Story of iconic sixties club being recorded by those who experienced it first hand
Three former King Mojo regulars are now leading the effort to record the memories of the legendary 1960s’ Sheffield music venue - capturing first-hand stories from those who were there.
Dave Manvell, Greg Heap and Michael Bell have received training in interview techniques and how to use recording equipment, and are now heading out across the region to record oral histories from fellow Mojo-goers.
All three experienced the famous Pitsmoor teenage club themselves, bringing a unique understanding and shared connection to the interviews they are now carrying out.
Equipped with new digital recorders, the volunteers will capture memories of the music, the atmosphere and the nights that made King Mojo one of the most talked-about venues in 1960s northern Britain.
The initiative forms part of a wider heritage project marking the 60th anniversary of King Mojo, supported by a £114,300 award from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The two-year programme is capturing memories, researching archives and sharing the club’s legacy with new generations.
King Mojo opened in 1964 when Peter and Geoff Stringfellow transformed a former ballroom at 555 Pitsmoor Road into a teenage club that quickly became a magnet for young music fans. Over the next four years, it hosted artists who would go on to become global stars, including Stevie Wonder, Ike & Tina Turner, Jimi Hendrix, The Who and Small Faces.
Project manager Neil Anderson said: “This is about capturing history at its most personal level. These are the people who were on the dancefloor, who felt the energy of those nights, and who can bring that story to life in a way no archive ever could.
“What makes this particularly powerful is that our volunteers are part of that story themselves. There’s an immediate trust and understanding when they sit down with someone - and that’s when the real memories come out.”
The recordings will form part of a growing digital archive, helping to ensure that the voices of those who experienced King Mojo first-hand are preserved for future generations.
Memories will also be recorded at a forthcoming King Mojo reunion night on Friday May 8 at The Library in Sheffield, where DJs will recreate the sounds of the original club and former regulars will have the opportunity to share their experiences as part of the project.
For reunion tickets and to find out more about the project check www.kingmojo.org