A County Durham bar turned music venue has been remembered for some of the most legendary nights around in the region after welcoming some of the biggest names in music in the 1960s and 1970s.
In its heyday, The Argus Butterfly in Peterlee managed to poach the likes of an early Led Zeppelin, as well as Jethro Tull, Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, and Pink Floyd among other huge bands of the era.
While there may have been bigger venues across County Durham at the time, the atmosphere, crowds, and name alone were factors for the big bands to play their music.
As well as the big rock bands of the 60s and 70s, The Argus Butterfly also boasted a jazz club and folk club - while tap dancing and other community events were held there.
Based on York Road in Peterlee, the venue has taken various guises over the year since closing as the pub - including The Tree of York Road and restaurant How Do You Do.
But it's the time that it was The Argus Butterfly and when it welcomed legendary musicians that caught the most attention - with people sharing their memories of the venue.
From people's memories, including some that were there when the big bands of the day played, there were suggestions that T-Rex, The Who and Cream also played at the Peterlee venue, but no archive has shown this is the case.
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One person who remembers the bands of the 60s and 70s said online: "I started going as a bairn in 1967/68. The bands were on Sunday nights. I saw Free, Led Zeppelin, Jethro Tull and Family (who were a very big draw up here at the time) and a few others that I've forgotten."
Some of the bands that played The Argus Butterfly in Peterlee:
- March 8, 1968 - Jethro Tull
- February 23, 1969 - Deep Purple
- March 23, 1969 - Led Zeppelin
- November 9. 1969 - Mott The Hoople
- June 11, 1972 - Genesis
- July 16, 1972 - Thin Lizzy
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