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).
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)
24 September 1966 (Saturday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
26 September 1966 (Monday) – The Artwoods (needs confirmation)
11 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
12 October 1966 (Wednesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
13 October 1966 (Thursday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
25 October 1966 (Tuesday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
26 October 1966 (Wednesday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
27 October 1966 (Thursday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
27 December 1966 (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
28 December 1966 (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
31 December 1966 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Disc & Music Echo)
1967
7 February 1967 (Tuesday) – The Shevelles and Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Fabulous 208)
8 February 1967 (Wednesday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Fabulous 208)
13 February 1967 (Monday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
23 March 1967 (Thursday) – Family (website: https://www.familybandstand.com/)
31 March 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
5 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
18 April 1967 (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
19 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Bo Diddley (backed by The Canadians) (Melody Maker)
The Canadians’ keyboard player is David Foster.
25 April 1967 (Tuesday) – The Soul Sisters (backed by The Trend) (Newham & Stratford Express)
26 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
27 April 1967 (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
12 May 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
13 May 1967 (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
18 May 1967 (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
20 May 1967 (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
13 June 1967 (Tuesday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
7 July 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
10 July 1967 (Monday) – Family (website: https://www.familybandstand.com/)
11 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
13 July 1967 (Thursday) – Sam & Bill (backed most likely by Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement) (Disc & Music Echo)
18 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
26 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Family (website: https://www.familybandstand.com/)
3 August 1967 (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
8 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
25 August 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
29 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
30 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
21 September 1967 (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
6 October 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
11 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
13 October 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
20 October 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
21 October 1967 (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
25 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
26 October 1967 (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
27 October 1967 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
1 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Family (website: https://www.familybandstand.com/)
23 November 1967 (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
15 December 1967 (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
19 December 1967 (Tuesday) – Robert Plant & The Band of Joy (Fabulous 208)
30 December 1967 (Saturday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
1968
9 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig list)
11 January 1968 (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
12 January 1968 (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
25 January 1968 (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
26 January 1968 (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
2 February 1968 (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
7 February 1968 (Wednesday) – James and Bobby Purify (New Musical Express)
15 February 1968 (Thursday) – Barclay James Harvest (Barclay James Harvest website)
23 February 1968 (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Rik Gunnell agency bookings – thanks to Colin Pullen for sharing)
1 March 1968 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
26 March 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
6 April 1968 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Malcolm Penn’s diary also has Moon’s Train on 6 April.
23 April 1968 (Tuesday) – JJ Jackson (Melody Maker)
6 May 1968 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
14 May 1968 (Tuesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
22 May 1968 (Wednesday) – James and Bobby Purify (Melody Maker)
7 June 1968 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
19 June 1968 (Wednesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
26 June 1968 (Wednesday) – Omega Red Star (Melody Maker)
Omega Red Star were a Hungarian band on tour in the UK.
2 July 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
10 July 1968 (Wednesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
12 July 1968 (Friday) – Patti La Belle & Her Bluebells (Melody Maker)
18 July 1968 (Thursday) – Patti La Belle & Her Bluebells (Melody Maker)
26 July 1968 (Friday) – Reparta & The Delrons (Fabulous 208)
30 July 1968 (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker)
Tim Rose’s show on 30 July was cancelled.
6 August 1968 (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
7 August 1968 (Wednesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
8 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
9 August 1968 (Friday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
Bob Hodges, keyboard player with Tuesday’s Children, has his band listed for 9 August in his diary so perhaps both groups played on that night?
10 August 1968 (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
22 August 1968 (Thursday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker – needs confirmation)
23 August 1968 (Friday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
4 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Fabulous 208)
7 September 1968 (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
According to Malcolm Penn, this was Moon’s Train’s final gig.
20 September 1968 (Friday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
21 September 1968 (Saturday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
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.
4 October 1968 (Friday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
Jack Russell, bass player with Scrugg, has his band also booked for 4 October so perhaps both bands played?
9 October 1968 (Wednesday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
14 October 1968 (Monday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208 and Time Out)
19 October 1968 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
28 October 1968 (Monday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
Bob Hodges also has his band Tuesday’s Children booked for 28 October so perhaps both bands played on this night?
29 October 1968 (Tuesday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
30 October 1968 (Wednesday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
31 October 1968 (Thursday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
1 November 1968 (Friday) – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)
2 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Marble Arch Movement (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
4 November 1968 (Monday) – Scrugg (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
5 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
This was the (original) UK version of Jo Jo Gunne, formed in Feltham in 1965.
6 November 1968 (Wednesday) – Charlie & Inez Foxx (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
7 November 1968 (Thursday) – Chris Shakespere Show (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
8 November 1968 (Friday) – Angel Pavement (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
9 November 1968 (Saturday) – Angel Pavement (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
11 November 1968 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
12 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
13 November 1968 (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
14 November 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
15 November 1968 (Friday) – Garnet Mimms (backed by Village Green) (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
16 November 1968 (Saturday) – Ferris Wheel (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
18 November 1968 (Monday) – The Perishers (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
19 November 1968 (Tuesday) – The Perishers (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
20 November 1968 (Wednesday) – The Perishers (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
New Musical Express lists The Show Stoppers on 20 November.
21 November 1968 (Thursday) – The Ronnettes (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
22 November 1968 (Friday) – The Perishers (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
23 November 1968 (Saturday) – High Tension (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
25 November 1968 (Monday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
26 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Hansen and Karlson (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
This was a Dutch duo.
27 November 1968 (Wednesday) – The Chiffons (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
28 November 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
29 November 1968 (Friday) – Granny’s Intentions (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
30 November 1968 (Saturday) – Granny’s Intentions (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
5 December 1968 (Thursday) – JJ Jackson (Sibylla’s gig poster for November 1968)
10 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
11 December 1968 (Wednesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
12 December 1968 (Thursday) – Bandwagon (New Musical Express)
1969
Guitarist/violinist Mike Piggott says Gass played here during 1969-1970.
23 January 1969 (Thursday) – Junior Walker & The All Stars (New Musical Express)
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 Was In THE CARL DOUGLAS SET
I Remember One Night We Were Playing At SIBYLLA’S And In Our Break I Was Standing At The Entrance When The Beetles Turned Up When They Went Down Stairs The Doorman Let Me Sit In PAUL McCARTNEY’S Black Mini ( Cool Ah )
Also I Remember The DJ ALAN FREEMAN Playing The Newly Recorded YELLOW SUBMARINE
We Were Some Of The Fist People To Here It
Hi. I have six large prints taken at Sibyllas club. I recognise John & George from the Beatles and Family but don’t know many others that I don’t recognise. Can I send you a picture?
Hi Carl
yes, that would be great.
Hi
My father used to be the door man at sybilla
do your perhaps of photos from the door with him. He was Pedro a Portuguese fellow
Thanks
Hello There!
I wonder if the mentioned Hansen and Karlsson should be Hansson and Karlsson. A SWEDISH duo with Bo Hansson and Jan Carlsson. They played a few times with Hendrix who recorded their song “Tax Free”. Hansson later became famous for his “Lord Of The Rings” album.
I was with the group The CYMBALINE. We played at Sybillas in Swallow street many times during the late sixties as one of the resident bands. We were known as a harmony group, having a recording deal with Philips/Mercury, being produced by Johnny Franz.
I remember Laurie O’Leary the doorman at the club. We also met up with Paul McCartney and recorded an original song written by his friend in a large west London film music studio. We gave Paul a lift back to the club in our old Commer van. Jane Asher bought me a drink!