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Hope and Anchor, Islington facts for kids

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Hope and Anchor
Hope & Anchor pub Upper Street, Islington.jpg
Hope and Anchor, Islington. (October 2005)
General information
Type Pub
Location Islington, London, England
Completed 1928 (current form)

The Hope and Anchor is a famous pub located on Upper Street in Islington, London. It first opened its doors way back in 1880. In the mid-1970s, it became one of the first places to support a new type of music called "pub rock." This was a simple, energetic style of rock music.

After pub rock became less popular, the Hope and Anchor became a key spot for the punk rock movement. Punk rock was a fast, loud, and rebellious style of music. Today, the Hope and Anchor is still a working pub and a place where live bands play. It is owned by the Greene King company. The building is also a Grade II listed building, which means it's an important historical building that needs to be protected.

History of the Hope and Anchor

The Hope and Anchor building was built in 1880. It became a popular music spot when another pub, The Tally Ho, stopped playing rock music. The Hope and Anchor then became the main place for live music in north London.

Growing as a Music Venue

The pub's music nights became very popular thanks to managers Fred Grainger and Dave Robinson. They helped make the Hope and Anchor a well-known place for bands to play. Later, Dave Robinson even helped start a record company called Stiff Records.

In 1976, a company called Albion Management and Agency took over the pub. They put John Eichler in charge. The pub faced threats of closing down many times. To keep it open, John Eichler organized special concerts to raise money. Famous bands would come back and play just to help the pub.

The Famous Front Row Festival

A big event called the Hope & Anchor Front Row Festival happened between November and December 1977. Many pub rock, punk, and new wave bands played there. The live performances were recorded and released as a double album with the same name. This album was very popular and reached number 28 on the UK Albums Chart.

Bands and Films at the Pub

Many famous bands have played at the Hope and Anchor. The Stranglers recorded their album Live at the Hope and Anchor right there. Parts of Graham Parker's first album were also recorded in the pub's basement. The pub even appeared in the 1980 movie, Breaking Glass.

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