Guitarist Mick Abrahams formed Blodwyn Pig in his home town Luton, Bedfordshire in the first few weeks of January 1969 after leaving Jethro Tull in early December 1968.
Bass player Andy Pyle had previously been a member of Abrahams’ pre-Jethro Tull group, McGregor’s Engine while sax/flute player Jack Lancaster was from Manchester and was working with the group Sponge when he got the call.
The trio advertised for a drummer and Ron Berg who’d been working with White Rabbit (singer Linda Lewis fronted them at one point) answered and got the job.
In his autobiography, What is a Wommett?, Mick Abrahams says that Blodwyn Pig rehearsed for a week before making their debut at the Cooks Ferry Inn in Edmonton, north London.
Melody Maker lists this as 27 January and notes that the quartet was billed as The Mick Abrahams Blues Band. In fact, Abrahams’ new group was billed under his own name rather than Blodwyn Pig for its first few gigs.
The following is an incomplete gig list of Blodwyn Pig 1969 gigs which are all listed in Melody Maker unless otherwise noted.
I’d welcome any additions. The band is billed as Blodwyn Pig unless noted.
Notable gigs:
27 January 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (debut) Billed as Mick Abrahams Blues Band
Melody Maker’s 1 February issue, page 4, reports the new band and name under its news extra section
1 February 1969 – Van Dike, Plymouth, Devon (Jonathan Hill’s book, Van Dike – The Life & Times of a Plymouth Club 1968-1972). Billed as Mick Abrahams Band
7 February 1969 – Bedford College, Regent’s Park, central London with Chicken Shack. Billed as Mick Abrahams Band
13 February 1969 – Red Lion, Leytonstone, east London. Billed as Mick Abrahams
Image may be subject to copyright
21 February 1969 – Blues Loft, Nag’s Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
Melody Maker’s 22 February issue, page 6, says the band made its Marquee debut last week but I have not found a listing elsewhere. Monday night (17 February) was audition night so this is the possible date
22 February 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with Keef Hartley
3 March 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London. Billed as Mick Abrahams
Image may be subject to copyright
15 March 1969 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle, south London with Chicken Shack and Jellybread. Billed as Mick Abrahams Band
22 March 1969 – Mothers, Erdginton, West Midlands with Led Zeppelin
28 March 1969 – Hornsey Wood Tavern, Hornsey Wood, north London. Billed as Mick Abrahams Blodwyn Pigg
29 March 1969 – The Village, Dagenham, east London with Killing Floor and Yellow Dog. Billed as Mick Abrahams
2 April 1969 – Rambling Jack’s Blues Club, the Railway Hotel, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless’ book The Day Before Yesterday – Rock, Rhythm and Jazz in the Bishop’s Stortford area from 1957 to 1969)
15 April 1969 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, north London. Billed as Mick Abrahams Blodwyn Pig
18 April 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Circus (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
19 April 1969 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle, south London with Climax Chicago Blues Band and Smiley
20 April 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with Dr K’s Blues Band
22 April 1969 – Bluesville ’69 Club’s Cherry Tree, Welwyn Garden City, Herts
23 April 1969 – Blues Loft, Nag’s Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
25 April 1969 – Northern Poly, Holloway Road, north London with Elmer Gantry
28 April 1969 – Wall City Jazz Club, Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Frankie & The Countdowns and Shady Lane (Liverpool Echo) Billed as Mick Abrahams Blues Band
29 April 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 May 1969 – Bedford College, Regent’s Park, central London with Free
10 May 1969 – Luton College of Technology Students’ Union, Luton, Beds with The Spirit of John Morgan and Mechanical Bird (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
20 May 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Grail (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 May 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Sam Apple Pie (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
2 June 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
16 June 1969 – The Pavilion, Bath (Poster) Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
20 June 1969 – City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Led Zeppelin and Liverpool Scene (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
22 June 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with The Taste
25 June 1969 – Derwent College, York, North Yorkshire with Bonzo Dog Band, John Mayall, Ronnie Scott & His Band, Eclection and Alexis Korner & Invaders Steel Band (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
26 June 1969– Guildhall, Portsmouth, Hants with Led Zeppelin and The Liverpool Scene (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
27 June 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Groundhogs (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
28 June 1969 – Bath Festival of Blues, Recreation Ground, Bath with Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, John Mayall, Chicken Shack, Nice, Ten Years After and many, many others. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
29 June 1969 – Albert Hall, Knightsbridge, central London with Led Zeppelin and The Liverpool Scene. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
30 June 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
6 July 1969 – Farx, the Northcote Arms, Southall, west London. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
11 July 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Andromeda (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 July 1969 – Brunel University Students’ Union, Brunel University, London with The Soft Machine, Aaardvark and Good Earth. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
14 July 1969 – Friars, Aylesbury, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
25 July 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Circus (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
2 August 1969 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon (Torbay Express and South Devon Echo) Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
5 August 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London with Wine
Melody Maker’s 9 August issue, p12, has a good write up entitled ‘Blodwyn Pig continue with the heavy sound’.
Photo: Possibly Gloucester Citizen. Image may be subject to copyright
9 August 1969 – Malvern Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire with Clouds (Poster)
10 August 1969 – 9th National Jazz, Pop, Ballads & Blues Festival, West Drayton, west London with The Nice, Family, Keef Hartley, Steamhammer and many others. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
15 August 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Grail (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
20 August 1969 – Rambling Jack’s Blues Club, the Railway Hotel, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless’ book The Day Before Yesterday – Rock, Rhythm and Jazz in the Bishop’s Stortford area from 1957 to 1969) Concert was cancelled due to summer recess
22 August 1969 – Blues Loft, Nag’s Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
25 August 1969 – King’s Hall, Romford Market, Romford, east London
29 August 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Samson (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Melody Maker’s 30 August issue, page 24 notes that the band missed some dates because Ron Berg was ill
16 September 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with King Crimson
18 September 1969 – Social Club, Aylesbury, Bucks
21 September 1969 – Farx, the Northcote Arms, Southall, west London. Billed as Mick Abrahams Blodwyn Pig
22 September 1969 – The Village of the Damned Blues Club, Aurora Ballroom, Brompton, Gillingham, Kent with support (Poster)
26 September 1969 – King’s Hall, Romford, east London with Stone The Crows
Image may be subject to copyright
29 September 1969 – Dunstable Civic Hall, Dunstable, Beds with Jesse Harper
30 September 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ground (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Milkwood, summer 1969. Left to right: Ron Frankel, Jack Geisinger, Louis McKelvey, Mary Lou Gauthier and Malcolm Tomlinson. Photo: Rosemary White
Mary Lou Gauthier (Lead vocals)
Louis McKelvey (Guitar, Vocals)
Malcolm Tomlinson (Guitar, Flute, Drums, Lead vocals)
Ron Frankel (Drums)
Ronnie Blackwell (Bass)
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Jack Geisinger (Bass, Vocals)
This fascinating Anglo-Canadian group was put together by former Influence and Our Generation member Louis McKelvey (b. 31 October 1943, Killorglin, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland) with ex-King Curtis sideman Ron Frankel (b. April 1947, Montreal, Canada).
Frankel had previously played in The Soul Mates (and with his wife Mary Lou Gauthier) in the lounge band, Five of a Kind, who also featured Brian Wray, Brian Edwards and Freddie Gilbert. According to the Montreal Star‘s 7 November 1967 issue, page 4, Five of a Kind played at the King’s Inn in Freeport, the Bahamas that week.
They then joined King Curtis & The King Pins in 1968. (Ed: McKelvey may have met Frankel at the Hawk’s Nest on 23 July 1968 when King Curtis & The King Pins played there).
McKelvey approached Frankel and Gauthier about putting a new band together in September 1968 after leaving Influence, but the group didn’t form properly until early March 1969.
During the interim, McKelvey returned to England for around five months and reunited with his old friend Malcolm Tomlinson (b. 16 June 1946, Isleworth, Middlesex, England), from the early 1960s west London band Jeff Curtis & The Flames.
Jeff Curtis & The Flames, London, 1963. Louis McKelvey (far left) and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums). Photo: Dave Wigginton
Tomlinson was currently playing with Gethsemane (featuring future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre), and had done a BBC radio session with Elton John in October 1968.
McKelvey and Tomlinson both auditioned for the guitar position in Jethro Tull, but when Barre was offered the place and Gethsemane split up, Tomlinson returned to Toronto with McKelvey around March 1969 to put together Milkwood.
Adding ex-Five Bells bass player Ron Blackwell (b. 27 July 1948, Montreal, Canada), the band played at the Penny Farthing in Toronto in early May. They also played regularly at the Electric Circus.
The band sent a four-track demo to Polydor Records around this time and, according to Billboard, the label signed the band before it had played a single show.
Left to right: Ron Frankel, Jack Geisinger, Louis McKelvey, Mary Lou Gauthier and Malcolm Tomlinson
In mid-June 1969, former Influence member Jack Geisinger (b. March 1945, Czech Republic) joined replacing Ronnie Blackwell in time for sessions at the Hit Factory in New York.
Kicking off on 20 June, the week-long sessions were overseen by famous producer and song-writer Jerry Ragavoy who produced the LP and also played piano on some tracks.
Cashbox, 28 June 1969
While in New York, the band took part in the Polydor Benefit gig at the Village Gate with Dutch band, The Golden Earring on 23 June.
Sessions were completed in July. Members of The Band were at the Hit Factory when the group cut “There’s A Man” and complimented Mary Lou Gauthier on her vocals.
RPM Weekly, 28 July 1969
Back in Toronto, the band signed to the Frederick Lewis booking agency and embarked on Canadian dates.
Meanwhile, the LP was slated for release in September to coincide with an American tour, which never happened.
A disagreement between Milkwood’s manager and Polydor resulted in the LP being shelved. In November 1969 the group split up.
The band’s greatest claim to fame is that it appeared at Toronto’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival concert on 13 September. Although the group wasn’t billed, they performed just before John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band, according to roadie Dave Mandel.
McKelvey and Tomlinson (and later Geisinger) stuck together to work in Damage during 1969-1970.
McKelvey also briefly worked with Powerhouse in late 1970, before retiring from the music business.
Tomlinson later recorded with Rick James and Bearfoot and issued two solo LPs. Geisinger played with Charlee and Moonquake among others.
Frankel later did sessions for Jesse Winchester while Mary Lou Gauthier recorded a solo single, “In The Summertime” c/w “Come Run” for Polydor and later sang with Celine Dion at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Blackwell is a computer consultant and lives in Las Vegas.
Thanks to Carny Corbett for the supplying the image
Malcolm Tomlinson died in April 2016. Louis McKelvey died in November 2017 and Jack Geisinger has also passed away.
Advertised gigs
3 May 1969 – Penny Farthing, Toronto (possibly when Jimi Hendrix dropped in to listen)
25 May 1969 – Rock Pile, Toronto with Kensington Market, Grand Funk Railroad and Leather
June 1969 – Electric Circus, Toronto (this is where Rubbott Management spotted them)
21 June 1969 – Rock Pile, Toronto with Brother Brent
Record World, 28 June 1969
23 June 1969 – Village Gate, New York with The Golden Earring
18 August 1969 – Penny Farthing, Toronto (Led Zeppelin played this night at the Rock Pile and Robert Plant and John Bonham dropped in at the club afterwards)
13 September 1969 – Toronto Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival, Varsity Stadium with John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band, Gene Vincent, Alice Cooper and many others
19 September 1969 – York University, Toronto with Teegarden and Vanwinkle
11 October 1969 – Electric Circus, Toronto
17 October 1969 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
21 October 1969 – Van Morrison at Le Hibou This may be evening that Mary Lou and Malcolm jumped up on stage
14-29 November 1969 – Laugh-In, Montreal, Canada
Many thanks to Louis McKelvey, Mary Lou Gauthier, Ron Frankel, Ronnie Blackwell, David Mandel, Malcolm Tomlinson and Jack Geisinger for information.
Toronto gigs were taken from the After Four section of the Toronto Telegram. Also Ottawa Citizen and Montreal Star
RPM Weekly, 19 August 1967. Thanks to Ivan Amirault for providing
James Houston (Guitar, Vocals)
Al Palmquist (Guitar, Vocals)
Al Spencer (Bass)
Roz Parks (Drums)
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Colin Walker (Drums)
The Magic Circus were best known for containing future Paupers’ members Roz Parks (b. 15 April 1945, Picton, Ontario) and James Houston (b. 25 May 1946, Belfast, Northern Ireland).
Houston, Parks and Spencer (b. 7 March 1947, London, England), had previously been members of The Creeps but changed name in early 1967 when guitarist Al Palmquist replaced Dave Morgan.
Thanks to Ivan Amirault for the photo
The band was best known for the 50-minute rock symphony, ‘March of The Mushroom’, written largely by Houston. Aside from playing other original material, the group also played Beatles, Beach Boys, Association and Mamas & The Papas covers.
The band was popular on Toronto’s club scene and opened for many of the top artists of the day, including Del Shannon, Wilson Pickett, The Turtles, Mitch Ryder, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Ronnie Hawkins and The Left Banke. They also toured widely throughout Ontario playing high schools and dance halls.
Parks left in July 1968 to play with Edward Bear briefly before replacing Skip Prokop in The Paupers in October.
Australian Colin Walker from the Australian band, The Flying Circus joined in his place. The band then played as The Carnival (apart from a couple of shows, including the ‘Time Being’ held at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in September where they played as The Magic Circus).
Houston also joined The Paupers in April 1969 after turning an offer down from Skip Prokop to play bass in Lighthouse (he may also have fronted Wizard’s Hand for a while).
Palmquist and Spencer carried on as The Carnival on TV shows and then resumed the Magic Circus name.
Photo from Ivan AmiraultPhoto from Ivan Amirault
Thanks to Ivan Amirault
Advertised gigs
18 March 1967 – Lakeshore Lions Arena, Toronto with The Strays
24 March 1967 – Queen’s Park, London, Ontario
25 March 1967 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario with The Left Banke
Thanks to Ivan Amirault
27 March 1967 – St John’s Church, Niagara Falls, Ontario
28 March 1967 – The Night Owl, Toronto
29 March 1967 – The Castle, St Catherine’s, Ontario
30 March 1967 – Brant Inn, Burlington, Ontario
31 March 1967 – Royal Plaza, Clarkson, Ontario
1 April 1967 – Huntingdon Park Commercial Centre, Hamilton, Ontario
3 June 1967 – The Flick, Toronto
10 June 1967 – Scarborough Arena Gardens, Scarborough, Ontario with Eddie Spencer & The Mission, Roy Kenner & The Associates, The Tripp, Bobby Kris & The Imperials, The Lords of London and others
5 July 1967 – Muskoka Pavillion, Bala, Ontario
21 July 1967 – Huron Park Recreation Centre, Cooksville, Ontario
9 August 1967 – Cobourg Pavilion, Cobourg, Ontario
27 August 1967 – Summer Gardens, Port Dover, Ontario with The Federations
1 October 1967 – Paradise Gardens, Guelph, Ontario with Three to One
16-18 October 1967 – The Flick, Toronto
19 October 1967 – The Flick, Toronto
2 November 1967 – Stratford College Institute, Stratford, Ontario
3 November 1967 – Crosby High School, Forthill, Ontario
4 November 1967 – Belleville Arena, Belleville, Ontario
5 November 1967 – Club Shingaling, Welland, Ontario
21 December 1967 – Annandale High School, Ontario
22 December 1967 – Brampton High School, Brampton, Ontario
23 December 1967 – Pelham District High, Fenwick, Ontario
26 December 1967 – St Nick’s Church, Hamilton, Ontario
27 December 1967 – Kitchener College Institute, Kitchener, Ontario
28 December 1967 – The Night Owl, Toronto
29 December 1967 – St Martin’s Church, Niagara, Ontario
30 December 1967 – Haileybury High School, Haileybury, Ontario
31 December 1967 – Kirkland Lake, Ontario
6 January 1968 – Broom and Stone, Scarborough, Ontario
12 January 1968 – York University, Toronto with The Paupers and The Last Words
12 January 1968 – Brantford Collegiate Institute, Brantford, Ontario
1 February 1968 – University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
2 February 1968 – Forrest Hills Collegiate, Forest Hills, Ontario
3 February 1968 – Forest Hills CI, Kitchener, Ontario
4 February 1968 – St Martin In The Field Church, Toronto
6 February 1968 – St John’s Church, Niagara Falls, Ontario
5 April 1968 – Cayuga High School, Cayuga, Ontario
6 April 1968 – Barton High School, Hamilton, Ontario
11 April 1968 – Port Dover Composite School, Port Dover, Ontario
12 April 1968 – Club Shade Blue, Toronto
13 April 1968 – Wallaceberg Teen Club, Wallaceberg, Ontario
18 May 1968 – Sauble Beach Pavilion, Sauble Beach, Ontario
13 June 1968 – Waterford Arena, Waterford, Ontario
14 June 1968 – Elmiria District HS, Elmiria, Ontario
15 June 1968 – Crystal Beach Pavilion, Crystal Beach, Ontario
16 June 1968 – St Gabriel’s Church, Burlington, Ontario
18 June 1968 – Glenbriar Arena, Kitchener, Ontario
20 June 1968 – East Hamilton Kiwanis Club, Hamilton, Ontario
21 June 1968 – Brantford Collegiate Institute, Brantford, Ontario
22 June 1968 – Rideau Ferry Inn, Smith Falls, Ontario
25 June 1968 – Dundas Arena, Dundas, Ontario
26 June 1968 – Georgetown Arena, Georgetown, Ontario
27 June 1968 – Stratford Arena, Straford, Ontario
28 June 1968 – Cobourg Pavilion, Cobourg, Ontario
29 June 1968 – The Gette, Oshawa, Ontario
Thanks to Ivan Amirault for the photo
2 July 1968 – Toronto City Hall, Toronto
3 July 1968 – Wallaceburg Arena, Wallaceburg, Ontario
5 July 1968 – Pav-Orillia, Orillia, Ontario
6 July 1968 – Kee-to-Bala, Bala, Ontario (Roz Parks’ last gig?)
10 August 1968 – Sauble Beach Pavilion, Sauble Beach, Ontario
1-2 September 1968 – ‘Time Being’ at CNE, Toronto
14 February 1970 – The Get (O’Neill Collegiate), Toronto
7 March 1970 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
16 May 1970 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario with Beadree
17 May 1970 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario
5 June 1970 – Jubilee Auditorium, Oshawa, Onatario with The Poor Souls (billed as Majic Circus)
Most of these gigs were taken from the After Four section of the Toronto Telegram. Thanks to Roz Parks, James Houston and Al Spencer for their input.
Left to right: Gord Fleming, Frank De Felice, Fred Keeler and Denny Gerrard. Photo may be subject to copyright.
Fred Keeler (Guitar, Vocals)
Gord Fleming (Keyboards, Accordion, Vocals)
Denny Gerrard (Bass, Vocals)
Frank Di Felice (Drums)
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Scott Cushnie (Keyboards)
Danny Marks (Guitar, Vocals)
Bob Yeomans (Drums)
This musically interesting band was formed in March 1970 by former Paupers member (turned manager) Chuck Beal, who teamed Fleming and Keeler, both of whom had worked together in the mid-1960s with The Shays with former Paupers’ bass player Gerrard and ex-Grant Smith & The Power drummer Di Felice.
Between The Shays and Jericho, Fleming had played with Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks, John Hammond and Gord’s Custom R&B Sound, while Keeler had been in The Majestics. Gerrard had done stints with McKenna Mendelson Mainline and Luke & The Apostles.
The group recorded an album, produced by Todd Rundgren, at The Band’s Bearsville Studios. Rundgren incidentally also worked with The Band around this time and is also featured on guitar.
The sound not surprisingly then is reminiscent of The Band’s Stage Fright period and is thoroughly recommended. Rundgren’s production is top notch, particularly on tracks “Make It Better” and “Lonely As Me”.
“Make It Better” reached #80 on the Canadian RPM chart in July 1971 by which point Fleming and Keeler had lost interest and left. Gerrard left too to join Heaven and Earth.
Di Felice quickly reformed the group with ex-Tundra member Scott Cushnie and former Edward Bear and Mama Lion member Danny Marks.
Bob Yeomans replaced Di Felice in late 1971 but the band broke up soon afterwards. Cushnie subsequently played with Mudlark (and also worked with Aerosmith) while Yeomans was one half of Jackson Hawk.
Fleming subsequently joined Great Speckled Bird and also did stints with Cat Stevens and the McGarrigle sisters. He died in February 1996.
Gerrard played with Heaven and Earth and recorded two singles for RCA Victor before forming Great White Cane (both groups were fronted by Rick James).
Marks subsequently joined Rick James & The Stone City Band after a brief stint with Zig Zag.
Recordings
45 True Fine Girl/Back Track (Ampex 1303) 1971 (Canada)
45 Make It Better/Cheater Man (Bearsville X31003) 1971 (US)
LP front cover. Left to right: Gerrard, Fleming, De Felice and Keeler
When singers John Finley and Lee Jackson left The Jon-Lee Group (aka Jon & Lee and The Checkmates) in mid-September 1967, Toronto singer David Clayton-Thomas picked up their backing band, renamed it The Phoenix and moved to New York.
After a month’s rehearsals, the group debuted at the Bitter End and then briefly played at the East Scene in October before working as the house-band at Steve Paul’s The Scene.
The band’s career, however, was cut short during early November when Clayton-Thomas was deported for being an illegal alien.
Leishman also returned to Toronto at this point and played with several groups, including The Power Project and Bobby Kris & The Imperials before joining The Duke Edwards Cycle in late 1968.
Hodgson meanwhile was offered a place in Project Supergroup (later Rhinoceros) in December and flew out to Los Angeles to audition.
After being passed over for the group in early 1968, he briefly rejoined David Clayton-Thomas in his group, David Clayton-Thomas Combine. When that split in mid-1968, Hodgson moved back to the US and became a member of the Paxton Ranch Band, playing on Jackson Browne’s early recordings (aka Baby Browning).
Cutler stayed in New York and worked with an embryonic version of Hot Tuna and then did a stint drumming and managing The Crazy World of Arthur Brown during the band’s summer ’68 North American tour. He later worked as a manager for The Holy Modal Rounders.
When Clayton-Thomas had previously worked in New York in March 1967, he had shared a flat with former Bob Dylan bass player Harvey Brooks, who was in the process of putting The Electric Flag together.
Apparently Brooks had offered Thomas the original vocal slot in the group, but he declined.
Fonfara however, did accept an invitation from the Flag’s drummer Buddy Miles to replace Barry Goldberg when the latter got busted in November 1967.
Fonfara duly appeared on the group’s debut album, before becoming a member of Project Supergroup the following month, which soon changed name to Rhinoceros.
Hodgson and Leishman both rejoined Fonfara in Rhinoceros in 1969.
David Clayton-Thomas joined Blood, Sweat & Tears in June 1968.
Advertised gigs
19-22 October 1967 – Steve Paul’s The Scene, New York with The Carnival Connection
David Clayton-Thomas formed this band in Toronto in February 1968 with former Bossmen guitarist Jack Mowbray, who had been playing in Italy for six months backing pop singer Nicola di Barri.
He also brought in former Jon-Lee Group (aka Jon & Lee and The Checkmates) bass player Peter Hodgson for his new band and drummer Pat Patterson who was quickly replaced by ex-Luke & The Apostles and Edward Bear drummer Pat Little.
The group recorded the original versions of “Spinning Wheel” and “Father Dear Father” for Arc Records, which were pressed for a single but it’s not clear if any copies were released.
In June, Clayton-Thomas was asked to be Al Kooper’s replacement in Blood, Sweat & Tears and the band split up. Hodgson moved out to LA and joined Jackson Browne’s band (recording an unreleased album) and later Rhinoceros.
Little and Mowbray joined another ex-Bossmen, Tony Collacott in The Georgian People, which soon changed name to Chimo!
Advertised gigs
2 March 1968 – LC Dance in Kingston, Ontario with Soul Mine (Kingston Whig-Standard newspaper)
16-24 March 1968 – El Patio, Toronto, Ontario (After Four section of Toronto Telegram)
24 March 1968 – Carls A Goo Goo, Hamilton, Ontario with Them (Hamilton Spectator)
19 April 1968 –BCI, Brantford, Ontario (The Expositor)
Thanks to Pat Little and Peter Hodgson for help with the entry
Singer Doug Stokes formed The Power Project in mid-1967 with former Roy Kenner & The Associates members Carducci and Rychlewski.
Former Mandala member Josef Chirowski and ex-David Clayton-Thomas & The Phoenix and Jon-Lee Group guitarist Larry Leishman joined around November 1967.
The band never recorded but did open for James Brown at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens. The Power Project played during the evenings only as Chirowski was working for Canadian Pacific Railways during the day.
After a few months of playing live, the group changed name to Freedom Fair in January 1968.
The band reverted to The Power Project name in mid-1968. Chirowski joined Grant Smith & The Power at the end of 1968, before becoming a member of Crowbar, while Leishman ended up with Rhinoceros after a stint with The Duke Edwards Cycle and Bobby Kris & The Imperials.
Advertised gigs
10 June 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
30 June 1967 – North York Centennial Centre, Toronto with Mandala, The Spirit and Livingstone’s Tripp
30 June 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
14 July 1967 – Balmy Beach Club, Scarborough, Ontario
15 July 1967 – Broom and Stone, Scarborough, Ontario with The Ugly Ducklings and Trayne
26 July 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
28 July 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
6 August 1967 – Port Carling Surf Club, Port Carling, Ontario
8 September 1967 – The Thing, Toronto with The Jon-Lee Group
15 September 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
23 September 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
Chirowski and Leishman joined during November
4 November 1967 – Hawk’s Nest, Toronto with The Tiffanies
11 November 1967 – The Pavilion, Orillia, Ontario
19 November 19 1967 – Maple Leaf Gardens with James Brown (this may have been May 1968)
25 November 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
2 December 1967 – Inferno, Toronto
9 December 1967 – The Bunny Bin, Toronto with The Counts and Bunny Band
30 December 1967 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
31 December 1967 – Broom and Stone, Scarborough, Ontario with Jackie Shane, Frank Motley The Hitch-Hikers
26 January 1968 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
28 June 1968 – Port Carling Surf Club, Port Carling, Ontario
5 July 1968 – Port Carling Surf Club, Port Carling, Ontario
The gigs were taken from the After Four section in the Toronto Telegram. Thanks to Larry Leishman for some background information.
Toronto’s R&B favourites, Jon & Lee and The Checkmates were originally known as Lee Jackson & The Checkmates.
The original band (formed at a local high school in 1962) comprised singer Lee Jackson (real name: Michael Ferry), lead guitarist Al Dorsey, bassist Dave McDevitt, drummer Paul Carrier and saxophone player Hilmar Hajek.
They were joined soon afterwards by classically trained keyboard player Michael Fonfara (b. 11 August 1946, Stevensville, near Niagara Falls, Ontario).
Towards the end of 1963, the group’s manager introduced a second lead guitarist, Larry Leishman (b. 4 April 1947, Dunfermline, Scotland) from local band The Tempests.
The new line-up however, was short-lived as Dorsey soon left. His departure precipitated a series of personnel changes and by mid-1964, former Esquires singer John Finley (b. 6 May 1945, Toronto, Ontario) and his cousin, bassist Peter Hodgson (b. 16 April 1946, Toronto, Ontario), also ex-The Tempests were added alongside drummer Wes Morris.
Morris’ predecessor, Dave Brown meanwhile had gone on to join Jay Smith & The Majestics. When Morris left to join The Majestics in the summer of 1964, the group added Jeff Cutler (b. Rowland Jefferies Cutler, 8 September 1941, Toronto, Ontario).
The new line-up quickly changed its name and was picked up by local booking agent, Ron Scribner, who organised concert dates in high schools across Ontario to promote the band.
Thanks to Ivan Amirault for the photo
In early 1965, the band moved up to the city’s vibrant club scene and for a while were residents at Yorkville’s Avenue Road Club and the Devil’s Den. In April of that year Jon & Lee and The Checkmates opened for The Rolling Stones at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens, followed by what was probably their most prestigious concert performance, an appearance (in front of 60,000 people) at Nathan Philips Square in September supporting Bobby Curtola.
Around this time, the group cut two songs on four-track with their manager and musical director, Eddie ‘Duke’ Edwards, which led to TV appearances in Buffalo and New York.
The band also attracted the attention of American record companies RCA, Motown, Mercury, Elektra and Decca; they actually cut some demos with the latter in New York but they were never issued.
During 1966, the band traveled to New York and played at the Phone Booth and the Peppermint Lounge. The group also performed alongside Junior Walker & The All Stars, The Chiffons and The Temptations at Shea Stadium. On 21 August, the group appeared on Compass on Channel Six.
That same year, Edwards composed ‘Batman Batusi’, which the band recorded for the ABC-TV Network. The track appeared on a rare 45 with the A-side performed by another group.
Image may be subject to copyright
Shortening their name to The Jon-Lee Group in June 1967, the band travelled to New York to play at Steve Paul’s The Scene and to record for ABC Records.
The band completed four tracks, including a cover of The Lovin’ Spoonful’s ‘Girl Beautiful Girl’, which never saw the light of day.
Instead, the label chose to release the soulful ‘Bring It Down Front’ with the instrumental rocker ‘Pork Chops’ (credited to Edwards, and provisionally titled ‘Fuck Up’).
The single subsequently reached #23 on the RPM chart in October, when it was released in Canada by Sparton Records. The single also hit #10 on Toronto’s Chum chart.
On 31 July 1967, the band returned to Toronto for its final set of gigs. The band’s music started to take on a more psychedelic bent but didn’t go down so well with audiences.
Thanks to Ivan Amirault for the photo
Jackson and Finley separated from the band in mid-September 1967 and the others moved to New York to become the house band at Steve Paul’s The Scene. For a while they acted as David Clayton-Thomas’ support band, The Phoenix.
However, when Thomas was deported from the US in November for being an illegal alien, Fonfara joined The Electric Flag (in time to appear on their debut album) and toured with the group for almost a month before running into Finley and Hodgson in L.A in early December.
Both had auditioned for Elektra’s new band ‘Project Super group’ (which later became Rhinoceros) and although Hodgson missed out on the original line-up, Finley was recruited, and duly recommended Fonfara for the band. Hodgson and Leishman would later join Rhinoceros together with Duke Edwards.
Lee Jackson meanwhile remained in Toronto and reverted to his former name. He later went on to work with Bruce Cockburn briefly and became a local rock promoter. In the early ‘70s, he worked for the Toronto Stock Exchange and ran a small studio before joining a floor-covering firm in 1974.
Jeff Cutler, who briefly worked with The Holy Modal Rounders and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, later became a movie set producer.
The others (minus Cutler and Jackson and with new members) reformed as Blackstone in 1972.
Review in Variety Magazine
Recordings
45 Batman Theme/Batman Batusi (ABC-TV Network) 1966 (B-side only)
45 Bring It Down Front/Pork Chops (Sparton P1617) 1967
Advertised gigs (as Jon & Lee and The Checkmates)
25 April 1965 – Maple Leaf Gardens with Rolling Stones, The Paupers and others
20 June 1965 – Devil’s Den, Toronto
26 June 1965 – Purple Candle Club, Wasaga Beach, Ontario
10 July 1965 – Purple Candle Club, Wasaga Beach, Ontario
11 July 1965 – Devil’s Den, Toronto
16-17 July 1965 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
18 July 1965 – Devil’s Den, Toronto
25 July 1965 – Devil’s Den, Toronto
29 July 1965 – “Red Cross Blood Donor Clinic”, Varsity Arena, Toronto with The Big Town Boys, The Paupers and J B & The Playboys
10 August 1965 – Sauble Beach Pavilion, Sauble Beach, Ontario
27 August 1965 – Club 888, Toronto
29 August 1965 – Devil’s Den, Toronto
3 September 1965 – Dunn’s Pavilion, Bala, Ontario
5 September 1965 – Lakeview Casino, Grand Bend, Ontario
12 September 1965 – Devil’s Den, Toronto
13 September 1965 – Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto with Bobby Curtola, David Clayton-Thomas & The Shays and others
25 September 1965 – Gord’s A Go Go, Oshawa, Ontario
26 September 1965 – Devil’s Den, Toronto
1 October 1965 – Mimicombo A Go-Go, Mimico, Ontario
10 October 1965 – Hop in the park, Eglington Park, Toronto
31 October 1965 – Maple Leaf Gardens with Rolling Stones and others
12 November 1965 – Mimicombo A Go Go, Mimico, Ontario
13 November 1965 – Hop in the park, Toronto
4 December 1965 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
10 December 1965 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
December 1965 – Peppermint Lounge, New York
14-16 January 1966 – The Avenue Road Club, Toronto
22 January 1966 – North Toronto Memorial Gardens, Toronto
28-29 January 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto with Majestics with Shawne Jackson (then to New York)
20 February 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
27 February 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
4-5 March 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
6 March 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
12 March 1966 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
26 March 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
1 April 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto, with Franklin Sheppard & The Good Sheppards
3 April 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto (afterwards went to New York, Detroit and Philadelphia for three months)
6-7 May 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
13 May 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
20 May 1966 – Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
22 May 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
19 June 1966 – Broom and Stone, Scarborough with David Clayton-Thomas and The Ugly Ducklings
9 July 1966 – Hunters Beach Pavilion, Lake Simcoe, Ontario
13 July 1966 – Whitby Arena, Whitby, Ontario with The Five Rogues, Bobby Kris & The Imperials and The Ugly Ducklings
13 July 1966 – North Toronto Memorial Arena, Toronto with The Big Town Boys and The Secrets
16 July 1966 – Port Carling Surf Club, Port Carling, Ontario
20 July 1966 – Don Mills Curling Club, Don Mills, Ontario with The British Modbeats, Bobby Kris & The Imperials and Dunc and The Deacons
23 July 1966 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario with Barry Allen, Wes Dakus & The Rebels
26 July 1966 – North Toronto Memorial Arena, Toronto with The Jaybees and Wes Dakus, Barry Allen & The Rebels
30 July 1966 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
7 August 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
14 August 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
19 August 1966 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario
20 August 1966 – Hunter’s Beach, Lake Simcoe, Ontario
21 August 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
27 August 1966 – Port Carling Surf Club, Port Carling, Ontario
28 August 1966 – Broom and Stone, Scarborough with The Just Us and All Five
29 August 1966 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
2 September 1966 – Balmy Beach Club, Scarborough, Ontario
3 September 1966 – Purple Candle, Wasaga, Ontario
6 September 1966 – Balmy Beach Club, Scarborough, Ontario
21 October 1966 – Gogue Inn, Toronto with Jack Hardin & The Silhouettes, The Five Good Reasons, Nicky Garber and Percy Dovetonsils
28-30 October 1966 – The Castle, St Catherine’s, Ontario
6 November 1966 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
11 November 1966 – Cobourg Lions Pavillion, Cobourg, Ontario
19 November 1966 – Gogue Inn, Toronto with Jaye’s Rayders and others
30 December 1966 – Villa Inn, Streetsville, Ontario
31 December 1966 – Gogue Inn, Toronto with Eddie Spencer & The Power and The Wyldfyre
22 January 1967 – Club Isabella, Toronto
29 January 1967 – Charlie Brown’s, Toronto
4 February 1967 – Gogue Inn, Toronto with The Five Good Reasons and The Paytons
22 April 1967 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
28-29 April 1967 – Avenue Road Club, Toronto
6 May 1967 – Gogue Inn, Toronto with Jack Hardin & The Silhouettes and Simon Caine & The Catch
20 May 1967 – Centennial Cool-Out, Kingston, Ontario with The Guess Who, The Esquires, The Townsmen and others
Joe Mendelson (Guitar, Harmonica, Keyboards, Vocals)
Mike McKenna (Guitar)
Pat Little (Drums)
Timothy Leary (Bass)
Denny Gerrard (Bass)
Tony Nolasco (Drums)
Mike Harrison (Bass)
Frank ”Zeke” Sheppard (Harmonica, Bass, Vocals)
Ted Purdy (Bass, Guitar, Vocals)
Larry Leishman (Guitar, Vocals)
Bob Adams (Harmonica)
Following a brief spell in The Ugly Ducklings, former Luke & The Apostles guitarist Mike McKenna (b. 15 April 1946, Toronto, Canada) put an ad in a local paper (around May 1968) searching for blues enthusiasts interested in forming a band.
Local singer Joe Mendelson (b. Birrel Josef Mendelson, 30 July 1944, Toronto, Canada) answered his ad, and together they formed the basis of this musically interesting group.
A very short-lived line up formed with former Luke & The Apostles drummer Pat Little (b. 10 March 1947, North Bay, Ontario, Canada) and bass player Timothy Leary (not the more famous US namesake) but it never got passed rehearsals.
Soon afterwards, former Paupers member Denny Gerrard signed up alongside drummer Tony Nolasco (b. 9 July 1950, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada), who had spent a year with The Spasstiks and was only 16 years old when he arrived in Toronto.
The quartet began advertising its talents in mid-June and recorded a demonstration tape over a few days in early September, which was subsequently issued as a “legal bootleg” by manager John Irvine, who had the legal title to the tapes but released it without the band’s approval. This line -up also became residents at Toronto’s Night Owl.
Following several early live performances, Gerrard left the group in early October (subsequently rejoining The Paupers briefly) and ex-Grant Smith and The Power bass player Mike Harrison (b. 1 November 1948, Brampton, Ontario, Canada) was recruited in his place.
This line-up opened for John Lee Hooker at the Rockpile before moving to London, England in December.
Mendelson and McKenna arrived on 10 December, Harrison on 15 December and Nolasco on 26 December.
The band built up a steady following on London’s blues circuit and also played some dates on the continent, including the ‘Flight to Lowlands Paradise 2’ concert, in Utrecht, The Netherlands on 27/28 December alongside Pink Floyd, where the Canadian band was reputedly the only group to receive a standing ovation. (Nolasco had only arrived in England on 26 December!)
During their stay in London, McKenna Mendelson Mainline won a recording deal with Liberty Records and in April and May 1969 recorded the album Stink, generally considered to be the band’s best work, at Trident Studios in London’s Soho district.
By the time it was released in July the musicians were back in Toronto, where they were greeted as returning heroes.
The single, ‘Better Watch Out’ reached #47 on the Canadian RPM chart and the album sold very well.
However, despite the LP’s success, the group’s career was about to grind to a halt.
On 23 November 1969, Mendelson guested with Whiskey Howl at Toronto’s Night Owl, which was a precursor of things to come; he left abruptly [late] the following month for a solo career.
During the early part of 1970 McKenna found time to record with a revamped Luke & The Apostles and the group was put on hold.
Mendelson however, decided to reform the band in March 1970, recruiting former Franklin Sheppard & The Good Sheppards singer Zeke Sheppard on bass alongside Nolasco.
The group, now named simply “Mainline”, was invited to play at the Scarborough Fair Festival in the summer, and Mendelson decided to ask McKenna to join the band for the one show.
The concert was a great success and McKenna was invited to rejoin full-time. The new line-up embarked on a tour of Australia in 1971 as opening act for Frijid Pink.
During this period the band scored another hit with the single ‘Get Down To’, from the 1971 GRT LP Mainline: Canada Our Home & Native Land. The single hit #45 in April 1972.
In late 1971, bassist Ted Purdy replaced Sheppard and appeared on the 1972 GRT album The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue. This version of Mainline dissolved in late 1972.
In March 1973, a new entity formed, “King Biscuit Boy Meets Mainline”, with Richard “King Biscuit Boy” on vocals and harmonica, Mike McKenna on guitar and vocals, Mike Harrison on bass, and Tony Nolasco on drums. In May, former Rhinoceros/Blackstone guitarist Larry Leishman was added on guitar and vocals.
“King Biscuit Boy Meets Mainline” was booked for an Australian tour, but Richard Newell’s fear of flying prevented his participation.
In June 1973, Joe Mendelson replaced Newell for the Australian tour, so the Stink album quartet of McKenna, Mendelson, Harrison, and Nolasco was reunited (with Larry Leishman added) for the first time since December 1969.
After the Australian tour, the Biscuit Meets Mainline band reassembled for several months, but dissolved later in the year. Contrary to legend, this band never recorded or released any material.
On 31 December 1973, the quartet of McKenna, Mendelson, Harrison, and Nolasco presented “The Mainline Bump & Grind Revue” at Toronto’s Victory Burlesque Theatre. The show was broadcast the same evening on TV Ontario.
In 1974, Mendelson decided to reform the band. McKenna and Nolasco agreed, but Harrison opted out, and female bassist Leslie Soldat was recruited. This line-up, most notable for opening for Rush at Toronto’s Massey Hall, dissolved in less than a year.
In 1975, McKenna and Mendelson recorded No Substitute for Taurus Records. Produced by Mendelson and Adam Mitchell, the LP included an assortment of players including Ted Purdy on bass and Jørn Anderson on drums. The album didn’t sell; soon after McKenna and Mendelson went on to pursue separate careers.
Mendelson resumed his solo career while McKenna had brief spells with The Guess Who and The Downchild Blues Band.
In 1997, McKenna and Gerrard formed Slidewinder and recorded an LP for the Pacemaker label.
A new line up of the band was formed in late-April 1999 featuring Mike McKenna (guitar, vocals), Tony Nolaso (drums, lead vocals), Mike Harrison (bass, vocals), Ted Purdy (guitar, vocals) and Bob Adams (harp).
The band recorded a CD, Last Show @ The Elmo for Bullseye in November 2001. The CD release party was at Toronto’s Hard Rock Café in December 2002.
LP Canada, Our Home And Native Land (GRT 9230-1011) 1971
LP The Mainline Bump And Grind Revue – Live At The Victory Theatre (GRT 9230-1015) 1972
45 Get Down To/Pedalictus Rag (GRT 1233-22) 1972
45 Games of Love/O Canada (GRT 1233-32) 1972
45 Sometimes/Do My Walkin’ (Taurus 005) 1975
LP No Substitute (Taurus TR103) 1975
Advertised gigs
5-10 August 1968 – The Night Owl, Toronto
16-17 August 1968 – The Night Owl, Toronto
24-25 August 1968 – El Patio, Toronto
31 August 1968 – The Night Owl, Toronto
5-8 September 1968 – El Patio, Toronto
6 October 1968 – Massey Hall, Toronto with The Fugs and Transfusion (Gerrard’s final show as Toronto Telegram’s 19 October issue reports he’s back with The Paupers)
22-27 October 1968 – El Patio, Toronto (Harrison’s debut)
2 November 1968 – Grande Ballroom, Detroit, US with Jeff Beck, Toad and Joyful Wisdom
14-16 November 1968 – The Flick, Toronto
17 November 1968 – Rock Pile, Toronto with The Leigh Ashford Group
18-20 November 1968 – The Night Owl, Toronto
22 November 1968 – The Night Owl, Toronto
23 November 1968 – Rock Pile, Toronto with John Lee Hooker
30 November 1968 – Rock Pile, Toronto with Transfusion
1 December 1968 – Rock Pile, Toronto (“Going to England party”)
8 December 1968 – Rock Pile, Toronto with Buddy Guy (probably last show for leaving for UK)
27-28 December 1968 – Flight to Lowlands Paradise II, Margrietel Jaarbeus, Utrecht, The Netherlands
Nottingham Evening Post lists the band as coming from San Francisco! Photo may be subject to copyright
26 January 1969 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham, England (debut UK gig)
Photo: Western Evening Herald. Photo may be subject to copyright
8 February 1969 – Van Dike, Plymouth, Devon
This is noted in Jonathan Hill’s book ‘Van Dike – The Life & Times of a Plymouth Club 1968-1972’
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
19 February 1969 – Speakeasy, central London
Photo may be subject to copyright
20 February 1969 – South Parade Pier, Southsea, Hants, England with The Pretty Things and The Deviants
20 February 1969 – Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hants
27 February 1969 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire, England with Family (needs confirmation)
1 March 1969 – Van Dike, Plymouth, Devon
This is noted in Jonathan Hill’s book ‘Van Dike – The Life & Times of a Plymouth Club 1968-1972’. The group replaced Led Zeppelin who were due to play
6 March 1969 – Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hants
8 March 1969 – Bay Hotel, Sunderland, England
Photo: Surrey Advertiser. Photo may be subject to copyright
16 March 1969 – Mad Gin Mill, Angel, Godalming, Surrey, England with Six Bob Cheep
22 March 1969 – Kimbells Club, Southsea, Hants, England
26 March 1969 – Rambling Jack’s Blues Club, the Railway Hotel, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts, England
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
28 March 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands, England
30 March 1969 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham, England
According to Melody Maker, the group played at the Mistrale Club in Beckenham Junction, south London before 19 April.
7 April 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London
Photo: Bournemouth Evening Echo. Photo may be subject to copyright
11 April 1969 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset
21 April 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Van Der Graaf Generator, Peter & The Alphabet, The State Express and Wall City Jazzmen
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
23 April 1969 – Toby Jug, Tolworth, Surrey, England
24 April 1969 – Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hants
25 April 1969 – Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe, Bucks, England
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
27 April 1969 – Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London with White Trash, Third Ear and many others
Photo: Swindon Advertiser. Photo may be subject to copyright
1 May 1969 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire, England with Caravan
Photo: Bucks Free Press. Photo may be subject to copyright
9 May 1969 – Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe, Bucks, England
18 May 1969 – Mad Gin Mill, Angel, Godalming, Surrey, England with Six Bob Cheep
22 May 1969 – Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hants
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
23 May 1969 – The Lyceum, Strand, central London with The Soft Machine, Harvey Matusow’s Jews Harp Band, Mighty Baby and Procol Harum,
Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright
29 May 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Howlin’ Wolf and The John Dummer Blues Band
12 July 1969 – Rock Pile, Toronto (probably the band’s first show after returning from the UK)
21-24 August 1969 – Rock Pile, Toronto
26 August 1969 – Glenbriar, Waterloo, Ontario
29 August 1969 – Huron Park, Mississauga, Ontario
9-14 September 1969 – Electric Circus, Toronto
19 September 1969 – St Gabe’s, Willowdale, Ontario
20 September 1969 – Barrie Rock Festival, Barrie Central Auditorium, Barrie, Ontario with Teegarden and Vanwinkle, Leigh Ashford, Neon Rose and Milestone
1 November 1969 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
8 November 1969 – Scorpio Youth Concert, North York Centennial Centre, Toronto with Manchild, East West Project, Buckstone Hardware and Life and Creation
28 November 1969 – The Workshop at Seneca College, Toronto
30 November 1969 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
30 November 1969 – The Night Owl, Toronto
13 December 1969 – Cedabrae Collegiate, Toronto
23 December 1969 – Kiwanis Club, Hamilton, Ontario
31 December 1969 – Grande Ballroom, Detroit, US (without Mendelson) Advertised but didn’t happen
3 January 1970 – Le Hibou, Ottawa (without Mendelson) Advertised but didn’t happen
4 January 1970 – Notre Dame Hall, Ottawa with Whiskey Howl and Brimful (without Mendelson) Advertised but didn’t happen
6 January 1970 – St Gabe’s, Willowdale, Ontario
7 February 1970 – Our Lady of Fatima Hall, Toronto (without Mendelson)
Advertised gigs (As Mainline)
3 April 1970 – Dunbarton High, Toronto
11 April 1970 – Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
24 April 1970 – Electric Circus, Toronto
15 May 1970 – St Gabe’s, Willowdale, Ontario
30 May 1970 – Electric Circus, Toronto (McKenna rejoins after this show)
6 June 1970 – Scarboro Fair, Scarborough, Ontario, with Richie Havens, Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Lighthouse, Edward Bear, Fludd and others
4 July 1970 – Memorial Gardens, Toronto with The Guess Who, Manchild and Balazar
17 July 1970 – Jubilee Auditorium, Oshawa, Ontario
18 July 1970 – Hidden Valley, Hunstville, Ontario
14 August 1970 – Jubilee Auditorium, Oshawa, Ontario
22 August 1970 – Le Hibou, Ottawa (as McKenna Mendelson Mainline)
I don’t think this tour of Australia and New Zealand happened. They toured in 1971 and then again in 1973
2 September 1970 – Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
3 September 1970 – Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
4 September 1970 – Brisbane, Australia
5 September 1970 – Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
9 September 1970 – Perth, Western Australia, Australia
11 September 1970 – Wellington, New Zealand
12 September 1970 – Auckland, New Zealand
3 October 1970 – Runnymede Secondary School, Toronto
24 October 1970 – St Gabe’s, Willowdale, Ontario
1 November 1970 – York Masonic Temple, Toronto with Mudflat (advertised but didn’t happen)
19 November 1970 – U of T Convocation Hall, Toronto with Jason
26 December 1970 – Markham United Church, Markham, Ontario
29 December 1970 – Huron Heights High School, Toronto with Jason
Huge thanks to Mike Harrison for his help with this entry. Thanks also to Mike McKenna and Tony Nolasco.
Thanks to Cole Mathieson for the Concorde Club, Southampton gigs at the Bassett Hotel.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
