ASTORIA MEMORIES
HELLO, I moved to Canada many years ago and have a story I’d like to share of the Rawtenstall Astoria.
I recently visited my hometown of Haslingden and picked up a copy of your newspaper and saw the Rossendale Scribbler section and with it the opportunity to contribute my experiences.
I’m surprised and dismayed that there is nothing to commemorate the institution as it hosted iconic bands such as The Who, The Kinks and The Hollies in its prime.
Back then, even a trip to Manchester felt like an adventure itself, seeing these working class bands in our provincial town really broadened our horizons and inspired us to pursue our dreams.
My contribution is as follows: “It was May 1965, the air, a culmination of the heated environs of the Rawtenstall Astoria reacting with the light rain which splayed along the cobbles, was humid.
“At my feet was a puddle of yellow bile and a soon to be superstar.
A gaunt, small-statured and curly-haired Roger Daltrey slowly pulled himself up.
“I offered him a cigarette. (An addiction which I have proudly been free from for over 30 years.)
“He took up my offer and apologised in his unique southern drawl, we hit up a conversation and he began to recount the audacious exploits of The Who on their most recent tour, at the time I didn’t know what to make of them.
“As a budding drummer myself I was continually searching for musicians of similar capabilities, most potential bandmates were threatened by my lefthandedness.
“Roger, a fan of the notable left hander Paul McCartney was unperturbed by my condition and asked me to showcase my skills after the acts had finished their rounds.
“Unbeknownst to me, the jam was an audition; their drummer Doug Sandom had recently left the band.
“We began with some basic McCartney and then progressed to early Newton.
“It was during the fifth movement that my hand suddenly locked up, effectively ending my dreams of becoming a professional drummer.
“Pete Townshend laughed and Roger Daltrey walked away, disappointed. I pulled myself together and despite my ailment I migrated to Canada to make my fortune in the booming maple syrup industry.
“I’m now an old mod who has few regrets and is thankful for the things that perhaps a rock and roll lifestyle would’ve taken away from me.
“At times throughout my account I may have appeared self-indulgent and sentimental, nevertheless, I’m just an old mod, who can’t resist talkin’ ‘bout my generation.” John Barrowman Owner Maple Springs (via email)