An exceptional day in the company of Nigel Kemp, a great friend for almost forty-five years, as we toured central London on foot visiting famous music related landmarks. 9am saw us arrive at Abbey Road and our very special thanks to Fiona Gillott and Abi Duncan for the opportunity to appreciate Studios 1 and 2 and to have a coffee in the superb canteen. Always a treat and a special moment for Nigel as he has been a Beatles fanatic all his life.
We then walked to Cavendish Avenue and noted the London home of Paul McCartney since 1965, plus the plaque that marks the former home of another legendary Liverpudlian, Billy Fury.
A quick journey on the Jubilee Line from St John’s Wood to Bond Street meant we could then visit the stunning Handel Hendrix House, which offers the chance to take in the homes of two of the greatest musicians ever to have lived in London. Namely, George Handel who lived at 25 Brook Street from 1723 until his death in 1759, while in 1968, Jimi Hendrix lived in an adjoining flat at number 23.
Nigel and I then strolled to Heddon Street and the site of the Ziggy Stardust cover photo shoot, whilst also noting a ‘Blow Up’ film location in Regent Street.
Then into Soho, and firstly the location of Murray’s Club in Beak Street, notorious for its connection with the Profumo affair in the early 1960s. A leisurely lunch at Mele e Pere in Brewer Street followed.
Amongst the many places we passed during the afternoon:
- Mark Powell’s tailoring outlet in Newburgh St, Carnaby
- Wardour Street, former home to the British film industry and the world-famous Marquee
- St Anne’s Court and the site of Trident Studios (where The Beatles recorded Hey Jude)
- Ronnie Scott’s ‘Old Place’, Gerrard Street, Chinatown
- The 2i’s Coffee Bar in Old Compton Street, launch pad for skiffle in the 1950s
- Frith Street, with the plaque above Bar Italia marking where John Logie Baird first demonstrated television
- The Pizza Express jazz venue in Dean Street
- Soho Square and McCartney’s publishing premises (MPL Communications)
- The entrance to the now closed Borderline venue in Manette Street
- Denmark Street: Regent Sound Studios and, at no. 6, where the Sex Pistols were based in the mid 1970s.
- The basement in Bunjies at 27 Litchfield Street, off Charing Cross Road. Still a fascinating coffee shop. (Pictured in main photo)
- Neal St: site of The Roxy Club, a punk venue where numerous major names played in 1977.
- Princess Louise in Holborn, a crucial home for British folk music after World War II
Thanks to everyone we met. A terrific few hours.
