Autograph Hunters 2 - the Who
Around a month after Spencer Davis, the Who were playing. Now that we had friends at the ‘Gogo in Newcastle (Paul and Judy, I think) we decided to ask them to get us the their autographs for us. Naturally we planned our visit for the afternoon of the show.
The Club a’Gogo was the top floor of a building on Percy Street which was also the frontage of Handysides Arcade. The second floor was used by Newcastle transport in the daytime, so as we skipped lightly up the stairs (one of us was to become Games Captain later), we met a lot of bus drivers and conductors who clearly appreciated our attempts at customising the school uniform for maximum modness (basically ties off, unbuttoning shirts to near bra-flash point and turning over the skirt at the top without quite showing your Calvados stocking tops – though that wasn’t the case from behind as we climbed the stairs…).
Calvados stockings? Whatever happened to them? Remember standing waiting for buses at Marlborough Crescent in those pleated skirts on windy days, trying not to show me stocking tops ... still make the mistake of wearing pleated skirts on such days ... sight not so appealing now tho! Jade
The ‘Gogo was also Forbidden. I’d been allowed to see the Beatles (big treat second performance 8pm), but the Police Officer who was my dad Knew About The ‘Gogo. At the time we were 12 and some girls in our class did go there unlikely as it seems. In those days a lot of impenetrable make-up was worn – big black rimmed eyes and pale lips. We walked in boldly. They were trying out the lights and there was a big poster sized copy of a Who cartoon from that week’s NME, but there was no soundcheck. (Note of realism: was it likely? No).
There was a wee cubby hole to the left as you went into the club with "Eric Burden slept here" written on the wall. Blimey - it was a dive! Those stairs were a scary fire risk (young as I was I clocked that!). It did burn down didn't it cuz? Jade
The next day was a bit of an odd school day: Founder’s day. Our school and the corresponding Boys’ school would all go to Newcastle Cathedral for a service in celebration of the school’s foundation in 1705. Then at around noon we’d all be released to go home. So we came out, adjusting the uniform and trekked up from the cathedral, debating whether to go to the ‘gogo then or sit around the station looking winsome and hoping to attract admiring glances from Lads (preferably with red socks, but that’s another story). Outside the Station Hotel, there was a taxi with the doors and bootlid open and two massive gladstone bags blocking the pavement. Not that unusual except that one of the bags had a shotgun sticking out of it. A shortish guy came out of the hotel and stood there - just being Roger Daltrey. (Note of realism: was it likely? No, but it happened, honest).
And that is how we came to meet the Who (well, not Mr Moon). More legendary timing from the Girls. We had learned it’s quite a good plan to find out where they’re staying.
The Club a’Gogo was the top floor of a building on Percy Street which was also the frontage of Handysides Arcade. The second floor was used by Newcastle transport in the daytime, so as we skipped lightly up the stairs (one of us was to become Games Captain later), we met a lot of bus drivers and conductors who clearly appreciated our attempts at customising the school uniform for maximum modness (basically ties off, unbuttoning shirts to near bra-flash point and turning over the skirt at the top without quite showing your Calvados stocking tops – though that wasn’t the case from behind as we climbed the stairs…).
Calvados stockings? Whatever happened to them? Remember standing waiting for buses at Marlborough Crescent in those pleated skirts on windy days, trying not to show me stocking tops ... still make the mistake of wearing pleated skirts on such days ... sight not so appealing now tho! Jade
The ‘Gogo was also Forbidden. I’d been allowed to see the Beatles (big treat second performance 8pm), but the Police Officer who was my dad Knew About The ‘Gogo. At the time we were 12 and some girls in our class did go there unlikely as it seems. In those days a lot of impenetrable make-up was worn – big black rimmed eyes and pale lips. We walked in boldly. They were trying out the lights and there was a big poster sized copy of a Who cartoon from that week’s NME, but there was no soundcheck. (Note of realism: was it likely? No).
There was a wee cubby hole to the left as you went into the club with "Eric Burden slept here" written on the wall. Blimey - it was a dive! Those stairs were a scary fire risk (young as I was I clocked that!). It did burn down didn't it cuz? Jade
The next day was a bit of an odd school day: Founder’s day. Our school and the corresponding Boys’ school would all go to Newcastle Cathedral for a service in celebration of the school’s foundation in 1705. Then at around noon we’d all be released to go home. So we came out, adjusting the uniform and trekked up from the cathedral, debating whether to go to the ‘gogo then or sit around the station looking winsome and hoping to attract admiring glances from Lads (preferably with red socks, but that’s another story). Outside the Station Hotel, there was a taxi with the doors and bootlid open and two massive gladstone bags blocking the pavement. Not that unusual except that one of the bags had a shotgun sticking out of it. A shortish guy came out of the hotel and stood there - just being Roger Daltrey. (Note of realism: was it likely? No, but it happened, honest).
And that is how we came to meet the Who (well, not Mr Moon). More legendary timing from the Girls. We had learned it’s quite a good plan to find out where they’re staying.
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