I found this great sleeve featuring the Invaders on JCP records. Unfortunately I don’t have the 45 yet, and it’s an excellent one.
The Invaders came from Asheboro, North Carolina, a town just south of Greensboro. By the time of their 45 release in 1965 they were older and more experienced than most garage bands, having come together in high school as early as 1958.
Tom Abernathy – lead vocals, piano, organ, trumpet Joe Abernathy – vocals and bass James Bridgeman – lead guitar Bryan Pugh – drums
The Invaders went to the JCP Studio in Raleigh to record this single. “(You Really) Tear Me Up” was a group composition, while “Workin’ For Your Love” is credited only to Abernathy, not specifying Tom or Joe. Both sides published by Aimee Music Co. BMI. The single came out on JCP 1027 in September, 1965.
There are supposed to be other singles and a couple dozen unreleased tracks by the band, many of which were recorded at JCP, but I haven’t heard those yet. The group often played at the Red Barn in Southern Pines. I’ve also read Tom Abernathy has passed away.
This band is not the same Invaders who recorded the LP On the Right Track on Justice Records, that group was from Charlottesville, VA.
June 1969 listing at Revolution. Image from Don Powell’s website (see link below).
The Revolution Club was a popular rock venue in Bruton Place, Mayfair, central London that opened around January 1968. Yes were regulars and other notable outfits like Deep Purple also played there.
Jim Carter-Fea who managed Blaises and the Speakeasy also managed the Revolution.
I have started to compile a list of artists that performed there but would welcome any additions/corrections and photos.
1968
Melody Maker’s 27 January issue notes that Blues Train, The Downliners Sect, Monopoly and The Web were set to appear at the Revolution.
I think also Linda Lewis and Junior Kerr’s band White Rabbit may have played in February 1968.
Bass player Mo Umansky says his band Mr Mo’s Messengers played here too, most likely in 1968.
18 January (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
19 January (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
20 January (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
22 January (Monday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
25 January (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
26 January (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
17 April (Wednesday) – Delroy Williams (with The Sugar Band) (Melody Maker)
23 April (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
24 April (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Drummer Keith Guster says that the group rehearsed at the venue over three days ahead of its performance at the Montreux Festival in Switzerland on 27 April.
25 April (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
According to Keith Guster this was the second day that The Fleur De Lys rehearsed at the Revolution before the Swiss festival.
26 April (Friday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
According to Keith Guster this was the third day that The Fleur De Lys rehearsed at the Revolution before heading to Switzerland for the Montreux festival on 27 April.
27 April (Saturday) – Ike & Tina Turner (Melody Maker)
22 May (Wednesday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
18 June (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
19 June (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
24 June (Monday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
25 June (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
26 June (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Keith Guster says that The Web played this night after his group had rehearsed at the Revolution.
27 June (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
28 June (Friday) – Circus (Melody Maker)
11 July (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
12 July (Friday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
17 July (Wednesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
New Musical Express’ 3 August issue has a large spread on the club and notes that Ike & Tina Turner, Tim Rose and Eric Burdon & The New Animals had appeared recently. The music magazine says that Ben E King and O C Smith will appear soon.
New Musical Express adds that the club is open from Monday to Saturday every week. It notes that John L Watson & The Web, Terry Reid Fantasia and John Drevars’ Expression play regularly at the Revolution. When its reporters attended (presumably in late July), Pattie LaBelle & The Bluebells were performing.
8 August (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
14 August (Wednesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
16 August (Friday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
5 September (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
New Musical Express has Canned Heat performing on 5 September.
9 September (Monday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
24 September (Tuesday) – Glass Menagerie (Melody Maker, Time Out and Fabulous 208)
New Musical Express lists Sly & The Family Stone for 24 September but it is doubtful this happened.
25 September (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
30 September (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
14 October (Monday) – Yes (Melody Maker)
15 October (Tuesday) – Julie Driscoll & The Brian Auger Trinity (New Musical Express)
17 October (Thursday) – The Grateful Dead (New Musical Express)
22 October (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
23 October (Wednesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
29 October (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
According to guitarist Peter Mizen, in an interview with Stefan Grandos, The Majority played at the Revolution shortly after he joined in October 1968.
Please note: this listing is not definitely November 1968 but a few of the dates e.g. Shy Limbs and Muddy Waters tally with below
1 November (Friday) – The Shy Limbs (Melody Maker)
12 November (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
13 November (Wednesday) – Yes (Melody Maker)
19 November (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
25 November (Monday) – Yes (Melody Maker)
27 November (Wednesday) – Muddy Waters (Time Out)
30 November (Saturday) – The Idle Race (Time Out)
10 December (Tuesday) – The Isley Brothers with Art Regis & Brass Cannon (New Musical Express)
The Isley Brothers’ gig was cancelled at the last minute. It sounds like the entire tour may have been cancelled.
3 June (Tuesday) – The Marbles and The Majority (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
4 June (Wednesday) – Root and Jenny Jackson (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
5 June (Thursday) – Interstate Road Show (Melody Maker and gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
6 June (Friday) – The Flames (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
7 June (Saturday) – Arcadium (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
9 June (Monday) – King Crimson (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
10 June (Tuesday) – Three Dog Night and The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
11 June (Wednesday) – Jo Jo Gunn (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
This was the original, UK Jo Jo Gunne, formed in Feltham in late 1965. Although advertised, the band didn’t appear as they were part through a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas.
12 June (Thursday) – The Ohio Express (Melody Maker)
The Majority may also have played on 12 June.
13 June (Friday) – Circus (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
16 June (Monday) – Samson (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
17 June (Tuesday) – Chris Barber (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
18 June (Wednesday) – Terry Reid (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
19 June (Thursday) – The Wallace Collection (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website and Time Out)
20 June (Friday) – Sk’boo (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
21 June (Saturday) – Heaven (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
23 June (Monday) – The Springfield Park (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
24 June (Tuesday) – The Web (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
25 June (Wednesday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
26 June (Thursday) – Sarolta (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
27 June (Friday) – The Flames (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
This is the South African band that recorded as The Flame (see below).
28 June (Saturday) – Deep Purple (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website and Time Out)
30 June (Monday) – The Majority (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
2 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
3 July (Thursday) – Jo Jo Gunne (possibly Melody Maker)
Although advertised, the band didn’t appear as they were part through a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas.
4 July (Friday) – Arrival (possibly Melody Maker)
5 July (Saturday) – Cressida (possibly Melody Maker)
7 July (Monday) – Babylon (possibly Melody Maker)
8 July (Tuesday) – Samson (possibly Melody Maker)
9 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
10 July (Thursday) – The New York Public Library (possibly Melody Maker)
14 July (Monday) – Spirit of John Morgan (possibly Melody Maker)
16 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
17 July (Thursday) – The Web (possibly Melody Maker)
19 July (Saturday) – Phase of Reality (possibly Melody Maker)
21 July (Monday) – Velvet Opera (possibly Melody Maker)
23 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
24 July (Thursday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (needs source)
25 July (Friday) – Circus (Time Out)
28 July (Monday) – Entire Sioux Nation (possibly Melody Maker)
30 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
31 July (Thursday) – Audience (possibly Melody Maker)
13 August (Wednesday) – Deep Purple (Melody Maker)
18 August (Monday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Melody Maker and Time Out)
20 August (Wednesday) – Deep Purple (Time Out)
Melody Maker lists Marsha Hunt & White Trash on 20 August so perhaps Deep Purple didn’t play as billed for the previous Wednesday.
22 August (Friday) – Audience (Melody Maker)
26 August (Tuesday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
27 August (Wednesday) – The Wallace Collection (Melody Maker)
28 August (Thursday) – Barclay James Harvest (Time Out)
30 August (Saturday) – Freedom (Time Out)
2 September (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
4 September (Tuesday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)
7 October (Tuesday) – Ruby James (Time Out)
14 October (Tuesday) – Terry Reid (Time Out)
16 October (Thursday) – Members of Hair cast (Time Out)
17 October (Friday) – Lee Dorsey (Time Out)
23 October (Thursday) – Renaissance (Time Out)
24 October (Friday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)
25 October (Saturday) – Pink Cheeks (Time Out)
27 October (Monday) – Poet & The One Man Band (Time Out)
28 October (Tuesday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
30 October (Thursday) – Rada Krishna Temple (Time Out)
31 October (Friday) – Audience (Time Out)
4 November (Tuesday) – Delaney & Bonnie (Time Out)
12 November (Wednesday) – Fat Mattress (John Warburg’s research)
13 November (Thursday) – Skin Alley (possibly Melody Maker)
20 November (Thursday) – Gene Vincent (John Warburg’s research)
22 November (Saturday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
27 November (Thursday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Melody Maker and Time Out)
2 December (Tuesday) – Chicago Transit Authority (Time Out)
4 December (Thursday) – Billy Preston and Timebox (Time Out)
5 December (Friday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
8 December (Monday) – Gary Hamilton (Time Out)
Former lead singer with Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement and part of the Hair cast.
9 December (Tuesday) – The Liverpool Scene (Time Out)
16 December (Tuesday) – Hawkwind (Melody Maker)
Time Out has Skin Alley on 16 December.
18 December (Thursday) – The Box Tops (Time Out)
The Box Tops’ UK tour may have been cancelled.
20 December (Saturday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
22 December (Monday) – Linda Kendricks (Time Out)
23 December (Tuesday) – Pavement (Time Out)
26 December (Friday) – Murray Head and Salt & Pepper (Time Out)
29 December (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Time Out)
1970
15 January (Thursday) – Kenny Rogers & The First Edition (Melody Maker)
22 January (Thursday) – The Web (Time Out)
24 January (Saturday) – Cressida (Time Out)
27 January (Tuesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
28 January (Wednesday) – Marsha Hunt (Time Out)
10 February (Tuesday) – The Rainbow People (Time Out)
17 February (Tuesday) – Cressida (Time Out)
19 February (Thursday) – Freddy King (Melody Maker)
20 February (Friday) – Skin Alley (Melody Maker)
25 February (Wednesday) – Genesis (Melody Maker and Time Out)
5 March (Thursday) – The Graham Bond Initiation (Melody Maker)
24 March (Tuesday) – The Wild Angels (Time Out)
25 March (Wednesday) – The Shy Limbs (Time Out)
26 March (Thursday) – Heavy Jelly (Time Out)
27 March (Friday) – Freedom (Time Out)
28 March (Saturday) – The New Arrivals (Time Out)
30 March (Monday) – Rada Krishna Temple (Time Out)
14 May (Thursday) – Lord Sutch (Time Out)
18 June (Thursday) – Terry Reid (Time Out)
24 June (Wednesday) – Mirrors (Melody Maker)
26 June (Friday) – Black Velvet (Time Out)
29 July (Wednesday) – Crazy Mabel (Time Out)
8 August (Saturday) – Flare (Time Out)
10 August (Monday) – Kingdom (Time Out)
12 August (Wednesday) – Paladin (Time Out)
14 August (Friday) – Osibisa (Time Out)
15 August (Saturday) – Cressida (Time Out)
17 August (Monday) – Deep Joy (Time Out)
18 August (Tuesday) – Crazy Mabel (Time Out)
19 August (Wednesday) – Mirrors (Time Out)
20 August (Thursday) – Terry Reid (Time Out)
21 August (Friday) – Anno Domini (Time Out)
25 August (Tuesday) – Elton John (Time Out)
27 August (Thursday) – Anno Domini (Time Out)
29 August (Saturday) – Mirrors (Time Out)
4 September (Friday) – Cressida (Melody Maker)
5 September (Saturday) – Deep Joy (Time Out)
19 September (Saturday) – Osibisa (Time Out)
13 October (Tuesday) – Kiss (Melody Maker)
28 November (Saturday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)
This was the South African band, The Flames (see above)
Blaises was located in the basement of the Imperial Hotel at 121 Queen’s Gate in Kensington, west London, SW7 (now demolished) and was a magnet for musicians, agents, managers and writers.
Jim Carter-Fea, who later managed the Speakeasy and Revolution, was involved with the club.
The Byrds played here on their debut UK tour in 1965 and many top acts of the day performed on the stage in the mid-late 1960s, most notably Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Yes, to name just a few.
Blaises wasn’t consistently advertised in the music papers throughout the 1960s so it’s been difficult to find gigs.
The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue and posters of advertised gigs as well as band photos (all credited accordingly).
Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at Blaises during 1965-1966:
James Nairn (aka James Royal) says that his groups James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set played at Blaises; the former during 1965-1966 and the latter from 1966-1968.
Drummer/singer Tony Richard says that his band The Fetish Crowd performed at the club during the 1965-1966 period.
1965
6 August 1965 (Thursday) – The Byrds (Record Mirror)
London Life magazine’s 30 October to 5 November 1965 issue notes that there is a live group changing weekly.
1966
London Life magazine notes in its 8-14 January 1966 issue that there is a different live group every night at the club. This is the same for every issue until the final London Life magazine issue is published on 31 December 1966.
4 February 1966 (Friday) – John Lee Hooker (Melody Maker)
24 March 1966 (Thursday) – Wilson Pickett (backed by The Statesiders) (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
6 April 1966 (Wednesday) – Martha & The Vandellas (Melody Maker)
10 May 1966 (Tuesday) – John Lee Hooker (Record Mirror)
Julian Covey & The Machine were probably Hooker’s backing band as they provided support for the blues legends on a tour this month.
Keyboardist Stan Marut, who left just before the tour, says his place was taken by Dave Greenslade, who then joined Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds.
30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
3 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Creation (Fabulous 208 and London Life magazine)
22 August 1966 (Monday) – The Artwoods (needs confirmation)
8 September 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (they became Tomorrow in early 1967) (Fabulous 208 and Marmalade Skies website).
9 September 1966 (Friday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
23 September 1966 (Friday) – The Knack (London Life magazine)
Paul Gurvitz went on to The Gun while Graham Clay joined The New York Public Library (see below). Brian Parrish went on to Badger.
27 September 1966 (Tuesday) – She Trinity (Fabulous 208 and London Life magazine)
29 September 1966 (Thursday) – The Brian Auger & The Trinity (Melody Maker)
This is the date that Jimi Hendrix sat in with The Brian Auger Trinity.
According to the Hendrix website (and Vic Briggs and Kathy Etchingham’s recollections), The Brian Auger Trinity had played at the Scotch of St James the previous night where the waiter told Trinity guitarist Vic Briggs about an amazing black guitarist who had sat in with The VIPs the night before (27 September).
Chas Chandler and Hendrix walked in shortly afterwards and were introduced to the band who were playing a warm-up gig without singer Julie Driscoll. Brian Auger let Hendrix jam with the group and, impressed, invited the American guitarist to sit in at Blaises the following night.
On 29 September, Chandler and Hendrix arrived at Blaises after drinking at the Kilt Club where they met French singer Johnny Halliday. Auger introduced Hendrix to the crowd for a jam after the interval.
London Life has Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers for this date but it is possible that this was actually Friday, 30 September after a show at the California Ballroom in Dunstable.
3 October 1966 (Monday) – Robert Parker (Melody Maker)
4 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (Fabulous 208)
Future Deep Purple keyboard player Jon Lord was a member of The Artwoods.
5 October 1966 (Wednesday) – Robert Parker and Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
11 October 1966 (Tuesday) – Garnet Mimms (Fabulous 208)
12 October 1966 (Wednesday) – Ike & Tina Turner (London Life magazine)
29 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Hush (London Life magazine)
Keith Fairhurst, singer with The Chosen Few, says the band played this venue about six times after moving down from Manchester and changing their name to The Hush. They also frequented the club on other occasions and he was there on 29 September when Jimi Hendrix sat in with The Brian Auger Trinity (see above).
Fairhurst adds that Blaises was only a small club and was an exclusive venue, which meant that normal club goers that frequented many of the other London clubs would not have attended; it was too expensive and licensed. Management insisted that they set up by 9pm and they never started before 9.30pm.
8 November 1966 (Tuesday) – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (Melody Maker)
9 November 1966 (Wednesday) – Jerry Lee Lewis (Melody Maker)
17 November 1966 (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Tatler)
21 November 1966 (Monday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
22 November 1966 (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Tatler)
30 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Young Rascals (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
Melody Maker also has The Brian Auger Trinity on 30 November (see advert above). The two bands probably used the same equipment.
Guitarist Vic Briggs, who had moved on to join Eric Burdon’s New Animals by this point, says that all of the “in-clubs” were so small that you had to get your gear in before people arrived and wait until they left to move out. Also, they could not afford to pay more than one band per night. There may have been exceptions but that was the general rule.
1 December 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (became Tomorrow) (London Life magazine) Nick Simper’s website has Bobby Hebb playing from 11.30pm
8 December 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (became Tomorrow) (London Life magazine)
13 December 1966 (Tuesday) – The Farinas (became Family) (Record Mirror)
14 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Little Richard (John Warburg’s research)
20 December 1966 (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (needs confirmation)
21 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)
30 December 1966 (Friday) – Deep Feeling (Melody Maker)
Deep Feeling featured future members of Traffic, Family and Spooky Tooth
1967
Jim Cregan, guitarist with Blossom Toes, says his band played at the club during 1967.
Chris Hunt, drummer with The Good Time Losers, says that his group performed at Blaises during 1967.
Mick Ketley, keyboard player with Bognor Regis version of The Motivation which became The Penny Peep Show in September 1967, says that his group played at Blaises which would have been after May 1967.
Pete Cole, bass player with The Trend, says that he played the venue. The most likely time frame is after September 1967 and may have been when the group backed visiting US soul acts.
Jim Carter-Fae, who managed the club, took over the management of Hull band, The Majority and the group played this venue during 1967.
7 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Knack (Melody Maker)
Paul Gurvitz went on to The Gun while Graham Clay joined The New York Public Library (see below). Brian Parrish went on to Badger.
13 January 1967 (Friday) – The Savoy Brown Blues Band (Melody Maker)
17 January 1967 (Tuesday) – Family (Melody Maker)
18 January 1967 (Wednesday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208 – needs confirmation)
Still from the film The Sorcerers showing a band playing live (in January 1967 or earlier). Poster on the wall lists Inez & Charlie Foxx. Thanks to Christopher Matheson for providing
25 January 1967 (Wednesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (Poster on wall in film the Sorcerers)
26 January 1967 (Thursday) – Jimmy McGriff (Disc & Music Echo)
According to Flashback magazine, Keith West and Steve Howe’s band The In Crowd were residents at Blaises around late January/early February and soon changed name to Tomorrow.
8 February 1967 (Wednesday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Disc & Music Echo)
The Q-Set will link up with Ronnie Jones after its tour with Maxine Brown.
Disc & Music Echo’s 11 February issue notes that Ike & Tina Turner had played at the club recently.
14 February 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Fabulous 208)
According to Melody Maker in April 1967, Herbie Goins had a regular Tuesday night residency at Blaises so there may be more Tuesday dates between this one and the one below that they played. Future Bob Marley guitarist Junior Marvin was the keyboard player with the band at this time when he used the stage name Junior Kerr.
23 February 1967 (Thursday) – Chuck Berry (backed by The Canadians) (Melody Maker)
The Canadians’ keyboard player was future record producer and music executive David Foster.
28 February 1967 (Tuesday) – Pink Floyd and The Majority (Melody Maker)
If both bands indeed played on this evening, it would have been one of the rare occasions when more than one group played.
7 March 1967 (Tuesday) – Keith (Disc & Music Echo and Melody Maker)
18 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Hush (Melody Maker)
Singer Keith Fairhurst says that on one occasion when The Hush played Blaises on a Saturday night, a Canadian television crew filmed them but he’s never seen the footage.
Still from the film The Sorcerers. Thanks to Christopher Matheson for supplying. Judging by the gig poster on the wall, this performance was January 1967 or earlier.
Fairhurst adds that the inside of Blaises appears in the 1967 film The Sorcerers.
17 April 1967 (Monday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
19 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Bo Diddley (backed by The Canadians) (Melody Maker)
David Foster was the keyboard player in The Canadians (see above).
1 May 1967 (Monday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
9 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers with The Satin Dolls (Melody Maker)
Future Bob Marley guitarist Junior Marvin was the group’s keyboard player at this time (see above).
11 May 1967 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins and Jack Hammer & His Hammer Jammers (Melody Maker)
Future Sweet producer Phil Wainman was the drummer with The Hammer Jammers. If both bands played, this would have been one of the rare occasions when two groups performed.
16 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers and The Web (Melody Maker)
If both bands played, this would have been one of the rare occasions when two groups performed.
23 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)
30 May 1967 (Tuesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
Record Mirror says Herbie Goins’ band has a Tuesday residency so may have shared the bill. They may also have continued to play more Tuesday nights as they appear again below on 12 September.
5 June 1967 (Monday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
8 June 1967 (Thursday) – The Turtles (Disc & Music Echo, Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
14 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The Cliffons (needs source)
20 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Coloured Raisins, King Ossie, Honey Darling and Earl Green (Melody Maker)
25 June 1967 (Sunday) – Jose Feliciano (Melody Maker)
6 July 1967 (Thursday) – Jefferson Airplane (cancelled) (needs source)
7 July 1967 (Friday) – Denny Laine’s Electric String Band (Disc & Music Echo and Fabulous 208)
14 July 1967 (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Fabulous 208)
25 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Amen Corner (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
1 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Donnie Elbert (Melody Maker)
16 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Ten Years After (Fabulous 208)
18 August 1967 (Friday) – Granny’s Intentions (needs source)
26 August 1967 (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
6 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
12 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)
14 September 1967 (Thursday) – Big Maybelle & The Majority (Melody Maker)
20 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
26 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Ten Years After (Fabulous 208)
4 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
5 October 1967 (Thursday) – Vanilla Fudge (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo has this gig down for 8 October, not 5 October.
18 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
19 October 1967 (Thursday) – Freddie King (Melody Maker)
23 October 1967 (Monday) – Vanilla Fudge (Disc & Music Echo)
24 October 1967 (Tuesday) – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
2 November 1967 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
3 November 1967 (Friday) – Deuce Coup (Melody Maker)
4 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Mike Stuart Span (Melody Maker)
6 November 1967 (Monday) – The Majority (Melody Maker)
7 November 1967 (Tuesday) – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
8 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Ten Years After (Melody Maker)
9 November 1967 (Thursday) – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)
10 November 1967 (Friday) – The Maze (Melody Maker)
11 November 1967 (Saturday) – Dr K’s Blues Band (Melody Maker)
14 November 1967 (Tuesday) – The Downliners Sect (Melody Maker)
25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
28 November 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas and Chris Clark (Melody Maker)
1 December 1967 (Friday) – Gladys Knight & The Pips (Melody Maker)
12 December 1967 (Tuesday) – The Vibrations (Melody Maker)
14 December 1967 (Thursday) – Eddie Floyd (Melody Maker)
31 December 1967 (Sunday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
1968
Guitarist Paul Brett says that he played this venue during 1968, which would have been with Tintern Abbey.
4 January 1968 (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
20 January 1968 (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
30 March 1968 (Saturday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
3 April 1968 (Wednesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
5 April 1968 (Friday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
24 April 1968 (Wednesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
30 April 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
Melody Maker’s 4 May issue notes that a fire gutted the Speakeasy on Saturday night (27 April), causing £20,000 worth of damage. Roy Flynn, co-owner, said that the club couldn’t reopen for about three months (it ended up being mid-December) and that gigs would be transferred to Blaises and billed as ‘Speakeasy at Blaises’. These are noted below.
Ike & Tina Turner were billed to play on Sunday, 28 April and Bill Haley & The Comets on 30 April. These may have been cancelled or transferred to Blaises. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any further details.
1 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Bobby Goldsboro (Melody Maker)
This was billed to take place at the Speakeasy and may have been transferred to Blaises or alternatively cancelled.
5 May 1968 (Sunday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (Melody Maker)
Captain Beefheart was originally billed for the Speakeasy so most likely it was transferred to Blaises as the dates match.
8 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
13 May 1968 (Monday) – The Byrds (Melody Maker)
This was originally billed for the Speakeasy so most likely it was transferred to Blaises.
23 July 1968 – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
Paul Griggs notes in his diary that Jimi Hendrix and Eric Burdon were in attendance that night. This was a 1 am show so probably early hours of 24 July.
28 July 1968 (Sunday) – Terry Reid & The Fantasy (Melody Maker)
17 August 1968 (Saturday) – Juniors Eyes (Melody Maker)
20 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
21 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Free (Alessandro Borri research – see comments section below)
27 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Jethro Tull (Greg Russo’s research)
Huge thanks to Paul Kane for supplying this
1 September 1968 (Sunday) – Mickey Finn (Poster from Paul Kane)
2 September 1968 (Monday) –July (Poster from Paul Kane)
3 September 1968 (Tuesday) – The Village (Poster from Paul Kane)
4 September 1968 (Wednesday) – East of Eden (Poster from Paul Kane)
5 September 1968 (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Poster from Paul Kane)
6 September 1968 (Friday) – Juniors Eyes (Poster from Paul Kane)
7 September 1968 (Saturday) – London (Poster from Paul Kane)
According to Melody Maker and New Musical Express, Sly & The Family Stone were billed to play Blaises on 15 September. Apparently, they didn’t show and Roy Flynn asked The Nice’s manager Tony Stratton-Smith for help and he recommended Yes. Poster confirms Sly & The Family Stone were originally due to play
20 February 1969 (Thursday) – Majority Sun (Hounslow Post)
23 February 1969 (Sunday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
24 February 1969 (Monday) – Pendulum (Hounslow Post)
25 February 1969 (Tuesday) – Cymbaline (Hounslow Post)
26 February 1969 (Wednesday) – The New York Public Library (Hounslow Post)
2 March 1969 (Sunday) – Affinity (Kensington Post)
4 March 1969 (Tuesday) – Sarolta (Kensington Post)
5 March 1969 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Kensington Post)
9 March 1969 (Sunday) – Terry Reid (Melody Maker)
11 March 1969 (Tuesday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
12 March 1969 (Wednesday) – The Web (Marylebone Mercury)
16 March 1969 (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Hounslow Post)
17 March 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)
In an interview with Stefan Granados for Shindig magazine, guitarist Pete Mizen says that The Majority were playing here when they were approached to move to France and record with the Pink Elephant label.
18 March 1969 (Tuesday) – The New York Public Library (Hounslow Post)
19 March 1969 (Wednesday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)
23 March 1969 (Sunday) – Marv Johnson (Hounslow Post)
24 March 1969 (Monday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
25 March 1969 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Hounslow Post)
28 March 1969 (Friday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)
29 March 1969 (Saturday) – Trifle (Hounslow Post)
30 March 1969 (Sunday) – Joynt (Kensington Post)
31 March 1969 (Monday) – The Flames (Hounslow Post)
4 April 1969 (Friday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
6 April 1969 (Sunday) – Explosive (Watson T Browne?) (Hounslow Post)
7 April 1969 (Monday) – Circus (Hounslow Post)
9 April 1969 (Wednesday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)
10 April 1969 (Thursday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
12 April 1969 (Saturday) – Black Velvet (Hounslow Post)
13 April 1969 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Hounslow Post)
14 April 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)
18 April 1969 (Friday) – Springfield Park (Hounslow Post)
19 April 1969 (Saturday) – Pure Gold (Hounslow Post)
20 April 1969 (Sunday) – The Flames (Hounslow Post)
21 April 1969 (Monday) – Jerome Arnold (Hounslow Post)
22 April 1969 (Tuesday) – The Web (Hounslow Post)
26 April 1969 (Saturday) – Village (Time Out)
28 April 1969 (Monday) – Village (Time Out)
4 May 1969 (Sunday) – King Crimson (Hounslow Post)
5 May 1969 (Monday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
6 May 1969 (Tuesday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)
8 May 1969 (Thursday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
9 May 1969 (Friday) – The Shades (Melody Maker)
10 May 1969 (Sunday) – Bob & Earl (Marylebone Mercury)
11 May 1969 (Sunday) – Black Velvet (Marylebone Mercury)
19 May 1969 (Monday) – Jerome Arnold (Time Out)
20 May 1969 (Tuesday) – The Majority (Time Out)
21 May 1969 (Wednesday) – The Milwaukee Coasters (Time Out)
22 May 1969 (Thursday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
24 May 1969 (Saturday) – Belle Sebastian (Hounslow Post)
25 May 1969 (Sunday) – The Gods (Hounslow Post and Time Out)
26 May 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post and Time Out)
10 July 1969 (Thursday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Hounslow Post)
Although advertised, Jo Jo Gunne may not have appeared as they returned from a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas in early-to-mid July.
11 July 1969 (Friday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)
The Bag O’ Nails was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find confirmed gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions/corrections plus any posters of advertised gigs and photos of bands who appeared there (all credited accordingly).
1966
Opened in 1965, co-owners John Gunnell and Laurie Leslie launched the Bag O’ Nails as an upmarket, members-only, late night club during November 1966. Tony Knight’s Chessmen played on the opening night.
Colin Richardson, who joined the Rik Gunnell Agency in September 1966 and remained until December 1967, says his main job was to book Rik Gunnell Agency bands and in terms of the Bag O’ Nails, his role was probably to fill the ‘open’ dates with lesser known bands while the ‘name’ artists were booked by John or his brother Rik.
Colin says that, like the Cromwellian, Sibylla’s and the Speakeasy, the Bag O’ Nails had an extended licence to serve alcohol which required that food had to be made available to customers.
Like these other exclusive late night clubs, the Bag O’ Nails differed from rock venues like the Marquee and 100 Club in that punters generally didn’t go to see the band playing; the music was almost incidental. It was more a place to ‘hang out’ and to mix with media and music biz people and maybe spy the occasional rock star or celeb.
Colin states that when he took over bookings at the Bag O’ Nails, he usually put on a different band every night, though occasionally there could be runs of two or more nights. As noted above, the idea was to give the lesser known bands exposure to the influential audiences that frequented the club.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede’s manager Ken Baxter (who is no longer with us) kept a note of bookings and Douglas’ group had a residency at the club from 21 November to 4 December 1966. During this time, Jimi Hendrix sat in with the band once (possibly 25 November but see comments section at the very end).
The Jimi Hendrix Experience played its showcase gig on 25 November and many music celebrities attended the event, including Terry Reid, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and members of The Rolling Stones.
Drummer Tony Richard remembers that his band The Fetish Crowd played at the Bag O’ Nails (either in late 1966 or early 1967).
Keyboard player Tony O’Malley says that his band Malcolm Magaron & The Blueshealers played at the club during late 1966 and early 1967 before the backing musicians left Magaron to work with American singer Ronnie Jones and were billed as The Q-Set.
Steve Ellis’ website notes that the original Love Affair played at the Bag O’ Nails (either in late 1966 or early 1967).
21 November (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 November (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 November (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
25 November (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Melody Maker reports that The Jimi Hendrix Experience played on 25 November, which would have been a showcase gig. It’s possible that he stayed on to sit in with Carl Douglas’ band later that evening (Colin Richardson’s website)
26 November (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
27 November (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
28 November (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
29 November (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
30 November (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
The Stage’s 1 December issue reports that Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede have a ten-day stand but don’t say when it started.
1 December (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
2 December (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
3 December (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
4 December (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
19 December (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
Julian Covey & The Machine had a residency here which, judging by the January gig below, appeared to be on a Monday evening.
26 December (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
According to Stage magazine, Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays, Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Brian Auger Trinity played over the Christmas period.
1967
Singer James Royal says that his band The James Royal Set played at the Bag O’ Nails. This would have been 1967 and/or 1968.
Drummer Chris Hunt notes that his group The Good Time Losers played at the venue in 1967. The most likely period would have been February/March.
Drummer Dino Coccia says that he played with a Jamaican band called The Healers who worked at the Bag O’ Nails regularly throughout 1967 until June 1968 when they left for Beirut, Lebanon for a residency there.
The Healers. Photo: Dino Coccia
1 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (Glenn Martin’s recollections, needs confirmation)
Drummer Glenn Martin says that when his group Hedgehoppers Anonymous split in early-mid January, he worked with singer Kenny Bernard at the Bag O’ Nails, taking over from The Peddlers, who had a residency here (most likely on Sundays). Bernard’s group played its first show at the Bag O’ Nails on Martin’s birthday (Sunday, 22 January). However, The Peddlers decided to continue their residency and returned the following week and Bernard’s group split with Martin reforming Hedgehoppers Anonymous.
2 January (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (Fabulous 208)
8 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)
9 January (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
10 January (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
11 January (Wednesday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Fabulous 208)
15 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)
22 January (Sunday) – Kenny Bernard (Glenn Martin’s recollections – see 1 January)
29 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)
1 February (Wednesday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)
2 February (Thursday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208)
The Q-Set linked up with American singer Ronnie Jones in mid-March 1967 after he split with The Blue Jays and they played regularly at the Bag O’ Nails (see later).
7 February (Tuesday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
Phil Sawyer, the band’s lead guitarist, will join The Spencer Davis Group in April 1967.
8 February (Wednesday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
9 February (Thursday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
10 February (Friday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
According to Disc & Music Echo, the music magazine held its party at the Bag O’ Nails either on Sunday, 12 February or Sunday, 19 February and PJ Proby, Pete Townshend from The Who and Eric Clapton from Cream attended.
22 February (Wednesday) – Maxine Daniels (Fabulous 208)
25 February (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
Birmingham band, The Way of Life, featuring future Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham played at the Bag O’ Nails around late February 1967.
1 March (Wednesday) – The Real McCoy (Fabulous 208)
2 March (Thursday) – The Real McCoy (Fabulous 208)
3 March (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
4 March (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
5 March (Sunday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
6 March (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
7 March (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
8 March (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
9 March (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
10 March (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
11 March (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
12 March (Sunday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
17 April (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
18 April (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Disc & Music Echo’s 6 May issue reports that Georgie Fame, The Drifters, Zoot Money and Carl Douglas joined Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set) for a jam session in the week starting 24 April. Tom Jones and Paul McCartney attended.
27 April (Thursday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)
According to the Berkhamsted Gazette & Tring District News, Errol Daniel & JJ Sound played at the Bag O’ Nails in early May 1967.
4 May (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
8 May (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 27 May issue, Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set) played at the Bag O’ Nails in the week starting 15 May and Sandie Shaw, Chris Andrews and The Moody Blues were among the guests.
The same issue (27 May) notes that Georgie Fame, Dick Gregory, Mary Wells and Maxine Brown were recent bookings at the Bag O’ Nails.
15 May (Monday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Beatles Bible book)
Disc & Music Echo lists Georgie Fame at the venue on 15 May.
30 May (Tuesday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
31 May (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
1 June (Thursday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
3 June (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
4 June (Sunday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
5 June (Monday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
6 June (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
7 June (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
Fabulous 208 says that The Shevelles played on 7 June.
8 June (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
11 June (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
12 June (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
13 June (Tuesday) – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208)
14 June (Wednesday) – Diane Ferraz & The New Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
15 June (Thursday) – Diane Ferraz & The New Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
Melody Maker says that The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas played on 15 June.
16 June (Friday) – Felders Orioles (Fabulous 208)
Drummer John Halsey will join Timebox in August 1967
17 June (Saturday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
18 June (Sunday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
19 June (Monday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
20 June (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
21 June (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 June (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 June (Friday) – Amen Corner (Fabulous 208)
30 June (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
1 July (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
5 July (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
6 July (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
9 July (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
11 July (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
17 July (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
18 July (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
20 July (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 July (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 July (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
31 July (Monday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Disc & Music Echo)
1 August (Tuesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
This group were formerly called Diane Ferraz & The (New) Checkmates. Colin Richardson, who booked some of the artists that appeared at the Bag O’ Nails, says that he suggested Ferris Wheel as a loose pun on Diane’s surname after they had told him they wanted to change their current name as they felt it sounded dated.
6 August (Sunday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to the Reading Evening Post, 12 August, Kenny Bernard (possibly fronting Cats Pyjamas) plays around this time.
13 August (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
22 August (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
28 August (Monday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
31 August (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
2 September (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
Chicken Shack featured future Fleetwood Mac singer/pianist Christine Perfect (aka McVie).
3 September (Sunday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
8 September (Friday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
9 September (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
11 September (Monday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
14 September (Thursday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Fabulous 208)
Future Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor was with the band at this point.
18 September (Monday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
19 September (Tuesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
20 September (Wednesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
21 September (Thursday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
22 September (Friday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
23 September (Saturday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
24 September (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
25 September (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Fabulous 208 has Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames on 25 September.
6 October (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
12 October (Thursday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
16 October (Monday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
17 October (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
21 October (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 October (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 October (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
30 October (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
2 November (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
6 November (Monday) – Ben E King (Disc & Music Echo)
16 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
19 November (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 November (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
28 November – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Fabulous 208 has Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band on 28 November. John Warburg says JJ Jackson performed on this date.
30 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
6 December (Wednesday) – Long John Baldry (and Bluesology) (Disc & Music Echo)
Pianist Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) was most likely still with Bluesology at this point.
8 December (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
16 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
Colin Richardson, who worked at for the Gunnell Agency booking artists, says he came up with the Cats Pyjamas name. Most of the band had previously worked as The Loose Ends but when their two singers Alan Marshall and Bob Saker left during the summer and the musicians were linked with new singer Kenny Bernard, they decided they wanted a new name.
23 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
27 December (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
29 December (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
30 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
1968
Guitarist Paul Brett says that he played at the Bag O’ Nails, which would have been with Tintern Abbey and/or later bands.
Sax player Geoff Glover says that The All Night Workers played at the Bag O’ Nails regularly, which would have been between 1968-1971.
2 January (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
4 January (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
9 January (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
10 January (Wednesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
11 January (Thursday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
12 January (Friday) – Garnet Mimms (needs confirmation)
Some acts this month mirrored the bookings at the Cromwellian.
15 January (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
17 January (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
18 January (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 January (Friday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
21 January (Sunday) – Jimmy McGriff (Melody Maker)
23 January (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 January (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
29 January (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
Fabulous 208 lists Edwin Starr for 29 January.
1 February (Thursday) – John L Watson & The Web (needs confirmation)
Some acts this month mirrored the bookings at the Cromwellian.
5 February (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
9 February (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
10 February (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
19 February (Monday) – Robert Parker (New Musical Express)
20 February (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
According to Melbourne music magazine, Go-Set, Australian band The Groop played the Bag O’ Nails between early March and mid-April.
2 March (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
7 March (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
11 March (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
12 March (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
Melody Maker reports that Fleetwood Mac, Zoot Money and Cliff Bennett were due to play at the Bag O’ Nails around this time.
20 March (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
25 March (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 March (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
27 March (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
9 April (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
14 April (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
15 April (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 April (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Melody Maker)
9 May (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
10 May (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
13 May (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 May (Monday) – Edwin Starr & The State Express (Melody Maker)
21 May (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 May (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
It is possible that JJ Jackson may also have played on 22 May.
30 May (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
31 May (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
4 July (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
6 July (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 July (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
28 July (Sunday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
2 August (Friday) – The Penny Peep Show (needs confirmation that it happened but advertised)
The Penny Peep Show’s guitarist Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull in December 1968.
8 August (Thursday) – Happy Magazine (Fabulous 208)
11 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
12 August (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
18 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
20 August (Tuesday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
25 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
30 August (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
31 August (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
2 September (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
According to the Stroud News, Gass played at the Bag O’ Nails just before 14 September.
20 September (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
21 September (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
25 September (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
29 September (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
2 October (Wednesday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Fabulous 208)
3 October (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208 and Time Out)
4 October (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas and Selofane (Colin Pullen’s gig diary, Fabulous 208 and Time Out)
5 October (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas and Selofane (Colin Pullen’s gig diary, Fabulous 208 and Time Out)
6 October (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
9 October (Wednesday) – Cliff Bennett (Fabulous 208)
16 October (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
20 October (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
25 October (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
27 October (Sunday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
4 November (Monday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
10 December (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
17 December (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
1969
Guitarist and violinist Mike Piggott says that Gass played at the Bag O’ Nails during 1969-1970.
Topper Clay from The New York Public Library notes that his group played this venue.
7 January (Tuesday) – Cliff Bennet (Fabulous 208)
8 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
15 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
20 January (Monday) – Junior Walker & The All Stars (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
22 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
28 January (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
4 February (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
10 February (Monday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
21 February (Friday) – My Dear Watson and Ben E King (Melody Maker)
New Musical Express reports that Ben E King was backed by The Chris Shakespeare Globe Show for the February UK tour.
22 February (Saturday) – My Dear Watson (Melody Maker)
6 March (Thursday) – Freddy King (Melody Maker)
7 March (Friday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)
8 March (Saturday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)
13 March (Thursday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
14 March (Friday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)
7 April (Monday) – Girl Talk (Melody Maker)
5 May (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
14 May (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
2 July (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
9 July (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
17 July (Thursday) – Jimmy Ruffin with Sweet Blindness (Time Out)
10 August (Sunday) – James & Bobby Purify (Time Out)
15 August (Friday) – Glass Menagerie (Time Out)
18 August (Monday) – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
19 August (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Time Out)
20 August (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
Guitarist Terry Edmunds, who played with Ferris Wheel and had previously worked with Tony Knight’s Chessmen when they opened the Bag O’ Nails in late 1966, says that it was quite a period with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney attending. He also recalls American singers like Diana Ross and Wilson Pickett getting on stage with Ferris Wheel. Edmunds adds that La Valbonne across the street from the Bag O’ Nails was a place to popular nightspot.
25 August (Monday) – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
26 August (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Time Out)
27 August (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
22 September (Monday) – Prince Buster (Time Out)
Melody Maker lists The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas on 22 September.
28 October (Tuesday) – Howlin Wolf and Junco Partners (Melody Maker)
19 November (Wednesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (John Warburg research)
20 November (Thursday) – Bo Diddley (Melody Maker)
1 December (Monday) – The Ronnetts (John Warburg research)
8 December (Monday) – The Upsetters (John Warburg research)
18 December (Thursday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
19 December (Friday) – Lucas & The Soul Band (Time Out)
21 December (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
24 December (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
26 December (Friday) – The Rebel Rousers (Time Out)
27 December (Saturday) – The Eyes of Blue (Time Out)
30 December (Tuesday) – The Pavement (Time Out)
31 December (Wednesday) – The Web (Time Out)
1970
Guitarist Keith Kendall confirmed that The All Night Workers played at the Bag O’ Nails this year when he was a member.
1 January (Thursday) – The Rebel Rousers (Time Out)
5 January (Monday) – The Perishers (Time Out)
7 January (Wednesday) – Timebox (Time Out)
26 January (Monday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
24 October (Saturday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
Ted Hare’s diary doesn’t list the artist’s name on his books but drummer Geoff Coxon confirmed that this was for Calum Bryce. This is true of the other listings below.
6 November (Friday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
7 November (Saturday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
1971
14 January (Thursday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
The Johnny Thompson Quintet, from top left: Gilbert London, Kent (surname?), Duncan (surname?) in the center, Johnny Thompson, and Big Mike (surname?) in viking hat
Johnny Thompson was a guitarist, producer and song publisher with an exotic bent to his records. He released singles under two group names, Johnny Thompson & the One-Eyed Jacks and the Johnny Thompson Quintet, all released on Guitarsville except the last, on Lyra.
The first releases were by Johnny Thompson and the One-Eyed Jacks. These had a simple label design, gold background with a basic logo and “A Circa Release”. “Soul Chant” actually had a release in the UK on Ember EMBS 206 with a picture sleeve.
Johnny seemed to like bizarre vocals referencing the supernatural, as his cut “The Sorcerer” demonstrates:
There were three 45s with the One-Eyed Jacks:
Guitarsville G-2121: “Soul Chant” (J. Thompson) / “For Us There’ll Be No Tomorrow” (G-1755) Guitarsville G-2122: “Battle of Jerico ’65” / “I Feel Like A Saturday Night” Guitarsville G-102: “The Sorcorer” (vocal)/ “The Sorcorer” (instrumental) (label shows address as 112 N. Garfield in Monterey Park)
The Johnny Thompson Quintet is known now primarily for one song, “Color Me Columbus” an intense psychedelic track with a horror-movie vocal. The backing has congas, flute, heavy guitars, and a great overall crunching sound. Unfortunately the flip replaces the heavy vocals for a lisping parody. I would prefer an instrumental version.
Two picture sleeves show a quintet, but the only names I can associate with this group are Johnny C. Thompson and Gilbert London who are credited as songwriters on the A-sides “Color Me Columbus” and “Promise Her Anything”.
I only have first names for other members: Duncan, Kent and “Big” Mike.
The Johnny Thompson Quintet had three 45s:
Guitarsville 2125 (G-1762): “Color Me Columbus” / “Color Me Columbuth” (October 1966) Guitarsville 2126: “Promise Her Anything” (Thompson/London)/ “For Us There’ll Be No Tomorrow” (J. Thompson) (Jan. 1967) Lyra L100: “Turn Me Down” / “We’ll Make It Good” with b&w art sleeve (late ’60s)
The change in label name makes sense: Lyra L100: “Turn Me Down” / “We’ll Make It Good” is dominated by a harpsichord sound instead of guitar. With the exception of “Sorcerer”, Guitarsville singles list an address at 222 E. Garvey, Monterey Park, CA. Most of the 45s were produced by Dontom, or Don Tom as listed on other Guitarsville 45s. Publishing by Johnny Thompson Pub BMI.
Other Guitarsville releases:
Guitarsville G 2123 – The V.I.P.’s “It” / “Don’t Turn Around” Guitarsville G-2124 – Clark Brothers – “Hide Me” / “Listen Girl” (both by T.J. Kouza for Nova Pub BMI, prod. by Don Tom)
There were a couple other 45s on the Guitarsville label. Most notable is Guitarsville G 2123: the V.I.P.’s “It” / “Don’t Turn Around” which seems to be highly rated as a garage 45, though I’ve never heard it. The other is the Clark Brothers on Guitarsville 2124: “Hide Me” / “Listen Girl” (both by T.J. Kouza for Nova Pub. BMI, produced by Don Tom) (G-1760/1).
The Johnny Thompson Music shop was obviously involved in the Eastside sound of such bands as the Premiers, Thee Midniters & Cannibal & the Headhunters and continues to be involved in community music projects to this day. Thank you to Gary Myers for pointing out that connection.
Sibylla’s nightclub was situated at 9 Swallow Street in Mayfair, W1 and was opened on 23 June 1966 after a pre-opening celebration party the night before.
Beatle George Harrison was one of the investors in the nightclub, which featured up and coming bands like Family, Amen Corner and Robert Plant & The Band of Joy.
Sibylla’s was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue and posters of advertised gigs as well as band photos (all credited accordingly).
Mickey Finn circa July 1966. Photo: London Life magazine
1966
London Life magazine ran an in-depth article on Sibylla’s in its 30 July to 5 August issue (pages 26-30). At the time, The Mickey Finn were photographed playing at the club.
Future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’s Cambridge band Jokers Wild were another group to perform at the club shortly after it opened. South coast band The Bunch also played the venue (possible in late 1966 and/or during 1967).
London Life magazine’s 6-12 August 1966 issue (and subsequent issues until the magazine closed that December) notes that there is a live group performing every night.
22 August 1966 (Monday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 August 1966 (Tuesday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
25 August 1966 (Thursday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
26 August 1966 (Friday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
According to the South East London Mercury, The Coffee Set played at Sibylla’s before 16 September and The Rolling Stones were in the audience.
20 September 1966 (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Future Cressida guitarist Peter Jennings remembers playing at the club with White Rabbit (after Linda Lewis had left), which would have been September or October.
The Speakeasy club, located at 48 Margaret Street in London, was a notable music venue that opened in December 1966.
During its heyday, the club was frequented by record industry and artist agency executives who in turn brought in many bands, hoping to land a record deal.
Many notable British bands played at the club during the 1960s, including The Move, The Soft Machine, Traffic, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Pink Floyd. I’ve started a list below but would welcome any additions and any memories of the venue.
Jim Carter-Fea who managed Blaises (and later the Revolution) was also behind the Speakeasy.
29 December (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Disc & Music Echo)
1967
According to Disc & Music Echo, Roy Flynn and Mike Carey operated the club from early 1967. Apparently, the club was officially opened on 4 January.
Sometime in 1967, New Zealand/US band The New Nadir played at the club and Jimi Hendrix sat in. The band’s bass player was the late Gary Thain who went on to The Keef Hartley Band.
18 January (Wednesday) – Family (Melody Maker)
19 January (Thursday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo reported that The New Vaudeville Band attended the Speakeasy’s club party during the week starting 6 February.
14 February (Tuesday) – The Valentine’s Day Massacre party (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Roger Daltry from The Who, Jimi Hendrix and The Pretty Things attended this party.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 25 March issue, the new Track label had its launch party at the Speakeasy this week with guests including Michael Caine, Terence Stamp, Bobby Moore, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix and The Who. The website link suggests it was 16 March.
19 March (Sunday) – Dudley Moore (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that John Lennon and Paul McCartney from The Beatles, Brian Jones, Eric Burdon, The Bee Gees and The Jimi Hendrix Experience attended Amen Corner’s show. Hendrix also sat in with the band.
15 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
Procol Harum also played on this date. Disc & Music Echo’s 3 June issue reported that all four Beatles, Georgie Fame, Chris Farlowe, Cat Stevens, Eric Burdon, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry attended The Procol Harum gig. This website has more information.
29 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
The music magazine reported that Jimi Hendrix, Denny Laine, Brian Jones, Peter Asher and Terence Stamp were among those in the audience.
5 June (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
8 June (Thursday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Jimi Hendrix, Denny Laine and Eric Burdon were in the audience.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 10 June issue, Eric Burdon told stories and Brian Auger had a “happening” sometime this week.
The same issue reported that guests at the club had included The Beach Boys, The Turtles, Mary Wells, Ben E King, The Byrds and the Stax-Volt tour.
12 June (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation. Disc & Music Echo’s 10 June issue did report that they played Mondays.
14 June (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Disc & Music Echo)
This date needs confirmation but the magazine’s 17 June issue reported that Marmalade played here and John Lennon and Paul McCartney attended. The Scottish band also played at the Speakeasy on 12 July.
28 June (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Fabulous 208)
12 July (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Disc & Music Echo)
The music magazine reported its 15 July issue that John Lennon, Graham Nash, Spencer Davis, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, Gary Leeds, Eric Clapton, Georgie Fame, Keith Moon and Roger Daltry were among the guests. It’s possible, however, that this event took place on the previous Wednesday, 5 July.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 9 September issue, Alan Price, Mitch Mitchell, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Keith West were among the guests at Fairport Convention’s show.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 14 October issue, Scott McKenzie and The Mamas & The Papas went to the Speakeasy on the Friday to celebrate Mama Cass’s clearance at West London of theft charges. Most likely it was 6 October to see Eric Burdon & The Animals play but needs confirmation.
As this website notes, the band reportedly were in attendance when a jam took place – see The Electric Prunes website for more information.
According to Disc & Music Echo, sometime in the week starting 11 December, The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation played and Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix and Alan Price attended the show.
Spooky Tooth may also have played their debut show at the Speakeasy this month but this needs confirmation.
6 December (Wednesday) – The Foundations (Disc & Music Echo)
The music magazine reported that The Spencer Davis Group, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Manfred Mann and Mick Wilsher from The New Vaudeville Band were among the guests at the after party following The Foundations’ gig.
10 December (Sunday) – The Moody Blues (Disc & Music Echo)
14 December (Thursday) – Fairport Convention (Disc & Music Echo)
The magazine reported that Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix attended The Fairport Convention show.
16 January (Tuesday) – Procol Harum (New Musical Express)
27 January (Saturday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (New Musical Express)
This was probably either 26 or 28 January instead as Keith Guster confirms that his band The Fleur De Lys played this evening. His diary also notes that Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell joined the band for a 45 minute jam onstage.
4 February (Sunday) – Jimmy McGriff (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
5 February (Monday) – Jethro Tull (Greg Russo’s gig diary)
29 February (Thursday) – Sharon Tandy & The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Keith Guster confirms that The Fleur De Lys did two 15-minute sets. They then backed singer Sharon Tandy for 30 minutes; singer Donnie Elbert for 30 minutes and then both singers for 20 minutes.
19 April (Friday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
25 April (Thursday) – Ike & Tina Turner (New Musical Express)
26 April (Friday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
On Saturday, 27 April, a fire broke out and gutted the Speakeasy, according to Melody Maker’s 4 May issue. The fire caused £20,000 worth of damage. Roy Flynn, the club’s co-owner, said that the Speakeasy could not be re-opened for about three months and gigs would be transferred to Blaises and promoted as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
28 April (Sunday) – Ike & Tina Turner (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
30 April (Tuesday) – Bill Haley & The Comets (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
1 May (Wednesday) – Bobby Goldsboro (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
5 May (Sunday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (Melody Maker)
The above gig, if it happened, would have taken place at Blaises.
12 May (Sunday) – The Byrds (needs source)
The above gig, if it happened, would have taken place at Blaises – see that entry for more information (link through to this).
16 June (Sunday) – PP Arnold (with TNT) (Melody Maker)
This gig took place at Blaises and was billed as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
30 June (Sunday) – The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)
This gig took place at Blaises and was billed as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
Melody Maker’s 29 June issue (page 3) noted that the Speakeasy would reopen in September (but this was not the case).
18 July (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
See the Blaises entry for more information on this.
New Musical Express reported that Roy Flynn planned to reopen the Speakeasy on 13 December 1968.
The above gig looks like the reopening of the club after seven months’ closure.
According to the East of Eden website, the band played at the Speakeasy in December with Taj Mahal. Mahal took part in The Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus on 11 December, so it’s quite possible if the club reopened on 13 December that Mahal and East of Eden played the following day (Saturday, 14 December) but this needs confirmation.
The Commercial Appeal, Danville news clip photo, 1969, from left: Larry Abbott, Truxton Fulton and Walter Dalton Photo by Mike Mitchell
The American Band was an original music group formed in 1968. It had a short and sweet life with only one memorable gig and one demo album. This was the first original material by Truxton Fulton, the composer/musician who currently works under the pseudonym Karl Mahlmann. The focus of this article is the composer’s juvenilia, the band and the music they created while in high school almost 50 years ago.
In 1969, three teenagers who attended school together in Danville, Virginia came together to create an unusual album of original material that isn’t easy to categorize. It isn’t hard rock and is not quite psychedelic, but it was certainly different from anything playing on the radio that summer.
But The American Band’s story begins earlier, with two friends teaming up in 1968 to perform and produce original music. The band was an informal regrouping of friends who had played together on and off in different bands. The group started as a duo with Fulton on keyboards and vocals and Larry Abbott on drums. After a while they coalesced into a band with the addition of Walter Dalton on guitar. Before it was over, the American Band had become a quartet with the addition of vocalist Jeff Fiske.
1969 George Washington High School yearbook photos, from left: Larry Abbott, Truxton Fulton and Walter Dalton
The George Washington High School variety show was a yearly tradition and helped launch several groups, including the as yet unnamed American Band, which first performed at the 1968-69 assembly. Fulton and Abbott played three original songs: “The Milkman’s Wife,” “Beware of Falling Dreams” and “Look for Your Utopia in Your Backyard.” The first two would be recorded the following summer in Greensboro, after the band added a guitarist and decided upon a name.
Bassist Alan Rowe says the show was in March of 1969. He remembers the date distinctly because his band had been scheduled to perform but had to withdraw at the last minute after several members were involved in a serious car accident. Rowe recalls that the event was held in the school’s gymnasium and was a “true variety show,” including comedy routines, skits and an assortment of musical styles including a jazz set with saxophonist Allen Rippe; a soul band fronted by Rickie Fox; Pete Viccellio on piano; a drum solo performed by Lynn Finch; and a power rock trio that included guitarist Mark Aldridge, Rick Crane on bass, and future American Band guitarist Walter Dalton on drums.
But Rowe says he was most impressed by Fulton and Abbott. Not only did they play original material, but Rowe says the music and performance were exceptional and “really good.” Rowe recalls that “their music was so different from anything else that was being done. They were very accomplished and had a built-in uniqueness… just two people and they were doing their own thing and doing it well.”
The band, as a duo, also played a talent show sponsored by the Danville Rotary Club. Fulton recalls that “We had a fun time backstage while everyone was prepping. Larry and I pretended we were doing a dance routine and we just couldn’t get our steps right. We didn’t win. I think we went over the time limit. On the other hand, we may have just weirded everyone out; we were very counterculture.”
Truxton Fulton of The American Band at the Hammond
Fulton was already a veteran of the local band scene in Southside Virginia, having played in several groups, including the Stones Unturned, Radio Super Ice Cream Parlor and the Satisfactions Band and Show, a Farmville-based horn group that performed extensively and recorded two 45s for the Stag label in Greensboro, N.C. By his senior year in High School, Fulton was ready to concentrate on his own material. He explains that “from the beginning it was a little different in that it was a band for original music. We were never a cover band.” While the group performed “a couple of cover songs” live, Fulton says their purpose was to record his songs.
After graduating in 1969, Fulton took a summer job at wallboard maker U.S. Gypsum, saving $500 to finance a session in Greensboro. The group — now a trio with the addition of guitarist Walter Dalton — began rehearsing original material that would be recorded during a marathon session in mid-July.
Walter Dalton and his Rickenbacker guitar, ca. 1969.
Two years earlier, Dalton had worked with Fulton and Abbott in Radio Super Ice Cream Parlor, a cover band that featured a light show and included guitarist Bob Tamson and bassist Rick Crane. The short-lived group performed in the GW High School cafeteria, either for graduation or a homecoming dance. And while the band specialized in lesser known numbers like “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago,” Tamson and Dalton both concede that this may not have been a wise choice for the football crowd.
Dalton remained a fan of Fulton’s “amazing” talent on the organ, and says “he could really whip it out on a (Hammond) B3.” So, “when Trucky asked me if I’d be interested in working with him (on) this original material he wanted to record… I was more than willing to do it.” The band rehearsed over the summer “to the point where it went pretty smoothly” by the time the three traveled to Greensboro.
Crescent-City Sound Studios demo, recorded in Greensboro, N.C. on 7/15/69Fulton, Abbott and Dalton made the trek to Crescent City Sound Studios on July 15, 1969. Crescent City was founded by Walt Copeland, who managed the studio and doubled as chief engineer. Fulton says it seemed like a logical choice. He was familiar with the studio, having recorded there earlier with the Satisfactions.
The sessions were done in a single afternoon. The original master tapes are lost, but Dalton kept his copy of the mono acetate, which includes eight original songs written and sung by Fulton. The album is an eclectic mix of styles, incorporating rock, jazz, soul and classical music, with heavy fuzz guitar and Fulton’s Hammond organ.
The threesome provided the instrumental backing, save for a session violinist who contributed to one track. While the band provided sheet music, Fulton remembers that the violinist “never did get his part right.” At one point, Dalton stood in front of him, waving his arm on each beat. In retrospect, Fulton wishes he had erased the part because the violinist was playing out of tune.
Most of the songs were performed live-to-tape in a single take, with very little overdubbing. Fulton did overdub piano parts and his vocals. In addition to organ, he also played a Fender Rhodes bass piano, ala the Doors. The band had rehearsed the arrangements and Dalton remembers that “there were some songs that Trucky planned to do some overdubs for vocals as well as maybe other parts; I think there was one that he played a recorder on.” Dalton was excited because it was his “first and only real experience in a full fledged recording studio.” He recalls that the sessions were “pretty much straight in” and that he was only required to do overdubs on a couple of songs “and then it reached the point where we were done, meaning me and Larry, and we just left. I remember we left Trucky down there with the recording engineer.”
Walter Dalton of The American Band
His only hesitation came when Fulton brought a Vox wah-wah pedal to the studio and asked that Dalton use it on some of the songs, most notably on the coda of “Beware of Falling Dreams.” While the band may have rehearsed with it once or twice, Dalton admits it was “kind of a new toy, so I had to fool around with it a little bit, but it went pretty well.”
There were no studio jitters. The band was well rehearsed and Dalton says he was comfortable with the arrangements. He knew what he “needed to do (and) just tried to go in and concentrate and do it.” And with the studio charging “a fairly hefty rate per hour,” there was an incentive to do it right the first time.
While the album holds up well, Fulton insists the sessions were “ill-conceived, in the sense that we tried to do too much in too short a time.” While the recordings are raw and include mistakes, he remembers the sessions as fun and “a good learning experience.” The three entered the studio with a plan to use the recordings to promote the band, “either to record companies or to get some good gigs, which we did with the Steel Mill job up in Richmond.”
The trip to Greensboro was highlighted in a story — “Band to Make Album” — that appeared in the Commercial Appeal, a weekly Danville newspaper known for its liberal stance on politics.
Describing their music at the time, Fulton said their style was unique, adding: “It’s partly classical rock, but mostly rock. Kids won’t be able to dance to some of it. But I don’t think that means it isn’t good. I mean you couldn’t dance to Beethoven, and he was good.”
For the newspaper photo shoot, the band posed in Truxton’s bedroom in front of a borrowed American flag. Fulton asked the photographer whether he thought his beard would show up in the picture. Not missing a beat, the photog replied: “Oh, in about two years.” Fulton also remembers that his father was none too pleased when the band picture appeared and his son had a cigarette dangling from his lips.
A few seconds of video of the band was also filmed around this time by Gary Gaddy, a friend from high school. The silent film is in color and was shot on a Super 8 camera. It provides a glimpse of the band rehearsing “Beware of Falling Dreams” in Fulton’s home. The camera pans from Fulton’s hands at the keyboards to a shot of a sweaty Abbott pounding the drums. There are a few frames of Dalton in sunglasses playing his Rickenbacker guitar before the film runs out.
The American Band only performed once, but it was a memorable gig. Fulton was a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall of 1969 when he approached concert organizers about playing at the Free U, which Fulton describes as “a short-lived hippie thing,” offering classes with no tuition. The venue was later known as the String Factory. The American Band opened for Bruce Springsteen and his group Steel Mill, which had just changed its name from Child so as not to be confused with another group by the same name that recorded for Roulette Records.
Fulton secured the band a supporting spot on the bill, largely on the strength of the acetate. He played their demo for the manager of the Free U, Russ Clem, who listened to several songs without saying a word. After taking it all in, he looked up and remarked: “It’s so refreshing to hear some really good original music”. Clem agreed to add the American Band to the show. While Fulton had never heard of Steel Mill or Springsteen, the group played regularly in Richmond and Fulton says they “were regional stars and had a good following there.”
The Richmond psyche group Morning Disaster may have also performed that day, but Fulton says the American Band was a last-minute addition and did not make the concert poster. The bands performed in an upstairs room and the attendees sat on the floor.
The Kondors, ca. 1966. L-R: Bobby Lewis, Burt Sparks, Darryl Hawkins, Jeff Fiske, Wayne Womble.
Jeff Fiske, whose family lived behind the Fultons on Confederate Avenue, had joined the American Band by this point and handled some of the lead vocals. Fiske was older than the other band members and fronted several local groups, including the Kondors, Manchesters and City Council when lead singer Charles Hairston was unavailable.
Fiske was drafted right out of high school and served in Vietnam in 1967-68, so he was anxious to get back into the band business. He said he was impressed by the musicianship of the American Band, noting the trio was “amazingly tight considering they hadn’t played together very long.”
His audition involved singing “A Whiter Shade of Pale” to Fulton’s accompaniment on organ. Fiske doesn’t recall how it came about and says he could have heard the band jamming or he may have been recommended by Mrs. Poindexter, another neighbor who was a big fan of the Kondors.
The band’s one-off performance at the Free U caught Dalton by surprise. He was still in high school and recalls finding out “with fairly short notice that Trucky had gotten us this gig in Richmond where he was going to school.”
Nov. 20, 1969 poster promoting a Steel Mill concert in Richmond, VA. The American Band was a late addition and was not on the poster.
Dalton, Abbott and Fiske drove up to Richmond and were unloading their equipment for the sound check when Dalton was informed that he didn’t need to bring his amp, just his guitar. “So I show up with just my guitar wondering what kind of amp am I going to be playing through, but there was this nice guy who was telling me, ‘Here’s my amp, you can use it,’ and showing me a couple of tips on how we set up and everything. I only found out recently that the guy was Bruce Springsteen, which is really a big surprise for me because nobody ever gave me a clue that’s who we were playing with.”
The band opened the Richmond concert with “Beware of Falling Dreams.” Before the next number, Fulton turned to the audience and asked them to be kind because it was the group’s first performance. To his surprise, the comment was greeted with a round of applause. According to Fulton, their set was “very well received in spite of the fact that Steel Mill was much more of a mature act than we were.”
Jeff Fiske of the American Band
Fiske recalls that the place “was packed with all the audience sitting on the floor.” The crowd was “laid back, but appreciative of the band’s music.” The stage had a short walkway that extended into the audience and Fiske’s mike stand was placed on the extension. He said it “was very cool (to be) surrounded by those folks singing for them, and I thought the band sounded great that night.” While most of the attendees were waiting for the main attraction, he recalls that the American Band still “received a great response from most of them.” Fiske was wearing his Vietnam boonie on stage that night, in the midst of demonstrations against the war. At some point he realized his apparent faux pas, but if anyone objected there were no complaints.
Fulton played Steel Mill’s Hammond B3 at the concert and was impressed with the keyboard player and Springsteen, who watched the American Band in the wings and cheered them on. Steel Mill already had quite a following in the Richmond area and Fulton remembers them performing “The War is Over” and “Sweet Melinda,” along with a cover of the Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
While Steel Mill played September 19 and 20, 1969 in The Center at Richmond’s Free University, Fulton says the American Band only performed one night. Photographs were made of the concert but have been lost to time.
Poster for Alice Cooper, the Matrix and Titfield at the String Factory in Richmond on Sept. 27, 1970.
This was to be the American Band’s first — and last — performance. The group parted ways shortly thereafter. Fulton insists there was no animosity about the break-up and says the logistics of keeping a Danville-based group together were just too difficult with the leader a full-time student at VCU and the other members attending high school three hours away. Dalton concurs and says the distance separating the band made it impossible to continue, adding that “we just kind of understood that this probably was gonna be it.”
Larry Abbott of the American Band1969-70 was a year of musical growth for Fulton, who became well-integrated with the Richmond music scene. His band Matrix opened for Jethro Tull that November, playing a set of Fulton’s compositions, including the 20-minute suite, “Miscarriage.” Reviewers described Matrix as “a strangely original group” whose music was as good “as any band heard on record or off.” Some of Fulton’s cohorts from that year are still involved in projects with him today under the band name Play Innocent.
As for the other American Band members, Walter Dalton moved to the Norfolk area, where he lives today. Larry Abbott remained in Danville. Sadly, he died in 2010. Jeff Fiske continues to live and work in Danville.
I found mint copies of the first two 45s by the Dantes in company sleeves, and they were so cool I had to put scans of them up on the site with something about this quintessential mid-60s band.
Barry Hayden – lead vocals Dave Workman – lead guitar Lynn Wehr – rhythm guitar Carter Holliday – bass Joe Hinton – drums
The Dantes formed about 1964 in Columbus, Ohio suburb of Worthington. Though they drew inspiration from the Rolling Stones and covered Stones songs live and on their records, their first single displays an original and catchy style. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” begins with quick finger picking more like something from the Byrds until the opening vocals come blasting out at the listener. The rhythm section chugs along with a sound peculiar to styrene discs.
Although it made #1 on Columbus station WCOL, the single didn’t break out nationally. Song writing credits are to Harvey-Wehr for Doraflo Music BMI, arranged by lead guitarist Dave Workman.
The flip “80-96” starts out like the Yardbirds’ “I Ain’t Done Wrong” then settles into a bluesy instrumental. According to Buckeye Beat the band wanted to call this song “8-69” but Jamie insisted it was too suggestive a title. Writing credits are to Dantes-Weber. Released in March 1966 on Jamie 1314, both sides are listed as “A Sire Production for B.J.R. Productions”.
According to an article in the Mansfield News-Journal, their manager was DJ Johnny Garber, while a later article from January 1968 discusses Garber and Chuck Swisher co-managing the group.
In late September, 1966 the Dantes released their second 45, this time on the Cameo label, a cover of the Stones “Under My Thumb” with a good version of “Can I Get a Witness” (which the Stones also did) on Cameo 431, the labels reading “a Richards Production”.
An article in the Newark Advocate from May 9, 1968 mentions Dave Workman had left the band and formed Dave Workman’s Blues Group with other Columbus musicians. Dave’s leaving may have led to a softening of the band’s sound, evident on their last 45 in October 1968. Featuring horns and a pop sound, the A-side was a cover of another Stones song, “Connection” backed with the band original “Satisfied”. Walt Masky produced the record, coordinated by Jerry Sharell; it was released on the Main Line label.
The band lasted until about January 1969, at which point they changed their name to Moonstone. The Circleville Herald has an ad for one Moonstone gig in January with the Fifth Order and the Young Generation, and another in April ’69 with the Tree and the Fifth Order. After this Moonstone and the Dantes seem to disappear.
Any photos or info on the band would be appreciated.
The Black Prince Hotel in Bexley, southeast London was a popular live music venue during the 1960s. I’ve started to compile a list of artists that performed there and would welcome any additions and corrections as well as any memories of the pub. This is an incomplete listing
1964
12 April – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
17 May – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
31 May – The Pretty Things (Record Mirror and Beat Monthly)
21 June – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
5 July – The Pretty Things (Record Mirror and Beat Monthly)
23 August – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)
12 September – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
18 October – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
29 October – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
6 December – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)
1965
All of the listings below for 1965 are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the gigs below, rock bands performed on Sundays.
I have not included the other artists, including jazz players, who performed on Monday evenings.
Peter Hicks, who was a member of The Down & Outs, has a newspaper clipping of his band in the scrapbook section of his website which notes that the band opened for The Animals, The Mark Leeman Five and The Moody Blues at this venue (most likely 1965).
3 January – The Graham Bond Organisation
10 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
17 January – Tony Knight’s Chessmen
24 January – The Downliners Sect
31 January – The Spencer Davis Group
7 February – The Moody Blues
14 February – The Animals
21 February – The Graham Bond Organisation with The Epitaph Soul Band (confirmed by article in Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times)
28 February – Buddy Guy with Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents (with Rod Stewart)
7 March – The Mark Leeman Five
14 March – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
21 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
28 March – The Downliners Sect
4 April – The Moody Blues
The Just Blues appeared on one occasion when The Moody Blues played here (see John Farrier’s comment below)
Photo: Jeff Brook-Smith’s family
11 April – Long John Baldry
18 April – Alex Harvey Soul Band
25 April – The Graham Bond Organisation
2 May – The Five Dimensions and The Loose Ends
9 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
16 May – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
23 May – Memphis Slim and Alex Harvey Soul Band
30 May – The Mark Leeman Five
6 June – Jack Dupree with The Mike Cotton Sound
13 June – The Graham Bond Organisation
20 June – The Artwoods
19 June – Jazz & Blues Festival with Dutch Swing College, Solomon Burke, Zoot Money, Unit 4 Plus 2, The Spencer Davis Group, The Downliners Sect, Alan Elsdon Jazzband, Brian Green New-O-Stompers, Epitaph Soul Band and The Loose Ends (Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times)
Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times, 25 June 1965, page 12Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times, 25 June 1965, page 12
27 June – The Five Dimensions
4 July – Long John Baldry and Rod Stewart
11 July – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
18 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 July – The Spencer Davis Group and The Epitaphs Soul Band
The Epitaphs Soul Band featured Mick Fletcher on keyboards who went on to The New Generation (briefly Jimmy Cliff’s backing band), The Hamilton Movement (1966-1967) and The Amboy Dukes (1969-1970).
Earlier in their career, guitarist Del Grace was a member. He went on to The Big Wheel before joining Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede.
Andy Clark also played sax with them in late 1965 before switching to organ and joining The Big Wheel in spring 1966. He later played with The Fenmen (aka Kindness), Sam Gopal, VAMP and Clark-Hutchinson among others.
1 August – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones
8 August – Alex Harvey Soul Band
15 August – The Graham Bond Organisation
22 August – The Blond Bombshell (from the US)
29 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
5 September – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
12 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
19 September – Steampacket
26 September – The Graham Bond Organisation
3 October – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
10 October – Alex Harvey Soul Band
17 October – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
24 October – The Spencer Davis Group
31 October – T-Bone Walker
7 November – Steampacket
14 November – The Graham Bond Organisation
21 November – The Shevelles
28 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
5 December – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
12 December – missing
19 December – missing
26 December – missing
1966
All of the listings below for 1966 are from South East London Mercury unless otherwise stated. Judging by the gigs below, rock bands performed on Sundays.
I have not included the other artists, including jazz players, who performed on Monday evenings.
2 January – missing
9 January – The Alan Price Set (Beat Instrumental)
16 January – missing
23 January – missing
30 January – The Spencer Davis Group
6 February – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band
13 February – The Graham Bond Organisation
The Big Wheel Soul Band opened for Graham Bond’s group at some point
20 February – missing
27 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
6 March – The Action
13 March – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
20 March – Melody Maker notes “Great blues singer from the US” (could this be John Lee Hooker?)
27 March – Steampacket
3 April – missing
10 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
17 April – Geno Washington’s Ram Jam Band
24 April – The Moody Blues
1 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
8 May – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound
15 May – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
22 May – missing
29 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
5 June – The Downliners Sect
12 June – Steampacket
19 June – The Shotgun Express
26 June – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Record Mirror)
3 July – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and Eric Silk’s Stompers
10 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
17 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
24 July – The Alan Price Set (Fabulous 208 and Record Mirror)
30 July – The Graham Bond Organisation
7 August – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Fabulous 208)
14 August – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound
21 August – The Shotgun Express
28 August – missing
4 September – The Moody Blues
11 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
18 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
2 October – The Shevelles
9 October – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
16 October – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
23 October – The Mike Cotton Sound
30 October – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
6 November – missing
13 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
20 November – The Downliners Sect
27 November – Guy Darrell
4 December – missing
11 December – Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
18 December – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
Fabulous 208 has Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band on 18 December
24 December – Mike Cotton Sound with support
1967
Phil Mackie, who very kindly provided gigs for 1967 and 1968, recalls that Sunday was R&B night and Monday was mainstream jazz.
I have listed the sources next to the entries. There are indications from some of the dates below that rock gigs occasionally happened on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well.
1 January – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
8 January – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
15 January – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
22 January – The Graham Bond Organisation (Melody Maker)
29 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
5 February – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
12 February – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
19 February – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
26 February – Long John Baldry with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
5 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)
12 March – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
14 March – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
19 March – Cliff Bennett’s Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)
26 March – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
2 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
9 April – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
16 April – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
23 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
25 April – Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound (Melody Maker – this was a Tuesday)
30 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
7 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)
14 May – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Melody Maker)
21 May – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
28 May – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
30 May – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
4 June – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Fabulous 208 and Phil Mackie’s diary) South East London Mercury has The Coloured Raisins
11 June – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208 and Phil Mackie’s diary)
18 June – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
25 June – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
2 July – The Coloured Raisins with Honey Darling and Earl Green (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 July – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 July – Mike Cotton with Lucas (Phil Mackie’s diary)
30 July – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
6 August – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology) (Phil Mackie’s diary)
13 August – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
20 August – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
27 August – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 September – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 September – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 September – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 September – Freddie Mack Show (Phil Mackie’s diary)
1 October – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
8 October – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
15 October – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Phil Mackie’s diary)
22 October – Ben E King (Phil Mackie’s diary)
29 October – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
4 November – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
7 November – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
12 November – Dantalion’s Chariot (Phil Mackie’s diary)
19 November – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
26 November – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 December – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 December – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 December – Peter’s Green Fleetwood Mac (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 December – The Shevelles and Terry Lightfoot Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
31 December – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set and Alan Elsdon’s Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
1968
Phil Mackie, who very kindly provided gigs for 1967 and 1968, recalls that Sunday was R&B night and Monday was mainstream jazz. I have listed the sources next to the entries.
7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
14 January – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Phil Mackie’s diary)
21 January – The Freddie Mack Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
28 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Phil Mackie’s diary)
4 February – The Cliff Bennett Show (Phil Mackie’s diary)
11 February – The Savoy Brown Blues Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
18 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
25 February – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 March – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 March – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 March – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 March – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
31 March – The Impressions (Phil Mackie’s diary)
7 April – The Jeff Beck Group featuring Rod Stewart (Phil Mackie’s diary)
14 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
15 April – The Piccadilly Six (Swiss band) (Melody Maker – this was a Monday)
21 April – The Showstoppers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
28 April – The Cliff Bennett Band
5 May – Spooky Tooth (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 May – The Counts (Melody Maker – this was a Thursday)
12 May – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 May – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
19 May – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 May – The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
26 May – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
30 May – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
2 June – Lucas with The Mike Cotton Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 June – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 June – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers with The Satin Dolls (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 June – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
30 June – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Melody Maker)
7 July – Diane Ferraz & The Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
14 July – Joe Cocker (Melody Maker)
21 July – Tony Gregory & The Counts (Melody Maker)
28 July – Traffic (Melody Maker)
4 August – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
11 August – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
18 August – The Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)
25 August – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1 September – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
8 September – The Joyce Bond Revue (Melody Maker)
15 September – Ten Years After (Melody Maker)
22 September – Timebox (Melody Maker)
29 September – The Drifters (Melody Maker)
6 October – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
12 October – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker – this is a Saturday)
20 October – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
27 October – Joe Cocker (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
3 November – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
10 November – Inez and Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
17 November – Paul Williams Set (Melody Maker)
24 November – Ferris Wheel and Nepenthe (Melody Maker)
1 December – Garnet Mimms with Village Green (Melody Maker)
2 December – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker – this was a Monday)
8 December – Bandwagon (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
10 December – Simon K & The Meantimers and Olaf Grumps Kneed (Melody Maker/South East London Mercury – this was a Tuesday)
15 December – Timebox (Melody Maker)
22 December – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
28 December – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1969
Judging by the gigs below, rock bands continued to play on Sundays with occasional gigs on other days of the week.
5 January – Paul Williams Set (Melody Maker)
12 January – Root and Jenny Jackson (Melody Maker)
19 January – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
26 January – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
2 February – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
South East London Mercury has The Nice not Spooky Tooth
Photo: South East London Mercury
9 February – Happy Magazine (Melody Maker)
16 February – The Fantastics (Fabulous 208)
Melody Maker has Timebox for the 16 February gig as does South East London Mercury
23 February – Freddie King and Steamhammer (Melody Maker)
Martin Coller got in touch and noted that The Nice were billed to play on 23 February according to Martyn Hanson’s book “Hang on To Dream: The Story of The Nice”.
2 March – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
9 March – Interstate Road Show (Melody Maker)
16 March – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
23 March – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
30 March – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
2 April – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker – this was a Wednesday)
6 April – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
13 April – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
20 April – Timebox (Melody Maker)
27 April – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
4 May – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
11 May – Toast (Melody Maker)
18 May – Howlin’ Wolf (Melody Maker)
25 May – The Riot Squad (Melody Maker)
1 June – No listing in Melody Maker
8 June – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
15 June – John Lee Hooker with The John Dummer Blues Band (Melody Maker)
22 June – Consortium (Melody Maker)
29 June – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
6 July – Timebox (Melody Maker)
13 July – The Platters (Melody Maker)
20 July – The Joyce Bond Show (Melody Maker)
27 July – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
3 August – The Brian Auger Trinity (Time Out)
10 August – Trapeze (Melody Maker)
17 August – The Globe Show (Melody Maker)
24 August – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
31 August – Timebox (Melody Maker)
7 September – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
14 September – The Cliff Bennett Show (Melody Maker)
21 September – Linda Lewis and Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
28 September – The Dave Amboy Big Band (Melody Maker)
5 October – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)
12 October – Zoot Money (Melody Maker)
19 October – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
25 October – The Brian Auger Trinity (Melody Maker)
2 November – Marv Johnson (Melody Maker)
9 November – Timebox (Melody Maker)
16 November – Freddie King (Melody Maker)
23 November – No entry in Melody Maker
30 November – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
7 December – The Dave Amboy Band (aka The Amboy Dukes) (Melody Maker and Keith Guster’s diary)
According to Keith Guster, this was the reformed version featuring Keith Guster and Tago Byers from The Fleur De Lys and former Hamilton Movement keyboard player Mick Fletcher.
14 December – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
16 December – The Amboy Dukes (Keith Guster’s diary)
21 December – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
28 December – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
1970
8 February – The Amboy Dukes (Keith Guster’s diary)
27 September – Black Widow and Amazing Grace (Poster from Roy Saxby)
Photo: Roy Saxby
4 October – Steamhammer (Poster from Roy Saxby)
11 October – Caravan (Poster from Roy Saxby)
18 October – Chicken Shack (Poster from Roy Saxby)
25 October – The Greatest Show on Earth (Poster from Roy Saxby)
1 November – Blodwyn Pig (Poster from Roy Saxby)
Photo: Roy Saxby
6 December – The Faces featuring Rod Stewart with Daniels Band (Poster from Roy Saxby)
13 December – Steamhammer (Poster from Roy Saxby)
20 December – Toe Fat with Albuquerque-Riccoti (Poster from Roy Saxby)
24 December – The Greatest Show on Earth with Tony Simon’s Progressive Show (Poster from Roy Saxby)
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
I found this great sleeve featuring the Invaders on JCP records. Unfortunately I don’t have the 45 yet, and it’s an excellent one.
