Coventry Discos, Venues, Music Shops, Agencies

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Coventry Venues 1970's

The Dive Bar (Lady Godiva)

From the 60's onwards student / Cov muso cellar bar, later Biker / Punk venue. Disoc and bands some times. Hobo got it's start and restart through connections here.

Lady Godiva (Dive Bar) 60's / 70's

Later Photos

Little Viv in Dive from back in late 70's / early 80's

Paul Hooper (Indian Summer)'s disco. From Hobo Magazine1974

GOLDEN CROSS

The Golden Cross has house bands, discos, jam sessions and Folk Acoustic sessions since the early 70's. The Hobo Workshop put on bands there c 1974.

Coventry Virgin Record Store Charts 1973 / 74 for Hobo Magazine

Coventry Virgin Record Store Charts 1973 / 74

These are the Coventry Virgin Records Album Charts 1973 - 74 as published in Hobo - Coventry Music and Arts Magazine.

Virgin Records in Coventry was a far cry from the impersonal, walk through mega-stores of more recent

times. This was the first-born venture of Richard Branson and the 60's ethos still permeated his business approach. The Coventry store was relatively small run by Mike O'Hare and Malc. You could hang out in the store and listen to grooves through the headphones or chat to the guys about music. The guys lived and breathed the music, enthused and argue over it around serving the customers. They also used to do album reviews for Hobo. They weren't sent by the Job Centre with a certificate in sales speak!

Upstairs by 1974, was Pete Waterman with his mate (also a Coventry DJ and later a SAW manager) Tilly, in the Soul Hole selling rare soul imports. Both Pete and Mike and Malc were very supportive of Hobo. We sold copies of Hobo through both the Virgin and Soul Hole stores; both placed ads in the mag to help us, wrote reviews and articles for us and compiled charts for their stores. The Peter Waterman Soul chart is the section about Pete but here are the Virgin Record Album Charts (Coventry Store) as compiled for Hobo. Later in the 70's John Bradbury (Specials), Stu Knapper (Riot Act) and John Coles (Silk Disco), Texas Dave McGarry (later a major promoter of Texas music in Australia) all worked for Virgin and more. Simon Frith - author of the Sociology of Rock and many other books, was living in Coventry in the 70's while a senior lecture at Warwick University. Stu Knapper said he often used to pop in to the Coventry Virgin Record store.

Coventry Virgin Record Store was awarded one of the Coventry Music Two Tone Plaque and the lauch c 2007, brought together John Bradbury, Pete Waterman, John Coles and Pete Chambers.

HOBO MAGAZINE'S COVENTRY VIRGIN RECORD STORE ALBUM AND SINGLES CHARTS 1973 / 74

Published by Trev Teasdel in Hobo - Coventry Music and Arts Magazine and compiled by Mike O'Hare and Malc.

The July 1973 Virgin chart is incomplete in the archive - only the last ten entries of the Top 30 remain. It's possible, as the July issue didn't come out that to first 20 were used for the issue that came out early August 73 but I can;t be sure. Anyway - this is No 21 to 30 of the July chart!

July 1973

........

21 Terry Riley - Rainbow in Curved Air.

22 Paul Simon - Rhymin Simon

23 Kevin Ayres - Bananamour

24 Roy Harper - Stormcock

25 Roxy Music - For Your Pleasure

26 Pink Floyd - Meddle

27 David Bowie - Space Oddity

28 Pink Floyd - Relics

29 Budgie - Never Turn Your Back.

30 Johnny Winter - Still Alive and Well.

VIRGIN RECORDS ALBUM CHART (Coventry Store) Hobo Magazine August 1973
Albums August 1973
1 Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
2 David Bowie - Hunky Dory

3 Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
4 Faust - Tapes
5 Santana - McLaughlin
6 George Harrison - Material World
7 David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
8 Genesis - Live
9 Clifford T Ward - Home Thoughts
10 Roy Wood - Boulders
11 David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
12 Cat Stevens - Foreigner
13 Terry Riley - Rainbow in C
14 David Bowie - Man Who Sold the World
15 Lindisfarne - Live
16 Alan Hull - Pipedream
17 Mott the Hoople - Mott
18 Genesis - Foxtrot
19 Pink Floyd - Meddle
20 Beatles - 67-68

.......................................................

Albums October 1973
1 Rolling Stones - Goat's Head Soup
2 Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
3 Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
4 Status Quo - Hello
5 David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust
6 David Bowie - Man Who Stole the World
7 Pink Floyd - Meddle
8 David Bowie - Aladdin Sane
9 Beatles - 66 / 70
10 Yes - Yes Album
11 Led Zeppelin - 5
12 Uriah Heap - Sweet Freedom
13 David Bowie - Hunky Dory
14 Yes - Yes Songs
15 Van Morrison - Hard Rose the Highway
16 Slade - Sladest
17 Budgie - Never Turn Your Back
18 Beatles - 62 - 67
19 Faust
20 Steely Dan - Countdown to Ecstasy

.........................................

Albums Feb 1974

1 Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells
2 Leo Sayer - Silverbird
3 Roxy Music - Stranded
4 Yes - Tales from Topographical Oceans
5 ELP - Brain Salad Surgery
6 Who - Quadrophenia
7 Black Sabbath - Sabbath Bloody Sabbath
8 Bob Dylan - Dylan
9 Gong - Angels Eggs
10 David Bowie - Pin Ups
11 Fripp and Eno - No Pussy Footing
12 Elton John - Yellow Brick Road
13 Santana - Welcome
14 Alice Cooper - Muscle of Love
15 Wings - Band on the Run
16 John Lennon - Mind Games
17 Faces - Faces Live
18 Donovan - Escence to Escence
19 Ringo Starr - Ringo
20 Nazareth - Loud n Proud

.................................

Albums March 1974
1 Free - Free Story
2 Tangerine Dream - Phaedra
3 Joni Mitchell - Court and Spark
4 Deep Purple - Burn
5 Bob Dylan - Planet Waves
6 Wings - Band on the Run
7 Steely Dan - Pretzel Logic
8 Roy Harper - Valentine
9 Slade - Old, New and Borrowed
10 Incredible String Band
11 Eno - Here Come the Warm Jets
12 Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon
13 Pink Floyd - A Nice Pair
14 Steeleye Span - Now we're Six
15 Sutherland Bros / Quiver = Dream Kid
16 Montrose
17 Lou Reed - Rock n Roll Animal
18 Mick Ronson - Slaughter on 10th Avenue
19 Carley Simon - Hot Cakes
20 Temptations - 1990

................................

Albums June 1974
1 Gong - Camembert Electrique

2 Mike Oldfield - Tubular Bells

3 Rick Wakeman - Journey
4 David Bowie Dianond Dogs
5 Wings - Band on the Run
6 Uriah Heap - Wonder World
7 Sparks - Kimona
8 Tangerine Dream - Phaedra
9 Bonzo Dog Dog Do Dah Band - History of
10 Bad Company

.......................

June 1974 - Singles Chart
1 Sparks - This Town Ain't Big Eough for the Both of Us
2 Bad company - Can't Get Enough
3 Montrose - Bad Motor Scooter
4 Brian Ferry - The In Crowd
5 Allman Bros - Jessica
6 Captain Beefheart - Upon the My oh My
7 Kevin Coyne - I Believe in Love
8 Jan Akkarman - House of the King
9 ELP - Jerusalem
10 Black Oak Arkansas - Jim Dandy

....................................

June 1974 Virgin Charts Coventry in Hobo

Hobo - Coventry Virgin Album Chart February 1974

FROM ALTERNATIVE SOUNDS 1979

"We talked to Tim and John here. Virgin records have been open for 6 years in Coventry. They stock everything here (except from brass bands) and are open 6 days a week. As they are a chain store, it means that they can get most records but there are often delays cos they don't deal with the distributors direct. A chart single costs 75p here. they also have discounts on the top 50 albums (about £1 off) plus various bargains in their 'cheap rack'. This is the only shop in Coventry where they have headphones for you to listen to records first"

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Dream Discotheques and Mood Lighting Systems - 1974

Dream Discotheques and Mood Lighting Systems

Rob Dalton sent a letter to Hobo in 1974 in regard to his popular discos and Mood Lighting systems, which we covered in Hobo issue 3 February 1974.

Transcript of the letter -

Dear Trev.

I am writing concerning the next issue of Hobo. Drop me a line and tell me when the next issue is out and I'll distribute in Rugby.

I should be grateful if you could include somewhere in the mag, some of the enclosed ads.

Best wishes Rob.

PS The 'Dream Machine' is now on the verge of being marketed all over Europe via international distributors.

Dream has now available three Dream lighting computers for hire, complete with all necessary lights, in addition to a whole range of liquid wheel, cassette and graphic effects projectors, strobes, UV and PA etc etc. plus, of course our own unique high powered roadshows available for larger bookings.

We are now also offering a technical support service for those who are having trouble with their gear, whether it be sound or lights.

..................................................

From Hobo Issue 3 February 1974

THE DREAM MACHINE

"Dream Discotheque appears, at first sight, to be just another disco unit but alas they have a phew innovations up their trouser legs. No, not a new form of contraceptive but a lighting computer for discos. Designed and patented by Rob Dalton, B. Eng. M.I.E.E., C.E., M.I. E. E. E. (USA). This is one of the most advanced lighting systems in in Europe and has taken about two years to develop. The computer can be coupled with existing conventional equipment or any of the £2000 worth of equipment designed by Dream. The lighting computer itself costs in the region of £550 (Prices as at 1974!). Dream both sell and hire this equipment for mobile and fixed discos. They also do their own disco shows incorporating the gear, ie Becketts and Caesars in Nuneaton. If you are interested in this and want to know more, Dream can be contacted by phoning Rugby 3372, Rob Dalton, 20, Constable Rd."

From the Hobo Whatz On April 1974

Imperial Hotel, 165 Oxford Street, Rugby, Wednesdays Dream Discotheque, / Thursdays - Lanch's own Disco - DJ Captain Christmas.

NEW - I received an email from Mike Murphy October 2015 -

Hi,
just found your blog because I was searching for Hanson's music shop as I
found a receipt from them in a box of 78's that I inherited from my parents.
We used to live in Rugby.

I notice that on your venues page there is mention of Captain Christmas DJ at
the Imperial Hotel in 1974. I was part of CC in the early 70's (mainly I think
because I was the only one who could correctly wire a mains plug). The main CC
people were Pete Thornley and Dave Proffitt. They split up many years ago; Pete
is an artist now and Dave is a UK athletics qualified coach.

I attach a scan of the CC business card from that early 70's time.

Regards
- Mike

Coventry Technical College Student Union Gigs 1974

In 1974, Hobo Magazine got a letter from PENNI - Ents sec. at Coventry Technical College for the

Students' Union regarding their gigs. 1974 saw the power cuts which affected a lot of things including the gig schedule and the Tech College, as can be seen from the letter.

Hobo carried a piece about the band in Issue No 3 February 1974 in the Brum Beat Column of that issue.

abstracted from a publicity sheet by Craig Ward of the Sunshine Music Agency in Coventry 1974 for Hobo magazine. Here is the original 'Bullsheet' written by Craig Ward.

Walrus Gumboot recorded live at Bogarts in Birmingham 1974 - sound quality not the best but gives a good idea of their sound and material in concert.

In a later issue of Hobo April 1974 we advertised another gig at the Coventry Technical College in the Whatz on.

Coventry Technical College April 5th Presents MERLIN live on stage with Glade Sounds Disco in the Refrectory, Albany Road, Coventry.

This is the B side of the card advertising their single.

Put my Spell on You - Merlin

"Merlin was a heavy rock band that moved down to London from the North East of England in 1970-1971. They had residencies at 'The Factory' in Leicester Square and The 'Scotch Of St. James' in that time. Apart from playing the circuit in London ie; Marquee, Temple, Ronnie Scotts, Hatchets etc. They also played the home counties and the university scene country wide. They broke up in the early 70's. The band had been together since 1967, playing locally in the North East and evolving into a very solid outfit. The final, and best line up of the band consisted of: Doug Haley (keyboard & vocals). Harry Bryzinski (Guitar). Colin Hall (Vocals). Bill Johnson (bass). Tommy Guthrie (Drums). Other members who passed through their ranks were: Des Long (Drums) Simon Wallace" (Drums)." William Johnson http://www.answers.com/Q/Who_was_the_70's_rock_band_Merlin

COVENTRY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOLK CLUB

From at least 1972, when I played there, the Tech had a folk club in the Refectory until at least the late 70's.

Friday, April 3, 2015

Coventry Discos in the 1970's

Coventry Discos in the 1970's

Some of these are entries or adverts from various issues of Hobo 1973 - 5 or material collected or from other sources.

From Hobo Issue 2 - August 1973 - Some places to go column.

"Mondays - Stereo progressive Disco, Boatyard, Gosford Street, Coventry 7.30 pm 10p."

Golem Disco
Rock, Soul etc. Dave Thomas, 56, Grafton Street, Coventry. (Advertised in Hobo Issue 3 February 1974 as below).

CAESARS DISCO

Monday, Thursday and Sunday. Over 21's Weddington Hotel, Weddington Rd. Nuneaton.

( Mentioned in the Whatz On in in Hobo Issue 3 February 1974)

APOLLO CLUB, Tree Tops, Foleshill Road, Coventry. Monday Nights - DJ Pete Waterman.

(Mentioned in the Whatz On in in Hobo Issue 3 February 1974 and in April 1974)

PETE WATERMAN'S SOUL CLUB at the Tree Tops, Foleshill Road, Coventry. Thursday Nights.

(Mentioned in the Whatz On in in Hobo Issue 3 February 1974). By April 1974 it was called Soul Explosion (Hobo Whatz On April 1974)

TREE TOPS Foleshill Road, Coventry, Disco Monday nights - funky, soul pop, reggae with Tom Martin, Jeff Carvell and Mark Brown. From Hobo Whatz on July 1974.

TIFFANY'S (Formerly the Locarno). Monday and Friday nights disco with Philly Phreak PETE WATERMAN. From Hobo Whatz On July 1974.

CHARTERHOUSE DISCO - Pete Waterman and Mark Brown star in the ship shape disco at the Charterhouse, Terry Road, Coventry. Friday nights. (Mentioned in the Whatz On in in Hobo Issue 3 February 1974). By April 1974, it was called Jolly Roger Disco (Hobo Whatz On April 1974).

The Charter House, Terry Road, Coventry.

BECKETTS - Chase Inn, Coleshill Road, Chapel End, Nuneaton. Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.. Top live bands and intimate Disc Jockey's. with Dream Disco Lighting. Craig Ward DJ (of Sunshine Music Agency, Gulson Road Coventry.).

(Mentioned in the Whatz On in in Hobo Issue 3 February 1974)

CLIMAX Disco with DJ Malvin Preece. Coventry Precinct. Sunday Nights.
(Mentioned in the Whatz On in in Hobo Issue 3 February 1974)

SOUNDS OF VENUS DISCO - 59, Craven Street, Coventry, 57347 / 89795
(Advertised in Hobo Issue No 3, February 1974 - small ad)
Also COVEN 74 at the Radford - Progressive music with Sounds of Venus Disco - From Hobo Whatz On April 1974.

MAD MART'S MAGNIFICENT MUSIC MACHINE
322, Hipswell Highway, Coventry 455033.
(Advertised in Hobo Issue No 3, February 1974 - small ad)

HOT AIR DISCO
66, Ivy Bridge Road, Coventry 411746
(Advertised in Hobo Issue No 3, February 1974 - small ad)

MARVEL LIGHTING AND DISCO
Paul Hooper (Ex Indian Summer) Coventry 75769
(Advertised in Hobo Issue No 3, February 1974 - small ad and full ad in Issue 4 1974)

SKELETON DISCO

Alistair Paul - Coventry 75721.

ACE DISCO at the Thistle, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. (In Hobo Whatz On April 1974)

OLD BALL DISCO at the Old Ball, Ball Inn. Rock n Roll. Monday nights. (From Hobo Whatz On April 1974)

The WALSGRAVE Disco and bands - Mondays and Tuesdays - From Hobo Whatz On April 1974.

CLOUDS DISCO at Courtauld's Social Club. From Hobo Whatz On April 1974.

Below, advert from hobo Magazine 1974 - colourised.

CLOUDS DISCO at the Sportsman's Arms, Allesley, Coventry, Sunday nights. From Hobo Whatz On July 1974.

BIG SOUNDS DISCO at the Bear Inn, High Street Coventry. (Hobo Whatz On April 1974). Possibly Silk Disco. Friday Nights. in July 1974 issue of Hobo, it was on Friday nights.

GULLIVERS Rock and Progressive Music - Friday nights at the Sportsman's Arms, Coventry. (Hobo Whatz On April 1974).

STEAM PACKET Tree Tops, Foleshill Road, Coventry. New Rock Venue with Heavy Disco. Featuring the best in Live Bands. 55p Students 25p. Direct Enterprises. (Hobo Whatz On April 1974.)

GOLDEN CROSS - Disco upstairs with John Bargent (Bow), Moonraker Disco. Hobo Whatz on April 1974.John was a co founder of Hobo with me in 1973. He ran Roguestar Promotions then (separate post on them coming up soon). he was also road manager for Khayyam (Coventry Jazz Rock outfit) on their European tour in the autumn of 1973.

GLADE SOUNDS - They did the disco in 1974 for Coventry Technical College Student Union Gigs. More on those gigs on the post about Cov tech college gigs on here.

RADFORD HOTEL Wednesday disco - Soul and funky with Tom Martin and Jeff Carvell.

CHUMS Thursday Rock, prog disco by Silk (see separate post for them on here). High Street Coventry. From Hobo Whatz On July 1974.

BAGINTON SOUL EXPLOSION Thursday nights at the The Baginton Oak, Baginton Village, Coventry, with Pete Waterman.

Mr. GEORGE'S NIGHTCLUB Friday night with Pete Waterman.

ANTELOPE Motorcycle Club, Butts, Coventry. DJ's Tom Martin and Jeff Carvell. Tuesday nights - Rock n Roll. also Thurs, Sat, Sun Soul and Pop.

STRANGE DISCO AND LIGHTSHOW

Advertised in Hobo small ads in 1974. Si Cook and Little John. This is the original info sheet that gave Hobo.

THE VILLAGE - COLIN CAMPBELL

The Colin Campbell has a long history as part of the Coventry Music Scene right up to the present. In 1970 the upstairs room played host to the Village Disco and gigs with Top Prog DJ Malv Preece.

From Broadgate Gnome 1970

Advert from Hobo Magazine 1974.

Advert from Hobo Magazine in 1974

CONTACT DISCO - Alan Clark 1974.

Below, Advert in Hobo Magazine 1974

St. Osburg's Hall, Coventry with Desmond Dekker 9th August 1974

Spode Sounds - Mobile Disco, Coventry 1974

Patatheque Promotions Coventry 1974

Discos took place at the weekends in The Jaguar, Tally Ho and the The Dive Bar (Lady Godiva) 1972 onwards.

Axis Disco - Mercers Arms - Henry's Blues House session 1971

Boatyard - Stereo Progresive Disco - Hand in Heart, Far Gosford Street.

Covern, Hare and Squirrel, New Union Street, 1972 - Rock Disco

Coven 74 club.Radford Hotel. Progressive music with Sounds of Venue Disco Weds 1974

Thursday nights 1972 Mandy's at the Royal Naval Club, Top Prog Gigs supported by The T. F. Much Disco.

Imperial Hotel Rugby. Dream Disco and lights.

Trocadero, Weston Hall, Bulkington. Silk Disco Mon / Tues.

Purple Haze Disco - Steve and Al Varney (bass player with Fission). Mostly based at the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club prior to 1972. Also same outfit known variously as Alisterpeda (with Pete Webb).