The Roundhouse started in 1846 as a steam engine repair shed, then to a warehouse for Gin, and then moved on to becoming one of the best music venues around. Some of the most legendary and memorable theatrical performances of the 60s and 70s were staged here, including Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Peter Brook and The Living Theatre of New York.
In 1966 the underground newspaper The International Times, staged its' now legendary launch party at The Roundhouse. The event took place on 15 October of that year and became London's first ever all-night rave. Pink Floyd and Soft machine played (the Floyd's first official gig), Yoko Ono provided the art installation and guests included Paul McCartney and Jane Asher, Marianne Faithful, Monica Vitti and Antonioni. The event triggered a series of subsequent all-nighters featuring Pink Floyd, Geno Washington, Cream, The Who and The Move.
By 1968 the Roundhouse was well on its way to becoming an iconic rock venue. Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin (the Roundhouse was their London debut - Robert Plant had married his girlfriend on the morning of the gig prompting him to claim in later years that he had spent his honeymoon at the Roundhouse), John Lee Hocker, Jefferson Airplane, Pink Floyd and Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac had all performed here by thee time The Doors came to play their first ever London gig on 6th September.
1969 was a year that included great performers like Cat Stevens, T-Rex and Deep Purple. Peter Townsend smashed his guitar and burned his amp for the first time - unintentionally on this occasion - at the end of The Who's performance of My Generation.
The year also marked the occasion of the first police raid on a theatrical production when, in the course of the Living Theatre's production of Paradise Now, the audience, either alarmed or allured by the nudity of the performers, were unable to keep their seats and rushed to the stage. From here they were beaten back by members of the police force who said that they were in direct contravention of the GLC fire regulations.
David Bowie played his first gig in 1970. The Stones had sold 5000 tickets for two shows at the venue. The Who had dedicated their December 20 performance to their new support act - a Mr Elton John.
This was Joshua Radin's biggest ticket selling headlining show to date. He was pretty happy about that. He also thought it was funny because it was in London and not the USA.
He only played for exactly one hour and 15 minutes which we thought was pretty weak. His encore was one song. did you hear that ONE DAMN SONG! one song=weak encore buddy! He did play it on the floor with everyone surrounding him which I thought was cool, but of course from where I was standing all I could see was from time to time the tip of his guitar.
The place is just like its name, its ROUND and very very cool.
Here are some pictures that I took with my blackberry:
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| A couple with matching bags is never a good idea. |
WMMc
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