The first one began life on Beach Rd as the Cellar Jazz Club and the River City Jazzmen played there as did Johnny Dankworth and Cleo Laine. However, it was after the club moved to the other side of Fowler St and opened in Thomas St as the New Cellar Club that it achieved its legendary status when the Jimi Hendrix Experience, at the behest of their manager, Chas Chandler, appeared there on Feb. 1, 1967.
I wasn't there and its quite probable that half of the people who said they were there weren't there either - it wasn't that big and nor was it in a cellar!
Many other major rock and blues bands of the 1960s played there including Cream, Paul Jones, Soft Machine, Long John Baldry and many others.
It later became a disco and changed its name to the Chelsea Cat before becoming what it is today - a cosmetic dental surgery (see photo), Still, in honour of the many bands both local, famous and infamous who cut their teeth there it should be given its due recognition in the time-honoured manner. Lance
1 comment :
In between the Chelsea Cat and its current occupant, there was a relatively short period when the premises once again operated as the Cellar Club. Many rock and blues names appeared there, including a revitalised Peter Green (two sold out performances). And the jazz world got in on the act with gigs by some of Tyneside's many bands, including the West Jesmond Rhythm Kings and national/international names, notably Cleo Laine.
Post a Comment