Beatles in nelson.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:41 pm

mikeS wrote:Steve Chappell's book, 'Goin' Down the Imp' lists all the bands whoever played there.

I'll look it up.

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:51 pm

Used to frequently walk past the Imp as child in the early 60’s. Bill Haley & The Comets posters always seemed to be outside.

HuncoatClaret · Post by **HuncoatClaret** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 6:59 pm

Saxoman wrote:I actually think the coolest and underrated act from the 60s is Steve Marriott of the small faces. Been trying to get a print of the small faces for my wall, but they are pretty rare and expensive.

The "all or nothing" theatre production which tell the story of the small faces is well worth going to see, I think it's on in Preston this month. Found it
https://prestonguildhall.co.uk/shows/all-or-nothing/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:11 pm

JegunClaret wrote:Ike and Tina Turner, The Byrds, Sam and Dave, Otis Redding, Bo Didley, Cilla, the list is endless.
My brother was the last person to walk out of the Imp.

Box of matches?

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:23 pm

I can remember Status Quo playing the Imp in 1970 and was gutted because I couldn't afford to go

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 7:25 pm

Seen status quo at Blackburn ice arena in the 90s.

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 8:06 pm

Saxoman wrote:Fool on the hill.. its not just the Beatles, I like musical history in general.

Not rupee lane then? Or what you lot need - Help!!

Billyblah · Post by **Billyblah** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 8:47 pm

Dark Cloud wrote:Was it just over the bridge on the left as you come down Carr Road? I thought that was "The Column" or are they actually one and the same. I remember that burning down as although I lived in Rossendale I was at Nelson college between '74 and '76 and we all went for a gander at the smoldering embers next day. My older brother went to The Column a number of times to see bands, but I never did.

Spot on for the location. It is now Imperial Gardens, a cluster of old folks bungalows. Given the number of top acts who played there, the site is deserving of a Blue Plaque to recognise the importance of ' The Imp' as a pop/rock venue.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:06 pm

Billyblah wrote:Spot on for the location. It is now Imperial Gardens, a cluster of old folks bungalows. Given the number of top acts who played there, the site is deserving of a Blue Plaque to recognise the importance of ' The Imp' as a pop/rock venue.

Imperial gardens. Yes, been there on one of my delivery jobs. Sad that there's nothing to commemorate what was once there.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Sun Oct 08, 2017 10:22 pm

What would we be commemorating though?

The Beatles played here in a building?

I can't remember if it was the largest skating rink in Europe (before it was a hall) or had the largest dance floor in Europe.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:00 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:What would we be commemorating though?

The Beatles played here in a building?

I can't remember if it was the largest skating rink in Europe (before it was a hall) or had the largest dance floor in Europe.

Many acts played there, not just the Beatles. If your not as big a music fan as me, I can understand it not being that big a deal to you.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:16 am

Saxoman wrote:Many acts played there, not just the Beatles. If your not as big a music fan as me, I can understand it not being that big a deal to you.

I've lived in Nelson longer than you've been alive.

What would we be commemorating?

These bands played all over the country at that time, and not just in Nelson.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:20 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:I've lived in Nelson longer than you've been alive.

What would we be commemorating?

These bands played all over the country at that time, and not just in Nelson.

Fair enough BOT, you have your opinion. No need to be arsey.

Cirrus_Minor · Post by **Cirrus_Minor** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 7:43 am

The manager used to have a deal with record companies to get the top performers when they were high in the charts. The Imperial ballrooms had the largest suspended ballroom in the north of England. In my opinion it was a real asset to Nelson and the area.

The location was right in the middle of town near to homes and businesses and the night club was never popular with the locals so once it burnt down they would never agree to replacing it. Shame really because having something as like this in the town would never happen again.

CaptainKirk · Post by **CaptainKirk** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 12:46 pm

I was talking to a guy who used to work at the Imp in his student days. He had to fill in one night and operate the lights for a band as someone didn't turn up. He did all right apparently and one of the band thanked him afterward - John Lennon. He signed a poster for him for the gig. I asked him if he still had it but he never even kept it!

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 5:45 pm

The more i look into it, I kind of see BOTs point. Discovered the Beatles played Wigan too. All this is news to me! What a shame its not like that now, Foo fighters at Burnley mechanics or something..

dsr · Post by **dsr** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 5:51 pm

I'm not sure the Foo Fighters and the Beatles are an exact comparison, Saxo.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 5:54 pm

dsr wrote:I'm not sure the Foo Fighters and the Beatles are an exact comparison, Saxo.

Popularity wise worldwide, a reasonable comparison.

Better Call Saul · Post by **Better Call Saul** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:07 pm

mikeS wrote:Steve Chappell's book, 'Goin' Down the Imp' lists all the bands whoever played there.

Not sure if we are talking about the same book but I have in my possession a book by Steve Chapples called Imperial Ballroom Nelson 'The Ballroom of the Stars' 1956-1970.
Just been going through the book which lists and dates every performance from 1956 to 70 and it brought back some wonderful memories.
The opening page of the book says that the huge hanger-like structure of the 'Imp' dates back to 1911 and at one time was the largest indoor building in Europe, was originally a roller skating ring but in 1925 became a municipal hall. The capacity at one time was 3,000 and during its life some of the greatest acts in the world performed on the Imp stage.
A few of my personnel memories include the first act I ever saw which was Herman's Hermits. It was the 4th Sept 1965 and I was still a school which was only a stone throws from the Imp on Norfolk St. We had played football after school and was walking home on a scorching hot day when we heard music coming from the open side door. There was nobody on the door so about six of us just walked in with a football in our hands and stood by the side of the stage to watch the band rehearsing for the evening performance. Rather than chasing us out, Peter Noone the lead singer came over and we ended up having a long chat with him about football. Seem to remember him saying he was a Man Utd fan and we let him know we were all Burnley fans.
My real debut at the Imp when I had to pay to get in was 9th Dec 1965 top of the bill was the Small Face before Rod Stewart joined them.
The best performance of around 100 acts I saw down the 'Imp' was on the 27th Apr 1967 The IKEA & Tina Turner Show with the Ikettes as the backing girls. The show was sensational and probably cost me about a quid to get in. Many years later I went to the NEC in Birmingham to see Tina Turner again in a show as part of the Private Dancer tour. Can't remember the price of the ticket for the NEC but was probably about 60 times the price of the Imp ticket. There was one thing that was similar, the show was brilliant again helped by the a supporting act of Bryan Adams and a guest performance by David Bowie.
Finally my biggest regret was missing the 'Otis Redding Show' in April 1967. How's this for a line up, as well as Otis there was Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd and Booker T & the MG's.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:23 pm

Better Call Saul wrote:Not sure if we are talking about the same book but I have in my possession a book by Steve Chapples called Imperial Ballroom Nelson 'The Ballroom of the Stars' 1956-1970.
Just been going through the book which lists and dates every performance from 1956 to 70 and it brought back some wonderful memories.
The opening page of the book says that the huge hanger-like structure of the 'Imp' dates back to 1911 and at one time was the largest indoor building in Europe, was originally a roller skating ring but in 1925 became a municipal hall. The capacity at one time was 3,000 and during its life some of the greatest acts in the world performed on the Imp stage.
A few of my personnel memories include the first act I ever saw which was Herman's Hermits. It was the 4th Sept 1965 and I was still a school which was only a stone throws from the Imp on Norfolk St. We had played football after school and was walking home on a scorching hot day when we heard music coming from the open side door. There was nobody on the door so about six of us just walked in with a football in our hands and stood by the side of the stage to watch the band rehearsing for the evening performance. Rather than chasing us out, Peter Noone the lead singer came over and we ended up having a long chat with him about football. Seem to remember him saying he was a Man Utd fan and we let him know we were all Burnley fans.
My real debut at the Imp when I had to pay to get in was 9th Dec 1965 top of the bill was the Small Face before Rod Stewart joined them.
The best performance of around 100 acts I saw down the 'Imp' was on the 27th Apr 1967 The IKEA & Tina Turner Show with the Ikettes as the backing girls. The show was sensational and probably cost me about a quid to get in. Many years later I went to the NEC in Birmingham to see Tina Turner again in a show as part of the Private Dancer tour. Can't remember the price of the ticket for the NEC but was probably about 60 times the price of the Imp ticket. There was one thing that was similar, the show was brilliant again helped by the a supporting act of Bryan Adams and a guest performance by David Bowie.
Finally my biggest regret was missing the 'Otis Redding Show' in April 1967. How's this for a line up, as well as Otis there was Sam & Dave, Eddie Floyd and Booker T & the MG's.

A really good read. Thank you.

mikeS · Post by **mikeS** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 8:43 pm

Thats the one, Steve did two editions of it. Sadly he's no longer with us.
Have a look here...
http://www.lankybeat.com/The%20Impnelson.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

West Mids Dave B · Post by **West Mids Dave B** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:48 pm

Some decent acts at the Cabaret Club in Rosegrove I believe...... Not sure if the Beatles played there, but have a feeling they did.

Vino blanco · Post by **Vino blanco** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 10:57 pm

Westmids the Beatles never played the Cabaret Club in the Grove, they were too big. I saw Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas as well as Brian Poole and the Tremeloes down there as well as many other top acts. Also, I played drums in a local band in the 60s; we played the Imp on a Thursday night and the Beatles followed us on the Saturday.

Flatline · Post by **Flatline** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:02 pm

Croydon Claret wrote:This was the picture in the Burnley Express following their first visit there on 31/07/1963

Think they were also there in 68 but happy to be proved wrong

My Mum's in that crowd somewhere.

Pstotto · Post by **Pstotto** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:15 pm

I remember seeing a poster for Mott The Hoople playing at the Imp in the early 70's. Nelson F.C. did actually make it to the 2nd tier of English football and even played Manchester United the season they were in that league. Used to love going to watch banger racing at their old stadium before the motorway ended its days. Might as well call it half-Nelson now.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:47 pm

Some really interesting posters on here if we just talk music!

ebby · Post by **ebby** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 11:52 pm

Eric Cain was the manager at one time and i went to school with his son Michael. One day Michael comes to school (st Josephs nelson) with a picture of him sitting on John Lennons knee.
I believe Eric moved to Blackpool to manage a big entertainment venue.

Better Call Saul · Post by **Better Call Saul** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:31 am

About 1963-64 I used to go down the 'Imp' on a Thursday night to watch the Wrestling whilst I was still at school and not old enough to watch the bands on a Saturday night. Around that time Wrestling was a big thing and shown on ITV on a Saturday afternoon. As well as the top pop stars, the Imp used to attracted all the top Wrestling stars like Mike McManus, Jackie Pallow, Billy Two Rivers, Big Bruno Ellingham (he used to scare me to death). At the end of the night on the way out if you knew who to ask they used to give the kids a poster for the next Wrestling night that had the names of who was on the next bill. They were large posters that were pasted on bill boards up and town to advertise the Wrestling. The thing was that not only did they roll us a Wrestling poster to take home, they also used to roll up any spare posters that advertised the Saturday night bands. I used to pin the Wrestling posters up on my bedroom wall and ended up putting all the music posters away in the loft. I don't want to make up the names of the bands on the music posters because I can't remember who they were but at that time some of the great stars in the world were appearing at the 'Imp' around that time. If the house was still standing I'd go and knock on the door and ask if I could have a look in the loft for the posters but sadly the house got knocked down and the foundations are on Morrison's car park in Nelson only a few hundred yards from where the 'Imp' stood.

Midmoorclaret · Post by **Midmoorclaret** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 9:38 am

mikeS wrote:Thats the one, Steve did two editions of it. Sadly he's no longer with us.
Have a look here...
http://www.lankybeat.com/The%20Impnelson.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks for that link Mike, some great names and dates of their appearance at the Imp. listed at the foot of the article. It was a more famous venue than I realised.

Down_Rover · Post by **Down_Rover** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:13 am

ebby wrote:Eric Cain was the manager at one time and i went to school with his son Michael. One day Michael comes to school (st Josephs nelson) with a picture of him sitting on John Lennons knee.
I believe Eric moved to Blackpool to manage a big entertainment venue.

Went to school with Michael Caine? That trumps everyone on this thread

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:14 pm

Any more stories? Really enjoying this thread.

basil6345789 · Post by **basil6345789** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:22 pm

Go to Mod Squad on facebook Saxo.

ebby · Post by **ebby** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 4:28 pm

ebby wrote:
Eric Cain was the manager at one time and i went to school with his son Michael. One day Michael comes to school (st Josephs nelson) with a picture of him sitting on John Lennons knee.
I believe Eric moved to Blackpool to manage a big entertainment venue.

Went to school with Michael Caine? That trumps everyone on this thread

Not a lota people know that....

Working_Class_Zero · Post by **Working_Class_Zero** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 8:54 pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1ACoKugKKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5e3Q8nS_kh4

Worth subscribing to Donald Jay on Youtube. Has some fantastic videos if you are into local history.

Better Call Saul · Post by **Better Call Saul** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 10:42 pm

Anyone remember a bouncer at the 'Imp' called 'Big Stan'. He was always first into action when (not if) a fight broke out.

lakesider · Post by **lakesider** » Wed Oct 11, 2017 8:21 pm

Saxoman wrote:I actually think the coolest and underrated act from the 60s is Steve Marriott of the small faces. Been trying to get a print of the small faces for my wall, but they are pretty rare and expensive.

Also appeared at the Nelson IMP. I know because my dad threw my ticket on the back of the parkray after a rant about drug taking at the IMP. Some things have changed very little!

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Wed Oct 11, 2017 9:26 pm

lakesider wrote:Also appeared at the Nelson IMP. I know because my dad threw my ticket on the back of the parkray after a rant about drug taking at the IMP. Some things have changed very little!

Your dad made a rant about drug taking, or Steve Marriott?

Elder statesman · Post by **Elder statesman** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 1:58 pm

Better Call Saul wrote:Anyone remember a bouncer at the 'Imp' called 'Big Stan'. He was always first into action when (not if) a fight broke out.

Stan Beeston. A foreman on the Council's flagging team. I think he lived up Shelfield Rd.
They used to ring a bell when a fight broke out.

Smeghead · Post by **Smeghead** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 12:08 am

Saxoman wrote:Recently looked for the venue the Beatles performed in Blackpool, but that appears to be gone now too. V sad.

I’ve only just seen this but I remember a story my grandad once told me about how he was in Blackpool with my grandma and mum and he was queuing for tickets to see Cliff Richards when he noticed a kiosk open for the Beatles, so he legged it and managed to get tickets to see them instead. He hated the gig - he used to say there was so much screaming there was no point going because you couldn’t even hear them play, but it remains one of the best memories my mum has of her youth:)

Dazzler · Post by **Dazzler** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 12:16 am

An elder drinking buddy of mine saw Little Richard perform at the Imperial..says he wasn't a fan of his but his performance that night was so awesome it blew him away.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 12:17 am

Smeghead wrote:I’ve only just seen this but I remember a story my grandad once told me about how he was in Blackpool with my grandma and mum and he was queuing for tickets to see Cliff Richards when he noticed a kiosk open for the Beatles, so he legged it and managed to get tickets to see them instead. He hated the gig - he used to say there was so much screaming there was no point going because you couldn’t even hear them play, but it remains one of the best memories my mum has of her youth:)

Here is the performance..

https://youtu.be/Qxit-xPfkJI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 1:25 am

just watched bradley walsh and brian conley , shite repeat from london palladium, audience was fat hen parties and same blobs that adore simon cowell. Beatles were the most iconic band anytime, anywhere, so dismissing their local appearance as nothing is stupid. Bin ont turf inevitably ridiculed it, but that is his thing. Music lovers appreciate the significance.

Saxoman · Post by **Saxoman** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 1:58 am

Wile E Coyote wrote:just watched bradley walsh and brian conley , shite repeat from london palladium, audience was fat hen parties and same blobs that adore simon cowell. Beatles were the most iconic band anytime, anywhere, so dismissing their local appearance as nothing is stupid. Bin ont turf inevitably ridiculed it, but that is his thing. Music lovers appreciate the significance.

To be fair, I think bin ont turfs intention was to ridicule me. That's his thing.

Siddo · Post by **Siddo** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 8:55 am

Stevie Wonder was on live at the Imp 50 years ago today.

JegunClaret · Post by **JegunClaret** » Sun Oct 15, 2017 1:35 pm

Eric Caine was not the manager, it was his brother Bob.