TALKS, BBC, VISITORS & CLOSING PARTY!
Of all the Regeneration City Blues highlights, some of the most memorable for me were the evening talks – firstly with the creators of legendary punk club The Roxy, with the wonderful Susan Carrington and Andrew Czezowski… A great evening with some fantastic stories recounted! The venue was such hallowed ground that an audience member, Rowland Evans, turned up with some of the exterior mosaic and the numbered sign from outside the old club!
Photo: Rowland Evans
This was followed up on another evening by a talk from lovely Fiona Cartledge on the infamous Sign of the Times shop in Kensington Market. Everyone really enjoyed this and there was lots of interaction with the audience.
Fiona recounting the history of her famous shop, Sign of the Times…
Next we all spent a fantastic evening with LLoyd Johnson, talking about his legendary shop Johnson’s the Modern Outfitters in Kensington Market and the King’s Road, Chelsea.
The gallery was full to bursting with a rapt and attentive audience pretty much spellbound, as Lloyd covered the history of his La Rocka! label and a 30 year career span in an hour and a half…
Photo: Gerard McNamara
BBC RADIO LONDON – Robert Elms Show
Prior to the private view, there was the visit to BBC Radio London’s Robert Elms Show with Andrew Czezowski, Susan Carrington and Gary Taylor…
Beforehand…me outside the BBC, Portland Place
Outside Robert Elms studio with Gary…
Susan, Andrew, Gary and me, aftermath. Only the small matter of the private view to deal with that evening…
It all went really well and Andrew and I really enjoyed our chat with Robert that lunchtime!
EXHIBITION VISITORS
We had a lot of exhibition visitors and here are two memorable occasions that stood out for me…
Algeman (aka Roadent – road manager for the Pistols and the Clash) with Lesley
Phil John (Mott the Hoople, Bowie and Queen crew) and Chris (Crystal) Taylor (Queen crew)…
…with Chris John
EXHIBITION CLOSING PARTY…
This was initially unplanned but the PV was so good and uproarious, we decided to have a closing party too….
The wonderful Jessica Skippon and Ray Yui
In memorium: the equally wonderful Tom Cook… I am indebted to Tom, Jess, Nina and the Skippon family
Peter ‘Ratty’ Hince (Author, Photographer, Queen crew – and a man of many talents) with Ms Graziella Mecarone
Fiona, Crispin Weir (Regent Sounds, Denmark Street) and Jo Weir (CGCA)…
Martin Stacey (Bermondsey Joyriders) and guests
Andrew Czezowski, Ian John and Fiona
George Skeggs, Kyle and Sammy Reid
Andrew, Susan (creators of The Roxy and The Fridge clubs) and Mr. George Skeggs Esq.
A final “Cheers!” with Carol Fuller O’Doherty, Mick Crudge, Orsi Balla and Mick O’Doherty
And that brought the proceedings in Neal Street to an end I’m afraid. But it was a complete blast for me and thanks to everyone who came down to see it!
Thanks everyone!