Hippodrome Records

Hippodrome Records was created by nightclub-owner Peter Stringfellow in 1983. Initial releases were manufactured and distributed by Spartan Records, distribution was later taken over by EMI in the UK. The name & logo were the same as the one Stringfellow used for his famous London nightclub, The London Hippodrome, opened in 1983. The club had previously been the cabaret restaurant, The Talk Of The Town, featuring many of the popular artists of the time, including appearances by Judy Garland, Eartha Kitt, Shirley Bassey, The Temptations, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Englebert Humperdink, Val Doonican, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones, Lulu, Matt Monro, Cliff Richard, Stevie Wonder, Sacha Distel and Neil Sedaka. The Seekers' final concert was recorded there for their album "The Seekers: Live At The Talk Of The Town" in 1968. The venue closed in 1982. Stringfellow sold The London Hippodrome to the European Leisure chain in 1990 and it was subsequently transformed into Cirque At The Hippodrome, winning the BEDA award for best UK nightclub in 2004. It is currently under redevelopment again- set to open in 2010 as a casino, including a new Gordon Ramsay restaurant. Hippodrome Records was primarily a "Hi-Nrg" label. Records were also sold in the club's shop in the foyer and the label was run from a back office by Dave Martin. The "Space Circus" Hippodrome theme, a Hi-Nrg instrumental track written by the Hippodrome's lighting Director Pete Tyler, was usually played just before the midnight light-show every night. Resident DJs included Lawrie Black, Mark Vanderpump, Tony Adamson, Tigrr and Mo Berry, along with MC 'Bradley'. The club was renowned for its Monday "Gay Nights" and a number of early Hi-Nrg acts such as Divine, Sinitta, Princess, Hazel Dean and The Three Degrees appeared in the club before gaining mainstream UK success. Stringfellow appeared on a number of UK TV chat-shows with "The Beverleys" in 1985 to help promote their Hippodrome Records release. In 1985 he managed to sign Dusty Springfield to the label for a critical 'one-off' single. In March 1986 Steve Strange launched his band Strange Cruise at the Hippodrome.