Wigan Album
Ritz Cinema
34 CommentsPhoto: mike
Item #: 29979
"Syd and Eddie" on the bill were Little and Large, in one of their earlier incarnations.
A couple of years ago we were on holiday on Majorca and one night the entertainment was provided by 'Syd Little' minus Large but -- he was brilliant, a very funny man. Being a great fan of the sixties I may have seen this show at the Ritz and still get to see as many of the sixties acts as possible. There will never be a better time than the sixties and to cap it all - I was a teenager at the time.
I would only have been a young girl, possibly 12 or so, but I remember most of the artistes well. We used to by "Record Song Books" from the newsagents with all the words of the latest songs in. I still have one.
I loved Gene Pitney - especially singing '24 hours from Tulsa' he had an extraordinary voice - he just epitomises the sixties for me as a teenager.
1965. I went to show,16 at the time,what a time it was.
Went watching the rolling stones in the 60s at the Ritz but can't remember who was on with them.
Great poster. I saw a few acts at the Ritz in the early 70s, including T Rex. Those were the days.
Didn't Gene Pitney used to wear trousers that were six inches too short for him, or am I thinking of The Righteous Brothers ?. I remember P.J. Proby used to wear trousers that had an alarming tendency to come apart at the seams in the most unfortunate places and on the most inopportune occasions.
I remember our family having used a coin-operated TV set, for a while during The Sixties.
It think it took a shilling piece for its 196o's re-boot, which only added to the fidgety task of frequently adjusting the set's horizontal hold ... Doh!
The chap who called to empty the coin box was instantly recognisable as being Geoff Taggart, the lead guitarist of the group that I had seen performing previously at Bispham Youth Club. His group may have been The Vogue, or Rita and the Vogue. Once he had sorted-out his shilling pieces, he found time to tell me, that after presenting some of his written music to The Shadows, Breakthru' had been accepted, and then recorded by the group.
A particular scribe informs that he originates from Liverpool, but I'm told that he is from Haydock, and by all accounts, that he is also a top class guitarist.
Ah yes, good old Bispham Youth Club.
We went to see this show Gene Pitney was fabulous. I think this was about 1964 I was 17 at the time. Lulu didn't come I think she was ill at the time, we saw lots of acts on the Ritz including the Beatles, Cilla Black, Kinks, Roy Orbison, ELO and many others lovely memories.
Ozy: You're on the premises ... Bill Medley wore seemingly shortened trousers.
Went to the Ritz to see PJ Proby but he was cancelled because his trousers kept splitting, the replacement act was a then unknown Tom Jones.
Ozy, a couple of nights after the trouser splitting affair PJ Proby was supposed to be appearing at the Ritz, I took my girlfriend to see him but-- he had been replaced by none other than Tom Jones, brilliant show.
When Gene finished his late gig he jumped into his sports car and realised he was only 24 minutes from Tyldesley!
Linda:you are right PJ PROBY split his pants in luton I think and was replaced by an uknown TOM JONES in wigan:i think his backing group were the squires
it was 1965 ann look at the bottom of the form eunice and tom was there great show
I wouldn't have been there in 1965 because I was married on 6th. November 1965 and then we went on honeymoon for a week I suppose it could have been 1963, or else it was repeated in '65
At th time of this concert Tom Jones had already been in th e charts 3 times,he was well known not a unknown singer.
I remember the Rockin' Berries doing, yoo hoooo, don't have to ter hell er mehee, he's in town. That was a belter. And wasn't George Harrison knocking off Peter Asher's sister?
Mike, Tom Jones did replace P.J. Proby after the incident with his trousers and at the time Tom Jones was relatively unheard of. I remember queueing in Station Road and everyone saying ‘who’s Tom Jones’ I think the concert was in February 1965 because as I remember it was about three weeks later on the 11th March 1965 that Tom Jones was number one in the charts with It’s not Unusual.
Sorry should have added this concert is not the one in which Tom Jones replaced P.J.Proby The concert on this poster was later in 1965 possibly October by which time Tom was famous having been in the charts
Four years ago now I think it was, P J was on at the Southport theatre he came on with the big build up, then I saw a bald headed smurf with a big white beared,the lad sang well.
I remember my cousin going to see the Stones at the Ritz and telling me that Charlie and Inez Fox, American Soul singers were on as support, I had never heard of them at the time. He said it was a brilliant show.
Thanks Caroline,I thought the group's where more better known and in the charts.?
Hello Owd Viewer, I think Ike and Tina Turner may have been on as well, but this was before 'River Deep, Mountain High' was in the British charts.
Inez & Charlie Foxx had a top 40 hit in 1964 with
'Hurt By Love'. I don't remember it but I remember 'Mockingbird' about that time although it didn't chart until it was re-released in 1969.
Owd viewer,,,,,I was that show and it was Charlie and Inez Fox who were on it,,,they closed the first half of the show and dare I say it,,,they stole the show,,,and I was and still am an avid Rolling Stones fan,,,I was also at this Gene Pitney show as well,,,
Also saw The Rolling Stones at the Empress Ballroom on stage on A Monday night show,,,there used to be two acts one one the stage(usually Bill Unsworth Band)and a group in the bottom corner on a raised plinth.at the time The Searchers and Herman and the Hermits were regular acts but at the time everyone's favourites were Ronnie Carr and the Beat Boys,,,
This posting prompted good memories of happy times,
Owd viewer,,,,,I was that show and it was Charlie and Inez Fox who were on it,,,they closed the first half of the show and dare I say it,,,they stole the show,,,and I was and still am an avid Rolling Stones fan,,,I was also at this Gene Pitney show as well,,,
Also saw The Rolling Stones at the Empress Ballroom on stage on A Monday night show,,,there used to be two acts one one the stage(usually Bill Unsworth Band)and a group in the bottom corner on a raised plinth.at the time The Searchers and Herman and the Hermits were regular acts but at the time everyone's favourites were Ronnie Carr and the Beat Boys,,,
This posting prompted good memories of happy times,
Went to watch Charlie and inex Foxx at Leigh casino in 1968 or 69
You started repeating yourself Jim, I too was at the Rolling Stones and Gene Pitney concerts, great shows x
Linda Massa - I was at that gig when PJ was replaced by Tom Jones and the Squires. I recall Cilla Black topping the bill! I went to every show at the ABC, saw Stones and Beatles there. Great days !
The first LP I bought was called 'GENE PITNEY'S BIG SIXTEEN' I bought it from ROY HURST'S in the Market Hall I still have and it's still in near MINT condition..
Don’t suppose you have a link to this poster for sale (repro) or an image without the watermark? I know someone who was there and it would make a nice little present