Your best memories of
HERE are some more of your memories of Southport Theatre as it celebrates its 45th anniversary.
David Maher said: “I saw Billy Connolly on his Big Wee Tour in 1979. He played Southport Theatre in February.
“He was so funny I ended up in stitches rolling around in the aisle or as he would put it ‘slap yer thigh, bite the carpet!’”
Debbie Ireland said: “I remember seeing Chuck Berry there back in the 1970s.”
Geraldine Platt said: “My dad was a firemen and every Christmas the older children went to see the annual panto, whilst the younger ones had a party at the station. Many happy memories. Also remember the Radio One Roadshow in the Floral Hall Gardens.”
Ian Barber said: “My father opened it. Best live show I went to was Barry White, everyone from toddlers to OAPs were dancing in the aisles.”
Susan Stacey said: “My first concert, if I recall, in early 1970s, was a free ticket to see Helen Reddy, which was being recorded for TV. I saw the premiere of the film Mr Love – which had been filmed in Southport – and David Essex. I also saw pantomimes which were performed at Christmas for policemen’s children.”
Joan Violet Stretch said: “I met the Everly Brothers and Phil kissed me on the cheek, I will never forget that, he was one of the nicest people,
“I met David Essex and we really chatted. I met Frankie Vaughan with my mother and we both got his autograph.
“I saw Donovan, The Shadows, saw Ken Dodd and met him in the foyer when he signed my tickling stick. Saw Aled Jones it was a wonderful show, and saw Don Williams.
“I saw The Manfreds when they re-formed a couple of times at the theatre and The Blues Band always managed to meet Paul Jones. I even saw Don Estelle and Windsor Davis and chatted to them with my mother.”
Neville Grundy said: “At the Southport Theatre & Floral Hall complex, I have seen: Black Sabbath, supported by Van Halen; Tom Robinson Band; Manfred Mann’s Earth Band; Daryl Hall & John Oates; Justin Hayward & John Lodge (from the Moody Blues); Kim Wilde; Marvyn Gaye; Steve Gibbons Band; Donovan; Ray Davies (ex-Kinks); Steeleye Span; Harry Chapin; the Chieftains; Clannad; Fairport Convention; Nancy Griffiths; Status Quo; plus the ’60s roadshow – Marty Wilde, Johnny Leyton, Eden Kane, the Vernons Girls and Joe Brown.
“Sorry I decided not to go to: The Crusaders with Randy Crawford; Bill Haley; Tina Turner.
“There may be more that have slipped my mind. Unfortunately, the great Marlene Dietrich was before my time.”
Jane Hamill said: “We saw The Flying Pickets there in the early ’80s (I was about nine or 10) and Don McLean in 1991. Our school held our end-ofyear awards day there every year.”
Sue E Long said: “Roy Orbison, who sang every song sounding just like the recordings, all he said after every one was ‘Thank y’all’ then on to the next big hit.
“Showaddywaddy, Flying Pickets, Leo Sayer, Houghton Weavers, Morecambe & Wise, Mike Harding, Ken Dodd and many more.
“Absolute favourite was Kenny Rogers, my friend and I were in the very front row, swaying along to Lucille.”
Margaret Hunt said: “I know I so wanted to see Johnny Mathis, he was a great favourite of mine. I could not get a ticket, I kept calling in case of a cancellation, no luck.
“The night before, my brother told me he was going, his girlfriend had got tickets. Then he said: ‘Who is Johnny Mathis?’ I could have smacked him.
“I did get to see another pash of mine however, Jack Jones, oh WOW.”
Lorraine Jackson said: “Never missed a Jack Jones concert. Went to see Johnny Mathis, fabulous voice, but no personality. I don’t think he said a word apart from thank you at the end!”
Caroline Parkes said: “I went to see Johnny Mathis in 1979. Have also seen Neil Sedaka and Cliff Richard.”
Lorna Thomas said: “Watched Bananarama here in the early ’80s as well as Ken Dodd.”
Alan Thomas said: “The great Frankie Laine in 1970s was one of my all time favourites! Plus Pat Boone, PJ Proby later years, and Hank Marvin and son, lots of good stuff including Bernie Flint, very entertaining!”
Julia Bloomfield Abram said: “I saw David Essex, Mud, Sweet, Glitter Band and GG and The Three Degrees to name a few.”
Adey Ord said: “I went to see Showaddywaddy and Rod Hull and Emu as a child, more recently I drove the mobile crane that erected all the steelwork when the entrance / foyer was renovated.”
Lynn Abram said: “I saw Sarah Vaughan, Joe Brown, Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Houghton Weavers, Showaddywaddy and many more!”
Jools Rawcliffe said: “Saw Roy Wood & Wizzard, Cliff Richard, Alvin Stardust, Focus, French & Saunders, Phil Cool, Jasper Carrott, Tim Vine was a warm-up act for someone too, can’t remember who though!”
Mike Lockhart said: “I saw Victor Borge, could not stop laughing.”
Sue Rudd said: “David Essex, The Real Thing, Gladys Knight and the Pips, New Seekers, Barry White, Gary Glitter and the G band, pantomimes – some great nights in the ’70s.”
Margaret Hunt said; “Petula Clark, Buddy Rich, Matt Monro, The Shadows, Billy Pearce, Joe Longthorne, Paul Daniels, Tommy Trafford pantos...”
Veronica Green said: I saw David Essex, Elton John and Kiki Dee, the Bay City Rollers, Gary Glitter, The Real Thing and many more, what an era to live in.”
Elaine Rose Senior said: “I remember seeing Cliff Richard, The Shadows, Riverdance and lots of pantomimes with Tommy Trafford in the 1980s. Great times.”
Pauline Hadfield Graham said: “I have been to