The reason for that is, and I don’t think this is exaggeration, it’s unlikely we would have the lively interest in Scotland’s folk song traditions we have today had it not been for the stimulation Arthur gave that interest in previous decades.Īrthur was born in 1935 and his own interest was determined in part by his ancestry. I am honoured to nominate, and delighted to welcome, Arthur Argo to the Hands Up for Trad Hall of Fame.įew people are more deserving of this honour. Local singers, Jim Lafferty,Bob Halley,Singers from Elie Club.We asked Rab Noakes to write down his thoughts on Arthur Argo and his legacy. Everybody in the East of Scotland folk scene was there! Alan Robson and the Kirkcaldy Folk club singers were there. Ģ0/10/68-Pete Stanley and Brian Golbey.Ħ/4/69-The Humblebums, ( probably with Gerry Rafferty ).ġ1/4/71-Archie Fisher was our guest on this the final night of the Folk Club. Apologised later in person.ģ0/11/66-Mike Heron and Robin Williamson.Ģ5/10/67-The Livingstones, David Campbell.ġ4/2/68-Billy Connolly and Tam Harvey-The Humblebums.įolk night was changed from Wednesday to Sunday. (Dave and Toni Arthur)Ĥ/5/66-The Islanders and Mary McGannon.ġ6/11/66-Archie Fisher,booked but didn't appear. Brought along star pupil John Martyn!ġ7/3/65-Alex Campbell with Lou Killen, Archie Fisher, Roy Harris.ĥ/5/65-Cyril Tawney, Jackie and Bridie.Ģ1/9/65-Robin Williamson and Clive Palmer.ġ7/11/65-Doris Henderson and John Renbourne.Ģ/3/66-The Strollers. Successful Local night.Ģ5/11/64-Hamish Imlach. Archie Fisher.Ģ2/1/64-St Andrews Singers, Bill and Chet.ġ1/11/64-Islanders couldn't make it. We have been wanting to do this for a long time and we hope this will bring back memories, even the ones when singers didn't turn up, and Matt McGinn fell asleep on the train, woke up in Arbroath and got to the Woodlands in time to do his second set!Ģ7/3/63- First big night. I speak for Willie and myself in saying that these were nine years we will always remember with great affection (not these days always accurately)! Luckily Willie and I kept diaries from the beginning and most of the dates are fairly accurate. Also the truth was the interest in folk music nationally was waning. We would have had to increase the door prices to 5/- 25p to keep it running. The reason the club was closed was because of the increase in fees of many of the artistes. We were not really a traditional music club and many people in the folk scene objected to this but we provided entertainment right up until the very last night. Willie continued as compere and a friend of ours Bob Clarke acted as doorman. I took over when Eric gave up the committee and The Inn Folk were born when Ally Lowden joined us on bass, eventually being replaced by Allan Barty on fiddle and mandolin. Eric Denovan did all the bookings initially.
Willie and I continued as resident group, eventually taking over the running of it. If I have forgotten anyone please remind me.
The people that I can remember who were at that first meeting in Ann St School included David Smith, Willie Whyte, yours truly Russ Paterson, Colin Speed, Robin McKidd and I think possibly Chris Rattray. The list of performers and dates will tell the story regarding various venues over the years until our final venue in Woodlands Hotel. Willie Whyte was the compere that night and for the next 9 years he became adept at maintaining absolute silence when guests and local singers were performing. The name can still be seen in tiles on the pavement, although it's now a student residence.Īrchie duly arrived that evening and brought along Bert Jansch, Jill Guest, Josh MacRae, Maurice Frankel and Pete Shepherd, along with our local singers. We decided to hire The Royal British Hotel at the top of Castle St. The next step was a meeting in Ann St school, which was to be the headquarters until the 20 or so people who turned up, saved up enough money to afford a guest singer! At 2/6 a week each it didn't take us too long to save up for the only folksinger we knew then, Archie Fisher! Our policy then and throughout the years of the club was to make sure we had money to pay for the guest and venue before he/she was booked. The Dundee Folksong Club as it was then called, started with an ad in the local paper appealing for interested parties to contact a phone number.
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