Hammersmith Palais

ABOUT

The Hammersmith Palais was a dance hall at 242 Shepherd's Bush Road, Hammersmith, that opened in 1919 and later put on rock gigs. It closed in 2007 and was demolished in 2012; a student residence now stands on the site.

SIGNIFICANCE

Don Letts took Joe Strummer to a reggae all-nighter at the Palais, and Strummer's disappointment with the performances became The Clash's 1978 single '(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais', which he went on playing at his concerts until his death in 2002. Slade, the Ramones, U2 and New Order also played there.

MUSIC & CHARACTER

SOURCES

Details compiled from public sources. Run this venue? Get in touch to confirm or correct the listing.

1. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/6508295.stm (news article)Supports: Strummer ended his gigs with the song up to his death in 2002; the Palais closed in the week of 30 March 2007 and was due to be demolished.
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20140907212918/http://purestudentliving.com/our-properties/hammersmith (official website)Supports: The student residence Pure Hammersmith, 230 Shepherd's Bush Road, stands on the former site of the Palais.
3. https://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/aug/29/five-most-influential-nightclubs-music-venues-last-100-years (news article)Supports: The Hammersmith Palais de Danse opened in 1919 and was demolished in 2012; Slade, the Ramones, U2 and New Order played there.
4. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/sep/23/the-clash-10-of-the-best (news article)Supports: Strummer felt the performances that night by Dillinger, Leroy Smart and Delroy Wilson were more lightweight than the roots reggae he had expected; the song was a 1978 hit.