Exhibition

Stopfordian Nostalgia

What a nice way to start 2026 by taking a trip down memory lane, reflecting on my family’s experiences with Stockport’s musical past. As my home town continues to experience rejuvenation, I can’t help but feel a greater need to hold on to the memories of when Stockport’s streets were alight with exciting nightclubs and when it played host to a magnitude of world-class musical talent, such as Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, Tina Turner, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck, Lionel Richie, Tom Jones, Paul McCartney, Neil Sedaka, Gene Vincent, and The Shadows. In comparison to the memories of my older family members, and the recollections that have been cherished from those now passed, I have the least when it comes to firsthand memories of Stockport's musical history. However, born in 1990, I am grateful to remember the final years of the Davenport Theatre, which survived from 1937-1997. As a child, I was taken there to watch pantomimes, and I can vaguely remember the outside of the building, which was located by the secondary school I would begin in 2002. In its day, the Davenport saw the likes of Pentangle (a favourite of mine), Steeleye Span, Buddy Rich, Fairport Convention, Four Tops, The Dubliners, Roy Orbison, The Glen Miller Orchestra, Mud, The Animals, The Everly Brothers, The Hollies, The Yardbirds, and as previously mentioned, Tina Turner. It also had performances from comedians, such as Steve Coogan and Rik Mayall. In my teens and twenties, I would sit with my uncle and he’d tell me many stories of his time in the popular Stockport clubs when he was of that age, with the Poco-A-Poco being referred to most often, transitioning to his late twenties and thirties, getting up to no good at Quaffers. My uncle’s antics were also shared by my mother, whose stories of nights out in Stockport I also remember listening to with keenness. Quaffer’s witnessed the likes of Take That, Shirley Bassey, The Drifters, The Commodores w/Lionel Richie, Rick Astley, Suzi Quatro, and Boney M, with Tommy Cooper and George Best also appearing. The Poco was also full of star-studded musical talent, as Billy Fury, David Bowie, and Vince Miller (Danny Miller’s father) performed. Since 1960, when my mum was born, she hasn’t stopped rocking, frequently going to gigs in Stockport’s many pubs and much further beyond. I’ve had many a good time with her at the Bakers Vaults, Arden Arms, old Bull's Head, and the old Thatched House. My mum, whose favourite band to see around Stockport was Yes-Sir, is also good friends with Pete Maclaine, formerly of The Dakotas, the man who said no to The Beatles, giving him a copy of one his books when he was searching high and low for one. Pete is still going strong, performing since the sixties to this day. As far back as I can find, my family have been in Stockport or close by. My uncle was born in Macclesfield before spending most of his life in Stockport, and my mum was born in Melbourne, though her parents lived in Stockport before her birth, returning back to the town when my mum was three. My dad and his sister grew up in Reddish and they lost both parents very early. My grandfather died in WW2 and is commemorated in Stockport Art Gallery and on a more personalised memorial at St Elisabeth’s Church, Reddish. As everybody on my dad’s side had gone by the time I was 23, I still hold and share many of his memories. My dad worked hard and played harder, and working his trade for 51 years was thirsty business. I remember hearing stories of what must have been every pub and club in Stockport. He would tell me about seeing Long John Baldry and his band The Steam Packet, with Rod Stewart, his favourite singer. He also used to talk about when The Beatles came to Stockport, as they performed in 1963 at the Palace Theatre Club in Offerton. My dad had a great time with his group of friends and we have a container of photographs with all his partying antics from Stockport and abroad. He would also take me and my sister around Stockport, describing to us what was where, with him pointing out where Sgt. Peppers once stood, amongst many other places. Nobody can deny the brilliant history of my old home town, especially when it comes to music. I would have given my right arm to see The Fall perform at Stockport Town Hall in 1991 (I was only one at the time), or Bert Jansch play with Pentangle at the Davenport Theatre. The town where 10cc originated, the town known for recording Joy Division’s Unknown Pleasures and part of the Stone Roses’ debut album, the town that helped build so many musical careers...