In the 1960 documentary ‘Living for kicks’ (see blog 1960 ‘Living for Kicks’) in the piece filmed in Brighton’s ‘teenage town’, Whiskey-a-gogo coffee-bar known as ‘The Club’ we come across “one of the main characters there” a poet named Royston Ellis. Royston Ellis ‘rock’n’roll poet’ 1959 3:46– Farson interviews Royston (4:54 “No teenager will marry a […]
The Golden Era
1952 An original early 50s Edwardian who hated rock’n’roll and despised teddy boys
Although I’m actually a fan of men’s fashions of the early 1960s (think Bob Mortimer, Vic Reeves’s comedy partner), I don’t have much regard for mod fashions even though I can accept bum-freezer jackets when accompanied by a quiff. But despite my non-interest in mod fashions I’ve just have to recommend you a book by […]
1955 ‘The Ladykillers’
The film The Ladykillers, released in December 1955, is one of the classic Ealing comedies and was one of the few British colour films of the period. The story, well-known to most, is that of a disparate gang of criminals assembled by and headed by Professor Marcus (played by Alec Guiness) who can’t seem to […]
1958 National Association of Teddy Boys
About 2005, John Facer set up the Federation of Teddy Boys in the hope it would bring teds together. If I remember correctly, some dissent was expressed from the ranks of teddy boys who visited his forum and John didn’t continue with the idea (one which I liked, especially as John has never badmouthed 70s […]
1954 Vicky Boys
Ernie Hill. 1954. ‘Dressed in styles of 1830’s: ‘Vicky Boys’ all rage in London’. In Pittsburgh Press 03.09.1954, p.10. Chicago Daily News Foreign Service. LONDON. Sept. 3 – The gay young blades of London are going wild over a new fashion fad. They are having their tailors cut them suits similar to those worn during […]
1955 ‘Momma Don’t Allow’
Teds in the 1955 documentary ‘Momma Don’t Allow’ The Fishmongers Arms, Wood Green, north-west London (Part 1) I went searching for some details concerning the Fishmongers Arms, the first London venue played by Crazy Cavan and the Rhythm Rockers in the 1970s when I discovered it was the same venue portrayed in the short film […]