Today, Elton John is one of rock music’s most revered artists but during the early-mid 1960s he struggled for recognition, learning his trade as Reg Dwight with west London R&B outfit, Bluesology.
Below, I have started to piece together a timeline on this band’s history, including the period after Reg Dwight/Elton John left in March 1968 to start his solo career.
In particular, I need to credit the invaluable work carried out by Keith Hayward, who has written the excellent book, Tin Pan Alley: The Rise of Elton John, for some of this material. He has been a huge help. I have also reference below sources that I have drawn on for live dates.
I would welcome any additions and corrections in the comment box below.
Bluesology was formed in 1962 after Reg Dwight and Stu Brown had played in Pinner, Middlesex group, The Corvettes. The original line up comprised:
Stu Brown – guitar/vocals
Reg Dwight – keyboards/vocals
Geoff Dyson – bass
Mick Inkpen – drums
2 April 1965 – St Alban’s Church, Northwood, Middlesex (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)
20 April 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London with The Dae-b-Four (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 April 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London with The Dae-b-Four (Greenford Weekly Post)
Circa April/May 1965 – Reg Dwight’s ‘Come Back Baby’ recorded
6 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post)
13 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post/Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post)
27 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London with The CC Riders (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post)
The newspaper stopped advertising after the above date
June 1965: Dyson leaves to join The Mockingbirds
+ Rex Bishop – bass
+ Terry Patterson – saxophone
Circa June 1965 – ‘Times Are Getting Tougher Than Tough’ recorded
3 June 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London with The Equals (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 June 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)
23 July 1965 – ‘Come Back Baby’ c/w ‘Times Are Getting Tougher Than Tough’ released (http://www.45cat.com/artist/bluesology)
There is a great article on Bluesology in the Coventry Standard, dated 29 July 1965, page 20
4 September 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
Circa November 1965:
– Terry Patterson – saxophone
+ Pat Higgs – trumpet
+ Dave Murphy – saxophone
3-20 December 1965 – Major Lance tour with Bluesology
3 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London and In Place, central London with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker) Doesn’t not mention Bluesology
4 December 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with Alex Harvey Mockingbirds (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
4 December 1965 – Oasis, Manchester with The Crestas (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
5 December 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated
6 December 1965 – Gig in Rochester, Kent (Melody Maker)
7 December 1965 – Birdcage, Southsea, Hants (Melody Maker)
8 December 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
9 December 1965 – Paddington (most likely Cue Club), central London (Melody Maker)
10 December 1965 – Gig in Durham (most likely the university) (Melody Maker)
11 December 1965 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Evening Gazette Middlesbrough)
14 December 1965 – Gig in Harlow, Herts (Melody Maker)
16 December 1965 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)
16 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alan Price Set (London Live: Tony Bacon)
17 December 1965 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester and Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with Major Lance and Manchester Playboys and Jonathan Good Tweed (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated
17 December 1965 – Gig in Stockport, Greater Manchester (most likely Tabernacle) (Melody Maker)
18 December 1965 – New All-Star Club, 9 Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
19 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)
19 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
20 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Melody Maker)
5-19 January 1966 – Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles first tour with Bluesology
5 January 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)
6 January 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)
8 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Checkpoints (Melody Maker)
9 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
11 January 1966 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, West London (Melody Maker)
14 January 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9 Artillery Passage, London, E1 and Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
15 January 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Melody Maker)
15 January 1966 – Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (according to The Star, the billing also included Fontella Bass, The Stormsville Shakers and The Just 5 x 2. Bluesology were credited as Bluesology Inc and Pattie La Belle was billed as Tattie Rebelle & Her Belles!)
16 January 1966 – Plaza, Birmingham, West Midlands (Handsworth?) (Melody Maker)
19 January 1966 – Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Evening Post) Says Wilson Pickett’s backing group
22 January 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Pinky & The Phellows and The Triads (Lincolnshire Standard) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated
February 1966 – Reg Dwight’s ‘Mr Frantic’ c/w ‘Every Day I Have The Blues’ released
February 1966 – Doris Troy tour with Bluesology
5 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham, West Midlands with The Move (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated
7 February 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with Earl Preston’s Realms and The Fix (Liverpool Echo)
11 February 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London with Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)
11 February 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)
12 February 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Manchester Playboys (http://www.manchesterbeat.com/features/gig_guides/gig_diary.php)
13 February 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen (Melody Maker)
18 February 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge, northwest London with Caribbean Show Band (Melody Maker)
According to an article in the Neath Guardian, dated 11 February 1966, Bluesology Incorporated backed Ben E King on a tour that ran from 18 February through to 6 March 1966.
18 February 1966 – Golders Green Refectory, Golders Green, north London (Melody Maker)
19 February 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, London, E1 with Captain First (Melody Maker)
20-21 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated
22 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Spencer Davis Group (London Live: Tony Bacon)
26 February 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
March 1966 – Bluesology travels to Hamburg to play Top Ten Club with Linda Laine & The Sinners
3 April 1966 – The Hive Club, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
9 April 1966 – Trinity Hall, Coventry (Coventy Evening Telegraph)
12 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (London Live: Tony Bacon)
22 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Sands (London Live: Tony Bacon)
Late April/early May 1966: Inkpen leaves
+ Paul Gale – drums
Late April/early May 1966: Bishop departs
+ Freddy Gandy (aka Freddie Wonder) – bass
3 May-circa 21 May 1966 – Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles second UK tour
3 May 1966 – Birdland, London (Melody Maker)
4 May 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)
5 May 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
6 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Melody Maker)
7 May 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
8 May 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles and Polecatz (http://www.manchesterbeat.com/features/gig_guides/gig_diary.php)
9 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
13 May 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Gass (Melody Maker)
14 May 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles and The Ram Jam Band ( http://manchestersoul.co.uk/TWheel/1966.html) Manchester Evening News & Chronicle has Alan Bown instead of Bluesology for this gig
17 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Patti La Belle & Her Belles) and The Clayton Squares (London Live: Tony Bacon) (probably with Bluesology backing Patti La Belle)
17 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
19 May 1966 – Rocky Rivers’ Top 20 Club, Conservative Club, Bedford with Patti LaBelle & Her Belles and John Williams & Tomorrow’s People (Ampthill News & Weekly Record)
21 May 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)
21 May 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire (Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles with Bluesology) and The Ultimates (The Day Before Yesterday: Steve Ingless)
3-19 June – Ink Spots tour
3 June 1966 – RAF West Ruislip, northwest London (Melody Maker)
4 June 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Ironsides (Bucks Advertiser)
4 June 1966 – US servicemen’s club, Douglas House, Lancaster Gate, west London (Melody Maker)
4 June 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London with Admiral Ken Sound System (Melody Maker)
5 June 1966 – Plaza Ballrooms, Birmingham, West Midlands (Melody Maker)
7 June 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
10 June 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Melody Maker)
10 June 1966 – New All Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London with Admiral Ken Sound System (Melody Maker)
11 June 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Inkspots with Alan Bown Set) (Source: http://manchestersoul.co.uk/TWheel/1966.html)
12 June 1966 – Riverboat, Gainsborough, Salford, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker)
13 June 1966 – US servicemen’s club, Douglas House, Lancaster Gate, west London (Melody Maker)
15 June 1966 – Riverboat, Gainsborough, Salford, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker)
16 June 1966 – Streatham Locarno, Streatham, southwest London (Melody Maker)
17 June 1966 – Royal Tottenham, Tottenham, north London (Melody Maker)
18 June 1966 – Plaza Ballroom, Old Hill, West Midlands (Express & Star) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated and backing Billy Stewart
18 June 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire (Lynn News/Melody Maker)
The Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Gazette notes that Bluesology played at the White Hart in Southall, west London during June 1966.
Circa June 1966:
+ Neil Hubbard – guitar (joins around this time)
25 June 1966 – Mojo Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Soul Agents and introducing Ian LeRoy and His Spring Collection (Melody Maker/Sheffield Star) Backing Billy (Fat Boy) Stewart
25 June 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester with The Train (Leicester Mercury)
25 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (London Live: Tony Bacon)
3 July 1966 – Rivertboat Club, Salford, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backing Fat Boy Billy Stewart (says by public demand)
8 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The VIPs (London Live: Tony Bacon)
9 July 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Gates of Eden (Bucks Advertiser) Backing The Orlons
10 July 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) Backing Rufus Thomas
14 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (London Live: Tony Bacon)
15 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band (Nottingham Evening Post) Backing Solomon Burke
21 July 1966 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News) Replaced Summer Set
The Kent Messenger‘s 22 July 1966 (Friday) issue, page 12, lists the band appearing at Coronation Hall in Ramsgate today and refers to Freddy Gandy as Freddie Wonder on bass! It says they are off to the South of France in August
23 July 1966 – Cellar Club, Latin Quarter, Leicester with The Amboy Dukes (Leicester Mercury)
30 July 1966 – The Co-op, Rainbow Suite, Birmingham, West Midlands with Raynor’s Secrets (Birmingham Evening Mail)
31 July 1966 – 6th National Jazz and Blues Festival, Windsor, Berkshire with Georgie Fame, The Action, Cream, Dick Morrissey, Stan Tracey, Diane and Nicky, Ernestine Anderson, Alan Brown, Ronnie Scott and Harry South Orchestra (Reading Evening Post)
6 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Agents (London Live: Tony Bacon)
11 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (London Live: Tony Bacon)
Mid-August-mid-September, Bluesology travels to St Tropez for a month (Papagayos).
17 September 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham with The Broodley Hoo (Nottingham Evening Post)
18 September 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham with The Summer Set (Nottingham Evening Post)
26 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (London Live: Tony Bacon)
7 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones (London Live: Tony Bacon)
8 October 1966 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Fix, The Connoisseurs and The Tabs (Warrington Guardian)
15 October 1966 – 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent with The Guests (Kentish Express)
20 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (London Live: Tony Bacon)
21-22 October 1966 – ISOW’s restaurant, Brewer Street, central London (Fabulous 208)
28 October 1966 – Midnight City, Digbeth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
29 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (London Live: Tony Bacon)
29 October 1966 – Shoreline, Bognor Regis with Long John Baldry, The Action and David Bowie & The Buzz (Bognor Regis Post/Melody Maker)
5 November 1966 – Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 November 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Deadly Nightshade (billed as Long John Baldry – not sure if they have linked up with Baldry yet?) (Crawley Advertiser)
12 November 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
12 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (London Live: Tony Bacon)
Mid-November 1966:
– Neil Hubbard departs
In mid-late November – Bluesology travel to Sweden for a mini tour where they met The Zombies (see comments)
17 November 1966 – Gyllene Cirkeln, Stockholm, Sweden with Bernt Rosengren Kvartett (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)
19 November 1966 – Gyllene Cirkeln, Stockholm, Sweden Bernt Rosengren Kvartett, Carla Bley and Mike Mantler Quintet (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)
20 November 1966 – Nalen, Stockholm, Sweden with Sooner or Later, Few, Crowds, Lynx (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)
21 November 1966 – Hit-House, Stockholm, Sweden with The Wizards, The Quints, Guards, Sooner or Later, Tumble Downs (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)
22 November 1966 – Gyllene Cirkeln, Stockholm, Sweden (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)
Late November 1966:
– Paul Gale departs while the band is in Sweden
+ Pete Gavin – drums (ex-Soul Pushers)
1 December 1966 – Burton Manor, Stafford, Staffordshire (Stafford Newsletter)
Around this time, Bluesology become Long John Baldry’s back-up band
+ Long John Baldry – vocals
+ Alan Walker – vocals (ex-Roadhogs)
4 December 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar with The Bluecaps (Billed as Long John Baldry with Alan Walker, Stewart Brown and Bluesology) (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
8 December 1966 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hants (Portsmouth News)
9 December 1966 – Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 December 1966 – Saville Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London with Little Richard and Alan Price Set (Melody Maker)
14 December 1966 – Bolton College of Arts Ball, Rivington Barn, Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester with Mike Stevens & The Big Tickle, The Chasers and The North Side Six (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) (Bolton Evening News)
18 December 1966 – Beau Brummell Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Raynes (The Chronicle)
20 December 1966 – Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with The Alan Price Set (Surrey Advertiser)
24 December 1966 – White Bicycle, Maple Ballroom, Northampton (billed as Long John Baldry Show plus Bluesology) (Northampton Chronicle)
27 December 1966 – Concorde, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hants (Southern Evening Echo)
30 December 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) with The Good-Goods (London Live: Tony Bacon)
31 December 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (billed as Long John Baldry featuring Alan Walker, Stuart Brown & Bluesology) (Gloucestershire Echo/Gloucester Citizen)
1 January 1967 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry (billed as Long John Baldry and His new group Bluesology) (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
7 January 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with Deep Line (billed as Long John Baldry and his fabulous backing group Bluesology with Alan Walker and Stewart A Brown) (Western Gazette)
7 January 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Memphis Blues (billed as Long John Baldry with Alan Walker, Stewart Brown and Bluesology) (Derby Evening Telegraph)
8 January 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (billed as Long John Baldry with Alan Walker, Stewart Brown and Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post)
Circa early January 1967:
– Pat Higgs and Dave Murphy both leave with Higgs joining Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement
+ Marsha Hunt – vocals
+ Elton Dean – saxophone (ex-Soul Pushers)
+ Marc Charig – saxophone (ex-Sidewinders and Sonny Childe & The TNT)
15 January 1967 – Gyro Club, Troutbeck Hotel, IIlkley, West Yorkshire (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology) (Yorkshire Evening Post)
31 January 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Long John Baldry) (Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms)
4 February 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (billed as Long John Baldry Show featuring Alan Walker, Stuart Brown and The Bluesology) (Gloucester Citizen)
10 February 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology) (Leicester Mercury)
12 February 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (billed as Long John Baldry plus The Bluesology) (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
18 February 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Soul Concern (North Norfolk News)
19 February 1967 – Oasis, Manchester (billed as Long John Baldry and Bluesology) (Manchester Evening News)
25 February 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury with The Generation (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology featuring Alan Walker and Stuart A Brown) (Western Gazette)
26 February 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (PACE magazine)
3 March 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)
9 March 1967 – New Locarno Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (The Star)
12 March 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (billed as Long John Baldry Show featuring Stewart A Brown, Alan Walker with Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post)
17 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Long John Baldry Show and Timebox (London Live: Tony Bacon)
19 March 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar with The Panthers (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
24 March 1967 – Sinking Ship Clubland, Stockport, Greater Manchester (billed as Long John Baldry plus Bluesology) with Baron (Manchester Evening News)
25 March 1967 – 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent with The Silhouettes (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Kentish Express)
26 March 1967 – Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Stuart Brown, Alan Walker and Bluesology) (Staffordshire Newsletter)
1 April 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock (Nottingham Evening Post)
3 April 1967 – Feathers, Ealing, Middlesex (billed as Long John Baldry & Bluesology) (Melody Maker)
7 April 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (billed as Long John Baldry and Bluesology) (Leicester Mercury)
8 April 1967 – Spa Royal Hall, Bridlington, North Yorkshire with The Sons of Witch (billed as Long John Baldry and Bluesology) (Hull Daily Mail)
16 April 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, West London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)
21 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with Timebox (London Live: Tony Bacon)
22 April 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (billed as Long John Baldry featuring Alan Walker) (Gloucester Citizen)
24 April 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Express & Star)
2 May 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Long John Baldry) (Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms)
11 May 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Bluesology) (Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms)
12 May 1967 – The Cavalier Club, Golders Green, north London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)
21 May 1967 – Co-op, Warrington, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Manchester Evening Post)
1 June 1967 – Clouds, Derby ‘for Derby College Students’ Rag Week’ (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Bluesology and Pepper’s Machine) (Derby Evening Telegraph)
5 June 1967 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with The Waterboard, The Chymes and Wall City Jazzmen (billed as Long John Baldry with Stewart A Brown, Alan Walker and Bluesology) (Chester Chronicle)
9 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldy Show) with C-Jam Blues (London Live: Tony Bacon)
12 June 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show, Bluesology, Stewart A Brown, Alan Walker) (Express & Star)
17 June 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Soul Concern (billed as The Long John Baldry Show with Alan Walker, Stuart A Brown and Bluesology) (North Norfolk News)
17 June 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology featuring Stewart A Brown and Alan Walker) (Nottingham Evening Post)
1 July 1967 – Wulfrun Halls, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Th Chequers and Boston (billed as Long John Baldry) (Express & Star)
16 July 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)
28 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with The Workshop (Melody Maker)
11 August 1967 – Bluesville ’67, Manor House, north London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)
14 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions (Melody Maker)
20 August 1967 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Birmingham Evening Mail)
26 August 1967 – New All Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)
29 August 1967 – Nottingham Blues Festival, Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound and Wynder K Frog (Derby Evening Telegraph)
2 September 1967 – Leas Cliffe Hall, Folkestone, Kent (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) (Folkestone & Hythe Gazette)
3 September 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Nantwich, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry, Bluesology, Stewart A Brown, Marsha Hunt and The Scorpions) (Northwich Chronicle)
10 September 1967 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Stuart A Brown and Marsha Hunt and Deuce Coupe) (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
12 September 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Long John Baldry) (Melody Maker)
15 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show with Marsha Hunt, Stuart Brown and Bluesology) (Melody Maker)
16 September 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Bluesology) (Somerset County Gazette)
27 September 1967 – Liverpool College of Building Students’ Union, Grafton Rooms, West Derby, Liverpool with The Fix, The Undertakers and Magic Lanterns (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology) (Liverpool Echo)
5 October 1967 – ‘Since I Lost My Baby’ c/w ‘Just A Little Bit’ released (http://www.45cat.com/record/56195)
8 October 1967 – Warmingham Grange Country Club, Warmingham, Cheshire with Life ‘N’ Soul and Harry Brown Sound with Val (The Chronicle)
19 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with Timebox (London Live: Tony Bacon)
3 November 1967 – G-Ranch Discotheque, Maidstone, Kent (billed as The Long John Baldry Show with Marsha Hunt, Stuart Brown and Bluesology) (Maidstone Gazette)
6 November 1967 – Staffordshire Yeomen, Stafford, Staffordshire (billed as Long John Baldry and Marsha Hunt) (Staffordshire Newsletter)
Early-mid November 1967:
– Stu Brown leaves around this time to record as solo artist
+ Caleb Quaye – lead guitar/vocals
23 November 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with The Nite People (London Live: Tony Bacon)
14 December 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham, West Midlands with Skip Bifferty (Express & Star)
16 December 1967 – Imperial, Nelson, Lancashire with Granny Intentions and The Ways & Means (Burnley Express & Burnley News) Does not list Bluesology
4 January 1968 – Tito’s, Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside (billed as Long John Baldry) (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
17 February 1968 – Pier Pavilion, Felixstowe, Suffolk with Sheridan Eight (Ipswich Evening Star) Does not list Bluesology
23 February 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry and the Long John Baldry Show and Soul Finger) (Northwich Chronicle)
3 March 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar with The Skyliners (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
Just before Reg Dwight and Caleb Quaye left, Bluesology may have played at the Top Ten in Hamburg again
March/April 1968:
– Reg Dwight and Caleb Quaye leave Bluesology
+ Bernie Holland – guitar (ex-Jam)
(Source: Georgie Fame – There’s Nothing Else To Do. Life and Music: Uli Twelker)
+ Jimmy Horowitz – keyboards (ex-Five Proud Walkers and Robert Hirst & The Big Taste)
16 March 1968 – George Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire with Pandora’s Box, The Sun Trolley and Tommy T & Scrubby (billed as Long John Baldry plus The Bluesology) (Leicester Mercury)
23 March 1968 – Locarno, Derby (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Derbyshire Evening Telegraph)
26 March 1968 – Mr Smith’s Club, Winsford, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry) with Look Twice (Northwich Chronicle)
1 April 1968 – Matlock Bath, Matlock, Derby with The Screen (billed as Long John Baldry Show: Alan Walker, Stuart Walkers (sic) and Bluesology) (Derbyshire Evening Telegraph)
30 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Long John Baldry (London Live: Tony Bacon)
In late 1968 the group backed The Paper Dolls before splintering.
16 November 1968 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Music Hath Charms and Barries Magazine (North Norfolk News) This was The Paper Dolls backed by Bluesology
Huge thanks to Keith Hayward for help with some of the narrative.
Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the authors.
That is an awesome post – thank you for sharing that about Elton John – one of my favorite musical artists of all time! T.C.
The band played with The Paper Dolls from September 68
Billed as Long John Baldry (source: Fabulous 208)
2 January 1968 – Club Casino, South Shields
5 January 1968 – Silver Blades, Streatham (TBC)
7 January 1968 – Mr Smith’s Club, Manchester
3 February 1968 – Manchester College
14 February 1968 – Victoria Club, Liverpool
22 March 1968 – Mecca, Basildon, Essex
5 May 1968 – Garrick Club, Leigh
6 May 1968 – Towers Club, Warrington
7-11 May 1968 – Garrick Club, Leigh and Towers Club, Warrington
25 May 1968 – Bosworth Park, Leicester
1 June 1968 – York Race Course
Record Mirror:
On 26 January, immediately after his appearance at the MIDEM festival, he will start rehearsing his new backing group which has a six-piece line up. His next appearance will be at the Royal Lancaster Hotel.
Pleasure to work with you Nick!
Got an email from mick inkpen
According to this great Zombies website:
http://aln3.albumlinernotes.com/Zombies_Chronology_66-68.html
The Zombies played in Scandinavia from 5-20 November 1966 which is when they met Bluesology with Elton John
Hi, What is the date of Bluesology gig supporting Wilson Pickett @ The Mojo Club Sheffield?
Will need to look into it but Wilson Pickett’s debut U.K. Tour was November 65. He returned in March 66
Hey thank you for the reply. Good luck with the search … i look forward to hearing from you. nick
Hi Nick
Looked through my notes and I can confirm that Wilson Pickett played at the Mojo Club, Sheffield on 26 March 1966. He was backed on the UK tour by The Statesiders who had split from singer Jean. The source is the gig list that I was given by a band member so I don’t know if Bluesology were on the same bill, but this seems the most plausible occasion. They would have just come back from playing in Hamburg. Also, they wouldn’t have backed Pickett, they would have just been support, unless this was another date (1965 possibly). Pickett could also have toured UK in 1967 so I’d have to look into this in more detail. Hope that helps. Will email you the Statesiders dates
Hi,
My name is Steve Lucas, and I played bass and sang a couple of songs with Bluesology for about 3 months in the mid 60’s, precisely when now alludes me., although it may have been ’65 as I think he was then 18. I recall auditioning and also rehearsing at his Mums house in Pinner, his Mum also drove him to the gigs I seem to remember, I am from Crosby, Liverpool, originally having been involved in the Merseybeat scene, but at that time living in Watford. I can see no photographic or written evidence of that involvement, I don’t suppose anyone else recalls it?
Hi Steve, thanks for the reply. I have seen a poster / advert for the Mojo Club with a picture of Wilson Pickett and a date of his appearance at the venue, but the date troubles me as it is for ‘Saturday March 14th’ the only year that March 14th is on a Saturday is 1964 … on the bottom of the poster is the year 1967 which is even more confusing. March 14th 1967 was a Tuesday. I thought maybe it could be MAY ? But May 14th 1967 was a Sunday. Anyways, thanks again. nick hairs
my email is
nickhairs25148@gmail.com
if you email me i can send the advert in return
Hi Steve
did you also play with Tony Knight’s Chessmen?
Kind regards
Hi Nick,
Yes I did, used to play the Ricky Tik clubs and then finish off at the Pink Flamingo at silly o’clock in the morning, did I know you?
Regards,
Steve.
Nick,
I just discovered Garage Hangover, and have really enjoyed reading through the recitation of Bluesology’s history! I have two questions I’m sure you can easily answer for me.
(1) Even though I’ve been a huge fan of Elton’s since I was introduced to his music in 1972, I had never heard of Mr. Frantic, or it’s B-side, until today, surfing the Internet for kicks in honor of Elton‘s 71st birthday!
I believe this is the URL for the recording I found/heard on Google that purports to be “Every Day I Have the Blues” by Reg Dwight/Bluesology, flip-side of “Mr. Frantic,” Feb 1966:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x8863w
I can’t believe that would be Elton’s voice at that young age, being way too low and husky, even if he was imitating someone else… Do you know who is singing the lead here? …or if perhaps that is a recording of someone else, instead, like BB King or whomever, that someone mislabeled when they put it on YouTube?
I’m no expert, but I CAN believe that the piano is Elton, and that the horns are Higgs & Murphy, because this would be almost a year before Baldry and Dean came into the picture…
But I’m dying to know what I’m hearing there!
(2) Also, in reading through your Bluesology history, I see the notation that Elton (Reg) and Caleb Quaye left the band in March 1968, but I see reference to two gigs after that which seem to refer to Bluesology, or more properly Long John Baldry.
Do Elton & Caleb start a new band and play gigs with new bandmates under another name at that point, or do they begin right away just preparing to record the Empty Sky album? (I believe Elton and Bernie had begun writing the material that ended up on Empty Sky and the Elton John album somewhere around that time…?)
I appreciate any information you can offer! Thanks for what you do on this website. It’s a true treasure trove!
Scott
ss14@gmx.us
Hi Scott
Mr Frantic was written by Reg Dwight and it is, indeed, sung by him. The b side is Stewart Brown singing. Bluesology continued after Reg left and played as backing to Baldry as well as gigs in their own right. Remember Reg was only the keyboard player in Bluesology and not the Elton John he became so Baldry just replaced him and Caleb (who only joined to help Reg prepare for the Elton career). It’s all in my book called Tim Pan Alley: The Rise of Elton John
My comment below…Hi Nick,Just discovered this site…My father , Bill Reid, sometimes along with Jack Fallon ( who was such a cool guy) ,promoted Harrow British Legion,The Refectory and many others in that area and put on some of the above gigs ( he was Trad Jazz, bass player for Alex Welsh/Terry Lightfoot so not really part of the scene .)He also owned, along with Eddie and later John Norman the Blue Moon in Cheltenham ( Eddie and John ran the Hayes Blue Moon,Railway hotel ,Georgian and others).They also had a share/co managed Bluesology when they were trying to make it work with Alan Walker. I have all the ledger books from the 50s and 60s ( not much else left , although we carried on with clubs , running the Brunel rooms in Swindon until I sold it in 2008) John is still alive and knows more !!! I shall enjoy trawling through all this now. Stephen
Hi Nick,Just discovered this site…My father , Bill Reid, sometimes along with Jack Fallon ( who was such a cool guy) ,promoted Harrow British Legion,The Refectory and many others in that area and put on some of the above gigs ( he was Trad Jazz, bass player for Alex Welsh/Terry Lightfoot so not really part of the scene .)He also owned, along with Eddie and later John Norman the Blue Moon in Cheltenham ( Eddie and John ran the Hayes Blue Moon,Railway hotel ,Georgian and others).They also had a share/co managed Bluesology when they were trying to make it work with Alan Walker. I have all the ledger books from the 50s and 60s ( not much else left , although we carried on with clubs , running the Brunel rooms in Swindon until I sold it in 2008) John is still alive and knows more !!! I shall enjoy trawling through all this now. Stephen