Songs from the Rutherglen Academy Ballads Club

Folk music was beginning to boom throughout the U.K. in the 1950’s. Much of it was heavily influenced by skiffle – a genre where blues and trad jazz came together. The great Lonnie Donegan covered many songs from the American folk song scene, and this encouraged many British youngsters to go out and buy a guitar. Average sales of guitars at the time apparently rose from 2,000 per annum to 300,000 per annum. At one stage there were over 30,000 recognised skiffle bands in the U.K.

English teacher, Norman Buchan, was already a dedicated folk fan in 1957 when he decided to open a lunch-time ‘Ballads Club’ at Rutherglen Academy. Concerned that the idea might not catch on he described the opening event as a ‘Folk and Skiffle’ club. He needn’t have worried; the room was packed and so it remained for many, many years.

Norman’s politics leaned strongly to the left. He was strongly supportive of civil rights and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. He met many similarly politically-motivated folk singers of the time, including the great Pete Seeger.

His personality, politics and folk song enthusiasm endeared him to many stars who were willing to come along to the Ballads Club and perform a few songs, free of charge.

Appearances by Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton, Ray and Archie Fisher, Matt McGinn, Robin Hall, Jimmie MacGregor, Josh Macrae and Billy Connolly ensured the success of the club. It also encouraged many youngsters to follow a career in folk song. Not all became full time performers, but many became very well-established names on the worldwide folk scene. Sadly, not all of the ‘Ballads Club’ artistes are still living, but there are still quite a few who will perform a mix of old favourites and self-penned songs at this concert.

Norman Buchan passed away many years ago but his influence, and that of the Ballads Club is still very strong. Come prepared for a great singalong event.

Tickets:  £10.00 (subject to £1.50 transaction fee)