From Montserrat to Ridley Road
George James and the Hidden Rhythms of Hackney
On a Saturday afternoon in Hackney, the sound of drums and laughter filled the air as neighbours gathered on Brook Road. This was the Hackney George James remembers from the 1970s—a community alive with creativity, culture, and resilience.
George came to Hackney from Montserrat as a child, and the neighbourhood became his world. As a young man, he worked as a graphic designer in the West End by day and soaked up the vibrant rhythms of Hackney by night.
I used to do what’s called shave ice at Ridley Road Market,
George James
George recalls with a grin.
You’d shave a big block of ice into cups and pour syrup on top. It was a taste of home, and anyone with a stand like that made good money.
George James
Ridley Road was more than a market to George.
A Soundtrack of Change
Hackney wasn’t just a place to live; it was a place to grow. George found inspiration in its energy, which echoed through the music of the time. Jamaican icons like Gregory Isaacs and Dennis Brown were more than legends—they were familiar faces in Hackney.
They’d come over to Brook Road, where there was always music, drumming, and singing,
George James
George says.
It was amazing. You could feel the connection, the history, and the hope in every note.
George James
Music wasn’t just entertainment; it was a lifeline for the community, a way to celebrate identity and push back against the hardships of the time.
Entrepreneurship and Blues Parties
For many, Hackney was a place of firsts: the first job, the first business, the first chance to build something new. George remembers the creativity and resilience that defined the area, from bustling market stalls to late-night blues parties.
Blues parties were an easy way to make a living,
George James
George explains.
You’d charge a few pounds at the door, sell drinks, and dance all night. The music and energy were unstoppable.
George James
These gatherings weren’t just parties; they were a testament to the resourcefulness and joy of a community determined to thrive despite economic challenges.
Listen to George’s full story in The Hackney and Newham History Social Club Podcast Episode 4 wherever you get your podcasts or listen here The Hackney and Newham History Social Club | Immediate Theatre to hear the full story.