the standard have asked for my views on the demise of the 12 bar and Madame Jo Jo here is my answer in case it doesnt get printed I read with interest Richard Godwins great story about the demolishing of the 12 bar and its environs for yet another shopping centre. this cultural vandalism of London is now out of control. The last thing London needs is another Westfield style developmentcomplete with Pret A Manger Victorias Secret and maybe Zara we want old London back. Opera and established old school arts have fantastic venues and great funding in london there is nothing for ground roots rock and roll , Whilst cities like Liverpool realise the importance of historic rock venues for cultural and tourist reasons the planners of london bulldoze them! Most important bands that exist today have established themselves by doing it the hard way coming up through playing the back rooms of Victorian pubs dingy cellar dives illegal warehouse parties Ive even played at a squat in the Libyan embassy these are the places where you learn your stagecraft pay your dues not reality TV programs and sponsored art centres . to have a vibrant live music scene for young and emerging bands (and old lags like me) we must make the people who profit from the homogenisation of our great city pay for the provision and soundproofing of new venues . The vandals are at the gates its time act before its too late its time to shame the people in the mayors office and the planning departments into protecting contemporary rock and roll in london. I play my music all over the world and see what is happening in Paris and New York dont let that happen here ! JC Carroll
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 12:16:23 +0000
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