Lots about night life in 70's lately - but I don't think anyone
mentioned the Top Rank Suite.
That was something when it opened 1968 ??
The tickets for Christmas Eve and New Year were like gold.
A few artists appeared there also - I remember going to
see the Small Faces perform - fantastic night.

Any more memories of the "Rank" anyone.

More memories from the 80's when it was renamed Steeleys.

Went to see The Jam there - Top gig

Saturday night at Steeleys was great, 500 people on the dance floor dancing to Pig Bag with a load of change in there pockets, all you could here was the change jangling up and down.

Anybody need any memories jogging

http://www.pigbag.com

Used to go on a tuesday night to the Rank as a teenager.
Big John was the DJ a cocky guy who reveled in his role as a top DJ.
Don't know what become of him but don't mix him up with the present Big John of Hallam FM he is a different bloke.

The Top Rank was a fabulous nightclub back in the 70's ... must have held thousands of people as it was that big.

Great memories of the place.

used to go to the saturday morning venue for kids at the top rank.

remember going on a sunday night and seeing The Police and two other bands for 50 p.

I remember one of the guys one night having to go to the hospital. He sat down on one of those seats that used to be on the balcony, someone had put a glass on the seat and it broke stabbing him in the backside.

saw mott the hoople there excellent gig.

paultheboxerman

Originally posted by Chris M
Lots about night life in 70's lately - but I don't think anyone
mentioned the Top Rank Suite.
That was something when it opened 1968 ??
The tickets for Christmas Eve and New Year were like gold.
A few artists appeared there also - I remember going to
see the Small Faces perform - fantastic night.

Any more memories of the "Rank" anyone.

I replied to this thread but it looks like it was lost in the ether. So i'll reply again.

The first DJ wI remeber was Bobby somebody (Ill try and dig his photo out), and he was replaced by Tony Prince who went on to bigger things I think. The first group I saw there was "Amen Corner" with Andy Fairweather Low and the last was Bowie in his Ziggy incarnation. Bowie was supported by the great Alexis Corner.
When it first opened I went to the Satuday afternoon "disco" for the under 18's. Last time I went there would be around 1974.

Originally posted by deelightful3
used to go to the saturday morning venue for kids at the top rank.

Aaaahhhh fond memories of marvelling at my white socks turning that lovely blue shade under the lights.

If you had a white bra on the lights would pick it out - very embarrassing.

We went in circa 1986?? when Gary Glitter was there and he fell off his shoes and couldn't appear, did his back in I think.

Wouldn't pay 10p to see him now!

Ah, my mum and dad used to go there when they were 'courting' in the early seventies. My mum ended up working there too for a couple of years in the early eighties and when it became the Roxy. Wasnt it Barry Noble who owned it? Im sure he died. I never went there myself. Used to go to other clubs such as Cairos and Jacks, Josephines, The Roundhouse, Uropa, The Rhythm Room and Millionaires. Those were great days!

HI, I used to work at the Top Rank from june 1979 to august 1985 lots of good bands, good events, 20 or 30 dinner dances every year and lots of friends," punters" and staff ! The place held 2500 people, I hear the place is to be knocked down soon, Very sad !!!

Oh yes had many a good night on a saturday. Went to the Beer keller first then onto Top Rank / Steelys / roxy whatever you want to call it.

Then when i felt more grown up I went to the Fiesta (Next Door)

yeah, next door we had a cabaret type night club and a casino. A lot of the big names from the sixties and seventies played the Fiesta, all that, and you could get scampi in a basket! sophistication or what !

i am sure that in the late 60's there was something on at the Top Rank on a Tuesday night.

All the 'lads' went down there and we all 'did the tour' - walked round the edge of the dance floor, trying to spot someone who may just say yes if you asked her to dance - then walk up the 'back staircase' - on the balcony, had another look down onto the dance floor - and then down the other stairs - carried on until you managed to 'pull' - or left lonely at 10:30 to get the last bus home

What memories!

Tuesday night at the 'Rank' - remember the DJ and that awful Slush stuff!!!

When the stage started to revolve and Maurice Naylor's band started to play the dance floor emptied quicker than a drain!!

We too moved to the Fiesta when we had 'grown up'

The Maurice Naylor band ,ah yes, thursday nights "grab a granny" night! in reality it was "over 25`s" night, so the band and the two two dj`s did alternate spots until 10 pm, a lot of the older punters got lot of pleasure out of that.
after 10 the music changed so they drifted away, leaving the place to the under 50`s
I recall the dj`s were a thin guy with a `tash and a permed mullet called Stewart and a rotund younger bloke called Steve...I last saw Steve dj`ing a bar in Benidorm about 1988-9.

P.S. !!! I meant the dj was called Stewart, not the mullet !!!

Ah, my mum and dad used to go there when they were 'courting' in the early seventies. My mum ended up working there too for a couple of years in the early eighties and when it became the Roxy. Wasnt it Barry Noble who owned it? Im sure he died. I never went there myself. Used to go to other clubs such as Cairos and Jacks, Josephines, The Roundhouse, Uropa, The Rhythm Room and Millionaires. Those were great days!

I'd be interested to know what your mums name is as both my wife and I worked at the rank during the early eighties and are stillin touch with some of the staff

used to go to the saturday morning venue for kids at the top rank.

Wonderful memories of 1969/70 saturday mornings at the top rank!!!!girls in see through tops(helped by the lighting) never went when I got older,got into deep purple,led zeppelin etc etc about 71 and never looked back!!enjoyed the albert,minerva,wapentake about 74 also was a frequent visitor to the marquis of granby bamford,great days,loved every minute,god it was yesterday!!!!!:)

The best era of the Top Rank for our group o' mates was the back end of the 70s when, on a Sunday night, it would be known as 'Improvisions'. Had many, many happy nights down there. I don't know if it was the dj, Charlie, that booked the bands or someone else, but whomever it was opened our ears to some fantastic acts.
These are the nights I remember fondly;

The Strawbs, promoting their 'Deadlines' album.
Judas Priest - doing a healthy chunk of 'Sad Wings Of Destiny'.
Pat Travers & The Doctors Of Madness (again, their respective first lps)
The Clash (mostly 2nd album material, 'Give 'Em Enough Rope')
The Jam - well, that was just a heat & sweat adrenaline rush. (I think it was 'All Mod Cons' stuff. You tell me. Must have been very merry on Newkie Brown.)
Sham 69 - more sweat & jumping around.
Jenny Haan's Lion. Did she ever actually release anything? Remember thinking it was a great set though.
The Stranglers (the photo for the cover of their 'Something Better Change' single was taken that night. Me and my mates Bootleg Bill and Ian Flint are the main silhouettes. Only our mothers would know us.......)
British Lions (1st album again)
Motorhead. Ears-bleeding time. Only knew one song. (And didn't the Pink Fairies turn up too?)
Styx
Hinckley's Heroes (Joe Cocker throwing up at the side of the drums. I remember Tim Hinckley on keyboards, Henry McCullough on gtr, Boz Burrell on bass but who else?)
Bitter Suite (again, fantastic set)
Medicine Head (Peter Hope-Evans lurching through the crowd playing a wild harmonica solo)
AC/DC - f***ing loud!!!!
Then there's Roogalator, Tony McPhee's Terraplane, Supercharge and No Dice. All of which I remember seeing but never bought material by. Always said I'd pick up Supercharge's 'She Moved The Dishes First' but never got around to it).

Please let me know your Improvisions thoughts and recollections.

Cheers, Andy.

I used be the sound/lighting engineer at the Rank from 1977 for 3 years. Had some great times there! Loved every minute! Stewart McEgan was the main DJ and The Maurice Naylor Band were the resident band. Great times!

Whatever happened to Charlie, the dj who worked there on Sundays? I know he used to drive over from Manchester to do the gig.

I only vaguely remember him. I was the House Engineer on a lot of those Improvisons gigs though.

I only vaguely remember him. I was the House Engineer on a lot of those Improvisons gigs though.

Hey Frankie, are you the guy who went to work at the town hall after the Rank ?
Or the one who went to work in London ?

Hi Pete - Pete Franks?

I'm the one that went to work in London (still down here).

I remember you if it is you Pete! :-)

The Rank job was the best job I had in Sheffield - many happy memories!

Hi, Yes its me! And i remember you, Beverly and i came down to your place for a weekend (Tottenham ?)
I would love to know how you are, perhaps you could "pm" me ?

Yep I sent you a PM! :-)

GRAB A GRANNY thursday nights WOOPEE ..

P.S. !!! I meant the dj was called Stewart, not the mullet !!!

The mullet was called Kevin Dinnegan! ;-) who also DJ'd at The Rank! ;-)

did anyone remember what dj charlies last name was? is he still "spinning" tunes somewhere?

I was at The Rank from 1977 to 1980 and the DJ's then were Stewart McEgan, Steve Johnson and Kevin 'Dino' Dinnegan!!! Charlie I just don't remember!!! Sadly..

Does anyone remember the band competition they had there with Jimmy Saville as host. The winners were Sheffield band Love or Confusion. It was absoluytely heaving.

Does anyone remember the band competition they had there with Jimmy Saville as host. The winners were Sheffield band Love or Confusion. It was absoluytely heaving.

Remember a girl friend I knew telling me she went and Jimmy had blokes trawling round asking them if they wanted to meet Jimmy for a drink.

I was at The Rank from 1977 to 1980 and the DJ's then were Stewart McEgan, Steve Johnson and Kevin 'Dino' Dinnegan!!! Charlie I just don't remember!!! Sadly..

I last saw Steve Johnson in Benidorm, some time around 1985-6, he was DJ'ing in a bar and having a great time ! Steve, where are you now?

Remember the 'go go dancers'? Two of them were my sister Linda and her mate Jackie.

I remember setting up the lighting for them. Don't think I ever spoke to any of them. I was too shy! ;-)

Worth pointing out that local author Neil Anderson has a great new book out called 'Dirty Stop-Outs Guide To 70s Sheffield'. Improvision & the Top Rank get healthy mentions. Still no word on the very marvellous DJ Charlie though....

I used to go firstly on the Saturday mornings and then as I got older the Saturday afternoon sessions. I can't belleve looking back, my mates and I used to go and have 3 pints in the old Mulberry before we went in. Looking back they must have known we were about 15yrs of age, ha, ha!!

Worth pointing out that local author Neil Anderson has a great new book out called 'Dirty Stop-Outs Guide To 70s Sheffield'. Improvision & the Top Rank get healthy mentions. Still no word on the very marvellous DJ Charlie though....

Did you used to be a chef at the Top Rank? :-)

Ha! No, but I must have eaten a ****load of those grotty cheese-burgers from the downstairs serving hatch all those Sundays in a row. Still around to talk about it. Does that count?

Ha! No, but I must have eaten a ****load of those grotty cheese-burgers from the downstairs serving hatch all those Sundays in a row. Still around to talk about it. Does that count?

Yes! Your doppelganger Andy Smith was probably cookin' 'em! Did you go to the Sunday concerts? I was the House Engineer on those. I used to sit up in the Control Box on the balcony (directly in front of the stage).

Frank

Scroll up a page or two Frank m'man. You'll see just how I spent my Sundays for two years running!

I replied to this thread but it looks like it was lost in the ether. So i'll reply again.

The first DJ wI remeber was Bobby somebody (Ill try and dig his photo out), and he was replaced by Tony Prince who went on to bigger things I think. The first group I saw there was "Amen Corner" with Andy Fairweather Low and the last was Bowie in his Ziggy incarnation. Bowie was supported by the great Alexis Corner.
When it first opened I went to the Satuday afternoon "disco" for the under 18's. Last time I went there would be around 1974.

I remember Tony Prince very well. I also saw Amen Corner and David Bowie there. We used to go every Tuesday night as teenagers

Scroll up a page or two Frank m'man. You'll see just how I spent my Sundays for two years running!

Yes I was working some of those concerts. It was either me or my boss Ron. Great days, as you say. Loved working there, one of the best jobs I've ever had.

I remember Tony Prince very well. I also saw Amen Corner and David Bowie there. We used to go every Tuesday night as teenagers
I too remember Tony Prince and saw Amen Corner and the Love Affair. Starting off with the Saturday morning disco, progressing to the afternoon one and then the Tuesday night disco.

Do any of you ladies remember the mirrored loo and "powder room" at the Rank up on the balcony? As Sound & Light Engineer I had to replace the light bulbs in there (mostly when there were no ladies present!) I did get caught out once by a lady from the staff being in there when I was doing my rounds of light bulb fitting (I did knock loudly...) and it wasn't a pleasant experience for either of us. A lady once complained that the toilet locks weren't working and my boss told her that it wasn't a problem as we'd had no shyt pinched! Great days, those 1970's!

RE: The first DJ wI remeber was Bobby....

Ah....well, we were in the next wave. We didn't start going regularly until the name change to Improvision and they started having quality rock acts on a Sunday evening. Mid '76 I guess. Most of us would have been 18.....and some just under. (Don't tell the management!). You'll see a couple of pages back a post on some of the fantastic bands we saw.

More than ever, though, was the impression made on us by Charlie, the Sunday jock. He opened our ears to some amazing stuff we'd only ever read about in 'Sounds' or the 'NME'. He was all demin, big 70s hair, big 70s 'tash.

He played Rush album tracks. He played Yes. He played Heart's 'Barraccuda' (a stunning single before they went all slushy and became AOR radio-fodder). He gave many spins to the Alan Parson's Project's 'The Raven' (from the Edgar Allen Poe-themed album). He was the first person I know to play Tom Rominson's '2-4-6-8 Motorway'. He was a musical god. Our Budda. Our Maharishi. Even if the band that week weren't particularly anyone we wanted to see, we'd go down anyway because we KNEW Charlie would be playing some crackin' stuff before and after.

However, eventually, the usual happened. Friends left for uni. Guys settled with partners or moved away. We heard that Charlie wasn't coming over from Manchester anymore as what he was getting paid hardly covered his petrol money. The Sunday crowd split. Improvisions ceased. The Top Rank turned into an abomination. 'Grab-A-Grannie' night indeed. End of an era. I never went back.

However, I do envy you seeing Amen Corner. My favourite keyboard player, Blue Weaver, started off in that fine band. He went on to bigger things in the Strawbs, Mott The Hoople and the Bee Gees - and had a major role in creating the 'Saturday Night Fever' soundtrack. Talented bloke.

allways went to toprank on sat night used to cage money of girls in que outside to get enough to get in also went to black cat/mojjo/leadmill/my all time fav in those days was screeming lord sutch he came down city road with a stuffed croc on a lead passed all the fans waiting to get in black cat

Scroll up a page or two Frank m'man. You'll see just how I spent my Sundays for two years running!
Hi Andy,
I know exactly how you used to spend your Sundays for a lot more more than two years you old rocker! In case you wondered what the hell I'm talking about, I'll just give you my name...Mick Ward (once Sheffield, but now Leicester! I'd love to hear from you again mate. Don't worry, you don't owe me any money !!!
My email is mickward58@yahoo.co.uk
Hoping that you and yours are o.k up there in Shefffield. Please get in touch huh?
All the best
Mick Ward
p.s
I'm gonna see The Strawbs at Milton Keynes in November (14th), will you be there?

Mick - you old scrote! I thought you were dead! Mind you, living in Leicester you might as well be...

Good to hear from you chum. I WILL e-mail you back - but my comp's coughing up blood at the moment. Awaiting an I.T expert (my lad) to come and moan at me about what I'm doing wrong with it.

Stay safe. All the Gleadless mafia say "Hi" (and "Isn't he dead....?")

Lots about night life in 70's lately - but I don't think anyone
mentioned the Top Rank Suite.
That was something when it opened 1968 ??
The tickets for Christmas Eve and New Year were like gold.
A few artists appeared there also - I remember going to
see the Small Faces perform - fantastic night.

Any more memories of the "Rank" anyone.

I mentioned Steeleys last night in 1978 onwards. Some of my family members worked there my mam Winnie worked in the cloakroom and my sister Pat and her hubby Stuart Varney worked the bar/bouncer. They had a leaving party there before going to Australia 35 years ago. I saw the Specials,Selecta and Madness there in 1979 it was the best nightclub in town :hihi:

Has anyone been down to the Top Rank/Improvisons since it reopened (and I'm NOT talking about the time it was a church/prayer hall) ? I went to see the Quireboys there earlier in the year. It wasn't in the main area, but in another satellite stage upstairs. You could see through glass doors into the major part of the building - but access was denied. I've kept my eye on bands that are going to be playing the (now called) O2 Academy, but the truth is I've either never heard of them or I've heard them and don't want to again! Was very tempted to go and see James there when they reformed - but at thirty quid a ticket, forget it.

Hya Andy,
It was a nice surprise to find that,after all this time, I'd "made contact" with you again. My comp has been dodgy of late, but unlike you I've no lad to call upon to fix it, so I've had to pay some guy to do the job...story of my life ! It's the first time I'd looked at this site, so I'm not too familiar with the workings and the rules etc. Are they o.k with people using it as a way of keeping contact?
Oh, by the way...I am dead !
I agree with you about Leicester though...it's hell on Earth here, they don't even make proper fish cakes !
Bye for now
Mick

Dunno much about the way the site is policed. I've never been the ranting type anyway but unless they can arrest people for shocking spelling and disgraceful grammar, I think you're ok.

This particular thread has been various people's reflections on what was the Top Rank. It has fits and jerks. Maybe nothing for months - then about 5 people react at the same time. All good fun. As you know, our hey-day was obviously the mid to late 70s, but it is most interesting to see the different eras through other people's eyes.

About you mentioning the Strawbs...... Funnily enough I saw them this summer at the Classic Rock gig in London's Victoria Park in mid July. Boiling hot day. We were drinking whatever we could to stay hydrated; beer, tea, water, pop, ice-creams, whatever. A real sweat-a-thon. We go to watch the Strawbs and they're playing in one of the many smaller stages in a massive tent. Even with the entire side of tent open, people were melting inside. You had to be a REAL fan to be in there and watch their show. Typical Dave Cousins; he picked the bleakest possible set. All beautifully-constructed, fantastically delivered songs - but they played 'Autumn', 'Out In The Cold', The Hangman & The Papist', 'Grave New World'...... just about every 'down' number in their repertoire. Brilliant. Quite funny. Gave those in the know a bit of a giggle. But yeah, they're still great live.

Incidentally, at the moment they're in Canada touring the 'Hero & Heroine' album. Playing it in it's entirety. Never done it before. You'll definitely enjoy the Milton Keynes gig if they decide to do that over here too.

PS Mick - rec'd your message from the 'private contact' box. Dropped you a catch-up e-mail which you'll see when your comp's up & running again - along with a photo of me & Jimmy Page at last year's Mott the Hoople reunion. See the wonder in my eyes.....

my husband worked there from 1970 - 72 ( Bouncer)

The women scrapping were worse than the men!

Hya Andy,
It was a nice surprise to find that,after all this time, I'd "made contact" with you again. My comp has been dodgy of late, but unlike you I've no lad to call upon to fix it, so I've had to pay some guy to do the job...story of my life ! It's the first time I'd looked at this site, so I'm not too familiar with the workings and the rules etc. Are they o.k with people using it as a way of keeping contact?
Oh, by the way...I am dead !
I agree with you about Leicester though...it's hell on Earth here, they don't even make proper fish cakes !
Bye for now
Mick

Shot in the dark, but are you Charlie's son, Mick?

HI, I used to work at the Top Rank from june 1979 to august 1985 lots of good bands, good events, 20 or 30 dinner dances every year and lots of friends," punters" and staff ! The place held 2500 people, I hear the place is to be knocked down soon, Very sad !!!

Do you remember my mam Winnie Carnall who worked in the cloakroom around that time? She used to bring food and sweets in for most of the other staff.:|

Jimmy Page? I heard he was dead? LOL

Thus far the search for the legendary 'Improvisions' DJ "Charlie" has yeilded no results. We know he drove over from Manchester every Sunday and we know he packed it in as the Top Rank fee wasn't covering his fuel, time and expenses. We've put put small ads in the Manchester Evening News to see if anyone over that way knows of his whereabouts and there's even going to be an appeal next week for information about him on Joe Elliott's Saturday evening programme on Planet Rock. Thing is.....can anybody remember his last name??

Buggered if I can!

Tell you what you be REALLY interesting.... To see the books. The Top Rank Accounts Ledgers from those days. They must exist. Got to be somewhere. I can't imagine why they wouldn't have been kept for posterity by somebody. Bare in mind the UK's confidentiality law would have freed it to be publicly viewed after all these years. Imagine what's in there. The signatures, a comprehensive chronological list of who played there and when. Fees paid to the artists...... Would be a fantastic read for any music fan, local or otherwise. And that would have to have Charlie's last name in it as he'd have been paid wages! If anybody DID do anything tragic to such important documents they should be hunted down and flogged for the city's entertainment. Hell, I know a lot of bands who would love to own suchlike for their own archives.

Not wanting to p**s on your fire Andy but those type of documents are usually archived for 5 maybe 10 years with destruction dates. They don't keep that stuff forever. But you're right about Charlie having to sign for his wages. I went from full time to part time at the Rank and as a part timer in those days I had to do down and sign for my money for that session during the course of the night. There were though a few 'Donald Ducks' and 'Fred Flintstones' signatures in that book (for 'tax management' reasons as we were paid out in cash!) :D

Yeah, I realise that legally they could have been destroyed - but it doesn't follow that they would have been. I'm the eternal optimist chum. For many years I worked at Wigfalls and they never destroyed any ledgers - and that was a firm that went back donkey's. Even when that fine company went southbound I was told that all records were being stored. That's the kind of 'hoarder' mentality I respect.

They could have been saved, who knows. But anyway, somebody must remember Charlie's surname. I must have heard it mentioned but just can't remember.

You should tune into Joe Elliott's Planet Rock show. He's mentioned Improvision quite a few times and has often played music from his memories there; Alan Parsons' 'The Raven', Babe Ruth 'Wells Fargo', Rush 'Finding My Way', Graham Parker's 'Hotel Chambermaid' and Blue Oyster Cult/Patti Smith 'The Revenge Of Vera Gemini'. All Improv classics and all played on his show these past few weeks. Check out next Saturday's prog for the 'Charlie-where-are-you?' shout out. Tune in the Saturday after for his 'United-where's-your-fighting-spirit-gone!!???' appeal......

Anyone remember Bobby Dean: in the late 60's or Tony Prince. Both were DJ's at the rank for a while.

Bobby Dean (http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx230/lostrider/Old%20Sheffield/Historical%20Ephemera/005.jpg)

Tony Prince (http://i758.photobucket.com/albums/xx230/lostrider/Old%20Sheffield/Historical%20Ephemera/003.jpg)

Went into the O2 Academy 'proper' for the first time on Saturday to see Big Country. Talk about stepping back 30 years! I have been to the smaller satellite room on the side for a couple of Quireboys gigs but that wasn't really the same.
The feeling was just....odd. All those bands....AC/DC, Judas Priest, Stray, Styx.... It felt both such a long time ago and yet just a few years back at the same time! Really punched the noggin's nostalgia button. The most telling reality was the carpet's still sticky.
Annoyingly, parts are curtained off. No access to the tables & seats. Are they even still there? I mean.....come on. I'm 53 years old. I can do the celtic bop-a-long with the best. But after a day of dog walking, gardening and then getting down to Big Country, I wanted to rest occasionally. Ended up sitting on the floor at the back like some kind of tramp. Not on. Brilliant gig though. CHA !!!

Just found this thread. I used to go to the Rank on Tues night to the under 16's in the late 6TTTTTT's. There used to be about 1500 teens in every Tuesday.

Does anyone remember this - the skinhead haircut was just coming in at the time. The DJ had a hair-dresser on hand and he offered £5 to anyone with a full head of hair to come up on stage and have a full blown skinhead - number 1 - all off - in front of the crowd. There were no takers. He repeated this the following week saying that if there were no takers next week he would have it done himself.
Next week the hair-dresser was there ready and the DJ upped the offer to £10. Still no takers. So he sat in the chair. He had a full head of perfectly arranged blond tresses and not one person in the rank (including the hair-dresser) expected him to go through with it. After lots of false starts the hairdresser went woof and a great furrow appeared in one side of his magnificent barnet as a large piece of blond hair dropped to the stage. All the young birds were daft about him and lots of them were screaming and crying as the lot came off. Spoiled their night but saved his self a tenner.

Does anybody remember the DJ's name. He used to play lots of soul & motown.:help:

Hi All.
Just found this site re The Top Rank Suite,Sheffield.
I worked there in the late 70s as a DJ with Stuart McEgan.
Stuart was the mullet and tash guy and i was the small thin younger guy.
We had a ball, Saturday nite fever movie craze brought 2,500 people every Saturday nite, i also worked the Sunday nite gigs with bands,such has The Police,Dave Edmunds,heaps and heaps of punk bands of that era,
Late 1979 i went to Australia for 12 months, 30 years later i am still there.
If anyone reads this and knows the whereabouts of Stuart McEgan, or Steve Johnson who used to be the DJ at Crazy Daisy's send me an email to
Kevin.Dinnigan@three.com.au.
Looking forward to reading more...Take Care and Keep on Dancing..:loopy:

Hi Frank.
Yep i remember yourself and Ron, great times.
Especially the time Stuart asked you to turn off the sound when i was on stage playing music, to see how i would react.
And when fights broke out on the dance floor, Bar 6 gentlemen, the code for the bouncers to attend..
Take care.
Regards..Kevin Dinnigan

Does anyone remember Jimmy Savile coming to the Top Rank. Cant remember what for, but it was also either televised or on the radio. Some sort of talent competition springs to mind. Perhaps someone will remember

Does anyone remember Jimmy Savile coming to the Top Rank. Cant remember what for, but it was also either televised or on the radio. Some sort of talent competition springs to mind. Perhaps someone will remember

I remember him coming although I didn't go. As I've mentioned elsewhere some girl mates of ours who did go told us he had some blokes trawling the dance floor trying to persuade girls to go to his trailer parked out the back.

RE walking the full circuit round the "Rank" .I did that every saturday for a couple of months without any joy, then after me and my mate Kenny Wright agreed that if we had no luck it would be our last visit low and behold i met a girl, that was December 1972 and after 37 yrs wedded bliss the rest is history,
I remember the dance floor being packed untill the stage rotated and Maurice Naylor ( The Big N sound) appeared and there was a mass exodus up stairs to the minute dance floor where Motown was played.
I also remember going one thursday night when Barry Noble held a 10 pence a pint night, there were a few hangovers next day. Then a couple of days later unfortunatly Barry passed away .

I can recall Pete Waterman and michala strechan broad casting Hit Man and Her on tv live from the RANK

Pete Stringfellow introduced a new DJ there. Pat Sweetwater if my memory serves me well. I wonder what happened to him

Does anyone remember Jimmy Savile coming to the Top Rank. Cant remember what for, but it was also either televised or on the radio. Some sort of talent competition springs to mind. Perhaps someone will remember

Hi Tasha. Re Mr Jim will fix it. During my time at The Top Rank Suite/Steelys i can't remember Jimmy Saville gig, may have been in the 80s when i had left for Australia. We did have a lot:help: of Radio 1 Dj gigs, Alan Freeman etc, Radio Hallam etc etc. Would you know if Mike Rouse who had a slot on Saturday afternoons on Radio Hallam called The Mike Rouse Flying Pizza show is still around.
Also do you know of Stuart McEgan who was the other Dj with me at Steelys, and the Dj from the Crazy Daisy called Steve Johnson.
Kind Regards..
Kevin Dinnigan.

Hi Kevin. Jimmy Savile came to the Top Rank in the 60`s, maybe around 1966. I don`t remember any of the other DJ`s you mention. I do remember well Pete Stringfellow, Dick West, Pat Sweetwater, Mighty Atom, Tony Prince. The local band I have the most memories of were called Gospel Garden. They changed their name at one stage to Gethsemane. They played regularly at Down Broadway.

They could have been saved, who knows. But anyway, somebody must remember Charlie's surname. I must have heard it mentioned but just can't remember.

Hi Frank.
If you are still on this forum.
Would you send me an email.
Kind Regards.
Kevin Dinnigan :loopy:

I used to go on a saturday morning around 74 and also on a tuesday night,happy memories.

Lots about night life in 70's lately - but I don't think anyone
mentioned the Top Rank Suite.
That was something when it opened 1968 ??
The tickets for Christmas Eve and New Year were like gold.
A few artists appeared there also - I remember going to
see the Small Faces perform - fantastic night.

Any more memories of the "Rank" anyone.

I also frequented the top rank on Saturday nights and also saw small faces there. I absolutely loved it, couldnt wait for Saturday nights to come round.

HI, I used to work at the Top Rank from june 1979 to august 1985 lots of good bands, good events, 20 or 30 dinner dances every year and lots of friends," punters" and staff ! The place held 2500 people, I hear the place is to be knocked down soon, Very sad !!!

I used to work there 1984-5 behind bar.. loved it..

Happy memories

"Does anyone remember this - the skinhead haircut was just coming in at the time. The DJ had a hair-dresser on hand and he offered £5 to anyone with a full head of hair to come up on stage and have a full blown skinhead - number 1 - all off - in front of the crowd. There were no takers. He repeated this the following week saying that if there were no takers next week he would have it done himself.
Next week the hair-dresser was there ready and the DJ upped the offer to £10. Still no takers. So he sat in the chair. He had a full head of perfectly arranged blond tresses and not one person in the rank (including the hair-dresser) expected him to go through with it. After lots of false starts the hairdresser went woof and a great furrow appeared in one side of his magnificent barnet as a large piece of blond hair dropped to the stage. All the young birds were daft about him and lots of them were screaming and crying as the lot came off. Spoiled their night but saved his self a tenner."

Wow!, I was there that night - what a great thread here all.