In early 1968, the Terry King Agency (not Roy Tempest) arranged for Edwin Starr to come over for another British tour.

It had been six months since his last visit and rather than employ Glaswegian soul outfit The Senate to back Edwin Starr, it looks (from the gigs below) like a group called The JJ Sounds were hired instead, although there may have been other bands that helped out.

Also, Roy Tempest, who had organised some previous tours for Edwin Starr, was known for bringing over tribute acts and passing them off as the real thing, so it’s quite possible that some of the gigs below may not have been performed by the real Edwin Starr.

We’d be interested to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below.

Little is known about The JJ Sounds but it’s quite possible that this was, in fact, Errol Daniel & The JJ Sounds, who played at the popular Soho nightclub, the Bag O’ Nails in Kingley Street in mid-1967.

I have found the following gigs and would welcome any comments from readers. I’ve listed the backing band where it is known:

27 January 1968 – Assembly Rooms, Tamworth, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)

27 January 1968 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

28 January 1968 – Leofric Hotel, Coventry with Soul Express (Coventry Evening Telegraph) Advert says with Big supporting band

28 January 1968 – Rainbow Suite, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

29 January 1968 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Coulsdon and Purley Advertiser)

29 January 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

31 January 1968 – Southampton University, Southampton, Hants (Melody Maker)

1 February 1968 – Gig in Bradford (Melody Maker)

2 February 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

2 February 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Chuck Berry, The Herd, The Move, Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, Brian Auger Trinity, Julie Driscoll, Sammy Small, The Union Blues Rave Band, Th Accent (Yorkshire Evening Post)

3 February 1968 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Poster)

3 February 1968 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire with Beechwoods (Formby Times) Advert says backed by J J Sound

4 February 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Gin House Blues (Crawley Advertiser)

4 February 1968 – Roaring 20s, Carnaby Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

5 February 1968 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Melody Maker)

7 February 1968 –Falconwood Hotel, Eltham, southeast London (Melody Maker)

8 February 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

8 February 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

9 February 1968 – Tabernacle Club, Stockport, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

10 February 1968 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk (Melody Maker)

10 February 1968 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with J J Sounds, Ivan & Danny Eaves with The Reformation and Django’s Castle (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next) Most likely backed by J J Sounds who are one of the acts listed

11 February 1968 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation (Crewe Chronicle/Crewe Observer/Nantwich Chronicle) Crewe Chronicle advert says Edwin Starr was backed by The J J Sound

11 February 1968 – Beat Centre Discotheque Club, Co-op Hall, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

13 February 1968 – Gig in Swindon, Wiltshire (Melody Maker)

14 February 1968 – Gig in Southampton, Hampshire (Melody Maker)

15 February 1968 – Gig in Worthing, West Sussex (Melody Maker)

16 February 1968 – Boulevard International, Tadcaster with Rainy Day Women (Hull Daily Mail)

16 February 1968 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

17 February 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Motiv (website: https://garagehangover.com/the-tin-hat-kettering-1967-1969-gigs/) This was possibly a tribute act

18 February 1968 – Sloopy’s, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Melody Maker also has a gig in Barnsley

 If you can add anything, please leave a message in the comments below