It was with genuine sadness that I bid farewell to the Alley Cat Bar in Denmark Street in November. Consolidated Developments finally closed the place down.
Last time down the rickety steps to the Alley Cat Bar, Denmark Street for some LIVE music on the @londonwalks Rock'n'Roll #London #Pub Walk pic.twitter.com/CN258L1Xmm — Adam Scott (@AdamScottG) November 22, 2017
I've had some of my BEST nights as a London Walks guide down there - it's the bar where we stopped on the Wednesday Rock'n'Roll London tour.
I played there on the day that Fats Domino died and paid my own small tribute by covering his Walking to New Orleans. The recording is below.Listen out for my favorite bit: a couple of people in the audience gasp audibly as I relate the news of the Fat Man's passing. This tour always attracts dedicated music fans…
(Note: in the heat of the moment I said onstage that only Little Richard and Jerry Lee Lewis were left alive from that pioneer generation. Very remiss of me, of course, to forget one of my greatest heroes Don Everly.)
At the Alley Cat, the Walkers would make the most of Max's Happy Hour prices while I would take to the stage to perform a set of songs relating to the tour.
Sincere thanks to marathon London Walker Michael Innes for the following message when news of the closure came through…Oh no! One of my favorite walks! Who could not love interesting music history, beer, and listening to your guide play some rock and roll on the guitar he's been lugging all around town? Hope you find a good replacement bar, Adam! Wish I could go on the last walk to the Alley Cat, but I'm currently in Chicago...
Thanks also to my London Walks pals David, Shaughan & Richard Walker who all tagged along on the tour.
On my last night there Max was playing Carry On Up the Khyber on the big screen. I guess it was his version of the band playing-on while the Titanic went down. It made for a most unusual backdrop for the set…
Played my @londonwalks Rock'n'Roll #Pub Walk set at the Alley Cat tonight with Carry On Up the Khyber playing on the big screen as a backdrop. Anyone for tiffin? #CarryOn #London #LoveLondon pic.twitter.com/U521gn3DoS — Adam Scott (@AdamScottG) November 22, 2017
Plans are afoot to find a new venue for 2018 - the Wednesday night Rock'n'Roll London Walk will return in April…
You can keep up with The Rock'n'Roll London Walk on Facebook: www.facebook.com/rocknrolllondonwalk
November also saw the launch of My Back Pages, my music book vlog. The question I'm asked most often on the Rock'n'Roll London Walk is: "Can you recommend a good music book?"
This is the jumping off point for My Back Pages. Here's Episode 1…
Episode 2 is HERE, with Episode 3 HERE.
Also in November I found the scariest, most sinister loo in London. Be afraid…
I totally love 💕 @wagamama_uk ... but the loo in the #CoventGarden branch is proper scary like something out of #AmericanHorrorStory @AHSFX pic.twitter.com/poP86Dbxms — Adam Scott (@AdamScottG) November 8, 2017
A London Walk costs £10 – £8 concession. To join a London Walk, simply meet your guide at the designated tube station at the appointed time. Details of all London Walks can be found at www.walks.com.
