So did Christopher Lee, Hughie Green, Billy Fury and Alistair Sim.
But 50 years ago this month, the once iconic 50-bedroom venue in Bridge Street was demolished.
Workers wasted no time in bulldozing the structure in August 1974 and the Sunderland Echo caught the final moments on camera. Here they are once more.
9. High times in 1974
Ten days into the project and this was the progress which had been made in August 1974. | se
11. A daring operation
Three workers brave the heights to make progress on the task in hand. | se
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