Deep south blues here in suburbia

There are no cotton fields in Worcester Park and magnolia trees don't explode into blossom. But eight years ago the map of blues country was redrawn to include the alien landscape of the far-flung commuter suburb.

Since the arrival of the first harmonica in 1995, the hinterland upped its status from childhood home of former Prime Minister John Major, to purveyor of deep south sounds.

The Mississippi Delta is unchallenged as the birthplace of true blues, but Worcester Park has won a less hard-fought fight to establish itself as the home of suburban blues.

The man responsible for this unlikely status is the former promoter of the Shepherd's Bush Empire, and the venue that brought the suburb to the attention of the wider world was the Worcester Park Club (WPC).

Until the club closed in 2002, Pete Feenstra attracted the biggest names in blues as well as luminaries such as members of Status Quo, Paul Young and Queen guitar hero Roger Taylor.

Heads were turned by members of Bob Marley's band and Japanese rock stars, who took up invitations from Roger Mayer, the suburb's resident guitar guru.

Mr Mayer, who owns gold discs for his work with Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix and the Isley Brothers, says: "I couldn't believe some of the people they programmed there.

"I met people at WPC that I hadn't seen since I worked in New York."

The incongruity of seeing a living musical hall of fame at Park Terrace, Malden Road, was not lost on the crowds who flocked to WPC.

As one music critic wrote in the Times: "Blues organists are a rare breed.

"To discover one as good and as exotic as Deacon Jones in a glorified pub in the outer suburbs of south London is a bit like coming across a pink flamingo in your garden pond."

Even the BBC programme Newsnight featured the club in 2000 when The Yardbirds played.

And when the Jagger family wanted to throw a 50th birthday party for Mick's brother Chris, they looked no further than the undistinguished building opposite Worcester Park railway station.

Mr Feenstra has no doubts why the club was able to punch above its weight.

He says: "It was specifically built, and enjoyed great sight lines and a perfect sound.

"We also attracted a wide ranging crowd, anywhere between the ages of 20 to 60.

"It was great because nobody had to worry about being unhip, or about a dress code.

"In retrospect, I think we rekindled history, as Surrey has always enjoyed a great live music scene.

"And for over six-and-a-half years we brought it back to Worcester Park."

But despite closing, the spirit of the famous club lives on.

After a brief stint at the Woodstock on Stonecot Hill, Mr Feenstra started up the Boom Boom Club.

The venue regularly holds gigs at the Sutton United grounds in Gander Green Lane on Friday and Saturday nights.