Lou Reed

today is still A much-loved Camden music venue has been damaged by fire, prompting a wave of stories and memories. Here are just some of them.

From Monty Python to Madonna , The Pretenders , Prince , Koko has seen it all.

It was One of the largest theatre outside of London's West End when it opened as the Camden Theatre on 26 December 1900 and has had several names since then, including the Hippodrome, the Music Machine, Camden Palace and - since 2004 - Koko.

The Building is a beauty, full of original features, was Simpson an important driving force for the two acts and the audience, which, according to Jonathan.

As a 16-year-old went to his first gig to see blur at The Venue in 1990.

"I don't think anyone has seen you go through this door and down the stairs in the auditorium never forget," says Mr. Simpson, which is now Camden Council 's Cabinet member for the promotion of culture and community.

"over The original seats, but there was still so much that it screamed in a time long past, and it was One of the largest glitter-balls I've ever seen.

"It was a very special place, and had a strong sense of history, that is what attracted People . "

the BBC journalist Jennifer Scott says it has played a large role in your life. It was The Last place you and your friend Mark Strickland saw a gig together before his death, as you saw, Alien Ant Farm in 2016, and The First gig that you went with your friend, when she saw that the power of the wolf two years later.

"We spent most of the gig hidden on One of The Balconies to Talk to each other," she recalls. "With two gigs, and God Knows how many others that I have, it was hard to keep your eyes on the stage, because of how nice and old school, The Building was.

"It was like a maze with many levels and secret stairs. I seemed to find a new bit, I was there every time. And it was really lush, all of the old velvet and deep Reds. It was a beautiful Theater-The Venue was as much the star as the bands On Stage . "

In 1983, the theatre of The First British venue was selected for a Madonna concert and the global superstar, start in 2005, her tenth album, Confessions on a Dance Floor.

Prince also chose it in the year 2014, having prior to that, he played in 1988 and 2007. Mr Simpson was One of the many People who wait in line for hours, in the year 2014 the gig.

"That was Prince , he could it is easy to Wembley sold-out-stadium, but he decided to tell Koko to you, what a place it is," he says.

"It is a jewel of a place, and we are very happy to have it bookmarking One end of Camden High Street . "

The BBC theatre ran from 1945 until the 1970s, with A Number of his best-known shows on the Album, including The First album, Monty Python 's Flying Circus" and a reunion of The Goon Show.

writer Neil Gaiman says, he fell in love with his wife, to see the singer Amanda Palmer , theatre, and remembers fondly, Lou Reed , run it.

Marc Rister recalls, such as the theatre, different vibes", depending on where you were in The Building on the ground floor "very intimate" and which was in the upper floor is larger, what is the "best of Both Worlds " is offered ".

He went for The First time in 2017, to see Mostack, adding: "It was honestly The Best night of My Life . It was a great shame about The Fire . It would be very sad if it was gone Forever . "

One of the Jules Pearson, The First gigs in London was Wild Beasts at Koko in 2010, along with 1,500 other People - a show, had goosebumps the co-founder of London on The Inside "".

she had a regular Club NME, that was a "super loud" club night at The Venue on Friday, that would deploy "always a different Art week".

"you have some incredible characters," says she would meet. "Amy Winehouse , Pete Doherty , Jameel Jamil and many other indie bands, and the stars were often present.

"It's the whole night, dancing will be pints and Wake up to drink to tell a fair few stories. Gosh, if these walls could only Talk . "

Source of news: bbc.com