This week’s London Shoes publication is a little bit different in terms of location – as the event occurred outside of London. However – it is all about a Londoner who it has to be said, has done really well for himself – a man who’s music and style has brought a lot of enjoyment to a lot of people – and the event in question took place at a location that was commonly and affectionately known as (and still is I guess) as the East Londoners playground.
Last week my London Shoes had the opportunity of seeing “Jools Holland” and his ‘Rhythm & Blues Orchestra’ perform at the famous Cliffs Pavilion in Southend-on-Sea Essex– and what a great night of musical entertainment it was too.
Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion theatre venue has a strange sort of history about it.
It was originally commissioned to be built in 1935 as an art-deco style building – however – it wasn’t until some 30 years later that it staged its first proper production!!!.
Unfortunately WW2 prevented the project being completed – and ‘post’ war there just wasn’t the money around to complete the building and the theatre up and running.
Budget constraints meant that the theatre site stood empty right up until 1963, when interest and necessary investment, meant that work could finally go ahead to complete the building works, right at the top of the cliffs – and operate it as a theatre.
Throughout the past recent decades, this extremely popular theatre has hosted a mixed bag of entertainment events – ranging from musicals / plays / comedy nights / tv shows / pantomimes / big band nights / symphony orchestra performances plus all different genres of ‘live’ music. Some of entertainments biggest names have ‘played’ the Cliffs Pavilion.
Interestingly, the Cliffs Pavilion has its own little niche in rock/popular music history – for a number of reasons:-
* In 1967 ‘Jimi Hendrix’ appeared there, as part of the Grand Pop Festival held there –
where top of the bill that evening were Dave Dee – Dozy,Beaky, Mick & Tich !!!
* In 1991 Sir Paul McCartney played a ‘secret’ gig at the Cliffs as a warm up for his 1991 ‘Unplugged’ tour
* Oasis filmed their ‘Live-By the Sea’ video during their performance at the Cliffs in 1995
* The Blur track ‘Beetlebum’ from th ‘Live 2009’ album – was recorded at the Cliffs during a warm-up gig performed there prior to their Glastonbury Festival and Hyde Park gigs later that summer.
A current regular performer at the Cliffs Pavilion is the extremely talented and very popular ‘Jools Holland’.
Londoner Jools Holland was born in 1958 and originates from Blackheath in South East London. By the age of 8 he could play piano fluently – all different types of music too, particularly specialising in ‘boogie-woogie’ style. By his early teens he regularly played piano in the pubs throughout South East London.
In 1974 Jools was one of the founding members of the successful band ‘Squeeze’ – and he played on all their early hits and first 3 albums.In 1982 he was co-presenter along with the late Paula Yates, of ‘The Tube’ a new music/arts series on Channel 4 – a programme that became very popular, that ran right up until 1987, and was heralded for its ‘live’ music performed by the top bands that were around at that time.
By the late 1980’s Jools Holland had re-joined Squeeze and continued recording and performing with them for a few more years. In the early 90’s he had returned to being a solo artist again, and also crafted his skills as a tv presenter.
In 1987 he formed ‘Jools Holland & his Big Band’ which grew into ‘Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra’ – an ensemble that quickly became an extremely popular ‘live’ act up and down the country and also on tv.
1992 saw the tv prog ‘Later…..with Jools Holland’ hit the screens, and is now become a regular tv fixture and now, of course, there’s now the annual Jools Holland New Years Eve ‘Hootenanny’ – a permanent prog on tv since 1994.
Jools Holland published his autobiography ‘Bare Faced Lies & Boogie Woogie Boasts’ in 2007 .
In 2023 he was awarded the OBE for his services to the British Music Industry – and to the tv industry – and of course, for being a top quality musician…..an all round ‘good bloke’!!
Anyway, last week my London Shoes was fortunate enough to get hold of a couple of tickets to see Jools perform with his amazing Rhythm & Blues Orchestra at the Cliffs – and what a great night of musical entertainment it was too – and to add to the enjoyment of the event, I was accompanied by my brother-in-law and long time good friend Vince – also big fan of Jools Holland.
So – with all of the above in mind – you’re always guaranteed an enjoyable night out watching Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – and his performance at Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion was certainly no exception.
Throughout the evening Jools and the band knocked out quality blues/jazz/boogie woogie numbers that had a sold-out Cliffs Pavilion on their feet, clapping and dancing about.
For this performance in at the Cliffs, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra were joined by guest singers ‘Imelda May‘ and ‘Sumudu Jayatilaka’ – plus up and coming blues guitarist/singer-songwriter ‘Toby Lee’, and of course the ever present and amazing ‘Ruby Turner’. Then there was a guest appearance by ‘Marc Almond’ the ex Soft Cell and solo artist, who got everyone singing along to his massive hits ‘Say Hello-Wave Goodbye’ and ‘Tainted Love’.
As with anything involving Jools Holland, a great night of entertaining music was enjoyed by everyone at a sold-out Cliffs Pavilion – hopefully he’ll be back there again should he and the Orchestra tour again next year.
So – that was what this London Shoes blog was all about – a born & bred Londoner playing his music at a famous theatre located in the East Londoners playground – hope you enjoyed the pics.
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See below the entire gallery of photos taken to support this blog article
Southend-on-Sea…..Essex – situated on the northern banks of the Thames Estuary – 42 miles from central London – and a ‘City’ since 1st March 2022 – although its been known as the East London playground, long before that.
A view of the Thames Estuary from the ‘Cliffs Pavilion’ – the lights of Southend Pier to the left and the Isle of Grain to the centre.
The entrance opposite the shoreline, and its steep climb of steps that lead up to the Cliffs Pavilion right at the very top
Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion theatre venue has a strange sort of history about it. It was originally commissioned to be built in 1935 as an art-deco style building – however – it wasn’t until some 30 years later that it staged its first proper production!!!.
‘Jools Holland’ and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – are regular visitors to Southend’s Cliffs Pavilion
Jools Holland – in the mid 1970’s, with the band ‘Squeeze’
In 1982 Jools Holland was co-presenter along with the late Paula Yates, of ‘The Tube’ a new music/arts series on Channel 4 – a programme that became very popular, that ran right up until 1987,
Arriving at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend – slowly starting to fill up with punters – eagerly awaiting Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra to take the stage
Me – settling in to my seat – at the Cliffs Pavilion
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – take the stage – at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend-on-Sea Essex
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend-on-Sea Essex
A very unusual sight to see – Jools Holland playing guitar on stage with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Jools Holland swaps his trusty piano for guitar for a couple of numbers – on stage with his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
For this performance in at the Cliffs, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra were joined by guest singers ‘Imelda May’ and ‘Sumudu Jayatilaka’ – plus up and coming blues guitarist/singer-songwriter ‘Toby Lee’,
Me – and my bruv-in-law Vince – messing about during the interval
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – in action on stage at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – in action on stage at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – in action on stage at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend……as viewed from my seat
For this performance in at the Cliffs, Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra were joined by guest singers ‘Imelda May’ and ‘Sumudu Jayatilaka’ – plus up and coming blues guitarist/singer-songwriter ‘Toby Lee’,
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – in action on stage at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend……as viewed from my seat
Marc Almond – who had many hit records throughout the 1980’s and beyond – is a guest singer on the Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – 2024 Tour
Marc Almond – on the Cliffs Pavilion stage – banging out his hits such as ‘Say Hello-Wave Goodbye’ and ‘Tainted Love’ – accompanied by Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – in action on stage at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend
Jool Holland takes time to introduce his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra and the evening’s guest singers/performers…..to the Cliffs Pavilion audience
‘Ruby Turner’ – a stalwart of the Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra performances since 1999
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – with Ruby Turner – in action on stage at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend
The excellent Ruby Turner – banging out her stuff on the Cliffs Pavilion stage – accompanied by the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra – taking a bow at the end of yet another excellent performance at the Cliffs Pavilion-Southend.
Me – & brother-in-law Vince – ‘post’ gig – having ascended the steep steps leading down from the Cliffs Pavilion – Southend-on-Sea
Sound like you had a great night Geoff.
We’ve seen Jools and the band a couple of times at Bridlington Spa. Great entertainment from start to finish and Ruby Turner just blows your socks off with the power of her voice. 🎶
Another interesting music based Shoes outing, and as usual your love for, and knowledge of, so many different genres of music and performers is very evident, along with your enjoyment of the evenings performance.