Opened on 2 June 1964, the Attic Club in Hounslow was an important music venue in west London.
Located at 1a High Street, the club subsequently became the Zambesi Club and then the Ricky Tick.
All of the gigs below are from the Kingston & Malden Borough News (unless otherwise noted). There are some omissions and some acts that were advertised may have been changed at the last minute.
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any missing dates, correct any entries and provide any memories of the club in the comments below.
2 June – The Swinging Blue Jeans (this was the opening night)
3 June – The Vandells Blues
4 June – The Tempests
5 June – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (Middlesex Chronicle initially has The Skyways in support and then a week later it advertises Frankie Roy & The Soundcasters)
6 June – The Sheffields
7 June – The Smokey Beats
9 June – Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated and The Vandells Blues (Middlesex Chronicle)
10 June – Eddie King & The Chequers (Middlesex Chronicle)
11 June – The Copains (Middlesex Chronicle)
12 June – The Dennisons and The Stereos
13 June – Alex Harvey Soul Band and Miston Tuac
14 June – The Beatvendors
16 June – The Pretty Things and Them (not Van Morrison’s band but a local group that became Themselves)
17 June – The Mods and Gene & The Cossacks (Record Mirror)
18 June – The Nitebeats
19 June – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders and The Tempests
20 June – The Cheynes, The Kingbees and The Roosters (this is most likely the version led by brothers Pete and Ron Jeffries and not Ben Palmer’s Roosters who had featured Eric Clapton and Tom McGuinness between January and August 1963).
21 June – The Arrows
23 June – The Fairies and Miston Tuac
24 June – The Beatvendors and The Sinphires
25 June – The Yardbirds and The Snowballs
26 June – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Gene & The Cossacks (possibly replaced by The Travellers)
27 June – The Vandells Blues, The Habbits and The Clique
Record Mirror has The King Bees rather than The Clique
28 June – The Stereos
29 June – Rory Blackwell & The Monsters, The Senators and Group Four (Record Mirror notes that the club is now open on Mondays)
30 June – Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men and Them (aka Themselves)
1 July – Diane & The Londoners, Ray Del & The (Rocking) Deacons and The Spirits
2 July – The Sideliners
3 July – The Merseybeats and The Arrows (replaced by The Kossacks and The Bow Seekers)
4 July – Blues by Six and Miston Tuac
5 July – Gene & The Cossacks
6 July – Rory Blackwell & The Monsters and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Ian Gillan didn’t join until November 1964)
7 July – Charlie & Inez Foxx, The Spencer Davis Group and Group ’65’ (Them aka Themselves)
8 July – The Snowballs and The Beat Syndicate
9 July – Roy & The Vampires
10 July – Erky Grant & The Tonnettes, The Tempests and The Second Thoughts
11 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Copains
12 July – The Beatvenders (aka The Beatvendors)
13 July – Rory Blackwell & His Monsters, The Tridents (Jeff Beck didn’t join until early September 1964) and The Springbeats
14 July – Alex Harvey Soul Band and Miston Tuac
15 July – Eddie King & The Chequers
16 July – The Klook
17 July – The Chants, The Harlems and Just Memphis
18 July – The Sheffields and Them (aka Themselves)
19 July – Wayne Dean & The Telestars
20 July – Rory Blackwell & His Monsters
21 July – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Long John Baldry and Blues x 6 (Blues by Six?)
22 July – The Mojos and The Soundcasters
Middlesex Chronicle has The Fanatics instead of The Soundcasters
23 July – The Ravers
24 July – The Animals and Steve Marriott’s Moments
25 July – Alexis Korner Blues Incorporated and Miston Tuac
26 July – Special All Star Show with PJ Proby with The Diamonds with Rory Blackwell & His Monsters, Frankie Roy & The Soundcasters, The Sonics, The Roosters and The Condors
27 July – Rory Blackwell & The Monsters with supporting groups
28 July – The Cheynes
29 July – The Skyways
30 July – The Seytons
31 July – Mal Ryder & The Spirits with Steve Marriott’s Moments
1 August – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Ray Clevelands
2 August – The Clique
4 August – Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated and Miston Tuac
5 August – Gene & The Cossacks and The Phantom Raiders
6 August – The Cardinals
7 August – Dave Curtiss & His Tremors and The Fanatics
8 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Clique
9 August – Steve Marriot’s Moments
10 August – group plays according to Middlesex Chronicle but the name isn’t listed
11 August – Steve Marriot’s Moments
12 August – Eddie King & The Chequers
13 August – The CC Riders
14 August – The Stormsville Shakers and The Ray Clevelands
15 August – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames with Them (aka Themselves)
16 August – The Cops & Robbers
18 August – Steve Marriot’s Moments
19 August – The Pitmen
21 August – Manfred Mann and Gene & The Cossacks
22 August – The Graham Bond Organisation with supporting groups
23 August – Jerry James & The Bandits (Middlesex Chronicle)
25 August – Them (aka Themselves) (Middlesex Chronicle)
26 August – The Hysters (Middlesex Chronicle)
28 August – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets and The Sways
Record Mirror has Jerry James & The Bandits rather than The Sways while the Middlesex Chronicle has Brian & The Knights
29 August – Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men and The RBQ
30 August – The Ray Clevelands
1 September – Steve Marriott’s Moments
2 September – Tony Knight & The Livewires
4 September – The Beatmen and The Fanatics (the latter may have been replaced by The Soundcasters)
5 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Them (aka Themselves) Beat Monthly lists The Downliners Sect on this date
6 September – Brian & The Knights
8 September – Them (aka Themselves)
9 September – The De Kuyper Sect
11 September – The Classmates and Gene & The Cossacks
12 September – The Spencer Davis Group and The Pitmen
13 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Middlesex Chronicle)
15 September – Steve Marriott’s Moments
16 September – The Eiffels (Middlesex Chronicle)
18 September – Annette & The keymen and The Cheetahs (Record Mirror)
19 September – The Soul Agents (Rod Stewart didn’t join until December 1964)
Record Mirror has Jerry James & The Bandits as The Soul Agents’ support band
20 September – Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s diary)
Record Mirror has Les Fauves on this date (they probably remained as support band)
21 September – missing entry
22 September – missing entry
23 September – missing entry
24 September – missing entry
25 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen and Ken Gordon & The Downsiders
26 September – The Downliners Sect and The Clique
27 September – The Swinging Grades
Record Mirror and the Middlesex Chronicle have The Cobwebs rather than The Swinging Grades
29 September – The Sonics
Record Mirror has DJ Rona Lee Jay on 29 September
Missing many entries for October
2 October – Keith Powell & The Valets and The Soundcasters (Record Mirror)
3 October – The Ray Clevelands and The Certs (Record Mirror)
4 October – The Blues Profits (Record Mirror)
6 October – DJ Rona Lee Jay and The Rumbles Blues Band (Record Mirror)
9 October – Annette & The Keymen and Jeff Elroy & The Boys Blue (Record Mirror)
10 October – The Soul Agents with supporting group
11 October – The Kentones (Record Mirror)
13 October – DJ Rona Lee Jay (Record Mirror)
16 October – Jon Best & The Challenges and The Nesters (Record Mirror)
17 October – Just Memphis and The Rumbles Blues Band (Record Mirror)
18 October – The Kingpins (Record Mirror)
20 October – DJ Chuck Benell (Record Mirror)
31 October – Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s diary)
Top clipping and photos courtesy of Gray Newell. The rest are from the Kingston & Malden Borough News and Middlesex Chronicle.
Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.
I’m sure you know that The Attic Club at 1a High Street Hounslow later became The Zambesi in 65, before the Ricky Tick took over the venue. A lot of groups appeared at the Attic, including Downliners Sect, Georgie Fame, Stormsville Shakers, The Moments (featuring Steve Marriott, Jimmy Winston), The Others, Debae Four: although I don’t have dates perhaps the Middlesex Chronicle archive might reveal more?
The Pitmen were a local Bedfont act, one of the members, John Taylor, was a good friend of my father, I’ll try and dig out some contact details as he might have more information of groups who appeared there.
Just dug these Attic dates up after a bit of googling:
Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders 6/19/64;
The Merseybeats 7/3/64
The Spencer Davis Group, Them 7/7/64
I remember ‘THEM’. always drew a packed house. when Long John Baldrey was delayed they played for nearly three hours non stop. fantastic set!!!!! they later had to change their name to ‘THEMSELVES’ after a certain irish band of the same name had a chart success. on the Baldrey set was a certain tartan scarved Scotsman named Rod Stewart. oh so many memories!!!
Hi Clark
I was the drummer with Them and remember the night you mention.
We were lucky enough to play with Long John Baldrey a number of times. It was always an adventure especially the all nighters at Studio 51 in Little Compton Street Soho. Great Days remembered with affection.
We owed a lot to Don ODonnel’s Mother (now Don Craine). She put THEM into a number of places when The Downliners Sect toured Europe. I last played two years ago at 70.
I do believe that The Swinging Blue Jeans played at the opening night of the Attic.
I attended regularly and still treasure a flyer signed by Eric Clapton when he was playing with John Mayall .
Wonderful days .
I was attending Spring Grove Central school and lived in Heston .
Rod Stewart and Baldry had a drink with us in the Coach and Horses prior to going on stage with Steampacket .
A few of us were regular visitors to all of the local clubs including Crawdaddy , Eeel Pie Island , Ricky Tick , Windsor , Marquee , Flamingo , Blue Moon , Hayes , Goldhawk Road , 100 club etc etc.
We were very lucky to be a part of this generation. Never asked to fight in a war , NHS , work readily available , great music and the contraception pill .
I’m 67 now and am retired in south east Asia but remember those times with fondness .
Hi Chris,
I also lived in Heston, am 67 and went to Spring Grove Central School and then to Twickenham Tech. I played in a local band called Themselves and then with Jo Jo Gunne.
I since worked in the States and Norway and am now retired in Gloucester. I agree with your comments and remember those times with affection.
I went to Southall Grammar Tech. then to Twickenham Tech. my band started off as the Buccaneers then a name change to the Conchords playing every Sunday night at the White Hart in Southall for two years, during which time we changed our name to The Tramps and also played alternate Friday and Saturday nights at The Station Hotel Richmond.
We supported the Yardbirds at the Attic Club, I lent a guitar pick to Eric Clapton!
I bought your Ford Capri red with the black stripe used to get flashed quite a bit probably thinking it was you.
Hi Mac,
I went to an Eel Pie exhibition two years ago and supplied an author with information about our Band Themselves. It can be found on the web under Eel Pie memories. I last played two years ago in a Blues Band with some excellent musicians. I still work at 72, am really well and have been lucky enough to travel the World in my job. I did ask in my Eel Pie message if you, Keith, Tony and Brian were still on the Planet. Good to know you are !! Keep Well.
Hi John,
Sorry for delay in answering only just picked up your message. Glad to hear you are well. I still play lots of blues and stuff mainly with some of my old band mates and occasionally in the US where I have worked for many years.
kind regards
I remember jo jo gunne. Did you play with Alan Townsend?
Hi John,
Hi Patrick,
Yes I played in Jo Jo Gunne with Alan Townsend who has unfortunately passed away as have several other members of the band. Great guy and musician. I recently had a 70th birthday jam with Pete Penycate the lead singer who I had not seen for 40 yrs.
hi Just been reading all about the Attic cub in Hounslow with fond memories. I went to De brome Secondary school in the 60’s and went to Feltham R&B club as well, as the Attic. Them (Themselves) were our favourite local band as well as Jo Jo Gunne and we followed them around the area. Geno Washington always attracted a full house. I had a Saturday job in Tescos which was below the Attic so always knew who was on. Alan Townends name was mentioned. Not sure if its the same person but I was a trombone player alongside an Alan Townsend in the De Brome school band (he was 1st trombonist). Did he have a music shop in Ashford? Great to read and remember those times.
Hi Mac its Doug Goodison was with you at Cheltenham Judo ??? back in London many years now douglasgoodison@rocketmail.com.
02088470260
I was there for the opening night with the Swinging Blue Jeans.
I also went to Spring Grove Central and our haunts included Osterley Jazz Club, Eel Pie, Marquee, Crawdaddy ,100 Club. We had a band called The John Dee Combo and played Q boathouse regulary on Friday nights my parents were going mad as we were doing A levels.. Think I am a bit older than you at 73 this year. what brilliant days and nights!! back then. John Plumer.
I believe Pete Penycate sang for a local group called The Addicts before Jo Jo Gunn, I was talking to an ex member recently.
Just saw your comment on garagehangover.com. I, too, went to Spring Grove Central School and lived in Heston. But I’m older than you – just turned 78 – agree wholeheartedly with your comment: “We were very lucky to be a part of this generation. Never asked to fight in a war , NHS , work readily available , great music and the contraception pill .” Yes, we were fortunate, and those of us born just before the WWII, and who were lucky enough to survive it, have had a large slice of the welfare state pie. I now live in Vancouver, Canada, but visit England every year – my brother now lives in Chiswick. I’ve often wondered about trying to track down some old school friends from Spring Grove Central – which I believe no longer exists as a secondary school. Do you know of any contact organization for the school?
Hello “K”
I went to Spring Grove Central in 1949 to 1953/4. I was in Gresham house. I remember Mrs.Bell was the firm teacher.I lived in Heathrow airport area until last year (2017) when I moved to a little village called Stewkley in Buckinghamshire. I would love to know if there is many of us about. Names I remember are Janet Gamble, Joy Harbour, Ann Doncaster, Rita Spindler. Mac MacDonald.
Yes -your comments are so very true: “We were very lucky to be a part of this generation. Never asked to fight in a war , NHS , work readily available , great music and the contraception pill .” I, too, went to Spring Grove Central School and lived in Heston – but I’m older than you – 78 now. Is there a “look-up” web-site for the school? I’d like to try to reconnect with some of the people I went to school with (those who are still alive!) I now live in Vancouver, Canada, but visit England every year.
Hello,
I use to go to Spring Grove Cental school in 1949 to 1953/54. I was Gresham house and we had Miss Bell has our form teacher. I can remember Janet Gamble, Joy Harbour, Ann Doncaster. I lived near Heathrow Airport until 2017 til I moved to Buckinghamshire, I would be pleased to hear from you.
Hazel
Hello, I think I remembered you from Spring Grove Central school. I would love to hear from you,. I use to be friends with Joy Harbour (she use to live at Trebles in Hounslow. ). I lived in the Hounslow area until a year ago, I am living in Buckinghamshire now.
Hazel (Stopps)
Now 72 and still enjoying the music from the golden age.
Rock n roll never forgets.
Same as elephants .
Whatever happened to Doug French and his band of ravers
Attic fanatics through and through .
I stood in with a band one Sunday night at the Pit Club in New Road, Bedfont, Sandy Gravel and the Pitmen were on, the band that I was with, not my band, was Little Bern and the Bluesbeaters.
I used to go to the attic club hounslow, but my husband knew you when he worked at printec in wraysbary He remembers you very well from those days
Don’t remember a John Taylor, Rick and Terry Parsons, John Hard, Chalky White and Tube (Brian) can’t remember his surname., were the Pitmen as I remember them (Rick and Terry are my older brothers, I was pretty young at the time
I remember Robin Parson’s and his brothers, and the pitmen, with John Hard got my first guitar from him £5, I have pictures of john my sister Janet, the Weaver’s and the Christ’s with us on a stage in John’s back garden, lovely days when we were young, all in Beech Road Bedfont, I’m 65 now and miss my youth, Bob B
Oh and the Hope sisters, Forgot them top of the charts and from top of the road!! Brilliant remember Dave Goodman RIP and Caruso Fuller I think he is in LAX Great Days my sister went to Hounslow favourite was Georgie Fame! & Hazel Denslow on the Birds Eye Pea Advert lived near went to Battersea funfair with Her! lovely Girl I didn’t like it on the Big wheel She laughed brave girl! I do now!, I Had great mates And good parents, Just really nice in those days Bob
Went to the Pit club was in New Road Bedfont!!
I saw Georgie fame there and James brown I still have my membership card. Great days and really exciting venue such a small venue but great
I remember watching Georgie Flame play at the Attic Club. We had. Long conversation with him during the interval when he was most vocal on how all modern music (rock, jazz and R&B) was really all based on the Blues. His kind advice was to learn how to play the Blues and just keep perservering. He said he could only play in one key a year before and he could still only play in three then. This was about 1963. He had just had his hit record (Gotta Go) and was a really nice bloke.
A few months later a semi-pro/amateur band in which I played lead guitar had the opportunity to play an evening at the Attic Club. I seem to recall that unknown bands could play for free every Wednesday night just to get some publicity. I seem to recall we were called The Sheritons with a singer named Tony Jordan but it was many, many moons ago.
What ever happened to Dave Arnold of Ashford Grammer and bass player of the Pitmen. Hi nick name was Voom Voom for his ability to slide the keyboard as he played?
Hello. Your memory is a bit off. My name is Rick Parsons the original bass player of the Pittman now living in Chicago IL
The original Pittman members included
Terry Parsons, vocals. John Hard, lead guitar. Chalky White, drums. Brian Taylor, rythem guitar
Rick Parsons went on to play with Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band. Left and moved to Minneapolis MN in 1985 and moved to Chicago in 1995. I am 67, retired and watching my son Tyler pick up where I left off
Parsonsrichard59@gmail.com
Hi Rick
Would you be interested in talking about your time with Geno?
Hi Ricky. (Oh one of tartan trousers).
Vis – a – vis the garagehangover/ the attic website there seems to be some confusion with some of the contributors with John Taylor & John Hard but can advise that they are one of the same as John uses Taylor when gigging.
Brother Robin had me down as a Pitmen member which is correct through the Pit Club and Whitehall Ballroom era as I was a singer along with Terry and I played the Vox Continental. Happy days
Hope you are good.
Tube ( aka Brian Ratcliffe)
I believe the Dave Arnold you are referring to played with a later band with several of the original members of The Putmen
Does anyone know anything more about “Rey Anton and the peppermint men, as a kid I did a milk round with a guy called Malcolm who was their drummer, they played at the attic club
The drummer you enquire about is Malcolm “Doc” Randall. He lived in Woking and was the drummer in the ALL NIGHT WORKERS after me and now we have re-formed and are gigging again. see the website. Unfortunately poor old Doc had ill health and passed away recently. We all attended his funeral at Woking. He was a great drummer. We both went to the same teacher Max Abrams!
Thanks to Garage Hangover I found my old bass player Brian Hosking and we all got together and re-formed the band after 45 years or so. It’s all thanks to this website.
All the best
HI John,
Thank you so much for your reply, and so sorry to hear of Malcolm’s demise,
Ciao.
Very late to this thread. I was a 13-14 year old who went to Malcolm’s every week for lesson. I hero-worshipped him. First few lessons were spent using Bread’s Guitar Man as our base.
I had the pleasure of singing with Malcolm in the Dae b four and the All night workers and stayed friends with him until his death 2 years ago, a lovely guy remembered fondly
Hello Iain,
just seen your message posted recenlty, yes Malcolm was a good guy, I helped him on the milk round for a couple of years when I was 9 years old until 11. I was an awkward kid and must have have been a bit of a pain in his side in someways, but he treated me good and helped me grow up. did not see him again after I quit the round and I am 63 now, but never forgot him.
Ciao.
Giuseppe
In the early sixties I was Lead Singer & blues harp player for a band called the Copains. Tony (Matt) Matthews Vocals & Harmonica,Tim Hinkley – Keyboards, Brian ? – Lead guitar, Herc? (nickname) Rhythm guitar, Dave ? Bass & Viv Brougton (ex Pretty Things) Drums. We played at the Attic Club as support band for John Mayle and the Blues Breakers on what I believed to be the opening night. I will never forget that night, for having completed our gig John Mayle invited us all back on stage and we jammed for about an hour playing both his and our setlists. Can anyone confirm this?
1 was one of the 1st to become a member of the attic. I remember that night as if it was yesterday. you are right about jamming with mayall. an incredible night. couldn’t be repeated now especially in such a small venue
Yes confirmed but I do not think it was the opening night of the Attic, I am Alan Woolley and managed the Copains at that time, we played a number of great venues played supporting also the Who at the Marquee on their Tuesday night gigs. Also Matt you sang with Matt & the Generators (ex Showtimes HMV records( and we all toured the West Country in either 63 or 4, playing at Tiverton where i now live in retirement.
Copains lead was Brian Balcombe, Rhythm Hurk Crees (used house for rehearsals) Dave ? , a session musician joined us on Bass for a while and was great. Good days.
Hi,
I remember a number of times seeing Gino Washington & the Ram Jam Band play at the Attic.
They were all wearing the vividly coloured satin shirts and large collars!
You couldn’t beat them for energy and crowd participation.
I used to live in Ealing and travel by tube on the piccadilly line from Northfields station.
It was also opposite Hounslow bus terminal.
the attic. a mecca for pure r n b. am I right in thinking it was drink free. I know everyone who attended was only there for the music. sunday afternoon was great . 2 or 3 hours of records and free entry. those were the days
Yes, The Attic Club later called Zambesi was alcohol free. You had to go to Tankerville pub few minutes walk away towards high street. I think when called Zambesi Club before becoming Ricky Tic there was DJ Sunday nights called Tony Long. Not sure if he played on intervals or whole Sunday night.
My dad John Hibberd was the bass player with Gene and the Cossacks. We just had a surprise reunion/gig with the band for my dads 70th! It was fantastic! They have still got it!
Robyn hibberd.
Not sure if my memory serves, but I swear I saw Three Dog Night at the Zambesi in the 60’s. Great Club and so easy to get home as the Bus Station was right across the street!
I was vocalist with Dae b four during this period, we had many happy times at this venue, I later fronted the All night workers with Doc Randal on drums I remained friends with Doc until his sad demise in 2014, we both ended up living in Woking
I remember going to the Attic and seeing Manfred Mann and Long John Baldry on the same night.
The pretty things +them played there on June the 13th 1964
The Pretty Things + Them played there on June the 13th 1964 would loved to have been there for that one
I meant saturday 16th my mistake
There are three gigs I remember. Firstly Bo Diddley, when I got, and still have, his autograph. Secondly Long John Baldy the top of whose head you couldn’t see because of the beam at the front of the stage. Thirdly, and most memorably, Jimi Hendrix because of the plaster dust that fell from the low ceiling when the headstock of his guitar hit and it and for the fact that he was playing many of the same songs as I was with a local amateur band – but so much better!
I was at that gig and remember it was so crowded and hot that some people fainted but stayed upright because there was no room to fall down. I also remember jimi hitting the ceiling with his guitar.
I was there that night, standing at the front and watching Jimi play with his guitar above his head through the hole in the ceiling,but don’t recall it being packed. I was surprised there were so few there!
I was at the attic that night , Jimi Hendrix played , i was right at the front . Hè hit the ceiling with his guitar , so hè could slide his fingers down the strings , the plaster started to come away , the more it came down the more hè did it . It ended up all over his hair and jacket . In the end there was a hole in the ceiling , hè love it ! A great night . Like you i went to watch many bands , and many clubs , what great days they were
Is it an urban myth or did Jimi Hendrix pop into the Duke of Cambridge for a couple of beers on his way to The Attic?
Yes, Bo Diddley played the Attic (1964 or 1965) as a 3-piece (included his sister the Duchess on Maraccas and Jerome the bass-player). There were less than 10 people in the audience at the Attic the time I saw Bo.
Hello Brian
I have just been reading through these wonderful comments and love music. I still live in Heston today although I am in my 50s. What year was this show with Jimi Hendrix. I’m a big fan, also did Pink Floyd and Yes ever play here. Again big fan of this stunning Rock Banbs and saw them in the 80s onwards.
All the best
David.
I saw a band there called “The Sheffields”. Can anyone remember them and the date they appeared at the attic?
Not sure but I reckon Kenny Slade was their drummer as he was from Sheffield and ended up with the Dae-b-Four who played there and also Bobby Hebb before then working with Joe Cocker
I’ve got many fond memories of the Attic Club. My Dad Bill was the founding owner, creator or whatever label you want to put on it. He came up with the term are you an Attic Fanactic ! I can remember so many great nights and days of preparation. I was only 8 or 9 but certain memories stay with you forever. The music back then was fantastic, the bands were raw and hungry. You had to be special to survive the circuit.
I used to go to SG grammar school with your sister Linda. We went to Attic club one night – we can only have been 13/14
Ah yes. Can remember all the posters round Hounslow” THE ATTIC IS COMING”and everone had no idea what it was for. As a 16 year old girl was the best thing ever, had some great times and saw some great bands
Hi John , remember your Dad , I played at the Attic quite a few times supported The Pretty Things , Zoot Money , we were managed by Phil Jay who worked with your dad , we were the Callers , our bass player was Steve Priest ( Sweet) great memories
Hi Eddie
There is an entry on your band at this sites.
Was it Malcolm & the callers
What a great club that was, seeing all the great bands before they hit the big time. I remember seeing the Walker Brothers and I’m sure Pink Floyd played as well, could of been the Zambezi by then. Good to read all the memories from back then what a great era to have grown up in 😄
THEM was a local Band with four lads from Hanworth, John Bevins, Tony Rees, Keith Parnell ans Brian ? Mac Macdonald joined the band and lived in Isleworth.
For some time THEM was the House Band at The Attic and supported just about all the main bands at that time.
The Band later became THE VIRGIN SLEEP after Them came over from Ireland and had a No.1 hit with Here comes the Night.
Nice one John. Great times. Hope you are well, Mac
Hi John, I have a photo of us when we were in a band with John Reid and Roy Ducar, did the band have a name ? Can you remember when our next band THEM/THEMSELVES supported various bands including the STONES at Eel Pie Island. After the VIRGIN SLEEP I made several records under different names, one of which was VIVA EL FULHAM (Tony Rees and the Cottagers) for the Fulham-West Ham cup final. I am still singing, I hope you are still playing.
Lots of pubs and clubs around the Hounslow area played good music, the master Robert was on the fullers circuit.adem and Eve, red cow and more a good place to be in the day also Southall comutaty center was very good would just like to say a big ty for the music and for the friends I made and some I still talk to LOL
Hi I have just read Phil Collins book..Not Dead Yet..made mention of the Attic..mind f….k as I attended Hounslow Town Primary school 1963-65.he lived in Hanworth rd!.the Attic backed onto the school playground so heard many an up and coming band of that erra rehearsing..sadly I was only 10 when I left to emigrate with my family to Durban South Africa…great reading everyone’s comments…excellent.
Hi I was one of the first members my club card was No. 0005. It was a great venue with all the top up and coming bands plus established bands playing there. I lived in Hounslow so was lucky to be near all the great clubs around London. I was MOD and we use to have all our scooters outside. It was a great time to be a teenager, the BEST.
I played with a band “The Soundcasters” managed by Bill Channel in 1964. We were scheduled to play with PJ Proby. However, he locked himself in the toilet and refused to go on. So we had to play the whole evening. It was the closest I have ever been to a riot.
Hello Jim. It has been a long time and yes, I remember that night well!
How are you, where are you and are there any more of us left?
I have no idea why I did a search for The Attic, I think a friend was talking about PJ Proby and I mentioned that night.
Anyway, good times to remember.
Kind regards to you
David Balfe
I was there the night P J Proby refused to go on unless my dad Bill would pay him more money, all hell was breaking behind the scenes and i can remember him locking himself in the office for about ten minutes until they somehow talked him out and then he had to push himself through a very angry crowd ! What a night !
Hi Jim, I remember that night when PJ Proby was supposed to appear at the Attic but refused to come on. The guys in the audience were furious and from what I remember, turned his Austin Princess over outside the club to express their feelings.
The Attic was a great club for teenagers in those days and Hounslow itself was also a great place in attracting up and coming bands. At weekends there used to be live performances in the town hall and the swimming baths in Treaty Road. The swimming pool was boarded over so we could dance and enjoy the music at the same time. I remember seeing the Hollies at this venue. Great days indeed.
Was there!!; from memory you did a good job. Didn’t he try to get more money than they agreed to pay him? Often wondered if they payed your band his fee LOL doubt it though you would have earnt it. Bit of a hairy night.
Now 70 years old and retired in the Far East.
The weather is good , the gals are pretty and the beer is cheap.
The Attic , Hounslow was a fun place to be when I was 16.
We were very lucky to have been around at that time.
I remember Mac MacDonald, he lived in Isleworth near West Middlesex Hospital.
Does anybody remember Moby dick playing the attic I wasn’t there as I am in Australia thank U everyone xoxo what a time
I frequented the Attic on many occasions. Having seen The Downliners Sect several times at Eel Pie Island and the Attic, I decided to buy myself a deerstalker hat like the one worn by Don Craine. The first time I wore it at The Attic, it was taken from my head and passed around the crowd and I never saw it again! I do remember The Sheffields playing who, apart from being good musicians were also very funny and entertaining. I remember Rod Stewart being allowed a couple of numbers on stage with one of the bands.
Life’s odd. You reach 70, do a little nostalgic research, find this site and discover that not only were you at school with Ray Dorset, but your sister was in the same year as him. I used to run pubs and had past members of Mungo Jerry playing frequently.
And to cap it all, I now live about 10 minutes away from Ray.
I lived in Hounslow from ’50 to ’66 ,went to Twick tech ’57-’60.Went to Eel pie,The boathouse,Southall Community centre,Blue moon,Bothwell beat club etc. around ’62-’63 but until now I have no recollection of The Attic club and am most surprised and disappointed that I missed out.😢
Amazing Info ….. I was writing a piece this afternoon about meeting up with some pals at the 100 Club on Thursday 27th Jan 2022 to see Geno Washington and Zoot Money …. as things go, I found myself looking up this and that about those adorable times and when I came to the ” Hounslow Attic ” I just HAD to read up everything online … about such wonderful times !
I shan’t write about every artist I saw, or i’d bore you to death ! BUT, just for the record, 4 of us were at the Attic for that famous gig with Jimi Hendrix. I can assure you that Jimi arrived totally drugged up … he did indeed punch that hole in the “roof”, but his act was the most boring we had ever seen … he went on, and on, and on – presumably showing off his skills – but there was nothing tuneful whatsoever !
In an earlier post ( see above this ) one guy was saying that the club was packed and another stated that the gig was almost empty … All I can say is that it was indeed rammed for Jimi at the beginning, but it certainly thinned out halfway through his act !!
Best wishes to all fans and artists here, who are giving us all a great time in remembrance !!!
I am 74, but feel a teenager thanks to you all above !
You are more than welcome. The club did go through quite a few iterations. It was the Zambesi at one point and when Hendrix played it would have been The Ricky Tick
I used to go when it was the Ricky Tick. As well as all the amazing groups – disco night played the best ska ever. It was amazing times.
Hi, I’m Monica Phillips (nee Dennis) from Feltham and I am 75 yrs old and still married to Alan Phillips. I have recently been telling the grandkids about the different clubs we went to and how they were all pretty much alcohol free as it was all about the music – and what a great time it was then. We used to go to The Attic in Hounslow, Pit Club Bedfont, The Rock Club in Feltham (was behind the cinema The Playhouse) and Southall Community Centre. Does anyone remember seeing Screaming Lord Sutch who came onto the stage in a coffin singing a cheerful little song called Jack the Ripper. Just before I met my husband in 1963 I went to see the Rolling Stones gig at the Railway Hotel, Richmond and also went to the Marquee to see Long John Baldry with Cyril Davis and the R&B All Stars. Only 15 at the time and got into big trouble both times but it was worth it.
Alan and I were married in 1965 and had a live group play at our wedding reception but for the life of us neither can remember their name although Alan recalls the name John Hard whose name has been mentioned above, Can Anyone supply and info?