Categories: England

The Vibrations’ British 1960s tours

July 10, 2026 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

Hailing from Los Angeles, US soul vocal group comprised Jimmy Johnson (lead); Carl Fisher (lead and tenor); Dave Govan (lead and baritone); Ricky Owens (lead and tenor); and Don Bradley (bass).

In spring 1966 promoter Roy Tempest brought them over to Britain for the first of two nationwide tours that year.

Often Tempest deployed one group that was signed to his agency as the main backing band but, if they were supporting another soul artist that he had brought over on a particular night, he might call on other groups signed to his agency to the duties on that occasion.

It isn’t clear who backed The Vibrations on the first tour in April so we’d like hear from anyone who can provide more information.

This isn’t a complete gig list for this tour

Tour dates

8 April 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

8 April 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Don Covay (Melody Maker)

9 April 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

11 April 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

14 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Peter B’s (Melody Maker)

19 April 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

20 April 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

22 April 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Sassenachs (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

23 April 1966 – King Mojo All-nighter, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and Jackie Williams & The Excitements (Sheffield Star)

For this second British tour in September 1966, Tempest used a Bognor-Regis based band that he had signed to his agency at the start of that month. The line-up comprised Jimmy Marsh (lead vocals); Martin Barre (lead guitar/saxophone), Mick Ketley (keyboards); Chris Rodger (saxophone); Bryan Stevens (bass); and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums).

Rodger believes they did the entire tour backing The Vibrations and has provided a Roy Tempest Agency poster to show they were advertised as so. His recollections have been backed by other group members. However, Ketley says they never played at the Whisky A Go Go in Wardour Street, so it is possible other Tempest-signed bands did the odd show here and there with The Vibrations.

Another issue is that the advertised Tempest-signed backing band wasn’t necessary the one that supported a soul artist on the night in question. A good example is 17 September gig at the Dungeon in Nottingham below. The advert in the paper lists Tempest act The Senate from Glasgow who backed a lot of visiting soul artists while signed with the promoter. However, a photo of The Vibrations on stage from this evening shows Noblemen bass player Bryan Stevens in the background confirming they were the backing band.

This isn’t a complete gig list for this tour

Tour dates

10 September 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Little People and The Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Echo) Backed by The Noblemen

10 September 1966 – King Mojo all-nighter, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Johnny O’Hara & The Playboys (Sheffield Star) Says second British appearance and most likely with The Noblemen given they did the earlier show in Boston

11 September 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

13 September 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

15 September 1966 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by The Senate but could be The Noblemen

15 September 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by The Senate

16 September 1966 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with seven more acts (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

16 September 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with seven more acts (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

Advert lists The Senate but The Noblemen were backing band

17 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with The Senate (Nottingham Evening Post) Backed by The Senate according to paper (although there is a photo with The Noblemen)

17 September 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with The Noblemen, Jimmy James & Vagabonds, The Hideaways, The Dark Ages, The Wild, Wild Klubs, The Tremas, Sooner or Later, Intent & Purpose and Signs & Times (Liverpool Echo) Backed by The Noblemen

18 September 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

Circa 18 or 19 September 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London with The Noblemen (Group recollections) Backed by The Noblemen

19 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Objects (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

20 September 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

21 September 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

21 September 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

22 September 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

22 September 1966 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

22 September 1966 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

23 September 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent with The Noblemen (Melody Maker) Backed by The Noblemen

24 September 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

The Sheffield Star notes that The Vibrations did not appear on 24 September

24 September 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The London Ravers and Amboy Dukes Big Band (Sheffield Star) Most likely backed by The Noblemen billed as The London Ravers. However, the following week, the newspaper printed that The Vibrations did not appear

25 September 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge Park, Harlesden, northwest London (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

As there is one gig listed below for spring 1967, it is probably safe to assume this tour didn’t happen.

27 April 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

In late 1967, The Vibrations did return for another British tour. It’s not clear who the backing band(s) were on this third tour, so we’d welcome any further information.

This isn’t a complete gig list for this tour

Tour dates

12 December 1967 – Blaises, Queensgate, Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)

15 December 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with supporting groups (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

15 December 1967 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

16 December 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with Cat Soul Packet (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

17 December 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Surrey Mirror)

23 December 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Kingston-By-Pass (Melody Maker)

24 December 1967 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below

Categories: England

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells’ British tours of the 1960s

June 30, 2026 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

Hailing from Philadelphia, lead singer Patti LaBelle first toured Britain with her backing group The Bluebelles featuring singers Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash and Cindy Birdsong in January 1966. The tour was arranged by promoter Roy Tempest.

For this first British tour, Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells were backed by northwest London group Bluesology who featured a very young Elton John known as Reg Dwight at the time on keyboards.

It’s not clear whether Bluesology backed them on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this.

At the time, Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Rex Bishop (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Mick Inkpen (drums)

Melody Maker’s 8 January 1966 issue, page 4 lists, gig dates and TV appearances

Tour dates

5 January 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

6 January 1966 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

8 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Check Points (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

9 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

11 January 1966 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London with Bluesology (Melody Maker)

14 January 1966 – ITV’s Ready Steady Go with The Kinks, Pretty Things and Fontella Bass (Melody Maker)

14 January 1966 – The New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker) Billed Patti LaBBelle and The Blue Bells

14 January 1966 – Flamingo All-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Gass (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Melody Maker) Billed as Pattie La Belle & Her Blue Bells

15 January 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Fontella Bass, The Stormsville Shakers, Bluesology Inc and The Just 5 x 2 (Sheffield Star) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Belles

16 January 1966 – Plaza, Birmingham, West Midlands (Melody Maker) Possibly Handsworth

19 January 1966 – Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Evening Post) This lists Wilson Pickett’s backing group as support who would have been The Links

22 January 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Pinky & The Phellows, Bluesology Incorporated and The Triads (Lincolnshire Standard)

Melody Maker’s 30 April 1966 issue, page 4, announces that Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles return for a second tour (including TV appearances), organised again by Roy Tempest.

For this second tour, Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles were once again backed by Bluesology. It’s not clear, however, whether Bluesology backed them on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this.

By this time, the line-up had changed slightly to feature Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Freddy Gandy (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Paul Gale (drums)

Tour dates

4 May 1966 – Birdland Club, central London (Melody Maker)

4 May 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

5 May 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

6 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Melody Maker) Billed as Patty LaBelle & Her Belles

7 May 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Bystanders and The Dark Ages (Bucks Advertiser) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Belles

7 May 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & The Blue Bells

8 May 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with Polecatz (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

9 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Steve Darbyshire & The Yum Yum Band (Melody Maker) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Belles

9 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patty LaBelle & The Belles

11 May 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

13 May 1966 – Flamingo (two sets including all-nighter), Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gass (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle

14 May 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Alan Bown Set and Buddy’s Blues (Sheffield Star) Billed as Pattie LaBelle & Her Belles

14 May 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with The Ram Jam Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

15 May 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Patty La Belle & The Blue Belles

17 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Clayton Squares (Melody Maker)

17 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti LaBelle & The Belles

19 May 1966 – Rocky Rivers’ Top 20 Club, Conservative Club, Bedford with Bluesology and John Williams & Tomorrow’s People (Ampthill News & Weekly Record) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

21 May 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire with Blues Ology and The Ultimates (Herts & Essex Observer) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

21 May 1966 – Cue Club all-nighter, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti LaBelle & Her Belles

22 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

In 1967, Cindy Birdsong left to join The Supremes and the group continued as a three piece.

Melody Maker’s 22 June 1968 issue, page 4, lists a British tour opening on 3 July

Melody Maker’s 6 July 1968 issue, page 3, provides more detail on the venues and dates

It’s not clear who provided support on this third tour and we’d welcome any further information.

Tour dates

3 July 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with supporting groups (Dunstable Borough Gazette and Luton Journal/Melody Maker/http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/) Amended to 5 July. Billed as Patti LaBelle & The Belles

3 July 1968 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Amended to 5 July. Billed as Patti La Belle & The Bluebells Show

6 July 1968 – New Century Hall, Manchester (Melody Maker)

6 July 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Melody Maker) Amended to 7 July

7 July 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Melody Maker)

8 July 1968 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Melody Maker)

8 July 1968 – Club Cedar, Birmingham (Melody Maker)

11 July 1968 – Brave New World, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hants (Melody Maker)

12 July 1968 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Melody Maker)

12 July 1968 – Sybilla’s, Swallow Street, central London (Melody Maker)

13 July 1968 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Melody Maker)

13 July 1968 – Gig in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands (Melody Maker) Possibly the Belfry, Wishaw

14 July 1968 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Bells

17 July 1968 – Gig in Stevenage, Herts (Melody Maker) Possibly the Locarno

18 July 1968 – Sybilla’s, Swallow Street, central London (Melody Maker)

19 July 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, south London with Purple Dream (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser/Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & The Bluebells

20 July 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with Chris Shakespeare Globe Show and The Executives (Chester Chronicle) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Bluebells

20 July 1968 – Nantwich Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire (Melody Maker)

22 July 1968 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Bells

We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below

Categories: Bismark, Dallas, Denton, San Antonio, Texas

The Beefeaters “Don’t Hurt Me”

May 19, 2026 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, published November 1965. The caption is incorrect. Should read from left to right: Mark Johnson (“Rocky”), Dan O’Banion, Paul Oakley, Bill McCollough (on drums), and Whit Snell.

Rocky and the Flying Squirrels or earlier group. Top from left (I think): Paul Oakley with bass, Whit Snell, and Dan O’Banion; bottom from left: Bill McCullough and Mark Johnson. I would appreciate any help to confirm these IDs.

The Beefeaters were part of the North Texas State University (NTSU) scene which included the Chessmen, but their story starts out 300 miles away, in San Antonio. Five students at Alamo Heights High School formed Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, wearing World War I aviator helmets and goggles, scarves, and turtle-neck sweaters in honor of their animated namesake.

Members included: Mark Johnson on lead vocals, Whit Snell lead guitar, Dan O’Banion rhythm guitar, Paul Oakley on bass, and Bill McCullough playing drums.

Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, in white from left (I think): Dan O’Banion with the Rickenbacker guitar, Bill McCullough drums, Paul Oakley with bass and Whit Snell. At left, I think that is Mark Johnson with the microphone. I would appreciate any help to confirm these IDs.

They played live at Alamo Heights High School auditorium and the student-run Mule Barn teen club by the football stadium, but the band made plans for a bigger future.

Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, front left: Dan O’Banion with hand-drawn raccoon tail), Whit Snell, Mark Johnson with tambourine, Paul Oakley (or Cary surname?) on bass with added sideburns, and Bill McCullough. Photo courtesy of Bill McCullough, like many of the ones seen here.

From the Flying Squirrels to the Beefeaters

Graduating in May, 1966, all except Paul Oakley agreed to attend NTSU (now the University of North Texas) in Denton, northwest of Dallas. Bill McCullough’s older brother David, Jr. took over on bass to replace Paul. David had been guitarist in his own group in San Antonio, Spider and the Flies.

They cultivated the sound and “mod” looks of the English groups of the period, and took a new band moniker to fit the image: the Beefeaters.

The Beefeaters on stage 1966: Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, front left: Dan O’Banion, Mark Johnson, David McCullough, Bill McCullough on drums and Whit Snell

The Beefeaters’ first gig, on a flatbed truck on the commons by the NTSU student union, was a success and they started landing regular bookings at the Spinning Wheels skating rink and local frat parties. They bought a used ’56 Cadillac hearse, like other Denton groups, and adorned it with their band name and bumper stickers (“Eat More Beef” for one).

The Chessmen, Felicity, the Jackals, the Beefeaters and the Briks at Club Saracen on San Jacinto in Austin, Sunday, April 16, 1967

Within a short time, the manager of the Campus Theatre, George Rickrich, brought the Beefeaters into his Bismark Agency, which also represented the Briks, the Chessmen, Felicity, and the Jackals. Rickrich booked the bands for college parties throughout Texas and into Oklahoma, and clubs: including Louann’s, the Three Thieves, and the Cellar in Dallas; the Box in Ft. Worth; Club Saracen, the New Orleans Club, and the Jade Room in Austin where they also shopped for clothes at the Electric Rocking Horse.

The Beefeaters provided entertainment on a day-long chartered train, the Santa Fe Big Chief, for a football game at Wichita State U. in Kansas. The Campus Chat covered the journey:

… North Texas won the game … the dance bands played well despite their precarious perch in a bucking, 9- by 70-foot baggage car, and the legal age for buying beer in Kansas is 18 …
The New Sound plugged in to one of the three baggage cars around 9 and, after 30 minutes of blow switches, was in full swing … Dancers, about 50 at a time, battled flailing elbows and a lurching floor in the cramped car …
… the Beefeaters struck up, and the dancers were once again making the most of their promised 20 hours of fun …

A promo sheet for the group lists Whitfield Snell, David McCullough as contact in Denton, and David Black in San Antonio.

The Beefeaters, possibly at the Alpha Delta Pi sorority house, from left: Whit Snell, Mark Johnson (with jug), Bill McCullough (drums), Dan O’Banion, and David McCullough (bass)

Towards the end of 1966, the Beefeaters entered a studio in Dallas to cut two originals by Whit Snell, “Don’t Hurt Me” / “Change My Mind”. The lineup that recorded these was: Mark Johnson, Whit Snell, Dan O’Banion, David McCullough, Jr., and Bill McCullough. Whit remembers Lee Hardesty of the Briks accompanying the band to the studio, and lending Whit his Vox fuzz pedal for “Don’t Hurt Me” and 12-string guitar for the “Change My Mind”.

Though satisfied with the recording, Whit thought the songs were not good enough, which may have been one reason why they didn’t see release on the Bismark label at the time. Tapes of the songs have circulated since, and they’re widely regarded as classics of the ’60s Texas teen sound.

Whit Snell of the Beefeaters at the Pusi-Kat Club, San Antonio, 1967

The Jackals, the Beefeaters, the Felicity with the Sweetarts, the Chevells and Chain Gang at Club Saracen on San Jacinto in Austin, Sunday, June 25, 1967. I’d like to know more about the Lebanon School Fund

During the Christmas holiday in 1966, the Beefeaters returned to San Antonio to play the Pusi-Kat club from December 26-30 with Lord August. When the band went back to Denton in January 1967, Mark Johnson had left the band and school to travel abroad.

That same January, the Denton Record-Chronicle reported the Beefeaters hearse was stolen from the NTSU campus, and they lost $4,000 worth of amplifiers, drums and guitars. Funny enough, the first report said it was the Chessmen’s hearse, but the paper corrected the story a few days later, and a later follow-up said the instruments were recovered in Gainesville.

The 1967 and ’68 school years saw the Beefeaters expand the scope of their gig territory: as far north as Amarillo, Wichita Falls, and Oklahoma City, east to Houston, Galveston and Fort Smith, Arkansas, and south to Corpus Christi, and Matamoros, Mexico.

By the summer of ’68, Dan O’Banion and Whit Snell were living at the Eagle Apartments in Dallas near Don Henley and other former Denton musicians, a musically rewarding time.

The military draft pulled any band members who left college, including David McCullough, who joined the Navy, became a Corpsman, and was assigned to the Marines. During the war he was stationed in the Philippines and served on a hospital ship. Members of other groups, such as Cecil Cotton and Steve Martin of the Briks, and Mike Neal of the Jackals had already joined the reserves and returned to the scene.

The Beefeaters on stage at Gibson’s Discount Center in Kerrville: from left: Jimmie Randall, Whit Snell, Roger Brooks or Doyle Bramhall on drums, and Dan O’Banion.

The Beefeaters on stage at Gibson’s Discount Center, Whit Snell in foreground

Because of the draft taking David, and Bill McCullough leaving at about the same time, the Beefeaters went through a rotating cast of Dallas and Denton musicians filling in for short periods, including Jimmie Randall (of the Gentlemen) on bass; Roger Brooks, then Doyle Bramhall (of the Chessmen) on drums; John Talley (of the Jackals) on keyboards; and Lee Hardesty on guitar.

Doyle Bramhall or possibly Roger Brooks, performing with the Beefeaters at Gibson’s in Kerrville

A series of photos taken onstage at Gibson’s Discount Center in Kerrville, TX show Jimmie Randall on bass and I believe Doyle Brahmall on drums.

The Beefeaters played the Pusi-Kat in San Antonio frequently during the summer of ’68, as well as Love Street, and a show at the Teen Canteen in October, but their most notable gig was opening for the Jeff Beck Group at Southern Methodist University’s McFarlin Auditorium on Saturday, November 9, 1968. Whit recalls the Beefeaters also opened for the Jeff Beck Group in Oklahoma City on Sunday, November 10.

The Jeff Beck Group, Brige, and the Beefeaters at McFarlin Auditorium at SMU, November 9, 1968. I haven’t heard of Brige before.

Flyer for one of their later shows at Family Circle, 1901 Canton at Marilla in Dallas

Whit Snell left the band and school in 1969, but various lineups continued gigging as the Beefeaters for another year or so.

Thank you to Whit Snell, Dan O’Banion, Bill McCullough, and Mark Johnson of the Beefeaters (RIP David McCullough); William Williams (Wm Wms) of the Jackals, Birdman Cantillo, Don Julio, Wm Wms and other contributors to the now defunct Big D ’60s yahoo group and Trinity River Music flickr group, and anyone else I’ve missed. Photos courtesy of Bill McCullough, Whit Snell and Wm Wms.

A shorter version of these notes accompany the new remastered 7″ release of “Don’t Hurt Me” / “Change My Mind” now available on Mojo-Bone Rekkids.

As always, I’d appreciate more info on the group, and help correcting any errors.

Categories: England

Fontella Bass’s British tour January 1966

May 14, 2026 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

Fontella Bass featured in Melody Maker, 11 December 1965, page 10

Having arrived in Britain on 1 December 1965 for TV appearances only, including performing on BBC’s Top of the Pops, ITV’s Ready Steady Go and TWW’s Discs as Gogo, US soul singer Fontella Bass returned to Britain in the first week of January 1966 for a two-week tour.

Judging by the article from Melody Maker below, she was backed by seven-piece Surrey outfit, The Just Five for all of the gigs, although keyboard Alan Reeves says The Krew did back her for a one-off gig at the Scotch of St James.

Tour dates (see pic above for more details)

8 January 1966 – Market Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with Just Five, Checkmates and The Dawnbreakers (Carlisle and Cumberland Journal)

9 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

11 January 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

12 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Quiet Five (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/)

13 January 1966 – Oldham Astoria, Oldham, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

14 January 1966 – ITV’s Ready Steady Go with The Kinks, Pretty Things, Patti LaBelle & Her Belles and Lee Dorsey (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, Lancashire with The Just Five, The Rogues and The Beatroots (Accrington Observer/Lancashire Evening Telegraph)

16 January 1966 – Flamingo All-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen (Melody Maker)

18 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Melody Maker) Missed due to food poisoning

19 January 1966 – Mecca Pavilion Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants with The Just Five (Southern Daily Echo)

We’d welcome any further information on this tour in the comments below

Categories: Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Troy, Upstate New York

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House on Snyder’s Lake, NY, October 1966

April 26, 2026 Chris Bishop

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, and Rick

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, and Rick

The Myddle Class traveled to Snyder’s Lake, near Troy, New York, to play two weekends, October 14, 15 & 16, and 21, 22 & 23 at the Excelsior House nightclub, which was then attracting college students and other young people (the drinking age was 18) four to five nights a week to see acts like the Critters, the Liverpool Set and the Knickerbockers.

I was astonished to find 11 snapshots taken during their time at the club, along with autographs collected from each. Hilariously, Charles Larkey is noted as “Tony” on the album pages, though he signed his autograph correctly as Charlie Larkey.

The Excelsior House ran ads regularly for their shows. For the Myddle Class, some were spelled correctly, but a couple others billed them as the Middle Class.

See my recent post for a full listing of Excelsior House shows from 1964-1968.

Autographs of Dave Palmer, Myke Rosa and Rick Philp of the Myddle Class, from the Excelsior House, October 1966

Autographs of Charlie Larkey and Dan Mansolino of the Myddle Class, from the Excelsior House, October 1966

Charles Larkey (“Tony”) of the Myddle Class, at the Excelsior House, October 1966

Charlie Larkey (“Tony”) of the Myddle Class with patron or friend, at the Excelsior House, October 1966

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Dan Mansolino and Charlie (“Tony”) Larkey

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, Myke and Rick

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Dave Palmer, Rick Philp and Myke Rosa

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie “Tony” Larkey, Dave Palmer and Rick Philp

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Charlie Larkey and Dave Palmer

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Dave Palmer and Rick Philp

Categories: New York, Troy, Upstate New York

The Excelsior House on Snyder’s Lake near Troy: the Knickerbockers, Sundowners and other bands

April 26, 2026 Chris Bishop 10 Comments

The Excelsior House, a 19th century house on tiny Snyder’s Lake, a short drive southeast of Troy, NY, had a history dating back to the 1930s as a rural nightclub and restaurant. It drew crowds from a wide geographic area with various forms of entertainment and events.

In 1964, a new owner, Harry Doakmajian, started bringing in rock and pop acts. Over the next four years the Excelsior House hosted a succession of notable house bands.

The Knickerbockers: Jimmy, Beau, John, Buddy, at the Excelsior House, The Troy Record, May 1, 1965

The Knickerbockers made the Excelsior House their second home, with frequent months-long bookings from August 1964 until December 1965, and occasional monthly residencies in 1966 and 1967. The booklet of the Sundazed CD The Great Lost Knickerbockers Album! includes photos of Buddy Randell and Beau Charles on stage at the Excelsior House in 1966.

The Sundowners, from Lake George, held down monthly gigs in 1965 into 1966, and the Good Times were regulars from April through July 1966 (billed early on as “Direct from Harlow’s in N.Y.C.”) and again in September and December 1966, and January 1967.

The Kynds and the Good Times, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, April 9

I am not certain if this is the Goodtimes from Providence, RI, who also recorded as the Tradewinds, or more likely the band from Newburgh who recorded two albums of pop on Meteor as the Goodtimes III. This group, comprised of Johnny Babb, Timmy Jones, Dave Kennedy and Bobby Lonie, among others, cut some good unreleased songs, possibly recorded at Earl Kennett’s studio, as Dave Kennedy recommended the studio to the Jelly Bean Bandits to make their first demos.

Below is a compendium of the acts that played, compiled mainly from ads in the Troy Record newspaper (which became the Times Record).

Bands were usually booked Friday and Saturday evenings. Over time, early Sunday shows were added, then Wednesdays and Thursdays as well.

1964:

February: Tino and the Revlons
April 18: the James K4
June: Tino and the Revlons, the Act III
July: the Capris (“direct from Miami Beach”), and the Continental Twisters
August: the Act III and the James K4
August 3: Buddy Randell and the Knickerbockers
August: the Mystics and the Continentals
September through December: the Knickerbockers

1965:

Sundowners with Eddie Brick and Bobby Dickson, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, Nov 12

January: the Knickerbockers
February: the Sundowners
March: Tino and the Revlons (“Troy’s Own Beetles”), the Blue Counts and the Motions
April: the Motions, the Vi-Cleefs
April and May: the Knickerbockers

Nick Brignola and His Modern Jazz Quartet: Thursdays in June and July

July 31: Jay and the Americans plus the Knickerbockers
July: the Knickerbockers
August: the Knickerbockers
September: Don Sohl and the Road Runners (Nebraska band who cut great sax & guitar instrumentals like “Voo Doo” on Palms and “Rampage” on Dreem).
September: the Road-ents, the Progressions
October: the 4 Synns

Cordels at the Excelsior House, The Troy Record. 1965, Oct 9

October 16: the Classics and the Chessmen
November: the Cordels
December 23: the Knickerbockers and the Sundowners
December: Sundowners

1966:

By 1966 the Excelsior had two venues on the same compound: the main building with pop, rock and soul bands, and another called the Corral specializing in country music and square dancing, such as Rob Horton and the Friendly Travelers or Pete Williams and His Ranchers, but I have not compiled an extensive list of those c&w groups.

January – February: the Sundowners
February 19, 20: the Big Bear Revue (“Big Bear” / “People” on Cuppy Records)
February 25, 26: the Check Mates
March: Snoopy’s Crew
March 5: the Fugitives
March 12: the “ever popular” Esquires
March 25: the Fireballs
April 3: the Group 4
April 9, 10: the Kynds
April 14 had a special show, Jerry Lee Lewis and his Review!

May and June: Knickerbockers and Good Times

On July 29, the Souls Inc. “12 Man Group” took over through August, sometimes with Lord X and his X Chords
August 27 (Saturday): Tim Rose Trio

The Critters and the Good Times, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, September 23, 1966

The Good Times resumed house band status for September but there were a number of interesting featured acts that month and October:

September 2, 3 and 4: the Younger Boys (I don’t know anything about this group)
September 23: the Critters
September 28, 29, 30, 31 & October 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: the Liverpool Set

The Myddle Class, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, Oct 22

October 14, 15 and 16 and 21, 22 and 23: the Myddle Class (billed in some ads as the Middle Class)

Check this new Myddle Class post to see photos from the interior of Excelsior House!

October 26, 28, 29 and 30: the Cleaners

November: the Sundowners with Eddie Brick

December: the Knickerbockers, The Good Times

Ricardo and the 4 Most, Excelsior House, The Troy Times Record, February 3, 1967

The Cleaners, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, October 29, 1966

1967:

January: the Good Times
February: Ricardo the the Fore Most (4 Most)
March: the Sundowners and the O’Royals (the Fabulous Royals)
March 26: Roger Freeman with the Spoiled Brats
April 1: the Night Watch
April: the Liverpool Set
May: the Knickerbockers

1968:

February: the Shades of Brass, the Legends of Sound

Eva’s Towpath II, formerly Excelsior House, Imperials, The Troy Record, 1969, Nov 16

In September, 1969, the Excelsior House was taken over by Eva Varaday and renamed Eva’s Towpath II, but it only continued for a few months before it was shut down by the Rensselaer County Health Department for the same reason the previous owner lost his liquor license: the Excelsior House, like most of the other residences on the lake, had been sending raw sewage into Snyder’s Lake, which was only 1/8 of a square mile (approximately) in area! It did reopen in the mid-’70s for a short time as a meeting place, but I read there was a major fire in 2009.

If anyone has old photos of the Excelsior House, or a news clipping on the 2009 fire, please contact me!

Categories: England

The Orlons’ British tours in 1966 and 1967

April 12, 2026 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

By the time Philadelphia soul group The Orlons toured Britain in July 1966 they comprised lead singer Rosetta Hightower alongside singers Sandy Person and Audrey Brickley.

For some of this tour, The Orlons were backed by Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (aka Reg Dwight) on keyboards.

At this time Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Neil Hubbard (lead guitar); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Freddy Gandy (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Paul Gale (drums).

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

1 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Dave Davani Four and The Meantimes (Melody Maker) Another band may have backed them on this gig, possibly The Dave Davani Four

2 July 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Another band may have backed them on this gig

9 July 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Bluesology and The Gates of Eden (Bucks Advertiser)

9 July 1966 – Kinky Blues Club, Manor House, north London with The Dave Davani Four (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by The Dave Davani Four

9 July 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

9 July 1966 – King Mojo all-nighter, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Norma Tanega, The VIPs and Dave Davani (Sheffield Star)

13 July 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

14 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book London Live)

14-15 July 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Another band may have provided support on this gig as Bluesology were billed to back Solomon Burke in Nottingham on 15 July

When The Orlons returned for a second British tour in late 1966 they were not backed by Bluesology. It’s not clear who did the honours but it’s possible it could have been The Gates of Eden who were one of the bands on promoter Roy Tempest’s books.

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

8 December 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Pride (Melody Maker)

9 December 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

10 December 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Bobby Hebb plus two supporting groups (Nottingham Evening Post)

10 December 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The Gates of Eden and The Ebonites (Lincolnshire Standard)

15 December 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

For the Orlons’ third British tour, it’s not clear who the backing band was.

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

27 October 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with The Paper Blitz Tissue (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

28 October 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Rick ‘n’ Beckers and Granny’s Intentions (Melody Maker)

After this tour, singer Rosetta Hightower returned to Britain in 1968. She subsequently married British keyboard player Ian Green and recorded extensively in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.

We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below

Categories: England

The Fabulous Marvelettes’ December 1967 British tour

April 3, 2026 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

In August 1967, British promoter Roy Tempest had brought New York vocal quartet The Velours over to England for a tour and billed them as The Fabulous Temptations, which caused a great deal of confusion (and anger) as club owners mistakenly thought they were getting Motown superstars The Temptations.

Later that year, Tempest tried a similar ploy by promoting New York-based soul trio The Flirtations as Motown act, The Marvelettes, billing them as The Fabulous Marvelettes.

Originally formed as The Gypsies with three sisters – Betty, Ernestine and Shirley Pearce plus their friend Viola Billups, The Flirtations were reduced to a trio (minus Betty) by the time Tempest brought them to England.

For this first tour, they were backed by Dagenham, east London outfit, The Trend. The band’s guitarist Norman Cummins kept a diary and the following gigs are from the tour that The Trend provided backing for The Marvelettes. Where newspapers are listed confirming dates, I’ve only listed the papers, even though the dates are all listed in Cummins’ diary.

At the time, The Trend comprised Norman Cummins (lead guitar/vocals); Pete Cole (bass/vocals); Bob Mather (sax); Cliff Reuter (keyboards); and Frankie Morgan (drums).

Tour dates:

8 December 1967 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Start of tour with The Trend backing

9 December 1967 – New Century Hall, Manchester with Gerards Own (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

9 December 1967 – Paradise Club, Wigan, Lancashire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

10 December 1967 – Georgian Club, Salford, Greater Manchester with The Trend (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

10 December 1967 – Vaudeville Club, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

11 December 1967 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

12 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

14 December 1967 – Falmer House, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

15 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

15 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

16 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester with The Factotums (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

16 December 1967 – Cavern Club, Liverpool (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

17 December 1967 – USAF base, Alconbury, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

18 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

19 December 1967 – Flintshire Tech College (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

21 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

22 December 1967 – Corn Exchange, Hertford, Hertfordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

23 December 1967 – Ritz Ballroom, King’s Heath, West Midlands (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

23 December 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

25 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

26 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

26 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

When the trio returned from the States for a second tour in spring 1968, they reverted to their former name, The Flirtations, and based themselves in England where they recorded.

Thanks to Pete Cole and Norman Cummings for the tour information (see original documents below).

Categories: England

Grand Union

March 28, 2026 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

Rick Thorpe – lead guitar/vocals

Tom Maudlin – Bass/vocals

Dick Winters – Hammond organ/vocals

Paul Thorpe – Drums/lead vocals

This British band was formed around 1966/1967 and toured extensively before being chosen as the backing group for US soul artist Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon in late 1968 for their debut British tour.

Thanks to bass player Tom Maudlin for providing some more information about the group, the photo of the band and the posters below.

Before they changed named to Bandwagon, the group released a lone 45 on Tattoo Records as Enough’s Enough. This coupled “Look Around You Baby” with “Please Remember“. The picture of a group that often accompanies this video, however, is The Bulldogs, the band featuring the Thorpe brothers prior to Enough’s Enough.

Before joining forces with The Bandwagon, they opened for Manfred Mann, Robert Plant & Band of Joy and Pink Floyd among many others.

1968 gig with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy

Significantly, they also signed to CBS in 1968 and recorded a lone 45 “Slowly but Surely”.

Dick Winters and Tom Maudlin left around August 1969. Former Magic Roundabout bass player/singer Roger Flavell and keyboard player Les Lambert replaced them.

The Thorpe brothers later played in the bands Moonstone and Life together. Maudlin moved to Ontario in 1969 and currently lives in Brampton near Toronto.

We’d welcome any further information below in the comments about this group

Categories: England

Major Lance’s British tour December 1965

March 26, 2026 Nick Warburton 1 Comment

For Major Lance’s first British tour, promoter Roy Tempest arranged for northwest London group Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (known as Reg Dwight at the time), to back the singer.

It’s not clear whether Bluesology backed Major Lance on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this in the comments section below.

At the time, Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Rex Bishop (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Mick Inkpen (drums)

The following tour gigs are incomplete

Tour dates:

3 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (two sessions including an all-nighter) with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker)

3 December 1965 – In Place, Baker Street, central London (Melody Maker)

4 December 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with Alex Harvey and The Mockingbirds (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 December 1965 – Oasis, Manchester with The Crestas (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

5 December 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Blues Incorporated (most likely Bluesology) (Melody Maker/Nottingham Evening Post)

6 December 1965 – Gig in Rochester, Kent (Melody Maker)

7 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Melody Maker)

8 December 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, southeast London (Melody Maker)

9 December 1965 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

10 December 1965 – Durham University, Durham (Melody Maker)

11 December 1965 – Mr McCoy’s, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

12 December 1965 – Lennoxbank House Hotel, Balloch, Scotland with The Five Interns (Clydebank Press)

12 December 1965 – Stramash TV (Melody Maker)

14 December 1965 – (possibly Birdcage Club), Harlow, Essex (Melody Maker)

15 December 1965 – TWW’s TV Discs A Gogo (Melody Maker)

16 December 1965 – Cromwellian, south Kensington, west London with Bluesology (Melody Maker) This was originally planned for 15 December.

16 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Price Set (London Live book: Tony Bacon)

17 December 1965 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester and then Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with Bluesology Incorporated, The Manchester Playboys and Jonathan Goon Tweed (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

17 December 1965 – Stockport, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker) Unless this is above gig

18 December 1965 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (afternoon) (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)

20 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Melody Maker)

We’d welcome any comments from readers below

Garage Hangover

The Vibrations’ British 1960s tours

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells’ British tours of the 1960s

The Beefeaters “Don’t Hurt Me”

From the Flying Squirrels to the Beefeaters

Fontella Bass’s British tour January 1966

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House on Snyder’s Lake, NY, October 1966

The Excelsior House on Snyder’s Lake near Troy: the Knickerbockers, Sundowners and other bands

The Orlons’ British tours in 1966 and 1967

The Fabulous Marvelettes’ December 1967 British tour

Grand Union

Major Lance’s British tour December 1965

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