Wigan Album
Wigan Bier Keller
13 Comments
Photo: Bernard Derbyshire
Item #: 6915
The Keller was owned by Eddie Farrimond, Gen. Manager was Alan Ward and the bar manager was Brian Bent. Messrs Wood and Stazicker on the door. Big Stan behind the bar with Barbara, Bert Bent and George and loads of other girls.
What year was that, me and my friend Sheila worked behind the bar for a while, must have been 1976 when we were there. Good Times ha ha ha
Bernard, Do you remember the names of the other band members . . . and do you have a picture of the whole band ?
The Answers finished earlier than 76, but not by much, and Dennis played bass, and had a recording studio, around the Bolton area, where they rehearsed. The drummer was in control of the PA a Selmer 100, but I can't remember his name. Brian went on to write songs, but I don't know how he did.
Bernard - I think Denis' surname was Shuttleworth. The drummer, I should know, as I am distantly related, but can't for the life of me remember it ! the grey cells are dying off fast !
P.S. I think the drummer was called Tom ? ? ?
Surely the drummer must have been TOM TOM :-)
Brian went on to play in Rainbow Cottage for a while. Once again a fantastic Wigan group. I last saw hin in Lancaster, I believe he is living there.
Brian guitar, Tom drums, Denis bass, John keyboards. Top Class band, that kind aint about these days :/
Drums; Tom Casey. Lead Guitar, Brian Gibbs; Bass, Dennis Shuttleworth (me) Keyboard; John Davies. (He died in a car crash on the way back from Rivington Barn, which left us a three piece.) We used to love the Bier Keller, great people, and good accoustics, helped us to keep it tight. Really miss those days.
The Bier Keller was a fantastic venue for the Answers as many of our local fans and other Bands used to come and enjoy the evening. Great times were had by all. Always remember that Brian the Bar Manager had to remove the glasses from the shelves otherwise we would shake them off with the great base sound that Dennis used to generate. Not much room on the small stage but enough to work up a good sweat.I'm retired now and living in Westhoughton with Vera whom I met at Wigan Casino another of the venues we played at regularly ( Married for 42 years!!! "some record". Met up with Brian & Dennis recently and we are considering some sort of get together/reunion?? who knows what the next chapter in the book of life will bring.
I have great memories of playing in The Answers at the Bier Keller with Tom and Denis, there was so much energy in the band and just as much coming back from the audience, it was unbelievable. The Bier Keller was always jam packed with people and I loved Tom's comment about them having to take the glasses off the shelves otherwise they would fall off from the power of Denis's bass, what a great sound, his playing wasn't too shabby either. Very happy days.
Dennis and Brian, thanks for your input. Good to hear from you, hope you are both well, let us know if there is a get together.
I recall upgrading by graduating from the teeny-bop Casino promoting venue to the more sophisticated (in our eyes} Jazz and Blues orientated Bier Keller. Such fond memories in 1970/1.