Jolene Wood sent in this scan of an Edgewood Recording Studio acetate of the Korsairs of Tacoma Park, Maryland. The band covers “I Can Only Give You Everything” on one side and James Brown’s “I Don’t Mind” on the other. Another copy of this acetate sold for $790 in 2010.
Members included:
Mark Redd – lead vocals and keyboards Joe [surname?] – guitar Mark Fincham – drums
Mark played at the grand opening of the Kennedy Center Sept.8, 1971, perhaps on keyboard with his next band, Second Eagle or 2nd Eagle. Mark Ainsley Redd died in Marietta Ohio October 2019.
The Motion 1966. Left to right: Greg Peck, Martin Jarvis, Alex Macpherson and Kerry Watson
Martin Jarvis (lead vocals, guitar)
Greg Peck (vocals, guitar)
Kerry Watson (bass)
Alex Macpherson (drums)
This north London group started in 1964 as The Henchmen with Bernie Holloway on bass. Bernie was from Liverpool and had played with some well-known Liverpool groups pre The Beatles. He was replaced in early ‘65 by Kerry Watson and the same line up lasted until late 1967.
After the band split Kerry Watson went on to tour Germany with Jackie Edwards who wrote the hits ‘Keep on Running’ and ‘Somebody Help Me’ for The Spencer Davis Group. Kerry failed an audition for Cupids Inspiration but the manager of both these groups, who auditioned him, gave him the job with Jackie Edwards. Kerry died in 2014.
Martin Jarvis is still in the business as the UK’s foremost Tom Jones Tribute act. He worked in various bands over the years and did session work for a couple of record labels. He went to Las Vegas with Anthony Newley’s show. At Newley’s suggestion he started doing Tom Jones songs (Tom was the big hit in Vegas at the time). Martin has been doing them ever since.
Business card for Psycho, from Chico, with Guy Williamson and Marty Howard’s contact info
Arvey Andrews headed two record labels in 1965 and 1966, Frantic Records and Vardan Records. He was also part of Management By Martin, Inc., with George Martin and Robert Clark. George Martin co-produced some of these singles and handled bookings for the groups.
In 2020 I bought a collection of records and 1/4″ tapes that belonged to a previously unknown investor in Management By Martin. I am not disclosing his name at this time, but he is now in his mid-90s. He was a colonel in the Air Force, and obviously a music enthusiast. One could map his likely military postings from his record collection: Ty & Johnny on Red Wing suggests Eglin Air Force Base near Pensacola, FL, and Wailers & Sonics records obtained while stationed at McChord Field near Tacoma.
At Beale AFB in Yuba County he met Arvey Andrews, who would involve this officer in his Frantic and Vardan operations. It would be a fruitful but one-sided association. This investor would describe his dealings with Andrews in an Air Force Statement of Witness dated March 2, 1970:
… while stationed at Beale AFB, California I became a stockholder in a corporation known as “Management by Martin, Inc.,” a firm which handles bookings and recordings by “rock and roll” groups. Other members of this corporation at its inception were Captain Arvey I. Andrews (hereafter called Subject), George Martin and a Robert Clark. I contracted a law firm known as Athearn, Chandler and Hoffman, 593 Market Street, San Francisco California to represent me and to establish the corporate structure of Management by Martin Inc. I am the Secretary-Treasurer of this corporation …
I noted that shortly after Management by Martin began to move forward that certain high expenses at Ikon Recorders … as well as fees paid to Lance Associates, a “public relations outfit,” might cause the business to fold… I told the other partners of the corporation that I would remain as a corporation officer but would no longer make financial contributions to the corporation’s support. Also, at this time, I told Subject [Andrews] that he must commence paying back the indebtedness. At that time, I believe it was the spring of 1967, Subject repaid me $100.00 a month for three consecutive months and stopped shortly thereafter. I told Subject that if he did not continue with the monthly payments, I would resort to legal action to recoup the loaned monies. Shortly after this, I became knowledgeable of Subject’s filing for bankruptcy.
These unfortunate transactions seem to have ended this investor’s involvement in the music business, though he continued to collect records and radio shows into the ’70s.
This Management By Martin, Inc ad ran in Billboard every week from April 30 – July 30, 1966The bankruptcy probably harmed Arvey Andrews as well. He remained involved with the Lovers as they changed their name to the Pacesetters and signed to Liberty / Minit, but I don’t believe he produced or released music again. Andrews would reach the rank of major by 1970, before retiring from the Air Force. On May 12, 1982 Andrews incorporated the Vardan Recording Institute of America at 1108 Black Knight Drive in Valrico, Florida, but I know of no releases from this company. Arvey Isaacs Andrews died on April 5, 1994, aged 59.
In the collection were at least one copy of every Vardan and Frantic single except Sonny Oliver & the Statics on Vardan, and the Boy Blues “Coming Down to You” / “Living Child” on Frantic. Most of these were promo copies, and there were multiple stock and promo copies of the Boy Blues “Living Child” / “Think About It Baby” on Vardan. There were Emotions singles on Gate and Philips as well as the Vardan issue.
There were also a couple 45s on Ikon. Along with Golden State Recorders in San Francisco and Sountronic Recording Studios in Lodi, Arvey Andrews used the Ikon studio, but I do not believe he was involved in any releases on that label.
Many of the records have warping and/or insect damage from years stored in an attic.
The Lovers “Leave Her” test pressing
Below is a description of the unique items:
The Lovers unreleased test pressing
Most notable among the 7″s was a styrene test pressing of two unreleased songs by the Lovers, “Leave Her” / “The E.T.”, numbered 2125 / 2126. For some reason Andrews did not release that single, and those numbers appear on the Styx single “My Girl” / “Stay Away” on Frantic Records CR-2125/CR-2126.
Test pressing for Psycho’s “You Think You’ve Got Me” / “Need Me”, released on vinyl as Frantic Records CR-2127/CR-2128
Psycho test pressing
There was also a styrene test pressing for Psycho’s “You Think You’ve Got Me” / “Need Me”, released on vinyl as Frantic Records CR-2127/CR-2128. The dead wax codes are in a different hand than the released version, though the versions sound identical.
Both test pressings are stamped June 13, 1966.
Also included were two test pressings of Custer and the Survivers, “I Saw Her Walking” / “Flapjacks”, which saw release on Golden State and Ascot. Production was by Shower Of Stars, another company of George Martin and Arvey Andrews with a Yuba City address.
Golden State acetate 45 of Psycho “Need Me”
Psycho acetate, and “What’s in the Bag, Goose” demo
Also in the collection were two acetates. One is a Golden State Recorders acetate 45 of Psycho “You Think You’ve Got Me” / “Need Me”; same versions as the released single. The Psycho business card at top was found in a tape box.
Audiodisc acetate 45 of “What’s in the Bag Goose”
The other was an unlabeled Audiodisc acetate with one song, “What’s in the Bag, Goose”. This cut also appears on two other 1/4″ tapes, one dated January 22, 1966. Apparently Drusalee and the Dead cut “What’s in the Bag, Goose”, however, there is no organ on the cut, and it doesn’t sound much like their Vardan single. Hear an excerpt.
The song is a novelty take on a Granny Goose potato chip commercial, with song writing credits to Nick DeCaro, Dave Pell, and Joe Saraceno. I like this performance more than the only released version I know of, from the T-Bones LP, No Matter What Shape (Your Stomach’s In).
Sountronic Recording Studios sheet in tape box compiling Frantic masters by the Lovers, Mystic, Boy Blues and D. Witherspoon
Sountronic Recording Studio tape
One of the tapes had ten songs compiled from the master recordings in either mono or 2 track stereo, according to an info sheet from Sountronic Recording Studios at 880 East Pine St., Lodi, CA. Dated September 22, 1966. Included are the A and B sides of four singles from the Frantic label: The Mystic’s “Weekend People” / “I Get So Disgusted”, the Boy Blues “Coming Down to You” / “Living Child”, and D. Witherspoon and the Future, and the Lovers “Without a Doubt” / “One Way to Love”. Also included are two songs by the Lovers with the Harlem Brass that never saw release: “She’s Supreme” / “Truly Truly”.
“She’s Supreme” has only been known on acetate. “Truly Truly” is a backing track without vocals. Alec Palao tells me it is the same backing track used on a rare single by the Kashos on Work Records 45-827, which I haven’t heard. Stanley and Archie Casher wrote that song, and possibly the backing track was reused from the Lovers session.
Joey D. told me that this is the first documentation from the Sountronic Studio that he has ever seen. This tape may be the only tape source for these songs in existence.
Tape box with unreleased cuts by Boy Blues, Psycho, and Drusalee & the Dead
Tape of unreleased songs
Another interesting tape was faintly labeled in pencil with only band names, but contains unreleased songs by the Boy Blues, Psycho and Drusalee & the Dead.
The Boy Blues cuts are both originals. The best, titled possibly “Baby Doll”, has a fuzz riff, tasteful use of horns, an extended guitar break and double-time ending. “Little Red Rooster” is not the Howlin’ Wolf standard but a light original with a more prominent horn arrangement.
The Psycho cut is “That Girl”, a good jangly original song with excellent harmonies.
The last two cuts are “What’s in the Bag, Goose”, as discussed on the Audiodisc acetate above, and a ballad. Although the tape box suggests Drusalee and the Dead, neither song sounds like the Vardan single.
Audio quality and occasional drop-outs suggest this tape is a later generation copy.
Stereo rehearsal tape by PsychoMono rehearsal tape by Psycho, the two original songs are early versions of “That Girl” and “You Think You’ve Got Me”
Psycho rehearsal tapes
There are two rehearsal tapes by Psycho. The first contains all cover songs, and is recorded in stereo. Two songs featured on the Up From the Grave CD were taken from a cassette in mono, so this tape is an upgrade.
The second tape is in mono, but includes a couple of originals as well as more cover songs. There are two takes of “You Think You’ve Got Me” titled “Why Can’t You Say” on the tape box. The vocals are upfront; the band’s harmonies are very good at times. I appreciate hearing these early versions, even with some rushed tempo changes.
The other original is “My Girl” perhaps more appropriately titled “Without That Girl”, which did not appear on their Frantic single.
They do a good job on many of the cover songs, and it’s cool to hear them try “It’s No Use.” The singers forget a line in the last verse of “Turn Turn Turn”.
Lastly, there’s a tape of a folk group with vocalist Sandy Knox, recorded at Ikon.
———-
Members of the bands mentioned in this post (sources include notes to Up From the Grave and 60sgaragebands.com):
The Emotions & Lovers (Beale AFB): James Gregory (Greg), Daniel Saunders, Melvin Williams, McHenry Otis (Mike), and Bob Coleman
Psycho (Chico): Bob Williamson, Marty Howard, Jim Conley, Ron Murphy and Randy Reaves
Boy Blues (Chico): Jim Conley, Randy Reaves, Rick Wagner, Bob Brien, Mark Cipolla, Chris Howard, John Palmer, and Jeff Gadbois
Drusalee & the Dead (Marysville): Drew Sallee, Ernie Apodaca, Bob Covic, Bob Rathbun, Gordon McCollum, and John Piper
Statics (Marysville): Sonny Oliver, Freddie Bidasha, Johnny Rollins, Frank Lester
Custer & the Survivors (Oroville): Gary Gibson, Jodell Bruce Payseno (Jody Payseno), Mike McLoughlin, Bob Blade, Martin Blade, Richard Daugherty, and Claire Hinton
Mystics (Boise, Idaho): Tim Woodward, Vance Shirley, John Hynes, Rich Smith, and Dennis Schaffner
Thank you to Gary Gibson Jr. for sending in the photos of his father’s band, Custer and the Survivors. The group cut two unreleased songs at the same Los Angeles session as “I Saw Her Walking” and “Flapjacks”, including “With Love in Her Eyes”.
Custer and the Survivors, Custer with the goatee, second from left. Other personnel unknown.
The Velours cut this one single, “She’s My Girl” / “Woman For Me” on Rona R-010. Both sides sound like they were recorded with a studio audience. “She’s My Girl” is uptempo r&b that only lacks a guitar break. I’d like to know who was the vocal group doing the background vocals, which really help the sound. I’ve seen December 1964 as the release date. The group was based in either Dallas or Fort Worth, Texas.
St. Romain wrote the songs, with Rona Pub. Co. handling the publishing. I believe this is Mike St. Romain, who was related to Kirby St. Romain, possibly his brother?
I can tie Michael St. Romain to the Velours from Jerry Zenick’s Disc ‘n’ Data column on November 23, 1972 in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, which profiled the band Saint Romain:
Romain’s Club Style Is Conducive to Success
Formerly known as Quest, the group [Saint Romain] recently completed a stint at Dallas’ Club Climax, where the name switch was announced.
The new handle is very apropos because the driving force of the quintet is Mike St. Romain. A dynamic singer, forceful guitarist and consummate impersonator, the Dallas native has been a professional for over a decade. After touring with the Dick Caravan of Stars at 14, Romain formed his own group, The Velours. Long stints in the Virgin Islands and on the West Coast greatly widened and polished his style. After the unit disbanded in 1968, Romain put together Quest.
Present band members are bassist Phil James … drummer Gary Talbert, who played with the Human Beings when they released “Nobody Can”; pianist George Christopher, and side [sic] guitarist Michael Marchman, who handles the arranging tasks.
An early version of Quest included Darrel Howard of the Chants, and John Broberg and Neal St. John of the Upper Class.
This is not the same Velours as the group who cut singles on Onyx and Cub, among other labels.
The Vibrasonics came from Meadville in northwest Pennsylvania, east of Cleveland and north of Pittsburgh. They recorded two good original songs, “Don’t Go” / “Send Her to Me”, on Marjon Records MJ-511, in July 1965.
Bud Pendolino wrote both songs. He registered copyright under Leonard James Pendolino in May and July 1966.
Pete Simonetta produced the single, I am not sure of his connection with the Vibrasonics.
Five years later, Buddy Pendolino’s name shows up on the writer’s credit for “Way Out West”, the A-side of a single by Fairchild (also known as Stonewall) on Marjon Records. The B-side was “I’d Like to Make You Mine”, written by B. Kurt, D. Miller, J. Crecraft and N. Dasovich.
Johnny and Martha Krizancic owned Marjon Records in Sharon PA, recording mainly polka and country music.
This is not the same band as the Vibra-Sonics from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, that made one 45, “Thunder Storm” / “Drag Race” on the Ideal label in 1964. That band included George Tweedy on lead guitar, Bob Tweedy rhythm guitar, Bill Sabo on 2nd lead and rhythm guitar, Joe Colner bass, and Joey Michno (later known as Joey Covington) on drums. These Vibra-Sonics often played Conneaut Lake, very close to the Vibrasonics hometown of Meadville.
Fox and the Huntah’s “Funny Kinda Day” is an obscure single, a full production with piano and backup singers, and a 12-string guitar break with a couple minor flubs. It was an original song by Tom Fox and Mike Davis, who seem to have been members of the band. Other possible members include Joe Ardovino and Hal McDonald.
Ed Boutwell engineered the session. “Scotty” produced the B-side, a cover of “Love Minus Zero/No Limit”. Released as Malcolm Z. Dirge 45004 in November, 1966. The oddly-named Birmingham, Alabama label also put out three singles by the Distortions, and one by the Daze of the Week.
More info on Fox and the Huntah’s would be appreciated.
One of the top rock clubs on the English south coast during the 1960s, the Club Continental in Eastbourne played host to many of the leading acts of the day. Among the future stars to appear on its stage was David Bowie.
I’ve started to put together a list of artists that played at the club below and would welcome any additions and memories in the comments section below.
7 January 1966 (Friday) – Sons of Fred (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
14 January 1966 (Friday) – The Worrying Kynde (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
21 January 1966 (Friday) – The Artwoods (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
28 January 1966 (Friday) – Alexanders 4-Bidden, The Bootleggers, Breed, Nocturnal, System (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
2 February 1966 (Wednesday) – 4-Bidden (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
4 February 1966 (Friday) – Changing Times (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
5 February 1966 (Saturday) – Breed (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
6 February 1966 (Sunday) – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
9 February 1966 (Wednesday) – System (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
11 February 1966 (Friday) – Plain and Fancy (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
12 February 1966 (Saturday) – The Aces (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
16 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Bootleggers (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
18 February 1966 (Friday) – Those Fading Colours (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker) Formerly The King Pins
19 February 1966 (Saturday) – The Candles (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
20 February 1966 (Sunday) – 4-Bidden (Melody Maker)
21 February 1966 (Monday) – Them (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker) This is the Van Morrison version
23 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Nocturnal (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
25 February 1966 (Friday) – Sons of Fred (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
28 February 1966 (Monday) – David Bowie (& The Lower Third) (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
2 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Black ‘N’ Tan (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
4 March 1966 (Friday) – The Fenmen (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
5 March 1966 (Saturday) – 4-Bidden (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
7 March 1966 (Monday) – Them (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker) This is the rival Them with the McAuley brothers
9 March 1966 (Wednesday) – System (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
11 March 1966 (Friday) – Alan Down Set (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) This is probably The Alan Bown Set
12 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Web (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
16 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Earl Richmond and The Confederates (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
18 March 1966 (Friday) – The Fairies (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
19 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Artwoods (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
21 March 1966 (Monday) – The Untamed (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
23 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Sons of Fred, The Majority and Lovin’ Kind (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
25 March 1966 (Friday) – Defiants (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
26 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Peeps (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Make)
30 March 1966 (Wednesday) – The Lower Third (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker) David Bowie’s band
1 April 1966 (Friday) – The Tribe (Melody Maker)
2 April 1966 (Saturday) – The Moody Blues (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
4 April 1966 (Monday) – The Riot Squad (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
8 April 1966 (Friday) – The Herd (Melody Maker)
9 April 1966 (Saturday) – The Fenmen (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)
10 April 1966 (Sunday) – Earl Richmond and Guest Artistes (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
16 April 1966 (Saturday) – The Alan Price Set (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
23 April 1966 (Saturday) – HT and The Rockbeats (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
24 April 1966 (Sunday) – The Roman Empire Show (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
30 April 1966 (Saturday) – 4-Bidden (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
1 May 1966 (Sunday) – Earl Richmond with guest artistes (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
4 May 1966 (Wednesday) – The Untamed (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
7 May 1966 (Saturday) – Graham Bonney (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
8 May 1966 (Sunday) – Ed Stewart (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
14 May 1966 (Saturday) – Emeralds (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
15 May 1966 (Sunday) – Earl Richmond (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
16 May 1966 (Monday) – The Riot Squad (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
21 May 1966 (Saturday) – Dave Berry & The Cruisers (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
22 May 1966 (Sunday) – Earl Richmond (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
27 May 1966 (Friday) – Gary Farr & The T-Bones, David and Jonathan and The 4-Bidden (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) This is held at the Winter Garden. The 4-Bidden changed name to St John’s Wood in 1967.
28 May 1966 (Saturday) – Pete Budd & The Rebels (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
4 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Peeps (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
5 June 1966 (Sunday) – Earl Richmond (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
11 June 1966 (Saturday) – HT & The Rockbeats (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
18 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Four Pennies (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
25 June 1966 (Saturday) – Sons of Fred (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
2 July 1966 (Saturday) – Davey Sands & The Essex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
3 July 1966 (Sunday) – Earl Richmond (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
9 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Artwoods (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Fabulous 208)
16 July 1966 (Saturday) – Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band (Beat Instrumental/Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
23 July 1966 (Saturday) – Those Fading Colours (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
29 July 1966 (Friday) – The Fenmen (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Alley Cats (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
6 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Coloured Raisins (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
13 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Iveys (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
20 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Candy Dates (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
27 August 1966 (Saturday) – The HT (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
2 September 1966 (Friday) – The Artwoods (Fabulous 208)
3 September 1966 (Saturday) – Pete Budd & The Rebels (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
10 September 1966 (Saturday) – The Breed (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
17 September 1966 (Saturday) – Fading Colours (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
24 September 1966 (Saturday) – Helen Brailey (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
1 October 1966 (Saturday) – Wishful Thinking (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) Formerly The Emeralds
8 October 1966 (Saturday) – Boy’s Blue (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
15 October 1966 (Saturday) – The End (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) This may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
22 October 1966 (Saturday) – Derek Savage Foundation (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
29 October 1966 (Saturday) – Those Fadin’ Colours (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
5 November 1966 (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
12 November 1966 (Saturday) – The End (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) This may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
19 November 1966 (Saturday) – The Fading Colours (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
25 November 1966 (Friday) – The Artwoods (Fabulous 208)
26 November 1966 (Saturday) – Winston G (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
3 December 1966 (Saturday) – Derek Savage Foundation (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
10 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Goodthings (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
17 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Kirkbys (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
7 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Sean Buckley Set (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
14 January 1967 (Saturday) – Winston G (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
21 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Variations (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
28 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Breeds Blue Band (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
4 February1967 (Saturday) – The Motion (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
11 February 1967 (Saturday) – The Derek Savage Foundation (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
18 February 1967 (Saturday) – The Five Proud Walkers (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
25 February 1967 (Saturday) – The Coloured Raisins (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
5 March 1967 (Saturday) – Missing entry
11 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Farm Band (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
18 March 1967 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
25 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Fadin’ Colours (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
1 April 1967 (Saturday) – The Idle Race (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
8 April 1967 (Saturday) – The Mad’ing Crowd (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
15 April 1967 (Saturday) – The Human Instinct (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
22 April 1967 (Saturday) – The Ourselves (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
29 April 1967 (Saturday) – The Lee Hawkins Group (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
6 May 1967 (Saturday) – The Odds On (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
13 May 1967 (Saturday) – The Hush (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
20 May 1967 (Saturday) – The Lee Hawkins Group (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
27 May 1967 (Saturday) – Stacey’s Circle (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
3 June 1967 (Saturday) – Missing entry
10 June 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
17 June 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
24 June 1967 (Saturday) – Soul supply show
1 July 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
8 July 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
15 July 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
22 July 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
29 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Earl Dee Group, The Target and Soul Supply Show (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
5 August 1967 (Saturday) – Urchins (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
12 August 1967 (Saturday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
19 August 1967 (Saturday) – Geranium Pond (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
26 August 1967 (Saturday) – Soul supply show
2 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Lee Hawkins Group (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
16 September 1967 (Saturday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
23 September 1967 (Saturday) – Mr Hip Soul Band (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
29 September 1967 (Friday) – The Coloured Raisins (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
30 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Clockwork Oranges (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
7 October 1967 (Saturday) – Eddie Singh and West Indian Tornados (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
14 October 1967 (Saturday) – Sunset Sound (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
21 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Fabulous Collection (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
28 October 1967 (Saturday) – Deep Purple (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) This might be the version formed by Mick Wheeler after he left The All Night Workers and before joining Jo Jo Gunne but needs confirmation
4 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Living Daylights (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
11 November 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
18 November 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
2 December 1967 (Saturday) – Disco
9 December 1967 (Saturday) – Missing
10 December 1967 (Sunday) – The New Lee Hawkins Group (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
16 December 1967 (Saturday) – Missing
23 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Coloured Raisins (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
29 December 1967 (Friday) – The Coloured Raisins with King Ossie, Honey Darling and Earl Green (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
Run by Harold and Doris Toft and located at 35-39 Grace Hill in Folkestone, Kent, Toft’s was a major music venue on the English south coast during the 1960s.
I’ve started to list gigs below and would welcome any additions and memories in the comments section below.
7 May 1966 (Saturday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
14 May 1966 (Saturday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
21 May 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 May 1966 (Friday) – The Playboys (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
28 May 1966 (Saturday) – Tony Knight’s Chessmen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 May 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
30 May 1966 (Monday) – The Playboys (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
4 June 1966 (Saturday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 June 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Alan Price Set (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
12 June 1966 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 June 1966 (Saturday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
19 June 1966 (Sunday) – Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
25 June 1966 (Saturday) – Sounds Incorporated (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
26 June 1966 (Sunday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
2 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Nashville Teens (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 July 1966 (Sunday) – Roy C with The League of Gentlemen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
9 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Shotgun Express (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 July 1966 (Sunday) – Rufus Thomas & Bluesology (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
16 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
17 July 1966 (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
22 July 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
23 July 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
24 July 1966 (Sunday) – The In Crowd (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 July 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
29 July 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Shevelles (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
31 July 1966 (Sunday) – Alexis Korner (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 August 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
6 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Gass (Melody Maker)
7 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Melody Maker)
10 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
13 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
14 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Senate (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
20 August 1966 (Saturday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
21 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
27 August 1966 (Saturday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
28 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 August 1966 (Monday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 September 1966 (Saturday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
4 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Ying Tongs (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 September 1966 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
11 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Vibrations (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The Vibrations were most likely backed by The Noblemen
16 September 1966 (Friday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
17 September 1966 (Saturday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
23 September 1966 (Friday) – The Vibrations and The Noblemen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
24 September 1966 (Saturday) – Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
25 September 1966 (Sunday) – John McCoy’s Crawdaddies (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
30 September 1966 (Friday) – The Summercumlauds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
1 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Ying Tongs (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
2 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Tonicks (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
8 October 1966 (Saturday) – The HT (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
9 October 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Fabulous 208)
15 October 1966 (Saturday) – Lee Dorsey (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) Looks like he was replaced by Guy Darrell Syndicate
16 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
21 October 1966 (Friday) – Live group (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
22 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
23 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
25 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Scots of St James (Melody Maker) This needs confirmation
28 October 1966 (Friday) – Live group (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
30 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
4 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 November 1966 (Saturday) – T D Backus and The Powehouse (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
6 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
12 November 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
13 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Meantimers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
19 November 1966 (Saturday) – The HT (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
20 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Original Dyaks (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
25 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
26 November 1966 (Saturday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 November 1966 (Sunday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
2 December 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Nite People (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
4 December 1966 (Sunday) – The Luther Morgan Relationship (Melody Maker) The Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald has The Derek Savage Foundation instead
10 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Meddy Evils (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 December 1966 (Sunday) – Guy Darrell & The Gnomes of Zurich (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
16 December 1966 (Friday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker)
17 December 1966 (Saturday) – Little Richard, The Quotations and The Kingpins (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 December 1966 (Sunday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
23 December 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings and The Spectre Quin Team (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
24 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys and The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
26 December 1966 (Monday) – The Heart and Souls and The Kingpins (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
31 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas and he Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
7 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Original Dyaks (Melody Maker)
8 January 1967 (Sunday) – The See-Saw Soul Set (Melody Maker)
14 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
15 January 1967 (Sunday) – The Fenmen (Melody Maker)
22 January 1967 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (Melody Maker)
28 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Who (Melody Maker)
4 February 1967 (Saturday) – Manfred Mann (Melody Maker)
11 February 1967 (Saturday) – Maxine Brown (possibly with The Q-Set) (Melody Maker) Melody Maker also has The Gass
18 February 1967 (Saturday) – Cream (Melody Maker)
Eddie’s Crowd, The Motion and Mike Stuart Span perform in February 1968
The Pilgrim in Haywards Heath, West Sussex was a popular live music venue during the 1960s, which was advertised in the Mid Sussex Times with the Downs Hotel, Hassocks, another important club.
I’ve made a start on listing some of the artists that played and would welcome any additions in the comments section below.
2 January 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
9 January 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
16 January 1964 – Group X (replaced by Larry Carlo & The Vincents) (The Mid Sussex Times)
23 January 1964 – The Daltons (The Mid Sussex Times)
30 January 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
8 February 1964 – Unit 6 and Al Monte & The Boys (The Mid Sussex Times)
13 February 1964 – The London Beats (The Mid Sussex Times)
20 February 1964 – Mike Fallon & The Flames (The Mid Sussex Times)
27 February 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
29 February 1964 – The Untamed Four with Wayne Crawford’s Rockin’ Jades (The Mid Sussex Times)
5 March 1964 – Larry Carlo & The Vincents (The Mid Sussex Times)
12 March 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
19 March 1964 – The Blackbeats with Cuthbert The Cavemen (The Mid Sussex Times)
26 March 1964 – The Four Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
30 March 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
2 April 1964 – The Daltons (The Mid Sussex Times)
9 April 1964 – The Sabres (The Mid Sussex Times)
11 April 1964 – Unit 6 and The Deltas (The Mid Sussex Times)
16 April 1964 – The Untamed Four (The Mid Sussex Times)
23 April 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
30 April 1964 – Wayne Crawford’s Jades (The Mid Sussex Times)
7 May 1964 – The Four Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
9 May 1964 – The Jaguars and The Unit Four (The Mid Sussex Times)
14 May 1964 – The New Vincents Blue Sounds (The Mid Sussex Times)
18 May 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
21 May 1964 – The Untamed Four (The Mid Sussex Times)
28 May 1964 – Count Downe & The Zeros (The Mid Sussex Times)
4 June 1964 – The Sidewinders (The Mid Sussex Times)
11 June 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
13 June 1964 – Johnny Jay & The Zabres and The Smoke-stacks (The Mid Sussex Times)
18 June 1964 – The Four Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
25 June 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
2 July 1964 – The Untamed Four (The Mid Sussex Times)
9 July 1964 – The Debutantes (The Mid Sussex Times)
16 July 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
23 July 1964 – The Jaguars (The Mid Sussex Times)
30 July 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
3 August 1964 – The Continentals (The Mid Sussex Times)
6 August 1964 – Vincents Big Blues (The Mid Sussex Times)
13 August 1964 – The Four Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
20 August 1964 – The Banana Bunch (The Mid Sussex Times)
27 August 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
3 September 1964 – Tony & The Defiants (The Mid Sussex Times)
10 September 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
17 September 1964 – The Kreaks (The Mid Sussex Times)
24 September 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
26 September 1964 – The Debutantes and The Blues Creatures (The Mid Sussex Times)
1 October 1964 – The Four Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
8 October 1964 – The Credits (The Mid Sussex Times)
15 October 1964 – The Trekkas (The Mid Sussex Times)
22 October 1964 – The Kreaks (The Mid Sussex Times)
24 October 1964 – The Frisco Boys and Ivy with The Features (The Mid Sussex Times)
29 October 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
5 November 1964 – The Wild Ones (The Mid Sussex Times)
7 November 1964 – The Del-Vikings and The People (The Mid Sussex Times)
12 November 1964 – Mo’ Henry (The Mid Sussex Times)
19 November 1964 – The Four Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
26 November 1964 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
28 November 1964 – The Alexanders with surprise group (The Mid Sussex Times)
3 December 1964 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
10 December 1964 – The Kreaks (The Mid Sussex Times)
17 December 1964 – The Banana Bunch (The Mid Sussex Times)
23 December 1964 – The Four Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
31 December 1964 – The Kreaks and The Robusts (The Mid Sussex Times)
7 January 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
14 January 1965 – The G-Men (formerly The Giants) (The Mid Sussex Times)
21 January 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
23 January 1965 – Mo Henry R&B & The Otis Men (The Mid Sussex Times)
28 January 1965 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
4 February 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
11 February 1965 – The Kreaks (The Mid Sussex Times)
18 February 1965 – The Shufflers (The Mid Sussex Times)
25 February 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
27 February 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers and Ivy & The League (the latter may have been replaced by The Buccaneers) (The Mid Sussex Times)
4 March 1965 – D-J Blues Band (The Mid Sussex Times)
11 March 1965 – The G-Men (The Mid Sussex Times)
18 March 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
25 March 1965 – The Daltons (The Mid Sussex Times)
1 April 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
8 April 1965 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
15 April 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
19 April 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
22 April 1965 – Jimmy Marsh & The Del-Mar Trio (The Mid Sussex Times)
29 April 1965 – The Kreaks (The Mid Sussex Times)
6 May 1965 – The Shufflers (The Mid Sussex Times)
13 May 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
15 May 1965 – Mo’ Henry R&B Combo and The Black and Tans (The Mid Sussex Times)
20 May 1965 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
27 May 1965 – The Untamed (The Mid Sussex Times)
3 June 1965 – Robb Storme & The Whispers (The Mid Sussex Times)
7 June 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
10 June 1965 – The Jeydes (The Mid Sussex Times)
17 June 1965 – The Bo Street Runners (The Mid Sussex Times)
24 June 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
1 July 1965 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
8 July 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
15 July 1965 – The Herd (The Mid Sussex Times)
22 July 1965 – The Kreaks (The Mid Sussex Times)
29 July 1965 – Robb Storme & The Whispers (The Mid Sussex Times)
5 August 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
12 August 1965 – The Beat Merchants (The Mid Sussex Times)
19 August 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
26 August 1965 – The Herd (The Mid Sussex Times)
30 August 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
2 September 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
9 September 1965 – The Fenmen and The Dolphins (The Mid Sussex Times)
11 September 1965 – The In-Sect (The Mid Sussex Times)
16 September 1965 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
23 September 1965 – The Herd (The Mid Sussex Times)
30 September 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
7 October 1965 – The In-Sect (The Mid Sussex Times)
9 October 1965 – Shelley and Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
14 October 1965 – Dave Storm & The Diamonds (The Mid Sussex Times)
21 October 1965 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
28 October 1965 – Robb Storme & The Whispers (The Mid Sussex Times)
30 October 1965 – The Deltas and The Short-Cuts (The Mid Sussex Times)
4 November 1965 – The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
11 November 1965 – Sons of Fred (The Mid Sussex Times)
18 November 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
20 November 1965 – The Shindigs and The Five Aces (The Mid Sussex Times)
25 November 1965 – The Herd (The Mid Sussex Times)
2 December 1965 – The Shades (The Mid Sussex Times)
9 December 1965 – Plain & Fancy (The Mid Sussex Times)
11 December 1965 – Pinky & The Fell’as (The Mid Sussex Times)
16 December 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
23 December 1965 – The Alexanders (The Mid Sussex Times)
27 December 1965 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (The Mid Sussex Times)
31 December 1965 – The Five Aces and The Bootleggers (The Mid Sussex Times)
6 January 1966 – The Shades (Mid Sussex Times)
13 January 1966 – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Mid Sussex Times)
17 February 1966 – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)
10 March 1966 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
17 March 1966 – John Brown’s Bodies (Mid Sussex Times)
This is the Brighton version that featured Keith Emmerson not the Hammersmith version
24 March 1966 – The Webb (Mid Sussex Times)
26 March 1966 – The Defiants and The F-P, N&C Band (Mid Sussex Times)
21 April 1966 – The Alex Lane Group (Mid Sussex Times)
28 April 1966 – The Mojos with The Motion (Mid Sussex Times)
30 April 1966 – The Hi-Tower Society (Mid Sussex Times) From London’s Flamingo club
12 May 1966 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (Mid Sussex Times)
17 May 1966 – The Artwoods and The Mike Stuart Span (Mid Sussex Times)
19 May 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span (Mid Sussex Times)
21 May 1966 – Graham Bonney & The Night Society (Mid Sussex Times)
26 May 1966 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
16 June 1966 – The Alex Lane Group (Mid Sussex Times)
23 June 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span (Mid Sussex Times)
25 June 1966 – The King Pins and The Change (Mid Sussex Times)
14 July 1966 – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Jim St Pier’s gig diary)
21 July 1966 – The Webb (Mid Sussex Times)
28 July 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span (Mid Sussex Times)
4 August 1966 – Johnny Fine & The Ramblers (Mid Sussex Times)
11 August 1966 – Four of Us with Sterry Moore (Mid Sussex Times)
18 August 1966 – The Laymen (Mid Sussex Times)
20 October 1966 – For Ov Us with Sterry Moore (Mid Sussex Times)
22 October 1966 – The Laymen (Mid Sussex Times)
27 October 1966 – The King Pins (Mid Sussex Times)
5 January 1967 – Omega Plus (formerly The Untamed) (Mid Sussex Times)
12 January 1967 – The Shindigs (Mid Sussex Times)
14 January 1967 – The Johnny Fine Group (with their new line-up) (Mid Sussex Times)
19 January 1967 – The Robb Storme Group (Mid Sussex Times)
26 January 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (new line up) (Mid Sussex Times)
28 January 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times)
2 February 1967 – The Urchins (featuring Gene Coben and Alex Lane) (Mid Sussex Times)
4 February 1967 – The King Pins (Mid Sussex Times)
9 February 1967 – The Motion (Mid Sussex Times)
16 February 1967 – The Johnny Fine Group (Mid Sussex Times)
18 February 1967 – The Urchins (Mid Sussex Times)
23 February 1967 – The Robb Storme Group (Mid Sussex Times)
2 March 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times)
4 March 1967 – The Shindigs (Mid Sussex Times)
9 March 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
16 March 1967 – The Johnny Fine Group (Mid Sussex Times)
23 March 1967 – The Urchins with support (Mid Sussex Times)
27 March 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd and The Mr Howard Group (Mid Sussex Times)
30 March 1967 – The Motion (Mid Sussex Times)
6 April 1967 – The Total (Mid Sussex Times)
8 April 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times)
13 April 1967 – The Robb Storme Group with Eddie Singh & The West Indian Tornados (Mid Sussex Times)
20 April 1967 – The Johnny Fine Group (Mid Sussex Times)
22 April 1967 – The Mr Howard Group and The Retros (Mid Sussex Times)
27 April 1967 – The Total (Mid Sussex Times)
4 May 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
6 May 1967 – The Urchins and The Collection (Mid Sussex Times)
11 May 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times)
18 May 1967 – The Johnny Fine Group (Mid Sussex Times)
20 May 1967 – Sound Around and The Individuals (Mid Sussex Times)
25 May 1967 – The Robb Storme Group (Mid Sussex Times) Replaced by The Camp (Jim St Pier’s diary confirms this as probably because Lewis Collins just left)
29 May 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd and The Soul Machine (Mid Sussex Times)
1 June 1967 – The Robb Storme Group with support (Mid Sussex Times)
8 June 1967 – The Henry (Mid Sussex Times)
10 June 1967 – The Urchins with support (Mid Sussex Times)
15 June 1967 – The Johnny Fine Group (Mid Sussex Times)
22 June 1967 – The Collection (Mid Sussex Times)
24 June 1967 – The Total with support (Mid Sussex Times)
29 June 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
6 July 1967 – The Pathfinders (Mid Sussex Times)
13 July 1967 – The Motion (Mid Sussex Times)
20 July 1967 – The Robb Storme Group (Mid Sussex Times)
27 July 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
3 August 1967 –The Johnny Fine Group (Mid Sussex Times)
10 August 1967 – The Collection (Mid Sussex Times)
17 August 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times) Says direct from Tiles, Oxford Street but replaced by The Target. They appeared on 14 September
24 August 1967 – The Robb Storme Group and Precisely This (Mid Sussex Times)
28 August 1967 – The Johnny Fine Group (Mid Sussex Times)
31 August 1967 – The Henry (Mid Sussex Times)
7 September 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
14 September 1967 – Omega Plus with support (Mid Sussex Times)
21 September 1967 – Plain & Fancy (Mid Sussex Times)
28 September 1967 – The Total (Mid Sussex Times) Replaced by The Collection
30 September 1967 – Robb Storme & The Orange Bicycle plus support (Mid Sussex Times)
5 October 1967 – The Total (Mid Sussex Times)
12 October 1967 – Johnny Fine (Mid Sussex Times)
14 October 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times)
17 October 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
26 October 1967 – The Collection (Mid Sussex Times)
28 October 1967 – The Henry (Mid Sussex Times)
2 November 1967 – The Motion (Mid Sussex Times)
9 November 1967 – Robb Storme & Orange Bicycle and The Switch (Mid Sussex Times)
11 November 1967 – The Total (Mid Sussex Times)
16 November 1967 – Eddie’s Crowd (Mid Sussex Times)
18 November 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times)
23 November 1967 – The Urchins (Mid Sussex Times)
25 November 1967 – Omega Plus (Mid Sussex Times) Replaced by The Talismen
30 November 1967 – The Henry (Mid Sussex Times)
7 December 1967 – The Total (Mid Sussex Times)
9 December 1967 – The Mode and Heinz (Mid Sussex Times)
The S.O.S. Unlimited seem to have been a short-lived group. They made only one single but it’s a good one, “Come On, Come On” / “Girl, You Don’t Know” on Whittier W-510, released in December, 1967 according to Teen Beat Mayhem.
Eddie Torres produced, and published the songs through Tormid Music, which also published many of Thee Midniters’ originals. Eddie Torres owned the Whittier label, and also managed and produced Thee Midniters. Eddie passed away on October 17, 2019.
Almost all Whittier releases were by Thee Midnighters, the only exceptions being Thee Impalas, the S.O.S. Unlimited, and a single with Godfrey backed by Thee Midniters, making it interesting that this single is so obscure.
B. Velasquez and S. Herrera wrote both sides.
Benjamin “Spider” Velasquez had been in the Desires who had a great 45 as Ricky René & the Fabulous Desires “Dance with Me” / “Ouch” on ERA Records 3138, from 1964. Ben Velasquez and Ricky Sanchez wrote both songs. The Blendells and Mark & the Escorts would record versions of “Dance with Me”.
I asked Mark Guerrero, formerly of Mark & the Escorts about Ben “Spider” Velasquez. Mark kindly called Albert Martinez, rhythm guitarist with the Desires, who confirmed with Spider Velasquez’s son that Spider was a member of S.O.S. Unlimited. I do not know the full name of S. Herrera, or any other members of the band.
Perhaps that is Spider playing the catchy guitar riff that opens “Come On, Come On” and the piercing guitar break later on in the song. “Girl, You Don’t Know” is slower and has a touch of psychedelic style to it.
SOS Unlimited and Thee Midniters mentioned in the Citizen News, March 1, 1968The first mention of S.O.S. Unlimited I can find is an item in a Hollywood newspaper, the Citizen News on March 1, 1968.
Three young men … are in trouble with the law today over a house on Rexford Dr. they allegedly rented to hold public dances.
Police got wind of the “social” when a crowd between 1500 and 2000 gathered at the house at 714 N. Rexford Dr. where two pop bands “The Midnighters,” and “SOS Unlimited” played for dancing.
Two weeks later on Friday, March 15, S.O.S Unlimited played a Vietnam benefit dance at Carpenters Union Hall, 7500 Van Nuys Blvd., sharing the bill with the Casuals, the Elegants, the Excessions, the Young Ideas, the Lights, the Classics, the Jems, and Leather Syrup.
The Saturnians Girls Club of the San Fernando CYO sponsored the show. “The president of the club is Irene Gomez. Jim Montoya will direct the show.”
The last mention of the group I can find comes from a flyer from Mark Guerrero’s essential website. “The Magnificent S.O.S. Unlimited” appeared at an Easter dance at Kennedy Hall, 451 South Atlantic Blvd on April 14, 1968, with Evergreen Blues, the Righteous Rhythms, The Exciting Men from Sound, and the American Fuzz Society. The show was produced “in cooperation with the Pace Setter & Foxetts Club”.
The Men From S.O.U.N.D. were a later version of Mark and the Escorts, and in 1968 changed their name to 1984, with two singles for Kapp Records as Nineteen Eighty-Four.
More info on S.O.S. Unlimited or a photo of the group would be appreciated.
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
Jolene Wood sent in this scan of an Edgewood Recording Studio acetate of the Korsairs of Tacoma Park, Maryland. The band covers “I Can Only Give You Everything” on one side and James Brown’s “I Don’t Mind” on the other. Another copy of this acetate sold for $790 in 2010.
