Tower Power
Well-known member
Beach Boys at the Opera House, (1965?)
The Beatles also played the Queens Theatre - long gone now. C&A was built on the plot. Can't think what's there now.Pink Floyd - Empress
Jimi Hendrix - Empress
Beatles - ABC
As I recall one of their songs goes ‘we’re going down Blackpool, to see the lights, we’re going down Blackpool, for a fight!’The Macc Lads on the back of a van opposite North Pier the day we beat PNE 3-0 IN 1987 with 10 men.
They were banned from all venues but managed to play briefly before getting moved on by the old bill.
Here's the footage Blackpool
Yeah I should have had a ticket but someone fucked up GrrrrQueen played the ballroom in 74.
I think we went to see themThey were surprisingly very good, not my normal scene as Levi knows!
Seriously? Hanoi Rocks?New Model Army & Hanoi Rocks at the Bier Keller. Both great gigs.
I remember Spirit in about 1970 at the Pleasure Beach.UP Wilson at The Raikes
Walter Trout at Sequins
(Both courtesy of Mick Schofield)
them where the days good night out for a fiver lolAnd £1,25 to get in
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I was at 6th form so about 83/84Seriously? Hanoi Rocks?
I never knew that. What year/tour was it?
I presume back to mystery city.
I was there.ACDC 1977 imperial ballroom
The Jam Opera House on the last tour.
Stone Roses August 1989
Happy Mondays GPO Club on George St early 80s
U2 in either 1980 or 81 at the venue that went on to be Brannigans I think.
Two Tone tour in 1979 at the Mecca. I don't think The Clash ever played here did they ?
It happened during Glasgow Fortnight and lots of Glaswegians were in the audience. It kicked off- not unusual for a Stones gig in the 60's as quite often they could not finish their set because of violence. Yes they were banned for many years from performing in Blackpool. However Jagger did visit from time to time as his grandparents lived in Blackpool after moving from Barrow.I've heard a similar story told from quite a hard bloke who said it was terrifying. Must have been mental.
Pretty sure we lost 2 1 with the second being a penalty, possibly by Peter Ward who then went to Brighton.Not the best of weekends for you Lad! Did we beat you as well?
Hanoi Rocks was around 83?Seriously? Hanoi Rocks?
I never knew that. What year/tour was it?
I presume back to mystery city.
My uncle was the house drummer at the Opera House for many years. He played with Sinatra but I’m unsure whether it was on both dates or just the one. A great time to be in Blackpool.'˜You know, I could be Mayor of this town'
Heritage is the word. It's friendlier than '˜history'.www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk
Frank Sinatra loved Blackpool
My mum and dad were at that Rolling Stones riot, near the front. My dad told me a bloke right next to the stage said something to Keith Richards, who spat back in retaliation. That caused a further commotion and a policeman who was at the side of the stage came over and started hitting him with his baton. In the meantime, another man had got onto the stage and shoved the policeman from behind into the crowd. My dad said all you could see was his hat flying into the air as everyone got stuck in. Then the full scale riot kicked off and chairs etc being thrown. Believe all the Stones’ kit was destroyed.Re. the Stones riot at the Empress Ballroom, I believe it was the Glasgow fortnight and it was a large group from that fair city who caused the fighting. Whilst not initiators I believe that Keith Richards' foot made contact with someone's head.
Thanks. I remember now that it was spitting, not a kick to the head. Sorry Keef.My mum and dad were at that Rolling Stones riot, near the front. My dad told me a bloke right next to the stage said something to Keith Richards, who spat back in retaliation. That caused a further commotion and a policeman who was at the side of the stage came over and started hitting him with his baton. In the meantime, another man had got onto the stage and shoved the policeman from behind into the crowd. My dad said all you could see was his hat flying into the air as everyone got stuck in. Then the full scale riot kicked off and chairs etc being thrown. Believe all the Stones’ kit was destroyed.
Strangely enough I remember Pete Shelley saying that and I wasn't even there but I remember my mate telling me about it. Most days now I struggle to remember what I had for my breakfast.What happened was during Ever Fallin in Love.... some Nobbers right hand of the stage (from audience) started chanting PRESTON, PRESTON. The rest of the audience rushed over shouting SEASIDERS and gave the Preston lot a good hiding. Meanwhile on stage Pete Shelley stopped singing and said into the mic (and this is pretty much word from word- just something I've never forgot) 'WHOA, WHOA, when I'm up here singing songs about people who love each other and you Seasiders are down there that, you fuck me up, you do'. It calmed down aftre that and tyhere was a bit of trouble outside too.
I was at the Toy Dolls gigThe Toy Dolls, the Bierkeller
Chelsea, the Bierkeller
A Certain Ratio, Stanley Park Bandstand
The highest paid performer ever in Blackpool at the time - £2,000 in July 1950 and appeared twice more in 1953.My uncle Bernie (long gone now) chauffeured him from the theatre to the Imperial Hotel.
Slits played at the Imperial along with the Rich KidsThe support band for the Buzzcocks at Jenks was the Prefects I think??
Someone mentioned the Slits but was that the Mecca gig?
Showaddywaddy got stuck in Scotland due to snow on the runway and didn't play the night they were supposed to play. I was gutted. They did eventually play the gig but I can't remember if it ws the night after or the week after.Showaddywaddy at the Opera House, Stray Cats at the Norbreck, Saxon at the Norbreck and Girlschool before they toured with Motörhead
Showaddywaddy played the Norbreck.Showaddywaddy got stuck in Scotland due to snow on the runway and didn't play the night they were supposed to play. I was gutted. They did eventually play the gig but I can't remember if it ws the night after or the week after.
I was at that gig but thought it was a good turn out , saying that was near front and not looking backwards, good gig and old pal Bobby Carleton(RIP) jumped on stageWith hardly anyone there!!!
Possibly 300, but a great gig
I don’t remember thatShowaddywaddy got stuck in Scotland due to snow on the runway and didn't play the night they were supposed to play. I was gutted. They did eventually play the gig but I can't remember if it ws the night after or the week after.