Named after William Perkins, the chemist who once owned a factory in Greenford, these flats were built on the plot of land where he kept his horses, however it has another place in Greenford’s history. This building replaced the Oldfield Tavern, a large “Tudorbethan” pub and hotel, built here in the 1930′s. By the 1960′s it was regularly hosting gigs by bands that have since become world famous. This was the venue that a young band called the Detours played with their new drummer, Keith Moon, but they soon changed their name to the High Numbers and eventually became the Who. I am indebted to John Nicholls for sharing his memories of the Detours with me.
The list of bands that played this venue is astonishing, especially during the late 1960′s and early 1970′s when it hosted the Big Brother Club. Status Quo were here on this day in 1971, Thin Lizzy the month before and one of the first gigs that year had been played by Mott the Hoople. The others? Screaming Lord Sutch, Caravan, Jigsaw, Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, Hawkwind, Arthur Brown, Alan Bown, Genesis and many more. The credit for the research goes to my partner.
It is too late to save the Oldfield Tavern but not the Starlite Ballroom, another of Greenford’s music landmarks. Please take a look here.
Images and text ©Albertina McNeill 2012. Please do not reproduce without permission. All rights reserved. Do not add any of these images to Pinterest or similar sites as this will be regarded as a violation of copyright.
