Silver Blades Ice Rink

[ChrisGeorge]

Hi again

Okay here in the archive John Lemmon remembers "Silver Blades Ice Rink up the top of Kensington... and the ABC on a Saturday morning, Roy Rogers and Trigger blasting accross our silver screens..." And Lindy Lou says, "I was in the Silver Blades every week. My mum, nan & aunty all worked there ! My nan was a cloakroom attendant, my mum worked in the cafe/restaurant, my aunt worked on the sweet kiosk (but nor for long as she emigrated to Australia). I spent many Saturday afternoons watching the skaters.
The place no longer exists. It was demolished some time ago."

I have also seen it referred to as the Mecca Silver Blades and that Rory Storm of Rory Storm and the Hurricanes worked as a DJ there after the group broke up. (Maybe they couldn't do without Ringo.) Also in an obituary on Bob Wooler in the Independent, I see it says, "Wooler became a DJ at the Silver Blades Ice Rink until it closed in 1970. . ."

Chris

Chris

[Gerard]

So who remembers the name of the Black Lad who was a DJ in the Ice Rink !!

[lindylou]

The only black DJ I knew of was Les Spain. I remember him from the clubs in town though, and not the ice rink. Don't suppose it would be him would it ??

[lindylou]

Chris, re Bob Wooler DJ'ing at the Silver Blades; there was a DJ known as 'Robbie Rave' !! was that him ? ( Bob = Robbie ?)

[ChrisGeorge]

Hi Lindy

No. Bob Wooler would have used his own name and wouldn't have allowed a nickname to be used. As I recall him, he was kind of a persnickety fella.

Chris

[lindylou]

I think you're right Chris.

Another DJ at that time was Georgie Hardacre (not sure if I've spelt his name correctly). If my memory serves me right he was at the ice rink for a time. Robbie Rave could have been his nickname maybe, (although it doesn't connect to the name George!). A schoolfriend of mine knew Georgie and he was from the Everton Valley area.

[hardpants]

Hi lindylou, i am so flattered that anyone remembers me, I did dj at the rink for a while, I only got the job through sheer cheek, i pulled the manager and told him the music was rubbish, "can you do better"? he asked "yes" I said, I had never touched a turntable in my life but I couldn't back down, so I sneaked in early on the day of my audition and quickly got familiar with the controls and somehow got the job,I knew Robbie Rave quite well too, he was dj at the Cavern first on Saturday nights then he got the job full time, i also am proud to say I knew Bob Wooler who was a lovely man, when I left the rink I went on the road and became a singer in a blues/rock band and when that didn't go anywhere I became a roadie, working all over Europe and reaching the dizzy heights of the Montreux Jazz Festival, which was a yearly gig (for a month) thanks for remembering me, my kids read it and were impressed, regards George Hardaker

[Gerard]

The only black DJ I knew of was Les Spain. I remember him from the clubs in town though, and not the ice rink. Don't suppose it would be him would it ??

Nope..Wasn't him Lindy..This fella got a spot on Radio Merseyside or Radio City (Soul Music spot)..Cant remember which one Now..Cause of his reputation at the Ice Rink.

[lindylou]

oohh yeahh .. there was a black DJ on Radio Merseyside.

Was it Melvyn Lyons ??

[Gerard]

oohh yeahh .. there was a black DJ on Radio Merseyside.

Was it Melvyn Lyons ??

Nope..Ha Haaa..!!

[lindylou]

ey you Gerard !! we're playing tic around the threads again !! !

[Gerard]

ey you Gerard !! we're playing tic around the threads again !! !

A know..Yer follied me the Ice Rink..Yer follied me t' Bucks Place..Yer even follied me to the Sportsman....an now yer follien me on ere..Pah !!!..Lol.

[lindylou]

[Gerard]

[bobbymac]

Back to the subject....guess the Silver Blades and the Palace must be the same place. If I remember right the Palace closed in the late 50's or early 60's. So, t'other one must have opened in the same place. I was gone in the mid 60's so I wouldn't know.