Benny, Cecil and the Snakes

Benny, Cecil and the Snakes photo
The Snakes, from left: unidentified woman, Cecil Cotten, unidentified man in white coat, Keith Ferguson (on floor), Steve Karnavas (seated in barber’s chair) and Benny Rowe

In 1969, four Texans formed a band in San Francisco known as Benny, Cecil and the Snakes. I believe the group’s name was a take on the popular cartoon, Beany and Cecil the Seasick Sea Serpent by Bob Clampett.

Members were:

Cecil Cotten of the Briks on vocals
Benny Rowe of the Wig and a later lineup of the Jackals on lead guitar
Steve Karnavas of the Chaparrals on drums
Keith Ferguson – previously with Johnny Winter, and later with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, on bass

Keystone Korner, July 1970, photo taken by Fred King, used with permission
They played parties for for the Rip Off Press and opened shows for Boz Scaggs, including at the Keystone Korner in July of 1970. Reese Wymans and George Raines of Boz’s band would sit in with the Snakes on occasion.

I found a few published notices for the band:

Benny, Cecil and the Snakes shared a bill on July 24, 1970 with Joy of Cooking at the New Orleans House on San Pablo in Berkeley.

They played for a Young Replublicans of Santa Clara event at the Ramada Inn on November 13, 1970!

July 1-4, 1971 they opened for Charlie Musselwhite at In Your Ear, 135 University Avenue in Palo Alto.

In a February 1971 feature in the San Francisco Examiner, Kathy Goss described the band playing a Bastille Day party at the Pacific Heights mansion she shared at 2300 Pacific before it was torn down. The photo at top was taken at this mansion, I believe; the unidentified man in the white coat was a tenant there. It’s worth quoting a small part of that article:

Maurice and Stanford, the owners of a shop that had recently moved from Union Street to upper Fillmore, had a gigantic French flag that they wanted us to hang outside the mansion for Bastille Day. And so we decided to have a Bastille Day party, and to invite not only our personal friends, but also people who we thought would enjoy having their minds blown by a beautiful, free, colorful party. The house was hung with banners of red felt and velvet, the tables were laden with food.

Benny, Cecil and the Snakes, a fine band and good friends of the house, began playing in the late afternoon. The rooms were filled with shifting images and colors of a light show, and we reveled in the blend of wildly costumed guests of all ages and pursuits who danced and talked and generally enjoyed themselves, sharing in the excitement and energy and splendor of the mansion.

Some unreleased tapes exist of rehearsals and live shows, including one that may have been recorded at the Pacific St. mansion.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms for sending the photos that Cecil Cotten shared with him, and for much of the information in this post.

I’d appreciate more info on Benny, Cecil and the Snakes.

Benny, Cecil and the Snakes on stage
The Snakes, from left: Keith Ferguson, Steve Karnavas, Cecil Cotten and Benny Rowe

The Tickle

This band evolved out of The Bunch of Fives in late 1966 after drummer Viv Prince moved on to join Denny Laine’s Electric Sring Band.

The Tickle comprised Mick Wayne (guitar), Mike Docker (vocals), Dave Williams (keyboards), Richard Dowling (bass guitar), John Beckerman (drums).

The Hillingdon Mirror ran a photo and story on the band in its 9 January 1968, page 11 (see below).

Photo: Hillingdon Mirror

We’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add more information on this group, photographed in late 1967.

Leapers Creepers Sleepers

I have to give a great big thank you to David Else for supplying most of the information on this very obscure band, who featured some fascinating musicians during their short time together.

David Else believes that the original line-up may have come together towards the end of 1965 and may have been formed as a “pick-up” band to play odd gigs.

He has the following line-up and we’d welcome any further information from readers:

Pat Willoughby – vocals

Bobby Harrison – vocals

Keith DeGroot – vocals

Vince ? – vocals

Alan Spenner – guitar

Tex Makins – bass

Roy Edwards – trumpet

Rudy Jones – saxophone

Barry ? – organ

Red Reece – drums

Pat Willoughby, Bobby Harrison and Alan Spenner had previously played together in The Golden Apples of The Sun, recording a lone 45 issued in October 1965. Before that, they had worked together in The Jimmy Ritchie Combo.

Tex Makins and Red Reece meanwhile had been with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames.

Keith DeGroot had previously worked as singer Gerry Temple.

I believe that Roy Edwards and Rudy Jones may have been from the Caribbean originally and were probably recruited from the London club scene. Edwards may have been with The Del Vikings.

Else notes that Makins left in December 1965 to join The Sidewinders while Harrison formed The Powerpack, who recorded for CBS and was then an original member of Procul Harum. He adds that Reece joined Graham Bond. I’ve read that he worked briefly with south London band, The Kingpins.

A revised line-up of the band comprised the following musicians who were responsible for the band’s lone 45, “Precious Words” c/w “Ba Boo”, released on Island Records in 1966.

Pat Willoughby – vocals

Keith DeGroot – vocals

Alan Spenner – guitar

Roy Edwards – trumpet

Rudy Jones – saxophone

Mike O’Neill – organ

Billy Law – drums (replaced by Bruce Rowland)

Of the new members, Mike O’Neill had previously been a member of Nero & The Gladiators while Billy Law had drummed for Long John Baldry.

David Else found the following gigs for the band, either credited as Creepers, Leapers, Sleepers Band or Leepers Weepers Sleepers Band:

11 September 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (Melody Maker)

23 September 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (Melody Maker)

 

16 October 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (Melody Maker)

 

4 November 1966 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London

It’s not clear when the band split, but during 1967 Alan Spenner and Bruce Rowland ended up with Wynder K Frog and later worked with The Grease Band backing Joe Cocker.

DeGroot meanwhile went solo and recorded for RCA Records.

Roy Edwards and Rudy Jones stuck together and somehow ended up in either France or Spain where they worked and recorded with US soul singer Eddie Lee Mattison during 1968. It’s possible that before that, they may have worked with Otis Redding during his 1967 UK tour.

After Eddie Lee Mattison they both spent a very short period playing with Berry Window & The Movements, a Swiss-based international band who were recording in Italy when Edwards and Jones briefly joined them.

Edwards subsequently returned to the UK where he recorded with J J Jackson and then played with Bandwagon and Sonority among others. Jones also returned to the UK and later played with The Trojans among others after working as a noted session player.

Delta Recording Center and studio, Fort Worth

Delta Recording Center, aka Delta Studio, Fort Worth, 1965
Opening announcement, Nov 23, 1965

Delta Recording Center opened in November 1965 at 910 Currie. It was one of a handful of Fort Worth recording studios in the mid-’60s, including Clifford Herring, Sound City, and Bluebonnet Recording Studios.

Garage rock was only a small part of their business, which would have included much gospel, country and other types of music.

I’m sure there were many other rock singles cut at Delta, but these seem to be definite:

Charay Records C-17 – The Elite – “One Potato” / “Two Potato”
Charay Records C-31 – The Elite – “My Confusion” / “I’ll Come to You”

Ector Records 101 – The Jades – “I’m Alright” / “Till I Die” (Prod. & Eng. by Jesse Smith)

Sound Track ST-2000 – The Reasons Why – “Don’t Be That Way” / “Melinda”

Delta Recording Center Fort Worth Star-Telegram Nov 11, 1966
November 1966 ad
John D. Maxson from Dallas was owner and engineer, Robert L. Farris, vice president, and John A. Patterson, production manager. It is often referred to as Delta Studio or Delta Recording Studio instead of Delta Recording Center.

Maxson was also part owner of Spot Productions, Inc, at 2831 Bledsoe, which produced TV and radio jingles, breaks, and programming.

Johnny Patterson, guitarist with Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys and other groups, bought the studio in 1969.

By 1973 it was running ads that boasted:

“Ampex and Scully mono, two, four and EIGHT TRACK recorders. When you record at Delta you receive a custom service … from mastering and processing, to labels, album covers, cassettes and cartridges.

In February, 1974 the Star-Telegram announced:

Lawton Williams is the new manager of Delta Recording Center, owned by Rick Snow and Jim Shadle. Johnny Patterson, formerly with the Bob Wills band is chief engineer and directs the house band.

Demos / acetates from Delta Recording:

The Tracks- “Rain in My Eyes” (?) / “Don’t Cut My Hair”

Louis Howard – “You Can Do as You Please” / “Comin’ Home to You”

Louis had a 45 on Impact Records I-4074 with the Red Hearts, “You’re Too Much” / “I’ve Got the Feeling”.

The Creep with Nick Kithas “Betty Lou’s Got a New Tattoo”

Uncredited band (probably the Creep) at Holiday A-Go-Go, April, 1965

Uncredited band (probably the Creep) at Holiday A-Go-Go, April, 1965
The Creep had one fine single, “Betty Lou’s Got a New Tattoo” / “I’m Wise” in 1964.

Both sides are credited to Hobson and Kithas, though the A-side is an adaption of Bobby Freeman’s “Betty Lou Got a New Pair of Shoes”. Still it’s a great performance by the group, and a record I’ve never found.

Members included:

Nick Kithas – sax and vocals
John Hobson – guitar
Joe Moore – drums

I don’t know the names of any other members yet. I believe Nick sings lead on “I’m Wise”.

The Star-Telegram ran a feature on the Holiday Skating Rink’s Holiday a-Go-Go, mentioning only one group, the Creeps, with Nick Kithas the only member named (and misspelled Kethas). The feature has two unlabeled photos of a band, I assume these are the Creeps, can anyone confirm that?

The notes to Fort Worth Teen Scene vol. 3 states they were also called Creep and the Deacons, and that Homer Sewell engineered and released the 45 on Oakridge Records OK-1. The labels credit Mike Dooley Productions.

Nick Kithas later ran a couple clubs in Fort Worth, Daddio’s and The Jazz Café, and was still playing live as of 2019.

The Rocks from Huntsville on Gold Master and Woodrich

Rocks Gold Master 45 Love CityThe Rocks came from Huntsville, in northern Alabama.

Randy Duck is quoted on a Lee High School alumni site (a couple spellings of names are corrected):

The original Rocks included Johnny Harbin, Butch Rolfe, Bulldog Hillis, Joe Skipworth, Skip Atkins, Donnie Cartelli and me. Later, Johnny and Butch went into the service and Bulldog dropped out. Jackie Tiller started playing lead guitar, Richard Hahn came on board with keyboards …

We had several different drummers after Donnie, but Doug Cheffer was the last one. Donnie and Doug are both passed away.

My copy of “Terri” is signed by Butch Rolfe.

I’ve seen a later photo of the band with this lineup:

Randy Duck – lead vocalist
Joe “Little Joe” Skipworth – sax
Jack Tiller – lead guitar
Skip Atkins – bass guitar
Doug Cheffer – drums

Rocks Gold Master 45 TerriRandy Dee Duck wrote both songs of their first single, “Love City” / “Terri”, released on Gold Master Records GM-1001 in November 1964. Both sides are great, crude rock ‘n roll.

Their second single came in 1965, “Love or Money” by Don Cortelli and Randy Duck with “Rock Pretty Baby”, on Gold Master GM-1003. I haven’t heard this one yet.

The Rocks get a slower, bluesy sound on the top side of their last single “Because We’re Young” written by Walter Sims, I’m not sure his connection to the band. The flip is a ballad, “My Only Love” by Johnny Harbin and Randy Duck, released in November 1965 on Woodrich Records WR-1249.

A single by the Rocks on White Cliffs 239, “Who Do You Love” (by Edgar Starns) / “Keep My Woman Home” may be a different group.

Sonny Limbo produced for L & C Productions. Sonny was a Huntsville DJ whose real name was Sonny Limbaugh – thus Limbaugh Music publishing, and also seems to have partly owned Gold Master Records.

Besides the two Rocks 45s, Sonny also produced the Hi-Boys Combo ‎”Why (Must I Love You)” / “Some Man (Other than Me)” both written by C. Bolden, released on Gold Master GM-1004.

Gold Master GM-1002 is Hollis Champion’s “Stand There” / “Sugarfoot Rag”, and doesn’t have Sonny’s name or publishing anywhere on the labels.

Sonny Limbo produced the In and the Bobbies, which I’ve covered before. He used Sonic Recording Service in Memphis for those records, I’m not sure where the Rocks recorded.

Sonny also produced at least two singles on the Exclusive Records label out of Chattanooga:

The Champells – “Don’t You Know” / “Won’t You Love Me” on Exclusive 2297, both written by Ralph Flynn (the second copyrighted as “Won’t You Love Me Too”? by Ralph Thomas Flynn in October 1965).

The Vondels ‎- “Stagger Lee” / “Turn on Your Love Light” on Exclusive 2295.

The Monic Depression “Wondering Why”

Monic Depression HRS 45 Wondering Why

The Monic Depression released one single, “Wondering Why” / “Midnight Hour”. I wish I could tell you more about the band but nothing is known at this point.

“Wondering Why” is an excellent original by K. Ellmer. The organ, guitar, bass and drums blend into a near-perfect garage sound, even if the record was made in 1969, as someone wrote on my copy.

Kevin Ellmer, Keith Ellmer, Ken Ellmer, Knox Ellmer?!

The flip is a good version of “Midnight Hour”

Teen Beat Mayhem lists the band’s location as possibly Virginia, while I’ve seen Pennsylvania on the internet, possibly Scranton.

Released on HRS 45-218, possibly HRS stands for a recording studio. Harrisburg?

I love the band name, was the spelling of Monic intentional or was it supposed to be Manic Depression?

Monic Depression HRS 45 Midnight Hour

The Boodly Hoo

Photo: Michael Rowlands
Doug Caldwell (lead vocals)
Michael Rowlands (harp)
Martin Obern  (lead guitar) 
Vic Shantora (rhythm guitar)
Rick Halas (bass) 
John Tanti  (drums) 
Photo: Michael Rowlands
Our single was recorded at the Shoreacers building on Don Mills Road, north of Lawrence Avenue in 1966. We had it played on CHUM AM. It never made the top 50 chart and and is the only recording the band made.
The A side is “Mornington Crescent” and the B side is “Then She Takes You Down”, both written by Martin Obern, the lead guitarist.
We all quit our jobs and took a mini tour to Ottawa for a week in February 1967. When we came back we all got our jobs back. All the members are still around. Now in our seventies we play with various people around Toronto.
Thanks to Richard Halas for providing all the information and photos, which I’ve credited to the relevant people where needed. The following band photos are from Michael Rowlands.
St Andrew’s Church
St Andrew’s Church
Holy Rosary Hall
Ottawa, February 1967
December 1966

The Telstars “Hold Tight” on Columbia

Tel Stars Washington DC photo and business card
The Tel Stars, from left: Jimmy Carter, Ronnie Wilson, unidentified – can anyone ID? and Terry Gorka

Telstars Columbia 45 Keep on RunningThe Telstars were a big draw in the Washington DC area, playing at the Bayou among other venues.

The band was based in Falls Church; members included:

Jimmy Maddox – guitar
Gary Johnson – guitar
Jimmy Carter – guitar
Terry Gorka – bass
Ronnie Wilson – drums

Bud Becker sent in the photo seen here, and remembers two vocalists with the band, Jerry Burke, who went into the Army, and a second named Mick. He also remembers Terry’s wife Cherrie Gorka was a seamstress who made costumes for December’s Children, and that Barry Siedel managed the band.

The Telstars put a lot of fuzz behind “Keep on Running”, a song written and originally performed by Jackie Edwards, and made famous through the Spencer Davis Group. It’s a good version, but I like their take on “Hold Tight” even more. Sylvia Fricker of Ian & Sylvia wrote “Hold Tight”, registering copyright in September, 1966.

“Hold Tight” appeared on Ian & Sylvia’s 1967 album So Much for Dreaming, which I don’t have a release date for, but I believe it shortly precedes the Telstars single on Columbia 4-44141 in May, 1967. I’d be curious if the Telstars heard “Hold Tight” on the album or from a songwriting demo.

The production credit is interesting. Bob Wyld and Art Polhemus of Longhair Productions created many great singles with the Blues Magoos, including “Tobacco Road” and “(We Ain’t Got) Nothin’ Yet”; the Magicians (“An Invitation to Cry”, “About My Love” and more), the Blue Beats and others, usually on Columbia Records.

Barry Seidel (with Tom Traynor) produced records by the Mad Hatters and the Fallen Angels. The Telstars record is the only time Seidel worked with both Wyld and Polhemus, but Bob Wyld would later produce albums for acts that Seidel managed, Steel Image and Exuma.

Bud Becker thought the Telstars recorded at either Rhondell Rodel Studios in Georgetown or Edgewood Recording Studios. Bud managed various groups, such as the Winds of Change and the Yorkshires.

Terry Gorka would go into the Reason with Tommy Dildy, Bill Manning, and Billy Windsor, releasing an album Age of Reason on Georgetowne Records.

Thank you to Linda Shekan for correcting some errors in this article with her comment below.

The Spencer Davis Group’s gigs 1963-1969

Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

The Spencer Davis Group, late 1966. Left to right: Pete York, Muff Winwood, Stevie Winwood and Spencer Davis. Photo may be subject to copyright

THE SPENCER DAVIS GROUP:

Stevie Winwood (guitar/keyboards/vocals)

Spencer Davis (guitar/vocals

Muff Winwood (bass/vocals)

Pete York (drums)

1964

28 June 1964 – Beat City, central London with The Clayton Squares (Melody Maker)

 

7 July 1964 – Attic Club, 1a High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex with Charlie & Inez Foxx and Them (aka Themselves) (Kingston & Malden Borough News/Gray Newell)

Photo may be subject to copyright

25 July 1964 – Corn Exchange, Cambridge with The Prestons (Cambridge News)

 

17 August 1964 – Clacton Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with The Animals (Essex County Stanard)

 

12 September 1964 – Attic Club, 1a High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex with The Pitmen (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

 

13 October 1964 – Aylesbury Bluesville, Borough Assembly Hall, Market Square, Aylesbury, Bucks with Inez and Charlie Foxx (Bucks Advertiser)

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 November 1964 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear with The Falling Leaves (Newcastle Evening Echo)

19 November 1964 – Granada, Aylesbury, Bucks with Manfred Mann, The Soul Sisters, Wayne (Kellie) Gibson and The Dynamic Sounds, Bern Elliott & His Klan, The Mark Leeman Five, The Downliners Sect, Blues By Five and Dave Kaffey (Bucks Advertiser)

 

4 December 1964 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

5 December 1964 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear with The Keys (http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 December 1964 – Aylesbury Bluesville, Borough Assembly Hall, Market Square, Aylesbury, Bucks (Bucks Advertiser)

1965

2 January 1965 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 January 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, Kent (Melody Maker)

19 January 1965 – Aylesbury Bluesville, Market Square, Aylesbury, Bucks (http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

Photo: Richard Gleave

23 January 1965 – Clacton Town Hall, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex with Mark IV and The Blue Berries (Essex County Standard/Poster)

31 January 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, Kent (Melody Maker)

 

13 February 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear with The VIPs (http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

16 February 1965 – Bluesville, Aylesbury, Bucks (http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

17 February 1965 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with support (Camberley News)

 

1 March 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Photo may be subject to copyright

3 March 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, Kent (Melody Maker)

4 March 1965 – Smethwick Baths, Smethwick, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

7 March 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, Middlesex (Harrow Weekly Post/Greenford Weekly Post)

11 March 1965 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands with The Sombreros (Birmingham Evening Mail)

15 March 1965 – Crazy E, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

17 March 1965 – Mackadown, Kitts Green, West Midlands with The Mike Sheridan Show (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

21 March 1965 – Le Metro, Birmingham with The Hookey Walkers (Birmingham Evening Mail)

22 March 1965 – ‘Bluesville’, Manor House Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk (Essex County Standard)

23 March 1965 – Midland Institute, Birmingham with The Johnny Patrick Big Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 March 1965 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands with The Moody Blues and The King Bees (Birmingham Evening Mail)

 

1 April 1965 – Crazy E, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

8 April 1965 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands with The Uglys (Birmingham Evening Mail)

10 April 1965 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with support (Essex Chronicle)

11 April 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, Kent (Melody Maker)

17 April 1965 – Marqee Dance Club, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

18 April 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

29 April 1965 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands with Lee Stevens & The Satellites (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

30 April 1965 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham with The Sheffields, Hogs Snort Rupert and His Good Good Band and Roy Everitt’s Blues Hounds (Birmingham Evening Mail)

 

3 May 1965 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

4 May 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Julian Covey & The Machine (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

7 May 1965 – Ricky Tick, Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (David Else’s research)

9 May 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London with The Vagabonds (Harrow Weekly Post/Greenford Weekly Post)

10 May 1965 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)

13 May 1965 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent (East Kent Times & Mail)

16 May 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London (Harrow Weekly Post/Greenford Weekly Post)

19 May 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

30 May 1965 – Silver Beat Club, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

31 May 1965 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

 

2 June 1965 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Camberley News)

2 June 1965 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)

14 June 1965 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

15 June 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 June 1965 – Le Metro, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 June 1965 – Jazz & Blues Festival, Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with The Dutch Swing College, Solomon Burke, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Unit 4 Plus 2, The Loose Ends, The Downliners Sect, Alan Elsdon’s Jazzband, Brian Green New-O-Stompers and The Epitaph Soul Band (Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times)

Photo may be subject to copyright

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, Ray Martin Group and Dave Whittling (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

20 June 1965 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Brothers Julius (East Kent Times & Mail)

26 June 1965 – Bure Club, Mudeford, Dorset (website: https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

27 June 1965 – Blue Moon Hayes, west London (Hayes Gazette)

29 June 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

7 July 1965 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

12 July 1965 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

15 July 1965 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands with Roy Everett’s Blues Hounds (Birmingham Evening Mail)

20 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

21 July 1965 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)

25 July 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with The Epitaphs Soul Band (Melody Maker)

26 July 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Wood Green & Southgate Weekly Herald)

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 July 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

 

3 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 August 1965 – Droitwich Winter Gardens, Droitwich, Worcestershire with The Ravons (Worcester Evening News)

27 August 1965 – Galaxy Club, Town Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)

28 August 1965 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Subjects (East Kent Times)

31 August 1965 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

 

4 September 1965 – Georgian Club, Uxbridge, west London (Hayes Gazette)

5 September 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London (Harrow Weekly Post/Greenford Weekly Post)

7 September 1965 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

Photo may be subject to copyright

9 September 1965 – Gay Tower Ballroom, Edgbaston, West Midlands with Brian Pearshall Showband (Birmingham Evening Mail)

10 September 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Soundtrekkers and Blues By Five (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

Photo may be subject to copyright

12 September 1965 – Beachcomber, Preston, Lancashire with The Warriors (Lancashire Evening Post)

16 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Bo Street Runners (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 September 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Walthamstow Guardian)

21 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

22 September 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

24 September 1965 – Astoria, Finsbury Park, north London with The Rolling Stones, The Checkmates, Unit 4 Plus 2, Ray Cameron, Charles Dickens & The Habits and The End (Tottenham Weekly Herald)

 

15 October 1965 – Regal Cambridge, Cambridge with The Rolling Stones, Unit 4 Plus 2, The Checkmates, Charles Dickens & The Habits, The End and Ray Cameron (Cambridge News)

19 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

22 October 1965 – Ricky Tick, Staines Town Hall, Staines, Middlesex (David Else’s research)

24 October 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

 

3 November 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

9 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Photo may be subject to copyright

12 November 1965 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, The King Bees and The Cock O Hoops (Birmingham Evening Mail)

15 November 1965 – ‘Bluesville’, Manor House Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk (Essex County Standard)

16 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 November 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear with Junco Partners (http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

22 November 1965 – Parr Hall, Warrington, Cheshire with The Times (Warrington Guardian)

25 November 1965 – Smethwick Baths, Smethwick, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 November 1965 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire (Lynn News)

Photo may be subject to copyright

5 December 1965 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands with The Alex Harvey Soul Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)

6 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Walthamstow Guardian)

7 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alex Harvey Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

16 December 1965 – Smethwick Baths, Smethwick, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 December 1965 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough with The Crawdaddies (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

19 December 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London (Hayes Gazette)

20 December 1965 – Bath Pavilion, Bath (Western Scene) Rescheduled for 14 February 1966 (and then 7 February)

Photo may be subject to copyright

 

Photo may be subject to copyright

31 December 1965 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham with Johnny Neal & Co, The Little People and The Chucks (Birmingham Evening Mail)

1966

2 January 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

8 January 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Berkeley Squares (East Kent Times)

11 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alex Harvey Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

15 January 1966 – Market Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria (Dumfries and Galloway Standard)

20 January 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

21 January 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Rockhouse Band and The Skyliners (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Photo may be subject to copyright

22 January 1966 – Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, Lancashire with The Estelles and The Eddie G Martin Combo (Burnley Express and News)

23 January 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

26 January 1966 – University of Warwick, Coventry (Beat Instrumental)

28 January 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Beat Instrumental)

29 January 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with The Motovations (David Allen research)

30 January 1966 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208/South East London Mercury/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)

31 January 1966 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Beat Instrumental)

 

1 February 1966 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

3 February 1966 – Willenhall Baths, Willenhall (Beat Instrumental)

5 February 1966 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London (Beat Instrumental)

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 February 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with The Alley Cats (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

7 February 1966 – Bath Pavilion, Bath (Beat Instrumental/Western Scene)

10 February 1966 – Smethwick Baths, Smethwick, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

11 February 1966 – Nottingham University, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)

12 February 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

15 February 1966 – Walsall Town Hall, Walsall, West Midlands (Beat Instrumental)

16 February 1966 – Mecca Ballroom, Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants (Beat Instrumental)

17 February 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Beat Instrumental)

19 February 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Buxton, Derbyshire (Alderley & Wilmslow & Knutsford Advertiser) Either this or the date below is incorrect

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 February 1966 – Pier Ballroom, Worthing, West Sussex (Boyfriend magazine)

22 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Bluesology (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

23 February 1966 – Stevenage Mecca, Locarno, Stevenage, Hertfordshire (http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

24 February 1966 – Pier Pavilion, Worthing, West Sussex (Worthing Herald)

25 February 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, Kent (Beat Instrumental) Looks like this was moved to 4 March

25-27 February 1966 – Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Hamburg, West Germany (Beat Instrumental)

 

3 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Paul Fenton & The Crowd (Melody Maker)

4 March 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, Kent (Beat Instrumental)

5 March 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

7 March 1966 – Bluesville, St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Evening Star, Ipswich)

8 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy Cliff & The New Generation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

11 March 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

12 March 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Steve Chapples research: www.lankybeat.com)

18 March 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Beat Instrumental)

19 March 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Soundtrack (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

20 March 1966 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

20 March 1966 – Ritz and Palais, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)

22 March 1966 – Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne &Wear (Beat Instrumental)

23 March 1966 – Parr Hall, Warrington, Cheshire with Ivan Meads and Mark Peters Method (Warrington Guardian) Beat Instrumental has this on 28th March

25 March 1966 – Gig in Harrogate, Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)

26 March 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Lancashire Evening Post)

29 March 1966 – Hippodrome, Dudley, West Midlands (Beat Instrumental)

31 March 1966 – Gig in Swansea, Wales (Beat Instrumental)

 

2 April 1966 – Smethwick Baths, Smethwick, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

6 April 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)

7 April 1966 – Carousel Club, Camp Road, Farnbrough, Hampshire with support (Aldershot News)

10 April 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 April 1966 – Gaumont, Southampton, Hampshire with The Who, The Merseys, Mike Sarne and The Band of Angels (Western Gazette)

15 April 1966 – Fairfield Hall, Croydon, south London with The Who, The Merseys and The Band of Angels (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)

16 April 1966 – Odeon, Watford, Herts with The Who, The Merseys, Mike Sarne and The Band of Angles (Welwyn Advertiser)

17 April 1966 – The Regal, Edmonton, north London with The Rolling Stones, The New Merseys, Mike Sarne & The Band of Angels (Tottenham Weekly Herald)

22 April 1966 – Odeon, Derby with The Who (Disc & Music Echo)

23 April 1966 – Hippodrome, Birmingham with The Who (Disc & Music Echo)

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 April 1966 – Odeon, Rochester, Kent with The Who, The Merseys, Mike Sarne and The Band of Angels (Kent Messenger)

26-30 April 1966 – Gigs in Paris, France (Beat Instrumental)

 

1 May 1966 – NME Poll Concert, Wembley, west London (Beat Instrumental)

2-7 May 1966 – Gigs in West Germany (Beat Instrumental)

10 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy Cliff Sound (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

11 May 1966 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Balham & Tooting News and Mercury)

13 May 1966 – Kirkcaldy, Raith and Whitburn Ballrooms, Scotland (Disc & Music Echo)

14 May 1966 – City Hall, Perth, Scotland (Disc & Music Echo)

15 May 1966 – Lido, Lennox Bank, Scotland (Disc & Music Echo)

16 May 1966 – Mr McGoos, Edinburgh, Scotland (Disc & Music Echo)

19-22 May 1966 – Big Apple, Munich, West Germany and then Star Club, Hamburg, West Germany (Beat Instrumental)

25-26 May 1966 – Gigs in West Germany (Beat Instrumental)

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 May 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire with The Outsiders and The Dean Collins Sound (Burnley Express & News)

28 May 1966 – Richmond Athletic Ground, Richmond upon Thames, southwest London (Beat Instrumental)

29 May 1966 – Britannia Theatre, Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Pinkerton’s Colours, Barry Fontoni, Ray Cameron and The Driftwood (Eastern Evening News) Beat Instrumental has North Pier, Blackpool, Lancashire

 

1-5 June 1966 – Gigs in Ireland (Beat Instrumental)

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 June 1966 – Arcadia, Cork, Republic of Ireland with Dinosaurs Showband (Cork Evening Echo/Cork Examiner)

10 June 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Fabulous 208)

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 June 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Buxton, Derbyshire with The Blueberries (Alderley & Wilmslow & Knutsford Advertiser)

13 June 1966 – Bluesville, St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich (Evening Star, Ipswich)

14 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with the Jimmy Cliff Sound (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

16 June 1966 – Isle of Man (probably Palace Ballroom, Douglas) (Beat Instrumental) Worthing Gazette lists the band at the Assembly Hall, Worthing replacing The Moody Blues

Photo may be subject to copyright

18 June 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)

20 June 1966 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent (Fabulous 208)

21 June 1966 – Merton College, Oxford (Fabulous 208)

24 June 1966 – Leicester College of Tech, Scraptoft, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

24 June 1966 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands with The Uglys (Express & Star)

25 June 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

 

3 July 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Steve Chapples research: www.lankybeat.com)

16 July 1966 – Ritz Ballroom, King’s Heath and Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands (Fabulous 208/Birmingham Evening Mail) World Cup Special

16 July 1966 – Plaza Ballroom, Old Hill, West Midlands (Express & Star)

17 July 1966 – North Pier, Blackpool, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

19 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Habits (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

23 July 1966 – The New Scene, Corn Exchange, Leicester (club’s opening night) (Leicester Mercury)

24 July 1966 – North Pier, Blackpool, Lancashire with Dave Berry and Manfred Mann (Fabulous 208)

29 July 1966 – Blues Festival, Windsor, Berkshire (Beat Instrumental)

30 July 1966 – Spa Royal Ballroom, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

 

19 August 1966 – Race Ballroom, Kirkcaldy, Scotland (Beat Instrumental)

20 August 1966 – Caird Hall, Dundee, Scotland with The Searchers, The Settlers and Eden Kane (Fabulous 208)

21-23 August 1966 – Magoo’s Club, Edinburgh (Fabulous 208)

25 August 1966 – Palace Ballroom, Douglas, Isle of Man (Fabulous 208)

27 August 1966 – St George’s Ballroom, Guernsey, Channel Islands (Fabulous 208)

 

1 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

2 September 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, west London (Melody Maker)

3 September 1966 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

4 September 1966 – North Pier, Blackpool, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

8 September 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Burnley, Lancashire (Beat Instrumental)

8 September 1966 – Winter Gardens Pavilion, Weston Super Mare, Somerset with The Ken Birch Band and The Raiders (Weston Mercury)

10 September 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Beat Instrumental)

15 September 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge (Beat Instrumental)

16 September 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Beat Instrumental)

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 September 1966 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Beat Instrumental/Birmingham Evening Mail/Express & Star)

20 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Wynder K Frog (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

22 September 1966 – Locarno, Streatham, southwest London (Fabulous 208)

 

6 October 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Burnley, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

10 October 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol (Evening Post, Bristol/Fabulous 208)

Photo may be subject to copyright

21 October 1966 – The Marquee Show, Fairfield Hall, south Croydon, London with The Move, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Wynder K Frog, The Herd and The VIPs (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)

24 October 1966 – Pavilion, Bath (Fabulous 208)

25 October 1966 – Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire (Fabulous 208)

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 October 1966 – ‘The Manor’, Newington Public Hall, Walworth Road, Southwark, London with The Only Ones (South East London Mercury)

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 October 1966 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)

 

1 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Episode Six (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

5 November 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

11 November 1966 – Metropole, Brighton, Sussex with Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band (Fabulous 208)

12 November 1966 – University College, London (Fabulous 208)

22-25 November 1966 – Gigs in Geneva, Switzerland (Disc & Music Echo)

 

1-17 December 1966 – Gigs in West Germany (Disc & Music Echo)

19 December 1966 – Sliver Blades, Streatham, southwest London (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)

20 December 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Syn (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

30 December 1966 – R&B Club, Forest Gate, Essex (Fabulous 208) This was probably the Upper Cut as they played with The Mack Sound on this same date

31 December 1966 – Annabel’s, Berkeley Square, central London (Fabulous 208)

1967

6 January 1967 – Matrix Hall, Coventry, West Midlands with Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Jigsaw and Lovers Lot (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

7 January 1967 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Steve Chapples research: www.lankybeat.com)

8 January 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Johnny Rogers Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

13 January 1967 – Birmingham University, Birmingham (Disc & Music Echo)

14 January 1967 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Lancashire Evening Post)

16 January 1967 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk (Evening Star)

21 January 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

21 January 1967 – Queen Mary’s College, London University (Fabulous 208)

22 January 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)

28 January 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

31 January 1967 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)

 

3 February 1967 – ICI, Pontypool, Wales (Fabulous 208)

4 February 1967 – Liverpool University, Liverpool (Record Mirror)

7 February 1967 – Manchester University, Manchester (Record Mirror)

7 February 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Syn (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

8 February 1967 – Kingsway Theatre, Hadleigh, Essex with Sounds Incorporated, The Fourmost, The Human Instinct and The James Royal Set (Essex Chronicle/Southend Standard)

9 February 1967 – Top Deck, Purfleet, Essex (Record Mirror)

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 February 1967 – Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Wynder K Frog, The Equals and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard)

13 Februay 1967 – Birmingham University, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

14 February 1967 – Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham (Record Mirror)

17 February 1967 – Sheffield University, Sheffield (Record Mirror)

18 February 1967 – Dudley Technical College, Dudley, West Midlands (Record Mirror)

21 February 1967 – King’s Hall, Aberystwyth, Wales (Record Mirror)

24 February-2 March 1967 – Scandinavian tour (Disc & Music Echo)

Disc & Music Echo’s 4 March issue, page 6, notes that Stevie and Muff Winwood are leaving. The magazine’s 11 March issue adds that Stevie will depart on 2 April.

11 March 1967 – Granada, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

12 March 1967 – City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

13 March 1967 – Odeon, Glasgow, Scotland with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

14 March 1967 – Gaumont, Doncaster, South Yorkshire with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

Photo may be subject to copyright

15 March 1967 – Odeon Leeds, West Yorkshire with The Hollies, The Tremeloes, The Richard Kent Style, The Young Idea and Paul Jones (Yorkshire Evening Post)

16 March 1967 – Granada, Bedford, Bedfordshire with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

17 March 1967 – Granada, Maidstone, Kent with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

18 March 1967 – Granada, Kingston upon Thames, southwest London with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

19 March 1967 – De Montfort, Leicester with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes and The Young Idea (Fabulous 208)

22 March 1967 – Granada, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes, The Young Idea and Richard Kent Style (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 March 1967 – Astoria, Finsbury Park, north London with The Hollies, The Tremeloes and Paul Jones (Hackney Gazette)

28 March 1967 – Gaumont, Southampton, Hampshire with Paul Jones, The Hollies, The Tremeloes (Southern Evening Echo)

24-28 March 1967 – Scandinavian tour

The Eastern Evening News (27 February 1967, page 12): Steve Winwood announces he’s leaving. He parts company on 2 April at the end of the Hollies tour. Five strong new SDG due to appear at St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich on 16 May 1967. The current line up is currently in Scandinavia.

Disc & Music Echo’s 15 April issue notes that Spencer Davis has already signed one new band member. He’s looking to sign two more and debut new formation on 7 May.

Disc & Music Echo’s 29 April issue reports Phil Sawyer and Eddie Hardin as new members. It also says there will be four members not five. A later issue notes that Terry Reid from Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers was invited to join but turned the offer down.

Left to right: Eddie Hardin, Phil Sawyer and Pete York. Spencer Davis (front). Photo: Disc & Music Echo. Photo may be subject to copyright

7 May 1967 – New line up debut at Wembley, west London (venue?) (Disc & Music Echo)

May 1967 – Albert Hall, central London (Disc & Music Echo)

May – The band flies to Paris shortly after this debut and plays at Akou Akou Club, Cannes, France (Disc & Music Echo)

19 May 1967 – Marine Ballroom, Morecambe, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

19 May 1967 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Steve Chapples research: www.lankybeat.com)

Disc & Music Echo’s 20 May issue notes that Eddie Hardin collapsed at the band’s Albert Hall gig before they flew to Paris.

21 May 1967 – Fiesta Club, Stockton-on-Tees, County Durham (Fabulous 208)

22 May 1967 – Top Hat, Spennymoor, County Durham (Fabulous 208)

23-27 May 1967 – Fiesta Club, Stockton-on-Tees and Top Hat, Spennymoor, Durham (Fabulous 208)

Photo may be subject to copyright

South East London Mercury (25 May 1967, page 2) contains a great article on Eddie Hardin (see above). 

30 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Wynder K Frog (Disc & Music Echo says this is debut of new line up)

Disc & Music Echo’s 15 July issue notes that the group returns from Hungary on 13 July.

Photo: Mirabelle, 15 July 1967. Photo may be subject to copyright

The Kingston and Malden Borough News (28 July 1967, page 7) has a fantastic photo of the new line-up.

Disc & Music Echo’s 5 August issue notes that the band are on a US tour. On the first night at the Cheetah Club below, Spencer Davis had an accident. The magazine says they return to the UK on 4 September.

30 July 1967 – Cheetah Club, NYC, US (Disc & Music Echo)

Photo may be subject to copyright

Portsmouth News has a photo of the band in its 17 August 1967 issue, page 10 (above)

Photo: Mirabelle, 16 September 1967. Photo may be subject to copyright

7 November 1967 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Steve Chapples research: www.lankybeat.com)

17-18 November 1967 – Palais Des Sports, Paris, France with others (Melody Maker)

26 Novembr 1967 – Southampton University, Southampton, Hampshire (Melody Maker) Disc & Music Echo reports that this was Phil Sawyer’s final gig

Ray Fenwick replaced Phil Sawyer on lead guitar.

According to Melody Maker, The Spencer Davis Group went to Madrid, Spain for cabaret for 3-4 December 1967.

1968

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 February 1968 – Glen Ballroom, Llanelli, Wales with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Fleetwood Mac and The Dream (Herald of Wales)

17 February 1968 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire with The Trendmen (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

 

2 March 1968 – Imperial Ballroom, Nelson, Lancashire (Steve Chapples research: www.lankybeat.com)

7 March 1968 – City of Coventry Confederation of Colleges, Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, St Louis Union and Piccadilly Line (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

Photo may be subject to copyright

10 March 1968 – Excel Bowl, Middlesbrough with The Zephrons (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 March 1968 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham with Manfred Mann, The Moody Blues, Don Partridge and The Piccadilly Line (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo may be subject to copyright

16 March 1968 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with Jason T Alexandra & The Soulettes (Evening Sentinel/Nantwich Chronicle/Crewe Chronicle)

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 March 1968 – Spa Royal Hall, Bridlington, North Yorkshire with The Sons of Witch and The ABC (Scarborough News)

According to Melody Maker, The Spencer Davis Group return from their debut US tour on 6 May 1968. Later this month, they play shows in Sweden, according to the music paper.

11 June 1968 – Jesus College, Cambridge (Melody Maker)

12 June 1968 – Locarno, Hull (Melody Maker)

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 June 1968 – Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead with Mud (Melody Maker/Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

22 June 1968 – Oxford University gig, Oxford with Traffic (Melody Maker)

According to Melody Maker says Spencer Davis Group flies out to Yugoslavia on 24 June.

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 June 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

 

7 August 1968 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)

16 August 1968 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

20 August 1968 – Middle Earth, Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with The Fire, Indiana Highway and Phaze (Herald Express)

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 September 1968 – Spa Royal Hall, Hull with The Matchbox and The Coastal Erosion (Hull Daily Mail)

20 September 1968 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Torquay Times)

21 September 1968 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Chicago Line (Cambridgeshire Times)

23 September 1968 – Bluesville, Manor House, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)

Photo may be subject to copyright

4 October 1968 – Swansea University, Swansea, south Wales with The Californians and The Pyramids (South Wales Evening Post)

12 October 1968 – UEA Students’ Union, Norwich, Norfolk with The Technique (Eastern Evening News)

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 October 1968 – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent (Kentish Express)

Melody Maker’s 26 October issue notes that Eddie Hardin and Pete York left the previous week and Dee Murray (bass) and David Hynes (drums) from Mirage had joined. The group flies to Munich the following Thursday followed by Bremen.

New Musical Express, however, notes that Hardin and York left on 26 October and the new line up flies to West Germany on the same day.

19 December 1968 – Grafton Club, RAF Marham with The Individual Set (Lynn News)

27 December 1968 – Bridge Place Country Club, Canterbury, Kent (Canterbury Advertiser)

1969

Photo may be subject to copyright

15 February 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Candy Choir (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald)

20 February 1969 – Imperial College, Charity Concert, Royal Albert Hall with The Move, Status Quo, East of Eden and The Nashville Teens (Melody Maker)

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