A sterling line-up, including Spencer Davis, Bonzos and Jimmy James, for the Tech Union's early gigs of 1967. Were the financial wobbles of '66 behind them?

Manchester cultural historian and musician Dr CP Lee was heavily influenced and inspired by seeing Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band. In an exclusive interview for this project, he described the Bonzos' shows as 'relentless' and 'crammed with ideas' - every moment was a 'happening'. He took this ethos into his band Albertos Y Lost Trios Paranoias.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

A monster line-up to suit all tastes at the Rag Ball of 1967. See the review of this gig coming up in the Independent in February 1967.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the The University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

A new venture for both Eric Burdon and the Union, this was the first ever gig at the Whitworth Hall - one of the University's grandest buildings.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

Jimmy James was a singer from Jamaica who cut his teeth recording with influential reggae producers such a Coxsone Dodd and Clancy Eccles.

The Vagabonds were originally formed in 1960. James teamed up with them under Canadian band manager Roger Smith and in April 1964, they relocated to the UK. 'Ska-Time' (Decca Records) was recorded as Jamaica's Own Vagabonds within two weeks of their arrival, and is one of the first examples of Jamaican ska music to be recorded in the UK.

By the late sixties the Vagabonds sound was more soul-orientated. They played Manchester Northern Soul club The Twisted Wheel in 1967 and scored a big hit with Neil Diamond's 'Red Red Wine' in 1968.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

The Spencer Davis Group returns to the Union, January 1967. 'Gimme Some Lovin' was massive in autumn of '66, and 'I'm a Man' came out early '67, possibly around the time of this gig.

Steve and Muff Winwood left Spencer Davis in April of this year to form Traffic.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

(Right click zoom for a better view.)

Interesting review of Eric Burdon's experimental jazz venture New Jazz Orchestra at the University's stunning Whitworth Hall. (This is where graduation events are held now. Not to be confused with the Whitworth Art Gallery). Despite an initial 'slow and inarticulate' trumpet, the gig and venue appear to have gone down well!

The Cream (as they were known) at MDH are also reviewed. There was a big press buzz around the formation of the band, due in part to Clapton, Baker and Bruce's previous work with the Graham Bond Organisation, the Yardbirds, Manfred Mann and John Mayall's Bluesbreakers. Judging by this review, they hadn't fully found their feet as a unit. Cultural historian and MDMarchive co-chair CP Lee was there and found the interminable drum and guitar solos a bit of a trial!

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union. Words by Jim.

Precinct '87!

Page 2 of 2

A fascinating glimpse of the 1967 plans for improvements to Manchester University's campus and the infrastructure of the surrounding areas, the idea being that the vision would be achievable by that distant year: 1987. This was the 'streets in the sky' era of town planning that resulted in Hulme's doomed deck access flats, The Crescents'. The piece states :

'There would be complete segregation of pedestrians from the remaining traffic by constructing a network of footpaths and bridges 21 feet above the service roads at first floor level. These footpaths would enable safe and rapid movement between the sections of the precinct occupied by 'Tech' in the north and the Manchester Corporation and University and hospitals to the south.'

Plans also include a new Medical School on Grafton Street, a shopping centre on Booth Street (now Booth Street West), a tower block of students' residencies and a sports centre.

In one way or another, all of these things came to pass. There is no specific mention of an extension of the Students' Union building (erected in 1957), but rumblings about the need for this were rife at the time. Twenty-three years after this piece was written, Manchester Academy was built, and included a bar and a bank.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

Precinct '87!

Page 1 of 2

A fascinating glimpse of the 1967 plans for improvements to Manchester University's campus and the infrastructure of the surrounding areas, the idea being that the vision would be achievable by that distant year: 1987. This was the 'streets in the sky' era of town planning that resulted in Hulme's doomed deck access flats, The Crescents'. The piece states :

'There would be complete segregation of pedestrians from the remaining traffic by constructing a network of footpaths and bridges 21 feet above the service roads at first floor level. These footpaths would enable safe and rapid movement between the sections of the precinct occupied by 'Tech' in the north and the Manchester Corporation and University and hospitals to the south.'

Plans also include a new Medical School on Grafton Street, a shopping centre on Booth Street (now Booth Street West), a tower block of students' residencies and a sports centre.

In one way or another, all of these things came to pass. There is no specific mention of an extension of the Students' Union building (erected in 1957), but rumblings about the need for this were rife at the time. Twenty-three years after this piece was written, Manchester Academy was built, and included a bar and a bank.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

One of my all-time favourite items in our archive. (Right click the zoom for a better view).

This shows the sheer calibre of artists the Union was booking at this time.

At the bottom of the advert is a mention of jazz nights at LDH (Lesser Debating Hall?).

Thanks to Red Mist for uploading this treasure.

Autumn vibes at the Union. Freddie and the Dreamers are described somewhat improbably as 'Manchester's craziest group'. I doubt they were as crazy as Arthur Brown, whose strapline, 'the most sensational group ever' betrays some of Brown's infamous humour. This was a while before 'Fire!' conquered the world in June '68.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

Fresh from putting the finishing touches to Axis: Bold As Love, Jimi Hendrix arrived at the Union raring to go with bandmates Noel Redding and Mitch Mitchell. News of his performance at the Monterey Festival in March had cemented his live reputation and the band had enjoyed three UK top ten in singles in 1966: Hey Joe, Purple Haze and The Wind Cries Mary. All three featured in the set in Manchester, (according to a trusted fan site).

A review of the gig by Jill Nicholls in the Manchester Independent states:

“On stage backed by a wall of equipment, Jimi Hendrix produced some of the weirdest sounds a guitar can make, laced with majestic sweeping chords of a thundering density. Occasionally, he leaped up and down, as the music—or the audience—demanded. After the first number, Noel's P.A. system broke down. Jimi announced "This is very embarrassing". Although it was obviously not one of his best nights, he showed a consummate ease in playing, giving the impression that anything, but anything, was possible. He went through all his hits, because the audience roared for them. Purple Haze was easily the best, in which he deliberately changed all the lyrics, and in dealing with the packed crowd of heads and waving arms, he was astute and unworried. Towards the end, he generated some sort of excitement by rubbing his guitar all over his body, with a grin of ecstasy on his face. And on the final number, started mashing the instrument into the massive set of amplifiers, creating crashing sound waves. In the end, in desperation, he threw the whole guitar at the back wall of the stage, and walked off."

1. Stone Free
2. Hey Joe
3. The Wind Cries Mary
4. Foxy Lady
5. The Burning Of The Midnight Lamp
6. Purple Haze
7. Wild Thing

Also advertised is a '13 piece all-coloured rave act', playing on November 11th at MDH, with jazz and blues in the Open Lounge. At this time, the Open Lounge was being used quite successfully for more esoteric musics, whilst pop, rock and R'n'B sounds dominated the line-up at MDH.

Taken from the Manchester Independent newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.

An advert displaying the entertainment available at the two (slightly competitive) Unions for the back end of 1967.

UMIST has Acker Bilk, The Zombies and Davy Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, whist over at MDH, legends of the folk scene, Jansch, Renbourne and Pentangle were visiting. Soul star P.P. Arnold was bringing up the rear at MDH, with more jazz and blues promised at the Open Lounge.

The North West Homosexual Law Reform Committee (later Campaign for Homosexual Equality) posted regular ads in the Independent offering support to gay men. In 1967, the Sexual Offences Act decriminalised homosexual acts in private between two men, provided they had reached the age of 21.

Taken from the Manchester Independent newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at University of Manchester Students' Union.

Jim is back!

Arthur Brown of 'Fire!" fame brings his deranged brand of psyche-rock to the Union, replete with a broken leg, which he claimed was caused by a seagull-related accident.

Jazz saxophonist Ben Webster also plays to a 'sparse but appreciative' audience at the Union.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

A rare glimpse of an interview by Jill Nicholls with the Jimi Hendrix Experience conducted in the Students' Union building before their show in the Main Debating Hall whilst touring the Are You Experienced album in '67.

During the interview Jimi talks about his decision to come to England, the burgeoning hippy movement and his inspiration for songwriting. The article also gives a review of the evening's show.

This is a real highlight for the exhibition and we're excited to be sharing it with you.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

The Pretty Things play a double header with Orange Bicycle - a forgotten English psyche-pop act. According to Wikipedia, Winston Malone, the keyboard player from Orange Bicycle, arranged the strings on the 1965 Andrew Oldham Orchestra symphonic recording of 'The Last Time', controversially sampled by the Verve for 'Bittersweet Symphony'.

The Who are booked in to the Tech Union for Feb 17th. According to the Manchester Academy website and Wikipedia, the band played MDH in October 1965, but I have been unable to dig out an advert for this.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

By 1968 it looks like the Social Secretary at Tech Union is really starting to pull in the heavyweights.

It was a turbulent time for Pink Floyd. Syd Barrett had stopped playing live with the band in January of 1968. He left completely in April, and was replaced by Dave Gilmour.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

All killer, no filler for the Rag Ball of 1968 with a 2am license.

Geno was still with the Ram Jam Band at this point. Like Pye label mates and rivals, Jimmy James and the Vagabonds, they were huge on the mod scene.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

An short review/interview following the Bonzos' incendiary performance at MDH.

'We probably get on best as a group and as men because we work out all our frustrations on stage.'

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

Eleven groups is a lot to get on and off stage in one night. Still if there were any delays you could have a break and get your supper until 1am.

Spencer Davis
Searchers
Simon Dupree
Tremeloes
Moody Blues
Marmalade

Who ruled the roost?

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

Photo: Emma Gibbs
Interview: Abigail Ward

Dr. CP Lee talks about seeing Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band at the Main Debating Hall, Manchester University, 1968, 'one of the most astonishing moments of my life', says CP.

This interview was conducted on 30th August 2016. I have selected the above date in reference to the subject matter.

Click the link below to view our Manchester Academy memories exhibition.

A couple of heavy hitters scheduled for Tech Socials Saturdays in May of '68.

This would've been the Peter Green, Jeremy Spencer, John McVie, Mick Fleetwood line-up of Fleetwood Mac. I imagine they were playing tracks off their eponymous debut, released in February of that year, plus singles 'Black Magic Woman' and 'Need Your Love So Bad'. 'Albatross' came out in October of 1968.

Fairport were fronted by Judy Dyble at this point, who was replaced by Sandy Denny by the time the second album What We Did on Our Holidays came out in 1969.

Taken from the Manchester Independent Newspaper, written and edited by University of Manchester students. With thanks to James Peters at the University of Manchester Archives and Ben Ward at The University of Manchester Students' Union.

EightiesG writes:

My late uncle Dave Sykes was Social Secretary at Manchester Students Union in 1969 / 70 I believe. I gather he graduated a few years later. As he enjoyed being the social secretary so much. He came from Northamptonshire in the 1960s and made Manchester his home. He ended up as an FE lecturer at City College and resided in Didsbury until his passing in 2009. I sadly no longer have the originals and these are the only photos of the contracts I have. Dave always said the best band he booked from a live performance perspective was Slade...Hope of interest to the archive...Gary (Dave’s nephew)

EightiesG says:

My late uncle Dave Sykes booked Pink Floyd to play at Manchester University Students Union in 1969. This is a booking contract. I sadly no longer have the original. Dave was the Union Social Secretary.