TIMES PAST Rock ’n’ roll was here to stay in city venues
CHECK out these moves in April 1976 at the Plaza Ballroom. So many readers have got in touch to share their memories of the beloved Eglinton Toll dance hall that we thought it was worth another delve into the archives to see what we had.
Our photographers were on the scene to capture young rock and roll dancers in action at the Plaza’s regular competition. Were you there?
Over at Tiffany’s on Sauchiehall Street, the rock and roll era was alive and kicking too.
“It’s the age of the dandy again for the 1976 rock ‘n’ rollers in their elegant suits at Tiffany’s,” we reported.
The article took a nostalgic look back at 50s Glasgow, when the city was ‘a whirlpool of rock ’n’ roll sound’.
It continued: “The rock capital of Europe, they called it. Bill Haley and his Comets played here and saw a team of Glasgow jivers and wanted to take them to the States but their mammies wouldn’t let them go.”
In the end, laments our reporter, “rock ’n’ roll gave way to the Beatles and the Beatles broke up and ‘Puppet on a String’ was born. “But in small groups, hidden away like guerrilla fighters in urban jungles, the Teds carried on. “And now they’ve begun to re-emerge, complete with all the gear, at Tiffany’s in Sauchiehall Street every Monday night and twice a month at the Watermill in Paisley. “Some roll up on motorbikes reminiscent of Hell’s Angels, more zoom in riding a green Cadillac, vintage late Fiftie s, with tailfins from here to Nashville.” Were you a teddy boy in Glasgow? Get in touch to share your favourite stories and photographs with Times Past.
HERE at the Glasgow Times, we know the tales of ordinary people paint a picture of what life was really like for the men, women and children of the city over the decades.
We want to hear them, for our great new Times Past series, All Our Yesterdays. Each week, we will cover a theme connected to Glasgow’s ‘good old days’ – it could be the parks and gar-dens, transport, dance halls and cinemas, or something completely different.
We’d love to hear your stories and see your old photos – all you have to do is write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, Print Centre, 125 Fullarton Drive, Cambuslang G32 8FG or email ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk