Besides Greenford’s more famous Starlite Ballroom, the town’s Byron Hotel was also a popular venue for up and coming bands throughout the 1960s. I have started to compile a list of groups that were advertised playing there and would welcome any additions/corrections.
1964
I have only a few advertised listings for 1964 and would welcome any additions. The Club New Yorker operated on Thursdays and the Beach Club on Sundays
9 February – The Midnites (Dave Brogden’s diary)
9 April – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
12 April – The Tornados and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
16 April – The Heartbeats (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
19 April – The Brookmen and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
23 April – The Corona with Chris & The Bluebeats (Club New Yorker) (Greenford Post)
26 April – Group One and Betty & The Fireflys (Beach Club) (Greenford Post)
30 April – Russ & The Sabres (Club New Yorker) (Greenford Post)
3 May – The Forerunners and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
7 May – Chris & The Bluebeats and Guitars Incorporated (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
10 May – The Pacifics and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
14 May – The Partisans and Group One (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post) Harrow Weekly Post has The Heartbeats instead of The Partisans
17 May – The Sarinos and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
21 May – The Partisans (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)
24 May – The Clansmen and Group One (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 May – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post) The Ruislip & Northwood Gazette has The Heartbeats on this date
31 May – The Unknowns and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
7 June – The Challengers and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
11 June – The Formula (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
14 June – The Chats and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post) Looks like The Bluebeats replaced The Chats
18 June – The Heartbeats Ltd (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
21 June – The Hearz Corp and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
25 June – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
28 June – The Cerinos and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
2 July – The Sabres (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post) Looks like The Unknowns replaced The Sabres
5 July – The Renegades and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
9 July – Russ & The Sabres and The David Clark Group (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
12 July – Cops & Robbers and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
16 July – The Heartbeats Ltd (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
19 July – The Fournotes and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
23 July – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
26 July – The Spectres and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
30 July – The Challengers (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
13 August – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
16 August – The Southbeats and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
20 August – The Playboys (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
23 August – The Bo Brummels and Group One (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post) Looks like The Fourtunes replaced Bo Brummels, according to Uxbridge Post
27 August – The Heartbeats (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
30 August – The Premiers and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
3 September – Russ & The Sabres (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)
6 September – The Icenis and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)
13 September – Group One and The Mike Dee Combo (Beach Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
17 September – The Challengers (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
20 September – Group One and Beat Generation (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
24 September – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
27 September – Group One and The Sycons (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
1 October – The Playboys and Gravediggers (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
4 October – Group One and The Sparans (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
8 October – 5’s Company (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
11 October – Group One and The Crescendos (Beat Club) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 October – The Heartbeats and Crossfires (Election night special) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 October – Group One and Avantis (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
22 October – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 November – Group One and Some Other Guys (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
5 November – Diane & The Londoners and The Road Runners (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
8 November – Group One and The Berrys (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
12 November – 5’s Company and The Limets (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
15 November – Group One and The Sycons (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
19 November – The Heartbeats Ltd and The Metros (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
22 November – Group One and Sounds 5 (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
26 November – The Orbits and The Beatvendors (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
6 December – The Sidewalks (John Warburg research)
13 December – Group One and The Notes (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
17 December – The Orbits and The Shanes (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
20 December – Group One and The Shackles (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
26 December – The Heartbeats and The Niteowls (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Ruislip & Northwood Gazette has The Side Kicks instead of Niteowls
27 December – Group One and Mink Creeds (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
1965
I have only a few advertised listings for 1965 and would welcome any additions
Judging by the original posters that Ken Samuels has very kindly provided below, the Club New Yorker operated on Thursdays and the Beach Club on Sundays
1 January – Four Sounds and Shades of Night (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
7 January – The Challengers and King Tadpole (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 January – Group One and The Electrons (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 January – The Heartbeats and The Invokers (Harrow Observer & Gazette/Harrow Weekly Post)
24 January – Group One (resident band) and Brothers Grimm (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 January – The Orbits and Units (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 February – The Heartbeats Ltd and The Southerns (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
7 February – Group One (resident band) and The Beat Vendors (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
11 February – Bros Grimm and The Devil Riders (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
14 February – The Invokers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
18 February – Four Jacks & Joker and The Electrons (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster/Harrow Weekly Post)
21 February – Group One (resident band) and The Allies (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster/Harrow Weekly Post)
25 February – The Orbits and Nemo & The Unknowns (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
28 February – Group One (resident band) and The Phantom Creed (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster/Harrow Weekly Post)
7 March – Group One (resident band) and Dezebows (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
11 March – Brothers Grimm and The Turnkeys (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 March – Group One (resident band) and The Fairlaines (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 March – Group One (resident band) and The E-Types (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
25 March – The Heartbeats and The Reasons (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 April – Group One (resident band) and The Quantrells (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 April – Brothers Grimm and Peeple (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)
11 April – Group One (resident band) and The Chosen Few (Beach Club) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 April – Group One (resident band) and The Modes (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
22 April – Great Expectations and Miston-Tuac (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)
25 April – Group One (resident band) and Swamp River Group (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 April – The Heartbeats and Beat Syndicate (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 May – Group One (resident band) and The Sneakers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
6 May – 5’s Company and The Gweex (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post/Ken Samuels’ poster)
9 May – Group One (resident band) and Down South (Harrow Weekly Post/Ken Samuels’ poster)
13 May – The Fairlanes and The Altones (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
16 May – Group One (resident band) and The Prowlers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
20 May – Rhythm 4 and The Crowd (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
23 May – Group One (resident band) and The Richochets (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
27 May – The Orbits and Senate 4 (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
30 May – Group One (resident band) and The Kynde (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
3 June – The Shannons and The Proudwalkers (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
6 June – Group One (resident band) and The Shades of Blue (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
10 June – The Beatwaves and Flight One (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
13 June – Group One (resident band) and The Town Criers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
17 June – The Orbits and The Nitewalkers (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
20 June – Group One (resident band) and Tyme Flys (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
24 June – Rhythm 4 and Bruce Lloyd Hi-Fi’s (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
27 June – Group One (resident band) and Unit 5 (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
1 July – Flight One and The Railroaders (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
4 July – Group One (resident band) and The Set (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
8 July – 5’s Company and The Moonbeats (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
11 July – Group One (resident band) and The Apex (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
15 July – The Rhythm 4 and The Viking Lords (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post/Ken Samuels’ poster)
18 July – Group One (resident band) and Combo 2000 (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
22 July – The Do Do’s (direct from Paris) and The Atlantic Blues (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
25 July – Group One (resident band) and The Middle Sounds (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
29 July – Bros Grimm and The Billtones (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
1 August – Group One (resident band) and Men Tuesday (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
5 August – The Sceptres and The Contours (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Expressions instead of The Sceptres
8 August – Group One (resident band) and The Wembeats (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
12 August – 5’s Company and The Peasants (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
15 August – Group One (resident band) and The Square Roots (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
19 August – Flight One and Y-The-L (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
22 August – Group One (resident band) and The Deils (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
26 August – Rhythm 4 and Pieces of Four (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
29 August – Group One (resident band) and The Branded (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
2 September – The Insects and The Blue Prints (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
5 September – Group One (resident band) and The Missing Links (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
9 September – The Expressions and Remnant Furds (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
12 September – Group One (resident band) and The Plainsmen (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
16 September – Flight One and The Tellers (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
19 September – The Hubbubs and Cyclons (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster) Harrow Observer & Gazette has Group One instead of The Hubbubs
23 September – 5’s Company and The Moonbeats (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
26 September – Group One (resident band) and The Characters (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
30 September – Rhythm 4 and The Section (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
3 October – Group One and The Byrd Herd (Middlesex Chronicle)
7 October – The Missing Links and The End Group (Middlesex Chronicle)
10 October – Group One and The Aboves (Middlesex Chronicle)
14 October – Great Expectations and Shades of Blue (Middlesex Chronicle)
17 October – Group One and Flamingos (Middlesex Chronicle)
21 October – Rhythm 4 and The Henchmen (Middlesex Chronicle) Greg Peck says that the group became The Motion soon after
24 October – Group One and The Clan (Middlesex Chronicle)
28 October – 5’s Company and The Shanes (Middlesex Chronicle)
31 October – Group One and The Legends (Middlesex Chronicle)
7 November – Group One and Corals (Middlesex Chronicle)
11 November – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Keystones (Middlesex Chronicle)
14 November – Group One and Confederates (Middlesex Chronicle)
18 November – The Sons of Fred and The Legends (Middlesex Chronicle)
19 November – The New Jump Band (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
21 November – Group One and The Arts Group (Middlesex Chronicle)
25 November – 5’s Company and Blue in Blues (Middlesex Chronicle)
5 December – Group One and William & The Conquerors (Middlesex Chronicle)
9 December – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Harmonies (Middlesex Chronicle)
12 December – Group One and The Sovereigns (Middlesex Chronicle)
16 December – 5’s Company and The Kards (Middlesex Chronicle)
19 December – Group One and New Jump Band (Middlesex Chronicle)
23 December – The Nite Hawks and No Names (Middlesex Chronicle)
26 December – Group One and Vampires (Middlesex Chronicle)
30 December – The Keystones and No Names (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1966
There are some gaps and would welcome any additions. Judging by the dates below, gigs appear to have taken place on Thursdays and Sundays
2 January – Group One and Witnesses (Middlesex Chronicle)
6 January – Y-The-L and Things Like Us (Middlesex Chronicle) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Maniacs plus folk blues
9 January – Group One and The Waik (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
13 January – The Maniacs and ‘folk blues’ (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
16 January – Group One and The Impact (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Hayes Gazette)
20 January – Rhythm 4 and The Doubles (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 January – Group One and The Embers (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
27 January – The New Jump Band and Diversion (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
30 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 February – Group One and The Lincolns (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 February – The 10 Maniacs and The Nameless Ones (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
13 February – Group One and The Midbeats (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 February – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Mode (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Middlesex Chronicle)
20 February – Group One and Foundations (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) This isn’t the more famous Foundations
24 February – The Tributes and The T-Set (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
27 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 March – New Group One and George Bean & The Runners (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Hayes Gazette)
10 March – The Penny Blacks and Y-The-L (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Hayes Gazette)
13 March – Group One with Patsy and The Soundtracks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 March – 5’s Company and The Rest (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
20 March – Group One and The Discords (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 March – The Tributes and The Michigan Set (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
27 March – The Group One with Patsy and The Blue Shades (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
31 March – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Legends (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
14 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 April – Group One and The Hi-Jacks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
21 April – The Penny Blacks and The Unamed (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 April – The In-Betweens (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
8 May – Group One and After 8 Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
12 May – The Beatwares and The Tramps (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
15 May – Group One and The City Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 May – The Penny Blacks and The Night Shift (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 May – Group One and The Trades (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 May – 2×2 and Legal Matter (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
29 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
12 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
16 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 June – Group One and Someone Else (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 June – 5’s a Company (Five’s Company?) and The Skor (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 June – Group One with Barbara Ann and Imminent (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
30 June – The Keys and Den Oyzee (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 July – Group One with Barbara Ann & The Insects (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Weekly Post)
7 July – The Zombies and The Boots (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Not sure if this is Rod Argent’s Zombies
10 July – Group One and Miston-Tuac (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
14 July – The Zombies and Someone Else (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer) Not sure if this is Rod Argent’s Zombies
17 July – Group One and The Meteors (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 July – Insect and The Debtors (Harrow Weekly Post)
24 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 July – The Sultans and ‘Blues folk’ (Harrow Observer)
31 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
4 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 August – Group One and The Blackouts (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
11 August – 2×2 and The Unconcerned (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
14 August – Group One and The Mellows (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
18 August – Insect Conventions (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 August – Group One and Track One (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
25 August – 5’s Company and The Unconcerned (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
4 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
8 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
11 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
15 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
18 September – Group One and Blue Fringe (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
22 September – The Fortunes and Pam’s Goodies (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
25 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
29 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
13 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
16 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
20 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 October – Group One and Gravey Train (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
30 October – Group One and Alsops Fables (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 November – Group One and The PM Squares (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 November – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The 10 Boots (Middlesex Chronicle)
13 November – Group One and Take Five (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 November – Locomotion and The Priory Monks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
20 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
27 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
4 December – Group one and The Rave (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
8 December – The Flashbacks and The Sunsets (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
11 December – The Cage (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
18 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 December – Bobby King & The Sabres (Friday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 December – Five Steps Beyond (Saturday) (Paul Quinton’s gig diary and website: http://five-steps-beyond.simplesite.com/)
26 December – Group One and Gravey Train (Monday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1967
I have significant gaps in 1967 and would welcome any additions. Again, it looks like bands played on Thursdays and Sundays
1 January – Group One and Outer Limit (Harrow Weekly Post)
5 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
8 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
12 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
15 January – Group One and The Modern Blue Six (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 January – Bryans Kick and Phase Six (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
29 January – Group One and Cage Rage (probably Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 February – Group One (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
11 February – The Way Out, The Hub Bub Sound and Jeep Rongle (Saturday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
12 February – Group One, The Cage and Magog 5 (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
16 February – The Accent (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 February – The Penny Blacks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 February – 2×2 and The Falcons (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
12 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
16 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 March – 2×2 and Torque (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
27 March – The Keys and Safari (Monday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
30 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 April – The Flashbak’ks and The Corsairs (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) The Harrow Observer lists The Corvettes
13 April – The Shameless and The Teaks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
16 April – The Penny Blacks and Captain Rudley Group (Harrow Observer)
20 April – The Keys and The Situation (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
23 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
27 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
Geoff Chinnery, manager of The Dave Martin Group, confirms from his diary that the band auditioned at the venue on 27 April
29 April – The Keys and Locomotion (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
4 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
11 May – The Midnights (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
15 May – The Motive (Harrow Observer)
18 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
21 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
25 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
4 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
Geoff Chinnery, manager of The Dave Martin Group, confirms from his diary that the band was one of the two groups that performed on 4 June
8 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
11 June – The Keys and The Code (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
15 June – The Shameless and The Set (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
18 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
25 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
29 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
13 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
15 July – The Shameless and Tales of Justice (Saturday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
20 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 July – Karl G & The Arrows and Cameron’s Impact (Saturday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
27 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
30 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 August – The Arrows (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
10 August – The Motive (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
13 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
20 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 August – Karl G Arrows (Monday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
31 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
3 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
14 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
21 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
8 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
12 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
15 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
29 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
2 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
9 November – The Coloured Raisins with Honey Darling (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer/Thames Valley Times)
12 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
16 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
19 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 November (Friday) Washington DCs and The Motives (Thames Valley Times)
30 November – The Gods and The Motives (Harrow Observer/Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Thames Valley Times) Locomotion replaced The Motives
3 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
14 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
21 December – The Hummingbirds (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)
24 December – The Arrows (Harrow Observer)
26 December – The Motive (Tuesday) (Harrow Observer)
31 December – The Nett (Harrow Observer)
1968
I have a lot of gaps in 1968 and would welcome any additions
17 March – Lemon Tree Men and Locomotion (Thames Valley Times)
19 April – The Firestones (Thames Valley Times)
26 July – Pinkerton’s Colours (Thames Valley Times)
11 August – Marmalade (Thames Valley Times)
25 August – Amboy Dukes (Thames Valley Times)
15 September – The Foundations (Thames Valley Times)
29 September – The Coloured Raisins (Thames Valley Times)
13 October – The Mojos (Thames Valley Times)
24 October – Plastic Penny (Thames Valley Times)
3 November – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Thames Valley Times)
17 November – Plastic Penny (Thames Valley Times)
1 December – The Nite Riders (Harrow Observer)
8 December – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Harrow Observer)
15 December – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Harrow Observer)
22 December – Jon James & The Swamp (Harrow Observer)
24 December – Karl G Arrows (Tuesday) (Harrow Observer)
29 December – Simon K & The Meantimers (Harrow Observer)
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.
Well Done Nick. Cannot remember the name of the miserable manager, who used to lock the doors if we were not cleared up and out in 15 minutes from the close. We had to break out on several occasions with threats to no more bookings unless we paid for new locks!! Those were the days!! Elf an safety. Yeh Rite
Just spotted The Byron Hotel website. I played in a band called Flight One who played there in 1965. We were regulars there for about 6 months. The other main groups were 5s Company and Rhythm 4, also did alternating dates with us at The Woodstock Hotel Cheam and Prince of Wales Kingsbury. Happy Days!!
Hi. Played the Byron around, & it’s a bit hey zzzeee, 1967 ish in the Humdrum9 Band. Local mostly Greenford guys…
My band of the time ”THE JYNX” played the same night as ”THE ACCENT”.Friendly guys.I remember asking how much they were getting.I was so surprised when they said £12……….
I was about 18,and just starting out.It was our first big gig,We played in a corner on the dance floor.It seemed to go OK .
We thought The Accent(from Watford) were amazing.I was terrified.Hell yes I was!..My bass drum and hi hat took off in different directions due to the shiny floor.I kept pulling them back.
The guy running the gig said ”After the top 5 is played’,You’re on’
The number one record was ‘The Boat That I row’ by Lulu. It felt like waiting to be executed.
I could write a lot about the local 60’s /70’s music scene,around that time,y’know,Pink Floyd /Cream at the Starlite etc .etc ,Guy Haywards,Ca
lifornia Ballrom,an’all.Great days.It was all happening!!
67 now,and getting a new band together!Can you believe that!
Ha,I can’t
.In fact,if there is anyone within reach of the Aylesbury area with good vocals Bass guit,Lead guit,Keys/synth,. Drums.this is a chance to get into something with a great repertoire (seriously nice),and it’s a new venture.None of my old mates are that interested in playing live any more.Shame really.
Regards
Adrian
Hi there, are you the Adrian who was a signwriter and played drums with the band at The Railway Wealdstone, if so please contact me, would be great to talk,,,,,,,,,JQ
Hi I
Yeah,course it is.
Regards
Adrian
Hi Again
What is the best way to contact you?
Regards
Adrian
Found ticket 4 tramps convention at Byron hotel 23rd April 1960 for Hays & District Motor Cycle Club music was supplied by
DON HAMAN AND HIS DEAD BEATS
Hi Alan,
Suspect you may never read this as it’s been a while, but I would love a scan of that ticket if at all possible. Don Haman was my grandad, and I came across this website just while looking up family on the web – I knew he had a band, but never knew the name before now!
You can contact me at my name + his surname (all 1 word) at gmail.com – thanks!
I am looking for photographs of the Byron Hotel, Greenford from the 60’s for a project I am working on. Would be grateful if anyone has any???
Seen Byron inside and out on an episode of Crimewatch from October 1985 if that helps!
Remember The Byron with affection. From 1967 through early 1969, I often went there on Sunday nights with my pal Bob Day. We were 16 and still under 18 when we stopped going. Drink laws weren’t that strong, but then we couldn’t afford to get ‘pissed’ anyway. Often found ourselves walking home around midnight back to South Harrow, and throwing off the tiredness for school at Roxeth Manor next day. There were some ugly moments, fights and so on, as well as great music, dancing and a first real taste of girls. One guy next to me in the toilet got a terrible smack in the face from some thug who’d accused him of looking at his ‘bird’. Blood everywhere, but this girl wasn’t even seeing the thug! Even Bob and I nearly came a cropper with some local hard nuts over two girls we’d walked part way home a couple of times. Tough area, and long treks home at night, but the thrill of it all as a teenager in the late 60s made it so worth it. Often went to the Greenford, the Oldfield (Sudbury), and Clay Pigeon (Eastcote) too (again always Sundays) but the Byron was the most exciting place around.
As a quick follow up, Bob and I saw the Lemon Tree Men at the Byron in 1968, and I seem to recall they had a chart hit at the time. Can’t see much on them anywhere. Anyone help re that particular memory?
Hi Folk
Nostalgia for being young I always find it a sort of sad experience.Great times but you can never get them back.The feeling of it all is like it happened yesterday.Y’all know what I mean.This period is like between 1966-70
So what have we got; the Byron Hotel,Sundays,full of girls.The band I was in,The Jynx ,(Damn awful name for a group,and I chose it!)played there as audition band with Watford band ‘The Accent’….Guy Haywards,Saturday nights(Sound city) played there all the time ,sometimes with another Harrow band the’Outside Toilet’.Check out their website.We are still all mates to this day!Met them at Guy Haywards.Here are a few of the venues we used to play,a lot of them gone….Salvatorian College Wealdstone, good bands on there including ‘Modes Mode’.Harrow Tech.The Rest at Kenton,..Victoria Hall,Harrow..,Roxeth Youth Center.The Railway Wealdstone (when I was with Johnny Quantrell and the Confederates,for some time)….The British Legion South Harrow,…Harrow County School(great venue.played there supportingThe Night Train’I have still got the poster for that!(5 Shillings to get in!) The Church Hall on the left as you went towards S.Harrow near Bessborugh Garage.That was a good one……The White Lion Edgware…..The Roxotech(The Roxborough pub)…The Headstone,…. The NorthcoteArms,Southhall etc etc. The Clay Pidgeon (saw Desmond Decker there,also Tremeloes(astounding vocals,Dave Munden,amazing)
The Sweet,I just so loved this band,Again,the vocals,amazing!The late drummer with his green Ludwig kit,Mick Tucker showed me how to spin my sticks.I was so pleased they made it big.They used to do Supremes numbers,and ‘Why’ the Byrds.That lead break……….still one of my favorites.
Sid Parsons (Volume One)(musical instruments.Used to go there a lot.I still have the bass drum I bought from Sid in 1968.I once had that bass drum taken away for a few days by Mitch Mitchell no less and tuned up!
I loved the Starlite Ballroom and saw EVERYONE there!.Beegees,(just a few weeks after they arrived in UK)I remember thinking’ this band is totally something else.They are different,and will be BIG .Many years later,one Saturday morning in the 90’s I was at Wembley Drum Center buying some sticks for a date I was playing that night ,and The BG’s were doing the Stadium.
Pink Floyd,Cream,Geno,The Move,The Symbols,Georgie Fame,Jeff Beck with an unknown Rod Stewart,All the big names of the day,tons of em!Also a lot of players who were on the way up……………….
Standared was high .All pros,Hebie Goins and the NightTimers,All Night Workers,One in a Million,Sonny Childe and the TNT.Just scratched the surface of any of this really.Top Rank,Joy Rose,female vocalist with George ? resident band. The Oldfield
And all…………………………………………………………………….
Anyone remember any of this scene (scene,lol)
Regards
Adrian
Hi,
I’m Roger and from Watford at the time. Loads of memories at the Starlight, Pete Lindsey sacking Wayne Fontana on the spot after he did 3 numbers and walked off leaving the Mindbenders in the lurch, trying to keep clear of the young West Indians from Harlesden always looking to kick off, The burly weightlifter bouncers, and the incredible Birds with Ronnie Wood.
Hi Roger Fletcher
I was 18 ish around that time 66/67,and I just loved the place. I liked mod clothes but used to go there on my BSA and ultimately a Triumph 500.I had a mate who was a lot taller than me,and we used to go there on the Bantam,2 up.I used to lean forward on the drop bars,and he used to sit bolt upright on the back.A strange sight.When it used to run out of 2 stroke,my mate would turn the bike upside down to get a bit more gas out of it.
I never saw W F and the Mindbenders though.I can’t imagine why any performer would walk off and leave the band on stage like that.
The bouncers, I remember a guy in a tee shirt who worked there,looked like a weightlifter.Never saw him thump any one though.
The atmosphere got a bit heavy in there just before I stopped going,early ’68,then it shut down some time that year I believe.
I started playing in bands myself around that time.
Regards
Adrian Collins
ps any more memories of the place?
I was there to see Pink Floyd at the beginning of their rise to fame.When they’d finished their second set,there was 12 of us left in the audience.I counted ’em……
Hi does anyone remember Beat Unlimited they used to play at the Oldfield Greenford during a round 1968 lead singer was called Derrek.
Hi I used to go to The Oldfield at Greenford and see a group called Beat Unlimited they also played at The Byron Hotel would be glad of any information.
Good to see my old group the Henchmen listed on the 21st October 1965. We changed our name to The Motion around that time and played under that name at the Starlite and the Byron on several occasions in 1965, 1966 and 1967. Unfortunately I only have bookings listed for the first half of 1966 in an old damaged diary. Both the Greenford venues were superb and had real buzz about them. Our booking agents were Galaxy Entertainments owned and run by the legendary Ron King. Found out recently that a minor shareholder in the agency who eventually bought out Ron was Don Arden, manager of the Small Faces and Sharon Osbourne’s dad.
Hi Greg, I’d like to get in touch with you – a friend of mine has a Henchmen acetate, funnily enough with the band’s name crossed out on one side and replaced with The Motion. Hope to hear from you, all the best Nigel at Top Sounds Records.
Hi Greg
Were you a south coast band? Think I have some Motion gigs at Pilgrim, Haywards Heath entry and possibly Club Continental in Eastbourne.
Nick,
No we were North London based but we did South of the River occasionally. Haywards Heath rings a bell. Also, regular gigs down in Surrey and up to Bletchley in the North and Cambridge in the East.
Lots of gigs around Islington, Camden, Elstree, Watford, Luton, etc.
Our regular major venues, in addition the Byron and the Starlite, were Wykham Hall, Romford, Links Club, Boreham Wood, Harpenden Public Hall, California Ballroom, Dunstable. St Albans (three venues) College, Art College and Market Hall. I have a gig list for Harpenden Hall, for 1966. Copied from the history page of their website. As the Hall is currently being pulled down and they are building a new theatre and Hall complex, I wasn’t sure if the website would transfer to the new venue so made a copy. The Ricky Tik club was there on a Wednesday. Several other nights during the week organised by other promoters and great sell out dances every Saturday night. We headlined there twice that year but also played as unlisted support band for a couple of the bigger acts. The list contains John Mayall’s Blues Breakers, the Birds (with Ronnie Woods) Them (with Van Morrison), Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames, Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band, and many others. If you would like a the full gig list which includes some posters, etc, let me know.
Hi Nick
I found one more gig for The Byron Hotel, Ruislip Road, Greenford.
Info came from web site on band.
Sunday, December 6, 1964 – The Sidekicks
Cheers
John
hi just starting to remonis i loved the starlight i saw all the motown groups i also worked almost opposite the oldfield i also went to the whiteheart southall and the southall community centre that were i got picked to dance on ready steady go regularly cathy magowan was realy nice also at the whiteheart we backed jimmy royal and the hawks then the bbc run a comp ontv called ready steady win alas we didnt win there was burton uxbridge also in ealing broadway thatswere i started life in 1946 then out to greenford ealing jazz club also les wyldes great days
stuart.goldsmith@sky.com
The maniacs were a south london group playing rock and r&b plus recent favorits.
The group came from south london sw19 wimbledon. All local mates that practiced at wimbledon ymca. I acted as rodey doing moving and repairs. Great times no drugs but plenty of sex and rock and roll. Red barrel days. And plenty of it. Im 72 now but good Days and a biker rocker still.
Hi,
I’ve recently discovered some flyers relating to The Byron in 1965 when I played in a band called Flight One. Here are the dates:-
3rd June Shannons/Proudwalkers
10th June Beatwaves/Flight One
17th June Orbits/Nitewalkers
24th June Rhythm 4/Hi Fi’s
1st July Flight One/Railroaders
8th July 5’s Company/Moonbeats
15th July Rhythm 4/Viking Lords
22nd July Do Do’s/Atlantic Blues
29th July Bros Grimm/Billtones
2nd Sept Insect/BluePrints
9th Sept Expressions/Remnant Furds
23 rd Sept 5’s Company/Moonbeats
30th Sept Rhythm 4/Action
And for 2 sessions a night we received £12 (Between 6 of us!!)
Still I loved it!
Ken Samuels
Geoff Foster got in touch and very kindly shared the following:
I was a founder member of Heartbeats Ltd, one of the bands that played there. This name was suggested by Peter Lindsay, the agent who was the main booker for Southall Community Centre. He was a close friend of our manager at the time, Tony Marshall an actor In Camelot. He lived in Southall as did I and Alan Ray who was also a founder member with me of Heartbeats Ltd and later played with me in Orange Rainbow.
We often went to SCC and saw most of the bands that are on your earlier posts, when not playing ourselves.
Back to The Byron…
The agent that ran the Byron was Arthur Forest (Arthur Forest Organisation AFO). He booked two other venues also: the Prince of Wales in Kingsbury and The Woodstock in Cheam.
Heartbeats Ltd played from memory, late 63 to 65 before changing the name to The Keys in or about 1965. At that time we were fortunate to have Frank Windsor of FW and the Walkers join us on vocals.
We played regularly at the three venues and others over this time.
I later joined The Casuals (formally Frankie Reid and the Casuals before joining the Army and Orange Rainbow (did not play the Byron with these bands.
The Byron gigs were on generally Thursdays and the Sunday gigs were exclusively for The Arthur Forest Big Band. The format was that he played trumpet in the band with alternating instrumentals and vocals. I supplied the vocals over this period and played guitar.
I met my wife at the venue on 6th December 1966. She still has the Heartbeats card that I gave her on the day.
Afternoon….. nice to see you have good memories. Arthur Forrest is my father in law and Wayne (husband) has enjoyed reading these, any other memories
Interesting, just seen outside and inside of the Byron pub on an old Crimewatch episode from 1984 or 1985, re the Beverley Trend all case. Byron was a nice looking pub, sad all these pubs are going. I am surprised there’s not more protests against the traditional British pub being demolished, etc🤔🤦
This is link to the Byron Pub on Crime-watch October 1985 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgO5PrKNUbo [see 22.12] and the barmaid was Vivien Starsmere [I think that’s how it is spelt], I wonder if she’s still around ?
We played the Byron as the Shameless many times during 1966/7 while still at school ( great times)
Named only three times on this list
Knew many of the other bands