Hammersmith Apollo
The Apollo auditorium
Location(s)	Hammersmith and Fulham, London
Years active	1932 — present
Capacity	5,039 (standing) 3,632 (sitting)
Owner	MAMA Group
Website	www.hammersmithapollo.net

The Hammersmith Apollo is a major entertainments and concert venue located in Hammersmith, London, England. An auditorium (plural auditoriums, or less commonly auditoria) is the area within a theatre, Concert hall, or other performance space where the The London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham ( is a London borough in West London and forms part of Inner London. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in West London, approximately 5 miles (8km west of Charing Cross on London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Designed by Robert Cromie in Art Deco style, it opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema. It was known as the Hammersmith Odeon from 1962 until 1993, during which time The Beatles, Tom Jones, Dire Straits, Bruce Springsteen, Queen, Bob Marley and The Wailers, and Neil Young were among major acts to perform significant concerts. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Tom Jones can refer to Tom Jones (singer (born 1940 Welsh pop music singer Tommy Lee Jones (born 1946 American actor and director Dire Straits was a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals his brother David Knopfler (guitar Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Robert "Bob" Nesta Marley OM (February 6 1945 – May 11 1981 was a Jamaican Musician, Singer-songwriter and Rastafarian Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto Ontario) is a Canadian Singer-songwriter, Musician David Bowie performed his final concert as Ziggy Stardust at the venue in July 1973, announcing his retirement. David Bowie (ˈboʊiː born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947 is an English Musician, actor producer, and arranger. Under the name the Hammersmith Apollo the venue played host to a number of stage productions, including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the second British Musical theatre show written by the team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice

The original 1932 Compton pipe organ is still present at the Apollo and was fully restored to playing condition in 2007.

History

It was opened in 1932 as the Gaumont Palace cinema, Hammersmith and seated over 3,500 people. In 1962 the building was re-named the Hammersmith Odeon, a name many people still use for the venue along with the phonetic abbreviation "Hammy-O". The venue was later refurbished and re-named the Labatt's Apollo following a sponsorship deal. Labatt Brewing Company Ltd is a Canadian beer company founded by John Kinder Labatt in 1847 in London Ontario. Musical Theatre Star Michael Ball was the last person to play Hammersmith when it was named 'Odeon' and the first person to play following its renaming as the 'Apollo', both during his 1993 sell out tour. Michael Ashley Ball (born 27 June 1962, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire) is an Olivier Award winning English Actor

Later, it was again re-named The Hammersmith Apollo, and played host to a number of stage productions, notably Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Doctor Dolittle, both starring Phillip Schofield. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the second British Musical theatre show written by the team of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice Doctor John Dolittle is the central character of a series of children's books by Hugh Lofting. Phillip Schofield (born 1 April 1962 is a British television presenter. In 2002 the venue was again re-named, this time to the Carling Apollo after another brewery struck a deal with the owners, US-based Clear Channel Entertainment (spun off as Live Nation (Venues) UK Ltd in 2005). Carling is the name of a brand of Lager in Canada, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Clear Channel Communications is a media conglomerate company based in the United States.

In 2006, the venue reverted to its former name, and is currently known as the Hammersmith Apollo. Around this time the stalls seats were made removable and now some concerts have full seating whilst others have standing only in the stalls (i. e. no seats). In the latter format the Apollo can accommodate about 5000 people.

In 2007 the pipe organ, still present from the building's days as a cinema, was restored. The building then changed hands and was bought by the MAMA Group.

View of the stage

The building was designed by Robert Cromie in the Art Deco style. Art Deco was a popular international design movement from 1925 until 1939 affecting the decorative arts such as Architecture, Interior design, and Industrial ^[1] It became a Grade II listed building in 1990 upgraded to Grade II* status in 2005. ^[2]

Performances

It is as the Hammersmith Odeon that the venue is best known internationally, especially since Motörhead's 1981 live album No Sleep 'til Hammersmith (ironically, the album wasn't recorded there). A live album &ndash commonly contrasted with a Studio album &ndash is a recording consisting of material (usually music recorded during stage performances No Sleep ’til Hammersmith is the first Live album by the English Heavy metal band Motörhead.

Many stars have performed at the Hammersmith Odeon, including Uriah Heep, Alice Cooper, Googoosh, Judas Priest, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode,europe, Radiohead, Kate Bush, Blondie, Mott the Hoople,Queen, Tori Amos, Bob Dylan, The Cult, The Tubes, Thin Lizzy, AC/DC, Frehleys Comet, Guns N' Roses, The Cure, Talk Talk, Tool, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, In Flames, Celtic Frost, Black Sabbath, Alexander_O'Neal, Blue Öyster Cult, Soft Cell, Prince, Wishbone Ash, Van Halen, Iggy and the Stooges, Status Quo, Elkie Brooks, Metallica, Marillion, The Who, Ozzy Osbourne, Rainbow, 30 Seconds to Mars, Fall Out Boy, Deep Purple, Squeeze, The Stranglers, Rush, Nelly Furtado, Genesis, Dire Straits (who filmed a 1983 live concert there, released as Alchemy), Oasis, Babyshambles, Venom, ABC, Nik Kershaw, Dream Theater, Duran Duran and most recently Trivium supported by Annihilator, Sanctity and Gojira, The White Stripes and The Raconteurs. Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier; February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer songwriter and musician whose career spans five Googoosh (alternately spelled Gogosh, Googosh or Gougoush; گوگوش, born Faegheh Atashin, فائقه آتشین Judas Priest are an English heavy metal band formed in 1970 in Birmingham. Gary Numan (born Gary Anthony James Webb on 8 March 1958 is an English singer composer and musician Depeche Mode (dəˌpɛʃˈmoʊd are an English Electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. Radiohead Kate Bush (born Catherine Bush on 30 July 1958 is an English singer songwriter musician and Record producer. Blondie is an American rock band that first gained fame in the late 1970s and has so far sold over 60 million records Mott the Hoople were a 1970s English rock band with strong R&B roots and known for being part of the popular Glam rock scene of the early Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos on August 22, 1963) is a Pianist and Singer-songwriter of dual British and American Bob Dylan (born Robert Zimmerman, May 24 1941 in Duluth, Minnesota) is an American singer-songwriter author poet and painter who has been a major The Cult are an English rock band which gained a dedicated following in their native Britain with mid-'80s singles like " She Sells Sanctuary " The Tubes are a San Francisco -based rock band, which was popular in the late 1970s and early 1980s and was known for its live performances that Thin Lizzy are an Irish Hard rock band who formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1969 AC/DC are an Australian Hard rock band formed in Sydney, Australia in 1973 by brothers Angus and Malcolm Young. Guns N' Roses is an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1985 The Cure are an English rock band that formed in Crawley, West Sussex in 1976 Talk Talk were a popular British rock group that were active from 1981 to 1991 Tool is an American rock band that was formed in 1990 in Los Angeles, California. For other uses see Iron maiden. Megadeth is an American heavy metal band led by founder front man guitarist and songwriter Dave Mustaine. In Flames is a Death metal band formed in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1990 and is considered to be a pioneer and major influence to the melodic death metal genre Celtic Frost were an influential heavy metal band from Zürich, Switzerland. Black Sabbath are an Alexander O'Neal (born November 15 1953 in Natchez Mississippi) is an American singer Blue Öyster Cult is an American rock band formed in New York in 1967 and still active in 2008 Soft Cell are an English Synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s Prince Rogers Nelson (born June 7 1958 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American musician Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved particular success in the early and mid-1970s with their most critically acclaimed records including Van Halen is a Hard rock band formed in in 1972 They enjoyed success from the release of their self titled debut album in 1978 The Stooges are an American rock band that was active from 1967 to 1974 then reformed in 2003 Status quo is a Latin term meaning the present existing state of affairs or "the state in which" Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder 25 February 1945 in Broughton, Salford) is an English singer formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later Metallica is an American heavy metal band that formed in 1981 in. Marillion are a British rock group Formed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, England in 1979 their recorded studio output comprises The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born December 3 1948) is a British singer A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of Light to appear in the Sky when the Sun 30 Seconds to Mars (or Thirty Seconds to Mars and often abbreviated to 30STM) is an American rock band from Los Angeles California Fall Out Boy is an American Pop punk band from Wilmette, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago) that formed in 2001 Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertfordshire in 1968 Squeeze are an English band that came to prominence in the United Kingdom during the New Wave period of the late 1970s and continued recording successfully The Stranglers are an English rock music group formed on 11 September 1974 in Guildford, Surrey. Rush is a Canadian rock band originally formed in August 1968 in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, currently comprised of Nelly Kim Furtado (born December 2 1978 is a Canadian Singer-songwriter, record producer actor and instrumentalist, who also holds Portuguese Genesis are an English rock band formed in 1967 With approximately 150 million albums sold worldwide Genesis are among the top 30 highest-selling recording artists Dire Straits was a British rock band, formed in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (guitar and vocals his brother David Knopfler (guitar Alchemy a part of the Occult Tradition is both a philosophy and a practice with an ultimately unknown aim involving the improvement of the alchemist as well as the making of Oasis are an English rock band that formed in Manchester in 1991 This article is about the band Babyshambles For the song see Babyshambles (song Babyshambles are an English Venom are an English ABC are an English pop band that charted ten UK and five US Top 40 singles between 1981 and 1990 Nik Kershaw (born Nicholas David Kershaw March 1 1958, Bristol, England) is an English Singer-songwriter, popular Dream Theater is an American Progressive metal band formed in 1985 under the name " Majesty " by John Myung, John Petrucci Duran Duran are an English Pop rock band famous for a long series of popular singles, albums and vivid Music videos for which they've won two Trivium is Annihilator is a Canadian Thrash metal band formed in 1984 They debuted with the critically-acclaimed album Alice in Hell in 1989 Sanctity is a heavy metal band from Asheville, North Carolina, USA. Gojira is a Heavy metal band formed in 1996 in Bayonne, France The White Stripes is an American Garage rock band, formed in 1997 in Detroit, Michigan. The Raconteurs (also known as The Saboteurs in Australia are a Rock band formed in 2005 featuring four members known for other musical projects Jack The venue was also part of the 2004 "Carling Live 24" event, which saw Feeder play their only date of that year. Feeder are a British rock band formed in Newport, South Wales in 1992 by singer /songwriter/ Guitarist Grant Nicholas

Photographs of The Who outside the Hammersmith Odeon appear on their 1973 album Quadrophenia. The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964. The primary lineup consisted of guitarist Pete Townshend

David Bowie performed his final concert as Ziggy Stardust at the venue in July 1973. David Bowie (ˈboʊiː born David Robert Jones on 8 January 1947 is an English Musician, actor producer, and arranger. Bruce Springsteen's performances there in 1975 are also well known, as is Neil Young's performance there in the same year, when part of the venue caught fire. Neil Percival Young OM (born November 12, 1945, Toronto Ontario) is a Canadian Singer-songwriter, Musician Johnny Cash performed at the venue in 1966. Johnny Cash (born J R Cash; February 26 1932 - September 12 2003 was a Grammy Award -winning American country Singer-songwriter. In late 1964 and early 1965 the Beatles played 38 shows over 21 nights. The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 Special guests on the bill included the original Yardbirds featuring Eric Clapton. The Yardbirds are an English rock band noted for starting the careers of three of rock's most famous Guitarists Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck Eric Patrick Clapton, CBE (born 30 March 1945 is an English Blues-rock Guitarist, singer Songwriter and Composer Also, Frank Zappa recorded parts of his 1979 album, Sheik Yerbouti, at the venue. Frank Vincent Zappa (December 21 1940 – December 4 1993 was an American Composer, Electric guitarist Record producer and Film director Sheik Yerbouti is a double vinyl album by Frank Zappa featuring material recorded in 1977 and 1978

Randy Rhoads performed one of his first shows with new musical soulmate Ozzy Osbourne on the Blizzard of Ozz tour in 1980. Randall William "Randy" Rhoads ( December 6, 1956 – March 19, 1982) was an American Heavy metal Guitarist John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (born December 3 1948) is a British singer

Venom accidentally burned Hammersmith's ceiling during performance, which event can be clearly seen in the 7 dates of hell concert video (during Countess Bathory). As a result, Venom was banned from Hammersmith for a year.

Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour performed three sold out shows at this venue on his 1984 About Face solo tour which was documented on the concert video David Gilmour Live 1984. Pink Floyd are David Jon Gilmour CBE (born 6 March 1946 is an English Musician, best known as the Lead guitarist one of the lead Singers About Face is the second solo album by the Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, released in March 1984 David Gilmour Live 1984 is a film by David Gilmour from his tour from the album About Face for Europe.

Queen played several concerts at the Hammersmith, including their Christmas concerts in 1975 and 1979. Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist In fact, the Hammersmith Odeon hosted the 4-night Concerts for the People of Kampuchea, a benefit concert to raise money for Cambodian residents who were victims of the tyrannical reign of dictator Pol Pot of which Queen played the first night. Concerts for the People of Kampuchea was a series of concerts featuring Queen, The Clash, The Pretenders, The Who, Elvis Costello, A benefit concert is a Concert, show or gala featuring musicians comedians or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose often directed at a specific The Kingdom of Cambodia ( formerly known as Kampuchea (, transliterated: Preăh Réachéanachâkr Kâmpŭchea) is a country in South East In modern usage a tyrant is a single ruler holding absolute power over a State or within an Organization. A dictator is an Authoritarian ruler (eg Absolutist or autocratic) who assumes sole and absolute power without hereditary ascension such as an Absolute Saloth Sar ( May 19, 1925 – April 15, 1998) also known as Pol Pot, was leader of the Communist movement known as

Many bands have released live CDs or DVDs of concerts held at the Apollo, such as the Kings of Leon, the pop stars Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Robbie Williams. Kings of Leon is a rock band made up of three brothers and their first cousin from Tennessee, USA. Sophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor (born 10 April 1979) is a multi- platinum selling British pop Singer and Songwriter Robert Peter Maximilian Williams (born 13 February 1974) is an English singer Kylie Minogue and Girls Aloud released DVDs of their concerts at the Apollo in 2004 and 2005 respectively, and a DVD of a Bruce Springsteen concert held there in 1975 was released as part of the Born to Run 30th Anniversary Edition package; later the CD Hammersmith Odeon London '75 was released. Kylie Ann Minogue, OBE, born 28 May 1968 is an Australian pop Singer - Songwriter and occasional Actress. Girls Aloud are a British Girl group created by ITV1 Talent show Popstars The Rivals in 2002 Born to Run is the third album by the American rock Singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen. Hammersmith Odeon London '75 is both a Concert video and the fourth Live album by Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band, released in 2006 Melodic death metal band In Flames also released a DVD that featured footage of a December 2004 performance there. Melodic death metal (also referred to as melodeath) is a Subgenre of Death metal which combines the melody of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal In Flames is a Death metal band formed in Gothenburg, Sweden in 1990 and is considered to be a pioneer and major influence to the melodic death metal genre Comedian and actor Eddie Izzard's show Glorious was also released as a DVD. Edward John "Eddie" Izzard (born February 7, 1962) is a British stand-up comedian and Dramatic Actor. Rush recorded their 1978 performance and later included it in their three-disc set, Different Stages. Rush is a Canadian rock band originally formed in August 1968 in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario, currently comprised of Different Stages is a live album by Canadian rock band Rush, released in 1998 (see 1998 in music) American musician Tori Amos released a series of six live albums in 2005 known as The Original Bootlegs, one of which was recorded at the Apollo. The Original Bootlegs is a series of six Tori Amos Live albums recorded during the Original Sinsuality and Summer of Sin tours

Bob Marley and the Wailers performed at the "Hammy-O" in 1976, part of the Rastaman Vibration Tour. Bob Marley & The Wailers was a Reggae band created in 1974 by Bob Marley, after Peter Tosh, Bunny Wailer and Ronald 9F Jauculan left The Rastaman Vibration Tour was a concert tour organised to support the album Rastaman Vibration by Bob Marley & The Wailers. Anohter Caribbean superstar, soca artist, Machel Montano performed at the "Hammy-O" in his Rezarrek World Tour in 2007. Machel Montano (born 24 November 1974 in Trinidad and Tobago) is a soca Singer, Record producer and Songwriter

Soft Cell played their last two shows on February 6th and 7th 1984 at the Hammersmith Apollo. Soft Cell are an English Synthpop duo who came to prominence in the early 1980s

Other acts have made music videos featuring clips from performances at the Apollo. An example of this is Kelly Clarkson, who made a special version of her "Breakaway" video using clips from her concert at the Apollo in 2006. Kelly Brianne Clarkson (born April 24 1982 is an American Pop rock singer songwriter and occasional actress. " Breakaway " is a 2004 song co-written by Avril Lavigne, Bridget Benenate and Matthew Gerrard and produced by John Shanks. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar.

In the early 1960s, many of the top American stars performed at the Odeon, including Tony Bennett with Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald with Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Woody Herman and the Herd. Tony Bennett (born Anthony Dominick Benedetto; August 3 1926) is an American Singer of popular music, standards Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25 1917 &ndash June 15 1996 also known as " Lady Ella " and the "First Lady of Song" is considered one of the most influential Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29 1899 &ndash May 24 1974 was an American Composer, Pianist, and Bandleader. Louis Armstrong (August 4 1901 &ndash July 6 1971 nicknamed Satchmo or Sachimo and Pops, was an American Jazz Trumpeter

The Hammersmith Apollo is seen in the American romantic comedy film Just My Luck where McFly perform in which, in the movie, is the Hard Rock Cafe. Just My Luck is a Romantic comedy Film starring Lindsay Lohan and Chris Pine released in the US on May 12, 2006 It is also the location in The Football Factory where the Chelsea fans board the bus for Liverpool away. The Football Factory is a 2004 English Film directed by Nick Love and stars Danny Dyer and Frank Harper

Since 2004 it has been the venue for the BBC Television series Live at the Apollo, originally titled Jack Dee Live at the Apollo. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Live at the Apollo (formerly titled Jack Dee Live at the Apollo) is a British Stand-up comedy programme performed from the

Musical theatre star Michael Ball has performed at the Hammersmith Apollo on five occasions- each time selling out. Michael Ashley Ball (born 27 June 1962, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire) is an Olivier Award winning English Actor His concerts in December 1993 and December 1994 were recorded by BBC Radio 2. He has also recorded his 2003 and 2007 concerts for DVD release.

On November 25th, 2006, Video Games Live presented the first ever UK video game concert at the Hammersmith Apollo as part of their 2006 World Tour. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Video Games Live (VGL is a concert series created and produced by industry veterans and video game composers Tommy Tallarico and Jack Wall

On June 5th, 2008 the venue will play host to Passion: London, part of the Passion Conferences.

The Apollo pipe organ

The original 1932 Compton pipe organ is still present at the Apollo and was fully restored to playing condition in 2007. ^[3] It has a beautiful 4-manual console which rises through the stage on a new lift and about 1200 organ pipes housed in large chambers above the front stalls ceiling. Having fallen into disrepair, the organ was disconnected in the 1990s and the console removed from the building. However at English Heritage and the council's insistence it has been reinstated and the entire organ restored. A launch party was held on July 25th 2007 at which an invited audience and the media witnessed top organist Richard Hills play the instrument. ^[4]

Pipe organs such as this were installed in most cinemas of the pre-war period to provide music for film shows, accompany silent movies and to feature in solo performances. Many were also broadcast on the radio and recorded on 78rpm records. These organs were based on church-type instruments but had many other sounds including percussion instruments built in. A lot of the pipe sounds were voiced to sound like instruments of the orchestra and indeed the organs were in effect one-man orchestras, offering a large variety of sounds and being capable of accommodating music styles from classical though to jazz. Although several such organs survive in the UK these days, there are very few left in their original buildings. The Apollo organ is one of these and its sounds now fill the huge Apollo auditorium again after about 25 years of silence.

References

External links

• Guide to events at Hammersmith Apollo