More fond recollections of music and dancing at the city’s ballrooms

IN the recent flurry of nostalgic comment (Letters, October 22, 25 and 27) on the subject of Glasgow’s ballrooms, perhaps one ingredient that was missing concerned the names of the actual bandleaders.

Many will recall Jack Chapman (violinist) at the Albert before he moved to his long-term residency at the Plaza.

Laurie Blandford (piano) was in charge at the Dennistoun Palais for many years; there was also Billy McGregor (drums) at the Barrowland.

Green’s Playhouse hosted big bands that included Joe Loss, Vic Lewis and Ken McIntosh.

Many local Glasgow musicians were recruited, often via McCormack’s music shop, to augment visiting bands.

Perhaps a sequel on this theme could be forthcoming from Herald readers. Surely it is worth a blow? Allan C Steele, 22 Forres Avenue, Giffnock. YOUR correspondent, David Rooney (Letters, October 27) regrets the absence of the Dennistoun Palais in your interesting correspondence on dancing, as the venue claimed to be Europe’s second biggest dance hall with the innovation of a sprung floor.

As a young man I was an architect in the firm of C.J.McNair & Elder in StVincent Street, Glasgow, which designed the Dennistoun Palais.

On the venue’s midweek opening day, the whole of the office staff were invited to attend, and, since there was no such thing as “Simply come dancing” then, I was able to cope with the more sedate but equally enjoyable waltz, quick-step and rhumba.

Many thanks for the memory, Mr Rooney, of more than 70 years ago. Robert Forsyth, 81, Neilston Road, Uplawmoor. TO answer Iain A D Mann’s implied query about Joe Loss’s signature tune (Letters, October 22): Glenn Miller was the first to record In The Mood, in 1937.

This was an arrangement for big band of an obscure 1920s number that was originally called Tarr-Paper Stomp.

It was this record that made Miller a millionaire.

The arranger was paid $5, which probably works out at a better hourly rate than the fiver Milton got for Paradise Lost. Robin Dow, 40 Mountpleasant Road, Rothesay, Isle of Bute.