Walking Down the King’s Road, Chelsea, London in the 1970s
This is a blog post in progress, which means I will be adding in extra content!
Hey @LesleyBell55 – how many times did we walk down the King’s Road, Chelsea? I came across an evocative gallery by Klaus Hiltscher entitled, 1976 – London – In a hot and dry August 1976 – Take a gander.
And then I stumbled upon this absolute gem, King’s Road Blues part two By Dave Walker, oh-my-god, it makes me so nostalgic.
151 Ricci Burns – Looking Very Tatty via Google Streetmap
Saturday was always the best day to walk down the King’s Road to Sloan Square underground station because it was so unbelievably colourful and frenetic. I was often the last one out of Ricci’s (it’s now a nightclub called ‘151’), I’d lock-up and then poke my head into Quincy Jones next door (Sen, Chinese Herbs. Now L’Eto café), giving the boys a metaphorical ‘Fuck Off’ as they still had another four hours of work. I’d cross over the road and go into the Trafalgar (pub) to see if Natasha, one of our models, was stripping; maybe I’d have a grapefruit juice and slimline tonic – not very rock and roll!
As you look at 151 King’s Road, to the right (West) is Chelsea Manor Street, home of the fabulous ‘Bow Tie,’ a traditional greasy spoon café. It was here one weekday morning that the controversial Lord Longford watched me, in what seemed to be horror, munch my way through a massive bacon, egg and grease sandwich. He sat opposite me and asked me questions on the Berkshire countryside, while a thin film of white fat solidified on his cooling tea.
Bow Tie cafe 1977 Chelsea Manor street
To the left (East) of Ricci’s is Flood Street, then home to Mrs Margaret Thatcher (number 19)! About halfway down are the Rossetti Studios, built in around 1894, they are absolutely beautiful inside. I worked there in 1975 with the enigmatic and enthusiastic fashion photographer Barney Bosshart (3 Rossetti Studios), very enjoyable.
Sometimes I’d walk straight down to the Picasso Café (127, now called Black & Blue) and have a cappuccino and a poached egg on toast, sit outside and watch the pretty young things walk past, hoping today would be my lucky day. Behind me, some mad witch of a waitress was looking busy and shouting CHINO – It took me ages to realize that she was ordering coffee and not calling for an overworked menial (when I was a junior I identified with this elusive, never to be seen, Chino)!
The Picasso was my Café de Flore (172 Boulevard Saint-Germain, Paris), a little haven, where plain buttered toast and a plastic cup of tea, first thing in the morning, seemed as sophisticated to me as blood orange pressée fraîche and the Sunday Times!
I’d usually walk down (towards Sloan Square) on the right-hand, south side of the road! Passing the Chelsea Potter on the corner of Radnor Walk (drinking hole of Adel Rootstein’s staff – Adel Rootstein 1930-1992) – but I always felt that the Potter was a bit too smart for me. On Wednesday 13th June 1973, Oliver and I walked around to 52 Radnor Walk (of Quorum, Alice Pollock, Ossie Clark and Celia Birtwell fame), to talk to someone about a fashion show (I think), they were out! It was lunchtime, so on the way back, we called in at the Chelsea Potter and had an ice-cold glass of white wine. I think that was the only time I went in – although I do seem remember a late night foray after work one night!
Chelsea Bird by Virginia Ironside (1964)
I like the fact that The Chelsea Potter appears in Virginia Ironside’s book ‘Chelsea Bird’ (confessions of a sixties chick) – it’s called ‘The Chelsea Weaver’ it was obviously the ‘In’ place in the 1960s too.
The Pheasantry Arch – Corner of Markham Street 1976 by Klaus Hiltscher
The Pheasantry (North side at 152) was a hideous Georgian mansion built in 1769. The whole time I was at Ricci’s, and beyond, it was in a state of dilapidated limbo and redevelopment from about 1971 – 1981. Basically, ‘they’ wanted to demolish it, and I frankly was indifferent – I think that only the façade remains the same today! It is now a Pizza Express!
It used to be a ‘posh’ members only club and then apartments/flats, and it’s where Germain Greer wrote ‘The Female Eunuch’ – an important feminist publication at the time.
The Female Eunuch (Germaine Greer published 1970)
The Pheasantry is also a major location in The Party’s Over (1963) – well worth a look! @SlashHairNet
— Liz Eggleston (@MissPeelpants) March 24, 2016
Yeah, The Pheasantry was the artist’s studio (I think, I’m sure I’m right) in The Party’s Over. I saw it in the very late 1970s at the Electric Cinema in Notting Hill; actually, I thought it was a pretty boring film at the time – I’d probably love the nostalgic Chelsea scenes and crap acting these days!
The slightly tatty Saturday market – Photo: via John Bignell, thank you Dave Walker: Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Bignell’s People
On the South side of the King’s Road opposite The Pheasantry was the Saturday Market, during the week it was a car park (you can see the yellow sign in The Pheasantry Arch photo by Klaus Hiltscher. It’s now the entrance to M&S Car Park). I knew one of the Saturday traders, he was just like Adam Faith in Budgie – he sold jeans. The King’s Road Saturday Market closed in about 1976.
The Markham Pharmacy
The Markham Pharmacy (on the North side at 138A) is on the corner of Markham Square. It’s now a cafe, of course, but at it’s fashionable hight it was Mary Quant’s boutique, ‘Bazaar’ (1955 – 1969). An interesting website that talks about Bazaar: Mary Quant, the Miniskirt and the Chelsea Palace on the King’s Road. I used to buy copious amounts of Paco Rabanne eau de toilette from the Markham Pharmacy – what a stink!
Next door was the Markham Arms (hidden by the bus in the photo. Now Santander bank at 138), another pub I never went in! Here is another readable website with a better picture: The King’s Road, Chelsea from Swinging London to Punk – remember that ice-cream van?
Ivana (1971 – before my time) walking by the Chelsea Drug Store
Well spotted Lesley! Ivana was Head Stylist at Ricci Burns, this photo, taken by the street fashion photographer John Hendy who often stood on the corner of Royal Avenue (the sun behind him) next to the Chelsea Drug Store (Now Maccy Ds). I always loved the look of the Chelsea Drug Store (designed after Le Drugstore, Boulevard Saint-Germain), I bought a pair of cheap Loons from there, they were crap – it was a good place to sit and watch to world go by.
A fascinating read: Alex in the Chelsea Drug Store, analyses stills from Stanley Kubrick’s film A Clockwork Orange (1972 UK).
I’d be disappointed if I didn’t see a skinny old man dressed as Tarzan (in only a loin cloth) KP nuts tucked into his thong-like belt; he’d beat his bare chest and yodel for his mate, sun or rain he rarely let me down.
Interesting article by Paul Gorman: David Parkinson photography retrospective
Happy days.
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Hi All. I use to work in both Jean Machine and later Jean Junction from 1976 to 1980 I also worked in the above stores in Oxford St I met and later married Christine. I had a blast copious amounts of !!!!!!
If you remember me get in touch.
Kenny Hawkins.
kenhawkins57 at gmail.com
Hi Kenny, I used to know a girl from Jean Machine very well, but I can’t remember her name for the life of me. Anyway, needless to say, I had a load of UCLA sweatshirts, which were all the rage in 1974!
Its a shame you can’t remember her.
Thanks for replying. X
you will remember me I was the CEO of jean junction
My ex husband new one of the owners of Jean Machine. Apparently he was a lovely man. He ended up committing suicide. Did you know him? Xxx
I also worked for Jean Junction before joining Jean Machine
Hey Lynn
I worked for the owners, which one killed himself Tim or Jay?
I too had a blast working for Jean Junction- I covered for the manager in Kings Road for a short time -main stores were Oxford street and Ken high street. Had a long term relationship with Miike Canning. Remember Jeremy and Gary Warren?
Anyone out there from the Village Gate ? 71-81.
Got loads of photos .
Robert
Hi Robert Remember u well doing great windows for Cassidy’s.Ithink u were from Canada,my name is Bert worked their 69 /74 Jim Newark was manager. Great days indeed regards bert
Contact me at. [edit. For your protection I delete email addresses – Hook up on social media]
I am cliff brown how worked with jim Newark do you remember me
I worked with Ken Creed in Thackeray (also with Mike Stone and Ashni). I also worked at Cassidy, Jean Machine and the Boot Store.
Rob
Love to hear from you. Bert
I am cliff brown I worked in the village gate as well as the squire shops can you send me the photos please
Hi Bob I worked for Stuart at Quincy shepherds mkt
Before joining Stanley Adams as buyer
So I think we crossed paths when I worked with Geoff Lewis in the Gate and worked in Thackeray with Paddy when it first opened
And later when you worked for Stanley
Love to see some photos
All the best
Martin Webster
Martin Webster
Hi Bob
Yes I worked in the gate
Hope you are well and in form
Hi Robert stayed with you in Vancouver 1974 Keith and Nigel worked with you on display along with John bishop at village gate
Hi Robert stayed in your flat in Vancouver 74 with nidge who worked on display with you and John bishop. Hope your well. How time flies regards Keith
Hi Robert would love to see photos. Hope your well last time I sore you was in Canada 1974 at your flat in Vancouver with Nigel cook display colleague my names Keith peck Shared a flat with Nigel and John Bishop fond memories Regards Keith
Hi Robert, I am the ex-editor of Drapers (Record) and I have been writing about the menswear business since 1982. I’d be very interested to see you pix from The Village Gate as I know so many people who worked there. My email is eric@ericmusgrave.co.uk Cheers.
Hi robert.what’s you last name.I worked for the village gate for several years then opened the Quincy shop for Stewart malloy..my name is Ken creed.
Kenny Stuart Malloy had the Quincy Shops long before you came onto the village gate one in Shepherd Street Mayfair one in Brewer Street Soho then he ventured to the Kings Road along with Stanley Adam’s I remember you when you first started on the gate at Thackerays
Is this the Terry whealan well dressed glasses village gate cassidys. Remember you well Keith and nidge window dresser
The Quincy shops were going long before you started on the Village Gate so in theory you didn’t open them for Stuart Malloy he had a shop in shepherd street Mayfair and one in Brewer Street soho then like Stanley Adam’s he moved to the Kings Road I remember when you started at Thackerays Kenny you forget I started years before you how’s could you not remember Robert Reid’s surname ps how’s Susie
Hi Terry new you at cassidys Keith and nidge Nigel worked on display. Fond memories
I started at St.Martin’s Art School in 1971 and lived in a hall of residence on Battersea Bridge Road. We’d all walk along the kings Road on Saturdays and bought Afghan dresses at ‘Forbidden Fruit’ on the corner of a road quite a way down and then go into ‘Orange Julius’ on our way to Harrods Food Hall, our weekly pilgrimage.
Anyone go to the birds nest disco/pub back in 69?
Hi Lawrence I did go there after going in The Trafalgar but a couple of years later.
Could this girl have been Helen with an unusual last name. She told me about her working there.
I worked in Jean machine during mid late 70’s
I worked in Putney head office Monday to Friday and JM4 on Saturdays. Loved it. Tim Lonsdale, John Scott Lewis,
Anyone remember Peter Bennett art dealer at no 151 and wife Paula.
My mum, Liz, worked at Scissors in the mid-late 70s.
She worked with a guy called Hari, who has gone on to be a booming hairdressing industry on his own. It doesn’t seem real when she recounts the people she met, chopped, and hung out with in those days. Most of the cast of The Good Life would come by, Footballers, Musicians, and TV people. She also worked with Bon Scott’s (original singer with AC/DC) girlfriend, Silver. She saw AC/DC supporting Aerosmith @ the Hammersmith Odeon. Steven Tyler was slobbering all over her, and others, backstage and mum said he had coke snot pouring out of his nose and into his mouth … revolting. Mum would sometimes stand outside SEX, watching Viv and Malc having fights and throwing things at each other around the boutique. Ronnie Corbett gave her a lift along Kings Rd one morning in his Rolls Royce, dressed like he was going to play cricket. She was told about a “Punk” gig that was going on in a squat off the Kings Rd in 75. She got herself glammed up like she was going to the Speakeasy and went down after work. She said it was really squalid and nasty, full of junkies and glue sniffers. She went in and saw some band EQ set up and more dodgy-looking characters. She tapped some guy on the shoulder and asked if this was where the “Punk” gig was happening. He turned and gobbed right in her face … being a Glasgow girl, she naturally reciprocated by punching him across the room, smashing into the drum kit, and then left. “Judging by what I’ve heard of Punk, that was probably the most musically sounding thing that happened all night.” This is a snippet of the stories and memories she has of coming to London in 72 … She and my Dad knew lots of musicians, so they were always at gigs and literally saw everybody. Her fave gig of all time was Zappa with Johnny Guitar Watson opening? Ironic, as Watson was one of Zappa’s heroes. “Those Fabulous 70s,” as Wilko Johnson would say.
Was there around ’72-4, friend of Billy Murphy, stayed at his place and worked at the Emperor for a time. So sorry to hear he passed. Wouldn’t have traded those yrs for anything!