Who Built Brixton's Electric Avenue?

[@travisr9839]

“Hello, and thanks for stopping by.” has to be one of the best introductions on KZbin. It is very warm and inviting ❤.

[@Robslondon]

Ah, thank you so much Travis! That means a lot to me my friend.

[@jacobmassey3897]

Most of these types of introductions are just said on early videos and then end up sticking and become naturally associated with the channel. I'm assuming this was the case for you as well Rob.

[@Robslondon]

@@jacobmassey3897 that is exactly what happened Jacob! I had no idea at the time people would actually pop by, so I thought if anyone did then that would be a pleasant way to welcome them 😄

[@jacobmassey3897]

@@Robslondon and it certainly is. I've started saying it myself to family or friends who pop round to my flat 😆

[@Mydigitalepitaph]

My Dad was a fairly prominent DJ in London in the 70s/early 80s. He used to source his records from all over London, and there were some right character in the game back then. The underworld used to be involved in running of pubs/clubs back then. I knew bent coppers who'd siphoned off enough money to buy pubs and also "local business men" who got their money through the black market. Anyway, one of the people my Dad spent time with in this era of his life was none other than Eddie Grant. He used to help supply my dad with Rocksteady/etc vinyls. My Dad formed a good relationship with Eddie, to the point he used to visit us in Barnsbury/Islington to come over for food/drinks. Believed he lived in Stamford Hill at the time. My first piece of vinyl was a present from Eddie to me, which was his 7" single "I don't wanna dance". It's always nice to hear Eddie Grants name, as it takes me back to an interesting period in my formative years.

[@Robslondon]

Incredible comment! Thanks for sharing, a really fascinating insight.

[@zaftra]

The record gift is cool, hope you still have it it.

[@dad_jokes_4ever226]

As a quizzical young gentleman I once rocked down to Electric Avenue from whence I proceeded to take it higher

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@AngelaDavis-yz3xf]

🤣 You beat me to it.

[@Boric78]

But were you working hard like a soldier who couldn't afford a thing on TV ?

[@StamfordBridge]

Oh, no.

[@elliwoollard3174]

My son played a tiny role in the history of Electric Avenue - when Eddy Grant turned on the new sign in 2016, local primary school children were invited to perform beforehand, and my son played in his school's steel band. If there's a more joyous combination than steel pans (played, in this case, extremely well) and children, then I don't know what it is. It was tipping it down with rain, but the music was as bright and cheerful as Fyfe's lights all those decades ago.

[@Robslondon]

Loved reading this elliwoollard; wonderful comment thanks for sharing ☺️

[@davehustwayte689]

Hi Rob, Hope you are keeping well, Many thanks for another top top video, Great work Sir, Thank you

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Dave, that’s really kind of you- much appreciated. I’m ok thanks, hope you are too.

[@Jay-ql4gp]

Yes, Eddie Grant's song _did_ play in my head the second I saw it! Thank you so much!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Cheers Jay 😉

[@michaelj3282]

Thank you for mentioning my home Town of Newcastle, I know it's not your thing, but Willaim Armstrong did so much for the UK. Mosley Street was just the beginning, Cragside in Northumberland, for example, was the first building in the world to be lit by hydro-electricity, and the first to be lit by Joseph Swan's newly invented incandescent light bulbs. At this time, it also had hot and cold running water, central heating, telephones, fire alarms, a hydraulic passenger lift and a Turkish bath suite. Great vid.

[@Robslondon]

Anytime Michael; Newcastle is a great city with top people. Thanks for the info; very interesting. I would like to cover Newcastle at some point in a video; similar to the one I made about Liverpool a few months ago.

[@MrRob2208]

Eddy Grants Electric Avenue memories memories Thanks Rob

[@Robslondon]

Cheers 😎

[@mattheweagles5123]

I was humming the Eddy Grant tune the whole time

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@eddisstreet]

Do you mean Baby Come Back?

[@misterocain]

Me too. I hadn't realised it was a real place.

[@misterocain]

@@eddisstreet was a song by the Equals of which Eddy was a member before he went solo.

[@eddisstreet]

@@misterocain yes, he wrote it

[@deviljelly3]

Thanks... and i think North West London needs some love, Wembley, Neasden, Gladstone Park, The Post Office Research Building and Dr Tommy Flowers.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Deviljellly; that’s incredibly kind of you. And I’ll see what I can do; North-west London is where I was born and grew up after all 😉

[@deviljelly3]

@@Robslondon me too :) Bunk of school walk up Dollis Hill to Cricklewood turn right and just keep walking straight and you hit Marble Arch :)

[@ronnyskaar3737]

I visited Brixton and saw the Bowie mural, but had never heard of Electric Avenue. So much for being norwegian. Now I have a reason to go back on my next visit to London, which is just around the corner. Great video again, Rob

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much for your kindness Ronny, and also for a lovely comment. Much appreciated ☺️ I was lucky enough to see David Bowie live many years ago,.. he was incredible. Stay well.

[@johnnzboy]

I lived down Atlantic Road for a while 20 years ago and would cut through Electric Avenue to get to the Tube - lovely to be reminded of those days (though not of the strong smell emanating from the butcher stores early in the morning, not pleasant to encounter when rushing past hung-over to work) ;) and great to learn the history of the famous name. Great work again, Rob.

[@Robslondon]

Great and very evocative comment, thank you John!

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

Not an area I know well at all but in the '90s, travelling daily from Victoria to East Croydon (working for Aiwa in Allders) I always found the disappearing curve of Electric Avenue completely fascinating, almost feeling that there might be a Narnia-like place just beyond view round the bend. When you're working in Croydon you have to get your romance where you can 😊 Thanks yet again for a fascinating, educational and entertaining video.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Paul, such a wonderful comment- I enjoyed reading that 😄

[@beth12svist]

@@PaulMcCaffreyfmac I can imagine the original state of it with the glazed ballustrades and electric lighting might have been quite a sight, especially around Christmas! Probably not quite like Narnia, but with the "foliage", it probably was the perfect image of Christmas nowadays known from cheesy Christmas TV romances. 😆

[@genevievedolan1288]

A fabulous and informative video…..thank you! 😊What a pity the balustrades were not restored. They should have done that! grrrr! All that lovely Victorian iron work gone….😢

[@thewrecker3140]

Great video with first class content from a top London historian.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers! 😉

[@JohnNewtoneu]

Rob , one more of your detailed entertaining videos, as a teen I spend many days hanging around what is now called Brixton village to listen to reggae records and buy some dub plates , those were the days when we could hang around all day just listening to great music . Sadly long gone . All the best

[@Robslondon]

Beautiful comment. Cheers John 🇯🇲

[@WagnerGimenes]

Thanks. Help keeping the lights on 😜

[@Robslondon]

Truly appreciate that WagnerGimenes; thank you my friend. Have a good evening.

[@TheMrTomkennedy]

Thanks

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Tom, thank you so much my friend! very much appreciated 😄

[@TheMrTomkennedy]

@@Robslondon It's a pleasure, Rob. Your videos are special! I want them to carry on :)

[@Robslondon]

@@TheMrTomkennedy That means a lot to me, thank you.

[@butchknapman3939]

Hello Rob, scanning KZbin I saw Electric Avenue. yes i thought better look at that as a long part of my working life was in Clapham and a lesser part Brixton. then i caught it was you.Ihave been wondering where your visit to South London would take us . Another superb video. You mentioned West Norwood cemetary. As you are well ino research, I will let you look for yourself, there are several very famous names buried there, which when you look them up you will be surprised. The cemetary wa opened in 1837 checkout what was added in 1915 and its link to the Magnificent Seven (Google and Wikipedia ) have i think most of the answers. Looking forward to the next video

[@Robslondon]

Fantastic comment Butch, thank you. I’ve covered the cemetery before; as I’m sure you’ll know it has a connection with the brains behind the first Underground railway. Hope you’re keeping well 😉

[@Roland-pw5xj]

The last time I visited (earlier this year I think) there was a lot of work going on. All part of an ambitious project to restore the chapel in the Greek enclosure, along with various monuments, and to create a new visitor centre.

[@dennisb9638]

Thanks for taking us to yet another wonderful location in London and revealing its history. I enjoyed it so much!

[@Robslondon]

It's a pleasure Dennis! Thanks for the kind words.

[@paulwilson7234]

A very informative and watchable video.

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks Paul, much appreciated

[@bordershader]

That's really mad, I was literally talking about this very street on Threads a couple of days ago. I used to love the Eddy Grant song so when I actually discovered there was a real Electric Avenue I had to go to Brixton and see it, but I was secretly really disappointed it wasn't 24/7 street partying 😂 And then I found out the backstory to its name, and I was fascinated. Great vid (again)!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Great comment, thank you! And thanks for the kind words; much appreciated.

[@bryan3550]

Simply Brilliant work, yet again, Rob. Looking forward to that pint with you One Day..! 🙃

[@Robslondon]

Ah, cheers Bryan! Much appreciated mate ;-)

[@rexochroy2]

My goodness I have not been there for 40 years, about time for a good long visit . 😊😊 Great work sir . Thank you. 😊

[@Robslondon]

Ah, thank you Rex!

[@annereidy7981]

Such a fascinating and remarkable history and what a sight it must have been in its time. You've done it again Rob, almost like I was there myself, brilliantly illuminating I could say, thank you!

[@Robslondon]

Bless you Anne, thank you!

[@andyl4565]

Great video. Eddie Grant's song was playing in my head the entire video.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! 😎

[@garybrockwell2031]

Great one Rob💪🇬🇧💯 I know all them place's well!!... Used to drink in Bradeys in the 80s🥳🤩 Great time's 🇬🇧💯 The times maybe different but real beauty is them buildings. Thanks for lots i didn't know 🧐📽️

[@Robslondon]

Great comment Gary, cheers 😉

[@leilabennett1366]

I lived in Brixton in the 1960's. I remember the iron columns, it was a shame the couldn't kerp them. I remember seeing Santa in Bon Marche and Christmas shopping with my dad.

[@Robslondon]

Lovely comment Leila, thank you.

[@alinalinhftfryer3442]

Can't help it but whenever I hear/read something about Brixton, I always start humming "The guns of Brixton" by The Clash.

[@Robslondon]

Fantastic tune 😎

[@asheland_numismatics]

As always, another excellent video! 😎

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks sir! 😉

[@Charstring]

Another really top quality video from Robslondon! Learned some fascinating history. For street-related songs i can only think of Baker Street (and the legend about Bob Holness providing the saxophone solo).

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Charstring 😄

[@elizabethclarke4219]

I so look forward to all your videos. The London Stone video was something I’ve never heard of, as well as Electric Ave. Amazing informative and interesting videos. Thank you so much. Regards Liz Clarke

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Liz, that’s really kind of you ☺️

[@jenniferlevine5406]

Wow - that was amazing. What an interesting centre of so much activity over many years. And yes, now I can't get the music out of my head! Thanks so much!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Jennifer :-)

[@simonroberts2166]

Another cracking video, I really enjoy them, long may you continue!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Simonroberts! (Love your Calvin and Hobbes Avatar by the way)

[@KC-gy5xw]

I do love your delivery, and I can really understand the Bowie connection, definitely!!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you; such a lovely comment! ⚡️

[@sharonleong7120]

Great sharing. Keep up the good work. Thanks Robert. 👍👍👍😍😍😍

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Sharon! 😉

[@musiqueetmontagne]

Great stuff as always Rob, thanks for your hard work to bring us these wonderful pieces of history. I was born in London, my mothers family go back a long way in the city and seeing these episodes of a now mostly lost culture is great if somewhat sad . Thanks again, Robert.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you; very much appreciated.

[@robbojax2025]

Another banger. Brixton is a rare visit for me so much of the history in not well known to me. Thanks

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Robbojax

[@broadsword6650]

Top work, Rob. Another "musical" street that would make a great video is Baker Street. Yes, of course Sherlock Holmes, that's been done a hundred times, but it's also the inspiration for Gerry Rafferty's classic hit, Baker Street, and for the superb song by Jethro Tull, Baker Street Muse, written when the band's main man, Ian Anderson, was a local resident and the song tells stories of the characters he saw in the area.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! I’ve done Baker Street- check my back catalogue 😉

[@Sandra-A]

Another great informative video. Enjoyed it very much. Thanks Rob. What a beauty Electric Avenue was back in the day. I have warned the neighbours 🎶🎵 Passed on the link to your video. Just incase 😉. Take care for now x

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Thanks so much Sandra; a lovely comment :-) Hope you have a good week.

[@ladyellice1863]

Fascinating as always Rob! 👍🏻Brixton has some very interesting history doesn’t it?! 😊 I used to spend many an evening at Brixton Academy… let us hope it will be back to its former glory as one of the UK’s top live music venues soon.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you as always ladyellice 😄 My last gig at Brixton Academy was ‘The Specials’ a few years ago, it was packed.

[@ladyellice1863]

@@Robslondon That’s good to hear… what a fantastic band The Specials are! RIP Terry Hall. ❤️

[@Robslondon]

@@ladyellice1863 yes! Was gutted when Terry died 😞

[@AngelaDavis-yz3xf]

Thank you Rob, that was enjoyable to watch. Like to see ghost signs as they're quite rare.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Angela! Yes, I like seeking them out too 😄

[@binarydinosaurs]

Excellent. Having grown up in Newcastle and Northumbria I had no idea Eddy Grant's song was about an actual street until I started working in and around London in the 90s. I've still never been to Electric Avenue though, must do that.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks! 🤩

[@patjackson8649]

That Eddie Grant song was a huge hit in Canada when it was released and it was such a bolt (pun intended) of brilliant energy among all the pop or hair metal of the day on the radio. Great video as always and I could suggest Blue Jeans by Blur ‘air cushioned soles, I bought them on the Portobello Road’ or, of course, ‘Under the Westway’

[@Robslondon]

Fantastic comment Pat, thank you. I didn’t realise the song was that huge in Canada.

[@alantheskinhead]

Another excellent down to Earth video.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Alan! 😉

[@dougknight1720]

Thanks Rob. Very interesting feature on another area of London I wasn’t familiar with. Great video as ever..

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Doug, thank you! Hope all is well.

[@youleks]

Wow! The street looked so beautiful with all that lighting. I think it was a true marvel back then 🤩 Thank you for a great video as usual, Rob!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much youleks 😄

[@wirralsquirrel713]

Thank you Rob. Another interesting & well researched video. I was lucky enough to see Alabama 3 before they hit the world stage. They were supporting The Levellers during their 1997 UK tour. One of the best gigs I’ve been to, brilliant performances by both bands & the upper circle at The Royal Court, Liverpool, was bouncing! 😳

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! I’ve been lucky enough to see them twice- both in Glasgow- one of the best live acts I’ve ever seen.

[@jakeandrews-iz4wf]

Thanks Rob, your documentary has brightened up a rather dim Sunday.

[@Robslondon]

Ah, thanks Jake

[@tammygant4216]

I had forgotten about that song until you brought it up in this video (nope, not even the video title reminded me)....now I can't stop singing it!

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! 😉

[@ChrisSmith-ls7mb]

Hello Rob Another excellent video. Brixton an area not visited yet. Thanks for the video. Take care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you guys ☺️ Hope you’re keeping well

[@richardcoombes9491]

well done rob as always a great look at london and the suburbs well done and sterling work

[@Robslondon]

Thanks as always mate 😉

[@CthulhuInc]

nice one, rob - interesting, informative and entertaining, as always!

[@Robslondon]

Thanks so much Cthulhulnc

[@dkirk5814]

Really interesting, Rob. More please.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks 😉

[@christinesimpkin570]

A glorious video; thanks Rob👌 Catching up with you as I was unwell for a while. Thank you as always for your immaculate research and cool presentation 😊

[@Robslondon]

Ah, thank you Christine! Hope you’re feeling better

[@Twirlover]

@@Robslondon Yes, thank you Rob🤗

[@Twirlover]

@@Robslondon Yes, thank you Rob 😊

[@Project.Womble.London]

Another fantastic video Rob. Not an area I know well so was great to learn more. Can’t wait to see where you are of to next.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you so much Womble 🙂

[@louisegalczynski5902]

Another brilliant video Rob! Once again I have learnt a lot from you (and yes that song is now stuck in my brain 😂)

[@Robslondon]

🤣 Cheers Louise! And thank you so much for the Kofi; you’re an absolute star ⭐️ Hope you’re keeping well.

[@avnostlga]

As a native of California, we out here know little of the nuances of Eddie Grants song. Today I finally learned a thing. The prevailing thought here, false as it is, was it was about escape from oppression by getting high. Thank you for illuminating the truth.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure! A great comment; thank you.

[@beth12svist]

Such is the advantage of being relatively young and growing up with the internet: despite being Czech, I did roughly know what it was about! So the really illuminating part for me is the preceding history. 🙂

[@helenbartoszek243]

Getting high had nothing to do with oppression. Smoking weed is part of their culture.

[@Slycockney]

Brilliant Rob, loved it. Alas I've never been to Electric Avenue. One song that springs to mind is Duffy's Warwick Avenue, my closest station growing up.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Slycockney; and yes that’s a good choice 😉

[@Expressionisto1]

Thanks for another fascinating video Rob. Off the top of my head, songs named after London streets include... Blur's 'Under the West Way', The Kinks' 'Denmark Street', .. but possibly not Roxy Music's 'Do the Strand'...

[@Robslondon]

Thank you- and great choices! 🎵

[@tracyfryer8153]

More stuff a Kent girl never knew or stumbled across as a teenager. Thanks rob awesome video and research ❤️❤️❤️

[@Robslondon]

😄 Cheers Tracy!

[@martinjf467]

Shee-it man! That was brilliant! I never even knew Electric Avenue was anything but a song title!

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@chrisruff2043]

Great Video that Rob 👏 very interesting and informative. Enjoyed it a lot 😊

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Chris, thank you!

[@vegvisir6695]

You predicted it…I was humming the Eddie Grant song throughout the video…thanks! As an American, London is my favorite place in the world.

[@Robslondon]

London is blessed to have friends like you, vegvisir. Stay well sir.

[@vegvisir6695]

@@Robslondon You as well.

[@Robslondon]

@@vegvisir6695 Thanks 🙂

[@WagnerGimenes]

Lovely tribute to an "electric" street full of energy and life. Thanks Rob.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you ☺️

[@bloodknottrevelian3396]

Most enlightening, many thanks.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you 🤩

[@richardbrayshaw570]

Thanks, Rob. As always, I'll pay a bit more attention when I'm out and about south of the river.

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Richard! ;-)

[@navelriver]

So that's where "Electric Avenue" came from, a favorite song from back in the old days! Such rich history! There was this lovely cow from "Magic Roundabout" singing about the Strand! We got that in Ontario Canada in the '80's! There is even a roundabout in town now!!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! As for the cow, was that Ermentrude from the Magic Roundabout?

[@navelriver]

@@Robslondon Yes indeed! I miss those days!

[@navelriver]

"Let's All Go Down the Strand" by Castling and Murphy!

[@claires1347]

Another very enjoyable & fascinating video, I can't wait for the next one! Thanks.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Claire! Much appreciated

[@chellybub]

Cheeky youtube never gave me notice when this came out! Very glad I checked back 😊Goes to show those posts are worth doing 😉

[@Robslondon]

Thanks for letting me know chellybub.... it's so frustrating. This video is performing very slowly, I wonder how many others don't know 😞 thank you so much for checking and sticking with me!

[@chellybub]

@@Robslondon that's ok, I thought you should know. I really don't know why they do this kind of thing... I hope it picks up. I am not a KZbinr so I don't know what to suggest 😔 thank you for sticking with it though, we all love your work ☺️

[@Robslondon]

@@chellybub Thanks again

[@Zharkov1969A]

Thanks, that was great. I am going to search for the Eddy Grant song now… it’s been a while.

[@Robslondon]

Enjoy 😉

[@FluffyMcFluffavicMeowskiOFluff]

Another fantastic video! Nice one Rob!

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! ☺️

[@debrawhite751]

I remember the song - but I didn't know Electric Avenue was a real place! Thanks, Rob. The only other song I could think of was A Nightengale Sang in Berkeley Square. One of my favorite songs - covered brilliantly by The Manhattan Transfer!

[@Robslondon]

Wonderful comment Debra, thank you 😄

[@paulmerryman]

Thanks for filling us in on it's origin Rob, a great video as always.

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure Paul, thank you ☺️

[@RubbishGimpy]

Always fascinating and excellent.

[@Robslondon]

Thank you!

[@HeimirTomm]

Thanks Rob. Quality as always :-)

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Heimir! I haven’t forgotten you mate, will email you soon 😉

[@AnthonyBrown12324]

You really shined a light on this subject .

[@Robslondon]

😉

[@jamesbenmore994]

Very informative. Thanks

[@Robslondon]

Thank you James

[@jasonsmart3482]

Crumbs Rob that was so good. i never knew the history of Electric Avenue and i found that really interesting. i use to often go up to Brixton from my home in Beckenham in the 1990s just to gaze and and try some of the unusual food that where on offer. I've heard that the area has gone more up market, I guess thats London for you always changing.

[@Robslondon]

Thanks Daniel, great comment!

[@BdManus]

Excellent video, packed full of information.

[@Robslondon]

Many thanks- and thank you for watching.

[@georgemulcahy4515]

Used to live there in the flats, called 'Electric Mansions' right up the top. No lifts. Moving in was a killer.

[@Robslondon]

😬

[@spitfire1962]

Do you mean no lifts? No stairs would be a bugger.

[@georgemulcahy4515]

@@spitfire1962 yes thank you, I edited that so it now makes sense

[@djtraxxehv1058]

That's interesting! I haven't been there. Thanks for the info about it!

[@Robslondon]

It’s a pleasure! Thanks for watching

[@wendalboy]

Another great video rob

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Wendalboy, thank you

[@Edward-tk4um]

Thx manny,very interesting 👍

[@Robslondon]

Thank you Edward

[@bobcosmic]

Nice one Rob

[@Robslondon]

Cheers Bob

[@bobcosmic]

@@Robslondon Brixton has become trendy again.

[@matchtrick]

I stayed on Coldharbour Lane just a few feet from Electric Lane earlier this year and fell in *love* with Brixton. Anti-colonial, multicultural, rich and gorgeous. My favourite place to stay in London.

[@Robslondon]

😄

[@smgreenartsprivate]

I remember that song well from the time :) I wasn't aware the history to the area but I am familiar with the markets :) Warwick Ave by Duffy, Baker Street Gerry Rafferty, Violet Hill by Cold Play, Lambeth Walk by Furber and Rose or the Kinks Waterloo Sunset with Berkely Mews and Denmark Street :) Thanks Rob :)

[@Robslondon]

Wonderful comment, thank you- all excellent choice too 😉

[@helenbartoszek243]

Denmark Street, where the Sex Pistols used to rehearse.

[@roomullan3050]

Very good Rob

[@Robslondon]

Thank you

[@chrisstephens6673]

Usual messages 👍! I often walk by there on my way to the oldest model engineering society in the world in Loughborough Junction, but never thought to investigate, maybe one day? Had it still retained the cast iron columns and glass canopy i would have already done it as it would remind me of the ones in the Ealing of my youth.

[@Robslondon]

Wonderful comment Chris. Thank you.

[@chrisstephens6673]

@@Robslondon well you asked, and I obliged and commented!😁

[@EileenSpeakman]

This brings back memories, I had a job in Clapham in the 60s, I often shopped in Brixton in the lunch hour. A big department store called Bon Marche? UK. E ❤

[@Robslondon]

Bon Marche, yes… you can see it in the video

[@VictorKibalchich]

Great to see Bradys get a mention

[@Robslondon]

Got to be done 😉

[@christina3521]

Thank you for another wonderful video. It looks like much of the cities have been vandalized by spray paint. Same thing here all over Seattle. It makes me flinch in anger. How quickly everything has changed. PS funny to see the exact same city subsidized green free bicycles as Seattle has done for years in the video.

[@Robslondon]

Ha ha! Yep, thanks Christina 😉

[@homestead44]

GREAT HISTORY LESSON ❤ 🇬🇧👏🏻 VERY WELL RESEARCHED !

[@Robslondon]

Much appreciated Stephen, thank you.

[@shahjhanhaider26]

Built in 1888,electric avenue was the first electric lit street and market place,might be lit by lamps of that times design,Jhon and Alexander Rye who made them were not less figures.The street was canopied and it had been first street during the victorian time.Never the less you filmed excellent

[@Robslondon]

Thanks

[@Gunnercv]

Interesting video, I do want to dance, dance to Electric Avenue

[@Robslondon]

😎🎵

[@jennythescouser]

I used to go to Brady's often, back in the day. It was a right dump, but had a great vibe.

[@Robslondon]

😎

[@spitfire1962]

The reason why the Windrush generation settled in Brixton was due to the fact that they were first sheltered in the deep level tunnels near Stockwell. The nearest Labour exchange was Brixton and therefore where many got jobs and a chance to live in the area. I have travelled through and sometimes work in Brixton. It is a very vibrant area.

[@Robslondon]

Yep, spot on 😉

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

Here's a bit of trivia, the cinematograph film "L'arrivee d'un train engare de La Ciotate" can be seen in the background of a scene featuring Count Dracula and Mina Harker in the 1992 film, Bram Stoker's Dracula directed by Francis Ford Coppola and featuring Gary Oldman in the title role. Before that scene however, you can see a boy with a sign advertising the Lyceum Theatre, with a production of Hamlet starring Henry Irving : Bram Stoker was Henry Irving's manager at that theatre, and some people have theorized that Irving might have inspired some of Stoker's characterization of Dracula. Just thought that trivia would be interesting for people watching this video to know.

[@Robslondon]

That is good trivia ;-)

[@lordbarristertimsh8050]

@@Robslondon Thank You for the reply!

[@Robslondon]

@@lordbarristertimsh8050 Any time! Thanks for watching.

[@Roland-pw5xj]

Fascinating, well-researched video as always. Whatever was "Robinson's Teeth Institute" at 7:46? A grandiose name for a dentist?

[@Robslondon]

Thank you! And I have no idea… I’m guessing it was a dentist, yes especially as it was linked to a chemists. I don’t like to think about Victorian dentistry though! 😬

[@NoSugarThanks]

I thought it's where Eddie Grant lived😅Nice vlog

[@Robslondon]

😂 Cheers

[@goofyvideosofthecat]

All the Gen Xers stunned to silence as it dawns on us that Eddy Grant was singing about a real place 🤯