The Amboy Dukes’ gigs 1965-1970

Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

Clockwise from centre: Dave Kislingberry (vocals, trumpet), Trevor Lock (guitar), Ken McColm (sax), Rod Lee (trumpet), Pete Howard (bass) and Mick Jerome (drums). Image may be subject to copyright

Formed in Reading, Berkshire in early 1965 as a semi-professional group with the following line up:

Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals and trumpet)

Mick Lambden (trumpet and vocals)

Trevor Lock (lead guitar)

Dave Elam (bass)

Mick Jerome (drums)

1965

16 September 1965 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Moggies (Aldershot News)

 

Soon after its formation, The Amboy Dukes settled on the following line-up, which drew on musicians from the Reading music scene with the exception of Rod Lee, who came from Leicester.

David Else says that McColm and Hall came from Platform Six.

Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals and trumpet)

Trevor Lock (lead guitar)

Art Claridge (bass)

Rod Lee (trumpet)

Ken McColm (tenor sax)

George Hall (baritone sax and flute)

Mick Jerome (drums)

The band signs with the Rik Gunnell Agency on Geno Washington’s recommendation.

 

23 October 1965 – Orchid Ballroom, Oxford with The Cameos (Oxford Mail)

 

19 November 1965 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)

27 November 1965 – Newmarket Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire with The Soundtrekkers (Cambridge News)

Image may be subject to copyright

4 December 1965 – Co-op Rainbow Suite, Birmingham with The Cellarmen (Birmingham Evening Mail)

9 December 1965 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Bystanders (Aldershot News)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 December 1965 – Hook Social Centre, Walderslade, Kent with The Plus Four (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)

Image may be subject to copyright

18 December 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

1966

1 January 1966 – Public Hall, Heacham, Norfolk with The Nightbeats and The Singing Postman (Lynn News)

2 January 1966 – Cromer Olympia, Cromer, Norfolk with Circuit 5 (North Norfolk News)

Image may be subject to copyright

29 January 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with All Things Bright (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Hastings and St Leonards Observer)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 February 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Overlanders and The Tribe (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

Photo: Richard Fisk

9 February 1966 – Marconi Club, Chelmsford, Essex (Richard Fisk recollections)

19 February 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Fortunes, The Candy Dates and The Hawks (Lincolnshire Standard)

Image may be subject to copyright

25 March 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Cherokees (Aldershot News)

 

9 April 1966 – Unknown Norfolk venue with The James Royal Set (Eastern Evening News)

15 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 April 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

23 April 1966 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall and The Poets (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)

30 April 1966 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich with The Tribe (Eastern Evening News)

 

1 May 1966 – Hive Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

21 May 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with Screaming Lord Sutch (Essex Chronicle)

 

4 June 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)

16 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

26 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

 

2 July 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Roy C, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The League of Gentlemen and The Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard)

8 July 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)

16 July 1966 – New Spot, Gosport, Hants (Portsmouth News)

23 July 1966 – Latin Quarter, Cellar Club, Leicester with Bluesology (Leicester Mercury)

24 July 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield Star)

30 July 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Objects (Melody Maker)

 

6-7 August 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

10 August 1966 – Disco Blue, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight County Press)

13 August 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)

14 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

19 August 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

21 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

27 August 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

28 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

 

3 September 1966 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

10 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

17 September 1966 – King Mojo all-nighter, Sheffield with Shotgun Express and Roll Movement (The Star)

18 September 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield Star)

18 September 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury) Possibly 19 November

23 September 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

24 September 1966 – King Mojo all-nighter, Sheffield with Vibrations and London’s Ravers (The Star) Paper reports the week after that The Vibrations did not appear

30 September 1966 – All Nighter Club, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

 

8 October 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with Plus Four (Nottingham Evening Post)

8 October 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham with The Nite People (Nottingham Evening Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

15 October 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

16 October 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

22 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)

23 October 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

27 October 1966 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

30 October 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

 

4 November 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

6 November 1966 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire with The Liberty Takers (Yorkshire Evening Post)

6 November 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield Star)

12 November 1966 – All Nighter Club, Soho, central London with Jerry Lee Lewis and Gass (Melody Maker)

17 November 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

18 November 1966 – Market Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire (Welwyn Advertiser)

19 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

20 November 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

24 November 1966 – Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with Discotick (Welwyn Advertiser)

25 November 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Little Richard and Johnny B Great & The Quotations (Dave Allen research)

26 November 1966 – Royal York Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight County Press)

 

3 December 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Five Proud Walkers (Melody Maker)

14 December 1966 – Adam and Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

16 December 1966 – White Bicycle, Maple Ballroom, Northampton (Northampton Chronicle)

22 December 1966 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 December 1966 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire with supporting group (Yorkshire Evening Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 December 1966 – Crystal Ballroom, Castleford, West Yorkshire with support (Wakefield Express/Yorkshire Evening Post)

24 December 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

24 December 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Fabulous 208)

30 December 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

31 December 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Fabulous 208)

By the end of 1966, Reading musician Pete Howard had taken over from Art Claridge. Also, George Hall had also departed during 1966, leaving the group as a six piece. The band signed to Polydor Records in late 1966.

1967

2 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

13 January 1967 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

14 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jon (Melody Maker)

15 January 1967 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London with others (Melody Maker)

19 January 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

21 January 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

22 January 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

28 January 1967 – The Riley-Smith, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire with The Mods (Tadcaster News)

29 January 1967 – Gyro Club, Troutbeck Hotel, Ilkley, West Yorkshire (Yorkshire Evening Post)

30 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

 

4 February 1967 – Saturday Club, Royal York Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Times Creation (Isle of Wight County Press)

5 February 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

10 February 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

11 February 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear with The Gas Board (website: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

12 February 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Move (The Star)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 February 1967 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

The Amboy Dukes’ debut 45 “Turn Back to Me”, which features George Hall guesting on flute, backed by “I Never Complain About You”, is released on 17 February 1967.

The two tracks are recorded at Advision Studios in New Bond Street with producer Jeff Cooper and engineer Eddie Kramer.

Not long after the debut single’s release, the band records a follow up, “All I Need” c/w “Doing the Best I Can”. The two tracks are also recorded at Advision Studios with Eddie Kramer and new producer Terry Kennedy. Keyboard player Ian Green guests on the recordings.

21 February 1967 – Bluesville, St Thomas’ Hall, Brentwood, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

23 February 1967 – Manhole, Redhill, Surrey (Crawley Advertiser)

26 February 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

During March 1967, former Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band member Buddy Beadle joins on baritone sax.

3 March 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

3 March 1967 – Crystal Ballroom, Castleford, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

4 March 1967 – College of Technology, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

5 March 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

11 March 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Fabulous 208)

12 March 1967 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)

13 March 1967 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

16 March 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

17 March 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

18 March 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)

19 March 1967 – Klue J Klub, Saracen’s Head Hotel, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

20 March 1967 – Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)

24 March 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research) Check this isn’t 25 March

25 March 1967 – Saturday Club, Royal York Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Times Creation (Isle of Wight County Press)

26 March 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)

28 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

31 March 1967 – Maberne Club, Sleaford, Lincolnshire (Fabulous 208)

 

8 April 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

9 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

12 April 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Chaos Blues Band (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call) May have been The Checkmates instead

13 April 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

14 April 1967 – Dancing Slipper, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

18 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Image may be subject to copyright

19 April 1967 – Hull College of Commerce Students’ Union, Skyline Ballroom, Hull, Humberside with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, The Locomotion and The Jamm (Hull Daily Mail)

21 April 1967 – York Assembly Rooms, York, North Yorkshire (Tadcaster News)

22 April 1967 – The Riley-Smith, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Tadcaster News)

23 April 1967 – The Coffee House, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Tadcaster News)

23 April 1967 – Klue J Klub, Sarcens Head Hotel, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle) More likely to be 24 April

25 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

28 April 1967 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

29 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

30 April 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

 

1 May 1967 – Watford Round Table, Top Rank Suite, Watford, Herts with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Harrow Observer)

4 May 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

6 May 1967 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)

6 May 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

7 May 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

Image may be subject to copyright

12 May 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Don Brewer Band (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

13 May 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

14 May 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield (The Star)

16 May 1967 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, London (Fabulous 208)

18 May 1967 – Winning Post, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

19 May 1967 – Crystal Ballroom, Castleford, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

20 May 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

21 May 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Crewe Chronicle)

26 May 1967 – May Ball, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, Gloucestershire with The Alan Price Set, Johnny Patrick and Brenda Scott, The Sky Blue Show Band and Bill Nile’s Good Time Band (Poster from Stevie Barr)

27 May 1967 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

28 May 1967 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)

31 May 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London (Fabulous 208)

 

3 June 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)

5 June 1967 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

6 June 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

9 June 1967 – Bluesville, Manor House, London (Fabulous 208)

11 June 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Poster)

12 June 1967 – Manor House Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)

16 June 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

17 June 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Amboy Dukes Band

18-20 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London (Fabulous 208)

22 June 1967 – Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield with The Drifters, Alan Bown, Ronnie Jones & The Q Set and The Pitiful (The Star)

23 June 1967 – Stoke Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser/West Surrey Advertiser)

25 June 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald) Replaced The Shevelles

27 June 1967 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, London (Fabulous 208)

29 June 1967 – Club A Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)

 

2 July 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

The Amboy Dukes’ second 45, “All I Need” is released on 4 July.

During July, the seven-piece group (with Buddy Beadle onboard) records its next single at Polydor’s studios near Oxford Street. Produced by Terry Kennedy, the tracks are two ska numbers that feature in the band’s live set. Taking part of the title from a Reading suburb where one of the band members came from, the tracks are named “Highlife in Whitley Wood Parts 1 and 2”. 

Not long after the recording, Steve Gregory tenor sax player with The Alan Price Set takes over from Ken McColm.

8 July 1967 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)

18 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 July 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

21 July 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire with Limited Company (Yorkshire Evening Post)

22 July 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

There is a great article and picture of the band in Record Mirror, 22 July 1967, page 10

23 July 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

26 July 1967 – Disco Blue, Ryde, Isle of Wight with The Stack (Isle of Wight County Press)

29 July 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with Robb Storme Group (South East London Mercury)

 

By the start of August 1967, the band comprises:

Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals)

Trevor Lock (guitar)

Pete Howard (bass)

Rod Lee (trumpet)

Steve Gregory (tenor sax and flute)

Buddy Beadle (baritone and alto sax)

Mick Jerome (drums)

Photo: Buddy Beadle. The Amboy Dukes summer 1967. Top: Mick Jerome and then Trevor Lock. Bottom, left to right: Buddy Beadle, Pete Howard, Rod Lee, Dave Kislingberry and Steve Gregory.

18 August 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby, Humberside with Roger Bloom’s Hammer (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

19 August 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)

20 August 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)

22 August 1967 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

24 August 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

26 August 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

26 August 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Peddlers and The Mynor Birds (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 August 1967 – Big Beat Cruise, Solent, South Parade Pier, Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head with Inspiration (Portsmouth News)

 

2 September 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

3 September 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Poster)

8 September 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

The Amboy Dukes’ next single, “Highlife in Whitley Wood Parts 1 and 2” is released on 9 September.

11 September 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

16 September 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 September 1967 – Flying Fox Club, RAF Cottesmore, Rutland with The Shivelles, The Wages of Sin and Pesky-Gee (Grantham Journal)

22 September 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

23 September 1967 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with The Swinging Machine (Crewe Chronicle)

24 September 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

30 September 1967 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

 

3 October 1967 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

8 October 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

14 October 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Tages, The Soul Sisters and Clockwork Orange (Lincolnshire Standard)

17 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

19 October 1967 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with Modes Mode (Surrey Advertiser)

20 October 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

21 October 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

22 October 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent with Jr Walker & The All Stars and The Wages of Sin (Melody Maker)

28 October 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire Evening Press)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 October 1967 – Foseco Sports & Social Club, Tamworth, Staffordshire (Tamworth Herald)

The band’s manager John Gunnell brings John Fred’s “Judy In Disguise” from the States for the band to record. The track is recorded in a small studio in Denmark Street with guest harmonica player Moxy. Terry Kennedy once again produces the session which also produces the flip side, “Who’s Foolin’ Who”.

The recordings also feature former Georgie Fame trumpet player Eddie Thornton.

3 November 1967 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

4 November 1967 – Royal York Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Barrow Gang (Isle of Wight County Press)

6 November 1967 – Bluesville 67 Club, St Matthew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Star)

13 November 1967 – King Mojo, City Hall Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (The Star)

23 November 1967 – Twang Discotheque, Amersham, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

24 November 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

Image may be subject to copyright

25 November 1967 – Twisted Wheel Club, Manchester with Ben E King and The Senate (Lancashire Evening Post)

26 November 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

 

2 December 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Gates of Eden (East Kent Times & Mail)

3 December 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Poster)

4 December 1967 – The Parlour, Oasis Club, North End, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

4 December 1967 – King Mojo, City Hall Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

5 December 1967 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

7 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Pride & Joy Buzz Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

8 December 1967 – Burton Constable Hall, Hull, Humberside with Ferris Wheel, Joe E Young & The Toniks, Roger Bloom’s Hammer, Gospel Garden and The Mandrakes (Scarborough Evening News)

9 December 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with Hylton’s K’s (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

The band’s cover of John Fred & The Playboy Band’s “Judy In Disguise (With Glasses)” is released on 8 December.

14 December 1967 – Constantine Students Union Astoria Ballroom, Middlesbrough with The Soul Merchants and Mr Poobah’s Chicago Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

16 December 1967 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London (Melody Maker)

17 December 1967 – The Hub, Barnsley, West Yorkshire (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News)

19 December 1967 – Clifton Hall, Rotherham, South Yorkshire with The Pitful Souls (South Yorkshire and Rotherham Advertiser)

20 December 1967 – St James’ Spectacular, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with The Richard Jackson Blues Band (Derbyshire Times)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 December 1967 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

23 December 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

26 December 1967 – Bluesville ’67 Club, St Mathew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Star)

28 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Tuesday’s Children (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

29 December 1967 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 December 1967 – Tinned Chicken, Crystal Bowl, Castleford, North Yorkshire with Travellers Express and Richard G Simpson (Yorkshire Evening Post)

30 December 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire Evening Press)

Image may be subject to copyright

31 December 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions and Archie Allen (Crewe Chronicle)

1968

During January, longstanding drummer Mick Jerome leaves. Eddie Spevok takes his place behind the kit.

The new formation records a cover of “Simon Says” backed by “The Marquis” with Donnie Elbert in the producer’s chair.

13 January 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Surrealist Adventure (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

15 January 1968 – Crawdaddy, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post) Cancelled

20 January 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

22 January 1968 – The Parlour, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

26 January 1968 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

27 January 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Floribunda Rose or The Excitement (East Kent Times)

28 January 1968 – Savoy Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire with The Human Instinct (Portsmouth News)

Image may be subject to copyright

29 January 1968 – Bluesville ’68 Club, St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)

 

2 February 1968 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

3 February 1968 – Brave New World, Eastney, Hampshire (website: http://michaelcooper.org.uk/C/birdcage.htm)

9 February 1968 – Shades, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield Star)

11 February 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham Post)

15 February 1968 – St Joseph’s Disco, Swindon, Wiltshire with Life (Swindon Advertiser)

17 February 1968 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear with Junco Partners (http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

18 February 1968 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands with Cats Pyjamas (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Image may be subject to copyright

19 February 1968 – Barnsley Civic Hall, Barnsley, West Yorkshire with Lou Prinze & The Bedrocks and Jacksons Union (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News)

20 February 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

24 February 1968 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

26 February 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

29 February 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

Image may be subject to copyright

4 March 1968 – Bluesville ’68 Club, St Matthew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)

9 March 1968 – Victoria Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (Derbyshire Times)

10 March 1968 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Poster)

15 March 1968 – Grove School, Market Drayton, Shropshire with Baron Pollett & The New Regime (Shropshire Journal)

The band’s cover of “Simon Says” is released on 15 March. Immediately afterwards Eddie Thornton leaves to join Herbie Goins & The Nightimers.

23 March 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London (Melody Maker)

24 March 1968 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent (Maidstone Gazette)

25 March 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The ‘N’ Betweens and Barmy Barry Show (Express & Star)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 March 1968 – London College of Printing, Elephant & Castle with Timebox and The Grenades (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

31 March 1968 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Jaytree Organisation (Crewe Chronicle)

 

1 April 1968 – King Mojo, City Hall Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Sheffield Star)

6 April 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

11 April 1968 – Manor Court Club, Drayton, Hampshire with Harlem Speakeasy and The Groovey Kind (Portsmouth News)

12 April 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London (Melody Maker)

13 April 1968 – Savoy, Catford, London (Melody Maker)

16 April 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

18 April 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

19 April 1968 – Catholic Hall, Thatcham, Berkshire with The 27th All Stars (Newbury Weekly News)

20 April 1968 – New Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire (Melody Maker)

22 April 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

27 April 1968 – Co-op, Chesham, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

28 April 1968 – Downbeat Club, The Swan, Maldon, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

 

1 May 1968 – Summerhill House Hotel, Kingswinford, West Midlands (Express & Star) Opening night

4 May 1968 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with Grooveyard (Morecambe Visitor)

6 May 1968 – Bluesville ’68 Club, St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)

12 May 1968 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

16 May 1968 – James Finegan Hall, Eston, Middlesbrough with The Tramline and The Chelfont Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

17 May 1968 – Billingham Synthonia Senior Club, Billingham with The Chelfont Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

25 May 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

26 May 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham Post)

 

1 June 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Candy Choir (East Kent Times & Mail)

3 June 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with The Herd, Bill Haley, Alan Bown, Edwin Starr, Fantastics, Gospel Garden, Clockwork Orange and others (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette/NME)

6 June 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Looks Kleek book)

9 June 1968 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening)

Image may be subject to copyright

11 June 1968 – The Stage Door, Oxford (Oxford Mail)

13 June 1968 – Savoy, Southsea, Hants with Skip Bifferty, The Mojos, Brother Bung, The Motion, Tangerine Slyde, Technicolour Yawn and others (Portsmouth News)

15 June 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

16 June 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, south London (Fabulous 208)

20 June 1968 – James Finegan Hall, Eston, Middlesbrough with The Chelfont Line (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

 

13 July 1968 – Seagull Ballroom, Ryde Pier Head, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Lemon Tree (Isle of Wight County Press)

During July, the band records its next single, “He Came to See Me Yesterday” c/w “Easy Going Me”. 

Image may be subject to copyright

2 August 1968 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The Epics (Berkhamsted Gazette/Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

3 August 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

6 August 1968 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

11 August 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Buddy Beadle leaves around about now to rejoin Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.

15 August 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

16 August 1968 – Ship Hotel, Weybridge, Surrey (Woking Herald)

20 August 1968 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)

23 August 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Gass and The Fusion (Bournemouth Evening Echo)

24 August 1968 – New King’s Hall, Herne Bay, Kent with Virgin Sleep (Melody Maker)

25 August 1968 – Byron, Greenford, London (Thames Valley Times)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 August 1968 – Plaza, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear with The Skyliners (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

Image may be subject to copyright

31 August 1968 – Tees Pop ’68, Recreation Ground, Eston, Teesside with Traffic, Ben E King, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Alan Bown, Family, Joe Cocker & The Grease Band, The Tramline, Rivers Invitation and Chelfont Line (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

 

2 September 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

12 September 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

14 September 1968 – Savoy, Catford, south east London (South East London Mercury)

15 September 1967 – G Ranch, Maidstone, Kent (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

16 September 1968 – Bluesville, Manor House, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)

The band’s single, “He Came to See Me Yesterday” is released on 20 September. By the time the single is issued, Steve Gregory has left to rejoin Beadle in Geno Washington’s band.

25 September 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London (Fabulous 208)

27 September 1968 – College Hall, Billingham, County Durham (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

28 September 1968 – Brookfield Hall, Ashford, Kent with Cair Paravel (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham Evening Post/Kentish Express)

29 September 1968 – Kew Boathouse, Kew, west London (Fabulous 208)

In early October, the band’s line-up comprises:

Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals)

Trevor Lock (guitar)

Pete Howard (bass)

Rod Lee (trumpet)

Eddie Spevok (drums)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 October 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Colour Supplement (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

10 October 1968 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)

10 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

12 October 1968 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Amboy Dukes Show Band

Image may be subject to copyright

13 October 1968 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)

16 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

20 October 1968 – Clifton Hall, Rotherham, South Yorkshire (South Yorkshire & Rotherham Advertiser)

21 October 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

24 October 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

27 October 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Oval, south London (Melody Maker)

 

1 November 1968 – Cobweb, Hastings, East Sussex (Fabulous 208)

2 November 1968 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent (Fabulous 208)

3 November 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham Evening Post)

4 November 1968 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Fabulous 208)

9 November 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

9 November 1968 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as Amboy Dukes Show Band

16 November 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

22 November 1968 – Astoria Club, Cardiff, Wales (Fabulous 208)

23 November 1968 – College of Education, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Lady Jayne & The Royaltee (Fabulous 208/Express & Star)

28 November 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

29 November 1968 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 November 1968 – Soul Club, Plaza Ballroom, Newbury, Berkshire with The Soul Bucket (Fabulous 208/Reading Evening Post)

 

5 December 1968 – City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

6 December 1968 – Durham College, Durham, County Durham (Fabulous 208)

7 December 1968 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

9 December 1968 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)

10 December 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

11 December 1968 – Hancock Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)

13 December 1968 – Trenton Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)

14 December 1968 – Bromley Tech College, Bromley, Kent (Fabulous 208)

17 December 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

20 December 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Joe Cocker & The Grease Band and The Groove Soul Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 December 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Epics (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

22 December 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent with Delroy Williams Show (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham Evening Post)

23 December 1968 – St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)

24 December 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

27 December 1968 – St Mary’s Youth Centre, Stockton-on-Tees (Fabulous 208)

29 December 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Oval, Kennington, south London (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 December 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

31 December 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

1969

3 January 1969 – Drill Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 January 1969 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

7 January 1969 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)

8 January 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

12 January 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)

13 January 1969 – Bamboo Club, Stockport, Greater Manchester (Fabulous 208)

15 January 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

16 January 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

17 January 1969 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Fabulous 208)

19 January 1969 – Good Companions Hotel, Slough, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

20 January 1969 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Fabulous 208)

22 January 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

23 January 1969 – St Matthew’s Hall, Oxford (Fabulous 208)

25 January 1969 – The Factory, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

26 January 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

27 January 1969 – St Matthew’s Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)

29 January 1969 – Town Hall, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

31 January 1969 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Fabulous 208)

 

1 February 1969 – Savoy Club, Catford, southeast London (Fabulous 208/South East London Mercury)

5 February 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (Fabulous 208)

7 February 1969 – Town Hall, Abergavenny, Wales (Fabulous 208)

9 February 1969 – Railway Hotel, Wealdstone, northwest London (Melody Maker)

16 February 1969 – Crystal Palace Hotel, Crystal Palace, south London (Fabulous 208/South East London Mercury)

22 February 1969 – Hounslow Town Hall, Hounslow, west London (Hounslow Post)

 

1 March 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

2 March 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

6 March 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

11 March 1969 – Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)

 

11 April 1969 – Mistrale, Beckenham Junction Station, south London (Melody Maker)

17 April 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

20 April 1969 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Elastic Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 April 1969 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

26 April 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London (Melody Maker)

27 April 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

Photo: Richard Fisk

30 April 1969 – Marconi Club, Chelmsford, Essex (Richard Fisk recollections)

 

9 May 1969 – White Lion, Edgware, north London (Time Out)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 May 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Saffron (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald)

31 May 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

 

21 June 1969 – Fellowship Inn, Eltham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

28 June 1969 – Fellowship Inn, Eltham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 June 1969 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

31 June 1969 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

 

4 July 1969 – Student’s Union, Farnborough Technical College, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)

 

15 August 1969 – Music Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire with The Powerhouse Soul Band (North Shropshire Journal)

19 August 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Time Out)

26 August 1969 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Time Out)

30 August 1969 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Time Out)

Image may be subject to copyright

6 September 1969 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London (Melody Maker/South East London Mercury)

13 September 1969 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

The original band split up in September 1969 but reformed with new members in October:

Dave Kislingberry aka Kislingbury (vocals)

Max ??? (guitar)

Mick Fletcher (keyboards)

Tago Byers (bass)

Keith Guster (drums)

Keith Guster, who’d until recently been playing with The Fleur De Lys with Tago Byers, notes in his diary that it was Byers that asked him to join the newly reformed band. Byers was from Reading and knew the group’s singer.

Mick Fletcher was from southeast London and had previously worked with The Epitaph Soul Band, Jimmy Cliff & The New Generation and Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement.

Guster’s diary entry for Sunday, 28 September notes that Byers rang him. The drummer, who was living in Bayswater, then travelled from Paddington to a hall in Crown Street, Reading to rehearse material with the five-piece band on 30 September and 1 October before kicking off the dates on 2 October.

The following gigs are all from Keith Guster’s diary:

2 October 1969 – Hatchetts Playground, Mayfair, London

Image may be subject to copyright

4 October 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Candy Choir (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald/Keith Guster’s diary) Billed as The Dave Amboy Big Band

7 October 1969 – Hatchetts Playground, Mayfair, London

10 October 1969 – Leicester Polytechnic, Leicester

12 October 1969 – gig in Gillingham, Kent (possibly Central Hall)

The band auditions Ted, a tenor sax player, in Chiswick, west London on 15 October 1969.

17-18 October 1969 – Domino Club, Bedlington and Showboat, Middlesbrough

24 October 1969 – Top Rank, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

25 October 1969 – Leeds Polytechnic, Leeds, West Yorkshire

26 October 1969 – The Swan, Birmingham (the club had doubled booked so they didn’t get paid)

27 October 1969 – The Yeoman, Stafford, Staffordshire

Ted, the sax player, is sacked during at a rehearsal in Reading on 30 October 1969.

31 October 1969 – Youth Centre, Beaconsfield, Bucks

 

1 November 1969 – Rainbow Suite, Birmingham

2 November 1969 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, London

8 November 1969 – Graduate Centre, Cambridge

12 November 1969 – Miners Welfare, Hucknall, Nottinghamshire

14 November 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire

15 November 1969 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent

16 November 1969 – Pope John House, Poplar, east London

21 November 1969 – Penthouse, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

22 November 1969 – The Town House, Wellington, Shropshire

23 November 1969 – Carlton Ballroom, Warrington, Cheshire

The Amboy Dukes recorded two tracks in Pan Studio, Denmark Street, London on 27 November 1969.

29 November 1969 – Newcastle upon Tyne gig cancelled due to snow

Image may be subject to copyright

30 November 1969 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands

 

5 December 1969 – Secondary School, Welling and Avery Hill College, Eltham, London

7 December 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London

12 December 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent

16 December 1969 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London

22 December 1969 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham Evening Post) Billed as Dave Amboy Big Band

24 December 1969 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent

31 December 1969 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, London

1970

10 January 1970 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent

18 January 1970 – Surrey Rooms, Kennington Oval, south London

 

7 February 1970 – Canley College, Coventry

8 February 1970 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London

11 February 1970 – Bal Tabarin, Bromley, southeast London

13 February 1970 – Melbourne Village College Hall, Cambridge

15 February 1970 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire

20 February 1970 – Goldsmith College, New Cross, south London

21 February 1970 – Apollo Club, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

 

7 March 1970 – Queen’s Hall, Wotton, Norfolk

14 March 1970 – Corn Exchange, Bourne, Lincolnshire

28 March 1970 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent

 

17 April 1970 – Shades, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

24 April 1970 – Didsbury College, Manchester

26 April 1970 – Birdcage Club, Hoyland, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

 

7 May 1970 – HMS Pembroke, Chatham, Kent

On 9 May, Tago Byers gave a month’s notice.

16 May 1970 – RAF Wyton, near St Ives, Cambridgeshire

23 May 1970 – Corn Exchange, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire

30 May 1970 – Civic Hall, St Albans, Herts

 

5 June 1970 – Exmouth College, Exmouth, Devon

6 June 1970 – Killington Manor, Exeter, Devon

21 June 1970 – Gillingham, Kent gig (cancelled due to World Cup Final)

On 22 June 1970, Keith Guster announced he was leaving and the band split up.

Many thanks to Mick Jerome, Buddy Beadle and Keith Guster for their help.

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

 

The Artwoods’ gigs 1963-1968

Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

 I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

The Artwoods, late 1965. Fabulous 208. Image may be subject to copyright

THE ARTWOODS

1963

15 April 1963 – Marquee, Oxford Street, London with Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers (Tony Bacon book: London Live)

 

18 May 1963 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Altones (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday) Billed as Art Wood & His R&B Combo

 

27 July 1963 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Mick Emery (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday) Billed as Art Wood & His R&B Combo

 

30 September 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex (Melody Maker) Billed as Art Wood Combo

 

7 October 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex (Melody Maker) Billed as Art Wood Combo

 

8 December 1963 – Bristol Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene) Billed as The Art Wood Combo

9 December 1963 – White Hart, Acton, Middlesex (Melody Maker) Billed as Art Wood Combo

1964

13 January 1964 – White Hart, Southall, Middlesex (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette) Billed as Art Wood Combo

Photo: Acton Gazette, 19 March 1964, page 10. Image may be subject to copyright

18 May 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire (Hertfordshire Express) Billed as The Art Wood Combo

 

22 June 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

Image may be subject to copyright

7 July 1964 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex (Evening Argus/Mid Sussex Times)

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16 July 1964 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, Middlesex (Tottenham Weekly Herald/Wood Green & Southgate Weekly Herald)

20 July 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

 

4 August 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

16 August 1964 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, Middlesex (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 August 1964 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with The King Snakes (Hertfordshire Express)

 

6 September 1964 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, Middlesex (see website above)

15 September 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

 

1 October 1964 – RAE Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Moquettes and Phil & The Stormsville Shakers (Aldershot News)

6 October 1964 – Aylesbury Bluesville, Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Little Walter (Bucks Advertiser) Billed as The Art Wood Combo

 

14 November 1964 – Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

27 November 1964 – Chinese R&B Club, Florida Rooms, Brighton, West Sussex (Evening Argus)

 

1 December 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

13 December 1964 – Long John Club, Maxwell Park Youth Centre, Borehamwood, Herts (Simon Gee research)

18 December 1964 – Assembly Hall, Students Union, Farnborough Technical College with The Gobbledegooks (Aldershot News)

1965

5 January 1965 – Bristol Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)

Photo: Boyfriend magazine, 27 January 1965. Image may be subject to copyright

10 January 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, Middlesex (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

Image may be subject to copyright

14 January 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

19 January 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

21 January1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

28 January1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

31 January 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex (Evening Argus/Mid Sussex Times)

 

1 February 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

2 February 1965 – Bluesville, Aylesbury, Bucks (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

15 February 1965 – Wall City Jazz Club, Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Mae Mercer, Pat Fields and The Deacons (Chester Chronicle)

16 February 1965 – Southall Community Centre, Southall, Middlesex (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

 

1 March 1965 – New Victoria, Halifax, West Yorkshire with PJ Proby, The Fourmost, Sandra Barry, Four Macs, Syd & Eddie, Brian Freeman Chapters (Halifax Daily Courier and Guardian)

 

11 April 1965 – New Theatre, Oxford with Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, The Pretty Things, The Ivy League, Elkie Brooks, Syd & George, The Chapters and The Guards (Oxford Mail)

13 April 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

17 April 1965 – New Georgian Club, Uxbridge, northwest London (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

 

23 May 1965 – Futurist Theatre, Scarborough, North Yorkshire with Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders, Them, The Rocking Berries, Dave Berry & The Cruisers and Sandra Barry (Yorkshire Gazette)

 

13 June 1965 – Southall Community Centre, Southall, London (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

19 June 1965 – Farnborough Technical College Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Muleskinners (Camberley News and Bagshot Observer/Aldershot News)

20 June 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (Melody Maker)

26 June 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Fenmen, Justin Tyme, The Sorrows and The Dyaks (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

27 June 1965 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

29 June 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 June 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with The Boston Dexters (NME)

 

11 July 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)

12 July 1965 – Blue Boar, South East Essex Blues Centre, Southend (Southend Standard & Essex Weekly Advertiser)

 

18 August 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

26 August 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Leyton, Leytonstone and Waltham Forest Guardian)

 

4 September 1965 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

14 September 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with Davy Jones & The Lower Third (Melody Maker)

18 September 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Loose Ends (Melody Maker)

25 September 1965 – Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hants & Berks Gazette)

 

3 October 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

4 October 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

10 October 1965 – Southall Community Centre, Southall, west London with Jesse Fuller (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

12 October 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Little Darlings (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

16 October 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Loose Ends and Dave Anthony’s Moods (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 October 1965 – Hoochie Coochie Club, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser/West Surrey Advertiser)

18 October 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with Bo Diddley and The Duchess (Melody Maker)

27 October 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (see website above)

31 October 1965 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 November 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, Tony Knight and The Chessmen and The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

13 November 1965 – USEC Rave, Union Ballroom, Newcastle University, Tyne & Wear with the Gas Board (Newcastle University’s student paper – The Courier)

17 November 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

23 November 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Pretty Things (Melody Maker)

26 November 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (see website above)

27 November 1965 – College of Technology, Bristol (Beat Instrumental)

28 November 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (Beat Instrumental)

30 November 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

 

3 December 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Boz & The Boz People and support (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

5 December 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Beat Instrumental has the Britannia Rowing Club

7 December 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

10 December 1965 – Refectory, Golders Green, north London (Beat Instrumental)

Image may be subject to copyright

11 December 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, London with Dave Anthony’s Moods and The Five Proud Walkers (Melody Maker)

14 December 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

16 December 1965 – Technical College, Romford, east London (Beat Instrumental)

18 December 1965 – Sperry Gyroscope, Bracknell, Berkshire (Beat Instrumental)

21 December 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Pretty Things (Melody Maker)

22 December 1965 – College of St Mark and St John, Chelsea, southwest London (Beat Instrumental)

26 December 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

28 December 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

1966

1 January 1966 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

7 January 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

Image may be subject to copyright

9 January 1966 – The New Hive Club, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (West Surrey Advertiser)

10 January 1966 – Galaxy Club, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)

16 January 1966 – Le Metro Club, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 January 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 January 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

24 January 1966 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)

 

19 February 1966 – Greyhound Hotel, Cromford, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

25 February 1966 – Rialto, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 March 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Sean Buckley Set (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

11 March 1966 – New Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire with The Pathfinders and The Seftons (Warrington Guardian)

13 March 1966 – Le Metro Club, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

16 March 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

18 March 1966 – Rag Ball, City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Artwoods, The Bohemians and The Bourbon Street Six (Salisbury Journal)

Image may be subject to copyright

19 March 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle/Melody Maker)

25 March 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Original Dyaks and The Vivas (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

27 March 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London (see website above)

Image may be subject to copyright

2 April 1966 – Stamford R&B Club, Stamford Hotel, Stamford, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal)

6 April 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

9 April 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

11 April 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Rockhouse Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

14 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

 

1 May 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

6 May 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London with Spencer’s Washboard Kings and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (see website above)

8 May 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

17 May 1966 – Pilgrim, Hayward’s Heath, West Sussex with The Mike Stuart Span (Melody Maker)

17 May 1966 – Blue Club, Hare & Hounds, Preston Circus, East Sussex with The Mike Stuart Span (Brighton Evening Argus)

21 May 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Trend & Boyfriend)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 May 1966 – Pippin Jazz Club, Hardinge Arms, Kings Newton, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

24 May 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Trend & Boyfriend)

25 May 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Deakin Lewis Band (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

Photo: John Treais

27 May 1966 – Bure Club, Mudeford, Dorset (Poster from John Treais)

31 May 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

 

1-6 June 1966 – Gigs in Paris, France (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation but unlikely

3 June 1966 – Rialto, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph) Did this happen if French gigs took place? It was advertised.

4 June 1966 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with The Beat Six (Luton News) Did this happen if French gigs took place? It was advertised.

7 June 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

12 June 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Dave Antony’s Moods (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

14 June 1966 – Cambridge University (Beat Instrumental)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 June 1966 – Derby & District College of Art Students’ Union, Locarno Ballroom, Derby with Wynder K Frog and resident groups (Derby Evening Telegraph)

18 June 1966 – Gig in Stamford, Lincolnshire (Beat Instrumental)

19 June 1966 – Le Metro, Birmingham (Beat Instrumental)

21 June 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

23 June 1966 – Concord Club, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hants (Beat Instrumental)

24 June 1966 – Winchester College, Winchester, Hants (Beat Instrumental)

25 June 1966 – St Gabriel’s, Camberwell, south London (Fabulous 208)

26 June 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Tea Set (see website above)

28 June 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

 

1 July 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

2 July 1966 – Elizabethan Club, Glasgow, Scotland (Fabulous 208)

3 July 1966 – Maryland Ballroom, Glasgow, Scotland (Fabulous 208)

4 July 1966 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Wynder K Frog, The Toplins and Wall City Jazzmen (Fabulous 208/Chester Chronicle)

Image may be subject to copyright

9 July 1966 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

10 July 1966 – Co-Operative, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

10 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

11 July 1966 – Manor House, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)

12 July 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, London (Fabulous 208)

14 July 1966 – London College of Fashion, London (Fabulous 208)

16 July 1966 – Stamford R&B Club, Stamford Hotel, Stamford, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal)

17 July 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Champion Jack Dupree with The Five Proud Walkers (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

24 July 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Deakin Lewis Band (see website above)

30 July 1966 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Oxfordshire (Fabulous 208)

31 July 1966 – Downs Ballroom, Hassocks, West Sussex with Long Boat Men (Evening Argus)

 

1 August 1966 – Majestic, Reading, Berkshire (Bracknell News)

7 August 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

9 August 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 August 1966 – The Beachcomber, Preston, Lancashire (Lancashire Evening Post)

14 August 1966 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)

22 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

26 August 1966 – Rialto, Derby (Beat Instrumental)

Image may be subject to copyright

27 August 1966 – Stamford R&B Club, Stamford Hotel, Stamford, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal)

27 August 1966 – Burlesque, Leicester (Beat Instrumental)

28 August 1966 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside with The Rumble Band (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

30 August 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

 

2 September 1966 – Continental Club, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Fabulous 208)

3 September 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)

5 September 1966 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (website: http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

6 September 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

9 September 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Soul & Roll Band (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

10 September 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Bo Street Runners (East Kent Times)

11 September 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (Fabulous 208)

13 September 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

14 September 1966 – Discoblue Club, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Fabulous 208)

15 September 1966 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire with The Pack (Swindon Evening Advertiser)

17 September 1966 – Greyhound Hotel, Cromford, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 September 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Justin Brothers (Rugby Advertiser)

24 September 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Nottingham Evening Post)

24 September 1966 – Mansfield Blues, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Evening Post)

25 September 1966 – Metro Club, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 September 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

Artwoods featured in Rugby Advertiser, 30 September 1966, page 8

1 October 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Characters (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

3 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The MI5 (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

4 October 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Fabulous 208)

4 October 1966 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, London (Fabulous 208)

5 October 1966 – Discoblue, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Fabulous 208)

7 October 1966 – University College, London (Fabulous 208)

9 October 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

9 October 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

21 October 1966 – Hull University, Hull (Fabulous 208)

22 October 1966 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (Fabulous 208)

23 October 1966 – Hive Club, Wooden Bridge, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

26 October 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The After Eight Blues Band (see website above)

28 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich Arsenal Station with The Scots of St James (Melody Maker)

29 October 1966 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Fabulous 208)

 

3 November 1966 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 November 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire Echo)

6 November 1966 – King’s Arms, Wood Green, London (Fabulous 208)

7 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Embers West (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

13 November 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Syrian Blues Group (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

18 November 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

Image may be subject to copyright

19 November 1966 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Wales with The Raynes (Chester Chronicle/Rhyl & Prestayn Gazette)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 November 1966 – Quaintaways, Chester, Cheshire with The Roaring Sixties, Family and Wall City Jazzmen (Fabulous 208/Chester Chronicle)

23 November 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London with The Fantastic Footprints (see website above)

25 November 1966 – Continental Club, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Fabulous 208)

26 November 1966 – Marquee at the Shoreline, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with The Race (Melody Maker)

27 November 1966 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

 

4 December 1966 – Hive Club, Wooden Bridge, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

5 December 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Nite People (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

10 December 1966 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

11 December 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Layman (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

12 December 1966 – Cymbal Club, Derby, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

17 December 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Roll Movement (Lincolnshire Standard)

23 December 1966 – Bluesette Club, Bridge Street, Leatherhead, Surrey (Caterham Weekly Press)

24 December 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with A Q Blues Band (see website above)

1967

1 January 1967 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

4 January 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Footprints (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

7 January 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

Image may be subject to copyright

7 January 1967 – Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, north London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, The Creation, Herbie Goins & The Night Timers and The St Louis Union (Melody Maker)

12 January 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Mike Stuart Span (Melody Maker)

13 January 1967 – Eastbourne, East Sussex (Melody Maker)

14 January 1967 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London (Melody Maker/Fabulous 208)

15 January 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Battery (see website above)

20 January 1967 – Hartlepool, County Durham (Melody Maker)

21 January 1967 – Technical College, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear (Melody Maker/Fabulous 208)

22 January 1967 – Le Metro, Birmingham, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)

26 January-2 February 1967 – Tour of Denmark (Melody Maker)

 

19 February 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

22 February 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Apostolic Intervention (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

25 February 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Rhythm & Soul (Cambridgeshire Times)

26 February 1967 – The Bridge, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

 

4 March 1967 – Southampton University, Southampton, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)

5 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Battery (see website above)

9 March 1967 – Salisbury College, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Fabulous 208)

11 March 1967 – University College, Gower Street, central London (Fabulous 208)

18 March 1967 – All Saints Hall, Whetstone, north London (Fabulous 208)

22 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Footprints (see website above)

28 March 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (website; http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

Photo: Ken Baxter. Image may be subject to copyright

1 April 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton with Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Melody Maker)

2 April 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

8 April 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

9 April 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

14 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

15 April 1967 – Wolverhampton College of Technology, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Soul Method (Express & Star)

16 April 1967 – The Bridge, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey with The Switch (Surrey Advertiser)

20 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)

21 April 1967 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon (Fabulous 208)

23 April 1967 – Klue J Klub, Saracens Head Hotel, Chelmsford, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

26 April 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Syrian Blues Band (see website above)

28 April 1967 – Market Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)

29 April 1967 – Enfield Technical College, Enfield, London (Fabulous 208)

30 April 1967 – Le Metro, Birmingham, West Midlands (Express & Star)

 

5 May 1967 – Tech College, Rugby, Warwickshire (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

6 May 1967 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Reaction (West Briton & Royal Cornish Gazette)

7 May 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London with Chicago Line Blues Band (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

12 May 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 May 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury with The Klick (Western Gazette)

18 May 1967 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

Image may be subject to copyright

19 May 1967 – Oriel Ball, Oxford with The Mickey Finn, The Nightgales and The Burlington Sound (Cherwell)

Melody Maker reports that Colin Martin has replaced Keef Hartley around 20 May

24 May 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London with The Down and Outs (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)

26 May 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

27 May 1967 – The Pitch, Digbeth, West Midlands (Express & Star) Possibly also on 26th May

29 May 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Sonny Childe & The TNT and The Real McCoy (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

 

2 June 1967 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The New Conchords (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring & District News)

4 June 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Fabulous 208) Nottingham Evening Post has this as the Britannia Rowing Club

9 June 1967 – Cadenas, Stoke Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

10 June 1967 – Architectural Association, Bedford Square, London (Fabulous 208)

25 June 1967 – The Swan, Yardley, West Midlands with The Stormsville Shakers (Birmingham Evening Mail/Coventry Evening Telegraph)

30 June 1967 – Technical College, Uxbridge, London (Fabulous 208)

 

1 July 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 August 1967 – Torquay Beat & Blues Festival, Torquay Town Hall, Devon (Herald Express)

11 August 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

 

3 September 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

8 September 1967 – Steering Wheel Club, Dorchester, Dorset with The Soundsmen and Denise Scott (Western Gazette)

16 September 1967 – Matlock Bath, Matlock, Derbyshire with Michael’s Angels (Derby Evening Telegraph)

17 September 1967 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

 

14 October 1967 – YMCA, Sebert Street, Gloucester with The Night Shift (Gloucester Citizen) Needs confirmation

22 October 1967 – Wooden Bridge, Guildford, Surrey with The Strange Brew (Surrey Advertiser)

24 October 1967 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)

Photo: Hillingdon Mirror. Image may be subject to copyright

The Hillingdon Mirror ran an article called “Salvation for the Artwoods” and photo of the band in its 24 October 1967, page 32

Photo: Hillingdon Mirror. Image may be subject to copyright

29 October 1967 – Le Metro, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

30 October 1967 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, London with Ray Peterson (Melody Maker)

 

4 November 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

As St Valentine’s Day Massacre (with Art Wood):

24 December 1967 – Wooden Bridge, Guildford, Surrey with The Spirit Level (Surrey Advertiser)

26 December 1967 – Dungeon, Old Prison, Bodmin, Cornwall (West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 December 1967 – St James’ Spectacular, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with The Shape of The Rain (Derbyshire Times)

1968

13 January 1968 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)

As St Valentine’s Day Massacre (with Rod Goodway):

30 January 1968-4 February 1968 – Gigs in Paris (Rod Goodway)

 

8 February 1968 – Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales with The Move and Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (Rod Goodway)

10 February 1968 – Gig in Twickenham, west London (Rod Goodway)

Image may be subject to copyright

25 February 1968 – The South Bank, Grimsby (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

 

2 March 1968 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Rubber Band (North Norfolk News)

New Musical Express reports that at the end of April 1968, Derek Griffiths replaces David Meikle in Unit Four Plus 2

Thanks to Rolf Hannet in Germany for providing some of the Beat Instrumental dates.

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

The Maze gigs 1966-1968

Welcome to another posting in a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

 THE MAZE:

Rod Evans (lead vocals)

Roger Lewis (guitar)

Chris Banham (organ)

Eric Keene (bass)

Ian Paice (drums)

The following are billed as MI5. They started using the name The Maze in November 1966 but occasionally used the MI5 for a month or so.

1966

12 May 1966 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Tybern Ashes (Aldershot News)

 

16 July 1966 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The 5 AM Event and The Rigg (Warrington Guardian)

Image may be subject to copyright

The 22 July 1966 edition of the Windsor, Slough and Eton Express, page 5 (see above) has a good story and picture on the band

27 July 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express)

30 July 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Ultimate (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)

31 July 1966 – Britannia Theatre, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Dave Berry, Geneve, Oscar, Wolf and Griff and The Stuart Taylor Trio (Yarmouth Mercury)

 

13 August 1966 – St Clement’s Hall, Southend, Essex with The Avengers and The Spooks (Southend Standard)

19 August 1966 – Cricketers Inn, Southend, Essex with support (Southend Standard)

21 August 1966 – Britannia Theatre, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Freddie & The Dreamers Oscar, Geneve, The Versions and The Stuart Taylor Trio (Yarmouth Mercury)

 

8 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

10 September 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) Billed as MI5

12 September 1966 – Elm Hotel, Southend, Essex (Southend Standard)

14 September 1966 – Elm Hotel, Southend, Essex (Southend Standard)

 

3 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Artwoods (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

5 October 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208) Billed as MI5

Image may be subject to copyright

29 October 1966 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Squares and The Colts (Warrington Guardian) Billed as MI5

 

5 November 1966 – Royal York Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight County Press) Billed as MI5

14 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Bown Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Image may be subject to copyright

18 November 1966 – Wy-Key Club, Burnham Lane, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Maze, formerly MI5) (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express)

Image may be subject to copyright

19 November 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Hastings and St Leonard Observer) Billed as MI5

26 November 1966 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Ultimate (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)

The group became The Maze at this point

18 December 1966 – The Royal Ballrooms, the Royal Arcade, Boscombe, Dorset with Forbidden Fruit (Bournemouth Evening Echo)

22 December 1966 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

31 December 1966 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Mistake and The Others (Warrington Guardian)

1967

Image may be subject to copyright

7 January 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with two surprise groups (Warrington Guardian) Formerly MI5

20 January 1968 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Clwyd, Wales with The Missing Links (Rhyl & Prestayn Gazette)

 

3 February 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Peeps and The Carlton Davies Combo (Warrington Guardian) Did this happen?

Image may be subject to copyright

The band went and played in Milan, Italy in January for three months, according to the Windsor, Slough & Eton Express (see above). This includes rehearsing at the Piccolo Theatre with the opening night on 15 February.

20-21 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London (Melody Maker)

29 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Moody Blues (Melody Maker)

 

3 June 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with Technique and The In-Time (Warrington Guardian)

Image may be subject to copyright

4 June 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

15 June 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Sneakers (Aldershot News)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 June 1967 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland (City Week)

 

1 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Gorleston, Norfolk with The Soul Doubt (Yarmouth Mercury)

8 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Gorleston, Norfolk with Deep Purple (Eastern Evening News)

14 July 1967 – Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Delroys Good Good Band (Worcester Evening News)

15 July 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Y Division (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)

20 July 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Shame (Aldershot News)

Image may be subject to copyright

22 July 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

23 July 1967 – Royal Ballrooms, Boscombe with The Freebooters (Bournemouth Evening Echo)

28 July 1967 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

Image may be subject to copyright

29 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Moody Blues (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

Image may be subject to copyright

3 August 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Shame (Aldershot News)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 August 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

12 August 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Zekes and Do-Does (Warrington Guardian)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 August 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

14 August 1967 – Cambridge Discotheque, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News)

20 August 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Art Movement and The Army (Melody Maker)

26 August 1967 – Cottingham Civic Hall, Hull, Humbershire with The ABC and One In a Million (Hull Daily Mail)

 

2 September 1967 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with support group (Buckingham Advertiser and North Bucks Press)

3 September 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London (Melody Maker)

14 September 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

17 September 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London (Melody Maker)

21 September 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with support (Aldershot News)

24 September 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

 

2 October 1967 – Penny Farthing Club, Southend, Essex (Essex Chronicle/Southend Standard)

7 October 1967 – Caesar’s Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire (Birmingham Evening Mail/Stratford upon Avon Herald) Billed as The Maize

13 October 1967 – Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Union Blues (Worcester Evening News)

14 October 1967 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with Bob Deane (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)

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28 October 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham with Winston G (Express & Star)

 

10 November 1967 – Blaises, South Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)

12 November 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

 

3 December 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Taylor Mayde (Melody Maker)

15 December 1967 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)

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19 December 1967 – 67 Club, Bracknell, Berkshire (Bracknell News)

21 December 1967 – Cambridge Discotheque, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News)

22 December 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire Evening Press)

30 December 1967 – Papa’s, Landsdowne, Dorset (Bournemouth Echo)

1968

6 January 1968 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)

11 January 1968 – Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge Discotheque, Camberley, Surrey (Camberley News & Bagshot Observer)

18 January 1968 – Cambridge Discotheque, Camberley, Surrey (Camberley News & Bagshot Observer/Aldershot News)

20 January 1968 – Royal Lido Ballroom, Prestatyn, Wales with The Missing Links (website: www.45worlds.com/live)

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3 February 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Peeps (Warrington Guardian)

17 February 1968 – Sperry Canteen, Sperry, Berkshire with Old Nick’s Train Set (Bracknell News)

22 February 1968 – Cambridge Discotheque, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News)

23 February 1968 – Quarry Club, Upper Gornal, West Midlands (Express & Star)

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2 March 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

6 March 1968 – New Waterfront, Cliff Hotel, Southampton, Hants with One In a Million (Southern Evening Echo)

7 March 1968 – Cambridge Hotel, Cambridge Discotheque, Camberley, Surrey (Camberley News & Bagshot Observer/Aldershot News)

8 March 1968 – Bracknell Boys Club, Bracknell, Berkshire (Bracknell News)

9 March 1968 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)

Rod Evans and Ian Paice left in March to join Deep Purple so not sure if they played on next gig

30 March 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with Almost Blues (Warrington Guardian)

 

27 April 1968 – Weymouth Pavilion Ballroom, Weymouth, Dorset with The Dictators (Dorset Evening Echo/Western Gazette)

 

5 May 1968 – The Raven, Stechford, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

10 May 1968 – Steering Wheel, Weymouth, Dorset (Dorset Evening Echo)

 

12 September 1968 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham with The Big Stax Show and Little Baby May (Down at the Boat book)

 

30 November 1968 – Royal Lido Ballroom, Prestatyn, Wales with American Blues Busters and The Hand (website: www.45worlds.com/live)

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

The Action gigs 1965-1968

Welcome to another posting in a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

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THE ACTION:

1965

17 April 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London (poster) Billed as The Boys

 

5 June 1965 – Ticky Rick and Rang-A-Tang Club, Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette) Billed as The Boys

6 June 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Morons (Lynn News/North Norfolk News)

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11 July 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Rockin’ Roosters (Lynn News/North Norfolk News)

15 July 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

17 July 1965 – Bolton Palais, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)

24 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob (NME)

 

19 August 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

21 August 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with Sonny Childe & The Cool School (NME)

26 August 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Steampacket, Long John Baldry and Brian Auger Trinity (Dave Allen research)

27 August 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London with The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

 

3 September 1965 – The Cavern, Liverpool with The Masterminds and Fritz, Mike and Mo (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)

4 September 1965 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)

5 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

12 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

16 September 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Goldie & The Gingerbreads (Dave Allen research)

19 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

26 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

 

3 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

15 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

21 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Johnny B Great & The Quotations (Dave Allen research)

23 October 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Cheaters (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)

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23 October 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with The Living Legends (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)

24 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

31 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

 

5 November 1965 – The Cavern, Liverpool with Earl Preston’s Realms (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)

7 November 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

20 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

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27 November 1965 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

28 November 1965 – Sunshine Floor, Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Ian and Danny Eves & Sound Reformed (Eastern Evening News/North Norfolk News)

 

5 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Who (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Billed as The Boys

14 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

17 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

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18 December 1965 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with The Spectrum (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

24 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Roscoe Brown Combo (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

27 December 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London (Melody Maker)

30 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

31 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

1966

1 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

2 January 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

4 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

8 January 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

11 January 1966 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)

18 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

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21 January 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Soul Pushers (Aldershot News/Camberley News) David Else also has the band playing at the Ricky Tick at Staines Town Hall, Middlesex on this day which is feasible

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22 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

23 January 1966 – Ricky Tick, Plaza, Guildford, Surrey (David Else’s research)

28 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

3 February 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

8 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Roscoe Brown Combo (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

12 February 1966 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

13 February 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

15 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Bo Street Runners (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

18 February 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

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20 February 1966 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with Nocturnal (Mid Sussex Times)

27 February 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

 

2 March 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

6 March 1966 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)

8 March 1966 – Bristol Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)

11 March 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough with Jazzboard (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

13 March 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with St Louis Union (The Star)

18 March 1966 – Armco Sports & Social Club, Letchworth, Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with various others (Hertfordshire Express)

19 March 1966 – City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with P J Proby, The Searchers, Thane Russell & Three and The Shelley (The Star)

29 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Loose Ends (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

30 March 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

 

5 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

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8 April 1966 – Links R&B Club, Boreham Wood, Herts with The Vagabonds and The Fairies (Welwyn Advertiser)

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8-9 April 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

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10 April 1966 – Ultra Club, Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with Cops ‘N’ Robbers (Mid Sussex Times)

17 April 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

21 April 1966 – The Village, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Disc & Music Echo)

25 April 1966 – Bridgwater Town Hall, Bridgwater, Somerset (Disc & Music Echo)

26 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Clayton Squares (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

29 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

30 April 1966 – Union, Manchester University, Manchester with The Lonely Ones (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

 

1 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

4 May 1966 – Stourbridge Town Hall, Stourbridge, Worcestershire (Beat Instrumental)

5 May 1966 – Kidderminster Town Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire (Beat Instrumental)

6 May 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Beat Instrumental)

8 May 1966 – Downs Hotel, Hassocks, West Sussex (Beat Instrumental)

13 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Staines Town Hall, Staines, Middlesex (Disc & Music Echo)

14 May 1966 – Cad-Lac Club, Florida Room, Brighton, East Sussex (Brighton Evening Argus)

15 May 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

16 May 1966 – Chatham Town Hall, Chatham, Kent (Beat Instrumental)

17 May 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Beat Instrumental)

19 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 May 1966 – Zambesi, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)

21 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

23 May 1966 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk (Beat Instrumental)

24 May 1966 – Links, Borehamwood, Herts (Beat Instrumental)

25 May 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)

26 May 1966 – Starlight, Crawley, West Sussex with The Powerhouse Six (Caterham Weekly Press)

27 May 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, London (South East London Mercury) Beat Instrumental has Acton Town Hall on this date but it’s possible they played both

28 May 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

 

9 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

12 June 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

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13 June 1966 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

14 June 1966 – Grand Black Daffodil, Odeon Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (The Star)

16 June 1966 – Bath Pavilion, Bath (Fabulous 208)

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17 June 1966 – Ready Steady Go Club, Market Hall, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn Advertiser)

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18 June 1966 – Uxbridge Blues Festival, Hillingdon Borough Show Ground, Hillingdon, west London with Manfred Mann, The Alan Walker Group and the Steampacket (Middlesex Chronicle)

19 June 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)

22 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (South East London Mercury)

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23 June 1966 – KD Club, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

24 June 1966 – Durham University, Durham (Fabulous 208)

25 June 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

28 June 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Fabulous 208)

30 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Bown Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

1 July 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

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2 July 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

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4 July 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News) Says Straight from the Marquee in the advert

8 July 1966 – Disco Blue, Ryde, Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight County Press)

9 July 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

10 July 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hall, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)

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10 July 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with Dion Five (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

12 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Creation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

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14 July 1966 – Assembly Room, Worthing, West Sussex (Evening Argus/Worthing Herald)

15 July 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, London (Fabulous 208)

16 July 1966 – Trade Union Hall, Watford, Herts (Fabulous 208)

17 July 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Fabulous 208)

18 July 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex (Fabulous 208)

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23 July 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Paul & Barry Ryan, James Royal Set, Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Ferry Boys (Lincolnshire Standard)

26 July 1966 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)

29 July 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, London (Fabulous 208)

30 July 1966 – Refectory Fields, Blackheath, London (Fabulous 208)

 

5 August 1966 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with The Doodlebugs (Morecambe Visitor)

6 August 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

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7 August 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

12 August 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire (Fabulous 208)

13 August 1966 – Community Centre, Gosport, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)

14 August 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

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15-19 August 1966 – Witch Doctor, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Hastings & St Leonards Observer) Says every Monday-Friday

20 August 1966 – Grantham Drill Hall, Grantham with The Carpetbaggers and The Beathovens (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

21 August 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, London with The Mode (Melody Maker)

23 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Clayton Squares (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

25 August 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol with Strange Fruits (Evening Post)

26 August 1966 – Flamingo Club, Folkestone, Kent (Fabulous 208)

27 August 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex (Fabulous 208)

27 August 1966 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire (Hertfordshire Express/Welwyn Times)

30 August 1966 – Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire (Fabulous 208)

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2 September 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

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3 September 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with supporting groups (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

6 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Graham Bell Trend (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

7 September 1966 – Top Rank Sunderland Suite, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear (Sunderland Evening Echo)

9 September 1966 – Chesterfield Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

10 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

15 September 1966 – Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Fenman (Fabulous 208)

17 September 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Symbols (East Kent Times)

18 September 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Johnny Rogers Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

21 September 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)

23 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Syn (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

24 September 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

25 September 1966 – King’s Arms, Wood Green, London (Fabulous 208)

29 September 1966 – Wykenham Hall, Romford, London (Fabulous 208)

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6 October 1966 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex (Worthing Herald)

7 October 1966 – Fakenham Corn Hall and Cattle Market, Fakenham, Norfolk with Humphrey Lyttleton and His Band (North Norfolk News/Fabulous 208)

8 October 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

10 October 1966 – Top Rank Suite, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

13 October 1966 – Dino’s Club, Derby, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

14 October 1966 – Dunelm House, Durham University (Durham University’s student paper – Palatine)

16 October 1966 – George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

17 October 1966 – British Legion Hall, Princes Risborough, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

18 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Episode Six (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 October 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Makin Sound (Rugby Advertiser)

20 October 1966 – Grove Hall, Market Drayton, Staffordshire with The Denims and Frankie & The Countdowns (Evening Sentinel

21 October 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with The Move (Dave Allen research)

21 October 1966 – Cadillac Club, Brighton, Sussex (Fabulous 208)

22 October 1966 – Bristol University, Bristol (Fabulous 208)

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25 October 1966 – The Kazzoo Discotheque, Public Hall, Wallington, south London (Fabulous 208/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

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27 October 1966 – Le Metro Club, Birmingham, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail/Fabulous 208)

28 October 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire (Fabulous 208)

29 October 1966 – Cad-Lac Club, Brighton, East Sussex (Brighton Evening Argus)

29 October 1966 – Marquee at the Shoreline, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Long John Baldry and Bluesology and David Bowie & The Buzz (Melody Maker)

 

1 November 1966 – Ricky Tick, Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Neat Change (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

2 November 1966 – The Cavern, Liverpool (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)

2 November 1966 – Falcon Hotel, Eltham, London (Fabulous 208)

4 November 1966 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with The Doodlebugs and Harold Graham (Morecambe Visitor)

5 November 1966 – Watford Trade Hall, Watford, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)

6 November 1966 – Le Discotheque, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

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9 November 1966 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)

11 November 1966 – Goldsmith College, New Cross, London (Fabulous 208)

12 November 1966 – Regent Street Polytechnic, London (Fabulous 208)

16 November 1966 – Grandstand, Derby, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

16 November 1966 – Eight-day tour of Scandinavia starts in Oslo, Norway (Melody Maker)

The next two gigs would not have happened if the band’s Scandinavian tour went ahead from 16 November

19 November 1966 – St Mary’s College, Twickenham, London (Fabulous 208)

20 November 1966 – Dolly’s Club, Jermyn Street, London (Fabulous 208)

22 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Episode Six (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

24 November 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, London (Melody Maker)

 

8 December 1966 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

10 December 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research) Last gig as a five piece

13 December 1966 – Kent University, Canterbury, Kent with Alan Bown Set (Fabulous 208)

16 December 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

17 December 1966 – Smethwick Baths, Bearwood, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

18 December 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

19 December 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, London (Melody Maker)

22 December 1966 – Wykeham Hall, Romford, London (Fabulous 208)

23 December 1966 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)

1967 

21 January 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

22 January 1967 – Embi Sundi Club, Market Harborough, Leicestershire (Market Harborough Advertiser & Midland Mail)

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27 January 1967 – 1600, Hereford, Herefordshire (Worcester Evening News)

30 January 1967 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk (Evening Star)

31 January 1967 – Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire (Fabulous 208)

 

1 February 1967 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The New Conchords (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring and District News)

3 February 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Marmalade (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

4 February 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The First Light (East Kent Times & Mail)

9 February 1967 – Clifton Hall, Rotherham, South Yorkshire (South Yorkshire & Rotherham Advertiser)

10 February 1967 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with MBQ (Morecambe Visitor)

17 February 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

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18 February 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Worcester Evening News)

19 February 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

21 February 1967 – Top Rank Suite, Bristol (Fabulous 208) Debut of new four-piece

22 February 1967 – Decorum House, Hemel Hempstead, Herts (Fabulous 208)

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23 February 1967 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with Systems Go (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!/Western Gazette)

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25 February 1967 – Dacorum College, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The New Conchords (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring & District News)

28 February 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Bossmen (Bournemouth Evening Echo)

 

1 March 1967 – Bromel Club, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)

4 March 1967 – Dunelm House, Durham, County Durham (Fabulous 208)

11 March 1967 – University of London, Malet Street, London (Fabulous 208)

16 March 1967 – New Locarno Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

19 March 1967 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

22 March 1967 – College of Art, Hornsey, London (Fabulous 208)

25 March 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

27 March 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

 

1 April 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Cortinas (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday/Herts & Essex Observer)

3 April 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Brom, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

4 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Stalkers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

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7 April 1967 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Moodoos (Coventry Evening Telegraph/Leicester Mercury/Rugby Advertiser)

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8 April 1967 – Lewes FC Beat Rave, Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with TD Backus and The Powerhouse and The Teen Team (Brighton Evening Argus/Sussex Express)

14 April 1967 – Civic Hall, Wulfun Halls, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Vogues, Cyril Stapleton & His Band and Reg Bradley & His Band (Express and Star)

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6 May 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

19 May 1967 – Memorial Hall, Barry, Wales (Fabulous 208)

20 May 1967 – University of Tech, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

25 May 1967 – Garden Club, London (Fabulous 208) This might be in Covent Garden

26 May 1967 – Il Rondo Ballroom, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

27 May 1967 – Hertford Balls, Oxford with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Swinging Blue Jeans, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Hamilton & The Movement (Cherwell)

 

3 June 1967 – Victoria Cross Gallery, Wantage, Oxfordshire (Wiltshire Gazette)

10 June 1967 – Big ‘L’ Speakeasy, Ryde Pier Head, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Jon (Isle of Wight Country Press)

13 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Prime Apples (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

16 June 1967 – Town Hall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Fabulous 208)

21 June 1967 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

24 June 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

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1 July 1967 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with Package Deal and Sixth Sense (Torquay Times)

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8 July 1967 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Clwyd, Wales with The Raynes (Rhyl & Prestayn Gazette)

15 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Gorleston, Norfolk with St Willie Cool School (North Norfolk News)

22 July 1967 – Big ‘L’ Speakeasy, Ryde Pier Head, Ryde, Isle of Wight with The Stack (Isle of Wight County Press)

23 July 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, London with The Syn (Melody Maker)

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1 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Timebox (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

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5 August 1967 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with The Mojos and First Movement (Essex County Standard)

7 August 1967 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Del Roy Good Good Band and Dual Purpose (Express & Star)

8 August 1967 – Holywell Community Centre, West Watford, Hertfordshire with Gene & The Cossacks (West Herts & Watford Observer)

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10 August 1967 – Cleveland Technical College, James Finegan Hall, Eston, Teesside with The Clockwork Orange and The Real McCoy (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

13 August 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

19 August 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

27 August 1967 – Rowley Rag, Whiteheath, West Midlands with The Acoustics (Express & Star)

 

9 September 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Mail)

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12 September 1967 – Concord, Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

15 September 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

21 September 1967 – Hanley Suite, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

23 September 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

Image may be subject to copyright

3 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Timebox (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

6 October 1967 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with The Shellshock Show (Morecambe Visitor)

20 October 1967 – Grove Hall, Market Drayton, Shropshire with The Denims and Frankie  & The Countdowns (Shropshire Journal)

21 October 1967 – City University, London with Episode Six (Melody Maker)

23 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Nite People (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

4 November 1967 – Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire (Retford Times)

5 November 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

8 November 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Mail)

13 November 1967 – The Parlour, North End, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

 

9 December 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire Evening Post/Yorkshire Evening Press)

16 December 1967 – St Joseph’s College, Trent Vale, Staffordshire with Tamla Express (Evening Sentinel)

17 December 1967 – Samantha’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (website: https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

21 December 1967 – Savoy Ballroom, South Parade, Southsea, Hampshire with Amen Corner and The St Louis Checks (Portsmouth News)

1968

7 January 1968 – The South Bank, Grimsby (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

12 January 1968 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough News)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 January 1968 – Le Metro Club, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

27 January 1968 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (website: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

28 January 1968 – Cosmopolitan, Carlisle, Cumbria with Klue (Cumberland News)

 

2 February 1968 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, London with Mabel Greer’s Toyshop (Melody Maker)

9 February 1968 – Hammersmith College Student Union, Hammersmith, London with Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)

17 February 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

9 March 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Next In Line (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

13 March 1968 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, London with The Pretty Things, Fairport Convention, Blossom Toes and The Track (Melody Maker)

22 March 1968 – Parlour, Oasis Club, North End, Hants (Portsmouth News)

Image may be subject to copyright

27 March 1968 – Cheltenham Spa Lounge and Ballroom, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

29 March 1968 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough News)

 

11 April 1968 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

20 April 1968 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Clwyd, Wales with Kanda Group (Cheshire Chronicle)

 

10 May 1968 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, London with Family (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 May 1968 – Domino Club, Lion Hotel, Cambridge (Cambridge News)

18 May 1968 – St Joseph’s Hall, Archway, London with Mabel Greer’s Toyshop (Melody Maker)

24 May 1968 – METC Student’s Union, College Refectory, Essex with The Clear Blue Cloud (Essex Chronicle)

31 May 1968 – Music Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire with Luddy Samms Soul Package and The Hooker Green (Shropshire Journal)

 

1 June 1968 – Whit Spectacular, Seagull Ballrooms, Ryde Pier Head, Ryde, Isle of Wight with The Pretty Things, Blossom Toes, Helcyon Order and Johnny Farlow (Isle of Wight County Press)

Image may be subject to copyright

3 June 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with Fantastics (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)

14 June 1968 – College of Further Education & West Sussex College, Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex with The Tuxedo Blues and The Total (Worthing Herald)

15 June 1968 – St Mary’s College of Education, Twickenham, London (Fabulous 208)

22 June 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

 

4 September 1968 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 September 1968 – The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London with The Small Faces, Barclay James Harvest, Love Sculpture, Bakerloo Blues Band, Skin, Pete Drummond (Melody Maker)

 

29 November 1968 – East London Tech, London (Time Out)

30 November 1968 – Imperial College, London (Time Out)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 December 1968 – Fishmongers Hall, Wood Green, London with Sundae Times (Melody Maker)

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

Hastings Pier, 9 March 1968. Image may be subject to copyright

Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds’ gigs 1963-1969

Welcome to the first posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

Formed in late 1959, Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds comprises the following line-up by spring 1963:

Chris Farlowe (lead vocals)

Bobby Taylor (lead guitar)

Ricky Charman (bass)

Vic Cooper (organ, sax, piano)

? Hines (drums)

1962

25 August 1962 – Hi-Fi Hop, Weybridge Hall, Weybridge, Surrey (Woking Herald)

1963

9 March 1963 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Ron Diamond & The Cutters (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

Jimmy Campbell joined on drums around May 1963.

19 May 1963 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with Don Lenon Trio (Aldershot News)

31 May 1963 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex with Lee Paris & The LPs (Brighton Evening Argus) Billed as Chris Farler & The Thunderbirds

 

1 June 1963 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire (Cambridgeshire Times)

 

29 July 1963 – Marquee, Oxford Street, London with (Mann-Hugg) Blues Brothers (Tony Bacon book: London Live)

 

9 August 1963 – Green Man, Blackheath, London (Melody Maker)

 

18 October 1963 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

Johnny Wiseman replaced Jimmy Campbell on drums around about now.

2 November 1963 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

17 November 1963 – Blue Moon, Hayes, Middlesex (Harrow Weekly Post)

 

6 December 1963 – Ricky Tick, Reading St John Ambulance Hall, Reading, Berkshire (David Else’s research)

27 December 1963 – Ricky Tick, Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/Surrey Advertiser has Plaza Ballroom

1964

18 February 1964 – Stereo Club, Woking, Surrey (Woking News & Mail)

Vic Cooper left around March.

29 March 1964 – Riverside Club, Cricketers Hotel, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald)

5 April 1964 – Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London (Kentish Mercury)

12 April 1964 – Ricky Tick, Olympia Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire (Bucks Free Press)

18 April 1964 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Tony Holland & The Pack-A-Beats and The Renegades (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

19 April 1964 – Blue Moon, Hayes, Middlesex with The Impacts (Dorothy Bullock list)

21 April 1964 – Fender Club, Kenton, Middlesex with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 April 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

30 April 1964 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with Dean Austen & The Dominators (Essex Chronicle)

9 May 1964 – Double ‘D’ Club, Hackney, north London (Hackney Gazette)

15 May 1964 – Pussycat Club, Bruce Grove Ballroom, north London with The Zephyrs (Hackney Gazette/Tottenham Weekly Herald) Opening night

25 May 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

David Greenslade joined on keyboards around June and Albert Lee took over from Bobby Taylor on lead guitar.

9 June 1964 – Jumbo Club, King George’s Hall, Esher, Surrey with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)

18 June 1964 – Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Luton News)

27 June 1964 – Continental Dancing Club, Edmonton, Middlesex (Tottenham Weekly Herald)

29 June 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

 

11 July 1964 – Galaxy Club, Haymarket Lounge, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)

Photo: Boyfriend magazine, 15 August 1964

1 August 1964 – Attic Club, 1a High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex with The Ray Clevelands (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

4 August 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

Photo: Boyfriend Magazine, 15 August 1964

22 August 1964 – West Runton Pavilion, West Runton, Norfolk (North Norfolk News)

3 October 1964 – 2-3-4 R&B Club, Britannia Hotel, Barking, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

4 October 1964 – Trend Club, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

6 October 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

9 October 1964 – Trend Club, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

 

13 October 1964 – Nurses Club, Jolly Gardners, Isleworth, Middlesex with Preacher Brown & The Witnesses (Middlesex Chronicle)

3 October 1964 – 2-3-4 R&B Club, Britannia Hotel, Barking, east London (Rebridge & Ilford Recorder)

30 October 1964 – Trend Club, Colchester, Essex (Essex Chronicle)

 

9 November 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

13 December 1964 – Alley Club, Cambridge (Cambridge News)

15 December 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

1965

10 January 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, Kent (Melody Maker)

17 January 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, Middlesex (Harrow Weekly Post/Greenford Weekly Post)

23 January 1965 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Shakedowns (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

Photo: Melody Maker

Ian Hague took over from Johnny Wiseman on drums in February.

11 February 1965 – Rocky Rivers’ Top 20 Club, Conservative Club, Bedford (Ampthill News & Weekly Record)

14 February 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, Kent (Melody Maker)

 

4 March 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

12 March 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (all-nighter) with The Night-timers (Melody Maker)

13 March 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (all-nighter) with Ronnie Jones & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)

14 March 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, Kent  (Melody Maker)

16 March 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

18 March 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

Bernie Greenwood joined on sax and Gerry Temple joined on congas and vocals during April but neither stayed long.

8 April 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire with Brian Auger Trinity (Dave Allen research)

11 April 1965 – Riverside Club, Cricketers Hotel, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald)

18 April 1965 – Studio, Westcliffe, Essex with The Flowerpots (Southend Standard & Essex Weekly Advertiser)

24 April 1965 – New Georgian Club, Uxbridge, northwest London (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

30 April 1965 – Ricky Tick, Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/)

2 May 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

7 May 1965 – Ricky Tick, Plaza Ballroom, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

11 May 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

22 May 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Stormsville Shakers (Melody Maker)

23 May 1965 – Riverside Club, Cricketers Hotel, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald)

25 May 1965 – The Bluesday Club, Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

27 May 1965 – Ettington Park Hotel, Alderminster, Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

29 May 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Stormsville Shakers (Melody Maker)

29 May 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)

30 May 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

 

7 June 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

10 June 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

11 June 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Doris Troy and Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (two sessions including an all-nighter) (Melody Maker)

12 June 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Stormsville Shakers (Melody Maker)

19 June 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Tony Colton Big Boss Band (Melody Maker)

19 June 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (all-nighter) (Melody Maker)

 

1 July 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

2 July 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Tony Knight’s Chessmen (All-nighter) (Melody Maker)

3 July 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)

11 July 1965– Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

16 July 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

23 July 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Doris Troy (Melody Maker)

23 July 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Doris Troy and The Shevells (All-nighter) (Melody Maker)

24 July 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

25 July 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

29 July 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with The Saracens (website: http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

31 July 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

 

7 August 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

14 August 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Stormsville Shakers (Melody Maker)

14 August 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)

20 August 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (All-nighter) (Melody Maker)

21 August 1965 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

22 August 1965 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

Melody Maker’s 28 August 1965 issue, page 12, says the band comprises Chris Farlowe (vocals), Albert Lee (guitar), Dave Greenslade (keyboards), Ricky Charman (bass), Paul Varson (sax) and Ian Hague (drums)

Varson, who took over from Bernie Greenwood, does not stay long and Dave Quincy joins on sax.

29 August 1965 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

 

3 September 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, southwest London (NME)

9 September 1965 – Ritz Club, Skewen, south Wales with The Applejacks and The Eyes of Blue (South Wales Evening Post)

David Else notes that the band was due to play at the Ricky Tick at Guildford Civic Hall on 10 September but were replaced by The Alan Price Set

11 September 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London (Melody Maker)

12 September 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

13 September 1965 – Garden of Eden Club, Blackbird Leys Community Centre, Wheatley, Oxfordshire with The Un-named (Oxford Mail)

16 September 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

17 September 1965 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

24 September 1965 – Archer Hall, Billericay, Essex with The Trends (Southend Standard & Essex Weekly Advertiser)

26 September 1965 – Galaxy Club, Woburn Park Hotel, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

30 September 1965 – Farnborough Rag Week, RAE Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with Sounds Incorporated and The Thee (Aldershot News)

 

3 October 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

9 October 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (all-nighter) (Melody Maker)

14 October 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

20 October 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Small Faces (Melody Maker)

23 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

24 October 1965 – Ricky Tick, Plaza Ballroom, Guildford, Surrey (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/)

29 October 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with T-Bone Walker (all-nighter) (Melody Maker)

30 October 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Tony Knight’s Chessmen (Melody Maker)

31 October 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

 

2 November 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with Colin Wilkie and Shirley Hart (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)

5 November 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Artwoods, Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

11 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

12 November 1965 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham with The Spencer Davis Group, The King Bees and The Cock O Hoops (Birmingham Evening Mail)

14 November 1965 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

15 November 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Tottenham Weekly Herald)

16 November 1965 – Ricky Tick, Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

19 November 1965 – Armco Sports & Social Club, Letchworth, Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with The Various Others (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express) Colin Jamies, bass player with The Various Others, got in touch to say his group was called The Various Others

21 November 1965 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

21 November 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (website: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

24 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

26 November 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

27 November 1965 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (website: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

 

2 December 1965 – Woolpack Inn, Rugby (Record Retailer)

3 December 1965 – Battersea College, Battersea, south London (Record Retailer)

4 December 1965 – Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts (Record Retailer)

4 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Mike Cotton Sound (all-nighter) (Melody Maker)

5 December 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Record Retailer)

6 December 1965 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)

7 December 1965 – Civic Hall, Grays, Essex (Record Retailer)

8 December 1965 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)

12 December 1965 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with John L Kingdon’s Humperdinks (Mid Sussex Times)

16 December 1965 – Blue Triangle, Ealing, west London (Record Retailer)

17 December 1965 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London (Record Retailer)

24 December 1965 – Manor House (most likely north London) (Beat Instrumental)

25 December 1965 – Cavern Club, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

26 December 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Jimmy Cliff, Ayshea, Pete Hodges and The New Generation and The Tribe (Evening Sentinel)

27 December 1965 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Javelins (East Kent Times)

28 December 1965 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

29 December 1965 – Starlight Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)

31 December 1965 – Starlight Ballroom, Greenford, west London (Beat Instrumental)

1966 

Bruce Waddell took over from Ricky Charman on bass in January

1 January 1966 – King Edward School, Southampton, Hants (Beat Instrumental)

2 January 1966 – Stonecross Hall, Harlow, Herts (Beat Instrumental)

5 January 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

7 January 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)

8 January 1966 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (Beat Instrumental)

9 January 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

12 January 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich (Eastern Evening News)

14 January 1966 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon (Beat Instrumental)

15 January 1966 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London (Beat Instrumental)

16 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London (Beat Instrumental)

18 January 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Beat Instrumental)

20 January 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Beat Instrumental)

21 January 1966 – Rialto, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

22 January 1966 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London (Beat Instrumental)

23 January 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

25 January 1966 – College of Advanced Technology, Birmingham (Beat Instrumental)

27 January 1966 – BRC Club, Stafford (Boyfriend magazine)

28 January 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)

29 January 1966 – Big Beat Club, the Ballroom, Two Puddings Hotel, Hackney, north London (Beat Instrumental) Boyfriend magazine also has In Crowd, Hackney as second gig on this night

30 January 1966 – Youth Club, Portland (most likely London) (Beat Instrumental)

31 January 1966 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Beat Instrumental)

 

2 February 1966 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)

3 February 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

3 February 1966 – Star Hotel, Croydon, London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon) Beat Instrumental has this on 31 January and says the band play Blue Moon in Cheltenham today

4 February 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, Sidcup, Kent (Beat Instrumental)

5 February 1966 – Big Beat Club, Stratford (possibly London) (Beat Instrumental)

6 February 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

10 February 1966 – Blue Triangle Club, Ealing, west London (Beat Instrumental)

11 February 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Beat Instrumental)

12 February 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Beat Instrumental)

13 February 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)

14 February 1966 – Manor House, Ipswich, Suffolk (Beat Instrumental)

15 February 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Beat Instrumental)

18 February 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Boyfriend magazine)

19 February 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire (Beat Instrumental) Advertised as Markham Hall so just needs confirmation/Boyfriend magazine has the band at Leascliff Hall, Folkestone on this date

21 February 1966 – Atalanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey (Record Retailer)

22 February 1966 – Ilford Palais, Ilford, Essex with The Shevelles (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

23 February 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich (Eastern Evening News)

25 February 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)

26 February 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

27 February 1966 – Cosmo Club, Carlisle, Cumbria (Beat Instrumental)

28 February 1966 – Top Rank, Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Beat Instrumental)

 

1 March 1966 – Top Rank, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Beat Instrumental)

2 March 1966 – Rag Week ’66, College of Advanced Technology, Great Hall, Gosta Green, West Midlands with Acker Bilk (Birmingham Evening Mail)

3 March 1966 – Plebeians Jazz Club, Halifax, West Yorkshire with Thursday’s Children (website: http://www.musictrailuk.com/index.php/venues/the-plebeians-jazz-clubBeat Instrumental has BR3 Club in Stafford on this date

4 March 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

5 March 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)

6 March 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

7 March 1966 – Barratts Youth Centre, South Ockenden (Beat Instrumental)

8 March 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

10 March 1966 – Thorngate Hall, Gosport, Hants (Beat Instrumental)

11 March 1966 – Digbeth Hall, Digbeth, Birmingham (Beat Instrumental)

12 March 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Fleur De Lys and The Essex Five (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

13 March 1966 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (South East London Mercury) Beat Instrumental has Top Rank in Southampton on this date

14 March 1966 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with Trekkas (website: http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htm)

15 March 1966 – Civic Hall, Grays, Essex (Beat Instrumental)

17 March 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Burnley, Lancashire (Beat Instrumental)

18 March 1966 – Durham University, Durham (Beat Instrumental)

19 March 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Beat Instrumental)

20 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Beat Instrumental)

21 March 1966 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire (Beat Instrumental)

23 March 1966 – Swansea University, Swansea, Wales (Beat Instrumental)

24 March 1966 – Brighton University, Brighton, Sussex (Beat Instrumental)

25 March 1966 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire (Morecambe Visitor)

27 March 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Dave Quincy left around about now reducing the band to a quintet.

6 April 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (Melody Maker)

11 April 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Artwoods, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Rockhouse Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

14 April 1966 – West Bromwich Baths, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Trend & Boyfriend)

15 April 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Trend & Boyfriend)

18 April 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

24 April 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News)

During May, Dave Greenslade briefly left to join Julian Covey & The Machine as they support John Lee Hooker on a UK tour but returned to The Thunderbirds soon after.

1 May 1966 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London (South East London Mercury)

6 May 1966 – Starlight Rooms, Brighton, East Sussex (Brighton Evening Argus)

Photo: John Treais

7 May 1966 – RAE Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with Five Proud Walkers (Aldershot News)

8 May 1966 – Dereham Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Ian and Danny Eves with Sounds Reformed (Eastern Evening News)

13  May 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with Makin Sound and The Good Times (Rugby Advertiser)

14 May 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

15 May 1966 – Downs Hotel, Hassocks, West Sussex with Mike Stuart Span (Mid Sussex Times)

17 May 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

18 May 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich (Eastern Evening News)

20 May 1966 – Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The Cherokees (Berkhamsted Gazette & Tring and District News)

22 May 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

25 May 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Cardiff, Wales (Beat Instrumental)

27 May 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London (Melody Maker)

28 May 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Stormsville Shakers (Melody Maker)

29 May 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Beat Instrumental)

30 May 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire with John McCoy’s Crawdaddies (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

31 May 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Disc & Music Echo)

 

1 June 1966 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

3 June 1966 – Bruce Grove Ballroom (Beat Instrumental)

4 June 1966 – Co-op Hall, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and Beachcomber, Nottingham (Beat Instrumental)

5 June 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)

6 June 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey (Aldershot News)

9 June 1966 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Beat Instrumental)

10 June 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Beat Instrumental)

11 June 1966 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with Saracens (website: http://www.coda-uk.co.uk/60’s_music_scene.htmThis is missing from Beat Instrumental/Trend and Boyfriend has Drill Hall, Stamford Links on this date. However, Hertfordshire Express does

Thanks to Colin Fox for the photo

13 June 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with 4-Bidden (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

15 June 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)

16 June 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Beat Instrumental)

17 June 1966 – Keeble College, Oxford (Beat Instrumental)

18 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

19 June 1966 – Sunshine Ballroom, East Dereham, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)

20 June 1966 – Christ College, Oxford (Beat Instrumental)

23 June 1966 – Hastings College 1066 Rag Appeal Dances, Pier Ballroom, Hastings, East Sussex with The In Crowd (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Beat Instrumental/Hastings and St Leonards Observer)

24 June 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Beat Instrumental)

25 June 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Wreckers (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

25 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Beat Instrumental)

26 June 1966 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

27 June 1966 – Manor House, St Matthew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)

30 June 1966 – Ritz Ballroom, Skewen, South Wales (Fabulous 208)

 

1 July 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby (Beat Instrumental)

2 July 1966 – Spa Ballroom, Bridlington (Beat Instrumental)

3 July 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

4 July 1966 – Top Rank, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Beat Instrumental)

6 July 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon) Beat Instrumental has Bromley Court Hotel on this date which is still possible

7 July 1966 – Ritz, Skewen, north Wales (Melody Maker)

8 July 1966 – Portland Buildings, Nottingham University, Nottingham (Fabulous 208/Beat Instrumental)

9 July 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Nite People (East Kent Times)

10 July 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

11 July 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)

13 July 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)

14 July 1966 – Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Beat Instrumental/Melody Maker)

15 July 1966 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press/Melody Maker)

16 July 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Billy Storm & The Original Falcons (Cambridgeshire Times)

17 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

19 July 1966 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with Raynors’ Secrets and The Travellers (Herald Express)

23 July 1966 – Blue Lagoon, Kimbells, Southsea, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

24 July 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London with The En-Devers Ltd (Melody Maker)

29 July 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

The South East London Mercury’s 29 July 1966 edition, page 1, has a good band story and picture. The line up is Chris Farlowe, Albert Lee, Bruce Waddell, Ian Hague and Dave Greenslade

30 July 1966 – New Cornish Riviera Lido, St Austell, Cornwall (West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette)

31 July 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

 

2 August 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol (Evening Post)

4 August 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol (Evening Post)

5 August 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Washington DCs (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

6 August 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

9 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, London (Melody Maker)

11 August 1966 – Ricky Tick, Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Poster)

12 August 1966 – The Gaff, North Bar, Banbury, Oxfordshire (Fabulous 208)

13 August 1966 – Drill Hall, Grantham, Lincolnshire with The Delcounts and Breed (Grantham Journal)

18 August 1966 – Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford (Bigglewade Chronicle)

23 August 1966 – Kinema, Dunfermline, Scotland (Fabulous 208)

25 August 1966 – Palais, Dundee, Scotland (Fabulous 208)

26 August 1966 – City Hall, Perth, Scotland (Fabulous 208)

27 August 1966 – Market Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with The Atoms and The Conquests (Cumberland News)

28 August 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Skyliners (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

29 August 1966 – Grays Club, Grays Court, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208/Beat Instrumental)

31 August 1966 – Mr Magoos, Edinburgh, Scotland (Beat Instrumental)

 

1 September 1966 – Mr Magoos, Edinburgh, Scotland (Beat Instrumental)

2 September 1966 – Grimsby Mecca, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

3 September 1966 – King Mojo Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Beat Instrumental)

4 September 1966 – Olympia Ballroom, Cromer, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)

8 September 1966 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex (Worthing Herald)

9 September 1966 – Beat Festival, Scunthorpe United Football Ground, Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, The Troggs, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas, The Ram Jam Band, The Creation, The Mindbenders and The Fenmen (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

10 September 1966 – Casino Ballroom, Taggs Island, Hampton Court, Middlesex (Fabulous 208)

11 September 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

16 September 1966 – Corn Exchange, Newbury, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

17 September 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Otis Redding & his American Band, The Gates of Eden, The Rising Sons and The Ferryboys (Lincolnshire Standard)

18 September 1966 – The New Scene, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

18 September 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Nottingham Evening Post)

22 September 1966 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Impacts (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)

23 September 1966 – Top Spot, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire with Mike Starr & The Citizens (Gloucester Citizen)

24 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Beat Instrumental)

29 September 1966 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire with The Soul Men (Swindon Evening Advertiser)

30 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Good Time Band (Melody Maker)

 

1 October 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

1 October 1966 – Paris Olympia, Paris, France with The Alan Price Set (Disc & Music Echo) Clashes with Birdcage gig above so may not have happened

2 October 1966 – Dereham Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Eyes of Blond (Eastern Evening News) Fabulous 208 refers to this venue as The Sunshine Floor

7 October 1966 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with The Doodlebugs and Harold Graham (Morecambe Visitor)

8 October 1966 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with The Invasion (Fabulous 208/Evening Sentinel)

8 October 1966 – King’s Hall, Stoke, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

14 October 1966 – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Rogues (Fabulous 208/Evening Star)

15 October 1966 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire (Fabulous 208)

In mid October, the band joined The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Georgie Fame, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Eric Burdon & The New Animals and The Eyes of Blue for a package tour (see details in comments)

Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail
Photo: Gloucester Citizen

10 November 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Original Dyaks (Cambridge News/Fabulous 208)

11 November 1966 – Hoverton Village Hall, Hoverton, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)

12 November 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Buxton, Derbyshire (Sheffield Star)

12 November 1966 – Pavilion Ballroom, Buxton, Derbyshire with Finders Keepers (Alderley & Wilmslow & Knutsford Advertiser)

13 November 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hall, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)

17 November 1966 – Victoria Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

18 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Melody Maker) This may not have happened

Photo: City Week

18 November 1966 – St Malachy’s Hall, Edenork, Dungannon, Northern Ireland (City Week)

18 November 1966 – Strand Ballroom, Portstewart, Northern Ireland (City Week)

19 November 1966 – Queen’s University, Belfast, Northern Ireland (City Week)

19 November 1966 – Flamingo, Ballymena, Northern Ireland with Hi Seas (City Week)

20 November 1966 – Plaza, Belfast, Northern Ireland (City Week)

20 November 1966 – St Teresa’s, Belfast, Northern Ireland (City Week)

23 November 1966 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

24 November 1966 – Burnley Locarno, Burnley, Lancashire (Disc & Music Echo)

25 November 1966 – Regal Ammanford, Wales (Disc & Music Echo)

26 November 1966 – Manchester University (Disc & Music Echo)

26 November 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

 

2 December 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

3 December 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Apex R&B All Stars (Cambridgeshire Times)

5-8 December 1966 – Carousel Club, Copenhagen, Denmark (Melody Maker) Disc & Music Echo says the band arrives back in the UK on 11 December

11 December 1966 – Gig in Shrewsbury (possibly Severn Club), Shropshire then Midnight City, Birmingham (Disc & Music Echo)

12 December 1966 – Oxfam Charity Show, Albert Hall, London (Melody Maker)

15 December 1966 – Aston University, Aston, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)

16 December 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

17 December 1966 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

17 December 1966 – Nite Owl, Leicester (Leicester Mercury) Opening night of the venue

18 December 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Nottingham Evening Post)

23 December 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

24 December 1966 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands with New Street Station and Barmy Barry (Birmingham Evening Mail/Express & Star)

24 December 1966 – Stourport Civic Hall, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire with The Secrets (Kidderminster Shuttle)

31 December 1966 – Severn Club, Shrewsbury, Shropshire (Fabulous 208)

31 December 1966 – Midnight City, Digbeth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

1967

6 January 1967 – Ricky Tick, Newbury, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

13 January 1967 – St Luke’s College, Exeter, Devon (Fabulous 208)

14 January 1967 – Crystal Bowl Ballroom, Castleford, West Yorkshire with The Mydnites and The Squeeze (Wakefield Express/Yorkshire Evening Post)

14 January 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire with The Sweet Image (Yorkshire Evening Post)

15-21 January 1967 – Towers Theatre Club, Warrington, Cheshire (St Helens Newspaper/Fabulous 208)

15-21 January 1967 – Garrick, Leigh, Greater Manchester (St Helens Newspaper/Fabulous 208)

22-23 January 1967 – Club Latino, South Shields, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)

22-23 January 1967 – Dolce Vita, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)

 

3 February 1967 – Leicester University, Leicester, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

4 February 1967 – University Park, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (Fabulous 208)

10 February 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Fabulous 208)

10 February 1967 – Battersea College, Battersea, south London (Fabulous 208)

11 February 1967 – Queen Mary’s College, Mile End, east London (Fabulous 208)

13 February 1967 – Liverpool University, Liverpool with The Searchers (Fabulous 208)

17 February 1967 – Rag Ball, Top Rank Suite, Swansea, south Wales with The Alan Price Set, Wayne Fontana, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Jug & Bottle Set (South Wales Evening Post)

18 February 1967 – Town Hall, Morley, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

19 February 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Bluecaps (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

25 February 1967 – Rag Ball, Dunelm House, Durham University with Chuck Berry and The Alan Price Set (Durham University’s student paper – Palatine)

 

3 March 1967 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

4 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Edwin Starr and The Cool Combination, Root and Jenny Jackson & The Hightimers and Ray Bones (Fabulous 208 and Lincolnshire Standard)

4 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

7 March 1967 – St Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, Norfolk with Sensational Anglians (Eastern Evening News)

9 March 1967 – Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)

10 March 1967 – Public Baths, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire with The Alan Price Set (The Star)

10 March 1967 – Nottingham Tech College, Nottingham with Robert Hirst & The Big Taste, Our Young and The In Crowd (Nottingham Evening Post)

11 March 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Nite People (East Kent Times & Mail)

15 March 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Question (Cambridge News)

18 March 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

20 March 1967 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Fabulous 208)

23 March 1967 – The Cavern, Liverpool with The Fix and The Klubs (Fabulous 208/Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)

25 March 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with The Academy (Dave Allen research)

26 March 1967 – Ricky Tick, Newbuy Plaza, Newbury, Berks (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/)

27 March 1967 – Barnsley Civic Hall, Barnsley, South Yorkshire with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, The Tiles Big Band, The Pityful and Moss’s Mixtures (Barnsley Chronicle & South Yorkshire News/Melody Maker)

27 March 1967 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire (Crewe Chronicle)

27 March 1967 – Wem Town Hall, Wem, Shropshire with support group (Shropshire Journal)

31 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Crawley Advertiser)

 

5 April 1967 – St Michael’s Youth Centre, Sydenham, southeast London with Citations (Fabulous 208)

7 April 1967 – Ricky Tick, Assembly Borough Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks (Melody Maker)

8 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Lunar-2 Honey Band (Melody Maker)

9 April 1967 – Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, central London (Fabulous 208)

14 April 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

15 April 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Bromwich, West Midlands (Express and Star)

18 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Wynder K Frog (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 April 1967 – Town Hall, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

21 April 1967 – Gondola Club, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

22 April 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

24 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

30 April 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London with Shinn (Melody Maker)

In early May, Dave Greenslade left to join Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band. Ian Hague departed about the same time to join PP Arnold & The Nice. Carl Palmer took his place on drums.

5 May 1967 – Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

7 May 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

12 May 1967 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with Clockwork Orange and MBQ (Morecambe Visitor)

13 May 1967 – Nottingham University, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (Fabulous 208)

14 May 1967 – Ricky Tick, Newbury Plaza, Berkshire (Melody Maker/Newbury Weekly News)

19 May 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Crew (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

20 May 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Motown Trinity (Cambridgeshire Times)

20 May 1967 – Night Owl, Leicester with Pesky Gee (Fabulous 208/Leicester Mercury)

21 May 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Fabulous 208)

23 May 1967 – Swansea College, Swansea, Wales (Fabulous 208)

26 May 1967 – Town Hall, Loughborough, Leicestershire with Mike Stuart Band (Fabulous 208/Leicester Mercury)

27 May 1967 – The Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with The Protection Racket (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Photo: William Nisbeth

2 June 1967 – Perth City Hall, Perth, Scotland with Cat Stevens, George Bean & The Runners, Sole Generation and Absolute (Poster from William Nisbeth) Nisbeth, who was a member of one of the support bands, says his group supported Farlowe in Falkirk (possibly the new town hall) the previous day

10 June 1967 – Supreme Eastern Esplanade, Ramsgate, Kent with Len Marshall Show (East Kent Times & Mail)

11 June 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

13 June 1967 – Caius College, Oxford, Cambridge with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Fabulous 208) Disc & Music Echo has 14 June

17 June 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Fabulous 208/Melody Maker)

18 June 1967 – Brands Hatch Radio London Motor Racing and Pop Festival, Brands Hatch, Kent with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich and Episode Six (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

22 June 1967 – Ritz Club, Skewen, south Wales with The Powerstop Big Band and The King Bees (South Wales Evening Post)

23 June 1967 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Pesky Gee and The Legay (Rugby Advertiser)

24 June 1967 – Hull University, Hull (Disc & Music Echo)

25 June 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

30 June 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Syrian Blues and All Night Workers (Melody Maker)

7 July 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Chanters (Melody Maker)

9 July 1967 – Pavilion, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Fabulous 208)

11 July 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)

12 July 1967 – King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, King’s Lynn, Norfolk with St Willies Cool School and The Eyes of Blond (Lynn News & Advertiser)

13 July 1967 – Oak Leaf Ballroom, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire with The Denmen and Steve Brown Soul Sect (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

15 July 1967 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands with The Flowers (Birmingham Evening Mail/Coventry Evening Telegraph/Fabulous 208)

16 July 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

21 July 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

22 July 1967 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with The Martells and St Willie Cool School (Essex County Standard)

28 July 1967 – Palace Ballroom, Douglas, Isle of Man (Fabulous 208)

29 July 1967 – Riviera Club, Carlyon Bay, Cornwall (Fabulous 208)

30 July 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)

4 August 1967 – Nautilus, South Pier, Lowestoft, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)

5 August 1967 – Pier Pavilion, Hastings, East Sussex (Fabulous 208)

24 August 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent (East Kent Times & Mail)

26 August 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with The Vip Vop Band (Derby Evening Telegraph/Derbyshire Times)

27 August 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

 

1 September 1967 – Marine Ballroom, Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire with The Alan Taylor Show Band and The MBQ (Morecambe Visitor)

1 September 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

8 September 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire with The Tatters (Warrington Guardian)

9 September 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire with The Taylor Upton Big Jump Band (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

11 September 1967 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

12 September 1967 – Lotus Ballroom, Forest Gate, east London (Newham & Stratford Express)

13 September 1967 – Cosmo, Carlisle, Cumbria (Cumberland News)

16 September 1967 – Nautilus, South Pier, Lowestoft, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)

17 September 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Poster)

20 September 1967 – Fifth Dimension Club, Leicester, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

23 September 1967 – Winter Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset (Fabulous 208)

24 September 1967 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry, West Midlands with Legay (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

30 September 1967 – Bracknell Sports Centre, Bracknell, Berkshire with The Ziggy Turner Mob (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express/Bracknell News)

 

5 October 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

6 October 1967 – Queens Rink Ballroom, Hartlepool, County Durham with The Sect and The Tony King Sound (Hartlepool Mail)

7 October 1967 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

8 October 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford,  northwest London (Fabulous 208)

14 October 1967 – Southampton University, Southampton, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)
15 October 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpions (Crewe Chronicle)

20 October 1967 – Locarno Ballroom, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)

21 October 1967 – At the Union, Manchester with The Waterboard (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

22 October 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

23 October 1967 – Staffordshire Yeoman, Stafford (Stafford Newsletter)

28 October 1967 – Sheffield University, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

29 October 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Skyliners (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

 

17 November 1967 – Salford University, Salford, Greater Manchester (Fabulous 208)

18 November 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Dual Purpose (East Kent Times & Mail)

22 November 1967 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

25 November 1967 – St James’ Spectacular, Chesterfield, Derbyshire with The Shape of The Rain (Derbyshire Times)

30 November 1967 – Queen’s Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)

During December Pete Solley joined on keyboards.

1 December 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Fabulous 208)

7 December 1967 – Marimba, Middlesbrough (Disc & Music Echo)

8 December 1967 – Crown & Cushion, Perry Barr, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

16 December 1967 – Westminster Technical College, Westminster, central London with Hamilton’s Blues Messengers (Melody Maker)

21 December 1967 – Central Hall, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire (The Star)

23 December 1967 – Leyton Baths, Leyton, east London (Disc & Music Echo)

23 December 1967 – Lotus Ballroom, Forest Gate, east London (Newham & Stratford Express)

31 December 1967 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

31 December 1967 – Plaza Ballroom, Old Hill, Bearwood, West Midlands (Express & Star)

1968

5 January 1968 – Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire (Fabulous 208)

6 January 1968 – Southend gig (but not sure of venue) with support (Southend Standard)

7 January 1968 – Tudor Club, Mercers Arms, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

8 January 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Finders Keepers and Barmy Barry Show (Express & Star)

12 January 1968 – Leicester College of Education (Scraptoft), Leicester with Deuce Coupe and Pandoras Box (Fabulous 208/Leicester Mercury)

13 January 1968 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)

14 January 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex (Crawley Advertiser)

28 January 1968 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

30 January 1968 – Cheltenham Spa Lounge and Ballroom, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

 

2 February 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Chuck Berry, The Herd, The Move, Edwin Starr, Brian Auger Trinity, Julie Driscoll, Sammy Small, The Union Blues Rave Band, Th Accent (Yorkshire Evening Post)

9 February 1968 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (website: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

10 February 1968 – Drill Hall, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire with Pesky Gee (Grantham Journal)

12 February 1968 – George Hotel, Walsall, West Midlands with Max Baer & The Chicago Setback (Walsall Observer)

16 February 1968 – Impsela Club, Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire (Redditch Indicator)

17 February 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with supporting groups (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

18 February 1968 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Blackouts (website: https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

19 February 1968 – Mercers Arms, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

25 February 1968 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

29 February 1968 – Zodiac Club, Eden Park Hotel, Beckenham, southeast London (Melody Maker)

3 March 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Friendly Apple (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

7 March 1968 – City of Coventry Confederation of Colleges, Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands with The Spencer Davis Group, St Louis Union and Piccadilly Line (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

8 March 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

9 March 1968 – Cat-Balou Club, Grantham, Lincolnshire (Melody Maker/Grantham Journal)

16 March 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The New England Mood (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

16 March 1968 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury with Generation (Somerset County Gazette)

23 March 1968 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with Generation (Western Gazette)

26 March 1968 – Brave New World, Southsea, Hants (Portsmouth News)

29 March 1968 – Crown and Cushion, Perry Barr, West Midlands with The Vogues (Birmingham Evening Mail)

31 March 1968 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)

 

1 April 1968 – Mercers Arms, Coventry, West Midlands with The Soul Express (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

12 April 1968 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland with The Shades of Blue (City Week)

13 April 1968 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland with Taste (City Week)

20 April 1968 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Oxfordshire with Wages of Sin (Brackley Advertiser)

21 April 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

27 April 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Le Gaye (East Kent Times)

28 April 1968 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

 

6 May 1968 – Queen Mary Ballroom, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands with Sound Syndicate (Express & Star)

8 May 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Leicester with Simon Peters (Leicester Mercury)

11 May 1968 – Kesteven College, Grantham, Lincolnshire with The Cortinas (Paul Griggs book)

According to Paul Griggs, Albert Lee did not appear at the above gig and he recommended his friend Alan Shacklock as a replacement when Lee left soon after. 

17 May 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham Junction, southeast London with The Purple Dream (Coulsdon & Purley Advertiser)

19 May 1968 – Wharf Hotel, Holt Fleet, Worcester (Kidderminster Shuttle)

Shacklock auditioned at a pub in Islington around this time, by which point bass player Bruce Wadell had departed and Solley played the bass pedals on his Hammond.  

24 May 1968 – Victoria & Bull, Dartford, Kent (Fabulous 208)

25 May 1968 – College of Technology, Slough, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

1 June 1968 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Granny’s Attic (Cambridgeshire Times)

9 June 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Keith Herd Group (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

Around this time Pete Solley left to join Los Bravos and Peter Robinson took over on keyboards. Bruce Waddell also returned to play bass.

14 June 1968 – Club Rado, Belfast, Northern Ireland (City Week)

21 June 1968 – Newbury Plaza, Newbury, Berkshire with Soul Reason featuring Orville Griffith (Newbury Weekly News)

22 June 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

28 June 1968 – Kursaal Ballroom, Southend, Essex with Coloured Raisins (Southend Standard)

29 June 1968 – Nags Head, Motown Club, Wollaston, Northamptonshire (Northamptsonshire Evening Telegraph)

In mid July, Carl Palmer left to join The Crazy World of Arthur Brown. Palmer recommended his friend John Bonham, who has been working with Tim Rose.

Bonham has already been approached to form a new band that will become Led Zeppelin but will perform with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds until late August. 

20 July 1968 – Condor Club, Arbroath, Scotland (Fabulous 208)

27 July 1968 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)

 

1 August 1968 – Bourne Hall, Fishmongers Arms, Wood Green, north London (Wood Green & Southgate Weekly Herald)

2 August 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

3 August 1968 – Seagull Ballroom, Ryde Pier Head, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Procol Harum and The Stack (Isle of Wight County Press)

8 August 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Candy Choir (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

10 August 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

16 August 1968 – Boat House, Kew, west London (Thames Valley Times)

17 August 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

John Bonham left at the end of August to join The New Yardbirds who soon change name to Led Zeppelin.

Colin Davy, who has been playing with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, took his place.

31 August 1968 – Elms Court, Botley, Oxford (Fabulous 208)

2 September 1968 – Bank Holiday, Bluesology Festival, Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Fleetwood Mac, The Move, The Freddy Mack Show and Family (Melody Maker)

2 September 1968 – Billing Aquadrome, Northamptonshire with Joe Cocker and Soul Committee (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

2 September 1968 – Seagull Ballroom, Ryde Pier Head, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Traffic and The Stack (Isle of Wight County Press)

13 September 1968 – Victoria Cross, Wantage, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

13 September 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire with The Curiosity Shoppe (Warrington Guardian)

14 September 1968 – Drill Hall, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire with Donell Jackson and Broadway Crowd (Grantham Journal)

18 September 1968 – YMCA, Tunbridge Wells, Kent (Fabulous 208)

21 September 1968 – Drill Hall, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire with Donnell Jackson and The Broadway Crowd (Grantham Journal/Leicester Mercury)

22 September 1968 – Tudor Club, Mercer’s Arms, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

 

2 October 1968 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)

3 October 1968 – Broken Wheel, Macclesfield (Fabulous 208)

4 October 1968 – Goldsmith College, New Cross Gate, London (Fabulous 208)

13 October 1968 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

18 October 1968 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, London (Fabulous 208)

19 October 1968 – Bangor University, Bangor, Wales (Fabulous 208)

 

1 November 1968 – Brunel University, Uxbridge, London (Melody Maker)

3 November 1968 – Bridge Place Country Club, Bridge near Canterbury, Kent (Kent Herald)

8 November 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

9 November 1968 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich, Norfolk with Journey Within (Fabulous 208/Eastern Evening News)

16 November 1968 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex (Southend Standard)

22 November 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

23 November 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

28-29 November 1968 – Annabel’s, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear (Fabulous 208)

30 November 1968 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Paper Lemon (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

 

6 December 1968 – Ranmore House, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

8 December 1968 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham Evening Post)

9 December 1968 – Leicester University, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

11 December 1968 – King’s Lynn Tech College, King’s Lynn, Norfolk (Fabulous 208)

13-14 December 1968 – Scene Two, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough Evening News)

19 December 1968 – Shipley Club, Watton, Norfolk (Fabulous 208)

22 December 1968 – Bird Cage, Harlow, Essex (Fabulous 208)

28 December 1968 – Malvern Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire with The Basin Street Jump Band (Malvern Gazette)

1969

17 January 1969 – Teachers Training College, Edgbaston, West Midlands (Fabulous 208)

18 January 1969 – St Mary’s Technical College, Twickenham, west London (Fabulous 208)

19 January 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)

23 January 1969 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!)

 

1 February 1969 – Hatfield College, Hatfield, Herts (Fabulous 208)

7 February 1969 – The Factory, Birmingham (Fabulous 208)

8 February 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Dream Police (Folkestone & Hythe District Herald)

14 February 1969 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

16 February 1969 – Carousel Club, Piccadilly, central London (Fabulous 208)

 

1 March 1969 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

9 March 1969 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (website: http://www.76club.org.uk/gigs.htmlThis may be Farlowe’s final gig with The Thunderbirds – Melody Maker notes 9 March was the last one.

When the band split, Alan Shacklock went on to play with Babe Ruth. The rest of the band recorded as The Hill.

Many thanks to Alan Shacklock for his help in clarifying the band’s final lineups.

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

 

The Tierdrops

Tierdrops Photo
The Tierdrops, back row left to right: Rick Shelton and Wendell Peterson; front row: Joey Wilbur, George Browning, and Steve Hill

The Tierdrops performing at the Pine Grove in Portsmouth, NH
The Tierdrops performing at the Pine Grove in Portsmouth, NH
Steve Hill sent in the cool photos and news clippings about the Tierdrops, a fellow band to the Devil’s Own, and one of several groups from Portsmouth, New Hampshire in the mid-60s. Steve gives info on the band:

The Tierdrops were a Portsmouth top 40 rock band. We were the house band for the EM club at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and frequently played at the Pine Grove Pavillion as well as the PAL club in Lewiston, ME and the PAL club in Rockland, ME.

Tierdrops at the Pine Grove PavilionJoey Wilbur – lead singer
Rick Shelton – lead guitar
George “Spike” Browning – organ
Steve Hill – bass guitar
Wendell “Pete” Peterson – drummer

“Spike” Browning managed the Devil’s Own and us. Joey played guitar with the Devil’s Own and later became our lead singer and Spike wanted to play so he came to us and became our organist. We did not record a record. Spike did record us on many occasions with his Akai reel to reel, however, the tapes are lost.

We had tried out to become a “surf” band along with bands such as the Rockin’ Ramrods, the Pilgrims, the Techniques, and several others and were accepted, however, I was drafted before we had our first gig as a surf band.

Thank you for keeping the bands of that era alive.

Steve Hill

Tierdrops, Devil's Own, & Cobras, Lewiston P.A.L. Dance, February
Awesome lineup: Tierdrops, Devil’s Own, & the Cobras!

The Alan Franklin Explosion – The Blues Climax

Alan Franklin Explosion Blues Climax Horne 45 Piece of Your LoveThe Alan Franklin Explosion have received some attention from collectors of private underground albums, but this 45 is worth discussing. Both “Piece of My Heart” and “Bye Bye Baby” were taken from Alan Franklin’s second LP, the one that has his b&w photo and both “The Alan Franklin Explosion” and “The Blues Climax” on the front cover, on the Horne label, J.C. 888-L.

Franklin was from Tampa, Florida, but recorded at Bee Jay Recording Studio in Orlando. The musicians were:

Alan Franklin – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
Chris Russel – lead guitar
Buzzy Meekins – bass
Dave Dix – drums

Apparently this was not an actual band but consisted of some teenage musicians invited to play with Alan in the studio. David Dix would go on to join the Outlaws.

“Piece of My Heart” is a wild, weird come-on. “Bye Bye Baby” more conventional blues-based rock. The label was Horne, with a release # J.C. 888-4. These two songs were included on the first side of the album, Alan Franklin Explosion – The Blues Climax cut in 1969 and 1970. Alan Franklin produced and Bill Vermillion engineered. Alan Franklin wrote all the songs, published by Penetraion Sound Publishing Company.

The notes on the back cover of the LP are worth quoting in full for their hype:

This is a wild savage approach to hard rock blues combining vicious jungle rock rhythm with very tight and lightening fast rhythm and lead progressions with a base that goes right inside of you. The vocals are wild and insane yet loving and caressing. The sound that these four cats put out is so fantastic that you won’t be able to turn it off. This is a new sound, a sound as wild and free as the Climax itself. For the Climax is made up of four rebellious wild fanatical musicians who literally go insane on stage, causing riots at every performance. People are going all the way with the Blues Climax. If you like hard rock music then you will love the Blues Climax.

– Albert Freeman ~ Penetration Publishing Company

Alan Franklin Explosion Billboard 1971, July 24The LP was chosen as Album of the Week in a small ad featuring “Brite Star’s Pick Hits”, run by a Nashville promotion company that was probably paid for the endorsement.

Alan Franklin’s first LP was called simply Blues Climax, recorded about 1968. The musicians are only Alan Franklin on guitar and vocals and Ray Vaughn on drums. It was released with red Horne labels, J.C. 333-7. Three of songs on this first would appear on the second LP in somewhat more polished versions. This earlier version of “Piece of My Heart” is so amazingly raw and crude, with great Bo Diddley type rhythm guitar playing:

His next LP seems to be titled Alan Roy Franklin released sometime in the 1970s. I haven’t heard any of it, nor his 1980 LP, Come Home Baby, credited to The Alan Franklin Explosion. This last one has a cover that has to be seen to be believed: Alan reclines on a bed, long-haired and shirtless, a jug of wine, copy of High Times, some cash and what looks to be a bong next to him on the red velour sheet.

Unfortunately I cannot recommend a google search for “Alan Roy Franklin”. I can only hope this is not the same Alan Franklin as turns up in the results.

Alan Franklin Explosion Blues Climax Horne 45 Bye Bye Baby

The Statics

Statics JB Leeander 45 Again and AgainThe Statics are an obscure band from the St. Louis, Missouri area. In the spring of 1968 they cut their only single. “Again and Again” veers from a slow start to a hurried pace and back again, with some very gloomy organ playing and frantic drumming.

The Library of Congress catalog shows it was copyrighted in April, 1968 as simply “Again”, featuring words by Lanny McCormick and music by Bob Gleitze, who seems to have signed my copy of the 45.

Statics JB Leeander 45 I Can't Hold It Back
The designated A-side was “I Can’t Hold It Back”, a sedate ballad also written by McCormick and Gleitze, but this side suffers from a constant high-pitched sound throughout the song.

Produced by Albert Gleitze, and with a credit to Leeander Productions at 2335 Weaton in the Hanley Hills section of St. Louis, a little north of Washington University. Seems to be the only release on the JB Leeander label.

The band had one further copyright for a song called “You Didn’t Believe Me”, again by McCormick and Gleitze, and submitted by Mark Schieferle in November 1968.

The Original Sinners

Original Sinners Discotech 45 You'll Never Know (What Love Is All About)The Original Sinners formed at Yale University in New Haven. Robert Brentson Smith wrote “You’ll Never Know (What Love Is All About)”, which borrows the opening riff of the Stones’ “Empty Heart” for an archetypal garage single, with put-down lyrics, good harmony vocals, harp and a guitar break.

Brent Smith and Stew Metz wrote the stomping, bluesy “(Any Time You Need Me) I’ll Be Home”, freshened like the flip by good harmonies and balance in rhythm & lead guitar.

Original Sinners Discotech 45 (Anytime You Need Me) I'll Be HomeBoth songs were copyrighted in April of 1966 with Cowardly Lion Music BMI. Produced by Bass & Reiser, it was released in May, 1966 on Discotech DTR-1001 (stamped Columbia custom pressing code ZTSP 122156/7 – 1A).

There’s no link between this Discotech label and the Ohio label that had cool releases by the Nomads and others.

The Bristols on Audio Dynamics

Bristols Cash Box Record Reviews 1967 August 26The Bristols have a 45 well-known among soul collectors, “(Go Away) With a Girl Like Her” / “Where Am I Going”. Cash Box gave it a positive review in August, 1967.

According to a youtube comment from band member Dale Monette:

The black label was the first issue of the recording. After Audio Dynamics re-released it on the white label. It was engineered by Don Carmody who owned the studio, and Dick Booth who was a great guy and helped us get airplay on WHYN is Springfield MA and other stations around the western New England area in the summer of 1967. It rose to number 11 on the WHYN top 40. It stayed on the chart 8 weeks.

The band was from Worcester, Massachusetts, and included Dave Rivers on vocals and Dale Monette on drums. Judging from song writing credits on their first 45, other members may have been Gabrenas and Strom.

Bristols Audio Dynamics 45 Cross My HeartMuch more obscure is their second single, also on Audio Dynamics. “Cross Your Heart” has some of the soulfulness of their first single, but I like the slow dreamy quality of the flip, “I Need Only You”. Both sides lack the commercial production of the “(Go Away) With a Girl Like Her” / “Where Am I Going”.

Like their first single, there’s a credit to Dick Booth for arrangment and production, but no song writing credits, only the Audyn Music BMI publishing.

The Audio Dynamics discography is a jumble of different codes, making an exact release chronology difficult. Some releases have numbers ending three digits beginning with 6: the Pentagons is 671, the first Bristols 45 672, and the second Bristols single has 673 on one side and 674 on the other. The Chain Reaction single has 682 in the code.

Bristols Audio Dynamics 45 I Need Only You

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