The British Beat Explosion

Anyone with an interest in the history of UK rock 'n' roll is familiar with the Cavern Club and the role that Merseyside played in the story of the British Beat scene. But on a far less celebrated but no less significant path, over a small bridge on an island in the middle of the Thames, another great 60s club night played host to acts that would later make a global name for themselves. The Rolling Stones, Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, the Small Faces, the Yardbirds and David Bowie are among the many acts who performed at the legendary Eel Pie Hotel during its 50s and 60s heyday, as did jazz greats such as Cyril Davies, Ken Colyer and Acker Bilk.

In this collection of essays from the likes of Zoe Howe (music journalist), Michele Whitby (exhibition curator) and Gina Way (co-owner of the current Eel Pie Club) as well as the musicians themselves, we trace the origins of a scene that is long overdue for recognition.

About the Authors

Michele Whitby has spent most of her life in the Twickenham area. She discovered Eel Pie Island whilst looking for somewhere to set up a photographic studio after leaving college in 1988 and has never really left the place since. A jack-of-all-trades (hopefully master of some!) she has been amongst other things, a photographer, leather-worker, puzzle writer, comic-book colourist and shopkeeper. She became good friends with Arthur Chisnall around 1996 while beginning to research Eel Pie's musical past. She coauthored the book Eel Pie Island with Dan van der Vat, published in 2009. Michele has two children, Louie and Leila, and lives very happily aboard a boat on the Island, venturing off here and there to catch some live music.

Zoë Howe is a writer, musician and visual artist based in Essex. Current projects include a film and book about the life and work of X-Ray Spex singer Poly Styrene. Previous books include, 'Lee Brilleaux - Rock 'n' Roll Gentleman', the bestselling 'Stevie Nicks - Visions, Dreams And Rumours', 'Barbed Wire Kisses - The Jesus and Mary Chain Story', 'Typical Girls? The Story Of The Slits', 'How's Your Dad? Living In The Shadow of a Rock Star Parent', 'Florence + The Machine - An Almighty Sound' and 'Wilko Johnson - Looking Back At Me'. She was a contributing author to 'British Beat Explosion - Rock 'n' Roll Island' and to Julien's documentary The Ecstasy Of Wilko Johnson. In 2015, Zoë joined the Doc 'n' Roll Film Festival jury, and as of 2016, she is The Blues Magazine's resident 'rock 'n' roll agony aunt'.