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Crawdaddy Club
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The back room of the Station Hotel in 2014, original home of the Crawdaddy Club

The Crawdaddy Club was a music venue in Richmond, Surrey, England, which opened in 1963. The Rolling Stones were its house band in its first year and were followed by The Yardbirds. Several other notable British blues and rhythm and blues acts also played there.

History

[edit]

Giorgio Gomelsky was a Georgian émigré who worked as an assistant film editor by day and a music promoter by night. He began in the jazz scene before starting the Piccadilly Club, a blues club in central London. When that closed in early 1963 he needed a new venue and, since he knew the landlord of the Station Hotel in suburban Richmond, he took over the back room, which had been little used since its jazz sessions had petered out.[1] The name of the club derived from Bo Diddley's 1960 song "Doing the Craw-Daddy",[1] which The Rolling Stones regularly performed as part of their set. In turn the club would inspire the name of the American music magazine Crawdaddy!

Gomelsky's first house band was the Dave Hunt Rhythm & Blues Band whom he knew from the Piccadilly. Sometimes they used a young drummer called Charlie Watts, and for about six weeks in January–February 1963 their guitarist was Ray Davies, who later formed The Kinks.[2]

The Rolling Stones played their first gig at the Crawdaddy in February 1963, because the Dave Hunt band were snowed in during the coldest winter since 1740. Although the Stones had played their first gig the previous summer, Bill Wyman did not become a member until 7 December 1962, and Charlie Watts joined in January 1963,[3] so the Crawdaddy saw the first public performance with them in the band. This first gig was not a commercial success; Gomelsky had to plead with customers of the main hotel to attend, offering two entries for the price of one ticket.[1]

Within three weeks word had spread and the Stones took over the residency; by April they had two gigs a week at the Crawdaddy and a weekly slot at Eel Pie Island, 2 miles (3.2 km) away in Twickenham. The Beatles came to see them on 14 April 1963, and afterwards went back to Mick Jagger's flat in Chelsea.[4] Audiences overflowed onto the street, and the Crawdaddy was forced to move up the road to a larger venue, the Richmond Athletic Ground. During that time, the Stones had their first chart hit, a cover of Chuck Berry's "Come On".[5]

When the Stones became too big for small local clubs and went on tour, their residency at the Crawdaddy was taken over by another leading R&B group from nearby Kingston upon Thames, The Yardbirds, featuring Eric Clapton. Other artists who played at the club included Led Zeppelin, Long John Baldry, Elton John and Rod Stewart.

The Crawdaddy Club also ran events at the same time at The Star public house in Broad Green, Croydon. The main band was The Yardbirds, but other bands from the Richmond Crawdaddy would visit and play. It hosted a lot of American R&B artists who would jam with them, including Sonny Boy Williamson. The Animals would also visit to enjoy a pint at the bar after gigs at The Orchid, Purley. Julie Driscoll started her singing career there after being dared to get up and sing.

In March 2011, the Crawdaddy Club was revived at the Athletic Ground by Mike Rivers and his wife Sylvie. Gigs have been held on a monthly basis, and feature top R&B bands, including The Others, who were the third house band at the original club after The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds. They have continued to run events at the Athletic Ground and elsewhere to the present day, hosting many bands who have gone on to great success including at the UK Blues Awards, alongside original performers from the early days of the Club. Since the passing of Mike Rivers the club has been continued by his dedicated tam who now run it as a charitable, not for profit entity, dedicated to preserving the legacy of live music in the borough of Richmond, as well as promoting youthful and emerging acts. The Club sponsored the lifetime achievement awards at the 2024 UK Blues Awards,[6] and is sponsoring the Emerging Act category in 2025.[7]

The Station Hotel has gone through several incarnations, including the Bull & Bush pub, Edwards and One Kew Road (Mitchells & Butlers). After a complete refurbishment, it opened its doors again on 18 November 2024 as ALL BAR ONE bar & restaurant (Mitchells & Butlers) and continues to work in collaboration with Music Heritage London Limited who have been hosting live 60s music events at the venue since 2015, promoting legend and cover bands of the era. New artworks on the first floor pay tribute to its Crawdaddy Club legacy.[8]

References

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Crawdaddy Club

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from Grokipedia
The Crawdaddy Club was a seminal (R&B) in Richmond, , , founded in 1963 by promoter , best known for providing with their first major residency and helping propel the Yardbirds—featuring guitarist —to prominence during the British blues boom. Initially housed in the back room of the Station Hotel, the club quickly outgrew its space due to surging crowds drawn by the Stones' energetic performances, prompting a relocation to the nearby Richmond Athletic Association clubhouse by mid-1963. The ' residency began with modest attendance—only three people at their debut on 24 February 1963—but evolved into packed Sunday night events that solidified the band's reputation and influenced the emerging scene. Following the Stones' departure for national tours in late 1963, the Yardbirds assumed the role in autumn of that year, with Clapton joining as lead guitarist in and contributing to their raw sound until his exit in spring 1965. The venue also hosted influential acts such as and the Pretty Things, fostering a vibrant hub for London's R&B and early rock musicians amid the shifting tides toward soul and . The original Crawdaddy Club operated until late 1965, after which it expanded briefly to sites like the Star Hotel in before fading, though revivals occurred in the , 1990s, and 2011 at the Athletic Ground; the 2011 revival continues as of 2025, having relocated in April 2025 to The Turk's Head in , sustaining its legacy of and rock performances.

Establishment

Founding

Giorgio Gomelsky, a Georgian émigré born in 1934, moved to in 1955 after attending schools in and , including the École d’Humanité and a Benedictine institution in , where he developed an early interest in music through exposure to records. By the late 1950s, he worked as an assistant film editor while immersing himself in the city's scene, promoting events at venues like the and Cy Laurie Jazz Club, and contributing reviews to publications such as Jazz News & Review. His passion for American grew during this period, inspired by recordings of artists like and the emerging R&B sounds that contrasted with the dominant traditional and trends in Britain. Following the closure of his earlier Piccadilly Club, a blues venue in central London, Gomelsky founded the Crawdaddy Club in early 1963 as a dedicated venue for rhythm and blues in suburban Richmond, motivated by the rising enthusiasm among young British audiences for electric Chicago-style blues pioneered by figures such as Muddy Waters and Howlin' Wolf, whose records had gained traction through imports and radio play. The club initially featured the Dave Hunt Rhythm & Blues Band as house band, with the name inspired by Bo Diddley's 1960 song "Doing the Craw-Daddy," which the Rolling Stones regularly performed. This initiative addressed a gap in the suburban music scene, where blues was often relegated to informal jazz club side events rather than purpose-built nights; earlier mentions of 1962 likely refer to pre-planning phases or his Piccadilly efforts, with Crawdaddy officially launching in February 1963. Gomelsky's vision was to foster a space for live R&B performances that could build a sustainable audience, drawing from his experiences promoting jazz gigs and recognizing the potential for blues to spark a broader revival in British music. Gomelsky personally funded the club's startup with modest investments, including a reported £5 for initial promotions, relying on his earnings from film editing and prior event organizing without external backing. For promotion, he distributed handmade flyers and posters—often featuring playful misspellings like "Bules" for —through circles and local networks, supplemented by word-of-mouth announcements at existing haunts to attract an initial crowd of blues enthusiasts. These grassroots efforts, combined with introductory offers like two-for-one tickets, quickly generated buzz in the burgeoning R&B underground.

Location and Setup

The original Crawdaddy Club was located in the back room of the Station Hotel in Richmond upon Thames, , a venue situated opposite Richmond railway station and operating as as of 2025. This modest space, initially an unremarkable traditional jazz venue, was selected by promoter for its availability on Sunday nights, which helped circumvent stricter music licensing restrictions common in suburban pubs during the early . The room itself was low-ceilinged and dimly lit, creating an intimate, underground feel that accommodated around 100 people at most, with audiences often standing or sitting on basic benches due to limited formal seating. Basic staging was set up at one end for performers, while the lack of a formal bar service during shows kept the focus on the music, fostering a raw, communal atmosphere without distractions. The acoustic setup relied on simple amplification and the natural reverb of the enclosed space, eschewing advanced sound systems or to emphasize the gritty sound central to the club's identity. Admission was inexpensive, typically around 5 shillings (equivalent to 25 pence), designed to attract a young, enthusiastic crowd with an informal dress code that encouraged casual participation over formality. These operational choices—Sunday scheduling, low fees, and minimalistic infrastructure—not only managed costs but also cultivated the club's reputation as an accessible haven for emerging enthusiasts in a suburban setting.

Musical Role

House Bands and Performances

The Crawdaddy Club's inaugural house band was , who began a weekly Sunday residency in late February 1963 and continued for approximately six months. Their sets primarily consisted of covers drawn from and rock 'n' roll influences, including staples like Chuck Berry's "Beautiful Delilah" and Bo Diddley's "Hey Crawdaddy," performed in a raw, energetic style that captured the essence of American R&B. This residency quickly boosted the band's visibility, with attendance swelling from modest crowds to overflowing numbers by spring, drawing fans from across and establishing the club's reputation as a blues hotspot. Following the Rolling Stones' departure in mid-1963, the Yardbirds assumed the house band role, taking over regular Sunday slots around September of that year. Their performances emphasized -infused rock, featuring extended improvisations on tracks like Howlin' Wolf's "Smokestack Lightning" and Bo Diddley's "You Can't Judge a Book by the Cover," which highlighted the band's evolving guitar-driven sound. The arrival of 18-year-old as lead guitarist in October 1963 marked a pivotal moment, infusing their sets with intense, emotive solos that propelled Clapton's emergence as a blues prodigy and solidified the Yardbirds' status in the British R&B scene. In addition to these resident acts, the club featured other prominent early performers such as and the Hoochie Coochie Men, along with ' All-Stars, who appeared in bi-weekly or monthly guest slots to complement the house band programming. These appearances showcased a range of interpretations, from Baldry's soulful vocals to Davies' harmonica-driven authenticity, helping to diversify the club's offerings while maintaining its focus on R&B roots. Giorgio Gomelsky, the club's founder and promoter, handled bookings with a deliberate emphasis on emulating authentic Chicago-style , scouting and selecting acts that prioritized raw energy and fidelity to artists like and . His process involved direct auditions and personal connections within London's burgeoning circuit, ensuring performances that bridged American traditions with British interpretations and cultivated the club's underground allure.

Key Events and Atmosphere

The Crawdaddy Club's Sunday nights in 1963 epitomized the raw energy of the emerging scene, drawing crowds of up to 1,000 young enthusiasts who packed the venue for extended sets filled with improvisational jams. The atmosphere was intensely communal and electric, with audiences engaging in a ritualistic exchange with performers through lively dancing and fervent responses to solos, often culminating in 20-minute Bo Diddley-style grooves that provided a cathartic release. This vibe transformed the modest back room of the Station Hotel into a throbbing hub of youthful rebellion, where the close quarters amplified the of sweat, amplified guitars, and collective excitement. Crowd dynamics at the Crawdaddy reflected the underground spirit of London's suburban , predominantly teenagers and young adults from surrounding areas who formed lines outside the venue and overflowed into the streets, fostering a tight-knit bonded by shared passion for authentic . Memorable incidents underscored the venue's chaotic popularity; early gigs saw such rapid growth that audiences spilled over, prompting an from the Station Hotel and a relocation to the larger Richmond Athletic Association by mid-1963 due to the "rave-up" frenzy described in press coverage. Fans even climbed onto roof beams for better views, heightening the precarious yet exhilarating disorder. Operational quirks added to the club's distinctive allure, including emcee introductions by collaborators like Hamish Grimes to hype the acts, and impromptu extensions of performances that blurred the lines between set and after-hours jamming. These elements, overseen by manager , created an inclusive space where the boundary between performers—such as during their residency—and audience dissolved into a unified, pulsating experience.

Evolution and End

Expansion to Croydon

In early 1964, Giorgio Gomelsky expanded the Crawdaddy Club beyond its Richmond base by establishing a second location at the Star Hotel in , prompted by persistent overcrowding at the original venue and the surging popularity of the R&B scene. The new site in Broad Green offered a larger space compared to the intimate back room of Richmond's Station Hotel. Performances were scheduled for weekends to capitalize on crowds. Under Gomelsky's oversight, assisted by promoter Hamish Grimes, the venue operated briefly in early 1964. The lineup included the Yardbirds as a house band, alongside acts such as the Pretty Things and jams with American artists like Sonny Boy Williamson; Gary Farr and also served as house band. The Croydon expansion achieved initial success through shows in March and April 1964, drawing for live R&B. However, the venue closed by mid-April 1964 and was renamed the Star Club.

Closure and Immediate Aftermath

The Crawdaddy Club's branch ceased operations in mid-April 1964, while the original Richmond venue effectively ended its R&B-focused incarnation by late 1965. This marked the end of the venue's peak period, driven by financial pressures and a broader shift in preferences toward and emerging pop-psychedelic sounds that diminished interest in traditional revival acts. Gomelsky had reduced his involvement with the club after 1963 to focus on managing acts like the Yardbirds, whom he had signed in 1963. The transition to new management struggled to sustain vitality, exacerbated by the bands' growing success. In the immediate aftermath, resident bands such as the Yardbirds moved to other venues like the , where they continued performing amid the evolving British music scene.

Legacy

Influence on British Blues Revival

The Crawdaddy Club played a central role in the boom of the early , serving as a vital training ground where white British musicians honed their emulation of black American styles, ultimately contributing to the British Invasion's global impact. Established in 1963 by at the Station Hotel in Richmond, the venue hosted extended performances that emphasized raw authenticity, drawing crowds and fostering a scene that blended with emerging rock elements. This environment helped transition from a niche pursuit in jazz-adjacent clubs to a cornerstone of mainstream British rock, influencing bands that would later dominate international charts. A key launchpad for emerging stars, the club directly catalyzed the Rolling Stones' breakthrough when Decca Records A&R executive Dick Rowe, tipped off by George Harrison, attended their performance there on May 5, 1963, leading to a signing within days. The band's six-month residency beginning in late February 1963 transformed them from a local act into a professional outfit, with Gomelsky's promotion—despite rudimentary efforts like misspelled flyers—building buzz that secured their Decca deal and debut single "Come On" in June. Similarly, the Yardbirds succeeded the Stones as house band in autumn 1963, unveiling 18-year-old Eric Clapton as guitarist in October; his blues-focused tenure elevated the group, paving the way for successors Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page, and establishing the "guitar hero" archetype central to the revival. The club's connections to the broader blues network amplified its influence, linking it to venues like the Ealing Club—founded in 1962 by and —which had already ignited the scene and inspired Crawdaddy's formation. This interconnected circuit, including the Marquee and , created a supportive ecosystem that exported British R&B interpretations back to the , with acts like the Stones achieving transatlantic success through covers of artists such as . Gomelsky's advocacy for unadulterated blues expression, including trips to in for the Yardbirds, reinforced cultural authenticity amid the shift, ensuring the revival's lasting emphasis on roots while propelling it toward commercial rock evolution.

Modern Commemorations

In the early 1990s, enthusiasts including musician Will Johns revived the Crawdaddy Club at its original Station Hotel location (now One Road in Richmond), hosting weekly jam nights and performances by bands for several years. This effort was followed by a more formal re-establishment in March 2011 at the Richmond Athletic Ground by organizers Mike and Sylvie Rivers; Mike passed away in 2024, but the club has since operated monthly live music events featuring veteran and contemporary and R&B acts, aiming to recreate the atmosphere. A blue plaque commemorating the club's role in launching the Rolling Stones' career was installed at the original site on 1 Kew Road by Music Heritage London, recognizing the venue's significance in British music history. The Crawdaddy Club is also featured in guided London music tours, such as the Swinging 60s Bus Tour, which visits key 1960s sites including the original venue to highlight its influence on the era's rock scene. The club appears in media exploring the Rolling Stones' early days, including the 2008 BBC documentary series , which details their formative residency at the Crawdaddy as a pivotal moment in revival. It is referenced in Andrew Loog Oldham's Stoned: A Memoir of London in the 1960s (2000), where the former Stones manager recounts discovering the band during their performances there and shaping their image. More recent publications, such as Rock's Diamond Year: Celebrating 's Music Heritage (2022) edited by John Savage, examine the Crawdaddy's place in Richmond's music ecosystem alongside venues like . Since 2022, the revived club has hosted annual parties at the Richmond Athletic Ground (and occasionally nearby venues like the Pavilion at the School Kitchen in ), featuring live performances and festive celebrations to honor its legacy; these events continued as of 2025. Digital archives of original flyers, photos, and audio interviews are maintained on the club's official timeline website, preserving memorabilia from the era's performances.

References

  1. https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-crawdaddy-club
  2. https://earlyblues.org/british-blues-early-british-blues-clubs-crawdaddy-club/
  3. http://www.timeisonourside.com/chron1963.html
  4. http://www.crawdaddyclubrichmond.com/history-.html
  5. https://richmond.nub.news/news/local-news/sp8639-richmond-iconic-crawdaddy-club-finds-new-home-at-local-pub-257382
  6. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/jan/21/giorgio-gomelsky
  7. https://tapeop.com/interviews/62/giorgio-gomelsky
  8. https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/whats-on-news/bar-one-open-iconic-south-30351762
  9. https://www.nypress.com/news/having-a-rave-up-with-giorgio-gomelsky-from-the-beatles-and-stones-to-the-internet-he-keeps-rocking-FBNP1020000426304269999
  10. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-rolling-stones/1963/crawdaddy-club-station-hotel-richmond-upon-thames-england-3d6f5ab.html
  11. https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/the-yardbirds-happenings-40-years-time-ago
  12. https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-yardbirds/1963/crawdaddy-club-richmond-athletic-ground-richmond-upon-thames-england-63c68eef.html
  13. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/giorgio-gomelsky-former-rolling-stones-yardbirds-manager-dead-at-81-179055/
  14. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/feb/11/letter-giorgio-gomelsky
  15. https://whereseric.com/tour/1964-61/
  16. https://whereseric.com/tour/1964-235/
  17. https://www.grange85.co.uk/swirling/2022/12/13/the-crawdaddy-club/
  18. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/giorgio-gomelsky-promoter-and-producer-who-helped-launch-the-careers-of-the-rolling-stones-the-yardbirds-and-julie-driscoll-a6866146.html
  19. https://thestrangebrew.co.uk/giorgio-gomelsky/
  20. https://ultimateclassicrock.com/rolling-stones-sign-to-decca/
  21. https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/march-13/eric-clapton-leaves-the-yardbirds
  22. https://www.ealingclub.com/ealing-club-whats-it-about/
  23. https://www.facebook.com/crawdaddyclubrichmond/photos/-in-loving-memory-of-mike-rivers-19472024-earlier-this-year-we-said-goodbye-to-m/1387591575688955/
  24. https://www.facebook.com/myrichmond.london/posts/station-hotel-one-kew-road-richmond-1967-2024-in-the-back-room-of-the-station-ho/1081912147277757/
  25. https://www.60sbus.london/
  26. https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ylq99
  27. https://www.amazon.com/Stoned-Memoir-Andrew-Loog-Oldham/dp/0312270941
  28. https://www.aurorametro.com/product/rocks-diamond-year-book/
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