In this episode, we go there and back again with a very precious club in the 1960s.
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The Basement
,
43 King Street
,
London
A Trip to Middle Earth
Written by
James
Rampton
Performed by
Stephen
Fry
Delve Deeper
Pooterland has some playbills from the club. Facebook also has some photographs of the club.
About this story
1968. A hippy club sees new and established artists performing in a small crowded space. David Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Doors, Captain Beefheart, Jefferson Airplane, The Byrds and T Rex are among the artists gracing the small basement stage at the Middle Earth Club.
The Basement
,
43 King Street
,
London
A Painted Tear
Written by
Hamish
Roberts
Performed by
Zak
Ghazi-Torbati
Delve Deeper
Check out Bowie’s painted tear. Bowiewonderworld has information about Bowie’s mime ‘Jetsun and the Eagle’.
About this story
David Bowie is performing as a political mime artist at the Middle Earth Club in 1968, and working towards his first alter-ego Ziggy Stardust.
The Basement
,
43 King Street
,
London
“I could see everyone’s fillings falling out”
Written by
James
Rampton
Performed by
Jasmine
Elcock
Delve Deeper
The Independent has an article about singers trashing their guitars. YouTube has film of Hendrix playing ‘Wild Thing’ in 1967. Music Radar has more of Terry Reid’s interview on the teeth-endangering effect of Hendrix’s guitar-playing.
About this story
Jimi Hendrix blows everyone’s socks off performing at Middle Earth in 1968.
