Speakeasy Club
Encyclopedia
The Speakeasy Club, 48 Margaret Street, London
, England
, was a late-night haunt for the music industry from 1966 to the late 1970s. The club was first managed Roy Flynn, who then became the manager of Yes
. Tony Howard then became manager, having previously been the main artist booker from The Bryan Morrison Agency and NEMS
, Howard also managed Marc Bolan
& T. Rex
. Later management was taken up by Laurie O'Leary (a lifelong friend of the Kray twins
). Throughout the life of the club, there was also Jim Carter Fea, working on the day to night management too. Known in the business as "The Speak", it included a restaurant and music room.
The club took its name and theme from the speakeasies of the American Prohibition era, but in 1967 it changed its theme to an India
n pavilion
.
Since the club was frequented by record industry and artist agency executives it attracted bands who played for low fees in the hope of being spotted and who would form the basis of the emerging British rock scene as well as international touring bands.
The Who
refer to the club in their song "Speakeasy" ("Speakeasy, drink easy, pull easy") from the album The Who Sell Out
(1967), as does Elvis Costello
in his song "London's Brilliant Parade" from the album Brutal Youth
(1994).
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, was a late-night haunt for the music industry from 1966 to the late 1970s. The club was first managed Roy Flynn, who then became the manager of Yes
Yes (band)
Yes are an English rock band who achieved worldwide success with their progressive, art, and symphonic style of rock music. Regarded as one of the pioneers of the progressive genre, Yes are known for their lengthy songs, mystical lyrics, elaborate album art, and live stage sets...
. Tony Howard then became manager, having previously been the main artist booker from The Bryan Morrison Agency and NEMS
NEMS
NEMS may refer to;* Nanoelectromechanical systems* National Energy Modeling System* Nems * NEMS Enterprises , based in Argentina...
, Howard also managed Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan
Marc Bolan was an English singer-songwriter, guitarist and poet. He is best known as the founder, frontman, lead singer & guitarist for T. Rex, but also a successful solo artist...
& T. Rex
T. Rex (band)
T. Rex were a British rock band, formed in 1967 by singer/songwriter and guitarist Marc Bolan. The band formed as Tyrannosaurus Rex, releasing four folk albums under the name...
. Later management was taken up by Laurie O'Leary (a lifelong friend of the Kray twins
Kray twins
Reginald "Reggie" Kray and his twin brother Ronald "Ronnie" Kray were the foremost perpetrators of organised crime in London's East End during the 1950s and 1960s...
). Throughout the life of the club, there was also Jim Carter Fea, working on the day to night management too. Known in the business as "The Speak", it included a restaurant and music room.
The club took its name and theme from the speakeasies of the American Prohibition era, but in 1967 it changed its theme to an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n pavilion
Pavilion
In architecture a pavilion has two main meanings.-Free-standing structure:Pavilion may refer to a free-standing structure sited a short distance from a main residence, whose architecture makes it an object of pleasure. Large or small, there is usually a connection with relaxation and pleasure in...
.
Since the club was frequented by record industry and artist agency executives it attracted bands who played for low fees in the hope of being spotted and who would form the basis of the emerging British rock scene as well as international touring bands.
The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
refer to the club in their song "Speakeasy" ("Speakeasy, drink easy, pull easy") from the album The Who Sell Out
The Who Sell Out
-Track listing:All songs written by Pete Townshend except where noted. The between song jingles apparently have no official titles and are not listed anywhere on the original album packaging, though they are listed in the inner booklet of the 1995 remaster.Side one...
(1967), as does Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello
Elvis Costello , born Declan Patrick MacManus, is an English singer-songwriter. He came to prominence as an early participant in London's pub rock scene in the mid-1970s and later became associated with the punk/New Wave genre. Steeped in word play, the vocabulary of Costello's lyrics is broader...
in his song "London's Brilliant Parade" from the album Brutal Youth
Brutal Youth (Elvis Costello album)
Brutal Youth is an album by Elvis Costello. This is the first album Costello recorded with his band the Attractions after Blood and Chocolate...
(1994).
