The Scene Club

ABOUT

The Scene was a mod club in Ham Yard, off Great Windmill Street in Soho, which took over the premises of Cy Laurie's Jazz Club in 1963. Ronan O'Rahilly managed it, Guy Stevens played American R&B and soul records there, and it served soft drinks only. The Ham Yard Hotel now covers the site.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Who, then called the High Numbers, played the Scene on Wednesday nights from July to September 1964. The Animals were a resident group there, and David Bowie's band the Manish Boys played the club on 19 September 1964.

MUSIC & CHARACTER

SOURCES

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

1. https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/exhibitions/aladdin-soho-the-swinging-sixties-streets-that-shaped-a-young-david-bowie-8532121.html (news article)Supports: Cy Laurie's Jazz Club in Ham Yard became the Scene in 1963, a mod club with a soft-drinks bar and a dance floor.
2. https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/apr/23/ronan-orahilly-obituary (news article)Supports: Ronan O'Rahilly managed the Scene; Alan Price credited him with helping form the Animals, and Georgie Fame was a regular there.
3. https://www.thewho.com/previous_gig_period/1964/page/2/ (official website)Supports: The High Numbers (the Who) played the Scene Club on Wednesdays from 22 July to at least 2 September 1964.
4. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/New-Musical-Express/2006/NME-2006-Special-MOD-Tribite.pdf (news article)Supports: Guy Stevens was the Scene's DJ, playing American R&B and soul records to a mod crowd.