News

We are now half way through the Hairspray the Musical UK Tour!  As we prepare to open at our first venue of 2016 next week, we’re taking a look at what was going on in our next bunch of cities in the 1960’s…

 

 

Newcastle

• The Internationally successful 1960’s rock group, The Animals emerged from Newcastle.
  
  

  The Animals ©Richard William, 1964 under This License

• Acclaimed singer Sting went to St Cuthbert’s Grammar School in Newcastle in the 1960’s, he visited nightclubs such as Club A’Gogo to watch musicians who later inspired his music. Growing up, he was also a member of the Newcastle Big Band.

Aberdeen

• The Beatles played at the Beach Ballroom in 1963; this was the only Aberdeen gig in their career.
  
  

  The Beatles © ingen uppgift 1963

• Aberdeen is widely known for its parks and gardens. In 1968, it first won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom award in the large city category. The city has won this award every year since!

Sheffield

• The 60’s was an exciting decade for Sheffield nightlife particularly at the Esquire, King Mojo and Club 60.

 

• Sheffield based stars in the 60’s included singer Joe Cocker, teen idol Dave Berry and nightclub owner Peter Stringfellow.
• Music fans headed down to local record shops Violet May and Wilson Peck to sit in a listening booth before deciding which vinyl’s to take home.

Cambridge

• Those looking for a good night out headed to Hairspray venue The Corn Exchange where artists such as The Kinks and Spencer Davis performed.

 

• The Cambridge Folk Festival began in 1964, organised by the city council. The festival is still held annually.

 

• Pink Floyd band members Syd Barrett and David Gilmour met in Cambridge in the 1960’s whilst studying at Cambridge Tech. They performed together at lunchtimes with guitars and harmonicas.
  
  

  Pink Floyd ©Capitol Records- 1971

Edinburgh

• In 1966, the band The Saxons formed in Edinburgh. The band later changed their name and became famous as The Bay City Rollers.

 

• Edinburgh born actor Sean Connery became widely known in the 1960’s as James Bond. Films from the decade include Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963) and Goldfinger (1964).
  
  

  Sean Connery © Johan Oomen under This License

• Hairspray venue the Edinburgh Playhouse was a popular destination for cinema goers in the 1960’s when it was a large single screen venue.

Bristol

• Bristol music buffs were listening to local band Johnny Carr and the Cadillacs. The group even toured in Germany with The Beatles.

 

• The Bristol Bus Boycott made a major stand for civil rights in Bristol in 1963. After a black citizen was refused a job as a bus driver based on his race, many residents boycotted the bus services, making a stand against racism.
  
  

  ©Ben Brooksbank-1960 under This License

Woking

• Two famous Comedians were born in Woking in the 1960s, Sean Lock in 1963 and Harry Hill in 1964.

Don’t forget to Book your tickets to Hairspray the Musical at these venues and more!