Remembering High Wycombe music venue and pub The Nags Head

The much-loved Nags Head pub, in London Road, was a favourite with music fans in its heyday in the 60s and 70s, with thousands cramming into the pub to hear the latest hits from big names, who would often sign the famous green room wall.

It hosted many celebrated bands including Thin Lizzy, Sex Pistols, Status Quo, Police and U2.

The once-renowned night spot was turned into flats in 2018 – but that didn’t stop members of the BFP’s We Grew Up in Wycombe Facebook group reminiscing about the pub.

Sharing a photo of Wycombe band Brewers Droop, Alan Lee wrote: “Who remembers cramming into that top room down the Nags to see Wycombe’s top band, Brewers Droop perform?

“What a great show they put on. I remember Ron offering a bottle of Newkie to anyone who would stand on stage and drop their jeans. You couldn’t get away with it now.”

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He added: “Everyone knew Ron of course. I only knew him in passing.

“Steve and Bob I knew well. The last time I saw Steve was around fifteen years ago when I went to see him down Swanage where he moved to. He organises the Swanage Blues Festival.

The Nags Head in 2009

“Bob sadly passed away some years ago. I spent many an evening drinking with him in The Three Tuns or The Angel, listening to his quiet Irish drawl and his dry sense of humour.

“Such great times with great people and such great memories.”

His post prompted dozens of responses, with many members remembering “good days” at the legendary venue.

Dean Clark wrote: “I and a group of friends were regulars at the Nags Head during the mid/late 1970’s and enjoyed many great nights upstairs in the Loft.

“Ron knew everyone worth knowing in the music industry and was a great promoter. I was also a good friend of Steve’s younger brother Paul (sadly no longer with us) and spent many memorable nights in his company.

“A great bloke with many a story to tell. Happy days.”

The renowned nightspot was a favourite with music fans in its heyday

While Patti Hughes commented: “Used to go there late 60s saw Paul Simon, shakey Vick band, Chicken Shack, and Brewers Droop, John Mayall, as well as many others,” and Martyn Lewis said: “Though it was quite my scene, I recall bands such as Egdar Broughton Band, Blodwyn Pig, Throbbing Gristle played there on occasion, I did get to see the Tom Robinson Band play in the loft.”

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Nichola Pigott said she remembered watching The Alligators there on Sunday evenings, while Jennifer Hippy said she was “in there most of the time in my hippie daze [from] 68-77.”

In another post about the venue, Christine Clark said she had her wedding reception there in 1962, while Aviva Szwer wrote: “I used to be in a punk band called Pink Parts and we played there one night. Saw lots of fantastic bands there.”

Roger Clinch also remembered playing there with his band, Grub Screw, in April 1970, while Mick Baston lamented: “A great pub. Shame that there is nothing similar about now.”

Want to share your memories of Wycombe? Join our new Facebook group We Grew Up in Wycombe.