- Bunjies
Opened in 1953 or 1954, and one of the original "folk cafés" of the 1950s/1960s, Bunjies Coffee House & Folk Cellar was situated at 27 Litchfield Street (just off
Charing Cross Road ),London WC2. Below the café, in a 400 years old wine cellar, was an influential music venue which changed little until its closure (and conversion of the premises into a restaurant) in 1999. [ [http://www.leechvideo.com/video/view2705546.html Jim Clark] ] [ [http://www.classiccafes.co.uk/ Classic Cafes] ] Allegedly named after the first owner's pet hamster, the venue featured, early in their careers,John Renbourn ,Bert Jansch ,Bob Dylan andPaul Simon . [ [http://www.leechvideo.com/video/view2705546.html Jim Clark] ]Al Stewart secured a residency at the Folk Cellar in 1965, at the age of 19, which was a significant factor in his later success. [ [http://www.acousticmagazine.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=96&Itemid=48 Acoustic Magazine] ]During the 1960s the venue was run by two brothers, Leo and Theo Johnson [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/yoursay/folk-clubs.shtml Ged Clarke, Hereford] ] and, at this time, a range of artists more associated with mainstream
pop music than folk happily performed to tiny audiences in the confines of the cellar;Phil Collins ,Sandie Shaw ,Cat Stevens ,Art Garfunkel ,Rod Stewart ,Long John Baldry andDavid Bowie being amongst them. [Book: Rock Music Landmarks of London by Graham Vickers]Bunjies was a haunt of many writers, comedians, singers and artists. Regulars have included
Jarvis Cocker of Pulp.Other London "folk cafés" of the 1950s and 1960s included
Les Cousins and The Troubadour.Further reading
*"Rock Music Landmarks of London" by Graham Vickers
Links
* [http://www.classiccafes.co.uk/ Classic Cafés]
References
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