Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK

Subject: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Ianzblues
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 05:20 PM

I'm trying to find out which Ashton, U.K., folk club Rev. Gary Davis performed at in 1971. I have a reference from somewhere that it might have been the "Gaslamp" or something that sounds like it.

The information is for a biography of Davis.

Many thanks for any info.

Ian

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: The Sandman
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 07:51 AM

could t be ashton under lyne?

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Ian Hendrie
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 12:23 PM

The post dated 27/5/12 on the following website mentions the Gas Lamp in Bridge St, Ashton-underr-Lyne.

http://www.manchesterbeat.com/venues/manchester_cbd/rowntrees/rowntrees.php

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Ianzblues
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 01:13 PM

Many thanks. The Gas Lamp in Ashton Under Lyne does appear to be it. Would love to find someone who could confirm that was the name back in 1971.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jan 14 - 11:44 AM

Try les from chorlton or brian peters, alternatively it might be in the efdss folk directory for 1971, another alternative might be wizz jones ralph mc tell, dave kelly, all playing blues at that time or a person who came from manchester like peter wood.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: The Sandman
Date: 06 Jan 14 - 12:01 PM

Another long shot try ROSIE HARDMAN.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 04:40 AM

We came to Manchester in 1978 so it's a bit before my time - I suspect Brian Peters is the best bet or Jamie Knowles

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 05:01 AM

I think Brian is a bit too young! For a total long shot, didn't Derek Brimstone have some involvement with a Rev G Davis tour back in those days?

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Paul Reade
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 05:52 AM

I used to visit a lot of folk clubs in the Manchester area, but don't remember a club in Ashton, even though it wasn't to far from where I lived in Oldham.

What I do remember though was a Reverend Gary Davis concert at a night club in Oxford Street, Manchester, which could have been part of the same tour. I seem to think the club was called "Rafters", or it could be "Sacha's". The support acts included Liverpool poet Roger McGough, a couple of others I can't remember, with the "bottom of the bill" ... local duo myself and Al Lawrence!

We started the night off with a few warm-up songs, had a great night hearing Rev. Gary and the others. The concert finished at the normal folk club time of about 11 - 11:30 pm and most people went home.

However, as this was a night club rather than a pub, they had a "late licence", so the promoter insisted on putting us on again for a second spot, where we just played to the stragglers whose main interest was taking advantage of the late bar rather than listening to music - for us, not such a good conclusion to a great evening.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: C Stuart Cook
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 07:28 AM

I'm not sure of the pub name but the club was one run by Archie Tawney (Cyril's older brother. It was one af Ash's many stories about The Reverends visit driven by Maddy Prior for the tour.

When Steeleye played the Tameside Theatre Archie and I were in the toilets at the interval and we helped a chap in a wheelchair. He expressed his admiration of Steeleye. Archie immediately said I'll introduce you and off he went to drop his name at the Stage door with a guarantee that Maddy would see him.

Archie is still alive but now in a nursing home (still haven't pinned down which one). I'll also be able to get aname for the pub but it will be a bit before I see the person who knows it.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: The Sandman
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 08:45 AM

so maddy prior or derek brimstone are other possibilities.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Paul Reade
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 09:56 AM

May I suggest that if the thread title was changed to include "Rev. Gary Davis" you may get more response (I'm not sure how this can be done though).

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Ianzblues
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 11:33 AM

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions...I spoke to Derek Brimstone awhile back and he didn't remember much at all about RGD unfortunately. I did not hear back from Maddy Prior when I wrote previously but will try again.

There is a chance the club wasn't even in Ashton, so if anyone knows of another Gaslamp from that era that would be a clue also.

Haven't figured out how to change the subject line...

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: GUEST,Ray
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 11:37 AM

There was a club on Oxford Road called "Rafters" which put of "folkish" music a couple of times - from what I remember there was one club on the ground floor and another in the basement - but I think that might have been after 1971.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: C Stuart Cook
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 06:40 PM

Checked up tonight . Paul may be on sometime to fully explain. The Ashlyne club was at The Canterbury and later the The Highland Laddie. However when they put the Rev Gary on they did it as a concert at the Town Hall.

The Gas Lamp didn't ring any bells.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Ianzblues
Date: 07 Jan 14 - 09:27 PM

The Town Hall show happened during Davis's 1966 UK tour, so that checks out.

The question is where he played on July 23, 1971.

I've just found out that my original source wasn't sure whether the Gaslamp was indeed in Ashton or somewhere else.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Paul Reade
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 05:54 AM

It could be the gig at Rafters in Manchester (see my earlier post). I don't know the exact date, but I do remember it was a summer evening, and was very hot as it was in the basement and obviously very crowded.

Re. changing the thread name, I don't think you can do it - only a moderator can. I'm not sure how to contact them to get it changed.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: Ianzblues
Date: 08 Jan 14 - 10:34 AM

Paul,

Thanks for the info. The itinerary says the Rafters gig was Aug. 3, 1971.

So I think I'm after a different gig.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: GUEST,Thebrassinator
Date: 15 Sep 15 - 06:37 PM

He definitely played Rafters in Manchester in I think 71.I was lucky enough to be there!

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: GUEST,Trevor Pilling
Date: 08 Aug 16 - 02:38 PM

Cathy and I used to be regulars at the Ashlyne folk club in Ashton in the sixties. It was above a pub but I don't remember which one. Brian (Murray) and Bob often used to start the evening with "The Old Gospel Ship", I went to Mather Training College in Manchester with Brian but have seen him since, I heard a rumour once that he had become a nanny (if that's the word) for Eartha Kitt's children. I would be interested in any other memories. My interest was sparked by a reunion of performers at the Troubadour in Bristol which closed in 1971.

Subject: RE: Seventies Folk Club in Ashton UK
From: GUEST,Captain Farrell
Date: 09 Aug 16 - 05:00 AM

Try Jim Schofield or Clive Gregson both on the folk scene in Ashton