“Rock ‘n’ Rollers did no Harm” – Manager of the Gaumont Cinema, Shepherd’s Bush in 1956

Formerly the Pavilion, the cinema at 58, Shepherd’s Bush Green reopened in 1955 as the Gaumont. ‘Rock Around the Clock’ was released a year later in the UK. The following article appeared in the West London Observer on 31st August: ‘Reports of near-riots at the Gaumont, Shepherd’s Bush, when ‘Rock Around the Clock’ was shown Continue reading


When Henry (Harry) Taylor from Greenside Road, Shepherd’s Bush, Climbed Nelson’s Column

A couple of months ago, Bill in Harrow phoned BBC Radio London to contribute to Robert Elms’ excellent ‘Notes & Queries’. He told Robert what he knew about the time his wife’s step-grandad climbed Nelson’s Column. The following article appeared in the local press on 19th April 1946: ‘People at Trafalgar Square on Saturday could Continue reading


‘So far as Shepherd’s Bush was concerned, undoubtedly from the Decorative Standpoint, the Brightest Part of the District on the Night of Coronation Day, was Askew Road’

The Coronation of King George V and Queen Mary took place on this day in 1911 at Westminster Abbey. The two following articles later appeared in the West London Observer: Here, the traders, with enthusiastic goodwill, had vied with each other to make the road as bright as possible after dark, and they succeeded. Numbers Continue reading


1960’s Shepherd’s Bush Pop Group – “John Brown’s Bodies”

The following article appeared in the Hammersmith & Bush Gazette on 10th February 1966: ‘A Hammersmith group who started practicing in a garage are now stealing the local limelight. Calling themselves the “John Brown’s Bodies,” these five Hammersmith boys plan to entertain professional audiences before the year is out. The group came into existence when Continue reading