IT WAS 1962, and the night of the annual Gas Board dance.
The Plaza was buzzing with young couples, preparing to take to the dance floor, and some took time out to pose on the famous ballroom’s steps for a photograph.
The annual Gas Board Dance...
Walter Smith and his now wife Elizabeth Murdoch paused at the top of the stairs for a snap, before joining their friends, including Elizabeth’s brother George and his wife Jean, for another.
Walter remembers it fondly. “Elizabeth’s dress was designed and made by her mother, Mary, who was not a dressmaker by trade, but she loved knitting and making clothes. She was also a marvellous baker – her chocolate cake was my favourite...”
The giant painting outside the Plaza which sparked our original story. Pic: Herald and Times
A leaflet advertising Glasgow's 'super ballroom', The Plaza.
Walter was prompted to get in touch with Times Past after our recent story about the legendary Eglinton Toll dance hall, a favourite with punters right up until its closure in the 90s. We uncovered a fascinating tale behind the painting of the giant mural on the exterior wall and many readers got in touch to share their happy memories of the Plaza.
READ MORE: Fascinating story behind Plaza Ballroom's famous poster
“It had a huge dance hall, where you could easily do ‘joined-up’ dancing,” recalls Walter. “And there was a huge fountain in the middle…”
Walter and Elizabeth, 1962 and below, The Plaza with its grand fountain. Inset: A Plaza poster
The Plaza opened in 1922, one of several much-loved dance halls in the city and style-wise, it was ahead of its time. It was finally demolished in 2006 and turned into flats, much to the chagrin of a generation of dancers who sashayed their nights away there, living it up and falling in love under the multi-coloured lights…
A twelve piece band on stage at the Plaza ballroom in 1929. Pic: Herald and Times
Did you meet the love of your life at the Plaza? Do you remember dancing there in decades gone by? Get in touch to share your stories and photos.
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