Category Archives: England

Categories: England

Mary Wells’s British tours in the 1960s

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As the first female Motown artist to tour Britain, singer Mary Wells had been invited by The Beatles to join them for a nationwide tour from 9 October to 10 November 1964 alongside The Rustiks, Michael Haslam, Bob Bain, The Remo Four and Tommy Quickly.

For what was Wells’s first British tour, she was backed by Sounds Incorporated, who comprised John St John (lead guitar); Wes Hunter (bass); Barrie Cameron (organ/baritone sax); Alan “Boots” Holmes (baritone sax/tenor sax); “Major” Griff West (tenor sax/flute); and Tony Newman (drums).

In March 1967, Wells returned for her second (but first headlining) British tour and was backed by Scottish band O’Hara’s Playboys featuring John O’Hara (vocals/sax); Peter Green (tenor sax); Pete Campbell (lead guitar); Bobby Campbell (keyboards/guitar/vocals); Bill Mathieson (bass); and Davy McHarg (drums).

Source: Melody Maker, 26 November 1966, page 4

Judging by an article in Melody Maker, she was originally due in January 1967.

The following list is incomplete but includes: 

30 March 1967 – Locarno, Bristol with The Playboys (Bristol Evening Post)

1 April 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

2 April 1967 – Top Rank Astoria Ballroom, Oldham, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 April 1967 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks with guest group (Bucks Free Press)

7 April 1967 – Gaiety Grimsby, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire with John O’Hara’s Playboys (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

8 April 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with supporting band, The Sect, The Group and The Steel Band (Lincolnshire Echo)

9 April 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with O’Hara’s Playboys and Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Runcorn Guardian)

9 April 1967 – 7 Club, Wyle Co-op, Shrewsbury with support group (Shropshire Journal)

13 April 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Playboys (Melody Maker)

14 April 1967 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with Five of a Kind and MBQ (Morecambe Visitor)

15 April 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Apex R&B All Stars and Night Train (Melody Maker/California Ballroom website)

15 April 1967 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

20 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Post)

21 April 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

22 April 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester with Sonny Childe & The TNT (Leicester Mercury)

22 April 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Fireflies (Cambridgeshire Times)

23 April 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London with The Gods (Melody Maker)

It was another two years before Mary Wells returned to Britain for her second solo British tour. On this one she appears to have been backed, at least on some gigs, by Glasgow band, Sir Percy Quintet who comprised Ian Wright (vocals); Jim Fraser (guitar/vocals); John Thompson (guitar/vocals); Colin Wright (bass/vocals); and Ray Gibson (drums).

The following list is incomplete but includes the following. I think some of the Melody Maker gigs listed in the image below may be slightly off. 

2 May 1969 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Clam (Melody Maker)

2 May 1969 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Melody Maker)

Source: Melody Maker, 3 May 1969, page 4

3 May 1969 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with Cleveland Fox Soul Band (Evening Sentinel)

3 May 1969 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with Familiarity Breeds (Liverpool Echo)

8 May 1969 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard) The Flirtations attended this

Source: Melody Maker, 17 May 1969, page 6

9 May 1969 – Annabel, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Echo)

12 May 1969 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with Sir Percy Quintet (Birmingham Evening Mail)

13 May 1969 – Stockton Fiesta, Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside (Northern Echo)

13 May 1969 – Sloopy’s, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

15 May 1969 – Crystal Ballroom, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

15 May 1969 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with Soul Show and Second City Road Show (Birmingham Evening Mail) This advert says she was backed by Soul Show

16 May 1969 – Victoriana, Mardi Gras Club, Liverpool with The Acropolis and Action Lion with Billy Butler (Liverpool Echo)

18 May 1969 – Brit-Brit, Trent Bridge, Nottingham with The Klan (Nottingham Evening Post)

18 May 1969 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

Nearly a year later Mary Wells was back in Britain for her third solo tour. It’s not clear, however, who backed her on this one.

It is also quite possible that this was a fake Mary Wells brought over by Roy Tempest.

The following list is incomplete but includes: 

21 March 1970 – Oakengates Town Hall, Oakengates, Shropshire with The Powerhouse Soul Band (North Shropshire Journal)

30 March 1970 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands (Walsall Observer)

We’d welcome any recollections in the comments section below. We would particularly like to hear about the songs performed and any other standouts.

Categories: England

Irma Thomas’s March 1966 British tour

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In early March 1966, American soul singer Irma Thomas arrived in England to participate in a nationwide tour organised by Roy Tempest who hired Nottingham band, The Sons of Adam, to back her.

In some of the adverts, the group appears to be listed as The Excitements (or Exciters) unless this was another band that played on some of the tour dates?

The Sons of Adam line-up for the tour was Paddy Flynn (lead guitar), Harry Hopewell (bass), Barry Heald (tenor sax), John Sanderson (tenor sax) and Mick Franks aka Mick Maltby (drums).

The dates below (and band line-up) are listed on the Dungeon Mods website (https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/life-of-a-local-band/) and from advertised sources. After this tour with Irma Thomas, The Sons of Adam backed Screaming Jay Hawkins on a handful of gigs.

4 March 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker) Doubtful this happened even though it was advertised

Morning and afternoon rehearsals took place at the Roebuck on Tottenham Court Road. Apparently, The Sons of Adam had to wait until Stevie Wonder had finished rehearsing before starting tour preparations with Irma Thomas and were introduced to him by Thomas. Evening rehearsals took place at the Titanine Sports & Social Club in Colindale.

11 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Roscoe Brown Combo (https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/life-of-a-local-band/)

11 March 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge Park, Harlesden, northwest London (Melody Maker)

11 March 1966 – Cue Club all-nighter, Paddington, west London with The Jet Set (Melody Maker)

12 March 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

13 March 1966 – Gainsborough Club, Salford, Greater Manchester and the Riverboat Club, Manchester (https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/life-of-a-local-band/)

14 March 1966 – 1pm recording for Scene at 6.30 for Granada TV in Manchester (https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/life-of-a-local-band/)

14 March 1966 – The Penthouse, Birmingham with The Fabulous Creseendoes (Birmingham Evening Mail/Concert ticket)

17 March 1966 – Irma Thomas and the band did a sound balance for ITV’s Ready Steady Go at 12.30pm (https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/2020/04/16/life-of-a-local-band/)

17 March 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Excitements (Melody Maker). In the early hours Irma Thomas and The Sons of Adam played the Scotch of St James in Mayfair on an all-nighter.

18 March 1966 – ITV’s Ready Steady Go at 12.30pm and Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band at 7pm (Melody Maker) From midnight Irma Thomas and The Sons of Adam played the El Partido in Lewisham, southeast London on an all-nighter.

19 March 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

19 March 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (late session) with Wilson Pickett (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

20 March 1966 – Roaring ‘20s, Carnaby Street, Soho, central London with The Powerhouse Six, The Excitements and Duke Lee (Melody Maker/Poster)

23 March 1966 – Catacombe Club, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Melody Maker)

24 March 1966 – The Rialto, Derby with The Sidewinders and The Tommy Owen Quintet (Derby Evening Telegraph) This was reviewed in the press

24 March 1966 – The Penthouse, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

25 March 1966 – Canterbury Union Ball, Eliot College, Kent University, Canterbury, Kent with Manfred Mann and full supporting groups (InCant /Melody Maker/Poster)

25 March 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

26 March 1966 – Caribbean All Star Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Excitements (Sheffield Star) The Sons of Adam gigs also list a second show at the King Mojo in Sheffield.

27 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen (Melody Maker)

In an interview for The Guardian from May 2025 (https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/may/26/irma-thomas-galactic-soul-queen-new-orleans), Thomas talked about how badly organised the tour was and explained how she lost 15lbs and her voice for three months.

“I had no one looking after things for me and found myself singing night after night – and some matinees – for around three weeks,” she recalled.

“I had a very basic British backing band and went everywhere in an old van. It was exhausting and debilitating. I was told by a voice doctor that if I ever wanted to sing again, I couldn’t speak for three months. So, I didn’t. Which was really difficult, especially when you have small children.”

27 June 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Although this was advertised, it is probably a printing error and was actually Rufus Thomas who was touring Britain at the time.

If you can add anything, please leave a comment below. We would particularly like to hear about the songs performed and any other standouts.

Categories: England, Fulham

Derek Savage Foundation

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Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

Photo: Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle. Image may be subject to copyright. Left to right: Derek, Tony, Jim, Ian and John. 

Derek Savage – Lead vocals

Tony Noble – Lead guitar

Ian Milne – Organ

John Turner – Bass

Jim Van Sickle – Drums

 According to an article in the Fulham & Hammersmith Chronicle from 10 March 1967 (page 8), Derek Savage formed this group in late 1965 with drummer Jim Van Sickle after leaving another band (Ed. Although the press says Jim was American, Tony Noble confirms he was born and raised in Fulham, southwest London).

Photo: Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle. Image may be subject to copyright

Tony Noble arrived having responded to a newspaper advertisement and introduced his friend John Turner, with Ian Milne completing the formation.

The band played extensively at the Flamingo in Wardour Street in Soho, central London from late 1966 through to early 1967 and signed with Date Records, which issued a lone single – ‘Stop the Wedding’ c/w ‘Breakin’ Through’.

Photo: Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle. Image may be subject to copyright

The musicians were also pictured, with a short article, in the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle, in the newspaper’s 17 March 1967 issue (page 4).

The Derek Savage Foundation continued to gig until late 1967 before splitting up.

We’d love to hear from anyone that can add further information below

 Notable gigs:

Image may be subject to copyright

23 September – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The VIPs (Melody Maker)

 

7 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Freddie & The Dreamers (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

8 October 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Remo Four (Melody Maker)

14 October 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ike & Tina Turner Show (Melody Maker)

22 October 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

 

5 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Trinity and Tina and Johnny Glover (Melody Maker)

12 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Makin Sound and Tina and Johnny Glover (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

15 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

19 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Trinity and Tina and Johnny Glover (Melody Maker)

26 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alex Harvey & The Mox and Tina and Johnny Glover (Melody Maker)

 

3 December 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

4 December 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

9 December 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with O’Hara’s Playboys and Tina and Johnny Glover (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 December 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Locomotive and Tina and Johnny Glover (Melody Maker)

 

13 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jo Jo Gunn (Melody Maker)

17 January 1967 – Adelphi, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)

Image may be subject to copyright

20 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy Cliff’s Shakedown Sounds (Melody Maker)

24 January 1967 – Walton Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

Image may be subject to copyright

11 February 1967 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

18 February 1967 – Walton Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

19 February 1967 – Surf City Coffee Club, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (Tunbridge Wells Courier)

Image may be subject to copyright

2 March 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Web and John L Watson (Melody Maker)

21 March 1967 – Walton Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

Image may be subject to copyright

22 April 1967 – YMCA, Sebert Street, Gloucester with Sack O’ Woe (Gloucester Citizen)

29 April 1967 – Disc Club, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

 

27 May 1967 – Papa’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/gigs-1967/)

 

17 June 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks (Bucks Advertiser)

 

22 July 1967 – The ‘Big C’ Club, Farnborough, Hants (Aldershot News)

 

23 September 1967 – The ‘Big C’ Club, Farnborough, Hants (Aldershot News)

 

20 October 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (https://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

Image may be subject to copyright

29 October 1967 – Cesar’s Bedford, Bedfordshire with The Pink Champagne (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

 

3-4 November 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, southwest London (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

Categories: England, Surrey

The Legends (Surrey band)

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L-R: Roger Smith (rhythm guitar); Ron Prior (vocals); Jess Hodges (drums); Graham Bradley (vocals); Keith Greaves (bass); and Roger Tinkler (lead guitar). Photo: Ron Prior

Ron Prior – lead vocals

Graham Bradley – lead vocals

Roger Tinkler – lead guitar

Roger Smith – rhythm guitar

Keith Greaves – bass

Jess Hodges – drums

This northwest Surrey band evolved out of The Black Arrows and featured two lead singers – Ron Prior and Graham Bradley.

Invited by Cyril Stapleton to record a demo recording at Radio Luxembourg in central London, the sextet cut two tracks, including a cover of Solomon Burke’s ‘Stupidity’ via Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (featuring Prior on lead vocals), but it was never released.

Prior and Tinkler subsequently joined Jeep Rongle in March 1966.

Ron would love to hear from any surviving band members in the comments section below

Selected gigs:

6 December 1964 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey with The Applejacks (Woking Herald)

26 January 1965 – Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

 

26 February 1965 – The British Legion Hall, Virginia Water, Surrey (Staines & Egham News)

 

5 March 1965 – Co-op Hall, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

 

8 May 1965 – Egham Hythe Social Club, Egham Hythe, Surrey with The Roosters (Staines & Egham News)

 

12 June 1965 – St Paul’s FC, Social Centre, Egham Hythe, Surrey (Staines & Egham News)

19 June 1965 – Social Club, Egham Hythe, Surrey with the Cherokees (Staines & Egham News)

 

21 August 1965 – Egham Hythe Social Centre, Egham Hythe, Surrey with The Stormsville Shakers (Staines & Egham News)

 

19 September 1965 – Co-op Hall, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

 

 

Categories: England, Surrey

The Black Arrows

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Clockwise from front: Roger Smith (rhythm guitar), Alan Smith (lead guitar), Keith Greaves (bass) and Ron Prior (drums). Photo: Ron Prior

Alan Smith – lead guitar

Roger Smith – rhythm guitar

Keith Greaves – bass

Ron Prior – drums

Former Highlights and Magnets singer/turned drummer put this band together in 1962 with Chertsey, Surrey-raised brothers Alan and Roger Smith.

Like Prior’s previous band The Magnets, The Black Arrows played extensively throughout Surrey, including appearing frequently at the Walton Playhouse (see 1962 on that entry).

Although The Black Arrows did not record, all of the members (with the exception of Alan Smith) stayed on when the group became The Legends (not to be confused with the west London band of the same name) in 1965.

Ron would love to hear from any surviving band members in the comments section below

L-R: Roger Smith, Ron Prior, Keith Greaves and Alan Smith. Photo Ron Prior
Categories: England, Surrey

The Magnets

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L-R: Craig Collins (drums), Paul Baxter (lead guitar), Ron Prior (lead vocals), Mick Angel (rhythm guitar). Ronnie Knight not pictured. Photo: Ron Prior

Ron Prior – lead vocals

Paul Baxter – lead guitar

Mick Angel – rhythm guitar

Ronnie Knight – bass

Craig Collins – drums

Formed in 1960 by Virgina Water, Surrey-raised singer Ron Prior, who’d started out with The Highlights, a group that briefly included future Kinks drummer Mick Avory.

The group played extensively throughout Surrey for the best part of two years before Prior departed to form The Black Arrows.

Ron would love to hear from any surviving band members in the comments section below

L-R: Ron Prior (hands at the microphone), Paul Baxter, Mick Angel and Ronnie Knight. Photo: Ron Prior
Categories: England, London

Orange Bicycle gigs 1967-1970

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Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

Photo may be subject to copyright. Clockwise from top: Wil Malone, Gary Hooper, John Bachini and Robert J Scales

Robert J Scales (aka Robb Storme) – lead vocals

Gary Hooper – keyboards/guitar

John Bachini – bass/vocals

Pete Wilson (aka Wil Malone) – drums/keyboards/vocals

In September 1967, The Robb Storme Group changed name to Orange Bicycle.

Halifax Evening Courier and Guardian, 7 September 1967, page 4

24 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Pandemonium (Melody Maker)

30 September 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with supporting group (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

6 October 1967 – Klik, Brighton, Sussex (Brighton Evening Argus/Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & Orange Bicycle

27 October 1967 – Top Rank Suite, Brighton, East Sussex (Brighton Evening Argus)

9 November 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with The Switch (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

20 December 1967 – Top Rank Suite, Brighton, East Sussex (Brighton Evening Argus)

21 December 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

23 December 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Beachwoods (Warrington Guardian) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

1968

6 January 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

19 January 1968 – Winter Gardens, Morecambe, Lancashire with The Good Tone and The All Jump Kangaroo Band (Morecambe Visitor)

27 January 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

 

10 February 1968 – Faculty of Tech Union, Students’ Union Building, Manchester University, Manchester with The Pretty Things (Manchester Evening News)

24 February 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

29 February 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with The Inspirations (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

Photo: Bill Wilson

15 March 1968 – Eastbourne College of Education, Eastbourne, East Sussex with The Skatalites (Poster from Bill Wilson)

29 March 1968 – Freshwater East Club & Golden Sands Restaurant, Freshwater East, Pembrokeshire, west Wales (Pembroke County & West Wales Guardian)

 

3 April 1968 – Grand Spa Ballroom, Bristol (Bristol Evening Post)

4 April 1968 – Caesar’s Discotek, Arno’s Court Country Club, Bristol (Bristol Evening Post)

13 April 1968 – Pier Ballroom, Hastings, East Sussex with Pete Kelly’s Solution (Melody Maker)

15 April 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with The Too Much (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle with The Too Much

 

11 May 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

26 May 1968 – Crawdaddy, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)

 

1 June 1968 – Rainbow Suite, Co-op, Birmingham with Ultra Sounds (Birmingham Evening Mail)

3 June 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

7 June 1968 – Georgian Club, Manchester with The Choice (Manchester Evening News)

8 June 1968 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News) Billed as Rob Storm & The Orange Bicycle

8 June 1968 – Princess Club, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News) Billed as Rob Storm & The Orange Bicycle

Orange Bicycle featured in the Mid Sussex Times, 13 June 1968 p18

6 July 1968 – St Joseph’s College, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire with The Reg James Explosion (Evening Sentinel)

20 July 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

 

1 August 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

7 August 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Brighton, East Sussex with Coloured Raisins (Brighton Evening Argus)

10 August 1968 – Le Metro, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

25 August 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

31 August 1968 – Isle of Wight Festival, Ford Farm near Godshill, Isle of Wight with Jefferson Airplane, The Move, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, T-Rex, Fairport Convention, The Pretty Things and others (poster)

2 September 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Orange Bicycle with Robb Storme

5 September 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle

11 September 1968 – The Grand, Frome, Somerset with The Derek Jones Discotheque (Somerset Standard)

Melody Maker advert says they appear on BBC Dave Cash Show on 3 October

4 October 1968 – Sydenham Community Centre, Bridgwater, Somerset (Melody Maker)

5 October 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

6 October 1968 – Maerdy Workingmen’s Club, Maerdy, Rhondda, Wales (Melody Maker)

10 October 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Orange Bicycle with Robb Storme

11 October 1968 – Owens Park College, Manchester (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker advert lists gig in Barnsley on 12 October

13 October 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker advert lists gig in Newport, Wales on 16 October

17 October 1968 – RAF St Athan, Wales (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker advert lists gig at East Club, Freshwater on 18 October and a gig in Crewe on 19 October

20 October 1968 – Dugout Club, Bristol (Melody Maker)

23 October 1968 – Grand Spa Ballroom, Bristol (Bristol Evening Post)

24 October 1968 – RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset (Melody Maker)

25 October 1968 – Woolaston Memorial Hall, Woolaston, Gloucestershire (Melody Maker)

26 October 1968 – Lafayette Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Melody Maker)

27 October 1968 – Golden Diamond Club, Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire (Melody Maker)

28 October 1968 – Exeter College, Exeter, Devon (Melody Maker) This cannot be correct

28 October 1968 – Empire Hall, Totton, Hants (Southern Daily Echo)

29 October 1968 – Michinhampton Youth Club, Michinhampton, Devon (Melody Maker)

 

14 November 1968 – Tall Trees Club, Newquay, Cornwall (Cornish Guardian)

15 November 1968 – Tiffany’s, The Quay, Exeter, Devon with The Showstoppers (Herald Express)

16 November 1968 – Rainbow Suite, Co-op, Birmingham with The Johnny Neale Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)

29 November 1968 – Listers Hall, Dursley, Gloucestershire (Melody Maker)

30 November 1968 – Clouds, UMIST Union, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Melody Maker)

 

1 December 1968 – Rugby (Benn Memorial Hall?) (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker advert says they recorded in London on 2-3 December

5-7 December 1968 – Club Camelot, Taunton, Somerset (Melody Maker)

8 December 1968 – Plymouth Top Rank, Plymouth, Devon (Melody Maker)

9 December 1968 – Town Hall, Nailsworth, Gloucestershire (Melody Maker)

12 December 1968 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times/Melody Maker)

13 December 1968 – RAF Locking, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (Melody Maker)

14 December 1968 – NUM Club, Tonypandy, Wales (Melody Maker)

15 December 1968 – Tynewydd Club, Tynewydd, Rhondda, Wales (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker advert says they recorded in London on 14 December

18 December 1968 – Severn View Club, Caldicot, Monmouthshire, Wales (Melody Maker)

19 December 1968 – RNAS Yeovilton, Ilchester, Somerset (Melody Maker)

20 December 1968 – Sydenham Club, Bridgwater, Somerset (Melody Maker)

21 December 1968 – Polikoff’s Club, Treorchy, Wales (Melody Maker)

22 December 1968 – Maerdy Workingmen’s Club, Maerdy, Rhondda, Wales (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker advert has gigs in Portsmouth on 23 December and Luton on 24 December

27 December 1968 – Top Rank, Brighton, Sussex with The Nice (Melody Maker)

28 December 1968 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Melody Maker)

1969

Photo may be subject to copyright. Left to right: John Bachini, Gary Hooper, Kevin Currie, Wil Malone and Robert J Scales

Sometime in 1969, Liverpool (and future Supertramp) drummer Kevin Currie joined, allowing Wil Malone to move to keyboards

18 January 1969 – Charity Ball, High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks with supporting group (Bucks Free Press)

24 January 1969 – Stamford Hall, Altrincham, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News)

30 January 1969 – Red Balloon, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Orange Bicycle with Robb Storme

 

14 February 1969 – Nottingham University, Nottingham (Marmalade Skies website)

16 February 1969 – Tredegar Workingmen’s Club, Tredegar, Wales (Marmalade Skies website)

20 February 1969 – RFU, Bridgwater, Somerset (Marmalade Skies website)

21 February 1969 – Lydney Town Hall, Lydney, Gloucestershire (Marmalade Skies website)

22 February 1969 – Hereford College, Hereford, Herefordshire (Marmalade Skies website)

23 February 1969 – Maerdy Workingmen’s Club, Maerdy, Rhondda, Wales (Marmalade Skies website)

24 February 1969 – Assheton House Country Club, Twycross near Atherstone, Leicestershire (Birmingham Evening Mail/Hinckley Times)

27 February 1969 – St Paul’s College, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Marmalade Skies website)

28 February 1969 – Hardley Youth Club, Southampton, Hampshire (Marmalade Skies website)

6 March 1969 – Red Balloon, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)

15 March 1969 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset (needs source)

 

10 April 1969 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Orange Bicycle with Robb Storme

 

31 May 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel) Says ex-Robb Storme

 

2 June 1969 – Regal Cinema, Ringwood, Hampshire with Wedgewood Wing (needs source)

7 June 1969 – Room at the Top Club, Redruth, Cornwall with Hopscotch (West Briton)

27 June 1969 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon with The Moody Blues, Colosseum, The Pyramids, Alex Walsh, Bob Kerr’s Whoopee Band and others (Melody Maker)

28 June 1969 – Room at the Top Club, Redruth, Cornwall (West Briton)

 

3 August 1969 – Sunday Club, Top Rank, Bristol (Bristol Evening News)

14 August 1969 – In Place, Newport, south Wales with Electric Circus (South Wales Argus)

16 August 1969 –Room at the Top Club, Redruth, Cornwall (Cornish Guardian)

31 August 1969 – Top Rank, Bristol (Bristol Evening Post)

 

21 September 1969 – Cock Hotel, Ripley, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

 

25 October 1969 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Kettering Evening Telegraph)

 

15 November 1969 – Kinema Ballroom, Dunfermline, Scotland with The Change and The Shadettes (Marmalade Skies website)

 

10 December 1969 – The Silver Horse, Reading with The Image (Reading Evening Post)

14 December 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

1970

Photo may be subject to copyright. Clockwise from bottom: John Bachini, Kevin Currie, Wil Malone, Robert J Scales and Bernie Lee

Sometime in early 1970, Bernie Lee joined on lead guitar (taking over from Gary Hooper) 

17 January 1970 – Flying Bowman Club, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire with The Midnight Blue and Teak (Lincolnshire Echo)

 

1 April 1970 – Hucknall/Linby Miners’ Welfare, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Evening Post)

 

2 May 1970 – KTSCU Rag Ball, Victoria, Keighley, North Yorkshire with Penny Arcade (Craven Herald and Pioneer)

22 May 1970 – Lafayette Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Evening Star)

 

20 June 1970 – Ionians RFU, Elloughton, Brough, Humberside (Hull Daily Mail)

 

11 July 1970 – Yate’s Carnival Dance, Entertainment Centre, Yate, Bristol with Dool-Lally Cat (Bristol Evening Post)

 

8 August 1970 – Aquarius Club, Lincoln, Lincolnshire (Lincolnshire Echo)

21 August 1970 – Wedmore Harvest Home, Wedmore, Somerset with Cupid’s Inspiration and The Dipps (Wells Journal)

 

31 October 1970 – Flying Bowman’s Club, RAF Scampton, Lincolnshire with Edison Lighthouse, The Troggs and Virgin Glory (Lincolnshire Echo)

 

20 November 1970 – Hayle Rugby Club, St Ives, Cornwall (West Briton)

21 November 1970 – PJ’s Disco, Truro, Cornwall (West Briton)

28 November 1970 – Young Liberals Dance, TA Centre, Darlington with Amnesty (Evening Despatch)

The Marmalade Skies gigs may be from Fabulous 208 magazine

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

Categories: England, London

Robb Storme Group gigs 1966-1967

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Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

Robb Storme – lead vocals

Tony Ollard – lead guitar

Jim St Pier – saxophone, keyboards

Gary Hooper (aka Garry Peterson) – bass

Pete Wilson – drums, keyboards

Previously known as Robb Storme & The Whispers, this north London band changed name around June 1966 but was billed under its former name from time to time. 

1 July 1966 – Gig in Rushton, Northamptonshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

3 July 1966 – Princess Theatre, Torquay, Devon with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich and Billie Davis (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

9 July 1966 – Gig in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 July 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 July 1966 – Warmingham Grange Country Club, Sandbach, Warmingham, Cheshire (Evening Sentinel) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan (not listed as backing them on Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 July 1966 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

16 July 1966 – Flamingo, Redruth, Cornwall (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 July 1966 – Princess Theatre, Torquay, Devon with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick &Tich, The Emeralds and Kim Davis & The Del Five (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

20 July 1966 – Gig in Hemel Hempstead, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 July 1966 – Gig in Bath (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 July 1966 – Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Action, The Ferry Boys and The James Royal Set (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

24 July 1966 – ABC, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Koobas, Billie Davis & The End (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

27 July 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Stevenage, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

30 July 1966 – New Century, Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

31 July 1966 – Olympia Ballroom, Cromer, Norfolk with The Barry Lee Show (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

 

6 August 1966 – Victoria Gallery, Wantage, Oxfordshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

7 August 1966 – Gigs in Sandown and Shanklin, Isle of Wight (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

8 August 1966 – Gig in Cardiff, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 August 1966 – City Hall, Perth, Scotland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 August 1966 – Market Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 August 1966 – Top Rank, Preston, Lancashire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 August 1966 – Hotel Metropole, Brighton, Sussex with Weston Gavin, Graham Bond Organisation, The Mike Stuart Span and The Mercats (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

20 August 1966 – Corn Exchange, Leicester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 August 1966 – ABC, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

Photo may be subject to copyright. Left to right: Lewis Collins, Pete Wilson (aka Wil Malone), Robb Storme, Jim St Pier, Tony Ollard

This is the most likely point that Lewis Collins from The Mojos started on bass, taking over from Gary Hooper. The Lancashire Evening Telegraph’s 27 August issue, has a photo of him and mentions him as the newest member

24 August 1966 – Fiesta Ballroom, Stockton-On-Tees, Teesside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 August 1966 – Astoria, Oldham, Greater Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 August 1966 – Floral Hall, Hornsea, Humberside with The Strollers (Hull Daily Mail) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan (not listed on Jim St Pier’s gig listing as backing them)

27 August 1966 – Glen Ballroom, Llanelli, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 August 1966 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

Photo: Mid Sussex Times

14 September 1966 – One week doubling at the Cavendish Club in Newcastle Upon Tyne and Wetheralls in Sunderland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

14 September 1966 – Town Hall, Stourbridge, West Midlands (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

15 September 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Burnley, Lancashire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 September 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 September 1966 – Warmingham Country Club, Warmingham, Cheshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 September 1966 – One week doubling at La Bamba in Darlington and Marimba in Middlesbrough (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan (Ed. I have Flamingo Club in Darlington and with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates). Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

30 September 1966 – Strand Ballroom, Port Stewart, Northern Ireland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

1 October 1966 – Arcadia, Bray, Republic of Ireland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

2 October 1966 – Abbey, Drogheda, Republic of Ireland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

2 October 1966 – TV show, Dublin, Republic of Ireland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

6 October 1966 – Palais, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

7 October 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby, Lincolnshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

8 October 1966 – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 October 1966 – Silver Blades, Streatham, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Hollies, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

16 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Romford, Essex with The Hollies, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

18 October 1966 – Odeon Theatre, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

19 October 1966 – Capitol Theatre, Cardiff, Wales with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

20 October 1966 – Gaumont, Taunton, Somerset with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

21 October 1966 – Gaumont Cinema, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

22 October 1966 – ABC Theatre, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

23 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Kingston upon Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

24 October 1966 – Gaumont Theatre, Ipswich, Suffolk with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

26 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Northampton with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

27 October 1966 – Regal Cinema, Cambridge with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

28 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Lincoln, Lincolnshire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

29 October 1966 – ABC Cinema, Chester, Cheshire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

30 October 1966 – Gaumont Theatre, Coventry with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

 

1 November 1966 – Gaumont Theatre, Worcester with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

2 November 1966 – ABC Cinema, Wigan, Lancashire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

3 November 1966 – Odeon Theatre, Manchester with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

4 November 1966 – Odeon Theatre, Leeds, West Yorkshire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

5 November 1966 – Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

6 November 1966 – Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Hollies, The Small Faces, Paul Jones, Peter Jay & The New Jayhawks and The Nashville Teens (various sources) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan and billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

18 November 1966 – Corn Hall, Diss, Norfolk (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 November 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsay, Cambridgeshire with The Original Dyaks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

20 November 1966 – Twist Club, Clifton Hall, Rotherham, South Yorkshire with Paul & Barry Ryan and The Kodiaks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Sheffield Star)

25 November 1966 – High Wycombe College, High Wycombe, Bucks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 November 1966 – Plaza Handsworth, Birmingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

27 November 1966 – One week doubling Dolce Vita, Newcastle upon Tyne and Latino, South Shields (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

 

9 December 1966 – Grand Ballroom, Coalville, Leicestershire with Ignition (Leicester Mercury/Hinckley Times) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan (Jim St Pier’s gig diary does not list them backing them)

10 December 1966 – Civic Hall, Barnsley, South Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 December 1966 – “Beat ’66 Club”, Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Symbols and The Barry Lee Show (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

13 December 1966 – Clarence Pier, Southampton, Hampshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

16 December 1966 – Gig in Shrewsbury (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 December 1966 – Winter Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (Bristol Evening Post) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan (Jim St Pier’s gig diary does not list backing them)

18 December 1966 – Belle Vue, Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 December 1966 – Top Rank Suite, Brighton, Sussex with Syd Dean and His Music (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 December 1966 – Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 December 1966 – Keys Hall, Brentwood, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

30 December 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

31 December 1966 – Hilton, Park Lane, central London with Tom Jones (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

1967

7 January 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Nottingham Evening Post)

14 January 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 January 1967 – Church Hall, Stonehaven, Scotland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) This looks very unlikely unless it’s Stonehouse in Gloucestershire

19 January 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)

20 January 1967 – Philippa Fawcett College, Streatham, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 January 1967 – Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

27 January 1967 – Hereford Training College, Hereford (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 January 1967 – Leeds Training College, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

4 February 1967 – Colchester University, Colchester, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

5 February 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

12 February 1967 – Oasis, Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 February 1967 – Bal Tabarin, Bromley, southeast London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 February 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)

24 February 1967 – Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Nottingham Evening Post)

25 February 1967 – Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

3 March 1967 – Astoria, Finsbury Park, north London with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Jeff Beck Group, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Hackney Gazette) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

4 March 1967 – ABC, Exeter, Devon with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

5 March 1967 – ABC, Plymouth, Devon with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

7 March 1967 – Kingsway, Hadleigh, Suffolk with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

8 March 1967 – Birmingham Odeon, Birmingham with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Birmingham Sunday Mercury) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

9 March 1967 – Bolton Odeon, Bolton, Lancashire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Bolton Evening News) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

10 March 1967 – Odeon, Manchester with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Manchester Evening News) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

11 March 1967 – ABC Chesterfield, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

12 March 1967 – Empire Theatre, Liverpool with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

15 March 1967 – Ritz Cinema, Luton, Bedfordshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

16 March 1967 – Gaumont, Southampton, Hampshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

17 March 1967 – Tooting Granada, southwest London with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

18 March 1967 – Gaumont, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

19 March 1967 – City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle, Tyne &Wear with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Newcastle Sunday Sun) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

20 March 1967 – ABC Cinema, Edinburgh, Scotland with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

21 March 1967 – Odeon, Glasgow, Scotland with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

22 March 1967 – ABC Cinema, Carlisle, Cumbria with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

23 March 1967 – Odeon, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

24 March 1967 – Gaumont, Doncaster, South Yorkshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

25 March 1967 – Lincoln ABC, Lincoln, Lincolnshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Lincolnshire Echo) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

26 March 1967 – Coventry Theatre, Coventry with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (David Else research) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

27 March 1967 – Odeon, Blackpool, Lancashire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

29 March 1967 – Capitol Theatre, Cardiff, Wales with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

30 March 1967 – Colston Hall, Bristol with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

31 March 1967 – Cheltenham Odeon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (Melody Maker) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

 

1 April 1967 – Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, The Creation, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

2 April 1967 – De Montfort Hall, Leicester with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

5 April 1967 – Gaumont, Ipswich, Suffolk with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

6 April 1967 – Adelphi, Slough, Berkshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces and The Settlers (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

7 April 1967 – ABC Aldershot, Aldershot, Hampshire with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

9 April 1967 – ABC Cinema, Romford, east London with Roy Orbison & The Candymen, The Small Faces, Paul & Barry Ryan, PP Arnold & Four of a Kind, The Settlers and Sonny Childe & The TNT (needs source) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

Jim St Pier thinks the shows on 7 and 9 April may have been cancelled

13 April 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with Eddie Singh & The West Indian Tornados (Mid Sussex Times)

15 April 1967 – Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with Peter Jay & The New Jaywalkers featuring Terry Reid and The Beachcombers (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

16 April 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

19 April 1967 – Church Hall, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 April 1967 – RAF St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 April 1967 – Discotheque, Bristol (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 April 1967 – St George’s Hall, Exeter, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 April 1967 – Khyber Club, Taunton, Somerset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 April 1967 – St Mark and St John, Chelsea, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

5 May 1967 – Top Rank, Brighton, Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

6 May 1967 – Hereford Teaching Training College, Hereford (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

Melody Maker’s 13 May issue, page 14, features an advert for the band looking for a new bass player/singer so this must be when Lewis Collins departed and John Bachini from The Symbols and Davey Sands & The Essex took over bass.

25 May 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Jim St Pier’s gig diary says this was cancelled and the band Camp replaced them

1 June 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with support (Mid Sussex Times)

3 June 1967 – St George’s College, Winchester, Hampshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

Jim St Pier departed at this point

8 July 1967 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (Evening Standard)

20 July 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)

29 July 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with The Amboy Dukes (South East London Mercury)

24 August 1967 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with Precisely This (Mid Sussex Times)

28 August 1967 – Festival of Music, Hastings Stadium, Hastings, East Sussex with The Kinks, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Titch, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown, Winston’s Fumbs and The Hip Hooray Band (Melody Maker) Billed as Robb Storme & The Whispers

 

9 September 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with The Fireballs (South East London Mercury)

Sometime around now Tony Ollard left, subsequently to work with The Creation and The Warren Davis Monday Band among others and was replaced by former bass player Gary Hooper on guitar. The group changed name to Orange Bicycle.

29 September 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with The Outrage (South East London Mercury) Billed under the old name but this would have been Orange Bicycle

Jim St Pier gigs sourced from this site: https://bigsixties.blogspot.com/2020/01/robb-storme-and-whispers.html

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

 

Categories: England, London

Robb Storme & The Whispers gigs 1964-1966

1 Comment

Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

The band was formed in Crouch End, north London by Robb Storme (aka Robert J Scales) and Pete Wilson (aka Wil Malone) in late 1950s. The group went through numerous changes over the years

By late 1963 the line-up was:

Robb Storme – lead vocals

Chuck Hardy – lead guitar

Jim St Pier – saxophone, keyboards

Gary Hooper (aka Garry Peterson) – bass

Pete Wilson – drums, keyboards

 

1964

24 January 1964 – Loughborough College, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

31 January 1964 – Winchester Lido, Winchester, Hampshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

7 February 1964 – Villa Marina, Douglas, Isle of Man (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 February 1964 – Starlite Ballroom, Herne Bay, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 February 1964 – Jazz Cellar, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

6 March 1964 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

7 March 1964 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, Middlesex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 March 1964 – Woodmans Hall, Lyme Regis, Dorset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 March 1964 – Royal Pier, Southampton, Hampshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 March 1964 – Bradford University, Bradford, West Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 March 1964 – Locarno (Ballroom?), Sale, Greater Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 March 1964 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 March 1964 – Regency, Bath (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 March 1964 – Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

2 April 1964 – Majestic Ballroom, Luton, Bedfordshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

8-12 April 1964 – Scottish tour (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 April 1964 – Gig in Milford Haven, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 April 1964 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 April 1964 – Stage Show County Theatre, Haverfordwest, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 April 1964 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

30 April 1964 – Lyons Corner House, Leicester Square, central London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

4 May 1964 – Town Hall, Bridgwater, Somerset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 May 1964 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 May 1964 – Sankey Ballroom, Wellington, (possibly Shropshire) (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 May 1964 – Windsor Ballroom, Redcar, North Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

1 June 1964 – Civic Hall, Solihull, West Midlands (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

3-7 June 1964 – Scottish tour (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 June 1964 – Scala Ballroom, Dartford, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 June 1964 – Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with The Swinging Blue Jeans, Dave Davani & The ‘D’ Men and Sandra & The Jetblacks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Yarmouth Mercury)

25 June 1964 – Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 June 1964 – Locarno (Ballroom?), Liverpool (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

3 July 1964 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 July 1964 – Spa Hall, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 July 1964 – Gig in Stonehaven, Scotland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 July 1964 – Queens Hall, Dunoon, Scotland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 July 1964 – Hippodrome, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 July 1964 – Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Lancashire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

31 July 1964 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

2 August 1964 – Victoria Hall, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

3 August 1964 – Corn Exchange, Brighton, Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 August 1964 – Bishops Park Theatre, Fulham, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14-22 August 1964 – Scottish tour (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 August 1964 – Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin, Scotland (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 August 1964 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

4 September 1964 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

6 September 1964 – Palais, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 September 1964 – Majestic Ballroom, Luton, Bedfordshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 September 1964 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The Orients (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 September 1964 – City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

30 September 1964 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

3 October 1964 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

6-14 October 1964 – Polish tour with Helen Shapiro & The Trebletones. This included three nights at the Palace of Culture in Warsaw (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 October 1964 – Loughborough College, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 October 1964 – Hull University, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 October 1964 – Coventry Theatre, Coventry with The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Barron Knights, The Escorts and The Cockneys (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

1 November 1964 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The Mansfields (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

2 November 1964 – Private party (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

5 November 1964 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire with Herman’s Hermits (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

7 November 1964 – Starlite Ballroom, Herne Bay, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 November 1964 – Windsor Ballroom, Redcar, North Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 November 1964 – Gig in Spennymoor, County Durham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 November 1964 – City Hall, Cardiff, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 November 1964 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 November 1964 – Bangor University, Bangor, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 November 1964 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 November 1964 – Town Hall, Fulham, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 November 1964 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 November 1964 – Palais, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

11 December 1964 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 December 1964 – Westfield College, Hampstead, north London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 December 1964 –Village Hall, Hoverton, Norfolk (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 December 1964 – Starlite Ballroom, Herne Bay, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 December 1964 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

31 December 1964 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, Middlesex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

1965

2 January 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

9 January 1965 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, Middlesex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 January 1965 – Leicester College, Leicester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 January 1965 – City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Four Tones (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 January 1965 – Palais, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 January 1965 – Cocked Hat, Aspley, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

30 January 1965 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

5 February 1965 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

6 February 1965 – Sandringham Hotel, Hunstanton, Norfolk (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 February 1965 – Winter Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 February 1965 – Smethwick Baths, Smethwick, Sandwell, West Midlands (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 February 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 February 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Hellions (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Mid Sussex Times)

17 February 1965 – Locarno Ballroom, Stevenage, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 February 1965 – Hull University, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

27 February 1965 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London and private party (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 February 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The Hookey Walkers (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

3 March 1965 – Winter Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

6 March 1965 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 March 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 March 1965 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsay, Cambridgeshire with The Rebounds (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 March 1965 – Training College, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

27 March 1965 – Starlite Ballroom, Herne Bay, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

1 April 1965 – RAF High Wycombe, High Wycombe, Bucks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 April 1965 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 April 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The In Crowd (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 April 1965 – Corn Exchange, Exeter, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 April 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Jades (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Mid Sussex Times)

30 April 1965 – Town Hall, Axminster, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

7 May 1965 – Southampton University, Southampton, Hampshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

9 May 1965 – Empire Pool, Wembley, northwest London with The Animals, The Barron Knights, Manfred Mann and Frankie Vaughan (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 May 1965 – Top Rank, Brighton, Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 May 1965 – Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 May 1965 – Bell Hotel, Leicester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 May 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The Red Squares (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 May 1965 – Hull University, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

3 June 1965 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)

12 June 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 June 1965 – Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 June 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, west London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 June 1965 – St Luke’s College, Exeter, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

3 July 1965 – Ifield Grammar School, Crawley, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

4 July 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Kreaks (Brighton Evening Argus) Missing from Jim’s gig list

9 July 1965 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 July 1965 – Shooting Lodge, Newbury, Berkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 July 1965 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 July 1965 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 July 1965 – Training College, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 July 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with The Rondos (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 July 1965 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

27 July 1965 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 July 1965 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)

 

8 August 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 August 1965 – Bishops’ Park Theatre, Fulham, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 August 1965 – Café Des Artists, Fulham, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 August 1965 – King’s Hall, Aberystwyth, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 August 1965 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire with Lulu & The Luvvers (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 August 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Five Aces (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Mid Sussex Times)

28 August 1965 – Town Park, Harlow, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 August 1965 – Ritz Club, Skewen, south Wales with The King B’s (Port Talbot Guardian/Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

30 August 1965 – Luciano, Haverfordwest, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

4 September 1965 – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, Dorset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 September 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 September 1965 – Tavern Club, East Dereham, Norfolk (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

9 October 1965 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 October 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Brighton Evening Argus)

15 October 1965 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon with Bo Diddley (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

16 October 1965 – Festival Hall, Kirby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 October 1965 – Gig in Bletchley, Bucks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 October 1965 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)

23 October 1965 – Keys Hall, Brentwood, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 October 1965 – Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 October 1965 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)

29 October 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

30 October 1965 – Hull University, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

31 October 1965 – Essex University, Colchester, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

Sometime in November (or possibly earlier) Tony Ollard replaced Chuck Hardy on lead guitar. The Herald Express newspaper’s 19 November issue, page 14 mentions him in the band

2 November 1965 – Red Lion, High Wycombe, Bucks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

5 November 1965 – Golf Club, Brooksmans Park, Hertfordshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

7 November 1965 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 November 1965 – Marlborough Hall, Halifax, West Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 November 1965 – Caroline Club, Oxford Street, central London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 November 1965 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Herald Express)

20 November 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 November 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Mike Stuart Span (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Mid Sussex Times)

24 November 1965 – John Lewis, Oxford Street, central London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 November 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Mike Stuart Span (Mid Sussex Times) Missing from Jim’s gig list

27 November 1965 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 November 1965 – Starlite Ballroom, Wembley, northwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

1 December 1965 – Fulham Town Hall, Fulham, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

3 December 1965 – Essoldo, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

4 December 1965 – Leyton Baths, Leyton, east London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

5 December 1965 – Palais, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

9 December 1965 – Hull College, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 December 1965 – John Lewis, Oxford Street, central London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 December 1965 – Catacombs, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 December 1965 – Starlite Ballroom, Wembley, northwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 December 1965 – St Luke’s College, Exeter, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 December 1965 – King’s Hall, Aberystwyth, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 December 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with The Confederates (Brighton Evening Argus/Mid Sussex Times) Missing from Jim’s gig list

24 December 1965 – Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 December 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 December 1965 – Community Centre, Basildon, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

31 December 1965 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

1966

1 January 1966 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Epics (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/East Kent Times & Mail)

2 January 1966 – Cadillac Club, Florida Ballroom, Brighton, East Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Brighton Evening Argus)

8 January 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 January 1966 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times) Missing from Jim’s gig list

14 January 1966 – Diamond, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 January 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 January 1966 – Caroline Club, Oxford Street, central London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 January 1966 – Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 January 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 January 1966 – Taunton Cricket Club, Taunton, Somerset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 January 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Nottingham Evening Post)

30 January 1966 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with Sounds Incorporated (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Brighton Evening Argus)

 

4 February 1966 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

5 February 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

9 February 1966 – Church Hall, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 February 1966 – Colchester University, Colchester, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 February 1966 – Rolle College, Exmouth, Devon (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 February 1966 – High Wycombe College, High Wycombe, Bucks (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 February 1966 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 February 1966 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 February 1966 – Palais, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 February 1966 – Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with The Victors (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 February 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 February 1966 – Gig in Aberystwyth, Wales (King’s Hall?) (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

4 March 1966 – Corn Exchange, Brighton, Sussex with Tony Grant & The Giants (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Brighton Evening Argus)

5 March 1966 – Pier Pavilion, Colwyn Bay, Wales with The Mojos (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

9 March 1966 – Hull University, Hull, Humberside (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 March 1966 – Gig in Edmonton, north London (Cooks Ferry Inn?) (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 March 1966 – Brighton College, Brighton, Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 March 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire with The Troggs (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 March 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)

19 March 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 March 1966 – Town Hall, Stourbridge, West Midlands (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 March 1966 – Town Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

26 March 1966 – Wrexham College, Wrexham, Wales (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

27 March 1966 – The Mod Place, Victoria Rooms, Bristol with The Exiles (Jim St Pier’s gig diary/Bristol Evening Post)

31 March 1966 – The Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

1 April 1966 – Flamingo Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall with Paul & Barry Ryan and The Buccaneers (West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette/Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

2 April 1966 – Winter Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

3 April 1966 – Wembley Arena Record Star Show, Wembley, northwest London with Sandie Shaw, The Moody Blues, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Cliff Richard (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

7 April 1966 – Currys Radio, Reigate, Surrey (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

8 April 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

9 April 1966 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

11 April 1966 – Majestic Ballroom, Wellington, Somerset (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

15 April 1966 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with Paul & Barry Ryan, The Doodlebugs and Harold Graham (Morecambe Visitor/Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

16 April 1966 – Marlborough Hall, Halifax, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

22 April 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby, Lincolnshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

23 April 1966 – Royal Hall, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

24 April 1966 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

27 April 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

29 April 1966 – Pier Ballroom, Hastings, East Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

 

1 May 1966 – Gig in Aberystwyth, Wales (King’s Hall?) (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 May 1966 – Princess Club, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

13 May 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

14 May 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

20 May 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

21 May 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsay, Cambridgeshire with The Endeavours and The Mulberry Blues (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

23 May 1966 – Pavilion, Bath (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

24 May 1966 – Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan

25 May 1966 – Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn, Norfolk (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

28 May 1966 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with The Package Deal (Shepton Mallet Journal) Backing Paul & Barry Ryan (not listed in Jim St Pier’s gig diary as backing them and gig also listed as 27 May)

 

1 June 1966 – Pier Pavilion, Southampton, Hampshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

4 June 1966 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

10 June 1966 – Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

12 June 1966 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire (Morecambe Visitor/Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

17 June 1966 – Colchester University, Colchester, Essex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

18 June 1966 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton with Paul & Barry Ryan, The 5 Olympics and Billy Storm & The Falcons (Northampton Chronicle/Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

19 June 1966 – Conservative Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

25 June 1966 – Gig in Douglas, Isle of Man (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

30 June 1966 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)

 

Around this time, they changed name to The Robb Storme Group

Jim St Pier gigs sourced from this site: https://bigsixties.blogspot.com/2020/01/robb-storme-and-whispers.html

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

Categories: England, London

The In-Sekt Ltd

2 Comments
L-R: Derek (last name unknown for now) lead guitar, Roger Semon, Alan (last name unknown for now) keyboards, Alan Brown (drums) (Ed: Mick Tucker (Sweet) used to work for his dad at a car showroom in West Harrow) and Mac Bruce (rhythm guitar). Front: Martin Cheeseman (bass)

Roger Semon (lead vocals)

Derek ? (lead guitar)

Alan ? (keyboards)

Mac Bruce (rhythm guitar)

Martin Cheeseman (bass)                                                                                      

Alan Brown (drums)

This northwest London band was formed around 1964 with the above line-up.

The group got the opportunity to open for a number of high-profile artists at the Wimbledon Palais on at least two occasions, if not more, during 1966-1967, including The Move and John’s Children, as part of the Radio Caroline nights.

Semon remembers Radio Caroline used to trail the group’s name when advertising the show(s) on air.

The original formation also supported The Small Faces at Oddfellows Hall in Watford (possibly 7 March 1966) just as “Sha La La La Lee” was released!

Sometime in 1967, Derek and Alan left and lead guitarist Martin Jarvis from The Motion joined.

The new In-Sekt Ltd after winning the Boreham Wood beat competition. L-R: Mac Bruce, Martin Cheeseman, Cathy McGowan, Alan Brown, Roger Semon, Martin Jarvis

The second incarnation supported The Who at the California Ballroom in Dunstable and The Move at Wimbledon Palais. When they opened for The Move, the Birmingham band chopped up a TV with an axe at the end of their set on the main stage and Semon remembers the venue’s manager went nuts because the floor was badly damaged!

During 1967 Mac Bruce departed and they continued as a quartet.

Then in 1968, the group changed name to Coconut Ice. Under this name, the musicians supported Julie Driscoll & Brian Auger at the California Ballroom in Dunstable as well as Edison Lighthouse and a few others.

In 1968 Coconut Ice also started landing regular support gigs at the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote, opening for The Sweet many times as well as Locomotive (possibly 15 December), Love Affair, The Tremeloes (1 December) and Marmalade (6 October).

During this period Martin Jarvis left and they carried on with another guitarist who was influenced by Jimi Hendrix.

In late 1969, however, the band broke up when Roger Semon replaced Jeff Curtis in The Kool.

Thanks to Roger Semon for the information. Please get in touch in the comments below if you can add any more information