The Music of Tooting Granada

Kick off your Christmas with a trip to 'Planet Tooting' the jewel of Wandsworth, London Borough of Culture 2025! Its been called 'The Vegas of South London' and Tooting SW17 has always been somewhere to go for a good time. It has an astonishing musical heritage, no more so than the world famous Grade 1 listed Tooting Granada! The roll call of star names who performed here is mind-blowing and we want to tell you all about it and put up a blue plaque so everyone knows about them, forever!

So put those bags down and join us on the steps of The Granada Bingo Hall as we take you through those golden years and relive the precious memories. We might even feel like a little singalong! Wrap up warm, grab some soup and brace yourselves for a Planet Tooting nostalgia-ride like no other! This is your invitation to a unique party-on-the-street experience that should not be missed!

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 transported the likes of Johnny Ray, Carmen Miranda, Pat Boone 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 in Wimpey to see The Ronettes support the fledgling Rolling Stones. As the mods took over from the rockers, we welcomed The Kinks and The Small Faces. 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 helped heal the wounds.

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 twitter.

Host or Publisher Geoff Simmons, Summerstown182