Boston's Gliderdrome, a legendary venue that hosted iconic musicians like Jimi Hendrix and Elton John, is facing an uncertain future. Despite its rich history, the building is in dire need of repair. Andrew Malkinson, whose family has owned the Gliderdrome since the 1930s, is determined to save this important piece of musical heritage.
Elton John and his Lincolnshire-born songwriter Bernie Taupin visited the Gliderdrome in 1973. Boston 's Gliderdrome has hosted some of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll. Despite its rich history, its future is far from certain. BBC News went along to find out more. In the rabbit warren of hallways and backrooms at Boston 's Gliderdrome , old posters and photographs of stars still adorn the walls; the paper and paint now peeling.
Jimi Hendrix, Rod Stewart, Elton John, ELO, The Kinks, The Animals, The Drifters, Lulu, Tom Jones, The Who and Status Quo are just a few of the icons who graced the stage here.We are being shown around the dressing rooms and private bar. Andrew Malkinson, whose family has owned the building since the 1930s, tells me some fixtures and fittings have not changed since Otis Redding's dulcet tones were heard in the Swinging Sixties. 'It's a very, very tired old building and we're trying so hard to keep it going but it's not easy,' he admits.Mr Malkinson rubbed shoulders with some of rock music's greatest musicians while his father and uncle ran the venue in the 1970s. 'I can still remember the bands rolling up and rushing back from school trying to meet some of my heroes,' he says. 'I was actually three months old, having my bottle, when Dusty Springfield came. That afternoon she fed me apparently.' From these vivid, personal recollections, it is clear this place is more than bricks and mortar - and Mr Malkinson is determined to do all he can to save it. 'It cannot go, it's got to be saved,' he adds. 'It's an integral part of not just Boston and Lincolnshire, but the country's musical heritage.'Gliderdrome began life as a skating rink in the mid 1930s. It soon made way for increasingly successful dances in the evenings. Popular with servicemen based nearby, the dances began attracting notable names of the Big Band era but its golden age really began in 196
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