Chesford Grange – The Twist Den

 

Chesford Grange – The Twist Den

by Pete Clemons

During 1964, the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth, Warwickshire was owned and operated by the Hames family. The Hames family originally took over the estate just before World War II (moving from the Kenilworth Castle Gatehouse) and successfully developed it back into a premier hotel and nightlife venue by the mid-1950s.

Michael (Mike) Eckersley served as the General Manager of the Chesford Grange Hotel from January 1964 through to sometime during the 1970s. And during his tenure, the Warwickshire venue was a highly popular hotel and live music destination.

As the 'Swinging Sixties' took off, the Chesford Grange Hotel in Kenilworth introduced a 'fabulous discotheque' downstairs in its old cellar bars to target 18-to-25-year-olds. It became known as 'The Twist Den'.

The Twist Den existed at Chesford Grange for roughly 5 to 8 years, operating from the mid-1960s until it was rebranded in the early 1970s. The space evolved across two distinct eras: The Twist Den Era that incorporated the flourishing beat scene and then the Mid-to-Late 1960s which became host to the British blues generation.

Said manager Mr, Michael Eckersley during 1968 'Chesford Grange has seen some of the better pop groups, but the scene is changing and Teenagers want blues and we want to keep up'. And his hunch paid off as hundreds would turn up for gigs. As many as 800 were mentioned.

The Twist Den featured a packed underground bar with psychedelic, ultra-violet lighting projected onto the walls. It ultimately became famous for hosting local and burgeoning rock acts, including a bi-weekly residency by The Andicaps (which could well have featured a young Jeff Lynne, later of ELO fame, as he was with the band till around 1965), as well as acts the like of the John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and John Lee Hooker.

In fact after John Lee Hookers appearance it was reviewed very elegantly 'John Lee still shows magic He strolled in, grabbed a chair, sat down and began to play the blues, very quietly, very modestly, John Lee Hooker had arrived at the Chesford Grange. It was ear-straining to hear him'.

Even London's psychedelic nights were catered for and recreated at the Chesford during 1967 and 68 as bands like The Mood, Psychotic Reaction and From the Sun played regularly. Thursday evenings gave way to these night and to complete the London scene feel they came complete with Juliana's discotheque. Early April 1967 it was reported that the venue was 'invaded by pop musicians when auditions were held to select groups for Saturday sessions'. This I understand was promoted by local philanthropist David Owen.

Another name also referenced as a major contributor within the music booking history circles at the Chesford Grange is Peter Martin. I don't think he was an employee of the hotel but worked as an independent booking agency. Regardless of that, both Eckersley and Martin appeared to be incredibly hip and forward thinking. They certainly had their finger on the pulse by way of recognising the changing scenes and the bands they went for.

A newspaper article from 1969 mentioned 'We agreed on a form of cooperation said Mr. Peter Martin, of County Town Entertainments, who run's the Sunday concerts'. He went on to say that 'he had never known any trouble at the venue'.

That said things never went entirely smoothly. It was revealed during 1969 that P. P. Arnold was to have received £225 for a date and that about 500 people were at the Chesford to see her. However P.P. Arnold and her group, T.N.T., did not turn up. Martin had to face the disgruntled customers.

The Early 1970s saw the music scene at Chesford Grange shifting towards heavier progressive rock and a massive rebranding. The venue was renamed The Kinetic Kenilworth, and the old downstairs Twist Den was converted into the Kinetic Cellar. And during this heavy metal and progressive 'underground' era, the cellar hosted legendary acts such as The Groundhogs, Hawkwind and Van der Graaf Generator for entry fees of just 40p.

The overarching 'Kinetic' music venue era at the hotel came to an end around 1973, paving the way for later iterations of the hotel's nightlife spaces, such as the Camelot Suite and Oliver's. Meanwhile the cellar bar rebranded itself with names like Blaises and the Stables as the 'disco' generation took over.

At its peak the Twist Den regularly pulled in 700 to 800 revellers.and claimed that 'The cream from Radio 1 will be performing here by Monday'.

The Chesford Grange hotel continues to thrive successfully in its beautiful setting. Apart from relaxing stays it also offers a gym and pool facilities as well as catering for flamboyant weddings. Music is still there as well.