Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 29 Feb 12 - 12:49 PM

The Mox I knew never went in for shaving. I think you're fibbing Mr Shake. :-)

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: David C. Carter
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 04:28 AM

But John,he did not say WHAT he was shaving!

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,PiedPiper
Date: 01 Mar 12 - 07:11 PM

Some time back, an issue of the Soho Clarion magazine with a feature on Les Cousins was mentioned. For those who may be interested, you can download it here:

http://www.thesohosociety.org.uk/soho_clarion/PDFs/Soho_Clarion_144.pdf

Note: it takes a while to load.

Enjoy.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Dave Sutherland
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 08:17 AM

AND Frank McConnell, names from my Richmond days.
Anybody have any information on Frank? He originally hailed from Felling on Tyne and I met him in the middle sixties as he was a mate of Terry Kelly who was a bandmate of mine and who now plays around the Newark area. Although Frank was very much of the contemporary folk scene i.e. Hanging Lamp etc whenever he was back in the North East he would hang out with us ultra traddies as a diversion from "the humourless south" as he put it. I stayed at his flat in Hendon back in 1969 and I think that I only saw him a couple more times after that.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Mar 12 - 10:12 AM

I remember Frank from the Hanging lamp too. I still see Ian Shircore who ran it; occasionally. Wasn't Frank at Simms in Strawberry Hill? If so I assume he went on to teach.
His name came up in a conversation I had not so long ago, if only I could remember who it was with!

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jun 12 - 06:25 PM

Dear Bredda,
I cannot believe seeing the posts from you - I stumbled on this site just now and couldn't stop reading it! We shared a flat together in Westbourne Park Road for several months in 1967 with Meg Rees-Jones and Hazel. (I still see Hazel, she came to see me a few days ago). Meg used to go out with Noel Murphy. After we left that flat we lost touch with each other but I would love to know how you are getting on. What happened to Andy - is he still alive? Would love to have contact details for you so that we could have a chat.
Anna xx

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Bredda
Date: 15 Jul 12 - 03:46 PM

Dear Anna
So pleased to see your message. I have vague memories of when we all went our seperate ways - I think I was working at Ronny Scotts and Hazel went to South Africa? and Meg went to join a modern dance troupe in Italy and you got married! We were all so different - except we all wore the shortest skirts possible. Did we only share a flat in Westbourne Park Road? Vague momories of a flat in Notting Hill Gate as well. I remember cooking Sunday lunches for Noel and various visiting performers at Cousins after all of us working straight through all night at Cousins, and everyone quietly winding down sitting on the floor playing and singing. I don't know about Andy - He never posts anything on sites. Love to hear from you. xxx
[e-mail]

Subject: UNACCOMPANIED YOUNG BLACK GUY ON SOLO BASS!!!
From: GUEST,Derbyshire, now London
Date: 05 Aug 12 - 07:13 AM

Hi, I was on the streets around the Square & Dilly & somehow ended up seated in Cousins though I seem to recall lying on mats too.My agenda would also be to get inside & possibly crash too. I wasn't just a dosser & though not too clean had Brian Jones hair & self made 60s gear on so looked good for the times. I had no dosh so must have been let in for free somehow.. I recall Alexis & being blasted by his guitar (Gretch?) through Burns combo that was painfully sharp. I wasn't impressed & he didn't seem the real deal. I saw Harper there but also at the LSE sit in & I remember a long college scarf, Tombstone blues & him singing into the guitar sound hole & a miserable uptight persona. The main reason I Googled |Cousins is because one night I saw an UNACCOMPANIED YOUNG BLACK GUY ON SOLO BASS!!! I always wondered if it was Stanley Clarke though Funkadelic were around. I saw Moxey around & also Kossof around the music shops. It was around 66/67 & though I was carrying a BM classical around I had been playing electric awhile & my leanings were heavy, not folk. I saw more bands down Middle Earth later.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Lyn Field
Date: 21 Aug 12 - 04:59 AM

I went to Greek Street just last weekend and tried unsuccessfully to find the location of Les Cousins which I vividly remember visiting - it must have been April or May 1970 - I was 14 at the time. My brother took me to see our then idol - Al Stewart. I remember standing on the seat with my head just below the ceiling so I could see Al and of it being very hot and sticky. Al was fantastic (he still is in my opinion) and was singing songs from his latest album - Zero She Flies. I particularly remember him asking if "Anyone had seen Mandi?" - I guess they had just split up at that time. I remember having my hand stamped when I went upstairs to get some air and being given a membership card - which I still have somewhere. A lovely memory I will always cherish.
I now know that Les Cousins was 48 or 49 Greek Street so I will have a better look next time. Loved reading the entries on this website. Huge fan of Roy Harper too - looking forward to seeing him at the End of the Road Festival in September this year.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,BrendanB
Date: 21 Aug 12 - 06:43 AM

Re Frank McConnell - he did attend St Mary's College (Simms) in the late sixties and, what is more, he played guitar at our wedding! We were extremely right on and wouldn't countenance an organ! Sadly, we lost contact with him but he was and no doubt still is a belting guitarist.
I used to go to Cousins occasionally but my wife Chrissie was a regular before we met, she seemed to know everyone.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 08:09 AM

I still have my membership card dated..available until Sept 1970.
I treasure of my younger days

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Nov 12 - 08:13 AM

I have also have photos of the location as it is now.......very sad to see

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Jun 13 - 10:42 AM

I can remember sitting about 2 feet away from Arlo Guthrie at les coz while he sang Alices Restaurant and Roy Harper having a break and telling us it was our chance to go and get hosed down oh joy the combined smell of corduroy and roll top sweaters

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Bredda
Date: 04 Jan 14 - 07:49 AM

Another great musician who was the soundtrack of my early teenage years has just died. Phil Everly. Such wonderful harmonies. I count myself so lucky with my musical life. I worked in Les Cousins from the age of 17 when Andy was starting up the club and listened to so many memorable sets from wonderful musicians. Then at 21 I moved on from there and went to Ronnie Scotts. How lucky was I!!

This thread has gone so quiet since Bert died. It seems fitting somehow.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,PiedPiper
Date: 05 Jan 14 - 08:04 PM

Hi Bredda,

Yeah, another legend gone, but his music remains.

Would you mind telling us more about your early days at Les Cousins? Who did you see play and who impressed you?

In case you are interested, this web site features 'lost' London music venues, including Les Cousins. No Ronnie Scotts though.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmlivemusic/5430715598/in/photostream/

Best wishes,

PP

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Bredda
Date: 27 Feb 14 - 05:31 AM

So sad to not that Duffy Power has died. He sang and played at Les Cousins. Lovely lovely bloke with a bloody beautiful voice. Some people you connect with and you know they have good souls. Jimi Hendrix was another.   

Wonderful days full of music and a lot of fun.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Lorrie
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 12:50 AM

Can't believe all this! How wonderful. I practically lived in Cousins from 68 to 70.
Saw nearly everyone. Remember Sallyangie? The brother and sister, the brother being the then unknown tubular bells composer. Very young he was!
Have been to Paris to see Mox, just as good.
Duffy was my brother in law, very sad to see such talent go.
Saw Wizz jones and mike chapman in Cornwall.
Jonathon Coudrille is still living there and very active on the Art and Music scene.
Also met up with Ian Anderson and he was asking about Gypsy Annie, could not tell him anything, but here she is!
Must stop now and make myself a list of all I saw there.
Also Bunjies and Macabre.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Sexton
Date: 29 Mar 14 - 04:50 PM

So finally I got to Cousins on a night that Bert Jansch was booked and what happens? Roy Harper takes him out and gets him so loaded he can't hardly stand up let alone play!
One night I was there when John Renbourn appeared with two blonde singers I assume one was Jaqui was the other Sandy?
Was the floor always wet?

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Tim Dennehy
Date: 13 May 14 - 10:34 AM

I remember Les Cousins in the sixties,especially the Sat, night all nighters,they were great times.So many folk greats played at Les Cousins.I still have my membership card[prized possession]I have great memories of Les Cousins and all the best folk music,ever.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 May 14 - 10:51 AM

What a fascinating thread!

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Bredda
Date: 16 May 15 - 09:17 AM

Still grieving over the loss of so many great Musicians over the last couple of years. I am so lucky to have so many good memories. There were some truly spellbinding evenings when you could listen to beautiful music played by great people.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,David E.
Date: 16 May 15 - 05:57 PM

I was never there, but feel as I had for all the wonderful stories that I have heard through the years. When Bert Jansch had his tribute concert a couple years back the stage was decorated to look like Cousins. At least that's what I was told. Someone really should put a book together don't you think?

David E.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 16 May 15 - 09:23 PM

i think i prefer it that we disappear into history.

i can connect with nobody on the subject - the idealism, the love of music, the bohemian style of the artists, the brilliance of individual musicians, the individuality of the of approach.....there was no one Cousins style.

its all gone. it never had much interest or recognition from the adult world. it was a young persons adventure...

and we are old now....

there is a thing in John Donne's Nocturnal on St Lucie's Eve. Somehow the old bereaved lover shows young lovers the graveyard, and of course what he's trying to say is incommunicable.

it was our youth, our ideals and now its gone. gone forever. it was the glamour of youth that made it special. and now we are old.

rhythm and blues nowadays is the pussy cat dolls. folk music is the transatlantic sessions - aly blain smirking away for fifteen minutes to a circle of fellow traddies. its all gone.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 14 Aug 15 - 05:57 PM

This article was in the Soho Clarion in Sept. 2011

Les Cousins at 49 Greek Street, London, was one of the most important and influential venues of the 1960s. Diana Matheou remembers listening to Donovan and chatting with Cat Stevens.

Download for free from ...

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/3rr5ksgmhe7jc/Les_Cousins_-_Soho

Chris B.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Tim Dennehy
Date: 09 May 16 - 12:57 PM

Hi I was a member of Les Cousins in the sixties and remember the all nighters it was so exciting saw all the big names in folk.I still have my membership card [prized possession].I live in Ireland and when I visit London,I always pay a visit to 49 Greek St.great memories.I am glad I was there.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 May 16 - 11:16 AM

Back to Mox - I'm sure that he performed with an R & B band (1964 British R & B) called the Taverners Guild, who always remained in my memory because the lead guitarist played a Harmony solid guitar which I think our rhythm guitarist bought from him, and used a Selmer Selectortone amp - the one 15" speaker variety, which although was only 20 watts or so was very loud indeed.

I had one of those which a friend of mine modified to be as loud as a Vox AC 30 when used with 2 Celestion Blue speakers (still in my attic).

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Bredda
Date: 26 Nov 20 - 07:32 PM

Anyone still out there? Moxy, all of you wonderful musicians who I loved you're sound so much.   It's been a year from hell.   For us all. I pray the music will continue.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: The Sandman
Date: 29 Nov 20 - 03:49 AM

it will continue

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 29 Nov 20 - 11:36 PM

Yes Bredda, still here.

This scrap of cyberspace is a bit like Valhalla - twilight of the Gods.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: The Sandman
Date: 30 Nov 20 - 03:04 AM

congratulations al , if you are a god can you tell me the winner of the 150 at fakenham , thankyou

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Big Al Whittle
Date: 01 Dec 20 - 02:30 AM

Sorry squire, although as minor deities, we do (as you suggest) enjoy unfettered powers - our godlike remit does not extend to what you ask.

Its asking the impossible. Ask Jim Carrol - its a bit like getting anyone to vote for Corbyn.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 Dec 20 - 02:46 PM

All of these people with JC initials, they might not get everything right but they sure as hell stand up for their principles!

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Steve Gardham
Date: 01 Dec 20 - 02:49 PM

And all 3 have suffered martyrdom! (IMHO)

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: The Sandman
Date: 01 Dec 20 - 04:15 PM

correct steve

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 02 Dec 20 - 05:14 AM

Thread drift

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: The Sandman
Date: 02 Dec 20 - 05:16 AM

so john what years were you there i thinkl i was there about 1967 1968

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Graham
Date: 09 Sep 21 - 04:52 PM

God yes. I went loads of times between 1969 and 71 when I was an Engineering Student. I rode up from the West end on my moped and just forgot about the rest of the world. My memories of Stefan Grossman were incredible. We sat on the floor and listened for hours.
Halcyon days.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 02:38 AM

I was there a few times around 1964-65, saw Davy Graham, John Renbourne, among others.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 04:29 AM

How would you pronounce Les Cousins in French?

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 07:04 AM

Lay Coozon!

but what do they know about anything. their roots music is Sacha Distel.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 08:05 AM

Ah I think it was there I saw a trio of USAian folkies, one of which was Spider John Koerner - stamped his feet a great deal I rememeber!!

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 10 Sep 21 - 01:32 PM

I saw Koerner there too. 9 string guitar I seem to remember.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Laura
Date: 29 Nov 22 - 07:25 AM

I stumbled across this thread and mention of Ralph Levene. Might anyone who knew him from these days get in touch with me? It's a long story, but essentially, sadly he died earlier this month and I'm arranging a funeral for him and am looking for any anecdotes, photographs etc and for anyone who might like to come along and say goodbye to this amazing man... thank you!

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Roderick A. Warner
Date: 29 Nov 22 - 10:04 AM

Have replied to Laura re Ralph Levene… sad news that he has died…

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 30 Nov 22 - 02:24 PM

Re: Les Cousins

https://www.mediafire.com/folder/3rr5ksgmhe7jc/Les_Cousins_-_Soho

A few years ago some building works in Old Compton Street had huge hoardings covering the work. They were covered in images of the 60’s music scene featuring venues and artistes with descriptions of their influence. Sadly the local graffiti oiks didn’t take long to destroy them all.

Meanwhile a small pamphlet was issued free which is scanned at the above link.

BTW does anyone know where Little Compton Street is?

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 15 Dec 22 - 12:52 PM

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-buried-remains-of-little-compton-street-london-england

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 15 Dec 22 - 07:02 PM

Links to Soho Society ...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Soho_Society

https://www.thesohosociety.org.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/thesohosociety/

~~~

https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=les+cousins+soho

~~~

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,CJB
Date: 15 Dec 22 - 07:07 PM

https://www.ianaanderson.com/les-cousins/

~~~~

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: GUEST,Bredda
Date: 15 Mar 23 - 09:56 PM

Still hanging on with wonderful memories. But still enjoying life. 77 ffs. We were sooo lucky. We lived in an era when music was so wonderful, everyone was full of Hope and we had so much freedom. Freedom of expression, freedom to create our lives with creativity and love and hope. For a better future. That hasn’t happened.   I’m so sorry for the kids of today. So much technology. So little hope friendship and love. Big al Whittle - John Mackenzie hope you’re well. Hope Moxy well.

Subject: RE: Remember Les Cousins, in London's Soho?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Mar 23 - 10:44 PM

you must have sold me a cup of coffee or two Bredda. are you still in London? What did you do after Cousins?