All posts by Nick Warburton

Categories: England

The Original Coasters’ November 1966 British tour

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This popular US R&B quartet were billed as The Original Coasters because they were led by tenor singer Cornelius “Cornell” Gunter who’d been an “original” member of The Coasters who had moved to New York from Los Angeles to record for Atlantic Records in the late 1950s.

Gunter had remained until 1961 before leaving to form his own version known as The Fabulous Coasters.

In November 1966, British promoter Roy Tempest brought Gunter’s version over for a nationwide tour, but it’s not clear who the other members were and so we’d be interested in hearing from anyone that can provide more information below in the comments section. Also, an article in the Nottingham Evening Post (see below) regarding two shows on 6 November suggest that another version of The Coasters was touring Europe (and possibly Britain) at the same time, which might account for some of the gigs below.

This article in the Nottingham Evening Post from 11 November 1966 on page 14 suggests that another version of The Coasters was touring in Europe at the time

For most, if not all, of the gigs listed below, Tempest used a Bognor-Regis based band that he had signed to his agency at the start of September 1966 and installed in London called The Noblemen, although by this point, they had started to work as The Motivation/Motivation.

The line-up comprised Jimmy Marsh (lead vocals); Martin Barre (lead guitar/saxophone), Mick Ketley (keyboards); Chris Rodger (saxophone/trumpet); Bryan Stevens (bass); and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums).

When they linked up with The Original Coasters, The Noblemen/Motivation had just finished working with Alvin Robinson. Rodger also recalls that they supported Ben E King on a few shows while working with The Original Coasters, including at the Twisted Wheel in Manchester (either on 8 or 12 November) and possibly the Thames Hotel in Windsor on 15 November.

Shortly after a riot at the Domino Club in Manchester on 20 November, The Motivation stopped working with Tempest and subsequently changed name to The Penny Peeps, recording two singles for Liberty Records in 1968. Barre went on to join Jethro Tull.

The Coasters returned for another British tour in May 1968 but it’s not clear what version this was.

These gigs are incomplete

Tour dates:

5 November 1966 – Rawmarsh Baths Hall, Rawmarsh, South Yorkshire with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes and The Dawley Crews Amblers (Sheffield Star) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation considering King Mojo all-nighter later this same evening

5 November 1966 – King Mojo all-nighter, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Noblemen and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Sheffield Star) Backed by The Noblemen (aka Motivation)

6 November 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation

6 November 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (Nottingham Evening Post) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation. This show was reviewed in the Nottingham Evening Post’s 11 November issue on page 14 (see above)

6 November 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation but is this possible as  the 7.30pm-11.30pm time clashes with Nottingham gigs above unless this was another version of The Coasters

9 November 1966 – Mecca Ballroom, Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants with The Noblemen (Southern Evening Echo) Backed by The Noblemen (aka Motivation)

11 November 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London with The Mode (Melody Maker) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation

12 November 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with Motivation and Hari Kari (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by Motivation

13 November 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation. It might be after this gig that Malcolm Tomlinson and Mick Ketley were invited by Gunter to a party where they met Jimi Hendrix. 

15 November 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) This was most likely with another backing band as Ketley doesn’t recall playing this venue or was another version of The Coasters

17 November 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Brighton Evening Argus) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation

19 November 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Most likely with The Noblemen/Motivation

19 November 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with The Noblemen, The Hideaways, The Kids, The Love Trade and The Escorts (Liverpool Echo) Backed by The Noblemen (aka Motivation)

20 November 1966 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by Motivation

20 November 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by Motivation – this is the gig where the riot took place

24 November 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) This was most likely with another backing band as Ketley doesn’t recall playing this venue or was another version of The Coasters

25 November 1966 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire with The Noblemen (Swindon Evening Advertiser) Backed by The Noblemen (aka Motivation)

26 November 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Motivation, Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Heart & Soul (Lincolnshire Standard) Backed by Motivation

26 November 1966 – Burlesque, Leicester with Motivation (Leicester Mercury) Backed by Motivation

27 November 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirlevington, North Yorkshire with The Motivation (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette) Backed by Motivation

We’d welcome any further information below in the comments section

Categories: England

Doris Troy’s British 1960s tours

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Doris Troy, 1969

Soul and R&B singer/songwriter and pianist Doris Troy is perhaps best known for her hit “Just One Look” and as a session singer after she relocated to Britain in 1969.

Doris Troy featured in Bognor Regis Observer, 30 October 1964
Bognor Regis Observer, 30 October 1964, page 2

Her popularity in Britain prompted her first tour in the summer of 1965. It isn’t clear who backed on these dates so we’d welcome any further information in the comments below.

Record Retailer, 8 April 1965

This isn’t a complete list

Tour dates:

11 June 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (two sessions including an all-nighter) (Melody Maker)

12 June 1965 – Oasis, Manchester with Alexis Korner Blues Incorporated and The Myaks (Manchester Evening News)

13 June 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Alexis Korner & His Blues Incorporated (Evening Sentinel/Staffordshire Newsletter)

17 June 1965 – Capitol Theatre, Aberdeen, Scotland with The Rolling Stones, The Checkmates, Cannon Brothers (Johnny & Mike) with The Shades and The Hollies (Aberdeen Evening Express)

18 June 1965 – Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland with The Rolling Stones, The Hollies, The Cannon Brothers and The Shades (Dundee Courier & Advertiser)

23 June 1965 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)

23 June 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)

 

23 July 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)

23 July 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Shevells (All-nighter) (Melody Maker)

Doris Troy in Melody Maker, 3 July 1965, page 4

For this second British tour, promoter Roy Tempest used northwest London group Bluesology who featured a very young Elton John known as Reg Dwight at the time to back Doris Troy. It’s not clear whether Bluesology backed her 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)

This isn’t a complete list

Tour dates:

4 February 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Wembley, northwest London (Melody Maker)

4 February 1966 – In Place, Baker Street, central London (Melody Maker)

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

5 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with Bluesology Incorporated and The Move featuring Carl Wayne (Birmingham Evening Mail)

7 February 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with Bluesology, Earl Prestons Realms and The Fix (Liverpool Echo)

9 February 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Julian Covey & The Machine (Nottingham Evening Post)

9 February 1966 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)

10 February 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/)

11 February 1966 – Cue Club all-nighter, Paddington, west London with Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)

11 February 1966 – El Partido All-nighter, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)

12 February 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with Bluesology and Manchester Playboys (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

12 February 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with Alan Bown Set and Bluesology (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

13 February 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen (Melody Maker)

18 February 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge, Harlesden, northwest London with The Caribbean Show Band (Melody Maker)

18 February 1966 – Refectory, Golders Green, north London (Melody Maker)

18 February 1966 – Flamingo all-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with John McCoys Crawdaddies (Melody Maker)

According to an article in the Neath Guardian, dated 11 February, Bluesology Incorporated backed Ben E King on a tour that ran from 18 February to 6 March. I have located some of these dates but they don’t list Bluesology. However, it’s not clear whether Bluesology backed Doris Troy on the following dates that clash with this period or whether it was another band

19 February 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hants with The Trekkers (Aldershot News)

19 February 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London with Captain Fish (Melody Maker)

20-21 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with Bluesology Incorporated and The Move featuring Carl Wayne (Birmingham Evening Mail)

22 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (London Live book by Tony Bacon)

26 February 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

Record Retailer lists her latest single “I’ll Do Anything” in its 23 October 1968 issue on page 22 (see above)

In 1969, Doris Troy relocated to London and recorded for Apple Records. She also became an in-demand session singer. While based in Britain, she played live and this is one advertised show I’ve found.

Doris Troy signs with Apple as reported in Melody Maker, 20 September 1969 on page 2

15 June 1969 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London with Billie Preston (Melody Maker)

We’d welcome any further information below

Categories: England

The Flirtations’ British 1960s tours

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Flirtations advert, Record Retailer, 29 May 1969, page 21

Originally formed as The Gypsies with three sisters – Betty, Ernestine and Shirley Pearce plus their friend Viola Billups, New York-based The Flirtations were originally brought to England by promoter Roy Tempest in December 1967 for a nationwide tour backed by Dagenham, east London outfit, The Trend.

Betty Pearce had departed before this tour commenced and the trio performed as The Fabulous Marvelettes. Despite the confusion and anger this caused, particularly from club owners who mistakenly believed they were getting the Motown superstars The Marvelettes, the tour was successful enough for the vocal trio to return to Britain in spring 1968 for a second tour, billed again as The Fabulous Marvelettes.

For this second tour, they were once again backed by The Trend, who comprised Norman Cummins (lead guitar/vocals), Pete Cole (bass/vocals), Bob Mather (sax), Cliff Reuter (keyboards) and Frankie Morgan (drums).

This isn’t a complete gig list for this tour

Tour dates:

8 March 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with The Upside Down World (Chester Chronicle)

11 March 1968 – Rawmarsh Baths, Rotherham, South Yorkshire with The Original Drifters backed by The London All-Stars (South Yorkshire and Rotherham Advertiser)

20 March 1968 – Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Original Drifters backed by The London All-Stars (Sheffield Star)

After this tour, the trio relocated to Britain and reverted to their original name, The Flirtations, recording prolifically in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

As The Trend was working with other soul artists from mid-1968 onwards, it’s not clear who the backing band was on the gigs below and we’d welcome any further information.

20 April 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham with The Staxmen and King Kat Knyte (Nottingham Evening Post)

 

11 May 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham with Clyde McPhatter, The Staxmen and Ways and Means (Nottingham Evening Post)

 

21 June 1968 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with Chicago Setback and Granny’s Intentions (Hemel Hempstead Evening Post)

 

12 July 1968 – Marvifab Mayfair, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Urge, Coloured Rain and Traine & Mystics (Sunday Sun)

The Widnes Weekly News, 19 July 1968, page 22, has a picture and a spread on the trio

Photo: Melody Maker, July 1968

27 July 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

 

15 August 1968 – Royal Pier Pavilion, Southampton, Hants (Southern Daily Echo)

22 August 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol (Bristol Evening Post)

23 August 1968 – Locarno, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

24 August 1968 – Imperial, Nelson, Lancashire with Doctor Marigold’s Prescription, The Smythe Brothers, The Index Trend and Pancake Tuesday (Lancashire Telegraph)

29 August 1968 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex (Worthing Herald)

The Derby Evening Telegraph, 31 August 1968, page 4, has a pic and spread on them

31 August 1968 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Clyde McPhatter (Luton Evening Post)

 

1 September 1968 – Giant Bank Holiday Rave All Nighter, Mojo Festival, Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Ben E King and Clyde McPhatter, The Fantastics, Tim Rose and The Time Box (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

12 September 1968 – Cedar Club, Birmingham with Soul Show & The Phoenix City Truth (Birmingham Evening Mail)

12 September 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol (Bristol Evening Post)

7 October 1968 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

13 October 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

14 October 1968 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Soul Show (backing group), The Third Stone from the Sun (Birmingham Evening Mail)

18 October 1968 – Odeon Taunton, Taunton, Somerset with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, About Face, Dr Marigold’s Prescription, Justins Timepiece, The Santianos and The Vertical Movement (Western Daily Press)

 

2 November 1968 – Wakefield Theatre Club, Wakefield, West Yorkshire with Johnnie Ray, Audrey Jeans and Jackie Farn (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

11 November 1968 – Cragburn Ballroom, Cragburn, Scotland with Marmalade and The Verge (Greenock Telegraph and Clyde Shipping Gazette)

 

27-28 December 1968 – Annabel, Sunderland (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

29 December 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

 

11 January 1969 – Music Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire with Jasson Hertz and Shady Lane (North Shropshire Journal)

 

1 February 1969 – Market Hall, Haverfordwest, west Wales with Nightime Pipeline and Night Before (Pembroke & West Wales Guardian)

8 February 1969 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation (Evening Sentinel)

 

29 March 1969 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Blue Ulysses and Sleepy Talk (Eastern Evening News)

5 April 1969 – Town House, Wellington, Shropshire with Seeburg Discotheque (North Shropshire Journal)

12 April 1969 – New Century Hall, Manchester with The Government, Pete Doyle, Rag Dolls and Peter Lee (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

The Runcorn Weekly News, 17 April 1969, page 12, has a story on the band

10 May 1969 – Music Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire with The Swing Ensemble (North Shropshire Journal)

The Grimsby Evening Telegraph 24 May 1969, page 6, has a pic and story on the trio

 

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

 

Categories: England

Alvin Robinson’s British tours of the 1960s

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New Orleans-based R&B singer and guitarist Alvin Robinson first toured Britain in spring 1966 after he was brought over by promoter Roy Tempest for a nationwide tour with fellow New Orleans stars, female vocal trio, The Dixie Cups.

It isn’t clear who the backing band was on this tour so we’d welcome further information from readers in the comments section at the end.

This isn’t a complete gig list for this tour

Tour dates:

23 April 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London with The Dixie Cups (Melody Maker)

26 April 1966 – Zambezi, Hounslow, west London with The Dixie Cups (Melody Maker)

30 April 1966 – Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with The Dixie Cups and The Night People (Brighton Evening Argus/Melody Maker)

30 April 1966 – Cue Club all-nighter, Paddington, west London with The Dixie Cups (Melody Maker)

 

4 May 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London with The Dixie Cups (Melody Maker)

7 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester with The Dixie Cups and Steampacket (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Rod Stewart had left Steampacket by this point but they could have been the backing band

 

An article in the Bournemouth Evening Echo notes that local group The Bunch participated in a nationwide tour with Lee Dorsey, Edwin Starr, Ike & Tina Turner and Alvin Robinson in October 1966.

The Bunch in the Bournemouth Evening Echo which mentions touring with Alvin Robinson

None of the gigs listed below tally with the tour dates printed in the newspaper (see above image), however, other than the Leicester gig below on 21 October so it’s possible that The Bunch backed Alvin Robinson at this show.

According to Bryan Stevens, bass player with Bognor-Regis group, The Noblemen, who had previously backed The Vibrations on a Roy Tempest Agency tour in September 1966, The Noblemen backed Alvin Robinson on this second tour in 1966. He confirms that the band backed Edwin Starr at Granby Halls on 21 October and thought that another Tempest agency group, The Senate, might have backed Alvin Robinson, but it is possible that it was in fact The Bunch.

The rest of The Noblemen comprised Jimmy Marsh (lead vocals); Martin Barre (lead guitar/saxophone); Mick Ketley (keyboards/vocals); Chris Rodger (saxophone/trumpet); and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums). To confuse matters, The Noblemen changed name to (The) Motivation in early November 1966 while backing Robinson.

However, The Noblemen didn’t support Robinson on all of the dates below. Pip Williams, lead guitarist with west London band, The Sovereigns, says they backed Robinson on some of these tour dates and points to a photo of Robinson playing his guitar on stage. This is most likely the Whisky A Go Go in Wardour Street, a venue that Ketley says The Noblemen didn’t play.

Originally from Hillingdon, west London, The Sovereigns comprised Roy St John-Foster (vocals); Pip Williams (lead guitar); Mich Tomich (bass); Freddie Tillyer (sax); and Keith Franklin (drums).

After the Club Cedar gigs in Birmingham in early November, The Noblemen also started backing The Coasters on another Roy Tempest organised nationwide tour, so it’s likely that the Robinson shows from that point onwards featured different backing bands, although The Noblemen may have played the odd gig. We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information.

This isn’t a complete gig list for this tour

Tour dates:

21 October 1966 – Granby Halls, Leicester with Ike & Tina Turner Show, The Ikettes, Kings of Rhythm, Edwin Starr (with The Noblemen) and Family (Leicester Mercury) Backed by The Senate (or The Bunch)

22 October 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire Echo/Gloucester Citizen) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

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

23 October 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire with The Ziggy Turner Combo (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

23 October 1966 (most likely date) – Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Malcolm Tomlinson’s recollections) Backed by The Noblemen

24 October 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Sovereigns, according to guitarist Pip Williams

25 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich, southeast London (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by The Noblemen

Nottingham Evening Post, 4 November 1966, page 14

28 October 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The Noblemen (Nottingham Evening Post) Backed by The Noblemen. Nottingham Evening Post reviewed this show in the 4 November (page 14) issue and said the backing group was The Motivation (aka The Noblemen)

29 October 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Noblemen, Alan Bown Set, John McCoy’s Crawdaddies and Listen (Lincolnshire Standard) Backed by The Noblemen

29 October 1966 – Burlesque, Leicester (Leicester Mercury) Most likely backed by The Noblemen

30 October 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle).

31 October 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Sovereigns, according to guitarist Pip Williams

1-2 November 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Motivations (Birmingham Evening Mail) Backed by The Motivations (formerly The Noblemen)

5 November 1966 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire with Pinkerton’s Colours (Chester Chronicle) The Noblemen/Motivation were playing with The Coasters on this date so probably another backing band

5 November 1966 – Majestic, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) The Noblemen/Motivation were working with The Coasters on this date so probably another backing band

5 November 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with Herbie Goins & The Night-timers, Johnny Breeze & The Atlantics, The Sect, The Herb Set, The First Lites and The Interns (Liverpool Echo) This was probably another backing band and not The Noblemen/Motivation

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

Categories: England

Bob & Earl’s May-June 1969 British tour

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Advert in Record Retailer May 1969

Most famous for writing and recording the original version of “Harlem Shuffle”, Los Angeles soul duo Bob & Earl toured Britain in the spring of 1969.

Guitarist Ged Peck, who previously played with Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound among many others, says his group Storm backed the duo on this British tour, although they are not listed on the dates below.

Formed around November 1968, Storm comprised Ged Peck (lead guitar); Tony Dangerfield (bass); Peter Jennings (keyboards); and Pete Phillips (drums).

Photo: Ged Peck. Left to right: Pete Phillips, Ged Peck, Tony Dangerfield and Peter Jennings

This is not a complete gig list

Bob and Earl tour dates Record Retailer, 21 May 1969, page 11

Tour dates:

3 May 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with First Back from Heaven (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

3 May 1969 – Winsford Civic Hall, Winsford, Cheshire with Almost Young (Runcorn Guardian/Winsford Chronicle)

17 May 1969 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire (Winsford Chronicle)

18 May 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

23 May 1969 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

24 May 1969 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

24 May 1969 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

25 May 1969 – Casino Club, Bolton (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

25 May 1969 – Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with Inez & Charlie Foxx (Derby Evening Telegraph) Starts at midnight

26 May 1969 – Club Cedar, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

26 May 1969 – Oakengates New Town Hall, Oakengates, Shropshire with Swing Ensemble (North Shropshire Journal)

27 May 1969 – Top Rank Ballroom, Croydon, south London (Record Retailer)

29 May 1969 – Crystal Ballroom, Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

29 May 1969 – Rainbow Suite, Co-op, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

 

1 June 1969 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk plus good supporting group (Norwich Evening News)

Photo: Ged Peck. Storm with Earl

5 June 1969 – Rainbow Suite, Co-op, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

7 June 1969 – New Century Hall, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

8 June 1969 – Le Metro, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

11 June 1969 – Top Rank Suite, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

After the band broke up, Jennings subsequently joined Cressida while Peck played with Marsha Hunt and Warhorse among others.

Categories: England

Johnny Johnson and The Bandwagon’s British tours in the late 1960s and early 1970s

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This American vocal soul group originated in Rochester, New York, and were originally billed as The Bandwagons (and subsequently The Bandwagon).

Led by lead singer Johnny Johnson, they also comprised singers Bill Bradley; Artie Fullilove; and Terry Lewis.

In March 1968, they recorded “Breakin’ Down the Walls of Heartache”, which reached number 4 on the British charts in October of that year.

This resulted in their first British tour before the year was out. Melody Maker’s 26 October 1968 issue lists the tour dates from 27 November to 22 December on page 23. The same magazine’s 23 November 1968 issue confirms the above line-up on page 14.

Although billed initially as The Bandwagon, a Melody Maker advert (possibly the 30 November issue) notes that the group is called Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon.

Photo: Tom Maudlin. Left to right: Dick Winters, Paul Thorpe, Tom Maudlin and Richie Thorpe

It also says the soul quartet will be backed by two groups – Enfield, north London soul band Grand Union and a Reading, Berkshire outfit called Oedipus Complex. I’ve not been able to find out much about the latter but Grand Union comprised Richie Thorpe (guitar/vocals), Dick Winters (keyboards/vocals), Tom Maudlin (bass/vocals) and Paul Thorpe (drums/vocals).

When I met Tom Maudlin in Toronto in May this year, he confirmed that, despite Melody Maker listing the gigs the two bands played below, Grand Union, in fact, did the entire tour.

Melody Maker suggested that Grand Union backed Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon on the following dates.

Tour dates:

28 November 1968 – Revolution Club, Bruton Place, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

29 November 1968 – Hillside Ballroom, Hereford, Herefordshire (Melody Maker)

30 November 1968 – Ritz Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset and Corn Exchange, Devizes, Wiltshire (Melody Maker)

1 December 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Oval, south London and Blaises, Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)

2 December 1968 – Pavilion, Bath (Melody Maker)

3 December 1968 – Down Broadway, Sheffield, South Yorkshire and Attic Club, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Melody Maker)

4 December 1968 – Whittingdon Hotel, Pinner, northwest London (Melody Maker)

5 December 1968 – Gig in Cheam, Surrey (Melody Maker)

5 December 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

6 December 1968 – Avery Hill College, Eltham, southeast London (Melody Maker)

The band featured in the Kettering Leader, 6 December 1968, page 8

7 December 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire, Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire and Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Melody Maker)

8 December 1968 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

9 December 1968 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

10 December 1968 – Guildhall, Southampton, Hants with The Pyramids (Southern Evening Echo)

11 December 1968 – Bligh Hotel, Sevenoaks, Kent and Samantha’s, central London (Melody Maker)

12 December 1968 – Kursaal, Southend-on-Sea, Essex and Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

13 December 1968 – White Lion, Edgware, north London and Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

14 December 1968 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham and Clouds, Derby (Melody Maker)

15 December 1968 – Toby Jug, Tolworth, Surrey (Melody Maker)

16 December 1968 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire and Cedar Club, Birmingham (Melody Maker)

17 December 1968 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks and Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

18 December 1968 – Majestic, Wellington, Shropshire (Melody Maker)

19 December 1968 – Guildhall, Plymouth, Devon and 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Melody Maker)

 

Melody Maker suggested these dates were with Oedipus Complex but Tom Maudlin confirms that Grand Union did the entire tour.

Tour dates:

20 December 1968 – George Inn, Kettering, Northamptonshire and Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker)

21 December 1968 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Melody Maker)

22 December 1968 – Tabernacle, Stockport, Greater Manchester and Beau Brummell Club, Nantwich, Cheshire (Melody Maker) Record Retailer only lists the Beau Brummell Club in Nantwich on this date

23 December 1968 – Loyola Hall, Stamford Hill, north London with Pure Medicine (Melody Maker)

24 December 1968 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk (Melody Maker)

25 December 1968 – Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham (Melody Maker) Record Retailer lists Lypla in Stamford possibly as a second gig on this date

26 December 1968 – Locarno, Stevenage, Herts (Melody Maker)

27 December 1968 – Victorianna and Mardi Gras, Liverpool (Melody Maker)

28 December 1968 – New Astoria, Rawtenstall and Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Melody Maker)

29 December 1968 – Locarno, Wakefield, West Yorkshire (Melody Maker)

31 December 1968 – New Century Hall, Manchester and Nevada Ballroom, Bolton, Lancashire (Melody Maker)

 

1 January 1969 – Top Rank, Preston, Lancashire (Melody Maker)

2 January 1969 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex (Melody Maker)

3 January 1969 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)

4 January 1969 – Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire (Melody Maker)

5 January 1969 – Crystal Palace Hotel, south London and Jewish Youth Club, Fillebrook, Leyton, east London (Melody Maker)

6 January 1969 – St Matthew’s Bath, Ipswich, Suffolk (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker notes in early January that Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon’s British tour was extended.

The music magazine reports that from 7-11 January they played in Ireland and then did cabaret at the Fiesta in Stockton and the Showboat in Middlesbrough from 12-18 January. They then toured Scotland from 22-26 January.

Tour dates:

30 January 1969 – Skyline Ballroom, Hull (Melody Maker)

31 January 1969 – Scene Two, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Melody Maker)

 

1 February 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Melody Maker)

2 February 1969 – Bellevue, Manchester (Melody Maker)

3 February 1969 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Melody Maker)

4 February 1969 – Majestic, Wellington, Shropshire (Record Retailer)

6 February 1969 – Old Time Barn, Abergavenny, Wales (Record Retailer)

7 February 1969 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester and Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Record Retailer)

8 February 1969 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Record Retailer)

13 February 1969 – Sloopy’s, Manchester (Record Retailer)

14 February 1969 – Royal, Tottenham, north London (Record Retailer)

15 February 1969 – Elms Court, Oxford (Record Retailer)

Melody Maker reports that they returned to Ireland from 13-17 February but this needs confirmation.

17 February 1969 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

After returning to the United States, Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon returned to Britain for a second tour in spring 1969. Grand Union were once again used as the backing band. Due to their success in Britain, the soul group relocated here and based themselves in London.

Before the second tour starts, Les Lambert, who used to be the group’s amp repair expert, takes over from Dick Winters on keyboards

These dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

1 April 1969 – Gaumont Theatre, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Martha Reeves & The Vandellas and guest star Marv Johnson (Poster)

2 April 1969 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey with Martha Reeves & The Vandellas (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

26 April 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Soft Sensation (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

 

16 May 1969 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

17 May 1969 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

21 June 1969 – Music Hall, Shrewsbury with The Klubs (North Shropshire Journal)

Melody Maker’s 28 June 1969 issue, page 4, reports that Terry Lewis has left

26 July 1969 – Queen’s Hall, Narbeth, west Wales with Tin Foil (Pembroke & West Wales Guardian)

These dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

2 August 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Sun and First Back from Heaven (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

30 August 1969 – Royal Lancashire Showground, Blackpool, Lancashire with Amen Corner, The Casuals, Vanity Fayre and many others (Melody Maker)

 

20 September 1969 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, west London with Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

Around this time, Tom Maudlin leaves and relocates to Toronto in October 1969. He is replaced by bass player/singer Roger Flavell from west London group, The Magic Roundabout.

These dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

10 October 1969 – Starlite Ballroom, Sudbury, northwest London with Sir Coxsone (Melody Maker)

25 October 1969 – Formby Hall, Atherton, Lancashire with Phoenix City Smash (Bolton News)

31 October 1969 – Oakengates Town Hall, Oakengates, Shropshire with Grand Union and Jigsaw (North Shropshire Journal)

 

16 November 1969 – Garrick Theatre Club, Leigh, Greater Manchester with The Johnny Martin Sound, Ralph Turner, The Delights, Mandy Williams and Vic Lezal (Widnes Weekly News)

Melody Maker reports that another British tour (with Grand Union) commences on 16 January 1970.

These dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

10 January 1970 – Central Hall, Chatham, Kent with Desmond Dekker & The Aces and The Pyramids (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham Evening Post)

7 March 1970 – Wem Town Hall, Wem, Shropshire with Grand Union and Street (North Shropshire Journal)

 

2 May 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Invitations and supporting groups (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

 

4 July 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Pyramids and supporting groups (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

 

31 December 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Pioneers (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

When the band broke up in early 1971, the Thorpe brothers played in the bands Moonstone and Life.  Roger Flavell briefly joined Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and then played with The Tommy Hunt Band among others.

Thanks to Tom Maudlin and Roger Flavell for information about the band. Thanks to Tom for the posters.

Categories: England

Mike Forde & The Fortunes

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Photo from Lindsay Bex

Mike Forde – lead vocals

Jimmy Collins – lead guitar

Geoff Chinnery – bass guitar/vocals

John Turner – rhythm guitar/vocals

Lindsay Bex – drums

This west London band was formed in April 1961 and were originally called Mike Forde & The HiFi’s but were renamed the following year as Mike Forde & The Fortunes.

Over the next few years, the group played many well-known venues in west London and Middlesex, including Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, Botwell Hall in Hayes, the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote and the Ealing Club.

Photo from Lindsay Bex. With Frankie Vaughan

On 27 October 1962, they backed singer Frankie Vaughan at Southbourne School in Eastcote.

Photo from Lindsay Bex

Forde also remembers that the group was due to play in the interval for The Beatles at a show at Botwell House in February 1963 but the show was cancelled at short notice. Despite the setback, they were rebooked about three weeks later at the venue to support Gerry & The Pacemakers.

Sometime in the latter half of 1963, an interested party named Gordon Eddie showed an interest in managing the band. However, Forde and Eddie couldn’t agree on how to take the group forward and Forde announced that he was leaving.

Auditions for a new singer were held and three singers turned up for an audition session held at John Hassell Studios in Nassau Road, southwest London, which usually specialised in recording classical music. A four-track acetate was cut at the session.

The identity of two of the singers (on the tracks “Little Queenie”, and “Ain’t Necessarily So”,) is not known but apart from Mike Forde who sang on one track, “Sweet Little Rhythm & Blues”, the final recording (“Send Me Some Loving”) featured Roger Peacock. Forde’s recording was later featured on Rev-Ola’s Fab Gear compilation.

After Peacock got the job, the group continued until the end of the year and Bex recalls that one of the final shows took place in Southend on a bill that also featured singer Paul Raven (aka Gary Glitter).

When the group split up, Peacock subsequently fronted The Cheynes, The Mark Leeman Five and Dave Antony’s Moods among others.

Bex joined The Tridents (before Jeff Beck joined but played some gigs with him), a group that Chinnery managed. He then worked in Germany with The Redcaps and The Kathy Sampson Set before Chinnery asked him to replace the drummer in The Dave Martin Group (the latest group he was managing) who morphed into The Magic Roundabout.

Turner meanwhile later played with The Derek Savage Foundation.

Thanks to Mike Forde, Lindsay Bex and John Turner for information.

Categories: England

The Vibrations’ British 1960s tours

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Hailing from Los Angeles, US soul vocal group The Vibrations 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/trumpet); Bryan Stevens (bass); and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums).

Poster from Chris Rodger

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. Chris Rodger recalls that Otis Redding and Mick Jagger both turn up

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 lists the London Ravers who were probably The Noblemen for this 24 September gig which never happened

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

Sheffield Star notes with Robert Parker’s show that The Vibrations didn’t 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)

Melody Maker advert for June 1969 tour

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

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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

Melody Maker, 8 January 1966, page 4

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, 6 July 1968, page 3

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: England

Fontella Bass’s British tour January 1966

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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.

Melody Maker, 8 January 1966, page 4

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)

Melody Maker, 15 January 1966, page 3

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

Melody Maker, 29 January 1966, page 5

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

Fontella Bass in Oxford Mail, 19 August 1966, page 5