Top Rank (nightclub)
Top Rank was a chain of nightclubs in the United Kingdom owned by the Rank Organisation. They were often known as Top Rank Suites or Top Rank Ballrooms.
Venues
Brighton
The Brighton Top Rank Suite opened in October 1965. It was refurbished in 1990 and renamed the Event, and then refurbished and renamed Event II in 1996. In 2007 another refurbishment led to it reopening as Oceana.[1]
Cardiff
Located at Queen Street in Cardiff, Wales. It opened in 1963 and hosted acts such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and U2. After a series of name changes the venue closed in 1982 and was demolished in 2005.[2]
Reading
The Reading Top Rank Ballroom opened in October 1967.[3][4]
Southampton
It opened in the mid 1960s, was renamed The Mayfair, and closed in the late 1980s.[5][6]
Watford
The Watford Top Rank was renamed Bailey's, then Paradise Lost, Kudos, Destiny and most recently Oceana.[7]
In popular culture
- Althea & Donna's 1977 single "Uptown Top Ranking".
- Derek and Clive's "Top Rank" sketch on Derek and Clive (Live). (transcript)
- The Moody Blues track "Top Rank Suite" on their 1978 album "Octave"
References
- ↑ "Top rank to Oceana". The Argus. 9 October 2007. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ↑ Hutchinson, Clare. "When Cardiff had club class". Wales Online. Retrieved 2016-03-17.
- ↑ Walker, Ed (9 April 2015). "Pick of the Past: When Top Rank ballroom was at its full pomp and majesty". Trinity Mirror Southern. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ↑ "Top Rank Ballroom iPad Sleeve". Vintage Photos Online. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
- ↑ Hamilton, Keith (30 December 2008). "Top Rank Suite memories". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ Kerins, Dan (21 February 2014). "21 long forgotten nights clubs in Southampton". Southern Daily Echo. Retrieved 17 March 2016.
- ↑ "KajaGooGoo, Watford and Baileys Nightclub". Kajafax. 30 April 2011. Retrieved 17 March 2016.