Lewisham Odeon
{{Short description|Former cinema in London, England}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox venue
| name = Lewisham Odeon
| image =
| location = Loampit Vale,
Lewisham,
London, SE13
| owner = Gaumont-British (1932 - 1941)
Rank Organisation (1941 - 1981)
| opened = 1962
| closed = 1981
| capacity = 3050
}}
The Lewisham Odeon was a cinema and music venue located in Lewisham, London, England. During its nearly half a century open the changes in British popular music can be seen reflected in the acts to perform there, particularly in the 1950s, '60s, and '70s.
History
It opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace with the films Westward Passage and The Midshipmaid. With 3,050 seats it was among the UK's largest cinemas.{{cite web|url=http://47bus.wordpress.com/words-articles/the-lewisham-gaumont-odeon-cinema/ |title=The Lewisham Gaumont / Odeon Cinema | 47bus |publisher=47bus.wordpress.com |date= 9 February 2013|accessdate=2014-06-01}}
An article originally published in the Observer on 16 September 1956 quotes a soldier visiting the cinema to see Rock Around The Clock saying "You should have seen this place last night. Jiving on the stage they were, till the cops came." It goes on to mention a boy escorted out by police, also for jiving, and ending up in a "meat-wagon"{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/sep/15/observer-archive-rock-around-the-clock-16-september-1956|title=Dig That Crazy Jive, Man!|website=The Observer|date=16 September 1956|accessdate=14 August 2024|first=Anthony|last=Sampson}}
In October 1959 a pre-fame Georgie Fame, then known as Clive Powell, auditioned for pop manager Larry Parnes at the theater during The Marty Wilde Show. He performed a cover of Jerry Lee Lewis' High School Confidential and was hired as a backing pianist for Parnes “stable” of singers.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CfLRAQAAQBAJ&dq=lewisham+gaumont&pg=PT102|title=Images of England Through Popular Music: Class, Youth and Rock 'n' Roll, 1955-1976|first=K.|last=Gildart|isbn=9781137384256|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|year=2013}}
On Sunday, 1 May 1960, Gene Vincent re-started his U.K. tour at the Gaumont after the car crash on the 16th April following his Bristol concert, as reported by the New Musical Express, the following week. He sang, so that newspaper reported, Over the Rainbow.{{cite web|url=http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/30710 |title=Odeon Lewisham in London, GB |publisher=Cinema Treasures |date= |accessdate=2014-06-01}}
The building reopened in 1962 as the Lewisham Odeon after being closed for several months due to a fire. It nostalgically re-screened The Midshipmaid, and its first new showing was That Touch of Mink.
Over the years it hosted performances from artists such as David Bowie,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EKE2DQAAQBAJ&dq=lewisham+odeon+david+bowie&pg=PT220|title=David Bowie: The Golden Years|first=Roger|last=Griffin|year=2016|publisher=Omnibus Press|isbn=9781780380162}} Queen,{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/queen-lewisham-odeon-1979|title=Live Music Artist: Queen Tour: Crazy Tour Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Thursday, 20 Dec 1979|website=45worlds}} Status Quo,{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/gene-pitney-amen-corner-status-quo-lewisham-odeonkinks-tremeloes-herd-walthamstow-granada|title=Gene Pitney, Amen Corner, Status Quo: Lewisham Odeon/Kinks, Tremeloes, Herd: Walthamstow Granada|magazine=Melody Maker|first=Chris|last=Welch|date=13 April 1968}} Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, The Hollies, The Beatles,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tofbDgAAQBAJ&dq=lewisham+odeon&pg=PT57|title=A Beatles Miscellany: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Beatles but Were Afraid to Ask|first=John|last=Van Der Kiste|publisher=Fonthill Media|year=2016|isbn=9781781555828}} Ray Charles, The Rolling Stones, Little Richard, Bo Diddley, The Everly Brothers,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=q7HfEAAAQBAJ&dq=lewisham+odeon&pg=PT96|title=Little Richard: Send Me Some Lovin'|publisher=McNidder & Grace|year=2023|first=Spencer|last=Leigh|isbn=978-0857162441
}} The Supremes, Deep Purple,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=LzzCw6xs9roC&dq=lewisham+odeon+cinema&pg=PA162|title=Smoke on the Water: The Deep Purple Story|first=Dave|last=Thompson|year=2004|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=9781550226188}} Dire Straits,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7QbEAAAQBAJ&dq=lewisham+odeon+cinema&pg=PP107|title=My Life in Dire Straits: The Inside Story of One of the Biggest Bands in Rock History|first=John|last=Illsley|publisher=Transworld Digital|year=2021|isbn=9781473587946}} Rod Stewart and The Faces,{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/rod-stewart-of-the-faces-performing-on-stage-at-lewisham-news-photo/628316016|title=The Faces - Rod Stewart of The Faces performing on stage at Lewisham Odeon, London, 18 November 1974. (Photo by Ian Dickson/Redferns)|website=Getty Images}} The Clash,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mtgvmid6o94C&q=lewisham+odeon|title=The Clash: Rat Patrol from Fort Bragg|first=Alan|last=Parker|publisher=Abstract Sounds Publishing|year=2003|isbn=9780953572496}} Carl Perkins,{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/carl-perkins-performs-on-stage-at-lewisham-odeon-london-news-photo/468713357|title=Carl Perkins performs on stage at Lewisham Odeon, London, 1978. (Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns)|website=Getty Images}} Wings,{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/laurence-juber-steve-holly-denny-laine-paul-mccartney-and-news-photo/96256525|title=Laurence Juber, Steve Holly, Denny Laine, Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney of Wings perform on stage at The Lewisham Odeon on December 3rd, 1979 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)|website=Getty Images}} Ian Dury,{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/ian-dury-performs-at-the-lewisham-odeon-in-1979-in-london-news-photo/85142009|title=Ian Dury performs at the Lewisham Odeon - LONDON: Ian Dury performs at the Lewisham Odeon in 1979 in London, England. (Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns)|website=Getty Images}} The Specials, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure,{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/siouxsie-and-the-banshees-lewisham-odeon-1979|title=Live Music Artist: Siouxsie And The Banshees Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Saturday, 13 Oct 1979|website=45worlds}} Emerson, Lake & Palmer,{{cite web|url=https://www.ewbankauctions.co.uk/20230224M2-lot-4078-Early-Pink-Floyd-and-other-music-programmes-Emerson-Lake-Palmer-programme-from?view=lot_detail&auction_id=797|title=Lot 4078 Early Pink Floyd and other music programmes, Emerson Lake & Palmer programme from Lewisham Odeon 1971 signed by Keith Emerson and Greg Lake...|website=Ewbank's Auctions}} Adam and The Ants,{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/adam-and-the-ants-lewisham-odeon-1980|title=Live Music Artist: Adam And The Ants Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Saturday, 29 Nov 1980|website=45worlds}} Stevie Wonder, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gNoNBAAAQBAJ&dq=Soul+Citizen+lewisham+odeon&pg=PA114|title=Soul Citizen: Tales and Travels from the Dawn of the Soul Era to the Internet Age|first=Clive|last=Richardson|publisher=Lulu.com|isbn=9781291246735|year=2012}} Thin Lizzy,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=15vNhYoMzloC&dq=lewisham+odeon&pg=PT148|title=Phil Lynott: The Rocker|first=Mark|last=Putterford|publisher=Omnibus Press|year=2002|isbn=9780711991040}} Tom Robinson Band,{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/tom-robinson-lewisham-odeon-1979|title=Live Music Artist: Tom Robinson Band Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Saturday, 7 Apr 1979|website=45worlds}} Hawkwind,{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/hawkwind-lewisham-odeon-1976|title=Live Music Artist: Hawkwind Title: A Christmas Spectacular Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Sunday, 19 Dec 1976|website=45worlds}} T. Rex,{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/t-rex-lewisham-odeon-1971|title=Live Music Artist: T. Rex Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Friday, 9 Jul 1971|website=45worlds}} Gladys Knight and the Pips, Desmond Dekker, Jimmy Ruffin, Carol Woods,{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/gladys-knight-and-the-pips-lewisham-odeon-1972|title=Live Music Artist: Gladys Knight And The Pips Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Saturday, 11 Nov 1972|website=45worlds}} Gerry and the Pacemakers{{cite web|url=https://www.45worlds.com/live/listing/jet-harris-and-tony-meehan-lewisham-odeon-1963|title=Live Music Artist: Gerry And The Pacemakers Venue: Lewisham Odeon City: London, England, UK Date: Friday, 4 Oct 1963|website=45worlds}} and The Who.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_RwOaA1GTjQC&dq=lewisham+odeon&pg=PA461|title=Anyway Anyhow Anywhere: The Complete Chronicle of the Who 1958-1978|first1=Andy|last1=Neill|first2=Matt|last2=Kent|year=2011|publisher=Virgin|isbn=9780753547977}}
On 27 May 1978 Black Sabbath headlined there on their Never Say Die tour, with support from Van Halen.{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/ozzy-osbourne-of-black-sabbath-performs-on-stage-during-news-photo/1324031822|title=Black Sabbath Perform At Lewisham Odeon - Ozzy Osbourne of Black Sabbath performs on stage during their 'Never Say Die!' tour at Lewisham Odeon, London, England, on May 27th, 1978. (Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns)|website=Getty Images}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/michael-anthony-david-lee-roth-and-eddie-van-halen-of-van-news-photo/1222935780|title=Van Halen At Lewisham Odeon - L-R Michael Anthony, David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen of Van Halen perform on stage at Lewisham Odeon, London, 27th May 1978. (Photo by Gus Stewart/Redferns)|website=Getty Images}}
In 1977, 1979, and 1980 Lewisham Council rejected applications from then owners of Odeon, Rank Leisure, to convert it into a bingo hall.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19801127/021/0003|magazine=The Stage|date=27 November 1980|page=3|title=Light Entertainment News - Lewisham concert venue to close}} Rank closed the cinema and venue on 14 February 1981. The Stage reported at the time that the council had hoped to retain the cinema and its planning and development committee would be meeting to consider a plan submitted by Rank to convert it into "two smaller studio cinemas and a department store". Its final concerts were two dates by The Who on 8 and 9 February.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0001180/19801218/032/0005|magazine=The Stage|date=18 December 1980|page=5|title=Light Entertainment News - Rock fans support axed Odeon}}
The building was demolished in 1991 for a road widening scheme.{{cite book|title=London Gig Venues|first=Carl|last=Allen|isbn=978-1445658193|year=2016|publisher=Amberley }}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Odeon Cinemas|state=expanded}}{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|51|27|50.18|N|0|0|43.63|W|scale:6250_region:GB|display=title}}
Category:Former cinemas in London
Category:Music venues in London
Category:Former music venues in London
Category:Buildings and structures demolished in 1991
Category:Buildings and structures in the London Borough of Lewisham