DINO’S AND THOSE HAPPY JUKE BOX TIMES

Those were the days, my friend ….

Dino’s in West Clyde Street, Helensburgh, and that juke box.

By Ria De Haas-McKerrow

I have fond memories of meeting up at Dino’s in the 60’s and who can forget the jukebox. Does anyone have photos from the old Dino’s interior?

Looking back we were spoiled with choice with all the great artists. Okay it was pricey for school kids at thruppence 3d for one single and if you had a whole shilling 1/- you got five top hits but it was worth it to meet up with the girls. Sometimes it was a difficult decision indeed as you could get a bag of chips and a pokey hat with your mates for the same money.
The boys gathered in their own wee booths while the girls one was always nearer the jukebox. For the lads this turned out to be the best way of coming up with the most unoriginal chat up line ever, “ what song would you like me to play for you ?” So it was either a lot of giggling and a knock back or she would join you for selection at the jukebox and that was a good sign, softer romantic songs were chosen. The old time favourite from the boys was : Je t’aime from Jane Birkin. In contrast after an embarrassing refusal it was pressing B16 for The Animals – We’ve got to get out of this place or the Rolling Stones C23 – Can’t get no Satisfaction.
Granted not very nice or romantic but “those were the days my friend we thought they’d never end.”.
Personally I’ve picked 5 jukebox songs that reflect on my happy young days at Dino’s and would be interested in the shilling worth of songs and experiences other members had in the Helensburgh cafés.
1. The Beatles I want to hold your hand
2. Procol Harum A whiter shade of pale
3. Scott McKenzie San Francisco ( Be sure to wear flowers in your hair….)
4. The Tremeloes Silence is golden
5. The Kinks Waterloo Sunset

Jerry Clark said: “Remember bunkin’ off school in around ’74/’75/’76 time. Always met up with others at Dinos. One song I remember playing was Thin Lizzy ‘The boys are back in town’ and it even mentions Dinos in the lyrics.”

Donald Carmichael added: “I would substitute Animals House of the Rising Sun for the Beatles and Bee Gees Massachussets for The Kinks.”

Karen Ann Dunn said: “I loved Dino’s. Sitting up the back, listening to the jukebox, the air thick with cigarette smoke…….need I go on…….”

Eileen Leishman chipped in: “Hotel California….along with a bowl of chicken soup or a cheeseburger, at lunch time. Best cafe in the town.”

Julie Illingworth added: “A hamburger roll, a raspberry ice cream and a coke after swimming.”

Louise Lauder said: “Finally I have found someone else who calls it a pokey hat!”

Alistair Quinlan recalled: “ I particularly remember in ’66 the girls hammering the Crying Shames, ‘Please Stay’. They used to like Beatles B sides a lot too for some reason.”

Lorna Philip Enslin remembered: “They were the greatest of times – Procol Harum A Whiter Shade of Pale, would be my choice as my fave song of that time. My best memories as a teenager in the mid 60’s was sitting with my lifelong friend Carol, listening to the music and sipping a coke, which we shared, could’nt afford one each in those days. Best days of my life.”