Comments on: Soho and the 2 i’s coffee bar

By: Jason Davis

Jason Davis — Mon, 20 May 2019 15:53:50 +0000

I was just a lonely young merchant seaman when someone suggested I would find friends at the Two I’s.
Not sure what year, late fifties/early sixties. I actually “worked” there, no pay, but a fantastic experience. Sat at the bottom of the stairs and sold Cokes. Remember that Lionel Bart used to be there a lot. The first black guy I ever spent time with a lovely man known as “Cuddles”. Met a lot of people who went in to big things, Adam Faith was one.
I’m 80 now and it is one of fondest memories.

By: Jim Grove

Jim Grove — Fri, 12 Apr 2019 23:50:40 +0000

2i’s used to advertise in NME for bands to play there for Hamburg gigs. Went there in late 1964 with Birmingham band Megatones. Basement was packed.

By: Val Fox

Val Fox — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:44:27 +0000

My husband would love to hear any information about Keith Kelly who played with the John Barry Seven here , any contact would be appreciated

By: jackie

jackie — Sat, 17 Nov 2018 23:04:48 +0000

does anyone remember les and nora bristow, I think Les managed willie at one time .

By: Jon Vickers-Jones

Jon Vickers-Jones — Wed, 29 Aug 2018 18:01:34 +0000

I worked t the 2i’s for about two years (I slept in the basement for a time as I had nowhere to live)and was a bouncer for cliff richard at the trocadero in Elephant and castle. The shadows and I used to ramble in Soho pawned my watch one day so that we could eat.. Say HI Bruce and Hank.

By: Clive Hines

Clive Hines — Mon, 13 Aug 2018 10:43:01 +0000

I remember my dad Iain Hines taking me to the 2 i’s coffee bar when I was a small boy. Loved being with him when he was in a studio or working on new albums. He wrote and produced an amazing album called ‘The Marvel World of Icarus’. Still one of the best rock albums on this planet. He often went to the 2 i’s coffee bar took me with him.

By: Iain Hines

Iain Hines — Tue, 11 Jul 2017 06:12:44 +0000

Nice reading about the old days. My band was The Jets..and I was asked to take first rock band to Hamburg. Tony Sheridan came in demented the day before we left..he was due on Wee Willie Harris tour to US bases in Germany, but too late getting passport, so I said he could come with us…in Hamburg, after contract ended he stayed, The Beatles played with him..and when he recorded for Polydor, he asked them to back him. So, My Bonnie was heard by Eppie…they were made. If I had not felt sorry for him missing the US base tour, no Tony in Hamburg, so no Beatles on Polydor, they had been turned down by other labels!
Also, I became Top Ten manager and house organist, I booked Carl Fenn Combo, added myself and Rikky Barnes, and we became The Top Ten All stars…
GOD BLESS all
Iain

By: mandy kay

mandy kay — Sun, 02 Jul 2017 18:20:10 +0000

What amazing photos, i am trying to trace friends of Margaret McCrow who used to go here in the late 50s, if anyone ever knew her that would be great to hear from you, she is my mother and i am trying to trace my father

By: Roger Arthur

Roger Arthur — Mon, 08 May 2017 15:56:48 +0000

Hello.What interesting comments. I am trying to compile a history of the 2′s but know little of what went on there after 1962. Does anyone have memories of going there in the mid 1960′s please?

All replies will be greatfully acknowledged. Thanks. Best wishes, Roger Arthur

By: LILIAN PIZZICHINI

LILIAN PIZZICHINI — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 17:55:56 +0000

I’m writing an oral history of Soho for Paradise Road publishers. Please get in touch as I’d like to interview people who went to the 2is or other places in Soho. Lilian