The invitation reads “ ‘Rock n Roll’ and ‘Public Library’ shouldn’t mix, one phrase is brash, loud the other sedate and quiet. Yet these two cultures are about to collide. For the first time since the 1850 Library Act that much loved British institution the public library is about to gain a loud, revolutionary 21st century companion.”

Mick Jones and Paul Simonon from The Clash

Last Wednesday unleashed Mick Jones Rock n Roll memorabilia exhibition on the world with a rocking private view party…. now open and free to the public 18 July – 25 August 2009. Weds – Sun 11AM – 7PM. The Rock n Roll public library can be found under the Westway at 2 Acklam Road, Portobello Green, London W10 5XL (closest tube station is Ladbroke Grove).

Miranda and Mick Jones 18th July 2009

I highly recommend it…I was blown away! Mick has written, performed, and produced some of the biggest songs in rock history (London Calling, Rock the Casbah,  Should I Stay Or Should I Go, and Rush among them), he’s been in The Clash, Big Audio Dynamite, and Carbon Silicon, and produced albums for Ian Hunter and The Libertines….well it does classify him as an indisputable expert on the subject!

Private view party

My jaw dropped as I entered the jam packed main room with legendary albums strewn from the ceiling, leather jackets and other rock clothing hung high around the walls with rock posters beneath. First stop was the screening room where we were engrossed with the documentary ‘Westway to the World’ on the history of The Clash.

Rock n roll memorabilia

More memorabilia including my favorite…the Elvis monopoly game (I collect monopoly games)

The magazine room

The video library

You’ll need hours to fully take in all of the memorabilia from the Clash to Elvis amongst many others that Mick has collected through the years. There is the music room, video library room, the TV room, Mick’s office, the Joe Strummer room, the American antiques room…

The band

The studio and ancient desk

…and of course a recording studio with live bands playing…one of which actually invited me to sing backing vocals with them (most amusing since I’m not even allowed to sing happy birthday in my household due to being completely tone deaf), and a positively ancient mixing desk.

Outside party over-flow

Tatjana Rhodes, Mick Jones, Julie Anne Rhodes, Ava, and Stella Jones

But the party spilled over into the yard outside where still more bands played, libations abound, and barbecued jerk chicken with red beans and rice were served up (you know where I was hanging out).