Iconic venue to be honoured

Club a’Gogo, which once stood on Newcastle’s Percy Street, hosted music legends Pink Floyd, The Who, the Rolling Stones, The Yardbirds, Cream and Jeff Beck among others.

It was also known as the home of The Animals and where Jimi Hendrix started his career in the UK.

The decision to mount a commemorative plaque on Eldon Square Car Park (the former site of the Handyside Arcade, the building in which the club was located) was taken after a campaign by Jools and Paul Donnelly of Gateshead.

Paul of Wardley, said: "We are very proud to have been successful in getting this plaque awarded and put in place.

“We have long felt it was a very important to have the Club a'Gogo and the Handyside Arcade recognised.

“The club was iconic and hosted huge artists from all over the world. Along with the Handyside Arcade it is a standout in Newcastle's musical and cultural history.

“We now hope that many people who were not aware of this history may now learn about our rich musical past."

Club a’Gogo opened in 1962 above the Handyside Arcade. It closed six years later in 1968 and became a prize bingo. The Arcade was demolished in 1987 to make way for Eldon Garden car park.

Attending the unveiling, Newcastle’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Karen Robinson, said: “In its day the Club a’Gogo made quite a name for itself as a music venue because of the big names who performed there in the early part of their careers. The building disappeared a long time ago but the name has lived on.

“It’s only right that Club a’Gogo’s place in Newcastle’s music scene is immortalised with a commemorative plaque.

“The organisers Jools and Paul carried out research into the building during lockdown, and I am delighted their hard work has paid off.”

Dozens of music lovers connected with the building are expected to attend the unveiling at 11am on Thursday, September 8, followed by a celebration in a nearby venue.