Category Archives: London

Prince of Wales Hotel, Kingsbury, north London

April 30, 2020 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

The Prince of Wales in Kingsbury, north London, the Byron Hotel in Greenford, northwest London and the Woodstock Hotel in north Cheam, southwest London were all operated by the same promoter: The Arthur Forest Organisation (AFO). Many of the same bands played at all three venues.

Ken Samuels, who played with Flight One, very kindly provided these posters, both from 1965. We’d love to hear from anyone who played at this venue and can provide any more memorabilia and further information about their band. Email: Warchive@aol.com

1964

26 April – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Star opening

3 May – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 May – The Hartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 May – Guitars Inc (Club New Yorker – Sunday) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 May – The Orbits (Club New Yorker – Sunday) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 May – The Pacifics (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

7 June – Russ & The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 June – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 June – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 June – The Plainsmen (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

5 July – The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

12 July – The Hearbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

19 July – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 July – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 July – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Opening night

2 August – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 August – The Count 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 August – The Count 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 August – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 August – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

2 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 September – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 September – Russ & The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

16 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 September – The Playboys (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 September – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

4 October – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

11 October – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 October – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

25 October – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 November – The Counts (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

8 November – Diane & The Londoners (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 November – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 November – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 November – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 December – The Whirlwinds (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 December – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 December – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 December – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1965

3 January – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 January – The Invistors (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 January – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 February – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 February – The Saracens (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

14 March – The Electrons (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 March – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 March – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

4 April – The Scepters (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

11 April – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 April – Great Expectations (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

25 April – The Fairlanes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

2 May – The Partners (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 May – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

16 May – The Fairlanes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 May – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 May – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 June – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 June – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 June – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 June – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

4 July – The Do Dos (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) From Paris

11 July – Rhythm Four (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 July – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

25 July – The Sceptres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 August – The Reasons (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

8 August – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

15 August – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

22 August – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

29 August – The Expressions (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

5 September – The Insect (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

12 September – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

19 September – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

26 September – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

3 October – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 October – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 October – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 October – Four Inches (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

31 October – Great Expectations (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

7 November – Men Tuesday (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

14 November – Who’d-A-Thot-It (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 November – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 November – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

12 December – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Looks like The Maniacs played this night

19 December – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 December – The Nite Hawks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1966

2 January – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 January – The Y and The L (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

8 July – The Keys (Harrow Observer)

29 July – Five Steps Beyond (Harrow Observer)

2 October – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

7 October – The Unamed (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

9 October – Five Steps Beyond (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s poster)

14 October – The Flashbakks (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

16 October – The Keys (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s Poster)

21 October – 2 x 2 (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

23 October – The Fourtunes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

28 October – Some Other People (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

30 October – The Flashbakks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

1967

17 February – The Keys (Harrow Observer)

16 April – The Keys (Harrow Observer)

Categories: England, London

Moon’s Train’s gigs

April 19, 2020 Nick Warburton 4 Comments

Photo: Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright

Formed by keyboard player and singer/songwriter Peter Gosling in mid-1966, Moon’s Train evolved out of earlier bands, The Preachers and The Train, who featured future Herd guitarist/singer Peter Frampton.

Photo credit: Melody Maker, 1965. Image may be subject to copyright.

By late 1966, the group’s line up comprised:

Peter “Moon” Gosling – keyboards/vocals

Ian Dibben – guitar

Pete “Face” Attwood – bass

Ken Leamon – sax

Alex Brown – trumpet

Malcolm Penn – drums

Many thanks to drummer Malcolm Penn for the following gig list and to Peter Gosling for kindly sharing this with me. Where newspapers advertised and I have the posters, I’ve listed these too:

26 January 1967 – Golden Star Club, N7, London

28 January 1967 – Muirhead Sports ground, Beckenham, London

13 February 1967 – Star Hotel, Croydon, London

25 February 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

3 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

4 March 1967 – Raynes Park Football Club, Merton, London

4 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

5 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

6-7 March 1967 – Why Not Club (unknown address)

8 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

9 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

10 March 1967 – Stockwell College, Stockwell, London

10 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

11 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

12 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

17 March 1967 – Why Not Club (address unknown)

18 March 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham

25 March 1967 – Corby Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire

31 March 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright

1 April 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

5 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

21 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Beachcombers

22 April 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants

26 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

27 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

28 April 1967 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London

29 April 1967 – Unknown venue, New Forest, Hants

5 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

6 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

7 May 1967 – Dolphin (address unknown)

There was a Dolphin Club in Finchley, north London

10 May 1967 – Dolphin (address unknown)

12 May 1967 – White Lion, Edgware, London

12 May 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

13 May 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

18 May 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

19 May 1967 – Papa’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (website: http://www.bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

20 May 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

26 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London

2 June 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hampshire

3 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

4 June 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

8 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

30 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

1 July 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

2 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Warren Davis Monday Band and The Trap (Melody Maker)

This gig at the Upper Cut is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list so they may not have played it.

4 July 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hants

7 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

8 July 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

11 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

Sax player Paul Houlton left The Warren Davis Monday Band at the end of May. He says that his first gig with Moon’s Train was a long drive and July feels about right. He took over from Ken Leamon.

14 July 1967 – Waterfront Club, Woolston, Hampshire (Southern Echo)

15 July 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset

11 August 1967 – Moat Hotel, Wrotham, Kent

18 August 1967 – Papa’s, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Gods (website: http://www.bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

19 August 1967 – Youth Club, Swanage, Dorset

20 August 1967 – Pier, Southampton, Hants

25 August 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

26 August 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

29 August 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

2 September 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

7 September 1967 – Johnson-Johnson party (Beaulieu), New Forest, Hants

9 September 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hants

11 September 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London

15 September 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

29 September 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

30 September 1967 – Unknown venue, Lymington, New Forest, Hants

1 October 1967 – Red Lion, Leytonstone, London

6 October 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

7 October 1967 – Muirhead Sportsground, Beckenham, London

13 October 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

14 October 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

20 October 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

21 October 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

27 October 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

28 October 1967 – Papa’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (website: http://www.bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

5 November 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

11 November 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

18 November 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hants

25 November 1967 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London

2 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

9 December 1967 – The Drum, Penge, London

Photo: Woking Herald. Image may be subject to copyright

10 December 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

15 December 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants

16 December 1967 – Wykeham Hall, Romford, London

23 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

24 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

4 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London

Photo credit: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright

6 January 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

17 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London

18 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London

19 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London

20 January 1968 – Muirhead Sportsground, Beckenham, London

25 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London

26 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London

27 January 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

10 February 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

17 February 1968 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hampshire

24 February 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

25 February 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset

29 February 1968 – Nightingdale, Wood Green, London

1 March 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

2 March 1968 – Technical College, Hatfield, Herts

Photo: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright

9 March 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

11 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

12 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

13 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

14 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

15 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

16 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

22 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

23 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London

29 March 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list

30 March 1968 – Downham Tavern, Catford, London

30 March 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)

This final Hatchetts gig is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list, so they may not have played it.

6 April 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

20 April 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

22 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London

23 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London

24 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London

25 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London

26 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London

27 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London

11 May 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London

12 May 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London

18 May 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

24 May 1968 – Guildford College, Guildford, Surrey

25 May 1968 – Farnborough College, Farnborough, Hants

7 June 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

8 June 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London

28 June 1968 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)

Photo: South East London Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright

7 July 1968 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, London

20 July 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London

23 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)

27 July 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

31 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)

3 August 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London

9 August 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London

10 August 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London

30 August 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London

6 September 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London

7 September 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London

When the band split up in mid-September, guitarist Ian Dibben, bass player Pete Attwood and sax player Paul Houlton formed Failed Heritage with drummer Pete Mole from The Warren Davis Monday Band.

29 September 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) This is missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list so perhaps they carried on after he left or this gig wasn’t honoured

Categories: England, Greenford, London

Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London gigs 1966-1968

April 13, 2020 Nick Warburton 24 Comments

August 1966 listing. Photo: Melody Maker

Located on Allendale Road in Greenford (sometimes billed as Sudbury or Wembley) in northwest London, the Starlite Ballroom was a significant music venue in the UK during the early-to-late 1960s. Peter Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex.

Melody Maker advertised this venue weekly during 1966 and 1967. This doesn’t mean, however, that the advertised artists definitely appeared. It’s quite possible that some acts may have been replaced at the last minute. All of the listings below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the listings below, gigs took place on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

1966

Missing some listings from January to late May

1 January – The Fenmen and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

16 January – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)

21 January – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

22 January – The Drifters (Record Mirror)

23 January – The Alan Bown Set and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)

5 February – Stevie Wonder (backed by The Sidewinders?) with The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

13 February – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

18 February – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

27 February – The Moody Blues and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Who for this date as well

11 March – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)

23 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Beat Instrumental)

25 March – Wilson Pickett and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

1 April – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Record Mirror)

22 April – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)

26 April – The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)

29 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)

6 May – Lee Dorsey and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)

15 May – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)

27 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds

28 May – The Soul Agents

29 May – The Fenmen and The Symbols

Missing listings for 3, 4 and 5 June

5 June – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)

10 June – The Quiet Five and The Mark Four

11 June – The Ram Jam (most likely Geno Washington’s band) and The James Royal Set

12 June – The Yardbirds

Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported The Yardbirds on this date

17 June – Roy C

Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported Roy C on this date

18 June – The Spencer Davis Group

19 June – The James Royal Set and The Soul Agents

24 June – Radio London Night with bands

25 June – The Emeralds and The James Royal Set

26 June – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds

1 July – The Quiet Five and The Trendsetters Ltd

2 July – Radio London Night

3 July – Gary Farr & The T-Bones

8 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band

9 July – The Crystals

10 July – The Moody Blues

15 July – The Who and Roscoe Brown Combo

16 July – Episode Six and The Legend

17 July – The Troggs, The Wild Things and The Jimmy Brown Sound

22 July – Rufus Thomas

23 July – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones

24 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The En-Devers Ltd

29 July – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and The Summer Set

30 July – The Riot Squad

31 July – Joyce Bond and The Jimmy Brown Sound

5 August – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band

6 August – Episode Six

7 August – Solomon Burke

12 August – The Move

Missing listing for 13 August

14 August – Jimmy Brown Sound

19 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Tea Set

20 August – The Midnights

21 August – The Action and The Mode

26 August – The Magic Lanterns and The Knack

Missing listing for 27 August

28 August – The Pretty Things and Sands

2 September – The Spencer Davis Group

3 September – Episode Six

4 September – The Birds (with support)

9 September – The Jimmy Brown Sound and The Satellites (soon to become The Army)

10 September – Julian Covey & The Machine

11 September – Long John Baldry & Steampacket

16 September – The Symbols and The Quiet Five

17 September – Two groups

18 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers

23 September – The Trendsetters and Winston G

24 September – Two groups

25 September – Los Bravos

30 September – Robert Parker and The James Royal Set

1 October – Two groups

2 October – Rick ‘N’ Beckers

7 October – The Cryin Shames

8 October – Two groups

9 October – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band

14 October – Lee Dorsey

15 October – Two groups

16 October – Batman & Robin

21 October – Sonny Childe & The TNT

22 October – Two groups

23 October – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests)

28 October – The Birds

29 October – Two groups

30 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band

4 November – The Dixie Cups

5 November – Two groups

6 November – The Creation

11 November – The Coasters (probably backed by The Noblemen) and The Mode

12 November – Two groups

13 November – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band

18 November – Wishful Thinking

19 November – Two groups

20 November – Ben E King and Winston G

25 November – The Mindbenders

26 November – Two groups

27 November – The Birds

2 December – The All Night Workers and Sands

3 December – Two groups

4 December – Cream and The Essex Five

9 December – Gass and The Fleur De Lys

10 December – Two groups

11 December – The Drifters and The Bystanders

16 December – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers

17 December – Two groups

18 December – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers

23 December – Eric Burdon & The Animals and The Night Train

24 December – Gass and The Penny Blacks

30 December – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede and The Barry Lee Show

31 December – The Birds and The James Royal Set

1967

1 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Majority

6 January- (Sonny Childe &) The TNT and The Syn

No listing for 7 January

8 January – The Move and The Roscoe Brown Combo

13 January – The Small Faces

No listing for 14 January

15 January – The Soul Sisters and Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede

20 January – The Coloured Raisins and The Herd

No listing for 21 January

22 January – Long John Baldry (& Bluesology)

27 January – Inez & Charlie Foxx and (Joe E Young &) The Tonicks

No listing for 28 January

29 January – The Symbols and The Dyaks

3 February – Winston G

No listing for 4 February

5 February – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band

10 February – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Cool Combination)

No listing for 11 February

12 February – The Who

17 February – The Fenmen

No listing for 18 February

19 February – Cream

24 February – Lemon Line

No listing for 25 February

26 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band

3 March – Cliff Bennet & The Rebel Rousers

No listing for 4 March

5 March – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band and The Shell (Shock Show)

10 March – The Coloured Raisins and King Ossie Show

No listing for 11 March

12 March – The Gods

17 March – The Easybeats

No listing for 18 March

19 March – Rick ‘N’ Beckers

24 March – Human Instinct and Joe E Young & The Tonicks

No listing for 25 March

26 March – The New Mojos and The Gods

31 March – Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set?)

No listing for 1 April

2 April – Ben E King

7 April – Rick ‘N’ Beckers

No listing for 8 April

9 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band

14 April – The Creation and The Syn

No listing for 15 April

16 April – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)

21 April – Pink Floyd

No listing for 22 April

23 April – Mary Wells and The Gods

28 April – PP Arnold (backed by The Nice?) and The Syn

No listing for 29 April

30 April – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Shinn

5 May – Rick ‘N’ Beckers

No listing for 6 May

7 May – Jeff Beck Group and Sean Buckley

12 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn

No listing for 13 May

14 May – Normie Rowe & The Playboys

19 May – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band

No listing for 20 May

21 May – The Troggs and The State Express (they later backed Edwin Starr)

26 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn

No listing for 27 May

28 May – Alan Price Set

2 June – Edwin Starr (probably backed by The Senate)

No listing for 3 June

4 June – The Warm Sounds and The Birds and The Bees

9 June – Mike Quinn Rave

No listing for 10 June

11 June – Cream and The Triads

16 June – The Shell Shock Show

No listing for 17 June

18 June – The Drifters

23 June – The Move and The Gods

No listing for 24 June

25 June – The Chiffons and Midnight Train

No listing for 30 June or 1 July

2 July – The Toys

Ron Lewingdon says Steve Priest’s pre-Sweet group, The Army were also on this bill. He remembers appearing at the venue with The Toys

No listing for 7 or 8 July

9 July – The Jeff Beck Group

14 July – The All Night Workers

No listing for 15 July

16 July – The Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)

21 July – The All Night Workers

No listing for 22 July

23 July – The Action and The Syn

28 July – Modes Mode

No listing for 29 July

30 July – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and The Human Instinct

4 August – The All Night Workers

No listing for 5 August

6 August – The Bee Gees and The Pussyfoot

11 August – Modes Mode

No listing for 12 August

13 August – The Small Faces

Henry Turtle says that his group The Doves played with The Small Faces at this venue several times. This seems the most likely date for one of the shows but needs confirmation

18 August – The Syn

No listing for 19 August

20 August – The Jeff Beck Group

25 August – The New Jump Band

No listing for 26 August

27 August – The Human Instinct and The Triads

1 September – The Pussyfoot

No listing for 2 September

3 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers

8 September – The Shell Shock Show

No listing for 9 September

10 September – James & Bobby Purify and The James Royal Set

15 September – The Unsuited Medium

No listing for 16 September

17 September – The Original Drifters (backed by The Trend)

22 September – The Wranglers

23 September (first Saturday listing for the year) – The Breakthru

24 September – The Tiles Big Band

29 September – The New York Public Library

30 September – The Breakthru

1 October – The Alan Bown Set and The Calgary Stampede

No listing for 6 October

No listing for 7 October

8 October – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds

13 October – Amen Corner

No listing for 14 October

15 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback

20 October – The Human Instinct

21 October – Warren Davis (was he on his own or with The Monday Band?)

22 October – The Ebony Keys and The All Night Workers (possibly the new version of this band)

27 October – Mr Hip Soul Band

28 October – The Wranglers

29 October – Geno Washington & Ram Jam Band and The All Night Workers

3 November – Pesky Gee

4 November – The Taylor Upton Big Jump Band

5 November – Ben E King and Dr Marigold’s Prescription

10 November – Horatio Soul & The Square Deals

11 November – The Triads

12 November – Marmalade and Legay

17 November – Katch 22

18 November – Willie Walker & The Scene

19 November – The Skatalites and The Open Mind

24 November – The Minor Portion Roll Band

25 November – Keith Skues and The Shock Treatment

26 November – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Living Daylights

1 December – J J Bendol & The SOS

2 December – Katch 22

3 December – Geranium Pond and Modes Mode

8 December – Hydro Bronx B Band

No listing for 9 December

10 December – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

No more listings for the year, so would welcome any additions

1968

Melody Maker didn’t appear to advertise the venue during 1968, so I’ve listed references next to the entries I have found. It looks like they were Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but the listings are not complete and I would welcome any additions

Missing lists from January-April 1968

19 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 April – Ike & Tina Turner Show (Harrow Weekly Post/New Musical Express)

26 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)

27 April – The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 April – Garnet Mimms and The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post) Mimms may have cancelled

3 May – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)

4 May – Pandemonium (Harrow Weekly Post)

No listing on 5 May

No listing on 10 May

11 May – The Cruudas (Harrow Weekly Post)

12 May – The Honeybus (Harrow Weekly Post)

No listing on 17 May

18 May – Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)

19 May – Marmalade and Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)

No listing on 24 May

25 May – Jo Jo Gunne (Harrow Weekly Post)

26 May – Edwin Starr (backed by The State Express) (and with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)

31 May – The New Flamingos (Harrow Weekly Post)

1 June – The Greatest Show on Earth (Harrow Weekly Post)

2 June – Duane Eddy and The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)

Henry Turtle says his band The Doves played with Duane Eddy at this venue. The All Night Workers definitely played too

7 June – The Midnights (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 June – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)

9 June – The Fantastics (backed by The House of Orange) (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 June – The Exits (Harrow Weekly Post)

15 June – Orange Seaweed (Harrow Weekly Post)

16 June – Whisky Mac (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)

22 June – Size Five (Harrow Weekly Post)

23 June – The New Breed (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)

29 June – The Group (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)

30 June – The Apricots (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)

5 July – The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 July – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)

7 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)

No listing for 12 July

13 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)

No listing for 19 July

20 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 July – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)

No listing for 26, 27 and 28 July

No listing for 2 August

3 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)

4 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)

I don’t have any more listings for August and only odd ones for September and October so would welcome any additions

22 September – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)

29 September – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)

5 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 October – The Race (Harrow Weekly Post)

9 October – Colin Berry (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post)

12 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)

2 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)

3 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 November – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)

9 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)

10 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)

15 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)

16 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)

There is no listing for 17 November

22 November – Colin Berry and The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)

23 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)

There is no listing for 24 November

I have no more listings for November and a gap in early December

11 December – The All Night Workers (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post) Says Sudbury, but the address is the same – Allendale Road

I have no more listings for December so would welcome any additions

Categories: England, London

The Pheasantry, King’s Road, Chelsea, London

April 8, 2020 Nick Warburton 1 Comment

A Grade II-listed building located at 152 King’s Road in Chelsea, southwest London, the Pheasantry featured a rock club that put on shows by the likes of Queen and Hawkind in the early 1970s.

In 1969, both Ambrose Slade (aka Slade) and Mott The Hoople played here but most of the bands appear to have been up and coming unknowns.

It’s not entirely clear when it started to host rock music as it’s been difficult to find any local newspapers that advertised the venue. UK music magazine Melody Maker did advertise the venue but only on a regular basis in 1970 and there are still many gaps in the listings.

Together with the Mechanical Orange (a club in a crypt in a church) and the Café Des Artistes (both in Chelsea), the nearby Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) in Earl’s Court, plus the Pontiac club in Putney, this was a popular rock music venue in the area.

Guitarist Mike Piggott has confirmed that his group, Junior’s Conquest, fronted by future Bob Marley guitarist/singer Junior Kerr (aka Junior Marvin) frequently played here sometime in late 1968 and/or early 1969.

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add some more musical history to this venue during the years 1968-1970, particularly any missing gigs and whether there are any local papers that advertised the venue.

1968

Chelsea News and General Advertiser’s 29 March edition has an article entitled ‘Pheasantry reopens with a full house’, which notes that the basement now has a disco and dance floor. The club opened on the Monday (25 March).

According to Stefan Granados’ excellent article on The Majority in Shindig magazine, The Majority played at this venue just before Pete Mizen joined in October 1968.

27 October – Yes (Peter Banks’ website)

According to the Chelsea News and General Advertiser’s 20 December edition, Viv Prince was socialising in the club the previous week. On the same night, the band Giant was playing, managed by Alan Dale, former manager of Vamp, Prince’s old group.

16 December – My Dear Watson (Chelsea News and General Advertiser) This was apparently the Scottish band’s London debut

17 December – Toast (Melody Maker)

Westminster & Pimlico News’ 20 December edition has an article on the club and mentions the following bands playing there: Gethsemane, Clouds, The Majority and Village.

1969

There are very few listings for 1969, so I’d welcome any additions and memories.

11 June – Clouds (Time Out)

16 June – Clouds (Time Out)

21 June – Ambrose Slade (Time Out)

25 June – Clouds (Time Out)

29 June – East of Eden (Melody Maker) Interestingly, this is not in the list for 30 June below

30 June – East of Eden (Melody Maker/www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html)

18 July – Black Velvet (Time Out)

15 August – Clouds (Time Out)

21 August – East of Eden (Time Out)

23 August – Grail (Time Out)

28 August – East of Eden (Time Out/www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html)

27 September – Stray (Time Out)

11 October – Joe Cocker (Westminster and Pimlico News)

13 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)

15 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)

27 October – Mott The Hoople (Time Out)

24 November – Stray (Time Out)

1 December – Gracious (Time Out)

8 December – Gracious (Time Out)

15 December – Gracious (Time Out)

1970

The gigs below seem to suggest that shows took place from Monday-Saturday although the listing here is far from complete and has huge gaps.

18 February – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)

19 February – Imagination (Melody Maker)

20 February – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

21 February – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

2-3 March – Jon Hendricks (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

4 March – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

5 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)

6 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

7 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)

9 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

10 March – Emperor Rosko (Melody Maker)

11 March – Legend (Melody Maker)

The programme lists If not Legend

12 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

13 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

14 March – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)

The programme lists Balloons not Patrick Dane

16 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

17 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)

18 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)

19 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)

20 March – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)

21 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

23 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

24 March – If (Melody Maker)

25 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)

The programme lists If on 25 March and (Emperor) Rosko on 24 March so other way round

26 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

27 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

28 March – Balloons (Melody Maker)

30 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

31 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)

1 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

2 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

3 April – Lloyd (Melody Maker)

4 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)

6 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)

7 April – Heatwave (Melody Maker)

8 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

9 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

10 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

11 April – Legend (Melody Maker)

13 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

14 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)

15 April – Demon Fuzz (Melody Maker)

16 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)

17 April – Legend (Melody Maker)

18 April – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)

20 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)

21 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

22 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)

23 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

24 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

25 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

27 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

28 April – Anqeleque (Melody Maker)

29 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)

30 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

1 May – Train (Melody Maker)

2 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)

4 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)

5 May – Custers Track (Melody Maker)

6 May – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)

7 May – Sarah Gordon’s House of Bondage (Melody Maker)

8 May – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)

9 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

11 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)

12 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)

13 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)

14 May – Legend (Melody Maker)

15 May – Love Children (Melody Maker)

16 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)

18 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)

19 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

20 May – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)

21 May – Legend (Melody Maker)

22 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

23 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)

25 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)

26 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)

27 May – Westbound Lounge (Melody Maker)

28 May – Legend (Melody Maker)

29 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

30 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)

1 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)

2 June – Crazy Mabel (Melody Maker)

3 June – Margarine (Melody Maker)

4 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)

5 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)

6 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

8 June – Calum Bryce and Poppa Ben Hook (Melody Maker)

9 June – Legend (Melody Maker)

17 June – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)

18 June – The Crew (Melody Maker)

19 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)

20 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

22 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

23 June – Brotherhood (Melody Maker)

24 June – Legend (Melody Maker)

25 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)

26 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

27 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)

29 June – Angelique (Melody Maker)

30 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

1 July – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

2 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)

3 July – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

4 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

6 July – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

7 July – Bagge (Melody Maker)

8 July – Quincy (Melody Maker)

9 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)

10 July – Love Children (Melody Maker)

11 July – Pussyfoot Tram (Melody Maker)

13 July – Syrup (Melody Maker)

14 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)

15 July – Eureka Stockade (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

16 July – Catapilla (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

17 July – Ritual (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

18 July – Gift (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

20 July – Charge (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

21 July – Westland Steamboat (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

22 July – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

23 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)

24 July – Portrait (Melody Maker)

25 July – Crew (Melody Maker)

27 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

28 July – Greasy Bear (Melody Maker)

29 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)

30 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)

31 July – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)

1 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

3 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)

4 August – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)

5 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)

6 August – My Cake (Melody Maker)

7 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

8 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)

10 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)

11 August – Custer’s Track (Melody Maker)

12 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)

13 August – Crew (Melody Maker)

14 August – Blonde on Blonde (Melody Maker)

15 August – Guest group (Melody Maker)

17 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)

18 August – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)

19 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)

20 August – Heatwave (Melody Maker)

21 August – Angelique (Melody Maker)

22 August – Mirrors (Melody Maker)

24 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)

25 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)

26 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

27 August – Portrait (Melody Maker)

28 August – Noir (Melody Maker)

29 August – Legend (Melody Maker)

31 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

1 September – Big Bertha (Melody Maker)

2 September – Manderin Craze (Melody Maker)

3 September – Arcadium (Melody Maker)

4 September – Ginger (Melody Maker)

5 September – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)

7 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

8 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

9 September – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)

10 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

11 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)

12 September – Crew (Melody Maker)

14 September – High Broom (Melody Maker)

15 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

16 September – Quincy (Melody Maker)

17 September – Crew (Melody Maker)

18 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)

19 September – Mako (Melody Maker)

21 September – Portrait (Melody Maker)

22 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

23 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

24 September – Consortium (Melody Maker)

25 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

26 September – Legend (Melody Maker)

28 September – Love’s Children (Melody Maker)

29 September – Barley (Melody Maker)

30 September – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)

1 October – Crew (Melody Maker)

2 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)

3 October – Elton Chess (Melody Maker)

5 October – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)

6 October – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)

7 October – Custers Track (Melody Maker)

The programme has Osibisa not Custers Track

8 October – Almond Diamond (Melody Maker)

The programme lists Almond Marzipan

9 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

10 October – Growth (Melody Maker)

The programme lists Merlin not Growth

12 October – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)

13 October – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)

14 October – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)

15 October – Legend (Melody Maker)

16 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)

17 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

19 October – Portrait (Melody Maker)

20 October – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)

21 October – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)

22 October – Free Ferry (Melody Maker)

23 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

24 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)

26 October – Satisfaction (Melody Maker)

27 October – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)

28 October – Crazy Paving (Melody Maker)

29 October – Love Children (Melody Maker)

30 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)

31 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)

I don’t have any listings for November and December but I am pretty sure it was operating during these months as the club continued in 1971 and beyond.

1971

10 February – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

10 March – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

29 April – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

11 August – The Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clipping)

18 August – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)

27 August – The Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clipping)

Categories: England, Fulham, London

Café des Artistes, Fulham Road, London

April 8, 2020 Nick Warburton 165 Comments

Located at 266a Fulham Road, in southwest London, the Café des Artistes apparently opened its doors around 1960.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Brian Jones briefly lived close by in an apartment in Edith Grove, Chelsea during 1962 but it’s not clear when this small basement club first began putting on live music.

It’s more than likely that the Café des Artistes only featured up and coming local bands.

Also, its close proximity to the Pontiac Club in Putney means it might also have featured some of the same groups.

The dearth of information on this little known club isn’t helped by the fact that none of the local newspapers, as far as I am aware, advertised shows. I would welcome any further information from readers.

Status Quo front man Francis Rossi confirms in his book that The Spectres (who morphed into Status Quo) had a Monday night residency here while they were still at school and also played the El Partido in Lewisham. I’ve found gigs for them performing at the latter in October 1965, so it could well be the same time period.

Sax player Dave Brogden who worked with West London R&B band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen, provided the following dates from his diary. Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan was briefly a member during this period and also drummer Mick Tucker, who went on to join The Sweet, also worked with this band while Brogden played sax for them.

1964

24 March – The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)

28 March – Millie & The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)

1965

9 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals

16 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals

23 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals, who left after a gig on 26 April

30 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

7 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) Mick Tucker joined on drums around this time

28 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

4 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

11 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

18 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

25 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

3 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

9 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

6 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

10 August – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Jim St Pier’s diary)

13 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

24 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

I have been unable to find any gigs for 1966, 1967 and 1968 but I presume it still put on live shows. I have only found a couple of gigs for 1969 below and would welcome any additional information

An article in the Westminster & Pimlico News, dated 25 August 1967, says the group Jon are residents at the club around this time

1968

27 June – Toast (Melody Maker)

3 July – Toast (Melody Maker)

11 July – Toast (Melody Maker)

31 October – Toast (Melody Maker)

1969

6 February – Toast (Melody Maker)

5 June – Black Velvet (Time Out)

An article in the Western Daily Press and Times and Mirror, dated 26 June 1969, says Bath group, The Mirror are residents at the club around this time

Categories: England, London

Starlite Club, Penge, London

April 6, 2020 Nick Warburton 4 Comments

A little known club in southeast London, the Starlite Club re-opened on Saturday, 14 March 1964 with a performance by headline act Linda Doll & The City Sounds, supported by Twickenham R&B band Colin Shane & The Shannons.

There were also shows on the Sunday, with The Soundsmen, and Monday, with Brian Knight Blues By Six.

It is not clear how long the venue was open. I have listed below what I have found so far:

14 March 1964 – Linda Doll & The City Sounds and Colin Shane & The Shannons (Clapham Advertiser)

15 March 1964 – The Soundsmen (Clapham Advertiser)

16 March 1964 – Brian Knight’s Blues by Six (Clapham Advertiser)

20 March 1964 – Satel (Clapham Advertiser)

21 March 1964 – The Moontrekkers (Clapham Advertiser)

22 March 1964 – The Soundsmen (Clapham Advertiser)

23 March 1964 – The West-Minster 5 (Clapham Advertiser)

27 March 1964 – The Exiles (Clapham Advertiser)

28 March 1964 – The Cheaters (Clapham Advertiser)

29 March 1964 – The Stormbreakers (Clapham Advertiser)

30 March 1964 – The Pretty Things (Clapham Advertiser)

3 April 1964 – The Beat Syndicate (Clapham Advertiser)

4 April 1964 – The City Sounds (Clapham Advertiser)

5 April 1964 – Ray Dell & The Deacons (Clapham Advertiser)

6 April 1964 – The West-Minster 5 (Clapham Advertiser)

10 April 1964 – The Long Short and Tall (Clapham Advertiser)

11 April 1964 – The Adventures (Clapham Advertiser)

12 April 1964 – Roy Speed & The Trackmen (Clapham Advertiser)

17 April 1964 – Little Linda & The Panthers (Clapham Advertiser)

18 April 1964 – The Beat Syndicate (Clapham Advertiser)

19 April 1964 – The Soundsmen (Clapham Advertiser)

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any more information about this venue.

Categories: England, London

The Mistrale club, Beckenham

April 5, 2020 Nick Warburton 7 Comments

A popular rock venue in Southeast London, the Mistrale club began life as the Beckenham Ballroom. Located at 2-4 high street at Beckenham Junction, the Mistrale opened its doors in April 1968 with Manfred Mann performing on the first night, supported by The Grenades, a Caribbean group.

The club continued to operate into the Seventies and below is the start of a list of artists that appeared during the late 1960s. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add missing artists, no matter how significant, as well as memories of particular shows.

1968

17 April – Manfred Mann and The Grenades (Poster)

18 April – Reparta & The Delrons with Don Moss (Melody Maker)

19 April – Dantalion’s Chariot starring Zoot Money and The Mr Mo’s Messengers (Melody Maker)

20 April – The Pyramids (Melody Maker)

24 April – Alan Price Set (Melody Maker) and The Grenades (Poster)

26 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

27 April – The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

28 April – The Ethiopians (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

1 May – Ike & Tina Turner Show and The Grenades (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

3 May – Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and The Evolution (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

4 May – Mr Hip Soul Band (Poster/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

8 May – Marmalade and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Poster/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

9 May – Shiralee (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

10 May – Terry Lightfoot Jazzmen (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

11 May – The Pyramids and The Go Go Show (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

12 May – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

15 May – Mr Hip Soul Band (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

16 May – The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

17 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Purple Dream (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser/New Musical Express)

One poster lists Cliff Bennett & His Band instead of Chris Farlowe

18 May – Alan Elsdon Jazz Band (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

19 May – Bob Miller & The Millermen (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

20 May – Bill Haley & His Comets and The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

22 May – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

23 May – The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

24 May – James and Bobby Purify and The Grenades (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

25 May – The Mojos and Sweet Rain (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

26 May – Kenny Ball Jazz Band (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

29 May – Dave Turner Four (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

30 May – Edwin Starr and The Evolution (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

31 May – Chicken Shack and The Grenades (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

1 June – Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival Show (featuring Tommy Bishop) and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

2 June – The Pyramids (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

5 June – Jethro Tull and The Epics (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

6 June – The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

7 June – The Coloured Raisins and The Light Brigade (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

8 June – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers and The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

9 June – Honeybus and The Pussyfoot (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

12 June – Donamite and The Duce’s (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

13 June – The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

14 June – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation and The Light Brigade (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

15 June – Oscar Toney Junior and The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

16 June – The Pyramids (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

19 June – Donamite (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

20 June – The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

21 June – Spencer’s Washboard King and The Greatest Show on Earth (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

22 June – The Lamb Brothers Show and The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

23 June – Noel & The Firebirds (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

27 June – The Shiralee (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

28 June – The Gass with George Paul Jefferson (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

29 June – The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band with The Evolution (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

30 June – The Freddy Mack Show (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

4 July – Cliff Bennett and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

5 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Maddening Crowd (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

6 July – The Episode, The Firestones and The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

7 July – The Skatallites (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

10 July – The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

11 July – The Shiralee (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

12 July – The Evolution (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

13 July – Root & Jenny Jackson with Electric Sun (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

14 July – The Pyramids (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

17 July – The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

18 July – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

19 July – Patti La Belle & The Bluebells and Purple Dream (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

20 July – Tim Rose, Point Blank and The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

21 July – July and The Skatellites (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

30 August 1968 – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

New Musical Express lists Ben E King for 30 August.

5 September – Ben E King (New Musical Express)

19 September – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (New Musical Express)

25 September – Black Sabbath (Poster)

4 October – Felice Taylor (backed by The Reaction) (New Musical Express) and Serendipity (Poster)

5 October – Grand Union and The Maddening Crowd (Poster)

6 October – The Sundae Times (Poster)

11 October – PP Arnold and The Evolution (Poster)

12 October – Julian Kirsch and Sweet Rain (Poster)

13 October – The Interstate Road Show (Poster)

18 October – Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Pretty Things and Julian Kirsch (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)

19 October – Herbie & The Royalists and The Evolution (Poster)

20 October – The Skatellites (Poster)

25 October – Amboy Dukes and Kaleidoscope (Poster)

26 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers and Sweet Rain (Poster)

27 October – The Pyramids (Poster)

I have no listings until end of November

29 November – Kaleidoscope and The Mojos (Poster)

6 December – The Herd and Electric Sun (South East London Mercury)

20 December – The Isley Brothers backed by Art Regis (ex-Jimmy James & The Vagabonds?) and The Brass Cannon (New Musical Express) The Isley Brothers UK tour was cancelled last minute

24 December – Johnny & The Rivals (South East London Mercury)

27 December – The Maddening Crowd (South East London Mercury)

28 December – Electric Sun (South East London Mercury)

29 December – Gun Hill (South East London Mercury)

31 December – Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Information (South East London Mercury)

1969

I have significant gaps in this year and would welcome additions

10 January – The Greatest Show on Earth and The Pyramids (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

15 January – Alan Elsdon (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

16 January – The Count Lee Sound (South East London Mercury)

18 January – Evolution (South East London Mercury)

22 January – Bob Wallis & The Storyville Jazzmen (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

9 February – Moby Grape (South East London Mercury)

7 March – Ben E King and The Classics (Melody Maker)

26 March – Kaleidoscope (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

4 April – Desmond Dekker & The Aces and The Evolution (Melody Maker)

30 May – Nice (Melody Maker)

25 June – Ohio Express (Melody Maker)

18 July – Idle Race (Time Out)

6 September – Justin Tyme (South East London Mercury)

20 September – Listen (South East London Mercury)

1970

This is just a start for 1970 but welcome additions

2 March – Genesis (Melody Maker)

Categories: England, Hampton, London

The Crawdaddy, Casino Ballroom Hotel, Taggs Island, Hampton Court

April 1, 2020 Nick Warburton 9 Comments

This little known music venue, situated on the Middlesex bank of the River Thames, a few miles west of Hampton Court Palace, put on some fascinating shows from the early to late 1960s. Judging by the few gigs I’ve managed to find below, the club operated from at least early 1965 to mid-1968, possibly longer. The hotel was demolished in 1971.

Alan Wherry, who played with The Richard Henry Sensation (later Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band) remembers that his group started out playing this venue in the summer of 1966, and continued on and off until October. The band’s guitarist David O’List then left and soon after formed The Attack.

Wherry describes the Crawdaddy’s Casino Ballroom Hotel as a fabulous place: “It had been built by Fred Karno, a famous West End impresario. It looked like a Mississippi riverboat and it bankrupted Mr Karno. The guy who booked us there paid us poorly. His bouncers, a team of seriously hard men, got double what we got and it was his idea to call us the Zig Zag Band. He wanted us to wear white suits with a big black zig zag on them, which he would supply. He wanted us to swing our saxes and do fancy dance steps a la Hank Marvin and The Shadows.”

The most notable acts that I’ve found who played the venue were Chris Farlowe, The Shotgun Express (with Rod Stewart, Mick Fleetwood and Peter Bardens; Peter Green had left before their September 1966 gig) and Pink Floyd.

Melody Maker occasionally listed groups in its gig section but I would love to hear from anyone who can add shows and memories of the venue below.

GIG LISTING:

12 February 1965 – Mike Dee & The Prophets with Roger and Caroline (annual press ball) (Don Martin’s gig diary)

30 July 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)

13 August 1966 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)

10 September 1966 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)

24 September 1966 – The Shotgun Express (Melody Maker)

25 September 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)

16 October 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)

26 March 1967 – The New Jump Band (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

7 April 1967 – The Maroons (Melody Maker)

8 April 1967 – The System Soul Band with Ivan St Clair (Melody Maker)

9 April 1967 – The Flies (Melody Maker)

15 April 1967 – The Leaders featuring Norma Fay and introducing Delroy Williams (Melody Maker)

System Soul Band featuring Mike Piggott on lead guitar (right). Photo: Mike Piggott

16 April 1967 – The System Soul Band with Ivan St Clair (Melody Maker)

2 December 1967 – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Melody Maker)

9 December 1967 – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

16 December 1967 – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)

16 March 1968 – Pink Floyd (Melody Maker)

Interesting guitarist David Gilmour later bought the Astoria on Taggs Island and converted it into a floating studio

Categories: England, London

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1969-1970 gigs

March 31, 2020 Nick Warburton 2 Comments

August 1969 listing. Photo: Melody Maker

Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.

It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.

Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968, parts of 1969 and also 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.

It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in the music press so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any memories of particular shows in the comments below.

Source: Melody Maker unless otherwise noted

1969

2 January – The Explosive Watson T Browne

4 January – Spirit of John Morgan

5 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers

7 January – Jo Jo Gunne

No listing in Melody Maker for several weeks

23 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker also has The Skatalites)

25 January – Arcadium

26 January – Jason Crest

28 January – Toast

30 January – Explosive Watson T Browne

1 February – Bunkers Brain

2 February – Trifle

4 February – Love and Poetry

6 February – The Skatalites

8 February – Rainbow Ffolly

9 February – Bunkers Brain

11 February – My Dear Watson

13 February – The Flames

15 February – Giant

16 February – Rainbow Ffolly

18 February – Toast

20 February – Red Beans and Rice

22 February – Jason Cord (Bob Hodges’ diary has Tuesday’s Children playing on this date)

23 February – Bunkers Brain

25 February – Rainbow Ffolly

27 February – Mouse and Cat Symphony

1 March – Cross Cut and Saw

2 March – Man

4 March – Bunkers Brain

6 March – Mouse & Cat Symphony

8 March – Fortes Mentum

9 March – Jason Cord

11 March – East of Eden

13 March – Red Beans and Rice

15 March – Smokey Blues

16 March – Bunkers Brain

18 March – Man

20 March – Mint Tulip

22 March – Bunkers Brain

23 March – Selofane

25 March – Mr Mo’s Messengers

27 March – Eire Apparent

29 March – Bunkers Brain

30 March – East of Eden

1 April – Joynt

3 April – The Explosive Watson T Browne

5 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers

6 April – Black Velvet

8 April – Bunkers Brain

10 April – Cool Combination

12 April – Smokey Blues

13 April – Jerome Arnold Band

15 April – Paradox

17 April – Cool Combination

19 April – Gingerman

20 April – Bunkers Brain

22 April – Silence

24 April – Cool Combination

26 April – Exception

27 April – Jerome Arnold Band

29 April – Exception

1 May – Explosive Watson T Browne

3 May – Joint

4 May – Bunkers Brain

6 May – Apple

8 May – Mouse and Cat Symphony

10 May – Gingerman

11 May – Spirit of John Morgan

13 May – Jerome Arnold Band

15 May – Milwaukee Coasters

17 May – Gracious

18 May – Bunkers Brain

20 May – East of Eden

22 May – Jerome Arnold Band

24 May – Pegasus

25 May – Trapeze

27 May – Gingerman

29 May – Bunkers Brain

31 May – Smile (Brian May’s pre-Queen band)

1 June – The Frontline Band

3 June – The Playground

5 June – The Shades

7 June – Sugar

8 June – Ambrose Slade

10 June – My Dear Watson

12 June – Mouse and Cat Symphony

14 June – Bunkers Brain

15 June – East of Eden

17 June – Ambrose Slade

19 June – Joint

21 June – Shades

22 June – East of Eden (this gig is missing from this list: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html)

23 June – Freddie Mac Extravaganza (direct from Germany)

24 June – Sugar

26 June – Robbie Ray

28 June – Joint

29 June – East of Eden

1 July – Black Velvet

3 July – Portrait

According to this website, East of Eden played on 3 July: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html

5 July – Milton’s Fingers

6 July – The Frontline Band

8 July – Procession

10 July – Surprise

12 July – Black Velvet

13 July – Spirit of John Morgan

15 July – Imagination

17 July – Demon Fuzz

19 July – Audience

20 July – Almanac

22 July – Milton’s Fingers

24 July – Demon Fuzz

26 July – Almanac

27 July – Circus

28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

29 July – Explosives (Watson T Browne’s band?)

31 July – Demon Fuzz

2 August – Imagination

3 August – East of Eden

5 August – Milton’s Fingers

7 August – Black Velvet

9 August – Fire

10 August – Procession (Unlikely they played this)

12 August – Curiosity

14 August – Black Velvet

16 August – Stray

17 August – East of Eden

19 August – Grail

21 August – Sweet Blindness

23 August – Surprise

24 August – Procession (Unlikely they played this)

25 August – Freddie Mac Extravaganza

26 August – Milton’s Fingers

28 August – Sweet Blindness

30 August – The Frontline Band

31 August – East of Eden

1 September – Surprise

Missing entries

11 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers

13 September – Milton’s Fingers

14 September – New Look Soul Band

16 September – Heaven

18 September – Group 1850

20 September – Surprise

21 September – Almanac

23 September – The Frontline Band

25 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers

27 September – Surprise

28 September – Glass Menagerie

29 September – Coloured Raisins

30 September – Splinter

2 October – Demon Fuzz

4 October – The Majority

5 October – Merlin Q

7 October – The Playground

9 October – Infinity

11 October – Ravingreen

12 October – Raw Material

14 October – The Majority

16 October – Heaven

18 October – Merlin Q

19 October – The Frontline Band

20 October – The Interstate Road Show

21 October – Almanac

23 October – Balloons

25 October – Infinity

26 October – Pink Checks

28 October – Ray King Soul Band

Missing entries for several weeks

27 November – The Interstate Road Show

29 November – Mouse & The Traps (US group)

30 November – Black Velvet

1 December – The Pioneers

Missing entries for a few weeks

17 December – The Upsetters

18 December – Ray King Soul Band

20 December – The Mickey Finn

24 December – Opal Butterfly

25 December – Mouse and The Traps

26 December – Cardboard Orchestra

27 December – Gaslight

28 December – Mouse and The Traps

31 December – Black Velvet

1970

Missing a large part of the year. These are the only listings I have

11 January – The Committee

17 January – Pity

18 January – Ray King Soul Band

19 January – The Committee

25 January – Lucas & The Soul Sounds

11 February – Tony Morgan & The Sensations

12 February – Cardboard Orchestra (every Thursday but not sure for how long)

19 February – Cardboard Orchestra

29 July – Tony Morgan (direct from German tour)

Categories: England, London

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1968 gigs

March 31, 2020 Nick Warburton 1 Comment

Freddie Mack gig, 28 July 1968. Photo: Melody Maker

Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.

Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968 and during 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.

Source: Melody Maker unless otherwise noted

1968

1 January – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

2 January – Granny’s Attic

4 January – Wilson’s Transaction

7 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer

9 January – Garnet Mimms (either backed by The Senate or Clockwork Orange)

11 January – Warren Davis Monday Band

13 January – The Castaways (probably Tony Rivers’ band)

14 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer

16 January – Garnet Mimms (either backed by The Senate or Clockwork Orange)

18 January – Watson T Browne (& The Explosion)

20 January – Love Machine

21 January – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

22 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

23 January – Locomotion

27 January – Purple Pipe Line

28 January – The Gold

30 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound with Lamb Bros & Co)

1 February – Warren Davis Monday Band

4 February – Glenroy Oakely & The Oracles

6 February – Locomotion

8 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)

11 February – Glenroy Oakley & The Oracles

13 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)

15 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)

18 February – Locomotion

20 February – The Diplomats

22 February – Margitte Bardot

23 February – The Chanters

25 February – Mr Mo’s Messengers

27 February – The Original Drifters

29 February – Watson T Browne & The Explosion

3 March – Sonnie Burke

5 March – The Original Drifters

7 March – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

10 March – The Ice Show

12 March – The Marvels

14 March – The Shiralee

16 March – Philosopher’s Stone

17 March – The Chanters

19 March – The Fabulous Impressions

Thanks to Jerry Booth for the images. He was handed these flyers when he attended the club in mid-March 1968

Thanks to Jerry Booth for this image too!

21 March – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

23 March – The Art Movement

24 March – The Gold

26 March – The Fabulous Impressions

28 March – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

31 March – Warren Davis Monday Band

2 April – The Fabulous Platters & Group (with The Trend backing?)

4 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers

6 April – The Klooks (Pete Carter’s Roy Tempest contract)

7 April – The Bunch

9 April – The Original Drifters

11 April – Glenn Oakely & The Oracles

14 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription

16 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials

18 April – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

21 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription

23 April – Garnet Mimms (most likely with The Village Green backing)

25 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials

28 April – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

30 April – The Fabulous Ronettes

2 May – The Fabulous Platters (with The Trend backing?)

5 May – Sonnie Burke

7 May – Duane Eddy

9 May – The Chanters

12 May – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

16 May – The De-Tours with Gene Latter

19 May – Sonnie Burke

21 May – The Diplomats

23 May – Warren Davis Monday Band

26 May – The Breakthru

28 May – The Crickets

30 May – The Coasters

2 June – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

3 June – Warren Davis Monday Band

4 June – The Coasters

Melody Maker stopped providing full listings for the club until December but I’ve found individual shows in New Musical Express, which suggests the club still put on shows during this period

20 June – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)

30 June – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and Keef Hartley (New Musical Express has The Crystals)

6 July – The Crystals (New Musical Express)

28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

5 August – The Crystals (New Musical Express)

11 August – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)

25 August – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

8 September – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)

25 September – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (cancelled)

6 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (postponed until 13 October)

Paul Griggs’ diary notes that The Cortinas played on 6 October so it looks like they replaced Freddie Mack.

13 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (marks the group’s third anniversary)

22 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)

24 October – Interstate Road Show

31 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)

10 November – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)

12 November – The Impressions (aka The Topics) backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

14 November – The Impressions (aka The Topics) backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

21 November – Garnet Mimms backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

24 November – J J Jackson (Melody Maker advert says Sunday, 24 December but November is correct)

28 November – Garnet Mimms backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

3 December – The Chiffons

5 December – The Bandwagon

8 December – Interstate Road Show

12 December – The Track

14 December – South Sea Bubble

15 December – Toast

17 December – Sea Jam Blues

19 December – Bunkers Brain

21 December – Jalopy Ride

22 December – Cherry Smash

24 December – Rainbow Ffolly and The Riot Squad

26 December – The Nite Walkers (The All Night Workers?)

28 December – Spring

29 December – Octopus (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

31 December – Jay Lane

Garage Hangover

Category Archives: London

Moon’s Train’s gigs

Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London gigs 1966-1968

The Pheasantry, King’s Road, Chelsea, London

Café des Artistes, Fulham Road, London

Starlite Club, Penge, London

The Mistrale club, Beckenham

The Crawdaddy, Casino Ballroom Hotel, Taggs Island, Hampton Court

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1969-1970 gigs

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1968 gigs

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