Stars At The Glasgow Empire, personal Options

[big tommy]

From 1947 until 1951 my uncle John, my mother's half brother, played clarinet and saxaphone in the Glasgow Empire pit ochestra. Every week he got us two complimentary tickets for the first house Monday and first house Saturday.

Due to these tickets my friend and I managed to see all of the big stars who played at the Empire.

Stars like Danny Kaye, Laurel and Hardy, Bob Hope. Great singers like Billy Eckstine, Billy Daniels and Dinah Shore. Comedians such as Max Bygraves, Michael Bentine and Stan Stennet.

We saw Frankie Vaughn freeze on the first night there, yet on the Saturday he absolutely wowed the audience.

Bruce Forsythe turned out to be the biggest hit of all, the audience calling on him not to stop and telling him they would send for a '"kerry oot" to have a party.

It really was a shame such a terrific variety theatre had to close because, until now, nothing has ever matched it.


Tommy

[Davie]

Yer right ther' Tommy
Nothing even close to that the day.
I still attend the Theatres here regularly
This month I will be at the Theatre Royal on the 7th, 15th and the 21st (two for the price of one night) and at the Kings on the 23rd to see a production of Guys and Dolls
Though I cannot recall ever being in the Empire
My Faither used to take me to The Alhambra, Pavilion, Kings, Metropole etc.
My favourite treat as a wean, was after the fitba, every other Saturday, we would have tea in the Buchanan Restaurant above the Five Ways before going to see Lex in the Pavilion.
The kids treated me to a Video to Dvd recorder and I have been transferring all the old films etc
I had one of Jimmy Logan, Fran and Anna, Johnny Beattie, Christian, Sydney Devine, several other artists, Pipe and wee Accordion players etc.
I thought is was like liver, offal (jist getting’ intae the spirit of things)
Sent a few DVDs out wey the Family Newsletter and was inundated wey requests fur it.
The Glasgow Music Hall Society is on the go and I have attended some memorable concerts.
I am usually the youngest member in the audience.
http://www.freewebs.com/scottishmusichalls...nthedancers.htm
Awrabest
Davie

This post has been edited by Davie: 4th Nov 2005, 07:18pm

[big tommy]

Dear David

The Empire was the daddy of them all ! Although i too enjoyed all the other theatres you mentioned .I suppose it was because my uncle got us in free that made the difference .
As for the Buchanan Returaunt ,i think you might mean Ferrarri's, right above the five ways . We had our wedding dinner in there after a show in the Empire starring Billy Daniels . Then a taxi home to our wee house .

Tommy

[Davie]

Hi Tommy
Ye must be a ferr bit aulder that me
Ah' kin mind Ferrari's awright, but was it no Sauchiehall street?
I think it is Dino's the day
It was definitely the Buchanan as one of the Uncles worked in the bar downstairs (not the Five Ways) and after the game the Ranger’s players dined on the second level
I can recall my Faither taking me up and introducing me to George Young and George Niven, who later had a restaurant in Renfield street.
I can also mind my big brother, instead of going to The Buchanan, after a game (ma Faither wisnae well at the time) taking me to the Sorrento in Buchanan Street, I would have been about fourteen then.
Could not believe my eyes when a violinist played at the tables.
A real culture shock for a wee Barra boay

This post has been edited by Davie: 4th Nov 2005, 07:07pm

[big tommy]

Hello Davie

I think i am aulder than everybody else on these boards .I am 75 now ,soon to be 76 ,On Boxing Day .I was born in 1929 .and I lost my leg in the Army when I was blown upby a landmine in 1948 ..
Yours

Tommy

[big tommy]

Davie
i think I remember it now .When you mentioned the Rangers players going there .I think that is why i didnt go ,as I am a Celtic supporter ,Dont hold it against me

Tommy

[Davie]

Hi Tommy
Guid that you are up on the Internet.
I have amended the post and the Virtual Mitchell has a pic of the Five Ways
It is odd that most of your generation that are on the Net are wummin'
Ah'm jist a boay at 58.
Wher' were ye frae originally?
Bein' an expert oan boozers, kin mind Quinn's when it wiz at the fit o' the Ballgray in Springburn
I also hope you don't think it impertinent if I ask you what are your views on our boys and girls being in Iraq?

[Davie]

Hi Tommy
Can you mind the Celtic Manager that owned The Bank at the fit of Queen Street
Willie O' Malley?

[big tommy]

Davie

I came from Crossburn Street in Cowcaddens originally .My mother and father were moved to Balgaryhill Street eventually .I ken Quinns well as my cousin Robert Mc Cormack worked behind the bar ..

We also have a Quinns in Bishopbriggs and robert worked there as well .He died of leukemia aged 56 though .
My pub in Cowcaddens was in Grove Street . But it turned into a real wine shop ,so I chucked it .In Auchiarn I drink in the Tavern .

Tommy

[Dexter St. Clair]

Note the spelling guys

[Catherine]

Yorkshire? Looks awright tae me Dexter

[Davie]

Hi Tommy
Here is Danny McLaughlin's wee song

Chorus:
Doon in the wee room underneath the stair
Everybody's happy and everybody's there
We're a' makin' merry, each in his chair
Doon in the wee room underneath the stair

When you're tired and weary and you're feeling blue
Don't give way tae sorrow, we'll tell you what to do
Just tak' a trip tae Springburn and find the Quin's Bar there
And go doon tae the wee room underneath the stair

The king went oot a-hunting, his fortune for tae seek
He missed his train at Partick and went missing for a week
Oh after days of searching, of sorrow and despair
They found him in the wee room underneath the stair

If your team has won the day and you want tae cheer
Take a trip tae Springburn and order up a beer
Hae yersel' a bevvy, gie yersel' a tear
Doon in the wee room underneath the stair

When I'm auld and feeble and my bones are gettin' set
Ah'll no get cross and grumpy like other people get
Ah'm savin' up ma bawbees tae buy a hurly chair
Tae tak' me tae the wee room underneath the stair

[Catherine]

Bravo!
I used tae work above Quin's in Bishopbriggs, it was always a busy pub, though I don't remember ever being in it.
If I remember there was a 'snug' that I think was where initially the women were allowed. Was that jist a story?

[davyab44]

When Ah wiz in the Terrys...( 1st. Bn. Glasgow Highlanders 9th.H.L.I. )..I remember putting on an exhibition at Kelvingrove park for the punters......after it was done, they gave us the usual mug o' tea ( hoat dishwaater knoacked stupit )...an' we a' sat roon an' sang that song that Davie wiz kind enough tae print..Ah doant know whit it wiz in aid o' bit he who pays the piper........

[big tommy]

Dear Catherine

Perfectly true ..It is only within the past 15 years or so they have reluctantly allowd women in . I have yet to see one standing at the bar . Quite right too .... keep them pregnant and tied tae the sink ,,Jist kiddin ,by the way
Tommy