Giorgio Gomelsky: The Rolling Stones' First Manager and the Crawdaddy Club Connection

The most interesting thing about Giorgio Gomelsky’s role as the Rolling Stones’ first manager is that he didn’t have to “secure” them a gig at the Crawdaddy Club—he owned the place. In early 1963, Gomelsky was already running the Crawdaddy in Richmond, a rhythm & blues venue that had become the natural home for London’s emerging R&B scene. He’d seen the Stones play at the Ealing Club in February, liked what he heard, and offered them a regular Monday night slot starting in March. That residency turned them into a local draw and caught the eye of future manager Andrew Loog Oldham.

Gomelsky had a knack for spotting talent and a loose, hands-on style. He booked the band, handled early press, and even helped them get their first recording session—cutting “Poison Ivy” and “Fortune Teller” at IBC