The Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to the 1980s
If you love nostalgia (and who doesn’t) then you are going to love this treasure trove of a book ‘The Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to the 1980s’.
It takes you on a journey of memories, through Coventry’s world of entertainment, music, sport, nightclubs, it’s all very much here.
No heavy reading but page after page of “I remember when it looked like that” and “I Know Him” or “That’s me!”
The author Ruth Cherrington has surpassed her last book The Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to the 1970s, that came out last year. That was a tour de force, but this one hits squarely on a defining decade for us Coventrians.
Like the last tome, I was proud to add some of my photos and a few words here and there.
Once again I like many others have raided our archives and have happily given them to Ruth to give this book a loving spread of ‘back-in the-day’ memories.
I asked author Ruth how feedback has been so far.
She replies: “Early feedback has been very positive with readers really enjoying the stories and the pictures.
“It’s bringing back a lot of memories for people.
“Several Coventry DJs featured in the book who began in the 1980s are still spinning the discs, have been in touch to say how much they’ve enjoyed it.
“They’re happy with the way the book picks up on the different aspects of nightlife going on right across the city.
“People have been very good about sending in pictures and stories, many of them from the dedicated Dirty Stop Outs Facebook group that I set up for the previous book on the 1970s.
“More people got involved this time and were keen to share their memories of what they got up to back in the 80s, from shopping and fashion, to the bands, gigs, nightclubs, and even the Coventry carnival.”
The book is available in Waterstones, HMV, as well as online at www.acmretro.com.
Copies will be available to buy directly from the author at a book signing event at Waterstones, Coventry city centre, on November 1 at 1pm and also the Coventry Music Museum ‘Sounding Off’ event also on November 1 at 4pm.
Coventry Beatles Day November 17
It’s ‘Fab Four Day’ in Coventry as THE MERSEY BEATLES follow in their heroes’ footsteps.
After sold out shows in the USA, Australia and Europe, the world’s favourite Liverpool-born Beatles tribute band – THE MERSEY BEATLES – are embarking on an historic UK Tour including a not-to-be-missed show at Coventry’s Albany Theatre on a very special date.
The GET BACK 2018 TOUR visits the very same towns, cities and historic British venues that the original Fab Four first rocked in the 1960s.
Fewer than 80 of the 200-plus British venues The Beatles played between 1957 and 1966 remain. Many of the historic dance halls and theatres that shook to the original Merseybeat sound have been demolished – including Coventry Theatre (although the Matrix Ballroom building still stands as a tool hire shop).
The world’s most famous band played Coventry in 1962 and 1963 – with two of their three concerts falling on November 17.
Now, following in the footsteps of their heroes, and in a unique bid to celebrate both The Beatles’ music and the towns that helped shape that world-changing Rock ‘n’ Roll sound, The Mersey Beatles will play Coventry’s Albany Theatreas part of their 17-date UK tour.
John Lennon’s sister Julia Baird, who saw the original Beatles perform everywhere from her kitchen at home to major theatre shows, and is a director of Liverpool’s world famous Cavern Club, said: “It’s going to be a brilliant show at The Albany. The Mersey Beatles are a fantastic band who nail the sound of The Beatles.
I’ve known them for the best part of 20 years and they recreate The Beatles atmosphere wonderfully.”
