London in the 60's & Me

TRAMP NIGHTCLUB  was the big deal in London. It was opened in Jermyn Street in 1969 by Johnny Gold in the so called “golden” age of London hedonism. It was quite a scene.

Mick Jagger was a founder member, and on the dance floor were regulars, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Michael Caine, Joan Collins and Ringo Starr.  There was also Keith Moon hurling himself about.  Drummer for The Who, world famous smasher of hotel rooms, I remember one night, to fully demonstrate his particular brand of boogie, he removed all his clothes and danced naked.  To be honest, I was only vaguely aware of this, busy as I was getting down, rocking away till dawn.

I didn’t catch sight of Keith again until a few years later in LA.  I was having lunch with him and Oliver Reed (famous imbiber himself, star of the movie “Tommy”) at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. Having downed several cocktails, and God knows what else, Keith jumped on a table and dropped his jeans - plates flying, underwear not so pristine. Then, jeered on by Oliver, he peeled off his knickers and “mooned “ the room - his signature flourish - laughing like hyena at the madams who lunched. “’Ello ladies, have a good look!”  Screams and shouts of protest, after which we were promptly ejected from the hotel.

Keith's Rolls he drove into his swimming pool.