Categories: England

The Cortinas gigs 1964-1968

December 28, 2020 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

Formed by brothers Paul and Nigel Griggs, The Cortinas went through various line-ups before changing name to Octopus in November 1968.

Lead guitarist Paul Griggs had started out with Bobby Hale & The Halestones in June 1962.

He left this band in June 1963 to form Shelayne & The Cortinas with:

Pat Heley (lead vocals)

Paul Griggs (lead guitar/vocals)

Barry Banks (rhythm guitar)

Nigel Griggs (bass/vocals)

Roger Cook (drums)

The band debuted in September 1963 but Heley and Banks, who were a couple, left in November and rhythm guitarist Paul Crowland joined in January 1964.

Paul Griggs assuming lead vocals and they became simply The Cortinas.

22 February 1964 – Cavendish Hall, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

22 March 1964 – The Hilltop, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

18 June 1964 – Breaks Youth Club, Hatfield, Hertfordshire with Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

27 June 1964 – ‘Beat Competition’, Westminster Lodge, St Albans, Hertfordshire with The Trekkas and The King Bees (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

10 July 1964 – Willows, London Colney, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

19 July 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Johnny Milton & The Condors (Hertfordshire Express)

22 August 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Mark Douglas & The Prowlers (Hertfordshire Express)

11 October 1964 – The Hilltop, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

19 December 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with Steve Marriot’s Moments (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) Hertforshire Express lists this as The Stormsville Shakers

1965

30 January 1965 – The Hop, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

1 February 1965 – The Hop, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

12-13 February 1965 – Battersea College, London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

Paul Crowland announced he was leaving on 11 March but stayed until replacement Cliff Franklyn had rehearsed sufficiently to take over.

29 March 1965 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician/Hertfordshire Express)

12 April 1965 – The Hop, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) This was Cliff Franklyn’s debut show

2 May 1965 – Melody Maker Beat Competition Heat, Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

15 May 1965 – Porchester Hall, Bayswater, west London with Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

12 June 1965 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with The Five Sons of Adam (Hertfordshire Express)

15 August 1965 – Melody Maker Beat Competition Final, Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, south west London with St Louis Union, The Tudors, The Carolines and others (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

28 August 1965 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Paramounts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

25 September 1965 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

12 October 1965 – New Greens Youth Club, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

6 November 1965 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Force Five (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

1966

29 January 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Chris Andrews and The Roscoe Brown Combination (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

Cliff Franklyn announced he was leaving on 3 February 1966. Mick King took his place as rhythm guitarist.

12 March 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday) This was Mick King’s debut show

18 April 1966 – Barn Cellar, St Albans, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

30 May 1966 – Victoria Ballroom, Cambridge with Desmonde Mode (Cambridge News)

11-12 June 1966 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

13 June 1966 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent with The Alan Price Set (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

21 June 1966 – Sandridge Youth Club, near St Albans, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

Roger Cook announced he was leaving but agreed to stay until replacement Dave Cooper (ex-Op Scene) was ready to take over.

22 July 1966 – Bees Club, Brentford FC, west London (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) This was Dave Cooper’s debut show

Mick King announced he was leaving in mid-August to join The Trespassers. Paul Griggs’ friends, guitarists Alan Shacklock (from Harlem Shuffle) and Mick Taylor (ex-Juniors) agreed to fill in until a replacement was found.

23 October 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Billy Fury and The Gamblers (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

2 November 1966 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire with Cream (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

Rick Williams from The In-Sect took over on rhythm guitar, joining in late November.

17 December 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Billy Fury & The Gamblers (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

24 December 1966 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with The Creepers (http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

1967

21 January 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Easybeats (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

14 February 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with Creepers (see website above)

Dave Cooper announced he was departing on 12 March but stayed on until late May.

1 April 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Action (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

Gary (Nigel) Whinyates from Birkenhead auditioned in mid-April.

19 April 1967 – Stevenage Mecca, Locarno, Stevenage, Hertfordshire (http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

16 May 1967 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

24 May 1967 – Stevenage Mecca, Locarno, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with The Move (see website above) This was Dave Cooper’s final gig

13 June 1967 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

18 August 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

8 September 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (see website above)

29 September 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (see website above)

20 October 1967 – Square One, Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, Essex with Zoot Money & Dantalion’s Chariot (Southend Standard)

23 October 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

27 October 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (see website above)

4 November 1967 – St Birinus Youth Club, St Birinus School, Didcot, Oxfordshire with The Crawdadds (Didcot Advertiser)

11 November 1967 – Nags Head, Motown Club, Wollaston, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

24 November 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (see website above)

10 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) The band’s debut at the club

15 December 1967 – Andromeda, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

22 December 1967 – Old West End, Rushden, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

23 December 1967 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (see website above)

26 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

31 December 1967 – Breaks Youth Club, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

1968

21 January 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

24 January 1968 – Pink Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Clark Soul Show and Canal St Philarmonic (Melody Maker)

4 February 1968 – Breaks Youth Club, Hatfield, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

13 February 1968 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

14 February 1968 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with Herbal Remedy (Welwyn Times)

15 February 1968 – Penny Farthing, Leicester (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

16 February 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton north London (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) This was their club debut

24 February 1968 – Blue Ball Hotel, Risley, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

2 March 1968 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

12 March 1968 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

14 March 1968 – Penny Farthing Club, Leicester with The Eyes of Blonde (Leicester Mercury)

21 March 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

22 March 1968 – St Albans Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with The Nashville Teens and West Coast Consortium (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician/Welwyn and Hatfield Advertiser) Debut at the venue

23 March 1968 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Rocky Rivers Record Show (http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

28 March 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

7 April 1968 – Chesterfield Club, Castle Bromwich, West Midlands (Express & Star)

13 April 1968 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire with The Links (Luton News)

15 April 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with King George and Co (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

16 April 1968 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

18 April 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

20 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Timebox (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

23 April 1968 – Penny Farthing, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

26 April 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

27 April 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Tony Bishop’s Rock and Soul and Fanny Flicker’s Show (Lincolnshire Standard)

28 April 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

7 May 1968 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

9 May 1968 – Grafton Club, RAF Marham with The Lemon Tree (Lynn News)

11 May 1968 – Gig in Grantham, Lincolnshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

12 May 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

23 May 1968 – Penny Farthing, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

24 May 1968 – Sherwood Room, Nottingham (Derby Evening Telegraph)

26 May 1968 – Blue Ball Hotel, Risley, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

31 May 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

2 June 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

7 June 1968 – Bracknell Sports Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

8 June 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

9 June 1968 – Gig in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

10 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Nite People (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

12 June 1968 – King’s Lynn College, King’s Lynn, Norfolk with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

14 June 1968 – Bracknell Sports Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

15 June 1968 – Sandridge Youth Club, Herts (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

15 June 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

16 June 1968 – Bedford Checkpoint, Bedford, Bedfordshire with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

17 June 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

18 June 1968 – Gig in Wellingborough, Northants with O’Hara’s Playboys, The Barrier, The Crawdads and Freehold (Melody Maker)

23 June 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

30 June 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, central London (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

10 July 1968 – Rampton Psychiatric Hospital, Nottinghamshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

12 July 1968 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (http://www.76club.org.uk/gigs.html)

13 July 1968 – Starlight Room, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Paberback Edition (Nottingham Evening Post)

23 July 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Paul Griggs’ diary)

24 July 1968 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) This was a 1am show so the band arrived on 23 July

29 July 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

10 August 1968 – White Tiles, Swindon, Wiltshire (Swindon Evening Advertiser)

11 August 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

12 August 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Delroy Williams Show (East Kent Times & Mail)

18 August 1968 – Cat-Balou, Grantham, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal)

19 August 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Nite People (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

24 August 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

24 August 1968 – The Barn Ballroom, Little Bardfield Hall, Little Bardfield, Essex (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

2 September 1968 – Ford Cortina Day, Mallory Park, Race Track, Leicester (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

6 September 1968 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with Herbal Remedy (http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

7 September 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Spice (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

8 September 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

13 September 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton,north London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

16 September 1968 – Dunstable Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedforshire with Sly & The Family Stone (who didn’t turn up) (Luton News)

27 September 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

6 October 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

12 October 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

25 October 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

6 November 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with Status Quo and Nerve (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician/Welwyn and Hatfield Advertiser)

9 November 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Dream Police (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

10 November 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

15 November 1968 – Nottingham University, Nottingham with Marmalade and The Nashville Teens (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

23 November 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

Octopus’ select gigs:

21 November 1968 – Baldock Workingmen’s Club, Baldock, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) Debut as Octopus

30 November 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Dream Police (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

18 December 1968 – Gig in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

20 December 1968 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

21 December 1968 – RAF Benson, Oxfordshire with Plastic Penny (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

29 December 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

31 December 1968 – Gig in Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

1969

1 January 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Yes (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

4-5 January 1969 – Stella Ballroom, Mount Merion, Republic of Ireland (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

18 January 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Spice (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

8 February 1969 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

12 February 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Yes (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

15 February 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Spice (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

16 February 1969 – Adelphi, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)

6-7 April 1969 (check) – Stella Ballroom, Mount Merion, Republic of Ireland (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

12 April 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Procession (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

4 May 1969 – Tiffany’s, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

Gary Whinyates announced he was leaving on 22 May but stayed until late July.

8 June 1969 – Tiffany’s, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

28 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Procession (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 July 1969 – Shire Green Working Men’s Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

21 July 1969 – Black Swan, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) This was Nigel Whinyates’ final show

Brian Glascock joined on drums at this point

19 August 1969 – Lyceum, Strand, central London (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

29 August 1969 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with Desmond Dekker (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician) This was the band’s final gig at this venue

14 September 1969 – Tiffany’s, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

27 November 1969 – Baldock Working Men’s Club, Baldock, Hertfordshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

24 December 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

31 December 1969 – Mansfield Palais, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Paul Griggs’ book: Diary of a Musician)

1970

31 May 1970 – Tiffany’s, central London (Paul Griggs’ diary)

After this gig, Rick Williams and Brian Glascock both left, the latter joining Toe Fat.

In early July, John Cook from The Mixed Bag joined on keyboards and Malcolm Green came in on drums. The new line-up debuted on 17 July 1970.

Brian Glascock briefly replaced Malcolm Green in early 1971 before Tim Reeves from The Fox took over in late April. However, Octopus split in mid-January 1972.

Paul Griggs’ book (noted above) provided a wealth of information on the comings and goings and is definitely worth purchasing.

Categories: Fort Worth, Texas

The Motovators at National Hall in Fort Worth

December 27, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

National Hall, April 2, 1965, from left: Dale Morgan, Terry Hungerford, Mike Langston, and Terry Fagan with Roger Young on drums.

The Capris at National Hall, April 2, 1965

Charlie Christy & Crystals, National Hall, April 2, 1965

The National Hall SPJST is located at 3316 Roberts Cut Off Rd, Fort Worth, Texas. It still exists.

It was a popular spot for polka and western bands, but featured a few shows of rock bands during 1965. The Motovators played three shows here. Photos were taken at the first two shows.

April 2, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands with the Motovators, Charlie Christy & the Crystals and two groups I am not familiar with: the Capris, the United Sounds. Emcees were Bob Allen and Bill Warren of KXOL. Lineup at this show was

June 18, 1965 – Battle-of-the-Bands. The Motovators debuted their new stage suits. The lineup at this point was Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Mike Langston, Phil Reece on guitar, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or possibly Jerry Smith).

June 26, 1965 – Larry and the Blue Notes

July 2, 1965 – the Motovators played for 25% of door, DJ Bill Warren hosted

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.

The Motovators on stage at National Hall, probably June, 1965

Haltom High School friends at National Hall, April 2, 1965

National Hall, June 18, 1965, Roger Young (on drums), and Mike Langston with maracas

The Motovators, June 18, 1965: Phil Reece on guitar, Roger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith

Roger Young on drums, and keyboardist Jimmy Smith (or Jerry?)

from left: Mike Langston, Terry Hungerford, Roger Young (on drums), Phil Reece and keyboardist Jimmy

Categories: New Zealand

Human Instinct’s UK gigs 1966-1968

December 26, 2020 Nick Warburton 3 Comments

Dave Hartstone (guitar/vocals)

Bill Ward (lead guitar/vocals)

Frank Hay (bass)

Maurice Greer (lead vocals/drums)

The New Zealand R&B band The Human Instinct moved to England in late 1966 and recorded a string of 45s.

Judging by the gigs below, the band may have been based in the West Midlands when they first arrived in England.

Disc & Music Echo runs a short story on the band in its 10 December issue

10 December 1966 – Connaught Hotel, Wolverhamton, West Midlands with Lady Jane & The Royal Tee (Express & Star)

18 December 1966 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

19 December 1966 – Willenhall Baths, Willenhall, West Midlands with Barmy Barry Show (Express & Star)

1967

5 January 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with T T Backus & The Powerhouse (Melody Maker)

6 January 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Mike Cotton Sound (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

7 January 1967 – 3 Men in a Boat, Walsall, West Midlands (Express & Star)

8 January 1967 – Cleveland Arms, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

13 January 1967 – College of Technology Engineering Society, Huddersfield Town Hall, West Yorkshire with The Crying Shames and ‘Bo’ Kelly Legend (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

15 January 1967 – Cleveland Court Arms, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

20 January 1967 – 3 Men in a Boat, Walsall, West Midlands (Express & Star)

28 January 1967 – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, Dorset (Bridport News)

5 February 1967 – Staffs Volunteer, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

6 February 1967 – Plaza Teen Club, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire with The Small Faces and The Lonely Ones (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

7 February 1967 – Almondbury WMC, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

8 February 1967 – Kingsway Theatre, Hadleigh, Essex with The Spencer Davis Group, Sounds Incorporated, The Fourmost and The James Royal Set (Essex Chronicle)

10 February 1967 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with The Net (West Surrey Advertiser)

12 February 1967 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

16 February 1967 – Primrose Hill WMC, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

22 February 1967 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

25 February 1967 – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, Dorset (Bridport News)

26 February 1967 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

27 February 1967 – Bilston United Services Club, Bilston, West Midlands (Express & Star)

5 March 1967 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

10 March 1967 – 3 Men in a Boat, Walsall, West Midlands (Express & Star)

12 March 1967 – Cromer Olympia, Cromer, Norfolk (North Norfolk News)

15 March 1967 – Cleveland Court Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

18 March 1967 – Cleveland Arms, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

19 March 1967 – Staffs Volunteer, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

24 March 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, west London with The Tonicks (Melody Maker)

27 March 1967 – Royal Lido Ballroom, Prestatyn, Wales with The Raynes (Chester Chronicle)

2 April 1967 – Plaza Teen Club, Thornton Lodge, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

7 April 1967 – Nautilus, South Pier, Lowestoft, Suffolk (Eastern Evening News)

13 April 1967 – Primrose Hill WMC, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire (Huddersfield Daily Examiner)

15 April 1967 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

21 April 1967 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)

5 May 1967 – Steering Wheel Club, Dorchester, Dorset (Western Gazette)

19 May 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with Jet Set (South East London Mercury)

20 May 1967 – Marine Theatre, Lyme Regis, Dorset (Bridport News)

28 May 1967 – Cromer Olympia, Cromer, Norfolk (North Norfolk News)

3 June 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Sugar Simone & The Programme and Eyes of Blonde (Eastern Evening News)

20 July 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

21 July 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Gods (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

22 July 1967 – Embassy, Colchester, Essex with Nature’s Own (Essex County Standard)

23 July 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

29 July 1967 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

30 July 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, west London with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound (Melody Maker)

4 August 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Small Faces and Harvey Wells Soul Band (Bournmouth Evening Echo)

5 August 1967 – 3 Men in a Boat, Walsall, West Midlands (Express & Star)

6 August 1967 – Cleveland Arms, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

11 August 1967 – Steering Wheel, Weymouth, Dorset (Dorset Evening Echo)

24 August 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

26 August 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Ebony Keys, The Trend and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard)

27 August 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London with The Triads (Melody Maker)

28 August 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, southwest London (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser/Croydon Advertiser)

2 September 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Eyes of Blond (Eastern Evening News)

7 September 1967 – Silver Horse Club, Arborfield, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)

15 September 1967 – Diss Corn Hall, Diss, Norfolk (North Norfolk News)

16 September 1967 – Imperial, Nelson, Lancashire with The Cave Dwellers and The Intermediates (Lancashire Evening Telegraph)

17 September 1967 – Locarno, Blackburn, Lancashire (Lancashire Evening Telegraph)

21 September 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

22 September 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Maxine Brown (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

25 September 1967 – Barnsley Civic Hall, Barnsley, West Yorkshire with Paul Adams Workshop (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News)

1 October 1967 – Sunday Club, Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)

7 October 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham with The Penny Peep Show (Birmingham Evening Mail)

15 October 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with Modes Mode (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

19 October 1967 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Harrow Weekly Post)

20 October 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London (Melody Maker)

21 October 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

22 October 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

3 November 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Plastic Dreamboat and The Track (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

4 November 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Sugar Machine (Cambridge Times)

10 November 1967 – Municipal Hall, Pontypridd, Wales with Chapter V (Glamorgan County Times)

18 November 1967 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire with The Say Chells (Evening Post: Hemel Hempstead)

24 November 1967 – Thing-A-Me-Jig Club, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)

9 December 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Alan Price Set (East Kent Times & Mail)

10 December 1967 – Rendevous Club, Margate, Kent (East Kent Times & Mail)

17 December 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

23 December 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

29 December 1967 – Thing-A-Me-Jig Club, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)

1968

8 January 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Nice (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

19 January 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

20 January 1968 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

21 January 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Crawley Advertiser)

27 January 1968 – Public Hall, Barrow, Cumbria with Angels Pavement (North Western Evening Mail)

28 January 1968 – Savoy Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire with The Amboy Dukes (Portsmouth News)

4 February 1968 – Embassy Suite, Colchester, Essex with The Time (Essex County Standard)

10 February 1968 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey with The Mover (Woking Herald)

14 February 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

19 February 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday/Herts and Essex Observer)

24 February 1968 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with Jo Jo Gunn and Almond Marizpan (Southend Standard)

25 February 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Jo Jo Gunne (Crawley Advertiser)

8 March 1968 – Jubilee Hall, Maldon, Essex with Little John & The Shadrocks (Essex Chronicle)

9 March 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington with Almost Blues (Warrington Guardian)

10 March 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington (Warrington Guardian)

16 March 1968 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Bohemians (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)

18 March 1968 – Barnsley Civic Hall, Barnsley, West Yorkshire with Essence (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News)

15 April 1968 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Track (Cambridge News)

The band split in September 1968 and returned to New Zealand, although Maurice Greer would bring a new version back to England in early 1969.

Categories: Fort Worth, Texas

The Motovators at Jolly Time Skating Rink, Fort Worth

December 24, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

The Motovators at Jolly Time A Go Go, July, 1965

The Jolly Time Skating Rink was located at 1001 Miller on the east side of Fort Worth. A scrapbook kept by Terry Hungerford’s mother shows the Motovators would play at the rink at least nine times between February 27 and July 31, 1965.

Jolly Time Sock-Hop Club membership card

The Barons, the Kasuals, and the Coachmen appeared with the Motovators on certain dates. Other than her scrapbook, I can find almost no documentation of other shows at the rink. Jim Jones and the Chauntays also played there according to an interview Jim Jones did with 60sgaragebands.com.

February 20, 1965 the Motovators auditioned with KXOL DJ Bob Allen and rink manager Doyle Goodwin

February 27, 1965 – First Motovators show at the Jolly Time Skating Rink, with the Barons

March 13, 1965 – with the Kasuals. The Motovators played an original by Terry Lee Hungerford, “She’s Gone” that they had recorded earlier that month. This was Phil Reece’s last show with band, the following Monday he announced his departure to Bobby Crown’s band.

The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965

April 24, 1965 – “one band, 10 to 12, $8 per man”

May 15, 1965 – with the Coachmen (“one of the Coachmen played as 5th member of Motovators”)

May 29, 1965

The Motovators and Bob Allen from KXOL at Jolly Time Roller Rink June 26, 1965

June 26, 1965 – after the show Terry, Roger and Donnie left to Villa Acuna, Mexico at 4:15 AM, returning home later than they expected on Monday causing some trouble on what was Terry’s 18th birthday.

July 9, 1965

July 17, 1965

July 31, 1965 – last Motovators show at the Jolly Time

Terry Lee Hungerford would join Jerry Williams & the Epics in 1966. Starting in the 1970s he would be part of several bands including Ripe Chops, the Freedom Band, the Other Brothers Band, No Respect, Road Crew, and the Terry Hungerford Blues Band. He worked for Pacific Bell and even opened his own BBQ restaurant, Hungerford’s Finest in Watsonville.

Terry passed away on February 20, 2019.

Thank you to Wm. Lewis Wms. and Andellyn Purvis-Hungerford for sharing Terry’s photos and band history.

Another shot of the Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965

The Motovators at Jolly Time Roller Rink, April 24, 1965. Note what appears to be Terry Lee’s Gretsch “bikini” bass with a teardrop body.

Categories: England, London

Jon and Still Life

December 24, 2020 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

Chris Simmons (vocals)

Stuart Cowell (lead guitar/vocals)

Tom Tierney (bass)

Ron Reynolds (Hammond organ)

Jim Toomey (drums)

Jon was formed around October 1966 (possibly even early September) after Stuart Cowell left Gass. He’d previously worked with Ralph Denyer in The Rockhouse Band.

Tom Tierney had been a member of Lulu’s backing band, The Luvvers while Jim Toomey had been in The Arthur Brown Union and The Union (with Brown’s replacement Dave Terry) and finally The Uptown Band.

Chris Simmons was the band’s original lead singer but he’s not pictured in either of the adverts featured in Melody Maker, to promote the release of Jon’s debut 45, which was issued in June 1967.

A second 45 appeared in August before Simmons departed and Stuart Cowell assumed lead vocals.

Notable gigs:

19-20 September 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Kentish Express)

11 November 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

14 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)

27 January 1967 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with The Great Expectations and Mood Indigo (West Surrey Advertiser)

23 February 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

13 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with Episode Six (Melody Maker)

2 June 1967 – Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Hastings & St Leonards Observer) Billed as John

23 June 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London plus supporting group (South East London Mercury)

Advert in Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright

8 July 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)

An article in the Westminster & Pimlico News, dated 25 August 1967, says the group is nine months old and are residents at the Cafe des Artistes in Fulham

22 September 1967 – New Trades Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

24 September 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as John

7 October 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, London (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)

9 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Robert Hirst & The Big Taste (Melody Maker)

11 November 1967 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

11 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound (Melody Maker)

6 January 1968 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire with Canal Street Philharmonic (Luton News)

23 January 1968 – North Park Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

1 February 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Marmalade (Melody Maker)

17 February 1968 – Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)

In late February, the band changed name to Still Life

After changing name, the group released a lone 45 as Still Life in February 1968 before Tierney switched over to rhythm guitar and Con Byrne joined on bass.

2 March 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Thackery (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)

9 March 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Open Mind (Melody Maker)

On 25 March, Still Life performed at the Marquee (supporting The Nice) where they were spotted by singer Warren Davis, who invited the band to joined forces with him in a new version of The Warren Davis Monday Band soon after.

1 April 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Watford, Herts with The Foundations (Harrow Observer & Gazette) This may have been under The Warren Davis Monday Band performing under this name

Although the gig below was billed as Still Life, this was in fact performed by The Warren Davis Monday Band.

20 April 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Web Foundation (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)

You can read more about the band here.

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author. To contact the author, email: Warchive@aol.com

Categories: Fort Worth, Texas

The Hi-De-Ho Lounge, short-lived Fort Worth venue

December 23, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

There’s not much information on the Hi-De-Ho Dancing night club, also known as the Hi-De-Ho Lounge. It was located at 3406 Azle Ave in Fort Worth, and as of 2020, the building still exists as the Rodeo Tavern.

The Motovators auditioned with manager Andy Anderson on December 4, 1964, then played ten shows at the Hi-De-Ho Lounge between December 5, 1964 and January 1, 1965. They received $10 per person except for New Year’s Eve, at $25 each.

On December 24, Jimmy Moore left the Motovators, and Dale Morgan joined on lead guitar. Terry Fagan moved to rhythm guitar.

I have no photos of the interior. An ad to sell the business appeared on July 27, 1965 in the Star-Telegram.

Any info on the club would be welcome.

Categories: Fort Worth, Texas

Le Joli Roger Lounge – the Jolly Roger, Fort Worth

December 23, 2020 Chris Bishop Leave a comment

Le Joli Roger Lounge, also known as the Jolly Roger, Fort Worth

The Motovators played the Jolly Roger Lounge on May 29, 1964. It was one of the band’s first live shows, with the original lineup of Terry Lee Hungerford, Roger Young, Terry Fagan, and Jimmy Nobles.

The sign in the photo reads Le Joli Roger Lounge, but one ad I’ve seen lists it as the Jolly Roger, located at 4016 White Settlement Road on the west side of Fort Worth. I believe it has since been demolished.

A December 25, 1964 classified ad to sell the business.

Categories: D'Arcy Sound Studios (Norfolk), Hampton, Virginia

The East Coastmen of Hampton, VA

December 21, 2020 Chris Bishop 15 Comments

The East Coastmen, from left: Don Newsome, Mike (surname unknown), Alan Partin, Spiller Anderson, Charlie Harbrook, Thom Clement, Dave Herndon, and Bob Kerwin. Photo submitted by the estate of Joanne Tluchak, Virginia Beach

The East Coastmen were not a garage band, but a revue or pop group with horns, listed in Billboard’s Campus Attractions issue of 1971.

Don Newsome commented with the names of the members, so I’ll add them here:

Don Newsome – Bass
Mike (surname unknown) – Sax
Alan Partin – Drums
Spiller Anderson – Trumpet
Charlie Harbrook – Trombone
Thom Clement – Keyboards
Dave Herndon – Frontman, lead singer
Bob Kerwin – Lead guitar
Gary Ricks – Trumpet, trombone

Personal Manager was D.C. Auman. They were booked by Attractions Ltd in Hampton.

Bob Kerwin sent in songs cut on a two track machine at D’Arcy Studios on 21st St in Norfolk, version of Ollie & The Nightingales “Girl You Make My Heart Sing” and Robert Parker’s “Barefootin’.

The East Coastmen – Girl You Make My Heart Sing

Below are two photos contributed by Don Newsome.

The East Coastmen, from left: Charlie Harbrook, Dave Herdon (wearing hat), Bob Kerwin, Thom Clement, Alan Partin, Mike (unknown last name), Spiller Anderson, and Don Newsome. Missing is Gary Ricks, trumpet

The East Coastmen, from left: Bob Kerwin, Spiller Anderson, Alan Partin, Charlie Harbrook, Dave Herdon, Thom Clement, Mike (unknown last name), and Don Newsome. Missing is Gary Ricks, trumpet

Categories: Australia, Melbourne

Procession gigs 1967-1969

December 20, 2020 Nick Warburton 2 Comments

Playboys guitarist Mick Rogers, keyboard player Trevor Griffin and bass player Brian Peacock split with singer Normie Rowe in late October, according to Go-Set’s 25 October issue, page 3.

By mid-November, former Librettos drummer Craig Collinge completed the new group named Procession.

17 December 1967 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Debut performance

19-26 December 1967 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

27-31 December 1967 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

Clockwise from front: Brian Peacock, Craig Collinge, Mick Rogers and Trevor Griffin

1-17 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Procession were supported by The Trap on 5 January

11 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

12 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Valentines (Go-Set) Bon Scott was the lead singer with The Valentines

13 January 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria with The Groop, Phil Jones & The Unknown Blues, The Party Machine and Issy & Adrienne (Go-Set)

13 January 1968 – Tom Foolery, St John’s Hall, Camberwell, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Running Jumping Standing Still (Go-Set)

13 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Andy James Asylum (Go-Set)

14 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

19 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

21 January 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

25 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

26 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Max Merritt & The Meteors (Go-Set)

26 January 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Christopher Nickelby Action and The Sounds of Silence (Go-Set)

27 January 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

28 January 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

1 February 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

4 February 1968 – 3XY & Outdoor Happening III, Veldrome, Olympic Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Johnny Young & The Word, The Loved Ones, Somebody’s Image, The Masters Apprentices and The Ram Jam Big Band (Go-Set)

5 February 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

8 February 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

9 February 1968 – The Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Questions, The Chelsea Set and The Basin St Blues Band (Go-Set)

10 February 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert and Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Larry’s Rebels (Go-Set)

13 February 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

15 February 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Ross De Wylie & The Uptight 5^th Hour and The Sounds of Silence (Go-Set)

17 February 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Jeff St John & The Yama (Go-Set)

17 February 1968 – Piccadilly, Ringwood Town Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Nature’s Own and The Running Jumping Standing Still (Go-Set)

18 February 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

23 February 1968 – 54321, St Mary’s Hall, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia with Jeff St John & The Yama and Chocolate (Go-Set)

24 February 1968 – Masonic Hall, St George’s Road Elsternwick, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

25 February 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Vibrants and Larry’s Rebels (Go-Set)

1 March 1968 – Swing into Action, Lyndale Hall, Dandenong, Victoria, Australia with The Sounds of Silence and The Vibrants (Go-Set)

2 March 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Lynne Randell, Somebody’s Image and The Young Once (Go-Set)

3 March 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

8 March 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

9 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Young Once and Gingerbreadmen (Go-Set)

9 March 1968 – Piccadilly, Ringwood Town Hall, Victoria, Australia with Dave McCallum Power Set, Carmel Chayne and Skippy La Roche (Go-Set)

10 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

13 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

14 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

15 March 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with Jeff St John & Yama and The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)

16 March 1968 – Penny Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Outlaws, Carmel Chayne and Tony Barber (Go-Set)

17 March 1968 – Opus, Ormond Hall, South Yarra, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Max Merritt & The Meteors and The Groove (Go-Set)

20 March 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

21 March 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

22 March 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)

23 March 1968 – Albury, Melbourne, Victoria (Go-Set)

27 March 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

28 March 1968 – The Catcher Ball, Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)

29 March 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria Australia with The Wild Cherries and The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)

30 March 1968 – Shepperton Youth Centre, Shepperton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

3 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

4 April 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

6 April 1968 – Stonehenge, Beaumaris Civic Centre, Beaumaris, Victoria, Australia with The Valentines, The Rondells and April Byron (Go-Set)

6 April 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Wild Cherries, The National Breakouts, Compulsion and The Chelsea Set (Go-Set)

7 April 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The James Taylor Move and The Wild Cherries (Go-Set)

8 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

10 April 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

13 April 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Masters Apprentices, Compulsion and The Revolution (Go-Set)

13 April 1968 – Swinger, Coburg City Hall, Coburg, Victoria, Melbourne with The Bobby James Syndicate, April Byron Sensation, Gentle People (Go-Set)

14 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

19 April 1968 – Catcher, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Dream and Ross D Wylie & The Uptight 5^th Hour (Go-Set)

27 April 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Mixtures, The Perfection and The Wild Cherries (Go-Set)

27 April 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The System and Larry’s Rebels (Go-Set)

28 April 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Says last performance before Australia-wide tour

3 May 1968 – 54321 Club, St Mary’s Dandenong, Victoria, Australia with The Andy James Asylum (Go-Set)

4 May 1968 – Sandringham Memorial Hall, Sandingham, Victoria, Australia with The Henry Brothers, Janice Smuggett & The Pennsylvania Fly Bight and The Push (Go-Set)

12 May 1968 – Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Wild Cherries, The Masters Apprentices, Dream, Somebody’s Image, The Vibrants, Larry’s Rebels, The Mixtures and many others (Go-Set)

14 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia and The Floor Show (Go-Set)

15 May 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

21 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

24 May 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The La-De-Das (Go-Set)

24 May 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with La-De-Das (Go-Set)

25 May 1968 – Keepout, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with others (Go-Set)

25 May 1968 – Penny Lane, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Dave McCallum Set and Henry Bros (Go-Set)

26 May 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Ram Jam Big Band and The Compulsion (Go-Set)

28 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with others (Go-Set)

30 May 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

2 June 1968 – Opus Central, St Kilda, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Larry Rebels, The City Stompers and Grantley Dee (Go-Set)

5 June 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert and Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Levi Smith’s Clefs (Go-Set)

5 June 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Levi Smith’s Clefs (Go-Set)

12 June 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set)

14 June 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Iguana and Bazaar (Go-Set)

15 June 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The David Bentley Trio (Go-Set)

15 June 1968 – Opus East, Camberwell Junction, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with Robbie Snowden, Ross De Wylie & The Upright 5^th Hour and The Rondells (Go-Set)

16 June 1968 – Sebastian’s, Victoria & Albert and Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Ram Jam Big Band (Go-Set)

18 June 1968 – Thumpin’ Tum, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Floor Show and The Joke Man (Go-Set)

18 June 1968 – Royal Ballroom, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia with The Twilights, The Party Machine and The Virgil Brothers (Go-Set)

19 June 1968 – Berties, Victoria & Albert, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Go-Set) Final performance in Australia before leaving for the UK

During July, the band headed to the UK

There is a photo of the band (and short story) in the Wakefield Express and its 14 September 1968 issue on page 22 (see below)

The Birmingham Evening Mail ran a spread (plus pic) on the recently arrived band in its 18 September 1968 issue on page 2 under the title ‘No place in the world like Brum’, which contains an interview with local lad Trevor Griffin.

There is a great Procession article in Bracknell News, 19/9/68, page 2 (see below)

The Widnes Weekly News ran a short caption on the band plus a rare photo of the band in its 20 September 2020 issue on page 22

12 November 1968 – Kirkcaldy Ice Rink, Kirkcaldy, Scotland with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Herd (Dundee Evening Telegraph)

13 November 1968 – Market Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria, England with The Herd, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Love Affair and Susan Richards (Fabulous 208) Cumberland News has The Emeralds instead of Richards and also Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

15 November 1968 – Dundee Ice Rink, Dundee, Scotland with The Herd, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Love Affair and Susan Richards (Fabulous 208)

15 November 1968 – Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk, Scotland with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The Haze and Brian Marshall Foundation (Fabulous 208/Grangemouth Advertiser)

22 November 1968 – Regal Ballroom, Bonnyrigg, Scotland with The Puppets and Spiders Web (South Midlothian Advertiser)

15 January 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Yes (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

6 February 1969 – Red Lion Hotel Blues Club, Leytonstone, Essex, England (Melody Maker)

8 February 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Spice (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

22 February 1969 – Royal Links Pavilion Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk, England with Kiss (Eastern Evening News)

During mid-March, Craig Collinge left to join Manfred Mann and Mike Hugg in Emanon, which became Manfred Mann Chapter 3. Chris Hunt joined on drums from Pendulum.

22 March 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Spice (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

26 March 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Rainbows (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

Ross Wilson (ex-Party Machine) arrived from Australia and assumed lead vocals.

5 April 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Shoo String Band (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

12 April 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Octopus (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

13 April 1969 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

28 April 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London, England (Melody Maker)

3 May 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Marmalade (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald)

10 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Mandrake Paddlesteamer (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

17 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Pegasus (Melody Maker)

24 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)

26 May 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London, England (Melody Maker)

31 May 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with The Eyes of Blue (Melody Maker)

7 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Kippington Lodge (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

14 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Audience (Melody Maker)

16 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Audience (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

21 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Joint (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)

27 June 1969 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London, England (gig poster on http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

28 June 1969 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England with Octopus (Melody Maker)

8 July 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England (Melody Maker)

30 July 1969 – Speakeasy, Margaret Street, central London, England (Melody Maker)

It is unlikely the band played the following British gigs even though they were advertised. They left England on the Greek cruise ship, Aurelia, in early August bound for New York, returning later that month and breaking up.

10 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England (Melody Maker) Unlikely they played this

21 August 1969 – Pilgrim Cellar, Haywards Heath, West Sussex with The Double Sounds (Mid Sussex Times) Unlikely they played this

25 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, England (Melody Maker) Unlikely they played this

25 August 1969 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, west London, England (Marylebone Mercury) Unlikely they played this

Procession split up in September 1969, according to Go-Set (see below)

Categories: Alabama, Montgomery, Morgan

The Rockin’ Gibralters of Montgomery, AL

December 18, 2020 Chris Bishop 10 Comments

Rockin’ Gibralters, from left: Rusty Crumpton, Ronnie Monroe, Sonny Grier (seated), Ed Sanford, Bobby DuPree and Keith Brewer

The Rockin’ Gibralters came out of Montgomery, Alabama, making four singles between 1966 and 1968.

Members were:

Sonny Grier – vocals
Rusty Crumpton – lead guitar
Ed Sanford – keyboards
Keith Brewer – bass guitar
Bobby DuPree – drums
Ronnie Monroe – trumpet (and roadie?)

I haven’t been able to find details about their history yet.

I’m not sure which was their first single but it may have been “Go With Me” / “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” on Morgan HV-9040 from 1966. Sonny Grier and Keith Brewer wrote “Go With Me”, with publishing by Granny Music. The band’s name is spelled Rockin’ Gibraltars on the labels.

This is their most “garage” single, with harmonica but no trumpet, and some great screams from Sonny Grier on “Signed, Sealed and Delivered”.

The Rockin’ Gibralters next single was probably “It Will Stand” / “I Can’t Help Myself (For Loving You)” on Empire 447. The B-side is another original by Brewer and Grier, which I haven’t heard yet.

The Gibralters released their next two singles on their own RG Records label, fashioning a fine soul sound on each. The different label designs and numbering suggest different studios or pressing plants.

“Bug of Soul” is an original by Rusty Crumpton and Ed Sanford, on RG Records 480. The trumpet plays an important part in the sound of the band by this time. I’m not sure if “It Will Stand” is the same version as the Empire single or a new take. Release date was about November 1966.

“What’s Your Hurry” is their most produced single, with what sounds like vibraphone as well as piano. Crumpton, Sanford, and Grier wrote that side, while Crumpton, Sanford and Brewer wrote “The Bare Essential”, the ostensible A-side, though I haven’t yet heard it. Lowery Music Inc. published both songs. Release was December, 1968.

In 1968, Ed Sanford, Keith Brewer and Bobby DuPree would form a group called Heart, with Johnny Townsend and Tippy Armstrong of Tuscaloosa’s Magnificent Seven / Rubber Band. Heart would play the Whisky a Go-Go in Los Angeles and cut one single on Reprise Records 0772, “The Train” (J. Townsend) / “Heartbeat” (Brewer-Sanford-Townsend-Dupree-Crumpton), both Hollytex Music Co. and produced by Bob Hinkle.

I’m not sure what Sonny Grier, Rusty Crumpton or Ronnie Monroe did after the breakup of the Rockin’ Gibralters.

Rockin’ Gibralters discography:

Morgan HV-9040 – “Go With Me” (S. Grier, K. Brewer) / “Signed, Sealed and Delivered” (TK4M-2418/9) 1966

Empire 447 – “It Will Stand” / “I Can’t Help Myself (For Loving You)” (Brewer, Grier, pub Fame Pub. Co BMI) SO 3338/9

RG Records 480 – “Bug of Soul” (Crumpton, Sanford) / “It Will Stand” November 1966

RG Records 1118 – “The Bare Essential” (Crumpton, Sanford, Brewer) / “What’s Your Hurry” (Crumpton, Sanford, Grier) both Lowery Music Inc., BMI

The photo at top came from the very interesting Tuscaloosa Beach Music site which is now unfortunately defunct but available, in part, on the Internet Archive.

The Hey Baby Days site has a few more photos of the Rockin’ Gibralters, including on stage at the City Auditorium.

Garage Hangover

The Cortinas gigs 1964-1968

The Motovators at National Hall in Fort Worth

Human Instinct’s UK gigs 1966-1968

The Motovators at Jolly Time Skating Rink, Fort Worth

Jon and Still Life

The Hi-De-Ho Lounge, short-lived Fort Worth venue

Le Joli Roger Lounge – the Jolly Roger, Fort Worth

The East Coastmen of Hampton, VA

Procession gigs 1967-1969

The Rockin’ Gibralters of Montgomery, AL

The site for '60s garage bands since 2004