Hammersmith Odeon (Apollo) — London's Rock Theatre

The Hammersmith Odeon — now the Eventim Apollo — at 45 Queen Caroline Street in West London has been one of the most important rock concert venues in Britain since the 1960s. David Bowie performed his legendary 'retirement' concert here on July 3, 1973, announcing the death of Ziggy Stardust on stage to a stunned audience. Motorhead's No Sleep 'til Hammersmith (1981) was recorded here. The Clash, Bruce Springsteen, Radiohead, Kate Bush, and Queen have all played defining shows in the 5,039-capacity art deco theatre.

The venue opened in 1932 as a cinema and dance hall and began hosting rock concerts in the 1960s. Its size — large enough to feel like an event, small enough to maintain intimacy — made it the ideal venue for rock's theatrical era. Bowie's Ziggy retirement show, Springsteen's multi-night stands, and Bob Marley's Exodus tour performances in 1977 are among hundreds of historically significant concerts staged in the room. The Hammersmith Odeon became the venue that British artists aspired to headline and international artists used to prove themselves in London.

The venue has operated under various names — Hammersmith Odeon, Hammersmith Apollo, Carling Apollo, and currently Eventim Apollo — but is universally known as the Hammersmith. It continues to host concerts and events, and its art deco interior has been largely preserved through multiple refurbishments. The building is Grade II listed and is widely regarded as one of London's most important cultural landmarks.