This is just a quick short & sweet ‘Shoes’ blog that I hadn’t initially planned to publish, as I had already given the subject matter a ‘light touch’ within the content of a recently published blog article (ie Mason’s Yard).
However – because the subject matter in question sat nicely within the existing ‘Shoes’ category of “London’s Lost Music Venues”, I felt the topic deserved a blog in its own right – and so here’s…..
London’s Lost Music Venues-Part 7 – “The Scotch of St. James”- Mason’s Yard-SW1……….
Throughout the late 1960’s the “Scotch of St. James” nightclub was the ‘in-place’ for London’s ‘beautiful people’ to be seen – especially the ‘royalty’ of the pop/rock music world.
The ‘Scotch of St. James’ is tucked away within Mason’s Yard, a cul-de-sac located halfway down Duke Street in the very posh St. James district of London.
The Club was first opened on 14th July 1965 and soon became the epitome of ‘Swinging Sixties’ London.
On the 26th September 1966 an unknown and definitely unseen American guitarist by the name of Jimi Hendrix flew into the UK for the first time. That very evening Hendrix turned up at the ‘Scotch of St. James’ and ended up joining the Club’s house-band ‘The Gass’ on stage, for an unrehearsed impromptu ‘jam’ session – thus giving the Scotch of St. James the accolade of going in the history books as the first performance in the UK by the now legendary Jimi Hendrix.
It was on that very same night that Jimi Hendrix met Kathy Etchingham, who would become his long term on/off girlfriend, throughout his time in Britain. In 2012 Kathy Etchingham published a book entitled “Through Gypsy Eyes”, that recalls her time with Hendrix in Sixties London – which reference many times the ‘Scotch of St. James’ club.
‘Chas Chandler’ who had been the bassist for popular 60’s band The Animals – discovered Jimi Hendrix at the ‘Café Wha?’ in Greenwich Village in downtown New York City, and brought him over to the UK – and it is said that, on that night wrote up a contract between Hendrix and Track Records on a Scotch of St. James branded napkin – the rest, as they say – is history.
Because the Scotch of St. James club was the venue of the very first performance Hendrix gave in Britain – albeit an impromptu one – he obviously had a bit of love for the place – as in 1967 he chose the Scotch of St. James club to perform ‘live’ his debut Track Records album “Are You Experienced” – an album that introduced Hendrix to the masses.
The ‘Scotch’ was frequented regularly by the likes of The Beatles / The Rolling Stones / The Who / The Kinks / Eric Burdon & the Animals / Sonny & Cher / The Hollies / a young Rod Stewart plus many many more of the rock ‘elite’ of that time.
The Beatles and the Stones were regular visitors to the ‘Scotch of St. James’ and the Club was where Paul McCartney first struck up what has been a lifelong friendship with Stevie Wonder, following Stevie’s first gig at the venue in February 1966.
In 1969 the rock band The Who did one of the first debut performances of their now all-time classic rock opera album “Tommy” and the Scotch of St. James club.
At that specific moment in history, the ‘Scotch’ was definitely the place to be and to be seen in – however, times and trends change very quickly, and by the early 1970’s the Scotch of St. James popularity started to wane and soon it was looked upon as unfashionable to ‘hang-out’ there.
By the mid 1980’s the Scotch of St. James had closed down completely and was just a memory.
However – as the years rolled by, new investors started to suddenly take an interest In reviving the venue – and in 2013 it reopened as a Parisian style nightclub called ‘Le Baron London at The Scotch of St. James’ – eventually reverting to its original name “The Scotch of St. James” in 2014.
Today – the ‘new’ Scotch of St. James nightclub continues to flourish as it did in the ‘old days’ – where the rich and famous ‘hang-out’.
The likes of Harry Styles / Scarlett Johansson / Kate Moss / Rita Ora / Rhianna plus many more ‘faces’ from the world of music/film and general celebs – are all known to frequent the Scotch of St. James these days. It regularly holds private functions/parties for the ‘stars’ and it is a popular venue for exhibitions and launches used by people like Stella McCartney.
So – that’s the story of the ‘rise & fall & rise again’ of what was once one of London’s most famous ‘Lost Music Venues’.
Hope you enjoyed this little article and its accompany photos – many of which I had to source from other websites, to be able to tell the story in the way as I thought it needed to be told.
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Below is the entire gallery of photos taken (or sourced) to support this ‘Scotch of St. James’ blog
The ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub is tucked away within Mason’s Yard, a cul-de-sac located halfway down Duke Street in the very posh St. James district of London.
Throughout the late 1960’s the “Scotch of St. James” nightclub in Mason’s Yard – was the ‘in-place’ for London’s ‘beautiful people to be seen – especially the ‘royalty’ from the pop/rock music world.
The Club was first opened on 14th July 1965 and soon became the epitome of ‘Swinging Sixties’ London.
Throughout the late 1960’s the “Scotch of St. James” nightclub was the ‘in-place’ for London’s ‘beautiful people to be seen – especially the ‘royalty’ from the pop/rock music world.
one of the main entrances to the ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub at no.13 Mason’s Yard – as it is today
Inside the ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub -during the ‘Swinging Sixties’ (Imaged sourced from another website)
Inside the ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub -during the ‘Swinging Sixties’ (Imaged sourced from another website)
Me – outside one of the main entrances to the ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub in Mason’s Yard -as it is today
Inside the ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub -during the ‘Swinging Sixties’(Imaged sourced from another website)
Me – outside another of the main entrances to the ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub in Mason’s Yard -as it is today
On the 26th September 1966 an unknown and definitely unseen American guitarist by the name of Jimi Hendrix flew into the UK for the first time.
That very evening Hendrix turned up at the ‘Scotch of St. James’ and ended up joining the Club’s house-band ‘The Gass’ on stage, for an unrehearsed impromptu ‘jam’ session – thus giving the Scotch of St. James the accolade of going in the history books as the first performance in the UK by the now legendary Jimi Hendrix. (Imaged sourced from another website)
On that night of Jimi Hendrix arrival in the UK, he met Kathy Etchingham at the Scotch of St. James club. Kathy who would become his long term on/off girlfriend, throughout his time in Britain. In 2012 Kathy Etchingham published a book entitled “Through Gypsy Eyes”, that recalls her time with Hendrix in Swinging Sixties London – which reference many times the ‘Scotch of St. James’ club.
Because the Scotch of St. James nightclub was the very first venue in Britain that Jimi Hendrix ever performed in he obviously had a bit of love for the place – as in 1967 he chose the Scotch of St. James club to perform ‘live’ his debut Track Records album “Are You Experienced” – an album that introduced Hendrix to the masses
The back cover of Jimi Hendrix 1967 debut album – “Are You Experienced” – that he played ‘live’ at the Scotch of St. James Club
The famous ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub in Mason’s Yard -as it is today
The Beatles and the Stones were regular visitors to the ‘Scotch of St. James’ and the Club was where Paul McCartney first struck up what has been a lifelong friendship with Stevie Wonder, following Stevie’s first gig at the venue in February 1966. (Imaged sourced from another website)
The legendary ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub in Mason’s Yard -as it is today
In 1969 the rock band The Who did one of the first debut performances of their now all-time classic album “Tommy” and the Scotch of St. James club.
Me – outside the famous ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub in Mason’s Yard -as it is today
However – as the years rolled by, new investors started to suddenly take an interest In reviving the venue – and in 2013 it reopened as a Parisian style nightclub called ‘Le Baron London at The Scotch of St. James’ – eventually reverting to its original name “The Scotch of St. James” in 2014. (Imaged sourced from another website)
Today – the ‘new’ Scotch of St. James nightclub continues to flourish as it did in the ‘old days’ – a place where the rich and famous ‘hang-out’. Harry Styles being just one of the many celebs that frequent the nightclub (Imaged sourced from another website)
Inside the ‘Scotch of St. James nightclub as it is today – The likes of Kate Moss / Rita Ora / Rhianna plus many more ‘faces’ from the world of music/film and general celebs – are all known to frequent the Scotch of St. James these days. (Imaged sourced from another website)
Rhianna plus many more ‘faces’ from the world of music/film industry – are all known to frequent the Scotch of St. James these days. (Imaged sourced from another website)
Inside the ‘Scotch of St. James nightclub as it is today (Imaged sourced from another website)
Me – outside the famous ‘Scotch of St. James’ nightclub in Mason’s Yard – as it is today
Thank you, again interesting reading – from the outside it really doesn’t look all that does it.
Have you ever been there?
I still think your knowledge of music facts is quite impressive.
What a nostalgic trip down memory lane! Reading about the history and legacy of The Scotch of St. James brings back fond memories of a bygone era in London’s music scene. It’s both fascinating and bittersweet to learn about these iconic venues that have shaped the city’s cultural landscape. Thanks for sharing this piece of London’s rich musical history!
Hi Kai – thank you once again, for your kind and encouraging feedback – it is very much appreciated.
Cheers
GEOFF (www.londonshoes.blog)
What a right old dump one wouldn’t think twice of going there it would be a favour to get knocked back and the inside wouldn’t look much better one would assume.