1982 Vintage Film | Batley Variety Club | The History

www.batleyfront... Available for Private Hire! Contact us today: PAST PERFORMERS INCLUDE... (in no particular order) ::: The Bachelors, Kenny Ball and the Jazzmen, Donald Peers, Bob Monkhouse, Jayne Mansfield, Ernie Tomasso, Adam Faith, Maggy Sarragne, Jimmy Marshall, Jimmy Wheeler, Des Lane, Barry Lane, Helen Shapiro, John Bouchier, Les Escudos, Swinging Blue Jeans, P J Proby, Peter and Gordon, John Walker, Kathy Kirby, Jimmy Tarbuck, Christine Evans, Lonnie Donegan, Max Wall, Sandie Shaw, Ted Rogers, Billy Daniels, Lulu, Matt Monro, Joyce Howard, Billy Cotton, The Temperance Seven, Billy J Kramer and the Dakotas, The Beverley Sisters, David Conway, Scott Walker, Billy Fury, Will Gaines, The Chants, Eric Delaney Showband, Johnny Hackett, Three Monarchs, Frankie Vaughan, Audrey Jeans, Freddie & the Dreamers, Morecambe and Wise, Frankie Howerd, Dusty Springfield, Dave Valentine, David Whitfield, Long John Baldry, Morton Frazer Harmonica Gang, Sounds Incorporated, Vince Hill, Dorothy Squires, Solomon King, Englebert Humperdinck, Louis 'Satchmo' Armstrong, Gene Pitney, Johnny Ball, Martin St James, The Hollies, Des O'Conner, Leapy Lee, Gracie Fields, The Tremeloes, Wee Willie Harris, John Rowles, Micki and Griff, Ivor Emmanuel, Clark Brothers, Freddie Davies, Susan Wilson, Weavers Green, The Move, Gordon and Bunny Jay, Dixie Lee, Cilla Black, Del Shannon, The Kaye Sisters, Dickie Henderson, Mike & Bernie Winters, The Barron Knights, Dave Allen, Shirley Bassey, Marty Wilde, Norman Collier, Bruce Forsyth, Al Read, Kim Cordell, Jack Platts, The Caravelles, Bobby Pattinson, Ray Fell, Max Bygraves, Frank Ifield, Salena Jones, Sammy King & The Voltaires, Roy Orbison, Jimmy Edwards, Ronnie Hilton, Eartha Kitt, Norman Wisdom, Josef Locke, Winifred Attwell, Georgie Fame, John White and the Whales, Tony Daryll, Dickie and Dottie, Harry Secombe, Tony Holland, Marmalade, Duggie Brown, Ronnie Dukes & Rickie Lee, Tony Christie, Los Carlos, Cleo Laine & Johnny Dankworth, Richard Fox, Acker Bilk, Bobby Peters, Pat Parnell, Macie & the Cookies, Hylda Baker, Eric Conners 4, Heathmore, Syd Lawrence Orchestra, Bernadette, Jimmy Crawford Four, Robert Earl, Joan Regan, Wally Harper, Moira Anderson, Herman's Hermits, Craig Douglas, Peter Gordeno, The Shadows, The Dallas Boys, Charlie Williams, David and Marian Dalmour, Dana, Richard Barnes, The Karlins, Tommy Ward, David Copperfield, Tiny Tim, Rockin Berries, Jimmy Ruffin, Johnny Mathis, Paul Daniels, Syd Little & Eddie Large, Freda Payne, Bobby Knutt, Marvin Welch & Farrar, Bernie Clifton, Barry Crocker, Dave Parkin, Guy Mitchell, Karl Denver Trio, Joe Brown, The Kenways, Kenny Lynch, Derek Dene, Wayne Fontana, Jess Conrad, Michael Bentine, Jackie Trent & Tony Hatch, The Peddlers, Bert Weedon, Johnny Kennedy, Ray Martine, Reginald Dixon, Vera Lynn, Maxine Barry, Lennie Bennett, Cliff Richard, Dailey & Wayne, Clodagh Rodgers, Ronnie Smith, Jeff Christie, Stuart Damon, Joe Dolan, Judith Durham, The New Seekers, Malcolm Roberts, Gerry Marsden, Hughie Green and Monica Rose, Lovelace Watkins, George Hamilton IV, Lorne Gibson, The Mixtures, Harry Parker, Olivia Newton John, Val Doonican, The Fourmost, Dave Berry, Bitter Suite, Everley Brothers, Tommy Hunt, Carl Wayne, Labi Siffre, The Grumbleweeds, Clinton Ford, Neil Sedaka, Vicky Carr, Buddy Greco, The Drifters, Mike Yarwood, Jack Jones, The Coasters, Lena Martell, Paper Lace, Tom Jones, New Tornadoes, Mike Reid, Al Martino, Roger Whittaker, Frankie Laine, Susan Maughan, Ray Stevens, Jimmy Helms, Guys and Dolls, Reflections, The Platters, Teresa Brewer, Millican and Nesbitt, Champagne, The Spinners, Slim Whitman, Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons, Chuck Berry, Black Abbotts, Madeline Bell, Peters and Lee, The Flirtations, The Fantastics, Fentones, Steve Martin, The Supremes, Tommy Cooper, Freddie Starr, Bobby Redell, Bernard Manning, Ken Dodd, Dana, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Bobby Crush, Blue Mink, Danny La Rue, Gilbert O'Sullivan, Johnny Tillotson, Mike Terry, The Bee Gees, The Three Degrees, The Rain, Showaddywaddy, Howard Keel, Cannon and Ball, Trini Lopez, Candlewick Green, Lynn Paul, Charles Aznavour, Black & White Minstrels, Alvin Stardust, Pan's People, Tom O'Conner, The Stylistics, Brotherhood of Man, Mike Harding, Sweet Sensation, The Merseybeats, Peter Casson, The Dubliners, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Tavarez, George Roper, New Vaudeville Band, Johnny Nash, The Nolan Sisters, Jimmy James, Black Onyx, Rupert,
The list is taken from the book "BATLEY PRIDE -- more town tales" by Malcolm H Haigh
Let us know if we've missed any!
More info, video and vintage pics on www.batleyfront...

[@mikegould4039]

I had one of the best birthday’s ...ever..at Batley...met Dusty Springfield and Elton John backstage when I went to see Dusty..early 70’s..Elton was hardly known...happy days indeed!!!

[@thomasquinn3425]

Wish I could go back in time. Heartbreaking that places like this will never exist again. Whoever posted this, thank you. Excellent show.

[@lisehenderson7369]

That’s my Dad Tony Cervi on the piano playing for Morcambe and Wise!! He worked with and played for all the greats during Batley’s hey day!!

[@MIK23458]

I read about Tony in Maureen Prest’s book King of Clubs. A book about James Corrigan and his vision and ambition to create the Batley Variety Club. Tony is described as a genius and an enormous asset to the club. He worked with the biggest stars in show business like you say.

[@bluesybruce]

Tony was a brilliant musician, and a good friend to Linda and Myself when we were resident openers at BVC. We had been backed by Tony a few times prior to the opening of the club, and had first met several years earlier during a Butlins talent competition. You're dad played some classical music, and came second (we were third).

[@caleblindley7142]

Wow great documentary, and at least I've sung on the same stage as Shirly Bassey, when they did karaoke at the Frontier. Now though, the place is a gym, unbelievable.

[@Stu_Yorkie]

I was very lucky to have lived just up the road from here. Went 100's of times, and have lots of happy memories. Sad that the club no longer exists

[@pgoodhead1]

Wonderful documentary that easily could have been twice as long with more legendary star footage. Fabulous memories.

[@ianmallion4270]

Paul Goodhead - Stagedoor Productions Limited "

[@davidgibbs7232]

I saw Tom Jones here in the mid seventies.Brilliant place and a brilliant show.Brings back happy memories of a world gone with the wind.

[@Ravenswalk]

Batley Variety Club world famous. Became The Frontier and sadley tonight July 30 2016 has closed its doors for the last time. The location is to become a Gym. R.I.P.

[@kimscott840]

Don’t knock it my my life my family are still there miss it so much xxxx

[@lynn046]

What great stars performed there. Absolutely unbelievable & fabulous ...

[@Electron1944]

I took my Mum to see Gracie Fields. Ronnie Dukes and Rickie Lee were on the bill and Gracie didn't want to go on last, as the star would normally do, so she asked if she could go on before them. A VERY daunting task for them, but they agreed. They were BRILLIANT. I remember when Gracie came out to sing and she got a little tangled up in the microphone cable. She stopped singing and the pianist stopped playing, then she said, "I'm not going any further till this lot is sorted out", it duly was and she continued with her act. Everyone loved it, she was so down to earth. She had to take a number of curtain calls because everyone, young and old alike, were on their feet wanting more. A great night which I will never forget.

[@chrisblanchard3882]

Mum and dad used to go to BVC many times over the years. It was just down the road from where we lived. They had great acts there inc Shirley Bassey, Gladys Knight and Frankie Valli to name just a few, but unfortunately they got greedy and they double booked many seats on many occasions. Mum and dad never went back. Very sad, but great memories

[@yorkshirebrad]

Grew up locally, was more a rock fan so never went to the frontier, now im going in the building 5x a week (JD gym now!) it's amazing to see all this. I work in live music as a tour & stage manager, im jealous of my town having such a renowned venue of its own

[@bluesybruce]

My wife and myself, as Linda Russell and Bruce, were lucky enough to be resident opening act at BVC for almost 100 weeks, along with Gerry Brooke (compere) and the Deb Set, (later Cool Breeze) ..... a wonderful experience given to us by James.

[@victorgrasscourt3382]

Really enjoyable programme. Thanks for posting this gem

[@ronglyn]

loved going to Batley Variety Club in the 1970's... Saw Gene Pitney a couple of times, so too Martin St James(always amazing). Eartha Kitt was great. Plus others. I also enjoyed the sound of the girl singers who started the show off. .... Happy days.

[@garyscully2417]

My mum and dad had VIP membership there, would almost every week, my first time in there was to see Freddie Star in 1972...a great place...

[@johngriffin9914]

john griffin,,,,,i went there twice in the early 70s,,,it was out of this world,,,,i have never forgotten it,,,i lived in birmingham but still went there,,,,, the atmosphere was brilliant,,,,,the prices very fair,,,,happy days.....,,

[@gal00li]

Brilliant ,,,,what a great time the 70's was in showbiz land.

[@annother3350]

not for saviles victims..,.

[@chazwalker7156]

Always one in't thi 👆👎🏻

[@thepauldaniels]

My favourite club to work. When you walked onstage you felt like you owned the place.

[@antoniod]

Miss you, Paul Daniels!

[@kevvome]

A top[ class magician and a fantastic showman. You are from my hometown so RIP mate and God bless. Hope you are doing great Debbie. Miss you both. Somehow the world was a better place all those years ago.

[@abdulqahmed]

Hello Mr Paul Daniels, greetings from Batley😘

[@skoot2u]

Paul Daniels, great entertainer and a brilliant magician.Saw him and Debbie in Derby, fantastic show.One of the best of all time and sadly missed.

[@sob-iLs]

Not a lot of people know that.

[@stevebarnett8034]

I saw Shirley there who was and still is my favourite artist as they were known but also saw many others Danny, oh so many i lived in Huddersfield then 1976 to 78 what a joy. This certainly brings back memories. Thank you

[@dinerouk]

I saw Shirley there, too. What a great singer she was!

[@terrycullen3262]

Del Shannon in 73, I think, brought the house down. Rock on Del.

[@haydenharris3059]

I went when it was the Frontier. Great documentary. Thank you.

[@ian1957ruth]

Saw Ken Dodd, The Grumbleweeds and Martin St James at Batley. Happy Days

[@johndavis364]

My dad worked on the doors at batley variety club and was bettys brothers friend barry wimpemmy, anybody remember my dad peter bould.

[@crypto4me799]

We ( The Fabulous Daybreak Show) worked there for three weeks in the early 70's with Cilla Black, Gene Pitney & Martin St. James. It was an amazing place to work. I still have my autographed photo of Cilla. LOL

[@Oldvynal]

I was lucky i lived about 4 miles from Batley variety club and seen the greats there louie frankie .peter & Gordon , Englebert .Tom Jones Cliff . Roy Orbison and many more .batley was the place to go .Batley was once the home of Robert Palmer .I met him at the Batley fair he was about 12 years old .We were listening to the Everley bros .hit When will I be loved .Robert asked me if i could play the guitar or keyboard as he was going to form a band .Happy Days !!!!!

[@dominicksalmon2367]

I've been 3 times. Morecambe and Wise 1967, Gene Pitney around 1980 and The Searchers around 1995. Thought I'd share that.

[@meirwise1107]

Respect to the guy who started it.

[@mohammaddavoudian7897]

Great to see all the stars specially my lovely Cilla. You're sadly missed love. RIP.

[@rongriffiths6927]

What a fantastic documentation of such interesting subject and characters, I only wish there was a glimpse of good old Dorothy Squires, fantastic to see all those gorgeous looking men, Frankie Vaughan, Cliff, of course Gene Pitney. and God bless her Gracie.

[@davidwalsh3439]

A most interesting documentary.

[@Wayland444]

I remember Shirley Bassey at the Variety Club, and yes she was a DIVA insisting that the bars be closed whilst she was on. All this meant was that we couldn't enjoy the supporting acts because there were massive queues for the previous hour whilst everyone stocked up their tables with booze. And we were so busy organising the drinks and visiting the loos and trying to settle down that we really didn't see as much of Shirley as she would have liked.

[@airaction2257]

I was Born in Batley and i remember the Variety club very well,once went to the Radio one roadshow there when Emperor roscoe was on stage as the DJ, my sister used to work in a shop in the town and told me one day Mrs Corrigan came in the shop with Neil Sedaka, shame that the club is now a Gym.

[@MIK23458]

The Corrigan’s were good friends with Neil Sedaka. They would have him stay at their home in Batley when he was practically unknown. In fact on one evening the Corrigan’s who had a tempestuous relationship were fighting. Neil acted peacemaker and Betty Corrigan told him they were so much happier before they opened the club. When their ambition was a dream and it was just visions they had, when they were just hungry for success. Neil wrote a song that evening about the Corrigans called The Hungry Years. It would prove to be one his biggest hits. Girl we made it to the top We went so high we couldn't stop We climbed the ladder leading us nowhere Two of us together Building castles in the air We spun so fast we couldn't tell The gold ring from the carousel How could we know the ride would turn out bad Everything we wanted Was everything we had I miss the hungry years The once upon a time The lovely long ago We didn't have a dime Those days of me and you We lost along the way How could I be so blind Not to see the door Closing on the world I now hunger for Looking through my tears I miss the hungry years We shared our daydreams one by one Making plans was so much fun We set our goals and reached the highest star The things that we were after Were much better from afar Here we stand just me and you With everything and nothing, too It wasn't worth the price we had to pay Honey take me home Let's go back to yesterday I miss the hungry years The once upon a time The lovely long ago We didn't have a dime Those days of me and you We lost along the way How could I be so blind Not to see the door Closing on the world I know hunger for Looking through my tears I miss the hungry years I miss the hungry years

[@yorkiesteve9453]

Can't believe you missed Les Dawson off the list, and pretty sure Ken Goodwin appeared there in the 70's. I grew up in Gildersome near Morley, I wish I'd thought of going autograph hunting there.

[@Tonysmithmusic]

it’s a jd gym now, so sad. my mum worked their and was housekeeper for the corriegans who owned it. she tells us some great stories of meeting and looking after all the great stars who they looked after in the mansion.

[@lindacliff7124]

wish i was born 20 years earlier, would have loved this, We need something like this now, cos it would be just Ace

[@stevephillips3010]

linda cliff could not pay the wages these days

[@Ravenswalk]

Only went once. I was 16 it was June 1976 the Saturday before we Emigrated to Canada. My Auntie Jean work there and my Cousin Andrea.

[@Robby334]

Spent many a happy time there as the frontiere RIP Derek Smith

[@ladgolf6330]

Used to play golf with the gent who was the general manager and helped Joe build the club (literally). He could tell some fantastic stories about the Batley Variety Club.

[@ianbentley7276]

Great club, terrific atmosphere. I went just 3 times. Works night out in 67 to see Morecame and Wise. Gene Pitney in the 80s and The Searchers, probably early 90s.

[@johnniestgeorge]

THERE IS 0NE MORE YOU MISSED a Betty Corigan Favourite "ZARAEDA"He played many full weeks there as principle support act and became a big friend of the family.

[@AnthonyWakefield1]

I saw the Grumbleweeds there way back in 1974

[@ff2346cookson]

Brilliant video. Memories from my home town. I was just a little too young to go when it was at its best , but I remember looking at the outside and seeing all the stars names who were appearing. The town had a buzz about it.

[@kenreeve6549]

Eye by ek it were good thank you Jimmy

[@john86779]

went there batley club when i was a coach driver good days

[@excelents]

24:15 "We went to York Minster, which is an ancient ruin" lol

[@frankatack385]

I worked behind bar in 1973. (bar 2) Happy Days..!!

[@slipperydick123]

hi, did the club have less famous acts aswell? because my late father in law was in a band from liverpool called the Lettermen and im sure he mentioned the Batley club and think he might of played their. I know its a long shot but just wondering if you might remember them as it was around 73 they were at their best.

[@frankatack385]

Richard chamberlin Hi. Yes they did have less famous acts but I'm afraid the Lettermen doesn't ring any bells. But it's a long time ago and my memory is a bit hazy.

[@michaelwalton9528]

then u became a postman

[@anthonyjohn3445]

Excellent

[@alanthevan]

Charlie Williams. One of the funniest people there was. Used to love his accent and the way he poked fun even at himself.

[@MOGGS1942]

Charlie played centre half for Doncaster Rovers back in the 1950's.

[@alansayce4605]

@@MOGGS1942 just

[@irvingdarnley]

The legend..ROY ORBISON, THE BIG O..

[@michaelrodgers7109]

I SAW THE TAVARES THERE IN THE 1970

[@john111257]

We had jollies in Stoke

[@PhillipRobinson-g6q]

Batley Variety Club almost pulled off the scoop of the century when the great Frank Sinatra was on the verge of signing to appear for a week in the mid 1970s. In the end, Frank decided to only appear in London for his performances in England.

[@johncarlisle6865]

his loss

[@PhillipRobinson-g6q]

@@johncarlisle6865 Yes I’m sure he suffered many sleepless nights over this….

[@johncarlisle6865]

@@PhillipRobinson-g6q oh come on!!! who doesn't want Batley on their CV?

[@PhillipRobinson-g6q]

@@johncarlisle6865 Yes, he obviously told his cronies he’d a song ready for his appearances there - “My kind of town, that Batley is….” The trouble was he couldn’t think of any other words to add in, as nobody told him of all the memorable landmarks in the area!

[@johncarlisle6865]

@@PhillipRobinson-g6q true lol, & with his alleged Mafia connections, I wouldn't be the one pulling any pranks on him

[@MadeByMartyn]

There's a truly wonderful new book called "Clubland" by historian and beer writer Pete Brown (he mentions this video within the book) which gives a valuable historical perspective on this, and other Variety, Theatre and Working Mens Clubs. I've no connection with the author, just reading the book :-)

[@davidpaterson6524]

Does anyone remember it opening called Crumpet?,i think it was Betty's venture.

[@jumpfortyfour9965]

happy days

[@kevinhoughton9134]

Just wish I could have gone there in it's hey day.

[@briansdiecastthailandstoth6747]

I played there in a backing group for Aka Bilke

[@billyrogers9908]

This is cool!

[@NuVibes.]

I saw Tony Christie there... He asked me the way to Amarillo.

[@john111257]

Awesome content

[@alanwann9318]

When folks dressed up for a night out and conversed with one another.Now we sit in and watch a screen brainwash us.

[@Loverboy19691]

Can anyone remember Howard Burnette? The Complete entertainer. He was from Bately and was a singer on the club scene.

[@michaelwalton9528]

he was from Dewsbury he lived up school lane

[@bobawolf]

My sister Gladys was evacuated there during the war.My brother and I were at 53 Warwick road Batley. We told her she smelt.

[@anthonytaylor3989]

Gracie fields sings first rap song 😊

[@CRAIGORFORD]

My uncle Gerry was the compère

[@captaindave47]

I was a great friend of your uncle Gerry, I was with him when he went to do a spot at Caesars palace in Luton from Batley, we went out together every night after the show at Batley, I miss him very much he taught me some great things.

[@craigorford9932]

@@captaindave47 hi,I miss him and my Aunty val,I loved them both so much val was a true star so was my uncle,I have so many photos of them with all the stars,the story’s they both told and the life they both had.If I could only I could bring them both back just for a hour.I would love to see them both again.

[@jourellelane1686]

Cilla black cliff Richard Mike Yarwood love this show John Craven as well what a cast Neil Sedacka wow Danny Le Rue Eartha kitt Shirley Bassey Gene Pittney

[@contourbody]

What are the chances of another Batley Variety Club happening again?! If it could be done, who would appear there? Madonna, Kylie, Robbie Williams?! Poignant loss to a wonderful town of my childhood : (

[@tomkent4656]

Different times. Different audiences.

[@napejack]

Where is Solomon KIng, no any video!?

[@bibakroll8999]

Don't forget Dickie and Dottie!

[@paulstevens8130]

It was ok and worked it several times but not a patch on the best club in Europe,Sheffield Fiesta!Batley never had people like Beach Boys;4 Tops;Temptations;Kenny Rogers;Glen Campbell etc.,etc.,

[@chazwalker7156]

Eeeee, dat wer reet gud 👍🏻

[@clivefuller-hale5073]

Did "Dick Haymes" ever appear at Batley?

[@djangorheinhardt]

I remember Dick Haymes being in the UK around that time because I remember him doing a song on the "Golden Shot" , on ITV, i think compered by Bob Monkhouse.I remember it as my ears pricked up at his name and i wondered what such a big star was doing on "that" show..Of course then he was in the doldrums as a singer and was what you call "washed up".But he was a lovely singer and in the 40`s followed Sinatra into the Tommy Dorsey orchestra.

[@michaelkent1598]

1975 Tommy Cooper.

[@patriciacastledine676]

Brill place

[@gammonbaldy1765]

Everyone seems to be wearing a hair helmet

[@RobertLocksley385]

"1982 vintage"? Hilarious.

[@josiethornton7049]

Wakefield Theatre Club was just as good.

[@johnmorgan4124]

The frontier at Batley was crap. A complete waste of time. Glad I only went once.

[@williamhughes3470]

Don't want

[@ianbentley7276]

Great club, terrific atmosphere. I went just 3 times. Works night out in 67 to see Morecame and Wise. Gene Pitney in the 80s and The Searchers, probably early 90s.