Does anyone remember Sloopy’s disco just off Piccadilly Circus?? asks Jim Miller

Jim Miller… Does anyone remember Sloopy’s disco just off Piccadilly Circus??

A photo would be good to post on this page, if anyone has one?

Alan King… hang on…

Ross… The outside is shown 50 minutes into the 1970 film, Die Screaming Marianne.

Carol Cakir… I Used to go to Sloopys 73/4/5, before that went to a large disco upstairs via a big staircase maybe it was in the Lyceum premises further along the same side towards Leicester Sq called Bumpers there was a big neon sign of a lace up sports type of boot on the wall outside , sounds improbable I know but it was definitely there ! Also Tiffany’s, Sundowner , Samantha’s & Crackers , Studio Valbonne ( Monday night was showcase night in Valbonne different acts )Stopped for a couple of years then returned to Tiffany’s and Samantha’s 78/79 Noel was the DJ in the EType, Ozzie in the other dance floor room. Nice to read about everyone’s good memories!

Peter Waltman… this is a picture of a BRIGHTON club SLOOPYS from the early to mid 70’s NOT as stated a club in London, it is at the Town Center end of Dyke Road and about 50yds up from the Clock Tower & Churchill Square, I would have to wait outside the place when picking my Sister up from her Saturday night out there… it has changed names many times since the 70’s & closed down in about 2011, buildings still there but I don’t know what it is used as these days

Val Harrison… I worked as a part time waitress in Coventry St.Piccadilly Sloopys, not the Sloopys in the photo here. It was below ground dark and dingy but a great laugh and good dance scene. I met many celebs there. Down the road was Maximus Leicester Square. So many great discos back then, The Hippodrome in Leicester Square, Tramp,
The Candy Box, Roaring Twenties.

Eric West… Ross, I was at Sloopys every Friday for years, it then changed to Cerrys night club. It was small inside but had a massive atmosphere. At first only a few of us went there, but after it changed to Cerrys we use to fill the place, just our crew alone with a few other people. The music was first class dance tunes, Crown Heights Affair Far Out was the best dance track ever, I went into myself deeply when dancing to this tune. Best nights at this place. We even took Paul trouble Anderson with us. Late 70s was the best. Met Horace Carter there as well. Great dancer. Wondering if anyone can add to this.

Val Harrison… Thanks Eric, Sloopys Coventry Street. The door was manned by Robert Trotman and manager Kevin French. Another guy named “Goose” was like a care taker/cleaner. Sloopys was below ground, down the stairs, through a door on the right..Small dancing stage on the right side of the entrance and on the left was tables and chairs then up few stairs to the bars and alcove seating. On Coventry street’s main road there used to be an emporium selling, silver jewellery, records, kaftan etc called “kleptomania” with a K. Gosh! Although London is big anyone who worked in this area and Coventry garden pretty well knew each other. Great fun times.I met many celebs.

Read more

SMART 45 Coffee meet report

Our 45th coffee meet and among the newbies this time were Caz Simpson and Chris Sherwin.  Caz was chatting to Sarah Ferguson and Colin Bell about memories of The HiFi Club which was at the bottom of the High Street, Old Town. Chris was talking to Pete Millington and Lol about when he was in a trad jazz group with Pete Townsend on banjo and John Entwistle on horns called The Confederates, as well as lots of interesting stories to tell when he worked for Marshall Amps shop in Hanwell.  Laurie Cooksey arrived with some more early Factory photos and Barry French had with him a full size cinema display poster advertising a double bill of Clint Eastwood’s Magnum Force and Dirty Harry. He also had a  fold out tour programme from Steeleye Span Rocket Cottage 1976 tour and The Mirror newspapers Live Aid souvenir issue from 1985, as well as a bundle of comic books. Eric Harmer was talking about the recent success of the Barefaced St Michaels Hospice fund raising gig. General chat was about Paul McCarney’s new album Eqypt Station, happy memories of seeing The Kult, Pete Prescott making next year his last Beatles Day, Pete Bonner when they had a shop in Silverhill, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel coming to The De La Warr Pavilion in December and Tony Blackburn coming to The White Rock Theatre with The Sounds Of The 60’s next March 2019. What radio station do you listen to, Andre’s talk about The White Rock baths,  the closing down of Music’s Not Dead and Di Paolo Cafe Bexhill and SMART taking a stand at the Hastings Seniors Fair. This is just a very small bit of what I remember, anyone who wishes to add anything interesting you were talking about, then please feel free to do so.

Jan Warren… Sorry I couldn’t make it

Caz Simpson… It was so lovely meeting old friends, thank you

Tony Davis… Sorry to miss this one but was working.

Alan Wood… Very interesting,thank you