SHE has lit up the stage in Glasgow on many occasions, but for one Times Past reader, Dame Shirley Bassey’s most memorable performance was in an unexpected venue.
“I was a shopfitter in Glasgow for many years of my working life, and I remember fitting out many of the city shops – Benefit on Argyle Street, Saxone on Sauchiehall Street and Buchanan Street, Pierre Cardin…” says John McCluskey, who now stays in Hamilton.
“And guess who came to open the Sauchiehall Street branch of Saxone?
“Shirley Bassey!”
Shirley, famous for a string of hits including Bond songs Goldfinger and Diamonds are Forever, was only 18 when she first appeared in Glasgow at the Empire Theatre, and she has played at many city venues since.
Did anyone else spot Shirley at this unlikeliest of gigs? Get in touch to share your stories and memories by emailing ann.fotheringham@glasgowtimes.co.uk or write to Ann Fotheringham, Glasgow Times, 125 Fullarton Drive, Glasgow G32 8FG. Who else have you spotted in the city over the decades?
READ MORE: Glasgow Apollo: Fans share memories of legendary venue
John also worked as a project manager fitting out the Theatre Royal, RSAMD, Princes Square and many, many more.
“I wonder if any other readers remember the Alpine Lodge?” he says. “It used to have some great entertainment on.”
Following our recent Famous Faces in Glasgow features, John and other readers have got in touch to share their memories of some of the celebrities they have spotted in the city.
Elizabeth Carroll wrote to tell us her late father, Bill McCloy, was once ‘Scotland’s top cocktail barman’, working at The Royal and the Rogano in Glasgow in the 30s.
“He was well known and he told us he had served many stars over the decades,” says Elizabeth, who is from Airdrie.
“He told us he had served Royalty too – including HRH The Duke of Edinburgh when he was on a visit to Glasgow.
“He joined the army in 1940, and when we moved to Airdrie in 1948, he became manager of the Temple Bar. He was very well known.”
Prince Philip accompanied the Queen on a visit to the Gorbals in June 1961. The Royal couple have visited Glasgow on various occasions over the years.
Iain Henderson, of Ibrox, got in touch after our recent story on film star Yul Brynner’s visit to Glasgow in 1959, where he entranced fans and the press alike.
Iain says: “This feature brought back happy memories for me. I wrote to Yul Brynner in 1980, when he was appearing on the London stage in The King and I with Virginia McKenna.
He sent me back a 10 x 8 black and white photo, signed by him, of the show and I still have it to this day.
“A few years later, my mum and dad were in Arrochar on a day trip and just as they walked into the Greenbank Restaurant, Yul Brynner walked out. He smiled at them, and it made their day.”
Iain adds: “Who could ever forget Yul Brynner’s memorable performances in The King and I, The Magnificent Seven and Westworld?”
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