The Ram Jam Club

Brixton, being one of the first places where Jamaican immigrants settled in London in the 50’s and 60’s, held the position as being one of the prime spots for early reggae and ska. The Ram Jam Club on Brixton Road was one of these places who have held a large social significance for the London youth of its time, yet its place in history is often overlooked.

This was one of the places where white kids would rub shoulders with local Jamaican youth to the sounds of people like Duke Vin, Count Suckle and Count Shelley on the turntables. The club regularly had over 1800 punters through the door, despite not having an alcohol license.

One of the people most associated were mod hero Geno Washington and the Ram Jam band. Whenever Geno played, rows of mod scooters would be lined up along the pavement outside the club, which is now home to Lambeth council. Other people associated with the club included keyboard reggae legend Jackie Mittoo (whose first solo single was named Ram Jam). A young Alex Hughes (also known as skinhead reggae icon Judge Dread, and the record holder of the largest number of singles banned on BBC) was a bouncer at the club. Linton Kwesi Johnson, reggae poet and one-time member of the Black Panther movement, is also said to have been a frequent patron of the club.

The club later turned into the Fridge club, which is still running today (although it has since moved to a different location).