Sibylla’s nightclub was situated at 9 Swallow Street in Mayfair, W1 and was opened on 23 June 1966 after a pre-opening celebration party the night before.
Beatle George Harrison was one of the investors in the nightclub, which featured up and coming bands like Family, Amen Corner and Robert Plant & The Band of Joy.
Sibylla’s was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue and posters of advertised gigs as well as band photos (all credited accordingly).
Mickey Finn circa July 1966. Photo: London Life magazine
1966
London Life magazine ran an in-depth article on Sibylla’s in its 30 July to 5 August issue (pages 26-30). At the time, The Mickey Finn were photographed playing at the club.
Future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’s Cambridge band Jokers Wild were another group to perform at the club shortly after it opened. South coast band The Bunch also played the venue (possible in late 1966 and/or during 1967).
London Life magazine’s 6-12 August 1966 issue (and subsequent issues until the magazine closed that December) notes that there is a live group performing every night.
22 August 1966 (Monday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 August 1966 (Tuesday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
25 August 1966 (Thursday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
26 August 1966 (Friday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
According to the South East London Mercury, The Coffee Set played at Sibylla’s before 16 September and The Rolling Stones were in the audience.
20 September 1966 (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Future Cressida guitarist Peter Jennings remembers playing at the club with White Rabbit (after Linda Lewis had left), which would have been September or October.
The Speakeasy club, located at 48 Margaret Street in London, was a notable music venue that opened in December 1966.
During its heyday, the club was frequented by record industry and artist agency executives who in turn brought in many bands, hoping to land a record deal.
Many notable British bands played at the club during the 1960s, including The Move, The Soft Machine, Traffic, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Pink Floyd. I’ve started a list below but would welcome any additions and any memories of the venue.
Jim Carter-Fea who managed Blaises (and later the Revolution) was also behind the Speakeasy.
29 December (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Disc & Music Echo)
1967
According to Disc & Music Echo, Roy Flynn and Mike Carey operated the club from early 1967. Apparently, the club was officially opened on 4 January.
Sometime in 1967, New Zealand/US band The New Nadir played at the club and Jimi Hendrix sat in. The band’s bass player was the late Gary Thain who went on to The Keef Hartley Band.
18 January (Wednesday) – Family (Melody Maker)
19 January (Thursday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo reported that The New Vaudeville Band attended the Speakeasy’s club party during the week starting 6 February.
14 February (Tuesday) – The Valentine’s Day Massacre party (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Roger Daltry from The Who, Jimi Hendrix and The Pretty Things attended this party.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 25 March issue, the new Track label had its launch party at the Speakeasy this week with guests including Michael Caine, Terence Stamp, Bobby Moore, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix and The Who. The website link suggests it was 16 March.
19 March (Sunday) – Dudley Moore (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that John Lennon and Paul McCartney from The Beatles, Brian Jones, Eric Burdon, The Bee Gees and The Jimi Hendrix Experience attended Amen Corner’s show. Hendrix also sat in with the band.
15 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
Procol Harum also played on this date. Disc & Music Echo’s 3 June issue reported that all four Beatles, Georgie Fame, Chris Farlowe, Cat Stevens, Eric Burdon, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry attended The Procol Harum gig. This website has more information.
29 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
The music magazine reported that Jimi Hendrix, Denny Laine, Brian Jones, Peter Asher and Terence Stamp were among those in the audience.
5 June (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
8 June (Thursday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Jimi Hendrix, Denny Laine and Eric Burdon were in the audience.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 10 June issue, Eric Burdon told stories and Brian Auger had a “happening” sometime this week.
The same issue reported that guests at the club had included The Beach Boys, The Turtles, Mary Wells, Ben E King, The Byrds and the Stax-Volt tour.
12 June (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation. Disc & Music Echo’s 10 June issue did report that they played Mondays.
14 June (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Disc & Music Echo)
This date needs confirmation but the magazine’s 17 June issue reported that Marmalade played here and John Lennon and Paul McCartney attended. The Scottish band also played at the Speakeasy on 12 July.
28 June (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Fabulous 208)
12 July (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Disc & Music Echo)
The music magazine reported its 15 July issue that John Lennon, Graham Nash, Spencer Davis, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, Gary Leeds, Eric Clapton, Georgie Fame, Keith Moon and Roger Daltry were among the guests. It’s possible, however, that this event took place on the previous Wednesday, 5 July.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 9 September issue, Alan Price, Mitch Mitchell, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Keith West were among the guests at Fairport Convention’s show.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 14 October issue, Scott McKenzie and The Mamas & The Papas went to the Speakeasy on the Friday to celebrate Mama Cass’s clearance at West London of theft charges. Most likely it was 6 October to see Eric Burdon & The Animals play but needs confirmation.
As this website notes, the band reportedly were in attendance when a jam took place – see The Electric Prunes website for more information.
According to Disc & Music Echo, sometime in the week starting 11 December, The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation played and Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix and Alan Price attended the show.
Spooky Tooth may also have played their debut show at the Speakeasy this month but this needs confirmation.
6 December (Wednesday) – The Foundations (Disc & Music Echo)
The music magazine reported that The Spencer Davis Group, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Manfred Mann and Mick Wilsher from The New Vaudeville Band were among the guests at the after party following The Foundations’ gig.
10 December (Sunday) – The Moody Blues (Disc & Music Echo)
14 December (Thursday) – Fairport Convention (Disc & Music Echo)
The magazine reported that Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix attended The Fairport Convention show.
16 January (Tuesday) – Procol Harum (New Musical Express)
27 January (Saturday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (New Musical Express)
This was probably either 26 or 28 January instead as Keith Guster confirms that his band The Fleur De Lys played this evening. His diary also notes that Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell joined the band for a 45 minute jam onstage.
4 February (Sunday) – Jimmy McGriff (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
5 February (Monday) – Jethro Tull (Greg Russo’s gig diary)
29 February (Thursday) – Sharon Tandy & The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Keith Guster confirms that The Fleur De Lys did two 15-minute sets. They then backed singer Sharon Tandy for 30 minutes; singer Donnie Elbert for 30 minutes and then both singers for 20 minutes.
19 April (Friday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
25 April (Thursday) – Ike & Tina Turner (New Musical Express)
26 April (Friday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
On Saturday, 27 April, a fire broke out and gutted the Speakeasy, according to Melody Maker’s 4 May issue. The fire caused £20,000 worth of damage. Roy Flynn, the club’s co-owner, said that the Speakeasy could not be re-opened for about three months and gigs would be transferred to Blaises and promoted as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
28 April (Sunday) – Ike & Tina Turner (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
30 April (Tuesday) – Bill Haley & The Comets (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
1 May (Wednesday) – Bobby Goldsboro (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
5 May (Sunday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (Melody Maker)
The above gig, if it happened, would have taken place at Blaises.
12 May (Sunday) – The Byrds (needs source)
The above gig, if it happened, would have taken place at Blaises – see that entry for more information (link through to this).
16 June (Sunday) – PP Arnold (with TNT) (Melody Maker)
This gig took place at Blaises and was billed as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
30 June (Sunday) – The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)
This gig took place at Blaises and was billed as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
Melody Maker’s 29 June issue (page 3) noted that the Speakeasy would reopen in September (but this was not the case).
18 July (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
See the Blaises entry for more information on this.
New Musical Express reported that Roy Flynn planned to reopen the Speakeasy on 13 December 1968.
The above gig looks like the reopening of the club after seven months’ closure.
According to the East of Eden website, the band played at the Speakeasy in December with Taj Mahal. Mahal took part in The Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus on 11 December, so it’s quite possible if the club reopened on 13 December that Mahal and East of Eden played the following day (Saturday, 14 December) but this needs confirmation.
The Commercial Appeal, Danville news clip photo, 1969, from left: Larry Abbott, Truxton Fulton and Walter Dalton Photo by Mike Mitchell
The American Band was an original music group formed in 1968. It had a short and sweet life with only one memorable gig and one demo album. This was the first original material by Truxton Fulton, the composer/musician who currently works under the pseudonym Karl Mahlmann. The focus of this article is the composer’s juvenilia, the band and the music they created while in high school almost 50 years ago.
In 1969, three teenagers who attended school together in Danville, Virginia came together to create an unusual album of original material that isn’t easy to categorize. It isn’t hard rock and is not quite psychedelic, but it was certainly different from anything playing on the radio that summer.
But The American Band’s story begins earlier, with two friends teaming up in 1968 to perform and produce original music. The band was an informal regrouping of friends who had played together on and off in different bands. The group started as a duo with Fulton on keyboards and vocals and Larry Abbott on drums. After a while they coalesced into a band with the addition of Walter Dalton on guitar. Before it was over, the American Band had become a quartet with the addition of vocalist Jeff Fiske.
1969 George Washington High School yearbook photos, from left: Larry Abbott, Truxton Fulton and Walter Dalton
The George Washington High School variety show was a yearly tradition and helped launch several groups, including the as yet unnamed American Band, which first performed at the 1968-69 assembly. Fulton and Abbott played three original songs: “The Milkman’s Wife,” “Beware of Falling Dreams” and “Look for Your Utopia in Your Backyard.” The first two would be recorded the following summer in Greensboro, after the band added a guitarist and decided upon a name.
Bassist Alan Rowe says the show was in March of 1969. He remembers the date distinctly because his band had been scheduled to perform but had to withdraw at the last minute after several members were involved in a serious car accident. Rowe recalls that the event was held in the school’s gymnasium and was a “true variety show,” including comedy routines, skits and an assortment of musical styles including a jazz set with saxophonist Allen Rippe; a soul band fronted by Rickie Fox; Pete Viccellio on piano; a drum solo performed by Lynn Finch; and a power rock trio that included guitarist Mark Aldridge, Rick Crane on bass, and future American Band guitarist Walter Dalton on drums.
But Rowe says he was most impressed by Fulton and Abbott. Not only did they play original material, but Rowe says the music and performance were exceptional and “really good.” Rowe recalls that “their music was so different from anything else that was being done. They were very accomplished and had a built-in uniqueness… just two people and they were doing their own thing and doing it well.”
The band, as a duo, also played a talent show sponsored by the Danville Rotary Club. Fulton recalls that “We had a fun time backstage while everyone was prepping. Larry and I pretended we were doing a dance routine and we just couldn’t get our steps right. We didn’t win. I think we went over the time limit. On the other hand, we may have just weirded everyone out; we were very counterculture.”
Truxton Fulton of The American Band at the Hammond
Fulton was already a veteran of the local band scene in Southside Virginia, having played in several groups, including the Stones Unturned, Radio Super Ice Cream Parlor and the Satisfactions Band and Show, a Farmville-based horn group that performed extensively and recorded two 45s for the Stag label in Greensboro, N.C. By his senior year in High School, Fulton was ready to concentrate on his own material. He explains that “from the beginning it was a little different in that it was a band for original music. We were never a cover band.” While the group performed “a couple of cover songs” live, Fulton says their purpose was to record his songs.
After graduating in 1969, Fulton took a summer job at wallboard maker U.S. Gypsum, saving $500 to finance a session in Greensboro. The group — now a trio with the addition of guitarist Walter Dalton — began rehearsing original material that would be recorded during a marathon session in mid-July.
Walter Dalton and his Rickenbacker guitar, ca. 1969.
Two years earlier, Dalton had worked with Fulton and Abbott in Radio Super Ice Cream Parlor, a cover band that featured a light show and included guitarist Bob Tamson and bassist Rick Crane. The short-lived group performed in the GW High School cafeteria, either for graduation or a homecoming dance. And while the band specialized in lesser known numbers like “Happenings Ten Years Time Ago,” Tamson and Dalton both concede that this may not have been a wise choice for the football crowd.
Dalton remained a fan of Fulton’s “amazing” talent on the organ, and says “he could really whip it out on a (Hammond) B3.” So, “when Trucky asked me if I’d be interested in working with him (on) this original material he wanted to record… I was more than willing to do it.” The band rehearsed over the summer “to the point where it went pretty smoothly” by the time the three traveled to Greensboro.
Crescent-City Sound Studios demo, recorded in Greensboro, N.C. on 7/15/69Fulton, Abbott and Dalton made the trek to Crescent City Sound Studios on July 15, 1969. Crescent City was founded by Walt Copeland, who managed the studio and doubled as chief engineer. Fulton says it seemed like a logical choice. He was familiar with the studio, having recorded there earlier with the Satisfactions.
The sessions were done in a single afternoon. The original master tapes are lost, but Dalton kept his copy of the mono acetate, which includes eight original songs written and sung by Fulton. The album is an eclectic mix of styles, incorporating rock, jazz, soul and classical music, with heavy fuzz guitar and Fulton’s Hammond organ.
The threesome provided the instrumental backing, save for a session violinist who contributed to one track. While the band provided sheet music, Fulton remembers that the violinist “never did get his part right.” At one point, Dalton stood in front of him, waving his arm on each beat. In retrospect, Fulton wishes he had erased the part because the violinist was playing out of tune.
Most of the songs were performed live-to-tape in a single take, with very little overdubbing. Fulton did overdub piano parts and his vocals. In addition to organ, he also played a Fender Rhodes bass piano, ala the Doors. The band had rehearsed the arrangements and Dalton remembers that “there were some songs that Trucky planned to do some overdubs for vocals as well as maybe other parts; I think there was one that he played a recorder on.” Dalton was excited because it was his “first and only real experience in a full fledged recording studio.” He recalls that the sessions were “pretty much straight in” and that he was only required to do overdubs on a couple of songs “and then it reached the point where we were done, meaning me and Larry, and we just left. I remember we left Trucky down there with the recording engineer.”
Walter Dalton of The American Band
His only hesitation came when Fulton brought a Vox wah-wah pedal to the studio and asked that Dalton use it on some of the songs, most notably on the coda of “Beware of Falling Dreams.” While the band may have rehearsed with it once or twice, Dalton admits it was “kind of a new toy, so I had to fool around with it a little bit, but it went pretty well.”
There were no studio jitters. The band was well rehearsed and Dalton says he was comfortable with the arrangements. He knew what he “needed to do (and) just tried to go in and concentrate and do it.” And with the studio charging “a fairly hefty rate per hour,” there was an incentive to do it right the first time.
While the album holds up well, Fulton insists the sessions were “ill-conceived, in the sense that we tried to do too much in too short a time.” While the recordings are raw and include mistakes, he remembers the sessions as fun and “a good learning experience.” The three entered the studio with a plan to use the recordings to promote the band, “either to record companies or to get some good gigs, which we did with the Steel Mill job up in Richmond.”
The trip to Greensboro was highlighted in a story — “Band to Make Album” — that appeared in the Commercial Appeal, a weekly Danville newspaper known for its liberal stance on politics.
Describing their music at the time, Fulton said their style was unique, adding: “It’s partly classical rock, but mostly rock. Kids won’t be able to dance to some of it. But I don’t think that means it isn’t good. I mean you couldn’t dance to Beethoven, and he was good.”
For the newspaper photo shoot, the band posed in Truxton’s bedroom in front of a borrowed American flag. Fulton asked the photographer whether he thought his beard would show up in the picture. Not missing a beat, the photog replied: “Oh, in about two years.” Fulton also remembers that his father was none too pleased when the band picture appeared and his son had a cigarette dangling from his lips.
A few seconds of video of the band was also filmed around this time by Gary Gaddy, a friend from high school. The silent film is in color and was shot on a Super 8 camera. It provides a glimpse of the band rehearsing “Beware of Falling Dreams” in Fulton’s home. The camera pans from Fulton’s hands at the keyboards to a shot of a sweaty Abbott pounding the drums. There are a few frames of Dalton in sunglasses playing his Rickenbacker guitar before the film runs out.
The American Band only performed once, but it was a memorable gig. Fulton was a freshman at Virginia Commonwealth University in the fall of 1969 when he approached concert organizers about playing at the Free U, which Fulton describes as “a short-lived hippie thing,” offering classes with no tuition. The venue was later known as the String Factory. The American Band opened for Bruce Springsteen and his group Steel Mill, which had just changed its name from Child so as not to be confused with another group by the same name that recorded for Roulette Records.
Fulton secured the band a supporting spot on the bill, largely on the strength of the acetate. He played their demo for the manager of the Free U, Russ Clem, who listened to several songs without saying a word. After taking it all in, he looked up and remarked: “It’s so refreshing to hear some really good original music”. Clem agreed to add the American Band to the show. While Fulton had never heard of Steel Mill or Springsteen, the group played regularly in Richmond and Fulton says they “were regional stars and had a good following there.”
The Richmond psyche group Morning Disaster may have also performed that day, but Fulton says the American Band was a last-minute addition and did not make the concert poster. The bands performed in an upstairs room and the attendees sat on the floor.
The Kondors, ca. 1966. L-R: Bobby Lewis, Burt Sparks, Darryl Hawkins, Jeff Fiske, Wayne Womble.
Jeff Fiske, whose family lived behind the Fultons on Confederate Avenue, had joined the American Band by this point and handled some of the lead vocals. Fiske was older than the other band members and fronted several local groups, including the Kondors, Manchesters and City Council when lead singer Charles Hairston was unavailable.
Fiske was drafted right out of high school and served in Vietnam in 1967-68, so he was anxious to get back into the band business. He said he was impressed by the musicianship of the American Band, noting the trio was “amazingly tight considering they hadn’t played together very long.”
His audition involved singing “A Whiter Shade of Pale” to Fulton’s accompaniment on organ. Fiske doesn’t recall how it came about and says he could have heard the band jamming or he may have been recommended by Mrs. Poindexter, another neighbor who was a big fan of the Kondors.
The band’s one-off performance at the Free U caught Dalton by surprise. He was still in high school and recalls finding out “with fairly short notice that Trucky had gotten us this gig in Richmond where he was going to school.”
Nov. 20, 1969 poster promoting a Steel Mill concert in Richmond, VA. The American Band was a late addition and was not on the poster.
Dalton, Abbott and Fiske drove up to Richmond and were unloading their equipment for the sound check when Dalton was informed that he didn’t need to bring his amp, just his guitar. “So I show up with just my guitar wondering what kind of amp am I going to be playing through, but there was this nice guy who was telling me, ‘Here’s my amp, you can use it,’ and showing me a couple of tips on how we set up and everything. I only found out recently that the guy was Bruce Springsteen, which is really a big surprise for me because nobody ever gave me a clue that’s who we were playing with.”
The band opened the Richmond concert with “Beware of Falling Dreams.” Before the next number, Fulton turned to the audience and asked them to be kind because it was the group’s first performance. To his surprise, the comment was greeted with a round of applause. According to Fulton, their set was “very well received in spite of the fact that Steel Mill was much more of a mature act than we were.”
Jeff Fiske of the American Band
Fiske recalls that the place “was packed with all the audience sitting on the floor.” The crowd was “laid back, but appreciative of the band’s music.” The stage had a short walkway that extended into the audience and Fiske’s mike stand was placed on the extension. He said it “was very cool (to be) surrounded by those folks singing for them, and I thought the band sounded great that night.” While most of the attendees were waiting for the main attraction, he recalls that the American Band still “received a great response from most of them.” Fiske was wearing his Vietnam boonie on stage that night, in the midst of demonstrations against the war. At some point he realized his apparent faux pas, but if anyone objected there were no complaints.
Fulton played Steel Mill’s Hammond B3 at the concert and was impressed with the keyboard player and Springsteen, who watched the American Band in the wings and cheered them on. Steel Mill already had quite a following in the Richmond area and Fulton remembers them performing “The War is Over” and “Sweet Melinda,” along with a cover of the Stones’ “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.”
While Steel Mill played September 19 and 20, 1969 in The Center at Richmond’s Free University, Fulton says the American Band only performed one night. Photographs were made of the concert but have been lost to time.
Poster for Alice Cooper, the Matrix and Titfield at the String Factory in Richmond on Sept. 27, 1970.
This was to be the American Band’s first — and last — performance. The group parted ways shortly thereafter. Fulton insists there was no animosity about the break-up and says the logistics of keeping a Danville-based group together were just too difficult with the leader a full-time student at VCU and the other members attending high school three hours away. Dalton concurs and says the distance separating the band made it impossible to continue, adding that “we just kind of understood that this probably was gonna be it.”
Larry Abbott of the American Band1969-70 was a year of musical growth for Fulton, who became well-integrated with the Richmond music scene. His band Matrix opened for Jethro Tull that November, playing a set of Fulton’s compositions, including the 20-minute suite, “Miscarriage.” Reviewers described Matrix as “a strangely original group” whose music was as good “as any band heard on record or off.” Some of Fulton’s cohorts from that year are still involved in projects with him today under the band name Play Innocent.
As for the other American Band members, Walter Dalton moved to the Norfolk area, where he lives today. Larry Abbott remained in Danville. Sadly, he died in 2010. Jeff Fiske continues to live and work in Danville.
I found mint copies of the first two 45s by the Dantes in company sleeves, and they were so cool I had to put scans of them up on the site with something about this quintessential mid-60s band.
Barry Hayden – lead vocals Dave Workman – lead guitar Lynn Wehr – rhythm guitar Carter Holliday – bass Joe Hinton – drums
The Dantes formed about 1964 in Columbus, Ohio suburb of Worthington. Though they drew inspiration from the Rolling Stones and covered Stones songs live and on their records, their first single displays an original and catchy style. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” begins with quick finger picking more like something from the Byrds until the opening vocals come blasting out at the listener. The rhythm section chugs along with a sound peculiar to styrene discs.
Although it made #1 on Columbus station WCOL, the single didn’t break out nationally. Song writing credits are to Harvey-Wehr for Doraflo Music BMI, arranged by lead guitarist Dave Workman.
The flip “80-96” starts out like the Yardbirds’ “I Ain’t Done Wrong” then settles into a bluesy instrumental. According to Buckeye Beat the band wanted to call this song “8-69” but Jamie insisted it was too suggestive a title. Writing credits are to Dantes-Weber. Released in March 1966 on Jamie 1314, both sides are listed as “A Sire Production for B.J.R. Productions”.
According to an article in the Mansfield News-Journal, their manager was DJ Johnny Garber, while a later article from January 1968 discusses Garber and Chuck Swisher co-managing the group.
In late September, 1966 the Dantes released their second 45, this time on the Cameo label, a cover of the Stones “Under My Thumb” with a good version of “Can I Get a Witness” (which the Stones also did) on Cameo 431, the labels reading “a Richards Production”.
An article in the Newark Advocate from May 9, 1968 mentions Dave Workman had left the band and formed Dave Workman’s Blues Group with other Columbus musicians. Dave’s leaving may have led to a softening of the band’s sound, evident on their last 45 in October 1968. Featuring horns and a pop sound, the A-side was a cover of another Stones song, “Connection” backed with the band original “Satisfied”. Walt Masky produced the record, coordinated by Jerry Sharell; it was released on the Main Line label.
The band lasted until about January 1969, at which point they changed their name to Moonstone. The Circleville Herald has an ad for one Moonstone gig in January with the Fifth Order and the Young Generation, and another in April ’69 with the Tree and the Fifth Order. After this Moonstone and the Dantes seem to disappear.
Any photos or info on the band would be appreciated.
The Black Prince Hotel in Bexley, southeast London was a popular live music venue during the 1960s. I’ve started to compile a list of artists that performed there and would welcome any additions and corrections as well as any memories of the pub. This is an incomplete listing
1964
12 April – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
17 May – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
31 May – The Pretty Things (Record Mirror and Beat Monthly)
21 June – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
5 July – The Pretty Things (Record Mirror and Beat Monthly)
23 August – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)
12 September – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
18 October – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
29 October – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
6 December – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)
1965
All of the listings below for 1965 are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the gigs below, rock bands performed on Sundays.
I have not included the other artists, including jazz players, who performed on Monday evenings.
Peter Hicks, who was a member of The Down & Outs, has a newspaper clipping of his band in the scrapbook section of his website which notes that the band opened for The Animals, The Mark Leeman Five and The Moody Blues at this venue (most likely 1965).
3 January – The Graham Bond Organisation
10 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
17 January – Tony Knight’s Chessmen
24 January – The Downliners Sect
31 January – The Spencer Davis Group
7 February – The Moody Blues
14 February – The Animals
21 February – The Graham Bond Organisation with The Epitaph Soul Band (confirmed by article in Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times)
28 February – Buddy Guy with Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents (with Rod Stewart)
7 March – The Mark Leeman Five
14 March – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
21 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
28 March – The Downliners Sect
4 April – The Moody Blues
The Just Blues appeared on one occasion when The Moody Blues played here (see John Farrier’s comment below)
Photo: Jeff Brook-Smith’s family
11 April – Long John Baldry
18 April – Alex Harvey Soul Band
25 April – The Graham Bond Organisation
2 May – The Five Dimensions and The Loose Ends
9 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
16 May – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
23 May – Memphis Slim and Alex Harvey Soul Band
30 May – The Mark Leeman Five
6 June – Jack Dupree with The Mike Cotton Sound
13 June – The Graham Bond Organisation
20 June – The Artwoods
19 June – Jazz & Blues Festival with Dutch Swing College, Solomon Burke, Zoot Money, Unit 4 Plus 2, The Spencer Davis Group, The Downliners Sect, Alan Elsdon Jazzband, Brian Green New-O-Stompers, Epitaph Soul Band and The Loose Ends (Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times)
Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times, 25 June 1965, page 12Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times, 25 June 1965, page 12
27 June – The Five Dimensions
4 July – Long John Baldry and Rod Stewart
11 July – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
18 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 July – The Spencer Davis Group and The Epitaphs Soul Band
The Epitaphs Soul Band featured Mick Fletcher on keyboards who went on to The New Generation (briefly Jimmy Cliff’s backing band), The Hamilton Movement (1966-1967) and The Amboy Dukes (1969-1970).
Earlier in their career, guitarist Del Grace was a member. He went on to The Big Wheel before joining Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede.
Andy Clark also played sax with them in late 1965 before switching to organ and joining The Big Wheel in spring 1966. He later played with The Fenmen (aka Kindness), Sam Gopal, VAMP and Clark-Hutchinson among others.
1 August – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones
8 August – Alex Harvey Soul Band
15 August – The Graham Bond Organisation
22 August – The Blond Bombshell (from the US)
29 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
5 September – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
12 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
19 September – Steampacket
26 September – The Graham Bond Organisation
3 October – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
10 October – Alex Harvey Soul Band
17 October – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
24 October – The Spencer Davis Group
31 October – T-Bone Walker
7 November – Steampacket
14 November – The Graham Bond Organisation
21 November – The Shevelles
28 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
5 December – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
12 December – missing
19 December – missing
26 December – missing
1966
All of the listings below for 1966 are from South East London Mercury unless otherwise stated. Judging by the gigs below, rock bands performed on Sundays.
I have not included the other artists, including jazz players, who performed on Monday evenings.
2 January – missing
9 January – The Alan Price Set (Beat Instrumental)
16 January – missing
23 January – missing
30 January – The Spencer Davis Group
6 February – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band
13 February – The Graham Bond Organisation
The Big Wheel Soul Band opened for Graham Bond’s group at some point
20 February – missing
27 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
6 March – The Action
13 March – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
20 March – Melody Maker notes “Great blues singer from the US” (could this be John Lee Hooker?)
27 March – Steampacket
3 April – missing
10 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
17 April – Geno Washington’s Ram Jam Band
24 April – The Moody Blues
1 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
8 May – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound
15 May – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
22 May – missing
29 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
5 June – The Downliners Sect
12 June – Steampacket
19 June – The Shotgun Express
26 June – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Record Mirror)
3 July – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and Eric Silk’s Stompers
10 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
17 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
24 July – The Alan Price Set (Fabulous 208 and Record Mirror)
30 July – The Graham Bond Organisation
7 August – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Fabulous 208)
14 August – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound
21 August – The Shotgun Express
28 August – missing
4 September – The Moody Blues
11 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
18 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
2 October – The Shevelles
9 October – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
16 October – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
23 October – The Mike Cotton Sound
30 October – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
6 November – missing
13 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
20 November – The Downliners Sect
27 November – Guy Darrell
4 December – missing
11 December – Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
18 December – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
Fabulous 208 has Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band on 18 December
24 December – Mike Cotton Sound with support
1967
Phil Mackie, who very kindly provided gigs for 1967 and 1968, recalls that Sunday was R&B night and Monday was mainstream jazz.
I have listed the sources next to the entries. There are indications from some of the dates below that rock gigs occasionally happened on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well.
1 January – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
8 January – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
15 January – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
22 January – The Graham Bond Organisation (Melody Maker)
29 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
5 February – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
12 February – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
19 February – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
26 February – Long John Baldry with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
5 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)
12 March – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
14 March – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
19 March – Cliff Bennett’s Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)
26 March – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
2 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
9 April – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
16 April – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
23 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
25 April – Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound (Melody Maker – this was a Tuesday)
30 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
7 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)
14 May – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Melody Maker)
21 May – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
28 May – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
30 May – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
4 June – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Fabulous 208 and Phil Mackie’s diary) South East London Mercury has The Coloured Raisins
11 June – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208 and Phil Mackie’s diary)
18 June – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
25 June – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
2 July – The Coloured Raisins with Honey Darling and Earl Green (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 July – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 July – Mike Cotton with Lucas (Phil Mackie’s diary)
30 July – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
6 August – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology) (Phil Mackie’s diary)
13 August – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
20 August – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
27 August – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 September – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 September – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 September – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 September – Freddie Mack Show (Phil Mackie’s diary)
1 October – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
8 October – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
15 October – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Phil Mackie’s diary)
22 October – Ben E King (Phil Mackie’s diary)
29 October – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
4 November – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
7 November – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
12 November – Dantalion’s Chariot (Phil Mackie’s diary)
19 November – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
26 November – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 December – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 December – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 December – Peter’s Green Fleetwood Mac (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 December – The Shevelles and Terry Lightfoot Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
31 December – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set and Alan Elsdon’s Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
1968
Phil Mackie, who very kindly provided gigs for 1967 and 1968, recalls that Sunday was R&B night and Monday was mainstream jazz. I have listed the sources next to the entries.
7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
14 January – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Phil Mackie’s diary)
21 January – The Freddie Mack Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
28 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Phil Mackie’s diary)
4 February – The Cliff Bennett Show (Phil Mackie’s diary)
11 February – The Savoy Brown Blues Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
18 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
25 February – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 March – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 March – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 March – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 March – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
31 March – The Impressions (Phil Mackie’s diary)
7 April – The Jeff Beck Group featuring Rod Stewart (Phil Mackie’s diary)
14 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
15 April – The Piccadilly Six (Swiss band) (Melody Maker – this was a Monday)
21 April – The Showstoppers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
28 April – The Cliff Bennett Band
5 May – Spooky Tooth (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 May – The Counts (Melody Maker – this was a Thursday)
12 May – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 May – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
19 May – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 May – The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
26 May – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
30 May – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
2 June – Lucas with The Mike Cotton Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 June – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 June – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers with The Satin Dolls (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 June – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
30 June – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Melody Maker)
7 July – Diane Ferraz & The Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
14 July – Joe Cocker (Melody Maker)
21 July – Tony Gregory & The Counts (Melody Maker)
28 July – Traffic (Melody Maker)
4 August – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
11 August – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
18 August – The Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)
25 August – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1 September – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
8 September – The Joyce Bond Revue (Melody Maker)
15 September – Ten Years After (Melody Maker)
22 September – Timebox (Melody Maker)
29 September – The Drifters (Melody Maker)
6 October – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
12 October – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker – this is a Saturday)
20 October – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
27 October – Joe Cocker (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
3 November – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
10 November – Inez and Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
17 November – Paul Williams Set (Melody Maker)
24 November – Ferris Wheel and Nepenthe (Melody Maker)
1 December – Garnet Mimms with Village Green (Melody Maker)
2 December – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker – this was a Monday)
8 December – Bandwagon (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
10 December – Simon K & The Meantimers and Olaf Grumps Kneed (Melody Maker/South East London Mercury – this was a Tuesday)
15 December – Timebox (Melody Maker)
22 December – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
28 December – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1969
Judging by the gigs below, rock bands continued to play on Sundays with occasional gigs on other days of the week.
5 January – Paul Williams Set (Melody Maker)
12 January – Root and Jenny Jackson (Melody Maker)
19 January – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
26 January – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
2 February – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
South East London Mercury has The Nice not Spooky Tooth
Photo: South East London Mercury
9 February – Happy Magazine (Melody Maker)
16 February – The Fantastics (Fabulous 208)
Melody Maker has Timebox for the 16 February gig as does South East London Mercury
23 February – Freddie King and Steamhammer (Melody Maker)
Martin Coller got in touch and noted that The Nice were billed to play on 23 February according to Martyn Hanson’s book “Hang on To Dream: The Story of The Nice”.
2 March – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
9 March – Interstate Road Show (Melody Maker)
16 March – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
23 March – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
30 March – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
2 April – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker – this was a Wednesday)
6 April – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
13 April – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
20 April – Timebox (Melody Maker)
27 April – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
4 May – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
11 May – Toast (Melody Maker)
18 May – Howlin’ Wolf (Melody Maker)
25 May – The Riot Squad (Melody Maker)
1 June – No listing in Melody Maker
8 June – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
15 June – John Lee Hooker with The John Dummer Blues Band (Melody Maker)
22 June – Consortium (Melody Maker)
29 June – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
6 July – Timebox (Melody Maker)
13 July – The Platters (Melody Maker)
20 July – The Joyce Bond Show (Melody Maker)
27 July – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
3 August – The Brian Auger Trinity (Time Out)
10 August – Trapeze (Melody Maker)
17 August – The Globe Show (Melody Maker)
24 August – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
31 August – Timebox (Melody Maker)
7 September – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
14 September – The Cliff Bennett Show (Melody Maker)
21 September – Linda Lewis and Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
28 September – The Dave Amboy Big Band (Melody Maker)
5 October – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)
12 October – Zoot Money (Melody Maker)
19 October – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
25 October – The Brian Auger Trinity (Melody Maker)
2 November – Marv Johnson (Melody Maker)
9 November – Timebox (Melody Maker)
16 November – Freddie King (Melody Maker)
23 November – No entry in Melody Maker
30 November – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
7 December – The Dave Amboy Band (aka The Amboy Dukes) (Melody Maker and Keith Guster’s diary)
According to Keith Guster, this was the reformed version featuring Keith Guster and Tago Byers from The Fleur De Lys and former Hamilton Movement keyboard player Mick Fletcher.
14 December – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
16 December – The Amboy Dukes (Keith Guster’s diary)
21 December – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
28 December – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
1970
8 February – The Amboy Dukes (Keith Guster’s diary)
27 September – Black Widow and Amazing Grace (Poster from Roy Saxby)
Photo: Roy Saxby
4 October – Steamhammer (Poster from Roy Saxby)
11 October – Caravan (Poster from Roy Saxby)
18 October – Chicken Shack (Poster from Roy Saxby)
25 October – The Greatest Show on Earth (Poster from Roy Saxby)
1 November – Blodwyn Pig (Poster from Roy Saxby)
Photo: Roy Saxby
6 December – The Faces featuring Rod Stewart with Daniels Band (Poster from Roy Saxby)
13 December – Steamhammer (Poster from Roy Saxby)
20 December – Toe Fat with Albuquerque-Riccoti (Poster from Roy Saxby)
24 December – The Greatest Show on Earth with Tony Simon’s Progressive Show (Poster from Roy Saxby)
The Scotch of St James, situated at 13A Masons Yard, Mayfair, London was a notable music venue in the 1960s and a popular hang out for rock musicians, notably The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Jimi Hendrix also made his first UK appearance at the Scotch in September 1966.
Scotch of St James, 31 December 2023
The Scotch of St James was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find confirmed gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue/posters of advertised gigs/photos of bands who appeared there (all credited accordingly).
This exclusive Mayfair establishment was primarily a late night members club with gambling but did put on live music occasionally (see The Stormsville Shakers gigs immediately below). It was officially opened as a late night club offering regular live music from 14 July 1965.
1965
Drummer Tony Richard says that his band The Fetish Crowd played at the Scotch of St James, which would have been the 1965-1966 period.
Singer James Nairn (aka James Royal) notes that his bands James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set both performed at the club.
Phillip Goodhand-Tait kept diaries from 1961 onward and notes that his band The Stormsville Shakers were paid to play the Scotch on the above date. They arrived at 7.30pm and finished at 2am on the Saturday morning after playing three spots of 35 minutes. They were re-booked at the Scotch for the two dates below.
According to London Life magazine’s 9-15 October issue, The Marionettes were the resident band during this week. They were also listed for 16-22 October, 23-29 October and 30 October-5 November.
The Krew (who backed Beryl Marsden and Steve Aldo) played at the Scotch of St James around the middle-to-end of the first week of November, according to keyboardist Alan Reeves’ book. The Krew featured sax player Howie Casey who later did sessions for Paul McCartney & Wings.
9 November (Tuesday) – Wilson Pickett (backed either by The Links or The Maroons) with The Krew (Alan Reeves’s book Sex, Booze & Blues)
Bruno Ceriotti says that Wilson Pickett’s guitarist Jimmy Owen was joined by three members of The Animals.
3 December/4 December (Friday/Saturday) – The Krew (an advert in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette has the band playing at Kirklevington Country Club on Sunday, 5 December and says the band came direct from the Scotch Club)
8 December (Wednesday) – Major Lance (Record Mirror)
21 December (Tuesday) – Joe Tex (Melody Maker)
Record Mirror lists the Joe Tex gig as 16 December.
1966
Sometime during January 1966, The Krew backed US soul singer Fontella Bass for one night, according to Alan Reeves’s book Sex, Booze & Blues.
5 January (Wednesday) – Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Bluesology’s keyboard player was Reg Dwight, who became famous as Elton John.
11 January (Tuesday) – The Exciters (Record Mirror)
3 February (Thursday) – Stevie Wonder (probably backed by The Sidewinders) (Melody Maker)
According to an advert in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette for a show at the Kirklevington Country Club on 13 February, it says The Gass were residents at the Scotch of St James around this time.
According to the South East London Mercury, The Loose Ends began playing at the Scotch of St James three times a week for three months in the week starting 21 February (see clipping above).
The Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser lists a gig for The Manchester Playboys at the Club Creole in Wilmslow, Cheshire on 25 February 1966 and says the band are direct from the Scotch of St James.
30 March (Wednesday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary)
Melody Maker and Record Mirror both report that Martha & The Vandellas played at the Scotch of St James on 30 March.
1 April (Friday) – Episode Six (audition) (Brian Long’s research)
According to London Life magazine from 14-20 May, the three resident bands for this week were The VIPs, Gass and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
20 May (Friday) – Ben E King (London Life magazine)
According to London Life magazine for the week 28 May to 3 June, the three resident bands for this week were The VIPs, Gass and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
The same magazine notes that the three resident bands for the week 11-17 June were The VIPs, The Loose Ends and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
26 June (Sunday) – The Loose Ends (Fabulous 208)
This may be July not June so needs confirmation. However, The Loose Ends played in Stockton-on-Tees on Saturday, 25 June according to the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette and the advert notes they came from the Scotch of St James so it’s possible they played the week leading up to 25 June.
7 July (Thursday) – Norma Tanega (Record Mirror)
26 July (Tuesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
29 July (Friday) – Joe Tex (London Life magazine)
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends, together with The VIPs and The Paramounts were the three resident bands playing at the Scotch of St James during the week 30 July to 5 August.
10 August (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Guster says that Alan Price invited him to join his band at this gig.
The Westminster & Pimlico News’ 12 August 1966 issue notes that Gass played the club 6-7 nights a week around this time.
18 September (Sunday) – The Vibrations (needs source and confirmation but probably Melody Maker)
22 September (Thursday) – Jimi Hendrix solo (needs source and confirmation)
Apparently on the evening he’d arrived in the UK, Jimi Hendrix played a couple of songs as a solo act at the club.
23 September (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
24 September (Saturday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
26 September (Monday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
Jimi Hendrix sat in with The VIPs on 26 September – see Terry Ellis comment in the comments section below.
27 September (Tuesday) – The VIPs (needs confirmation)
28 September (Wednesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
Guitarist Vic Briggs says that Chas Chandler and Jimi Hendrix came into the Scotch of St James and sat in with the band. Brian Auger invited the American guitarist to sit in with the band at Blaises the following night, 29 September.
30 September (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
The Derby Evening Telegraph’s 1 October 1966 issue notes that Pepper’s Machine played the club recently.
3 October (Monday) – The Raylettes (London Life magazine)
7 October (Friday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
Robin Trower had left The Paramounts in late June/early July and formed The Jamm, so Martin Shaw (no relation to the actor) was on lead guitar.
8 October (Saturday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
13 October (Thursday) – The Trend (London Life magazine)
14 October (Friday) – The Trend (London Life magazine)
15 October (Saturday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
17 October (Monday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
18 October (Tuesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
19 October (Wednesday) – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jams with Cream (needs source and confirmation)
It has been noted that The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jammed with Cream at the Scotch of St James on 19 October (the alternative location was the Cromwellian). However, according to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book on the British blues boom, “Strange Brew”, Cream were playing at the Blue Moon in Cheltenham on this day.
According to London Life magazine, Tony & The Defenders played at the Scotch of St James during the week 22-28 October.
24 October (Monday) – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests) (London Life magazine)
29 October (Saturday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
This was one of the band’s final gigs before splitting in November 1966. Gary Brooker formed Procol Harum the following spring.
31 October (Monday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (London Life magazine)
1 November (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (London Life magazine)
2 November (Wednesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
3 November (Thursday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
4 November (Friday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
5 November (Saturday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
11 November (Friday) – Ben E King (London Life magazine)
18 November (Friday) – The Impressions (London Life magazine)
The Impressions featured future soul star Curtis Mayfield.
According to Disc & Music Echo on 26 November, Deep Feeling made their debut at the Scotch of St James around the week starting 21 November. Chris Curtis, Giorgio Gomelsky, Robert Stigwood, Speedy Acquaye and Beryl Marsden were among the guests.
According to Melody Maker, Bobby Darin sat in with Deep Feeling around early-to-mid December and played the drums.
London Life magazine reports that The Checkmates played at the Scotch of St James during the week 3-9 December.
The Manchester Independent notes that Manchester band The Powerhouse played at the venue during December.
7 December (Wednesday) – The Vibrations (London Life magazine)
8 December (Thursday) – The Young Rascals (Disc & Music Echo)
The magazine reports that Paul McCartney, Chas Chandler, Eric Burdon, Keith Moon, Brian Epstein and Bill Wyman are among the guests.
13 December (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
14 December (Wednesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
15 December (Thursday) – Bobby Hebb (Record Mirror)
The magazine says that Bobby Hebb came on at 1am. This is confirmed by London Life magazine, which notes the 14 December so it looks like Hebb came on stage after The Brian Auger Trinity had finished. Future Deep Purple bass player Nick Simper was in his backing band.
19 December (Monday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
20 December (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
21 December (Wednesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
22 December (Thursday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
23 December (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
24 December (Saturday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (London Life magazine)
28 December (Wednesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
29 December (Thursday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
31 December (Saturday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Disc & Music Echo and London Life magazine)
1967
Guitarist Doug Ayers says that The All Night Workers played at the Scotch of St James (most likely in early 1967).
Jim Cregan, guitarist with Blossom Toes, remembers playing at the club and The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were there on the same night to catch his band performing.
Drummer Chris Hunt says The Good Time Losers played the club in the first half of 1967.
Tony Glyde remembers playing at the Scotch of St James with Simon K & The Meantimers in 1967-1968.
2 February (Thursday) – Edwin Starr (Evening Standard)
The Loose Ends were playing at the venue in late March/early April when the Stax-Volt show tour came in. This is where Otis Redding picked up singers Alan Marshall and Bob Saker and took them back to the US to record tracks at Fame Studios during June.
23 April (Sunday) – The Wages of Sin (Melody Maker)
28 April (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
Drummer Phil Wainman, who went on to produce The Sweet, remembers playing the club in May 1967 with Jack Hammer & The Hammer Jammers.
Keyboard player Mick Ketley says The Motivation/Penny Peeps played at the Scotch of St James on two occasions which would have been from May 1967 onwards.
7 May (Sunday) – The Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)
The Loose Ends were performing at the Scotch of St James in early June 1967 when former Ram Jam guitarist Pete Gage brought singer Kenny Bernard into see the musicians. This led to the formation of Cats Pyjamas with some of the group members.
16 June (Friday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
The Manchester Playboys performed at the Scotch of St James and July seems the most likely period as they were in London gigging. Also Peter Simensky, who had joined the band recently, was a member at the time and he recalls singer Billie Davis working at the Scotch at the time.
Frank Torpey, who was lead guitarist with London band, The Tribe (and would go on to become the original lead guitarist in The Sweet), says that when the group was playing regular Saturday nights at the Marquee in Wardour Street between July-September, the Marquee’s owner John Gee would get a call from the Scotch of St James asking what band was on and would they like to double up? He says The Tribe always said yes as it was a great top up. Torpey adds that they never had another band on with them. He thinks they may have played at the Scotch maybe three or four times.
It sounds like The Tribe may have played the Scotch in the early hours of the Sunday morning after finishing up at the Marquee but this would need confirmation.
This insight is interesting as it might mean other groups that played the Marquee went on and played the Scotch of St James after finishing up.
1 July (Saturday) – The Tribe (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
The Tribe (which changed name to The Dream in late August 1967) played at the Marquee every Saturday from 1 July to 30 September according to Tony Bacon’s excellent book on the London music scene and its Marquee listings, so it’s impossible to know what Saturday evenings/early Sunday mornings The Tribe went on to play at the Scotch of St James afterwards. It’s also quite possible that the other band sharing the billing at the Marquee with The Tribe may have been asked as well (see Torpey’s recollections above).
7 July (Friday) – Vince Edwards (Fabulous 208)
8 July (Saturday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
1 August (Tuesday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
Timebox played at the Scotch of St James during August 1967. They had a Tuesday night gig at the Marquee so possibly played afterwards. Former Felders Orioles drummer John Halsey advertised in Melody Maker for a new band on Thursday, 17 August and auditioned with Timebox shortly afterwards at the Scotch.
29 August (Tuesday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
According to the poster below for the Gloucester YMCA, The Official Receivers played at the Scotch of St James around October 1967.
31 October (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website and Disc & Music Echo)
1 November (Wednesday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website – see above)
2 November (Thursday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
3 November (Friday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
4 November (Saturday) – Mud (Melody Maker)
6 November (Monday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
7 November (Tuesday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
8 November (Wednesday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
9 November (Thursday) – Ben E King (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
10 November (Friday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
11 November (Saturday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
13 November (Monday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
14 November (Tuesday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
15 November (Wednesday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
16 November (Thursday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
17 November (Friday) – Mud (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
18 November (Saturday) – Mud (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
20 November (Monday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
21 November (Tuesday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
22 November (Wednesday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
23 November (Thursday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
24 November (Friday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
25 November (Saturday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
27 November (Monday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
28 November (Tuesday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
29 November (Wednesday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
30 November (Thursday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
30 December (Saturday) – Kaleidoscope (Melody Maker)
1968
Iain Pitwell, Brian Mansell and Geoff Glover confirm that The All Night Workers played at the Scotch of St James regularly during the 1968-1969 period.
Mo Umansky says his band Mr Mo’s Messengers played at the venue, most likely in 1968.
26 January (Friday) – The Magic Roundabout (audition) (Geoff Chinnery’s gig diary)
3 February (Saturday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
6 February (Tuesday) – James & Bobby Purify (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
8 February (Thursday) – Edwin Starr (New Musical Express)
According to Melody Maker, Rupert’s People played at the Scotch of St James around the week starting 19 February.
27 February (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker)
According to Melbourne music magazine, Go-Set, Australian band The Groop played the Scotch of St James between early March and mid-April.
8 March (Friday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
23 March (Saturday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
4 April (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
1 May (Wednesday) – Ike & Tina Turner and Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
2 May (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
9 May (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
16 May (Thursday) – Edwin Starr & The State Express (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
20 May (Monday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
5 June (Tuesday) – The Coasters (New Musical Express)
17 June (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
18 June (Tuesday) – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)
30 June (Sunday) – The Crystals (New Musical Express)
16 July (Tuesday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
20 July (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
3 August (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
5 August (Monday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
6 August (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
Rose’s gig was cancelled.
13 August (Tuesday) – Elmer Gantry (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
19 August (Monday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
21 August (Wednesday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
22 August (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
26 August (Monday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
7 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
10 September (Tuesday) – Ben E King (New Musical Express)
14 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
27 September (Friday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
28 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
16 October (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
The New Musical Express lists Brook Benton for the 16 October.
12 November (Tuesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
18 November (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
28 November (Thursday) – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker)
12 December (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
17 December (Tuesday) – Bandwagon (New Musical Express)
18 December (Wednesday) – The Barrier (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
1969
Guitarist/violinist Mike Piggott confirms that Gass played the Scotch of St James during the 1969-1970 period.
21 January (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
31 January (Friday) – The N’ Betweens (later became Slade) (Don Powell’s website)
24 February (Monday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker)
New Musical Express reports that Ben E King is backed by Chris Shakespeare Globe Show for his UK tour in February 1969.
10 March (Monday) – The Tymes (Melody Maker)
29 March (Saturday) – Ben E King (Time Out)
14 April (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Fabulous 208)
21 April (Monday) – Turnstyle and Steamhammer (Fabulous 208)
19 May (Monday) – Bob & Earl (John Warburg research)
21 July (Monday) – Jimmy Ruffin with Sweet Blindness (New Musical Express)
25 August (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Time Out)
1 September (Monday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
4 September (Thursday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
8 September (Monday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
9 September (Tuesday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
11 September (Thursday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
1970
28 January (Wednesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
28 October (Wednesday) – Tear Gas (Melody Maker)
29 October (Thursday) – Czar (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
5 November (Thursday) – Legend (Melody Maker)
6 November (Friday) – Charge (Melody Maker)
7 November (Saturday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
8 November (Sunday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
9 November (Monday) – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
Ted Hare’s gig diary for bands he managed, including Calum Bryce, have this group listed at the Scotch of St James on 10 November not the 9 November so possible there is a mistake here.
10 November (Tuesday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
12 November (Thursday) – Fairfield Parlour (Melody Maker)
13 November (Friday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
14 November (Saturday) – Renea (Melody Maker)
16 November (Monday) – UFO (Melody Maker)
17 November (Tuesday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
18 November (Wednesday) – Bubastis (Melody Maker)
19 November (Thursday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
20 November (Friday) – Mataya (Melody Maker)
23 November (Monday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
24 November (Tuesday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
25 November (Wednesday) – Aquila (Melody Maker)
26 November (Thursday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
27 November (Friday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
30 November (Monday) – Nick Twilley (Melody Maker)
1 December (Tuesday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
2 December (Wednesday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
1971
15 April (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
6 May (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
Daniel Lane (Danny Lutzky) – guitar Richie Winston – 6 and 12 string guitar David Knopf – bass Lloyd Goldberg – drums and lead vocals Eddie DiBiase – harmonica
I was very excited to track down a copy of this 45 only find it to be in nearly unplayable condition – if anyone has a nice spare please contact me!
Mustache Wax came from the Bronx, in Riverdale. This was the last of several lineups and band names they used before breaking up after high school. They recorded the 45 in a studio on 42nd St.
Eddie DiBiase came from Queens and was the connection to Inner Records, though I can’t find any other releases on that label. Eddie wrote the top site, “I’m Gonna Get You” published by Luv Music ASCAP.
I also like the flip, “On My Mind” alternately somber and quick, written by guitarist Danny Lane for Philonic Music, BMI.
The 45 was produced by Epstein-Schwartzberg, yet it’s also “A Vitale-Eden Production”.
The Spectres, February 1964. Photo: South East London Mercury
The El Partido in Lewisham, southeast London was located at 8-10 Lee High Road and was a popular spot for young Jamaicans and local mods.
There is a gig for The Spectres (who later morphed into Status Quo) who played here on 10 February 1964 and every Monday (see very top) which reveals that the club had originally operated under different management and closed sometime during 1964. It looks like the club re-opened on 12 December with The Beasts playing that evening.
The excellent Transpontine website notes that King Ossie Sound played at the club regularly. Other guests included Jamaicans Jimmy Cliff and The Duke Reid Sound.
Local R&B outfit, The Loose Ends, who cut two singles for Decca, were also house band at some point in late 1965.
I have started a gig list and would welcome any additions plus any memories of the venue, which was closed down in April 1967.
12 December 1964 – The Beasts
19 December 1964 – The Loose Ends
26 December 1964 – The Beavers
27 March 1965 – Tony Knight’s Chessmen and Mankinde
28 March 1965 – Duke Lee
31 March 1965 – The Hubbubs
1 April 1965 – Group Survival
2 April 1965 – The King Bees
3 April 1965 – The Loose Ends
Photo: Melody Maker
4 September 1965 – The Eyes
Photo: Melody Maker
9 September 1965 – The Duke Lee Sound System
10 September 1965 – The Loose Ends (upstairs)
10 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
11 September 1965 – Duke Lee (upstairs, first session)
11 September 1965 – The Loose Ends (downstairs, first session)
11 September 1965 – Lou Johnson, Sonny Childe, The Loose Ends and Duke Lee (second session)
16 September 1965 – The Mixed Feelings (upstairs)
16 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
17 September 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Duke Lee
18 September 1965 – Duke Lee (upstairs, first and second session)
18 September 1965 – The Artwoods (downstairs, first session)
18 September 1965 – The Artwoods and The Loose Ends (downstairs, second session)
South East London Mercury has The Loose Ends with Lou Johnson on the above date
22 September 1965 – The Changing Times (upstairs)
22 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
Photo: Melody Maker
23 September 1965 – The Plain Facts (upstairs)
23 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
24 September 1965 – Memphis Chucks (upstairs)
24 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
25 September 1965 – Guy Darrell (upstairs, first session)
25 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs, first session)
25 September 1965 – Guy Darrell, The Loose Ends and Duke Lee (second session)
26 September 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
29 September 1965 – The Minor Birds (upstairs)
The Minor Birds morphed into Mr Mo’s Messengers in 1967
29 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
Photo: Melody Maker
30 September 1965 – The Sons of Fred and Duke Lee
1 October 1965 – Duke Lee
2 October 1965 – Jesse Fuller, The Spectres and Duke Lee (first session)
2 October 1965 – Jesse Fuller, Loose Ends, The Spectres and Duke Lee (second session)
The Spectres later morphed into Status Quo
3 October 1965 – Duke Lee
6 October 1965 – Kiko 6 and Duke Lee
7-8 October 1965 – Duke Lee
9 October 1965 – Dave Anthony’s Moods, Next of Kin and Duke Lee (first session)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 October 1965 – The Loose Ends, Dave Anthony’s Moods, Duke Lee and Next of Kin (second session)
10 October 1965 – Duke Lee
13 October 1965 – Creeper’s Blues and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
14 October 1965 – Diddley Daddies and Duke Lee
16 October 1965 – The Stormsville Shakers and Duke Lee (first session)
16 October 1965 – The Stormsville Shakers, Duke Lee and The Minor Birds (second session)
17 October 1965 – Bo Diddley and Duke Lee
20 October 1965 – Long, Short and Tall, Duke Lee and The Loose Ends
Photo: Melody Maker
21 October 1965 – Under-mined and Duke Lee Sounds
22 October 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
23 October 1965 – The Loose Ends and Duke Lee (first session)
23 October 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Minor Birds and Duke Lee (second session)
24 October 1965 – Duke Lee
27 October 1965 – John Brown’s Bodies and Duke Lee
This version of John Brown’s Bodies were from Hammersmith and weren’t the same Brighton group that had Keith Emerson
28 October 1965 – Next of Kin and Duke Lee
29 October 1965 – Marshall Scott Etc and Duke Lee
30 October 1965 – The Hamilton Movement and Duke Lee Sounds (first session)
Photo: Melody Maker
30 October 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Hamilton Movement and Duke Lee (second session)
31 October 1965 – Duke Lee
3 November 1965 – Blues Roots, Duke Lee and The Loose Ends
Photo: Melody Maker
4 November 1965 – Deacon Louis GP and Duke Lee
5 November 1965 – Duke Lee
6 November 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres and Duke Lee (first session)
6 November 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres, The Movement and Duke Lee (second session)
7 November 1965 – Duke Lee
10 November 1965 – The Nature’s Boys and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
11 November 1965 – Lawlors Legs and Duke Lee
12 November 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
Photo: Melody Maker
13 November 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Duke Lee (first session)
13 November 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays, The Movement and Duke Lee (second session)
14 November 1965 – Duke Lee
17 November 1965 – The Links, The Fetish Crowd and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
18 November 1965 – Sounds Anonymous and Duke Lee
19 November 1965 – Duke Lee
20 November 1965 – Guy Darrell, Winds of Change and Duke Lee (first session)
20 November 1965 – The Loose Ends, Guy Darrell, Winds of Change and Duke Lee (second session)
21 November 1965 – Duke Lee
24 November 1965 – The New Jump Band and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
25 November 1965 – Two Squared and Duke Lee
26 November 1965 – Duke Lee
27 November 1965 – The Panics and Duke Lee (first session)
27 November 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Panics and Duke Lee (second session)
28 November 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
1 December 1965 – Group Survival and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
17 December 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
18 December 1965 – The Frank Sheen Sound and Duke Lee (first session)
18 December 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Frank Sheen Sound and Duke Lee (second session)
19 December 1965 – Major Lance (with Bluesology) and Duke Lee
22 December 1965 – The Templars, The Cardinals and Duke Lee
24 December 1965 – The Loose Ends, Duke Lee and The Frank Sheen Sound
Photo: Melody Maker
25-26 December 1965 – Duke Lee
31 December 1965 – Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
22 January 1966 – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and Duke Lee
23 January 1966 – The Exciters and Duke Lee
26 January 1966 – The Just Blues, The Wild Set and Duke Lee
28 January 1966 – Lee Dorsey and Duke Lee
29 January 1966 – Deakin Lewis and Duke Lee
30 January 1966 – The Drifters
Photo: Melody Maker
11 February 1966 – Doris Troy (with Bluesology) and Duke Lee
12 February 1966 – The Panicks and Duke Lee
13 February 1966 – Duke Lee
16 February 1966 – Duke Lee and various groups
18 February 1966 – Inez and Charlie Foxx
Photo: Melody Maker
25 March 1966 – Wilson Pickett with King Ossie Sounds (Wilson Pickett didn’t show)
Photo: South East London Mercury
26 March 1966 – Time Box, The Raisins and King Ossie Sounds
1 April 1966 – Don Covay and King Ossie Sounds
8 April 1966 – Jimmy Cliff (backed by New Generation?) with The Raisons, King Ossie Sound and Duke Reid
9 April 1966 – The New Jump Band with The King Ossie Sound
10 April 1966 – Don Covey with The King Ossie Sound
11 April 1966 – Owen Gray and Jackie Edwards with The Raisons and King Ossie Sound
22 May 1966 – The Charmers (with Carl Douglas)
11 June 1966 – Carl Douglas & The Charmers
18 June 1966 – The Partizans
4 August 1966 – Jimmy Cliff
2 September 1966 – The James Royal Set
24 September 1966 – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
1 October 1966 – Timebox
15 November 1966 – The Iveys
6 January 1967 – Duke Lee
7 January 1967 – The Soul Trinity
13 January 1967 – Duke Lee
14 January 1967 – The Mellow Notes
20 January 1967 – Duke Lee
21 January 1967 – Ossie Layne & The Red Hot Band
4 March 1967 – Alan Marsh(all) & The Loose Ends
Sources:
Southeast London Mercury, Marmalade Skies website, Melody Maker and poster
Located at 15 Perry Vale, the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill, Southeast London was a popular venue for Mods in the early-to-mid 1960s.
The Who were regulars in the 1963-1964 period when they were known as The Detours and The High Numbers. Bobby King & The Sabres were also a resident band at the club throughout the mid-1960s.
I’ve started a list of artists that were advertised and would welcome any additions/corrections as well as any memories of the venue. I would also welcome any posters/band photos and will credit them accordingly.
1961
17 November 1961 – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1963
13 September 1963 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
4 October 1963 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
11 October 1963 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
2 November 1963 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
7 November 1963 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
16 November 1963 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
23 November 1963 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Thanks to Clive Chase for sending the photo
6 December 1963 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
Poster suggests Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers played on 6 December
7 December 1963 – The Hollies with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
13 December 1963 – Bobby King & The Sabres with The Federals (Clive Chase’s gig diary/poster/Beat Monthly)
Poster suggests only The Federals played on this date
20 December 1963 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
Poster suggests The Flintstones played on 20 December
21 December 1963 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
27 December 1963 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
28 December 1963 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
1964
3 January 1964 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
Pete Carter says The Rolling Stones played on 3 January 1964 – see comments section below
17 January 1964 – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Beat Monthly) Needs confirmation
18 January 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres with Bern Elliott & The Fenmen (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
24 January 1964 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
John Warburg says The Hollies also performed on 24 January
31 January 1964 – The Detours (became The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
1 February 1964 – The Brian Auger Trinity with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
7 February 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Tin Pan Alley Ball) (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
14 February 1964 – The Detours (or now called The Who) (Andy Neill’s research)
17 February 1964 – The Searchers (Beat Monthly) Needs confirmation
21 February 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres with Bridget Bond & The Hysterics (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
6 March 1964 – The Paramounts with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
7 March 1964 – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
16 March 1964 – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)
21 March 1964 – The Hollies with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
23 March 1964 – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)
27 March 1964 – Graham Bond Organisation with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
3 April 1964 – The Who (this month they change name to The High Numbers) (Andy Neill’s research)
4 April 1964 – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
6 April 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
10 April 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
13 April 1964 – Cilla Black with Sounds Incorporated and The Tridents (Paul Lucas’ gig diary)
This was before Jeff Beck joined The Tridents on lead guitar
17 April 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres with The Redcaps (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
20 April 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
24 April 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
27 April 1964 – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ gig diary)
Jeff Beck didn’t join on lead guitar until early September.
2 May 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
4 May 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
8 May 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
11 May 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
15 May 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
16 May 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
18 May 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
25 May 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
29 May 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres with The High Numbers (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
1 June 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
6 June 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
8 June 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
15 June 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
19 June 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres with Shorty & Them (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
22 June 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
26 June 1964 – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
27 June 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
29 June 1964 – The High Numbers (revert back to The Who in November) (Andy Neill’s research)
10 July 1964 – The Hollies with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
18 July 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
31 July 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres with Geno Washington (most likely with Les Blues) (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
8 August 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
21 August 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
29 August 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
4 September 1964 – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
18 September 1964 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
19 September 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
2 October 1964 – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary) Beat Instrumental suggests that The Undertakers may have played here on this date but needs confirmation
3 October 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
12 October 1964 – The Tridents (Paul Lucas’ gig diary)
Jeff Beck was lead guitarist with The Tridents by this point
16 October 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
26 October 1964 – The Yardbirds (Beat Instrumental) Needs confirmation
30 October 1964 – The Brian Auger Trinity with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
6 November 1964 – The Hollies with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
I have The Graham Bond Organisation for 6 November but this may have been a different date
20 November 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres with The Federals (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
21 November 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
27 November 1964 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
4 December 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Bobby King & The Sabres. Photo: Clive Chase
1965
8 January 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
16 January 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
22 January 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
30 January 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
12 February 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
20 February 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
26 February 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
6 March 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
19 March 1965 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
27 March 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
2 April 1965 – The Brian Auger Trinity with Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Chislehurst Caves in the south eastern suburbs of London is a 22 miles long series of tunnels. During the 1960s, the caves were used as a music venue and many notable artists played there, including David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, to name a few.
I have started to compile a list of artists that played and would welcome any additions. Also, I would welcome any memories of the caves from that period.
Photo: Kent Messenger, 20 March 1964, page 4
14 March 1964 – The Lonely Ones, The Corvettes, The Maniacs, The Outcasts, The Rockabeats and Band Seven (Kent Messenger)
Gig in Melody Maker, 30 March 1963
14 May 1965 (Friday) – The Epitaph Souls, The Forerunners, Danny & The Torinos, The Two Squared, The Great Expectations, Hamilton King’s Blues Messengers and Brian Something and The What’s Its (Melody Maker)
11 February 1966 (Friday) – The Downliners Sect (South East London Mercury) (opened the caves as a music venue)
25 February 1966 (Friday) – Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
4 March 1966 (Friday) – David Bowie & The Buzz (South East London Mercury)
11 March 1966 (Friday) – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
18 March 1966 (Friday) – Deacon Lewis (South East London Mercury)
8 April 1966 (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (South East London Mercury and Melody Maker)
29 April 1966 (Friday) – Them (Melody Maker)
6 May 1966 (Friday) – The Pretty Things (Melody Maker)
20 May 1966 (Friday) – Brian Something and The What’s Its (Carl Ross’ gig diary)
1 July 1966 (Friday) – The Yardbirds (Record Mirror)
15 July 1966 (Friday) – The Action (Fabulous 208)
29 July 1966 (Friday) – The Action (Fabulous 208)
5 August 1966 (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Melody Maker)
28 October 1966 (Friday) – Brian Something and The What’s Its (Carl Ross’ gig diary)
16 December 1966 (Friday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)
30 December 1966 (Friday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker and Disc & Music Echo)
6 January 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
27 January 1967 (Friday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (needs source but probably Melody Maker)
17 February 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
17 March 1967 (Friday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
14 April 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
19 May 1967 (Friday) – Brian Something and The What’s Its (Carl Ross’ gig diary)
7 July 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
11 August 1967 (Friday) – The Nervous System (Melody Maker)
6 October 1967 (Friday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Kathy Doughty’s memories – see comments below)
14 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Fabulous 208)
10 November 1967 (Friday) – The Foundations (Melody Maker)
8 December 1967 (Friday) –Pink Floyd (possibly Melody Maker but might be South East London Mercury)
9 February 1968 (Friday) – The Herd (South East London Mercury)
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
