Glasgow's musical history

Our friends at Glasgow Music City Tours celebrate Glasgow’s musical history in their walking tours around the city. Here are snippets from just 7 of the truly amazing stories that they tell along the way. Book one of the Glasgow Music City Tours to hear the stories in full and more.

1. Charles Dickens was the guest of honour at the opening of the original Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), now based in Renfrew Street, is one of the world's top 3 performing arts schools. It boasts Sam Heughan, Alan Cumming, Iona Fyfe, and Cream’s Jack Bruce as former students.

The RCS originally opened as the Glasgow Athenaeum in 1847 and Dickens was invited to the opening, describing it as “an educational example and encouragement to the rest of Scotland”.

2. Stan Laurel gave his first performance at Glasgow’s Britannia Panopticon Music Hall

Glasgow’s Britannia Panopticon Music Hall is the oldest surviving music hall in the world. It can be visited today having been 'rediscovered' above modern shop floors in 1997.

Its other claim to fame is playing host to Stan Laurel’s first ever performance to an audience at the age of 16.

3. Woody Guthrie played the Victoria Bar during the Second World War

Bob Dylan’s hero and influential folk singer, Woody Guthrie, spent time in Glasgow during the Second World War. He was travelling with the American Merchant Navy at the time and played gigs in Glasgow's Victoria Bar.

4. Frank Sinatra played a week-long residency at the Empire

In 1953 Frank Sinatra was about to be propelled back to the A-list with his film From Here to Eternity. A couple of weeks before the film came out he played 5 nights at Glasgow’s Empire, which stood on Sauchiehall Street. He stayed in the Central Hotel (now voco® Grand Central at Central Station) where he held a press conference.

5. The Glasgow Apollo – the most rock ‘n’ roll venue in history?

The Apollo stood at the top of Renfield Street and was, for many years, Glasgow’s premier rock venue. A roll call of legendary acts played the rickety stage. Renowned for its rowdy but enthusiastic crowd, many bands have been quoted as saying it was the best venue they ever played. A classic line up from its days as the Green's Playhouse in 1967 featured Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Move and The Nice. A pretty good bill for a Tuesday night! Lou Reed, Miles Davis, Chuck Berry and ABBA are just some of the famous names who played there.

6. David Bowie had a Barrowlands star in his bathroom

David Bowie played the famous Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow’s east end in 1991 as part of his Tin Machine tour. He was fascinated by the iconic stars on the ceiling of the venue and ended up with one in the bathroom of his Paris flat!

7. Bob Dylan bought a set of bagpipes in Glasgow

Dylan bought a set of bagpipes at Glasgow's National Piping Centre when he played the city in 2011. Apparently he also purchased Highland Bagpipe Tutor Book One and Book Two. Perhaps he will be performing with his bagpipes in upcoming shows…

For many more stories from Glasgow’s musical history, book a walking tour with Glasgow City Music Tours. You'll discover some of the amazing venues that still play host to some of the best talent and crowds in the world.

Did you know that Glasgow's status as a UNESCO City of Music makes it one of 13 UNESCO sites in Scotland? In a world first Scotland's UNESCO sites have been brought together to form a trail - discover more about each of these 13 wonders and the UNESCO trail at visitscotland.com.

Article last updated: March 2022