This post is dedicated to the memory of Max Waller, my fellow music researcher who helped me with many articles over the years, for which I am grateful.
Tamara’s New Generation is an obscure Chicago-area group with just one single to their name, released on IRC 6943. The A-side “Just Flowers” is a Gabor Szabo style number with flute, a two-note keyboard line, and some fine raga guitar work.
I prefer the flip, “Traffic” with it’s pulsating bass line, beatnik vibe, and crashing end. Interestingly, the dead wax codes reverse the A & B sides, which makes more sense to me.
Members included:
Tamara – lead vocals Pete Ianni – ? Tom Miller – bass Ollie – ? Denny – ? Brian – ? Paul – ?
Although this may be the only International Recording Company credit for Perry Johnson, he did writing and arrangement for related labels like Royal Blue (the Paniks “Look Twice”, the Wild “Monkees”, Lou Capri “Love and Kisses”) and Redd Robb (Edges of Wisdom “Past”, Holocaust “Savage Affection”).
This is the first time I’ve covered a band from the IRC (International Recording Co.) label, which released a number of great 45s by the Little Boy Blues, Danny’s Reasons and others; and was the studio for the Crees 4 acetate “Misunderstanding” / “Looking at Your Picture”, released in 2021 by Mojo-Bone.
The band was formed as Four + One in mid-1964. Les Jones and Ken Lawrence had both previously been members of The Tridents
Four + One. Left to right: Ken, Junior, Les, Keith and Simon
After a cover of “Time Is On My Side”, issued in January 1965, the band became The In Crowd and released a second single, “That’s How Strong My Love Is” in April 1965. According to Flashback magazine, the group became resident band at Club Noreik on Seven Sisters Road in north London
29 October 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Just Five (Surrey Advertiser/West Surrey Advertiser) May not be the same band; possibly Staines group
30 October 1965 – Silsoe Village Hall, Silsoe, Bedfordshire (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)
In November, The In Crowd issued their third 45 – “Why Must They Criticise”
13 November 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Just Five (Surrey Advertiser/West Surrey Advertiser) May not be the same band; possibly Staines group
21 November 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser) May not be the same band; possibly Staines group
10 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
11 December 1965 – Victoria Cross Gallery, Wantage, Oxfordshire (Oxford Mail)
14 May 1966 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)
29 May 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
30 May 1966 – Le Discotheque, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
30 May 1966 – The Witchdoctor, the Lifeboat Hotel, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
10 June 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
Thanks to Geoffrey Mason for the photo
23 June 1966 – Hastings College 1066 Rag Appeal Dances, Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
Record Mirror reported that John “Twink” Alder had left The Fairies and joined The In Crowd in early July after working at Café des Artists in Fulham.
14 July 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
15 July 1966 – Penthouse, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)
16 July 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Mode (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
1 August 1966 – Disc Club, St Martin’s Centre, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)
7 August 1966 – Embassy Club, Colchester, Essex with The Poachers (Essex County Standard)
20 August 1966 – Club De Danse, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)
23 August 1966 – Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Evening Post)
3 September 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
According to Flashback magazine, the band played in the Netherlands in October
4 November 1966 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)
5 November 1966 – Princess Ballroom, Halifax, West Yorkshire with The Pythagoras Squares (Halifax Evening Courier & Guardian)
12 November 1966 – Witchdoctor, Lifeboat Hotel, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
In mid-November, The In Crowd played at the Charlie Max in Milan, Italy for two weeks, according to Flashback magazine
1 December 1966 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London (London Life)
3 December 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Cream and The Wrong Direction (Dave Allen research)
8 December 1966 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London (London Life)
According to Flashback magazine, the band returned to play in the Netherlands in December
31 December 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Graham Bond Organisation and The Wrong Direction (Dave Allen research)
14 January 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
27 January 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
9 February 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers and The Satin Dolls (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
17 February 1967 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)
18 February 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)
23 February 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 March 1967 – Nottingham Tech College, Nottingham with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, Robert Hirst & The Big Taste and Our Young
In late April 1967, The In Crowd change name to Tomorrow
29 April 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research) Billed as The In Crowd unless this is another band
6 May 1967 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Dave Allen research) Billed as The In Crowd unless this is another band
Thanks to Ken Lawrence for sharing all of the photos
Frani & the Frantics, from left: Fran Russak, Karla Major, Alayne Major and Jim Morabito
Frani & the Frantics were a vocal quartet of Fran Russak, sisters Karla Major and Alaine Major, and Jim Morabito. Fran Russak came from Carmel, New York, the others from Peekskill.
Their one and only single from the spring of 1964, “You Threw a Line” b/w “Skin and Bones” was also the first on the Giantstar label of Mahopac, owned by Raymond Meltzer. Giantstar would release three singles by the Mark IV of Poughkeepsie.
The labels of Giant Star GS 401 credit Dorothea Meltzer & Jeannie Villetto for both songs. Ray Meltzer owned Jemel Publishing, JNR Production and Music-All Inc. Copyright registration shows another song, “Why Ya Make Me Wanna Cry” which Frani & the Frantics attempted but didn’t finish.
Jeanne Villetto had previous experience in song-writing, composing songs for two singles by Claire Lane (aka Claire Litke, a member of the Ramrods): “I Dig That Guy” for the top side of Josie 904 (b/w “Run Run Run Away”), and “Curiosity” / “Isn’t It a Shame” on Petal 1020 in August, 1963.
Villetto and Litke also wrote “Do You Hear Me Call?” in 1962, but I’m not sure if this was recorded.
Alaine Major wrote to me about her time as a Frantic:
I was one of the Frantics of the group Frani and the Frantics. The “Frantics” were myself, my sister Karla and Jimmy Morabito. We recorded “You Threw a Line” backed by “Skin and Bones” in 1964 with Ray Meltzer and Jean Villetto.
Karla, Jimmy and I sang in high school. One day we saw an ad in our local Pennysaver that record producers were auditioning singers for studio backup work (for Frani). We thought that sounded like fun, so we called and auditioned. Once Ray Meltzer and Jean Viletto heard us sing (acapella), Jean decided right then and there that instead of us being studio backup singers, she wanted to form a group.
Within two weeks we were under contract. We rehearsed locally in the Peekskill area for two months most evenings and weekends with a small combo. Finally Ray and Jean decided we were ready to record. Our Mom drove us to Mars Broadcasting [in Stamford, Connecticut] for the recording sessions. Ray knew several musicians from the New York Philharmonic who made up the orchestra you hear on the record. I remember the engineer Chuck James who was truly supportive of our efforts. The studio was very crowded with the musicians on one side and we on the other. We each sang into a hanging mic. There was a lot of down time as the engineer worked on the board with Ray and Jean listening and tweaking. (I also remember hearing that Mars Broadcasting was owned by Dick Clark).
Music-All was Raymond’s company and was the name on our contract. “Why Ya Make Me Wanna Cry” was supposed to be the ‘B’ side of “You Threw A Line”, but the next week we switched to “Skin and Bones”.
At our request, “Skin and Bones” was done acapella. If you listen to it again, you’ll hear me cue Frani her note after we modulate up on the word “bones.”
The Jarlayns on Giantstar GS-402, “I Don’t Love You Anymore”, released February 1966
We played rock n roll shows with The Duprees, The Ventures, The Rivieras, and others I don’t recall anymore. It was an exciting time for three high school kids from Peekskill, NY! We became local celebrities and got invited to sing at many, many shows and events.A year later I used to do a lot of writing and I would go to the studio just to get my stuff on tape. Under the name The Jarlaynes, we recorded “Why Don’t You Call” with Karla and I playing the acoustic guitar. “I Don’t Love You Anymore” was originally just me and my guitar and Chris Dikaris [who also had a single on Giantstar] added instruments & backup vocals. I wrote both of those songs and so my name, Alayne Major, is written underneath the song title.
After high school Karla, Jimmy and I began singing as a trio again and sang at many local events and “hootenanny’s” which became popular with the advent of folk music.
Mirabai in the Poughkeepsie Journal, September 5, 1976
Karla was also a student at New Paltz. Jimmy moved on, but Karla and I sang as The Major Sisters and were invited to other colleges to perform in their hootenanny’s. We also were asked to be the opening act for several musicians at college concerts which included Chuck Berry (!), Judy Collins, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masakela among others. This went on through 1969.After Woodstock, Karla moved to San Francisco and started a band, and I was a wife and mother. In 1970 Jimmy was drafted and went to Vietnam.
I was the impetus for Karla’s solo career through contacts I’d made. She used the stage name Mirabai. She returned from San Francisco around 1972 and moved to NYC where she was a headliner at Reno Sweeney’s, Catch a Rising Star, and The Bottom Line (she opened for Billy Joel, Kenny Rankin, Loudon Wainwright III). Her big break came in 1974 when Jimmy Cliff was going to do his first U.S. concert at Carnegie Hall and he requested Karla (then Mirabai) be his opening act. Danny Goldberg caught her performance and began managing her career at that point.
In 2006 Karla was living in Asheville, NC with her family. She got in touch with Bob Johnston who produced her album and he produced a new CD she’d written. Unfortunate personal events precluded its release, but I have the master and a couple of first CDs printed.
I learned from a friend that Raymond and Jean got married and lived out the rest of their lives in Florida. Karla died in 2016, and Jimmy died on March 14, 2022.
Thank you to Alaine Major for answering my questions about the Frantics!
Thanks also to Mike Markesich for the scans of the Jarlayns single on Giantstar.
Frani and the Frantics mentioned in the Mamaroneck Daily Times on April 30, 1964
The Outer Mongolian Herd, signed by Buddy Searcy, Terry Nemish and Devon Patrick The Outer Mongolian Herd were a short-lived sextet from Enterprise, Alabama, a small city about 30 miles west of Dothan, and 90 miles southeast of Montgomery. They are now best known for their version of “Hey Joe”, but I prefer the A-side of the single, “I Want to Love You (Scared)”, released on Daisy 4846 / 4847.
Members were:
Patrick Devon – keyboards Glenn Griffin Jerry Jones Mike McKinnon Terry Nemish – drums Buddy Searcy
At least three of the band attended Enterprise High School in 1968. The Montgomery Advertiser reported on February 4, 1968, that the group played at Enterprise High School’s ROTC Military Ball.
Ad for the Outer Mongolian Herd at a WBAM event at Brewbaker Buick-Opel, March 30, 1968Devon Patrick and David Keller wrote “I Want to Love You (Scared)”, with its excellent harmonies and a catchy structure with piano introduction. The flip is a version of “Hey Joe” with organ and acoustic guitar, and more-than-usual vocal interjections.
The labels have “Produced & Arranged by David Keller”. They probably recorded at Ed Boutwell’s studio in Birmingham, but I can’t confirm that yet.
The only other notice I can find for the group is from Alabama Journal in Montgomery, which ran an ad for a WBAM event at the Brewbaker Buick-Opel dealership with the Outer Mongolian Herd in person.
John Thompson – lead guitar (replaced by Pete Ross)
Brian Brown – bass
Terry Marshall – tenor saxophone
Peter Wright – tenor saxophone
Paul Atkinson – drums
Formed sometime in 1964 after Terry Marshall left The Soul Messengers, the band appears to have worked at the Ealing Club on a weekly basis throughout 1965. Ray Martin is probably the same Ray Martin who had previously led Ray Martin & The Corvettes.
The Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette has The Ray Martin Group appearing on a Saturday (and sometimes a Sunday) throughout the year, except in December when they switched to Fridays (see gig list below which is incomplete).
Ross, however, didn’t join until July 1965 after The Flexmen split up and John Thompson (see comments) was the original guitarist.
Left to right: Pete Ross, Peter Wright, Ray Martin, Paul Atkinson, Brian Brown and Terry Marshall. Photo: Brian Brown/Pete Ross
According to Ross, the band opened for James Brown at Tiles (circa March 1966). They also opened for Neil Christian & The Crusaders at Tiles later in July.
Thanks to Pete Ross and Terry Marshall for input
Selected gigs:
16 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)
23 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)
31 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
6 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)
18 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
25 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
8 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
15 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
22 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
28 May 1965 – Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, Southend, Essex with The Paramounts (Southend Standard)
29 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
5 June 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
12 June 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
19 June 1965 – Uxbridge Blues Festival, Uxbridge, northwest London with Marianne Faithfull, The Who, Solomon Burke, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Long John Baldry, Zoot Money, The Birds, John Mayall, The Spencer Davis Group and Dave Whittling (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
31 July 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
7 August 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
14 August 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
21 August 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
11 September 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
18 September 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
30 October 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
20 November 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)
Photo: Melody Maker
10 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)
Photo: Melody Maker
17 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)
24 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)
31 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)
15 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Melody Maker)
16 December (Friday) – White Hall, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)
If you can add any further information, please leave a message in the comments below.
Left to right: Ray Martin, Paul Atkinson, Brian Brown, Terry Marshall, Pete Ross and Peter Wright. Photo: Brian Brown/Pete RossLeft to right: Paul Atkinson, Terry Marshall, Pete Ross, Brian Brown (front), Peter Wright (back) and Ray Martin. Photo: Brian Brown/Pete Ross
The Mexican Hat in Worthing, West Sussex was a popular live venue during the early-to-mid 1960s. The venue wasn’t advertised regularly in the local press so I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any further details of groups that performed there.
The Worthing Gazette only advertised the venue intermittently throughout 1964, so please get in touch if you can provide confirmed concert dates for this year.
Photo: Worthing Gazette
However, it looks like gigs took place every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and a ‘New Junior Twist Club’ may have started on 8 February 1964.
26 March 1964 – Gene Vincent & His Shouts and Lee Tracy & The Tributes (Thursday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
28 March 1964 – The Southern Sounds and The Jaguars (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
29 March 1964 – The Detours (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
30 March 1964 – Dave Storm, Jeff Spence & The Tremors (Bank Holiday Monday) (Worthing Gazette)
31 March 1964 – The Untamed 4 (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
There is a massive gap in the Worthing Gazette until the following dates
Photo: Worthing Gazette
25 September 1964 – The Beat Merchants (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
26 September 1964 – The Southern Sounds and Sherlock & The Saints (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
27 September 1964 – Unit Four (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
29 September 1964 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
30 September 1964 – The Southbeats (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
There is a massive gap in the Worthing Gazette until the following dates
Photo: Worthing Gazette
24 December 1964 – The Beat Merchants and Force Four (Thursday) (Worthing Gazette)
26 December 1964 – Jimmy Marsh & The Del Mar Trio and The J Crow Combo (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
27 December 1964 – Dave Storme & The Tremors (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
29 December 1964 – The Beat Merchants with supporting group (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
31 December 1964 – The Detours and Jimmy Marsh & The Del Mar Trio (Thursday) (Worthing Gazette)
According to the Worthing Herald, the club was run by manager Chris Vallins. The newspaper only occasionally advertised gigs at the venue throughout 1965.
Photo: Worthing Gazette
However, the Worthing Gazette was better at advertising throughout 1965, although the list below isn’t complete. This newspaper notes that gigs took place every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
26 February 1965 – The Detours (Friday) (Worthing Gazette) This is interesting as The Detours had recently joined forces with Beau Brummell to become The Noblemen so perhaps a solo gig for the band?
Photo: Worthing Gazette
27 February 1965 – The Tony Grant Group and The J Crow Combo (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
28 February 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Deltas (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
2 March 1965 – The Tremors (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
There’s a gap then until the following dates
Photo: Worthing Gazette
16 April 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
17 April 1965 – The Tony Grant Group and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
18 April 1965 – Dave Storme & The Tremors (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
19 April 1965 – The J Crow Combo (Monday) (Worthing Gazette)
20 April 1965 – DJ Blues Show (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
There’s a gap then until the following dates
Photo: Worthing Herald
21 May 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Scaffold (Friday) (Worthing Herald) Filmed live at the club for Southern television
22 May 1965 – The Force Four and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Herald)
23 May 1965 – Dave Storm & The Tremors (Sunday) (Worthing Herald)
25 May 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Herald)
29 May 1965 – Sons of Man and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
30 May 1965 – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
1 June 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
5 June 1965 – The Giants and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
6 June 1965 – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
7 June 1965 – The Deltas (Monday) (Worthing Gazette)
8 June 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
12 June 1965 – The Giants and The Heads and Tails (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
13 June 1965 – Lulu & The Luvvers (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
15 June 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
18 June 1965 – The Force Four (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
19 June 1965 – The Deltas and The Giants (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
20 June 1965 – Tony Jackson & The Vibrations (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
22 June 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
25 June 1965 – Sons of Man (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
26 June 1965 – The Klimacks and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
27 June 1965 – Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
29 June 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
2 July 1965 – The Warren J Show and The Diamonds (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
3 July 1965 – The Klimacks and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
4 July 1965 – Heinz and The Wild Boys (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
6 July 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
9 July 1965 – The Klimacks (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
10 July 1965 – The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
11 July 1965 – The Four Pennies (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
13 July 1965 – Surprise group (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
16 July 1965 – Force Four (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
17 July 1965 – The Diamonds and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
18 July 1965 – The Applejacks (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
20 July 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
27 July 1965 – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
30 July 1965 – The Web (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
31 July 1965 – The Sons of Man and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
3 August 1965 – Them (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
6 August 1965 – Just Five (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
7 August 1965 – Dave & The Diamonds and Heads & Tails (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
8 August 1965 – Two groups (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
10 August 1965 – Unit Four Plus Two (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
13 August 1965 – The Just Five (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
14 August 1965 – The Deltas and The Sons of Man (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
15 August 1965 – Two groups (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
17 August 1965 – The In Crowd (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
20 August 1965 – The Just Five (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
21 August 1965 – The Deltas and Heads & Tails (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
22 August 1965 – The Noblemen and The Beat Merchants (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
24 August 1965 – The Herd and The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
25 August 1965 – The Deltas (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
27 August 1965 – The Klimacks (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
28 August 1965 – The Deltas and The Heads & Tails (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
29 August 1965 – Dave & The Diamonds and The Beat Merchants (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
31 August 1965 – The Nashville Teens and The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
1 September 1965 – The Deltas (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
3 September 1965 – Force Four (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
4 September 1965 – Heads & Tails and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
5 September 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Just Five (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
7 September 1965 – Cops ‘N’ Robbers (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
8 September 1965 – The Deltas (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
10 September 1965 – The Sons of Man (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
11 September 1965 – Heads & Tails and The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
12 September 1965 – The Beat Merchants and surprise group (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
14 September 1965 – ‘Another Top of the Pops attraction’ (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
15 September 1965 – The Deltas (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
17 September 1965 – ‘One of the South’s top groups’ (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
18 September 1965 – Surprise groups (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
19 September 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Cyan Three (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
21 September 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
22 September 1965 – The Deltas (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
24 September 1965 – Force Four (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
25 September 1965 – Surprise groups (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
26 September 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Noblemen (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette) The Noblemen are just back from Norway and this is their last British appearance for six weeks
28 September 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
1 October 1965 – The Klimaks (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
2 October 1965 – The Diplomats (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
3 October 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Deltas (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
5 October 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
8 October 1965 – The Brian Hugg Fraternity (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
9 October 1965 – Surprise attraction (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
10 October 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Cherokees (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
12 October 1965 – The New Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
15 October 1965 – The Sons of Man (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
16 October 1965 – The Alex Laine Group (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
17 October 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Orioles (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
19 October 1965 – The New Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
22 October 1965 – Force Four (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
23 October 1965 – The Alex Laine Group (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
24 October 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Orioles (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
26 October 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
29 October 1965 – The Five of One (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
30 October 1965 – The Alex Laine Group (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
31 October 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Alex Laine Group (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
2 November 1965 – The Beat Merchants (Tuesday) (Worthing Gazette)
5 November 1965 – The Deltas (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
6 November 1965 – The Five of One (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
7 November 1965 – The Profile with support (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
12 November 1965 – The Deltas (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
13 November 1965 – The Five of One (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
14 November 1965 – Force Four and The Profile (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
19 November 1965 – Mair Davis & The Rockets (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
20 November 1965 – The Palmer James Group (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
21 November 1965 – The Cherokees and The Beat Merchants (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
26 November 1965 – The Sons of Man (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
27 November 1965 – Top local group (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
28 November 1965 – Two top groups (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
The newspaper says The Profile and top group plays this week
3 December 1965 – The Deltas (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
4 December 1965 – Alex Lane (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
5 December 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Look (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
10 December 1965 – Force Four (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
11 December 1965 – The Sons of Man (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
12 December 1965 – The Noblemen and The Look (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
17 December 1965 – The Look (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
18 December 1965 – The Palmer James Group (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
19 December 1965 – The Profile and The Look (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
24 December 1965 – The Look and The Diplomats (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
26 December 1965 – The Beat Merchants and The Mike Stuart Span (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
27 December 1965 – The Don Williams Combo (Monday) (Worthing Gazette)
31 December 1965 – Chris Boyle & The Look and Sack of Woe (Friday) (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Worthing Gazette
1 January 1966 – The Deltas (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
2 January 1966 – The Cherokees and The Look (Sunday) (Worthing Gazette)
According to the Worthing Gazette, the Mexican Hat was closed for a short period for alterations. However, the newspaper did not advertise the venue again in 1966
We’d welcome any additions below in the comments section with dates if possible
The (Fantastic Soul Messengers) were formed in November 1963 by former Flintstones members Terry Marshall (who had been in The Flee-rekkers in the interim) and Rod Freeman.
Future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell, who started out with The Crescents had previously worked with Frankie Reid & The Casuals (late 1961-mid 1962), Pete Nelson & The Travellers and Johnny Harris & The Shades.
According to Marshall, another band had been booked to play at the famous Ealing Club on a Sunday and let down the club’s owner by failing to turn up.
As he recalls, “There were musicians in the club so I brought together Rod Freeman who I went pro with in 1960 when he was 16, Ken Rankine on bass and Mitch Mitchell on drums. We went down so well that Feri who ran the club gave us a residency there on the spot for Sundays.”
Regulars at the Ealing Club, the Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette has the band playing every Sunday in December 1963.
In 1964, they are also listed for 2 February, 5 April, 18 April and 11 May but played at the club much more than these advertised dates.
Soon after, Terry Marshall, who joined The Ray Martin Group, was replaced by American Gary Bell.
Photo: Nick Simper. The Soul Messengers, circa July 1964. Left to right: Gary Bell, Rod Freeman (back), Mitch Mitchell and Ken Rankine
However, around July 1964, Mitch Mitchell, who joined The Riot Squad that December, departed and the band changed name to The Next 5.
The new-line up comprised:
Rod Freeman – guitar/vocals
Ken Rankine – bass
Gary Bell – tenor saxophone (from the United States)
Photo: Boyfriend magazine, August 1964. The five-piece Next Five
The Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette lists The Next 5 at the Ealing Club playing a number of Thursdays throughout October and into November 1964 (see gigs below).
According to music writer David Else, they were also resident band at Tottenham Royal Ballroom.
Thanks to Terry Marshall and David Else for their help
Selected gigs:
The following are all from Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette unless otherwise noted
Billed as The Fantastic Soul Messengers:
23 November 1963 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex with Johnny Five & The Ramblers (Evening Argus) Billed as Soul Messengers
1 December 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (billed as every Sunday)
8 December 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
15 December 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
22 December 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
29 December 1963 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)
Sonny (aka Tony Smith) (tenor saxophone/baritone saxophone)
Doug Collins (bass)
Dave Golding (drums)
The Flintstones were formed in 1961 from the ashes of The Blue Men who included Collins, Freeman and Golding. Slater had previously been a member of The Cadillacs.
Marshall was the son of Jim Marshall, who ran the famous music shop in Hanwell, west London that became a meeting point for many notable Sixties musicians.
Tony Ross, who was called Rupert by the musicians, took over from Collins in early 1962 after playing in Peter Nelson & The Travellers.
According to Marshall, the band’s first recording was done with the legendary Joe Meek, who insisted that they record under the name The Stonehenge Men.
That summer singer Pete Fleerekker asked Terry Marshall to join his group, The Flee-rekkers and Tony Holley joined on tenor sax/vocals.
According to music writer David Else, Puddy left in November 1962 and formed The Night Sounds (featuring guitarist Albert Lee) and Ricky Marsh took over baritone saxophone.
Else says that The Flintstones backed Little Richard on a British tour in September 1963. By this point, Ernie Cox had succeeded Dave Golding and Dave Green had replaced either Tony Holley or Tony Smith on tenor saxophone.
Photo: Walthamstow Guardian
After a second Little Richard tour in October-November 1963, Freeman left to form The Soul Messengers with Terry Marshall.
Not long afterwards, Tony Ross departed to join Carter Lewis & The Southerners.
Photo: Boyfriend Magazine, July 1964
In July 1964, Terry Slater revamped the band with the following musicians:
Terry Slater (lead guitar/vocals)
Mickey Fitzpatrick (bass) (ex-Pete Chester and Chris Ravel Ravers)
Dave Green (tenor saxophone)
Ray Taylor (tenor saxophone)
Ernie Cox (drums)
Not long afterwards, however, Cox and Green joined The John Barry Seven and the band split up.
According to David Else, Fitzpatrick subsequently worked with future Ferris Wheel member Mike Liston in Simon’s Triangle.
Terry Slater moved to the US and became part of The Everly Brothers Band.
Thanks to Terry Marshall and David Else for their help.
If you can add anything more to the band’s story, please get in contact via the comments section below.
The Crescendos came from the Leetonia and Salem area south of Youngstown, Ohio, and made this one single in 1965. “I Need Love” is fine garage, and the flip is a good ballad, “Blue Sunday”. Both were written by vocalist Jim Altomare.
They cut the record at Gateway and released it on the Action Records label of Youngstown, between the two singles by the Executioners on the label. Trend Setter Music did the publishing, and Jerry Starr produced.
Instrumentally, the Crescendos was a quartet but I only have two names so far Jim Altomare on vocals and guitar and Jim Ginther on drums. I’m not sure who was playing bass or piano on these cuts.
The Crescendos received a few mentions in the Salem area press. In October, 1964, they played a street fair in Columbiana, and in February 1965 they headlined a dance at the Knights of Columbus hall in Leetonia.
Jim Ginther was also part of the Invictas from Lisbon, with Jerry Justice on piano.
Any further info on the group would be appreciated.
The Novells recorded a great lament “Go Now” for Dale Menten’s Westchester label of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Other than a writing credit to Steve Johnson, the Novells are a mystery to me.
“Go Now” was released on Westchester DR-271, as the B-side to a version of “Billy Boy”. The DR-271 number on the label indicates this was recorded at Dove Recording Studios in Bloomington.
Producer Dale Menten is most famous as guitarist of the Gestures, and writer of “Run, Run, Run”.
The Minneapolis Tribune on Sunday, June 2, 1968 ran an overview of the local rock business that included this paragraph:
Candyfrost Productions is a two-year-old firm that manages about 16 bands and does promotion for them as well. The firm did about $400,000 worth of business last year. Dale Menten and Peter Steinberg, the owners, are both 23. Steinberg is also a major stockholder in Dove Recording, a 3 1/2-year-old rock recording compoany that grossed more than $50,000 last year.
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
