The Winter Gardens

The Winter Gardens, Exeter Road, Bournemouth

Opened on 16^th January 1877 by the MP Sir Henry Drummond Wolf, the original Crystal Palace and Winter Gardens was an enormous glass structure that housed a wide variety of shrubs and floral displays interspersed with exhibition space and areas for public entertainments. The first concert to take place in the venue was performed by Dan Godfrey and his thirty strong Municipal Military Band in 1893 to an audience of over 5,000 people. Two years later Godfrey was chosen to lead the new Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra, at the time it was one of the few permanent, fully salaried symphony orchestras in the country, along with Manchester’s Halle Orchestra. Over the years Edward Elgar, Jean Sibelius, Hubert Parry, Vaughan Williams, Henry Wood, William Walton, Thomas Beecham and Gustav Holst all visited the town as guest conductors and in November 1913 the orchestra released its first 78rpm recording on the HMV label.

Above and Below: The original glass Crystal Palace and Winter Gardens constructed in 1875

The Interior of the Crystal Palace and Winter Gardens planted with shrubs and flowers

The Crystal Palace and Winter Gardens circa 1893 with the stage set for the concert orchestra

In 1929 the Municipal Orchestra moved across the lower gardens to the recently completed Pavilion, six years before the original glass Winter Garden was demolished. It was rebuilt using a steel skeleton enclosed with brick and a timber roof at a cost of £30,000, as a state-of-the art indoor bowling green, after much lobbying from the Bournemouth Indoor Bowling Club. The official opening by the current mayor, Alderman Thomas Rebbeck, occurred on 4^th November 1937. Two years later, at the outbreak of the war, it was requisitioned by the Air Ministry and handed over to the Canadian Air Force who were stationed in the town.

The newly constructed brick built Winter Gardens shortly after opening on 4^th November 1937

The Winter Gardens in 1938, built specifically for the Bournemouth Indoor Bowling Club

After the hostilities had ceased, the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra expanded to sixty plus musicians, however, they were unhappy with the acoustic properties of the Pavilion Theatre and having to play second fiddle to stage productions, pantomimes and variety shows. As a remedy, it was agreed that the bowling green would be converted into a concert hall, much to the consternation of the bowling club members. When the council took back control of the building in 1946 they gave the go-ahead to erect a stage and install eighteen hundred seats. A concert was arranged for the opening night on Saturday 18^th October 1947 by the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra conducted by their new leader, Rudolf Schwarz. The concert was a huge success and to the relief of the gathered throng and particularly the musicians and Schwarz, the hall’s acoustic qualities were rated second to none. In 1954, the Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra was renamed the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Charles Groves.

Construction workers begin to lay the brick foundations for the new stage, circa 1947

The pristine, completed auditorium before the opening night on Saturday 18^th October 1947

The Bournemouth Municipal Orchestra with conductor Rudolf Schwarz on the opening night

Apart from orchestral recitals, over the years the hall promoted countless shows featuring international stars such as Bob Hope, Burl Ives, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul Robeson, Count Basie, Maurice Chevalier, Perry Como, Duke Ellington, Stephane Grappelli, Victor Borge and Brenda Lee. A whole plethora of home-grown talent also appeared in concerts, variety shows and summer extravaganzas. During its lifetime the venue was utilised as a cinema, a circus, a conference hall and an arena for wrestling and boxing bouts. During the sixties, hundreds of culturally deprived school kids were bused in from the outlying suburbs for an annual concert by the BSO. After much catcalling and abuse shouted across the aisles between opposing schools, the pupils would settle down to a two-hour recital of well-known selections from say Holst’s “Planets Suite”, or possibly the rousing final movement of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture”, under the watchful eye of frazzled teachers desperately trying to pinpoint who was responsible for the thunderous fart during the quiet passage.    

• 

  1957

• 

  1958

• 

  1958

By the late fifties the Winter Gardens became a regular stop-off on the package tour merry-go-round. Transient stars of the short-lived skiffle craze, anaemic British rock ‘n’ roll singers and the occasional American big name, would pass through as part of protracted jaunts around the provinces. However, by the early sixties it was all change as the bills became increasingly stuffed with beat merchants riding the Beat Boom. By the time the Fab Four arrived in November 1963, Beatlemania was at fever pitch, prompting three rival American television networks, NBC, CBS and ABC to descend on the Winter Gardens and film news items on the new phenomenon. A short snippet of the group performing “From Me to You” was the first sighting America got of the Liverpudlian foursome when it was aired on The Huntley-Brinkley Report on 18^th November 1963, pre-empting their Ed Sullivan Show debut on Sunday February 9^th 1964 by nearly three months. Over the next three years virtually every beat group worth its salt came to the Gardens including The Rolling Stones, The Searchers, the Dave Clarke Five, The Hollies, The Troggs, Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich, Manfred Mann, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Kinks, Freddie and the Dreamers and The Yardbirds, plus a surfeit of lesser one-hit wonders and no hopers.

• 

  The Beatles, Winter Gardens

• 

  16^th November 1963

In March 1965 a stellar Tamla Motown revue with The Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves and The Vandellas and Smokey Robinson and The Miracles came to town. Incredibly, the tour was struggling to pull in the punters with half-full theatres outside of London, particularly for the first houses. To boost ticket sales, the promoters drafted in Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames who were riding high in the charts with “Yeah Yeah”. Apparently Mary Wilson of The Supremes remembers the acts referring to the UK trek as the “ghost tour”, while Georgie Fame is still incredulous to this day that he was drafted in to try to save a bill stuffed with such exceptional talent.

By 1967 the age of multi-group packages was winding down, although one of the last, starring the Jimi Hendrix Experience, The Move, The Nice, Amen Corner and Pink Floyd, proved to be one of the most memorable. It wasn’t the first time Hendrix had been to Bournemouth; he had visited six months earlier low down on an incongruous bill featuring the Walker Brother, Cat Stevens and special guest Engelbert Humperdinck. When Jimi returned he was headlining on the back of four top twenty singles and a ground-breaking debut album, Are You Experienced. Hendrix pulled out all the stops in his forty-minute slot, playing with his teeth, behind his head and while lying on his back. He covered the hits “Hey Joe”, “Purple Haze” and “The Wind Cries Mary” and finished with “Wild Thing”, the song he climaxed his set with at the ‘Monterey Pop Festival’ five months earlier. At Monterey, he cremated his guitar buy dousing it in lighter fuel and throwing matches on it, but in Bournemouth the Swan Vestas remained firmly in his pocket.   

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, the Winter Gardens 10^th March 1972

The night John Mayall brought his new all acoustic configuration to the Gardens in 1970, the PA malfunctioned towards the end of his set. Unperturbed, Mayall, bass player Alex Dmochowski and guitarist Jon Mark improvised an instrumental using just their back line amplifiers, while Johnny Almond stood on the lip of the stage blowing into his tenor sax. The acoustics in the auditorium did the rest, captivating the audience as the notes cascaded around the hall. The same year all three members of Cream passed through within six weeks of each other in differing guises. In October Eric Clapton tried sneaking in undetected using the alias of Derek with his new band the Dominos. A month later Ginger Baker negotiated a bumpy landing with his Airforce. They were late arriving and ran into the theatre through the main entrance, clambered onto the stage and proceeded to perform an under-rehearsed, shambolic mess of a set, albeit a highly entertaining shambloic mess. Finally, Jack Bruce arrived ten days later with Tony Williams Lifetime, an extraordinarily talented jazz / rock fusion super-group with John McLaughlin on guitar and Larry Williams on keyboards. The only problem being that the band bludgeoned the small audience into submission with excessive volume.

David Gilmour and Dave Mason of Pink Floyd performing at the Winter Gardens, 22^nd January 1972

In January 1972 Pink Floyd returned to air their magnum opus Dark Side of the Moon in its entirety for only the second time, the first performance being the night before at the Portsmouth Guildhall. It was a totally different experience to the show five years previous on the Jimi Hendrix tour. Back in 1967 they were allotted seventeen minutes in which to impress the audience, choosing to air truncated versions of “Take up Thy Stethoscope and Walk” and “Interstellar Overdrive” instead of their recent hits “Arnold Layne” and “See Emily Play”. Unfortunately their guitarist Syd Barrett was in bad shape, suffering from early onset schizophrenia brought on by an over indulgence in LSD and the stresses and strains of fronting a successful band. It’s believed on at least one occasion Davy O’List of the Nice stood in for Syd, as he was unfit to perform. Fast forward to 1972 and with Dave Gilmore in for Barrett, the Floyd were on top form promoting their latest album Meddle, however, the set was dominated by Dark Side of the Moon which didn’t appear on vinyl until fifteen months later.    

• 

  Paul McCartney, Winter Gardens 1973

• 

  David Bowie backstage, Winter Gardens 1973

On the 15^th May 1973, Paul McCartney pulled into town with his new group Wings, followed by David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars ten days later. Bowie was filmed backstage and performing to the sell-out crowd for BBC’s Nationwide. The condescending voice over by Bernard Falk, describes Bowie as a “bizarre, self-constructed freak” and his band as “Yorkshire lads with down-to-earth accents whose appearance mainly seems to be moulded to fit into the Bowie image”. I wonder what Falk would have made of Queen’s outrageously camp Freddie Mercury who appeared three times, first in support of Mott the Hoople, then twice as the main event in 1974 and 1975.      

Freddie Mercury and Brian May of Queen, performing at the Winter Gardens, 23^rd November 1975

As the seventies progressed, rock bands were well-represented by Black Sabbath, Uriah Heep, Thin Lizzy, Status Quo, Bad Company, Humble Pie, Motorhead and Deep Purple, as was the progressive side of the spectrum with Genesis, King Crimson, Family, Focus, Yes, Jethro Tull, The Soft Machine and the acronymic ELO and ELP. On a quieter note, the gentle strumming of singer / songwriters Cat Stevens, Kris Kristofferson and Tom Paxton plus the hippy drippy Melanie, Incredible String Band and Donovan suited the delicate acoustics of the hall perfectly. The Americans kept their end up with Canned Heat, Flock, Lynyrd Skynryd, Blue Oyster Cult, Journey, Black Oak Arkansas, Montrose, The Beach Boys, Santana and Hall and Oates. On the pop side, when The Bay City Rollers rolled into town at the height of ‘Rollermania’ in November 1974, there were scenes reminiscent of The Beatles visit eleven years earlier as fans ran riot outside the theatre and in the auditorium. A few plucky souls even managed to scale a drainpipe onto the roof in a vain attempt to gain access to their idols before being enticed down by harassed Bobbies and members of staff.

Strummer, Jones and Simonon. The Clash whip up a riot in the Winter Gardens in November 1977

With the onslaught of punk and new wave, bands such as The Clash, Joy Division, The Buzzcocks and The Undertones made it to Exeter Road, although to be honest, they would have been better suited taking their rebellious thrash to the standing only Stateside Centre across the lower gardens. A case in point being the visit of The Clash in November 1977, which ended with a number of seats in the stalls being trashed and thrown on to the stage. Because of the damage a concert by the BSO the following night had to be cancelled. The band ended up footing the bill. As for Joy Division, their support slot with The Buzzcocks came to an abrupt end when singer Ian Cutis suffered an epileptic fit on stage and fell into the drum kit. He was carried off by roadies and taken to Boscombe hospital in an ambulance. Six months later the troubled singer, who suffered from depression as well seizures, hung himself with a washing line at his home in Macclesfield.  

Fans of AFC Bournemouth pack the Winter Gardens in 1997 to raise cash for the ailing club

The first death knell sounded for the Winter Gardens in 1979 when the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra upped sticks and moved to the neighbouring Poole Arts Centre, although there was never any suggestion of a name change to fit their new locale. An even bigger blow was struck with the opening of the brand-new Bournemouth International Centre in 1984. Overnight the Winter Gardens became redundant and staff were laid off after the final night of that year’s Summer Season starring Ken Dodd on 22^nd September. Overnight the Winter Gardens became a ghostly shell of its former self, as concerts were relocated a couple of hundred yards up the road to the 4,000 capacity BIC. For the next twenty years, the venue gradually fell into decline and disrepair and was only utilised sporadically for the odd concert and famously, in 1997, as a meeting place for AFC Bournemouth supporters who rallied round the ailing football club by throwing thousands of pounds into buckets to save the club from extinction. In 2001, in excess of 25,000 people signed a petition to save the hall, and in 2002 the BSO gave a final concert at the venue to help raise much-needed cash. However, after much wrangling between the Bournemouth council and pressure groups who tried to save it, the Winter Gardens and all its wonderful memories were bulldozed in May 2006 to make way for a car park.

If you have any memories you would like to share of the Winter Gardens, please use the contact box at the bottom of this page.

Above and Below: The crumbling Winter Gardens shortly before demolition in May 2006

The original ticket office, the last remnant of the Winter Gardens still standing

Below is a list of package tours and concerts at the Winter Gardens from 1961 to the day it closed as a fully operational theatre on Saturday 22^nd September 1984. Bournemouth Symphony Orchestral recitals, light orchestral concerts and variety shows, barring summer shows, have been excluded. If you can fill in the gaps, please contact me using the box below.

1961

Saturday 22^nd April: Monty Sunshine + Robin Hall & Jimme McGregor + Memphis Slim

Commencing Monday 5^th June: ‘Summer Show’ Max Bygraves + Benson Dulay + Maureen Evans + Ted Durante + Ossie Morris + Judy Moxon

Commencing Monday 12^th June: ‘Summer Show’ Billy Cotton and His Band

Commencing Monday 19^th June: ‘Summer Show‘ Hughie Green with ‘Double Your Money’ & ‘Opportunity Knocks’

Commencing Monday 3^rd July to Saturday 9^th September: ‘Summer Show‘ The Beverley Sisters + Dickie Henderson + The Three Monarchs

Sunday 23^rd July: Petula Clark + Valetta Lacopi + Ronald Hill + Jack Byfield + Max Jaffa + Reginald Kilbey

Sunday 6^th August: Adam Faith + Red Price and His Group + The Brook Brothers + Maureen Evans + Mike Preston + Wilf Todd and His Trio

Sunday 13^th August: The Shadows

Sunday 20^th August: Tommy Steele + The Brook Brothers

Sunday 27^th August: Mark Wynter + John Leyton + Eden Kane + Mike Preston + Red Price and His Group

Saturday 30^th September: Helen Shapiro + Robin Hall & Jimmie MacGregor with The Galliards + The Viscounts + Colin Day + Red Price and His Combo + Compere Dave Allen

Sunday 8^th October: Chris Barber Jazz Band + Ottilie Patterson

Sunday 3^rd December: The Kenny Ball Jazzmen

Saturday 30^th December: Acker Bilk and His Paramount Jazz Men

1962

Saturday 27^th January: Frankie Vaughan + Billy Trent and His Orchestra

Sunday 25^th February: Bobby Vee + Tony Orlando + Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry + The Springfields + Suzy Cope + Jimmy Crawford + The Ravens + Compere Billy Burdon

Saturday 10^th March: Helen Shapiro + The Four Jays + The Brook Bothers + Red Price and His Combo + The Dale Sisters + Colin Day + Compere Dave Allen

Saturday 28^th April: Gary “US” Bonds + Johnny Burnette + The Fabulous Flee-Rekkers + The Four Kestrels + Rolly Daniels + Gene McDaniels + The Condors + Danny Rivers + Compere Mark Wynter

Commencing Monday 11^th June to Sunday 24^th June : ‘Summer Show‘ Max Bygraves + Eddie Gordon and Nancy + Roger Carne + Roy Stevens + Jack Simpson + Gillian and June + The Burt Twins

Wednesday 26^th September: Del Shannon + Dion + Joe Brown and the Bruvvers + Buzz Clifford + The Allisons + Peppi + The New York Twisters + Wallace and Duval + Suzy Cope

Saturday 13^th October: The Shadows + Chas McDevitt and Shirley Douglas + The Dale Sisters + The Trebletones + The Belltones + Compere Dave Allen

Saturday 27^th October: Everly Brothers + Frank Ifield + Ketty Lester + Dean Rogers + Terry Young Five + Vernon Girls + Compere Norman Collier

Saturday 10^th November: Bobby Vee + The Crickets + Ronnie Carroll + Russ Sainty and the Nu-Notes + Frank Kelly and the Hunters + Johnny De Little + Compere Frank Berry

Saturday 1^st December: Helen Shapiro + Eden Kane + Vernon Girls + The Kestrels + Red Price and His Orchestra + Rhet Stoller and the Dynamics + Arthur Worsley with Charlie Brown + Comperes Billy Burden and Bobby Dennis

1963

Saturday 9^th February: Brian Hyland + Little Eva + The Brook Brothers + The Chariots + Johnny Temple + Rhythm and Blues Quintet Plus One + Compere Dave Reid

Saturday 16^th March: Joe Brown and the Bruvvers + Susan Maughan + The Tornados + Eden Kane + Shane Fenton and the Fentones + Jess Conrad + Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers + Daryl Quist + Peter Lodge + Mike & Tony Nevitt + Rolf Harris and the Diggeroos + Compere Al Paige

Sunday 24^th March: Frank Ifield + Maureen Evans and the Dallas Boys + The Lana Sisters + Arthur Worsley and Charlie Brown + Tommy Wallis and Beryl + The Johnny Hawkins Four + Compere Ted Rogers

Saturday 30^th March: Brenda Lee + Mike Berry and the Outlaws + Tony Sheridan + The Bachelors + Steve Perry + Sounds Incorporated + Compere Bob Bain 

Saturday 20^th April: Del Shannon + Johnny Tillotson + The Springfields + Kenny Lynch + Peppi + The Eagles + Jerry Stevens + Rey Anton + Compere Ray Bennett

Saturday 11^th May: Jerry Lee Lewis + Gene Vincent + Heinz and the Outlaws + Andy Cavell and the Saints + Mickie Most + Dev Douglas + Brad Newman + Compere Chris Carlsen

Saturday 18^th May: John Leyton + Mike Sarne + Billie Davis + Jet Harris and Tony Meehan + Mike Berry and the Innocents + Duffy Power + Billy Doyle + The X-L Five + Compere Don Spencer

Commencing Monday 3^rd June to Saturday 21^st September: ‘Summer Show‘ Winifred Atwell + Lance Percival + Ronnie Carroll + Antonio Vargas and his Spanish Dancers + Toni Ross + Des Lane + Gerard Sety + The Mistins + The Don Robb Group

Sunday 4^th August: Billy Fury + The Tornados + Bert Weedon + Jackie Trent + The Hollies + Eric Delaney and his Easy Beat Band 

Sunday 11^th August: Jet Harris and Tony Meehan + The Springfields + Mark Wynter + Jan and Kelly + The Hollies + Eric Delaney and his Easy Beat Band

Sunday 18^th August: Billy Fury + The Tornados + Bert Weedon + Jan and Kelly + The Bell-Tones + Eric Delaney and his Easy Beat Band 

1^st September: Shirly Bassey

Sunday 8^th September: Aker Bilk and his Paramount Jazz Band

Sunday 29^th September: Frank Ifield + The Raindrops + Ted Rogers

Sunday 13^th October: Tommy Roe + Freddie and the Dreamers + The Searchers + Ian Crawford and the Boomerangs + Rob Charles Combo + Patrick Dane and the Quiet Five + Compere Ted King 

Sunday 20^th October: Dee Dee Sharp + Johnny Kidd and the Pirates + Heinz and the Saints + Joe Brown and the Bruvvers + Gerry and the Pacemakers + Vince Eager + Big Three + The Caravelles

Saturday 9^th November: Billy Fury + Joe Brown and His Bruvvers + Karl Denver Trio + The Tornadoes + Marty Wilde + Daryl Quist + Dickie Pride + The Ramblers + Compere Larry Burns 

Saturday 16^th November: The Beatles + The Brook Brothers + Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers + Vernon Girls + The Kestrels + The Rhythm and Blues Quartet + Compere Frank Berry

Saturday 23^rd November: Duane Eddy + The Shirelles + Gene Vincent + Carter Lewis and the Southerners + Mickie Most + The Flintstones + The Roof Raisers + Compere Ray Cameron

Saturday 7^th December: Bobby Rydell + Helen Shapiro + The Chants + The Harlems + The Spotnicks + The Trebletones + The Merseybeats + Compere Alan Field 

1964

Tuesday 28^th January: Steve Benbow + Cyril Tawney

Sunday 2^nd February: ‘The First Big Beat and Vocal Contest’ Barry and the Blue Stars + The Sandstorms + Tony, Howard and the Dictators + The Ragtimers + The Concordes + The Dominators + The Barbarians + The South Coast 5ive + The Initials Beat Combo + Lee Peterson and the Defenders + Bob and the K.D.C. + The Tallmen

Saturday 15^th February: Gerry and the Pacemakers + Ben E King + The Fourmost + Tommy Quickly + The Dennisons + Sounds Incorporated + Compere Jimmy Tarbuck

Saturday 22^nd February: John Leyton + Mike Sarne + The Rolling Stones + The Swinging Blues Jeans + Mike Berry and the Innocents + Eden Kane + Jet Harris + The LeRoys + Billie Davis + Compere Billy Boyle 

23^rd February: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra

Saturday 29^th February: Joe Brown and the Bruvvers + Manfred Mann + The Crystals + Johnny Kidd and the Pirates + Heinz and the Saints + Mike Preston + Daryl Quist + Compere Al Paige

Saturday 21^st March: Bobby Vee + The Searchers + The Diamonds + Dusty Springfield + Big Dee Irwin + The Echoes + Suzy Cope + Alan Davison + Compere Tony Marsh

Saturday 4^th April: The Bachelors + Bern Elliott and the Fenmen

Sunday 5^th April:  Chris Barber’s Jazz Band + Ottilie Patterson

Saturday 11^th April: Adam Faith + Brian Poole and the Tremoles

Sunday 12^th April: ‘The Big Beat Concert’ Trendsetters Ltd. + Dave La Kaz and the G Men + Tony, Howard and the Dictators + The Initials  

Saturday 25^th April: Dave Clark Five + The Hollies + The Kinks + The Mojos + Mark Wynter + The Trebletones + The Mojos + Compere Frank Berry

Sunday 3^rd May: Roy Orbison + Freddie and the Dreamers + Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders + Tony Sheridan and the Bobby Patrick Six + Chris Sandford and the Coronets + Three Quarters + The Federals 

Monday 11^th May: The Rolling Stones + Cliff Bennett and the Rebel Rousers + Peter Jay and the Jaywalkers + Julie Grant + Keith Powel and the Valets + Compere Chris Carlsen

Saturday 16^th May: Chuck Berry + Carl Perkins + King Size Taylor and the Dominos + The Animals + The Swinging Blue Jeans + The Nashville Teens + The Other Two + Compere Larry Burns

Commencing June to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Matt Monro + The Three Monarchs + Derek Dene + Shelia Buxton + The Dallas Boys

Sunday 16^th August: The Dave Clark Five + The Migil Five

Saturday 3^rd October: Manfred Mann + Bill Haley and the Comets + The Nashville Teens + Rockin’ Berries + Untamed Four + Bobby Patrick Big Six + Compere Bob Bain

Saturday 24^th October: Erroll Garner

Sunday 25^th October: ‘The Second Big Beat and Vocal Contest’ The Cortinas + Maureen Garrett + The Hunters + The Bunch + The Surfin Gremmies + The Tallmen + Systems Go + The Conquerors + The Stool Pigeons + Tony Temple and the Deacons + Peter and the Wolves + Wendy Stanley

Saturday 31^st October: The Searchers + Dionne Warwick + The Isley Brothers + The Zombies + Alan Elsdon and the Voodoos + Tony Sheveton + Comperes Syd and Eddie

Saturday 7^th November: Gene Vincent + Lulu and the Luvvers + The Applejacks + Millie + The Honeycombs + Daryl Quist + The Puppets + The Beat Merchants + The Shouts + Compere Freddie Earl 

Sunday 15^th November: The Animals + Carl Perkins + Tommy Tucker + Elkie Brooks + The Nashville Teens + The Quotations + The Plebs + Compere Ray Cameron 

Sunday 22^nd November: Cilla Black

Saturday 28^th November: Gene Pitney + Gerry and the Pacemakers + The Kinks + Marianne Faithfull + Mike Cotton Sound + Bobby Shafto and the Roofraisers + Kim Weston and the Earl Van Dyke Quartet + Compere Bryan Burdon

1965

Saturday 20^th February: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra

Saturday 27^th February: Adam Faith and the Roulettes + Sandie Shaw + Duke D’Mond and the Baron Knights + The Paramounts + Patrick Kerr + Compere Freddie Earl

Saturday 27^th March: The Supremes + Stevie Wonder + Martha and The Vandellas + Smokey Robinson and The Miracles + Earl Van Dyke Six + Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames + Compere Tony Marsh 

Saturday 15^th May: The Yardbirds + The Kinks + Goldie and the Gingerbreads + The Riot Squad + Val McKenna + Jeff and Jon + Mickey Finn + Compere Bob Bain

 Sunday 23^rd May: Donovan + New Faces + The Pretty Things + Unit 4 Plus 2 + John L. Watson and the Hummelflugs + Compere Chris Carlson

Commencing Saturday 5^th June to Saturday 17^th July: ‘Summer Show‘ Russ Conway + Ray Fell + The Gale Boys + Kathy Kirby + The Dancing Debs + The Music Men + Compere Joan Davis

Commencing Monday 19^th July to Saturday 28^th August: ‘Summer Show‘ Russ Conway + Ray Fell + The Gale Boys + Dusty Springfield + The Dancing Debs + The Music Men + Compere Joan Davis

Sunday 15^th August: The Bachelors + The Maydells + Frankie Holmes + Peter Maxwell + The Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Sunday 22^nd August: Frank Ifield + Don Arrol + Johnny Wiltshire and the Trebletones + Zona + Take Five + Rick & Sandy + Jack Douglas

Sunday 29^th August: Frankie Vaughan and the V Group + Mrs. Mills + David and Marianne Dalmour + The Paramounts + Denny Piercy

Commencing Monday 30^th August to Saturday 25^th September: ‘Summer Show‘ Russ Conway + Ray Fell + The Gale Boys + Adele Leigh + The Dancing Debs + The Music Men + Compere Joan Davis

2^nd October: Peter, Paul and Mary

Saturday 9^th October: P. J. Proby + The Walker Brothers + The Zombies + Elkie Brooks + Boz and the Boz People + The Matadors + Compere Denny Piercy 

Saturday 23^rd October: The Everly Brothers + Cilla Black + Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas + Lionel Blair and the Kick Dancers + Paddy, Klaus and Gibson + The Marionettes + The Alan Elsdon Band + Compere Pete Brady 

27^th October: Julian Bream

Saturday 6^th November: Gene Pitney + The Rockin’ Berries + Peter and Gordon + Lulu and the Luvvers + The Quiet Five + Mike Cotton Sound + Comperes Syd & Eddie

Sunday 21^st November: Herman’s Hermits + Wayne Fontana + The Fortunes + Billy Fury and the Gamblers + The Country Gents + Little Frankie + Compere Ray Cameron

Sunday 28^th November: Aker Bilk and his Paramount Jazzmen

1966

Saturday 2^nd April: The Seekers + The Honeycombs + Carrie MacDonald with the Marge Lewis Pattern + Compere Dave Allen

Saturday 30^th April: Roy Orbison + The Walker Brothers + Lulu and the Luvvers + The Marionettes + Kim D and the Del Five + Quotations + Compere Ray Cameron 

Commencing Saturday 16^th July to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Morecombe and Wise + Susan Maughan + Ivor Emmanuel + Eric Delaney and his Band + Arthur Worsley with Charlie Brown + The Aristons + Valerie Shelton + Marvo

Sunday 7^th August: Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames + Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds + Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band + The Alan Price Set + Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band + The Train + Compere Dave Cash

Sunday 14^th August: Frankie Vaughan and the V Group

Sunday 28^th August: The Beverley Sisters + Roy Hudd + The Baron Knights + Tony Rivers and the Castaways + The Trebletones + The Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Friday 12^th September: The Shadows + Eric Delaney and his Band + Derek Dene + Compere George Martin 

Wednesday 28^th September: Dusty Springfield with The Echoes + The Alan Price Set + The Settlers + Episode 6 + Dave Berry + David and Johnathan + Boz and His Group + Compere Jeff Lenner

Sunday 16^th October: The Modern Jazz Quartet

Saturday 12^th November: The Walker Brothers + The Troggs + Dave Dee Dozy Beaky Mick & Tich + The Montanas + The Quotations + Clodagh Rogers + Compere Don Crockett 

1967

Friday 17^th March: Gene Pitney + The Troggs + David Garrick + Normie Rowe and the Playboys + The Loot + The Vision + Sounds Incorporated + Compere Bryan Burdon

Sunday 19^th March: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra

Saturday 1^st April: Roy Orbison + The Small Faces + Paul and Barry Ryan + The Settlers + Sonny Childe and the T.N.T. + The Rob Storme Group + P. P. Arnold + Compere Ray Cameron

Saturday 29^th April: The Walker Brothers + Cat Stevens + Engelbert Humperdink + The Jimi Hendrix Experience + The Californians + The Quotations + Compere Nicky Jones

Tuesday 9^th May: Jesse Fuller + Champion Jack Dupree + Alexis Korner and Long John Baldry 

27^th May: Donovan

Commencing Monday 19^th June to Saturday 22^nd July: ‘Summer Show‘ The Seekers + Ted Rogers + Peter Maxwell

Commencing Wednesday 26^th July to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Frankie Vaughan and the Vee Men + Tommy Cooper + The Rockin’ Berries + Mrs Mills + Edmundson and Elliott

Sunday 6^th August: Charlie Drake + Joe ‘Mr. Piano’ Henderson + Eric Delaney and his Band

Sunday 13^th August: Charlie Drake + Marie Peters and Michael Knights + Eric Delaney and his Band

Sunday 20^th August: Harry Secombe

Sunday 27^th August: The Shadows + Honky Von Tonk + The O’Connor Sisters + The Four Kinsman + The Eric Delaney Band 

Saturday 4^th November: Gladys Knight and the Pips

Wednesday 15^th November: The Jimi Hendrix Experience + The Move + Pink Floyd + The Nice + Amen Corner + Eire Apparent + The Outer Limits + Compere Pete Drummond 

1968

Saturday 20^th April: Gene Pitney + Don Partridge + Status Quo + Amen Corner + Simon Dupree and the Big Sound

Saturday 27^th April: The Kinks + The Herd + Gary Walker and the Rain + The Tremeloes + Ola and the Janglers + The Life ‘n’ Soul + Compere Ray Cameron

Saturday 25^th May: Julie Felix

Monday 3^rd June: The Seekers + Russ Conway

Commencing Friday 7^th June to Saturday 3^rd August: ‘Summer Show‘ Tom Jones + The Squires + Ted Heath and his Orchestra + Roy Castle + The Jeff Saunders Trio + The Barry Lee Show + Gary Stevens + The Rita King Dancers

Commencing Tuesday 6^th August to Monday 26^th September: ‘Summer Show‘ Frank Ifield + Michael Bentine + Terry Scott and Hugh Lloyd + Semprini + The New Faces + The Rita King Dancers + Eric Delaney and his Orchestra

Saturday 23^rd November: Pentangle

1969

Saturday 22^nd February: Sinnermen and Sara + Karpaty Polish Dancers

Friday 28^th February Renaissance

Saturday 1^st March: Marian Montgomery + Humphrey Littleton and his Band

Saturday 15^th March: Englebert Humperdink + Mary Hopkin + Ted Rogers

Thursday 27^th March: Nana Mouskouri and the Athenians

Tuesday 8^th April: Nina and Fredrick

Saturday 19^th April: Herman’s Hermits + The Love Affair + Dave Berry and the Sponge + The Parking Lot + Compere Johnnie Walker

Commencing Saturday 7^th June to Wednesday 23^rd July: ‘Summer Show‘ Anita Harris + Joe ‘Mr. Piano’ Henderson + Edmund Hockridge + Eric Delaney and his Band

Commencing Friday 25^th July to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Ken Dodd + Pearl Carr and Teddy Johnson + The Grumbleweeds + Rudy Cardenas + Eric Delaney and his Band

Sunday 10^th August: Frank Ifield

Sunday 17^th August: Harry Secombe + Leslie Crowther + Terri Stevens + Audrey Jeans + Johnny Hawkins and his Orchestra

Sunday 24^th August: Morecambe and Wise + Ray Alan with Lord Charles + Chris and Eileen O’Connor + Tony Evans and his Orchestra

Sunday 31^st August: The Bachelors + Ray Alan with Lord Charles + Stan Stennett + Chris and Eileen O’Connor + Tony Evans and his Orchestra

Sunday 16^thNovemver: Rolf Harris + The Pattersons

Saturday 22^nd November: John Mayall

Sunday 30^th November: Duke Ellington

1970

Saturday 24^th January: Canned Heat + Renaissance

Friday 6^th February: The Nice

Sunday 15^th February: The New Seekers

Sunday 12^th April: Gene Pitney + Badfinger + Johnny Hackett + Satisfaction + Clodagh Rodgers

Saturday 18^th April: The Flock + The Spirit of John Morgan

Saturday 2^nd May: Taj Mahal + Rare Bird

Wednesday 13^th May: Johnny Cash

Saturday 16^th May: John Mayall + Duster Bennett

Sunday 17^th May: Roy Orbison + Karen Young + Arrival + The Art Movement + Compere Jimmy Marshall

Saturday 23^rd May: Tom Paxton

Friday 5^th June: The Keef Hartley Big Band

Commencing July to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Max Bygraves + Tony Cawley + Ric Benny + The Selmas + Rostal and Schaefer + John Steed and his Orchestra

Sunday 30^th August: Vince Hill

Wednesday 7^th October: Derek and the Dominos + Bret Marvin and The Thunderbolts

Tuesday 20^th October: Emerson Lake and Palmer + Spontaneous Combustion

Sunday 25^th October: Adge Cutler and the Wurzels

Friday 30^th October: Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee + Sister Rosetta Tharpe + Bukka White + Champion Jack Dupree + Willie Dixon’s Chicago Blues All-Stars with Shakey Horton, Lafayette Leak, Clifton James and Lee Jackson The American Folk, Blues & Gospel Festival ’70

Wednesday 4^th November: Ginger Baker’s Air Force

Friday 6^th November: Deep Purple

Saturday 7^th November: Shirley Bassey

Sunday 15^th November: Tony Williams Lifetime with Jack Bruce, John McLaughlin and Larry Young

Friday 20^th November: Cliff Richard + Marvin, Welch & Farrar

Saturday 21^st November: Family

Friday 27^th November: Tyrannosaurus Rex

Friday 28^th November: Woody Herman and his Orchestra

Wednesday 2^nd December: Englebert Humperdink

Saturday 12^th December: The Beach Boys + The Flame

1971

Saturday 30^th January: Julie Felix with Danny Thompson

Sunday 31^st January: The Faces + Steamhammer + Eclection

Friday 5^th February: Alexis Korner and Peter Thurup + Duster Bennett + Karakorum

Saturday 6^th February: Stevie Wonder + Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

Sunday 7^th February: Deep Purple + Hardin York

Saturday 13^th February: Van Der Graff Generator + Genesis + Lindisfarne

Sunday 14^th February: Leon Russell

Friday 26^th February: Pentangle

Tuesday 2^nd March: Free + Amazing Blondel

Friday 5^th March: Jethro Tull + Steeleye Span

Wednesday 10^th March: Yes + Johnathon Swift

Friday 19^th March: Tom Paxton

Wednesday 24^th March: The Glen Miller Orchestra

Saturday 27^th March: Fairport Convention

Tuesday 30^th March: The Incredible String Band

Sunday 4^th April: Georgie Fame and Alan Price + Zoot Money

Tuesday 6^th April: Emerson, Lake and Palmer

Friday 16^th April: Mott the Hoople + Bronco

Saturday 17^th April: Mungo Jerry + Comus

Tuesday 20^th April: Electric Light Orchestra

Wednesday 21^st April: Caravan + Barclay James Harvest + Gringo

Friday 23^rd April: The Soft Machine

Sunday 9^th May: T Rex

Friday 21^st May: Cat Stevens + Tir Na Nog

Tuesday 25^th May: Rod McKuen

Wednesday 26^th May: The Faces + Atomic Rooster

Friday 28^th May: Judith Durham

Wednesday 2^nd June: King Crimson + Roger Ruskin Spear and his Giant Kinetic Wardrobe

Commencing Wednesday 30^th June to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Bruce Forsyth + Moira Anderson + Ray Alan with Lord Charles + Heathmore + Eric Winstone and his Orchestra

Wednesday 29^th September: Deep Purple + Bullet

Saturday 2^nd October: Gene Pitney + Marvin, Welch & Farrar

Friday 8^th October: The Jacques Loussier Trio

Wednesday 13^th October: The New Seekers

Friday 15^th October: King Crimson

Wednesday 20^th October: Duke Ellington and his Orchestra

Saturday 23^rd October: Curved Air + Bunkers

Wednesday 27^th October: Steeleye Span + Al Stewart + Andy Roberts Band

Saturday 30^th October: The Four Tops + Esther Marrow

Wednesday 3^rd November: Argent + Climax Chicago Blues Band + Duffy Power

Saturday 6^th November: The Pedlars + Pendulum

Wednesday 10^th November: Memphis Slim

Friday 12^th November: Little Richard + Winston Goovy

Saturday 13^th November: Tom Paxton

Saturday 20^th November: The Supremes + Labi Siffre

Wednesday 24^th November:  Cliff Richard + Marvin, Welch & Farrah

Friday 26^th November: Elton John

Wednesday 1^st December: Family + Help Yourself

1972

Saturday 22^nd January: Pink Floyd

Friday 28^th January: Lindisfarne + Spreadeagle

Saturday 29^th January: The Stevie Wonder Revue

Friday 11^th February: Black Sabbath + Wild Turkey

Sunday 20^th February: Wishbone Ash + Glencoe

Saturday 26^th February: The Incredible String Band

Friday 10^th March: Jethro Tull + Tir Na Nog

Saturday 11^th March: Sacha Distel

Friday 17^th March: Rory Gallagher + Byzantium

Tuesday 28^th March: Labi Siffre + The Flirtations

Wednesday 5^th April: John Mayall + Matching Mole

Sunday 9^th April: The New Seekers

Tuesday 11^th April: Van Der Graaf Generator

Wednesday 12^th April: The Temptations + Carla Thomas + Jimmy Helms

Wednesday 26^th April: The Incredible String Band

Saturday 29^th April: Curved Air + Gary Moore Band + Nick Pickett

Friday 5^th May: The Strawbs + Quiver

Tuesday 16^th May: Kris Kristofferson + Rita Coolidge

Sunday 21^st May: Marvin, Welch and Farrar

Tuesday 23^rd May: Electric Light Orchestra + Colin Blunstone + F.F.Z.

Friday 26^th May: Uriah Heep + Mike Maran

Friday 2^nd June: Lindisfarne + Capability Brown

Saturday 3^rd June: Donovan

Sunday 4^th June: Roy Orbison

Commencing Saturday 10^th June to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Val Doonican + Dailey and Wayne + Mike Newman + Des Lane + Shelia Southern + The Roger Richards Quartet + The Triangle + Geoff Alderson and his Orchestra

Sunday 6^th August: Mike and Bernie Winters

Sunday 13^th August: The Max Bygraves Show

Sunday 20^th August: Clodagh Rogers + Charlie Williams

Sunday 27^th August: The Jimmy Tarbuck Show

Wednesday 4^th October: The Everly Brothers

Friday 6^th October: Deep Purple

Tuesday 10^th October: Tom Paxton

Friday 13^th October: Lindisfarne + Genesis + Rab Noakes

Saturday 28^th October: The Four Tops + Thelma Houston

Saturday 4^th November: Gladys Knight and the Pips + Desmond Dekker and the Aces + Carol Woods

Wednesday 8^th November: Slade + Thin Lizzy + Susi Quatro

Friday 10^th November: Emerson, Lake and Palmer + Jimmy Stevens

Sunday 12^th November: Gilbert O’Sullivan

Wednesday 15^th November: Argent + Bronco

Saturday 25^th November: Wishbone Ash + Curtiss Muldoon

Sunday 26^th November: King Crimson

Wednesday 29^th November: Cat Stevens

Friday 8^th December: Groundhogs + Stray + Gentle Giant

Sunday 10^th December: Family + Linda Lewis  

1973

Friday 12^th January: Uriah Heep + Maldoon

Wednesday 7^th February: Rory Gallagher + Greenslade

Saturday 24^th February: Deep Purple + Nazareth

Tuesday 6^th March: The Strawbs

Thursday 15^th March: Black Sabbath + Necromandus + Badger

Saturday 17^th March: Elton John + Longdancer

Saturday 24^th March: King Crimson + Claire Hamill

Friday 30^th March: Petula Clark

Sunday 8^th April: The New Seekers

Friday 13^th April: Roxy Music + Sharks

Saturday 28^th April: Curved Air + Nick Pickett

Sunday  29^th April: Glen Campbell

Saturday 5^th May: Fats Domino

Wednesday 9^th May: Ralph McTell + Hunter Muskett

Friday 11^th May: Barclay James Harvest + Bridget St John

Tuesday 15^th May: Paul McCartney and Wings + Brinsley Schwarz

Wednesday 23^rd May: Nana Mouskouri and the Athenians

Friday 25^th May: David Bowie and the Spiders from Mars

Saturday 26^th May: Gilbert O’Sullivan

Wednesday 31^st May: Cilla Black

Commencing Saturday 9^th June to Saturday 29^th September: ‘Summer Show‘ Dick Emery + Mark Wynter + The Dallas Boys + Janie Marden + Francis Van Dyke + John Quayle

Sunday 5^th August: The Mike and Bernie Winters Show + Peter Maxwell + Jack Beckitt + Lynne Stanley + David Konyot + Eric Delaney and his Band

Sunday 12^th August: Anita Harris + Bobby Crush + Lionel Blair + David Konyot + Eric Delaney and his Band

Sunday 19^th August: Rolf Harris

Sunday 26^th August: Jimmy Tarbuck + Rostal & Schaefer + The Two Jays + Kenny Lynch + Johnny Wiltshire and his Orchestra

Friday 5^th October: Cliff Richard

Friday 12^th October: Genesis + Ron Geesin

Tuesday 16^th October: Don McLean

Tuesday 23^rd October: Daryll Way’s Wolf + Hemlock + Pete Brown

Tuesday 6^th November: Roxy Music + Leo Sayer

Wednesday 7^th November: The Groundhogs + Jonesy

Saturday 10^th November: Uriah Heep + The Heavy Metal Kids

Tuesday 13^th November: Tom Paxton

Saturday 16^th & Sunday 17^th November: Yes

Wednesday 21^st November: Rory Gallagher + Strider

Saturday 24^th November: Hudson Ford

Friday 30^th November: Mott the Hoople + Queen

Wednesday 19^th December: The Faces + Long John Baldry

Sunday 23^rd December: Hudson Ford

1974

Friday 11^th January: George Melly and his Feetwarmers

Saturday 19^th January: Hawkwind + Andy Dunkley + Lens Liquid Lights

Tuesday 26^th February: The Carpenters

Wednesday 27^th February: Manitas De Plata

Sunday 3^rd March: Wizzard + Raymond Froggat

Saturday 23^rd March: Glen Campbell

Tuesday 26^th March: The New Seekers

Wednesday 27^th March: Mott The Hoople + Judi Pulver

Friday 29^th March: Gentle Giant + String Driven Thing

Saturday 20^th April: Jose Feliciano

Sunday 22^nd April: Alvin Stardust

Tuesday 23^rd April: Slade + Beckett

Wednesday 24^th April: Mick Ronson Band

Friday 26^th April: Sweet + Jook

Sunday 5^th May: Andy Williams + Michel Legrand

Wednesday 8^th May: The Strawbs + Colin Scott & Friends

Friday 10^th May: Status Quo + Montrose

Monday 17^th May: John Renbourn + Jacqui McShee

Sunday 19^th May: Deep Purple + Elf

Wednesday 29^th May: Steeleye Span + Gryphon

Friday 31^st May: Black Sabbath + Black Oak Arkansas

Saturday 1^st June: The Hollies + James Griffin

Commencing Saturday 8^th June to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Lulu + Roy Hudd + Freddie Garrity + Little and Large + Second Generation + Les Dougall’s

Thursday 3^rd October: Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass

Saturday 5^th October: McGuiness Flint

Tuesday 8^th October: Uriah Heep + Peter Frampton

Thursday 10^th October: Status Quo

Sunday 13^th & Monday 14^th October: Roxy Music + Jess Roden Band

Sunday 20^th October: Suzie Quatro + Cozy Powell

Monday 21^st October: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band + Jackie Lynton

Friday 25^th October: Mud

Wednesday 30^th October: Jack Jones

Tuesday 5^th November: Humble Pie + McGuiness Flint

Wednesday 13^th November: Queen + Hustler

Friday 15^th November: The Bay City Rollers

Monday 18^th November: David Essex + Merlin

Wednesday 20^th November: Victor Borge

Friday 22^nd November: Argent

Tuesday 26^th November: Sparks + Mott the Hoople

Saturday 30^th November: Cliff Richard

Sunday 1^st December: Golden Earring + Lynyrd Synyrd

Friday 6^th December: The Faces + Strider

Monday 9^th December: Supertramp + Chris De Burgh

Wednesday 11^th December: Hot Chocolate

Friday 13^th December: Uriah Heep

Monday 16^th December: Bad Company + Duster Bennett

Wednesday 18^th December: Showaddywaddy

1975

Saturday 11^th January: Hawkwind

Saturday 2^nd March: The Spinners

Sunday 16^th March: Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel + Sailor

Monday 17^th March: Ralph McTell + Terry and Gay Woods

Saturday 22^nd March: 10CC + Fancy

Friday 28^th March: Oscar Peterson

Tuesday 1^st April: Demis Rousso

Wednesday 2^nd April: Perry Como

Friday 18^th April: Slade + Bunny

Friday 2^nd May: Planet Gong + Global Village Trucking Company

Friday 16^th May: Don Mclean

Saturday 17^th May: The Bay City Rollers

Wednesday 21^st May: The Shadows

Friday 23^rd May: Mud

Tuesday 27^th May: The Glitter Band

Monday 2^nd June: Donovan

Commencing July to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Rolf Harris + Cannon and Ball + The Dallas Boys + Johnny Hutch’s Halfwits + The Geoff Alderson Orchestra

Sunday 31^st August: Lena Zavaroni + Freddie Tira + Al Paige + Stella and Bambos + The Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Sunday 7^th September: Kraftwerk + AJ Webber

Monday 29^th September: Budgie

Wednesday 1^st October: Leo Sayer

Thursday 2^nd October: Dianne Solomon

Friday 3^rd October: Melanie

Monday 6^th October: David Essex

Tuesday 14^th October: Roger Whitaker + Saffron

Wednesday 15^th October: Los Paraguayos

Wednesday 29^th October: Ella Fitzgerald + Count Basie and his Orchestra

Thursday 30^th October: The Chieftans

Saturday 8^th November: Cliff Richard

Wednesday 19^th November: Supertramp + Joan Armatrading + The Movies

Sunday 23^rd November: Queen + Mr Big

Wednesday 26^th November: Justin Hayward & John Lodge Blue Jays + AJ Webber

1976

Wednesday 18^th February: Sailor

Friday 20^th February: T Rex

Monday 8^th March: Thin Lizzy + Graham Parker and the Rumour

Tuesday 9^th March: The Kinks + Splinter

Friday 12^th March: Hawkwind

Wednesday 17^th March: Procol Harum

Monday 29^th March: Focus + Charlie

Tuesday 30^th March: Camel + Hazzard and Barnes

Thursday 3^rd April: Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons + R & J Stone

Sunday 6^th April: Johnny Mathis

Monday 12^th April: Rick Wakeman

Tuesday 13^th April: Leo Sayer

Wednesday 14^th April: Diana Ross

Wednesday 12^th May: The Supremes

Saturday 15^th May: Chuck Berry

Friday 21^st May: The Sensational Alex Harvey Band

Wednesday 2^nd June: Average White Band + Kokomo

Commencing Saturday 12^th June to Saturday 2^nd October: ‘Summer Show‘ Freddie Starr + Lyn Paul + Jack O’Reilly and Jeorge + Mike Burton + Paul Ridgeway + The Geoff Alderson Orchestra

Tuesday 5^th October: Marvin Gaye

Friday 8^th October: Hot Chocolate + Caledonia

Sunday 10^th October: The Four Tops

Monday 11^th October: Mott the Hoople + Lone Star

Wednesday 20^th October: Sutherland Brothers and Quiver + Moon

Wednesday 27^th October: Barclay James Harvest + Easy Street

Friday 29^th October: Sailor + Smith and D’Abo

Sunday 2^nd November: Curved Air

Monday 8^th November: Santana + Journey

Friday 12^th November: The Jess Roden Band

Tuesday 2^nd December: Roxy Music

Wednesday 3^rd December: Steeleye Span

Sunday 12^th December: Hawkwind

1977

Friday 21^st January: Daryl Hall and John Oates

Wednesday 2^nd February: Bryan Ferry

Monday 7^th February: John Miles

Saturday 12^th February: Chris De Burgh + Phillip Goodhand Tait

Sunday 13^th February: Rory Gallagher

Monday 14^th February: Emmylou Harris and the Hot Band

Wednesday 16^th February: Be Bop De Luxe + The Doctors of Madness

Sunday 16^th March: Can

Tuesday 29^th March: Graham Parker and The Rumour + Southside Johnny and the Ashbury Jukes

Wednesday 30^th March: Roy Orbison

Thursday 10^th April: Frankie Miller’s Full House

Saturday 19^th April: John Cale + The Boys + The Count Bishops

Tuesday 29^th April: Carl Perkins + The Dillards + Billie Jo Spears

Monday 2^nd May: Slade

Tuesday 13^th May: The Shadows

June to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Peters and Lee + Stu Francis + Jodie Grey + Dailey and Wayne + Roger De Courcey and Nookie Bear + Mike Alexander and his Orchestra

Sunday 7^th August: Vince Hill

Sunday 14^th August: Tommy Cooper + Linda Myers + Peter Hudson + Los Zafiros + The Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Sunday 21^st August: Leslie Crowther + Bernie Flint + Ray Alan and Lord Charles + Jim Davidson + The Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Sunday 28^th August: Tommy Cooper + Linda Myers + Peter Hudson + Los Zafiros + The Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Monday 17^th October: Joan Armatrading + Richard Digance

Wednesday 19^th October: Dr Feelgood + Mink DeVille

Monday 7^th November: Supertramp + Chris De Burgh

Tuesday 8^th November: Showaddywaddy

Wednesday 9^th November: The Clash + Richard Hell and the Voidoids + The Lous

Wednesday 30^th November: Thin Lizzy + The Radiators

1978

Saturday 11^th February: George Melly and the Feetwarmers + Marian Montgomery

Tuesday 7^th March: Steeleye Span

Tuesday 21^st March: Tom Robinson Band

Wednesday 22^nd March: John Miles + John ‘Cougar’ Mellencamp

Wednesday 12^th April: Hot Chocolate

Friday 21^st April: Frankie Laine

Saturday 22^nd April: Showaddywaddy

Sunday 23^rd April: Carl Perkins + Bo Diddley + Matchbox

Tuesday 2^nd May: Fairport Convention

Monday 15^th May: Ian Dury and The Blockheads + Whirlwind + Matumbi

Tuesday 16^th May: Darts + The Late Show

Saturday 20^th May: The Yetties

Monday 22^nd May: Dave Brubeck Quartet

Thursday 25^th May: Johnathon Richman

Friday 26^th May: Elkie Brooks

Tuesday 30^th May: Bonnie Tyler

Wednesday 31^st May: Maddy Prior + Andy Desmond

Saturday 3^rd June: Blue Oyster Cult + Japan

Commencing June to July: Max Bygraves + The Kays + Johnny Lister

July to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Mike Yarwood + Dianne Solomon + The Trendsetters + Pavlov’s Puppets + John Bouchier + Brian Marshall + Ivan Dozin and his Orchestra

Sunday 6^th August: Lulu + Jess & Geoff + Del Derrick + Joe Longthorne + Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Sunday 13^th August: Ronnie Corbett + Dawson Chance + Les Wilson + Trilogy + Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Sunday 20^th August: Vice Hill + Los Zafiros

Sunday 28^th August: Lennie Bennett + Jerry Stevens + Neil Martin

Sunday 17^th September: Lena Zavaroni + Tony Evans + The Sunshine Girls

Sunday 24^th September: Tom O’Connor + Bert Weedon

Sunday 1^st October: The Shadows

Wednesday 4^th October: Jack Jones

Friday 6^th October: Smokie

Monday 16^th October: Bernie Flint

Tuesday 17^th October: Squeeze

Wednesday 18^th October: Dr Feelgood

Monday 23^rd October: The Real Thing + Cissie Stone

Monday 30^th October: Wishbone Ash

Monday 6^th November: Whitesnake + Magnum

Tuesday 7^th November: Buzzcocks + Subway Sect

Friday 10^th November: Mary O’Hara

Wednesday 15^th November: Judas Priest

Saturday 18^th November: Showaddywaddy

Wednesday 22^nd November: Demis Roussos

Tuesday 5^th December: Fairport Convention

Friday 8^th December: Motorhead

1979

Wednesday 10^th January: Rory Gallagher

Friday 2^nd February: Osibisa

Tuesday 13^th February: Chris De Burgh

Saturday 3^rd March: The Three Degrees

Friday 9^th March: Uriah Heep + Bram Tchaikovsky

Saturday 10^th March: Bill Haley and the Comets + Freddie Cannon

Saturday 7^th April: Thin Lizzy + The Vipers

Wednesday 11^th April: Boxcar Willie

Friday 27^th April: John Miles

Monday 7^th May: Burl Ives

Sunday 20^th May: Squeeze

Saturday 9^th June to September: ‘Summer Show‘ Cilla Black + Don Maclean + Peter Goodwright + The Trendsetters + Koffee & Kreme

Tuesday 2^nd & Wednesday 3^rd October: Hot Chocolate

Thursday 4^th October: Manhattan Transfer

Friday 5^th October: Chic

Friday 12^th October: Sky

Wednesday 17^th October: Elkie Brooks

Thursday 18^th October: Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames

Sunday 21^st October: Gladys Knight

Friday 26^th October: The Undertones + Ten Pole Tudor

Monday 29^th October: Darts

Friday 2^nd November: The Buzzcocks + Joy Division

Monday 5^th November: The Skids + Fingerprintz

Wednesday 21^st November: Lone Star

Friday 23^rd November: Gallagher and Lyle + Judy Tzuke

Sunday 25^th November: Tammy Wynette + The Duffy Brothers

Sunday 9^th December: Motorhead + Thunderhead

Monday 10^th December: Showaddywaddy

Wednesday 12^th December: Richard Digance

Sunday 16^th December: Leo Sayer

1980

Friday 1^st February: Suzi Quatro

Wednesday 13^th February: Wishbone Ash

Monday 10^th March: Mezzoforte

Wednesday 14^th March: John Martyn + The Outsiders

Wednesday 26^th March: Genesis

Friday 4^th April: Roy Orbison

Wednesday 16^th April: Judie Tzuke

Sunday 27^th April: The Undertones + The Moondogs

Tuesday 6^th May: Mike Oldfield

Monday 12^th & Tuesday 13^th May: Johnny Mathis

July to September: ‘Summer Show’ Little and Large + Michael Barrymore + Norman Colliers + Johnny Hutch and the Halfwits + Pepe and his Disco Friends

Tuesday 30^th September: Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band

Wednesday 1^st October: Leo Sayer

Wednesday 8^th October: Atomic Rooster

Saturday 18^th October: Mary O’Hara

Sunday 19^th October: Loudon Wainwright lll

Monday 20^th October: The Blues Band

Friday 24^th October: Louie Bellson Big Band Explosion

Saturday 25^th October: The Shadows

Sunday 26^th October: Joe Jackson Band

Saturday 15^th November: Elkie Brooks

Sunday 16^th November: The Yetties

Wednesday 19^th November: Barbara Dickson

Saturday 22^nd November: The Spinners

Friday 28^th November: Jon Anderson and his New Life Band

Saturday 29^th November: Hot Chocolate

Monday 1^st December: Slade

1981

Monday 16^th February: Saga

Wednesday 18^th February: Camel

Sunday 1^st March: Iron Maiden

Monday 2^nd March: Ian Gillan + Dedringer

Saturday 14^th March: Rose Royce

Sunday 26^th April: Tygers of Pan Tang + Magnum

Sunday 3^rd May: Girlschool

Sunday 31^st May: Hot Gossip

Saturday 6^th June to Saturday 16^th September: ‘Summer Show’ Jim Davidson + Janet Brown + Keith Harris + The Trendsetters + Paul Ridgeway

Sunday 9^th August: Danny La Rue + Wayne King + David Ellen + Jacquie Toye + The Lavelle Twins     

Sunday 16^th August: Danny La Rue   + Wayne King + David Ellen + Jacquie Toye + The Lavelle Twins     

Sunday 23^rd August: Danny La Rue  + Wayne King + David Ellen + Jacquie Toye + The Lavelle Twins     

Sunday 30^th August: Danny La Rue  + Wayne King + David Ellen + Jacquie Toye + The Lavelle Twins     

Sunday 25^th October: The Greg Lake Band

Sunday 15^th November: Sheena Easton

Tuesday 15^th December: Slade

1982

Sunday 21^st February: Showaddywaddy + Roman Holiday

Saturday 27^th February: Tony Bennett

Saturday 6^th March: The Dubliners

Monday 29^th March: Nine Below Zero

Saturday 10^th April: Spandau Ballet

Monday 19^th April: Sky

Commencing Saturday 5^th June to Saturday 25^th September: ‘Summer Show’ Cannon and Ball + Peter Saint + Franklyn James + The Stutz Bear Cats + The Alan Harding Dancers + The Mike Ryal Orchestra

Saturday 23^rd October: Chris De Burgh

Sunday 24^th October: Kim Wilde

Friday 3^rd & Saturday 4^th December: Elton John

Wednesday 15^th December: Slade

Sunday 19^th December: The Kinks + Cold Chisel

1983

Saturday 15^th January: Showaddywaddy

Sunday 16^th February: Sky

Tuesday 15^th March: Van Morrison

Wednesday 23^rd March: The Undertones

Sunday 27^th March: Marillion + Peter Hamill

Friday 8^th April: Bucks Fizz

Sunday 17^th April: John Martyn

Friday 22^nd April: Joan Armatrading

Friday 29^th April: Alvin Stardust

Monday 16^th May: Dionne Warwick

Tuesday 17^th May: Howard Keel

Saturday 4^th June to September: ‘Summer Show’ Mike Yarwood + The Brotherhood of Man + Brian Marshall + Teddy Peiro and Patrico + The Irving Dancers

Sunday 7^th August: Max Bygraves

Sunday 14^th August: The Black and White Minstrel Show

Sunday 21^st August: Little and Large

Sunday 28^th August: Max Bygraves

Sunday 4^th September: Little and Large

Sunday 11^th September: Jimmy Tarbuck

Saturday 1^st October: The Spinners

Sunday 2^nd October: Billie Jo Spears + Lonnie Donegan

Wednesday 5^th October: Nana Mouskouri and the Athenians

Saturday 15^th October: 10cc

Friday 21^st October: Andy Williams

Sunday 23^rd October: The Shadows

Monday 24^th October: Foster & Allen

Thursday 27^th October: K C and the Sunshine Band

Thursday 10^th November: Shakin’ Stevens

Friday 2^nd December: Toyah + Johnathan Perkins

Sunday 11^th December: The Nolans

Friday 16^th December: Dean Friedman

1984

Friday 24^th February: Vic Damone

Sunday 4^th March: Manowar

Tuesday 13^th March: Dead or Alive

Saturday 10^th March: Mezzoforte

Tuesday 27^th March: Spider + Truffle

Wednesday 28^th March: Snowy White

Sunday 1^st April: The Kinks + The Truth

Sunday 8^th April: Iris Williams

Friday 20^th April: Dionne Warwick

Saturday 21^st April: Roger Whitaker

Friday 4^th May: Don McLean

Tuesday 29^th May: Sky

Thursday 31^st May: The Nolans

Saturday 30^th June to Saturday 1^st September: ‘Summer Show’ Jimmy Tarbuck + Aiden J. Harvey + Kenny Lynch + Michael Barrymore + The Johnny Wiltshire Orchestra

Sunday 5^th August: Max Bygraves

Sunday 12^th August: Max Bygraves

Sunday 19^th August: Max Bygraves

Monday 3^rd September to Saturday 22^nd September: ‘Summer Show’ Ken Dodd