*”London’s Lost Recording Studios” Pt.3 – the “Ramport Studio”-Battersea-London SW8

This specific blog is the third one I’ve published in the London Shoes category of “London’s Lost Recording Studios” – a subject matter I particularly enjoy researching and doing.

I’ve had this particular blog on my ‘To Do List’ for some time, and so on a cold grim day last week, my London Shoes set off out, crossed the River to the ‘dark side’, and headed off towards Battersea in South West London.

The purpose of my quest was to locate a building that was once the studio where the iconic rock band ‘The Who’ recorded their landmark 1973 released album – “Quadrophenia”.

The location in question was once the “Ramport Studios”.

In the early 1970’s ‘The Who’ were on the lookout for a building suitable for them to build their very own recording studio – rather than having to continually rely on record label owned mainstream studios.

The band eventually found an old 1900 built Church of England parish hall in Thessaly Road-Battersea-London SW8, which ideally suited their requirements. However – there were a lot of strikes and industrial unrest going on in Britain at that time, which hindered the speed of construction of the studio.

However – the construction of The Who’s ‘Ramport Studio’ was eventually completed – the UK’s first specifically built ‘quadraphonic’ studio – and the band were able to record their now legendary ‘Quadrophenia’ album – which was released on 26^th October 1973.

The reputation of how impressive and innovative Ramport Studio was, soon circulated throughout the music world, and very soon other big bands and artists were queuing up, wanting to record at Ramport Studio.

The following are just some of the more well-known albums that were recorded at Ramport Studios throughout the 1970’s – making Ramport a nice little earner for The Who: –

>>Supertramp – “Crime of the Century” (1974)

>>Bryan Ferry – “Another Time Another Place” (1974)

>>Thin Lizzy – “Jailbreak” (1976)

>>The Who – “Who Are You” (1978)

In 1973, The Who – whilst working at Ramport studios – became aware of several road accidents occurring outside the local school in Thessaly Road.

This concerned the band somewhat and prompted them to back a ‘local’ campaign to have a pedestrian crossing installed in Thessaly Road, outside the school.

The late Who drummer Keith Moon, being the larger-than-life character he was – dressed up in the uniform of a Lollipop Man, and played the role – stopping the traffic whizzing up and down Thessaly Road, whilst the school children carried out their protests.

Ramport Studio continued to be a much sought after recording studio – and in 1994 it was purchased by Virgin who renamed it the ‘Town House Three’ studios.

Today – the old Ramport Studio building is still in situ – but is now the ‘Battersea Fields Practice-Medical Centre’.

On an external wall of the medical centre is displayed a ‘green plaque’ commemorating the fact that the building was once:-

“Ramport Studio – Owned by The Who – Where Quadrophenia & Who Are You and many other albums – were recorded”.

Now – interestingly, this part of Battersea is also famous for some amazing street murals done by local resident, the late ‘Brian Barnes-MBE’ (1944-2021).

One of his brilliant murals is situated just down the road from the old Ramport Studio – tucked away in the ‘Carey Gardens-Housing Estate’.

This amazing Barnes mural is entitled ‘A Brief History of Time’ – and comprises of an ‘Hourglass’ that symbolises time running out for the ‘locals’ who are gradually being pushed out by the gentrification – that in turn is creating a rise in living costs and expenses throughout the entire area.

The famous Battersea Power Station features prominently in the mural, because this historic landmark is now the site of expensive luxury apartments and subterranean high-end retail outlet shopping malls.

Throughout the mural there are loads of interesting images hidden away, with each having its own story.

For example – there the giant inflatable pig that the band Pink Floyd attached to Battersea Power Station to promote their 1977 released album ‘Animals’ – where the pig broke free of its mooring – and floated off towards Surrey.

There’s the appearance of Stephen Hawking – characters from the Wizard of Oz – Star Wars spacecraft – the designer of the Carey Garden Estate, plus many more.

With the mural being so close to The Who’s old Ramport Studio – there are images of their singer Roger Daltry and bass guitarist John Entwistle.

In the centre of the mural is Who drummer the late Keith Moon dressed as a Lollipop Man, as he was when he famously supported the local school in its protests for a new pedestrian crossing.

As I say – and excellent piece of art – and what a great way to brighten up a housing estate.

So – having tracked down the old Ramport Street Studio building and then located the Brain Barnes ‘Hourglass Mural’ within the Carey Street Housing Estate – it was time for the customary stop for a little liquid refreshment, before heading off back home.

However – before finding a suitable rub-a-dub, whilst in the Battersea area – I decided to pay a visit to the road and the house where I spent the first 5 years of my soon to be 67 years on this planet.

My mum & dad rented the upstairs main bedroom of no.35 Kerrison Road-Battersea-London SW11 – where another bedroom was converted into what was called a ‘kitchenette’ – there was a shared bathroom and toilet – and a back bedroom that was rented out to another tenant.

The house was owned by the lady that lived downstairs – and, in 1960, she offered to sell the entire upstairs to my parents for the sum of £500 – but they couldn’t afford it.

That was over 60yrs ago. Last year – the very same house was sold for £1.7m……..totally bonkers!!!

Having visited my old road and house – taking a few photos, as you never know, I may not pass this way again – it was time to get out of the cold and seek out a local Battersea pub for a couple of ‘cheeky’ beers before the journey home.

On the corner of Battersea Park Road and Latchmere Road stands the 1860’s built pub “The Latchmere” – a real old skool pub that still has some of its original Victorian fixtures & fittings.

The ‘Latchmere’ is also home to the “503 Theatre” – a sort of ‘fringe’ theatre dedicated to finding, nurturing and supporting writers from all ages, backgrounds and experience levels – and helping get their work from script to stage…..what a great idea.

So – having necked down a couple of well-deserved cheeky Guinness’s – it was time to leave the town of my birth and head back home, having enjoyed a productive and interesting day out ‘on-the-road.

Hope you enjoyed this little story.

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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to support this blog