MANCHESTER POP TRAIL
A COUPLE of concert posters for the Hippodrome Theatre in Ardwick Green prompt the recall of ‘pop’ memories for this and next week’s article. Three years apart, they illustrate the changing face of popular music and the artists behind it.
The first poster, dated June 17, 1957, heralds the arrival of Lonnie Donegan, billed with his popular skiffle group as hit-makers. An artist who was originally part of Chris Barber’s Jazz Band, he went solo to become UK’s biggest pop star of the day. He arrived in Manchester with his first number one, Cumberland Gap, spearheading the skiffle craze and influencing local teens to form groups such as the Red Sox from Didsbury, the CC Riders from Altrincham and Teddy Gibbs and the Beat Boys from Moston.
The Red Sox are a great example of how young lads were influenced by skiffle, using it as a stepping stone to greater things. The Red Sox had a young Freddie Garrity in its ranks and it’s confirmed he and two friends, Douglas Eyre and David Johnson, were in the audience that night to watch their hero. It was from this, that they formed a group with washboard, banjo and drums, Freddie on vocals and guitar. The Red Sox made their debut at the Legion Hall in Chorlton, with younger brother Derek Garrity on tea chest-bass.
Headlined by Donegan, the show was billed as a variety, and includes a novelty act in the guise of canine stars, Darly’s Dogs, along with middle of the road singers Miki and Griff, plus comedians Don Smoothey and Tom Layton. The Marie De Vere Dancers add a touch of glamour and the MC was non other than Des O’Connor.
A year later, Des would be the compere on Buddy Holly’s only tour of the UK. The nearest stop to Manchester being Wigan, where Holly and the Crickets performed at the Ritz Cinema on March 18, 1958.
Donegan’s visit to Ardwick is certainly a landmark for the period but within three years the shape of popular music was changing and the arrival of a rock’n’roll tour to the Hippodrome in 1960 is something we’ll look at next week.
For now, if you have memories or souvenirs to share with readers, of Lonnie Donnegan’s historic appearance, or that of the Hippodrome and Holly in Wigan, drop me a line at manchesterpoptrail@btinternet.com.