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About

In the 1960s and 70s, Eel Pie Island housed an explosion in Rhythm and Blues based music that soon turned into a revolution that changed popular music forever.

 

A Jazz Club began at The Eel Pie Island Hotel in 1956. Soon after weekly dances were organised by a local antique shop owner, this brought fame to the Eel Pie Island Jazz Club as a result of his social work in giving young people a voice. Apart from the fascinating graffiti and footprints on the ceiling of the bar, the Hotel had a sprung dance floor, which created a hub for the established famed Ealing Club.

 

Eel Pie Island in the 1960s attracted ‘Beatniks’ and ‘arty’ people. Teenagers were discovering black American blues and new musicians of the era were incorporating this sound with popular Rock n Roll. 

 

Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and John Mayall all kick-started their careers on Eel Pie Island.

 

 

THE 1960s EEL PIE ISLAND 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1967, the Hotel was forced to close as the owner was unable to meet the cost of repairs demanded by the police. In 1969, the Club briefly opened as Colonel Barefoot’s Rock Garden with bands such as Black Sabbath, The Edgar Broughton Band, Stray, Atomic Rooster, Genesis and Hawkwind. In 1971, the Hotel burnt down ‘under suspicious circumstances’ and music has since not had an outlet on the now prestigious residential island, until now.

 

In 2013 E.P.I became a music heritage site and 2014 music was back on Eel Pie Island at Twickenham Rowing Club, the only venue on the island where this musical legacy can continue.

 

Unifunk Entertainment in association with Twickenham Rowing Club created the Eel Pie Island Unplugged Sessions in an effort to bring legendary music back to Eel Pie Island.

The sessions are an opportunity for fans, press, fellow artists and members of the media industry to experience first-hand the latest work future legendary artists have been developing. In an intimate setting, the audience and acts come together to share an evening of stories and new music from great talent.

 

 

CHEZERE - WHERE DOES YOUR MIND GO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHEZERE LIVE ON EEL PIE ISLAND

 

 

 

 

 

 

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