Manly Vale Hotel
The Manly Vale Hotel is one of those venues that everyone has played at and everyone has been to… except me! That’s right, I’ve never seen a band at The Manly Vale. That makes me fairly unique amongst Sydney music lovers of my age.
Just have a look at the list of classic Australian acts that have graced its stage. From AC/DC back in the mid 1970’s to Dee Minor and The Dischords, INXS, Cold Chisel and Midnight Oil in the 80’s. The list looks more impressive when you add the countless international acts that played there. I really don’t know how I managed to miss it.
Well, it’s over to you guys. What’s your memories of The Manly Vale Hotel? Leave a comment below and let us know who you saw there.
Known Gigs
| Date | Artist | City | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01/06/73 | Peter Knox’s New Improved 69ers | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 09/05/75 | AC/DC | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 10/05/75 | AC/DC | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 27/08/77 | Johnny Dole and The Scabs | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + The Leftovers | |||
| 30/07/79 | Matt Finish | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + The Farriss Brothers | |||
| 25/01/80 | Cold Chisel | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 15/02/80 | Cold Chisel | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 08/03/80 | Flowers | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + Lonely Hearts | |||
| 15/03/80 | Matt Finish | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | |||
| 12/04/80 | Cold Chisel | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 18/04/80 | INXS | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | |||
| 06/06/80 | Jimmy And The Boys | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + INXS, The Lonely Hearts | |||
| 07/06/80 | Cold Chisel | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 25/10/80 | Jimmy And The Boys | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + The Lonely Hearts | |||
| 06/12/80 | Midnight Oil | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 17/01/81 | Cold Chisel | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 24/12/81 | Radiators | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + Lonely Hearts, Fast Cars | |||
| 05/02/82 | Cold Chisel | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 19/06/82 | Cold Chisel | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| 11/08/82 | Dee Minor and The Dischords | Manly Vale | Manly Vale Hotel |
| + Lonely Hearts | |||
More Gigs here
Well Mark, if I hadn’t played there when I was in Johnny Dole & The Scabs I doubt that I would have gone there too …. but I did!!
Cheers,
Greg.
i suffered an electric shock on stage at the manly vale hotel about 1972.i was with jimmy taylors rock&roll show.(johnny dick on drums).brought the house down!!spent a week in manly hostpital.
I witnesses two other performers get zapped on stage at the Manly Vale; must have been some dodgy wiring. I think that was more the mid 1970s. Then there was Billy Thorpe blasting crap out of the circuits on numerous occasions. When it all went dead, over all the cheering and whooping, you could hear Thorpie swearing his head off over a dead mic.
the night i was zapped at manly vale,i was brought back to life by the late Ray hoff.I owed him my life.
You always were an “electric performer” Bob. đ
I had the good fortune to meet Ray Hoff a few tears back. He lived not far from me & we worked on a local concert committee together. What a lovely bloke and a wonderful musician.
hey bob!..where u been hiding…?i remember that night( faulty electric power point)something was alive?yes.ray hoff did save your life..sadly ray has passed on..jimmy taylor(piano smasher)
hi jim, good to see your still firing.I’m up on the central coast,got a band called hoof hearted,still play as much as poss.not many venues left.
Keep thumpin that piano!!
My only documented (so far) gig at The Manly Vale Hotel was as support for The Reels. Now there was an interesting band. They were doing their own thing quite successfully led by the irrepressible Dave Mason.
My greatest memory of the Manly Vale was turning up to a Cold Chisel concert with a rather glam girl but I was wearing her tight leather pants and remember the fist VB of the night hit me in the head along with many others. survived OK.
My fondest memories of Manly Vale Hotel, was serving behind the bar, all beers were $1.20 and spirits $1.50. You had to be able to lip read, as there was no way of hearing any of the orders for the bands. Then afterwards serving drinks to the band members in the staff area, lots of very late nights were involved. Lucky I just lived behind the hotel in a unit.
Those were the days đ
hi Benita! I’m a student at Macquarie university and really want to write an article on the manly vale hotel and would love to talk to someone who worked there that could tell me a few stories and a bit about it?? if you want, just send me an email telling me whether you would want to talk or not đ
Alex, I have a fair number of yarns from the brilliant nights at the Manly Vale, but only from a punter’s point of view. Some stories have already been published in national magazines, plus I have some photos somewhere of performers and crowd scenes.
Hello Kelly how are you? I’m also doing some research for a project and I’d love to hear from you about this place please if that’s ok đ. My email address is harrydiculas270@gmail.com Thank you
Hi, just thought i’d add some gigs to your list if thats ok
Manly Vale (Allniters gigs)
21/3/1981 with The Sets & Fast Cars
2/5/1981 with The Sets and Fast Cars
6/6/1981 Supporting the Sunnyboys
20/6/1981 with Fast cars & Spy Vs Spy
22/1/1982 with Spy V Spy
19/3/1982 with King Cobra
24/4/1982 with Spy v Spy
12/6/1982 with Spy V Spy & Double Os.
17/7/1982 Supporting Flaming Hands
10/9/1982 with Austen Tayshus â Jaguar & Clowns & Jugglers.
24/12/1982 with the Introverts
29/3/1983
30/4/1983 with No Nonsense & the Leftovers
22/7/1983 with the Selected Irregulars
3/9/1983 with the Cockroaches & Stupidity
23/12/1983
17/1//1984 with the Snorkels and Get Wet
Wow! Thank you so much for all those gigs (and the ones you’ve left elsewhere) they are bloody brilliant! I’ll get them into the database ASAP. I really appreciate that. Thanks, Mark
I did heaps of gigs there but the one that I always remember was one that didnt happen. I was doing a walk in foldback for Snake as they got the support for the NSW leg of Motorheads Australian tour. If I`m right they had the record for being the loudest band in history at the time and wanted to prove it by lugging one enormous PA, so big in fact that the side fill alone took up half the stage and being in a corner at the time didnt leave much room for the band.Well the FOH guy was walking around with a measuring tape trying to figure out how to set it up but it was clear from the begining it wasnt going to fit in any configuration, so we got to go home early to the discust of the punters who were lining up outside looking on in fright as the truck was repacked and driven away. One note was the way the FOH guy mixed the band, it involved turning every knob on the desk clockwise and pushing the faders as far up as they would travel then inserting earplugs. They were so loud that at the time in Panthers the band rooms had double sound proof doors, and we still couldnt hear ourselves, even screaming.
Gotta love the LOUD gigs Gaff!
Nice to see you here đ
That was the Manly Hotel opposite Manly Wharf. They used to have bands in a small corner bar. Motorhead was booked for the Tuesday night and the band wouldn;t do the show without the full rig.
I remember they played at the Family Inn and the side fill consisted a full double four way – on each side of the stage!! The FOH was big enough to do the Hordern and then some.
Def fx powderfinger ( walking stick man tour ) the image deepest purple front end loader carter (usm) the meanies story time unchained zillion and the zig men spy vs spy the hardons
The gig I remember was the oils when the power went out mid set for about half an hour, man was it hot! Had a great swim at north steyne after the gig with many others. Called in at neutral bay for petrol on the way home and the guy there saw that we were wet and asked if we had been at bryants. Word traveled fast before Facebook
For your records, I saw a double header at the Manly Vale with Mondo Rock and Moving Pictures. That was on Saturday Jan 10th 1981.
Don’t remember years but one of the many great nights I had was when mother goose played, it was fansy dress, had the best time
I was there..Faboulous show..went straight out and bought the LP. Still have it.
I saw New Order at the Manly Vale Hotel Dec 11 1982. Pel Mel were the support and the crowd were crushed at the front expecting the headliners to rock it up. When New Order came on, all spaces and electronic shoe gazing, not a word to the audience, everyone left for the bar. We were rapt and danced around like mad. Blue Monday, in particular, was amazing! I saw lots of pub rock there in the late 70s and early 80s particularly Cold Chisel and that’s the only time I can remember dancing around at the front!
Starting work at the manly vale in 1983 best move ever!
hey tim! I wanna write an article on the manly vale hotel for my uni and really want to chat to someone who worked there! if you would be keen or not send me an email to let me know đ
Chisel jaming in band room at manly vale before last stand gigsl at ent cent in 83! WOW!!!
Manly Vale Hotel in the 1970s, great acts but terrible Millers beer.
Queueing up for curried beef slapped onto a thin paper plate at midnight to meet liquor licence regulations.
Thorpie and the Aztecs blowing the mains power supply after just a couple of chords.
Lots of stairs out front to roll down drunk afterwards.
All gone now. Replaced by home units.
I saw a couple of elecrocutions there; once the singer/guitarist went zap, dropped like turd and everyone thought it was part of the act until he was stretchered out. When Thorpie blew the sound system out after just a few notes, all you could hear was him swearing his head off. I think it happened a few more times, and didn’t he punish the equipment after that debacle. It was still a good show, but.
Saw Dead Kenedy’s there in 83. Saw Simple Minds as well.
I was at that Dead Kenedys Gig what a night me and me mate still talk about it.
Saw Flowers there as well and coincidentally I am off to see Icehouse tomorrow night at Jupitors Casino…
Killer night! As the support band for The DK’s at Manly Vale, and The Antler we got to meet Jello and the guys which was both exciting (as they were our favourite band), and surprising. Jello being nothing like his stage persona at all. Almost shy, though perhaps he was just in his own warm up head space. We were also the first Australian act they saw play live at a tiny little venue in Pitt St – The Lismore Hotel (also a venue with an interesting story based around it being the police’s daytime drinking base, and a punk venue at night!).
Great time, lotsa great bands and venues, sadly no longer a part of what Sydney has to offer.
Can’t remember the gigs when I worked for Jands at the Manly Vale, however, do remember the place was always way overcrowded.
The BOH was only accessible via the main room – no chance of getting out in an emergency. Added to the tension and atmosphere I suppose.
Jeff St John was one I fondly remember from the 70s at Manly Vale. Not only could he sing rock n roll, but he performed it in a wheelchair on two wheels only. Inspirational, especially when you’ve had a few beers.
News today of his passing, is another sad milestone.
Played early 70’s at Millars.. Black Water Gold. All long weekend
Did the dugites play here, i recall following them around sydney, but not sure about this venue
Lucky enough to see many bands at Manly Vale, including The Teardrop Explodes, Jimmy And The Boys, The Sunnyboys supported by The Kelpies (massive surfy v punk brawl ala Brighton ’64), after in the car park, Iggy Pop, Died Pretty, and on and on and on!
Favourite? Got to support The Dead Kennedy’s in ’83.
I used to BEG my big brother Paul to take me t Midnight Oil but he never did âšī¸ But we did see the ACOUSTIC version at the Enmore in 1997 – Peter Garrett playing an accoustic guitar on a stool,& singing without backup… AMAZING ????
Does anyone remember when Lou Reed played Manly Vale Hotel. I’m thinking late 1984 to early 1985. A memorable fact was Peter Garrett stood in front of my girl friend and I and he agreed to swap places with us ! đ
Looks like Simple Minds played there 14th October 1982.
Live recording is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eejV0cAd92w
My friend and I saw Inxs in Sept 1981 the Moontan Dance – it was the super hot night, and i remember dripping with sweat. I think Richard Clapton was working with them ( maybe managing) – he came on stage and did a couple if numbers with them. Great memories.
I managed the place through the 80’s.
Some great shows there, particularly the international acts that often played midweek after playing the Hordern Pavilion on the weekend. George Thorougood and the Destroyers was the standout gig – they played for two and a half hours, George didn’t drink alcohol – we had to supply a plate of carrots and celery!
INXS started at the MVH as the Farris Bros – downstairs in the Red Piano Room and played very regularly.
It was disappointing when the govt put severe number restrictions on the place that made it uneconomic to run the big bands and at the same time the Entertainment Centre opened that could hold 12,000 so the bands were not so interested inn playing rooms of 1,000.
I remember inxs playi g woukd have been around 19 they were brilliant and the placecwas packed michael hutchence sang stay young tgen commented to tge crowd you all smell good tgere was no aircon and we were all dripping wet from danci g and sweating it was an amazing venue
I did not live very far away from Millers Manly Vale and always enjoyed my time there from the age of eighteen and had my 21st there in 1969 and have some great pics from then .I had a great get together with mates before I headed to Vietnam (nasho) must have been late 69 or early 70 as I departed for Vietnam 21st January 1970 (deferred for 18 months to finish my apprenticeship and the first place I went to upon return to civilian life was Millers manly vale. So many memories so many girls (can I say that) I found that girls seemed to really like Vietnam Vets so i had to go with the flow. I had my car stolen from the car park in 69 I was so pissed off as it was a HR premier red hot motor all suspension done shortened tire rods wide chrome wheels electric metal flake blue with black vinyl roof, fortunately the police found it at Redfern with a little damage so no Biggy. It was kind of strange my first night back at millers as I had been away in Vietnam and had so many different experiences like fighting etc. Then you come back home and people say how was it did you have a good time and you think what the f are the thinking. Anyway that’s a long time ago I have been married since 1974 have a wonderful understanding (sometimes) wife married in Mona Vale in 1974 still going strong( I guess I am lucky ) but it is a 2 way street .We moved to Qld in 1977 so I have not been to Millers manly Vale since then, so next time I am In Sydney Covid ok I will make a point of visiting my old watering hole.
I came across this site while looking for a year (I thought early 80’s ) I saw Australian Crawl and the Manly Vale Hotel. So after a bit more searching elsewhere I found the date…
June 14, 1980. I was 19 years old and had one of the best nights of my life. The place was packed out, it was just one of those special nights and Oz Crawl were loud and the crowd sang along. F…ing Magic Night. I was in Sydney (from Tamworth) at the time.
The Australian bands I got to see that played at the Pubs and Clubs between the late 70’s and late 80’s were up their with the best in the world from any era.
In saying that I used to listen to my aunties records from the late 60’s also which included the Easy Beats and other bands from that era and I used to regularly watch GTK on the ABC.
I am so thankful that I had grew up during that period of arguably the Best of Australian Bands and Musicians.
I came across this site while looking for a year (I thought early 80’s ) I saw Australian Crawl and the Manly Vale Hotel. So after a bit more searching elsewhere I found the date…
June 14, 1980. I was 19 years old and had one of the best nights of my life. The place was packed out, it was just one of those special nights and Oz Crawl were loud and the crowd sang along. F…ing Magic Night. I was in Sydney (from Tamworth) at the time.
The Australian bands I got to see that played at the Pubs and Clubs between the late 70’s and late 80’s were up their with the best in the world from any era.
In saying that I used to listen to my aunties records from the late 60’s also which included the Easy Beats and other bands from that era and I used to regularly watch GTK on the ABC.
I am so thankful that I had grew up during that period of arguably the Best of Australian Bands and Musicians.
A link to a list of bands who played at the Manly Vale Hotel 1974-1984
https://www.concertarchives.org/venues/manly-vale-hotel
What year did iggy pop play..1980 something?
Saw George Thorogood and the Destroyers’ ” 1 Scotch 1 Bourbon 1 Tooheys” The crowd went wild all night, T-shirt boardies thong time, standing room only, classic venue along with the Narrabeen Antler, sadly those days will never return