Happy Days, Eel Pie Island

Trying to find Lizzie, first met her on the island

then we hitched around Europe/ Anybody remember

Jock McK from those days, good friends with Arthur,

drew the Christmas raffle with Long John Baldry?/

Looking for Steve and Sandy, Caz and John,

where are they now?/ We used to go to Eel Pie for coffee

and spag bol (first time I ever tried it), happy days/

I’m sure I saw the Pink Fairies there, the Who,

the Stones/ Looking for Chrissie, back then

she was a regular dancer on Ready Steady Go!/

I’d love to get in touch with Junkie John,

Scotch Jim and Dave/ We went to Eel Pie

to hear Free, heard the support band

called Genesis instead, all the time thinking

who are they??/ Eel Pie Island, thruppence to cross.

I remember seeing the Yardbirds, Mott the Hoople,

all the latest bands, time of my life/ Where are you Jane

of Richmond 1968, been looking for you for 30 years?

EEL PIE ISLAND

Eel Pie Island is a mini-island in the Thames which was once a hot spot for music and counter-culture in the 1960s. Countless famous bands, from the Rolling Stones to The Who, performed there till the island slipped into semi-obscurity.

Eel Pie Island is the largest island in the London section of the Thames at Twickenham and until 1957 it could be reached only by boat. In the 17th century it was used by day trippers and became well known for the eel pies made from locally caught eels. It is on the Thames above Richmond Lock, the only lock on the Tideway, and is accessible by boat or from the left (generally north) bank by a footbridge. The island had a club that was a major venue for jazz and blues in the 1960s.

Today it is home to two boatyards and workshops for art and craft people and moorings for houseboats. Although the island is private and visitors are not allowed, twice a year, usually in early July and early December, thanks to the graciousness of the private residents who live on the island, the studios open to the public, so that you can view inside a working studio and browse, purchase or commission unique works of art!

Eel PIe Island Museum is in the centre of Twickenham.