Majestic Ballroom (Crewe)

The Majestic Ballroom was in the High Street, Crewe, Cheshire and opened on Saturday, May 27, 1961 with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes.

The Majestic Balllroom was owned by the Rank Organisation and was formerly the 700-seater cinema The Queens Hall which had opened on Thursday, December 29, 1910. It was renamed The New Queen's Cinema in January 1930 when it was equipped with a Western Electric sound system and showed the film 'Showboat.' It was taken over by the J. F. Emery Circuit in 1931 and closed on Saturday, May 27, 1933 to be demolished.

It then became The Plaza Cinema which was built on an adjoining site and was opened on Armistice Day, Saturday, November 11, 1933 with Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook in the film 'Cavalcade.'

The Plaza Cinema was acquired by The Rank Organisation and the name was changed to The Gaumont Cinema on Sunday, May 27, 1956.

The Gaumont Cinema closed on Saturday, August 12, 1961 with James Stewart in the films 'Two Rode Together' and 'A Question Of Suspense,' but had already reopened as The Majestic Ballroom on Saturday, May 27, 1961.

The Beat club nights held here were billed as 'The biggest Rock since Blackpool Rock.'

From Sunday, August 8, 1965 it was converted into a Top Rank Bingo Club. By 1971 it had been sold to the Hutchinson Bingo Group. When Mr. A. Hutchinson passed away; the company was sold to Appollo Leisure.

It became The Appollo Cinema which opened on Thursday, May 24, 1990 and closed on Monday, December 5, 2005.

They later added three cinema screens and the building was converted into the M Club in 2007. The club closed in 2010 and the lease was brought by Sainsburys Supermarket. However, once Sainsburys discovered that Tesco had acquired a site directly opposite their proposed new store the building was sold on and eventually demolished during 2016.

Our thanks to John H, Warburg 13 June 2023

Known Gigs 

Saturday, May 27, 1961: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes - Opening night of this club.

Saturday, November 4, 1961: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes

Monday, August 13, 1962: The Beatles - The Beatles début gig at this club.

Monday, August 20, 1962: The Beatles - The Beatles second and last gig at this club.

Saturday, January 26, 1963: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes

Monday, February 4, 1963: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes

Thursday, February 14, 1963: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes

Thursday, July 18, 1963: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, The Talismen

Saturday, July 20, 1963: Rory Storm and the Hurricanes

Saturday, September 28, 1963: Peter Nelson and the Travellers, The Pacifics, 7.30pm - 11.30pm

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Tel Crewe 2345 Presents Direct From Germany - The Sensational Peter Nelson and the Travellers Plus The Pacifics Saturday, 28th September, 7.30 to 11.30 p.m.  Admission 4. Licensed Bars : Late Transport. 

Monday, September 30, 1963: A Crazy Rock Night with Rocking Henri and the Hayseeds, Barry B. Goode and the Hotrods, 7.30pm - 10.30pm

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Tel Crewe 2345 Presenting A Crazy Rock Night with Rocking Henri and the Hayseeds with Barry B. Goode And The Hotrods 7.30 to 10.30 p.m. Admission 3s.

Saturday, October 5, 1963: The Beat Show of 1963 with Shane Fenton and the Fentones, The Hollies, The Marauders, Frank Kelly and the Hunters, 7.30pm - 11.30pm

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Tel Crewe 2345 Presents - The Beat Show of 1963 - Starring Shane Fenton And The Fentones The Hollies : The Marauders Frank Kelly And The Hunters This Saturday, 5th October. 7-30 to 11-30 p.m. Admission only 6/ - Late Transport :  Licensed Bars : Don't miss this Sensational Attraction !

Monday, October 7, 1963: Chris Ravel and the Ravers, Barry B. Goode and the Hotrods, 7.30pm - 11.30pm

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Tel Crewe 2345 Presents - The Beat Show of 1963 - Presenting This Sensational Star of ''Easy Beat'' ''Saturday Club'' TV Recording Star Chris Ravel And The Ravers Plus - Barry B. Goode And The Hotrods This Monday, 7th October. 7-30 to 10-30 p.m. Admission 4/- Licensed Bars Licensed Bars.

Saturday, July 25, 1964: The Pretty Things (Sidcup, Kent)

Saturday, August 8, 1964: Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders, Dene Wayne and the Exiles, 7.30pm - 11.30pm

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Presents by demand Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders with Dene Wayne And The Exiles Saturday, 8th Aug., 7.30 to 11.30 p.m. Adm. 6/-. ''Beat the Clock'' 5/- Licensed Bars : Late transport.

Monday, August 10, 1964: The Blue Venoms, 7.30pm - 10.30pm

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Mersey Beat Nite presents - The Blue Venoms Monday, 10th August 7.30 to 10.30 p.m. Admission only 2/6 Licensed Bars.

Saturday, December 19, 1964: Mike Sheridan and the Nightriders, Wee Ugh and the Skins

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Presents - A Return Visit of Mike Sheridan & the Nightriders Plus - Wee Ugh and The Skins Saturday, December 19th, 7-30 to 11-30 p.m. Admission 6/6d. Licensed Bars :: Late transport.

Monday, December 21, 1964: Mersey Beat Night with The Orients, Barry B. Goode and the Hotrods, 7.30pm - 10.30pm

Advertised as: Top Rank Dancing Majestic Ballroom, Crewe Mersey Beat Nite presents - The Orients Plus - Barry B. Goode and The Hotrods Monday, December 21st, 7-30 to 10-30 p.m. Admission only 2/6d. Licensed Bars. 

Our thanks to John H, Warburg for the info, partly sourced from:

https://www.setlist.fm/venue/majestic-ballroom-crewe-england-63d4569b.html

https://www.beatlesbible.com/1962/08/13/live-majestic-ballroom-crewe/

http://www.45worlds.com/live/venue/majestic-ballroom-uk687414