It's hard to believe as to what's now become an institution, but Manchester's Hard Rock Cafe first opened in the city more than 20 years ago.
Manchester's long and impressive music history made the city an obvious choice as a home for the Hard Rock Cafe after the very first branch opened in London in 1971. It was launched by two US expats who wanted to create a place that sold the ultimate American burger.
What started as a small venture soon became a popular haunt for musicians including Eric Clapton. One day, Clapton asked one of the owners to hang his guitar over his favourite bar stool to "mark his spot".
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Word travelled fast in what was a golden age of blues and rock music in the UK, and just a week later, rival guitar player Pete Townshend of The Who sent over a guitar of his own with a note saying "Mine's as good as his! Love, Pete". This is how the tradition of displaying rock memorabilia on the cafe's walls was born and also how Clapton's and Townshend's legendary feud began.
in 1978, the second Hard Rock Cafe opened in Toronto, Canada. The chain began to expand worldwide in 1982 with locations in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Paris, and Berlin.
In 1990, The Rank Group, a London-based leisure company, acquired the Hard Rock Cafe and continued to expand the brand across the UK. The second outlet opened in Edinburgh in 1998 while the third in Britain, second in England, opened in Manchester in December 2000.
Playing the opening night of the café were British pop legends Duran Duran. Since then, the venue based on Market Street Exchange Square has become a hub of great live music, attraction the likes of Feeder, James, Ocean Colour Scene, James and Starsailor.
The venue also boasts some of the best in music memorabilia such as a display dedicated to Oasis and The Smiths. Other memorabilia at the Manchester restaurant now includes guitars from legends Eric Clapton and BB King, a velvet jacket from Spice girl Emma Bunton, a suede jacket from rock legend Keith Richards and an elaborate bustier worn by Madonna.
Images found in the Reach archives offer a glimpse at what Manchester's Hard Rock Cafe looked soon after opening. The Manchester music memorabilia themed café celebrated its 15th year in 2015 with a star studded bash headlined by pop-rock band The Feeling with a celebrity afterparty.
As well as staging over 800 live music events, it has also welcomed some high profile guests including super boy band One Direction, ultimate rocker’s Noel and Liam Gallagher as well as power couple David and Victoria Beckham. Here's to the next 20-years!
