Candid photos show there was nowhere wilder than 1960s Blackpool

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A Mecca for superstars in the swinging sixties with its bursting beaches, glamour models, freak shows and the occasional riot, the Lancashire seaside resort had it all

Blackpool in its 1960s heyday was a huge attraction for those seeking sun, sea and Rock and Roll

Great Britain was an exciting place to be in the swinging sixties and Blackpool was no exception.

Back in the 1960s, Blackpool was a place that could attract all the biggest stars of the day with its exceptional venues, sun-kissed sandy beaches, thrill rides and saucy postcards.

While places like Liverpool, Manchester and London were some of the coolest cities of the era in terms of music and style, the Lancashire seaside resort was just a big a draw for those seeking sun, sea and Rock and Roll.

Searching through the archives, it becomes clear that no super group, or legendary singer or comedian could turn down an offer to see their name up in lights in the glamorous resort.

Take a look below at these candid photos against the backdrop of Blackpool’s most popular tourist attractions showing just how wild and wonderful the 60s could be.

  1. Holiday scenes in Blackpool, Lancashire. 5th August 1961

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  2. 28th August 1965: Holidaymakers riding donkeys on a busy beach in Blackpool, Lancashire with Blackpool Tower in the background

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  3. British actress Billie Whitelaw relaxing on the front at Blackpool where she is starring ‘Progress In The Park’. Circa 1961

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  4. Four year old girl learning how to be a clown like her daddy. Blackpool clown Ernie. December 1969

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  5. Comedian Tommy Cooper on stage backstage in Blackpool with water can. June 1965

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  6. The Beatles 19 July 1964 Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney at Blackpool Airport to appear on the Blackpool Night Out TV show

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  7. John Lennon arriving at the Imperial 19 July 1964 to appear on the Blackpool Night Out TV show

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  8. The Beatles before playing the Opera House, Blackpool, 16 August 1964

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  9. Beatles on stage in Blackpool for their appearance on the Blackpool Night Out TV show – 19 July 1964

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  10. The world famous Blackpool Illuminations in the Lancashire seaside resort, famous for ‘kiss me quick’ hats and the Blackpool Tower shows off its autumnal lights during the Conservative party conference in 1966

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  11. Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise promoting their summer season of shows in Blackpool. 2nd June 1965

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  12. Morecambe & Wise cycling around Blackpool. June 1963

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  13. Ken Dodd with Bluebell girls in Blackpool. August 19, 1966

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  14. Bruce Forsyth drives along the prom at Blackpool, when he was due to star in the North Pier Show, 1960

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  15. Dancing during a rock and roll session on the central pier in Blackpool, Lancashire. 4th August 1960

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  16. Dancing during a rock and roll session on the central pier in Blackpool, Lancashire. 4th August 1960

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  17. Dancing during a rock and roll session on the central pier in Blackpool, Lancashire. 4th August 1960

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  18. Ken Dodd with a three month old donkey on Blackpool Beach, 1964

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  19. Four happy children enjoying life as they splash their way through the shallows at Blackpool. June 1960

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  20. Four children enjoy a swim in the sea at Blackpool beach in the summer holidays. They are left to right: Carol Brooksbank, Denis Fulleylove, Margaret Fulleylove and Beryl Pallatt. 6th August 1961

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  21. Two women bathing in the waters in Blackpool. June 1960

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  22. Two women wearing makeshift sun hats out of newspaper on Blackpool Beach. June 1960

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  23. Toddler and his dad going for a paddle on Blackpool Beach. June 1960

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  24. Toddler sits on his mum’s knee on Blackpool Beach. 6th August 1961

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  25. Blackpool beach lost children at the missing children caravan on the beach at waiting to be claimed by their mums and dads. June 1960

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  26. Two ladies from prepared for bad weather with their plastic macs during a day out at Blackpool beach in the summer holidays. 6th August 1961

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  27. Massive crowds on Blackpool Beach. June 1960

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  28. A windy Easter Sunday at Blackpool. 2 April 1961

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  29. An Oyster stall selling shell fish on the beach in front of the iconic Blackpool Tower. Circa 1960

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  30. Young women playing football on Blackpool Beach. 6th August 1961

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  31. The Golden Mile’s Tattooed Lady and Headless Wonder have got engaged. The Tattooed Lady, otherwise known as Gillian Shuttleworth is pictured with her fiance Jimmy King in Blackpool. 6th November 1969

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  32. Machinists from St Helens hold onto their straw hats as they enjoy the sun and sea breezes at Blackpool beach during the summer holidays. 6th August 1961

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  33. The Lemm family of Castleford, Yorkshire sit behind the protection of their windbreaker during a windy at Blackpool beach in the summer holidays. 6th August 1961

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  34. The crowded beach at Blackpool central, Lancashire. June 1960

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  35. Beach Beauty contest at Blackpool. The participants line up on the beach before the competition. 29th August 1963

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  36. Comedian and singer Des O’Connor was a judge at the Blackpool Bathing Beauty competition in 1961

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  37. Up and coming impersonator Mike Yarwood enlisted the help of starlet Janet Rowsell after failing his driving test for the third time. They appeared together in a show at the Central Pier, Blackpool. They are pictured here reading the Highway Code book out on the prom. 14th June 1965

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  38. Liverpudlian pop group Gerry and the Pacemakers led by Gerry Marsden pose for the camera at the back of the Rainbow Theatre in Blackpool. 2nd July 1965

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  39. The first commercial Monorail system operating at Blackpool’s Pleasure Beach opened in 1966

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  40. Front view of Winter Gardens, entertainment complex in Blackpool, UK, 1968

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  41. Scenes at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool after riots broke out during the Rolling Stones concert. 24th July 1964

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  42. Scenes at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool after riots broke out during the Rolling Stones concert. 24th July 1964

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  43. Sunday Mercury dancing Final at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool. Circa 1960

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  44. Blackpool Gale Havoc, 1960. Gangs of workmen were employed to sweep away the accumulation of sand from Blackpool Promenade

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  45. The crowded beach at Blackpool central, Lancashire. June 1960

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  46. Princess Alexandra of Kent visits Blackpool, Lancashire. 24th April 1962

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  47. Dusty Springfield backstage at a charity event in Blackpool. 9th June 1964

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  48. Amanda Barrie, Actress, pictured ahead of her performance in the comedy A Publish Mischief in Blackpool. The play headed to London in May 1965

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  49. 27th August 1963, British pop star Cliff Richard hangs up his socks to dry in the kitchen of his home in St Anne’s, Blackpool

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  50. Tony Hancock at the ABC Theatre, Blackpool after the televised Blackpool show. 13th July 1966

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  51. Children about to go for a donkey ride on the beach at Blackpool, 1963

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  52. This Bedlington terrier waded in as Jane Derbyshire, 9, of Sale, Cheshire sucked an ice-lolly at the dog show at Stanley Park, Blackpool. Jane is a great dog lover, so she did not object. 1961

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  53. The Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool. Quintin Hogg, Lord Hailsham, walks along the front with Lady Poole. 11th October 1963

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  54. 18th August 1965: An aerial view of the Winter Gardens in Blackpool

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