The Club a Go in Newcastle was one of the classic clubs of the early sixties where one could hear all the best bands that played the blues circuit around the country, along with American artists that were touring the UK at the time.
Before they had a hit record bands at that time had to do the tour of these clubs which were in almost every big city.
The resident band at Newcastle’s Club A Go Go was the Alan Price Combo soon to become the Animals. They played most weekends- but after their big hit House Of The Rising Sun we understandably didn’t see them at the club much more.
Above-The Alan Price Combo. They changed their name right about the time they backed Sonny Boy Williamson on his tour in late 1963. They made a live album at The Go Go with him and some tracks are on Vol 1
Sonny Boy did not have a back up band but would- like many artists, hire local bands for the job. He thought the Animals quite up to the job but we will not mention the names of those bands he thought not up to par.
Above The Young Set for those under drinking age. Visiting bands played one early set at eight pm then moved across the lobby to the Jazz Lounge for two more sets until 2 am. when it was last orders.
The Stage in the “Jazz Lounge” was only a few feet wide and only raised a few inches above the dance floor. One could sit at a table just feet away from the stage. On that stage I saw the likes of Spencer Davis with Steve Winwood, John Mayall with Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart and Long John Baldry even the some of the Rolling Stones along with Jerome and the Duchess with Bo Diddley. Sonny Boy Williamson, Jimmy Reed, Jimmy Witherspoon. Who did NOT play there is a shorter list
Above. Before The Go Go was the Downbeat Club which was an old Victorian era building down near the river. It was known to be the hangout of the Beats who had very long hair and seemed to wear black all the time.
The first time I went there it was to the all night session sometime in 1963. I remember hearing music I had never heard before. It was dark with old wooden floorboards and brick walls. Long haired people were shuffling around in the darkness to this “jungle ” music. Great rhythms and infectious. I had never heard this before. The BBC did not play that type of music. (One may have heard the odd piece once in a while on a late night jazz show).
I asked the d.j what was playing. The sound was so loud I could not hear the answer. Several tries later I heard ...”Its a Chess Record”– meaning anything from that Chicago label was worth playing, not the specific tune.
Below-Chess Records and most other smaller US labels were not directly sold in the UK. They had to rely on British labels to distribute their wares such as Pye’s budget label Golden Guinea who put out this iconic collection of Chess tunes. But that’s another subject.
