13-march-1964 Sonny Boy Williamson
DATE: Friday, 13th, March, 1964
LOCATION: 90 Wardour Street
MAIN ACT: Sonny Boy Williamson
SUPPORTING ACTS: Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, The Yardbirds, Eric Clapton.
This was the opening night of the Marquee club at it's new home in 90 Wardour St. Bluesman Sonny Boy Williamson was the main act, being this his fourth show at the club. Williamson would play his next and last show at the Marquee in December 1964. Other artists onstage were Long John Baldry, whom had started a residency at the club a month before, Rod Stewart, and the Yardbirds whom had also started a residency a month before, often accompanied by Sonny Boy Williamson. Guitarist Eric Clapton is credited to have appeared onstage too.
John Gee, secretary of the Marquee club, wrote a note in the following newsletter of the club with a description of the succes of the night:
"Thanks to the valiant efforts of builders, electricians, caterers and 101 other sundry characters, the New Marquee opened dead on time at 7.30pm on Friday March 13th. Bu that time an absolutely fantastic queue had assembled and most regretfully we had to turn some 600 away after the 'house full' notice went up. Sonny Boy Williamson really made Wardour Street wait that night and took his farewell bow in a magnificent fireman's helmet presented to him by Mr Coombs , our club manager, who was until his recent retirement Chief Fire Officer of Richmond. In April we hope to have the main club area completely finished".
(Jazzbeat magazine, April 1964).
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