The Tribe were a northwest London band from Kilburn that formed around late 1964 and were notable for featuring future Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band bass player Dennis Cowan and Frank Torpey, who was the original lead guitarist in The Sweet. Torpey had started out in a band with future Sweet drummer Mick Tucker. Drummer Malcolm Wolffe subsequently played with Happy Magazine and then Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.
Regulars at the Ealing Club and the State Ballroom Kilburn, the band gigged widely (see gigs list below) and travelled to Paris twice to play at the Gaff Club. The Tribe also spent a month in Copenhagen, Denmark in spring 1966. Petticoat Magazine ran a short article on them in its 4 June issue (see below).
Signed to Shel Talmy’s Planet label, The Tribe’s debut single was the blues rocker “The Gamma Goochie” c/w “I’m Leaving”, which was produced by John Sullivan and issued on 4 February 1966.
The former can be found on the Big Beat compilation CD Planet Mod while the latter has been included on another CD in the Big Beat series, Planet Beat. Out of interest, Planet Mod also includes the previously unreleased Tribe recording “Don’t Let It Be”, which was cut in March 1966.
After recording a couple of unreleased demo tracks after leaving Planet, including a cover of Edwin Starr’s “Headline News” and a track called “Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Lose” (the latter at Abbey Road), The Tribe moved to RCA for its second release in May 1967 – the soulful “Love Is a Beautiful Thing” c/w “Steel Guitar and a Glass of Wine”.
That same month, the group landed a three-month residency at the Marquee (and while there played at the exclusive Mayfair club the Scotch of St James a handful of times after finishing up at the Marquee in the evening).
In mid-August, to tap into the burgeoning psychedelic scene, The Tribe changed name to Dream and appeared at the Festival of the Flower Children held at Woburn Festival on 27 August 1967.
When the band broke up in October 1967, Torpey spent a few months with another west London band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen where he worked with soon-to-be Sweet band mates Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker.
Selected gigs:
7 November 1964 – Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Bucks with The Troggs
9 January 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions
30 March 1965 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardeners, Isleworth, Middlesex
8 April 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
13 April 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
2 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
7 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
11 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
13 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
14 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
23 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
25 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
28 May 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London
31 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
3 June 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London with The CC Riders and Initial Four
3 July 1965 – Club Noreik, Tottenham, north London
6 July 1965 – London Cavern, Holland Park, west London with The Dae ‘B’ Four
13 August 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Bern Elliott & The Klan
14 August 1965 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton with The Dragsters
4 September 1965 – Club Dolphin, Luton, Beds
18 September 1965 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Johnny Cannon & The Shades
8 October 1965 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks
16 October 1965 – Finstock, Oxfordshire
23 October 1965 – Tackley, Oxfordshire
20 November 1965 – Airport Restaurant, Rochester Airport, Rochester, Kent
22 November 1965 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire
9 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London
18 December 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Devil’s Coachmen
24 December 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Dickens Set
26 December 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Jimmy Cliff, Ayshea, Pete Hodges and The New Generation (advert says they are from the Marquee)
8 January 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with The Sneakers
14 January 1966 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (from the Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London)
5 February 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with The Overlanders and The Amboy Dukes
19 February 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Zombies
26 February 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire with The Fenmen
1 April 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex
30 April 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with The Amboy Dukes
10 June 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester
19 June 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Valiants and The Trackmarks
25 June 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with St Louis Union
26 June 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
2 July 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with Abject Blues
17 July 1966 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes
6 August 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
7 August 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
13 August 1966 – ABC Promotions, Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Zuider Zee
14 August 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
20 August 1966 – The 7 Club, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury, Shropshire with Chris Ian
27 August 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Small Faces, John & Nicky (and group), The Flashbacks and The Ferryboys
2 September 1966 – Dancing Slipper, Nottingham
3 September 1966 – Gaiety, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Eyes of Blond
10 September 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with Bob Kidman & His Band, The Utopians and The Versions
25 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
30 September 1966 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands
7 October 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
15 October 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with New Generation
22 October 1966 – The Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
2 November 1966 – Gravesend R&B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent (Thanks to Andy Neill for providing PACE magazine entry)
5 November 1966 – The Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (also have them playing at New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire on this day)
6 November 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
18 November 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks
19 November 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham with Fla Makane
2 December 1966 – Dancing Slipper Ballroom, West Bridgeford, Nottingham with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers
3 December 1966 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire
15 December 1966 – Flying Fox Club, RAF Cottesmore, Rutland with Davey Sands & The Essex, Marmalade and The Nemkons
17 December 1966 – ABC Promotions, Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Seasons
19 December 1966 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Missing Links
24 December 1966 – Bath Regency Ballroom, Bath with The First Lites and The Workshop
1 January 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
7 January 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
13 January 1967 – Bicester Youth Centre, Bicester
14 January 1967 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Warwickshire with The Pride & Passion
14 January 1967 – Flamingo Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall with The Dissatisfied
16 January 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire
25 January 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
31 January 1967 – Crayford Town Hall, Crayford, Kent
18 February 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
25 February 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Washington DCs
5 March 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (they might have been replaced by The Army)
8 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
18 March 1967 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire with Sac-0-Woe
25 March 1967 – New Dungeon Club, Nottingham
30 March 1967 – Marquee, London with Marmalade
1 April 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
1 April 1967 – Beeches Barn Theatre, Cirencester, Gloucestershire (advert mistakenly says they are from Oxford)
10 April 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Finger Print Set
14 April 1967 – Bluesette, Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey
15 April 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Tonicks featuring Joey Young
16 April 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent
4 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Marmalade
6 May 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Chicago Line featuring Mike Patto and The New Generation
26 May 1967 – Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire
27 May 1967 – Exeter Eights Week Ball, Oxford University with The Cream, The Other Extreme and The Cabinet
27 May 1967 – St Thomas’ Hall, Brentwood, Essex
3 June 1967 – Bal Tabarin, Downham, southeast London with supporting groups
7 June 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
9 June 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
15 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Marmalade
17 June 1967 – Hull College of Commerce Students’ Union, Hull, Humberside with That Feeling and The Locomotion
24 June 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester
1 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Stalkers
2 July 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
8 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Love Affair
15 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Monopoly
22 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ten Years After
29 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Darlings
5 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
12 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Impact Blues
19 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Nite People
Selected gigs (as Dream)
26 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
27 August 1967 – Festival of the Flower Children, Woburn Abbey, Woburn, Bedfordshire with The Move, Eric Burdon & The New Animals, The Soft Machine and others
2 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
9 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbal Mixture
16 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Iveys
23 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Mud
30 September 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
30 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Third Eye
21 October 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with Zoot Money
22 October 1967 – Rendezvous Club, Margate, Kent
These final gigs must have been a different band unless some of the members carried on with the name after Frank Torpey left.
11 December 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo with The Probe (see gig poster as they had been on tour)
29 December 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
Thanks to Frank Torpey, Alec Palao and Bruce Welsh for providing information.
This is an extensively updated version of an article that was originally published on the Strange Brew website. I’d like to thank Jason Barnard for all of his help and support over the years.
The gigs above were sourced from many sources. I apologise for any sources that are missing but they include Melody Maker, the Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette, Birmingham Evening Mail, Bucks Free Press, Lynn News, Nottingham Evening Post, Northampton Chronicle, Oxford Mail, Cherwell, Banbury Guardian, Andover Advertiser, Hull Daily Mail, East Kent Times & Mail.
I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com
Formed in Bexley Heath, Kent in late 1963, The Loose Ends were fronted by singer Alan Marshall (b. 19 February 1944, Karachi, British India, now Sindhi Province, Pakistan) and his bass playing cousin Rick Marshall.
Lead guitarist Ron Spence (b. 23 April 1947, London, England; d. 25 June 1973) was also there from the outset alongside drummer Peter Hetherington and rhythm guitarist John Knox who had been introduced to the band by Spence.
After rehearsing in a scout hut in Bexley Heath and playing some local gigs, keyboard player Roy Davies (b. 3 October 1944, Monmouthshire, southeast Wales; d. 1986), who was working in a music shop on Bexley Heath Broadway, took over from Knox around early 1964.
The group also brought in a drummer from Luton called Rick who was subsequently replaced by Orpington-based drummer Alan “Noddy” Whitehead (b. 24 July 1945, Oswestry, Shropshire). Whitehead had previously worked with singer Crispian St. Peters.
The band became the house band at St Lawrence Church Hall in Catford, southeast London during this period.
The new formation started landing regular gigs at notable local venues like the Bromel Club in Bromley, the Tiger’s Head in Downham and the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill. Crucially, their manager Bryan Mason secured the group a residency at Lewisham’s El Partido, a club that he owned, which helped build their local fan base.
However, around June 1965, Ron Spence departed to join local rivals The Revellos, who were also managed by Bryan Mason.
In early 1966, Spence joined The Carl Douglas Set and remained with the Jamaican singer for about six months (recording unreleased material) before hooking up with Bexley, Kent outfit, The Big Wheel, which featured future Clark-Hutchinson member, Andy Clark. The group toured extensively in Switzerland and recorded a rare single there in late 1966 for the Eurex label. During this period, the guitarist started to work under the name Ron Bryer.
During 1968, however, he formed The Third Eclipse who changed name to Brainticket and recorded the Krautrock classic Cottonwoodhillalbum in 1971. Returning to London in the early Seventies, he briefly reunited with Alan Marshall in One but tragically died from a drug overdose on 25 June 1973.
Selected gigs:
13 June 1964 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Suffolk with The Hunters
18 June 1964 – Cafe Dansant, Cleethorpes with Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders
4 July 1964 – Sunset Ballroom, The Sandringham, Hunstanton, Norfolk
18 July 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex
8 August 1964 – The Northfields, Stamford, Lincolnshire
5 September 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex
26 September 1964 – Glenlyn Club, Forest Hill, southeast London (start playing Monday nights)
3 October 1964 – Corn Exchange, Cambridge with The Paramounts
16 November 1964 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Birds
12 December 1964 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London with The Impacts
14 December 1964 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Original All-Stars
19 December 1964 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Maniax
24 December 1964 – Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Roadrunners
24 December 1964 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
2 January 1965 – Wilton Hall, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire with The Horizons
16 January 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London with The Impacts
22 January 1965 – Market Hall, St Albans, Herts
25 January 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
29 January 1965 – Rainbow Club, Acre Hall, Northwood, Middlesex
2 February 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Pretty Things
13 February 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Trends
18 February 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
25 February 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
26 February 1965 – Starlite, Greenford, Middlesex with The Birds
3 April 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
10 April 1965 – Ticky Rick Club, Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hants (Says direct from 100 Club)
15 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
18 April 1965 – Tavern Club, Sunshine Floor, East Dereham, Norfolk with The Tea Time Four
23 April 1965 – Waterfront, Southampton, Hants
24 April 1965 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with The Defenders
25 April 1965 – Face Club, Grantham, Lincolnshire
29 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation
2 May 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with The Five Dimensions
16 May 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
16 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London
23 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London
27 May 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
28 May 1965 – Studio ’61, Leicester Square, central London with Ray Sone
4 June 1965 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon with The Buccaneers
6 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
Guitarist Peter Kirtley (b. 26 September 1945, Hebburn-on-Tyne, County Durham) from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear took Ron Spence’s place. A former member of The Chevrolets and Shorty & Them, Kirtley had appeared on the latter’s lone single, “Pills or Love’s Labour Lost” c/w “Live Laugh Love”, released on Fontana in 1964, and a German-only album, shared with Liverpool group, The Roadrunners, before decamping to London in early 1965.
According to the South East London Mercury newspaper’s 19 February 1965 edition, Kirtley and fellow Jarrow musician, bass player, the late Brian Rowan formed the short-lived Take Six with southeast London musicians, organist Roger Read (ex-Wranglers/Showtimers) and drummer Graham Willard in early 1965.
In February 1966, The Loose Ends landed a semi-residency at the exclusive Mayfair nightclub, the Scotch of St James.
Having inked a deal with Decca Records in late 1965, The Loose Ends cut their debut single, an impressive take on “Send The People Away”, a rare Moody Blues’ track penned by Mike Pinder and Denny Laine, backed with a cover of “I Ain’t Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore”, which was shipped in July 1966.
That same month, South East London Mercury reported that bass player Dave Collman (b. 13 April 1946, Croydon, Surrey) had taken over from Rick Marshall.
Selected gigs:
13 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
19 June 1965 – Jazz & Blues Festival, Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with The Dutch Swing College, Solomon Burke, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, Unit 4 Plus 2, The Spencer Davis Group, The Downliners Sect, Alan Elsdon’s Jazzband, Brian Green New-O-Stompers and The Epitaph Soul Band
20 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
26 June 1965 – Swaffham Assembly Rooms, Swaffham, Norfolk with Mike Prior & The Pagans
27 June 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
4 July 1965 – Studio 51, Leicester Square, central London
25 July 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Mode
14 August 1965 – Ticky Rick and Rang-A-Tang Club, Basingstoke, Hants
10-11 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee
11 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee, Sonny Childe and Lou Johnson
13 September 1965 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London
14 September 1965 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
15 September 1965 – Cromwellian, south Kensington, west London
16 September 1965 – The Raven, Ladywell, southeast London
17 September 1965 – Beckenham Ballroom, Beckenham, south London
18 September 1965 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
18 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Artwoods (Southeast London Mercury has Lou Johnson)
25 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Guy Darrell
2 October 1965 – Royal Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent with support
2 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Jesse Fuller, The Spectres and Duke Lee
9 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Dave Anthony’s Moods, Duke Lee and Next of Kin
10 October 1965 – Tavern Club, Sunshine Floor, Dereham, Norfolk with The Knock-out Squad
16 October 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London
20 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Long, Short & Tall and Duke Lee
23 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Minor Birds and Duke Lee
27 October 1965 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands
30 October 1965 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (possibly their debut Nottingham appearance)
30 October 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Hamilton & The Movement and Duke Lee
3 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Blues Roots and Duke Lee
12 November 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
19 November 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
20 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Guy Darrell, Winds of Change and Duke Lee
27 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Panics and Duke Lee
9 December 1965 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with Sonny Childe and Ad Finitum
11 December 1965 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire
12 December 1965 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (from The Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London)
16 December 1965 – Cook’s Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
18 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Frank Sheen Sound and Duke Lee
24 December 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
24 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee and Frank Sheen Sound
3 January 1966 – Gala Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands
3 January 1966 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
8 January 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Web
16 January 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Ketas
30 January 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Marvin Lois Enterprise
5 February 1966 – Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent with The Defenders and The Convoys
13 February 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Trends
15 February 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Five Proud Walkers
19 February 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London
20 February 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
21 February 1966 – Starting this week, The Loose Ends played the Scotch of St James in Mayfair, central London three times a week. They will continue to play the exclusive nightclub throughout the year.
24 February 1966 – Gala Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands
26 February 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
5 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Tony Knight’s Chessmen
11 March 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London
12 March 1966 – Golden Star Club, Caledonian Road, north London
16 March 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
17 March 1966 – Pontiac, Putney, southwest London
26 March 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Koobas
29 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action
1 April 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London with The Lonely Ones
2 April 1966 – St Peter’s Hall, Croydon, south London with The Board Walkers
10 April 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
10 April 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London with The Lonely Ones
11 April 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Soundtracks and The Reasons
17 April 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
29 April 1966 – Links, Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire with support
30 April 1966 – Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent
1 May 1966 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London
14 May 1966 – Witchdoctor, Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London
18 May 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
20 May 1966 – Ready Steady Go Club, Market Hall, St Albans, Herts
26 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Bo Street Runners
27 May 1966 – Queen of Hearts, Queensbury, north London
28 May 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
4 June 1966 – Southeast Jazz Blues Festival, Blackheath, southeast London with Manfred Mann, Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Roy C and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
5 June 1966 – Regency Ballroom, Bath with Tiffany’s Thoughts
6 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
7 June 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends are one of the three resident bands at the Scotch of St James for the week 11-17 June
12 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
13 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
17 June 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester with Five Minus One
18 June 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
20 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
21 June 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto, Ilford, east London with The Felders Orioles
25 June 1966 – KD Club, Stockton-on-Tees with The Denmen (Says from Scotch of St James)
27 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
According to an article in the Wandsworth Advertiser on 29 July, the band held down a Wednesday residency at the Bromel Club in Bromley during July and besides playing at the Scotch of St James and the Flamingo, The Loose Ends also performed at the Marquee. Apparently, they also opened a game at Charlton Athletic FC.
Barely a month after the band’s debut release, Decca issued a second single on 5 August 1966, once again produced by Noel Walker. Coupling a superb freakbeat version of George Harrison’s “Taxman” with the more R&B flavoured “That’s It”; the second outing should have been a hit but for some reason failed to chart.
However, despite the clutch of great singles, The Loose Ends were unravelling.
In late September, Alan Whitehead departed, initially to join Cops ‘N’ Robbers. He then spent a month or so playing with southeast London group The Epitaph Soul Band before joining The Attack alongside singer Richard Shirman and guitarist David O’List.
Although he was photographed extensively with the band, Whitehead only appeared on two tracks (“Try It” and “We Don’t Know”) as he had already secured the drummer’s position in Scottish band The Marmalade. Whitehead remained with The Marmalade throughout its most successful years. In an interesting side note, Whitehead says that he auditioned for the group that became Procol Harum in spring 1967.
Selected gigs:
6 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley southeast London
8 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Rufus Thomas
9 July 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with The Corvettes
13 July 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley, southeast London with The Good Things
16 July 1966 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London
17 July 1966 – Eltham Baths, Eltham, southeast London
18 July 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ray Brown’s Sounds
20 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London with The Squires
22 July 1966 – Waterfront, Southampton, Hants
23 July 1966 – Penthouse, Birmingham with Deep Feeling and Mark V
24 July 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
26 July 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
27 July 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
29 July 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends were one of three resident bands at the Scotch of St James with The VIPs and The Paramounts during the week 30 July – 5 August 1966
20 August 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with support
21 August 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
27 August 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex
28 August 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Sullivan James Band
3 September 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Yes ‘N’ No
9 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones
10 September 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with support
11 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
15 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
17 September 1966 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (Alan Whitehead’s final gig)
Rick Marshall and Alan Whitehead’s departure prompted a wider split. In early-to-mid-October 1966, Peter Kirtley departed and accepted an offer to join The Alan Price Set, working alongside bass player Boots Slade; trumpeter John Walters; sax players Steve Gregory and Clive Burrows (later replaced by Terry Childs); and drummer Roy Mills.
Selected gigs:
2 October 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham
5 October 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
8 October 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (may have been Kirtley’s final gig)
With two of the band’s integral members gone, Alan Marshall joined forces with Croydon band, The Subjects. The south London group featured Malcolm Rudkin (vocals); Alan Griffin (lead guitar); Phil Lanzon (organ) (b. 30 March 1950, London, England); John Manderson (bass); and Roy Manderson (drums).
At the same time, the band’s manager Bryan Mason recruited sax player/guitarist Mick Patel, who had previously worked with Carl Douglas & The Charmers among others.
By late November/early December 1966, John Manderson and Malcolm Rudkin, who did not want to turn professional, departed and Bryan Mason recruited bass player Colin Pullen from Kent bands, Colin King & The Royals and Bob ‘N’ All. Another Bob ‘N’ All member, Tony Glyde, succeeded Roy Manderson soon afterwards.
Roy Davies and Dave Collman meanwhile appear to have worked in a rival Loose Ends for a few months (although Davies appears to be pictured with Marshall and other groups after the Raven Club gig in early November, see below).
12 October 1966 – Gravesend R&B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent (The Loose Ends played the club’s opening night according to PACE magazine)
15 October 1966 – Bligh’s Hotel, Sevenoaks, Kent
15 October 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
17-18 October 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
23 October 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
25 October 1966 – Yum YumClub, New Georgian Club, The Gun, Croydon, south London (Dick Dale booking)
28 October 1966 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
29 October 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Squeeze, The Original Hermits and The Trap
2 November 1966 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands
2-5 November 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London
3 November 1966 – Raven’s Club, Lewisham, southeast London with Lee Hawkins and Coloured Raisins
12 November 1966 – Matlock Ball Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Family
19 November 1966 – Co-op, Rainbow Suite, Birmingham with guest group
20 November 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
In early December 1966, Bryan Mason expanded the Alan Marshall version of The Loose Ends by bringing in another Colin King & The Royals and Bob ‘N’ All member – singer Bob Saker (b. 28 March 1944, Erith, Kent) and the group landed a residency at the Playboy Club on Park Lane. While there, The Loose Ends entertained the entire England World Cup winning team and their wives.
Selected gigs:
3 December 1966 – Royal Ballroom, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Soul Foundation
24 December 1966 – Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire with Kru and Size Seven
26 December 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (billed as The New Loose Ends)
January 1967 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire (1st week of January)
6 January 1967 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London
15 January 1967 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (billed as The New Loose Ends)
After rehearsing at the El Partido in Lewisham, and playing a lone gig at the Star Hotel in Croydon in early January 1967, The Loose Ends landed a residency at the Bang Bang Club in Milan’s San Guiliano district, which kicked off in the third week of January. Alan Griffin departed just before the group left for Italy and Colin King from Colin King & The Royals and Bob ‘N’ All took his place.
While playing at the Bang Bang in Milan, the musicians met Georgio Moroder plus Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll at the club.
In early March, The Loose Ends returned to London and Alan Griffin took over from his replacement Colin King. The new line-up played at the Scotch of St James and the Speakeasy.
While loading out the band’s gear from the Speakeasy one night, Jimi Hendrix and a couple of friends came out and the famous guitarist told Lanzon: “Nice combo man”.
Sometime in late April/early May, Tony Glyde left to join The Fenmen briefly before moving on to Simon K & The Meantimers and his predecessor Roy Manderson returned.
Around the same time, Mick Patel also left to join The Canadians (with future rock star David Foster) and then joined The Warren Davis Monday Band (with Foster) with whom he appeared on the 45 “Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing” c/w “Without Fear” before moving to British Columbia in late 1967.
During early June, Alan Marshall and Bob Saker flew to the United States to record two tracks at Muscle Shoals with Otis Redding. The soul singer had caught the pair fronting The Loose Ends during the Stax-Volt Tour back in April and impressed by their soulful vocals invited them to record a Fame Studios.
The pair cut covers of “Johnny B Goode” and “Keep on Pushing” with Redding producing. However, soon after there was a split between Jerry Wexler and Phil Walden and the proposed single was held back. The two singers returned to London that summer to find The Loose Ends had splintered.
Selected gigs:
January-March 1967 – Bang Bang, Milan, Italy (six weeks and billed as Gli Erranti)
8 February 1967 – Gravesend R ‘n’ B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent (This might have been booked but didn’t happen)
11 February 1967 – Ye Ye Club, Milan, Italy (billed as Alan Marshall e Gli Erranti)
25 February 1967 – Bligh’s Hotel, Sevenoaks, Kent (probably the band’s first UK gig after returning from Milan if it did happen)
1 March 1967 – Gravesend R ‘n’ B Club, Clarendon Royal Hotel, Gravesend, Kent
4 March 1967 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London
8 March 1967 – Bromel Club, Downham, southeast London
April 1967 – Scotch of St James and Speakeasy (Otis Redding sees them at one of the venues)
15 April 1967 – The Polytechnic, Central London with The Savoy Brown Blues Band
With the singers both gone, Colin Pullen, Alan Griffin, Phil Lanzon and Roy Manderson stuck together and looked for a new front man. Adding singer Kenny Bernard (b. 31 December 1943, Diego Martin, Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies), (previously from The Wranglers but at the time a solo artist), they changed name to Cats Pyjamas and made two excellent singles with CBS. The group held down a residency in Madrid in May 1968 and then gigged around London. Lanzon, Griffin and Manderson briefly played with Geno Washington in late 1969-early 1970.
Phil Lanzon later recorded with Grand Prix, toured and recorded with Sweet and has toured and recorded with Uriah Heep since the mid-1980s. He has also recorded solo CDs
When the two recordings were shelved (after Redding’s untimely death), Bob Saker cut a lone single for Polydor and then a string of singles for Parlophone and CBS (as Saker) in 1968 and 1971. In 1972, he reverted to his full name and recorded a series of singles for the York label and an album They’ve Taken Back My Number, which featured Maurice Gibb. He later found success as a voice-over artist.
Alan Marshall meanwhile reunited with former Loose Ends guitarist Peter Kirtley in Happy Magazine, a soul/R&B outfit that was managed and produced by Alan Price.
Joined by Kirtley’s old friends from Jarrow, the late Kenny Craddock on organ from Tyneside bands The Elcorts and New Religion, and Brian Rowan on bass from Shorty & Them plus Alan White on drums (who was replaced later by west Londoner Malcolm Wolffe from The Tribe), the band cut material that was split over three singles for Polydor.
Kicking off with Alan Price’s excellent “Satisfied Street”, backed with “Beautiful Land” in December 1967, featuring a horn section that may well be Amboy Dukes members Buddy Beadle and Steve Gregory (also ex-Alan Price Set), the label re-issued the track three months later coupled with the Dan Penn/Spooner Oldham soul classic “Do Right Woman – Do Right Man”.
However, it was possibly the band’s third and final outing, a brilliant reading of the Dee/Potter collaboration, “Who Belongs To You”, coupled with the previously available “Beautiful Land”, issued on 14 February 1969, that should have catapulted the band into the charts.
With the single failing to grace the charts, Alan Marshall departed to form the experimental jazz/funk/blues band, One, who cut a brilliant lone album for Fontana later that year (with Peter Kirtley reportedly playing the lead guitar on some tracks).
Joined by guitarist Kevin Fogarty (originally a member of Southport R&B group, Timebox); keyboardist Bobby Sass (an early member of Happy Magazine); bass player Brent Forbes; sax and flutist Norman Leppard; and drummer Conrad Isidore, One should have been a huge success but the album sank without a trace.
Peter Kirtley and Kenny Craddock meanwhile brought in three friends from Jarrow, Tyne & Wear – ex-Skip Bifferty members, singer Graham Bell and bass player Colin Gibson, and future Yes drummer Alan White, who’d been the original drummer in Happy Magazine, and signed to Bell Records for a one-off single as Griffin.
Produced by Alan Price and issued on 25 September 1969, the Kirtley-Gibson-Craddock collaboration, “I am The Noise in Your Head”, coupled with Kirtley’s “Don’t You Know” was an impressive outing but failed to trouble the charts.
Griffin soon splintered and Kirtley went on to record with several notable bands, including Riff Raff, Radiator and Pentangle. Later he appeared on albums by Liane Carroll and Bert Jansch.
Kirtley also issued two solo albums, Peter Kirtley and Bush Telegraph as well as the charity single, “Little Children”, for Jubilee Action, to raise money for street children in Brazil and featuring Paul McCartney.
Alan Marshall, meanwhile, surfaced as a solo artist on Fontana in 1970. In France, the label issued a rare single that coupled One’s excellent cover of Richie Havens’s “Don’t Listen To Me” with a solo outing – “How Much Do You Know”, adapted from “Adagio Royal” by F de Boivallee.
When that single failed to chart, Marshall ended up working with a new version of One (with Jackie McAuley) before joining Strabismus, which subsequently changed its name to Riff Raff when the singer’s former band mate from The Loose Ends/Happy Magazine, Peter Kirtley joined.
However, Marshall quit before Riff Raff’s debut album was recorded and briefly revised One with Ron Bryer before recording with Zzebra. He then joined Gonzalez in the late Seventies in time for their 1979 release, Move It To The Music. Marshall, who is now a pastor, continues to busk in Stratford, east London.
Interestingly, Gonzalez’s keyboard player was Roy Davies, Marshall’s former band mate from The Loose Ends. In the intervening years between joining Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and working with Gonzalez in 1974, Davies had played with The Maximum Breed Band and later The Butts Band with members of The Doors. He later became a prolific session player before passing away in 1986.
The Loose Ends recordings meanwhile have surfaced on numerous Sixties CD compilations, including Deram’s Mod Scene and Freakbeat Scene.
I would like to especially thank Alan Marshall, Alan Whitehead, Peter Kirtley, Martin Morrison-Mariner, Alan Griffin, Phil Lanzon, Colin Pullen, Bob Saker, Ken Baxter, Tony Charman and Mick Glyde for helping with the story. Thanks also to Vernon Joynson and Bruce Welsh.
This is an extensively updated version of an article that was originally published on the Strange Brew website. I’d like to thank Jason Barnard for all of his help and support over the years.
I have tried to attribute the photos correctly where possible but would welcome any corrections.
The gigs have been sourced largely from Melody Maker plus many local newspapers, including the South East London Mercury, Aldershot News, East Kent Times, Eastern Evening News, Grimsby Evening Telegraph, Harrow Weekly Post, Kent Messenger, Lincolnshire Standard, Lynn News, Maidstone Gazette, Evening Argus, Bristol Evening Post, Newmarket Journal, Nottingham Evening Post, Birmingham Evening Mail, Stamford Mercury, Surrey Advertiser, Harrow Observer, Tunbridge Wells Courier and Yarmouth Mercury among others.
I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com
Little John and the Monks came out of Klamath Falls, Oregon. Tom Davis, a singer from Scotland, founded the group as the Nomads and changed it to Little John and the Monks when they went to Eugene. The membership changed frequently in the few years the band lasted.
Members included:
Lloyd Barnhurst – ? Tom Davis – vocals Luis Weathers – bass guitar Davy Jones – saxophone Clark Lynch – drums Stan Brawn – lead guitar Bob DiMartino – keyboards Larry Harding – lead guitar Dennis Baldwin – ? Lee Wilson – bass Bob Martin – drums
In late 1965 the group cut Tom Davis’ original song “Black Winds” backed with a cover of “Needles and Pins” on Jerden 775. Many years later, an unreleased song, “Too Many People” appeared on Big Beat’s Northwest Battle of the Bands Volume 3 showing a tougher sound for the group.
In August 2020, an ebay auction featured a demo lacquer (acetate) by Little John & the Monks with two original songs recorded at Graves Recording Service in Eugene. “Woman Take a Trip” continues in the heavier northwest sound, and extends it with a frenzied rave-up of squealing sax, sustained guitar notes and sliding bass notes. The bass line drives the flip, “All Them Lies” with cool unison accents by guitar and sax and some bluesy organ.
Tork Publishing, perhaps meant for release on Tork, which did release the Moguls – “Round Randy” / “Another Day”.
Anyone have good photos of the group? I’d also like to know who played on what recordings.
Think of the Artistics and you’ll probably recall the R&B vocal group who struck gold with “I’m Gonna Miss You” in 1966. But a lesser known group by the same name became the definitive soul band in Southside Virginia in the early 70s. Formed by neighbors and school friends, the Artistics got together in 1970 around the nucleus of guitarist Joe “Guitar Man” Moore, bassist Jonathan “J.D.” Oliver and vocalist, John Clark.
Kathy Moore Cobbs, Joe’s sister, recalls Joe, John and J.D. rehearsing in her mother’s basement on several occasions and says they already sounded as good as the songs on the radio. Clark recalls that the trio “used to play a little bit, just jammin’ around” at Westmoreland School in their neighborhood. All attended George Washington High School in Danville and knew brothers Keith and Dale Wiley, who played drums and keyboards, respectively. The three had heard that the brothers wanted to form a band, so the five got together and moved the practice sessions to the Wiley’s garage. Shortly thereafter, the teens caught the attention of Langston Band Director Robert Hickson, who agreed to manage the as yet unnamed group. Classmate Sharon Miller-Ranson remembers those early days well and standing on the corner of Cabell and Monument streets where “John Clark would start singing and we would have a concert in front of Cassidy’s Store.” Lula Dickerson said Joe Moore’s musical prowess was obvious from an early age and remembers his performance of “If I Had a Hammer” during the talent show at I.W. Taylor Elementary School.
The 17-year-old Clark was in 10th grade and recalls that they recruited three trumpet players: Clyde McCoy, Norman Brooks and Barry Price, all of whom played together in the high school band. Clark had just started playing drums but quickly became proficient on the instrument, allowing Keith Wiley to switch from percussion to organ. The move was necessitated by Dale Wiley’s departure to attend college.
Now with a complete rhythm and brass section, all they needed was a name. Rehearsals were moved to “a little place Hickson had” as they prepared for their first gig. They were to perform at the Top of the Stairs Club when a major snowstorm blanketed the city. The group members were riding around downtown trying to come up with a name just a few hours before they were due on stage. They rode down Union Street and passed Danville’s only licensed cosmetology school, Artistic Beauty College. Clark noticed the sign out front and said: “What about the Artistics?” Not knowing that there was already a professional band with the same moniker on Brunswick Records, the other band members agreed and the Artistics were born.
An early, memorable performance was in 1971 before hundreds of enthusiastic fans on the football field at their alma mater, George Washington High School. The seven-piece outfit included a trumpet section and Brooks, Price and McCoy choreographed their synchronized dance steps for the show. The trio also wore matching shirts and slacks. The brass section made a grand entrance, riding up to the stage in a convertible.
The Artistics were the only soul act on the bill and shared the stage with four rock bands. Clark recalls that their PA system was “lackluster” so all of the groups pooled their equipment and shared a set of drums.
A review of the performance noted that drummer-singer John Clark “placed heavy accents on such soulful hits as (the Jackson 5’s) ‘Never Can Say Goodbye’ and the Temptations’ ‘Just My Imagination.’” Their final number, Kool and the Gang’s “Who’s Gonna Take the Weight,” brought the crowd to their feet and had some dancing in the stadium.
J.D. was unavailable for the spring concert and guitarist Steve Eckles was recruited to fill-in on bass. Eckles was the only white member in the aggregation and the group would often rehearse at his parents Broad Street home. He was an excellent lead guitarist in his own right and was already a veteran of the local music scene, having played with many of the Artistics’ members in various bands at the El Dorado, a Black nightclub on the outskirts of town. Eckles also did arrangements for the band, allowing the brass to play string parts, adding depth to their live performances.
The band continued to perform frequently at country clubs and on college campuses in Virginia and North Carolina and managed to secure a spot as the opening act for James Brown during his tour of small cities on the Chitlin’ Circuit in late 1971. Brown was booked to play the Danville City Auditorium on Monday, Dec. 27, 1971. Clark remembers that the Artistics were practicing one night when their manager stopped by and asked if they’d like to open for the Godfather of Soul. The band viewed it as a great opportunity for exposure and as a chance to make a little money. They were right on at least one count: The concert was well advertised but no cash changed hands. Clark said their manager informed the band members that this was their lucky break and that the show “was just gonna be for some publicity.”
This was the first time the Artistics had shared the stage with a professional act and Clark admits all were a little nervous, especially about their equipment. The roadies had refused their request to share his sound system; however, Brown overheard the discussion and told his crew to “let the guys use it.” They held their own and even got the attention of Brown’s backing band, the J.B.’s. The members rushed from backstage when they heard the Artistics covering Dennis Coffey’s instrumental hit “Scorpio,” note-for-note. While theirs was a small group with just three pieces of brass, Clark insists they “sounded just as good as Brown’s band.”
The show was on a Monday night and attendance didn’t meet expectations. Apparently sometime during the concert the top to Brown’s convertible was cut and he vowed never perform in Danville again. Clark doesn’t recall that incident but said Brown was disappointed with the turnout and announced from the stage that he would not be returning. Mr. Dynamite kept his promise.
The band entered the studio on at least one occasion, cutting a 45 at Triangle Recording Studios in North Carolina. The soul-tinged gospel tune, “The Handwriting is on the Wall,” was written by Keith Wiley. The Artistics traveled to Winston-Salem for the sessions. Clark plays on the track but doesn’t sing. The vocal chores were handled by Wiley, who would later enter the ministry. The single had a limited pressing on Triad Records, an independent label that specialized in gospel, bluegrass and country releases by local artists.
Equally rare is a 45 organist Keith Wiley wrote and recorded with the Symphonics in 1973 at Crescent City Sound Studios, Inc. in Greensboro, N.C. Crescent City was founded by Walt Copeland, who managed the studio and doubled as chief engineer. “Ooh Wee, Thank You for Choosing Me” (Crescent City Sound Studios – CCCSS 1223) is a soulful ballad featuring Ronald James and two male vocalists on a double lead falsetto reminiscent of the Delfonics and the Stylistics. The instrumental flip side, “Symphonic Strut,” includes some funky organ work from Wiley and James solid drumming.
The Symphonics were based in Yanceyville, N.C. and leader Ronald James played drums. Clark describes them as “a rival band,” that included a female bass player whose brother was also in the group. According to Clark, James later transferred to G.W. High School and went on to attend the Boston Conservatory of Music before returning to the area.
The record went nowhere but garnered local airplay on WILA, Danville’s R&B radio station. It was also a favorite on the cafeteria juke box at John M. Langston Junior High School, where Artistics’ manager Robert Hickson worked his day job as band director.
Most members of the Artistics were in the Class of 1973 and pursued other interests after high school. Wiley, Brooks, Price and McCoy all went on to college, while Oliver joined the Marines. Not ready to throw in the towel, Clark regrouped and enlisted brothers James and Grayling Covington on keyboards and bass. Grayling already knew the book, having followed the band to concerts and rehearsals. He also had a reputation as one of the finest bass players on the local scene. Joe Moore continued on guitar with Clark on drums and vocals.
The reformed band continued on the road but some of the members felt that a more “dynamic” name was needed. They decided on “Treachery.” Clark doesn’t recall the year Treachery called it quits but remembers the incident that led to their split. Treachery had landed a regular gig at a VFW Post in South Boston, Va., earning $900 a night. That was unheard of amount at the time and allowed the members to keep a little money and upgrade their equipment. All was well until the night a coat belonging to the wife of a prominent guest went missing. A girlfriend of a band member was accused of the theft. While she didn’t take the fur, the incident ended their residency and the band.
All of the members went on to successful careers, albeit not in the field of music.
Joseph “Joe” Moore served for 20 years in the U.S. Navy. He lived in Norfolk and Hampton, Va., where he worked for the Navy Material Transportation Office until retirement in 1995. While living in the Tidewater area, Joe continued his musical indulgence. He organized gospel music groups, played guitar for Queen Street Baptist Church in Hampton and New Beech Grove Baptist Church in Newport News, Va. Moore returned to Danville and became a music instructor, giving lessons to young aspiring guitarists. He would sometimes play guitar during morning services at Pleasant Chapel Baptist Church in Sutherlin, Va. Moore died on Jan. 30, 2011.
Brothers Keith and Dale M. Wiley both enjoyed successful careers in separate fields. Dr. Keith B. Wiley became a minister and served as pastor of several churches before his death in November 2003 in Wilmington, Va. His brother, Dale, finished law school and returned to his hometown, where he worked as a defense attorney before being named Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge for the city of Danville. He is currently the presiding judge over the 22nd Judicial Circuit of Virginia.
Jonathan “J.D.” Oliver joined the Marines and attended Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville. He now lives in Lexington Park, Maryland, where he works for Wyle Laboratories. John Clark is retired but continues to work driving a Yellow Cab. He and his wife have a home in Danville. Grayling Covington still lives in Danville, while his brother, James, moved to Burlington, N.C. At last report, Norman Brooks was living in Richmond, Va.
A high school reunion at Langston in 2015 brought some of the surviving members together again, 45 years after their first practice. Classmates still remembered the group and the music they created. That doesn’t surprise Clark, who says the members “were all perfectionists” and played for an audience who expected their music to sound “just like the record.” They succeeded.
Carol Chakarian lets loose with a great vocal on “Put Your Accent on Love”. Not ‘garage’ music, but a pop song in a country style. Hear an excerpt.
The flip is the more sedate “Lost in This World of Love”, both songs written by Phil DeWolf, publishing by Tronic BMI. Released in 1965 on Nashville 5242, “A Tommy Hill Starday Studio Production”.
Here’s an obscure one, the Little Indians doing two original songs, “No” / “Wait a Minute”. It may also be the first release on Chanté Records, as it is release 101 and has master numbers CH-1 and CH-2.
Richard D. Tellier and Edward Martin composed both songs, and registered copyright in March 1965. They have other copyrights that may have not been recorded, “Blind Date”, “Life Was So Lonesome” and “Anymore”.
Chanté Records labels usually have a Lou Alfieri production credit, but this one reads “A Pabodi Production”. Alfieri Music and Eastwick Music published both songs. A trademark application from 1965 lists a West Moorestown, New Jersey address, not far from Philadelphia.
Anyone have more information on the Little Indians or these song writers?
I do not believe this was the same Richard Tellier who played guitar with a Canadian group called Octopus.
Located at 3 New Burlington Street, W1, Samantha’s opened in early November 1966.
There is very little information about this important night club so I would welcome any memorabilia and further details about artists that performed here.
1966
London Life magazine’s 10-16 September issue notes that the club was opening during October.
However, the same magazine’s 22-28 October issue reports that the club was opening shortly with James Bond décor and a coffee bar with outdoor patio, indicating that it was early November.
London Life magazine’s 12-18 November issue reports that Samantha’s was open and hosted groups, although no names were listed.
14 December (Wednesday) – Bobby Hebb (Melody Maker and London Life magazine)
1967
I have no entries for this year apart from the one below so would welcome any further information on artists that performed at the central London club.
According to the poster for Gloucester YMCA below, The Official Receivers played at Samantha’s around October-November 1967.
I found a previously unknown poster for Martha’s Laundry on Sunday, September 24, 1967. The venue was The Balloon at 1031 Kearny in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco.
The building still exists. When it opened as The Red Balloon on April 1, 1953, it was an indoor amusement center. By 1967, the name shortened to The Balloon, and the entertainment had changed to “Topless Games” including “topless ping pong”. In April 1967 it had a short-lived name, La Carnaval, with “topless rassling”. In December 1967 it advertised as a “Cellar Cabaret” with an underground theatre performance. In 1977 it started a long run as the Palladium Club.
I read the poster artist name as “Eli Lcon”, but I’ve been informed it’s Eli Leon.
There are images of posters and flyers for Martha’s Laundry shows in Concord, Berkeley and Santa Cruz, but I hadn’t seen this one before.
Members of Martha’s Laundry were:
Jim Lehman – lead guitar Tom Peterain – rhythm guitar David Kessner – keyboards Richard Wilkins, then Michael Husser – bass Randy Smith – drums
The only information on the group comes from an interview that Mike Dugo did with bassist Michael Husser circa 2008, which I’ll quote a section of because it is no longer on the web:
We played diverse locations such as Pauly Ballroom at U.C. Berkeley, The Straight Theatre on Height Street in San Francisco, The Family Dog at The Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco, and private parties. We even played for the ordination of an Episcopal Minister in Berkeley and were mentioned in and article in Time Magazine relating to the event (the issue dates from March 22, 1968 and the article was entitled, “Hippie Ordination”). I don’t remember playing teen clubs and we didn’t play any band battles; we only played places that guaranteed our fee. We did play some festivals with Creedence Clearwater Revival as the headliner.
We played blues and worked on jazz arrangements to blues tunes. Our influences were Gary Burton’s album Lofty Fake Anagram and the first Moby Grape album.
We didn’t play original material and didn’t think people would buy arrangements of known songs. We played primarily covers of somewhat obscure blues songs.
Randy, Jim and Dave started a music store in Berkeley called Prune Music. Jim left to move to Texas and start his own music store. Randy and Dave moved Prune Music to Mill Valley, California. Randy started working on guitar amplifiers and formed a company called Mesa Engineering … Randy then named his amps Mesa Boogie.
Jim’s music store in Austin, Texas is called Guitar Rez.
Dave Kessner had played with many bands including Cold Blood.
I later played with Little Richard, Elvin Bishop, Harvey Mandel and other artists in the Bay area and then started a band called Moon Rose Forest. We recorded a live album with Buffy Sainte-Marie in December of 1968 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles. In ’69 I returned to the Bay area and then moved to New Mexico where I lived on the Acoma Pueblo Reservation and recorded an album of music with tribal members. I then moved to Albuquerque and began a career in broadcast television as an audio and video engineer.
Thank you to Derek Taylor, John Pitts and Vance Pollock for help with background on the Balloon. Any info on the ’50s and ’60s incarnations of 1031 Kearny, the poster artist or Martha’s Laundry would be appreciated.
Located on Allendale Road in Greenford (sometimes billed as Sudbury or Wembley) in northwest London, the Starlite Ballroom was a significant music venue in the UK during the early-to-late 1960s. Peter Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex.
I have started to list gigs for the years 1964-1965 but these are incomplete and I would welcome any additions and corrections. I’d also welcome any photos and concert adverts, which will be credited accordingly.
1964
25 September (Friday) – The Paramounts and Alexis Korner’s Blues Inc (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Grand opening
26 September (Saturday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Rustics (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
24 October (Saturday) – The Merseybeats and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
25 October (Sunday) – The Mojos (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation
7 November (Saturday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 November (Saturday) – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
18 November (Wednesday) – The Applejacks (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation
27 November (Friday) – The Mojos (Beat Instrumental)
28 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
29 November (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation
12 December (Saturday) – Linda Laine & The Sinners and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 December (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1965
17 January (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and Cergano & The Cavaliers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
30 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and JJ & The Challengers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 February (Saturday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 February (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
27 February (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides with Unit 5 (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and JJ & The Challengers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
20 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and James Tamyln (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
21 March (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
2 April (Friday) – The Barron Knights and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
10 April (Saturday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 April (Friday) – Mike Sheridan & The Nightriders and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
24 April (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides and The Beachcombers (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
25 April (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
14 May (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides and Sonny Childe & The Elders (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
16 May (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
22 May (Saturday) – The All-Nite Workers and The Hysters (Don Martin’s diary)
28 May (Friday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
4 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
5 June (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
11 June (Friday) – Peter & Gordon and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
19 June (Saturday) – Jimmy Royal & The Hawks and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
26 June (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Singer Jean Hayles left before this gig and they gigged as The Statesides. The band’s line-up comprised Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Dave Brogden (sax), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)
27 June (Sunday) – The Who and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
4 July (Sunday) – The Yardbirds (Beat Instrumental)
18 July (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens (Beat Instrumental)
24 July (Saturday) – Heinz and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
25 July (Sunday) – The Moody Blues (Beat Instrumental)
31 July (Saturday) – The Pentad and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
8 August (Sunday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
15 August (Sunday) – Simon Scott & The All-Nite Workers and The Statesides (Dave Brodgen’s gig diary/Don Martin’s diary)
20 August (Friday) – The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
27 August (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
10 September (Friday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
12 September (Sunday) – The Pretty Things and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Walker Brothers on this date
26 September (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
1 October (Friday) – The Hollies (Beat Instrumental)
15 October (Friday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)
17 October (Sunday) – The Sorrows (Record Mirror)
24 October (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
30 October (Saturday) – The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
31 October (Sunday) – The Kinks and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Downliners Sec to this date
6 November (Saturday) – The Bo Street Runners and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
7 November (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
20 November (Saturday) – Hedgehoppers Anonymous and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
28 November (Sunday) – Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
3 December (Friday) – The Animals (Beat Instrumental)
10 December (Friday) – Ketty Lester and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
12 December (Saturday) – Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Dave Brodgen’s gig diary)
31 December (Friday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Beat Instrumental)
Many thanks to Rolf Hannet for helping with some Beat Instrumental gigs
The Federal Fugitives were unknown to me until Rick Ledbetter commented below with the lineup:
Rick Ledbetter – lead guitar Steve Allen – rhythm guitar Dennis Mitchell – bass Gary Stone – drums Johnny Stovall – horns Steve Allen – horns
“Woman of Stone” is a good light-psychedelic original by Ledbetter and Stone. Jim Youmans (of the Swingin’ Apollos) did a fine job of production.
The musicians are accomplished, I wonder if the Federal Fugitives is a pseudonym for another group.
Ledbetter and Stone also wrote the harmony-filled ballad flip, “Just Remember”.
Released on Youmer Records Incorporated, YM 1002 with an address of 524 Plasters Ave, in Atlanta. Youmer’s first release was the Sons of Bach, “Stubborn Kind of Fellow” / “I Knew I’d Want You”, which I haven’t heard. Youmans produced this one too. Without original songs, there’s even less chance of finding out who played on that record.
Both songs published by Margie Music BMI, which was based in Decatur, but I can’t find registrations for either.
Rick told me more about the members of the Federal Fugitives:
Gary Stone went on to play with Billy Joe Royal.
Dennis Mitchell played with Ben Dover and Tennessee Tucker and also appeared in Six Pack with Kenny Rogers.
Rick Ledbetter went into radio broadcasting (Rick Ledbetter On Air on youtube).
Steve Allen performs as a one man band.
Johnny and Ted Stovall also played horns with The Soul Patrol around Atlanta after Rick formed the new group after two years in the Army.
Ted Stovall went on to arrange the horns on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “What’s Your Name” and “Moonlight Feels Right” by Starbuck.
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.
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