Category Archives: England

Categories: England

Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells’ British tours of the 1960s

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Hailing from Philadelphia, lead singer Patti LaBelle first toured Britain with her backing group The Bluebelles featuring singers Nona Hendryx, Sarah Dash and Cindy Birdsong in January 1966. The tour was arranged by promoter Roy Tempest.

For this first British tour, Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells were backed by northwest London group Bluesology who featured a very young Elton John known as Reg Dwight at the time on keyboards.

It’s not clear whether Bluesology backed them on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this.

At the time, Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Rex Bishop (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Mick Inkpen (drums)

Melody Maker’s 8 January 1966 issue, page 4 lists, gig dates and TV appearances

Melody Maker, 8 January 1966, page 4

Gig list

5 January 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

6 January 1966 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

8 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Check Points (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

9 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

11 January 1966 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London with Bluesology (Melody Maker)

14 January 1966 – ITV’s Ready Steady Go with The Kinks, Pretty Things and Fontella Bass (Melody Maker)

14 January 1966 – The New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker) Billed Patti LaBBelle and The Blue Bells

14 January 1966 – Flamingo All-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Gass (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Melody Maker) Billed as Pattie La Belle & Her Blue Bells

15 January 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Fontella Bass, The Stormsville Shakers, Bluesology Inc and The Just 5 x 2 (Sheffield Star) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Belles

16 January 1966 – Plaza, Birmingham, West Midlands (Melody Maker) Possibly Handsworth

19 January 1966 – Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Evening Post) This lists Wilson Pickett’s backing group as support who would have been The Links

22 January 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Pinky & The Phellows, Bluesology Incorporated and The Triads (Lincolnshire Standard)

 

Melody Maker’s 30 April 1966 issue, page 4, announces that Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles return for a second tour (including TV appearances), organised again by Roy Tempest.

For this second tour, Patti LaBelle & The Bluebelles were once again backed by Bluesology. It’s not clear, however, whether Bluesology backed them on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this.

By this time, the line-up had changed slightly to feature Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Freddy Gandy (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Paul Gale (drums)

Gig list

4 May 1966 – Birdland Club, central London (Melody Maker)

4 May 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

5 May 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

6 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Melody Maker) Billed as Patty LaBelle & Her Belles

7 May 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Bystanders and The Dark Ages (Bucks Advertiser) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Belles

7 May 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & The Blue Bells

8 May 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with Polecatz (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

9 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Steve Darbyshire & The Yum Yum Band (Melody Maker) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Belles

9 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patty LaBelle & The Belles

11 May 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

13 May 1966 – Flamingo (two sets including all-nighter), Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gass (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle

14 May 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Alan Bown Set and Buddy’s Blues (Sheffield Star) Billed as Pattie LaBelle & Her Belles

14 May 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with The Ram Jam Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

15 May 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Patty La Belle & The Blue Belles

17 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Clayton Squares (Melody Maker)

17 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti LaBelle & The Belles

19 May 1966 – Rocky Rivers’ Top 20 Club, Conservative Club, Bedford with Bluesology and John Williams & Tomorrow’s People (Ampthill News & Weekly Record) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

21 May 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire with Blues Ology and The Ultimates (Herts & Essex Observer) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Belles

21 May 1966 – Cue Club all-nighter, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti LaBelle & Her Belles

22 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

 

In 1967, Cindy Birdsong left to join The Supremes and the group continued as a three piece.

Melody Maker’s 22 June 1968 issue, page 4, lists a British tour opening on 3 July

Melody Maker, 6 July 1968, page 3

Melody Maker’s 6 July 1968 issue, page 3, provides more detail on the venues and dates

It’s not clear who provided support on this third tour and we’d welcome any further information.

Gig list

3 July 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with supporting groups (Dunstable Borough Gazette and Luton Journal/Melody Maker/http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/) Amended to 5 July. Billed as Patti LaBelle & The Belles

3 July 1968 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Amended to 5 July. Billed as Patti La Belle & The Bluebells Show

6 July 1968 – New Century Hall, Manchester (Melody Maker)

6 July 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Melody Maker) Amended to 7 July

7 July 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Melody Maker)

8 July 1968 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Melody Maker)

8 July 1968 – Club Cedar, Birmingham (Melody Maker)

11 July 1968 – Brave New World, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hants (Melody Maker)

12 July 1968 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Melody Maker)

12 July 1968 – Sybilla’s, Swallow Street, central London (Melody Maker)

13 July 1968 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Melody Maker)

13 July 1968 – Gig in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands (Melody Maker) Possibly the Belfry, Wishaw

14 July 1968 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Bells

17 July 1968 – Gig in Stevenage, Herts (Melody Maker) Possibly the Locarno

18 July 1968 – Sybilla’s, Swallow Street, central London (Melody Maker)

19 July 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, south London with Purple Dream (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser/Melody Maker) Billed as Patti La Belle & The Bluebells

20 July 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with Chris Shakespeare Globe Show and The Executives (Chester Chronicle) Billed as Patti La Belle & Her Bluebells

20 July 1968 – Nantwich Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire (Melody Maker)

22 July 1968 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser) Billed as Patty La Belle & Her Bells

We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below

 

Categories: England

Fontella Bass’s British tour January 1966

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Fontella Bass featured in Melody Maker, 11 December 1965, page 10

Having arrived in Britain on 1 December 1965 for TV appearances only, including performing on BBC’s Top of the Pops, ITV’s Ready Steady Go and TWW’s Discs as Gogo, US soul singer Fontella Bass returned to Britain in the first week of January 1966 for a two-week tour.

Judging by the article from Melody Maker below, she was backed by seven-piece Surrey outfit, The Just Five for all of the gigs, although keyboard Alan Reeves says The Krew did back her for a one-off gig at the Scotch of St James.

Melody Maker, 8 January 1966, page 4

Tour dates (see pic above for more details)

8 January 1966 – Market Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with Just Five, Checkmates and The Dawnbreakers (Carlisle and Cumberland Journal)

9 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

11 January 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

12 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Quiet Five (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/)

13 January 1966 – Oldham Astoria, Oldham, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

14 January 1966 – ITV’s Ready Steady Go with The Kinks, Pretty Things, Patti LaBelle & Her Belles and Lee Dorsey (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, Lancashire with The Just Five, The Rogues and The Beatroots (Accrington Observer/Lancashire Evening Telegraph)

Melody Maker, 15 January 1966, page 3

16 January 1966 – Flamingo All-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen (Melody Maker)

18 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Melody Maker) Missed due to food poisoning

Melody Maker, 29 January 1966, page 5

19 January 1966 – Mecca Pavilion Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants with The Just Five (Southern Daily Echo)

We’d welcome any further information on this tour in the comments below

Categories: England

The Orlons’ British tours in 1966 and 1967

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By the time Philadelphia soul group The Orlons toured Britain in July 1966 they comprised lead singer Rosetta Hightower alongside singers Sandy Person and Audrey Brickley.

For some of this tour, The Orlons were backed by Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (aka Reg Dwight) on keyboards.

At this time Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Neil Hubbard (lead guitar); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Freddy Gandy (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Paul Gale (drums).

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

1 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Dave Davani Four and The Meantimes (Melody Maker) Another band may have backed them on this gig, possibly The Dave Davani Four

2 July 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Another band may have backed them on this gig

9 July 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Bluesology and The Gates of Eden (Bucks Advertiser)

9 July 1966 – Kinky Blues Club, Manor House, north London with The Dave Davani Four (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by The Dave Davani Four

9 July 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

9 July 1966 – King Mojo all-nighter, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Norma Tanega, The VIPs and Dave Davani (Sheffield Star)

13 July 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

14 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book London Live)

14-15 July 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Another band may have provided support on this gig as Bluesology were billed to back Solomon Burke in Nottingham on 15 July

 

When The Orlons returned for a second British tour in late 1966 they were not backed by Bluesology. It’s not clear who did the honours but it’s possible it could have been The Gates of Eden who were one of the bands on promoter Roy Tempest’s books.

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

8 December 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Pride (Melody Maker)

9 December 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

10 December 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Bobby Hebb plus two supporting groups (Nottingham Evening Post)

10 December 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The Gates of Eden and The Ebonites (Lincolnshire Standard)

15 December 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

 

For the Orlons’ third British tour, it’s not clear who the backing band was.

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

27 October 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with The Paper Blitz Tissue (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

28 October 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Rick ‘n’ Beckers and Granny’s Intentions (Melody Maker)

After this tour, singer Rosetta Hightower returned to Britain in 1968. She subsequently married British keyboard player Ian Green and recorded extensively in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.

We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below

 

Categories: England

The Fabulous Marvelettes’ December 1967 British tour

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In August 1967, British promoter Roy Tempest had brought New York vocal quartet The Velours over to England for a tour and billed them as The Fabulous Temptations, which caused a great deal of confusion (and anger) as club owners mistakenly thought they were getting Motown superstars The Temptations.

Later that year, Tempest tried a similar ploy by promoting New York-based soul trio The Flirtations as Motown act, The Marvelettes, billing them as The Fabulous Marvelettes.

Originally formed as The Gypsies with three sisters – Betty, Ernestine and Shirley Pearce plus their friend Viola Billups, The Flirtations were reduced to a trio (minus Betty) by the time Tempest brought them to England.

For this first tour, they were backed by Dagenham, east London outfit, The Trend. The band’s guitarist Norman Cummins kept a diary and the following gigs are from the tour that The Trend provided backing for The Marvelettes. Where newspapers are listed confirming dates, I’ve only listed the papers, even though the dates are all listed in Cummins’ diary.

At the time, The Trend comprised Norman Cummins (lead guitar/vocals); Pete Cole (bass/vocals); Bob Mather (sax); Cliff Reuter (keyboards); and Frankie Morgan (drums).

Tour dates:

8 December 1967 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Start of tour with The Trend backing

9 December 1967 – New Century Hall, Manchester with Gerards Own (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

9 December 1967 – Paradise Club, Wigan, Lancashire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

10 December 1967 – Georgian Club, Salford, Greater Manchester with The Trend (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

10 December 1967 – Vaudeville Club, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

11 December 1967 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

12 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

14 December 1967 – Falmer House, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

15 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

15 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

16 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester with The Factotums (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

16 December 1967 – Cavern Club, Liverpool (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

17 December 1967 – USAF base, Alconbury, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

18 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

19 December 1967 – Flintshire Tech College (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

21 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

22 December 1967 – Corn Exchange, Hertford, Hertfordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

23 December 1967 – Ritz Ballroom, King’s Heath, West Midlands (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

23 December 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

25 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

26 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

26 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

When the trio returned from the States for a second tour in spring 1968, they reverted to their former name, The Flirtations, and based themselves in England where they recorded.

Thanks to Pete Cole and Norman Cummings for the tour information (see original documents below).

Categories: England

Grand Union

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Grand Union, circa 1966. Left to right: Paul Thorpe, Tom Maudlin, Dick Winters and Rick Thorpe. Photo: Tom Maudlin

Rick Thorpe – lead guitar/vocals

Tom Maudlin – Bass/vocals

Dick Winters – Hammond organ/vocals

Paul Thorpe – Drums/lead vocals

This British band was formed around 1966/1967 and toured extensively before being chosen as the backing group for US soul artist Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon in late 1968 for their debut British tour.

Thanks to bass player Tom Maudlin for providing some more information about the group, the photo of the band and the posters below.

Before they changed named to Bandwagon, the group released a lone 45 on Tattoo Records as Enough’s Enough. This coupled “Look Around You Baby” with “Please Remember“. The picture of a group that often accompanies this video, however, is The Bulldogs, the band featuring the Thorpe brothers prior to Enough’s Enough.

Gig on 19 May 1967

Before joining forces with The Bandwagon, they opened for Manfred Mann, Robert Plant & Band of Joy and Pink Floyd among many others.

1968 gig with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy
1968 gig with Pink Floyd

Significantly, they also signed to CBS in 1968 and recorded a lone 45 “Slowly but Surely”.

Dick Winters and Tom Maudlin left around August 1969. Former Magic Roundabout bass player/singer Roger Flavell and keyboard player Les Lambert replaced them.

The Thorpe brothers later played in the bands Moonstone and Life together. Maudlin moved to Ontario in 1969 and currently lives in Brampton near Toronto.

We’d welcome any further information below in the comments about this group

1968 gig
1968 gig
1968 gig
Categories: England

Major Lance’s British tour December 1965

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For Major Lance’s first British tour, promoter Roy Tempest arranged for northwest London group Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (known as Reg Dwight at the time), to back the singer.

It’s not clear whether Bluesology backed Major Lance on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this in the comments section below.

At the time, Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Rex Bishop (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Mick Inkpen (drums)

Melody Maker, 4 December 1965, page 4

The following tour gigs are incomplete

Tour dates:

3 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (two sessions including an all-nighter) with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker)

3 December 1965 – In Place, Baker Street, central London (Melody Maker)

4 December 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with Alex Harvey and The Mockingbirds (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 December 1965 – Oasis, Manchester with The Crestas (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

5 December 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Blues Incorporated (most likely Bluesology) (Melody Maker/Nottingham Evening Post)

6 December 1965 – Gig in Rochester, Kent (Melody Maker)

7 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Melody Maker)

8 December 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, southeast London (Melody Maker)

9 December 1965 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

10 December 1965 – Durham University, Durham (Melody Maker)

11 December 1965 – Mr McCoy’s, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

12 December 1965 – Lennoxbank House Hotel, Balloch, Scotland with The Five Interns (Clydebank Press)

12 December 1965 – Stramash TV (Melody Maker)

14 December 1965 – (possibly Birdcage Club), Harlow, Essex (Melody Maker)

15 December 1965 – TWW’s TV Discs A Gogo (Melody Maker)

16 December 1965 – Cromwellian, south Kensington, west London with Bluesology (Melody Maker) This was originally planned for 15 December.

16 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Price Set (London Live book: Tony Bacon)

17 December 1965 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester and then Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with Bluesology Incorporated, The Manchester Playboys and Jonathan Goon Tweed (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

17 December 1965 – Stockport, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker) Unless this is above gig

18 December 1965 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (afternoon) (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)

20 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Melody Maker)

We’d welcome any comments from readers below

Categories: England

Lee Dorsey’s British tour in March 1967

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Having brought Lee Dorsey over to Britain for three tours during 1966, promoter Roy Tempest set up another British tour in spring 1967.

For this tour, it appears that London-based Scottish band, The Scots of St James may have backed Lee Dorsey on all dates, although we’d be interested in anyone who can provide more information. I’ve listed below the gigs where they definitely did provide backing.

Stuart Francis, the drummer with The Scots of St James, confirms they backed Lee Dorsey on a tour in March 1967.

The group’s personnel had changed since the previous tour in October 1966 (during which they had played a few gigs with Dorsey) and now comprised: Jimmy Oakley (vocals); Norrie MacLean (lead guitar); Graham Maitland (keyboards); Alan Gorrie (bass/vocals); and Stuart Francis (drums)

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

4 March 1967 – Faculty of Technology Union, Manchester with The Meads (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 March 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

5 March 1967 – Saville Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London with The Move (Melody Maker)

6 March 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with Marmalade and Barmby Barry (Evening Sentinel) Backed by The Scots of St James

8 March 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/)

10 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Voyd (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

11 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Montanas (Nottingham Evening Post) Backed by The Scots of St James

11 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Bystanders, The Equals and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard) Backed by The Scots of St James

12 March 1967 – Top Ten Club, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

16 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

18 March 1967 – Wem Town Hall, Wem, Shropshire with support group (Shropshire Journal)

We’d welcome any further information below

Categories: England

Lee Dorsey’s British tour in October-November 1966

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Following two successful British tours earlier in 1966, the first with The Krew as backing band and the second with The League of Gentlemen, promoter Roy Tempest brought Lee Dorsey back for a final tour that autumn.

According to Disc & Music Echo, the tour kicked off on 14 October and the main backing group was The Garden of Eden.

Hailing from Watford, Hertfordshire, they comprised Dave Rodwell (vocals); Dicer Sarney (aka Roger Matthews) (lead guitar); Barry Rich (bass); Tom Hill (organ); Chunky Mo (drums). When The Garden of Eden started working with Dorsey, they had literally just come off another tour backing The Mad Lads.

However, they weren’t the only outfit to provide backing on this tour. Stuart Francis, drummer with Glaswegian outfit, The Scots of St James, says they backed Lee Dorsey on some gigs in late 1966. The line-up at this time comprised James Oakley (lead vocals); Hugh Nicholson (lead guitar); Ian Murray (bass); James Mylchreest (keyboards); and Stuart Francis (drums).

Chris Rodger, sax/trumpet player with London-based group The Noblemen, which became (The) Motivation in late October/early November 1966, says they also did some dates with Lee Dorsey. This is also confirmed by the band’s keyboard player Mick Ketley and bass player Bryan Stevens.

In addition, Martin Barre, the band’s guitarist, mentions backing Dorsey during this time in his recent book about his career, including with Jethro Tull, A Trick of Memory. At the time, the remaining two members of the band were Jimmy Marsh (lead vocals) and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums).

Finally, there is an advert in the Brighton Evening Argus, in its 16 December 1966 issue, that mentions The Groove and says they are just back from touring in the USA. It also says that they are backing group for Lee Dorsey. We’d welcome any clarity on this.

This is an incomplete gig list

Tour dates:

14 October 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London (Melody Maker/NME)

14 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich, southeast London with The Scots of St James (Melody Maker) Backed by The Scots of St James

Ian Murray says The Scots of St James backed Lee Dorsey at the Scotch of St James through their manager Stan Beadabeck and this date looks the most likely following the Woolwich gig.

15 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker/NME) Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald also lists this date but looks like Dorsey was replaced by Guy Darrell Syndicate so it didn’t happen. On this date Garden of Eden played with The Mad Lads at the Dungeon in Nottingham

15 October 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

16 October 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Wheels (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

16 October 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with The Hideways, The Dark Ages, The Times, Georgies Germs, The Insite and The Gates of Eden (Liverpool Echo) Mick Ketley, keyboard player with The Noblemen, says they backed Lee Dorsey here, although The Gates of Eden are on the bill unless they were advertised but substituted at the last minute

17 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Gates of Eden and The Sovereigns (Melody Maker) Chris Rodger, sax player with The Noblemen, and Mick Ketley say they did back Lee Dorsey on this gig. Again, The Gates of Eden are listed but may have been substituted at the last minute. The Sovereigns were also one of the groups that Roy Tempest used to back visiting US soul acts

19 October 1966 – Saddle Room, Park Lane, Mayfair, central London (NME) Mick Ketley confirms The Noblemen backed Dorsey here

20 October 1966 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker article, 22 Oct 1966, page 4

21 October 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, Kent (Melody Maker)

22 October 1966 – Locomotive Club, Paris, France (Melody Maker/Disc & Music Echo)

23 October 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge Park, Harlesden, northwest London (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by Scots of St James

24 October 1966 – Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts with The Gates of Eden and The Trekkers (Welwyn & Hatfield Times) Backed by The Gates of Eden

25 October 1966 – Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with The Ivy League, The Jaybirds, Our Young, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Nottingham Evening Post) Melody Maker says Nottingham University

26 October 1966 – Locarno, Stevenage, Herts (Melody Maker/NME)

27 October 1966 – Locarno, Burnley, Lancashire (NME)

28 October 1966 – Golden Star Club, Westbourne Park, west London with The Dynacords (Melody Maker)

28 October 1966 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire (Widnes Weekly News)

29 October 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire  (Sheffield Star) Backed by The Gates of Eden

29 October 1966 – New Century Hall, Manchester with The Black Velvets (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Disc & Music Echo) Possibly with Scots of St James

30 October 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Ebonites (Birmingham Evening Mail) Possibly backed by The Ebonites

30 October 1966 – Leofric, Coventry (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

31 October 1966 – Queen’s Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (NME)

 

1 November 1966 – Palais de Danse, Leicester with The Gates of Eden (Leicester Mercury) Backed by The Gates of Eden

3 November 1966 – Locarno, Streatham, southwest London (Melody Maker)

3 November 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

4 November 1966 – Bull’s Head, Syston, Leicestershire with The Gates of Eden, The Pilgrims and Sister Jill & The Brethren (Leicester Mercury) Backed by The Gates of Eden

5 November 1966 – Midnight City, Birmingham with Listen and The Ray King Soul Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)

5 November 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Gates of Eden and The Cortinas (Herts and Essex Observer) Backed by The Gates of Eden

6 November 1966 – Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham with Jerry Lee Lewis and Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Birmingham Evening News)

7 November 1966 – Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon, southwest London (Melody Maker)

8 November 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

9 November 1966 – Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (Disc & Music Echo)

10 November 1966 – Ashton Palais, Ashton, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Disc & Music Echo) Possibly backed by Motivation but they were touring with The Coasters at the time and potentially backed Ben E King today at the Twisted Wheel in Manchester (unless this was 12 November). An advert for Motivation playing Cardiff on 16 December says they are Lee Dorsey’s backing band

11 November 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire with three supporting groups (Retford, Gainsborough and Worksop Times)

11 November 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby with supporting groups (Grimsby Evening Telegraph/Disc & Music Echo)

12 November 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Melody Maker/NME)

14 November 1966 – Atalanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey with The Gates of Eden plus supporting group (Aldershot News) Backed by The Gates of Eden

17 November 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol with The Gates of Eden (Bristol Evening Post) Backed by The Gates of Eden

18 November 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Good Goods (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/) Says backed by The Good Goods

Judging by the article below, it looks like Lee Dorsey played at the Conservative Club in Bedford on this date backed by The Garden of Eden.

19 November 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Gates of Eden and The Ray King Soul Band (Lincolnshire Echo) Backed by The Gates of Eden

19 November 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with Ben E King plus top line groups (Nottingham Evening Post)

19 November 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Melody Maker/NME)

20 November 1966 – Dereham Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Johnny Lofty Soul Band and The Gates of Eden (Thetford & Watton Times) Backed by The Gates of Eden and final gig on his tour

Article on the tour mentioning The Garden of Eden, 22 Nov 1966

4 December 1966 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Disc & Music Echo) This did not happen as he’d already returned to the US

We’d welcome any further information below in the comments

Categories: England

The Four Kents’ British tour June 1968

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The Four Kents at the Piper Club, Viareggio, Italy. Image from Nevil Cameron

According to this website, Indianapolis native George Chandler was serving in the US military in northern Italy when he formed this soul quartet with fellow expatriate servicemen Rudy Rollins, Charles Cannon and Stanley Evans.

The Four Kents formed a backing group called The Submarines in mid-1968 to support them live, which comprised a mix of British, Italian and Lebanese musicians.

Thanks to baritone sax player Roger Warwick who provided further information about this group, The Submarines also included Georges Dersey (trumpet); Carl Viola (tenor sax); Bill Mayer (bass); Tony Ollard (lead guitar); and Mauro Paolucci (drums).

Dersey and Warwick had both come from The Patrick Sansom Set. Warwick had joined this outfit in December 1966 after singer Patrick Sansom approached him to join the group in Italy while playing with Freddie Mack.

Warwick knew Tony Ollard from the north London scene. Ollard had previously played with The Robb Storme Group, The Creation and The Warren Davis Monday Band.

In June 1968, The Four Kents and The Submarines toured Britain for a short tour.

The following tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

16 June 1968 – Kinema Ballroom, Dunfermline, Scotland with The Submarines, The Falcons and The Shadettes (https://www.kinemagigz.com/1968.htm)

17 June 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

23 June 1968 – Riverside Club, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald)

29 June 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Submarines (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

We’d welcome any further information below

Categories: England

Lee Dorsey’s British tour April-May 1966

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During January 1966, promoter Roy Tempest brought Lee Dorsey over for a British tour on which he was backed by The Krew (https://garagehangover.com/lee-dorseys-january-1966-british-tour/). The response was so positive that Tempest lined-up another tour that kicked off three months later.

According to a review in the Derby Evening Telegraph in its 30 April issue, page 7, Lee Dorsey was backed on this tour by The League of Gentlemen.

At this time, the band comprised Jonathan Kent (lead vocals); Ron Cleave (lead guitar/vocals); Rob Thomas (rhythm guitar); Jeff Bentley (bass); Joel James (sax); and Ray Steadman (drums)

The following tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

15 April 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

15 April 1966 – Flamingo, two sessions, including an all-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen and The Gass (Melody Maker)

16 April 1966 – Floral Hall, Morecambe, Lancashire with The League of Gentlemen, Farriers Blues and The Clansmen (Morecambe Visitor)

17 April 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Cymerons (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

20 April 1966 – Mecca Ballroom Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants with The League of Gentlemen (Southern Daily Echo)

21 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Peter B’s (Melody Maker)

21 April 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

23 April 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

25 April 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with supporting groups (Melody Maker)

26 April 1966 – Locarno, Derby with The League of Gentlemen (Derby Evening Telegraph)

28 April 1966 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands with Deep Feeling (Birmingham Evening Mail)

30 April 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The BirdHerd (Sheffield Star)

30 April 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

 

1 May 1966 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester and then Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with The League of Gentlemen (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

3 May 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Melody Maker)

3 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Disc & Music Echo)

4 May 1966 – Town Hall, Farnborough, Hants plus supporting group (Aldershot News)

6 May 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London with The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary) Backed by The Statesides on this gig

7 May 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

8 May 1966 – Leofric, Coventry (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

We’d love to hear from anyone who can provide any further details about this tour in the comments section below