The Apollo began life as a cinema and dance hall complex named Green’s Playhouse after the family which owned it. In 1977, Apollo manager Jan Tomasik became known for defending new age music when the council was asked to prohibit one band in particular – The Stranglers. In 1979, the Apollo hosted ABBA playing their last ever British live performance at the end of a tour of the UK. Regular attendees could see the Apollo deteriorating in the early 1980s, and it was no surprise when the venue closed for good in 1985. The Apollo lives on in many memories, however, and retains its own special place in Glasgow’s history.
