(Last Tues. of every month)
The 100 Club originally called The Feldman Swing Club attained legendary
status
in modern British music, having played host to live music since
24 October 1942. The venue was a restaurant called Macks, which
was hired out every Sunday evening by Robert Feldman to host a
jazz club featuring swing music. The club was popular with
working people and American GI's, who introduced jitterbug to
the club, banned at most other music venues. It was eventually
taken over by Humphrey Lyttelton’s manager.
Following
involvement in the Trad boom, and the
UK
beat scene, the club became famous during the punk years.
In September 1976 the 100 Club played host to the first
International Punk Festival, an event which helped to push the
then new punk rock movement from the underground into the
cultural and musical mainstream. Under the promotion of Ron
Watts it became a regular venue for original punk bands and
several live albums were recorded at the club, including one by
the Sex Pistols.
The Rolling Stones
played a secret show there in May 1982 as a warm-up for their
European tour, and returned again in February 1986 to play a
tribute show for their recently deceased pianist Ian Stewart.
Other nights would see a range of old-school jazz,
rhythm‘n’blues and soul groups on the famous stage. The 100 Club
has also been the home to the world longest running Northern
Soul all-nighters for the last 31 years.
Today, the
decor remains unchanged since the ‘70s, although punk bands no
longer appear there regularly. Instead there is a busy programme
often booked up many months in advance. Occasionally, big-name
touring bands will play "secret" or low-key unadvertised gigs
there, relying on word of mouth to fill the venue. On 10 June
2007 George Melly, whose association with the 100 Club goes back
to the days when he performed there with Lyttelton, gave his
last ever public performance. In September 2010, it was
announced that the 100 Club would close at the end of 2010 owing
to continuing losses. A campaign was launched to keep the venue
open, supported by musicians including Paul McCartney and in
February 2011 a partnership with Converse was arranged, enabling
the 100 Club to remain open.
Promoter STEPHEN STANLEY from SOLID ENTERTAINMENTS
is now presenting
LONDON
100 CLUB TUESDAY BLUES, an ongoing series of regular Blues
concerts on the last Tuesday of every month. The public response
so far has been great and Stephen believes in these difficult
economic times, showcasing legendary names side by side with
guest acts and up and coming Blues artists, in a great 'value
for money' showcase concert, is the key to making the monthly
blues event a success.
Shows have included Stan Webb’s Chicken Shack, King King, Larry
Miller and Connie Lush & Blues Shouter.
For tickets go to
CLICK HERE