2i’s Coffee Bar – The birthplace of Rock and Roll!
The place, situated at 59 Old Compton Street, was first run by two brothers, Freddie & Sammy Irani until 1955, hence the name of the café: 2i’s Coffee Bar. It was just one of the coffee bars that sprang up all over Soho since 1953, i.e. soon after the Italian actress Gina Lollobrigida opened the Moka Espresso Bar at 29 Frith Street.
In 1956 two Australian wrestlers Paul “Dr Death” Lincoln and Ray “Rebel” Hunter took over the lease. In July 1956, the first real group that began to play there were The Vipers, who started to perform regular spots and then ended up taking a residency at the place.
In September 1956, during a 2i’s session with the Vipers, rock singer Tony Hicks was spotted by impresario John Kennedy, who was “looking for someone or something that would set London’s West End alight“. Hicks became the first British Rock’n’Roll star as Tommy Steele releasing his debut record a month later.
The place “became the real epicentre of Rock music spectrum: young aspiring rock musicians came to the 2is from all over the country, hoping to find fame and fortune“. Cliff Richard had a residency in 1958 and even the likes of Gene Vincent and Jerry Lee Lewis performed there. The club closed its doors in the early 1970 and it is now occupied by Poppie’s Fish & Chips.
Address: 59 Old Compton St, Soho, London W1D 6HR
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