A historic moment as we celebrate the galaxy of stars who once performed here at the world famous Tooting Granada/Buzz Bingo Hall!
Well, what an occasion this will be! Everyone down SW17-way loves the Bingo Hall but they don't all know about the immensely famous roll-call of names who once performed there when it was Sidney Bernstein's flagship Tooting Granada Theatre! From now on they will - Frank Sinatra, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles and The Stones... we could go on, but there's only room on one plaque for so many names. This is your invitation to join us on the steps of Buzz Bingo Hall and witness a truly historic moment. We'll kick off with an entertaining and informative commentary on the most memorable occasions here, interspersed with a selection of some of the finest bangers that once rang out, back in the day when Tooting was 'The Vegas of South London'! After our special guests have said a few words, we will reveal the plaque!
Its been such fun and a massive honour to talk this up over the past few years. A huge big thank you to all who have helped but give it up extra-especially for research-wiz Lynda who dug up so many stories to tell and lead the storming of the planning portal. Fred made the noise, pumping out those crooner tunes and bringing Frankie back to life to campaign on instagram. At front of house, Commissionaire Morris Hardcastle of the Cinema Theatre Association was always immaculate and kept the best of order. And all this is happening on National Bingo Day, so let's hear it for Jeeva and all the team at Buzz Bingo who backed us all the way and memorably let us loose in the Hall of Mirrors. But the show must go on and we'll be coming together one more time on Saturday 27 June to see our beautiful plaque unveiled, paid for by donations from YOU, lovers of this exquisite indefinably magical place that for 95 years has captivated so many of our imaginations. Please join us, no need to book - you know where to come.
Its just over 70 years since Frank Sinatra alighted here on the opening date of his first UK Tour. But even before Frankie the brightest stars in the firmament were lighting up Mitcham Road, a conveyer belt from the London Palladium organised by John Roberts brought to Tooting the likes of Danny Kaye, Carmen Miranda, Lena Horne, The Ink Spots and The Andrews Sisters. As the age of rock and roll dawned, Gene Vincent and Jerry Lee Lewis were followed by Little Richard and Sam Cooke performing on the same bill in October 1962 with a young Billy Preston on keyboards. Perhaps no story resonates more than 1st June 1963, the night The Beatles accompanied by Roy Orbison and Gerry and The Pacemakers kicked off the swinging sixties when they came to play The Granada and crashed out in Trevelyan Road. A ticket to see that lot cost the kids about the same as the price of a pint today. The following year, new Summerstown arrival Mark Feld (soon to become Bolan) took time out from flipping burgers across the road in Wimpy to see The Ronettes support the fledgling Rolling Stones. As the mods took over from the rockers, we welcomed The Kinks and The Hollies. The Beach Boys might have brought their Californian Good Vibrations but The Walker Brothers broke teenage Tooting hearts when they announced their break up. Jimi Hendrix, soon to be powered by the mighty WEM sound originated by Charlie Watkins from Tooting Market helped heal the wounds on the last night of his spellbinding first UK Tour.