The Tribe were a northwest London band from Kilburn that formed around late 1964 and were notable for featuring future Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band bass player Dennis Cowan and Frank Torpey, who was the original lead guitarist in The Sweet. Torpey had started out in a band with future Sweet drummer Mick Tucker. Drummer Malcolm Wolffe subsequently played with Happy Magazine and then Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
Regulars at the Ealing Club and the State Ballroom Kilburn, the band gigged widely (see gigs list below) and travelled to Paris twice to play at the Gaff Club. The Tribe also spent a month in Copenhagen, Denmark in spring 1966. Petticoat Magazine ran a short article on them in its 4 June issue (see below).
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Signed to Shel Talmy’s Planet label, The Tribe’s debut single was the blues rocker “The Gamma Goochie” c/w “I’m Leaving”, which was produced by John Sullivan and issued on 4 February 1966.
The former can be found on the Big Beat compilation CD Planet Mod while the latter has been included on another CD in the Big Beat series, Planet Beat. Out of interest, Planet Mod also includes the previously unreleased Tribe recording “Don’t Let It Be”, which was cut in March 1966.
After recording a couple of unreleased demo tracks after leaving Planet, including a cover of Edwin Starr’s “Headline News” and a track called “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose” (the latter at Abbey Road), The Tribe moved to RCA for its second release in May 1967 – the soulful “Love Is a Beautiful Thing” c/w “Steel Guitar and a Glass of Wine”.
That same month, the group landed a three-month residency at the Marquee (and while there played at the exclusive Mayfair club the Scotch of St James a handful of times after finishing up at the Marquee in the evening).
In mid-August, to tap into the burgeoning psychedelic scene, The Tribe changed name to Dream and appeared at the Festival of the Flower Children held at Woburn Festival on 27 August 1967.
When the band broke up in October 1967, Torpey spent a few months with another west London band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen where he worked with soon-to-be Sweet band mates Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker.
Selected gigs:
7 November 1964 – Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Bucks with The Troggs
9 January 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions
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30 March 1965 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardeners, Isleworth, Middlesex
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8 April 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
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13 April 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
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2 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
7 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
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11 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
13 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
14 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
23 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
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25 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
28 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
31 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
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3 June 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London with The CC Riders and Initial Four
3 July 1965 – Club Noreik, Tottenham, north London
6 July 1965 – London Cavern, Holland Park, west London with The Dae ‘B’ Four
13 August 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Bern Elliott & The Klan
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14 August 1965 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton with The Dragsters
4 September 1965 – Club Dolphin, Luton, Beds
18 September 1965 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Johnny Cannon & The Shades
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8 October 1965 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks
16 October 1965 – Finstock, Oxfordshire
23 October 1965 – Tackley, Oxfordshire
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20 November 1965 – Airport Restaurant, Rochester Airport, Rochester, Kent
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22 November 1965 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire
9 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
18 December 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Devil’s Coachmen
24 December 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Dickens Set
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26 December 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Jimmy Cliff, Ayshea, Pete Hodges and The New Generation (advert says they are from the Marquee)
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8 January 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with The Sneakers
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14 January 1966 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (from the Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London)
5 February 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with The Overlanders and The Amboy Dukes
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19 February 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Zombies
26 February 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire with The Fenmen
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1 April 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex
30 April 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with The Amboy Dukes
Photo: Petticoat magazine, 4 June 1966. Image may be subject to copyright
10 June 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester
19 June 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Valiants and The Trackmarks
25 June 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with St Louis Union
26 June 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
2 July 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with Abject Blues
17 July 1966 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes
6 August 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
7 August 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
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13 August 1966 – ABC Promotions, Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Zuider Zee
14 August 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
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20 August 1966 – The 7 Club, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, Shropshire with Chris Ian
27 August 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Small Faces, John & Nicky (and group), The Flashbacks and The Ferryboys
2 September 1966 – Dancing Slipper, Nottingham
3 September 1966 – Gaiety, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Eyes of Blond
10 September 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with Bob Kidman & His Band, The Utopians and The Versions
25 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
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30 September 1966 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands
7 October 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
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15 October 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with New Generation
22 October 1966 – The Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
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2 November 1966 – Gravesend R&B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent (Thanks to Andy Neill for providing PACE magazine entry)
5 November 1966 – The Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (also have them playing at New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire on this day)
6 November 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
18 November 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks
19 November 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham with Fla Makane
2 December 1966 – Dancing Slipper Ballroom, West Bridgeford, Nottingham with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers
3 December 1966 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
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15 December 1966 – Flying Fox Club, RAF Cottesmore, Rutland with Davey Sands & The Essex, Marmalade and The Nemkons
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17 December 1966 – ABC Promotions, Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Seasons
19 December 1966 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Missing Links
24 December 1966 – Bath Regency Ballroom, Bath with The First Lites and The Workshop
1 January 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
7 January 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
13 January 1967 – Bicester Youth Centre, Bicester
14 January 1967 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Warwickshire with The Pride & Passion
14 January 1967 – Flamingo Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall with The Dissatisfied
16 January 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire
25 January 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
31 January 1967 – Crayford Town Hall, Crayford, Kent
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18 February 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
25 February 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Washington DCs
5 March 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (they might have been replaced by The Army)
8 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
18 March 1967 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire with Sac-0-Woe
25 March 1967 – New Dungeon Club, Nottingham
30 March 1967 – Marquee, London with Marmalade
1 April 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
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1 April 1967 – Beeches Barn Theatre, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (advert mistakenly says they are from Oxford)
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10 April 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Finger Print Set
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14 April 1967 – Bluesette, Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey
15 April 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Tonicks featuring Joey Young
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16 April 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent
4 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Marmalade
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6 May 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Chicago Line featuring Mike Patto and The New Generation
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26 May 1967 – Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
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27 May 1967 – Exeter Eights Week Ball, Oxford University with The Cream, The Other Extreme and The Cabinet
27 May 1967 – St Thomas’ Hall, Brentwood, Essex
3 June 1967 – Bal Tabarin, Downham, southeast London with supporting groups
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7 June 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
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9 June 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
15 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Marmalade
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17 June 1967 – Hull College of Commerce Students’ Union, Hull, Humberside with That Feeling and The Locomotion
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24 June 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
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1 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Stalkers
2 July 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
8 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Love Affair
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15 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Monopoly
22 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ten Years After
29 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Darlings
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5 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
12 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Impact Blues
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19 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Nite People
Selected gigs (as Dream)
26 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
27 August 1967 – Festival of the Flower Children, Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Bedfordshire with The Move, Eric Burdon & The New Animals, The Soft Machine and others
2 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
9 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbal Mixture
16 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Iveys
23 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Mud
30 September 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
30 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
21 October 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with Zoot Money
22 October 1967 – Rendezvous Club, Margate, Kent
These final gigs must have been a different band unless some of the members carried on with the name after Frank Torpey left.
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11 December 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo with The Probe (see gig poster as they had been on tour)
29 December 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
Thanks to Frank Torpey, Alec Palao and Bruce Welsh for providing information.
This is an extensively updated version of an article that was originally published on the Strange Brew website. I’d like to thank Jason Barnard for all of his help and support over the years.
The gigs above were sourced from many sources. I apologise for any sources that are missing but they include Melody Maker, the Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette, Birmingham Evening Mail, Bucks Free Press, Lynn News, Nottingham Evening Post, Northampton Chronicle, Oxford Mail, Cherwell, Banbury Guardian, Andover Advertiser, Hull Daily Mail, East Kent Times & Mail.
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
The Loose Ends, late 1965/early 1966. Left to right: Roy Davies, Rick Marshall, Alan Marshall, Peter Kirtley and Alan Whitehead. Photo: Peter Kirtley
Formed in Bexley Heath, Kent in late 1963, The Loose Ends were fronted by singer Alan Marshall (b. 19 February 1944, Karachi, British India, now Sindhi Province, Pakistan) and his bass playing cousin Rick Marshall.
Lead guitarist Ron Spence (b. 23 April 1947, London, England; d. 25 June 1973) was also there from the outset alongside drummer Peter Hetherington and rhythm guitarist John Knox who had been introduced to the band by Spence.
After rehearsing in a scout hut in Bexley Heath and playing some local gigs, keyboard player Roy Davies (b. 3 October 1944, Monmouthshire, southeast Wales; d. 1986), who was working in a music shop on Bexley Heath Broadway, took over from Knox around early 1964.
The group also brought in a drummer from Luton called Rick who was subsequently replaced by Orpington-based drummer Alan “Noddy” Whitehead (b. 24 July 1945, Oswestry, Shropshire). Whitehead had previously worked with singer Crispian St. Peters.
The band became the house band at St Lawrence Church Hall in Catford, southeast London during this period.
The new formation started landing regular gigs at notable local venues like the Bromel Club in Bromley, the Tiger’s Head in Downham and the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill. Crucially, their manager Bryan Mason secured the group a residency at Lewisham’s El Partido, a club that he owned, which helped build their local fan base.
Photo: Melody Maker
However, around June 1965, Ron Spence departed to join local rivals The Revellos, who were also managed by Bryan Mason.
Ron Spence (second right) with The Carl Douglas Set, 1966. Photo: Ken Baxter
In early 1966, Spence joined The Carl Douglas Set and remained with the Jamaican singer for about six months (recording unreleased material) before hooking up with Bexley, Kent outfit, The Big Wheel, which featured future Clark-Hutchinson member, Andy Clark. The group toured extensively in Switzerland and recorded a rare single there in late 1966 for the Eurex label. During this period, the guitarist started to work under the name Ron Bryer.
Ron Bryer (far right) with Big Wheel, Switzerland, 1966
Ron Bryer with The Movements, 1967. Photo: Barry WindowBerry Window & The Movements with Ron Bryer (third from left back row). Photo: Barry Window
During 1968, however, he formed The Third Eclipse who changed name to Brainticket and recorded the Krautrock classic Cottonwoodhillalbum in 1971. Returning to London in the early Seventies, he briefly reunited with Alan Marshall in One but tragically died from a drug overdose on 25 June 1973.
Selected gigs:
13 June 1964 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Suffolk with The Hunters
18 June 1964 – Cafe Dansant, Cleethorpes with Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders
Photo: Lynn News
4 July 1964 – Sunset Ballroom, The Sandringham, Hunstanton, Norfolk
18 July 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex
8 August 1964 – The Northfields, Stamford, Lincolnshire
Photo: Brighton Evening Argus
5 September 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex
26 September 1964 – Glenlyn Club, Forest Hill, southeast London (start playing Monday nights)
Photo: Cambridge News
3 October 1964 – Corn Exchange, Cambridge with The Paramounts
16 November 1964 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Birds
12 December 1964 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London with The Impacts
14 December 1964 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Original All-Stars
Photo: North Norfolk News
19 December 1964 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Maniax
Photo: Lynn News
24 December 1964 – Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Roadrunners
Photo: South East London Mercury
24 December 1964 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
Photo: Bletchley District Gazette
2 January 1965 – Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire with The Horizons
16 January 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London with The Impacts
22 January 1965 – Market Hall, St Albans, Herts
Photo: Melody Maker
25 January 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
29 January 1965 – Rainbow Club, Acre Hall, Northwood, Middlesex
Photo: Melody Maker
2 February 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Pretty Things
Photo: North Norfolk News
13 February 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Trends
18 February 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
Photo: Melody Maker
25 February 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
26 February 1965 – Starlite, Greenford, Middlesex with The Birds
Photo: South East London Mercury
3 April 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
Photo: Hants & Berkshire Gazette
10 April 1965 – Ticky Rick Club, Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hants (Says direct from 100 Club)
15 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
Photo: Lynn News
18 April 1965 – Tavern Club, Sunshine Floor, East Dereham, Norfolk with The Tea Time Four
Photo: Southern Echo
23 April 1965 – Waterfront, Southampton, Hants
Photo: Maidstone Gazette
24 April 1965 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with The Defenders
25 April 1965 – Face Club, Grantham, Lincolnshire
29 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
2 May 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with The Five Dimensions
Photo: Melody Maker
16 May 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
16 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London
23 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London
Photo: Walthamstow Guardian
27 May 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
Photo: Melody Maker
28 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London with Ray Sone
4 June 1965 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon with The Buccaneers
6 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
The Loose Ends, late 1965/early 1966. Left to right: Roy Davies, Rick Marshall, Alan Marshall, Peter Kirtley and Alan Whitehead. Photo: Peter Kirtley
Guitarist Peter Kirtley (b. 26 September 1945, Hebburn-on-Tyne, County Durham) from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear took Ron Spence’s place. A former member of The Chevrolets and Shorty & Them, Kirtley had appeared on the latter’s lone single, “Pills or Love’s Labour Lost” c/w “Live Laugh Love”, released on Fontana in 1964, and a German-only album, shared with Liverpool group, The Roadrunners, before decamping to London in early 1965.
According to the South East London Mercury newspaper’s 19 February 1965 edition, Kirtley and fellow Jarrow musician, bass player, the late Brian Rowan formed the short-lived Take Six with southeast London musicians, organist Roger Read (ex-Wranglers/Showtimers) and drummer Graham Willard in early 1965.
In February 1966, The Loose Ends landed a semi-residency at the exclusive Mayfair nightclub, the Scotch of St James.
Having inked a deal with Decca Records in late 1965, The Loose Ends cut their debut single, an impressive take on “Send The People Away”, a rare Moody Blues’ track penned by Mike Pinder and Denny Laine, backed with a cover of “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore”, which was shipped in July 1966.
That same month, South East London Mercury reported that bass player Dave Collman (b. 13 April 1946, Croydon, Surrey) had taken over from Rick Marshall.
The Loose Ends, circa July 1966. Left to right: Roy Davies, Peter Kirtley, Dave Collman, Alan Marshall and Alan Whitehead. Photo: Peter Kirtley
Selected gigs:
13 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
Photo: Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times
19 June 1965 – Jazz & Blues Festival, Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with The Dutch Swing College, Solomon Burke, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Unit 4 Plus 2, The Spencer Davis Group, The Downliners Sect, Alan Elsdon’s Jazzband, Brian Green New-O-Stompers and The Epitaph Soul Band
20 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
Photo: Lynn News
26 June 1965 – Swaffham Assembly Rooms, Swaffham, Norfolk with Mike Prior & The Pagans
27 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
4 July 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
Photo: North Norfolk News
25 July 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Mode
14 August 1965 – Ticky Rick and Rang-A-Tang Club, Basingstoke, Hants
Photo: Melody Maker
10-11 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee
11 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee, Sonny Childe and Lou Johnson
13 September 1965 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London
14 September 1965 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
15 September 1965 – Cromwellian, south Kensington, west London
16 September 1965 – The Raven, Ladywell, southeast London
17 September 1965 – Beckenham Ballroom, Beckenham, south London
18 September 1965 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
18 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Artwoods (Southeast London Mercury has Lou Johnson)
25 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Guy Darrell
Photo: Kent Messenger
2 October 1965 – Royal Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent with support
Photo: Melody Maker
2 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Jesse Fuller, The Spectres and Duke Lee
9 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Dave Anthony’s Moods, Duke Lee and Next of Kin
Photo: North Norfolk News
10 October 1965 – Tavern Club, Sunshine Floor, Dereham, Norfolk with The Knock-out Squad
16 October 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London
20 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Long, Short & Tall and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
23 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Minor Birds and Duke Lee
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail
27 October 1965 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands
Photo: Nottingham Evening Post
30 October 1965 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (possibly their debut Nottingham appearance)
30 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Hamilton & The Movement and Duke Lee
3 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Blues Roots and Duke Lee
12 November 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
19 November 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
Photo: Melody Maker
20 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Guy Darrell, Winds of Change and Duke Lee
27 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Panics and Duke Lee
Photo: West Surrey Advertiser
9 December 1965 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with Sonny Childe and Ad Finitum
11 December 1965 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire
Photo: Nottingham Evening Post
12 December 1965 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (from The Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London)
16 December 1965 – Cook’s Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
Photo: Melody Maker
18 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Frank Sheen Sound and Duke Lee
24 December 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
24 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee and Frank Sheen Sound
3 January 1966 – Gala Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands
3 January 1966 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
Photo: Hastings and St Leonards Observer
8 January 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Web
16 January 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Ketas
Photo: North Norfolk News
30 January 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Marvin Lois Enterprise
5 February 1966 – Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent with The Defenders and The Convoys
13 February 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Trends
15 February 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Five Proud Walkers
Photo: South East London Mercury
19 February 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London
20 February 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
Photo: South East London Mercury
21 February 1966 – Starting this week, The Loose Ends played the Scotch of St James in Mayfair, central London three times a week. They will continue to play the exclusive nightclub throughout the year.
Photo: South East London Mercury
24 February 1966 – Gala Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands
26 February 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
5 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Tony Knight’s Chessmen
11 March 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London
12 March 1966 – Golden Star Club, Caledonian Road, north London
16 March 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
17 March 1966 – Pontiac, Putney, southwest London
Photo: Either Aldershot News or Camberley News & Bagshot Observer
26 March 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Koobas
29 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action
Photo: South East London Mercury
1 April 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London with The Lonely Ones
Photo: most likely Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser
2 April 1966 – St Peter’s Hall, Croydon, south London with The Board Walkers
Photo: Hastings and St Leonards Observer
10 April 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
10 April 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London with The Lonely Ones
Photo: Lincolnshire Standard
11 April 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Soundtracks and The Reasons
17 April 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
Photo: Melody Maker
29 April 1966 – Links, Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire with support
30 April 1966 – Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent
1 May 1966 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London
Photo: South East London Mercury
14 May 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London
18 May 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
20 May 1966 – Ready Steady Go Club, Market Hall, St Albans, Herts
26 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Bo Street Runners
27 May 1966 – Queen of Hearts, Queensbury, north London
28 May 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
Photo: Melody Maker
4 June 1966 – Southeast Jazz Blues Festival, Blackheath, southeast London with Manfred Mann, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Roy C and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
5 June 1966 – Regency Ballroom, Bath with Tiffany’s Thoughts
6 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
Photo: Evening Sentinel
7 June 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends are one of the three resident bands at the Scotch of St James for the week 11-17 June
12 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
13 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
17 June 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester with Five Minus One
Photo: Hastings and St Leonards Observer
18 June 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
20 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder
21 June 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto, Ilford, east London with The Felders Orioles
Photo: Middlesbrough Evening Gazette
25 June 1966 – KD Club, Stockton-on-Tees with The Denmen (Says from Scotch of St James)
27 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
According to an article in the Wandsworth Advertiser on 29 July, the band held down a Wednesday residency at the Bromel Club in Bromley during July and besides playing at the Scotch of St James and the Flamingo, The Loose Ends also performed at the Marquee. Apparently, they also opened a game at Charlton Athletic FC.
Barely a month after the band’s debut release, Decca issued a second single on 5 August 1966, once again produced by Noel Walker. Coupling a superb freakbeat version of George Harrison’s “Taxman” with the more R&B flavoured “That’s It”; the second outing should have been a hit but for some reason failed to chart.
However, despite the clutch of great singles, The Loose Ends were unravelling.
Photo: South East London Mercury, mid September 1966
In late September, Alan Whitehead departed, initially to join Cops ‘N’ Robbers. He then spent a month or so playing with southeast London group The Epitaph Soul Band before joining The Attack alongside singer Richard Shirman and guitarist David O’List.
Although he was photographed extensively with the band, Whitehead only appeared on two tracks (“Try It” and “We Don’t Know”) as he had already secured the drummer’s position in Scottish band The Marmalade. Whitehead remained with The Marmalade throughout its most successful years. In an interesting side note, Whitehead says that he auditioned for the group that became Procol Harum in spring 1967.
Selected gigs:
6 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley southeast London
Photo: Melody Maker
8 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Rufus Thomas
Photo: Maidstone Gazette
9 July 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with The Corvettes
13 July 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley, southeast London with The Good Things
16 July 1966 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London
17 July 1966 – Eltham Baths, Eltham, southeast London
18 July 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
20 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London with The Squires
Photo: Southern Echo
22 July 1966 – Waterfront, Southampton, Hants
23 July 1966 – Penthouse, Birmingham with Deep Feeling and Mark V
24 July 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
26 July 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
27 July 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
29 July 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
South East London Mercury, 8 July 1966
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends were one of three resident bands at the Scotch of St James with The VIPs and The Paramounts during the week 30 July – 5 August 1966
20 August 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with support
21 August 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
Photo: Hastings and St Leonards Observer
27 August 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
Photo: Lynn News
28 August 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Sullivan James Band
Photo: Mirabelle, 3 September 1966 issue
3 September 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Yes ‘N’ No
9 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones
Photo: Maidstone Gazette
10 September 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with support
11 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
15 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
17 September 1966 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (Alan Whitehead’s final gig)
Photo: South East London Mercury, 6 October 1966
Rick Marshall and Alan Whitehead’s departure prompted a wider split. In early-to-mid-October 1966, Peter Kirtley departed and accepted an offer to join The Alan Price Set, working alongside bass player Boots Slade; trumpeter John Walters; sax players Steve Gregory and Clive Burrows (later replaced by Terry Childs); and drummer Roy Mills.
Selected gigs:
2 October 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
Photo: East Kent Times and Mail
5 October 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
Photo: Hastings and St Leonards Observer
8 October 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (may have been Kirtley’s final gig)
With two of the band’s integral members gone, Alan Marshall joined forces with Croydon band, The Subjects. The south London group featured Malcolm Rudkin (vocals); Alan Griffin (lead guitar); Phil Lanzon (organ) (b. 30 March 1950, London, England); John Manderson (bass); and Roy Manderson (drums).
The Subjects at Bromley Court Hotel, 1966. Left to right: John Manderson, Malcolm Rudkin, Roy Manderson, Phil Lanzon and Alan Griffin. Photo: Alan Griffin.
At the same time, the band’s manager Bryan Mason recruited sax player/guitarist Mick Patel, who had previously worked with Carl Douglas & The Charmers among others.
Mick Patel (second right) with Carl Douglas & The Charmers, late 1965. Photo: Ken Baxter
By late November/early December 1966, John Manderson and Malcolm Rudkin, who did not want to turn professional, departed and Bryan Mason recruited bass player Colin Pullen from Kent bands, Colin King & The Royals and Bob ‘N’ All. Another Bob ‘N’ All member, Tony Glyde, succeeded Roy Manderson soon afterwards.
The Loose Ends, circa mid-November 1966. Left to right: Roy Manderson, Malcolm Rudkin, Mick Patel, Phil Lanzon, (front) Alan Marshall, Alan Griffin and John Manderson. Photo: South East London Mercury, 15 December 1966 issue.
Roy Davies and Dave Collman meanwhile appear to have worked in a rival Loose Ends for a few months (although Davies appears to be pictured with Marshall and other groups after the Raven Club gig in early November, see below).
Roy Davies (wearing hat) with Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound, July 1967.
12 October 1966 – Gravesend R&B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent (The Loose Ends played the club’s opening night according to PACE magazine)
15 October 1966 – Bligh’s Hotel, Sevenoaks, Kent
15 October 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
Photo: London Life magazine
17-18 October 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
23 October 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
Photo: Dick Dale
25 October 1966 – Yum YumClub, New Georgian Club, The Gun, Croydon, south London (Dick Dale booking)
28 October 1966 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
Photo: Cambridge News
29 October 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Squeeze, The Original Hermits and The Trap
2 November 1966 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands
2-5 November 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
Photo: South East London MercuryPhoto: Melody Maker
3 November 1966 – Raven’s Club, Lewisham, southeast London with Lee Hawkins and Coloured Raisins
Photo of The Loose Ends after the Raven Club gig. The photo seems to suggest that Roy Davies (fifth from the right) is still in the band. Photo: South East London Mercury
12 November 1966 – Matlock Ball Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Family
19 November 1966 – Co-op, Rainbow Suite, Birmingham with guest group
20 November 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
In early December 1966, Bryan Mason expanded the Alan Marshall version of The Loose Ends by bringing in another Colin King & The Royals and Bob ‘N’ All member – singer Bob Saker (b. 28 March 1944, Erith, Kent) and the group landed a residency at the Playboy Club on Park Lane. While there, The Loose Ends entertained the entire England World Cup winning team and their wives.
Selected gigs:
3 December 1966 – Royal Ballroom, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Soul Foundation
Photo: Most likely Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph
24 December 1966 – Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire with Kru and Size Seven
26 December 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (billed as The New Loose Ends)
January 1967 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire (1st week of January)
6 January 1967 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
15 January 1967 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (billed as The New Loose Ends)
The Loose Ends in Milan, January 1967. Left to right: Bob Saker, Colin King, Mick Patel, roadie on congas, Alan Marshall, Tony Glyde, Colin Pullen and Phil Lanzon. Photo: Colin Pullen/Bob Saker
After rehearsing at the El Partido in Lewisham, and playing a lone gig at the Star Hotel in Croydon in early January 1967, The Loose Ends landed a residency at the Bang Bang Club in Milan’s San Guiliano district, which kicked off in the third week of January. Alan Griffin departed just before the group left for Italy and Colin King from Colin King & The Royals and Bob ‘N’ All took his place.
While playing at the Bang Bang in Milan, the musicians met Georgio Moroder plus Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll at the club.
The Loose Ends at the Bang Bang Club in Milan. Left to right; Tony Glyde, Colin King, Bob Saker, Mick Patel and Colin Pullen. Alan Marshall and Phil Lanzon are not pictured. Photo: Colin Pullen/Bob Saker
In early March, The Loose Ends returned to London and Alan Griffin took over from his replacement Colin King. The new line-up played at the Scotch of St James and the Speakeasy.
While loading out the band’s gear from the Speakeasy one night, Jimi Hendrix and a couple of friends came out and the famous guitarist told Lanzon: “Nice combo man”.
Sometime in late April/early May, Tony Glyde left to join The Fenmen briefly before moving on to Simon K & The Meantimers and his predecessor Roy Manderson returned.
Simon K & The Meantimers, late 1967. Tony Glyde is far right. Photo: Alan Wherry
Around the same time, Mick Patel also left to join The Canadians (with future rock star David Foster) and then joined The Warren Davis Monday Band (with Foster) with whom he appeared on the 45 “Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing” c/w “Without Fear” before moving to British Columbia in late 1967.
Mick Patel (third left) and David Foster (third right)
During early June, Alan Marshall and Bob Saker flew to the United States to record two tracks at Muscle Shoals with Otis Redding. The soul singer had caught the pair fronting The Loose Ends during the Stax-Volt Tour back in April and impressed by their soulful vocals invited them to record a Fame Studios.
The pair cut covers of “Johnny B Goode” and “Keep on Pushing” with Redding producing. However, soon after there was a split between Jerry Wexler and Phil Walden and the proposed single was held back. The two singers returned to London that summer to find The Loose Ends had splintered.
Selected gigs:
January-March 1967 – Bang Bang, Milan, Italy (six weeks and billed as Gli Erranti)
8 February 1967 – Gravesend R ‘n’ B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent (This might have been booked but didn’t happen)
11 February 1967 – Ye Ye Club, Milan, Italy (billed as Alan Marshall e Gli Erranti)
25 February 1967 – Bligh’s Hotel, Sevenoaks, Kent (probably the band’s first UK gig after returning from Milan if it did happen)
1 March 1967 – Gravesend R ‘n’ B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent
Photo: Colin Pullen
4 March 1967 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
8 March 1967 – Bromel Club, Downham, southeast London
April 1967 – Scotch of St James and Speakeasy (Otis Redding sees them at one of the venues)
Photo: Melody Maker
15 April 1967 – The Polytechnic, Central London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
Cats Pyjamas, 1968. Clockwise from bottom left: Alan Griffin, Kenny Bernard, Roy Manderson, Phil Lanzon and (front) Colin Pullen. Photo: Colin Pullen
With the singers both gone, Colin Pullen, Alan Griffin, Phil Lanzon and Roy Manderson stuck together and looked for a new front man. Adding singer Kenny Bernard (b. 31 December 1943, Diego Martin, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies), (previously from The Wranglers but at the time a solo artist), they changed name to Cats Pyjamas and made two excellent singles with CBS. The group held down a residency in Madrid in May 1968 and then gigged around London. Lanzon, Griffin and Manderson briefly played with Geno Washington in late 1969-early 1970.
Phil Lanzon later recorded with Grand Prix, toured and recorded with Sweet and has toured and recorded with Uriah Heep since the mid-1980s. He has also recorded solo CDs
When the two recordings were shelved (after Redding’s untimely death), Bob Saker cut a lone single for Polydor and then a string of singles for Parlophone and CBS (as Saker) in 1968 and 1971. In 1972, he reverted to his full name and recorded a series of singles for the York label and an album They’ve Taken Back My Number, which featured Maurice Gibb. He later found success as a voice-over artist.
Happy Magazine, 1968. Alan Marshall (back left). Peter Kirtley (second left). Thanks to Peter Kirtley for the image
Alan Marshall meanwhile reunited with former Loose Ends guitarist Peter Kirtley in Happy Magazine, a soul/R&B outfit that was managed and produced by Alan Price.
Joined by Kirtley’s old friends from Jarrow, the late Kenny Craddock on organ from Tyneside bands The Elcorts and New Religion, and Brian Rowan on bass from Shorty & Them plus Alan White on drums (who was replaced later by west Londoner Malcolm Wolffe from The Tribe), the band cut material that was split over three singles for Polydor.
Kicking off with Alan Price’s excellent “Satisfied Street”, backed with “Beautiful Land” in December 1967, featuring a horn section that may well be Amboy Dukes members Buddy Beadle and Steve Gregory (also ex-Alan Price Set), the label re-issued the track three months later coupled with the Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham soul classic “Do Right Woman – Do Right Man”.
However, it was possibly the band’s third and final outing, a brilliant reading of the Dee/Potter collaboration, “Who Belongs To You”, coupled with the previously available “Beautiful Land”, issued on 14 February 1969, that should have catapulted the band into the charts.
One 1969. Left to right: Alan Marshall, Bobby Sass, Kevin Fogerty, Conrad Isidore, Brent Forbes and Norman Leppard
With the single failing to grace the charts, Alan Marshall departed to form the experimental jazz/funk/blues band, One, who cut a brilliant lone album for Fontana later that year (with Peter Kirtley reportedly playing the lead guitar on some tracks).
Joined by guitarist Kevin Fogarty (originally a member of Southport R&B group, Timebox); keyboardist Bobby Sass (an early member of Happy Magazine); bass player Brent Forbes; sax and flutist Norman Leppard; and drummer Conrad Isidore, One should have been a huge success but the album sank without a trace.
Peter Kirtley and Kenny Craddock meanwhile brought in three friends from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear – ex-Skip Bifferty members, singer Graham Bell and bass player Colin Gibson, and future Yes drummer Alan White, who’d been the original drummer in Happy Magazine, and signed to Bell Records for a one-off single as Griffin.
Produced by Alan Price and issued on 25 September 1969, the Kirtley-Gibson-Craddock collaboration, “I am The Noise in Your Head”, coupled with Kirtley’s “Don’t You Know” was an impressive outing but failed to trouble the charts.
Griffin soon splintered and Kirtley went on to record with several notable bands, including Riff Raff, Radiator and Pentangle. Later he appeared on albums by Liane Carroll and Bert Jansch.
Kirtley also issued two solo albums, Peter Kirtley and Bush Telegraph as well as the charity single, “Little Children”, for Jubilee Action, to raise money for street children in Brazil and featuring Paul McCartney.
Alan Marshall, meanwhile, surfaced as a solo artist on Fontana in 1970. In France, the label issued a rare single that coupled One’s excellent cover of Richie Havens’s “Don’t Listen To Me” with a solo outing – “How Much Do You Know”, adapted from “Adagio Royal” by F de Boivallee.
When that single failed to chart, Marshall ended up working with a new version of One (with Jackie McAuley) before joining Strabismus, which subsequently changed its name to Riff Raff when the singer’s former band mate from The Loose Ends/Happy Magazine, Peter Kirtley joined.
However, Marshall quit before Riff Raff’s debut album was recorded and briefly revised One with Ron Bryer before recording with Zzebra. He then joined Gonzalez in the late Seventies in time for their 1979 release, Move It To The Music. Marshall, who is now a pastor, continues to busk in Stratford, east London.
Interestingly, Gonzalez’s keyboard player was Roy Davies, Marshall’s former band mate from The Loose Ends. In the intervening years between joining Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and working with Gonzalez in 1974, Davies had played with The Maximum Breed Band and later The Butts Band with members of The Doors. He later became a prolific session player before passing away in 1986.
The Loose Ends recordings meanwhile have surfaced on numerous Sixties CD compilations, including Deram’s Mod Scene and Freakbeat Scene.
I would like to especially thank Alan Marshall, Alan Whitehead, Peter Kirtley, Martin Morrison-Mariner, Alan Griffin, Phil Lanzon, Colin Pullen, Bob Saker, Ken Baxter, Tony Charman and Mick Glyde for helping with the story. Thanks also to Vernon Joynson and Bruce Welsh.
This is an extensively updated version of an article that was originally published on the Strange Brew website. I’d like to thank Jason Barnard for all of his help and support over the years.
I have tried to attribute the photos correctly where possible but would welcome any corrections.
The gigs have been sourced largely from Melody Maker plus many local newspapers, including the South East London Mercury, Aldershot News, East Kent Times, Eastern Evening News, Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Harrow Weekly Post, Kent Messenger, Lincolnshire Standard, Lynn News, Maidstone Gazette, Evening Argus, Bristol Evening Post, Newmarket Journal, Nottingham Evening Post, Birmingham Evening Mail, Stamford Mercury, Surrey Advertiser, Harrow Observer, Tunbridge Wells Courier and Yarmouth Mercury among others.
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
Located at 3 New Burlington Street, W1, Samantha’s opened in early November 1966.
There is very little information about this important night club so I would welcome any memorabilia and further details about artists that performed here.
1966
London Life magazine’s 10-16 September issue notes that the club was opening during October.
London Life magazine, mid-October 1966
However, the same magazine’s 22-28 October issue reports that the club was opening shortly with James Bond décor and a coffee bar with outdoor patio, indicating that it was early November.
London Life mid-November 1966
London Life magazine’s 12-18 November issue reports that Samantha’s was open and hosted groups, although no names were listed.
London Life mid-December 1966
14 December (Wednesday) – Bobby Hebb (Melody Maker and London Life magazine)
London Life, New Year’s Eve, 1966
1967
I have no entries for this year apart from the one below so would welcome any further information on artists that performed at the central London club.
According to the poster for Gloucester YMCA below, The Official Receivers played at Samantha’s around October-November 1967.
Located on Allendale Road in Greenford (sometimes billed as Sudbury or Wembley) in northwest London, the Starlite Ballroom was a significant music venue in the UK during the early-to-late 1960s. Peter Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex.
I have started to list gigs for the years 1964-1965 but these are incomplete and I would welcome any additions and corrections. I’d also welcome any photos and concert adverts, which will be credited accordingly.
1964
25 September (Friday) – The Paramounts and Alexis Korner’s Blues Inc (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Grand opening
26 September (Saturday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Rustics (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
24 October (Saturday) – The Merseybeats and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
25 October (Sunday) – The Mojos (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation
7 November (Saturday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 November (Saturday) – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
18 November (Wednesday) – The Applejacks (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation
27 November (Friday) – The Mojos (Beat Instrumental)
28 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
29 November (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation
12 December (Saturday) – Linda Laine & The Sinners and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 December (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1965
17 January (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and Cergano & The Cavaliers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
30 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and JJ & The Challengers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 February (Saturday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 February (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
27 February (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides with Unit 5 (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and JJ & The Challengers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
20 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and James Tamyln (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
21 March (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
2 April (Friday) – The Barron Knights and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
10 April (Saturday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 April (Friday) – Mike Sheridan & The Nightriders and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
24 April (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and The Beachcombers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
25 April (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
14 May (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides and Sonny Childe & The Elders (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
16 May (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
22 May (Saturday) – The All-Nite Workers and The Hysters (Don Martin’s diary)
28 May (Friday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Photo: Jeff Sturgeon. Jean & The Statesides, 1965. Left to right: Bill Stemp, Ian Walker, Dave Brogden, Jean Hayles, Jeff Sturgeon, Mick Bloomfield and Dave Hovington
4 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
5 June (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
11 June (Friday) – Peter & Gordon and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
19 June (Saturday) – Jimmy Royal & The Hawks and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
26 June (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Singer Jean Hayles left before this gig and they gigged as The Statesides. The band’s line-up comprised Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Dave Brogden (sax), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)
27 June (Sunday) – The Who and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
4 July (Sunday) – The Yardbirds (Beat Instrumental)
18 July (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens (Beat Instrumental)
24 July (Saturday) – Heinz and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
25 July (Sunday) – The Moody Blues (Beat Instrumental)
31 July (Saturday) – The Pentad and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
8 August (Sunday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
15 August (Sunday) – Simon Scott & The All-Nite Workers and The Statesides (Dave Brodgen’s gig diary/Don Martin’s diary)
20 August (Friday) – The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
27 August (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
10 September (Friday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
12 September (Sunday) – The Pretty Things and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Walker Brothers on this date
26 September (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
1 October (Friday) – The Hollies (Beat Instrumental)
15 October (Friday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)
17 October (Sunday) – The Sorrows (Record Mirror)
24 October (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
30 October (Saturday) – The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
31 October (Sunday) – The Kinks and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Downliners Sec to this date
6 November (Saturday) – The Bo Street Runners and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
7 November (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
20 November (Saturday) – Hedgehoppers Anonymous and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
28 November (Sunday) – Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
3 December (Friday) – The Animals (Beat Instrumental)
10 December (Friday) – Ketty Lester and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
12 December (Saturday) – Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Dave Brodgen’s gig diary)
31 December (Friday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Beat Instrumental)
Many thanks to Rolf Hannet for helping with some Beat Instrumental gigs
The Roosters featured in Jackie magazine. Thanks to Nigel Lees for providing
Pete Jeffries (lead guitar)
Del Turner (rhythm guitar)
John Lee (sax)
Ron Jeffries (bass)
Jim Strachan (drums)
Not to be confused with another southwest London band of the same name, which at one point featured both Eric Clapton and future Manfred Mann guitarist Tom McGuiness, this early 1960s band comprised the above line up.
This version of The Roosters were profiled in both Jackie magazine (see above) and Surrey Comet newspaper in its 7 March 1964 issue (page 7).
According to Nigel Lees, who has included one of the band’s tracks on the new LP 17 from Morden, this version of The Roosters recorded three tracks for BBC’s Beat Room in October 1964. They also recorded five acetates for Oak at R G Jones in Morden.
The Roosters also played regularly at the Cellar Club in Kingston upon Thames, the Attic in Hounslow and other venues in the area.
However, there is very little information about the musicians so please get in touch if you can provide more details.
Big thanks to Nigel Lees for providing some info on the band.
Guitarist Mick Clarke worked with Freddie Mack around mid-late 1970. This photo shows the group at the Marquee in Wardour Street, Soho, London. Thanks to Pete Clarke for the photo.
Unlike the earlier versions, I have found very little information on Freddie Mack’s groups post-February/March 1969 when he split with the previous version. I would love to hear from anyone who can fill in the blanks.
Billed mainly as ‘The Freddie Mac Extravanganza’, an entirely new version debuted on 11 April 1969 at the New Market Hotel in Bristol. A few weeks later, they played at the New Rainbow Suite Co-op in Birmingham on 24 April.
According to the Nantwich Chronicle, the 13-piece band performed at the Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with Rubber Soul on 26 April.
The Freddie Mac Road Show played at the Royal Hotel, Walsall on 4 May 1969, according to the Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle. The Birmingham Evening Mail lists the band playing at Club Cedar with Passion Forest the next day.
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail
According to Melody Maker, the new line up then toured West Germany in June.
Drummer Maurice McElroy remembers playing in a seven-nine piece band with Freddie Mack called the Freddie Mac Extravaganza II, which featured a female singer, a male singer, a female dancer plus two other dancers. However, it only lasted a few months.
McElroy confirms that his version played from late June (just after the West German tour above) but he himself left around October 1969.
McElroy says that the band’s roadie Roy Truman left soon after joining Freddie Mack to form a band called Swegas (alongside trumpet player Chris Dawe who worked with Mack in 1967-1968) in which he played bass.
Swegas appears to have been formed in mid-1969 and McElroy joined them later that year. Noel Norris appears to have played with Freddie Mack again in 1970 (see later line up below).
The drummer remembers the following musicians in Mack’s band:
Terry Jenkins – lead guitar
Buddy Bounds – trumpet (replaced by Noel Norris)
Nick Judd – keyboards
Maurice McElroy – drums have found the following gigs, which would cover McElroy’s time with the group:
23 June 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
14 July 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Shady Lane and Wall City Jazzmen
19 July 1969 – Raven Club, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire with Stonewall Jackson and Dusk Soul featuring Clive Bond (billed as Freddie Mack Show)
21 July 1969 – Thomas A Beckett, Old Kent Road, south London (pictures of the group playing here on this date can be found at Getty) The same photo appeared in the Evening Standard, 22 July 1969, page 30
28 July 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
9 August 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Heatwave
14 August 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Lee Harmer’s Popcorn (billed as Freddie Mac Extravaganza)
25 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Freddie Mac Extravaganza)
30 August 1969 – Kent Pop Festival with Deep Purple
5 September 1969 – The Factory, Birmingham
20 September 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with First Back from Heaven and Respect (billed as Freddie Mack Extravaganza)
26 October 1969 – Le Metro, Birmingham
According to singer Bob Mundy (see comments section below), his group, The International Road Show from Southend-on-Sea joined Freddie Mack around November 1969.
Bob Mundy – vocals
Erline ? – vocals
Yudell Anderson – vocals
Steve Sallis – guitar
Brian Williams – bass
John Walsh – Hammond organ
Pat Green – drums
Jeff Bridges – tenor sax
Phil Presland – baritone sax
+
Kenny Baxter – saxophone
Digby Fairweather – trumpet
I have found the following gigs for this formation:
13 December 1969 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (billed as Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound)
24 December 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Lloyd Williams Soul Caravan
27 December 1969 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Earthquakes (billed as Freddie Mack Extravaganza)
21-22 March 1970 – Tamla Village, D’Arblay Street, London with Freddie Notes & The Rudies and The Tonics
Photo: Pete Clarke. His brother Mick Clarke playing with Freddie Mack at the Marquee, 1970
Lead guitarist Mick Clarke played with Freddie Mack from around mid-to-late 1970 (and possibly in the April-May 1969 line up too). Clarke was with a band called Hunter when he met Mack and this same band recorded under the name Orang-utan after he left the singer in late 1970.
Clarke says that the band was fluid, in as much as it would have different horn players on each gig. However, the rhythm section was pretty stable. The guitarist adds that the typical line-up would feature Freddie Mack, a go-go-dancer, lead guitar, bass, drums, organ and three to five horn players (but sometimes nine).
Noel Norris, who had played with an earlier line up, left in October 1970 to form the band Marriage. Norris and Geoff Peach both went on to play with Pacific Gas & Electric in the United States. They then reunited again in a version of The Foundations in the early 1970s.
Clarke also says that singer Carl Douglas sat with the band at times, which would have been after September 1970 when he returned from Spain.
Freddie Mack, 1970, Marquee with Eddie Thornton (trumpet) and Mick Clarke (guitar). Photo: Pete Clarke
Mick Clarke lists the following musicians who played alongside him:
Mick Clarke – lead guitar
Jeffrey Jai Seopardi – drums
Steve Humphries – bass
Eddie Thornton – trumpet
Noel Norris – trumpet
Geoff Peach – saxophone
Photo from Pete Clarke. Playing at the Marquee, 1970
Around 1971/1972, former members of the band Sonority joined forces with Freddie Mack. Bobby Morris got in touch and I’ve included his email details in the comments section below.
I have found the following gigs which may cover different line-ups:
25 April 1970 – Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire with Cloud Nine, Freddie Notes & The Dynamic Rudies and Maggie & Sharon
The Torbay Express & South Devon Echo lists a group called Tenderness (ex-Freddie Mac Show) performing at the Madison Club in Torquay on 2-3 October 1970, which suggests this band backed Freddie Mac at some point in 1970.
21 November 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Carl Edwards Roadshow
25 October 1971 – Wall City, Quaintways, Chester Cheshire with Aquarius (billed as Freddie Mack Sounds)
28 October 1971 – Beau Brummell Club, Royal Hotel, Crewe, Cheshire (billed as Freddie Mack Road Show)
6 November 1971 – Aquarius Club, Lincoln, Lincolnshire (billed as Freddie Mack Sounds)
The Woodstock ‘Roadhouse’ Hotel in north Cheam, southwest London, the Prince of Wales in Kingsbury, north London and the Byron Hotel in Greenford, northwest London were all operated by the same promoter: The Arthur Forest Organisation (AFO). Many of the same groups performed at all three venues.
Ken Samuels, who played with Flight One, very kindly provided these posters, both from 1965. We’d love to hear from anyone who played at this venue and can provide any more memorabilia and further information about their band. Email: Warchive@aol.com
Photo: Ken Samuels
1965
1 August (Sunday) – Combo 2000 (Ken Samuels’ poster)
4 August (Wednesday) – The Rivals and Surprise Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)
5 August (Thursday) – The Expressions (Ken Samuels’ poster)
6 August (Friday) – 5’s Company (Ken Samuels’ poster)
7 August (Saturday) – The Legends (Ken Samuels’ poster)
8 August (Sunday) – Flight One (Ken Samuels’ poster)
11 August (Wednesday) – Solomons Mines and Middlesex Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)
12 August (Thursday) – The Expressions (Ken Samuels’ poster)
13 August (Friday) – Unit 2 (Ken Samuels’ poster)
15 August (Sunday) – Rhythm 4 (Ken Samuels’ poster)
18 August (Wednesday) – Steve and What 4 and Guest Nite Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)
19 August (Thursday) – The Do Do’s (Ken Samuels’ poster)
20 August (Friday) – The Scepters (Ken Samuels’ poster)
22 August (Sunday) – The Reasons (Ken Samuels’ poster)
25 August (Wednesday) – The Tribe and Star Celebrities (Ken Samuels’ poster)
26 August (Thursday) – Earl Baron (Ken Samuels’ poster)
27 August (Friday) – The Proud Walkers (Ken Samuels’ poster)
28 August (Saturday) – The Centours (Ken Samuels’ poster)
29 August (Sunday) – The Orbits (Ken Samuels’ poster)
30 August (Bank Holiday Monday) – The Scepters (Ken Samuels’ poster)
Photo: Ken Samuels
1 September (Wednesday) – The Do Do’s and The 4 Inches (Ken Samuels’ poster)
2 September (Thursday) – The Deltons (Ken Samuels’ poster)
3 September (Friday) – NSG Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)
4 September (Saturday) – Generation 5 and Great Expectations (Ken Samuels’ poster)
5 September (Sunday) – 5’s Company (Ken Samuels’ poster)
8 September (Wednesday) – Steve and What 4, DJ Blues Band and The Tuxedos (Ken Samuels’ poster)
9 September (Thursday) – Earl Baron 5 (Ken Samuels’ poster)
10 September (Friday) – Unit 2 (Ken Samuels’ poster)
11 September (Saturday) – 5’s Company and The Arts Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)
12 September (Sunday) – Flight One (Ken Samuels’ poster)
15 September (Wednesday) – Rhythm 4 and Group 66 (Ken Samuels’ poster)
16 September (Thursday) – The Expressions (Ken Samuels’ poster)
17 September (Friday) – The Tuxedos (Ken Samuels’ poster)
18 September (Saturday) – The Deils and The Rollovers (Ken Samuels’ poster)
19 September (Sunday) – Rhythm 4 (Ken Samuels’ poster)
22 September (Wednesday) – Earl Baron 5 and The King Pins (Ken Samuels’ poster)
23 September (Thursday) – The Pinkerton Men (Ken Samuels’ poster)
24 September (Friday) – The Rivals (Ken Samuels’ poster)
25 September (Saturday) – The Proud Walkers and The Pitmen (Ken Samuels’ poster)
26 September (Sunday) – The Insect (Ken Samuels’ poster)
29 September (Wednesday) – The Maniacs and The Watch Committee (Ken Samuels’ poster)
30 September (Thursday) – Great Expectations (Ken Samuels’ poster)
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
18 December (Saturday) – Three groups (Caterham Weekly Press & Advertiser)
24 December (Friday) – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Caterham Weekly Press & Advertiser)
The Prince of Wales in Kingsbury, north London, the Byron Hotel in Greenford, northwest London and the Woodstock Hotel in north Cheam, southwest London were all operated by the same promoter: The Arthur Forest Organisation (AFO). Many of the same bands played at all three venues.
Ken Samuels, who played with Flight One, very kindly provided these posters, both from 1965. We’d love to hear from anyone who played at this venue and can provide any more memorabilia and further information about their band. Email: Warchive@aol.com
1964
26 April – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Star opening
3 May – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 May – The Hartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 May – Guitars Inc (Club New Yorker – Sunday) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 May – The Orbits (Club New Yorker – Sunday) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
30 May – The Pacifics (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 June – Russ & The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 June – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 June – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 June – The Plainsmen (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
5 July – The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 July – The Hearbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
19 July – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 July – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 July – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Opening night
2 August – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 August – The Count 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 August – The Count 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 August – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
30 August – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
6 September – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 September – Russ & The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
16 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 September – The Playboys (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
27 September – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
4 October – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
11 October – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 October – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
25 October – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 November – The Counts (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 November – Diane & The Londoners (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 November – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 November – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 November – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
6 December – The Whirlwinds (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 December – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 December – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
27 December – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1965
3 January – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 January – The Invistors (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 January – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 February – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 February – The Saracens (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
14 March – The Electrons (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 March – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 March – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
4 April – The Scepters (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
11 April – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 April – Great Expectations (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
25 April – The Fairlanes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 May – The Partners (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 May – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
16 May – The Fairlanes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 May – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
30 May – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
6 June – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 June – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 June – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
27 June – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
4 July – The Do Dos (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) From Paris
11 July – Rhythm Four (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 July – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
25 July – The Sceptres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
Photo: Ken Samuels
1 August – The Reasons (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
8 August – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
15 August – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
22 August – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
29 August – The Expressions (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
Photo: Ken Samuels
5 September – The Insect (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
12 September – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
19 September – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
26 September – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
3 October – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 October – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 October – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 October – Four Inches (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
31 October – Great Expectations (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 November – Men Tuesday (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
14 November – Who’d-A-Thot-It (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 November – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 November – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 December – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Looks like The Maniacs played this night
19 December – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 December – The Nite Hawks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1966
2 January – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 January – The Y and The L (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 July – The Keys (Harrow Observer)
29 July – Five Steps Beyond (Harrow Observer)
Photo: Paul Quinton
2 October – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
7 October – The Unamed (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
9 October – Five Steps Beyond (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s poster)
14 October – The Flashbakks (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
16 October – The Keys (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s Poster)
21 October – 2 x 2 (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
23 October – The Fourtunes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
28 October – Some Other People (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
30 October – The Flashbakks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
Timebox, September 1968. Image may be subject to copyright
Peter Liggett – lead vocals
Kevin Fogarty – guitar
Ollie Halsall – vibes/guitar
Chris Holmes – keyboards
Clive Griffiths – bass
Jeff Dean – drums
Formed from the ashes of the original Take Five, Clive Griffiths reforms the Southport, Lancashire group with the above line up in late 1965.
They move to London and fall under the wing of manager Laurie Jay, a former drummer, who signs them to the George Cooper Agency. He secures the renamed group (The Time Box) a regular, Wednesday night spot at the Whisky A Go Go.
Circa February 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
When the musicians first arrived in London, they landed a regular Wednesday night gig at this popular Soho club
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26 March 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Raisins and King Ossie Sounds (Melody Maker)
Early April 1966 – Ad-Lib Club, Leicester Square, London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
3 April 1966 – Guildhall, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Time Box’s first date on Small Faces tour) (Ollie Halsall Archive/website: www.ronnielane.com)
16 April 1966 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Clwyd, Wales with The Raynes (Rhyl & Prestayn Gazette) Backing Tommy Quickly
16 April 1966 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening News)
6 May 1966 – Mayfair Club, Memorial Hall, Atherstone, Warwickshire with supporting groups (Coleshill Chronicle/Atherstone Herald) Says direct from the Ad Lib Club
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11 May 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
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14 May 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire with The Mindbenders and The Truth (Burnley Express & News)
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16 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Rey Anton & The Pro-Form (Melody Maker)
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21 May 1966 – Gloucester Guildhall, Gloucester with The In Sect (Gloucester Citizen)
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25 June 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Devil’s Coachmen (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)
According to the sleeve notes to the UK CD compilation Timebox – Beggin’ on RPM, the group plays a summer season at Butlin’s Holiday Camp in Filey, North Yorkshire.
After completing the residency, Peter Liggett leaves and Frank Dixon comes in as new lead singer.
3 September 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire with The Shades and Reasons Five (Burnley Express & News) Date needs confirmation
9 September 1966 – George Inn, Wilby, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
5 October 1966 – Flamingo, Warour Street, Soho, central London with The Downliners Sect (Melody Maker)
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8 October 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with The Odyssey (Evening Sentinel)
12 October 1966 – Zebra Club, Greek Street, W1, London (Melody Maker)
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21 October 1966 – Midnight City, Birmingham with Edwin Starr and The Night People (Birmingham Evening Mail)
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22 October 1966 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands with The Crescendos (Birmingham Evening Mail)
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22 October 1966 – Tito’s Club, Handsworth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
23 October 1966 – Lane Jane’s Club, Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire (Malvern Gazette/Sunday Mercury)
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23 October 1966 – Mews, Moseley, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Says direct from Tiles, Oxford Street
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26 October 1966 – Bent Boot Club, Old Crown & Cushion, Perry Barr, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
30 October 1966 – Khyber Club, Taunton, Somerset with The Germs (Somerset County Gazette)
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2 November 1966 – Stonehouse Church Hall, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
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12 November 1966 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with The Fingers and The Chequers (Southend Standard)
21 November 1966 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Trendsetters Ltd (Birmingham Evening Mail)
3 December 1966 – Student Union, Manchester University with The Koobas and Tony Merrick Scene (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)
7 December 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
9 December 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
Frank Dixon leaves due to ill-health and American singer Richard Henry from The Zig Zag Band takes over on lead vocals.
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16 December 1966 – Winter Gardens Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall with The Motown Sound and The Acoustics (West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette) Richard Henry (Detroit) The Timebox
17 December 1966 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall with The Dissatisfied (West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette)
18 December 1966 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall (West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette)
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Not long after, Jeff Dean also become poorly and leaves. Laurie Jay assumes the drum stool for the group’s debut 45 – the Pye release “I’ll Always Love You”, released on 10 February 1967.
1 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with The Gass (Evening Sentinel)
7 January 1967 – Midnight City, Birmingham, West Midlands with Dave Anthony’s Moods (Birmingham Evening Mail)
8 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
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13 January 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, southwest London (Peckham & Dulwich Advertiser/Clapham Advertiser) Billed as Richard Henry & The Time Box
16 January 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
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21 January 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Herbie Goins and The Night-Timers, The Satin Dolls, Triads, Ray Bones and Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard) Billed as Richard Henry & The Time Box
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22 January 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Nantwich Chronicle/Crewe Chronicle) Billed as Richard Henry & The Time Box
3 February 1967 – Bluesette Club, Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey (Caterham Weekly Press) Billed as Richard Henry & The Time Box
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6 February 1967 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Normie Rowe & The Playboys and The Monopoly (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Richard Henry & The Timebox
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10 February 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
11 February 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Wimple Winch (Evening Sentinel)
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26 February 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
27 February 1967 – Wall City Jazz Club, Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with The Chuckles, The Wall City Jazzmen and The Pack (Liverpool Echo)
2 March 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
3 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
11 March 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Billed as The Time Boy
15 March 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Poster)
17 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Long John Baldry Show & Bluesology (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Sometime in mid-to-late March the military police arrest Richard Henry after a gig in London, which could have been the above show at the Marquee. He goes on to front Tales of the City before working with The Cat Soul Packet. Henry later releases solo material.
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19 March 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
Richard Henry’s post Timebox group, August 1967. Image may be subject to copyright
Session drummer Ronnie Verrell is on hand for the group’s second Pye release – “Soul Sauce”, released on 21 April.
2 April 1967 – Brandon Wheatsheaf, Brandon, Norfolk (billed as John Henry & Timebox) Cancelled
7 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with 1-2-3 (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 April 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
19 April 1967 – Top Ten Club, Manchester with Gideon’s Few (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
21 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Long John Baldry Show (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Around this time Andy Peters takes over the drums. While playing at the Playboy club in Hyde Park during May, singer Mike Patto shares the stage and joins.
14 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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15 May 1967 – The Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Wellington Kitch Jump Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)
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18-19 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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20 May 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
25 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with 1-2-3 (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
5 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Procol Harum (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
13 June 1967 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard)
22 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Neat Change (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
25 June 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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28 June 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
29 June 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
1 July 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
15 July 1967 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Wellington Kitch Jump Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)
28 July 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
1 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
6 August 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
8 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Eric Burdon & The Animals (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 August 1967 – 7th National Jazz and Blues Festival, Windsor, Berkshire (Ollie Halsall Archive)
The group signs to Deram and records a cover of Tim Hardin’s “Don’t Make Promises”. Laurie Jay provides drums on the recording as Andy Peters has left recently.
Melody Maker’s 19 August issue features an advert from John Halsey which notes “Drummer ex-Felders Oriole, own bicycle”. He auditions for the group at the Scotch of St James soon after and takes over the drum stool permanently.
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22 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alan Bown (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 August 1967 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard)
27 August 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
29 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Amen Corner (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
31 August 1967 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard)
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5 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 September 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
12 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
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19 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 September 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
26 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jeff Beck Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Sometime around now Kevin Fogarty leaves to join Dave Davani Four and Ollie Halsall takes over all lead guitar duties.
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1 October 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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3 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
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6 October 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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10 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alan Bown (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
19 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Long John Baldry Show (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
There is a great article and pic in Record Mirror, 21 October 1967, page 8 on the group.
29 October 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
30 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Senate (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
3 November 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
8 November 1967 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard)
10 November 1967 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard)
11 November 1967 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard)
12 November 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
13-16 November 1967 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (promotional card on Patto Fan website)
18 November 1967 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
19 November 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Fabulous 208)
21 November 1967 – Frank’s, Kidderminster, Worcestershire (John Coombe’s book)
21 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Clouds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 December 1967 – Time and Place Club, Manchester (Fabulous 208)
23 December 1967 – Tinned Chicken Club, York, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)
23 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
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24 December 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions and Roy French (Crewe Chronicle)
30 December 1967 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with Wednesday’s Children (Crewe Chronicle)
10 January 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Poster at Jonathan Marks’ website: https://imgur.com/a/sWtBd#0)
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17 January 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
20 January 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
23 January 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, central London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
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25 January 1968 – Klooks Kleek, Railway Hotel, West Hampstead, north London (Melody Maker/Ollie Halsall Archive)
31 January 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
2 February 1968 – Barn Dance Hall, Penzance, Cornwall (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)
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3 February 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
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8 February 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
12 February 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Clouds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
15 February 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
Image may be subject to copyright
16 February 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Root & Jenny Jackson and The Hightimers and West Coast Promotion (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
17 February 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
19 February 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
22 February 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
Image may be subject to copyright
23 February 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
2 March 1968 – Leicester University, Leicester (Ollie Halsall Archive)
5-6 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Poster at Jonathan Marks’ website: https://imgur.com/a/sWtBd#0)
19 March 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
According to Record Mirror, they played at the Bouton Rouge in Paris around this time. The magazine says they return to Paris for gigs from 10-12 May.
Image may be subject to copyright
30 March 1968 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle, south London with The Amboy Dukes and The Grenades (Melody Maker)
4 April 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
6 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Black Cat Bones (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 April 1968 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
12 April 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
13 April 1968 – All New Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
13 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Crazy World of Arthur Brown (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
16-17 April 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Poster at Jonathan Marks’ website: https://imgur.com/a/sWtBd#0)
Image may be subject to copyright
20 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Cortinas (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
21 April 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
30 April 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
2 May 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
4 May 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spirit of John Morgan (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 May 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
9 May 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
According to Record Mirror, Timebox played Paris gigs on 10-12 May.
17 May 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
18 May 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 May 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
25 May 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Thackery (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
26 May 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Cresters (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
28 May 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
The group’s cover of “Beggin’” is released on 31 May 1968.
1 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Exception (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Record Mirror reported they started their first US tour on 2 June, which seems unlikely.
Image may be subject to copyright
5 June 1968 – Samanthas, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
8 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Neat Change (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
12 June 1968 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Blonde on Blonde (Birmingham Evening Mail)
15 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Toast (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
22 June 1968 – Colchester College, Colchester, Essex (Fabulous 208)
23 June 1968 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Fabulous 208)
24 June 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)
26 June 1968 – Colchester College, Colchester, Essex (Fabulous 208)
Image may be subject to copyright
3 July 1968 – Samantha’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 July 1968 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Plague (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)
17 July 1968 – Samantha’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
Record Mirror reported that Timebox went to Milan, Italy on 26 July for TV work and then played cabaret at the Rosadino Club but this seems unlikely considering gig below.
Image may be subject to copyright
27 July 1968 – Mayfair Suite, New Bristol Centre, Bristol with Midas Touch, The Deep and The Titantic Jug Band (Bristol Evening Post)
3 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 August 1968 – 8th National Jazz & Blues Festival, Kempton Park, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex with The Herd, Taste, Jerry Lee Lewis and Marmalade (Ollie Halsall Archive/Reading Evening Post)
10 August 1968 – Q, Southchurch Park East, Southend, Essex with Kingsize Keen & Rocking Machine (Southend Standard)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 August 1968 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with King Size Keen and his Rocking Machine (Essex County Standard)
19 August 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
20 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
22 August 1968 – Mecca Ballroom, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)
22 August 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies website)
Image may be subject to copyright
23 August 1968 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough Evening News)
24 August 1968 – Swan Hotel, Yardley, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)
26 August 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies website)
27 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
29 August 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 August 1968 – The Wheel, Dorchester Hotel, Dorchester, Dorset with Stormy (Fabulous 208/Dorset Evening Echo/Western Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
31 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
1 September 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Ben E King, Clyde McPlatter, The Flirtations, The Fantastics (with the House of Orange), Tim Rose and World of Oz (Nottingham Evening Post)
5 September 1968 – Brunel University, Acton, west London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 September 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 September 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)
16 September 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Ice Show with Julie and Barmy Barry (Express & Star)
18 September 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208)
20 September 1968 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire (Rugby Advertiser) Coventry Evening Telegraph has them playing with St James Infirmary Soul Show
22 September 1968 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)
28 September 1968 – Polytechnic, Little Titchfield Street, central London with The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
29 September 1968 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
29 September 1968 – Downbeat Club, the Swan, Maldon, Essex (Essex Chronicle)
3 October 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
6 October 1968 – Downbeat Club, the Swan, Maldon, Essex (Brentwood Gazette & Mid Sussex Recorder)
13 October 1968 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Uxbridge Weekly Post)
15 October 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
19 October 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
22 October 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London with Katch 22 (Melody Maker/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
25 October 1968 – Scene Disco Club, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Yarmouth Mercury)
25 October 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
31 October 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with East of Eden (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Image may be subject to copyright
15 November 1968 – Brunel University, Acton, west London with Episode Six (Melody Maker)
The group’s next single “Girl, Don’t Make Me Wait” is issued on 22 November.
24 November 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Gospel Garden (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)
13 December 1968 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 December 1968 – Willesden College of Tech, Willesden, northwest London (Melody Maker)
15 December 1968 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
27 December 1968 – Candlelight, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough Evening News)
Image may be subject to copyright
29 December 1968 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation, Phil Ryan & The Scorpions, Rory Storm, Ken London and The Disco Chicks (Warrington Guardian) Club’s final night before closing
30 January 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
16 February 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
22 February 1969 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London with The Barrier (Melody Maker)
28 February 1969 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London (Ollie Halsall Archive)
9 March 1969 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 March 1969 – Bedford College, Rag Ball, Regent’s Park, central London with Soft Machine, Eclection, Dr K’s Blues Band and Steve Miller’s Delivery (Melody Maker)
Timebox release the single “Baked Jam Roll In Your Eye” on 14 March.
Image may be subject to copyright
5 April 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
20 April 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 August 1969 – The Crown, Marlow, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
18 September 1969 – Speakeasy, W1, central London (Melody Maker)
28 September 1969 – Layfayette, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Ollie Halsall Archive)
On 3 October, Timebox issue their final single “Yellow Van”.
18 October 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)
Around this time Chris Holmes left and they continue as a four-piece.
9 November 1969 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)
28 November 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Hardin & York (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
4 December 1969 – Revolution, central London (Time Out)
Photo: Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
Formed by keyboard player and singer/songwriter Peter Gosling in mid-1966, Moon’s Train evolved out of earlier bands, The Preachers and The Train, who featured future Herd guitarist/singer Peter Frampton.
Photo credit: Melody Maker, 1965. Image may be subject to copyright.
By late 1966, the group’s line up comprised:
Peter “Moon” Gosling – keyboards/vocals
Ian Dibben – guitar
Pete “Face” Attwood – bass
Ken Leamon – sax
Alex Brown – trumpet
Malcolm Penn – drums
Many thanks to drummer Malcolm Penn for the following gig list and to Peter Gosling for kindly sharing this with me. Where newspapers advertised and I have the posters, I’ve listed these too:
26 January 1967 – Golden Star Club, N7, London
28 January 1967 – Muirhead Sports ground, Beckenham, London
13 February 1967 – Star Hotel, Croydon, London
25 February 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
3 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
4 March 1967 – Raynes Park Football Club, Merton, London
4 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
5 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
6-7 March 1967 – Why Not Club (unknown address)
8 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
9 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
10 March 1967 – Stockwell College, Stockwell, London
10 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
11 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
12 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
17 March 1967 – Why Not Club (address unknown)
18 March 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham
25 March 1967 – Corby Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire
31 March 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
1 April 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
5 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
21 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Beachcombers
22 April 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants
26 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
27 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
28 April 1967 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London
29 April 1967 – Unknown venue, New Forest, Hants
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
5 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
6 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
7 May 1967 – Dolphin (address unknown)
There was a Dolphin Club in Finchley, north London
3 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
4 June 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
8 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
30 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
1 July 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
Photo: Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
2 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Warren Davis Monday Band and The Trap (Melody Maker)
This gig at the Upper Cut is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list so they may not have played it.
4 July 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hants
7 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
8 July 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
11 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Sax player Paul Houlton left The Warren Davis Monday Band at the end of May. He says that his first gig with Moon’s Train was a long drive and July feels about right. He took over from Ken Leamon.
14 July 1967 – Waterfront Club, Woolston, Hampshire (Southern Echo)
15 July 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset
25 November 1967 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
2 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
9 December 1967 – The Drum, Penge, London
Photo: Woking Herald. Image may be subject to copyright
10 December 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)
15 December 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants
16 December 1967 – Wykeham Hall, Romford, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
23 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
24 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
4 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
Photo credit: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
6 January 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
17 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
18 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
19 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
20 January 1968 – Muirhead Sportsground, Beckenham, London
25 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
26 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
27 January 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
10 February 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
17 February 1968 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hampshire
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
24 February 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
25 February 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset
29 February 1968 – Nightingdale, Wood Green, London
1 March 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
2 March 1968 – Technical College, Hatfield, Herts
Photo: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
9 March 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
11 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
12 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
13 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
14 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
15 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
16 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
22 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
23 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
29 March 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list
30 March 1968 – Downham Tavern, Catford, London
30 March 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
This final Hatchetts gig is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list, so they may not have played it.
6 April 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
20 April 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
22 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
23 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
24 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
25 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
26 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
27 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
11 May 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
12 May 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
18 May 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
24 May 1968 – Guildford College, Guildford, Surrey
25 May 1968 – Farnborough College, Farnborough, Hants
7 June 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
8 June 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
28 June 1968 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)
Photo: South East London Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
7 July 1968 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, London
20 July 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London
23 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
Photo credit: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
27 July 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
31 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
3 August 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
9 August 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
10 August 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
30 August 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London
6 September 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London
7 September 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
When the band split up in mid-September, guitarist Ian Dibben, bass player Pete Attwood and sax player Paul Houlton formed Failed Heritage with drummer Pete Mole from The Warren Davis Monday Band.
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
29 September 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) This is missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list so perhaps they carried on after he left or this gig wasn’t honoured
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
