The Apollo (Glasgow)

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The Apollo
Address
126 Renfield Street
City
Glasgow
Country Scotland, United Kingdom
Designation Music Venue
Cinema
Architect John Fairweather
Owned by George Green Ltd
Capacity 3,500
Opened 5 September 1973
Years active 12 Years
Closed 16 June 1985
Previous names Green’s Playhouse
Current use Demolished

The Apollo, formerly known as the Green’s Playhouse, was opened by Unicorn Leisure in September 1973 after acquiring a lease from the owners George Green Ltd. The venue's debut live performance was by Johnny Cash on 5 September 1973.

[edit] History

The Apollo became the leading concert venue in Glasgow and Scotland throughout the 1970s and 1980's, playing host to artists, bands, and groups that expressed a desire to perform to a Glasgow audience. The cinema tradition was initially continued until it was seen as financially unviable and discontinued.

The lease to the Apollo was held by Unicorn Leisure, the management company for comedian Billy Connolly and singer Christian, as well as the operator of many of Glasgow's pups, clubs, and discotheques during the 1970s.

Above the main concert auditorium operated the ballroom, originally known as Clouds through various name changes including Satellite City and The Penthouse. The ballroom became a music venue for up-coming and relatively lesser-known bands (such as Simple Minds, Elvis Costello and The Rich Kids), who were unable to attract a paying audience capable of filling the concert venue.

Despite the Apollo's success as a music venue, the building was in a poor condition continuing to deteriorate structurally, with maintenance repairs being done on a 'make do' basis. In mid-1977, the owner of Unicorn Leisure relocated to the warmer climes of Florida, USA. The lease was acquired by Apollo Leisure Group. The new leaseholders experienced considerable problems with the buildings structural condition, to the extent they considered relinquishing the lease in 1978, with Mecca Bingo interested in the acquiring the building.

After a first 'final gig' with singer Christian as the headline act on 5 July 1978, The Apollo resumed business as music venue less than a month later. The resumption was to herald a seven-year downward spiral until the venue finally closed for business on 16 June 1985, with the Style Council the final performers on the bill.

The building was demolished in September 1987 following a fire that rendered the building structurally unsafe and is now the site of a multiplex cinema complex.

[edit] Performers

The following artists performed at the The Apollo between 1973 and 1985.

[edit] External links