After working with The Charmers and The Carl Douglas Set from 1965-1966, Jamaican singer Carl Douglas and long-standing member, Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) (now on bass) started to put together a new outfit (soon to become The Big Stampede), retaining guitarist Del Grace from The Carl Douglas Set, and bringing in sax player Dave Brooks, who may have joined just before Danny McCulloch departed to become a member of Eric Burdon’s New Animals in late September.
Around the same time, Del Grace’s former band mate from the original Big Wheel, Mike Manners joined on keyboards.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #1:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Del Grace – lead guitar
Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass
Mike Manners – keyboards
Dave Brooks – sax
Ray Beresford – drums (replaced very briefly by Nick Baxter)
Notable gigs:
24 September 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
26 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Searches (billed as Carl Dallas & The Big Stampede)
13 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Excels
16 October 1966 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London with Ike & Tina Turner show
22 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Graham Bell & The Trend and Ray King Soul Pact
28 October 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (billed as Carl Douglas Set) Most likely Nick Baxter on drums
In late October, Ray Beresford departed and former Charmers’ drummer (and the group’s road manager) Nick Baxter filled in until a permanent replacement was found.
Within a week, Del Coverley had arrived from Switzerland where he’d been playing with the latest incarnation of Big Wheel. Trumpet player Verdi Stewart completed The Big Stampede.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #2:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Del Grace – lead guitar
Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass
Mike Manners – organ
Dave Brooks – sax
Verdi Stewart – trumpet
Del Coverley – drums
Notable gigs:
7 November 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Dave Anthony’s Moods
11 November 1966 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London
13 November 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Paul Butterfield Blues Band
18 November 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London
19 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
21 November 1966-4 December – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Jimi Hendrix jammed one night)
6 December 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
7 December 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London
8 December 1966 – White Bicycle Club, Maple Ballroom, Northampton
9 December 1966 – Gravesend Grammar School, Gravesend, Kent
10 December 1966 – Prince of Wales Youth Club, Canterbury, Kent (early pm)
10 December 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (late pm) with The Blueshealers
14 December 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London
17 December 1966 – Riley Club, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire
20 December 1966 – Birdcage Club, Hull, Humberside
23 December 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Hertfordshire
24 December 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London
25 December 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (afternoon and evening gigs)
26 December 1966 – Brentbridge Hotel, Golders Green, north London
30 December 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London
31 December 1966 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex
1 January 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
4 January 1967 – Falcon Hotel, Rochester Way, Eltham, Kent
6 January 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London
6 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
7 January 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop Stortford, Herts (cancelled)
8 January 1967 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
9-10 January 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
12 January 1967 – Club A-Go-Go, Newcastle on Tyne
13 January 1967 – Dancing Slipper Club, West Bridgford, Nottingham
15 January 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London with The Soul Sisters
18 January 1967 – Adam & Eve Club, Southampton, Hampshire
19 January 1967 – Left for Belgium for four days and played at New Inn Club, Liege from 20-22 January
27 January 1967 – Candlelight, Scarborough
28 January 1967 – Students’ Union, Southampton University
29 January 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
29 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Radio Caroline Show with D J Johnny Walker)
31 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Survivors
3 February 1967 – Mr McCoy’s, Kirklevington Country Club, North Yorkshire
4 February 1967 – Left for Scotland for four days (including Maryland Club, Glasgow)
11 February 1967 – Queen Mary’s College, Mile End, east London
11 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Maxine Brown and The Q Set
12 February 1967 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham
15 February 1967 – Adam & Eve Club, Southampton, Hampshire
17 February 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London
17 February 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London
18 February 1967 – Disc O Blue, Ryde, Isle of Wight
20 February 1967 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London
24 February 1967 – Top Spot Ballroom, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire with The Nu-2-U
25 February 1967 – Students’ Union, Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire
2 March 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
3 March 1967 – Assembly Room, York
4 March 1967 – Students’ Union, Newcastle University, Newcastle on Tyne
5 March 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington North Yorkshire
6-7 March 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
10 March 1967 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
11 March 1967 – Nottingham College of Education, Nottingham
12 March 1967 – Klue J Klub, Chelmsford, Essex
14 March 1967 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London
18 March 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
18 March 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, with Lloyd Alexander Blues Band and Dynamic Ebonies
18 March 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London
19 March 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
20 March 1967 – Al Capone Club, Salisbury, Wiltshire
26 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London
27 March 1967 – Surrey Tavern, Oval, south London
28 March 1967 – Bird Cage, Anlaby Common, Anlaby, Hull, Humberside
30 March 1967 – Darlings, Maidenhead, Berkshire
31 March 1967 – Rub a Dub, Reading, Berkshire
1 April 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Artwoods
7 April 1967 – Dancing Slipper Club, West Bridgford, Nottingham
8 April 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Close Harmony Sounds
9 April 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
10 April 1967 – Baldock YC, Hertfordshire
David Brooks leaves and briefly works with Felder’s Orioles among other things before re-joining in December 1967. Mel Wayne comes in from Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #3:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Del Grace – lead guitar
Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass
Mike Manners – organ
Mel Wayne – sax
Verdi Stewart – trumpet
Del Coverley – drums
Notable gigs:
13 April 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
14 April 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London
15 April 1967 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London
17-18 April 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
19 April 1967 – Cavendish Rooms, Willesden, northwest London
22-23 April 1967 – Maryland Club, Glasgow, Scotland
28 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby
30 April 1967 – Ram Jam Club, Brixton, south London (possibly did not happen)
1 May – 2 June 1967 – Voom Voom Club, St Tropez, France, Valbonne Club, Valbonne, France, Whisky A Go Go, Nice, France and American school, Lugano, Switzerland
7 June 1967 – Adam & Eve Club, Southampton, Hampshire,
9 June 1967 – Clouds Club, Derby, Derbyshire
10 June 1967 – University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire
11-12 June 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
17 June 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Soul Meeting Band
18 June 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London
21-22 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
23 June 1967 – Ealing Technical College, Ealing, west London (early)
23 June 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Julian Covey & The Machine (late)
24 June 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London(early)
24 June 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Downliners Sect and Ebonys (late)
25 June 1967 – Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk
30 June 1967 – El Grotto Club, Ilford, Essex
1 July 1967 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex
5-6 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
7 July 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London (early)
7 July 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (late)
Mike Manners leaves at this point and records with Australian singer Johnny Young. Several keyboard players are used, including Verdi Stewart’s friend Ian Green.
8 July 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Ocean Room, Bournemouth, Dorset
9 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
11 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
12 July 1967 – Norwich University, The Flixton Room, Norwich, Norfolk
13 July 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
14 July 1967 – St Birinus School, Didcote, Berkshire with The Soul Survivors and The Ford Foundation (Ian Green on organ) (early)
14 July 1967 – Rasputin, New Bond Street, central London with The Ford Foundation and The Survivors (late)
15 July 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with The All Night Workers (billed as Carl Douglas Set) (Ian Green on organ)
15 July 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Ian Green on organ)
15 July 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
17-18 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
20 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
21 July 1967 – Gillingham Technical College, Gillingham, Kent
23-24 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
28 July 1967 – Palisades Club, Chatham, Kent
29 July 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
Del Coverley leaves at this point and works with a group called Kindness with Andy Clark from Big Wheel and two former members of The Fenmen – Alan Judge and Eric Wilmer.
Carl Douglas and Tony Charman bring in a red haired drummer for a return trip to France (Colin Davy from Georgie Fame’s band) plus veteran keyboard player Iain Hines, who has previously worked with The Jets at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #4:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Del Grace – lead guitar
Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass
Iain Hines – organ
Mel Wayne – sax
Verdi Stewart – trumpet
Colin Davy – drums
Notable gigs:
August 1967 – Voom Voom Club, St Tropez – Valbonne Club, Valbonne, Whisky A Go Go, Nice
Verdi Stewart returns to France and then moves into session work. Hines forms his own band Icarus while Davy joins Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound. Del Grace also leaves at this point to work as a solo artist and with his band, The Rifle.
Carl Douglas and Tony Charman rebuild The Big Stampede, bringing in former Ivan’s Meads organ player Rod Mayall and drummer Dave Richards.
Guitarist Martin Pugh comes in from The Package Deal. He narrowly misses out on the recent French tour.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #5:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals
Tony Charman (Tony Webb) – bass
Rod Mayall – organ, vocals
Mel Wayne – sax
Dave Richards – drums
Notable gigs:
3 September 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (before Rod Mayall joined)
20 September 1967 – Big Beat Cruise, Solent, South Parade Pier, Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head with The Wrong Direction (Rod Mayall’s debut)
22 September 1967 – Thames Hotel, Windsor, Berkshire
23 September 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
25 September 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
29 September 1967 – Apex Club, Brookfield Hall, South Ashford, Kent with The Couriers (Kentish Express)
30 September 1967 – Nicholas Youth Centre, Basildon, Essex
6 October 1967 – Beaconsfield Youth Centre, Beaconsfield, Hertfordshire (early)
6 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (late)
7 October 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
13 October 1967 – Co-op Hall, Ilkeston, Derby, Derbyshire
14 October 1967 – Ewell Technical College, Ewell, Surrey
17 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
21 October 1967 – G-Ranch Discotheque, Maidstone, Kent
21-22 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
24 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
25-26 October 1967 – Sibyllas, Swallow Street, central London
27 October 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hampshire
28 October 1967 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex
29 October 1967 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent
30 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
3 November 1967 – East Berks Tech College, Windsor, Berkshire
4 November 1967 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire
7 November 1967 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London
9 November 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
10 November 1967 – G-Ranch Discotheque, Maidstone, Kent (early)
10 November 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (late)
11 November 1967 – Shoreditch College, Egham, Surrey
16 November 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
17 November 1967 – Gillingham Technical College, Gillingham, Kent
18 November 1967 – RAF Wittering, Stamford, Lincolnshire
19 November 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
24 November 1967 – Leicester University, Leicester
25 November 1967 – The Place, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
26 November 1967 – Star Hotel, Maldon, Essex
27 November 1967 – Queen Mary’s Ballroom, Dudley Zoo, Dudley, West Midlands
30 November 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
2 December 1967 – Lord John, Hounslow, west London (early)
2 December 1967 – New All-Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London (billed as Carl Douglas)
8 December 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London
9 December 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate with Herbie Goins & The Nightimers and Ferris
14 December 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as New Stampede)
15 December 1967 – Shakespere Hotel, Woolwich, Kent
16 December 1967 – Bee Gee Club, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Long-standing member Tony Charman can’t go to France and leaves for a few months. Mel Wayne departs soon after and later plays with Calum Bryce.
Former Rupert’s People bass player Tony Dangerfield comes in to replace Tony Charman. Former member Dave Brooks re-joins the band in Biarritz.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #6:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals
Tony Dangerfield – bass
Rod Mayall – organ, vocals
David Brooks – sax
Dave Richards – drums
Notable gigs:
20 December 1967-3 January 1968 – (possibly La Canasta), Biarritz, then club in Perpignan, France
13 January 1968 – Ewell Technical College, Ewell, Surrey
22 January 1968 – St Matthew’s Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk
25 January 1968 – Bird Cage, Harlow, Essex
23 February 1968 – Drill Hall, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire
24 February 1968 – St Joseph’s Disco, Swindon, Wiltshire (advert says they are back from a European tour)
2 March 1968 – University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire
17 March 1968 – Clouds Club, Derby, Derbyshire
22 March 1968 – Margaret McMillan College, Bradford, West Yorkshire
23 March 1968 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London
24 March 1968 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
28 March 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
30 March 1968 – Brave New World, Portsmouth, Hampshire
6 April 1968 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire
6 April 1968 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London
Tony Dangerfield departs when Tony Charman returns shortly before a trip to Spain.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #7:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals
Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass
Rod Mayall – organ, vocals
David Brooks – sax
Dave Richards – drums
Notable gigs:
19 April 1968 – Wimpson Youth Club, Southampton, Hampshire
20 April 1968 – White Tiles, Reuben George Hall, Swindon, Wiltshire
27 April 1968 – Stax Club, Circenster, Gloucestershire
29 April-31 May 1968 (31 days) – Stones Club, Madrid, Spain
7-22 June 1968 – Titan Club, Rome, Italy
Rod Mayall departs and returns to Madrid to join Los Buenos.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #8:
Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals
Tony Charman (Tony Webb) – bass
David Brooks – sax
Dave Richards – drums
Notable gigs:
27 June 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
4-14 July 1968 – ‘Boat Lydia’, Bacares, near Perpignan, France
1 August 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
2 August 1968 – Ship Hotel, Weybridge, Surrey
16 August 1968 – Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, Suffolk with The Motion Picture (Ipswich Evening Star)
7 September 1968 – Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with The Mojos and The Fascination
Tony Charman leaves at this point as he got married on 14 September. In 1969, he forms another south London band. Douglas keeps the band going a bit longer but it’s not clear who is part of this outfit. Martin Pugh joins Steamhammer and Dave Brooks moves into session work.
15 September 1968 – Black Swan, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
29 September 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire with The Sweet Shop
30 September 1968 – Stax Club, Cirencester, Gloucestershire
5 October 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with Fringe Benefit
6 October 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire
Douglas moves to Spain and records with The Explosion before finding fame and fortune with ‘Kung Fu Fighting’.
Thanks to the band’s manager Ken Baxter for sharing his contracts and to bass player Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) for providing concert posters. Dates were also sourced from Melody Maker.
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
thank you! ..from Hungary
Found a gig missing from the list in Fabulous 208 magazine:
16 June 1967 – Electric Garden, London
According to Crawley Advertiser, the band played at the Manhole in Redhill, Surrey on 16 February 1967
Hi Nick, yes I remember Carl and the band appearing at the Manhole, which I co-founded back in the day. The more I think about it, they might have actually been the big opening night act; they were certainly top class performers.
Hi John
I don’t suppose you kept any booking details of all the bands that played at your venue?
Hi Nick, a Merry Christmas to you! Alas no booking details as yet, I am trying to piece together that information, starting with the group names. So far I have established these groups played there:
The Nite People
Cops & Robbers
The Hammond Sound
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
Palmer James
I will post when I have more.
Found the following gig in the Birmingham Evening Mail. This must have been one of the very final shows they did unless Carl Douglas kept the band going with new members.
12 October 1968 – Rainbow Suite Co-Op, Birmingham with Ultra Sound
Hello, the above group picture turned up on Facebook . The person who started the thread thinks the artist (5th from left to right) is Phil Collins ????? True or false ?
No (False) His DEL COVERLEY
Found an advert in Melody Maker from December 1968 for a band called Dogs Blues:
Line up:
Mick Hutchinson – guitar
Barry Nicholls – bass
Andy Clark – organ
Del Coverley – drums
Interestingly, Carl Douglas was the Cue Club in Paddington for a Xmas ’70 show with The Fantastics, Owen Grey and others according to Melody Maker
Found a gig in Welwyn Times for The Big Stampede with Lloyd Alexander Real Estate at St Albans City Hall on 14 December ’68. No mention of Carl Douglas so not sure it’s the same group
The Kent & Sussex Courier has a gig at the Tonbridge R&B Club at the George & Dragon on 6 December 1968. It says Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (7 piece coloured group), which confirms that Carl kept the group going with new members in late 1968. Would be interested to hear from anyone who can throw more light on this period.
Found a poster for the band in the Essex Chronicle, 24/2/67 page 6 which seems to suggest they played at the Klue J Klub, the Saracens Head Hotel in Chelmsford on this date. Will need to check again that it is not the March gig listed later
The Wolverhampton newspaper The Express and Star notes that the support band on 27 November 1967 gig at the Broadway Club was Stop! Look! Listen!
Forever Changes played Stax Club Cirecester in 8th Feb 1969
Dave Brooks passed away in May 2020:
https://thejohnfleming.wordpress.com/2020/05/12/dave-brooks-rip-astonishing-original/
Del Coverley got in touch and sadly Del Grace died on Saturday, 28 May