The tour meets at the historic Red Bull pub on Middle Hillgate, a favourite watering hole of many musicians who were working at Strawberry Recording Studios in the 1970’s including Paul McCartney, Neil Sedaka and 10cc who used to go here regularly for a curry.

Ticket price includes refreshments of tea and coffee on arrival at the Red Bull at 11am. It also entitles each ticket holder to a special discount of £10 off a purchase of The Stockport Music Map.

The Tour will start at the Red Bull with a welcome by your tour guide John Barratt and tea and coffee will be served. Our special guest is Bernard Roberts, a regular at The Tabernacle and author of the book ‘The Day The Tab Was Fab‘  documenting the club’s history from 1966 to 1969 and which will be on sale after the tour.

At 11.20am approx the tour will leave the Red Bull to take in the landmarks that played a significant part in The Stockport Music Story from the 1960’s to the present day. These sites include The Sinking Ship club, Inter-City Studios the fore-runner to Strawberry Recording Studios and the site of the famous Tabernacle club which hosted performances from Pink Floyd, The Small Faces and The Jimi Hendrix Experience who played on this day in 1967. Bernard Roberts will share his memories of The Tab and the legendary music artists that he saw play there.

There will be an opportunity to visit The Strawberry Studios Exhibition in Stockport Museum and the site of the iconic studios on Waterloo Road where many international artists and Manchester luminaries recorded.

The corner of Waterloo Road and Middle Hillgate is also the location of the famous Joy Division photo shoot. The tour will also take in the site of Strawberry 2/Yellow 2 studios where New Order and The Smiths recorded and back down Hillgate past the site of The Rhythm House music shop owned by Eric Haydock of The Hollies.

The tour will end around 1.30pm back at the Red Bull where there will be an opportunity to chat with Bernard Roberts whose book will be on sale for £12 (please bring cash if you wish to purchase this). There will also be an opportunity to buy the Stockport Music Map with a £10 discount for ticket holders (cards accepted).

The Red Bull will be hosting an afternoon of music with DJs playing soul and ska classics.

Stockport Music Map Walking Tour is supported by Arts Council England Lottery Grants.

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