An episode we have wanted to bring you since before we recorded our first episode - the birth of British rock & roll with 2 legendary drummers, Brian Bennett from The Shadows & Clem Cattini of The Tornados.
It starts at the 2i’s Coffee Bar at 59 Old Compton Street, Soho in London.
Opened by 2 Iranian brothers (hence the name) the coffee bar is taken over by 2 professional wrestlers - Dr Death Paul Lincoln & Rebel Ray Hunter in April of 1956.
Rock & roll bands begin to lay in the dark, sweaty basement, coming together from skiffle bands & word of mouth.
For a time it was the only venue to hear original rock & roll in London & Tommy Steele is discovered there shortly after.
As word gets around people begin to travel to play at the club including Bruce Welch & Hank Marvin who travel all the way from Newcastle for the chance to play.
Brian & Clem go onto play with other bands including Marty Wilde, Joe Meek, Gene Vincent, Eddie Cochran & Billy Fury.
Brian Bennett joins The Shadows & co-writes Summer Holiday while Clem Cattini is part of the first band to score a US number 1 single with Telstar, The Tornados.
Adam Faith, Ritchie Blackmore, Tony Sheridan, Kris Kristofferson & Georgie Fame, Marc Bolan amongst many more attended or played at the 2i’s during its lifespan, closing in the late 60s.
We also hear stories about Ginger Baker, Lulu, Keith Moon, The Beatles & Clem nearly playing with the Fab Four on their Australian tour instead of Jimmie Nicol.
Clem also nearly joined Led Zeppelin & Wings but didn’t fancy either, for differing reasons.
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Hosted, Produced & Edited by Simon Cardwell
Music by Andy Maxwell
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