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Hello, I am researching the Iron Door Club and would be most interested in hearing any stories or seeing any photographs of this club which was at 13 Temple Street.
I am particularly interested in the period 1960 to 1963.
I have a collection of my articles and photos to date, thanks to the generosity of my people from Liverpool at http://www.rickresource.com/irondoorclub
Peter
Can't really help you on this one Peter. The only Iron Door club, I knew was in Mathew Street, on the opposite side to the Cavern - near the Grapes pub.
Temple street used to be sort of Country 'n Western place. You went down steep steps like the Cavern but I only remember it as a 'dive.'
I can remember falling out there half drunk a lot. Also thinking I had copped off with a good looking bird when outside in the light I was deeply disappointed.Quote:
Originally Posted by overhead
Had some decent bands on if I recall.
Matthew St? Nah, Temple St. That was a pseudo Iron Door. Matthew St only had the Cavern and nothing else, but the Grapes and fruit warehouses. I recall the first sign at the Cavern that was put up over the door that was actually lit up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven
I can verify what Waterways said. What! me agreeing with Waterways? something wrong here.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:Quote:
Originally Posted by Waterways
Don't do that!Quote:
Originally Posted by shytalk
Thanks everyone. It is very interesting to see the different impressions and memories of Temple Street and the Iron Door Club.
Actually The Beatles played at the Iron Door before their famous stint at the Cavern although this has been written out of the history books to some extent.
If any of you can find any photos of the street scape from friends I would dearly like to see them.
Peter
overhead, Welcome to Yo, why don't you Google the club, there are plenty of web pages about it. I was around when it was new but I never went there. I used to go to the Cavern when it was a Jazz club and later the Mardi Gras in Mount Pleasant. I know a guy who was on the door there. I will try to contact him to see if it is Ok to give you his email address.
Here is the Mardi Gras - I know it's not the Iron Door. 225 years old when they pulled it down around 1974/75. Criminal. The Mardi was also hosting top bands at the time - or bands that were to be big.Quote:
Originally Posted by shytalk
http://www.yoliverpool.com/forum/att...1&d=1163879161
Wow ! thanks for that picture waterways. I don't think I've seen a pic of the Mardi.
I remember that club. yes, there were some great bands on there.
I never went to that club although it was very well known.Quote:
Originally Posted by overhead
hey, love your web-site - - that opening shot with the Beatles and the tram is great:handclap:
Ta Waterways, That is a great pic, I have seen it posted here before a while ago, maybe by you. The time I went was in its' first year of existence from memory I think that was '58 and '59. The guy who was the original manager I think went on to be a co-owner of the iron Door. You are right about top bands of the era playing there and Clinton Ford was a regular Jazz singer there also a girl called Jackie, I can't remember her last name.
The angle of that pic. makes it look like the bus stop was outside the door, it was in fact a little further up the hill, there was just room to park my car between it and the yellow lines.:handclap:
Thanks Shytalk. I have googled the Iron Door Club, but I am on the search for more photos of the venue and the artists and patrons who visited and performed there.
overhead,
I have sent you a pvt. message with the doormans email.
BTW, I went on the overhead on its last day in operation. The company I worked for closed down and took the whole staff. It was the only time I ever rode on it.:PDT_Aliboronz_24:
Shytalk: Thanks for your private message.
The Overhead Railway was ahead of its times in my books. Another example of Liverpudlian ingenuity I say. It is too bad that it fell into disrepair and was not continued on.
While we are on the subject, how did you find the service of the Overhead Railway while it lasted? I have always been amused by the term "Dockers' Umbrella."
I really don't know about the service it gave, I have never heard anything bad said about it. As I said I only rode on it once and that was on its last day.
Lindylou: Thanks for your comments on the Iron Door Site. If you ever encounter any friends who did go to "the Door" I would be grateful if you could get them to comment on it. I am always digging for new information.
:034:
Peter
I,ve just looked through my file Ernie and Margaret Alan lived in number five from 1920 and was not there in 1956, so she had a good innings for 35 years. I was too young to know her but I still have a cousin who may know her, and an uncle who may know your dad. If you prefer to pm me with his name I,ll investigate for you.
For those who may still be interested in the Iron Door Club, I have been able to find out additional information through contacts that I have made on this great forum. You can find out what the results of this week's work at the following link. Thanks to all who were kind enough to assist. The Iron Door was a great club about which surprisingly little has been written.
A Doorman's Tale
Peter:034:
That names the doorman as Georgie Fitzwilliam, his Name was George Fitzgibbon.
Obviously the writer didn't really know him.
Shytalk: A simple misunderstanding. I appreciate the correction, which is one of the many reasons this forum is so valuable. Corrections to be made shortly.
Peter
The Blue Magnolia Jass Orchestra with Kenny Ball and John Bennett will be performing at the Liverpool Olympia on April 25, 2008 in association with an event "Dancing Through The Years" organized by Geoff Hogarth, the original manager of the Iron Door Club.
There is an interesting story regarding Kenny Ball's early days at the Club which underscores the significance of the Iron Door in promoting music talent in the early 1960s.
You can read about the event at Kenny Ball
If you saw Kenny Ball playing live at the Iron Door I would love to hear from you.