Guitarist Mick Abrahams formed Blodwyn Pig in his home town Luton, Bedfordshire in the first few weeks of January 1969 after leaving Jethro Tull in early December 1968.
Bass player Andy Pyle had previously been a member of Abrahams’ pre-Jethro Tull group, McGregor’s Engine while sax/flute player Jack Lancaster was from Manchester and was working with the group Sponge when he got the call.
The trio advertised for a drummer and Ron Berg who’d been working with White Rabbit (singer Linda Lewis fronted them at one point) answered and got the job.
In his autobiography, What is a Wommett?, Mick Abrahams says that Blodwyn Pig rehearsed for a week before making their debut at the Cooks Ferry Inn in Edmonton, north London.
Melody Maker lists this as 27 January and notes that the quartet was billed as The Mick Abrahams Blues Band. In fact, Abrahams’ new group was billed under his own name rather than Blodwyn Pig for its first few gigs.
The following is an incomplete gig list of Blodwyn Pig 1969 gigs which are all listed in Melody Maker unless otherwise noted.
I’d welcome any additions. The band is billed as Blodwyn Pig unless noted.
Notable gigs:
27 January 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (debut) Billed as Mick Abrahams Blues Band
Melody Maker’s 1 February issue, page 4, reports the new band and name under its news extra section
1 February 1969 – Van Dike, Plymouth, Devon (Jonathan Hill’s book, Van Dike – The Life & Times of a Plymouth Club 1968-1972). Billed as Mick Abrahams Band
7 February 1969 – Bedford College, Regent’s Park, central London with Chicken Shack. Billed as Mick Abrahams Band
13 February 1969 – Red Lion, Leytonstone, east London. Billed as Mick Abrahams
Image may be subject to copyright
21 February 1969 – Blues Loft, Nag’s Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
Melody Maker’s 22 February issue, page 6, says the band made its Marquee debut last week but I have not found a listing elsewhere. Monday night (17 February) was audition night so this is the possible date
22 February 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with Keef Hartley
3 March 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London. Billed as Mick Abrahams
Image may be subject to copyright
15 March 1969 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle, south London with Chicken Shack and Jellybread. Billed as Mick Abrahams Band
22 March 1969 – Mothers, Erdginton, West Midlands with Led Zeppelin
28 March 1969 – Hornsey Wood Tavern, Hornsey Wood, north London. Billed as Mick Abrahams Blodwyn Pigg
29 March 1969 – The Village, Dagenham, east London with Killing Floor and Yellow Dog. Billed as Mick Abrahams
2 April 1969 – Rambling Jack’s Blues Club, the Railway Hotel, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless’ book The Day Before Yesterday – Rock, Rhythm and Jazz in the Bishop’s Stortford area from 1957 to 1969)
15 April 1969 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, north London. Billed as Mick Abrahams Blodwyn Pig
18 April 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Circus (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
19 April 1969 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle, south London with Climax Chicago Blues Band and Smiley
20 April 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with Dr K’s Blues Band
22 April 1969 – Bluesville ’69 Club’s Cherry Tree, Welwyn Garden City, Herts
23 April 1969 – Blues Loft, Nag’s Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
25 April 1969 – Northern Poly, Holloway Road, north London with Elmer Gantry
28 April 1969 – Wall City Jazz Club, Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Frankie & The Countdowns and Shady Lane (Liverpool Echo) Billed as Mick Abrahams Blues Band
29 April 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 May 1969 – Bedford College, Regent’s Park, central London with Free
10 May 1969 – Luton College of Technology Students’ Union, Luton, Beds with The Spirit of John Morgan and Mechanical Bird (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
20 May 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Grail (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 May 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Sam Apple Pie (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
2 June 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
16 June 1969 – The Pavilion, Bath (Poster) Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
20 June 1969 – City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Led Zeppelin and Liverpool Scene (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
22 June 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with The Taste
25 June 1969 – Derwent College, York, North Yorkshire with Bonzo Dog Band, John Mayall, Ronnie Scott & His Band, Eclection and Alexis Korner & Invaders Steel Band (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
26 June 1969– Guildhall, Portsmouth, Hants with Led Zeppelin and The Liverpool Scene (Blodwyn Pig concert Wiki site)
27 June 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Groundhogs (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
28 June 1969 – Bath Festival of Blues, Recreation Ground, Bath with Fleetwood Mac, Led Zeppelin, John Mayall, Chicken Shack, Nice, Ten Years After and many, many others. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
29 June 1969 – Albert Hall, Knightsbridge, central London with Led Zeppelin and The Liverpool Scene. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
30 June 1969 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
6 July 1969 – Farx, the Northcote Arms, Southall, west London. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
11 July 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Andromeda (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
11 July 1969 – Brunel University Students’ Union, Brunel University, London with The Soft Machine, Aaardvark and Good Earth. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
14 July 1969 – Friars, Aylesbury, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
25 July 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Circus (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
2 August 1969 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon (Torbay Express and South Devon Echo) Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
5 August 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London with Wine
Melody Maker’s 9 August issue, p12, has a good write up entitled ‘Blodwyn Pig continue with the heavy sound’.
Photo: Possibly Gloucester Citizen. Image may be subject to copyright
9 August 1969 – Malvern Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire with Clouds (Poster)
10 August 1969 – 9th National Jazz, Pop, Ballads & Blues Festival, West Drayton, west London with The Nice, Family, Keef Hartley, Steamhammer and many others. Billed as Mick Abraham’s Blodwyn Pig
15 August 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Grail (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
20 August 1969 – Rambling Jack’s Blues Club, the Railway Hotel, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless’ book The Day Before Yesterday – Rock, Rhythm and Jazz in the Bishop’s Stortford area from 1957 to 1969) Concert was cancelled due to summer recess
22 August 1969 – Blues Loft, Nag’s Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
25 August 1969 – King’s Hall, Romford Market, Romford, east London
29 August 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Samson (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
Melody Maker’s 30 August issue, page 24 notes that the band missed some dates because Ron Berg was ill
16 September 1969 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands with King Crimson
18 September 1969 – Social Club, Aylesbury, Bucks
21 September 1969 – Farx, the Northcote Arms, Southall, west London. Billed as Mick Abrahams Blodwyn Pig
22 September 1969 – The Village of the Damned Blues Club, Aurora Ballroom, Brompton, Gillingham, Kent with support (Poster)
26 September 1969 – King’s Hall, Romford, east London with Stone The Crows
Image may be subject to copyright
29 September 1969 – Dunstable Civic Hall, Dunstable, Beds with Jesse Harper
30 September 1969 – The Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ground (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live/Melody Maker)
The Wild Prophets came from Ames, Iowa, about 35 miles north of Des Moines. They recorded one single on Kustom Records, Ltd ARS-1001, an energetic version of the Last Word’s “Can’t Stop Loving You” backed with “Do I Have to Come Right Out and Say It”, a Neil Young original with the Buffalo Springfield.
The lineup at the time of the record was:
Ted Nunemaker – vocals Keane Bonath – sax Ken Wood – guitar Roy Aasen – keyboard Larry Kelley – bass and vocals Andy Gielbelstein – drums
Mark Miller signed the label of the record, but he replaced Ken Wood on guitar after the record was made.
Earlier members included Jacque Furman and Ralph Stevens on drums, Ray West on keys.
Later members included Ron Arends on keys and Scott Erickson.
Larry Kelly wrote to me:
I had a few groups in high school. My first band I joined was the Mystics – the first combo at Boone High School. I left that group and started my own band called the Tel-Stars. In ’65 I left that band and got married.
In ’66 I started organizing a new band and we came up with the name The Wild Prophets – Ken Wood, Ray West, Jacque Furman and I. We did things like play guitar/bass behind our heads, lay down on the floor playing, etc. That’s where the ‘wild’ came from in the name. We went thru various other musicians when Ray left. Jacque left and Ralph Stevens played drums. He left in time and Andy took over. When Andy left, Randy Stultz took over on drums.
The recording came about with Ken, Keane Bonath, Ted Nunemaker (both Keane and Ted were ISU students at the time), Andy on drums, and Roy Aaesen played keys. We found the two songs we wanted to do and Ted sang lead on the slow song, me on “Can’t Stop Loving You” which was a Buffalo Springfield flip-side song from their hit, “For What It’s Worth”. But “Can’t Stop” was too slow so we sped it up a bit!
We had a school bus we fixed up to travel in along with the name of the band on each side in big letters. In ’69, we bought over $10,000 worth of new band equipment which today would be more like $80-100k. So many stories, too numerous to tell.
The Wild Prophets recorded at Audiosonic Recording Studio in Ames, and the record saw release in 1969.
According to the informative Boone Rock website, the band played “in Mason City. The Cellar in Ames was a favorite with a good crowd in attendance every time. Other venues they performed at include the Starlite in Carroll, the Pla-Mor in Fort Dodge, the Dance-Mor in Swisher, RJ’s Lounge in Marion.”
The Wild Prophets broke up in 1973. Jacque Furman continued in music, but I have few details other than playing with Cris Williamson and Glen Yarborough.
Ted Nunemaker died on Dec. 14, 2008.
Thank you to Larry Kelley for correcting the spelling of names.
Some information from http://members.iowatelecom.net/thx1136/pages/prophets.html (currently offline).
I can find a few other Audiosonic Recording Studio credits, such as:
Ted Hart – “Down in the Mine” / “I Don’t Need You Anymore” (both by Don Taft and J.T. Schreiner), produced by J.T. Schreiner on Leslie LR 72068 from 1968.
Syndrum of Soul - “Lost and Found” (Gary French, Floyd Brown) / “Do You Care” on SOS 100, produced by M. Harper, from 1970.
The Coachmen, from left: Sam Brough, Glen Cammack, Tommy Burnett (sitting) and Rick Allen, “backstage at the Mid-South Coliseum after a Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs gig.” Photo from Ron Hall’s essential “The Memphis Garage Rock Yearbook 1960-1975”
The Coachmen are not well-remembered now, but were a significant band in Memphis in 1965. They played at the premier of Help at the Loews Palace Theatre with the WMPS Good Guys. They had one single on Gold Standard 155, “I’ll Never Leave You” / “Possibility”.
Members were:
Tommy Burnett – vocals Sam Brough Glen Cammack Rick Allen
“I’ll Never Leave You” is good upbeat pop. Copyright registration from August, 1965 shows Larry Hill and Rusty Taylor (as Roland Parker Taylor) as co-writers. Rusty Taylor was vocalist with the Yo-Yo’s (the Swingin’ Yo-Yo’s) and later had two solo singles on the M.O.C. label. The Coachmen single preceded the Yo-Yo’s singles on Goldwax.
“Possibility” is a Stan Vincent composition which had been done by the Crowns on Old Town Records in 1964.
Gold Standard owner Zeke Clements produced, and the labels credit “The Coachmen (from Memphis, Tenn)” and “vocal by Tommy Burnett”.
Rusty Taylor and Larry Hill registered another composition “I Know”, in October, 1965, also with Blazon Music.
The Combustibles came from Bombay, India, and recorded “Watch Her” / “Some Peace of Mind” in 1970. Vocalist Everett Perry wrote both songs. “Watch Her” has vocals and rhythm that reminds me somewhat of the Velvet Underground. The songs saw release as Polydor 2067 020 in 1971.
Members on the single were Everett Perry on lead vocals, brothers George Taylor on bass and Lionel Taylor on lead guitar, Nissim Ezekiel on rhythm, and Bobby Furtado on drums.
The group participated in the Simla Beat contests in 1968 and 1969 and did well, but unfortunately those years did not see LP releases like the ’70 and ’71 contests. I would like to have heard that band at that stage, as the group had a partly different lineup, which included Christopher Valles on lead guitar and Croyden Maben on drums.
The Combustibles have a great website, www.thecombustiblesband.com with lots of photos and information on the band and the Bombay music scene. I highly recommend taking a look.
Thank you to Jörgen Johansson for providing this copy of the single.
Betty Simpson wrote both songs on this teen record on the Zundak label out of Alexandria, Louisiana, northwest of Baton Rouge. “What Is Love” is upbeat, while “Weeping Willow” is a ballad, as you’d expect from the title.
Betty was a teenager when she cut this in 1965. She worked with a band called the Argos, who were Billy Spillman (bass), Steve Smith (drums), Robert Rachel and Stan Rachel (both on guitar). They performed at the La Paloma Lounge south of Alexandria, and Betty also appeared at the Louisiana Bandstand TV show.
Photos and info come from the youtube video below, which has a few more news clippings of Betty:
They recorded the single at La Louisianne studios in Lafayette. Zundak was the label for one of my all-time favorite Louisiana garage 45s, “Baby Get Lost” by the Barracudas.
A list of red vinyl, promotional 45 rpm singles on the Epic label from 1962-1966.
Followed by other colored vinyl: blue, green, yellow.
Unlike colored vinyl on Columbia (see previous post), only about half of these have the same song on both sides.
Any additions or corrections would be appreciated.
Red vinyl:
5-9509 – Bobby Vinton - “Roses Are Red (My Love)” / “You and I ” 5-9561- Bobby Vinton - “Trouble Is My Middle Name” / “Let’s Kiss and Make Up” 5-9632 – Bobby Vinton - “O Holy Night” / “The Christmas Song” (Canada only) JZSP 76370 (other releases on 5-9640) – Linda Brannon – “Don’t Cross Over (to My Side of the Street)” / JZSP 76387 (other releases on 5-9643) – Kerri Downs – “4,003,221 Tears from Now” 5-9705 – Bobby Vinton - “Clinging Vine” 5-9730 – Bobby Vinton - “Mr. Lonely” 5-9741 – Bobby Vinton - “Dearest Santa” / “Mr. Lonely” 5-9863 – Dave Clark Five - “Over and Over” 5-9869 – Bobby Vinton – “Satin Pillows” 5-9877 – Joe Sherman and the Arena Brass – “Feeling Good” 5-10001 – The Remains – “Diddy Wah Diddy” 5-10025 – David Houston – “Almost Persuaded” 5-10045 – Donovan - “Sunshine Superman” / “The Trip” 5-10110 – Keith Relf - “Shapes in My Mind” 5-10134 – Tammy Wynette - “Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad” 5-10180 – The Hollies – “Carrie-Anne” / 5-10184 – The Tremeloes - “Silence Is Golden”
Blue vinyl:
5-9593 – Bobby Vinton – “Blue on Blue” / “Those Little Things ” 9-9865 – The Goldberg-Miller Blues Band – “The Mother Song” / “More Soul, Than Soulful”
JZSP 79537 (b-side released on 5-9821) – Damita Jo – “Love Is Here to Stay” / “Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out” (possibly green vinyl too) 5-9885 – Nancy Ames - “Friends and Lovers Forever” / “Dear Hearts and Gentle People” (JZSP 112662) JZSP 113610 (other releases on 5-10032) – Jane Morgan - “1-2-3” / “Kiss Away” 5-10061 – Damita Jo - “If You Go Away” 5-10162 – The Marmalade - “Can’t Stop Now”
A list of red vinyl, promotional 45 rpm singles on the Columbia label from 1962-1966.
Followed by other colored vinyl: purple, blue, green, yellow, orange.
Almost all of these have the same song on both sides, but there are a few exceptions (two by Tony Bennett and promo-only singles by Steve Lawrence and Robert Horton).
Any additions or corrections would be appreciated.
Red vinyl:
4-42417 – Jerry Reed & the Hully Girlies – “Goodnight Irene” (July, 1962) 4-42582 – Johnny Mathis – “Gina” 4-42592 – The New Christy Minstrels – “This Land Is Your Land” 4-42593 – Carl Butler – “Don’t Let Me Cross Over” 4-42601 – Steve Lawrence – “Go Away Little Girl” 4-42606 – Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs – “The Ballad of Jed Clampett” 4-42661 – Eydie Gormé – “Blame it on the Bossa Nova” JZSP 58841 (other versions use 4-42662) – Dion – “Ruby Baby” 4-42666 – Johnny Mathis – “What Will My Mary Say” 4-42699 – Steve Lawrence – “Don’t Be Afraid Little Darlin’” 4-42674 – Andy Williams – “Can’t Get Used to Losing You” 4-42776 – Dion – “This Little Girl” 4-42779 – Tony Bennett – “The Good Life” / “Spring in Manhattan” 4-42788 – Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire” 4-42791 – Patti Page – “Say Wonderful Things” 4-42815 – Steve & Eydie – “I Want to Stay Here” 4-42827 – Ray Price – “Make The World Go Away” 4-42852 – Dion Di Muci – “Donna the Prima Donna” 4-42865 – Steve Lawrence – “Walking Proud” 4-42880 – Johnny Cash – “The Matador” 4-42888 – The Brothers Four – “The John B. Sails” (Canada only) 4-42950 – Andy Williams – “A Fool Never Learns” 4-42964 – Johnny Cash – “Understand Your Man” 4-42996 – Tony Bennett – “When Joanna Loved Me” 4-43035 – Rip Chords – “Three Window Coupe” 4-43037 – Anita Bryant – “The World of Lonely People” 4-43045 – Rene & Rene – “Angelito” 4-43067 – Linda Hall – “Hugo” 4-43082 – Eydie Gormé – “I Want You to Meet My Baby” 4-43113 – Aretha Franklin – “Runnin’ Out of Fools” 4-43120 – Billy Walker – “Cross the Brazos at Waco” 4-43128 – Andy Williams – “On the Street Where You Live” 4-43131 – Robert Goulet – “My Love, Forgive Me (Amore, Scusami)” 4-43141 – Tony Bennett – “Who Can I Turn To” / “If I Ruled the World” 4-43145 – Johnny Cash – “It Ain’t Me, Babe” 4-43171 – Mongo Santamaria – “El Pussy Cat” 4-43242 – Bob Dylan – “Subterranean Homesick Blues” 4-43271 – The Byrds – “Mr. Tambourine Man” 4-43277 – Chad and Jeremy – “Before and After” 4-43301 – Robert Goulet – “Summer Sounds” 4-43305 – Billy Joe Royal – “Down in the Boondocks” 4-43315 – Statler Brothers – “Flowers on the Wall” 4-43332 – The Byrds – “All I Really Want to Do” JZSP 110939 / JZSP 110940 (other versions use 4-43346) Bob Dylan – “Like a Rolling Stone” 4-43351 – The Liverpool Set – “Must I Tell You (I Love You)” (Canada only) 4-43375 – Paul Revere & the Raiders – “Steppin’ Out” 4-43389 – Bob Dylan – “Positively 4th Street” 4-43390 – Billy Joe Royal – “I Knew You When” 4-43396 – Simon & Garfunkel – “The Sounds of Silence” 4-43424 – The Byrds – “Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)” 4-43437 – Pozo-Seco Singers – “Time” 4-43461 – Paul Revere & the Raiders – “Just Like Me” 4-43465 – Billy Joe Royal – “I’ve Got to Be Somebody” 4-43469 – Barbra Streisand – “Second Hand Rose” 4-43556 – Paul Revere & the Raiders – “Kicks” 4-43589 – The Cyrkle – “Red Rubber Ball” 4-43592 – Bob Dylan – “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” 4-43595 – Susan Christie – “I Love Onions” 4-43617 – Simon & Garfunkel – “I Am a Rock” 4-43626 – Ray Conniff and the Singers – “Somewhere, My Love” 4-43648 – Tim Rose – “Hey Joe (You Shot Your Woman Down)” 4-43660 – Eydie Gormé – “If He Walked into My Life” 4-43673 – Johnny Cash – “Everybody Loves a Nut” 4-43678 – Paul Revere & the Raiders – “Hungry” 4-43728 – Simon & Garfunkel – “The Dangling Conversation” 4-43729 – The Cyrkle – “Turn-Down Day” 4-43774 – Jerry Vale – “Dommage, Dommage (Too Bad, Too Bad)” 4-43784 – Pozo-Seco Singers – “I Can Make it With You” 4-43792 – Bob Dylan – “Just Like a Woman” 4-43794 – Patti Page – “Almost Persuaded” 4-43907 – Paul Revere & the Raiders – “Good Thing” —
JZSP 78856 / JZSP 78857 (no stock or other promo copies)- Steve Lawrence – “Bluesette / People”
———— Other 1960s colored vinyl Columbia 45s:
Purple vinyl:
4-42952 – Steve Lawrence – “Room Without Windows” 4-42965 – Barbra Streisand – “People” 4-43225 – Eydie Gormé – “Do I Hear a Waltz?”
Blue vinyl:
4-42810 – Dion – “Be Careful of Stones that You Throw” 4-42812 – Rip Chords – “Gone” 4-42924 – Lefty Frizzell – “Saginaw, Michigan” 4-42967 – Ray Conniff and his Orchestra And Chorus – “Honeycomb” / “Blue Moon” 4-43138 – Randy Sparks – “Julie Knows” 4-43248 – Barbra Streisand – “Why Did I Choose You”
Green vinyl:
4-42932 – Steve & Eydie – “I Can’t Stop Talking About You” 4-42805 – The New Christy Minstrels – “Green, Green” 4-43000 – The New Christy Minstrels – “Today” 4-43167 – Mel Torme – “Ev’ry Day’s a Holiday” / “One Little Snowflake” 4-43448 – Ray Conniff and the Singers – “The Real Meaning of Christmas”
Yellow vinyl:
4-42784 – Andy Williams – “Hopeless” 4-42921 – Rip Chords – Hey Little Cobra” 4-43015 – Andy Williams – Wrong For Each Other” 4-43215 – The New Christy Minstrels – Chim, Chim, Cheree” 4-43257 – Andy Williams – “‘…. And Roses and Roses'” / “Red Roses For A Blue Lady” 4-43431 – Tony Bennett – “Love Theme From ‘The Sandpiper’ (The Shadow Of Your Smile)” JZSP 117536/7 – Lotte Lenya, Jack Gilford – “It Couldn’t Please Me More” / “Married”
Orange vinyl:
4-43954 – Tony Bennett – “What Makes It Happen” JZSP 78864 / JZSP 78865 – Robert Horton – “The Very Thought of You” / “Hey There”
Black vinyl promos with same song on both sides:
4-42928 – Guitar Ramblers – “Surf Beat” 4-42971 – Ray Price – “That’s All that Matters” 4-43302 – Eydie Gorme – “Where Are You Now” 4-43666 – Black Sheep – “It’s My Mind” 4-43903 – Gene Clark – “Echoes”
The last single-sided colored vinyl release I have found is 4-43907 – Paul Revere & the Raiders – “Good Thing”
Milkwood, summer 1969. Left to right: Ron Frankel, Jack Geisinger, Louis McKelvey, Mary Lou Gauthier and Malcolm Tomlinson. Photo: Rosemary White
Mary Lou Gauthier (Lead vocals)
Louis McKelvey (Guitar, Vocals)
Malcolm Tomlinson (Guitar, Flute, Drums, Lead vocals)
Ron Frankel (Drums)
Ronnie Blackwell (Bass)
+
Jack Geisinger (Bass, Vocals)
This fascinating Anglo-Canadian group was put together by former Influence and Our Generation member Louis McKelvey (b. 31 October 1943, Killorglin, County Kerry, Republic of Ireland) with ex-King Curtis sideman Ron Frankel (b. April 1947, Montreal, Canada).
Frankel had previously played in The Soul Mates (and with his wife Mary Lou Gauthier) in the lounge band, Five of a Kind, who also featured Brian Wray, Brian Edwards and Freddie Gilbert. According to the Montreal Star‘s 7 November 1967 issue, page 4, Five of a Kind played at the King’s Inn in Freeport, the Bahamas that week.
They then joined King Curtis & The King Pins in 1968. (Ed: McKelvey may have met Frankel at the Hawk’s Nest on 23 July 1968 when King Curtis & The King Pins played there).
McKelvey approached Frankel and Gauthier about putting a new band together in September 1968 after leaving Influence, but the group didn’t form properly until early March 1969.
During the interim, McKelvey returned to England for around five months and reunited with his old friend Malcolm Tomlinson (b. 16 June 1946, Isleworth, Middlesex, England), from the early 1960s west London band Jeff Curtis & The Flames.
Jeff Curtis & The Flames, London, 1963. Louis McKelvey (far left) and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums). Photo: Dave Wigginton
Tomlinson was currently playing with Gethsemane (featuring future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre), and had done a BBC radio session with Elton John in October 1968.
McKelvey and Tomlinson both auditioned for the guitar position in Jethro Tull, but when Barre was offered the place and Gethsemane split up, Tomlinson returned to Toronto with McKelvey around March 1969 to put together Milkwood.
Adding ex-Five Bells bass player Ron Blackwell (b. 27 July 1948, Montreal, Canada), the band played at the Penny Farthing in Toronto in early May. They also played regularly at the Electric Circus.
The band sent a four-track demo to Polydor Records around this time and, according to Billboard, the label signed the band before it had played a single show.
Left to right: Ron Frankel, Jack Geisinger, Louis McKelvey, Mary Lou Gauthier and Malcolm Tomlinson
In mid-June 1969, former Influence member Jack Geisinger (b. March 1945, Czech Republic) joined replacing Ronnie Blackwell in time for sessions at the Hit Factory in New York.
Kicking off on 20 June, the week-long sessions were overseen by famous producer and song-writer Jerry Ragavoy who produced the LP and also played piano on some tracks.
Cashbox, 28 June 1969
While in New York, the band took part in the Polydor Benefit gig at the Village Gate with Dutch band, The Golden Earring on 23 June.
Sessions were completed in July. Members of The Band were at the Hit Factory when the group cut “There’s A Man” and complimented Mary Lou Gauthier on her vocals.
RPM Weekly, 28 July 1969
Back in Toronto, the band signed to the Frederick Lewis booking agency and embarked on Canadian dates.
Meanwhile, the LP was slated for release in September to coincide with an American tour, which never happened.
A disagreement between Milkwood’s manager and Polydor resulted in the LP being shelved. In November 1969 the group split up.
The band’s greatest claim to fame is that it appeared at Toronto’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival concert on 13 September. Although the group wasn’t billed, they performed just before John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band, according to roadie Dave Mandel.
McKelvey and Tomlinson (and later Geisinger) stuck together to work in Damage during 1969-1970.
McKelvey also briefly worked with Powerhouse in late 1970, before retiring from the music business.
Tomlinson later recorded with Rick James and Bearfoot and issued two solo LPs. Geisinger played with Charlee and Moonquake among others.
Frankel later did sessions for Jesse Winchester while Mary Lou Gauthier recorded a solo single, “In The Summertime” c/w “Come Run” for Polydor and later sang with Celine Dion at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Blackwell is a computer consultant and lives in Las Vegas.
Thanks to Carny Corbett for the supplying the image
Malcolm Tomlinson died in April 2016. Louis McKelvey died in November 2017 and Jack Geisinger has also passed away.
Advertised gigs
3 May 1969 – Penny Farthing, Toronto (possibly when Jimi Hendrix dropped in to listen)
25 May 1969 – Rock Pile, Toronto with Kensington Market, Grand Funk Railroad and Leather
June 1969 – Electric Circus, Toronto (this is where Rubbott Management spotted them)
21 June 1969 – Rock Pile, Toronto with Brother Brent
Record World, 28 June 1969
23 June 1969 – Village Gate, New York with The Golden Earring
18 August 1969 – Penny Farthing, Toronto (Led Zeppelin played this night at the Rock Pile and Robert Plant and John Bonham dropped in at the club afterwards)
13 September 1969 – Toronto Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival, Varsity Stadium with John Lennon & The Plastic Ono Band, Gene Vincent, Alice Cooper and many others
19 September 1969 – York University, Toronto with Teegarden and Vanwinkle
11 October 1969 – Electric Circus, Toronto
17 October 1969 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
21 October 1969 – Van Morrison at Le Hibou This may be evening that Mary Lou and Malcolm jumped up on stage
14-29 November 1969 – Laugh-In, Montreal, Canada
Many thanks to Louis McKelvey, Mary Lou Gauthier, Ron Frankel, Ronnie Blackwell, David Mandel, Malcolm Tomlinson and Jack Geisinger for information.
Toronto gigs were taken from the After Four section of the Toronto Telegram. Also Ottawa Citizen and Montreal Star
RPM Weekly, 19 August 1967. Thanks to Ivan Amirault for providing
James Houston (Guitar, Vocals)
Al Palmquist (Guitar, Vocals)
Al Spencer (Bass)
Roz Parks (Drums)
+
Colin Walker (Drums)
The Magic Circus were best known for containing future Paupers’ members Roz Parks (b. 15 April 1945, Picton, Ontario) and James Houston (b. 25 May 1946, Belfast, Northern Ireland).
Houston, Parks and Spencer (b. 7 March 1947, London, England), had previously been members of The Creeps but changed name in early 1967 when guitarist Al Palmquist replaced Dave Morgan.
Thanks to Ivan Amirault for the photo
The band was best known for the 50-minute rock symphony, ‘March of The Mushroom’, written largely by Houston. Aside from playing other original material, the group also played Beatles, Beach Boys, Association and Mamas & The Papas covers.
The band was popular on Toronto’s club scene and opened for many of the top artists of the day, including Del Shannon, Wilson Pickett, The Turtles, Mitch Ryder, Eric Burdon & The Animals, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Ronnie Hawkins and The Left Banke. They also toured widely throughout Ontario playing high schools and dance halls.
Parks left in July 1968 to play with Edward Bear briefly before replacing Skip Prokop in The Paupers in October.
Australian Colin Walker from the Australian band, The Flying Circus joined in his place. The band then played as The Carnival (apart from a couple of shows, including the ‘Time Being’ held at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto in September where they played as The Magic Circus).
Houston also joined The Paupers in April 1969 after turning an offer down from Skip Prokop to play bass in Lighthouse (he may also have fronted Wizard’s Hand for a while).
Palmquist and Spencer carried on as The Carnival on TV shows and then resumed the Magic Circus name.
Photo from Ivan AmiraultPhoto from Ivan Amirault
Thanks to Ivan Amirault
Advertised gigs
18 March 1967 – Lakeshore Lions Arena, Toronto with The Strays
24 March 1967 – Queen’s Park, London, Ontario
25 March 1967 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario with The Left Banke
Thanks to Ivan Amirault
27 March 1967 – St John’s Church, Niagara Falls, Ontario
28 March 1967 – The Night Owl, Toronto
29 March 1967 – The Castle, St Catherine’s, Ontario
30 March 1967 – Brant Inn, Burlington, Ontario
31 March 1967 – Royal Plaza, Clarkson, Ontario
1 April 1967 – Huntingdon Park Commercial Centre, Hamilton, Ontario
3 June 1967 – The Flick, Toronto
10 June 1967 – Scarborough Arena Gardens, Scarborough, Ontario with Eddie Spencer & The Mission, Roy Kenner & The Associates, The Tripp, Bobby Kris & The Imperials, The Lords of London and others
5 July 1967 – Muskoka Pavillion, Bala, Ontario
21 July 1967 – Huron Park Recreation Centre, Cooksville, Ontario
9 August 1967 – Cobourg Pavilion, Cobourg, Ontario
27 August 1967 – Summer Gardens, Port Dover, Ontario with The Federations
1 October 1967 – Paradise Gardens, Guelph, Ontario with Three to One
16-18 October 1967 – The Flick, Toronto
19 October 1967 – The Flick, Toronto
2 November 1967 – Stratford College Institute, Stratford, Ontario
3 November 1967 – Crosby High School, Forthill, Ontario
4 November 1967 – Belleville Arena, Belleville, Ontario
5 November 1967 – Club Shingaling, Welland, Ontario
21 December 1967 – Annandale High School, Ontario
22 December 1967 – Brampton High School, Brampton, Ontario
23 December 1967 – Pelham District High, Fenwick, Ontario
26 December 1967 – St Nick’s Church, Hamilton, Ontario
27 December 1967 – Kitchener College Institute, Kitchener, Ontario
28 December 1967 – The Night Owl, Toronto
29 December 1967 – St Martin’s Church, Niagara, Ontario
30 December 1967 – Haileybury High School, Haileybury, Ontario
31 December 1967 – Kirkland Lake, Ontario
6 January 1968 – Broom and Stone, Scarborough, Ontario
12 January 1968 – York University, Toronto with The Paupers and The Last Words
12 January 1968 – Brantford Collegiate Institute, Brantford, Ontario
1 February 1968 – University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario
2 February 1968 – Forrest Hills Collegiate, Forest Hills, Ontario
3 February 1968 – Forest Hills CI, Kitchener, Ontario
4 February 1968 – St Martin In The Field Church, Toronto
6 February 1968 – St John’s Church, Niagara Falls, Ontario
5 April 1968 – Cayuga High School, Cayuga, Ontario
6 April 1968 – Barton High School, Hamilton, Ontario
11 April 1968 – Port Dover Composite School, Port Dover, Ontario
12 April 1968 – Club Shade Blue, Toronto
13 April 1968 – Wallaceberg Teen Club, Wallaceberg, Ontario
18 May 1968 – Sauble Beach Pavilion, Sauble Beach, Ontario
13 June 1968 – Waterford Arena, Waterford, Ontario
14 June 1968 – Elmiria District HS, Elmiria, Ontario
15 June 1968 – Crystal Beach Pavilion, Crystal Beach, Ontario
16 June 1968 – St Gabriel’s Church, Burlington, Ontario
18 June 1968 – Glenbriar Arena, Kitchener, Ontario
20 June 1968 – East Hamilton Kiwanis Club, Hamilton, Ontario
21 June 1968 – Brantford Collegiate Institute, Brantford, Ontario
22 June 1968 – Rideau Ferry Inn, Smith Falls, Ontario
25 June 1968 – Dundas Arena, Dundas, Ontario
26 June 1968 – Georgetown Arena, Georgetown, Ontario
27 June 1968 – Stratford Arena, Straford, Ontario
28 June 1968 – Cobourg Pavilion, Cobourg, Ontario
29 June 1968 – The Gette, Oshawa, Ontario
Thanks to Ivan Amirault for the photo
2 July 1968 – Toronto City Hall, Toronto
3 July 1968 – Wallaceburg Arena, Wallaceburg, Ontario
5 July 1968 – Pav-Orillia, Orillia, Ontario
6 July 1968 – Kee-to-Bala, Bala, Ontario (Roz Parks’ last gig?)
10 August 1968 – Sauble Beach Pavilion, Sauble Beach, Ontario
1-2 September 1968 – ‘Time Being’ at CNE, Toronto
14 February 1970 – The Get (O’Neill Collegiate), Toronto
7 March 1970 – The Hawk’s Nest, Toronto
16 May 1970 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario with Beadree
17 May 1970 – Hidden Valley, Huntsville, Ontario
5 June 1970 – Jubilee Auditorium, Oshawa, Onatario with The Poor Souls (billed as Majic Circus)
Most of these gigs were taken from the After Four section of the Toronto Telegram. Thanks to Roz Parks, James Houston and Al Spencer for their input.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
