Administrative/biographical history

Karen Fisch aka Fisch aka King Frankie Sinatra is an activist, club promoter, Rebel Dyke and performer.

In 1983, Fisch lived at Greenham Common for a year and participated in the ‘Embrace the Base’ demonstration. She then moved to Amsterdam and became part of a band ‘The Romantic Bones’.

A few years later, Fisch returned to London and became a member of the Rebel Dykes who squatted in London in the 1980s and 1990s and attended the club night ‘Chain Reaction’, held at Market Tavern in South London. Also in the 1990s, Fisch established ‘Soho Cars’, an LGBT taxi service, and promoted the club nights ‘Come’ and ‘Kiss’.

Since 2017, Fisch has headlined the drag king club night ‘King of Clubs’ at the Royal Vauxhall tavern, performing as King Frankie Sinatra.

Scope and content

The Karen Fisch Archive includes: Personal papers and correspondence relating to Karen Fisch. (1978-2010); photographs, negatives and photo albums depicting and taken by Karen Fisch. ([1960s]-2018); Flyers and ephemera relating to club nights attended and run by Karen Fisch, including 'Chain Reaction', 'Come' and 'Kiss'. (1987-2004); Magazines, journals and zines relating to LGBTQ+ and fetish communities, owned by Karen Fisch. (1985-2015); Press cuttings relating to Karen Fisch, her clubs and her friends. (1995-2007); VHS and digital videos depicting Karen Fisch. (1988-2002); Artefacts, scrapbooks and memorabilia belonging to Karen Fisch. ([1960s]-[2021]

Quantity

21 boxes.