Tomorrow I dine (drink) with a 1969 Ivy styler who kept the faith. Confidently hoping to learn more.
Last week I had the pleasure of the company of an original Ivy 'Skin'. Also very illuminating.
Next week, with luck, I have the pleasure of the company of one of my co-religionists to add yet another eye witness account of Ivy in London.
Busy, busy, busy.
I only visit, of course: infrequently nowadays. I used to stay with friends in Streatham in the early 80s. That seemed a pleasant enough area. My wife lived in Enfield and other parts of North London after graduation, and learned to drive there. I can well imagine the grimness. A tough place to be if you're poor.
Anyone read Suggs' book on London?
I'm in complete agreement with the above. I adore and prize male beauty. Colin Salmon, Morgan Freeman, Montgomery Clift, Anthony Perkins. I could go on.
Geezers don't do gushing.
Anyone heard the Derrick Harriott version of The Equals' Black Skinned Blue Eyed Boys? It's a disco classic by one of my favourite reggae artists, it's a killer. If you're not into disco and/or reggae but appreciate funky music then I think you will be impressed.
I'm a dedicated Guardian reader, and I am dismayed by racism, be it in any continent. I'm sure plenty of non-Guardian readers share those feelings. I doubt I conform to Kingstonian's perception of Guardian readers. I don't eat organic muesli, although I do eat organic porridge, and own several pairs of sandals. I've never worn a tie dyed item of clothing.
Swinging London anyone?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p00rzw31/Three_Swings_on_a_Pendulum/
If you can get past the 3 fellas leading the way (Man they is SQUARE.....), there's some great footage on here...with Herbie Goins & the Night Timers kicking in around 38 mins for those of a musical bent...
Robert Hughes is a rather more impressive individual than Herbie Goins... Like the way the South African is dressed. This is a wonderful piece that makes me feel very very nostalgic. Thanks.
I had dinner last year in Italy with Herbie and his wife, a lovely evening of some fabulous stories from H, fresh seafood and wine. A wonderful evening, afterwards we went onto a soul club with Herbie driving. Once near the club Herb reversed parked into a couple of scooters, about 4 times before squeezing his four wheel drive into the gap, then had to sit on the kerb whilst getting his breath back after walking for 30 yards up a steep hill. His wife informing us he'd had a heart by-pass op a month before.
I can't remember any Woody Allen look alikes shopping in the Squire shop back in '69. Not on a Saturday morning. I can remember plenty of Mohair, sta-prest, Desert boot wearing 16/17 year olds looking for authentic Made in USA clothes. Shoes were top of the list, if you already owned a Harrington, and the USA shirts to replace our Ben Sherman copies were coveted. The shoes once bought would have been highly polished and kept in near pristine condition.
Kingstonian knows what he is writing about but he is too polite describing Danny Dyer as a numpty. My peer group would have called him a hoho and we wouldn't have been using the term in its friendly sense.
This piece hasn't half brought the geezers out of the woodwork hasn't it? It's alright being a geezer when you're 17 but not 4 decades later.