1952
August. London’s Flamingo Club opens and is to become a hotspot for British Rhythm and Blues until closing in 1967. Read more in this article – courtesy of Blues Matters magazine. There is an excellent, regular ‘Back to the Flamingo Club’ tribute night at the Bull’s Head in Barnes on the last Monday of every month, details here. Here is an audio interview with Don Craine of The Downliners Sect, who was a regular at the Flamingo Club.
1954
Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies establish their own club, the London Blues and Barrelhouse Club, where American Blues artists appeared. The club hosted talents such as Charlie Watts, Long John Baldry and Jack Bruce.
1958
Muddy Waters appears in the UK for the first time, and adds to the growing appreciation and understanding of Blues music. An interesting Guardian article on the subject is here.
British Blues Exhibition 