The Bromel Club was initially a jazz venue that was located in the Bromley Court Hotel on Bromley Hill in south east London. During the 1960s, it hosted most of the top British bands of the day, including Cream, Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
I’ve started to compile a gig list and would welcome any additions and corrections as well as memories of the venue. These are advertised gigs so it’s quite possible that artists may have changed at the last minute.
If you played in one of the group, it would be great if you could provide some history of your band too in the comments below.
Also, if you have any old posters you can share, I would love to hear from you and will ensure you are credited.
1964
I don’t have many gigs listed for this year and earlier and would welcome any contributions.
10 April – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-bond-organization-family-tree.html)
29 June – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-bond-organization-family-tree.html)
22 July – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-bond-organization-family-tree.html)
24 July – The Soul Agents (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://brunoceriotti.weebly.com/the-soul-agents.html)
26 July – The Pretty Things (Beat Monthly)
5 August – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-bond-organization-family-tree.html)
16 August – The Pretty Things (Beat Monthly)
23 August – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-bond-organization-family-tree.html)
26 August – The Pretty Things (Beat Monthly)
27 September – The Pretty Things (Beat Instrumental)
21 October – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-bond-organization-family-tree.html)
9 November – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/graham-bond-organization-family-tree.html)
20 December – The Soul Agents (Bruno Ceriotti’s research at: http://brunoceriotti.weebly.com/the-soul-agents.html)
1965
Judging by the gigs below, rock artists performed on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Jazz artists played on Tuesdays (my list is incomplete).
The gigs are all from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted.
3 January – The Moody Blues
4 January – The South West Five
6 January – Sonny Boy Williamson with Shorty & Them
7 January – Billy Woods Combo
10 January – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
11 January – Their Lordships
13 January – The Stormsville Shakers
14 January – The Billy Woods Combo
17 January – The Spencer Davis Group
18 January – Themselves
20 January – The Yardbirds
21 January – The Billy Woods Combo
24 January – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 January – The Loose Ends
27 January – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band
28 January – The Copains
31 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
1 February – Phaethon’s Brethren
3 February – Long John Baldy
4 February – The Cheminoes
7 February – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
8 February – The Black Jacks
10 February – Ronnie Jones & The Night-Timers
11 February – The Second Thoughts
14 February – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
15 February – The Westsiders
17 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
18 February – Blues by Knight
21 February – The Animals
22 February – The Britons
24 February – Alexis Korner Blues Incorporated
25 February – The Loose Ends
28 February – The Falling Leaves
1 March – The Dissatisfied
3 March – The Spencer Davis Group
4 March – The Cops ‘N’ Robbers
7 March – Manfred Mann
8 March – Brothers Grim
10 March – Davy Jones & The Manish Boys
11 March – The Drovers
14 March – The Mike Cotton Sound
15 March – missing entry
17 March – Champion Jack Dupree with The Sheffields
18 March – missing entry
21 March – Alex Harvey Soul Band
22 March – missing entry
24 March – The Animals
25 March – missing entry
28 March – The T-Bones (Gary Farr’s band)
29 March – The Ingoes
31 March – The Who
1 April – The Bumps in the Night
4 April – The Pretty Things
5 April – Paul & The Travellers
7 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
8 April – The Tribe
11 April – The Spencer Davis Group
12 April – The Exits
14 April – Long John Baldry
15 April – The Pilgrims
18 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
19 April – The Moaners
21 April – The Yardbirds
22 April – Isaiash’s Prophets
25 April – The Nashville Teens
26 April – The Toys
28 April – The Who
29 April – The Impacts
2 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
3 May – The Vandals Blues
5 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
6 May – The Five Proud Walkers
9 May –The Moody Blues
10 May – The Lawlers Legs
12 May – John Lee Hooker (was this with The Cops ‘N’ Robbers backing?)
13 May – The Hammond K Four
16 May – The Loose Ends
17 May – The Heart and Souls
19 May – The Spencer Davis Group
20 May – The Board Walkers
23 May – Manfred Mann
24 May – The Pineapple Chunks
26 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
27 May – The Bumps in the Night
30 May – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
31 May – The CC Riders
2 June – The Soul Sisters with Brian Auger Trinity
3 June – The Solar Sounds
6 June – Alex Harvey (Soul Band)
7 June – The Peasants
9 June – Long John Baldry
10 June – The Desperados
13 June – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Preachers
14 June – The Five Road Runners
16 June – Graham Bond Organisation
17 June – The Epitaph Soul Band
20 June – The Five Dimensions
21 June – The Trees
23 June – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
24 June – Modern Blues Six
27 June – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
28 June – The Doons
30 June – The Epitaphs with supporting group
1 July – The Board Walkers
4 July – Graham Bond Organisation
5 July – The Planets
7 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
8 July – The CC Riders
11 July – The Artwoods
12 July – The Equals
14 July – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
15 July – The Spurleeweeves
18 July – Inez and Charlie Foxx with (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
19 July – Red, Whites, Blues (according to Bob Hodges, this band soon changed name to The New Jump Band)
21 July – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
22 July – The Bo Bo Links
25 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
26 July – The Brethren
28 July – The Spencer Davis Group
29 July – The Ancient Britains
1 August – John Lee’s Groundhogs
2 August – The Medieval Sounds
4 August – The Mike Cotton Sound
5 August – The Eyes
8 August – missing entry
9 August – missing entry
11 August – missing entry
12 August – missing entry
15 August – Club is closed
16 August – The Five of That
18 August – Steampacket
19 August – The Equals
21 August – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Preachers (Saturday night)
22 August – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
23 August – The Prophets
25 August – The Graham Bond Organisation
26 August – The Planets
29 August – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
30 August – The Bungle Fins
1 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
2 September – Red, Whites, Blues
5 September – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
6 September – The Worrying Kind
8 September – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
9 September – Red, Whites, Blues (according to Bob Hodges, this band soon changed name to The New Jump Band)
12 September – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
13 September – The Creepers
15 September – The Graham Bond Organisation
16 September – Leslie Gantzer
19 September – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
20 September – The Five Aces
21 September – Alan Elsdon Jazz Band (Tuesday night – does that mean jazz was on Tuesdays?)
22 September – The Spencer Davis Group
23 September – The Byrd-Herd
26 September – The Small Faces
27 September – Steve & The What 4
28 September – Terry Lightfoot (Tuesday night)
29 September – Bo Diddley
30 September – The Image
3 October – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
4 October – The Changing Times
5 October – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night)
6 October – The Alan Price Set
7 October – The Bumps in the Night
10 October – The Graham Bond Organisation
11 October – The Five Road Runners
12 October – Alex Welsh (Tuesday night)
13 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 October – Planet Six
17 October – The Herd
18 October – The Motivation (original version from Norbury, south London)
19 October – Chris Barber (Tuesday night)
20 October – The Graham Bond Organisation
21 October – The Bungle-Finns
24 October – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
25 October – The Prowlers
26 October – Eric Silk’s Southern Jazzband and Brian Green’s New Orleans Stompers
27 October – Steampacket
28 October – The Sons of Fred
31 October – Ben E King
1 November – The Classics
2 November – The Keith Smith Band (Tuesday night)
3 November – The Spencer Davis Group
4 November – The Changing Times
7 November – The Train (aka Moon’s Train), The Preachers – Lew Rich with The Other Two
8 November – Junco’s Jump Band
9 November – Closed this week
10 November – The Alan Price Set
11 November – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers
14 November – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
15 November – The Squires (this might be Tom Jones’ backing band)
16 November – Alan Elsdon (Tuesday night)
17 November – Wilson Pickett (with backing band)
The Riot Squad may also have played on 17 November but needs confirmation
18 November – Marshall Scott Etc
21 November – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
22 November – The End of Part One
23 November – Monty Sunshine (Tuesday night)
24 November – The Graham Bond Organisation
25 November – The Spectres (evolved into Status Quo)
28 November – The Mike Cotton Sound
29 November – The Minor Birds
30 November – Terry Lightfoot (Tuesday night)
1 December – Steampacket
2 December – The Prowlers
5 December – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
6 December – The Kingbeats
7 December – The Back O’Town Syncopants (Tuesday night)
8 December – Major Lance
9 December – The Squires (Tom Jones’ backing band?)
12 December – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
13 December – The Shylos
14 December – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night)
15 December – The Spencer Davis Group
16 December – The Board Walkers
19 December – The Paramounts
20 December – The Name
21 December – Kenny Ball (Tuesday night)
22 December – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
23 December – The Alex Lane Group
24 December – The Train (aka Moon’s Train) and The Changing Times (Boyfriend magazine has The Paramounts on this date)
26 December – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
27 December – K N Star & The Ricochets
28 December – Eric Silk (Tuesday night)
29 December – Ronnie Jones (& The Blue Jays)
30 December – The Habits
Clive Chase, bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres notes in his diary that his group played here on 30 December
1966
Judging by the gigs below, rock artists performed on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Jazz musicians played on Tuesdays.
The gigs are all from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted.
2 January – The Train (aka Moon’s Train)
3 January – The Partisans
3 January – Alex Welsh (Tuesday night)
5 January – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
6 January – Victor Brox Blues Band
9 January – The Mike Cotton Sound
10 January – The Deck Hands
11 January – Terry Lightfoot (Tuesday night)
12 January – Steampacket
13 January – The Minor Birds
16 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
17 January – The Disciples
18 January – Monty Sunshine (Tuesday night)
19 January – Lee Dorsey (with The Krew backing?)
20 January – The Showtimers
23 January – The Alan Price Set
24 January – The Way
25 January – Alan Elsdon (Tuesday night)
26 January – The Mark Leeman Five
27 January – KN Starr & The Ricochets
29 January – David Bowie & The Lower Third (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
30 January – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
31 January – The Breed (South East London Mercury)
1 February – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
2 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
3 February – The Alex Lane Group
6 February – The Untamed (South East London Mercury)
7 February – The Soul System (South East London Mercury)
8 February – The Back O’Town Syncopaters (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
9 February – The Action
South East London Mercury lists Crispian St. Peters for 9 February
10 February – The Board Walkers (South East London Mercury)
13 February – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Alan Price Set (Beat Instrumental)
14 February – The Name (South East London Mercury)
15 February – Eric Silk & The Southern Jazz Band (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
16 February – The Soul Show (according to Record Mirror this was Elkie Brooks, Keith Powell, The Marionettes and The Excels) (South East London Mercury)
17 February – The Deck Hands (South East London Mercury)
20 February – The Loose Ends
21 February – The Mixed Feelings
22 February – Spencer’s Washboard Kings (Tuesday night)
23 February – The Pretty Things
24 February – The Prowlers
27 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
28 February – L Henderson’s Soul Band (South East London Mercury)
1 March – Chris Barber (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
2 March – The Action (South East London Mercury)
3 March – The Subjects (South East London Mercury)
6 March – The VIPs (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Train (aka Moon’s Train for 6 March)
7 March – The In-Action
8 March – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
9 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
10 March – The Alex Lane Group
12 March – Them (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
13 March – The Alan Price Set (South East London Mercury)
14 March – System Four (South East London Mercury)
15 March – Alan Elsdon (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists Monty Sunshine for 15 March
16 March – The Loose Ends
20 March – St Louis Union (South East London Mercury)
21 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
22 March – Kenny Ball (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
23 March – Gary Farr & The T-Bones
24 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Objects for 24 March
26 March – The Kinks (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
27 March – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (South East London Mercury)
28 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Name for 28 March
29 March – Mike Daniels (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
30 March – The Action (South East London Mercury)
31 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
3 April – The Graham Bond Organisation
4 April – The Keys
5 April – The Back O’Town Syncopants (Tuesday night)
6 April – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
7 April – Earl Henderson Soul Band
10 April – The Shevelles (South East London Mercury)
11 April – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Scuttlebugs for 11 April
12 April – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
13 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 April – Rachel’s Revenge (South East London Mercury)
16 April – The Candles (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
17 April – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
18 April – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists John Brown’s Bodies for 18 April
19 April – Brian Green (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
20 April – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds (South East London Mercury)
21 April – Deacon Lewis and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (South East London Mercury)
24 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
25 April – The Kind (South East London Mercury)
26 April – Monty’s Sunshine (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
27 April – Steampacket (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Paramounts on 27 April
28 April – Rachel’s Revenge (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Board Walkers on 28 April
1 May – The Kinks (South East London Mercury)
2 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
3 May – Eric Silk & His Southern Jazz Band (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
4 May – The Dixie Cups with Alvin Robinson (South East London Mercury)
5 May – The Prowlers (South East London Mercury)
7 May – Earl Henderson’s Soul Band and The Coffee Set (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
8 May – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
9 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
10 May – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
11 May – The T-Bones (Gary Farr’s band) (South East London Mercury)
12 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
14 May – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Saturday night) (Nick Simper’s diary)
15 May – The Shevelles (South East London Mercury)
16 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Kenetis on 16 May
17 May – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
18 May – Steampacket (South East London Mercury)
19 May – The Board Walkers (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists John Brown’s Bodies for 19 May but this could actually refer to the following Thursday, 26 May
22 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (South East London Mercury)
23 May – C-Jam Blues (South East London Mercury)
23 May – The Temperance Seven (South East London Mercury)
24 May – Lucas and The Mike Cotton Sound (South East London Mercury)
26 May – John Brown’s Bodies (South East London Mercury)
29 May – The Bo Street Runners (South East London Mercury)
30 May – Miss Named (South East London Mercury)
31 May – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
1 June – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
2 June – Five Steps Beyond (South East London Mercury)
5 June – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
6 June – Dawn & The Rising Sons (South East London Mercury)
7 June – Back O’Town Syncopaters (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
8 June – Roy C (South East London Mercury)
9 June – In-Action (South East London Mercury)
12 June – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
13 June – Luther Morgan Relationship (South East London Mercury)
14 June – Charlie Galbraith’s All Stars (South East London Mercury)
15 June – The Moody Blues (South East London Mercury)
16 June – Sammy Samwell’s Record Show (South East London Mercury)
19 June – Steampacket (South East London Mercury)
20 June – The Midnites (South East London Mercury)
21 June – Brian Green’s New Orleans Stompers (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
22 June – The Action (South East London Mercury)
23 June – Sammy Samwell Record Show (South East London Mercury)
26 June – The Shotgun Express (South East London Mercury)
27 June – The Bo-Men (South East London Mercury)
28 June – The Eyes (South East London Mercury)
29 June – The Yardbirds (South East London Mercury)
3 July – missing entry
4 July – The Classics (South East London Mercury)
6 July – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Squires (Tom Jones’ band?) for 6 July. Beat Instrumental meanwhile lists Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
7 July – Sammy Samwell Record Show (South East London Mercury)
10 July – The Downliners Sect (South East London Mercury)
11 July – The Outcasts (South East London Mercury)
13 July – The Loose Ends and The Good Things (South East London Mercury)
14 July – Raymond Hayes Record Show (South East London Mercury)
17 July – George Bean & Loopy’s Lot (South East London Mercury)
18 July – The Borough of Bedrock (South East London Mercury)
20 July – The Loose Ends and The Squires (South East London Mercury)
Beat Instrumental lists Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band for 20 July
21 July – missing entry
24 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
25 July – The Kind (South East London Mercury)
27 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
Fabulous 208 lists The Loose Ends on 27 July
28 July – Micket Nut Record Show (South East London Mercury)
31 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (South East London Mercury)
1 August – Group and records (South East London Mercury)
3 August – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (South East London Mercury)
4 August – Micket Nut Record Show (South East London Mercury)
7 August – The Tribe (South East London Mercury)
8 August – Lee Hawkins Four (South East London Mercury)
10 August – The VIPs (South East London Mercury)
11 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
12 August – Cream (South East London Mercury)
14 August – The Raisins (South East London Mercury)
Fabulous 208 lists The Downliners Sect for 14 August
15 August – Group and records (South East London Mercury)
17 August – The Alan Price Set (South East London Mercury)
18 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
21 August – The Subjects (South East London Mercury)
22 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
24 August – The Creation (South East London Mercury)
25 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
28 August – Wynder K Frog (South East London Mercury)
29 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
30 August – The Shotgun Express (South East London Mercury)
31 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
4 September – Lee Hawkins Group (South East London Mercury)
5 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
7 September – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (South East London Mercury)
8 September – Records (South East London Mercury)
Missing some entries for the rest of September. This is what I do have:
14 September – The Alan Bown Set and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
18 September – The Amboy Dukes (South East London Mercury)
19 September – Ray Browns’ record show (South East London Mercury)
21 September – The VIPs (South East London Mercury)
22 September – Records (South East London Mercury)
25 September – The Combine (South East London Mercury)
26 September – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
28 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (South East London Mercury)
2 October – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
3 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
5 October – The Herd (South East London Mercury)
6 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
9 October – Felders Orioles (South East London Mercury)
10 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
12 October – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (South East London Mercury)
13 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
16 October – Unit Four Plus 2 (South East London Mercury)
17 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
19 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Bobby & The Crims (South East London Mercury)
20 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
23 October – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
24 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
26 October – The Crying Shames (South East London Mercury)
27 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
30 October – The Searchers (South East London Mercury)
31 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
2 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (South East London Mercury)
3 November – missing entry
5 November – The Tribe (South East London Mercury)
7 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
9 November – missing entry
10 November – missing entry
13 November – The Fortunes (South East London Mercury)
14 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
16 November – The Graham Bond Organisation (South East London Mercury)
17 November – missing entry
20 November – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
21 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
23 November – The Herd (South East London Mercury)
24 November – missing entry
27 November – The Good Thing (South East London Mercury)
28 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
30 November – The Herd (South East London Mercury)
1 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
4 December – Lee Hawkins Group (South East London Mercury)
5 December – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
7 December – The Shotgun Express (South East London Mercury)
8 December – missing entry
11 December – missing entry
12 December – missing entry
14 December – Cream (Christopher’s Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
15 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
18 December – EL Henderson’s Soul Band (South East London Mercury)
19 December – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
21 December – Eric Burdon & The Animals (South East London Mercury)
22 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
24 December – The Outrage and The New Jump Band (South East London Mercury)
26 December – The New Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
28 December – Long John Baldry and Bluesology (South East London Mercury)
29 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
1967
Judging by the gigs below, rock artists performed on Sundays and Wednesdays with gigs on other days occasionally.
I have very few gigs for 1967 so would welcome any additions.
1 January – Brian Something and The What’s Its (South East London Mercury)
4 January – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Marmalade Skies website)
15 January – The New Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
18 January – The Coloured Raisins (South East London Mercury)
20 January – The Motivation (Bognor Regis version) (Friday night) (Bryan Stevens’ gig diary)
25 January – Georgie Fame & Blue Fames and The Little Joe Set (South East London Mercury)
8 February – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Marmalade Skies website)
22 February – Cream (Marmalade Skies website)
1 March – The Action (South East London Mercury)
8 March – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
22 March – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (South East London Mercury)
19 April – Pink Floyd (Marmalade Skies website)
26 April – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (South East London Mercury)
29 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (with Peter Green) and The Breed (Derya Ataker’s recollections/Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
3 May – The Move (Melody Maker)
10 May – Jeff Beck Group (South East London Mercury)
17 May – Prince Buster & The Bees (Melody Maker)
24 May 1967 – PP Arnold & The Nice (South East London Mercury)
24 May – Pink Floyd (Marmalade Skies website)
27 May – The Sassenachs and The New Breed (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
31 May – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
Thanks to Rolf Hannett for help with Beat Monthly and Beat Instrumental
Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.
A mod’s paradise. I’d like to see some flyers for the place. Bowie had to be there, I guess, living, as he did, around the corner.
A great venue in the mid-’60s. The Graham Bond Organisation & Long John Baldry always gave great value. A gangly ‘Rod the Mod’ (Stewart) used to take the stage during Long John’s intervals & invariably received cat-calls throughout his set. Our band (Phaethon’s Brethren) played there in Feb 1965 but somehow managed to avoid the same fate.
I have a copy of I Put A Spell On You released on the Rare Mod series and I love it, did you release much more and is it available anywhere. Great tune Brother
Lemmy,
Sorry to disappoint but ‘not guilty’. Our line-up didn’t include keyboards & horns. Who would credit the fact that two bands would chose such a name ? The only recording we made (in an earlier incarnation of the band) was backing Rick Wayne’s ‘Rescue Me’ which I believe got an airing on Radio Caroline recently. Rock on dude.
Ah that’s interesting. I posted it on YouTube and it’s accredited to Phaethon’s Brethren. If you get to listen I wonder if you could shed any light on the mystery band? Cheers for replying as well.
Link: https://youtu.be/1c1fYZPteK0
Dear Nick, can you please confirm this is your email address because Frankie would like to write to you.
Thank you.
Great post! I live on a road close to the hotel. I knew Hendrix played there, but hadnt realised who else did. What a roll call!
Hendrix played there as a substitute for Pink Floyd on the day he had recorded Hey Joe.
Where’s John Mayall in all this?I saw him there with Roger Dean,Eric Clapton and then Peter Green.He was always there it seemed.The Petter B’s also no mention.
Great nights there,the first Hendrix gig very sparsely attended 7/6 old money to get in – two shows that day. The next time he showed they were queuing round the block.
The musicians had to push through the crowd to get to the dressing room.One night Eric Clapton (with Cream)was heard to say “I hate this fucking place”.rofl.
Spencer Davis group used to play regularly, probably 1965 onwards? Also used as a backing band for touring American acts, quite possibly Sugar Pie De Santo, Champion Jack Dupree. Rod Stewart often sang with Baldry pre Steampacket , duetting on Up Above My Head, playing harmonica etc. jumbled memories but basic facts are, I think, correct.
Best remember Ska nights, Tuesday or Wednesday I think, particularly dancing to Prince Buster “Al Capone”. Guns don’t argue!
I definitely saw Sonny Boy Williamson at the Bromel Club in about 1965. I’ll never forget it, a brilliant evening. Also Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames but earlier than Jan ’67 as listed here.
Any idea of the month/date you seen Sonny Boy Williamson please?
Sonny Boy Williamson also appeared at The White Hart Bromley, and interval gig, I think Barber or Colyer were the headline act. George Webb used to organise those Tuesday Nights. I 1963 the Dutch Swing College jazz band were at Bromley Court.
I was there,great night,met him at the bar,bought him a treble brandy nearly broke me ,signed my club card and then on stage shouted “for the gentleman at the back( me) the skies is crying.
From cbeee
Started going there when it was the Bromley court jazz club
Later as the bromel club
Perhaps twice or more a week
Lots if great bands
Spencer Davis did a residency for weeks
Lots of old blues men
Howling wolf ,sonny boy,Memphis slim,john lee etc.
Alexis corner blues incorporated,was the start of many other bands that appeared there
Hendrix smashed his axe,and walked off,leaving it running at top volume,the management stood around looking very worried,had no idea what to do.
Huge numbers of bands could be added to the list!
Remember a band,almost ,singer was the boxer, terry downs , brother
Used to jump and knocked himself out on the low ceiling.
Was a dance factory,kept changing,one dance,to” bonanza ska” was exactly the same as gang am style but many many many years before
Thanks Chris B. for the Jimi recap. Bill Wyman was at the same gig, but his memory of Jimi also burning his guitar there seems unlikely by your account. What say you?
Don’t remember Bill there,Chas Chandler,in long dark coat was there,I was surprised as Graham Bond had been billed for that night,I thought…have they substituted The Animals? Only when Jimi appeared,as an unknown did things slip into place..this was the first,January gig. Jimi left the very small stage,which was not where it usually was in the club,at the end of the first set with guitar running on full volume and feedback…someone shut everything down after quite some time..I remember several guitars being abused and pulled apart but not set fire to,perhaps that happened at the February gig?
Bill Wyman
I was one of the first people to see him here, when he played a club in Bromley [The Bromel Club, in 1967]. It might have been the first gig he did. There was hardly anyone else there. But he still poured lighter fuel on his guitar and set fire to it that night.
What do you all think? Can Bill Wyman’s memory be trusted on this one? Any way to verify or disprove? This is important! As things stand the only verified burnings are Saville Club and Monterey. With unverified rumors of Miami and Washington DC and now Bromley? February 8, 1967?8
Sorry for the poorly worded message above. Obviously its JIMI HENDRIX that Bill Wyman is talking about. Is there anyone living who can corroborate whether Jimi burned his guitar at the Bromel Club. This is a very important matter to Hendrix scholars.
My Memory has Hendrix at the Eden Park hotel around that time. I used to go to Bromley Court regularly over that period I was only an hour away if I walked it…saved the bus fare and bought beer with it.
Too much beer to remember seeing Hendrix setting fire to his guitar for sure
I was there, Jimi did not burn his guitar
Hi
I work at the Bromley Court Hotel for a number of years along with many other South London clubs. I remember Jimi Hendrix playing there but have no memory of guitar burning.
Any more questions on the club/s please ask.
Happy days.
Hi,
I’ve just found this thread.
I was at the first Jimi Hendrix gig at the Bromel Club on Jan 4th ’67, and he definitely did NOT set fire to his guitar.
Now I’m puzzled: yes, he played there, but was he the main attraction? I thought that he was “fitted in” to the gig; if he was “fitted in” then I can’t remember who else was playing that night.
In fact, I seem to remember that it wasn’t very crowded, and not many people knew who he was, therefore I can’t believe that any famous people rolled up to watch him, unlike later.
Either way, he did NOT set fire to his guitar that night.
The second time that he played the Bromel Club, I, together with loads of others, couldn’t get in, so the next time that I saw him was at the Saville Theatre, in town.
Macabre aside – I once knew a medical secretary who was present at the post mortem of Hendrix: our joke was that I’d seen him twice live, and she’d seen him once dead!
A little off topic, but does anyone remember the name of the small club that was on the small street running down the side of Bromley South Station? My memory is failing me but I’m sure I saw Clapton and Cream there. The place was (I think) on the second floor above a butchers shop or meat packing place. Real small room as I remember.
Thanks
I remember the club and it was over a meat importers Waddell or something. When the fridges / freezers for the meat store switched on the place was freezing. Don’t remember live bands but went to blue beat or ska record D J sound system nights…..pulled out of the club by my dad when I had bought some gear from the dealers outside BROMLEY SOUTH STATION possibly in 65 or 66.
Hi Howard.
The club you mentioned at Bromley South was Peyton Place. I saw Lulu & The Luvvers there in 1965!
Apparently, it was also named as something else, but that’s slipped my memory now.
Good days… 🙂
Before it was Peyton Place it was called The Penthouse …. great club … great names … it was only small but was great …. over the meat market … long gone …
The Penthouse
It was the Penthouse for a while. It was run by Billy Cranstoun with his Savoy Sound System ( Billy’s sons formed The Dualers, ska band). Spent many Saturday nights there dancing to sombe great ska sounds.
I believe it was called Peyton Place. My sister was always going on about it, being older than me.
It was called the Penthouse and was an all night ska venue. I used to sneak out of my Shortlands house to dance there until close to dawn, walking the two miles back before the parentals woke. Ah Memories. Another venue that comes to mind is the El Partido club somewhere in S. London.
Me, Sheila again! What about The Who??? Not on the list but would love to recall the date. Had to be 65 or 66. Pete Townsend practically hit the ceiling doing the windmill on his guitar. Keith Moon and I had a snog during a set break. Result? Mononucleosis. No lie!
You did see Clapton and Cream there and it was even after their farewell concert. I was there too.
Club was The Penthouse or Peyton Place at various times, res DJ was little Lee with the best ska music around at that time
I lived about a mile from the club I knew as Bromley Court Jazz Club and went there many many times from around 1962 until I left home in 1966. I’m afraid I am not much use to the archivist as if there were programmes I never bought one (or perhaps have lost them!) but I remember many great gigs and bands. In no particular order:
Sonny Boy Williamson, a wonderful performer and as an R & B fanatic at that time a very moving evening.
Graham Bond Organisation-probably the band we saw the most who were always memorable. As well as Graham there was Dick Heckstall Smith, Jack Bruce,and of course Ginger Baker, cue to nip to bar during his 10 minute drum solos, he was a misery guts even then.
Yardbirds also many times (including Eric Clapton), creme de la creme!
John Mayall and the Bluesbreaakers, very influential and still going strong.
Long John Baldry and the Hoochie Coochie men. John was a great singer and around half time there were a few songs by a skinny bloke(he’ll never get anywhere can’t sing) was my considered response at the time, Rod Stewart of course.
Zoot Money and the Big Roll Band, spectacular jackets-hence the name, not technically the best band but always put on a great show.
Spencer Davis, Steve and his brotherMuff, and Spencer,drummer’s name was Pete ??. Steve was only 15 at the time but even then had an amazing voice and played geat piano.
Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, before they had any hits, can’t remember too much about them,enough said perhaps.
The Animals,( pre House of the Rising Sun, obviously). I was in a band at the time and we pinched this song, but being the purists we were stopped using it once it became a hit.
Never saw Bowie, but saw the Herd at another venue, Peter Frampton whose Dad was one of Bowie’s teachers.
Another local band at the time was The Pretty Things.
Bromley a cultural powerhouse-who knew?
Hi Nick
I found this poster on http://concerts.wikia.com/wiki/June_30,_1965_Bromel_Club,_Bromley,_ENG . Take a look.
Wed 23 June 1965 – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
Sun 27 June 1965 – Ronnie Jones
Wed 30 June 1965 – The Spencer Davis Group
Sun 4 July 1965 – The Graham Bond Organisation
Wed 7 July 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
Sun 11 July 1965 – The Art Woods
Wed 14 July 1965 – The Vagabonds
Sun 18 July 1965 – Inez and Charlie Foxx
Wed 21 July 1965 – Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames
Sun 25 July 1965 – To be arranged
Wed 28 July 1965 – The Spencer Davis Group
Cheers
John
Hi Nick
Found a few more gigs.
13 May 1964 – The Yardbirds
3 January 1965 – The Moody Blues
20 January 1965 – The Yardbirds
31 March 1965 – The Who
28 April 1965 – The Who
Wed 7 July 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Yardbirds
Played there in 1966 as a 15 year old drumming for a band of Sevenoaks School boys, we were bottom on the bill and I remeber the Yardbirds as being top. We did our set of Kinks, Stones, Who covers, packed up, and even got paid a fiver, so a quid each! My bass drum came off the roof rack on the way back and bounced down the road but seemed ok to go on to many more gigs
I’m curious about these two entries, I assume drawn from two different adverts:
24 May 1967 – P P Arnold
24 May 1967 – Pink Floyd
I’ve seen Floyd listed for that date at marmalade-skies and it’s included in Pink Floyd: In The Flesh but with no comments added.
Might they have cancelled? Or were they advertised after PP Arnold cancelled? Or a typo with the first gig on 20 May?
Apropos Hendrix…when he first arrived, Chas Chandler hawked him around all the ‘hip’ clubs (Speakeasy, Cromwellian, Bag’o Nails, Scotch of St James etc) to sit in and jam with whoever was playing, This was to ensure that word got around throughout the so-called ‘in crowd’. http://colinrichardsonjazz.typepad.com/blog/2011/10/when-jimi-hendrix-first-hit-townand-played-for-peanuts.html
The Downliners Sect played at Bromley Court many times, not just once as above, but I can’t remember the dates unfortunately.
I’d love to see any photos that were taken back in the day. Of course, we didn’t take so many then !
I saw Jimi Hendriks at The Bromley Court Hotel and remember him playing the guitar with his teeth – but NOT setting fire to it. There were not many people at this first gig .He was so cool and so different from any other band I had seen before. I saw loads of other bands at this venue and regularly used to dance to the ska beats at Peyton Place/The Penthouse at Bromley South Station. Saw Desmond Decker there. I also went to Chiselhurst Caves which was a great venue- I remember in particular The Yardbirds and Arthur Brown. I still have an abiding memory of sneaking out to see Ike and the Iketes – (Tina Turner) . I can’t remember where this was but a small venue and they were incredible – sex on legs – I have been really lucky to experience so much of the world changing music of this time and went on to be a DJ myself in my twenties.
Music still enthrals me .
I have just read Heathers comments. I wonder is she saw Ike and Tina at the club by Beckenham Junction Station around that time?
I missed on Jimi but on Feb 8 but had enough cash for a ticket to Cream on 22 Feb (10/6 I think it was, maybe 12/6). My claim to fame is I bought Ginger baker a pint when he had finished Toad, was wearing a green satin shirt and it was soaked.
wonderful memories.
Interesting site and comments. Enjoyed Heathers post and her “sex on legs” is best description of Tina I’ve ever heard. Funny stuff. Sorry I can’t help but envy those who lived those remarkable years of music there.
4-29-1967 John Mayalls Bluesbreakers with Peter Green
18th of January 1965-Themselves.
That’s got to be my Dad’s old R and B band.
Dad Remembers playing The Bromel Club but as support for Steampacket who he recalls were stand-offish and up their own arses!!
Themselves also supported the Who at the Glenlyn Ballroom although he can’t remember the date and whether they were the Who or the High Numbers,but Keith Moon was drumming .
He also remembers Playing the Black Cat Club in Woolwich.
Be interesting to know if anybody remembers themselves or Dad (John Waller from Forest Hill).
Just showed him this and it made him smile 🙂
Hi Sam,
What was your dad’s band called? I used to play the Black Cat regularly with my band and The Long, The Short and the Tall. Unfortunately never played the Bromel but visited often.
Hi Roy
They were called ‘Themselves’
They are listed above in the gig guide for the Bromel club so was wondering whether it was my Dads old Band (might be another of the same name!)
He remembers them supporting Steam Packet at the Bromel and they also supported the Who/High Numbers at the Glenlyn Ballroom (He remembers Moon being on drums so cant of been the detours)
Has anyone written a book about the 60’s scene in and around Bromley?
I’m sure from all these on-site comments there will be loads of interesting memories to be churned up including about the loads of brilliant bands that played there but also life there as teenagers in the 60’s…..much of which would be a shock to our children and grandchildren! But oh so interesting.
If it hasn’t been done maybe this could be a project for these locked down corona times?
Love to hear comments.
Heather, I went to South Bromley College at the top of Masons Hill. where were you? I remember the Wimpy Bar
Used to go to both Wimpy bars, North and South, got a feeling I knew Heather if she lived near the Tigers Head.
I remember seeing Long John Baldry at the Bromel when he introduced Rod Stuart as his protege. I remember them cuddling up together.
I played drums at the time for The Long, The Short and the Tall and remember the Graham Bond Organisation well but from supporting them regularly at the 100 club in Oxford Street. Sharing the changing room with Ginger Baker was anything but pleasant. I lived in Eltham so visited regularly.
I found some extra Bromwel Club gigs. I also think the club formed in 1964 and split in 1967.
Monday, May 4, 1964: The Yardbirds
Saturday, May 13, 1964: The Yardbirds
Monday, April 27, 1964: The Yardbirds
Thursday, July 29, 1964: The Yardbirds
I lived at Four Elms in the 60s and went to Bromel Club in1964/65 and saw those groups listed at the time. Baldry, Bond etc.
I must have gone to the BCH 40 odd times over the 3 years but never heard of the Bromel Club, it was always BCH to me…weird. There was also Eden Park hotel (Saw Hendrix there) and the Sunlight in Petts Wood.
Great venue, Sit and watch the Band, grab a burger and a beer, out in the garden for a Jolly and sometimes even change for a quid
Also got to sit a yard away from Ginger Bakers bass drum while he played this, in 65 I believe.
Fair did my ‘ead in it did
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUuQQsBYqvY
Can’t believe the late great Jimmy POWELL is not mentioned on here,to me the best 60s blues singer and harmonica showman.
Always gave a great performance.
I have about 100 different singles cd, long player. Etc of jimmy from Spain Germany Italy states.etc some autographed.
Rip jimmy.may 13.2016. Ray Drury Sheffield.
Re the Copains performing on 28th January 1965, I was manager of this Bromley based group and we played the Brumel Club a number of times and held the record for attendance numbers of over 900 (being a free night might have helped) The group had Brian Balcombe on lead, Hurk Crees on Rythem, Tim Hikley on Bass and Organ and Viv Broughton (ex Pretty Things) on drums. We supported the Who a couple of times at the Marquee and also Eltham Baths, John Mayall at the Attic (with Eric Clapton), Dave Berry at Purley mecca and worked with the Herd a lot. Lost contact in 1966
Does anyone remember a Unit 4+2 Sunday night gig at the BC or BC Hotel in Oct 66?
I was a dental student in digs at Hither Green and must have caught the train to Bromley South. V well dressed mod crowd with some great groups. Unbelievable gigs list!
Russell
Was that the Orchid Purley, used to go dancing there on Saturday nights with an old girlfriend, either there or the Locarno Streatham.
I lived at the top of Bromley Hill in 1960s, and went a couple of times almost weeks. I think my favourite band I saw there was the Yardbirds or maybe Manfred Mann. We saw most of them, never saw the Pretty Things there, only at Chislehurst Caves, they weren’t great.
When you paid and walked in they painted a luminous number on your hand. I saw Fontella Bass, Sonny Terry and Brownie Magee, Chris Farlow was great. But in the case of the Yardbirds, we weren’t to know that we were watching musicians that would be immortal.
Great days.
I have looked back at an old diary and I remember seeing Manfred Mann playing on Tuesday 21st April 1963, supported by The Preachers, of whom I can find no information. I was 17 and just passed my driving test so I able to drive there.
Manfred Mann played the classics blues tracks as found on their first album which came out the following year. These included Smokestack Lightning, I’ve Got my Mojo Working, Walking the Dog, Stormy Monday and Hoochie Coochie man, along with some Chuck Berry numbers
I remember going to the Bromel Club in 1965 and 1966, seeing many bands. But mostly, I remember seeing the “Cheminoes” who were the resident band early in 1965. There is no mention of them in the list, but they played there regularly.