large dance halls in the town such as the Oxford Galleries and the Majestic (where the Beatles had their first live appearance in the city), there were only a handful of small, more intimate venues around at that time.
In 1959 Mike Jeffery opened the Marimba Coffee Bar on High Bridge, Newcastle (near its junction with Grey Street). By day it served Italian food and snacks but between 8 and 12 on a night time it became a private membership club with jazz being served up by some of the best musicians around such as the Emcee 4, Tommy Henderson’s Latin American Group and the Bernie Thorpe Trio. Unofficially, the jazz sessions at the Marimba continued long after midnight.
In March 1960 Jeffery opened a larger licensed jazz venue in Carliol Square called the Downbeat Club, which started to attract a more fashionable clientele that that of the New Orleans. Eric Burdon of the Animals was a member of a crowd that used to hang out at the Downbeat. In one interview Burdon described his bunch of friends as “like a motorcycle gang …… without the motorcycles ……. they were tough, hard-drinking and listened to American music”.
A few months after the Downbeat opened there were signs that Mike Jeffery intended to move away from jazz and cater more for an increasing number of rhythm and blues fans. In an interview with the Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Jeffery suggested that he would be introducing a blues night at the Downbeat featuring an R&B band consisting of guitars, piano and tenor sax. Around the same time, he introduced Saturday afternoon record sessions for teenagers at the club. The Downbeat eventually succumbed to rock and blues music featuring local bands such as the Alan Price Combo (originally the Pagans), the Kylastrons and a Whitley Bay band called the Invaders, the first ‘non-Jazz’ band to play there.
In spite of dwindling audiences at the New Orleans and at the Downbeat on jazz nights, there were still plenty of traditional (trad) jazz bands and modern jazz combos doing the rounds in the north east. In the wider world jazz was still thriving. For instance, in 1961 there were three jazz performers in the top 20 all at the same time – (Dave Brubeck, Kenny Ball and Acker Bilk).
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Birth of the Club A’Gogo
During the period that Mike Jeffery was running the Marimba Coffee House and the Downbeat club he formed a partnership with another Newcastle businessman named Ray Grehan, who at the time was the sales manager for a ticket machine company called Automaticket. Jeffery and Graham set up several limited companies for the purpose of running their three establishments – The Downbeat, Marimba and the El Toro (a club they had opened in 1961 above the Marimba).
In the latter half of 1961 Mike Jeffery and Ray Grehan had plans to open a larger, more prestigious club in Newcastle and had gone ahead with the purchase of a site above the Handyside Arcade on Percy Street.
However, progress with the new club was slow because, in addition to the purchase price, the pair needed a large amount money to convert the premises and fit it out the way they wanted. The club was to be the best in the city. As well as “live” Jazz and Latin American music there was to be a games room with roulette, meals and a late drinks license.
On 13th November 1961 the Marimba Coffee House and the El Toro club were destroyed by fire. The subsequent insurance payout from the blaze provided the funds that Jeffery and Grehan needed to complete their new club. The Club A’Gogo opened on 6th July 1962. According to Ray Grehan, the premises were purchased for the sum of £30,000 (the value of which is around £600,000 in 2017) and it took eighteen months before the club started turning a profit.
The Club A’Gogo was situated on the second (top) floor of the Handyside Arcade building on Percy Street in Newcastle’s Haymarket area. In the early part of the 20th century the floor occupied by the Club A’Gogo had been a dental hospital. Later on it was the home of Newcastle’s Labour Club. At the time the Club A’Gogo was running in the 1960s, the floor below was a canteen for Newcastle’s bus crews. The building has long since been demolished and in its place stands the Eldon Garden Shopping Centre.
When the Club A’Gogo first opened in July 1962, local musician Mike Carr regularly appeared in the Jazz Lounge as part of the Mike Carr Trio or as a member of the EmCe Five. Latin American music on disc was played for dancers in the Latin American Lounge. After a few weeks Mike Jeffery started booking London based Jazz acts on a weekend. The first was the jazz trumpeter Alan Elsdon and his band on 3rd August 1962. For the rest of the year nationally known jazz acts were a regular feature at the club. These included: Tubby Hayes Quintet, Eric Delaney Band, Lenny Gatoff Quartet, Betty Smith Quintet, Ken Colyer, Ronnie Ross Quartet and the Harold McNair Quintet. In September 1962 the Tommy Henderson Quartet were first booked as a Latin American dance band. Later in the year they became the resident Latin American band for dancers in the Latin American Lounge.
Dougie Vickers, who was the Invaders’ drummer, remembers the band auditioning for Mike Jeffery. The Invaders were offered the gig at the Club A’Gogo but only on the condition that they added a sax player to their line up. They promptly found a saxophonist and began playing in the Latin American Lounge (later the Young Set) on Wednesday, Friday, Saturdays and Sunday nights. The Saturday night sessions would start at 12.00 midnight and end at 4.00am. Dougie recalls that on some occasions the queue to get into the club stretched around the corner to St James Park.
Throughout 1963 more local groups started appearing at the club; groups such as the Valiants, the Playboys, 16 Strings, the Von Dykes and the Delemeres. By the summer of 1963 there were definite signs that jazz was being phased out. Another local outfit that started playing on a fairly regular basis was the Alan Price Combo.
The first year in the life of the Club A’Gogo wasn’t without problems. The local Newcastle police force was taking a keen interest in Mike Jeffery and the goings-on at the club, in particular in connection with the gambling and the late night drinking. In an undercover operation in late 1962 the police obtained evidence of irregularities in connection with the way roulette was being operated – (the version of roulette at the Gogo was called Legalite). Mike Jeffery and Ray Grehan were prosecuted and were fined for offences under the Gaming Acts. In addition, undercover police posing as late-night Gogo customers tried to order food after normal drinking hours. None was available resulting in a breach of licensing laws. Mike Jeffery was taken to Court over the matter and lost his late night drinks license.
Due to the popularity of the Club A’Gogo in Newcastle, Mike Jeffery also opened a second Club A’Gogo at North Parade Whitley Bay on Friday 16th August 1963. Well known national groups were booked to appear at the Whitley Bay club as well as local favourites such as the Alan Price Rhythm & Blues Combo, the Invaders and the Kylastrons
The first nationally known ‘pop’ band to appear at the club was the Swinging Blue Jeans on 24th October 1963. The Rolling Stones appeared a few weeks later on 8th November 1963.
Jazz at the Gogo formally came to an end on Tuesday 26th November 1963 with a ‘Modern Jazz Farewell Party’ featuring Mike Carr who was about to leave the northeast.
By the beginning of 1964 Mike Jeffery and Ray Grehan had parted company. In a newspaper interview some years later Ray Grehan claimed the split had occurred when he caught Jeffery skimming money from the profits of the roulette operation. Losing Ray Grehan was not a good thing for Mike Jeffery. While he had a flair for the show business aspect of the club, he relied a lot on Grehan’s business acumen to keep the Club A’Gogo profitable.
The following article about the Club A’Gogo and some of the north east bands that appeared at the club is from a the Courier (a Newcastle University publication) dated 8th October 1964: –
The Animal’s move to London meant that the Gogo was without a resident band. The void was filled by regular appearances from local bands the Invaders and Von Dykes plus a band from Carlisle called the VIPs (who some years later would become Spooky Tooth). Contrary to some stories, the Junco Partners did not immediately step into The Animals shoes as the resident band at the Club A’Gogo. It was midway through 1964 that the Juncos first started playing regularly at the club. Their first advertised gig was on 17th July 1964 along with another local band – the Vermen. Eventually the Juncos started appearing at the club more and more and they earned themselves the title of the Gogo’s resident band. They maintained this status throughout the golden period when the Gogo was Newcastle’s top venue.
Here’s another link to a great web page by rock historian Bruno Ceriotti about The Animals, including their days at the Club A’Gogo
1964 became the year that the Club A’Gogo started booking national and international acts on a regular basis. This was the start of the few years that were considered to be the Club A’Gogo’s hey day. The times that a lot of people will remember because of the atmosphere, the great bands, the music and dancing. As well as top bands performing on Thursdays through to Saturdays, for a while there was also a disc night named “Top Six” each Wednesdays for teenagers. In addition to the top touring and chart bands lesser known bands from London, Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds and other parts of the country were also booked to appear. In July 1965 after Alan Price’s departure from the Animal he returned to the Gogo with his new combo and became a regular feature at the club for a few months. During the period from 1964, through to 1966 the Club A’Gogo became the place to be seen.
Mike Jeffery’s girlfriend during the early sixties was Jenny Clarke (now Stewart). In a 1992 interview with the Northern Echo, Jenny gave her views on the Club A’Gogo and the Newcastle music scene at that time. Here’s some extracts: –
“It was the summer of 1962 when the Club A’Gogo first opened. I had been working at the Marimba coffee bar on Shakespeare Street and then at the Downbeat by the Quayside when I met Mike Jeffreys [sic]. He had just dropped out of university to run the A’Gogo in Percy Street. It was above a café and an electrical shop in the old Handyside Arcade. We started going out together and I began helping out at the club. I was 23 and called Miss Jenny Clarke then. My job was to book the bands and make sure they were on stage at the right time – which was quite difficult especially if they were drunk or had met a girl! We all lived in a big house on West Avenue in Gosforth. It was like a big family; every night we would go out to the club together.
“The Animals were one of the first bands to have a residency there and played regularly before making it big with House of the Rising Sun and moving to London. It was really the first beat club in the North East and soon became the place to go. There were two rooms upstairs, one for the over-18s and one for the young set who weren’t allowed alcohol. The walls were black with fluorescent skylines painted on. Each band would play two sets, one in each room. I lived and breathed the club. My life was totally bound up in it. It was my work and my entertainment. I danced as I worked.
“All the big names played there; The Rolling Stones, The Who, Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, Eric Clapton. A lot of stars would do a concert at the City Hall first then come to the club afterwards for a jam session. Sometimes it closed at 2.00am, other times it just went on. There was always plenty of money, but the club was run very badly and in 1965 the receivers were called in. If it had been run as a business someone could have made a lot of money out of it. But it wasn’t about money; that just didn’t come into it. All the takings would be spent the next day. We’d buy a new sheepskin coat or a new dress and Mike liked his Morgans and Aston Martins. It was a very exciting time. I don’t think anything can compare with what the young people had then. It was all new. I think the advantage came from watching other people enjoy themselves. You were giving them the opportunity to see all these famous bands and that was fun.”
Mike Jeffery and Jenny Clarke drifted apart when Jeffery moved to London with The Animals. Jeffery was running several night clubs in Mallorca. He also had a share in another club in Paris called Le Club Fiche Maddie on the Rue des Dames, off Avenue de Clichy. Consequently his interest in the Club A’Gogo was diminishing. In 1966 the Club A’Gogo was sold back to Ray Grehan. During the time that he was the sole owner of the Gogo, Grehan was heavily involved in setting up casinos and gambling establishments all over the country so it is likely that he left the day-to-day running of the club, including the booking of bands to someone else.
Mike Jeffery went on to manage Jimi Hendrix and many other bands including Soft Machine, Goldie and the Gingerbreads and Eire Apparent. He met an untimely death in 1973 when an Iberian Airways DC-9 plane bringing him back from a trip to Majorca collided with another plane over Nantes in western France. The accident occurred two and a half years after Jimi Hendrix’s death in London. Mike was on his way back from Palma to attend a Court hearing when he perished along with other passengers and Spanish crew members in the crash. Read more about Mike Jeffery’s death here.
In 1967 the American Soul singer Garnet Mimms toured the UK backed by Scottish Soul Band ‘The Senate’. During his tour ‘live’ recordings were made at the Club A’Gogo and Sussex University. The recordings resulted in a live album which was released later that year. The session at the Club A’Gogo appeared on side two of the album.
For anyone who went to see Garnet Mimms at the Club A’Gogo on 18th May 1967, here’s a reminder of how good he and The Senate sounded that night playing ‘Roll With The Punches’: –
The Club A’Gogo eventually began to lose its popularity and went into a state of decline. According to one contributor to the Chronicle Live site, the Gogo lost its popularity after the opening of Sloopy’s (formerly La Dolce Vita) and this forced its closure in 1968.
For some the spirit of the Club A’Gogo died before 1968. In a television interview, Ronnie Barker, vocalist with the Junco Partners, expressed what he believed was the reason for the decline of the Gogo: –
“Well the Club A’Gogo only really had a period of about four years that was its heyday. Sixty three, four, five, six and the management changed hands round about sixty seven. And after that the artistic control or whatever you want to call it just went out of the window. They started booking sub-standard acts.”
Contrary to what Ronnie thinks, the Gogo gig listing shows that quality acts such as Cream, Pink Floyd, Captain Beefheart, Chris Farlowe and Long John Baldry appeared at the club in 1967 and 1968.
Unfortunately, booking top names didn’t draw in enough people to keep the club open. By 1968 the Gogo was losing its status as the top club in Newcastle and was finding it hard to compete with other venues in the town. At this stage the club was being managed by Derek Brown who also ran another music venue in the Newcastle area – the Blaydon Races. Whereas the Club a’Gogo was renowned for the top national and international acts that appeared at the club, the bands appearing at the Blaydon Races were mostly local.
A month later in July 1968 the premises which had formerly housed Newcastle’s most famous club had been transformed into a prize bingo venue.
Click here for an almost complete Club A’Gogo gig listing for the period 1962 to 1964
Click here for an almost complete Club A’Gogo gig listing for the period 1965 to 1968
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Musician’s recollection of the Gogo
In an interview for Northstars, John Steele of the animals describes his early days at the Gogo: –
“Well, it was very exciting and at the a’Gogo you had two rooms; you had a young set room and what was called the jazz lounge. Originally that was the sophisticated jazz lounge but that developed into us (the Animals) becoming the resident band, and after a while, the policy changed to more commercial music and it was just heaving, jumping and in the young set room you would have bands like the Rolling Stones, who would come in and check us out in the other room.
We would be in the jazz lounge backing John Lee Hooker or Sonny Boy Williamson; I’ve backed people like Tubby Hayes and Tony Coe and as well as playing with Eric (Burdon) before we were called the Animals. I also played with Mike Carr at times, playing straight jazz, so there was this beautiful mix of music – modern jazz, R & B and authentic blues men coming over from America, with the new British music going on in the room next door. It was jumping, a fantastic atmosphere. Yeah it was great.”
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In a 2010 interview, Eric Burdon was asked about his memories of the Club a’Gogo. This was what he said: –
“As soon as I finished my art studies, I was offered the job of designing the interior of a club project. It became the Club a Go-Go. It was my first and only job as a designer in the commercial world. The Club a Go-Go was a shining star of the northern British club world, which meant it also had to be a den of iniquity. It’s where the North East mob was born – they ran several clubs in the area. It was a mixture of teen heaven, with the devil running loose wielding a hatchet. It was the only place outside of one club in London that actually had a full-on gaming licence. It was very clear that the mob from London would take interest, as gaming back then was strictly controlled in England and only one club in London’s West End had been allowed the game of roulette. I have many great memories from Club A Go-Go. I remember when the late John Lee Hooker played there, he said to me: ‘Man, I’ve seen some wild stuff in my years but nothing like this. This is Newcastle Mississippi.’
Continuing with the same theme, here’s John Lee Hooker’s take on the Club A’Gogo, from extracts of his biography ‘Boogie Man’ by Charles Shaar Murray. John Lee Hooker recalls his first visit to the Gogo in 1964: –
” ‘You ever hear’a Newcastle?’ demands John Lee Hooker of a British acquaintance. The acquaintance fruitlessly racks his brain, mentally scrolling through a headful of half-forgot ten fragments of Delta lore. ‘Newcastle, Mississippi?’ he enquires eventually. Apparently not. ‘You ever been to Newcastle?’ Hooker asks again, somewhat impatiently this time. ‘Newcastle in Britain. Newcastle . . . boy, that was rough. There was a bar I played every night. It was rough.’
‘Was that the Club-A-Go-Go?’ the acquaintance asks, recalling a notorious dive founded in that fair city during the early ’60s – with decor designed by Eric Burdon, vocalist for the club’s original house band, the Animals – by Mike Jeffery, subsequently manager of the Animals and Jimi Hendrix. Hooker nods. ‘Fighting outside, ooohhhh! And inside. ‘Oh,’ I said, ‘that’s it. I ain’t gonna play here no more.’ They were fighting like dogs! Little kids carryin’ knives an’ all the rest of it. . . shit. Oh boy, it was rough. Everybody say, ‘Hey man, this ain’t nothin’, they fight here all the time.’ I say, ‘Yes, ’n I be in the middle of it!’
To most Brits, weaned on lurid horror stories of American inner-city violence, there is something almost ludicrous in the notion that someone who had survived in the Detroit ghetto, more or less unscathed, for a quarter-century or so, could possibly be taken aback by a bunch of beered-up teenage Geordies. Nevertheless, what’s familiar is often reassuring, even if it may seem scary to outsiders. And what’s unfamiliar is often what catches you unawares.”
Then about his second UK tour: –
“Meanwhile John Lee Hooker was poised for his second British tour of 1964. If Roy Fisher (the manager of the British band – The Groundhogs who backed Hooker on his first UK tour) is correct, Hooker’s long-held nervousness concerning Newcastle in general and Mike Jeffery’s Club-A-Go-Go in particular may have its roots in one specific occurence during this jaunt.
‘It was without a doubt the best place that John played,’ says Fisher. ‘Yes, it did have its rougher element and I think he was kind of nervous about that, but it was really, really good. He was nervous in crowds, and because of the hit record, most places were jam-packed. In Newcastle it was big, and there were about eight hundred people packed into this place, which at that time in a club was a lot of people. The dressing room wasn’t at the side of the stage, it was at the back in the managerial offices, so to get him on stage we had to push him through the crowd, so I guess that’s probably what he means. In retrospect, I don’t think it was as dramatic as he thought of it at the time. Me, who’s not too tall, and John, who’s very very small – five foot seven – it was a problem to get him on stage, because we didn’t have any assistance, which at the time pissed me off as well. I had to manoeuvre him through this crowd. It was the first time in the whole tour that he hadn’t been on time to go on stage; most times, unlike many of the other blues singers I can recall, he was always very punctual. The band went on, they played their set, then they would play his intro music and he’d be standing at the side of the stage and then he’d come on. The Geordie reaction was incredible.’”
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Another band that appeared at the Gogo in 1967 was Captain Beefheart. In his book about his days with Captain Beefheart’s Magic Band, drummer John ‘drumbo’ French recalls the visit to the club: –
“We became lost trying to find this club, as we had driven up from London. It was late afternoon when we finally asked directions. I recall rolling down the window and asking some fellow on the street if he’d heard of the place. He didn’t understand me. I said it again and his face lit up: “Oooh, the cloob a goo goo.” He went on and on about how to get there. The brogue to my untrained ear sounded Scottish. I didn’t understand a word he said but the driver got it all. I thanked him and we drove off to the club. It was a medium sized club with a lot of thick dark tables with initial carved in them, and the smell of ale permeating the whole building.
“John French: Do you remember playing in the Club A’Gogo in Newcastle?
Jerry Handley (Beefheart’s bass player): I remember Newcastle, that’s where the Animals were from originally.
John French: They sounded Scottish, they had very strong accents. There were knife marks all over the booths. It was a rough looking place. They carved their initials in all the booths.
“The performance that night was quite good. By this time we were into our stride. I think the main problem with the band was that Don (Captain Beefheart) didn’t like to tour or perform. However it was the best thing for us.”
In an interview on the ITV series ‘Northstars’ (broadcast in 2002), Bryan Ferry recalled seeing the Junco Partners at the Gogo and playing there with his own band – the Gas Board. He remembered carrying the band’s gear from the Young Set across the landing to the Jazz Lounge. Ferry described the atmosphere at the Gogo as heavily charged and said it was the best club he had been to. He also remembered that the walls of the Jazz Lounge had a day-glo mural of a New York skyline. In fact, he helped the artist, a David Sweetman with the painting. In Michael Bracewell’s book – ‘Roxy – the band that invented an era’, Ferry is quoted as saying:-
“The Club A’Gogo was great. That was near the bus station. You’d go up these stairs, past all these bus drivers and bus conductors who had a tea room or office there, and the club was at the top. It was in two sections; there was what they called “Young Set” and then there was the “Old Set” or “Jazz Set”. So you had to set up in one part of it for the first set, and then you had to move all your equipment through to the other side – there were two rooms, in other words, and the second was more sophisticated. The first was bigger, maybe.
Later I saw all sorts of people there: Cream, the Spencer Davis Group, Wilson Pickett, Captain Beefheart – I was DJ at the club the night Beefheart played there.
There was this marvellous Jewish man called Myer Thomas, who was the boss of the A’Gogo. He was like a Sidney Greenstreet figure – this big, big man in a double-breasted suit. He was a great character – really scary. And some quite hard men used to go there – like gangsters; dressed in mohair suits, with beautiful girls – the best looking girls in Newcastle; quite tarty. It was really exciting – it felt really “It” to go there. beautiful girls …”
Also in the ‘Northstars’ interviews, Brian Johnson of AC/DC remembered seeing the Yardbirds at the Gogo but was kicked out as soon as Keith Relf appeared on stage because he was too young to be in the Jazz Lounge; Sting recalled seeing Jimi Hendrix and Rod Clements of Lindisfarne remembered being close to the stage when the likes of John Mayall and Alex Harvey appeared. He recalled meeting the same bunch of people around the stage area waiting for the bands to appear and remembered portraits of Howlin’ Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson and John Lee Hooker on the walls.
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Newcastle musician Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting recalls his teenage adventure at the Gogo: –
“The Club A Go-Go is above some shops in Percy Street, behind the Haymarket. It was originally a jazz club catering to the sophisticated tastes that developed in and around the university. The Go-Go is where the Animals had their residency before they hit the big time, and living proof that the Beatles miracle could be repeated, even in Newcastle. When I am fifteen years old, the first live band I ever see is there: the Graham Bond Organisation. It is a fortunate introduction. Graham Bond is a big -round–faced man with long greasy hair and a mandarin mustache. He plays Hammond organ and alto sax and sings in a gruff and passionate baritone. His band contains figures who will soon become legends: Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker, who will become more famous as members of Cream, on bass and drums respectively, and Dick -Heckstall–Smith on tenor. The music is harsh and uncompromising and I’m not sure if I like it, but I have a strong sense that what is being played has a weight and a seriousness that will later be characterized and then caricatured as “heavy.” Graham Bond would later become obsessed with the occult and end his own life under a train in London’s Underground.
I go to see John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, again at the Go-Go, although I don’t remember which of their subsequently legendary guitarists was on duty that night. It certainly wasn’t Clapton, though it may have been Peter Green. But it wasn’t until December of that year that I really had my mind blown.
I would watch Top of the Pops with a religious devotion at 7:30 every Thursday evening. I loved this show with a passion. Almost forty years later I can still see a picture of the DJ, Jimmy Saville, standing in front of a large chart of the top twenty, circa 1966, and am able to sing a line from every entry. Such familiarity with the music of the time could not, however, have prepared me for the whirlwind, the tidal wave, the earthquake, the force of nature that was Jimi Hendrix.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience appeared on Top of the Pops in December of 1966 and changed everything. Hendrix had transformed “Hey Joe,” an old folk song, and propelled it by the elegant ferocity of his guitar playing into a sassy, bluesy vehicle of awesome power. His vocal was as sulky and offhand as it was passionate and openly sexual, and as the three-piece band stormed through the three minute song, I imagined everyone in whole country in front of their tellys sitting bolt upright in their chairs.
Wow! What the fuck was that?
It seemed only days later that he would be booked to appear at the Go-Go. The excitement in the town is palpable. I am technically too young to gain admission to a nightclub, but because of my height I can easily pass for eighteen. I have brought a change of clothes in my schoolbag, a pair of Levi’s and a white Ben Sherman shirt with a -button–down collar. These are the “coolest” clothes I have, and look fine under my school overcoat. I change out of my uniform in the toilets at the Central Station, trying not to breathe. The lavatory is foul with the pungent stench of urine and sadness. I dress with mesmeric slowness, not wanting to drop any of my clothes on the filthy floor, beneath a faded Ministry of Health poster warning of the dangers of VD. Some hope! I still haven’t come close to having sex. There are no girls at school, and most of my evenings are taken up traveling home on trains and buses. When I do get home, I usually have a punitive amount of work to do, and when on those rare opportunities I do meet girls I am painfully shy and haven’t a clue what to say. But the other reason is music; I already have my passion. I stow my bag in the lockers at the station and set off at a brisk pace for Percy Street, breathing in the crisp air of the evening in grateful gulps and anticipating something extraordinary.
There is a long queue stretching around the corner. I tuck myself into the end of the line and wait. I imagine I’m one of the youngest people there, although my height allows me some anonymity in the crowd. They are mainly boys, dressed much the same as me, although a few dandified “exotics” have managed to purchase Afghan coats and are sporting droopy Zapata moustaches and spiffy desert boots. The girls all have the same style, hair parted severely in the middle and falling in lank sheets to the shoulders of black leather coats. There is an atmosphere of seriousness, though, that pervades the crowd, as if we are about to witness an event of high cultural significance. Hendrix will play two sets. I manage to scrape in for the first one, which is fortunate, as I would have had to find some convincing excuse to stay out so late for the second. My parents have no idea where I am, and I have no wish to tell them. One of the dividends of my alienation is that I don’t have much explaining to do and am pretty much left to my own devices.
The club is tiny and I secure a pitch for myself halfway between the stage and the back wall. I will have no trouble seeing. The band of course are late. The crowd waits patiently.
They say that ‘if you remember the sixties, then you weren’t there’.
Well, much the same could be said of this gig. The Jimi Hendrix Experience was an overwhelming, deafening wave of sound that simply obliterated analysis. I think I remember snatches of “Hey Joe” and “Foxy Lady,” but that event remains a blur of noise and breathtaking virtuosity, of Afro’d hair, wild clothes, and towers of Marshall amplifiers. It was also the first time I’d ever seen a black man. I remember Hendrix creating a hole in the plaster ceiling above the stage with the head of his guitar, and then it was over.”
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Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band was a popular recording and club band in the mid sixties. Band leader Zoot Money recently recalled playing at the Club A’Gogo in the sixties: “I was based in London, but the clubs of Newcastle were quite famous and I got a booking in 1964 at the Go Go for my Big Roll Band. It was the home of The Animals and over the years we got to know them very well. I wanted to create an impression so asked for a bottle of Newcastle Brown with port chasers. On stage as part of my act I would climb on top of the Hammond Organ going crazy. Unfortunately, I’d had one too many bottles of Brown and was a bit unsteady. The ceiling above the stage was made of wooden slats to give it that Hawaiian feel. I grabbed on to the slats to steady myself, but instead pulled the whole lot down. They certainly remembered me that night. I’m pleased to say the management were not put off and I played the club on many occasions, often swapping with The Animals as we used to alternate between two venues in Newcastle.”
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Alan Price and Eric Burdon wrote a song about the Club a’Gogo for the Animals.
The lyrics are as follows: –
“My baby found a new place to go
Hangs around town at the Club-a-gogo
Takes all my money for the picture show
But I know she spends it at the club-a-gogo
Let’s go babe, let’s go, I love you, come on, yeah!
It’s one of the coolest spots in town
You take too much tho’ it’s bound to get you down
She’s got a boy-friend they call Big Joe
He’s a big shot at the club-a-gogo
Babe, come on, let’s go, let’s go babe, yeah!
Now they play the blues there every day and every night
Everybody monkeys and they feel alright
Ask my friend, Myer he’ll tell you so
That there ain’t no place like the club-a-gogo
Let’s go babe, ah let’s go, come on it’s alright, s’alright, s’alright
Yeah!
I guess I can’t blame her for goin’ up there tho’
The place is full of soul, heart and soul, baby
It’s alright dad, John Lee Hooker, Jerome Green,
Rolling Stones, Memphis Slim up there, Jimmy Reed too baby,
Sonny Boy Williamson baby”
The “Myer’ mentioned in the third verse is, of course, Myer Thomas. As for the “Big Joe” in verse two; this is what Eric Burdon had to say about the song in an interview for the New Musical Express in February 1965: –
” ‘There is no Big Joe’ said Eric. There was a slight lull in the conversation as he reflected slowly. ‘Y’know, there is a guy called ‘Dave’ – he’s the fastest thing on two legs I’ve ever seen when it comes to a scrap.’ He (Eric) climbed into his sheepskin and made for the door. ‘He’d make a very interesting match for Cassius. I’d put money on Dave, he’s the greatest!’ “.
Anyone who went to the Gogo at that time would know Eric Burdon was referring to bouncer, Dave Findlay.
During his short career, Jimi Hendrix only played a handful of gigs in the north east. One of them was at the Club a’GoGo on 10 March 1967, a week before the release of ‘Purple Haze’. His first hit -‘Hey Joe’ had first appeared in the charts 3 months earlier. By the time of the GoGo gig, Hendrix had built up a solid reputation in the music press and was receiving accolades from famous musicians, such as Mick Jagger.
Hendrix played two sets at the Club A’Gogo; the first in the Young Set and then a late set in the Jazz Lounge. Five weeks earlier he had played at the Cellar Club in South Shields and had surprised the audience by ramming his guitar into the ceiling above the stage. Hendrix repeated the stunt at the Gogo and left his guitar suspended in the hole he made in the ceiling.
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Club goers’ recollections
My own personal experiences of the Club A’Gogo were limited to a handful of gigs I did there and late night visits to the Jazz Lounge; I played there, both in the Young Set and the Jazz Lounge with two bands; the Jazzboard and the Village. The first time I played there was with the Jazzboard two days before Christmas in 1965. The place was absolutely crammed and there was an electric atmosphere, in particular in the Jazz Lounge. I’d not been to the club before and this initial visit gave me a real taste for the place. Unfortunately, due to band commitments and the fact I lived in Sunderland, I was never a regular weekly visitor to the club but when I was with the Jazzboard in 1966 we often went to the Jazz Lounge after our own gigs in the Newcastle area had finished. Some of the bands I saw at these late night sessions were Graham Bond, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (with Eric Clapton), Geno Washington and not forgetting Newcastle’s favourite band, The Junco Partners.
Around this time, there used to be a black guy who sat in with a lot of the visiting bands on conga drums. I think he must have kept his drums at the club and brought them out if he got the nod from the band. The stage in the Jazz Lounge wasn’t very high and you could get quite close to the musicians.
People who frequented the Gogo in the sixties will also remember some of the characters who worked at the club. Tommy Crumb, a bald guy who usually wore a leather coat, looked after the door on ground level with several others. The club in general was run by Myer Thomas who is mentioned by name in the Animals song ‘Club a’GoGo’.
Amongst other things, Myer Thomas (mentioned by Bryan Ferry above) used to manage the stage logistics and the smooth running of the bands’ performances. I can remember him once telling off our keyboard player, Jimmy Hall, for smoking on stage. Other names that people remember as working at the club were Big Phil, Keith Crombie and Keith Young.
A couple of the better known bouncers were the Findlay brothers – Dave and Tommy. I recall waiting to go into the club late one night when a guy came running out of the door hotly pursued by Dave Findlay. The guy ran along Percy Street and Dave tried to head him off by jumping onto the bonnets and roofs of a row of parked cars.
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Ex-club goers that have contributed to the Chronicle Live site remember the mod clothes – herringbone jackets and hush puppies and other gear brought from City Stylish. Another shop that sold clothing to the Newcastle mods was Marcus Price who had a shop a few doors along from the Club A’Gogo. Here is an extract from Michael Bracewell’s book – ‘Roxy – the band that invented an era’. Marcus Price says:-
“Mike Jeffery , who actually owned the A’Gogo had done social studies at university. He then had an older man who fronted it, who was from a retail background – Myer Thomas; he had a deadpan manner, and used to pop into the shop for ties. Initially Mike had a coffee house, and then he translated that into a club – the A’Gogo. He was up-to-the-minute you see.
The A’Gogo became a bit like the Cavern in Liverpool. Women’s styles at the club varied – some of it was flash Newcastle, but a lot of the time it was just sweaters and jeans. Slightly better dressed in the older “Lounge” section. The hair was that Kathy McGowan kind of thing. Black pullovers. Ben Sherman shirt dresses. Little Levi jackets ….
They put on a lot of American stuff – John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson – mainly blues. Then we had the local stuff – the Animals, of course. Also Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart when he was just starting off, Julie Driscoll, Eric Clapton. The Junco Partners were the resident group..”
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From the same book, artist Stephen Buckley who was at university with Bryan Ferry recalls: –
“The premises of the A’Gogo must have been a warehouse of some sort, originally. There were two very large dance areas, coming up from a central staircase, and there was a vicarious danger about it, as well. I suppose I went there three or four times a week; and it had a late night license. But curiously enough it was the dancing that was the thing, rather than the drinking. One wasn’t getting drunk, one was dancing. I saw the Stones and the Who.”
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Fellow artist Tim head, who was also part of Ferry’s crowd says: –
“We used to go to this wonderful club, the A’Gogo, which was very near the university in the Haymarket. That’s where all the R&B bands would play – I saw Hendrix play there; in fact he came back to a student party with us. Bryan did some DJ’ing there later.
They specialised in R&B – Geno Washington, the Who. The Club A’Gogo had these steep steps going up to it, and I remember a guy being pulled out by the bouncers – as I was going back into the club this poor guy was being hurled down the stairs and thrown into the street.”
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Avril Leitch recalls clubbing at both the Downbeat and the Gogo: –
Our Saturday nights started at The Muscle-In under the railway arches, then the Club a’Gogo until midnight then we’d follow the Animals to the Downbeat before walking home at around 5am. across the Town Moor.
The Downbeat became a bit of a druggy place with ‘bodies’ lying around the floor. But the Animals were brilliant – each number would last about ten minutes. The walls were painted red or black and the light bulbs were black.
The Club a’Gogo was certainly the place to be and I remember preferring listening to the Animals in one room than to the Rolling Stones in the other. There was a bit of a gambling room in one corner, I remember. The Stones were new boys then – I danced with Mick Jagger!
Our hands were painted with invisible ink so we could come and go without having to pay again.”
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Anne Wilson (previously Cotton) recalls some of her experiences at the Gogo: –
“My twin sister and I went to the Gogo from 1962 then for a short period, to the Downbeat. Once we started going to the Gogo again we just couldn’t stop. We were known for our dancing. If you went to the Gogo you’d remember us. Sometimes a record was put on as request for ‘the Cotton twins’ because no one was dancing and we never minded being the only ones on the floor. It would encourage others to get up and the evening would start.
The Gogo was our lives. We went there at least three times a week . Over the years we made many new friends so having no one to go to the club with was never a problem. You’d walk in and were bound to meet up with someone you knew.
I’ve read articles about people who supposedly went to the club but no one mentions ‘Frenchy’. I find that strange. He certainly was a big part of the Gogo scene as well as the Finlays. The last time I saw Frenchy was 1966 in the Quay Club. I’d heard he was going to prison. He certainly didn’t look happy.
Of course you can never talk about the Gogo and not mention the Junco Partners. They were so good. We had great evenings dancing to their music. First in the ‘Young-set’ and later in the Jazz Lounge.
There were many very special evenings when groups got together and played together. I remember Long John Baldry and the Spence Davis Group (before they were famous). We were really annoyed that we had to queue outside ‘our’ club to see a group we’d been listening to for quite a while. Of course fame also meant they stopped coming.
The night the Stones came to the Gogo Mike Jeffery told everyone to leave them alone as they’d come to enjoy themselves. Later that night we were asked if we wanted to go to a party and were taken in a jeep to what was then The Quay Club – but it wasn’t open at that stage. We sat at the same table as all the Stones, everyone talking away and left at 4.30. It was something to talk about at Art College the next day. Whether anybody believed me or not is another thing!”
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Alan Brack, a regular at the Club A’Gogo, remembers the club more for the DJs and the records they played than the bands that appeared there. Here’s what Alan has to say about the Gogo:
“It was by far the greatest club in the UK, even the planet for that matter and that’s an understatement! The Marquee (London), Pink Flamingo (London) … Twisted Wheel (Manchester), Mojo (Sheffield) etc. etc. – eat ya heart out! We all know about the list of every great band or artist that played there but sadly we tend not to mention the awesome, overwhelming, mesmerising dance and soul music that shook and vibrated the club dance floor to its foundations! Many a time the club members would be disappointed when the DJ switched off the music and announced the next act no matter who it was and that’s a fact. They were still in groove for the next belter. How on earth could an act follow the scintillating, fabulous, obscure rare foot stomping shattering soul / ska / Stax/ rhythm & blues music? – No contest!
Here’s a few unquestionable examples that shook that floor to its foundations Don Covay (Sookie Sookie); Rufus Thomas (Willy Nilly); Homer Banks (Sixty Minutes Of Your Love) – by far the best soul song ever; Willie Mitchell (Ever Things Gonna Be All Right); Shorty Long (Function At The Junction and his fantastic Shantilly Lace); Soul Brothers 6 (Some Kind Of Wonderful); William Bell (Never Like This Before ); Sam & Dave (You Got Me Hummin’).
The most anticipated and probably the best gig there was Hendrix. Only his Woodstock appearance eclipsed that unforgettable night at the Gogo. Some other great gigs were when the great Robert Parker played there in September 1966. Also that month Cream played their first Newcastle gig at the GoGo – I can remember the poster. I can also remember when Johhny Kidd from the Pirates died and the DJ played tribute.
I still stand by my word that this club was a venue that was noted mainly for the music played by the DJs – amazing obscure floor shattering mesmerising dance belters. That’s what made this legendary club.”
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Another ex-Gogo regular remembers manager, Myer Thomas at the time that the Animal’s ‘House of the Rising Sun’ had been released. Every night he would announce its progress up the charts. Myer eventually moved out to Majorca where Mike Jeffery together with Keith Gibbon opened a night club named Sergeant Peppers in the Plaza Gomilla, Palma.
ChronicleLive, often features people’s memories of the life and times of the Gogo and is well worth checking out.
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Comments
The number of comments received about the Club A’Gogo is testimony to the popularity of the club in the 1960s. Contributors to the the ‘Comments’ section below are mostly ex-Club A’Gogo members and club-goers. I am very grateful for their input and for helping to keep the memory of Newcastle’s greatest club alive.
If you have any memories of the club, please feel free to scroll to the bottom of the page and leave a comment.
If you would like to include a photo or photos with a comment, please send an email to me at novamute@blueyonder.co.uk and attach your photo(s).
I remember The Pretty Things among others whose names will no doubt come back to me…memories memories..
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People rarely believe just how many amazing people we met and shared a table with in those days…most of us sang and/or played in groups (those of us at Art School anyway ! Does anyone remember Frank White who was one-time manager of The Gas Board?
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Marvellous memories. Thank you Roger for your hard work in putting this all together.
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I was a disc jockey at the Gogo, remember Jenny, Myer, the Juncos, of course the Animal. But as I remember it, because I helped him, Big Phil was the artist who produced the back-wall mural, and it was New Orleans, not New York. I know ‘coz I was passing that city three years ago, and suddenly recognized the skyline. Great days, y’all, and I miss you. ‘specially Tommy Crumb – love you Tommy- where’s you black leather jacket?
Anyone remember the long haired female DJ we gave ex-lax to? Mary Klegg, I think.
And how about Dickie Bainbridge?
Love to hear from any of you. biggles800@aol.com
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I went regular to the GoGo and I hate to be the messenger of bad news but Fleetwood Mac, NEVER played the GoGO. Mic Fleetwood did John Mcvie did but they were in the John Mayal Bluesbreakers. When Eric Clapton left the Bluesbreakers with Ginger Baker to form Cream, John Mayal found a young 17 year old to take Eric’s place,which was Peter Green, one night Peter was waiting for Mic and John coming back from were ever they had been,(magical mystery tour!!!) he was doing a few riffs and created an instrumental and called it Fleetwood Mac. When they left the Bluesbreakers they were called Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac but they NEVER played the GoGo as Fleetwood Mac. I checked with my good friend David Findlay who was there from day one and he confirms this.
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Haha what a joke u put dave findlay on here as a hero hes nothin but a thug and a wife beater
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There’s nothing on the page to suggest that Dave Findlay is a ‘hero’. He’s as much a part of the history of the Club A’Gogo as all the other people mentioned and that’s the only reason he has been included.
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Brilliant work, research and photos of ticket stubbs and of past groups and so much more…wow very impressive. As a HUGE Eric Burdon and the Animals fan -this means a lot. Well done.
Australia says thank you
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Remember being a student at Ridley Hall, Bardon Mill in 1967 and coming in to see Cream – 6 of us in my Mini (when Minis were really minis!). Don’t know how we got back. Remember Ginger Baker throwing his drumsticks around and Clapton’s afro hair. Also remember taking my first girlfriend Shona to the Young Set much against my parents recommendation that we go for a coffee! Brilliant days/nights.
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ps, I’m no relation to the other John Stewart posted on August 31st!!
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Here’s that fabulous Jazz lounge wall part painted by Bryan Ferry. I was Jazz Lounge DJ after Mel? left to become roadie with the Faces – I was promoted by Myer from the cloakroom. 50 years later, I’m still a DJ ! – http://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/614397_10150974121316529_538591423_o.jpg
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One big memory as the cloakroom attendant in the corridor between the Young Set and the Jazz Lounge next to the guy checking the UV mark on your hand to show you were a Jazz Lounge member
(If you were quick when they marked you you could ‘bump’ a friend).
The fashion may have been good in the club, but the outer garment was a duffle coat. All the same, stag horn toggles, chain hanger, camel coloured. The hooks were so close together that as the night went on the coats would get dragged, the chain would snap and they’d fall to to the floor.
When you took the ticket of someone going home, went to the peg and found it empty, come back and say what type of coat was it ?
They would say ‘duffle’ and i would look at the floor covered to a height of 6 inches of loose coats and say ‘can you wait until we close’ ?
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Great days and interesting stuff – to my mind what the 60s was all about. I remember Keith Moon bashing hell out of his drums with an elastoplast stuck on his nose. Queuing for ages to get in whenever a name was on. Slight change of venue – anyone remember Bob Dylan playing the Odeon – I reckon it must have been 1965. I’ve still got the ticket stub for the mighty price of ten bob!
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Fascinating site. Well done.
I lived at the coast and was in bands myself. I went to the Whitley Bay Go-Go regularly.
No alcohol allowed, just Hubbly Bubbly. Never seen it since.
The Alan Price Combo were wild and fantastic in those days and used to bring the house down.
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Anyone remember The Banshees – we used to see them at the GoGo in the early sixties. Remember seeing loads of other bands there as well – and at The Downbeat.
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Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music) was in a local band called the Banshees in the early sixties – there’s a bit about them and Bryan Ferry on this site on the ‘Bruce MacDonald Lowes’ page. There was also an Irish recording band around at the same time called the Banshees but it’s unlikely they ever played at the Gogo.
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My Brother Frankie Carrick use to always talk about this place glad i found the page its great
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Hi does anyone know if Dave Finlay is still alive I am trying to contact him as my dad passed away on Tuesday and used to work alongside my uncle on the doors of the Marimba and the Downbeat, he and my uncle were both Hungarian and were best known as Joe and Jeno. Thank you in advance for any replies
jacqueline
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A major part of Newcastle heritage lost for ever .
Many lads and lasses cut their teeth at the Club A Go Go.
My very own moment in time seared for life was the night
Spencer Davis played both Sets with a 16 year old Stevie
Winwood on organ – Probably 65 or 66 – That night Chas
Chandler returned from the States with a a new found
black guitarist he wanted to manage – Heard he’d played
back up with the Temps -= Clad in camouflage fatigues and
supporting a killer Frow that gentleman was introduced to
me and others that night as – Jimmi Hendrix .
Chas explained he was that good he’d give Clapton & Beck
a run for their money – we all laughed up until Spencer
Davis restrung his guitar between sets for a Lefty player
and James Marshall Hendrix stepped on Stage for his first
UK performance and for ever Blew Wor Minds and changed
history for ever .
Had his autograph that night on an empty 10 Woodbines
packet – Will always remember the sweet heady days in
the 60’s in Toon In Love – In credible .
H T L – Best – PC LA .
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How wonderful to read all this and to remember all the brilliant bands I saw there at the GoGo in 63/64/65 – mainly the Young Set but Mr. Myer (as we called him) would let us into the Jazz Lounge sometimes. Mary Kegg was the DJ and she was a friend of mine. I met my first husband there. He was in a supporting band called The Falling Leaves and they originated from Oxford. Seems so long ago – I live in Cornwall now but will never forget the happy times spent with Chas Chandler, Eric, et al. Had a massive crush on Steve Winwood but he was seeing(?) Mary Kegg at the time – often wonder where she is now.
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Was during my student at Newcastle College of Commerce/HND, and living in a house with friends in Jesmond! A vivid recollection is,when after dancing like mad with friend Annie Little, I found myself sitting next to Jimmy Hendrix with his top hat and colourful army jacket. Guess he was there with Chas Chandler! Also loved Eric Burdon & the Animals and The Family (a very good group who, unfortunately, I think, never made it to the top).
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I forgot to mention I believe it was -I forget- sometime in 1966 or 67! And my name is jean-pierre vernon
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Great stuff but strange no one mentioned Billy Keith who was on the door and that Keith Gibbon usually manned the till. Others who were the back bone of the club were Terry McViegh, Sergio the croupier the one and only Keith Crombie, Wally Nash, Gerry Barron and Hungarian Joe. I met my wife Helen Cleghorn there she was a stunning blond who worked as a GPO telephonist during the day and as a waitress at night at the Go Go I was with my best mate Crombie and asked for two Brandy and cokes and a date got the date and Keith bought the drinks. Some great times and great bands I have fond memories of the Invaders brilliant guitarist Ian McCallum who I first met when we played together in a club band the Tonics. Ian was married to Jackie and he sadly passed away in the early seventies.
Saw Dave Findlay and Wally Nash at Keith Crombies funeral both looked great. Anyone with memories please get in touch. billmills1@btinternet.com
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Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. We’d travelled in a minibus from Middlesbrough. From what I remember the gig was in 2 halves, one set was in an under 18 no alcohol room, the second in the over 18 room, and after being mesmerised by a 30 minute version of Rollin n Rumblin in the ‘dry’ room, me and my mates had the privelege of helping the band carry the amps and gear from one room to the other and have a chat and smoke with the Captain himself. A perfect night.
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I have great memories of the Newcastle Club a’go go. I started going there in 1967 and saw Cream, Jimi Hendrix, The Animals, Pink Floyd, Mary Wells, and Zoot Money. I remember Bryan Ferry as DJ was always playing his favourite record ‘In Crowd’ by Dodie West, it was no surprise to me when he recorded a cover version with Roxy Music.
The Hendrix gig in the young set was awesome, I remember being right at the front of the stage and a 10 bob note fell out of Jimi’s back pocket, the girl standing next to me caught it, waited until he finished his number and she handed it back to Jimi.
It’s such a shame that the Club a’go go couldn’t have been preserved as the ‘Cavern’ of Newcastle.
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I don’t think I saw his name on any of the lists, but I definitely saw Georgie Fame play at the N’Cle Gogo.
Me and my friends were there every chance we got.
However, I don’t remember Jimmi Hendrix. But after I came to New York in ’67 I went to a ‘Monkees’ concert at Forst Hills Tennis Stadium. Decades later I was reading an old diary, that mentioned the concert. I wrote, “There was a fantastic guitarist who opened for the Monkees called Jimmi Hendrix. I do remember that guy but I’d never really knew who he was.
At the Go Go club there was a group who was introduced like this: “And all the way from America, ‘Geno Washington and the All-stars’. Fabulous. But I was never able to find anything about him over here in the states???
I hated going into the Jazz Lounge with that ‘purple’ light that showed up every freckle I’d accummulated in my 19 years. Hah! Fabulous memories. Dancing all night to the Juncos. Even was asked out by John Anderson while he was playing at the ‘Vic’ in W/B. He used to call me When I worked at ‘Ryles’ Said I’d meet him outside that BBQ shop opposite the N’Cle Haymarket. I was there early (10 to 8) and waited til 5 past. That was it! I ran across to the Haymarket and hopped the bus back to N/S. As the bus was pulling out I looked over and there he was outside the BBQ shop. I could’ve gotten off at next stop but I figured that by the time I’d get back he’d be gone and I’d look like a right doozy. I heard he went down to the Spanish City looking for me. Next time I saw him he told me that another guy standing outside the BBQ shop told him I’d been there. I thought it was pretty commendable that he actually went looking for me. Then the band went to France and he came home with a lovely French Girl in a pink chiffone dress with feathers around the bottom. Who could compete with that? She’d walk after him around the GoGo panting, Shon,Shon. Hah!
Fun memories. I was shattered when I visited N’Cle and nothing was the same anymore.
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this is bloody fantastic, oh why oh why was I not born a few years earlier to witness it.
My music love only started around 64 when I was 14.
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I had and lost years ago an album by the animals. it was all black cover and only had about 4-5 tracks on it. anyone know what its called.
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I was there to see Hendrix,Pink Floyd etc. A crazy topless skinny man with his HEED ON FIRE ! (Arthur Brown)
I was underage but managed to get into the Jazz Lounge,one time I carried a mike stand from the young set to the lounge and that was it,done.If you were in the know,you would pay for the young set then acquire “THE MARK ” for a few shillings.The broon was half bottles and was nectar from the gods! I gotta disagree about not being Fleetwood Mac,it looked like them,it sounded like them and I dont care what they called themselves I think it was the right personnel.
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I remember being at the club the night Kennedy was shot. I was supposed to meet a student from Newcastle University who I’d met the week before at the Cellar Club South Shields but he never turned up. Happy days and House of The Rising Sun is still my all time favourite record.
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My first visit to the Go Go on Percy Street was to see The Rolling Stones. Worked with some girls at Mail,Kinsella, Stockbrokers on Pilgrim Street and we all decided to go. Queued to get tickets to see them, it was worth it, they’re still great. Loved the Junco Partners,they’re still going. Will have to go to their next gig. Happy days.
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Terrific to read. I was a student at Newcastle Uni from 1964-7 and spent a lot of time in the club. My friend attracted the attention of Sonny Boy Williamson when he was there and my other friend had a thing about Pete Townshend of the Who who were also regulars. I think it must have closed after 1967 because it was still open all the time I was there. I still have a little dress somewhere I bought in John Steele’s (little boutique) although I would not fit into it now. Still have my membership card somewhere too.
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Was there when Zoot Money took the place by storm,also Julie
Driscoll and the Brian Agure Trunity,Geno Washington,
To name but a few.we were you mods in them
days,once got “tapped up by Long John Baldry,asked
us if we wanted to go to a party in Jesmond,
When he said only males would be in attendance
We declined.Still go “pass out ticket”
Think the place closed in 70 as was there for
my twentieth birthday.happy days.
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I remember seeing many great bands at the GoGo including the Bee Gees who announced they were singing ‘Massachusetts’ live for the first time that night. Also the Ronettes who appeared to an almost empty club midweek.
Anyone remember when we had a whip round to by a pare of jeans for one of the regular members, a lovely guy who sadly couldn’t afford to buy them himself – I think his name was Tommy?
One of the best gigs was Jimmy Cliff – amazing set which included a jam session with lots of well known people.
And of course the Oxfam walk we all did overnight after visiting the GoGo first and walking all night in very unsuitable, but fashionable, shoes (from Marcus Price of course). Great times!!
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Ive got to disagree with the person who said Fleetwood Mac didnt play at the GoGo..They did, on more than one occasion..I think they played there about 4 times. My memory is pretty good about the place…and to another contributor about Hendrix..Brian Davison..if thats you Bri..you will now me well(Ches)..havent seen you in years.. and to the guy asking about Tommy Crumb..I was on a trip to Blackpool a few yeras ago and he was on it. Had a god chat with him. And last but not least..yes I remember the whip round for Daft Tommy..he wore those Levis for years.. He is still in Town but worse the wear for drink..
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Hi Everyone,
I am the producer /co-director of a new documentary film on Graham Simpson, Roxy Music’s original bass player and founding member. I am currently researching the early Newcastle / Gas Board days when he played with Bryan Ferry – then also any early Roxy Music Newcastle gigs.
Here is a short film we already made on Graham – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2crIrmkE2M
I would love to talk to anyone who might have known Graham or seen him play. Also who might have any photography or better still moving image of him playing!
This website has been a great recourse to me and I even went up to Newcastle recently to film. Please contact me at badlittlecookproductions@gmail.com if you can help! I’ll try to check this too….
Thank you,
Miranda Little
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Anyone have any stories on Davey or Tommy Findlay? they are my great uncles and have heard a lot about them, just saw there names mentioned quite a few times on here now, my granddad is there uncle
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P.Whinham, would be interesting to here from you aswell as anyone else
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My intro here to the unique legendary venue the amazing “CLUB AGO GO” cannot be described in this tribute to it in such a few words !!!! …….. It was by far the greatest club in the U.K. and the planet for that matter … and thats an understatement !!!! ..The Marquee (London) Pink Flamingo (London) … Twisted Wheel (Manchester) Mo Jo (Sheffield) etc etc …Eat ya heart out .. !!! We all know about the list of every great band or artist that played there but sadly we tend not to mention the awesome overwhelming mesmerizing dance soul music that shook and vibrated the the club dance floor to its foundations … !!! Many a time time the club members would be disappointed when the D.J. switched off the music and announced the next act no matter who it was and thats a fact ..!!! They were still in groove for the next belter ..!!! How on earth could an act follow the scintilating fabulous obscure rare foot stomping shattering Soul/Ska/Stax/Rhythm and Blues music no contest ..!!! Take away every band that played there and the vinyl blew em all completely away .. !!!!????… Heres a few unquestionable examples that shook that floor to its foundations … DON COVAY (SOOKIE SOOKIE) … RUFUS THOMAS (WILLY NILLY) … HOMER BANKS (60 MINUTES of YOUR TIME) … By far the best soul song ever !!! WILLIE MITCHELL (EVER THINGS GONNA BE ALL RIGHT) … SHORTY LONG (FUNCTION AT THE JUNCTION) plus his amazing (SHANTILLY LACE) fabulous version .. !!! the groove on SHANTILLY by the way the best ever recorded on soul vinyl … SOUL BROTHERS 6 (SOME KIND OF WONDERFUL) … WILLIAM BELL (NEVER LIKE THIS BEFORE ) … SAM and DAVE (YOU GOT ME HUMMIN) And the list goes on KOOL JERK ..I SPY FOR THE F.B.I. … THE BARKEYS ..THE MARKEYS …. And the list is endless … Any way the most anticipated and probably the best gig there was HENDRIX only his WOODSTOCK appearance eclipsed that unforgetable night at the Go Go …. Still got my club card a prized memory of all that went on in there through the the swinging 60’s … Thanks …Alan …….
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Does anyone recall the ” new Vikings ” at the Muscle-in during the early 60s
We would go there first on a Saturday night,then the Downbeat
And for some strange reason the waiting room at Central railway station and then up to the bowling alley !!
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Some very clear cases of selective amnesia here, The Stones never played outside of London in their early days.
There are some huge omissions including the Savoy Brown Blues Band, Tomorrow and The Gods.
Far from being ‘lovable rogues’ the majority of the door staff were sadistic bullies who likes nothing better than showing off in front of the girls by pushing around much younger club ganners.
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It’s been really fascinating reading all of this – I was a child so missed it all – I never knew so much was going on in my town! Being born a tad later I didn’t experience Newcastle Night-life until much later – when Pumfrey’s coffee shop became a trendy destination and saw the ‘birth of the Bigg Market’ in the late 70’s. But it was interesting to see a couple of names pop up who were still going strong then… Keith Gibbon Managed Julies – in the beginning, a members only club. But on nights when we fancied something a little different, we’d side-step to the Cooperage to see the Junco Partners!
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The Stones DID play at the Newcastle Clb AGo G0 – in 1963 – my friend and I met them – in their early days, I think they had released their first record, which became a hit. We went to the Ago go every Saturday, brilliant place, remember it well!! Thanks to everyone for all these comments, fantastic Christmas Holiday reading x
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I went to the club as a young teenager in 1963/64/65. Only in the young set but well remember the fantastic music and atmosphere. My sister Pat was married to Dave Findlay. They lived in Jesmond and had two beautiful daughters.
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Jacquie do you have an email address or something we could talk on? just trying to get in contact with family and you seem to know of Dave Findlay, cheers
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Re comment 17 Susan Starforth. My husband died in 2013, being younger I had never visited the club, he talked about it a lot and it seems to have become real after reading this. Interestingly he often mentioned Susan’s brother Frankie Carrick
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Great research
You can also include Fleetwood Mac and a great performance from Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames – sorry, do not have the dates
About the same time that the Four Tops and Chris Farlowe were on at The Dolce Vita
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Me and my pal Bob Dixon had tickets for Pink Floyds gig at the Gogo in 1967.I think we paid four shillings (20p).
Now Floyd were just becoming famous, so we expected an array of lights etc. The Outlines played their set & still we didn’t sus, There were no lights . Apparently their van had broken down on the M1.The management isssued the slighty irate audience with free tickets for next
Week’s gig, which was Mary Wells.Not quite the same.
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I was a regular at The Gogo during the 60s. Seen some great gigs there. Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band were my favourite band at the time and to see an LA band at my local club in Newcastle was brilliant. To see Cream in their full length leather coats I’ll never forget. I remember the Pink Floyd gig, no lights. They kicked out the young set after the early gig then we moved in from the jazz lounge as there was too much gear to move (even without the lights). Another memorable night was when John Mayall’s bass player got bottled and the band nearly refused to play the second half of the gig. They did play and the result is a slow blues track on the album Diary Of A Band called Blood On The Night. It warms my heart thinking about The GoGo now I’m 67 and Captain Beefheart is still my favourite american band. A question I ask is “Did Soft Machine ever play The GoGo?
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I used to work as a singer in the north East (and everywhere else too, I also had “pro Digs” in Jesmond called the Coda)I remember a Dave Findlay, he worked on the door of a Club in Whitley Bay for Ray Greyhan, but, this Dave Findlay was about 5ft 6ins and had blonde hair. I wonder then who I am thinking about. I know I worked for Ray somewhere in the N.E…cant remember the name of the club, and I also worked at his Nightclub in London. I remember one “uncomfortable” night when he asked me to join a table of London Gangsters.Not one of them smiled , it was like I said “uncomfortable. Is ray still alive, and who is the David I remember?
My prof; name was Jackie Hanson.
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what a great website. the memories are flooding in. they were great times in the sixties. Coming from the Paletta to the AGogo and trying to get past Dave or Tommy for free (it worked some nights)
Then trying to sneak from the Young Set into the Jazz Lounge (that worked too on some nights)There was a comment from Wendy Sanderson – I used to go out with Wendy for a while – she lived up by the Ministry – lovely girl! Theres not much mention of the Quay Club – Keith Crombie managed it for a while – my dad did the plumbing when it was “refurbished” .Keep up the good work
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I remember seeing the Bee Gees there, they had a drummer at the time. Saw The Animals regularly. I think Billy Keith is the same Bill Keith that went on to run the Quay Club opposite the Crown Posada.
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I would have loved to have seen Beefheart, Animals, Floyd, Hendrix, Stones etc. but sadly I wasn’t born until 1981 haha!!!
However my dad did go regularly to the GoGo/Downbeat etc. and has some great tales…
I’m fairly sure Dave Finlay once told my dad and me over a beer that he once had to help Brian Jones wheel an amplifier through the Grainger Market or through town as one of the amps the Stones brought blew up or was broken or something?! – cue loads of people gawping at them
Great if true!!
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Amazing site,
Fantastic memories of my younger days in Tyneside
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Great memories, the GoGo was my second home. I was 16 and was there as many nights as money would allow. Seen many great groups but the one that stands out in my memory for some reason is the Nashville Teens (Tobacco Road) and Dave Berry. 10 of us girls went together and I am still in touch with 4 of them. Our outerwear was leather or suede coats, we thought we were the bees knees. Fantastic times, no drink but we still had a good time. xx
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Went to see Jimi Hendriks when he played 10-03-1967 I was only 17 and had never heard of him. I worked at the Royal Turks Head hotel in Grey Street and was staying in overnight so went with my girlfriend. Saw him in both the young set and the Jazz lounge and was totally blown away and bought all his records after that. The GoGo was a fantastic club and went there on many occasions. Fantastic to read all about the place again and brought back many happy memories. Thank you
Jim Fyfe
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I remember Brian Robson (Ropper) who used to check your tickets before letting you go upstairs and his beautiful girlfriend Eleanor. He was a great guy may he rest in peace.Mary Clegg also died about four years ago wonder if you can still buy ‘Hubbly Bubbly,
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I met my future wife, Sheila , in 63 in the “young set”,we used to dance the “Twizzle”to great songs likeBrian Poole and the Tremeloes and “Do you love me”, still play it but don’t dance !!!!!!.
I remember holding back the screaming girls when the “Swinging blue jeans”played on the tiny corner stage in the young set.
We remember Fenwick with the “Invaders, the “Vondykes”with Mike Mills, Alan? And Dave Redpath
On drums, what happened to Dave?.
Other names remembered, “Little”Jimmy Gallagher, “Big”Jake, “Ginger”Tom, Scottie, Ray Robson,Tony Smith,
From the club, Jos Atkinson, Sandra and Barbara Young, Keith Gibbons, Bill Keith and of course the Findley brothers,
Other names have faded from the memories, but memories of a great
club live on, HAPPY DAYS!!!!
Wyn and Sheila Porteous
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Hello Roger, this is a fine piece of work you have assembled. Congratulations! If you remember I travelled on the back of your Lambretta from Sunderland to the Ministry, intermittently during the mid to late 60’s. Anyway, enough of that. The Gogo? Although I saw many fine bands, I find myself agreeing with the commentary at number 39. For me the place was mostly about being intoduced to a repertoire of music I had a limited exposure to previously. A personal highlight was hearing bluebeat and ska in particular but also the great of calypso Lord Kitchener and most notably his classic song:
” Dr. Kitch”
Vince Price
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i had great times at the GOGO when I was a kid.
Can anyone remember Avril who worked behind the bar?
Or Ann Foster (Champion) a regular.
I saw a lotta bands there and somehow managed to get into both rooms,
one time this guy came in with a long trench coat, fur collar, we got talking
about different groups and the place, after he left somebody came over to me
and said do you know how that was, I had not really, they said that was Eric Clapton
You’ve just been talking to God, hahaha.
Saw Cream, Wilson Picket, Jeno Washington and the Ram Jam Band and of course
The fantastic Junco Partners among many others.
I’m glad I experienced that scene I now live in Los Angeles with my Wife Lyn.
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Hi fin, are you still trying to get in contact with Dave Finlay? I’m his daughter . Would be nice to get in contact.
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I,m amazed no more comments since Nov 4TH …. Anyone out there thinking about writing a book about The Club Ago Go .. Long over due .. !!!!!! … Sadly no photographs have surfaced for starters !!! That photo of Sugar Pie Di santo on the Club wall is a rare gem … A lot of gig facts and dates have been omitted .. example the great Robert Parker played there Sept 66 .. and his awesome song (Watch our step ) one of the many riffs Led Zep stole and took the money without admitting it … !!! Cream played their 1st Newcastle gig at the Go Go in Sept 66 ..I can remember the poster .. Where is that poster ??? … I can remember when Eddy Kid outta the Pirates died and the D.J. payed tribute … Zoot Moneys big Roll Band was one the great awesome gigs (Big Time Operater)his single a real belter !!!! I still stand by my word that this club was a venue that was noted mainly for the music played by The D.J,s … Amazing obscure floor shattering mesmerisin dance belters .. Thats what made this legendary club ….Thanks ALAN ….
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Just found your website.
I see the rolling Stones played there 8 November 1963, this was shortly after their tour with the Everly Brothers & Bo Diddley, a show I saw at Newcastle the previous month.
The Stones also played the Club a’Gogo before this do you know what the date was?
Regards
Brian
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Anyone at the after club party at someones house when Sonny Boy Williamson made himself ‘poorly’. One of the many stories I remember my dad telling me about & the bag of oranges SBW had with him.
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I’ve grown up listening to stories told by my dad re the club & the Marimba. Was anyone at the party when Sonny Boy Williamson was there?
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Just found this.Fantastic. What memories. I wish there was more on The Gasboard. I took over on trumpet from Mike Figgis in ’67 together with Sparky Watts,Graham Simpson,Alex Boydeau,Reg Ward and John Porter. There was also a hammond organ added Pete ? ex Billy Fury. We played the Agogo regularly.Great times. I remember Ginger Baker being rollicked by Sonny Boy Williamson for crap blues tempo and Pricey shooting gramophone needles from his pistol cuff-links.Sad to learn of Graham’s passing.Thought the world of the Finlays.
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Keith Crombie never ever worked in the GoGo , he worked the Downbeat and tried to muscle in at the GoGo when Mike Jefrey opened it but Davy Findlay nocked his front teeth out and he never came back.FACT!!!!!!!!
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I heard a story, which I was assured was true, I wonder if anybody can confirm the following. Fleetwood Mac were playing a gig in Newcastle and visited The GOGo after the show. Mick Fleetwood attempted to chat up some girls and the bouncers( the finlay brothers were mentioned) took offence and beat up the band. the b side of one of their hit singles man of the world is called” somebodys gonna get their head kicked in tonite” They vowed never to play Newcastle again. They did come back eventually and played at the metro arena
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Memory Lane….fab
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I Clearly remember the great Mary Wells, Zoot Money, John Mayall, Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix plus many more. Went back in 68. But was gone.
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I joined the Junco Partners in ’66 replacing Pete wallis on kEyboards and played at the cLub agogo on many ocCasions.definitely the place to go for great music. Saw cream/pink floyd/wilson pickett/john mayalls blueSbreakers (with clapton & peter green) brian auger &julie driscol/jeff beck wIth rod stewart/zoot money/crazy world of artHur brown & many others. Great memories!
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I was a regular at the gogo in the sixties, i was too young for the jazz lounge but one of the bouncers liked me and used to ‘dayglo’ my hand to get in! i knew big phil the dj, and saw so many brilliant bands – john mayall, pink floyd, jimi hendrix, geno washington, judy drsicoll, the list is endless. we were sooooo lucky in those days! saturday nights were the pinnacle of the week, i loved queuing up and going up the stairs with all the girls and getting ready in the (disgusting) toilets! one night i remember ginger baker collapsing in the young set…..then going strong an hour later in the jazz lounge! the local bands like gas board and juncos were great too.
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in it’s early days Played and regularly the gogo before ray grehan became our manager with kim davis. he inroduced me to jimi hendrix.
i used to go late after gigs and saw bernie watson play guitar before clapton joined john mayall. screaming jay hawkins and others i’ve forgotten. myer thomas used to wander around in his kaftan telling anyone he paid the who off for being “too bloody loud”
wonderful times still remembered
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Myself and my good friend Terry Murrey were two of the lovable rogues or sadistic bullies as Joe Writeson called the door STAFF [Comment 41]. I was transfered to the Blaydon Races in 1966.
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What a find! Like so many of you, The go go was an amazing musical place for me in my teenage newcastle years. i started when still at school, doing my homework then jumping on the last bus to town to have a mindblowing thursday night watching the best bands on the club circuit. i started in the young set before I managed to bluff my way through to the jazz lounge and remember myer thomas pulling me off a girl i was necking with in there in my early days!
saw so many wonderful bands close up and loud – got eric clapton’s broken plectrum once but lost it of course. saw the late jack bruce playing with the wonderful john mayall but eric was on holiday at the time. you could hear jack’s six string bass out in the street! and then there was cream – such a cool band.
loved all the hammond based bands from zoot money and georgie fame through to geno washington. Geno!!!
remember all the feared bouncers – especially tommy crumb who had one of the few shaved heads on tyneside at the time. went to school with ropper so had a friend on the inside!
of all those incredible nights, my favourite memory has to be meeting jimi hendrix after seeing an alexis korner gig. must be the night described above! jimi had been playing elsewhere and turned up with chas chandler wearing his famous red hussars jacket. he sat down next to me and my mate Tim nesbitt and chatted to us all night- playing imaginary guitar when his old boss little richard came on the sound system. what a gentle, polite soul he was! i had to go to get the all night bus and he signed a beer mat- long since lost. ‘to bill hey man what’s happening. jimi hendrix.’ i’m 67 now and have lived away for years but still get respect and awe when i tell people that story.
saw jimi’s actual gig a few weeks later as described by sting above but remember it being so loud i ended up with a headache and wanting it to stop. crazy!
so … thanks for bringing back all those fantastic memories. we were so lucky to have been part of such a unique musical experience!
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I had fantastic times at the club ago go when I was 16+. I remember pink floyd being virtually the resident band with many regular appearances and PSYCHEDELIC slide show. I saw many bands there including the obvious eric burden, geno washington, the cream and many others, and remember having a chat with roy wood from the move in the corridor at the interval. I worked as a Saturday assistant at Marcus price both in Percy street and Windows arcade. Shared a coffee with Alan Price at his coffee bar in the Handyside arcade. I still own a LP that was recorded at the venue. Great memories Great club a one off,well apart from the cavern
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When the Animals left the Gogo in ’63, the Valiants became the resident band. Mike Jeffries didn’t like the name so we became the Vermen. I also remember the night Kennedy was killed, we were unloading the Thames van outside the Gogo (do you remember the lift!) when we heard.
I remember when John Lee Hooker played there, we were resident and at the close we found we had an extra green Vox AC30 amp cover – how it got in our van is a mystery. I remember Sonny Boy Williamson turning up early while we were setting up and for some reason he spent about twenty minutes talking to our drummer Joe Wilton. Joe said he couldn’t understand what he said or who he really was – Joe didn’t have much experience of the blues at the time. The Stones did play at the Gogo as did Bo Diddley, Long John Baldry and I think Chuck Berry. Regulars may remember our guitarist, Keith Waring. Sadly Keith died some time ago but he was truly a great blues guitarist. Does anyone know the whereabouts of our singer Les Proud?
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Keith [Pongo] Waring took my place in the del 5 [7] i think and did a marvelous job
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great times at the club ago go great music great times . met my wife there made some good friends. micky robinson was one we had some great fun together . a drink in the kings head then of to the ago go happy times.
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Hello, I am from mexico and I am delighted reading all about the gogo. Great bands, great music history of rock and blues.
I wish i had been there
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I remember this place. Lived in Sunderland and went there a few times.
In iirc, 1963 I went with a buddy and saw Long John Baldry and an amazing bass player who I later discovered was Chas Chandler, more often associated with the Animals of course.
At the end of the evening we ended up somehow at a party in Newcastle (Jesmond?) and Eric Burdon was there. He and I got into some minor disagreement over something, can’t remember what!
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Like many of you I have great memories of the club. Best memories for me was Spencer Davis, John Lee Hooker, Sonny Boy Williamson. Those of us who used to go there were privileged to have been a part of a great time in music history. I remember George Kettle (just seen his post),Dave,Tommy & Keith & Tommy Crum! Also Tom Noble,Lorna Brewis ,Nash,Kenny James the Haymarket Crowd, Dave Hazell and his lovely sister, the twins from Essex, Terry Jacobson, Bill Blundell and many more. Sorry to hear about Brian Robson. He was a friend of mine in those days, also sorry to hear about Mary Kegg, I went out with her for a while when I used to come up from London. Having spent most of my life overseas, I haven’t kept in touch with many folks. Michael (Mick) Dunn
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Like so many others on here, many great memories of the Gogo. Never been anywhere like it since. I was 16 in 1967 saw so many great bands, most memorable being Cream (twice) Hendrix, Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band, Root and Jenny Jackson, Chris Farlow and the Thunderbirds, Julie Driscoll and the Brian Auger Trinity, Pink Floyd and a band no one else has mentioned Simon Dupree and the Big Sound not forgetting the unforgettable Geno Washington. Was anyone else there the night Garnet Mimms cut a live album in the club? Further to some “tasty ” comments on the door staff no one seems to have mentioned the rottweiler of all rottweilers, Terry Crozier who I believe was later “sectioned” and ended up in Rampton, a secure mental institution?
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As I recall Terry Crozier was never a feature of the Club a’Gogo he used to go Change Is and walk straight to the front of the queue and there was little protest. I had a drink with him a few times in Change Is and the Pineapple but this was in the latter part of the sixties shortly before I emigrated in 1970. He was always OK with me.?He was put into an institution but it was in Wylam/Ryton. Rampton is for the criminally insane and Terry was no criminal.
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Good times great music good memories of Club a gogo and the Downbeat
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I remember travelling up from Bridlington in Yokshire to the Gogo in 1965. Spencer Davis group was on in the Jazz Lounge and Alan price combo in the Young Set. We stayed in the same boarding house as Spencer Davis. I think it was called Georges and I remember the roads were red tarmac. The folloWing day we had breakfast with Spencer Davis and got a lift in their van down the A1 motorway back home. Wonderful.
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Terry Crozier was thrown in the tyne one night and I heard he also killed a police dog at the central station ! he also drank in Sloppys disco above the dolce Vita. one night he arrived at the club with 2 broken arms and still had a fight at the bar, which he won. he was some boy !!!!!
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Hi Roger .. it’s Alan again .. Thats me on line 39 ……
its well known of the litigation and writs and court dog fights over this man Mr Jeffries …… your article on him is an amazing piece of musical history …. But there’s something that completely puzzles me about Alan Price taking the royalties for “House Of The Rising Sun ” .. was there any litigation or court proceedings taken against Alan Price for his ownership of the rights and royalties in this well known case .. Mr Price said at the time why he left the animals was because of fear of flying about 65/66 … I feel that was a blatant excuse to the public to cover up his dealings in this affair .. Eric Burdon has never failed to mention Mr Price in various interviews in 50 years of his loathing for this man … was there any court actions taken against Mr Price ???? …. Look forward to hearing from you …Thanks Alan … P.S. keep up adding to your wonderful site ….
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Hi Alan – I haven’t read anywhere that any of the original members of The Animals (Burdon, Valentine, Chandler & Steele) took any legal action against Alan Price regarding the publishing royalties for ‘House Of The Rising Sun’. From what I understand, the band weren’t aware of what was happening to the proceeds of record sales and performances while they were together from ’64 to ’66. They put their trust in Mike Jeffery and he dealt with the financial side of things. It was probably a long time after the band’s breakup that They realised the ‘promised’ share of the royalties weren’t coming their way. All four of the aggrieved Animals have talked about the matter in books or interviews. When asked in interviews about the royalties, Alan Price has refused to discuss what happened.
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THANKS ROGER … FROM ALAN ……
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Just found this article it is amazing that I had forfottten so much. I worked on the cloakroom and as a DJ in the A Gogo. Most of what is said is spot on. Dave Findlay was an amazing character. He worked at the downbeat and then the A Gogo. One night at the a Gogo some guy asked me if i cultivated my hair as it was long and black. Dave knocked him down the stairs. I remember him being blonde not like the picture enclosed. Mike Jeffreys was an accomplished classical pianist. I had been to his house in Jesmond for parties and he played for us. Myers was to be feared but was fair. I knew Eric Burdon and we used to get the all night bus home together. Me to Benton and him to Walker. He named me Black Barbara as I had dyed black hair and always wore black. Amazing days still love jazz and r&b. I remember Keith Crombie with affection and Frenchy. Love to you all.
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I started going to the Gogo when I was 14 in 1963. Mostly in the young Set on Saturday afternoons. Loved the music and the dancing.
I did see many of the bands mentioned Above in later years. Remember a group of us giggling girls surrounding Mick Jagger in tHe hallway.
One of Those afternoons in the Jazz set, I was talking to Sonny Boy Williamson, he asked me to put my name and address in his book and later sent me a letter. I took it to the Gogo and showed it around, it never made it back to me.
I remeber you Michael Dunn, you were friends with Billy Marshall who is my second cousin. I was younger, not as hip, didn’t drink! Just liked to dance and listen to the music.
Moved away in 1967, have been living in California for 40 years but remeber those days with great delight.
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Surprised to see you on here Catherine Scott! I hope you have enjoyed life as much as I have. I was in touch With your friend Jennifer until a few years ago. I don’t keep in touch with any erstwhile relatives of mine that you know though. I am living in Bologna in Italy now – I have rented a place until the end of january not sure where i will be after that.?Other bands i recall seeing were the Graham Bond Organisation, Alex Harvey, Steam Packet & John Mayall I can still remember sitting in the dj box with Brian Hetherington about three feet away from Clapton playing his white Stratocaster. Other old friends included the Burrage sisters, Bob Walls, Jennifer Conbury & Brian ‘Sonny’ Chamberlain.
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Hey there Michael Dunn, that was a quick reply. Glad to hear you’re well and enjoying life. I’ve had a great ride so far living in Northern California, right now in Sonoma, wine country, working as a floral designer, married only a few years. Always was a free spirit. I haven’t heard from Jennifer in a couple of years and not sure where she is. I was just in Newcastle last week visiting family. Found this site while trying to figure out when I’d seen Long John Baldry and the Hootchie Cootchie Men.
my favorite band from those days was the spencer davis group, mostly i remember just loving to dance and still do.
This is a great forum for bringing back old memories and even reconnecting with old acquaintances. Best of luck to you.
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I played bass with Manchester band Outrage who did the Gogo Jazz Lounge on Friday the 28th October 1966. We were presumably booked in there because we had a great Hammond player in Valentine Weaver [no longer with us unfortunately] but died on our proverbials possibly because we played Who/Small Faces/Creation type stuff rather than what they were expecting from a Hammond band. I remember the audience as tough with one member downright aggressive to Val who was wearing a naval royal engineers outfit purchased from a naval store in Portsmouth the week before. He stated that you needed brains to wear that uniform which made us smile [Val had eight or 10 a levels]. We bought white suits from ex Animal Jon Steeles boutique around that time and I remember leaving my bass in the car park of the Blaydon Races gig – never saw it again. Still have fond memories of playing gigs in Geordie land and of the wonderful people we met. Great informative site too.
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A nice comment Geoff – please enlighten us about your career and the passing of your bandmate Valentine. A shot in the dark…. did you ever tell a girl she had dropped her # at in the Young Set before you went through to the Jazz Lounge? and are you about 5’7″ with dark hair?
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Can also remember seeing Spencer Davis the Rolling Stones and many other great groups. Lost contact with people as I worked away a lot. Can anyone remember Ronnie Lumsdon also known as Louie – I married his sister Hazel?
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Reply to Mike Dunn about Outrage comments. I am 6-2″, sadly no longer with dark hair although thankfully its grey these days but I still have most of it left. I forgot to mention that on the night we played in the Jazz Lounge, Jimmy Cliff was playing the Young Set Room with Wynder K Frogg backing him.These were his pre Reggae days and I distinctly remember him doing Stevie Wonders Uptight while the Diminuative singer stood atop Mick Weavers Hammond. Not sure about the meaning of your question regarding a girl but I did go in the young set room to glimpse Jimmy Cliff and we did play the jazz lounge despite being as unjazzy as it gets apart from plying wade in the water. All information on Outrage is visible on the A-Z of bands on the Manchesterbeat website and also on the Lankybeat site.
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Well! I’ve just lost around 2 hours work going slowly backwards in time; what an evocative website! A few names some of you may remember: John Burn (Burnsy), Arthur Wong (od’d in London around 1970), Brian Fisher, Ken Kindred. I missed most of the above as I stupidly joined the RAF in ’63 straight out of St.Cuthberts, but I returned often and saw Spencer Davis, Zoot Money, John Mayall, and loads more bands now lost in the mists of time.
Fabulous job, well done Roger.
Mick Walker
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Arthur Wong certainly did not od in 1970. He never did drugs. The last time I saw him I?was drinking with him was in Paddington about August 73 along with Bob Walls, Ged Gardner etc. Arthur SUPPOSEDLY commited suicide by hanging himself in his Wallsend takeaway in about 1976. To this day i do not believe he killed himself. I was friends with Arthur Wong for a long time if you knew Arthur then you will know me. Arthur and I used to drink in the Old Bacchus.Geoff parkinson the girl reference was someThing a Manchester band member said to my friend – I thought it may have been you.
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i can remember Arthur Wong don’t think he ever did drugs. Sometimes saw him in the Old Bacchus. Can also remember Ball Walls . . has anyone any information on Mickie Robinson have been trying to trace him but had no luck.
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Hi … I’m alan from no 39 comment and 88 comment…..
A lot of the Club A’Gogo crowd came from Sunderland to the club in the 60’s …
Sunderland had some renowned clubs and gigs along side the Club A’Gogo …
Notably the Aztec club then renamed the Blue Note … The Annabelle Club … The Sunderland Polytechnic called the Wearmouth Hall … The el Cubana …. The Bay Hotel . And the Mecca (Fillmore North) and of course cabaret clubs … I can remember when Howlin Wolf played the Annabelle in 1968 . He was drinkin with us in the tea house round the corner from Annabelle,s . He was one tall dude about 6 ft 3 inch and could drink you under the table … Some legendary blues guys played the Annabelle .. the likes of Howlin Wolf … Lowell Fulsom ..Champion Jack Dupree …and so on …. The Bay Hotel had some great bands ….Counry Joe and the Fish … The Who ..Jethro Tull … And so on too many to mention … Wishbone Ash etc etc … One the most enjoyable times before the Sunderland in-crowd got to Club A’Gogo was jumpin on the train to Newcastle and gettin off at the Cenral Station and crossin the road into that huge pub opposite the Central Station .. The bar was oblong shaped and so long it took you minutes to circle it ..it had a juke box at the top ot the bar with every soul .. Stax .. Blues .. Ska ..record one would dream of .. A great starter before hittin the A’Gogo dance floor …. Then up Pink Lane and passin an antique shop that sold amazing antiques …..then a record shop that sold every blues song you could buy … Then on to the Bacchus pub where we would down a few Newcastle brown ales …. What memories … I can remember Jimi Henrix when he played Feb/March 1967 … We were all inside the club entrance and this dude dressed in a crimean military jacket walked by … It was jimi hendrix ..our jaws dropped we were in sheer awe ..!!!!
As I mentioned on comment 39 above it was the obscure soul/stax /atlantic and rhythm and blues tracks plus ska that enhanced this unique awesome Club A’Gogo .. For any readers who read this please check out those songs on comment 39 above ( on Youtube ) .. But use your head phones for a better feel … Don Covay (Sookie Sookie) is a reminder of what was played at this great club ..turn it up loud ..then check out the others ..Homer Banks (60 Minutes of You r Yime) is another ..which I regard as the greatest soul song of all time ..turn it up loud you will be mesmerised ..
Thanks foe reading ..
Alan … Peace and love …
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George – the last I heard was that Mick Robinson was dead. He ran the guys who sold Christmas crap at the entrances to Eldon Square. He was living in Spain when he died. Alan – ska the a’Gogo I think not! They were only pushing that braindead crap in London in those days. Blues and beat groups ruled end of!
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Alan – I hate to tell you this but by 67 the great days were over at the Club A’Gogo. The best days were 64 to 66. I used to live in London but would come up to Newcastle most weekends. In London they were trying to push this ska thing. In the 64/65 period and nobody wanted to listen to it! And I don’t need your patronising. I wouldn’t do that not even on your comment.?I bet you cannot name one person who knew you from then, or WHO REMEMBERS you. Many knew me such as Ernie Bell/Chris Dale/Jimmy Edgar/Jimmy Gatherer/Ray Nearney/Crawford/Olivia Churchill and all of the Haymarket crew to mention but a few.
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hi Mick (Dunn) …..
your comment on 103 is 100% wrong regarding SKA ……
First of all ska was played during the 1960’s not only at the London scene but all over the UK … It is not brain dead crap as you refered .. one of the Club Agogo’s favourite ska records was (Prince Buster’s)
Al Capones Guns Don’t Argue (1967) a great favourite of the regular crowd …. And the great Jimmy Cliffe played one of the clubs last gigs there in 1968 before it closed. He was at the forefront of popularising a form of true reggae
(not that wishy washy stuff that totally spoilt it in later decades). One or two well known rock artists got up and jammed with him after playing the City Hall but can’t recall their names …
Maybe you dont like what a lot of that ska genre/type became … a wishy washy reggae type sound that totally destroyed the true meaning of reggae ..rock deady and ska …. or maybe you dont like it full stop. Ska was the after math of calypso 1950s and blue beat early 1960s and became a type of music that would mesmerise the dance floor at the Club Agogo with the rest of the awesome soul and rhythmn & blues ….. the Club Agogo was never totally attached to a lot of the wishy washy Tamla Motown hits releases that flooded these shores in the 1960s either. Junior Walkers All Stars was on the Motown label but sounded more like the great Memphis Stax label …..and Marvin Gaye was a great influence on the Rollin Stones ..listen to (Can I Get a Witness) a song of his they covered in their early days.
gettin back to ska another great track played at the gogo was the (skatalites) track (guns of naverone) …
i have a fealing mick … that you are a rock fan just like me ..but my tastes in music are not blinckered and biased ….
one cant force and impose …country .. western swing .. bluegrass ..blues ..soul ..cajun …zydeco … rockabilly …garage ..doowop … ska …. metal …psychodelic .. etc etc onto anyone who doesn,t like those styles …
i wouldnt dream of doin that not even on you mick …
i would like to point out that almost every musical artist /band have jammed and recorded with the legendary ska/upsteady artists the likes of peter tosh .. bob marley …toots and the maytells .. these being ..mick jagger .. jimmy page ..eris clapton .. irma thomas .. even willie nelson … and a whole bunch of artists the list goes on … i for one am still discovering music from the past that never got a mention … the great obscure artists who influenced the present … you find it on utube a vast library of those who upload rare gems on there …
and let me add if jimi hendrix was alive today he would have jammed with all those ska dudes no messin …
thanks ror your contribution mick .
alan ..
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hi Mick.
No … I wasnt patronising you on any anything in my comments …
When you say no one wanted to listen to ska you are totally wrong.The Marquee in Wardour Street and the Pink Flamingo .. Klooks Kleek in West Hamstead .. the 100 Club in Oxford Street … Eel Pie Island Club .. all of which played ska in the London scene …
the Twisted Wheel in Manchester … the Mojo Club in Sheffield … the Belfast music scene … Birmingham … Glasgow .. Liverpool’s Cavern Club …. the list goes on and on during those pioneering diverse 1964/66 hey days. As for Liverpool’s Cavern Club the real feel of that club was dominated by Beatle hysteria and drowned out by what it really was … that being a rhythmn & blues club that played black music and ska being one of them.
A vast mix of multicultural sounds and genres dominated the 1960s .. whether it be the beat groups or already established bands like the Stones .. The Pretty Things .. Van Morrison’s band – Them .. etc etc. And I can name you who I know … scores of friends associates, musicians, promoters, male or female who frequented the legendary Club Agogo ..dead or alive …. and they are all mackems from Sunderland. I wouldn’t want to name these people for privacy reasons … some of who i went to school with and met in the Sunderland music scene at that time .. and still see them whether they be playing on stage or at some local gig or pub or simply watchin a band as what they have been doing for over half a century. Yes 64 to 66 was very special at the Gogo but 67 to 68 was ultra special when the likes of Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Captain Beefheart played there .. 2 giants of rock and 1 giant of psychodelic … a bit of never to be forgotten Club Agogo history …
thanks Mick for your contribution …
alan …
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thanks Mick Dunn. Sorry to hear Micky Robinson has passed away had some great times with him.
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Back to reality! I sat in the DJ box a few times with my old freind Brian Hetherington (Hethers) and watched Eric Clapton play his white Fender Stratocaster from three feet away when he was in the Bluesbreakers. Brian was a protege of Myer Thomas and a chef so when Myer left to open a place in Spain, Brian went with him. He always called Myer Mr Thomas. When Myer died he left everything to Brian and he opened a restaurant in Nassau in the Bahamas. And our late friend Brian Robson (Ropper ) told me me he had visited him there. After the Mayall gig Eric Clapton left his red short-sleeved paisley shirt there and it was cLaimed by the late Chris Dale. The next day (Saturday lunchtime) Clapton was outside talking to Chris and some other guys and Chris had his shirt but he never asked for it back. Other names I recall are: Terry (Texy) Joyce/Margaret Bunch/Harry Orange/Caroline Henderson – (so ice-cold lovely) party animal Pauline Lyons/Auriole Harvey/Nab/Ren/Don Walsham/Charlie Scholar/Bob Lamb/Gale/Brian Redden/Stan McCabe/Anne Butcher and her lovely friend Helen/Wendy & Bongo/ the late Anne Roy & Joanne. After early 67 most oF us migrated to Sloopy’s and Change Is. The good Days were over by then just like the venue in Eel Pie Island (which closed in 67 & BURNED DOWN in 70) looking forward to my next trip to Newcastle in April 2017!
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George – I have spent most of ny life overseas but if you would like to meet up I will be back in Newcastle in April 2017. I think our generation was so privileged to do things we did and listen to the music we did. Our like will never be seen again. During my time in Toronto i becaMe acquainted with Tim Hardin, spoke to Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee and John Lee Hooker who remembered his times at the A’gogo with fondness.
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George, Mick was a decent lad and it is quite a while since i was told. And only by chance as I do not come to Newcastle very often. Not sure who told me.
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Thanks Mick. Would like to have met him again as he was a good friend. Don’t see many of the old faces these days. Still in Newcastle. Lost touch with people as I worked in South Africa, Germany, Holland and middle east for a number of years until returning here.
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Would love to meet up Mick let me know what dates and we can arrange a meeting. Sometimes drink in the Three Bulls Percy Street. I agree with your comments it was a great time to be young. Met my wife Hazel Lumsden at the Gogo. She used to go there with her friend Christine.
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Hi Mick [dunn] did you by any chance know Brian Thompson. He used to go to the gogo.
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George I will let you know a firm date, I arrive back via Paris on April 6.
Another favourite memory was when I was in the Jazz Lounge with Billy Guthrie and we watched the great Screamin’ Jay Hawkins do ‘I put a spell on you’ this was a STANDARD number by Pricey most times I saw him along with his schooner of NYB on top of his Hammond.
Other than that I won the jackpot on the, I think, sixpenny one armed bandit so Billy and I had free drinks all night. Yes, i knew Brian Thompson. I was very good friends with him at one stage. We emigrated to Canada together but he came back a few years before I did. We lost touch many years ago. I was only back in England a year then off to Holland to work for Shell.
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Hi Mick I thought it was you who emigrated to Canada with Brian. I will let him know you will be in Newcastle next April. The name Billy Guthrie also rings a bell but I find it hard to put faces to names these days.
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Remember the a go go cowboy mods? – weekday wear was Levi 501’s, a sawtooth Levi gaberdine shirt topped with a short Levi buckskin jacket. Brian Hetherington, John Taberham, Arthur Wong, Mickey Finn and the gang. All bought these from Marcus Price in Percy Street who stocked an amazing range of Levi clothing, among other clothes, in his small jewel of a shop.
After a saturday night drink in the Bacchus, weekend wear was strictly made to measure mohair suits, crisp shirts and a tie as ‘Cool Jerk’ by the Capitals rang out on the young set dance floor filling to the sounds of heavy soul.
Many great live bands – Wilson Pickett was epic but a very young Steve Winwood accompanying himself on piano singing ‘Every little bit hurts’ the Brenda Holloway tune, showed a maturity and emotional depth I can still vividly recall.
The New Orleans jazz club, Downbeat and a go go left an indelible musical heritage I still value.
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Hi milky dunn you forgot to name me in your comments on the gogo,I was a good mate of Arthur wings, we were all ways together,the scooter crew from the haymarket. ,Arthur was some boy.I still keep in touch with James.,last time I talked with you was on the bus to sunnies idea you were living there then,Ian hasn’t done too bad for himself ,stiff little fingers,I had a vesta back then,wonky had a sx20do you remember me now,your comments on the gogo are spot on,move over rover let Jim I take over
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Yes, I remember you John Barnaby you were one of the Haymarket crew as well. There are many names I can mention.One Saturday possibly in the summer of 1964? I was up For the weekend and went to the club for the lunchtime session via Jeavons where I had just bought the new Chuck Berry single – maybe it was No Particular Place To Go? Anyway when I came up the stairs the doors to the Jazz Lounge were just closing snd i saw Eric Burdon, Sonny Boy Williamson and Mike Jeffery with his full length tie belt black leather coat on. So I went in and said hello to Eric and asked Sonny Boy to sign my record – it was on a yellow label so it could be done. He looked disgusted when he saw the single artist and said do you expect me to sign this sheet(sic)? But he did!. I later loaned that single to a twin along with many others and I never ever got them back. I asked Mike Jeffery if I could run the Southern branch of the Animals fan club but he said that they already had someone. So I made to leave and the last words I heard were Mike Jeffery saying to Eric to keep Sonny Boy away from the kids – an enduring memory! Others I can name include: Paul France/Sylvia Stothard/Denise Delphi/the Burrage sisters/Ken Hill/Pauline Lyons/ skinny Diane and Nicky – all Haymarket crew. On my post on 1/12/16 number 114 i said nyb it was meant to be nba (Newcastle brown ale). George Kettle I am still on target to be back On April 6. So if you want to meet up on the 13 in the Three Bulls around 12 lunchtime I will be there.
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Anyone remember Alan Hind, Mac Cameron, Mac Rutter, Chris Branch, old scooter boys. We all drank in the Plough next door to the Haymarket Hotel. A couple of sherberts then down Percy St to the Gogo. I think Road Runner by Jnr Walkers All Stars would be blasting out as we went upstairs, the atmosphere was something else. I hope you are keeping well Mick. I hope to bump into you sometime, I’m not too mobile myself and have trouble walking, but I still have the great memories, you forgot to mention the brunch on Saturday mornings.
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Sorry to hear about your mobility. I was on the same project as branchy in in 1999. I lost. Touch with him him though. I am still in reasonable condition i climbed Mount Fuji in Japan when when I was 66. Hopefully this year I will unpack for good as I am sick of travelling as I have lived in 16 countries. I can still remember the envelopes From Germam fans addresed to an die animals stuck on the walls as you went downstairs.
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Thanks for your reply Mick. Climbing mountains still, good for you, I still manage to get into town and I may get in on April 6th, if I do I will call into the Bulls, for a while to say hello, it would be good to see you again after all this time. Do u have any gen on Ged Gardener. I was at his gaff on Salters Road a few times. I told Kenny James you had given him a name drop. He’still the same, only balder and clubber, you were correct in your earlier texts you knew all the faces and they all knew you, keep in touch Mick, all the best mate,ps I think you you should jack in the mountain climbing
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I remember Paul France Mick. He worked for the Post office on the motorbikes they used back then, I think he went out with Frankie Hayter for a while, she worked at Marcus Price down the Bigg Market, it was a shock when I heard Arthur Wong was gone. I always got on well with him, wonder what he would be like now,I can picture him now in his green or maroon box leather with his leather gloves, the last time I saw Jimmy Gatherer he had just got off the London train after staying with Brian Ferry. Geddit Gardener was an old pal of mine also he had a flat on Salters Road.
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Another memory – I saw Alex Harvey perform to about 20 of us in the young set. I did not know such a truly skinny guy could have such a powerful voice! His ‘baker boy’ hat was nearly bigger than him! As to Mac Cameron, he was a strong guy who used to dive but I heard he got all smashed up. Alan Hind brought a monk into the famous back room at the Haymarket so badges were made at the Kard Bar saying things like hind us a monk, left hind drive, get be hind me etc. He once asked me if he had a reputation as a hard hitter – there is no answer to that one! Arthur Wong’s full length leather coat was more of a lime green and he was the first person I knew that had a Rolex. I still have mine from my 21st birthday so it is getting on to fifty years old next year! I saw Jimmy Powell and the Five Dimensions one night and they stayed with a friend of mine in Heaton. I believe Rod Stewart was in the band then. They put graffiti on my friend’s walls saying things like ‘looning can be sussed’. Ged Gardner married ginger Jane and they used to live in Tooting. I stayed with them when I came back from Canada. Jed was doing carpentry work on luxury flats last I heard. They have a daughter called Suki. My sojourn up Mount Fuji was a one off. I was on my feet for 17 and half hours in total – not including sit down breaks! I will be in the Bulls on the 13th of April around 12 lunchtime as I need to go to Manchester for a day or so. Be good M
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Hello again Micky, sorry to hear about Mac Cameron, we were really close mates. Last I heard he was on the city force, that must be before his accident. Do you remember Derek Brown. He ran the club for a while, what happened to him. I told Kenny James we had been in touch, he was in the clock bar on Clayton St. Same old Ken. I still have my young set membership card. You heard about Brian Sandles I suppose. I often popped into his shop for a crack. Another part of the scene gone. Any news on Jimmy gatherer? Hope to see you soon Mick.
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As an oldie I can’t remember how many times I went to Gogo after gigs in my band. I saw Screaming Jay enter on a scooter, Spencer Davis and John Mayall with Bernie Watson on guitar at the time of Crawlin Up a Hill. We played there but it’s a blur, heady times.
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I forgot to mention Ray Grehan was our manager with Kim Davis and I met Jimi H there but Ray didn’t seem to be the owner etc. this happened after I used to visit after gigs.
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In late 1963 the Dave Clark Five brought out Bits and Pieces and when the young set was packed the dj would put it on a couple of a times and we would all join in the stamping part. It must have been hell in the bus drivers canteen just below us! John Barnaby – I don’t recall Derek Brown. Brian Sandiles is another name I do not know. I have no clue about Jimmy Gatherer he just disappeared! I know Jimmy Edgar died from heroin abuse and is buried in Oxford. He was repatriated from Afghanistan with a bad habit – I met this guy on train years later and he told me about him. I remember Brian’s jeep. I was up at Seahouses one time when he was there with it. I still can’t believe he has gone too. Others I recall are Doug Tait who lives in New Jersey, Kenny (the fugitive) Richardson – died when he was 32. The lovely Rosina Clewes, Brenda Watson and her friend Alma, Peppi, Christine Bell, Rob Liddell, Kathy and Les. And the late Sandra Finlay. One saturday night there was a large crowd outside waiting to get in and a well known bouncer had carried this girl downstairs in his arms as she had fainted. She then proceeded to wet herself through her checked brown tweed skirt. I will never forget the look on his face as he held her. I thought I might of heard back from George Kettle. As I said I will be in the Bulls at 12 lunchtime on April 13th.
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Mick Dunn, can u remember big Brian Robson riding round in the Austin Champion jeep, we all went up to Drurage Bay at weekends every now and then all us on scooters and Brian in his jeep, sleeping in the pillboxes on the beach, that was after coming out of the Gogo at 2 of clock. Another good band played the club was Herbicides Goins and the Nighttimers. Remember Sugar Pie de Santo getting little Louis up to dance with her, great times.
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I have an old photo taken in one of the coastal towns circa 1965/66 of 6 lads from those times, don’t know who they are. I seem to remember one of them was named Ralphie and Jennifer Sherwood had a crush on him. I wish we could post photos on here. It might jog the old memory a bit more.
Mick Dunn, do you have Jennifer’s cotact info?
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I was friends with Jennifer Sherwood, Linda Dunn, Paula Dryden.
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No, Catherine I don’t. I caught up with her on Friends Renited but it is closed now. She invited me to Spain but I was living in Japan at the time so I couldn’t go. Try her old school website she may be on there. I will see if i can track her down before i leave italy for Paris.
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Thanks Mick. Happy travels.
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Remember Ged Gardener playing the Jews harp in the Plough, Mick Maurice, Jimmy Edgar, Joe Lowry, in the HAYMARKET. I got the last bus home with Lynn Peart she went to London next day and made it big as a model. She married some big shot in the leisure trade then owned a posh hotel in the Bahamas where all the top stars stayed, Michael Caine, Madonna all the movie stars. She is also a writer. I was at her house in Whickham a couple times with Mac Cameron, she was a real stunner. Anyone remember Jenny Lockie from Seghill? Another good looker. She married Ray Kennedy the footballer.
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I think the picture you are referring to was possibly taken by me at Seahouses harbour. If three of the guys are crouching then it is by me. Their names are Bryn Pringle, Joe Lant, Chris Branch, David Coates, Kenny Cooper & Billy Ross. I no longer have the picture. I did this from memory. ?I still remember the last time I saw you it was in the Milkmaid around January 1970 and you were with some American guy who was studying in Paris to avoid the draft. You were living there at the time. It was shortly before I emigrated to Canada. He said make sure you stay a few years. You said he will – Yes, i have scary memory. I Even REMEMBER that I had a brown bread cream cheese and ginger sandwich and coffee too! I hope you enjoyed my small levi jacket?? I also remember seeing the Bee Gees at the club. I had no clue who they were and they left no impression on me.
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Hey Mick, I found Jennifer’s son And he gave me her address.
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My god Mick, your memory is fantastic. How can you remember such detail? I can hardly remember from one minute to the next.
Yes, that was my boyfriend at the time and the guy I followed to California. I don’t remember the Levi jacket, did you give me one?
You should write a book with all of your memories.
The photo is of 3 guys standing with 3 on their shoulders. Is that the one you mean?
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Hello Michael Dunn again. I’m laid up in bed again gall bladder trouble this time, needed the emergency doc, on think I’m coming apart mate, what happened to the jack the lad, he got old, I wouldn’t get up the gogo stairs now, not even on my scooter. Watched a programme on TV last year about the 60s scene. I don’t think any of them had set foot in the place, they got the entrance wrong among many other mistakes. Still I suppose it got them their 15 minutes of fame. I hope you are keeping well old friend, I will try come hell or high water to get into the Bulls on April 13.
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Sorry to hear about your illness. I saw that sad TV programme YouTube a week or so ago. I did not know any the persons in the show. The person who made the programme was totally clueless. I think one of the then girls must have gon to the club just once after a babycham or two.?One night when Spencer Davis was one they carried a worse for wear Stevie Winwood through the crowd to his organ. What a great performance from him! I had a friend called Jimmy who lived across the street from my friend’s place where I used to stay when visiting Newcastle.Jimmy played bass and organ and Spencer Davis asked him to join his group but he only wanted him to play bass, so Jimmy refused his offer.?I saw Spencer Davis numerous times and they wer always great. I never tire of my CD that has ‘Keep on Running’ on it. I also have a few Stevie Winwood CD’s.?See you April 13!
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Crikey Mick, who told you I lived in New Jersey? (I’ve been on the West Coast since 89.) It can only have been Brian Hetherington? We had a brief, chance encounter on the Quay Side not too, too long after the Gogo closed. We quickly discovered we had both recently been in Hamilton, Bermuda, (he cheffing, me horsing around on holiday from NJ.) We had no idea of each others presence on the island and regretted a missed opportunity for reminiscence.
Mick, I think for people like you and I, who moved away, the A’Gogo will always be vivid, like an insect preserved in amber. Does Kenny James still wear his tartan jacket? Does Joe Lowry still pop into the Three Bulls on the day he gets his unemployment? Mary Kegg (the Young Sets answer to Cathy McGowan) and Frankie Hayter (the pneumatic Catherine Deneuve) will remain forever young. Writing this now, I have the feeling I’m still ever so slightly in love with them both.
So, here is a question for everyone who went to the A’Gogo. Why was it so special? Yes I know we were all so very young and yes the sixties were our wonder years but Roger has more hits on his Gogo page than all the other North East venues put together. It effected us in ways no other place did. It was clearly different, why?
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Hello Douglas it has been a long time since I saw you- summer of 74 just past Nun Street on Grainger Street. it was not Brian who told me, I have never seen him since he went to live in Spain to work for Myer around 67 time.? Why was the A’Gogo so special? Well as I see it it was a culmination of many factors. It wasn’t about the music it was mainly about us, the former teenagers who had much enthusiasm for life and we interacted accordingly. Laughing, joking, drinking smoking (sorry Yardbirds). Everyone who was a regular knew everyone else and you could always go there and meet up with someone you knew, be they Haymarket crew, those who drank in the Bridge on folk nights, the long gone pubs such as the Adelaide. I was never in the Three Bulls very much? Then there was the clothes and too many Levi Kings….. I remember someone calling you Levi…Let us not forget this was THE era of the last century and we were all privileged to be a part of it and to make it what was. You do know Mary Kegg is no longer with us? She was a fun girl. I saw Frankie a few years back, she still looked good. I used to hang out with her older sister in Bowers. I passed Joe Lowry in the Haymarket when I was in Newcastle in September = he looks much the same, agedness aside. He did not recognise me.?I saw a post on another website that said all of the ‘faces’ used to drink in the Old George……. no we didn’t. Some years later the Manager of that pub let Brian Robson & co. use the room upstairs as a club. There you would see Chris Dale, Kenny Cooper, Jennifer Sherwood etc.
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Just found this site. WOW!! Brings back so many good memories. Good times, great music. Home on the all night bus, spewing up all over. Good night out at the time. Didnt care….just thought it was a great night out. young and daft
Felt sorry for the guy who owned the leather shop next to the gogo. Always getting broken into. Then it was cheap leather coats on the menu.
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Doug, No need to worry about Frankie, I said I saw her, I never said I spoke to her. She saw me but I don’t think she wanted to talk- some folks from the old days tend to do that. Anyone remember the photo machine on the right of the corridor just before you went up the steps to the toilet? I have one picture of me out the set of four taken in early 63. ?On April 13 I will raise a glass to Big Brian, Jakey, Chris Dale, Sandra Findlay, Kenny (the fugitive) Richardson and Billy. I did start a book about the club a few years ago but due to my heavy work commitments I only did about three pages. I can’t see me ever getting around to expanding on that.? Just for the record, work-wise I was a directorate member of the biggest LNG contractors in the world and travelled extensively .You are in Seattle? I was going to go there in September for my 70th birthday and split the trip with Vancouver, but I have had enough of flying and I will go to London instead as I still feel at home there.? Roger thank you!
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Mick, you are amazing! Your prodigious memory, your deep Gogocastrian erudition and facile prose. I’m nominating you as our historian, our Percy Street Hugh Trevor-Roper, our Tyneside G. M. Trevelyan! Who will second me?
I WAS enamored of Levi clothing and aspired to one of those buckskin ranch jackets Dave Hazel mentioned and would hitchhike to Carnaby Street to find styles unavailable at Marcus Price.
I learnt of Mary Kegg’s death on this site. Others I know of are Brian Robson, (condolences Eleanor) Terry Jacobson and Billy McLane. All the more reason to write it all down.
And Mick if you do see Frankie Hayter again don’t let on I’m still smitten!
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Doug
Great to hear from you from the West Coast, still in Seattle? – was in Marin County, California recently on a 6 week photographic project.
Newcastle was a lovely compact and friendly city. We were in a post Teddy Boy and Beatnik era identifying ourselves with the emerging Mod culture. UK bands were embracing Blues, R&B and Soul and American musicians were exploiting Europes interest in them and luckily for us, the A’Go Go was on the circuit..It was a a heady mix of youth, beauty, music and clothes and the A’GoGo was singular cultural hub to connect with for a few perfect years until the summer of love hit the city..
Roppa bounced in that ginger Harris Tweed jacket, Joe Lowry wore double Levi denim, fully buttoned up, Robert Parker sang ‘Barefootin’, yes, in bare feet, boys danced together to ‘Night Train’, Screaming Jay Hawkins was carried onto the stage in a coffin, John Lee Hooker boogied. Christine Miller glided around with that amazing cropped hair and you always sang ‘Walking to New Orleans’. There was also a chance to nip out during an extended Ginger Baker (Airforce) drum solo for a bag of chips.
Unfortunately, no cameras present, no real documents. Maybe a good thing as memory is a powerful thing.
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I used to work at the AGo Go.much earlier in 1963 I worked the cloakroom and the bar in the Jazz Lounge. Myers asked me one night if I could put the records on in the disco lounge but after playing them I piled them on top of each other and they melted. I turned up for,work,the next night and Myers said you are sacked. I just hung around and the next minute he was giving me orders to waitress in The Jazz Lounge.They were magical days met all,the big,names from the UK and the states. I went to live in London and worked at The Scene club when The Animals played there. I was at Art College with Eric Burdon he named me Black Barbara as I always dressed in black as a beatnik. Mike Jefferies was an accomplished pianist who got the Jazz Lounge started due his love of Jazz. I have never been to any club in the world that matched up to,the AGo go.
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What a pleasure Dave! I will never forget your many kindness’s. Especially you loaning me that sharp funereal suit (black mohair?) when me old man croaked. I’m no longer in Seattle. I recently move to a small wine town East of the Cascades. “I’m a road runner Davy, can’t stay in one place to long.” Cue to wailing sax!
Curious you speak of no real photographic documentation, yet I recall you taking art shots of some of us wearing our coolest duds while sitting astride earth moving plant on Newcastle’s developmental fringes. I nominate you, our photographic curator.
Miss Miller was the loveliest creature ever to model that quintessential mod cropped hair. And didn’t she also own one of those suede Levi jackets with the leather collar too? You and I were besotted strictly on the basis of her charms but there were less gentlemanly fellows who were attracted because she was, supposedly, the heiress to the Miller Amusements dynasty of Whitley Bay? Or am I mistaken? There were also the Miller sisters, one of whom was surely named Christine? They went to the A’Gogo for a brief period during the mid sixties before moving on when their Dad was relocated with the military.
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Mick, It wasn’t just Frankie. I’m still carrying a torch for half the lovelies we knew then. What about Jean Annan? Or Dave’s sister, the gorgeous Pamela? And yes I do recall the photographic booth. It’s sometimes surprising just how location specific our memories are. I was standing next to that booth one night when I heard a one sided conversation. Apparently Tom Jones was playing somewhere in the region and Dave Finlay was tasked with finding some talent – some window dressing – for a party in the Welshman’s honor. Naturally he asked Pamela. I heard Pamela request if it would be OK if I joined them? If memory serves, Dave didn’t bother to answer, he just rolled his eyes and walked away.
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I remember you and your lovely sister Sandra. The last time I saw you was when you working as a croupier in Greys Club.i have to admit I had a real thing for your sister but I never dared tell her.?It is so nice that a lot of us have fond memories of the club. Some folks wish to be young now, I don’t! We had a hell of a time and those days will never be replicated. I went to se the Animals about six years ago, their lead singer was called Peter from Lancashire I had a good chat with him and John Steel.?I always remember those idiots who left their parkas on the toilet floor rather than the cloakroom-what they came back to…. A few names the petite Evelyn Treece-Birch, Kathy & Les, Elizabeth Claspe, Joanie Gould, Dave Hollis ,Penny, Brian Redden, Anne Harper et al.?
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Love this site brings back so many memories. Sorry to hear about Bri Robson was only talking to him a few weeks before he died. Will never forget the impact the Go Go had on my life.
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You’re right June Mckale – have fond memories of Go Go only thing is I can’t put faces to names these days can remember Micky Robinson Brian Thompson Louise [Ronnie Lumsdon] still listen to the music from the sixties on vinyl. True what they say – the only thing to look forward to is the past.
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Met my wife there remember Micky Dunn Brian Thompson little Louisie Micky Robinson. Can any one remember little Pat. Had a great time there. Lots of names I remember but cant remember faces. Old age catching up but can still remember Go go. George kettle.
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What I remeber about those days was the music, I always loved to dance and before the A’gogo there was dancing on the weekend at a church hall in Walker.
I was 14 when I first started going to the Saturday afternoon sessions in the young set and only as I got older and my dad let me stay out beyond 9.30 that I went at night to see the groups.
Then of course there were the clothes, green leather coat and green suede shoes, or were they red? The cameraderie, the excitement of being a young teenager in such a happening place.
I remeber the photo booth, still have a few photos taken there.
Your names are all familiar to me but I wasn’t a regular at the pubs. I left England in 1967 before my19th birthday, looking for a different life than my parents had.
I lived in Marin County, California for many years Dave Hazel and now only 30 miles away in Sonoma.
I remeber when Kennedy was killed, a group of us in Elson Square or was it La Plaka. And when the Animals came back to Newcastle after their hit record and we all went to the Central Station to welcome them home.
Great to hear old stories and remember old times.
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Not sure if you know me June. How did Brian die and when? Please give my condolences to Eleanor. The only June recall was June Knox.
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Doug, I still have a picture of Jean Annan and Jamesie with his scooter taken behind the Haymarket pub. I think she ended up marrying her long-time boyfriend Dave. I last saw Pamela in Boots with her mother it must be 15 or so years ago as I was with my ex-wife at the time. Pamela and David are remembered by me as being lovely people. I had a suede Levi jacket (awful colours) with a leather collar and later I bought a brown leather Levi jacket which I took to Canada and later sold to Brian Thompson.
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amazing site just found it and what a fitting tribute to the end of my 70th birthday celebrations. I loved the Agogo and The House of the Rising Sun is still my all time favourite song. I was at the club the night Kennedy was assassinated and can remember waiting outside for a guy from Kings College who I’d met the week before at the Cellar Club South Shields but he never turned up haha. I still love Newcastle and now frequent the Bacchus and Old George – Ray ? From Lindisfarne was in the Bacchus last week.
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your right Christine this is a great site for remembering great times . the Agogo was a great place great music . saw some great groups there. can also remember some good nights at the downbeat club.
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Met my current wife in the Agogo – FIFTY YEARS ago????…….great club great nights………someone should reopen it or one similar??? – come on you millionaires (I.e ME….when we win the Lotto tonight?)
All the best to all the clubbers we met and had drinks with.
Herb and Doreen Dixon (Ranson).
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Brian! It would be truly great to see you again after so long! How can I contact you? Or where are you staying?
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Hi Mick,
Hetherz here.
I’m going to be in Newcastle for 10 days next month.
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No one mentioned that if the queue was long, you ended up next to the abattoir with its pile of sheep skins and the foul smell.
Is it true that the ‘big stage’ in the Young Set was built for a performance by Jerry Lee Lewis?
I remember at the start of ‘flower power’ the stage was filled with flowers for some group.
I also have a recollection of Brian Ropson on tv on the local evening news. I think he was doing some charity thing involving a feat of strength (his forearms were bigger than my thighs).For me, the weekend started on Friday evenings with Ready Steady Go. Saturday afternoons were at one of Marcus Price’s shops, downstairs in Windows and coffee at the Paletta.
Happy days.
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I was part of the Team at the GoGo and helped the artist Big Phil with decorating the young set cubicles with decoupage and added some uv reactive paint to the Jazz Lounge Mural I do not remember BF helping but perhaps my memories are not as vivid as I had thought. The upper level of Handysides was accessed from the back of Malcolm’s Legalite Roulette room next to the mural and it was in the Print /staff room in the arcade that all the paint and materials were kept and we spent many daytime hours decorating.
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I read in one of the comments that nobody had mentioned Frenchy a character who like many others shared a gaff in Jesmond when I new him.
I remember him not for his dodgy life style but for the fact that he could play tunes on a pencil which he used like a jaw harp tapping out a tune on his teeth.
He spent hours teaching me and Big John Robson ‘Shortening Bread’
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I remember Frenchie never having any money. I don’t remember what he did for a living but he was always cadging He was very likeable and used to spend a lot of time with Keith Crombie at The A Go Go I seems to remember he lived south of the Tyne when I knew him don’t know if he was related to Paul Gasgoyne or just had the same surname
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Ah yes, the abattoir with its ancient wooden gates with the gap and the lock and chain and the gap underneath where some blood used to run out on to the cobbled entrance. I propped myself up on there a few times – depending on how many pints of ‘Tartan’ had been inbibed in the much missed Haymarket. As to the big stage being built for Jerry Lee Lewis – I think not as I started to go to the Young Set around 1962 and it was always there, as I recall. Did he actually ever play in the club??And to the nice guy I met today in the Three Bulls who just popped in to say hello to me – the girl in Marcus Price was called Pam – I have no clue as to what happened to her.
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I remember that Eric Burdon did the murals in the Jazz Lounge he was an art student at the City Art college. I worked in the A go go in 1962 in the beginning of the club. Dave Findlay was an amazing character warm hearted very handsome and I still,have fond memories of him today. He still remains in my heart as my first love. Happy days Mike Jeffrey’s and Myers tried their luck but were,both gentlemen. Does anyone know Mary Foggin or Mary Vinton Both friends in the early 1960s meeting at the Palleta before we went out clubbing
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I doubt if Frenchie was related to Paul Gascoigne just like he was not related to Tommy Gascoigne who used to work for Milan Hajek the tailor and had tattoos on his hands and tried to persuade us all to call him ‘Dylan’
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Chris are you the same guy who was the manager of the Sect who used to go about in a Dormobile?? I had only one suit with openable cuff buttons, grey Tonia mohair but not made by Hajek-he was Czech.? Barbara Amore – I also mixed you up with Barbara Young hence my comments about Grey’s club and Sandra. Do you live in Italy by any chance? I have just came back from Bologna after some six months.?I must mention my old friend Ernie Bell one of the best A’Gogo dancers and a professional musician I last saw him in the Star on Westgate Road with Mick Whittaker (of the band of the same name) around 1974 summer.
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Barbara
Have you got a sister called Sandra and did you go out with Keith Gibbon?
Frenchy and I shared a flat in Hazelgrove Villas in Jesmond (you’re right – he never had any money and his share of the rent often went unpaid). He was from Ashington area. Bit of a life mentor to me – great bloke but he lived in fantasy land. And I agree with you….Dave Finlay was/is a great bloke.
Not related to Paul Gascoigne.
And Mick, the best suit I ever had was made by Milan – even the buttons on the cuff opened.
Wish someone would get a GO GO night going somewhere.
The names are a bit fuzzy now but I’m sure I would recognise the faces – even after all these years.
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Hi Chris. No, you are thinking of Barbara Young who went out with Keith Gibbon and Sandra Young was her sister. They lived in Benton and had the Rolling Stones staying there for the night. Just before I left Newcastle I seem to remember Keith Gibbon managing the A Gogo. I went to the A Gogo from the opening. I was named Black Barbara by Eric Burdon as I always wore black and heavy eye make up. I did work at the A Gogo as a waitress and DJ I was sacked by Myers for melting the records, but just turned up the next night and he said to me you’re fired and I took no notice and he just let me carry on doing my waitressing. I have loads of memories of the A’Gogo and The Downbeat club which we would dance alnight on a Saturday until dawn but as we had told our parents we were staying with friends used to lie in Eldon Square to try and get some sleep before going home.
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Chris and Barbara – there’s a photo of Barbara Young (now Barbara Berg) and one of her other sisters, Joan on the ’60s Clubs’ page of this web site.
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Anyone remember Ray Orton .. small lad from South Shields?
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I am sure there is a Ray Orton gets in the Alum Ale House near the ferry South Shields. He’s a little guy difficult to put an age on him but maybe late 60’s. I think maybe that’s where I know him from – the A’Gogo.
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Chris – you were their roadie! Another of my the last time I saw you moments….. I was trundling my friend’s daughter in her pushchair on Northumberland Street and my friend was walking beside me – you slid the moving van dooor open yelled something and went away laughing as you thought I had been nailed – I never saw you again after that, it was around mid 68 – I never had any children of my own. Colin McLoughlin worked in Marcus Price and he later became an actor he was a senior police officer in ‘Our Friends in the North’. Barbara thank you for replying. I did not know your sister Stella.
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Mick
Yeah that’s me but I wasn’t the Sect’s manager……………… I was best mates with Dave Corker the drummer. I used to drive the van and pick the lads up sometimes. Their manager was Ivan Birchall.
As I said before, faces I would recognise but not names – although I seem to recognise yours. Heres another name Walla – he married Olivia and does anyone remember Chris “Camp” Capp the manager of the 3 Bulls,
Colin McGloughlin, Danny Sloan, Dicky Bainbridge, Alan Corcoran, Alan and Micky (cousins I think) – Alan was an air traffic controller if I remember rightly.
Great times
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I married an Italian and did live in Rome and Naples but that was years ago. I live in London now. My sister Stella used to go to Greys so you may have known her back in the 70’s.
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Dicky Bainbridge was grandson of Alderman Mckegue (Chairman of Newcastle) as I recall. He was killed in a road accident on the road to or from Beadnell where the crowd congregated at weekends in the summer.(Winter was The Brandling in Jesmond or Curleys). Those with money stayed at The Hall Hotel (they did a great breakfast) those of us without money stayed at The Park Hotel (Carpark by the beach). There was a guy called Harry who had a dark blue 122s Volvo Amazon that always seemed to win the race to get there.
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Eric Burdon did the mural in the Jazz Lounge
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The only Olivia I knew was Olivia Churchill and the only Waller I knew was Walter Morton – he was Kenny Langlands mate. I just did six months in Bologna – worth a visit if you have not been.?I did not know the late Dicky Bainbridge. I am still tempted to put a book together about the club, – although I can’t do it right now.
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Mick
Only part time roadie – did you recognise any names?
Colin’s brother was an assistant editor or something on the Journal. He lives in London now. He’s good friends with Charley – she was in Emmerdale.
When my grandson asked me what i did in the 60’s ,,,,,,,,,,, I told him that I laughed!!! We did have some very good times and certainly did laugh.
Barbara – I am so envious…… Italy is my favourite place and people! and Naples – what can I say??????? Unbelievable.
All that interesting and great times and here I am, 71 , and my granddaughter is putting curlers in my hair.
What a life.
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Hi Chris
I left Newcastle the same time as Eric Burdon. He used to sing in a club off Wardour Street called ‘The Scene’ I used to work in the cloakroom. I got the job from Julie Christie who got the opportunity to play opposite Laurence Harvey in the film ‘Darling’. The clubs in London were never a patch on The A Go Go but I think it was the people ‘Geordies’ that made it great with their great sense of humour and their soul.
Hope your hair looks good x
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Yes, she had black hair and Waller was skinny. Never saw either of them for many years.?I think that there are quite a few folks read our posts but never post themselves which is a pity as they must have some memories too.
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Barbara
I went to live in London same time – I used to go to the club – It was in Ham Yard. Sunday night there were jam sessions with Tony Jackson from the Searchers and Chris Farlowe and Georgie Fame – he used to come up from a club further down the road. Eric Clapton came one night – he was with John Mayalls Bluesbreakers. Hilton Valentine used to go out with a girl from the club – was that you??? I carved my initials in the piano there. I was very friendly with Brian Augers ex wife so met Julie Driscoll, her sister and Zoot Money
The memories…………………………….
Ps its a bad hair day
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Mick
Did Olivia have black hair? and was Walla a skinny bugger? I think that’s them.
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Yes you have a good memory it was Ham Yard. I did have a day job also working at IBM in Wigmore Street. I do remember Georgie Fame at the Flamingo Club and Long John Baldry.
i didn’t go out with Hilton VAlentine but did have a short lived romance with Eric Burdon.
Ps you are lucky you still have hair to put curlers in (only joking)
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No problem. Roger has my email so he may be so kind (again) as to pass it on to you. Was the market trader called John who looks a bit Chinese but isn’t? Barbara, I worked at IBM as a young contractor for a month or so when new mainframe computers were being installed. I even saw them film an episode of the Avengers on Wigmore Street when Steed rolled up to the pub down the street to the right in his Bentley.
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Hi Mick, sorry I missed you in the 3 Bulls, I got onto Percy St but couldn’t walk around the obstacles to get to the pub. I knew you were in but just had to turn round and go home. I would have loved to have said hello, it’s great reading all your stories of that fantastic era. I spoke to a market trader a few years ago who told me about a reunion in the New Bridge, this was after it had taken place. He said not many people had turned up and it was a bit of a let down. I knew nothing about it. It must have been poorly advertised. I hope you do get around to writing your book. I hope to see you maybe next time. Take care, sorry I missed you.
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Omg I wonder if we knew each other. I used to live on Finchley Road NW3 sharing a flat with 2 other Geordie girls.
Do you remember Mary Foggin and Mary Vinton? They were friends from my A Go Go days.
I remember coming home to Newcastle one time and was in Fenwicks and saw Hilton Valentine standing near the door. I went up to him and said Hi fancy seeng you here, and asked about Eric Burdon and ‘The Animals’. He just shuffled and said he was waiting for his wife and didn’t want to know and looked embarrassed that I recognised him. He wasn’t embarrassed when I paid his bus fare on the late night buses after the A Go Go though when he had no money.
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Barbara
I remember Mary Foggin and Mary Vinton – I also remember two girls from Gosforth, tall bonny lass called Jane with a mole on her cheek and her mate Nikki whose family was something to do with Drambuie.
Frank and Tommy Holmes, Pete Dowson – ring any bells?
I agree with Mick- I think there’s a lot of people out there, reading but not joining in – they should write in and get some memories going.
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If we had if met I would have remembered you. I was only at IBM for a month or so as a contractor. As you know most folks did not associate with those outside of their age group and as was only 18 or so at the time I doubt if a 21 year old would have even spoken to me – Frenchie was the exception he always had some young thing on his arm and he was 12 years or so older than us. I knew a girl called Dot Foggin – maybe she was related to your friend?? Chris I remember Nikki and skinny Diane.? I was going to keep this tale until later but…. it has been said that club was full of cliques, but I never found it so – anyone was welcome drink with us. As to cliques try this one – I arrived in Newcastle ons summer’s evening and went into the Douglas Vaults as it had been a long train journey and I saw four guys that I knew siting at a table and I went over and they let me join them. They said usually only the ‘In Crowd’ comes in here and when I asked who that was one of them swept his hand to indicate that it was them. I am not going to name them as I have them to thank for turning me on to the Sue label – Donny Elbert, Phil Upchurch etc. One track I liked was Music City, but I would need to look up the artist. I still have the ‘This is Sue’ LP. They were so much of an ‘In Crowd’ that nobody knew who they were!
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So I was at IBM after you then. I know Pamela Hazel ,she is a lovely person. I mentioned her a few posts ago. Her brother has posted on here too. I don’t know the jazz group, I only ever liked blues, soul, Tamla and rock. I still listen to the same things today. I bought a Sonny Boy Williamson cd and John Lee Hooker cd when I was in England in September last year.Douglas,I would welcome any input and I think your recount would be accurate as there are a few myths inaccuracies that need to be put to rights. I have only two photos one of me as previously mentioned and one with Jamesie and Jean Annan taken at the rear of the much missed Haymarket so I would appreciate any photos .I have a lot on over the next few months notwithstanding the cataloging of LP/Singles/CD/music related DVD’s/Posters/Programmes/T-Shirts etc to sell on to a dealer as soon as I can finalise things. Oh yea a post of so ago it should have said Tonik not Tonia! Auto-Text!!!!
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I also used to hang about with a girl from Gosforth called Hilary Sager her dad worked for EMI records and she had a fabulous collection. She was great fun but one drawback was her dad knew Mike Jeffries, Myers and Mike and Bernie Winters who opened the La Dolce Vita. She was barred by her dad from going to these clubs and we used to try different disguises to get her in. We would just get past the doorman when a booming voice would call her back. She was such a laugh and I often wonder what she did or is even in Newcastle. Great times I am laughing just thinking of her.
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I was 18 when I worked for IBM. I left home at 15 and had a room with a friend Pamela Hazel just off Heaton Road. We used to meet at The Paletta before going to the New Orleans Jazz club then the Downbeat opened and following the A Go Go.
Nowadays you are classed as a child until you are 18. I can’t ever remember having a problem going anywhere when I was that young.
Do you remember the jazz group that played at the Go Go when it first opened they became very famous and had two brothers playing in it?
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“We wuz playing records in the phonograph booth, la la la…” that record is by The Pleasures and like so many on the Sue label was a cracker!
Mention of skinny Diane and Nikki sparked another half memory. It was a Sunday evening, the last before the club closed for good. Keith Young let me in free of charge. Hardly anyone was there but Diane who took a materteral attitude to us kids suggested we could keep the whole thing going by meeting at each others homes every Sunday evening. The next Sunday we met at Nikki’s which was out west somewhere. All I recall is her bedroom plastered with images of The Who. The Following Sunday we met again in a tower block off Walker Road. Then the whole thing just evaporated.
Mick, can you send me your email? (Can you please help Roger?) I have discovered the first few paragraphs of an article I wrote about the A’GoGo. I can see that the last time the document was modified was in 2012 but it might help with your book.
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I wonder if a photo site is possible – I bet we all have some old snaps we can forward
I’ve got one of my scooter, believe it or not
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I have been playing Music City by the Pleasures for the last few months also Spring by Birdlegs and Pauline and the Versatility Birds. The Sue lable was an important Mod source of music. Remember Doug Tate bringing back the single Say Yeah by Edgewood Smith and the Fafbulous Tailfeathers from Transit Imports in Manchester? Sue was raw, raunchy and as integral to Mod Culture.as shrink to fit Levis.
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There are a few vidoes available that give you a sense of the club A Go Go.. Junior Walker and the all Stars playing Shotgun live at the Ram Jam club ( Just removed from Youtube) but worth tracking down and Antonion’s recreation of the Ricky Tick club in the film Blow Up.
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Found another link for Junior Walker at the Ram Jam
http://www.ina.fr/video/I00006066
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There’s about 18 seconds of black and white footage filmed at the Club A’Gogo in the BBC documentary “Living In ’66 – Newcastle A Gogo” (available on YouTube). The producer told me that he’d found the footage quite by chance whilst searching BBC archives for other material.
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Dave, I would buy those imports from a place on Wardour Street close to the Flamingo and not in Manchester. I was shocked to learn that the scenes from the Antonioni movie were shot in a studio and not at the Ricky Tick club. I saw John Mayell, with you know, who at the Ricky Tick in Guildford. I recall being with a bunch of guys from local bands in the Jazz Lounge when they suggested to you know who that he should get together with Ginger Baker and Georgie Fame’s bass player (a guy named Cliff if memory serves) and form a band, because they were the cream of the cream. He chose some guy from the Graham Bond Organization instead.
Dave can you ask your Pamela about her friend who lived either on Chester Ave or possibly, Rowanberry Road? Because of Rogers blog so much is swimming back into focus.
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For Mick Dunn, I still have that Levi Leather Jacket, its with my son in New York.
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i was talking to this fella and he claimed he used to go to the GoGo, but he is 6 years younger than me, so I thought your full of it, but didn’t confront him on it. Was it so iconic that people claim to have been apart of it when they never were. So I decided to refresh my memory and came across this site.
I think me experience of the GoGo came around 1964, Some people I already knew, I was at school with Stan McCabe and he was friendly with Paul France, I’d also been at another school with Peter Greaves and Billy Marshall and John Dunn hung out with them. I’d hung out for a while with Brian Redden and Ronnie Dodds after we both started work at Swan Hunters. It was also in the yards that I met Colin Charlton. So going to the GoGo was a very familiar place, and it soon became a place that was like a second home. It was a place that kids from all parts of the city came together and forged some new friends for life, and all the while listening to some great music. Some one asked what was so special about it. I think it was as teenagers we were changing our world from the accepted norm In sense of clothes and music and at the GoGo that music was special, we found a music that would stay with us all our days, yet when I think on it, would we have still gone if it had played main stream artists and music, the pop pap of the day. After your first visit you were hooked! I mean none of us chose the music or artists it was all chosen for us it was like we became brainwashed into the music and if that was the case I for one am grateful. It was also special because there really was no where else like that catered for teenagers so we had no choice. Would it have been different if we’d had more choice. I used to drift between living in London and Newcastle and in 67 went of to Canada with John Dunn, and later on I also went back with Mick Dunn.One thing I cant get over is the comments by some people on how violent it was, I cant connect the comments by John Lee Hooker with the GoGo. like I said prior it was like home from home and if honest, proffered being in the GoGo to being at home. Any trouble I recall usually came from out of towners, whom you could spot a mile off. Had some wonderful times there and it was a time I shall never forget.
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Hi Brian – your post is spot on and I wish more folks would post such as you have. Doug Tate will like your post too! As to the leather jacket it is 50 years old now! I got off the train in Birmingham from Newcastle, bought it and got the next train to Cheltenham. I saw Stan a few years ago he is still the same decent guy. Be Good M
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There is a cd called The Animals Live at the Club a Gogo part of Charly Records Blues Classics. There are only seven tracks but they include Let it Rock, Gotta find my baby, Bo Diddley, Almost Grown, Dimples, Boom Boom, C.Jam Blues.The crowd interaction at the beginning and end of each number gives an idea what’s N atmospheric place the Gogo was.
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Hi!
I would love to use some of the photos of this page in a mini-documentary about Sting for national swedish tv. Who can i contact?
best,
Lise
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I met up with Brian Hetherington and his friend Alan two weeks ago in the Three Bulls for a few hours we did a little catching up. Apparently Mick Robinson killed himself and Brian enlightened me regarding the myth that Myer Thomas left him everything – he left him nothing! I also found out that Roppa died of a heart attack. Perhaps we will meet up again sometime if Brian is back in England.? I am off to see Hilton Valentine on June 15, I had asked him about a UK gig a few times and he is doing two one in Cullercoats and one in Stockton so I am looking forward to that. ?I passed my old friend Mick Paterson working on his ice cream stand close to Grey’s Monument last Saturday but Ashe was busy. I just waved. He has been close friends with Dave Findlay since the 60’s. Doug Tate I passed on your thanks to Brian.
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Hi Lise, I hope you can use the pictures. Perhaps you could do a proper documentary on the club as the one produced in England was abysmal. If Sting did come to the club it would have been around 1967 or so and to be honest the best years were earlier than that. Read all of Roger’s pages and you will see the impact this club had on the music scene in those long lost days. Some of the best memories of my life.
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Hi Dave Hazel
My nickname was Dreams when we went to the Gogo.
I can still remember you wearing the Sandy colour Hide jacket.
Totally agree with your comments about Sue Records. The label had a fantastic catalogue of artists and records from Charlie and Inez Fox to Ike and Tina Turner, Bobby Parker and Otis Reading. One of my favourite records is the Chris Kenner version of Land of a Thousand Dances while this has been recorded by a host of other artists since it’s never been bettered in my opinion.
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I still have an album, “This is Sue” bought it round the time of going to GoGo, my favourite tracks are Robert Parker Barefootin, Roy head Treat her Right and Roy C Shotgun Wedding, absolutely tremendous, still love listening to them.
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Wow! So many names I recognize and remember! I last met Dot Foggan some years ago when I was with my sister Patti and Anne Taylor and we saw the Juncos in a pub in North Shields. They used to go around with Anita and were there at the a’gogo when people like the Stones were there.
Great site – keep it going.
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Michael Garrick Septet ?– Black Marigolds [Argo] … This was just played on Jazz Special: Paul Bradshaw with Lander Lenaerts… Worldwide Fm …15.0617 recorded at the Club … Brilliant
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Hi,I am ex drummer of Invaders and trying to trace the bass player, Malcolm Foster last heard of inForest Hall and sax player, Barry Robinson used to teach sax. Can anyone help?
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Left north east (Blyth) in 68 for a job in London. Went to the Marquee Club. Not a patch on the GoGo. Best night, John Mayall with Eric Clapton and later John Lee Hooker. Everybody remember the young Rod Stewart appearing with Steam Packet? Still get up to dance to the Gogo favourites. Everywhere’s been an anti-climax since those great days in the best club in the world.
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Hi Brian,
Noticing you were from Blyth we used to play at the Roxy Ballroom in Blyth (Invaders).You must have attended Agogo’s club in Whitley Bay which we opened. Remarkable how people still remember the club after such a long time ago as it was open for a fairly short time. Still the best venue of of its kind and unlike today great music, great bands,none of this bass driven DJ stuff!!
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I remember being there when Don Warrington was accepted into RADA – he was celebrating with the DJ Phil
(Hormbry?) And now I see him in Death in paradise. Those were the days.
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Dougie – I remember well you guys when you played at the church hall on Ilfracombe Gardens and The Social Service Centre and I reckoned Ian Macallum was the best guitarist there was! [At least in our school]
I seem to remember you playing a kit by Trixon and talking about getting Flapjacks.
I worked at the Go Go both Newcastle and WB and was there that first night.
Terry McVay had built the speaker cabs and hooked up an old Grampian amp that played up all day but worked well on the night.
Do you recall that ‘DJ’ that Terry and Keith hired for WB The Guy was from The South and had glitter suits and a rabbit tail bow tie?
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Hi there,
I want to make a documentary on the club.
Who can i talk to? Who wants to be interviewed?
Anyone who’s a good storyteller out there?
best,
Lise
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Hi Lise,
The guy who runs this site would be a good start. Unfortunately Mike Jeffreys, Myer Thomas, Ray Grehan and Keith Crombie are no longer with us!
The Invaders were the first band to play there on a regular basis in the Young Set, but it was a long time ago. Remarkable that the club is still so fondly remembered by locals inspite of its short shelf life.
I believe Tappy Wright the Animals Roadie is in Newcastle and Johnny Steele their drummer may be about. You can contact me via the guy who runs this site.
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I only ever went in the young set and one particular Friday night comes to mind. Just before I left home to go to the club it was announced on the news that President Kennedy had been assassinated. I was supposed to be meeting a guy from Newcastle University that I’d met the week before at the Chelsea Cat in South Shields but he never turned up so a pretty sad night all round. That was 1963, great club, great times.
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I can’t ever remember not being able to get into the Gogo, but sometimes in the Jazz Lounge it was tightly packed and when I left my shirt was wringing wet from the sweat and my ears were still buzzing the next day from the noise.
There used to be The Animals official fan club on the landing. You went into the Young Set on the left and straight ahead is where they played records. On the left in the corner was a coffee bar. I seem to remember getting bottles of Coca Cola. The bar in the Jazz Lounge could get busy, but I don’t remember having anything to eat there, nor do I remember seeing any Jazz. I started going early 64 but by 68 was going to Grey’s Club and Change Is.
I remember someone organising a bus trip to Manchester to see Otis Redding. I didn’t go as I probably couldn’t afford to.
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There are quite a few with good memories who could recount things for you. Maybe you could use my comments from this site? I can help you out on some aspects. But any documentary should really focus on those of us who went to the club, rather than previous efforts which have been about the bands and although they helped to make the experience they were not regular enough to interact with the rest of us.
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Hi Dougie, nice to hear from a name from the past. Yes I remember playing at Whitley Bay Go Go. We were originally the Valiants but Mike Jeffries thought that was naff and as the Animals had just left the Newcastle GoGo the name change was appropriate. We were resident when Sonny Boy Williamson, John Lee Hooker, Bo Diddley, Long John Baldry and many more Blues men and early British bands appeared.
Happy days and I hope you are fit and well.
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We never served anything but Hubbly Bubbly made by Mike Rowe in the Go Go and the Steak Bar was behind the cloakRoom with a hatch through to the tiny kitchen that was manned by various members of the team who acted as ‘chef de jour’ !!!
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Hi Brian,
Great to hear from you again. Best blues band I have played with to date! Befriend me on Facebook and will keep in touch. Yours, Dougie
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I have read all the comments but nobody seems to have mentioned the attempt at recording a live album when Garnett Mimms was on the club but there were not enough there to generate the relevant noise for the recording team so I assume it never got off the ground but it was a smashing night.
Hendrix was naturally a highlight but some of the most lively gigs were (for me) those with Zoot Money, Jimmy James, Geno Washington and The Stones who from memory turned up after their gig at The Odeon – a few acts played there because of their much improved sound over City Hall
Kids these days do not realise how lucky they are to have so many gig venues here now with Cluny, Riverside, Sage, Academy etc – nothing beats live music so 50 years after Hendrix I am still enjoying up and coming bands at the likes of The Cluny.
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Hi Bill
Garnett Mimms did release the album he recorded at the agogo at least on one side of the album the other side was recorded at Sussex university .The album is called Live and was only released in Britain but is impossible to get hold of !
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Thanks Alan – when I could never find it I assumed it had just been set aside.
When I was in NYC a few years ago I even searched for his stuff in some of the record shops without success.
Now I know why!
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There is a 1967 live single posted on you tube by Roger Smith . Garnett Mimms -‘As Long As I Have You’, which is probably taken from the album as the Senate are on the track and backed Garnet Mimms at the agogo on the recording.
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Fabulous memories fom the GoGo! I started going there in 1964 through til the end of 1967 when it was fading. Always remember the great music they played in the Young Set, great dance tunes. Saw most of the bands mentioned, John Mayall with his ever changing guitarists, Cream, Zoot Money, Graham Bond, Geno Washington , the Who. If I remember right, the Who came up the fire escape onto the stage in the Young Set, rather than pushthrough the crowd. It was packed!
I remember Nicky Kennedy having a crush on Eric Clapton and we wrote in cards to send to the BBC for the saturday morning Brian Mathew music programme, as Eric was live on that. He read out one of the cards!
I can still remember the great nights dancing with lovely girls at the GoGo! I was there 5 nights a week! It was the best place on the planet for a teenager!
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Hi Malcolm Walker, big mates with ARTHUR Wong and ARTHUR Gardner scooter days, well into the soul music in the early days, had my first chicken curry from ARTHUR’s mum. Went on to own Plainsman in Anfield Plain where I had the Juncos on every second Friday. Opened Walkers Club Cafe with my brother. Still into the music after all those years. Happy days at the Go Go. My first taste of fun x
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Keep up the good work
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Stumbled across this amazing (and informative) site while looking for images of the Club A’Gogo to help theme a room to look like a sixties disco for my wife’s surprise birthday party.
Barbara and I went to the A’Gogo a number of times when we were courting but we can not claim to be regulars like some of the above but the memories are certainly some of our best. The Spencer Davis Group playing Keep On Running was one of Barbara’s all time favourites. There was also another club opposite the station at the same time, I remember it being up a lot of stairs in a building on the corner of Pink Lane and Neville Street, but memories, I have found, can play tricks!. Can anyone help with the name of this club?
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Guys and dolls.
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Bill,
That’s the one!! many thanks.
Ian
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I was a regular at the agogo with my mate Moira Craig. I knew Tommy Finlay and used to often have a dance with him. I met my first love Bill Murphy there. Anyone remember him and where he is now. My name is Christine I would love to find out about Bill. My maiden name was Cusack.
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I’m surprised so little has been said about Jerry Lee Lewis’s appearance at the club. I don’t remember exactly when it was, but he was a forgotten man since he was evicted from the UK years before due to his marrying a 13 year old. His appearance at the Go Go was (I think) the first performance of his comeback tour and he was fantastic. Nobody was interested till he started playing and singing then there was a mass exodus from the other room and we were in danger of being crushed to death! That unforgettable performance at the Go-Go led to a successful UK comeback.
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My dad (David Redpath) was the drummer in The Von Dykes and it was his band. They went to The Star Club in Hamburg during the 1960s.
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Hi Steve, Knew your dad well, great bloke and hope he is still in the land of the living. Also was also friendly with the lead guitarist but forget his name. Please send by best to your Dad. Would love to meet up with him when I am next in Newcastle, Yours, Dougie Vickers.
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I only found out about this site last year when my Dad (Kenny James) told me about it. It’s with a heavy heart that I must share the very sad news that my Dad passed away at the weekend after a short illness. I know he has been mentioned in some of the comments and he used to love hearing them when I would read them out to him. He will be greatly missed R.I.P KENNY JAMES.
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John, you are very right about Kenny’s dancing seeing him do it to Lou Christies Lightnin’ Strikes at the Club A’gogo is something I have always remembered. I hoped to bump into him again seeing as I am retired now, but that is not to be. The last time I saw him was at the top of the Bigg Market when it was raining heavily and I was waiting to cross the road he was moving quickly and I saw him out the cornr of my eye as he passed behind me with two friends. I said ‘Ken’… but he was gone and the lights had changed then he was gone.We went to the now defunct Banqueting Hall in Jesmond Dene a few times too and it was the same scenario.Thanks for the memories Kenny, and sincere condolences to his family.
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Just to let all the old scooter crew and go go regulars, the ace face Kenny James passed away this week he was a really good mate, we went on holidays together over the years, Norma and Ken and me and my ex wife, I spoke to him in Eldon square 3 weeks ago, he had some old photos in a bag to show someone in the black garter,everyone knew Ken in the 60she was a one of us Haymarket set, the scooter crew,, I will really miss him,,,
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Darren, I was an apprentice with Kenny at Vickers Naval in the sixties. We both frequented the Go-Go at every opportunity. Kenny-as the previous post said -was an ace face. Back-combed hair, tartan jacket and a beaming smile the effervescent Kenny could not be missed, especially when he strutted his stuff on the young set floor.
Regards to all his family. He was a good in. John Taberham
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Darren I thought the world of your dad we had some great times together, he was some character, I remember we shared a tent in Keswick one Easter weekend, all the scooter crew were there never a dull moment, we had to hide our scooters as the place was full of rockers, me him and 2 scooters in a little tent,I really will miss him , all the old crowd who knew him will be sad he’s gone,, actually he was a good boppeas well, he used to dance with you mum and my ex wife at the same time, i remember him dancing at the theatre royal when hair was on, hecouldnt wait to get up there,i dont think i can make the funeral as i cant walk now, but if im not there in body i will be there in spirit,rest in peace me old pal,,,,,,
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Remember it well in the mid 60’s when a group of us went to see T Bone Walker, Jimmy Cliff and Chris Farlowe on different occasions. Great atmosphere.
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George, Sorry to hear about your wife I hope she is OK now? Colin was at a reunion with Jen Sherwood and Texy Joyce last year as far as I know. I had not seen him for many years. If you have a chance to meet up let me know.? I did not get to go to Kenny James’s funeral unfortunately, I would have liked to have paid my respects.
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hi Mick Dunn – sorry could not get to see you last year as wife been very ill. Can you or any one else remember Collin Charlton from the gogo days? Just heard today from Louie [Ronnie Lumsden] that he has just died.
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A mate of mine told me about your site. Amazing. I was an avid Go Goer during these times and saw many of the great bands you mention. The Go Go was a really fantastic place and I had lots of pals there. The main ones I can remember are Alan Hall, Scotty of The Outlines who I worked with on a building site through the day and I remember the scary bouncers, the Finlays etc. Another pal was David Russell, the son of Lady Russell and Mike Renwick I married a great lass from there Liz Finch , now divorced. we had some crazy times . Oh yes Mary Kegg she was a canny lass. Bless you all.
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Remind me to Mike Renick. Dougie Vickers Invaders Drummer now living in Gibraltar
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I would love to but I have no contact with him now but I guess he still lives in Newcastle.
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It was great to see you again after all these years Mick, unfortunately a lot of my txts on here have someone else’s name attached at the bottom. Never mind it was me went on holidays with Kenny James, and I shared the tent with him in the lakes. I really will miss him,a real true friend. We must meet up again soon Mick and talk of the old days, just one more thing you can tell who was regular at the go go, by them saying the go go and not the agogo, just a small point.
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John the names are at the top. Regards Malcolm
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I’ve changed the way the comments are set out so it’s a bit clearer to see who has written what. Thanks John and Malcolm for your input.
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What a great blog. I’ve just idled an hour or so away reading all of this. So many hazy memories of the times I spent at The Young Set with my friend, Rosemary Harrison. I remember I got Captain Beefheart to sign my jacket, now long gone. Great times seeing wonderful bands.
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Hi Mick Dunn,
I seem to recall I gave a lift to you and you sister Linda some 49-50 years ago, to some where in Essex, a New Town but I cant recall which one. All a long time ago!
After that I lived in Essex for twenty five years, working in the City of London!
Hope you and your sister are both well.
Eric Hall
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Stumbled on this site by chance – when I saw a comment from John Barnaby it all came flooding back. The gogo was a fantastic club and the bands, Geno Washington would get my no one vote, sweat running down the walls in the ‘young set’ incredible. To see Hendrix for 3/6d good value.
I was part of the scooter crew and have fond memories of Arthur Wong, Kenny James and John Barnaby. Also Tony Howe and Arthur Gardener. I rode a gold GS with the usual trim and thought I was the business ha. Weekends at Druridge Bay I would tell my grand children but would not believe me.
Keep up the good work. Cheers Ian
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Hello Eric, I hope all is good with you? Where are you now? Doing alright myself. Thanks for the lift!
One Christmas I was in the club and had a lengthy ‘snogging’ (I hate that word) session with a cute blonde girl (who shall be nameless) against the left side of the cloakroom ‘cubby hole’ and Zoot Money and his band went by into the door to the right of the ‘cubby hole’ someone mentioned a small kitchen was in there? SOS by Edwin Starr was playing. I saw the blonde girl a day or so later and asked to see her again, but all she said was that she wanted everyone to have a nice Christmas….. so no! I doubt that she would even recall or admit to any of what I have said. Maybe easily offended sensibilities….?Matthew Crum used to work in the cloakroom – Tommy’s younger brother.?I know there are those who read these posts who used to go to the club – maybe a post or two from them would be nice. I call it the Club A’GoGo because ad I grew old I stopped using shortened names and abbreviations as I do not like code as it is sometimes misinterpreted.?I see someone else has mentioned ‘Arthur’ Gardner – do they mean Ged Gardner? As good as my memory is the only Arthur was Arthur Wong!
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Congrats on creating this amazing site. I spent every weekend at the Gogo and met great people and listened and danced to fantastic music.People I remember Kenny James(Fish) sad to hear he has passed, Ian Greenup, Alan Hind (wasn’t there 2 Alan Hinds), Jeff Baxter (Lambretta) Cameron(lambretta with Chrome everything) The lovely Burridge sisters Janet and Kathy, I think they were both working in Croydon Surrey by 69. John Barnaby I think he had ginger hair. Janet Burridge was dating A guy that worked as a journalist for Newcastle paper I should remember his name but 50yrs will do that. Brian Robson started the craze for Jeeps. Mick Dunn I must know you but can’t put a face to the name. I also emigrated to Montreal in 74 and then moved to Vancouver so I lost touch with everyone but it sure would be amazing if a few of us could get together for stories about Druridge trips and adventures to Consett and the lake district. Anyone remember Ronnie Pattison he passed away a few years ago in Vancouver?
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A blog full of memories and reminisces. Worthy of a post to keep the kettle boiling on the unsurpassed couple of years that revolved round “Going to A GoGo,”
#116 Dave Hazell. Hi Dave, had a drink last with Micky Wilson, Bob Griggs and Dave Hembro. All send their regards and remember you with affection. The boys have been meeting every Sunday night for years. They meet at the Market Lane (Monkey bar) at 7.30 then its a few random pubs before ending up in the Old George.
Your blog about me wearing the short Levi buckskin jacket made me smile. I didn’t own one – too expensive for a shipyard apprentice – Jess Turner and Sid Carrick were the Kenton lads who owned those sought after jackets. There was four of us from Kenton – Jimmy Mossom was the fourth – and because money was tight we used to swap our clothes about. You must have caught me when it was my turn for the jacket. Happy Days
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Hi Phil -as you knew everyone else from the Haymarket then you must know me. I only knew two Phil’s ‘Skinny Phil’ and Phil Walton. Did you meet Kirk in Montreal? He went to live there with his French wife who came to Newcastle as an au pair her name was Marie-Laloup Jose. She was ‘Skinny’ Phil’s G/F before she took up with Kirk – he had fabulous full-length greenleather coat made by his mother??I was with John Barnaby today and I told him you had posted. I was in contact with Kathryn Burrage around 2005 on Friends Reunited when I was living in South-East Asia but lost touch again. I last saw her and Jan together in the North Terrace around ’74 time. Kathryn was living in Croydon, not sure now. Jan is married to a Turkish professor as far as I know and lives in Istanbul. As to Ronnie Pattison I remember the name and vaguely what he looked like, sorry to hear another one of us has gone.?If you are in touch with anyone else please get them to post. M
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Hi Mick,
I currently live in a Georgian Rectory in the Cotswolds and am in the process of moving to Norfolk to be closer to my younger son in Norfolk.
Does anyone know what happened to Mickey Finn?
Eric Hall
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Yes, John it was indeed Tommy Burness I realised that much later! I was going to go to Colin’s funeral, but as I had not seen him since around ’68 or so I did not want to intrude and explain who I was to his family. I always feel saddened when one of us passes. I gave John Barnaby a black and white picture of Jamesie and Jean Annan behind the Haymarket taken in the Summer of ’66 (seems like yesterday if you say it quick) I will always miss Kenny. It us good to see you posting and I hope you can convince others to contribute. Give my regards to Bob Griggs and Mick Wilson (and Sylvia if they are still together)? Be Good M
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Hi John,
I used to buy Mohair cloth at a really good price, from a Tommy near Marleborough bus station and then have it made into a suit at Jacksons the Tailors just up the road. Could this be the same Tommy if it was he got a lot of business from me.
Cheers
Phil
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Hi Phil,
Tommy was a once seen, never forgotten character. Tall, black mop of hair and with his sartorial elegance he was a double for Jason King – minus the moustache – of television fame. Tommy was a cheeky chappie not adverse to making “a bob or two” selling off-cut suit lengths. He occasionally drank down town with his elder brother John who was one of the last of the teddy boys. The style clash always provided the punters with a nudge-nudge talking point. JT
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Hi Mick, I’ve enjoyed all the crack from those special times from when the GoGo was in it’s pomp. As you’ve pointed out the years were only from 64 to 66. It didn’t do my day release at Charles Trevelyn any good, I failed all my exams during this period. You mentioned Heathers a couple of times – what a smart guy he was – did he ever mention one of the boys I had a lot of time for, Tommy Catherall, they were trainee chefs together. His girlfriend was the stunning Toots. Tommy, like a lot more of us realised there was a big world out there and took his culinary skills out to Atlanta. Check him out on the web, Try TomTom restaurants for a starter. The boy did good.
Couple of quickies to finish.
Pity we don’t have A GoGo museum. Kenny’s tartan jacket would be a crowd pleaser. Chris Branch was a Fawdon lad, we both went to Kenton Comp. and played on the same school team. Nice lad. JT
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John, I looked up Tommy Catherall – he has indeed done well!?I last saw Branchy around 2002, I worked on a site with him in Essex in 1999 just after I came back from Africa. I was a manager for the main contractor and he was the electrical contractor’s site engineer. I like your idea of a museum and Kenny’s jacket would been a star exhibit. Do you remember Alan ‘The White Tide Man’? He had a white suit hence the name! That would have made a good exhibit too. As I recall the Young Set had two stages the high one for major acts and the low one to the right of the DJ box for lesser acts. The Von Dykes used to perform on the lower stage and was good to get to speak to their chubby lead guitarist who would chat with us and liked it when we asked him to play an instrumental they had written – around 1962 (we were refugees from the Shadows……. but NOT Stiff Pilchard!) The first single I ever bought was Walk Don’t Run by The Ventures on the red and white Top Rank label. I can recall the Young Set much better.
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John,
You know the old joke about “I have a suit for every day of the week” “This is it”, well thanks to Tommy I did have seven suits mainly Tonic and Kid Mohair which was all the rage then. Do you remember the detachable shirt collars that we had starched, they looked great under the ultraviolet light in the clubs.
Is Tommy still around Newcastle?
PW.
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Mick, you have great recollection. The “white tide man” is a great shout. Was a bit stumped at first but now think his name was Peter and he worked at Swans. He was a double for Illya Kuryaken from Man from Uncle. Will reconvene with the Monkey Bar team for his surname.
Happy days. JT
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Phil, met a still young looking Texy Joyce at Colin Charlton’s funeral. He confirmed Tommy is now living in Dublin. JT
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Ah yes, June Knox was indeed a lovely girl! What about Dancers?… Well as I see it the best were Jamesie, Louie and Ernie Bell.?With sadness I have to announce that my old friend and musician, singer/ songwriter and actor Ernie Bell is no longer with us. I knew him from since we were boys and the last time I saw him was in ’74 around September time with Mick Whittaker (Mick Whittaker Band) in the Star on Westgate Road. Ernie playing on his harmonica while we drank and Mick doing some blues. Ernie was involved with Glastonbury from the very early days and that area is where he lived. R.I.P.
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Mick it’s great to be meeting up again after all these years, thanks for the photo of Kenny, I will treasure it, anyone who was around the scene Wii remember Ken, he was one of a kind, just been reading the latest blogs, I remember June Knox, I think she lived I walker, a Bonney lass, Phil Woodward it was Jeff Webster, on the scooter, not Baxter, if you read the mod site on Facebook you would think by the blogs that Paul Weller invented the genre, we all know different, he was still in short pants when we were living the dream, maybe you should write a book Mick? You really knew how it was.
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I was at the Muscle Inn, the Downbeat and the agogo every Friday Saturday and sometimes Sunday’s from 1963 to 1965,loved those times. My name is Christine and my friends name was Moira. I used to go out with
Bill Murphy who lived in Kirkwood Drive Kenton. If any one knows what happend to Bill, I would love to know.
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We used to hang out at Curlies, The Palette and once or twice to a club above a hairdressers bottom of Pink Lane – the club was Guys and Dolls, it never had the atmosphere of the agogo. My friend Moira and I both had long blonde hair and often dressed the same back in the days. Remember it like yesterday.
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The Jeep craze. I think Ropper got his ex army jeep from Tony Burns dad who had a garage. It was a Humber with five forward gears and a lever that made them into five reverse gears. Great for fooling around on the beach at Alnmouth where I remember him lying on the bonnet while Elenor was learning to drive.
I remember accompanying a girlfriends older sister to the City Hall to see a folk singer called Bob Dylan. It wasn’t full, but I was amazed at how many regulars from the GoGo who were there. We tried to see him afterwards as he was staying at the Turks Head Hotel in Grey Street.
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Roppa’s jeep was actually an Austin Champ with a Rolls Royce engine.. I remember driving 3 abreast across the causeway to Holy Island at low tide. Brian drove one vehicle, Pete Graham another but I can’t recall the name of the third driver. Each rig was a different colour and we thought we were really styling!
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I can remember that Keith Crombie had a left hand jeep at the time. Dougie Vickers (Drummer Invaders)
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Keith had a dirty white or cream version with a blooming big starting handle which he used one night in Walker when he was set upon by a gang of locals.
A team was sent out from the club to give aid after a phone call from his passenger who had legged it.
When the Team arrived there was nothing to find as Crombie had three in the hospital.
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John, The ‘White Tide Man’ was definitely called Alan and I think your description of him is accurate! Not sure who will recall this next one – I met Kenny Cooper one weekend and had told me that he and Chris Dale had gone down to the Turks Head to see Spike Milligan to come for a drink- he was in Newcastle for some shows. They took him to the Haymarket backroom and he told me that he did not say much but when he did it was hilarious. He ended up drawing things on their stomachs. I think Paul France and maybe Coatsie was there too?
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John, The deaf and dumb kid is called Tony Cook I often see him in Waitrose. I knew his sister Doris too.?Spoke with John Barnaby about Peter (The Painter) Marshall a few days ago, he was one strange dude and always reminded me of Geronimo or a young Charles Laughton with long black hair. I heard that he is long since dead. Good to see you posting – Maybe Texy Joyce will post! Be Good M
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Mick,
still on the case for identifying “the White Tide Man”.
Another dancer of note was the deaf and dumb kid who danced to the vibes of the music. He had plenty of style -anyone out there got a name? -it needed a couple of drinks before you competed against him, Kenny or Louie,
Happy days. JT
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Post #259Eric Hall looking for Micky Finn.
Eric, bumped into him a few years ago in the Jingling Gate, Westerhope. Has never changed, instantly recognisable, same old Micky, smart as ever and a nice lad.
I have fond memories of Micky’s fighting capabilities during the Go-Go days -always after a drink -he always took on someone much bigger, consequently, he was the king of second prizes. (It was a good job you could only get two black eyes a week.) He loved his mohair suits, had a ready smile, was a smart guy and a character.
Eric, enjoy Norfolk. I spent 18 months there about six years ago working at the Bacton Gas Terminal. A great area for a pint.
Happy days. JT
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John Barnaby, Doug Tate
Jimmy Edgar, Jimmy Gatherer, Ray Nearney, and Joe Lowery – members of the Three Bulls Team – were stylish guys who have all had a previous mention. You never seemed to see them sober, even in those days when pubs were not open all day. I can remember them being banned from city centre chemists where they used to buy cough medicine for a quick high. There were other guys who kicked around with them, Can you remember Colin Currie and Neville………?
Happy Days. JT
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#256 Phil Woodward.
Phil, if Ronnie Pattison was from Gateshead and originally an Insulator -lagger – I can vividly remember him. Average height, mod haircut, happy outgoing personality and an individual stylish dress sense. As apprentices Ronnie and the other “laggers” would be on 3 or 4 times more wages that those in the metal trades, consequently they were always “well turned out” However, the downside was during the 60’s not enough consideration was given to the safety side of their industry resulting in many contracting industrial related diseases.
Ronnie, was a top guy.
Happy Days. JT
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John, The cough medicine was called Romilar and there was some graffiti on the club toilet wall saying ‘Romilar-it’s good stuff’ As to Neville he was known as Neville the Devil and as far as I recall he was a mate of Arthur Wong. Not seen Rob Wright for a long time-do you remember him? M
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Mick , I knew Rob Wright, another Haymarket scooter boy, haven’t seen him in 50 years. I think he and his older brother were into the prepared chip business when it first started – he took me to a factory unit they had off Walker Road. Just read an article on Rufus Thomas, I remember him appearing at the go go, I think he’s the father of Carla who did a great duet with Otis Redding, tramp. Great being in touch with you again, ,,,,
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Mick,
Your right about Neville, we always referred to him as “Neville the devil” A few years older than our group he was another character. Small and wiry Neville -like a lot more -led s double life. His working week saw him -briefcase in hand -operating as a window dresser for the Finlay Tobacco chain of shops. Come Friday night, dressed in levis and white Harrington jacket, made his weekend transformation to a weekend of renegade excess. Depending on the state of play, Neville would be either very entertaining or obnoxious. If the latter we quickly moved out of his way.
He was a mate of Arthur Wong’s, however I have recollections it was an up and down friendship.
Happy Days. JT
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Mick,
surprised there are not more Dave Finley stories out there. Along with his younger brother Tommy, the Finlay’s easily make the top ten in the a’GoGo’s Hall of Fame.
Tommy, – the enforcer – small, rugged and unsmiling was the door host who determined whether you made it into the club or not. Along with his muscly lieutenant, Tommy Crumb -and with a slap here and there – trouble at the Club was usually kept to a minimum.
Dave, – Mr Fixit and friend of the stars -was your back of house man, slim, well groomed, always immaculately suited and booted. Cigarette in hand as he moved around the club the smiling elder Finlay was your perfect mine host. The ladies loved Dave and Dave loved the ladies. However when you talked to Dave -sorry when Dave talked to you -you felt the underlying menace. He would always try and mediate his way out of any club dispute but if this failed the fastest head butt in the north east would come into play. Dave Finlay in the a’GoGo was a man you did not upset.
Last heard. Dave was in a nursing home in Jesmond and Tommy was still out there wheeling and dealing.
Happy days. JT
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#207 Ray Thompson “Dreams”
Hi Ray, great shout with “Land of a Thousand Dances. Went down great in the a’GoGo Young Set atmosphere. The quirky ones always went down well. Wooly Bully and Cool Jerk come to mind. Long time no see. The Fox would be the last time I think.
Happy Days. JT
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Hi John.
Good to hear from you. Hope you and your family are keeping well.
I was sad to hear about Kenny James. One of my enduring memories of the Young Set was Kenny wearing his green tartan jacket and bopping to Sam and Dave or Willie Mitchell.
If I remember rightly Tommy Burness used to work for Hadjek’s a small tailor with an upstairs shop on the corner of Shakespeare Street and Pilgrim Street now long gone.
Last time I saw Micky Finn was about five or six years ago when I went to a Gogo Reunion organised by Davey Wilson at Shearer’s Bar with Micky, Martin Brennan and Dave Douglas.
Happy Days
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Mick – comment #265. You are getting confused with Tommy Catherall. He has been in Atlanta, Georgia since 1981. He is still a chef and doing very well – one of less than 100 certified master chefs in the world. Owns two restaurants. He is still my best friend. Ian Greenup – are you the same kid that was in my class along with Kenny Cooper?
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Brian, I just replied to JT’ s comment # 264 as I looked up Tommy – no confusion on my part. JT mentioned Tommy was in Georgia so I looked him up is all. Good to see you posting again! Maybe Tommy could post?
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John, It seems as though I am not the only one with a good memory! Your comments on Neville The Devil are wholly accurate. He was based in Finlay’s on Northumberland Street. His relationship with Arthur Wong was up and down as there was a degree of friction between them. Now to another Findlay, I followed Dave Findlay to the toilet one time and saw this kid with a huge clear plastic bag full of assorted pills and Dave said something to him and the kid pulled a knife. Dave kicked the knife out of his hand and bundled him away down the stairs what happened after that I do not know. As you say happy days! M
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Sad to report the passing of Kevin Kell. Kevin was a Go-Go regular, a happy go-lucky kid who grew up with me in North Kenton. Like a lot more of the Go-Go crowd Kevin was a high achiever. I was privileged to work with him on North Sea and Overseas projects where he strutted his stuff as a Commissioning Manager for the likes of Marathon Oil and BP. Kevin will be sadly missed in his favourite watering hole the Killy. Club. Cheers Kev, you led an interesting life. JT
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Mick, well done, you have dug out another character of the time, the larger than life Brian/Geronimo/Buster Hirst. He was always Brian to myself, Bob Griggs and Dave Anderson as we were all apprentices together at the Walker Naval Yard. Yes, Brian was a welder, unfortunately we worked in an era with scant regard to Health and Safety. Like the laggers, the welders were the casualties of the time, breathing in all that crap with no regard for respiratory issues. If you recollect Brian’s face had a ruddy complexion which was a consequence of poor welding masks.
I remember the “machine gun” incident and can concur it would have been made at work. Some apprentice fitters actually made a gun that fired. Dangerous times!
Brian was a Cowgate lad but was often in Kenton visiting his girlfriend – the lovely Maureen Senior I think – where he always drew a crowd. Another good shout Mick. JT
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Sorry to hear about your friend John. I am not sure if I knew him, probably knew his face but not his name. Does anyone remember Brian Hirst aka Geronimo/Buster? He had very long thick black hair hence his nickname. I last saw him around 75 time in Kenton and I mentioned the ‘machine gun’ incident in Exhibition Park where he and another were running in and out of the bushes with ‘gangster’ striped suits and trilbies and carrying their home made ‘machine guns’. It made the Evening Chronicle so I believe, not sure if they were arrested as the police were called. He would rather have forgotten that episode but I had not seen him in such a long time I wanted his take on things. Brian was a welder so I think that the ‘machine guns’ were made by him. I only found out two days ago that had too has passed away, apparently some years ago. M ……. it is a year ago today that another of us passed away and I will always remember her with fondness.
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Sincere apologies. The report of the passing of Kevin Kell was incorrect. Kevin is very ill but receiving the best of care. Again sincere apologies for an incorrect report. JT
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A Neville story. We (Les Wood, Jakey, Jed & one or two others) were sitting in the Bacchus or Burgoyne’s, which ever one of the two offered complimentary mousetrap cheddar and pickled onions on Sunday evening when business was slow. Neville walked in. Some of us younger guys were gobbling the free food and Neville effected a slightly superior manner and declined to participate. Not unnaturally the conversation fell to favorite foods. The consensus was that we all loved chicken, and here you would do well to remember this was the mid sixties and we were all teenagers. Neville said that a rare beef steak was infinitely superior. We fell silent. We knew he was right. At the time I’m pretty sure I’d never eaten a beef steak of any kind but now I aspired to one. We all wanted to be as sophisticated as Neville.
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John, what about this one: ‘Ginger’ Dennis who used to do his Rolf Harris’s ‘Jake the Peg’ impersonation in the Haymarket back room-for those who cannot recall him, think of the father of Jimmy Somerville as he was looked just like him and was about the same size…..not sure if he is still around. Anyone know what happened to ‘Party Animal’ Pauline Lyons? I hope your friend Kevin recovers and gets to post sometime. With all of the great acts we saw did anyone ever see a bad one? I can’t think of any. To this day my greatest experiences and life-long good memories of seeing musicians are : SpencerDavis, Eric Clapton (Thanks again Brian H) , John Lee Hooker and the best harmonica player ever Sonny Boy Williamson!. Doug-nice tale about Neville! Any more?
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Doug, The Neville story, a nice one, that brought back happy memories and a smile to my face. Let’s be honest you were drinking with two serial scoffers in Les Wood and the bold Jakey. They could both scran for England.
As for the steak, you were spot on. The nearest some of us got to steak in those days was through a tin of Fray Bentos..
The story also tells us we meandered our way through an era where social class divisions were being constantly challenged. In the Go-Go being working class was not an issue. Style, how you dressed, how you looked, how you danced, your haircut or just being different were your currency of the day. The world would start to become a smaller place and previous unrealistic aspirations would open up as opportunities for many of us. Along the way, as we moved on, I’d like to think we picked up a little of Neville’s superior sophistication.
Happy Days and mines a medium rare. JT
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Social mobility was not then as great as it is now but changes were afoot. The first time someone pointed out Pete Marshall and said “there’s Peter the Painter” I naively assumed he took portrait commissions or spent his waking hours creating landscapes. And while it’s true that there were many rock stars of that era who had formerly attended art college, Peter was not one of them; he was a “tosher doon the yards” and would “tosh” red lead onto newly created vessels before more skilled painters applied the livery.
At about this time I met a crew of lads who were “into” music. They were not Club A’Gogo devotee’s and would only show up if a favorite band were scheduled; The Graham Bond Organization were particularly esteemed. Peter was a tall solitary figure who stood out even on the dance floor. One night one of the music lovers pointed him out and said; “look, there’s the kid who makes everything horrible.”
I looked surprised. They then explained that wherever they went; The Bridge on Monday evening to see The High Level Ranters, The Downbeat for blues or any jazz event Peter always preceded them. He was typically alone, mostly unsociable, they had no idea who he was and dubbed him perhaps unkindly, “the kid who makes everything horrible.”
That summer my parents took a caravan on the links at Newbiggin and my younger sibs went with them. I was home alone for the first time in my young life. One night during my parent’s absence, I went to the see the Junco’s at the old Jesmond Dean Banqueting Hall. It was a Young Socialist dance and the crowd were mostly students but some of the usual suspects were present including Geordie Spence, Peter the Painter, and a smattering of the Jed & Jakey crew. When the latter reprobates got wind that I was home alone they decided on an all-night party.
I outfoxed them by going up the bowling alley on Westgate Road with the music lovers when the Banqueting Hall emptied out. I got home at some ungodly hour to find the lights blazing in my parents’ home. I knew immediately what had happened. They had showed up, realized I wasn’t there, and pushed one of their kin through a small open window who had then opened the front door.
The keys were in my hand, I was steaming, but I also realized this was a fait accompli. I decided to knock on the door. Yes you’ve guessed it, it was Peter the Painter who answered. Ever since I’ve called him, the kid who makes everything horrible.
As a coda, many years later one of the music lovers ran into Peter who had acquired an Equity card and was trying to make a go of it in film and TV. My pal confessed the nickname we had given him. Peter was not offended, he was completely unfazed, and appeared to enjoy the notoriety.
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Hi Guys – on the
Return Of The Beano pageyou mentioned the “Foot high stage in the Jazz Lounge” … There was a huge difference between the height of the stage in the Young set and Jazz lounge …. That’s why the famous legendary moment when Hendrix put his guitar through the ceiling in the Young set could be seen clearly by everyone in the audience in early 1967 … And the fabulous Zoot Money’s antics on stage jumpin about like a monkey in summer 1966 could be seen by everyone …. And here’s an interesting question to all ex Club A Go Go members. … What was the last gig at this greatest club in the world?… I can remember being at John Mayall gig in summer 68 … The club closed shortly after Thanks Roger for this amazing web site. …. Alan ……______________________________________________
I’m sure the last gig was Julie Driscoll.
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I remember seeing Brisn Auger and Julie Driscoll but that was in 1966 and as John Mayall was in 1968 at the back end I cannot recall what happened after that as other clubs had opened and grabbed many popular acts.
I have tried on several occasions to discover who appeared after mid 1968 but the list in this site is still the best available.
We were lucky to have had the club and the acts that appeared in their infancy – the likes of The Cluny etc are the equivalent now but in a different way.
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My name is Allan Stephenson but then I was called Steva. I was from Gateshead and I hung out at the Go Go in 64-65 with Ron Pattison, Mike Kane, George Carr and knew or met most the names mentioned here. Someone get me started on recall if they remember me!
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Hi Roger, here’s a link to very in depth history of the Animals with references to the the Club A’Gogo. Hope all your followers enjoy it ….. Alan …
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Hi Alan I enjoyed reading the History of The Animals. I worked at The Scene club when the Animals played there. Eric always carried a bottle of scotch which he swigged whilst singing. I also used to work at the A Go Go but knew him from The Downbeat. We used to get the all night bus home together, me getting off at Benton and he carried on to Walker.
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Just as a matter of interest someone earlier asked the name of the club opposite the central, it was called “guys and dolls”.
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Well done as I had forgotten the name! I was the drummer with the Invaders and we played there once I think! Dougie Vickers
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Above Lindanos on the two top floors it was the first Club I visited for an all night outing. We walked back to Whitley Bay after our adventure singing Walk Right In which was the record that was played over and over that night. [Christmas 1962]
A year later I was working in the GoGo clubs both Whitley Bay [I helped Terry and Keith prepare the club at Whitley Bay] and Newcastle but The Invaders will always be remembered by me as Ian McCallum’s band that played in The Social Service Centre, St Mary’s on Claremont Gardens and St Andrews Monkseaton before The GoGo opened. I recall you telling me you were wanting or owning Trixon Flapjacks during the break at a St Mary’s dance!
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Yes,Iain McCallum was a brilliant guitarist sadly died of throat cancer when he was 35. Fenwick Trainer was killed in a car crash about 5 years ago, “Curtis Young”(Neville McKittrick) our singer is retired and lives in Toronto and I live in Gibraltar. Have lost touch with Malcolm Foster on bass and Barry Robinson on sax. Thanks for your response. Can remember opening Whitley Bay Agogo all those years ago!!!
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I did buy a Trixon drum kit at the time!
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In all these comments I never saw any mention of a lanky guy called “Streak”. He had the epitome of a mod Vespa which was copper plated instead of chrome and was festooned with lights and went very fast. When one went for a quick spin it knocked you back. Making the cylinders larger was the key. He was a bit of a geek and I think went on to work with Alan Price’s (going it alone) sound system. He always got a crowd when he parked outside…
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This site just gets better and better.
I haven’t visited for a few years but I note, Mick, that Arthur Wong did not OD. The info came to me sometime in the late 70s. Arthur stayed at my Barnes flat along with Ken Kindred (RIP) probably in 1970. Shortly afterwards I bumped into him slumped on the pavement outside Earls Court Tube Station very much the worse for wear, so much so that he couldn’t hold down a conversation.
Sad to hear about Ernie Bell. I have been in infrequent email contact with him for the past few years but, sadly, not recently. He was much loved by his family and friends. I live in Weymouth and last saw him 4/5 years ago in Weston-Super-Mare in the blues band he had with Rich Brunton (with whom I shared the Barnes flat).
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The only Streak was the guy who was the Animals roadie during their 1983 reunion tour, but not in the sixties. It is most likely the same guy. Maybe John Barnaby, Ian Greenup, Phil Woodward or one of the other members of the scooter crew can enlighten us further as to Streak?
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Hi Allan on post 303. I used to know you quite well, and Ron, Mike and George.You gave me a load of old car magazines! Didn’t you share a flat in Gosforth with the guy who worked at Marcus Price who I think was called Ray?
Like you, I was known by my nickname, which was Happy! My best mate was Pete Dowson. I got to know Ron, Mike and George, and their wives / girlfriends when we bumped into them in St. Ives on holiday.
Others from those days who I haven’t seen mentioned on this website include Johnny (Glasses) Cowell, Billy Bains,Bob Render, Allan Richardson, Alan Corcoran, Dave Taylor, Cathy Browning……some no longer with us.
I live down south now but come up regularly to meet what is left of that crowd and also my Art College mates.
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Re 314 Hi Pete.Yes there is a distant bell ringing about you. I do remember Pete Dowson. Did he not buy Streaks copper plated Vespa? I could be wrong.Yes I lived in the “flat” in Goisforth scene of many a party after the GoGo I lived there with Ray from Marcus Price and Alan Sheriff. He lives in Richmond London Still see him on visits to the UK. I moved to the US in 1971 and now retired to Mexico..
Johnny Glasses! Alan Richardson, Colin McLoughlin, I lost track with too. Any of these passed On? What amazes me is that I thought I knew everyone at the Go Go and the Haymarket but they there are hundreds of names here in this forum I cannot recall at all.
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Hi Mick
Remind me some more about you. That tweed jacket rings a bell. I bought it from you?
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Hi Mike. Did you ever go to see Pricey do his annual gig at that pub in Barnes? He lives in that area and still does it year as far as I know. I spoke to Charlie who was in Ernie’s band a few months ago to pass on my condolences to his family. I remember you Steva, I hope my Marcus Price tweed jacket gave you many years of happy wearing. The last I heard of you was around ’66 time when you went off to live in London. Does anyone remember Roy Toogood? He was one of the Haymarket scooter crew and was awarded the OBE for his goverment service. I was in touch with his ex-wife (Lorna Brewis) until about four years ago. Unfortunately Roy was knocked down and killed around that time.
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Its all coming back now. No idea what happened to the jacket. What name did you go by? Happy? I dont recall that but what else is new. Yes I also saw Ray many moons ago. He was in Whitley Bay then. Always good for a joke to remember.
Ah there were some girls too but I cant remember their names now. I get dizzy reading all the posts. HEY how about some photo posts to jog our visual memories?
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Hi Steva, It is good to see yet another of us having done well for themselves. I have never been to Mexico, maybe one day. I lived in different parts of South-East Asia for a long time. As to me I took over from you in Ray’s flat for a while as I had returned to Newcastle temporarily to try to salvage a tenuous romance. As to the jacket – you did not buy it from me rather you ‘swapped’ it for a pair of slip-on shoes that Mr Bojangles may have owned at one time. If you recall you also sent a letter to Sherriff asking if I was still there, but you did not refer to me by the name you knew me as. I did not stay with Ray very long and left Newcastle soon afterwards. If you care to read my many posts you will see that I am cursed with an exceptional memory – so I forget very little. I have not seen Colin McLoughlin for many years he was in ‘Our Friends In The North’ and ‘Hornblower’ as Master something or other. The last time I saw Ray was about ten years or so ago when I was back in Newcastle for a brief visit. He lives in Corbridge now. Be Happy M
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Hi, my name is Helen Findlay I am David Findlay’s daughter. I have a sister called Anna Louise. It’s been very interesting reading about the clubs and my father who I’ve lost touch with. I would really like to find my long lost family so if you read this and you are a Findlay please reply. I would love to find my father – last saw him 26 years ago.
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Hi Helen I knew your dad in the 60’s. Was your mam’s name Pat? If so I worked with her at the ministry of pensions. I Left Newcastle but kept in touch with friends who kept me up to date with the goings on at the Club A gogo. It is sad that you have lost touch with your dad but he was one of a kind. I hope other members of this site can help you find out his whereabouts.
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Hi Helen, my name is Dougie Vickers and used to be drummer with the Invaders who were resident at the A’GoGo in the beginning and knew your father. I still have Newcastle contacts so I will see what I can find out for you.
You may remember my wife Margaret Vickers who was your teacher at West Jesmond school. She was wondering what you were doing now?
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Hi Barbara Amore
Thankyou for replying to my message, sadly my mum passed away 2006 of cancer so it makes me want to find my dad even more. We moved to Devon to start a new life when my parents divorced – saw my dad a few times but lost touch. From Helen
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Hi Dougie and Margaret Vickers
Thankyou so much for replying. I bet it was fascinating playing in the band at Club Agogo in the 60s.
I was so pleased to find my x teacher asking after me – blast from the past. I loved Jesmond and my school. I have fond memories – I loved my school dinners too! I am currently a self employed carer in the community in Devon. I did catering and I was an aromatherapist for a while too. I hope you are well. My sister and I are on a mission to find our father DAVID FINDLAY from Jesmond take care. From Helen Findlay
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Hi URGENT message to any FINDLAY family please get in touch with me. My name is HELEN FINDLAY. I’ve a sister called LOUISE, our mum and dad are called Pat and David FINDLAY. I saw a post from FIN and CHELLE. I met my half brother David, half sisters Chantelle and Chelle around March 1992. Lost touch – their mum was called Nancy. Was sad to not see them again. I know I’ve an uncle Tommy Findlay. Please help me find my lost family. I am worried my dad will pass away before I find him. Thankyou to anyone with information – my mobile no is 07580452584
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Hi Mick – I think I’ve solved the mystery of the last ever Gogo gig in 1968. On 26th June 1968 an advert appeared in the Evening Chronicle announcing that the Gogo was closing for the summer recess (something that had never happened before in the six years that the club had been open). The Gogo closed its doors and, in fact, never reopened. The last advertised gig for the Gogo was for 22nd June 1968 featuring the soul band Hal C Blake. The Julie Dricoll/Brian Auger gig mentioned in comment #301 was on 23rd May. The John Mayall gig mentioned in comment #300 was on 6th June.
I’ll get around to updating the info on this page with some of the last gigs shortly.
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In answer to comment #301…… I sent an email to Julie Driscoll’s management about six weeks ago and never received a reply, so the mystery of the last gig is not yet solved. Not replying seems to be the way of the world these days.
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#297. Hi Mick, Just back from my summer stay in the Emerald Isle.
The Haymarket was a hostelry myself and the boys rarely visited therefore have no recollection of ‘Ginger’ Dennis.
I do remember-from my occasional visits-the Haymarket was a good boozer with a lot of character Another pub that shouldn’t have been gone the journey.
Talking about the character pubs, our nights to the Go-Go days were always preceded with a crawl round some of the best. The meeting place was always the Old Bacchus, Then we would usually hit another three or four from the following list. Bourgognes, the Chancellors, the Café Royal, the Pineapple, the Black Swan, the Eldon Grill and the Kings Head.
Happy Days
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Pre GO-GO times I went to Kenton Comprehensive School where there was a good investment in the arts. Within the set up there were 2 members who would join groups that played the GO-GO before making their fame elsewhere.
John Walters was originally our art teacher before joining the Alan Price Set as a trumpeter and then moving onto being a radio presenter and producer for John Peel.
Mike Figgis was a pupil at Kenton. He was also a trumpeter and played in the Gas Board. Mike would find international fame as a film producer, his most notable film being Leaving Las Vegas.
Sadly John passed away in 2001. Mike is still very active across the film industry.
The boys did good.
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This is an interesting blog to me as I am the younger brother of Dave and Pam Hazel who often spoke about the various names from the GoGo. I knew quite a few such as Doug Tait, Barbara Patterson, Susan Gibson, Brian Robson and others as family friends and also met quite a few GoGo “characters” who would visit our home on occasion. Thankfully, I did attend the GoGo before it closed and remember the Garnet Mimms gig and couldn’t understand why hardly anyone turned up for such a great singer.
Doug, with reference to your post #199, I think the person you are remembering is probably Susan Gibson, a handsome girl with dark Mary Quant style hair who lived in Rowanberry Road.
The main reason I am posting here is to let any GoGo regulars who knew my lovely sister Pam Hazel that she sadly passed away on 16 May 2017. Thank you Doug and Mick for your kind comments regarding Pam. I liked #148 about Tom Jones as it corroborated her own story. It was told in her eulogy and raised some smiles.
I may be wrong due to the lighting and the unusual angle but I think the girl pictured in the newspaper article “The Home Of The ANIMALS” near the top of the page is Pam.
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Hi Jim I was Barbara Pattison (now Barbara Amore) Pamela was my best friend at school and when we left we had a flat together in Heaton. I am so sad to hear she has passed, I always wanted to contact her but didn’t know where to start and if she had changed her surname. I remember your mum who was a cockney and your dad, I spent many happy times at your home. Pam and I went to the Club Ago Go several times a week. I left Newcastle to live in London, when I did visit Newcastle my folks told me that Pamela was working in Paris. This is my email address: Barbara.amore1@gmail.com. I would love to hear from you to let me know what Pam did, whether she married and had children. Kind regards Barbara
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Hello Jim
I’m sorry about your sister, she was truly lovely in both senses of the word.I’m pretty sure it was Susan Gibson who, along with Pam, was asked by Dave Findley to attend the Tom Jones party. Thanks for clearing that up.
When Bob Render and Pam went to the Twisted Wheel in Manchester to see Ben E. King I was jealous of them both. It hadn’t been that long since Bob appeared on our favorite television program dancing close to Cathy McGowan. Bob and Pam were the coolest people I knew.
Doug Tate
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Doug – last time I saw Bob Render was about 10 years ago when we both did jury service. He had a record shop in Byker but I’ve heard nothing since.
I dont hold the fact that he had a Lambretta against Bob. Someone mentioned “streak” – his Vespa was a beaut!! he worked at Square Grip on the TVTE then I heard he was a roadie for Alan Price.
My mate Rutter’s dad called him the “Vicar”.
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One Saturday afternoon it was quiet in the Young Set and I saw Mr Thomas coming over and he came to say hello and asked me if I knew where he could get his double breasted dinner suit remodelled to single breasted. I have no clue as to why he would ask a kid dressed in Levi cord such a question. I did not know and told him so. I always addressed him as Mr Thomas as did Brian Heterington. I saw a post somewhere that he was seen as ‘scary’- total nonsense, he was a gentleman of the old school and I remember him as being so.
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Regarding 333. Yes I was the one who mentioned “Streak” and his copper plated GS Vespa. I was surprised no one remembered his lanky frame and his over the top machine which was quite fast as he had “hemied” out the heads.I also remember Rutter.
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Is there anyone out who can send in photographs of the Club A Gogo to this amazing web site? There is only one pic I know of a live act and that is John Lee Hooker playing the old set probably 1964/65. There is no known film of live gigs what I know of – there is one which lasts a few seconds of rare footage . There must be pics hanging around in ex-club goers foto albums …. maybe they haven’t come across this site. If any photographs surface then I think a book about the history of the club should written because all information and stories and criteria is here on this site to compile and publish. But careful analysis and revision is needed to compile and publish this book. Just to let you know how much this club is admired a certain Robert Plant went hunting up here recently looking for the legendary Club Agogo. He walked into the Percy pub spoke to this local asking where it was but was told it was demolished years ago, and walked along to it to bring back fond memories of his gigs there pre-Led Zep – his first band gigs. Nice touch. Just a reminder the young set had more atmosphere than the old set. And here’s a tribute to the late great Otis Rush who died 4 days ago – west side Chicago blues. One great guitarist who influenced every major British blues guitarist; Peter Green, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mick Taylor, John Mayall. thanks …. Alan Brack …
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YES SEND PHOTOS. I am surprised that there is none already on site but I did not carry around a camera at the time either. The dim lighting made it even harder…
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There is something bugging me.
When I worked at the club 63/65 there was a local group who played regularly and they used ” I’m Louisiana Red ” as their signature number
Spent many hours with them back then but their names have got lost in the mists that obscure some of that era
Can anyone help with the group or the lead singer?
They did a carbon copy of Red’s original
Here is the link______________________________________________
Hi Dave – the Invaders were regulars at the Gogo from November 1962 onwards. Dougie, their drummer, regularly posts here so I’m sure he’ll let you know if ‘I’m Louisiana Red’ was their signature tune. The other regular local bands at the Gogo during that era were the Von Dykes (from July 63 onwards) and the Valiants. The Juncos started playing regularly at the club from July 1964.
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Hi Dave, I recognise the number but unable to relate it to a particular band. Might have been the Valiants? Those were the days my friend!!! Dougie
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Re photos in the Gogo. In the Years section of Roger’s blog, ’67 there is a photo ‘ Jimmy James and the Vagabonds appeared at Newcastle’s club a Gogo in March’
Maybe someone can recognise the faces of some of the crowd.
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REF. Posts 256,282.
I paid a visit to the Discovery Museum last week. There was a display section on the sixties with some written reminiscences from people who lived during the era. One was from Ronnie Patterson a Gateshead lad who died in Vancouver a few years ago. Ronnie was a Go-Go regular and left his own happy memories for all to see:
Where were you born; Gateshead
How old were you in 1969; 22years old
What was your occupation; Insulation Engineer
For you what was the most exiting event of the 60’s; The Isle of Wight (Dylan)
What was your favourite food; Pease Puddings and Savaloys
What did you enjoy doing; Partying, Riding my Scooter, taking photos, dancing (at the Go-Go) drinking, buying clothes (at Marcus Price)
What did you dislike doing; Stopping at home.
What do you remember most about 60’s Newcastle; The Haymarket pub, the Go-go and all the bands I saw there, Juncos, Spencer Davis, Elton John, Long John, Graham Bond, John Mayall, the Who, the Animals, Sonny Boy, Jimmy James, etc.
Was Newcastle better then than now; Yes, but this is my opinion only, all the good pubs have been demolished.
A good insight of the times from a good man.
Happy Days.
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Thanks John.
Ron was a school friend and later one of the posse I traveled with in those days at the Go-Go along with Mick Kane, George Carr all from Gateshead. We all reunited in the nineties in Seattle as Ron lived in Vancouver BC and I lived in Portland Oregon.
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Hi Steva,
Ron was a happy go lucky guy with a ready smile. He was also a very sharp dresser.
I believe the Go-Go helped to breakdown the social barriers of the times. The relationships I made at the time, certainly gave me a more ambitious outlook on what I could achieve in the big world out there.
I finished my travels about four years ago my final project -like a lot more of our posters- taking me to Canada, and the cities of Toronto and Saskatoon.
Now back home and doing the Sunday night rounds with some of my old team, -Micky Wilson, Bob Griggs and Dave Hembro- starting point is the Market Lane 7.30 sharp. Taking in a couple of hostelries on route we usually end up in the Old George. Along the way a bit of reminiscing about the olddays and a bit of putting today’s world to rights. Check us out next time your in town.
Here’s one for you. Did you ever come across an insulator from North Kenton who was also a Go Go regular called Jimmy Mossom? We lost touch many moons ago. Happy Days
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Yes Ron was a happy go lucky guy and he left before his time perhaps due to asbestos. Forgive me but I dont recall your names, and not Jimmy Mossum either. There were a lot of faces and not always names to go with.them.
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Watched a BBC1 show on catch up at the weekend, Armchair Britain narrated by Miriam Margoles episode 9, about Newcastle, a segment was from 1968 in Handyside Arcade. I’m sure I recognised a girl in it. A regular at the Go Go. She has long straight hair, pretty sure her name was Pauline. Anybody watched it?
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It is Pauline (Party Animal) Lyons and Kenny Cooper is on there too he is the guy sitting on the left in the Kaftan with his head down. He appears on this a few times on the black and white version which is better known.
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John Taberham.
The “White Tide Man” was Peter Lockey.
The old Teddyboy was my uncle Johnny, not my brother.
I do live in Dublin now. I talk on the phone regular to Tommy Catherall, Texy Joice, Kevin Robson and John Scott (Scotty) Colin Carlton’s stepbrother. I used to speak to Colin almost every week before he moved into the nursing-home.
I remember you well John, always with great memories.
I contacted a Jonny Taberham on Facebook asking about you but got no reply.
Hope your well, God bless.
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There was a Johnny Glasses at the Haymarket and I dont know and never asked his real second name. Where are you now ?
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Hi Tommy. I’m pleased you made a post. Saw Texy and Scotty at Colin’s funeral. Texy told me he was in touch with you but he failed to give me your contact details.
I still occasionally meet up with Bob Griggs, Micky Wilson, Dave Anderson and Dave Hembro on a Sunday night. Starting point the Monkey Bar -7 30 – and usually a finish at the Old George. A few hours of reminiscing, laughs and putting the world to rights. Can’t beat it.
I have a small place in Donegal and a brother in law in Dublin so i’m sure we can get together in the future. I’m not on facebook but leave your details with my son Jonathan he’s expecting your contact.
Now your on board I’m looking forward to some of your Go-Go stories.I’m sure you have plenty.
Happy Days.
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Hi Steva
Perhaps I should wait and see if Johnny replies himself but if you look at my first post, number 314, it will tell you.
I know he’s still living in Newcastle but I haven’t seen him for about fifteen years. He hasn’t appeared hasn’t turned up at the last few “reunions”. Those who have appeared include Bob Render, Pete Dowson and Danny Sloane.
To give you more of a clue as to who I am, I never new you in the scooter days, it was just after, when we were old enough to drive cars- nearly always Morris Minors.
A couple of other names from those days – Alan Power – big mate of Bob Render. Alec Sewell, who I’m afraid is no longer with us.
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Thanks Johnny Cowell it is then. Your post reminded me that I bumped into Danny Sloane when I was in Ncle visiting in the nineties. I believe he was still wearing a dark blue Burberry raincooat as he did back in the day. He gave me a lift in his Saab.
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Hi Dougie / VERMEN drummer. Louisiana Red was not our signature tune and we changed our name from the VALIANTS to the VERMEN, Mike Jeffries thought the name was naff so VERMEN seemed a natural follow up to the ANIMALS.
Ref the JOHN LEE HOOKER gig, we were resident that night and somehow ended up with JOHN LEE HOOKER’s green VOX AC30 amp cover – don’t ask how!
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Hi Brian, nice to hear from you. Often think of those great days possibly just you and me left to tell the tale. I am still playing over here in Gibraltar and sometimes in Spain. Must say this is a great site for a wander down memory lane!! Keep in touch Dougie.
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Re, Peter Marshall, Peter the painter, I was in the penny wet one afternoon many years ago with Ken James, the door burst open and in runs Charlie Chaplin closely followed by the keystone cops, one of the cops caught my eye and I said to Kenny that’s Peter the painter, as they passed our table I grappled this cops coat and he turned and said leave it John I’m working, the thing was he told me he was being paid to go around the bars publicising a season of Chaplin films at the Tatler’s cinema, what a guy.
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Gutted, out of town tomorrow and Chris Farlowe is on the Labour Club.
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That is sad, isn’t it?
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Can anyone assist? I recently identified a photo as taken outside Handyside Arcade in the 60’s –
see this linkAlthough there may be no connection with the a’Gogo, I wondered if anyone remembers a blond young lady with a Speedwell Blue coloured Austin Healey Sprite, there can’t be many Geordie lasses or lads who owned one in 60’s. Could it be the owners girl friend and manageress Jenny Clarke?
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Some familiar names here. Steva, Chris Taylor, George Carr but the name that really “jumps out” is Dawn Wright. Who can remember gathering at the Haymarket war memorial at 7pm on Saturday nights waiting for word of a party to gatecrash? No mention of the Alex Harvey band? Geoff
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Ref 346/347. The archive footage is called Love in at the Handyside Arcade (1967) and was put out be nefa and yfa (North East Film Archive and Yorkshire Film Archive the Film ID is NEFA 1083. Well worth a watch to see Kenny Cooper in full regalia.
Here is the linkHappy days
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Does anyone know where Ian (Sparky) Watts lives? I knew him a long, long time ago!
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John Taberham ,, I remember Kenny Cooper, , I also recognised him,, I dont know where I was that day,, I still see Kevin Robson in town,, he mentioned you the other day, , I often wonder where those great days went, , one of my great memories is of Kenny James 21st birthday , outside in his garden, him dancing to prince busters al capones s guns dont argue, he was some boy, sadly missed, , I wonder what Arthur Wong would be like now?
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John Barnaby. You’re right about Kenny James, a legend. He deffo makes the Go-Go Hall of Fame.Heard one about him only last week. Kenny arrived at his work in the shipyards and he wasn’t his usual happy-go-lucky self, in fact he was downright miserable. Turned out he had a “love-bite” on his neck. Only problem was it wasn’t his fiancée who put it there.The other guys convinced him there was only one way that he could get away with it. Desperate Kenny bought it. His neck was attacked with rough emery cloth until it was a bloody mess. A visit to the ambulance room and Kenny returned all bandaged up with his “burner gun” injury. At the end of the shift, with a sore neck – but a great excuse – Kenny. laughed and danced his way out of the shipyard and was on his way to a date with his fiancée. Some boy.
I had a couple of weekends in London with Arthur Wong way back in the day. Arthur gave out the persona of a very outgoing person, the truth being underneath he was also very insecure. I was sad to read of his death.
Would love to see Kev Robson again. Kev, Little Norman and Geordie Spence were our East End mates. Always good for a laugh. Give him my regards.
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Geoff comment 359 : Gatherings at the ‘Angel’ in the Haymarket were a regular thing, Pauline Lyons always seemed to know where the parties in Jesmond were, most times you did not get in though. I got into one Brentwood Avenue which is where I met the lovely Pat Prince who asked to borrow my comb (I used to need one!). I mentioned the Alex Harvey band in comment 123. Are you Geoff Sargieson?
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Did Pauline have longish very dark hair? If so I can remember her. I spoke to her in town in the 1970s but I haven’t seen her since. Some of the Saturday night parties were good but one in particular was at a scout hut off the west road. The organisers were worried because the go-go crowd had brought alcohol and they weren’t licenced. No I’m not the Geoff you’re thinking of.
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Yes, Pauline had the hair you describe, but on the video mentioned by Brian Thompson in #346 her hair is reddish, so she must have dyed it.
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Great to hear the live track from the Garnet Mimms Live album which has just been added to this site. Brings back memories of a brilliant night pity there wasn’t more in that night to witness the little soul man singing his heart out been backed by the brilliant Senate.
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