It's Woolworths, but probably not Kilburn's

One of the great claims to fame for Kilburn is the credit brought to it by Ian Dury.

http://www.iandury.co.uk/

His first band (and though it's a bit unfair it was his band) was KILBURN AND THE HIGH ROADS.

Although many of the band members were from and hung around Harrow, clearly Kilburn was a dominant part of the NW London entertainment scene.

Being a collector and fascinated by the local area I've been out and boguht copies of the two albums that relate to this story.

The first (pictured left) is the album Wotabunch, 1978 Warner Brothers Records - sleeve design by Tony Littler FMM.

The second is the Ian Dury album New Boots and Panties, 1977 Stiff Records - recorded at the Old Workhouse on The Old Kent Road.

The second (pictured right) is taken outside a shop that is opposite Woolworths (see the reflection) and is often attributed to being on the Kilburn High Road.

Three problems with this - the first is Kilburn High Road is much wider than such a reflected IMHO, second it isn't directly attributable to Kilburn and third it is thought that where Kilburn's Woolworth's was is not opposite a shop like this...

Anyone in easy and direct contact with Dexter Dury to check it out - perhaps he remembers where this picture was taken with his Dad?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dury#Kilburn_and_the_High-Roads

How well do you know the Kilburn High Road?

On Saturday 28th March it's the Kilburn High Road Spring Clean
This is a chance to give Kilburn the reisdent and trader led spruce up once a year at least - it's great fun and a chance to pitch in. Stalls and groups will be operating off of Kilburn Square opposite Kilburn High Road Station (Euston-Watford Line) please do come along.

But also we have the Kilburn High Road history tours.
Roman Emperor Claudius, Alfred the Great, Henry I and of course Henry VIII, George Orwell, Ian Dury, and of course the Danes, Irish, Poles - all on one road!
On foot at 10am and 2pm from Kilburn Park Tube (Bakerloo) and by bike at 12noon Kilburn (Jubilee).
All welcome - donation appreciated.
Organised as part of the Spring Clean Kilburn by the Kilburn Business Partnership. More information from Ed Fordham 07974 950 512. Edfordham@cix.co.uk

Ian Dury and Woolworths on the High Road

One of the iconic features of the Kilburn High Road is Woolworths - it's true for many high streets and shopping areas but for Kilburn there is an added poignancy.

Ian Dury started off in Kilburn, he went to the Kilburn State as a boy and one of his first ever albums shows him photographed in front of the Kilburn High Road Woolworths. His first band was Kilburn and the High Roads and the first album for the Blockheads featured Woolies...

Now the demise looks likely we lose more than just Woolworths.

The BBC sites was today reporting this:

"In the Kilburn High Road store in north London, an ageing clientele were urgently fingering the final crockery and deciding that a remote-controlled plastic Tarantula was still not a sufficient bargain at £24.99, even at Christmas."

"The aisles looked like the final minutes of a hectic jumble sale, with two rival queues snaking up and down, customers stepping gingerly over the children's clothes scattered across the floor. Many eyed the likely wait and decided not to bother. "It's not worth it," one young woman was telling a friend on her mobile as she made for the door."