All posts by Nick Warburton

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

Categories: England

The Orlons’ British tours in 1966 and 1967

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

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

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

It looks like The Dave Davani Four provided backing for most of the gigs on this tour.

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

1 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Dave Davani Four and The Meantimes (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Dave Davani Four

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

6 July 1966 – The Riverboat Club, Salford, Manchester with The Dave Daverney Four, Johnny De Little, Eddy Grant and six supporting acts (Manchester Evening News) Says backed by Dave Devarney Four (aka Dave Davani Four)

6 July 1966 – Gainsborough Club, Manchester with The Dave Davani Four, Johnny De Little, Eddy Grant and six supporting acts (Manchester Evening News) Most likely backed by The Dave Davani Four

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

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

9 July 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by The Dave Davani Four

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

12-13 July 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Dave Davani Four and supporting groups (Birmingham Evening Mail) Most likely backed by The Dave Davani Four

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

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

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

16 July 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with Dave Davani Four and The Californians (Manchester Evening News & Post) Most likely backed by The Dave Davani Four

16 July 1966 – Iron Door Club, Liverpool with The Fix, Rory Storm & The Hurricanes (Liverpool Echo)

17 July 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester and Princess Theatre Club, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with seven more top-line acts (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

 

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

Hailing from Watford, Hertfordshire, The Gates of Eden comprised Dave Rodwell (vocals); Dicer Sarney (aka Roger Matthews) (lead guitar); Barry Rich (bass); Tom Hill (organ); Chunky Mo (drums).

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

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

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

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

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

13 December 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with supporting groups (Birmingham Evening Mail)

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

16 December 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester and Princess Theatre Club, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with The Gates of Eden, Jonathan Goon Tweed and The Statesmen (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Says backed by The Gates of Eden

17 December 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with The Hideways, The Gates of Eden, The Beechwoods, The Reaction and Normie Rowe & The Playboys (Liverpool Echo) Most likely backed by The Gates of Eden

17 December 1966 – Cavern all-nighter, Liverpool with The Hideways, The Gates of Eden, The Bo-Lynx and The Cosmonauts (Liverpool Echo) Most likely backed by The Gates of Eden

 

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

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

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

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

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

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

 

Categories: England

The Fabulous Marvelettes’ December 1967 British tour

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

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

The Gypsies advert in Record Retailer, 1965

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

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

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

Tour dates:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Categories: England

Grand Union

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Grand Union, circa 1966. Left to right: Paul Thorpe, Tom Maudlin, Dick Winters and Rick Thorpe. Photo: Tom Maudlin

Rick Thorpe – lead guitar/vocals

Tom Maudlin – Bass/vocals

Dick Winters – Hammond organ/vocals

Paul Thorpe – Drums/lead vocals

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

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

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

The group also spent time in France and Germany. This included three months playing at the Teufelskeller (Devil’s Cellar) in Oberstdorf in Bavaria in 1967.

Gig on 19 May 1967

Before joining forces with The Bandwagon, they opened for Manfred Mann, Robert Plant & Band of Joy and Pink Floyd among many others. They also opened for Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and did some shows backing singer PP Arnold after she split with The Nice.

1968 gig with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy
1968 gig with Pink Floyd

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

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

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

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

1968 gig
1968 gig
1968 gig
Categories: England

Major Lance’s British tour December 1965

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

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

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

Melody Maker, 4 December 1965, page 4

The following tour gigs are incomplete

Tour dates:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12 December 1965 – Stramash TV (Melody Maker)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

We’d welcome any comments from readers below

Categories: England

Lee Dorsey’s British tour in March 1967

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Having brought Lee Dorsey over to Britain for three tours during 1966, promoter Roy Tempest set up another British tour in spring 1967.

For this tour, it appears that London-based Scottish band, The Scots of St James may have backed Lee Dorsey on all dates, although we’d be interested in anyone who can provide more information. I’ve listed below the gigs where they definitely did provide backing.

Stuart Francis, the drummer with The Scots of St James, confirms they backed Lee Dorsey on a tour in March 1967.

The group’s personnel had changed since the previous tour in October 1966 (during which they had played a few gigs with Dorsey) and now comprised: Jimmy Oakley (vocals); Norrie MacLean (lead guitar); Graham Maitland (keyboards); Alan Gorrie (bass/vocals); and Stuart Francis (drums)

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

4 March 1967 – Faculty of Technology Union, Manchester with The Meads (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 March 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

5 March 1967 – Saville Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London with The Move (Melody Maker)

6 March 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with Marmalade and Barmby Barry (Evening Sentinel) Backed by The Scots of St James

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

10 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Voyd (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

11 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Montanas (Nottingham Evening Post) Backed by The Scots of St James

11 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Bystanders, The Equals and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard) Backed by The Scots of St James

12 March 1967 – Top Ten Club, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

16 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

18 March 1967 – Wem Town Hall, Wem, Shropshire with support group (Shropshire Journal)

We’d welcome any further information below