speakeasy club

Tony May DJ – Speakeasy Club Kings Road 1982

March 1, 2022 by Alan Esdaile

Tony May….While we are on the subject of D.J’s in situ, here’s a pic of me D.J’ing at ‘Speakeasy’ along Kings Rd from around 1982. How things have changed these days! No, mics for D.J’s, no record decks – no records!

Pete Fairless….The DJ played a lot of ABC and Spandau Ballet, as I recall

Tony Court-holmes….i remember humping gear up into some strange places you had gigs

all photos supplied by Tony May

Advert 1981

Tony May…..Yes, wonderful days – I was busy busy busy then most of it concerning a search for RECORDS – HA HA.

Matt Thomas…..HAIR!!!!!!!! LOL

Leigh Wieland-Boys…..we always used to wait for the first person to get up on the dance floor…..so that was you, was it?! Unfortunately I can’t seem to enlarge this photo so can’t see them very well. I worked various pubs & clubs, glass collector at Aquarius 1971-1972 – Cocktail waitress at Saturdays 1975-1976, Cinque Ports 1976-1979, also Scallis during that time (as well as a full time job)

Tony May…..Thanks guys! Yes, Leigh – I was always one of the first to ‘get on up and get down’ HA HA

Pete Fairless…..It was a great little club, spent quite a bit of time there, early ’80s…

Paul Bryant… I particularly liked the cinema section they had there,always showing a dodgy horror movie. Sure it was Colin Russell djing down there but my memory isn’t as good as it used to be,plus it was a long time ago

Jeff Belton… Reminds me when I did my second disco. In a place called Marlow House, Sidcup, Kent. Had their own set up, two decks, and a lighting control. All I had to take was my records , headphones, mic. This was in the late 1983.
Notice the pop group on the poster, The Thompson Twins or is it Imagination ?
After 1983 I carried on doing discos for 21 years , 2004. Those were the days lol.

Pete Fairless… That’s Imagination, Jeff

Paul Bryant… Sorry it’s actually Shalimar.

Terry Hardwick… I was the DJ Speakeasy Colin Russell worked with me . This is where I met Tony.

Tony Court-holmes… was big willie the bouncer there

Mick Mepham & Kieran White (from Steamhammer) August 1978.

February 2, 2016February 2, 2016 by Alan Esdaile

photos and press release supplied by Clive Richardson

Clive Richardson… performing tracks from Kierans album Open Door and jamming.

Terry Huggins… That’s the photo Mepham showed me. I thought it was his teeth, but it’s really a fag.

Andy Qunta… Excellent! Loved Steamhammer & Kieran White! Mick Mepham is fab too!

Mick Mepham… Cheers Andy!!!

Peter Fairless… Speakeasy in Kings Road?

Alan Esdaile… No Pete, it was in the building opposite the pier (now flats) that was a student office and the club was in the basement. At one time it was an information office.

Mick Mepham… There are some DL pix from gigs in there Pete. The artwork on the walls was excellent.

Queen – 1973

November 14, 2014 by Alan Esdaile

photo supplied by carol ann bolton

Carol Ann Bolton…. hat’s how I remember Queen when I first met them in 1973 supporting Mott the Hoople on their U.K., tour. Being honest, there was little sign of what was to come, apart from Brian’s remarkable guitar playing. Mick and I used to sit and chat to Brian quite a lot in greasy spoon cafés and the hotels, but Mr Mercury was not as communicative and would flounce off in his distinctive fur coat to play the stage piano between gigs. Thinking back, he was playing grandeous, classical sounding stuff which became the sound of Queen later.

Chris Meachen… Pretty much how I remember Brian & Roger when I encountered them in the Speakeasy one night when Stallion played there. Had no real idea who they were at the time.. Members of Mott the Hoople were also in attendance….

Alan Esdaile… Remember the gig at The Speakeasy , Chris. I think a couple of Mott’s were in the audience, I know Morgan Fisher was there. Bizarre things I remember, back stage they had a massive ice making machine.