So this is how it ends. Not in a blaze of glory, nor in a manic night of pogoing punks or sweating rockers thrashing their guitars to oblivion.
No, the Hammersmith Palais, one of London's best-loved concert halls from the jazz era, through the 1960s, into punk and beyond, bows out with a gang of glamour models in tight shorts and skimpy vests pretending to beat each other up while perspiring middle managers, too timid to go to Spearmint Rhino, look on and fidget.
Yes, tonight is Catfight night, where you can enjoy "knock'em dead looks and knock'em out hooks". Ringside seats are £2,000.
The Clash's Joe Strummer (right) may have written (White Man In) Hammersmith Palais as a protest against the overly pop sound of reggae legends Dillinger, Leroy Smart and Ken Booth at a gig there |
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They’re knocking down Hammersmith Palais, says mike power. What would Joe Strummer think? |
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in 1976, but he'd headbutt his way out of his coffin if he knew how and why the venue is closing.
Vitally-needed office space and luxury apartments will soon be thrown up where wasted youths happily vomited their way through classic gigs by bands like The Rolling Stones, The Ramones, David Bowie, U2, The Sex Pistols and Oasis.
Just when British music is kicking harder than it has for years, property developers and bankers have signed a deal to bulldoze a piece of musical history. And it's not the only venue closure: a ventilation shaft for the new Crossrail network is to replace the Astoria.
Happily, Catfight isn't the very last concert at the Palais. On March 31, The Good, The Bad and The Queen - which includes The Clash's Paul Simonon - will play (White Man In) Hammersmith Palais. And on April 1, The Fall will play the last ever gig. 
FIRST POSTED MARCH 15, 2007
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