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The Courier
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Hysteria and Satisfaction when Rolling Stones performed in Dundee in 1965
Screaming, fainting and sobbing teenagers caused pandemonium when the Rolling Stones performed in Dundee in June 1965. The Marryat Hall was turned into a casualty station. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts could barely hear themselves play and dodged stuffed toys of all shapes and sizes. It made national headlines. The Stones were the band of the moment following the release of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, which dominated the airwaves in the summer of 1965. The band first played the Caird Hall a year earlier. Albert Bonici and co-promoter Andi Lothian booked the Stones to join the bill of a pop package tour which was headlined by Freddie and the Dreamers. The Stones performed at 6.30pm and 8.50pm on on May 20 1964. The band returned to Scotland for a headline tour in June 1965 which included dates at Glasgow's Odeon, Edinburgh's Usher Hall and Aberdeen's Capitol Theatre. They received 40% of the gross box office and 'no less than £750 per venue'. Everyone wanted to see them. Four Dunfermline schoolgirls skipped lessons after the Edinburgh show. Hitchhiking 23 miles to the Gleneagles Hotel where the band were staying, they managed to meet the Stones and get autographs and souvenirs. Next stop was Aberdeen. You can't always get what you want, it's true, but the Stones did when they enjoyed a hearty meal of sausages, eggs, bacon and chips in Laurencekirk. The fry-up at a country pub prompted Jagger to sing a song for the locals. 'We had a great meal on the way up,' said Jagger. 'Laurencekirk, I think it was. 'And the people were very nice.' They returned to Gleneagles before the two shows at the Caird Hall. Tickets were priced from five shillings to 15 shillings. The Stones chose the supporting acts and were backed by The Hollies, Doris Troy, Johnny Cannon and the Shades, and the West Five. Before the gig they were taken to Broughty Ferry for a photo shoot for Romeo and Jackie teen girl magazines in the grounds of the Taypark Hotel. The band members were all clad in suits. The two shows at 6.30pm and 8.45pm were attended by 3,500 fans. The Stones were drinking bottles of Coke backstage. They played for 30 minutes. Songs included Not Fade Away, It's All Over Now and The Last Time, although little could be heard because the screaming was so loud. Jagger and his bandmates thought a young fan had fallen from the balcony during the show when an enormous cloth gonk was hurled on to the stage. In fact, it was a gift from Jean Gracie from Dundee and Ann Brown from Monifieth. The Stones brought the girls backstage during the interval. They were photographed by The Courier for the following morning's paper. It was the calm before the storm. The screaming reached a crescendo at the second show. The teenybop adulation threatened to become overwhelming. Hundreds of hysterical teenage girls attempted to break the cordon of police and 50 stewards which were made up of amateur boxers and wrestlers. However, one girl got through. Jessie Noble from Fintry raced past Wyman and Jones to the centre of the stage. She threw her arms around Jagger and started hugging and kissing him. Two burly stewards dragged her to the wings. 'I kissed Mick,' she said. 'I touched him and hugged him.' There was a short spell of peace. Then it was back to the yelling, stamping, screaming and fainting again. Jessie broke through the cordon a second time. She was promptly carted out again. The Courier said the floor of the hall became a battlefield. The screaming girl fans stood on seats and chanted: 'Mick! Mick! Mick!' Rooster-strutting Jagger looked in his element on stage and the cheering got louder when he took his jacket off and threatened to throw it to the audience. Red Cross workers had stationed themselves around the hall. Forty 'hysterical and fainting girls' were carried to the Marryat Hall. They were laid out on blankets, then revived and treated at the scene. One girl who collapsed unconscious was taken to Dundee Royal Infirmary for treatment after attendants worked unsuccessfully for half an hour to revive her. Maureen Rooney of Mid Craigie was suffering from 'acute hysteria'. She regained consciousness and was sent home. Other teenagers attempted to reach the stage but were held back by stewards. After the final song, many girls, who were still in the venue, were sobbing with disappointment because the band had left the stage. The fans left behind a litter of dolls, papers, autograph books and sweets. There were a number of broken seats. A car was waiting for the band in Castle Street. The Stones drove back to Gleneagles. A policeman grabbed a girl who attempted to throw herself in front of the car. Jagger defended the group's followers after the Dundee gig. 'The fans don't mean to break the seats,' he said. Afterwards, the band flew back to London from Renfrew Airport without Jagger. He spent the weekend in Scotland with 19-year-old girlfriend Christine Shrimpton. They visited Fort William, Oban and Loch Lomond. Jagger and Shrimpton stayed in the Loch Lomond Hotel. They flew back to London before the band went on tour to Scandinavia. The Stones never returned to Dundee. However, Bill Wyman did. He left the Stones in 1993 and later formed Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings. Wyman returned to the Caird Hall with his new band in February 2008. There was also an equally famous 'what if?' Charlie Watts might have performed at the Dundee Jazz Festival. He put together his own 33-piece extra-big band in 1985 featuring many of the biggest stars of British jazz – including Jimmy Deuchar from Dundee. Deuchar stayed in Barnhill. Watts described him as 'quite brilliant' and 'probably the best writer in the band'. The friendship almost brought the Stones drummer back to Dundee. Alan Steadman was the organiser of Dundee Jazz Festival. He tried to persuade Watts to join the bill. The plan never came to fruition, though, and Steadman was left waiting on a friend.
Glasgow Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Calls made for Jimmy Carr's Glasgow OVO Hydro show to be axed
Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card, which campaigns against Israeli involvement in sporting and cultural events amid its ongoing assault on Gaza, has said if the shows go ahead then pro-Palestine activists will target them with protests. Middle East Eye first reported that Carr had hosted an evening celebrating Israel's independence day at the British Museum on Tuesday night. Attendees included Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Tory chief Kemi Badenoch and Israeli ambassador Tzipi Hotovely (below), who gave an address to the audience. Hotovely opposes the existence of a Palestinian state. Labour minister for defence procurement and industry, Maria Eagle, also gave a speech, boasting of the UK's military involvement in Israel's bombardment of Gaza. "The UK stood with Israel, with the RAF conducting surveillance flights over the Eastern Mediterranean in support of hostage rescue efforts," she told the room. Carr, who sparked outrage in 2022 when he "joked" that the murders of hundreds of thousands of Gypsy Travellers was one "positive" of the Holocaust, was filmed leaving the event and refusing to respond to questions from protesters. Carr is due to perform at a number of Scottish venues this year, including dates at Dundee's Caird Hall, Glasgow's OVO Hydro and Aberdeen's P&J Live. A spokesperson from Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card said: "By hosting a secret party for Israel at the British Museum this week, comedian Jimmy Carr chose to fly the flag for Israel, an illegal apartheid occupation committing a genocide. "We refuse to condone anyone who turns a blind eye to the actions of Israel. And we strongly oppose Scottish venues hosting Jimmy Carr. "We ask the venues to cancel his appearance and for fans to boycott his gigs in line with the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement called for by Palestinians. "If the venues ignore the call of the people opposing Israel's horrific onslaught on occupied Palestinians, then we will be there to protest and to send the message that Scotland stands firmly against genocide and oppression." READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch mocked for basic Scotland-Wales gaffe The campaigners added that they will be protesting against American comedian Chelsea Handler over her pro-Israel stance during her upcoming performance at the Glasgow Pavilion on Sunday, May 25. Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card previously protested Nick Cave's Glasgow gig after he insisted on performing in Israel and called cultural boycotts of the state "cowardly and shameful". Caird Hall, OVO Hydro and P&J Live have been contacted for comment. The death toll from Israel's ongoing attacks has surpassed 53,000 this week according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Al Jazeera reported on Friday that Israel's air strikes had killed at least 100 in the past 24 hours, with 143 killed the previous day. (Image: AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) Earlier this month Israeli ministers approved a plan to capture all of Gaza and remain there, expelling hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in what would amount to ethnic cleansing. Israel has not allowed any humanitarian aid to pass into Gaza since March 2, leaving people there at risk of famine. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is wanted for arrest by the International Criminal Court over allegations of crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a weapon of war.
The Courier
29-04-2025
- The Courier
Dundee holiday exhibition was the city's 'sunshine weekend'
Grab your suitcase and start packing. These images take us back to the Evening Telegraph Holiday Exhibition, an annual event that took place in Dundee from 1988 until 1995. The 1980s and 1990s was a heyday for high street travel agents, which was the only way to book a package holiday before the digital age and smart tech. It was known as the 'sunshine weekend'. It was the perfect place to plan for the Dundee Fortnight. There were 'offers galore'. Prize draws and competitions was another powerful pull. Maybe you won a £150 voucher? Or a whole Edam cheese with a cheese slicer? Holiday 88 was held on January 16 and 17 in the Marryat Hall. Admission was free and over 7,000 people attended. Dundee's 'biggest and best travel exhibition' was sponsored by the Evening Telegraph in conjunction with leading holiday and travel companies. These included Barratt Timeshare, DP&L Travel, Executive Travel, Lunn Polly, AT Mays, Ramsay World Travel, Saga and Tayside Transport Company. The Tele said the exhibitors would have all the answers to your holiday questions 'whether you're on the lookout for a week in Ardrossan or six months in Melbourne'. 'Don't be afraid to ask' was the message. 'Find out about flying to fantastic Florida – or going Down Under for that trip to see the folks you've been promising yourself all these years,' it said. 'Nearer home, too, you can find out about coach tours, special deals for rail travel to British resorts, and much, much more.' An Evening Telegraph advertising supplement gave details of some of the most popular holiday destinations, from 'wonderful Copenhagen' to Bangkok and Yugoslavia. It also published a checklist for travellers including suggesting bringing over-the-counter medicine in case you 'succumb to diarrhoea and vomiting while away'. The 1989 event was 'bigger and better' and moved to the Caird Hall. Instant holiday booking by computer was a feature of many of the 20 stands. There were attractions for all the family including prize draws and competitions with prizes ranging from a bottle of Champagne to a £100 holiday voucher. You could also win £150 from the Evening Telegraph to spend on a holiday by helping 'Eddie McReady' rediscover his 'mislaid travel arrangements'. One of the 'added attractions' in 1989 was a café where you could 'relax with your holiday brochures and plan for the two weeks that lie ahead'. Holidays to Spain and Yugoslavia were the most popular for Dundonians. Did you book with Yugotours? You could get 14 nights half-board for £179 per person in 1989. More than 10,000 people attended. Travel agents Lunn Poly in Reform Street and Thomas Cook in City Square enjoyed brisk business as a spin-off from the exhibition nearby. Holiday 1990 at the Caird Hall would 'show you where to go for sand and sunshine'. The Evening Telegraph special information stand was running a competition. First prize was £150 holiday spending money. Second prize was 'a whole Edam cheese' (described by the Tele as being 'about the size of a football') and a cheese slicer from the Dutch Dairy Bureau. Everyone from Butlin's to North Sea Ferries were represented. Another of the stall holders was Ramsay World Travel, which was offering packages for Scotland fans to the 1990 World Cup in Italy with tickets included. Prices started at £259. Anyone worried about diarrhoea from the tap water (see 1988) could visit the WPS Enterprises stand and buy a water filtration and purifying system. Many of them were 'easily portable for personal holiday use'. Happy travels. The Evening Telegraph Holiday and Leisure Exhibition in 1993 offered the chance to 'put the miserable winter behind you and plan for a sunshine break' Over 15,000 attended the exhibition. It was staged over two days at the Caird Hall and featured 24 stands selling everything 'from British camping holidays to long-stay breaks on the other side of the world'. DJ Ally Bally and the Radio Tay Roadshow provided the soundtrack. Staff at the Evening Telegraph stand wore yellow Holiday and Leisure 93 sweat shirts and were handing out entry forms for the World Air Routes competition. You had to answer the clues on slips from each exhibitor in the hall. First prize was £150 in travellers' cheques. Booking a holiday with DP&L Travel gave customers the chance to qualify for a £5 insurance deal and win a year's free hairdressing appointments. Exhibitors at the Caird Hall reported record bookings and inquiries. Deals included one week in Egypt for £199 and a fortnight in Tenerife for £383. Thousands shrugged off the January chill and attended in January 1994. The exhibition was 'bigger and brighter than previous years' with 40 stallholders 'representing nearly all aspects of the holiday and leisure industry'. There were badges and lollipops for children and photographs of favourite holiday destinations in Tayside and Fife from the DC Thomson archive were displayed. Asda hosted a fashion show on both days of the event. Players from Dundee and Dundee United FC were also in attendance. The main prize in the Evening Telegraph competition was a 'mystery £4,000 holiday prize' that was provided by SuperClubs and Caribbean Connections. The Canaries, Caribbean and Florida were proving especially popular in 1994. There were deposits from just £1 being offered. Maybe you booked a package trip with Tayside Transport? There were bus and B&B package deals from Dundee to see Shirley Bassey on her 40th anniversary tour and the West End musical Copacabana in London. The Evening Telegraph Holiday and Leisure Exhibition took place in October 1995. The two-day event at the Caird Hall featured over 30 stands and displays. Over 16,000 attended. Firms like Ramsay World Travel, AT Mays, Tayside Greyhound, Travelmood and Direct Holidays were 'very pleased with the public's response'. The Courier said: 'The four fashion shows by ASDA, featuring the George range of clothing, drew big crowds, and the impromptu marching display by the cadets of the Angus & Dundee Battalion drew warm applause. 'In the Marryat Hall, the Asda café was busy both days, and the adjacent Cybercafe proved very popular with young and old alike, who took the opportunity to 'surf' the internet.' This was the start for the growth of the online travel industry. Consumers would soon be putting together their own holidays at the touch of a button and the Evening Telegraph holiday exhibition became a thing of the past. But that was in the future. Back in 1995 holidays and short breaks in the UK to Blackpool, Southport and Butlin's in Ayr were proving just as popular as foreign trips for Dundonians. Spain and Greece were the top foreign destinations, although it's not known how many people packed a water filtration and purifying system alongside their sun cream.
