On 1st December 1964, The Who began a residency at the Marquee Club, Wardour St, London playing every Tuesday night until April 1965.
The attendance at the club on this cold and rainy night in December was very poor but over the following months they were to build a following that would make the band and the club legendary. The now famous poster (above) would be a bi product of the residency and in itself obtain iconic status.
The first artist to perform at the inauguration of the Marquee club at 90 Wardour Street on the 13th of February, 1964 were the supporting act the Yardbirds. They were followed by Long John Baldry and the Hoochie Coochie Men and Sonny Boy Williamson.
The Yardbirds would be playing on other nights of the week during the Who's residency along with other regulars Manfred Mann.
The Marquee had become the most important venue for the emerging British scene and witnessed the birth and rise of some of the most important artists around.
The years from 1965, saw Jimi Hendrix (who appeared four times), Pink Floyd, Cream, Led Zeppelin, Free, Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull. Later in the late 70's although not a punk club entirely (that reputation would go to the Roxy Club and The Vortex) the Sex Pistols played there along with Adam and The Ants and others. As the 1980's came the new Metal bands found a home in the Marquee. Iron Maiden cutting a live album at the club.
In 1988, the Wardour Street site was sold for redevelopment and although the name carried on in various other venues it never regained it's popularity or it's reputation and ceased to trade in 2007. There are currently no further plans to resurrect the name.
The upshot of that is the British music scene no longer has a club with the heritage or reputation for giving young groups and artists the opportunity to learn and develop their music. The Marquee helped launch the careers of many bands who are still around today. The fact that there is no club in the UK to approach the influence of the Marquee says much about the contemporary rock scene and the state of live music today.
Here is Iron Maiden - I've Got The Fire - Live at the Marquee Club in 1980
