Handel and Hendrix Unlikely Neighbours

Imagine Handel and Hendrix as Neighbours

By Liz Ringrose, Guest Writer 

Most visitors to London will have seen a few of the famous blue plaques attached to a variety of buildings.  These plaques, now maintained by English Heritage, commemorate, historical figures who have lived in the houses they adorn. 

In west London, on Brook Street, two plaques can be viewed on adjoining houses.  At number 25 Georg Frideric Handel the composer lived from 1723 until he died thirty-six years later.  Next door, at number 23, American rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix moved in during 1968 and stayed for a year.  When Hendrix took up residence he noticed the plaque on the neighbouring house but admitted that he hadn't heard much of "the fella's stuff."  I doubt Handel could have imagined the sounds that would emanate through the walls of his house over two hundred years later, although I'm sure he would applaud his neighbour's dedication to his music. 

The idea of the commemorative tablets came originally from a member of parliament, William Ewart, in 1863 and four years later the first one was erected, for Lord Byron.  It wasn't until the 1920s that the distinctive blue colour was adopted.  Each ceramic tablet is hand made and takes about two months to complete.  To be eligible for a plaque a person must have been dead for at least twenty years and members of the public can nominate a historical figure to be commemorated.

In south west London on the walls of 180 Ebury Street a plaque proudly boasts that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed his first symphony there in 1764.  I suspect that Handel might have preferred Mozart as a neighbour but maybe a Handel/Mozart/Hendrix collaboration might be interesting - if a little loud. Further details about the blue plaque scheme can be found on the English Heritage website: www.english-heritage.org.uk

 
Thanks Liz for this very interesting piece.

 (c) November 2008. Tel Asiado. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.