114 thoughts on “The (Jazz) Cellar Club, Kingston Upon Thames, southwest London”

1. The Rolling Stones played at the Cellar Club on 12 September 1963

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   1. I saw the Rolling Stones at the Cellar Club. I had only heard that they were supposed to be very good from a work colleague (Bentalls) who saw them in Richmond. They arrived in an old Bedford Dormobile and looked very strange. They did not wear a uniform – pretty much compulsary for bands until then and their long hair and bad complexions made them seem to belong to a different society and culture from middle class Kingston.
      When they started I could hardly distinguish the sounds because of the high sound volume in the low roofed club. I managed to tune in by about the third number which was one of my favourite Chuck Berry songs : Jaguar and the Thunderbird. I remember that throughout the performance Keith and Bryan continually broke their strings and cursed at the poor guy who didn’t restring the guitars quickly enough for them.
      I wanted to see more of them after that but they moved on away from clubs and toured cinemas with the Everly Brothers.

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      1. I remember listening to Clapton at the Celler in Kingston in the 60s – standing room only and so steamy the walls were running with condensation. Brilliant.

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      2. I was there as well, plenty effing and blinding as I recall. Saw them at the Wooden Bridge, Guildford also. Great days.

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   2. Originally I was lead guitarist in a group called Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos. We had a hit record we recorded in 1960 when I was 16 in Abbey Road when it was know as the St Johns Wood Studio, long before the Beatles. It was called Baby Sitting. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUo3Q0Bc_i0) Such was the impact it made the charts in 1962 and other musicians wanting a piece of the pie because we were on Juke box Jury/Saturday Club came to the town. Clapton moved there, and Jimmy Page was a regular and jammed with me and the band in the Swan, a pub in Kingston. Later at St Peters Hall run by the Tuxedos’ managers. Two shysters. I was at most of those Jazz Cellar gigs when I joined another band “The Keymen” as we never got paid in the Tuxedos. We used to rehearse there and the owner Hugh O’Donnel used us many times as a warm up band. Was on with Gene Vincent and many others on that list. Great memories. Originally the Jazz Cellar was in a different place down the road beside the main post office in Eden Street . As a pro musician I have lived in Ireland since 66 and toured everywhere there. I am 75 now.

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      1. I remember a Peter Creswell at school Richmond Road ? Could you be the same one?

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   3. I WAS THERE

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2. I used to go to the Cellar Club (owned by “Dad” was his nick-name) most weekends in the early to mid 1960’s. I met lot of people and still friends with Julian (used to be in the cleakroom). Ray & Mike Piercy. Iloved the Yardbirds and Heinz (very blond!) was great too!

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   1. I worked at the Jazz Cellar Club between 1963-1965 when at College.
      It was the best music venue at that time south of London, Hughie who ran the club got most of the best Bands around including the Animals, Yardbirds & great American artists such as Gene Vincent & Gerry Lee Lewis. Missing from the lists already mentioned are Brian Poole & the Tremeloes & Freddie& the Dreamers. They were both great bands & had a big following at the club.
      One evening while I was working the iconic Dusty Springfield came to the club & Hughie was trying to arrange a gig for her, however as far as I remember she did not appear at the club. Great loss for us all!
      I was fortunate to often look after the bands needs while they were resting so got to speak with the likes of Eric Burdon, Gene Vincent & many others & get them there refreshments as well as anything else they may need while they were in between sets.
      Great days, fond memories!

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      1. Gene Vincent could down a few pints? Hugh sent me out when he was there to buy a crate of Brown Ale from the The Ram pub ? Graet venue spent most weekends there and mid week?

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   2. I knew Ray Piercy in the 50s and 60s as we were at the same primary school, but never saw him and his brother at the Cellar. I think the last I heard of him was on Friends Reunited some years ago.

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      1. I was definitely there Christine it was just my regular visits were stunted by boarding school. saw the animals the roosters Screaming lord Such the Baron Knights, and quite a few others .Shame its all gone I live in Bedfordshire now

         Ray

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         1. Found this page whilst researching clubs we went to in the 60s! Remember the Cellar (and the Island, Crawdaddy, Attic) for amazing music and acts we were lucky enough to experience. Yardbirds, Animals. Ginger Baker………………………….

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         2. I’ve only just seen this – November 2024! Still in touch with John Phelps who has mentioned your name occasionally!

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      2. Hello Christine
         Ray Piercy was most definitely at The Cellar Club, although as he says he was at Boarding School so his visits were spasmodic!
         I think that I remember you as I worked at the Club from 1963 to 1965
         whilst at College
         Still very much in touch with Ray as he is my oldest friend now, spoke to him a week or so ago.
         Have not seen him recently due to the COVID 19 but hopefully we will meet up before too long!
         Take care & stay safe!
         Julian M

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         1. I couldn’t afford to go too often and probably not after end of 65.
            Think I last bumped into Ray in a pub in Thames Ditton some years ago. Wonder if we’d recognise each other now we’re getting on a bit!

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      3. I went frequently to the Cellar Club with a few mates in the early 60s. The first few times were when it was still in the basement of a house. Then it moved to the riverside building and we continued going there for a year or two. Does anyone remember when the move to the river building happened? I remember the Stormsville Shakers, the Impalas, several gigs by the Nashville Teens. Other bands whose names I can’t remember. I do recall seeing Neil Christian and the Crusaders there. They made a big impression, not least because of their outstanding guitarist who was playing a 3-pickup Gibson Les Paul Black Beauty through a blonde Fender Tremolux amp. Brilliant sound and playing. I had a very short chat with him during the band’s break and he introduced himself as Jimmy Page. He couldn’t have been more than about 18 then. I remember Hugh well and also Bob Xavior who always seemed to be in the audience to do at song or two at Hughie’s request. I was in a band at that time but I don’t recall us ever playing at the Cellar Club although we did play a few times at the Coronation Hall and also that big old church hall venue in Kingston. It’s good reading memories of the Cellar Club here and this is a great web page. Thanks.

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         1. St Peter’s Church, Norbiton? The J&A Club in my day! (early 60s)

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   3. I knew the Piercy brothers when they lived next door to a friend in Coombe, and also Ray from Kingsnympton School days. Wonder what became of them?

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3. The owner of the Cellar Club was Hugh O’Donnell and I worked for him for some years. You will see my name mentioned among the other groups. I used to get Musicians together to play one offs. My best was getting Steve Marriott, John Entwhistle, (My favourite Bass player) and Ginger Baker to do a gig.

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   1. Hello all,

      I am part of a small group that is currently investigating doing a project to collect the fascinating stories and history of music in Kingston upon Thames in the 1950’s and 1960’s – everything from the Cellar Club to Decca Records. We are in the really early in the thought process of this project and would really like to talk to anyone who was a part of the scene at that time to help us formulate the best way to run this project. If anyone would be happy to meet up for a chat over a beer then please feel free to drop me an email at yellyellyell @ gmail . com

      Cheers!

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      1. Aniela.
         Has anyone yet mentioned to you the J&A club. It was run in a hall next to the then Liverpool Arms pub, at the north end of Kingston town just before you get to Kingston Hill. I recall it was a Friday night venue early 60s.

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         1. That was St Peter’s church hall which is still there in London Road. It started with a youth club where I remember playing the Beatles first hit single, Love Me Do, on a small (Dansette?) record player in 1962 . The J&A must have started soon afterwards.

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            1. Saw Joe Brown there too

         2. That was run by “Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos” managers when I was with them. Johny martin and Alan Taylor. Hence the J&A. They ran the Swan as well.

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         3. Yeh, saw Joe Brown there, and he’s still playing in Eastbourne (got our ticket) after virus. Hopefully.

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      2. That was run by “Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos” managers when I was with them. Johny martin and Alan Taylor. Hence the J&A. They ran the Swan as well.

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      3. Well I was certainly one of the first. Originally I was in Bobby Angelo and the Tuxedos and made my first record in Abbey road in 1960, way before the Beatles when I was 16. The record was called Baby Sitting and kicked off the Kingston music scene as it went in the charts and was a hit all over Europe . We were also featured on Juke Box Jury. As a result a lot of people came yo see us in the Swan including jimmy Page who was a friend at that time and sic months older than me . He would get up and we would jam together. He was with Neil Christian and the Crusaders at the time who also played at St Peters Hall and the Jazz cellar. Most of the record I made up on the spot as our managers J&A who run St peters Hall told us it was an audition and gave me £5 but EMI released it so they must have liked the sound. We were also on the BBC’s flagship radio program Saturday Club. Clapton in his book mentioned he moved to Kingston because the place was jumping. So many memories as a 76 year old now of those days.

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         1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUo3Q0Bc_i0

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         2. Nice to see you here Pete Cresswell , I was in the Impalas at Swan 65 – 70 .I remember you ,your Futurama 3 ,De armond foot pedal .Great player ,& I went to school with you brother Paul . All the best Keith Read .

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      4. I probably know more about the Cellar Club than most people, I was the DJ there right up to when the club was sold and became a bingo hall.

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         1. Do you remember Jerry who used to run the bar late night early morning . I used to dance all night there great times

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         2. Hi John, I remember going to the KIngston Hotel about 1969 for reggae dancing with a girlfriend at weekends, I think the venue was then known as the Appletree Club but don’t remember it being a bingo hall. Can you throw any light on my memories. Kindest regards

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            1. The Cellar Club was down the alley opposite the Police Station in high street. It was behind the old ritz cinema which was then a bingo hall. The original club was in the cellar of a house near to the old main post office.

      5. I was in a local band in the mid 60’s called the Impulse. We played at the Top Room in Eden Street and at the Kingston hotel. There were other venues but I can’t remember them.
         Gary Summers

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      6. There is a writer in Ham, who was researching the Cellar Club . I was in correspondence with him 2020.

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   2. Do you have any idea what happened to Hugh?

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      1. As far as I know Hugh left Kingston to live in the USA.

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         1. He also ran the upstairs Disco at the Crown in Morden after the Jazz Cellar

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   3. I worked with Hugh in the late 70s at the holiday inn we used to clean the kitchen I didn’t even realise who he was I was only 18/19 .then he started chauffeuring and got back on his feet properly ‘ I wish I had known more about him at the time but he was a just another fella I worked with shame .

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4. Another of my regular Saturday night ‘drop-ins’ in 64-66…best all night tranny cafe outside of the Ace! I remember one night I was playing some vinyl when a punter asked the resident jock for ‘Al Capone’ – the reply was instant – ‘We don’t play jungle bunny cr*p in here mate’………..Hugh surfaced a bit later on, fronting Hatchetts in London…nice guy, ran a good venue.

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5. Was talking the other day about the days at the Cellar, and the night I was sent out by Gene Vincent to get him a crate of Brown Ale, not sure if he drank it all but what a memorable night, Hughie O’Donnell was a real gent as well. Great Club that was, I don’t think people believe me when I tell them the bands we used to watch, your list above is magic, proof at last?
   It started in the Cellar in Ashdown Road, must be 1962. Then moved to a upstairs club in High Street backing on to the River. Probably Late 63-64?
   Great Site.

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   1. Yes you are right, it got it’s name because it was actually in the cellar of a house in Ashdown Road opposite the main post office. It transferred to the riverside site and became a bingo hall and casino in 1967.

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      1. It was behind the Odeon cinema which later became a bingo hall, not the Cellar itself which must eventually have been condemned for safety reasons.

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         1. Probably slid into the Thames on the beer!

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6. Our Rock Band used to play here between 1964 and 1966. We were either The Original Orbits or The Beat System . At the time . Had a red headed singer called Ted. Well remember Hugh O,Donnell.

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7. does anyone know what happened to Hugh O’Donnell or his son Terence?

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   1. Hi there, my name is Chris Mallet and Hugh was my uncle ( my mother’s brother ). My older sister was brought up with the Cellar Club vibe and so were we to a slightly lesser extent. We met all the bands and it was great fun. If you want to know anything more, just shout. Sadly Hugh passed away some years ago but his son Terence is still around.

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      1. Sorry to hear about Hugh, he was a real gent, and he really loved the gigs. Probably earnt a few Bob as well, worth every penny. Where di he end up. Did he go to London after The Cellar? Thanks, (Probably catch up with him soon, we’re 76 now. Great memories.

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      2. Great Era that Hugh bought a lot of joy and fun to Kingston? I’m 80 now? Amazingly!

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8. Re the Jazz Cellar
   I think you may have missed some events from your list.
   I’m sure I saw the Animals there some time early 60s. Chad Chandler was certainly there because I can recall him talking to my mother, who worked in the kitchen Saturday nights.
   There was also an evening when Screaming Lord Sutch split the seam in the rear of his silk trousers on stage a my mother did a ‘running repair’ on them.

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   1. Hi Paul,
      Dads told me lots of stories about Nanny Mary working at the Cellar Club. Hope to hear from you soon. Joanna

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   2. I’ll never forget the night we first heard the Animals sing House of the Rising Sun at the Cellar – the whole place was transfixed! I’ve just checked that the album of that name was released in October 1964 though the single probably came out first, so can’t pinpoint exactly when that night was. Still sends shivers down my spine!

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9. Hi Joanna
   Your note absolutely amazed me, and after all these years.
   Give me a call sometime on my mobile 07921 407684 a we’ll arrange to keep in touch.
   Great to hear from you and I hope all is well.
   Paul

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10. a few more dates for August 1964 taken from a flyer that is up for sale on ebay –
    5 August – The Animals plus The Plebs
    7 August – The Plebs, The Denims
    8 August – Four Plus One (Unit 4+1 ?)
    9 August – The Nite Shift (Jeff Beck ?)
    10 August – Mike Cotton Sound
    12 August – Nashville Teens

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11. Hi All,

    I played lead guitar with JoJo Gunne in the 60’s and we played Kingston Jazz Cellar many times. We played with the Nashville Teens and with Cream on I believe their first public gig.

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12. Jo Jo Gunne was a rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1971 by Jay Ferguson (keyboards, vocals and guitar) and Mark Andes (bass guitar and vocals) after they had left Spirit.
    Cream’s first gig was an unofficial performance at the Twisted Wheel Club in Manchester on 29 July 1966 before their full debut two nights later at the National Jazz and Blues Festival in Windsor.

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    1. Sorry, Terry, the original Jo Jo Gunne came from Feltham:

       http://thestrangebrew.co.uk/articles/jo-jo-gunne

       Nick Warburton

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13. I stand corrected and apologise for my ignorance and thanks for the site: http://thestrangebrew.co.uk/, I can’t wait to have a good look at it later.

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14. Jerry Lee Lewis played at the Cellar club on March 26 1964. Surprised it isn’t on the list. He was touring with Gene Vincent and the Animals but appeared at the club on his own + support band. Arrived well over an hour late and everyone was getting very agitated then suddenly walked in from back of club in camel hair coat over shoulders, enormous cigar. and went straight to the piano and played. Unforgettable evening!

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    1. Didn’t see Jerry Lee Lewis but did see Gene Vincent. Had to get him a crate brown ale from pub next door. He dramk most of it!

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15. The Animals had regular Wednesday bookings in early 1964 until they joined the Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry tours and then found international fame. The booked dates were:
    5,12,19,26 Feb. 1964
    4,11,18 March (Possibly 26 March if anyone can confirm)
    8 and 30 April
    Possibly 3 June (if anyone can confirm)
    5 August with the Plebs. The Plebs were Jerry Lee Lewis’ UK back-up band as seen on RSG and included Danny McCulloch on bass, Danny joined Eric Burdon and the Animals in September 1966.

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16. Cellar – I think was at this gig – I am sure it was Graham Bond with maybe the first time Jon Hiseman played with Dick H-S perhaps even the first show for Coliseum

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    1. Graham Bond also played at the Kingston Hotel opposite the bus station. Fondly known as punch-up night with Rock & Roll.

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17. I remember well the cellar club part of my many happy Saturday nights and having good friends to hang out with from 65 to 66 seeing all those fantastic bands

    Jean

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    1. Saturday night at the Cellar Club was an all nighter. You used to see them staggering out at six o’clock on a Sunday morning stones out of their minds.

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18. Thank you very much for your work and effort, appreciate this journey down Nostalga Road. So glad to hear about this great club again, tried many times in the past to recall this great club, seemed to have vanished in the mists of time.
    My musical awakening as a young kid The Roosters and later the Yardbirds just knocked me out. Great days thank you.
    Sincerely Alec
    Montreal. Canada.

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19. I wonder if perhaps someone here can tell me what “Kingston Hotel’ signified, as a venue in the late 1960s? I run a site chronicalling the history of the band Yes. There is conflicting information about a show they played on Dec 21 1969, listed in some sources as ‘Kingston Hotel, Sheffield’, but in others as ‘Kingston Hotel, Kingston, Surrey’. Any details appreciated!

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    1. Kingston Hotel was opposite the Bus station was hardly a prime site but lots of noise and booze etc. I think on the 1st floor. Graham Bond certainly played there around 1968. I don’t recall Yes ever being there as perhaps by then they were on the rise and gigging at the Revolution Club etc!

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       1. Yes may have not been there, but quite likely that Mable Greer’s Toyshop with “Hans Christian Anderson” might have played there. After Yes formed from MGT – Clive Bailey ex lead guitar of MGT ran discos in the Kingston Hotel.

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    2. Hi Steven

       So sorry for the very late response to this query. The Kingston & Malden Borough News throws some light on this.

       In its 19 April 1968 issue, it notes that Noel Simpson and Clive Bayley who is a member of Mabel Greer’s Toyshop, have opened the first Apple Tree Club in the Kingston Hotel (sorry don’t know address) in Kingston upon Thames. Pretty certain it was Friday (or Saturday) nights only but then from late April also did gigs on Sundays. They were largely local bands.

       However, I think they also expanded to included one in Putney (seen Apple Tree Club there) and on 17 August 1968, they opened Apple Tree Land in Staines Town Hall. Gigs here seem to be less frequent but local papers didn’t always carry every gig.

       I don’t know how long Clive was involved but there were still gigs at the Kingston Hotel into early 1970 and possibly beyond. I’ve noted down a few bands but they aren’t nationally known ones although the Downliners Sect did perform there.

       Hope that helps

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20. I grew up in Kingston and recall, as a child spending one Boxing Day in the early sixties with my family inside the Cellar Club. No music obviously. There were only 8 of us in there that day and I only recall that it was dark, and there was a stage with a drum kit which my brother had a go on . My uncle, David Harriman worked there…something to do with management perhaps? He was a shortish fella with a spivvy moustache. Does anyone remember him?

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21. Thank you all for reviving memories of that wonderful era.
    A group of us used to go to the Jazz Cellar in the 60s. I saw several bands but our main interest was the Yardbirds – I went to nearly all of their gigs. We would stand, soaked in sweat, absolutely mesmorised – particularly by Clapton. Even now his guitar playing on the Five live Yardbirds LP is astonishing – listen to Too Much Monkey Business!
    We were always crammed into the small “main hall” at the Cellar with little or no ventilation; it would no doubt be illegal these days.
    I’ve detailed below gigs I went to additional to those already listed. Also, the 11/5/64 gig of The Yardbirds is shown as not confimed – I CAN confirm it.
    1964:
    3 Feb, 10 Feb, 17 Feb, 24 Feb, 2 March, 16 March, 23 March, 13 April, 4 May, 24 Nov – all The Yardbirds.
    21 Nov Themselves
    28 Nov The Jaguars
    4 Dec Bo-Sneakers
    12 Dec The Roosters
    1965:
    2 Jan The G.T.s
    9 Jan John Smith Group
    20 Feb John Brown’s Bodies
    6 March an all-nighter session with The Rising Suns.
    3 July an all-nighter session, group not recorded by me but the film “Kong Creole” was shown in the adjoining room.

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22. I remember going to the cellar club with my uncle Jim one day . The Nashville teens where rehearsing there . My uncle worked there as a barman . I thought it was great meeting a well known band . I recently mentioned it to a friend of mine and it turns out he played there too.

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23. Hey, i’ve Been speaking to a guy called Terence O’Donnell who’s dad owned the club. If you want to know all about the history he’s got loads of stories about it. If you mail me then I can put you in touch with him.

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    1. I remember Terry well, I worked at the cellar for some time and visited Hugh’s flat in Fyfe road when Tery was young.

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    2. Hatchetts in Picadilly was a joint venture between Hugh and Don Arden, father of Sharon Osbourne, wife of Ozzy. I was DJ there a couple of times a wek.

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       1. I played at Hatchetts with my band the Impulse, regularly during 1968. We supported Tim Rose on one occasion who had The little known then John Bonham on drums who went on to join Led Zeppelin

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    3. Hi Mark, I would very much like to know more about the Cellar club for a project I’m researching on the Kingston music scene …,
       Many thanks,
       Paul

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    4. I remembered Terry as a youngster. I visited their flat in Fyfe road when I worked as a DJ at the cellar. I sometimes drove Hugh up to the west end where we used to have a drink with Paul and Barry Ryan, along with their father Fred

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24. Hi Nick

    Found one more gig.

    Wednesday, 15 January 1964 – The Shifters
    This was an audition.

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25. I have some photos of when I played at the Cellar ( Pieces of 4 ) but I later I joined one of Kingston’s top groups – ” The Impalas ” Who did the Cellar & the J&A .Tony Claiden played guitar like Eddie Cochran ( Jimmy Page was a fan of his ) he could sing like Elvis . The Impalas were well respected but unambitious & turned down offers from some top USA producers. Their main venue was Sunday nights at the Swan ,Mill St ,Kingston 60’s & 70’s

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    1. My brother in law is Tony Claiden.

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       1. Just heard the sad news today that Tony has passed away.
          He was great. I last saw him sing/play in the early nineties on a Monday night at the Western Rooms, Archway, N. London. He shared the stage with Sonny West (of Sonny West & the Rythym Kings).
          Condolences to Lorraine and the rest of the family.

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26. One of my school-friends was married to Terry Crowe, the Plebs’ singer.
    I still see her regularly. Another band member was Mickey Dunford who went on to considerable success with Renaissance. Both sadly no longer with us.

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27. Hi Nick

    On the Thursday, March 29, 1964 gig The Paramounts also played.

    Cheers

    John

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28. I was at the Rolling Stones gig in 63 and have an image of the manager on the stage at the end saying something like ‘that was a great night, come back next week and we’ve got a group from Newcastle called … er, the animals ‘ and me thinking … what a dumb name.

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29. The 17 th of April date with Screaming Lord Sutch had Jimmy Page on guitar. Reading that I played with a few of those bands as I was always on call to dep’. Neil Langdon for one when I was asked to stand in for Noel Redding who was their guitarist then before he got the job with Hendrix on bass. Please check for spellings on the original post as if there is an edit I cannot find it.

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30. Hi Nick

    I found two more gigs for 1963.

    Saturday 7 September 1963 – Alex and the Blues Strangers

    Sunday, 8 September 1963 – Screaming Lord Such and the Savages

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31. As a mod I remember my first allnighter was at the cellar don’t know what band was playing I seem to remember some records being played to many pills so cant remember much except it was a regular venue after that night and spent many a Sunday morning watching the sun rise over the river after dancing or talking the night away. This was a too smooth to move venue and remembered with a fondness and would love to experience it all over again. It is a great shame that the simple type of venue no longer exists.

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32. I went to loads of the gigs mentioned including Screaming Lord Sutch who arrived on stage in a coffin. Pretty sure John Lee Hooker played there as he signed some albums for me. Might be wrong. Memory is a little hazy.
    We used to drink in the nearby Morning Star ( Apple Market ) or the Crown
    and then one in The Ram, just in front of The Cellar before climbing up the steps to the club..
    Swan in Mill Street mentioned was another popular place. Lots of Trad in those days. Clapton used to busk on the wall by the river there as well as playing in the interval.
    Kingston was a great place in the 60s/70s with Tolworth ( Toby Jug) Richmond ( The Station ) or Twickenham ( Eel Pie) just a bus ride away. All had great venues for live music.
    Still see friends from those happy days.

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    1. This is an amazing trip down memory lane. My father was the licensee of the Morning Star and from 1964 (age 18) I often helped out behind the bar.
       How lucky we were to have the Cellar Club in Kingston and how great was Hugh. I was there the first night the Animals played and I think every time the Stones were there.
       Fabulous memories.
       Thanks to all the people that have put this site together.

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33. Ah yes Eel Pie Island! What a fab’ venue in an old barn like property. Many (now very famous) bands played at that time, including Rod “The Mod” Stewart with Long John Baldrey and The Steam Packet. I recall all manner of strange clothing worn at that time, with lots of ex policeman’s capes done up with lion head chain clasps (well we used to sell them in our shop in KoT). I recall you could either pay a little old lady on the bridge to go across I think she you to say “It’s a penny dear”. Or you could take your chances by rowing across (after coming out of the local ale house)… Those were the days!

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    1. I am a friend of Geoff, we met first when I was working at The Jazz Cellar In Kingston on Thames 1963-1965. We have been friends since those days.
       I recall my nights on Eel Pie Island & the penny to cross the bridge which was to help maintain it from falling into the river Thames below.
       It was eventually bought by Mr Snapper who had businesses in Kingston & elsewhere, my Dad knew him well, he was a successful businessman & I remember visiting his house on Kingston Hill near to an entrance to Richmond Park.
       It was on the Island that I first saw The Stones, they performed there before they had cut their first records & were simply terrific!
       I believe that they were there for many months I certainly saw them regularly for a long time I think it was Monday nights although the memory plays tricks. I remember the ginger beer as they had no License, we used to go back to the mainland “Twickers” to a nearby Pub for a Pint! in the interval.
       There where many other bands who performed however as I was really only interested in The Stones I cannot recall the names now.
       I think I also saw them at the Wooden Bridge Guildford & possibly the Crawdaddy in Richmond at the Athletics Ground, & of course one night they played The Cellar Club in Kingston when I was working there.
       My other recollection is when I saw the great Jimi Hendrix which I am sure was at the Cafe des Artistes in Fulham. I believe that he first performed at the “The Scotch at St James” club in Mason’s Yard near Jermyn Street Mayfair, when he first came to London from the USA after he left the Army. Perhaps someone can confirm this for me, as the memory plays tricks over the years. Wherever it was he was quite amazing & certainly never to be forgotten, just sad that he died so young!
       Living through those days were the best & never to be replaced again. Very lucky to have been there & seen it all!

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       1. You can find your answer in the following book:
          JIMI HENDRIX – 50 Years On: The Truth (Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll – I WAS THERE) by Rod Harrod , Terry Ellis,

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          1. Thanks Terry for the info
             Cannot find a copy of the book you quote, so could you tell us all who are interested the answers to my recollections.
             I am sure we would really like to know!

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             1. I believe that the Base player from “The Animals” Chas Chandler managed Jimi Hendrix & brought him to UK & first Gig was at the”Scotch at St James” club in Masons Yard off of Jermyn Street W1 If anyone knows different please post your info

       2. There was a Cafe des Artistes in Richmond

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34. The Kingston & Malden Borough News ran an article on the club’s closure which was published in its 9 December 1966 issue on page 4 with the headline: “Cellar club ‘killed by drugs’ is sold to bingo syndicate”

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35. Used to be one of the singers with the group the PROTEST we played all round Kingston at the jazz cellar, three fishes, surbiton assembly rooms, search light in New malden. Have some great memories of them times.

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    1. Hi there

       Do you have any old posters of these venues?

       Nick

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    2. Hi Roy !
       I was your drummer !
       Still actively involved in music, but playing keyboards these days.
       I’d love to get in touch. Find me on facebook…

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36. Anyone remember if Freddie Fingers Lee was the piano player with Screaming Lord Sutch when at the Cellar? I met him in Hamburg later when we were a support band to him in the Star Club about 1968/9. Wonderful stories about Sutch and stabbing members of the band on stage as part of the act.
    Mark

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37. Hi,
    Thanks to John Warburg for the email reminder. What a difference to compare the music, the venues and the type of people to those of the Cellar Club days. l lived in New Malden (at Sandal Cottage in Sandal Road) at the time. I met Julian, Ray & his brother Mike and I think Spencer as well at the now legendary venue. I’ve lived in Brighton for over 40 years now and we have (had) some fantastic venues as The Zap Club, Concord, The Green Door etc. not including the raft of discos. I go to (pre-lockdown) the Brunswick on Tuesdays for the jamming cont…

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    1. and The Neptune on the weekends for the live rock bands. I’m very sad to note that not all of them are very good, but hey I’m biased and a very spoilt but also a very lucky person to be able to compare the bands we all saw on stage at what we thought was a grubby run-down venue in those days! Eat you heart out Fat Boy Slim! (no offence). So Viva the Cellar Club!

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       1. Thanks Geoff for reminding us once again of that incredible period during the 1960’s, especially the first years when surely the best bands were performing in Clubs like “ The Jazz Cellar” in Kingston-on Thames
          The variety of Bands like The Animals, Yardbirds, Nashville Teens, Brian Poole & The Tremeloes, Freddie & The Dreamers, Rolling Stones, & I could go on & on.
          To be able to see & hear those great British Bands all performing at “The Cellar” for a few pounds entrance was quite amazing, and there is no period since then when that has been possible! Let’s also not forget that Hughie brought some of the great American Artists like Gene Vincent & Jerry Lee Lewes to the Club as well !
          Sure there have been other clubs but none to offer such pure delight for the young person to experience & surely it will never be repeated again!
          For those of us that were lucky enough to live through those times let’s say a big thank you to people like Hugh O’Donnell who ran the Club during those incredible few years & without his foresight surely it would never have happened !

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          1. Oh you’re so right on Julian. We were all so incredibly lucky as post-war Baby Boomers!
             PS I think I saw Heinz (If I had a hammer) there, yes?

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38. I remember going the Cellar Club with some friends in 1964.
    The opening act was Davey Sands and The Essex, followed by Carl Perkins, and then an excellent band called The Quotations, who had a superb lead guitarist.

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39. Really good memories of the jazz cellar I was a regular there from 62
    till I got married in March 66 great times saw nearly all the above mentioned groups chatted with Dusty Springfield the night she was there and several other singers or band members , No egos in those days .
    I also hardly missed a Friday night at the J n A used to have our regular spot
    At the front left hand side and our regular chairs which were along the walls either side but most of the night we would stand or dance the place was packed solid then in the break next door to the pub for a black velvet . Also went to the Coronation Hall the Searchlight the RAF camp Chessington also Chessington Youth club and a venue in Esher
    In part of a school of which the name escapes me but all had some
    good groups or music, fantastic memories thank you all.

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40. I was there for the Steampacket show with Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, Brian Auger Trinity and Julie Driscoll – great night, used to go every Saturday night but this night and the Small Faces stick in my mind the most – Happy Days and no drugs for me 😍

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41. Monday 6th June 2022 – 16.18
    My name is Colin Stoddart, lead guitarist of The Candles. I have entered in my diary that we performed at the Cellar Club on 26 February 1966, and were paid £20.

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42. Hello, I am the primary researcher on Brigitte Bond and I am hoping to connect with anyone who was present on the night of her gig on 20 March 1964. If you were there or saw Brigitte perform at any other venue during 1963-1966 (including her striptease acts in Soho), I would love to chat with you.

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43. High fellow Baby Boomers!

    I used to frequent the Cellar Club in KoT during the 1960’s. My friend Jullien Moss-Tyrell was on the coats (no hat check girl!). I got to know him, and we’ve been good friends ever since! I’d wish I had kept all the flyers, worth a fortune now I would think. We also frequented Isle Pie Island on a Sunday evening.

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44. I’d completely forgotten finding this website years ago! Must make a note of the web address for future ref having almost repeated some things I’d already posted. Thanks to all those responsible for keeping the nostalgia alive and kicking!

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