Music Memories.....

Rejoinder

Newbie
I'm attempting to write a timeline of all of the music events I've been to. But my memory is not what it was. I think...

I'm sure I saw the Yardbirds at the Stafford Rugby Club in a marquee sometime in the 60's. Not sure that Clapton was with them, but Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce were there I think. Can anyone confirm that I'm not any dafter than my wife thinks I am.

I also used to go to Blues gigs at the BRC Club. Positive I saw Spencer Davies Group there, plus regular visits by American blues singers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank.
 

Carole

Well-Known Forumite
@Rejoinder
If you contact Terry Gilder from the Staffordshire Newsletter (he writes the Times Gone By page), he has a veritable treasure trove of memories regarding Stafford History and events. I do believe he has all the old Newsletters to hand somewhere in the vaults as well.
 

Rejoinder

Newbie
@Rejoinder
If you contact Terry Gilder from the Staffordshire Newsletter (he writes the Times Gone By page), he has a veritable treasure trove of memories regarding Stafford History and events. I do believe he has all the old Newsletters to hand somewhere in the vaults as well.

Thanks for that info Carole. Will do. Provided I don't forget that is!
 

Sir BoD

Well-Known Forumite
I've not seen anything 'official' about The Spencer Davis Group at the BRC, but a gentleman called Paul Stanley posted a little blurb on the BBC Radio 2 60s music website about it.

"Paul Stanley, Stafford
From 1964 to 1966, a superb evening out in Stafford was ‘R&B Night’, every Thursday, at the BRC (British Reinforced Concrete) Sports and Social club. A few of the bands I saw there included John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (with Eric Clapton), the Steam Packet (with Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry and Julie Driscoll), the Spencer Davis Group (with a very, very young Stevie Winwood), the Graham Bond Organisation (with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker), Champion Jack Dupree, Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, Elkie Brooks, Zoot Money, Wynder K. Frog and Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. The resident band was the Hipster Image, who’s lead singer and sax/mouth organ player was local Stafford lad, Colin Cooper, who would later go on to form the Climax Blues Band. I can also remember that when the performers were not playing, they would inevitably be in the bar, along with everyone else. I have vivid memories of jostling in the queue to get my pint, alongside the likes of Rod Stewart and Ginger Baker. Those were the days!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/60sseason/your60s.shtml

Sadly, it's not updated anymore, but there are also a few photographs to look through as well.
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
I've not seen anything 'official' about The Spencer Davis Group at the BRC, but a gentleman called Paul Stanley posted a little blurb on the BBC Radio 2 60s music website about it.

"Paul Stanley, Stafford
From 1964 to 1966, a superb evening out in Stafford was ‘R&B Night’, every Thursday, at the BRC (British Reinforced Concrete) Sports and Social club. A few of the bands I saw there included John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (with Eric Clapton), the Steam Packet (with Rod Stewart, Long John Baldry and Julie Driscoll), the Spencer Davis Group (with a very, very young Stevie Winwood), the Graham Bond Organisation (with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker), Champion Jack Dupree, Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, Elkie Brooks, Zoot Money, Wynder K. Frog and Jimmy James and the Vagabonds. The resident band was the Hipster Image, who’s lead singer and sax/mouth organ player was local Stafford lad, Colin Cooper, who would later go on to form the Climax Blues Band. I can also remember that when the performers were not playing, they would inevitably be in the bar, along with everyone else. I have vivid memories of jostling in the queue to get my pint, alongside the likes of Rod Stewart and Ginger Baker. Those were the days!


http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/events/60sseason/your60s.shtml

Sadly, it's not updated anymore, but there are also a few photographs to look through as well.
I can confirm that - I've just spoken to a friend of Paul's in California - the club was where the Stafford Grammar School is now.


Not sure that Clapton was with them, but Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce were there I think.
My source suggests that was the Graham Bond Organisation.
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Yes it was the old Burton Manor Social

The Burton Manor estate was the BRC British Reinforced Concrete vision a la Port Sunlight/Bournville

Never quite came off
 
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John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
Paul Stanley, Stafford
Back in 1963, when I was 16, I went to see Gene Vincent at the Borough Hall in Stafford. He was on top form, and I can also remember being absolutely stunned by his backing band, ‘The Outlaws’. Not surprising really, as I found out a few years later that the lead guitarist was Ritchie Blackmore!
 

John Marwood

I ♥ cryptic crosswords
I saw Bill Hayley and his Comets at Top of the World

It was a school night

And Trapeze played the Grammar School opposite in the octagonal hall with Glenn Hughes who went on to Deep Purple , Black Sabbath and Cannock
 
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Studio Tan

Well-Known Forumite
I'm attempting to write a timeline of all of the music events I've been to. But my memory is not what it was. I think...

I'm sure I saw the Yardbirds at the Stafford Rugby Club in a marquee sometime in the 60's. Not sure that Clapton was with them, but Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce were there I think. Can anyone confirm that I'm not any dafter than my wife thinks I am.

I also used to go to Blues gigs at the BRC Club. Positive I saw Spencer Davies Group there, plus regular visits by American blues singers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank.

You might be confusing two different gig locations from the mid 60's. Spencer Davies Group did appear at the BRC R&B Club (with Steve Winwood who was a member of SDG at the time). Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce also appeared at the BRC Club (in their pre 'Cream' days) when they were members of 'The Graham Bond Organisation'. Dick Heckstall-Smith was also a member who went on to form Jazz Rock band 'Colosseum'.
 

Rejoinder

Newbie
Thanks to all who responded. Lots of good memories revived by the discussion.

And what about The Place, The Belfry and The Twisted Wheel. And of course the Crystal at Newcastle.
 
Hi Rejoinder, I believe your right as my farther John Smith actually booked the band as he was on the committee for entertainment.He played for Stafford RC and latter refereed. I didn't get to see it as i was in hospital at the time being born!
I did get to see him about 10 years ago during his Pilgrim tour and he continues to be my main inspiration to date in my aspiration to play guitar as for many other.
I'm afraid i have no further detail but i'm glad you were able to confirm the story against my fathers fading memory. I look forward to any further comments. Good look.
 

Buggleskelly

A few posts under my belt
I'm attempting to write a timeline of all of the music events I've been to. But my memory is not what it was. I think...

I'm sure I saw the Yardbirds at the Stafford Rugby Club in a marquee sometime in the 60's. Not sure that Clapton was with them, but Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce were there I think. Can anyone confirm that I'm not any dafter than my wife thinks I am.

I also used to go to Blues gigs at the BRC Club. Positive I saw Spencer Davies Group there, plus regular visits by American blues singers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank.
Hi, my first gig was at the old Borough Hall in about 1963/4 where I saw a band called Jesse and the James Boys, who were in the process of changing their name to The CellarKats: Fleetwood Mac at the Yeoman in 1969 ,Hawkwind at the Art College at the Oval 1971, Thin Lizzie on their first UK tour at the borough Hall 71/72, and then twice more after that, The Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, at the TOTW 76(?) Bob Marley and The Wailers, County Show Ground 1980, might have been 1981, but anyway, before he was dead. Too many more to mention
 

Gramaisc

Forum O. G.
Did anybody see Bill Nelson's Red Noise at the Poly, I can't find independent corroboration of my 'memory' of the event.

 
I'm attempting to write a timeline of all of the music events I've been to. But my memory is not what it was. I think...

I'm sure I saw the Yardbirds at the Stafford Rugby Club in a marquee sometime in the 60's. Not sure that Clapton was with them, but Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce were there I think. Can anyone confirm that I'm not any dafter than my wife thinks I am.

I also used to go to Blues gigs at the BRC Club. Positive I saw Spencer Davies Group there, plus regular visits by American blues singers.

Any help would be appreciated. Thank.
 

basil

don't mention the blinds
Enjoyed seeing The Angelic Upstarts at the Poly, that would have been 1979, does that count as recent ?......
 

Tilly

Well-Known Forumite
Enjoyed seeing The Angelic Upstarts at the Poly, that would have been 1979, does that count as recent ?......

Rascal Upsetting
Castrating Pulse
Catapults Singer
Speculating Arts
Saluting Carpets
Cola
 
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