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100 Club Stories: Fred Perry and Ditto launch new book to celebrate London's legendary club

The 100 Club, launched in 1942 as the Feldman Swing Club, was frequented by GIs during the war, and by the stars of British and global jazz in the 1950s, including BB King and Muddy Waters.

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White hardcover book titled "100 Club Stories" in gold text with a purple-toned photograph of people at the legendary London music venue

But it was in the 1970s when it became an iconic venue for the punk scene, hosting The 100 Club Punk Special, an event which featured the Sex Pistols, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Clash, Buzzcocks and The Damned, and, pretty much, cemented punk as an idea and subculture.

In celebration of this legendary club, a London venue with as much character as the bands booked to play there, Fred Perry and Ditto are releasing a book of anecdotal stories from its 75-year history. From the musicians who played there through to the bar staff and the customers they served, each unique story adds to the legend and myth of this celebrated club.

However, it wasn’t just incredible bands that emerged from this independent venue but also tribes of fans devoted to new ways of thinking.

100 Club Stories will be published this summer, with various digital activations and events throughout the club’s 75th anniversary year.

The book will not only feature stories from everyone ranging from club punters to internationally famous musicians, but also archive images which have never been seen before. Some of which we've shared here. One for the coffee table.

Two people leaning towards each other across the bonnet of a car at night, with city lights blurred in the background
Open book showing S.J.M. Concerts fax message alongside a page with green tinted photographs and text about the 100 Club
Dancers at the 100 Club take a break by Emily Beaver

Dancers at the 100 Club take a break by Emily Beaver

Spread from 100 Club Stories book showing a Polaroid photograph of people at the club on the left and a teal and pink designed page with text and images on the right
An open book spread showing a black and white photograph of three people on the left page and pink-toned text and images on the right page from 100 Club Stories
John Lydon at the 1976 Punk Special by Barry Plummer

John Lydon at the 1976 Punk Special by Barry Plummer

Black and white photograph of a male singer at a microphone alongside blue and cream illustrated graphics featuring a palm tree and the number 5, from the 100 Club Stories book
Siouxsie Sioux plays her first ever gig at the 1976 Punk Special by Barry Plummer

Siouxsie Sioux plays her first ever gig at the 1976 Punk Special by Barry Plummer

Open spread from 100 Club Stories book showing red and white illustrated design on left page and two colour photographs of people at the club on right page
Revellers at the Nite Raid Club Night, 1986 by Gary Haisman

Revellers at the Nite Raid Club Night, 1986 by Gary Haisman

Black and white photograph of punks at the 100 Club in the 1970s, gathered together and looking upward in a crowded venue
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