The Boys, the Old Mill, The Kor-Tels, Union Blues Soul Band and The Falcons are just some of the many names synonymous with the Timaru music scene. In this new series, reporter Connor Haley talks to Timaru music historian Lyall Smillie and others about the people and places that made up the golden age of Timaru live music. This week’s edition focuses on Timaru’s first nightclub.
Nestled above the shops on Stafford St, where Rebel Sport now resides, once sat the South Island’s teenage mecca, the Downtown Niteclub.
Opened in 1965 by Ray Wright, the Downtown was an alcohol-free venue that ushered in a new era of live music in Timaru.
In those days, pubs were required to close at 6pm and most bands played ballroomstyle music at venues like the Scottish Hall.
The introduction of music on solid body electric guitars from the likes of The Shadows, Cliff Richard, Elvis and The Beatles led to a massive change in the style of music being consumed and therefore played by teenagers in the 1960s.
Timaru music historian Lyall Smillie said the Downtown was the first venue of its kind in Timaru.
‘‘In the ’50s there were little coffee bar-type things but they didn’t last that long. The police station youth club was sort of the first to bring in guitar bands in the early ’60s.
‘‘With the Downtown being alcohol-free, it could remain open well into the night and early morning compared to the pubs.
‘‘The place would be packed and people would be queuing right down Stafford St just to get a seat when the doors opened, otherwise you’d have to stand.’’
He said the bands had to be pretty good to play there.
‘‘The standard was really high; with the pub scene you could just play three chords and you’d get by.
‘‘The Downtown was a massive hotspot and you had a lot of bands from outside Timaru like The Underdogs, The Avengers and some top Christchurch bands wanting to come down and play there.’’
The Boys lead guitarist Moz Sammons fondly remembered the club.
‘‘Many well-known New Zealand bands played there with The Boys as the supporting band. We were the resident band who played there on Fridays and Saturdays.
‘‘I remember watching The Avengers rehearse and how they approached it. It was a great learning curve to see how professional musos worked.
‘‘There are just so many stories relating to the place — it was the place to be for Timaru teenagers at that time.’’
Tim Atkinson, saxophonist for Union Blues Soul Band, said playing at the Downtown was the best gig around at the time.
‘‘It always had a good crowd and the best sheilas. All the best band played there like The Trend, Union Blues and Velvet Underground.
‘‘We saw Johnny Farnham backed by Christchurch trio The Secrets play, who were excellent.
‘‘Union Blues were the resident band for a summer and we’d play from 8pm to 4am if there was still a crowd. When you think back, it’s just like ‘how did we do it?’.
‘‘I recall Ian Ross was the bouncer and him throwing a couple of idiots down the stairs. It was the best of times for us young musos.’’
Mr Smillie said when 10 o’clock closing came in on October 9, 1967, many bands went back to the pub scene.
‘‘That was really the demise of the Downtown’s glory days. I remember when it first started. Errol James and Geoff Hannan were playing at the Doncaster.
‘‘They then went to the Downtown after the 10 o’clock closing and I went that first night and hardly anyone turned up.
‘‘That was sort of the end. It was easier going to the pub and playing from 8 till 10. By 1969, the Downtown had closed.’’
A healthy pub scene ensued but things began to slow down when drink-driving laws and breathalyser testing were introduced.
But the scene was given a shot in the arm with the opening of the Old Mill Nite Club . . .
