January 21st 1976 - January 21st 1997

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In November 1975 'Pint 'n' Half' (Martin Gittins and Rick Rybicki) stood in for Mike Canavan to play a gig at a small back street pub in Salford. They were immediately re-booked for a return gig in December and, they were so taken by the venue, they agreed with the landlord 'One-Armed Wally' Marshall that they agreed to try a regular weekly Folk Club starting in January of the following year. and so The Legend was born.

In the 23 years that followed the Star Inn Folk Club hosted a guest performer EVERY WEEK - a total of 1149 nights of live music, a record unlikely ever to be surpassed.

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Residents in the beginning were Pint 'n' Half and  'Johnny Crescendo' (Alan Houldsworth) although Alan left after the first year or so. Later, when Rick moved to Todmorden and 'Pint 'n' Half was dissolved, Martin continued alone for several years before teaming up with long-time mate Bob Ashworth for the remaining years.

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Below is a small selection of nights from the club including the last 40 minutes of the final night (which featured John Cartain, who had been the guest on the very first night, among a crowd of other performers.)