In this section you'll find

Little Richard - Shane Fenton and the Fentones - The Merseybeats - The Hollies - Del Shannon and Bobby Vee - The Allisons - Karl Denver Trio - Barron Knights - Wee Willie Harris

Perhaps one of the best shows I can remember was Little Richard's visit to the Gaumont Theatre in 1962. His backing group was led by the phenomenal Bo Diddley who was a star in his own right, and who called me DJ Dal on this occasion. On this occasion, Little Richard on stage was perspiring profusely tore off his shirt, and threw it to the audience. I met him later in the evening and chatted away for half an hour, after which I came away with a super autograph inscribed  "to Dale (sic) a very nice guy", along with his address to contact him if I needed any help regarding any DJ work in the States, as they say, a great guy. For many years I did wonder about the address. However, with the advent of Google, it was correct.

I did meet Little Richard again after 41 years, I had called into the Victoria Hotel, and on the way in I did see a large black limo, but took no notice.  In the reception area, no one was about, only Little Richard sat on a bench near the window. I went across and sat beside him, reminding him of our meeting in 1962. I think he remembered. However, after a long chat, he gave me another autograph this time signed to Dal. After the car had been packed I walked outside with him where he gave me a hug, shook hands, and he was gone.

Our chat had been good. However, the night before he was playing at the Victoria Theatre in Halifax, and it had not gone well. The audience had been wanting his rock 'n' roll music but other music was being played. 

I went into the Telegraph and Argus from the hotel and saw T&A journalist, Mike Priestley, who had done the feature, who told me Little Richard was not at his best last night.

Mike did a small feature of me holding the autograph. 'After 41 years  DJ Dal meets Little Richard again'. See below

Shane Fenton (later Alvin Stardust) paid his first visit in 1963, during the success of his minor hit 'Five Foot Two, Eyes Of Blue'. Although it was early days for Shane, you could see he had that certain something that would take him far. He was perhaps one of the nicest pop stars I did meet. Friendly, and in a few minutes, good friends. I had called in the Majestic early in the afternoon to sort some records out and he was already there waiting for the Fentones to turn up.

He, like many had done, asked me if there was anywhere he could have a meal. I told him about Seabrook fisheries outside the back door in Morley Street. He then asked me if I would like to join him? I said yes,  although I was thinking of another time when 'Screaming Lord Such'  left me to pay the bill!

However, it was a lovely meal during which he signed autographs for some of the staff. Shane did pay the bill!

The evening was great with a top performance from him and the Fentones especially 'I'm A Moody Guy',  the girls loved him. In 1964 the group broke up, and a few years later Alvin Stardust  was born.

The Merseybeats were another group from the other county who graced the Majestic with their presence during our later years. With appearances at the Cavern and toughened during the required Hamburg stretch, their local standing became such that they were rated tenth in the Merseyside hierarchy of groups. Their dress was a change from the macho leathers and Burton's lounge suits. Their preference was frilly shirts and bolero jackets. However, at the Majestic the Merseybeats made the girls scream that Monday night with their rendition of 'Wishin and Hopin'. This was their popular number at the time.

The last of the really great groups to appear at the Majestic was the Hollies, so named as a tribute to Buddy Holly. The Hollies would go on to score more UK single chart entries than any other group between 1963-1970. Nothing is recorded in their biography that their visit to the Majestic was a particularly momentous occasion, but to myself, and the teenagers of Bradford of that time it would be. It was a scoop - a real privilege to have them at the Majestic in late 1964 while their hit 'Here I Go Again' was still in the top twenty.

I met the Hollies in the afternoon as they were setting up their equipment, all very professional, and spent most of the time conversing with Tony Hicks the 'Peter Pan' of the group. Alan Clarke joined us and we went over the times on stage, and it was decided one full hour, 8.30 until 9.30. As usual, a trip to Seabrook fisheries was required and only Tony,  Alan,  and I would go. They both looked like students, so the trip was uneventful as they were not recognized. However, it was late in the afternoon and no queues were formed. Later just before we opened there was quite a queue of four and six deep from the entrance down to and around the Alhambra all the way up Great Horton  Road to the Windsor swimming baths.

That night's performance was one to remember as with Dadio leaving I was on my own,  so I had to play the records and introduce the Hollies on and off, but no problem. A worthy top group to conclude with, as nobody could compete with them on their performance that night. I was always one to relish moments like this because I knew these times would never come again. The highlight is, playing 'Here I Go Again', three times and 15 minutes extra playing 8.30 to 9.45. plus staying back and signing literally hundreds of autographs. It was a night to remember for our wonderful  Majestic lads and lasses and well deserved.

Del Shannon's autographed photo was given to my mother when he visited us at my home in 1963.
'Mrs. Lister love ya! Del Shannon'

It was early February 1990. I was in Leeds paying a visit to a friend Graham Harrison who is an authority and friend of the late Buddy Hollies Group, ‘The Crickets’. 

During our conversation he left the room to answer the telephone, a few minutes later he returned, saying, ‘someone wishes to speak to you’.  Picking up the phone a voice with an American accent said ‘Hi Dal this is Bobby Vee’.  He went on to say “Graham tells me you were a good friend of Del Shannon, however, I am sorry to tell you that Del had committed suicide the previous day at his home in Canyon County.

Bobby Vee ( 1943 - 2016). Bobby and Del Shannon were neighbours and good friends over many years until Del passed away in 1990. One of Bobby's hits in December 1961 was ' The night has a thousand eyes' which we played many times at the Majestic.

I never met him, but had many chats on the phone.

The Allisons : Eurovision song contest winners 1961

The duo vocalists Bob Day and John Alford came second in the Eurovison Song contest in 1961 with 'Are You Sure'  which climbed to No 1 in the UK Pop Chart. Released on the Fontana label it sold over one million records earning them a golden disc. Despite a few minor hits and joining many package shows they disbanded in 1963.

Bob Day (1941-2013)  and John Alford were not brothers, they were marketed as being brothers using the surname Allison. With regard the autograph. On the 18 November 1961 they were due to appear at a small package show at the Gaumont theatre with Billy Fury, Eden Kane,  The Karl Denver Trio and the Allisons.

In the hope to meet Billy Fury and Eden Kane, in my capacity as the Top Rank disc jockey on the Saturday afternoon I called in and went to the dressing rooms.  There was Karl Denver who greeted me by name as it had only been a few weeks earlier that he and the trio had been guests for the show at the ballroom. On the night his autograph was signed, "to our best disc jockey". The Allisons were there too, and bought me a coke, I enjoyed the time with them hence the autograph. In the conversation, Eden Kane and Billy Fury would be in later, however in 1962 I would meet up with Billy Fury and Eden Kane. 

I would also meet up again with the Allisons as they appeared at the Majestic on Wednesday evening the 4th of April 1962 and remembered how we met had up a few months earlier. During a break John Allison joined me at Vivs bar for a quick half, but unlike my visit with Shane Fenton no-one enquired who he was. It was good to spend more time with them and  as Dadio hadn’t met them, it was really a good evening. 

The Barron Knights, one of the big beat groups to score hits with records designed to be funny,were actually a band who could always deliver a different evening's entertainment far beyond the dictates of passing trends.

At this time vocalist, Duke d' Mond was emphasised in the billing as he was fundamentality a front. It was said that he was sensitive about his non- instrumental roll,as in publicity shots he often contrived to clutch a harmonica or a minor percussion instrument to counter this impression. The others were; Barron Anthony (bass guitar, vocals), Butch Baker (lead guitar, vocals),  Peter (Peanuts) Langford( guitar, keyboard, vocals) and Dave Ballingham (drummer).

It was during one of their visits at the Majestic in 1963 that as they were packing up Pete (Peanuts) Langford told me, 'that if they didn't make the big time in twelve months they would seriously consider packing  it in'. Both Dadio and myself got to know them pretty well,  and they would invite us on stage for sing a couple of numbers, as Pete Langford introduced us as the Singing Top Rank DJs, all good fun in front of our Majestic crowd.

Ironically,the clincher came in July 1964 when the marathon Call Up The Groups marched into Number Three  after a sensational  Ready, Steady, Go preview. They were on their way,having three more hits well into the 80s and beyond.

Barron Anthony retired in 1983, as did Buch Baker in 2007,  and 

Duke d' Mond passed away in 2009, however the group did carry on until recently  with only Peter( Peanuts) Langford from the original line up.