Manchester’s lost concert hall that has hosted artists from around the world and thousands of adoring fans

Performances from the world’s biggest bands and hundreds of adoring fans – these images capture gigs of yesteryear at Manchester’s Belle Vue.

Opened in 1836, Belle Vue Zoo began life as a small private collection of birds owned by gardener John Jennison – but later introduced gardens, a circus and a concert hall that are all now confined to the history books .

And these fascinating images unearthed from our archives, Mirrorpix, capture thrilling scenes from some of the concerts that took place at Belle Vue, between the 1950s and 1970s.

Read more: Fascinating photos reveal how Greater Manchester once worked

The Kings Hall was a renowned venue for live music with superb acoustics and seating for 5,000.

Big names have played Belle Vue, including The Who, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones.

In the early 1970s, before the heights of Thriller and the Moonwalk, the then 14-year-old Michael Jackson made his Manchester debut, taking the stage with brothers Tito, Marlon, Jermaine and Jackie.

Take a trip down memory lane and only see a number of musicians and crowds at Belle Vue back then.

For great historical images from the past, check out memorylane.co.uk/ and see what you can discover

Do they awaken memories for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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