Welcome!

To navigate through the years, use the Archives box on the right. December 1960 will give the complete listing for that year. Comments have now been disabled. Any images or information relating to the Ballroom, the bands that played there or Albert Bonici would be much appreciated. Mail me: info@rockmine.com.

The Legend Begins!

Despite being open since 1960, the Two Red Shoes Ballroom would be just another forgotten dance hall had it not been for one event: the dance on Thursday, January 3rd 1963. The Northern Scot, which carried weekly adverts for the venue never even mentioned who was playing that night. The advert seen below came from the Elgin Courant. Promoter Albert Bonici must have assumed that while no-one would have heard of the group booked for that night, people might be aware of the single that was climbing the chart at the time, hence his describing them as the “Love Me Do Boys”.

The next few years would see the Two Red Shoes become one of the best known venues in Scotland playing host to some of the most famous names in British pop and rock but by the end of 1966 the magic started to disappear. 1967 saw only a few big names but it did include one of the biggest in the history of rock music – Pink Floyd. It doesn’t detract from what took place in this small dance hall and the music that was played here.

So, take some time to browse the years, watch the clips and hopefully relive some happy memories. If you want, share them with everyone.

January 01 – Special late night New Year’s Day Carnival Ball

January 03 – The Elgin Folk Music Club presents the “Love Me Do” boys The Beatles plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

January 10 – Findhorn Water Ski Club present the easy beat vocal trio The Dale Sisters plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

January 17 – The Scottish Promotion Association present a double starred attraction with the boy of “Steel Men” fame Roy Whitaker plus The Cresters featuring Mike Sagar

January 25 – Anita Harris

January 31 – Elgin Jazz Club present Mike Berry

February 21 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club dance featuring Jeannie Lambe plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

February 28 – The Elgin Folk Music Club present The Baron Knights (sic) plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 01 – Anita Harris

March 14 – The Scottish Promotion Agency presents The Federals plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 21 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club Dance with Lorne Gibson Trio plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 28 – Findhorn Water Ski Club present Craig Douglas plus The Ed Corrie London Jazzband

March 29 – Charities Ball

April 04 – The Moray Dance Club presents The Original Checkmates plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

April 11 – The Malcolm Nixon Agency presents The Grampian Teenbeat Showband featuring Andrew Tully, Sheila Mitchell, Johnny Hudson, Tony Sinclair

April 18 – The Moray Rugby Club presents The Alan Elsdon Jazzband with Mick Emery

April 24 – Over 25s Night Dancing to The Alex. Sutherland Sextet Waitress service from the cafe will be available during these Wednesday dances. Coffees, teas, snacks, meals, etc. will be served

April 25 – Dance featuring The Alex. Sutherland Sextet after the Karl Denver show in Town Hall

May 02 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents The Alex Welsh Jazz Band seen above with “Beale Street Blues”

May 09 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters

May 16 – The Elgin Dance Club presents The Big Three

May 23 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club presents Danny Williams plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. It wasn’t uncommon for Albert Bonici to place two adverts in the papers for the same event. The two above come from the Elgin Courant. What surprises me is that no-one bothered to check and see that on one it’s the Racing Pigeon Club while the other has it listed as association. What on earth was going on?

May 30 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Brad Newman plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 06 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Mike Berry And The Innocents plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 13 – The Moray Rugby Club presents a 3-Band Show. Johnny and Mike plus The Shades plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 20 – The Elgin Folk Music Club present Eden Kane‘s younger brother Wes Sands plus The Le Roys plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. Wes Sands was in reality Clive Sarstedt, who was managed by the legendary Joe Meek. Despite being in the business at this time, it would take him another 13 years to get into the charts as a one-hit wonder. In 1976, using his middle name of Robin he eventually made it with a cover of the old Hoagy Carmichael hit, “My Resistance Is Low”.

June 27 – The Moray Dance Club presents two Star Attraction – Don Charles – The Irish International Monarchs Showband plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 04 – The Scottish Jazz Promoters Association presents Don Spencer plus Fireball XL5 plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. While the advert clearly states Fireball XL5, I doubt there was such a band. Don Spencer hit the U.K. charts in March with a song called “Fireball” which was used as the theme for Gerry Anderson’s hit TV series, “Fireball XL5”. Here it is in all it’s glory. Spencer would later make his name as Australia’s favourite children’s TV entertainer and found the Australian Children’s Music Foundation. He also happen’s to be Russell Crowe’s father-in-law!

July 11 – Findhorn Water Ski Club present The Clearways plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 18 – The Malcolm Nixon Agency presents Soul Byron and The Impacts plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

Tuesdays 7.30 – 11.30 p.m. Record Roundabout. Your disc jockey – Alex McArthur

July 25 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents Rockin’ Henry and The Hayseeds plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

August 01 – The Moray Dance Club presents Neil Landon and The Burnettes (featuring Noel Redding on guitar)

August 08 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Jill Graham plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

August 15 – The Moray Rugby Club presents Elgin Holiday Dance with 2 top London groups. Originator of the “Sidewalk” Tony Holland and the famous Packabeats plus Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters

August 20 – Record Roundabout. Guest band The New Sabres

August 21 – Over-25s Night. Miss Anita Harris

August 22 – The Elgin Folk Music Club presents the young American singer Ronnie Hall plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

August 29 – The Moray Dance Club presents the young Decca recording artist Dev Douglas plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet (Hear ‘Dev’ on Saturday Club this Saturday)

September 12 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents The Original Checkmates plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

September 19 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club presents Jimmy Justice and The Excheckers plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

September 26 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents The Barron Knights with Duke D’Mond plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

October 10 – The Moray Dance Club presents The Caravelles (pictured above) plus Ben Richmond

October 14 – The Scottish Promters Association presents Elgin Holiday Dance with Eddie Le Pard And His Leopards. As from Tuesday, 15th October, the newly formned Eddie And His Leopards will be playing as guest stars each Tuesday night.

October 12 – Teen Beat dance recommences today with Eddie And His Leopards

October 31 – The Elgin Folk Music Club presents The Alex Harvey Big Soul Band plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. The album above was recorded around this time but released in 1964. It’s the only record of Alex and his band from this time. I’ve found a free download of the whole album that you’ll get by clicking this link.

Tuesdays and Saturdays – Eddie Le Pard And His Leopards

November 07 – Moray Dance Club presents the new Merseyside group Ricky Bowden and The Unit ‘4’ plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 09 – (afternoon) Eddie Le Pard And His Leopards

November 09 – (evening) The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 14 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents the new Merseyside sound The Druids plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 21 – The Moray Dance Club presents Johnny And The Copycats plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 23 – (evening) The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 28 – The Scottish Promoters Association presents Mike Cadillac And The Playboys plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 05 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Neil Landon and The Burnettes plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 12 – The Moray Dance Club presents Shane Fenton And The Fentones plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 18 – Over-25s Night

December 19 – The Scottish Promoters Association presents Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 20 – Late Night

December 21 – Palais Nite

December 23 – Xmas Roundabout with Eddie Le Pard

December 24 – Moray Rugby Club’s Xmas Eve Carnival Dance

December 25 – Aberdeen University Students’ Campaign Beatnik Ball

December 26 – The Moray Dance Club presents the ex-Big Three group The Seniors

December 27 – Big Beat Echoes

December 28 – Palais Nite

December 30 – New Year Roundabout with Eddie Le Pard

December 31 – Hogmanay Dance

© Copyright 2008 Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1969

January 01 – Moray Dance Club present New Year Special with Jim Martin Band plus The T-Set

January 02 – Aberdeen Students’ Charities Campaign presents Chartride starring the Jim Martin Quartet plus The Cresters

January 07 – M.D.E. Club presents The Cresters plus My Dear Watson

January 09 – Aberdeen Students’ Charities Campaign presents The Freedom Fighters

January 10 – The Cresters plus Jim Martin Band

M.D.E. Club discotheque every Sunday. 2.30 – 5.30 p.m.

February 10 – Monday Scene in the Two Red Shoes with Toy Shop

February 24 – Monday Scene in the Two Red Shoes with Marjorine

March 03 – Monday Scene in the Two Red Shoes with Colour Supplement (ex-Electric Circus)

Come dancing every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday with The Jim Martin Band

April 13 – Midnight Revels starring My Dear Watson. Midnight – 2.30 a.m.

May 07, 09, 10 – The Three Days

By this time Albert Bonici was promoting dances at New Elgin Hall on Saturdays with a new band every week. After a few weeks he moved to Bishopmill Hall

May 21, 23, 24 – Meet Denise. Clublands most popular exotic dancer.

June 06, 07 – 2 Dimensions

June 18, 20, 21 – In the cabaret spot. A really dynamic girl singer. The gorgeous Rae Gordon

July 09, 11, 12 – Russ and Johnny

July 25, 26, 30 – For that something extra. See and hear four fabulous fillies. They’re delightful! They’re fantastic! They’re the Tender Plenty.

August 01, 02 – For Go-Go eyes. See Les Oiseaux. Two “with-it” scene dancers. Strangely, on Saturday August 2nd, they were also appearing at Bishopmill Hall in Elgin with Gully Foyle who ended up in trouble that night. It seems someone didn’t like the level of noise they were producing and they charged with a breach of the peace! The copy of the writ against the band seen below is public domain but was previously published in “Fit Like, New York?”

August 10, 11 – Local Holiday Hop. Tangerine Atmosphere plus My Dear Watson

August 15, 16, 20 – Meet the dynamic 5ft 3in. explosive “Little Jinny” with her own style of music

September 01 – Monday Beat Scene with King Size Keen

September 24, 26, 27 – Be seen at the special “Evening Express” sponsored dances starring the beautiful, curvaceous, scintillating Tina Jaen with her own special style of singing

September 28 – M.D.E. Sunday discotheque recommences

October 01, 03, 04 – Russ and Johnny

October 13 – Special M.D.E. club dance featuring The Elizabethans plus The T-Set

The Northern Scot dated Saturday October 4th, 1969 – Appearing as resident guest stars for the rest of October, Zany Rocky Pebble with Marie

October 08 – November 01 (Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays) – The “Zany” Rocky and Marie with The Jim Martin Band

M.D.E. Sunday Disco with our two DJs Vic and Jack

November 01, 05, 07, 08 – Rocky and Marie Pebble with The Jim Martin Band

November 12, 14 – Russ and Johnny with The Jim Martin Band

November 19 – For four weeks. It’s the lovely Hilda Herd as resident star vocalist

November 24 – M.D.E. Monday Special. Beat at its best starring Britain’s most talented all-girl group Girl Talk

December 17 – Wednesday Over 25’s Special Ladies Night (Ladies admitted at half price) Plus more expensive spot prizes.

December 25 – Xmas Day Drop-In with all the latest from DJs Vic and Jack (2.30 – 5.30 p.m.)

December 25 – Elgin Young Conservatives present A Tinseltingle with My Dear Watson plus Somerset

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1968

January 01 – The Jim Martin Band plus the New Jacobeats

January 10, 12, 13 – Jim Martin Band

February 14, 16, 17 – Renee Barr – Although she was booked, the dates were cancelled due to illness and it seems no replacement was found

March 06, 08, 09 – London’s most exciting exotic dancer – Jill Chatrell

March 09 – Jill Chatrell will not be appearing. In her place will be the speciality and exotic dancer from North Of England Marie

March 22, 23 – The Settlers, Britains foremost vocal trio. Price increase to 7/6-

Come dancing every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday

May 03, 04 – Margo Delmar. Clubland’s most exciting exotic dancer

May 22, 24, The Allan James duo

May 31/June 01 – Nepenthe. The fabulous coloured American soul singer

June 17 – It’s a real rave-up with The Sponge. Beat at it’s best!

August 23 – Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters with the resident Jim Martin Band

September 18, 21 – For the singer with the way-way out revealing dresses. Meet Dawn Barrie. (Ed: I’m a bit confused by this  description. What way-out revealing dresses have to do with singing is anyone’s guess. Was this a way of describing yet another “exotic dancer” or stripper?)

September 27 – The M.D.E. Club’s Sunday Discotheque starts

September 28 – This act is provacative! It’s daring! It’s exciting! You must see Malaika Mandes, clubland’s sensational snake dancer.

October 14 – The M.D.E. Club’s Special Midnight Matinee. K.H.G. Rules plus The Hi-Steppin’ Damson Jam.

October 26 – The fabulous singing trio – The Freemen

November 23 – The top singing pair – The Bernie Tutton Duo

December 07 – The Darren Brothers vocal harmony and instrumental comedy

December 24 – Young Conservatives present Sockittomesanta with Charge Of The Light Brigade plus the Jim Martin Quartet

December 25 – Moray Dance Club presents Xmas Day Carnival with Jim Martin Band plus Soul Purpose

December 27 – Jim Martin Band

December 28 – Jim Martin Band

December 31 – Elgin Jazz Club presents Hogmanay Hop with The T-Set

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1967

The contrast between The Two Red Shoes and The Ballerina Ballroom in Nairn is quite shocking. Only two big-name bands played Elgin in 1967 whereas at least 10 played Nairn. Why Bonici’s ballroom in the smaller of the two towns should have proved more successful at this period is a mystery.

What is clear however, is that the Elgin venue had become boring and outdated. There was little change in the resident band although Bonici did have several bands circulating around his other dance halls. No matter how popular The Jimmy Martin Band was, it was crazy to have them play almost every night the venue was open. It seems the glory days were really over for The Two Red Shoes despite Pink Floyd playing on July 19th. I’m assuming their appearance was once again down to the relationship built up with Brian Epstein. It’s possible that Albert was contracually obliged to take them for a set number of dates.

Regular dancing every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday to the Jimmy Martin resident band

January 18, 20, 21 – Julie Grant will be appearing as guest vocalist

Wednesdays – Over 25’s Night 9.30 – 11.45 p.m.

Fridays – Late Night 9.30 p.m. – 1 a.m.

Saturdays – Palais Night 9 – 11.45 p.m.

February 8, 10, 11 – Miss Donna Douglas with Jimmy Martin Dance Band

February 14 – Valentine Dance with The Web from Manchester

March 01 – Dale Adriatico. All the way from the Phillipines. The most up and coming new vocalist with a voice like Sinatra

March 22 – Miss Jackie Day as guest vocalist

March 24 – Miss Jackie Day as guest vocalist

April 19, 21, 22 – Sheena Duff as guest vocalist

May 10, 12, 13 – Jackie Rogers as guest vocalist

May 30 – M.D.E. Queen Heat Two with Haddock’s Rockhouse plus The T-Set

June 27 – They’re back: Scotland’s top group after yet another action-packed German Tour. The scene is set for the fabulous Copycats plus The Dollies and The Mixture

July 12, 14, 15 – Donna Douglas as guest vocalist

July 20 – Pink Floyd plus The Copycats. I’ve been told that only 12 people attended this concert. The advert above is typical of Albert Bonici‘s over the top promotion skills. It turns out that the way-out lighting was provided by Graham Nairn who took charge of the Two Red Shoes Light(s) and tried to add some atmosphere to the event!

To give you a taste of what Pink Floyd were like and what their way-out light show should have been like, here they are at the legendary UFO CLub in London from March of this year. The footage is from a German documentary film called Die Jungen Nachtwandler (The Young Nightcrawler), about the British musical scene in the sixties. The director Edmund Wolf also appears on the clip for a short comment. It’s fascinating as it shows how the audience reacted to the music as well as what it was like in a club at this time.

August 03 – Paul And Barry Ryan (seen above with “Have Pity On The Boy”) plus The Copycats

August 29 – Mama’s Little Children

September 05 – The Freddie Mack Show

September 06, 08, 09 – Sheena Duff

The advert above is from the Northern Scot and the listing below is from the Elgin Courant. Why neither contains the others date(s) is anyone’s guess.

September 27, 29, 30 – Judy Cannon presents her own brand of music. Dancing to the music of The Jimmy Martin Band

November 04 – The Jimmy Martin Band with Kathleen Ogg

November 08, 10, 11 – By special request! The return of the irrepressible and vivacious Judy Cannon

November 17 – The Modelles

November 18 – Dancing for all with The Jimmy Martin Band

November 21 – Freddie Mack And His Road Show (all sixteen pieces of it)

November 28 – It’s the new Cash Boutique Queen. Heat 2. Win a fabulous nylon fur coat!

December 06, 08, 09 – Entertainment at its best with the scintillating and vivacious Sheena Duff

Come dancing every Wednesday – Over 25’s Night, Friday – Late Night, Saturday – Palais Night with The Jimmy Martin Band

December 24 – It’s the Midnight Special with Circle. Prizes! hats! Novelties! Streamers! Under the direction of top dee-jay Keith Taylor

December 25 – SJPA present The Jim Martin Band

December 27 – Young Liberals’ Association present The Jim Martin Band

December 29 – Jim Martin Band

December 30 – Jim Martin Band

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1966

January 01 – Carnival Dance

January 03 – Elgin Jazz Club New Year Revels. Dancing to The Jimmy Martin Band

January 06 – Aberdeen Students’ Charities Campaign “Rout 66” Music by The Facells

January 17 – SJPA presents Sounds Incorporated plus Sol Byron and The Senate

On Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays Dancing as usual to The Jimmy Martin Band with Alyson Armstrong

Starting Tuesday February 01 – The Verandah Discotheque dancing to top pops featuring disc jockey Douglas Eames in the colourful atmosphere of the London disc-clubs

February 03 – The Mindbenders

February 10 – The Copycats

Elgin Courant Wednesday February 16, 1966: Every Tuesday – Top Of The Pops presented by disc dolly Miss Eithnie Alexander

February 24 – The Poets

March 10 – Aberdeen Students’ Charities’ Campaign “Run Riot ’66” featuring The Four Pennies

April 01 – The Students Charities Ball. Bar, breakfasts, three bands

Wednesdays – Over 25’s Night, Fridays – Late Nite, Saturdays – Palais Nite with Allysun Armstrong and the Jimmy Martin Band

April 21 – The Return of that “With-It” B.B.C. TV show Stramash satrring Sol Byron – The Three Bells – The Senate

June 16 – Another big show special with The Mindbenders and The Drovers

July 21 – The Moody Blues and The Copycats

Elgin Courant for Wednesday, July 27 announces that as of Friday 29th July, the big centre for the Friday Night Beat Scene is now Keith.

Whatever Albert Bonici’s reasons were for moving the Thursday headline acts from Elgin to Keith it was a sign of problems with the Two Red Shoes. The Ballerina Ballroom had opened in January and already it had taken over from his Elgin venue. Why this should have been the case is anyone’s guess, Nairn had a much smaller population than Elgin and Keith’s was smaller still.

It has been suggested that Elgin was in the grip of a serious gang problem and it was no longer safe for dancers to come from places like Forres despite buses being laid on. Any insight into this would be most helpful.

Elgin Courant August 03 carries the advert “Regular dancing every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday to the Jimmy Martin Band with Eithnie Alexander

August 04 – The Whingdinger Beat Show with The Overlanders and The Copycats

Elgin Courant August 10 carries the advert “Regular dancing every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday to the Jimmy Martin Band and vocalist Deirdre Cameron

October 06 – For the Jet Set and High Camp followers, it’s Teen-Beat starring The Flintlocks. The fabulous Australian group now touring Britain with their own “Down-Under” sound.

December 15 – The Rebel Sound plus The T-Set

December 29 – Krazy Karnival Knight. Admission for only 1d if it’s dated 1953. Two admitted for 1d if it’s dated 1950 and six admitted for 1d if it’s dated 1951. Free entry for curly-toothed creeps or Bald Bearded Dolls. Starring The Agents plus The Throb

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1965

January 01 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents New Year’s Carnival Dance

January 03 – Elgin Jazz Club presents Midnite Holiday Dance. Music by The Alex. Sutherland Band with Alyson Armstrong.

January 07 – Special Teenage Dance “Beat Away The New Year Blues” Johnny And The J.P.s plus The Copycats

January 13 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

January 14 – Moray Dance Club presents Dave Berry And The Cruisers. Here’s Dave with Little Things which would hit the chart in March.

January 15 – Late Night

January 16 – Palais Night

January 21 – The Copycats

January 26 – Tuesday Teen Beat Dancing recommences. Dancing to The Copycats

January 28 – SJPA presents Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders with The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. Here are Wayne and The Mindbenders performing  “Game Of Love” which will enter the chart next week and hit the number two spot and “Just A Little Bit Too Late”.

February 04 – Lulu And The Lovers

February 09 – The Leopards

February 18 – Moray Dance Club presents ex-Beatles‘ Drummer The Jimmy Nicol Sound plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

February 23 – Teenbeat Dancing “The Eagle Force Seven” Group

February 24 – Over 25’s Night

February 25 – Elgin Folk Music Club presents Big Beat Night with Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters, George Washington and the Senators, The Stepping Stones, The Leopards, The Jacobeats, The Alex. Sutherland Band

March 11 – The Swinging Blue Jeans, seen above with “Shake, Rattle And Roll” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly” from last year’s NME Pollwinners Concert.

March 18 – The Honeycombs

March 25 – Elgin Jazz Club presents Them

April 08 – Moray Dance Club presents Unit 4 + 2 (seen here with “Concrete And Clay”) plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

April 15 – Goldie And The Gingerbreads plus The Boomerangs and The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

April 22 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

April 29 – Irish Showband The Viceroys and Liverpool recording group The Mighty Avengers

May 06 – Elgin Jazz Club presents The “I Can’t Explain” Group The Who plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

May 13 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Neil Landon And The Burnettes

May 27 – The Searchers plus The Rats

June 03 – Moray Dance Club presents The Measles plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 10 – SJPA presents The Fabulous Lectrones plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 17 – Irish Showband The Drumbeats

June 24 – Moray Dance Club presents The Four Pennies plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 15 – Modern Dancing Enterprises “Night Of The Beat People”

July 22 – Fitz-N-Starts

August 02 – Elgin Jazz Club “Holiday Dance”

August 11 – Over 25’s Night

August 12 – Star Night with Johnny Peters And The J.P.s

August 13 – Late Night

August 14 – Palais Night

August 18 – Over 25’s Night

August 20 – Late Night

August 21 – Palais Night

August 25 – Over 25’s Night

August 26 – Kris Ryan And The Questions

August 27 – Late Night

August 28 – Palais Night

September 01 – Over 25’s Night

September 02 – No Dance

September 03 – Late Night

September 04 – Palais Night

September 08 – Over 25’s Night

September 09 – The Manchester Playboys

September 10 – Late Night

September 11 – Palais Night

September 15 – Over 25’s Night

September 16 – Elgin Dance Club presents The Peasants and The Jimmy Martin Band

September 17 – Late Night

September 18 – Palais Night

September 23 – Elgin Jazz Club presents The Toggery Five plus The Groundhogs. The Toggery Five were a Manchester band named after a clothes shop in Southport. They only released two singles. This, their second, “I’d Much Rather Be With The Boys”, was written by Andrew Loog Oldham and Keith Richards.

October 01 – Late Night with The Sandy West Dance Band

October 02 – Palais Night

October 07 – Moray Dance Club presents The Mighty Avengers plus The Delinks

October 12 – Moray Dance Club presents The Ivy League, seen here with their number 8 hit from earlier this year, “Funny How Love Can Be”.

October 14 – Kenny Ball And His Jazzmen

October 21 – Thursday’s Chart Cart – The new style Thursday night entertainment to the jet set with Douglas Eames as resident D.J. All the tops from the pops with special guest group The Kubas

October 28 – Elgin Folk Music Club present The group to set the heather on fire George Fame And The Blue Flames

November 09 – SJP Association present The Nashville Teens, seen above performing “Tobacco Road” on the U.S. TV show, Shindig! back in March.

November 11 – Chart Cart Nite. Guest group Phil Ryan And The Crescents

November 18 – Chart Cart Nite. Guest group The Washington D.C.s

November 25 – Chart Cart Nite. Guest group The Powerhouse Six plus Johnny Cannon

The Northern Scot dated Saurday December 4th, 1965 carried the notification “Thursday dancing discontinued until further notice”

December 17 – Sounds Incorporated

December 24 – Christmas Eve Carnival Dance

December 25 – Christmas Day Dance

December 30 – The Copycats Fan Club present after their successful two-moth tour of the German high spots a welcome home to The Copycats in their Mask ball ’65 (Bring your own face and we’ll supply the mask)

December 31 – Hogmanay Dance

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1964

The resident band this year is once again The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. Many newspaper adverts at this time would only list Friday Night as Late Night and Saturday as Palais Night without details of the resident band. Thursday nights as usual were when the larger touring acts would be featured.

January 01 – The Findhorn Water Ski Club New Year’s Day Carnival Dance

January 02 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents The Charlie Galbraith Jazz Band

January 03 – Late Nite

January 04 – Palais Nite

January 16 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Mark Peters And The Silhouettes

January 23 – Johnny Kidd And The Pirates in the Town Hall. Was there dancing at The Two Red Shoes after?

January 30 – Lorraine Grey And The Chaperones

February 04 – (and every Tuesday) Roundabout with Eddie Le Pard And The Leopards

February 06 – The Tycoons

February 07 – Johnny And The Copycats with Eddie Le Pard And The Leopards

February 08 – (and every Saturday) Palais Night with The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

February 13 – Elgin Jazz Club presents The Shakes

February 20 – Moray Dance Club presents Ian Crawford And The Boomerangs with The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

February 27 – The Washington D.C.s

March 05 – Moray Dance Club presents The New Apaches

March 12 – The Sheffields

March 19 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Johnny And The Copycats plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 26 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club presents Bobby Angelo – Susan Terry and The Tuxedos

April 02 – Moray Dance Club presents a return visit of Cervazes, now known as The Formula Five

April 09 – Elgin Jazz Club presents Pete McLain and The Four Just Men plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

April 16 – Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters

April 23 – Elgin Jazz Club presents the girl from the recent “Searchers” show Suzy Cope plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

April 30 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents The Aces plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

May 07 – Elgin Jazz Club presents the first ever Mod Ball featuring Brian Epstein’s golden boy Tommy Quickly (seen above with “The Wild Side Of Life”) and The Remo Four. 

May 14 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club presents the big band from London, The Trends plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

May 15 – The Copycats will be playing in place of The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

May 21 – Moray Dance Club presents Neil Landon And The Burnettes plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

May 28 – Elgin Jazz Club presents Johnny Anger and the Wild Ones plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 04 – SJP Association presents Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders

June 06 – Melody Maker runs a fascinating article called “The £ S D Of Beat” where the writer puts forward that groups are pricing themselves out of the market and that ballrooms are facing a slump in attendances due to the “over-exposure of groups on TV pop shows”. MM quotes the fee to book The Remo Four for a weekend gig at £ 120. Mid-week slots were always cheaper and this is why I think Albert Bonici had name acts perform on a Thursday. Having promoted myself, I know that it was easy and cheaper to book bands who had a break in their tour between two larger cities. I suspect Albert made it known that he’d offer dates at relatively short notice if he could get acts cheaply enough. Adverts throughout the years would seem to back this up with a number of bands being advertised in advance but never actually appearing.

June 11 – Modern Dancing Enterprises presents The Deacons plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 18 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Lulu And The Lovers plus The Puppets plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. Lulu’s featured above with her top ten hit, “Shout” which entered the chart last month.

June 25 – SJP presnts a Mod Ball featuring The Animals. Here they are with their massive hit, “House Of The Rising Sun” which entered the chart today.

July 02 – Moray Dance Club presents The Undertakers plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. The Undertakers (seen above in an advert for Selmer) were an offshoot of Bob Evans & The Five Shillings which is said to have been Merseyside’s very first rock group. They only existed from February 1961 to December 1964 when they split, partly due to a flu jab paralyzing the arm of saxophonist and vocalist Brian Jones. When they played the Two Red Shoes, they featured Jackie Lomax on bass and vocals, who went on to be one of the first releases on The Beatles own record label, Apple.

July 10 – Late Nite – The Jack Sinclair Band with Dave MacIntosh will be playing, not The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 16 – Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters

July 23 – Moray Dance Club presents The Jacobeats pluys The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 30 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Johnny And The Copycats

August 08 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet will be absent competing in the National Jazz Finals in London. Playing instead – The Jacobeats

August 10 – Moray Dance Club’s Special Elgin Holiday Dance with The Copycats

August 13 – SJDA presents Neil Landon And The Burnettes plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

August 20 – Elgin Jazz Club presents Robb Storme & The Whispers

August 27 – Moray Dance Club presents The Mad Klassix

September 10 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters

September 17 – Shirley, Johnny and The Ricochets with The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

September 24 – SJDA presents Neil Landon And The Burnettes plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

October 01 – Moray Dance Club presents Dave Adams and The Bel-Aires plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

October 08 – Moray Dance Club presents The Fairies

October 15 – The Findhorn Water Ski Club presents The Johnny Douglas Combo

October 22 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club presents Me And Them

October 23 – The Daly Brothers

October 27 – The Wildkats

October 28 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

October 29 – Moray Jazz Club presents R & B Incorporated

October 20 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

October 31 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 05 – Elgin Jazz Club presents Johnny, Mike and The Shades plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 12 – Moray Jazz Club presents The Gonks plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 26 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Kris Ryan and The Questions plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 07 – The Jacobeats plus The Leopards plus The Copycats

December 10 – The Rustiks and The Deacons

December 17 – Moray Dance Club presents The Applejacks, seen above with “Tell Me When” from earlier this year plus The Just Four Men

December 24 – Aberdeen University Students’ Campaign Beatnik Ball

December 25 – Christmas Carnival

December 28 – The Leopards plus The Copycats plus The Jacobeats

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1963

January 01 – Special late night New Year’s Day Carnival Ball

January 03 – The Elgin Folk Music Club presents the “Love Me Do” boys The Beatles plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

January 10 – Findhorn Water Ski Club present the easy beat vocal trio The Dale Sisters plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

January 17 – The Scottish Promotion Association present a double starred attraction with the boy of “Steel Men” fame Roy Whitaker plus The Cresters featuring Mike Sagar

January 25 – Anita Harris

January 31 – Elgin Jazz Club present Mike Berry

February 21 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club dance featuring Jeannie Lambe plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

February 28 – The Elgin Folk Music Club present The Baron Knights (sic) plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 01 – Anita Harris

March 14 – The Scottish Promotion Agency presents The Federals plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 21 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club Dance with Lorne Gibson Trio plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 28 – Findhorn Water Ski Club present Craig Douglas plus The Ed Corrie London Jazzband

March 29 – Charities Ball

April 04 – The Moray Dance Club presents The Original Checkmates plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

April 11 – The Malcolm Nixon Agency presents The Grampian Teenbeat Showband featuring Andrew Tully, Sheila Mitchell, Johnny Hudson, Tony Sinclair

April 18 – The Moray Rugby Club presents The Alan Elsdon Jazzband with Mick Emery

April 24 – Over 25s Night Dancing to The Alex. Sutherland Sextet Waitress service from the cafe will be available during these Wednesday dances. Coffees, teas, snacks, meals, etc. will be served

April 25 – Dance featuring The Alex. Sutherland Sextet after the Karl Denver show in Town Hall

May 02 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents The Alex Welsh Jazz Band seen above with “Beale Street Blues”

May 09 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters

May 16 – The Elgin Dance Club presents The Big Three

May 23 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club presents Danny Williams plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. It wasn’t uncommon for Albert Bonici to place two adverts in the papers for the same event. The two above come from the Elgin Courant. What surprises me is that no-one bothered to check and see that on one it’s the Racing Pigeon Club while the other has it listed as association. What on earth was going on?

May 30 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Brad Newman plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 06 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Mike Berry And The Innocents plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 13 – The Moray Rugby Club presents a 3-Band Show. Johnny and Mike plus The Shades plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

June 20 – The Elgin Folk Music Club present Eden Kane‘s younger brother Wes Sands plus The Le Roys plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. Wes Sands was in reality Clive Sarstedt, who was managed by the legendary Joe Meek. Despite being in the business at this time, it would take him another 13 years to get into the charts as a one-hit wonder. In 1976, using his middle name of Robin he eventually made it with a cover of the old Hoagy Carmichael hit, “My Resistance Is Low”.

June 27 – The Moray Dance Club presents two Star Attraction – Don Charles – The Irish International Monarchs Showband plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 04 – The Scottish Jazz Promoters Association presents Don Spencer plus Fireball XL5 plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. While the advert clearly states Fireball XL5, I doubt there was such a band. Don Spencer hit the U.K. charts in March with a song called “Fireball” which was used as the theme for Gerry Anderson’s hit TV series, “Fireball XL5”. Here it is in all it’s glory. Spencer would later make his name as Australia’s favourite children’s TV entertainer and found the Australian Children’s Music Foundation. He also happen’s to be Russell Crowe’s father-in-law!

July 11 – Findhorn Water Ski Club present The Clearways plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 18 – The Malcolm Nixon Agency presents Soul Byron and The Impacts plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

Tuesdays 7.30 – 11.30 p.m. Record Roundabout. Your disc jockey – Alex McArthur

July 25 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents Rockin’ Henry and The Hayseeds plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

August 01 – The Moray Dance Club presents Neil Landon and The Burnettes (featuring Noel Redding on guitar)

August 08 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents Jill Graham plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

August 15 – The Moray Rugby Club presents Elgin Holiday Dance with 2 top London groups. Originator of the “Sidewalk” Tony Holland and the famous Packabeats plus Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters

August 20 – Record Roundabout. Guest band The New Sabres

August 21 – Over-25s Night. Miss Anita Harris

August 22 – The Elgin Folk Music Club presents the young American singer Ronnie Hall plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

August 29 – The Moray Dance Club presents the young Decca recording artist Dev Douglas plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet (Hear ‘Dev’ on Saturday Club this Saturday)

September 12 – The Elgin Ladies’ Hockey Club presents The Original Checkmates plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

September 19 – Lossiemouth Racing Pigeon Club presents Jimmy Justice and The Excheckers plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

September 26 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents The Barron Knights with Duke D’Mond plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

October 10 – The Moray Dance Club presents The Caravelles (pictured above) plus Ben Richmond

October 14 – The Scottish Promters Association presents Elgin Holiday Dance with Eddie Le Pard And His Leopards. As from Tuesday, 15th October, the newly formned Eddie And His Leopards will be playing as guest stars each Tuesday night.

October 12 – Teen Beat dance recommences today with Eddie And His Leopards

October 31 – The Elgin Folk Music Club presents The Alex Harvey Big Soul Band plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet. The album above was recorded around this time but released in 1964. It’s the only record of Alex and his band from this time. I’ve found a free download of the whole album that you’ll get by clicking this link.

Tuesdays and Saturdays – Eddie Le Pard And His Leopards

November 07 – Moray Dance Club presents the new Merseyside group Ricky Bowden and The Unit ‘4’ plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 09 – (afternoon) Eddie Le Pard And His Leopards

November 09 – (evening) The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 14 – The Elgin Jazz Club presents the new Merseyside sound The Druids plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 21 – The Moray Dance Club presents Johnny And The Copycats plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 23 – (evening) The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

November 28 – The Scottish Promoters Association presents Mike Cadillac And The Playboys plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 05 – Findhorn Water Ski Club presents Neil Landon and The Burnettes plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 12 – The Moray Dance Club presents Shane Fenton And The Fentones plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 18 – Over-25s Night

December 19 – The Scottish Promoters Association presents Malcolm Clarke And The Cresters plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

December 20 – Late Night

December 21 – Palais Nite

December 23 – Xmas Roundabout with Eddie Le Pard

December 24 – Moray Rugby Club’s Xmas Eve Carnival Dance

December 25 – Aberdeen University Students’ Campaign Beatnik Ball

December 26 – The Moray Dance Club presents the ex-Big Three group The Seniors

December 27 – Big Beat Echoes

December 28 – Palais Nite

December 30 – New Year Roundabout with Eddie Le Pard

December 31 – Hogmanay Dance

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.

1962

January 01 – New Year’s Day Carnival

January 11 – Eden Kane (pictured above) with The Jay Walkers

January 13 – Teenage waltz competition

January 18 – The Allisons (seen above with “Are You Sure”, their number 2 hit from last year which came second in 1961’s Eurovision Song Contest) with Dru Harvey and The Jokers

January 25 – Selection of “Miss Fochabers 1961” in the “Miss Bristol” competition

January 26 – Grand finals of the North Of Scotland Jiving Championships for “The Capstan Cup” and selection of “Miss Bristol” 1961

January 27 – Teen attraction – 1st heat of the Elgin jiving competition

February 08 – Dancing to The Alex Sutherland Sextet

February 15 – Jim McHarg and His Scotsville Jazzmen (this line-up is thought to include Jack Bruce)

February 22 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

February 23 – The Glasgow J.W. Formation Dancing Team demonstrating The Checker Twist

March 01 – Emile Ford‘s old backing group – The Original Checkmates plus The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

March 06 – 738 Squadron Dance

March 15 – Emile Ford and The Fordettes (one advert lists them as The New Checkmates)

March 24 – Special Teen Attraction – Second heat of Elgin teen twist contest

March 29 – Florrie Cairns (above) And The Clansmen with Fionna Duncan

March 30 – The Charities Ball

March 31 – The Arts Ball

April 05 – Bob Wallis and Storyville Jazzmen

April 12 – Craig Douglas. Here he is on the BBC’s, “Pops & Lenny” show with, “Lonesome me” from later in the year.

April 19 – Kenny Ball Jazzmen supported by Dean Kerr’s East Coast Jazzmen

April 26 – Danny Williams

April 28 – Special teen attraction Go-Ma-Go Show band star Colin Day with The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

May 03 – Dick Charlesworth and His City Gents

May 10 – The Karl Denver Trio

May 11 – Sounds Incorporated. I’ve mistakenly assumed that Sounds Incorporated were the American band who supported The Beatles on tour in the U.S. but the band of the same name featured above was formed in Kent in 1961 and signed up by Brian Epstein. His links with Albert Bonici make me think this is the band seen at The Two Red Shoes.

May 12 – The afternoon teen dance will be discontinued after today. Restarting again in the autumn

May 17 – Al Saxon (pictured above)

May 24 – Double attraction – The Mudlarks and Donna Douglas

May 31 – Eurovision Song Contest winner Ronnie Carroll seen above performing “Ring-A-Ding Girl”

June 07 – The Terry Lightfoot Jazz Band

June 08 – The Elgin Dairy Princess in the £ 500 Dairy Queen contest

June 14 – Young Unionists’ Annual Dance

June 21 – Shane Fenton And The Fentones. Here’s Shane with “Magic” from the film, “Play It Cool” which hit cinema screen around now.

June 28 – The Alex. Sutherland Sextet

July 05 – Duke D’Mond And His Baron Knights (sic)

July 12 – The Viscounts. Gordon Mills, in the centre of the picture above, went on to manage Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck.

July 26 – Jimmy Crawford and The Ravens

August 02 – Emile Ford and The Fordettes

August 09 – Rock ‘N’ Trad Night – The Original Checkmates plus Andy Elsdon Jazzband

August 16 – Night Sounds

August 23 – Don Charles

August 30 – Mal Ryder and The Spirits

September 06 – Another double star attraction The Mike Cotton Jazzmen plus The Viscounts

September 13 – Jimmy Justice And The Excheckers.  Jimmy (seen above) had two top ten hits earlier in the year and reached number 20 around this time with “Spanish Harlem”. He hit the front page of Melody Maker in July with news that after a season of Sunday concerts in Blackpool ended in the middle of September, he was flying to the States for a number of TV dates.

September 20 – Forrie Cairns And The Clansmen plus Jay and Terry Scott

September 25 – Jet Harris and The Jet Blacks. Here’s Jet with “Main Title Theme (from “Man With The Golden Arm”)” which hit the charts last month and stayed there for 11 weeks.

September 27 – The Springfields, seen above with their hit, “Island Of Dreams”

October 04 – David McBeth

October 18 – Craig Douglas plus Johnny and Mike with The Shades

October 25 – Bobby Angelo with Susan Terry and The Tuxedos

November 01 – The Avons

November 08 – The Baron Knights (sic)

November 15 – Don Charles and Gerry Reno

November 20 – Recomencement of Saturday teen dancing

November 22 – Pop package show with The Charlie Galbraith Jazzmen, Barry James And The Strangers with Garry and Lee

November 29 – Bruce Turner Jump Band

December 06 – Jimmy Crawford And The Ravens plus The Checkmates

December 07 – Semi-finals of “Miss North Of Scotland 1962”

December 13 – Shane Fenton And The Fentones

December 20 – Chance Gordon

December 24 – Elgin Folk Music Club carnival

December 25 – The Aberdeen University Students’ Campaign presents A Christmas Beatnik Ball

December 31 – The Hogmanay Dance

© Copyright 2008-2010. Roy Deane, Rockmine Archives. All rights reserved. No part of this web site may be copied, redistributed, broadcast or published in any form without approval.