Here is a truly unknown single by the Odyssey, “Just to Be” b/w “Sunday Time” on Yorkshire Records YO 154. I’m not sure of the pressing date, but Leonard Novarro registered “Sunday Time” with the Library of Congress in July, 1968.
I couldn’t find a Library of Congress registration for “Just to Be”, but BMI lists the song as “Just to Be the Way I Want to Be” with Warner-Tamerlane.
Leonard Novarro, Vincent Leary and Richard Nusser co-composed the song.
Richard Nusser may have been the columnist for the Village Voice.
Vincent Leary may be the same Vinny Leary who played guitar with the Fugs on their earliest albums, and again in the mid-80s. Vinny Leary was also an engineer at Variety Recording Studio. This was one of only two song-writing credits he has on BMI, the other being co-composer of “Virgin Forest” with Ted Berrigan and Lee Soren Crabtree; there is also a “Benson Leary” credited on the Fugs’ “Doin’ All Right”.
David Gornston’s name appears as publisher. Ten years prior Gornston published a number of Big Bob Dougherty’s songs on Golden Crest: including “Honky”, “Squeezer”, “Lover’s Love” and “Lorelei”.
Golden Crest was based in Huntington, NY. I’m not sure where Yorkshire Records was located, but the label produced other good singles by the Dolphins, from Larchmont, and the Saxons, from West Palm Beach.
Leonard A. Novarro registered many other copyrights. Although the Odyssey labels spell his name as L. Navarro, it seems Novarro is correct. So far I haven’t discovered if any of the following were recorded:
In August 1967, Novarro registered “Don’t Disturb the Artist” and “Gypsy Man”.
In January 1969, using the pseudonym Gideon, Novarro registered “Candy Buttons”, “Dusty Shoes”, The Homecoming”, “Lady Liar”, “Sweet-Talkin’ Child”.
In May of 1970, he registered “Baby’s Sleeping”, “Sunny Day Woman” and “Time Again”, and in August “Hear My Warning” and “Legend of a Love Child, Linda” (echoes of Donovan on this title).
Thank you to J.W. Honeycutt for alerting me to the Odyssey single. Some info on Vinny Leary came from Mr. Smith, the Sybarite Who Also Was a Teacher by Warren Allen Smith.
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.
Melody Maker advertised this venue weekly during 1966 and 1967. This doesn’t mean, however, that the advertised artists definitely appeared. It’s quite possible that some acts may have been replaced at the last minute. All of the listings below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the listings below, gigs took place on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
1966
Missing some listings from January to late May
1 January – The Fenmen and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
16 January – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
21 January – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
22 January – The Drifters (Record Mirror)
23 January – The Alan Bown Set and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)
5 February – Stevie Wonder (backed by The Sidewinders?) with The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
13 February – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
18 February – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
27 February – The Moody Blues and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Who for this date as well
11 March – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)
23 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Beat Instrumental)
25 March – Wilson Pickett and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
1 April – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Record Mirror)
22 April – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
26 April – The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)
29 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
6 May – Lee Dorsey and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)
15 May – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)
27 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
28 May – The Soul Agents
29 May – The Fenmen and The Symbols
Missing listings for 3, 4 and 5 June
5 June – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
10 June – The Quiet Five and The Mark Four
11 June – The Ram Jam (most likely Geno Washington’s band) and The James Royal Set
12 June – The Yardbirds
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported The Yardbirds on this date
17 June – Roy C
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported Roy C on this date
18 June – The Spencer Davis Group
19 June – The James Royal Set and The Soul Agents
24 June – Radio London Night with bands
25 June – The Emeralds and The James Royal Set
26 June – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
1 July – The Quiet Five and The Trendsetters Ltd
2 July – Radio London Night
3 July – Gary Farr & The T-Bones
8 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
9 July – The Crystals
10 July – The Moody Blues
15 July – The Who and Roscoe Brown Combo
16 July – Episode Six and The Legend
17 July – The Troggs, The Wild Things and The Jimmy Brown Sound
22 July – Rufus Thomas
23 July – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones
24 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The En-Devers Ltd
29 July – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and The Summer Set
30 July – The Riot Squad
31 July – Joyce Bond and The Jimmy Brown Sound
5 August – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
6 August – Episode Six
7 August – Solomon Burke
12 August – The Move
Missing listing for 13 August
14 August – Jimmy Brown Sound
19 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Tea Set
20 August – The Midnights
21 August – The Action and The Mode
26 August – The Magic Lanterns and The Knack
Missing listing for 27 August
28 August – The Pretty Things and Sands
2 September – The Spencer Davis Group
3 September – Episode Six
4 September – The Birds (with support)
9 September – The Jimmy Brown Sound and The Satellites (soon to become The Army)
10 September – Julian Covey & The Machine
11 September – Long John Baldry & Steampacket
16 September – The Symbols and The Quiet Five
17 September – Two groups
18 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
23 September – The Trendsetters and Winston G
24 September – Two groups
25 September – Los Bravos
30 September – Robert Parker and The James Royal Set
1 October – Two groups
2 October – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
7 October – The Cryin Shames
8 October – Two groups
9 October – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
14 October – Lee Dorsey
15 October – Two groups
16 October – Batman & Robin
21 October – Sonny Childe & The TNT
22 October – Two groups
23 October – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests)
28 October – The Birds
29 October – Two groups
30 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
4 November – The Dixie Cups
5 November – Two groups
6 November – The Creation
11 November – The Coasters (probably backed by The Noblemen) and The Mode
12 November – Two groups
13 November – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
18 November – Wishful Thinking
19 November – Two groups
20 November – Ben E King and Winston G
25 November – The Mindbenders
26 November – Two groups
27 November – The Birds
2 December – The All Night Workers and Sands
3 December – Two groups
4 December – Cream and The Essex Five
9 December – Gass and The Fleur De Lys
10 December – Two groups
11 December – The Drifters and The Bystanders
16 December – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
17 December – Two groups
18 December – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
23 December – Eric Burdon & The Animals and The Night Train
24 December – Gass and The Penny Blacks
30 December – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede and The Barry Lee Show
31 December – The Birds and The James Royal Set
1967
1 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Majority
6 January- (Sonny Childe &) The TNT and The Syn
No listing for 7 January
8 January – The Move and The Roscoe Brown Combo
13 January – The Small Faces
No listing for 14 January
15 January – The Soul Sisters and Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
20 January – The Coloured Raisins and The Herd
No listing for 21 January
22 January – Long John Baldry (& Bluesology)
27 January – Inez & Charlie Foxx and (Joe E Young &) The Tonicks
No listing for 28 January
29 January – The Symbols and The Dyaks
3 February – Winston G
No listing for 4 February
5 February – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
10 February – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Cool Combination)
No listing for 11 February
12 February – The Who
17 February – The Fenmen
No listing for 18 February
19 February – Cream
24 February – Lemon Line
No listing for 25 February
26 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
3 March – Cliff Bennet & The Rebel Rousers
No listing for 4 March
5 March – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band and The Shell (Shock Show)
10 March – The Coloured Raisins and King Ossie Show
No listing for 11 March
12 March – The Gods
17 March – The Easybeats
No listing for 18 March
19 March – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
24 March – Human Instinct and Joe E Young & The Tonicks
No listing for 25 March
26 March – The New Mojos and The Gods
31 March – Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set?)
No listing for 1 April
2 April – Ben E King
7 April – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 8 April
9 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 April – The Creation and The Syn
No listing for 15 April
16 April – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 April – Pink Floyd
No listing for 22 April
23 April – Mary Wells and The Gods
28 April – PP Arnold (backed by The Nice?) and The Syn
No listing for 29 April
30 April – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Shinn
5 May – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 6 May
7 May – Jeff Beck Group and Sean Buckley
12 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 13 May
14 May – Normie Rowe & The Playboys
19 May – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
No listing for 20 May
21 May – The Troggs and The State Express (they later backed Edwin Starr)
26 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 27 May
28 May – Alan Price Set
2 June – Edwin Starr (probably backed by The Senate)
No listing for 3 June
4 June – The Warm Sounds and The Birds and The Bees
9 June – Mike Quinn Rave
No listing for 10 June
11 June – Cream and The Triads
16 June – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 17 June
18 June – The Drifters
23 June – The Move and The Gods
No listing for 24 June
25 June – The Chiffons and Midnight Train
No listing for 30 June or 1 July
2 July – The Toys
Ron Lewingdon says Steve Priest’s pre-Sweet group, The Army were also on this bill. He remembers appearing at the venue with The Toys
No listing for 7 or 8 July
9 July – The Jeff Beck Group
14 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 15 July
16 July – The Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 22 July
23 July – The Action and The Syn
28 July – Modes Mode
No listing for 29 July
30 July – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and The Human Instinct
4 August – The All Night Workers
No listing for 5 August
6 August – The Bee Gees and The Pussyfoot
11 August – Modes Mode
No listing for 12 August
13 August – The Small Faces
Henry Turtle says that his group The Doves played with The Small Faces at this venue several times. This seems the most likely date for one of the shows but needs confirmation
18 August – The Syn
No listing for 19 August
20 August – The Jeff Beck Group
25 August – The New Jump Band
No listing for 26 August
27 August – The Human Instinct and The Triads
1 September – The Pussyfoot
No listing for 2 September
3 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
8 September – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 9 September
10 September – James & Bobby Purify and The James Royal Set
15 September – The Unsuited Medium
No listing for 16 September
17 September – The Original Drifters (backed by The Trend)
22 September – The Wranglers
23 September (first Saturday listing for the year) – The Breakthru
24 September – The Tiles Big Band
29 September – The New York Public Library
30 September – The Breakthru
1 October – The Alan Bown Set and The Calgary Stampede
No listing for 6 October
No listing for 7 October
8 October – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
13 October – Amen Corner
No listing for 14 October
15 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
20 October – The Human Instinct
21 October – Warren Davis (was he on his own or with The Monday Band?)
22 October – The Ebony Keys and The All Night Workers (possibly the new version of this band)
27 October – Mr Hip Soul Band
28 October – The Wranglers
29 October – Geno Washington & Ram Jam Band and The All Night Workers
3 November – Pesky Gee
4 November – The Taylor Upton Big Jump Band
5 November – Ben E King and Dr Marigold’s Prescription
10 November – Horatio Soul & The Square Deals
11 November – The Triads
12 November – Marmalade and Legay
17 November – Katch 22
18 November – Willie Walker & The Scene
19 November – The Skatalites and The Open Mind
24 November – The Minor Portion Roll Band
25 November – Keith Skues and The Shock Treatment
26 November – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Living Daylights
1 December – J J Bendol & The SOS
2 December – Katch 22
3 December – Geranium Pond and Modes Mode
8 December – Hydro Bronx B Band
No listing for 9 December
10 December – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
No more listings for the year, so would welcome any additions
1968
Melody Maker didn’t appear to advertise the venue during 1968, so I’ve listed references next to the entries I have found. It looks like they were Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but the listings are not complete and I would welcome any additions
Missing lists from January-April 1968
19 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 April – Ike & Tina Turner Show (Harrow Weekly Post/New Musical Express)
26 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
27 April – The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 April – Garnet Mimms and The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post) Mimms may have cancelled
3 May – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 May – Pandemonium (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 5 May
No listing on 10 May
11 May – The Cruudas (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 May – The Honeybus (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 17 May
18 May – Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
19 May – Marmalade and Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 24 May
25 May – Jo Jo Gunne (Harrow Weekly Post)
26 May – Edwin Starr (backed by The State Express) (and with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
31 May – The New Flamingos (Harrow Weekly Post)
1 June – The Greatest Show on Earth (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 June – Duane Eddy and The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Henry Turtle says his band The Doves played with Duane Eddy at this venue. The All Night Workers definitely played too
7 June – The Midnights (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 June – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 June – The Fantastics (backed by The House of Orange) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 June – The Exits (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 June – Orange Seaweed (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 June – Whisky Mac (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
22 June – Size Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 June – The New Breed (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 June – The Group (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
30 June – The Apricots (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
5 July – The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 July – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
7 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 12 July
13 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 19 July
20 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 July – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 26, 27 and 28 July
No listing for 2 August
3 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
I don’t have any more listings for August and only odd ones for September and October so would welcome any additions
22 September – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 September – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
5 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 October – The Race (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 October – Colin Berry (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
3 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 November – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
10 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 17 November
22 November – Colin Berry and The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 24 November
I have no more listings for November and a gap in early December
11 December – The All Night Workers (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post) Says Sudbury, but the address is the same – Allendale Road
I have no more listings for December so would welcome any additions
Here’s an odd single by The Pottery Outfit, which seems to be Randy Fuller collaborating with Howard Steele on one side and Johnny Daniel on the other.
“Captain Zig-Zag” is an unabashed tribute to rolling papers: “the happy paper maker, makes the paper to make you merry, accompany you to the land of mari…” and “this paper will help you ease your mind”.
The R. Fuller – H. Steele credit suggests Randy Fuller and bassist Howard Steele. Publishing through Brave New World, but I can’t find any record of copyright registration.
The music backing is excellent, possibly featuring Mike Ciccarelli on lead guitar and DeWayne Quirico on drums.
Between the suggestive lyrics and trademark issues, it’s no surprise this was not released beyond a few white label 45s with a blank label B-side.
In 1966, Randy released his first single under his own name, “It’s Love Come What May” / “Wolfman” on Mustang Records 3020. He recorded two songs for a follow-up single on Mustang 3023, which never saw release. One of these, “Things You Do” showed up as the B-side of the 1967 UK release of “It’s Love Come What May” on President Records PT 111.
The other song from that unreleased Mustang single, “Now She’s Gone”, appears on the blank-label B-side of the Pottery Outfit. Randy Fuller and John Daniel co-wrote both “Things You Do” and “Now She’s Gone”. John Daniel’s full name appears in BMI as John Calvin Daniel.
Released on Edsel 777, the Pottery Outfit has Δ69864 in the run-out of both sides, dating it to January or February 1968 (possibly December 1967).
I’ve read that “Now She’s Gone” is on the B-side of his second single on Showtown, “1,000 Miles into Space”, but I haven’t actually seen a label with that song. I’ve only seen promo versions that have “1,000 Miles into Space” on both sides – can anyone confirm this?
A Grade II-listed building located at 152 King’s Road in Chelsea, southwest London, the Pheasantry featured a rock club that put on shows by the likes of Queen and Hawkind in the early 1970s.
In 1969, both Ambrose Slade (aka Slade) and Mott The Hoople played here but most of the bands appear to have been up and coming unknowns.
It’s not entirely clear when it started to host rock music as it’s been difficult to find any local newspapers that advertised the venue. UK music magazine Melody Maker did advertise the venue but only on a regular basis in 1970 and there are still many gaps in the listings.
Together with the Mechanical Orange (a club in a crypt in a church) and the Café Des Artistes (both in Chelsea), the nearby Overseas Visitors Club (OVC) in Earl’s Court, plus the Pontiac club in Putney, this was a popular rock music venue in the area.
Guitarist Mike Piggott has confirmed that his group, Junior’s Conquest, fronted by future Bob Marley guitarist/singer Junior Kerr (aka Junior Marvin) frequently played here sometime in late 1968 and/or early 1969.
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add some more musical history to this venue during the years 1968-1970, particularly any missing gigs and whether there are any local papers that advertised the venue.
1968
Chelsea News and General Advertiser’s 29 March edition has an article entitled ‘Pheasantry reopens with a full house’, which notes that the basement now has a disco and dance floor. The club opened on the Monday (25 March).
According to Stefan Granados’ excellent article on The Majority in Shindig magazine, The Majority played at this venue just before Pete Mizen joined in October 1968.
According to the Chelsea News and General Advertiser’s 20 December edition, Viv Prince was socialising in the club the previous week. On the same night, the band Giant was playing, managed by Alan Dale, former manager of Vamp, Prince’s old group.
16 December – My Dear Watson (Chelsea News and General Advertiser) This was apparently the Scottish band’s London debut
17 December – Toast (Melody Maker)
Westminster & Pimlico News’ 20 December edition has an article on the club and mentions the following bands playing there: Gethsemane, Clouds, The Majority and Village.
1969
There are very few listings for 1969, so I’d welcome any additions and memories.
11 June – Clouds (Time Out)
16 June – Clouds (Time Out)
21 June – Ambrose Slade (Time Out)
25 June – Clouds (Time Out)
29 June – East of Eden (Melody Maker) Interestingly, this is not in the list for 30 June below
11 October – Joe Cocker (Westminster and Pimlico News)
13 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)
15 October – Skin Alley (Time Out)
27 October – Mott The Hoople (Time Out)
24 November – Stray (Time Out)
1 December – Gracious (Time Out)
8 December – Gracious (Time Out)
15 December – Gracious (Time Out)
1970
The gigs below seem to suggest that shows took place from Monday-Saturday although the listing here is far from complete and has huge gaps.
18 February – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
19 February – Imagination (Melody Maker)
20 February – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
21 February – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
2-3 March – Jon Hendricks (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
4 March – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
5 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)
6 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
7 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)
9 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
10 March – Emperor Rosko (Melody Maker)
11 March – Legend (Melody Maker)
The programme lists If not Legend
12 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
13 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
14 March – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
The programme lists Balloons not Patrick Dane
16 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
17 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
18 March – Bronco (Melody Maker)
19 March – Imagination (Melody Maker)
20 March – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)
21 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
23 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
24 March – If (Melody Maker)
25 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
The programme lists If on 25 March and (Emperor) Rosko on 24 March so other way round
26 March – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
27 March – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
28 March – Balloons (Melody Maker)
30 March – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
31 March – Rosko International Road Show (Melody Maker)
1 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
2 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
3 April – Lloyd (Melody Maker)
4 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
6 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)
7 April – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
8 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
9 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
10 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
11 April – Legend (Melody Maker)
13 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
14 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
15 April – Demon Fuzz (Melody Maker)
16 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
17 April – Legend (Melody Maker)
18 April – Trader Horne (Melody Maker)
20 April – Earthquakes (Melody Maker)
21 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
22 April – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
23 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
24 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
25 April – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
27 April – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
28 April – Anqeleque (Melody Maker)
29 April – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
30 April – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 May – Train (Melody Maker)
2 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)
4 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
5 May – Custers Track (Melody Maker)
6 May – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)
7 May – Sarah Gordon’s House of Bondage (Melody Maker)
8 May – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
9 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
11 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
12 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)
13 May – Sugar (Melody Maker)
14 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
15 May – Love Children (Melody Maker)
16 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
18 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
19 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
20 May – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)
21 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
22 May – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
23 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
25 May – Locomotive (Melody Maker)
26 May – Pebbles (Melody Maker)
27 May – Westbound Lounge (Melody Maker)
28 May – Legend (Melody Maker)
29 May – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
30 May – Syrup (Melody Maker)
1 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
2 June – Crazy Mabel (Melody Maker)
3 June – Margarine (Melody Maker)
4 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)
5 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)
6 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
8 June – Calum Bryce and Poppa Ben Hook (Melody Maker)
9 June – Legend (Melody Maker)
17 June – Westland Steamboat (Melody Maker)
18 June – The Crew (Melody Maker)
19 June – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
20 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
22 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
23 June – Brotherhood (Melody Maker)
24 June – Legend (Melody Maker)
25 June – High Broom (Melody Maker)
26 June – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
27 June – Syrup (Melody Maker)
29 June – Angelique (Melody Maker)
30 June – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 July – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
2 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
3 July – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
4 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
6 July – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
7 July – Bagge (Melody Maker)
8 July – Quincy (Melody Maker)
9 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
10 July – Love Children (Melody Maker)
11 July – Pussyfoot Tram (Melody Maker)
13 July – Syrup (Melody Maker)
14 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
15 July – Eureka Stockade (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
16 July – Catapilla (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
17 July – Ritual (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
18 July – Gift (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
20 July – Charge (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
21 July – Westland Steamboat (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
22 July – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
23 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
24 July – Portrait (Melody Maker)
25 July – Crew (Melody Maker)
27 July – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
28 July – Greasy Bear (Melody Maker)
29 July – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
30 July – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
31 July – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
1 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
3 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
4 August – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
5 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
6 August – My Cake (Melody Maker)
7 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
8 August – Eureka Stockade (Melody Maker)
10 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
11 August – Custer’s Track (Melody Maker)
12 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
13 August – Crew (Melody Maker)
14 August – Blonde on Blonde (Melody Maker)
15 August – Guest group (Melody Maker)
17 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
18 August – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)
19 August – Catapilla (Melody Maker)
20 August – Heatwave (Melody Maker)
21 August – Angelique (Melody Maker)
22 August – Mirrors (Melody Maker)
24 August – Free Design (Melody Maker)
25 August – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
26 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
27 August – Portrait (Melody Maker)
28 August – Noir (Melody Maker)
29 August – Legend (Melody Maker)
31 August – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
1 September – Big Bertha (Melody Maker)
2 September – Manderin Craze (Melody Maker)
3 September – Arcadium (Melody Maker)
4 September – Ginger (Melody Maker)
5 September – Patrick Dane (& The Frontline Band) (Melody Maker)
7 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
8 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
9 September – Pure Wings (Melody Maker)
10 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
11 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)
12 September – Crew (Melody Maker)
14 September – High Broom (Melody Maker)
15 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
16 September – Quincy (Melody Maker)
17 September – Crew (Melody Maker)
18 September – Angelique (Melody Maker)
19 September – Mako (Melody Maker)
21 September – Portrait (Melody Maker)
22 September – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
23 September – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
24 September – Consortium (Melody Maker)
25 September – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
26 September – Legend (Melody Maker)
28 September – Love’s Children (Melody Maker)
29 September – Barley (Melody Maker)
30 September – Robbie Ray & The Roundabouts (Melody Maker)
1 October – Crew (Melody Maker)
2 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
3 October – Elton Chess (Melody Maker)
5 October – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)
6 October – 67 Park Lane (Melody Maker)
7 October – Custers Track (Melody Maker)
The programme has Osibisa not Custers Track
8 October – Almond Diamond (Melody Maker)
The programme lists Almond Marzipan
9 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
10 October – Growth (Melody Maker)
The programme lists Merlin not Growth
12 October – John McFlair Band (Melody Maker)
13 October – Justin Tyme (Melody Maker)
14 October – Heatwave (Melody Maker/Martin H Samuel’s programme)
15 October – Legend (Melody Maker)
16 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
17 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
19 October – Portrait (Melody Maker)
20 October – Spencer Mac (Melody Maker)
21 October – Magic Roundabout (Melody Maker)
22 October – Free Ferry (Melody Maker)
23 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
24 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
26 October – Satisfaction (Melody Maker)
27 October – Patrick Dane & The Frontline Band (Melody Maker)
28 October – Crazy Paving (Melody Maker)
29 October – Love Children (Melody Maker)
30 October – Orange Air (Melody Maker)
31 October – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
I don’t have any listings for November and December but I am pretty sure it was operating during these months as the club continued in 1971 and beyond.
1971
10 February – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
10 March – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
29 April – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
11 August – The Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clipping)
18 August – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s programme)
Located at 266a Fulham Road, in southwest London, the Café des Artistes apparently opened its doors around 1960.
Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Brian Jones briefly lived close by in an apartment in Edith Grove, Chelsea during 1962 but it’s not clear when this small basement club first began putting on live music.
It’s more than likely that the Café des Artistes only featured up and coming local bands.
Also, its close proximity to the Pontiac Club in Putney means it might also have featured some of the same groups.
The dearth of information on this little known club isn’t helped by the fact that none of the local newspapers, as far as I am aware, advertised shows. I would welcome any further information from readers.
Status Quo front man Francis Rossi confirms in his book that The Spectres (who morphed into Status Quo) had a Monday night residency here while they were still at school and also played the El Partido in Lewisham. I’ve found gigs for them performing at the latter in October 1965, so it could well be the same time period.
Sax player Dave Brogden who worked with West London R&B band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen, provided the following dates from his diary. Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan was briefly a member during this period and also drummer Mick Tucker, who went on to join The Sweet, also worked with this band while Brogden played sax for them.
1964
24 March – The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)
28 March – Millie & The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)
1965
9 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals
16 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals
23 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals, who left after a gig on 26 April
30 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
7 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) Mick Tucker joined on drums around this time
28 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
4 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
11 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
18 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
25 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
3 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
9 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
6 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
10 August – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Jim St Pier’s diary)
13 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
24 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
I have been unable to find any gigs for 1966, 1967 and 1968 but I presume it still put on live shows. I have only found a couple of gigs for 1969 below and would welcome any additional information
An article in the Westminster & Pimlico News, dated 25 August 1967, says the group Jon are residents at the club around this time
1968
27 June – Toast (Melody Maker)
3 July – Toast (Melody Maker)
11 July – Toast (Melody Maker)
31 October – Toast (Melody Maker)
1969
6 February – Toast (Melody Maker)
5 June – Black Velvet (Time Out)
An article in the Western Daily Press and Times and Mirror, dated 26 June 1969, says Bath group, The Mirror are residents at the club around this time
The Four of Us came from Queens, NY, though I’m not sure which neighborhood.
“I Don’t Need No One” is good tough garage with sax, written by Joseph Guido, Stephen Guido, and Jose Maldonado, all probably members of the group.
“I Don’t Need No One” was reviewed as the top side in Cash Box in January, 1966: “Raunchy funky shouting tune based on an everpresent solid beat. Strong guitar and hard vocal work could start this one off toward being a biggie.”
The flip is the more pop “Iga Diga Doo”, technically the A-side, written by Harold Onderdonk, George Bonetti, Tom Cox, and Jim Carrick. Merrimac Music Corp. published both sides. This team also wrote “Stomp ‘Em Out” for the Exterminators on Chancellor CHC 1148, the flip to “The Beetle Bomb”, but were not credited on the label. Ding Dong Music Corp published “Stomp ‘Em Out”, registering copyright in April, 1964 (March, 1964 for “The Beetle Bomb”).
The Four of Us was released on Brunswick 55288. Producer Harry Goodman was Benny Goodman’s brother.
I would appreciate more info or photos of the group.
Joey Guido and Jose Maldonado (as Jose Mala) formed the Koala with Anthony Wesley, Joe Alexander and Louis Caine, releasing an album & single on Capitol in 1969 featuring all original songs by Guido and Maldonado. In 1974, Jose Mala replaced Eric Emerson in the Magic Tramps.
The Top Hat in Littlehampton, West Sussex was a popular live venue during the early-to-mid 1960s. The venue wasn’t advertised regularly in the local press so I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any further details of groups that performed there.
According to the Littlehampton Gazette, the Top Hat featured bands every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday throughout 1964 but rarely advertised the names of the artists.
The following are the only gigs I’ve been able to find:
25 March 1964 – The Beat Merchants (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
26 March 1964 – Dave Storm, Jeff Spence & The Tremors (Thursday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
28 March 1964 – The Beat Merchants and The Tremors (Saturday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
30 March 1964 – The Sabres (Bank Holiday Monday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
14 May 1964 – Beat Merchants (Thursday) (Littlehampton Gazette) Advert says St Mary’s Youth Club
24 December 1964 – Dave Storme & The Tremors and Gary Grant & The G-Men (Thursday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
26 December 1964 – The Beat Merchants and Gary Grant & The G-Men (Saturday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
27 December 1964 – The Dave West Show (Sunday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
28 December 1964 – The Dave West Show and The Fleur De Lys (Monday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
31 December 1964 – Dave Storme & The Tremors and Force Four (Thursday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
The same applied for 1965. The Littlehampton Gazette started to advertise acts on 4 June 1965.
4 June 1965 – The Deltas (Friday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
5 June 1965 – Chapter Four and Sons of Man (Saturday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
7 June 1965 – The Giants (Monday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
Judging by the dates below, it looks like Wednesdays were given up to national acts
23 June 1965 – The Applejacks (Wednesday) (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Gazette)
7 July 1965 – The Mojos (Wednesday) (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Gazette)
14 July 1965 – The Four Pennies (Wednesday) (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Gazette)
21 July 1965 – The Ivy League (Wednesday) (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Gazette) Van Morrison’s band Them replaced The Ivy League
28 July 1965 – The Measles (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
4 August 1965 – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Wednesday) (Beat Instrumental/Littlehampton Gazette)
11 August 1965 – The In Crowd (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
18 August 1965 – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four (Wednesday) (Beat Instrumental/Littlehampton Gazette)
25 August 1965 – The Fourmost (Wednesday) (Beat Instrumental/Littlehampton Gazette)
1 September 1965 – The Nashville Teens (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
8 September 1965 – Billie Davis & Platform 6 with The Beat Merchants (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
15 September 1965 – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
22 September 1965 – The Merseybeats (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
29 September 1965 – Goldie & The Gingerbreads (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
6 October 1965 – The Applejacks (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
13 October 1965 – Mike Berry (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
15 October 1965 – The Deltas (Friday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
16 October 1965 – The Just Five (Saturday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
20 October 1965 – Silkie (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
27 October 1965 – The Cherokees (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
3 November 1965 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
5 November 1965 – The Force Four (Friday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
6 November 1965 – The Just Five and Chapter Four (Saturday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
There’s a gap until the following dates
24 December 1965 – Danny Boyd & The Profile and The Force Four (Friday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
26 December 1965 – Danny Boyd & The Profile and Dave & The Diamonds (Sunday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
29 December 1965 – The Profile (Wednesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
31 December 1965 – The Deltas and The Defiants (Friday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
5 January 1966 – The Profile (Wednesday) (Worthing Gazette)
7 January 1966 – The Noblemen (Friday) (Worthing Gazette) Says just back from Italy
8 January 1966 – Dave & The Diamonds and The Defiants (Saturday) (Worthing Gazette)
The Littlehampton Gazette advertises that bands played every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday throughout the rest of 1966 but does not name the artists until the very end of the year. This is all there was:
23 December 1966 – The Four Inches (Friday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
24 December 1966 – The Omega Plus and 4 Bidden (Saturday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
26 December 1966 – The St Louis Checks and The Inspiration (Monday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
27 December 1966 – The Laymen (Tuesday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
30 December 1966 – The Fleur De Lys (Friday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
31 December 1966 – The Omega Plus and The Total (Saturday) (Littlehampton Gazette)
A little known club in southeast London, the Starlite Club re-opened on Saturday, 14 March 1964 with a performance by headline act Linda Doll & The City Sounds, supported by Twickenham R&B band Colin Shane & The Shannons.
There were also shows on the Sunday, with The Soundsmen, and Monday, with Brian Knight Blues By Six.
It is not clear how long the venue was open. I have listed below what I have found so far:
14 March 1964 – Linda Doll & The City Sounds and Colin Shane & The Shannons (Clapham Advertiser)
15 March 1964 – The Soundsmen (Clapham Advertiser)
16 March 1964 – Brian Knight’s Blues by Six (Clapham Advertiser)
20 March 1964 – Satel (Clapham Advertiser)
21 March 1964 – The Moontrekkers (Clapham Advertiser)
22 March 1964 – The Soundsmen (Clapham Advertiser)
23 March 1964 – The West-Minster 5 (Clapham Advertiser)
27 March 1964 – The Exiles (Clapham Advertiser)
28 March 1964 – The Cheaters (Clapham Advertiser)
29 March 1964 – The Stormbreakers (Clapham Advertiser)
30 March 1964 – The Pretty Things (Clapham Advertiser)
3 April 1964 – The Beat Syndicate (Clapham Advertiser)
4 April 1964 – The City Sounds (Clapham Advertiser)
5 April 1964 – Ray Dell & The Deacons (Clapham Advertiser)
6 April 1964 – The West-Minster 5 (Clapham Advertiser)
10 April 1964 – The Long Short and Tall (Clapham Advertiser)
11 April 1964 – The Adventures (Clapham Advertiser)
12 April 1964 – Roy Speed & The Trackmen (Clapham Advertiser)
17 April 1964 – Little Linda & The Panthers (Clapham Advertiser)
18 April 1964 – The Beat Syndicate (Clapham Advertiser)
19 April 1964 – The Soundsmen (Clapham Advertiser)
I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any more information about this venue.
The Venetian Blinds released a great double-sided record in August, 1967, “Just Knowin’ You Love Me” and “Quit Your Belly Achin’ Baby”.
The band came from Atlanta, Georgia.
Members were Ric Jansen, Steve Abstance, Lance Adams, Mike Nolen, and Bill Allen.
On November 11, 1967, the Atlanta Constitution ran a short profile of the band headlined “‘Venetian Blinds’ Are Rolled Out”, written by Charlie Burks.
DJ Don Rose came up with the band’s name on his WQXI show when he said “The Doors, The Electric Prunes, The Strawberry Alarm Clock … Next it’ll be The Chairs or The Tables or The Venetian Blinds.”
The article mentions a second recording, “Bad News Girl” / “What’s His Face” and says “it has psychedelic overtones and should hit the charts.” I wonder if these songs exist on acetate or tape.
The Grudge Records label has an address of 470 Springwood in San Antonio, Texas. I don’t know why the group had their single released with an obscure Texas label. The article has no mention of Texas. That San Antonio address led to some confusion. Doug Hanners and Dave Shutt listed the band in the 2nd edition of Journey to Tyme, and the Eva label included “Quit Your Belly Achin’ Baby” on Texas Punk From The Sixties (vol. 2), released in 1985.
Ric Jansen wrote both songs, with arrangement help by Mike Nolen on “Just Knowin’ You Love Me”. Neither name shows up on other records in either Atlanta or San Antonio, to my knowledge, nor have I found another release with “A Ric Jansen Production” credit.
The publisher, Margie Music was associated with Atlanta Sound Recording Studios and the Gaye label, like the Mondels, Red Beard & the Pirates, etc. Furthermore, though this may have been a Rite account, the deadwax includes NRC for the National Recording Corporation, an Atlanta pressing plant.
The article mentions the Venetian Blinds appeared on a local TV show, and that Merv Griffin showed interest in featuring the band on his show.
The Lorey’s (or Lorries) came from Sparta, Ohio, a small town northeast of Columbus.
Original members included:
Ted Fuller – vocals John Boston – lead guitar Murv Mast – rhythm guitar Ernie Duncan – keyboards Larry Roades – bass (replaced by Bob Steinbrink) John Hinkle – drums
The group competed at the Northland Shopping Center 3rd Annual Battle of the Bands in 1967, and though they did not place in the competition, their song “Don’t You Dare” appears on the album.
The lineup changed often, eventually replacing every member but the rhythm section of Steinbrink and Hinkle:
Steve Baker – vocals Aaron Kerns – lead guitar Herb Sample – rhythm guitar Ed Hartman – keyboards Bob Steinbrink – bass John Hinkle – drums
Steve Baker wrote two original songs, “Goin’ Downtown” / “Ready to Go” which found release on Cathay Records. Both songs were registered for copyright in February, 1969.
Cathay was named after Kathay Whitney, who was president and manager of Monte Verde Publishing. Billboard listed Monte Verde with a South Charleston, West Virginia address in 1969, then a Watsonville, CA address in 1970 and ’71.
The Loreys release on Cathay has an address of Rimrock Records in Concord, Arkansas, but most others on the label list Nashville and at least one notes Flint, Michigan. It was primarily a country label.
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials