This photo from October 1967 shows a little piece of musical history.
Next the hoardings around St Mary’s Church you can see the Astoria in Rawtenstall, one of the most important music venues in East Lancashire until its closure the previous year.
Originally a car showroom a workshop, the Astoria was run by the Myserscough family.
With a sprung dancefloor, it had a capacity of 800 and in the late 1940s and 1950s hosted some of the biggest dance bands and vocalists including the Johnny Dankworth Orchestra with Cleo Laine, Ted Heath’s Orchestra and Ivy Benson and her all Girl Orchestra.
By the Sixties it was welcoming a younger crowd caught up in the rock and roll boom. The Animals, The Who, the Small Faces and local favourite The Hollies all played the Astoria.
Did you ever go to the Astoria? Who did you see there?
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel