Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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?

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s
From: GUEST,Joan Crump
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 10:32 AM

Guest above is me.

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

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?

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s
From: GUEST,John MacKenzie
Date: 27 Feb 11 - 06:15 PM

Look under Bruce Dunnet

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 28 Feb 11 - 02:56 PM

Refresh

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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...)

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.

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: [e-mail]

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...

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

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

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?

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

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!)

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

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.

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.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s
From: Singing Referee
Date: 15 Mar 11 - 10:12 AM

Guest at 10:10 was me!

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

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!

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.

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)

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?

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?

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

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

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

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.

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.

Subject: RE: Folk Clubs London 1960s & 70s
From: Kevin Sheils
Date: 04 Jun 11 - 03:09 AM

Dry in parts, Max!

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.

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