DISQUS

Charlie · 1 year ago

Mickey Crowbar,there is a LEGend of a name! ha ha! How many Scooterists and Mods can remember putting your Scooters in Gods hand for an M.O.T then after passing the M.O.T,driving away happy as Larry,then your kickstart fell off,push your Scooter back to Mickey Crowbars,only to be told your Cruciform was bent and badly needs repaired straight away! What a character he was,priceless! Thanks for The Mods 79 photo at Glasgow Green Div I LURVE IT!
Even better than The Mods May Day '79 album cover,no folks I ain't getting carried away on the crest of a wave of euphoric self indulgence,compare them for yourself,iconic frames of their time!SUPERB! Well done Div!

Charlie · 1 year ago

My humblest apologies Rab I put Divs name instead of yours DOH! Please
excuse me,I Had Too Much Too Dream Last Night! saw a White Rabbit running
around looking for Somebody To Love,Jeez,this Diet Coke is strong stuff,better sign off, I can hear Mr Mojo Risin' calling The End! ha ha! Keep The Faith!

modernworld · 1 year ago

re photo on glasgow green,
from left to right -

davy corey - gorbals
brian ? - castlemilk

john mchugh - gorbals
jason sloss - castlemilk

john allen
?

?
rab aitcheson - townhead

maybe a guy called Ross from blairedardie? (not to sure)
tony taylor - gorbals

far right, guy behind maybe steph from townhead

admin · 1 year ago

Hi Andy

thanks for the update on the names..

modernworld · 1 year ago

update on photo on green,
The guy behind davy corey is brian martin from castlemilk.
The guy behind big john allen might be brians friend, i think his name is paul ?
The guy on the front of rab aitcheson I think is archie johnson (Blairdardie)
The guy in front of tony taylor is ross ? (blairdardie).

modernworld · 1 year ago

It must be the altzeimers kicking in, but the guy in front of Rab aitcheson is ross and the guy infront of tony taylor is archie johnson or his brother

modernworld · 1 year ago

Just thought I would add a bit of history to the glasgow mod scene at that time as I remember it (altzeimers included). The early mod movement grew mainly but not exclusively from disaffected punks. The main venue at the time was 'the mars bar' , I can't remember if had changed to 'the countdown' by then. As 'mod' became more popular this was the place most mods met up in on a friday evening and saturday afternoon. After the pub closed on a friday most made their way up to glasgow art school or glasgow tech (now caledonia uni). As the poularity of 'mod' grew more venues opened, my favorite was 'the rooster' , thursday evening down stairs. I cannot remember whether the countdown closed or people were fed up with it but they moved to the 'bell geordie' in candleriggs. Also I remember the scene club opening.

At first everyone bought their gear down the briggait, army and navy stores, or wore their 'jam' suits and shoes. After 'mod' became more popular it became easier to get clothes.

Musically at first, it was 'the jam' & 'the who' because you could still see both live (I saw the who in glasgow appollo, they were ****- wern't they John Mch -he said they were great but 25mins of My Generation - I don't think so). Groups who played Glasgow at the time were - Merton Parkas (Glasgow uni), Purple Hearts (QM?) Secret Affair (Tiffeneys?) there were others and the support bands which I have forgot (told you about the Altzeimers or was it pills and alcohol?). Also incorperated was the ska revival with the specials, etc. I saw them, madness and selector at stirling uni (sat eve) & tiffenys (sun eve). The music played at the venues mentioned above was mainly sixties mainstream pop, but it evolved.

Due to work commitments I moved from glasgow, however I enjoyed it all. There are several party's at various houses. Here are some of the names that I remember -

Gorbals - john mchugh, andy burnett, davy corey, tony taylor.
Townhead - rab aitcheson, Steph ?, Halki,
castlemilk- jason sloss, brian martin, paul ?.
Govanhill- stuart wilson, jim hutton.
springburn - mick reilly
easterhouse- wee geordie, chris ?,
blairdardie - davy mckormick, ross ?, archie johnson & his brother.
Renfrew - wee eddie
polock - wee derek

there were various others- big john allan, a squad from east kilbride, govan, too many to remmeber (I apoligise)

Females -
denise & liz - springburn
elaine - barrhead
two lasses from foxbar paisley.
There were loads of them too, i just can't remmember at this point.

Robert · 1 year ago

Hello Modernworld

I came onto the scene just as the Mods were starting to move on from the Mars Bar and it did change to the countdown as I got a knock back with forged ID when I went down there with some of the Sighthill Mods. Tony Taylor eventually got himself a Scooter and it was the first one painted in full Union Jack and I got to know him, Jason Sloss Johhny Allan quite well and most of the others you mentioned.
Met them and loads other Mods for the first time at the Beefeater in Union street before we all set off for Ayr on Easter Bank Holiday Monday in 1980. Hard to believe that that was 28 years ago.
The Rooster was a Monday and Thursday night and we would line the Scooters on the lane down by the Blane Valley opposite the Rooster.
I met a lot of Mods there like Spoony from Milton, Bobby Black, Frank and Algy Lawson, Jim Marshall and Scotty from Dennistoun, Billy Morrison, Heck and Andy(Who's Dad bought the Blane Valley) Willie Hendry, George Clark Easterhouse later Cranhill. Loads others came and went and I'm sure that was were i first met Mario? The Italian bloke, probably best dressed Mod at the time. The music was a bit mixed with 60's, the Jam, Secret Affair etc and UB40 with Food for Thought was a floor filler.
There was a group of old 60's Mods who would sit up at the far corner and tell us how good it was back then.
Clothes wise it was Aurther Blacks at St Enoch Sq if you could afford a made to measure suit. There was a Shop on Saltmarket which is now is for Kilt hire and you could get your Levi's, Fred Perrys and Boating Blazers off the peg with Pok pie hat if it suited. The Briggait was the best though and cheap.
Not got the hair for styling now but at the time there was a hairdressers in Duke St that was all Girls who cut your hair and like to party on a Friday and Saturday Night. I remember the two girls from Paisley who had Scooters and I think one of them was called Sharon
Thanks for jogging the memory on some of the names.
Cheers
Robert

modernworld · 1 year ago

Hi robert, thanks for your post, you certainly jogged some of the old grey matter, I remember Bobby black and the wee guy called mario. I remember heck and Andy, but I thank you for reminding me off wee geordie clark (I had forgotten his second name), me and him went up strathclyde uni one night, we were the only two mods in there and they played a couple of requests for us, however too our eternal embarassment we were dancing with two females to the Who's substitute and when the silence near the end came we both went to sit down, forgetting there was another bit (some mods eh), I also remmeber he had a sister Bell who was a modette.

Charlie · 1 year ago

Hi Modernworld, I actually went to school with Geo's sister, you knew her as Bell,to me she was "Big Izzy"

Charlie · 1 year ago

Sorry about that Modern World, I by mistake posted the comment without finishing it,we all went to Lochend Secondary Easterhouse,up at Commonhead I use to hear all the youngsters shouting "THERE'S THE FIRE BRIGADE COMING!" and coming down towards was Prenty and all the young Mods,about 12 of them on identical red 50 Specials,like I always say,being a Mod,the rush is never far away from you,the shop down The Salt Market is called Gilt Edge,use to sell some beautiful 2 Tone Suits and the best cheese cloth Paisley Pattern button down shirts I ever wore, Boston Pin Collars,I can remember they stocked 3 button Tartan suits when Madness brought out "Embarrassment" in the charts.They even stocked Adam And The Ants Gear and "Waiters" double breasted suits all the Posers used strut around in!!!
Amazing times,fashion wise,eh?

ISabell · 1 year ago

The Gilt Edge - that was a brilliant shop!! The guys definately had it much better than the girls for clothes - I'd never been to so many jumble sales in my life around that time, either that or a trawl round the Barras or Paddy's Market!!

killbill · 1 year ago

hi guys .billy cunningham from cranhill.. i remember most of the guys in the pic.jeff black ,bobby black big bobo from craigend..andy doyle.algy lawson.hec daly mackie from milton and geordie stein from easterhouse.. they were the days..

killbill · 1 year ago

hi rab.. remember when your sooter got wrecked at ayr'''...i was on it and got attacked by bikers.. what a day..

killbill · 1 year ago

anybody remember doby getting jailed on the train on the way to ayr..

Robert · 1 year ago

Hello Billy
Been a long time mate and I do remember the Scooter being hit with the hammer and all part of the riot that took place. I don't think I was there when Doby (Jim Sharkey) got the jail though
I have sent a photo in with us all at Sighthill with a few of the Mods at that time. I met Algy Lawson about two years ago when I was in the High St at a Glasgow Mod day and he couldn't believe I had a Scooter again, then neither could I.
I met Jeff Black at a Sheme concert mid eighties but I was told by Jamie Murphy that he was in now living abroad somewhere. John Mann, Dobie, Ian McNab, Jamie Hay, Ged and Tony Skivington I haven't seen since I left Cranhill over 20 years ago. I did find out recently that Tony Skivington died a few year ago. What ever happened to Tam Lawler? He had a bike when we all got Scooters and did he marry that girl called Angie?
I have seen Heck a few times over the years. I was playing in a Soul band last year and he was doing his DJ at the one of the venues we played. He was selling holiday homes in his day job.
Geordie Steen is still around but not on the Scooter Scene. Mackie I haven't seen since or his big mate we called Plug. The other Mackie and Stevie Phillips from Carntyne I haven't met since however Prenty from around there I have Met at some of the Scooter events.
If you are around you should get down to this years Glasgow Mod weekender which is usually late June. I have met Jamie Tracey and Doc from Cranhill there and a lot of new guys who are into Scooters.
There is loads of other nights organised by the Scooter clubs and Friday Street is a good one.
Cheers
Robert

April · 1 year ago

Billy Cunningham, I've been looking for you ya numpty. I remember everything about you lot and was there when wee dobie got the jail. Do you remember the big fight I got into cos I snmeaked him and his girlfriend in the back door of the scene club, lol

April · 1 year ago

hey billy, have no clue how to get in touch with you through this site as I don't think were allowed to leave details or links. If you go into glasgow venues and follow the link to my blog you should be able to get me that way. I'll give you my number if you write to me there.

April · 1 year ago

Had a good look at the pic, Johnny Wallace is in it third scooter from the left at the front and the big handsome guy behind him is Peter Docherty, who we also lost.

April · 1 year ago

Had no clue that wee Tony Skivington had died, sad to hear that one, he was a great guy, him and Jed were the business.

killbill · 1 year ago

nice to hear from you rab.glad someones keepin the faith..i have fond memories of the old days.the scene club and bank holiday riots in ayr. i still see jim sharkey[doby] and tam lawlor the biker.honda 250 superdream.i know jeff is still about .it would be good to meet some of the lads again ...and you too april..its been a while ,hope you are well.i have some photos somewhere il dig them out and post them on the site..

killbill · 1 year ago

hi april nice to hear your still going strong..and keeping well. tried to follow the link to your blog .could not get you..let me know when you are having your next night and ill pop along for a wee pint..ive just recently moved to cantyne still an east end mod..keep in touch..

April · 1 year ago

Billy we'll be at Friday Street on Friday night the 28th March. Would love to see you there, you'll know me when you see me, the hairs just a little longer and darker, lol. No peroxide for years. If you're in touch with any of the others polease get them down there if you can. Saw wee Dobie a few years back and it was great to see him. I actually started my campaign to find all the mods to find all you lot from the real old days so it would make my millenium to meet up with you all again.

Please post if your gonna be there so that I can watch out for you.

April · 1 year ago

oh and I'm back to being a westend mod now being in Knightswood, lol

Robert · 1 year ago

Hello April/Billy

I feel a Cranhill Mod reunion coming on. I will try and get to Friday Street as it's a good night. The last time I was there was before Christmas and we came down on the Scooters and it was Baltic. Remember the days when winter or summer I'd be on the Scoot with a T-shirt. I think the last time I saw you April was in George Sq after a Truth concert at Night moves. I do remember your mate at the Time Jackie who was going out with Ged Skivington and got friendly with Tracy Brennan who was my girlfriend at the time. I'm sure it was Jackie who had the house in Barlanark and we would go back there after the Scene Club. Memories come flooding back.

April · 1 year ago

Robert, sitting here trying to work out who you are. Your memory is corret about the house in Barlanark, except that it was my house, 22 Burnett Road, lol. Jackie was my flat mate for a while.

Would love to get all the eastenders back together as when I think of the mod days those are my favourite memories. I'm not usre is Jackie ever went out with Ged but then who knows, she had a few boyfriends, lol. The name Tracy Brenna rings a bell.

That night in night moves was brilliant for me, I got to go back tage and interview the Truth for the Modernist magazine, those were the days eh?

Robert, please remind me of who you are. Obviously I would love to meet up with you again at Friday Street, and any of the others your in touch with.

Funnily enough I was in Friday Street one night before Christmas and there were loads of scooters, was just talking to Charlie about that today and wondering why I haven't seen them again.

Get yerself down there and lets have a great reunion this week, Jim Nairn of the Maryhill Mods is coming too for the first time, so should be great.

N.G. MODS · 1 year ago

Hi April,

I don't knaw ye, but I only knew wan street in Barlanark an' that wis Burnett Road, my pal Joe Valente stay'd there. I remember gaun up tae his hoose in 86 oan the scooter and gittin bricks thrown at me, cause I wis a mod !

Robert · 1 year ago

Hello April

Early morning start for me off to Yorkshire to work for a few days. I sent in the Cranhill/Sighthill Mods photos of now and then. I had the blue PX with RM on it and then I'm on the red scooter with the Graffiti behind on the Lock-up garages in Cranhill. Now I'm the Old bugger with the Blue and White Scooter with Helensburgh coastline in the background. Got back into all this again around about 2002 and have been going along to various events since. Like you I've never forgot my youth running around Glasgows east end and met up with loads of folk and knew most only by their first name or nickname. I might have the wrong person who went out with Ged as the memory is going a bit, but I do remember going back to Barlanark and a few house parties. Look forward to meeting you and hopefully a few others on Friday night.
Cheers
Robert

April · 1 year ago

yeah you would have came to mine, people used my place as a bit of a hangout back then, half the time I would come home to a full house unexpectedly when she was living with me, lol.

Good times indeed and they are the times I have never forgotten. Loads of folks would come down, I remember Algy, sort of went out with him for a bit, the skivingtons and Billy were regulars, loved those guys.

Will be great to get as many as we can together again

April · 1 year ago

Robert, I'll watch for the east end mod photo's going in and see if I can recognise you.

admin · 1 year ago

if you click on photos at the top menu... Robert is the third thumbnail from the left. If you click the thumbnail it will display the slideshow of all his photos....

April · 1 year ago

NG we never had any probolems in that street in the late seventies and we had the scooters lining the street. It must have changed after I left.

April · 1 year ago

Robert, I remember you from back then, I also recognised the name once I knew the surname. I think I can even see my ex in the pics with the cranhill and sighthill mods pics. I married Mick Prior of the Sighthill Glory Boys, sad but true but it's ok we're divorced now, lol. Had two kids with him.

Thanks for letting us see these pics, good memories for me.

Oh and I think I've seen you in Friday Street before but didn't know you, could be wrong though.