Elton John and Bluesology

November 25, 2015 Nick Warburton 18 Comments

Today, Elton John is one of rock music’s most revered artists but during the early-mid 1960s he struggled for recognition, learning his trade as Reg Dwight with west London R&B outfit, Bluesology.

Below, I have started to piece together a timeline on this band’s history, including the period after Reg Dwight/Elton John left in March 1968 to start his solo career.

In particular, I need to credit the invaluable work carried out by Keith Hayward, who has written the excellent book, Tin Pan Alley: The Rise of Elton John, for some of this material. He has been a huge help. I have also reference below sources that I have drawn on for live dates.

I would welcome any additions and corrections in the comment box below.

Bluesology was formed in 1962 after Reg Dwight and Stu Brown had played in Pinner, Middlesex group, The Corvettes. The original line up comprised:

Stu Brown – guitar/vocals

Reg Dwight – keyboards/vocals

Geoff Dyson – bass

Mick Inkpen – drums

2 April 1965 – St Alban’s Church, Northwood, Middlesex (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

13 April 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)

20 April 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London with The Dae-b-Four (Harrow Weekly Post)

29 April 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London with The Dae-b-Four (Greenford Weekly Post)

Photo: Melody Maker, 8 May 1965. Image may be subject to copyright

Circa April/May 1965 – Reg Dwight’s ‘Come Back Baby’ recorded

6 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post/Harrow Observer & Gazette)

20 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post)

27 May 1965 – Elms Club, Corbins Lane, South Harrow, northwest London with The CC Riders (every Thursday) (Harrow Weekly Post)

The newspaper stopped advertising after the above date

June 1965: Dyson leaves to join The Mockingbirds

+ Rex Bishop – bass

+ Terry Patterson – saxophone

Circa June 1965 – ‘Times Are Getting Tougher Than Tough’ recorded

3 June 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London with The Equals (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 June 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)

23 July 1965 – ‘Come Back Baby’ c/w ‘Times Are Getting Tougher Than Tough’ released (http://www.45cat.com/artist/bluesology)

There is a great article on Bluesology in the Coventry Standard, dated 29 July 1965, page 20

Hillingdon Mirror, 24 August 1965, page 24. Image may be subject to copyright

4 September 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

Circa November 1965:

– Terry Patterson – saxophone

+ Pat Higgs – trumpet

+ Dave Murphy – saxophone

3-20 December 1965 – Major Lance tour with Bluesology

3 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London and In Place, central London with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker) Doesn’t not mention Bluesology

4 December 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with Alex Harvey Mockingbirds (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 December 1965 – Oasis, Manchester with The Crestas (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

5 December 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated

6 December 1965 – Gig in Rochester, Kent (Melody Maker)

7 December 1965 – Birdcage, Southsea, Hants (Melody Maker)

8 December 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

9 December 1965 – Paddington (most likely Cue Club), central London (Melody Maker)

10 December 1965 – Gig in Durham (most likely the university) (Melody Maker)

11 December 1965 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough (Evening Gazette Middlesbrough)

14 December 1965 – Gig in Harlow, Herts (Melody Maker)

16 December 1965 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)

16 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alan Price Set (London Live: Tony Bacon)

17 December 1965 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester and Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with Major Lance and Manchester Playboys and Jonathan Good Tweed (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated

17 December 1965 – Gig in Stockport, Greater Manchester (most likely Tabernacle) (Melody Maker)

18 December 1965 – New All-Star Club, 9 Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

20 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Melody Maker)

5-19 January 1966 – Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles first tour with Bluesology

5 January 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

6 January 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)

8 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Checkpoints (Melody Maker)

9 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

11 January 1966 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, West London (Melody Maker)

14 January 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9 Artillery Passage, London, E1 and Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (according to The Star, the billing also included Fontella Bass, The Stormsville Shakers and The Just 5 x 2. Bluesology were credited as Bluesology Inc and Pattie La Belle was billed as Tattie Rebelle & Her Belles!)

16 January 1966 – Plaza, Birmingham, West Midlands (Handsworth?) (Melody Maker)

19 January 1966 – Dancing Slipper, West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Evening Post) Says Wilson Pickett’s backing group

22 January 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Pinky & The Phellows and The Triads (Lincolnshire Standard) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated

February 1966 – Reg Dwight’s ‘Mr Frantic’ c/w ‘Every Day I Have The Blues’ released

February 1966 – Doris Troy tour with Bluesology

5 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham, West Midlands with The Move (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated

7 February 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with Earl Preston’s Realms and The Fix (Liverpool Echo)

11 February 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London with Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)

11 February 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)

12 February 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Manchester Playboys (http://www.manchesterbeat.com/features/gig_guides/gig_diary.php)

13 February 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen (Melody Maker)

18 February 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge, northwest London with Caribbean Show Band (Melody Maker)

According to an article in the Neath Guardian, dated 11 February 1966, Bluesology Incorporated backed Ben E King on a tour that ran from 18 February through to 6 March 1966.

18 February 1966 – Golders Green Refectory, Golders Green, north London (Melody Maker)

19 February 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, London, E1 with Captain First (Melody Maker)

20-21 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated

22 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Spencer Davis Group (London Live: Tony Bacon)

26 February 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

March 1966 – Bluesology travels to Hamburg to play Top Ten Club with Linda Laine & The Sinners

3 April 1966 – The Hive Club, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

9 April 1966 – Trinity Hall, Coventry (Coventy Evening Telegraph)

12 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Manfred Mann (London Live: Tony Bacon)

22 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Sands (London Live: Tony Bacon)

Late April/early May 1966: Inkpen leaves

+ Paul Gale – drums

Late April/early May 1966: Bishop departs

+ Freddy Gandy (aka Freddie Wonder) – bass

3 May-circa 21 May 1966 – Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles second UK tour

3 May 1966 – Birdland, London (Melody Maker)

4 May 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (Melody Maker)

5 May 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

6 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Melody Maker)

7 May 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)

8 May 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles and Polecatz (http://www.manchesterbeat.com/features/gig_guides/gig_diary.php)

9 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

13 May 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Gass (Melody Maker)

14 May 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles and The Ram Jam Band ( http://manchestersoul.co.uk/TWheel/1966.html) Manchester Evening News & Chronicle has Alan Bown instead of Bluesology for this gig

17 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Patti La Belle & Her Belles) and The Clayton Squares (London Live: Tony Bacon) (probably with Bluesology backing Patti La Belle)

17 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

19 May 1966 – Rocky Rivers’ Top 20 Club, Conservative Club, Bedford with Patti LaBelle & Her Belles and John Williams & Tomorrow’s People (Ampthill News & Weekly Record)

21 May 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)

21 May 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop Stortford, Hertfordshire (Patti La Belle & The Bluebelles with Bluesology) and The Ultimates (The Day Before Yesterday: Steve Ingless)

3-19 June – Ink Spots tour

3 June 1966 – RAF West Ruislip, northwest London (Melody Maker)

4 June 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Ironsides (Bucks Advertiser)

4 June 1966 – US servicemen’s club, Douglas House, Lancaster Gate, west London (Melody Maker)

4 June 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London with Admiral Ken Sound System (Melody Maker)

5 June 1966 – Plaza Ballrooms, Birmingham, West Midlands (Melody Maker)

7 June 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

10 June 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Melody Maker)

10 June 1966 – New All Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London with Admiral Ken Sound System (Melody Maker)

11 June 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Inkspots with Alan Bown Set) (Source: http://manchestersoul.co.uk/TWheel/1966.html)

12 June 1966 – Riverboat, Gainsborough, Salford, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker)

13 June 1966 – US servicemen’s club, Douglas House, Lancaster Gate, west London (Melody Maker)

15 June 1966 – Riverboat, Gainsborough, Salford, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker)

16 June 1966 – Streatham Locarno, Streatham, southwest London (Melody Maker)

17 June 1966 – Royal Tottenham, Tottenham, north London (Melody Maker)

18 June 1966 – Plaza Ballroom, Old Hill, West Midlands (Express & Star) Billed as Bluesology Incorporated and backing Billy Stewart

18 June 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire (Lynn News/Melody Maker)

The Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Gazette notes that Bluesology played at the White Hart in Southall, west London during June 1966.

Circa June 1966:

+ Neil Hubbard – guitar (joins around this time)

25 June 1966 – Mojo Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Soul Agents and introducing Ian LeRoy and His Spring Collection (Melody Maker/Sheffield Star) Backing Billy (Fat Boy) Stewart

25 June 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester with The Train (Leicester Mercury)

25 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (London Live: Tony Bacon)

3 July 1966 – Rivertboat Club, Salford, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backing Fat Boy Billy Stewart (says by public demand)

8 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The VIPs (London Live: Tony Bacon)

9 July 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Gates of Eden (Bucks Advertiser) Backing The Orlons

10 July 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) Backing Rufus Thomas

14 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (London Live: Tony Bacon)

15 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band (Nottingham Evening Post) Backing Solomon Burke

21 July 1966 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News) Replaced Summer Set

The Kent Messenger‘s 22 July 1966 (Friday) issue, page 12, lists the band appearing at Coronation Hall in Ramsgate today and refers to Freddy Gandy as Freddie Wonder on bass! It says they are off to the South of France in August

Photo: Kent Messenger, 22 July 1966. Image may be subject to copyright

23 July 1966 – Cellar Club, Latin Quarter, Leicester with The Amboy Dukes (Leicester Mercury)

30 July 1966 – The Co-op, Rainbow Suite, Birmingham, West Midlands with Raynor’s Secrets (Birmingham Evening Mail)

31 July 1966 – 6^th National Jazz and Blues Festival, Windsor, Berkshire with Georgie Fame, The Action, Cream, Dick Morrissey, Stan Tracey, Diane and Nicky, Ernestine Anderson, Alan Brown, Ronnie Scott and Harry South Orchestra (Reading Evening Post)

6 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Agents (London Live: Tony Bacon)

11 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (London Live: Tony Bacon)

Mid-August-mid-September, Bluesology travels to St Tropez for a month (Papagayos).

17 September 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham with The Broodley Hoo (Nottingham Evening Post)

18 September 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham with The Summer Set (Nottingham Evening Post)

26 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (London Live: Tony Bacon)

7 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones (London Live: Tony Bacon)

8 October 1966 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Fix, The Connoisseurs and The Tabs (Warrington Guardian)

15 October 1966 – 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent with The Guests (Kentish Express)

20 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (London Live: Tony Bacon)

21-22 October 1966 – ISOW’s restaurant, Brewer Street, central London (Fabulous 208)

28 October 1966 – Midnight City, Digbeth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

29 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (London Live: Tony Bacon)

29 October 1966 – Shoreline, Bognor Regis with Long John Baldry, The Action and David Bowie & The Buzz (Bognor Regis Post/Melody Maker)

5 November 1966 – Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

5 November 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Deadly Nightshade (billed as Long John Baldry – not sure if they have linked up with Baldry yet?) (Crawley Advertiser)

12 November 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

12 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (London Live: Tony Bacon)

Mid-November 1966:

– Neil Hubbard departs

In mid-late November – Bluesology travel to Sweden for a mini tour where they met The Zombies (see comments)

Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper

17 November 1966 – Gyllene Cirkeln, Stockholm, Sweden with Bernt Rosengren Kvartett (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)

19 November 1966 – Gyllene Cirkeln, Stockholm, Sweden Bernt Rosengren Kvartett, Carla Bley and Mike Mantler Quintet (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)

20 November 1966 – Nalen, Stockholm, Sweden with Sooner or Later, Few, Crowds, Lynx (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)

21 November 1966 – Hit-House, Stockholm, Sweden with The Wizards, The Quints, Guards, Sooner or Later, Tumble Downs (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)

22 November 1966 – Gyllene Cirkeln, Stockholm, Sweden (Thanks to Mats Jarl for research from Dagens Nyheter newspaper)

Late November 1966:

– Paul Gale departs while the band is in Sweden

+ Pete Gavin – drums (ex-Soul Pushers)

1 December 1966 – Burton Manor, Stafford, Staffordshire (Stafford Newsletter)

Around this time, Bluesology become Long John Baldry’s back-up band

+ Long John Baldry – vocals

+ Alan Walker – vocals (ex-Roadhogs)

4 December 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar with The Bluecaps (Billed as Long John Baldry with Alan Walker, Stewart Brown and Bluesology) (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

8 December 1966 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hants (Portsmouth News)

9 December 1966 – Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

11 December 1966 – Saville Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London with Little Richard and Alan Price Set (Melody Maker)

14 December 1966 – Bolton College of Arts Ball, Rivington Barn, Horwich, Bolton, Greater Manchester with Mike Stevens & The Big Tickle, The Chasers and The North Side Six (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) (Bolton Evening News)

18 December 1966 – Beau Brummell Club, Alvaston Hall Hotel, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Raynes (The Chronicle)

20 December 1966 – Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with The Alan Price Set (Surrey Advertiser)

24 December 1966 – White Bicycle, Maple Ballroom, Northampton (billed as Long John Baldry Show plus Bluesology) (Northampton Chronicle)

27 December 1966 – Concorde, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hants (Southern Evening Echo)

30 December 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) with The Good-Goods (London Live: Tony Bacon)

31 December 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (billed as Long John Baldry featuring Alan Walker, Stuart Brown & Bluesology) (Gloucestershire Echo/Gloucester Citizen)

1 January 1967 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry (billed as Long John Baldry and His new group Bluesology) (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

7 January 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with Deep Line (billed as Long John Baldry and his fabulous backing group Bluesology with Alan Walker and Stewart A Brown) (Western Gazette)

7 January 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Memphis Blues (billed as Long John Baldry with Alan Walker, Stewart Brown and Bluesology) (Derby Evening Telegraph)

8 January 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (billed as Long John Baldry with Alan Walker, Stewart Brown and Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post)

Circa early January 1967:

– Pat Higgs and Dave Murphy both leave with Higgs joining Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement

+ Marsha Hunt – vocals

+ Elton Dean – saxophone (ex-Soul Pushers)

+ Marc Charig – saxophone (ex-Sidewinders and Sonny Childe & The TNT)

15 January 1967 – Gyro Club, Troutbeck Hotel, IIlkley, West Yorkshire (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology) (Yorkshire Evening Post)

31 January 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Long John Baldry) (Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms)

4 February 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (billed as Long John Baldry Show featuring Alan Walker, Stuart Brown and The Bluesology) (Gloucester Citizen)

10 February 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology) (Leicester Mercury)

12 February 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (billed as Long John Baldry plus The Bluesology) (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

18 February 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Soul Concern (North Norfolk News)

19 February 1967 – Oasis, Manchester (billed as Long John Baldry and Bluesology) (Manchester Evening News)

25 February 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury with The Generation (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology featuring Alan Walker and Stuart A Brown) (Western Gazette)

26 February 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (PACE magazine)

3 March 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Newcastle Evening Chronicle)

9 March 1967 – New Locarno Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (The Star)

12 March 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (billed as Long John Baldry Show featuring Stewart A Brown, Alan Walker with Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post)

17 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Long John Baldry Show and Timebox (London Live: Tony Bacon)

19 March 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar with The Panthers (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

24 March 1967 – Sinking Ship Clubland, Stockport, Greater Manchester (billed as Long John Baldry plus Bluesology) with Baron (Manchester Evening News)

25 March 1967 – 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent with The Silhouettes (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Kentish Express)

26 March 1967 – Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Stuart Brown, Alan Walker and Bluesology) (Staffordshire Newsletter)

1 April 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock (Nottingham Evening Post)

3 April 1967 – Feathers, Ealing, Middlesex (billed as Long John Baldry & Bluesology) (Melody Maker)

7 April 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (billed as Long John Baldry and Bluesology) (Leicester Mercury)

8 April 1967 – Spa Royal Hall, Bridlington, North Yorkshire with The Sons of Witch (billed as Long John Baldry and Bluesology) (Hull Daily Mail)

16 April 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, West London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)

21 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with Timebox (London Live: Tony Bacon)

22 April 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (billed as Long John Baldry featuring Alan Walker) (Gloucester Citizen)

24 April 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Express & Star)

2 May 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Long John Baldry) (Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms)

11 May 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Bluesology) (Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek: Dick Weindling and Marianne Colloms)

12 May 1967 – The Cavalier Club, Golders Green, north London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)

21 May 1967 – Co-op, Warrington, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Manchester Evening Post)

1 June 1967 – Clouds, Derby ‘for Derby College Students’ Rag Week’ (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Bluesology and Pepper’s Machine) (Derby Evening Telegraph)

5 June 1967 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with The Waterboard, The Chymes and Wall City Jazzmen (billed as Long John Baldry with Stewart A Brown, Alan Walker and Bluesology) (Chester Chronicle)

9 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldy Show) with C-Jam Blues (London Live: Tony Bacon)

12 June 1967 – Broadway Club, Dudley Zoo, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show, Bluesology, Stewart A Brown, Alan Walker) (Express & Star)

17 June 1967 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Soul Concern (billed as The Long John Baldry Show with Alan Walker, Stuart A Brown and Bluesology) (North Norfolk News)

17 June 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology featuring Stewart A Brown and Alan Walker) (Nottingham Evening Post)

1 July 1967 – Wulfrun Halls, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Th Chequers and Boston (billed as Long John Baldry) (Express & Star)

16 July 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)

28 July 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with The Workshop (Melody Maker)

11 August 1967 – Bluesville ’67, Manor House, north London (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Melody Maker)

14 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions (Melody Maker)

20 August 1967 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Birmingham Evening Mail)

26 August 1967 – New All Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1, London (Melody Maker)

29 August 1967 – Nottingham Blues Festival, Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with Jimi Hendrix Experience, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound and Wynder K Frog (Derby Evening Telegraph)

2 September 1967 – Leas Cliffe Hall, Folkestone, Kent (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) (Folkestone & Hythe Gazette)

3 September 1967 – Beau Brummel Club, Nantwich, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry, Bluesology, Stewart A Brown, Marsha Hunt and The Scorpions) (Northwich Chronicle)

10 September 1967 – Hotel Leofric, Coventry, West Midlands (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Stuart A Brown and Marsha Hunt and Deuce Coupe) (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

12 September 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as Long John Baldry) (Melody Maker)

15 September 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show with Marsha Hunt, Stuart Brown and Bluesology) (Melody Maker)

16 September 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury (billed as Long John Baldry Show with Bluesology) (Somerset County Gazette)

27 September 1967 – Liverpool College of Building Students’ Union, Grafton Rooms, West Derby, Liverpool with The Fix, The Undertakers and Magic Lanterns (billed as Long John Baldry with Bluesology) (Liverpool Echo)

5 October 1967 – ‘Since I Lost My Baby’ c/w ‘Just A Little Bit’ released (http://www.45cat.com/record/56195)

8 October 1967 – Warmingham Grange Country Club, Warmingham, Cheshire with Life ‘N’ Soul and Harry Brown Sound with Val (The Chronicle)

19 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with Timebox (London Live: Tony Bacon)

3 November 1967 – G-Ranch Discotheque, Maidstone, Kent (billed as The Long John Baldry Show with Marsha Hunt, Stuart Brown and Bluesology) (Maidstone Gazette)

6 November 1967 – Staffordshire Yeomen, Stafford, Staffordshire (billed as Long John Baldry and Marsha Hunt) (Staffordshire Newsletter)

Early-mid November 1967:

– Stu Brown leaves around this time to record as solo artist

+ Caleb Quaye – lead guitar/vocals

23 November 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as The Long John Baldry Show) with The Nite People (London Live: Tony Bacon)

14 December 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham, West Midlands with Skip Bifferty (Express & Star)

16 December 1967 – Imperial, Nelson, Lancashire with Granny Intentions and The Ways & Means (Burnley Express & Burnley News) Does not list Bluesology

4 January 1968 – Tito’s, Stockton-on-Tees, Teesside (billed as Long John Baldry) (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

17 February 1968 – Pier Pavilion, Felixstowe, Suffolk with Sheridan Eight (Ipswich Evening Star) Does not list Bluesology

23 February 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry and the Long John Baldry Show and Soul Finger) (Northwich Chronicle)

3 March 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar with The Skyliners (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Just before Reg Dwight and Caleb Quaye left, Bluesology may have played at the Top Ten in Hamburg again

March/April 1968:

– Reg Dwight and Caleb Quaye leave Bluesology

+ Bernie Holland – guitar (ex-Jam)

(Source: Georgie Fame – There’s Nothing Else To Do. Life and Music: Uli Twelker)

+ Jimmy Horowitz – keyboards (ex-Five Proud Walkers and Robert Hirst & The Big Taste)

16 March 1968 – George Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire with Pandora’s Box, The Sun Trolley and Tommy T & Scrubby (billed as Long John Baldry plus The Bluesology) (Leicester Mercury)

23 March 1968 – Locarno, Derby (billed as Long John Baldry Show) (Derbyshire Evening Telegraph)

26 March 1968 – Mr Smith’s Club, Winsford, Cheshire (billed as Long John Baldry) with Look Twice (Northwich Chronicle)

1 April 1968 – Matlock Bath, Matlock, Derby with The Screen (billed as Long John Baldry Show: Alan Walker, Stuart Walkers (sic) and Bluesology) (Derbyshire Evening Telegraph)

30 April 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (billed as Long John Baldry (London Live: Tony Bacon)

In late 1968 the group backed The Paper Dolls before splintering.

16 November 1968 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with Music Hath Charms and Barries Magazine (North Norfolk News) This was The Paper Dolls backed by Bluesology

Huge thanks to Keith Hayward for help with some of the narrative.

Categories: Continental, Delaware, Ken-Del Studios, Wilmington

The Diplomats

November 24, 2015 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

The Diplomats came from Wilmington, Delaware, where they recorded their only single at Ken-Del Studios. The A-side is the aptly-named “I’m Sad”, a maudlin original written by Chris Myers and Ed Welch with good guitar picking and harmonies. The flip is a good cover of “Route 66”.

Other than this I know nothing about the band.

Categories: Detroit, Livonia, Michigan, MSI, Redford

Midnight Shift

November 24, 2015 Chris Bishop 17 Comments

Midnight Shift came from Redford Township, Michigan, at the northwest tip of Detroit. Above is the Midnight Shift right before becoming the Thomas Blood Band. The original bass player was Ken Mose (not in photo), the photo shows his replacement, Ken Victor.

Members were:

George Werenka (stage name George Whitfield) – vocals
Ed Pianasac (stage name Ed Jeffries) – guitar and vocals
Ken Mose, replaced by Ken Victor – bass and vocals
Bob Colone – drums and vocals

Their first release was “She’s Gone Far Away” b/w “Never Gonna Stop Lovin’ You”, both written by Ed Jeffreys and recorded sometime in late 1966.

The A-side is a gentle kind of love song while the flip has a harder sound with droning guitar and Bob Colane pounding the drums.

The band refined their sound for the next single in ’67, creating two beautiful melancholy compositions using acoustic guitar for rhythm.

“Every Day Without You”, written by Jeffries and Fazzio, is the more upbeat of the two, with excellent harmonies and hooks.

“Just Another Day”, written by Jeffries and Colone, is gentler and sadder, featuring a beautiful San Francisco-influenced electric solo.

They recorded both singles at M-S-I Recording Company in Livonia (next door to Redford). The band’s manager Bud Fazzio produced both singles.

I don’t know of other groups that used M-S-I Recording, I suspect it was the band’s own rehearsal or studio space.

Midnight Shift changed into the Thomas Blood Band, who played at the nearby Grande Ballroom and continues with different lineups to the present day.

Bob Lelli of the Thomas Blood Band sent in the photo at top and wrote to me:

Bob Colone, Ed Jeffries and Ken Victor started Thomas Blood Band playing at the Grande with the Turtles, T-Rex, Jeff Beck & Rod Stewart and more. Bob Colone came out front from drums, they got another drummer and he was lead vocalist until his drowning in 1973. At the time in negotiation for a recording contract with London Records and more. Thomas Blood still plays today. We are doing the 50th Grande Ballroom Anniversary Concert with the Yardbirds and more on Oct 8th, 2016.

Thank you to Kim for the photos below (can anyone help ID the members on these?)

http://www.motorcitymusicarchives.com/thomasblood.html
Some photos of the members of Thomas Blood Band can be seen at Motor City Music Archives.

The Midnight Shift early photo with fifth member. Please help with IDs on this photo.

Midnight Shift photo on Swingin' Time — The Midnight Shift on Swingin’ Time, with unidentified female, George Whitfield to her left. Please help with IDs on this photo.

The Midnight Shift photo 2 — The Midnight Shift – or had they become Thomas Blood by this time? Please help with IDs on this photo.

Categories: Arthur Smith Studios, Gold Standard, Hazelwood, Label, North Carolina, Switch

The Shadows on Switch and Gold Standard

November 23, 2015 Chris Bishop 1 Comment

The Shadows came from Hazelwood, North Carolina, a small town about 30 miles west of Asheville. Members included Dennis Robbins and Ken James.

The band traveled 150 miles east to Charlotte to record at Arthur Smith Studios, releasing their single on Switch Records in April, 1966. “Tell Me” is a good original by Robbins and James, a tight performance with an excellent guitar break. The flip is a version of Brubeck’s “Take Five” that gives the guitarist more room to stretch out. Switch seems to have been their own label, I haven’t seen anything else on it.

Two months later the band drove 280 miles in the other direction, west to Nashville, where they recorded another original, “She’s Like That” for release on Zeke Clements’ Gold Standard Records. “Tell Me” was reused for the flip side, though without all the heavy echo on the original Switch version. I believe it is the same take of the song, not a re-recording, and I prefer it without the echo.

Dennis Robbins and Kenneth James copyrighted both songs with Clements’ Blazon Music Co, BMI on June 21, 1966.

Gold Standard released over 200 singles during the ’60s. There are a handful of garage or teen-beat records, which I’ll list below, though some of them I haven’t heard and I’m not positive they fit here. While some artists were local to Nashville, it wasn’t unusual for Gold Standard to feature artists from around the country. The Cavemen came from Birmingham, Alabama and had an earlier single as J.C. & Cavemen. The Incidentals were from Montgomery, Alabama.

112 – The Cavemen (vocal by J.C. Raynor) – “Just One You For Me” (Hoyt Johnson) / “Tell Her One More Time For Me”

114 – The Incidentals – “Baby Shake” / “Till the Ending of Time” (both songs by James Segrest and Herbert Phelps, released Dec. ’64)

155 – The Coachmen (vocal by Tommy Burnett) – “I’ll Never Leave You” / “Possibility”

174 – Steve Stephens – “Lonely Me” (Ricky Ryan) / ‘When You Grow Tired Of Him”

189 – Shadows – “Tell Me” / “She’s Like That” (June 1966)

204 – Ricky Ryan & Jerry Lee McKee – “My Baby’s Coming Home” / “Ask Me Baby”

209 – The Vee-Jay’s (lead singer Bill Boone) – “Give Your Heart to Me” (Ray D’ahrouge”) / ?

237 – Ronny Williams – “Move Up a Little Closer” (James Hendrix, Elijah & Geraldine Murray) / Larry Williams – “When You Grow Tired of Him”

262 – Five Emprees – “Little Miss Sad” / “Nobody Cares” (1967, re-recording with horns of their Freeport single from 1965)

286 – Paper Menagerie – “Left Up To You” (E. Macon) / “Love Again” (E. Macon & B.G. Gillespie) both pub. by Junellin Music BMI, prod. by Dick Sell

Anyone have a photo of the Shadows? I’d like to know more about the Shadows or any of these other groups, especially the Paper Menagerie..

Categories: England, London

Sketto Rich and Sonority

November 20, 2015 Nick Warburton 7 Comments

Sketto Rich – lead vocals

Bobby Morris – keyboards

Johnny Wright – lead guitar

Eric Wilmer – bass (ex-Kindness and The Fenmen)

Don Shepherd – baritone sax

Del Paramor – tenor sax (ex-Warren Davis Monday Band)

Jack Drew – trumpet

Roy Peen – drums

This soul R&B outfit was formed in early 1968 and played until early 1971 when Sketto Rich and Roy Peen left. Johnny Wright was succeeded by Dennis Brown during this period as well.

Bobby Morris joined around April 1968 and rehearsed with the band throughout May and June at the Railway Tavern, Plumstead.

Morris’s first gig with the band took place on 3 August 1968 at the Aurora Hotel in Gillingham, opening for Unit 4+2. The musicians also played regularly at the Harrow Inn in Abbey Wood.

Jack Drew very kindly provided this 1969 list which does miss out quite a few from the period

Sketto Rich & Sonority also began to play further afield. Morris recalls playing at the Locarno Ballroom in Swindon on two occasions – 9 August 1969 with The Red Squares and 27 December 1969 with Spectrum. He also remembers playing at Queen Mary’s College in Mile End Road with Clarence “Frogman” Henry on 18 October 1969.

Del Coverley joined briefly in 1971 as new lead singer alongside incoming drummer Pete Mole (also ex-Warren Davis Monday Band) and they became Brass Lungs, performing jazz rock similar in style to Chicago and Blood, Sweat & Tears in Soho clubs.

When Coverley departed, the musicians linked with Freddie Mack and played their debut show at the Thomas A Beckett Pub on the Old Kent Road in London.

However, as the band started picking up more regular work, the line-up became increasingly fluid with only Brian Morris and Don Shepherd staying the course.

Musicians that joined throughout 1971-1973 included:

Johnny Orlando – lead vocals

Dave Newman – drums (ex-Sounds Incorporated and The Fenmen)

Ray Lewis – bass (ex-Barbette and Memphis Mail)

Dave Roffey – lead guitar (ex-Barbette and Lee Hawkins)

Mel Day – lead vocals (ex-Orange Rainbow)

Roy Edwards – trumpet (ex-Johnny Jackson & The Band Wagon, J J Jackson, Del Vikings, Otis Redding, The Temptations)

Mick Eve – tenor sax (ex-Georgie Fame, Alan Price, Zoot Money)

Eddie Thornton – trumpet (ex-Georgie Fame)

Buddy Bownes – trumpet (ex-Roy Orbison)

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Huge thanks to Brian Morris for providing the band information.

Please email me at Warchive@aol.com if you can add or correct any information.

Photo: Mid Sussex Times. Gig on 22 not 23 May 1969

Categories: England, London

Simon K & The Meantimers

November 19, 2015 Nick Warburton 16 Comments

West London six-piece horn band Simon K & The Meantimers recorded a Hammond-drenched dance-floor classic called “Bring Your Love Back (To Me)”, which was coupled with “You Know I Do” for a UK single on the B&C label in November 1969.

Fronted by current Hot Chocolate lead singer Kenny Simon, The Meantimers had originally formed around mid-1964 in West Hampstead before linking with Simon.

Managed by Arthur Armes, father of the band’s drummer Michael, the original Meantimers also comprised lead guitarist Rick Thomas, classically trained organist Bill Pitt, bass player Warwick Rose and an Irish rhythm guitarist called Tony, who also handled lead vocals (sometimes with the group’s roadie Mick Eagan).

According to Michael Armes, his father turned the basement of his shop on Belsize Road in Kilburn into a rehearsal and recording room. It may well have been here that Simon cut some demos with West London band, The Tribe, including future Sweet guitarist Frank Torpey, that were picked up by Arthur Armes.

Former Overlanders’ bass player Paul Hewson had already taken over from Warwick Rose, who’d moved on to join The Soul Survivors, an early incarnation of The Love Affair, sometime before Kenny Simon joined on vocals.

It is not clear when Kenny Simon joined The Meantimers but he was definitely on-board by May 1966. Initially, they continued to be billed as The Meantimers but in early 1967 starting going out as Simon K & The Meantimers.

Selected gigs:

20 May 1966 – Club De Danse, Colchester, Essex (billed as The Meantimers)

30 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The New Jump Band and Rey Anton & The Profam (billed as The Meantimers)

9 July 1966 – House of Aden, Witham Public Hall, Witham, Essex with The Keith Powell Billie Davis Soul Package

30 July 1966 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with The Creation

1 August 1966 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire (billed as The Meantimers) Says direct from the Pontiac, Putney, London

7 August 1966 – Sunday Club, Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Meantimers)

15 August 1966 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire (billed as The Meantimers)

21 August 1966 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Meantimers)

27 August 1966 – House of Aden, Witham Public Hall, Witham, Essex with The Graham Bond Organization (billed as The Meantimers)

31 August 1966 – Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The Falling Leaves (billed as The Meantimers)

24 September 1966 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks with Clockwork Shots

9 October 1966 – Sunday Club, Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Meantimers)

14 October 1966 – Royal Albion Hotel, Walton-on-Naze, Essex with support (billed as The Meantimers)

30 October 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with Ian & Danny Eves and The Reformation (billed as The Meantimers)

3 November 1966 – Club De Danse, Colchester, Essex

5 November 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Ironsides

9 November 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (billed as The Meantimers)

13 November 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (billed as The Meantimers)

21 November 1966 – Newmarket Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire (billed as The Meantimers)

26 November 1966 – Newmarket Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire with The 13^th Floor (billed as The Meantimers)

Michael Armes, 1967 — Michael Armes, 1966/1967

A bass player called Terry briefly took over from Hewson in early 1967 but soon left to work in the West End as a scenery mover. Around the same time, former Quiet Five drummer Ray Hailey succeeded Michael Armes.

Selected gigs:

1 January 1967 – 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent (billed as The Meantimers)

6 January 1967 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (billed as The Meantimers)

14 January 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (billed as The Meantimers)

19 January 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (billed as The Meantimers)

21 January 1967 – Winter Gardens, Banbury with Phase III (billed as The Meantimers)

22 January 1967 – Sunday Club, Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Meantimers)

29 January 1967 – Embassy Club, Colchester, Essex with Lee Shelby Federation (billed as The Meantimers)

11 February 1967 – Witch Doctor, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Unloved (billed as The Meantimers)

19 February 1967 – Kettering Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Neat Change

23 February 1967 – Embassy Suite, Colchester, Essex with The Tender Trap (billed as The Meantimers)

26 February 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Meantimers)

11 March 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks (billed as Simon Dee & The Meantimers)

12 March 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, Essex with Pussyfoot (billed as The Meantimers)

1 April 1967 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Suffolk with The Sales Collection (billed as The Meantimers)

7 April 1967 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (billed as The Meantimers)

9 April 1967 – Embassy Suite, Colchester, Essex with Rick and Us (billed as The Meantimers)

11 April 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset (billed as The Meantimers)

12 April 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

16 April 1967 – Klue J Klub, Saracens Head Hotel, Chelmsford, Essex (billed as The Meantimers)

22 April 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (billed as The Meantimers)

28 April 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with The Groove (billed as The Meantimers)

6 May 1967 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire with The Strangers (billed as The Meantimers)

12 May 1967 – Co-Op Hall, Chesham, Bucks (billed as Simon Kay)

13 May 1967 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with Just Friends, The Fugitives and The Martells

17 May 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

20 May 1967 – London Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex (Billed as Simon K & The Meantimers)

21 May 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (billed as Meantimers)

Simon K & The Meantimers, circa spring 1967. Photo: Michael Armes — The Meantimers, May 1966. Photo: Michael Armes

However, the changes did not end there and in early-to-mid-1967 an entirely new line up came together, starting with lead guitarist George Teo.

Originally, from Singapore, Teo had migrated to the UK in the early 1960s with friends Sam Young on bass and brothers Andrew and John Gwee on guitar and drums respectively and formed The Etceteras. After two singles on the Oriole label in 1964, Teo next joined the Ying Tongs before hooking up with The Meantimers.

Also on board were siblings, bass player Mick Glyde and drummer Tony Glyde (brothers of Major Glyde, the lead sax player from Sounds Incorporated) and sax players Brent Carter, Alan Wherry and Ken Hendy, who was later replaced by former Cliff Bennett Rebel Rousers’ baritone sax player Sid Phillips in late 1967/early 1968.

Tony Glyde had previously worked with Southeast London bands, Bob ‘N’ All, The Loose Ends and Bern Elliott’s former group, The Fenmen while Alan Wherry had come from The Richard Henry Sensation (with David O’List) and Harlem Shuffle (with Alan Shacklock). Brent Carter had also been a member of Harlem Shuffle.

Wherry remembers that the group also had a keyboard player but it wasn’t Bill Pitt. Mick Glyde confirms that the keyboard player’s name was Terry Vandenburgh. Vanenburgh however had left before Sid Phillips joined in late 1967/early 1968 and the group recruited a Russian Hammond organist.

Wherry left in early 1968 and later moved in to publishing, as director of Corgi, Penguin and then as co-founder of Bloomsbury in London in 1986.

The remaining members stayed until about late spring/early summer 1968, during which time former Quiet Five drummer Roger “Tex” Marsh took over the drum stool from Tony Glyde.

Simon K & The Meantimers, late 1967. Left to right: George Teo, Brent Carter (shades), Mick Glyde, Kenny Simon, Alan Wherry, unknown organist, Tony Glyde. Ken Hendy is not pictured. Photo: Alan Wherry — Simon K & The Meantimers, late 1967. Left to right: George Teo, Brent Carter (shades), Mick Glyde, Kenny Simon, Alan Wherry, Terry Vandenburgh, Tony Glyde. Ken Hendy is not pictured. Photo: Alan Wherry

Selected gigs:

3 June 1967 – Witch Doctor, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Groove

4 June 1967 – Klue J Klub, Saracens Head Hotel, Chelmsford, Essex (billed as The Meantimers)

6-7 June 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

10 June 1967 – Victoria Cross Gallery, Wantage, Berkshire (Meantimers)

24 June 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (billed as The Meantimers)

1 July 1967 – London Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

2 July 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (billed as Meantimers)

22 July 1967 – Witch Doctor, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with Poor Boys Soul Band

29 July 1967 – Memorial Hall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk with The Blueprints (billed as The Meantimers)

5 August 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

6 August 1967 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (billed as The Meantimers)

9 August 1967 – Penny Farthing Club, Southend, Kent

11 August 1967 – Windmill Club, Upminster, east London

20 August 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London

25 August 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (billed as The Meantimers)

2 September 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

8 September 1967 – London Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

9 September 1967 – Framlingham Assembly Hall, Framlingham, Suffolk with The Wild Oats

17 September 1967 – Sunday’s Flower Scene, Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire with Jeanette and Abee

23 September 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks

24 September 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

28 September 1967 – Wexham Lea Youth Club, Slough, Berkshir with Rick Marston

7 October 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

8 October 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

10 October 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

22 October 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London

28 October 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset

29 October 1967 – Embassy, Colchester, Essex

4 November 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

10 November 1967 – Kennet School, Thatcham, Berkshire with The Roosters

11 November 1967 – Casino, Leicester

12 November 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

19 November 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

26 November 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

28 November 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset

2 December 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

3 December 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

10 December 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

17 December 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

24 December 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

31 December 1967 – Elm Hotel, Southend-on-Sea, Essex

20 January 1968 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

21 January 1968 – Embassy Suite, Colchester, Essex with The Huckle Bucks (billed as The Meantimers)

27 January 1968 – Cesar’s, Bedford, Bedfordshire

13 February 1968 – Public Hall, Witham, Essex

17 February 1968 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band

24 February 1968 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex

14 April 1968 – Embassy Suite, Colchester, Essex with The Foursome

20 April 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire

27 April 1968 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

11 May 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire

25 May 1968 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire with Mr Lucifer (billed as The Meantimers)

1 June 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire

8 June 1968 – Beachcomber, Nottingham

14 June 1968 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent

21 June 1968 – Victoria Ball, Dartford, Kent (billed as The Meantimers)

22 June 1968 – Gig in Brighton, West Sussex (billed as The Meantimers)

23 June 1968 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (billed as The Meantimers)

24 June 1968 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (billed as The Meantimers)

6 July 1968 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

13 July 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Trax

2 August 1968 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London (billed as Meantimers)

3 August 1968 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex (billed as Meantimers)

4 August 1968 – Surrey Rooms, Oval, south London (billed as Meantimers)

6-7 August 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, central London (billed as Meantimers)

24 August 1968 – Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London

31 August 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with The Rocky Rivers

14 September 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London

21 September 1968 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

28 September 1968 – Embassy Suite, Colchester, Essex with Faux Pas

29 September 1968 – Silver End Hotel, near Witham, Essex

By the autumn of 1968, Kenny Simon had reshuffled the pack, bringing in Marsh’s former band mate from The Quiet Five, Roger McKew on lead guitar. Sid Phillips had already left by this point to go on to Redwind and his place was taken by Tony Hall, whose CV including Peter’s Faces, Wainwright’s Gentlemen and Rupert’s Spoon.

The new formation then comprised:

Kenny Simon – lead vocals

Roger McKew – lead guitar

Tony Hall – saxophone

Brent Carter – saxophone

Mick Glyde – bass

Roger ‘Tex’ Marsh – drums

The new-look formation resumed gigging. In March 1969, Brian Johnston from The Fantastics’ backing band, The House of Orange joined on Hammond organ. Two months later, however, Mick Glyde left and was replaced by another bass player.

Later that year, original keyboard player Bill Pitt returned to take over from Johnston. Simon also added Irish trumpet player Ron Carthy, who’d previously worked with The Blue Aces and Wynder K Frog (among others) to the six-piece line up that came together in time to cut the group’s lone ‘45 in November 1969.

In March 1970, however, Brent Carter and Tony Hall also departed at this point and joined Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band.

When the band finally splintered in the early 1970s, Pitt ended up working with Espirit de Corps, while Carthy joined Gonzales and also did a multitude of sessions for artists like Freddie King, Slade and Suzi Quatro.

Selected gigs:

5 October 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Cuby & The Blizzards

18 October 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with Amen Corner and Plagel Cadence

19 October 1968 – Elms Court, Botley, Oxford with Granny’s Intentions

19 October 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Showstoppers

26 October 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Swindon, Wiltshire

16 November 1968 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham

17 November 1968 – Fellowship Inn, Eltham, southeast London

23 November 1968 – Fellowship Inn, Eltham, southeast London

30 November 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London

8 December 1968 – Embassy Suite, Sunday Club, Colchester, Essex with The Outcasts

10 December 1968 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London with Olaf Groups Kneed

14 December 1968 – Corn Exchange, Bedford with Luther Morgan & JD with The Red Russo

21 December 1968 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk

22 December 1968 – Le Metro, Birmingham

28 December 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London

29 December 1968 – Byron, Greenford, west London

5 January 1969 – Embassy Sunday Club, Colchester, Essex with Peach Umbrella

11 January 1969 – Savoy Club, Catford, southeast London

18 January 1969 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire

1 February 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London

16 February 1969 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London

22 February 1969 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Jon James & The Swamp and The Western Kind

14 March 1969 – Maxi Scene, Angel Hotel, Godalming, Surrey

22 March 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London

4 April 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

12 April 1969 – John D’Milton’s Discotheque, Birmingham

19 April 1969 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Sir Percy Quintet

20 April 1969 – New Union Rowing Club, Nottingham

26 April 1969 – Savoy Room, Catford, southeast London with Lee Hawkins

2 May 1969 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with The Consortium and Octopus

17 May 1969 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire

22 May 1969 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

6 June 1969 – Chelmsford City Stadium, Chelmsford, Essex

7 June 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London

14 June 1969 – Il Rondo, Leicester

28 June 1969 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London

6 July 1969 – New Union Rowing Club, Nottingham

11 July 1969 – The Crown, Marlow, Bucks

26 July 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

28 July 1969 – Soul Club, Plaza Ballroom, Newsbury, Berkshire with Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers

30 July 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire

2 August 1969 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Sir Percy Quintet

4 August 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with The Original Principals, The Headline News and Wall City Jazzmen

5-6 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London

9 August 1969 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London

17-19 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London

23 August 1969 – Trocadero Ballroom, Hamilton, Scotland (Wishaw Press says that the band are straight from a continental tour)

25 August 1969 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London

31 August 1969 – Up The Junction, Crewe, Cheshire with Scotch Corner

6 September 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

7 September 1969 – Le Metro, Birmingham

19 September 1969 – Plaza Ballroom, Newbury, Berkshire with J J Jackson & The Greatest Little Soul Band in The Land and The Ray King Soul Band

4 October 1969 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London

8 October 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire

11 October 1969 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset

20 October 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Freedom Train, Pendulum and The Wall City Jazzmen

25 October 1969 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Lovin’ Spoonful

8 November 1969 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire

21 November 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire

23 November 1969 – Le Metro, Birmingham

25 November 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

29 November 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

7 December 1969 – Swan, Yardley, West Midlands

13 December 1969 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Acoustics

31 December 1969 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

7 February 1970 – Cloud 9, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire

Many thanks to Kenny Simon, Michael Armes, Tony Hall, Alan Wherry, Ken Hendy, Sid Phillips, Mick Glyde and Bruce Welsh for their help. Thank you Michael Armes and Alan Wherry for the photos.

Very little is known about the personnel in Simon K & The Meantimers. The author would be interested to hear from anyone that can provide more detail on the group for a future, updated version. Please email the author, Nick Warburton at Warchive@aol.com

Categories: Brent, California, Capitol, Cleveland, Dimension, Highland, Houston, Los Angeles, Mainstream, Ohio, Rosco, Texas

The Bushmen, War Babies and Euphoria

November 16, 2015 Chris Bishop 3 Comments

Much has been written about Euphoria’s legendary album A Gift from Euphoria. This article focuses instead on the various releases the band members did prior to the LP and the connections to other bands I’ve covered on this site.

Euphoria had its start as a Cleveland band with David Potter and Wesley Watt called the Bushmen. Although it was thought that the Bushmen was a separate group from Wesley Watt’s projects prior to Euphoria, David Potter’s bio states:

After playing drums at the club [the Clinton Bar in Cleveland, OH] for three months, Wesley Watt, a guitar player came in looking for a drummer for a group he wanted to put together, The Bushman [sic]. When he heard David he knew he was the one. David turned sixteen in January and in May, David, Wesley, Paul Armstrong, and Carl Johnson left for Los Angeles to make their mark. On arriving in L.A. they immediately became the house band for the club, Guys and Dolls.
After only eight weeks they signed a contract with Colpix records, also signing with Buck Ram, the manager of the Platters. Their first single was “Baby” with “What I Have I’ll Give to You” on the flip side.

The Bushmen had one release “Baby” / “What I Have I’ll Give to You” on Dimension 1049 in June of ’65. Dimension Records was part of the Columbia Pictures / Colpix company at this time.

Bill Lincoln had relocated from Seattle to Los Angeles. He must have been in the group at this point as he is the composer of “What I Have I’ll Give to You”.

Bill Lincoln and Mike Dood are credited with writing “Walk on the Surf Side” by the Nova-Tones, released on Rosco 417 circa 1963, and backed with “Lost Love”. I’m not positive it’s the same Bill Lincoln, but it seems likely as the time and place are right. I haven’t heard either song, so if you have the 45 or sound files, please contact me.

Potter’s bio continues:

The Bushman [sic] were getting a lot of notoriety and attention from all over, including film producer David L. Wolper. He was looking for bands for a documentary about to start filming, Teenage Revolution. They approached Buck Ram about The Bushman being the premiere band for the documentary. Wolper wanted to show what bands went through while traveling around the country from gig to gig. (Along with The Bushman being were about four other bands, one being The Lovin’ Spoonful.) About a month later Buck set up a live gig in Lancaster CA where they filmed their part of Teenage Revolution.

A portion of Mondo Teeno aka The Teenage Revolution is online. I hear music that may be the Bushmen, but haven’t seen any footage of the band.

In addition to the Bushmen single, Watt and Lincoln recorded their original songs as the War-Babies “Jeanie’s Pub” / “Love Is Love” (Highland 4000, August 1965).

The War-Babies recorded another two songs, “Now It’s Over” / “So Little Time” but these came out under the name The Word on Brent 704.

Although I’ve read that the Bushmen came after the War-Babies and Word singles, release dates suggest the Bushmen single came first.

Potter’s bio continues:

After filming the documentary, David, Wesley, and Bill Lincoln wanted to do their own thing. Now seasoned professionals and highly respected musicians they wanted to play and record their own music. With the chance so did their name, to Euphoria. The newly named group spent all their time playing, touring, and recording material that would lead to two of the groups albums. During a successful tour in Texas, their single. “Baby”, released when they were The Bushman [sic], went to #7 on the charts, staying there for seven weeks.

The newly-named Euphoria added Pat Connolly of the Surfaris on bass by the time they toured Texas in 1966. Bill Lincoln left the group when he married and moved to England, though he would rejoin Wesley Watt within a year or two for Euphoria’s 1969 album on Capitol. Connolly also left so Watts brought in James Harrell on guitar and Peter Black on bass, both of the legendary Houston group the Misfits. I believe David Potter was still playing drums with the group at this point, but it may have been Steve Webb of the Misfits.

This group recorded some tracks at Andrus Productions in Houston, including “Pick It Up”, “In Time”, “Walking The Dog” and “Oh Dear, You Look Like a Dog”, none of which surfaced until Texas Archive Recordings released the LP Houston Hallucinations in 1982. The band had other unreleased Texas recordings which await reissue, including “People You and Me” which has some similarity to Da Capo era Love.

Back in L.A., Bob Shad of Brent & Mainstream Records brought the group into United Studios in Hollywood to record four songs in one session. Shad issued two of these (with vocals re-recorded at additional sessions), “Hungry Women” and “No Me Tomorrow” on Mainstream 655, but two originals by James Harrell, “I Realize” and “It Could Do Us No Wrong” were left unreleased and eventually lost. The single would reappear on the Mainstream compilation LP With Love – A Pot of Flowers in 1967.

Despite a good push from Bob Shad, the single didn’t make much of an impact and the group broke up. James Harrell and Pete Black went back to Texas and rejoined the Misfits, changing the name to the Lost and Found.

Potter and Watt joined Lee Michaels band where they played on Michaels’ album Carnival of Life with Gary Davis and John Keski.

Potter joined the East Side Kids in time to play on their album The Tiger and the Lamb, which featured one of his original songs as well as two by Wesley Watt, “Heavy Love” and “Can’t Feel Love”.

Bill Lincoln had returned by this time. He and Watt worked for almost two years on what would become their album A Gift from Euphoria on Capitol in 1969, produced by Nick Venet. According to his bio, Potter also played on the album. Guitarist Doug Delain is also listed in credits for the LP.

After recording the East Side Kids The Tiger and the Lamb album, Potter moved to Houston and joined with Endle St. Cloud (Alan Mellinger) for his album on International Artists, which also included Pete Black and James Harrell of the Lost & Found. They moved back to LA to for the Potter St. Cloud LP on Mediarts in 1971.

David Potter passed away in 2011, but there was a detailed biography about him at his website, davidpottermusician.com (now defunct but viewable on the Internet Archive).

Watt and Lincoln co-produced and played on Bernie Schwartz’s solo album The Wheel, released on MGM in late 1969, which features a version of their song “Sunshine Woman” that had been on Euphoria’s Capitol LP.

Potter, Watt and Lincoln all continued in music into the early ’70s. For example, Potter and Watt played on Daniel Moore’s 1971 ABC album, and Watt played guitar on Dory Previn’s 1971 Mediarts album Mythical Kings and Iguanas.

Hamilton Wesley Watt, Jr. passed away on February 20, 2015 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Bill Lincoln recorded an album with his wife Lynda and friends as Addie Pray. Late for the Dance went unreleased for years but is now available on www.cdbaby.com/cd/addiepray.

Sources include Alec Palao’s liner notes to the Big Beat CD release of With Love – A Pot of Flowers.

Categories: Kiski, New Apollo, Oakdale, Pennsylvania, Vandergrift

The Coachmen Five and the Kiski label of Pennsylvania

November 13, 2015 Chris Bishop 5 Comments

The Coachmen Five have this one obscure release from May of 1966 on the Kiski label. The band was from Oakdale, Pennsylvania, a small town about 20 minutes west of Pittsburgh. The Kiski label was located in North Apollo, PA, an even smaller town about 45 minutes drive northeast of Pittsburgh.

The singing is somewhat eccentric, but the band ably rocks out on both songs, originals written by Horpenska. A comment below lists members of the band as including Joe Horpenska on vocals, Jeff Thomas on bass and Denny Singer on drums.

I can find almost no info about the band, but this seems to be one of the later releases on the Kiski label, at least of the 20xx series. Kiski had over a dozen 45 releases in the early ’60s ranging from country to religious to soul to garage. Kiski started with Vandergrift, PA listed on the labels, then Freeport, PA, then New Apollo, PA.

Any help with this discography would be appreciated.

Kiski 2050 – Jacklads (arr. Dick & Jack Tody, sax Dick Tody) – “Alouette” / “Hot Toddy”
Kiski 2051 – Men From Mars – “I’ve Been With Jesus”, “Lord Build Me a Cabin” / “Previous Memories”, “The Fourth Man”
Kiski 2052 – Faulkner Bros., Gary & Dick – “In The Chapel In The Moonlight” / Gary & Dick Faulkner – “Guitar Boogie” 1961
Kiski 2053 – Jack Cartwright & the String Kings – “I’ve Lost You Forever” / “Actions Speak Louder Than Words”
Kiski 2054 – ?
Kiski 2055 – Barnes Brothers – “All Mixed Up Inside” / “Don’t Blame Me”
Kiski 2056 – The Alma-Keys (vocals) with the Citations – “Please Come Back To Me” (Roland Hayden) / “Jumpin’ Twist”
Kiski 2057 – Tawni Simms – “Will You Please Be Mine” / “Goodbye My Love”

Kiski 2063 – Ed “Tex” Belin & the Bel-Marts – “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still In Love With You)” / “I Overlooked An Orchid” 1963
Kiski 2064 – The Renditions – “That’s When I Cried” (David M. Wells) / “Time Goes By” (Thomas B. Kennie & David M. Wells) 1964
Kiski 2065 – The Chevrons – “Who Does He Cry To” / “Jones Girl”
Kiski 2066 – The Thundermen – “Thunderbeat” / “Conjagua”
Kiski 2067 – The Marauders – “Slidin’ In” (Ronald Misejka) / “Kosta Rica”
Kiski 2067 – The Royal Rebels – “Drive In” / “Mojo Workout”
Kiski 2068 – The Kruisers – “C’mon Sweet Baby” (James Robeson) / “Karen”
Kiski 2069 – The Four Dimensions – “Moe’s Cast” / “I’m In Heaven”

Kiski 2072 – The Coachmen Five – “I Will Cry Today” / “I’m Comin’ Home”

Possibly DJ Bob Livorio of WKPA in New Kensington had something to do with the label.

The Royal Rebels came all the way from Cortland, Ohio, and had another recording as the Rhythm Rebels on Sunburst, “The Things You Do” / “Littlest Hobo”.

The Kruisers came from the towns of Sarver and Butler, PA, about 40 miles to the northwest of North Apollo. The Kruiser had another single on the Process label “It’s the Way She …” / “Panther Walk” in December of 1965, and another as the Lost Ones “I Can’t Believe You” / “I Wanna Know” on Mersey 002 in 1966.

In addition there are at least two LPs on Kiski, the Kiski Area High School Second Annual Choral Spring Concert and the Men From Mars Music From Out Of This World. Kiski also released at least one LP and single of polka and Slovakian music by Eddie Mack & His Orchestra, but with a different numbering system than the singles above.

Categories: Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Virginia, Virginia Beach

Adrian and the Sinsations

November 13, 2015 Chris Bishop 63 Comments

Poster for Adrian and the Sensations at Nags Head Casino, March 22, 1969, submitted by Richard Dawes

James Shott wrote to me about a group he was in during the late ’60s, Adrian’s Sensations, or Sinsations. James wrote:

I played in a band called either Adrian’s SInsations, or Adrian and the SINsations (it was called both by audiences) in the Hampton/Newport News/Norfolk/Virginia Beach area. People knew me as “Smokey.”
The SINsations was a very good band, and played a good bit at the Peppermint Beach Club, filling in for Bill Deal and the Rhondells when they were gone.
Adrian Brandt played keyboards, Wayne Beckner played guitar, Joe Smith played drums, Jean Lynch sang, Jim Williamson and I played trumpet, Mike Minguez and Tom Gallucci played tenor sax, Dickie Dawes and David Champagne played trombone (at different times), Curly (can’t remember last name) played bass for a while and then another bass player, too. Gary Church was a singer in the band before Jean Lynch.
The Sinsations business card listing Gary Church on vocals with phone numbers for Adrian Brandt and Wayne Beckner
The band was quite good. We played soul, but also the top tunes of the day. Somewhat like Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago and Tower of Power, the Sinsations employed elements of jazz into the arrangements.
We spent a good bit of time in Virginia Beach at the Peppermint Beach Club, and played in clubs in Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News and Norfolk, and also played military bases. The horn players were music majors in college, and the rhythm section was mostly self taught, but quite good. Jean Lynch was a very thin girl with a big voice; sounded like Aretha Franklin.
I was in the band from either late 67 or early 68 until I was separated from the USAF (Jim Williamson, David Champagne also in AF, Mike Minguez in Army). I believe the group continued to work for a while after that, but lost contact with the guys.
I’d like to get some feedback from other members and anyone who heard/saw the group.

Thank you to Richard Dawes for sending in a photo of the rare poster of Adrian and the Sensations at the Casino at Nags Head and the scan of the Sinsations business card..

Categories: California, Long Beach, Los Angeles

The Royal Knights

November 7, 2015 Chris Bishop 4 Comments

Royal Knights Photo 1965 — The Royal Knights, 1965. From left to right: Phil Whitson, Ric Zacher, Jim Wilson and Steve Werner

Lead guitarist Eric Zacher sent in these two photos of the Royal Knights, one of the many bands who played the Retail Clerks Auditorium and were listed on a flyer I had posted in 2014.

Members were:

Phil Whitson – lead vocals
Eric “Ric” Zacher – lead guitar, 2nd vocal
Mark Drawbolt – 2nd lead guitar and rhythm
Steve Werner – rhythm guitar
Jim Wilson – bass
Terry Buckman – drums

Eric writes:

The Royal Knights on the bill with Limey and the Yanks, the Saints, and the Things at Retail Clerks Auditorium, Nov. 12, 1965

We started in Terry’s garage as a lot of bands did in 1965. We all went to Millikan high in Long Beach, CA. My dad was our band manager and represented us very professionally unlike other bands. We got lots of gigs (most weeks after we got going were 2 per week!).

We played Retail a Go Go as the flyer said (did about 3 gigs there), Cinnamon Cinder in Long Beach, the Elks club and many “joints” (off campus clubs having Friday and Saturday parties).The songs we did included Stones, Zombies, Beatles, Yardbirds, Byrds and others from the mid 60s.
We broke up in 1967, all went our separate ways. I was in a college band called the Woods – very professional and made lots of money! I still play weddings and am jamming with several local bands. I really got into blues after the 70s. I have cut several CDS of 60s and 70s folk rock.
The Gibson 335 that you see me holding in the pics was purchased used for 250.00 in 1965. It is an original limited edition dot neck 1961 cherry – I still play it as my blues guitar!

Garage Hangover

Elton John and Bluesology

The Diplomats

Midnight Shift

The Shadows on Switch and Gold Standard

Sketto Rich and Sonority

Simon K & The Meantimers

The Bushmen, War Babies and Euphoria

The Coachmen Five and the Kiski label of Pennsylvania

Adrian and the Sinsations

The Royal Knights

The site for '60s garage bands since 2004