Satisfaction: Stones tribute band the Rollin Stoned launch the new Boom Boom Club

Stoneds start it up

A new rock and blues venue opens its doors tonight in Sutton as promoters Pete Feenstra and George McFall launch the long-awaited successor to their Worcester Park Club.

The Boom Boom Club kicks off at Sutton United Football Club, in Gander Green Lane, at 8pm Friday 9th August 2002 with the tribute band the Rollin Stoned playing a special 40th anniversary gig to commemorate the Rolling Stones' first professional gig in Surrey.

To be strictly accurate, the anniversary represents the first time the Stones appeared with the classic line-up of Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts.

And to further strengthen the links with rock's past, the Stoned's gig is going to be watched by the Stone's original manager, Richard Hattrell, and Brian Jones's widow, Pat Andrews.

Says Pat: "The Stoned really do come close to how it really was in the early days."

Hattrell can't help strike a note of irony: "This gig will probably go down much better than the Stones' original debut, which wasn't that well received."

Another irony is that the original gig took place in the Woodstock, just up the road in North Cheam, where Pete and George temporarily shifted the Worcester Park Club when that venerated venue was closed for a million-pound refurbishment which has turned it into a restaurant and winebar.

Now the Woodstock is no longer a music venue, they decided to open the Boom Boom at Sutton United.

Says Pete: "We're aiming to bring quality live music to the area.

"And even though traditionally summer is a quiet time for touring bands, we've managed to book an interesting opening month's worth of gigs, including exclusive shows by the Pirates and the Hamsters."

The new club is certainly easier to get to than the Woody, being opposite West Sutton rail station, with its links to Sutton, Wimbledon and Waterloo.

As well as the essential good acoustics and big bar, the club also has a large carpark.

"Above all, the club is going to be an integral part of the community in Sutton," says Pete.

"On that basis alone, we're hoping to see regular live music fans and more people from Sutton at forthcoming shows."

For further details, see the gigs listings.

Article and photo © Sutton Guardian

15:49 Friday 9th August 2002