This ad is dated 1983, when Da Vinci's was in it's prime.It is actually advertising their "New luxurious ground floor Lounge Bar". The "Studio" however, was upstairs where the main action was - namely, the disco.
You can click on the image to enlarge it if you want a wee read, and spot the fact they spelt Barracuda wrong!
The squares in the illustration are a reference to the glass panels that were part of the main doorway design.
Also, a reminder that there are interior shots available to view in my August 2008 Archives.
Talking about the main door, I remember boss, Frankie Esposito ( who looked like Trevor Horn in his large 80's specs ) used to stand at the door throughout the evening deciding who would get in and who wouldn't! If you were really really drunk the night before sometimes you had to wait a week or two before he'd let you back in.
So then, 1983 sounds we queued up at Da Vinci's to hear blasting out the speakers would have included the likes of - Heaven 17 - Malcom McLaren - Police - The Icicle Works - SOS Band - Yazoo - David Bowie - Style Council - Herbie Hancock - Depeche Mode - Indeep - Tom Tom Club - Freeez - Michael Jackson - Level 42 - Echo & the Bunnymen - George Clinton - The Cure ....and I'm sure you'll be able to rattle off a few others!
Yet another classic - Keep em coming!
ReplyDeleteHappy Days.
ReplyDeleteDaVinci's upstairs in the 80s and then The Westie downstairs in the 90s and early 00s - until it was demolished - was my regular haunt.
Da Vinci's was where I first heard Blue Monday. At one point there was a great but cheesy looking DJ (apologies if that cheesy DJ is reading this...I thought your choice in music was great)..he had sort of bouffant sandy blond hair and a beard and wore a double breasted suit jacket and an open neck flowery shirt. Every week he played a track by Hamilton Bohammon (sp?) and introduced it by shouting "the message is in the muuuuuuuuuuusic".
If any one can tell me what this track is I would be really greatful!
It's a sin that that building was demolished...I believe that it, or at least some of the interior hoist mechanisms, was listed....but hey ho, heritage never seems to stand in the way of money and determined property developers.
Bridie the track you are thinking about is Hamilton Bohannon's "Let's Start To Dance" If you want to check this is the right track check it out in this player here there's a preview.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.last.fm/music/Bohannon
The description of that DJ sounds familiar but definitely not me. I've a sneaking suspicion who it is but may need to check before I name the person in case I'm wrong.
Was it no Nick who is now restaraunt manager at The Rep.
ReplyDeleteDef no Frankie Mills
That's it...Let's Start to Dance... that's the very one and I am now instantly transported back to DaVinci's circa 1983!!
ReplyDeleteI've still got that Bohannon 12 inch in my collection. It's actually dated 1981, on London Records. This Da Vinci's version was when it was re-released with the rapping on it, called "let's start to dance again". The original was released in 1978 and called "let's start the dance". The original was massive on the dancefloor down at the Sands back then. The female vocalist on it is Carolyn Crawford.
ReplyDeleteWas the DJ Andy B?
ReplyDeleteHistorian not sure if it was Andy B I'm sure Andy had another residency around that time, it was a long time ago, it was someone else I was thinking about and I can't remember Andy having a beard.
ReplyDeleteJust for those who didn't know Andy is sadly no longer with us and died last year RIP Andy and no doubt he's still entertaining people up there.
Hmm cheesy Dj I'm not admitting to being cheesy, as that was the not the image I was trying to portray. Sophisticated maybe. I didn't have a beard either, but a really crap moustache. I was the resident Dj there initially in 1980, which was downstairs before the refurb that saw the Studio open. Then upstairs in the Studio when it opened until Frank and I had a difference of opinion in 83. (which I have always kinda regretted, but Frank could be difficult sometimes as I'm sure he will admit). I have loads of great memories and still meet people who remember it. I met my wife there (she was one of the army of barmaids) and got married shortly after we both left. I never went back in there until we came back to Dundee in the 90s and couldn't get my head round the changes to the decor etc. Love the way people always mention the music, which could jump between Orange Juice, Bowie, Bauhaus and Bucks Fizz.
ReplyDeleteJust checked with my wife and she doesn't remember me ever wearing a flowery shirt (thank god). The music sounds about right though was definitely one of the first to play New Order Blue Monday and Lets start II dance again (in Dundee at least). When I left I managed to leave most of my records there (there was a dispute about who had paid for them although mine had my name written on them), however the copy of Blue Monday has survived and is still with me. I used to get a real (friendly) slagging from the great (and sadly missed) Dave Calikes about mixing pop with the darker electronic stuff as well as the (Disco) dance/funkier stuff. When we moved back to Dundee we were viewing a house, when the owner recognised me and said he had Dj'd in Da Vinci's after me (I cant remember his name). He gestured to a shelf full of records, which he said he still had from those days. Glancing along the spines I recognised a few, I didn't pull them out to check for my name though.
ReplyDeleteClassic stuff!
ReplyDeleteOh I loved Da Vinci's circa 1981/82. I remember the bespeckled owner Frankie also opened up a stall in Ninewells Hospital. As a nurse I was also a bit embarrassed to be seen in my puritan state when he'd also seen me at my worst ! He always looked miserable lol !
ReplyDeleteOh the good old days..This was my fav place to be..I dated one of the dj's Gordon thought I was the bees knees then ..lol!
ReplyDeleteI used to be one of the Barmen in Da Vincis at this time and had a great time there before setting off on a hospitality career. My name is Kevin Wilkie and wa 19/20at the time. I worked there for about 10 months and Frankie's mum was the chef. She was a great lady and made great lasagne. Frankie may not of smiled much but he was a good boss. Hed set me on the road to hotels and I am grateful to him for that. The atmosphere was graet and a good local band that I remeber from that time was "No fixed abode", one song i remember was "Crazy Green Eyes". My memeories were of good times and good people. The bouncer was a great lad too but I cant remeber his name.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the blog did not know it existed till my sister telt me.