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Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s
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Subject: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Jul 01 - 05:44 PM I remember The Troubador Earls Court, the Greyhound, Fulham Palace Road,The Black Bull Barnet, The Barge Kingston on Thames, and many many more. I used to run The Coach and Horse Kew Green in 1968/69 and was known then { and now } as Jock Mackenzie. Anybody around from those good old days?. Jock |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 06 Jul 01 - 05:50 PM Never got down as far as Kew. My regulars were Unity Theatre, Cecil Sharpe House and The Partisan in Soho. (And the Troub - but only in the audience.) Oh yes, and Ballads and Blues in Soho Square (Ewan McColl, Peggy Seeger and Jack Elliott) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Lanfranc Date: 06 Jul 01 - 06:39 PM Alex Norton and I took over Tuesday nights at the Troub from Paul McNeil in 1970, and ran them for a couple of years thereafter. Other clubs I remember affectionately include the Marquis of Clanricard in Paddington, the Orange Tree in Friern Barnet, the ? in Putney, Bunjies, Les Cousins, and, of course, the Greyhound and the Black Bull. Memory is fading fast, but, hey, what do they say - "If you can remember the 60s, you weren't getting the best of the opportunities then available!" |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Gareth Date: 06 Jul 01 - 07:00 PM Eh ! remember the singers club somewhere off the Grays in Rd., Ewan McCall and Peggy Seager regular ! 1970's early ! Or am I just getting old ! Gareth
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Dave Wynn Date: 06 Jul 01 - 08:06 PM I used to get the tube from Wembly to Harrow and wealdstone..and visit the Herga club in the mid 70's...is it still going..? Spot. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Ralphie Date: 07 Jul 01 - 01:24 AM Spot... As far as I know Herga is still there...don't know about the Morris side though...(mind you...LOL!) The Clan, yes (originally the BBC folk club?) Dingles.....The Fox in Islington, followed by the Empress of Russia (Home to Bob Davenport and Flowers) Aaaah memories!! Ralphie |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Terry K Date: 07 Jul 01 - 02:11 AM and the Sugawn Kitchen in the Balls Pond Road - Davenport got there too (where is he now?). Cheers, Terry |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: mooman Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:35 AM There was also the Dungeon Folk Club at Tower Bridge. I often used to go there as a there in the late 60's as a teenager (only as a listener at that time) with my cousin. mooman |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: pavane Date: 07 Jul 01 - 03:36 AM I went to the Herga several times in 1971, when living in Harrow. Saw the Herga Morris Men, Huw Rippon, The Dransfields amongst others. But mostly I went to clubs in Ilford/Romford/Essex area, 1965 to 1971. The Green Gate in Ilford (Now a MacDonalds), Collier row, Kings Head in Hornchurch, The Bull at Blackmore, Brentwood, Warley. Then I moved to Wales |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 07 Jul 01 - 05:56 AM Herga is still going strong |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jayohjo Date: 07 Jul 01 - 11:01 AM As is Bob Davenport, still making very very good music indeed, some with the Flowers. Jayohjo XXX |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Tedham Porterhouse Date: 07 Jul 01 - 11:15 AM I spent a week in London, circa 1973, hanging out at folk club called Smale's Pace with guys like Stan Rogers and Willie P. Bennett. Of course, that was London, Ontario, Canada.
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Frogmore Date: 07 Jul 01 - 01:11 PM In 1976 I was living in Earl's Court (Kangaroo Canyon) and when I was not quite drunk I would play open mic at The Troubadour, but there was no mic. I remember an Albanian fellow who played electric guitar with a slide on EACH hand and a battery-powered amp swinging between his legs. I liked it. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Ralphie Date: 08 Jul 01 - 01:20 AM Frogmore.....What did you like...? the two slides or the swinging amp?!! Ralphie |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:07 AM Yep remember them all, never got to Herga although a guy called Mark Smith used to come to The Coach and Horses who was I believe a regular there, as he came from up that way. I too used to go to the Troubador in the days when Martin Winsor and Red Sullivan used to run it. I spent a couple of days last month with my old mate Johnny Silvo and he tells me that they are starting the Troub sessions again apparently being run by a guy who ran it before. I also used to go the all night sessions at Les Cousins on Fridays when Noel Murphy ran them. The "faces" that turned up and did floor spots were amazing Alexis Korner?. Spider John Koerner, Paul Simon, Long John Baldry, etc. Two of the guys involved with Bunjies in the 70s Theo Johnson and Roger Evans are now "gorn before" like the baby wot got lost down the plugole. Rgds Jock |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Eric the Viking Date: 08 Jul 01 - 07:14 AM I used to go to the phoenix at the back of Oxford circus, The melting pot in Black horse road? (souf of the Thames) Les cousins, the troubador, That place in putney, the dungeon like Moonman, you must have been there at the same time richard, bunji's can't remember any more-was there a place in the kings road? or that is something else? Cafe de's artistes I think. The bunch of grapes had sessions I remember and there was a good session at a place in hackney I just about recall. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Jul 01 - 09:10 AM The one in Putney was The Half Moon which used to be run in my time by a whole gang, Royd Rivers,Cliff Aungier & Lisa Turner among others. Joanne and Dave Kelly used to play there often and Eclection. Who remembers them?, Dorris Henderson and Trevor Lucas among others, Pentangle- Bert Jansch, John Renbourne, Jacqui McShee?, and Danny Thomson. Gawd listen to me go on poor old soul that I am, "He lives in the past you know!,it's his age" I also put an enquiry on some web page looking for Derek Serjeant and Hazel King who used to run the Assembly room club in Surbiton but nobody got back.The Dungeon was run by Cliff Aungier, and Ian Grant who was the producer of Country meets folk used to go, I remember Ron Geesin writing a special piece of music to play there. I think it involved piano, of course and a pot lid. Always an innovator that Ron. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Micca Date: 08 Jul 01 - 10:00 AM Giok, I used to frequent Les Cousins on Friday night for Murphs all nighters!!! so we might recognise each other?? have a look in the members pics pages.. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: JudeL Date: 08 Jul 01 - 10:48 AM Late 70's early 80's there used to be a singaround club on Tottenham Court Road, mostly at the New Inn but then the pub changed landlord and for a few months it kept moving. At one point it met in a local working mens club. There was some mad scots guy called Alistair that used to play the fiddle like it was part of him, that used to make a living busking. My ex & I lost contact with the club when it moved once too often when we couldn't go for a while. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Jul 01 - 11:02 AM Can't say I recognise you from the photo Micca, perhaps if you came out from behind the hedge. [ only joking ] Yes dear old Murph he lives down in the west country now used to see him occasinally at his ex wife Heather's place but it's been a couple of years now. Rgds Jock |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Rick Fielding Date: 08 Jul 01 - 11:12 AM I remember playing at the Troubadour, and being a trifle nervous. It's history was a bit intimidating. I decided to stick to strictly Canadian material which was probably a good idea. One memory that REALLY sticks in my mind was watching several fellows heading to a nearby club that was obviously NOT featuring folk music. They were all dressed in black leather from head to toe, complete with motorcycle helmets. A bit striking, but what really caught my attention was that they had all emerged from a BUS! I was young and naieve in those days, and for a split second thought "did ALL their Harleys break down at once"? Rick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Jul 01 - 11:50 AM Yep Rick those fellows were going to the pub almost next door called The Coleherne, there was also a club just around the corner,[should that be bend?] that had lots of guys with motorsickles that had broken down. John |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Lanfranc Date: 08 Jul 01 - 12:33 PM Ah - the Coleherne! The Troub didn't sell ciggies, so one was forced (?) to run the gauntlet of the black leather band or cadge your smokes for the night! The Cafe des Aristes didn't last long as a folk venue. There was the Fiesta (aka the Fiasco) somewhere in Fulham Road, where, for the price of a round of sarnies you could drink and play until the small hours. It was there that one night I sat in (!) with Stephane Grapelli, Diz Disley and sundry others in the "Hot Club de Londres Big Band" - I was only there to make up the numbers. There also used to be an Irish club based on the King's Stores pub off Middlesex Street, damned if I can remember the name though. Hampstead had a couple of folk clubs, and Chalk Farm Road lurks somewhere in my unconsciousness. Redd and Martin ran a club in Tottenham Court Road called the "Poles Apart" that was twinned with another in NZ. Enough nostalgia for now - 40 years is far too long ago for one as young as me to remember. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Jul 01 - 12:45 PM The club at Chalk Farm was called The Enterprise and was fronted by Terry Gould. I saw Maddy Prior clog dance there and also had an argument with Jimmy MacGregor cos he was being derogatory about the Scots in front of an English audience, nothing violent you understand a friendly discussion over a couple of beers. I was talking to Johnny Silvo about Disley recently and he reckons that he must be in his 70s now, frightening thought. Jock |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mark Cohen Date: 08 Jul 01 - 02:29 PM After my first year of residency (a/k/a internship) in 1978, I went to Britain for a 2 week vacation. I saw Stefan Grossman at the Troubadour, and also went to Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger's Singer's Club, which was held at the Bull & Mouth, I don't recall where that was. One of the high points of my life: Ewan said they had room for one more floor singer, so I volunteered. There I was on stage between Ewan and Peggy, playing Peggy's old Martin, singing the first song I'd ever written! Wish I'd had more time to explore the folk scene there. Aloha, Mark |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Kernow John Date: 08 Jul 01 - 05:06 PM Eric could the Hackney ones have been at Dalston Junction run by Dave Lipscomb or the Pedro at Clapton run by Terry Munday and Myself? Does anyone remember the club just along from Liverpool St Station. I turned up there one night in 1966 and Murphy mistook me for Martin Peters from the world cup squad. Murph called me up on stage and introduced me, I didn't have the heart to tell him so I took the applause and signed a few autographs before I left. Giok Murph was up country just recently visiting his daughter I'll tell him you mentioned him on Mudcat. He knows of our existence but says ordinary mail still confuses him let alone new fangled stuff. KJ |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Shambles Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:31 PM Remember Les Cousins? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Lanfranc Date: 08 Jul 01 - 06:38 PM I hang my head in shame - my old sparring partner Dom Bonito was another resident at the Enterprise. How could I have forgotten? He has a tablecloth that all the guests of the period signed. The Club near Liverpool Street was almost certainly the one at the King's Stores. Anyone heard anything of Dave Lipscomb in the last thirty years? I'm not sure if this thread is uplifting or depressing! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 09 Jul 01 - 05:10 AM The Club near Liverpool Street
That would have been Peanuts - very CND based. Tony McCarthy on the chair. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: manitas_at_work Date: 09 Jul 01 - 07:27 AM Last I saw of him Alistair Scott had moved to Leeds. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Vectis at work Date: 09 Jul 01 - 09:09 AM The Troubadour, Ewan MacCall's club, Martin in the Fields crypt, Dingles - my first encounter with the Coppers. John had waist length hair then. The Phoebus Wakes at the Rising Sun, Catford. Parsons Pightle in the Purley area. The Swan and Sugarloaf in South Croydon. The Camden Lock club. We'd all troup down to the Old Bull? in Farningham at the weekend for a run out. Clive Bennett from the Troub is now a resident at the Seaford Club. Brixton Bert is now in Essex and still singing and playing. The trouble with those times was the sheer number of clubs. I was never at home in the evenings. I got to a club with my guitar and usually some kind soul would take me home. Oh! Happy, Happy days. I hope they come back even if I'll be too old to really take full advantage of them. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:14 PM Wow Brixton Bert there is a name to conjure with, and for some reason he brings to mind John Foreman the ballad sheet king I think he called himself. Swan and Sugarloaf wasn't that run by Steve Benbow [in a syrup] Dave Lipscomb used to share a flat in Richmond upon Thames with Johnny Silvo, and when he moved out a guy known as Shaggis, who played with Murph for a while moved in. He transmogrified into Davy Johnson Lead guitarist with Elton John. I'm just an old name dropper really. Must go grubs up. BBS Jock |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 09 Jul 01 - 01:56 PM Brixton Bill has moved down to the coast now, 7th to 9th September you should find him in good voice (or whatever might be the equivalent term for Bill ...) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 09 Jul 01 - 02:28 PM Yep John from Kernow I know Jenny, Murphs oldest daughter, took her to play on the swings when she was a nipper smashin girl. Also know Sue and Siobhan so if you see them give them my love. I can imagine Murph being confused by ordinary mail, but show him a golf ball and see how confused he is then, not: I think. Jock |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Jeanie Date: 09 Jul 01 - 03:45 PM Does anyone else, as well as Pavane (07/07/01) and me, remember "The Castle" in Brentwood in the days of Nic Jones, Jeff & Penny Harris and Dave & Toni Arthur? I was one of the unruly crowd who used to sit on the piano in the corner. And what about the Essex Folk Festival 1968 (or 9?) held in a pub garden in Collier Row, with The Strawbs, and where Dave & Toni Arthur sang a spooky song to raise the wind, which it did (no doubt assisted by some members of the audience), so much so that the marquee nearly blew away? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: bobby's girl Date: 09 Jul 01 - 07:17 PM I was taken to the Troubadour when I was on a course at RAF Halton in 1976, by a fellow folkie I met there. I sang there, and was absolutely overawed to think I was singing in the club mentioned in Tom Paxton's song, Leaving London. As a Northerner this was the only contact I had ever had with the Troub, and I still remember it clearly after all these years. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 09 Jul 01 - 07:22 PM Sorry McGrath Brixton was always a Bert and still is. He's singing in Sussex this coming weekend and will be appearing with Travelling Folk at Broadstairs Folk Week in August. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 09 Jul 01 - 07:32 PM Yeah - I was just coming back here to correct that. I know he's Bert, he knows he's Bert. My fingers went walkabout. Maybe they got him mixed up with Barnacle Bill. (Not a wholly unreasonable error...) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 09 Jul 01 - 07:39 PM I'll tell him you tryped that when I see him on Friday. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: pavane Date: 10 Jul 01 - 02:39 AM Jeanie - Have to admit I missed the Collier Row party - was that Tony Maloney's club? Can't remember the name of the pub. I saw many top names there, including Nic Jones, Martin Carthy, Noel Murphy. The club later moved to the King's Head in Hornchurch. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 11 Jul 01 - 09:52 AM refresh |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Jeanie Date: 11 Jul 01 - 12:18 PM Pavane ( and anyone else bold enough to admit to Essex connections)Yes, that's right, Tony Maloney ! I didn't realize that the King's Head, Hornchurch club was the Collier Row club in disguise. I used to go to Hornchurch (Sunday nights, wasn't it?) a lot in the early seventies. I don't know how long the Brentwood club kept going - I've an idea it might have folded and that's why everyone started going to Hornchurch. The Blackmore club is still in existence at the Bull on Monday evenings. There were loads of other smaller clubs, long since gone, which you may remember: The Bridge at Upminster, The Old Oak in Romford ? Wasn't it great to be able to see all the top names locally? Who was it, if you remember, who used to act out the song "Long Lankin" with strobe lighting? It always used to petrify me and I had to hide in the loo. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: pavane Date: 11 Jul 01 - 01:17 PM I never saw the Long Lankin act, I must admit. I still have a tape of one Hornchurch night, with Dominic, the resident, and Foggy Duo. Tony Maloney ran some monthly concerts in Harold Wood, where I saw Mike Absalom, Stefan Grossman, Alex Campbell, and the Exiles, and probably others. Never went to Upminster, nor Old Oak, maybe they started after I left the area. My sister might know them. I did go to others, but can't remember them at the moment. I do remember a college in Barking or Dagenham, where I saw the Strawbs and Al Stewart, long before his Year of the Cat. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Jeanie Date: 11 Jul 01 - 02:25 PM For Pavane: Dominic ! Yes ! Goodness me, that takes me back. If you are willing and able to do me a copy of your Hornchurch tape, I'd really love to hear it. Must be from around 1970/71? If you are willing to do the tape, could you send me details on the "secret site" or whatever they call it, and I'll send a blank tape and stamped envelope for return. Sorry I can't reciprocate with any old Essex recordings, only myself and other assorted wonders of Falmouth Folk Club from the mid seventies, which is where I fled to from Essex. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: pavane Date: 12 Jul 01 - 02:49 AM Jeanie - no probs (as long as I can find it). Not sure exactly when, but about then. Email me at tycoch@hotmail.com, as I sometimes have problems getting into the personal pages (clashing cookies, I think). Did you ever see Tony's group the symbolics? She played the cymbals, and he dropped all the ... oh well, it was an old joke even then. And he used to say that any request for the Rocky Road to Dublin should be made a month in advance, so he could give up smoking. Wonder what happened to all of them. (Kings Head was where I first performed in public) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 15 Jul 01 - 12:58 PM refresh |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 16 Jul 01 - 12:33 PM Refresh |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,michael batory Date: 17 Jul 01 - 05:35 AM RE: FOLK CLUBS. The Black Bull in Barnet was good. I played there with the resident bluegrass band The James Boys (originally The Levisa River Boys, until Joe Meek told us that the name was too long). Dennis O'Brien ran the show but he fired us because we asked for a fee and also because when he said one time that he was going to sing a Finnish song I said "well hurry up and finish then" Shock-Horror! Well, I was young and it was a change from "The Lavender Cowboy" I still have the letter. Nevertheless it was a good club. One day Derroll Adams came in and played a blinding set. Bert Jansch used to drop-in regularly. My memory of him was that he never had his own guitar and always borrowed one. People were almost falling over themselves to let him play theirs. Nomatter which guitar he took, and there were some rough ones, his playing was exquisite. Val Berry, another regular, was the person who introduced me to "Wild Mountain Thyme". Her version was brilliant. Then there was Bunjies where Amory (jak) Kane used to be the regular Friday feature. And the Iron Bridge at Isleworth or was it Greenford? Anyway the resident there at that time was Don Partridge (One man band - "Rosie" - remember?) The Herga was THE club at the time. Glad to say we played there too. By the way, does anybody know the whereabouts of Roger Yardie (5-string banjo) or Ray Sharpe (mandolin, fiddle)? Michael Batory. michael.batory@bcuc.ac.uk |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: pavane Date: 17 Jul 01 - 05:58 AM My recollection of the Bert Jansch tale from the 1960's is that he never had his own guitar after one got stolen - he always borrowed after that. How true that is, I don't know. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger the skiffler Date: 17 Jul 01 - 08:16 AM I saw Bert Jansch at the Phoenix in 1968 (I think) on a visit, before I moved to London. Out of his head, unintellible vocally but marvellous playing, in between falling off the stool. The borrowed guitar story is certainly on sleeve notes of recordings of the time (Live in Glasgow/Young Man's Blues). RtS (after I moved to London in late 1969 it was jazz clubs I haunted) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 18 Jul 01 - 06:24 PM Don Partridge is still going strong. Lives in East Sussex now. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Richard Bridge Date: 19 Jul 01 - 05:11 PM Pete Hicks from Farningham is now in both Skinner's Rats (as he always was, well, after the Crayfolk) and Slattery, and playing for Bishop Gundulf Morris. He just retired as landlord of teh Victoria Inn Cliffe (Kent, England) and married a nice woman called Val. She I think is the squire of teh Morris. SO it's fair to say they are folking most nights of the week. Jacqui Walker of Phoebus Wakes is now my significant other, and Dave Bryant (to be seen then in most South London clubs - also know as the Tito GObbi of the Balls Pond Road, although he was always from South London) can be seen most fourth Thursdays at the Black Horse, in Stansted Kent (Not Stansted Essex) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: DonMeixner Date: 19 Jul 01 - 07:35 PM One of the "Perfect" live folk recordings I own is Paul McNeill, "Traditionally at The Troubadour" I found it in a cut out bin at a Family Bargain Center in Auburn NY in 1970. It has been a treasure of mine for years. I heard recently that Paul had been living rough of late. Sad for such a talent. Don |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 19 Jul 01 - 08:00 PM Hi Richard Who used to run the Phoebus Wakes? I have met a couple of them since the 70's but can't remember their names. A coule into gallery music and harmony, very pleasant and helpful. Skinners Rats are still turning up at Kentish festivals and great fun to listen to and play with. Dave Bryant still shows up at regular intervals in and around Kent Don-I still have a tape pirated from a record, of the Troub regulars including Red (sadly no longer with us) doing their thing. I also have a copy of their sea shanties record - great times!!!!!! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 20 Jul 01 - 03:22 PM Vectis..could that couple be Dave & Ruth Cooper? They now run a club at Beeston, Notts; on Saturday night. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 20 Jul 01 - 06:51 PM Yes, of course! That's them. I saw them doing workshops at Broadstairs a year or two back but by the time I had placed where I'd met them the festival was long over. Ain't it always the way? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 20 Jul 01 - 06:53 PM Don send me a PM with some details so I can get the tape to you. Swap??? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 20 Jul 01 - 08:09 PM Glad to see the Strawbs finally getting a mention, Pavanne - I was beginning to think they'd been a figment of my imagination. Also I first saw the Johnstons (Paul Brady & co) in London - it must have been Bunjies or the Troubador I think. (Brady seemed irritatingly conceited even then, but still good value.) Giok/Jock, Shaggis has been much celebrated at Mudcat - quite a few catters, including me, put him in the very top rank of instrumentalists, up there with Barney McKenna, Tony McManus etc. Is Pete Stanley still playing at London pubs - the Good Mixer (Camden), the Stick & Weasil (City Road) etc? He used to live at Archway/Tufnell Park. His 5-string banjo wasn't much use on its own, so he teamed up with a variety of partners - Brian Golby most memorably for me. But maybe that's getting too close to Country for Mudcat tastes. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Greycap Date: 21 Jul 01 - 12:11 PM Fion, Yes, Pete Stanley's still going strong-I was one of the guys he worked with ( 6 years ). He still does gigs with Brian, too. Roger Knowles |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Richard Bridge Date: 21 Jul 01 - 03:02 PM Dave and Ruth Cooper doing a lot of American sacred music now. Not really my bag. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jerry Epstein Date: 21 Jul 01 - 03:57 PM I have a couple of funny memories of playing at London area clubs in the late 70's (and early 80's). At the Crypt at St. Martin in the Field, there were often a lot of random tourists. I had a booking there in '79 and a fellow from Germany got up to do a floor spot. HIs introduction was in such a thick German accent that it was hard to understand. But he sang a Tom Paxton song in perfect idiomatic American English! what an ear. . . They also had a guy who worked the light board, and it was the only place where I would change from red to green in the middle of a ballad . . . . . . very artsy. .
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Lanfranc Date: 21 Jul 01 - 07:01 PM Mention of the Strawbs reminds me of the club that Dave Cousins used to run at the White Bear(?) in Hounslow, and another, somewhere out west, called the "Booze Droop" that ran for a while under the aegis of one Rick Wakeman. "It seems so long ago ...."
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 21 Jul 01 - 09:22 PM Greycap, are YOU Roger Knowles? What a rich community this is! You too were memorable. And I've got a star-spangled album, featuring you and Stanley. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 23 Jul 01 - 04:37 PM Pete Stanley and Wizz Jones were the original pairing in my memory, but Pete was a bit like Clive Palmer, the minute HE left a group, they became trendy!! Yes the White Bear in Hounslow, off Uxbridge Road by the bus garage under the bridge, and there it was on the left. I remember being really gobsmacked on meeting Lonnie Donegan there, apparently he was a regular. Young and impressionable I was then, not young anymore. Jock |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Shambles Date: 23 Jul 01 - 06:53 PM The White Bear Hounslow. Yes I remember Dave Cousin's (he of the Strawbs) club.
I remember a 'knobbly kness' contest there. 'Murph' won it. The judge was Mary Hopkin who knew a good knee. 'Those were the knees my friend'. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Micca Date: 24 Jul 01 - 06:46 AM ah, Pete Stanley, he was one of my Heroes in the late 60's in various ensembles... and I got the chance to tell him so. He Joined a Musical Instrument making course where I worked,to make Banjos as a full time student, in the early 90s and I had the privelage of hearing him play his first Banjo after it was strung!!!! and he is still MAGIC!!!! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: BIG AL Date: 24 Jul 01 - 09:19 AM jeannie, I think that would be taffy Thomas's Magic Lantern that used to do the Long Lankin in that way |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Greycap Date: 25 Jul 01 - 02:40 AM For Fionn, I'm tickled to be remembered - if you are ever in Yorkshire..., drop in at Ripon Folk Club, the Black-a-moor Inn,near the racecourse, Sunday nights, Roger |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: pavane Date: 30 Jul 01 - 03:30 AM I just turned up an old tape which includes a song from one Jim Garrett, who used to run Loughton folk club. He wrote songs (mostly humorous, I believe)and apparently published a book of them. The title of one was 'Don't lie down on the sawbench Daddy, you'll get a pain in your head head neck neck body body'. Anyone remember him? Was he the one with the arrow-shaped electric guitar? (Sorry if I show my ignorance of electric guitars here). If we find him, maybe he will let us post a song or two.
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Peter K (Fionn) Date: 30 Jul 01 - 10:01 PM Roger, I took my daughter to one of my childhood playgrounds, Brimham Rocks, just this last weekend. If I'm that close to Ripon again on a Sunday, I'll certainly look in. And just extend this northern drift a bit further, have you any idea what became of the two Daves who once had regular Sunday night sessions at the Fleece at Addingham? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kernow John Date: 31 Jul 01 - 03:05 AM Does anyone remember Chapter 3? They were around the clubs at the same time as most of the above. KJ |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Greycap Date: 31 Jul 01 - 12:41 PM Fionn, Hey, I didn't know you were so close - re: the 2 Daves, sorry, no idea. However, Addingham does have a first( I think )Tuesday night singaround in the pub just up from the Fleece. Can't recall the name off-hand, but it's easy to find. There's also the Lock,Stock & Barrel, by the canal, Tuesday nights, in Skipton. Saturdays, I run a small singaround at the Bay Horse Inn, Burnt Yates. Seeya, |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Jingle Date: 01 Aug 01 - 04:07 PM I remember the Barge at Kingston, also the Cellar Club behind the cinema. Whatever happened to the Barge, I suppose it fell to pieces years ago? Went once to the Singers Club in Holborn where Ewan McColl was in charge and keeping a very tight grip on the proceedings. Peggy Seeger was wonderful, and he sang to her "The first time ever I saw your face". I have never forgotten it. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 02 Aug 01 - 10:53 AM Ah London......the clubs I used to visit, and floor sing, in the early 60's when I lodged in Hither Green and worked at the Glennifer Laundry on Bromley Road. Ballads & Blues, (or had it become the Singers Club by then?)The Unity Theatre, The Witches Cauldron...that was held on a Sunday afternoon, but I can't remember where, and the Troub of course. Bungies. Later years I sang at The Rose, Islington, Marquis of Clanricarde (The BBC Club), The Enterprise, Chalk Farm Road, in the days of Don Bonito & company, always a favourite club, Croydon folk club,Dingles, another favourite, The Rising Sun, Catford, Swan & Sugarloaf, Croydon, The Goat, St Albans, etc.etc. Memories. Speaking of memories.....Hello Roger Knowles, I remember sharing the bill with you at the MSG donkey's years ago. I remember your wife,Eileen?, being a good ballad singer. Great days, and the music still rolls on! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: pavane Date: 02 Aug 01 - 11:11 AM I remember a blues club in a cellar called the Witches Cauldron, somewhere in North London - would that be likely to be the one? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: RoyH (Burl) Date: 02 Aug 01 - 11:32 AM Yes it could well have been. They had folk sessions on Sundays but the cellar got used as a function room, could've had blues in there. I still can't recall the locality. Heard the likes of Redd Sullivan, Marion Gray, and a very young Martin Carthy there. they were good sessions. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Skiffle fan Date: 02 Aug 01 - 05:02 PM If I remember rightly the Witches Cauldron was in Hamstead. And Phoebus Awakes in Catford was I think originally founded by Eddie Dunmore, Martin Hazel, Dave and Toni Arthur and The Coven Band (John Bush -Kate's brother- on concertina). Later Dave Cooper took over. Re. the Two Daves - Dave Trenow is up around Chelmsford and is a fine painter, a few years ago he had a Green Man exhibition. Re. the Crypt at St Martin's, wasn't the guy with the lava lamps Ron Geesin? Re Don Partridge, usually seen at the Seaford, East Sussex, Friday folk club., still busking after all these years. Re Ray Sharpe, mandolin. Is he the Ray from the Hickory Nuts? If so he's alive and well and living around Caterham area. Dennis O'Brian, ah yes, I remember him well. Also Sean McCarthy from the Crubeen Club, at Wandsworth, who wrote Red Haired Mary, and went back to Ireland and became a successful ~Club or Studio owner. He was one of the first club organisers to 'spot' and book Bob and Carol Pegg, and Dave and Toni Arthur back in the early 60s. Re Al Stewart, first London peformance as floor spot in the folk club held under a Wimpy Bar in Tooting. He'd just arrived in London from Southampton, or somewhere down that way, mid-sixties. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Greycap Date: 03 Aug 01 - 12:46 PM Burl, You got a great memory - yep, Eileen and I are still together, 36 years,we are still singing & playing. Come and see us if you are near Ripon. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Chris Evans Date: 06 Sep 09 - 01:22 PM In 1967 and 1968 I ran a folk club at the Greyhound on Fulham Pallace Road. I worked mainly with a guy called Pete Darling. Guests at the club included, Alex Campbell, The Young Tradition, Dave and Toni Arthur, Johnny Silvo, Shirley Collins, Stefan Grossman. The Strawbs, Noel Murphy. Finbar and Eddie Furrey. Does anyone remember? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Fidjit Date: 06 Sep 09 - 04:10 PM '66 - '68. '69 - 72 ish Club at Hampstead where I asked Shirley Collins to sing a cheerful song. The Troub of course. Johnny Silvo borrowed my guitar and broke a string. Mike Absolem had a club in the cellar of a church in Battersea. Heard Alex Campbell there. Islington, Dave and Tony Arthur HammersmithBroadway where I heard Ralph McTell, but that was later. Clapton Uni. Tim Hart and Maddy Prior. Fulham where I showed slides of Vigeland Park in Oslo, whilst I sang Sidney Carter's Country girl. He was there and said I'd sung the Ralph Harris version. And so I had. Jeremy Tailor was the guest. Was asked, "But is it Folk?" Noel Murphy was everywhere. and with Shaggis. Radio two. Folk on Two live at some theater by Charring cross with Wally Wyton, Jim Lloyd etc. The memories are fading. I'm getting on a bit better book me before it's too late. Chas |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Sep 09 - 04:30 PM Hampstead could have been the Three Horseshoes, or possibly the Enterprise at Chalk Farm, run by Terry Gould. Mike Absolom ran a club in the crypt of a church in Bayswater Hammersmith... was that The Prince of Wales in Dalling Road, run by Rod Hamilton? Folk on Two, or Country Meets [Swamps] Folk, was in the playhouse theatre at Charing Cross, resident Wally Whyton [Ollie Beak] and base player Brian Brocklehurst, producer was Ian Grant. Different guests each week. We're all getting on a bit. JM |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 06 Sep 09 - 05:43 PM I was around the London clubs from the end of 69. As well as those mentioned above, there was also The Florence in Islington (Tues; before the Empress?) and The Fighting Cocks at Kingston (Friday). Several of the universities also had regular clubs. The Troubador I went to a lot (in 60/70, I lived really close by; usually went on there after the Cellar at C# House). I ran into Dom Bonito some years ago when a group from Herga went up to try and support the poorly attended the Saffron Waldon FC! It didn't work. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 06 Sep 09 - 05:51 PM I vaguely remember tottering up to The Crypt under St Martin in the Fields after the Troub ( via a pub in a market somewhere) for a lunchtime club. I think it began at 12. Anyone else used to go? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Santa Date: 06 Sep 09 - 06:08 PM I used to go to two clubs in the early 70s: I saw Therapy at Surbiton but was more regularly at one in Kingston, where I remember seeing Martin Wyndham-Read, then freshly back from Australia. I don't recall the name of the club but the residents were Dunedain. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 06 Sep 09 - 06:14 PM I started going to Herga, my local club, in 1967. I also remember visiting Islington at the King's Head, Upper Street when the Stradlings were running it (I went to see the Songwainers there in 1969), Dingles, in 1970, when it was still at the Roebuck, and the Tower in Walthamstow. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Fidjit Date: 06 Sep 09 - 11:27 PM Mike Absolom ran a club in the crypt of a church in Bayswater Yes John Your right. Now why would I go the other side of the river.? Crypt was dry. So in the break we'd go to the pub across the road. Did my floor spot just before Alex and left a bottle of orange juice on the stage. Alex, " What the F*** this?" To embarrassed to collect it. Chas |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 07 Sep 09 - 07:43 PM Anyone remember the "Nags Head Folk Club" in Battersea, opposite Garton's Glucose factory? The first folk club I ever regularly attended, in 1965, after ten years of playing in a skiffle band. I can't even remember the names of the organisers, but they started me on a forty four year odyssey of performing in, and organising folk clubs, sessions, and singarounds, and thanks to them I'm still doing it. Don T. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: ejerome Date: 26 Oct 09 - 09:40 AM i hope this is in keeping with the spirit of your site - I wondered if anyone was in touch with Peter Davis, who used to work at the Witches Cauldron 1965-66. Cheers, Erica |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 26 Oct 09 - 10:06 AM Price's Candles were also just next door to Garton's. The conflicting smells were, "interesting" Yes I remember the club, but both it and the pub, are no more. JM |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Clive Pownceby Date: 26 Oct 09 - 02:02 PM To Don T. Yes, I went to the Nags Head in Battersea. Was it on York Road? If so it's now demolished (1980)as the previous posting notes. I saw Johnny Silvo, who is all over this thread, there in Autumn 1966. Sunday night I think. On other nights, the same upstairs room hosted Kilroys Blues Club and I also caught Savoy Brown with the great Kim Simmonds on guitar there, a few nights later. Somewhere I've got a flyer which is probably worthy of framing. On the same week's holiday from up here in the north-west, I went to CS House and paid 12/6d to see a bill that featured Carthy & Swarbrick, Shirley Collins, Anne Briggs and Bob Davenport. Blimey!!!! I thought it a fortune to shell out at the time, when I could go and see Zoot Money at Klooks Kleek for 7/6d! Had eclectic tastes then - still have 'em now. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band Date: 26 Oct 09 - 02:05 PM Don (WYSIWYG), You undoubtedly came across Tony Deane and Ted Smith who ran the "Nags Head" for some time during those years. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Tug the Cox Date: 27 Oct 09 - 08:11 AM In the early sixties my elder Brother used to go to a folk club on Catford bridge....anyone remember it. I later went to the |phoebus awakes, run by Dave Cooper, then later by Nick Dow. The YCL used to run a club at Forest Hill, then there was thr crypt, and The Bull (coach house) at Farningham. There was often a sing song in the Three Tuns, Blackheath.....a fine 'alternative' pub in those days. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Oldguit Date: 30 Oct 09 - 04:54 AM I remember The Nags Head Battersea in the early-mid sixties but spent much more time at: The Nags Head, Clapham Common Old Town and The Nags Head, Wandsworth Rd, near the top end of Queenstown Road. Anyone remember them? They were both run by a big bubbly lady named Sue, I can't remember her surname, I think her father was a folkie too. I remember Peggy Seeger coming to Clapham and being introduced as "Peggy" she did a fantastic rendition of Scarborough Fair, others I remember, Jugular Vein, Mike Deacon, George Greenaway, Mick & Mac, Gerry Lockran (Half Moon Putney)Fred Kettle, Dave Evans,and many others already mentioned. The Nags Head, a Popular name for pubs in Sarf London.I emigrated across the river in 1967. Howard |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Rick Rutkowski Date: 01 Nov 09 - 01:53 PM Hi, i am not in touch with Peter Davis but I did go to the Cauldron regularly in 64/65 time and in particular used to go to see Mox and John Lamont. It started me out on a journey of playing harmonica and singing the blues which i do to this day. Nice memories! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Leadfingers Date: 01 Nov 09 - 02:32 PM The Load of Hay in Uxbridge , through the later sixties and the seventies ! And The White Lion in Egham , which became Staines Folk Club at The Bridge , then The Pheonix ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Strider Date: 04 Dec 09 - 05:26 PM I was deeply involved in the folk scene from 64 - until the mid 70s when I left for Belgium, mainly around Wimbledon, Kingston, New Malden. Started with the New Malden Folk Club in the Railway Tavern in 64 I think, which moved to the Royal Oak a year later. I met Sandy Denny in there a couple of times doing floor spots, I can remmember thinking what a great voice, and wishing she could tune her guitar. The Holy Ground (aka the Fighting Cocks) openened in Kington, and it was a great place over the years, decent acoustics, and a great singing tradition. In 1969 Dunedain was formed with Nigel Hall, Mike Huxley, John Rodd and myself and we opened another club in Kinston at the Castle, Fairfield. The pub was isolated with no buildings or houses around, and we used to frequently have a lock-in on the Saturday evening when we ran it. It was a fairly small upstairs room, and felt well populated with 25 people in there, often we had 40-50. At the same time the new malden crowd had migrated to the Albert on Kingston Hill. We had to move as the area was being redeveloped, and contined residency at the Fighting Cocks until we opened the Upstairs Coal Hole at the Prince of Wales in Wimbledon, in 71. A big and quite successful club, we could afford to have a regular diet of high profile guests but it never had an intimate atmosphere. I remember doing gigs or floorspots at many of the clubs mentioned in this thread. Another favourite club slightly beyond London was the Windsor Club at the Swan in Clewer Village. Another small attic type club over the garage or barn. The name Alan springs to mind, and quite possibly one of the best collections of attractive females in the regular audience that I can remember. Great days |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,eric the viking Date: 04 Dec 09 - 06:39 PM Sometimes the Thurlow arms in West Norwood would have a folk/blues night. I did a night there once. There was a guy called "Raggy Farmer" on as well. I left London in 1971..all those years ago....where has time gone? Anyone remember "Time out"? Me and my mate Pat were often listed (as Pat and Eric) in there in the late sixties. Wasn't it a great time to be young?(Rose coloured glasses?) So much good music going on. Very little violence, no-one had heard of "mugging". Then there was "The Cherry tre" in East Dulwich as well. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 18 Dec 09 - 08:01 AM around 64 65 the cousins all nighter then down to ken colliers for the last bit janch renbourn ect and a club called le duce or something like that of greek street where all stewert had it all top himself jackson c frank sometimes the cousins roy harper more often than not three horshoes sunday paul simon in the middle with one or to new songs black bull barnet alex cambell ect |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Leadfingers Date: 18 Dec 09 - 09:17 AM I spent FAR too much of the Sixties out of UK , and when I WAS home , based in High Wycombe , getting into London was not that easy . Different matter after I got demoobbed and had transport so DID manage a bit more in London . Even managed a few Gigs ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 18 Dec 09 - 10:58 AM The early part of this thread dates from the days before I came to mudcat or I would have chipped in then. Apart from residencies at the Cellar CSH and The Enterprise in Chalk Farm (although I was regular there in Tery Gould's days the residents during my "official" time were Don Bonito, myself and Marian McKenzie). Most other North London Clubs I attended regularly at that time but I don't recall anyone mentioning the Hop Poles in Baker Street Enfield, Monday nights IIRC, Did an occasional residency/MC spot there. The Tower in Walthamstow was mentioned, by Kitty I think, but the area also had late the Navy Boot club at the Lord Brooke and the Three Blackbirds at Leyton. In between the Fox and the Empress of Russia mentioned by Ralphie was the Florence, which was mentioned, but even earlier that that, but continuing from the Fox, was the King's Head in Upper Street. The Fox Islington Green carried on as a different club later, run I think by Tina Mullinger. Someone mentioned running a club at the Greyhound Fulham. I remember going there and I think Dave Calderhead was involved. And finally, for now anyway, I was regularly at the Wazgoose, in various venues around Stockwell. Memories! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,geust jim Date: 19 Dec 09 - 02:43 PM im going up and dwn the northern line 14 years old |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jim Date: 19 Dec 09 - 03:46 PM in engaland i can say it was going to a place i didnt know mick softley mark brialy no one turnd up somewere dont know were got lift back in van today stood in the cold in waterloo market amsterdam no exuses |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John Date: 02 Jan 10 - 06:25 PM Anyone remember the club at the Starting Gate pub...Wood Green... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Valmai Goodyear Date: 02 Jan 10 - 08:03 PM I may have missed a reference, but has anyone mentioned Dingles at the Adams Arms in Fitzrovia? In the mid-1970s the residents were Tim Laycock, Jim McGean, Chris Foster, Simon Rosser, Keith Dignum,and a lady called Bridget whose surname I never knew. In my student days I was a soldier of the line on the door. Sheila Miller was one of the organisers; the main man was Roger Holt, drummer with Dingles Chillibom Band. The club was unusual in that a bit of dancing was possible and often happened. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 02 Jan 10 - 08:23 PM Ah Val. Dingles.... My other club (after the Rising Sun in Catford!) Even recorded my first LP on their label...(Sadly now defunct, but..I've got the tapes..nudge nudge!) Yeah...I remember a Bridget too. Danged if I can remember her surname though? Bonnie...are you out there? (Shaljean that is!) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 02 Jan 10 - 08:35 PM Jeez!! Have just realised that this thread was started 9 years ago.... And, there are some of us who still remember those far off days..(memo to self, take off those rosie looking spectacles immediately..It wasn't that good!) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 03 Jan 10 - 09:14 AM Might have been Bridget Danby (as she was after she married Steve). She certainly went there, though I didn't remember her as being a resident. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 03 Jan 10 - 09:18 AM Chris Foster was attempting to reminisce with me recently about Dingles. All I could recall were vague spectres of him, John Kirkpatrick and Sue Harris and not even exactly where it was. Chris said that was because it was in two places, the Rising Sun on Tottenham Court Road and the Adams Arms in Conway Street. My suspicion is that memories blur as a result of the haze of dope drifting from Joe Boyd's UFO further down Tottenham Court Road at No 32. Something happened at the Sols Arms too. `I think I remember Wizz Jones was involved. That was close to a Wimpy Bar which was all there was to foregather in on Sunday afternoons before the Three Horseshoes opened its doors opposite at 7 p.m. for the Pentangle's club. Odd that the only venue left in that quarter is Musical Traditions at The King & Queen, far more serious now than it ever was. There were two other Three Horseshoes of note: one in Heath Street, Hampstead where Bert Jansch was a resident, then The Three City Four took over, and another in Upper Street, Islington (where every bar had some sort of session at one time before they all changed their names and got poncy) where Dominic Behan famously staggered in on Martin Carthy mid-ballad and demanded his turn. He got it, departed to the next bar along and Dr MCMBE resumed at verse 93. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Splott Man Date: 03 Jan 10 - 11:15 AM Ah memories... Valmai, could it have been husky voiced singer-songwriter Bridget St John? I sometimes would hitch up from deepest Surrey to the Fighting Cocks, and the Hammersmith Folk Club (2 very tall residents, John Something and A.N.Other), and also the Croydon Folk Song Club (Pete Twitchett). There was also briefly a Folkish club at the Boathouse in Kew, and later on when I lived in the area in the 70s, there was the New Merlin's Cave somewhere near King's X. Splott Man |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 03 Jan 10 - 12:06 PM Yep, I'm still out here. (I was Out There 9 years ago too...) I remember a Bridget, and the surname Danby strikes a chord, but I'm not sure if I'm mixing her up with another Bridget. She was a different one from Ms. St John. Simon & Keith had a duo called Pickled Dill, which I always thought was brilliant. I loved the way they sang Norton New Bell Wake. Did my first gig with Packie at Dingles in January 1976. YIKES!! 34 years ago!!! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 03 Jan 10 - 12:08 PM Splotty - I don't think Miss St.John ever came to Dingles. I think that by the early 70s she was only doing concerts. But ask me no questions. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 03 Jan 10 - 12:24 PM The Starting Gate! Thanks John, I have been trying to remember the name of that place for years. I remember seeing The Levee Breakers there. Lineup may have been, Beverly [later Mrs Martyn] on vocals, Mac McGann on the first double necked guitar I ever saw, Henry the Eighth on jug, among others I have forgotten. BTW, the club in the crypt of that church in Bayswater, was The Holy Ground, Mike Absolom was there a lot. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 03 Jan 10 - 12:35 PM Oh and BTW, the said Holy Ground was the last place I met up with that fine gentleman Packy Byrne, mentioned by Bonnie. We wandered across Queensway to the pub, for a jar and a chat. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 03 Jan 10 - 01:36 PM Bridget Danby moved from London to Suffolk and ran Felixstowe festival. She played flute on Nic Jones' recording of Penguin Eggs, on the album of that name. I think she sang in the South Bank performance of the Transports too. I went to Dingles once or twice in 1970 when John K was playing with Dingles Chillybom Band, and before the club moved to the Adams Arms, but my recollection is that it was in the Roebuck in Tottenham Court Road. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 03 Jan 10 - 02:50 PM Dingles was adams arms conway street,the female resident Singer was Ros Shaylor,Nic Dow later became a resident,as did Mike Callow? Bridgit Danby was living in Suffolk about 1978 |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 03 Jan 10 - 03:03 PM "There was often a sing song in the Three Tuns, Blackheath.....a fine 'alternative' pub in those days." I know it well being born actually on Blackheath. I lived right next door to the Three Tuns,my mother had an Antique shop,there in Tranquil Vale,and prior to that one called 52 two steps,just across the road. Dave Bryant ran a club in Blackheath,but I think it was just beyond the railway station,up the hill in the direction of Lee Green. The Tower folk club moved to the Three Blackbirds,and became the Blackbirds folk club was run by Rip Rippingale [the singing railwayman]and Ticklers Jam, I was a Resident, it had been started by Dymphna. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Judy Dyble Date: 03 Jan 10 - 06:29 PM The Starting Gate in Wood Green was my 'local' club. Ashley Hutchings was a regular visitor, probably where I met up with him and the rest of Fairport I should think.. It was a folk club one night a week in a room above the pub and on other nights it had other music.. I remember seeing Rufus Thomas there once 'just a-walking the dawg'. The Fishmongers Arms in Wood Green was the local Jazz Club.. mostly trad jazz, but later had rock bands as well.. Those were the days eh? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 04 Jan 10 - 04:24 AM Bridget Danby married Steve Danby in August August 1976. At the time she would have been going to Dingles she would have been Bridget Hogg, which name may ring more bells with the old Dingles regulars. I was chatting with Chris Foster about Dingles when he did his gig at Walthamstow last year. The original club at the Rising Sun was started by John Kirkpatrick with my brother Gerry Sheils and Roger Holt (JK mentions it in the booklet to Shirley Collins CD boxset "Within Sound"). I think Chris and I agreed that Gerry had moved away by the time he was involved. I remember good times at the old Rising Sun venue. I think "The North Circular Accidental Band" started there. I have slight memories of a club at The Starting Gate Wood Green. Is it the same club that was later nearby at Bounds Green, I think the pub was The Railway Tavern. I was regular there for a short time in 1975 when I lived nearby at Ally Pally? After the Folk club we would go to a dodgy private club with a "dining" licence so as long as you paid 25p for a sandwich you could drink after hours on a Sunday! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 04 Jan 10 - 04:40 AM The club in Bounds Green was at the Springfield Park Tavern. Chris Foster (again) told me as we passed it - it's on the end of the road in which I now live - that he played there on his birthday in 1976. It only has a widescreen telly with football now. Where was the Starting Gate? I remember the name but not where it was. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 04 Jan 10 - 04:47 AM That's right The Springfield (obviously I had too many sandwiches) The Starting Gate is near the exit to Alexander Palace Rail Station. The exit nearest Wood Green that is. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 04 Jan 10 - 05:15 AM The North Circular Accidental Band! I used to work in C# House with Doug Sherriff, and a gas guy he was too. Anybody know what he's doing these days? The Rising Sun at Catford was one of my habitual haunts - which is where I first became friends with Anne Lister and Ralphie, among other folk. The late lamented Dave Bryant was also a regular there, I think; and that was the first place I ever heard Nic Dow and Tim Laycock sing, both of whom used to turn up fairly often, at least in my day. Ruth, who ran it in later years, is a Facebook buddy and I've just heard from her. (She has not lived in London in some years, and is keeping very well indeed.) Anybody remember the club very near C#H in Gloucester Avenue, The Engineer or The Railway, or some name that reminded me of trains? That was the first British folk club I ever went to, to see Carolanne Pegg. Yes Judy, those definitely were the days! O my friends, we're older but no wiser... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 04 Jan 10 - 05:27 AM Doug Sherriff died a few years ago. His widow who lives in Salisbury was in touch a while ago seeking reminiscences of his life for their daughter. The Engineer is an extremely upmarket gaffe these days, as is the Enterprise, up Gloucester Avenue and opposite Chalk Farm Station. The Howff at the top end of Regents Park Road is long gone too. Seamas Ewens was relating to me recently the tale of how the landlords reclaimed it. Just think, I once was able to afford to live just a few doors down from there, and Hedy West lived just over the road. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: davyr Date: 04 Jan 10 - 05:30 AM Yes, the pub was the Engineer and I think the club was called "The Cut". Saw Peter Bellamy there in about 1976 and remember he told a story about a couple of old Norfolkmen who used to sleep in their wardrobe during freezing winter weather as it was a little warmer than their beds. Might try it tonight... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 04 Jan 10 - 06:39 AM Blimey, lots of memories jogged there. I think we saw a post dissolution Young Tradition at the Engineer some time around 1973. Certainly saw Sandy Denny, Mr Gladstone's Bag, Albion Country Band Mk II etc at the Howff. June Tabor, Nic Jones, Tom Paley, Ken Loveless, Bob Davenport and loads of others at the Enterprise. Shirley Collins got us in to Dingle's to see the Etchinghams even though the bloke on the door thought it was too crowded. Anybody remember The New Merlins Cave? Long time jazz club, but Steve Ashley started a new club there in Tuesdays in 1973 with Anthea Joseph and Heather Wood on the door, and Heather, Lea Nicholson, Steve, Simon Nicol, Richard and Linda Thompson, and Robin and Barry Dransfield as residents. Oh yeah, must mention Kilburn and the Highroads, well known folkies, at the Greyhound, Fulham Palace Rd. About 4 of us walked in and did a double take. A little disabled bloke in a drape jacket, a DA and one glove? A black drummer with crutches? A bass player of restricted growth? What the hell IS this? At half time, the rest of the band buggered off to the bar and left the drummer marooned. Mr Dury used to say that if he had a fiver for every person who's claimed to have seen the Kilburns...but we really did, so that's £20 then Ian, wherever you are! Sorry to hear the Enterprise is really up market now. Wouldn't allow me in then. Thank God, I understand Marine Ices is still going (catalyst of Haverstock Hill gentrification according to Jerry White in "London in the 20th Century" - you could have fooled me!) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 04 Jan 10 - 06:55 AM Left Peter Bellamy out of the Enterprise list, he did quite a few songs from The Transports via a little notebook on a music stand. We were so lucky, and we knew it. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: davyr Date: 04 Jan 10 - 06:57 AM I believe the Borchester Echo said it was the Engineer that had gone up-market (although for all I know the Enterprise may have done as well). Nice to hear Marine Ices is still going, although IMHO they were always a poor second-best to Benigra Gelateria which used to be next door to Goodge Street tube station. Oh for a double scoop of their home-made Zabaglione ice cream (even in this weather)... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: davyr Date: 04 Jan 10 - 06:59 AM Whoops, I should learn to read - the BE mentioned both establishments in the same breath... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 04 Jan 10 - 07:21 AM Marine Ices is still there??!! YESSSSSSSSSSS !! :-D |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 04 Jan 10 - 07:37 AM Pistachio |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 04 Jan 10 - 08:57 AM Just found this thread, and haven't read every post - but it's bringing back memories: My first folk club was the Jackhammer at a pub called The Angel in London Rd, Brentford (no longer there). Played my first gig there in 1966 (floor spot with 2 schoolfriends, I'd only been playing guitar 9 months). If I remember right, it was run by Alan Young. Also saw Steve Benbow, Don Partridge, Jo Ann Kelly, Gerry Lockran, Johnny Joyce & Mac McGann, Mike Cooper there, among others. (Residents were the Jawbone Jug Band, whom I joined briefly in 1970.) I regularly frequented the Horseshoe in Tottenham Ct Rd, (just The Horseshoe, not Three Horseshoes as Borchester Echo said) through 1967, while Pentangle were getting their act together. I remember John Martyn MC'd most weeks. A poster I have for April 1968 calls it the "Jansch/Renbourne club" and lists Stefan Grossman and John Martyn (7th); ditto on the 14th plus Panama Ltd; Ralph McTell, Clive Palmer and Wizz Jones on the 21st; and McTell with Mike Chapman on the 28th. (Entry was 7/6 for members, 10s for others - quite expensive in those days.) Other posters in my collection: The "Now" club at the White Hart, Southall, November 1966: Vincent Crane Combo, Roy & Val Bailey, Diz Disley, John Foreman). Holy Ground (4a Inverness Place, Bayswater, every Wednesday), May/June 1968: Young Tradition, Mike Absalom, Dominic Behan, Ron Geesin (anyone else remember this mad Scots genius?), Diz Disley, Alex Campbell, Noel Murphy, Johnny Silvo. In August they held a "Grand Blues Night" with Stefan Grossman, "Joanne" Kelly [sic], Mike Absalom, Simon Prager & Steve Rye, and the Classic Jug Band . (I was there and remember Alexis Korner, leather-jacketed and leather-faced, turning up for a floor spot.) The listings for the rest of the year include Jackson C Frank, Al Stewart, the Strawbs and Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick. My ephemera collection also includes membership cards for: Les Cousins (naturally ;-)); The "Robey" folk club, Sir George Robey, Finsbury Park; Hounslow Folk Club, White Bear, Kingsley Rd (later called "Grail Folk"); When I was with the Jawbone Jug Band, we once supported Accolade (Don Partridge and Gordon Giltrap's band) at Hornsey Art College, along with Cliff Aungier, Gerry Lockran, Dave Sewell and Jumping Jack (whose act involved tap-dancing in skis...) From 1973, I was in a band playing clubs around Richmond, such as the Derby Arms in Sheen (where we supported Vin Garbutt), the Lamp, in a crypt in the Vineyard, Richmond, the Cabbage Patch and Barmy Arms (Twickenham), Half Moom (Putney), Packhorse (Staines). We ventured as far east as the Central Hotel, East Ham (not to mention outside London, which I guess is off topic...). |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 04 Jan 10 - 09:04 AM Sorry to hear that Doug Sherriff died. In 71/72 I was living in Fulham and finished off most evenings in the Kings Head, which was more or less at the end of the road I was living in. Doug would come down sometimes to record John Bowe and John O'Shea, who played there at weekends, and I'd run into him from time to time (as well as at CSH of course). Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 04 Jan 10 - 09:20 AM What a great post, Guest. Can you give some sort of user name (it doesn't have to be your real one if you don't want) because sometimes the moderators delete totally anonymous messages. That would be a shame, so type something in the From box - I'd also like to know if I've ever seen you anywhere - |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 04 Jan 10 - 10:00 AM Doug Sherriff joined the Folk Shop at CSH to work with me sometime in early 1970 I guess, we had some good times and I was sorry to hear about his death a few years back. Diane was also working there around that time. Doug stayed on and worked with Marianne McKenzie, who took over after I left there. Then a year or so later I was formally resident with Marian and Don Bonito at the Enterprise, having been a regular there for some years. Clive Woolf, who I used to sing with some years before had been resident and I took over when he left. Lots of links and connections in the memories in this thread. I would have known some of the people posting but not from the mudcat names necessarily. There is still an Enterprise regular from the late 60s early 70s coming regularly to my latest haunt in Walthamstow. I must have seem MCP in the Kings Head Fulham around that time but only remember meeting him a few years later. I may have spent more time in the White Horse opposite! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Will Fly Date: 04 Jan 10 - 10:15 AM If anyone had popped in to the "Redan" on the corner of Queensway and Westbourne Grove any Thursday during the years 1970 to mid-1976, they would have seen a moveable feast of a band called The Egbert Sousé All Stars. I say moveable feast, because the band waxed and waned from between 5 and 8 people at any one gig, depending on who turned up. We played a mix of jug band music, blues and, in later days, 1920s dance numbers. The main personnel (apart from me on guitar and tenor banjo) were: Pete Charlton (founder) on vocals and kazoo; Rita Foreman (ex-wife of John and mother of Chris) on washboard; Brian Catchpole on vocals, blues harp and kazoo; Robin Wayne (brother of Mick) on double bass; Stefan Dreja (brother of Chris) on jug and trombone; Pete Reid on tenor banjo and bass saxophone; Ian Chisholm on guitar and mandolin; Norman Picken on clarinet and alto sax and Lawrence (surname forgotten) on tenor sax. We also had, now and then, Diz Disley (who lived upstairs in the pub) on guitar, Bob Kerr on trumpet and a couple called Paul and Wink who played banjo and swanee whistle respectively. The then landlord of the pub (the late) Johnny Watkins, had been a guitarist and singer with the Tito Burns Agency, and hosted several musical events at the Redan. Sunday lunchtime was jazz with the Denise brothers, Frank and Laurie. Bayswaterites might like to know that the launderette across the road from the Redan was the very first coin-op launderette in Britain. we used to do our washing there and very often sat next to drummer and bandleader Ray Ellington of The Goon Show fame - he had "RE" embroidered on his smalls! Don't get me started on the Cousins, the Horseshow, the Cambridge, Bunjies, Klooks Kleek, the Marquee, the Troubadour... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 04 Jan 10 - 12:58 PM Kevin - it was the other way round for me. Very occasional visits to the White Horse and the one on the other corner (The Starling? The Blackbird? can't remember now!). Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 05 Jan 10 - 03:28 AM Will Fly posted "Don't get me started on ...... Klooks Kleek, the Marquee, ..." Now that opens a completely different can of worms Will. I'm having enough flashbacks with the "folk" venues without the "other" places ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 05 Jan 10 - 03:36 AM MCP Sandra has just reminded me that the Fulham pub I mentioned is the White Hart not Horse! Silly me. There is a White Horse nearby at Parsons Green, known locally as the Sloany Pony, but no musical connections as far as I know. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Ralphie Date: 05 Jan 10 - 03:52 AM Anyone remember that pity catch phrase... "Wadden makes wednesdays worthwhle" ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 05 Jan 10 - 04:26 AM Nice typo Ralphie :) So perceptive too ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Waddon Pete Date: 05 Jan 10 - 10:13 AM Well.....pity or pithy....it worked! The Croydon Folksong Club is still going strong after 42 years! Best wishes, Peter |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 05 Jan 10 - 10:29 AM yes, I am playing there on April 12 2010. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band Date: 05 Jan 10 - 11:09 AM Tug the Cox, The club you refer to on Catford Bridge, every Friday night, was the one we ran in "The Railway Tavern". Dave Watts, Robin Gray and John Hutchison were the residents, "The Taverners" and I had the task of taking the money at the door. The club was started by Dave and Robin and by the time we were obliged to leave the artist list was endless. When I was with "Four Square Circle" we did "The Crypt" at Bayswater on a number of occasions as well as "The Fox" over the east. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 05 Jan 10 - 11:18 AM I was just checking for another club and thought that it hadn't been mentioned. Then I see that Kevin also mentioned it, although with the wrong spelling - it was WaYzgoose in Stockwell, where I was also sometimes a resident. (It didn't have the upper case Y - that was to point out the spelling mistake! That sort of mixed case stuff didn't come along until later). Wayzgoose was another place, like Dingles, that used to have dancing as well as song. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: davyr Date: 05 Jan 10 - 11:25 AM Staying with South London, does anyone remember the Melting Pot club that met at the Manor Arms in Streatham and afterwards at the White Lion further down the road? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 05 Jan 10 - 11:40 AM I loved Wayzgoose, though only got there a couple of times - funny, it just popped into my mind this morning for no clear reason (obviously Mudcat threads have a way of seeping into your brain unawares). What's the story behind that name? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 05 Jan 10 - 11:51 AM Bonnie - as far as I remember, it was a printers' jamboree. I think originally an annual feast given by a printer for his workers. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Waddon Pete Date: 05 Jan 10 - 12:59 PM You beat me to it Mick, if memory serves it was the bun fight laid on by a master printer for his workers. Usually fell around August time. Best wishes, Peter |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,eric the viking Date: 05 Jan 10 - 06:34 PM I remeber the melting pot very well. I went most weeks when it moved to Blackhorse road. My mate Pat and I would most often do a couple of songs or more there each week. There were two brothers that ran it. Steven? and ? I rather liked their political affiliations I can't remember many others, but there was a realy good guitarist who'd spent time in greenwich village, often played fixing to die rag. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 05 Jan 10 - 06:54 PM Anybody remember the Shakespeare's Head in or around Soho? (I think that's what it was called.) I went and heard Pete Atkin there when I first hit the royal shores and all of these names (including Clive James') were new to me. Lovely, lovely gig. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,eric the viking Date: 05 Jan 10 - 07:17 PM As I sit about 700 miles north of London and forty years or so later it's strange that many of us here must have been in the same place at the same time, might even have had a conversation in passing or queued at the bar togther. Been to the same gigs and joined in singing the same chorus songs. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 06 Jan 10 - 03:38 AM Waddon Pete and MCP have given the meaning of wayzgoose (sorry about the missing y MCP! sticky keboard.....) I'll just add that the club continued the tradition by having a Wayzgoose Wayzgoose every August where regulars went on a bus trip to various places, I recall Henley and Marlow, for a days singing and dancing (and drinking). |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: davyr Date: 06 Jan 10 - 04:34 AM "I remeber the melting pot very well. I went most weeks when it moved to Blackhorse road. My mate Pat and I would most often do a couple of songs or more there each week. There were two brothers that ran it. Steven? and ? I rather liked their political affiliations" Erik, when I used to go to the Melting Pot in Streatham in the early 70s, it was run by a bloke called Chris Potts, who belonged to the Young Communists. When did it move away, do you know? It was still in Streatham during the 3 Day Week in 1974, as I remember being there during a candlelit session in the middle of a power cut. Was the guitarist you remember Simon Prager? He certainly played at the Melting Pot with Steve Rye on more than one ocaasion. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 06 Jan 10 - 04:42 AM I heard Prager & Rye at Catford (Rising Sun) too. Brilliant. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Will Fly Date: 06 Jan 10 - 04:53 AM GUEST,eric the viking; my thoughts exactly! Perhaps there were times when all of us with those memories were in the same pub/club on the same night at the same time. My pre-Cousins Allniter boozer of choice was the "Pillars of Hercules" in Greek Street. Sawdust on the floor, Younger's Scotch Bitter on draught, and Jansch and Renbourn very often getting pissed at a table on the raised bit at the back of the pub. Then over the road towards closing time to hit the Allniter. Al Stewart serving the coffee behind the bar, Alexis Korner and Duffy Power hobnobbing with Mox the harmonica player and offering little pastille boxes around. Karl Dallas in cowboy hat and beard chatting here and there. Then, later on, bodies lying around in and on sleeping bags, drowsily listening to Davy Graham do an extended ramble around some blues or other. And was it around 4 in the morning when the kind lady rounded us all up and took us off to sleep at the Crypt until public transport was available? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Singing Referee Date: 06 Jan 10 - 05:32 AM Kevin, I remember the Hop Poles in Enfield. It moved there in about 1966 from the Kings Head in Enfield market square, which sadly I believe is now empty. That was just a few weeks after my first visit there. It was run as I recall by a couple called Russ and Pam. I became a resident there after a while and attended regularly until the early 70's when I drifted away from folk music. Saw all the big names of the time there, and as we used to get a small payment (yes really!) for the residency, I often took my payment in the form of the artists's latest album. Got a lot of my collection that way, including Ralph McTell and the Dransfields. I remember a couple of other local places, though I was a bit parochial in those days. Ventured occasionally into Wood Green to the Starting Gate, and remember seeing Ralph McTell at the Fishmonger's Arms. Used to get into London occasionally, and in addition to other places already mentioned, used to visit an upstairs room in a pub on Cambridge Circus. I think it was called the Scot's Hoose. Jansch and Renbourn were sort of residents as I remember. Steve Last |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 06 Jan 10 - 07:25 AM Just as an aside I'd mention that Colin Harper's biography of Bert Jansch, Dazzling Stranger, as well as detailing Jansch's career has a lot of information on the London folk scene in the 60s (before I got there in late 69). For me it was interesting to read about the scene leading up to my time there. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 06 Jan 10 - 01:16 PM Singing Ref Yes the name Pam is familiar from Enfield, if I was "guest" MCing then it was often back for a late session to their house/flat. And, as you say, I recall a small fee for resident/mc'ing. Can't recall anyone in particular on the nights I was there as they were often the usual names seen elsewhere but I do recall MCing Hunter Musket, probably because UI hadn't seen them anywhere before that. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Jan 10 - 01:27 PM Scot's Hoose was run, when I went there, by Bruce Dunnett. Now when you mention the politics of club organisers, they didn't come much more political than him. Has anybody mentioned the Swan and Sugar Loaf in Croydon. Steve Benbow was involved with that one I seem to remember. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Eric the Viking Date: 06 Jan 10 - 06:03 PM John....wasn't Bruce also a debt collector or balif? He used to run the Phoenix folk club in Oxford Square before it moved (1968/69?) He once gave me free tickets to the Dubliners at the Royal Albert Hall as I had worked for him selling spare tickets for the gig. If you knew Bruce did you know Trevor Warr/Wharr ? And or Brian Flax?
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Anne Lister Date: 07 Jan 10 - 03:42 AM A few memories on this thread ... Rising Sun in Catford was my first folk club when I moved to London in 1974 - I had digs in Lewisham, so it was fairly easy to get there. Bonnie and I teamed up with some others to share a house after that. The Enterprise - ah, yes - and the Florence ....We used the Enterprise for a launch party for the Anonyma album "Burnt Feathers" in 1986 and it was already heading up market then. Someone mentioned the Sols Arms - that came later, in the 80s, and was a good venue. But Dingles (at the Adams Arms) was another favourite haunt. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Brian Sweeny Date: 07 Jan 10 - 11:47 AM I haven't read all your entries but I'm sure you've discussed Ewan Mc Coll's club.Was it at The Prospect of Whitby ?.It was in North London.Ewan was a rather grumpy individual but June Seeger(his wife) was charming.A good- cop-bad- cop combination.Ewan was a Folk Fundamentalist,but what a songwriter. I remember one night when The Mc Peakes played there as being particularly memorable.I was my first experience of this wonderful but largely forgotten family. The Troubadour was a favourite (I lived in Earls Court).Shirley Collins,Alex Campbell,Lou Killen. Not strictly Folk clubs were the Irish pubs that had traditional music sessions.I was a regular at The White Hart,Fulham Broadway on Sunday mornings. Keep up the good work. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,eric the viking Date: 07 Jan 10 - 01:28 PM The prospect of Whitby had folk on there in the late 60's. Saturdays often had an Hawian or similar band with a lot of slide guitar playing. Always a superb atmosphere. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 07 Jan 10 - 03:10 PM I passed the thread on to one of my old flatmates who used to go on these expeditions with me. He reminded me that while we were listening entranced to Sandy Denny at Merlins, Richard Thompson stood right behind us and did a typically unimprovable acoustic guitar accompaniment. Now THAT was a class evening! Then there was the time that Karl Dallas got Alan Stivell to do a floor spot with his Celtic harp..... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Brian Sweeny Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:25 PM Further to my email of 7/1/10, I think my memory is letting me down re Ewan McColls venue.I believe The Pinder of Wakefield was the pub (not The Prospect of Whitby as I said).However I think he did have two different locations during the 60s. Can anyone help? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 08 Jan 10 - 12:32 PM Ewan MacColl's Singers' Club was at the Pindar of Wakefield in Gray's Inn Road but also at innumerable other hostelries throughout Holborn/King's Cross/Clerkenwell through the 60s and 70s. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:13 PM The venue I recall most for the Singers club was the Union Tavern, Lloyd Baker Street but as Diane says there were many. Although I never went whilst it was at "The Bull and Mouth" in Clerkenwell somehow the name seemed to have a certain resonance ;-) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:27 PM I remember the Union Tavern best too, especially the occasional after- hours lock-ins whenever Luke Kelly was in town. Until the Critics disbanded in the early 70s, the annual Festival Of Fools was held along the street at New Merlins Cave in January. The later club (mentioned below) was fantastic and hosted the first UK gig by Dabriel & Marie Yacoub before the formation of Malicorne. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:29 PM I remember the Union Tavern best too, especially the occasional after- hours lock-ins whenever Luke Kelly was in town. Until the Critics disbanded in the early 70s, the annual Festival Of Fools was held along the street at New Merlins Cave in January. The later club (mentioned below) was fantastic and hosted the first UK gig by Dabriel & Marie Yacoub before the formation of Malicorne. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 08 Jan 10 - 01:30 PM In fact, the Yacoubs were so good I said it twice. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Jan 10 - 02:53 PM Was it an echo? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,magb Date: 08 Jan 10 - 09:06 PM Fascinating stuff. I spent most of the late 60s/70s in Fulham Broadway's(best irish trad scene ever - but I may be a little biased!) White Hart/King's Head/Hibernian Club, with very occasional forays to folky venues. Monday was Half Moon Putney folk night. I remember the Nag's Head Folk Club on York Road Battersea (not only adjacent to glucose & candle factories, but Gordon's gin too. such a fragrant area to grow up in!)) - only went a few times..think I saw Jeremy Taylor there. Jonah (john jones) was MC, and Jug Band & Tony O'Leary in support. Also went to Fighting Cocks in Kingston, run by (now) friend Sue Houston(Knevett then)..this was my first experience of a really strong trad English singing club. The brothers & I ran a saturday lunchtime session at Riverside Studios foyer, approx.'76-'79. Not a folk club, but we were resident band and always had a guest performer. We had a great run there with so many wonderful guests. Does anyone remember this? Maggie Boyle |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 08 Jan 10 - 09:43 PM I played in the Riverside Foyer a few times, though I can't remember the specific circumstances, whether it was Maggie's sesh or not. But I do remember Maggie well! Also the mighty Brendan Mulkere - anybody know how he's doing these days? He used to live not far from the above-mentioned Engineer. In fact, that's where I first met him: not in the club, but downstairs in the main pub. I was walking through with my harp, and this enthusiastic madman stopped me and wouldn't let me out the door until I played him something. So I sat down on the floor and gave him a blast of some Irish tune or other, and we were firm friends ever after. A gas guy. I also played my first and only game of darts in the Engineer, Under The Influence. Don't ask. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,magb Date: 09 Jan 10 - 06:58 AM Yes, Bonnie, you were one of our wonderful guests! I think it was before I gave up being a 'margaret'. Last I heard, Brendan was fine, and still teaching away in Hammersmith Irish Centre. Catch you soon on fb. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Brian Sweeny Date: 09 Jan 10 - 04:23 PM So good to look back to 1960's Fulham Broadway,Magb.Even though I'm Irish the White Hart was my entree into Irish tradional music.Sunday mornings-Raymond Roland,Roger Sherlock,Liam Farrell,Paddy Taylor(occasionally).Paul Brady was often part of the crowd but I never heard him sing there.Likewise,I believe,Christy Moore. The White Hart musicians released an lp in the 70s.They called themselves Le Ceile. Then we had the Kings Head -John Mannion,John Bowe and, on fiddle,John O'Shea who was, perhaps surprisingly,a policeman!. As we're discussing Fulham,does anyone remember the name or pub venue of a folk club in Lillie Road?.Was Theo Johnston involved with it? Yes,Magb,I remember The Nags Head in York.Wasn't it Sunday nights? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 09 Jan 10 - 04:30 PM Gosh Theo Johnson, now you're back in my era. Theo was a draughtsman, and he worked for Greenwood Airvac in St Margaret's near Twickenham. he ran a club called The Barge at kingston upon Thames, and he also did a stint at Binjies. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Brian Sweeny Date: 10 Jan 10 - 11:46 AM Senior moment!My email of 7/1--Peggy Seeger was ,of course,Ewan MacColl's wife,not June Seeger as I said.Peggy now lives in the US. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: balladeer Date: 10 Jan 10 - 08:53 PM Does anyone here remember Joanne Hindley-Smith, who regularly played many clubs up and down the island while living in London from June 1964 to December 1965? She was a solo act from Canada and guested regularly at the Troubadour, singing plaintive ballads and trading wise cracks with the immortal Redd Sullivan. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: magb Date: 12 Jan 10 - 10:57 AM Le Cheile (well,the majority of) has reformed, Brian, following release of the 70s albums on CD. First album in over 30 years is just out! Take a step back ......http://www.myspace.com/thelecheile |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Brian Sweeny Date: 13 Jan 10 - 12:24 PM Magb,thank you for your information re Le Cheile.I've rung Celtic Note here in Dublin,but they don't have it in stock.Where are they playing? What's the lineup?Thanks again. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 13 Jan 10 - 12:26 PM Was Danny Meehan in Le Cheile? Or am I getting something mixed up? I'd be glad to know the lineup too - |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: magb Date: 13 Jan 10 - 07:50 PM The wonderful Raymond Roland(box) & PJ Crotty(flute) are very sadly no longer with us. They are very ably replaced in the reformed Le Cheile by Andy Martyn & Paul Gallagher. 4 original members remain, who all now sing as well as play(the 1974 line-up was purely instrumental, though the 77 album featured Tom Madden on vocals). anyway, the other four are....Liam Farrell (banjo) John Roe (piano) Kevin Boyle (guitar/banjo) & Danny Meehan(fiddle....and extraordinary vocals). I can't do the blue clicky thing Bonnie, but do visit the myspace in my last message for a listen. I have just written to Kev to ask where the CD is available/where they are playing etc. so more later. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: magb Date: 14 Jan 10 - 06:54 AM Re Le Cheile .....new website www.lecheile.eu shows couple of gigs - more in pipeline. cd distribution nearly finalised, and you can email to purchase via website. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 14 Jan 10 - 07:38 AM Le Cheile site clicky |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 14 Jan 10 - 08:32 AM Oh and yes, I do remember Joanne Hindley-Smith. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 14 Jan 10 - 08:38 AM This looks like her now. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 14 Jan 10 - 02:46 PM I've started another thread about the decision by Young's brewery to keep the Half Moon Putney as a live music venue -ok, it wasn't a folk club but there were people performing folk music! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,flush Date: 14 Jan 10 - 03:37 PM Does anyone remember the tram shed in woolich? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 14 Jan 10 - 03:57 PM I remember it, but not for folk music. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,flush Date: 14 Jan 10 - 04:32 PM I played there in the 70's as one of the Crofters with Stan Arnold and Richard Digance I think Joe Stead had something to do with it |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 14 Jan 10 - 05:14 PM Gosh, Stan Arnold, he had this daft strapline, something like 'Own hair, own teeth' Sorry flush, I just don't remember it as a folk venue. I also thought it was of a later date than the 60's or 70's, could be old age leading me astray though. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: balladeer Date: 14 Jan 10 - 06:02 PM I've just read through this thread from top to bottom, and I confess I find it a bit sad. For one thing, my dear friends Paul MacNeil, Redd Sullivan, Alex Campbell, Martin Winsor, and Rick Fielding are all gone. For another, though I played many clubs in England and Scotland in 1964 and 65, the only ones I remember by name are The Troubadour, The Enterprise, The Roundhouse - and The Student Prince, Curly Goss' venue in Soho before his New Zealand days. I do remember a lovely evening at St. Pancras Town Hall, where I shared a bill with Paul MacNeil and Tom Paxton, and I could never forget the Sheffield Teacher Training College. I played there often and made lots of friends. There was a nice room in Watford, and an atmospheric pub in St. Alban's - with names I thought I would remember forever .... Does anyone know where Anthea Joseph is now? Anyway, I raised three boys and then returned to performing in 2001, the year this thread began. Soon after the release of my first CD, I stopped calling myself Joanne Hindley-Smith, preferring to use my married name of Crabtree. In 2006, I teamed up with ace picker Paul Mills and we've been raising Cain as Crabtree&Mills ever since. Here is our latest project, videos of two songs I wrote in 2009. (Did I mention I'm married to an American?) I'd be grateful if someone would blue clickify them. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyX3NhDoWN4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i-TRnlAkjM Jock, might we have met? Joanne (Hindley-Smith) Crabtree |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 14 Jan 10 - 06:24 PM Balladeer, sadly Anthea passed away over 10 years ago. See http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/obituary-anthea-joseph-1137426.html |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: balladeer Date: 14 Jan 10 - 10:11 PM Thank you for posting the link to Anthea's obituary, Ed. I was one of Anthea's early "waifs and strays", one of the first to parlay meeting her at the Troubadour into sleeping on her floor for a while. I'm sorry she's gone. I hadn't thought of her for many years, but seeing her name higher up in this thread brought everything back, and I found reading her death notice very moving. I had no idea she'd been so successful. She deserved it. R.I.P. to a truly original thinker. Does anyone know what actually killed her? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band Date: 15 Jan 10 - 07:41 AM Flush, Your memory serves you well. Joe was the presenter at the Tram Shed, Woolwich. I remember standing in for him on an occasion since I lived on Shooters Hill at the time, just five minutes drive away. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,flush Date: 15 Jan 10 - 11:07 AM John from Elsie's band Thanks for that we used ~Joes recording company SFA for our first album in 1974 keep seeing him about up here in Yorkshire, we played the Shed 3 or 4 times Iain |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: balladeer Date: 15 Jan 10 - 02:26 PM I was born in Yorkshire (Ilkla Moor), emigrated to Canada in 1948, returned to Britain in 64 to sing at clubs and re-kindle family relationships. Now that I'm performing again, I'm wondering if anyone can advise me of clubs I might contact in Yorkshire who are still hiring performers? I've no idea how to proceed. Joanne |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 15 Jan 10 - 03:27 PM Balladeer/ Joanne - you could try a PM to Moorley Man or Tyke.... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Flush Date: 15 Jan 10 - 05:14 PM Joanne send me your contact details and I will send you some contact iain@gloverfolk.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 16 Jan 10 - 10:49 AM Yes Joanne we have met. I ran a folk club at The Coach and Horse, Kew Green in the mid 60's, it may have been there. John aka Jock in those days. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,guest jim Date: 18 Jan 10 - 05:57 PM well here we ara again up and down the northern line was it the three horseshoes or the enterprise where paul simon sang as geaust in the middel on sundays 63 or 64 yes im 14 or 15 then songs as much as singers touched me then al stewert at marcee wardour street eyes of aouchits never sead i coud spell roy harper mgoonanans blues down the cousins j frank all songs le ducee fairport replacing incredible string band potters bar folk club remember because of the crucificion phill ochs the words being sung in front of whoever sung went up to read them before sandy d went to a club called hole in the wall dont remember were yes ron geeson and jeff nuttall who was my teacher at school darral adams banjo player lots of americans im 15 alex cambell three bulls whetstone childrens disaster meg the cousins wanted to write the songs that touched me supose there were to many that i dont remember |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,boring geust jim Date: 18 Jan 10 - 06:18 PM ps lesely duncan sing children sing tom paxton gave me a cigarett in the players tent in i dont remember were i didnt smoke then put it over my ear and went out in the rain to listen to phill ochs didnt hear a lot was kissing girl next seat it was nice |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 18 Jan 10 - 07:16 PM Joanne, apparently Anthea died of a stroke/brain haemorrhage at only 57 at her home in Suffolk. I met her a few times when she was on the door at the Merlins Cave in Margary St, along with Heather Wood - this was 1973/4. She was a great person. I didn't know then that Anthea knew EVERYBODY and EVERYTHING, but didn't make a big deal of it! Obviously now I wish I had had more sensible conversations with her rather than drinking too much Ben Truman or Courage or whatever foul brew it was. But such is life.... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: balladeer Date: 18 Jan 10 - 11:16 PM Jock, I don't really remember the room, but I'm pretty sure I was there, and I have a strong feeling that I know you. I'm glad to meet you again. I sent these links earlier in the thread, but in case you missed them, here they are again, just to show you who I became. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyX3NhDoWN4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i-TRnlAkjM Ed, thank you for the clarification re Anth. It's a very, very sad story. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 24 Jan 10 - 04:21 PM Does anyone remember going to a folk club called the Quaggy Folk Club which was around Manor Park in Lee/Lewisham. Theresa |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 24 Jan 10 - 04:43 PM And this , is what I'm up to now Joanne. Nice to meet up with you again too. It's been a while :) JM |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jacobs ladder Date: 31 Jan 10 - 11:37 AM I have just read through this thread with great nostalgia while researching a book I am writing. I had completely forgotten about the Witches Cauldron, which was between Belsize Park and Swiss Cottage. Thre was an awesome blues harmonica player who hung out there whose name escapes me now. A gang of us also used to frequent a folk club which no-one else seems to have mentioned which was underneath Schneider's Falafel House behind what is now Swiss cottage Lbrary - early and mid sixties - called the Hole in the Ground. I think Jo Ann Kelly was resident singer there, and that Paul Simon sang there on his Outward Bound tour. We also used to be in the audience regularly at the Troub' when Redd and Martin were hosts and Noel Murphy, Johhny Silvo and the Strawbs et al were frequent guests - there was also an awesome Anglo Irish band called The Tinkers if memeory serves me well. I saw Noel down here in devon recently - plus ca change ... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:04 PM The Witch's Cauldron was in Belsize Village and The Hole in The Ground in Winchester Road. The Tinkers were residents at the Three Horseshoes in Hampstead Village, I think after the Three City Four gave it up. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Davethedrum Date: 31 Jan 10 - 12:05 PM Hi David Lowrence here I was the drummer with the North Circular Accidental Band 1970-73. Elaine, my wife came across this thread after googling the band. It is so nostalgic. I am posting some reminiscences of the bad, with pictures on my website, and will link it when complete. Does anyone remember the Putney Rowing Club Ceilidhs? Also any links to Doug Sherriff's family - I have some pictures they might like. Any news of Ray Twomey?, Jerry Shiels? or David "Buttercup" Robinson? I remeber you Bonnie! I also remember the re-opening of Dingles - Herga - The Enterprise (sang there before I moved to London) - The Engineer and CSH. Wow - emotional overload! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Paul Simon with The Thinkers Date: 31 Jan 10 - 02:53 PM Hello, who were The Thinkers? Paul Simon performed with them on: 19640626 London, Heath Street, UK, The Three Horseshoes, Tinkers Club. • Billed as 'Paul Simon and The Tinkers' and 'One of America's best folksong writers and recording artists' (MelodyMaker June 27th, 1964) (see my website www.bookends.nl) All information is very much appreciated. Rob Oudshoorn, The Netherlands |
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Subject: Paul Simon in Irish Folkclubs in 1964 or 1965 From: GUEST,Rob Date: 31 Jan 10 - 02:56 PM I heard that he possibly stayed around Drumcondra. Anyone any knowledge of gigs then. All information is very much appreciated. Rob Ouudshoorn, The Netherland |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 31 Jan 10 - 06:54 PM Blimey, Davethedrum - IIRC, Steve Heap was also a drummer with the North Circular Accidental Ceilidh Band. Kevin Sheils, who posted on this thread earlier, might be able to give you news of his brother, and former caller with the band, Gerry. And also of Dave Buttercup Robinson and Dave Daisy Armitage. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 31 Jan 10 - 07:53 PM Daisy worked in the Folk Shop at C#H when I was there, though I think that was after Doug's time. He also played (or was getting into) uilleann pipes as I recall. I had to send out review copies of books for ED&S and he was interested in the Willie Clancy one. What's he up to these days, anybody know? We also had Dave Tulloch working in the library at one stage. His wife made me a harp case which is still going strong (I'm sure I've just written this recently: was it in a private email, possibly?). And one of The Exiles (3 Horseshoes Hampstead, residents there at that time IIRC) taught guitar in the school I was working in, or perhaps I inherited his students, can't quite recall. I had a little after-school class of them. His wife was a teacher there too. Hi Dave The Drum, thanks for posting - I never knew Steve Heap played in the NCACB: he was organising rather than gigging by the time I knew him. The Folk Shop used to let us play the records, and I listened to The Valley Folk LP a lot, which he was in. Gotta stop rambling down memory lane and catch some zzz's... it's after midnight... my brain cell is getting weary as you can no doubt tell from this... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Davethedrum Date: 01 Feb 10 - 02:58 AM Herga Kitty I think Steve Heap took over the rhythm section (!) after the band split following a professional offer. I seem to remember playing Herga, but it was a long time ago! Anybody with info can contact me on dlowrence @ me.com (remove the spaces! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: manitas_at_work Date: 01 Feb 10 - 04:01 AM Last I heard Daisy was head of Early Woodwind at the former London College of Furniture now part of London Metropolitan University. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Gealt Date: 01 Feb 10 - 05:54 PM Passing Fulham Broadway last week I was pleased to see The King's Head has reverted, no longer Slug & Lettuce. The great Sean McGuire played in the tiny private bar here in the 60's, about the time he recorded a lp with Roger Sherlock & Josephine Keegan - At Their Best. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn70NAPW4hg Learning from the Maestro, a concert in 1997. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Suegorgeous Date: 01 Feb 10 - 09:21 PM Anyone remember the folk club in Addlestone, Surrey back then? think it was at the Station pub... (I seem to remember finding someone on Mudcat a couple of years ago who went there?) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Old Vermin Date: 03 Feb 10 - 12:30 PM Addlestone - Back Prince or Duke of something - heard Alex Campbell there about 1970. Never seen anyone get through at bottle of Scotch at a session before or since. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: dombonito Date: 03 Feb 10 - 01:35 PM I've just discovered this thread and I noticed my name cropping up in connection with The Enterprise. There might be a few people out there who remember the original resident group the North West Three, featuring myself, Maureen Seaton and Don Wallace. Sadly, Maureen passed away about 18 months ago but her daughter Nancy (Wallace) is doing rather well having been nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Folk award.If anyone's interested, I still have a pulse and quietly vegetating in Saffron Walden, |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Vic Smith Date: 08 Feb 10 - 10:00 AM Dom Bonito said I've just discovered this thread and I noticed my name cropping up in connection with The Enterprise. There might be a few people out there who remember the original resident group the North West Three, featuring myself, Maureen Seaton and Don Wallace. Sadly, Maureen passed away about 18 months ago but her daughter Nancy (Wallace) is doing rather well having been nominated for a BBC Radio 2 Folk award.If anyone's interested, I still have a pulse and quietly vegetating in Saffron Walden, This probably means that Dom Bonito is the ideal person to answer the questions that I have asked at http://froots.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=21263#21263 on Feb 8th about who are the three musicians who appear on the cover of the 1965 Folk Directory. But, of course, it needn't be Dom.....any knowledgable verteran London folkie is welcome to answer...... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Vic Smith Date: 08 Feb 10 - 10:38 AM I got a quick response! Over on the fRoots Forum, Ian Anderson showed this to NANCY WALLACE, nominee at this year's folk awards and she said, "Oh my God it's Ma and Pa! And uncle Dom! This makes it DOM BONITO, DON WALLACE and MAUREEN WALLACE (though she was Maureen Seaton at the time of this photo. She died about 18 months ago) They performed together as THE NORTH WEST THREE. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Morris-ey Date: 08 Feb 10 - 11:02 AM Dingles - probably the worst beer of any folk club; Freemasons Arms, Covent Garden, Sunday night sing-around and probaly the best beer. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Claire (Bonito) Allen Date: 09 Feb 10 - 12:37 PM I've never seen that picture of my old Pa (Dom) and Maureen and Don (Aunt and Uncle). I always knew my old Dad was a bit of a legend ;o) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Claire (Bonito) Allen Date: 09 Feb 10 - 12:52 PM Also, I think I have seen it mentioned before. There is a table cloth signed by those who played at the Enterprise. Well. I currently have this cloth in my possession, I saw Dad this weekend and Mum (Frances-Maureen's sister) wanted to borrow it as she hadn't seen it in years. It needs laundering, the sigs are safe as they were embroidered over by Frances' mum at the time. Dad and I were thinking we ought to photograph it and get it up on the web somewhere for all to see. Any suggestions? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 09 Feb 10 - 01:13 PM There was quite a bit of The NW3 on the Folk Britannia a few years ago including film of Dom and Frances attending a Pete Seeger gig (I think) in what looks like the old Irish Dancehall "the Buffalo" at the back of Camden Town station in the mid sixties. Must get out of the habit of calling him Don I guess so many people called him Don in error. Dom looked no different really when I saw him last at Clive Woolf's 60th a few years back. Oddly somebody who used to go regularly to the Enterprise in those days turned up at Walthamstow last week and was asking about people. We do have an Enterprise regular Dom may recall, Trevor, still regularly attending W'stow and Sheila Miller's Cellar upstairs club |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 09 Feb 10 - 01:24 PM Been away for a few days but just catching up on this thread. For Dave the Drummer. Brother Gerry still knocking around the scene. He lives in Huntingdon now so I think his "local" club is St Neots. He drops in on us in Walthamstow from time to time and is always ready with a song or monologue. Regulars at the Volunteer in Sidmouth will recall his monologues there ove a few years at the turn of the century! Ray Twomey was around my local clubs a few years ago as well but not seen him for a while, but Dave Armitage is regularly seen, usually at Towersey. Not seen the Buttercup Dave for a very long time. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Claire (Bonito) Allen Date: 09 Feb 10 - 01:47 PM I don't think he is much different in any way these days. He's just a slightly more lived in beardy old bugger now. A lot of people call him Don, don't think he minds too much to be honest with you. I saw the bits on Folk Brittannia. It was quite surreal watching footage of my parents and other rellys from before I was born. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Vic Smith Date: 10 Feb 10 - 07:33 AM Claire (Bonito) Allen wrote:- Dad and I were thinking we ought to photograph it and get it up on the web somewhere for all to see. Any suggestions? Surely the place should be the thread on the fRoots Forum that is currently dealing with Dom, Don and Maureen should be the place. Unlike Mudcat, you can insert photos on that forum. It is at http://froots.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5077 |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Claire (Bonito) Allen Date: 10 Feb 10 - 12:12 PM Great idea. Am registering now. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,FrancesTurner nee Seaton Date: 10 Feb 10 - 04:31 PM The Hampstead Folk Club actually started its life at a pub in Pond Street but after the first week and with guests booked for 3 months the landlord informed us he had not got a music licence so Red Sullivan and Martin Windsor agreed to sing with no gate money being taken and they passed the hat round at the end of the evening. The next week was spent with the five of us Don, Maureen, Dom Terry Gould and myself doing a pub crawl of Hampstead finally ending up at the bottem of Haverstock Hill at the Enterprise the rest as they say( and the ice creams) is history. Can't remember the name of the pub in Pond Street it was'nt the Roebuck. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Davethedrum Date: 10 Feb 10 - 06:55 PM Thanks Kevin Huntingdon is V Close Ray Tomey is close by - I smell a reunion! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Leadfingers Date: 10 Feb 10 - 09:53 PM A couple of Names mentioned earlier - George MacColl and Alan Young are still active - I see them regularly in Brentford ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Leadfingers Date: 10 Feb 10 - 09:54 PM Ooops !! AND Mat McCann !! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 11 Feb 10 - 03:52 AM Just had a look at an Enterprise flyer from 1974 (some people collect bus tickets......). It quite clearly states DON Bonito as a resident along with Brian Grayson so no wonder we all thought he was Don! I humbly apologise Dom, nearly 36 years later. Incidentally between July and October Dave Burland, Mr Gladstone's Bag, Pete Stanley and Roger Knowles, Vin Garbutt, Lazy Reel, Peter Bellamy, Martin Carthy, Lamplight, Alex Atterson, Hoddesdon Crownsmen, and Dave Goulder were advertised. Not bad eh? Not to mention the Norf Landon wide boys downstairs. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: dombonito Date: 11 Feb 10 - 05:17 AM I'd just like to clear up the Dom/Don business once and for all. I was always known to my family as Donny when I was a child which I hated when I grew up, so it was shortened to Don. My real first name is Dominic so about 30 years ago I started using it when I became a teacher. I thought it sounded a bit more classy. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,ray.P911 Date: 11 Feb 10 - 06:33 AM The harp player is Mox(ie) Gowland, who regularly played at the WC with John Lamont- don't know what happened to him but Mox has lived in France for 30 odd years I think. A true character with that incredible hair and bag of harmonicas. Great little club, saw loads of good bands etc there, but was a restaurant when I last passed a few years back and difficult to see where it once was. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 11 Feb 10 - 11:13 AM Just to add another link to the Hampstead Folk Club memories. Brian Grayson who was resident in 1974 returned to Australia some while ago and out of the blue got in touch with me a couple of years back. He was at that time still involved in the scene in Australia but not sure if he reads mudcat! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 11 Feb 10 - 02:26 PM I rarely went to the Enterprise, but I have a memory of Packie Byrne singing about the dustmen's strike .... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 11 Feb 10 - 02:29 PM Forgot to say, also, that George Papavgeris has recently been contacted by Michael Pollock who has reel to reel tape recordings of the Herga Singers that he made at the club in the 1960s! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Barry B. Date: 12 Feb 10 - 04:44 PM I was amazed to stumble across all this, so many mames I'd forgotten. Used to frequent the Enterprise in Chalk Farm, so sorry to read Maureen Seaton passed away, lovely person, and under-rated singer. Anyone remember the "Robin Hood" club at Potters Bar? I used to help run this for a while with the "Folklanders". We once booked a singer called Elton Hayes (just for something a bit different)..he used to sing the ballads in the old TV series of Robin Hood. It was a memorable evening. Barry |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 12 Feb 10 - 04:49 PM Elton Hayes I always remember his version of The Owl and the Pussycat, with affection |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Angieb Date: 12 Feb 10 - 07:39 PM Hi. I've just stumbled over this thread (being new to Mudcat). What a trip down memory lane. Fond memories of the Tower Folk Club, with Dympna and Sheila Messenger as residents (also Paul Havell?) plus others. The club in Middlesex Street at the Kings Stores was the Peelers Folk Club, run by Joe and Anne Palmer and Roger and Kay Nicholson. The Peelers group then were Joe Palmer, Tom Madden and Jim Younger. Great Saturday nights at the club, then back for a 'session' somewhere and then off to the Favourite for a wonderful Sunday lunchtime session. (Sadly the Favourite is I believe now buried under the Arsenal car park). Also Friday nights at Hoddesdon Folk Club with the Crownsmen. Bounds Green on a Sunday night. I believe 'Bonded Boots' (Dave Walters and Howard Bond) were residents there. Also many visits to Dingles and the Black Bull at Barnet. Great Days. I was there for your first gig with Packie, Bonnie, memorable!! You've got me thinking now. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 13 Feb 10 - 04:27 AM Angieb - Sheila and Dympna Messenger (no longer with those surnames) are still occasional visitors to the current Walthamstow Club. Neither are directly involved with folkmusic anymore I believe but Sheila is active in Theatre work. Jim Younger was one of the founders of our original Walthamstow club but not as frequent a visitor now as we'd like but always welcome. Off topic but I'd recommend his first novel "High John The Conqueror". |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: dombonito Date: 13 Feb 10 - 10:13 AM I too was a resident at the Potters Bar folk club (Pre Enterprise) in partnership with a guy named Frank Beer. We were also residents at the Peahen in St. Albans, where a young lady named Maddie Prior used to sing from the floor. Whatever happened to her? (Just kidding. I'm not that senile. Yet.) Does anyone remember the King and Queen behind Goodge St. station on Monday evenings? Alex Campbell was the resident and all kinds of people used to drop in.(This club might have been mentioned already, but I can't be arsed to scroll through the whole thread) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 13 Feb 10 - 11:44 AM Are you the AngieB that I'm Facebook Friends with? If so, Hi! As you probably already know, Roger Nicholson is no longer with us - he passed away just before Christmas. I spoke to Kay on the phone not long afterwards, who's dividing her time between London and Co Clare, and sounds in good form. It was great to talk to her again and we have threatened each other with mutual visits. I remember the Sunday Irish sessions in The Favourite, plus a whole raft of others. We were spoiled for choice on Sundays ("...you don't know what you've got till it's gone...") and loved to go out playing, with a curry afterwards. Usual haunt was Biddy's in Kilburn. I know there was another thread about this awhile back, which I don't remember yielding any definite conclusion, but this seems an appropriate place to re-ask the question: Anybody know what became of Roger &/or Helen Holt? They were living in Hornsey* when I first met them, with Meic & Valmai as their downstairs neighbours. --- *I think it was Hornsey, or somewhere around there. The building was called Eagle Court. Why is it that I have perfect recall about insignificant details like that, and then can't remember where I put the car keys eight nanoseconds ago? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 13 Feb 10 - 11:44 AM Quick Check, Dom. shows that Diane mentioned the current Musical Traditions club which meets at the King and Queen but no one seems to have mentioned the old club as far as I can tell. Before my time of course! "When the Jester sang for the King and Queen in a coat he borrowed from James Dean......." |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 13 Feb 10 - 11:51 AM Sunny Goodge Street Donovan On the firefly platform on sunny Goodge Street Violent hash-smoker shook a chocolate machine Involved in an eating scene. Smashing into neon streets in their stonedness Smearing their eyes on the crazy cult goddess Listenin' to sounds of Mingus mellow fantastic. "My, my", they sigh, "My, my", they sigh. In doll house rooms with coloured lights swingin' Strange music boxes sadly tinklin' Drink in the sun shining all around you. "My, my", they sigh, "My, my", they sigh, mm mm. "My, my", they sigh, "My, my", they sigh. The magician, he sparkles in satin and velvet, You gaze at his splendour with eyes you've not used yet. I tell you his name is Love, Love, Love. "My, my", they sigh, "My, my", they sigh. "My, my" - sigh. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 13 Feb 10 - 12:34 PM There was a nostalgia night at the K&Q about three years ago run by Martin Carthy and Pete Stanley to commemorate the time Martin got Bob Dylan to sing from the floor when he was here for Nightmare On Castle Street. For some reason I got an invite (or at least I didn't have to pay to get in) which was quite strange as I too am far too young ever to have been there . . . |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 13 Feb 10 - 12:55 PM . . . but I don't think anybody had mentioned the Knave Of Clubs off Bethnal Green Road, home of Combine, which began after the disintegration of the Critics in 1974, I think. Marvellous agitprop song and theatre reflecting what was happening politically in those tumultuous times. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,BarryB. Date: 13 Feb 10 - 01:08 PM I remember you Dom, both at the Enterprise and the Robin Hood. the Robin Hood is no longer there (demolished many years ago). I seem to recall a club in Holborn, I think it was The Greyhound at the junction of Grays Inn Rd./High Holborn, I remember a night there with Cyril Tawney. I hada coffee in the Troubadour recently...seems to have had a serious makeover (gentrification!)...Presumably the old folk club downstairs is long gone? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 13 Feb 10 - 01:25 PM Bonnie - I bumped in to Roger Holt at Sidmouth, but probably more than 10 years ago now. As I recall, they'd moved to the West Country then. I've no more recent information though. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 13 Feb 10 - 01:27 PM The Greyhound? . . . Yorkshire Grey, I think. Further along on the corner of Farringdon Road there stood once The Metropolitan, never a club as such but scene of some mighty sessions including Bobby Campbell from the nearby Morning Star, Rod Shearman, Gordon McCulloch and Bob Davenport. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Judy Dyble Date: 13 Feb 10 - 03:54 PM There was another (probably) long gone folk and blues club, The Atlas,in Seagrave Road SW6. I have a membership card (not transferable it says!)pictured on my website.. The excellent guitarist, Derek Hall was resident there I think.. he made a very much sought after ep with Mike Cooper called 'Out of the Shades' |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Vic Smith Date: 13 Feb 10 - 04:29 PM Now that Judy has brought us back south of the Thames again, I can mention that Tina and I and an old friend, Murray Shelmerdine, used to run a folk club which called Tramps & Hawkers at a pub on Blackheath Hill in 1967/8. It was supported by a lot of the singers/musicians who went to other S.E. London clubs like those at the two "Tigers Head" pubs (Old & New) in Lee Green, the "Rising Sun" at Catford, the "Mansion House" in Deptford and even John Barker et al from the Dartford Club. Yes, I can remember the name of all the other pub folk venues that we supported and they supported us - but I can't remember the name of the pub that we had our club in! It is probably long gone and we left London in 1968. Can anyone help me? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Judy Dyble Date: 13 Feb 10 - 05:44 PM "Now that Judy has brought us back south of the Thames again," Oooh! Have they moved the Thames then? I always thought Fulham was still slightly North? :-) Judy |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: dombonito Date: 16 Feb 10 - 09:06 AM Re: The Enterprise. Does anyone remember the night that we had Simon and Garfunkel? I believe it was their first gig together in the UK, because Art had arrived here on the Saturday and The Enterprise was on the Sunday. They cost us fifteen quid! Happy days indeed. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 16 Feb 10 - 10:57 AM I took over from Jack & Margaret King with the running of the Folk Cellar at CSH for a number of years. I remember Paul Simon dropping in to sing from the floor and asked for a booking. I also used to do holiday reliefs at the Hampstead Folk Song Club and at the BBC Folk Club at Broadcasting House. Singers would arrive thinking they were going on air when in fact it was a club for the staff. I used to sing at times with Karl Wahnig (an ex Up-Boat POW who remained in this country.) Karl has now passed away. Kevin is mentioning Diane a few times. Would that be Diane Easby who attended the Folk Cellar, the Enterprise and the Engineer? I gave up performing and running clubs when it became too much like work and the pleasure went out of it, but now aged 72 I've taken up the 5-string banjo and the Hummelchen small bagpipes and have performed recently at the Quay Theatre Folk Club in Sudbury, Suffolk. If anyone would like to contact me they can get in touch via Dom Bonito. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 16 Feb 10 - 11:23 AM Yes Roger that's Diane Easby, still to be seen around some of the London Clubs. Good to hear from you Roger, I remember yourself and Karl well. If you feel like chewing the fat you can send me an email via the Walthamstow Folk Club web site and I'll get back to you. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 16 Feb 10 - 11:32 AM 'Tis me, though known ATM as above for sort-of Archers-associated reasons. Sometimes seen around London clubs? That makes me sound like a pewter tankard. Not a lot but more usually Elsewhere. Roger Fleming, eh? Still doing shanties and riding a bike? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 16 Feb 10 - 11:35 AM I haven't seen a Pewter Tankard in Walthamstow in all the years the club has been running Diane. You'll be mentioning Aran sweaters next. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 16 Feb 10 - 12:54 PM Better than a Toby Jug Diane ;) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 16 Feb 10 - 01:05 PM The Singing Toby Jug (Dave Calderhead) complete with North Sea crossing Netherlands stylee woolly thing contributes to this forum from time to time. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Gealt Date: 16 Feb 10 - 02:15 PM Angieb mentioned the Favourite pub, well there are some great photographs of Sunday session people on John Cullen's MySpace. http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=167127262 |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Gealt Date: 16 Feb 10 - 02:30 PM For John's myspace google- ofivelamps. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 16 Feb 10 - 03:14 PM Well that's a fine set of piccies. There's one of 3 people, on page 2, not captioned. It looks like Paddy Maloney from the Chieftains on the right, and it MIGHT be John Pearse on the left in the suit. The middle face is familiar too but can't place it. Maybe Sean Keane Paddy Maloney 1975 Sean Keane |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 16 Feb 10 - 03:50 PM I'd agree it's Paddy and Sean, John. Not so sure about the suit |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 16 Feb 10 - 04:53 PM There's also an untitled pic of Na Fili: Tomás Ó Canainn (pipes), Matt Cranitch (fiddle), Tom Barry (whistle). Can't believe how young Danny Meehan looks! Also love the shot of the redoubtable Brendan Mulkere and Brian Rooney (was just listening to him on R na G tonight). |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 16 Feb 10 - 05:22 PM Mention of the Troubadour reminds me of a gig there by Muckram Wakes (Roger Watson, Helen Watson, John Tams) somewhere around 1973. The place was full (not difficult) and hot, and there seemed to be rather a lot of Swedish backpackers in the audience. I remember Tam looking round with slight amusement, or terror, but the band went down a storm! I don't know how the Scandinavians interpreted "Mrs. Merry's Ball", the introduction to "Cow in Th'Gate" and Tam's references to Banties (small 'ens), but there you go. Tam and Barry Coope are currently revisiting this repertoire by the way, and Roger Watson is doing lots of gigs and has just put a fantastic new album out (shameless plug by old schoolmate) - see link http://www.rogerwatson.co.uk/ |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: vectis Date: 16 Feb 10 - 07:13 PM Ah! The Croydon Folksingers Club. An early incarnation at The Swan & Sugarloaf was my regular and the first place I dared to sing out. Those were the days. There was another club nearby at Parsons Pightle Rugby Club on Mondays (I think) which was very good. Used to go to The Singers Club fairly regularly and had a few good natured rows with Ewan about singing from your own tradition as my tradition was mainly contemporary stuff. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 17 Feb 10 - 06:41 AM Row with Ewan, surely not Mary! :) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: manitas_at_work Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:13 AM Could the 'suit' be John Peel? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 17 Feb 10 - 08:33 AM Too early Paul. Piers Hayman and John Pearse were the only two folkies I knew in those days, who owned a suit ;) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Brian Sweeny Date: 17 Feb 10 - 05:45 PM To John MacKenzie.The picture with the three guys from the 70s.Paddy Moloney and Sean Keane of The Chieftains(as you said).The suited one is Garech Browne.We're really talking posh here!.His father was a lord and his mother a Guinness heiress.He became a patron of Irish folk and traditional music,even started up a record label. On a sad note, his younger brother,Tara, was killed in a motor accident in the West End when he was 21.This is commerated in John Lennon's song 'A Day in the Life' You'll find more about him on Wikipedia. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 17 Feb 10 - 07:23 PM Thanks Brian |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 18 Feb 10 - 03:43 AM Thanks too Brian. I met Garech a few times at the Folk Shop at CSH in the late 60's but had forgotten what he looked like. IIRC I was introduced to him by Paddy Bush. Garech was (is?) a great enthusiast, now what was that record label called :-) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 18 Feb 10 - 04:56 AM Claddagh Records. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Brian Sweeny Date: 18 Feb 10 - 11:42 AM Further to my recent thread,Tara Browne,brother of Garech Browne(founder of Claddagh Records) was killed in a car crash in Redcliffe Gardens (not the West End as I said).The year was 1966. Redcliffe Gardens is not far from The Troubadour-Earl's Court/Old Brompton area. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Patrick in Oz Date: 19 Feb 10 - 01:59 AM Blimey, Oldguit (Oct 09) you brought back some memories when you referred to the folk club in Clapham Common Old Town in the 60s. I still remember Sue, through an alcoholic daze! Thanks, Pat |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,MrCrump Date: 19 Feb 10 - 11:23 AM @ Judy Dyble - pleased to see mention of Derek Hall in your post of 13/2 - I used to see him a lot in the clubs around Reading (c'65/66), didn't know he had a London club residency; indeed, he was a very fine player - I have a much-treasured copy of the 'Out Of The Shades' EP he made, with Mike Cooper, & still love listening to the amazing work-out of 'Skillet' on that D28 he had ( he put in some stirling work on friend Cooper's 1st album, 'Oh Really?', too) - could never figure out how such a gifted player could seemingly just vanish, would dearly love to know what became of him.. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Nostalgia Date: 19 Feb 10 - 12:11 PM Any one remember or "get booked" by Brian Willoughby who I think used used run a club in London during that time. He still performs today with partner Cathryn Craig. Very interesting reading this thread it brings many names and past memories back to the forefront of my mind. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 19 Feb 10 - 03:47 PM To the Borchester Echo. Blimey, you've got a good memory. I rode that old 28" wheel police roadster bike for another 30 years until moving to hilly country on the Suffolk/Essex border when at last I sold it on! Is there any way to get to the reply to thread message section without wading through all the previous items? Having retired from singing & playing over 30 years ago, I've now taken up playing the Hummelchen Border Bagpipes and the 5-string banjo having sold my guitars. I also ring church bells in about 4 local churches which keeps the mind and body active! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Pearce (MCP) Date: 19 Feb 10 - 05:03 PM Roger - click on the number of posts instead of the thread title; it gives 50 at a time and shows the reply box at the bottom of each page. Or, click the small d next to the number of posts - it does the same thing but in reverse order, so you'll see the last posts first. Mick |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 20 Feb 10 - 03:41 AM Roger To get to the bottom quickly as with any web page "ctl end" buttons. Assuming that's what you meant! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 20 Feb 10 - 04:08 AM For Kevin, Thanks for the advice, got it now! Only been on the net a month and still finding my way round! Have sent an e-mail to you as you suggested on the info from the Walthamstow Folk Club web site. info@walthamstowfolkclub etc., or something like that! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 20 Feb 10 - 04:19 AM To Guest (Mr Crump, Yes Derek was a fantastic finger-picking guitarist. In email conversation with Mike Cooper recently, Mike said he had recently made contact with Derek again but I'm not sure whether he said Derek was still playing..but at least he is still around.. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,MrCrump Date: 20 Feb 10 - 05:26 AM @GUEST - thanx for the info re Derek hall, good to know he's still about somewhere - maybe he could be rediscovered/rerecorded like those old blues guys in the 60s! Wouldn't that be good!.. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John from Elsie`s Band Date: 20 Feb 10 - 10:09 AM Vic, Robin Gray and I ran a folk club in "The Green Man" at the top of Blackheath Hill about 1965/66ish, notable among the guests was Paul Simon. The pub has long gone and is now up-market dwellings as, is the norm on Blackheath. Could this be the pub you speak of? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 20 Feb 10 - 11:27 AM To Borchester Echo Hi, just discovered who you are! Still got that big brass rubbing I gave you? The bike was sold on a few years ago. Used to cycle to many clubs on that carrying my guitar... CSH, The Engineer and The Enterprise. At The Engineer used to have jam sessions with Peter Knight of Steeleye on fiddle, Jim Woodley on a large guitar (anyone remember him and Doug?), also a good mandolin player whose name escapes me at present. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 20 Feb 10 - 11:36 AM Doug McHattie (or Mahatty) could pronounce it but never saw it written down. I remember him and Jim. Was the mandolin player Brian Norman? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: dombonito Date: 20 Feb 10 - 12:40 PM To Kevin: The first spelling is the right one. The Mandolin player was Brian Oliver (known as Ollie). Brian Norman sang with Karl Wahnig. (known as Jack) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 20 Feb 10 - 02:48 PM Jim's group, usually with Ollie on mandolin and as you say Kevin, Doug Mchattie, would either be guests in their own right at the Hampstead Folk Club, or they'd fill in at short notice if the booked guest couldn't make it. They also had a double bass player. Can't remember his name but he was an archivist. We'd go brass rubbing together in his battered old van. He used to play with whichever group paid the most on the day! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 21 Feb 10 - 03:33 AM Too many Brians obviously! Good old nights in the Engineer after Tuesday guitar classes at CSH. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 21 Feb 10 - 07:50 AM Anyone remember Dorita & Pepe (Doris & Pete if you knew them!) They sang songs from Sth.America and appeared regularly at the Hampstead F.C. as well as on the radio. They played an instrument the size of a mandolin made out of an armadillo shell. Also, Elton Hayes? He sang folk songs on the BBC Light Prog., during the war and afterwards would you believe. He also appeared as Alan-a-Dale in a British Robin Hood film & wrote the introductory music. Well, he was booked at Hampstead once. Don't know how they contacted him (before the internet!) As he was getting on in years, his daughter brought him and he was attired in full evening dress. He was extremely pleased that he was remembered and booked for a Folk Club. We were dressed in tie-dye tops, striped coloured jeans and hair down to our shoulders (and that was just the women, Ha, Ha,) Still it was an interesting evening and he went down well. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,BarryB. Date: 21 Feb 10 - 10:32 AM I was partly responsible for getting Elton Hayes at the Robin Hood, Potters Bar. We got hold of him by getting onto the BBC who passed our query on to his agent. He was apparently so surprised at being asked that he couldn't resist accepting the invitation! (he was retired and running a chicken farm, I think in Suffolk at the time). He appeared at the Hampstead club, I think a couple of weeks after the Robin Hood. Talking of the guitar classes in the early 60's at C.Sharpe House, anyone recall John Pearse? (who took the classes) I believe he emigrated to the States back in the late 60's. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 21 Feb 10 - 10:53 AM Oh yes, I remember John. He died not long ago, in the US. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,BarryB Date: 23 Feb 10 - 12:11 PM Sorry to hear of the passing on of John Pearse, his guitar classes at Cecil Sharpe House in the early 60's, were the springboard for many a future folksinger. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: dombonito Date: 24 Feb 10 - 06:06 AM Anyone seen Rodney Lloyd lately? I used to see him at Cambridge every year but for the last couple of years he's been conspicuous by his absence. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 24 Feb 10 - 06:34 AM Barry B? That name remiinds of another London club, The Gatehouse in Highgate. Could it be Barry Beattie I wonder? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Splott Man Date: 24 Feb 10 - 06:49 AM The armadillo instrument is a Charango. 300 BTW |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,BarryB Date: 24 Feb 10 - 01:39 PM Yes it could, and is!...I'd forgotten about the Gatehouse. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,JonR Date: 25 Feb 10 - 11:06 AM Small correction to Leadfingers' post of the 10th. (Yeah, takes me a while to catch up here... ;-) ) It's Mac McGann, not Mat McCann. He and Alan Young still (AFAIK, I haven't been for a while) run the open mic night at the Watermans Arms in Richmond on Monday nights - a great place if you want a real taste of those vintage folk clubs: just a small upstairs room with no PA (yes NO PA!), no bar. Mac and Alan were on the bill of the first ever live performance I saw, at a school concert in 1966 (including the late great Cliff Aungier, who blew me away). Mac still plays that double-neck acoustic. As I think you know, his wife, the great blues singer Dorris [sic] Henderson (who I was lucky to play guitar with a couple of times), passed away a few years back. (I already listed my other 60s/70s club memories at length in an earlier post, so I won't repeat them...) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,CSH Date: 26 Feb 10 - 09:15 AM What does CSH stand for? Like in ' the Folk Cellar at CSH' ..... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,BarryB Date: 26 Feb 10 - 01:51 PM CSH=Cecil Sharpe House, London's Folk HQ in Camden Town, where it all began. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 26 Feb 10 - 02:08 PM Mac used to play with the Levee Breakers, the full lineup of whom, I cannot get right. I think it was Mac, Johnny Joyce, King Henry and Beverly, (later to marry John Martyn). Mac is also on a couple of Ralph MacTell albums, the first two I think. Still not 100% sure if Ralph was involved in the group too. Mac could do something I never managed to achieve. he could play sitting down with his legs crossed, and keep time by tapping the foot of the top leg, on the stage. Try it, it's not easy. BTW I found out that Johnny died a year or so back, pity. A nice bloke, and a great luthier too. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 26 Feb 10 - 02:12 PM Cecil Sharpe House is the HQ ofthe English Folk Dance & Song Society. The President of the EFDSS now is Shirley Collins, well known singer and banjo player of old. I ran the instrumental workshops there in the 70's when we had 3 beginners guitar classes and one banjo class. People came from far afield such as Herne Bay to learn finger-style guitar as there was no where else to learn that type of playing at the time. Not like now when you can buy a DVD! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:29 PM I wrote last item in a hurry. Actually, on Tuesday evenings at the Sharpe House, I organised the instrumental workshops when we had at our busiest time 3 beginners' classes (folk guitar), one I took myself. One intermediate class and one advanced class. I booked the teachers and arranged holiday reliefs. After the classes there was a Song Swop at which beginners were encouraged to perform before an audience. Also, experienced singers and instrumentalists would drop in to try out new material before using it at a club, such as Terry Gould, Peter Knight of Steeleye, Dave Cousins, etc., On Saturday evenings there was a folk club called the Folk Cellar originally run by Jack & Margaret King (anyone remember them?), I took over from them, and then Kevin Shiels followed me when I gave it up. In the large hall above, folk dancing took place at the same time. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 26 Feb 10 - 05:36 PM My first floor spot was done at CSH under the auspices of Jack and Margaret, and what an arse I made of it. I had been to the Railway [?] for Dutch courage, and was TOO full of Courage. It was a long time before I tried again. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 27 Feb 10 - 04:15 AM Roger I have a slightly different memory/tiimescale of the Cellar. I recall that after Jack and Margaret the residency was shared between Tony Rose, Dave Watts and Tony Deane and the Laymen. Dave W and Tony D are/were still active as part of Elsie's Band. It was Tony Rose who encouraged me to get more involved on the organising side rather than just doing the odd floor spot. Then you took over and I joined you before you gave up. But it was a long time ago! John M - probably the "Engineer". Always a mad dash down the road during the interval before there was a bar at CSH. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 27 Feb 10 - 06:28 AM I remember Margaret, who was a fine singer, telling me that she suffered terribly from stage nerves and couldn't go on and asked me if I'd take over as I sang there every week. Being resident I was like a bear with a sore head all Saturday, worrying if we'd get any floor singers, if the guest would turn up and if we'd get an audience! Also stage nerves too! There was an unwritten law that the same song would not be sung twice at a club so I'd have to rehearse 7 to 8 songs in case a floor singer or the guest did a song that I planned to do. Sometimes an experienced pro or semi-pro would turn up and ask to do a floor spot hoping to get a booking, so as resident I'd have to follow them rather than call up a local who was just beginning, and do a shanty or comical song to get the level down. All too much hassle in the end! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 27 Feb 10 - 06:48 AM I booked Jack and Margaret when I was running the Coach and Horses at Kew Green, and Jack came alone, said Margaret had a cold. I wonder if it was the nerves after all? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 27 Feb 10 - 07:59 AM It's possible then, Roger, that you were between Jack and Margaret and the 2 Tony's and a Dave, after which I took over with your returning help. But it's so long ago and I never kept a diary! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 27 Feb 10 - 10:37 AM Link for John re Mac McGann and Ralph McTell... http://www.ralph-mctell.co.uk/leveebreakers.html AFAIK, he's no longer with East of Ealing. (At least he's absent from their website.) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 28 Feb 10 - 12:47 PM Anyone know what's happened to Noel Murphy? A few years after I left the Sharpe House I bumped into him in Edgeware Rd., London, carrying his guitar. I asked what he was doing and he said still travelling around sleeping on club residents sofas or staying in cheap B&B's. Didn't sound too happy! I've got a tape he made but that must have been in the late 70's. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 28 Feb 10 - 01:47 PM Noel Murphy turned to after-dinner speaking after an accident damaged his vocal chords. His sidekick Shaggis, however, reverted to being Davy Johnstone, musical director to Mr Reg Dwight. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 28 Feb 10 - 02:21 PM Noel now lives down in Cornwall, or is it Devon? Web Site |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 28 Feb 10 - 04:00 PM Re the Folk Cellar at Cecil Sharp House, we saw the Silly Sisters (June Tabor and Maddy Prior for them as doesn't know) there in the 1970s. As usual, the performance was punctuated by great galumphing noises from the dancers doing Sir Roger de Crasherley upstairs! I still have a scar from that gig as there was a solid beam (above the door I think, memory fades) which I came into violent contact with. Admittedly we had been to the bar or out to the pub at half time. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 28 Feb 10 - 04:33 PM Man walked into a bar. OUCH!! It was an iron bar. Tommy Cooper |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 28 Feb 10 - 04:41 PM There ya go. Looks like I even booked you once BarryB ☺ |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Guest - Lin Date: 01 Mar 10 - 03:17 AM When I was on holiday in London I used to frequent The Troubadour in Earl's Court a lot. Loved their coffee! Then I would go downstairs to the Singer's night to hear various folk singers. I was not a singer but I did manage to muster up my courage and read a few poems there one night. The club where I hung out the most was at Bunjies Folk Cellar. So easy to get there on the Tube from my hotel and get back again afterwards. I really loved Bunjies! I went there a lot! I remember some great singers there, especially the folk duo, Brackenwood who had a regular floor spot. Their names were Jez & Clive but don't recall their sirnames. Also used to go there to hear a great singer named Rhatch. He had a really good voice and great guitar player!! Another guy who comes to mind that I used to enjoy listening to was Mike Lee. He was a big Ralph McTell fan and used to sing many of his songs, doing really great covers. I also remember a girl named Sippy who was a very good singer. Bunjies was my favourite place! Does anyone remember these particular singers? The Greek Lasagne was great too! I hear that Bunjies is no longer a folk club for many years now but don't know when it shut down for folk music. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 02 Mar 10 - 04:00 AM At the Folk Cellar, CSH, and likewise the Hampstead Folk Club, Diz Dizley would be booked by way of a change. He was a great racanteur and jazz guitar player. He did more talking than playing but he was very amusing & a popular guest. Is he still about? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 02 Mar 10 - 04:19 AM Current Mudcat thread Roger. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 02 Mar 10 - 04:51 AM Re Diz. Thanks for that John. Just googled Mudcat Diz Dizley and got lots of info..... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,BarryB Date: 02 Mar 10 - 05:07 PM Thanks for the glimpse of the poster John, gave my other half a good laugh!...I packed up playing in the clubs around 1971, although carried on for a while at the Elizabethan Rooms in Kensington after that. More names in the "where are they now" saga....Josh McRae (of "Messing about on the River" fame)...don't think he performed "down south" much, but came across him in Scotland, a very impressive performer....Jean Redpath?....Davy Graham? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Leadfingers Date: 02 Mar 10 - 07:44 PM Noel Murphy was living in Mullion (Cornwall) last time I saw him - I think he has stopped gigging entirely now , which IS a shame . |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Guernsey Pete Date: 04 Mar 10 - 04:47 PM Oh, nostalgia, nostalgia ! It isn't like it used to be ...... Having read all the names from the past; Roger Fleming, were you the third resident at the Cellar after Jack and Margaret King? I could remember Tony Rose, and Tony Deane and the Laymen, and was struggling for the third. And then there's all the other clubs - The Starting Gate in Wood Green was the first I went to in London, given directions from someone I met at the new Guernsey Folk Club in the summer of '65 ( suddenly I feel old...). This, of course, was back in the days when people talked in folk clubs, and if you sat at the back you could barely hear the performers, even someone as extrovert as Alex Campbell. The The Cellar, of course. Somewhere in my archives I have a cutting from a long-defunct Camden local newspaper "Artists, writers, poets, meet at the Cellar to hear performers like Tim Hart and Maddy Prior...." and in the photo there are empty seats everywhere and I think I can recognize Paul Stevens in the second row. Already well remembered the Enterprise, The Cut, BBC club, Islington, also there was an early reference on this discussion to Dave Lipson and Grotty Lottie's in Dalston Junction. I was there too. First time I ever heard anyone play a fiddle-tune on a guitar ( The Gants Hill-Billies ). Surely the club near Liverpool Street was The Peelers ? Jim Younger was one of the residents. Terrible amount of hand-rolled cigarettes around in those days, ruined a few performances, Sweeneys Men took ages to tune in their second set, too busy laughing, Amazing Blondel similarly rather incapacitated ( was it the hair ? ). Also anyone remember Free Folk ? Royal Free Hospital folk club down in the basement before the hospital moved to Hampstead in the late '60s' ? Ah, nostalgia. I played at the Royal Free Freshers Week with my barn-dance band a few years ago, and when I jumped off the stage to try to organise the dancing personally I was dwarfed by the 6-foot-plus eighteen-year-old women freshers ! Well, hullo Bonnie ( how's things in Cork ? ), Kevin, Dom -saw your niece at C Sharp last year, she's doing well. Hullo to everyone ! The Cellar Upstairs still marches on, as does Islington. Then there's the new clubs coming on, it seems like a revitalization is occurring, also a rise in informal acoustic sessions. The cycle turns with the seasons. All is not lost |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 04 Mar 10 - 05:56 PM God God, what a blast from the past. I was going to ask if anyone had heard of Guernsey Pete. I followed directly after Jack & Margaret King in the Folk Cellar, CSH. I was helped sometimes with Karl (Jack) Wahnig who sang a bass line under my 'soprano' voice. Incidently, there was no talking in the Cellar or at the Enterprise when people were singing. One reason I think was that there was no bar in the room. People went out in the interval for a drink and chat. I confess that I do not remember Tony Rose, Tony Deane or The Laymen so they must have come after I gave up at the Cellar & I don't remember them at the Enterprise. I had a photograph, which I have mislaid, of standing with Tim & Maddy, when I was resident at the Cellar. Also with Dave & Toni Arthur when we shared a gig at a school somewhere around Havistock Hill. I saw Toni Arthur appearing on childrens' TV but where is Dave Arthur these days? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Folknacious Date: 04 Mar 10 - 07:00 PM Questions answered from posts above: Dav(e)y Graham passed away in 2008 Dave Arthur is currently in the fine band Rattle On The Stovepipe (Google . . .) And a passing note: why do folkies always put an e on the end of Sharp? And indeed Renbourn, come to think of it . . . often the same ones who put an extra c in acoustic, I notice. Is letter inflation traditional |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 14 Mar 10 - 04:00 PM Nick Harrison . I ran the Peanuts Folk Club and the BBC Folk Club for several years in the 60s and 70s, and performed in dozens of other clubs in the Home Counties. It would be nice to hear from any old buddies at Wizphut@gmail.com Happy days| |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 16 Mar 10 - 12:46 PM Hello Nick Harrison, In regard to your query, I ran the BBC Folk Club on a number of occasions. Peter Charlton was the permanent resident, but like most of us who worked at the BBC, shift work didn't allow us to attend all the time. When Peter was working he'd give me a call. The club at the time was in the Langham building, which is now an upmarket hotel. Now & again when the room wasn't available in The LANGHAM we were given a room in Brodcasting House. I remember sometimes booked guests, like Margaret Barry, were convinced they were going out on air, though it was a club for the staff when they were off duty. I can't remember the exact time but it must have been in the early 70's. Floor singers who didn't work for the Beeb were welcome and friends of mine, such as Roger Nicholson and Clive Woolf would sing and/or play for us. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 18 Mar 10 - 06:39 AM Someone was asking on the website FRoots about folk mags of the 60's & 70's. I do not have access to that website but I gave a box full of folk mags from that period to the BBC Music Library. They weren't too enthusiastic about taking them off my hands though they contained hundreds of songs and their origins. They may part with them if asked for! One of my favourite articles was The Bosun's Locker by Stan Hugill. Life aboard sailing ships with a shanty given each month. Shanties were useful in the 70's to get audiences joining in with the choruses. What happened to Stan Hugill? Anyone know? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 18 Mar 10 - 06:46 AM fRoots forum here. Stan Hugill died in 1992 aged 86. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,SheilaG Date: 03 Apr 10 - 06:20 AM Hi Angie and all I, too, have just stumbled across this site/forum. I was searching for The Peelers and Bonded Boots - seems we are all down memory lane! I think the Capricorn Club deserves a mention. Angie ran this club at Gt Portland Street for 2 years. It was mostly packed to the gunwhales (what would H&S have to say about that now) and we had some fantastic times. One great memory was when Martin Carthy turned up with horrendous flu - but not wanting to let the club down. He couldn't possibly go on and, as luck would have it, Royston Wood had turned up in the audience and did the gig instead. I think you should write a history of it, Ange. Did you keep the gig lists? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 03 Apr 10 - 06:24 AM Sheila G, I just got a lovely Easter card from Kay who co-ran the Peelers for awhile. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,SheilaG Date: 03 Apr 10 - 06:30 AM I used to hang out at Bunjies. They had a resident singer/songwriter called Amory Kane!! One night a guy called David Bowie did a couple of numbers. (Yes, Bowie - not Jones). |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,SheilaG Date: 03 Apr 10 - 06:35 AM Any news on Joe and Ann Palmer and Tom Madden? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Mick Penning Date: 15 Apr 10 - 05:38 PM Is there anyone out there who frequented the pub on Friday nights around 1972/73? Folk Night (upstairs)..... The Nag's Head, York Rd Battersea. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Mick Woods Date: 16 Apr 10 - 02:36 AM I attended a Folk Club in the St Martin In The Fields Crypt Trafalgar Square London circa 1970 I remember seeing Eclection performing there. It was free entry and My girlfriend and me used to bring our own bottle of cheap wine. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jacobs ladder Date: 30 May 10 - 05:19 PM I posted on this trhread about a year ago - and follow the corespondence with interest - when we used to go to the troub in the mid and late 60's there was often a very young singer who would come up and sing during the 'open mike' whose name I think was graham and he almost always sang a song which went "salty dog, salty dog, I could be your salty dog, honey let me be your salty dog ... two old ladies sitting in the sand, each one wishing the other was a man ... honey let me be your salty dog ... anyone know who he was or what happen to him |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Joe_F Date: 30 May 10 - 05:38 PM I was in Scotland on a Fulbright in 1958-9, and was in London for the winter vacation. I joined Ballads & Blues. I heard someone sing "The Second Front Song" -- it must have been Ewan MacColl, but I didn't know him from Adam at the time. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Marcia Stehr Date: 31 May 10 - 04:29 PM Hi Jacob's Ladder.. Perhaps the Graham you heard was THE Davy Graham? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,arjay Date: 05 Jun 10 - 02:14 AM Anyone heard of Ron Simmonds of Bunjies and elsewhere, in recent years ? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 20 Jun 10 - 11:16 AM Re "Graham" @ the Troubadour A very young and extremely good blues picker there and at the Cousins at that time was Graham Butterfield. He lived somewhere out in Surrey and would often come and crash in my kitchen till the trains restarted. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 07 Jul 10 - 05:47 AM Jack King just posted in another old 60's thread but I thought I'd copy his note here as it may be more noticed. Glad to hear he and Margaret are still out there. He wrote Margaret & I are still alive & kicking and living in Deepest Suffolk Mag has just celebrated her 80th birthday & I will catch her up next March.We left folk music in the middle 70s(some say we never joined)Mag gave up to nurse her sick mother in 1970 & I soldiersd on foer a few years th elast proffesional work I did was as a minstrel at the Gore hotel along side such as Hylda Symm Barrie Beattie & Dave Ward.Still got the old00018 though |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Angieb Date: 08 Jul 10 - 05:36 AM Hi all Last I heard of Tom Madden was (from Kevin Burke a couple of years back) that Tom was running a B&B with his missus in Torquay! Also that Joe Palmer was running (or part of) a radio station in Spain (or somewhere). Recently went to Fleetwood FOlk Club's anniversary and was treated to a reunion of Dave Walters and Howard Bond (Bonded Boots). It was really great to see them together again. Howard is still singing (and playing) and I see him occasionally. Seem to have been involved in folk music forever, and wonderful it is to. Currently organising Four Fools events up here in sunny Lancashire. Sad to hear of the loss of Roger Nicholson, what a superb dulcimer player he was. Thanks for the reminder about Capricorn Folk Club Sheila. It was going great until the pub turned the room into a restaurant. (Yep it was happening even back then). Cheers everyone and keep singing/playing |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 08 Jul 10 - 10:09 AM just to put the record straight Margaret & I took over the Cellar from Peter Kennedy who ran it on much more informal lines and together with Mike Robinson built it up over the years into a more formal arrangement. We were very lucky in persuading guests to perform as the fees were derisory and when the guests got paid we didnt Happily many old mates were always willing to appear including Colin Wilkie &Shirley Hart,Alex Campbell Martin Winsor Redd Sullivan Pete& Marion Maynard Martin Carthy& the Spinners to mention but a few.I think however that some of the best evenings were the Come All Yees particularly when "Atrocity Alley were in fullcry ,singersfrom the floor included Gerry Fox ,Mick Flynn,Brian Norman & ayoung hopeful named Noel Murphy!!!!Happy days. We handed the club over in the mid sixties to Tony Dean& the Laymen & Tony Rose. and finally left Folk Music about 1974.Hope this brings back a few memories |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,DJC Date: 14 Jul 10 - 01:19 PM Can anyone else remember a folk club that was run in The Old Fire Station in Richmond Surrey? In the early 1960's you had to be a club memeber to get a drink on a Sunday Night after 10.00PM - so the folk club was an obvious venue! I saw Long John Baldry playing accoustic blues there and when I heard he was also playing over at Eel Pie Island a few weeks later I went to see him (Rod Stewart was allowed two songs in the "interval" provided he got back from playing football in time!). At Eel Pie, Baldry played with a full blues band including Geoff Bradford and Ian Armitt. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Lynne Date: 20 Jul 10 - 05:11 PM I used to go to the Quaggy Folk evenings in the Manor Park area of Lee. It was my first intro to Folk- wonderful musical nights! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 21 Jul 10 - 04:49 AM Good to hear from you JACK! That's Jack King. I remember your 00018 well. I live in deepest Suffolk too! Where old folkies retire to..... Gave up the guitar and sold both of them some years ago but I now play a set of Hummelchen Bagpipes and have take up the 5-string banjo just for amusement. I remember Mike Robinson playing the Northumbrian small pipes. He gave some workshops at CSH but they were too expensive to buy. One gets the bug so I have played my pipes and the banjo at the Quay Theatre Folk Club in Sudbury, Suffolk. Give my regards to Margaret. My wife at the time, Joyce, has passed on. We visited you at your home at times if you remember. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Tug the Cox Date: 21 Jul 10 - 08:20 PM Crikey Lynne ( Guest)I used to live in that area, remember the River Quagy when it still ran through a culvert in Sutclife park, before it was tunneled in. Nearest regular Folk Club was catford, foredt hill or farningham, 60's/70's. When are you talking about, and where was the venue? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jim Anderson Date: 27 Jul 10 - 03:01 PM I came to London in February 1966 and in my first week saw Bob Davenport and The Rakes at The Fox on Islington Green- it was their 10th anniversary as a band and that night was a bit of a party I remember Freddy McKay particulary and a guy called Norman, I think, who used to sing the same song every week about " the man wot waters the workers' beer " ! A couple of nights later I met Matt McGinn, Hamish Imlach [ both now long gone ]and Jimmy McGregor at Bruce Dunnet's Scots Hoose at Cambridge Circus - went for supper with them and Nadia Cattouse at a wee eaterie on Old Compton Street - The Blue ..? Through Bruce, who became a lifelong friend until his death some years ago, I met a whole host of people I'd only heard on record or seen on TV, including a great many of the names mentioned in all these contributions. But Ewan McColl undoubtedly was the person who had greatest influence on my understanding and appreciation of the music and the tradition. Perhaps a difficult man for some, but the soul of kindness to me. I eventually did the door stuff etc at the Singers' Club when it was at the John Snow in Broadwick Street, Soho, until I was recalled to Scotland at the end of that year. But over the subsequent years I visited London many times and went round many of the clubs, often with Bruce D, until ill-health turned him off going out much at all. I think the last time was to one of the last Singers' Club nights, when Ewan was already too ill to attend. Reading this thread has brought back some wonderful memories ... as well as the dreadful realisation of just how long ago that all was. Great days indeed ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 27 Jul 10 - 04:12 PM Glad to hear Jack and Margaret are still with us, my best wishes to you both. JM |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: semiotic Date: 27 Jul 10 - 06:49 PM Cant say I remember the Old Fire Station club but I do remember the Island sessions, Baldry and Rod the Mod doing gospel duets, Cyril Davies showing how the blues harp should be played. Did you go to any of the Young Socialist's folk sessions or the Folk Club at the Community Centre with Rod Stradling and others? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 29 Jul 10 - 09:55 AM Many thanks for the best wishes John & our kind regards are sent in return. I have to admit that I dont remember doing a solo gig at Kew Green but did you ever run a club at Bounds Green in north london, we were resident there for a while after we gave up the Cellar and remember working with amongst others Matt McGinn & Tom Paxton.I also remember the club held a Bob Dylan lookalike contest and you have never seen so many flat caps & Gibson guitars in your life Mind you they may have looked like Dylan but all resemblance ended there!!!Now we are a pair of old codgers its nice to know we are still remembered ,it was such a big part of our lives and memories keep trickling back. Thanks too for allthe other names that have mentioned us We have made contact with Peter Green ( or Warwick Sladeas he seems to perform under) and there is agrave danger that we may even effect a reunion if wer'e spared Cheers Jack & margaret |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Barry B. Date: 04 Aug 10 - 12:23 PM Hello Jack & Margaret (King), your mention of the Elizabethan Rooms at the Gore Hotel brought back memories! Two more names who used to play there; Scottish singer Jean Livingstone and Ian Russell, sadly Ian passed away some 4 years ago, his wife Moira (McGee) also a singer, is back in Northern Ireland. I left the scene around 1972. Still have my old Gibson, but mainly practice classical guitar these days in my retirement. regards..Barry Beattie |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 05 Aug 10 - 06:23 AM Hello there young Barry B hard to think of you as retired still we are talking about some 50 years ago . Sorry to hear about Ian, a good singer and a helluva nice guy I remember Moira from the old Peter Kennedy Cellar days & certainly remember wee Jeanniee from nights at the Gore .Sad to think that there aren't many of us left . Keep well & happy kindest regards J&M |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Barry B. Date: 06 Aug 10 - 05:45 AM I think you're right, there aren't many of us left. Don't know what happened to Jean, last heard she was off with some American hippy guy, living the dream on some Greek island, but that was back in the 70's...I don't think dreams last that long! Still in touch with Moira from time to time, she's mainly painting these days. What is it about Suffolk that attracts all the old folkies?!!....Mind you one of my favourite places is Lavenham and other villages around, so I can understand it. When I hear folk programmes on the radio these days, I can't help but wonder, what happened to the old simplicity of a Cyril Tawney, or Enoch Kent?...It all seems to be about fancy guitar riffs now, with the song coming a poor second |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 19 Aug 10 - 09:43 AM I know what you mean Barry we dont listen to a lot of folk music these days but the emphasis seems to be on slick instrumentation ,not like the old " three chord trick or if you'r lucky five " days . We live about 10 miles from Lavenham and the Great House restaurant is a favourite watering hole . There was a folk club in our town ( Hadleigh ) but it folded soon after we arrived ( nothihg to do with us ) We understand tha Archie Fisher was a regular as was Don Wallace I wonder what happened to him Cheers J&M |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 22 Aug 10 - 06:18 PM Hi Jack, Hi Jack, Saw your last entry. I live in a village just outside Sudbury, not far from you and Margaret. The Quay Theatre in Sudbury has performances by Folkies. I went to an evening with John Kirkpatrick on the 13th. Martin Simpson was there a few weeks ago and last year Maddie Prior gave a solo concert. We discussed the old Cellar days & I had a photo of you and I at the front while she was singing with Tim Hart. I'm in touch with Don Wallace who I met on the quay in Ipswich, and Don Bonito (ex NW3). (Sadly, Maureen has passed on. They are still performing, not together though! Went to visit Don at Saffron Walden lately where I played banjo and he a new guitar. (We appear to have swopped instruments!) He gives banjo lessons to youngsters. There was a folk club at the Quay but it closed down recently. Lack of support unfortunately. I played the small Hummelchem bagpipes there which I have taken up. Perhaps there is some way we can get in touch? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Barry B. Date: 26 Aug 10 - 06:31 AM Maybe it's time for an "old folkies re-union" down Suffolk way??! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 26 Aug 10 - 07:27 PM Why not? Lavenham, Hadleigh, Boxford or Sudbury? All within reasonable distance of each other! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,BarryB. Date: 30 Aug 10 - 12:03 PM I'm in Kingston-upon-Thames area these days, but always happy to drive over to Suffolk. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 30 Aug 10 - 12:24 PM Well Don Shepherd isn't too far away from that area either, could be a good reunion! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,From: Roger F. Date: 04 Sep 10 - 07:56 AM Re possible re-union of Suffolk Folkies, as Jack King is possibly the senior member, if he's interested, suggest he comes up with a venue? As he lives in Hadleigh that would be ok with me. His zimmer-frame wouldn't get too warped! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 06 Sep 10 - 05:09 AM Great idea guys but sadly not for us .We have been out of folk music for too long and never much liked the idea of reunions anyway so thanks but no thanks Jack & Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 06 Sep 10 - 05:37 AM Why are you geezers so intent on reinventing the wheel? The EAMT held their annual Traditional Music Day last weekend. You could have all gone there. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Sep 10 - 06:25 AM Who mentioned traditional music? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 06 Sep 10 - 07:34 AM I remember most of these chaps bumbling around London clubs four to five decades ago. As many seem to have gravitated towards East Anglia, the Stowmarket event would seem to be ideally situated. And why wouldn't they want to listen to and perform traditional music? Besides, it's very good fun. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 07 Sep 10 - 03:47 AM Hello D. Would have liked to have gone as Stowmarket isn't far away from Sudbury but didn't know it was on. I take daily the EAST ANGLIAN DAILY TIMES but didn't see anything in there. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Leadfingers Date: 07 Sep 10 - 06:50 AM The British Folk Scene has ALWAYS suffered from a lack of publicity MOSTLY from the Local Papers not being interested in any thing that they cant charge LOTS of money for ! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 07 Sep 10 - 07:29 AM Hello Rog! Now that you have the link for EATMT you can take a look at their sctivities and see what interests you. One of the best ways to find out about music-related events would be to sign up for Facebook and they will be posted in your page, |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Sep 10 - 03:10 PM Jack, here is a photo of you playing at that gig you don't remember :) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 09 Sep 10 - 06:15 AM John Many thanks for the photo as if I ever doubted you . God what a Handsome devil ( if they could see me now ) .The ooo18 photographs well though .Thanks again and many kind regards. Jack |
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Subject: The Crypt Folk Club, St Martin in the Fields From: GUEST Date: 11 Sep 10 - 04:53 PM I used to go to The Crypt Folk Club around 1972/73 and would love to hear from others who remember that era. We stopped going not long after Hugh Maddox left. Does anyone know where he is now? There is a small group on Friends Reunited - be good to make it grow. April Smart (formerly Truscott) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: April Smart Date: 11 Sep 10 - 04:57 PM |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 12 Sep 10 - 09:35 AM Is there anyone who remembers the other clubs that we were resident at apart from the Cellar ? The first was a pub in Southgate which was going very well until the landlord suspected that there was pot smoking going on ,by the time he discovered that it was my Gauloisse he could smell he had closed us down!!!! The next was at Boreham Wood run by a very nice guy Mick Leggat. Among the artistes booked I remember Joanne Hindley Smith and there was a gorgeous blonde named Sue who ran the door. We also met Lois Lane of Caravels fame who was often in the audience.The last one was at the Bounds Green Tavern run by a guy who I think was Canadian named Ian > we remember Tom Paxton being booked and doing two 30 minutes spots with no encores. I have mentioned this club before as i mistakenly thought John McKenzie was involved but any info to assist a flagging memory would be much appreciated. Jack |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 12 Sep 10 - 09:55 AM The pub at Bounds Green was the Springfield Park Tavern and it stands on the corner of the street in which I now live. I was astonished when I went to view the house because I thought I'd never been to the area before but was confronted by the pub I'd spent many hours in nearly 40 years ago. Unfortunately all it has now is thick curtains and wide-screen football. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 13 Sep 10 - 03:59 AM Does anyone remember the informal sessions we had at The Engineer near CSH where many musicians and singers got together. People like Peter Knight of Steeleye, Clive Woolf, Jim Woodley. Olly on mandolin, etc. Usually occurred after the instrumental workshops and "Songswap" at CSH on a Tuesday evenings. Can you remember old Spidey the caretaker? I also remember some great rapper teams performing in the Cellar in the 70's. There's some good examples of rapper dancing if you google it! The Black Swan side are worth a look.... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 13 Sep 10 - 09:25 AM The Spidys, yeah. Kenneth Not-So-Goode fired them. I sometimes wonder when I pass their basement flat what the EFDSS has put in there. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Keith(Will) Bottjer Date: 30 Sep 10 - 07:55 PM What a wonderful and long lived thread. I have spent the last hour in blissful recall of many of the clubs and places mentioned. I was saddened to hear about the death of Don Partridge earlier this month. I knew Don in the sixties, during / after his ' encounter with fame' and found him to be a larger than life, friendly and colourful character. We used to meet on the odd occasion in The Porcupine and the Cambridge in the Leicester Square area and The King and Queen near the Post Office Tower. Don became a regular / resident, at Brentwood Folk Club in Essex and I remeber quite vividly his excellent rendition of 'Jerusalem'. I know Don used to busk even up to quite recently in various towns in southern England and will be greatly missed. Might I be permitted through the forum to offer condolences to his family. Whilst slightly off the 'London Clubs' theme, Does anyone recall or did anyone attend / perform at Chelmsford Folk Club in the early to mid sixties. 'The Halliard' were in residence consisting initially of Geoff Harris; Dave Moran and Nigel Paterson with Nic Jones replacing Geoff when he decided to resume his previous career. The club was held in Tindal Street at [I seem to recall] The White Hart in the room above the bar. I recall seeing Martin Carthy & Dave Swarbrick; Bert Jansch and John Renbourne; Julie Felix; John Foreman; Davey Graham; Paul Simon and many others in this wonderful 'up close and personal' environment. I used to attend the workshop sessons that Geoff and Nigel used to run on a Wednesday and they started me out on a life long love affair with the guitar. I recall tousling with and [just about] achieving a passable version of 'Anji' and practicing until the tips of my fingers bled. I would be delighted if anyone performed or attended those sessions and can reinforce my memories. Keith |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 06 Oct 10 - 12:46 AM Andrew Davis... He now lives in Dorset... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Oct 10 - 04:30 AM Just noticed that this thread has been going for 9 years + now. I am really pleased I started it. So many people have come out of the woodwork, and old friends made reappearances. Keep it up folks. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: howbe on Date: 06 Oct 10 - 03:05 PM Guest Keith Yes I do remember the club at the White Hart in Chelmsford. I think I started going not long before the club re-alocated to the Saracens Head. I certainly remember seeing The Yetties and Dave Burland there and seem to think it was one of the first gigs that either of these performers had done outside their own geographical areas. The club at the Saracens Head was a much larger venue and had many fine guest singers over the years. I was then part of a group called The Riggers who did the residency at the club when the Halliard were off touring, which they ended up doing with increasing frequency. Dave Moran was still running the club and also several other clubs in Essex including one at Braintree where I often played. The Riggers and I also ran/ were resident singers at, clubs in Harold Hill, Collier Row and Hornchurch ( and later Upminster ) in the late 60's / 70's. I still think of how lucky I was to be involved in such a vibrant and exciting period of Folk Music and to have heard and shared a stage with so many great performers. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Edthefolkie Date: 06 Oct 10 - 03:57 PM April, (11 Sep 2010), I seem to remember the first gig I went to in London was Steve Tilston at the Crypt - 1971? (The second gig was Mungo Jerry at some pub not that far away. Could it have been the Chelsea Drugstore? Anyway, they'd been booked before "In The Summertime" became an enormous hit and the place was absolutely heaving. Ray Dorset stood on a chair so we could all see him! Don't see many folkies doing that....) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 06 Oct 10 - 05:39 PM HI howbe on, Upminster club was very good, YES,Keith I was around there at the time, as was HCJ Jones. I remember seeing martin wyndham read, and English Tapestry Performing to full houses |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 06 Oct 10 - 05:42 PM Was with Puddleduck when we played for ceilidhs at the Crypt a couple of times... and remember that the year we had to move tents at Sidmouth to meet safety standards (after the campsite gas cylinder explosion in Spain)the people organising the moving were stewards from the Crypt. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: howbe on Date: 07 Oct 10 - 08:35 AM Hi Dick. Yes, the Windmill Club at Upminster was good and very well attended. We booked some excellent guests. Albion Band, Jasper Carrot,Mike Harding and The Bushwakers on tour from Australia ( my first experiance of the Largerphone),to name but a few. Always remember Swan Arcade during their Folk Rock period, their PA system was so big it took two guys to push in the mixer, which was on wheels and must have been about 6 foot tall (well I was smaller then so it might have been less ) However the best thing about the club,from a financial prospective,was that Havering Council let us have the venue free and covered us for any cash shortfall ! Ah those were the days. Having said that I think the Council may still make a donation towards John Durrants club that still runs in Romford. Take care, Dom |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Guest - Lindy Date: 12 Oct 10 - 01:58 AM Hello Dom: Just read your post here about the Windmill Club. Haven't seen any more of your posts on "Off to California." and still was wondering if you and Sarah will be singing at the club in Tehachapi, California? I'm the one who will be staying in Bakersfield, CA the last week of October. By the way, did you ever have Graham & Eileen Pratt play at the Windmill Club? Or Mike Raven & a female singer he performed with (can't think of her name at the moment). Thanks, Lindy |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 12 Oct 10 - 02:25 AM Lindy - Joan Mills? Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Guest - Lindy Date: 12 Oct 10 - 03:31 AM Kitty: Just posted a message but not sure if it went through as I may not have clicked on submit message. If you get this same message twice please excuse one of them! Anyway, yes it is Joan Mills!! I have one LP that she and Mike Raven did together. Wish I had other LPs of theirs. I really loved Joan's voice! Do you know if she is still involved with folk music or singing at folk clubs these days? Thanks, Lindy |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 12 Oct 10 - 06:02 AM Anyone remember a club over the big pub at Swiss Cottage in North London. I went there a few times but can't remember who the residents were. A well known contemporary perfomer turned up minus guitar and asked if he could use mine. Unwittingly, I said yes. I could see the scratches appearing down the front of my guitar from his plectrum (plectrum? what's that?) Anyway as resident at the Folk Cellar at CSH and having bought an expensive folk-style guitar (anyone remember Doctor Tomastic treble strings for finger style playing?), I used to take a well-worn old nylon-strung guitar as a spare and when singers turned up minus instrument, that was the one they got! The same singer-songwriter came and sang from the floor at the Cellar and asked for a booking. On saying Yes he then told me to contact his AGENT. One of the reasons I then packed it up. Was getting too professional & the most the Sharp House could afford at the time was ten quid. Even Paul Simon got that! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 12 Oct 10 - 06:15 AM a club over the big pub at Swiss Cottage The North Star? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 12 Oct 10 - 01:36 PM |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 12 Oct 10 - 01:39 PM The pub itself was The Swiss Cottage right on the apex of where Finchley Rd split up with Wellington Rd. next to the Odeon cinema, if I remember right. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 12 Oct 10 - 02:30 PM Lindy - I don't know if Joan is still singing, but it appears that she's been maintaining Mike's website and continuing to sell copies of books and recordings since he died in April 2008. Her e-mail address is on the website. MCP and I spent an afternoon with Mike at the National Festival in Sutton Bonington one year (late 1990s) and he very kindly gave us A Shropshire Lad CD that he'd recorded with Joan. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Joe Palmer Date: 21 Oct 10 - 10:35 AM A friend mentioned that I should check out this site and was suprised to see somebody asking about the whereabouts of the various members of the Peelers and yes you got it right I am living in Spain and I am the owner of Sunshine FM the No.1 station on the Costa Blanca sadly my lovely wife Ann passed away in 1992 and I have lost contact with both Tom Madden and Jim Younger but if anyone knows of their whereabouts I would love to know what they are up to these days |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 21 Oct 10 - 04:12 PM Hi Joe, Jim Younger is still very much active on the London music scene, he's a resident at the Cellar Upstairs along with Gail William andd others, You can contact Gail via Facebook, I'm not sure whether he's a member himself though. Tom Madden lives in Kilburn, last I heard. Don't think he's doing that much musically but Jim should know. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John Foxen Date: 22 Oct 10 - 09:52 AM Does anyone remember Toad Hall in the General Havelock in Ilford on Friday nights in the late Sixties early Seventies? It was the first club I went to and for just half a crown I saw up and coming youngsters such as John Martyn, John Renbourn, Ralph McTell, Derek Brimstone - and two farewell concerts by Young Tradition. There was a resident called Richard Digance. Whatever happened to him? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Manitas_at_home Date: 22 Oct 10 - 10:14 AM Richard's never been the same since his Nan's flat was pulled down and he can't sit on the balcony and watch the Hammers for free. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: tritoneman Date: 06 Nov 10 - 02:57 PM idly browsing through some Mudcat threads I came across this one and found myself thoroughly enjoying wallowing in the nostalgia. To my surprise I saw a reference to Graham Butterfield playing at The Troubadour and Les Cousins. I am Graham Butterfield and I do remember having a penchant for playing Salty Dog Blues at the Troub and I remember, with gratitude, crashing on the kitchen floor 'cos there were no more trains back to Guildford! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack& Margaret King Date: 08 Nov 10 - 06:07 AM Has anybody heard anything about Chas Upton who used to be around the scene at the same time as us and wrote avery nice song about Silbury Hill ,he was a great mate of Fred Wedlock sadly no longer with us ,also any news of Colin Wilkie & Shirley Hart we know Shirley stopped singing rou nd about the same time as we did but is Colin still going strong and are they still living in Germany? Any info would be gratefully received J&M |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 08 Nov 10 - 08:45 AM There was a resident called Richard Digance. Whatever happened to him? good question, he was last heard of living it up near Saffron Walden, quite a toff. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Nov 10 - 09:24 AM Chas Upton is still around. Colin and Shirley now live in Germany, where Colin has a radio programme. They always did well over there, and I believe it was they who encouraged Derek Sarjeant and Hazel King [Sarjeant] to play over there too. I know there was plenty of work for UK folk singers over there in the 60's and 70's. Colin's Web site |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,guest - jim younger Date: 08 Nov 10 - 10:08 AM Howdy to Joe Palmer of The Peelers - good to hear you're having fun in the sun while I languish in rainy Highams Park. I occasionally hear of sightings of the great Tom Madden - but I never seem to be in his vicinity. So far on this thread I think we've had him running a B and B in Torquay (shades of Basil Fawlty) and also living in Manchester. Last time I looked, Joe, 'Banished Misfortune', the Peelers album had become something of an underground hit and could fetch a decent price, even in Japan. (I know someone who paid £150 for a copy about ten years ago.) So if you have any left over, maybe you might think of releasing them into the 2nd hand market on a slow drip. I was in a pub in Clapham North back in 1980 and 'Broken Down Squatter' came on the jukebox. Given that the clientele was mainly Jamaican, I was surprised, to say the least. Still playing - whatever takes my fancy. Best wishes Jim |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Peelers Date: 09 Nov 10 - 12:10 PM Hi Jim Really great to hear from you and that you are still playing the music not much of it over here in Spain but I get the chance to play the music on a show I do on Sunshine FM called The Celtic Connection I have just spoken to Mick o Connor and he tells me that Tom Madden is living in Clonakilty in Cork maybe we should have a reunion one day and catch up on old times Joe Palmer |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 11 Nov 10 - 09:15 AM Hi John Just tolet you know that I have made contact with Col & Shirl and they are both well although like Margaret & I well stricken in years( though not as struck as us two ) Colin is still doing gigs and writing so many thanks for pushing me in the right direction to find them Cheers Jack |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,guest - Jim Younger Date: 11 Nov 10 - 09:41 AM Hi Joe Good to hear from you - Mr Madden seems as elusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel. Clonakilty, is it now? I have spoken to Mick O'Connor now and again - he's still playing dynamite banjo. Yeah, let's have a blast one of these days, before we get too old to remember who we are. Jim |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Sheila Guilford Date: 19 Nov 10 - 06:24 AM Hey Joe (that's not so original) So good to hear that you are alive and well (but sad to hear about Ann). You have been so far underground these past few years,I've surfed the web a few times to see if you showed up, so now we know where you are. Sounds good, not like the cold and damp of good old UK. Do you remember me? I'm afraid I let the folk scene go for many years but now my eldest son is heavily into all the old music and we go off to gigs together. In fact he told me about the cult status of your album (which of course I have). |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Peelers Date: 19 Nov 10 - 11:47 AM Hi Sheila Nice to hear from you and that you are still listening to the music I am having a little break from the Celtic Connection show I do on Sunshine but would love it if you tuned in when I start it again and maybe I could do a request. I will post it here when the show starts again Joe |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 19 Nov 10 - 02:34 PM Further to the posts from Jack King and John McKenzie on 8 November, Chas Upton is playing and thesping in deepest Dorset (Childe Okeford). Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Dom Bonito Date: 23 Nov 10 - 09:06 AM Speaking of Chas Upton,anyone know how I can get hold of the words to Silbury Hill? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 23 Nov 10 - 01:59 PM Dom - try an e-mail to Charles at childokeford.plus.com (but using the @ symbol...) Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Dom Bonito Date: 25 Nov 10 - 01:18 PM Thanks Kitty. Regards, Dom |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 25 Nov 10 - 02:13 PM Dom - I e-mailed Chas to let him know that you might be inquiring, and he's replied that it was one of his brothers who collected it, c 1960. then he wrote the music. He's seen the words written out on postcards of Silbury Hill - for sale in Marlborough - but hasn't sung it himself for a long time! Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Simonne15 Date: 02 Dec 10 - 09:03 AM Does Hoddesdon Folk Club still exist? I forget the name of the pub but remember being there 1964-67 when at college in Hertford and the 'Two Daves' led the sessions.I remember the McCarthy family, Johnny Silvo and others. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 02 Dec 10 - 03:06 PM Simonne - I think that Hoddesdon mutated into the Ware folk club... but that's no longer going either. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Dec 10 - 11:35 AM Interesting Jack :) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 09 Dec 10 - 09:54 AM John Chas upton's band's website is fipennypiece.co.uk Iam not computerliterate enough to transfer this to you via computer Cheers Jack |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 11 Dec 10 - 09:04 AM Link to Chas's site. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Barbara Newlin (now Bernstein) Date: 19 Dec 10 - 01:51 AM To anyone who may remember...I was the librarian at EFDSS from 1973 to 1976. I worked with Daisy Armitage and Dave Tulloch and had the time of my life. If anyone wants to get in touch, I'm in California and on email at barb94040@comcast.net. Would love to know what Daisy and Dave are up to you. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 19 Dec 10 - 03:32 AM BARBARA... WOW!!! I worked upstairs for Miss Gold when you were at CSH, and never would have gotten my job there if it hadn't been for you. I'd done some volunteer typing in the library (remember all those little index cards?) and when they needed to hire someone in the Folk Shop mail order department you rang to tell me about it, and I came in and applied and got the job. My email is my full name as it appears above, no dots or spaces, at Gmail dot com. I live in an old farmhouse on the south coast of Ireland now. How great to see your post here! Brilliant site, is Mudcat. Bonnie xxx |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 19 Dec 10 - 04:08 AM Hi Barbara. I remember you. I still see Dave Armitage at various festivals and have an email for him somewhere. If I can dig it out I'll pass yours on to him. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: ollaimh Date: 19 Dec 10 - 10:35 PM i once wondered up to the troubadour back in 73 i think. i didn't knw any of the history at the time and played a couple of scottish songs. some git was in my face telling me i shouldn't be playing scottish songs--i had no idea then what he was on about but i supose now he thought i was american. for those who don't know i am a nova scotian franco gael. well i was sitting in the audience duely chasened(from my child hood in the educational system i had learned we were to be duely chasened when anglos told us what to do) and he began to sing the mist covewred mountains of home--well i knew the chorus to that one and started to belt out the classic gaelic chourus!!! i didn't notice they were singing in english, but back home we always sang that chorus in gaelic. well he shut up and i looked around at people gawking at the odd ball(that would be me). years later i realized he was a lowlander pretending to be a gael. i didn't understand that back then but people want to get "folkie cred" by pretending to be gaels.was he hot with me afterwards, he claimed i was trying to publicly embarrase him--i was just singing it the way we did back home. i really wish they would wait to do play gael untill after they have been refused a few jobs or a place in a university course(as i was ) before they play the holy gael. am i a cynic?YES there used to be so many poncy gits pretending to be gaels back then who may have once know some one who actualy met and talked to an actual gael once when they were on holiday on skye or ireland. what can i say? that's why for years i stopped calling what i do folk and called it traditional music. now they have co opted the term traditional music so i just say celtic music from nova scotia and new foundland with a few ole vieux acadie chants!! so other than the occasional lecture i was way too unsophisticated to understand back then( i really was fresh off the turnip truck)i had a great time. and outside i saw the tallest and oddest woman i ahd ever seen. she saw me staring and began to upbraid me. again later i realized she was a he and i was a rube from a place so rural we not only rarely had in door plumbing but had few in door ideas as well. i had at the time worked on a fish boat and in a carpet factory and that was pretty much it, and had dropped out of school so i didn't even have grade twelve.we rural nova scotians used to go to the city and smile and act friendly and expect people would be nice to us--good fucking luck with that!!!!(see bruce cockburns song going down the road for a great story of those days) now on the bright side i found a home first in a squat huse populated with a couple of finnish dope dealers, a cuban political activist and a couple of buskers-- who were the ones who took me along and showed me the ropes for busking. then the house burnt to the ground and i found a spot on a huge river boat that was divided up into tiny rooms near battersea bridge. last year i went back there and a couple of the old boats were still there but much renovated and much spiffier and up market. we paid fourteen pounds a month for ourpart of the boat. divided three ways--buskers rent for sure. we had parties all the time. i often had to go visit friends to find a place to sleep as my room would have several people passed out thewre when i got home. i still am amazed the police didn't once pay us a visit. we couldn't aford heat, but during the coal strike--the edward heath coal strike--when every one lacked heat we charged a bottle of parafin fuel every so often for entrance to the parties.so we were the only warm place in london that winter. i didn't go back to the troubador but i'm glad to say i went once. i got into busking and then went over to france and didn't revisit the uk for twenty years, but over all i had a ball there. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 20 Dec 10 - 05:50 PM ollaimh,great post. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 01 Jan 11 - 05:05 PM Hi Bonnie & Barbara, Do you remember Rosemary (forget her second name) who worked in the upstairs office at CSH. I would think she's no longer with us now. When I organised the instrumental workshops on Tuesdays and ran the Folk Cellar on Saturday's for a while, payments for myself, the guitar and banjo teachers and the Folk Cellar guests were given through Rosemary who I was in regular contact with for many years. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 01 Jan 11 - 05:39 PM I sure do - Rosemary Webb. She was lovely & warmhearted underneath that starchy exterior, and we shared a love of reading - Jane Austen in particular. Rosemary was the one who turned me onto Mary Webb's Precious Bane and we used to swap/loan books. I believe you're right that she's no longer with us. What a great place that was to work in. What a brill thread this is... gettin' all sentimentyfied just remembering everything... Bonnie xxx |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Don(Wyziwyg)T Date: 01 Jan 11 - 08:28 PM ""Is there anyone out there who frequented the pub on Friday nights around 1972/73? Folk Night (upstairs)..... The Nag's Head, York Rd Battersea."" I was a regular much earlier than that, from about mid 65 till I left London in April 69. A great club where the organisers took considerable pains to ease the nerves of newcomers. There was also a Sunday night club out at Wych Cross near Hackney where I did several floor spots in the same period. I've been racking my brains without success and can't remember the name, but it was there that I first saw the very soft voiced John Foreman, the eccentric but utterly likeable Adrian May, and Johnny Silvo, who cleared my sinuses ultrasonically as I sat in the front row in the path of that incredibly powerful voice. Can anybody refresh my memory as the the name of the club? Don T. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: ollaimh Date: 09 Jan 11 - 05:35 PM as a postscript to my earlier story. when i was in londan last year i visited the cecil sharpe house singing night. they has post cards for sale. one had ewen mccoll on the telephone and a caption"hello folk police". it seems lots of folks realize what a pack of bullshit meisters used to pousture about pretending to be traditional folk. i had to buy a couple |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Marco P. McNeill Date: 22 Jan 11 - 01:02 PM http://www.paulmcneill.ch http://paulmcneill.zimbalam.fr |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,hippiemalcolm Date: 23 Jan 11 - 03:46 PM The "Hole in the Ground' was in the basement of "the witches culdron" a restaurant/cafe in Belsize Village. The Tinkers played every Friday night in the room above the Three Horseshoes Public House in Hampstead Village. I still have my membership card to The Country Club behind Belsize Park, but that was too expensive to go to!! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Mick Penning -Stoke Date: 05 Feb 11 - 06:25 PM Stumbled onto this site from (I think), checking out Nat Gonella. Don't no why I should get 'Folk' in my head whilst on Jazz, but anyway, I then saw, 'Does anyone remember the Nags Head, York Rd Battersea? I'll say I remember it. It featured in 'kicking off my 'career' as a 'named' Artiste on the Circuit (billed in the Melody Maker)-and ended it the same night!!!!!! A complete drunken disaster. Anyone unfortunate to have been there on that fateful night cannot but forget it. It's a long story and the devil is in the detail, but to 'cut a strong hoary wart' -the first set (of two, with interval) -lived up to all the promise of my 'floor-spot' a month earlier, which had itself gone to secure the booking, 'top of the bill'..... the big time. I was, at the time 'to-ing and fro-ing' between London and Paris -Busking in both cities... but with the intention of settling in Paris (which I did for a couple of years). Anyway, 'lodging in Fulham' at the time, I paid a 'chance' visit to the Nags Head, with guitar -hoping to get a 'floor spot' -not only did I get one -but I went down a bomb. So much did they all like my performance -a mixed bag of stuff, some originals from a fellow Stokie, that I was booked for late January -1973. On the night, a mixture of elation and nerves -and a growing feeling that I had 'bitten off more than I could chew' (my fellow Stokie, on hearing of my success at getting the gig, shocked me by refusing to use any more of his stuff -his original material). I needed it to have enough for two sets -without struggling. I'd been too hasty -clutching at a chance in a million, taking the booking before consulting the gods. Consequently, after the first set, as I said, going down really well, I had already had four pints of strong ale, nerves and a sense of impending disaster led me to 'neck' as much more as I could before going back upstairs to 'face the mob'. I was kicked out after just two incoherent ramblings -'Here have the money and don't come back' -I can't remember much after that. Just went back to Paris -Charing X to Gare du Nord -and busked. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Max Johnson Date: 06 Feb 11 - 08:04 AM I'm a bit late to this party, but nm. I used to have a flat in the mansion block directly opposite the Troubadour. Eric Leggoe and I used to sing there (First time we went, we spent the evening and got drunk on bootleg likker with Red Sullivan - the Troub was dry). When Threadbare Consort formed we used to go over after rehearsals. What a wonderful little club! I'm trying to remember what the other leather bar was called. It was my local. (Yes it was!) The 'Long Lankin with strobes' sounds very Magic Lantern - could it have been them? (Although they'd probably have used a torch with a windmill on the end and achieved the same effect). |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Max Johnson Date: 06 Feb 11 - 08:43 AM Mick Penning. Cheer up mate - if you got paid, it was a successful gig. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 13 Feb 11 - 04:47 AM It was the Coleherne, Max J |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 13 Feb 11 - 08:41 AM Thanks Jock (Pogue Mahone), but I meant the other one, on the corner of Earls Court Road and Old Brompton Road. I think it's changed its name to O' Neills now. Less threatening than the Coleherne, but with a similar clientele. I lived next door, on Old Brompton Road. To those trying to remember the name of the East End club, Was it the Three Blackbirds in Leyton/Walthamstow? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 13 Feb 11 - 09:02 AM Yep, that rings a bell with me, Max - they had a bomb scare while we were doing a gig there, so everybody had to troop outside and stand around. It was during the time I had that tiny old antique harmonium and I think we carried that out too, probably to while the time away playing. Great club - |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 13 Feb 11 - 12:14 PM The Three Blackbirds in Leyton IIRC merged with the Navy Boot Club in Walthamstow at the The Lord Brooke to form The Chestnuts Club at the Chestnut Tree Lea Bridge Road. The merger was 1978 I recall, Max. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 13 Feb 11 - 01:20 PM Wotcher, Kevin! Yes, you're right. I remember the Chestnuts opening - what a great club - hope it's still running. I'm sure I recall that The Blackbirds and the Chestnuts ran contemporaneously (:-O) for a while. What I can't remember is, did they both do a Ladies' Christmas Panto in the same year? Those Ladies' Pantos were simply awesome! And very, very funny. Do you remember Dave Roberts' (and other Earls of Essex's) summer Dejeurners? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Manitas_at_home Date: 14 Feb 11 - 07:55 AM I remember the dejeuners in Highams Park. I don't think they were Dave's or the Earls but were held by associated folks and regularly attended by the Earls. There were also the Olympics by the ponds on Wanstead Flats. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 14 Feb 11 - 10:17 AM the folk club that Dave Roberts was involved in was Stratford folk club held at Stage One, Deanery Road, wednesday night, we booked Bonnie Shaljean when she was with Catchpenny. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 14 Feb 11 - 10:21 AM I remember it too... wow, that was a long time ago! Lotta water under the bridge since them days - |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 14 Feb 11 - 10:25 AM the folk club that Dave Roberts/DaveSurman was involved in was Stratford folk club held at Stage One, Deanery Road, wednesday night, we booked Bonnie Shaljean when she was with Catchpenny. I was also involved with the Three Blackbirds on a Friday night, this had previously been the Tower folk club, Rip Rippingale and EdCaines Rob Neal,Derek Simpson, had been involved with it, it moved downstairs and became the Three Blackbirds. Alan Bearman started a folk club in walthamstow[I think] on a sunday, sometime after the other two clubs had been running. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 14 Feb 11 - 10:56 AM Chris Timson[concertina chap]AnnGregson and Dave Rennolds[ he who accidentally introduced June Tabor as Jane Tuba.Dave Rennolds AKA Somerset Dave, although he was from gloucestershire http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eek7M_nn3Q |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 14 Feb 11 - 11:35 AM I posted here,I thought, to ask if anyone remembered the string quartet who used to play Haydn at the dejeuners in Highams Park. They were really good! But the post isn't here, so I must have posted it somewhere else. Wonder where? Schweik - the Walthamstow club was the Chestnut Tree. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 14 Feb 11 - 01:09 PM Max, ah the dejeuners, what good fun they were. I still see the main organisers from time to time. Yes the Blackbirds predated the Chestnuts, Dick, I though I'd made that clear when I posted that the Blackbirds and Navy Boot (Alan Bearman's Sunday club) joined together to form the Chestnuts. Although not a direct descendent of the Chestnuts, as they ran parallel and mutually co-operative for a while, Walthamstow Folk is still going strong on Sunday nights and now we're back at the Rose and Crown getting full houses. And we still have links back to the old Tower club as Dympna (Messenger that was) drops in from time to time and very occasionally her sister Sheila. Mind you I still have links at Waltamstow to the old Enterprise at Chalk farm as at least one of our regulars was also a regular there in the late 60's and early 70s |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 14 Feb 11 - 02:21 PM I moved to Suffolk in 78, so I not sure what happened at the Blackbirds once I was away. I do remember Derek Brimstone having a great night at the Blackbirds, he did a couple [at least] of encores and he said to me and Derek Simpson "what a great club it was". |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 14 Feb 11 - 07:33 PM I remember when Puddleduck played for an Earls' Christmas party, dancing the Dorset 4 hand reel. Of the other 3 hands, one was Dave Roberts dressed as a baby in a (largish) nappy, and one was Sandra dressed as a fairy. Wish I could remember (after about 35 years) who was the 4th... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 15 Feb 11 - 04:43 AM Not me Kitty! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 15 Feb 11 - 04:47 AM Just mentioned it to Sandra, Kitty, and she remembers Dave in the Nappy but that year she claims she and her flatmates went as Charlie's Angels not as a fairy, although I remember her as a fairy in one of the Blackbird's Ladies Christmas pantomimes around that time. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 15 Feb 11 - 12:04 PM Yep - I remember the ladies' panto with Sandra dressed as a fairy! I'm really wallowing in nostalgia now. Haven't wallowed like this for ages, in fact. I missed Charlies Angels though :-( |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 15 Feb 11 - 12:49 PM here is Dave Roberts in his prime, Dave was a great bloke, and really easy to work with.hope you enjoy this. he used to do this dance at stratford folk club on occasions, R I P Dave. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-rzRdgsquak |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 15 Feb 11 - 12:58 PM HERE HE IS AGAIN.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMF4rpk_f-o what a great bloke |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,seligmanson Date: 25 Feb 11 - 09:39 PM I know this posting is a bit late, but nevertheless: It's good to know that Jack and Maragert King are well. I recall a great deal of what most of you have been describing, having been to most of these places and sung in many of them - anybody remember Karl Dallas's London Folk Centre? - and, as a member of McColl's Critics Group, having been a one-time regular at the Singer's Club; and I have no doubts in my own mind that the best club was the Cellar Club when J&K were running it. I'd like to thank then now for the great memories I have of that place, even after all these years.Thanks guys. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 26 Feb 11 - 11:01 AM Whoever asked about the Fulham Club on Lilley Road, I think it was the Golden Lion. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Rusty Dobro Date: 26 Feb 11 - 03:54 PM Good to see mention of the White Bear, Hounslow. Fond memories of Dave Cousins singing 'Vision of the Lady of the Lake' - the only thing that took longer was the wait for Mungo Jerry to arrive - always on their way but never quite arrived. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack& Margaret King Date: 27 Feb 11 - 04:44 AM Many thanks for the kind words seligmansson and our best wishes are sent in return. It's always nice to be appreciated but in our turn we would pay tribute to our loyal & faithful ( and sometimes pee- taking ) audience. Sorry after all these years we cant put a face to a name put it down to galloping senility Thanks again J&M |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John MacKenzie Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:59 AM Dave Cousins also did an interminable, and for my taste, somewhat boring song, called something like 'Pieces of 79 & 16'. Apparently these were the house numbers of previous addresses. It was very 60's and somewhat pretentious, as a song, I thought. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: janemick Date: 27 Feb 11 - 07:26 AM Coo, The Rising Sun at Catford was the scene of my debut, around 1972. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 27 Feb 11 - 10:30 AM Can anyone tell me any more about the Scots Hoose in Cambridge Circus? I saw a mention of it by Peter Bellamy in an old video last night, and was taken aback as I worked in the pub which I believe replaced it, The Spice of Life, in the early 90s. Wikipedia tells me the Ballads and Blues Club was based there for a while, but I'm not sure this is true. Is it? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Joan Crump Date: 27 Feb 11 - 10:32 AM Guest above is me. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Waddon Pete Date: 27 Feb 11 - 03:06 PM Yes...the Rising Sun in Catford was the starting place and watering hole for a goodly number of singers, performers and audience! Some-one ought to write a book! There was the visit of members of the Vienna Boys Choir and also the morris team trying to dance under that strange monstrosity they added to the back room! Then there was the Royal Toby! Good times and chorus singing that could raise the roof in perfect harmony! Best wishes, Peter |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 27 Feb 11 - 05:52 PM Phoebus Awakes, now who ran it before Dave Cooper?, was it the guy who went on to organise the club at Cowden pound, was it Tony Deane? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John MacKenzie Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:15 PM Look under Bruce Dunnet |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: McGrath of Harlow Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:56 PM Refresh |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Guest cookiless Kevin Sheils on different m Date: 01 Mar 11 - 05:36 AM Jack and Margaret - I doubt if the faces that go with the names look too much like the faces you would have remembered anyway! Joan - I never went to the Scots House (Hoose?) in it;s Ballads and Blues days but there was still a club running later than that which I wnt to onec or twice. Can only recall seeing Bert Jansch and possibly Alex Campbell there though. And if my memory is OK the Spice of Life is the same place |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: JohnH Date: 01 Mar 11 - 09:09 AM I've just been pointed to this thread and my afternoon is now ruined! Hi! Jane and Bonnie! If there's anyone who used to go to Phoebus Awakes and lives near Bury St. Edmunds, there are a couple of monthly pub sessions locally that Dave Cooper, Pete Twitchett and I go to and we'd love to meet you again. Send me a PM if you want details. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,PW Date: 01 Mar 11 - 01:49 PM Does anyone here have memories of Theo Johnson? He ran the Barge in Kingston in the 60s and (is this right?) Bunjies as well. I've collected what I know here: http://sandydenny.blogspot.com/2010/10/theo-sailor.html The last sighting of him was in the Half Moon, Putney, late 70s or early 80s, where he took an interest in the young Eddi Reader. @John MacKenzie: the Dave Cousins song you mention sounds lke 'Pieces of 79 and 15'. It's on the Strawbs' eponymous 1969 album. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 01 Mar 11 - 01:55 PM I met Dave Cooper at the EFDSS London folk festival (in 1969, I think), as a result of which I visited both the Rising Sun and Dennis Manners' Towersey Folk Club (Dave gave me a lift to both, and to me and John Kirkpatrick to Towersey). Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Splott Man Date: 02 Mar 11 - 04:01 AM I was (and still am) too young to remember Theo Johnson, but I remember one of his songs: The Dirge of a Disgruntled Cow After Artificial Insemination. Splott Man |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Waddon Pete Date: 02 Mar 11 - 04:57 AM Thinking about Catford Dick, it was Dave Cooper along with Jacquie and Ed(The Chapmen?)who started the club (Phoebus Awakes)way back in the day. It was the first Folk Club as such that I had visited and it was a fine introduction to the music. Best wishes, Peter |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 02 Mar 11 - 05:24 AM Hi John! Catford was also the first folk club I ever went to, when I was new to the whole country. Just off the plane from Boston and the entire phenomenon of the British folk club scene was untested territory. I'd always been into the music though, and Boston had a thriving folk scene of its own (and was where I first got turned on to The Coppers and The Young Tradition). I got a very warm welcome from the Catford regulars (in the days when Dave & Ruth Cooper were running it) and kept coming back every week, even though it meant a late-night tube journey right up to north London on the northern line. Worth it too. That club was where I met Anne Lister, who is a valued friend to this very day, and Ralphie too. I also remember Theo, but only really talked to him once. He was a gent. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Radio Dave Date: 03 Mar 11 - 08:42 AM Hi Folks, I started the " Phoebus Awakes " as it was so grandiosely entitled, along with Jacqui Walker & Eddie Dunmore in March 1967. Happy Days! I have now "retired" to the wide open spaces of East Anglia,where I still go to clubs & sessions most nights,& twice on Sundays.If anyone is near or by The Greyhound,Flempton,1st Tuesdays, Thats near Bury St.Edmunds.Also I M.C. a Session at the Bull Woolpit Just off the A14, every 2nd.Wednesday.If any of my old friends fancy a blast on air,I also present a live 2 hour folk show on Wayland Radio,which goes out every Sunday from 7.00pm - 9.00pm. That's on 107.3fm,or waylandradio.com Ciao ! Dave |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: JohnH Date: 05 Mar 11 - 09:08 AM Welcome aboard, Dave, (though it's about time!) These remeniscences could go on into the small hours. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John MacKenzie Date: 05 Mar 11 - 10:04 AM I remember Theo very well. He lived in a top floor flat in East Twickenham, and many notorious people lved in the first floor flat, including Johnny Silvo, and Roger Evans, at different times. I went to the barge in Kingston often, and also Bunjies. He was actually a draughtsman or somesuch with a firm called Greenwood Airvac, in real life. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Waddon Pete Date: 05 Mar 11 - 11:50 AM Good to hear from you Dave! Welcome to Mudcat. Ah yes JohnH...the stories.....definitely a wee small hours job! Best wishes, Peter |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 06 Mar 11 - 07:51 AM Went to Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre last night for Tommy Peoples and Sean Tyrell and by coincidence was sat on a table just by Kay Nicholson, one of Peelers organisers and wife of the late Roger Nicholson the great dulcimer player, both mentioned earlier in the thread. Hadn't seen her for, I guess, 35 or so years but chatting was like re reading this whole thread! Great memories. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 06 Mar 11 - 09:36 AM She's fine, Kevin, last time I talked to her (last winter). Still mostly in London (though she also has a house in Ireland), still sounding like her usual lovely self. (Apologies if I've just repeated something I already posted above - the will to live is not sufficient energy to send me trawling through 474 messages...) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 12 Mar 11 - 06:24 AM I note a few entries from Suffolk people. Does anyone know about a folk club in Long Melford. Tis once a month on a Friday evening in a room over a pub. I tried ringing the pub but the person who answered said the room is hired but he didn't know by who, whether a guest was booked or whether it is a Come All Ye. It was advertised in the East Anglian Times, but not in the last couple of months. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Dave Armitage Date: 12 Mar 11 - 04:33 PM Yo Babs, Sent you a long email back in December in response to your posting - did you get it? My email: dj@davjoss.freeserve.co.uk Love to you, and Bonnie if she's still following this (hello darlin'). Dave Armitage - oh alright Daisy - took me 30 years to shake that off and some people still resolutely refuse to acknowledge my real name - I honestly don't mind if it's someone I have known for so long...blah blah blah... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: JohnH Date: 12 Mar 11 - 05:22 PM @ Roger F Regular monthly session at "The Cock and Bell" Check in Mardle mag for details |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 12 Mar 11 - 05:52 PM DAAAAAAAAAAAAAAISYYYYYYYYYY !!!! [sorry... force of habit...] << hug! >> Ya still playing the pipes? B xxx |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,From: Roger F. Date: 12 Mar 11 - 07:30 PM Re Folk Club in Long Melford. It was the Cock & Bell I rang but they couldn't give me any information. Excuse my ignorance but what is the Mardle Mag? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 13 Mar 11 - 02:24 PM Daisy - I don't think that Herga's Daisy has quite shaken it off either. And he's a Michael, not a Dave, but we didn't have a Buttercup to distinguish him from... Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F Date: 15 Mar 11 - 05:09 AM Borchester Echo may know this one: We used to have a Scottish singer at the Folk Cellar (CSH) & at the Hamstead club. She always sang: "Once there were four Marys, now there are but three, there was Mary Seaton, Etc" can't remember the names of the others. What was the name of the singer? and is she still around? (I'm currently reading an historical novel about Mary, Queen of Scots, and Mary Seaton is mentioned. It brought to mind the singer we had at the two clubs in the 70's who I was on speaking terms with!) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Borchester Echo Date: 15 Mar 11 - 05:42 AM Hi Roger Marian McKenzie used to do Mary Hamilton / The Four Marys, (Beaton/Seaton/Carmichael/and me). If that's the singer you mean, xhe's in Dorset, having married Pete Shutler of the Yetties. http://www.contemplator.com/scotland/4marys.html |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 15 Mar 11 - 07:50 AM I don't think Marian McKenzie frequented the Cellar much, although definitely Hampstead where shw was resident. There was another regular singer of the 4 Mary's at both clubs, probably in the NW3 days before Marian, who had a guitar playing partner but can't quite place either of their names at present. She also was well known for Donal Og. The old grey matter is failing on names however. She would certainly have been on speaking terms with Roger as her partner was IIRC one of the Tuesday guitar crowd at CSH. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:10 AM Hi Guest,Joan Crump 27 Feb 11 RE: Scots Hoose in Cambridge Circus Yes, what you've been told is correct. In my late teens, (mid 60's) I used to go there on Saturday night with a group of school friends. Don'r know about Peter Bellamy, but Bert Jansch, Annie Briggs, John Renbourn, Davy Graham and Pentangle were in regular attendance. Here's a little quote from Christy Moore concertning the Scots Hoose: 'The first folk club I ever encountered in my life was the Scot's Hoose [in Cambridge Circus, London],' says Christy Moore, 'and Annie Briggs was the guest. It was a very interesting experience hearing this woman singing unaccompanied to a quiet room. It was quite a turn-on. I think that night was the only time I ever encountered her and I didn't actually get to speak to her. At that time I was playing in Irish pubs in London and it was difficult. People didn't listen. Really, you sang a few songs when those who played the jigs and reels wanted a break. You were the filler and, in the main, the people who went to hear Irish music weren't that good at listening to songs. And then I went to this folk club and the order, the atmosphere . . . I said, I want some of this! I never actually worked at the Scot's Hoose myself, but shortly after that I went up to Manchester and really started my career working on the folk-club scene there. But the Scot's Hoose – I went there one night, Anne Briggs was playing, I proceeded to get drunk and I was chucked out. I've no doubt it was entirely my own fault!' Couple of extracts from Wikipedia: In the 1950s and 1960s it had one of Britain's most celebrated folk clubs in its upstairs room, run by Bruce Dunnet, that featured some of the greatest names of the folk revival, such as Bert Jansch, Paul Simon, Al Stewart, Davey Graham, Donovan, Ralph McTell, Roy Harper, Bob Dylan, Sandy Denny, Ewan MacColl and The Young Tradition. The club operated under various names, including "Ballads and Blues" when it opened in 1953, and later "The Young Tradition". The number of clubs began to decline in the 1980s, in the face of changing musical and social trends. In London Les Cousins in Greek Street, where John Renbourn often played, and The Scots Hoose in Cambridge Circus, were both casualties. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Singing Referee Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:12 AM Guest at 10:10 was me! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:43 AM Marian McKenzie was a regular floor singer at the Cellar in the 60s although we never actually booked her ,there was another girl who used to sing The Four Marys but I cant for the life of me remember her name!!! On another topic been in touch with Colin Wilkie recently he is still gigging & still writing ,his latest CD wasissued on the 10th March last week All the best to all who remember JK |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 15 Mar 11 - 11:12 AM Yes thanks, Diane, I've had an e-mail from Don Bonito (now likes to be called Dom for Dominic) who has confirmed it was Marian McKenzie, who he said he worked with for a while until she married the chap from the Yetties and moved away. Thanks for the names of the other Marys. Nice to hear from you Jack! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John MacKenzie Date: 15 Mar 11 - 11:54 AM OK, next question. Who was the girl who worked the door at the Dungeon Club, run by Cliff Aungier and Ian Grant? She did a lovely version of the Curragh of Kildare. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: JohnH Date: 15 Mar 11 - 12:51 PM @Roger F. Sorry for the delay. Mardles is the Folk listings magazine for East Anglia, Pub. quarterly by Suffolk Folk. To save you trouble, sessions near Bury St Edmunds: third Monday- The Dove, Hospital Road, BSE.(01284 764563) First Tuesday- The Greyhound, Flempton,(01284 728400) Second Wednesday- The Bull, Woolpit (call me on 01359 240297), second Friday- The Cock and Bell, Long Melford,(01787 379807) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,slipperspain Date: 06 Apr 11 - 07:38 AM Would anyone know where in London Anthea Joseph used to live? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: ChrisJBrady Date: 07 Apr 11 - 07:37 AM Anyone up for a Crypt (St Martins) reunion gig? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: tritoneman Date: 08 Apr 11 - 03:19 AM Who was the girl who worked the door at the Dungeon Club, run by Cliff Aungier and Ian Grant? She did a lovely version of the Curragh of Kildare - John Mackenzie. I know exactly who you mean. I can picture her and yes, her version of Curragh of Kildare was superb. She sometimes sang at the Half Moon too. I think her name might have been Dana. But am not sure.....it was all such a long time ago!! Graham |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Chas Upton Date: 08 Apr 11 - 12:36 PM I spotted the update from you Jack ; I often think of how you are both doing. Yerst I am in deepest Dorset, still running folk sessions, and have formed a group 'Fippenny Piece' (see website) and as my wife Sammy often is playing a lead role on stage she has got me into drama. So we do that as well. I hope this reaches you. Best wishes Chas Upton |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack & Margaret King Date: 18 Apr 11 - 05:23 AM Nice to hear from you Chas got the web site up ,you dont look a day older Hows the painting in the attic? Cheers J&M |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Barry B. Date: 02 Jun 11 - 05:45 PM Re. the other singer who used to sing "The Four Mary's" apart form Marian MacKenzie. I think it may have been Scots folksinger Jean Redpath who came down south to play the London clubs from time to time, probably early to mid 60's I think. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 03 Jun 11 - 09:05 AM Just remembered the name of the gay pub across the road from the Troubadour and the Coleherne. It was 'The Boltons' (now an O' Neill's, I believe). On the corner of Earls' Court Road and Old Brompton Road. Less intimidating than the Coleherne, and a meeting place before heading to the Troub, which was dry. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 04 Jun 11 - 03:09 AM Dry in parts, Max! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 04 Jun 11 - 04:16 AM Aye, there was often a wee libation going round in the old coal cellar behind the stage. I believe it was actually called the artiste's retiring room. I do remember it had those little squares of frosted glass set in an irom frame in the ceiling. You could see the shapes of pedestrians on the pavement above, passing over. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Margaret King Date: 04 Jun 11 - 11:01 AM Apropos the other singer of the 4 Marys it was me always one of my favourite songs and one of the first songs I ever learned and sang in public. I see in an earlier thread that according to someone I was supposed to suffer from stage fright to the extent that it finally caused me to quit singing which is a complete load of b.......s I never turned down a gig because I was too scared to sing.Any performer experiences nerves before going on but it never stopped me singing so if Jock MCK Jack had to do your club solo it was because I was sick.I finally left the folk scene to nurse my mother through her last illness and after she died never felt like going back. I hope this sets the record straight. Margaret ( to her friends Maggie ) King |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 04 Jun 11 - 12:18 PM Oh it WAS because you were ill, with a cold I seem to remmeber, Margaret. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,guest -jim younger Date: 04 Jun 11 - 12:19 PM Kevin, re: dry Troubador - my father smuggled in a quart of cider in a brown paper bag when we went to see Carthy and Swarbrick, March '67. Great gig - we didn't get out till almost 4am. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 25 Jun 11 - 07:08 AM Does anyone know what happened to Mike Robinson. He always played a tasteful accompanyment on the guitar while singing border ballads at the Folk Cellar at CSH. He also played the Northumbrian smallpipes and gave smallpipe workshops for a while in the library at CSH. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 25 Jun 11 - 11:06 AM Indeed, you are correct, folks - I should have said 'theoretically' dry. I lived directly opposite The Troubadour for three years and dropped in fairly regularly. The first time I ever visited was 1971-ish with Eric Leggoe. We were expecting to drink coffee I suppose, but we ended up sharing a bottle of Greek brandy with Red Sullivan. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John from "Elsie`s Band" Date: 08 Aug 11 - 08:12 AM We were reminiscing about "The Railway Tavern" F.C. at Catford we used to run in the 60`s and the name Paul Snow came to mind. We met Paul through "The Journeymen" from Exeter and Tony Rose. Does anyone remember Paul or have any news of him? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: tritoneman Date: 25 Aug 11 - 05:02 PM Yes I still see Paul regularly and chat about the old days at the Troubadour etc.... He's in great form, lives in Tiverton and still sings and plays fiddle at folk clubs and sessions. He's on Myspace. http://www.myspace.com/paulsnowmusic Graham |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Mick Penning Date: 28 Aug 11 - 04:37 PM -Mick Penning. Cheer up mate - if you got paid, it was a successful gig. (posted 06 Feb '11 by Max Johnson) It's ok Max -I'm ok about it -Did it sound so sad.... it was meant to be 'philosophical' and to convey a 'salutary' lesson and remind us all of life's absurdities. I still cherish the event -even with all the drama of disaster! And still have a copy of that week's edition of the Melody Maker -with my name up there in lights -'But Charlie, I could have been a contender'...... And the Band played on.... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: tonyteach1 Date: 29 Aug 11 - 01:33 PM I first came to London in 1971 and can remember Kevin Sheils when he had dark hair You could go to a folk club 7 nights a week if your liver could stand it Bull and Mouth yes - Enterprise where I courted my wife - Dingles the organiser had the Iron Cross in folk dancing and Cecil Sharpes various locations - The wheels turn as I am now a guitar teacher launching singer guitarists onto the circuit |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 29 Aug 11 - 06:28 PM tonytaech1 - I still have dark hair but being a Spurs supporter have had it turned white to reflect the team colours. Or perhaps being a Spurs supporter is what turned it white! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: tonyteach1 Date: 29 Aug 11 - 06:38 PM Thankfully not Arsenal then see you when the new season starts at the Rose and Crown |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Bluesman Date: 29 Aug 11 - 07:26 PM First time I visited London we went to a Club near Soho Square, can't recall the name of it, a girl called Margaret or Maggie sang with an older man, they were great. I liked the Islington Folk Club, it was a big change from the Ulu Bar in Hereford. Young people enjoying folk music, marvellous. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Richard Mellish Date: 30 Aug 11 - 04:46 AM Mention of The Railway Tavern in Catford (which I wot not of) reminds me that that was the name of a pub in Stratford (East, not Bill S's town) where I went a few times. Can't remember who ran it. But one tale is worth telling. Some years back at Sharp's, after I sang a certain song, Rod Shearman came up to me and asked "Where did you get that song?". I replied "From a bloke in a pub in Stratford East, about 1967." Rod said "That was me." The song was his "Bound away for New Zealand". Richard |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Howard Fullbrook Date: 05 Oct 11 - 10:59 PM Just found this thread! I was a regular performer at the Farnborough Folk Club, from the middle 60's, and also ran the nearby Fleet Folk Club. At weekends my friends and I would drive to London and go to the Troubador, Les Cousins and La Fiesta. It was a great way to hear new performers and persuade them (with money) to come and play at my club. I played at these and other London clubs with different bands. Namely, The Bill Boazman Band, Canticle and BMW. They were great times. I especially enjoyed La Fiesta as it was a sort of "post gig" venue. I remember Sandy Denny singing there just a few hours after performing at the Festival Hall. One night someone in a white tie and tails showed up with his bass (having earlier played with an orchestra at the Albert Hall) and proceeded to play along with a jazz guitarist (name escapes me). I revisited the Troubador about 10 years ago, it hadn't changed all that much. Howard |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Oct 11 - 04:13 AM Must mention the passing of Piers Hayman, who died this week in New Zealand. He was, along with Pete Cox, one of those who took part in, and helped to promote the 60's folk revival in England. He had lived in NZ for many years before his death, and became a much loved personality in that country too. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger F. Date: 12 Oct 11 - 07:05 PM Why does it take absolutely ages to wait for Sort Descending to come up and then even longer to get out of this website and back to one's home page??? It seems to lock up! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Bonnie Shaljean Date: 13 Oct 11 - 06:48 AM Everything's taking ages at the moment - don't know why. It's not usually this bad! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Dick Wilkinson Date: 17 Nov 11 - 12:19 AM That's going back a bit. Dave Lipson was the name, I think. He and his brother Rob used to run the club at Dalston Junction, also one in Abbey Road called Grotty Lotty's. I was part of the resident trio with them. Dave had a huge old Super Snipe which he negotiated very badly after a few sups. I also sang at the Leather Bottle or was it the Flask at Edgeware when it was run by Martin Windsor of the gravel voice. Was the Black Bull the one in Totteridge? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 17 Nov 11 - 06:48 AM I think it was actually Dave Lipscombe, not certain though. He used to share a flat in Montague Road, Richmond, with Johnny Silvo in the late 60s or early 70's. When he went the room was taken over by a certain Davey Johnstone aka Shaggis, who after a spell with Noel Murphy, and then a move into Draught Porridge with Noel and Ron Chesterman, [ex The Strawb's]. He went into Magna Charta, and eventually metamorphosed into Elton John's guitarist. Now living and working in the USofA |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John Bailey Date: 17 Nov 11 - 06:23 PM Found this thread after MSG reunion concert in Manchester last weekend. I moved down to Bishops Stortford in 1969 for a couple of years or so. Can't remember clubs I went to / sang at but do remember that afterwards would often end up at Mooneys Bar in The Strand for the night, along with many other musicians. Entry required an instrument in hand. I sadly can't remember who went there, but there were many 'names' and lots of great music. I did hang about 'The Angel' at Hadham were Fairport were living, my 'claim to fame' being playing spoons with them on occasions and recall those who weren't too tired after returning from a Manchester University gig piling in to my Land Rover to go to the premiere of Alices Restaurant at The Odeon, Leicester Square. Good times. Also good to see mention of Packy Byrne on here - a lovely man and a great performer. Often played in Manchester in the 60s. Hope this hasn't gone too far off thread - wish my memory allowed me to contribute more relevant material. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Marco Paolo McNeill Date: 23 Nov 11 - 04:07 PM From Paul McNeill, there's his web home page on http://www.paulmcneill.ch Photographs, interview, music,... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,JulieC-M Date: 28 Nov 11 - 05:03 PM Hi I found your post after Googling 'Jim Woodley', to see if I could find some documentary evidence to confirm that he had jammed a little with Paul Simon at a gig at either the Roundhouse or Cecil Sharp House. Jim was my uncle and sadly he passed away in April 2010 after a long illness. It is quite ironic that your original postings were at about this time. I hope I haven't missed the boat and that someone will be able to reply to me. Jim's sister Heather (my mum) was his next of kin and is now custodian of that 'big guitar'. I remember her taking me and my brother to see his band 'Rural Delivery' play at the Engineer in Camden when I was a kid. I was so excited and thought my uncle must be very famous! I remember Doug McHattie and Ollie - who is still in touch with my mum. I still haven't found any documentary evidence of Jim jamming with Paul Simon (I guess this must have been in the '60s') but if anyone has, or knows where I could find it, please do let me know! Jim's band at the time was probably the Lea Valley Travellers. I'd also love to hear any memories you have of him. I look forward to hearing from you. Julie |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,JulieCM Date: 28 Nov 11 - 05:11 PM Just in case my first posting(above) doesn't make sense, I was replying to posts made on 20 Feb 2010! Hope to hear from someone! Julie |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 29 Nov 11 - 04:18 AM I was a regular at the Engineer sessions after the Guitar classes at CSH and knew Jim, Doug and Ollie well, and probably yourself Julie. I don't have evidence of Jim jamming with Paul but Paul Simon was a guest on one or two occasions at the close by Enterprise Chalk Farm where all of us would have been regular as well so it's not impossible. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 29 Nov 11 - 08:14 AM Hi Julie Margaret & I certainly remember Jim ( Woody ) with great affection,I first met him in a John Pearse guitar class which would have probably been in 1960 or 61 and later when we ran the Cellar he and Ollie were regular visitors . We remember him as always immaculately dressed ,blazer grey flannels collar and tie and never without his pork pie hat stood out amongst the load of scruffs that seemed to be the followers of Folk Music in those far off days.I remember him with Ollie and I think Ollie's girl friend Georgie performing at the Cellar.I particularly remember three songs that he used to do regularly the first "Gosport Nancy " which I seem to remember caught the ear of Cyril Tawney then there was the one to the tune of "Abdul abulbul ameer" about a scots lad wno tamed a wild haggis ,Jim always said he got the idea from a poem he read in the Beano and lastly a Music Hall ditty "You dont wnt to keep on showing it Mary" about a girl with a big red nose.I dont remember him jamming with Paul Simon but it was certainly a possibility Paul often dropped into the cellar if he hadn't got a gig.Sad to think of another old "Folker" gone theres not many of us left Jack& Margaret King |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Tunesmith Date: 29 Nov 11 - 09:23 AM I posted the following on a separate thread. It probably should have been posted here. In June 1966, I made the first of many visits to London to check out the folk music scene, and subsequent to that initial trip I wrote an article about the visit which was published in a local rag "The Formby Times" in Merseyside. I just came across the article and I've scanned it. To be honest I don't think its particularly interesting and I didn't like the way the local editor rewrote the ending so that it had definite local connections. BTW, there is a local Formby singer called Timon mentioned towards the end of the article. Later he expanded his name and became Timon Dogg (just in case that name rings a bell!) If anyone would like a copy of the scanned article drop me a line at phranzjosef@hotmail.com |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Julie C-M Date: 30 Nov 11 - 02:07 PM Hi Kevin, Jack and Margaret Thank you so much for your postings and lovely reminiscences of my uncle Jim. I shall forward a link to my mum (Jim's sister) as I know she will also be very interested to hear more about his younger life. We have a copy of a record in which the Lea Valley Travellers appear with Jim on the lead vocal. It is so great to have this memento! Uncle Jim always loved folk/ bluegrass music, only giving up playing in bands because of his love of (and incredible talent) flat-figure painting. He won so many awards for this hobby and was world-renowned in the field. Here's a link to some of his work: http://letchworthsmc.yolasite.com/2---jim-woodley.php I remember, as a small girl, sitting in Uncle Jim's room watching him play his guitar and asking why the strings were dangling down around the tuning pegs; his response was 'they're like finger nails, they keep growing if you don't cut them!'. It's only in the last few years that I've started taking an interest in folk music myself, largely due to attending WOMAD and Moseley Folk festivals. I was very fortunate to bump into Martin Carthy on the train from Scarborough to York a couple of years ago and had a quick chat. I also like Davey Graham, but sadly he passed away before I had any chance of catching him live. We miss Jim so much, but he had a fantastic send-off, accompanied by Alison Krauss's version of "Down to the River to Pray' and Soggy Bottom Boys' "Man of Constant Sorrow" - from the soundtrack of "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" (which we both loved). Ollie and Georgie were both there to celebrate his life too! Please do send any more memories if you wish! Best wishes to you all. Julie |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 06 Jan 12 - 06:36 AM For Julie C-M Sorry to here that Jim is no longer with us. I used to organise the instrumental workshops at Cecil Sharp House on Tuesday evenings. Jim & Co would drop in and play at the Songswap that I ran after the classes had finished, then we'd all go down to the Engineer pub for jam sessions. Peter Knight of Steel Eye would also join in on fiddle. As had been said, Paul Simon was booked at the Enterprise at Chalk Farm a few times and Jim with Doug & Ollie, would drop in to hear him and also give a few renditions "from the Floor" as we called it! I used to go to Jim's home, along with Roger Nicholson (who played guitar and the mountain dulcimer, and he's also sadly passed on), where the three of us would paint model soldiers and Jim would demonstrate some of his battle lay-outs. I also remember his "big guitar" with heavy Monel strings on it. I played on very light folk strings myself and I could hardly press Jim's strings down they were so strong. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Max Johnson Date: 06 Jan 12 - 08:42 AM I've just read this, and am so sorry to hear that Jim has passed on. I also used to paint figurines and competed and judged internationally at many of the European venues where Jim also competed and demonstrated. He was indeed World renowned and for several years was generally recognised as being the best there was. He was largely responsible for the rise in popularity and awareness of German 'flat figures', and I (and others) feel that he never received the recognition that he deserved for this, although he certainly did as an artist, having at some time won just about every competition medal going. I also used to drink with Jim, Dougie and Ollie in the Engineer. Eric Leggoe, who sang with Threadbare Consort, lived a few doors away and often played string bass with Rural Delivery. I remember a great night when Kenny Baker turned up and jammed with them when Bill Monroe was touring. RIP, mate. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming. Date: 06 Jan 12 - 03:25 PM I must point out that Jim's group were often booked as the guests in their own right at the Enterprise (The Hampstead Folk Song Club.) When the residents, the NW3, took their holidays I would fill in on occasions to keep the club running in their absence, so I was aware that Jim, Ollie and Doug, living close by, would kindly help out at short notice if the booked guests was unable to make it! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Rolling Rob Lipson Date: 04 Feb 12 - 01:00 PM Hi Dick Wilkinson, you've survived - if you get this send me a note robinlipson@hotmail.com |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 04 Feb 12 - 02:04 PM DO you have a brother called Dave, Rob? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Gwen Nelson Date: 05 Feb 12 - 06:14 PM Would anyone remember an Irish group called "The Tinkers"? Their base was at the Three Horseshoes in Hampstead. The members of the group were Gerry Fox, Micket Flynn, Eddie McGinnetty and Davy Burke. I used to go out with Davy in the late 60s and would very much like copies of photos anyone might have of them or to share reminiscences. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: balladeer Date: 05 Feb 12 - 11:02 PM Ah ... the Enterprise. That was my local club back in the day. ... A thousand years later (summer 2011) I tried to get back to Blighty, but doc wouldn't let me fly. Hope to try again soon, but this time I want to connect with some of you in advance. I'll be looking up old friends, but would appreciate new connections as well. ... Is there any such thing as floor singers anymore? Joanne Crabtree (aka Jo-Anne Hindley-Smith) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 06 Feb 12 - 03:25 AM Well at the Walthamstow Folk Club in London, Joanne, we always find time for floor spots as well as 2 x 45 minutes from the Guest. We aim to be relevant to today's needs but still true to the tradition that the clubs were places where singers developed their craft. Drop in if you get over, I am an old Enterprise club resident and we still have one very regular attender from that club and a few occasional ones. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Judy Dyble Date: 06 Feb 12 - 04:06 AM I think the Cooks Ferry Inn Jazz and Blues club, had a folk night for a while, I'm sure I remember playing there with my autoharp. It's possible that friends of mine were running it, but it must have been a short-lived thing.. Very desolate windswept area next to the River Lea and a long walk to and from the bus stop.. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Beachcomber Date: 06 Feb 12 - 03:57 PM I have just been browsing through this thread again and Jack King and Roger Fleming brought back some memories to me of evenings spent in CSH in the mid sixties. I remember one evening when Peter Kennedy , in the absence of some guest for whom he apologised, took up a guitar and sang an Irish Comic song "Mick Maguire". I remember how he played a little intro , finger style before singing. Another evening we were treated to a guitar workshop by Jimmie McGregor and a young lady (I think Liz Turner) also accompanied him in some songsafter the lesson. Do you guys remember either of those events ? I also remember a group called , I think, "The Coachmen" or "The Highwaymen" , a trio all with guitars which included a black bearded German sounding chap . I wonder if he was the Karl that you speak of Roger ?? I would say that it was c.1963/4. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: balladeer Date: 06 Feb 12 - 10:50 PM Thanks for the invitation, Kevin. Joanne |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 07 Feb 12 - 07:31 AM PM or email via the club website when/if you do Joanne |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack King Date: 08 Feb 12 - 09:33 AM Hi Beachcomber I think you mean Lisa Turner a brilliant banjo player guitarist & song writer Margaret & I booked her many times for the Cellar and she always gave us a couple of brilliant sets. Sadly like so many of the old scene now gone from us Jack |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 08 Feb 12 - 10:00 AM Lisa was also one of the regulars at the Half Moon in Putney in them far off days. They were Gerry Lockran, Royd Rivers,Cliff Aungier, and Lisa, when I first went there. I think that only Royd is still with us. Somewhere I saw a clip of him joining in with Johnny Silvo at a club in the south of England, in 2009 Silvo/Rivers. Found it. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 10 Feb 12 - 10:49 AM The German sounding chap that you are enquiring about would be Karl Wahnig, also called Jack Wahnig. Sadly he has passed on now. Karl & I used to duet together at various gigs. He had an interesting life as he was in U-Boats during the war and was captured off the Canadian coast. He wound up as a prisoner-of-war in Regent's Park, but at the end of the war many of the POW's whose homes were in the Eastern part of Germany elected to remain here. He got a job as a GPO engineer and worked for the Post Office until his retirement. In his bedroom he had many photographs of his time in the German Navy and on the deck of U-Boats. He is often credited in books and on various TV documentaries for information and photographs. He preferred to be called Jack and not Karl after the war until the late 60's onwards. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Guest Nick Goates Date: 21 Mar 12 - 12:35 PM Just spent a pleasant afternoon reminiscing about the folk clubs in the 60's & 70's. I started going initially to the Hop Poles in Enfield on a Monday night where regulars were Murph, Diz Disley, Jeremy Taylor to name but a few. Branched out to Bounds Green and Barnet and saw many great acts. Murph was a particular favourite and when he recorded his live at the Cabbage Patch Album a few years ago we were privileged to be in the audience and spent a long time with him between breaks, in fact we corresponded reguarly after that. I last saw Murph only a few years ago at Ringwood Folk Club in Dorset. Still as good as ever although virtually semi retired at that time. Great to look back on those days and remember what fun evenings they were |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Moss Date: 22 Mar 12 - 06:04 AM http://toadhallfolk.wordpress.com/ - a little homage to Toad Hall and those of us who played there. Enjoy... and do let us have any insight we might lack. Roger |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Dave Baxter Date: 18 Apr 12 - 07:16 PM Just found this thread. I worked with Ray Twomey in the Civil Service early 70's. Used to go to Black Bull in Totteridge (Mondays). Saw Noel Murphy & Draught Porridge there with a young Davy Johnson! Also used to go to Benjis off Charing X Road. Would sometimes sing at half time. Also used to go to a folk club off the A406 north of Brent Cross, I think run by a guy called Nigel Wesson(?) who used to sing at Benjis on a Saturday night. Happy days!! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 18 Apr 12 - 08:19 PM I was in London from 1964-1970, but being a diligent medical student, seem to have missed out on a lot of this: however, we did have our own folk club within The London Hospital Students' Union (Whitechapel) and I remember having guest nights with people like John Renbourn and Jacqui McShee (before Pentangle): anyone else remember playing the club? It was one of those rare nights that men were allowed in the Women's Common Room - or if it was a really big audience, it was women being allowed in the Men's Common Room! Prior to that I'd lived in Suffolk and used to attend the Ipswich Folk Club at "The Suffolk Punch" pub on Norwich Road, while I was still at school. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Tattie Bogle Date: 18 Apr 12 - 08:50 PM Sorry that was me without cookie! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 19 Apr 12 - 03:50 AM Tattie I'd forgotten the "Hospital" club scene, I was regular at Bart's Hospital club around that time, among the regular performers were Home Brew, at least one of whom became Gladstone's Bag. Also a regular club at Westminster Hopsital. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Kevin Sheils Date: 19 Apr 12 - 04:53 AM Oops, that was a cookieless me |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Pat Kirby Date: 12 May 12 - 03:01 PM Nags Head Folk Club, Battersea - Used to play with an Irish Trio called "Dave & Mike". Fiddle (Mike Kirby) 12 string & Vocals (Dave Hunt)Piano Accordion (Pat Kirby). A crazy mix of fast jigs and reels. Big Sue used to compere, The Southern Ramblers were regulars. What happy memories! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 12 May 12 - 03:42 PM Remember it well, opposite Price's Candle factory. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,60s folkfan Date: 11 Jun 12 - 09:18 PM Have just read through some of the more recent contributions and saw Radio Dave's note about the origins of the Phoebus Awakes folk club in Catford. I thought that the Phoebus Awakes was started and run by Dave Cooper (Radio Dave?), Eddie Dunmore, Martin Hazel and Dave and Toni Arthur, with a resident group, The Coven Band? And only later run by Dave Cooper. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,DaveS Date: 18 Jun 12 - 11:46 PM I came across this thread when looking back on my past via the internet. I left school in 1973. We weren't the biggest club but I think we made a contribution that entitles expectation that some of the memories in this thread are a little less affected by the 40 intervening years. Brief Historical Note - I used to act as doorman and treasurer of The Melting Pot Folk Club in Streatham. The resident singers who did the first session were Bob&Ros Allen who were supported by a range of fairly regular floor singers (DaveHarbord, IreneLucas & DaveMarshall). The second session was the main actof the night. We started at The Manor Arms (Mitcham Lane) moving to The Hanover Arms (Kennington) then to The White Lion (Streatham High Road). The club was advertised by the Streatham Young Communist League via local press and flyposters. Many of the acts mentioned in this thread played there and I remember many of them - great days indeed - even for someone as tone deaf as me with a voice like a foghorn! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack&Margaret King Date: 25 Dec 12 - 04:39 AM Seasons greetings from Suffolk to all old folkies everywhere,a joyous Xmas & aHappy Healthy Peaceful & Prosperous New Year Jack&Margaret |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 25 Dec 12 - 05:19 AM Thanks Jack and Margaret, and the same to both of you. What is it about Suffolk and old folkies, Don Shepherd is there too? It's almost as bad as the West Country ;) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 25 Dec 12 - 09:44 AM Sorry, that guest was me. Cookie tossed unobserved. John |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Henry Piper Date: 25 Dec 12 - 02:47 PM Hello, only just read this thread, its amazing thats its been going on for so many years and still throwing up old memories My first Folk Club experience was the Pheobus Awakes at Catford during the late sixties and onwards. I was persuaded to go by The late Jacqui Walker as she was at that time, and her then husband,Barry. At the time I was playing in a Rock Band with Jacquis Brother Rob, and she persuaded us to go along and broaden our musical horizons ! and eventually Rob and I did the occasional floor spot,with me playing some very bad banjo, and later under the influence of the Bushwackers and Bullockies band from Oz, I took up the lagerphone! I beleive I was one of the first "Natives" to take up the Instrument !!! and went on to sit in with the Crayfolk, Pete "Slats" Hicks, John Barker, and I beleive Pete Chopping,Whenever They played at the Club I also remenber Barry and Jacqui's Mate Dave Wiltshire the singing undertaker, and an excellent Ragtime guitarist Bob Axford I wonder what happened to those two ?? Barry and Jacqui were on very good terms with Dave and Toni Arthour, who lived nearby, ( I seem to remember Toni was working at Lewisham Hospital at the time ) and remember going to somew really wonderful parties in a house or flat in Brandram Rd, -.-.not sure wether that was The Arthours or Jacquis though, the memory is not what it was. !! they were wonderful times, and I have been involved in Folk Activities ever since, Morris Dancing, Playing Melodeon in several Country Dance bands, and now latterly Running the Sidmouth Traditional Mummers as I have for some years Lived In Ottery St Mary Devon, In fact it was Jacqui and Barry persuading me to visit the Sidmouth Folk Festival in 1968, that ultimately led me to move to Devon. its been a wonderful experience hearing the anecdotes and reminiscences from so many people many of whom I actually Knew, I hope they will keep coming!!. Cheers, Henry Piper, Known in the 60's as "Pip"! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 28 Dec 12 - 10:47 PM I used to frequent Ben Schneider's Falafel house 1964-65. Great place! Shlomo Carlebach appeared there in that time. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,a Date: 23 Mar 13 - 10:16 PM It was at the Duke's Head at the crossroads at the end of the town. John Renbourn was resident in the mid 60s and then the Strawberry Hill Boys, before they were the Strawbs. I saw Jesse Fuller,. Sonny Terry and Brownie McGee, Sandy Denny with Johnny Silvo, Diz Dizley, Noel Murphy, Gordon Giltrap, Tim Hart and Maddy Prior..I remember the landlord was a jazz bass player as well. I went away to university and came back in the early 70s and it was all quiet and we had a singers' club with donations ..I played in the house band with a couple who I'm ashamed to say I can't remember their names.. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John Field Date: 21 May 13 - 03:58 PM I've just seen the references to the late Jim Woodley and I'd like to add some more recollections. I met Jim at the Folk Cellar in Cecil Sharp House circa the autumn of 1963 and together with his mandolin-playing pal, Brian Oliver (Ollie) we decided to form a trio with self on banjo. We came up with the name , the "Country Ramblers". I believe I was the first of several banjo players that Jim and Brian had over the next few years. I recall many rehearsals at Jim's house in Southgate on Sunday afternoons,(I still have some tapes of these...), and we would sometimes go to the Enterprise Folk Club in Chalk Farm to do a floor spot, as well as tackling a fair few bookings on the London Folk Scene in 63/64. Jim was the nicest guy you could wish to meet and in later years, as well as continuing with his music, developed a phenomenal talent for flat figure painting. I lost touch with him for many years, but fortunately got in contact again and visited him around 2004. I was very sorry indeed to learn of his passing. RIP Jim.... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 07 Jun 13 - 11:12 AM Reading about the NW3 group (Dom Bonito) it minds me to say that all members of The Folklanders (60s/70s Robin Hood, Potters Bar / St Albans Folk Clubs) are still steaming up mirrors - that's Ann & Dave Smith, Dave Hall, Ken Littlechild, Barry Beattie and Mike Aston. folklanders@kcited.demon.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Richard Thomas Date: 14 Oct 13 - 06:27 AM I was searching for Joe Palmer (of 'The Peelers') to see if I could find an email contact for him and came across this forum. What a wonderful collection of memories. I, with several friends, used to go to the Peelers club at the Kings Store, Widegate Street, London. The original Peelers were the residents then (Joe, Terry, Chris and John). We had a whale of a time there and were inspired to go on to start our own folk club in Bishop's Stortford ('69-'75). The Peelers (Mk2 - Joe, Tom & Jim) were guests several times for us there. After all these years I am still playing and signing (but mostly to myself now!). So, Joe, if you read this - hello and best wishes to you. Richard |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Sue Allan Date: 29 Oct 13 - 05:47 PM OMG just stumbled on this old thread and it brought back a heap of memories from my college days at Trent Park in early 1970s. Did floor spots at the Hop Poles in Enfield, King's Head Islington, Springfield in Bounds Green and the Leyton club (remember Dympna and Paul Havel). Also had brilliant nights at Putney Bridge ceilidhs and Dingle's at the Roebuck: first saw Taffy Thomas there with Magic Lantern. Also got to know some of Hammersmith Morris, most of whom seemed to be called John or Dave so had assorted nicknames including Buttercup, Daisy, John K and John the Spy (from Wales I think). I seem to think Buttercup,mentioned above, went on to found Bollin Morris in Cheshire some years later. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Barry Date: 30 Jan 14 - 04:34 PM It was the Dukes Head in Addlestone a hall at the back of the pub. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Mike Aston Date: 26 Feb 14 - 10:53 AM Lots of blasts from the past! My patch in particular was the Potters Bar Folk Club mainly at the Robin Hood pub and the St Albans Folk Club at the Peahen. The Folklanders were resident at both and played at many others including the Howff in Edinburgh, Samson & Barlows in Liverpool, Troubadour in London. Have a two-volume scrapbook with lots of images, programmes, MM ads etc. + recordings on tape and even vinyl! mike@kcited.demon.co.uk |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Chris Evans Date: 19 Aug 14 - 10:03 AM Just a few days ago, I found an American site called collectors frenzy. There was a poster listed for sale that I had created in 1967,for the club I ran in London at the Greyhound Fulham Palace Road. It was for the two weeks leading up to the Christmas break, the first guest being Derek Brimstone and the second (Christmas party night) with the Noel Murphy and the Strawbs. Had forgotten the poster had existed and more importantly it reminded me that the club had been named 'The Doghouse'. Maybe someone out there attended on one of those nights and can share a distant memory. Oh! and a frequent guest was a young John Kirkpatric, who brought along Hammersmith Morris for one night of joyous dance and song. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 26 Mar 15 - 07:25 PM It was the Duke's Head |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,tony Hillyard Date: 14 Sep 15 - 09:08 PM Does anyone remember the Bromley Folk Club from the 70's? my memory is very blurred now but Jan Henn and Ralph? Henning were regulars. A very sociable club which got me into performing 'solo'. I'm pretty sure it ran on Sunday nights. Any details would be gratefully received. Thanks Tony |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Rory Potter Date: 15 Sep 15 - 03:57 AM There was a club called The Horseshoe Wharf at Blackfriars in the mid 60's run by Shirley Collins and Tony McCarthy on Saturdays from my recollection. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,John Riddle Date: 28 Sep 15 - 11:19 PM I went to peanuts probably 69/70 remeber nick harrison as the host my girlfriend at the time brother played a gig there . went every sat night for a couple of years candles on the tables you could get a burger downstairs cooked in a microwave i think.Saw hamish imlach at the london docks that year too he sung black is the colour loved that song eversince |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jack&margaret king Date: 25 Dec 15 - 04:58 AM Seasons greetings from Selig Suffolk to all old folkies everywhere We are still alive and kicking though perhaps not as high as we used to. A very merry merry Xmas and a happy healthy peaceful & prosperous New Year toall who remember us Jack & Margaret King |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 25 Dec 15 - 08:30 AM I do remember the club in Bromley, it was called Bromley trad singers club, it was strictly unaccompanied, it was run by Eddie and Jackie Dunmore, a ginger haired bus driver and a another fellow from Ravensbourne Morris side, who was the treasurer, and Jim Bassett Guests i remember were Isobel Sutherland ,Roy Harris,JohnConnolly. I Think it was held in the pub then known as the star and garter, towars the north end of the high street not far from a cinema years before there had been another club at the three compasses Ralph Henning was until very recently involved with friday folk in orpington |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jack king Date: 28 Feb 16 - 09:46 AM many years ago when the world was young Margaret & I ran the Cellar at Cecil sharp House and among the audience was a young singer/song writer named Bob Lockyer. One of his songs concerned a london transport conductor titled Tha Bold Recruit . This song eh kindly let me use and it has stayed in my repertoire for about 50 years .Although it is many years since Margaret & I sang in public qccaisionally at dinner parties & other get rtogethers We are asked to "give us a song " margaret cant sing anymore and I usually oblige with "The Bold recruit" so if Bob your still around Many thanks mate Jack King |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Mar 16 - 03:13 PM Good man Jack. I remember you and Margaret well. Best wishes to you both. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Iains Date: 13 Apr 16 - 07:00 AM This thread is quite some tour of the greater London folk scene back in the 60's, 70's. I see a couple of mentions of Derek Sarjeant but no mention of the Surbiton Assembly rooms where he ran a folk club for many years, where I first saw Ralph Mctell in the late 60's(I think) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 14 Apr 16 - 05:20 AM Dead right about Surbiton & Derek (&Hazel?) Sergeant- not sure how it compares by age with the Topic, Swindon, Newcastle etc, but it was well established when I first went in October 1963. It was there where I heard about a concert at Cecil Sharp House in November 1963 with the Spinners, Julie Felix, Nadia Cattouse among others. I went back to college that night oblivious to my surroundings and woke to the news of events in Dallas the previous night...... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 09 Jun 16 - 07:24 PM trying to find out some info about The Witches Couldron Belsize Park 1960's anyone have any memories to share - I used to go there on afternoons when I skipped school - |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 11 Jun 16 - 02:37 PM Derek is still around at 86, unfortunatel Hazel died from cancer some 10 years ago, or thereabouts. Probably more, my perception of time is crap. I was a regular at Surbiton Assembly Rooms, in the 70's and 80's. Along with many others, including my old mate, the estimable Hector Gilchrist. They were happy days indeed, and I saw many many great acts there. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Splott Man Date: 14 Jun 16 - 02:39 AM I was an occasional regular at the Assembly Rooms too, while a student at Epsom and still living at home in Dorking. It was my introduction to Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee, Ian Campbell Folk Group (with Swarb & Peggy) and many more. Splott Man |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 09 Aug 16 - 06:12 AM I was going to ask if anyone remembered Paul Simon dropping in to the Enterprise and asking for a booking. He used to live in Camden Town with his girlfriend Cathy who he brought to the club with him. He wrote a song "Cathy's Song" which was on his first record. I bought an EP from him which he sold from his guitar case. He was booked, I believe,for £10. He didn't go down so well when he turned up with Art Garfunkel [too commercial sounding!} Does anyone remember Mike Robinson who sang at the Folk cellar but he also played a set of Northumbrian small pipes. He tried to start a workshop on shoe pipes at CSH but they were too expensive to buy no one could afford them so the workshop folded up! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 09 Aug 16 - 02:59 PM Hi Diane, do you remember when you lived in a greenhouse in somebody's back garden? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Herga Kitty Date: 09 Aug 16 - 06:15 PM Roger Fleming - if your last post was directed at the Borchester Echo, I regret to inform you that Diane passed away in May 2013. There was an obit link on Mudcat at the time. Kitty |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Roger Fleming Date: 02 Sep 16 - 04:06 AM For Jack King. Hello Jack, I know you and Margaret live in Hadleigh. Are you aware there's a Folk Club in Hadleigh which takes place on the first Friday of the month and is run by a chap called Simon Haines. He said he was around at CSH during the folk revival in the 70's and 80's as we were! you can look it up on their website by googling Hadleigh Folk club. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Gwen Nelson Date: 09 Nov 16 - 05:54 PM Roger Fleming Ican remember Paul Simon doing a gig at Les Cousins about 1964/5. I was going out with Davy Burke who was one of The Tinkers before Mo Kennedy-Martin joined them. After the session was over we all went for a meal at a Chinese restaurant. Paul was very polite, pulled chairs out for the females to sit down and very quiet and shy. He was under the wing of a woman by the name of Judith who was an "angel" for aspiring, young, male folk singers. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 09 Nov 16 - 07:09 PM I dont remember Simon Haines as a performer in the london clubs in the 70s,I seem to remember him performing in the late 80s in Essex, however I am sure he was around, I find it sad that so many people on this thread have now died. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Peter Green Date: 10 Nov 16 - 08:05 AM Good to see Jack and Margaret King still remembered. Great late nights in Isles of Scilly and Jack of all Trades sessions around the city |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Lin Date: 10 Nov 16 - 09:38 PM Are there any folk clubs from the 1960's or 1970's (besides the Cabbage Patch in Twickenham) that are located in London (not outside London)that are still around under the same exact name and at the exact location and still run as a folk club? If anyone knows of such clubs that have not changed names or locations (in London, England only) please post. Also, still folk (and not changed to other music genres.) If you know when this club opened please mention that too. Thank you. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Jack Warshaw Date: 05 Feb 18 - 08:32 PM The Singers Club's reputation was supported by a programme of fine guest singers, both "interpreters" and true traditional ones from around Britain and Ireand, America and occasionally France and Italy. Ravi Shankar came once, and singers from India, like the wonderful Kali Das Gupta from Kolkata. The club's official sponsor was the London Cooperative Society. There was a committee, which held formal meetings with minutes. In reality much of the day to day organising work was done by Peggy. Many of these sessions were hosted by club "residents," drawn from the performing members of the Critics Group when Ewan and Peggy and Bert Lloyd were on tour, or otherwise occupied. They included John Faulkner, Sandra Kerr, Frankie Armstrong, Denis Turner, Terry Yarnell, Brian Pearson, Jim O'Connor, Buff Rosenthal and me. Sometimes these residents took on the whole evening, on themes such as industrial ballads,or political issues. The format was always the same: 1st half performers, introduced by the compere for the evening; floor singers, 15 minute break to refill glasses (there was never a bar in any of the SC pub rooms), then the 2nd half performance. After the CG broke up, following the last Festival of Fools production, several of its principal singers and actors formed "Combine," which ran a club at the Knave of Clubs in Bethnal Green, still continuing their roles at the SC, while avoiding direct contact with MacColl and Seeger. A third club was started by singers who lived in Southwest London, at the Golden Lion, Fulham, near Putney Bridge. Many a night was spent flyposting for our guest nights. These were of course weekly clubs, and there was much work in running and performing in them. But it paid in experience and building repertoires. Combine in particular put on themed, scripted shows and feature spots such as Pig of the Week in which some (usually Tory) lackey would be pilloried or lampooned. These efforts culminated in the inspiring Vietnam Victory Show of April 1975. These clubs carried on somehow through the decline of the 70s and 80s into the early 90s, by which time, geographical distance, growing families, falling audiences, political stagnation and other commitments were taking their inevitable toll. That several CG graduates never gave up and made a place for themselves in the folk and theatre worlds is a tribute to the strength of their early work and training. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 06 Feb 18 - 12:21 PM Jack, wasn't Dick Snell involved in CG at some point? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 06 Feb 18 - 01:09 PM The singers club,not for me, any club that has a policy which effectively stops an english person from singing a Woody Guthrie song, a ridiculous policy, which allows Peggy and TomPaley to sing appalachian songs when they are not from appalachia yet prevents an english person singing appalachian songs is eccentric and ridiculous. imo full of earnest self important egotistical people who undoubtedly were good performers, but lacked any kind of CRAIC. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 09 Feb 18 - 09:02 AM Lord save us from egotistical self opinionated folkies. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Jim Carroll Date: 14 Feb 18 - 03:07 PM "Lord save us from egotistical self opinionated folkies." Drink to that any day Jack - I think Dick a was there once and he wasn't booked - hence the bile He's always at his best when attacking dead people and other people's clubs Dick Snell was a sometime resident - a good singer and an excellent songwriter Jack's description of the London scene is spot on, though he omitted 'The Railway' in Stratford East, where I seem to remember he was a resident Jim Carroll |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Big Al Whittle Date: 14 Feb 18 - 08:37 PM The thing is Jim. Dick's very good - you don't get to be that good without putting in a lot of hours work and practice, and that deserves some respect. It doesn't mean the club owes you a gig, but on the other hand - a little respect for honest and earnest artistic endeavour, and in this case, considerable talent costs nowt. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Jim Carroll Date: 15 Feb 18 - 09:40 AM Wasn't commenting on Dick's 'talent' Al (I have my own take on that), just his tendency to demean the work of others However talented someone may be, they have no right to do that in the way he chooses to Jim Carroll |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Big Al Whittle Date: 15 Feb 18 - 12:51 PM To work hard is a talent - you don't play Dallas Rag on a concertina without a lot of hard work. That is entitled to the word talent without the inverted commas. I presume it something to do with Ewan He was a great and wonderful man. I can think of few people who would deny that. His achievements are staggering in scale and I never found him anything but pleasant and friendly. However it must be said, I've bumped into a fair few number of people in my perambulations over the last fifty years who are more qualified in their approval. I have in mind one particular octogenarian folksinger who muttered after my ringing endorsement of MacColl, ah weel ye must speak as ye find, I suppose...and this guy certainly had more dealings with Ewan than I did. I have this same argument with my sister about my parents. You can love and revere their memory, but they had human faults. They were human. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Gordon Jackson Date: 09 Jul 18 - 11:10 AM Like Flush et al in 2010, I went to the Tramshed in Woolwich in the 70s. I remember it as a rather Bohemian place where you could just walk in off the street on a weekday afternoon, grab a pint and listen to some rock or blues band rehearsing. All very relaxed, friendly, dark and dusty. I also attended some memorable gigs there: Dave Swarbrick (I diddled with him in his dressing room), Paul Brady (my mate and I wouldn't let him go - we kept clapping, shouting and stamping for more, and he did three or four encores), Rory Gallagher (one of the best gigs of my life) and ... Splodgenessabounds (the most disgusting gig I've yet been to). Ah, those were the days ... |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 11 Jul 18 - 12:55 PM Drink to that any day Jack - I think Dick a was there once and he wasn't booked - hence the bile" incorrect. incorrect again "He's always at his best when attacking dead people and other people's clubs" I have always stated what a good songwriter Ewan was, I have always stated how professional a performer he was, what i was saying was that i had no desire to go to the singers club. "Wasn't commenting on Dick's 'talent' Al (I have my own take on that), just his tendency to demean the work of others However talented someone may be, they have no right to do that in the way he chooses to" Jim Carroll. incorrect again,I have never demeaned the work of MacOLL, I HAVE CONSISTENTLY PRAISED HIS SONG WRITING IN FACT I THINK HE WAS THE GREATEST SONGWRITER OF THE 20TH CENTURY |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Geoff Leonard Date: 30 Jan 19 - 06:52 PM In 1972, John Barry was in a Chelsea area folk club and saw and heard a couple performing there. He promptly engaged Ros & John to sing "Follow Follow", the main theme for the film he was then scoring, Follow Me, starring Michael Jayston, Mia Farrow & Topol. This is a bit of a long-shot, I realise, but does "Ros & John" ring a bell with anybody? Maybe even Roz & Jon? I'd love to know more about them, if so, where they sang, etc.. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 30 Jun 19 - 09:12 AM I used to visit London clubs in the mid 60s, but when Reg Hall told me about the Irish music in Fulham, Holloway etc, I was more inclined to go there. Having visited Surbiton and then the Fox at Islington & been fairly repelled by what went on at the Singers' club, I became involved in my college folk club at St Mary's College, Twickenham- a male only college, surrounded by female colleges, life was sweet. Can't recall much about it, although I do remember visits from Julie Felix, Jo-Ann Kelly, Johnny Handle (my doing!), Sean McCarthy (of 'Red-Haired Mary' fame'), Shirley Collins, a fascinating talk by Peter Kennedy, the Strawberry Hill Boys (to become the Strawbs) Dave & Toni Arthur and Sydney Carter. Also a fine box B/C player from Longford, one Paddy Carrigys & John Faulkner & Terry Yarnell from the singers club- yes we were a catholic crowd in all senses!! Paul Simon was a regular visitor, and when I left, the club was taken over by one Roger Sutcliffe (well known Bradford blues man nowadays) - not sure if the club still carries on? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 30 Jun 19 - 10:16 AM I didn't know you were a Simms man Jim, was Father Cashin in charge when you went there? I used to go to that folk club too. Roger of course is still around, I met up with him at Whitby a few times. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Dave Hanson Date: 30 Jun 19 - 10:25 AM Roger played at the Topic Folk Club just recently, although he no longer lives in Bradford. Dave H |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 30 Jun 19 - 05:33 PM "Drink to that any day Jack - I think Dick a was there once and he wasn't booked - hence the bile" another bit of fiction |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 01 Jul 19 - 03:26 PM Yes John, 1963-66- can't recall Cashin, or any other staff, but then maybe deliberately! Didn't do me much good anyway, mind you I was back in 68 for a couple of years, working at Thames TV graphics just down the road- bet you didn't know that either- Pinky & Perky, Opportunity Knocks & the football results were my finest hour... The club was held for a time in the Walpole drawing room, Johnny Handle said it was the poshest folk club venue he was ever in! Later, when a new chapel was built, the old chapel became the college bar- and also folk club venue- but very strange going up three steps to the bar! Good to see Mary & Dave Goulder here recently- how are things at the other end of Alba? gan canny Jim |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 03 Jul 19 - 03:28 PM there was a good session/club at the Duke of Cambridge in Kingston where Liam Farrell was a regular- as was Bud Flanagan (in the bar, not the club) |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Eric the Viking Date: 04 Jul 19 - 11:20 AM This might seem odd but did Dave Goulder play amateur rugby league for Peckham ARLRC? |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Eric the viking Date: 04 Jul 19 - 11:36 AM Apologies... wrong man. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST Date: 05 Jul 19 - 02:32 PM Great singer and songwriter, but not built for RL! |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 07 Jul 19 - 05:07 AM Just copied and pasted the last 3 posts to Dave :) I found them hilarious, and I'm sure he will too. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: Eric the Viking Date: 07 Jul 19 - 04:52 PM Ah... an explanation is needed. I played for PARLFC on Sundays back in 1968-1970, one of the guys was a hot guitarist who also played folk clubs but claimed he was married to Davy Graham's first wife. His name was Dave, and the surname, I remember was very similar, if not the same. Hence the question. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Deirdre Mason Date: 15 Nov 19 - 01:34 PM Hi,Eric, You mentioned Raggy Farmer at the Thurlow Arms, West Norwood. He was a friend of mine, Keith Willson. I played myself at the time and did a few spots there. Keith had his own club in Herne Hill at first, at the Student Gallery. Hewrote his own songs, and recorded Hyacinth Garden, and Yes, she needs (to feel she's someone who's important) in around 1972. Keith was also with The Brckley Brothers. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 16 Nov 19 - 05:02 AM Nice to see this thread resurfacing. I re-read the first 2 pages, and gave up for now. So many of those mentioned there have left us since. I posted that I was trying to get in contact with Derek Serjeant and Hazel King (later Hazel Serjeant) only to find that she had died from cancer in the interim, and Derek himself left us about 4 years ago. So many gone, it makes one conscious of the approaching abyss into which we all must fall, but never mind, we are still here, and we can still enjoy our kind of music. Thanks for all the posts, it's been a real time machine for me. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Deirdre Mason Date: 18 Nov 19 - 11:16 AM Hello again,Eric the Viking, A correction to my earlier post (the old memory gets a bit shaky). Keith Willson used to do backing sometimes for Raggy Farmer (on, I think, the double bass) at the Thurlow Arms. I remember him lugging that double bass - called Fred - on the bus to the gigs. Keith used to play solo at the Half Moon in Herne Hill in the 1970s - I did a few spots there myself. Others from that scene were Rodney, and Ivan (who used to have a sticker on his guitar saying "You live the life you choose"). It should also have been the Brockley Brothers. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 18 Nov 19 - 12:15 PM I had forgotten about the Herne Hill club. Just under the railway bridge on the right, when coming from the Brixton side, if I remember rightly. Herne Hill was the first place I lived when I moved down to London. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 22 Oct 20 - 03:35 PM does anyone remember a bbc folk song club,was it at the marquis of Clanricade |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Lin Date: 22 Oct 20 - 09:01 PM Does anyone know what year or years that any of the following famous folk artist's appeared at Bunjies Folk Cellar on Litchfield Street in London? Some may have only played there once or twice, others more often. Also, not completely certain that all singers mentioned actually were ever there. Just curious, that's my only reason for asking. I myself went there in the very early 1970's and during parts of the 1980's so by that time none of these artist's were there anymore and were all well known and famous. Sandy Denny Jackson C. Frank Paul Simon Art Garfunkel Donovan Bob Dylan Al Stewart Ralph McTell I don't know 100 % that Dylan actually ever played there but just seem to recall he visited Bunjies a few times. Seemed like I vaguely heard he got thrown out of Bunjies but have no idea as to why or the circumstances or even true. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,Viv Double Date: 04 Oct 21 - 03:22 PM In the mid sixties, I used to attend Grotty Lottie's Corner Folk Club, at Dalston Junction. Dave Lipscomb ran it. He had a brother who went to Israel for the 6 day war. We met once a week and it was good fun. Lots of drink and plenty of folk singing. I still remember Dave's signature tunes and, after, over 50 years I still sing them to myself. This club was good fun and Dave was a good host with a good repertoire. Some very good guest singers. I miss those days, am still in touch with others who joined in. Good days, gone by, never to be re-found. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: John MacKenzie Date: 04 Oct 21 - 05:06 PM I remember when Dave stayed in Johnny Silvo's flat, at Montague Road in Richmond. He also used to got to The Arab Boy pub, in Putney. The person who had that room before Dave, was Davey Johnson, aka Shaggis, now Elton John's musical director, and a fine guitarist. He also used to be a grand Banjo picker. |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: GUEST,jim bainbridge Date: 06 Oct 21 - 05:22 AM too handy with the button there! I've come to this late, but does anyone remember the club very near Clapham Junction station run by Sean McCarthy- composer of 'Red-Haired Mary', 'Shanagolden', 'Step it out Mary' & other huge Irish hits? I was there a few times in about 1964-65 with my old scouse pal, John Newman- can't remember the pub name, but I do recall seeing Jo-Ann Kelly there |
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Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s From: The Sandman Date: 06 Oct 21 - 08:24 AM Jo Ann Kelly was a good blues singer |
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