The Roosters (southwest London band)

The Roosters featured in Jackie magazine. Thanks to Nigel Lees for providing

Pete Jeffries (lead guitar)

Del Turner (rhythm guitar)

John Lee (sax)

Ron Jeffries (bass)

Jim Strachan (drums)

Not to be confused with another southwest London band of the same name, which at one point featured both Eric Clapton and future Manfred Mann guitarist Tom McGuiness, this early 1960s band comprised the above line up.

This version of The Roosters were profiled in both Jackie magazine (see above) and Surrey Comet newspaper in its 7 March 1964 issue (page 7).

According to Nigel Lees, who has included one of the band’s tracks on the new LP 17 from Morden, this version of The Roosters recorded three tracks for BBC’s Beat Room in October 1964. They also recorded five acetates for Oak at R G Jones in Morden.

The Roosters also played regularly at the Cellar Club in Kingston upon Thames, the Attic in Hounslow and other venues in the area.

However, there is very little information about the musicians so please get in touch if you can provide more details.

Big thanks to Nigel Lees for providing some info on the band.

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

10 November 1964 (Middlesex Chronicle)

Allan Breed with the Third Level – and Rick McClellan

Allan Breed with the Third Level Treswood 45 City Where I Once Lived

Allan Breed with the Third Level had only one release, “City Where I Once Lived” / “Many’s the Time”, both full pop productions with light psychedelic touches. By accident, some of the lyrics on “City Where I Once Lived” are incredibly apt to our situation in 2020:

Well here I am, in the city where I once lived,
But no one bothers to speak,
Attitude is simply oblique,
It’s not the same anymore.

Love once surrounded me here,
In the city where I once lived,
But the love I once knew is gone,
Only faces of misery drawn,
Puts the blame of it all.

Where are the people who once smiled and said hello,
Where did they go?

Have I stayed away too long or is there really something really wrong?

So as I walk, through the city where I once lived,
And see this disease I’ve seen,
That destroys the reasons for being,
I can’t understand.

Allan Breed notably co-wrote “Frozen Sunshine” with Rick McClellan, which in recent years has become a well-known hit with retro club DJs, especially in Europe. Breed and McClellan collaborated on a number of songs, not all of which seem to have been released. The first may have been “Goodbye My Friend”, registered in 1966.

Allan Breed with the Third Level Treswood 45 Many's the TimeIn May of 1968 they registered copyright on “City Where I Once Lived” and “Many’s the Time”. Allan Breed produced the songs with Steve Clark for release on their own label Treswood TW 101.

The following year, Lawrence Allen Breed and Rick McClellan wrote “Frozen Sunshine”, copyright registered in May of 1969. Breed and Mike Henderson (for Treswood Productions) produced that single on Ranwood R-849, and also his follow-up, “Redheaded Woman” / “2:30 in the Morning” for Quad Records QU 105, where Allan Breed was head of A&R.

Quad Records also reissued “Frozen Sunshine”, without the violins, and with a different B-side, “Julie Makes It Right”. A Cash Box notice from July, 1970 lists some other Quad releases and notes Al Perry was executive vice-president of Quad. An ad in Cash Box from the same month for Four Star / Stellar Music / BNP Music Publishing lists Alfred Perry and Fred Benson as VP, and has Allan Breeds name but without title.

Allan Breed Quad Records Cash Box July 18, 1970
Later copyrights by Breed and McClellan include “By the Light in Your Eyes”, “Here Comes the Sun” and “Who Taught You”. I’m not sure if these were recorded or released.

Allan Breed would go on to produce a few more records with Mike Henderson, including two singles of Sandy & Dick St. John on Congress, and two by CaShears on pbm Records. Also on pbm Records Breed produced Sidro’s Armada’s “Little Girl from Greenwood, Georgia”.

Steve Clark is likely the same person who partnered with Curt Boettcher in Our Productions (thanks for the tip Max Waller). Clark and Mike Henderson both worked on some Tommy Roe productions from this period.

Allan Breed Four Star Cash Box July 4, 1970
July 1970 publishing ad including writers R.B. Greaves, Dean Kay, Hal Blair, Arthur Hamilton, Kelly Gordon, Peter Daniels, Norma Green, Tad Suckling, Gloria Sklerov, Douglas Fir, Rick McClellan, Jerry Wright, Nick Alexander, Lala Schrifrin, Bob Simpson, Chuck Jones, Buzz Siler and Martin Kosins

Freddie Mack’s bands March 1969-late 1973

Guitarist Mick Clarke worked with Freddie Mack around mid-late 1970. This photo shows the group at the Marquee in Wardour Street, Soho, London. Thanks to Pete Clarke for the photo.

Unlike the earlier versions, I have found very little information on Freddie Mack’s groups post-February/March 1969 when he split with the previous version. I would love to hear from anyone who can fill in the blanks.

Billed mainly as ‘The Freddie Mac Extravanganza’, an entirely new version debuted on 11 April 1969 at the New Market Hotel in Bristol. A few weeks later, they played at the New Rainbow Suite Co-op in Birmingham on 24 April.

According to the Nantwich Chronicle, the 13-piece band performed at the Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with Rubber Soul on 26 April.

The Freddie Mac Road Show played at the Royal Hotel, Walsall on 4 May 1969, according to the Walsall Observer and South Staffordshire Chronicle. The Birmingham Evening Mail lists the band playing at Club Cedar with Passion Forest the next day.

Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail

According to Melody Maker, the new line up then toured West Germany in June.

Drummer Maurice McElroy remembers playing in a seven-nine piece band with Freddie Mack called the Freddie Mac Extravaganza II, which featured a female singer, a male singer, a female dancer plus two other dancers. However, it only lasted a few months.

McElroy confirms that his version played from late June (just after the West German tour above) but he himself left around October 1969.

McElroy says that the band’s roadie Roy Truman left soon after joining Freddie Mack to form a band called Swegas (alongside trumpet player Chris Dawe who worked with Mack in 1967-1968) in which he played bass.

Swegas appears to have been formed in mid-1969 and McElroy joined them later that year. Noel Norris appears to have played with Freddie Mack again in 1970 (see later line up below).

The drummer remembers the following musicians in Mack’s band:

Terry Jenkins – lead guitar

Buddy Bounds – trumpet (replaced by Noel Norris)

Nick Judd – keyboards

Maurice McElroy – drums have found the following gigs, which would cover McElroy’s time with the group: 

23 June 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

 

14 July 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Shady Lane and Wall City Jazzmen

19 July 1969 – Raven Club, RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire with Stonewall Jackson and Dusk Soul featuring Clive Bond (billed as Freddie Mack Show)

21 July 1969 – Thomas A Beckett, Old Kent Road, south London (pictures of the group playing here on this date can be found at Getty) The same photo appeared in the Evening Standard, 22 July 1969, page 30

28 July 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

 

9 August 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Heatwave

14 August 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Lee Harmer’s Popcorn (billed as Freddie Mac Extravaganza)

25 August 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Freddie Mac Extravaganza)

30 August 1969 – Kent Pop Festival with Deep Purple

 

5 September 1969 – The Factory, Birmingham

20 September 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with First Back from Heaven and Respect (billed as Freddie Mack Extravaganza)

26 October 1969 – Le Metro, Birmingham

According to singer Bob Mundy (see comments section below), his group, The International Road Show from Southend-on-Sea joined Freddie Mack around November 1969.

Bob Mundy – vocals

Erline ? – vocals

Yudell Anderson – vocals

Steve Sallis – guitar

Brian Williams – bass

John Walsh – Hammond organ

Pat Green – drums

Jeff Bridges – tenor sax

Phil Presland – baritone sax

+

Kenny Baxter – saxophone

Digby Fairweather – trumpet

I have found the following gigs for this formation: 

13 December 1969 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (billed as Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound)

24 December 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Lloyd Williams Soul Caravan

27 December 1969 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Earthquakes (billed as Freddie Mack Extravaganza)

 

21-22 March 1970 – Tamla Village, D’Arblay Street, London with Freddie Notes & The Rudies and The Tonics

Photo: Pete Clarke. His brother Mick Clarke playing with Freddie Mack at the Marquee, 1970

Lead guitarist Mick Clarke played with Freddie Mack from around mid-to-late 1970 (and possibly in the April-May 1969 line up too). Clarke was with a band called Hunter when he met Mack and this same band recorded under the name Orang-utan after he left the singer in late 1970.

Clarke says that the band was fluid, in as much as it would have different horn players on each gig. However, the rhythm section was pretty stable. The guitarist adds that the typical line-up would feature Freddie Mack, a go-go-dancer, lead guitar, bass, drums, organ and three to five horn players (but sometimes nine).

Noel Norris, who had played with an earlier line up, left in October 1970 to form the band Marriage. Norris and Geoff Peach both went on to play with Pacific Gas & Electric in the United States.  They then reunited again in a version of The Foundations in the early 1970s.

Clarke also says that singer Carl Douglas sat with the band at times, which would have been after September 1970 when he returned from Spain.

Freddie Mack, 1970, Marquee with Eddie Thornton (trumpet) and Mick Clarke (guitar). Photo: Pete Clarke

Mick Clarke lists the following musicians who played alongside him:

Mick Clarke – lead guitar

Jeffrey Jai Seopardi – drums

Steve Humphries – bass

Eddie Thornton – trumpet

Noel Norris – trumpet

Geoff Peach – saxophone

Photo from Pete Clarke. Playing at the Marquee, 1970

Around 1971/1972, former members of the band Sonority joined forces with Freddie Mack. Bobby Morris got in touch and I’ve included his email details in the comments section below.

I have found the following gigs which may cover different line-ups:

25 April 1970 – Baths Hall, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire with Cloud Nine, Freddie Notes & The Dynamic Rudies and Maggie & Sharon

The Torbay Express & South Devon Echo lists a group called Tenderness (ex-Freddie Mac Show) performing at the Madison Club in Torquay on 2-3 October 1970, which suggests this band backed Freddie Mac at some point in 1970.

21 November 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Carl Edwards Roadshow

 

25 October 1971 – Wall City, Quaintways, Chester Cheshire with Aquarius (billed as Freddie Mack Sounds)

28 October 1971 – Beau Brummell Club, Royal Hotel, Crewe, Cheshire (billed as Freddie Mack Road Show)

 

6 November 1971 – Aquarius Club, Lincoln, Lincolnshire (billed as Freddie Mack Sounds)

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

 

1973 recording

The Rapids, unknown group possibly from Ontario, Canada

Rapids Canadian Band Photo

The Rapids – a quintet from possibly Ontario, Canada. I bought these photos from a seller in Williamsford, but the group could have come from anywhere in the Toronto or Hamilton area, or beyond.

It would be nice if one could read the headstocks on the guitars. One looks to be a Höfner 173, according to G45 member ShyC, which would date to about 1963 or 1964. I don’t know of any Canadian groups called the Rapids that recorded.

I’d appreciate any clues or info.

Rapids Canadian Band Photo 3

Rapids Canadian Band Photo 2 - drummer

Archie Liseo and the Cinaways “Homebrew” on CLW

Archie Liseo and the Cinaways CLW 45 Homebrew

“Homebrew” is a storming instrumental, with a foreboding rhythm guitar and bass behind sharp lead guitar work, excellent drumming and rockin’ piano.

I can’t find much about Archie Liseo other than an odd news item from December, 1965, where an Archie Liseo “is resigning from the Denver Young Democrats in protest against what he described as ‘filth’ in the organization’s newspaper. Liseo said he objected to the review of a play in the December issue of the paper The Vanguard. He said the paper had been read by his children before he arrived home Thursday.”

I suppose that could be a different person, considering this group titled their record “Homebrew”.

“Homebrew” has a writing credit of A. Trujillo, which could be another name for Archie Liseo. This may be the only record he ever made. The band is so good I hope there are more recordings somewhere.

The ballad A-side, “Lonely” was written by L. Pickett and J. Ward. CLW Music Pub published both songs.

Released on CLW 45-6576, this is a Rite pressing, 13705/6 from 1965. CLW owner Jim Ward produced the single with Geo Chapekis. The address for CLW is given as 522 Knox Ct., Denver.

Archie Liseo and the Cinaways CLW 45 Lonely

The San Diego Marauders and Compose Records of El Cajon

San Diego Marauders Compose 45 Don't Come Around

I’m not sure if the San Diego Marauders were an actual group or a studio creation. Cecil Calvert ran Compose Records from his home at 450 Orlando St. in El Cajon, just east of San Diego.

Compose Records released two singles by the San Diego Marauders. The first had an original by Cecil Calvert, “Don’t Come Around” backed with a good version of the Olympics “The Bounce”. Released as Compose Records 1901/2, the Monarch Δ number 56767 dates it to April or May of 1965. “Don’t Come Around” has a good garage sound, and runs a minute and a half!

San Diego Marauders Compose 45 The BounceThe second single is interesting for including “Ervin Rucker, vocal” and featuring an original song by Rucker and Ervin Groves, who often collaborated together.
Compose Records 1903/4: “Baby Can’t You Feel It” (E. Rucker and E. Groves) / “Sentimental Reasons”.

In July 1967 and 1968, Cash Box’s list of ASCAP publishers includes “Groham c/o Cecil Calvert, 450 Orlando”. Calvert also had a June, 1964 copyright for a song called “Shackles of Love” written with Robert L. Jackson. If it ever was recorded, I don’t believe it saw release.

San Diego Marauders Compose 45 Baby Can't You Feel It

Max Range of the Lingsmen and the Laughing Kind

Max Range The Traditions Kerrville Daily Times August 23, 1964
Kerrville Daily Times, August 23, 1964

Bob Galindo, brother of 13th Floor Elevators bassist Danny Galindo, wrote on a now-defunct San Antonio music history site, “Max Range was not the ‘Stepfather’ of Texas pyschedelia, he was ‘THE GODFATHER’. He was a very influential guy, in a subversive sort of way, if you know what I mean.”

On the same site, Margaret Moser posted, “Max Range gets no credit as one of THE visionaries of South Texas music”.

I have not found much detail on how Max Range influenced the Elevators and the psychedelic scene in Texas, but one thing is certain, Range fronted three bands that included five future members of the Elevators.

Max Range’s full name was George Max Range, born in Beeville, TX, an hour’s drive from Corpus Christi (also birthplace of John Ike Walton, who moved to Kerrville in 1950). Max went to school in Beeville, and became an Eagle Scout.

Max moved to Kerrville in the early ’60s, perhaps with his family to finish school, or as an apprentice printer for the local newspaper the Daily Times.

Traditions, Kerrville Daily Times, July 23, 1963
Traditions, Kerrville Daily Times, July 23, 1963

In Kerrville he would join a group called the Traditions. The Kerrville Daily Times featured a photo of the Traditions on July 23, 1963 with the accompanying text:

The Arcadia Theatre of Kerrvile will present a Summer Stage Show during the intermission of two big twist hits, “Don’t Knock the Twist” and “Twist Around the Clock” July 24 and 25 at 8 p.m. The music of “The Traditions” will be presented.

“The Traditions” is a group of young local musicians that produce an activated tempo-type sound. Five members comprise the band.

Max Range, 19, from Beeville is the vocalist. Max has had four years experience in the musical field and has performed in two bands before organizing the Traditions.

Bobby Hunter, 19, from Freeport, plays the lead guitar. He has had four years of training…

Bobby Sanchez, 16, from Kerrville, is the rhythamatic drummer with a set of “talking” drums. He has put three years into the mastery of the drums and has won several awards in the Tivy High School Band.

Randy Jackson, 18, from San Juan … plays the bass guitar and has had two years of experience.

Stacy Sutherland, 17, from Kerrville provides the basic rhythm … which enables The Traditions to give that special sound quality necessary for a top grade band.

All of these band members from various parts of Texas are now combined into one soundsation group…

Marvin Taylor, “The Traditions” manager and the assistant manager of the Arcadia …

I’d like to know more about Max Range’s two earlier bands from his four years experience in music, but have not turned up any info other than a group with Stacy called the Signatures, mentioned in Ben Graham’s A Gathering of Promises.

Although the Daily Times article states Max organized the Traditions, it seems the group formed in 1961 or 1962, well before Max joined. An early photo shows Stacy Sutherland, Bob Schmerbeck, Eddie Flores, Bobby Sanchez and Randy Jackson.

In April 1964, the Kerrville Daily Times runs an ad for the Grove restaurant “now under new management, Grady and Shirley Sharp” with “Live Band – Max Range and “The Traditions” featuring Joe Burkett III and His “Backwoods Fiddle”.

On August 23, 1964, the Kerrville Daily Times makes the first mention of Max Range appearing with the Penetrators (as the Penetrations):

Jamey Ryan of San Antonio, Miss KTSA, is schedule to appear at the Arcardia Theatre on Thursday, Aug. 27 in connection with the Gigantic Hootenanny Stage Show. Headlining the show will be Denny Ezba and the Goldens; Bruce Hathaway of KTSA as master of cermonies; Max Range, local vocalist; and the Penetrations, a local group from Kerrville.

Range is band leader of The Traditions but will be appearing with The Penetrators.

April 6, 1965

Notices in the Kerrville Daily Times on September 20, October 2 and November 6, 1964; and on January 14 and 28, 1965 all include Max Range as vocalist of the Penetrators.

On, April 5, 1965 and earlier dates, the Kerrville Daily Times ran a 1″ x 1″ classified display ad “for Sale, Ideal for musical group. Premier P-14 PA System … Max Range, Daily Times.”

Penetrators Kerrville Daily Times, June 6, 1965
Penetrators, Kerrville Daily Times, June 6, 1965

A Daily Times article from June 6, 1965 writes:

The Penetrators … have released their first record which is available to the public. The record, “Praying Till Then” and “Kurl” is on the Trater Record label. “Praying Till Then”, a slow ballad, was composed by Max Range, vocalist for the group. The flip side “Kurl”, was composed by all members of the ensemble, who are, Danny Klein, Bob Morrison, Ron Leatherman, Pat Morrison and Max Range.

The single was released as by Max and the Penetraters on Trater Records 650528. As far as I know, this is the only recording Max Range ever made.

In the spring of 1965, Kerrville musicians Stacy Sutherland and drummer John Ike Walton met violinist Benny Thurmond at Dirty Martin’s hamburgers in Austin. After a trip to Mexico together, they stopped at the Gulf Coast town of Port Aransas on the way home. There they met Ralph Plumlee and talked their way into a residency at the Dunes club. They brought Max Range into the group, which they named the Lingsmen.

Lingsmen at Bonnie and Dougs, Aransas Pass Progress, September 8, 1965
The Lingsmen at Bonnie and Dougs, Aransas Pass, September 1965

I’ve read that Tommy Hall was a member of the Lingsmen, but that seems to be incorrect, although the band would see Tommy and Clementine Hall in Port Aransas that summer.

I’d also read that Stacy, John Ike and Benny left Max to go form the Elevators, but it seems that Max was the first to leave the group. Tony Joe White filled in for some shows, and the Lingsmen may have recorded a demo with Tony, now lost.

Lingsmen at the Maison Rouge Corpus Christi Times Nov. 15, 1965
Perhaps the last show of the Lingsmen with Sutherland, Walton, & Thurman at the Maison Rouge in Corpus Christi, November 16, 1965

Lingsmen at the Maison Rouge Corpus Christi Times Nov. 1, 1965
Corpus Christi Times Nov. 1, 1965

Judging by local news ads, the group continued at least until mid-November, 1965. About that time Stacy, John Ike and Benny left Port Aransas, supposedly because of attention from local police. In Austin, they would form the 13th Floor Elevators with Tommy Hall and Roky Erickson, playing their first show on December 8, 1965.

Max and the Laughing Kind Corpus Christi Times June 16, 1966
June 16, 1966, Max and the Laughing Kind at the Dunes Annex and also at the Carousel on 10th St.
Max Range however returned to Port Aransas, recruiting members of a San Antonio group called the Loose Ends circa January, 1966:

Dan Galindo – bass
Bob Galindo – guitar
Bill King – guitar
Buddy Toscano – drums

This group may have performed as the Lingsmen initially, but by June had become Max and the Laughing Kind.

Max and the Laughing Kind profile Corpus Christi Caller Times July 24, 1966
“Two of the Laughing Kind hitting the chords at the Dunes.(guit and bass)” – Max and the Laughing Kind profile in the Corpus Christi Caller Times, July 24, 1966

An article in the Corpus Christi Caller Times on July 24, 1966 lists the other members as:

Keith Miller – lead guitar
Bill King – guitar
Bill Smith – bass
Tom McTaggart – drums

Hundreds Flock to Port Aransas Danceland Every Weekend

The popularity of the Dunes Danceland at Port Aransas appears to be climbing in its second season, and owner Ralph Plumlee says he has plans for a bigger place in the future.

On a Saturday night now it starts about 8 p.m. – a line of headlights heading down the Padre Island beach toward Horace Caldwell Pier, begins to turn into a laughing, dancing crowd of young peoople at the Dunes.

Plumlee, a retired Dallas business man, and head of White Marlin Enterprises in Port Aransas, said that the average Saturday night attendance ranges from 700 to 1,000. The July 4 weekend drew a crowd estimated at 2,700 on one night…

Max and The Laughing Kind provide the warmth and the music. The long haired band leader wears sunglasses for the evening performance.

… the five-piece band is composed of Max Range, from the Beeville area, who is leader and singer; Bill King, guitar; Tom McTaggart, drums; Keith Miller, lead guitar; and Bill Smith, bass.

The Danceland’s popularity has spread out of the immediate area. College students from Kingsville and even as far as San Antonio and Houston make the Saturday night dances.

Max and the Laughing Kind profile Corpus Christi Caller Times July 24, 1966
Max and the Laughing Kind profile in the Corpus Christi Caller Times, July 24, 1966

Miller, Smith and McTaggart had been in a San Antonio group the Mysterions with Roy Cox. When the summer was over, they went back to San Antonio and continued to use the Laughing Kind name with Bobby Trevino on keyboards and Tommy Smith on vocals. Dan Galindo would soon join the 13th Floor Elevators in time to record much of Easter Everywhere.

Max and the Lingsmen, Corpus Christi Times May 12, 1967
1967: Max Range’s Lingsmen with a new lineup, back at the Dunes

The following year, the Corpus Christi Times announced “Max and the Lingsmen” for the grand opening of the new Dunes Danceland, on Friday, May 12, 1967; “main dance floor enlarged and redecorated.”

The lineup at this time was listed on the now-defunct Mike’s Band Archive site:

Max Range – vocals
Chris Holzhaus – lead guitar
Bill King – guitar
Ronnie Huth – vox organ
Mike Marechal – bass
Sam Allen – drums

That is the last document of Max Range’s music career that I have found until 1970, when an International Artist list of bands includes Ice with Max Range, Stacy Sutherland, David Browne, Michael Marschell and Ron Viviano (reproduced in Paul Drummond’s 13th Floor Elevators: A Visual History). Ice reportedly went into a studio twice, but no recordings have survived.

According to an online obituary, “Max was a printer for the Houston Chronicle for many years. George Max Range of Copperas Cove died at 59, on July 10, 2003, after a long illness.”

The X-Centrics of Ardmore, Oklahoma

X-Centrics, Ardmore Daily Ardmoreite, April 27, 1969

The X-Centrics came from Ardmore, Oklahoma, a town south of Oklahoma City, about halfway to Denton, TX. All were teenagers at the time of this detailed feature in the Ardmore Daily Admoreite on April 27, 1969.

Members included:

Joe Ben Pruitt – organ, guitar
Kenny Pruitt – drums
James Buck – lead vocalist, guitar
Mike Fitzgerald – lead guitar
Roger Littrell – bass guitar

The group, which plays heavy, psychedelic and soul music, defeated five top Texas bands in a battle of hte bands in Gainesville, Tex. recently to receive a recording contract with the Sonco Record Company in Fort Worth, Tex.

They recorded “get Out of My Life Woman,” and “Try a Little Tenderness” at a recent recording session, but the record has not yet been pressed.

I don’t believe the record ever saw release.

The X-Centrics played at Keeler Junction in Colorado Springs, and planned on appearing on Dick Clark’s Happening ’69 show.

Woodstock Hotel, north Cheam, southwest London

The Woodstock ‘Roadhouse’ Hotel in north Cheam, southwest London, the Prince of Wales in Kingsbury, north London and the Byron Hotel in Greenford, northwest London were all operated by the same promoter: The Arthur Forest Organisation (AFO). Many of the same groups performed at all three venues.

Ken Samuels, who played with Flight One, very kindly provided these posters, both from 1965. We’d love to hear from anyone who played at this venue and can provide any more memorabilia and further information about their band. Email: Warchive@aol.com

Photo: Ken Samuels

1965

1 August (Sunday) – Combo 2000 (Ken Samuels’ poster)

4 August (Wednesday) – The Rivals and Surprise Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)

5 August (Thursday) – The Expressions (Ken Samuels’ poster)

6 August (Friday) – 5’s Company (Ken Samuels’ poster)

7 August (Saturday) – The Legends (Ken Samuels’ poster)

8 August (Sunday) – Flight One (Ken Samuels’ poster)

11 August (Wednesday) – Solomons Mines and Middlesex Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)

12 August (Thursday) – The Expressions (Ken Samuels’ poster)

13 August (Friday) – Unit 2 (Ken Samuels’ poster)

15 August (Sunday) – Rhythm 4 (Ken Samuels’ poster)

18 August (Wednesday) – Steve and What 4 and Guest Nite Group  (Ken Samuels’ poster)

19 August (Thursday) – The Do Do’s (Ken Samuels’ poster)

20 August (Friday) – The Scepters (Ken Samuels’ poster)

22 August (Sunday) – The Reasons (Ken Samuels’ poster)

25 August (Wednesday) – The Tribe and Star Celebrities (Ken Samuels’ poster)

26 August (Thursday) – Earl Baron (Ken Samuels’ poster)

27 August (Friday) – The Proud Walkers (Ken Samuels’ poster)

28 August (Saturday) – The Centours (Ken Samuels’ poster)

29 August (Sunday) – The Orbits (Ken Samuels’ poster)

30 August (Bank Holiday Monday) – The Scepters (Ken Samuels’ poster)

Photo: Ken Samuels

1 September (Wednesday) – The Do Do’s and The 4 Inches (Ken Samuels’ poster)

2 September (Thursday) – The Deltons (Ken Samuels’ poster)

3 September (Friday) – NSG Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)

4 September (Saturday) – Generation 5 and Great Expectations (Ken Samuels’ poster)

5 September (Sunday) – 5’s Company (Ken Samuels’ poster)

8 September (Wednesday) – Steve and What 4, DJ Blues Band and The Tuxedos (Ken Samuels’ poster)

9 September (Thursday) – Earl Baron 5 (Ken Samuels’ poster)

10 September (Friday) – Unit 2 (Ken Samuels’ poster)

11 September (Saturday) –  5’s Company and The Arts Group (Ken Samuels’ poster)

12 September (Sunday) – Flight One (Ken Samuels’ poster)

15 September (Wednesday) – Rhythm 4 and Group 66 (Ken Samuels’ poster)

16 September (Thursday) – The Expressions (Ken Samuels’ poster)

17 September (Friday) – The Tuxedos (Ken Samuels’ poster)

18 September (Saturday) – The Deils and The Rollovers (Ken Samuels’ poster)

19 September (Sunday) – Rhythm 4 (Ken Samuels’ poster)

22 September (Wednesday) – Earl Baron 5 and The King Pins (Ken Samuels’ poster)

23 September (Thursday) – The Pinkerton Men (Ken Samuels’ poster)

24 September (Friday) – The Rivals (Ken Samuels’ poster)

25 September (Saturday) – The Proud Walkers and The Pitmen (Ken Samuels’ poster)

26 September (Sunday) – The Insect (Ken Samuels’ poster)

29 September (Wednesday) – The Maniacs and The Watch Committee (Ken Samuels’ poster)

30 September (Thursday) – Great Expectations (Ken Samuels’ poster)

Photo: Caterham Weekly Press

18 December (Saturday) – Three groups (Caterham Weekly Press & Advertiser)

24 December (Friday) – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Caterham Weekly Press & Advertiser)

26 December (Sunday) –  4 Inches (Caterham Weekly Press & Advertiser)

31 December (Friday) – Just Us (Caterham Weekly Press & Advertiser)

1966

Photo: Sutton & Cheam Advertiser

7 January (Friday) –  The New Jump Band (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

9 January (Sunday) – Rhythm 4 (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

12 January (Wednesday) – 12th Maniacs and Five Steps Beyond (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

13 January (Thursday) –  Geoff Curtis & The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

14 January (Friday) – The Hell Raisers (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

15 January (Saturday) – Just Us (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

16 January (Sunday) – The Citizens (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

22 January (Saturday) –  The Hell Raisers (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

 

8 June (Wednesday) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s gig diary and website:  http://five-steps-beyond.simplesite.com/)

 

6 July (Wednesday) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s gig diary and website:  http://five-steps-beyond.simplesite.com/)

15 July (Friday) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s gig diary and website:  http://five-steps-beyond.simplesite.com/)

 

31 August (Wednesday) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s gig diary and website:  http://five-steps-beyond.simplesite.com/)

Photo: Paul Quinton

2 September (Friday) – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

3 September (Saturday) – 2 x 2 (Paul Quinton’s poster)

4 September (Sunday) – The Keys (Paul Quinton’s poster)

7 September (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Intones (Paul Quinton’s poster)

7 September (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Pathfinders (Paul Quinton’s poster)

9 September (Friday) – The Just Us (Paul Quinton’s poster)

11 September (Sunday) – The Midnight Blues (Paul Quinton’s poster)

14 September (Wednesday) (stage one) – Burrow of Bedrock (Paul Quinton’s poster)

14 September (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Sheiks (Paul Quinton’s poster)

16 September (Friday) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

18 September (Sunday) – The Flashbakks (Paul Quinton’s poster)

21 September (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

21 September (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Zodiacs (Paul Quinton’s poster)

23 September (Friday) – Five Steps Beyond  (Paul Quinton’s gig diary and website:  http://five-steps-beyond.simplesite.com/)

25 September (Sunday) – Generation X (Paul Quinton’s poster)

28 September (Wednesday) (stage one) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s poster)

28 September (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Zeniths (Paul Quinton’s poster)

Photo: Paul Quinton

2 October (Sunday) – The Night Train (Paul Quinton’s poster)

5 October (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Intones (Paul Quinton’s poster)

5 October (Wednesday) (stage two) – Antique (Paul Quinton’s poster)

7 October (Friday) – The Flashbakks (Paul Quinton’s poster)

9 October (Sunday) – 2 x 2 (Paul Quinton’s poster)

12 October (Wednesday) (stage one) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s poster)

12 October (Wednesday) (stage two) – K G S & Zaandams (Paul Quinton’s poster)

14 October (Friday) – Some Other People (Paul Quinton’s poster)

16 October (Sunday) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

19 October (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Links (Paul Quinton’s poster)

19 October (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Sheiks (Paul Quinton’s poster)

21 October (Friday) – The Flashbakks (Paul Quinton’s poster)

23 October (Sunday) – The Keys (Paul Quinton’s poster)

26 October (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

26 October (Wednesday) (stage two) – The All Nite Workers (Paul Quinton’s poster)

28 October (Friday) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s poster)

30 October (Sunday) – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

Photo: Paul Quinton

2 November (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Intones (Paul Quinton’s poster)

2 November (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Intrudors (Paul Quinton’s poster)

4 November (Friday) – The Unamed (Paul Quinton’s poster)

6 November (Sunday) – The Keys (Paul Quinton’s poster)

9 November (Wednesday) (stage one) – The All Nite Workers (Paul Quinton’s poster)

9 November (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Summits (Paul Quinton’s poster)

11 November (Friday) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

13 November (Sunday) – 2 x 2 (Paul Quinton’s poster)

16 November (Wednesday) (stage one) – The 4 Inches (Paul Quinton’s poster)

16 November (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Kraken (Paul Quinton’s poster)

18 November (Friday) – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

20 November (Sunday) – The Regency Five (Paul Quinton’s poster)

23 November (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

23 November (Wednesday) (stage two) – Group Ratio (Paul Quinton’s poster)

25 November (Friday) – The Flashbakks (Paul Quinton’s poster)

27 November (Sunday) – The Nite Train (Paul Quinton’s poster)

30 November (Wednesday) (stage one) – The All Nite Workers (Paul Quinton’s poster)

30 November (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Co-Eds (Paul Quinton’s poster)

2 December (Friday) – The All Nite Workers (Paul Quinton’s poster)

4 December (Sunday) – The Keys (Paul Quinton’s poster)

7 December (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Intones (Paul Quinton’s poster)

7 December (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Jet Set (Paul Quinton’s poster)

9 December (Friday) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s poster)

11 December (Sunday) – 2 x 2 (Paul Quinton’s poster)

14 December (Wednesday) (stage one) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

14 December (Wednesday) (stage two) – Whiskey Ring (Paul Quinton’s poster)

16 December (Friday) – The Unnamed and Cage (Paul Quinton’s poster)

18 December (Sunday) – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

21 December (Wednesday) (stage one) – The All Nite Workers (Paul Quinton’s poster)

21 December (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Act (Paul Quinton’s poster)

23 December (Friday) – Group Ratio (Paul Quinton’s poster)

24 December (Saturday) – The Fourtunes (Paul Quinton’s poster)

26 December (Monday) – The 4 Inches (Paul Quinton’s poster)

28 December (Wednesday) (stage one) – Five Steps Beyond (Paul Quinton’s poster)

28 December (Wednesday) (stage two) – The Downbeats (Paul Quinton’s poster)

30 December (Friday) – Locomotion (Paul Quinton’s poster)

31 December (Saturday) – The Keys (Paul Quinton’s poster)

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

Prince of Wales Hotel, Kingsbury, north London

The Prince of Wales in Kingsbury, north London, the Byron Hotel in Greenford, northwest London and the Woodstock Hotel in north Cheam, southwest London were all operated by the same promoter: The Arthur Forest Organisation (AFO). Many of the same bands played at all three venues.

Ken Samuels, who played with Flight One, very kindly provided these posters, both from 1965. We’d love to hear from anyone who played at this venue and can provide any more memorabilia and further information about their band. Email: Warchive@aol.com

1964

26 April – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Star opening

 

3 May – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 May – The Hartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 May – Guitars Inc (Club New Yorker – Sunday) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 May – The Orbits (Club New Yorker – Sunday) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 May – The Pacifics (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

7 June – Russ & The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Weekly Post)

14 June – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Weekly Post)

21 June – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 June – The Plainsmen (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

5 July – The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

12 July – The Hearbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

19 July – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 July – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 July – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Opening night

 

2 August – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 August – The Count 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 August – The Count 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 August – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 August – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

2 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 September – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 September – Russ & The Sabres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

16 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 September – The Playboys (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 September – Group One (Wednesday Club Panama) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 September – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

4 October – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

11 October – The Challengers (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 October – The Partisans (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

25 October – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

1 November – The Counts (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

8 November – Diane & The Londoners (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 November – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 November – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 November – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

6 December – The Whirlwinds (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 December – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 December – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 December – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1965

3 January – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 January – The Invistors (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 January – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

21 February – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 February – The Saracens (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

14 March – The Electrons (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 March – The Heartbeats (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 March – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

4 April – The Scepters (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

11 April – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 April – Great Expectations (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

25 April – The Fairlanes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

2 May – The Partners (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 May – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

16 May – The Fairlanes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

23 May – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

30 May – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

6 June – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 June – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 June – The Orbits (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

27 June – The Heartbeats Ltd (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

4 July – The Do Dos (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) From Paris

11 July – Rhythm Four (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

18 July – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

25 July – The Sceptres (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

Photo: Ken Samuels

1 August – The Reasons (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

8 August – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

15 August – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

22 August – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

29 August – The Expressions (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

Photo: Ken Samuels

5 September – The Insect (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

12 September – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

19 September – Flight One (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

26 September – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Ken Samuels’ poster)

 

3 October – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

10 October – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

17 October – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 October – Four Inches (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

31 October – Great Expectations (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

7 November – Men Tuesday (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

14 November – Who’d-A-Thot-It (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 November – 5’s Company (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 November – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

12 December – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette) Looks like The Maniacs played this night

19 December – Rhythm 4 (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

26 December – The Nite Hawks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1966

2 January – The Missing Links (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

9 January – The Y and The L (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

8 July – The Keys (Harrow Observer)

29 July – Five Steps Beyond (Harrow Observer)

Photo: Paul Quinton

2 October – The Flames (aka Jeff Curtis & The Flames) (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

7 October – The Unamed (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

9 October – Five Steps Beyond (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s poster)

14 October – The Flashbakks (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

16 October – The Keys (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Harrow Observer/Paul Quinton’s Poster)

21 October – 2 x 2 (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

23 October – The Fourtunes (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

28 October – Some Other People (Friday Club Panama) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

30 October – The Flashbakks (Sunday Club Flamingo) (Paul Quinton’s poster)

1967

17 February – The Keys (Harrow Observer)

 

16 April – The Keys (Harrow Observer)

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

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