Entertainment in the Three Towns Area

[suepp]

I've been discussing this on Facebook, In the 1970's a few bands appeared at The Palace, I can remember going to see The Detroit Emeralds and also Sweet Sensation, they were both popular at the time and appeared on Top of the Pops! D)

[DaveR]

I never knew that bands appeared at the Palace!  I thought it was a case of being just a cinema originally, then going over to cinema/bingo, then just bingo. Do tell more...


Palace Bingo (former Cinema), Conwy

[suepp]

All I can remember is those two events, and a couple I didn't get to see who appeared there such as Jimmy Ruffin and Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon.  If I'm not mistaken the promoter was the late Louis Parker

[DaveR]

Ah, that would make sense. Parker Leisure Holdings (run by Brian Parker) still own it today, along with large swathes of central Rhyl like the Queens Market etc.

[Michael]

Not too sure of my facts here---but I do know that the late Louis Parker had booked a top "star" to appear at the Palace around the 1970s.  Unfortunately I dont recall his name, perhaps I never knew it,  but he was FAMOUS---but for whatever reason he did'nt turn up. A little thing like that did'nt put off Louis, he got the late James Barr who was a local D.J. and tennis star, I think there is a local tennis facility called after him, is it James Carrington Barr, Im not sure of his middle name.. He looked vagulely like this "star" he had a mass of black hair, bulky build and a very extroverte personality. So Louis pushed him out on the stage introducing him as being the missing "STAR." Unbelievably he appeared to get away with it. Neither of them, both sadly died very young, were short of cheek. This story was told to me by the manager at that time of the Palace. Mike

[DaveR]

Alexander James Barr, if it's the one in Eirias Park.  Z**

[Bri Roberts]

I can certainly remember seeing the Hennessys and Ryan a Ronnie there but that was in the sixties.

More fondly, I remember the cinema being used for saturday morning picture in the late fifties.

[DaveR]

Alexander James Barr, if it's the one in Eirias Park.  Z**

Hmmm, or it might be James Alexander Barr actually. 

[DaveR]

Front of the Palace in the 1980s:

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[menai44]

James A. Barr was brought up for a time at Arnhall, Graigside he worked on the buildings when he left school, the last time I saw him was about 1985 he was running a pub in Kinmel Bay he had a rich lady friend. Louis was the DJ at Penrhyn Old Hall before he went to a club which I believe his family owned in St. Asaph.

[DaveR]

James A. Barr was brought up for a time at Arnhall, Graigside he worked on the buildings when he left school, the last time I saw him was about 1985 he was running a pub in Kinmel Bay he had a rich lady friend. Louis was the DJ at Penrhyn Old Hall before he went to a club which I believe his family owned in St. Asaph.

The Talardy in St Asaph.

[suepp]

James A. Barr was brought up for a time at Arnhall, Graigside he worked on the buildings when he left school, the last time I saw him was about 1985 he was running a pub in Kinmel Bay he had a rich lady friend. Louis was the DJ at Penrhyn Old Hall before he went to a club which I believe his family owned in St. Asaph.

The Talardy in St Asaph.

and the hottest nightspot around "The Stables"   D)

[DaveR]

I didn't know the Talardy had gone bust back in June:
http://www.denbighshirevisitor.com/news/denbighshire-news/2010/06/16/st-asaph-s-talardy-hotel-in-administration-105722-26656464/

[DaveR]

Some press clippings from the past...

1919:
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1920:
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1922:
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1929:
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1933:
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1950:
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1961: (probably the last proper Summer Show on the Pier)
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[DaveR]

A Soul All Nighter from 1986 at the legendary CeeJs nightclub (i.e the Dixieland with a new coat of paint) on Colwyn Bay Pier in 1986:

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