After working with The Charmers and The Carl Douglas Set from 1965-1966, Jamaican singer Carl Douglas and long-standing member, Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) (now on bass) started to put together a new outfit (soon to become The Big Stampede), retaining guitarist Del Grace from The Carl Douglas Set, and bringing in sax player Dave Brooks, who may have joined just before Danny McCulloch departed to become a member of Eric Burdon’s New Animals in late September.

Around the same time, Del Grace’s former band mate from the original Big Wheel, Mike Manners joined on keyboards.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #1:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Del Grace – lead guitar

Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass

Mike Manners – keyboards

Dave Brooks – sax

Ray Beresford – drums (replaced very briefly by Nick Baxter)

Notable gigs:

24 September 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London

26 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Searches (billed as Carl Dallas & The Big Stampede)

13 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Excels

16 October 1966 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London with Ike & Tina Turner show

22 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Graham Bell & The Trend and Ray King Soul Pact

28 October 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (billed as Carl Douglas Set) Most likely Nick Baxter on drums

In late October, Ray Beresford departed and former Charmers’ drummer (and the group’s road manager) Nick Baxter filled in until a permanent replacement was found.

Within a week, Del Coverley had arrived from Switzerland where he’d been playing with the latest incarnation of Big Wheel. Trumpet player Verdi Stewart completed The Big Stampede.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #2:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Del Grace – lead guitar

Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass

Mike Manners – organ

Dave Brooks – sax

Verdi Stewart – trumpet

Del Coverley – drums

Notable gigs:

7 November 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Dave Anthony’s Moods

11 November 1966 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London

13 November 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with Paul Butterfield Blues Band

18 November 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London

19 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

21 November 1966-4 December – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Jimi Hendrix jammed one night)

6 December 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

7 December 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London

8 December 1966 – White Bicycle Club, Maple Ballroom, Northampton

9 December 1966 – Gravesend Grammar School, Gravesend, Kent

10 December 1966 – Prince of Wales Youth Club, Canterbury, Kent (early pm)

10 December 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (late pm) with The Blueshealers

14 December 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London

17 December 1966 – Riley Club, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire

20 December 1966 – Birdcage Club, Hull, Humberside

23 December 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Hertfordshire

24 December 1966 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London

25 December 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (afternoon and evening gigs)

26 December 1966 – Brentbridge Hotel, Golders Green, north London

30 December 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London

31 December 1966 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex

1 January 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

4 January 1967 – Falcon Hotel, Rochester Way, Eltham, Kent

6 January 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London

6 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London

7 January 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop Stortford, Herts (cancelled)

8 January 1967 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent

9-10 January 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

12 January 1967 – Club A-Go-Go, Newcastle on Tyne

13 January 1967 – Dancing Slipper Club, West Bridgford, Nottingham

15 January 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London with The Soul Sisters

18 January 1967 – Adam & Eve Club, Southampton, Hampshire

19 January 1967 – Left for Belgium for four days and played at New Inn Club, Liege from 20-22 January

27 January 1967 – Candlelight, Scarborough

28 January 1967 – Students’ Union, Southampton University

29 January 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

29 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Radio Caroline Show with D J Johnny Walker)

31 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Survivors

3 February 1967 – Mr McCoy’s, Kirklevington Country Club, North Yorkshire

4 February 1967 – Left for Scotland for four days (including Maryland Club, Glasgow)

11 February 1967 – Queen Mary’s College, Mile End, east London

11 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Maxine Brown and The Q Set

12 February 1967 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham

15 February 1967 – Adam & Eve Club, Southampton, Hampshire

17 February 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London

17 February 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London

18 February 1967 – Disc O Blue, Ryde, Isle of Wight

20 February 1967 – Cromwellian, Kensington, west London

24 February 1967 – Top Spot Ballroom, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire with The Nu-2-U

25 February 1967 – Students’ Union, Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire

2 March 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

3 March 1967 – Assembly Room, York

4 March 1967 – Students’ Union, Newcastle University, Newcastle on Tyne

5 March 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington North Yorkshire

6-7 March 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

10 March 1967 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London

11 March 1967 – Nottingham College of Education, Nottingham

12 March 1967 – Klue J Klub, Chelmsford, Essex

14 March 1967 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London

18 March 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London

18 March 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London, with Lloyd Alexander Blues Band and Dynamic Ebonies

18 March 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London

19 March 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

20 March 1967 – Al Capone Club, Salisbury, Wiltshire

26 March 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London

27 March 1967 – Surrey Tavern, Oval, south London

28 March 1967 – Bird Cage, Anlaby Common, Anlaby, Hull, Humberside

30 March 1967 – Darlings, Maidenhead, Berkshire

31 March 1967 – Rub a Dub, Reading, Berkshire

1 April 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Artwoods

7 April 1967 – Dancing Slipper Club, West Bridgford, Nottingham

8 April 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Close Harmony Sounds

9 April 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire

10 April 1967 – Baldock YC, Hertfordshire

David Brooks leaves and briefly works with Felder’s Orioles among other things before re-joining in December 1967. Mel Wayne comes in from Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #3:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Del Grace – lead guitar

Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass

Mike Manners – organ

Mel Wayne – sax

Verdi Stewart – trumpet

Del Coverley – drums

Notable gigs:

13 April 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

14 April 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London

15 April 1967 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London

17-18 April 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

19 April 1967 – Cavendish Rooms, Willesden, northwest London

22-23 April 1967 – Maryland Club, Glasgow, Scotland

28 April 1967 – Clouds, Derby

30 April 1967 – Ram Jam Club, Brixton, south London (possibly did not happen)

1 May – 2 June 1967 – Voom Voom Club, St Tropez, France, Valbonne Club, Valbonne, France, Whisky A Go Go, Nice, France and American school, Lugano, Switzerland

7 June 1967 – Adam & Eve Club, Southampton, Hampshire,

9 June 1967 – Clouds Club, Derby, Derbyshire

10 June 1967 – University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire

11-12 June 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

17 June 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Soul Meeting Band

18 June 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London

21-22 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

23 June 1967 – Ealing Technical College, Ealing, west London (early)

23 June 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Julian Covey & The Machine (late)

24 June 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London(early)

24 June 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Downliners Sect and Ebonys (late)

25 June 1967 – Britannia Pier, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk

30 June 1967 – El Grotto Club, Ilford, Essex

1 July 1967 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex

5-6 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

7 July 1967 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London (early)

7 July 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (late)

Mike Manners leaves at this point and records with Australian singer Johnny Young.  Several keyboard players are used, including Verdi Stewart’s friend Ian Green.

8 July 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Ocean Room, Bournemouth, Dorset

9 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

11 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

12 July 1967 – Norwich University, The Flixton Room, Norwich, Norfolk

13 July 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

14 July 1967 – St Birinus School, Didcote, Berkshire with The Soul Survivors and The Ford Foundation (Ian Green on organ) (early)

14 July 1967 – Rasputin, New Bond Street, central London with The Ford Foundation and The Survivors (late)

15 July 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable with The All Night Workers (billed as Carl Douglas Set) (Ian Green on organ)

15 July 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Ian Green on organ)

15 July 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

17-18 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

20 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

21 July 1967 – Gillingham Technical College, Gillingham, Kent

23-24 July 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

28 July 1967 – Palisades Club, Chatham, Kent

29 July 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

Del Coverley leaves at this point and works with a group called Kindness with Andy Clark from Big Wheel and two former members of The Fenmen – Alan Judge and Eric Wilmer.

Carl Douglas and Tony Charman bring in a red haired drummer for a return trip to France (Colin Davy from Georgie Fame’s band) plus veteran keyboard player Iain Hines, who has previously worked with The Jets at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #4:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Del Grace – lead guitar

Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass

Iain Hines – organ

Mel Wayne – sax

Verdi Stewart – trumpet

Colin Davy – drums

Notable gigs:

August 1967 – Voom Voom Club, St Tropez – Valbonne Club, Valbonne, Whisky A Go Go, Nice

Verdi Stewart returns to France and then moves into session work. Hines forms his own band Icarus while Davy joins Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound. Del Grace also leaves at this point to work as a solo artist and with his band, The Rifle.  

Carl Douglas and Tony Charman rebuild The Big Stampede, bringing in former Ivan’s Meads organ player Rod Mayall and drummer Dave Richards.

Guitarist Martin Pugh comes in from The Package Deal. He narrowly misses out on the recent French tour.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #5:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals

Tony Charman (Tony Webb) – bass

Rod Mayall – organ, vocals

Mel Wayne – sax

Dave Richards – drums

Notable gigs:

3 September 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (before Rod Mayall joined)

20 September 1967 – Big Beat Cruise, Solent, South Parade Pier, Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head with The Wrong Direction (Rod Mayall’s debut)

22 September 1967 – Thames Hotel, Windsor, Berkshire

23 September 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London

25 September 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

29 September 1967 – Apex Club, Brookfield Hall, South Ashford, Kent with The Couriers (Kentish Express)

30 September 1967 – Nicholas Youth Centre, Basildon, Essex

6 October 1967 – Beaconsfield Youth Centre, Beaconsfield, Hertfordshire (early)

6 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (late)

7 October 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

13 October 1967 – Co-op Hall, Ilkeston, Derby, Derbyshire

14 October 1967 – Ewell Technical College, Ewell, Surrey

17 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

21 October 1967 – G-Ranch Discotheque, Maidstone, Kent

21-22 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

24 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

25-26 October 1967 – Sibyllas, Swallow Street, central London

27 October 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hampshire

28 October 1967 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex

29 October 1967 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent

30 October 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

3 November 1967 – East Berks Tech College, Windsor, Berkshire

4 November 1967 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire

7 November 1967 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London

9 November 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

10 November 1967 – G-Ranch Discotheque, Maidstone, Kent (early)

10 November 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (late)

11 November 1967 – Shoreditch College, Egham, Surrey

16 November 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

17 November 1967 – Gillingham Technical College, Gillingham, Kent

18 November 1967 – RAF Wittering, Stamford, Lincolnshire

19 November 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

24 November 1967 – Leicester University, Leicester

25 November 1967 – The Place, Wakefield, West Yorkshire

26 November 1967 – Star Hotel, Maldon, Essex

27 November 1967 – Queen Mary’s Ballroom, Dudley Zoo, Dudley, West Midlands

30 November 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

2 December 1967 – Lord John, Hounslow, west London (early)

2 December 1967 – New All-Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London (billed as Carl Douglas)

8 December 1967 – Bag O’ Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London

9 December 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate with Herbie Goins & The Nightimers and Ferris

14 December 1967 – Klook’s Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as New Stampede)

15 December 1967 – Shakespere Hotel, Woolwich, Kent

16 December 1967 – Bee Gee Club, Leeds, West Yorkshire

Long-standing member Tony Charman can’t go to France and leaves for a few months. Mel Wayne departs soon after and later plays with Calum Bryce.

Former Rupert’s People bass player Tony Dangerfield comes in to replace Tony Charman. Former member Dave Brooks re-joins the band in Biarritz.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #6:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals

Tony Dangerfield – bass

Rod Mayall – organ, vocals

David Brooks – sax

Dave Richards – drums

Notable gigs:

20 December 1967-3 January 1968 – (possibly La Canasta), Biarritz, then club in Perpignan, France

13 January 1968 – Ewell Technical College, Ewell, Surrey

22 January 1968 – St Matthew’s Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk

25 January 1968 – Bird Cage, Harlow, Essex

23 February 1968 – Drill Hall, Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire

24 February 1968 – St Joseph’s Disco, Swindon, Wiltshire (advert says they are back from a European tour)

2 March 1968 – University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire

17 March 1968 – Clouds Club, Derby, Derbyshire

22 March 1968 – Margaret McMillan College, Bradford, West Yorkshire

23 March 1968 – The New All Star Club, Liverpool Street, east London

24 March 1968 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London

28 March 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

30 March 1968 – Brave New World, Portsmouth, Hampshire

6 April 1968 – Alex’s Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire

6 April 1968 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London

Tony Dangerfield departs when Tony Charman returns shortly before a trip to Spain.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #7:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals

Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) – bass

Rod Mayall – organ, vocals

David Brooks – sax

Dave Richards – drums

Notable gigs:

19 April 1968 – Wimpson Youth Club, Southampton, Hampshire

20 April 1968 – White Tiles, Reuben George Hall, Swindon, Wiltshire

27 April 1968 – Stax Club, Circenster, Gloucestershire

29 April-31 May 1968 (31 days) – Stones Club, Madrid, Spain

7-22 June 1968 – Titan Club, Rome, Italy

Rod Mayall departs and returns to Madrid to join Los Buenos.

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede #8:

Carl Douglas – lead vocals

Martin Pugh – lead guitar, vocals

Tony Charman (Tony Webb) – bass

David Brooks – sax

Dave Richards – drums

Notable gigs:

27 June 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

4-14 July 1968 – ‘Boat Lydia’, Bacares, near Perpignan, France

1 August 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London

2 August 1968 – Ship Hotel, Weybridge, Surrey

16 August 1968 – Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh, Suffolk with The Motion Picture (Ipswich Evening Star)

7 September 1968 – Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with The Mojos and The Fascination

Tony Charman leaves at this point as he got married on 14 September. In 1969, he forms another south London band. Douglas keeps the band going a bit longer but it’s not clear who is part of this outfit. Martin Pugh joins Steamhammer and Dave Brooks moves into session work.

15 September 1968 – Black Swan, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

29 September 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire with The Sweet Shop

30 September 1968 – Stax Club, Cirencester, Gloucestershire

5 October 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with Fringe Benefit

6 October 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire

Douglas moves to Spain and records with The Explosion before finding fame and fortune with ‘Kung Fu Fighting’.

Thanks to the band’s manager Ken Baxter for sharing his contracts and to bass player Tony Charman (aka Tony Webb) for providing concert posters. Dates were also sourced from Melody Maker.

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