IKON

Timeline:

Lower Floor -

The Samson & Hercules

Ritzy's

Ikon

Middle Floor -

5th Avenue opens 29/09/94

Upper Floor -

unplaced: Central Park /

Alledgedly built on a plague pit, this former mansion has abundant pre music history, the story of the two carved figures either side of its portico entrance and the reason the venue was called the Samson and Hercules is a story in itself see: www.heritagecity.org for more information.

 Our interest starts when Teddy Bush founder of Bush Builders bought the mansion in 1934 and converted it into an indoor pool and ballroom. The venue became such a popular haunt that even major fires in 1937 and March 1944 saw builders repair the venue in record time.

 [On the 18 August 1944, Glenn Miller visited the club having played the bandstand in Chapel Field Gardens that afternoon. Glenn had only been promoted to Major the day before and it’s said the band stayed up most of that night celebrating.][reported but not true]

 Soon after the war Mr Bush sold the building to a partnership headed by well known local hotelier Alec Taylor. It was this partnership that made the decision to bring in top big bands from all over the country. One of the first popular resident bands was the Harry Gerard Band; Harry was later to drown while on an engagement in Scotland.

 In 1948 the venue was bought by Geoffrey Watling who continued to put on top class entertainment and with the relaxed catering regulations after the war, the venue became known for its food and dancing.

 In January 1960 he sold both The Norwood Rooms and The Samson and Hercules to Mecca Ltd for £163,000. Mecca renovated the ballroom and it continued to be one of the city’s main live music venues throughout the sixties. In the eighties as Ritzy’s, artists such as Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Thompson Twins and heartthrob Jason Donovan performed at the venue. The hysteria for the Jason Donovan visit was such that a planned visit by Kylie Minogue was cancelled. It should be noted that the complex also housed other venues/clubs but that’s another story.

Today the building is once again up for sale.

SCENES: ‘40s & ‘50s Swing, Jazz, Big Bands / ‘60s Cabaret, Pop, R&B, Beat / ‘70s Cabaret, Pop / ‘80s Pop

Picture courtesy of Jonathan Plunkett by George Plunkett