Bruce, The Beatles And The Need For A Bigger Tent
It was January 1963 at The Beatles were playing to a crowd of just nineteen people at Dingwall Town Hall.
"Where is everyone?, "asked one of the Fab Four, "This is like a ghost town."
It was local girl Margaret Paterson who told them that everyone had gone to Strathpeffer to see a "really good band" who were playing there.
"I'm going along there myself, " she admitted, "why don't you come along?"
And they did.
This was the story Margaret told (probably not for the first time) on today's edition of The Highland Café. Bruce McGregor presented and the special guest was Dougie MacLean whose live rendition of Caledonia had at least one member of the audience in tears.
"It's that kind of song," he told me, after the show, "people bring all sort of memories and emotions to it. Maybe they think about members of their family, or people that have left Scotland. It's also popular in Ireland, despite the title."
And so, our first show from the make-shift venue on the Inverness back lawn went well. Dougie was so impressed he suggested we use it for an annual music festival.
I think we're gonna need a bigger tent.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~26~RS~)
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Jeff,
You have condemned me to a sleepless night!
Who was the "really good band" playing Strathpeffer?!?
>8-D
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SG-
She never did say, but I'll ask the producer to call her and see if she remembers.
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SG - The Melotones if local legend is to be believed. Margaret will confirm of course!
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Crikey I am dull. Beatles reference give Dingwall Town Hall 4 January 1963 and at the Spa that night:
The Chessmen and The Mellotones 5/ entrance fee!
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I caught parts of Margaret's interview and it was excellent. Now trying to convince myself I was far too young to remember the 60's. Or maybe I was there, like the rest who can't remember..?
Enjoyed very much - to bolster your Big Top I can arrange short term loan of P&J gazebo in exchange for audience ticket. You could enter the small festival arena.
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Fiona,
Hope we'll see you at one of the cafes this month. I'm away on holiday for two weeks but will be at the last one.
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#3, #4
Cheers, Norrie!
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