Sheffield History Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 CAIRO JAX NIGHTCLUB SHEFFIELD Nightclub in the centre of Sheffield owned at one point by first leisure. Also known affectionately as 'Cairos' It was also previously called the Cavendish. Music was mainstream pop, dance and R&B/Soul. Most of our knowledge is from around the 1990's period - we are dying to hear from anyone who has any memories of the club from any time during it's lifespan. THE LOCATION Bank Street, Sheffield pictured above - location of where cairos used to be THE LAYOUT Coming soon.. THE STAFF Managers - Adrian, Jimmy, Kevan, Paul, Simon Wigfield, Paul Kinsey DJ's - Paul Barron, Nigel Barron, Steve Knight, Ian Alvey, Neil James (now retired), Lee, Paul, Nigel Filmer, Lady Jay Light Jocks - Jo Jo, Louise, Tim ('chesney'), Paul ('sid'), Clive (raggytash) Cloakroom - Carol Dancers - Claire, Rachael Doormen - Little T, Big T, Chas, Spanner THE MUSIC Mainstream party, pop, dance, cheesey stuff and in the 'Jax' side it was soul, r&b and funk. The Cairo's side had a stage and some of the chart acts and potential future stars would appear 'live on stage' usually singing to DAT tapes. LIST OF SOME OF THE BANDS THAT PLAYED AT CAIRO JAX Michelle Gayle Kenny Thomas Gabrielle Sean Maguire Those 2 Girls (Denise Van Outen in her early pop career) Deuce Ultimate Kaos Dana Dawson Richard Traviss Worlds Apart Optimystic Mary Kiani MEMORIES The last night of the clubs night (before turning into Corporation) was mad. It was a party atmosphere where copious amounts of alcohol were consumed by everyone but the party stopped at 10 past 2 in the morning and everyone went home feeling it was the end of an era. In fact the months leading up to the closure saw the music change slightly with more indie as well as dance being played. Oasis ruled at one point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest james Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Just found this - one of my memories of Cairo's (first time I went in?) - Radio One's 'MASSIVE Music Tour' programme (I've added a couple of pages from the programme of artists that featured at Cairo's): The tour was aimed mainly at the teen audience and was an afternoon gig on May [4th?] 1995 (exact date unknown to me, unfortunately and only gives generic dates in the programme - 4th is about the most accurate I can get it to from the generic dates and sketchy memory). The bands/artists that appeared at this gig at Cairo's [to my recollection] were: PRESENTER: PAUL ROSS DJ: NEIL JAMES Michelle Gayle Sean Maguire Those 2 Girls (Denise Van Outen in her early pop career) Deuce Ultimate Kaos Dana Dawson Richard Traviss Worlds Apart Optimystic Mary Kiani I'm almost certain I have a couple of flyers somewhere for old club nights at Cairo's (and Corporation who took the building afterwards) - If I find them I shall post them! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 ***UPDATE*** Right, Just as I had hit a brick wall on this one I managed to find a former Cairo's DJ who was resident when it was at it's biggest and best (and busiest) DJ Steve Knight He's a true Cairo's legend and had Cairo's flowing through his blood, and back when nightclubbing was at it's prime in Sheffield City Centre he was right there at the forefront of it all. Steve's managed to send over a lot of amazing unique pictures of the place, and some of the items such as a Romeo's and Juliet's keyring which I've never even heard of before now ! Our true thanks to Steve, and the project we are working on will benefit from his input and knowledge that should lead to a much much better published product ! pictured - cairos dancefloor in the 80's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 Anyone hungry ? Fancy a burger and chips from Jax diner ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 Hi Guys Just joined the site and seen the photos you've put on there that i sent through......Not sure if i was a true Cairo's legend, i'm sure Paul Baron was the true legend, but it's great to know that i was a big part of the club at it's height. Keep up the good work. Steve K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 Right.. Been working on all the pics that Steve sent over It's fantastic to be able to get actual first hand accounts of what a place is like so we'll be eternally grateful to Steve for these, and the information he's already given me for my bigger project on this nightclub.. Cairo's Dancefloor Some Cairo's clubbers ! Darren and a laydee Paul Baron & his famous pink suit Paul Baron again.. This time being looked after ! Paul Baron - with an admirer DJ Steve Knight takes a break Jax DJ Box Jo Jo (Cairo's lighting superstar !) Jo Jo on the dancefloor DJ Steve Knight and mates (romeo's 1982) Resident club magician entertain the staff after closing Romeo's keyring !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 There you go folks - Steve Knight now officially entered into the sheffieldhistory.co.uk hall of fame for excellent content submission Great stuff - thanks Steve !! Also Steve, if you're reading this - I've touched the pictures up a bit in Photoshop so feel free to take copies of them if you want.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deejayone Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Superb stuff. One overriding memory of the place (towards the end of Cairo Jax) I have is of the record that was apparently the 'oh, no! There's a fire, let's evacuate!' record (i.e. the record that was played to alert all the staff to an evacuation). I can't for the life of me remember what it was - but it was something stupid and novelty-like (the idea being it would be a particularly obscure track to alert all the staff). It was always on the centre wall in the DJ box. I remember one certain DJ *cough*Neil James*cough* thinking it would be a laugh to put this on half-way through his set.... ...2 minutes later he was playing to himself in an empty club with all the fire doors open and everyone out on the streets.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share Posted March 3, 2007 Was it 'teddy bears picnic' on a 7" yellow vinyl ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deejayone Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 THAT'S THE ONE!!! lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 WOW!!! The photos are looking good now you've worked on them a bit. I'm sure i have another photo somewhere of the other lighting girl, Louise, but can't seem to find it at present. I will of course send it through if i do come across it. I will also take a photo of the Romeos keyring with the digital camera which should be a lot better than the one of the scan. Cheers Steve K.............just remembered that Paul Baron used to call me Stevo during my time at Cairos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 THAT'S THE ONE!!! This was obviously after i had left the club because we just had a button behind the decks that we hit if there was any trouble or the like. Also we just used to call for one of the managers to the DJ box and that was the cue for all the bouncers to descend on the danceflor. Steve K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 3, 2007 Share Posted March 3, 2007 Anyone hungry ? Fancy a burger and chips from Jax diner ? I always used to go for the Pizza myself, which was free to staff as were all the meals in the diner. Steve K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 3, 2007 Author Share Posted March 3, 2007 I think they stopped doing pizza there - must have been too complicated ! The pics look a bit clearer now they've been touched up a little - I tried not to overdo it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 6, 2007 Author Share Posted March 6, 2007 http://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/uploads/monthly_03_2007/post-1-1173162144.jpghttp://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/uploads/monthly_03_2007/post-1-1173162152.jpg Our thanks again to Knighty who has reshot the pics of the Romeo And Juliets keyring that he still owns ! Fantastic work and I'm sure there's not many out there who own one of these - a very collectable item.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mle1 Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 Does anyoneone know what happened to DJ Lee when Cairo jax close did he move on to another venue because i have not seen him around since ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 7, 2007 Author Share Posted March 7, 2007 If you mean the same Lee that I know he moved to Doncaster to their main club I saw him a few times there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 If you mean the same Lee that I know he moved to Doncaster to their main club I saw him a few times there Hi mate When are you going to update the STAFF section? No sign of me, Paul Baron, Ian Alvey, Nigel Filmer, JO JO, Jay or Louise yet. Would be nice to get a mention up there!!! Steve K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 Agreed ! I've been mad busy with the Monty Mania film location thing this week I'll do it now..l Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mle1 Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 So what club is Lee at Now in Doncaster, Is he still there ?? .. It would be great to see him again, We had a good laugh when he was at playing cairos in the 1990's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 I can't remember the name of it - grrrrr - it's on the tip of my tongue too It was on a main street - I can vaguely remember it being near a church and you had to go up loads of stairs to get to it Was it 'charisma' ? What a top bloke he was too - always really sound with me and good fun to be around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Agreed ! I've been mad busy with the Monty Mania film location thing this week I'll do it now..l Hi Neil Thanks for updating the STAFF section but i see that Nigel Filmer is down as a manager when he was in fact a DJ in Jax. Also Lady Jay is missing from the DJ's. Cheers Steve K. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheffield History Posted March 8, 2007 Author Share Posted March 8, 2007 Thanks Steve - Updated Good job I've got you to keep me on the ball !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deejayone Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 Justr got this quote from another thread (Crookesmoor School): I often wonder what closing a place like that down feels like Walking out for the last time - knowing it's going to be closed forever Wierd feeling.. I can remember knowing of the impending closure of Cairos on the final night (before it became Corporation). The DJ (my brother Neil) went 'partying' at the end of the night and handed the decks over to me - I remember feeling huge responsibility in closing the night and played the last half-hour or so (I'd done bits before, but either in Silks or right at the beginning of the night - or on the kids nights). The last song played at Cairo's (when it was Cairo's) was 'Ready to go' by Republica, it followed 'Place Your Hands' by Reef. - This wasn't out of place as for a while Neil had been playing a few things like this (Oasis and Pulp mainly) at the end of the night, which always seemed weird following the dance stuff, but it also seemed to fit so well (mainly down to Neil crafting it that way - usually by singing 'Place your hands' himself over some dance track into the final part of the night!). I can remember hearing 'Baby, I'm Ready To Go!!!' at the end of the tune, the lights coming up and looking around (ears ringing as they do at the end of a club night!) thinking that it was a little fitting for the old place. A couple of people walked past and said "Great song to finish on" - little did they know there was a little more to it. It wasn't the last time we played the place as we got invited back when it was changed to Corporation (and 'The Other Side', remember that?) for a while, but it would have been fitting to leave it there forever. As I seem to remember rightly, we all went into the old 'Jax' side after closing and drunk by the bar there just chatting about the place for what seemed like hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest knighty59 Posted March 9, 2007 Share Posted March 9, 2007 Justr got this quote from another thread (Crookesmoor School): I can remember knowing of the impending closure of Cairos on the final night (before it became Corporation). The DJ (my brother Neil) went 'partying' at the end of the night and handed the decks over to me - I remember feeling huge responsibility in closing the night and played the last half-hour or so (I'd done bits before, but either in Silks or right at the beginning of the night - or on the kids nights). The last song played at Cairo's (when it was Cairo's) was 'Ready to go' by Republica, it followed 'Place Your Hands' by Reef. - This wasn't out of place as for a while Neil had been playing a few things like this (Oasis and Pulp mainly) at the end of the night, which always seemed weird following the dance stuff, but it also seemed to fit so well (mainly down to Neil crafting it that way - usually by singing 'Place your hands' himself over some dance track into the final part of the night!). I can remember hearing 'Baby, I'm Ready To Go!!!' at the end of the tune, the lights coming up and looking around (ears ringing as they do at the end of a club night!) thinking that it was a little fitting for the old place. A couple of people walked past and said "Great song to finish on" - little did they know there was a little more to it. It wasn't the last time we played the place as we got invited back when it was changed to Corporation (and 'The Other Side', remember that?) for a while, but it would have been fitting to leave it there forever. As I seem to remember rightly, we all went into the old 'Jax' side after closing and drunk by the bar there just chatting about the place for what seemed like hours. That must have been a real honour to be the DJ who played the last song at Cairos and what a track to finish on. I'm just glad i called it a day in 1988 because i don't think i would have liked to have been there at the end. It would just have been too upsetting for me if the club had closed whilst i was there. It was bad enough when i decided to leave. I still find it hard to think that Cairos is now an office block or car park or something. What were they thinking when they closed it? By the way, why did the club have to close it's doors for good in the end? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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