Rockin at the 2i's Coffee Bar

Rockin at the 2i’s Coffee Bar
A talk by Andrew Ings

London in the 1950s was vibrant with artists, musicians and intellectuals. Right in the heart of the city, Soho was like a village community filled with cafes, pubs and clubs. And on the tiny stage of one of these - the 2I's Coffee Bar - many legendary musicians began their careers.

Rockin at the 2i’s Coffee Bar
A talk by Andrew Ings

London in the 1950s was vibrant with artists, musicians and intellectuals. Right in the heart of the city, Soho was like a village community filled with cafes, pubs and clubs. And on the tiny stage of one of these - the 2I's Coffee Bar - many legendary musicians began their careers.

Andrew will describe how the dark basement of the 2i's at 59 Old Compton Street became a focal point for British skiffle and emerging rock 'n' roll. The Vipers were the first skiffle group who really 'hit the spot' and took up residency at the 2I's bar. Tommy Steele was the undoubted star of its early line up, while Cliff Richard performed at the 2I's as part of The Drifters. Adam Faith's band, The Worried Men, became a regular fixture at the 2I's, where they also appeared on the BBC's live music series the Six-Five Special in the late 1950s. Artists such as Marty Wilde, Vince Taylor and Terry Dene all made their debuts there and became part of the British history of rock 'n' roll.

Composer Lionel Bart could also be found in the 2I's, serving customers, while future producer Mickie Most was employed as a singing waiter. Aspiring musicians came along hoping to be spotted by impresarios and promoters such as Jack Good, Larry Parnes and Don Arden. Hence the 2I's became the bridge between musical talent and finding fame and fortune in potential record deals.

Andrew Ings has written many articles for a range of titles for over 20 years. These have included theatrical reviews for a number of newspapers and magazines such as Arts East, Centre Stage, the Jazz Rag and the Guardian. He has also written a number of sketches for the stage and his first book was published in 2001. Andrew has broadcast on the arts, focusing on the theatre in particular, and was a contributor to a weekly radio programme on the arts for more than three years. He currently works freelance for a number of theatres in London. He is also an advisor to the Mountview Academy of Theatrical Arts.

Register to tell a friend about this lecture.

Comments

If you would like to comment about this lecture, please register here.

©2003-2006 Niminim Limited. Created by

Any ad revenue is entirely reinvested into the Lecture List's operating fund