INTRODUCTION

Stevenage was a developing new town in the 1960’s with a young population, much of it transplanted from more familiar areas. Settling in and working were important but so was entertainment. The new town and the new residents needed facilities and the importance of popular music in those days could not be overlooked. Stevenage boasted two top venues for entertainment – the huge Locarno Ballroom or Mecca as it was known and the more intimate Bowes Lyon House.

                       

                    Interior of Stevenage Locarno (Mecca Ballroom) 1961

The Mecca ballroom opened in 1961 and had the requisite revolving stage and luxurious fittings. Old time dancing and bingo was on offer at first but “Big Beat” nights became popular from 1963 onwards as the beat boom exploded nationwide. The Mecca was an important venue able to attract stars including the Rolling Stones, Who, Animals, Small Faces, Cream, Tom Jones, Stevie Wonder, Ike and Tina Turner etc. Important local bands that nearly made it, the Niteshades for example, and others who did, Family, also played there.

Bowes Lyon House was a smaller venue which operated as a youth club but offered more variety: folk, blues, jazz and pop acts all appeared there. It also featured up and coming stars: Dana Gillespie, John Mayall, Paul Simon, Rod Stewart and the Who all performed there before they became well known. Famed Mod bands like the Action and the Creation were asked back several times due to the big Mod presence in Stevenage and the surrounding area. Bowes Lyon House was also used as the venue for the "church rave" scene in top teenage film Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush – filmed in Stevenage in 1967 of course.

                                    Bowes Lyon House in 1964

Unfortunately I was too young to attend these events but I have interviewed many who were there and it is their memories I wish to share. I will also post memorabilia from the Stevenage venues in the hope this blog may give a flavour of an exciting time.

          

My thanks to all those who have assisted and continue to come forward with their stories.

Gary Howman