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Over the generations, the Manchester area has nurtured thousands of musical acts, ranging in styles as diverse as music hall and Madchester.

But it was the sixties that was the first to bring the music to the people.  There were groups in almost every street, kids playing their music without thought of fame - just fun.

Although many were adopted on a national scale, others were content to stir only local interest before their eventual demise.

Despite their lack of national commercial success, they were part of the tremendous Manchester area music scene that continues to play such a major part in our lives.

Proudly based in the sixties, these pages salute the groups, agents, disc jockeys, shops and clubs in the Manchester area that gave us all such a great time! Memories that have lasted a lifetime!

Enjoy the site ... Add to it ...  Revisit! 

Can u help?

This should appeal to lots of our readers:

1.  Mike Gledhill (a Manchester lad) is working with the the Leek Blues and Americana Festival (29 Sept - 3 Oct) on a chat show provisionally titled “Manchester Reminiscences”. He is hosting a chat to be streamed live with guests Rod and Victor Brox. Is there anyone with tales of seeing these two local legends back in the day so he can weave them into the chat?   Contact him directly at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

2.   Anyone know of existing small dance halls in Greater Manchester which are still active? Ideally a space which has a balcony or mezzanine such as the Ritz /O2 on Whitworth?

3. ANY ONE KNOWS ANYTHING ON  THESE GROUPS THAT PLAYED AT THE DRUMBEAT

Johnny Dee and the Detours (Bolton Band), Ian Curtis and the Dominators, Paul and the Everglades, The Viceroys (Bolton Band), Ricky and the Rickets, Sammy’s Originals, The Rebel Beats, The Hoppers, The Saints, The Vibrations, The Orks, The All Star. The Grape Vynes, The Tramps, The Mustangs, The Wat Knots, The Seniors, Curt’s Creatures, The Trojans

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Much appreciated.

Also sad to note the passing of Terry Morton.  Lawrence Jordan writes: 

Sorry to say that a lovely man,one of the figures from the Sixties music and onwards,Terry Morton  has passed away.He was a great player and played with Wayne Fontana and the Jets but also played Classical and jazz guitar.He was a really nice man and will be missed by all who had the privilege  of knowing him. He died yesterday  on Wednesday 27/10/ 2021.His wife Anne said he chose not to have a funeral,just a private  family grieving.

New website

If any of you may be interested, I have just created a new site for our southern friends https://www.kentbeat.uk 
No major links to Manchester groups but may be of interest.

Paul

Very sad to hear of the passing of Ted Lee, the last surviving member of the Olympics (pictured second left above), one of Manchester's finest early sixties groups.

Ted would be well known to many musicians as a highly skilled instrument repairer and although often referred to as Ted the Sprayer he was much more than the nickname implies - working as guitar tech to 10cc, repairing instruments for Graham Nash, John Lennon and a multitude of others during his time and lecturing in musical instruments at university.

I was pleased to meet with him when he spent some time locally here in rural SE Australia.  Great sense of humour and modest about his skills and acheivements.

Our condolences to Brenda and family.