Comments on: The Flamingo Club in Wardour Street and the fight between Johnny Edgecombe and ‘Lucky’ Gordon http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/ A blog about 20th Century London Tue, 27 Jul 2010 00:03:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: steve hester http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-7175 steve hester Sat, 24 Jul 2010 10:14:44 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-7175 The opening tack on my now scratchy copy of GF & the BFs - Night Train - still captures the excitement, anticipation and sense of belonging in the atmosphere of the Flamingo allnight sessons. Great photo of the band, especilly the guy at the back with the congas, who was our favourite. Like many of the mod groups (in 1963), we'd travel up west from the Essex burbs, and as in one of your comments, end up in Petticoat Lane on sunday mornng, though in our case via Mick's all night cafe in Fleet Street. The only rival, at least as far as we were concerned, to the Flamingo was 'La Discotheque', a few doors south, where I met the love of my life, Vivienne Wellott (not seen for thirty years!). Great cultural history. The opening tack on my now scratchy copy of GF & the BFs – Night Train – still captures the excitement, anticipation and sense of belonging in the atmosphere of the Flamingo allnight sessons. Great photo of the band, especilly the guy at the back with the congas, who was our favourite. Like many of the mod groups (in 1963), we’d travel up west from the Essex burbs, and as in one of your comments, end up in Petticoat Lane on sunday mornng, though in our case via Mick’s all night cafe in Fleet Street. The only rival, at least as far as we were concerned, to the Flamingo was ‘La Discotheque’, a few doors south, where I met the love of my life, Vivienne Wellott (not seen for thirty years!). Great cultural history.

]]> By: Mouldylocks http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-6942 Mouldylocks Sun, 18 Jul 2010 04:14:20 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-6942 When can we read the 'different story', when the 'faces' took over the 'mingo'?? I was a regular there for a couple of years '64-'66ish. Standard weekend practice was to attend the allnighter on Friday, go for a wash and brush up at Waterloo Station, then off 'shopping' at Biba's (the salesgirls were all aspiring models, and couldn't care less whether you paid or not.) Hang out all day in a large group of likeminded youngsters, then get washed and dressed (in plunder) at the station for the Saturday allnighter. I seem to remember that at some stage the Flamingo started throwing out at 3 or 4 in the morning, when we moved on to 'Tiles' or another halfnighter that started late and stayed open until 5 or 6 Sunday morning. On then to the tea stall at Waterloo, then down Petticoat Lane. On to one of the Royal Parks to smoke some 'hash', then perhaps cinema to laugh inappropriately. Off home in the evening, to sleep until Tuesday. Drugs (first Drinamyl, later Dexedrine) usually taken pharmacutically - just enough to stay awake - as 'blocked' = boring. Peter Green asked me to go out with him in the Flamingo, and I refused because he was always there alone and was rather shy, so I thought him odd. The thing is, they were surprisingly innocent days. I don't remember the Flamingo selling alcohol, nor was there much sexual activity. We were just a mixed gender, mixed race, group of mates. When can we read the ‘different story’, when the ‘faces’ took over the ‘mingo’??
I was a regular there for a couple of years ‘64-’66ish. Standard weekend practice was to attend the allnighter on Friday, go for a wash and brush up at Waterloo Station, then off ’shopping’ at Biba’s (the salesgirls were all aspiring models, and couldn’t care less whether you paid or not.)
Hang out all day in a large group of likeminded youngsters, then get washed and dressed (in plunder) at the station for the Saturday allnighter.
I seem to remember that at some stage the Flamingo started throwing out at 3 or 4 in the morning, when we moved on to ‘Tiles’ or another halfnighter that started late and stayed open until 5 or 6 Sunday morning.
On then to the tea stall at Waterloo, then down Petticoat Lane. On to one of the Royal Parks to smoke some ‘hash’, then perhaps cinema to laugh inappropriately.
Off home in the evening, to sleep until Tuesday.
Drugs (first Drinamyl, later Dexedrine) usually taken pharmacutically – just enough to stay awake – as ‘blocked’ = boring.
Peter Green asked me to go out with him in the Flamingo, and I refused because he was always there alone and was rather shy, so I thought him odd.
The thing is, they were surprisingly innocent days. I don’t remember the Flamingo selling alcohol, nor was there much sexual activity. We were just a mixed gender, mixed race, group of mates.

]]> By: Peter John http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-5375 Peter John Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:39:47 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-5375 Sorry that should of course have read 'on the left'......Doh! Sorry that should of course have read ‘on the left’……Doh!

]]> By: Peter John http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-5373 Peter John Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:37:59 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-5373 Two things - Geno Washington and the Ram Jams were of course resident at the Ram Jam in Brixton, and isn't that Rod Stewart standing on the far right in the picture of the great trouser-dropper Zoot Money at the Flamingo entrance? Two things – Geno Washington and the Ram Jams were of course resident at the Ram Jam in Brixton, and isn’t that Rod Stewart standing on the far right in the picture of the great trouser-dropper Zoot Money at the Flamingo entrance?

]]> By: Anthony http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-3034 Anthony Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:48:59 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-3034 I use to go to the "WAG" club in the 80s which was the Flamingo in the 60s. I did not none the Flamingo club, had so much history. Great read. I use to go to the “WAG” club in the 80s which was the Flamingo in the 60s. I did not none the Flamingo club, had so much history. Great read.

]]> By: Peter Bradford http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-2987 Peter Bradford Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:57:03 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-2987 My friend, David, and I used to go to the Flamingo. That was where the Jazz Couriers played, co-led by Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott, before Ronnie opened his own place. We also saw Tony Kinsey(drums), Bill LeSage(vibes) and Joe Harriot(baritone sax). We also went to the 2 I's coffee bar. My friend, David, and I used to go to the Flamingo. That was where the Jazz Couriers played, co-led by Tubby Hayes and Ronnie Scott, before Ronnie opened his own place. We also saw Tony Kinsey(drums), Bill LeSage(vibes) and Joe Harriot(baritone sax).
We also went to the 2 I’s coffee bar.

]]> By: john holland http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-2387 john holland Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:04:06 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-2387 What a great read. I was there throughout the sixties mod era and I read this with great memories I wanted to be there when Georgie recorded his live LP but could never go in the week Great Times What a great read. I was there throughout the sixties mod era and I read this with great memories I wanted to be there when Georgie recorded his live LP but could never go in the week
Great Times

]]> By: Maciu http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-2322 Maciu Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:09:06 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-2322 I also remember an ex-GI called Gino Washington who used to perform there at the Flamingo. Quite friendly and talkative kind of guy, just as popular as Georgie Fame. He had a backing group called the Ram Jam Band. I also remember an ex-GI called Gino Washington who used to perform there at the Flamingo. Quite friendly and talkative kind of guy, just as popular as Georgie Fame. He had a backing group called the Ram Jam Band.

]]> By: Celia 60's early teenager http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-2014 Celia 60's early teenager Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:46:41 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-2014 At15 years old introduced to Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames by older chef boyfriend - Roger Knowles of Sheffield. Later when in Nowich, U.K. saw Georgie & The Blue Flames perform there at St. Andrews Hall when the Flames were predominantly Black. They were great but not so great off stage as young entertainers that are 'cool' were tring too hard to be!! Coincidentally, years later in early 70's in Johannesburg, South Africa, I and my parents were invited by Rory Blackwell to a party. Fame's fans and indeed he, will remember Rory well from the early days of his career. Georgie is still great in his genre', one of the best! Wonder does he still perform and anyone know of my old flame - Roger Knowles????? At15 years old introduced to Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames by older chef boyfriend – Roger Knowles of Sheffield. Later when in Nowich, U.K. saw Georgie & The Blue Flames perform there at St. Andrews Hall when the Flames were predominantly Black. They were great but not so great off stage as young entertainers that are ‘cool’ were tring too hard to be!!
Coincidentally, years later in early 70’s in Johannesburg, South Africa, I and my parents were invited by Rory Blackwell to a party. Fame’s fans and indeed he, will remember Rory well from the early days of his career. Georgie is still great in his genre’, one of the best! Wonder does he still perform and anyone know of my old flame – Roger Knowles?????

]]> By: Bernie 60's Mod http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/2009/06/the-flamingo-club-in-wardour-street-and-the-fight-between-johnny-edgecombe-and-lucky-gordon/comment-page-1/#comment-1424 Bernie 60's Mod Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:13:38 +0000 http://www.nickelinthemachine.com/?p=970#comment-1424 Brilliant pictures of the Flamingo. Yes, very interesting. The most exciting club of all. Atmosphere electric albeit often with a little fear. A great era!! Brilliant pictures of the Flamingo. Yes, very interesting.

The most exciting club of all. Atmosphere electric albeit often with a little fear.

A great era!!

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