Samantha’s Club – New Burlington Street. What clubs and venues do you remember in London? Tiffanys Club and Gullivers People chat.

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All images supplied by Colin Bell

Colin Bell… I was looking for something in my archives (I must organise them one day!) and came across this. I was struck by the artwork and how creative it was then. Samantha’s was in a basement off Regent Street and I was introduced to it on a night out with Clem (from the Foundations) and Jimmy James, from memory  it was around late 1969 early 1970. A great place with soul bands appearing and the D.J. ‘booth’ was the body of an E Type Jag (very swinging sixties). Drinks 2/6d! You could get well pissed for a coupla quid! I was lucky enough at that time to have the use of a mate’s flat in Berwick Street Soho, ideally placed to go to all the great clubs. Many hours spent at the Marquee, Whisky-a-go-go, the Flamingo, Middle Earth and Hatchetts in Piccadilly, a great club over 3 floors with a chill out bar level, a restaurant with a glass wall overlooking the ‘disco’ floor. I’d be interested to hear any memories of this period from other Smart members? Great times and great memories…………..

Alan Esdaile… Happy days in Wardour Street at The Marquee. Also the Speakeasy. Also remember auditioning bands at Tiffanys nightclub in Shaftesbury Avenue and a club in Piccadilly with the disco on the top floor, mirrored lift and the club had records stuck to the wall. 100 club, Roxy, Ronnie Scotts etc.

Peter Fairless… Went to some dodgy, some good clubs in London. Some were very dodgy but very good! Can’t remember all the names but most of those listed above.

Steve Gage… My mate Ray was a bouncer at Samanthas where are you now mate??? 🙂

Mick O’Dowd… Went to The Q Club in Paddington after seeing James Brown at The Rainbow in the 70’s I think. JB turned up after we got there and jammed with the band. Awesome!

Wendy Weaver… I went to Samantha’s in the 70s, loved the E Type jockeys booth. I worked in offices above La Valbonne in Regent Street for a few years. It had a large glass tank where people went for a dip – sometimes with their clothes on !

Eugene Hughes… I went to the Valbonne Wen. And Skindles in Maidenhead. Louis Brown has them both. Kingley St was la Valbonne.

Lena Jansson… Tiffany´s in Shaftesbury avenue was my favourite disco in 1977-1979, I remember the live band Gullivers people and the two DJ:s Ken Norton and the other one I can´t remember the name of, Dave? David? Would be great to hear from someone else who used to dance the nights away at Tiffany´s!!

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Gullivers People. photo source: http://paulrobinsondrummeronline.com/bio/

Lena Jansson… I only remember the female singer of  Gullivers People, I think her name was Kim or something like that, a name that both women and men use. She was quite tall with dark curly hair and a very strong voice. Their best cover was Alright now, a great song by Free.

Pete Kinsey… Used to love going to Tiffanys when Gullivers People had their residency, they had Tony Jackson[Sweet Dreams]out front along with my friend Sue Martine out front[she is the girl in the photo], they were led by organist Jimmy Mack from Tilbury. Would love to share memories of Gullivers.

Pete Kinsey… Sue Martines boyfriend and later husband Frank Sheen later joined Gullivers but after Sue left. Sue now lives in France with here second husband Peter Lee. Regarding a singer called Kim, there was a singer called Kim Keane who sang with Sue in Tony Evans Band at the Empire so don’t know whether this would be the singer who Lena Jansson was thinking of. Kim later was in groups Wild Honey/Wild Fantasy in the late 1970s.Think Jimmy Mack would be in his late 70s now. I think that Terry Hrllier who played trombone with Tony Evans at the Empire in London lives in your area.

Ray Wellingson… I live in  CANADA but in 1970s used to go to Tiffanys Piccadilly. I think I am correct. Ian Bairnson seen in the picture of Gulivers People second right was in Pilot with his two necked guitar. Same guy ? Am i right.  Sure saw him at Tiffs with same guitar.

Tony May… I have just heard back from my mate, Keith and he says that he did not know Iain Bairnson was in ‘Gullivers People’ as he never saw the group live. Bairnson was in the group ‘Keats’ with Colin Blunstone after ‘Pilot’ and played guitar on Kate Bush’s classic, ‘Wuthering Heights’ he says. He has a copy of their ‘Spendour In The Grass’ single and says they were known as a ‘good harmony group’. He’s not aware of the line up either as he asked me to try and find that out on the net…

Pete Kinsey… The black guy next to Sue is Tony Jackson who duetted with Polly Brown in the duo Sweet Dreams. Jimmy Mack the organist/ bandleader far right, came from Tilbury and would possibly be in his late 70’s now.

Angie Coombs… I used to go to Tiffany’s Piccadilly  during 1971  with my friend Jean , and Gullivers People were resident band then, they used to also be on lunch time BBC radio at that time.  I remember one of the guitarists was called Andy and they had a Canadian drummer at that time who I think was called Dean. The DJ at the time was Scottish something Mc Kenzie I think, he was also on Radio Nordsea one of the pirate ships . Happy days !

Ray Wellingson… Further to recent emails about Ian playing Gullivers People Tiffanys Picadilly London with his 2 headed guitar, still cannot confirm it. Wrote David Diddy Hamilton, thinks so but cannot say yes. Wrote to Dave Paton no reply, funny digging deep on net we have Ian with TIFFANYS group Band of Gold in Edinburgh  close no cigar. I asked an old buddy he does recall tall guy with long hair c 1973 is paling Gullivers People with 2 necked thing. For Lords sake how many played a 2 neck. Check this out….from net..

Dinner at Tiffany’s, by Ed Waiter, Editor of Cuisine
In order to finance moving from Edinburgh to London, Ian was offered and took a job playing in an Edinburgh nightclub called Tiffany’s. In contrast to all the bands he had been part of in the past, this was well paid! It was whilst working here that another Edinburgh musician was given a job in the band, David Paton. This popular band earned Ian enough money to set off for London in search of a recording career. He took with him some tapes that had been recorded in Edinburgh and would eventually lead to the formation of yet another band PILOT. SO Tiffanys is the key word he was there in Scotland, did Ian play in Piccadilly or not, the picture of him in the group LOOKS like him don’t ya think. Its driving me mental Paton reply to emails Ians web site is down.

Ray Wellingson… It seems Ian Bairnson was not in Gullivers People at Tiffanys London c 1970s. He was in Tiffanys in Scotland. Dave Paton refuses to reply to emails ( Dave  we bought your records with Pilot have some politeness) Ians web site is broken. A  pal of mine also recalls a guy with a  two necked guitar at Tiffs London. Ian is the one who can say but I give up. I live in Canada so hard to call contacts in the UK.
If an one who went to Tiffs in London can help do so!!

Ray Wellingson… Hooray!!  Finally found out Ian Bairnson did play in Gullivers guy second from right is ANDY. Paul Robinson kindly informed me of this… “Hi Ray. Ian Bairnson didn’t play guitar while I was there, 1972. Pilot were already formed & successful by then I think. The guy 2nd from right is Andy, he was the guitarist. All the very best Ray, Paul.” The search is over so two guys played a two necked thing !!

Bruce Partridge… The pic of Gullivers People brought back happy days. The guy on the right was the band leader he played piano …organ perched up high behind the band. It was a funny layout ..as you could walk right round to each end via a corridor which looked out onto Shaftesbury Avenue. Very expensive drinks and expensive girls. I always recall asking a lovely looking girl standing with her 6 mates for a dance, you had to be brave, anyway asked her to dance she said are you asking me as you have to ask nicely so said PLEASE may I have a dance. She said no thanks !! Walking away feeling like shite to the glee of my buddies!! Later on that night she came over and said she was sorry but she agreed to stay with her mates, asked her why come here, said was a night out. She asked ME to dance. I was SORELY tempted to say no or ****!!! but did a few dances and made a date to go out next week but to the Empire went out a few months then fizzled out. Her name was Kay S. Checked her out on LINKEDIN last year as never forgot her name and wow there she was still looking good in Southend. Contacted her she recalled the old days we are meeting for a drink as div with no kids. Great days at Tiffs.

Lloyd Johnson… Marquee, Bag o Nails, Flamingo, The Scene, Speakeasy,Roaring 20s, The Last Chance, Blazes,The Cromwellian.J.Arthuers, The Pheasantry,The Roxy, so many!

Pete Kinsey… Jimmy Mack was the guy who played organ, he was the bandleader got told recently that a couple of the original band members of Gullivers People now live in Australia in Perth, Wendy and Colin Herbert, wrote to them but no response, try Frank Sheen he was in Gullivers, today lives in Nahville ,he is on facebook might give you some help!

Pete Kinsey… Recently heard from Colin[Brett] Herbert one of the original members of Gullivers People, he is still performing with a band near Perth in Australia.

Lloyd Johnson… Vicki and Nick Shephard live in Perth, I wonder if he’s playing with Nick. Nick was in The Cortina’s and a latter version of The Clash……doesn’t Hank Marvin live in Perth?

TV Annie… I went to London in 1977. We were on a student tour of all of the Capitols of the Common Market. We went to Tiffany’s and immediately the DJ pointed us out. I guess Americans are easily recognized. We had a great time at Tiffany’s and even went back there for a second night. I was 17 and I still look back on those nights and smile. We had a tour guide, his name was Jim Jackson. He was a student at Oxford. He wrote to me after I returned home, I wish I had kept writing to him, but my senior year in high school was very busy. One of my friends had her very first kiss that first night at Tiffany’s. I had my first kiss in a disco in Amsterdam the following week. Lots of good memories.

Tim Monksoon… I used to run the door at Tiffany’s back in 75 & 76 and remember Guliivers people like it was yesterday. It was in a great old building called the Trocadero which at one time had been a Lyons Corner House. The Miss World offices were on the top floor and Mecca Agency was on the next floor down. The Golden Nuggett Casino took up the second floor whilst Tiff’s was on the ground floor (Sultans Bar, Flintstone Bar and another that I can’t remember) and there was a bowling alley in the basement.

Lena Jannson… Tim, I never Went to Tiffany´s in 75-76 my first time there was in August 1977 in 1978, I was there every weekend, from may -sept, Fridays and Saturdays! So much fun! I remember Flintstone bar very well, There was a guy called Sidney who worked in bar.
I wonder if the Gullivers people that are mentioned are the same Group that performed at Tiffany´s in 1978-1979 the years when I was there? Maybe I´m wrong about the female singer, Kim, maybe her name was totally different? There is a page on Facebook, Tiffany´s nightclub Piccadilly, I highly recommend it! There are some pics of Gullivers people there. Maybe that pic will solve the female singer? The 2 DJ:s Ken and Mike, does anyone know what happend to them? And the old woman you payed the entrance to? She looked like she was wearing a wig?? I have been searching for a man I met in 1978, at Tiffany´s, his name was Naci, he lived in Turnpike Lane. Not very easy ! My e-mail is lena.jansson8@gmail.com anyone feel free to get in touch about Tiffany´s. I´m also on FB, Lena Jansson.

David Paul… Dave here dj in the Samanthas E type 1968-1973

Lesley Kerr… I used to work at the Windmill Cinema in Gt.Windmill St. in 1968. Remember going to Hatchetts, Samanthas (I named my daughter Samantha) and Tiffanys where I also worked on the front desk in 1969. Mr. Jolly was the Manager. The band The Nocturns used to perform there….they later became the New Seekers Whilst at the Windmill saw Paul McCartney and Jane Asher who came in to see In The Heat of the Night. There was Phill Rabins salt beef bar across the road from the Windmill and the Lyric Tavern. I returned to Australia to live but not ever forgetting Swinging London.

Steve Cooke… Macready’s Club, Mercer Street, Covent Garden – below stairs bar where muso’s met late night after work. Great atmosphere as I recall.

David McCarthy… Wow….. Brings back memories. My dad and his business partner did loadsa building work and maintenance in the area. Inc Sams, La Valbonrne, Candy Box, Le Beat Route, Kabaret Club, Dollys, La Hombre…. I was a very young teenager and worked on the clubs also. Did any of you folks use Mikes Diner next door? Mad mad times!

Wendy Weaver… I worked in the building over La Valbonne which looked down Saville Row where Samantha’s was. Only went to Samantha’s once in about 1977-ish. Spent many boozy lunchtimes in La Valbonne as we got in free. I remember men in suits jumping in the glass tank for a dare..

David Paul… I was the dj at Samanthas disco in 1979

Lena Jansson… I never Went to Samanthas but remember where it was, just off Regent street. Did you ever know the two DJs at Tiffanys, in Shaftesbury avenue? Ken Norton and Mike…can´t remember his name. I wonder what happened to them?

Pete Kinsey… Frank Sheen was in Gullivers People for a while, he is on facebook, don’t know whether he could help you.

Clinton Carran… I met my wife there 1969 we just had our 50th wedding anniversary

Tim Monksoon… La Valbonne used to have those gas torches outside, wasn’t it in Kingly Street? The Candy Box with a bloody great chain on the door, I remember the boxer John Conteh being a Candy Box regular, it must have been the copious bottles of champagne that did for his career. I seem to recall that the bloke that did the door , Ian I think he was called, was a villain in a James Bond film.

Re Rodman… Samantha’s Club… Summer of ‘67. Could not have been better. Summer of love, indeed! Down the stairs. Jag and music and etc etc… just perfect.

David Paul… Opening night at the La Valbonne, I dj over from Samanthas for the night also worked The Scotch Hatchets late sixties to mid 70s

Pete Kinsey… Jimmy Mack the leader of Gullivers People was from TILBURY, There was a black girl singing with the band prior to Sue MARTINE,in about1972 or 1973.

David Paul… I was the dj in Samanthas 1967-1974

Pete Kinsey… I can’t remember what that black girls name was, but she did a good version of It feels good do it, the della reese number.

Jon Fenwick… I’m still regularly in touch with dear old Mike of Mikes Diner fame; what a great place to go after all the clubs closed. Open till 6.00am ! And alcohol in a teapot … Please call me if you remember Cyril , the other half of Mike’s, the Speakeasy, all those nice guys at Samanthas, and even Lennie Bloom ! Jon x

Barry Newton… I seem to remember a club called Tiles but have no idea were in London or even why I remember it. Must have been a good time, lol

Lena Jansson… Where was Mike Diner situated ?

David Paul… I remember old Lenny and his bicycle. After finishing work in Samanthas we went to either The Candy box The Valbone The Playboy club or The Golden Egg in Oxford Street in the the summer we often went to the Serpentine happy days I wonder what happened to you all. David the DJ

David Paul… Miles dinner was above Samanthas which was in the basement

David Paul… Where are u Gill and Alex regulars at Samanthas in the late 60s -70s where I was the dj.  I remember Mikes opening went there after finishing work downstairs and John from The Equals

Alan King… Scotch Of St James

Jim Miller… At Samantha’s, did they have seat swings and does anyone remember Sloopys nightclub in Piccadilly.??..

David Paul… Yes one bar near the stage had swings

Lena Dirsater… Hi Lena! You must be Swedish too? So amazing that you also went to Tiffany’s in the late 70’s !!! Did you also work as an au pair? Do you know Andy, Rob who also run the door?

Stephen Warde… Cafe de paris 1989 top club

Peter Smyth… Just found this site,I was on the door at Tiffanys for 2/3 years before i went to the Lyceum also owned by Mecca,I was at Tiffanys 76/78 ,Tim did you also work at Charlie Chesters ? In reply to Tim… Were you a croupier at Charlie Chesters as well Tim?

Ed… In reply to Lena Jansson… I went to Tiffs c 1970s and early 80s on the prowl!!! Recall a bouncer on door Scottish red beard tux, Gullivers were band then DJ took over.

Issac… Brian from Berlin loved Tiffs and Manthas c 1970s. shagged myself silly lovely gels.

T J Vince… In reply to Peter Smyth. Hello Peter, Yes I was. I went to Chester’s after Tiff’s. If my memory serves me correctly you used to be a bookies settler during the day, and you and me  drove to your place in Birkenhead. Is that right? Oh yeah and you were an ugly mofo lol

T J Vince… In reply to Peter Smyth… Hello Pete, if I recall correctly you were a bookies settloer during the day. I did work at Charlie Chesters after Tiff’s, did a few other door/minding work then in 1980 went to Africa for a few years, then New York. Been back here since end of 91, how are you keeping in these strange times? Do you remember when you, me and Mike Ryan drove up to Birkenhead, I got nicked for driving the wrong way up a one way street and for piddling up a wall.  In reply to Issac, Haha, me too!!!!

Pete Kinsey… A few years ago Clem out of the Foundations was living in Sherington near Milton Keynes,as he was on BBC Three Counties.

Lainey…Was there in 1970 first trip abroad from the US. Met guys from London in music industry who took us to Samanthas.  I think PJ Proby was a partner there. Couldn’t stop talking about it back in the USA!

David Paul… I never heard of P J Proby having anything to do with Samanthas having working there for about 7 years. Every February the Brazilian girls came over enough said.

Leigh Wieland-Boys… Lived in London in mid 80s, frequenting The Hippodrome, Stringfellows, Ronnie Scott’s & a club near Liberty’s, name of which escapes me!

Kevin Joy… (In reply to Dave) Hi , I was down Sam’s as a customer at that time ,say 67 to 73 , If I have it right there was Albert on the door, Piere as manager and the barman I can not remember. I recall they went off and started a club of their own but it was not as good. All too many years ago

David Paul…  Piere left with the DJ and opened a new club. Forgot the name but I replaced the DJ

Barbara Behn Constantinescu… (in reply to Jon Fenwick) i knew Lenny and Louis Brown and Married Ion

Lena Jansson… In reply to Peter Smyth. Hi Peter! Did you work at Tiffs the whole year 78?

Valerie Hammond… Lena, Jonny Royal was the other DJ. My friend for many years. Hilda ran the ” coat check and handbag locker .

Lyn… Countdown. That was Andys bar when I worked there

David Paul… Thats right, Lyn did you work in the cloakroom?

Lynda Tearney (Lyn) … No I worked as a waitress with Cleo, really good times. There was Andy in the bar with the swings, Dave and i think Cas in the other bar, I was a waitress with Cleo.

David Paul… I remember having a girlfriend called Mara from Brazil her father was a ambassador,  she was model for Vogue and had a flat in Chelsea, great memories.

Francesco Trivelli… There are loads of new venues at the moment. I have to say ToyRoom is a very good club.

Pete Kinsey… Regarding Sue Martine ex Gullivers People her parents were living in Margate ,she married a guitarist called Peter Lee and emigrated to France.

Lena Jansson… Lots of comments ! Wish that Tiffanys would be the hot spot ! Especially 1978-1979’

David Jones… 1950 and early 70s Cass and Henry in the bars. Cheap fizz for 1.50p Have many memories.

Pete Kinsey… Liked Tiffanys, the atmosphere and the group but also went to the Empire,Tony Evans Band were the breeding ground for good singers.

Tim Grace… Dave I remember the E-Type very well, I was the DJ upstairs in the restaurant with the Harley from 1981 – 83 used to finish there and go downstairs 🙂 then onto the candy box

David Paul… Needles was the dj in the bag of nails which was above the candy box opposite the Valbone

Ray… Ray from Canada wriites, early 1970s use to hang out at Tiffanys. Those days had reddish hair and my Barber used to give me a Michael Caine haircut in tight waves. I wore thick black framed glasses. Had a great Caine accent. Went up to nice looker and said in my best accent like to dance honey. She agreed then said your not Mike Caine are you. I said shush, am here on night off from filming. She had been drinking I guess.  Said my God its you, loved you in the Ipress File, I though my luck was in as she was giving me the come on. My pal was looking on smiling as he liked to pose as someone or other. My gal called her mate over, kiss of death. Older mate looked at me said you prick your not Michael Caine . My gal said he is and so wonderful. Mate said come on and dragged her away. Later that night my gal came over and said take me home darling. Said where you live told me Windsor about 40 miles away in wrong direction. Said sorry filming Sunday. Next Saturday went back to Tiffanys saw her mate with my gal… mate looked at me and said you prick who are you tonight ? I said John Denver and ran.

Valerie Hammond… (in reply to Lena) Jonny Royal . He was a dynamo! Played a fabulous playlist. We were good friends for years. When i would visit his flat in Shepherd’s market, he always had classical music playing. We sadly lost touch when I moved here to Canada. Does any remember the very tall man on the door? His name was Allan. And Hilda, who looked after handbags and gave us a number tag to wear. Would love to know if any one has any information about Jonny Royal.

Lena Janssib… In reply to Valerie Hammond.. I can’t remember Jonny Royal what year was he a DJ at Tiffany’s ? There was a man called Sidney in one of the bars… anyone remember him?

David Paul… Just had email from John drummer with The Equals who was a friend, still looking for Gill Alex and anyone else from these great times

Eamon James… I used to go to The Embassy club in Old Bond Street circa 1978/1979. Then we’d head off to Mike’s Diner at 3.30 or 4am and stay until about 7am. Mike’s Diner was next door to Samantha’s. Happy days.

Marianne Zargar(nee Furhagen) You can see the Embassy Club in the video of Sylvester’s “You Make Me Feel Mighty Real”. There are two versions, one is longer. Used to go to the Candy Box around 1974/75. What a place!!

Geoff The Soul Boy… Some great nostalgic shared memories of London nightlife. Did anyone go to ” Ripples”  Discotheque in Northumberland Ave, just off the Strand in Central London? Sadly now demolished. I was there as a nervous 16-17yr old back in 1978/79.How the hell I managed to get in I’m not sure.  Ripples was a small basement disco, complete with a model watermill feature, which I guess was the gimmick for the name, Ripples, Oh those beautifully simple 60s-70s ideas on promotion and marketing.

Paul Thomas… I worked at Tiffany’s 1972-73 and had a crazy year, we called it T. I. Fanny’s. Gulliver’s People had Jimmy Mack, Tony Jackson, Andy the Scotsman. I was known as Paul Baby. On the door were bouncers Fred ‘Baby’ Knowles and Colin ‘Baby’ O’Leary, and loads of other ‘babys’ especially the waitresses. After work we’d drink & dance all nite at the Kandy Box, or if we had to be home by 4am we’d go to Flicka’s for one. And often we’d chill out at dawn in the Swiss Cottage sauna. In 1974 I worked at The Place just off the Kings Road, Chelsea.

Marianne Zargar… Do you remember Tony Engelman who ran the Kandy Box at that time? Tony Engelman was the manager at the Kandy Box for a while. There’s a website called Les Enfants Terribles which has a lot of people on it including Tony and quite a lot about Le Kilt, Scotch of St James and Louis Brown, Lenny Bloom clubs. The name refers to the cafe called Les Enfants Terribles which sadly I never visited.

Lynda Tearney… I knew Tony, my ex husband worked with him for years in Birdland , he came to our wedding. I worked in Samanthas and knew Loius Brown well and after I married I went to work for Louis in the office in Kingly Street

Marianne Zargar… Hi Lynda, I don’t know whether you saw my post about the website “Les Enfants Terribles” started by a guy called Adrian Stern? If you did then I am repeating myself! Tony (Engelman) is on it and I got in touch with him (after a mere 45 years) as I was looking for my best friend back in the day, Anne Chapman. We used to go to the Candy Box a lot. Anne went out with him at one point. She was tall with long dark brown/black hair. He remembered her and her crazy Irish mother!

Wendy Hutton… Hi Eamon, I used to go to Mike’s Diner from 1977 onwards (when I was 18). I wonder if we ever crossed paths?

Wendy The Dancer… Hi Geoff, yes I remember Ripples! I went there when it was newly opened. It was a sweet little disco.

GeoffTheSoulBoy… Hi Wendy. That’s interesting. Over the past years I’ve tried to find a little about Ripples, but have drawn a blank. What year was that, and do you have any other Info? Cheers

Terry… Used to go to the Candy Box early 1970s. Knew the DJ but forgot his name. Many famous passers by dropped in after 3am. 4 Tops, Temps, Marvin. Went from there some evenings to the old Covent Garden for “top ups” and a few times on to France for lunch! What times!!

David Paul… (in reply to Terry) Went there, knew the dj next door at The Bag Of Nails if I remember Needles but a long time ago

Radio Jon…. Had so many good nights at the Speakeasy, Mikes Diner and the Candy Box. Really good times.. .. I’m still in touch with dear old Mikes Diner Mike too ! Does anyone know what happened to the new club Tony Engleman opened on Oxford St ? Lovely to hear from you all. xxx

Darren Kevin… I remember Ray the Geordie.

Barbara Behn… (in reply to David) I was DJ opening night at the Valbonne .

Bernie45… (in reply to Ed) yes that scottish guy smart tux

Joe Farrugia… Was my favourite disco club, together with Speakeasy during my stay in London between 1967 -1969. Great memories!!

Paul Sassienie… My band, HARPP played regularly at Samantha’s in the 70’s

David Paul… Miguel 5 was the resident band, Slade also played many times

Theo Loyla… I remember Dave Smith as the dj at Samanthas late 70’s early 80’s. Was a good friend to me

Dave Smith… Theo,  Dave Smith here I was dj at Sam’s 1968 to about 73

Lynda Tearney… I worked in Samanthas 1968 – 1969 as waitress with Cleo, Jean-Pierre was the manager , really good times x

David Paul… Just spoke to John he lives in Australia and still gets royalties from baby come back

David Paul… In reply to Lynda, When j-p left Sam’s with the dj that’s when I started

Lena Jansson… David, is that John from the Players ? What connection has he to this thread ? Just curious!

David Paul… Lena, John the drummer from The Equals mentioned in one of my previous threads. I mentioned Baby Come Back which was there number 1 record

Tessa Dallyn… Hi I used to dance the night away at Samantha’s 67 to 69 after a long day nursing at Hammersmith Hospital. Remember the dj, brilliant play list. Went to the other clubs mentioned on many a night also to dance the night away! Good the energy we all had, did we ever sleep? X

Jim Miller… Does anybody remember “Sloopy’s” disco – Piccadilly Circus – you had to go downstairs to the basement where ‘Eric’ the Bouncer would kinda greet you and show you the smallest dance floor in the whole of Soho London – went there from 1973 to 1975 every Saturday night because it was all pre-Saturday Night Fever and most people were either tourists or regulars – great bar that served happy hour drinks at half price before 9:00pm and music was played by the resident DJ Don Stevens – Happy Daze – Jim

Lena Jansson… Where about was that disco? I remember disco Cherry’s between Picadilly Circus and Leicester Square. You had to go downstairs but I don’t remember anymore about Cherry’s. I think George Michael used to go their when young.

Denise… Lena, The singer’s name was Nikki

Lena Jansson… Yes Nikki that is so right !! Thanks so much for that !! Miss the years especially 1978 at Tiffany’s

Yacine Zaier… I can’t remember any of the names of the clubs in the late 70’s. I was a student and visited friends in London but it was from 81 that I started coming down to London from Liverpool for the weekends regularly where my late brother Elias lived. He had a couple of friends and they took me to Samantha’s or Stringfellows among other names that I forgot for the pub crawls they did around that area. It was great times and great people from the door onwards, I worked for Reuters later on and went back to Tunisia mid 80’s. Elias lived on in London until 2016 and had an accident visiting us here in Tunisia and sadly passed away, keep well and bless you all.

David Smith… Dj Samantha’s Dave here Gil or Alex please contact me just heard from our old friend John drummer with The Equals. Do any of you remember our small record shop in Carnaby Street.

Lena Jansson… (in reply to Valerie Hammond) Was Hilda the old woman with a wig ? She used to take the entrance payment

Wilem van Gilst jr. … I have a funny story for you from someone who made a trip to London in 1977 and visited Tiffany’s.one night. It is about me Willem van Gilst jr. from the Netherlands. We were in the UK because of a school study trip. I remember there was a live band playing. They played the hit record ‘The Groove line’ originally performed by Heatwave. I had not heard this song before and really liked it a lot. So much so, that I bought it the next day at a record shop on Kings Road. During the other next days in London I visited another discotheque. It had a bit of a Greek interior. I can’t remember the name. It was a small club. There was a guy who came sitting next to me, and he was from Sweden. He said: “Just speak Dutch, Willem, Then I can understand what you say.” He had some troubles with English. It was absolutely funny. I went to see the disc jockey and asked if he could play the Groove line hit record and the guy did. It was just great with a lot of people dancing on it. Later back home in the Netherlands, sometimes I took the Heatwave Groove line record with me when I visited discotheques in my home country. This was, because they did not always know about this record. Then I asked them to play it. Manny times they did and I let them even borrow it. They loved to play it. In one Dutch discotheque it became a sort of hype because of this. People loved to dance on it in a special way. I still love the song verry much. Best regards, Willem van Gilst jr. in the Netherlands.

Vivienne Andersson… (in reply to David McCarthy) I used to go to Mike’s Diner in 1979 when I was a 16 year old runaway, I loved it there, I always had the Hawaiian burger with pineapple on top. I saw Boy George’s friend Marilyn there once looking gorgeous in a good dress, crazy good times. Do you know when Mike’s Diner closed? I loved that place.

David Paul… Working downstairs I used it almost every night. Nearly always near the front window.

Julie… Loved Samantha’s and Mike’s Diner. Valbonne. Le Beat Route. Muppets. Le Kilt to name but a few. 1977 to 1980 working in hotels in London. Does anyone remember an Italian nightclub up from Marble Arch ish with train carriages in it. Such fabulous memories.

Lloyd Johnson… The Cromwellian,The Speakeasy,Blaises,Bag ‘O’ Nails, Pheasantry ,Nashville Rooms,Valbonne & J .Arthurs ….not forgetting Biba’s Rainbow Room….Then later in the 70s The Roxy,The Red Cow,The Greyhound, The Halfmoon and so on…The Main Squeeze,The Last resort, The Blitz….

David Paul… Interesting story about Samantha’s. We had a Australian guy start as the manager, after a few weeks we all arrived  for work and the safe was gone. I never heard anything more about him, he just disappeared. Another thing I remember seeing Jane Mansfield sitting in a alcove with her manager the following week. She was killed in a car accident very sad.

Vivienne Anderson… (in reply to Lena) New Burlington st off Regent St, went there in 79/80. (in reply to Wendy) I started going there in 79 aged 16, I loved it. (in reply to Julie) Thats the time I went to Mike’s Diner, it was a great place and a great time.

Tom Jenkins… Just stumbled on this site. I spent some great nights at Samantha’s. My girlfriend at the the time was Elaine Jeyes her dad Albert was doorman there. Great club.

Lynda Tearney… Tom, I was working there when Albert was on the door, Jean-Pierre was the manager and Joanne worked on the reception with him, I worked as a waitress with Cleo.

Tim Jenkins… Well I hope we left you a good tip Lynda. Was a nice team in there at that time. Albert moved on to another club I think it was called Countdown. I went a few times but it wasn’t as good as Samanthas.

David Paul… When Jean-Pierre left with the dj, I became dj for about the next 5 years

Lynda Tearney… Countdown was owned by Jean-Pierre which was probably why Albert went there.  Countdown never really did very well and Jean-Pierre went to Lanzarote, it was a great time to be at Samanthas

Janice Lamb… 2 American college girls , Janice & Cindy from Philadelphiia lived in London n worked at Lord John on Kings Road in the mid 70’s. Fabulous nights at Samantha’s!!! Remember the swing n gorilla picture on wall. Fabulous Club & great people!!

Lena Jansson… (in reply to David) John Friesen is proper name, such a great song I still listen to it!

David Paul… Keep the comments coming davepauled1@yahoo.com ex Samantha’s dj

Turhan Wishart… The Candy Box!

Lynda Tearney… Scotch of St James.  La Poubelle

Dave (Lee) Smith… Lynn I remember Joanne’s boyfriend was member of Miguel 5

Lynda Tearney… i often wondered what happened to Joanne, I used to work with Cleo and lived with her and her family in Stockwell for a while , I met up with jean-Pierre again years ago, do you remember Andy behind the bar?

Elizabeth Murby… – Heaven; – The Fridge; – The xxxxx

Mary… Rockefellers next door to Samantha’s place to be seen too after clubbing and only place to get a meal after clubbing or else the hotels for breakfast in Jermyn St area you’d see the newscasters there. I danced in all those clubs as well as Fouberts in Fouberts Place as well as Sundown Charing X Road had a huge dance floor  there was a go go type girl on one corner of the stage dancing all night we had fab discos and dance floors, loved Tiffanys, Hombres on Wells Street I think.  I rented a studio flat on Warren Street for just £25pw in 1981 but it cost £5 to feed the electric meter for a hot water bath.  So used to go to YMCA gym aerobix and swim then shower as the aerobic dance craze swept in around 1970/80  There was a club can’t remember name, on Kensington High Street next door to where the old Kensington Indoor market was nearly opposite Biba you went downstairs small dancefloor to get a drink after hours, you exit and the restaurant next door would serve lager in a tea pot thats what we had to do to get a late night drink fun times

Marianne Zargar… Hi Mary, I was trying to work out what the name of that club could be as I went to all or most of them in the Kensington High Street area at the time. The fact that there were different Biba premises at different times doesn’t help! I assume the indoor market you refer to was Kensington Market (not Hyper Hyper)? So I will throw some possible names out there :Lulu’s (Disco actually in Young Street just off the High Street). Jimmy’s Wine Bar (opposite Biba when it was in Kensington Church Street). The Sombrero (aka “Yours or Mine”) gay club roughly opposite the big Biba store on Kensington High Street. I think there was a club called Thursdays as well. Let me know if any bells are ringing!

Terry… The Candy Box!

Marianne Zargar… Oh, the Candy Box!! Truly a legend (even In its own time)

Julie… Mike’s Diner, next to Samantha’s. Does anyone remember an Italian nightclub Edgware area with train carriages in it. Name ??? Tingles Tara Hotel playing Backgammon.

David Paul… Mike’s dinner was above Samantha’s

Dave (Lee) Smith… The Golden Egg was a place after work at Samantha’s often went across the road to Hyde Park for a football kick about, sometimes to the serpentine lido in the summer. Gill Alex or anybody else remember those times

Lloyd Johnson… Bag O Nails, Marquee ,Flamingo, Discotheque,L’Kilt,St Moritz,Tiles,Blaises,The Cromwellian, The Speakeasy,Yours &mine, Frere Jacque,J Arthur’s,Biba Rainbow room, UFO,Blitz…

Dave (Lee) Smith… Phone number no longer used email me on:
davepauled1@yahoo.com

Victoria L…. If anyone has some information and fun stories about Louis brown who owned several clubs such as Samantha’s, valbonne, le kilt etc please reach out to me at victoria1@live.no

Maudue ba Nakhorn… I used to frequent Samantha’s which led me to meeting my then boyfriend Jim Avery bass player with Thunderclap Newman. I was also introduced to Engelbert Humperdinck down there. Danced on the stage. Loved it. We would go along Oxford St afterwards to a place that served anything egg. Those were the days.

 

 

136 thoughts on “Samantha’s Club – New Burlington Street. What clubs and venues do you remember in London? Tiffanys Club and Gullivers People chat.”

  1. Tiffany´s in Shaftesbury avenue was my favourite disco in 1977-1979, I remember the live band Gullivers people and the two DJ:s Ken Norton and the other one I can´t remember the name of, Dave? David? Would be great to hear from someone else who used to dance the nights away at Tiffany´s!!

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    • Hej Lena! Du måste vara svenska också? Så fantastiskt att du också gick till Tiffanys i slutet av 70-talet!!! Jobbade du också som au-pair?

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    • I went to Tiffs c 1970s and early 80s on the prowl!!! Recall a bouncer on door Scottish red beard tux, Gullivers were band then DJ took over.

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    • Jonny Royal . He was a dynamo! Played a fabulous playlist. We were good friends for years
      When i would visit his flat in Shepherd’s market,he always had classical music playing. We sadly lost touch when I moved here to Canada. Does any remember the very tall man on the door? His name was Allan. And Hilda, who looked after handbags and gave us a number tag to wear. Would love to know if any one has any information about Jonny Royal.

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  2. I only remember the femaile singer of Gullivers people, I Think her name was Kim or something like that, a name that both women and men use. She was quite tall with dark curly hair and a very strong voice. Their best cover was Alright now, a great song by Free

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  3. I have just heard back from my mate, Keith and he says that he did not know Iain Bairnson was in ‘Gullivers People’ as he never saw the group live. Bairnson was in the group ‘Keats’ with Colin Blunstone after ‘Pilot’ and played guitar on Kate Bush’s classic, ‘Wuthering Heights’ he says. He has a copy of their ‘Spendour In The Grass’ single and says they were known as a ‘good harmony group’. He’s not aware of the line up either as he asked me to try and find that out on the net…

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  4. The pic of Gullivers People brought back happy days. The guy on the right was the band leader he played piano …organ perched up high behind the band. It was a funny layout ..as you could walk right round to each end via a corridor which looked out onto Shaftesbury Avenue
    very expensive drinks and expensive girls. I always recall asking a lovely looking girl standing with her 6 mates for a dance you had to be brave, anyway asked her to dance she said are you asking me as you have to ask nicely so said PLEASE may I have ea dance.She said no thanks !! Walking away feeling like shite to the glee of my buddies!! Later on that night she came over and said was sorry but she agreed to stay with her mates asked her why come here said was a night out. She asked ME to dance. I was SORELY tempted to say no or ****!!!
    but did a few dances and made a date to go out next week but to the Empire went out a few months then fizzled out. Her name was Kay S
    checked her out on LINKEDIN last year as never forgot her name and wow there she was still looking good in Southend. Contacted her she recalled the old days we are meeting for a drink as div with no kids. Great days at Tiffs.

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  5. I went to London in 1977. We were on a student tour of all of the Capitols of the Common Market. We went to Tiffany’s and immediately the DJ pointed us out. I guess Americans are easily recognized. We had a great time at Tiffany’s and even went back there for a second night. I was 17 and I still look back on those nights and smile. We had a tour guide, his name was Jim Jackson. He was a student at Oxford. He wrote to me after I returned home, I wish I had kept writing to him, but my senior year in high school was very busy. One of my friends had her very first kiss that first night at Tiffany’s. I had my first kiss in a disco in Amsterdam the following week. Lots of good memories.

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  6. I used to run the door at Tiffany’s back in 75 & 76 and remember Guliivers people like it was yesterday. It was in a great old building called the Trocadero which at one time had been a Lyons Corner House. The Miss World offices were on the top floor and Mecca Agency was on the next floor down. The Golden Nuggett Casino took up the second floor whilst Tiff’s was on the ground floor (Sultans Bar, Flintstone Bar and another that I can’t remember) and there was a bowling alley in the basement.

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    • Tim, I never Went to Tiffany´s in 75-76 my first time there was in august 1977 in 1978 I was there every weekend, from may -sept, Fridays and Saturdays! So much fun!
      I remember Flintstone bar very well, There was a guy called Sidney who worked in bar.
      I wonder if the Gullivers people that are mentioned are the same Group that performed at Tiffany´s in 1978-1979 the years when I was there?
      Maybe I´m wrong about the female singer, Kim, maybe her name was totally different?
      There is a page on Facebook, Tiffany´s nightclub Piccadilly, I highly recommend it! There are some pics of Gullivers people there. Maybe that pic will solve the female singer?
      The 2 DJ:s Ken and Mike, does anyone know what happend to them? And the old woman you payed the entrance to? She looked like she was wearing a wig??
      I have been searching for a man I met in 1978, at Tiffany´s, his name was Naci, he lived in Turnpike lane. Not very easy !
      My e-mail is lena.jansson8@gmail.com anyone feel free to get in touch about Tiffany´s.
      I´m also on FB, Lena Jansson.

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    • Hi , I was down Sam,s as a customer at that time ,say 67 to 73 , If I have it right there was Albert on the door, Piere as manager and the barman I can not remember. I recall they went off and started a club of their own but it was not as good. All to many years ago . Kevin Joy

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    • Dave I remember the E-Type very well, I was the DJ upstairs in the restaurant with the Harley from 1981 – 83 used to finish there and go downstairs 🙂 then onto the candy box

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  7. I used to work at the Windmill Cinema in Gt.Windmill St. in 1968. Remember going to Hatchetts, Samanthas (I named my daughter Samantha) and
    Tiffanys where I also worked on the front desk in 1969. Mr. Jolly was the Manager. The band The Nocturns used to perform there….they later became the New Seekers Whilst at the Windmill saw Paul McCartney and Jane Asher who came in to see In The Heat of the Night. There was Phill Rabins salt beef bar across the road from the Windmill and the Lyric Tavern. I returned to Australia to live but not ever forgetting Swinging London.

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  8. Wow….. Brings back memories. My dad and his business partner did loadsa building work and maintenance in the area. Inc Sams, La Valbonrne, Candy Box, Le Beat Route, Kabaret Club, Dollys, La Hombre…. I was a very young teenager and worked on the clubs also. Did any of you folks use Mikes Diner next door? Mad mad times!

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    • I used to go to Mike’s Diner in 1979 when I was a 16 year old runaway, I loved it there, I always had the Hawaiian burger with pineapple on top. One night the owner or manager came over and asked to talk to me in his office, I thought maybe he was going to offer me a job or something but he made a very clumsy pass at me and started rubbing my leg so I ran out. I saw Boy George’s friend Marilyn there once looking gorgeous in a good dress, crazy good times

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  9. I never Went to Samanthas but remember where it was, just off Regent street. Did you ever knew the two DJs at Tiffanys, in Shaftesbury avenue? Ken Norton and Mike…can´t remember his name.
    I wonder what happend to them?

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  10. La Valbonne used to have those gas torches outside, wasn’t it in Kingly Street? The Candy Box with a bloody great chain on the door, I remember the boxer John Conteh being a Candy Box regular, it must have been the copious bottles of champagne that did for his career. I seem to recall that the bloke that did the door , Ian I think he was called, was a villain in a James Bond film.

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      • Hello Peter, Yes I was. I went to Chester’s after Tiff’s. If my memory serves me correctly you used to be a bookies settler during the day, and you and me kidnapped a mate 7 drove to your place in Birkenhead. Is that right? Oh yeah and you were an ugly mofo lol

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  11. Samantha’s Club… Summer of ‘67. Could not have been better. Summer of love, indeed! Down the stairs. Jag and music and etc etc… just perfect.

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  12. Jimmy Mack the leader of Gullivers People was from TILBURY, There was a black girl singing with the band prior to Sue MARTINE,in about1972 or 1973.

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    • Was there in 1970 first trip abroad from the US
      Met guys from London in music industry who took us to Samanthas
      I think PJ Proby was a partner there
      Couldn’t stop talking about it back in the USA!

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        • Ray from Canada.wriites .early 1970s use to hang out at Tiffanys. Those days had reddish hair and my Barber used to give me a Michael Caine haircut in tight waves, I wore thick black framed glasses . Had a great Caine accent. Went up to nice looker and said in my best accent like to dance honey, She agreed then said your not Mike Caine are you. I said shush am here on night off from filming.She had been drinking I guess said my God its you loved you in the Ipress File, I though my luck was in as she was giving me the come on. My pal was looking on smiling as he liked to pose as some one or other. My gal called her mate over ..kiss of death. Older mate looked at me said you prick your not Michael Caine . My gal said he is and so wonderful. Mate said come on and dragged her away. Later that night my gal came over and said take me home darling. Said where you live told me Windsor about 40 miles away in wrong direction. Said sorry filming Sunday. Next Saturday went back to Tiffanys saw her mate with my gal… mate looked at me and said you prick who are you tonight ? I said John Denver and ran.

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  13. I’m still regularly in touch with dear old Mike of Mikes Diner fame; what a great place to go after all the clubs closed. Open till 6.00am ! And alcohol in a teapot … Please call me if you remember Cyril , the other half of Mike’s, the Speakeasy, all those nice guys at Samanthas, and even Lennie Bloom ! Jon x

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  14. After finishing work in Samanthas we went to either The Candy box The Valbone The Playboy club or the golden egg in Oxford Street in the the summer we often went to the Serpentine happy days I wonder what happened to you all David the DJ

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  15. Just found this site,I was on the door at Tiffanys for 2/3 years before i went to the Lyceum also owned by Mecca,I was at Tiffanys 76/78 ,Tim did you also work at Charlie Chesters ?

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    • Hello Pete, if I recall correctly you were a bookies settloer during the day. I did work at Charlie Chesters after Tiff’s, did a few other door/minding work then in 1980 went to Africa for a few years, then New York. Been back here since end of 91, how are you keeping in these strange times?

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    • Do you remember when you, me and Mike Ryan drove up to Birkenhead, I got nicked for driving the wrong way up a one way street and for piddling up a wall.

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  16. I remember having a girlfriend called Mara from Brazil her farther was a ambassador she was model for vouge and had a flat in Chelsea great memories

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    • Tony Engelman was the manager at the Kandy Box for a while. There’s a website called Les Enfants Terribles which has a lot of people on it including Tony and quite a lot about Le Kilt, Scotch of St James and Louis Brown, Lenny Bloom clubs. The name refers to the cafe called Les Enfants Terribles which sadly I never visited.

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  17. In reply to Valerie Hammond.. I can’t remember Jonny Royal what year was he a DJ at Tiffany’s ?
    There was a man called Sidney in one of the bars… anyone remember him?

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  18. Just had email from John drummer with the equals who was a friend still looking for Gill Alex and anyone else from these great times

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  19. I used to go to The Embassy club in Old Bond Street circa 1978/1979. Then we’d head off to Mike’s Diner at 3.30 or 4am and stay until about 7am. Mike’s Diner was next door to Samantha’s. Happy days.

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  20. Some great nostalgic shared memories of London nightlife.
    Did anyone go to ” Ripples” Discotheque in Northumberland Ave, just off the Strand in Central London? Sadly now demolished.
    I was there as a nervous 16-17yr old back in 1978/79.How the hell I managed to get in I’m not sure. Ripples was a small basement disco, complete with a model watermill feature, which I guess was the gimmick for the name, Ripples, Oh those beautifully simple 60s-70s ideas on promotion and marketing.

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      • Hi Wendy. That’s interesting.
        Over the past years I’ve tried to find a little about Ripples, but have drawn a blank.
        What year was that, and do you have any other Info?
        Cheers

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  21. I worked at Tiffany’s 1972-73 and had a crazy year, we called it T. I. Fanny’s. Gulliver’s People had Jimmy Mack, Tony Jackson, Andy the Scotsman. I was known as Paul Baby. On the door were bouncers Fred ‘Baby’ Knowles and Colin ‘Baby’ O’Leary, and loads of other ‘babys’ especially the waitresses. After work we’d drink & dance all nite at the Kandy Box, or if we had to be home by 4am we’d go to Flicka’s for one. And often we’d chill out at dawn in the Swiss Cottage sauna. In 1974 I worked at The Place just off the Kings Road, Chelsea.

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  22. I knnew Tony, my ex husband worked with him for years in Birdland , he came to our wedding. I worked in Samanthas and knew Loius Brown well, and after I married I went to work for Louis in the office in Kingly Street

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    • Hi Lynda
      I don’t know whether you saw my post about the website “Les Enfants Terribles” started by a guy called Adrian Stern? If you did then I am repeating myself! Tony (Engelman) is on it and I got in touch with him (after a mere 45 years) as I was looking for my best friend back in the day, Anne Chapman. We used to go to the Candy Box a lot. Anne went out with him at one point. She was tall with long dark brown/black hair. He remembered her and her crazy Irish mother!

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  23. Used to go to the Candy Box early 1970s. Knew the DJ but forgot his name. Many famous passers by dropped in after 3am. 4 Tops, Temps, Marvin. Went from there some evenings to the old Covent Garden for “top ups” and a few times on to France for lunch! What times!!

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  24. Had so many good nights at the Speakeasy, Mikes Diner and the Candy Box. Really good times.. .. I’m still in touch with dear old Mikes Diner Mike too ! Does anyone know what happened to the new club Tony Engleman opened on Oxford St ? Lovely to hear from you all. xxx

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  25. Was my favourite dico club together with Speakeasy during my stay in London between 1967 -1969. Great memories!!

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    • Hi I used to dance the night away at Samantha’s 67 to 69after a long day nursing at Hammersmith Hospital. Remember the dj, brilliant play list. Went to the other clubs mentioned on many a night also to dance the night away! Good the energy we all had, did we ever sleep? X

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  26. Does anybody remember “Sloopy’s” disco – Piccadilly Circus – you had to go downstairs to the basement where ‘Eric’ the Bouncer would kinda greet you and show you the smallest dance floor in the whole of Soho London – went there from 1973 to 1975 every Saturday night because it was all pre-Saturday Night Fever and most people were either tourists or regulars – great bar that served happy hour drinks at half price before 9:00pm and music was played by the resident DJ Don Stevens – Happy Daze – Jim

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  27. Where about was that disco? I remember disco cherry’s between Picadilly circus and Leicester Square. You had to go downstairs but I don’t remember anymore about Cherry’s
    I think George Michael used to go there as young.

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  28. I cant remember any of the names of the clubs in the late 70’s I was a student and visited friends in london, but it was from 81 that I started coming down to london from liverpool for the week ends regularly where my late brother Elias lived, he had a couple of friends and they took me to Samantha’s or Stringfellows among other names that I forgot for the pub crawls they did around that area , it was great times and great people from the door onwards , I worked for Reuters later on and went back to Tunisia mid 80’s , Elias lived on in London until 2016 and had an accident visiting us here in Tunisia and sadly passed away, keep well and bless you all.

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  29. Dj Samantha’s Dave here Gil or Alex please contact me just heard from our old friend John drummer with the equals do any of you remember our small record shop in Carnaby Street

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  30. I have a funny story for you from someone who made a trip to London in 1977 and visited Tiffany’s.one night. It is about me Willem van Gilst jr. from the Netherlands. We were in the UK because of a school study trip. I remember there was a live band playing. They played the hit record ‘The Groove line’ originally performed by Heatwave. I had not heard this song before and really liked it a lot. So much so, that I bought it the next day at a record shop on Kings Road. During the other next days in London I visited another discotheque. It had a bit of a Greek interior. I can’t remember the name. It was a small club. There was a guy who came sitting next to me, and he was from Sweden. He said: “Just speak Dutch, Willem, Then I can understand what you say.” He had some troubles with English. It was absolutely funny. I went to see the disc jockey and asked if he could play the Groove line hit record and the guy did. It was just great with a lot of people dancing on it. Later back home in the Netherlands, sometimes I took the Heatwave Groove line record with me when I visited discotheques in my home country. This was, because they did not always know about this record. Then I asked them to play it. Manny times they did and I let them even borrow it. They loved to play it. In one Dutch discotheque it became a sort of hype because of this. People loved to dance on it in a special way. I still love the song verry much. Best regards, Willem van Gilst jr. in the Netherlands.

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  31. Loved Samantha’s and Mike’s Diner
    Valbonne. Le Beat Route. Muppets. Le Kilt to name but a few. 1977 to 1980 working in hotels in London. Does anyone remember an Italian nightclub up from Marble Arch ish with train Carriages in it.
    Such fabulous memories

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  32. Interesting story about Samantha’s we had a Australian guy start as the manager after a few weeks we all arrived for work the safe was gone I never anything more about him he just disappeared

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  33. Another thing I remember seeing Jane Mansfield sitting in a alcove with her manager the following week she was dead killed in a car accident very sad

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    • Just stumbled on this site. I spent some great nights at Samantha’s. My girlfriend at the the time was Elaine Jeyes her dad Albert was doorman there. Great club. Tom Jenkins

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      • i was working there when Albert was on the door, Jean-Pierre was the manager and Joanne worked on the reception with him, I worked as a waitress with Cleo

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        • Well I hope we left you a good tip Lynda. Was a nice team in there at that time. Albert moved on to another club I think it was called Countdown. I want a few times but it wasn’t as good as Samanthas.

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  34. Countdown was owned by Jean-Pierre which was probably why Albert went there. I remember that Albert really disliked Scottish people, Countdown never really did very well and Jean-Pierre went to Lanzarote, it was a great time to be at Samanthas

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  35. 04/09/23, 2 American college girls , Janice & Cindy from Philadelphiia lived in London n worked at Lord John on Kings Road in the mid 70’s. Fabulous nights at Samantha’s!!! Remember the swing n gorilla picture on wall. Fabulous Club & great people!!

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  36. i often wondered what happened to Joanne, I used to work with Cleo and lived with her and her family in Stockwell for a while , I met up with jean-Pierre again years ago but he was a real pain and an alcoholic , do you remember Andy behind the bar?

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  37. I danced in all those clubs as well as Fouberts in Fouberts Place as well as Sundown Charing X Road had a huge dance floor there was a go go type girl on one corner of the stage dancing all night we had fab discos and dance floors, loved Tiffanys, Hombres on Wells Street I think. I rented a studio flat on Warren Street for just £25pw in 1981 but it cost £5 to feed the electric meter for a hot water bath. So used to go to YMCA gym aerobix and swim then shower as the aerobic dance craze swept in around 1970/80 There was a club can’t remember name, on Kensington High Street next door to where the old Kensington Indoor market was nearly opposite Biba you went downstairs small dancefloor to get a drink after hours, you exit and the restaurant next door would serve lager in a tea pot thats what we had to do to get a late night drink fun times

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    • Hi Mary
      I was trying to work out what the name of that club could be as I went to all or most of them in the Kensington High Street area at the time. The fact that there were different Biba premises at different times doesn’t help! I assume the indoor market you refer to was Kensington Market (not Hyper Hyper)? So I will throw some possible names out there :
      Lulu’s (Disco actually in Young Street just off the High Street)
      Jimmy’s Wine Bar (opposite Biba when it was in Kensington Church Street)
      The Sombrero (aka “Yours or Mine”) gay club roughly opposite the big Biba store on Kensington High Street.
      I think there was a club called Thursdays as well.
      Let me know if any bells are ringing!
      Marianne

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  38. Rockefellers next door to Samantha’s place to be seen too after clubbing and only place to get a meal after clubbing or else the hotels for breakfast in Jermyn St area you’d see the newscasters there

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  39. Mike’s Diner
    Next to Samantha’s
    Does anyone remember an Italian nightclub Edgware area with train carriages in it. Name ???
    Tingles Tara Hotel playing Backgammon

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  40. The Golden egg was a place after work at Samantha’s often went across the road to Hyde park for a football kick about sometimes to the serpentine lido in the summer Gill Alex or anybody else remember those times

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  41. I used to frequent Samantha’s which led me to meeting my then boyfriend Jim Avery bass player with Thunderclap Newman. I was also introduced to Engelbert Humperdinck down there. Danced on the stage. Loved it. We would go along Oxford St afterwards to a place that served anything egg. Those were the days.

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