|
|
BBC
17/02/2009
|
Features
You are in: Stoke & Staffordshire > Entertainment > Music > Features > The
Place
The Place
now split into two venues
The Place
It’s said that ‘The Place’ in Hanley in Stoke on Trent was the UK’s
very first discotheque. It was certainly well-known for breaking a lot
of the sixties’ R&B stars
The venue, in Bryan Street in Hanley, was one of the country’s most
famous nightspots during the 60s and 70s, and remained open until the late
nineties, when it underwent a series of refurbishments (becoming variously
known as Rosie’s, La Terrazzo, etc) but always returning to its original
name.
It seems almost unbelievable now, but breaking pop-heroes (David
Bowie, Led Zeppelin) played The Place on its tiny stage, as well as R&B
heroes of earlier times, such as Long John Baldry
and Chris Farlowe.
But it was also as, basically a new kind of entertainment – dancing to
a dj who played
well-chosen, popular records – that The Place became really famous. It
was that new phenomenon, a discotheque.
Management
In those days of course, there wasn’t such a thing as a ‘corporate
chain’ and the management under legendary Martin Donovan ran it as a prestige
venue, though they did run a sister ‘Place’ nightclub in Manchester for a
while. They also developed an adjacent bar and dancefloor
under the name of The Placemate, which would have a
different music policy and age-range to the main club.
In fact, the owner and founder of the club Kevin Donovan (no relation
to Martin) wrote a book about the club's great days - The Place (Part One) -
which is now a collectors' item. However, Part Two never got
written....
Terry Walsh interviewed former manager Martin Donovan in 2009, as Martin
talked about how the club developed and grew from its opening in 1963. Martin
himself was originally a punter there, who was asked to manage the club in
1968 (he later moved on to other legendary North Staffordshire clubs, Sammi Belles and Maxims).
Your Comments
Ken Morgan
As a founder member of The Place complete with paper car sticker 'I'm a
Place-mate, Mate!' one of my claims to fame was that Long John Baldry stood on my foot! I remember seeing many names
including Judy Driscoll & The Steam Packet, LJB, Chris
Farlowe etc. There was a great little jazz trio or
quartet playing I think on Wed or Thurs nights. The cold beef sandwiches were
also great. Rules were of course enforced and I recall being embarrased once when we took friends and the management
insisted my mate wear one of their ties.
Jill
I went to the place late 60s early 70s. Tuesday was the best night, great
bands, fond memories of the Place.
Mike Goodliffe
Well I started work at the Placemate with great
management team Barry Salt Jim Heath Tony Plant and Dave Stanley we were then
were clubbing started for the over 18's they then moved to the Place at 21
and to Maxins of Hanley at 23. Kevin Donovan and
Bill Morris certainly got the marke sown up. I
started when i was 17and a half (naughty)1972 and left in 1990. During this time i had seen boy meets girl they get married have children
and there children get married that what The Place,Placemate, Maxims were about they were the people
of the potteries they made these venues there own and supported them year
after year until the big companies took over then it became a percentage
trail and not entertainment value for money. I remember Martin bringing into
the venues tv's for the first time in the uk and large screens to show football etc this was in
1984 and we lanched them with the first showing of
Thriller by Michael Jackson at midnight. this was
great tv's around the dancefloors
and bars how new is that 1984 and people today think its good. Martin told us
to take them down because it wass killing the atmoshpere because people were not talking to each other
anymore how right he was. Great times Great people. Thank you for giving me
such a great life in the 20 years that i was
manager Placemate, Sammi Belles.Chico's Maxims of Newcastle live on in my heart
GREAT DAYS.
Peter Jones
Whatever happened to :- Bruce Beaston
!!?
Barbara Hudson ( Robertson)
Can remember going to the Place and later working for several years at the Placemate with Graham Bagnal,etc.
Worked in the cloakroom and then on the door, taking your money. I remember
these times with great fondness. Those were the good times.I
must say that i have a copy of THE PLACE, it's part
of my past and I would not part with it.I made some
good friends in those days and I remember them if it was yesterday.
Peter Jones ex. Hartshill now S/Wales
Sunday night' if I remember correctly, Fleetwood Mac Peter Green, Marsha Hunt
see what you think of this we just recorded it this week - "ALBATROSS" !!!.and of course, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds.Great, Grteat nights,
including Ttretham Baths Friday night BBQ'S,
Ceramic City Stompers Jazz men, plus great groups.
TONY HALL
I WENT THERE EARLY 80'S TO WHEN IT CLOSED , I WENT
ON THE LAST NIGHT WHEN IT SHUT, I HAD GREAT TIMES IN THERE,OPEN MORE PLACES
LIKE THAT, I MISS THE PLACE AND THE PEOPLE IN IT.
Tony Boulton
I worked the tiny upstairs bar in the late 60's and used to hang out there on
off nights. I remember Bill and Kevin, but also Tony Salt and Dave
Bracegirdle as well as me owd mate Dave Weetman who was a bouncer alongside Mick Massey. Saw some
amazing acts, several off which are mentioned here - Fleetwood Mac, Brian
Auger Trinity, Chicken Shack, Steam Packet, Alan Bown,
Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Arthur Brown. We had some great after hours
Christmas parties, too. :)
Tracy Cope and Gillian Cope
We laughed, loved, danced, and did lots of growing up in the place. We
remember the cellar, the bistro, rockfords, the basement. We listened to the birth of house music in
the mid 80's. Best of all we were sisters who became friends with the onset
of our many adventures every weekend in the Place.
lynda fox
met terry there he played organ for a band from the south called cop n
robbers we used to go to bills house
Delphine Copeland
I worked there as a barmaid, around 1994, made some great friends who I am
still in touch with today. Loved working there, it was fantastic! Then when
the cafe bar became Rose 'O' Briens i worked there as well for awhile before heading of to uni. Great days
Colin Petrie
I may be wrong but I think the last song of the night was Time is Tight,
Booker T & The MG'S.
anne
Does anyone remember one of The Place birthday parties at tha
old Trentham Gardens "BBq
and Splash" had a fab time with my mate Jenny
still see her most weeks about 40 years after.It
could never happen now to much health and saftyI
would also like to know what the last record was "you know the instumental one " !!!
Mick Stone
I used to go about 3 times aweek, great place to go
remember seeing John Fred and his playboy band there one Sunday. also The Alan Bown Set.
natalie x
i loved the place some really good times there sad
its closed - bring back the place
Peter Gilbert Llandrindod Wells
Used to go to the Place and Sammi Bells often with
my mates from Shrewsbury in the mid 70s,what a great
trendy venue with the prettiest girls who all called you Duk,they
were really good times and well worth putting on a suit for a visit.
Jan
Used to go there on pop and crisp nights for the teenagers (Wed + Sun) about
1986 then went on to enjoy R&B all dayers there
and Saturday nights were the best! My friends and I prefering
the music in the basement with Trevor M would meet up with mates from all
over the country who had travelled to be at THE PLACE. They were the days!!!
jossy turner
the best nites of my life spent at the place.the memories and friends i
made their will stay with me forever..
Tony
Just found one copy of Kevin Donovan's book on Amazon. Ordered it and waiting
for it to arrive!
Stu Wykes
I, like John Richardson above, worked for Post Office Telephones as it was,
and spent a lot of time at Stone College. I seem to remember visiting the Place
and seeing "Chappo" & Family perform
there (late 60's early 70's) and possibly Kenny Ball?
Ken Egan
I remember the Place with great affection, I used to live in Broome St in
Hanley which was just a ten minute walk from the Place, so consequently, I would
be there at least four nights a week. I saw some great acts too; Sonny Terry
and Brownie McGee, Peter Greens Fleetwood Mac, Mike and Bernie Winters, Long
John Baldry and a lot of American acts which I
can't remember now. Also, where are all the people I used to know in those
days, Bruce Beeston, Eric Chadwick, Jim Oliver, Brendan Graal,
Mick and Paul West, Elaine Robinson, Terry Dennis, Jim Westwood, John Croxton just to name a few. Those were the days, a
fantastic time and unforgetable memories.
1960s clubs
I was 18 in 1965 and used to go to the Crystal every Saturday. Downstairs in
the Hawaiian bar would be local groups playing the latest from the charts. In
the main hall one floor up was the revolving stage and I remember the
legendary Lonnie with his group Lonnies Few who
would always end the night with an R & B rocker that went on for ages. At
the side of the dance floor was the area where you had your chicken and chips
in a basket and drank Double Diamond. On the third level was another bar
where they introduced discos.
We also used to go to the Top Rank in Hanley. I think I went there on the
first saturday they opened. All I can remember from
the top rank is the open staircase which descended onto the main dance floor.
Every time I hear Tom Jones It's not unusal or Unit
4 plus 2 with Concrete and Clay I am taken back to the Top Rank.
We also went occasionally to the Adulte in Burslem and later to the Heavy Steam Machine.
One place not mentioned very often is the Clayton Lodge hotel where we used
to go on a sunday night. If my memory is correct it
was one of the last places where the dancing was the rock and roll jive or
bopping as we called it. Then gradually they started playing the stand about
and do your own thing dances but you wouldn't get up without a girl.
Somone mentioned coach trips to the potteries for
the night life. In the 80s I worked in Manchester and met people who lived in
places like Blackburn who told me stories of their regular saturday coaches to the potteries for the Place and the
Crystal.
Regards - Mike, Stafford
Luke, Bristol
I still think its good even twenty years on. I had the best time of my life
there in 1983 cause i met
my wife there! Amazingly we still love each other, great club and we just
think its the PLACE.
Dennis Tuckerman
At The Place 1964-5, We (The Levi Set Blue's Band) had a residency at the
Place for those 2 years. Founder Members were Jeremy Spencer (Hammond Organ),
Dennis Tuckerman (Lead & Slide Guitar), Ian Charles (Bass) & John
Charles (Drums). What a great 2 years that was.
We were all still at King Edward VI's Grammar
School in Lichfield, 16/17 years old. We played mainly Elmore James with a
few 'Keep on Running' etc. covers.
Some say Fleetwood Mac began with Peter Green, others say it started here.
All 4 of us are still around, I'm in touch with Jeremy .
I play once a year in our band called 'One Night Stand' if you want to
recapture the music of that era and that Band, myself (Guitar & Vocals)
along with Rob Aston (Guitar), Jack Tuckerman (Drums, Guitar,Vocals)&
Andy Gray (Bass, Guitar).
If our old Manager from Shenstone is out there anywhere please get in
touch!!!
Bob Owen
The Place - best place in the Midlands in the 60's!I
lived in Stafford and went to The Place in the late 60's. there
was nothing to beat it anywhere in the Midlands. I am making MP3s of the
music that was played there at the time and it brings back great memories:
Sock it to em JB, Girls are out to get you, Candy,
Looking for a fox.
Sad to hear that it is so changed
Bezza, Woking
Surrey
Used to go every friday,sat,night in the 70's and
it was just as good on a monday night to. Great
place to meet all your mates. Big pete used to be
the bouncer on the door, he was the gentle giant,and
their birthday partys used to be brill long may it continueBezzaWoking
Surrey
John
Hi. I remember Sonny boy Williamson in the early '60's who was accompanied by
an unknown band from Newcastle upon Tyne - who had a massive hit a few months
later with 'Housing of The Rising Sun ' - The Animals !!!As a direct
consequence of seeing this performance I gave ' 70 's
disco a complete miss and concentrated on live performance. I have met many
artists over the last 40 years and spent many hours in conversation.Thank
you martin for a great job.
Charles Aldridge
nik gee,the
organ instrumental i am not 100% sure it may be
wade in the water by ramsey lewis
i have the record on single vinyl 45 & 33 LP
both on the chess label.
Mike-stafford i was also
18 in 1965 the third level at the crystal was called the brunswick
bar do you remember Mr Smiths & the penny farthing in hanley?
Once waited almost 5hrs @ Mr smiths to see hedgehoppers anonymous sing there
hit 'its good news week'.
The penny farthing where all the birds sipped there drinks with there little
fingers in the air & talked down there noses???.
Also went to top of the world in stafford on some saturday nights.
Jez (Jeremy Kelsall aka Jazzy Jeremy)
Now in Bristol but I used to DJ in "The Basement" on Thurs nights.
Such happy memories, great music (who can forget all that
electro funk, Herbie Hancock, SOS Band and the Jazz
Funk). I can remember when lads were not allowed to dance on their own (had
to be with a girl) - got thrown out once!! Made lots of great friends with
staff & guests. Can still see me dancing with my then girlfriend Bev.
Also used to go to Maxim's in Newcastle a lot - always too drunk to recall
many nights though.A big Hi to anyone who remembers
me!!
nik gee
Does anyone remember the name and artist of the organ instrumental, that was
always played as the last song of the night? Then it was chucking out time.
This was during the late 60's early 70's.
Janie
I used to go late 60's early 70's, they had lots of fab
groups and "Ugly Ray Teret" used to DJ.Worth the trip from Manchester!
Steve Wilkinson
was the Head doorman at the Place for 4 years late eighties to early
nineties. What a great club it was. Met lots of great people and had some
amazing times there. Hi to anyone who knows me
john richardson
In the late 60s and most of the 70s I used to work for the GPO who had a
training school near Stone. At the end of a week's training course we would
all go to the place on a thursday night, and have a
really good "end of course" outing. In many ways its
amazing that it's still there as an entertainment venue, although of course
the character has changed considerably.
john - newcastle
a great club, used to work there when it was great, the Bagnalls,
Steve and his dad new how to run it well for the people. run
down in later years by poor corprate decisions and
non stoke people running it. really really sad that
it's gone
Mike - Stafford
I was 18 in 1965 and used to go to the Crystal every Saturday. Downstairs in
the Hawaiian bar would be local groups playing the latest from the charts. In
the main hall one floor up was the revolving stage and I remember the
Legendary Lonnie with his group Lonnies Few who
would always end the night with an R & B rocker that went on for ages.
At the side of the dance floor was the area where you had your chicken and
chips in a basket and drank Double Diamond. On the third level was another
bar where they introduced discos.
We also used to go to the Top Rank in Hanley. I think I went there on the
first saturday they opened. All I can remember from
the top rank is the open staircase which descended onto the main dance floor.
Every time I hear Tom Jones It's not unusal or Unit
4 plus 2 with Concrete and Clay I am taken back to the Top Rank.
We also went occasionally to the Adulte in Burslem and later to the Heavy Steam Machine. One place
not mentioned very often is the Clayton Lodge hotel where we used to go on a sunday night. If my memory is correct it was one of the
last places where the dancing was the rock and roll jive or bopping as we
called it. Then gradually they started playing the stand about and do your
own thing dances but you wouldn't get up without a girl.
Somone mentioned coach trips to the potteries for
the night life. In the 80s I worked in Manchester and met people who lived in
places like Blackburn who told me stories of their regular saturday coaches to the potteries for the Place and the
Crystal.
John
Hi Terry and Martin, I remember Sonny boy Williamson in the early '60's who
was accompanied by an unknown band from Newcastle who had a massive hit a few
months later with 'Housing of The Rising Sun ' The Animals !!!As a direct
consequence of seeing this performance I gave ' 70 's
disco a complete miss and concentrated on live performance. I have met many
artists over the last 40 years and spent many hours in conversation.Thank
you martin for a great job.
Nathan Hammond
Without a doubt the best night out to be had anywhere in the late 80's. Nisar Sherwani was a very
imposing figure on the door, but a great bloke to know.
Paul Jervis
Used to work there towards the end. Massive shame that once liquid opened and
creation was updated, no money was spent on the Place and it went down from
there. Loved the rabbit warren feel of it, you could almost get lost on a
night out but always bumped into someone you knew. Sorely missed but never
forgotten
derek hollinshead
Great night out good music pretty girls
john gregory
i now live in alice
springs, northern territory, sometimes songs come on the radio that remind me
of the years that i went to that great place., and
the friends i made there.
Yates
I worked on the door when the Place first opened
Charles Aldridge
Meet my wife there in 1968 married in 1969 & its our 40th wedding
anniversary on 15th March had great nights great bands.Ps
what happened to Bill Morris ???
Andrew Blagbrough
Went many times in my youth but best memory was seeing Fleetwood Mac - a
great band!
margaret wood
i used to work there behind the bar, i was pregnant with my son who is 26 now. we had a great laugh.
ray billingham
we regularly travelled from Stourbridge on Saturday nights - a round trip of
about 80 miles but it was worth the drive.
lynn.rosslyn
We used to go on Mondays. Kids night but only because no alcohol was served
and the live bands were cognisance of the times of the last buses.Really fab nights,
building on those Saturdays when we could get in. Fab
timesLove Lynn xz
Mike Knox
The Place was a great Friday night out, but to correct your article, The Placemate was not adjacent to The Place but was in
Newcastle.
BBC Stoke and Staffordshire Cheapside Hanley Stoke-on-Trent
Staffordshire ST1 1JJ
Website: 01782 221281 | Radio Station: 01782 208080 | e-mail: stoke@bbc.co.uk
|