Liam Gallagher Backs Bid To Save Music Venue

Former Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher has backed a campaign to save a legendary music venue in central London.

The singer performed at the 100 Club in Oxford Street back in 1994 and said he wanted to play there again with his new band, Beady Eye.

The live music club, which has also been graced by The Sex Pistols, The Buzzcocks and The Clash, could be forced to close by the New Year because of spiralling overhead costs. But a campaign launched to save the cellar club has attracted a number of high-profile supporters.

In a note sent to the organisers of the Save The 100 Club, Gallagher wrote: "It's a real shame. Fancied playing there again with the mighty Beady Eye." He said the club "sorts the men from the boys" and described it as "very rock n roll".

The brief hand-written note came after Frank Black, of the recently reformed Pixies, pledged £100,000 to keep the club open.

Campaigners said they had raised £150,000 so far but needed "substantial donations" to save the venue.

Jim Piddington from Save The 100 Club said: "The pledge from Frank Black came through and I was stunned. I would like to thank him publicly. We have had lots of words of support but as much as that helps spread the word, words alone are not going to help the club survive.

"We need cold hard cash, its as simple as that. We urge people to dig deep in these very hard financial times to help save the club because when its gone, it's gone and it isn't coming back."

Two benefit nights will take place to raise money for the club, and supporters said they also hoped to have the 100 Club listed by English Heritage.

Ray Davies, who played at the club with The Kinks, said: "Simon Cowell should underwrite the money needed to save the 100 Club - that would be a real payback. The amount of money he takes out of pop music, he could put some back in."

Source: The Press Association

Click here to win a Black Denim Long Western Jacket from Pretty Green.