All the stars have been to the Concorde ...

11:59am Monday 29th October 2007

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My wife Anne and I are not necessarily nightclubers, but over the 30-odd years we have been in the Southampton area we have enjoyed many a night at the Concorde Club in Eastleigh.

This week we were privileged to be among the packed audience which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the club.

We were honoured to sit on the same table as the owner who started the club back in 1957, Cole Mathieson, and his wife Pauline.

It all started in September 1957 at the Bassett Hotel but in 1969 Cole informed the brewery new premises were needed.

In August 1970, the Concorde reopened in an old schoolhouse in Stoneham Lane.

Over the years, many alterations and extensions, including the Ellington Lodge hotel, have been added.

It is a quality venue where strict rules have always applied over age of entry, proper dress and the food is first class.

But what it is famous for around the whole world of music is the quality of musicians who have played there.

There are far too many to list here but included in their early days are Rod Stewart, Elton John, Georgie Fame, Alan Price, Robert Plant etc.

Many tributes were paid on the night.

I myself remembered apart from my own visits that it was a regular haunt for some of my talented players including Peter Shilton, Alan Ball, Kevin Keegan, Peter Osgood and Mick Channon.

I didn't mind them going, but not necessarily on the nights they went so close to a game.

But that's another story - they didn't do bad after all, did they!

Many tales were told by various speakers, the evening was MC'd wonderfully well by Richard Cartridge who broadcasts now every Sunday on Original FM but is also a talented musician in his own right with his own group.

The comedy spot was filled by Adger Brown who had everyone in stitches.

Then the highlight of the night was the most wonderful performance by Elkie Brooks.

She gave a one hour non-stop, spectacular performance backed by the most talented musicians you would ever hear.

She was famous at one time for a wonderful song called Pearl's a Singer and many more including Lilac Wine.

Some readers will remember Rosemary Squires who was also a guest on the evening.

It's fantastic that these quality performers are still to be seen around the country.

It was a tribute to Cole, his wife and family, Fiona, Kirsty and Jamie, who put on such a wonderful evening of food, wine and top class entertainment.