histories of black British music and don't get proper recognition." Well said that man terry christian may leroy rest in peace. Ace Shakespeare , manchester.
The Reno Management Feb 3 2009 10:17 pm

FORMER bandmates of 70s pop star Leroy Smith were among family and friends who gathered to pay their respect at his funeral. The service for the Sweet Sensation keyboardist took place at Our Lady's Church, on the Alexandra Park estate, where the band's number 1 hit 'Sad Sweet Dreamer' was played as family and friends filed in. A wreath spelling out the name Leroy and a flower arrangement in the shape of a keyboard were placed alongside the coffin. Leroy's son, Junior, read the eulogy at the service, which was led by Father Pat Deegan. Leroy's old friend Pip Daye, 64, gave a Bible reading in Leroy's honour. One floral tribute said, 'Taken away from us so suddenly, but you were sensational, RIP Lesley'. Another, from his estranged daughter Ann Marie, read, 'It pains me knowing that I never got the chance to see you before you passed away and I never got the chance to truly know you'. Former colleague Junior Daye was among those saying goodbye. The cortege went on to Southern Cemetery and was followed by a wake at the Big Western pub, in Moss Side. Sweet Sensation was formed in south Manchester and found fame after appearing on ITV's talent show New Faces. Regarded as Britain's answer to the Jackson Five, they enjoyed a Number One hit with Sad Sweet Dreamer in 1974, and Top Twenty hit Purely by Coincidence a few months later. They remain one of the most successful acts to come from Manchester and among the earliest black British pop stars. Leroy's death has sparked a revival of interest in the band who are fondly remembered in the city and by pop fans all over the world. Celebrity fans include radio DJ and recent Big Brother contestant Terry Christian, who said: "I remember them being on New Faces when I was growing up in Brooks Bar. There was a massive buzz around Moss Side, Whalley Range and Old Trafford because lads who would be seen around in the area everyday had made it. "They had a massive impact but the management did not make enough of their appeal to teenagers and had them playing in over-21s 'chicken in a basket' clubs which paid well but didn't help their chart prospects. "It's annoying to me when they get left out of histories of black British music and don't get proper recognition."
The Reno Management Feb 3 2009 10:14 pm

A tribute to Leroy Smith, former member of the sweet sensation.Those guy`s also visited the reno! Below you will find on article,from the manchester evening new.Dated from the 16/1/2009. FORMER pop star Leroy Smith - a member of 1970s chart-toppers Sweet Sensation - has died, aged 56, alone in his flat. Leroy played keyboards in the Manchester soul band who had a number one hit with Sad Sweet Dreamer in 1974. He was found dead in his flat above the takeaway Chicken George he ran at Northmoor Road, Longsight. Jamaica-born Leroy, who lived alone, had not been seen for about a month and a friend alerted police. They forced entry to the flat where they found Leroy's body upright in a chair. He died from natural causes brought on by broncho-pneumonia. Talent Sweet Sensation found fame after appearing on ITV's talent show New Faces and were regarded as Britain's answer to the Jackson Five. They enjoyed a Number One hit with Sad Sweet Dreamer in 1974, and Top Twenty hit Purely By Coincidence a few months later. James Stenson, a 58-year-old neighbour of Leroy's, said: "He was a blinding fella - everyone round here knew him as 'Chicken George' and he used to reminisce about his days with Sweet Sensation. "He was well-liked in the neighbourhood, everybody knew him. It's a shame he was on his own when he died." In 1977, after follow-up singles enjoyed success in the clubs but failed to top the charts, the band took part in a Song For Europe in a bid to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song came eighth and shortly after that the band was dropped by its label and split. Massive Manchester pop biographer John Robb said: "Sweet Sensation were absolutely massive for a while in the Seventies. "Sad Sweet Dreamer was No.1 in Britain and a Top 20 hit in America and for all the hoopla about Manchester music, only Oasis and Simply Red have achieved this since the Seventies. "Between the Sixties and the birth of punk, Sweet Sensation were the biggest thing to come out of Manchester after 10CC. "Manchester's music scene has tended to be very dominated by white males and Sweet Sensation was one of the very few black acts to come out of Manchester. It's a shame they've been largely forgotten." After the band split, lead vocalist Marcel King went on to record Reach For Love on Tony Wilson's Factory Records. Co-produced by New Order's Bernard Sumner, the song has become a cult classic. In 1995 at the age of 38, Marcel King died of a brain haemorrhage.
The Reno Management Jan 17 2009 9:38 pm

Reno Review 2008 During the year 2008,the Reno Club presented a series of events to it's followers and the population of Manchester and it's suburbs,that prepared much pleasure and betterment to their daily lives. The events took place at locotions such as "The Relish Bar" and "The Mint Lounge" in Central Manchester,then spread it's wings to the suburbs in places such as "The Gallery" in Hale Barnes-Cheshire and "the Home Bar and lounge" in Lymm-Cheshire.Spreading the good will to the community will remain a priority to the Reno Club's Management The management also took the opportunity to put something back the community by donating to worthy charities eg. the NSPCC and Christys(Cancer research program). Anyone who wishes to keep themselves informed of The Reno Club's future program check our website regularly.To obtain the full benefits of the website.it is necessary to log in with your name and E-Mail adress. We wish you and the world a happy,healthy,peaceful and sucessful New Year. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Reno Management Jan 2 2009 4:17 pm