Troubadour (London nightclub) explained

Troubadour
Location:	265 Old Brompton Road, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea London, United Kingdom
Type:	Nightclub, Coffee house and Music Venue
Broke Ground:	1954 but rumour has it as a music club and meeting place even earlier
Owner:	Giles McNamee
Seating Type:	sitting and standing
Seating Capacity:	120

The Troubadour is a nightclub, restaurant and pub located at 265 Old Brompton Road, Earls Court, London. Established in 1954, it is one of the oldest and last remaining nightclubs and coffee houses of its era in London. It still offers live music seven days a week.

Financial troubles

The Troubadour was in danger of closure due to financial difficulties after being served with a noise abatement notice in 2012, related to use of the garden. In 2015, ownership was taken over by shareholder Giles McNamee, who has indicated there will be future investments to keep the club open.^{[1] [2]}

Ownership

The Troubadour has had four proprietors since its opening:^[3]

• 1954–72, Michael Van Bloemen^[4] and Sheila Van Bloemen, founders of the venue
• 1972–98, Bruce Rogerson
• 1998–2015, Simon Thornhill and Susie Thornhill.
• 2015–present, Giles McNamee

Artists

The club has played host to a number of major artists in various stages of their careers. Among these have been:

• Richard Harris – in early 1956^[5] where he auditioned and rehearsed his own production of the Clifford Odets play Winter Journey (The Country Girl) while studying at the then nearby London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). Richard Harris fell in love with his wife Elizabeth here as well. A newspaper review of the time^[6]
• Charlie Watts – in summer 1961,^[7]
• Bob Dylan – Christmas 1962, performing under the name Blind Boy Grunt.^[8]
• Paul Simon - Played June 9th 1964 in London, at Troubadour ^[9]
• Joni Mitchell – played in 1970^[10]
• Robert Plant – likewise, Led Zeppelin had no official dates at the Troubadour^[11]
• Lionel Grigson, along with other jazz musicians – including Spike Wells, Mick Pyne, Dave Gelly, Daryl Runswick, and Happy Williams – played regular Sunday afternoon gigs in the 1960s.^{[12] [13]}
• Sandy Denny – who was the subject of a 2008 tribute show held at the venue.^{[14] [15] [16]}
• Martin Carthy – an influential figure in British traditional music^[17]
• Davey Graham – an influential figure in the 1960s folk music revolution in England^[18]

External links

• – official site
• Classic Cafés site

Notes and References

1. News: The slow death of music venues in cities. Stephen. Pollock. The Guardian. 9 September 2015.
2. News: The Troubadour has been saved!. Evening Standard. 2018-01-24. en-GB.
3. Tim Cumming, "Would you like Dylan with your coffee?", The Daily Telegraph, 6 May 2004.
4. Graham Hassell, "Obituary: Michael van Bloemen", The Guardian, 18 February 2009.
5. Michael Feeney Callan, Richard Harris – Sex, Death and the Movies, pp. 62–64.
6. The Times, Saturday, 7 April 1956.
7. Stephen Davis, Old Gods Almost Dead .
8. Web site: Still On The Road 1963. Bjorner.com. 17 October 2019.
9. Web site: Paul Simon 1963 / 1964 . 2 March 2010 .
10. Web site: Joni Mitchell - Joni Mitchell at the Troubadour, London in 1970 . Ilovejonimitchall.tumblr.com. 2017-11-14.
11. Web site: Led Zeppelin | Official Website London. Ledzeppelin.com. 17 October 2019.
12. Web site: The Daryl Runswick Quartet 1973. Darylrunswick.net. 17 October 2019.
13. Web site: From 'Happy' Williams to Cedar Walton. 17 December 2018. 3 February 2022.
14. Web site: Sandy Denny: Troubadour anniversary tribute. Philip. Ward. Sandydennyblogspot.com. 26 February 2008.
15. Web site: Independent review.. https://web.archive.org/web/20080622132459/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/sandy-denny-tribute-the-troubadour-london-813252.html. dead. . 22 June 2008.
16. Tim Cumming, "Sandy Denny Tribute, The Troubadour, London", The Independent, 22 April 2008.
17. Web site: Richard Farina at the Troubadour. Richardandmimi.com. 17 October 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20210618135621/http://www.richardandmimi.com/troubadour.html. 18 June 2021. dead.
18. Web site: Other Folksingers at The Troubadour More photos by Alison Chapman McLean. richardandmimi.com. 3 February 2022. 3 February 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220203222142/http://www.richardandmimi.com/troubadour2.html. dead .