Teddy Boys September 1970
In 1970 its fair to say music was going through a bit of a dire patch in the UK. Disco and sitting cross legged at a Prog Rock gig was all the rage with very little to dress up for.
Its a funny one with scenes, as you could argue that they are only considered revivals once the media have picked up on them and the squares get involved, at which point of course a scene is over. Simply because the media and the normals have engaged with it. In some parts of the UK scenes just never left, one would never dream of saying there was a Northern Soul revival in Lancashire for example as for those that know, it just never left, its as intrinsic to the county as Blackpool illuminations. Rockers/Teds are the original subculture of the silent generation, so odds are you had one in your town growing up.
As Kirsty MacColl sang in 1981 “Theres a guy works down the chip shop swears he’s Elvis”
I’ve always found these newspaper supplements cover stories very insightful of the period. They grasp the feeling of the nation and cover whats happening on the street. More so than say dedicated books on scenes. Sure there are some writers that do the leg work getting into the socio relevance: Richard Barnes, Paul Gorman, Paul Smiler Anderson, Nik Cohn & Dick Hebdige. Its just the writing style and language of these nationwide newspapers are in their very being pure zeitgeist.
This Sunday Times magazine from September 1970 pin-points the Ted revival down to a weekly night at a pub 185-187 Bishopgate Street in the financial district of East London. Which is quite plausible, I don’t know but I’m sure you’ll let me know, as you always do. I’ve just picked up on this one as I was at George Cox’s 75th anniversary of the Creeper this week. A few images lets say the more obvious in your face Teddy Boy or Rocker images were from this period and not the original scene of the 1950’s. 1950's as photographed by the likes of Chris Steele-Perkins or Roger Mayne a more toned down Edwardian (which is where the name Ted comes from) borderline elegant look. Of course the most obvious reason being, in the 1950’s taking a photograph was akin to an even; not everyone walked around with cameras and lastly Teds were prone to violence. The book Absolute Beginners by Colin MacInnes is a fantastic book and gives some understanding of the levels of troubles caused by Teds and their involvement in the Notting Hill race riots. I don’t recommend watching the film with Bowie and Patsy Kensit though, maybe swerve that one.
Back to the Ted revival look which came to a crescendo in 1972 with the famous Wembley Stadium Rock n’ Roll show. Guaranteed if you image search Teddy Boys now, the vast majority of images will be 1970’s Teds at this gig. The gig had a very impressive list of musicians: Little Richard, Bill Haley, Bo Diddley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry all the great rock n’ roll originals. Mick Jagger was in the wings taking photographs with his Pentax like a giddy fan.
Little Richard did his utmost to grab all the limelight at the all day concert with a striptease, organisers pulled the plug on Chuck Berry’s raunchy live version of My Ding A Ling. But overall no real violence from the revivalist Teddy Boys other than a gigantic bonfire of wooden seats towards the end of Chuck Berry’s set, with a great ball of fire. The concert was so successful that the organisers were organising a second Rock n Roll festival at The Oval in London with plans to bring Elvis alas they ran out of time.
But now we go back two years to 1970 to a carpet floored pub in East London......
September 1970
Cover story
Creepers, Brothel Creepers, Beetle Crushers, Crepe soles but not 'Creps'
The Black Raven pub 185-187 Bishopgate street (closed down August 1975 and demolished in 1987)
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Tom Ingrams aka Cherokee
Elaine Ingrams and the IQ machine
The Black Raven closed down in August 1975 and the regulars started the Black Raven Club above The Pembury Tavern pub in Hackney. There is no sign of Teddy Boys down there now its mainly the sandal types............. ROCK ON