The Music of Tooting Granada

Here we go again! The roll call of star names who performed here is mind-blowing and we keep telling you all about it and how great it would be to put up a blue plaque so the wider world knows about them, forever! Join us on the steps of the world famous Tooting Granada Buzz Bingo Hall as we take you through those golden years, reliving the tunes once performed here. Join, myself, Granada historian-wiz Lynda, musicmaster Call Me Fred and Commissionaire Morris Hardcastle as we bring you another powerful hit of musical nostalgia. This is your invitation to a unique party-on-the-street experience that should not be missed!

One hundred years ago, a young man called Sidney Bernstein went walking in the mountains of the Spanish Sierra Nevada. He came upon the glorious 13th century Alhambra Palace in Andalusia, 'A Paradise on Earth', one of the finest examples of Islamic architecture to grace western Europe. Returning to Britain and about to launch his new cinema chain, he was inspired to give it the name of the area he visited. He called his new enterprise 'Granada' and instructed his designer, Theodore Komisarjevsky to create a showpiece theatre evoking the Alhambra's exquisite grandeur. Somewhere to fire people's imaginations and help them escape the drudgeries of everyday life. In September 1931, the people of Tooting, south London were gifted one of the most outstandingly beautiful performance venues the world has ever seen.

'Planet Tooting' the jewel of Wandsworth, London Borough of Culture 2025 has always been somewhere to go for a good time. It has an astonishing musical heritage, no more so than the acclaimed Grade 1 listed Tooting Granada. Not only this this an architectural gem but the roll call of star names who performed here is truly mind-blowing and we want to tell you all about it and put up a blue plaque so everyone knows about them, forever!

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.

Geoff Simmons runs a community history project in south west London called Summerstown182 alongside his job as a graphic designer. This involves Guided Walks and Talks, working with schools and putting up plaques. Over the last ten years a trail of these have emerged along the Wandle Valley, shining a light on some of the lesser-known history in this area. They range from the youngest soldier to serve this country in the First World War to a ground-breaking plaque acknowledging Romany Gypsy and Traveller heritage in Wandsworth. 'Planet Tooting' is an ongoing initiative championing the outstanding migrant contribution to our neighbourhood which resulted in a blue plaque on Tooting Market. Have a look on Geoff's blog for more details or follow @summerstown182 on social media.