A NEW documentary about a tiny club, where rock legends The Rolling Stones, The Who and Eric Clapton played in the 60s, is to premiere at a prestigious film festival in London.

Suburban Steps To Rockland is an independent film about the Ealing Club, produced by 62 Films and directed by Giorgio Guernier.

The smoky basement venue, down a set of stairs across the road from Ealing Broadway tube station, helped establish the careers of numerous rock stars.

The roll call of revellers who played or hung out there reads like a Who’s Who of British Blues.

The film’s key contributors include, Cream’s Ginger Baker and front man Jack Bruce (giving one of his last broadcast interviews before his death), along with Paul Jones of Manfred Mann and Eric Burdon of The Animals.

The Rolling Stones first met at the club and were resident band there for six months between 1962 and 1963.

The film, a blend of interviews, archive footage and animation, has been selected to debut at the Doc'n Roll Film Festival in November and a trailer is now out.

Supported by the BFI and Film London, the event showcases original music documentaries from all over the world.

The club’s story began when electric Blues pioneers Alexis Korner and Cyril Davies - deemed just too loud for the jazz crowd at the Marquee Club – met Iranian student Fery Asgari, an events manager at the club.

With the help of Art Wood, Ronnie Wood’s brother, Britain’s first Rhythm and Blues venue was born on March 17, 1962. The club quickly became known as the Moist Hoist because of the condensation which ran down the walls during crowded gigs.

It soon became the focal point for fledgling musicians like The Who’s Pete Townshend and Mick Jagger.

Director Giorgio Guernier said: “The list of influential musicians who became associated with the club is absolutely breathtaking. Many of the first golden generation of British rock music began their careers or simply visited the venue, just to learn how to play the blues.

“As a former musician, avid vinyl collector and film-maker, the idea of making a movie about this legendary venue was a no-brainer. It was a story I just had to tell.”

Asgari appears in the film, as does Korner’s widow, Bobbie. Other key contributors include Terry Marshall, co-founder of the legendary amp makers, who were based in nearby Hanwell.

It’s a heritage that Alistair Young, secretary of The Ealing Club Community Interest Company and a co-producer of the film, is anxious to preserve.

He said: “It’s no surprise the esteemed music bible Mojo credited The Ealing Club with the title of The Cradle of British Rock.

“More than 50 years on we are still proud to carry forward the name associated with this legendary Ealing location. 

“Our aim is to inspire and promote live music events while instilling greater pride in Ealing’s amazing rock heritage.”  

For tickets to the screening, go to: http://www.docnrollfestival.com/films/suburban-steps-to-rockland-the-story-of-the-ealing-club/