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They were like chalk and cheese in the 1960s but these days they’re renowned as two of Sheffield’s most decade-defining venues.
King Mojo and the Esquire – two hugely popular teenage clubs that brought acts to the city spanning the Kinks to Jimi Hendrix - are being brought back to life later this week as part of the online ‘Talking About Our Generation’ festival.
The two clubnights are being curated by Sheffield’s Dirty Stop Outs.
This Thursday, May 13th, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, it will be a chance to attend a virtual King Mojo night where you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the iconic club opened by Geoff and Peter Stringfellow in 1964.
King Mojo dancers get ready to strut their stuff on Ready, Steady, Go!
The venue, which used to be sited at 555 Pitsmoor Road, attracted early performances from acts spanning Stevie Wonder to Ike & Tina Turner.
The following night, Friday, May 14th, from 8.30pm to 9.30pm, it will be the turn of the Esquire.
The venue, which used to be sited in the building now occupied by the Leadmill nightclub on Leadmill Road, was a launchpad for many future Sheffield stars – Vance Arnold and the Avengers (Vance Arnold would soon be better known as Joe Cocker and achieve global success) were the resident band. Local boy Dave Berry – who achieved massive success in the era – was also a popular performer.
Crowds inside the Esquire
Dirty Stop Outs’ Neil Anderson said: “The sixties was the era that Sheffield’s cultural influence really began to be felt both nationally and internationally. The King Mojo and the Esquire were a huge force and their influence continues to be felt over 50 years since they both shut. This festival is a chance to find out what all the fuss was about or a chance to re-live it if you were there in the first place. It has been a privilege to be involved.”
Neil Anderson wrote the city’s celebrated ‘Dirty Stop Out’s Guide to 1960s Sheffield’ which tells the stories of both venues.
* You can read more about both venues in our 'Dirty Stop Out's Guide to 1960s Sheffield' and, if you really fancy getting into the '60s groove, why not get the T-shirt?!
