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The Porn King of Soho: The Life and Legacy of Paul Raymond


Paul Raymond, a name synonymous with the glitzy yet seedy world of Soho’s entertainment scene, was a figure who rose from humble beginnings to build a multimillion-pound empire. Known as the “King of Soho,” Raymond’s life was as complex and colorful as the businesses he created and the controversies that surrounded him.


Early Life and Struggles

Paul Raymond was born Geoffrey Anthony Quinn on November 15, 1925, in Liverpool. He was one of three sons in an Irish Roman Catholic family. His father, Frank Joseph Quinn, a lorry driver, abandoned the family when Raymond was just five years old. This left his mother, Maud McKeown, to raise him and his siblings alone. Despite their hardships, Maud was resolute, even forbidding the sensationalist News of the World from entering their home.


Raymond attended St Francis Xavier’s College but had to relocate to Glossop, Derbyshire, due to the outbreak of World War II. There, he was educated by the Irish Christian Brothers. Leaving school at 15, he worked as an office boy at Manchester Ship Canal before pursuing a variety of odd jobs, including playing drums with dance bands. His ventures during his youth were eclectic and included a brief stint as a Bevin Boy down a coal mine, which he promptly abandoned after a day.



Transition to Show Business

At 22, he reinvented himself, adopting the stage name Paul Raymond and embarking on a career as a mind-reader on Clacton pier. His entry into show business marked the beginning of his journey into the entertainment industry. Raymond capitalised on the prevailing restrictions of the Lord Chamberlain’s Office, which prohibited nude performers from moving on stage, by presenting them as living statues.


Raymond’s first significant venture was the opening of the Raymond Revuebar in Soho in 1958. This private club circumvented the stringent censorship laws and quickly became a landmark of adult entertainment. The Revuebar boasted a membership of 45,000 within two years, attracting a high-profile clientele, including actor John Mills and comedian Peter Sellers.


When it opened on 21 April 1958 it offered traditional burlesque-style entertainment, which included strip tease, and was popular with leading entertainment figures of the day. The venture took considerable investment from Raymond, who sold his house and his car to open the Revuebar, but it was highly profitable and he made over half a million pounds within the first ten years.


Even though homosexual acts between men were illegal at that time, the Revuebar also incorporated a Sunday night show aimed at a gay audience. By 1967, the venue was purely hosting striptease. This would, in turn, make way for glitzy, big budget erotic shows of the type presented by Continental clubs such as the Crazy Horse. Performers were mostly female, with a small number of male dancers. Shows involved a mixture of solo striptease acts mixed with simulated boy/girl and girl/girl sex. These were packaged together as a show known as The Festival of Erotica which ran for many years, with as many as three performances nightly.

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr watching Jan Carson at Raymond’s Revue Bar during filming for The Magical Mystery Tour, 1967.

Building an Empire

Raymond’s business acumen wasn’t confined to the entertainment sector. He had a keen eye for property, purchasing the freehold of his Revuebar venue for £14,000, which marked the beginning of a substantial property portfolio. By the 1970s, Raymond’s investments had expanded significantly, and he was buying properties in Soho at a rapid pace, particularly as other sex shops and clubs were being closed down by the police.


In 1964, Raymond ventured into publishing with the launch of the men’s magazine King, although it ceased publication after just two issues. Undeterred, he relaunched the adult magazine Men Only in 1971, featuring photographs of the women who worked at his strip clubs. This strategic move paid off, and Raymond claimed a circulation of 500,000 copies within a few years. In 1972, he acquired Club International, further solidifying his position in the adult magazine market.


In 1979, Raymond expanded into the burgeoning home video market with the launch of the Electric Blue series of videos, a range that was produced until the mid-1990s. These ventures were financed by the substantial profits from the Raymond Revuebar.

Paul Raymond at his RevueBar in Soho, London with two models in 1981

Legal Battles and Controversies

Raymond’s ventures frequently brought him into conflict with the authorities. In 1961, the London Sessions chairman labeled his club “filthy, disgusting and beastly,” resulting in a hefty fine of £5,000. His shows often tested the boundaries of decency, leading to numerous legal battles. Despite these setbacks, Raymond’s tenacity ensured the continued success of his businesses.


Extortion Attempts

Paul Raymond’s success and wealth made him a target for extortion. There were two significant extortion attempts that highlighted the darker side of his fame and fortune.

The first attempt involved a gang who threatened to kidnap Raymond’s daughter, Debbie. This was a harrowing ordeal for Raymond, who was deeply protective of his family. The threats were serious enough that he had to involve the police, and the experience left him even more wary and reclusive.


The second, and perhaps more notorious, attempt was by a group of decorators who pretended to be members of the IRA. They demanded a substantial sum of money from Raymond, threatening to bomb his properties and shoot him if their demands were not met. This extortion plot was elaborate and played on the widespread fear of IRA activities during the 1970s and 1980s.


According to the Metropolitan Police papers released in October 2010, the decorators sent a series of threatening letters to Raymond, outlining their demands and the consequences of non-compliance. These threats included the potential destruction of his beloved Raymond Revuebar and other properties in Soho. The gang’s knowledge of Raymond’s routine and properties indicated that they had done extensive research, making their threats particularly menacing.

Raymond’s response to the threats showcased his shrewd and unyielding nature. He refused to bow to their demands, instead working closely with the police to set a trap for the extortionists. The police devised a plan to catch the gang in the act, which eventually led to their arrest and conviction. This incident reinforced Raymond’s reputation as a ruthless and resilient businessman who would not be easily intimidated.


Personal Life and Legacy

Paul Raymond’s personal life was as tumultuous as his business ventures. He was married to Jean Bradley from 1951 to 1974, divorcing her amid his relationship with Fiona Richmond. He had three children, including his beloved daughter Debbie, who began taking over his empire in the early 1990s but tragically died of a heroin overdose in 1992. This personal loss marked the beginning of Raymond’s withdrawal from public life.

Raymond in 1989 with his daughter, Debbie, who was to inherit the business but died of a drugs overdose in 1992.

In his later years, Raymond became a recluse, living in a penthouse near the Ritz Hotel. He passed away in 2008, leaving behind an estate estimated at around £650 million. His granddaughters Fawn and India James inherited his empire, which remains a significant force in Soho’s property market. As of now, the estate is reportedly worth nearly £1 billion, managed by his family, who continue to build on his legacy.

Ruthlessness in Business

Raymond was known for his ruthless business tactics. An anecdote often cited is his strategy during the 1977 crackdown on sex shops and strip clubs. While others were closing down, Raymond saw an opportunity to buy properties at reduced prices, further expanding his empire. His ability to navigate legal and societal boundaries demonstrated a shrewdness that cemented his status as a formidable businessman.

Decline and Competition

The 2000s brought new challenges for Raymond’s company. Competition from the internet and the rise of “lad mags” led to a significant decline in profits. By 1999, the company had revenues of £20 million and pre-tax profits of £19 million. However, profits dwindled from over £10 million in 2005 to a loss in 2008. The company attributed this decline to internet competition and the high costs associated with including free DVDs with its magazines.


From a troubled childhood to becoming the magnate of an empire that reshaped Soho, Raymond's story is one of resilience, innovation, and a relentless drive for success. His granddaughters, Fawn and India James, have inherited this legacy, continuing to manage and expand the family’s property empire. Their combined wealth was estimated at £454 million in The Sunday Times Rich List of 2015. Fawn has announced her intention to commit to charity work, reflecting a new chapter in the Raymond family saga.

 

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