69th Year! 
69th Year!
The Whole Story of The Kinema Ballroom Dunfermline
(Includes the Cinemas of Dunfermline & Rosyth)
69th Year! |
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| Memories The ballroom must have touched most folks living in this area at some point in their lives not to mention visitors to the area (including our seafaring visitors from The Royal Navy at Rosyth Dockyard / Fleet Base). If you have particular memories of the ballroom and / or artists / bands who played there and would like to share them, contact me using my Feedback form. Be sure to indicate if you wish them to be published here and whether you wish to be credited or remain anonymous!
Bands: Activan
Ballroom General Regards
2. Cecil Hunter's favourite band was Osibisa, while he reckoned Curved Air were the loudest! John Hunter
3. "My Mum, Sarah Morrison, (Sal) was a cleaner from about the late 1940s and finally she became the Manageress of the Kinema Ballroom cafeteria. She worked there until about 1969/70. She was a formidable woman. My memory was that she worked morning and night to try to earn enough money to bring us (three boys) up. I used to help her on a Saturday morning by cleaning the floor and the central crystal ceiling ball. Your photographs bring back lovely memories of my Mum and meeting my wife Jane on the night the Swinging Blue Jeans played at the Kinema. We have now been married for nearly forty years. I can recall Horace Demarco and his band and me playing the drums when they were unattended on a Saturday. The Red Hawks were very popular. Some of my fondest memories were of Cecil Hunter. He was a real gentleman and treated my Mum with great kindness. I wish you well with your web site. It has brought my wife and I some lovely memories of good times. Thanks. Tom Morrison
4. "Played the ballroom myself once, supporting ' Big Country' (Bruce's brother Scott was our drummer so it made it easier to get the gig)". "I had just left a band called 'Low Profile', who later became 'The Big Easy', and formed a band called 'Time' with Scott Watson (drums) and James (Rusty) Russell, both ex 'Grey Dawn' and Alan Cunningham (keyboards) ex 'Highlander". "It was Xmas time and the memory of the most responsive crowd ever will stay with me till the end"."I later left and continued vocals with 'The Gravy Train' who had a little recording studio in a farmhouse in Cowdenbeath and who gigged heavily around Scotland". "Took some time out to record some vocals with Manny Charlton and then left to see a bit of the world". "Great to see the names from the past and laugh when I think of Pano and how he cajoled all the little bands' singers into his little studio above Shafi's to sing his rendition of 'Band Aid's Feed The World". "Also recorded at Cammy's Sunset Studios with a band from Edinburgh". "Willie Adamson from ' Trax' became a great friend when he joined 'Blue jazz' who were to become '7 West' and then 'Shine' who released an album through SBK records called 'A Far and Distant Shore". "Remember Bruce and The Delinx like it was yesterday and 'The Skids', 'The Clash' and every second band that ever played the place". "Ended up selling my soul and playing with 'Percy And The Peanuts' before I left Scotland".Davey Campbell - The Gift
5. "I'm 58 now and still remember attending my first gig at The Kinema Ballroom on Wednesday, 14th of October, 1964". "The band was 'Herman's Hermits' and I was 15 years old". "This was my first of many gigs over the years and as I grew older and discovered the twin delights of women and alcohol". "I seemed to spend an awful lot of time in the Ballroom (who could forget the Candy Bar) and later the Belleville Hotel". "Happy Days!" "Well done for organising this site which I just happened to stumble across". "It's been hugely enjoyable taking a trip down memory lane". Alexander (Sandy) Shepherd
6. "I had many nights at The Kinema but two aspects still stick in my memory: The guy that used to sit on a ledge above the side exit with a follow spot to pick out troublemakers and the horrible dressing rooms!" "I should remember more but I spent too much time across the road in the boozers on the corner of Pilmuir St." "Once again a very worthwhile site. We need more like this to keep the grey cells active." Cheers,
7. "During my late teens (around 1954 - 56) the popular place to go on a Saturday evening was 'the dancing' (ballroom type-foxtrot, waltz, quickstep, plus an occasional tango). Although Burntisland had a dance hall (the Palais), it was not popular with many of the people in my age group. It attracted an older clientele." "There are two things that remain in my memory about going to the dancing in Dunfermline. One was that we had to get there very early to have any chance of getting in. The other was that their band, at that time, was considered to be the best in the district." "There was an amusing incident which happened at the dancing in Dunfermline and for some reason I have never forgotten. It was announced that "the next dance will be a Mambo". (At the time a recording of a Mambo by Perez Prado & his Orchestra was a big hit). There was a lad standing close to me who turned to the person next to him and asked "how the h**l do you do the Mambo?" "I now live in New Zealand." "All the best to all involved in your website." Stuart Alexander
8. "Gosh! Do I remember the Ballroom – so many memories, aged 16 convincing the bouncers that I was actually 18, sneaking back out to purchase cheap drink at the off licence and getting back in again. The bands, the discos, the name changes and re-launches. Girl friends, bar maids … I had forgotten how much this was a part of my life. Having spent many, many years cruising the bars and clubs of Dunfermline and now living many miles away, it was fascinating to come across the site." "Do you also remember The Well, The Road House, not to mention the other central town favourites, Maggie’s and few others who’s name escape me at present. I do recall one Sunday evening when the Skids had just completed a UK tour and this was celebrated with an all night party at Maggie’s – I don’t think my employer, at the time, was impressed with me on the Monday morning!" "I have moved on now and don’t feel that I have any true roots in Dunfermline, but this has been a remarkable trip down memory lane – if we could have one night of turning back the clock, I’d definitely attend, as there are so many people I’d love to meet up with again." Stephen Russell
9. "My mother Christine Taylor worked at Rosyth Palace from around 1960 to around 1968 (certainly when your father was there as I recall his name). She started as an usherette moving to the cash desk at the door, as a result I always got into the pictures for nothing! The Manger prior to your father was a Mr Bell who sported a large moustache and always dressed in tweed jackets. I remember during a local bus strike one Saturday being asked if I would take a film reel to the Regal on my bike. I duly did this but do not recall being paid. I spent many happy times at the Palace and was sad when it closed." Keep up the good work. Regards Eddie Taylor
1. "Hi, I was the first Scottish DJ to play in Night Magic 1983/84". "I was employed by Bacchus of London and after my auditions in the big smoke was sent back to Scotland, to Dunfermline". "I had heard of the place, but being an Ayrshire boy fell in love with the place and the people very quickly". "I had some great times in Night Magic but after 14 months moved on spending a further 8 years working abroad". "Nice web page".
2. "I was the longest serving DJ at 'Night Magic' (from 1984 to 1990) I started there with Bacchus and continued for the longest ever DJ to stay for more than three months". "I have many photographs of lighting and will email those together with others". "I left there and worked for 'Dean Entertainments' who then bought 'Night Magic' and called it 'Hollywood Boulevard". "I moved to the USA in 1999 and I now own the largest DJ service in America and I live in New York". Best Wishes Dave Lorentzen
"I was a roadie with Activan and when they supported The Damned and The Ruts. Mel
"I remember that the Folk Club was fronted by a guy called Ian Plummer (son of the local lemonade works owner) also I remember attending the BBC recording of The Corries - we queued for hours to get a good seat but when we got in all the good seats were taken by local bigwigs and their friends etc. Didn't recognise any of them as regular supporters of the Folk Club!" Regards The evening Robert refers to was on Wednesday 5th February 1969 when the BBC recorded a program called 'The Corrie Folk' there.
Cream (Sunday 9th July 1967) "I was sixteen when the Cream played the Ballroom and it was the first proper gig I had ever been to. Up until Sunday 9 July 1967 I had only seen local bands, mainly playing chart covers. As an aspiring guitarist myself I was really excited about seeing the legendary Eric Clapton, having heard lots of his work with John Mayall. I had heard Fresh Cream but only a borrowed copy, as I couldn’t afford to buy it. The five bob for my ticket to Cream represented half my weekly pocket money as I was still at school. It’s a long time ago but I still have some quite vivid memories of the show. Clapton had the Afro hairdo and was wearing quite foppish hippy gear. Jack Bruce was a solid business-like presence on stage and Ginger Baker looked as if he was possessed by the devil. (I believe the jury is still out on that one.) It would be nice to say that I remembered the set song for song but I don’t. I remember they played Spoonful, Cat’s Squirrel, Rolling and Tumbling and Ginger Baker’s tour de force, Toad. I was struck by how effortless it seemed to be for Clapton to play great sounding solos and what a tremendous guitar sound he had. (He was playing a Gibson SG.) Jack Bruce did a lot of the singing and played Bass like Clapton played guitar – as though he was born doing it. But, although guitar has always been my passion and it was exciting to see the man they called "God" live, what really sticks with me is Ginger Baker and his physical commitment to his playing. I have never before or since seen anyone give so much of their physical being to playing music. At times he looked ready to collapse but the relentless thundering of his drumming never let up. The solo in Toad left people with their mouths hanging open. Drum solos are often suspect – a way to display technique rather than say anything musical – but Baker played a solo for (I think) about ten minutes that left me wishing he had gone on for longer. It’s difficult to describe it without lapsing into clichés – he went all the way from being a train to an ant tap dancing and back again. I didn’t just hear and see him playing – I felt it. Back then that was a really important lesson – at that time we guitar anoraks were obsessed with technique and speed. Baker had both in Spades but the most important thing was the feeling he expressed and his honesty and commitment to his art. That lesson has stayed with me and some might say that it was ironic that I learned it from a drummer. Since then I have seen many of my heroes live – some in The Ballroom – but as has been said many times before, there is nothing quite like your first time… Tony Duffy - Biocar I understand Cream played on the small stage rather than the main one and that it was fairly poorly attended! Someone (I forget who) told me that he wanted to go to see Cream with a friend who decided not to because he thought there wouldn't be many "burds" there! ... Unbelievable!
I was (to use a euphemism) 'well on' that night, however I seem to remember something from the early part of the gig, though perhaps someone else can clarify. Right from the beginning the band were missing Dave Vanian and some sort of excuse was offered. They then began playing the intro to the first tune (which also escapes me) and then just as the vocal would have kicked in, Vanian soars over the drums, having taken a run and hit a springboard I'm guessing, grabs the mike and begins singing to uproarious applause! Did I imagine some/all of that? Ghoulz.
Memory of: Sunday 2nd November 1969. "Don't know if this is of interest, as it happened a long time ago. I had to check the date on your site. What made it memorable to me was that in the Dunfermline Press, Fat Mattress was advertised as "FLAT Mattress", which I found mildly funny at the time, still do in fact.
"When Emile Ford appeared, (Wednesday 14th March 1962), he had roadies and a support team and he was also one of the first acts to use backing tapes. That night the engineer missed a cue but he soldiered on and when Emile came off stage he really tore the guy to bits, but he was a real pro." Watty Robertson
I can remember it was a great concert. Rory was at his best, I'm sure that guy had three hands. I was in the balcony with a crowd of friends which turned out to be a great spot as the place was heaving. One of the things that I have always remembered is two of the strings on his guitar broke midway through a song and it never even phased him, he just kept on playing like nothing had happened. What an entertainer. I saw him a couple of years later in the Apollo and he was every bit as good if not better. A great loss. R Niblo
I remember the Humblebums at the folk club (Billy Connolly and Gerry Rafferty) it must have been the late 60s or very early 70s, it was a great comedy act as The Big Yin took great pleasure in taking the **ss out of Gerry Rafferty and others. Cheers
"Hi Ghoulz,
I would like to share my memories of the Ivy League's visit to the Ballroom in 1965.
I was only 10 years old at the time, however, my dad was a fan and a friend of Perry Ford. After the gig, they all came back to our house in Comely Bank, Edinburgh. I remember watching them singing & playing on our piano into the early hours.
I enclose a signed promo photo made out to me and a little bit of information." David Adamson (drummer with Paradox)
"At the time when Elton John played the ballroom (St. Valentine's Day - Sunday 14th February 1971) he had an on-going dispute with a promoter in England and the Police seized his fee, much to Dad's (Cecil Hunter - the Manager) annoyance as he thought Elton was a class act, and so he proved to be." John Hunter
"I also saw Elton in the Kinema and if I remember right he had gold lam'e hot pants on. He was excellent too, he had the whole place jumping. He even played the piano upside down." R Niblo
"I saw many class acts at the "Ballroom" as it was known, The Who being my favourite but the most memorable evening was when Mary Joyce and I blagged our way past the bouncers claiming to be reporters from The Dunfermline Press! Having neither notebooks, pens or tape recorders, we couldn't believe it when we were allowed in to "interview" Elton John who was charming. He quickly realised that we hadn't a clue and answered our inane questions politely. I remember asking him where he'd bought his beautiful midnight blue velvet cloak and he told me he'd bought it in San Francisco. When I very brazenly asked if I could have it his reply was a curt "No". The excitement at having Herman's Hermits autographs on my left arm had been eclipsed!" Elisabeth Lewis (formerly Gammack)
I was one of only four who saw Judas Priest, yes and I know them all :-) The bouncers left us alone and went to the upstairs bar. One of my mates had a spliff and handed it to 'Halford' who had long hair and who chatted to us for a few moments before the band started. Amazing to think of it now! John Edwards
"When The Red Hawks Mk11 became the resident band in the K/B before the extension was built they had to share the same dressing room with all the visiting artists. Billy Fury appeared during this time and one of his tricks was to put the centre of a toilet roll down his pants to impress the ladies and of course he did! Among the groups also to appear at this time were The Barron Knights who were a great bunch of guys. Roger Whittaker also appeared on his first tour and as he had no backing group, The Red Hawks stepped in. He was so impressed with the band he asked if he could be announced as the guy up from the audience." Watty Robertson
Memory of Sunday 4th November 1979 Hi, One of the best gigs I ever attended was at the Kinema as a 16 year old punk. It was in 1979 - The Ruts supported by The Flys, who included Hazel O'Conner's brother in their ranks. I remember a great disco that night also with 'Gary Gilmore's Eyes and 'Shot by Both Sides' sticking in my brain!! Oh happy days!! Cheers,
The Sensational Alex Harvey Band Alex Harvey came on...with a whip, in thigh length red girls boots (Emma Peel Avengers style). 'Zal' was in Clown costume. There weren't that many at that gig... but I guess it was a few hundred...mostly of the usual Kinema crowd...normally and mostly girls with handbags at their feet. John Edwards
Memory of: Sunday 23rd March 1979. "As roadie / photographer (and as it’s turned out, archivist) for Trax, I was privileged to be both backstage & in the dressing rooms before, during and after gigs. We arrived in good time and equipped the stage with the necessary communal gear such as PA and drum risers etc while the lights were repositioned and tested. Sound checks were completed and all possible preparations were made to ensure a swift transition between bands such as only partially dismantling The Skids’ drum kit, as Trax would appear first. Being as Dunfermline was a hometown gig for both Trax & Skids we were somewhat nervous as the audience was full of personal friends but perhaps it was due to that nervousness that Trax played a blistering set. It was one of their best ever gigs to my knowledge and I reckon I saw them more often than anyone else. The capacity crowd knew it too as their chants of “Trax! Trax! Trax!” demanded an encore. Richard, Tam, Bill and especially Stuart Adamson agreed that Trax had had a great gig and hearty congratulations flowed like beer from the carelessly kicked beer cans in the dressing room. While the Skids’ roadies and I cleared the stage and helped to assemble the gear for the Skids' set, Trax settled down to watch Stuart, Bill, Tam & Ricky (literally in Ricky's case) kick the already frenzied crowd up another couple of gears. I saw The Skids live several times in 78/79 and they were consistently stunning live but this particular night they were somewhat off-colour. I don’t know what the problem was but the performance given that night (which most bands would have died for) was relatively lackluster. The crowd loved it anyway and went nuts as usual. In fact I had to go down-stairs into the foyer during The Skids' set and had to dodge pygmy light bulbs & bits of plaster falling from the ceiling as the crowd pogo'd en masse upstairs! However as the set was completed and they left the stage the crowd weren’t quite as rabid as on previous nights. As Stuart headed for the dressing room I heard him shout “That was Sh***!" The Skids always had to do encores or there would be a lynching, but that night the punters’ baying diminished early and was rapidly replaced by the earlier chant of “Trax! Trax! Trax!” again! We couldn’t believe it and were astonished to hear Stuart say that he thought Trax should get out there and give them what they wanted because the Skids didn’t deserve the encore! On reflection we ought not to have been surprised because that was the kind of person Stuart was, generous to a fault and very supportive of other, especially local, bands. What an opportunity to be given, especially on our own home turf! A very short discussion took place between Nobby, Will, Deke, Dougie & Neil and a unanimous decision made that they couldn’t possibly accept, it just wouldn’t be right. They were good friends and Trax weren’t about to do anything to damage that relationship. Stuart & Co reluctantly accepted the decision and took to the stage once more, this time delivering a blinder. What a night!" Ghoulz
Memory of: Thursday 12th October 1978.
"This was during the latter part of the much superior John Foxx-era Ultravox, when they doing a tour to promote the 'Systems of Romance' album.
The audience was 300 ish (much less than half full), but everyone there that night had a great time. Even the band looked as if they were enjoying themselves. Well, they did appear for three encores!
This gig is also my wife's all-time gig too, all though we were barely aware of each other's existence back then. She got backstage to meet the band (jammy so-and-so!).
Very much doubt this gig will ever be bettered."
Ray & Kay Smillie
Memory of: Sunday 27th April 1969
Support band was called "The Shadettes" a local band from Burntisland/Dunfermline/Cowdenbeath who shortly thereafter renamed themselves as "Nazareth" and became minor heavy metal celebrities in their own right. Lineup at the time include Darrell Sweet (who died about a year ago) and Manny Charlton.
Roger Daltrey drove away from the venue in a Corvette Stingray with custom exhaust pipes down the side - at that time completely unseen outside the US." John M. Millar
Info from: www.thewholive.de
It's kind of hard to imagine that this gig took place about 4 months before their appearance at Woodstock. It certainly paints a picture of the live scene at the time when a band can play the ballroom one minute and in front of 400,000 the next.
David McLaren
"Wild Horses played to an almost empty ballroom on Sunday 26th November 1978 though despite this (to their great credit) they played a full set to a highly appreciative, slightly embarrassed audience who could not have numbered much more than approx twenty. I can attest that in return the audience made a noise completely disproportionate to their number." Ghoulz
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