THERE have been some famous visitors to Johnny’s over the years.
They included pop stars, soccer players and politicians.
But perhaps the most famous would-be guests were actually turned down by the Marsden brothers.
One of Johnny’s favourite anecdotes is that he turned The Rolling Stones down as they wanted too much cash.
“They rang me from the Hole In The Wall Club at Bradford University,” he said.
“They’d finished a gig and they wanted to do another gig because they’d finished early.
“All they wanted is what they said was their petrol money.
“They wanted £20 and we only paid £18.
“I’d never heard of them but I asked the customers and they said they were a bit wild, so I said no.
“For the sake of two pounds we turned them down. Two months later they were a global sensation.”
Those who did get inside the club complex – which also included the Huddersfield Hotel, The Boy and Barrel pub and the Rosemary Lane Bistro – included former Prime Minister Harold Wilson, Brian Blessed, Norman Wisdom, Wham!, Ewan MacGregor and even former hostage Terry Waite.
Joe said one memorable occasion included a big singalong with former prime minister Harold Wilson and Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman.
He said: “They were all on stage, each had a microphone, a cigar and a drink and they were singing Ilkley Moor B’aht ‘at – every verse twice.”
