Post by wingsj0 on Feb 4, 2006 16:04:26 GMT
Operation Big Beat Rocks The Grosvner! Saturday 25 September 2004 - By Lucy Carter
The buzz of the 1960’s ‘dance hall era’ may well be over, but the legend lives on right now if you want it!
‘Operation Big Beat’ carries on the tradition at the Grosvenor Ballroom, a premier dance venue, the only one of its kind in the borough. The Beatles played here four times among many other Mersey Beat ‘boomers’. Back then, they entertained the local teens and enticed rival gangs of ‘Teds’ who were on the lookout for some fighting action. Sadly, due to the latter, the group nights were cut off in their prime….until now.
The Ballroom was built in 1906, mainly to accommodate tea dances, but evolved into a ‘beat venue’ for a short period, which was become one of the most exciting times in history. Today, the Grosvenor remains largely unchanged, with it’s external Accrington red pressed brick and the internal maple wood dance floor-which is so highly sprung, it leaves you no option to dance whether you want to or not. The magnificent hall is just as it should be, with high ceilings, centre stage and ‘original’ grand piano, playing host to a truly authentic evening.
On Saturday 25 September, the doors were open once again and I was delighted to see Sam Leach (original Beatles Promoter) who had brought along some rare prints of The Beatles, Freda Kelly (the ‘original’ Beatles Fan Club Secretary) and Ray O’Brien (author of ‘There Are Places I’ll Remember’) who is often a familiar face at some of the venues he writes about in his books.
The Mersey Beat originals-‘The Clayton Squares’ were first on stage belting out hits which included ‘That’s Alright Mama’ and ‘Shake, ‘Rattle ‘N’ Roll’ with a notably talented singer in the guise of bass player. ‘Karl Terry & The Cruisers’ really knew how to get the party started. Karl, an animated character told me he’d played with ‘The Beatles’ on many occasions and as I watched this energetic showman with his ‘toe touching’, ‘high kicking’ and ‘finger clicking’ antics, I realised why. Using a red, satin handkerchief as a prop, he performed many classics including ‘I Don’t Know Why I Love You (But I Do)’ and one of his self penned songs ‘Cigarettes, Cold Beer and Sexy Ladies’. I caught up with the legendary Karl Terry between sets, who was leaning casually on the bar and puffing on a roll up. Approaching him, I dared to ask how he could be so energetic whilst smoking those things. What he said quite simply determined what every showman says…"Because I love it!" Karl told me, "You know, there are not enough people here, I wonder if people remember the venue? And when I played with ‘The Beatles’?" By this time the delectable ‘Prellies’ had taken to the stage so I asked him what he thought of them. "I though they were from Hamburg! He jaunted, "They’re great!" "I will tell them that" I said,"They will be quite amused." ‘The Prellies’ were their usual energetic and entertaining selves, blasting out rockers such as ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’, ‘Come On Everybody’, ‘Hound Dog’, Good Golly Miss Molly’ and their now famously received rendition of ‘Shout’!" For authenticity’s sake, Karl Terry joined them on stage for ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’- (in 1961 Karl performed this song at Litherland Town Hall with the temporarily named group ‘The Beatmaker’s’, a beautifully blended combination of ‘The Beatles’ and ‘Gerry and The Pacemakers’)–this was great fun, a pure highlight of the evening for me!
A Fantastic evening was had by all, the only down side being that there were not enough people there to enjoy it. Dougie Darroch, who organised the event, echoed my feelings and was disappointed with the turn out.
Personally, I want ‘Operation Big Beat’ to prosper, after all, it’s our chance to carry on the tradition and I know that many 60’s music fans feel the same. It’s often the topic of conversation that there are not enough ‘group nights’ in prime venues such as the Grosvenor. I sincerely hope we can continue to see the ‘legends of our time’ perform, alongside the many talented newcomers on the circuit.
Lucy Carter
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.
The buzz of the 1960’s ‘dance hall era’ may well be over, but the legend lives on right now if you want it!
‘Operation Big Beat’ carries on the tradition at the Grosvenor Ballroom, a premier dance venue, the only one of its kind in the borough. The Beatles played here four times among many other Mersey Beat ‘boomers’. Back then, they entertained the local teens and enticed rival gangs of ‘Teds’ who were on the lookout for some fighting action. Sadly, due to the latter, the group nights were cut off in their prime….until now.
The Ballroom was built in 1906, mainly to accommodate tea dances, but evolved into a ‘beat venue’ for a short period, which was become one of the most exciting times in history. Today, the Grosvenor remains largely unchanged, with it’s external Accrington red pressed brick and the internal maple wood dance floor-which is so highly sprung, it leaves you no option to dance whether you want to or not. The magnificent hall is just as it should be, with high ceilings, centre stage and ‘original’ grand piano, playing host to a truly authentic evening.
On Saturday 25 September, the doors were open once again and I was delighted to see Sam Leach (original Beatles Promoter) who had brought along some rare prints of The Beatles, Freda Kelly (the ‘original’ Beatles Fan Club Secretary) and Ray O’Brien (author of ‘There Are Places I’ll Remember’) who is often a familiar face at some of the venues he writes about in his books.
The Mersey Beat originals-‘The Clayton Squares’ were first on stage belting out hits which included ‘That’s Alright Mama’ and ‘Shake, ‘Rattle ‘N’ Roll’ with a notably talented singer in the guise of bass player. ‘Karl Terry & The Cruisers’ really knew how to get the party started. Karl, an animated character told me he’d played with ‘The Beatles’ on many occasions and as I watched this energetic showman with his ‘toe touching’, ‘high kicking’ and ‘finger clicking’ antics, I realised why. Using a red, satin handkerchief as a prop, he performed many classics including ‘I Don’t Know Why I Love You (But I Do)’ and one of his self penned songs ‘Cigarettes, Cold Beer and Sexy Ladies’. I caught up with the legendary Karl Terry between sets, who was leaning casually on the bar and puffing on a roll up. Approaching him, I dared to ask how he could be so energetic whilst smoking those things. What he said quite simply determined what every showman says…"Because I love it!" Karl told me, "You know, there are not enough people here, I wonder if people remember the venue? And when I played with ‘The Beatles’?" By this time the delectable ‘Prellies’ had taken to the stage so I asked him what he thought of them. "I though they were from Hamburg! He jaunted, "They’re great!" "I will tell them that" I said,"They will be quite amused." ‘The Prellies’ were their usual energetic and entertaining selves, blasting out rockers such as ‘Hippy Hippy Shake’, ‘Come On Everybody’, ‘Hound Dog’, Good Golly Miss Molly’ and their now famously received rendition of ‘Shout’!" For authenticity’s sake, Karl Terry joined them on stage for ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’- (in 1961 Karl performed this song at Litherland Town Hall with the temporarily named group ‘The Beatmaker’s’, a beautifully blended combination of ‘The Beatles’ and ‘Gerry and The Pacemakers’)–this was great fun, a pure highlight of the evening for me!
A Fantastic evening was had by all, the only down side being that there were not enough people there to enjoy it. Dougie Darroch, who organised the event, echoed my feelings and was disappointed with the turn out.
Personally, I want ‘Operation Big Beat’ to prosper, after all, it’s our chance to carry on the tradition and I know that many 60’s music fans feel the same. It’s often the topic of conversation that there are not enough ‘group nights’ in prime venues such as the Grosvenor. I sincerely hope we can continue to see the ‘legends of our time’ perform, alongside the many talented newcomers on the circuit.
Lucy Carter
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.