The Bag O’ Nails was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find confirmed gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions/corrections plus any posters of advertised gigs and photos of bands who appeared there (all credited accordingly).

1966

Opened in 1965, co-owners John Gunnell and Laurie Leslie launched the Bag O’ Nails as an upmarket, members-only, late night club during November 1966. Tony Knight’s Chessmen played on the opening night.

Colin Richardson, who joined the Rik Gunnell Agency in September 1966 and remained until December 1967, says his main job was to book Rik Gunnell Agency bands and in terms of the Bag O’ Nails, his role was probably to fill the ‘open’ dates with lesser known bands while the ‘name’ artists were booked by John or his brother Rik.

Colin says that, like the Cromwellian, Sibylla’s and the Speakeasy, the Bag O’ Nails had an extended licence to serve alcohol which required that food had to be made available to customers.

Like these other exclusive late night clubs, the Bag O’ Nails differed from rock venues like the Marquee and 100 Club in that punters generally didn’t go to see the band playing; the music was almost incidental. It was more a place to ‘hang out’ and to mix with media and music biz people and maybe spy the occasional rock star or celeb.

Colin states that when he took over bookings at the Bag O’  Nails, he usually put on a different band every night, though occasionally there could be runs of two or more nights. As noted above, the idea was to give the lesser known bands exposure to the influential audiences that frequented the club.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede’s manager Ken Baxter (who is no longer with us) kept a note of bookings and Douglas’ group had a residency at the club from 21 November to 4 December 1966. During this time, Jimi Hendrix sat in with the band once (possibly 25 November but see comments section at the very end).

The Jimi Hendrix Experience played its showcase gig on 25 November and many music celebrities attended the event, including Terry Reid, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and members of The Rolling Stones.

Drummer Tony Richard remembers that his band The Fetish Crowd played at the Bag O’ Nails (either in late 1966 or early 1967).

Keyboard player Tony O’Malley says that his band Malcolm Magaron & The Blueshealers played at the club during late 1966 and early 1967 before the backing musicians left Magaron to work with American singer Ronnie Jones and were billed as The Q-Set.

Steve Ellis’ website notes that the original Love Affair played at the Bag O’ Nails (either in late 1966 or early 1967).

21 November (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

22 November (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

23 November (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

24 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

25 November (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

Melody Maker reports that The Jimi Hendrix Experience played on 25 November, which would have been a showcase gig. It’s possible that he stayed on to sit in with Carl Douglas’ band later that evening (Colin Richardson’s website) 

26 November (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

27 November (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

28 November (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

29 November (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

30 November (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

The Stage’s 1 December issue reports that Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede have a ten-day stand but don’t say when it started. 

1 December (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

2 December (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

3 December (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

4 December (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

19 December (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)

Julian Covey & The Machine had a residency here which, judging by the January gig below, appeared to be on a Monday evening.

26 December (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)

According to Stage magazine, Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays, Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Brian Auger Trinity played over the Christmas period.

1967

Singer James Royal says that his band The James Royal Set played at the Bag O’ Nails. This would have been 1967 and/or 1968.

Drummer Chris Hunt notes that his group The Good Time Losers played at the venue in 1967. The most likely period would have been February/March.

Drummer Dino Coccia says that he played with a Jamaican band called The Healers who worked at the Bag O’ Nails regularly throughout 1967 until June 1968 when they left for Beirut, Lebanon for a residency there.

1 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (Glenn Martin’s recollections, needs confirmation)

Drummer Glenn Martin says that when his group Hedgehoppers Anonymous split in early-mid January, he worked with singer Kenny Bernard at the Bag O’ Nails, taking over from The Peddlers, who had a residency here (most likely on Sundays). Bernard’s group played its first show at the Bag O’ Nails on Martin’s birthday (Sunday, 22 January). However, The Peddlers decided to continue their residency and returned the following week and Bernard’s group split with Martin reforming Hedgehoppers Anonymous.

2 January (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (Fabulous 208)

8 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)

9 January (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

10 January (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

11 January (Wednesday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Fabulous 208)

15 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)

22 January (Sunday) – Kenny Bernard (Glenn Martin’s recollections – see 1 January)

29 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)

1 February (Wednesday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)

2 February (Thursday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208)

The Q-Set linked up with American singer Ronnie Jones in mid-March 1967 after he split with The Blue Jays and they played regularly at the Bag O’ Nails (see later).

7 February (Tuesday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)

Phil Sawyer, the band’s lead guitarist, will join The Spencer Davis Group in April 1967.

8 February (Wednesday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)

9 February (Thursday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)

10 February (Friday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)

According to Disc & Music Echo, the music magazine held its party at the Bag O’ Nails either on Sunday, 12 February or Sunday, 19 February and PJ Proby, Pete Townshend from The Who and Eric Clapton from Cream attended.

22 February (Wednesday) – Maxine Daniels (Fabulous 208)

25 February (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

Birmingham band, The Way of Life, featuring future Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham played at the Bag O’ Nails around late February 1967.

1 March (Wednesday) – The Real McCoy (Fabulous 208)

2 March (Thursday) – The Real McCoy (Fabulous 208)

3 March (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

4 March (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

5 March (Sunday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

6 March (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

7 March (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

8 March (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

9 March (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

10 March (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

11 March (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

12 March (Sunday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

Colin Richardson, who booked some of the artists that performed at the Bag O’ Nails, remembers Otis Redding dropping in on 22 March (website: https://colinrichardson of any significance, bujazz.typepad.com/blog/2020/07/otis-reddinggentle-giant.html)

17 April (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

18 April (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

Disc & Music Echo’s 6 May issue reports that Georgie Fame, The Drifters, Zoot Money and Carl Douglas joined Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set) for a jam session in the week starting 24 April. Tom Jones and Paul McCartney attended.

27 April (Thursday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)

According to the Berkhamsted Gazette & Tring District News, Errol Daniel & JJ Sound played at the Bag O’ Nails in early May 1967.

4 May (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

8 May (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

According to Disc & Music Echo’s 27 May issue, Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set) played at the Bag O’ Nails in the week starting 15 May and Sandie Shaw, Chris Andrews and The Moody Blues were among the guests.

The same issue (27 May) notes that Georgie Fame, Dick Gregory, Mary Wells and Maxine Brown were recent bookings at the Bag O’ Nails.

15 May (Monday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Beatles Bible book)

Disc & Music Echo lists Georgie Fame at the venue on 15 May.

30 May (Tuesday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)

31 May (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

1 June (Thursday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)

3 June (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

4 June (Sunday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)

5 June (Monday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)

6 June (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)

7 June (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

Fabulous 208 says that The Shevelles played on 7 June.

8 June (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

11 June (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

12 June (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

13 June (Tuesday) – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208)

14 June (Wednesday) – Diane Ferraz & The New Checkmates (Fabulous 208)

15 June (Thursday) – Diane Ferraz & The New Checkmates (Fabulous 208)

Melody Maker says that The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas played on 15 June.

16 June (Friday) – Felders Orioles (Fabulous 208)

Drummer John Halsey will join Timebox in August 1967

17 June (Saturday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)

18 June (Sunday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

19 June (Monday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

20 June (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

21 June (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

22 June (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

23 June (Friday) – Amen Corner (Fabulous 208)

30 June (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

1 July (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

5 July (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

6 July (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

9 July (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

11 July (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

17 July (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

18 July (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

20 July (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

23 July (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

24 July (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

31 July (Monday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Disc & Music Echo)

1 August (Tuesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

This group were formerly called Diane Ferraz & The (New) Checkmates. Colin Richardson, who booked some of the artists that appeared at the Bag O’ Nails, says that he suggested Ferris Wheel as a loose pun on Diane’s surname after they had told him they wanted to change their current name as they felt it sounded dated.

6 August (Sunday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

According to the Reading Evening Post, 12 August, Kenny Bernard (possibly fronting Cats Pyjamas) plays around this time. 

13 August (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

22 August (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)

28 August (Monday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

31 August (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

2 September (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)

Chicken Shack featured future Fleetwood Mac singer/pianist Christine Perfect (aka McVie).

3 September (Sunday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)

8 September (Friday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)

9 September (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)

11 September (Monday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

14 September (Thursday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Fabulous 208)

Future Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor was with the band at this point.

18 September (Monday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

19 September (Tuesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)

20 September (Wednesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)

21 September (Thursday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)

22 September (Friday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)

23 September (Saturday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)

24 September (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)

25 September (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

Fabulous 208 has Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames on 25 September.

6 October (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

12 October (Thursday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)

16 October (Monday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

17 October (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

21 October (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

22 October (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

24 October (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

30 October (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

2 November (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

6 November (Monday) – Ben E King (Disc & Music Echo)

16 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

19 November (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

22 November (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

28 November – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

Fabulous 208 has Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band on 28 November. John Warburg says JJ Jackson performed on this date.

30 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

6 December (Wednesday) – Long John Baldry (and Bluesology) (Disc & Music Echo)

Pianist Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) was most likely still with Bluesology at this point.

8 December (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

16 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

Colin Richardson, who worked at for the Gunnell Agency booking artists, says he came up with the Cats Pyjamas name. Most of the band had previously worked as The Loose Ends but when their two singers Alan Marshall and Bob Saker left during the summer and the musicians were linked with new singer Kenny Bernard, they decided they wanted a new name.

23 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

27 December (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

29 December (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

30 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

1968

Guitarist Paul Brett says that he played at the Bag O’ Nails, which would have been with Tintern Abbey and/or later bands.

Sax player Geoff Glover says that The All Night Workers played at the Bag O’ Nails regularly, which would have been between 1968-1971.

2 January (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

4 January (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

9 January (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

10 January (Wednesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)

11 January (Thursday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)

12 January (Friday) – Garnet Mimms (needs confirmation)

Some acts this month mirrored the bookings at the Cromwellian.

15 January (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

17 January (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)

18 January (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)

19 January (Friday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)

21 January (Sunday) – Jimmy McGriff (Melody Maker)

23 January (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)

24 January (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)

29 January (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

Fabulous 208 lists Edwin Starr for 29 January.

1 February (Thursday) – John L Watson & The Web (needs confirmation)

Some acts this month mirrored the bookings at the Cromwellian.

5 February (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

9 February (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

10 February (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

19 February (Monday) – Robert Parker (New Musical Express)

20 February (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

According to Melbourne music magazine, Go-Set, Australian band The Groop played the Bag O’ Nails between early March and mid-April.

2 March (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

7 March (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

11 March (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

12 March (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

Melody Maker reports that Fleetwood Mac, Zoot Money and Cliff Bennett were due to play at the Bag O’ Nails around this time.

20 March (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

25 March (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

26 March (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

27 March (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

9 April (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

14 April (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

15 April (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

22 April (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Melody Maker)

9 May (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

10 May (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

13 May (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

20 May (Monday) – Edwin Starr & The State Express (Melody Maker)

21 May (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

22 May (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

It is possible that JJ Jackson may also have played on 22 May.

30 May (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

31 May (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

4 July (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

6 July (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

26 July (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

28 July (Sunday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

2 August (Friday) – The Penny Peep Show (needs confirmation that it happened but advertised)

The Penny Peep Show’s guitarist Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull in December 1968.

8 August (Thursday) – Happy Magazine (Fabulous 208)

11 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

12 August (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

18 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

20 August (Tuesday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

25 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)

30 August (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

31 August (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

2 September (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

According to the Stroud News, Gass played at the Bag O’ Nails just before 14 September.

20 September (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

21 September (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

25 September (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

29 September (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

2 October (Wednesday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Fabulous 208)

3 October (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208 and Time Out)

4 October (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas and Selofane (Colin Pullen’s gig diary, Fabulous 208 and Time Out)

5 October (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas and Selofane (Colin Pullen’s gig diary, Fabulous 208 and Time Out)

6 October (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

9 October (Wednesday) – Cliff Bennett (Fabulous 208)

16 October (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

20 October (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

24 October (Thursday) – Cliff Bennett and Circus (Melody Maker and website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

25 October (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)

27 October (Sunday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

4 November (Monday) – Toast (Melody Maker)

10 December (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

17 December (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

1969

Guitarist and violinist Mike Piggott says that Gass played at the Bag O’ Nails during 1969-1970.

Topper Clay from The New York Public Library notes that his group played this venue.

7 January (Tuesday) – Cliff Bennet (Fabulous 208)

8 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

15 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

20 January (Monday) – Junior Walker & The All Stars (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)

22 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

28 January (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

4 February (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

10 February (Monday) – Toast (Melody Maker)

21 February (Friday) – My Dear Watson and Ben E King (Melody Maker)

New Musical Express reports that Ben E King was backed by The Chris Shakespeare Globe Show for the February UK tour.

22 February (Saturday) – My Dear Watson (Melody Maker)

6 March (Thursday) – Freddy King (Melody Maker)

7 March (Friday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)

8 March (Saturday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)

13 March (Thursday) – Toast (Melody Maker)

14 March (Friday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)

7 April (Monday) – Girl Talk (Melody Maker)

5 May (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

14 May (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

2 July (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

9 July (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

17 July (Thursday) – Jimmy Ruffin with Sweet Blindness (Time Out)

10 August (Sunday) – James & Bobby Purify (Time Out)

15 August (Friday) – Glass Menagerie (Time Out)

18 August (Monday) – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)

19 August (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Time Out)

20 August (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

Guitarist Terry Edmunds, who played with Ferris Wheel and had previously worked with Tony Knight’s Chessmen when they opened the Bag O’ Nails in late 1966, says that it was quite a period with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney attending. He also recalls American singers like Diana Ross and Wilson Pickett getting on stage with Ferris Wheel. Edmunds adds that La Valbonne across the street from the Bag O’ Nails was a place to popular nightspot.

25 August (Monday) – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)

26 August (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Time Out)

27 August (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

22 September (Monday) – Prince Buster (Time Out)

Melody Maker lists The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas on 22 September.

28 October (Tuesday) – Howlin Wolf and Junco Partners (Melody Maker)

19 November (Wednesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (John Warburg research)

20 November (Thursday) – Bo Diddley (Melody Maker)

1 December (Monday) – The Ronnetts (John Warburg research)

8 December (Monday) – The Upsetters (John Warburg research)

18 December (Thursday) – Black Apple (Time Out)

19 December (Friday) – Lucas & The Soul Band (Time Out)

21 December (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

24 December (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

26 December (Friday) – The Rebel Rousers (Time Out)

27 December (Saturday) – The Eyes of Blue (Time Out)

30 December (Tuesday) – The Pavement (Time Out)

31 December (Wednesday) – The Web (Time Out)

1970

Guitarist Keith Kendall confirmed that The All Night Workers played at the Bag O’ Nails this year when he was a member.

1 January (Thursday) – The Rebel Rousers (Time Out)

5 January (Monday) – The Perishers (Time Out)

7 January (Wednesday) – Timebox (Time Out)

26 January (Monday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)

5 March (Thursday) – Slade (Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/dons-gigs-1963—1970.html)

24 October (Saturday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)

Ted Hare’s diary doesn’t list the artist’s name on his books but drummer Geoff Coxon confirmed that this was for Calum Bryce. This is true of the other listings below.

6 November (Friday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)

7 November (Saturday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)

1971

14 January (Thursday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)

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