of people like that, particularly at the Pheasantry, it was really filled with them." 1970s The Pheasantry nightclub hosted early gigs by Lou Reed, Queen and Hawkwind. The venue was small, however. According to John Hewlett, "It was a naff place to play. It was the sort of place you played if you get The Marquee." It was a gig in London, however, and unsigned bands were grateful for that. The 1972 gig by Queen, which had been intended as a showcase for the band, did not go well. Phil Reed remembered that the band were "unpolished" and the venue was mainly a disco, "once the disco had stopped and Queen went on everyone went to the bar." In addition, none of the record company A & R people who had been invited, turned up. Thin Lizzy performed there and were described as "playing to a handful of posey people sitting there drinking cocktails." Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice found Yvonne Elliman at the Pheasantry, as a result of which she featured in the original soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar. Sparks played their first British gig there. In the 1970s John Betjeman led a campaign to prevent the redevelopment of the site. Today The building now houses a branch of the Pizza Express restaurant chain. In the basement is a cabaret club The Pheasantry which opened in 2010 after the closure of Pizza on the Park. References Further reading Macdonald, Nesta. (1977) The History of the Pheasantry, Chelsea, 1766–1977. London: Nesta Macdonald. External links Photographs at victorianweb.org Grade II listed buildings in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Grade II listed houses in London Houses in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Nightclubs in London Restaurants in London Music venues in London King's Road, Chelsea, London