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
Photo: Melody Maker
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)
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.
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 and during 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
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)
Photo: Melody Maker
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 1968Thanks 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
Photo: Melody Maker
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
Photo: Melody Maker
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
Photo: Melody Maker
20 June – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)
30 June – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and Keef Hartley (New Musical Express has The Crystals)
Photo: Melody Maker
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)
Photo: Melody Maker
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)
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 and during 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
During 1967, New Zealand band Me & The Others featuring future Keef Hartley Band and Uriah Heep bass player Gary Thain auditioned at the club.
1967
1 January – The Soul Set
3 January – Jimmy Cliff (with The Shakedown Sound?)
10 January – The Canadians (with David Foster on keyboards)
Photo: Melody Maker
11 January – The Soul Sisters
12 January – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
17 January – The Bunch
19 January – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
Photo: Melody Maker
22 January – Warren Davis Monday Band
24 January – Cool Combination
26 January – Cool Combination
29 January – Warren Davis Monday Band
31 January – The Soul Set
5 February – Warren Davis Monday Band
7 February – Edwin Starr
12 February – Warren Davis Monday Band
14 February – The Bunch
21 February – The Night Train
23 February – The Bunch
28 February – The Bunch
2 March – Edwin Starr
5 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
9 March – Duane Eddy
12 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
14 March – The Night Train
16 March – Lee Dorsey
19 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
21 March – The Bunch
23 March – The Original Drifters
24 March – The Trap
26 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
27 March – The Flashbakks
28 March – The Bunch
30 March – The Hunky Chunk Band
4 April – The Night Train
9 April – The Soul Set
11 April – The Bunch
12 April – Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry
13 April – The Trap
16 April – The Soul Set
17 April – The Dave Martin Group (audition)
The Dave Martin Group’s manager Geoff Chinnery confirms the audition date above
18 April – The Bunch
20 April – The Flashbakks
23 April – The Soul Set
25 April – The Bunch
27 April – Warren Davis Monday Band
30 April – The Shell (Shock Show)
Photo: Melody Maker
2 May – Lunar 2
4 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
7 May – The Shell Shock Show
9 May – Garnet Mimms (most likely backed by The Senate)
11 May – The Bunch
14 May – The Ultimate
16 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
Photo: Melody Maker
17 May – Jack Hammer & His Hammer Jammers
18 May – The Bunch
21 May – The Ultimate
23 May – Clyde McPhatter
25 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
Photo: Melody Maker
28 May – The Ultimate
30 May – The Iveys
31 May – Jose Feliciano
1 June – The Bunch
Photo: Melody Maker
4 June – The Ultimate
6 June – The Trap
8 June – Edwin Starr
11 June – The Pussyfoot
13 June – Craig King & The Midnight Train
14 June – The Skatalites
15 June – The Original Drifters (most likely backed by The Trend)
18 June – The Pussyfoot
19 June – The Shell Shock Show
20 June – The Impact Blues
22 June – Sonny Smiles & The Original Sonny Smiles Band
25 June – The Pussyfoot
27 June – The Impact Blues
28 June – Sugar Simone & The Programme
29 June – The Toys
2 July – The Pussyfoot
4 July – Craig King & The Midnight Train
6 July – The Iveys
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
7 or 8 July – The All Night Walkers (aka The All Night Workers) (needs confirmation)
9 July – The Bunch
11 July – The Original Drifters (most likely backed by The Trend)
13 July – The Shell Shock Show
14 July – The Maroons
16 July – The Bunch
18 July – Neat Change
20 July – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
Photo: Melody Maker
23 July – Warren Davis Monday Band
25 July – Mr Mo’s Messengers
27 July – The Skatalites
30 July – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
1 August – The Syrian Blues
3 August – Garnett Mimms (either backed by The Senate or The Clockwork Orange)
5 August – Katch 22
6 August – Warren Davis Monday Band
8 August – Wages of Sin
10 August – The Iveys
Photo: Melody Maker
13 August – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
14 August – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
15 August – Wages of Sin
17 August – Mr Mo’s Messengers
20 August – The Trend
22 August – The Choice
24 August – The Clockwork Orange
This version of The Clockwork Orange is either the group that became The Doves later in the year or The Sovereigns (see 1966 entry) who backed The Fantastics from August 1967 (usually billed as The House of Orange) and also did two tours with Garnet Mimms
27 August – The Choice
28 August – Warren Davis Monday Band
29 August – Wages of Sin
31 August – The Skatalites
3 September – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
5 September – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics) (backed by Clockwork Orange – see above)
7 September – Wages of Sin
10 September – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
12 September – Sean Buckley Set
14 September – Katch 22 and Wages of Sin
Photo: Melody Maker
17 September – Warren Davis Monday Band
19 September – The Original Drifters (most likely with The Trend backing)
21 September – Reg James Explosion
Photo: Melody Maker
24 September – John (this is Jon)
26 September – Garnet Mimms (either with The Senate or Clockwork Orange backing him)
28 September – Katch 22
Photo: Melody Maker
1 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers
3 October – Garnet Mimms (either with The Senate or The Clockwork Orange backing him)
5 October – Cats Pyjamas
8 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers
10 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
12 October – The Soul Sisters with The Trend
15 October – Mr Hip
17 October – Clyde McPhatter (most likely with The Trend backing)
19 October – Duane Eddy
22 October – The Quotations
23 October – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
24 October – The Original Drifters (most likely with The Trend backing)
26 October – Clyde McPhatter (most likely with The Trend backing)
28 October – Alison’s Dump
29 October – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
31 October – The Isley Brothers
2 November – Stacey’s Circle
5 November – Scots of St James
7 November – The Shiralee
9 November – Geranium Pond
11 November – Alison’s Dump
12 November – The Doves
14 November – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics)
16 November – Nepenthe (most likely with The Trend backing)
19 November – The Unsuited Medium
21 November – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
23 November – Nepenthe (most likely with The Trend backing)
26 November – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
28 November – The Last Tic Band
30 November – James Brown Junior
3 December – Mr Hip
5 December – The Velours
7 December – Tuesday’s Children
10 December – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
12 December – The Fabulous Marvelettes (most likely with The Trend backing)
14 December – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
17 December – Eddie Lewison Combo
19 December – Mr Mo’s Messengers
21 December – The Fabulous Marvelettes (most likely with The Trend backing)
Photo: Melody Maker
23 December – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
24 December – The Shiralee
25 December – Alison’s Dump
26 December – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
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. This is supported by a club passport (see below), kindly provided by Harvey Jordan.
Photo: Harvey Jordan
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 and during 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
1966
According to the sleeve notes of RPM’s Timebox CD (and other band sources), the original Timebox, which may have been billed as Take Five at the time, landed a regular Wednesday night residency at this club when they first came to London thanks to manager Laurie Jay who worked at the George Cooper Agency. This would have been around January-March 1966.
18 January – The Key (needs source for confirmation)
17 February – Inez and Charlie Foxx with The League of Gentlemen
Melody Maker notes that Chris Lamb & The Universals play Wednesdays, which would have included 9 and 16 March
17 March – Irma Thomas (backed by The Excitements)
4 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
7 April – Don Covay
12 April – Screaming Jay Hawkins
14 April – Dee Dee Warwick
21 April – Lee Dorsey
24 April – The Blue Aces
This is Junior Kerr’s (aka Junior Marvin, future Wailers’ guitarist) band, who had played in Dakar from 4-16 April, according to Melody Maker advert
Photo: Melody Maker
3 May – Lee Dorsey (Disc & Music Echo)
5 May – The Dixie Cups
9 May – Patti LaBelle & The Blue Bells (with Bluesology?)
12 May – Sugar Pie De Santo
17 May – Patti LaBelle & The Blue Bells (with Bluesology?)
19 May – The Original Drifters
26 May – Ben E King
Photo: Melody Maker
9 June – Roy C
16 June – Stevie Wonder
20 June – Billy Stewart (with Bluesology?)
27 June – Irma Thomas
7 July – Noma Tanega (Disc & Music Echo has 5 July unless both days?)
Photo: Melody Maker
14-15 July – The Orlons
18 July – Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry
22 July – Rufus Thomas
25 July – Solomon Burke
3 August – Solomon Burke
9 August – Jimmy Cliff (not sure who is the backing band as singer split with The New Generation, who went on to link up with Gary Hamilton as Hamilton Movement, the previous month)
16 August – Jimmy Cliff
23 August – Jimmy Cliff
25 August – The Ikettes (with PP Arnold?)
28 August – The Soul Set (says they play every Sunday)
4 September – The Soul Set
6 September – The Peeps
8 September – The Carnaby
11 September – The Soul Set
15 September – The Vibrations
18 September – The Soul Set (needs confirmation)
22 September – The Bunch
27 September – The Majority
29 September – The Gas Company
4 October – The Mad Lads
6 October – The Five Chants
10 October – The Mad Lads (Disc & Music Echo)
11 October – The Washington DCs
13 October – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
18 October – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
20 October – The Spellbinders
24 October – Alvin Robinson
25 October – The Bunch
31 October – Alvin Robinson
1 November – The Bunch
3 November – Lee Dorsey
8 November – The Dixie Cups
10 November – The Dave Davani Four
11 November – The Subterraneans with Nepenthe (Disc & Music Echo has 14 November)
15 November – The Original Coasters
17 November – Joe E Young & The Tonicks
20 November – The Boardwalkers (became Warren Davis Monday Band shortly afterwards)
There is absolutely no information on this group and its personnel on the internet beyond the release of this lone UK single in February 1967.
The group played regularly at the Whisky A Go Go in Wardour Street in Soho, central London between 1967 and 1969. It also played at the Mistrale in Beckenham, south London a fair bit too among other venues.
Photo from John Wilders. Left to right: John Wilders, Ken Gray, Mo Umansky, unknown guitarist, unknown drummer, John Eldred and (front) Mick Timlett
There are rumours that Mr Mo’s Messengers evolved into Sketto Rich & Sonority (see entry on this site) but this seems very unlikely (as both bands were gigging simultaneously in the late 1960s).
However, there is a slight possibility that the musicians in the latter formation also used the name Mr Mo’s Messengers briefly, as both groups came from the southeast London/Kent borderlands.
If anyone can provide further information on the group’s history and its personnel, we’d be interested to hear from you (see comments section for what has been submitted so far).
Acetate from 1968/1969. Thanks to Lewis Anderson
I have found the following gigs for the group:
1 July 1967 – Iron Curtain Club, Small Heath, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
25 July 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
17 August 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
1 October 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
8 October 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
19 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
27 January 1968 – Penthouse, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard) Billed as Mr Mo’s
25 February 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
4 April 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
19 April 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Dantalion’s Chariot (Melody Maker)
26 April 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)
8 May 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Marmalade (Poster)
22 May 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)
1 June 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with The Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival Show (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)
4 July 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Cliff Bennett (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)
Photo: Beckenham & Penge Advertiser
18 July 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Cliff Bennett (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)
24 August 1968 – Stage Door, Oxford (Oxford Mail)
31 August 1968 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent with Fire (East Kent Times & Mail)
26 October 1968 – Mistrale, Beckenham, south London with Sweet Rain (Poster)
30 November 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
17 January 1969 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
18 January 1969 – Fellowship Inn, Bellingham, south London (Melody Maker)
25 March 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
5 April 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
15 May 1969 – Pilgrim Cellar, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with Double Sounds (Mid Sussex Times)
1-2 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Poster)
15-16 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Poster)
29-30 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Poster)
This little known rock club was opened around late June/early July 1967, according to Disc & Music Echo, which noted in its 1 July issue (page 2) that the venue had opened recently. Ginger Baker from Cream and Mike Wilsher from The New Vaudeville Band appeared at the club reception.
One of the earliest dates I have is 14 July 1967 when Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede, The Ford Foundation and The Survivors appeared late in the evening (see poster).
I would welcome any additional information about the club, which was located at 70 New Bond Street, including details of acts that played over the years.
I have found the following and included the sources:
1968
23 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
24 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
25 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
26 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
27 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
30 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
31 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
1 February – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Melody Maker)
13 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
14 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
15 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
28 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
19 March – Cliff Bennett (Melody Maker)
25 March – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 March – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
27 March – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
19 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
29 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
30 April – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
1 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
2 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
3 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
5 May – J J Jackson (Melody Maker)
12 May – Edwin Starr (Melody Maker)
17 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
24 May – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
5 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
7 July – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ diary)
15 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
16 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
17 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
18 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
19 July – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
6 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
7 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
8 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
9 August – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
10 August – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
According to The Stroud News, Gass played Rasputin not long before 14 September
6 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
7 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
8 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
12 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
13 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
17 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
18 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
19 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
24 September – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
9 October – Ferris Wheel (Time Out/Fabulous 208)
18 October – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
19 October – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
21 October – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
15 November – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Located at 120 Holland Park Avenue, the London Cavern was a short-lived club in West London that operated during the mid-1960s.
Melody Maker lists The Dukehounds as regular Thursday band during May/June 1965. The following dates are all from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted.
18 May 1965 – Initial 4 (every Tuesday)
25 May 1965 – Initial 4 (every Tuesday)
1 June 1965 – Initial 4 (every Tuesday)
3 June 1965 – Dukehounds (every Thursday)
8 June 1965 – Initial 4 (every Tuesday)
15 June 1965 – Initial 4 (every Tuesday)
22 June 1965 – Initial 4 (every Tuesday) Not listed after this date for a while
2 July 1965 – Initial 4 Kensington Post also lists The Dae ‘B’ Four
3 July 1965 – The Cardinals (Kensington Post)
4 July 1965 – Top group (Kensington Post)
5 July 1965 – Themselves and The Effect (Kensington Post)
6 July 1965 – Dae ‘B’ Four and The Tribe (Kensington Post)
9 July 1965 – Initial 4
12 July 1965 – Bern Elliott & The Klan with Initial 4
16 July 1965 – Initial 4
18 July 1965 – Dave Whittling & Uncalled Four plus John Spencer and Guest Artists
19 July 1965 – The Five Dimensions and Initial 4
20 July 1965 – Group Survival
According to the Kensington Post, 3 September issue, Marshall Scott Etc played every Sunday, so presumably that includes 5 September 1965.
The Middlesex County Times on 24 September and 1 October both list The Eyes as resident band on Tuesdays. That would include 28 September 1965 and 5 October 1965.
According to Boyfriend magazine, The Four Pennies played at the club on 11 October 1965.
I’d be really grateful if anyone can add their own confirmed shows at this club plus any memories. Please get in touch as well if you know any local papers that advertised shows here as Melody Maker didn’t advertise the gigs very often. The following (incomplete list) is from 1966 and was taken from Melody Maker:
3 March 1966 – Blues Ad-Lib
4 March 1966 – The Lincolns with supporting group
5 March 1966 – Marshall Scott Etc with supporting group
6 March 1966 – Fives Company
10 March 1966 – Blues Ad-Lib
11 March 1966 – Hamilton King & The Blues Messengers with supporting group
12 March 1966 – The Pieces Fit and Blues Ad Lib
13 March 1966 – Fives Company
17 March 1966 – C-Jam Blues
18 March 1966 – Five’s Company with supporting group
19 March 1966 – Jo Jo Gunne with supporting group
20 March 1966 – The Peasants
24 March 1966 – C-Jam Blues
25 March 1966 – The Lincolns
26 March 1966 – Hamilton King & The Blues Messengers
27 March 1966 – The Peasants
29 March 1966 – The Syn
30 March 1966 – The Pieces Fit
1 April 1966 – The Pieces Fit and The JRS
3 April 1966 – The Syn
7 April 1966 – The Herd
8 April 1966 – Sky Fever
9 April 1966 – Norman St John Show and Hamilton King & The Blues Messengers
10 April 1966 – Marshall Scott Etc
11 April 1966 – Jo Jo Gunne
22 April 1966 – Dee Dee Warwick and The Sloane Squares
A short-lived band formed by former Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Howlin’ Wolf bass player Jerome Arnold after he briefly moved to the UK in late 1968.
Arnold had initially gigged with Dogs Blues, who changed name to Clark-Hutchinson in February 1969, so this is when Jerome Arnold most likely formed this quartet.
Cowell and Toomey had recently worked with The Warren Davis Monday Band after playing together in Still Life and Jon. Both would go on to form Titus Groan.
Holland had previously worked with Long John Baldry’s band Bluesology after Elton John had left.
7 February 1969 – Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press/Melody Maker)
14 February 1969 – Fishmonger Arms, Wood Green, north London with Jody Grind (Wood Green & Southgate Weekly Herald/Melody Maker)
18 February 1969 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
1 March 1969 – Evolution of the Blues, Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks with Mississippi Fred McDowell, Duster Bennett, The New Black Cat Bones, Jo-Ann Kelly, Mike Cooper, Bob Hall and Ian Anderson (Bucks Free Press)
28 March 1969 – Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
11 April 1969 – Lyceum, the Strand, central London with T-Rex, Eire Apparent and Wallace Collection (Melody Maker)
11 April 1969 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, central London with T-Rex, Eire Apparent and Wallace Collection (Melody Maker)
13 April 1969 – Farx Club, Northcote Arms, Southall, west London with Egg (Time Out)
13 April 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, central London (Melody Maker)
21 April 1969 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London (Hounslow Post)
27 April 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
29 April 1969 – Fishmongers Arms, Wood Green, north London (Time Out)
10 May 1969 – Blues Scene, Crown, Twickenham, west London with Levee Camp Moan (Kingston & Malden Borough News/Melody Maker)
13 May 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
22 May 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
WINSTON’S FUMBS
Jimmy Winston – lead vocals/guitar
Tony Kaye – keyboards
Alex Dmochowski (aka Paris) – bass
Ray Stock – drums
15 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, London with The Boardwalkers (Melody Maker)
29 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, London with Wishful Thinking (Melody Maker)
10 December 1966 – Alex, Halifax, West Yorkshire (Halifax Evening Courier & Guardian) Says direct from Locomotive Club, Paris
31 December 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, London with The Mode and St Willie Cool School (Melody Maker)
Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
Photo: Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
THE EQUALS
Dervan Gordon – lead vocals
Eddy Grant – lead guitar, vocals
Lincoln Gordon – rhythm guitar, vocals
Patrick Lloyd – guitar
John Hall – drums
Formed in 1965, the Equals were arguably the first interracial band in the UK.
Calvin Samuel, who played bass with Junior Marvin’s Blue Ace Unit and later Joe E Young & The Toniks, before finding success with CSN&Y and Stephen Stills’ Manassas, provided bass on many of their recordings, although he was not on the first LP, and not on anything after sometime in 1969 when Lincoln Gordon took over on bass duties.
1965
8 May 1965 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with Johnny B Great & The Quotations (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
21 May 1965 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
22 May 1965 – Royal Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent with Sonny Childe & The Elders Consolidated (Kent Messenger/Maidstone Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
3 June 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London with Bluesology (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 July 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)
31 July 1965 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with The Southbeats and The Road Runners (Bognor Regis Observer)
Image may be subject to copyright
19 August 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)
21 August 1965 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with Meddy Evils (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
27 August 1965 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with The Bow Bells (Bognor Regis Observer)
28 August 1965 – Savoy Rooms, Catford, London (South East London Mercury)
29 August 1965 – Royal Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent (Maidstone Gazette)
1966
27 March 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with The Ides of Mad (Bognor Regis Observer)
23 April 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Jimmy Winston’s Reflections, Dave & The Diamonds, The Soul Society and The Inpulse (Bognor Regis Observer)
14 May 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Champion Jack Dupree and The Second Thoughts (Bognor Regis Observer)
29 May 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
11 June 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Jimmy Winston’s Reflections (Bognor Regis Observer)
17 July 1966 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
4 August 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
7 August 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
11 August 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
19 August 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
September-October 1966 – Melody Maker reports that they are resident band at the New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London during these months but not clear how many nights a week this involves
Image may be subject to copyright
18 September 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
16 October 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London with The Casual Set (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
22 October 1966 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Clwyd, Wales with The Raynes (Rhyl & Prestayn Gazette)
29 October 1966 – Woolwich Arsenal Station, Woolwich, London with The Shadocks (Melody Maker)
5 November 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Billy Fury, Victor Brox & The Blue Train, Guy Darrell Syndicate and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard)
Image may be subject to copyright
12 November 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Peddlers and The ‘N’ Betweens (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 December 1966 – Flamenco Club, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone & Hythe Herald)
31 December 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Spellbinders, The Canadians, The Triads, Ray Bones and Frank & Keith (Lincolnshire Standard)
1967
Image may be subject to copyright
11 February 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Spencer Davis Group, Wynder K Frog and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard)
18 February 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Pink Floyd and Two of Each (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 March 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Lee Dorsey, Scots of St James, The Bystanders and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
7 May 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
12 May 1967 – Angel Hotel, Blue Beat Club, Godalming, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
14 May 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
Image may be subject to copyright
16 June 1967 – Angel Hotel, Blue Beat Club, Godalming, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
7 July 1967 – Angel Hotel, Blue Beat Club, Godalming, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
15 July 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Vogue (Cambridgeshire Times)
17 July 1967 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)
Image may be subject to copyright
22 July 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Jeff Beck Group and The Motown Trinity (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 August 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Beat Stalkers and Bobby Johnson & The Atoms (Spalding Standard)
19 August 1967 – Iron Curtain Club, Small Heath, West Midlands with Erskine T (Birmingham Evening Mail)
2 September 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Fabulous Temptations, The Sovereigns, The Rubber Band (Lincolnshire Standard)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 November 1967 – Romanos, Belfast, Northern Ireland with Jack Ruane Showband and Tara Showband (Cityweek)
1968
27 January 1968 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Procol Harum and Gospel Garden (Lincolnshire Standard)
2 February 1968 – Big C Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 February 1968 – Cat Balou, Grantham, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal)
24 February 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Magic Roundabout (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
27 February 1968 – College, Colchester, Essex (Record Retailer)
28 February 1968 – Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk with Nature’s Own (Ipswich Evening Star)
2 March 1968 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)
18 March 1968 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, London (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)
10 April 1968 – King’s Head, Edmonton, north London (Tottenham Weekly Herald)
11 April 1968 – Barn Barbecue Dance, Thurmaston, Leicester with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, Alan Bown, Soft Machine, Fairport Convention, Legay, Sons & Lovers, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Pesky Gee, Pitiful Souls and Six Across (Melody Maker)
13 April 1968 – Aldebrugh Jubilee Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk with The Eyes of Blond (Ipswich Evening Star)
20 April 1968 – Town Hall, Downham Market, Norfolk with The Tyres (Lynn News)
4 May 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with Illinois State (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)
5 May 1968 – Wake Arms, Epping, Essex (New Musical Express)
26 May 1968 – Tabernacle, Stockport, Greater Manchester (Record Retailer)
27 May 1968 – Bedford Civic Centre, Bedford (Record Retailer)
Image may be subject to copyright
27 May 1968 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Luton News)
1 June 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Motion (Crawley Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
3 June 1968 – Sunshine Floor, Dereham, Norfolk with The Rubber Band (North Norfolk News)
9 June 1968 – Wake Arms, Epping, Essex (New Musical Express)
Image may be subject to copyright
15 June 1968 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Out of Order (Cambridgeshire Times)
17 June 1968 – St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, Norfolk with The Reformation and The Rubber Band (Eastern Evening News)
18 June 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
8 July 1968 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with The Loris and The Switch (Surrey Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 July 1968 – Palais, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
