The following article appeared in the Press on 28th February 1964: ‘Two Kensington men are forming a Rhythm & Blues Club in the Portobello Road this Saturday. They are John Scott, of Lancaster Square, and Robert Freedman of Kensington Park Road. The Club, in St. Peter’s Hall, has been named the “Gate Blues Club” and Continue reading
Category: West London
When a Whirlwind Hit West London in 1954
‘On the evening of 8th December 1954, just before darkness fell, a violent gale, described as a “minor tornado” struck across West and North-West London, doing great damage to property and causing a number of casualties, none, however, fatal.’ The West London Observer and various other newspapers later reported on the incident: ‘Mr William Mudge, Continue reading
Miles Syndercombe’s Cottage on Shepherd’s Bush Green & the Plot to Assassinate Oliver Cromwell
The following article appeared in the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald on 19th April 1890: ‘The old-thatched cottage on Shepherd’s-bush-green standing on the premises once belonging to an ancient inn, where all the travellers in days gone by, used to stop in their journey to and from the west of England and the metropolis, is about Continue reading
Frank Sinatra’s Charity Performances at the Gaumont Cinema, Hammersmith
At the end of May 1962, Frank Sinatra’s private aircraft, ‘The Christina’, landed at Heathrow Airport. He brought his own band with him, which included his long-time pianist, Bill Miller, plus Emil Richards, Ralph Pena, Irving Cottler, Harry Klee and guitarist Al Viola. Frank firstly appeared at the Royal Festival Hall on 1st June. The midnight performance was for the Invalid Children’s Aid Association. The following (partial) report was written by Continue reading
The Blue Jeans’ Skiffle Group
The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 17th May 1957: ‘Further news of ‘The Blue Jeans’ Skiffle group – the boys, under leader George Plummer, of Shepherd’s Bush, who have been providing musical entertainment at the Classic cinema during the past fortnight: They now possess a silver cup. They won it on Tuesday evening at an Continue reading
The Fox & Goose Hotel, Hanger Lane, London W5
One of the reasons I’ve been meaning to visit ‘The Fox & Goose’ is because ‘The Who’ performed there in 1963 as ‘The Detours’. They made their one and only appearance there on Friday 11th January. I came across the website shown below, which revealed that there was a Jazz Club there in the 1950’s. Continue reading
The Rose & Crown, Church Place, St. Mary’s Road, South Ealing, London W5
As is usually the case, when my mate Bill Burnett from Edinburgh is down for a Rangers home game we arrange to meet-up post-match in a pub. Our latest rendezvous was the Rose & Crown in South Ealing, the day after the 1-1 draw with Norwich City. The pub is tucked away close to a magnificent grade 11 listed church, St. Mary’s. It is Continue reading
Celebrating the 1953 Coronation & the Queen’s Drive through West London
The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 29th May 1953: ‘Hammersmith’s old age pensioners and blind folk who have had their names registered at the Town Hall are to receive souvenir caskets containing 11lb. of tea and a free ticket for a special film show. The ticket will entitle them to see the Continue reading
The Sounds of West London: No.5 – ‘Notting Hill’ or ‘The Dodger’s Lament for his Lost Love’
This Music Hall song was written by J. B. Geoghegan during the 1860’s and performed by Harry Liston: ‘Oh! I loved her & I love her still, And her absence I bewail, They caught her picking pockets in a bus at Notting Hill, And carried her to Newgate Gaol’ (The above illustration was by popular Continue reading
Askew Road – ‘Once Upon a Time it was a Quiet Village Street’
The following article was written by Richard Wells and appeared in the local Gazette on 15th July 1971: ‘Askew Road…the busy, bustling shopping area which belongs neither to Hammersmith or Shepherd’s Bush, was once a quiet “village street” type shopping centre with a pond at the far end. It is one of the few North/South Continue reading