The Mistrale club, Beckenham

April 5, 2020 Nick Warburton 7 Comments

A popular rock venue in Southeast London, the Mistrale club began life as the Beckenham Ballroom. Located at 2-4 high street at Beckenham Junction, the Mistrale opened its doors in April 1968 with Manfred Mann performing on the first night, supported by The Grenades, a Caribbean group.

The club continued to operate into the Seventies and below is the start of a list of artists that appeared during the late 1960s. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add missing artists, no matter how significant, as well as memories of particular shows.

1968

17 April – Manfred Mann and The Grenades (Poster)

18 April – Reparta & The Delrons with Don Moss (Melody Maker)

19 April – Dantalion’s Chariot starring Zoot Money and The Mr Mo’s Messengers (Melody Maker)

20 April – The Pyramids (Melody Maker)

24 April – Alan Price Set (Melody Maker) and The Grenades (Poster)

26 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

27 April – The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

28 April – The Ethiopians (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

1 May – Ike & Tina Turner Show and The Grenades (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

3 May – Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and The Evolution (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

4 May – Mr Hip Soul Band (Poster/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

8 May – Marmalade and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Poster/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

9 May – Shiralee (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

10 May – Terry Lightfoot Jazzmen (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

11 May – The Pyramids and The Go Go Show (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

12 May – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

15 May – Mr Hip Soul Band (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

16 May – The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

17 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Purple Dream (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser/New Musical Express)

One poster lists Cliff Bennett & His Band instead of Chris Farlowe

18 May – Alan Elsdon Jazz Band (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

19 May – Bob Miller & The Millermen (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

20 May – Bill Haley & His Comets and The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

22 May – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

23 May – The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

24 May – James and Bobby Purify and The Grenades (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

25 May – The Mojos and Sweet Rain (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

26 May – Kenny Ball Jazz Band (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

29 May – Dave Turner Four (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

30 May – Edwin Starr and The Evolution (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

31 May – Chicken Shack and The Grenades (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

1 June – Rock ‘N’ Roll Revival Show (featuring Tommy Bishop) and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

2 June – The Pyramids (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

5 June – Jethro Tull and The Epics (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

6 June – The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

7 June – The Coloured Raisins and The Light Brigade (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

8 June – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers and The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

9 June – Honeybus and The Pussyfoot (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

12 June – Donamite and The Duce’s (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

13 June – The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

14 June – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation and The Light Brigade (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

15 June – Oscar Toney Junior and The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

16 June – The Pyramids (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

19 June – Donamite (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

20 June – The Firestones (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

21 June – Spencer’s Washboard King and The Greatest Show on Earth (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

22 June – The Lamb Brothers Show and The Shiralee (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

23 June – Noel & The Firebirds (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

27 June – The Shiralee (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

28 June – The Gass with George Paul Jefferson (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

29 June – The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band with The Evolution (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

30 June – The Freddy Mack Show (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

4 July – Cliff Bennett and Mr Mo’s Messengers (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

5 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and Maddening Crowd (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

6 July – The Episode, The Firestones and The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

7 July – The Skatallites (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

10 July – The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

11 July – The Shiralee (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

12 July – The Evolution (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

13 July – Root & Jenny Jackson with Electric Sun (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

14 July – The Pyramids (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

17 July – The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

18 July – Mr Mo’s Messengers (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

19 July – Patti La Belle & The Bluebells and Purple Dream (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

20 July – Tim Rose, Point Blank and The Duces (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

21 July – July and The Skatellites (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

30 August 1968 – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

New Musical Express lists Ben E King for 30 August.

5 September – Ben E King (New Musical Express)

19 September – Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (New Musical Express)

25 September – Black Sabbath (Poster)

4 October – Felice Taylor (backed by The Reaction) (New Musical Express) and Serendipity (Poster)

5 October – Grand Union and The Maddening Crowd (Poster)

6 October – The Sundae Times (Poster)

11 October – PP Arnold and The Evolution (Poster)

12 October – Julian Kirsch and Sweet Rain (Poster)

13 October – The Interstate Road Show (Poster)

18 October – Tyrannosaurus Rex, The Pretty Things and Julian Kirsch (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)

19 October – Herbie & The Royalists and The Evolution (Poster)

20 October – The Skatellites (Poster)

25 October – Amboy Dukes and Kaleidoscope (Poster)

26 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers and Sweet Rain (Poster)

27 October – The Pyramids (Poster)

I have no listings until end of November

29 November – Kaleidoscope and The Mojos (Poster)

6 December – The Herd and Electric Sun (South East London Mercury)

20 December – The Isley Brothers backed by Art Regis (ex-Jimmy James & The Vagabonds?) and The Brass Cannon (New Musical Express) The Isley Brothers UK tour was cancelled last minute

24 December – Johnny & The Rivals (South East London Mercury)

27 December – The Maddening Crowd (South East London Mercury)

28 December – Electric Sun (South East London Mercury)

29 December – Gun Hill (South East London Mercury)

31 December – Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and Information (South East London Mercury)

1969

I have significant gaps in this year and would welcome additions

10 January – The Greatest Show on Earth and The Pyramids (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

15 January – Alan Elsdon (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

16 January – The Count Lee Sound (South East London Mercury)

18 January – Evolution (South East London Mercury)

22 January – Bob Wallis & The Storyville Jazzmen (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

9 February – Moby Grape (South East London Mercury)

7 March – Ben E King and The Classics (Melody Maker)

26 March – Kaleidoscope (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

4 April – Desmond Dekker & The Aces and The Evolution (Melody Maker)

30 May – Nice (Melody Maker)

25 June – Ohio Express (Melody Maker)

18 July – Idle Race (Time Out)

6 September – Justin Tyme (South East London Mercury)

20 September – Listen (South East London Mercury)

1970

This is just a start for 1970 but welcome additions

2 March – Genesis (Melody Maker)

Categories: England, Surrey

Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey

April 4, 2020 Nick Warburton 5 Comments

The Artwoods and John’s Children, December 1966. Photo: Caterham Weekly Post

Originally called the Chuck Wagon and located in a corrugated iron hut at 22a Bridge Street in Leatherhead, Surrey, this notable music venue was renamed the Bluesette Club around March 1966. John’s Children, the group that once included Marc Bolan, owned the club at one point and performed regularly, initially under the name The Silence.

I’ve started to compile a list of gigs, which are taken from the Caterham Weekly Press unless otherwise noted. There are significant gaps in the listings, so I’d welcome any additions, corrections and memories, including when the venue operated as the Chuck Wagon. Judging by the listings below, shows took place on Fridays and Sundays unless otherwise noted.

1966

25 February 1966 – Tony Jackson & The Vibrations (Boyfriend magazine)

1 April 1966 – Too Many Kooks (Poster from John Treais)

3 April 1966 – Sons of Fred (Poster from John Treais)

8 April 1966 – Paddy, Klaus & Gibson (Poster from John Treais)

10 April 1966 – The Ends (aka The End) (Poster from John Treais)

15 April 1966 – The A-Jaes (Poster from John Treais)

17 April 1966 – The (Five) Proud Walkers (Poster from John Treais)

22 April 1966 – Eddie’s Crowd (Poster from John Treais)

24 April 1966 – The Paramounts (Poster from John Treais)

29 April 1966 – The Silence (Poster from John Treais)

Bookings for May included The Herd, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Gary Farr & The T-Bones and The Fenmen (see above)

29 May 1966 – Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Poster from John Treais)

3 June 1966 – The Silence (Poster from John Treais)

5 June 1966 – The Herd (Poster from John Treais)

10 June 1966 – The Five Proud Walkers (Contract from Colin Forster)

12 June 1966 – The Rockhouse Band (Poster from John Treais)

17 June 1966 – Paddy, Klaus & Gibson (Poster from John Treais)

19 June 1966 – Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Poster from John Treais)

24 June 1966 – Eddie’s Crowd (Poster from John Treais)

26 June 1966 – Sons of Fred (Poster from John Treais)

3 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton

8 July – Eddie’s Crowd (formerly The Five Aces)

10 July – The Silence

15 July – The Hounds

17 July – The Fadin’ Colours

22 July – The Fadin’ Colours

24 July – The Silence (just back from Nice, France)

29 July – The Worrying Kind

31 July – The Tea-Set

There is no listing for 5 and 7 August

12 August – Heinz & The Wildboys

14 August – The Five Proud Walkers (also confirmed by the Crawley Advertiser)

There is no listing for 19 August and after this but at some point around this time, the club closed and only re-opened in November

20 November – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (paper says club has reopened)

No listing for 25 November

27 November – John’s Children (ex-The Silence)

2 December – The Mojos

4 December – The Iveys

9 December – The Tea-Set

11 December – The Fading Colours

16 December – The Fourmost

19 December – The Bunch

23 December – The Artwoods

24 December – John’s Children (switch from Sunday to Saturday)

30 December – Fading Colours

1967

1 January – Graham Bond Organisation (back to Sundays)

6 January – The Iveys

8 January – Winston’s Fumbs

13 January – Mike Stuart Span

15 January – The Bunch

20 January – The Fading Colours

22 January – The Fleur De Lys

27 January – The Creation

29 January – John’s Children

3 February – Richard Henry & The Timebox

5 February – The Bunch

10 February – The Iveys

12 February – The Fenmen

17 February – Winston’s Fumbs

19 February – Savoy Brown

24 February – Cat Stevens

26 February – Tony Rivers & The Castaways

3 March – The (Five) Proud Walkers

5 March – Derek Savage Foundation

10 March – John’s Children with The A-Jaes

12 March – Graham Bond Organisation

17 March – Worrying Kind

19 March – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

24 March – One In A Million

26 March – Mike Stuart Span

31 March – Heart and Souls

2 April – Tony Rivers & The Castaways

7 April – Rosco Brown Combo

9 April – The Night People (aka The Nite People)

14 April – The Tribe

16 April – The Fleur De Lys

21 April – Derek Savage Foundation

23 April – Ray King Soul Band

26 April – John’s Children (Wednesday)

28 April – The Click

30 April – The Bunch

3 May – John’s Children (Wednesday)

No more listings in the paper but the club continued as gigs below confirm

18 June – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)

10 September – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)

17 December – The Iveys and John’s Children (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)

Categories: 20th Century Fox, Hollywood, Los Angeles, Verve

Jim Weatherly “I’m Gonna Make It”

April 3, 2020 Chris Bishop 2 Comments

Jim Weatherly Cash Box March 5, 1965 — Cash Box March 5, 1965

I have to thank Lee Bryant for tipping me on to Jim Weatherly’s stomping single, “I’m Gonna Make It” on 20th Century Fox 565.

J.D. Lobue and Leland Russell wrote “I’m Gonna Make It”. Jim Weatherly wrote the B-side, the Elvis-sounding “Wise Men Never Speak”, which he copyrighted in April, 1964.

Lobue and Russell had a band with Jim since their days at the University of Mississippi, where Jim Weatherly was a star quarterback. After college they moved to Los Angeles to try to succeed in the music business.

On March 5, 1965, Cash Box announced “The grid star kicks off his disk career with a driving rocker”. It would be three years before any further releases, or any press would mention Jim Weatherly or his group, who would eventually be named the Gordion Knot.

In February, 1968, Cash Box reported the Gordian Knot had signed to Verve for four singles and an album. A short article in Record World in April listed the Gordian Knot’s members as: Pat Kincade, guitar; J.D. Lobue, organ; Leland Russell, bass; Dulin Lancaster, drums; and Jim Weatherly, piano. I am not sure if Pat Kincade and Dulin Lancaster also played on the 20th Century Fox single, but the article notes notes the band “have been working together for five years” and that John Babcock was their manager.

There were a number of songs copyrighted that do not seem to have been recorded and/or released:

Weatherly and Pat Kincade published “Just Another Day” in March, 1964.

In June of 1966, Jim Weatherly registered eight songs with a solo writing credit, none of which were on the Gordion Knot album, Tones: “I Can’t Be Hurt Any More”, “Mama, Your Daddy’s Come Home”, “The Morning After Rain”, “She Belongs to Yesterday”, “Sorrow’s Child”, “Turn Him Away”, “Waiting For the Day”, and “You Were Never Mine”, all published by Vivace Music.

The only song registered in June of 1966 that would show up on the Gordian Knot LP was “It’s Gonna Take a Lot” by Weatherly and Pat Kincade.

The Gordian Knot pursued a lighter pop direction on their two singles and album; “The Year of the Sun” (written by Leon Russell) is a good example of their sound. The flip, Jim Weatherly’s “If Only I Could Fly” is one of their more rocking songs.

In retrospect, “I’m Gonna Make It” is a very good single, and it’s surprising how little known it is. The single also seems to be rare now. I wonder if there are other recordings from the early days of the band that would show their development or directions they didn’t pursue.

Jim Weatherly of course would go on to have a long career as a hit songwriter and performer, but that is covered in depth elsewhere.

This is not the same Jim Weatherly who recorded with the Mozark Music Makers on the Mozark label of Springfield, Missouri.

Anyone have a photo of the group before they became the Gordion Knot?

Gordian Knot Record World April 20, 1968 — Record World April 20, 1968

Categories: Kel, Oshkosh, Wisconsin

The Nomads on Kelly DiCianni’s Kel label

April 2, 2020 Chris Bishop 4 Comments

Nomads article Oshkosh Daily Northwestern Mar 25 1966 — Oshkosh Daily Northwestern, March 25, 1966

The Nomads came from Oshkosh, Wisconsin and cut only this one single, “You Come Around” / “Don’t Come Runnin to Me”.

This is the first release on Kelly DiCianni’s Kel label.

Released as Kel No. 1000, with “A Kelas Production” on the label. Kelly and Sally DiCianni wrote both songs.

An article in the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern from March 25, 1966 gives the background for the single:

“Don’t Come Running to Me” and “You Come Around” are the two songs written by Kelly and Sally DiCianni. Kelly supplies the music and his wife, the lyrics.
The 45 rpm single is the first production under the “Kel” label. It was recorded in Oshkosh following three weeks of rehearsal.
The Nomads are four Oshkosh men who have been performing for 3 1/2 years. Three are in college and one is now in the Marines. They have appeared throughout Wisconsin and in Illinois.
Members of the aggregation and their musical assignments included: Michael Yanke, piano; Larry Wolff, drums and vocal; and Jack and Joseph Litjens, the first of whom plays lead guitar while the second plays the bass.
Kelly DiCianni is well-known as a piano instructor in the Neenah-Menasha area.

In his essential reference, Do You Hear That Beat, Gary E. Myers states that Jack Litjens and Joe Litjens were indentical twins from Holland.

Gary also notes that Larry Wolfe would join the Friends, a long-lasting group who released “Jane” / “Can’t Make It Without You” on Night Owl in 1970. I’m not sure if Larry Wolfe was in the Friends at the time of that single.

Kel would release three singles by the Sunstone Lollypop, who included Kelly DiCianni’s two sons, Keith DiCianni and David DiCianni, plus drummer Steve Marks. The Sunstone Lollypop is a group I’d really like to interview for this site.

Categories: England, Hampton, London

The Crawdaddy, Casino Ballroom Hotel, Taggs Island, Hampton Court

April 1, 2020 Nick Warburton 9 Comments

This little known music venue, situated on the Middlesex bank of the River Thames, a few miles west of Hampton Court Palace, put on some fascinating shows from the early to late 1960s. Judging by the few gigs I’ve managed to find below, the club operated from at least early 1965 to mid-1968, possibly longer. The hotel was demolished in 1971.

Alan Wherry, who played with The Richard Henry Sensation (later Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band) remembers that his group started out playing this venue in the summer of 1966, and continued on and off until October. The band’s guitarist David O’List then left and soon after formed The Attack.

Wherry describes the Crawdaddy’s Casino Ballroom Hotel as a fabulous place: “It had been built by Fred Karno, a famous West End impresario. It looked like a Mississippi riverboat and it bankrupted Mr Karno. The guy who booked us there paid us poorly. His bouncers, a team of seriously hard men, got double what we got and it was his idea to call us the Zig Zag Band. He wanted us to wear white suits with a big black zig zag on them, which he would supply. He wanted us to swing our saxes and do fancy dance steps a la Hank Marvin and The Shadows.”

The most notable acts that I’ve found who played the venue were Chris Farlowe, The Shotgun Express (with Rod Stewart, Mick Fleetwood and Peter Bardens; Peter Green had left before their September 1966 gig) and Pink Floyd.

Melody Maker occasionally listed groups in its gig section but I would love to hear from anyone who can add shows and memories of the venue below.

GIG LISTING:

12 February 1965 – Mike Dee & The Prophets with Roger and Caroline (annual press ball) (Don Martin’s gig diary)

30 July 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)

13 August 1966 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)

10 September 1966 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)

24 September 1966 – The Shotgun Express (Melody Maker)

25 September 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)

16 October 1966 – Richard Henry & The Zig Zag Band (Melody Maker)

26 March 1967 – The New Jump Band (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

7 April 1967 – The Maroons (Melody Maker)

8 April 1967 – The System Soul Band with Ivan St Clair (Melody Maker)

9 April 1967 – The Flies (Melody Maker)

15 April 1967 – The Leaders featuring Norma Fay and introducing Delroy Williams (Melody Maker)

System Soul Band featuring Mike Piggott on lead guitar (right). Photo: Mike Piggott

16 April 1967 – The System Soul Band with Ivan St Clair (Melody Maker)

2 December 1967 – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Melody Maker)

9 December 1967 – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

16 December 1967 – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)

16 March 1968 – Pink Floyd (Melody Maker)

Interesting guitarist David Gilmour later bought the Astoria on Taggs Island and converted it into a floating studio

Categories: Unknown

Bonnie Lynd “Left with a Broken Heart” on Sheridan Records

March 31, 2020 Chris Bishop 5 Comments

Bonnie Lynd is a true mystery artist, as I haven’t found any clues as to who she was, or where this record came from.

“Left with a Broken Heart” has Bonnie’s pleading vocal over a garage band backing featuring organ and background vocals.

The flip “Since He Went Away” is a slow ballad. Bonnie Lynd and Jane Athens wrote both songs, published by Bon-Jo Music, but I cannot find copyright registrations for either.

Released on Sheridan Records S-201 in July 1966. There’s a simple C-105/106 code in the dead wax and on the labels, and the vinyl pressing is of mediocre quality.

A contributor to 45cat noted that copyright registrations from 1971 state that Bonnie Lynd is a pseudonym for Bonnie Polsky, but we don’t know if this is the same Bonnie Lynd.

Categories: England, London

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1969-1970 gigs

March 31, 2020 Nick Warburton 2 Comments

August 1969 listing. Photo: Melody Maker

Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.

It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.

Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968, parts of 1969 and also 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.

It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in the music press so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any memories of particular shows in the comments below.

Source: Melody Maker unless otherwise noted

1969

2 January – The Explosive Watson T Browne

4 January – Spirit of John Morgan

5 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers

7 January – Jo Jo Gunne

No listing in Melody Maker for several weeks

23 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker also has The Skatalites)

25 January – Arcadium

26 January – Jason Crest

28 January – Toast

30 January – Explosive Watson T Browne

1 February – Bunkers Brain

2 February – Trifle

4 February – Love and Poetry

6 February – The Skatalites

8 February – Rainbow Ffolly

9 February – Bunkers Brain

11 February – My Dear Watson

13 February – The Flames

15 February – Giant

16 February – Rainbow Ffolly

18 February – Toast

20 February – Red Beans and Rice

22 February – Jason Cord (Bob Hodges’ diary has Tuesday’s Children playing on this date)

23 February – Bunkers Brain

25 February – Rainbow Ffolly

27 February – Mouse and Cat Symphony

1 March – Cross Cut and Saw

2 March – Man

4 March – Bunkers Brain

6 March – Mouse & Cat Symphony

8 March – Fortes Mentum

9 March – Jason Cord

11 March – East of Eden

13 March – Red Beans and Rice

15 March – Smokey Blues

16 March – Bunkers Brain

18 March – Man

20 March – Mint Tulip

22 March – Bunkers Brain

23 March – Selofane

25 March – Mr Mo’s Messengers

27 March – Eire Apparent

29 March – Bunkers Brain

30 March – East of Eden

1 April – Joynt

3 April – The Explosive Watson T Browne

5 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers

6 April – Black Velvet

8 April – Bunkers Brain

10 April – Cool Combination

12 April – Smokey Blues

13 April – Jerome Arnold Band

15 April – Paradox

17 April – Cool Combination

19 April – Gingerman

20 April – Bunkers Brain

22 April – Silence

24 April – Cool Combination

26 April – Exception

27 April – Jerome Arnold Band

29 April – Exception

1 May – Explosive Watson T Browne

3 May – Joint

4 May – Bunkers Brain

6 May – Apple

8 May – Mouse and Cat Symphony

10 May – Gingerman

11 May – Spirit of John Morgan

13 May – Jerome Arnold Band

15 May – Milwaukee Coasters

17 May – Gracious

18 May – Bunkers Brain

20 May – East of Eden

22 May – Jerome Arnold Band

24 May – Pegasus

25 May – Trapeze

27 May – Gingerman

29 May – Bunkers Brain

31 May – Smile (Brian May’s pre-Queen band)

1 June – The Frontline Band

3 June – The Playground

5 June – The Shades

7 June – Sugar

8 June – Ambrose Slade

10 June – My Dear Watson

12 June – Mouse and Cat Symphony

14 June – Bunkers Brain

15 June – East of Eden

17 June – Ambrose Slade

19 June – Joint

21 June – Shades

22 June – East of Eden (this gig is missing from this list: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html)

23 June – Freddie Mac Extravaganza (direct from Germany)

24 June – Sugar

26 June – Robbie Ray

28 June – Joint

29 June – East of Eden

1 July – Black Velvet

3 July – Portrait

According to this website, East of Eden played on 3 July: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html

5 July – Milton’s Fingers

6 July – The Frontline Band

8 July – Procession

10 July – Surprise

12 July – Black Velvet

13 July – Spirit of John Morgan

15 July – Imagination

17 July – Demon Fuzz

19 July – Audience

20 July – Almanac

22 July – Milton’s Fingers

24 July – Demon Fuzz

26 July – Almanac

27 July – Circus

28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

29 July – Explosives (Watson T Browne’s band?)

31 July – Demon Fuzz

2 August – Imagination

3 August – East of Eden

5 August – Milton’s Fingers

7 August – Black Velvet

9 August – Fire

10 August – Procession (Unlikely they played this)

12 August – Curiosity

14 August – Black Velvet

16 August – Stray

17 August – East of Eden

19 August – Grail

21 August – Sweet Blindness

23 August – Surprise

24 August – Procession (Unlikely they played this)

25 August – Freddie Mac Extravaganza

26 August – Milton’s Fingers

28 August – Sweet Blindness

30 August – The Frontline Band

31 August – East of Eden

1 September – Surprise

Missing entries

11 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers

13 September – Milton’s Fingers

14 September – New Look Soul Band

16 September – Heaven

18 September – Group 1850

20 September – Surprise

21 September – Almanac

23 September – The Frontline Band

25 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers

27 September – Surprise

28 September – Glass Menagerie

29 September – Coloured Raisins

30 September – Splinter

2 October – Demon Fuzz

4 October – The Majority

5 October – Merlin Q

7 October – The Playground

9 October – Infinity

11 October – Ravingreen

12 October – Raw Material

14 October – The Majority

16 October – Heaven

18 October – Merlin Q

19 October – The Frontline Band

20 October – The Interstate Road Show

21 October – Almanac

23 October – Balloons

25 October – Infinity

26 October – Pink Checks

28 October – Ray King Soul Band

Missing entries for several weeks

27 November – The Interstate Road Show

29 November – Mouse & The Traps (US group)

30 November – Black Velvet

1 December – The Pioneers

Missing entries for a few weeks

17 December – The Upsetters

18 December – Ray King Soul Band

20 December – The Mickey Finn

24 December – Opal Butterfly

25 December – Mouse and The Traps

26 December – Cardboard Orchestra

27 December – Gaslight

28 December – Mouse and The Traps

31 December – Black Velvet

1970

Missing a large part of the year. These are the only listings I have

11 January – The Committee

17 January – Pity

18 January – Ray King Soul Band

19 January – The Committee

25 January – Lucas & The Soul Sounds

11 February – Tony Morgan & The Sensations

12 February – Cardboard Orchestra (every Thursday but not sure for how long)

19 February – Cardboard Orchestra

29 July – Tony Morgan (direct from German tour)

Categories: England, London

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1968 gigs

March 31, 2020 Nick Warburton 1 Comment

Freddie Mack gig, 28 July 1968. Photo: Melody Maker

Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.

Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968 and during 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.

Source: Melody Maker unless otherwise noted

1968

1 January – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

2 January – Granny’s Attic

4 January – Wilson’s Transaction

7 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer

9 January – Garnet Mimms (either backed by The Senate or Clockwork Orange)

11 January – Warren Davis Monday Band

13 January – The Castaways (probably Tony Rivers’ band)

14 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer

16 January – Garnet Mimms (either backed by The Senate or Clockwork Orange)

18 January – Watson T Browne (& The Explosion)

20 January – Love Machine

21 January – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

22 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

23 January – Locomotion

27 January – Purple Pipe Line

28 January – The Gold

30 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound with Lamb Bros & Co)

1 February – Warren Davis Monday Band

4 February – Glenroy Oakely & The Oracles

6 February – Locomotion

8 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)

11 February – Glenroy Oakley & The Oracles

13 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)

15 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)

18 February – Locomotion

20 February – The Diplomats

22 February – Margitte Bardot

23 February – The Chanters

25 February – Mr Mo’s Messengers

27 February – The Original Drifters

29 February – Watson T Browne & The Explosion

3 March – Sonnie Burke

5 March – The Original Drifters

7 March – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

10 March – The Ice Show

12 March – The Marvels

14 March – The Shiralee

16 March – Philosopher’s Stone

17 March – The Chanters

19 March – The Fabulous Impressions

Thanks to Jerry Booth for the images. He was handed these flyers when he attended the club in mid-March 1968

Thanks to Jerry Booth for this image too!

21 March – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

23 March – The Art Movement

24 March – The Gold

26 March – The Fabulous Impressions

28 March – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

31 March – Warren Davis Monday Band

2 April – The Fabulous Platters & Group (with The Trend backing?)

4 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers

6 April – The Klooks (Pete Carter’s Roy Tempest contract)

7 April – The Bunch

9 April – The Original Drifters

11 April – Glenn Oakely & The Oracles

14 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription

16 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials

18 April – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

21 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription

23 April – Garnet Mimms (most likely with The Village Green backing)

25 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials

28 April – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

30 April – The Fabulous Ronettes

2 May – The Fabulous Platters (with The Trend backing?)

5 May – Sonnie Burke

7 May – Duane Eddy

9 May – The Chanters

12 May – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

16 May – The De-Tours with Gene Latter

19 May – Sonnie Burke

21 May – The Diplomats

23 May – Warren Davis Monday Band

26 May – The Breakthru

28 May – The Crickets

30 May – The Coasters

2 June – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

3 June – Warren Davis Monday Band

4 June – The Coasters

Melody Maker stopped providing full listings for the club until December but I’ve found individual shows in New Musical Express, which suggests the club still put on shows during this period

20 June – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)

30 June – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and Keef Hartley (New Musical Express has The Crystals)

6 July – The Crystals (New Musical Express)

28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

5 August – The Crystals (New Musical Express)

11 August – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)

25 August – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

8 September – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)

25 September – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (cancelled)

6 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (postponed until 13 October)

Paul Griggs’ diary notes that The Cortinas played on 6 October so it looks like they replaced Freddie Mack.

13 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (marks the group’s third anniversary)

22 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)

24 October – Interstate Road Show

31 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)

10 November – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)

12 November – The Impressions (aka The Topics) backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

14 November – The Impressions (aka The Topics) backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

21 November – Garnet Mimms backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

24 November – J J Jackson (Melody Maker advert says Sunday, 24 December but November is correct)

28 November – Garnet Mimms backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)

3 December – The Chiffons

5 December – The Bandwagon

8 December – Interstate Road Show

12 December – The Track

14 December – South Sea Bubble

15 December – Toast

17 December – Sea Jam Blues

19 December – Bunkers Brain

21 December – Jalopy Ride

22 December – Cherry Smash

24 December – Rainbow Ffolly and The Riot Squad

26 December – The Nite Walkers (The All Night Workers?)

28 December – Spring

29 December – Octopus (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

31 December – Jay Lane

Categories: England, London

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1967 gigs

March 30, 2020 Nick Warburton Leave a comment

Whisky listing March 1967. Photo: Melody Maker

Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.

Source: Melody Maker unless otherwise noted

During 1967, New Zealand band Me & The Others featuring future Keef Hartley Band and Uriah Heep bass player Gary Thain auditioned at the club.

1967

1 January – The Soul Set

3 January – Jimmy Cliff (with The Shakedown Sound?)

10 January – The Canadians (with David Foster on keyboards)

11 January – The Soul Sisters

12 January – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers

17 January – The Bunch

19 January – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers

22 January – Warren Davis Monday Band

24 January – Cool Combination

26 January – Cool Combination

29 January – Warren Davis Monday Band

31 January – The Soul Set

5 February – Warren Davis Monday Band

7 February – Edwin Starr

12 February – Warren Davis Monday Band

14 February – The Bunch

21 February – The Night Train

23 February – The Bunch

28 February – The Bunch

2 March – Edwin Starr

5 March – Warren Davis Monday Band

9 March – Duane Eddy

12 March – Warren Davis Monday Band

14 March – The Night Train

16 March – Lee Dorsey

19 March – Warren Davis Monday Band

21 March – The Bunch

23 March – The Original Drifters

24 March – The Trap

26 March – Warren Davis Monday Band

27 March – The Flashbakks

28 March – The Bunch

30 March – The Hunky Chunk Band

4 April – The Night Train

9 April – The Soul Set

11 April – The Bunch

12 April – Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry

13 April – The Trap

16 April – The Soul Set

17 April – The Dave Martin Group (audition)

The Dave Martin Group’s manager Geoff Chinnery confirms the audition date above

18 April – The Bunch

20 April – The Flashbakks

23 April – The Soul Set

25 April – The Bunch

27 April – Warren Davis Monday Band

30 April – The Shell (Shock Show)

2 May – Lunar 2

4 May – Warren Davis Monday Band

7 May – The Shell Shock Show

9 May – Garnet Mimms (most likely backed by The Senate)

11 May – The Bunch

14 May – The Ultimate

16 May – Warren Davis Monday Band

17 May – Jack Hammer & His Hammer Jammers

18 May – The Bunch

21 May – The Ultimate

23 May – Clyde McPhatter

25 May – Warren Davis Monday Band

28 May – The Ultimate

30 May – The Iveys

31 May – Jose Feliciano

1 June – The Bunch

4 June – The Ultimate

6 June – The Trap

8 June – Edwin Starr

11 June – The Pussyfoot

13 June – Craig King & The Midnight Train

14 June – The Skatalites

15 June – The Original Drifters (most likely backed by The Trend)

18 June – The Pussyfoot

19 June – The Shell Shock Show

20 June – The Impact Blues

22 June – Sonny Smiles & The Original Sonny Smiles Band

25 June – The Pussyfoot

27 June – The Impact Blues

28 June – Sugar Simone & The Programme

29 June – The Toys

2 July – The Pussyfoot

4 July – Craig King & The Midnight Train

6 July – The Iveys

7 or 8 July – The All Night Walkers (aka The All Night Workers) (needs confirmation)

9 July – The Bunch

11 July – The Original Drifters (most likely backed by The Trend)

13 July – The Shell Shock Show

14 July – The Maroons

16 July – The Bunch

18 July – Neat Change

20 July – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback

23 July – Warren Davis Monday Band

25 July – Mr Mo’s Messengers

27 July – The Skatalites

30 July – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

1 August – The Syrian Blues

3 August – Garnett Mimms (either backed by The Senate or The Clockwork Orange)

5 August – Katch 22

6 August – Warren Davis Monday Band

8 August – Wages of Sin

10 August – The Iveys

13 August – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

14 August – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

15 August – Wages of Sin

17 August – Mr Mo’s Messengers

20 August – The Trend

22 August – The Choice

24 August – The Clockwork Orange

This version of The Clockwork Orange is either the group that became The Doves later in the year or The Sovereigns (see 1966 entry) who backed The Fantastics from August 1967 (usually billed as The House of Orange) and also did two tours with Garnet Mimms

27 August – The Choice

28 August – Warren Davis Monday Band

29 August – Wages of Sin

31 August – The Skatalites

3 September – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

5 September – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics) (backed by Clockwork Orange – see above)

7 September – Wages of Sin

10 September – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

12 September – Sean Buckley Set

14 September – Katch 22 and Wages of Sin

17 September – Warren Davis Monday Band

19 September – The Original Drifters (most likely with The Trend backing)

21 September – Reg James Explosion

24 September – John (this is Jon)

26 September – Garnet Mimms (either with The Senate or Clockwork Orange backing him)

28 September – Katch 22

1 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers

3 October – Garnet Mimms (either with The Senate or The Clockwork Orange backing him)

5 October – Cats Pyjamas

8 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers

10 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback

12 October – The Soul Sisters with The Trend

15 October – Mr Hip

17 October – Clyde McPhatter (most likely with The Trend backing)

19 October – Duane Eddy

22 October – The Quotations

23 October – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)

24 October – The Original Drifters (most likely with The Trend backing)

26 October – Clyde McPhatter (most likely with The Trend backing)

28 October – Alison’s Dump

29 October – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

31 October – The Isley Brothers

2 November – Stacey’s Circle

5 November – Scots of St James

7 November – The Shiralee

9 November – Geranium Pond

11 November – Alison’s Dump

12 November – The Doves

14 November – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics)

16 November – Nepenthe (most likely with The Trend backing)

19 November – The Unsuited Medium

21 November – Blue Rivers & His Maroons

23 November – Nepenthe (most likely with The Trend backing)

26 November – Dr Marigold’s Prescription

28 November – The Last Tic Band

30 November – James Brown Junior

3 December – Mr Hip

5 December – The Velours

7 December – Tuesday’s Children

10 December – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

12 December – The Fabulous Marvelettes (most likely with The Trend backing)

14 December – Dr Marigold’s Prescription

17 December – Eddie Lewison Combo

19 December – Mr Mo’s Messengers

21 December – The Fabulous Marvelettes (most likely with The Trend backing)

23 December – Dr Marigold’s Prescription

24 December – The Shiralee

25 December – Alison’s Dump

26 December – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)

28 December – Alison’s Dump

30 December – The Trend

31 December – Virgin’s Sleep

Categories: England, London

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1966 gigs

March 30, 2020 Nick Warburton 16 Comments

Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.

It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. This is supported by a club passport (see below), kindly provided by Harvey Jordan.

However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.

Source: Melody Maker unless otherwise noted

1966

According to the sleeve notes of RPM’s Timebox CD (and other band sources), the original Timebox, which may have been billed as Take Five at the time, landed a regular Wednesday night residency at this club when they first came to London thanks to manager Laurie Jay who worked at the George Cooper Agency. This would have been around January-March 1966.

18 January – The Key (needs source for confirmation)

17 February – Inez and Charlie Foxx with The League of Gentlemen

Melody Maker notes that Chris Lamb & The Universals play Wednesdays, which would have included 9 and 16 March

17 March – Irma Thomas (backed by The Sons of Adam)

4 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames

7 April – Don Covay

12 April – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages

14 April – Dee Dee Warwick

21 April – Lee Dorsey

24 April – The Blue Aces

This is Junior Kerr’s (aka Junior Marvin, future Wailers’ guitarist) band, who had played in Dakar from 4-16 April, according to Melody Maker advert

3 May – Lee Dorsey (Disc & Music Echo)

5 May – The Dixie Cups

9 May – Patti LaBelle & The Blue Bells (with Bluesology?)

12 May – Sugar Pie De Santo

17 May – Patti LaBelle & The Blue Bells (with Bluesology?)

19 May – The Original Drifters

26 May – Ben E King

9 June – Roy C

16 June – Stevie Wonder

20 June – Billy Stewart (with Bluesology?)

27 June – Irma Thomas

7 July – Noma Tanega (Disc & Music Echo has 5 July unless both days?)

14-15 July – The Orlons

18 July – Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry

22 July – Rufus Thomas

25 July – Solomon Burke

3 August – Solomon Burke

9 August – Jimmy Cliff (not sure who is the backing band as singer split with The New Generation, who went on to link up with Gary Hamilton as Hamilton Movement, the previous month)

16 August – Jimmy Cliff

23 August – Jimmy Cliff

25 August – The Ikettes (with PP Arnold?)

28 August – The Soul Set (says they play every Sunday)

4 September – The Soul Set

6 September – The Peeps

8 September – The Carnaby

11 September – The Soul Set

15 September – The Vibrations

18 September – The Soul Set (needs confirmation)

22 September – The Bunch

27 September – The Majority

29 September – The Gas Company

4 October – The Mad Lads

6 October – The Five Chants

10 October – The Mad Lads (Disc & Music Echo)

11 October – The Washington DCs

13 October – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers

18 October – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers

20 October – The Spellbinders

24 October – Alvin Robinson

25 October – The Bunch

31 October – Alvin Robinson

1 November – The Bunch

3 November – Lee Dorsey

8 November – The Dixie Cups

10 November – The Dave Davani Four

11 November – The Subterraneans with Nepenthe (Disc & Music Echo has 14 November)

15 November – The Original Coasters

17 November – Joe E Young & The Tonicks

20 November – The Boardwalkers (became Warren Davis Monday Band shortly afterwards)

21 November – The Washington DCs

22 November – The Peeps

24 November – The Original Coasters

28 November – The Subterraneans with Nepenthe

29 November – Malcolm Magaron & The Bluehealers

1 December – The Subterraneans with Nepenthe

5 December – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

6 December – The Mike Cotton Sound

13 December – The Bunch

15 December – The Orlons

20 December – The Iveys

22 December – The Bunch

24 December – The Sovereigns

25 December – The Flashbakks

26 December – Little People

27 December – The Images

31 December – The Sovereigns

Garage Hangover

The Mistrale club, Beckenham

Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey

Jim Weatherly “I’m Gonna Make It”

The Nomads on Kelly DiCianni’s Kel label

The Crawdaddy, Casino Ballroom Hotel, Taggs Island, Hampton Court

Bonnie Lynd “Left with a Broken Heart” on Sheridan Records

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1969-1970 gigs

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1968 gigs

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1967 gigs

Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, London 1966 gigs

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