Groove (Ashton under Lyne)

The Groove was on George Street in Ashton-u-Lyne. Entry was via the record shop and down into the basement. There was also a ladies dress shop on the ground floor as part of the same unit, all owned by the same family. Think they were called Lilley and the club was run by the son, Greg.

I can recall seeing The Alexis Korner Trio here and The St Louis Union, but there the memories fade.

Dave Ward - 19/5/09

Many thanks to Dave Ward for his recollections of The Groove. He flatters me in saying I ran it. My parents owned the premises, and putting on bands grew from some family parties we had there.

One band, almost resident, was Bo Kelly and the Thingamujigs; another, whose name I forget, had Rob Ashworth as singer and Steve Broadbent on guitar.

When it became a venue we kept none of the door income - this was given to a committee headed by Trev and Barry Hilditch, and the idea was to reinvest it into getting better bands. We always thought we were two good gigs from booking The Yardbirds.

Alexis Korner was a bit of a bust as he arrived very late; he played another gig on the way. But we had Downliners Sect and a few other good bands.

My own best memories aren't so much of the place, or the bands: it was the people I met there. Thanks to all.

Greg Lilley - 27/2/14