Freddie Mack gig, 28 July 1968. Photo: Melody Maker
Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.
It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.
Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968 and during 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.
It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in the music press so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any memories of particular shows in the comments below.
Source:Melody Maker unless otherwise noted
1968
1 January – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
2 January – Granny’s Attic
4 January – Wilson’s Transaction
7 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer
9 January – Garnet Mimms
11 January – Warren Davis Monday Band
13 January – The Castaways (probably Tony Rivers’ band)
14 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer
16 January – Garnet Mimms
18 January – Watson T Browne (& The Explosion)
20 January – Love Machine
21 January – The Cortinas
22 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
23 January – Locomotion
27 January – Purple Pipe Line
28 January – The Gold
30 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound with Lamb Bros & Co)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 February – Warren Davis Monday Band
4 February – Glenroy Oakely & The Oracles
6 February – Locomotion
8 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)
11 February – Glenroy Oakley & The Oracles
13 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)
15 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)
18 February – Locomotion
20 February – The Diplomats
22 February – Margitte Bardot
23 February – The Chanters
25 February – Mr Mo’s Messengers
27 February – The Original Drifters
29 February – Watson T Browne & The Explosion
3 March – Sonnie Burke
5 March – The Original Drifters
7 March – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
10 March – The Ice Show
12 March – The Marvels
14 March – The Shiralee
16 March – Philosopher’s Stone
17 March – The Chanters
19 March – The Fabulous Impressions
21 March – The Cortinas
23 March – The Art Movement
24 March – The Gold
26 March – The Fabulous Impressions
28 March – The Cortinas
31 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
Photo: Melody Maker
2 April – The Fabulous Platters & Group (with The Trend backing?)
4 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers
7 April – The Bunch
9 April – The Original Drifters
11 April – Glenn Oakely & The Oracles
14 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
16 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials
18 April – The Cortinas
21 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
23 April – Garnet Mimms (most likely with The Village Green backing)
25 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials
28 April – The Cortinas
30 April – The Fabulous Ronettes
2 May – The Fabulous Platters (with The Trend backing?)
5 May – Sonnie Burke
7 May – Duane Eddy
9 May – The Chanters
12 May – The Cortinas
16 May – The De-Tours with Gene Latter
19 May – Sonnie Burke
21 May – The Diplomats
Photo: Melody Maker
23 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
26 May – The Breakthru
28 May – The Crickets
30 May – The Coasters
2 June – The Cortinas
3 June – Warren Davis Monday Band
4 June – The Coasters
Melody Maker stopped providing full listings for the club until December but I’ve found individual shows in New Musical Express, which suggests the club still put on shows during this period
Photo: Melody Maker
20 June – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)
30 June – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and Keef Hartley (New Musical Express has The Crystals)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 July – The Crystals (New Musical Express)
28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
5 August – The Crystals (New Musical Express)
25 August – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
25 September – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (cancelled)
6 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (postponed until 13 October)
13 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (marks the group’s third anniversary)
Photo: Melody Maker
22 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)
24 October – Interstate Road Show
31 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)
24 November – J J Jackson (Melody Maker advert says Sunday, 24 December but November is correct)
28 November – Garnet Mimms & The Village Green
3 December – The Chiffons
5 December – The Bandwagon
8 December – Interstate Road Show
12 December – The Track
14 December – South Sea Bubble
15 December – Toast
17 December – Sea Jam Blues
19 December – Bunkers Brain
21 December – Jalopy Ride
22 December – Cherry Smash
24 December – Rainbow Ffolly and The Riot Squad
26 December – The Nite Walkers (The All Night Workers?)
Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.
It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.
Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968, parts of 1969 and also 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.
It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in the music press so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any memories of particular shows in the comments below.
Source:Melody Maker unless otherwise noted
1969
2 January – The Explosive Watson T Browne
4 January – Spirit of John Morgan
5 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
7 January – Jo Jo Gunne
No listing in Melody Maker for several weeks
23 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker also has The Skatalites)
25 January – Arcadium
26 January – Jason Crest
28 January – Toast
30 January – Explosive Watson T Browne
1 February – Bunkers Brain
2 February – Trifle
4 February – Love and Poetry
6 February – The Skatalites
8 February – Rainbow Ffolly
9 February – Bunkers Brain
11 February – My Dear Watson
13 February – The Flames
15 February – Giant
16 February – Rainbow Ffolly
18 February – Toast
20 February – Red Beans and Rice
22 February – Jason Cord (Bob Hodges’ diary has Tuesday’s Children playing on this date)
23 February – Bunkers Brain
25 February – Rainbow Ffolly
27 February – Mouse and Cat Symphony
1 March – Cross Cut and Saw
2 March – Man
4 March – Bunkers Brain
6 March – Mouse & Cat Symphony
8 March – Fortes Mentum
9 March – Jason Cord
11 March – East of Eden
13 March – Red Beans and Rice
15 March – Smokey Blues
16 March – Bunkers Brain
18 March – Man
20 March – Mint Tulip
22 March – Bunkers Brain
23 March – Selofane
25 March – Mr Mo’s Messengers
27 March – Eire Apparent
29 March – Bunkers Brain
30 March – East of Eden
1 April – Joynt
3 April – The Explosive Watson T Browne
5 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers
6 April – Black Velvet
8 April – Bunkers Brain
Photo: Melody Maker
10 April – Cool Combination
12 April – Smokey Blues
13 April – Jerome Arnold Band
15 April – Paradox
17 April – Cool Combination
19 April – Gingerman
20 April – Bunkers Brain
22 April – Silence
24 April – Cool Combination
26 April – Exception
27 April – Jerome Arnold Band
29 April – Exception
1 May – Explosive Watson T Browne
3 May – Joint
4 May – Bunkers Brain
6 May – Apple
8 May – Mouse and Cat Symphony
10 May – Gingerman
11 May – Spirit of John Morgan
13 May – Jerome Arnold Band
15 May – Milwaukee Coasters
17 May – Gracious
18 May – Bunkers Brain
20 May – East of Eden
22 May – Jerome Arnold Band
24 May – Pegasus
25 May – Trapeze
27 May – Gingerman
29 May – Bunkers Brain
31 May – Smile (Brian May’s pre-Queen band)
1 June – The Frontline Band
3 June – The Playground
5 June – The Shades
7 June – Sugar
8 June – Ambrose Slade
10 June – My Dear Watson
12 June – Mouse and Cat Symphony
14 June – Bunkers Brain
15 June – East of Eden
17 June – Ambrose Slade
19 June – Joint
21 June – Shades
22 June – East of Eden
23 June – Freddie Mac Extravaganza (direct from Germany)
Photo: Melody Maker
24 June – Sugar
26 June – Robbie Ray
28 June – Joint
29 June – East of Eden
1 July – Black Velvet
3 July – Portrait
Photo: Melody Maker
5 July – Milton’s Fingers
6 July – The Frontline Band
8 July – Procession
10 July – Surprise
12 July – Black Velvet
13 July – Spirit of John Morgan
15 July – Imagination
17 July – Demon Fuzz
19 July – Audience
20 July – Almanac
22 July – Milton’s Fingers
24 July – Demon Fuzz
26 July – Almanac
27 July – Circus
28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
29 July – Explosives (Watson T Browne’s band?)
31 July – Demon Fuzz
2 August – Imagination
3 August – East of Eden
5 August – Milton’s Fingers
7 August – Black Velvet
9 August – Fire
10 August – Procession
12 August – Curiosity
14 August – Black Velvet
16 August – Stray
17 August – East of Eden
19 August – Grail
21 August – Sweet Blindness
23 August – Surprise
24 August – Procession
25 August – Freddie Mac Extravaganza
26 August – Milton’s Fingers
28 August – Sweet Blindness
30 August – The Frontline Band
31 August – East of Eden
1 September – Surprise
Missing entries
Photo: Melody Maker
11 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers
13 September – Milton’s Fingers
14 September – New Look Soul Band
16 September – Heaven
18 September – Group 1850
20 September – Surprise
21 September – Almanac
23 September – The Frontline Band
25 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers
27 September – Surprise
28 September – Glass Menagerie
29 September – Coloured Raisins
30 September – Splinter
2 October – Demon Fuzz
4 October – The Majority
5 October – Merlin Q
7 October – The Playground
9 October – Infinity
11 October – Ravingreen
12 October – Raw Material
14 October – The Majority
16 October – Heaven
18 October – Merlin Q
19 October – The Frontline Band
20 October – The Interstate Road Show
21 October – Almanac
23 October – Balloons
25 October – Infinity
26 October – Pink Checks
28 October – Ray King Soul Band
Missing entries for several weeks
27 November – The Interstate Road Show
29 November – Mouse & The Traps (US group)
30 November – Black Velvet
1 December – The Pioneers
Missing entries for a few weeks
17 December – The Upsetters
18 December – Ray King Soul Band
20 December – The Mickey Finn
Missing entries
1970
Missing a large part of the year. These are the only listings I have
11 January – The Committee
17 January – Pity
18 January – Ray King Soul Band
19 January – The Committee
25 January – Lucas & The Soul Sounds
11 February – Tony Morgan & The Sensations
12 February – Cardboard Orchestra (every Thursday but not sure for how long)
This little known music venue, situated on the Middlesex bank of the River Thames, a few miles west of Hampton Court Palace, put on some fascinating shows from the early to late 1960s. Judging by the few gigs I’ve managed to find below, the club operated from at least early 1965 to mid-1968, possibly longer. The hotel was demolished in 1971.
Alan Wherry, who played with The Richard Henry Sensation (later Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band) remembers that his group started out playing this venue in the summer of 1966, and continued on and off until October. The band’s guitarist David O’List then left and soon after formed The Attack.
Wherry describes the Crawdaddy’s Casino Ballroom Hotel as a fabulous place: “It had been built by Fred Karno, a famous West End impresario. It looked like a Mississippi riverboat and it bankrupted Mr Karno. The guy who booked us there paid us poorly. His bouncers, a team of seriously hard men, got double what we got and it was his idea to call us the Zig Zag Band. He wanted us to wear white suits with a big black zig zag on them, which he would supply. He wanted us to swing our saxes and do fancy dance steps a la Hank Marvin and The Shadows.”
The most notable acts that I’ve found who played the venue were Chris Farlowe, The Shotgun Express (with Rod Stewart, Mick Fleetwood and Peter Bardens; Peter Green had left before their September 1966 gig) and Pink Floyd.
Melody Maker occasionally listed groups in its gig section but I would love to hear from anyone who can add shows and memories of the venue below.
GIG LISTING:
12 February 1965 – Mike Dee & The Prophets with Roger and Caroline (annual press ball) (Don Martin’s gig diary)
30 July 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)
13 August 1966 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)
10 September 1966 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
24 September 1966 – The Shotgun Express (Melody Maker)
25 September 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)
16 October 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)
26 March 1967 – The New Jump Band (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
7 April 1967 – The Maroons (Melody Maker)
8 April 1967 – The System Soul Band with Ivan St Clair (Melody Maker)
9 April 1967 – The Flies (Melody Maker)
15 April 1967 – The Leaders featuring Norma Fay and introducing Delroy Williams (Melody Maker)
16 April 1967 – The System Soul Band with Ivan St Clair (Melody Maker)
2 December 1967 – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Melody Maker)
16 December 1967 – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
16 March 1968 – Pink Floyd (Melody Maker)
Interesting guitarist David Gilmour later bought the Astoria on Taggs Island and converted it into a floating studio
The Artwoods and John’s Children, December 1966. Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
Originally called the Chuck Wagon and located in a corrugated iron hut at 22a Bridge Street in Leatherhead, Surrey, this notable music venue was renamed the Bluesette Club around mid-1966. John’s Children, the group that once included Marc Bolan, owned the club at one point and performed regularly, initially under the name The Silence.
I’ve started to compile a list of gigs, which are taken from the Caterham Weekly Press unless otherwise noted. There are significant gaps in the listings, so I’d welcome any additions, corrections and memories, including when the venue operated as the Chuck Wagon. Judging by the listings below, shows took place on Fridays and Sundays unless otherwise noted.
1966
3 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton
8 July – Eddie’s Crowd (formerly The Five Aces)
10 July – The Silence
15 July – The Hounds
17 July – The Fadin’ Colours
22 July – The Fadin’ Colours
24 July – The Silence (just back from Nice, France)
29 July – The Worrying Kind
31 July – The Tea-Set
There is no listing for 5 and 7 August
12 August – Heinz & The Wildboys
14 August – The Five Proud Walkers (also confirmed by the Crawley Advertiser)
There is no listing for 19 August and after this but at some point around this time, the club closed and only re-opened in November
20 November – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (paper says club has reopened)
No listing for 25 November
27 November – John’s Children (ex-The Silence)
Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
2 December – The Mojos
4 December – The Iveys
9 December – The Tea-Set
11 December – The Fading Colours
16 December – The Fourmost
19 December – The Bunch
23 December – The Artwoods
24 December – John’s Children (switch from Sunday to Saturday)
30 December – Fading Colours
1967
1 January – Graham Bond Organisation (back to Sundays)
6 January – The Iveys
8 January – Winston’s Fumbs
13 January – Mike Stuart Span
15 January – The Bunch
20 January – The Fading Colours
22 January – The Fleur De Lys
27 January – The Creation
29 January – John’s Children
Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
3 February – Richard Henry & The Timebox
5 February – The Bunch
10 February – The Iveys
12 February – The Fenmen
17 February – Winston’s Fumbs
19 February – Savoy Brown
24 February – Cat Stevens
26 February – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
3 March – The (Five) Proud Walkers
5 March – Derek Savage Foundation
10 March – John’s Children with The A-Jaes
12 March – Graham Bond Organisation
17 March – Worrying Kind
19 March – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
24 March – One In A Million
26 March – Mike Stuart Span
31 March – Heart and Souls
2 April – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
7 April – Rosco Brown Combo
9 April – The Night People (aka The Nite People)
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
14 April – The Tribe
16 April – The Fleur De Lys
21 April – Derek Savage Foundation
23 April – Ray King Soul Band
26 April – John’s Children (Wednesday)
28 April – The Click
30 April – The Bunch
3 May – John’s Children (Wednesday)
No more listings in the paper but the club continued as gigs below confirm
18 June – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)
10 September – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)
17 December – The Iveys and John’s Children (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)
A popular rock venue in Southeast London, the Mistrale club began life as the Beckenham Ballroom. Located at 2-4 high street at Beckenham Junction, the Mistrale opened its doors in April 1968 with Manfred Mann performing on the first night, supported by The Grenades, a Caribbean group.
The club continued to operate into the Seventies and below is the start of a list of artists that appeared during the late 1960s. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add missing artists, no matter how significant, as well as memories of particular shows.
1968
17 April – Manfred Mann and The Grenades (Poster)
18 April – Reparta & The Delrons with Don Moss (Melody Maker)
19 April – Dantalion’s Chariot starring Zoot Money and The Mr Mo’s Messengers (Melody Maker)
20 April – The Pyramids (Melody Maker)
24 April – Alan Price Set (Melody Maker) and The Grenades (Poster)
26 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
27 April – The Shiralee (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
28 April – The Ethiopians (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
Photo: Coulson & Purley Advertiser
1 May – Ike & Tina Turner Show and The Grenades (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
3 May – Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Evolution (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
4 May – Mr Hip Soul Band (Poster)
8 May – Marmalade and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Poster)
10 May – Terry Lightfoot Jazzmen (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
11 May – The Pyramids (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
15 May – Mr Hip Soul Band (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
16 May – The Firestones (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
17 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Purple Dream (Coulson & Purley Advertiser/New Musical Express)
One poster lists Cliff Bennett & His Band instead of Chris Farlowe
18 May – Alan Elsdon Jazz Band (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
19 May – Bob Miller & The Millermen (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
20 May – Bill Haley & His Comets and The Shiralee (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
22 May – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
23 May – The Shiralee (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
24 May – James and Bobby Purify and The Grenades (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
25 May – The Mojos and Sweet Rain (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
26 May – Kenny Ball Jazz Band (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
29 May – Dave Turner Four (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
30 May – Edwin Starr and Evolution (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
31 May – Chicken Shack and The Grenades (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
1 June – Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival Show (featuring Tommy Bishop) and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
2 June – The Pyramids (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
5 June – Jethro Tull and The Epics (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
6 June – The Firestones (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
7 June – The Coloured Raisins and The Light Brigade (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
8 June – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers and The Shiralee (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
9 June – Honeybus and The Pussyfoot (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
12 June – Donamite and The Duce’s (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
13 June – The Shiralee (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
14 June – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation and The Light Brigade (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
15 June – Oscar Toney Junior and The Firestones (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
16 June – The Pyramids (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
19 June – Donamite (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
20 June – The Firestones (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
21 June – Spencer’s Washboard King and The Greatest Show on Earth (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
22 June – The Lamb Brothers Show and The Shiralee (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
23 June – Noel & The Firebirds (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
I have a break in listings until late August but then also some gaps in September
30 August – Ben E King (New Musical Express)
5 September – Ben E King (New Musical Express)
19 September – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (New Musical Express)
28 September – Black Sabbath (Poster)
4 October – Felice Taylor (backed by The Reaction) (New Musical Express) and Serendipity (Poster)
5 October – Grand Union and The Maddening Crowd (Poster)
6 October – The Sundae Times (Poster)
11 October – PP Arnold and The Evolution (Poster)
12 October – Julian Kirsch and Sweet Rain (Poster)
13 October – The Interstate Road Show (Poster)
18 October – Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Pretty Things and Julian Kirsch (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
19 October – Herbie & The Royalists and The Evolution (Poster)
20 October – The Skatellites (Poster)
25 October – Amboy Dukes and Kaleidoscope (Poster)
26 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers and Sweet Rain (Poster)
27 October – The Pyramids (Poster)
I have no listings until end of November
29 November – Kaleidoscope and The Mojos (Poster)
I have no listings until late December
20 December – The Isley Brothers backed by Art Regis (ex-Jimmy James & The Vagabonds?) and The Brass Cannon (New Musical Express) The Isley Brothers UK tour was cancelled last minute
1969
I have significant gaps in this year and would welcome additions
7 March 1969 – Ben E King and The Classics (Melody Maker)
4 April 1969 – Desmond Dekker & The Aces and The Evolution (Melody Maker)
30 May 1969 – Nice (Melody Maker)
25 June 1969 – Ohio Express (Melody Maker)
18 July 1969 – Idle Race (Time Out)
1970
This is just a start for 1970 but welcome additions
A little known club in southeast London, the Starlite Club re-opened on Saturday, 14 March 1964 with a performance by headline act Linda Doll & The City Sounds, supported by Twickenham R&B band Colin Shane & The Shannons.
There were also shows on the Sunday, with The Soundsmen, and Monday, with Brian Knight Blues By Six.
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any more information about this venue.
The Top Hat in Littlehampton, West Sussex was a popular live venue during the early-to-mid 1960s. The venue wasn’t advertised regularly in the local press so I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any further details of groups that performed there.
The above promotional advert is from the Chichester & Southern Post from 1965. It suggests that gigs took place every Wednesday.
Located at 266a Fulham Road, in southwest London, the Café des Artistes apparently opened its doors around 1960.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Brian Jones briefly lived close by in an apartment in Edith Grove, Chelsea during 1962 but it’s not clear when this small basement club first began putting on live music.
It’s more than likely that the Café des Artistes only featured up and coming local bands.
Also, it’s close proximity to the Pontiac Club in Putney means it might also have featured some of the same groups.
The dearth of information on this little known club isn’t helped by the fact that none of the local newspapers, as far as I am aware, advertised shows. I would welcome any further information from readers.
Status Quo front man Francis Rossi confirms in his book that The Spectres (who morphed into Status Quo) had a Monday night residency here while they were still at school and also played the El Partido in Lewisham. I’ve found gigs for them performing at the latter in October 1965, so it could well be the same time period.
Sax player Dave Brogden who worked with West London R&B band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen, provided the following dates from his diary. Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan was briefly a member during this period and also drummer Mick Tucker, who went on to join The Sweet, also worked with this band while Brogden played sax for them.
1965
9 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals
16 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals
23 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals, who left after a gig on 26 April
30 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
7 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) Mick Tucker joined on drums around this time
28 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
4 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
11 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
18 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
25 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
3 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
9 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
6 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
13 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
24 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
I have been unable to find any gigs for 1966, 1967 and 1968 but I presume it still put on live shows. I have only found a couple of gigs for 1969 below and would welcome any additional information
Located at 152 King’s Road in Chelsea, southwest London, the Pheasantry, a Grade II-listed building, featured a rock club that put on shows by the likes of Queen and Hawkind in the early 1970s.
In 1969, both Ambrose Slade (aka Slade) and Mott The Hoople played here but most of the bands appear to have been up and coming unknowns.
It’s not entirely clear when it started to host rock music as it’s been difficult to find any local newspapers that advertised the venue. UK music magazine Melody Maker did advertise the venue but only on a regular basis in 1970 and there are still many gaps in the listings.
Together with the Mechanical Orange (a club in a crypt in a church) and the Café Des Artistes (both in Chelsea), the nearby Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) in Earl’s Court, plus the Pontiac club in Putney, this was a popular rock music venue in the area.
Guitarist Mike Piggott has confirmed that his group, Junior’s Conquest, fronted by future Bob Marley guitarist/singer Junior Kerr (aka Junior Marvin) frequently played here sometime in late 1968 and/or early 1969.
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add some more musical history to this venue during the years 1968-1970, particularly any missing gigs and whether there are any local papers that advertised the venue.
1969
There are very few listings for 1969, so I’d welcome any additions and memories.
11 June – Clouds (Time Out)
16 June – Clouds (Time Out)
21 June – Ambrose Slade (Time Out)
25 June – Clouds (Time Out)
29 June – East of Eden (Melody Maker)
30 June – East of Eden (Melody Maker)
18 July – Black Velvet (Time Out)
15 August – Clouds (Time Out)
21 August – East of Eden (Time Out)
23 August – Grail (Time Out)
28 August – East of Eden (Time Out)
27 September – Stray (Time Out)
13 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)
15 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)
27 October – Mott The Hoople (Time Out)
24 November – Stray (Time Out)
1 December – Gracious (Time Out)
8 December – Gracious (Time Out)
15 December – Gracious (Time Out)
1970
The gigs below seem to suggest that shows took place from Monday-Saturday although the listing here is far from complete and has huge gaps
18 February – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
19 February – Imagination (Melody Maker)
20 February – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
21 February – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
4 March – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
5 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)
6 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
7 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)
9 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
10 March – Rosco (Melody Maker)
11 March – Legend (Melody Maker)
12 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
13 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
14 March – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
16 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
17 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
18 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)
19 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)
20 March – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)
21 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
23 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
24 March – If (Melody Maker)
25 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
26 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
27 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
28 March – Balloons (Melody Maker)
30 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
31 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
1 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
2 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
3 April – Lloyd (Melody Maker)
4 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
6 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)
7 April – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
8 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
9 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
10 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
11 April – Legend (Melody Maker)
13 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
14 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
15 April – Demon Fuzz (Melody Maker)
16 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
17 April – Legend (Melody Maker)
18 April – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)
20 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)
21 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
22 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
23 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
24 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
25 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
27 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
28 April – Anqeleque (Melody Maker)
29 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
30 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 May – Train (Melody Maker)
2 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)
4 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
5 May – Custers Track (Melody Maker)
6 May – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)
7 May – Sarah Gordon’s House of Bondage (Melody Maker)
8 May – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
9 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
11 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
12 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)
13 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)
14 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
15 May – Love Children (Melody Maker)
16 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
18 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
19 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
20 May – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)
21 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
22 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
23 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
25 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
26 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)
27 May – Westbound Lounge (Melody Maker)
28 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
29 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
30 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
1 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
2 June – Crazy Mabel (Melody Maker)
3 June – Margarine (Melody Maker)
4 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)
5 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)
6 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
8 June – Calum Bryce and Poppa Ben Hook (Melody Maker)
9 June – Legend (Melody Maker)
17 June – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)
18 June – The Crew (Melody Maker)
19 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
20 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
22 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
23 June – Brotherhood (Melody Maker)
24 June – Legend (Melody Maker)
25 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)
26 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
27 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)
29 June – Angelique (Melody Maker)
30 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 July – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
2 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
3 July – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
4 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
6 July – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
7 July – Bagge (Melody Maker)
8 July – Quincy (Melody Maker)
9 July – Catap (Melody Maker)
10 July – Love Children (Melody Maker)
11 July – Pussyfoot Train (Melody Maker)
13 July – Syrup (Melody Maker)
14 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
22 July – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
23 July – Catapila (Melody Maker)
24 July – Portrait (Melody Maker)
25 July – Crew (Melody Maker)
27 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
28 July – Greasy Bear (Melody Maker)
29 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
30 July – Catapila (Melody Maker)
31 July – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
3 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
4 August – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
5 August – Catapila (Melody Maker)
6 August – My Cake (Melody Maker)
7 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
8 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
10 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
11 August – Custer’s Track (Melody Maker)
12 August – Catapila (Melody Maker)
13 August – Crew (Melody Maker)
14 August – Blonde on Blonde (Melody Maker)
15 August – Guest group (Melody Maker)
17 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
18 August – John McFlare Band (Melody Maker)
19 August – Catapila (Melody Maker)
20 August – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
21 August – Angelique (Melody Maker)
22 August – Mirrors (Melody Maker)
24 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
25 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
26 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
27 August – Portrait (Melody Maker)
28 August – Noir (Melody Maker)
29 August – Legend (Melody Maker)
31 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 September – Big Bertha (Melody Maker)
2 September – Manderin Craze (Melody Maker)
3 September – Arcadium (Melody Maker)
4 September – Ginger (Melody Maker)
5 September – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
7 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
8 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
9 September – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
10 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
11 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)
12 September – Crew (Melody Maker)
14 September – High Broom (Melody Maker)
15 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
16 September – Quincy (Melody Maker)
17 September – Crew (Melody Maker)
18 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)
19 September – Mako (Melody Maker)
21 September – Portrait (Melody Maker)
22 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
23 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
24 September – Consortium (Melody Maker)
25 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
26 September – Legend (Melody Maker)
28 September – Love’s Children (Melody Maker)
29 September – Barley (Melody Maker)
30 September – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
1 October – The Crew (Melody Maker)
2 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
3 October – Elton Chess (Melody Maker)
5 October – John McFlare Band (Melody Maker)
6 October – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
7 October – Custers Track (Melody Maker)
8 October – Almond Diamond (Melody Maker)
9 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
10 October – Growth (Melody Maker)
12 October – John McFlare Band (Melody Maker)
13 October – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
14 October – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
15 October – Legend (Melody Maker)
16 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
17 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
19 October – Portrait (Melody Maker)
20 October – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
21 October – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
22 October – Free Ferry (Melody Maker)
23 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
24 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
26 October – Satisfaction (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
27 October – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)
28 October – Crazy Paving (Melody Maker)
29 October – Love Children (Melody Maker)
30 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
31 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
I don’t have any listings for November and December but I am pretty sure it was operating during these months
Located on Allendale Road in Greenford (sometimes billed as Sudbury or Wembley) in northwest London, the Starlite Ballroom was a significant music venue in the UK during the early-to-late 1960s. Paul Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex.
Melody Maker advertised this venue weekly during 1966 and 1967. This doesn’t mean, however, that the advertised artists definitely appeared. It’s quite possible that some acts may have been replaced at the last minute. All of the listings below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the listings below, gigs took place on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
1966
Missing some listings from January to late May
1 January – The Fenmen and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
21 January – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
23 January – The Alan Price Set and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
5 February – Stevie Wonder (backed by The Sidewinders?) with Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
13 February – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
18 February – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
27 February – The Moody Blues and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
25 March – Wilson Pickett and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
6 May – Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
27 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
28 May – The Soul Agents
29 May – The Fenmen and The Symbols
Missing listings for 3, 4 and 5 June
5 June – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
10 June – The Quiet Five and The Mark Four
11 June – The Ram Jam (most likely Geno Washington’s band) and The James Royal Set
12 June – The Yardbirds
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that Jean & The Statesides supported The Yardbirds on this date
17 June – Roy C
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that Jean & The Statesides supported Roy C on this date
18 June – The Spencer Davis Group
19 June – The James Royal Set and The Soul Agents
24 June – Radio London Night with bands
25 June – The Emeralds and The James Royal Set
26 June – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
1 July – The Quiet Five and The Trendsetters Ltd
2 July – Radio London Night
3 July – Gary Farr & The T-Bones
8 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
9 July – The Crystals
10 July – The Moody Blues
15 July – The Who and Roscoe Brown Combo
16 July – Episode Six and The Legend
17 July – The Troggs, The Wild Things and The Jimmy Brown Sound
22 July – Rufus Thomas
23 July – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones
24 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The En-Devers Ltd
29 July – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and The Summer Set
30 July – The Riot Squad
31 July – Joyce Bond and The Jimmy Brown Sound
5 August – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
6 August – Episode Six
7 August – Solomon Burke
12 August – The Move
Missing listing for 13 August
14 August – Jimmy Brown Sound
19 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Tea Set
20 August – The Midnights
21 August – The Action and The Mode
26 August – The Magic Lanterns and The Knack
Missing listing for 27 August
28 August – The Pretty Things and Sands
2 September – The Spencer Davis Group
3 September – Episode Six
4 September – The Birds (with support)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 September – The Jimmy Brown Sound and The Satellites (soon to become The Army)
10 September – Julian Covey & The Machine
11 September – Long John Baldry & Steampacket
16 September – The Symbols and The Quiet Five
17 September – Two groups
18 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
23 September – The Trendsetters and Winston G
24 September – Two groups
25 September – Los Bravos
30 September – Robert Parker and The James Royal Set
1 October – Two groups
2 October – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
7 October – The Cryin Shames
8 October – Two groups
9 October – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
14 October – Lee Dorsey
15 October – Two groups
16 October – Batman & Robin
21 October – Sonny Childe & The TNT
22 October – Two groups
23 October – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests)
28 October – The Birds
29 October – Two groups
30 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
4 November – The Dixie Cups
5 November – Two groups
6 November – The Creation
11 November – The Coasters (probably backed by The Noblemen) and The Mode
12 November – Two groups
13 November – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
18 November – Wishful Thinking
19 November – Two groups
20 November – Ben E King and Winston G
25 November – The Mindbenders
26 November – Two groups
27 November – The Birds
Photo: Melody Maker
2 December – The All Night Workers and Sands
3 December – Two groups
4 December – Cream and The Essex Five
9 December – Gass and The Fleur De Lys
10 December – Two groups
11 December – The Drifters and The Bystanders
16 December – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
17 December – Two groups
18 December – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
23 December – Eric Burdon & The Animals and The Night Train
24 December – Gass and The Penny Blacks
30 December – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede and The Barry Lee Show
31 December – The Birds and The James Royal Set
1967
1 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Majority
6 January- (Sonny Childe &) The TNT and The Syn
No listing for 7 January
8 January – The Move and The Roscoe Brown Combo
13 January – The Small Faces
No listing for 14 January
15 January – The Soul Sisters and Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
20 January – The Coloured Raisins and The Herd
No listing for 21 January
22 January – Long John Baldry (& Bluesology)
27 January – Inez & Charlie Foxx and (Joe E Young &) The Tonicks
No listing for 28 January
29 January – The Symbols and The Dyaks
3 February – Winston G
No listing for 4 February
5 February – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
10 February – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Cool Combination)
No listing for 11 February
12 February – The Who
17 February – The Fenmen
No listing for 18 February
19 February – Cream
24 February – Lemon Line
No listing for 25 February
26 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
3 March – Cliff Bennet & The Rebel Rousers
No listing for 4 March
5 March – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band and The Shell (Shock Show)
10 March – The Coloured Raisins and King Ossie Show
No listing for 11 March
12 March – The Gods
17 March – The Easybeats
No listing for 18 March
19 March – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
Photo: Melody Maker
24 March – Human Instinct and Joe E Young & The Tonicks
No listing for 25 March
26 March – The New Mojos and The Gods
31 March – Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set?)
No listing for 1 April
2 April – Ben E King
7 April – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 8 April
9 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 April – The Creation and The Syn
No listing for 15 April
16 April – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 April – Pink Floyd
No listing for 22 April
23 April – Mary Wells and The Gods
28 April – PP Arnold (backed by The Nice?) and The Syn
No listing for 29 April
30 April – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Shinn
5 May – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 6 May
7 May – Jeff Beck Group and Sean Buckley
12 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 13 May
14 May – Normie Rowe & The Playboys
19 May – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
No listing for 20 May
21 May – The Troggs and The State Express (they later backed Edwin Starr)
26 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 27 May
28 May – Alan Price Set
2 June – Edwin Starr (probably backed by The Senate)
No listing for 3 June
4 June – The Warm Sounds and The Birds and The Bees
9 June – Mike Quinn Rave
No listing for 10 June
11 June – Cream and The Triads
16 June – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 17 June
18 June – The Drifters
23 June – The Move and The Gods
No listing for 24 June
25 June – The Chiffons and Midnight Train
No listing for 30 June or 1 July
2 July – The Toys
Ron Lewingdon says Steve Priest’s pre-Sweet group, The Army were also on this bill. He remembers appearing at the venue with The Toys
No listing for 7 or 8 July
9 July – The Jeff Beck Group
14 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 15 July
16 July – The Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 22 July
23 July – The Action and The Syn
28 July – Modes Mode
No listing for 29 July
30 July – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and The Human Instinct
4 August – The All Night Workers
No listing for 5 August
6 August – The Bee Gees and The Pussyfoot
11 August – Modes Mode
No listing for 12 August
13 August – The Small Faces
Henry Turtle says that his group The Doves played with The Small Faces at this venue several times. This seems the most likely date for one of the shows but needs confirmation
18 August – The Syn
No listing for 19 August
20 August – The Jeff Beck Group
25 August – The New Jump Band
No listing for 26 August
27 August – The Human Instinct and The Triads
1 September – The Pussyfoot
No listing for 2 September
3 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
8 September – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 9 September
10 September – James & Bobby Purify and The James Royal Set
15 September – The Unsuited Medium
No listing for 16 September
17 September – The Original Drifters (backed by The Trend)
22 September – The Wranglers
23 September (first Saturday listing for the year) – The Breakthru
24 September – The Tiles Big Band
29 September – The New York Public Library
30 September – The Breakthru
1 October – The Alan Bown Set and The Calgary Stampede
No listing for 6 October
No listing for 7 October
8 October – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
13 October – Amen Corner
No listing for 14 October
15 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
20 October – The Human Instinct
21 October – Warren Davis (was he on his own or with The Monday Band?)
22 October – The Ebony Keys and The All Night Workers (possibly the new version of this band)
27 October – Mr Hip Soul Band
28 October – The Wranglers
29 October – Geno Washington & Ram Jam Band and The All Night Workers
3 November – Pesky Gee
4 November – The Taylor Upton Big Jump Band
5 November – Ben E King and Dr Marigold’s Prescription
10 November – Horatio Soul & The Square Deals
11 November – The Triads
12 November – Marmalade and Legay
17 November – Katch 22
18 November – Willie Walker & The Scene
19 November – The Skatalites and The Open Mind
24 November – The Minor Portion Roll Band
25 November – Keith Skues and The Shock Treatment
26 November – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Living Daylights
1 December – J J Bendol & The SOS
2 December – Katch 22
3 December – Geranium Pond and Modes Mode
8 December – Hydro Bronx B Band
No listing for 9 December
10 December – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
No more listings for the year, so would welcome any additions
1968
Melody Maker didn’t appear to advertise the venue during 1968, so I’ve listed references next to the entries I have found. It looks like they were Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but the listings are not complete and I would welcome any additions
Missing lists from January-April 1968
19 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 April – Ike & Tina Turner Show (Harrow Weekly Post/New Musical Express)
26 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
27 April – The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 April – Garnet Mimms and The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post) Mimms may have cancelled
3 May – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 May – Pandemonium (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 5 May
No listing on 10 May
11 May – The Cruudas (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 May – The Honeybus (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 17 May
18 May – Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
19 May – Marmalade and Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 24 May
25 May – Jo Jo Gunne (Harrow Weekly Post)
26 May – Edwin Starr (backed by The State Express) (and with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
31 May – The New Flamingos (Harrow Weekly Post)
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
1 June – The Greatest Show on Earth (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 June – Duane Eddy and The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Henry Turtle says his band The Doves played with Duane Eddy at this venue. The All Night Workers definitely played too
7 June – The Midnights (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 June – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 June – The Fantastics (backed by The House of Orange) (Harrow Weekly Post)
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
14 June – The Exits (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 June – Orange Seaweed (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 June – Whisky Mac (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
22 June – Size Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 June – The New Breed (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 June – The Group (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
30 June – The Apricots (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
5 July – The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 July – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
7 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 12 July
13 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 19 July
20 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 July – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 26, 27 and 28 July
No listing for 2 August
3 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
I don’t have any more listings for August and only odd ones for September and October so would welcome any additions
22 September – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 September – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
5 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 October – The Race (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 October – Colin Berry (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
3 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 November – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
10 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 17 November
22 November – Colin Berry and The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 24 November
I have no more listings for November and a gap in early December
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
11 December – The All Night Workers (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post) Says Sudbury, but the address is the same – Allendale Road
I have no more listings for December so would welcome any additions
Formed by keyboard player and singer/songwriter Peter Gosling in mid-1966, Moon’s Train evolved out of earlier bands, The Preachers and The Train, who featured future Herd guitarist/singer Peter Frampton.
Photo credit: Melody Maker. November 1965
By late 1966, the group’s line up comprised:
Peter Gosling – keyboards/vocals
Ian Dibben – guitar
Pete Attwood – bass
Ken Leamon – sax
Alex Brown – trumpet
Malcolm Penn – drums
Paul Houlton – sax (ex-Warren Davis Monday Band) replaced Leamon during 1967
Attwood, Dibben and Houlton formed Failed Heritage sometime in mid-late 1968
Formed from the ashes of the original Take Five, Clive Griffiths reforms the Southport, Lancashire group with the above line up in late 1965.
They move to London and fall under the wing of manager Laurie Jay, a former drummer, who signs them to the George Cooper Agency. He secures the renamed group (The Time Box) a regular, Wednesday night spot at the Whisky A Go Go.
Circa February 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
When the musicians first arrived in London, they landed a regular Wednesday night gig at this popular Soho club
26 March 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
Early April 1966 – Ad-Lib Club, Leicester Square, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
3 April 1966 – Guildhall, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Time Box’s first date on Small Faces tour) (Ollie Halsall Archive/website: www.ronnielane.com)
16 April 1966 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening News)
16 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, London with Rey Anton & The Pro-Form (Melody Maker)
25 June 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Devil’s Coachmen (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)
According to the sleeve notes to the UK CD compilation Timebox – Beggin’ on RPM, the group plays a summer season at Butlin’s Holiday Camp in Filey, North Yorkshire.
After completing the residency, Peter Liggett leaves and Frank Dixon comes in as new lead singer.
9 September 1966 – George Inn, Wilby, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
Photo: Melody Maker
16 September 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
22 September 1966 – Zebra Club, Greek Street, W1, London (Melody Maker)
28 September 1966 – St Michael’s Youth Centre, Sydenham, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
29 September 1966 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)
29 September 1966 – Zebra Club, W1, London (Melody Maker)
1 October 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
5 October 1966 – Flamingo, Warour Street, Soho, London with The Downliners Sect (Melody Maker)
Photo: Evening Sentinel
8 October 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with The Odyssey (Evening Sentinel)
21 October 1966 – Midnight City, Birmingham with Edwin Starr and The Night People (Birmingham Evening Mail)
22 October 1966 – Lane Jane’s Club, Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worestershire (Malvern Gazette)
30 October 1966 – Khyber Club, Taunton, Somerset with The Germs (Somerset County Gazette)
12 November 1966 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with The Fingers and The Chequers (Southend Standard)
3 December 1966 – Student Union, Manchester University with The Koobas and Tony Merrick Scene (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)
7 December 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
18 December 1966 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall with Dissatisfied (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Frank Dixon leaves before the month is out due to ill-health and American singer Richard Henry from The Zig Zag Band takes over on lead vocals.
Not long after, Jeff Dean also become poorly and leaves. Laurie Jay assumes the drum stool for the group’s debut 45 – the Pye release “I’ll Always Love You”, released on 10 February 1967.
8 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
Photo: Clapham Advertiser
13 January 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, London (Peckham & Dulwich Advertiser/Clapham Advertiser)
16 January 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Photo: Lincolnshire Standard
21 January 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Herbie Goins and The Night-Timers, The Satin Dolls, Triads and Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard)
22 January 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Nantwich Chronicle/Crewe Chronicle)
3 February 1967 – Bluesette Club, Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey (Caterham Weekly Press) Billed as Richard Henry & The Time Box
6 February 1967 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Normie Rowe & The Playboys and Monopoly (Birmingham Evening Mail)
11 February 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Wimple Winch (Evening Sentinel)
3 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 March 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Poster)
17 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Long John Baldry Show & Bluesology (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Sometime in mid-to-late March the military police arrest Richard Henry after a gig in London, which could have been the above show at the Marquee. He goes on to front Tales of the City before going solo.
Richard Henry’s post Timebox group, August 1967
Session drummer Ronnie Verrell is on hand for the group’s second Pye release – “Soul Sauce”, released on 21 April.
2 April 1967 – Brandon Wheatsheaf, Brandon, Norfolk (billed as John Henry & Timebox) Cancelled
7 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with 1-2-3 (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 April 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
19 April 1967 – Top Ten Club, Manchester with Gideon’s Few (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
21 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Long John Baldry Show (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Around this time Andy Peters takes over the drums. While playing at the Playboy club in Hyde Park during May, singer Mike Patto shares the stage and joins.
Photo: Evening Sentinel
20 May 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
25 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with 1-2-3 (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
5 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Procol Harum (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Neat Change (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Photo: Evening Sentinel
28 June 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
1 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Action (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
8 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Eric Burdon & The Animals (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 August 1967 – National Jazz and Blues Festival, Windsor, Berkshire (Ollie Halsall Archive)
The group signs to Deram and records a cover of Tim Hardin’s “Don’t Make Promises”. Laurie Jay provides drums on the recording as Andy Peters has left recently.
Melody Maker’s 19 August issue features an advert from John Halsey which notes “Drummer ex-Felders Oriole, own bicycle”. He auditions for the group at the Scotch of St James soon after and takes over the drum stool permanently.
Photo: Melody Maker
22 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Alan Bown (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
29 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Amen Corner (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
5 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
19 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
26 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Jeff Beck Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Sometime around now Kevin Fogarty leaves to join Dave Davani Four and Ollie Halsall takes over all lead guitar duties.
Photo: Melody Maker
3 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Action (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Alan Bown (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
19 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Long John Baldry Show (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
There is a great article and pic in Record Mirror, 21 October 1967, page 8 on the group.
30 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Senate (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
13-16 November 1967 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, London (promotional card on Patto Fan website)
18 November 1967 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
19 November 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Fabulous 208)
21 November 1967 – Frank’s, Kidderminster, Worcestershire (John Coombe’s book)
21 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Clouds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 December 1967 – Time and Place Club, Manchester (Fabulous 208)
23 December 1967 – Tinned Chicken Club, York, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
23 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Photo: Crewe Chronicle
24 December 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions and Roy French (Crewe Chronicle)
30 December 1967 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with Wednesday’s Children (Crewe Chronicle)
10 January 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Poster at Jonathan Marks’ website: https://imgur.com/a/sWtBd#0)
Photo: Melody Maker
17 January 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
20 January 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
23 January 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
Photo: Melody Maker
25 January 1968 – Klooks Kleek, Railway Hotel, West Hampstead, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
31 January 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
2 February 1968 – Barn Dance Hall, Penzance, Cornwall (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)
Photo: Leicester Mercury
3 February 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
12 February 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Clouds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 February 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
16 February 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Root & Jenny Jackson and The Hightimers and West Coast Promotion (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
17 February 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
19 February 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
22 February 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
2 March 1968 – Leicester University, Leicester (Ollie Halsall Archive)
5-6 March 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Poster at Jonathan Marks’ website: https://imgur.com/a/sWtBd#0)
19 March 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
According to Record Mirror, they played at the Bouton Rouge in Paris around this time. The magazine says they return to Paris for gigs from 10-12 May.
Photo: Melody Maker
30 March 1968 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle with The Amboy Dukes and The Grenades (Melody Maker)
4 April 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
6 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Black Cat Bones (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Photo: Melody Maker
7 April 1968 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Melody Maker)
13 April 1968 – All New Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
13 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Crazy World of Arthur Brown (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
16-17 April 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Poster at Jonathan Marks’ website: https://imgur.com/a/sWtBd#0)
Photo: Melody Maker
20 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Cortinas (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
30 April 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
2 May 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
4 May 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Spirit of John Morgan (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
9 May 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
According to Record Mirror, Timebox played Paris gigs on 10-12 May.
17 May 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
18 May 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 May 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
25 May 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Thackery (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
26 May 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Cresters (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
28 May 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
The group’s cover of “Beggin’” is released on 31 May 1968.
1 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Exception (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Record Mirror reported they started their first US tour on 2 June, which seems unlikely.
Photo: Bournemouth Evening Echo
5 June 1968 – Samanthas, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
8 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Neat Change (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Toast (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 June 1968 – Colchester College, Colchester, Essex (Fabulous 208)
23 June 1968 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Fabulous 208)
24 June 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)
26 June 1968 – Colchester College, Colchester, Essex (Fabulous 208)
Photo: Bournemouth Evening Echo
3 July 1968 – Samantha’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
Photo: Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser
6 July 1968 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Plague (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
17 July 1968 – Samantha’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
Record Mirror reported that Timebox went to Milan, Italy on 26 July for TV work and then played cabaret at the Rosadino Club.
3 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
9 August 1968 – National Jazz & Blues Festival (Ollie Halsall Archive)
10 August 1968 – Q, Southchurch Park East, Southend, Essex with Kingsize Keen & Rocking Machine (Southend Standard)
19 August 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
20 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
22 August 1968 – Mecca Ballroom, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)
22 August 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, London (Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies website)
23 August 1968 – New Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
24 August 1968 – Swan Hotel, Yardley, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
26 August 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, London (Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies website)
27 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
29 August 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
30 August 1968 – The Wheel, Dorchester Hotel, Dorchester, Dorset with Stormy (Fabulous 208/Dorset Evening Echo)
Photo: Melody Maker
31 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
Photo: Nottingham Evening Post
1 September 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Ben E King, Clyde McPlatter, The Flirtations, The Fantastics (with the House of Orange), Tim Rose and World of Oz (Nottingham Evening Post)
5 September 1968 – Brunel University, Acton, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
Photo: Melody Maker
7 September 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
16 February 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Melody Maker)
22 February 1969 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, London with The Barrier (Melody Maker)
28 February 1969 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
9 March 1969 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
Photo: Melody Maker
14 March 1969 – Bedford College, Rag Ball, Regent’s Park, London with Soft Machine, Eclection, Dr K’s Blues Band and Steve Miller’s Delivery (Melody Maker)
Timebox release the single “Baked Jam Roll In Your Eye” on 14 March.
Photo: Melody Maker
5 April 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London (Melody Maker)
20 April 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Melody Maker)
18 September 1969 – Speakeasy, W1, London (Melody Maker)
28 September 1969 – Layfayette, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Ollie Halsall Archive)
On 3 October, Timebox issue their final single “Yellow Van”.
18 October 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)
Around this time Chris Holmes left and they continue as a four-piece.
9 November 1969 – Black Prince, Bexley, London (Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
28 November 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Hardin & York (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
4 December 1969 – Revolution, London (Time Out)
19 December 1969 – Beetroot, Brentford, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
7 January 1970 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London (Time Out)
3 February 1970 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Junior’s Eyes (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
17 February 1970 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Soft Machine (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
21 February 1970 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 February 1970 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Graham Bond Initiation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
The Prince of Wales in Kingsbury, north London, the Byron Hotel in Greenford, northwest London and the Woodstock Hotel in north Cheam, southwest London were all operated by the same promoter.
Ken Samuels, who played with Flight One, very kindly provided these posters, both from 1965. We’d love to hear from anyone who played at this venue and can provide any more memorabilia and further information about their band. Email: Warchive@aol.com
The Woodstock Hotel in north Cheam, southwest London, the Prince of Wales in Kingsbury, north London and the Byron Hotel in Greenford, northwest London were all operated by the same promoter. Many of the same groups performed at all three venues.
Ken Samuels, who played with Flight One, very kindly provided these posters, both from 1965. We’d love to hear from anyone who played at this venue and can provide any more memorabilia and further information about their band. Email: Warchive@aol.com
Guitarist Mick Clarke worked with Freddie Mack around 1969-1970. This photo shows the group at the Marquee in Wardour Street, Soho, London. Thanks to Mick for sharing the photo
Unlike the earlier versions, I have found very little information on Freddie Mack’s groups post-February/March 1969 when he split with the previous version. I would love to hear from anyone who can fill in the blanks.
Billed mainly as ‘The Freddie Mac Extravanganza’, an entirely new version debuted on 11 April 1969 at the New Market Hotel in Bristol.
According to Melody Maker, the new line up then toured West Germany in June.
Drummer Maurice McElroy remembers playing in a seven-nine piece band with Freddie Mack called the Freddie Mac Extravaganza II, which featured a female singer, a male singer, a female dancer plus two other dancers. However, it only lasted a few months. This could have been the line-up formed around March 1969 (or it could have been later).
McElroy says that the band’s roadie Roy Truman, who played bass, left soon after to form a band called Swegas and he joined this outfit after leaving Freddie Mack. Swegas appears to have been formed in mid-1969 and McElroy joined them later that year. The drummer remembers the following musicians in Mack’s band:
Terry Jenkins – lead guitar
Buddy Bounds – trumpet
Nick Judd – keyboards
Maurice McElroy – drums
Lead guitarist Mick Clarke who went on to record with Orang-utan, among others, also played with Freddie Mack, sometime around 1970. Clarke was with a band called Hunter when he met Mack and left to record with Orang-utan in 1970.
Clarke says that the band was fluid, in as much as it would have different horn players on each gig. However, the rhythm section was pretty stable. The guitarist adds that the typical line-up would feature Freddie Mack, a go-go-dancer, lead guitar, bass, drums, organ and three to five horn players (but sometimes nine). Clarke also says that singer Carl Douglas sat with the band at times, which would have been after September 1970 when he returned from Spain.
Mick Clarke lists the following musicians who played alongside him:
Jeffrey Jai Seopardi – drums
Steve Humphries – bass
Eddie Thornton – trumpet
Around 1971/1972, former members of the band Sonority joined forces with Freddie Mack. Bobby Morris got in touch and I’ve included his email details in the comments section below.
I have found the following gigs, which could cover multiple line ups:
23 June 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London
14 July 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Shady Lane and Wall City Jazzmen
21 July 1969 – Thomas A Beckett, Old Kent Road, London
28 July 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London
9 August 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Heatwave
25 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (billed as Freddie Mac Extravaganza)
20 September 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with First Back from Heaven and Respect (billed as Freddie Mack Extravaganza)
13 December 1969 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (billed as Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound)
24 December 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Lloyd Williams Soul Caravan
27 December 1969 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Earthquakes (billed as Freddie Mack Extravaganza)
21-22 March 1970 – Tamla Village, D’Arblay Street, London with Freddie Notes & The Rudies and The Tonics
25 April 1970 – Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire with Cloud Nine, Freddie Notes & The Dynamic Rudies and Maggie & Sharon
21 November 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Carl Edwards Roadshow
The Roosters featured in Jackie magazine. Thanks to Nigel Lees for providing
Pete Jeffries (lead guitar)
Del Turner (rhythm guitar)
John Lee (sax)
Ron Jeffries (bass)
Jim Strachan (drums)
Not to be confused with another southwest London band of the same name, which at one point featured both Eric Clapton and future Manfred Mann guitarist Tom McGuiness, this early 1960s band comprised the above line up.
This version of The Roosters were profiled in both Jackie magazine (see above) and Surrey Comet newspaper in its 7 March 1964 issue (page 7).
According to Nigel Lees, who has included one of the band’s tracks on the new LP 17 from Morden, this version of The Roosters recorded three tracks for BBC’s Beat Room in October 1964. They also recorded five acetates for Oak at R G Jones in Morden.
The Roosters also played regularly at the Cellar Club in Kingston upon Thames, the Attic in Hounslow and other venues in the area.
However, there is very little information about the musicians so please get in touch if you can provide more details.
Big thanks to Nigel Lees for providing some info on the band.
Located on Allendale Road in Greenford (sometimes billed as Sudbury or Wembley) in northwest London, the Starlite Ballroom was a significant music venue in the UK during the early-to-late 1960s. Paul Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex.
I have started to list gigs for the years 1964-1965 but these are incomplete and I would welcome any additions and corrections. I’d also welcome any photos and concert adverts, which will be credited accordingly.
1964
3 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Rustics (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
24 October (Saturday) – The Merseybeats and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
7 November (Saturday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 November (Saturday) – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
28 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
12 December (Saturday) – Linda Laine & The Sinners and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 December (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1965
17 January (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and Cergano & The Cavaliers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
30 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and JJ & The Challengers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 February (Saturday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 February (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
27 February (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides with Unit 5 (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and JJ & The Challengers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
20 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and James Tamyln (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
21 March (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
2 April (Friday) – The Barron Knights and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
10 April (Saturday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 April (Friday) – Mike Sheridan & The Nightriders and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
24 April (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and The Beachcombers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 May (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides and Sonny Childe & The Elders (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
16 May (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
28 May (Friday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Photo: Jeff Sturgeon. Jean & The Statesides, 1965. Left to right: Bill Stemp, Ian Walker, Dave Brogden, Jean Hayles, Jeff Sturgeon, Mick Bloomfield and Dave Hovington
4 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
5 June (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
11 June (Friday) – Peter & Gordon and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
19 June (Saturday) – Jimmy Royal & The Hawks and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
26 June (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Singer Jean Hayles left before this gig and they gigged as The Statesides. The band’s line-up comprised Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Dave Brogden (sax), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)
27 June (Sunday) – The Who and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
24 July (Saturday) – Heinz and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
31 July (Saturday) – The Pentad and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
8 August (Sunday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
15 August (Sunday) – Simon Scott & The All-Nite Workers and The Statesides (Dave Brodgen’s gig diary)
20 August (Friday) – The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
27 August (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
10 September (Friday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
12 September (Sunday) – The Pretty Things and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
26 September (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
17 October (Sunday) – The Sorrows (Record Mirror)
30 October (Saturday) – The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
31 October (Sunday) – The Kinks and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
6 November (Saturday) – The Bo Street Runners and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
20 November (Saturday) – Hedgehoppers Anonymous and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
28 November (Sunday) – Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
10 December (Friday) – Ketty Lester and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
12 December (Saturday) – Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Dave Brodgen’s gig diary)
Located at 3 New Burlington Street, W1, Samantha’s opened in early November 1966.
There is very little information about this important night club so I would welcome any memorabilia and further details about artists that performed here.
1966
London Life magazine’s 10-16 September issue notes that the club was opening during October.
London Life magazine, mid-October 1966
However, the same magazine’s 22-28 October issue reports that the club was opening shortly with James Bond décor and a coffee bar with outdoor patio, indicating that it was early November.
London Life mid-November 1966
London Life magazine’s 12-18 November issue reports that Samantha’s was open and hosted groups, although no names were listed.
London Life mid-December 1966
14 December (Wednesday) – Bobby Hebb (Melody Maker and London Life magazine)
London Life, New Year’s Eve, 1966
1967
I have no entries for this year apart from the one below so would welcome any further information on artists that performed at the central London club.
I have only an incomplete list for this year so would welcome any further information on artists that performed here.
19 March (Tuesday) – Desmond Dekker (Melody Maker)
13 May (Monday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
24 June (Monday) – (Simon K &) The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
18 July (Thursday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
22 July (Monday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
23 July (Tuesday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
29 July (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
1 August (Thursday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
2 August (Friday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
5 August (Monday) – Tim Rose (New Musical Express)
This might have been 5 July.
9 August (Friday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
11 August (Sunday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
14 August (Wednesday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
22 August (Thursday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
25 August (Sunday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
26 August (Monday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
3 September (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth Melody Maker)
4 September (Wednesday) – Ben E King (New Musical Express)
10 September (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth Melody Maker)
16 September (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth Melody Maker)
18 September (Wednesday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Fabulous 208)
23 September (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth Melody Maker)
Future Cressida guitarist Peter Jennings remembers playing at Samantha’s with White Rabbit (after Linda Lewis had left), which would have been either in October or November.
1 October (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth Melody Maker)
3 October (Wednesday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker)
Freddie Mack’s show was cancelled.
9 October (Wednesday) – Peter Kelly’s Solutions (Time Out)
10 October (Thursday) – Peter Kelly’s Solutions (Time Out)
16 October (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
30 October (Wednesday) – The Show Stoppers (New Musical Express)
1969
Trumpet player Jack Drew, who went on to Sonority, says his group Mr Mo’s Messengers played regularly at Samantha’s in early 1969.
5 February (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
20 February (Thursday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker)
New Musical Express reports that Ben E King was backed by Chris Shakespeare Globe Show for his February UK tour.
19 March (Wednesday) – Desmond Dekker (Melody Maker)
19 May (Monday) – Inez and Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
27 May (Tuesday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
28 May (Wednesday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
1 August (Friday) – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
2 August (Saturday) – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
3 August (Sunday) – High Tension (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
4 August (Monday) – High Tension (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
5 August (Tuesday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
6 August (Wednesday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
7 August (Thursday) – Orange Rainbow (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
8 August (Friday) – Orange Rainbow (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
9 August (Saturday) – High Tension (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
10 August (Sunday) – Trifle (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
11 August (Monday) – Orange Rainbow (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
12 August (Tuesday) – The Globe Show (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
13 August (Wednesday) – High Tension (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
14 August (Thursday) – Orange Rainbow (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
15 August (Friday) – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
16 August (Saturday) – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
17 August (Sunday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
18 August (Monday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
19 August (Tuesday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
20 August (Wednesday) – The Globe Show (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
21 August (Thursday) – The Smythe Brothers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
22 August (Friday) – The Globe Show (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
23 August (Saturday) – The Globe Show (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
24 August (Sunday) – Trifle (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
25 August (Monday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
26 August (Tuesday) – Orange Rainbow (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
27 August (Wednesday) – High Tension (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
28 August (Thursday) – High Tension (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
29 August (Friday) – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
30 August (Saturday) – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
31 August (Sunday) – Orange Rainbow (Samantha’s Poster – thanks to Geoff Foster for sharing)
21 September (Sunday) – Sonority (Jack Drew’s gig list)
19 October (Sunday) – Sonority (Del Paramor’s gig list)
20 October (Monday) – Sonority (Bobby Morris’s gig list)
26 October (Sunday) – Sonority (Bobby Morris’s gig list)
28 October (Tuesday) – Sonority (Del Paramor’s gig list)
29 October (Wednesday) – Sonority (Del Paramor’s gig list)
6 November (Thursday) – Sonority (Bobby Morris’s gig list)
9 November (Sunday) – Sonority (Bobby Morris’s gig list)
24 November (Monday) – Sonority (Bobby Morris’s gig list)
Bobby Morris notes that the band turned up but found the gig had been cancelled.
1970
20 January (Tuesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
23 June (Tuesday) – Mirrors (Melody Maker)
19 October (Monday) – Kiss (Melody Maker)
1971
8 January (Friday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary – confirmed by Geoff Coxon)
6 April (Tuesday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
11 May (Tuesday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
27 May (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
17 June (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
9 August (Monday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
10 August (Tuesday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
11 August (Wednesday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
The Loose Ends, late 1965/early 1966. Left to right: Roy Davies, Rick Marshall, Alan Marshall, Peter Kirtley and Alan Whitehead. Photo: Peter Kirtley
Formed in Bexley Heath, Kent in late 1963, The Loose Ends were fronted by Karachi-born singer Alan Marshall and his bass playing cousin Rick Marshall.
Lead guitarist Ron Spence was also there from the outset alongside drummer Peter Hetherington and rhythm guitarist John Knox who had been introduced to the band by Spence.
After rehearsing in a scout hut in Bexley Heath and playing some local gigs, keyboard player Roy Davies, who was working in a music shop on Bexley Heath Broadway, took over from Knox around early 1964.
The group also brought in a drummer from Luton called Rick who was subsequently replaced by Orpington-based drummer Alan “Noddy” Whitehead. Whitehead had previously worked with singer Crispian St. Peters.
The band became the house band at St Lawrence Church Hall in Catford, southeast London during this period.
The new formation started landing regular gigs at notable local venues like the Bromel Club in Bromley, the Tiger’s Head in Downham and the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill. Crucially, their manager Bryan Mason secured the group a residency at Lewisham’s El Partido, a club that he owned, which helped build their local fan base.
However, around June 1965, Ron Spence departed to join local rivals The Revellos, who were also managed by Bryan Mason.
Ron Spence (second right) with The Carl Douglas Set, 1966. Photo: Ken Baxter
In early 1966, Spence joined The Carl Douglas Set and remained with the Jamaican singer for about six months (recording unreleased material) before hooking up with Bexley, Kent outfit, The Big Wheel, which featured future Clark-Hutchinson member, Andy Clark. The group toured extensively in Switzerland and recorded a rare single there in late 1966 for the Eurex label. During this period, the guitarist started to work under the name Ron Bryer.
Ron Bryer (far right) with Big Wheel, Switzerland, 1966
When The Big Wheel split, Ron Bryer joined Barry Window & The Movements in July 1967 and appeared on a string of singles and two LPs. During 1968, however, he formed The Third Eclipse who changed name to Brainticket and recorded the Krautrock classic Cottonwoodhillalbum in 1971. Returning to London in the early Seventies, he briefly reunited with Alan Marshall in One but tragically died from a drug overdose in 1973.
Selected gigs:
18 July 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex
5 September 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex
26 September 1964 – Glenlyn Club, Forest Hill, southeast London (start playing Monday nights)
16 November 1964 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Birds
12 December 1964 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London with The Impacts
19 December 1964 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Maniax
24 December 1964 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
16 January 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London with The Impacts
25 January 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
29 January 1965 – Rainbow Club, Acre Hall, Northwood, Middlesex
2 February 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Pretty Things
13 February 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Trends
18 February 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
25 February 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
26 February 1965 – Starlite, Greenford, Middlesex with The Birds
3 April 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
10 April 1965 – Ticky Rick Club, Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hants
15 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
29 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
2 May 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with The Five Dimensions
16 May 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
16 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London
23 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London
27 May 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
6 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
The Loose Ends, late 1965/early 1966. Left to right: Roy Davies, Rick Marshall, Alan Marshall, Peter Kirtley and Alan Whitehead. Photo: Peter Kirtley
Guitarist Peter Kirtley from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear took Ron Spence’s place. A former member of The Chevrolets and Shorty & Them, Kirtley had appeared on the latter’s lone single, “Pills or Love’s Labour Lost” c/w “Live Laugh Love”, released on Fontana in 1964, and a German-only album, shared with Liverpool group, The Roadrunners, before decamping to London in early 1965.
According to the South East London Mercury newspaper’s 19 February 1965 edition, Kirtley and fellow Jarrow musician, bass player, the late Brian Rowan formed the short-lived Take Six with southeast London musicians, organist Roger Read (ex-Wranglers/Showtimers) and drummer Graham Willard in early 1965.
In February 1966, The Loose Ends landed a semi-residency at the exclusive Mayfair nightclub, the Scotch of St James.
Having inked a deal with Decca Records in late 1965, The Loose Ends cut their debut single, an impressive take on “Send The People Away”, a rare Moody Blues’ track penned by Mike Pinder and Denny Laine, backed with a cover of “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore”, which was shipped in July 1966.
That same month, South East London Mercury reported that bass player Dave Collman had taken over from Rick Marshall.
The Loose Ends, circa July 1966. Left to right: Roy Davies, Peter Kirtley, Dave Collman, Alan Marshall and Alan Whitehead. Photo: Peter Kirtley
Selected gigs:
13 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
20 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
27 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
4 July 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
25 July 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Mode
14 August 1965 – Ticky Rick and Rang-A-Tang Club, Basingstoke, Hants
10-11 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee
11 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee, Sonny Childe and Lou Johnson
15 September 1965 – Cromwellian, south Kensington, west London
18 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Artwoods
25 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Guy Darrell
2 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Jesse Fuller, The Spectres and Duke Lee
9 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Dave Antony’s Moods, Duke Lee and Next of Kin
10 October 1965 – Tavern Club, Sunshine Floor, Dereham, Norfolk with The Knock-out Squad
16 October 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London
20 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Long, Short & Tall and Duke Lee
23 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Minor Birds and Duke Lee
30 October 1965 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (possibly their debut Nottingham appearance)
30 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Hamilton & The Movement and Duke Lee
3 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Blues Roots and Duke Lee
19 November 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
20 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Guy Darrell, Winds of Change and Duke Lee
27 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Panics and Duke Lee
9 December 1965 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with Sonny Childe and Ad Finitum
12 December 1965 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (from The Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London)
16 December 1965 – Cook’s Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
18 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Frank Sheen Sound and Duke Lee
24 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee and Frank Sheen Sound
3 January 1966 – Gala Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands
3 January 1966 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
8 January 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Web
16 January 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Ketas
30 January 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Marvin Lois Enterprise
5 February 1966 – Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent with The Defenders and The Convoys
13 February 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Trends
19 February 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London
20 February 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
Photo: South East London Mercury
21 February 1966 – Starting this week, The Loose Ends played the Scotch of St James in Mayfair, central London three times a week. They will continue to play the exclusive nightclub throughout the year.
Photo: South East London Mercury
24 February 1966 – Gala Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands
26 February 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
5 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Tony Knight’s Chessmen
11 March 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London
12 March 1966 – Golden Star Club, Caledonian Road, north London
16 March 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
17 March 1966 – Pontiac, Putney, southwest London
26 March 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Koobas
29 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action
1 April 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London with The Lonely Ones
2 April 1966 – St Peter’s Hall, Croydon, south London with The Board Walkers
10 April 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London with The Lonely Ones
10 April 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
11 April 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Soundtracks and The Reasons
17 April 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
29 April 1966 – Links, Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire with support
30 April 1966 – Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent
1 May 1966 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London
14 May 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London
18 May 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
26 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Bo Street Runners
28 May 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
4 June 1966 – Southeast Jazz Blues Festival, Blackheath, southeast London with Manfred Mann, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Roy C and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
5 June 1966 – Regency Ballroom, Bath with Tiffany’s Thoughts
6 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends are one of the three resident bands at the Scotch of St James for the week 11-17 June
12 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
13 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
17 June 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester with Five Minus One
18 June 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
20 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
27 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
According to an article in the Wandsworth Advertiser on 29 July, the band held down a Wednesday residency at the Bromel Club in Bromley during July and besides playing at the Scotch of St James and the Flamingo, The Loose Ends also performed at the Marquee. Apparently, they also opened a game at Charlton Athletic FC.
Barely a month after the band’s debut release, Decca issued a second single on 5 August 1966, once again produced by Noel Walker. Coupling a superb freakbeat version of George Harrison’s “Taxman” with the more R&B flavoured “That’s It”; the second outing should have been a hit but for some reason failed to chart.
However, despite the clutch of great singles, The Loose Ends were unraveling.
Photo: South East London Mercury, mid September 1966
In late September, Alan Whitehead departed, initially to join Cops ‘N’ Robbers. He then spent a month or so playing with southeast London group The Epitaph Soul Band before joining The Attack alongside singer Richard Shirman and guitarist David O’List.
Although he was photographed extensively with the band, Whitehead only appeared on two tracks (“Try It” and “We Don’t Know”) as he had already secured the drummer’s position in Scottish band The Marmalade. Whitehead remained with The Marmalade throughout its most successful years. In an interesting side note, Whitehead says that he auditioned for the group that became Procol Harum in spring 1967.
Selected gigs:
6 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley southeast London
8 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Rufus Thomas
9 July 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with The Corvettes
13 July 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley, southeast London with The Good Things
16 July 1966 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London
17 July 1966 – Eltham Baths, Eltham, southeast London
18 July 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
20 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London with The Squires
23 July 1966 – Penthouse, Birmingham with Deep Feeling and Mark V
24 July 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
26 July 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
27 July 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
29 July 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
South East London Mercury, 8 July 1966
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends were one of three resident bands at the Scotch of St James with The VIPs and The Paramounts during the week 30 July – 5 August 1966
20 August 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with support
21 August 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
27 August 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
28 August 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Sullivan James Band
3 September 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Yes ‘N’ No
9 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones
10 September 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with support
11 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
15 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
17 September 1966 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (Alan Whitehead’s final gig)
Photo: South East London Mercury, 6 October 1966
Rick Marshall and Alan Whitehead’s departure prompted a wider split. In early-to-mid-October 1966, Peter Kirtley departed and accepted an offer to join The Alan Price Set, working alongside bass player Boots Slade; trumpeter John Walters; sax players Steve Gregory and Clive Burrows (later replaced by Terry Childs); and drummer Roy Mills.
Selected gigs:
2 October 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
5 October 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
8 October 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (may have been Kirtley’s final gig)
With two of the band’s integral members gone, Alan Marshall joined forces with Croydon band, The Subjects. The south London group featured Malcolm Rudkin (vocals); Alan Griffin (lead guitar); Phil Lanzon (organ); John Manderson (bass); and Roy Manderson (drums).
The Subjects at Bromley Court Hotel, 1966. Left to right: John Manderson, Malcolm Rudkin, Roy Manderson, Phil Lanzon and Alan Griffin. Photo: Alan Griffin.At the same time, the band’s manager Bryan Mason recruited sax player/guitarist Mick Patel, who had previously worked with Carl Douglas & The Charmers among others.
Mick Patel (second right) with Carl Douglas & The Charmers, late 1965. Photo: Ken Baxter
By late November/early December 1966, John Manderson and Malcolm Rudkin, who did not want to turn professional, departed and Bryan Mason recruited bass player Colin Pullen from Kent band, Bob ‘N’ All. Another Bob ‘N’ All member, Tony Glyde, succeeded Roy Manderson soon afterwards.
The Loose Ends, circa mid-November 1966. Left to right: Roy Manderson, Malcolm Rudkin, Mick Patel, Phil Lanzon, (front) Alan Marshall, Alan Griffin and John Manderson. Photo: South East London Mercury, 15 December 1966 issue.
Roy Davies and Dave Collman meanwhile appear to have worked in a rival Loose Ends for a few months (although Davies appears to be pictured with Marshall and other groups after the Raven Club gig in early November, see below).
Roy Davies (wearing hat) with Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound, July 1967.
15 October 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
17-18 October 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
23 October 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
28 October 1966 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
29 October 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Squeeze, The Original Hermits and The Trap
2 November 1966 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands
2-5 November 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
Photo: South East London Mercury
3 November 1966 – Raven’s Club, Lewisham, southeast London with Lee Hawkins and Coloured Raisins
Photo of The Loose Ends after the Raven Club gig. The photo seems to suggest that Roy Davies (fifth from the right) is still in the band. Photo: South East London Mercury
12 November 1966 – Matlock Ball Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Family
19 November 1966 – Co-op, Rainbow Suite, Birmingham with guest group
20 November 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
In early December 1966, Bryan Mason expanded the Alan Marshall version of The Loose Ends by bringing in another Bob ‘N’ All member – singer Bob Saker and the group landed a residency at the Playboy Club on Park Lane. While there, The Loose Ends entertained the entire England World Cup winning team and their wives.
Selected gigs:
3 December 1966 – Royal Ballroom, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Soul Foundation
24 December 1966 – Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire with Kru and Size Seven
26 December 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (billed as The New Loose Ends)
January 1967 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire (1st week of January)
6 January 1967 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
15 January 1967 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (billed as The New Loose Ends)
The Loose Ends in Milan, January 1967. Left to right: Bob Saker, Colin King, Mick Patel, roadie on congas, Alan Marshall, Tony Glyde, Colin Pullen and Phil Lanzon. Photo: Colin Pullen/Bob Saker
After rehearsing at the El Partido in Lewisham, and playing a lone gig at the Star Hotel in Croydon in early January 1967, The Loose Ends landed a residency at the Bang Bang Club in Milan’s San Guiliano district, which kicked off in the third week of January. Alan Griffin departed just before the group left for Italy and Colin King from Bob ‘N’ All took his place.
While playing at the Bang Bang in Milan, the musicians met Georgio Moroder plus Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll at the club.
The Loose Ends at the Bang Bang Club in Milan. Left to right; Tony Glyde, Colin King, Bob Saker, Mick Patel and Colin Pullen. Alan Marshall and Phil Lanzon are not pictured. Photo: Colin Pullen/Bob Saker
In early March, The Loose Ends returned to London and Alan Griffin took over from his replacement Colin King. The new line-up played at the Scotch of St James and the Speakeasy.
While loading out the band’s gear from the Speakeasy one night, Jimi Hendrix and a couple of friends came out and the famous guitarist told Lanzon: “Nice combo man”.
Sometime in late April/early May, Tony Glyde left to join The Fenmen briefly before moving on to Simon K & The Meantimers and his predecessor Roy Manderson returned.
Simon K & The Meantimers, late 1967. Tony Glyde is far right. Photo: Alan Wherry
Around the same time, Mick Patel also left to join The Canadians (with future rock star David Foster) and then joined The Warren Davis Monday Band (with Foster) with whom he appeared on the 45 “Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing” c/w “Without Fear” before moving to British Columbia in late 1967.
Mick Patel (third left) and David Foster (third right)
During early June, Alan Marshall and Bob Saker flew to the United States to record two tracks at Muscle Shoals with Otis Redding. The soul singer had caught the pair fronting The Loose Ends during the Stax-Volt Tour back in April and impressed by their soulful vocals invited them to record a Fame Studios.
The pair cut covers of “Johnny B Goode” and “Keep on Pushing” with Redding producing. However, soon after there was a split between Jerry Wexler and Phil Walden and the proposed single was held back. The two singers returned to London that summer to find The Loose Ends had splintered.
Selected gigs:
January-March 1967 – Bang Bang, Milan, Italy (six weeks and billed as Gli Erranti)
11 February 1967 – Ye Ye Club, Milan, Italy (billed as Alan Marshall e Gli Erranti)
Photo: Colin Pullen
4 March 1967 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London (probably the band’s first UK gig after returning from Milan)
8 March 1967 – Bromel Club, Downham, southeast London
April 1967 – Scotch of St James and Speakeasy (Otis Redding sees them at one of the venues)
15 April 1967 – The Polytechnic, Central London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
Cats Pyjamas, 1968. Clockwise from bottom left: Alan Griffin, Kenny Bernard, Roy Manderson, Phil Lanzon and (front) Colin Pullen. Photo: Colin Pullen
With the singers both gone, Colin Pullen, Alan Griffin, Phil Lanzon and Roy Manderson stuck together and looked for a new front man. Adding singer Kenny Bernard (previously from The Wranglers but at the time a solo artist), they changed name to Cats Pyjamas and made two excellent singles with CBS. The group held down a residency in Madrid in May 1968 and then gigged around London. Lanzon, Griffin and Manderson briefly played with Geno Washington in late 1969-early 1970.
Phil Lanzon later recorded with Grand Prix, toured and recorded with Sweet and has toured and recorded with Uriah Heep since the mid-1980s. He has also recorded solo CDs
When the two recordings were shelved (after Redding’s untimely death), Bob Saker cut a lone single for Polydor and then a string of singles for Parlophone and CBS (as Saker) in 1968 and 1971. In 1972, he reverted to his full name and recorded a series of singles for the York label and an album They’ve Taken Back My Number, which featured Maurice Gibb. He later found success as a voice-over artist.
Happy Magazine, 1968. Alan Marshall (back left). Peter Kirtley (second left). Thanks to Peter Kirtley for the image
Alan Marshall meanwhile reunited with former Loose Ends guitarist Peter Kirtley in Happy Magazine, a soul/R&B outfit that was managed and produced by Alan Price.
Joined by Kirtley’s old friends from Jarrow, the late Kenny Craddock on organ from Tyneside bands The Elcorts and New Religion, and Brian Rowan on bass from Shorty & Them plus Alan White on drums (who was replaced later by west Londoner Malcolm Wolffe from The Tribe), the band cut material that was split over three singles for Polydor.
Kicking off with Alan Price’s excellent “Satisfied Street”, backed with “Beautiful Land” in December 1967, featuring a horn section that may well be Amboy Dukes members Buddy Beadle and Steve Gregory (also ex-Alan Price Set), the label re-issued the track three months later coupled with the Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham soul classic “Do Right Woman – Do Right Man”.
However, it was possibly the band’s third and final outing, a brilliant reading of the Dee/Potter collaboration, “Who Belongs To You”, coupled with the previously available “Beautiful Land”, issued on 14 February 1969, that should have catapulted the band into the charts.
One 1969. Left to right: Alan Marshall, Bobby Sass, Kevin Fogerty, Conrad Isidore, Brent Forbes and Norman Leppard
With the single failing to grace the charts, Alan Marshall departed to form the experimental jazz/funk/blues band, One, who cut a brilliant lone album for Fontana later that year (with Peter Kirtley reportedly playing the lead guitar on some tracks).
Joined by guitarist Kevin Fogarty (originally a member of Southport R&B group, Timebox); keyboardist Bobby Sass (an early member of Happy Magazine); bass player Brent Forbes; sax and flutist Norman Leppard; and drummer Conrad Isidore, One should have been a huge success but the album sank without a trace.
Peter Kirtley and Kenny Craddock meanwhile brought in three friends from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear – ex-Skip Bifferty members, singer Graham Bell and bass player Colin Gibson, and future Yes drummer Alan White, who’d been the original drummer in Happy Magazine, and signed to Bell Records for a one-off single as Griffin.
Produced by Alan Price and issued on 25 September 1969, the Kirtley-Gibson-Craddock collaboration, “I am The Noise in Your Head”, coupled with Kirtley’s “Don’t You Know” was an impressive outing but failed to trouble the charts.
Griffin soon splintered and Kirtley went on to record with several notable bands, including Riff Raff, Radiator and Pentangle. Later he appeared on albums by Liane Carroll and Bert Jansch.
Kirtley also issued two solo albums, Peter Kirtley and Bush Telegraph as well as the charity single, “Little Children”, for Jubilee Action, to raise money for street children in Brazil and featuring Paul McCartney.
Alan Marshall, meanwhile, surfaced as a solo artist on Fontana in 1970. In France, the label issued a rare single that coupled One’s excellent cover of Richie Havens’s “Don’t Listen To Me” with a solo outing – “How Much Do You Know”, adapted from “Adagio Royal” by F de Boivallee.
When that single failed to chart, Marshall ended up working with a new version of One (with Jackie McAuley) before joining Strabismus, which subsequently changed its name to Riff Raff when the singer’s former band mate from The Loose Ends/Happy Magazine, Peter Kirtley joined.
However, Marshall quit before Riff Raff’s debut album was recorded and briefly revised One with Ron Bryer before recording with Zzebra. He then joined Gonzalez in the late Seventies in time for their 1979 release, Move It To The Music. Marshall, who is now a pastor, continues to busk in Stratford, east London.
Interestingly, Gonzalez’s keyboard player was Roy Davies, Marshall’s former band mate from The Loose Ends. In the intervening years between joining Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and working with Gonzalez in 1974, Davies had played with The Maximum Breed Band and later The Butts Band with members of The Doors. He later became a prolific session player before passing away in 1986.
The Loose Ends recordings meanwhile have surfaced on numerous Sixties CD compilations, including Deram’s Mod Scene and Freakbeat Scene.
I would like to especially thank Alan Marshall, Alan Whitehead, Peter Kirtley, Martin Morrison-Mariner, Alan Griffin, Phil Lanzon, Colin Pullen, Bob Saker, Ken Baxter, Tony Charman and Mick Glyde for helping with the story. Thanks also to Vernon Joynson and Bruce Welsh.
This is an extensively updated version of an article that was originally published on the Strange Brew website. I’d like to thank Jason Barnard for all of his help and support over the years.
I have tried to attribute the photos correctly where possible but would welcome any corrections.
The gigs have been sourced largely from Melody Maker plus many local newspapers, including the South East London Mercury, Aldershot News, East Kent Times, Eastern Evening News, Harrow Weekly Post, Lincolnshire Standard, Evening Argus, Bristol Evening Post, Nottingham Evening Post, Birmingham Evening Post, Surrey Advertiser and Yarmouth Mercury among others.
I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com
The Tribe were a northwest London band from Kilburn that formed around late 1964 and were notable for featuring future Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band bass player Dennis Cowan and Frank Torpey, who was the original lead guitarist in The Sweet. Torpey had started out in a band with future Sweet drummer Mick Tucker. Drummer Malcolm Wolffe subsequently played with Happy Magazine and then Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
Regulars at the Ealing Club and the State Ballroom Kilburn, the band gigged widely (see gigs list below) and travelled to Paris twice to play at the Gaff Club. The Tribe also spent a month in Copenhagen, Denmark in spring 1966. Petticoat Magazine ran a short article on them in June of that year.
Signed to Shel Talmy’s Planet label, The Tribe’s debut single was the blues rocker “The Gamma Goochie” c/w “I’m Leaving”, which was produced by John Sullivan and issued on 4 February 1966.
The former can be found on the Big Beat compilation CD Planet Mod while the latter has been included on another CD in the Big Beat series, Planet Beat. Out of interest, Planet Mod also includes the previously unreleased Tribe recording “Don’t Let It Be”, which was cut in March 1966.
After recording a couple of unreleased demo tracks after leaving Planet, including a cover of Edwin Starr’s “Headline News” and a track called “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose” (the latter at Abbey Road), The Tribe moved to RCA for its second release in May 1967 – the soulful “Love Is a Beautiful Thing” c/w “Steel Guitar and a Glass of Wine”.
That same month, the group landed a three-month residency at the Marquee (and while there played at the exclusive Mayfair club the Scotch of St James a handful of times after finishing up at the Marquee in the evening).
In mid-August, to tap into the burgeoning psychedelic scene, The Tribe changed name to Dream and appeared at the Festival of the Flower Children held at Woburn Festival on 27 August 1967.
When the band broke up in October 1967, Torpey spent a few months with another west London band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen where he worked with soon-to-be Sweet band mates Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker.
Selected gigs:
9 January 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions
30 March 1965 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardeners, Isleworth, Middlesex
8 April 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
13 April 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
2 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
7 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
13 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
14 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
23 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
25 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
28 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
31 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
3 July 1965 – Club Noreik, Tottenham, north London
13 August 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Bern Elliott & The Klan
14 August 1965 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton with The Dragsters
4 September 1965 – Club Dolphin, Luton, Beds
18 September 1965 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Johnny Cannon & The Shades
8 October 1965 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks
16 October 1965 – Finstock, Oxfordshire
23 October 1965 – Tackley, Oxfordshire
22 November 1965 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire
9 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
18 December 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Devil’s Coachmen
24 December 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Dickens Set
8 January 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with The Sneakers
14 January 1966 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (from the Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London)
5 February 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with The Overlanders and The Amboy Dukes
19 February 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Zombies
26 February 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire with The Fenmen
1 April 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex
30 April 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with The Amboy Dukes
10 June 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester
19 June 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Valiants and The Trackmarks
25 June 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with St Louis Union
26 June 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
2 July 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with Abject Blues
17 July 1966 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes
7 August 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
14 August 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
27 August 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Small Faces, John & Nicky (and group), The Flashbacks and The Ferryboys
2 September 1966 – Dancing Slipper, Nottingham
3 September 1966 – Gaiety, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Eyes of Blond
10 September 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with Bob Kidman & His Band, The Utopians and The Versions
25 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
7 October 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
15 October 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with New Generation
22 October 1966 – The Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
5 November 1966 – The Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (also have them playing at New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire on this day)
6 November 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
18 November 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks
19 November 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham with Fla Makane
2 December 1966 – Dancing Slipper Ballroom, West Bridgeford, Nottingham with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers
3 December 1966 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire
19 December 1966 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Missing Links
24 December 1966 – Bath Regency Ballroom, Bath with The First Lites and The Workshop
1 January 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
7 January 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
13 January 1967 – Bicester Youth Centre, Bicester
14 January 1967 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Warwickshire with The Pride & Passion
14 January 1967 – Flamingo Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall with The Dissatisfied
16 January 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire
25 January 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
18 February 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
25 February 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Washington DCs
5 March 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (they might have been replaced by The Army)
8 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
18 March 1967 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire with Sac-0-Woe
25 March 1967 – New Dungeon Club, Nottingham
30 March 1967 – Marquee, London with Marmalade
1 April 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
1 April 1967 – Beeches Barn Theatre, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (advert mistakenly says they are from Oxford)
10 April 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Finger Print Set
14 April 1967 – Bluesette, Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey
15 April 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Tonicks featuring Joey Young
16 April 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
4 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Marmalade
6 May 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Chicago Line featuring Mike Patto and The New Generation
26 May 1967 – Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
27 May 1967 – St Thomas’ Hall, Brentwood, Essex
7 June 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
15 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Marmalade
17 June 1967 – Hull College of Commerce Students’ Union, Hull, Humberside with That Feeling and The Locomotion
24 June 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
1 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Stalkers
2 July 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
8 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Love Affair
15 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Monopoly
22 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ten Years After
29 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Darlings
5 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
12 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Impact Blues
19 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Nite People
Selected gigs (as Dream)
26 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
27 August 1967 – Festival of the Flower Children, Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Bedfordshire with The Move, Eric Burdon & The New Animals, The Soft Machine and others
2 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
9 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbal Mixture
16 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Iveys
23 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Mud
30 September 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
30 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
21 October 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with Zoot Money
22 October 1967 – Rendezvous Club, Margate, Kent
These final gigs must have been a different band unless some of the members carried on with the name after Frank Torpey left.
11 December 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo with The Probe (see gig poster as they had been on tour)
29 December 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
Thanks to Frank Torpey, Alec Palao and Bruce Welsh for providing information.
This is an extensively updated version of an article that was originally published on the Strange Brew website. I’d like to thank Jason Barnard for all of his help and support over the years.
The gigs above were sourced from many sources. I apologise for any sources that are missing but they include Melody Maker, the Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette, Bucks Free Press, Nottingham Evening Post, Northampton Chronicle, Oxford Mail, Banbury Guardian, Andover Advertiser, Hull Daily Mail, East Kent Times & Mail.
I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com
