manchester sports guild folk club

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Anna Booth
Date: 11 Nov 15 - 09:01 PM

I remembrer the MSG very well, singers like Ewan Maccoll, Peggy Seeger, Alex Campbell, I seem to remember a trio of girls 'The Grehan Sisters'. there were so many singers back in those days. Fabulous memories.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Mar 15 - 08:17 PM

Anybody Heard of the "Northwest folk four", Folk group going back the mid sixties, or have they made any recordings? ,I am now in my seventies in [e-mail]

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Alan Simpson
Date: 02 Aug 14 - 12:28 PM

Worked there part time as a waiter in the early 70s upstairs in the folk club and down stairs in the smoke filled Jazz cellar.Until I recieved my marching orders from Jenks. Saw lots of acts, Noel Murphy with a young lad called "Shaggis" who later went on to a support Elton John,Magna Carta,the late Tony Capstick,Maynard Ferguson Big band,Martin Carthy and numerous others.Had a great time was there the weekend we changed over to the decimal system made a fortune in tips as nobody could work out the coinage.Happy days

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Guest, Bryn Pugh
Date: 25 Apr 14 - 06:56 AM

If any of you folkers might wish to get in touch, my E-Mail address is

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Guest, Bryn Pugh
Date: 25 Apr 14 - 06:48 AM

If any of you folkers wish to get in touch, you can find me at

[e-mail]

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Saska
Date: 17 Oct 13 - 07:39 AM

It struck me as funny that somebody posted that 'Jenks' & Pete Ryder had a 'hate- hate' relationship. Jenks 'hated' Pete so much that
Pete was one of the most frequently booked singers ever at the MSG. I know for a fact that Jenks had a very high regard for Pete's talent. However,Jenks did loathe the Liverpool Spinners with a vengeance.
   For my part,i got on very well indeed with Jenks,as prickly as he could be sometimes.I always found him to be almost unscrupulously fair minded,& if you were straight with him,he respected that.
I owe my one & only 'claim to fame' to Jenks. When i had my band together,''The Dog Hobble Ramblers''along with Tom 'Smiley' Bowker on Mandolin & with his cousin Mike Bowker on Guitar & singing lead,& John Henderson on Bass Fiddle,we actually opened for 'Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys' in June '66. I suppose being the only Manchester based Bluegrass band had an advantage.
This morning,another name from the past sprang to mind - Maria Lowden (Louden ?). Maria was a pretty regular MSG member - anybody got any info.regarding her ?,
                            Regards to all - Ivan Kelsall

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Llanfair
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 03:46 PM

I've really enjoyed reading through this thread, and re-living the MSG experience. We will never see the like again. I feel proud to have done my bit on singers' nights there.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Saska
Date: 11 Aug 13 - 07:09 AM

Struth !!! - I must have been away for a while.I just read a reply from Bryn Pugh to a message i left back in '09.
    Question - Does anybody remember who the MSG's photographer was ?.
I know that he was emplyed by Jenks to photo.all the main guest bands at the MSG. If he's still around,he must have some amazing pics.taken through the years.
   Nice to see a fairly recent post from Rosie Hardman.I was hoping that maybe she'd turn up at the MSG 'Reunion' bash organised by Stanley Accrington & Martin Gittins - let's have another one soon !!.
   I was there to see Paul Simon .He arrived late & missed his first spot.He did over an hour for his 'only' spot & was intoduced as 'the late Paul Simon'
   Best wishes to all,
                     Ivan Kelsall

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,dick bentley
Date: 24 Jul 13 - 05:01 AM

I suppose there must be someone who remembers Paul Simon's visit in the 60's and possibly the doormans comment "I don't know what is so good about him" - the entrance was £5.00 (very expensive)

Also Dave Campbell - a Canadian guitarist and the American group New Lost City Ramblers

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,David Williams
Date: 25 Nov 12 - 07:48 PM

I have just come from a Peggy Seeger concert here where I live now in Oxford. (Sunday the 25th of November 2012 ) yes she is still going strong.

At the end of the concert I talked about the first time I saw her in the 1960s with her partner Ewan MacColl at MSG.She said she liked the place and so did Ewan.

I came home and looked up MSG and found this site. I used to go after work with my friend Alan Renshaw ...we worked at Lewises on Market Street.

I remember Jenks who at the time I thought was a bit odd but looking back he was central to its success.

Like most people I went because there was not only a choice of diffrent types of music on the diffrent floors but there were some beautiful girls there with very progressive attitudes to certain things that appeal to a horny teenage male.

The music was great and I often wonder what happened to that array of talent.Some you came across later in life -Mike Harding for example at the Ring o Bells in MIddleton, but others were fantastic and I never saw them again

Such was Manchester and in varioius new venues...still is.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Greenm
Date: 12 Nov 12 - 09:30 AM

Rosie; good to see you are still around - you may be interested to know that I have a recording of you and Bob Axford from the Cross Keys in Eccles from some time on the 60's. You performed amongst other things "the day the Pittletrenthide Jug Band hit the charts" - do you remember. Pete Ryder was actually my guest for that night but you and Bob also came along - needless to say "we supped some stuff" that night. I had been trying to contact Pete back in 2009 and I see from this thread that he did in fact reply last November but I missed it. The 60's was certainly a great era for Folk and pity that now MSG, The Keys and the Duke of York (Eccles) are distant memories.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jul 12 - 10:48 AM

Boy, reading this thread has taken me back somewhat!

I was SO sad that my health meant that I couldn't take part in the concert; it would have been great to see so many old pals again. I hope those of you who attended enjoyed my reminiscences of Jenks though. I worked for/with him as his secretary for 6 months before turning pro and saw sides to him that he never showed in public (which was a shame - he really DID have saving graces and I actually remember him with great affection).

If anyone who remembers me wants to get in touch, it would be great to hear from you, Just call in at www.rosiehardman.com/rosie.htm and email me!

Love from
Rosie Hardman

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,GUEST, Acc Ident
Date: 26 Apr 12 - 11:23 AM

The reunion concert "A Night at the MSG" was held in November 2011 at the Ukrainian Club, Cheetham Hill, Manchester and was a great success with 13 acts appearing, and an audience of around 150. The artists had all featured at the MSG in some capacity.

Now the CD of the Concert (and of memories of the MSG taken from interviews with artists and audience) is available, featuring tracks by Gary & Vera Aspey, John Bailey, Alan Bell, Phil Drane, the Hometowners, John Howarth (Oldham Tinkers), Marie Little, Harry Ogden, Pete Ryder, Chris Simpson (Magna Carta), Malcolm Thorp and Arthur Wakefield.   

For a copy (all proceeds to charity) e-mail [e-mail]

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: scouse
Date: 19 Jan 12 - 05:22 AM

Went to my "Annual Picking Party." (Dutch Bluegrass)last Saturday here in Leiden an I always check out the guy who's selling good second hand LP's and CD's Last year I found some old "Hot Rize." LP"s. To my amazement this year I found Tom and Smiley's 2 Saga LP's for 6 Euro each!!!
As Aye,
Phil

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Raggytash
Date: 05 Dec 11 - 08:11 AM

If anyone see's Pete Ryder give him my regards will you, could do with another copy of Last Chance Saloon, mine's started to play up on some tracks it's been played so much

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Nov 11 - 08:55 AM

Hi Mike, it's Pete Ryder. John Bailey, who covered the song, came to a gig of mine on Walney Island and presented me with a copy of the lyrics to 'Child of the Rain'. 44 years after the fact!

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 28 Nov 11 - 05:29 PM

Guest Mike Green from March 2009 - If you could get in touch with me via here with any sort of contact details it would be to your benefit:-) Pete Ryder found the song and gave it an airing tonight - Along with a very interesting story to go with it:-)

If anyone knows Mike get in touch with him as well.

Out of interest Marie Little and Pete Smith were at Swinton last month as well!

Cheers

Dave

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Nov 11 - 05:05 AM

Tom & Smiley made 2 LP's. The 1st was "The Bluegrass Sound of Tom & Smiley" & the 2nd one was "Country Style". I have the first one,which doesn't include Big Ball in Boston,so maybe it's on the 2nd one.
    I'll be there (sans Banjo) on Saturday night - let's hope it's a good turn out,
             Ivan

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 03:37 PM

Hi Ivan, wish i still had my album of T & S. Has yours go 'Big Ball in Boston' on it. Can't remember any others - so long ago.

God i remember the brill Purple Gang too - Granny Takes a Trip ?. Am sure have got that track on a sampler somewhere. Check it out on Utube folks.

Hope to see y'all on the night in Cheetham Hill and of course at the Oddies on Monday nights.

Vim

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Starman
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 02:12 PM

Hi, Martin Gittins here. As part of the 'A NIGHT AT THE MSG' concert (fundraising event fo my brother's grandson ON 12TH NOVEMEBER)_ I'd like to print off some memories of the MSG. Ideally, the majority of the stuff on this thread. Obviously, I'd edit out any personal comments or information which doesn't pertain DIRECTLY to the MSG. if anyone has any objections to being included or, better still, if you have any FURTHER memories, please get in touch. It would be extremely time-consuming to email all of you directly, so I AM USING THE FORUM AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATING THIS REQUEST. I presume that, since you posted to an open forum, your views are intended for general reading, so i would guess that there would be no objection? The printed booklets would only be made available on the night of the fundraising event and would not be sold for personal gain by myself or anyone else involved.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Oct 11 - 04:38 AM

Chris Joe Beard
I just had to put my memories of MSG in a new book venture called Taking The Purple.I went there as a terrified guitarist member of a young jugband as our first try at the BIG club in town.Drony was compere and we went down a storm to our shock and delight.Jenks booked us to do both the jazz AND folk on the same night.Two gigs for one.The Young Contemporaries Jugband became The Purple Gang and later I got to compere at Poynton Folk Centre (I`m back there now 2nd Thurs.in month..see The Centre Sessions on Facebook).
I remember the MSG/NW talent there-the variety...great people.Who was the MSG guy who ran "The After Hours Club"? We did gig that after MSG one night.Our manager Gordon did an impersonation of Herman Munster crashing out of a pile of boxes that night into the arms of a copper!
I ran a folk club called "Granny`s" years later-but MSG was THE place.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Oct 11 - 03:38 AM

Stumbled upon this MSG by accident and did it revive some memories dispite having lived in Australia since the early 70's. I recall Rosemary, The Taveners, Pennine folk, Tom & Smiley. What Great nights. Jazz in the basement the ground floor bar and folk upstairs, take your pick. I still have "A Round with the Taveners" record actually recorded at the Guild [I think] Also a record of Tom & Smiley. Secretary Jenks was certaily a character. What a shame that it is all gone. Sydney Side Mike

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Ivan Kelsall
Date: 09 Jun 11 - 03:55 AM

The Paul Simon gig was awesome. Paul was living in London at the time & had trouble getting up to Manchester.So much so that he missed his first spot.He went on to play a complete l 1/2 hour spot,being introduced as the 'late' Paul Simon.
   Russell - It was you who took me to the MSG as a'guest'at first.We stopped off at the old 'Lounge Bar'on Market Street for a quick pint beforehand as i remember.We were both working in design at A.V.Roe & Co. at Chadderton at the time.
   The "Two Brewers" on a Sunday night was also another favourite place of mine.I remember going along one night to see Tom Paxton.When i got there,TP was busy moaning away because he hadn't had a Taxi sent to his Hotel to pick him up. He was saying " if i come here to fill your club up ......" etc. He was politely told that the club was full every Sunday night with or without him. He seemed to calm down & went on to play 2 superb spots.
   Does anybody remember Noel,the guy who used to be the doorman at the MSG.He came upstairs into the Folk Music room one night & there was a Piano on stage.He sat down & proceded to play some of the finest Blues Piano i've ever heard.
   Paul - How ironic that there's nothing at the Urbis site
comemorating the fact that some of the world's finest musicians played there.Even more so, with one of the finest schools of music in Europe being only a few yards away.
   Vin - I still have a copy of Tom & Smiley's first LP,the one that you mention.
    Prestwich Village Folk Club was another great place to play,run by the inimitable George Purcell.Unfortunaltely for me,being a non-driver,every time i went there,i had to walk home from Prestich to New Moston,sometimes carrying a heavy Banjo & in the pouring rain - not much fun,but i'd do it all again (if i was as young & as stupid).

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Paul Reade
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 07:37 PM

I can't find my old membership card - but I do have my Musician's Pass, valid until 30/6/73, and signed by Jenks!

The MSG and adjoining buildings were demolished some years ago. Long Millgate is still there but where the MSG stood has been grassed over with a "water feature" as part of the development of "Urbis".

I've often thought it would be good to have some kind of commemorative plaque there, possibly a paving stone with an inscription, as there are no walls there now. Assuming Manchester City Council will allow it, would any ex-MSG regulars be interested in contributing to the cost?

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 08:32 AM

Does the building still exist?

L in C#

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: blinddrunkal
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 08:23 AM

I've still got my old (red) membership card, and a grey "MSG Jazz Pass-out" too! Sad isn't it! My best memory was Mississippi Fred McDowell playing downstairs, and Magic Jack The Rabbit Man playing in support (can't remember who he was supporting though). Tom & Smiley played at our college folk club in the Cross Keys on Broad Street Salford, always a good "turn"!

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Vin2
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 05:29 PM

Ahhh great stuff. I think it was watching Terry Walsh play the whistle so brilliantly that inspired me to go out and buy one and even learn a few tunes.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Derek Schofield
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 05:10 AM

yes, indeed!
Derek

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Vin2
Date: 01 Jun 11 - 03:32 AM

Would that be Tony Kelly and Terry Walsh - ex Beggermen?

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Tony Easom
Date: 27 May 11 - 02:24 PM

I remember trembling with fear on Monday night singers nights waiting for my name to be called for a floor spot by Kelly or Walsh. Sung out of tune, played the wrong chords, but kept coming back! Gret days!

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Herga Kitty
Date: 25 May 11 - 01:38 PM

I ran a folk clubs reunited session on Monday evening at Sidmouth festival one year, with a special welcome to people from Monday evening folk clubs - and Mary Humphreys came along to remember the MSG singers nights...

Kitty

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Vin2
Date: 25 May 11 - 07:30 AM

Hiya Ivan, yeah i remember Tom Travis & Smiley Bowker and brilliant they were. Used to have an LP of theres yonks ago called 'The Bluegrass Sound of Tom & Smiley'.

MSG was a fab place ably guarded over by Jenks. A re-union would be an interesting idea if there were enough interested - who knows, maybe even lead regular meets and call it MSG2 (wonder if that upstairs room in the old Unnicorn is available ?

Anyway mate see you at the Oddfellows next time.

Vinny

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 11 - 01:23 PM

frank duffy and me were great pals in the early 60`s
and he had me down to the msg to guest on a couple of occasions
I could write a book on some of our escapades
if you can tell me anything about frank I would be really happy
thanks
ian campbell    not him

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Mary Humphreys
Date: 24 May 11 - 01:19 PM

Both Harry and Frank are long gone, sad to say.

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 24 May 11 - 01:11 PM

ian campbell from glasgow not that one
frank duffy was a great mate back in 1963 and i did a guiest spot at the msg on 2 occasions
also used to attend the waggon and horses regularly where harry boardman was resident
any news on frank

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Peter Davies
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 01:12 PM

I looked though this entire thread and see only a few references to Paul Simon. Here's my story.

We were regulars at MSG in the sixties, particularly the Folk Club. One evening during the week, while having a pint, Frank Duffy came over and said:

"Make sure you come next Sunday. I met this guy in Greenwich Village who is sensational. His name is Paul Simon."

Paul was touring England but was not well known, even in the States. During his UK tour his solo album became quite popular and, I believe, while touring he and Art (Paul's guest when we saw him, but they did not sing together), got a call from New York saying that the re-recording of Paul's solo album was number 1!

Needless to say, when I saw him that Sunday night, I was blown away. His solo version of "Sound of Silence", with acoustic guitar, is far superior to the Simon and Garfunkel rendering, IMO.

A story my dearly departed friend, Pete Smith (not the Pete mentioned on this thread), liked to tell about the evening goes as follows:

At the end of the evening, suitably oiled with many pints of Guinness, we ended up on the stage with Paul. At some point Paul turned to Smith and said (about me), "What's this guy's name?" to which Smith replied "Pete". Then Paul (apparently) turned to me and said "Pete, you're pissed!"

I have no memory of this (Guinness will do that), but I will take it as my claim to fame!

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Russell Wood
Date: 27 Mar 11 - 07:03 AM

Along with Ivan (above), I was a regular at the MSG in the 60's, doing various amateur stuff on Drony's open Monday night, and for a while, singing with Rosie Hardman (the big girl) who turned professional. There was a regular bunch standing in the corner by the bar, and harmonising on the chorus stuff! The MSG and the Two Brewers in Salford were my regular folk places. Sing on!

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Ivan Kelsall
Date: 25 Mar 11 - 06:02 AM

Considering that the MSG in it's heyday,had some of the foremost Folk musicians from the UK,Ireland & the USA,there's not one article about the Folk side of the MSG on the I'net.
   The only MSG article is by Jack Swinnerton who established the Jazz Club there.
   I remember with great affection all the 'regulars'who turned up every Friday,Saturday,Sunday & Monday nights,to either sing, play both or just to watch & listen. It was the greatest era to live in.The pop music scene was awesome,Jazz was huge as was Folk Music.
   There were so many places to play.I was out lugging my Banjo around to a different Folk Club every night.My own claim to fame was opening for Bill Monroe & the Bluegrass Boys when they played the MSG in '66.My band consisted of Tom Bowker on Mandolin,his cousin Mike Bowker on Guitar,me on Banjo & a fantastic Bass player,John Henderson. Tom Travis guested with us that night.TT had previously played with Tom Bowker in their own band & after my band split,he re-joined Tom Bowker to form the very successful duo 'Tom & Smiley'.
   I've often thought that it would be a fabulous thing,to organise a
re-union somewhere,just to sit & talk & exchange experiences since those days. In truth,they'll never be bettered,
                                              Best wishes - Ivan

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 07:55 AM

Sorry it's done it agin, last message was from me Vin2

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Jul 10 - 07:54 AM

Delightful times indeed MikeP.

Speaking of Wally Whyton Orson, remember that great raido show he used to do called Country Meets Folk ? I think it was the forerunner to JIm LLoyds folk on Friday ? Always loved Wally's song 'Leave Them a Flower'....

       Leave them a flower, some grass and a hedgerow
       A hill and a valley, a view to the sea
       These things are not yours to destroy as you want to
       A gift given once for eternity

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,MikeP
Date: 03 Jul 10 - 12:50 PM

I found this thread by chance but what memories it brings back. MSG Folk Nights were a must-see for my drinking friends and me in the 1960s. After a few beers the harmonies sung along with the groups were incredible. Like "Whiskey in Jar-O", "Hand me the punch ladle, I'll fathom the bowl...", and "Old Pendle, Old Pendle, Thou Standest Alone, Twixt Burnley and Clitheroe, Whalley and Colne...". How I recall these lyrics so clearly 40-odd years later I can't imagine.
We delighted in singing along to regulars like The Pennine Folk and The Taverners and I think The Dubliners showed up one evening, as did Martin Carthy.
Someone earlier in this thread also mentioned The Grehan Sisters - we didn't see them at MSG but they were a supporting act to Simon & Garfunkel in their 1967 show at The Feee Trade Hall. The sisters were memorable for the most incredible performance of playing the spoons!

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Orson Trap
Date: 04 May 10 - 11:26 AM

I saw Arthur Big Boy Crudup at MSG. Bob Hall, Simon Praeger (guitar)& Steve Rye (harmonica) were support. At one stage he 'ordered' them to join him for a song or two and when they thought they had finished he pointed to Bob Hall and said "play that thing". Bob didn't look too amused.
I also remember the first 'Blues Night' there. John Dummers Blues Band were the guests. Dave Kelly was in the band playing slide guitar (SG) mostly. 'Putty' was the other guitarist. They were later joined by Jo Ann Kelly who the guest upstairs in the folk club that night, if my memory serves me right?
John Dummer (drums) and 'Thumper Thompson' on bass, who would later
be in the pop group 'Darts'.
Had some really good nights there, Bernard Wrigley with Dave & June Brooks comes to mind, Wally Whyton as well as others already mentioned. Anybody remember the chinese waiter?

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Audie Ofyle
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 10:50 PM

Hey Tom,
         Saw your info re. MSG. I used to go there often. I too have lived in Canada (London) for 30 yrs. Drop me a message at      [e-mail]

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST,Audie Ofyle
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 05:25 PM

One of my favourites there was 'The Taverners'

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Feb 10 - 05:22 PM

Wow! Some great memories from the MSG One of my favourites was "The Taverners"

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Vin2
Date: 01 Nov 09 - 06:50 PM

Refresh agin

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Vin2
Date: 30 Oct 09 - 07:30 AM

Refresh

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Vin2
Date: 29 Oct 09 - 06:01 AM

REFRESH

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Vin2
Date: 27 Oct 09 - 09:11 AM

Message for GUEST Jack Taylor;

Hi Jack, re you posting further up; i spoke to Ian Sidebottom last and showed him your message. He was pleasantly supprised aand was wondering how he could get in touch as it's been a long time.

You could p'raps post a message on here for Ian or he can be contacted at the Oddfellows Arms pub in Middleton near Rochdale (England) on most Monday nights around nine pm where he sings/plays.

Hope you get this message.

Regards

Vin

Subject: RE: manchester sports guild folk club
From: Vin2
Date: 26 Oct 09 - 08:35 AM

Sorreeee, my membership's playing up agin. For 'GUEST' in last message read Vin2

Salaam Alaikum

Slainte!