History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

Although a complete account of all the musicians who played here is not possible, I have complied the most comprehensive list yet to be published. Chronologically, it moves from big bands, jazz, rock, British blues, and Pop, as the popular styles change. Kilburn State (Dick Weindling, July 2015) Because of the large seating capacity of 4,004, the Gaumont State in Kilburn High Road was used as a venue for many shows by touring American and British musicians.  The Gaumont State Cinema was opened on 20 Dec 1937 with a sell-out show, which was also broadcast on the BBC radio. 1937, Dec 20 opening of Gaumont State Cinema Singer Gracie Fields, Larry Adler harmonica, Henry Hall and his Orchestra, Alfred van Dam and his State Orchestra, and others Here is a Gaumont Newsreel tour of the building and people arriving at the opening night, with a typical jokey 1937 voiceover 1938, July 23 The Hyams brothers (Phil, Syd and Mick), who ran the State, organised a midnight performance to raise mone...

As the local population grew, several buildings were opened to provide amusement in Cricklewood.  The Cricklewood Dance Hall and Skating Rink, 1920s In the 1920s at No. 200 Cricklewood Broadway  (over time the numbering changed), there was a dance hall, a roller skating rink, and a cinema all next door to each other. This postcard shows the dance hall and skating rink. The Palace, or Electric Palace cinema (which was out of view on the right-hand side of the above picture), opened in November 1910 and continued to the early part of WWII. It was built by converting existing shops, and was part of a small chain of 11 London cinemas which was registered as a limited company in January 1909. There were performances of films from 2.00 to 11.00 daily, and the Cricklewood cinema was licensed for 400 seats. One resident remembers going to the Saturday morning children’s sessions in the 1930s. He saw, ‘Cowboy films, The Three Stooges and cartoons. There was a piano player for the sil...

In the story we look chronologically and alternate between what was happening to David and his brother Tommy Nutter. David Nutter was born in Edgware in May 1939 and Tommy four years later in April 1943 while his parents were living in North Wales. Their great grandfather had been a builder in Kilburn and their mother Dorothy (Dolly) Bannister was born there. In 1937 she married Christopher Nutter who worked as a seating upholster in the de Havilland aircraft factory at the Stag Lane aerodrome in Edgware. After their marriage he and Dolly ran ‘John’s Café’ at 7 Handel Parade Whitchurch Lane in Edgware for his brother-in-law John Cross. When Christopher was discharged from the Army in February 1946, the family returned to Edgware where they lived over the café. By 1961 the family had moved to 24 Eresby Road, one of the houses built in Kilburn by Dolly’s grandfather, Edward Tribe. The entire road, which ran from Kilburn High Road to Kingsgate Road, was demolished as part of the building ...