Going to London in August. Would like info on walking tours taking in Clash sites ... or, better yet, if somebody could give me an idea of a few "haunts," ... even design their own tour for me ... it would be greatly appreciated. Pictures would be forthcoming; many ales would be consummed in your honor and toasts consummated!
Thanks from Canada,
Jeff
Hi Jeff. I'd suggest you get hold of a copy of Pat Gilbert's brilliant "Passion is a Fahion" (which I'm currently reading for the 6th time). It includes an excellent Clash map of London highlighting many of the key sites. If you can't get hold of one, I'd suggest the Stables Market (Part of Camden Market) on Chalk Farm Rd. Northern Line, Camden Town tube station, turn right out of the station go past the Elctric Ballroom (Site of auditions for Clash Mk II), cross over C F Rd and keep going till you get to the Stables gates. Almost directly in front is a shop selling trendy cyber punk wear plus gadgety electronic stuff. Don't be put off. This building used to house Rehearsals. Diagonally opposite back towards the gate is a huge cavernous bar called the Cuban. To the left of the doorway is a staircase which used to be the ramp where Joe, Mick and Paul posed for Kate Simon's iconic first album cover shot. The Cuban itself used to also be rehearsal space for the Clash from around '82 till the end. It's not a bad place for a beer and something to eat (albeit a little pricey). The market always used to be a good place for picking up Clash/ BAD /Meskies bootlegs too though that may not still be the case. Carry on down the road and you come to the famous Roundhouse. Mick used to go there a lot pre Clash and it was the venue for Keith Levine's last gig with 'em in '76. On the opposite side of the road and back towards the station is The Caernarvon Castle (Apologies for spelling?) a popular haunt of the band in the early days.
Back on the tube, find the Hammersmith & City line and head for Ladbroke Grove. Cross the road and turn right and 50 - 80 yards up is the Elgin pub. One of Joe's favourite boozers and where the 101ers made their name. Back on the Grove and staying on that side, head back past the station and turn into right Thorpe Close. Above you is the Westway. Carry on for about 100 yards and you come to another pub, the Inn on the Green. This was the venue of Carbon/Silicon's legendary Carbon Casino residancy in Jan/Feb '08 and the launch of the Strummer tribute project,Shatter the Hotel in Feb '10. A great pub with good food at affordable prices. Turn right out of the pub and you'll find yourself in Portobello Market (Great on a Friday or Saturday). After a look around the market go back under the Westway and railway bridge and head up Portobello Rd. There's loads to see up there and loads of pubs to have a pint (Or two?) in.
I'll be back later to give you some more locations but have to go to work now. Hope this has been of some use to you. There is quite a lot to come, believe me.
All the best.
From
Zydeco,
Thanks for that! Going to get the book but also follow your guidlines. Will drink a toast (or three) in your honour!
jeff
Jeff, there'll be some more to come, probably tomorrow.
Keep the campfire burning,
Z K (From the highrise).
As promised, here we go with a bit more Clash info.
I forgot to say before you head up under the Westway and railway bridge face the opposite direction and walk up about 100 (ish?) yards. Still on P/bello Rd you'll be very near where Don Letts was photographed by Rocco McCauley walking towards a line of cops (1976). you will, no doubt, recall the image from the front of Blackmarket Clash. If you carry on in this direction you'll arrive at the Fat Badger pub. Though the pub has no obvious Clash association, if you look right you'll see the Trellick Tower, an image of which is in Paul Simonon's cover painting for BAD's Tighten Up Volume 88 album.
Heading back up towards and eventually under the 2 bridges keep on till you reach Tesco's (I think), on the left. You should be at Lancaster Road. Walk up L/caster Rd and on the right you'll come to #35. Last time I was there it was painted dark blue. This is the first housse Joe owned and where he lived with Gaby from the early 80's for some years. It was where Joe fought along side Chris Salewicz with a gang of sticksmen who tried to "steam in" and rob the place.
More to come later, including Basing St Studios, All Saints Rd and the Earl of Lonsdale pub and if I can find me A-Z a few more.
All the best,
ZK
Hi again Jeff. Almost forgot about Basing St Studios. The site of the recording of Give 'em Enough Rope in '78 it is situated around 60 yards down from #35 L/caster Rd. You pass it en route to Joe's old house. It was also where Bob Marley recorded Exodus in '77 and where the first Band Aid single was recorded in '84. Micks heros Mott the Hoople also recorded here in the early 70's. Opposite #35 is All Saint's Rd immortalised in the BAD song The Battle of All Saint's Rd.
Now head back down towards P/bello Rd. Not really of much interest, I believe there was once a flat (appartment) above Tesco's which Joe once considered buying or renting (Not sure which). Anyway, Back up P/bello Rd towards Notting Hill Gate, you'll pass several pubs mainly on the right. Names escape me but Joe apparently used to frequent several of these. Carrying on up to N H Gate, on the left, you will come to a pub called the Earl of Lonsdale which is where I believe Mick met Paul for the second time and asked him to join his band (The London SS). Generally speaking, the whole of that Notting Hill/Ladbroke Grove area figures pretty large in the myth/legend of the Clash.
When you get to Notting Hill Gate tube, get on an eastbound train to Oxford Circus. Head for Wardour St. When you get to the Oxford St end of Wardour St, heading south on the right you come to a pub called the Ship Inn. This is where Bernie Rhodes claimed he must have complete control, much to all present's amusement and giving Mick & Joe the title for their next single. Soho Square is the site of CBS's old UK HQ. Not sure if Sony took them over or not and I don't know which building it was either. Back on the tube, head for the Victoria Line and Pimlico. When you get there make for Causton St. This is where Vanilla Studios used to be and where the band worked up the album that became the legendary London Calling. Sadly, the building was demolished some years ago, so you'll only be looking at buildings situated where Vanilla once stood.
I hope my notes have been useful. Have a great time. Don't feel obliged to have a pint in every pub. Drinking in the UK is an expensive hobby. If you want to contact me while you're in London and want to meet up feel free to contact me through this site. I've not been up to London since February and, work permitting would'nt mind havin' a mooch about. Anyway we'll see.
So once again, keep the campfire burning.
All the best,
ZK
Forgot to mention Acklam Hall where the Clash played 2 low key dates Xmas & Boxing day '79. I'm assuming it's still ther. If so, when at the P/bello/Acklam Rd intersection looking up towards Notting Hill Gate, turn to your leftand go on for around 100 yards or so.
Hi Jeff, just remembered, you should check www.theclash.org.uk . An old school friend of Micks, Don J Whistance, put it togother some time back. Clearly a labour of love, for history, news etc on the clash, I've not seen a better site. BTW Don is the guy who put the map together that I spoke of earlier.
Hope you find it useful.
All the best,
ZK.
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