A Mark In Time
Mark Knopfler Discussion => Mark Knopfler Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Pondlive on April 23, 2015, 09:26:37 PM
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Does anyone know the name and location of the pub used at the beginning of the Alchemy video?
The one the band is playing pool in. Does it still exist?
Pondy :)
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Does anyone know the name and location of the pub used at the beginning of the Alchemy video?
The one the band is playing pool in. Does it still exist?
Pondy :)
This answer comes very very late. sorry for that.
As you might know, I wrote a book about places related to the DS and MK songs and history (looks at my signature for the link) and I'm currently writing the second edition with many many more and new information, and there is something about this I found out...
Someone in facebook mentioned that it was a pub called "Birds Nest" in Deptford, as it looks like MK said it in a TV interview around the time Alchemy was released. That same pub is suspicious, as it's close to the Farrer House, of being the one where the brothers Knopfler heard the sultans of swing, but that's only a theory. Actually, the DS members had a moment in the band history there, as it's there where they found out that Charlie Gillett put his Sultans demo on the radio, after they helped a friend to move furnitures. By that time, the birds nest pub was called the oxford arms.
https://goo.gl/maps/hVPR9Zj3iZx (https://goo.gl/maps/hVPR9Zj3iZx)
I asked John Illsley if the birds nest was the pub where they filmed the scenes of the band playing pool and he answered me that no, that the pub was one called Greyhound in Fullam Road, a 10 minutes walk from the Hammersmith Odeon. Nowadays is called Southern Bell.
https://goo.gl/maps/5j9q17h5NF22 (https://goo.gl/maps/5j9q17h5NF22)
If anyone has more information, please share. If not, I hope you enjoy this little investigation.
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Rather unfortunate modern façade for the Southern Belle; both it plus the name make it look and sound like a strip bar! What were they thinking?
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Jbaent,
Thank you for replying, better late then never.
I have your first book, and am looking forward to the second edition.
When did you ask John Illsley about this, was it recently?
I did try a quick Google for images of the Greyhound in the 1980’s, but as yet had no luck.
Thanks again for your investigation, and please do let us know if you find out more.
Pondy :)
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It looks like it’s being redeveloped.
"Demolition and redevelopment of part of existing single storey building to the rear (A4 Use), to provide 7no. residential units (C3 use) (5 x 1 bed units and 2 x 2 bed units), together with associated cycle parking and refuse store; retention of 486 sqm of A4 use at ground and lower ground floor level."
A large, barnlike corner pub with emphasis on sports TV and pool. Games & quiz night on Thursdays. Some live music nights, see their website.
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Jbaent,
Thank you for replying, better late then never.
I have your first book, and am looking forward to the second edition.
When did you ask John Illsley about this, was it recently?
I did try a quick Google for images of the Greyhound in the 1980’s, but as yet had no luck.
Thanks again for your investigation, and please do let us know if you find out more.
Pondy :)
I contacted John yesterday ;)
Try these links:
https://twitter.com/greatestcapital/status/878953088132014081?lang=es
https://pubshistory.com/LondonPubs/Hammersmith/GreyhoundFulham.shtml