Tag: Music

Billy J Kramer at The ABC Theatre

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Billy J. Kramer, a singer-songwriter from Liverpool, rose to prominence during the legendary British Invasion of the 1960s. With his backing band, The Dakotas, he delivered chart-topping hits such as “Bad to Me” and “Little Children,” winning the hearts of fans worldwide with his unique voice and charismatic stage presence. This photograph captures a moment of musical magic—a vivid reminder of the energy and emotion of live performances that have left a lasting impact on audiences across generations. The print radiates timeless charm, evoking the joy and nostalgia of an era when music had the power to bring people together,… Read more »

Rolling Stones Riot at Winter Gardens

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Scenes at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool after riots broke out during the Rolling Stones concert on 24 July 1964. It was one of the most notorious riots in rock and roll history and it happened right here in Blackpool. A teenage mob forced The Rolling Stones to flee from the Empress Ballroom, as they stormed the stage wrecking their kit. The cheers and screams of the teenagers turned into threatening boos and the five band members ran from the stage to safety while grand piano was reduced to matchwood. In March 1964, the Stones were back in the North West, playing at… Read more »

Bob Hope at the Opera House

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Bob Hope (1903–2003), one of the biggest stars of the golden age of Hollywood, brought his legendary comedic talents to Blackpool during a brief but memorable visit in 1961. Although Hope was at the height of his film career and preparing for a prestigious engagement at the London Palladium, his London agent, Lew Grade, had arranged for him to perform two warm-up concerts at Blackpool’s Opera House on Saturday, 21 April. Hope’s appearances in Blackpool were, unsurprisingly, a resounding success, drawing packed houses eager to see the South London-born performer who had become a quintessential American icon. During his visit,… Read more »

Ivor Novello at the Grand and Opera House

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Ivor Novello was a huge star in the first half of the 20th century and had international success in films as an actor hailed at the British Rudolph Valentino; indeed the New York Times declared him to be “the handsomest man in Britain!” Novello was also a famous composer and achieved great success with his musicals. They were lush, romantic and in many ways utter nonsense but people loved the escapism, especially during the depression in the 1930s and then the war years. People wanted to forget reality for a couple of hours and escape into Novello’s world of Ruritanian… Read more »

Geri Halliwell Switches On The Lights

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On 3 September 2004, former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell took centre stage in Blackpool to perform before activating the Blackpool Illuminations in a grand celebration of their 125th anniversary. This milestone year, dubbed “125 Electric Light Years,” paid homage to the enduring legacy of this iconic annual event. Geri was joined on stage by an array of star performers, including chart-topping boy band McFly, Fame Academy sensation Lemar, former Savage Garden frontman Darren Hayes, 1980s hitmakers Swing Out Sister, and the cast of Boogie Nights, featuring entertainers Jimmy Osmond and Billy Pearce. The event was a dazzling spectacle hosted by… Read more »

Sophie Ellis-Bextor in Blackpool

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Sophie Ellis-Bextor, celebrated for her sophisticated pop sound and striking stage persona, delivered an unforgettable performance of her hit Murder on the Dancefloor at Roxy’s Nightclub in Blackpool on 17 November 2013. This exclusive event served as the after-party for the Strictly Come Dancing live broadcast, which had enchanted audiences earlier that evening from the legendary Blackpool Tower Ballroom. The glamorous venue provided the perfect stage for Ellis-Bextor’s infectious energy, as fans danced the night away to her iconic tune, adding a touch of star-studded flair to the festive atmosphere. Fast forward ten years, and Ellis-Bextor returned to Blackpool in… Read more »

Sir Andrew Palmley Served as Lord Mayor of London

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Sir Andrew Charles Parmley, KStJ, born on 17 October 1956 in Blackpool, is a distinguished British educator, musician, and public servant. He is currently the Principal of the Harrodian School in Barnes, London, and is perhaps best known for his tenure as the Lord Mayor of London from 2016 to 2017. The third of three sons, Parmley was educated at Blackpool Grammar School, which has since become Salvation Army Citadel, is where Parmley developed an early passion for music. He began playing the organ at a young age and achieved significant early success, passing the Associate of the Royal College… Read more »

Ian Anderson MBE Launches Jethro Tull

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Ian Scott Anderson, born on 10 August 1947 in Dunfermline, Scotland, is best known as the singer, flautist, acoustic guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member of the rock band Jethro Tull. Anderson’s early life was shaped by his father’s work at the RSA Boiler Fluid Company in East Port, Dunfermline. The family moved to Edinburgh when he was young, and later to Blackpool in 1959, where he attended Blackpool Grammar School. Anderson’s rebellious nature came to the forefront during his school years—he was reportedly asked to leave for refusing to submit to corporal punishment, which was still common practice… Read more »

John Robb Forms The Membranes Band

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John David Robb, born on 4 May 1961 in Fleetwood, grew up in Anchorsholme, Blackpool. He attended Blackpool Sixth Form College and Blackpool Grammar School, where his interest in the emerging punk rock scene led him to form his first band. A lifelong supporter of Blackpool FC, Robb has stated that supporting the local team is something that “gets under your skin for life.” In 1977, inspired by the DIY ethos of punk, Robb founded The Membranes, a punk band that released several albums in the 1980s before disbanding in 1990. Robb then formed Sensuround in the early ’90s, releasing… Read more »

Zoe Ball’s Hardest Ride Home

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Zoe Louise Ball, born on 23 November 1970 in Blackpool, is a renowned broadcaster and presenter celebrated for her pioneering roles on BBC Radio. Raised in Hounslow until 1978, her family relocated to Farnham Common in Buckinghamshire, where she attended Farnham Common First School, Middle School, and later Holy Cross Convent School in Chalfont St Peter. Ball completed a “City & Guilds in radio and journalism” at Amersham College of Art and Technology. She is the daughter of iconic children’s TV presenter Johnny Ball and Julia (née Anderson). Following her parents’ divorce when she was two, Zoe was raised by… Read more »