The Adelphi folk club,Swansea

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Andy H
Date: 13 Oct 22 - 03:28 PM

I saw many of the performers mentioned above in the late sixties at the Adelphi but none affected me more than Alexis Korner. I have a vivid memory of being about three feet in front of him as he played. He was wearing wraparound yellow lshades and those big sideboards and that gravelly voice gave him an aura live that was irresistable. I was probably 16 at the time. The Adelphi introduced so many of us (underage drinkers) to the best of British acoustic blues. You could hardly move in Swansea at the time for people learning to play slide and harmonica. And Phil Andrews, who stood in on harp with so many of the guests at the Adelphi was one of the best. Great memories

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Graham Palmer
Date: 05 Aug 21 - 09:26 AM

John ask your mum if she remembers me would love to see her after all these years

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Graham Palmer
Date: 04 Aug 21 - 10:54 PM

I knew Carole and Dave and I remember they had a spinning wheel   They told me that the old man who made it made two a year.   The first time I heard of the trad. Group    The watersons family was down the Adelphi Martin Carthy married into the family. Through knowing jo Ann Kelly I met a lot of performers at Ken colyers club I I’m so sorry to hear of Dave passing on   Wish you well

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Lynn Breeze
Date: 16 Jul 20 - 02:20 AM

The Adelphi was the best folk club ever. It was started and run by John Makin and his flat-mate, Dave Yoxhall. They were both students at Swansea Uni. It was always packed and the chorus singing was so enthusiastic, it made up part of the performance. The music was eclectic... English trad, American blues, Irish, Scottish and possibly Welsh. Memorable nights were Jo-Ann Kelly, Rev Gary Davies and the Young Tradition but it didn't matter if the guests didn't turn up (Jansch and Renbourne) as there was plenty of talent in the room for a really great night. I used to sell the raffle tickets for LPs which were always (I think) from the collections of John or Dave. Dave's girlfriend (later to be his wife) Carole, took money on the door. Folk Clubs ain't what they used to be and I'm glad I was around to a regular at the Adelphi until I left home to go to art school...the same art school, incidentally, attended by Sandy Denny (also a guest at the club) and John Renbourne.

Subject: DAVE YOXALL RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Eddy BONTE
Date: 25 Jun 20 - 08:40 AM

I'm Eddy Bonte from Belgium and I am looking for Dave Yoxall. I co-ran a club in a small town VEURNE near to Ostend and one Dave Yoxall performeed there on Sat. 15 May 197. I'm compiling a book about the club and the alternative circuit. Any tip welcome any time. Just contact me here: [e-mail] or via www.radio68.be
THANKS, Eddy

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Richard Billam
Date: 07 Jun 19 - 01:36 PM

Just found this while looking for a photo of the Adelphi back then. If anyone has one, please send to [e-mail] Writing my memoirs of pubs & clubs and also my musical education and the Adelphi features in both. Was a student at the uni from 1965-68, then 69-70, but only went to the folk club 65-67 I think, so missed some great acts it seems. Did see the Young Tradition, Jo Anne Kelly (amazing voice) and Renbourn and was one of those who bought a ticket to see him and Jansch, which they were too pissed (?) to turn up for. Thought it was the uni's own club. Remember the guys who ran it then - was Jon Elphick the one with long dark hair and beard? Guess the other one was Dave Yoxall. Good times.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Alun (Percy) Price- Perth Australia
Date: 23 Dec 17 - 11:03 PM

Nice to stumble onto this thread. Much enjoyed the Adelphi. I remember Jonathan Elphick. Also remember Blind Garry Davis session among many others

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Colin Pitts
Date: 23 Mar 14 - 07:48 AM

To Bob Hazlewood - re Ewan McColl and Peggy Seeger we definately booked them for a concert at the Teacher Training College - Feb 1971 I think as part of the Arts Festival

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Lorraine
Date: 09 Feb 13 - 08:50 AM

Hi Richard.
Just read your comment about Dave Yoxall on 22 Sept 2012.
    I was the little lady who sang duet with Dave, I am his sister
in law, he was married to my older sister Carole. Great times from the tender age of sixteen!
    I have a ticket here Ballads and Blues Folk Club
                               presents

                              ALEXIS KORNER
               
                      at the ADELPHI HOTEL,WIND STREET

                                 SWANSEA
                        on Friday, 1st August, 1969

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Bob Hazelwood
Date: 28 Dec 12 - 12:15 PM

To Paul Selfe

Hello....I never met the two that you mention altho' I think I remember their names coming up...I think they'd moved on from Swansea by the time I got there in Autumn '67.

When I arrived the Uni club was being run by Dave Gadfan Edwards and Lynne Gent was also involved. There were still some names around who'd been there in earlier years..Gregg Butler, Jon Elphick and I was a good friend of Neil Kemp who was the bloke who booked Simon and Garfunkel for a big concert in the refec in summer '65 just before they hit it big.

I went to the Training College club a few times ....I remember a lass called Jude who was one of the organisers but can't recall her surname.

There was also an off-shoot of the Uni club in the Clyne Halls of res....and during Spring/Summer one year we organised some nights in The Woodman at Blackpill....The Dransfields did the opening night followed by Carthy, Shirley Collins, Peter Bellamy and a few more.

But 40-odd years on it's The Adelphi I still recall with the most fondness....during my first term Autumn '67 I went every Fri and the people I saw are still etched in my memory....starting with Alex Campbell, then Fred Jordan, TheTrunkles (3-piece from the West Country) , Dave and Toni Arthur (pre Play School !), Anne Briggs ( what a wonderful singer), Hedy West and just before Christmas The Young Tradition. Whenever the Young Trad were on you had to get there very early to be sure of getting in...I arrived from South Yorkshire where the chorus-singing was pretty good but when they walked on in front of The Adelphi dartboard and Bellamy launched into the first line of 'Chicken on a Raft' I'd never heard anything like it..the whole of Wind Street shook ...I think even they were gob-smacked. I've played in and been in clubs up and down the country but I still think the chorus-singing in The Adelphi at that time was the best I've heard.

It was a great time to be involved in that sort of music but I wouldn't want to knock what's around nowadays....it's just so different

          Bob Hazelwood

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Paul Selfe
Date: 27 Dec 12 - 05:00 PM

I was in Swansea Training College 1962-65 and regularly used to attend the Swansea Uni Folk Club organised (I think) by Martin Wibberby and Steve Farrow. (I wonder if Bob Hazelwood recalls them or can recall other names of that time?). There were some memorable performers. In May 1965 Rambling Jack Elliott was playing there - did he get to the Adelphi? I do recall the evening Blind Gary Davis played in the Adelphi Club (was that 1964?) - he held the audience transfixed throughout his magnificent performance and was so impressed by the response he got at the end of the evening that he invited everyone back to his hotel for more. In those days the curfew for students meant that we had to be back in Hall by 10.30pm. Not sure how many took up the invitation. I also remember the night Bert Jansch and John Renbourn failed to show, for some reason. But there were so many great in-house performers, it didn't matter. A folk club was started in the Training College about that time which mainly relied on the terrific talent in the University. Glad to know that Colin Pitts continued the club during his time there. Great memories.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Rowlandwithaw
Date: 20 Dec 12 - 12:54 PM

Oh yes!! Dave Kelly, Jo-anne Kelly, Andy Fernbach and Mike Cooper--- I live in Italy and I recently 'met' (via the net) Mike Cooper who now lives in Rome..... and a few days after our conversation he sent me a message to say he'd come across an old poster for the Adelphi!!!
Gordon Giltrap, too? I met him at the Adelphi '67/8 ish--- met him again at Wembley in '81(?) - - he remembered fondly the club. Lit by a single lamp over the dartboard!!!

My other recollection was seeing Mississippi Fred McDowell but I think that was at the YMCA .

Anybody else remember that?

rowland

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Richard , Sydney , Australia.
Date: 22 Sep 12 - 11:41 PM

I remember going to the Adelphi Club many times around the late 60's early 70's . when I was about 20.

Dave hosted many great nights with wonderful performers .His playing the Gibson in such a relaxed style made me so jealous as I'd been trying to play since I was 13 and I loved Dylan and all the great American blues players. I guess Dave was more Bluegrass in his style, but he played so slow and easy !

Dave often did a duet with a little lady who I guess was his then girlfriend or wife at the time? They seemed very close and were running the show. Never talked much to Dave , just watched him and the music.

Often someone would come out of the crowd and "do their thing" . A young guy who got on the old "Honkey-Tonk" piano one night blew me away with his blues. The piano was an old upright over on the wall by the windows looking down on Wind Street.

I'm sure I saw Alexis Korner there on a couple of occasions .

And , if I'm not dreaming , Ian Anderson turned up one night and did a solo gig without Jethro Tull . I recall he was wearing a great-coat and very bearded . Don't think he did flute but sang and played guitar.

Anyone else who has any memories of this ? It's such a long time ago !

From Wiki link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swansea_City_Centre

During the Second World War, the pubs of Wind Street saw the visit of a young star-to-be. A group of American GIs stationed in Swansea entered the Adelphi pub. An Australian soldier also stationed in Swansea saw this and proceeded to taunt the young GI, who was drinking milk, that he was not strong enough to drink alcohol. Unfortunately for him he had picked on the young Rocky Marciano who went on to become one the world's greatest heavyweight boxers. Rocky floored him with one punch. Marciano himself confirmed this story.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Bob Hazelwood
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:25 PM

To Ron Treverton-Jones.....I think I remember you and your column in Creft.....you could have seen Ewan MacColl at the Swansea Uni club...we booked him and Peggy Seeger in !970 I think

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Ron Treverton-Jones
Date: 18 May 12 - 06:49 AM

Memory is a little vague but in about 1968 ( I was at the Uni 1967-70) I wrote a very small column on folk music for "Creft" the Swansea University magazine. I do remember Bob Hazlewood and particulary the songs of Meic Stevens who was a regular guest. I also went to Cardiff clubs so may be confused but do remember seeing at one of them, the great Ewan McColl.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Bob Hazelwood
Date: 08 Apr 12 - 06:51 AM

To Jonathan Elphick ....Hello John.....I think I remember you and Jim Harper doing an epic unaccompanied rendition of The Young Tradition's 'Knight William'....must have been just after I arrived in Swansea in Autumn '67

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 12:21 PM

Have just re-read Bob Hazelwood's post. Sorry, a case of more haste, less speed. I know see that the query didn't relate to the solo gig, Bob, which was what I recalled in the post I just sent, but whether Dave appeared with Jo-Ann. I am not 100 percent certain, but pretty sure that they did play together at the Adelphi that night. I probably had a recording, but fear it is on one of the reel to reel tapes that has long disintegrated (I have some transferred to cassette by my great friend Hans Fried of Colletts Record Shop and so much else fame). I still have some material from one of Jo-Ann's gigs. I also have my recording of an epic 1966 session by the Young Tradition, and some later recordings made when I lived in Hans's flat in Islington, London. of Paul Darby and John Makin, and me singing with Jim Harper (we used to practice songs in the downstairs bogs at the Adelphi, great acoustics!)
And I would like to add, too, how sad I was to learn of Dave Yoxall's death: he was truly a great performer with great knowledge and integrity and a really good bloke.
As to the University club, even though it inevitably lacked the smoky, down-home atmosphere of that unique Wind Street location, I enjoyed many nights there, recalling particularly Martin Carthy, Barry Dransfield and Shirley Collins, and also singing now and then.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Jonathan Elphick
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 11:55 AM

In reply to Bob Hazelwood's query as to whether Dave Kelly did really play the Adelphi, yes he certainly did. I was involved in running the club with John Howes at the time, and as John was otherwise occupied after the gig, I spent an enjoyable evening talking to Dave and raising a glass or many (as I recall it was his birthday on that day). So many wonderful memories, of great music and musicians. Have a look at the Facebook pages for more details, and, in due course, a book by Paul Nicholas about the Swansea and area music scene ...

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Feb 12 - 04:28 PM

Hi all you Adelphi lovers - check out the link below for the new Facebook page - please upload pics and memories you might have.


http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adelphi-Folk-Club-Swansea/320054978033445

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,ifor
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 11:46 AM

I saw the wonderful Joanne Kelly in the late summer /Sept of 1969...just before i went off to college. She was beautiful and a superb blues singer. Great memories of the Adelphi...such an exciting time and venue!
ifor

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Bob Hazelwood
Date: 07 Feb 12 - 04:19 AM

Good to see that so many people still remember The Adelphi....so much excellent stuff around at that time.

I wonder if anyone can confirm/deny whether my memory is playing tricks...I saw Dave Kelly at The Adelphi more than once (talking to him after a gig a couple of years ago and he still has very clear memories of the club and of Dave Yoxall)....and of course his sister the late and wonderful Joanne Kelly played The Adelphi regularly...and this is where my memory might be playing tricks...I'm fairly sure that around early 68-ish Joanne was booked and she brought Dave with her and they did 3 or 4 numbers together...there was certainly one occasion when Joanne was booked and couldn't make it and sent Dave in her place....but I can picture them together and although it could have been somewhere else I can't get away from the feeling that it was The Adelphi.

It's good that Dave Yoxall is getting so much acknowledgement....I'm afraid that when we were running the Swansea Uni club 67-71 we didn't always appreciate him....being 18/19 year-old bolshie students in the late 60's we thought we knew it all which of course we didn't..and Dave did.....he was way in front of us in his knowledge of the music, his ability to organise and put it in front of an audience....and of course in his ability to play it.

I was in Swansea last Autumn ...good to go to The Brunswick and see some familiar faces from The Adelphi in The String Button Band !

                                          Bob Hazelwood

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 02:35 PM

A Facebook search doesn't find it, John.
Ray

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,John Howes
Date: 06 Feb 12 - 12:25 PM

We have a new Facebook page for THE ADELPHI FOLK CLUB SWANSEA

I would like to get as many people as possible to check it out and add their memories and photos.

Message for John Yoxall - I'd love to see any relevant pictures your Dad might have had - I was at Swansea College of Art at the same time as your mother.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Colin Pitts
Date: 16 Apr 11 - 12:23 PM

I was at Swansea training college 1968 - 71. We had a folk club there too I remember Marc Brierley and Martyn Wyndham Read comming to play. I definitely remember seeing Dave at the Adelphi and am sorry to hear of his passing. I was mesmerised by his Gibson guitar. I also remember Phil Andrew and Pete Rees playing. Phil introduced me to Blind Blake's music. Great days thanks to people like Dave. I too saw Mike Cooper at the Adelphi.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,mike aldron
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 04:04 AM

just another bit before i forget i saw GORDON SMITH, a young Geordie who was exceptionally good. I think it was at the Adelphi . He did one album "LONG OVERDUE" for Blue Horizon, and i,m not sure if it is the same Gordon Smith but there was a band called FLAMING YOUTH who had an album called "ARK 2" with Phil Collins on the skins. The next time i saw him was on his 53 rd birthday at the Salisbury blues club, where he played alongside Simon "honeyboy" Hickling that great harp player/vocalist from the badlands of Leicester, this would have been in 2001. he kindly signed my album over 30 years after i bought it! I don,t think he pushed himself, because his talent was obvious...can anyone else verify if he did play at the Adelphi, There were so many things going on it,s hard to put things into any sort of chronological order, Mind you, the alcohol consumption hasn,t helped....mike, still drinking, still listening !!!

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,mike aldron
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 03:41 AM

we were blessed to have so much good music on our doorsteps, I missed the great Negro performers at the adelphi, i used to work shifts, so that limited to my enjoyment.Mike Cooper was the first person i saw and heard playing a National steel guitar. I learnt about the blues via British musicians!
    I was returning to Swansea on the train one afternoon, and Dave Kelly was on the same train. I had a brief chat with him, i was a bit shy in those days, and he asked me where the adelphi was. I pointed him in the right direction, and saw him play that evening. He had a really heavy cold, and the his nose was dripping onto his strings as he played... i also remember an excellent gig just up the road a bit at the "Buffs club"which was between the castle and where Walkabout is now. BRETT MARVIN AND THE THUNDERBOLTS, a gloriously ramshackle blues/goodtime band from the smoke.later to have a hit as TERRY DACTYL and the DINOSAURS("seaside shuffle")and John Lewis their keys player became JONA LEWIE , who had two chart entries, happy days, mike aldron

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,BanjoRay
Date: 21 Sep 10 - 09:03 PM

I recently got an email from John Howes who saw my name in an Old Time Music magazine. John was a regular floor singer in the Adelphi back in the sixties. He still lives in South Wales and is now in a band The String Button Band with another old Adelphi singer Jim Harper who used to come from Llanelli and had (has) a superb voice.
They were both trad English singers back in the day, but now they perform American old time stuff With John on guitar, Jim on fiddle and another chap on squeezebox. Nice to see they're still at it!

Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: heatherblether
Date: 23 Mar 09 - 06:32 PM

Message for Brian
Another devotee of the Adelphi is also living in Hamilton.He too is a Brian [Davies ] and hails from Skewen near Swansea.
He emailed me recently to say he had seen Mike Cooper in Hamiliton.You should meet up!!!
ifor

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Brian Jones, Hamilton, NZ
Date: 02 Mar 09 - 03:49 AM

I first went to the Adelphi in 1969 while I was a student at Swansea University.First person I saw playing there was Mike Cooper who I incidentally saw playing yesterday in Hamilton Gardens - he told me about this website. I have many fantastic memories of the club with memorable performances by Jo Ann Kelly, Misissippi Fred McDowall and many more performers, both local and international. too numerous to remember. I was back in Swansea about 5 years ago and wandered down Wind Street - the pub is still there although changed out of all recognition. I wonder when the Club actually closed?

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: pavane
Date: 29 Apr 08 - 02:05 AM

That's here:

Valley Folk Club

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,albert
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 12:41 PM

Just a quick diversion.Gwyn from the Valley Folk Club in Pontardawe,near Swansea is collecting information,old posters,old recordings,leaflets and memories about the Valley Folk Club which is celebrating its 40th anniversary in Sept this year.
If you have any information , no matter how small or trivial do get in touch with the archivist via the pontardawefolkclub website.All contributions gratefully received!!!
albert

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: pavane
Date: 28 Apr 08 - 05:17 AM

Phil A,
I can email you a private URL where you can listen to the recording. You will surely be able to tell.

(If you were a member, I could PM you)

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: pavane
Date: 18 Apr 08 - 03:11 AM

Would have been around 1972, probably.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Phil A
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 05:55 PM

Pavane
Could be,I'll ask him,
Phil A

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: pavane
Date: 17 Apr 08 - 02:25 AM

I remember a Pete who played guitar at the Valley folk club. I have one recording of him, singing "You know it don't belong to you". Is it likely to be the same guy? (I have been trying to identify all the floor singers I have on tape)

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Phil A.
Date: 16 Apr 08 - 07:40 PM

I have only just found this site and was immediately saddened to hear John Yoxall's news that his dad Dave had died.
I used to be an Adelphi regular and it was Dave who first gave me the confidence to get up and sing and play the harmonica at the club. I used to play with a great 12-string guitar player called Pete Rees. At one time a small group of us tried to form a band with Dave but alas it came to nothing.
I'll always regret missing the Rev.Gary Davis but I did meet Fred McDowell. In fact Dave hadn't read the contract properly which stated that a p.a. should be supplied for Fred. I remember him saying "he's a country blues singer, I thought he'd play an accoustic". Fred McDowell turned up with a shiny white electric guitar and there was no p.a. Fred tuned Dave's Gibson accoustic to open G but couldn't get used to it and Dave played the opening song of the night using Fred's tuning. I had to set off in my father's Hillman Minx, which I had borrowed for the evening and collect my band mates amplifier and home made speakers through which Fred subsequently played.
Regular guests were Dave's South London contacts like the wonderful Jo-anne Kelly, her brother Dave Kelly, Tony McPhee [later of the Groundhogs], Andy Fernbach and also John James, Paul Darby, Meic Stephens etc. I'm sure I'll think of more later.
I do remember seeing Mike Cooper in the scout hut in Bryn Road and Pete Rees and I opened for Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup when Dave put him on in a concert in the Llewellyn Hall in the YMCA. The place was packed, Arthur sang 'That's Alright Mama' and backstage told us stories and drank and drank.
Many of us owe Dave such a lot.He's definitely not been forgotten in Swansea,
My thoughts and sympathy are with Dave's family,
Phil A.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Paul Nicholas
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 06:51 AM

Bob H has been in contact with me following the above thread. It would be great if John Yoxall and Banjo Ray could get in contact with me regarding my research. My e mail address is [e-mail].

Information on the Adelphi club, other clubs, details of photos or poster information really would be very helpful.

Dave Yoxall's influence on the local scene comes up in every conversation I have about the early folk life in Swansea.

Hope to hear from you.

Cheers

Paul

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Bob Hazelwood
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 07:14 AM

Just picked up on this....I was involved in running the Swansea Uni club between 67-71 (the list of people we booked for 10/12 quid is quite amazing....and I also was a frequent visitor to the Adelphi (I was in there a few months back....how it's changed!)....I remember well Bryan Harris running it before he moved up the valley to start the Pontardawe club..and then Dave taking over
I also remember Dave as a superb finger pick guitarist (on a Gibson J45 I think...Freight Train, Cocaine, Joe Bowers I remember him doing)....Dave also ran some good concert gigs in the long-gone Scout Hut near the bottom of Brynmill Lane...I certainly saw Mike Cooper there and I think also The Rev. Gary or Mississippi Fred and Michael Chapman...anyone else remember?
         BobH

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,ifor
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:05 PM

John
Your father was a remarkable man and had a massive influence on the folk music scene in South Wales.Am sorry to hear of his passing.
Ifor

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: BanjoRay
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 06:03 PM

Hi John - Great to hear from you. Your dad was a great guy and I learned some good banjo stuff off him. As well as the Adelphi we had a weekly session in the Globe Inn in Loughor, West of Swansea for a while before I moved to Yorkshire and lost touch. Your mum must have been pregnant with you when we were doing that. I'm very sorry to hear that he's passed on. Where did he live before he died, and is your mum OK?

Ray

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,John Yoxall
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 05:42 PM

Though too young to remember any of this (born 1969), my Dad was Dave Yoxall who ran the Adelphi. He passed away in May/07, and I have been going through his things and have found really facinating photos/posters etc from the time when he ran the club. Sounds like you guys had a really good time....

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Paul Nicholas
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 06:48 PM

I just picked up on this thread. I am researching for a book that I am writing on the rock and folk scene in Swansea in the 60s and 70s. I would be delighted to hear from any one who is happy to sit down and talk to me about the Adelphi and Valley Folk clubs, and the acts that played there.

Plerase e mail me at

[e-mail]

Many thanks, and I hope to hear from some of you.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: Scrump
Date: 16 May 06 - 07:33 AM

Strangely enough I went to the Adelphi club in Wind St, probably at various times from 1969 to about 1971 (I say strangely because I didn't live in Swansea myself, but my parents did for a short while). I can't remember any of the big names I must have seen there, but I do remember a Welsh guy who I think was a resident performer, and was usually there. For some reason I can remember he used to play "Spanish Lady" on mandolin - anyone remember him or know who he was? I think my memory is a bit hazy because a lot of drink used to get consumed there. (I can also remember - in those more lenient and irresponsible times - attempting to drive after one session, and having gone a short distance, realised I was far too p***ed to comtrol the car properly. I must have been sober enough to realise that, anyway! I got out of the car and went for a long walk by the sea to sober myself up a bit. Before anyone says anything, I wouldn't dream of driving nowadays after a skinful! Times were somewhat different then.)

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,MG John
Date: 16 May 06 - 04:15 AM

Although nothing to do with this Club, there was very good club sometimes known as the same which actually was called the Brig Folk Club held at The Adelphi Hotel next to Leeds Bridge over the River Aire. The club was run by the late Bob Spray.Many famous names started their careers in venues such as this one.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: GUEST,Martin Spencer
Date: 15 May 06 - 04:06 PM

Brian Harris ran the Folk club in Pontardawe. He was a maths teacher in Gowerton Grammar School. He brought Joanne Kelly to the school library to sing one dinnertime. Bloody marvellous. I was there the night Fred Mcdowell was there too, He autographed my diary Fred Mc a truely great blues man. There were some tremendous nights there.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: Skipper Jack
Date: 22 Mar 06 - 09:07 AM

Talking of Alex Campbell - I remember that I was the MC on a night that he was guesting and there was a very scruffy chap down stairs who was interested in doing a spot. His name was Tom (that was all I could get out of him!) But anyway I put him on before Alex' first set and Tom sang a blues number which was absolutely brilliant and it left the audience spell bound and the applause went on for quite some time. Alex Campbell asked if he could do an extended spot in the second half - rather than try to follow such an awe inspiring act from the mysterious Tom! I never saw him in the club again.

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: BanjoRay
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 07:56 PM

I remember being downstairs with Alex Campbell drinking scotch while desperately trying to remember that I had to drive home to Pontardulais
Those were the days
Ray

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: ifor
Date: 21 Mar 06 - 06:14 PM

Does anyone else have any memories to share about the Adelphi which was one of the most influential folk clubs in South Wales during the late 1960s ?
Wind Street in those days was a run down former banking area on the way to the derelict docks now it is late night weekend drinking quarter with loads of customers and loads of big pub chains getting a piece of the action.
I think I preferred it when the Rev Gary Davies walked down the street with his accoustic guitar in his battered case.
ifor

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: BanjoRay
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 05:37 PM

I use to go to the Adelphi in the late sixties till I left for Yorkshire in July 69. What a fine club - I personally had great nights there with Hedy West (played her banjo), Arlo Guthrie, Alex Campbell, Mississippi Fred McDowell - he took 5 minutes to write his name in my harmonica case, JoAnne Kelly (played Harmonica with her and 25 years later just before she died), Sandy Denny (lovely), A.L. Lloyd. One night (that I missed) they had booked Doc Watson, who couldn't turn up so they had to make do with Rev Gary Davis - what a blow. Anybody know what happened to Dave Yoxall (good banjo man)? I used to go to a session with Dave in Loughor. Before Dave ran it a guy from Swansea University used to run it, guitar singer whose name I forget - anyone remember? I remember a trad singer called Brian Harries - I believe from Clydach or Pontardawe, that I believe died.
Ray (ex Adelphi floor singer/ banjo/ harmonica player)

Subject: RE: The Adelphi folk club,Swansea
From: ifor
Date: 20 Mar 06 - 03:40 PM

It was a wonderful folk club.I also saw the flamenco guitarist Mike Raven there. Yes Dave we have met before and I am a big fan of your shanty band. Fine songs and fine singing! I.