Sunday Sun

Street parties and Ali’s visit

- By David Morton Reporter david.morton@reachplc.com

IT was 1977, a year which would be marked by three high-profile visits to Tyneside.

In May, the red carpet was rolled out for new American President Jimmy Carter who was making his first official overseas visit.

The President would delight a huge crowd gathered outside Newcastle Civic Centre when he uttered the words “Howay The Lads” in his distinctiv­e Georgian drawl.

In July, the Queen – accompanie­d by Prince Philip – arrived on the River Tyne aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia as she took in Tyneside, Wearside and Teesside during her nationwide Silver Jubilee tour.

There were street parties around the country, including many in our region, celebratin­g her 25 years on the throne.

Also in July, on a scarcely believable visit, world heavyweigh­t boxing champion Muhammad Ali thrilled folk on Tyneside as he toured the streets aboard an open-topped doubledeck­er bus.

Thousands flocked to see him wherever he went, and the champ and his new wife Veronica even had their recent marriage blessed at the Al Azhar Mosque in South Shields.

Our 10 photograph­s from the Sunday Sun archive recall some of what was going on around Tyneside 44 years ago.

The Metro system which would revolution­ise public transport when it opened in 1980 was under constructi­on, and a new children’s TV show produced in our region called The Paper Lads was broadcast.

At St James’ Park, the end of the 1976-77 season saw Newcastle United finish a creditable fifth in League Division One – their highest placing since 1951 – and qualify for the UEFA Cup.

One year after the hugely unpopular sale of star striker Malcolm Macdonald to Arsenal, fans were placated – for a while.

The following season saw United’s form collapse, culminatin­g in a disastrous relegation.

In the wider world, music fans around the world were shocked by the death of the 42-year-old king of rock’n’roll, Elvis Presley, who suffered a heart attack at his home Gracelands in Memphis,

Tennessee. ITV newsreader Reggie Bosanquet announced the news to a stunned British television audience.

Elsewhere in pop, 29-year-old Marc Bolan died in a car crash in London, while groups like the Sex Pistols and The Clash were at the forefront of an aggressive new form of music, punk rock.

In sport, Red Rum won the Grand National for a record third time, while Virginia Wade triumphed in the women’s final at Wimbledon.

In the news headlines, Prime Minister Jim Callaghan and his Labour government, with the British economy in a state of flux, battled to deal with a succession of strikes, including a firefighte­rs’ walkout.

At the cinema, major new offerings included Star Wars, The Spy Who Loved Me, and Smokey And The Bandit.

In the UK singles charts, the likes of Abba, Rod Stewart and Donna Summer found themselves at number one.

And on television there were debuts for Citizen Smith and Brass Tacks, while Jesus Of Nazareth was a major event on the small screen.

Enjoy our photograph­s recalling Tyneside in 1977.

 ??  ?? ■ Newcastle United, 1977 – from left Geoff Nulty, Alan Kennedy wearing builder’s helmet, manager Richard Dinnis and Irving Nattrass
■ Newcastle United, 1977 – from left Geoff Nulty, Alan Kennedy wearing builder’s helmet, manager Richard Dinnis and Irving Nattrass
 ??  ?? ■ James Callaghan, left, Labour PM with American President Jimmy Carter in Washington, 1977
■ James Callaghan, left, Labour PM with American President Jimmy Carter in Washington, 1977
 ??  ?? ■ Tyne Tees series The Paper Lads, which ran from 1977-79
■ Tyne Tees series The Paper Lads, which ran from 1977-79
 ??  ?? ■ Muhammad Ali’s visit to South Shields, July, 1977
■ Muhammad Ali’s visit to South Shields, July, 1977

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