Memories of the ABC:
From dance hall to movies and music: Iconic ABC night spot that has entertained generations of Glaswegians
So many memories... This is a truly horrible day for Glasgow
FOR younger Generations it is the O2 ABC. The music venue that has staged concerts by big names and up and comping artsits.
For older generations it will be remembered as the ABC Cinema and before it the Regal Picture House.
Over many decades the old building i n Sauchiehall Street has been re-invented and moved with the times while others fell victim to the wrecking ball.
It distinctive art deco façade looks to have survived the fire but the main part of the building, including the roof has been destroyed.
The fire which started in the School Of art behind the O2ABC on Friday night spread to the music venue, which had to be evacuated.
It has been the venue for many acts who went on to fill stadiums around the world and sell millions of records.
From Adele to Sam Smith and Bruno Mars to Arctic Monkeys and Ed Sheeran , who recently sold out two nights at Hamden, smaller audiences have been privileged to witness those acts on the way up.
Glasgow band Glasvegas who have also payed the venue were among those remembering nights at the O2 ABC.
The band wrote: “Gutted to hear about the fire at O2ABC, ws just a month ago we had a very special night at Stag & Dagger. I hope someone saved the disco ball.”
The disco ball at the centre of the venue’s main hall is said to be the largest in Europe.
The building has also been a dance hall but mostly and for 70 years of last century it was the pictures.
For many, parents and grandparents of the current gig going BC customers mention of the ABC means only one thing. It is one of the city’s iconic picture halls.
While others closed down, the ABC along with the Odeon in Renfield street survived into the 1980s and beyond.
In the 1970s it was the scene of long queues along Sauchiehall street for Hollywood blockbusters such as Jaws, and Superman.
Gavin Mitchell, who plays Boaby the Barman in Still Game and a regular in the Glasgow Theatre scene recalled his memories of the venue.
He said: “It now looks like we may have lost the ABC. That beautiful wooden roof. One of my favourite and best venues in Glasgow. So many memories from performing to seeing movies there when I was a kid. This is a truly horrible day for Glasgow.”
It has been focal point of Sauchiehall street for around 150 years. The building opened as the Diorama, which showed artworks on canvas.
Then later works would move and be animated by scrolling the canvases when it was renamed the Panorama.
It was briefly an ice skating palace, before becoming the Hippodrome and Hengler’s Circus, also showing films, and was the site of the first moving picture screening in Glasgow.