1980s

The 1980s at the Civic had it all: pop, rock, goth and the chance to queue for days to see Morrissey in his first solo gig.

This decade cemented the halls' reputation for hosting wrestling bouts which were often broadcast live on television on Saturday afternoons.

The eighties also saw the start of the Civic's impressive reputation for comedy as the burgeoning live comedy circuit began to hit its stride.

Early performers in the decade included Sheffield rock band Def Leppard who came to the Civic in April 1980. The band had previously been to the town as a support act for local boys Slade in October '79, this time they were returning to headline.

They obviously found the Civic to their liking, as they were back again in July 1981, the month they released their second studio album High 'n' Dry.

Sandwiched between these two rock dates was some heavy metal from Iron Maiden who came to the Civic in May 1980.

The band were promoting their debut album and the set list included their first single Running Free. Like Def Leppard, they too returned to the Civic – a second date was made in February 1982.

Offering a lighter note to the heavy stuff was pop star Kim Wilde who performed in October 1982.

Kim, daughter of '60s singer Marty, had already secured an international hit with 1981's Kids in America and the Civic date was part of a tour promoting her second album Select, which was led by the singles Cambodia and View from a Bridge.

March '83 saw a return visit from Elvis Costello & The Attractions. The band had been to the Civic previously in October '77 and the eighties date came just after they had recorded their seventh album Punch the Clock.

In November 1985 influential post punk goth rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees played the Civic.

Their appearance was noteable for two things: firstly it was their longest tour of the UK and secondly Siouxsie had dislocated her knee earlier in the tour so played out the rest of the dates seated on a stool.

Although unknown to them both at the time, Siouxsie was to collaborate at a later date with the lead singer of a band that appeared at the Civic the following year.

On October 15 1986 The Smiths packed the Civic for a full to capacity gig. The band played as part of their iconic The Queen is Dead tour.

I came away with no bruises

Two years later, on December 22 1988, Morrissey chose Wolverhampton for his first solo show – picking the town based on the affinity he felt with the Civic.

Admission was free to anyone wearing a Smiths or Morrissey t-shirt and fans queued round the block for days to get in – only half of the estimated 20,000 who flocked to the Civic made it in.

Those who did were so overwhelmed they almost pulled the singer and his PA off the stage.

But Morrissey bore no grudges – in a later interview with Q magazine he is reported to have said: “In the hall that night there was a great aura of love and gentleness, and all the people who came on stage treated me in a very gentle way.

“I wasn't kicked or punched or dragged, although they were very emotionally charged. I came away with no bruises."

During the last two years of the decade, music fans could have chosen from more than 50 performances given by artists such as The Proclaimers, Voice of the Beehive, Steeleye Span, Elkie Brooks, David Essex, Dr Feelgood, Shakin Stevens, Marillion or Clannad.

Evergreen American vocal groups The Drifters and The Temptations were attracting audiences and legendary singer-songwriter, instrumentalist and record producer Van Morrison performed on October 1 1989.

By the end of the 80s, the Civic was becoming a draw for comedians too with acts including Ben Elton, Phil Cool, Roy 'Chubby' Brown, Jasper Carrott and Rik Mayall entertaining the crowds.