According to Christopher Hjort’s excellent Strange Brew book, promoters Philip Hayward and John Mansfield opened the old inn Pantiles as a bar and music venue in July 1967 after they gave up their chain of Ricky Tick clubs.
However, Record Mirror says that it was the Cromwellian’s former managers Philip Hayward and Bob Anthony who opened Pantiles and it looks like PP Arnold & The Nice were possibly the first booking.
It is very difficult to find gigs for this venue, so would appreciate any more confirmed shows in the comments below.
Photo: Martin H Samuel
1967
20 July – PP Arnold & The Nice (Record Mirror)
11 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
2 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
22 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
3 November – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
28 November – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
8 December – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker/Bob Hodges’ gig diary) Fabulous 208 lists The Alan Price Set
19 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
29 December – Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
1968
19 January – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 January – Long John Baldry & Bluesology (Melody Maker)
28 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 February – Film African Queen (Melody Maker)
2 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
3 February – Jimmy McGriff & His Quartet (Melody Maker)
4 February – Wee Willie Harris (Melody Maker)
8 February – Film Darling (Melody Maker)
9 February – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
10 February – Unnamed band plus records (Melody Maker)
11 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
13 February – The Pyramids (Melody Maker)
14 February – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
16 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 February – Films (Melody Maker)
23 February – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 February – The All Night Workers (Melody Maker)
Guitarist Brian Mansell says The All Night Workers played regularly at this venue, perhaps as many as 20 times during his time with the band from October 1967 to late 1969. They also played here extensively with later line-ups in 1970-1971.
25 February – The Web (Melody Maker)
27 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
15 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
27 September – The Flies (Surrey Advertiser)
28 September – The Gass (Surrey Advertiser)
29 September – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
1 October – Soul Bucket (Surrey Advertiser)
2 October – Chris Barber & His Jazz Band (Surrey Advertiser)
4 October – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
5 October – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
6 October – Tony Gregory & The Counts (Surrey Advertiser)
20 October – Toast (Melody Maker)
8 November – Happy Magazine (Surrey Advertiser)
9 November – Tuesday’s Children (Surrey Advertiser) Keyboard player Bob Hodges has the band at Rush Green College in Romford this night, so must have been another band that played this evening
10 November – Ferris Wheel (Surrey Advertiser)
12 November – The Web (Surrey Advertiser)
13 November – Alex Walsh (Surrey Advertiser)
19 November – Alexis Korner (Surrey Advertiser)
20 November – Tubby Hayes (Surrey Advertiser)
3 December – Georgie Fame (Surrey Advertiser)
14 December – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
21 December – The Gods (Surrey Advertiser)
22 December – Cliff Bennett (Surrey Advertiser)
24 December – Paul Williams Set (Surrey Advertiser)
26 December – Circus (Surrey Advertiser)
28 December – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
1969
25 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
31 January – Paul Williams Set (Fabulous 208)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 February – Toast (Melody Maker)
21 February – The Pattern (Melody Maker)
22 February – Ruby James (Melody Maker)
23 February – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)
27 February – Film The Rebel
8 March – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
9 March – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
14 March – Wishful Thinking (Surrey Advertiser)
29 March – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Windsor, Slough & Eton Express
22 May – The Train (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
23 May – Ferris Wheel (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
24 May – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
25 May – The Playground (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
26 May – Cliff Bennett & His Band (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 June – Bunkers Brain (Melody Maker)
7 June – Katch 22 (Melody Maker)
8 June – Brian Auger Trinity (Melody Maker)
17 June – Fleetwood Mac (Surrey Advertiser/Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
21 June – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
1 August – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
31 August – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1 September – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
17 October – Trifle (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 October – My Dear Watson (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
19 October – Ferris Wheel (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
24 October – New Formula (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
25 October – Boston Crabs (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 October – Zoot Money (Time Out)
28 October – Graham Bond Initiation (Melody Maker)
31 October – Timebox (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
1 November – Old Nick’s Train Set (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
2 November – Jimmy McGriff (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
7 November – Ray King Soul Band (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
8 November – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
9 November – Sir Percy Quintette (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
14 November – Katch 22 (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
16 November – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1970
Keyboard player Ronnie Clayden says that The Kool played this venue twice, either in 1969 or 1970.
Drummer Geoff Coxon confirms that the gigs listed for Calum Bryce above and below, which were listed in manager Ted Hare’s diary without being attributed to a band, were definitely Calum Bryce.
26 December – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
1971
30 January – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
31 May – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
4 July – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
24 September – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
19 November – Jo Jo Gunne (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
20 November – The Fortunes (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 November – Mother Tucker’s Rubber Duck (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
27 November – The Staple Singers (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
3 December – Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clippings)
4 December – Freddie Mac (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
10 December – Gonzalez (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
11 December – Black Velvet (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 December – Tony Morgan’s Muscle Power (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
Besides the town’s Cellar Club, another a noted live venue that put on gigs into the late 1960s was Coronation Hall in Denmark Road. Quite a few notable acts played there and I’ve started a list. I would be grateful for any additions:
12 January 1963 – The Nashville Teens and The Corvettes (Surrey Comet)
19 January 1963 – The Nashville Teens and Gerry Brown’s Jazzmen (Surrey Comet)
23 February 1963 – The Avengers and The Corvettes (Surrey Comet)
2 March 1963 – The Nashville Teens and The Avengers (Surrey Comet)
9 March 1963 – Bobby Angelo & The Tuxedos and The Corvettes (Surrey Comet)
23 March 1963 – Bobby Angelo & The Tuxedos and The Avengers (Surrey Comet)
13 April 1963 – Mike Berry with group and The Avengers and The Corvettes (Surrey Comet)
11 January 1964 – The Fleerekkers and The Puppets (Melody Maker)
18 January 1964 – Gene Vincent (Kingston & Malden Borough News) Melody Maker lists The Strollers
25 January 1964 – The Blue-Tones (Melody Maker)
3 February 1964 – The Yardbirds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
8 February 1964 – Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions (Melody Maker)
11 February 1964 – The Yardbirds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
15 February 1964 – The Tornados (Melody Maker)
22 February 1964 – The Cervezeas and The Niteshades (Melody Maker)
29 February 1964 – The Zombies and The Cheynes (Melody Maker)
3 March 1964 – The Yardbirds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
31 October 1964 – The Cosmic Sounds (featuring Linda Crane) and Tempests (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
12 December 1964 – Lulu and Cosmic Sounds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
24 December 1964 – Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions and The MI4 (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
16 January 1965 – The Downliners Sect and The MI4 (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
27 February 1965 – The Trojans and Group 5 (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
23 October 1965 – The Downliners Sect with The Hi-Jackers (Surrey Comet)
30 October 1965 – Cosmic Sounds featuring Lynda Crane and The Pastel Shades (Surrey Comet)
6 November 1965 – The Tuxedos and The Images (Surrey Comet)
11 December 1965 – The Board Walkers and Lawlors Legs (Surrey Comet)
18 December 1965 – Cosmic Sounds and The Impalas (Surrey Comet)
1 December 1967 – P P Arnold and The Kool (may be a different date in December 1967/January 1968) (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
Walton Playhouse, 19 January 2022. Photo: Nick Warburton
The Walton Hop at the Playhouse in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey was a teen disco started by Deniz Corday in 1958.
Photo: Nick Warburton, 19 January 2022
The music venue is reputed to have been the first disco in the UK. During 1964-1965, it was billed as the Hi-Fi Hop. The venue was billed as the Walton Hop in 1967. This is an incomplete list and I would welcome any additions
1 August 1961 – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers
24 October 1961 – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers
7 November 1961 – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers
19 January 1962 – The Nibs Band
Gigs were on Saturdays and Wednesday but not every week
20 January 1962 – The Sunsets with Linda Shane, Grant Tracy and Ron Diamond
24 January 1962 – Denny & The Crescendos
10 February 1962 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s
14 February 1962 – The Impalas
17 February 1962 – Eddy & The Chequers
24 February 1962 – Mike Cordell & The Mysteries
3 March 1962 – Steve Frances & The Counterbeats
10 March 1962 – Johnny Carr & The Bristol Cadillacs
14 March 1962 – The Guildford Rythmics
17 March 1962 – Tony West, Terry Preston & The Nite Hawks
21 March 1962 – Kris Kelly & The Cadillacs
24 March 1962 – Steve Laine & The Cannons
28 March 1962 – The Hamilton Teens
31 March 1962 – Anna Janet Carol and Tony Claidon & The Impalas
4 April 1962 – The Black Arrows
Gap until the next entry
18 April 1962 – Denny & The Crescendos
21 April 1962 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
23 April 1962 – Steve Laine and Terry & The Cannons
26 April 1962 – The Hamilton Teens
28 April 1962 – Duffy Power & The Syndicates
2 May 1962 – Steve Frances & The Counterbeats
5 May 1962 – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (he was ill so postponed and was replaced by Gary Brooker & The Paramounts)
Gap in gigs until next entry
19 May 1962 – Baby Bubbly & His Bubbles
23 May 1962 – Neil Christian & The Crusaders
26 May 1962 – Gary Brooker & The Paramounts
2 June 1962 – Ray Davis & The RDQ Quartette (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
6 June 1962 – Jackie Lynton with Bob Zavier & The Jury
9 June 1962 – Bod Fields, Beverley Swain & The Diablos
11 June 1962 – Jed Stone & The Raiders
14 June 1962 – The Black Arrows
16 June 1962 – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
23 June 1962 – Steve Laine and Teddy & The Cannons (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
27 June 1962 – Pat McQueen & His Rock Combo
30 June 1962 – The Checkpoints with Colin Lloyd
3 July 1962 – Ricky Temple & The Lonely Ones (Tuesday)
7 July 1962 – Tony Claidon, Ann Wright and The Impalas (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
11 July 1962 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
14 July 1962 – Brian Howard & The Silhouettes
18 July 1962 – Pete West & The East Combo
21 July 1962 – Karl Anthony & The Nomads
25 July 1962 – The Black Arrows
28 July 1962 – Steve Laine and Terry & The Cannons
1 August 1962 – Pat McQueen & His Rock Combo
4 August 1962 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets (cancelled, not clear who replaced them)
6 August 1962 – Tony Claidon & The Impalas
11 August 1962 – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
18 August 1962 – Colin Lyodd & The Checkpoints (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
No gigs for a while
1 September 1962 – The Fleereckers
4 September 1962 – Norman Jago & The Jaguars
8 September 1962 – Brian Howard & The Silhouettes
12 September 1962 – Jackie Lynton & The Jury
15 September 1962 – The Statesmen of Sin
19 September 1962 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s
22 September 1962 – Terry Franks & The Avalons
26 September 1962 – John Mazzi & The Clearways
29 September 1962 – Bobby Angelo & The Tuxedos with Susan Terry
3 October 1962 – Jackie Lynton with Bob Zavier & The Jury
6 October 1962 – Bobby Brown & The Barons
10 October 1962 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
13 October 1962 – Brian Howard & The Silhouettes
Gap until next entry
20 October 1962 – Bobby Angelo & The Tuxedos (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
24 October 1962 – Jackie Lynton and Bobby Zavier & The Jury
27 October 1962 – Rod Price & The College Boys
31 October 1962 – Terry Franks & The Avalons
3 November 1962 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s
9 November 1962 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
16 November 1962 – Bobby Angelo, Susan Terry & The Tuxedos (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
24 November 1962 – Coral Lee and Ray Fields & The Syndicates (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
27 November 1962 – Brian Howard & The Silhouettes
1 December 1962 – John Mazzi & The Clearways
Gap until next entry
12 December 1962 – Jackie Lynton & The New Teenbeats
15 December 1962 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
19 December 1962 – Rod Price & His College Men
22 December 1962 – Brian Howard & The Silhouettes
24 December 1962 – Bobby Angelo & The Tuxedos with Susan Terry
26 December 1962 – Jackie Lynton & The New Teenbeats
29 December 1962 – John Mazzi & The Clearways (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
31 December 1962 – Terry Franks & The Avalons
Gigs were on Saturdays and Wednesday but not every week. There is gap until next entry
9 January 1963 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s
12 January 1963 – John Mazzi & The Clearways
16 January 1963 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
19 January 1963 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s
23 January 1963 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
26 January 1963 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
30 January 1963 – The Nashville Teens
2 February 1963 – Rod Price & His College Men (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
6 February 1963 – Shane Fenton & The Fentons and Tony Rivers & The Castaways
9 February 1963 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
14 February 1963 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s (Thursday)
16 February 1963 – Terry Franks & The Avalons
23 February 1963 – John Mazzi & The Clearways
There is a gap until the next entry
2 March 1963 – Rod Price & His College Men
6 March 1963 – Gene Vincent & The British Blue Caps and The Hi-Fi Nits and Jackie & Fiona
9 March 1963 – Pauline Martin and Paul Dean & The Searchers
16 March 1963 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
20 March 1963 – Frank Kelly & The Hunters
23 March 1963 – Pete West and Susan Wayne & The Embers
30 March 1963 – Coral Lee and Ray Fields & The Syndicates (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
6 April 1963 – Tony & The Packabeats
11 April 1963 – Pat McQueen & His Rock Combo (Thursday)
13 April 1963 – John Mazzi & The Clearways and The Hi-Fi Nits
15 April 1963 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets (Monday)
20 April 1963 – Pauline Martin and Pete Dean & The Searchers
27 April 1963 – Lee Faber & The RTJ Combo (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
4 May 1963 – The Strollers Plus Two and The Hi-Fi Nits
10 May 1963 – Rod Price & His College Men (Friday) (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available) Replaced by Jeff Curtis & The Flames
18 May 1963 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s and Fiona and Jackie
25 May 1963 – Terry Franks & The Avalons (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
1 June 1963 – Tony Holland & The Packabeats
3 June 1963 – Vern Rogers & Hi-Fi’s (Monday)
8 June 1963 – Johnny Dee & The Limelighters
15 June 1963 – John Mazzi & The Clearways
22 June 1963 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s
29 June 1963 – John Mazzi & Clearways
6 July 1963 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
13 July 1963 – Rod Price & His College Men
20 July 1963 – Jeff Curtis & The Flames
27 July 1963 – Dave Anthony & The Druids
3 August 1963 – The Strollers
5 August 1963 – The Limelights
10 August 1963 – Coral Lee and Ray Fields & The Syndicates
17 August 1963 – Terry Franks & The Avalons (replaced by Eddy & The Chequers)
24 August 1963 – Lee Allan & The Scepters
31 August 1963 – Dave Anthony & The Druids
6 September 1963 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Friday) (replaced by Tony Holland & The Packabeats)
14 September 1963 – The Hi-Fi’s
21 September 1963 – John Mazzi & The Clearways
25 September 1963 – Shane Fenton & The Fentons (Wednesday)
28 September 1963 – Dave Dee & The Moquettes
5 October 1963 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
12 October 1963 – Lee Allan & The Scepters
19 October 1963 – Tony Holland & The Packabeats
26 October 1963 – The Wanderers
2 November 1963 – The Druids
9 November 1963 – Jackie Lynton & The Teenbeats
16 November 1963 – The Mustangs (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
23 November 1963 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
30 November 1963 – Jeff Curtis & The Flames
Got gaps until next gig
21 December 1963 – Neil Christian & The Crusaders
24 December 1963 – John Mazzi & The Clearways
26 December 1963 – Tony Holland & The Packabeats
27 December 1963 – Vern Rogers & The Hi-Fi’s
28 December 1963 – Brian Diamond & The Cutters
31 December 1963 – The Druids
Just appears to be gigs on Saturdays in 1964
3 January 1964 – Lee Allan & The Scepters
11 January 1964 – The Moquettes (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
18 January 1964 – The Flintstones
25 January 1964 – The Roof Raisers
1 February 1964 – Pete Nelson & The Travellers
8 February 1964 – The Hi-Fi’s
No gig on 15 February 1964
22 February 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and The Hop Mimers
29 February 1964 – Guitars Incorporated
7 March 1964 – The Roof Raisers
14 March 1964 – The Druids
21 March 1964 – Lee Allan & The Scepters
26 March 1964 – The Moquettes
28 March 1964 – The Outlaws and The Hop Mimers
30 March 1964 – Wainwright’s Gentlemen
4 April 1964 – The Druids
11 April 1964 – Tony Holland & The Packabeats (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
18 April 1964 – The Limelights
No gig on 25 April
28 April 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
2 May 1964 – Peter’s Faces
9 May 1964 – The Hi-Fi’s (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
16 May 1964 – The Trends
18 May 1964 – The Moquettes (Monday)
23 May 1964 – Wainwright’s Gentlemen
30 May 1964 – Dana Laine and Lee Tracy & The Tributes (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
2 June 1964 – Peter’s Faces (Tuesday)
6 June 1964 – The Druids
9 June 1964 – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Tuesday)
13 June 1964 – The Prestons (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
16 June 1964 – The Soul Representatives (Tuesday)
20 June 1964 – Mike Shannons & The Strangers
27 June 1964 – Wainwright’s Gentlemen
4 July 1964 – The Chances (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
11 July 1964 – The Nashville Teens
18 July 1964 – Peter’s Faces
25 July 1964 – The Southern Sounds
1 August 1964 – The Birds (Ron Wood on guitar)
3 August 1964 – Peter’s Faces
8 August 1964 – The Grebbles
15 August 1964 – The T-Bones
22 August 1964 – The Southern Sounds
29 August 1964 – Peter’s Faces and Jackie Lynton
5 September 1964 – The Birds
12 September 1964 – The Druids
19 September 1964 – The Tridents (Jeff Beck’s band)
26 September 1964 – The T-Bones
3 October 1964 – The Druids
10 October 1964 – The Herd (replaced by The Paramounts)
17 October 1964 – The Rebounds
24 October 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
31 October 1964 – Peter’s Faces
7 November 1964 – The Tridents
14 November 1964 – The Druids
17 November 1964 – Rhubarb Freshers (Tuesday)
21 November 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
24 November 1964 – The Aztecs (Tuesday)
28 November 1964 – The Bootleggers
1 December 1964 – The Hustlers (Tuesday) (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
4 December 1964 – The Herd (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
8 December 1964 – The Empty Vessels (Tuesday) (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
12 December 1964 – Peter’s Faces (held at Weybridge Hall as Walton Playhouse not available)
15 December 1964 – Devil’s Disciples (Tuesday)
19 December 1964 – The Pagans
24 December 1964 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
26 December 1964 – The Tridents
31 December 1964 – The Druids
There were gaps during 1965 due to the venue not being used for music
2 January 1965 – The Birds
12 January 1965 – The Moonrakers
16 January 1965 – Peter’s Faces
23 January 1965 – The Herd
26 January 1965 – The Legends
30 January 1965 – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Ian Gillan was lead singer by now)
2 February 1965 – The Strays
6 February 1965 – The Tridents
9 February 1965 – The Cosmic Sounds
13 February 1965 – Grant Tracy & The Sunsets
23 February 1965 – The Missing Links
27 February 1965 – Dave & The Strollers
2 March 1965 – The Ones
6 March 1965 – The Tridents (this was the band’s first gig after Jeff Beck left to join The Yardbirds and was performed as a trio)
9 March 1965 – The Road Agents
13 March 1965 – The Birds
16 March 1965 – Finders Keepers
20 March 1965 – The Five Dimensions
23 March 1965 – Them
27 March 1965 – The Herd
30 March 1965 – The Bad Boys
3 April 1965 – The Cosmic Sounds
15 April 1965 – The Hero (This could be a missprint and might be The Herd)
Walton Playhouse closed at some point in late April/early May 1965 due to a fire that caused extensive damage. Walton Playhouse re-opened for music on 29 October 1966
29 October 1966 – Flatop and The Soul System
1 November 1966 – The Impalas
5 November 1966 – The Courtelles
8 November 1966 – The Iveys (evolved into Badfinger)
12 November 1966 – Tuesday’s Children
15 November 1966 – The Loving Kind
19 November 1966 –The Dominos
No gigs on 22 and 26 November
29 November 1966 – The Coloured Raisins
3 December 1966 – The Iveys
No gigs on 6 and 10 December
13 December 1966 – The New Downliners Sect
17 December 1966 – The Embers
20 December 1966 – Syd’s Crowd
24 December 1966 – Rob Chance & The Chances R
26 December 1966 – The Coloured Raisins
27 December 1966 – The Summer Set
31 December 1966 – Niti Rossi and Mike Stuart Span
10 January 1967 – The New Mojo Band (The New Mojos)
13 January 1967 – Winston’s Fumbs
17 January 1967 – Norman & The Tek-Neeks (ex-Tornados)
24 January 1967 – Derek Savage Foundation
28 January 1967 – The Nashville Teens
31 January 1967 – The Embers
4 February 1967 – The Condors
7 February 1967 – Winston’s Thumbs
11 February 1967 – Jackie Lynton, Norman Hale & The Package
14 February 1967 – The Iveys
18 February 1967 – Derek Savage Foundation
21 February 1967 – The Mojos
25 February 1967 – Denise Scott & The Soundsmen
28 February 1967 – Mike Raynor & The Condors
4 March 1967 – The Coloured Raisins
7 March 1967 – The Embers
14 March 1967 – The Embers
18 March 1967 – The Bunch
21 March 1967 – Derek Savage Foundation
23 March 1967 – The Coloured Raisins
25 March 1967 – The Medievals
27 March 1967 – Mike Stuart Span
1 April 1967 – The Army (Steve Priest, pre-Sweet on bass)
11 April 1967 – The Iveys
15 April 1967 – The Mojos
18 April 1967 – Sean Buckely Big Set
21 April 1967 – The Seychells (held at Hersham)
No gigs at the Walton Hop on 22, 25 and 29 April. The hall is not available
29 April 1967 – The Flies (held at Hersham)
2 May 1967 – The Farm
6 May 1967 – The Jaybirds
13 May 1967 – The Ministry of Sound
16 May 1967 – The Drag Set
20 May 1967 – The Bunch
23 May 1967 – The Flies
27 May 1967 – The Shinn
29 May 1967 – Mike Stuart Span (Bank holiday Monday)
3 June 1967 – The Courtells
6 June 1967 – The Jaybirds
10 June 1967 – The Happy Story
13 June 1967 – The Shell Shock Show
17 June 1967 – The Iveys
20 June 1967 – The Klooks
There is a gap after this
8 July 1967 – Soul Tonas
14 July 1967 – The Shell Shock Show
22 July 1967 – The Gods
29 July 1967 – The Human Instinct
5 August 1967 – Mike Stuart Span
12 August 1967 – The Tiles Big Band
19 August 1967 – The Flies
26 August 1967 – The Drag Set
28 August 1967 – The Flies (Bank holiday Monday)
2 September 1967 – Mike Raynor & The Condors
9 September 1967 – Modes Mode
16 September 1967 – Mike Stuart Span
23 September 1967 – The Embers
26 September 1967 – The Drifters, The Flies and The Mover
7 October 1967 – The All Nite Workers
14 October 1967 – No band this week
21 October 1967 – Gentle Madness
28 October 1967 – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
4 November 1967 – Coletrain Union
11 November 1967 – The Inspiration
14 November 1967 – The Human Instinct
18 November 1967 – Floribunda Rose (John Kongos’s band)
25 November 1967 – No band this week
28 November 1967 – Force Four
2 December 1967 – Lemon Line
9 December 1967 – No band this week
12 December 1967 – The All Nite Workers
16 December 1967 – Jo Jo Gunne
19 December 1967 – The Doves
26 December 1967 – The Flies (and possibly The Doves but needs confirmation)
30 December 1967 – Mike Stuart Span
9 January 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
13 January 1968 – The Army
16 January 1968 – Force Four
20 January 1968 – The Human Instinct
24 January 1968 – Missing entry
27 January 1968 – The All Nite Workers
30 January 1968 – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
3 February 1968 – Alexander Bell & The Flies (Just back from Denmarkand replaced Cymbaline)
6 February 1968 – The Doves
10 February 1968 – The Human Instinct and The Mover
13 February 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
17 February 1968 – Jon
20 February 1968 – The All Nite Workers
24 February 1968 – Kristen Young & The Reflections
27 February 1968 – Cymbaline
2 March 1968 – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
No gigs on 5 and 9 March
12 March 1968 – Mike Raynor & The Condors
No Saturday gigs until 30 March so no gig on 16 March
19 March 1968 – The All Nite Workers
No gig on 23 March
26 March 1968 – Cymbaline
30 March 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
6 April 1968 – Extreme Sound
11 April 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
13 April 1968 – Cymbaline
15 April 1968 – The All Night Workers
20 April 1968 – The Doves
Looks like gigs on 23, 27 and 30 April
4 May 1968 – The Embers
Looks like no gigs on 7, 11 and 14 May
18 May 1968 – The Penny Peeps (Martin Barre, pre-Jethro Tull on guitar)
Looks like no gigs on 21, 25 and 28 May
1 June 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
4 June 1968 – The Embers
8 June 1968 – The Onyx
No gig on 11 June
15 June 1968 – Extreme Sound
No gig on 18 June
22 June 1968 – Mike Stuart Span
No gigs on 25 and 29 June
No gig on 2 July
6 July 1968 – The Greatest Show on Earth
13 July 1968 – Mike Raynor & The Condors
No gig on 16 July
20 July 1968 – Cymbaline
No gig on 23 July
27 July 1968 – The Groop (from Australia) and Honey
No gig on 30 July
3 August 1968 – Clive Barrow Group (future All Night Workers lead singer)
No gig on 6 August
10 August 1968 – Mike Raynor & The Condors
No gig on 13 August
17 August 1968 – The Embers and Honey
No gig on 20 August
24 August 1968 – Alexander Bell & The Flies
No gig on 27 August
31 August 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
2 September 1968 – The All Nite Workers
7 September 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
No gigs on 10, 14 and 17 September
21 September 1968 – The Late
No gig on 24 September
28 September 1968 – Combustion
No gig on 1 October
5 October 1968 – The Nerve
No gig on 8 October
12 October 1968 – Bobby Johnson & The Atoms
Looks like no gigs on 15, 19 and 22 October
26 October 1968 – The All Nite Workers
No gig on 29 October
2 November 1968 – Bobby Johnson & The Atoms
No gig on 5 November
9 November 1968 – Combustion
No gig on 12 November
16 November 1968 – Nerve
No gig on 19, 23 and 26 November
30 November 1968 – The Coloured Raisins
No gigs on 3, 7 and 10 December
14 December 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
No gig on 17 December
21 December 1968 – The Explosion with Winston T (most likely Watson T Brown & The Explosive)
24 December 1968 – Jo Jo Gunne
26 December 1968 – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
28 December 1968 – The Sky (formerly Mike Raynor & The Condors)
31 December 1968 – The Cat Road Show starring US Flatop
No gig on Saturday, 4 January 1969. Also Tuesday shows given up for DJ
11 January 1969 – The Youngblood
18 January 1969 – The Explosive
25 January 1969 – Canterbury Tales
1 February 1969 – Kingsize Keen Show
8 February 1969 – The Flares
No gig on Saturday, 15 February
23 February 1969 – The Nite People
1 March 1969 – The Youngblood
8 March 1969 – Demon Fuzz
No gig on Saturday, 15 March
22 March 1969 – Watson T Brown & The Explosive
29 March 1969 – Spectrum
3 April 1969 – Canterbury’s Tales
5 April 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers
7 April 1969 – The All Nite Workers (Clyde Barrow now on lead vocals)
No gigs now until the next date
3 May 1969 – The Youngblood
No gigs now until the next date
31 May 1969 – The Red Squares
7 June 1969 – The Pavement
14 June 1969 – The Onyx
21 June 1969 – The Sky
28 June 1969 – Spectrum
5 July 1969 – The Sweet
12 July 1969 – The Swamp
19 July 1969 – The Embers
26 July 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers
2 August 1969 – The She Trinity
9 August 1969 – The Sugar
16 August 1969 – The Chimera
23 August 1969 – Pinkerton’s Assorted Colours
30 August 1969 – Canterbury Tales
6 September 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers
13 September 1969 – Cool Combination
20 September 1969 – Sonority
27 September 1969 – The Cats
4 October 1969 – The Pylots
11 October 1969 – Archimedes Principle
18 October 1969 – Timebox
No gig on Saturday, 25 October
1 November 1969 – Black Velvet
No gig on Saturday, 8 November
15 November 1969 – Orange Rainbow
No gig on Saturday, 22 November
29 November 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers
No gigs until the next one
13 December 1969 – Information
20 December 1969 – Lucas (from Mike Cotton Sound) and The Soul Sisters
24 December 1969 – Mike Raynor & The Sky
26 December 1969 – John James & The Swamp
27 December 1969 – Chimera
31 December 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers
There don’t appear to be any gigs for the first half of 1970
All gigs were sourced from the Woking Herald except Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell) and Floribunda Rose (Jack Russell)
Together with St Mary’s Hall, also in Putney, the Pontiac Club was a popular venue in southwest London in the early-mid 1960s.
Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds were resident band there at one point as were The Action, formerly The Boys and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
The club was located at 200 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, near the main railway station.
I have started a gig list below and would welcome any additions as well as memories in the comments below. If you have any memorabilia, including posters for the club, I would be happy to include them with a credit.
1963
28 December 1963 (Saturday) – Manfred Mann and Mark Leeman Five (Greg Russo’s research)
1965
Initially billed as the New Pontiac Club
27 May 1965 (Thursday) – Donovan with full supporting groups (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
28 May 1965 (Friday) – Alex Harvey Soul Band with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
29 May 1965 (Saturday) – The Peddlers with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
30 May 1965 (Sunday) – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
Photo: Melody Maker
2 June 1965 (Wednesday) – Alexis Korner with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
4 June 1965 (Friday) – The Downliners Sect and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
5 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Beat Merchants, The Billy Woods Combo and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
6 June 1965 (Sunday) – Mike Berry & The Outsiders with support (Melody Maker)
9 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Muleskinners with support (Melody Maker)
Future Small Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan played with The Muleskinners.
11 June 1965 (Friday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
16 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Boston Dexters and The Blues Messengers (Melody Maker)
18 June 1965 (Friday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
19 June 1965 (Saturday) – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band (Melody Maker)
20 June 1965 (Sunday) – The Hollies and Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
25 June 1965 (Friday) – The Boston Dexters and Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men (Melody Maker)
26 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Mark Leeman Five (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
27 June 1965 (Sunday) – Phil Ryan & The Crescents (New Musical Express/Melody Maker) Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays may also have been on the bill for this date
30 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Artwoods and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
2 July 1965 (Friday) – The Mark Leeman Five and Platform 6 (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
3 July 1965 (Saturday) – The Comanches and The Primitives (Melody Maker)
4 July 1965 (Sunday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (Melody Maker)
7 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 July 1965 (Friday) – The Beat Merchants and The Comanches (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
10 July 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers and Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
11 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters and The Fetish Crowd (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
14 July 1965 (Wednesday) – Manfred Mann and The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
16 July 1965 (Friday) – The Checkmates and The Thoughts (New Musical Express)
17 July 1965 (Saturday) – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (New Musical Express)
18 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
21 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Classmates and Group Survival (Melody Maker)
23 July 1965 (Friday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders and The Five Proud Walkers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
24 July 1965 (Saturday) – The Action and Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
The Action were recently billed as The Boys.
25 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Thoughts (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
28 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Who and surf band in support (New Musical Express/Melody Maker) (see comments section below) This could have been The Summer Set
30 July 1965 (Friday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders and The RBQ (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
31 July 1965 (Saturday) – John Lee’s Groundhogs (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
1 August (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
4 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers started a regular (two month) Wednesday night residency on this date.
6 August 1965 (Friday) – Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Fetish Crowd (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
7 August 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers and Soul Survival (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
Later this same evening The Byrds played at the Pontiac Club. According to author Don Hughes, The Dae-b-Four were the support band.
8 August (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
11 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
13 August 1965 (Friday) – Guy Hamilton & The Senators (Melody Maker)
14 August 1965 (Saturday) – The Primitives and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
15 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
18 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
20 August 1965 (Friday) – The Fenmen (New Musical Express)
21 August 1965 (Saturday) – The Action and Sonny Childe & The Cool School (New Musical Express)
22 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Truth (New Musical Express)
25 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (New Musical Express)
According to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book Strange Brew, this was the last gig by The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton who left and was replaced by a succession of fill-in guitarists before returning in November.
Photo: Melody Maker
27 August 1965 (Friday) – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
28 August 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
29 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Ingoes (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
The Ingoes morphed into Blossom Toes.
1 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, John Weider, who has previously played with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates among others, covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
3 September 1965 (Friday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (New Musical Express)
4 September 1965 (Saturday) – The VIPs (New Musical Express)
The VIPs band morphed into Spooky Tooth.
5 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
The Action had a regular Sunday residency at this venue for a while. Some sources also note that The Objects played in support on this date.
8 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, John Slaughter from Chris Barber’s band covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
10 September 1965 (Friday) – The Crowd (Melody Maker)
11 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Melody Maker)
12 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
15 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, former Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions guitarist Geoff Krivit covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
Photo: Melody Maker
18 September 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)
19 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
22 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, former Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions guitarist Geoff Krivit covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
This is the band’s final show at the Pontiac and Hjort notes that Peter Green approached Mayall at this venue to ask if he could take over from Krivit as permanent guitarist.
Photo: Melody Maker
24 September 1965 (Friday) – Tony Colton’s Big Boss Band (Melody Maker)
25 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Beat Merchants (Melody Maker)
26 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
1 October 1965 (Friday) – The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)
2 October 1965 (Saturday) – The VIPs (Melody Maker)
3 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
9 October 1965 (Saturday) – Five Proud Walkers (Info from John Treais)
10 October 1965 (Sunday) – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
15 October 1965 (Friday) – Them (Melody Maker)
Them was Van Morrison’s Belfast band. Around this time, former members began gigged in a rival Them.
16 October 1965 (Saturday) – The Arthur Brown Union (Info from John Treais)
17 October 1965 (Sunday) – Gary Farr & T-Bones (Melody Maker)
20 October 1965 (Wednesday) – T-Bone Walker and The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
22 October 1965 (Friday) – Dean Ford & The Gaylords (Melody Maker)
This band morphed into Marmalade.
23 October 1965 (Saturday) – The Vectors (Melody Maker)
24 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
30 October 1964 (Saturday) – Victor Brox (Info from John Treais)
31 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
6 November 1965 (Saturday) – J C & The Machine (aka Julian Covey) (Melody Maker)
After John McVie was sacked from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers on 3 October, he found work with Julian Covey’s band until he returned to Mayall in early January 1966.
7 November 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
9 November 1965 (Tuesday) – Wilson Pickett (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
17 December 1965 (Friday) – The Carnaby (Melody Maker)
18 December 1965 (Saturday) – The High Society (Melody Maker)
This group had recently been The Arthur Brown Union but when Arthur left earlier this month, singer Dave Terry (aka Elmer Gantry) took over. They soon became The Union.
19 December 1965 (Sunday) – The Crowd with Peter Fenton (Melody Maker)
24 December 1965 (Friday) – The Army (Melody Maker)
Emerging out of Hampton R&B band, The Others, this group soon changed name to Sands.
26 December 1965 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)
27 December 1965 (Monday) – The Mickey Finn (Melody Maker)
1966
17 March 1966 (Thursday) – The Loose Ends and support (Melody Maker)
19 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Checkers and support (Melody Maker)
20 March 1966 (Sunday) – The In Crowd (Melody Maker)
The In Crowd morphed into Tomorrow in early 1967.
23 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)
24 March 1966 (Thursday) – The Mickey Finns (Melody Maker)
26 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Basic 5 (Melody Maker)
27 March 1966 (Sunday) – The Shevells (Melody Maker)
5 May 1966 (Thursday) – The Carl Douglas Set (poster from Ken Baxter)
7 May 1966 (Saturday) – Dracken Lewis 5 (most likely Deakin Lewis) and Front Line (poster from Ken Baxter)
28 May 1966 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker)
4 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Drag Set (Melody Maker)
18 June 1966 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker)
The Toby Jug in Tolworth, Surrey, not far from Kingston Upon Thames in southwest London, was a really important rock music venue in the late 1960s and played host to pretty much all of the top draws of the day, including Fleetwood Mac, Jethro Tull, Ten Years After, Joe Cocker & The Grease Band, Traffic and Led Zeppelin.
Melody Maker notice November 1963
Having been a jazz venue, Toby Jug (which briefly operated as a club for R&B in early 1964) opened in early March 1968 as a rock club.
Music researcher Alan Clayson’s book on The Yardbirds (a group from the local area), lists two gigs from 1964:
20 January 1964 – The Yardbirds 27 January 1964 – The Yardbirds
It looks like from the advert below that the venue was changed due to popular demand.
The following gigs are sourced from listings in the Kingston & Malden Borough News. Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies was also a great resource.
I would welcome any additions in the comments below and also any memories of artists that played there.
13 March 1968 – Fleetwood Mac 20 March 1968 – Aynsley Dunbar’s Retaliation 27 March 1968 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers 10 April 1968 – Champion Jack Dupree and Black Cat Bones 17 April 1968 – Fleetwood Mac and Chicken Shack 8 May 1968 – Aynsley Dunbar’s Retaliation 15 May 1968 – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band 22 May 1968 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers 5 June 1968 – Savoy Brown 12 June 1968 – Jethro Tull 19 June 1968 – Chicken Shack 26 June 1968 – Keef Hartley (or was this 24 June?) 3 July 1968 – Taste 10 July 1968 – Family 17 July 1968 – Jethro Tull 24 July 1968 – Chicken Shack 31 July 1968 – John Dummer Blues Band 7 August 1968 – Ten Years After 14 August 1968 – Taste 21 August 1968 – Jethro Tull 28 August 1968 – Savoy Brown 4 September 1968 – Traffic 11 September 1968 – Fleetwood Mac 18 September 1968 – Ten Years After (or was this Taste?) 3 October 1968 – The Nice 9 October 1968 – Jethro Tull 16 October 1968 – Jethro Tull 23 October 1968 – Colosseum 10 November 1968 – Timebox 13 November 1968 – Fleetwood Mac 17 November 1968 – Joe Cocker & The Grease Band 20 November 1968 – Blossom Toes 4 December 1968 – Taste 11 December 1968 – Bobby Parker and Chicken Shack 15 December 1968 – Bandwagon 18 December 1968 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers 22 December 1968 – The Drifters
The (Jazz) Cellar in Kingston Upon Thames was an important music venue in southwest London from 1962-1966. Many notable local bands played there in their formative years, most notably The Yardbirds and The Nashville Teens. The Animals also played there regularly in the early months of 1964 after moving down to London from the northeast.
I have started to compile a gig list and would welcome any additions/corrections in the comments section. I would also welcome any memories and photos/flyers/posters.
1962
I have only a few entries for 1962 and would welcome any additions
14 July – The Nashville Teens (Surrey Comet)
21 July – The Nashville Teens (Surrey Comet)
28 July – The Nashville Teens (Surrey Comet)
6 September – Mike Berry & The Outlaws (Surrey Comet)
Ritchie Blackmore didn’t join The Outlaws on lead guitar until mid-October 1962
1 November – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Surrey Comet)
1963
I have only a few entries for 1963 and would welcome any additions
17 July – The Roosters (with Eric Clapton) (Surrey Comet)
24 July – The Roosters (with Eric Clapton) (Surrey Comet)
Confusingly, there were two local bands called The Roosters. The first, led by Ben Palmer, included Eric Clapton and future Manfred Mann guitarist Tom McGuiness between January-August 1963.
The second (less celebrated one) featured Pete Jeffries (lead guitar), Del Turner (rhythm guitar), Ron Jefferies (bass) and Jim Strachan (drums). The other gigs below are by this version.
I don’t have a complete listing for 1964 so would welcome any additions
The Pieces of Four performed at the Cellar Club during 1964. Photo: Keith Read. Keith lists the personnel as Keith Read (lead guitar), Ian Duffell (lead guitar), Robin Clements (bass) and Ian Clements (drums)
5 January – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Surrey Comet)
12 February – The Animals (regular Wednesday residency) (Kim Chester research)
14 February – Im & The Uvvers (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
16 February – Gene Vincent & The Shouts (Surrey Comet)
17 February – The Yardbirds (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
18 February – The Presidents (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
19 February – The Animals (regular Wednesday residency) (Kim Chester research)
21 February – The Mastersounds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
22 February – The Cracksmen (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
23 February – The Nashville Teens (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
24 February – The Yardbirds (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
25 February – Wayne Gibson & The Dynamic Sounds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
26 February – The Animals (regular Wednesday residency) (Kim Chester research)
28 February – The Zephyrs and Robb Storme & The Whispers (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
29 February – The Presidents (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
Photo: story on Cellar Club, Clapham Advertiser, 6 March 1964, page 4
1 March – Grant Tracey & The Sunsets (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
2 March – The Yardbirds (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
3 March – The Stereos (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
4 March – The Animals (regular Wednesday residency) (Kim Chester research)
6 March – The Moquettes (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
7 March – The Pentagons (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
8 March – The Nashville Teens (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
10 March – The Beat Syndicate (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
11 March – The Animals (regular Wednesday residency) (Kim Chester research)
13 March – Steve Marriott & The Wandering Ones (Surrey Comet)
The Kingston & Malden Borough News says that Steve Marriott’s backing band are called The Frantics. The Clapham Advertiser also has this listing, but with Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions in support.
14 March – The Senators (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
15 March – The Gamblers (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
16 March – The Yardbirds (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
17 March – Ronnie Webb & The Phantoms (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
18 March – The Animals (regular Wednesday residency) (Kim Chester research)
Photo: Clapham Advertiser
20 March – Bridgette Bond (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
21 March – The Cracksmen (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
22 March – Wayne Gibson & The Dynamic Sounds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
23 March – The Yardbirds (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
25 March – Unit 5 (Teddington, west London band) (Kingston & Malden Borough News) Kim Chester says The Animals played a regular Wednesday residency
Photo: Norman Sheers. Jerry Lee Lewis, 26 March 1964
26 March – Jerry Lee Lewis (backed by The Nashville Teens) (Norman Sheers’ recollections)
Photo: Norman Sheers
Jerry Leech (see comments section below) confirms that Jerry Lee Lewis played on 26 March
Photo: Norman Sheers
The Kingston & Malden Borough News lists Jerry Lee Lewis for this date with The Nashville Teens and The Original Checkmates
25 May – The Yardbirds and The Grebbels (Surrey Comet)
27 May – The Tridents with The Plebs (Surrey Comet and John and Paul Lucas’ diaries)
29 May – Phil & The Stormsville Shakers (Surrey Comet)
30 May – The Karnells (Surrey Comet)
31 May – The Micky Finn (Surrey Comet)
1 June – The Yarbirds (Surrey Comet)
3 June – The Animals (regular Wednesday residency) (Kim Chester research)
Record Mirror says that John Lee Hooker played on 3 June supported by John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and with The Plebs opening. Surrey Comet confirms
5 June – The Pitmen (Surrey Comet)
6 June – The Road Runners (Surrey Comet)
7 June – The Satins (Record Mirror)
8 June – The Yardbirds (Surrey Comet)
10 June – Group Four + One (Surrey Comet)
12 June – The Plebs (Surrey Comet)
13 June – Group Four + One (Surrey Comet)
14 June – Tony Holland & The Packabeats (Surrey Comet)
15 June – The Plebs (Surrey Comet)
17 June – Group Four + One (Record Mirror)
19 June – The Henchmen (Record Mirror)
20 June – The Plebs (Surrey Comet)
21 June – The Tridents (Record Mirror) replaced by The Vincents (Surrey Comet)
Lindsay Bex, who played drums with the band at the time, notes in his diary the following “Off – A O’Donnel”, which suggests that the gig was cancelled. Surrey Comet confirms as they have The Vincents.
22 June – The Yardbirds (Surrey Comet)
24 June – The Smokey Beats (Record Mirror)
26 June – The Countdowns (Record Mirror)
Surrey Comet has The Plebs instead of The Countdowns
29 June – The Yardbirds and The Grebbels (Surrey Comet)
1 July – Five’s Company (Surrey Comet)
3 July – Group Four + One (Surrey Comet)
4 July – Five’s Company (Surrey Comet)
5 July – Cops & Robbers (Surrey Comet)
8 July – Johnny & The Spirits (Surrey Comet)
10 July – The Echoletts (Surrey Comet)
11 July – The Laurie Jay Combo (Surrey Comet)
12 July – The Stereos (Surrey Comet)
13 July – Group Four + One (Surrey Comet)
17 July – The Plebs (Surrey Comet)
18 July – Earl Sheridan & The Houseshakers (Surrey Comet)
19 July – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
20 July – The Yardbirds (Surrey Comet)
22 July – Group Four + One (Surrey Comet)
24 July – The Presidents (Record Mirror)
25 July – Mickie Finn & The Blue Men (Record Mirror)
26 July – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
27 July – Group Four + One (Record Mirror)
29 July – The Impacts (Surrey Comet)
31 July – The Original Topics (Surrey Comet)
1 August – The Web (Surrey Comet)
2 August – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
3 August – The Yardbirds (Surrey Comet)
5 August – The Animals and The Plebs (club flyer)
7 August – The Plebs and The Denims (club flyer)
Surrey Comet has Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages on 7 August
8 August – Group Four + One (club flyer)
9 August – The Nite Shift (club flyer)
Jeff Beck was the band’s lead guitarist but would join The Tridents in early September.
10 August – The Mike Cotton Sound (club flyer)
12 August – The Nashville Teens and The Beat Syndicate (club flyer/Surrey Comet)
14 August – The Jet Set (Surrey Comet)
15 August – The Playboys (Surrey Comet)
16 August – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
17 August – The Mojos (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
19 August – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
21 August – Wayne Gibson & The Dynamic Sounds (Surrey Comet)
22 August – The Bumblies (Surrey Comet)
23 August – The Cheaters (Surrey Comet)
24 August – Group Four + One (Surrey Comet)
26 August – The Moonrakers (Surrey Comet)
28 August – The Plebs (Surrey Comet)
29 August – The Presidents (Surrey Comet)
30 August – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
31 August – The Mike Cotton Sound (Surrey Comet)
5 September – The Plebs (Surrey Comet)
7 September – The Mojos (Surrey Comet)
9 September – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
11 September – The Druids (Surrey Comet)
12 September – The Bumblies (Surrey Comet)
13 September – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
14 September – The Roosters (Surrey Comet)
This gig (and the remaining ones below) were performed by the second version of The Roosters and not the one that featured Eric Clapton and Tom McGuiness between January-August 1963 (see entries above from July 1963).
16 September – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
18 September – Linda Crane & The Cosmic Sounds (Surrey Comet)
19 September – The Profits (Surrey Comet)
20 September – Guest groups (Surrey Comet)
21 September – Group Four + One (Surrey Comet)
23 September – Two groups (Record Mirror) Surrey Comet has The Cheaters
25 September – The Cosmic Sounds with Linda Crain (aka Crane) (Record Mirror) Surrey Comet has The Wranglers
26 September – The Roosters (Surrey Comet)
27 September – Two groups (Record Mirror)
28 September – Group Four + One (Record Mirror)
30 September – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
2 October – The College Boys (Surrey Comet)
3 October – Little Richard & The Objects (Surrey Comet)
4 October – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
5 October – The Mike Cotton Sound (Surrey Comet)
7 October – Rock ‘n’ Roll competition (Record Mirror/Surrey Comet)
9 October – The Roosters (Record Mirror)
10 October – Im an The Uvvers (Record Mirror)
11 October – The Jaguars (Surrey Comet)
The Orbits, 1964. Photo: Trevor Bennett. Left to right: Todd Tyrell, Ted Cunningham, Brian Edwards and Trevor Bennett.
12 October – The Mojos and The Orbits (Record Mirror)
14 October – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
16 October – The Roosters (Surrey Comet)
17 October – Earl Sheridan & The Houseshakers (Record Mirror)
18 October – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
19 October – The Mike Cotton Sound (Record Mirror)
21 October – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
23 October – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Surrey Comet)
24 October – The Challengers (Surrey Comet)
25 October – Guest group (Surrey Comet)
26 October – Little Eva, The Stereos, The College Boy, The Rockin’ Welsh Boys and Danny Storm & The Strollers (Surrey Comet)
28 October – Unit 5 (Teddington, west London band) (Surrey Comet)
30 October – The Exciting Stereos (Record Mirror)
31 October – The Roosters (Surrey Comet)
1 November – The Group Survival (Record Mirror)
2 November – Themselves (Record Mirror)
4 November – The Roosters and XL5 (Surrey Comet)
7 November – Cosmic Sounds (Surrey Comet)
13 November – The Impacts (Surrey Comet)
16 November – Jimmy Reed, The Plebs and John Lee Groundhogs (Surrey Comet)
18 November – Carl Perkins and The Cosmic Sounds (Surrey Comet)
21 November – Themselves (Surrey Comet and Gus Smith recollections from attending)
24 November – The Yardbirds (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
27 November – Unit 5 (Teddington, west London band) (Surrey Comet)
28 November – The Jaguars (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
4 December – The Bo-Sneakers (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
12 December – The Roosters (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
18 December – The Roosters (Surrey Comet)
26 December – The Roosters (Surrey Comet)
1965
I don’t have a complete entry for 1965 and would welcome any additions
The Impalas performed at the Cellar Club during 1964-1965. Left to right: Keith Read, Keith Mott, Tony Claiden and Oonagh Ellis. Photo: Keith Read.
2 January – The GTs (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
4 January – Alex Harvey & His Soul Band (Melody Maker)
9 January – The John Smith Group (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
15 February – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (Melody Maker)
20 February – John Brown’s Bodies (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
5 March – Alex Harvey & His Soul Band (Melody Maker)
6 March – The Rising Suns (all-nighter session) (Gus Smith recollections from attending)
1 May – The Shondells (Surrey Comet)
8 May – Teddy & The Dymes (Surrey Comet)
15 May – The Shondells (Surrey Comet)
22 May – Davey Sands & The Essex (Surrey Comet)
29 May – The Tribe (Surrey Comet)
3 June – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Surrey Comet) This may have been 2 June
5 June – The Shondells (Surrey Comet)
12 June – Ancient Britons and Twinkle (Surrey Comet)
19 June – The Just Five and The Exciting Rippers (Surrey Comet)
4 August – Sugar Pie Desanto, The Shevelles and The Backbeats (Surrey Comet)
7 August – The Small Faces (Surrey Comet)
15 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Surrey Comet) This might be 14 August
20 August – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Surrey Comet)
21 August – Davey Sands & The Essex (Surrey Comet)
25 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Surrey Comet)
28 August – The Shondells (Surrey Comet)
3 September – The Small Faces (Surrey Comet)
10 September – The Moody Blues (Surrey Comet)
11 September – Heart and Souls, The Valkeries and The Right Track (Surrey Comet)
15 September – Lou Johnson (Surrey Comet)
24 September – The In Crowd (Surrey Comet)
1 October – The Artwoods (Surrey Comet)
2 October – The Valkeries and The Geordies (Surrey Comet)
9 October – The Lonely Ones, The Shakedowns, The Flashbakks and Kiko 6 (Surrey Comet)
15 October – Steampacket with Long John Baldry, The Brian Auger Trinity, Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll and Next of Kin (Surrey Comet)
23 October – The Lonely Ones (Surrey Comet)
30 October – The Fetish Crowd (Surrey Comet)
3 November – Hedgehoppers Anonymous and Randy’s Incaras (Surrey Comet)
5 November – The Lonely Ones (Surrey Comet)
19 November – The Phil Wainman Sound (Surrey Comet)
20 November – The Lonely Ones and Junior Ervin and The Midnite Hours (Surrey Comet)
24 November – The Small Faces (Surrey Comet)
26 November – The Clayton Squares (Surrey Comet)
3 December – The Burnettes (Surrey Comet)
10 December – The Clayton Squares (Surrey Comet)
11 December – The New Breed (Surrey Comet)
17 December – Sons of Fred (Surrey Comet)
23 December – The New Jump Band (Bob Hodges’ diary)
1966
This is an incomplete list and I would welcome any additions
7 January – The Lonely Ones (New Musical Express)
8 January – The Anteeks (New Musical Express)
14 January – The Anzacs (New Musical Express)
15 January – Next of Kin (New Musical Express)
22 January – The Flashbacks (New Musical Express)
28 January – Big Jump Band (aka New Jump Band) (Bob Hodges’ diary)
29 January – The Anzacs (New Musical Express)
4 February – The Big Sound (New Musical Express)
5 February – Group Survival (New Musical Express)
11 February – Jimmy Winston & The Rebels (New Musical Express)
12 February – The Lonely Ones (New Musical Express)
16 February – The Small Faces (New Musical Express)
18 February – The Lovin Kind (New Musical Express)
19 February – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (New Musical Express)
25 February – Jimmy Winston’s Reflections (New Musical Express)
The Candles. Photo: Colin Stoddart
26 February – The Marvels (New Musical Express) Colin Stoddart says his band The Candles also played on this date
4 March – Pinkerton’s Assorted Colours (New Musical Express)
5 March – The Night Society (New Musical Express)
12 March – The New Jump Band (New Musical Express)
18 March – Jimmy Winston’s Reflections (New Musical Express)
19 March – The John Warner Sound (New Musical Express)
23 March – The Nashville Teens (New Musical Express)
25 March – Jo Jo Gunne (New Musical Express)
26 March – The New Jump Band (New Musical Express)
30 March – The John Warner Sound (New Musical Express)
1 April – The Lonely Ones (New Musical Express)
2 April – Jo Jo Gunne (New Musical Express)
8 April – The Lonely Ones (New Musical Express)
9 April – The Beat Syndicate (New Musical Express)
10 April – The Silence (New Musical Express)
15 April – The Sons of Fred (New Musical Express)
16 April – The Night Society (New Musical Express)
17 April – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (New Musical Express)
22 April – The Silence (New Musical Express)
23 April – The New Jump Band (New Musical Express)
29 April – The Protest (New Musical Express)
30 April – The Silence (the group changed name to John’s Children) (New Musical Express)
5 May – The Pages Five (New Musical Express)
6 May – The Troggs (New Musical Express)
8 May – The Jaguars (New Musical Express)
13 May – Jimmy Winston & The Reflections (New Musical Express)
13 May – Jo Jo Gunne (New Musical Express)
20 May – The Voyd (New Musical Express)
21 May – Time-Flys (New Musical Express)
27 May – The Legend (New Musical Express)
28 May – The Void (New Musical Express)
3 June – The Daisys (New Musical Express)
4 June – John Brown’s Bodies and Jesse Hector (New Musical Express)
10 June – John Hilton Starr & The Savages (New Musical Express)
11 June – Jo Jo Gunne (New Musical Express)
12 June – Froy Talbert (New Musical Express)
13 June – The Small Faces (New Musical Express)
17 June – The Voyd (New Musical Express)
18 June – The Anzacs (New Musical Express)
24 June – John Hilton Starr & The Savages (New Musical Express)
25 June – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (New Musical Express)
1 July – The Lonely Ones (New Musical Express)
2 July – The Anzacs (New Musical Express)
8 July – The Troggs and The Wild Uncertainty (their debut) (New Musical Express)
16 July – The Wild Uncertainty (New Musical Express)
22 July – The Wild Uncertainty (New Musical Express)
23 July – The Flashbacks (New Musical Express)
29 July – The Night Society (New Musical Express)
30 July – The Subjects (New Musical Express)
6 August – Jo Jo Gunne (took part in London Palladium competition around now)
12 August – Jo Jo Gunne (New Musical Express)
13 August – The Missing Links (New Musical Express)
19 August – Cream (New Musical Express)
20 August – The Night Society (New Musical Express)
26 August – The Graham Bond Organisation (New Musical Express)
27 August – Four Plus a Bit (New Musical Express)
The Kingston & Malden Borough News ran an article on the club’s closure which was published in its 9 December 1966 issue on page 4 with the headline: “Cellar club ‘killed by drugs’ is sold to bingo syndicate”.
The Pentad featured in the Woking Herald and News, June 11, 1965
Terry Crowe – lead vocals Mike Fitzpatrick – lead guitar Roger Hanks – piano, organ Mick Dunford – bass Peter Garland-Jones – drums
A Woking, Surrey band that was formed around April 1965 from the ashes of The Plebs, The Pentad was led by singer Terry Crowe, who together with Mick Dunford, had been an original member of The Nashville Teens.
The band’s debut single “Silver Dagger” c/w “Nothing But Love” came out on Parlophone in June 1965. The group recorded a second single, “Don’t Throw It All Away” c/w “Too Many Ways”, which was released later that year.
Pentad’s third and final release, “Something Other People Call Love” c/w “It Better Be Me”, was issued in March 1966. Dunford later became a member of Renaissance.
I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com
The Kool, late 1967, from left: Jet Hodges, Dave Carol, Ray Brown, Pete Burt and Jeff Curtis (aka David Myers), photo courtesy Ray Brown
The Kool #1 (August-December 1967)
Jeff Curtis – vocals Dave Carol – lead guitar, vocals Jet Hodges (aka Richard Hodgins) – keyboards, vocals Ray Brown – bass, vocals Pete Burt – drums
Originally known as Jeff Curtis & The Flames, their manager, rock promoter Mervyn Conn changed their name to The Kool around August 1967.
Signing the band to CBS Records, Conn used The Ivy League and session musicians, including drummer Clem Cattini, to record Tony Macauley and John MacLeod’s poppy “Look at Me, Look at Me”, which was backed by the soulful “Room at the Top” (credited to Curtis’s real name: David Myers but actually a co-write with Ray Brown and originally cut as a demo by Jeff Curtis & The Flames around May 1966).
The A-side only features Ray Brown from the band who provides the lead vocal and is surrounded by the massed vocals of The Ivy League. The B-side is notable for its use of horns and cello and has a soulful feel with Jeff Curtis’s gravelly voice to the fore.
Produced by Mervyn Conn and arranged by Keith Mansfield, the single was released on 12 October 1967 but did not chart despite being plugged by DJ Tony Blackburn on Radio 1.
During the same session, Conn used The Ivy League as singers on an excellent version of “Step Out of Your Mind”, previously recorded and released in the United States by The American Breed, and a cover of Ralph Murphy’s “Funny What a Fool Can Be”. Like the previous B-side, Jeff Curtis sang lead vocals on this track and the band members are featured on the recording.
The two tracks were coupled for a second single, issued, and then mysteriously withdrawn, in limited edition, around December 1967.
That same month, the band played at Coronation Hall in Kingston with PP Arnold, after which Ray Brown departed to reunite with Steve Reading and Mickey Baker from his 1950s band, The Sky Blue Skiffle Group, in a new outfit called Champagne. During 1968, Champagne shared the bill with The Kool at Kew Boathouse. In 1969, Brown joined The Magic Roundabout.
With Ray Brown out of the picture, The Kool carried on, bringing in new bass player Brian Hosking.
Notable gigs:
Photo: Wakefield Express
9 September 1967 – Boogaloo, Castleford, West Yorkshire Billed as The Cool so may be another band
Photo: Ampthill News & Flintwick Record
15 September 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford with The 100w Carnation
1 December 1967 – Coronation Hall, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey with PP Arnold (may have been later this month or first week in January)
The Kool, late 1967, from left: Ray Brown, Jeff Curtis (aka David Myers), Pete Burt, Dave Carol and Jet Hodges
The Kool #2 (January-August 1968)
Jeff Curtis – vocals Dave Carol – lead guitar, vocals Jet Hodges (aka Richard Hodgins) – keyboards, vocals Brian Hosking – bass Pete Burt – drums
Originally from Twickenham, Middlesex, Brian Hosking (b. 7 July 1947, Twickenham, Middlesex) was no stranger to the band having known Dave Carol from The Smokestacks in 1964. Hosking had first played bass with The Diplomats while at school and then joined The Feeet with guitarist Doug Ayris. During 1963, Hosking and Ayris formed The Legend with singer Nigel Kingswell and drummer John Sergeant.
In 1964, Hosking left to join The Smokestacks. Two years later, he helped form Twickenham band, The All Night Workers. However, after a few months, he departed to run a bar full-time in Heston and only returned to the live scene in October 1967 with a short-lived band called Deep Purple (no relation to their more famous namesake). When he joined The Kool, Hosking had given up the bar to sell car batteries in Slough and was living in Hounslow.
Kingston & Malden Borough News, 30 August 1968
In early 1968, The Kool appeared at London’s top nightclubs, the Cromwellian and the Pickwick. During the second part 1968, the band increasingly found work in the Kingston-Upon-Thames, Surrey area.
Notable gigs:
Photo: Swindon Advertiser
27 January 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire with James Stuart Inspiration
Photo: Surrey Advertiser
15 June 1968 – West Clandon Youth Club, West Clandon, Surrey
22 June 1968 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
6 July 1968 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
19 July 1968 – Apple Tree Club, Kingston Hotel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
The Kool #3 (August 1968-January 1969)
Jeff Curtis – vocals Dave Carol – lead guitar, vocals Jet Hodges (aka Richard Hodgins) – keyboards, vocals Brian Hosking – bass Steve Allen – drums
During late summer Pete Burt departed and joined up with keyboard player Bob Brittain for a tour of Germany. In 1969, Brittain offered Burt the drum position in his new band, Pickettywitch but the drummer declined the offer. The following year, he reunited with his old school friend from Roxeth Manor School – Rod Wharton and they formed the trio, Hogsnort Rupert. Burt subsequently retired from the music business and passed away on 20 March 2013.
Steve Allen, who was originally from Cornwall and had played in several West Country bands for five years before moving to Esher, Surrey, took over from Burt while working for the Inland Revenue in Richmond, Surrey during the day.
According to the Kingston and Malden Borough News, the new line up returned to the studios in early September 1968 to record three more sides, including two band originals, and two of the tracks recorded would be chosen for the band’s next single, due out around Christmas. The promised single never appeared.
The new Kool line-up, however, was short-lived because Allen did not like the band’s music and departed early on to join The Factory, led by singer Jack Brand.
Notable gigs:
16 August 1968 – Apple Tree Club, Kingston Hotel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
24 August 1968 –Staines Town Hall, Staines, Middlesex
25 August 1968 – Apple Tree Club, White Lion, Putney, Southwest London
18 November 1968 – Orange Grove, Grove Tavern, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
6 December 1968 – Apple Tree Club, Kingston Hotel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
Photo: Melody Maker
The Kool #4 (January-May 1969)
Jeff Curtis – vocals Dave Carol – lead guitar, vocals Jet Hodges (aka Richard Hodgins) – keyboards, vocals Brian Hosking – bass Geoff Coxon – drums
Dave Carol enlisted his old friend from early 1960s band, The Drovers, Geoff Coxon, to replace the outgoing Steve Allen. Since splitting from Carol in 1964, Coxon had joined Hampton, Middlesex band, The Others, just in time to promote their lone single on Fontana, a raucous version of Bo Diddley’s “Oh Yeah”, coupled with the band original “I’m Taking Her Home”.
After The Others fell apart in October of that year, Coxon moved on to work with Colin Shane & The Shannons alongside guitarist Dave Mumford and bass player Dick Merritt. When this group split up in late 1965, the trio formed The Sugar Band with organist Malcolm Wainman, tenor sax player Pete Browning and baritone sax player Les Batt and worked the soul club circuit until late 1967.
The band’s agent then linked the musicians with Jamaican singer Delroy Williams and they became The Delroy Williams Show with The Sugar Band. By late 1968, the group had split from Williams and Coxon gigged around before joining The Kool.
Program for show in Caen, France in Feb. 1969. The photo shows the ’67 lineup before Brian Hosking and Geoff Coxon had joined. Program scan courtesy of Brian Hosking
The new line up travelled to France to play the Grand Ball at Caen University in early February. During that weekend, the new band members did a signing at a record shop for their forthcoming CBS single, which featured a photo of the original line up.
On 18 April 1969, CBS belatedly released The Kool’s second single, “Step Out of Your Mind” c/w “Funny What A Fool Can Be”, over a year after it was originally recorded. Despite a strong performance, the band’s moment had passed and the single failed to chart.
The single was reviewed in the Kingston and Malden Borough News’s 25 April 1969 edition, together with a photo of the original line up.
The current line up, however, signed to MCA and recorded a final single, issued in June 1969, coupling the poppy “Lovin’”, written by the song-writing team Capitanelli and O’Connor, backed by Dave Myers’ original, “Baby’s Out of Reach”. Produced by Phil Swern, arranged by Tom Parker, and with backing vocals by Sue and Sonny, the single had great potential but was another chart failure.
Before it was released both Jet Hodges and newcomer Geoff Coxon departed. Coxon joined Calum Bryce, reuniting with Dave Mumford. Coxon currently performs with a reformed The Others.
Calum Bryce, late 1969. Geoff Coxon at far left Photo courtesy of Geoff Coxon
Notable gigs:
15 January 1969 – Weybridge Hall, Weybridge, Surrey
Photo: Woking Herald
8 February 1969 – Grand Ball, Caen University, France
Photo: Woking Herald
2 May 1969 – Addlestone Community Centre, Addlestone, Surrey
The Kool #5 (May-August 1969)
Jeff Curtis – vocals Dave Carol – lead guitar, vocals Ronnie Clayden – keyboards, vocals Brian Hosking – bass Jim Park – drums
Jim Park (b. 21 March 1947, Staines, Middlesex) was recruited via an advert that Hosking put in Melody Maker. The band received over 60 applications for the drum vacancy but Park knew Clive Burrows, who was singing in the latest version of Hosking’s former group The All Night Workers, which still contained Hosking’s former band mate from The Legend, Doug Ayris. Burrows also worked as a store man at a shop Hosking’s girlfriend managed.
August 1969
Barely 20 years old, Clayden (b. 2 April 1949, Lewisham, Kent) was living in Ascot, Berkshire at the time and had previously worked with Maidenhead band, The John Thomas Blues Band, which included lead guitarist Graham Marshall and drummer Chris Stevens.
The John Thomas Blues Band landed loads of support gigs opening for the likes of The Pretty Things, The Gun and Aynsley Dunbar’s Retaliation and had even spent a brief period backing American blues singer/pianist Champion Jack Dupree. The John Thomas Blues Band appeared at the Crown pub in Twickenham on 11 January 1969. Clayden finds out about the position in The Kool through Jim Park whose parents worked with his.
Sir Robert Peel, photo taken September 2011
The Kool, however, were nearing their end and during a run of shows at the Sir Robert Peel in Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, longstanding front man Jeff Curtis quit the band and was replaced by singer Roger Semon, who’d previously fronted The In-Sekt Ltd and Coconut Ice.
Not long after newcomer Jim Park also departed and subsequently re-joined The All Night Workers. Alan Cottrell took his place on the drum stool.
After leaving the band he had led for nearly a decade, Jeff Curtis reverted to his real name, David Myers, and set up his own restaurant business. He died in tragic circumstances in the late 1990s.
Notable gigs:
19-20 July 1969 – Sir Robert Peel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
7 August 1969 – Sir Robert Peel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
9 August 1969 – Hog’s Back Hotel, Seale, near Farnham, Surrey
12 August 1969 – Sir Robert Peel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
The Kool, December 1970, from left: Brian Hosking, Alan Cottrell, Roger Semon, Dave Carol and (not pictured) Ronnie Clayden Photo courtesy of Brian Hosking
The Kool #6 (September 1969-December 1970)
Roger Semon – vocals Dave Carol – lead guitar, vocals Ronnie Clayden – keyboards, vocals Brian Hosking – bass Alan Cottrell – drums
Despite losing their longstanding frontman, The Kool continued into 1970 but did not record any more material. In early 1971, Hosking and Clayden both left.
Hosking later moved to the Guildford area where he worked with the band Bloodhound. Based on Bournemouth, he is currently working with a reformed version of The All Night Workers. Clayden, meanwhile, subsequently moved to the Camberley/Ascot area on the Surrey/Berkshire border and worked with the band, Snow Leopard. He later moved to the United States where he currently resides.
After bringing back Hosking’s predecessor Ray Brown from Magic Roundabout and carrying on without a keyboard player, the final line up continued as Easy Virtue throughout 1971. During that year, John Frost took over the drum stool from Alan Cottrell.
In 1972, Carol left and was replaced by lead guitarist Frank Torpey, who’d been in the original Sweet. The band then changed name to Crackers. However, in 1973, John Frost left to re-join Carol in a new version of Easy Virtue, which lasted into the mid-1970s. Carol subsequently left the music business and currently runs his own restaurant business in Southwest London.
Ray Brown meanwhile stayed in the music business until the mid-1980s. Crackers were studio winners on Opportunity Knocks in 1976 and recorded material at Abbey Road and Surrey Sound Studios. Three tracks featuring Roger Semon, Ray Brown and Frank Torpey were released under the name Horrorcomic on Lighting Records in 1977 and reached #28 in Melody Maker’s punk charts.
Two further singles were released in 1978 and 1979 with Roger Willis from Capability Brown on drums. All of the single releases, plus six previously unreleased recordings were issued in 2006 by Sanctuary Records on the CD England 77’. Brown later worked with comedy show group The Wallies and The Beasty Grandads before retiring from the music business in September 1988. He currently lives in Surrey.
Notable gigs:
10 September 1969 – Sir Robert Peel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
17 September 1969 – Sir Robert Peel, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
27 September 1969 – Kingston College of Technology, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey with Bobby Kerr Whoopee Band and The Webb
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
5 December 1969 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
22 December 1969 – Chessington Youth Club, Chessington, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
27 December 1969 – Kingston Rowing Club, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
20 February 1970 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
7 March 1970 – Kingston Rowing Club, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey
21 March 1970 – Hook Youth Club, Hook, Surrey
4 April 1970 – Claygate Village Hall, Claygate, Surrey
17 April 1970 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
24 April 1970 – Hook Youth Club, Hook, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
22 May 1970 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
17 July 1970 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
4 September 1970 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
Photo: Kingston & Malden Borough News
23 October 1970 – Excel Bowl, Tolworth, Surrey
A huge thanks goes to Dave Carol, Pete Burt, Brian Hosking, Geoff Coxon, Ronnie Clayden, Ray Brown, Rod Wharton and John Frost. The Kingston and Malden Borough News also proved useful. Many thanks to Brian Hosking, Ray Brown and Ronnie Clayden for providing some of the images. This is dedicated to Pete Burt.
45 releases:
Look at Me, Look at Me/Room at the Top (CBS 203003) 1967 Step Out of Your Mind/Funny (What a Fool a Can Be) (CBS 2865) April 18, 1969 Lovin’/Baby’s Out of Reach (MCA MU 1085) 1969
I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com
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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