After playing a gig at the Poco A Poco club on Manchester Road, the legendary singer made a dash for the railway station
On 27 April 1970, the legendary singer played a solo acoustic gig at the Poco A Poco club on Manchester Road(Image: MEN)
We’ve all been in that unfortunate position, where try as we might to reach the platform in time, we just miss the last train home.
Looking around the concourse exasperated and in search on answers we start to weigh up our options – try and catch the last bus, hail a cab or, if the hour is late enough, find somewhere within the station to get some kip.
As it happens, one spring evening in 1970, a musician by the name of David Bowie found himself in this very predicament – but he had a little further to travel than the average Stopfordian.
On 27 April 1970, the legendary singer played a solo acoustic gig at the Poco A Poco club on Manchester Road, Heaton Chapel supported by Barclay James Harvest, High Tide and Purple Gang.
Exterior view of the Poco A Poco club on Manchester Road and Denby Lane junction in Heaton Chapel, Stockport. The building was formerly the Empress Cinema then later the later the Empress Club and hosted many a big name star. It was demolished in May 1987.
Picture taken August 22, 1974(Image: Mirrorpix)
After his sell-out performance, David missed his train back to London and spent the night sleeping on Stockport station.
To mark this rather unique sleepover, next week – 55 years to the day – a commemorative plaque will be unveiled at the side of the Stockport British Rail sign on Grand Central Square (opposite the Sainsbury’s Local next to the short stay station car park).
The result of a collaboration between The Stockport Music Story and Avanti West Coast, it will also give attendees to chance to meet the Stockport sixth-formers from Stockport Schools’ Students’ Union who booked David Bowie to play this concert in Stockport.
David Bowie(Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire)
After unveiling, they will convene to the Conference Room on Platform 3 of Stockport Station for refreshments of tea, coffee and biscuits and an ‘In Conversation With’ the very special guests, who have fascinating stories to tell.
The talk will cover how these sixth-formers were in the position to organise the gig, how they made it happen and their memories of this epic musical night.
The Stockport Music Story is a celebration of the south Manchester town’s illustrious music legacy, from 10cc to Blossoms, and highlights the cultural significance of the places where ground-breaking music was made and played.
It is curated by John and Rosemary Barratt, a husband-and-wife creative team who have been delivering community arts and music projects in Stockport since 2011.
John and Rosemary from The Stockport Music Story with Thom Rylance of The Lottery Winners and Clint Boon (Image: Supplied)
As the pair explain through a series of tours, maps and podcasts, Stockport has a unique musical heritage. All manner of famous faces have visited including The Beatles, who played one of their last club gigs at the Offerton Palace Theatre in June 1963, and The Rolling Stones who played at The Essoldo cinema in May 1964.
Many other legendary names including The Who, The Kinks, Small Faces, Pink Floyd, Rod Stewart and Elton John also played at music venues in Stockport, including The Manor Lounge, The Tabernacle and The Sinking Ship.
Seats for this free event on April 27 are limited due to space in the conference room so people are advised to only book as many tickets as they need. As it stands there is a waiting list for tickets.
They will be meeting underneath the Stockport sign on the station wall, adjacent to the short stay station car park and a short distance from the NCP car park at 11, Railway Road.