‘A proper rock pub’ which got
ONE OF THE BEST RESPONSES WE HAVE HAD TO A WEARSIDE ECHOES STORY AND IT ALL CENTRED ON A PUB THAT
Top bands and a very distinctive floor - that was The Old Twenty Nine and it seems you loved the place. You just can’t argue with the response we got to this one. More than 81,000 people were reached when we posted an old photograph of the venue on social media. And there was a definite theme to the responses you gave when we asked ‘Who remembers the Old 29’. Ann Spence called it “the best pub in Sunderland” and added: Dougie was a great manager and friend, fab place to be with friends and some of the best bands around at the time. King Crabs with Jimmy Nail, She, Groundhogs, Toy Dolls etc .... happy days, nothing has ever come close to it.” Ann described Dougie as “a lovely guy with a heart as big as a bin lid, bless him.” Lynne Scott told us: “Yes we nicknamed it crystal palace with all the glass on the floor brilliant music many a fab night.” Sharon Reilly simply said: “Oh the memories” while Deborah Anne O’flynnMouzakiti said: “Best place ever- loved the bands Saturday lunchtime- such fond memories.” Thanks also to Claire Vassallo who recalled: “Playing pool on a Saturday lunchtime, 50p in and winner bought the round! Best memory of a band was Little Ray and The Hipthrusters.” Paul Hanratty remembered: “Mecca Rock Night every Friday night - Old 29 every Saturday lunchtime! Saw some great bands in there and then emerged blinking into the sunlight at 3 p.m. closing time! Fantastic memories of the place - a proper rock pub!! Sadly missed. There was also the Middle Earth music shop next door. Bought my first electric guitar there!” Jean Briggs described it as “one of the best pubs in the town at that time.” Kathleen Davidson remembered: “Omg glass on the floor big speakers Annie Lenox blasting out.my best mate visted me this weekend and we were remembering all sorts old twenty 9 was top of list.” Kathleen McConvill said: “Hubby band played there in the 1980s with the groundhogs” and recalled the walk home to Jarrow. Paula Keith loved spending “many a Saturday here with Janet Phillips. Had to dodge under a guitar neck to get in if the band had already started. Saw some great bands.” Ronnie Dunn called it a “Class pub,loved the upstarts pigs heed and all,and the