Jamaican-born singer Carl Douglas is best known for the 1970s international hit “Kung Fu Fighting”. During the 1960s, however, he led a series of south London groups, starting with The Charmers and culminating with The Big Stampede.

Multi-instrumentalist Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) began his career with West Dulwich outfit Sounds Five in 1963. The band changed name to The Charmers when Carl Douglas joined them in mid-1965.

By year’s end, the group’s line up comprised Carl Douglas (lead vocals), Mick Patel (lead guitar), Tony Charman (organ), Lee Hall (bass) and Nick Baxter (drums). This formation cut six tracks with Nick Baxter’s cousin, Ken Baxter, who subsequently became the group’s manager. The tracks have been picked up by UK collectors’ label Acid Jazz for a compilation that will be released in late June.

In early 1966, the band’s personnel changed when Ron Bryer (aka Ron Spence) from The Loose Ends and The Revellos replaced Mick Patel on lead guitar and Ray Beresford succeeded Nick Baxter on drums and cut two more tracks, “You Don’t Know” and “I (Who Have Nothing)”, which will also appear on the Acid Jazz compilation album.

The Carl Douglas Set #1:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Tony Charman (aka Webb) – organ
Ron Bryer (aka Ron Spence) – lead guitar
Lee Hall – bass
Ray Beresford – drums

Selected gigs:

5 May 1966 – Pontiac, Putney, southwest London

13 May 1966 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, west London

22 May 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London (billed as The Charmers)

29 May 1966 – Seven Eleven Go Go Club, Kennington, south London

1 June 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London

4 June 1966 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, west London

11 June 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London (billed as Carl Douglas & The Charmers)

12 June 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Creation

19 June 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London

25 June 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The New York Public Library and The End

The Carl Douglas Set #2:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Del Grace – lead guitar
Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – organ
Lee Hall – bass
Ray Beresford – drums

Around early July, Beresford introduced his neighbour, guitarist Del Grace, who had recently returned from a Swiss tour with his group Big Wheel, after Ron Bryer left. Interestingly, Bryer took Grace’s place in Big Wheel and later moved out to Switzerland where he later worked with Barry Window & The Movements and Brain Ticket.

Selected gigs:

15 July 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto Club, Ilford, east London

17 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Knack

4 August 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Rick ‘N’ Beckers

5 August 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Billed as Karl Douglas Set

6 August 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire

19 August 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham

22-26 August 1966 – Sibyllas, Swallow Street, central London (Lee Hall left immediately after this)

The Carl Douglas Set #3:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals
Del Grace – lead guitar
Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – organ
Danny McCulloch – bass, vocals
Ray Beresford – drums

In late August, bass player Danny McCulloch, who was soon poached for Eric Burdon’s ‘New’ Animals took over bass duties before Tony Charman moved from organ to bass and Carl Douglas restructured the band once move.

Selected  gigs:

1 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Knack

9 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

16 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Otis Redding

18 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The News

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 music papers and newspapers that include Melody Maker, Aldershot News, South East London Mercury and Nottingham Evening Post.

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