MONACO (HINDLEY)

IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO REMEMBERS THE MONACO BALLROOM BETWEEN 1959 - 1967 AND REMEMBERS THE ARTIST.
WHO MET THEIR FIRST WIFE THERE AND NOW WISHED THEY HADNT. MET A FRIEND THE OTHER DAY FROM THAT ERA WHAT A REMANISS
THE ARTIST I REMEMBER ARE,
THE DALLAS BOYS,JOE BROWN, LONNIE DONNIGAN, CHAS McDAVITTE,CUDDLEY DUDDLEY,WE WILLIE HARRISS,DANNY WILLIAMS,CONNIE FRANCIS,ELEN SHIPIRO,,DUSTY SPRINGFIELD,CILA BLACK, KATHY KIRBY,MARTY WILD,BILLY FURY,GERRY MARSDEN,FREDDIE & THE DREAMERS,THE SPRINGFIELDS WITH DUSTY, JACKY TRENT,PETER&GORDON,THE CARRAVELLS,(ONE OF THEM MARRIED BRIAN THE FURNISHER),THE VERNON GIRLS, CRAIG DOUGLAS,JESS CONRAD,THE BEAT BOYS, RICKY DEAN& THE PHANTOMS,BERT WEEDON, SHANE FENTON,DAVE BERRY, SANDY SHAW, RUSS CONWAY, WINIFRED ATWELL, GERRY DAWSEY (NOW UPA DINK)
THERE ARE MANY MORE
WHAT ABOUT BIG MAVIS WHO WAS QUEEN OF THE BOPPERS
LET ME KNOW YOUR MEMORYS
MARK

caltermark
Nowt to do with Monaco but I see from your profile youmust be Frank's brother,he used to be my foreman at Mayflower in Ince
I did go to the monaco but a couple of years after them dates

Kenny
Yes i am Francis C brother
Mark

I remember the Monaco when it was called the Rex, and I worked with your Frank at the wagon works down Christopher street

I used to go to the Monaco around 1965.
Monday nights and Saturday nights.
Jess Greenhough and his orchestra were resident band and the people that ran it were the wrestlers Riley and Sullivan.
Saw some good groups there . The drink wasn't up to much so we got a passout and went across the road into the Balmoral.
Used to enjoy sitting up in the balcony talent spotting.
Also around the same time there was a good scene at the Castle youth club on a Saturday night. People used to come from all over for the dances.

jeremyb

You could have put that word-for-word for me, ditto!

I went in the monaco from when it 1st opened,I met my Wife there,I went in the Rex loads of times and the Vic & the Palace,very happy times when I was a kid.

I remember the tropical fish tank in the foyer of the Rex.

Jeremy
when i first went in 59 i was 15 we used to go to the leg or pear tree for our pint then as i grew a bit and we got more braver we went to the travellers
Mark

Mark
I remember the Travellers on Atherton Road. The woman that ran the place was a very strict,no nonsense person.

i went to the Monaco but in 1967 i use to love it on Saturday night.my husband knows you from when you worked at gullicks. his name is Jimmy Sudworth

My mother (Lilian Woods) used to work at Gullicks some years ago for a long while, she passed away in 1981.

Ditto to everything jeremyb said, except the bit about the youth club.
Jess Greenhalgh and his orchestra were just there to fill in between superb local groups like the Magoos and Harlem John's, and to play 'March of the Mods' for the handbag-dancing.
There were usually plenty of fights at the bus stop outside on Sat nights. We 'graduated' from the 'Monoc' to Wigan Casino (pre-all nighters) and Blackpool Mecca.

my friend kath bibby used go moaco ,she still remonises about it ,

Busybee
I do remember Jimmy he also worked with my brother at the wagon works
Mark

Ellenheaton
I remember Marleen Bibby very attractive girl went Hindley and Abram grammer school
Mark

my husband BRIAN HEATON WORKED AT THE WAGON WORKS,

busy bee
Is your husband Billy's brother who used to live near Britannia Bridge football field

Ellan
is Brian or was Brian the window cleaner
i used to live on Battersby st
Mark

yes he still cleaning windows

yes Kenny my husband is Billy,s brother.

Mark I think you are known to most people on this site or are related.

Caltermark
regards Hindley Monaco, You say artist you remember and you mentioned Connie Francis. Does that mean you saw her live at Hindley Monaco, and all the others you mentioned also.

The Walker Brothers appeared at the Monaco

A mate of mine was in the backing group.

Ackky
Those are only some of the artist i remember yes connie francis was live at the Monaco, the best acts came on the Saturday the 2nd string came on Mondays,from 1959 upto and around 1967 i never missed a saturday night eccept for when i got married in 63 and if i knew what i know now i should have gone that saturday as well Gene Pitney was the star i next saw at the Blights in Farnworth, i have some great memories of the Monaco
regards to all past & presant who spent many an happy night or two at the monac
mark

JEREMY
Did not Mick Gannon, and Kenny Fillingham both play with Jess Greenhough as well as the BEAT BOYS, or did they just guest with the band, who were the other brothers not the Everly but someone simler who appeared around that time
Mark

Mark

Regarding the Beat Boys and what used to happen in the early 60's.
A promoter would book a top act on a countrywide tour along with supporting artistes and then local agents would provide a band/group to back them at several venues in that area.
This is where the Beat Boys came in.
[The Beatles used to do it in the early days]

Usually the star of the show was American and they came across on their own.

Regarding the "Brothers" act the only ones I can think of for now is the Brook Brothers or the Kalin Twins.
I don't think the Righteous Brothers came to the Monaco.

Jeremy

JEREMY
No i dont think they did,i can see them but cant put the name there, at the same time DEL SHANNON was just making it big time with RUN RUNAWAY,he came on a satur night and was on the Garrik the following week.
Mark

hi,
I started going to the Monoc in 1964 when I was 14,most saturdays and some mondays.
I used to go with my mates a nd later on with my.now husband.
Mark I see you used to go into the LEG-that was my mothers family's pub.At the time you went in my uncle Fred Whittle was the landlord.It was across the road from the Sir Robert Peel. The Pear tree was between the Leg and the Bird.
vera

After watching some of the old carry on films over the holidays does anybody remember JIM DALE being a pop star before being a film star, him and ADAM FAITH WERE big buddies and were at the MONACO together
Mark

hiMark,
I remember the Monaco being a picture house called the Rex.One of my cousins took me there when I was about 4 or 5 to see the Student Prince.
I also recall there was a cinema behind the conservative club, but I don't remember what it was called, and then there was the Palace in Market st.
vera

It was called the Vic,but it was above the club,not behind it Vera.

hi spud ,
sorry ,yes I think I remember going up some stairs to get in ,but was a very young child at the time.
vera

Vera
Went to the Rex with my first wife also with Sheila McMahon before i was married,spud was right the youth club was upstairs
Mark

I used to go to the Rex and then the Monaco with my friend Rose Turner. She met her husband there Dennis Lowe and I met my husband a chap from Wigan. Many Happy times spent there.

Tricia Chapman

used to go to the monacco disco whilst i was at school an i left in 1966.i used to work at central wagon in the offices an i used to take money in the canteen sometimes when one of the staff were off

Tricia, did you live in Long Lane, Hindley?

When I was a kid the vic was called the Castle, on the right hand side facing it, was a set of steps with a door at the top, today it would be the emergency exit, but then it was just a door which was easily opened from the inside, needless to say it was opened a few times to allow a few mates in who couldnt afford to pay.

My hubby played there with his group The Elizabethans.circa 66-70. He played with the Walker Brothers, and one of them broke his guitar!

Yes I did, I lived at number 19 Long Lane. I moved to Coventry 1962 and then to Canada in 1974, been here ever since. It must be 12 years since I was last in Hindley Green.

cerridwen

A mate of mine told me that he played the drums when the Walker Bros were at the Monaco'

Went to Monaco in late 60,s had brilliant time there every Monday and Saturday. There was some brilliant groups on who also played at the Beachcomber(under Wigan Casino).

Hi Tricia, Did you have blonde hair and work ar Turner Brothers?

Hi henry7, yes I did and still do have blonde hair and yes I worked at Turner brothers. You have me at a disadvantage please reveal yourself ha ha.

Tricia

do any of you remember Harry Belafonti in the early 60s i think is hit at the time was Mary's Born Child there's a wedge on this

I only went a couple of times but I remember a group called Harlem Johns Reshuffle only because I still have their LP

Harry belafonte (the hits I recall)
Marys Boy Child
Island in the Sun
Day-O (the banana boat song)
Unchained Melody ( Oh my Love)

mark

Day-o number2 Mar 1957
Island in the sun number3 Jun 1957
Scarlet Ribbons number 18 Sept 1957
Mary's etc. number 1 Nov 1957
--do--- re-entry number10 Nov 1958

His last recored of any note was Sept 1961 got to no. 32 Hole in my Bucket

Good luck
Jeremy

His first hits were Jamacia Farewell, Shenendoah, Banana Boat song( Day'o day'o),Yellow Bird followed Mary's boy child then Scarlet Ribbons,
When he appeared at the Monaco he Wore A YELLOW blazer with Brown Slacks, Beige shirt, but i cant put a date to it

Used to go every Monday nigh in the late 70s.

I am in St Anns for the w/e talk about a blast from the past the Bachelors now who remembers them from our Monaco days bloody hell what a night only its now father and son although not a patch on the old team there are a lot worse out there

I watched Jonny kidd & the pirates a few months before he was killed in a car crash, got his autograph on the back of a passout(remember them) then had to lock myself in a toilet to stop the door staff(now known as bouncers) taking it off me

The door staff were all wrestlers and you did'nt mixit with them.
Jonny Kid had his patch on the r/eye in his first spot and on his l/eye on the next spot never did work that one out
Mark

Mark

Jim Sullivan and Ernie Riley were the wrestlers.

I saw Johnny Kidd at the Pink Elephant in Aspull. In fact I'm told I joined him on stage at some point but don't rem,ember for some reason.

Speaking of doormen,Bernard McGurrin was on the door there.

my favourite door man was Roy Wood always could relate to him,do you mean Francis Sullivan acca Alan Latham i used to see alan in ince morrisons he was a bit eccentric to say the least these days
Mark

hi,Tricia,
onlyjust spotted this.
you used to lie at 19 long lane hindley green, my aunty ,uncle and cousins lived at 21.

Hi Vera, yes I remember the old farm house. Your cousins must be Colin Foster, Sheila and Francis. Colin is around my age and he was my dad's solicitor and Sheila was my sisters friend growing up. What a small world. I remember your aunty and uncle very well. I think your uncle, Albert was his name, worked at Turner Brothers same period of time as I did. Have I got the right people?

Tricia

I met my husband there. I lived in Pemberton at the time and it was a long way to travel but I loved every minute of it.

hi,tricia,
no my aunty & uncle were Danny& Alice Whittleand my cousins were Vince, Dennis,David & Terry.It was the last house in the row no.21.

Oh my God Vera how could I have got it so wrong! The name through me as there was a Howarth family in the farm house next to your Aunties. Yes yes yes! Vincent and Dennis and myself and my sister Marie walked to and from school all of our school years with them. I remember Vincent married a girl named Betty. We were very good friends and of course I remember your Aunty Alice so well. When I was courting she kept many of my secrets from my dad Your Uncle Danny died very young, but I remember he used to be a bus driver, or maybe a tram driver, no I think it was a bus driver. Now David I'm not sure about, but Terry was one of my dad's paul-bearers when he died. What is happening to them all these days?

Tricia

hi Tricia,
Uncle Danny was a bus driver and he did die young, he was the youngest child in my mothers family and the 2nd one to die.
He was a lovely bloke.Aunty Alice lived on for many years but she's passed away now.
Vincent and Betty are still together, Dennis died,David lives in Scotland and I'm sad to say I don't know what happened to Terry.

Thanks for the info Vera. Should you see Vincent and Betty give them my regards. Sorry to hear Dennis died, he must have been quite young also. Last I heard of Terry was that the house caught fire and he had to move, but don't know where.

Great talking to you Vera.

Tricia

Vera
i posted a question on People a few weeks ago.Asking if you were you walking the dog through Platt Bridge on a friday afternoon when this handsome middle aged gentleman waved and sounded his horn to you
Mark

Getting back to the Monaco who remembers EMILE FORD AND CHECKMATES,why at 70 plus he is re recording

Mark,

I didn't know your Terry knew Vera!!!!!

The REX cinema, First film starred Anna Neagle as Queen Victoria, I think it was titled "60 Glorious Years". I saw the second film, entitled,"Submarine D1." starring Pat O'Brien.It was about an American submarine disaster and it was about the same time that the submarine HMS Thetis sank in Liverpool bay. This has nothing to do with the Monaco has it!

eric

If it wasn't for the Rex cinema there wouldn't be a Monaco.

I remember that the Rex had some sort of master of ceremonies who entertained the public before the film started.

Or am I dreaming?

Tricia/Vera,

Just going back to living in Long Lane. Did anyone know Francis Foster or Brenda Collier?

Francis used to be the librarian at Hindley Library for a time but don't know what happened to her after that.

I think Brenda ended up overseas somewhere but they both lived in Long Lane. (Alright I know it was a LONG lane but you may know them.

I went to the Monaco a few times - must have been around 1969/70. We all used to go for fish and mushy peas on the way home.

My mum (Florence Jennings)and dad (Terry Mennell) met there in the late 60's.I was the consequence of that meeting -serves 'em right.
Andrea Mennell

.

Hi Marg, he did work on Mabs Cross (when Jimmy Collins opened it as a night club) and yes we did live in Beech Hill at the time (Lynton Ave). What was your hubbies name?

I used to go to monaco and the rex cinema my dad worked on the monaco putting the dance floor in. Vera/Tricia I was married to Dennis Whittle got divorced in 80 terry lived in Oldham last I heard I still see Vince/Betty regularly.

.

Hi Marg, I havn't seen dad for a while but when i do i'll ask him if he remembers Barry. Take care

Lesley just seen your posting on the Monaco.
Yes I did know Francis Foster and all her family. Colin her brother was a solicitor, also Sheila was my sister Marie's best friend. I worked at Turner Brothers with her dad Albert. We all grew up together in Hindley Green. I really don't know where the family are now. I left 1962 moved to Coventry then in 1974 to Canada where I am now.
Tricia

Lesley just seen your posting on the Monaco.
Yes I did know Francis Foster and all her family. Colin her brother was a solicitor, also Sheila was my sister Marie's best friend. I worked at Turner Brothers with her dad Albert. We all grew up together in Hindley Green. I really don't know where the family are now. I left 1962 moved to Coventry then in 1974 to Canada where I am now.
Tricia

Sorry Lesley looks like I sent my posting twice.
tricia

Getting back to the Monaco:
Between 1958 when I was called up into the RAF in 1960, I was the guitarist in the rhythm section along with top drummer Johnny Sawyer, a terrific pianist and a little guy who played bass (their names escape me).
We backed all the artists on Saturday nights including Lita Rosa, The Dallas Boys, Matt Monroe, Ronnie Carol,The Kay Sisters, et al, and Janie Marden (who bought us a pint in the Balmoral after the set.
I know that Mick Gannon followed me but not sure about Kenny Fillingham (a great guitarist and good pal)who died a couple of years back. Never saw so many big ugly hard men crying at one time (at his funeral)
R.I.P. Kenny mate.

Hi Jymz4941

Check out www.lankybeat.com

Send some pics and memories....

Beat wishes

Bill

bill@lankybeat.com

Hi Bill,
sorry, I'm afraid I don't have any pics of that memorable 2 years. I'll canvas some of the old gits of that era and see what they come up with.
Do you remember Malc Grundy? He was another Guitar God like Kenny Fillingham. We all grew up together in the 'fifties.
They went into Rock & Roll and I gravitated to Dance Bands.
If I've any joy with pinching pics I'll let you know, meanwhile keep the faith and don't "fret".
Jim.

Hi Jim

Malc Grundy was in Leigh last week visiting ole' pal Ronnie Carr...

Talking of dance bands - any info will be welcome as I have got several people interested in this through former Casino Orchestra leader Bill Blackledge's article on www.lankybeat.com

Bill

Hi Bill,
If I remember rightly, Malc. used to make some beautiful miniature guitars which were very well made with extreme attention to detail.
Did you ever see any?
Jim.

Hi Jim

Yes... Ronnie Carr has one... He showed to me a few months ago... superb replica. Very talented is Malc'.
Bill

caltermark did you ever work in ince at wagon works if you did was there an albert cowburn o charlie deakin from hindley there

Andrea Mennell I note your information about your dad being Terry Mennell. I do believe my cousin Winnie married Terry's older brother Roy, I was a bridesmaid at their wedding in the 1960's, Roy's and your dad's younger sister was also a bridesmaid too, I remember us going for the fittings for our dresses to Wigan. Sadly Roy died tragically if I recall in the late 1960's.

Pugthedog
Yes i did work at Ince and knew Albert in fact he was related to my first wife's family on the Baileys side,its also about 42yrs ago, you must have a good memory
Mark

caltermark albert was my uncle my grandma's maiden name was baily
jane

Jane
My first wife Mavis, her granddad Bill Bailey and Albert's mother were brother and sister i think, Mavis's uncle Bill her mums brother lived in Loughborough nr Leicester and her mum also had a brother lived in Blackpool. i lost touch with my first wife Mavis years ago i was left to bring the lads up and i don't know if she knows she is a grand mother today because it is nearly 30yrs since we had any contact ,her loss i am glad to say,Albert had a son in Hindley, Graham i think but that's about all i know as i say i have had no contact with anyone of that side for over 40yrs
Mark

Not seen you on here for a while Mark. I was beginning to think you had emigrated.

Isn't it funny how everyone seems to remember Hindley and Wigan and how good it all was and how nice everyone was but everyone seems to have moved far away????? me included.

I remember Ronnie Carr in the Beat Boys at Butlins in 1958 and his glamorous wife when Georgie Fame got picked up to appear on TV. I also remember Rory Storm and all the lads used to hiss when he came into the dance hall.

Bill
The site not what it used to be,and i have been away for awhile. nice to hear from you,Abram still the same,needs some one like you to liven the village up again
Mark

Lancs Lass
Gloria
I was Tony Dobson's mate, we were mate's together from being 5 and him being 7,and he was my best man at my first wedding,sadly as you know Tony passed away 12months last February and when you visited i always seem to miss you,
This thread was started by me, and yes the guy i used to go the Monaco with was Tony, i met my first wife at the Monaco, that turned out to be a sorry night,but she did me a favour when she left me and the two lads, because i met the best person i could ever wish to meet, and rest they say his history, i remember you from Lewis cafe and didnt you live in Green lane or Long lane so long ago i know my memory play's tricks these days.
regards
Mark Calter

mark i was racking my brains then i suddnley thought about mavis cooper i didnt know her to talk to i think she was acouple of years older than me but i have a recolection of her getting married i seem to remember she was a bit of bugger i think her mother and mine were cousins

mark do you know brian ready from abraham

mark albert's son died suddenley albert died 31 year's since

Jane
I did know Brian from ABRAM he mated with my brother a long time ago he was quite a bit younger than me
Mark

hi Mark it,s great to see you back.

(caltermark) Hi Mark. What a shock you have given me this morning. Of course I know of you and I was so sorry not to have got over for Tony's funeral I just wasn't well enough. You will no doubt have heard I had visited him several times and my poem was read out at his funeral service. Such a loss of a lovely person. I shall hopefully be visiting Angela in Abram over the next few weeks, it would be nice to meet up.

You do realise I will have to look at this site every day now until I hear from someone! What a job!

Did Brian Ready(Reddy) used to work for Bush (Old Boston Estate, Haydock - early seventies), with Peter Haydock and Roy Gaskell?

Yes it is the same Brian

Lancs Lass
Gloria i go to my mums each day she was 92 last week, my mum still lives near Angela but you know i have only called twice and one of them was with a Christmas card,since Tony passed on going in that house is just not the same, hard to explain i know but there you are ,let me know when you are at Angela's look forward to seeing you again
Mark

Hi Mark, yes I do understand but I have found over the years that being near someone who was also a part of or at least remembers that person makes me feel warm inside. It is true, time is a great healer but we never forget, especially when they have been in your life for such a long time. I'll get your number from Angela and give you a call.
Gloria

Hi Kathhwal.
Yes, Roy was my uncle, but sadly i never met him as i was born shortly after he died. Its a shame but i have lost touch with Winnie and Roy's kids Angela, Jeena, Mike and Gary.We did see each other a lot when we were very young but i never got to meet Winnie. I'm not sure if there was a family fall out or something...?

Hi Andrea thanks for the reply, I just felt you were relative to Roy as the Surname is quite unusual. Roy and Winnie's children are now grown up. Sadly Winnie died last August. I don't know about a falling out as I was only quite young when Roy died. What was the name of your aunty who was bridesmaid with me at Winnie\Roy's wedding, I can't for the life of me remember her name, I know she had quite dark hair and was about 12 months younger than me - I think I was about eight years old at the time? If you see her given her my best wishes, I have not seen here since soon after they married.

Hi Kathhwal,
Sorry to here about Winnie, its so sad i never met her. I'm not sure dad even knows she died last year- i'll tell him. I have bumped into Angela a couple of times at the odd family funeral/ wedding and we always just picked up where we left off, she's a lovely soul. Since our Grandma died, Lily May, i don't here anything of her anymore. She was with a new fella the last time we met about ten years ago, but i think she was still a Mennell- like me. Roy had 2 sisters, Rita and Jean, Rita being the youngest and i suspect the bridesmaid at Roy wedding. She's as mad as a box of frogs, she always was i believe. I'll tell her you've been in touch- Good to here from you. Give Ange a hug from me, i really miss her.

went out with a girl from hindley for over 12 months but she would,nt go near the place.mind you she wanted to go to the place next to it,st peters sorry js it could have been a mistake not too

Just been past today. And the Monaco is no more
Its now called the Rose club
Another of our institutions hits the dust

Myself, I think it takes a hell of a while for a familiar place name or premises to re-brand itself. The one redeeming factor is that it's not being closed down. I also remember it as the Rex Cinema, same building. I can remember going into a café in Bridge Street in Hindley, opposite the Lord Nelson pub, one of the cinema usherettes was in and she was feeling unwell, she asked my mam to let her boss know.

I use to go mainly on a monday night me and my mate christine had to babysit on a saturday to be able to go on the monday it was a brilliant night out use to enjoy the old time dance they did in between the group playing the loved the gay gordon and liked to do the march of the mods dance does anyone remember that dance

Dave, the cafe was the Singing Kettle, and it housed Mods when all us Rockers were in Lewises cafe. Most of the Mods were friends and said they were terrified of us because of our leather jackets and studded belts.

Janice, der der dert dert dert dert der der der derrrr!
And all kids on the stage giving it all, they were beltin neets.