The Rainbow Theatre
![The Rainbow Theatre](https://www.shadyoldlady.com/uploadi/photos/music/2338.jpg)
This church was once a cinema and legendary live music venue.
Location: Isledon Road, Finsbury Park
Description: The Rainbow Theatre is a Grade II* listed building that is now a pentecostal church. It was originally built as the Astoria Theatre, a cinema in 1930. Later it became a vibrant music venue for new live bands.
As a rock venue it saw loads of great bands and legends such as Jimi Hendrix, The Clash, and The Who.
It closed in 1975 and lost some ground to Camden's Roundhouse but its reopening and refurbishment in 1977 set it back on course as a prominent North London venue.
It became famous for being where a Clash gig turned into a riot where seats were torn up and hurled around the place.
It was reputedly here that guitar legend Jimi Hendrix first burnt his Fender Stratocaster on stage.
Yes, Queen, Thin Lizzy, Bob Marley & The Wailers, The Sweet and The Beach Boys all recorded live albums here.
The Stranglers regularly played here and the Ramones had their 1977 New Years Eve concert immortalised on vinyl with the double classic 'It's Alive'.
After numerous noise complaints it declined and it closed in 1982.
The dramatic climax to the 1980 British film Breaking Glass was shot here, it was directed by Brian Gibson, and starred Hazel O'Connor, Phil Daniels and Jonathan Pryce.
![Music Theme](http://www.shadyoldlady.com/images/icons/music.gif)
![Church Theme](http://www.shadyoldlady.com/images/icons/church.gif)
This church was once a cinema and legendary live music venue. |
Ranking This Month: 853/3067
Pages Hit This Month: 53
Credits: http://www.punk77.co.uk
Your Comments:
Other places nearby:
Trident Sound Studios», 3.4km
Bernard Herrmann lived here», 2.6km
The Pixies at the East Hill», 7.8km
Tommy Steele's House», 4.5km
Paul McCartney's London Home», 3.4km
David Bowie was born here», 6.6km
Abbey Road Studios», 3.6km
The Stone's Chelsea Drugstore», 5.4km
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor's House», 11.km
Sex Pistols lived here», 3.3km
Location Pinpointed:
Open Street Maps», Google Maps»