RETRO ADVERT ARCHIVES

I've put dozens & dozens of local ads up on Retro over the years which have been really useful when referring to a place I don't have any photos of.

There are quite a lot of old publications you can find ads from the past in, obvious ones like a Courier, Tele, football programme, What's On mag, theatre programme, school mag and so on, but the 2 sources I have probably raided the most are Gladmags and Official Dundee Guides.

Above are a sample of some of the 60's to 80's ones I've been dipping into.

DUNDEE'S 70'S BRAINIACS

1978 saw Dundee University win TV's "University Challenge".
The winning team above for the 77/78 series were - Tom McGhee - Isabel Morgan - Alistair Thomson - Enid Anderson.
I'm fairly sure this was the Dundee team who had a captain (so it would be Alistair) that answered every single music question that cropped up. What was amusing about it was he always supplied much more information in the answer than Bamber had written on his card, so generating a more enthusiastic applause from the audience each time!

The other quartet underneath is the Craigie High School "Top Of The Form" team of 1974.
This, however, was not the TV version or the radio version of the show, but a general knowledge contest between local secondary schools organised by the Dundee police.
In the photo, L to R - John Muir - Rab Gordon - Richie Robertson - Craig Methven.
CHS got through to the final but were beaten by those pesky swots at Morgan!
The Morgan winning team were - Kenneth Millar - Alex McMichael - Gwendoline Bowden - John Todd.
Thanks to Craig for the CHS snap.

PETER USTINOV IN THE NETHERGATE

Here's a fine shot of Peter Ustinov having a wee chuckle to himself in the Nethergate.
The 2 shops in the background are the Civil Service Stores and Patterson's shoe shop.
Peter Ustinov was rector at University of Dundee from 1968 to 1974, the era the photograph was taken.
It's quite an amusing image because Peter was really world famous at the time, what with his numerous film awards, his plays, books, his witty one-man shows etc etc etc - a gigantic list of achievements and a colossal all-round entertainer - and here he is in the city centre with a bench all to himself, none of the locals aware of his presence!
Photo by DC Thomson.

THE PDP-10 AT DUNDEE UNIVERSITY - 1976

This monster machine is the mighty PDP-10 DEC computer being installed at Dundee University in 1976, replacing their previous one, the Elliot (ICL) 4130.
The PDP-10 was not only able to cope with the demands of all the university departments, it was also part of a larger network connected to other Scottish universities.
Impressive for its time, but not as impressive as Batman's computer in the Batcave. That was able to digest clues then let Batman know which shop The Penguin was about to raid!

LONG FELT WANT - 1966

These guys here messing about with a steamroller, were a beat group who got together at Dundee University in 1966.
Long Felt Want was the band name and the line-up consisted of -
George Robertson (lead guitar)
Nick Cronin (vocals)
Mick Gate-Eastley (rhythm guitar)
Drew Jones (bass)
Rob Syers (drums)
It didn't take long for them to get gigs as they supported The Kinks at The Palais in April 1966, then a couple of days later they were on home turf playing at a University charity ball.

Thanks to Martin Dudley

GIGS GALORE - EARLY 80'S

Time to catch up with a few gig reviews at various venues from the first half of the 80's.

Starting with Nassau, and a gig that took place at the Tayside Bar in January 1982. This was a funky Glasgow band who were basically refining their set prior to being support act to a couple of well known acts. The review cropped up in the national music press.

Moving onto Jih, also at the Tayside Bar, a gig near the end of '83. Not sure if this was the band's debut gig but it was definitely one of their earliest. However, it turned out to be a night that didn't go down very well with the reviewer!

Another Tayside Bar gig next, this time from mid '83 and featuring Crucial Xylophones who gave us a performance that triggered dancing in the pub. A rare sight for the TSB!

Moving along to the University, with Bow Wow Wow the main attraction, and one I went to. They were very well known by this time and had a packed hall for their lively stage show. This gig was at the end of '82.

A Dance Factory event next and a performance by Talking Drums, early '85. Although the band put on a decent show, it was the Dundee crowd that upset the reviewer (Hilary) on this occasion.

Rounding things off with Plastic Surgery who were doing the biz at Beez Neez in January '85. This time Hilary is well pleased with what she saw!

Click items to enlarge if need be.

ANGUS HOTEL INTERIOR - #3

The top picture is the Dining Room.

The bottom picture the Ballroom.

That serving dish is made to look very large in the top shot!

And that grand piano is made to look very small in the bottom shot!

My wining & dining back then was normally something a little less ostentatious.

One night in the early 80's, steamboats as usual, I nipped into the Chinese Takeaway in the Nethergate, after a really good night up at the University for the Bow Wow Wow gig. Tucking into my meal on the way back to my flat, I was passing the Angus Hotel entrance area when this mini bus rolled up outside. Who should who step out it but the band. I spotted the singer, Anabella, straight away, a wee honey she was, looking great with her new mohican hairstyle. As she crossed my path, instead of being all star-struck letting her know I had just seen her perform, thought the gig was wonderful and all that, I shoved my chicken & chips under her nose and said "D'ye want a chip?". "No thanks mate" she replied in her Cockney accent, as she toddled off into the hotel.

And that was it!

She certainly didn't want to "Go Wild In My Chinky" that night!!

Photos by the Scotsman

WILLIE FREW AND HIS PUB

I thought I'd end this recent short, but cheery jaunt up Hawkhill, with how I started it - a visit to Frew's.

Here's the man himself emerging from behind the pillar.

The picture was taken by Moira Bird who, along with fellow Art College pal, Bob McGouldrick, would go there on Friday nights to sell tickets for the Students Union disco down Hawkhill Place.

Willie was known to slip them the odd free pint when they were broke!

The snapshot was taken around Christmas 1977.

Under it is an item from 5 years later - its final night when the pub was closing down.

This was 24 July 1982 to be precise.

Needless to say it was packed inside, and also outside as well.

Bring up the large version to read by giving it a click.

By the way, I missed out on this one because I was away on holiday in France.

Photo courtesy of Bob.

RIGHT AS RAIN UP THE HACKIE

1st October 1982 : After leaving the Tav, blootered, me, Paula & Marian, decided to go for some grub along the Nethergate. It was raining, but we cared not a jot. Giggling and staggering about trying to negotiate the wee side streets beside the University, one of us suggested that we all change clothes. It seemed like a stoopid idea, so needless to say we all agreed. We found an alcove in one of the buildings where we proceeded to exchange togs. Luckily for me they weren't wearing anything too girly! Now that the 3 of us looked complete idiots, the laughter increased. Further down I spotted this overflowing ronepipe gushing like a waterfall, so we all dashed over and stood under it until we were absolutely drenched. It was all rather hysterical by the time we reached the Nethergate, but we managed to get to the Chinese takeaway. We trooped in like drooned rats, with the girl behind the counter looking a bit concerned. Off the top of my head I ended up telling her that we were over in Tayport, missed the last bus and so had to swim back across! Just for a couple of seconds she actually believed it, till we burst out laughing and gave the guff awa'..!!

FREW'S - HAWKHILL - 1978

Here's an image I bet many of you have been longing to see - Frew's on the Hawkhill.
It's another of Neale Elder's photographs, this one though he took when he was only 14 years old, using his first camera, a good old Polaroid.
A few years later when he was doing his Higher Art at Craigie High School, he made a model of this very tenement scene!
I suppose the pub and the location has inspired a few folk like artists and musicians. I know Frew's gets a mention in a poem called "Step Row Nights" written by author/poet Scott Martin.
If you check out the comments on Retro about city pubs I posted on 12th January 2010, the Captain gives the lowdown on a few aspects of the pub as well as the variety of characters who frequented it - a diverse a range as it could possibly be in fact - from the "Carry On" team to Jocky Wilson!
Captains log...
And when Willie Frew wasn't in his pub at 157a Hawkhill, he'd be home at 22 Finavon Place.
Both rather humble abodes for someone who has achieved such legendary status in the history of Dundee pubs!

DUNDEE CHARITY ALBUM - 1978

To coincide with Rag Week 1978, the University brought out this LP to help the fund raising campaign.
"Dundee Folk" is an album of various artists from the folk scene, including - Aileen Carr - Fair Game - Chris Davies and a few others. It was recorded in Dundee and is on the Better Bacon Records label.
The sound sample I have chosen is by a band called Dingly Dell, who hail from just across the bridge, and it's a traditional folk song about the Dundee whaling ship "Balaena".

RAG WEEK FUN - 1977

There were no shortage of volunteers for this particular fund raising escapade for Rag Week 1977 - The Pram Pub Crawl!
A total of 19 teams took part in the event that year.
The "baby" in the pram had to drink a pint in each of 9 designated pubs in town, while the 3 money collecting "pram pushers" were only allowed half a pint per pub. Well we couldn't have their drink driving endanger the public!
I only have one of the lassies names in the picture - Frances Webster - 2nd left, pushing pram. Anybody recognise the others?
Cue Reeves & Mortimer - "You can't give a baby booze!!"

RAG WEEK POLITICS - EARLY 60'S

A bit of politics crept into this Rag Week procession in the early 60's.
The "Ban The Bomb" symbol was a regular sight in 60's youth culture, and accompanying this particular parade were additional messages pinned to the car making sure their point was getting across to the public. One says "YOU CAN'T VACCINATE CHILDREN AGAINST NUCLEAR TESTS". Another has "JOIN US ON THE ALDERMASTON MARCH".
The location looks like the bottom of King Street to me.

RAG WEEK GLAMOUR - 1968

Adding a touch of glamour to Rag Week 1968 were these 6 finalists in the University beauty contest.
They are - Gillian Pairman - Jeannie Alexander - Muriel Harris - Eileen Walker - Ann Keillar and Robin Swanney.
Not sure if there was one eventual overall winner, or all 6 shared the limelight!

THE GLADMAG - 1968

The Gladmag was a Dundee University publication, sold to the public to help raise funds during Rag Week.

This one here is the 1968 one.

Inside, there is a special message from the Queen Mother, who sends her good wishes for the campaign.

I take it they didn't send her an advance copy of the Gladmag cover!

A lot of students in the 60's did adopt leftist politics, but there is not much of a mention of it in the magazine's contents, it being a light-hearted publication. So the material is mainly a mix of amusing stories & observations, loads of cartoons and lots of local ads.

RAG WEEK - FIRST DAY COVER - 1968

This First Day Cover was issued on 15th April 1968 to mark the start of the Dundee Students Charities Campaign - or "Rag Week" as it is known as.

I remember we went along as a family to the ones in the 60's (when I was primary school age) with our chosen location to view the procession being Princes Street. All the floats and students in fancy dress, rattling their cans collecting pennies from those of us who lined the streets. It was quite entertaining for a young school kid, but trying to chuck coins onto the passing floats was a bit hit & miss, although there were always plenty of student foot soldiers nearby to do the mopping up!

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS - UNIVERSITY - 1982

Another Deadbeat review, this time featuring Stiff Little Fingers, who played Dundee University on 30th October 1982.
I wasn't at this gig, but judging by the write-up, it seems it was quite a lively affair - including a bit of band/crowd aggro!
Apparently, well known bass player, John McCoy was there to see this one!
Click image to enlarge.

DUNDEE RESTAURANT GUIDE - 1981

A reminder of some of the eating places on the go in 1981 can be found in an overview presented in Cranked Up, with Egon Boney taking us on a youthful guide to dining out in Dundee.
For this food tour, EB lists the following - KOH-I-NOOR - GUNGA DIN - HIMALAYA - BALAKA - HIGHLAND STAR - GULLISTAN - BRUNO'S - PIZZA GALLERY - FORTE'S COFFEE HOUSE - RAFFLES - PENTHOUSE - DEEP SEA.
I remember Raffles in the Nethergate/Perth Road got a rave review in Punch magazine in the early 80's. This was when food critic & MP, Clement Freud was doing a weekly food column in the publication. The reason he ended up in Raffles was because he was in Dundee for the Liberal Party conference. He had of course previously been Rector of Dundee University from 74 to 80, so he was well acquainted with the Perth Road area.
He gave Raffles a really good write-up and commented on how cheery the staff were...and Clement wasn't easy to please!
Not only that, but in the mid 80's, Raffles actually achieved an award from the real Egon Roney and got a mention in his 1985/86 publication "Just A Bite Guide".
To find out the ratings by our own Egon Boney, click onto the image to read the large version.

NATIONAL HEALTH - DUNDEE UNI - 1976

I remember this particular event very clearly because this was the first ever Dundee University gig I went to.
None of my mates were into jazz so I ended up going to this one on my own.
It also turned out to be the only time I've ever had a "sneaky in" at University!
My uncle was the caretaker there and we had arranged to meet at 7.00pm on the night.
So along I went on this dreary Sunday evening in November 1976, and sure enough my uncle came to the main door as arranged, let me in, then locked it again. I was unaware that the doors didn't officially open until 8.00pm and so I had the University all to myself for an hour.
When the main guy turned up at 8.00 to open the doors, he clapped eyes on me already inside and wondered what the hell was going on. I then explained to him about my uncle and he was ok about it, although he did say it was a bit naughty!
All the University gigs I went to after that were done properly - getting signed in at the door.
Anyway, National Health put on a good show. They were a very technical band of musicians, using complex structures in their compositions, typical of the prog-jazz associated with the Canterbury scene in fact.
Dundee's jazz-rock outfit, Europe, were the support act.
The tour dates above are from an old NME I have from '76.

MID 70'S AIR SHOT - SEABRAES

Ready for take-off....and on with another mid 70's flight over Dundee.
This is the view looking across town just as the plane leaves the runway. Still too low down to make out any particular street detail other than the Seabraes area, where Perth Road meets the Nethergate.
Seabraes has since been tarted up a bit, but this is how it looked when we were on our Perth Road pub crawls in the 70's & 80's. We used to stop off at Seabraes for a couple of joints when going from McGonagall's to Chequers..!!
Also recall occasionally doing a spot of sunbathing there on those hot summer Sundays!