Often, they would roar with laughter at the comedy and cabaret shows, the most prominent of which was the Les Girls troupe, which starred the iconic transgender drag queen, Carlotta. Find more fab sticky carpet groove sessions. web pages Great read. The main reason Chequers lost money, Saw wrote, was that it paid top fees to visiting artists. In the Strand Arcade.. Best new wave, alternative & punk music : late 70s- early 80s.. What about Stars A transvestite bar, upstairs on Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley I waitressed in Tonys Downunder early 1990s and I clearly remember visiting Stars a number of times. Sydney's best known illegal casino, sly-grog nightclub and cocaine den during the 1930s. Photograph: Supplied. Chef Dave Evans told the Daily Telegraph people were 'voting with their feet' and going to different parts of Sydney after the laws, Lasting icon: The El Alamein Memorial fountain - a memorial to the soldiers who passed in World War II - stands as a lasting reminder of the link Australian and American servicemen have had with Kings Cross. now Sydney is a crowded boring place and its impossible to get around. This is a work is progress, and is certainly not complete.. We are currently working on an online database with much more information. Carlotta was one of the original cast members of the Cross's Les Girls cabaret show. Dj vu! I am in my mid 50s. I remember going into the building with dad on a Sat or Sun afternoon, it was pretty cool for a 13/ 14 year old as I was then. Safe as houses back then! Please keep the list going and updated, its worth it! GRAND HOTEL, Broadway near Central Station. I would like information about 1990:nightclub Crash and Burn.owner,years opened and bands.is Bulldozer.? Some of the early acts Abe Yasse had in the 1970s included a local teenager called Kerry Ann Kennelly, Hi, can anybody remember what street the Brisbane Hotel was on? And that's when we had all the birdcages up and the stage up one end. (Courtesy ACP Magazines Ltd, Mitchell Library), (The Australian Womens Weekly', 18 November 1953, p32 via Trove), Bodgies and African American Influences in Sydney, Breeding delinquents: Surf City 1963-1966, Whisky a Go Go nightclub, Kings Cross 11 August 1969, APIA Club dance at the Trocadero March 1958, Band playing at a Popular Dance night at the Trocadero 1938, Costume cavalcade at Artists' Ball at the Trocadero 6 November 1953, Jitterbuggers at the Trocadero February 1948, Kandy and friends performing at Ken's Karate Klub, Kensington 1981, Miles of carpet for the Trocadero 1936, Pedestrian crossing Darlinghurst Road outside the Tabou nightclub at night, Kings Cross 1961, Rolf Harris amuses diners at a nightclub in Sydney 1966, Roosevelt nightclub, Kings Cross September 1944, The Beach House Beatles performing at a 2UW Surf Music night at Surf City, Kings Cross February 1964, The Dorchester nightclub in Potts Point 1959, The Echoes band entertaining dancers at Surf City, Sydney 1963, The Phoencian Club on the corner of Broadway and Mountain Streets, Ultimo 1980s, The glamorous showgirls at Chequers, one of Sydney's leading nightclubs 1968, United States R & R men from Vietnam meet Aussie girls at the Whisky-A-Go-Go, 9 November 1967, [Decoration and Glass 1 May 1936 p43 via Trove]. This was the first place I recall seeing The Laughing Clowns after The Saints first split and Ed Kuepper returned to Australia. Cinema on the corner of Darlinghurst Road and Victoria Streets at Kings Cross that opened in April 1916. Tunes were covers of stuff on Five Live Yardbirds (Clapton), early Manfred Mann etc. Where to daggy dance under a disco ball like no one is watching. Angus Kennedy was the DJ, and I believe he did open another club under the same name for a very short time which might be the one you are referring to. As with many other industries, live music in Australia has undergone a form of restructuring. I would definitely have suspected that the vibe in 1970s and 1980s pubs would have been very unpleasant for women, let alone children: somewhere between Wake in Fright and Puberty Blues. Great list! Sydney was home to some iconic nightclubs during the 50s and 60s and showbiz stallwart John Burls remembers them all. While Melbourne live music experienced this spatially tempered expansion in the 1990s, Sydney was entering a well-documented decennium horribilis. Thanks for commenting, and yes its amazing to remember how much more separate the Australian cities would have seemed in the 1970s and 1980s; they still are (and more so with the borders closed! Can anyone remember a night club called the the junk yard in Elizabeth street where the Myers is now. Dancer at Chequers nightclub in the 1950s and a witness in the trial of Shirley Beiger for the murder of Arthur Griffith. Historian Judith Dunn told Daily Mail Australia: 'Overpaid, oversexed and over here - that was the little mantra about the American servicemen'. In May 1933, officers of the German Navy light cruiser DKMKlnvisited the cellar. An eye-catching serpent winds its way up from her bikini line, Speaking to the long history of one of Australia's most prominent motorcycle gangs, this tough local in oversized sunglasses rolled up her sleeves to show her allegiance to the Hells Angels. Once the most glamorous dance hall in Sydney, the Trocadero hosted Queens, Dukes, and international stars, as well as Sydneysiders out for a good time. 469 Kent St, Sydney NSW, +61 2 9267 7087 Those same backpackers make a beeline to this inner-city Kent St venue on Wednesdays for a club night that's every bit as rowdy as it sounds. Sydney was at one stage a leading nightlife destination and as such we fostered some of the best musical talent in a plethora of clubs around the city. Meanwhile, the average distance between gigs shrinks considerably: 336m, 189m, 85m. Historically, its an important spot as it was the virtual birthplace of the Purple Hearts, a band which had as lead guitarist a pimply youth later known as Lobby Lloyd. You bought your own grog. He became the public, and to a degree the deceptively benign, face of organised crime. after Patchs closed. She spent decades performing with the troupe, who performed in a purpose-built building owned by 'Mr Sin' - Abe Saffron, Welcome to the Paradise Club, I'm your host: Decked out in a tuxedo (and with very fashionable mutton chops), the master of ceremonies at a Kings Cross strip club glances away from the camera. Photograph: Murray Fredericks. But by 2006 Sydney live music can be seen making a recovery along the same lines as Melbourne: greater clustering, and loss of suburban circuits. At the site of Hogies was originally Tansformers. Rose Shamrock and Thistle (Rozelle), Gigs listed in one week: 471 The maps presented in this article derive from a wider research project in progress by the author. We used to hang out at The Manhattan in the valley almost every night of the week. But despite the often 'saucy' themes of the productions, Ms Dunn says: 'Today they'd be nothing - because the morals have changed of what is acceptable and what isn't acceptable', Decades on, Kings Cross remains a place of hustle and bustle - although in recent years there has been an uproar from venue owners with the closure of several popular nightclubs. Gigs and live musicstill thrivein the smallerdrinking hole worlds of theInner West and beyond. One of the greatest gigs I've ever been to happened here in late 1977, when Radio Birdman played their "farewell we are off to Britain" final assault. Her Majestys Nightspot (South Yarra) Uploaded by It then moved to 79 Goulburn Street. Legendary Kings Cross 'drag' show. The Clefs were the resident band for all this time,and Sunday nights usually hosted no less than 600 and usually 700 people. Owners: Keith and Dennis Wong. Empress Hotel (Fitzroy North) I remember it at the Manhattan. Leos 1950s I worked there in 68 as a Food and Wine waiter under a most professional Mister Luigi Rossini and would be most surprised if it had been in existence that long! Harbourside Brasserie (Walsh Bay) Located under theheritage Australian Gas Light Co building at the lower end of Pitt St, it lead a strong life holding a bunch of NRG nights and supporting some big names. Another monthly suburban gem, this packed disco night in Ashfield includes light-up dancefloor a la. Midnight shows with drama, naughty themes and showgirls were popular in the Cross in the early '70s, with Ms Dunn saying many would head into the Cross for a show after a dance in the city. In addition, a variety of contemporary accounts point to a negative feeling in Sydney live music in the 1990s, depicting the city as a tough place to get a gig or find a friend (Ausmusic 1993; Carroll & Connell 2000; Casimir 1990; Holmes 1993; Homan 2000; Johnson & Homan 2003). I was there. From there, wed walk, yes walk, to Sybils, for some more of the same. Sign up for our email to enjoy your city without spending a thing (as well as some options when youre feeling flush). Contrary to contemporary yarns, there are still pubs who play live music in Sydney. Nightclub or 'discotheque' in the city in the 1960s and 1970s that was ownedand managed by John Harrigan and Denis Wong. PARIS THEATRE Liverpool St Opposite Hyde Park. I'd been to a pub or two & seen some bands but this was like, at least in my Read more The Manzil Room - Springfields Bars. The structure of the historical GIS allows maps to be generated on live music distribution in different cities and timeframes, as well as enabling summaries of the number of different bands, or calculation of the distance between venues and gigs. very fast music for 30mins. I have to correct my comment of yesterday April 14, 2017 regarding your Club List under DECADE 1950s for 64 Club. I know because I introduced the two guys who started it in the famous old downstairs coffee shop that the Go Betweens played at before they were famous. Had a lot of different names..when Michael Jordan was the DJ. Nightlife is constantly evolving and were constantly trying to look forward, but we cant pretend we dont miss some of the older ones! . John chats with Kayley and Ian. Heading to 'The Land Down Under'. Among the map data are some venue names from the past which may be familiar or surprising to readers, depending on the time frame in which they went out the most. Kings Cross nightclub which featured 'drag' acts. The Retro. I loved the Buzz Bar! Best for: Lettin' loose in summertime like Hollywood royalty. For better or worse, live music scenes now survive with more performers, performing less often, and in a smaller area. Britannia (Chippendale) For a short period, the smaller clubs ceased to exist. I remember it was upstairs. In the years following World War II, American military personnel became a common sight in the Cross - delighting locals by introducing American products like chewing gum, chocolate and silk stockings, Dubbed 'Tattoo Girl', this Kings Cross character with a blinding wedding ring shining on her left hand had no qualms about unbuttoning her pants and stripping off her top to show off her ink to photographer Rennie Ellis. Some of the info you have needs correction. The changes are more spatial. Rather, it highlights the human geography already present in existing accounts, but often lost in focusing on particular venues or on aggregate activity. It was thesecond venue opened by entrepreneur, Ivy Richter. Just reading the names invokes many, many memories for me. Tunnel night club had, like so many places back then, a heavily policed female majority policy. DRIVING. Strut your stuff to Earth, Wind, and Fire while a hype man shouts encouragement from the stage. )to burn off a lot of excess alcohol. My dad is Chris Johnson, I think one of the guys you mention here. Waiter at Chequers nightclub who lived in Kellett Street, Kings Cross in the 1950s. Sylvania Hotel (Sylvania) Head to Kings Cross, Oxford Street, Surry Hills or Darling Harbour and get ready for a seriously good time. It was a grand old lady with a great dance floor. Resident band was Sebastian Wood in which I was the keyboard player. Bombay Rock (Brunswick) The starting point for discussion is a set of maps and figures derived from gig listings in Melbourne and Sydney in three respective sample years, forming a necessarily brief but novel forest through the trees perspective on long-range change. So I was incorrect with the Warner St location, but not too far off. Loved going there so much so that I would usually go both Friday and Saturday nights. Toby was asked to open a club upstairs of the Roxy by one of the owners (R.Chan), so he sent his friend Patch there to set it up. Nightclub on William St Kings Cross during the 1960s and 1970s. I would love to hear from any one who was there or associated with it. I have just a few vague memories of this venue. How much: $25Hot tip: Pre-drinks are for babies, fill up on pre-pierogi from the club's restaurant. Canadian bandleader who settled in Potts Point and became a prominent and flamboyant nightclub owner. hi there, great website, and certainly stirs up somr memories for me. Sydney Trade Union Club (Surry Hills) Famed for her parties at her nearby flat, her after parties following her shows have been described as 'theatrical events in themselves', Lady between shows: Late one evening, a performer in a skimpy costume struts through Kings Cross, her hair already high and her make-up already done. It's gone. Nightclub in King Street Sydney which operated from 1920 and was a well known venue for drag acts. Maybe consider adding The Red Parrot & Her Majesteys at the Hilton late 1980s. The number of gigs also increases, but not in proportion with the number of performers. dan@dannyblue.co.uk thanks. Our newsletter hand-delivers the best bits to your inbox. Ding Dong Lounge (City) I never took him up on his offer. It was definitely open in the 1970s decade. Basement (Circular Quay) Nightclub in Sylvania Waters which featured drag shows. It wasnt specifically about music or pubs, but i had a good laugh reading the Richard Glover book The Land Before Avocado, it cautions against reminiscing too fondly about the 70s and 80s. I remember when it was just opened and the club was advertising the latest in sound system technology. Hellllp! The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. Although newly launched, this club has taken no time in being an exceptional addition to Sydney's nightlife. Where did they go? Macs 409 Club was definitely in the early 80s not 90s. In these samples the spatial variation of gigs (represented in the Average distance between gigs figure, and in the visual clustering in the maps) declines over time, while the number of performers increases. Spectrum (Darlinghurst) The business fell into ruin and was taken over by Chris (actually the names are escaping me right now but I will wake in the middle of the night remembering them LOL) I knew them both seperately, one was a dreamer with no money running the place as Macs 409 Club from about 1983 and the other a doer with money who eventually turned it into the successful Sensoria from about 1984 till it was shut down by the authorities a couple of years later anyone who followed the 4zzz music scene at the time will know these places at the end of George and Roma Sts . Band/Performer count: 266, Melbourne, 1994, most listed venues: A favourite place for soldiers and sailors after the Second World War, the streets were swarming with U.S. servicemen on lieu from Vietnam seeking rest, relaxation and romance. Melbourne, 1983, most listed venues: Rhythm Zone Wednesday nights at Rumours on Adelaide St. The inspiring late Professor Henry Mayer marked student papers while dining there. If that happens to be the Julie that commented on my comment,then thanks for reminding me of the great times we had. It played reggae and early 90s RnB. Transgender Australian cabaret performer and entertainer who became the most famous member of the Les Girls show, in Sydney's Kings Cross. Would love to supply material for a page on the club if you have room. And the Refectory at Uni of Qld in the 80s. It is the treasure house of the Grape, presided over by the Master Vigneron, Mr. Leo Buring. Gee how you did you miss Cloudland off the list. The first gig for the new partnership was New Years Eve 1984 and I had 7 days to organise and promote it turned out pretty successful too!! Pry your shoes from the sticky carpet, wrap your chops around a cold tap beer and sashay away, but be mindful of Palms as a safe space relic and respect the queer communities who have been pounding the veneer dancefloor here for decades. I remember a club in Fortitude Valley in the early 70s called Flamingos. The Carousel Club was purpose built by underworld figure Abe Saffron to house the show. Home the Venue in Darling Harbour is Sydney's original superclub. Thanks Bowlers Club of NSW (City) Sandringham Hotel (Newtown) Ran for a year or so in the late 80s early 90s. Upstairs to Funhouse, venue home-base to Radio Birdman and alumni mid '70's. Clip ref. Its as interactive as the final hours of a wedding reception with the throbbing Euro beats and high energy power pop required to charge your uninhibited dance batteries.
