Friday, August 27, 2010

Gammer and His Familiars

There used to be a great old Victorian pub in Openshaw, Manchester called the Gransmoor. It is now no more, another victim of exorbitant taxes, the smoking ban and cheap supermarket booze. But in the late 70s, like so many pubs in Manchester and elsewhere, the place was a venue for local bands. It was here, around 1977, slightly underage, I discovered Gammer, later incarnated as Gammer and His Familiars. I last saw him at the Band on the Wall in about 1980.

Here he is in 1982:

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I and my family used to visit the Gransmoor and remember Gamma - brilliant act. There were other upcoming bands on - and I remember Tony Wilson visiting once to look at booking the acts. I always thought Gamma would make it big. Another pub we used to go to was the Napoleon on Cornwall Street that had many artists that had been big names in their day - Rosemarie, Russ Conway, Heinz, Screaming Lord Sutch etc., etc., Those were the days!! Nice memories.

Anonymous said...

I and my family used to visit the Gransmoor and remember Gamma - brilliant act. There were other upcoming bands on - and I remember Tony Wilson visiting once to look at booking the acts. I always thought Gamma would make it big. Another pub we used to go to was the Napoleon on Cornwall Street that had many artists that had been big names in their day - Rosemarie, Russ Conway, Heinz, Screaming Lord Sutch etc., etc., Those were the days!! Nice memories

Gregg said...

The Napoleon, just before Ashton Old Road on Cornwall up from the Railway on the opposite side. Used to have 'exotic dancers' on at lunchtimes. Thought that, and the Gransmoor, would go on for ever. The Garibaldi's still going strong I guess you'll know that onev too. My uncle was briefly relief landlord there in the very early 70s. Oh yes, great memories, thanks for your comment.