Eel Pie Island Museum - The Legacy of The Thames Delta 60's British Beat and R'n'B Explosion

Retrosonic Podcast

In the latest episode of Retrosonic Podcast, Steve from Retro Man Blog and Buddy Ascott of The Fallen Leaves are on location at the excellent Eel Pie Island Museum in Twickenham in the company of museum curator Michele Whitby and music historian Pete Watt. We discuss the rich musical heritage of what has become known as the Thames Delta and the birthplace of 60's British Beat and R'n'B, focusing on the legendary Eel Pie Island Hotel and some of the famous acts who played there. From it's opening night in 1956 and the Trad Jazz of Acker Bilk, Chris Barber and George Melly to the last show in 1970, the Hotel hosted gigs by many hugely influential bands and artists. There were shows by the leading importers of American Blues and R'n'B such as Alexis Corner, Long John Baldry and John Mayall, the originators Howlin' Wolf and John Lee Hooker and of course, their young acolytes such as the Rolling Stones, The Artwoods and Downliners Sect. That's not to forget Soul acts like Jimmy Cliff and Geno Washington and even the later incarnation when the Hotel was transformed into Colonel Barefoot's Rock Garden and started putting on Heavy Rock and Psychedelic acts such as The Who, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker and Black Sabbath. One of the most fascinating aspects is discovering all the now legendary names who made early pre-fame and fortune appearances at the Eel Pie Hotel including David Bowie with The Manish Boys, Jeff Beck with The Tridents, Ian McLagan with The Muleskinners and Eel Pie audience regular, Rod 'The Mod' Stewart with Steampacket. Join us for this fascinating journey, not only around the Eel Pie Island Museum itself but on a magical trip through years of local music history. The episode is soundtracked by choice cuts from Downliners Sect, Rolling Stones, The Who, The Manish Boys, The Steampacket, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, The Artwoods, The Muleskinners and Geno Washington. For full track listing, photos from the museum, further info and links please check out the feature at Retro Man Blog at the link below:https://retroman65.blogspot.com/2022/09/retrosonic-podcast-eel-pie-island.html