19/03/2024
HEDDON STREET'S SIGNIFICANT MUSIC HISTORY BEFORE BOWIE
It mainly concerns the basement of the 3 storey building in the background of the Ziggy cover.
The basement was the premises of THE CAVE OF THE GOLDEN CALF - a highly influential music club that was opened in 1912 by Frida Strindberg.
Frida modelled the place on a venue in her home town of Vienna.
For London, however, it was something new and influential. Among other things it introduced the concept of cabaret to the city.
It has also been suggested that it was London's first gay bar.
With decorations by Jacob Epstein, Eric Gill, and Wyndham Lewis, it rapidly came to be seen as an amusing place for high society. It also provided a solid model for future nightclubs, for example, the Shim Sham Club on Wardour Street.
Many a struggling writer or artist were supported through Madame Strindberg’s devotion and finance. Unfortunately, this also led to a quick demise and by 1914, the venue was bankrupt.
Following its closure, Heddon Street returned to being an unremarkable rag trade backwater.
The venue's name, however, has lived on.... recently inspired a show at the Edinburgh Fringe and the 2010 Commemoration Ball at New College, Oxford.
The building later became a post office and is currently occupied by a restaurant - Heddon Street Kitchen.
