Before Ricky's Before Ricky's the place was known as the Fratton Hall, and the Fratton Ballroom. Here are some ads for the Evening News. 10-9-1910 11-3-1911 12-6-1926 11-3-1930 20-3-1930 4-2-1931 4-3-1931 8-1-1931 19-12-1932 16-9-1935 23-4-1936 3/1/1939 Fratton Hall Goldsmith Avenue Ace Serenaders Band. 10/1/1939 The Accordion Serenaders play at the Fratton Hall. 24/1/1939 At the Fratton Hall Goldsmith Avenue, the Accordion Seranaders play. October 15th 1956 The Fratton Hall, Goldsmith Ave, opposite Fratton Station, re-opens 7 nights a week with public dancing and instruction. January 1st 1957 Ad in the Evening News, Ricky's Club (Fratton Hall) Tue Wed Sat Sun learn to dance, jive nights. March 11th 1959 Humphrey Lyttleton has agreed to become President of the Fratton Jazz Club, run by Robin Cooper.(possibly at Ricky's?) Kelly's Street Directories 1904-05 ---------- 1911-12 ------------ 1918 1926-27 ------------ 1958 Note in 1958 Rickys is listed seperaly from the "Air Training Corps" building which is occupied by the City Gym today, confirming the two seperate buildings Ricky's Club Ricky Midgley's parents bought the club from Percy Buck. Ricky tried a change of name and style to the "Romantica Club" which was going to serve Chinese food with waiters and be posh, but soon gave up. Then it was the Sound Barrier Club, where I was bouncer, barman, cleaner and DJ King George! Ricky's wife Colleen had a little boutique in the front of the club. "Ricky's" was started, financed and run in the late 1950's by Richard Midgeley, who also ran the Holmlea Guest House at 48 Waverly Road, Southsea. It had ballroom dancing as well as regulart jazz nights. However, they devoted one night per week to Rock 'n Roll dancing. That night got to be so busy that they devoted a second night, then a third and so on until it became a full-time Rock & Roll club In the 1960's, his son, Richard B Midgeley(Ricky Midgeley) took over running the club and brought in groups and music of the day October 15th 1956, The Fratton Hall, Goldsmith Ave, opposite Fratton Station, re-opens 7 nights a week with public dancing and instruction. January 1st 1957, Ad in the Evening News, Ricky's Club (Fratton Hall) Tue Wed Sat Sun learn to dance, jive nights. April 8th 1958, The Portsmouth Music Festival runs until April 19th at Kingston Modern School for Girls. Heat winners at Ricky's are the Rolling Ramblers. April 18th 1958, The Rolling Ramblers play at Ricky's. May 5th 1958, Modern Jazz starts at Ricky's with the Ken Bishop Quintet and the Pete Moreton Quintet. May 12th 1958, Don Rendell and the Arthur Ward Quintet play at Ricky's Club. July 11th 1958, Record miming contest at Ricky's. August 24th 1958, Dancing to the Cha Cha Cha at Ricky's. December 26th 1958, The Wranglers play at Ricky's Club. January 15th 1959, The Hi Fi’s play at Ricky's Club. On 1 January 1960, There was rock at Ricky’s every week. 7/10/1961 Brian Fisher & Shirley Gay with the Strangers 14/10/1961 Frank Kelly, Chris Ryder and the Cresters 21/10/1961 Terry Preston and the Night Riders 25/11/1961 Chris Ryder and the Tennessee Studs Photograph possibly taken some time in the 1960's? The For-Tunes and Tony Wyell at Ricky's in about 1962. Suits bought at John Colliers in Commercial Road 7th October 1961 Ricky's Club in Goldsmith Avenue, opposite Fratton Station footbridge, subsequently Sound Barrier, Club Romantica, The Marina, Vagabonds, Gala Club and the Pied Piper, was previously called the Fratton Hall Ballroom! Ricky Midgley's wife Colleen had a little boutique in a shop at the front of the club. the Sound Barrier Club, where George East was bouncer, barman, cleaner and DJ King George! Towards the end they tried having strippers and the club was packed but a writ was served after a protest by unknows, and the whole thing stopped! and the club was sold on 1st September 1973 Hector The building that once housed Ricky's, Sound Barrier, Club Romantica, The Marina, Vagabonds, Gala Club and the Pied Piper as it is today 2017, about to be demolished for a new block to be built

Return to the previous page