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.
The Fabulous Chevelles cut this one record in the spring of 1965. The singer on “I Want a Girl for My Birthday” asks for a girl who “is on the ball” and “on the square”; he’s even willing to let his mother choose the girl for him.
On the flip, “She Loves Me”, he pleads that his girl is faithful, despite reports to the contrary.
Copyright registration from April, 1965 shows James Frederick Brumfiel and Ed Breeden wrote both songs.
I can find both Jim Brumfiel and Ed Breeden listed in the National Road Traveler newspaper of Cambridge City, Indiana, but no mention of the Fabulous Chevelles. Cambridge City is 15 miles west of Richmond, Indiana, and an hour’s drive east of Indianapolis.
It looks like the band released the single on their own Flip Records 45-100 with a terrific cartoon logo.
Edwood Music published the songs, and Edwood Publishing still exists in Cincinnati. BMI’s database lists “I Want a Girl for My Birthday” as by Deacon Brumfield, but I believe that is a mistake, as Deacon was a bluegrass Dobro guitar player and certainly older than the teens who made this record.
I’m not familiar with Parker Records, Dist. of Richmond, Indiana.
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
Photo: Beckenham & Penge Advertiser
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)
Photo: Coulson & 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)
Photo: 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)
Photo: Beckenham & Penge 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)
Photo: Beckenham & Penge 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)
Photo: Beckenham & Penge 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)
Photo: Beckenham & Penge 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)
Photo: Beckenham & Penge 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)
Photo: 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)
Photo: 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)
Photo: Beckenham & Penge Advertiser
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
Photo: Beckenham & Penge Advertiser
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)
Photo: South East London Mercury
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
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)
Photo: 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)
Thanks to 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)
Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
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
Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
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
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
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
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
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)
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
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)
Cash Box March 5, 1965I 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?
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.
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)
Photo: Melody Maker
13 August 1966 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)
10 September 1966 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)
Photo: 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)
Photo: 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
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.
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
