CLIFF RICHARD - CAIRD HALL - EARLY 70'S

This picture of Cliff Richard on stage at the Caird Hall, probably dates from around the 1972-74 period, judging by the clothing being worn anyway!
He has been to the Caird Hall a few times, but on one of his early 70's tours, he had Olivia Newton John as his guest - not sure if this photo is from that particular show.

BARBARA DICKSON - CAIRD HALL - 1981

Perhaps a show that would attract a more conservative, sensible audience than a crowd of teenage rabble-rousers.
Barbara Dickson performing at the Caird Hall on 3rd August 1981, with guest, Tony Capstick, who was a folk singer/comedian.

AMBASSADOR ADS - 1977

Here's some of the entertainment that was going on at the Ambassador during the course of 1977.
March saw ex Ivy League singer, Paul Edison, doing a 2 night stint one weekend, and was supported by a band called McDonalds Farm.
In stark contrast, November had punk band, Eater, who were no doubt creating a more chaotic scene in the hotel rather supplying an evening of cabaret!
December in the Cabaret Suite featured local band, Mafia - a pretty familiar act with Dundonians by then.
But Samantha Shay? Glamorous recording star?? Who she???!!

 

Thanks to Yvonne.

ON THE STREET GUIDE - 1989

I've already raided this magazine for its content on quite a few previous posts, and so this is me just getting round to putting the front cover up on view now.

From 1989 - it's "On The Street" - a local what's-on guide given away free.

Jock Ferguson was the main contributor at the time, with some assistance from P.Ireland, D.Ireland & Paul Clementsmith, the publication being designed and produced by The Graphix Studio in West Port.

It was stuffed with theatre reviews, gig reviews, cinema listings, humour, events, the usual kind of thing you'd expect in a local entertainments mag - and of course, lots of adverts.

Many thanx to Jock.

DEAN EASTWOOD eXtras

A couple of items connected to Dean Eastwood, one of Retro's favourite entertainers!

First is a flyer under his real name, Norman Maiden, requesting you to vote SNP, who he was standing for in 1970.

He was still standing for SNP many years later, up until 1988 at least.

From the '80's is another flyer, this one for a kinkier sideline he was involved with - Hotlips Kiss-o-grams!

A variety of characters to choose from, although Dean took it a stage further by presenting himself as a Sing-o-gram, where he would show up dressed as a minstrel.

So it's X for a vote.

And X for a kiss.

Thanks to Stephen Small

DUNDEE CINEMAS FEATURE - 1989

This page here is from a Tele dated May 1989 and is a feature about the history of Dundee's cinemas.

It coincided with the 10th Anniversary of the Steps Film Theatre who put on an exhibition to mark the occasion.

There are over 40 cinemas listed in the index panel, complete with addresses and dates, and there are also plenty of facts & figures in the main feature itself, some of which are quite amusing.

You don't need to be a serious film buff to enjoy the article, so if you fancy a wee read I've scanned it in large sized.

Just give it a click to bring it up.

DUNDEE'S ENTERTAINMENT DUO

Here's a couple of Dundee big shots who were responsible for organising much of the entertainment in town during the retro decades.

Top one is Murdie Wallace, who, in the 60's when this photo was taken, owned the JM Ballroom, which later in the 70's became the Barracuda and then the Coconut Grove into the 80's.

Meanwhile back in the mid 70's, the Wallace family took over the Palais transforming it into Samanthas disco before it then changed into Bloomers.

So although we rarely saw the man himself, lots of us did spend quite a bit of dosh in Wallace owned nightclubs.

The other photo was taken in the 80's and is John McGuire, manager of the Caird Hall. So again, he would have been working away behind the scenes out of the publics gaze, booking all the acts who we all queued up to see perform live on stage.

He also managed a few local bands, Colossus being one I can recall, and I guess this must be the same John McGuire who showed up as one of the judges in a local talent contest that became known as the "Tiffany's Farce", which I've already mentioned on Retro in April 2009.

Incidentally, that's a photo of Doris Collins on Big J's notice board, and her act back then was "contacting the other side".

I can think of one or two bands who have died on stage!!

MW photo by DC Thomson.

JMcG photo by The Bear.

WHITEHALL THEATRE AD - 1970

Let's find out what was going on at the Whitehall Theatre in April 1970...
First up was "The Lex McLean Show". Lex, you may recall, was a Scottish comedian/actor, full of Glasgow patter, who cropped up on the telly quite a lot around this period. Looks like he had a sizeable team with him for the Dundee performance.
Next was a musical called "Viennese Nights" featuring Marion Studholme.
A crime drama followed it, one entitled "Meet Mr Callaghan". This starred Neil McCallum who was in the TV series "Vendetta". Was he the brother of U.N.C.L.E. agent, David?
Final week had a local production running, "The Student Prince", an operetta presented by the NCR.
This ad appeared in the Courier on Saturday, 11th April 1970.

LOGIE SCHOOL EVENTS - 1970'S

Logie Secondary School was in Blackness Road, and in 1974, as it reached the end of it's life, it put on an exhibition called "Life And Times Of Logie School 1929 - 1974". It was basically a wee commemorative show looking back at the history of the school and area.
The top 2 items are the front cover and introductory page of the exhibition booklet.
Next is a ticket for a different event - the Logie Fair - which took place on 21st October 1972. The school even managed to get TV celeb, Jimmy Spankie, to open it.
Not sure who the showbiz contact in the Logie staff room was but around 1971 they got the Bay City Rollers to play in their school hall for an end of term do. This was way before their world domination days in tartan of course, and back then would have looked a little like as they are in the above photo, posing in their cosy cardie's!
Logie school eventually closed down in 1975, and along with it went it's nickname - The Penitentiary!
The headmaster in it's final years was Peter Murphy.
Many thanks to Yvonne.

JOHNNY GEDDES 80'S ADS

Local, Johhny Geddes, was a magician involved in many areas of the trade.

The publicity ad at the top is from 1980, and highlights his lean towards comedy. Just as well he had a sense of humour because the advert has a whopper of a misprint with his name!

The ad for the Johnny Geddes Magic & Fun shop in Meadowside is dated 1981.

Although I can remember the place ok, I was never in it, but I do recall the masks they had in the shop window, including Laurel & Hardy, old hags and a Maggie Thatcher one too!

Johnny Geddes was actually a professional magician who toured regularly around UK as well as places further afield such as America.

Needless to say, he was in the Dundee Magic Circle, before later going on to become president of the Scottish Magic Circle.

He has also appeared on TV a few times alongside the likes of Charlie Drake and Rolf Harris.

In addition, Mr G has written many books on the subject of magic and managed to find time to run the Jay-Gee Variety Agency too.

In fact, oor man of magic had quite a few tricks up his sleeve it seems!

BABES IN THE WOODLANDS - 1967

This was a DC Thomson shindig that took place at Woodlands Hotel in 1967.
Bit of a twist to the Bring Your Own Bottle idea, but their "Feed The Baby" game seems to have been popular regardless.
I have all the names of the contestants participating, but no idea who's providing the entertainment in the background.
Acker Milk?

DUNDEE DISCO ACTION - '77 STYLE!

A nice reminder of the kind of local mobile disco action that was going on around town during a typical random week back in March 1977.

Starting at the top - with the I.E. Discotheque getting in the groove up at the Ferry Lounge in the Tay Centre Hotel.

Next up we have the Sweeney's who managed to break loose from the Sands for an evening and take their Venus Ultra Disco for a spin along at the Invercarse Hotel - in the appropriately named Spinney bar!

Dancing around the edge of town, the Scenic 7 Disco were pumping out their beats across at the Longhaugh Hotel.

Off to the Golden Pheasant now to sample the ample sounds of the Deepwater Disco, who were normally to be heard along at the Bowling Alley each week.

The Nine Maidens had an over 20's night when the Neoteric Disco stopped off to spin their selection of vinyl in the Silver Cage.

From silver to chrome and it's back into the city centre we go to boogie on down to the Gemini Disco at the Chrome Rail.

The good thing about mobile disco's was it meant you didn't always have to dress smart and go queue up at the Barracuda every weekend just to have some fun on the dancefloor - the DJ's brought the dancefloor to you sometimes too!

The last item, however, has got me wondering - just how many of the Disc Jockeys who were on the road this particular week, decided to take part in the DJ competition held in Tiffany's the same week?

And who ended up the vinyl victor?!



CLUBBY BANDS RULE OK - 1972

Straight outta the Tully dated 14th January 1972 is this Lounge Bar Entertainments guide for the weekend.
Spoilt for choice or what?!
There are a few wee extra bits of info in the guide itself which you can click onto and read the large version of - but for search purposes, here's the basic lowdown on who was playing and where :
...............................................................................
The Hubara - LYALL DUNCAN QUARTET - DANNY MITCHELL TRIO.
Chrome Rail - TWO'S COMPANY - THE GOOD THE BAD & THE UGLY.
Jimmy Shand - WISHBONE - THIRD EDITION - CAMERON KERR TRIO.
Musket Lounge - ALLY ALCORN & D. THOMS.
Broadway Bar - NORRIE.
Scourinburn Bar - THE TINY TOTS.
The Silver Tassie - JIM & ALEC - THE ABBI LANE TRIO.
Piper Lounge - THE GLEN MAC.
Admiral - THE ESPLINS.
The Longhaugh - EDDY KENNEDY.
Oddfellows Bar - THE TRADE WINDS.
The Heatherbell Lounge - ABBI LANE.
Polepark Bar - THE EVERGREENS.
Charleston Bar - THE MINTED COIN.
Copper Beech Lounge - JIM & ANN.
Dolphin Lounge - THE MHERKIN.
The Kettledrum - THE NEW MILL TRIO.
The Elm Lounge - THE RON GALLAGHER TRIO.
Tayside Bar - ALEC RICE & THE MELODYMAKERS.
Ellenbank Bar - THE NEWCOMERS.
Robin Hood Bar - THE POOR FOLK.
..............................................................................................
My cousin, drummer John Lunan, was in Third Edition, but I was wondering if the "Norrie" that's listed was the later to be, Dean Eastwood?
Anyway, plenty names in there to spark some memories for some of you no doubt. Band-wise and pub-wise.

THE WIZARD OF OZ PANTO - 1966

The Thomson-Leng Amateur Musical Society staged "The Wizard Of Oz" panto in 1966.

Not many amateur societies had attempted to do the Wizard Of Oz on stage back then but Dundee's lot made a big effort for their production at the College Of Education. A total of 7 set changes took place during the 3 hour show, much to the enjoyment of the public and critics.

In the photos, starting at the top, we have the Tin Man, James Graham, being squeezed into his metallic attire by Innes Dalgety.

Next are Mary Ralston & Irene Dand in the good witch - wicked witch costumes.

The middle image is Roger Buist being made up as the Scarecrow, with a little help from David Henderson & Jean Baillie.

Not sure which part the next 4 lassies played - Munchkins? Anyway they are - Sandra Bruce, Noeleen Hogg, Vivien Wood & Janet Ferguson.

Finally, a selection of the cast in full costume making quite a kaleidoscopic eyeful on stage!

By the way, I have all the names of those in the final shot, so if anyone thinks they may recognise someone, point them out and I'll let you know.

DEAN EASTWOOD - DUNDEE TIGERS - 1987

I'm gonna squeeze in a few music items now before it gets all Christmassy in December, so the next couple of weeks will consist of a rummage through some old publications and a dip into Dundee's back catalogue.
It's The Old Tay Whistle Test!
Let's get our toes tapping with this...(snigger)...classic, from our very own singing minstrel (or should that be mincetrel?!) Dean Eastwood.
The tune is called "The Tigers Of Dundee" and is a song about the Dundee Tigers, the ice hockey team who's 2nd generation incarnation formed in 1987.
Perhaps Dean's regular visits to the Kingsway Ice Rink explains his choice of footwear!
Thanks to the Bear.

WILDCAT - BONAR HALL - 1988

Wildcat theatre company received this rave review in local mag, Street Life, in November 1988.
The show they put on at the Bonar Hall was for Wildcat's 10th anniversary, and they really went to town with their production of "Fancy Rappin'".
It was a storming satirical rock drama filled with a variety of music styles and the main theme being a typical 80's youthful pastime - putting the boot into Thatchers loadsamoney society!
Meriting a well deserved round of appaws..!!
You'll probably need to click on the image to read the large version.

DUNDEE HIGH SCHOOL'S HMS PINAFORE - 1965

Dundee High School used to (and maybe still does) put on an opera every 2 years.

Their choice for 1965 was Gilbert & Sullivan's comic opera "HMS Pinafore".

Along with the everyday scholarly task of swotting up for their Highers, the pupils who got through the auditions also had to learn around 2 dozen songs for the show, so practice sessions actually began way back in May 1964.

Come 15th June '65, and over a years worth of rehearsals later, the real concert got underway at the College of Education.

The show was given very good reviews in the Courier and Journal, and it ran for 3 nights.

Mind you, the local reporters must have missed the final performance, because on the last night, one of the guys on stage stumbled and fell into the scenery, then one of the singers shouted out "Hooray!" during the wrong part of the song, and to top it off, during the curtain call one of the girls dresses split up the back!

Ah well, life's not always plain sailing!

DUNDEE REP PROGRAMME - 1963

I have a few original 60's Rep Theatre programmes in my collection.

So plucking an example out for Retro, this one here is for a play written by Peter Ustinov called "Photo Finish", which ran for a couple of weeks in April 1963.

You may recognise a couple of the actors in the play who later went on to be well known faces on TV - namely Hannah Gordon and Glyn Worsnip.

Also, if you look closely, you'll see a young Brian Cox listed as being assistant stage manager.

The Rep Theatre back then was in Nicoll Street.

Talented all-rounder Peter Ustinov became Dundee University Rector a few years later in 1968, a position he held till 1974.

Then lo & behold, our very own Brian Cox was inducted into the same role just earlier this year!

Quite a versatile wee troupe!

You may need to click onto the images to read the large versions.

ELVIS LOOKALIKES - EARLY 80'S

 

The first of the local Elvis lookalikes is John Carpenter.

He was a fan and an impersonator.

The cutting is dated 1982 and is a report about John winning an Elvis miming contest at an Elvis Presley convention in Edinburgh.

The second local Elvis lookalike is George Webster.

George wasn't a performer, but was a guy who just happened to look like the legend.

It's true he did have the large sideburns and tinted glasses but this was his everyday look.

He used to drink in the Scout with his mates and go play football down at Riverside, where the photo was taken in 1981.

STREET LIFE MAGAZINE - LATE 80'S

I've already posted quite a few articles up on Retro taken from Street Life magazine, so thought it was time to give the mag itself a wee mention.
This was Dundee's free "What's On" guide for the late 80's, and as you'd expect, covered the local music scene, theatre, style, art exhibitions, cinema and generally showcasing the most interesting entertainment on the go at the time.
The main Editorial team were - John Harding and Andrew Martin - who had a good squad of contributors to work with, such as Pete Hood doing music, Joe Jordan doing photography, and a few others in the mix.
As well as the info inside vying for your attention, the covers were pretty eye-catching too, with their distinctive red, black & white graphics.
Here's 4 examples plucked out at random - top left was the 1st anniversary issue and featured a few of the previous years covers, on the cover. Top right has local band Joe Public. Bottom left was a May Week special and bottom right features The Rainmates. All from 1988.
Big thanks to the Bear