I arrived in London early this morning for a (business) meeting in Victoria, so took the opportunity to drop by Ham Yard, which is a few minutes walk from Piccadilly Circus, off Great Windmill Street. The early commute into London was typically unpleasant. All twelve carriages on the train from Leighton Buzzard into London were packed and, with the warm weather refusing to entirely give way, the London Underground heaving as usual, and with a little less than an hour to spare, I very nearly gave up the idea at Green Park and stayed on the Victoria Line train.
The view towards Ham Yard, from Great Windmill Street
In case you’re wondering (in which case you haven’t been paying attention), Ham Yard was the location of The Scene Club, one of the most important Mod clubs in London during the early sixties. Almost as importantly, it is a location in my next book.
Arriving at the junction of Ham Yard and Windmill Street, I was not optimistic that the basement formerly occupied by the little club that had played host to the likes of The Who and The Animals in 1964 had survived redevelopment. The buildings to the right and rear of the picture on the left are all new, the older buildings having been cleared away to create the new Ham Yard Hotel (the building in the background).
At the rear of The Lyric, public house
Happily however, as I entered Ham Yard and turned left, to the rear of The Lyric (the pub on the corner), there it was. Tucked away, in the far corner behind a wheelie bin and not exactly picturesque (I don’t think it was ever that – not even in 1964). The doors leading to the stairway down to the basement and the old Scene Club.
Of course, I’ve no idea what is down there now or whether any sign of the former club still exists. It’s been fifty years since The Scene closed its doors to the dancers, bands and faces of sixties mod London. But I’d very much like to find out. Even if there is no sign, it would be great to have a look around the old place.
Alas, that is for another day, if indeed it is possible at all and it may not be. Unless, of course, someone out there knows who owns/has use of the building now and can pull a few strings for me. There’s a pint in it!
Ham Yard, London
Basement entrance to The Scene Club, London
If you’re serious about going in for a look get in touch – if it’s connected to the hotel then I can probably get us in for a look. I’d love to have a peep inside, too
I’ll drop an exploratory line to find out more
Hi Craig, Yes I’m certainly serious and will drop you an email.
Hi Andy what’s the book called pls
Used to go to The Scene, also Disc (la discotheque) in Wardour St. My favourite music memories are ska (bluebeat).
Skatalites Guns of Navarone. Rudolph Alphonso Phoenix City, Prince Buster; Al Capone, 10 Commandments of love. They bring back memories?
hi julian its roland aphonso that did phoenix city great choice of tracks by theway
Eileen did you ever go to the last chance saloon ? i went to the disc and the scene but my club of choice was “the chance” great times weren’t they ? regards Dave
Hi I loved the music played the Scene, it was the place to be seen. Went for the dancing and the records. Also went to the Disc, The Flamingo, whisky a go go amongst lots if others along with the coffee bars, ie Coffee An. I was in my very early teens. I’m 71 now but the memories are all still there.
Yesterday I had to go to a meeting at the Ham Yard Hotel and took this photo. (Sorry it won’t let me post photo here. ) it is a photo of the doors to the club.
I was 16 years old when I first went to the Scene in March 1966. Went there every week until about August. Me and my friends from the Wimbledon area used to score some Dubes (French blues) and we’d dance all night until about 6am then the club would break and then start a morning session. One night I saw a fight just outside the Scene between this small young black kid and this bigger white dude. The black kid was kicking ass and we were laughing. We went off to buy some gum and this gang shouted “That’s one of them” at me and after a brief chase I got a good kicking and stabbed in the back,. Not too bad but the cops called my parents who realized I wasn’t fishing and that was end of my Scene days. I now live in North Carolina but the memories live forever and the music too
Going Thursday to see the Who in Nashville. Watching a Who interview on YouTube and they mentioned the Scene and then I started digging and here I am. Look forward to your book if that’s still the plan
It is, Julian. Should be out in the next few months. Just doing the final edits now. 🙂
Could you tell when it is out thank you
Hi Susan,
I’ve just uploaded “The Scene Club” to the publisher – the book should be out by Wednesday this week. Available at amazon.co.uk. I’ll post the link as soon as it is available. 🙂
Hello Andy. I was a regular to the Scene. Remember Lionel on the door, Sandy playing the records, The High Numbers (Who) and others. Still have the records I bought there at the sell off. Favourite records played High Keys Que Sera and Reflections Just Like Roneo and Juliet. Pioneering Mod meeting place. All nighters ! Would be good to contact others there ! Please keep me posted on what you do.
Hi Richard, thanks and welcome. Did you see The Animals at the Scene? My book was inspired by interview I did with John Steel – their drummer – many moons ago. Regards, Andy
Loads of memories of the Scene , now 71
The Who used to play all night long and everyone including me took Purple Hearts to get through !
Very sweaty I recall ( not surprising ) and a fantastic atmosphere
We used to leave the club in the early morning and get the train to Brighton for a punch up with the rockers! Great times
Myself and my friends went about 4 times a week about 1963 we loved it the music was great
Happy days
Great post here I was a regular up west 64/65 I went to them all the scene la discotheque my main club of choice was the last chance saloon in oxford st it was just like the other clubs but for some reason doesn’t get mentioned as much as the others ? The coffee Ann the freight train la macabre coffee bar then there was the alphabet off wardour st great times Regards. Dave
Myself and my friends went to.the scene around 63 to 65
We all lived in.the East end and used to go a least 3 times a week
Sometimes when my friends didn’t want to go u would go on my own usually to meet up.with someone
I didn’t take drugs but I know lots of people who did
I remember once seeing a girl who had had too much and was laid out on a market
Barrow an ambulance was called
I loved the Scene it was a really important part of my youth the music was great
THE SCENE WAS A GREAT CLUB, ALWAYS HAD AMERICAN RECORDS THAT HAD NOT YET BEEN RELEASED OVER HERE , SAW THE ANIMALS , GEORGIE FAME , AND THE HOUSE BAND THE PEDDLERS ALL EXCELLENT MUSICIANS AND WERE REFERRED TO THE MUSICIANS , MUSICIANS, TOO MANY DRUGS FLYING ABOUT SO YOU HAD TO BE PREPARED TO SAY ” NO ” SEVERAL TIMES A NIGHT.HOWEVER NOT WITHSTANDING THE PURPLE HEART BRIGADE IT WAS ONE GREAT PLACE
You couldn’t dance all night long to the Who without the assistance of Purple Hearts !
I know I was that Mod !
The Scene club was the best club in London.
It was small and poky…..yes got really hot but we all kept on dancing as if there was no tomorrow because the American import music was sensational, emotional and good to move to. We were Doddie Grays In Crowd and Major LANCES followers of fashion,
My life began at The Scene and Ready Steady Go and I was addicted ……..but only to music……nothing else.
My book probably begins just there and believe me there is a lot to tell.
Ghost writer please.
If I had a hammer, the legend that was Trini Lopez. First London gig for the Animals, too many overnight “fishing trips” to count.
Seriously great memories gained without diving into the “blues”.
Obligatory uv sensitive shirts from Cecil Gee’s.
And as fate would have it sharing those memories years later whilst managing a Tiffanys with others that had been part of the Scene scene.