Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
(LES) FLEUR DE LYS
Formed in Southampton in early 1964, and originally called Les Fleur De Lys, the original line-up comprised:
Frank Smith (guitar/vocals)
Danny Churchill (bass/vocals)
Alex Chamberlain (keyboards)
Keith Guster (drums)
1964
3 October 1964 – TA Centre, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 December 1964 – Royal Pier, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 December 1964 – Esso Recreation Club, Fawley, Hampshire with Dave Dee & The Bostons (Southern Echo)
15 December 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
20 December 1964 – Bannister Ballroom, Southampton, Hampshire with The Soundsmen (Southern Echo)
Image may be subject to copyright
24 December 1964 – Lido Ballroom, Winchester, Hampshire with The Daisies (Eastleigh Weekly News/Southern Echo)
28 December 1964 – Top Hat, Littlehampton, West Sussex with The Dave West Show and (Littlehampton Gazette)
1965
Image may be subject to copyright
8 January 1965 – Royal Ballrooms, Royal Arcade, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
18 June 1965 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)
19 June 1965 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Hollies (East Kent Times & Mail)
Image may be subject to copyright
27 June 1965 – New Victoria, Halifax, West Yorkshire with Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, Denny & The Witchdoctors, The Bondsmen, The New Blues and The Dave Little Trio (Halifax Daily Courier & Guardian)
7 August 1965 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with Ricky Vermone & The Pathfinders (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)
15 August 1965 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
19 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
10 September 1965 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)
6 November 1965 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Keith Guster’s diary)
13 November 1965 – Orchid Ballroom, Oxford, Oxfordshire with The Shakeouts (Oxford Mail)
Around this time, Danny Churchill left and Gordon Haskell joined from Bournemouth band The Dowlands.
14 December 1965 – Youth & Adult Centre, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)
1966
During February, The Les Fleur De Lys worked in West Germany for a month. While there, they met former Cheynes guitarist Phil Sawyer, who is working with Johnny Deen & The Deacons and invited him to join.
However, when the band returned to the UK, Alex Chamberlain departed.
4 March 1966 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)
5 March 1966 – Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Cornwall with The Climates (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)
12 March 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Essex Five (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
13 March 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with The Cheaters (Eastern Evening News)
24 March 1966 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Fortunes (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)
15 April 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Guy Darrell and The Rising Sons (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
21 April 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Caterham Weekly Press)
Around this time, Frank Smith departed leaving Keith Guster as the only original member. Sawyer recommended his friend Chris Andrews as a lead singer. The band worked as a quartet for a short while before adding keyboard player Pete Sears.
By this point, the band have dropped the “Les” from their name and are billed as The Fleur De Lys.
13 May 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Mood Indigoes (Eastern Evening News)
29 May 1966 – Crawdaddy, Taggs Island, Hampton Court, Middlesex with The Downliners Sect (Keith Guster’s diary)
Image may be subject to copyright
4 June 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire with The Kinks, The Reflections and Five of a Kind (Burnley Express & News)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Klubs and The Eyes (Melody Maker)
15 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Summer Set (Keith Guster’s diary)
Image may be subject to copyright
22 July 1966 – Southampton Guildhall, Southampton, Hants with Rob Chance & The Chances and The Earth Angels (Southern Evening Echo)
30 July 1966 – Blaises, Queensway, west London (Keith Guster’s diary)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 August 1966 – Southampton Guildhall, Southampton, Hants with The Nite People, The Footprints and The Blue Stars (Southern Evening Echo)
7 August 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
10 August 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
13 August 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Johnny & John (ex-Merseybeats) and group, Sonny Childe & TNT, The Rising Suns and The Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard)
19 August 1966 – 32 Club, Harlesden, northwest London (Keith Guster’s diary)
27 August 1966 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express)
30 August 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
Guster says Tony Rivers & The Castaways were billed to play as well at the Flamingo on the 30th August but failed to turn up
6 September 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Fenmen (Keith Guster’s diary)
9 September 1966 – Blaises, Queensway, west London (Keith Guster’s diary)
13 September 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
16 September 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
17 September 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Roosters (straight from Flamingo, Soho) (Eastern Evening News)
20 September 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Gaylords (Melody Maker)
20 September 1966 – Sybilla’s, Swallow Street, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
24 September 1966 – Memorial Hall, Woodford, east London (Keith Guster’s diary)
Image may be subject to copyright
24 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Guests and C-Jam Blues Band (Melody Maker)
27 September 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
2 October 1966 – Sunday Club, Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 October 1966 – Market Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire (Welwyn Advertiser)
8 October 1966 – Braintree Institute, Braintree, Essex with The Tender Trap (Essex County Standard)
10 October 1966 – Black Triangle, Southampton, Hants (Southern Evening Echo)
10 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary) Start of 11 nighter
11 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
12 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
13 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
14 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
15 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
16 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
17 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
18 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
19 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
20 October 1966 – Playboy Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
22 October 1966 – TA Centre, Andover, Hants (Andover Advetiser)
24 October 1966 – Black Triangle, Southampton, Hants (Southern Evening Echo)
24 October 1966 – Queen’s College, London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Keith Guster’s diary)
30 October 1966 – Black Triangle, Southampton, Hants (Southern Evening Echo)
5 November 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey with support (Aldershot News)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 November 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 November 1966 – Burnley Locarno, Burnley, Lancashire (Burnley Express and News)
10 November 1966 – Ashton Palais, Ashton under Lyne, Greater Manchester with Lee Dorsey (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)
29 April 1967 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with Odds On (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
5 May 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 May 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (East Kent Times & Mail)
7 May 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent (East Kent Times & Mail)
13 May 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
20 May 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
27 May 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
During June, Chris Andrews departed to front Rupert’s People. The Fleur De Lys continued as a trio.
2 June 1967 – Tech College, Streatham, southwest London with Bluesology (Keith Guster’s diary)
Image may be subject to copyright
3 June 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
Image may be subject to copyright
10 June 1967 – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent with Crispian St Peters (Folkestone & Hythe Gazette)
23 June 1967 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
3 August 1967 – Speakeasy, Margaret Street, central London (Fabulous 208/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies) Billed as Sharon Tandy & The Fleur De Lys
22 August 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
30 December 1967 – Market Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire (Hertfordshire Express)
1968
20 January 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
22 January 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
27 January 1967 – Speakeasy, Margaret Street, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
Guster says Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell joined them for a 45 minute jam at the Speakeasy show on 27th January
Around February, Haskell’s friend from Bournemouth, Tony Head, who had sung with Dave Antony’s Moods from 1965-1966, joined.
29 February 1968 – Speakeasy, Margaret Street, central London with Sharon Tandy and Donnie Elbert (Fabulous 208/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
Guster says they did two 15 minute slots as the band before backing Sharon Tandy for 30 minutes, then Donnie Elbert for 30 minutes and finally Sharon and Donnie together for 20 minutes.
28 April 1968 – Rotterdam and Amsterdam, Netherlands supporting Aretha Franklin (Keith Guster’s diary)
Guster says that the group rehearsed at the Revolution club on 24, 25 and 26 April before flying to Switzerland for the festival and Dutch dates.
On the band’s return to the UK, Gordon Haskell left to join The Flowerpot Men. Tago Byers from Reading band, The Moquettes took his place on bass.
17 May 1968 – Falaise Hall, Hastings, East Sussex with The Fire (Hastings & St Leonards Observer) Billed as Sharon Tandy & The Fleur De Lys
18 June 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
19 June 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
24 June 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
25 June 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
26 June 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
Guster says The Webb played on the evening of 26th June
27 June 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
11 July 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
12 July 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
8 August 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
9 September 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
25 September 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London for rehearsals (Keith Guster’s diary)
9 November 1968 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (Keith Guster’s diary)
9 November 1968 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
19 November 1968 – Revolution Club, Mayfair, central London (Keith Guster’s diary)
22 November 1968 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, north London with Eyes of Blue (Melody Maker)
24 November 1968 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Sharon Tandy and Six Across (Warrington Guardian)
Image may be subject to copyright
4 December 1968 – City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Beach Boys, Barry Ryan, Bruce Channel, Vanity Fayre, Eclection and Sharon Tandy (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 December 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire with Sharon Tandy (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
Around March, Keith Guster was injured in a car accident and the band were unable to perform for several months. After he had recovered, Bryn Haworth departed for the US and the band Silver Metre followed soon after by Tony Head for a solo deal.
Guster and Byers briefly kept the band going with former Mojos guitarist Eddie Harnett before splitting in September. Guster and Byers then joined a reformed Amboy Dukes until May 1970.
A massive thank you to Keith Guster for generously giving up his time to pull out and send me gigs from his diary.
Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
Left to right: David Hyde, Mark Leeman, Brian Davison, Alan Roskams and Terry Goldberg. Pictured in Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
THE MARK LEEMAN FIVE:
Mark Leeman (real name: John Ardrey) – lead vocals
Alan Roskams – lead guitar
Terry Goldberg – keyboards
David Hyde – bass
Brian Davison – drums
1963
12 January 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Danny Davis & The Dynamos (Stevenage Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 February 1963 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with The Classics (Aldershot News)
23 February 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Neil Christian & The London Crusaders (Stevenage Gazette)
30 March 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Grant Tracy & The Sunsets (Stevenage Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 April 1963 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with The Mike Jones Combo (Aldershot News)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 May 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with The Niteshades (Stevenage Gazette)
10 June 1963 – King’s Hall, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire with The Niteshades (Berkhamsted Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
27 July 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Johnny Gentle-Johnny Angel and Terry Judge & The Wayders (Stevenage Gazette)
12 August 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex with Mel Turner (Melody Maker)
19 August 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex with The Sovereigns (Melody Maker)
24 August 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Stevenage Gazette)
26 August 1963 – Manor House R&B Club, Manor House, north London with Mel Turner (Melody Maker)
19 October 1963 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with Johnny Duncan and Kerry Rapid & The Seltones (Aldershot News/West Surrey Advertiser)
25 October 1963 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Big Three, The Undertakers and Jackie Frisco (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 December 1963 – Drill Hall, Camberley, Surrey with The Bumblies (Aldershot News)
28 December 1963 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, Surrey with Manfred Mann (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1964
11 January 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with Terry Franks & The Avalons (Hertfordshire Express)
14 January 1964 – St Mary’s Hall, Putney, Surrey with Manfred Mann (Blues-rock Explosion book, edited by Summer McStravick and John Roos)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 February 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with The Rockin’ Berries (Hertfordshire Express)
14 March 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with Unit 7 (Hertfordshire Express)
Image may be subject to copyright
15 March 1964 – Willows Dance Club, London Colney, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
20 March 1964 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers, The Redcaps and Troy Dante & The Infernos (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
29 March 1964 – The Scene, Florida Rooms, Brighton, West Sussex (Evening Argus)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 April 1964 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with Graham Bond and The Blue Bottles with Mike Patto (Harrow Weekly Post)
13 April 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
14 April 1964 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Pretty Things and The Tridents (Record Mirror)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 April 1964 – Ballito, St Albans, Herts with Wayne Gibson & The Dynamic Sounds (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
19 April 1964 – Willows, London Colney, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
25 April 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with The Lion Herts (Hertfordshire Express)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 May 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with The Bo Street Runners and The Soul Messengers (Middlesex Chronicle)
9 May 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
12 May 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with The Bo Street Runners and The Soul Messengers (Middlesex Chronicle)
16 May 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 May 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with The Bo Street Runners and The Soul Messengers (Middlesex Chronicle)
23 May 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 May 1964 – Majestic Ballroom, Luton, Bedfordshire with The Who (Luton News)
26 May 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with The Bo Street Runners and The Soul Messengers (Middlesex Chronicle)
30 May 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 June 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Bluebirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
2 June 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with The Bo Street Runners and The Soul Messengers (Middlesex Chronicle)
6 June 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 June 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with The Deltics (Hertfordshire Express)
8 June 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 June 1964 – Ealing Town Hall, Ealing, Middlesex with The Soul Messengers and Jimmy Royal & The Hawks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
13 June 1964 – Margate Winter Gardens, Margate, Kent with Manfred Mann, The Tornados, The Sensations, Guy Hamilton and The Scaffolds (East Kent Times & Mail)
13 June 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Are three gigs likely on the same date?
15 June 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
20 June 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Needs confirmation
22 June 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
27 June 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
29 June 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 June 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardeners, Isleworth, Middlesex with Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
4 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 July 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
11 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
18 July 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Fernando & The Hideways (Hertfordshire Express)
18 July 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
28 July 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with Ray Martin & The Corvettes (Middlesex Chronicle)
1 August 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 August 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex (Evening Argus)
3 August 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
8 August 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Likely but not confirmed
15 August 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Likely but not confirmed
22 August 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Likely but not confirmed
29 August 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Likely but not confirmed
5 September 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Likely but not confirmed
12 September 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 September 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 September 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 October 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 October 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 October 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
31 October 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 November 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
7 November 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 November 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
14 November 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
16 November 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
28 November 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 December 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 December 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 December 1964 – Waterfront, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)
13 December 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
14 December 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
20 Decembr 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
21 December 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
26 December 1964 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex with The Hobos (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 December 1964 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
1965
2 January 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Utopians (North Norfolk News)
4 January 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
11 January 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
17 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
18 January 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
25 January 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
1 February 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 February 1965 – Ferndown Village Hall, Ferndown, Dorset with Tony & The Trackmarks (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 February 1965 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex with The Forerunners (Sussex Evening Express)
14 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
21 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 February 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
28 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 March 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
5 March 1965 – Radio Caroline Sounds of ’65, Fairfield Hall, Croydon, Surrey with The Moody Blues, The Yardbirds and Ronnie Jones & The Night Timers (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)
6 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 March 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, Kent (Melody Maker)
8 March 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 March 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
21 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 March 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
27 March 1965 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with The RBQ (Essex Chronicle)
28 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
29 March 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 March 1965 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardeners, Isleworth, Middlesex with The Tribe (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
14 April 1965 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)
19 April 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 April 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
27 April 1965 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with Group Survival (Middlesex Chronicle)
1 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 May 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
11 May 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
18 May 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
23 May 1965 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)
25 May 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Who (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
30 May 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
8 June 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 June 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
19 June 1965 – Royal Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Kent Messenger)
26 June 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London (NME)
27 June 1965 – Rainbow Theatre, Blackpool, Lancashire (Blues-rock Explosion book, edited by Summer McStravick and John Roos)
According to the Blues-rock Explosion book, edited by Summer McStravick and John Roos, The Mark Leeman Five were scheduled to undertake a series of 13 Sunday concerts with Manfred Mann at the Rainbow Theatre in Blackpool, Lancashire. The first date on 27 June went well but that evening Mark Leeman took a lift with one of singer Julie Grant’s friends to Blackburn and was killed in a car crash.
29 June 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Unlikely this happened
According to the Blues-rock Explosion book, Roger Peacock (from The Cheynes), Leeman’s replacement, debuted on 2 July 1965
2 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Platform Six (Melody Maker)
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6 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 July 1965 – Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire with Manfred Mann (Bletchley District Gazette)
13 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Who (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
16 July 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Tony Rivers & The Castaways and The Denisons (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
20 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 July 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
6 August 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Sugar Pie Desanto and The Shevelles (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
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11 August 1965 – The Plughole, Tottenham Court Road, central London (Melody Maker)
17 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Article in the Coventry Evening Telegraph, 19 August 1965. Thanks to Vin Miles for providing
20 August 1965 – New Fender Club, Kenton, northwest London (Greenford Weekly Post)
24 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Lulu & The Luvvers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
27 August 1965 – Witham Public Hall, Witham, Essex with The Fairies (Essex Chronicle)
30 August 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Heinz & The Wild Boys (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
30 August 1965 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Martyn Hanson’s Hang on to a Dream: The Story of the Nice book)
According to Hanson’s book, this was keyboard player Terry Goldberg’s final gig with Mark Leeman’s band.
Terry Goldberg left at this point and Tom Parker joined from John Lee’s Groundhogs. Goldberg briefly took Parker’s place in the Groundhogs and then later worked with The James Royal Set, Tintern Abbey and Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement.
The new line up with Tom Parker (top right) from Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
31 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Moody Blues (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
2 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
7 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
14 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
16 September 1965 – Club Dolphin, Luton, Bedfordshire (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)
18 September 1965 – Ticky Rick and Rang-A-Tang Club, Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)
25 September 1965 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with The Movements (Essex Chronicle)
27 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Yardbirds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
17 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
19 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
23 October 1965 – Hanwell Community Centre, Hanwell west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Left to right: David Hyde, Tom Parker, Alan Roskams, Brian Davison and Roger Peacock. Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
2 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Who (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 November 1965 – Beachcomber, Preston, Lancashire (Lancashire Evening Post)
8 November 1965 – Dancing Slipper, West Bridgeford, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Evening Post)
9 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
11 November 1965 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Kevin Cann research)
16 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 November 1965 – Stockton ABC, Stockon-on-Tees, Teesside with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Paul and Barry Ryan, Marty Wilde, the Scaffold and Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
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24 November 1965 – Ritz, Chatham, Kent with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez & Charlie Foxx, The Scaffold, Paul & Barry Ryan and Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News/Kent Messenger)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 November 1965 – ABC Regal Cambridge, Cambridge with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez and Charlie Foxx, Paul and Barry Ryan, The Scaffold and The Summer Set (Cambridge News)
27 November 1965 – Granada East Ham, East Ham, east London with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez & Charlie Foxx, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Scaffold and The Summer Set (Southend Standard)
29 November 1965 – Northampton ABC, Northampton with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez & Charlie Foxx, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Scaffold and The Summer Set (Northampton Chronicle)
Image may be subject to copyright
2 December 1965 – Granada, Bedford with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez & Charlie Foxx, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Scaffold and The Summer Set (Boyfriend magazine)
3 December 1965 – Colston Hall, Bristol with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez & Charlie Foxx, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Scaffold and The Summer Set (Boyfriend magazine)
4 December 1965 – ABC Plymouth, Plymouth, Devon with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez & Charlie Foxx, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Scaffold and The Summer Set (Boyfriend magazine)
5 December 1965 – ABC Exeter, Exeter, Devon with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Inez & Charlie Foxx, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Scaffold and The Summer Set (Boyfriend magazine)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 December 1965 – Adelphi, Slough, Berkshire with Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Goldie of The Gingerbreads), Shangaans, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Buckinghamshire Advertiser/Windsor, Slough & Eton Express) Windsor, Slough & Eton Express has Scaffold instead of Jimmy James
8 December 1965 – New Brighton Radio Caroline gig (Kevin Cann research)
9 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Price Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
9 December 1965 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Kevin Cann research)
10 December 1965 – Ealing College, Ealing, west London (Kevin Cann research)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 December 1965 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with The Mob (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
14 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
21 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Who (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 December 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
28 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Manfred Mann (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
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31 December 1965 – Parkside Hall, Ampthill, Bedfordshire with The Triads (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)
31 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
1966
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2 January 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with Sounds Reformed (Lynn News)
3 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
7 January 1966 – Parkside Hall, Ampthill, Bedfordshire (Biggleswade Chronicle)
10 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
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15 January 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) Says from Marquee
16 January 1966 – Big E Club, Finchley, London (Melody Maker)
24 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Summer Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 March 1966 – Dereham Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Sullivan James Band (Eastern Evening News)
17 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Objects (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
19 March 1966 – Godalming Methodist Youth Club, Godalming, Surrey with Primevals (Surrey Advertiser)
23 March 1966 – Seagull Beat Club, Southall, west London with The Handles (Middlesex County Times)
24 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
27 March 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with RBQ (Essex Chronicle)
27 March 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
30 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Bo Street Runners (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright. Photo: West Surrey Advertiser
7 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 April 1966 – ABC Promotions, Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with Mick’s Mode (Lynn News)
11 April 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Sounds Incorporated and Brian Something and The What’s Its (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
14 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Objects (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
21 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Bo Street Runners (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
28 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Alan Bown Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
29 April 1966 – Matrix Ballroom, Coventry with The Small Faces and The Clayton Squares (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
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30 April 1966 – KD Club, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees with The Denmen (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
1 May 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
5 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Emeralds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 May 1966 – The Cave, Village Hall, Hilgary, Norfolk with The Cynics (Lynn News)
14 May 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich (Eastern Evening News)
16 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Bo Street Runners (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
21 May 1966 – Polytechnic, Little Titchfield Street, W1, London with Alexis Korner (Melody Maker)
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27 May 1966 – Parkside Hall, Ampthill, Bedfordshire with The Triads (Bury Free Press)
30 May 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Graham Bond Organisation, The Alan Bown Set and Dave Antony’s Moods (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
3 June 1966 – Parkside Hall, Ampthill, Bedfordshire with The Triads (Luton News)
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24 June 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
4 July 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Brighton Evening Argus)
According to the Blues-rock Explosion book, edited by Summer McStravick and John Roos, Roger Peacock left in early-mid July (to join Dave Anthony’s Moods) after the failure of “Follow Me”.
Peacock’s replacement was Pete Hodges (who may be the same musician who had previously played with Jimmy Cliff & The New Generation and would briefly front The Attack).
Image may be subject to copyright
9 July 1966 – Top Spot, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire with The Jokers (Gloucester Citizen)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)
16 July 1966 – Penthouse, Birmingham with Monopoly (Birmingham Evening Mail)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 July 1966 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)
Image may be subject to copyright
29 July 1966 – Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Blues-rock Explosion book, edited by Summer McStravick and John Roos/Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
According to the above book, this was the final gig but I found the following:
24 December 1966 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire with The Gass featuring Roscoe (Portsmouth News)
During early September Alan Roskams joined The Gass and later worked with Herbie Goins & The Night-timers.
Tom Parker briefly worked Boz & The Boz People (including a Dusty Springfield tour) and then joined Eric Burdon & The New Animals for a short tour. Parker then joined Jimmy James & The Vagabonds.
Brian Davison meanwhile joined The Habits before briefly working with The Mike Cotton Sound and then The Attack (in January 1967). After working with Don Shinn, he joined The Nice that August.
Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
Photo may be subject to copyright
THE NASHVILLE TEENS:
Ray Philips – lead vocals (b. 16 January 1939, Tiger Bay, Cardiff)
Art Sharp – lead vocals (b. 26 May 1941, Woking, Surrey)
John Hawken – keyboards (b. 9 May 1940, Bournemouth, Dorset)
Mick Dunford – lead guitar (b. 8 July 1944, Addlestone, Surrey)
Pete Shannon (Harris) – bass (b. Peter Shannon Harris, 23 August 1941, Antrim, County Antrim, Northern Ireland)
Dave Maine – drums
1962
Sometime in 1962, Roger Groom (b. Woking, Surrey) replaces Dave Maine.
14 July 1962 – Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
21 July 1962 – Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
28 July 1962 – Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
22 September 1962 – Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
1963
Photo may be subject to copyright
12 January 1963 – Coronation Hall, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey with The Corvettes
19 January 1963 – Coronation Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey with Gerry Brown’s Jazzmen
30 January 1963 – Hi-Fi Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
14 February 1963 – St Valentine’s Ball, Surbiton Assembly Rooms, Surbiton, Surrey with The Avengers
2 March 1963 – Coronation Hall, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey with The Avengers
Photo may be subject to copyright
9 March 1963 – Co-op Hall, Tolworth, Surrey
14 March 1963 – Jazz Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey with The Barron Knights
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18 May 1963 – Co-op Hall, Tolworth, Surrey
5 June 1963 – Co-op Hall, Tolworth, Surrey
Terry Crowe joins as a third vocalist for the band’s trip to Hamburg in July.
Woking Herald, 21 June 1963. Clockwise from top left: John Hawken, Mick Dunford, Pete Shannon, Roger Groom, Terry Crowe, Ray Philips and Art Sharp. Photo may be subject to copyright
The Surrey Comet has a great story on the band going professional in its 6 July 1963 issue, page 10
Back in the Britain after the German dates, Mick Dunford becomes ill on the eve of a Scottish tour in July/August and is forced to leave. John Allen (b. 23 April 1945, St Albans, Hertfordshire) takes over lead guitar.
Photo may be subject to copyright
8 October 1963 – British Legion Hall, South Harrow, Middlesex (Direct from Germany)
Also, this year Peter Jones temporarily replaces Roger Groom who leaves to join The End before Barry Jenkins (b. 22 December 1944, Leicester, Leicestershire) takes over full-time on drums. Terry Crowe departs too and reunites with Mick Dunford in The Plebs in March 1964.
10 December 1963 – British Legion Hall, South Harrow, Middlesex with The Saracens (Direct from Germany)
11 December 1963 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Johnny Milton & The Condors (Stevenage Gazette) Says direct from Germany
1964
15 January 1964 – Golders Green Refectory, Golders Green, north London
25 January 1964 – Top Ten Club, Corn Exchange, Bedford with The Three Ways
16 February 1964 – Co-op Hall, Addlestone, Surrey
23 February 1964 – Cellar Club, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
8 March 1964 – Cellar Club, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
15 March 1964 – Co-Op, Addlestone, Surrey
26 March 1964 – Cellar Club, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey (backing Jerry Lee Lewis) with The Original Checkmates
31 March 1964 – Colston Hall, Bristol (backing Jerry Lee Lewis) with Pete Pete & The Original All Stars, The Redcaps, Troy Dante & The Infernos, The Chants, The Harlems and Jackie Lynton
Photo may be subject to copyright
2 April 1964 – British Legion Hall, South Harrow, Middlesex with Jerry Lee Lewis and The Falcons
19 April 1964 – Cellar Club, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
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4 June 1964 – New Haw Community Centre, New Haw, Surrey
27 June 1964 – Birkhead’s, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
11 July 1964 – Hi Fi Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)
Thanks to John Warburg for sending. Photo may be subject to copyright
17 July 1964 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with Buddy Britten & The Regents
24 July 1964 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Venders
1 August 1964 – Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Bucks with Orbit 4
1 August 1964 – Club Noreik, Tottenham, north London with The Wild Ones
Photo may be subject to copyright
8 August 1964 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with The Cutaways
9 August 1964 – Brighton Hippodrome, Brighton, Sussex with Gerry & The Pacemakers, Elkie Brooks & The Quotations and The High Numbers
12 August 1964 – Cellar Club, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
16 August 1964 – Queen’s, Blackpool, Lancashire
17 August 1964 – Pavilion, Bath
18 August 1964 – St Mary’s Hall, Putney, Surrey
19 August 1964 – Gig in Stourbridge
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20 August 1964 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex with The Judos
21 August 1964 – Majestic, Wellington
22 August 1964 – Gig in Manchester
23 August 1964 – ABC Great Yarmouth, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with The Fourmost, The Remo Four and Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Beat Monthly has Winter Gardens, Morecambe on this date and lists the Great Yarmouth gig as 30th)
26 August 1964 – Gig in Nottingham
27 August 1964 – Gig in Kidderminster
28 August 1964 – Gig in Southsea, Hants
29 August 1964 – Oasis, Manchester
31 August 1964 – Majestic, Reading, Berkshire
2 September 1964 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol
3 September 1964 – Gig in Ipswich, Suffolk
4 September 1964 – Gig in Morecambe, Lancashire
10 September 1964 – Cavern, Manchester
17 September 1964 – Ipswich Corn Exchange, Ipswich, Suffolk with Jimmy Pilgrim & The Classics
18 September 1964 – Granada, Walthamstow, north London with Billy J Kramer, The Ronettes, The Yardbirds, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, The Dakotas and Tim Connor
Photo may be subject to copyright
20 September 1964 – Lewisham Odeon, Lewisham, southeast London with Billy J Kramer, The Ronettes, The Yardbirds and Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
25 September 1964 – Ready Steady Go TV show
26 September 1964 – Astoria, Finsbury Park, north London with Manfred Mann, Bill Haley & His Comets, The Rockin’ Berries, The Untamed Four and The Bobby Patrick Big Six (start of tour with Manfred Mann)
13 October 1964 – Granada Bedford, Bedford, Bedfordshire with Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas, The Kinks, The Yardbirds, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Bill Black’s Combo
17 October 1964 – Gloucester ABC, Gloucester with Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas, The Kinks, The Ronettes, The Yardbirds, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Bill Black’s Combo and Tim Connor
20 October 1964 – Royal Edmonton, Edmonton, Middlesex with The Animals, Carl Perkins, The Quotations, Tommy Tucker, Elkie Brooks and Ray Cameron (tour with Animals which began on 18th October)
25 October 1964 – Gig in Newcastle
26 October 1964 – Gig in Birmingham
27 October 1964 – Gig in Stockton-on-Tees
28 October 1964 – Gig in Edinburgh, Scotland
29 October 1964 – Gig in Dumfries, Scotland
30 October 1964 – Gig in Stockton-on-Tees
31 October 1964 – Gig in Bradford
1 November 1964 – Gig in Coventry
2 November 1964 – Gig in Kilburn, northwest London
3 November 1964 – Gig in Guildford, Surrey
4 November 1964 – Fairfield Hall, Croydon, Surrey with The Animals, Carl Perkins, Elkie Brooks, Tommy Tucker, The Quotations and Ray Cameron
5 November 1964 – Gig in Sheffield, South Yorkshire
6 November 1964 – Gig in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
7 November 1964 – Gig in Derby
8 November 1964 – Gig in Portsmouth, Hants
9 November 1964 – Gig in Rochester, Kent
Photo may be subject to copyright
10 November 1964 – Odeon, Lewisham, southeast London with Carl Perkins, The Animals, Tommy Tucker, Elkie Brooks, The Quotations and Ray Cameron
11 November 1964 – Gig in Cardiff, Wales
12 November 1964 – Gig in Bristol
13 November 1964 – Gig in Waterford (Republic of Ireland?)
14 November 1964 – Gig in Manchester
15 November 1964 – Gig in Bournemouth, Dorset
25-27 November 1964 – Gigs in Manchester
28 November 1964 – Gig in Northwich, Cheshire
29 November 1964 – Gig in Wembley, west London
2-4 December 1964 – Tour of Scotland
5 December 1964 – Gig in March, Cambridgeshire (probably Marcam Hall)
6 December 1964 – Gig in Golders Green, north London (probably the Refectory)
8 December 1964 – Gig in Launceston
11 December 1964 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Sonics and The Hustlers
13 December 1964 – Gig in Abergavenny, Wales
16 December 1964 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol
22 December 1964 – Band leaves for the United States for American tour
The band from spring 1965, Fabulous 208. Photo may be subject to copyright
1965
23 January 1965 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire
25 January 1965 – Gig in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Tees
26 January 1965 – Gig in Salisbury, Wiltshire
28-29 January 1965 – Gigs in Birmingham, West Midlands
Pic: Woking News & Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright
1 February 1965 – Galaxy Club, Town Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire with The Saphenas
2 February 1965 – Gig in Grays, Essex
4 February 1965 – Gig in Birmingham, West Midlands
5 February 1965 – Leyton Baths, Leyton, Essex
Photo may be subject to copyright
6 February 1965 – Corn Exchange, Cambridge with Hedgehoppers
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7 February 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Mo Henry’s
8 February 1965 – YOR Club, Parr Hall, Warrington, Cheshire
11 February 1965 – Gig in Swindon, Wiltshire
13 February 1965 – Redhill Market Hall, Redhill, Surrey (Beat Instrumental lists Peterborough on this day)
16 February 1965 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks
Photo may be subject to copyright
18 February 1965 – Liberal Hall, Yeovil, Somerset with The Riots with Paul Vernon
19 February 1965 – Gig in Glamorgan, Wales
20 February 1965 – Gig in Exeter, Devon
22 February 1965 – Gig in Abergaveny, Wales
24 February 1965 – Gig in Preston, Lancashire
26 February 1965 – Wimbledon Palais, southwest London
Photo may be subject to copyright
27 February 1965 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex with The Otis Men
28 February 1965 – Pigalle, central London
1 March 1965 – Gig in Widnes
4 March 1965 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton
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5 March 1965 – Lydney Town Hall, Lydney, Gloucestershire
6 March 1965 – Gig in Rawtenstall, Lancashire
7 March 1965 – Gig in Manchester
8 March 1965 – Gig in Willenhall
11 March 1965 – Gig in Stevenage, Herts
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 March 1965 – Brum Kavern Club, Small Heath, West Midlands
14 March 1965 – Gig in Southall, Middlesex (probably Community Centre)
20 March 1965 – Gig in Prestayn, Wales
21 March 1965 – Gig in Wembley, Middlesex (possibly Starlight Ballroom in Greenford)
25 March 1965 – Gig in Reading, Berkshire
27 March 1965 – The Gaiety, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Fernando’s Hideaways and The Pythons
28 March 1965 – Gig in Luton
29 March 1965 – Bath Pavilion, Bath with The Sherridans
31 March 1965 – Stoney Lea Hotel, Ilkley, West Yorkshire
Photo: Boyfriend magazine, 10 April 1965. Photo may be subject to copyright
1 April 1965 – Gig in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
2 April 1965 – Gig in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
3 April 1965 – Gig in Scunthorpe
9 April 1965 – Gig in Gravesend, Kent
Photo may be subject to copyright
15 April 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Fenmen and The Nightshades
16 April 1965 – Gig in Bolton, Lancashire
17 April 1965 – Gig in Dudley, West Midlands
18 April 1965 – Gig in Blackpool, Lancashire
19 April 1965 – Bure Club, Mudeford, Hants
21 April 1965 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol with AJ & The Others
22 April 1965 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex
Photo may be subject to copyright
23 April 1965 – Hillside Ballroom, Hereford with The Tyrants
24 April 1965 – Gig in Coventry
25 April 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
26 April 1965 – Gig in Reading, Berkshire
27 April 1965 – Gig in Evesham, Worcestershire
28-30 April 1965 – Tour of Scotland
1-3 May 1965 – Tour of Scotland
3 May 1965 – Ayr Dam Park Hall, Ayr, Scotland with The Poets, The Golden Crusaders, Rab & The Clansmen, The Senate and The Honey Men
5 May 1965 – Gig in Erdington, West Midlands (most likely Carlton Ballroom)
6 May 1965 – Manor Lounge, Stockport, Greater Manchester with The Rangers
8 May 1965 – Gig in Leeds, West Yorkshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
9 May 1965 – Winter Gardens, Margate, Kent with Them, Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders and The Fourmost
10 May 1965 – YOR Club, Parr Hall, Warrington, Cheshire with The Clique
11 May 1965 – Gig in Altrincham, Greater Manchester
12 May 1965 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks
13 May 1965 – Gig in Portsmouth, Hants
15 May 1965 – Gig in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
18 May 1965 – Gig in Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk (most likely Floral Hall)
20 May 1965 – Silver Beat Club, Birmingham
Photo may be subject to copyright
20 May 1965 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands with Mark Stuart & The John Bull Breed and The Four Ways
21 May 1965 – Gig in Nottingham
Photo may be subject to copyright
22 May 1965 – Church Hall, Sherborne, Dorset with The Misfits
24 May 1965 – Gig in Newport, south Wales
26 May 1965 – Gig in Plymouth, Devon
27 May 1965 – Gig in Gosport, Hants
28 May 1965 – Gig in Ilkley
29 May 1965 – Gig in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
30 May 1965 – Riverside Club, Cricketers Hotel, Chertsey, Surrey
31 May 1965 – Gig in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (most likely the Blue Moon)
Photo: Boyfriend magazine, 5 June 1965. Photo may be subject to copyright
1 June 1965 – Gig in Basingstoke, Hants
2 June 1965 – Gig in Tadcaster
4 June 1965 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Lonely Ones (Beat Instrumental has a gig in Cleethorpes on this same date)
5 June 1965 – Cavern, Leicester Square, central London
6 June 1965 – Gig in Manchester
7 June 1965 – Gig in Harlow, Herts
9 June 1965 – Gig in Gorleston-on-Sea (most likely Floral Hall)
11 June 1965 – Gig in Exeter, Devon
12 June 1965 – Gig in Grantham, Lincolnshire
13 June 1965 – Gig in Bromley, southeast London (most likely Bromley Court Hotel)
15 June 1965 – Gig in Pontefract
17 June 1965 – York University, York, North Yorkshire
18 June 1965 – Gig in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
19 June 1965 – Gig in Bridlington
20 June 1965 – Gig in Manchester
21 June 1965 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands
21 June 1965 – Gig in Nottingham
25 June 1965 – Gig in Morecambe, Lancashire
26 June 1965 – Gig in Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
27 June 1965 – Gig in Kettering, Northamptonshire
1 July 1965 – Ritz Club, Skewen, Wales with The Kingpins and The Iveys (Beat Instrumental has College of Technology in Birmingham on this date)
2 July 1965 – Mayfair Club, Belfry, Wishaw, near Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands with Danny King & The Mayfair Set
3 July 1965 – Community Centre, Corsham
Photo may be subject to copyright
4 July 1965 – Margate Winter Gardens, Margate, Kent with The Pretty Things and support
5 July 1965 – Hillside, Hereford
9 July 1965 – Silver Ring, Ascot, Berkshire
11 July 1965 – Odeon Southend, Southend, Essex with Tom Jones & The Squires, Jalacy Hawkins, The Clayton Squares, The Emeralds and Ray Cameron
12 July 1965 – Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl, Wales
13 July 1965 – Queen’s Ballroom, Cleveleys, Lancashire plus two supporting groups
15 July 1965 – Gig in St Athans, Wales
17 July 1965 – Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire
18 July 1965 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London
5 August 1965 – Gig in Oldham, Lancashire
6 August 1965 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester
7 August 1965 – Gig in Leigh
10 August 1965 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks
11 August 1965 – Gig in Ebbw Vale
12 August 1965 – Gig in Kidderminster, Worcestershire
13 August 1965 – Town Hall, Haverhill, Cambridge
13 August 1965 – Gig in Harlesden, northwest London (may not have happened)
Photo may be subject to copyright
14 August 1965 – Clacton Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with Fernando & The Hideaways and The Trends
16 August 1965 – Gig in Shrewsbury
18 August 1965 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire
20 August 1965 – Gig in Bath
21 August 1965 – Malborough Hall, Halifax, West Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental has a gig in Hull on this date)
23 August 1965 – Gig in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
24 August 1965 – Gig in Norwich, Norfolk
31 August 1965 – Mexican Hat, Worthing, West Sussex with The Beat Merchants
1 September 1965 – Top Hat, Littlehampton, West Sussex
4 September 1965 – Royal Hotel Lowestoft, Lowestoft, Suffolk with The Leader
6 September 1965 – Galaxy Club, Town Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire
9 September 1965 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Bunch
11 September 1965 – Town Hall, Loughborough
18 September 1965 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Lincolnshire with The Objects and The Montanas
19 September 1965 – Manor Lounge, Stockport, Greater Manchester
20 September 1965 – Coed Eva Community College, Cwmbran, south Wales with Four of a Kind
24 September 1965 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks
25 September 1965 – Carlisle Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria
30 September 1966 – Roundel Club, RAF Locking, Somerset with Denise Scott & The Soundsmen
10 October 1965 – Plaza, Newbury, Berkshire with The Just Men
17 October 1965 – Galaxy Club, Constitutional Hall, Chertsey, Surrey
18 October 1965 – Broadway Club, Queen Mary Ballroom, Dudley, West Midlands with The Concords
20 October 1965 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol
Photo may be subject to copyright
16 November 1965 – St Benedict’s Club, Sketty, south Wales with Eyes of Blue
17 November 1965 – Crynant Social Club, Crynant, south Wales with The Wild Ones
25 November 1965 – Brighton University, Brighton, Sussex
26 November 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with two supporting groups
27 November 1965 – Liverpool University
30 November 1965 – Gig in Marylebone, central London
2 December 1965 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Prowlers
2 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
3 December 1965 – Mansfield College, Oxford
4 December 1965 – Baths Hall, Rawmarsh
8 December 1965 – Warwick University, Coventry
9 December 1965 – Civic Hall, Connah’s Quay
15 December 1965 – Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset
16 December 1965 – Thorngate Hall, Gosport, Hants
17 December 1965 – College of Technology, Slough, Berkshire
18 December 1965 – Ready Steady Go, Aylesbury, Bucks
18 December 1965 – Town Hall, Loughborough
19 December 1965 – College Theatre Club, Manchester
20 December 1965 – Students’ Union Debating Hall, Birmingham University
22 December 1965 – Secondary school in Chepstow
27 December 1965 – Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, Lancashire
30 December 1965 – Locarno Ballroom, Stevenage, Herts
31 December 1965 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Pentads
1966
1 January 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Lincolnshire with Jeff Curtis & The Flames and The Game
5 January 1966 – Graston Ballroom, Liverpool
8 January 1966 – Big Beat Club, Stratford (possibly east London)
10 January 1966 – Bath Pavilion, Bath
11-12 January 1966 – Gigs in Scotland
14 January 1966 – Gig in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
15 January 1966 – Coronation Hall, Kingston upon Thames, southwest London
20 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
21 January 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks Beat Instrumental has Commercial College, Bangor, Wales on this date
5 February 1966 – Drill Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire with The Nemkons and Sounds Force 5
10 February 1966 – Poor Man’s Ball, Bradford University, Bradford, West Yorkshire with The Mouldy Ways and Clayton Squares
26 February 1966 – Market Hall, Redhill, Surrey
27 February 1966 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London (probably one of Jenkins’ final gigs)
Barry Jenkins joins The Animals after John Steele played his final gig. Nick Hairs (see Animals entry comments) says Jenkins was on drums for the Newcastle band’s Leicester gig on 4 March. Former member Roger Groom from The End replaces Jenkins
3 March 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Worthing, West Sussex (possibly Roger Groom’s first gig back)
4 March 1966 – Bristol University, Bristol
5 March 1966 – Bromley Technical College, Bromley, southeast London (probably Jenkins’ final gig)
6 March 1966 – St Richard’s Hall, Northolt, west London
8 March 1966 – Gig in Newcastle
11 March 1966 – Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, Southend, Essex with The Orioles
12 March 1966 – Faculty of Technology Union, Manchester
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 March 1966 – The Ultra Club Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with Gideon Collins Outfit
17 March 1966 – Durham University, Durham
18 March 1966 – Masonic Hall, Hornchurch, east London
19 March 1966 – Imperial College, London
25 March 1966 – Ross Group Sports Club, Gaitey Ballroom, Grimsby, Lincolnshire with The Fourmost and The She Trinity. Beat Instrumental also has Westend Club in Coleville on this date
Photo may be subject to copyright
1 April 1966 – Farnborough Technical College Students’ Union, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Clayton Squares and Cops ‘N’ Robbers
2 April 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire with The Warriors
11 April 1966 – Casino Club, Bolton, Greater Manchester with The Warriors
22 April 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset with Syd Fay & His Orchestra
24 April 1966 – Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex
27 April 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with Five X 5
29 April 1966 – Stratford Town Hall, Stratford, east London with support
30 May 1966 – Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, Southend, Essex with The Avengers
Photo may be subject to copyright
17-18 June 1966 – Birmingham University Carnival, Birmingham with Manfred Mann and The Uglys
28 June 1966 – Bournemouth Colleges Rag Appeal, Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset with Wynder K Frog
2 July 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent
6 July 1966 – Headland Pavilion, Bude, Cornwall
8 July 1966 – Liskeard Public Hall, Liskeard, Cornwall with Package Deal and Jaguars
Photo may be subject to copyright
9 July 1966 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with The Harlequins and The Reaction
16 July 1966 – Butterley Grange, Swanage, Dorset
22 July 1966 – Corn Exchange, Diss, Norfolk with En-Devers
23 July 1966 – King’s Hall, Aberystwyth, Wales
24 July 1966 – Cavendish Club, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
24 July 1966 – Weatheralls, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
Photo may be subject to copyright
5 August 1966 – The 7 Club, Shrewsbury, Shropshire with The Karakters
6 August 1966 – Paradise Club, Wigan, Greater Manchester with The Blue Diamonds
Photo may be subject to copyright
12 August 1966 – Top Spot, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire with Dave Anthony’s Moods and The Pathfinders
13 August 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Quiet Five
22 August 1966 – Bath Pavilion, Bath, Somerset
27 August 1966 – Corby Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire with Section 5
28 August 1966 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex
9 September 1966 – West End, Rushden, Northamptonshire
16 September 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Stacey’s Circle
17 September 1966 – Teenbeat Rock Klub, Market Hall, Redhill, Surrey
18 September 1966 – Shakespere Hotel, Woolwich, south London
19 September 1966 – Black Cat, Woolwich, south London
23 September 1966 –Axminster Guidhall, Axminster, Devon with The Legends
Photo may be subject to copyright
25 September 1966 – Gloucester ABC, Gloucester with The Small Faces, Dave Berry and The Truth
28 September 1966 – Church Hall, Stroud, Gloucestershire
29 September 1966 – Rugby Club, Garndiffaith, Pontypool, Wales
Photo may be subject to copyright
30 September 1966 – Roundel Club, RAF Locking, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset with Denise Scott & The Soundsmen
1 October 1966 – Town Hall, Walsall, West Midlands
2 October 1966 – Khyber Club, Taunton, Somerset with The Germs
6 October 1966 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Meddy Evils
Photo may be subject to copyright
7 October 1966 – Wy-Key Club, Burnham Lane, Slough, Berkshire with Philip Goodhand-Tait & The Stormsville Shakers
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 October 1966 – Pier Pavilion, Worthing, West Sussex
15 October 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey
15 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, Peter Jay & The New Jaywalkers and Robb Storme & The Whispers
16 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Romford, Essex
18 October 1966 – Odeon Theatre, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
19 October 1966 – Capitol Theatre, Cardiff, Wales
Photo may be subject to copyright
20 October 1966 – Gaumont, Taunton, Somerset with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Paul & Barry Ryan and others
21 October 1966 – Gaumont Cinema, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
22 October 1966 – ABC Theatre, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
23 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
24 October 1966 – Gaumont Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk
26 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Northampton with The Hollies, Paul Jones, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers and Robb Storme & The Whispers
27 October 1966 – Regal Cinema, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
28 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
29 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Chester, Cheshire
30 October 1966 – Gaumont Theatre, Coventry, West Midlands
1 November 1966 – Gaumont Theatre, Worcester with The Hollies, Paul Jones, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan
2 November 1966 – ABC Cinema, Wigan, Lancashire
3 November 1966 – Odeon Theatre, Manchester, Greater Manchester
4 November 1966 – Odeon Theatre, Leeds, West Yorkshire
5 November 1966 – Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
6 November 1966 – Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
10 November 1966 – Pier, Worthing, West Sussex
10 November 1966 – Quay Club, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
11 November 1966 – De Montfort, Leicester, Leicestershire
12 November 1966 – College of Technology, Luton, Bedfordshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 November 1966 – Wheatsheaf Club, Brandon, Norfolk with The Nightbeats
19 November 1966 – Faculty of Technology Union, Manchester, Greater Manchester with The Things
26 November 1966 – London College of Printing, Elephant and Castle, south London
Photo may be subject to copyright
3 December 1966 – Club Nevada, Redhill Market Hall, Redhill Surrey
Photo may be subject to copyright
11 December 1966 – Casino Club, Burnley, Lancashire with The Sinners
17 December 1966 – Cliffs Pavilion, Westcliff, Southend, Essex with The Fingers and Sounds Around
18 December 1966 – Cabaret Club, Rosegrove, Burnley, Lancashire with Carl Ames, Jack Rigby, Susan Kent, Carl Lawson and Gunga Din and Sapphire
18 December 1966 – New 77 Club, Brierfield, Lancashire with The Marionettes
30 December 1966 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London
31 December 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with Candy Choir
1967
7 January 1967 – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent with The Mixed Feelings
8 January 1967 – Old Crown & Cushion, Perry Barr, West Midlands
Photo may be subject to copyright
28 January 1967 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey
29 January 1967 – Psychedelic Sounds, General Gordon Hotel, Kings Farm Estate, Gravesend, Kent
6 February 1967 – Kingfisher Country Club, Kingswinford, West Midlands with The ‘N’ Betweens
18 February 1967 – Royal Lido Ballroom, Prestatyn, Wales with The Raynes
26 February 1967 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, Essex with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Koobas and Force Five
According to Disc & Music Echo, 4 March issue, future member Neil Korner left The New Vaudeville Band two weeks ago to form his own blues band
18 March 1967 – Spa Royal Hall, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire with Big Change and The Voice
22 March 1967 – Fountains Club, RAF Brampton, Cambridgeshire with The Chequers
25 March 1967 – Tabernacle, Stockport, Greater Manchester
April 1967 – West German dates
9 May 1967 – South Pier, Lowestoft, Suffolk with Ray King Soul Band
According to Record Mirror, the band played in Hungary from 15-31 May 1967
28 May 1967 – Kisstadion, Budapest, Hungary
9 June 1967 – Tiles, London, central London with The Downliners Sect
Disc & Music Echo‘s 10 June issue says that they are on a Hungarian tour
18 June 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with McGregors Engine
24 June 1967 – Lewes FC Beat Rave, Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with The Attack and The Teen Team
28 June 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset with Wynder K Frog
1 July 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Washington DC’s
8 July 1967 – New Century Hall, Manchester with The Factotums
15 July 1967 – Rave Nite, Irchester near Wellingborough, Northamptonshire with The Symbols
Neil Korner from The New Vaudeville Band takes over from Pete Shannon around September 1967
9 September 1967 – Spa Royal Hall, Bridlington with The Sons of Witch and The Exodus
Photo may be subject to copyright
28 September 1967 – Liberal Hall, Yeovil, Somerset
16 October 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset
21 October 1967 – KSL Club, Brackley Town Hall, Brackley, Northamptonshire
24 October 1967 – Manchester College of Commerce, Students Union October Ball with Cock-A-Hoop
3 November 1967 – Guildhall, Southampton, Hampshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
9 November 1967 – Bolton Institute of Technology & Bolton Technical College, Bolton, Greater Manchester with Spectrum and Skip Bifferty
11 November 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with The Lotion
21 November 1967 – Queens Rink Ballroom, Hartlepool, County Durham with The Gasboard and Tony King Sound
23 November 1967 – Cleveland Technical College Students’ Union, Astoria Ballroom, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire with The St Louis Union and The Crescendos
24 November 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Country Cousins
25 November 1967 – Afan Lido, Port Talbot, Wales with The Koo Koo Bird Bicycle Band
Photo may be subject to copyright
30 November 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham, West Midlands with Amen Corner
December 1967 – Osprey Club, Portland, Dorset with Bill Collins & His Orchestra (Christmas show)
5 December 1967 – Starlite Room, Liverpool
Nashville Teens, early 1968. Photo may be subject to copyright
1968
3 February 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with Bujjies (or The Travellers)
Photo may be subject to copyright
9 February 1968 – Roman Rag Ball, Glamorgan College of Technology, Glamorgan, Wales with Cliff Bennett, Union Pacific Showband, The Caribbean All Stars and The Stereos
Photo may be subject to copyright
10 February 1968 – Students’ Union, United of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk with support
The Nashville Teens, spring 1968. Photo may be subject to copyright
2 March 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset with Skip Bifferty and Lemon Tree
8 March 1968 – Punchbowl, Lapworth, West Midlands
18-21 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London
Photo may be subject to copyright
22 March 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Herts with The Cortinas
30 March 1968 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with support
22 April 1968 – Raven, Strechford, West Midlands
26 April 1968 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Youngblood, Lionel Rubins and Don McLean
4 May 1968 – Walsall Town Hall, Walsall, West Midlands with Traction
Fabulous 208 says that in late May 1968 road manager Dick Philips takes over from Neil Korner on bass but this seems unlikely unless it was temporary as Korner left later in the year
15 June 1968 – Winsford Civic Hall, Winsford, Cheshire
28 June 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with support
Photo may be subject to copyright
5 July 1968 – Bell Hall, Warrington, Cheshire
6 July 1968 – Entertainments Centre Yate, Chipping Sodbury with The Sabres
13 July 1968 – Grafton Club, RAF Marham with The Alan Price Set and The Caste
Photo may be subject to copyright
26 July 1968 – Buckingham Town Hall, Buckingham, Bucks with support
9 August 1968 – Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset with The Circles
10 August 1968 – Barn Ballroom, Little Bardfield Hall, Little Bardfield, Essex
17 August 1968 – King’s Hall, Aberystwyth, Wales with Arnos Grove
4 October 1968 – John Dalton College, Manchester, Greater Manchester with The Stroll Band and The Kondours
5 October 1968 – Solihull Civic Hall, Solihull, West Midlands
17 October 1968 – Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Family, The Move, Dollyrocker Band and Peter’s People
24 October 1968 – Tall Trees Club, Newquay, Cornwall
25 October 1968 – Van Dike, Plymouth, Devon with Inner Circle
26 October 1968 – University College, central London with Grapefruit and Mustang Proteus (is this correct? See 26 November below)
15 November 1968 – Nottingham University, Nottingham with Marmalade and The Cortinas
16 November 1968 – White Buck Inn, Burley, Dorset with John Gary Group
26 November 1968 – University College, Gower Street, central London with Grapefruit, Mustang and Proteus
Photo may be subject to copyright
30 November 1968 – Chard Guildhall, Chard, Somerset with The Popees
John Hawken leaves around November initially to start a band with Chris Dreja and B J Cole. He subsequently forms Renaissance. Roger Groom also departs and is replaced briefly by Chris West
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 December 1968 – Brunel University, Uxbridge, west London with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Krisis
Neil Korner, Chris West and John Allen all leave around this time
Roger Deane (bass) and Len Tuckey (lead guitar) from The Chasers join with James Smith (drums), who’d previously worked with Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement among others
1969
Photo may be subject to copyright
7 February 1969 – West Kent College Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells, Kent with Spooky Tooth
Photo may be subject to copyright
20 February 1969 – Imperial College, Charity Concert, Royal Albert Hall, central London with The Spencer Davis Group, The Move, Status Quo and East of Eden
22 February 1969 – Ealing Town Hall, Ealing, west London
James Smith leaves in late February/early March to join House of Orange, who backed The Fantastics. His replacement is Lenny Butcher, another ex-Chaser
12 April 1969 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Rick ‘N’ Beckers
1 September 1969 – Pop and Blues Festival, Pennycross Sports Stadium, Plymouth, Devon with Fleetwood Mac, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, The Move, Dave Amboy, Rod Mason Jass Band
23 November 1969 – London Palladium, central London with Gene Vincent and Wild Angels
1970
27 July 1970 – Telegraph, Brixton, south London
5 September 1970 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
Thanks to Rolf Hannet in Germany for helping with the Beat Instrumental and Beat Monthly gigs
Apart from the listings above, the gig sources include:
Aldershot News, Andover Advertiser, Banbury Guardian, Beat Instrumental, Beat Monthly, Birmingham Evening Mail, Bolton Evening News, Bucks Free Press (High Wycombe), Burnley Express and News, Cambrian Times, Cambridge News, Cornish Gazette, Cornish Guardian, Crawley Advertiser, Crewe Chronicle, Eastern Evening News, East Kent Times & Mail, Evening Argus, Express and Echo (Exeter), Fabulous 208 Magazine, Folkestone & Hythe Gazette, Glamorgan County Times, Harrow Observer & Gazette, Harrow Weekly Post, Hayes Gazette, Hull Daily Mail, Ipswich Evening News, Kilmarnock Standard, Kingston & Malden Borough News, Lancashire Evening Post, Lincolnshire Standard, Littlehampton Gazette, Liverpool Echo, Luton News, Lynn News, Manchester Evening News and Chronicle, Melody Maker, Mid Sussex Times, Newcastle Evening Chronicle, Newham, Barking and Stratford Express, Northampton Chronicle, Northwich Chronicle, Port Talbot Guardian, Somerset County Gazette, Southend Standard, South East London Mercury, Southern Evening Echo, South Wales Argus, South Wales Evening Post, St Neots Advertiser, Surrey Advertiser, Surrey Comet, Sussex Evening Express, Time out, Tottenham Weekly Herald, Warrington Guardian, Western Evening Herald, Western Scene, West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette, West Surrey Advertiser, Western Gazette, Weston Mercury, Windsor, Slough & Eton Express, Woking Herald, Wood Green and Southgate Weekly Herald, Worthing Gazette. Also Roger Bistow’s research on Dizzy Tiger Music website and the California Ballroom website.
Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email:Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
Clockwise from centre: Dave Kislingberry (vocals, trumpet), Trevor Lock (guitar), Ken McColm (sax), Rod Lee (trumpet), Pete Howard (bass) and Mick Jerome (drums). Image may be subject to copyright
Formed in Reading, Berkshire in early 1965 as a semi-professional group with the following line up:
Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals and trumpet)
Mick Lambden (trumpet and vocals)
Trevor Lock (lead guitar)
Dave Elam (bass)
Mick Jerome (drums)
1965
Soon after its formation, The Amboy Dukes settled on the following line-up, which drew on musicians from the Reading music scene with the exception of Rod Lee, who came from Leicester:
Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals and trumpet)
Trevor Lock (lead guitar)
Art Claridge (bass)
Rod Lee (trumpet)
Ken McColm (tenor sax)
George Hall (baritone sax and flute)
Mick Jerome (drums)
The band signs with the Rik Gunnell Agency on Geno Washington’s recommendation.
16 September 1965 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Moggies (Aldershot News)
23 October 1965 – Orchid Ballroom, Oxford with The Cameos (Oxford Mail)
19 November 1965 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)
27 November 1965 – Newmarket Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire with The Soundtrekkers (Cambridge News)
Image may be subject to copyright
4 December 1965 – Co-op Rainbow Suite, Birmingham with The Cellarmen (Birmingham Evening Mail)
9 December 1965 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Bystanders (Aldershot News)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 December 1965 – Hook Social Centre, Walderslade, Kent with The Plus Four (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 December 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
1966
1 January 1966 – Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Nightbeats and The Singing Postman (Lynn News)
2 January 1966 – Cromer Olympia, Cromer, Norfolk with Circuit 5 (North Norfolk News)
Image may be subject to copyright
29 January 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with All Things Bright (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Hastings and St Leonards Observer)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 February 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Overlanders and The Tribe (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
19 February 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Fortunes, The Candy Dates and The Hawks (Lincolnshire Standard)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 March 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Cherokees (Aldershot News)
9 April 1966 – Unknown Norfolk venue with The James Royal Set (Eastern Evening News)
15 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
23 April 1966 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall and The Poets (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)
30 April 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich with The Tribe (Eastern Evening News)
1 May 1966 – Hive Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
21 May 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with Screaming Lord Sutch (Essex Chronicle)
4 June 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)
16 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
26 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
2 July 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Roy C, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The League of Gentlemen and The Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard)
8 July 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
16 July 1966 – New Spot, Gosport, Hants (Portsmouth News)
23 July 1966 – Latin Quarter, Cellar Club, Leicester with Bluesology (Leicester Mercury)
30 July 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Objects (Melody Maker)
6-7 August 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
13 August 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
14 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
19 August 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
21 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
31 December 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Fabulous 208)
By the end of 1966, Reading musician Pete Howard had taken over from Art Claridge. Also, George Hall had also departed during 1966, leaving the group as a six piece. The band signed to Polydor Records in late 1966.
1967
2 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
13 January 1967 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
14 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jon (Melody Maker)
15 January 1967 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London with others (Melody Maker)
19 January 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
12 February 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Move (The Star)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 February 1967 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
The Amboy Dukes’ debut 45 “Turn Back to Me”, which features George Hall guesting on flute, backed by “I Never Complain About You”, is released on 17 February 1967.
The two tracks are recorded at Advision Studios in New Bond Street with producer Jeff Cooper and engineer Eddie Kramer.
Not long after the debut single’s release, the band records a follow up, “All I Need” c/w “Doing the Best I Can”. The two tracks are also recorded at Advision Studios with Eddie Kramer and new producer Terry Kennedy. Keyboard player Ian Green guests on the recordings.
21 February 1967 – Bluesville, St Thomas’ Hall, Brentwood, Essex (Essex Chronicle)
23 February 1967 – Manhole, Redhill, Surrey (Crawley Advertiser)
26 February 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
During March 1967, former Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band member Buddy Beadle joins on baritone sax.
3 March 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
3 March 1967 – Crystal Ballroom, Castleford, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
4 March 1967 – College of Technology, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
5 March 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)
11 March 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Fabulous 208)
12 March 1967 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)
13 March 1967 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
16 March 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
17 March 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
18 March 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
19 March 1967 – Klue J Klub, Saracen’s Head Hotel, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle)
20 March 1967 – Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)
24 March 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
26 March 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
28 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
31 March 1967 – Maberne Club, Sleaford, Lincolnshire (Fabulous 208)
8 April 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
9 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
13 April 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
14 April 1967 – Dancing Slipper, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
18 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
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19 April 1967 – Hull College of Commerce Students’ Union, Skyline Ballroom, Hull, Humberside with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, The Locomotion and The Jamm (Hull Daily Mail)
21 April 1967 – York Assembly Rooms, York, North Yorkshire (Tadcaster News)
22 April 1967 – The Riley-Smith, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Tadcaster News)
23 April 1967 – The Coffee House, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Tadcaster News)
23 April 1967 – Klue J Klub, Sarcens Head Hotel, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle) More likely to be 24 April
25 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
28 April 1967 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
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29 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)
30 April 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)
1 May 1967 – Watford Round Table, Top Rank Suite, Watford, Herts with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Harrow Observer)
4 May 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
6 May 1967 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)
6 May 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)
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7 May 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)
13 May 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
14 May 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield (The Star)
16 May 1967 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, London (Fabulous 208)
18 May 1967 – Winning Post, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
19 May 1967 – Crystal Ballroom, Castleford, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
20 May 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
21 May 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Crewe Chronicle)
26 May 1967 – May Ball, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Gloucestershire with The Alan Price Set, Johnny Patrick and Brenda Scott, The Sky Blue Show Band and Bill Nile’s Good Time Band (Poster from Stevie Barr)
27 May 1967 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
28 May 1967 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)
31 May 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London (Fabulous 208)
3 June 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
5 June 1967 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
6 June 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
9 June 1967 – Bluesville, Manor House, London (Fabulous 208)
11 June 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Poster)
12 June 1967 – Manor House Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)
16 June 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)
17 June 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Amboy Dukes Band
18-20 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London (Fabulous 208)
22 June 1967 – Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield with The Drifters, Alan Bown, Ronnie Jones & The Q Set and The Pitiful (The Star)
25 June 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald) Replaced The Shevelles
27 June 1967 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, London (Fabulous 208)
29 June 1967 – Club A Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)
2 July 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
The Amboy Dukes’ second 45, “All I Need” is released on 4 July.
During July, the seven-piece group (with Buddy Beadle onboard) records its next single at Polydor’s studios near Oxford Street. Produced by Terry Kennedy, the tracks are two ska numbers that feature in the band’s live set. Taking part of the title from a Reading suburb where one of the band members came from, the tracks are named “Highlife in Whitley Wood Parts 1 and 2”.
Not long after the recording, Steve Gregory tenor sax player with The Alan Price Set takes over from Ken McColm.
8 July 1967 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
18 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
20 July 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
22 July 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)
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There is a great article and picture of the band in Record Mirror, 22 July 1967, page 10
23 July 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
29 July 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with Robb Storme Group (South East London Mercury)
By the start of August 1967, the band comprises:
Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals)
Trevor Lock (guitar)
Pete Howard (bass)
Rod Lee (trumpet)
Steve Gregory (tenor sax and flute)
Buddy Beadle (baritone and alto sax)
Mick Jerome (drums)
Photo: Buddy Beadle. The Amboy Dukes summer 1967. Top: Mick Jerome and then Trevor Lock. Bottom, left to right: Buddy Beadle, Pete Howard, Rod Lee, Dave Kislingberry and Steve Gregory.
18 August 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby, Humberside with Roger Bloom’s Hammer (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
19 August 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
20 August 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)
22 August 1967 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
24 August 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
26 August 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Melody Maker)
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26 August 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Peddlers and The Mynor Birds (Melody Maker)
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30 August 1967 – Big Beat Cruise, Solent, South Parade Pier, Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head with Inspiration (Portsmouth News)
2 September 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
3 September 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Poster)
8 September 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
The Amboy Dukes’ next single, “Highlife in Whitley Wood Parts 1 and 2” is released on 9 September.
11 September 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)
16 September 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
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21 September 1967 – Flying Fox Club, RAF Cottesmore, Rutland with The Shivelles, The Wages of Sin and Pesky-Gee (Grantham Journal)
23 September 1967 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with The Swinging Machine (Crewe Chronicle)
24 September 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
30 September 1967 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
3 October 1967 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
8 October 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
14 October 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Tages, The Soul Sisters and Clockwork Orange (Lincolnshire Standard)
17 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
19 October 1967 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with Modes Mode (Surrey Advertiser)
20 October 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
21 October 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
22 October 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent with Jr Walker & The All Stars and The Wages of Sin (Melody Maker)
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30 October 1967 – Foseco Sports & Social Club, Tamworth, Staffordshire (Tamworth Herald)
The band’s manager John Gunnell brings John Fred’s “Judy In Disguise” from the States for the band to record. The track is recorded in a small studio in Denmark Street with guest harmonica player Moxy. Terry Kennedy once again produces the session which also produces the flip side, “Who’s Foolin’ Who”.
The recordings also feature former Georgie Fame trumpet player Eddie Thornton.
24 November 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
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25 November 1967 – Twisted Wheel Club, Manchester with Ben E King and The Senate (Lancashire Evening Post)
26 November 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
2 December 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Gates of Eden (East Kent Times & Mail)
3 December 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Poster)
4 December 1967 – The Parlour, Oasis Club, North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
4 December 1967 – King Mojo, City Hall Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)
5 December 1967 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
7 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Pride & Joy Buzz Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
8 December 1967 – Burton Constable Hall, Hull, Humberside with Ferris Wheel, Joe E Young & The Toniks, Roger Bloom’s Hammer, Gospel Garden and The Mandrakes (Scarborough Evening News)
The band’s cover of John Fred & The Playboy Band’s “Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)” is released on 8 December.
14 December 1967 – Constantine Students Union Astoria Ballroom, Middlesbrough with The Soul Merchants and Mr Poobah’s Chicago Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
16 December 1967 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London (Melody Maker)
17 December 1967 – The Hub, Barnsley, West Yorkshire (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News)
19 December 1967 – Clifton Hall, Rotherham, South Yorkshire with The Pitful Souls (South Yorkshire and Rotherham Advertiser)
20 December 1967 – St James’ Spectacular, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with The Richard Jackson Blues Band (Derbyshire Times)
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21 December 1967 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
23 December 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
26 December 1967 – Bluesville ’67 Club, St Mathew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Star)
28 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Tuesday’s Children (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
30 December 1967 – Tinned Chicken, Crystal Bowl, Castleford, North Yorkshire with Travellers Express and Richard G Simpson (Yorkshire Evening Post)
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31 December 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions and Archie Allen (Crewe Chronicle)
1968
During January, longstanding drummer Mick Jerome leaves. Eddie Spevok takes his place behind the kit.
The new formation records a cover of “Simon Says” backed by “The Marquis” with Donnie Elbert in the producer’s chair.
13 January 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Surrealist Adventure (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
18 February 1968 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands with Cats Pyjamas (Birmingham Evening Mail)
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19 February 1968 – Barnsley Civic Hall, Barnsley, West Yorkshire with Lou Prinze & The Bedrocks and Jacksons Union (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News)
20 February 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
24 February 1968 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
29 February 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
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4 March 1968 – Bluesville ’68 Club, St Matthew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)
9 March 1968 – Victoria Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (Derbyshire Times)
10 March 1968 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Poster)
The band’s cover of “Simon Says” is released on 15 March. Immediately afterwards Eddie Thornton leaves to join Herbie Goins & The Nightimers.
23 March 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London (Melody Maker)
24 March 1968 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent (Maidstone Gazette)
25 March 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The ‘N’ Betweens and Barmy Barry Show (Express & Star)
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30 March 1968 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle with Timebox and The Grenades (Melody Maker)
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31 March 1968 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation (Crewe Chronicle)
1 April 1968 – King Mojo, City Hall Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield Star)
6 April 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
12 April 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London (Melody Maker)
13 April 1968 – Savoy, Catford, London (Melody Maker)
16 April 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
18 April 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
20 April 1968 – New Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire (Melody Maker)
27 April 1968 – Co-op, Chesham, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
28 April 1968 – Downbeat Club, The Swan, Maldon, Essex (Essex Chronicle)
1 May 1968 – Summerhill House Hotel, Kingswinford, West Midlands (Express & Star) Opening night
6 May 1968 – Bluesville ’68 Club, St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)
12 May 1968 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)
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16 May 1968 – James Finegan Hall, Eston, Middlesbrough with The Tramline and The Chelfont Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
17 May 1968 – Billingham Synthonia Senior Club, Billingham with The Chelfont Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
25 May 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
26 May 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham Post)
1 June 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Candy Choir (East Kent Times & Mail)
3 June 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with The Herd, Bill Haley, Alan Bown, Edwin Starr, Fantastics, Gospel Garden, Clockwork Orange and others (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette/NME)
6 June 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
9 June 1968 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening)
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11 June 1968 – The Stage Door, Oxford (Oxford Mail)
15 June 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
16 June 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, south London (Fabulous 208)
20 June 1968 – James Finegan Hall, Eston, Middlesbrough with The Chelfont Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
During July, the band records its next single, “He Came to See Me Yesterday” c/w “Easy Going Me”.
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2 August 1968 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The Epics (Berkhamsted Gazette/Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
3 August 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
6 August 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
11 August 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
Buddy Beadle leaves around about now to rejoin Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
15 August 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
16 August 1968 – Ship Hotel, Weybridge, Surrey (Woking Herald)
20 August 1968 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)
23 August 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Gass and The Fusion (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
24 August 1968 – New King’s Hall, Herne Bay, Kent with Virgin Sleep (Melody Maker)
25 August 1968 – Byron, Greenford, London (Thames Valley Times)
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30 August 1968 – Plaza, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear with The Skyliners (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
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31 August 1968 – Tees Pop ’68, Recreation Ground, Eston, Teesside with Traffic, Ben E King, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Alan Bown, Family, Joe Cocker & The Grease Band, The Tramline, Rivers Invitation and Chelfont Line (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
2 September 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
12 September 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
14 September 1968 – Savoy, Catford, south east London (South East London Mercury)
15 September 1967 – G Ranch, Maidstone, Kent (Fabulous 208)
The band’s single, “He Came to See Me Yesterday” is released on 20 September. By the time the single is issued, Steve Gregory has left to rejoin Beadle in Geno Washington’s band.
25 September 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London (Fabulous 208)
27 September 1968 – College Hall, Billingham, County Durham (Fabulous 208)
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28 September 1968 – Brookfield Hall, Ashford, Kent with Cair Paravel (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham Evening Post/Kentish Express)
29 September 1968 – Kew Boathouse, Kew, west London (Fabulous 208)
In early October, the band’s line-up comprises:
Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals)
Trevor Lock (guitar)
Pete Howard (bass)
Rod Lee (trumpet)
Eddie Spevok (drums)
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5 October 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Colour Supplement (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 October 1968 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)
10 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
12 October 1968 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Amboy Dukes Show Band
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13 October 1968 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)
16 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
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20 October 1968 – Clifton Hall, Rotherham, South Yorkshire (South Yorkshire & Rotherham Advertiser)
21 October 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)
24 October 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
27 October 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Oval, south London (Melody Maker)
1 November 1968 – Cobweb, Hastings, East Sussex (Fabulous 208)
2 November 1968 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent (Fabulous 208)
3 November 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham Evening Post)
4 November 1968 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Fabulous 208)
9 November 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
9 November 1968 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Amboy Dukes Show Band
16 November 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
22 November 1968 – Astoria Club, Cardiff, Wales (Fabulous 208)
23 November 1968 – College of Education, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Lady Jayne & The Royaltee (Fabulous 208/Express & Star)
28 November 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
30 November 1968 – Soul Club, Plaza Ballroom, Newbury, Berkshire with The Soul Bucket (Fabulous 208/Reading Evening Post)
5 December 1968 – City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
6 December 1968 – Durham College, Durham, County Durham (Fabulous 208)
7 December 1968 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
9 December 1968 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)
10 December 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
11 December 1968 – Hancock Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)
13 December 1968 – Trenton Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)
14 December 1968 – Bromley Tech College, Bromley, Kent (Fabulous 208)
17 December 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
20 December 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Joe Cocker & The Grease Band and The Groove Soul Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
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21 December 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Epics (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
22 December 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent with Delroy Williams Show (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham Evening Post)
23 December 1968 – St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)
24 December 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
27 December 1968 – St Mary’s Youth Centre, Stockton-on-Tees (Fabulous 208)
29 December 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Oval, Kennington, south London (Fabulous 208)
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30 December 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)
31 December 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
1969
3 January 1969 – Drill Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
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5 January 1969 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
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7 January 1969 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)
8 January 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
12 January 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)
13 January 1969 – Bamboo Club, Stockport, Greater Manchester (Fabulous 208)
15 January 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
16 January 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
17 January 1969 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Fabulous 208)
19 January 1969 – Good Companions Hotel, Slough, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
20 January 1969 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Fabulous 208)
22 January 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
23 January 1969 – St Matthew’s Hall, Oxford (Fabulous 208)
25 January 1969 – The Factory, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)
26 January 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
27 January 1969 – St Matthew’s Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)
29 January 1969 – Town Hall, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
31 January 1969 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Fabulous 208)
1 February 1969 – Savoy Club, Catford, southeast London (Fabulous 208/South East London Mercury)
5 February 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Fabulous 208)
7 February 1969 – Town Hall, Abergavenny, Wales (Fabulous 208)
9 February 1969 – Railway Hotel, Wealdstone, northwest London (Melody Maker)
16 February 1969 – Crystal Palace Hotel, Crystal Palace, south London (Fabulous 208/South East London Mercury)
22 February 1969 – Hounslow Town Hall, Hounslow, west London (Hounslow Post)
1 March 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
2 March 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
6 March 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
11 March 1969 – Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)
11 April 1969 – Mistrale, Beckenham Junction Station, south London (Melody Maker)
17 April 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
20 April 1969 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Elastic Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
19 August 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Time Out)
26 August 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Time Out)
30 August 1969 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Time Out)
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6 September 1969 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London (Melody Maker/South East London Mercury)
13 September 1969 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
The original band split up in September 1969 but reformed with new members in October:
Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals)
Max ??? (guitar)
Mick Fletcher (keyboards)
Tago Byers (bass)
Keith Guster (drums)
Keith Guster, who’d until recently been playing with The Fleur De Lys with Tago Byers, notes in his diary that it was Byers that asked him to join the newly reformed band. Byers was from Reading and knew the group’s singer.
Mick Fletcher was from southeast London and had previously worked with The Epitaph Soul Band, Jimmy Cliff & The New Generation and Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement.
Guster’s diary entry for Sunday, 28 September notes that Byers rang him. The drummer, who was living in Bayswater, then travelled from Paddington to a hall in Crown Street, Reading to rehearse material with the five-piece band on 30 September and 1 October before kicking off the dates on 2 October.
The following gigs are all from Keith Guster’s diary:
2 October 1969 – Hatchetts Playground, Mayfair, London
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4 October 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Candy Choir (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald/Keith Guster’s diary) Billed as The Dave Amboy Big Band
7 October 1969 – Hatchetts Playground, Mayfair, London
10 October 1969 – Leicester Polytechnic, Leicester
12 October 1969 – gig in Gillingham, Kent (possibly Central Hall)
The band auditions Ted, a tenor sax player, in Chiswick, west London on 15 October 1969.
17-18 October 1969 – Domino Club, Bedlington and Showboat, Middlesbrough
24 October 1969 – Top Rank, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
25 October 1969 – Leeds Polytechnic, Leeds, West Yorkshire
26 October 1969 – The Swan, Birmingham (the club had doubled booked so they didn’t get paid)
27 October 1969 – The Yeoman, Stafford, Staffordshire
Ted, the sax player, is sacked during at a rehearsal in Reading on 30 October 1969.
31 October 1969 – Youth Centre, Beaconsfield, Bucks
1 November 1969 – Rainbow Suite, Birmingham
2 November 1969 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, London
8 November 1969 – Graduate Centre, Cambridge
12 November 1969 – Miners Welfare, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire
14 November 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
15 November 1969 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent
16 November 1969 – Pope John House, Poplar, east London
21 November 1969 – Penthouse, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
22 November 1969 – The Town House, Wellington, Shropshire
23 November 1969 – Carlton Ballroom, Warrington, Cheshire
The Amboy Dukes recorded two tracks in Pan Studio, Denmark Street, London on 27 November 1969.
29 November 1969 – Newcastle upon Tyne gig cancelled due to snow
Image may be subject to copyright
30 November 1969 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands
5 December 1969 – Secondary School, Welling and Avery Hill College, Eltham, London
7 December 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London
12 December 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent
16 December 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London
22 December 1969 – Central Hall, Gillingham, Kent
24 December 1969 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent
31 December 1969 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, London
1970
10 January 1970 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent
18 January 1970 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, south London
7 February 1970 – Canley College, Coventry
8 February 1970 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London
11 February 1970 – Bal Tabarin, Bromley, southeast London
13 February 1970 – Melbourne Village College Hall, Cambridge
15 February 1970 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire
20 February 1970 – Goldsmith College, New Cross, south London
21 February 1970 – Apollo Club, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
7 March 1970 – Queen’s Hall, Wotton, Norfolk
14 March 1970 – Corn Exchange, Bourne, Lincolnshire
28 March 1970 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent
17 April 1970 – Shades, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
24 April 1970 – Didsbury College, Manchester
26 April 1970 – Birdcage Club, Hoyland, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
7 May 1970 – HMS Pembroke, Chatham, Kent
On 9 May, Tago Byers gave a month’s notice.
16 May 1970 – RAF Wyton, near St Ives, Cambridgeshire
23 May 1970 – Corn Exchange, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
30 May 1970 – Civic Hall, St Albans, Herts
5 June 1970 – Exmouth College, Exmouth, Devon
6 June 1970 – Killington Manor, Exeter, Devon
21 June 1970 – Gillingham, Kent gig (cancelled due to World Cup Final)
On 22 June 1970, Keith Guster announced he was leaving and the band split up.
Many thanks to Mick Jerome, Buddy Beadle and Keith Guster for their help.
Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
The Artwoods, late 1965. Fabulous 208. Image may be subject to copyright
THE ARTWOODS
1963
15 April 1963 – Marquee, Oxford Street, London with Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers (Tony Bacon book: London Live)
18 May 1963 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Altones (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday) Billed as Art Wood & His R&B Combo
27 July 1963 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Mick Emery (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday) Billed as Art Wood & His R&B Combo
30 September 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex (Melody Maker) Billed as Art Wood Combo
7 October 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex (Melody Maker) Billed as Art Wood Combo
8 December 1963 – Bristol Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene) Billed as The Art Wood Combo
9 December 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex (Melody Maker) Billed as Art Wood Combo
1964
13 January 1964 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette) Billed as Art Wood Combo
Photo: Acton Gazette, 19 March 1964, page 10. Image may be subject to copyright
18 May 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire (Hertfordshire Express) Billed as The Art Wood Combo
22 June 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 July 1964 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex (Evening Argus/Mid Sussex Times)
Image may be subject to copyright
16 July 1964 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, Middlesex (Tottenham Weekly Herald/Wood Green & Southgate Weekly Herald)
20 July 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
4 August 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
16 February 1965 – Southall Community Centre, Southall, Middlesex (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
1 March 1965 – New Victoria, Halifax, West Yorkshire with PJ Proby, The Fourmost, Sandra Barry, Four Macs, Syd & Eddie, Brian Freeman Chapters (Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian)
11 April 1965 – New Theatre, Oxford with Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, The Pretty Things, The Ivy League, Elkie Brooks, Syd & George, The Chapters and The Guards (Oxford Mail)
13 April 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
17 April 1965 – New Georgian Club, Uxbridge, northwest London (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
13 June 1965 – Southall Community Centre, Southall, London (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
19 June 1965 – Farnborough Technical College Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Muleskinners (Camberley News and Bagshot Observer/Aldershot News)
20 June 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Melody Maker)
26 June 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Fenmen, Justin Tyme, The Sorrows and The Dyaks (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
27 June 1965 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)
29 June 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 June 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with The Boston Dexters (NME)
11 July 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)
12 July 1965 – Blue Boar, South East Essex Blues Centre, Southend (Southend Standard & Essex Weekly Advertiser)
18 October 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with Bo Diddley and The Duchess (Melody Maker)
27 October 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (see website above)
31 October 1965 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 November 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, Tony Knight and The Chessmen and The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
11 April 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Rockhouse Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
14 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)
7 January 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 January 1967 – Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, north London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, The Creation, Herbie Goins & The Night Timers and The St Louis Union (Melody Maker)
12 January 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mike Stuart Span (Melody Maker)
13 January 1967 – Eastbourne, East Sussex (Melody Maker)
14 January 1967 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London (Melody Maker/Fabulous 208)
15 January 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Battery (see website above)
20 January 1967 – Hartlepool, County Durham (Melody Maker)
21 January 1967 – Technical College, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear (Melody Maker/Fabulous 208)
22 January 1967 – Le Metro, Birmingham, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
26 January-2 February 1967 – Tour of Denmark (Melody Maker)
26 May 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
27 May 1967 – The Pitch, Digbeth, West Midlands (Express & Star) Possibly also on 26th May
29 May 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Sonny Childe & The TNT and The Real McCoy (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
2 June 1967 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The New Conchords (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring & District News)
4 June 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Fabulous 208) Nottingham Evening Post has this as the Britannia Rowing Club
Welcome to another posting in a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
THE MAZE:
The following are billed as MI5. They started using the name The Maze in November 1966 but occasionally used the MI5 for a month or so.
1966
12 May 1966 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Tybern Ashes (Aldershot News)
Image may be subject to copyright
The 22 July 1966 edition of the Windsor, Slough and Eton Express, page 5 (see above) has a good story and picture on the band
27 July 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express)
30 July 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Ultimate (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)
31 July 1966 – Britannia Theatre, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Dave Berry, Geneve, Oscar, Wolf and Griff and The Stuart Taylor Trio (Yarmouth Mercury)
13 August 1966 – St Clement’s Hall, Southend, Essex with The Avengers and The Spooks (Southend Standard)
19 August 1966 – Cricketers Inn, Southend, Essex with support (Southend Standard)
21 August 1966 – Britannia Theatre, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Freddie & The Dreamers Oscar, Geneve, The Versions and The Stuart Taylor Trio (Yarmouth Mercury)
8 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 September 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) Billed as MI5
12 September 1966 – Elm Hotel, Southend, Essex (Southend Standard)
14 September 1966 – Elm Hotel, Southend, Essex (Southend Standard)
3 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Artwoods (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
5 October 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208) Billed as MI5
14 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Alan Bown Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 November 1966 – Wy-Key Club, Burnham Lane, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Maze, formerly MI5) (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express)
Image may be subject to copyright
19 November 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Hastings and St Leonard Observer) Billed as MI5
26 November 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Ultimate (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)
22 December 1966 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)
1967
7 January 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington (Warrington Guardian)
Image may be subject to copyright
The band went and played in Milan, Italy in January for three months, according to the Windsor, Slough & Eton Express (see above). This includes rehearsing at the Piccolo Theatre with the opening night on 15 February.
20-21 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London (Melody Maker)
29 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Moody Blues (Melody Maker)
3 June 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington with Technique and In-Time (Warrington Guardian)
4 June 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington (Warrington Guardian)
15 June 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Sneakers (Aldershot News)
Image may be subject to copyright
23 June 1967 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland (City Week)
1 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Gorleston, Norfolk with The Soul Doubt (Yarmouth Mercury)
8 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Gorleston, Norfolk with Deep Purple (Eastern Evening News)
14 July 1967 – Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Delroys Good Good Band (Worcester Evening News)
15 July 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Y Division (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)
20 July 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Shame (Aldershot News)
Image may be subject to copyright
22 July 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
23 July 1967 – Royal Ballrooms, Boscombe with The Freebooters (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
Welcome to another posting in a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
Image may be subject to copyright
THE ACTION:
1965
17 April 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London (poster) Billed as The Boys
5 June 1965 – Ticky Rick and Rang-A-Tang Club, Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette) Billed as The Boys
6 June 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Morons (Lynn News/North Norfolk News)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 July 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Rockin’ Roosters (Lynn News/North Norfolk News)
15 July 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
17 July 1965 – Bolton Palais, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)
24 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob (NME)
19 August 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
21 August 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with Sonny Childe & The Cool School (NME)
26 August 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Steampacket, Long John Baldry and Brian Auger Trinity (Dave Allen research)
27 August 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London with The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
3 September 1965 – The Cavern, Liverpool with The Masterminds and Fritz, Mike and Mo (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)
4 September 1965 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)
3 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)
15 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
21 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Johnny B Great & The Quotations (Dave Allen research)
23 October 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Cheaters (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)
Image may be subject to copyright
23 October 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with The Living Legends (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)
24 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)
31 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)
5 November 1965 – The Cavern, Liverpool with Earl Preston’s Realms (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)
7 November 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)
20 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
Image may be subject to copyright
27 November 1965 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
28 November 1965 – Sunshine Floor, Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Ian and Danny Eves & Sound Reformed (Eastern Evening News/North Norfolk News)
5 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Who (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Billed as The Boys
14 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
17 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 December 1965 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with The Spectrum (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
24 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Roscoe Brown Combo (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
27 December 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London (Melody Maker)
30 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
31 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
1966
1 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
2 January 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)
4 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
8 January 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
11 January 1966 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)
18 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
21 January 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Soul Pushers (Aldershot News/Camberley News) David Else also has the band playing at the Ricky Tick at Staines Town Hall, Middlesex on this day which is feasible
Image may be subject to copyright
22 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
21 April 1966 – The Village, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Disc & Music Echo)
25 April 1966 – Bridgwater Town Hall, Bridgwater, Somerset (Disc & Music Echo)
26 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Clayton Squares (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
29 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
30 April 1966 – Union, Manchester University, Manchester with The Lonely Ones (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
1 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)
4 May 1966 – Stourbridge Town Hall, Stourbridge, Worcestershire (Beat Instrumental)
5 May 1966 – Kidderminster Town Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire (Beat Instrumental)
6 May 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Beat Instrumental)
8 May 1966 – Downs Hotel, Hassocks, West Sussex (Beat Instrumental)
13 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Staines Town Hall, Staines, Middlesex (Disc & Music Echo)
14 May 1966 – Cadillac, Brighton, Sussex (Disc & Music Echo)
15 May 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)
16 May 1966 – Chatham Town Hall, Chatham, Kent (Beat Instrumental)
17 May 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Beat Instrumental)
19 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
20 May 1966 – Zambesi, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)
21 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)
23 May 1966 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk (Beat Instrumental)
24 May 1966 – Links, Borehamwood, Herts (Beat Instrumental)
25 May 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)
26 May 1966 – Starlight, Crawley, West Sussex with The Powerhouse Six (Caterham Weekly Press)
27 May 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, London (South East London Mercury) Beat Instrumental has Acton Town Hall on this date but it’s possible they played both
28 May 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
9 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
12 June 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 June 1966 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
14 June 1966 – Grand Black Daffodil, Odeon Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (The Star)
16 June 1966 – Bath Pavilion, Bath (Fabulous 208)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 June 1966 – Ready Steady Go Club, Market Hall, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 June 1966 – Uxbridge Blues Festival, Hillingdon Borough Show Ground, Hillingdon, west London with Manfred Mann, The Alan Walker Group and the Steampacket (Middlesex Chronicle)
19 June 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)
22 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (South East London Mercury)
24 June 1966 – Durham University, Durham (Fabulous 208)
25 June 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
28 June 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Fabulous 208)
30 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Bown Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
1 July 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
Image may be subject to copyright
2 July 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
Image may be subject to copyright
4 July 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News) Says Straight from the Marquee in the advert
9 July 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
10 July 1966 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)
Image may be subject to copyright
10 July 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with Dion Five (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
12 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Creation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 July 1966 – Assembly Room, Worthing, West Sussex (Evening Argus/Worthing Herald)
15 July 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, London (Fabulous 208)
16 July 1966 – Trade Union Hall, Watford, Herts (Fabulous 208)
17 July 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Fabulous 208)
18 July 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex (Fabulous 208)
Image may be subject to copyright
23 July 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Paul & Barry Ryan, James Royal Set, Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Ferry Boys (Lincolnshire Standard)
26 July 1966 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)
29 July 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, London (Fabulous 208)
30 July 1966 – Refectory Fields, Blackheath, London (Fabulous 208)
6 August 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
23 February 1967 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with Systems Go (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!/Western Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 February 1967 – Dacorum College, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The New Conchords (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring & District News)
28 February 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Bossmen (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
1 March 1967 – Bromel Club, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)
4 March 1967 – Dunelm House, Durham, County Durham (Fabulous 208)
11 March 1967 – University of London, Malet Street, London (Fabulous 208)
16 March 1967 – New Locarno Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)
19 March 1967 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)
22 March 1967 – College of Art, Hornsey, London (Fabulous 208)
25 March 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
27 March 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
1 April 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Cortinas (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
3 April 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Brom, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
4 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Stalkers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
7 April 1967 – Rugby Town Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Moodoos (Coventry Evening Telegraph/Leicester Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
8 April 1967 – Lewes FC Beat Rave, Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with TD Backus and The Powerhouse and The Teen Team (Sussex Express)
14 April 1967 – Civic Hall, Wulfun Halls, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Vogues, Cyril Stapleton & His Band and Reg Bradley & His Band (Express and Star)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 May 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)
19 May 1967 – Memorial Hall, Barry, Wales (Fabulous 208)
20 May 1967 – University of Tech, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)
25 May 1967 – Garden Club, London (Fabulous 208) This might be in Covent Garden
26 May 1967 – Il Rondo Ballroom, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
27 May 1967 – Hertford Balls, Oxford with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Swinging Blue Jeans, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Hamilton & The Movement (Cherwell)
3 June 1967 – Victoria Cross Gallery, Wantage, Oxfordshire (Wiltshire Gazette)
13 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Prime Apples (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
16 June 1967 – Town Hall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Fabulous 208)
21 June 1967 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)
24 June 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
Image may be subject to copyright
1 July 1967 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with Package Deal and Sixth Sense (Torquay Times)
Image may be subject to copyright
8 July 1967 – Royal Lido Ballroom, Prestatyn, Wales with The Raynes (website: www.45worlds.com/live)
15 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Gorleston, Norfolk with St Willie Cool School (North Norfolk News)
23 July 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, London with The Syn (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
1 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Timebox (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 August 1967 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with The Mojos and First Movement (Essex County Standard)
7 August 1967 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Del Roy Good Good Band and Dual Purpose (Express & Star)
8 August 1967 – Holywell Community Centre, West Watford, Hertfordshire with Gene & The Cossacks (West Herts & Watford Observer)
Image may be subject to copyright
10 August 1967 – Cleveland Technical College, James Finegan Hall, Eston, Teesside with The Clockwork Orange and The Real McCoy (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
13 August 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
19 August 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
27 August 1967 – Rowley Rag, Whiteheath, West Midlands with The Acoustics (Express & Star)
9 September 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Mail)
18 May 1968 – St Joseph’s Hall, Archway, London with Mabel Greer’s Toyshop (Melody Maker)
24 May 1968 – METC Student’s Union, College Refectory, Essex with The Clear Blue Cloud (Essex Chronicle)
Image may be subject to copyright
3 June 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with Fantastics (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)
15 June 1968 – St Mary’s College of Education, Twickenham, London (Fabulous 208)
22 June 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
4 September 1968 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 September 1968 – The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London with The Small Faces, Barclay James Harvest, Love Sculpture, Bakerloo Blues Band, Skin, Pete Drummond (Melody Maker)
29 November 1968 – East London Tech, London (Time Out)
30 November 1968 – Imperial College, London (Time Out)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 December 1968 – Fishmongers Hall, Wood Green, London with Sundae Times (Melody Maker)
Welcome to the first posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
Formed in late 1959, Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds comprises the following line-up by spring 1963:
5 April 1964 – Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London (Kentish Mercury)
12 April 1964 – Ricky Tick, Olympia Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire (Bucks Free Press)
18 April 1964 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Tony Holland & The Pack-A-Beats and The Renegades (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
19 April 1964 – Blue Moon, Hayes, Middlesex with The Impacts (Dorothy Bullock list)
21 April 1964 – Fender Club, Kenton, Middlesex with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 April 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
30 April 1964 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with Dean Austen & The Dominators (Essex Chronicle)
15 May 1964 – Pussycat Club, Bruce Grove Ballroom, N17, London with The Zephyrs (Tottenham Weekly Herald)
25 May 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
David Greenslade joined on keyboards around June and Albert Lee took over from Bobby Taylor on lead guitar.
9 June 1964 – Jumbo Club, King George’s Hall, Esher, Surrey with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)
18 June 1964 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Luton News)
14 October 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
23 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
24 October 1965 – Ricky Tick, Plaza Ballroom, Guildford, Surrey (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/)
2 November 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with Colin Wilkie and Shirley Hart (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)
5 November 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Artwoods, Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
11 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
12 November 1965 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham with The Spencer Davis Group, The King Bees and The Cock O Hoops (Birmingham Evening Mail)
14 November 1965 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
15 November 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Tottenham Weekly Herald)
19 November 1965 – Armco Sports & Social Club, Letchworth, Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with The Various Others (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express) Colin Jamies, bass player with The Various Others, got in touch to say his group was called The Various Others
21 November 1965 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)
6 December 1965 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)
8 December 1965 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)
12 December 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with John L Kingdon’s Humperdinks (Mid Sussex Times)
24 December 1965 – Manor House (most likely north London) (Beat Instrumental)
25 December 1965 – Cavern Club, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)
26 December 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Jimmy Cliff, Ayshea, Pete Hodges and The New Generation and The Tribe (Evening Sentinel)
27 December 1965 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Javelins (East Kent Times)
28 December 1965 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
29 December 1965 – Starlight Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)
31 December 1965 – Starlight Ballroom, Greenford, west London (Beat Instrumental)
1966
Bruce Waddell took over from Ricky Charman on bass in January
1 January 1966 – King Edward School, Southampton, Hants (Beat Instrumental)
2 January 1966 – Stonecross Hall, Harlow, Herts (Beat Instrumental)
5 January 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
7 January 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)
8 January 1966 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (Beat Instrumental)
9 January 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)
12 January 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich (Eastern Evening News)
14 January 1966 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon (Beat Instrumental)
15 January 1966 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)
16 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London (Beat Instrumental)
18 January 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Beat Instrumental)
20 January 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Beat Instrumental)
21 January 1966 – Rialto Club, Derby (Beat Instrumental)
22 January 1966 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London (Beat Instrumental)
23 January 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
25 January 1966 – College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham (Beat Instrumental)
27 January 1966 – BRC Club, Stafford (Boyfriend magazine)
28 January 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)
29 January 1966 – Big Beat Club, the Ballroom, Two Puddings Hotel, Hackney, north London (Beat Instrumental) Boyfriend magazine also has In Crowd, Hackney as second gig on this night
31 January 1966 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Beat Instrumental)
2 February 1966 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)
3 February 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
3 February 1966 – Star Hotel, Croydon, London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon) Beat Instrumental has this on 31 January and says the band play Blue Moon in Cheltenham today
4 February 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, Sidcup, Kent (Beat Instrumental)
5 February 1966 – Big Beat Club, Stratford (possibly London) (Beat Instrumental)
6 February 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)
10 February 1966 – Blue Triangle Club, Ealing, west London (Beat Instrumental)
11 February 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Beat Instrumental)
12 February 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Beat Instrumental)
13 February 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)
14 February 1966 – Manor House, Ipswich, Suffolk (Beat Instrumental)
15 February 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Beat Instrumental)
18 February 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Boyfriend magazine)
19 February 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire (Beat Instrumental) Advertised as Markham Hall so just needs confirmation/Boyfriend magazine has the band at Leascliff Hall, Folkestone on this date
23 February 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich (Eastern Evening News)
25 February 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)
26 February 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)
27 February 1966 – Cosmo Club, Carlisle, Cumbria (Beat Instrumental)
28 February 1966 – Top Rank, Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Beat Instrumental)
1 March 1966 – Top Rank, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Beat Instrumental)
2 March 1966 – Rag Week ’66, College of Advanced Technology, Great Hall, Gosta Green, West Midlands with Acker Bilk (Birmingham Evening Mail)
15 March 1966 – Civic Hall, Grays, Essex (Beat Instrumental)
17 March 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Burnley, Lancashire (Beat Instrumental)
18 March 1966 – Durham University, Durham (Beat Instrumental)
19 March 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Beat Instrumental)
20 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Beat Instrumental)
21 March 1966 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire (Beat Instrumental)
23 March 1966 – Swansea University, Swansea, Wales (Beat Instrumental)
24 March 1966 – Brighton University, Brighton, Sussex (Beat Instrumental)
27 March 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
Dave Quincy and Gerry Temple both left around about now reduced the band to a quintet.
6 April 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)
11 April 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Artwoods, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Rockhouse Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
14 April 1966 – West Bromwich Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Trend & Boyfriend)
15 April 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Trend & Boyfriend)
24 April 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News)
During May, Dave Greenslade briefly left to join Julian Covey & The Machine as they support John Lee Hooker on a UK tour but returned to The Thunderbirds soon after.
1 May 1966 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (South East London Mercury)
Photo: John Treais
7 May 1966 – RAE Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with Five Proud Walkers (Aldershot News)
8 May 1966 – Dereham Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Ian and Danny Eves with Sounds Reformed (Eastern Evening News)
14 May 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
15 May 1966 – Downs Hotel, Hassocks, West Sussex with Mike Stuart Span (Mid Sussex Times)
17 May 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
18 May 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich (Eastern Evening News)
20 May 1966 – Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The Cherokees (Berkhamsted Gazette & Tring and District News)
22 May 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
25 May 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Cardiff, Wales (Beat Instrumental)
27 May 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London (Melody Maker)
28 May 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Stormsville Shakers (Melody Maker)
29 May 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Beat Instrumental)
30 May 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire with John McCoy’s Crawdaddies (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
31 May 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Disc & Music Echo)
1 June 1966 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News/Camberley News)
3 June 1966 – Bruce Grove Ballroom (Beat Instrumental)
4 June 1966 – Co-op Hall, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and Beachcomber, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)
5 June 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)
6 June 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey (Aldershot News)
9 June 1966 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Beat Instrumental)
10 June 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Beat Instrumental)
11 June 1966 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with Saracens (website: http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm) This is missing from Beat Instrumental/Trend and Boyfriend has Drill Hall, Stamford Links on this date. However, Hertfordshire Express does
Thanks to Colin Fox for the photo
13 June 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with 4-Bidden (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
15 June 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)
16 June 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Beat Instrumental)
17 June 1966 – Keeble College, Oxford (Beat Instrumental)
18 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
19 June 1966 – Sunshine Ballroom, East Dereham, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)
20 June 1966 – Christ College, Oxford (Beat Instrumental)
23 June 1966 – Hastings College 1066 Rag Appeal Dances, Pier Ballroom, Hastings, East Sussex with The In Crowd (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Beat Instrumental/Hastings and St Leonards Observer)
24 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Beat Instrumental)
25 June 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Wreckers (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
25 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Beat Instrumental)
26 June 1966 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
27 June 1966 – Manor House, St Matthew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)
30 June 1966 – Ritz Ballroom, Skewen, South Wales (Fabulous 208)
1 July 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby (Beat Instrumental)
2 July 1966 – Spa Ballroom, Bridlington (Beat Instrumental)
3 July 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
4 July 1966 – Top Rank, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Beat Instrumental)
6 July 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon) Beat Instrumental has Bromley Court Hotel on this date which is still possible
11 July 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
13 July 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
14 July 1966 – Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Beat Instrumental)
16 July 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Billy Storm & The Original Falcons (Cambridgeshire Times)
17 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
19 July 1966 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with Raynors’ Secrets and The Travellers (Herald Express)
23 July 1966 – Blue Lagoon, Kimbells, Southsea, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
24 July 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London with The En-Devers Ltd (Melody Maker)
29 July 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)
The South East London Mercury’s 29 July 1966 edition, page 1, has a good band story and picture. The line up is Chris Farlowe, Albert Lee, Bruce Waddell, Ian Hague and Dave Greenslade
30 July 1966 – New Cornish Riviera Lido, St Austell, Cornwall (West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette)
31 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
2 August 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol (Evening Post)
4 August 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol (Evening Post)
6 August 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)
9 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, London (Melody Maker)
11 August 1966 – Ricky Tick, Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Poster)
12 August 1966 – The Gaff, North Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire (Fabulous 208)
13 August 1966 – Drill Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire with The Delcounts and Breed (Grantham Journal)
18 August 1966 – Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford (Bigglewade Chronicle)
23 August 1966 – Kinema, Dunfermline, Scotland (Fabulous 208)
25 August 1966 – Palais, Dundee, Scotland (Fabulous 208)
26 August 1966 – City Hall, Perth, Scotland (Fabulous 208)
27 August 1966 – Market Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with The Atoms and The Conquests (Cumberland News)
28 August 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Skyliners (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
29 August 1966 – Grays Club, Grays Court, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208/Beat Instrumental)
31 August 1966 – Mr Magoos, Edinburgh, Scotland (Beat Instrumental)
1 September 1966 – Mr Magoos, Edinburgh, Scotland (Beat Instrumental)
3 September 1966 – King Mojo Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)
4 September 1966 – Olympia Ballroom, Cromer, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)
8 September 1966 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex (Worthing Herald)
9 September 1966 – Beat Festival, Scunthorpe United Football Ground, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, The Troggs, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas, The Ram Jam Band, The Creation, The Mindbenders and The Fenmen (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
10 September 1966 – Casino Ballroom, Taggs Island, Hampton Court, Middlesex (Fabulous 208)
16 September 1966 – Corn Exchange, Newbury, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
17 September 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Otis Redding & his American Band, The Gates of Eden, The Rising Sons and The Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard)
18 September 1966 – The New Scene, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
18 September 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Nottingham Evening Post)
22 September 1966 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Impacts (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)
23 September 1966 – Top Spot, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire with Mike Starr & The Citizens (Gloucester Citizen)
24 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Beat Instrumental)
29 September 1966 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire with The Soul Men (Swindon Evening Advertiser)
30 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Good Time Band (Melody Maker)
1 October 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
1 October 1966 – Paris Olympia, Paris, France with The Alan Price Set (Disc & Music Echo) Clashes with Birdcage gig above so may not have happened
2 October 1966 – Dereham Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Eyes of Blond (Eastern Evening News) Fabulous 208 refers to this venue as The Sunshine Floor
7 October 1966 – Marine Ballroom, Morecambe, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)
8 October 1966 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with The Invasion (Fabulous 208/Evening Sentinel)
8 October 1966 – King’s Hall, Stoke, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
14 October 1966 – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Rogues (Fabulous 208/Evening Star)
15 October 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)
In mid October, the band joined The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Georgie Fame, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Eric Burdon & The New Animals and The Eyes of Blue for a package tour (see details in comments)
15-21 January 1967 – Garrick, Leigh, Greater Manchester (St Helens Newspaper/Fabulous 208)
22-23 January 1967 – Club Latino, South Shields, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)
22-23 January 1967 – Dolce Vita, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)
3 February 1967 – Leicester University, Leicester, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)
4 February 1967 – University Park, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (Fabulous 208)
10 February 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Fabulous 208)
10 February 1967 – Battersea College, Battersea, south London (Fabulous 208)
11 February 1967 – Queen Mary’s College, Mile End, east London (Fabulous 208)
13 February 1967 – Liverpool University, Liverpool with The Searchers (Fabulous 208)
18 February 1967 – Town Hall, Morley, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
19 February 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Bluecaps (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
24 February 1967 – Durham University, Durham with Alan Price Set (Fabulous 208)
3 March 1967 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)
4 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Edwin Starr and The Cool Combination, Root and Jenny Jackson & The Hightimers and Ray Bones (Fabulous 208 and Lincolnshire Standard)
4 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
7 March 1967 – St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, Norfolk with Sensational Anglians (Eastern Evening News)
9 March 1967 – Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
10 March 1967 – Public Baths, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire with The Alan Price Set (The Star)
10 March 1967 – Nottingham Tech College, Nottingham with Robert Hirst & The Big Taste, Our Young and The In Crowd (Nottingham Evening Post)
11 March 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Nite People (East Kent Times & Mail)
15 March 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Question (Cambridge News)
18 March 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
20 March 1967 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Fabulous 208)
23 March 1967 – The Cavern, Liverpool with The Fix and The Klubs (Fabulous 208/Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)
25 March 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with The Academy (Dave Allen research)
27 March 1967 – Barnsley Civic Hall, Barnsley, South Yorkshire with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, The Tiles Big Band, The Pityful and Moss’s Mixtures (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News/Melody Maker)
27 March 1967 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire (Crewe Chronicle)
31 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Crawley Advertiser)
5 April 1967 – St Michael’s Youth Centre, Sydenham, southeast London with Citations (Fabulous 208)
8 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Lunar-2 Honey Band (Melody Maker)
9 April 1967 – Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, central London (Fabulous 208)
14 April 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)
15 April 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Express and Star)
18 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Wynder K Frog (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
20 April 1967 – Town Hall, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)
21 April 1967 – Gondola Club, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
22 April 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)
24 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
30 April 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London with Shinn (Melody Maker)
In early May, Dave Greenslade left to join Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band. Ian Hague departed about the same time to join PP Arnold & The Nice. Carl Palmer took his place on drums.
5 May 1967 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)
7 May 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
12 May 1967 – Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)
13 May 1967 – Nottingham University, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (Fabulous 208)
20 May 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Motown Trinity (Cambridgeshire Times)
20 May 1967 – Night Owl, Leicester with Pesky Gee (Fabulous 208/Leicester Mercury)
21 May 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Fabulous 208)
23 May 1967 – Swansea College, Swansea, Wales (Fabulous 208)
26 May 1967 – Town Hall, Loughborough, Leicestershire with Mike Stuart Band (Fabulous 208/Leicester Mercury)
27 May 1967 – The Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with The Protection Racket (Birmingham Evening Mail)
10 June 1967 – Supreme Eastern Esplanade, Ramsgate, Kent with Len Marshall Show (East Kent Times & Mail)
11 June 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
13 June 1967 – Caius College, Oxford, Cambridge with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Fabulous 208) Disc & Music Echo has 14 June
17 June 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)
18 June 1967 – Brands Hatch Radio London Motor Racing and Pop Festival, Brands Hatch, Kent with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich and Episode Six (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)
23 June 1967 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire (Fabulous 208)
24 June 1967 – Hull University, Hull (Disc & Music Echo)
25 June 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
30 June 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Syrian Blues and All Night Workers (Melody Maker)
7 July 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Chanters (Melody Maker)
9 July 1967 – Pavilion, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Fabulous 208)
11 July 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
23 September 1967 – Winter Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (Fabulous 208)
24 September 1967 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry, West Midlands with Legay (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
30 September 1967 – Bracknell Sports Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire with The Ziggy Turner Mob (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express/Bracknell News)
5 October 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)
6 October 1967 – Queens Rink Ballroom, Hartlepool, County Durham with The Sect and The Tony King Sound (Hartlepool Mail)
7 October 1967 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
8 October 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London (Fabulous 208)
14 October 1967 – Southampton University, Southampton, Hampshire (Fabulous 208) 15 October 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Crewe Chronicle)
21 October 1967 – At the Union, Manchester with The Waterboard (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)
22 October 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
23 October 1967 – Staffordshire Yeoman, Stafford (Stafford Newsletter)
28 October 1967 – Sheffield University, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
29 October 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Skyliners (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
17 November 1967 – Salford University, Salford, Greater Manchester (Fabulous 208)
18 November 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Dual Purpose (East Kent Times & Mail)
22 November 1967 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
25 November 1967 – St James’ Spectacular, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with The Shape of The Rain (Derbyshire Times)
30 November 1967 – Queen’s Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
During December Pete Solley joined on keyboards.
1 December 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Fabulous 208)
7 December 1967 – Marimba, Middlesbrough (Disc & Music Echo)
8 December 1967 – Crown & Cushion, Perry Barr, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
16 December 1967 – Westminster Technical College, Westminster, central London with Hamilton’s Blues Messengers (Melody Maker)
21 December 1967 – Central Hall, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (The Star)
23 December 1967 – Leyton Baths, Leyton, east London (Disc & Music Echo)
23 December 1967 – Lotus Ballroom, Forest Gate, east London (Newham & Stratford Express)
31 December 1967 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
31 December 1967 – Plaza Ballroom, Old Hill, Bearwood, West Midlands (Express & Star)
1968
5 January 1968 – Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire (Fabulous 208)
6 January 1968 – Southend gig (but not sure of venue) with support (Southend Standard)
7 January 1968 – Tudor Club, Mercers Arms, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
8 January 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Finders Keepers and Barmy Barry Show (Express & Star)
12 January 1968 – Leicester College of Education (Scraptoft), Leicester with Deuce Coupe and Pandoras Box (Fabulous 208/Leicester Mercury)
13 January 1968 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)
14 January 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Crawley Advertiser)
28 January 1968 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
30 January 1968 – Cheltenham Spa Lounge and Ballroom, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
2 February 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Chuck Berry, The Herd, The Move, Edwin Starr, Brian Auger Trinity, Julie Driscoll, Sammy Small, The Union Blues Rave Band, Th Accent (Yorkshire Evening Post)
19 February 1968 – Mercers Arms, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
25 February 1968 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
29 February 1968 – Zodiac Club, Eden Park Hotel, Beckenham, southeast London (Melody Maker)
3 March 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Friendly Apple (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
7 March 1968 – City of Coventry Confederation of Colleges, Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands with The Spencer Davis Group, St Louis Union and Piccadilly Line (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
8 March 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
16 March 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The New England Mood (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
16 March 1968 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury with Generation (Somerset County Gazette)
23 March 1968 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with Generation (Western Gazette)
29 March 1968 – Crown and Cushion, Perry Barr, West Midlands with The Vogues (Birmingham Evening Mail)
31 March 1968 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)
1 April 1968 – Mercers Arms, Coventry, West Midlands with The Soul Express (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
12 April 1968 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland with The Shades of Blue (City Week)
13 April 1968 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland with Taste (City Week)
20 April 1968 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Oxfordshire with Wages of Sin (Brackley Advertiser)
21 April 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
27 April 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Le Gaye (East Kent Times)
28 April 1968 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
6 May 1968 – Queen Mary Ballroom, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands with Sound Syndicate (Express & Star)
8 May 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Leicester with Simon Peters (Leicester Mercury)
11 May 1968 – Kesteven College, Grantham, Lincolnshire with The Cortinas (Paul Griggs book)
According to Paul Griggs, Albert Lee did not appear at the above gig and he recommended his friend Alan Shacklock as a replacement when Lee left soon after.
17 May 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham Junction, southeast London with The Purple Dream (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)
Shacklock auditioned at a pub in Islington around this time, by which point bass player Bruce Wadell had departed and Solley played the bass pedals on his Hammond.
24 May 1968 – Victoria & Bull, Dartford, Kent (Fabulous 208)
25 May 1968 – College of Technology, Slough, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
1 June 1968 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Granny’s Attic (Cambridgeshire Times)
9 June 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Keith Herd Group (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
Around this time Pete Solley left to join Los Bravos and Peter Robinson took over on keyboards. Bruce Waddell also returned to play bass.
14 June 1968 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland (City Week)
In mid July, Carl Palmer left to join The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Palmer recommended his friend John Bonham, who has been working with Tim Rose.
Bonham has already been approached to form a new band that will become Led Zeppelin but will perform with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds until late August.
20 July 1968 – Condor Club, Arbroath, Scotland (Fabulous 208)
27 July 1968 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)
1 August 1968 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, north London (Melody Maker)
2 August 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
3 August 1968 – Seagull Ballroom, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Fabulous 208)
8 August 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Candy Choir (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 August 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)
16 August 1968 – Boat House, Kew, west London (Thames Valley Times)
17 August 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)
John Bonham left at the end of August to join The New Yardbirds who soon change name to Led Zeppelin.
Colin Davy, who has been playing with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, took his place.
31 August 1968 – Elms Court, Botley, Oxford (Fabulous 208)
2 September 1968 – Bank Holiday, Bluesology Festival, Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Fleetwood Mac, The Move, The Freddy Mack Show and Family (Melody Maker)
2 September 1968 – Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire with Joe Cocker and Soul Committee (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
13 September 1968 – Victoria Cross, Wantage, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)
13 September 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire with The Curiosity Shoppe (Warrington Guardian)
14 September 1968 – Drill Hall, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire with Donell Jackson and Broadway Crowd (Grantham Journal)
18 September 1968 – YMCA, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (Fabulous 208)
21 September 1968 – Drill Hall, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire with Donnell Jackson and The Broadway Crowd (Grantham Journal/Leicester Mercury)
22 September 1968 – Tudor Club, Mercer’s Arms, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
2 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
3 October 1968 – Broken Wheel, Macclesfield (Fabulous 208)
4 October 1968 – Goldsmith College, New Cross Gate, London (Fabulous 208)
13 October 1968 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
18 October 1968 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, London (Fabulous 208)
19 October 1968 – Bangor University, Bangor, Wales (Fabulous 208)
1 November 1968 – Brunel University, Uxbridge, London (Melody Maker)
3 November 1968 – Bridge Place Country Club, Bridge near Canterbury, Kent (Kent Herald)
13-14 December 1968 – Scene Two, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough Evening News)
19 December 1968 – Shipley Club, Watton, Norfolk (Fabulous 208)
22 December 1968 – Bird Cage, Harlow, Essex (Fabulous 208)
28 December 1968 – Malvern Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire with The Basin Street Jump Band (Malvern Gazette)
1969
17 January 1969 – Teachers Training College, Edgbaston, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
18 January 1969 – St Mary’s Technical College, Twickenham, west London (Fabulous 208)
19 January 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)
23 January 1969 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)
1 February 1969 – Hatfield College, Hatfield, Herts (Fabulous 208)
7 February 1969 – The Factory, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)
8 February 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Dream Police (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald)
14 February 1969 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
16 February 1969 – Carousel Club, Piccadilly, central London (Fabulous 208)
1 March 1969 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
9 March 1969 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (website: http://www.76club.org.uk/gigs.html) This may be Farlowe’s final gig with The Thunderbirds – Melody Maker notes 9 March was the last one.
When the band split, Alan Shacklock went on to play with Babe Ruth. The rest of the band recorded as The Hill.
Many thanks to Alan Shacklock for his help in clarifying the band’s final lineups.
Left to right: Colin Pullen, Roy Manderson, Kenny Bernard, Phil Lanzon and Alan Griffin. Thanks to Colin for the image.
Kenny Bernard – lead vocals Alan Griffin – lead guitar Colin Pullen – bass Phil Lanzon – keyboards Roy Manderson – drums
Hailing from South London Cats Pyjamas released two highly inventive yet extremely rare and collectable 45s for the Direction label during 1968. The quintet’s music bridged psychedelia and progressive rock with hints of soul/R&B and both releases were notable for their top notch production and the superlative musicianship of its players.
Trinidad-born singer Kenny Bernard had first come to prominence with R&B outfit The Wranglers during 1963. Formed around the Lewisham area, the previous year, the group subsequently recorded a lone single for the Pye label, “The Tracker”, which was released in August 1965. Around the same time, the musicians were captured live at the Ad Lib Club in Leicester Square for a rare acetate that years later found its way into the hands of Mark Lamarr. The DJ passed the live tracks to the Acid Jazz label, which released the recordings as the Kenny Bernard & The Wranglers Live ’65 CD in 2011.
When The Wranglers splintered a few months later, Bernard stayed with Pye Records and recorded a cache of stylish R&B/soul-inspired singles during 1966 and 1967, none of which troubled the charts. However, as Bernard noted in his autobiography, You Came Into My Life, he found going solo a daunting experience and missed working with a band on stage.
One night (the most plausible date is sometime in June 1967), the singer was out at the Scotch of St James nightclub in Mayfair with his old friend Pete Gage, former guitarist in Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, when he heard that South London group, The Loose Ends, were looking for a singer to front the band.
Originally from Bexley Heath in Kent, The Loose Ends had cut a couple of singles for Decca Records with singer Alan Marshall at the helm before undergoing a major overhaul in October 1966, which left the singer with the name. Marshall’s manager Bryan Mason then linked him with Croydon outfit, The Subjects, who featured guitarist Alan Griffin, keyboard player Phil Lanzon and drummer Roy Manderson.
The Subjects, 1966. Left to right: John Manderson, Malcolm Rudkin, Roy Manderson, Phil Lanzon and Alan Griffin. Thanks to Alan for the image.
Over the next few months, The Loose Ends’ manager also started to bring in musicians from Bexley band, Bob ‘N’ All to replace outgoing musicians. These included new bass player Colin Pullen and second singer Bob Saker. However, shortly before taking up a residency at the Bang Bang Club in Milan in mid-January 1967, first Roy Manderson and then Alan Griffin dropped out to make way for new recruits. Both, however, kept in touch with Phil Lanzon.
Fast forward to early March and The Loose Ends were back in London, and with Alan Griffin back in the fold, the group performed at the Scotch of St James and the Speakeasy. Shortly after a gig at the Central London Polytechnic on 15 April, where they opened for The Savoy Brown Blues Band, singers Alan Marshall and Bob Saker took up soul legend Otis Redding’s offer to fly to the US to record at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals.
Left without their two front men, The Loose Ends, who’d brought Roy Manderson back on board after his replacement Tony Glyde had left to join first The Fenmen and then Simon K & The Meantimers, put out feelers for another singer. With Marshall and Saker out of the picture, the musicians also decided to revamp themselves as Cats Pyjamas.
After spending a month or so working up a stage set with Kenny Bernard, Colin Pullen recalls that the group’s debut gig took place at a college in Epsom, Surrey, which quite possibly could have been nearby Ewell Technical College Refectory, a popular local venue for up and coming bands to perform at.
Over the next few months, Cats Pyjamas gigged fairly incessantly, and one of the band’s most notable gigs during this period was an appearance at the Starlight Room at Boston Gliderdrome in September with The Original Drifters. Pullen also recalls playing in Bournemouth’s Winter Gardens during the first few months of the group’s existence.
However, in early December, Cats Pyjamas secured a crucial deal with the Rik Gunnell Agency, which most likely was brokered by their manager Pete Gage, who’d co-written one of the band’s standout songs, “Virginia Water” with Kenny Bernard and had previous dealings with the agency during his time with The Ram Jam Band.
Selected gigs:
According to the Reading Evening Post, 12 August, Kenny Bernard plays at the Bag O’Nails around this time (and this would be with Cats Pyjamas).
13 August 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with The Geranium Pond (Crawley Advertiser)
30 September 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Original Drifters and The Magic Roundabout (Lincolnshire Standard)
7 October 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)
22 October 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend, Essex (Southend Standard)
4 November 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Scots of St James (Evening Sentinel)
11 November 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with Geranium Pond (Bedfordshire Times)
2 December 1967 – Cliff’s Pavilion, Southend, Essex with John Walker and The Timebox and The Seychells (Southend Standard)
2 December 1967 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire with Tramline (Evening Post: Hemel Hempstead)
8 December 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with The Wafer Board (Evening Sentinel)
The link-up with the Rik Gunnell Agency brought in steady stream of live work and importantly gave the band a regular spot to shine at the agency’s top Soho club, the Bag O’Nails on Kingley Street. It also led to a recording deal with the Direction label and, that same month, the musicians recorded a superb version of Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Phil Spector’s “Baby, I Love You”, originally a top 30 US hit for The Ronettes in 1963, at Olympic Studio’s in Barnes.
To this listener’s ears, however, it is the flip, the Pete Gage/Kenny Bernard penned “Virginia Water” that is the more impressive recording. A psych/prog-rock masterpiece, the song, named after the Surrey commuter town, benefits greatly from Mervyn Conn’s excellent production and demonstrates the inventiveness of a band that is only a few months old.
Alan Griffin sets the scene with a sizzling “nosediving” guitar effect, which is soon buried in the rhythm section’s intricate, syncopated bass and percussion lines. The action then cuts back to the guitarist, who interjects with a series of strident riffs, signalling the arrival of Phil Lanzon’s majestic, prog-rock Hammond fills. As the brooding atmosphere threatens to spill over, Kenny Bernard joins the fray with his distinctive, powerful and soulful lead vocals.
The single, when released on 26 January 1968, should have been a massive hit, but instead sank without a trace. Perhaps “Virginia Water” would have fared better had it been promoted as the A-side but then again the band’s unique style, marrying psych-progressive rock with soul influences was probably far too inventive and dare I say it, “ahead of its time” to meet the narrow demands of the pop charts. Needless to say, breaking into top echelons of the charts was practically an impossibility anyway given The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and others’ virtual stranglehold.
Interestingly, “Virginia Water” caught the attention of Scottish progressive-rock band, Writing on The Wall, who later recorded the track under an “unknown” title for their Power of The Picts LP.
Selected gigs:
15 December 1967 – Sibyllas, Swallow Street, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
16 December 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
18 December 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings/Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
28 February 1968 – Rasputin’s, New Bond Street, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
2 March 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
3 March 1968 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
Undeterred by the chart failure of their debut 45, Cats Pyjamas returned to Olympic Studios in Barnes with Mervyn Conn to record a follow up release. According to Rik Gunnell’s agency bookings, the group spent two days recording (4 and 5 March).
Colin Pullen remembers that The Steve Miller Band were recording tracks for Children of The Future in the studio next door and when Cats Pyjamas had finished their session they watched the San Francisco group at work.
During the sessions, Cats Pyjamas recorded two new Kenny Bernard songs, “Camera Man” and “Houses”. Bernard would revisit the pedestrian “Houses” in later years and but here the rest of the band give the song a semi-acoustic treatment complete with progressive organ fills. To this listener’s ears, the track wouldn’t sound out of place on The Small Faces’ Autumn Stone or Family’s Music From a Doll’s House. Far better is the raving Mod/prog cross-over “Camera Man” with its infectious chorus and stomping, driving beat.
Like “Virginia Water”, “Camera Man” demonstrates just how innovative Cats Pyjamas could be in the studio; unfortunately the group’s second outing would follow its predecessor into obscurity. The tragedy is that the group never got the opportunity to cut more material towards an LP.
Selected gigs:
7 March 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
21-22 May 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
24 May 1968 – Rasputin’s, New Bond Street, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
30-31 May 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
Released on 24 May 1968, “Camera Man” c/w “Houses” was another creative step forward but all was not well within the band. As Bernard later admitted in his autobiography, the singer was increasingly coming to blows with the rest of the group, both musically and personally. A rare high point was a month-long residency at the Stones Club in Madrid during June where Cats Pyjamas took over from Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede.
29 September 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
4 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
5 October 1968 – Fellowship Inn, Bellingham, southeast London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
6 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
11 October 1968 – Kingston College of Art, Kingston Upon Thames, southwest London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
18-19 October 1968 – Rasputin’s, New Bond Street, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
20 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
21 October 1968 – Rasputin’s, New Bond Street, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
25 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
26 October 1968 – White Hart, Acton, west London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
27 October 1968 – Mercer’s Arms, Swan Lane, Coventry, West Midlands (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
28-31 October 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
1-9 November 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, central London (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
10 November 1968 – Swan Hotel, Yardley, West Midlands (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
16 November 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Missing from Colin’s diary
The band late 1968. Left to right: Phil Lanzon, Alan Griffin, Kenny Bernard, Roy Manderson (back) and Colin Pullen. Thanks to Alan for the photo.
Having returned to the UK after working in Madrid for a month during June 1968, tensions between Kenny Bernard and the rest of the band continued to grow and following some final gigs for Rik Gunnell in mid-November, the singer parted ways to resume a solo career.
Cats Pyjamas stuck together a bit longer but sometime in 1969 Colin Pullen left. Around November of that year, remaining members Alan Griffin, Phil Lanzon and Roy Manderson joined Geno Washington and worked as his Ram Jam Band until the spring of 1970. Griffin remained with the singer when he put together a new version that year.
Phil Lanzon, however, maintained the greatest profile over the succeeding years, later working with Grand Prix, Chris Spedding and Sweet among others before joining Uriah Heep in 1986 with whom he continues to play.
Huge thanks to Colin Pullen (who kindly shared the Rik Gunnell Agency booking list), Alan Griffin and Phil Lanzon for providing information about the band.
One 1969. Left to right: Alan Marshall, Bobby Sass, Kevin Fogerty, Conrad Isidore, Brent Forbes and Norman Leppard
Alan Marshall – lead vocals/guitar
Bobby Sass – keyboards
Kevin Fogerty – lead guitar
Brent Forbes – bass
Norman Leppard – horns
Conrad Isadore – drums
In late 1969/early 1970, a motley crew of London-based musicians entered Trident Studios in the heart of Soho to record a lone, rare album for Fontana Records. Helmed by Indian-born musicians and childhood friends, singer Alan Marshall and keyboard player Bobby Sass, One had initially formed in early 1969 after a series of jam sessions at Marshall’s studio flat, located at 6 Denmark Street which he shared with manager Roger Burrow, a friend of Graham Nash’s.
Born in Lahore, Alan Marshall had quite the musical pedigree. Starting out with Bexley Heath, Kent R&B outfit The Loose Ends in the early 1960s, Marshall had cut two excellent singles on Decca before the original formation splintered in October 1966. Forming a new version with members of Croydon band The Subjects and another Bexley Heath area aggregation, Bob ‘N’ All, the new-look Loose Ends landed a short residency at the Bang Bang Club in Milan during January-February 1967.
When the musicians returned to London that March, they were spotted by Otis Redding at the Scotch of St James (or Speakeasy depending on who you speak to) and, ‘blown away’ by Marshall and co-vocalist Bob Saker’s duets, the soul legend took both singers back to the States to record two tracks at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals – “Johnny B Goode” and “Keep Pushing”. The plan was to couple the two recordings for a single on Atlantic but internal politics led to the tracks being shelved. Tragically, Redding died later that year.
Back in the UK, Alan Marshall reunited with guitarist Peter Kirtley who’d been playing with Alan Price’s band after leaving The Loose Ends the previous October. The pair decided to form a new group, Happy Magazine, and Marshall recommended his childhood friend Bobby Sass (not Bobby Tench under an alias which has often been misreported) to play keyboards. Unfortunately, after some tentative rehearsals, it was decided that Sass didn’t fit the band concept and he was dropped.
“He was a tremendous piano player and he loved Errol Garner. He and I grew up together in Karachi,” says Marshall. “Bobby didn’t make it in Happy Magazine. They didn’t like his style; he was too jazzy.”
Happy Magazine, 1968. Alan Marshall (back left). Peter Kirtley (second right). Thanks to Peter for the image
Signed to Polydor, Happy Magazine cut three singles with Alan Price in the producer’s chair before splitting in early 1969. By this point, Marshall had moved into a studio flat on Denmark Street (aka as Tin Pan Alley) with his friend and manager Roger Burrow; Bobby Sass was a regular visitor. As the singer recalls, the doors were always open and musicians used to wander in.
This is the most likely explanation for how Dominica-born drummer and percussionist Conrad Isidore entered the picture that spring. An incredibly gifted musician, Isidore had first come to prominence working with noted R&B outfit Joe E Young & The Tonics during 1967 after playing with The Links and The Grendades. It was with The Toniks that Isidore worked with bass player Calvin ‘Fuzzy’ Samuels, a former member of The Blue-Act-Unit, who also featured future Bob Marley sideman, Junior Kerr (aka Junior Marvin).
Conrad Isidore (bottom right) with Joe E Young & The Toniks, 1968
Isidore and Samuels soon moved on to form The Sundae Times with singer/guitarist Wendell Richardson. Produced by The Equals’ Eddy Grant, the trio recorded three singles and an LP, Us Coloured Kids, during 1968-1969 before the musicians went their separate ways. Somehow Isidore’s path crossed with Marshall and Sass and the drummer threw in his lot with the two Indian musicians.
Not long after, bass player Brent Forbes also joined the loose-knit set up. Originally from Salford, Greater Manchester, Forbes had previously played with The Rogues, who cut a lone single for Decca in December 1967. After changing their name to Sunshine in February 1968, the musicians turned pro and landed a residency in Turkey of all places. This was followed by a six-month stint playing clubs in Crete before the musicians returned to the drizzle of Greater Manchester.
At this point, Forbes joined a short-lived group called Zac, who moved down to London and cut an album’s worth of material at IBC Studios near Marble Arch. When this project failed to materialise, Forbes’s former band mate from Sunshine, guitarist Rod Alexander, who was managing Sound City on Shaftsbury Avenue, directed him to Marshall’s nearby studio flat.
The next musician to join was guitarist Kevin Fogerty, who had first come to prominence with Southport R&B group, Timebox. Fogerty appeared on the band’s early recordings but around October 1967, he jumped ship and signed up with The Dave Davani Four, which is where he later met tenor saxophonist and flutist Norman Leppard.
Originally from Handscross in West Sussex, Leppard was 23 years old when he turned professional. “I was mainly a freelance musician, working with different bands, touring all over the place,” he says. “I was always busy. I did a fortnight tour with The Temptations”.
Sometime in 1968, Leppard auditioned for The Dave Davani Four and landed the gig, despite being up against about 20 sax players. “Kevin was with them before I joined them,” he adds. “I ended up sharing a flat with Kevin and his then girlfriend Jenny in Kennington.”
According to Forbes, the loose-knit group of musicians spent ages rehearsing material before album sessions commenced at Trident Studios in St Anne’s Court, Soho, encompassing the latest in 16-track technology.
“We spent weeks, months, it felt like forever, in this studio [in Denmark Street] and the band would go in and play,” recalls the bass player. “We’d do an arrangement one day and go in the next day and it would be totally different as music should be. Depending on the mood of everybody it would be totally different.”
Production was split between the band’s manager Roger Burrow and Alan Marshall and Bobby Sass, working with sound engineers Robin Cable and Roy Baker. Production supervision meanwhile was handled by Lee Hallyday, who’d recently recorded his brother Johnny’s self-titled LP in France. According to several band members, the sessions at Trident’s studios also featured Alan Marshall’s former band mate from The Loose Ends and Happy Magazine, Peter Kirtley, who provided lead guitar on several cuts.
“Kevin was on some of the tracks,” explains Leppard. “He was mainly on rhythm guitar I think. I am not sure he’s on all the tracks, but he’s definitely on most of them.”
Brent Forbes is quick to credit Isidore and Marshall as the key inspirations during the recording process.
“Whether he’s playing guitar, percussion, drums or singing, [Marshall’s] just a warm spirit,” he says. “Conrad was [also] a fantastic influence for me. Great feel. He sat down one day and said: ‘Brent the notes are all right but the feel’. He made me think about that and I managed to maintain it and got a reputation for it over the years.”
Judging by the track listing, Richie Havens was a huge influence on the singer, but Marshall is not entirely happy with how some tracks turned out. “There are a couple that I am not too keen on,” says Marshall. “It was marijuana fuelled and they went on and on like ‘Run, Shaker Run’ but we didn’t know any better. We were young guys.”
That may well be, but One’s storming cover of Havens’ “Don’t Listen To Me”, which opens the LP and third track, “Stop Pulling and Pushing Me” are inspired, extended workouts full of inventive playing and powerful instrumental passages. The musicians also do justice to “Cautiously”, an atmospheric reading of the ballad written by Maurey Hayden, singer, stand-up comedian and wife of Lenny Bruce. Alan Marshall and Bobby Sass’s “Near The Bone”, the band’s lone contribution to the song-writing stakes is also noteworthy.
According to Forbes, there were no left-overs from the album sessions, which is perhaps surprising considering how long the musicians spent rehearsing material.
With the sessions complete, Norman Leppard was invited to become a fully-fledged member of One. “After the album was done, they asked me to join the band, which I then did for quite a long time,” remembers the session player.
Fontana duly released the LP in the UK in late 1969, followed by continental releases in France, Germany and Spain. The label also issued several singles but like the LP, none of the releases charted, which is perhaps not surprising considering that One undertook very little live work to promote the records. One notable gig took place on 7 October 1969 when the musicians made a rare appearance on stage at Hatchettes Playground in Piccadilly.
During March-April 1970, the musicians got to meet Stephen Stills, who was in London to record sessions for his first solo LP. It’s not clear who in the band made the initial contact. Marshall says that he used to leave the flat door open and musicians used to wander in. One strong possibility is Roger Burrow, who of course was a friend of Graham Nash’s. Alan Marshall, however, is pretty certain that it was Bobby Sass who ran into Stills.
“I don’t know how he met Stephen [but] we used to go over to the house [in Elstead],” says Marshall. “[Stills] had Peter Sellers’ old house and we used to go out there and hang out.”
Impressed by Conrad Isidore and his friend Calvin Samuels, Stills recruited both for his solo LP sessions. In May 1970, no doubt concerned about the shortage of live work, the drummer jumped ship to join Manfred Mann Chapter 3.
“We didn’t do as many gigs as we should have,” admits Forbes. “We did a hop or two to [West] Germany and we probably did the Marquee. We never did enough work really. How on earth we existed [I don’t know] – I think Roger [Burrow] the manager helped support everybody.”
The German club in question was the Happy Cat in Eschollbrucken near Darmstadt, which is close to Frankfurt. However, the shortage of live work soon led to cracks in the group and by the summer of 1970 both Kevin Fogerty and Norman Leppard had also moved on.
Interestingly, while One’s revolving door of personnel changes continued at pace, Fontana issued a French-only ‘45, ‘How Much Do You Know” (adapted from Adagio Royal by F de Boivallee), which was credited solely to Alan Marshall backed by One’s ‘Don’t Listen To Me”.
By the time the single appeared, Alan Marshall, Bobby Sass and Brent Forbes had pieced together a new formation which included guitarist Jack Lancaster and drummer Terry Stannard.
“There was a guitar player called Jack Lancaster, [who had] the same name as the famous one in Blodwyn Pig and he came from Swindon. He came in and took [Kevin Fogerty’s place],” says Forbes.
“God knows what we did after that. I can’t remember doing many gigs. It was a time when Fat Mattress got £200,000 advance and just sat rehearsing. It was a time when groups could afford to do that.”
Stannard, meanwhile, also originated from Wiltshire where he’d worked with Calne group, The Pack during late 1966. In the summer of 1967, the drummer moved up to London where he briefly landed a gig with Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (and may have spent a short stint with Herbie Goins). He then moved on to join Junior Kerr (aka Junior Marvin) and Linda Lewis in the short-lived White Rabbit. By mid-1968, however, Stannard had moved on. While it’s not clear who he played with in the interim, one of the bands was Mirrors featuring Boz Burrell and Nick Judd.
Forbes remembers the new formation cutting an LP for Johnny Hallyday at a studio near Marble Arch, which could well have been IBC, towards the end of the year. “I remember getting session money for it because I went home to my uncle’s and had a very nice Christmas,” says the bass player.
Not long after, in early 1971, One underwent yet another reshuffle. On this occasion, Alan Marshall and Bobby Sass put together a short-lived version featuring former Them/Trader Horne guitarist/singer Jackie McAuley, future Traffic bass player Roscoe Gee and drummer Glenn LeFleur, who like his predecessor Terry Stannard, went on to play with Kokomo.
“I don’t know how I met Roscoe and Jackie,” says Marshall. “I used to meet so many musicians because I used to leave the door open in summer and musicians would drift in. We had a PA and Hammond organ and drums all set up.”
The new formation played at the Speakeasy and also Strawberry Fields where according to Marshall, “Paul McCartney and those guys used to love hearing us.”
During 1972/1973, Marshall’s old friend Ron Bryer, the original guitarist with The Loose Ends, joined after returning from Switzerland and playing with Brainticket.
Unfortunately, the group wound down in 1973/1974 after with the musicians scattering to work in a diverse range of projects.
Marshall ended up joining Strabismus, which subsequently changed its name to Riff Raff when the singer’s former band mate from The Loose Ends/Happy Magazine, Peter Kirtley joined and also featured bass player Roger Sutton and keyboard player Tommy Eyre. However, Marshall quit before Riff Raff’s debut album was recorded and pursued a solo career before recording with Zzebra. He then joined Gonzalez in the late Seventies in time for their 1979 release, Move It To The Music. Based in Thames Mead, he has become a pastor but continues to busk in Stratford, East London.
His school friend Bobby Sass later moved to Australia but died in the 2000s. Kevin Fogerty also passed away, in December 2010. During the early 1970s, he worked for a while in The Tommy Hunt Band.
As for Norman Leppard, he joined Eric Delaney’s band after leaving One and also appeared on Jack McDuff’s Blue Note LP, issued in late 1970. He continues to work as a session player.
Conrad Isidore meanwhile became a noted session player, working with the likes of Joe Cocker, Linda Lewis, Terry Reid, Vinegar Joe and Eddy Grant to name a few. He also later played with Junior Marvin in his band Hanson and with Hummingbird. Isidore later moved to Porvoo near Helsinki in Finland but died in 2019.
Brent Forbes also landed on his feet and, immediately on leaving One, joined the West End show, Catch My Soul. Like Isidore, he later moved into session work, playing with Doris Troy, Jimmy Helms, Lulu, Locus, Jim Capaldi and Hudson Ford among others. From 1975-1980, he also landed regular work on West End shows like Rocky Horror Picture Show and Les Miserables. During this period, he also briefly performed with Herbie Goins and Zzebra. Later, he moved into TV session work, providing music for Young Ones, the Lenny Henry Show, Victoria Wood among others.
As for One, the group remains something of an obscurity. While the LP has been issued on CD by two different labels, neither appear to be official releases. Given the collectability of the record and the fact that a mint copy will probably fetch you close to £100, perhaps it’s time that the band was given a proper re-issue treatment, complete with detailed liner notes.
Many thanks to the following for their help with the story: Alan Marshall, Brent Forbes, Norman Leppard and Jackie McAuley.
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
18 March 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
15 October 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Crewe Chronicle)
16 March 1968 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Friction (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings/Cambridgeshire Times)
6 April 1968 – Stax Club, Cirencester, Gloucestershire with The Purple Barrier (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings)
21 April 1968 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Rik Gunnell Agency bookings/Yarmouth Mercury)
Production was split between the band’s manager Roger Burrow and Alan Marshall and Bobby Sass, working with sound engineers Robin Cable and Roy Baker. Production supervision meanwhile was handled by Lee Hallyday, who’d recently recorded his brother Johnny’s self-titled LP in France. According to several band members, the sessions at Trident’s studios also featured Alan Marshall’s former band mate from The Loose Ends and Happy Magazine, Peter Kirtley, who provided lead guitar on several cuts.
That may well be, but One’s storming cover of Havens’ “Don’t Listen To Me”, which opens the LP and third track, “Stop Pulling and Pushing Me” are inspired, extended workouts full of inventive playing and powerful instrumental passages. The musicians also do justice to “Cautiously”, an atmospheric reading of the ballad written by Maurey Hayden, singer, stand-up comedian and wife of Lenny Bruce. Alan Marshall and Bobby Sass’s “Near The Bone”, the band’s lone contribution to the song-writing stakes is also noteworthy.
During March-April 1970, the musicians got to meet Stephen Stills, who was in London to record sessions for his first solo LP. It’s not clear who in the band made the initial contact. Marshall says that he used to leave the flat door open and musicians used to wander in. One strong possibility is Roger Burrow, who of course was a friend of Graham Nash’s. Alan Marshall, however, is pretty certain that it was Bobby Sass who ran into Stills.
Interestingly, while One’s revolving door of personnel changes continued at pace, Fontana issued a French-only ‘45, ‘How Much Do You Know” (adapted from Adagio Royal by F de Boivallee), which was credited solely to Alan Marshall backed by One’s ‘Don’t Listen To Me”.
As for One, the group remains something of an obscurity. While the LP has been issued on CD by two different labels, neither appear to be official releases. Given the collectability of the record and the fact that a mint copy will probably fetch you close to £100, perhaps it’s time that the band was given a proper re-issue treatment, complete with detailed liner notes.