Goldhawk Social Club

ABOUT

The Goldhawk Social Club was the name used for the Friday and Saturday club nights at the Shepherd's Bush Club, a members' club at 205 Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush. The Who played there regularly in 1963-65. The building is still the Shepherd's Bush Club, a private members' club, and carries a plaque for The Who unveiled in 2014.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Who, first as The Detours, played the club regularly from their first known show there on 7 June 1963 to their last on 3 December 1965. One regular, Irish Jack Lyons, recalled a crowd of mods asking the band to play 'I Can't Explain' three times in one night.

MUSIC & CHARACTER

SOURCES

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

1. https://camra.org.uk/pubs/shepherds-bush-club-shepherds-bush-199740 (official website)Supports: The Shepherd's Bush Club at 205 Goldhawk Road is open as a members' club.
2. https://petetownshend.net/news/new-interview-with-irish-jack (official website)Supports: The official name of the premises was the Shepherd's Bush Club, a working men's club; it was known as the Goldhawk Club on Friday and Saturday nights, when it put on bands.
3. https://petetownshend.net/news/the-who-honoured-with-blue-plaque-at-goldhawk-club (official website)Supports: The Detours (later The Who) played the club regularly from their first known performance there on 7 June 1963; The Who's last performance there was on 3 December 1965.
4. https://www.londonremembers.com/memorials/the-who-w12 (official website)Supports: The plaque reads: 'Legendary Shepherd's Bush rock band, The Who, performed here at the site of the Goldhawk Social Club at the start of their career. Celebrating 50 years of The Who, 1964 - 2014.'
5. https://www.thewho.com/previous_gig_period/1963/ (official website)Supports: The Who's official gig archive lists repeated 1963 dates at the Goldhawk Social Club.