ART & CULTURE
London’s Rockin’ History London’s streets are heaving with rock history, from studios where The Beatles recorded, the former homes of Jimi Hendrix, to sites where famous album covers were born. So, dust off your walking boots and search the city for all that rock ‘n’ roll has left behind.
Abbey Road Studios making the city his permanent home. His The Beatles have churned out some of girlfriend Kathy Etchingham obtained the the most iconic album covers in history, flat on the top two floors of 23 Brook but perhaps none more so than their Street for his arrival, priced at £30 a week. Abbey Road cover. The album was the The pair even reportedly shopped at the penultimate – but last to be recorded – John Lewis on Oxford Street for house musical contribution from the foursome, furnishings. For the next three months, which was made in a bid to mend the Hendrix used the base to write new cracks in the bands’ relationship. songs, give interviews, rehearse and host celebrity guests who crashed on their During the recording sessions, the work- camp bed. The flat, along with number 25, ing title of the album wasn’t Abbey Road. It was Everest; the name of engineer which belonged to baroque composer Geoff Emerick’s favourite cigarettes. The Macmillan behind the camera. It took George Fredric Handel, was given a grant original plan meant the band renting a pri- roughly 10 minutes. The album was a hit from the Heritage Lottery Fund and vate jet and flying to the Himalayas to and the Himalayas were nowhere to be opened as a museum in 2016 commemo- shoot the cover photo. EMI wanted the seen. Abbey Road Studios today is still a rating the two artists. 23 Brook Street, album fast and the group was running on working studio and not open to the public Mayfair, W1K. empty, so they decided to forego all the but you can recreate the album cover at rigmarole for a simpler concept. John, Paul, 3 Abbey Road, NW8. 34 Montagu Square Ringo and George stepped outside of the Yet another rock and roll shrine linked to studio on August 8 1969, around 23 Brook Street The Beatles, is this flat in Marylebone. 11:30am, stopped traffic and strolled Jimi Hendrix returned to London in the Ringo Starr had moved in with his new across the zebra crossing with Iain summer of 1968 with the intention of wife Maureen in 1965, but it was also
12 FOCUS The Magazine January/February 2018 www.focus-info.org ART & CULTURE
“Formerly a residential road, it was coined ‘Britain’s Tin Pan Alley’ when several music publishers moved in and set up shop.”
where John Lennon first resided with Yoko many greats came and went, on to bigger Ono. Their Two Virgins album cover, where and better things. Most of its rich history they were fully naked, was shot in the is now just a faint echo due to the street basement. During their tenancy, the police Cannon, who designed the album sleeve. being more gentrified, however some raided the flat for all sorts of drugs. Starr Berwick Street, Soho, W1F. record stores still remain. Denmark Street, later rented it to Jimi Hendrix but he was WC2H. evicted for trashing the place. Paul Denmark Street McCartney recorded a demo of “Eleanor Formerly a residential road, it was coined The Marquee Club Rigby” in a temporary studio here in ‘Britain’s Tin Pan Alley’ when several music The original site is now home to the 1966. Maybe being their neighbours publishers moved in and set up shop. The Mezzo Bar, but before this, for 30 years, it wouldn’t have been so exciting after all. Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Kinks and was one of London’s principal rock ven- 34 Montagu Square, Marylebone, W1H. Donovan recorded in studios on the ues. Acts such as The Who, Pink Floyd, Led street. The likes of the Small Faces so- Zeppelin, David Bowie, The Clash, The 12 Curzon Place cialised in the Gioconda café at No.9. Cure, Queen, The Faces, The Police and Flat 9 was the home of “Everybody’s Elton John wrote “Your Song” here. The Fleetwood Mac – pre Stevie Nicks and Talkin’” singer Harry Nilsson, but also the Sex Pistols lived above No.6 and Lindsey Buckingham – all performed for a unfortunate dwelling where The Mamas & recorded their first demos in the flat. packed crowd at this intimate club. It’s also The Papas singer Cass Elliot was found Adele and Jeff Buckley performed in a the venue where The Rolling Stones per- dead, allegedly from a heart attack, in basement club during their early years. So formed their very first gig in 1962, open- 1974 and where The Who’s Keith Moon overdosed on pills in 1978. Perhaps they should change the name to Cursed Place. 12 Curzon Place, Mayfair, W1J. Berwick Street This Soho street was the subject of Oasis’ 1995 (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? album cover. It was known for its ample record stores, rich diversity, eccentric wa- tering holes and kitsch drug paraphernalia. Over 20 years on, the street hasn’t quite got the same energy, but remnants of its heyday still linger. If you ever wondered who the two blurry guys are on the cover, it’s not Liam and Noel Gallagher, but BBC Radio Kent’s DJ Sean Rowley and Brian
www.focus-info.org FOCUS The Magazine 13 ART & CULTURE ing for Long John Baldry. The club, which had moved to several locations across London, finally closed its doors in 2008, but the Wardour Street site has an English Heritage plaque outside, dedicated to Keith Moon. Wardour Street, W1F. 23 Heddon Street Many Bowie fans have made the voyage to No. 23, just off Regent Street. It is where the cover was shot for Bowie’s an idea. In keeping with the theme of the album The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust album, a 30ft flying pig was made by And The Spiders Of Mars. It was taken on German and Austrian designers to float a rainy night in January 1972 and has since between the two chimneys. However, the been recreated countless times by enthu- execution failed and the helium-inflated siasts of the prolific artist. In 2012, a black pig flew off and landed in Kent. The band plaque was unveiled, dedicated to the had to settle for superimposing it on the 40th anniversary of the cover. 23 Heddon final cover. Never work with children or Street, W1B. animals, even if it is a balloon animal. U2. The band supported Jools Holland Battersea Power Station, 188 Kirtling one night in December 1979 and the only Battersea Power Station Street, SW8. audience members were a man and his The already famous building has an addi- dog. The man left, the dog left and the end tional meaning for Pink Floyd fans. It is fea- The Hope and Anchor result was a private U2 show for Jools tured on the cover of the band’s 1977 This pub in Islington has hosted Dr. Holland and a private Jools Holland show album Animals. Driving by the power sta- Feelgood, The Stranglers, The Cure and for U2. The Hope and Anchor, 207 Upper tion on a regular basis gave Roger Waters Joy Division, but its most infamous gig was Street, N1.
Hayley Harrison is a freelance writer and fashion intern and can be reached at www.hrharrison.com
Candidates are carefully vetted by us and matched to your specific requirements. We Let Greycoat Lumleys won’t charge you a fee unless we find someone for you. No find the very best staff obligation client home visits to for your home discuss your recruitment needs. and your family Dinner Party Chefs Christmas Day Cooks Waiting Staff Housekeepers Couples Nannies Chefs & Cooks Chauffeurs Maternity Nurses Gardeners Nanny/Housekeepers PA’s
+44 (0)20 7233 9950 [email protected] www.greycoatlumleys.co.uk Don’t forget to mention Focus for 10% discount on our fees
14 FOCUS The Magazine January/February 2018 www.focus-info.org