The E.B.C. Archives -
Original articles written by Ray Ennis
and first published in The Beat Goes On magazine
For over six years, Ray Ennis of The Swinging Blue Jeans enthralled sixties music fans with his monthly article published in The Beat Goes On magazine about the antics of the legendary Elbow Bending Club. Now, with Ray's permission, we are re-running these articles on the web.
What is the Elbow Bending Club? Well, no-one really knows except for the members themselves - and membership is restricted to 60s performers and other carefully selected people from within the business!
You can guarantee not missing each new edition by completing the Netmind box on the
main Swinging Blue Jeans page
THE LEARNING GAME WITH THE ELBOW BENDING CLUB
The first foray by the EBC into dabbling with the ritzy nightlife
in London was a rainy night in 1964, when we took it upon ourselves
to descend on the famed Ad-Lib, which incidentally was the first
'in club' in the metropolis. We had been advised to try it by The
Beatles and the Rolling Stones, the latter stating "You northern
Ernie's will love it".
It was our first night off for quite a while and not relishing an
an evening at homes in our swish Paddington digs (Hughies) we
decided to hit the town and trip the light fantastic. In
retrospect, Mick and The Stones must have known something we
didn't, because them describing us as Northern Ernie's' was most
apt on this particular occasion!.
Dressed to kill (and thrill) in our three button mohair suits, tab
collared shirts, crocheted ties and AnnellQ & Davide boots, we
sallied forth into the night. Determined to make the most of our
night on the town, we started at our usual pub in Praed Street
Paddington at 6-30pm, where we quaffed a few pints of southern
nectar. Throats duly lubricated, we decided to drift on to the
Ad-Lib at around 9pm, so as not to miss any of the fun!.
The Ad-Lib was situated at the top of a residential block just off
Leicester Square - and without the assistance of a wonderful taxi
driver we would never have found it. Full of high spirits (actually
it was best bitter) we entered the lift and zoomed skywards. Upon
our arrival at the top floor the lift doors slid open and there it
was in all it's glory, the famous Ad-Lib.... empty!
A small Italian waiter (aren't they all) rushed over, greeted us
warmly and ushered to an (empty) table. We sat down (we were too
embarrased to ask if they were open) and ordered four pints of
bitter, only to be advised that they only sold bottled beer or
spirits, so we settled for whiskey and coke.
When the waiter returned with our drinks (which incidentally, were
miniature bottles), he also produced four membership forms for us
to fill in. Then came the crunch, it was going to cost us Twelve
Pounds Ten Shillings for a years subscription. We coughed up the
fee, far to embarrased to divulge who we were and sheepishly stated
"Bit quiet tonight, isn't it!" to wit our Italiano buddy replied
"Not really, nobody ever comes in till after midnight." We quickly
ordered another round of scotch & coke!
By the time the first punter arrived at 11-3Opm, we were extremely
p... .d and bloody fed up dancing with each other, especially me as
Thumper Braid, who was fully togged up in white tie, top-hat and
tails wouldn't let me lead and kept trying to teach me the fishtail
to the Valetta. Which reminds me, I never got to ask when it was
that Thumper had last savoured the high life? Realising we had a
lot to learn about being playboys and men-about-town, we duly made
our escape before the Beatles and Stones arrived and discovered
what Northern Ernie's' we really were.
After that it was quite some time before we dared to venture onto
the hip-scene again, by which time the Ad-lib had been closed down
due to complaints from residents in the flats below (some of whom
were catholic priests from the local church). Having learned our
lesson, by the time we started frequenting in-places like the
Scotch of St James, The Cromwellian and The Speakeasy we did the
opposite to Cinderella... we didn't go OUT till midnight!.
Now to modern day nights out. I recently spent a most enjoyable
evening attending the West End premier of "Ferry Cross The Mersey"
which starred young Gerry Marsden at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftsbury
Avenue, London.
A host of stars were present (it's amazing how many turn out when
there is a free bar!) and I'm pleased to say that the EBC was well
represented, and we did not flinch from our duty as Bill Kenwright
and Flying Music's bar bill will testify!
Lucky old me (fell on me feet again), I got the chance to spend a
long time talking to my Idol Dave Berry and his long suffering wife
Marthi. We chatted about the usual topics, the price of butter,
Dave failing his driving test, his love of whippets, and Marthi's
obsession with cheese, clogs and windmills of the world.
As we parted (with Ennis still in one piece) I suggested (and Dave
agreed) that it would be nice to invite readers to write in and ask
Dave any question about himself they've always wanted to know, but
never had the chance, or the nerve to ask! I promise to personally
translate the answers into English and make sure no lies are
told. So we look forward to sacks of mail arriving at The Beat Goes
On office which we will duly pass on to Dave.
P.S. Please print your questions as Dave still has trouble with
joined up writing!
Ray Ennis.
Main EBC Page
You can email Ray Ennis by clicking here