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)
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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)
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)
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)
1 August – The Reasons (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
8 August – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
15 August – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
22 August – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
29 August – The Expressions (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
5 September – The Insect (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
12 September – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
19 September – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
26 September – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)
3 October – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 October – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 October – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 October – Four Inches (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
31 October – Great Expectations (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 November – Men Tuesday (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
14 November – Who’d-A-Thot-It (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 November – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 November – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 December – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Looks like The Maniacs played this night
19 December – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 December – The Nite Hawks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1966
2 January – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 January – The Y and The L (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 July – The Keys (Harrow Observer)
29 July – Five Steps Beyond (Harrow Observer)
2 October – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
7 October – The Unamed (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
9 October – Five Steps Beyond (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s poster)
14 October – The Flashbakks (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
16 October – The Keys (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s Poster)
21 October – 2 x 2 (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
23 October – The Fourtunes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
28 October – Some Other People (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
30 October – The Flashbakks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)
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
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 – 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
11 May 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
14 May 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire with The Mindbenders and The Truth (Burnley Express & News)
16 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Rey Anton & The Pro-Form (Melody Maker)
21 May 1966 – Gloucester Guildhall, Gloucester with The In Sect (Gloucester Citizen)
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)
8 October 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with The Odyssey (Evening Sentinel)
12 October 1966 – Zebra Club, Greek Street, W1, London (Melody Maker)
21 October 1966 – Midnight City, Birmingham with Edwin Starr and The Night People (Birmingham Evening Mail)
22 October 1966 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands with The Crescendos (Birmingham Evening Mail)
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)
23 October 1966 – Mews, Moseley, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Says direct from Tiles, Oxford Street
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)
2 November 1966 – Stonehouse Church Hall, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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
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
6 February 1967 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Normie Rowe & The Playboys and The Monopoly (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Richard Henry & The Timebox
10 February 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
11 February 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Wimple Winch (Evening Sentinel)
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.
19 March 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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)
15 May 1967 – The Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Wellington Kitch Jump Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)
18-19 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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)
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.
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)
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)
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.
1 October 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
3 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Melody Maker/Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
6 October 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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)
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)
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)
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)
3 February 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
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)
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)
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.
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)
7 April 1968 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Melody Maker)
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)
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)
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.
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)
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)
3 July 1968 – Samantha’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
30 August 1968 – The Wheel, Dorchester Hotel, Dorchester, Dorset with Stormy (Fabulous 208/Dorset Evening Echo/Western Gazette)
31 August 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)
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)
6 September 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
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)
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)
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)
13 December 1968 – Willesden College of Tech, Willesden, northwest London (Melody Maker)
15 December 1968 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
27 December 1968 – Candlelight, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough Evening News)
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)
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.
5 April 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)
20 April 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
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)
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.
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
1 April 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
5 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
21 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Beachcombers
22 April 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants
26 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
27 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
28 April 1967 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London
29 April 1967 – Unknown venue, New Forest, Hants
5 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
6 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
7 May 1967 – Dolphin (address unknown)
There was a Dolphin Club in Finchley, north London
3 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
4 June 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
8 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
30 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
1 July 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
2 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Warren Davis Monday Band and The Trap (Melody Maker)
This gig at the Upper Cut is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list so they may not have played it.
4 July 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hants
7 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
8 July 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
11 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Sax player Paul Houlton left The Warren Davis Monday Band at the end of May. He says that his first gig with Moon’s Train was a long drive and July feels about right. He took over from Ken Leamon.
14 July 1967 – Waterfront Club, Woolston, Hampshire (Southern Echo)
15 July 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset
25 November 1967 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
2 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
9 December 1967 – The Drum, Penge, London
10 December 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)
15 December 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants
16 December 1967 – Wykeham Hall, Romford, London
23 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
24 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
4 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
6 January 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
17 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
18 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
19 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
20 January 1968 – Muirhead Sportsground, Beckenham, London
25 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
26 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
27 January 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
10 February 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
17 February 1968 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hampshire
24 February 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
25 February 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset
29 February 1968 – Nightingdale, Wood Green, London
1 March 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
2 March 1968 – Technical College, Hatfield, Herts
9 March 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
11 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
12 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
13 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
14 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
15 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
16 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
22 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
23 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
29 March 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list
30 March 1968 – Downham Tavern, Catford, London
30 March 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
This final Hatchetts gig is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list, so they may not have played it.
6 April 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
20 April 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
22 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
23 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
24 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
25 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
26 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
27 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
11 May 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
12 May 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London
18 May 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
24 May 1968 – Guildford College, Guildford, Surrey
25 May 1968 – Farnborough College, Farnborough, Hants
7 June 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
8 June 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
28 June 1968 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)
7 July 1968 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, London
20 July 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London
23 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
27 July 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
31 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
3 August 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
9 August 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London
10 August 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
30 August 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London
6 September 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London
7 September 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
When the band split up in mid-September, guitarist Ian Dibben, bass player Pete Attwood and sax player Paul Houlton formed Failed Heritage with drummer Pete Mole from The Warren Davis Monday Band.
29 September 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) This is missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list so perhaps they carried on after he left or this gig wasn’t honoured
Located on Allendale Road in Greenford (sometimes billed as Sudbury or Wembley) in northwest London, the Starlite Ballroom was a significant music venue in the UK during the early-to-late 1960s. Peter Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex.
Melody Maker advertised this venue weekly during 1966 and 1967. This doesn’t mean, however, that the advertised artists definitely appeared. It’s quite possible that some acts may have been replaced at the last minute. All of the listings below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the listings below, gigs took place on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
1966
Missing some listings from January to late May
1 January – The Fenmen and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
16 January – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
21 January – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
22 January – The Drifters (Record Mirror)
23 January – The Alan Bown Set and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)
5 February – Stevie Wonder (backed by The Sidewinders?) with The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
13 February – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
18 February – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
27 February – The Moody Blues and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Who for this date as well
11 March – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)
23 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Beat Instrumental)
25 March – Wilson Pickett and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
1 April – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Record Mirror)
22 April – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
26 April – The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)
29 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
6 May – Lee Dorsey and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)
15 May – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)
27 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
28 May – The Soul Agents
29 May – The Fenmen and The Symbols
Missing listings for 3, 4 and 5 June
5 June – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
10 June – The Quiet Five and The Mark Four
11 June – The Ram Jam (most likely Geno Washington’s band) and The James Royal Set
12 June – The Yardbirds
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported The Yardbirds on this date
17 June – Roy C
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported Roy C on this date
18 June – The Spencer Davis Group
19 June – The James Royal Set and The Soul Agents
24 June – Radio London Night with bands
25 June – The Emeralds and The James Royal Set
26 June – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
1 July – The Quiet Five and The Trendsetters Ltd
2 July – Radio London Night
3 July – Gary Farr & The T-Bones
8 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
9 July – The Crystals
10 July – The Moody Blues
15 July – The Who and Roscoe Brown Combo
16 July – Episode Six and The Legend
17 July – The Troggs, The Wild Things and The Jimmy Brown Sound
22 July – Rufus Thomas
23 July – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones
24 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The En-Devers Ltd
29 July – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and The Summer Set
30 July – The Riot Squad
31 July – Joyce Bond and The Jimmy Brown Sound
5 August – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
6 August – Episode Six
7 August – Solomon Burke
12 August – The Move
Missing listing for 13 August
14 August – Jimmy Brown Sound
19 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Tea Set
20 August – The Midnights
21 August – The Action and The Mode
26 August – The Magic Lanterns and The Knack
Missing listing for 27 August
28 August – The Pretty Things and Sands
2 September – The Spencer Davis Group
3 September – Episode Six
4 September – The Birds (with support)
9 September – The Jimmy Brown Sound and The Satellites (soon to become The Army)
10 September – Julian Covey & The Machine
11 September – Long John Baldry & Steampacket
16 September – The Symbols and The Quiet Five
17 September – Two groups
18 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
23 September – The Trendsetters and Winston G
24 September – Two groups
25 September – Los Bravos
30 September – Robert Parker and The James Royal Set
1 October – Two groups
2 October – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
7 October – The Cryin Shames
8 October – Two groups
9 October – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
14 October – Lee Dorsey
15 October – Two groups
16 October – Batman & Robin
21 October – Sonny Childe & The TNT
22 October – Two groups
23 October – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests)
28 October – The Birds
29 October – Two groups
30 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
4 November – The Dixie Cups
5 November – Two groups
6 November – The Creation
11 November – The Coasters (probably backed by The Noblemen) and The Mode
12 November – Two groups
13 November – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
18 November – Wishful Thinking
19 November – Two groups
20 November – Ben E King and Winston G
25 November – The Mindbenders
26 November – Two groups
27 November – The Birds
2 December – The All Night Workers and Sands
3 December – Two groups
4 December – Cream and The Essex Five
9 December – Gass and The Fleur De Lys
10 December – Two groups
11 December – The Drifters and The Bystanders
16 December – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
17 December – Two groups
18 December – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
23 December – Eric Burdon & The Animals and The Night Train
24 December – Gass and The Penny Blacks
30 December – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede and The Barry Lee Show
31 December – The Birds and The James Royal Set
1967
1 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Majority
6 January- (Sonny Childe &) The TNT and The Syn
No listing for 7 January
8 January – The Move and The Roscoe Brown Combo
13 January – The Small Faces
No listing for 14 January
15 January – The Soul Sisters and Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
20 January – The Coloured Raisins and The Herd
No listing for 21 January
22 January – Long John Baldry (& Bluesology)
27 January – Inez & Charlie Foxx and (Joe E Young &) The Tonicks
No listing for 28 January
29 January – The Symbols and The Dyaks
3 February – Winston G
No listing for 4 February
5 February – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
10 February – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Cool Combination)
No listing for 11 February
12 February – The Who
17 February – The Fenmen
No listing for 18 February
19 February – Cream
24 February – Lemon Line
No listing for 25 February
26 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
3 March – Cliff Bennet & The Rebel Rousers
No listing for 4 March
5 March – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band and The Shell (Shock Show)
10 March – The Coloured Raisins and King Ossie Show
No listing for 11 March
12 March – The Gods
17 March – The Easybeats
No listing for 18 March
19 March – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
24 March – Human Instinct and Joe E Young & The Tonicks
No listing for 25 March
26 March – The New Mojos and The Gods
31 March – Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set?)
No listing for 1 April
2 April – Ben E King
7 April – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 8 April
9 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 April – The Creation and The Syn
No listing for 15 April
16 April – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 April – Pink Floyd
No listing for 22 April
23 April – Mary Wells and The Gods
28 April – PP Arnold (backed by The Nice?) and The Syn
No listing for 29 April
30 April – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Shinn
5 May – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 6 May
7 May – Jeff Beck Group and Sean Buckley
12 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 13 May
14 May – Normie Rowe & The Playboys
19 May – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
No listing for 20 May
21 May – The Troggs and The State Express (they later backed Edwin Starr)
26 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 27 May
28 May – Alan Price Set
2 June – Edwin Starr (probably backed by The Senate)
No listing for 3 June
4 June – The Warm Sounds and The Birds and The Bees
9 June – Mike Quinn Rave
No listing for 10 June
11 June – Cream and The Triads
16 June – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 17 June
18 June – The Drifters
23 June – The Move and The Gods
No listing for 24 June
25 June – The Chiffons and Midnight Train
No listing for 30 June or 1 July
2 July – The Toys
Ron Lewingdon says Steve Priest’s pre-Sweet group, The Army were also on this bill. He remembers appearing at the venue with The Toys
No listing for 7 or 8 July
9 July – The Jeff Beck Group
14 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 15 July
16 July – The Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 22 July
23 July – The Action and The Syn
28 July – Modes Mode
No listing for 29 July
30 July – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and The Human Instinct
4 August – The All Night Workers
No listing for 5 August
6 August – The Bee Gees and The Pussyfoot
11 August – Modes Mode
No listing for 12 August
13 August – The Small Faces
Henry Turtle says that his group The Doves played with The Small Faces at this venue several times. This seems the most likely date for one of the shows but needs confirmation
18 August – The Syn
No listing for 19 August
20 August – The Jeff Beck Group
25 August – The New Jump Band
No listing for 26 August
27 August – The Human Instinct and The Triads
1 September – The Pussyfoot
No listing for 2 September
3 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
8 September – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 9 September
10 September – James & Bobby Purify and The James Royal Set
15 September – The Unsuited Medium
No listing for 16 September
17 September – The Original Drifters (backed by The Trend)
22 September – The Wranglers
23 September (first Saturday listing for the year) – The Breakthru
24 September – The Tiles Big Band
29 September – The New York Public Library
30 September – The Breakthru
1 October – The Alan Bown Set and The Calgary Stampede
No listing for 6 October
No listing for 7 October
8 October – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
13 October – Amen Corner
No listing for 14 October
15 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
20 October – The Human Instinct
21 October – Warren Davis (was he on his own or with The Monday Band?)
22 October – The Ebony Keys and The All Night Workers (possibly the new version of this band)
27 October – Mr Hip Soul Band
28 October – The Wranglers
29 October – Geno Washington & Ram Jam Band and The All Night Workers
3 November – Pesky Gee
4 November – The Taylor Upton Big Jump Band
5 November – Ben E King and Dr Marigold’s Prescription
10 November – Horatio Soul & The Square Deals
11 November – The Triads
12 November – Marmalade and Legay
17 November – Katch 22
18 November – Willie Walker & The Scene
19 November – The Skatalites and The Open Mind
24 November – The Minor Portion Roll Band
25 November – Keith Skues and The Shock Treatment
26 November – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Living Daylights
1 December – J J Bendol & The SOS
2 December – Katch 22
3 December – Geranium Pond and Modes Mode
8 December – Hydro Bronx B Band
No listing for 9 December
10 December – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
No more listings for the year, so would welcome any additions
1968
Melody Maker didn’t appear to advertise the venue during 1968, so I’ve listed references next to the entries I have found. It looks like they were Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but the listings are not complete and I would welcome any additions
Missing lists from January-April 1968
19 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 April – Ike & Tina Turner Show (Harrow Weekly Post/New Musical Express)
26 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
27 April – The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 April – Garnet Mimms and The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post) Mimms may have cancelled
3 May – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 May – Pandemonium (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 5 May
No listing on 10 May
11 May – The Cruudas (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 May – The Honeybus (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 17 May
18 May – Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
19 May – Marmalade and Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 24 May
25 May – Jo Jo Gunne (Harrow Weekly Post)
26 May – Edwin Starr (backed by The State Express) (and with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
31 May – The New Flamingos (Harrow Weekly Post)
1 June – The Greatest Show on Earth (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 June – Duane Eddy and The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Henry Turtle says his band The Doves played with Duane Eddy at this venue. The All Night Workers definitely played too
7 June – The Midnights (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 June – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 June – The Fantastics (backed by The House of Orange) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 June – The Exits (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 June – Orange Seaweed (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 June – Whisky Mac (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
22 June – Size Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 June – The New Breed (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 June – The Group (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
30 June – The Apricots (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
5 July – The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 July – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
7 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 12 July
13 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 19 July
20 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 July – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 26, 27 and 28 July
No listing for 2 August
3 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
I don’t have any more listings for August and only odd ones for September and October so would welcome any additions
22 September – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 September – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
5 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 October – The Race (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 October – Colin Berry (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
3 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 November – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
10 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 17 November
22 November – Colin Berry and The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 24 November
I have no more listings for November and a gap in early December
11 December – The All Night Workers (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post) Says Sudbury, but the address is the same – Allendale Road
I have no more listings for December so would welcome any additions
A Grade II-listed building located at 152 King’s Road in Chelsea, southwest London, the Pheasantry featured a rock club that put on shows by the likes of Queen and Hawkind in the early 1970s.
In 1969, both Ambrose Slade (aka Slade) and Mott The Hoople played here but most of the bands appear to have been up and coming unknowns.
It’s not entirely clear when it started to host rock music as it’s been difficult to find any local newspapers that advertised the venue. UK music magazine Melody Maker did advertise the venue but only on a regular basis in 1970 and there are still many gaps in the listings.
Together with the Mechanical Orange (a club in a crypt in a church) and the Café Des Artistes (both in Chelsea), the nearby Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) in Earl’s Court, plus the Pontiac club in Putney, this was a popular rock music venue in the area.
Guitarist Mike Piggott has confirmed that his group, Junior’s Conquest, fronted by future Bob Marley guitarist/singer Junior Kerr (aka Junior Marvin) frequently played here sometime in late 1968 and/or early 1969.
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add some more musical history to this venue during the years 1968-1970, particularly any missing gigs and whether there are any local papers that advertised the venue.
1968
Chelsea News and General Advertiser’s 29 March edition has an article entitled ‘Pheasantry reopens with a full house’, which notes that the basement now has a disco and dance floor. The club opened on the Monday (25 March).
According to Stefan Granados’ excellent article on The Majority in Shindig magazine, The Majority played at this venue just before Pete Mizen joined in October 1968.
According to the Chelsea News and General Advertiser’s 20 December edition, Viv Prince was socialising in the club the previous week. On the same night, the band Giant was playing, managed by Alan Dale, former manager of Vamp, Prince’s old group.
16 December – My Dear Watson (Chelsea News and General Advertiser) This was apparently the Scottish band’s London debut
17 December – Toast (Melody Maker)
Westminster & Pimlico News’ 20 December edition has an article on the club and mentions the following bands playing there: Gethsemane, Clouds, The Majority and Village.
1969
There are very few listings for 1969, so I’d welcome any additions and memories.
11 June – Clouds (Time Out)
16 June – Clouds (Time Out)
21 June – Ambrose Slade (Time Out)
25 June – Clouds (Time Out)
29 June – East of Eden (Melody Maker) Interestingly, this is not in the list for 30 June below
11 October – Joe Cocker (Westminster and Pimlico News)
13 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)
15 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)
27 October – Mott The Hoople (Time Out)
24 November – Stray (Time Out)
1 December – Gracious (Time Out)
8 December – Gracious (Time Out)
15 December – Gracious (Time Out)
1970
The gigs below seem to suggest that shows took place from Monday-Saturday although the listing here is far from complete and has huge gaps.
18 February – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
19 February – Imagination (Melody Maker)
20 February – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
21 February – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
2-3 March – Jon Hendricks (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
4 March – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
5 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)
6 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
7 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)
9 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
10 March – Emperor Rosko (Melody Maker)
11 March – Legend (Melody Maker)
The programme lists If not Legend
12 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
13 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
14 March – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
The programme lists Balloons not Patrick Dane
16 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
17 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
18 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)
19 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)
20 March – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)
21 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
23 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
24 March – If (Melody Maker)
25 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
The programme lists If on 25 March and (Emperor) Rosko on 24 March so other way round
26 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
27 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
28 March – Balloons (Melody Maker)
30 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
31 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
1 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
2 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
3 April – Lloyd (Melody Maker)
4 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
6 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)
7 April – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
8 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
9 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
10 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
11 April – Legend (Melody Maker)
13 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
14 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
15 April – Demon Fuzz (Melody Maker)
16 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
17 April – Legend (Melody Maker)
18 April – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)
20 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)
21 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
22 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
23 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
24 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
25 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
27 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
28 April – Anqeleque (Melody Maker)
29 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
30 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 May – Train (Melody Maker)
2 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)
4 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
5 May – Custers Track (Melody Maker)
6 May – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)
7 May – Sarah Gordon’s House of Bondage (Melody Maker)
8 May – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
9 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
11 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
12 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)
13 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)
14 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
15 May – Love Children (Melody Maker)
16 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
18 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
19 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
20 May – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)
21 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
22 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
23 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
25 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
26 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)
27 May – Westbound Lounge (Melody Maker)
28 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
29 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
30 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
1 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
2 June – Crazy Mabel (Melody Maker)
3 June – Margarine (Melody Maker)
4 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)
5 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)
6 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
8 June – Calum Bryce and Poppa Ben Hook (Melody Maker)
9 June – Legend (Melody Maker)
17 June – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)
18 June – The Crew (Melody Maker)
19 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
20 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
22 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
23 June – Brotherhood (Melody Maker)
24 June – Legend (Melody Maker)
25 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)
26 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
27 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)
29 June – Angelique (Melody Maker)
30 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 July – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
2 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
3 July – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
4 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
6 July – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
7 July – Bagge (Melody Maker)
8 July – Quincy (Melody Maker)
9 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
10 July – Love Children (Melody Maker)
11 July – Pussyfoot Tram (Melody Maker)
13 July – Syrup (Melody Maker)
14 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
15 July – Eureka Stockade (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
16 July – Catapilla (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
17 July – Ritual (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
18 July – Gift (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
20 July – Charge (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
21 July – Westland Steamboat (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
22 July – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
23 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
24 July – Portrait (Melody Maker)
25 July – Crew (Melody Maker)
27 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
28 July – Greasy Bear (Melody Maker)
29 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
30 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
31 July – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
1 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
3 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
4 August – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
5 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
6 August – My Cake (Melody Maker)
7 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
8 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
10 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
11 August – Custer’s Track (Melody Maker)
12 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
13 August – Crew (Melody Maker)
14 August – Blonde on Blonde (Melody Maker)
15 August – Guest group (Melody Maker)
17 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
18 August – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)
19 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
20 August – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
21 August – Angelique (Melody Maker)
22 August – Mirrors (Melody Maker)
24 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
25 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
26 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
27 August – Portrait (Melody Maker)
28 August – Noir (Melody Maker)
29 August – Legend (Melody Maker)
31 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 September – Big Bertha (Melody Maker)
2 September – Manderin Craze (Melody Maker)
3 September – Arcadium (Melody Maker)
4 September – Ginger (Melody Maker)
5 September – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
7 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
8 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
9 September – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
10 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
11 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)
12 September – Crew (Melody Maker)
14 September – High Broom (Melody Maker)
15 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
16 September – Quincy (Melody Maker)
17 September – Crew (Melody Maker)
18 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)
19 September – Mako (Melody Maker)
21 September – Portrait (Melody Maker)
22 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
23 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
24 September – Consortium (Melody Maker)
25 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
26 September – Legend (Melody Maker)
28 September – Love’s Children (Melody Maker)
29 September – Barley (Melody Maker)
30 September – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
1 October – Crew (Melody Maker)
2 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
3 October – Elton Chess (Melody Maker)
5 October – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)
6 October – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
7 October – Custers Track (Melody Maker)
The programme has Osibisa not Custers Track
8 October – Almond Diamond (Melody Maker)
The programme lists Almond Marzipan
9 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
10 October – Growth (Melody Maker)
The programme lists Merlin not Growth
12 October – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)
13 October – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
14 October – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
15 October – Legend (Melody Maker)
16 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
17 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
19 October – Portrait (Melody Maker)
20 October – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
21 October – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
22 October – Free Ferry (Melody Maker)
23 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
24 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
26 October – Satisfaction (Melody Maker)
27 October – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)
28 October – Crazy Paving (Melody Maker)
29 October – Love Children (Melody Maker)
30 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
31 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
I don’t have any listings for November and December but I am pretty sure it was operating during these months as the club continued in 1971 and beyond.
1971
10 February – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
10 March – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
29 April – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
11 August – The Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clipping)
18 August – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
Located at 266a Fulham Road, in southwest London, the Café des Artistes apparently opened its doors around 1960.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Brian Jones briefly lived close by in an apartment in Edith Grove, Chelsea during 1962 but it’s not clear when this small basement club first began putting on live music.
It’s more than likely that the Café des Artistes only featured up and coming local bands.
Also, its close proximity to the Pontiac Club in Putney means it might also have featured some of the same groups.
The dearth of information on this little known club isn’t helped by the fact that none of the local newspapers, as far as I am aware, advertised shows. I would welcome any further information from readers.
Status Quo front man Francis Rossi confirms in his book that The Spectres (who morphed into Status Quo) had a Monday night residency here while they were still at school and also played the El Partido in Lewisham. I’ve found gigs for them performing at the latter in October 1965, so it could well be the same time period.
Sax player Dave Brogden who worked with West London R&B band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen, provided the following dates from his diary. Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan was briefly a member during this period and also drummer Mick Tucker, who went on to join The Sweet, also worked with this band while Brogden played sax for them.
1964
24 March – The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)
28 March – Millie & The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)
1965
9 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals
16 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals
23 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals, who left after a gig on 26 April
30 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
7 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) Mick Tucker joined on drums around this time
28 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
4 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
11 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
18 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
25 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
3 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
9 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
6 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
10 August – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Jim St Pier’s diary)
13 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
24 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
I have been unable to find any gigs for 1966, 1967 and 1968 but I presume it still put on live shows. I have only found a couple of gigs for 1969 below and would welcome any additional information
An article in the Westminster & Pimlico News, dated 25 August 1967, says the group Jon are residents at the club around this time
1968
27 June – Toast (Melody Maker)
3 July – Toast (Melody Maker)
11 July – Toast (Melody Maker)
31 October – Toast (Melody Maker)
1969
6 February – Toast (Melody Maker)
5 June – Black Velvet (Time Out)
An article in the Western Daily Press and Times and Mirror, dated 26 June 1969, says Bath group, The Mirror are residents at the club around this time
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.
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