“The bear escaped at least twice from here, caused havoc it did,” he said nonchalantly.

On his way to a gig at 13th note, Joe Carr-Hollands gets an unexpected glimpse of Glasgow’s music history. In this guest blog, Joe wonders what other stories lie hidden up side streets and down dark alleys. 

I was walking down the Trongate the other day when I was stopped by a chubby man, dressed in full tuxedo (plus top hat) and sporting what can only be described as an imperial moustache.

Like the ringmaster at a circus he had a booming voice, both extremely dramatic and moreover exceptionally startling.

As I stared open mouthed he extended his hand towards me in greeting, the other hand holding what looked suspiciously like a whip.  I think he saw he had my attention then. He began telling me about a small blue plaque down a dark alley just off the Trongate which I must admit I would never have noticed had it not been drawn to my attention.

The plaque, he told me, was in homage to the late great Stan Laurel who had played his first gig in the building above the street where we were standing. I looked up and saw a fairly innocuous building which had never caught my eye before.

“The bear escaped at least twice from here, caused havoc it did,” he said nonchalantly, “And the ladies who used to hang out on the second floor balcony…well, let’s just say there weren’t up to no good. If you know what I mean.  It’s called the Panopticon.”

I looked at my watch, “I’m late to a gig at the 13th Note,” I said, “Thanks for the tales.”  I took one last look up at this once unnoticed building that had just been brought to life by this strange wee man and his yarn.

As I strolled off, I wondered how many more fantastic and bizarre stories are hidden, not just in this building but in the whole of Glasgow? Well, many more, as I soon realised when I was guided by Jim Gellatly around just a few of the weird and wonderful sites on the Glasgow Music Tour, the upcoming release by Walking Heads.

Ed:  Keep watching this space.  There are indeed many more surprises on the Glasgow Music Tour led by Jim Gellatly which we will be launching during Celtic Connections in January 2012.  But before then there are lots of opportunities to share your memories of favourite gigs, bands and venues.

Photographs taken on location for Glasgow Music Tour by Andrea McCarthy: Britannia Panopticon’s grand facade in Trongate, Stan Laurel’s blue plaque at the entrance to the old music hall, and Jim Gellatly in 13th Note 50-60 King Street.