Coventry Dance Halls, Studios and Schools

Pete Waterman used to work on Monday nights, which was considered Soul night, certainly 1970-1971. He used to regularly play my Motown 45's which I used to import myself directly from the States, something that was virtually unheard of at the time, unlike today of course with the like of Amazon.com. The difficulty I had after hearing a track on American Forces Radio, was trying to find out whether EMI (who distributed Motown Records in the UK as Tamla Motown) intended to release the track themselves in the UK. If they didn't, I had to import a copy myself. EMI told me they didn't intend releasing Edwin Starr's 'War' over here as it was a song against the Vietnam War, with which Britain, of course, had no involvement. So I imported my own copy. Pete started to build up 'interest' by regularly pronouncing 'War's a-coming, War's a-coming' during his gig for three weeks - private importation in those days wasn't a quick process. He also did the same during his gig at a smaller venue in West Bromwich. On seeing me arrive holding up the freshly imported single in my hands, Pete announced 'War's now arrived, War's now arrived' and started off by just playing the drum roll intro. It went down a 'storm' that night as well subsequent Mondays. EMI consequently had sufficient pressure put on them to eventually release the track in the UK. The rest as they say, is history. It went to number 3 in the UK singles chart.

I also worked at the Locarno from 1968-1972. I now live on the Isle of Wight, do we know each other? Phil Wicks

What a co-incidence you both living on the IoW ! I had originally intended to come down for the Scooter Rally in 2 weeks time but I suppose you find this quite tiresome year on year! I worked at the Locarno for short stints in the mid 70's when on leave, checking guests handbags at the height of the bomb threats

Well that's interesting Wearethemods, what would you have done if you had found one?

Run like hell Dreamtime ! It's like a lot of things which are supposed to be a deterrent - preventative action etc. Maybe the intention was supposed to put people at ease that these checks were made at most, if not all, pubs, clubs, cinemas & suchlike in the wake of the Birmingham & Guildford bombs. Even today we can only take limited amounts of toiletries on board aircraft, yet we are allowed lighters and can purchase brandy and other inflammable spirits in a glass, yes glass, bottle once through security! Where's the logic in that?

Friday night after attending evening class at the Butts, we would walk into town, have a pint of Phipps mild in the Thistle and then onto the Locarno. We could leave our college stuff in the cloakroom and it was straight upstairs to the bar where you could get draught Double Diamond and then watch the girls dancing around their handbags from the balcony. Only problem was the long walk home to Canley. We also went to the Orchid and Matrix ballrooms, any memories of these?

I don't remember the Orchid but used to go to the Matrix, saw some good groups there, also the Lanchester Poly used to have good groups on as well.

Hi Mick, mentioning the Matrix Ballroom, (I posted a note yesterday which you may or may not have read in light of all yesterday's messages being lost so here it is again) I saw Supertramp there in 73/74 before they became 'famous'. They were in fact the support act to a band called 'Stray' who didn't quite make the big time! Another note I posted yesterday was in response to someone who mentioned that they thought the Beatles had played there. I responded that although it might be nothing to do with that, Paul McCartney had been booked for speeding nearby on the Fletchamstead Highway I think.

So, Coventry Dancehalls. Apart from the Locarno, Matrix and Orchid, what else do we remember?

The GEC Ballroom ?

Don't forget the Rialto in Coundon. We lived in nearby Banks Road (opposite Barkers Butts School) and in the early 1950s had a lodger who played the double bass in the resident band. He only had one leg so would guess that he was injured during the war. Ever hear a double bass player practise?

Ahh, that was our local haunt from around 57' to 62'. The Casino as we knew it then. It was a great resident band then - Ricky Gerngros (please forgive the spelling). His 1 o'clock Jump was one to stop dancing for. Always a good night even more so at Christmas and New Year. The girl singer was with them all the time we were there. Then when we went to Torquay she was the resident singer for the season at the Palm Court Hotel on the front.

My mum used to play bingo at the Rialto until a couple of years ago. They also tried a small cinema there. I think it is now just a furniture store.