Did you ever go to the Rainbow in Finsbury Park Ponders? Everyone from Jimi Hendrix to Led Zep to the Ramones played there. It’s an Evangelical church now. And the George Robey is flats.
Back in the days when there only was one "Rainbow" in the country. Now they're ten a bastarding penny. I remember reading also about The Hammersmith Odeon being a great place for a gig. Is it still on the go?
Sadly, no. It was a bit before my time, but I certainly know of its importance as a venue. An obscene amount of talent (and Gary Glitter) performed there. Reading the list of acts is mind-blowing. Did you see anyone there?
Portsmouth Guildhall has had some good shows. And Wrasslin' on Mondays, we saw Yokozuna there once. He was massive!
Gaye Advert used to work for the Council in Hammersmith. Bumped into her a few times but I never did the whole "didn't you used to be..." bit as she seemed rather shy.
I played at The Royal Standard. Also at the 100 Club and the 2nd version of the Marquee on Charing Cross Road but so many other venues whose stages I'd graced are no longer with us. The Clarendon in Hammersmith, The Black Swan in New Cross, The George Robey in Finsbury Park, The George IV in Brixton to name but a few. I still see bands at the Town & Country Club but not been to the Brixton Academy since it closed after a couple of Terries got squished when hundreds of the Bredren tried to steam into the venue without a ticket. If you are after a bit of music nostalgia I heartily recommend Live at the Brixton Academy by Simon Parkes. He re-started music at the venue in the 80's and the book tells the stories of Yardies, the IRA and all sorts of shenanigans.
