Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
SCOTS OF ST JAMES:
James Oakley – lead vocals
Hugh Nicholson – lead guitar
Diego Danalaise – bass
Alan Kelly – drums
Hailing from Glasgow, The Scots of St James began life as The In Crowd but changed name after moving down to London
29 January 1966 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Hertfordshire with Flamingo’s Rock House Band and The Gass (Luton News)
Before moving down to London in the summer of 1966, Ian Murray took over from Diego Danalaise and Stuart Francis replaced Alan Kelly on drums. After moving to London, the group added keyboard player James Mylchreest
29 August 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
9 September 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London (Melody Maker)
9 September 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge Park, northwest London (Melody Maker)
10 September 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The A-Jaes and The Kirkbys (Melody Maker)
24 September 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge Park, northwest London (Melody Maker)
14 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich Arsenal Station, Woolwich, southeast London with Lee Dorsey (Melody Maker)
16 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
23 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
23 October 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Champion Jack Dupree and Five Proud Walkers (website: http://eelpieislandmusic.com/eel-pie-island-roll-call)
25 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
28 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich Arsenal Station, southeast London with The Artwoods (Melody Maker)
29 October 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with The Puppets (Evening Sentinel)
30 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
6 November 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
In December, the band issued its debut single, a version of Ben E King’s “Gypsy” c/w with Ian Murray’s “Tic Toc” for Strike Records
Shortly after the single’s release, lead guitarist Norrie MacLean from The Poets took over from Hughie Nicholson who joined The Poets. Bass player Alan Gorrie replaced Ian Murray and keyboard player Graham Maitland took over from James Mylchreest.
The Scots of St James now comprised:
Jimmy Oakley – lead vocals
Norrie MacLean – lead guitar
Graham Maitland – keyboards
Alan Gorrie – bass/vocals
Stuart Francis – drums
2 February 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
3 February 1967 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London (Melody Maker)
4 February 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Tiles Big Band and Inspiration (Melody Maker)
6 March 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with Lee Dorsey and Marmalade (Evening Sentinel) The Scots of St James backed Lee Dorsey
11 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with Lee Dorsey and The Montanas (Nottingham Evening Post) The Scots of St James backed Lee Dorsey
11 March 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Lee Dorsey, The Bystanders, The Equals and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard) The Scots of St James backed Lee Dorsey
27 March 1967 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
8 April 1967 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Freddie Fingers Lee and The Upper Hand (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)
8 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Scenery and Makin’ Sounds (Melody Maker)
24 April 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with The Drifters and The Escorts (Evening Sentinel)
29 April 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Stafforshire (Evening Sentinel)
Owen “Onnie” McIntyre took over lead guitar from Norrie MacLean
2 May 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
13 May 1967 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)
19 May 1967 – Fiesta Hall, Andover, Hampshire (Andover Advertiser)
19 May 1967 – George Inn, Wilby, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
6 July 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with The Neat Change (Evening Sentinel)
The band recorded its second 45, “Timothy” c/w “Eiderdown Clown”, for the Spot label, which was released in September 1967
5 August 1967 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with Derek and Pete (Somerset County Gazette)
10 August 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with The Gods (Evening Sentinel)
12 August 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks (Buckinghamshire Advertiser)
19 August 1967 – Portpatrick Public Hal Management Committee, Portpatrick, Scotland (Wigtownshire Free Press & Galloway Advertiser)
1 September 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Jo Jo Cooke (Evening Sentinel)
2 September 1967 – Gloucester YMCA, Gloucester with The Night Shift (Richard Goddard research)
8 September 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
10 September 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
13 September 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
There is a good short article and pic in Record Mirror, 16 September 1967, page 10 (see above), which shows the following line-up:
Jimmy Oakley – lead vocals
Owen “Onnie” McIntyre – lead guitar
Graham Maitland – keyboards
Alan Gorrie – bass
Stuart Francis – drums
16 September 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks (Buckinghamshire Advertiser)
17 September 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
19 September 1967 – Gala Ballroom, Norwich with Deep Purple (Eastern Evening News)
22 September 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
23 September 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with Hamilton & The Movement (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)
24 September 1967 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
7 October 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
13 October 1967 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express) Rebooked for 17 November
4 November 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Cats Pyjamas (Evening Sentinel)
5 November 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
17 November 1967 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)
9 December 1967 – “Big C”, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)
20 January 1968 – Big C Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)
21 January 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
2 March 1968 – Newgtongate Institute, Newtongate, Scotland with Renaissance Fayre (West Midlothian Advertiser)
15 March 1968 – Ballerina Ballroom, Nairn, Scotland (Forres Elgin & Nairn Gazette)
20 April 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
5 May 1968 – Downbeat Club, the Swan, Maldon, Essex (Essex Chronicle)
During 1968, the band evolved into Hopscotch (see gigs in comments section)
Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.
I supported the Scots of St. James with my band at Uddingston in early 1968. They were a four piece without the lead singer, great band. They became Hopscotch and then Forevermore. Alan and Onnie went off to form the Average White Band. Graham and Stewart were in a band called Glencoe who I saw twice, once with a guitarist / singer whose names escapes me at the moment. The second time I saw them Jon Turnbull and Norman Watt Roy from the Blockheads etc. were playing. Superb.
Hi John,
I’ve just found this info Stuart Francis drummer which I’d forgotten I brought the original members down from Scotland started and we took the name from the club that we had a residency off Piccadilly called the Scotch of St James. I also recruited Onnie and Alan Gorrie, I spotted Hamish Stewart when he was 14 when he supported my band in Glasgow, he joined me later in Hopscotch he would have been around 16/17. Hamish left and had his own band here in London we become Forever More did a couple of albums then Onnie & Alan left to form the AWB back with Hamish. I recruited Norman Watt-Roy who was 16 and Johnny Turnbull from Graham Bell & Arc and formed Glencoe managed by Miles Copeland his younger brother Stewart was our booker before he found Sting. After a couple of albums and an American tour Glencoe broke up and Norman formed the Blockheads with Johnny.
Thanks
Hi Stuart
Did the Scots back any of Roy Tempest’s bands? You may be interested to know that there is a page on this site for the Scotch of St James! There is a guy called Peter Muir from Strike Records who is looking to get in touch. Btw didn’t Hopscotch share a flat with Gethsemane with Martin Barre?
Hi Stuart,
Thanks. I hadn’t seen your post until the last now.
Yeah Mick Travis was the guitarist I first saw with Glencoe. Great gig in Aberdeen College maybe 1971.
The whole Scots of St. James through Hopscotch/Forevermore/Glencoe/AWB was a huge part of my musical growth. I spoke to you once, maybe 1975/76 on the telephone asking you to be the drummer for a studio rhythm section. I got your number from Pepe the roadie.
Thank you for all your music.
I hope you are well. I play sometimes with Donny Coutts, who I’m sure you will know. He played with Alan in the Vikings.
Hi Stuart – I am trying to obtain background info on Pierre Tubbs’s home studio recordings and Gabi suggested I contact you. Email me if you would like to at peter@singsongmusic.com and I can expand on this.
Hi Stuart, Davy Lowe originally from The Raploch here, great to hear from you and hope that all’s well. I used to watch you drumming with The Ramrods and that’s what got me behind my own kit later. I published a book in 2021 on local entertainers and venues and tried to contact you for a long time. The Ramrods, Berries & Scots of St James and others feature in It. It would be great to hear from you? DAVML48@GMAIL.COM.
Forgot to say that I did a “feature” on you in my Facebook Group: Stirlingshire Bands & Venues 1950s-70s and Beyond.
Hi John, Ian Murray here. The Scots were formally known as The Berries. I was the original bass player and writer of the Scots first record Tic Toc. Ronnie MacDonald was the sax player, he didn’t go to London. The bands line up in 1966 as follows: Jimmy Oakley singer Hugh Nicholson lead guitar later formed Blue with his brother Jimmy Mylchreest (deceased)keyboard Stuart Francis drums Ian Murray (me) bass player/songwriter. I left the band in 1967 to return to Glasgow and write songs with my younger brother Kenny (deceased) Kenny moved to Holland. formed his own band, wrote some wonderful songs and recorded his LP City Lights. Listen to it. I keep in touch with Rudi in Amsterdam, his good friend and bass player. Ian
Hi Ian long time no see Stuart Francis ex drummer here just seen this how are you?
How is David lister what have you been doing since the 60’s thank you for comming to London with me?
I clearly remember when you said to me that this was not for you it was one night when we played at Ronnie Scott’s ?
I have often thought about the gig we played when your brother’s band supported us and I first saw Hamish play who would have known what he would go on to achieve ? What did Kenny go on to do?
Kind Regards Stuart
Lead singer Jimmy Oakley recorded a one off single for Phillips in 1968 “Little Girl / Kentucky Woman” back by the band during the transition from Scots to Hopscotch so effectively a Scot of St James single albeit a sole credit
The following gigs are billed to Hopscotch, who the Scots of St James morphed into during 1968:
13 August 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London (http://www.eelpiemuseum.co.uk/rollcall/rollcall/ )
10 May 1968 – The Cromwellian, South Kensington, London (Fabulous 208)
25 May 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Palmer James (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
21 June 1968 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)
8-9 July 1968 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Twelve for Soul (Yarmouth Mercury)
20 September 1968 – Wickford Youth Centre, Wickford, Essex with Free Spirit (Southend Standard)
5 October 1968 – The Cobweb, St Leonards, East Sussex with Transition (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)
27 October 1968 – Linden Sports Club, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
31 October-2 November 1968 – Club Camerlot, Taunton, Somerset (Somerset County Gazette)
7 December 1968 – Union Rowing Club, Trent Bridge, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
8 December 1968 – Linden Sports Club, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
20 December 1968 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)
20 January 1969 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
22 March 1969 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with Georgie Fame and Doughnut Ring (Southend Standard)
29 March 1969 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Wellington Ketch (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
20 April 1969 – Silver End Hotel, Witham, Essex (Essex Chronicle)
17 May 1969 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with The Love Affair and Shannie’s Mood (Southend Standard)
9 August 1969 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Equals (Lincolnshire Standard)
This fabulous site has tonnes for Hopscotch:
https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/
23 February 1969 – Linden Sports Club, Bournemouth, Dorset
9 March 1969 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Conclusion
18 May 1969 – Linden Sports Club, Bournemouth, Dorset
3 June 1969 – Pepples, Bournemouth, Dorset
Few more Hopscotch ones:
13 July 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
14 July 1968 – Wake Arms, Epping, Essex (New Musical Express)
13 September 1968 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
15 September 1968 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
27 September 1968 – General Wolfe, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
16 November 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Cuckfield, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)
22 November 1968 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
25 January 1969 – Queen’s Hall, Cuckfield, West Sussex with support (Mid Sussex Times)
26 January 1969 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
One more Hopscotch gig I found
23 November 1968 – Crown Hotel, Hailsham, East Sussex plus support (Sussex Express)
Hi, wonderful information on a great Scottish band. You might like to note the following:
All members of The In Crowd initially came from Glasgow. Shortly before moving to London Danalaise and Kelly were replaced. The drummer, Stuart/Stewart Francis came from Stirling where he previouly played with local band, The Ramrods! When in London in 1966 the Band recruited keyboard player Jimmy (James) Mylchreest who was also from Stirling. The line-up at that time in 1966 was: Jimmy Mylchreest (keyboards), Ian Murray (bass), Stuart Francis (drums), Jimmy Oakley (vocals) and Hughie Nicholson (lead guitar).
Hi Guys, I run a FB group dedicated to Stirlingshire bands and have built a website about the Falkirk Music Scene! I am presently writing a book on Stirlingshire and Clackmannanshire (Scotland) entertainers from pre-1950s to 1989! Can I use some of your stuff on my platforms please? Cheers, Davy.
Hello again David,
I should add another piece of information about the Scots of St James.
before the name change we were called the Berries and played regularly in La Bamba club in Falkirk, at that time it was the place to be, tremendous atmosphere, like Liverpool’s Cavern club.
It was shortly after this we changed our name, sacked a few members and manager, introduced the new guys to the line up.
And headed for the Big Smoke.
Do you Know what happened to Strike Records?
There appears to be some interest in my song Tic Toc.
Ian
Re Tic Toc interest – just queueing it up for my radio show! You are probably aware of this already https://www.cherryred.co.uk/product/shake-sixties-brit-mod-nuggets-various-artists-double-vinyl-edition/
Hi David, Ian Murray here. The Scots were formally known as The Berries. I was the original bass player and writer of the Scots first record Tic Toc. Ronnie MacDonald was the sax player, he didn’t go to London. The bands line up in 1966 as follows: Jimmy Oakley singer Hugh Nicholson lead guitar later formed Blue with his brother Jimmy Mylchreest (deceased)keyboard Stuart Francis drums Ian Murray (me) bass player/songwriter. I left the band in 1967 to return to Glasgow and write songs with my younger brother Kenny (deceased) Kenny moved to Holland. formed his own band, wrote some wonderful songs and recorded his LP City Lights. Listen to it. I keep in touch with Rudi in Amsterdam, his good friend and bass player.
Before the Berries we were called the Tornadoes and changed it after Telstar came out.
Hamish Stewart (Average White Band) was a school friend of my brother Kenny and formed a band called the Web. Hamish also played with Paul McCartney in Wings
Hi Ian, great information again. Yes, I know about The Berries and have featured them in my Book: “KEEPING THE STORIES ALIVE: Stirlingshire & Clackmannanshire Entertainers &Venues Pre-1950s to 1989” . Davy. ps:there is a great photograph!
Some more Hopscotch gigs:
25 January 1969 – Queen’s Hall, Cuckfield, West Sussex with Transition (Mid Sussex Times)
1 March 1969 – Queen’s Hall, Cuckfield, West Sussex with The Double Sounds (Mid Sussex Times)
13 March 1969 – Red Ballroom Club, Pilgrim, Haywards Heath, West Sussex (Mid Sussex Times)
31 May 1969 – Queen’s Hall, Cuckfield, West Sussex with Lunatic Child (Mid Sussex Times)
I knew this group
Scots of St James/Hopscotch.
The played in several music venues…Glasgow/Paisley
In fact I sang a couple of songs with then in Paisley Town Hall.
Stuart Francis
Jimmy Mylchreest there was a Sax player also called Ronnie????? Dave Graham I think.
They where called the Berry’s then and because they came from Stirling they had a flat in Glasgow West end. Ronnie stayed in it during the week also his girlfriend, as he worked in glasgow. They went down to London changed their name to Scots of St James then to Hopscotch.
Kinda a lost touch then.
I spoke to Jimmy Mylchreest a good few years ago, who was working with a ambulance service then. I think Stuart was still in London and still in the music business other than that 🤔 don’t know what happened to the others.
Hi Rosmond,
Ian Murray here.
The Scots were formally known as The Berries.
I was the original bass player and writer of the Scots first record Tic Toc.
Ronnie MacDonald was the sax player, he didn’t go to London.
The bands line up in 1966 as follows:
Jimmy Oakley singer
Hugh Nicholson lead guitar later formed Blue with his brother
Jimmy Mylchreest (deceased)keyboard
Stuart Francis drums
Ian Murray (me) bass player/songwriter.
I left the band in 1967 to return to Glasgow and write songs with my younger brother Kenny (deceased)
Kenny moved to Holland. formed his own band, wrote some wonderful songs and recorded his LP City Lights.
Listen to it.
I keep in touch with Rudi in Amsterdam, his good friend and bass player.
Ian
Hi Ian came across your reply so good your still doing well. Sorry to hear about Jimmy M, such a caring guy, sorry about Kenny too.
What happened to Stuart Francis? Thank you for replying to my post. Xx
Another Hopscotch gig
9 November 1968 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)