Lonnie Donegan
On 13th July 1954 in Decca’s Studio Two at their recording complex in West Hampstead, Chris Barber’s Jazz Band were recording their first album. At the end of the one-day session, it was decided to record a couple of skiffle songs they’d been featuring in their show. With Lonnie Donegan on vocals and guitar, Chris Barber on double bass, Beryl Bryden on washboard they recorded a song that would become a ground-breaking, revolutionary and influential record that would change the course of the UK music scene….Rock Island Line. Lonnie’s sons, Lonnie Jnr and Peter unveiled the plaque and organised a tribute concert in the evening at the Cadogan Hall off Sloane Square. The 65th-anniversary concert featured the Donegans, Van Morrison, Leo Sayer, Billy Bragg, Joe Brown, Paul Jones, Chris Farlowe, Dave Peacock, Chas McDevitt and Mike Read.