If you mention the following clubs: Eel Pie Island , Flamingo , Marquee , Ricky Tick , Kooks Kleek , California Ballroom etc etc - all are gone , many are forgotten..however in the 1960’s these London area music clubs provided a breeding ground for the UK jazz and blues scene.
As well as the usual names : The Rolling Stones , The Who , Yardbirds , Graham Bond Organization ,John Mayall - these clubs also hosted the visiting American blues artists : John Lee Hooker , Sonny Boy Williamson , Howling Wolf amongst others.
You could trace the genesis back to British jazz icon Chris Barber hosting Sister Rosetta Tharpe in the UK in 1957 - and giving these blues, jazz and gospel stars a useful platform to turn on the British music youth - that consisted of many of the stars of the future 60’s bands who were being inspired.
When you examine the booked bands it really was a fertile incubator for cultivating future supergroups.
Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker from the Graham Bond Organization joined forces with Eric Clapton (recently departed from John Mayall) to form Cream in 1966.
John McVie bassist for John Mayall departed to form Fleetwood Mac with Peter Green (ex John Mayall) in 1968.
Bandleaders like John Mayall were also catalysts in developing the scene-with numerous personnel changes and musicians being able to check each other out.
Every era and every city and music genre experiences this of course : Think about the 1960’s Detroit dance clubs and ballrooms that cultivated Motown (some venues owned by Berry Gordy), New York and London 1970’s Punk and New Wave venues or conversely the 1960’s Greenwich Village,NYC folk scene-to name but a few.
Even in the UK there were regional scenes in 60’s Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle-with some crossover-as bands drove up and down the length the country on the M1 motorway, in vans packed with equipment.
However- for developing the London based rhythm and blues scene in the 60’s - these London clubs were unmatched - and immortalized forever in the movie “Blow Up” in 1966 - whereby the Yardbirds (featuring Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page) smash their instruments at the Ricky Tick Club.
The Who apparently turned down the opportunity.
This was a golden period for music as British musicians learned their craft , influenced by the visiting black American blues, jazz and gospel artists (that had limited opportunities in their own country)-but thankfully given a warm welcome and great exposure in the UK club scene and TV appearances.
As a postscript:
There is a great clip of Brian Jones and the Rolling Stones welcoming Howling Wolf to play-as their special guest- on American TV show Shindig! in 1965. Its a touching moment -as they introduce their musical hero to his own country!
Dig in to these venues and the artists booked to play - its a wonderland of musical talent!