Photograph
The Worst
1976

“Anyone remember the air-raid siren that the DJ set off if a fight broke out? Most of the time, if I remember rightly, fights were started by the bouncers just so they had someone to beat up and chuck outside.”

“Dee - who was the other really punky guy who was great pals with you, Ian, Alan etc. We didn't see too much of him 'cos he seemed to be in and out of the nick all the time?”

“In defence of the bouncers, they really had their work cut out on the door as The Ranch was a magnet for every square and ted trying to get in 'for a go' at anyone who cared to be different from themself, Frank (Foo Foo) wouldn't stand for any of that and was himself seen on occasion helping out on the door (and you really didn't want to cross him) the boys did a fair job protecting the clubs incumbents. Meanwhile, anyone fancy a 'rum and coke a cola' (What a way to end it all)”

“Hi Fran, it was vinnie in the pic with woody who was in and out of the nick.”

“Dee thanks got it! I thought that was another pic of Ian! The name rang a bell straight away but I thought at first "Vinnie" was the guy in the last pic with A&I and the face didn't connect with the name.
bladesy - Rum n' Coca Cola - the Andrews Sisters, floor filler at the Ranch! A girl at work started singing this, having seen the Puppini Sisters perform it, and the memories came flooding back!”

“Hi Fran, I agree, what a great song, do remember the dance we'd all do to it, and do you also remember 'What A Way To End It All' by Deaf School? usually played at closing time. I was living with a barmaid from the Ranch at this time (although we were together prior to her working there) so we'd have after-hours before heading to the greasy all-night cafe round the corner.
Just like yourself, whenever I hear those songs it always takes me back to that brilliant period in time. Colin”

“He He! which caff did you frequent? We could usually be found in the one in Newton St. just off Piccadilly Gardens. Great days. So its "Goodbye cruel world and cheerio"!”

“...that's the one, but I also now recall that Dickens was open for an hour or two after the Ranch - it was all down to the brass in our pockets haha”