“I remember when rock was young”…

Angela McKenzie Dills remembers fun times dancing at Two Red Shoes in ’60s – early 70s. Valentine’s Dance at Two Red Shoes [1973]: Photographer Ugo Ruggeri, C. Bonici Archives]

Although still popular in the 1960’s, Jive and Swing music were making way for British “beat” music. Although “house bands” were often jazz ensembles in dance halls, they performed jazz medleys of the popular songs scoring on music charts. [photo-collage c. djdills.wordpress.com]

Scottish beat scene: From Trad and Swing music of the mid -’50’s to the Beat era, memories were made when small town kids were treated to musicians usually performing in London, Liverpool, and thereabouts. Elgin and surrounding communities were composed of small communities in the 1960s. Though there hasn’t been a significant influx of population, people knew each other through community activities and teenagers and young adults were apt to go to the weekly dances. Mr. Bonici who ran a successful family owned café and concessions, capitalized on the call for more live entertainment. Having seen the buzz when adding a small stage onto the “Park Café” in 1956, and a great response with the Elgin Jazz Festival [1959-62], it was a “no brainer” for the impresario to expand his business by building a dance hall on family property next to the café and concessions at Little Cross Buildings]. Already at the helm of Park Café Holding Company, the success of the LCB Agency was in the stars.

Over a course of several years, I’ve attempted to hit the highlights of the Beat years in Scotland though hope others will continue to help define the pop rock period that spawned from the youth culture in Scotland through the1950s-60s. By 1963, the Two Red Shoes Ballroom became the music “Lantern of the North” as it featured a wealth of talented people besides the award winning Two Red Shoes Band with bandleader Alex. Sutherland followed by Jimmy Martin and Graeme Nairn.

Over the course of two exhibitions [2016 and 2020-22], I’ve attempted to illustrate some of the highlights that are treasured memories of those who attended the events and felt the celebratory buzz of those days

Eight shelves exploring some of the highlights covering the career of Albert Anthony Bonici and the Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin, Scotland. The exhibit closed February 14, 2022 but audio/video presentation is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUaiBR9uoIY

Samples of some of the bands who performed at Two Red Shoes Ballroom

The “print blocks” for Beatles Shows were produced in Elgin, Scotland for advertising purposes. Two Red Shoes & Albert Bonici was exhibited between 2020-2022. The second exhibition took up two display cases to feature some of the “print blocks” that promoter and proprietor AA Bonici commissioned to advertise the talent who attended of the Two Red Shoes [Elgin, Scotland] and Ballerina Ballroom [Nairn, Scotland] besides his “pop packages” presented at Aberdeen’s Capitol Theatre and the Beach Ballroom.

The original Two Red Shoes house band featured top jazz musicians in the north of Scotland. They were working musicians who also performed around the region and came in second when competing for the top jazz band in the UK [first prize went to a London band where competition was held]. They also recorded the Two Red Shoes Album in Aberdeen September 1964. Vocalist Alyson Armstrong said that she had five hours to learn her part before they drove to Aberdeen to record. They did the complete album in one take before it went to press. Although, the technician set the speed slightly off, the project was successful and the album was popular throughout Scotland.

The Beatles were among the earliest bands to perform at Two Red Shoes when Albert Bonici booked them for a 5 day tour in January 1963

The Hollies with Graeme Nash were among the popular beat bands

By 1965, metal etched photos used in posters and advertisements became obsolete as technology changed. Above: The Rolling Stones “print blocks” used in 1964 were similar to the ones above although were printed on plastic for their pop programs. Below: Dave Walker, a founding member of Newton’s Theory at Ballerina Ballroom display [Nairn]: “I did about 7 tours and mostly stayed at Mrs McBeans [McBean’s Guest House formerly on Lossie Wynd, Elgin, Scotland].
I remember we spent many happy hours with the Highland lassies and I once took a girl home from Wick” and she walked me across the airport as a short cut.”  

Newton’s Theory [left to right]: David Williams – drums (later with Sugar Band*); Malcolm Wainman – Hammond organ (later with Sugar Band; Cliff Williams – bass (later with ACDC) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliff_Williams; Laurie Wisefield guitar (later with Wishbone Ash Tina Turner band “War of the Worlds”https://www.wishboneash.co.uk/laurie-wisefield I formed a band in London called Sugar we had records out and did radio and two tours staying again at Mrs Mc Beans. The band booked through LCB Agency [Albert Bonici] did several shows in the north of Scotland.

*”The Sugar Band was formed in late 1966 out of the ashes of West London R&B/soul outfit, Colin Shane & The Shannons. Around September 1967, the group’s agent linked the band with Jamaican singer Delroy Williams and they worked initially as Delroy Williams & The Sugar Band before becoming The Delroy Williams Show. https://www.delroywilliams.com/biography/ Go-Go dancers Una and Paula joined them on stage.” https://garagehangover.com/page/74/ When Newton’s Theory shared a bill with Cream: https://scotbeat.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/573/

About scotbeat

SCOTBEAT and http://bonici.wordpress.com includes photos and documents from the Bonici Archives with permission from the Bonici family [PC Holding Co]. You may contact me at dillsdavid@yahoo.co.uk for consent in using images for media projects. Am currently updating http://djdills.wordpress.com with original new collages. #collageart #beatmusic #popmusic #1960smusic

‹ Two Red Shoes July 28, 1960

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Tagged with: 1960s music, ACDC, Angela McKenzie Dills, Delroy Williams, Elgin Scotland, Newton's theory, Sugar Band, The Shannons, Two Red Shoes, Wishbone Ash
Posted in 1960's pop music