Category Archives: Middlesex

Byron Hotel, Greenford, London

March 9, 2014 Nick Warburton 31 Comments

The Locomotion, scan courtesy of Gray Newell

Besides Greenford’s more famous Starlite Ballroom, the town’s Byron Hotel was also a popular venue for up and coming bands throughout the 1960s. I have started to compile a list of groups that were advertised playing there and would welcome any additions/corrections.

1964

I have only a few advertised listings for 1964 and would welcome any additions. The Club New Yorker operated on Thursdays and the Beach Club on Sundays

9 February – The Midnites (Dave Brogden’s diary)

9 April – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

12 April – The Tornados and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

16 April – The Heartbeats (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

19 April – The Brookmen and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

23 April – The Corona with Chris & The Bluebeats (Club New Yorker) (Greenford Post)

26 April – Group One and Betty & The Fireflys (Beach Club) (Greenford Post)

30 April – Russ & The Sabres (Club New Yorker) (Greenford Post)

3 May – The Forerunners and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

7 May – Chris & The Bluebeats and Guitars Incorporated (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

10 May – The Pacifics and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

14 May – The Partisans and Group One (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post) Harrow Weekly Post has The Heartbeats instead of The Partisans

17 May – The Sarinos and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

21 May – The Partisans (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)

24 May – The Clansmen and Group One (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 May – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post) The Ruislip & Northwood Gazette has The Heartbeats on this date

31 May – The Unknowns and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

7 June – The Challengers and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

11 June – The Formula (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

14 June – The Chats and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post) Looks like The Bluebeats replaced The Chats

18 June – The Heartbeats Ltd (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

21 June – The Hearz Corp and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

25 June – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

28 June – The Cerinos and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

2 July – The Sabres (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post) Looks like The Unknowns replaced The Sabres

5 July – The Renegades and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

9 July – Russ & The Sabres and The David Clark Group (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

12 July – Cops & Robbers and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

16 July – The Heartbeats Ltd (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

19 July – The Fournotes and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

23 July – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

26 July – The Spectres and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

30 July – The Challengers (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

13 August – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

16 August – The Southbeats and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

20 August – The Playboys (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

23 August – The Bo Brummels and Group One (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post) Looks like The Fourtunes replaced Bo Brummels, according to Uxbridge Post

27 August – The Heartbeats (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

30 August – The Premiers and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

3 September – Russ & The Sabres (Club New Yorker) (Uxbridge Post)

6 September – The Icenis and Group One (Beach Club) (Uxbridge Post)

13 September – Group One and The Mike Dee Combo (Beach Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

17 September – The Challengers (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

20 September – Group One and Beat Generation (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

24 September – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

27 September – Group One and The Sycons (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

1 October – The Playboys and Gravediggers (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

4 October – Group One and The Sparans (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

8 October – 5’s Company (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

11 October – Group One and The Crescendos (Beat Club) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 October – The Heartbeats and Crossfires (Election night special) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 October – Group One and Avantis (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

22 October – The Orbits (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 November – Group One and Some Other Guys (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

5 November – Diane & The Londoners and The Road Runners (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

8 November – Group One and The Berrys (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

12 November – 5’s Company and The Limets (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

15 November – Group One and The Sycons (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

19 November – The Heartbeats Ltd and The Metros (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

22 November – Group One and Sounds 5 (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

26 November – The Orbits and The Beatvendors (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

6 December – The Sidewalks (John Warburg research)

13 December – Group One and The Notes (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

17 December – The Orbits and The Shanes (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

20 December – Group One and The Shackles (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

26 December – The Heartbeats and The Niteowls (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Ruislip & Northwood Gazette has The Side Kicks instead of Niteowls

27 December – Group One and Mink Creeds (Beat Club) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

1965

I have only a few advertised listings for 1965 and would welcome any additions

Judging by the original posters that Ken Samuels has very kindly provided below, the Club New Yorker operated on Thursdays and the Beach Club on Sundays

1 January – Four Sounds and Shades of Night (Club New Yorker) (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

7 January – The Challengers and King Tadpole (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 January – Group One and The Electrons (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 January – The Heartbeats and The Invokers (Harrow Observer & Gazette/Harrow Weekly Post)

24 January – Group One (resident band) and Brothers Grimm (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 January – The Orbits and Units (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)

4 February – The Heartbeats Ltd and The Southerns (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

7 February – Group One (resident band) and The Beat Vendors (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

11 February – Bros Grimm and The Devil Riders (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

14 February – The Invokers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

18 February – Four Jacks & Joker and The Electrons (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster/Harrow Weekly Post)

21 February – Group One (resident band) and The Allies (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster/Harrow Weekly Post)

25 February – The Orbits and Nemo & The Unknowns (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

28 February – Group One (resident band) and The Phantom Creed (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster/Harrow Weekly Post)

7 March – Group One (resident band) and Dezebows (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

11 March – Brothers Grimm and The Turnkeys (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 March – Group One (resident band) and The Fairlaines (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 March – Group One (resident band) and The E-Types (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 March – The Heartbeats and The Reasons (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)

4 April – Group One (resident band) and The Quantrells (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 April – Brothers Grimm and Peeple (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)

11 April – Group One (resident band) and The Chosen Few (Beach Club) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 April – Group One (resident band) and The Modes (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

22 April – Great Expectations and Miston-Tuac (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 April – Group One (resident band) and Swamp River Group (Beach Club) (Harrow Weekly Post)

29 April – The Heartbeats and Beat Syndicate (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post)

2 May – Group One (resident band) and The Sneakers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

6 May – 5’s Company and The Gweex (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post/Ken Samuels’ poster)

9 May – Group One (resident band) and Down South (Harrow Weekly Post/Ken Samuels’ poster)

13 May – The Fairlanes and The Altones (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

16 May – Group One (resident band) and The Prowlers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

20 May – Rhythm 4 and The Crowd (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

23 May – Group One (resident band) and The Richochets (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

27 May – The Orbits and Senate 4 (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

30 May – Group One (resident band) and The Kynde (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

3 June – The Shannons and The Proudwalkers (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

6 June – Group One (resident band) and The Shades of Blue (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

10 June – The Beatwaves and Flight One (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

13 June – Group One (resident band) and The Town Criers (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

17 June – The Orbits and The Nitewalkers (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

20 June – Group One (resident band) and Tyme Flys (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

24 June – Rhythm 4 and Bruce Lloyd Hi-Fi’s (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

27 June – Group One (resident band) and Unit 5 (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

1 July – Flight One and The Railroaders (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

4 July – Group One (resident band) and The Set (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

8 July – 5’s Company and The Moonbeats (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

11 July – Group One (resident band) and The Apex (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

15 July – The Rhythm 4 and The Viking Lords (Club New Yorker) (Harrow Weekly Post/Ken Samuels’ poster)

18 July – Group One (resident band) and Combo 2000 (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

22 July – The Do Do’s (direct from Paris) and The Atlantic Blues (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

25 July – Group One (resident band) and The Middle Sounds (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

29 July – Bros Grimm and The Billtones (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

1 August – Group One (resident band) and Men Tuesday (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

5 August – The Sceptres and The Contours (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Expressions instead of The Sceptres

8 August – Group One (resident band) and The Wembeats (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

12 August – 5’s Company and The Peasants (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

15 August – Group One (resident band) and The Square Roots (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

19 August – Flight One and Y-The-L (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

22 August – Group One (resident band) and The Deils (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

26 August – Rhythm 4 and Pieces of Four (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

29 August – Group One (resident band) and The Branded (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

2 September – The Insects and The Blue Prints (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

5 September – Group One (resident band) and The Missing Links (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

9 September – The Expressions and Remnant Furds (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

12 September – Group One (resident band) and The Plainsmen (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

16 September – Flight One and The Tellers (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

19 September – The Hubbubs and Cyclons (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster) Harrow Observer & Gazette has Group One instead of The Hubbubs

23 September – 5’s Company and The Moonbeats (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

26 September – Group One (resident band) and The Characters (Beach Club) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

30 September – Rhythm 4 and The Section (Club New Yorker) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

3 October – Group One and The Byrd Herd (Middlesex Chronicle)

7 October – The Missing Links and The End Group (Middlesex Chronicle)

10 October – Group One and The Aboves (Middlesex Chronicle)

14 October – Great Expectations and Shades of Blue (Middlesex Chronicle)

17 October – Group One and Flamingos (Middlesex Chronicle)

21 October – Rhythm 4 and The Henchmen (Middlesex Chronicle) Greg Peck says that the group became The Motion soon after

24 October – Group One and The Clan (Middlesex Chronicle)

28 October – 5’s Company and The Shanes (Middlesex Chronicle)

31 October – Group One and The Legends (Middlesex Chronicle)

7 November – Group One and Corals (Middlesex Chronicle)

11 November – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Keystones (Middlesex Chronicle)

14 November – Group One and Confederates (Middlesex Chronicle)

18 November – The Sons of Fred and The Legends (Middlesex Chronicle)

19 November – The New Jump Band (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

21 November – Group One and The Arts Group (Middlesex Chronicle)

25 November – 5’s Company and Blue in Blues (Middlesex Chronicle)

5 December – Group One and William & The Conquerors (Middlesex Chronicle)

9 December – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Harmonies (Middlesex Chronicle)

12 December – Group One and The Sovereigns (Middlesex Chronicle)

16 December – 5’s Company and The Kards (Middlesex Chronicle)

19 December – Group One and New Jump Band (Middlesex Chronicle)

23 December – The Nite Hawks and No Names (Middlesex Chronicle)

26 December – Group One and Vampires (Middlesex Chronicle)

30 December – The Keystones and No Names (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1966

There are some gaps and would welcome any additions. Judging by the dates below, gigs appear to have taken place on Thursdays and Sundays

2 January – Group One and Witnesses (Middlesex Chronicle)

6 January – Y-The-L and Things Like Us (Middlesex Chronicle) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Maniacs plus folk blues

9 January – Group One and The Waik (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

13 January – The Maniacs and ‘folk blues’ (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

16 January – Group One and The Impact (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Hayes Gazette)

20 January – Rhythm 4 and The Doubles (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 January – Group One and The Embers (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 January – The New Jump Band and Diversion (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

30 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

3 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 February – Group One and The Lincolns (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

10 February – The 10 Maniacs and The Nameless Ones (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

13 February – Group One and The Midbeats (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 February – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Mode (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Middlesex Chronicle)

20 February – Group One and Foundations (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) This isn’t the more famous Foundations

24 February – The Tributes and The T-Set (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

3 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 March – New Group One and George Bean & The Runners (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Hayes Gazette)

10 March – The Penny Blacks and Y-The-L (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Hayes Gazette)

13 March – Group One with Patsy and The Soundtracks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 March – 5’s Company and The Rest (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

20 March – Group One and The Discords (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 March – The Tributes and The Michigan Set (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 March – The Group One with Patsy and The Blue Shades (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

31 March – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The Legends (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

3 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

7 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

10 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

14 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 April – Group One and The Hi-Jacks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

21 April – The Penny Blacks and The Unamed (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 April – The In-Betweens (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

1 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

5 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

8 May – Group One and After 8 Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

12 May – The Beatwares and The Tramps (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

15 May – Group One and The City Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

19 May – The Penny Blacks and The Night Shift (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

22 May – Group One and The Trades (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

26 May – 2×2 and Legal Matter (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

29 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

2 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

5 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

9 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

12 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

16 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

19 June – Group One and Someone Else (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 June – 5’s a Company (Five’s Company?) and The Skor (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

26 June – Group One with Barbara Ann and Imminent (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

30 June – The Keys and Den Oyzee (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

3 July – Group One with Barbara Ann & The Insects (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Weekly Post)

7 July – The Zombies and The Boots (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Not sure if this is Rod Argent’s Zombies

10 July – Group One and Miston-Tuac (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

14 July – The Zombies and Someone Else (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer) Not sure if this is Rod Argent’s Zombies

17 July – Group One and The Meteors (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 July – Insect and The Debtors (Harrow Weekly Post)

24 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 July – The Sultans and ‘Blues folk’ (Harrow Observer)

31 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

4 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

7 August – Group One and The Blackouts (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

11 August – 2×2 and The Unconcerned (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

14 August – Group One and The Mellows (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

18 August – Insect Conventions (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 August – Group One and Track One (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

25 August – 5’s Company and The Unconcerned (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

1 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

4 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

8 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

11 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

15 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

18 September – Group One and Blue Fringe (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

22 September – The Fortunes and Pam’s Goodies (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

25 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

29 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

2 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

9 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

13 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

16 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

20 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

26 October – Group One and Gravey Train (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

30 October – Group One and Alsops Fables (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

3 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 November – Group One and The PM Squares (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

10 November – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) and The 10 Boots (Middlesex Chronicle)

13 November – Group One and Take Five (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 November – Locomotion and The Priory Monks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

20 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

1 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

4 December – Group one and The Rave (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

8 December – The Flashbacks and The Sunsets (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

11 December – The Cage (Harrow Weekly Post)

15 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

18 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

22 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 December – Bobby King & The Sabres (Friday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 December – Five Steps Beyond (Saturday) (Paul Quinton’s gig diary and website: http://five-steps-beyond.simplesite.com/)

26 December – Group One and Gravey Train (Monday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

1967

I have significant gaps in 1967 and would welcome any additions. Again, it looks like bands played on Thursdays and Sundays

1 January – Group One and Outer Limit (Harrow Weekly Post)

5 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

8 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

12 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

15 January – Group One and The Modern Blue Six (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

19 January – Bryans Kick and Phase Six (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

22 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

26 January – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

29 January – Group One and Cage Rage (probably Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

2 February – Group One (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

5 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

9 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

11 February – The Way Out, The Hub Bub Sound and Jeep Rongle (Saturday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

12 February – Group One, The Cage and Magog 5 (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

16 February – The Accent (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

19 February – The Penny Blacks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 February – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

26 February – 2×2 and The Falcons (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

2 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

5 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

9 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

12 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

16 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

19 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

26 March – 2×2 and Torque (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 March – The Keys and Safari (Monday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

30 March – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

2 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

9 April – The Flashbak’ks and The Corsairs (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) The Harrow Observer lists The Corvettes

13 April – The Shameless and The Teaks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

16 April – The Penny Blacks and Captain Rudley Group (Harrow Observer)

20 April – The Keys and The Situation (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

23 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 April – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

Geoff Chinnery, manager of The Dave Martin Group, confirms from his diary that the band auditioned at the venue on 27 April

29 April – The Keys and Locomotion (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

4 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

7 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

11 May – The Midnights (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

15 May – The Motive (Harrow Observer)

18 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

21 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

25 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 May – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

1 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

4 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

Geoff Chinnery, manager of The Dave Martin Group, confirms from his diary that the band was one of the two groups that performed on 4 June

8 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

11 June – The Keys and The Code (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

15 June – The Shameless and The Set (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

18 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

22 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

25 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

29 June – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

2 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

9 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

13 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

15 July – The Shameless and Tales of Justice (Saturday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

20 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

22 July – Karl G & The Arrows and Cameron’s Impact (Saturday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

27 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

30 July – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

3 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 August – The Arrows (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

10 August – The Motive (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

13 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

20 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 August – Karl G Arrows (Monday) (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

31 August – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

3 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

7 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

10 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

14 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

21 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 September – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

1 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

5 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

8 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

12 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

15 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

19 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

22 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

26 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

29 October – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

2 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

5 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

9 November – The Coloured Raisins with Honey Darling (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer/Thames Valley Times)

12 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

16 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

19 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 November – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 November (Friday) Washington DCs and The Motives (Thames Valley Times)

30 November – The Gods and The Motives (Harrow Observer/Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Thames Valley Times) Locomotion replaced The Motives

3 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

7 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

10 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

14 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 December – Two groups (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

21 December – The Hummingbirds (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette/Harrow Observer)

24 December – The Arrows (Harrow Observer)

26 December – The Motive (Tuesday) (Harrow Observer)

31 December – The Nett (Harrow Observer)

1968

I have a lot of gaps in 1968 and would welcome any additions

17 March – Lemon Tree Men and Locomotion (Thames Valley Times)

19 April – The Firestones (Thames Valley Times)

26 July – Pinkerton’s Colours (Thames Valley Times)

11 August – Marmalade (Thames Valley Times)

25 August – Amboy Dukes (Thames Valley Times)

15 September – The Foundations (Thames Valley Times)

29 September – The Coloured Raisins (Thames Valley Times)

13 October – The Mojos (Thames Valley Times)

24 October – Plastic Penny (Thames Valley Times)

3 November – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Thames Valley Times)

17 November – Plastic Penny (Thames Valley Times)

1 December – The Nite Riders (Harrow Observer)

8 December – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Harrow Observer)

15 December – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Harrow Observer)

22 December – Jon James & The Swamp (Harrow Observer)

24 December – Karl G Arrows (Tuesday) (Harrow Observer)

29 December – Simon K & The Meantimers (Harrow Observer)

Categories: England, Hounslow, London, Middlesex

The Attic Club, Hounslow, west London

March 8, 2014 Nick Warburton 89 Comments

Opened on 2 June 1964, the Attic Club in Hounslow was an important music venue in west London.

Located at 1a High Street, the club subsequently became the Zambesi Club and then the Ricky Tick.

All of the gigs below are from the Kingston & Malden Borough News (unless otherwise noted). There are some omissions and some acts that were advertised may have been changed at the last minute.

I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any missing dates, correct any entries and provide any memories of the club in the comments below.

2 June – The Swinging Blue Jeans (this was the opening night)

3 June – The Vandells Blues

4 June – The Tempests

5 June – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (Middlesex Chronicle initially has The Skyways in support and then a week later it advertises Frankie Roy & The Soundcasters)

6 June – The Sheffields

7 June – The Smokey Beats

9 June – Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated and The Vandells Blues (Middlesex Chronicle)

10 June – Eddie King & The Chequers (Middlesex Chronicle)

11 June – The Copains (Middlesex Chronicle)

12 June – The Dennisons and The Stereos

13 June – Alex Harvey Soul Band and Miston Tuac

14 June – The Beatvendors

Them featured in Boyfriend Magazine in 1964

Them featured in Boyfriend magazine, 1964

16 June – The Pretty Things and Them (not Van Morrison’s band but a local group that became Themselves)

17 June – The Mods and Gene & The Cossacks (Record Mirror)

18 June – The Nitebeats

19 June – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders and The Tempests

20 June – The Cheynes, The Kingbees and The Roosters (this is most likely the version led by brothers Pete and Ron Jeffries and not Ben Palmer’s Roosters who had featured Eric Clapton and Tom McGuinness between January and August 1963).

21 June – The Arrows

23 June – The Fairies and Miston Tuac

24 June – The Beatvendors and The Sinphires

25 June – The Yardbirds and The Snowballs

26 June – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Gene & The Cossacks (possibly replaced by The Travellers)

27 June – The Vandells Blues, The Habbits and The Clique

Record Mirror has The King Bees rather than The Clique

28 June – The Stereos

29 June – Rory Blackwell & The Monsters, The Senators and Group Four (Record Mirror notes that the club is now open on Mondays)

30 June – Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men and Them (aka Themselves)

1 July – Diane & The Londoners, Ray Del & The (Rocking) Deacons and The Spirits

2 July – The Sideliners

3 July – The Merseybeats and The Arrows (replaced by The Kossacks and The Bow Seekers)

4 July – Blues by Six and Miston Tuac

5 July – Gene & The Cossacks

6 July – Rory Blackwell & The Monsters and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Ian Gillan didn’t join until November 1964)

7 July – Charlie & Inez Foxx, The Spencer Davis Group and Group ’65’ (Them aka Themselves)

8 July – The Snowballs and The Beat Syndicate

9 July – Roy & The Vampires

10 July – Erky Grant & The Tonnettes, The Tempests and The Second Thoughts

11 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Copains

12 July – The Beatvenders (aka The Beatvendors)

13 July – Rory Blackwell & His Monsters, The Tridents (Jeff Beck didn’t join until early September 1964) and The Springbeats

14 July – Alex Harvey Soul Band and Miston Tuac

15 July – Eddie King & The Chequers

16 July – The Klook

17 July – The Chants, The Harlems and Just Memphis

18 July – The Sheffields and Them (aka Themselves)

19 July – Wayne Dean & The Telestars

20 July – Rory Blackwell & His Monsters

21 July – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Long John Baldry and Blues x 6 (Blues by Six?)

22 July – The Mojos and The Soundcasters

Middlesex Chronicle has The Fanatics instead of The Soundcasters

23 July – The Ravers

24 July – The Animals and Steve Marriott’s Moments

25 July – Alexis Korner Blues Incorporated and Miston Tuac

26 July – Special All Star Show with PJ Proby with The Diamonds with Rory Blackwell & His Monsters, Frankie Roy & The Soundcasters, The Sonics, The Roosters and The Condors

27 July – Rory Blackwell & The Monsters with supporting groups

28 July – The Cheynes

29 July – The Skyways

30 July – The Seytons

31 July – Mal Ryder & The Spirits with Steve Marriott’s Moments

1 August – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Ray Clevelands

2 August – The Clique

4 August – Alexis Korner’s Blues Incorporated and Miston Tuac

5 August – Gene & The Cossacks and The Phantom Raiders

6 August – The Cardinals

7 August – Dave Curtiss & His Tremors and The Fanatics

8 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Clique

9 August – Steve Marriot’s Moments

10 August – group plays according to Middlesex Chronicle but the name isn’t listed

11 August – Steve Marriot’s Moments

12 August – Eddie King & The Chequers

13 August – The CC Riders

14 August – The Stormsville Shakers and The Ray Clevelands

15 August – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames with Them (aka Themselves)

16 August – The Cops & Robbers

18 August – Steve Marriot’s Moments

19 August – The Pitmen

21 August – Manfred Mann and Gene & The Cossacks

22 August – The Graham Bond Organisation with supporting groups

23 August – Jerry James & The Bandits (Middlesex Chronicle)

25 August – Them (aka Themselves) (Middlesex Chronicle)

26 August – The Hysters (Middlesex Chronicle)

28 August – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets and The Sways

Record Mirror has Jerry James & The Bandits rather than The Sways while the Middlesex Chronicle has Brian & The Knights

29 August – Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men and The RBQ

30 August – The Ray Clevelands

1 September – Steve Marriott’s Moments

2 September – Tony Knight & The Livewires

4 September – The Beatmen and The Fanatics (the latter may have been replaced by The Soundcasters)

5 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Them (aka Themselves) Beat Monthly lists The Downliners Sect on this date

6 September – Brian & The Knights

8 September – Them (aka Themselves)

9 September – The De Kuyper Sect

11 September – The Classmates and Gene & The Cossacks

12 September – The Spencer Davis Group and The Pitmen

13 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Middlesex Chronicle)

15 September – Steve Marriott’s Moments

16 September – The Eiffels (Middlesex Chronicle)

18 September – Annette & The keymen and The Cheetahs (Record Mirror)

19 September – The Soul Agents (Rod Stewart didn’t join until December 1964)

Record Mirror has Jerry James & The Bandits as The Soul Agents’ support band

20 September – Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s diary)

Record Mirror has Les Fauves on this date (they probably remained as support band)

21 September – missing entry

22 September – missing entry

23 September – missing entry

24 September – missing entry

25 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen and Ken Gordon & The Downsiders

26 September – The Downliners Sect and The Clique

27 September – The Swinging Grades

Record Mirror and the Middlesex Chronicle have The Cobwebs rather than The Swinging Grades

29 September – The Sonics

Record Mirror has DJ Rona Lee Jay on 29 September

Missing many entries for October

2 October – Keith Powell & The Valets and The Soundcasters (Record Mirror)

3 October – The Ray Clevelands and The Certs (Record Mirror)

4 October – The Blues Profits (Record Mirror)

6 October – DJ Rona Lee Jay and The Rumbles Blues Band (Record Mirror)

9 October – Annette & The Keymen and Jeff Elroy & The Boys Blue (Record Mirror)

10 October – The Soul Agents with supporting group

11 October – The Kentones (Record Mirror)

13 October – DJ Rona Lee Jay (Record Mirror)

16 October – Jon Best & The Challenges and The Nesters (Record Mirror)

17 October – Just Memphis and The Rumbles Blues Band (Record Mirror)

18 October – The Kingpins (Record Mirror)

20 October – DJ Chuck Benell (Record Mirror)

31 October – Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s diary)

Top clipping and photos courtesy of Gray Newell. The rest are from the Kingston & Malden Borough News and Middlesex Chronicle.

Categories: England, Hayes, London, Middlesex

Blue Moon, Hayes, west London

March 7, 2014 Nick Warburton 79 Comments

The Blue Moon in Hayes was an important music venue in west London.

Bob Danks recalls Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers playing at the Blue Moon in Hayes regularly in the early 1960s (see comments section). He also thinks Ritchie Blackmore played his first show with Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages at the Blue Moon after leaving Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers.

I have started to collate a comprehensive gig list and would welcome any additions and memories of the club in the comments below.

1963

27 January 1963 (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Weekly Post)

3 February 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 April 1963 (Sunday) – Julie Grant & The Citizens (Harrow Weekly Post)

9 June 1963 (Sunday) – Sounds Inc with Bruce Welsh & The High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)

16 June 1963 (Sunday) – Mike Berry & The Innocents (Harrow Weekly Post)

23 June 1963 (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Weekly Post)

30 June 1963 (Sunday) – Wee Willy Harris and High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)

7 July 1963 (Sunday) – The Big Three with The Riversiders (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 July 1963 (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 July 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 July 1963 (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes and The High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)

4 August 1963 (Sunday) – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 August 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 September 1963 (Sunday) – Rikki Rand & The Soundsmen and Bruce Lloyd & The Hi-Fi’s (Harrow Weekly Post)

15 September 1963 (Friday) – Malcolm Clark & The Cresters (Harrow Weekly Post) Needs confirmation

22 September 1963 (Sunday) – The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Robb Charles Combo (Harrow Weekly Post)

29 September 1963 (Sunday) – Malcolm Clark & The Cresters (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 October 1963 (Sunday) – The Undertakers and The High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 October 1963 (Sunday) – The Federals (Beat Monthly)

20 October 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)

17 November 1963 (Sunday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Harrow Weekly Post)

24 November 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)

1964

5 January 1964 (Sunday) – Manfred Mann (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

12 January 1964 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

19 January 1964 (Sunday) – The Contrasts (Beat Monthly)

2 February 1964 (Sunday) – Manfred Mann (Greg Russo’s research)

5 April 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)

19 April 1964 (Sunday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Impacts (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)

26 April 1964 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)

3 May 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)

10 May 1964 (Sunday) – The Paramounts (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)

24 May 1964 (Sunday) – Alex Harvey Soul Band (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)

27 May 1964 (Wednesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)

31 May 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)

10 June 1964 (Wednesday) – The Yardbirds (Alan Clayson’s book The Yardbirds: the band that launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page)

26 July 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)

16 August 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)

7 September 1964 (Monday) – The Birds (needs source but most likely Harrow Weekly Post)

29 November 1964 (Sunday) – The Stormsville Shakers (band website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

20 December 1964 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental/Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

1965

3 January 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Nightimers (Ruislip and Northwood Gazette)

10 January 1965 (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Ruislip and Northwood Gazette)

17 January 1965 (Sunday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Harrow Weekly Post)

24 January 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post)

Roger Dean is the lead guitarist with The Bluesbreakers at this stage.

31 January 1965 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Greenford Weekly Post)

7 February 1965 (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 February 1965 (Sunday) – The Chessmen (Greenford Weekly Post)

21 February 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Night-timers and The Brian Auger Trinity (Harrow Weekly Post)

7 March 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)

4 April 1965 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)

11 April 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post)

Eric Clapton had joined earlier this month replacing Roger Dean.

18 April 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Night-timers (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 April 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post)

2 May 1965 (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Weekly Post)

9 May 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group and (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds with Count Prince Miller (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)

16 May 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (Harrow Weekly Post)

23 May 1965 (Sunday) – Long John Baldry (Harrow Weekly Post)

30 May 1965 (Sunday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)

7 June 1965 (Monday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s Strange Brew book)

20 June 1965 (Sunday) – The Who (Harrow Weekly Post)

27 June 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)

4 July 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Night-timers (Harrow Weekly Post)

11 July 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post) This gig is missing from Christopher Hjort’s book below so may not have happened. Also advert above suggests Georgie Fame instead

25 July 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)

1 August 1965 (Sunday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)

22 August 1965 (Sunday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 August 1965 (Wednesday) – Steampacket (Bruno Ceriotti’s research: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/steam-packet-family-tree-performance.html)

5 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (Harrow Weekly Post)

19 September 1965 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post and Beat Instrumental)

26 September 1965 (Sunday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Harrow Weekly Post)

3 October 1965 (Sunday) – Steampacket (Harrow Weekly Post)

10 October 1965 (Sunday) – T-Bone Walker (Harrow Weekly Post)

17 October 1965 (Sunday) – Steampacket (Harrow Weekly Post)

24 October 1965 (Sunday) – Ben E King (Harrow Weekly Post)

31 October 1965 (Sunday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Harrow Weekly Post)

7 November 1965 (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 November 1965 (Sunday) – The Alan Price Set (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 November 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post)

Both Eric Clapton and Jack Bruce are members of The Bluesbreakers during this period.

28 November 1965 (Sunday) – Steampacket (Harrow Weekly Post)

5 December 1965 (Sunday) – Wilson Pickett (Harrow Weekly Post)

19 December 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (Harrow Weekly Post/Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

1966

2 January 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)

23 January 1966 (Sunday) – Lee Dorsey (most likely backed by The Krew) (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

30 January 1966 (Sunday) – Steampacket (Bruno Ceriotti’s research: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/steam-packet-family-tree-performance.html

6 February 1966 (Sunday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)

13 February 1966 (Sunday) – The Alan Walker Group (Melody Maker)

27 February 1966 (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens (Hayes Gazette)

6 March 1966 (Sunday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)

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

27 March 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)

3 April 1966 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)

17 April 1966 (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

22 April 1966 (Friday) – Dee Dee Warwick (Melody Maker)

1 May 1966 (Sunday) – Steampacket (Melody Maker)

8 May 1966 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)

15 May 1966 (Sunday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)

12 June 1966 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)

Eric Clapton will leave the following month and Peter Green takes his place.

19 June 1966 (Sunday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)

18 September 1966 (Sunday) – Cream (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)

Thanks to Rolf Hannet for helping with Beat Monthly and Beat Instrumental gigs

Categories: England, London, Middlesex, Southall

Southall Community Centre, west London

March 4, 2014 Nick Warburton 31 Comments

Photo from Alan Cooper

Southall Community Centre in Southall in west London was a significant music venue in the early to mid 1960s.

During the early 1960s, many of the American rock ‘n’ roll legends like Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent played at Southall Community Centre on their UK tours. This may well have been because visiting US artists would have passed through or near to Southall after arriving at London Airport on their way to central London.

The venue was also important for west London bands and is particularly significant because future Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore played there often, especially with Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers. It was while he was gigging with this band at Southall Community Centre that he was spotted by Screaming Lord Sutch, who invited him to join his backing band, The Savages. An invitation he duly accepted.

The Johnny Rebs were the resident band at Southall Community Centre in the early 1960s.

Terry O’Connor also remembers Duggie Dee & The Strangers played here and backed Screaming Lord Sutch when The Savages weren’t available. He also remembers Peter Nelson & The Travelers appeared a few times.

Malcolm Lenny says that his band Tony Holland & The Packabeats were regulars at the venue during the early-mid 1960s (see comments section at the very end).

Tony Holland & The Packabeats who played regularly at the Southall Community Centre (thanks to Malcolm Lenny for sharing the photo)

I have made a start on a list of artists that played here and dates. I would welcome any additions and also any memories of the venue in the comments section below. If anyone has any memorabilia or photos of bands playing here, I would be happy to include them with the images credited accordingly.

1960

14 February (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

This west London band morphed out of The Rocking Versatiles (formed September 1957) and included long-standing member Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), who remained with the group throughout its various incarnations (and name changes) until finally splitting on 1 July 1966. The band played this venue regularly.

21 August (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

4 September (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 September (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

2 October (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 October (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 November (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 December (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1961

Drummer Bob Danks recalls playing at Southall Community Centre with Ritchie Blackmore’s first band, The Dominators in early 1961.

8 January (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 January (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

19 February (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Brian Mansell has Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers playing an audition on 19 February 1961. This was before Ritchie Blackmore joined on lead guitar, replacing Brian Sell.

According to sax player Dave Brogden who later joined The Statesmen after they had changed name to The Statesides, Southall Community Centre auditioned groups before the main bands came on to see the punter’s reactions. Usually, they would play a 30-minute set from when the doors opened.

5 March (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 June (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Ritchie Blackmore had joined Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers on lead guitar by now, taking over from Brian Sell.

2 July (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

16 July (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 July (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

3 September (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

1 October (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

10 December (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1962

1 April (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Brian Mansell went on to join Frankie Reid & The Casuals after The Jaywalkers split.

6 May (Sunday) – Gene Vincent with Sounds Incorporated (Tony Tacon’s recollections)

Tony Tacon remembers attending the gig with his friends Nick Simper (who later joined the original Deep Purple) and Keith Roach, who later played drums in Tacon’s band Ian Gillan & The Javelins.

19 August (Sunday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Future Animals’ bass player Danny McCulloch was with the band at this point. Drummer Terry Mabey had already taken over from his predecessor Mitch Mitchell.

7 October (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Terry Franks & The Avalons (Johnny Kidd website)

1963

6 January (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 January (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 January (Sunday) – Barrie James Show (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 January (Sunday) – Barrie James Show and Vince Eager (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

3 February (Sunday) – Rolf Harris & The Diggeroos (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 February (Sunday) – Rolf Harris & The Diggeroos and Shane Fenton & The Fentones (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 February (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

3 March (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes and Terry Young, Tony Holland & The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 March (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 March (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

31 March (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

7 April (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

14 April (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 April (Sunday) – Roly Daniels and The Flintstones (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 April (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

5 May (Sunday) – The Avalons and The Spirits (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

12 May (Sunday) – Tony Holland & The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

19 May (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Beat Monthly/Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 May (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

2 June (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 June (Sunday) – Gene Vincent (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

16 June (Sunday) – The Golli-Golli Boys (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 June (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 June (Sunday) – The Clearways and Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

7 July (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes and Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 July (Sunday) – The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 July (Sunday) – The Packabeats, Linda Laine & The Sinners and The Consuls (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 July (Sunday) – The Dreamers and Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

4 August (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

11 August (Sunday) – The Cherokees (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 August (Sunday) – The Cherokees (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 September (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

8 September (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Beat Monthly)

Harrow Observer & Gazette has Johnny Leyton on 8 September

15 September (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 September (Sunday) – Rockin’ Henri (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 September (Sunday) – The Tornados (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 October (Sunday) – The Big Three (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 October (Sunday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

20 October (Sunday) – Ray Pilgrim Show (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 October (Sunday) – Tommy Bruce & The Bruisers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

3 November (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Beat Monthly)

10 November (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 November (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 November (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 December (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors and Jimmy Crawford (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

8 December (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 December (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 December (Sunday) – The Clearways and The Shades (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 December (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Linda Laine & The Sinners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

Photo: Ken Samuels

1964

5 January (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

The Midnites 1964. Thanks to Dave Brogden for sharing.

12 January (Sunday) – The Midnites (audition) (Dave Brogden’s diary)

Harrow Observer & Gazette has Shayne Fenton & The Fentones on 12 January so Brogden’s band would have auditioned earlier in the day

19 January (Sunday) – The Merseybeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 January (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

2 February (Sunday) – Brigitte Bond & The Contrasts (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 February (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Beat Monthly)

16 February (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 February (Sunday) – Tony Meehan Combo (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 February (Friday) – The Fortytwo Big Band led by Tommy Watt (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 March (Sunday) – The Clearways and The original Checkmates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

8 March (Sunday) – Grant Tracey & The Sunsets (Beat Monthly)

15 March (Sunday) – Gene Vincent (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 March (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Beat Monthly)

Harrow Observer & Gazette has Pat Wayne & The Beachcombers on 22 March

28 March (Saturday) – Gene Vincent (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

Harrow Observer & Gazette has Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers on 28 March

5 April (Sunday) – The Rattles (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

Bass player Dave Wigginton says that Jeff Curtis & The Flames supported the German band at this venue and this seems the most plausible date.

12 April (Sunday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

19 April (Sunday) – Wee Willie Harris (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 April (Sunday) – Erkey Grant (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

3 May (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Beat Monthly)

10 May (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 May (Sunday) – The Hollies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

This may refer to next week’s gig (see next entry)

23 May (Sunday) – The Hollies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 May (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

7 June (Sunday) – Tony Sheveton & The Shevalls (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

14 June (Sunday) – Kingsize Taylor & The Dominos (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 June (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 June (Sunday) – Diane & The Londoners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

5 July (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

12 July (Sunday) – Robbie Hood & His Merrymen (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

19 July (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Beat Monthly)

26 July (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

2 August (Sunday) – The Fairies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 August (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides and The Druids (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

This is The Statesmen, who had changed name to Jean & The Statesides in May 1964. By this point the band comprised Jean Hayles (lead vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)

16 August (Sunday) – Erkey Grant (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 August (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

30 August (Sunday) – The Livewires (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 September (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 September (Sunday) – The Zombies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 September (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

27 September (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Naturals (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Dave Brogden’s band The Crossfires auditioned this evening before both bands played. The Crossfires played a 30-minute set after the doors opened but didn’t land any work at the Southall Community Centre after auditioning.

4 October (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

11 October (Sunday) – The Roulettes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 October (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

25 October (Sunday) – The Merseybeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 November (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Druids (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 November (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 November (Sunday) – The Hollies (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

22 November (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 November (Sunday) – The Mojos (Beat Instrumental)

6 December (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Harrow Observer & Gazette/Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 December (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 December (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Beat Instrumental)

27 December (Sunday) – The Stormsville Shakers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

1965

3 January (Sunday) – The Beat Merchants (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 January (Sunday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

24 January (Sunday) – Linda Laine & The Sinners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

31 January (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

7 February (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)

14 February (Sunday) – The Yardbirds (Alan Clayson’s book, The Yardbirds: the band that launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page)

16 February (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

21 February (Sunday) – The Gobbledegooks (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

28 February (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

7 March (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

14 March (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens (Beat Instrumental)

21 March (Sunday) – The Animals (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

28 March (Sunday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

4 April (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

11 April (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 April (Sunday) – The Yardbirds (Alan Clayson’s book, The Yardbirds: the band that launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page)

25 April (Sunday) – The Birds and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary and Melody Maker)

2 May (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Mike Dee & The Prophets (Don Martin’s gig diary)

Photo: Ken Samuels

9 May (Sunday) – The Hollies and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Ken Samuels’ poster)

16 May (Sunday) – Manfred Mann with supporting band (Ken Samuels’ poster)

23 May (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Jean & The Statesides (Ken Samuels’ poster and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 May (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Ken Samuels’ poster and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

6 June (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

13 June (Sunday) – The Artwoods (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

27 June (Sunday) – The Rockin’ Berries (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

4 July (Sunday) – The Who (Andy Neill’s research/Harrow Observer & Gazette) Beat Instrumental lists Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers on 4 July

11 July (Sunday) – Goldie & The Gingerbreads (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 July (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

25 July (Sunday) – The Measles (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 July (Thursday) – The Birds (rehearsal) (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

1 August (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

5 August (Thursday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

8 August (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 August (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

22 August (Sunday) – P J Proby and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

30 August (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

3 September (Friday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)

5 September (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

12 September (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

19 September (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

26 September (Sunday) – The Bo Street Runners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

3 October (Sunday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 October (Sunday) – Jesse Fuller and The Artwoods (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 October (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

24 October (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Beat Instrumental)

31 October (Sunday) – The Animals (Record Mirror)

7 November (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 November (Sunday) – The Merseybeats and The Statesides (Dave Brodgden’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 November (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

5 December (Sunday) – Heinz and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 December (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

19 December (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)

23 December (Thursday) – The Birds (rehearsal) (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

1966

9 January (Sunday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 January (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

23 January (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

30 January (Sunday) – The Statesides and The Profile (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

The Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette has The Persuasion rather than The Profile.

6 February (Sunday) – The Birds and Bobby King & The Sabres (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette and Clive Chase’s gig diary)

13 February (Sunday) – The Who (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 February (Sunday) – Jimmy Cliff & The New Generation (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

6 March (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

13 March (Sunday) – The Alan Walker Group (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

20 March (Sunday) – Peter Fenton & The Crowd (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

24 April (Sunday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1967

16 March (Thursday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Fabulous 208)

26 May (Friday) – The In-Sekt Ltd (Melody Maker)

9 June (Friday) – The Insayn (Melody Maker)

23 June (Friday) – The Real Thing (Melody Maker)

Many thanks to Rolf Hannett for the Beat Monthly and Beat Instrumental dates

Categories: Eastcote, England, London, Middlesex

Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

March 1, 2014 Nick Warburton 76 Comments

The Clay Pigeon in Eastcote was a notable rock music venue in northwest London during the 1960s.

During 1963, the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers, which became Manfred Mann, held a residency there for several months.

Throughout the 1960s, many important British bands played this venue, including several groups from the west London area, such as Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Ian Gillan was lead singer in the first half of 1965), The Birds (with Ron Wood on guitar), The Soul Messengers (featuring future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell) and Episode Six (Ian Gillan and fellow future Deep Purple cohort Roger Glover were members).

The Sweet also played here regularly during their early years with original guitarist Frank Torpey and his successor Mick Stewart.

I have started to compile a gig list below and would welcome any additions in the comments box below as well as any memories. If anyone has any memorabilia and/or photos of bands playing at this venue, I would be happy to include them with a credit.

1960

27 June (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 July (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 August (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 August (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 August (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 October (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 November (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 November (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 November (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1961

8 February (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 April (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 April (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1962

24 February (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Singer Jean Hayles joined The Statesmen in late April 1963 and they became “The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles” for a few months before gigging as Jean & The Statesmen until May 1964.

27 May (Sunday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Frankie Reid & The Casuals’ line up at this time featured future Animals bass player Danny McCulloch and future Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell.

25 June (Monday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

2 July (Monday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

22 August (Wednesday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Mitch Mitchell had moved on by now and Terry Mabey had taken over drums.

1963

17 January (Thursday) – The Limelights (Melody Maker)

The advert notes that this was the club’s grand opening

24 January (Thursday) – The Limelights (Melody Maker)

31 January (Thursday) – The Scepters (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 February (Thursday) – The Dauphine Street Six (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

Judging by this gig and the ones below, it looks like jazz bands took over Thursday evenings for a while.

28 February (Thursday) – The Colne Valley Six (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

7 March (Thursday) – Douggie Richford’s Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

14 March (Thursday) – Sonny Morris Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 March (Thursday) – Sonny Morris Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 March (Thursday) – Back O’Town Syncopaters (Melody Maker)

4 April (Thursday) – New Orleans Jazz Band (Melody Maker)

18 April (Thursday) – Charlie Gall’s Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

2 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

The group that became Manfred Mann assumed the Thursday residency, starting with this gig on 2 May.

9 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

16 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

23 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

30 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

6 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

13 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says two bands

20 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says two bands

27 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says two bands

4 July (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says The Fantastic Sounds

11 July (Thursday) – Two bands (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 August (Thursday) – Mike Forde & The Fortunes (Harrow Observer & Gazette/Melody Maker) Drummer Lindsey Bex joined The Tridents.

8 August (Thursday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

5 September (Thursday) – Graham Bond All-Stars (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 September (Friday) – Rikki Rand & The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

12 September (Thursday) – The Graham Bond All Stars (Melody Maker/Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 November (Thursday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

1964

3 February (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

5 February (Wednesday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary) Jeff Beck didn’t join The Tridents until early September.

6 February (Thursday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 February (Thursday) – The Tridents (Lindsey Bex’s diary)

17 February (Monday) – The Sensational Soundsmen (Uxbridge Post)

The advert notes that the band plays every Monday so assuming they also performed on 24 February and beyond

20 February (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

By this point the band comprised Jean Hayles (lead vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)

22 February (Saturday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

The Limelights morphed into The Legends (see below)

24 February (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

1 March (Sunday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

2 March (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 March (Sunday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

9 March (Monday) – The Tridents with The Soundsmen (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary/Harrow Weekly Post)

14 March (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

15 March (Sunday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

16 March (Monday) – The Tridents with The Soundsmen (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary/Harrow Weekly Post)

21 March (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

30 March (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post) Easter Monday

2 April (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 April (Wednesday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

25 April (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

30 April (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 May (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

14 May (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

After this gig, they became Jean & The Statesides.

16 May (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

18 May (Monday) – The Soundsmen, The Downbeat Combo and Mystine (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 May (Thursday) – The Soul Messengers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

Future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell played with The Soul Messengers during 1964 before joining The Riot Squad.

5 June (Friday) – The Soundsmen and Mystine (Harrow Weekly Post)

11 June (Thursday) – The Soul Messengers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

19 June (Friday) – The Soundsmen, The Preachers and The Mystic (Uxbridge Post) Harrow Weekly Post says Mystine rather than The Mystic

25 June (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 July (Friday) – Lee Paris & The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

3 August (Monday) – Lee Paris & The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 August (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 August (Tuesday) – The Soul Messengers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

17 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners and The Peeple (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 October (Thursday) – The Preachers and Senate Four (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 October (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners with The Paul Taylor Group (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 October (Thursday) – The RBQ and Kenny & The Shanes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 October (Thursday) – The Light and The Beethovens (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1965

7 January (Thursday) – The Vibratons (Melody Maker)

14 January (Thursday) – The Modern Blues Six (Melody Maker)

21 January (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary and Melody Maker)

Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan joined this west London band in early November 1964 and remained band until late April.

28 January (Thursday) – Mystic and The Colorados (Melody Maker)

4 February (Thursday) – The Fenmen (Melody Maker)

11 February (Thursday) – The Wackers (Melody Maker)

18 February (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

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

4 March (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

11 March (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens (Melody Maker)

18 March (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker) Harrow Observer & Gazette says The Matadors

25 March (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens (Melody Maker)

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

8 April (Thursday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

15 April (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

29 April (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker) Ian Gillan had left Wainwright’s Gentlemen after a gig on 26 April and joined Episode Six.

13 May (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

27 May (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

2 June (Wednesday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

By now, future Sweet drummer Mick Tucker had joined Wainwright’s Gentlemen.

3 June (Thursday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Melody Maker)

10 June (Thursday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

17 June (Thursday) – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (Melody Maker)

24 June (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

8 July (Thursday) – Felders Orioles (Melody Maker)

Drummer John Halsey went on to Timebox in August 1967.

22 July (Thursday) – The Turnkeys (Melody Maker)

29 July (Thursday) – The Flamingos (Melody Maker) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Blue Ravens

12 August (Thursday) – The Reasons (Melody Maker)

19 August (Thursday) – The Sultans (Melody Maker)

26 August (Thursday) – The Flamingos (Melody Maker)

2 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Future Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood was with The Bo Street Runners at this point.

9 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)

16 September (Thursday) – The Modern Blues Six (Melody Maker) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Alan Price Set but this may relate to next week

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

By this point, future Sweet singer Brian Connolly had joined the band. Sax player Dave Brogden was working with The Statesides by this point but helped out with this gig.

23 September (Thursday) – The Alan Price Set (Melody Maker)

30 September (Thursday) – The Olympics (Melody Maker)

7 October (Thursday) – Episode Six (Melody Maker)

Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan joined Episode Six in May 1965 after leaving Wainwright’s Gentlemen in late April.

14 October (Thursday) – The MI4 (Melody Maker)

This band became The Maze and featured original Deep Purple singer Rod Evans and drummer Ian Paice.

28 November (Sunday) – The Legends (Hayes Gazette)

12 December (Sunday) – The Legends (Hayes Gazette)

1966

Missing all of 1966 apart from this lone gig, so would welcome any additions to this year.

28 January (Friday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

By this point the band comprised Jean Hayles (lead vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Dave Brogden (sax), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums).

1967

8 February (Wednesday) – The Beachcombers (Ealing Weekly Post)

15 April (Saturday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)

16 April (Sunday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)

10 June (Saturday) – Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig diary)

7 July (Friday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

21 July (Friday) – Episode Six (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 July (Friday) – The Moody Blues (Harrow Weekly Post)

Rupert’s People were also advertised originally but considering the gig on 11 August, they probably didn’t appear.

4 August (Friday) – The Syrian Blues (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 August (Sunday) – Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig diary)

11 August (Friday) – Rupert’s People (Harrow Weekly Post)

Disc & Music Echo reports that this was Rupert’s People’s debut gig.

17 August (Thursday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 August (Friday) – Robert Hirst & The Big Taste (Harrow Weekly Post)

1 September (Friday) – Episode Six (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 September (Friday) – The Syrian Blues (Harrow Weekly Post)

The Original Drifters were booked originally for this date.

22 September (Friday) – James & Bobby Purify with The New York Public Library (Harrow Weekly Post)

29 September (Friday) – Studio Six (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 October (Friday) – The Coloured Raisins (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 October (Friday) – Whistling Jack Smith and The Quiet Five (Harrow Weekly Post)

17 October (Tuesday) – The Original Drifters (Harrow Weekly Post)

24 October (Tuesday) – The Symbols (Harrow Weekly Post)

31 October (Tuesday) – The Isley Brothers (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 November (Tuesday) – The Fabulous Temptations with The House of Orange (this is The Fantastics) (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 November (Saturday) – The Army (Melody Maker)

Future Sweet bass player Steve Priest was a member of The Army.

28 November (Tuesday) – The Electric Prunes (Fabulous 208)

The visiting Californian band was on a short UK tour and surprisingly played this small venue.

23 December (Saturday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Frank Torpey’s gig diary)

Three of the original Sweet members (Brian Connolly, Mick Tucker and Frank Torpey) were part of Wainwright’s Gentlemen at this point.

1968

1 June (Saturday) – Baron Richthofen’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 August (Friday) – The Group Show (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

11 August (Sunday) – Smokey Orange (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

16 August (Friday) – Advance Rate (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

18 August (Sunday) – The Beatstalkes (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

23 August (Friday) – The Nights (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

25 August (Sunday) – The Sweetshop (aka The Sweet) (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

30 August (Friday) – Late Night Love (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

1 September (Sunday) – Freddie Fingers Lee (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

13 September (Friday) – The House of Lords (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

15 September (Sunday) – Episode Six (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

18 September (Wednesday) – The Nights (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

21 September (Saturday) – The Cast (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

22 September (Sunday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

25 September (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

28 September (Saturday) – The Market (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

29 September (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

2 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

5 October (Saturday) – The Fresh Windows and The Outside Toilet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

6 October (Sunday) – Marmalade and Coconut Ice (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

9 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

12 October (Saturday) – Two top groups (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 October (Sunday) – Timebox (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

16 October (Wednesday) – Merlin Q (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

19 October (Saturday) – The Tracts (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

20 October (Sunday) – Episode Six (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

Episode Six were replaced by The Tremeloes plus support band.

23 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

26 October (Saturday) – The Bobcats (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

27 October (Sunday) – The New Formula with support (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

30 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

2 November (Saturday) – Merlin Q (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

3 November (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and Acceleration (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

6 November (Wednesday) – Pop group (Harrow Weekly Post)

9 November (Saturday) – The Colours (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

10 November (Sunday) – Little John & The Shadrocks (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

13 November (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

16 November (Saturday) – Top groups (Harrow Weekly Post)

17 November (Sunday) – Vanity Fair (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

20 November (Wednesday) – The Forbidden Fruit (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

24 November (Sunday) – The Paradox (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

27 November (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

30 November (Saturday) – Andy Cannon Quartet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

1 December (Sunday) – The Tremeloes and Coconut Ice (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

4 December (Wednesday) – The Tremeloes (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

7 December (Saturday) – The Craven Brothers and Cabaret Show (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

8 December (Sunday) – Marmalade (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

14 December (Saturday) – The Four Sounds (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

15 December (Sunday) – Locomotive (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

18 December (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

22 December (Sunday) – The Dream Police (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

29 December (Sunday) – The Tremeloes (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

Harrow Weekly Post reports that New Formula replaced The Tremeloes

1969

19 January (Sunday) – The Youngblood (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

26 January (Sunday) – The Formula (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

2 February (Sunday) – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates (from Hong Kong) (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

2 March (Sunday) – Harmony Grass (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

9 March (Sunday) – Justin Marhyr (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

16 March (Sunday) – Red Beans & Rice (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

23 March (Sunday) – Joyce Bond Revue (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

30 March (Sunday) – John L Watson & The Web (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

26 April (Saturday) – The Cats (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

4 May (Sunday) – The Nights (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

11 May (Sunday) – Episode Six (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

Categories: England, London, Middlesex, Twickenham

Eel Pie Island, Twickenham

March 1, 2014 Nick Warburton 6 Comments

Gethesemane, The Action, The Nice, David Booth at Eel Pie Island

Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, Middlesex has often been described as the birthplace of British rhythm and blues. Alongside the Ealing Club (where The Rolling Stones came together) and the Crawdaddy in Richmond, Surrey (where The Rolling Stones and The Yardbirds both held down residencies), the hotel on Eel Pie Island featured a virtual who’s who of soon-to-be famous British artists.

However, unlike the two above venues, Eel Pie Island bridged the gap between the early 1960s R&B scene and the late 1960s British psychedelic/heavy rock period.

From 1962-1967, The Rolling Stones (who held a residency there from April-September 1963), The Downliners Sect, David Bowie (with The Mannish Boys), Jon Lord (with The Artwoods), Rod Stewart, Jeff Beck (with The Tridents), The Yardbirds, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Cream, Pink Floyd and many others graced the stage.

The hotel closed briefly in the summer of 1967 but reopened the following summer. During late 1968-early 1969, top groups like The Who, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, The Moody Blues and Joe Cocker & The Grease Band performed there. During 1969, the venue changed name and became Colonel Barefoot’s Rock Garden.

Below is a list of gigs that I have started to compile. I would welcome any additions in the comments box below and any memories people have of this historically important venue.

24 April 1963 – The Rolling Stones
1 May 1963 – The Rolling Stones
8 May 1963 – The Rolling Stones
15 May 1963 – The Rolling Stones
22 May 1963 – The Rolling Stones
29 May 1963 – The Rolling Stones
5 June 1963 – The Rolling Stones
12 June 1963 – The Rolling Stones
19 June 1963 – The Rolling Stones
26 June 1963 – The Rolling Stones
3 July 1963 – The Rolling Stones
10 July 1963 – The Rolling Stones
12 July 1963 – The Rolling Stones
14 July 1963 – The Yardbirds and Cyril Davies All Stars (unconfirmed)
17 July 1963 – The Rolling Stones
24 July 1963 – The Rolling Stones
31 July 1963 – The Rolling Stones
7 August 1963 – The Rolling Stones
14 August 1963 – The Rolling Stones
21 August 1963 – The Rolling Stones
28 August 1963 – The Rolling Stones
4 September 1963 – The Rolling Stones
11 September 1963 – The Rolling Stones
21 September 1963 – The Rolling Stones
28 September 1963 – The Rolling Stones
8 December 1963 – Manfred Mann

25 May 1964 – The Manish Boys
18 June 1964 – Manfred Mann
21 June 1964 – The Manish Boys
26 July 1964 – The Manish Boys
19 August 1964 – Davie Jones & The Manish Boys
2 September 1964 – Davie Jones & The Manish Boys
7 October 1964 – Davie Jones & The Manish Boys
23 October 1964 – The Second Thoughts
8 November 1964 – Davie Jones & The Manish Boys
21 November 1964 – Dave Hunt’s R&B Band featuring Hamilton King

30 October 1965 – The Who (unconfirmed)
15 December 1965 – The Stormville Shakers
26 December 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers

20 March 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
23 March 1966 – Graham Bond Organisation
29 May 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
8 July 1966 – The Stormville Shakers
24 August 1966 – Cream
18 September 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
21 September 1966 – Dave Anthony’s Moods and The Stormville Shakers (check)
27 November 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (cancelled)

1 March 1967 – Pink Floyd
26 March 1967 – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
29 March 1967 – Pink Floyd
18 June 1967 – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
23 June 1967 – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
28 June 1967 – Pink Floyd
5 July 1967 – Pink Floyd
26 July 1967 – Family

31 July 1968 – Spooky Tooth and Spice
7 August 1968 – Blossom Toes and Spice
14 August 1968 – Skip Bifferty and Juniors Eyes
21 August 1968 – The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
24 August 1968 – David Booth
25 August 1968 – Gethsemane
28 August 1968 – The Nice and East of Eden
4 September 1968 – The Action
11 September 1968 – The Moody Blues
14 September 1968 – Gracious
18 September 1968 – Family and The Downliners Sect
25 September 1968 – Eclection and Village
28 September 1968 – Gracious
2 October 1968 – Joe Cocker & The Grease Band and Terry Reid
5 October 1968 – Gracious
6 October 1968 – John Thomas Blues Band
9 October 1968 – Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera and Freedom
16 October 1968 – Colosseum and July
23 October 1968 – Alan Bown, Gethsemane, Proteus and David Booth
30 October 1968 – The Who and East of Eden
6 November 1968 – Crazy World of Arthur Brown
13 November 1968 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers

23 January 1969 – Eire Apparent
24 January 1969 – Van Der Graaf Generator
7 February 1969 – The Pretty Things and Ian Whitcombe with Turnstyle

14 February 1969 – Roy Harper, Juniors Eyes and Edgar Broughton

Most of the late 1960s gigs were sourced from Melody Maker and Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies. Other useful sources were Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette, Richmond & Twickenham Times and Time Out. Thanks also to Andy Neill, Ken Baxter, Alan Clayson and Greg Russo

Categories: England, Middlesex, Parlophone, Pye Records

The Legends

February 6, 2014 Nick Warburton 10 Comments

Peter Watkinson – lead vocals
Kevin Sparkes – rhythm guitar, organ
Keith Kendall – lead guitar
Rick Eagles – bass
Tony Watkinson – drums, vocals

Hayes, Middlesex-based brothers Peter and Tony Watkinson had formed the band in the early 1960s as The Limelites and were joined at some point by rhythm guitarist Kevin Sparkes.

In 1963, Rick Eagles, who’d previously played rhythm guitar with Wembley, Middlesex band The Delta 5 alongside future Deep Purple bass player Nick Simper, joined the Limelites on bass. Soon after, they became resident Sunday night band at the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote, Middlesex.

During mid-1964, Peter Watkinson caught another Hayes band, Brian & The Fantoms playing at the Seagull Hotel in Southall and was impressed by The Fantoms’ lead guitarist Keith Kendall, whose father was Watkinson’s manager at EMI Electronics.

Hillingdon Mirror 29 September 1964 page 5

Not long after, Watkinson changed the group’s name to the Legends and secured a recording deal with Pye Records.

Paired with legendary producer Joe Meek, the band cut a lone single, Peter Watkinson’s “Looking For Her” c/w “I’m Coming Home”, which was issued as The First Impressions in March 1965 to avoid confusion with Twickenham, Middlesex group, The Legend.

However, when the US soul band, The Impressions threatened a law suit, the musicians were forced to revert back to The Legends for a second single on Pye – Peter Watkinson’s “I’ve Found Her” c/w “Something’s Gonna Happen” in July 1965.

When the two singles failed to dent the charts, Keith Kendall departed in late 1965/early 1966 and re-joined Brian & The Fantoms for a few months before subsequently joining Hayes group, Four Point Five, which also worked as The Soul System. In the late 1960s/early 1970s, Kendall hooked up with The All Night Workers.

Kendall’s initial replacement was a lead guitarist called Ron, who was joined soon after by second lead player Ian Hollands. Hollands had previously worked with Ealing, Middlesex group, Frankie Reid & The Casuals between 1962-1963 and then a Teddington, Middlesex band (possibly Unit 4).

Towards the end of 1966, the band underwent further changes as both Rick Eagles (who hooked up with Tony Knight’s Chessmen) and the lead guitarist called Ron departed to make way for siblings Terry Williams on trumpet/vocals and Ian Williams on bass. By November, Kevin Sparkes, who’d moved on to Hammond C3, had also left to make way for Russ Pinder.

The Hillingdon Mirror ran article and photo on the new formation in its 28 March 1967 issue, page 24.

That same month, The Legends finally returned with a second single on the Parlophone label – a cover of Boyce & Hart’s “Tomorrow’s Gonna Be Another Day” backed by Peter Watkinson’s “Nobody Laughs Anymore”.

The Hillingdon Mirror ran another article and photos of the band in its 11 July 1967 issue, page 32 (see above).

That same month, The Legends released their final single on Parlophone – Peter Watkinson’s “Under The Sky” c/w “Twenty Four Hours A Day”.

When the band broke up in late 1967, Hollands played guitar on some demos that Peter Watkinson recorded in his home studio before going on to work with Hayes, west London group, The Magic Roundabout.

Thanks to Keith Kendall and Ian Hollands for providing background information on the band.

I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com

Selected gigs (also see comments below):

26 January 1965 – Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

30 January 1965 – Carfax Ballroom, Oxford with The Puppets (Oxford Mail)

5 March 1965 – Co-op Hall, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

5 June 1965 – Carfax Ballroom, Oxford with The Pressmen (Oxford Mail)

14 August 1965 – Orchid Room, Oxford with The Beat Merchants (Oxford Mail)

19 September 1965 – Co-op Hall, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

21 September 1965 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, northwest London Paul Dean & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 October 1965 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, northwest London with The Creed (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

16 November 1965 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, northwest London with The Creed (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 December 1965 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, northwest London Paul Dean & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

16 August 1967 – Town Hall Park, Hayes, west London (Hillingdon Mirror)

Categories: England, London, Middlesex

The Army

July 26, 2013 Nick Warburton 45 Comments

Richard Bennett – lead vocals

Tony Tacon – lead guitar

Ian Orton – keyboards

John Barter – tenor sax

George Russell – tenor sax

Ron Lewingdon – trumpet

Steve Priest – bass/vocals

Alan Bennett – drums

West London R&B/soul connoisseurs The Army have the distinction of being the group that spawned future Sweet bass player/singer Steve Priest.

The Army’s roots can be traced as far back as 1962 when cousins Richard Bennett (lead vocals) and Alan Bennett (drums) decided to form their first band, The Satellites in Hayes, west London.

The Satellites in Hillingdon Mirror, 16 November 1965

Joined by Dave Harris (bass) and siblings Ian Orton (lead guitar) and Mick Orton (rhythm guitar), The Satellites had an early brush with fame when they appeared on the set of the James Bond movie Goldfinger in 1964.

The Satellites 1960 — The Army was formed from this band, The Satellites, formed in 1960. Left to right: Richard Bennett, Dave Harris, Alan Bennett, Ian Orton and Mick Orton. This photo was taken at the opening scene of Goldfinger, The James Bond movie with Sean Connery. Photo: Richard Bennett

Around mid-July 1966, however, The Satellites underwent a significant reshuffle, starting with the addition of lead guitarist Tony Tacon, whose main claim to fame is that he had been a member of local rivals, The Javelins with future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan during 1962-1964.

Gillan left to join Wainwright’s Gentlemen in November 1964 (Ed: future Sweet drummer Mick Tucker joined during late 1965) and Tacon joined Ealing band, Four Jacks and a Joker before hooking up with West Drayton outfit, The Ways & Means for a few months.

“I got a knock on my door from Clem [Clemson] who had been a part-time manager of The Javelins,” remembers Tacon. “He said that The Satellites were looking for a new lead guitarist if I was interested. I went down to Uxbridge for an audition and joined.”

With Tacon’s arrival, Ian Orton moved on to keyboards. At the same time Mick Orton dropped out. The following month, the band decided to remodel itself on Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers by bringing in some horn players.

For the proposed horn section, Tacon recommended his friend, sax player John Barter, who had played alongside the guitarist in Four Jacks and a Joker. Barter in turn introduced his friend, fellow sax player George Russell, a former member of Twickenham-based R&B outfit, Jeff Curtis & The Flames.

Not long after Dave Harris departed and future Sweet bass player Steve Priest took his place.

“Steve Priest joined as our new bass player,” continues Tacon. “I remember us going around to see him at his parents’ house in Hayes. I was familiar with him from his Countdowns days but someone else in the band had made contact with him.”

According to Steve Priest’s book Are you Ready, Steve? it was Richard and Alan Bennett who approached him to join. Priest would later recruit future Army members, guitarist Richard Herring and organist Dennis White from his former group The Countdowns.

Tacon remembers one of his first gigs with the group (still billed as The Satellites) was in south Wales.

“I remember playing Afan Lido (Port Talbot) probably in their gym. It was early on after I joined The Satellites. Straight down the M4 and back the same day. Beautiful sunny day (so not winter) and I remember us relaxing on the nearby beach until the gig started. I reckon it was a regular dance venue as girls told us that they came down each week.” (Ed. The Port Talbot Guardian lists this as 23 July 1966 with Something Else in support)

Renamed The Army, in view of the increased number of personnel in the band, Richard Bennett, who worked as a sign writer, painted the new moniker, surrounded by instruments, on the sextet’s new purchase, an old 30cwt van.

“The van was so big that we used to have to take it in turns to have it for a week and park it outside our homes,” says Tacon.

From the outset, The Army’s repertoire was entirely comprised of cover material, mixing popular US R&B/soul numbers like Lee Dorsey’s “Ride Your Pony”, The Four Tops’ “Reach Out, I’ll Be There”, Larry Williams’s “Slow Down” and Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper’s “In the Midnight Hour” (which Steve Priest sang) with British classics, such as Zoot Money’s “Big Time Operator”.

At first, the revamped and renamed outfit found gigs at its local haunt – the Grange Club in Hayes. Interestingly, they were also invited to perform at several garden parties for the Tory party.

“I was impressed by the sort of gigs that we did,” recalls Tacon. “The band was well in with the Young Conservative Association, how I don’t know, and played at many of the functions in London and the Home Counties.”

Tacon remembers the band playing at the Bell House Hotel in Gerrards Cross, a venue in Harpenden with a Liverpool band that might have been The Undertakers and also at an RAF base at Dawes Hill near High Wycombe.

During this time, the guitarist also remembers the band landing a gig at the Queen’s Building in the centre of London (Heathrow) Airport and sharing the dressing room with Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen.

In late October, The Army played at a Halloween Party at a hotel opposite the airport, which was put on by a film producer.

More significant, the sextet started performing on London’s busy club scene, including shows at the Starlite Ballroom in Greenford and the 100 Club (Ed: this might have been Tiles) on Oxford Street.

“One night we played a dance hall in the Amersham area… then went straight off to the centre of London where we played [at Tiles] in the early hours of the morning. The Birds may have been on before us,” recalls Tacon.

“I remember that Steve [Priest] had some friends with him at that gig and one of them was robbed on the dance floor. My fiancée (now my wife) saw it happen and says that the gang turned Steve’s friend upside down to empty his pockets.”

Priest’s book doesn’t mention this incident but does note that the venue the group played after the Amersham area gig was Tiles on Oxford Street. Interestingly, The Army did play the Legion Hall in Amersham on 25 February 1967 and later that evening appeared at Tiles on Oxford Street (see selected gig list below).

As the band’s popularity grew, The Army ventured further afield, including shows in Cardiff (3 February 1967), Dunstable, Birmingham and Nottingham among others.

Tacon remembers the sextet playing a converted warehouse in Birmingham and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers were in the dressing room when they arrived [Ed: this was Midnight City on 19 November 1966, although the group is not advertised in Birmingham Evening Mail].

“I remember John Mayall sitting there smoking a spliff. The window at the end of the room looked out on to a large intersection and bang opposite was Digbeth police station,” continues the guitarist.

“We left our gear and all went off to the Bullring for something to eat, missing the Bluesbreakers’ set. I have often wondered if Eric Clapton was in the room that night, but after comparing notes with Steve Priest; he assures me that it was the first gig [sic] for Peter Green, who he saw frantically practising in readiness having just taken over from Clapton.”

Tacon adds that The Army played at the Dungeon Club in Nottingham the next evening, a venue that he recalls playing at least twice during his time with the band. [Ed: this would have been 20 November 1966. Again, the local paper, The Nottingham Evening Post does not list them, but rather The Amboy Dukes]

Another notable gig took place on Christmas Eve when The Army opened for their idols, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers at Burton’s in Uxbridge.

“I must have left in my own van earlier than the others after the gig because the next morning (Christmas Day), two of the band, probably Richard and Alan turned up with my share of the money,” recalls the guitarist.

“They were good lads in that band. I went all over the place with them and do not remember any upsets at all.”

The Army, Dungeon, Nottingham, 5 March 1967

During January 1967, Tacon introduced trumpet player Ron Lewingdon and The Army became a seven-piece act.

“He approached me about joining when he saw me driving the band’s van one day in the company car park,” explains the guitarist. “I was working in the tool room at the same company at the time. I put it to the others and he was in.”

With Lewingdon on-board, The Army played at the Adelphi Ballroom in Slough (18 March 1967) and Tacon’s old mate from The Javelins, Ian Gillan turned up and ended up taking photos of the group performing from the side of the stage.

“Ian came with me in my car to see the band for the first time,” continues the guitarist. “I had been going to see him in Episode Six, so he repaid the compliment. He was best man at my wedding later that year.”

The Army at the Adelphi Club — At The Adelphi Ballroom in Slough, above the cinema. Left to right: Steve Priest, Tony Tacon, Richard Bennett on lead vocals, Ron Lewingdon and George Russell. Photo: Richard Bennett

On this particular night Richard Bennett’s PA played up and the singer remembers borrowing one from Ian Gillan. Tacon adds that the future Deep Purple singer also took the photo.

However, not long after, Tony Tacon handed his notice. The guitarist was indeed engaged and got married soon after; it was time to hang up his rock ‘n’ roll boots. In fact, Tacon didn’t play in a band again until The Javelins reformed in the early 1990s to record a CD. He currently plays with Lincoln band, Something Else.

The guitarist remembers that his last gig with The Army took place at the California Ballroom in Dunstable on 25 March 1967.

“There were three bands on that night,” he says looking back. “The Troggs were top of the bill and we shared the dressing room with them. I remember being impressed that they arrived in an Austin Princess and brought a portable black and white TV with them that was set up in the dressing room.”

The Army at the Adelphi Ballroom, 18 March 1967. Photo: Tony Tacon

With former Countdowns guitarist Richard Herring taking over on lead guitar and ex-Countdown Dennis White subsequently replacing Ian Orton on electric organ, The Army cut two tracks in late 1967 that were shelved until 2014 when this author helped secure the release of the band’s cover of the Joe Tex hit, “Sugar” on Acid Jazz’s Rare Mod Volume 5. The band’s cover of the Sam & Dave hit “You Don’t Know Like I Know” remains unreleased.

On 14 October, The Army returned to the California Ballroom to support Georgie Fame. Two months later, they played two shows at Burton’s in Uxbridge, the latter on New Year’s Eve, opening for Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers.

Sometime around this period, the group turned up at Chelsea Barracks to audition for Opportunity Knocks.

The Army continued to gig during early 1968, playing venues like Walton Hop. However, behind the scenes, Steve Priest began rehearsing with The Sweetshop (aka Sweet) on the side.

“I was a fan of smaller bands like Cream,” says Priest on his decision to explore new avenues. “The Army and Wainwright’s Gentlemen played at Ealing Town Hall on the same night. Mick [Tucker] was fired that night and Brian [Connolly] resigned.”

Left to right: Ron Lewingdon, George Russell, John Barter, Richard Bennett and Steve Priest. Opening for Marmalade (circa late 1967/early 1968). Photo: George Russell

Not long after playing a show at the Grange Club in Hayes in mid-February (see date stamped top picture), Priest announced his decision to leave The Army, playing his debut gig with The Sweetshop (subsequently shortened to The Sweet) on 9 March at Hemel Hempstead Pavilion.

Taking on a new bass player called Chris from Ealing, The Army continued to gig, including a clutch of shows at the New Pink Flamingo in Soho, Cooks Ferry Inn in Edmonton, north London and also opened for The Easybeats at St Albans City Hall.

By this point, Richard Herring had also departed and former Casuals’ lead guitarist Geoff Foster had joined. Not long after Dennis White left to join Merlin Q.

The group continued to pick up gigs, playing venues like Samanthas in New Burlington Street in London

Then, around September 1968, Pete Burt took over the drum stool from Alan Bennett. Burt had worked with George Russell in Jeff Curtis & The Flames during 1965 and had stuck with the group when it became The Kool. Bennett’s departure prompted Ron Lewingdon to also drop out.

Alan Bennett and Ron Lewingdon stuck together. Reunited with former member, the late Ian Orton on rhythm guitar and lead vocals and siblings Ray Spiteri (lead guitar) and Bob Spiteri (bass), they formed The Occasions and landed a prestigious gig at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane the early 1970s.

The remaining members continued into early 1969 before splintering. Pete Burt briefly gigged with Bob Brittain and then formed Hogsnort Rupert, the house band at the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote.

Geoff Foster joined soul band, The Orange Rainbow (John Barter and George Russell both guested). Russell (and later Richard Bennett) emigrated to Australia but Russell subsequently returned to the UK.

Notable gigs:

3 September 1966 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Simon Dupree Sound (billed as The Satellites)

9 September 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London with The Jimmy Brown Sound (billed as The Satellites)

27 October 1966 – Royal Ballrooms, Boscombe, Dorset (billed as The Satellites)

19 November 1966 – Midnight City, Digbeth, Birmingham with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Tony Tacon’s memories: they must have replaced either Wynder K Frog or The Times who were also advertised)

20 November 1966 – The Dungeon, Nottingham (Tony Tacon’s memories: they must have replaced The Amboy Dukes who were advertised in Nottingham Evening Post)

24 November 1966 – Stereo Club, Wycombe, Bucks (billed as The Satellites)

25 November 1966 – Wy-Key Club, Burnham Lane, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Satellites)

26 November 1966 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Blackout (billed as The Satellites)

10 December 1966 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with The Riot Squad (Tony Tacon confirmed)

24 December 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers

Thanks to David Else for providing the scan

4 February 1967 – Thames Hotel, Windsor, Berkshire (replaced The All Night Workers)

11 February 1967 – Kookoo-Byrd Discotheque, Cardiff, Wales

25 February 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks

25 February 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Gamblers and The Essex Five

5 March 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham

18 March 1967 – At the Union, Manchester with St Louis Union and Sound Venture (Tony Tacon doesn’t recall this gig at all, even though it was advertised)

18 March 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

25 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Troggs

1 April 1967 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

23 April – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

29 April 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks

29 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Lemon Line and The Penny Blacks

11 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Jokers and The Afex

28 May 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

2 July 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London with The Toys

15 July 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

16 July 1967 – Carlton Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

29 July 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Gass and The Fraternity

19 August 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Coloured Raisins and Tiles Big Band

20 August 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Maze and The Art Movement

23 August 1967 – Drayton Hall, West Drayton, west London

23 August 1967 – Town Hall Park, Hayes, west London

3 September 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

14 October 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Georgie Fame & Four Point Five

24 November 1967 – Private engagement (according to Melody Maker)

25 November 1967 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

26 November 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set

27 November 1967 – Private engagement (according to Melody Maker)

30 November 1967 – RAF Northwood, Hertfordshire

1 December 1967 – Private engagement (according to Melody Maker)

2 December 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London

3 December 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with The Temptations (this was The Fantastics not the Motown group)

31 December 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (this requires confirmation)

5 January 1968 – The Hub, Marlow, Bucks

13 January 1968 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

20 January 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Radio Disc Show with Stuart Henry

According to Frank Torpey’s diary, Steve Priest was rehearsing with The Sweetshop (aka The Sweet) by 5 February and would have left a few weeks later.

Frank Torpey’s final gig with Wainwright’s Gentlemen was 20 January and Mick Tucker was fired shortly afterwards so the Ealing Town Hall gig where Wainwright’s Gentlemen and The Army both appeared was probably in the last week of January 1968.

10 February 1968 – The Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset

Mid (13?) February 1968 – The Grange, Hayes, west London (picture has Steve Priest in it, so one of his final gigs with the band)

3 March 1968 – Slough Adelphi, Slough, Berkshire (Priest may have played this but very unlikely)

10 May 1968 – Dunstable Civic Hall, Dunstable, Beds with Spectrum

25 May 1968 – Nags Head, Motown Club, Wollaston, Northamptonshire with Alfred The Great

26 May 1968 – New Pink Flamingo, Wardour Street, central London

30 May 1968 – St Andrew’s Hall, Uxbridge, northwest London

2 June 1968 – New Pink Flamingo, Wardour Street, central London with The All-Nite Workers (billed as Army Soul Show)

14 June 1968 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset

21 June 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with The Easybeats and The Hello

6 July 1968 – Flamenco Club, Folkestone, Kent

10 August 1968 – Styx Discotheque, Luton, Bedfordshire

23 September 1968 – Penny Farthing Club, Southend-on-Sea, Essex with Kingsize Keen and His Rockin’ Machine

I would like to thank Tony Tacon, Richard Bennett, Alan Bennett, Ron Lewingdon, Steve Priest, John Kerrison, Geoff Foster, George Russell, John Barter and Keith Kendall for providing some information about this band. Thanks to Richard Bennett, George Russell and Tony Tacon for providing images.

Gigs were sourced from various national newspapers and Melody Maker (some sources are noted in the comments below).

Garage Hangover

Category Archives: Middlesex

The Attic Club, Hounslow, west London

Blue Moon, Hayes, west London

Southall Community Centre, west London

Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

Eel Pie Island, Twickenham

The Legends

The Army

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