David Brent

I am reading the excellent book GINGER GEEZER - The Life of Vivian Stanshall (Bonzo Dog Band) by Lucian Randall and Chris Welch and wanted to share a very funny piece from it.
It involves the infamous working men's clubs in the north of England. Many a rising star has had to appear in such a club. The type of club where the master of ceremonies would often introduce an act by tapping and blowing into the microphone and saying "Kindly bring your empty beer glasses back to the bar. Mushy peas now available at bar. Hot dogs for sale in foyer. And now here's Yana" If the people in the club were still talking he'd say "Come on, give the poor cow a chance."
Backstage in one such club in the 1960's Bonzo member 'Legs' Larry Smith asked a local staff member where the loo was. He followed the guys directions but could only find a massive, old fashioned china sinks attached to the wall. Larry called out to the man again that he couldn't find the loo only the sink.
"Aye" said the man again "That's it"
I couldn't possibly p*** in a sink" snapped Larry.
"Some of the biggest names in show business have p***ed in that sink!" came the curt reply. "We've had Shirley Bassey on there, Frank Sinatra, Buddy Greeky, they've all been on there. If it's good enough for Shirley Bassey, it's good enough for you." he snapped ending the conversation.

I wonder whether the clubs have changed very much "Up North" since those times?

Dave.

Steve Crook

I thought that was one of the signs of a gentleman.
If he has to piss in the sink he always runs the taps

Steve

Marky B

At the club where I work now,many years ago in the sixties it had entertainers such as Duane Eddy,the Paper Dolls and an American singer called Solomon King (She Wears my Ring),who insisted that he did not want to use the regular dressing room for artistes,but instead the ladies powder room (aka toilet). Matt Monro was quite happy to use the dressing room,but not some little known singer who has since sunk without trace.
I also remember being in the audience one Sunday night,listening to a singer/comedian,whose singing was going down well,but his comedy was so dire,it was getting painfully embarassing to watch him. I felt sorry for him. Never mind,he became a major star in the West End - Gary Wilmot.
I can say after being in the licensed trade for 27 years,there are many singers and comedians that were so bad,I wouldn't pay them with washers.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

Harbottle

Sounds like part of a script from Peter Kay's rather amusing TV series Phoenix Nights, worth catching if you get a chance to see it in the

tonewheel

I played in a group in the early 60s and I can remember a concert chairman at one particular working mens club had his own way of deciding whether or not a group was to loud on stage.He informed us that if rings appeared on top of his pint then we were to loud. he placed his pint on a shelf in his box at the side of the stage and sat there smoking and gazing into his decibel meter. Needless to say it was not long before the music registered on his pint, and consequently we were judged to be playing to loud.

arty-dave

Which one of Shep's Banjo Boys were you, then?

Jack Gurney

Ah, 60s beat groups and girl groups, working men's clubs, sleazy satellite towns and Viv Stanshall. Four of my favourite subjects in one thread. And yes, 'Something Here Deep In My Heart Keeps Telling Me No' by the Paper Dolls is a classic. I work part time for an online record retailer, and we've done a lot of campaigns with people like Cherry Red, Sanctuary and Beat Goes On who specialise in reissuing that stuff. I'd be interested to know what band Tonewheel was in- I might have their records!! Robin James, who runs the Gothique Film Society, used to be (very briefly) in the Downliners Sect.

And I've got a clear 12 inch by Supercharge as well. I am among friends here!!

"I do not tinker."

foha80

If you like the girl group sound,the I strongly recommend Spectropop,a yahoo group as well as a on line archive for the 60's brill building sound.

4737carlin

Speaking of working mens clubs, im trying to find out who the singer is on stage in Kes, the guy who sings about the whopper! can anyone put a name to him, i believe he was from Liverpool?

Marky B

According to the IMDB,the comedian was played by Joey Kaye.
Ta Ta
Marky B

I am special. The heavens always open for me.

bhowells

Anyone out there a fan of the workingmens club in its hey day.

When I was a teenager in the seventies the local clubs were still King down my way.

At six o clock sharp people in the neighbourhood would start to go out, in order to claim their regular seats for an evening of bingo and concerts.

I have heard so much about the clubs from my familyy that I feel that I was there.

There was the awesome commitee men, the dodgy concert artistes and the petty rules and regulations for guests. The ladies were unable to drink in some areas of the club.

I remember as a kid seeing people coming back from the pubs and clubs when I used to visit my Aunts house when my cousin would babysit for me, after an evening at the club everyone was everyone friend old grudges were cast aside as they bid each other a cheery goodnight.

billy bentley

I remember "Pennies From Heaven" at the workingmen's club. The band would play "PFH", the kids would work around the hall in a big circle and the "grown ups" would throw money(small change) on the floor which we kids would chase.