Gossips Club,69 Dean St, Soho
We pay tribute to one of London's finest clubs
(Photos © urban75, 27th Feb 2009)

Run by Mick Collins for over two decades, Gossips (previously known as Billys) was a basement club in the heart of London's Soho, perhaps best know for its goth nights.

Situated on the corner of Meard Street and Dean Street, I spent many a long night there, and played quite a few gigs there in a host of long-forgotten bands. I'll be posting up more pics as soonas I've raided my dusty archives and got over the shock of my shockingly bad hairstyles.


Swag club, Gossips, December 1988.

The club first came to attention in 1979 as the home of what turned out to be London's longest running one nighter, Gaz's Rockin Blues. Run by Gary Mayall, son of the famous John Mayall (Blues Band), the club served up a fine mix of ska, blue beat and rhythm and blues.

The club became a major fixture on the London club scene in the 80s, hosting Alice in Wonderland nights on Mondays (with The Doctor from 'Dr & the Medics), and Buttz (Teenage Idols) & Spike (Quireboys) on Tuesdays featuring DJ's Monty Zero and Shuff.

The rest of the week shaped up with the legendary Bat Cave on Tuesdays (hosted by the band Specimen), Thursdays were Gaz's Rockin Blues, while Fridays were Funk and Soul nights and Saturdays Reggae night with David Rodigan and Tim Westward.

On Mondays to Wednesdays in the 90s, Gossips hosted club nights like Nightbreed, Satans Shindig, Electric Dreams, The Glitter Ball, The Trash Can, Malice Underground, The Hard Club, Eurobeat 2000, After Dark, Devils Church and Point Blank, with Gaz's Rockin Blues staying until 1996.



COVER YOUR EYES! IT'S THE BIG HAIR 80s PHOTOS!

Here's some photos taken from my many nights out at Gossips in the 80s. There sure was a lot of hair going down, back in the day.


Outside the club, ready to 'hit' the stage and 'lay down' some no-nonsense hard rock. March 25th, 1987.


On the tiny stage.


By the bar.


The dangly bits were what passed for decor on the Batcave nights. Sometimes there were lots of little plastic spiders on elasticated strings too, but they quickly got pulled down and used to thwack people.










Faster Pussycat Go Go Go (UK version) rocking the Batcave at Gossips, Feb 1989.


That's me in the Judge Dredd t-shirt!


Gossips crowd - note the abundance of leather jackets and dyed black hair!


The 'intimate' stage area.



CLUB CLOSED: 2009


The old front door to the now closed Gossips, Feb 2009. It was briefly some sort of ghastly trendy 'networking' bar before the end.








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