Southall Community Centre in Southall in west London was a significant music venue in the early to mid 1960s.
During the early 1960s, many of the American rock ‘n’ roll legends like Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent played at Southall Community Centre on their UK tours. This may well have been because visiting US artists would have passed through or near to Southall after arriving at London Airport on their way to central London.
The venue was also important for west London bands and is particularly significant because future Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore played there often, especially with Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers. It was while he was gigging with this band at Southall Community Centre that he was spotted by Screaming Lord Sutch, who invited him to join his backing band, The Savages. An invitation he duly accepted.
The Johnny Rebs were the resident band at Southall Community Centre in the early 1960s.
Terry O’Connor also remembers Duggie Dee & The Strangers played here and backed Screaming Lord Sutch when The Savages weren’t available. He also remembers Peter Nelson & The Travelers appeared a few times.
Malcolm Lenny says that his band Tony Holland & The Packabeats were regulars at the venue during the early-mid 1960s (see comments section at the very end).
I have made a start on a list of artists that played here and dates. I would welcome any additions and also any memories of the venue in the comments section below. If anyone has any memorabilia or photos of bands playing here, I would be happy to include them with the images credited accordingly.
1960
14 February (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
This west London band morphed out of The Rocking Versatiles (formed September 1957) and included long-standing member Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), who remained with the group throughout its various incarnations (and name changes) until finally splitting on 1 July 1966. The band played this venue regularly.
21 August (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
4 September (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
18 September (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
2 October (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
16 October (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 November (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
11 December (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1961
Drummer Bob Danks recalls playing at Southall Community Centre with Ritchie Blackmore’s first band, The Dominators in early 1961.
8 January (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
22 January (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
19 February (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Brian Mansell has Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers playing an audition on 19 February 1961. This was before Ritchie Blackmore joined on lead guitar, replacing Brian Sell.
According to sax player Dave Brogden who later joined The Statesmen after they had changed name to The Statesides, Southall Community Centre auditioned groups before the main bands came on to see the punter’s reactions. Usually, they would play a 30-minute set from when the doors opened.
5 March (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
18 June (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
Ritchie Blackmore had joined Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers on lead guitar by now, taking over from Brian Sell.
2 July (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
16 July (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 July (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
3 September (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
1 October (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
10 December (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1962
1 April (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
Brian Mansell went on to join Frankie Reid & The Casuals after The Jaywalkers split.
6 May (Sunday) – Gene Vincent with Sounds Incorporated (Tony Tacon’s recollections)
Tony Tacon remembers attending the gig with his friends Nick Simper (who later joined the original Deep Purple) and Keith Roach, who later played drums in Tacon’s band Ian Gillan & The Javelins.
19 August (Sunday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
Future Animals’ bass player Danny McCulloch was with the band at this point. Drummer Terry Mabey had already taken over from his predecessor Mitch Mitchell.
7 October (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Terry Franks & The Avalons (Johnny Kidd website)
1963
6 January (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 January (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 January (Sunday) – Barrie James Show (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
27 January (Sunday) – Barrie James Show and Vince Eager (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 February (Sunday) – Rolf Harris & The Diggeroos (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 February (Sunday) – Rolf Harris & The Diggeroos and Shane Fenton & The Fentones (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 February (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 March (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes and Terry Young, Tony Holland & The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 March (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 March (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
31 March (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 April (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
14 April (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 April (Sunday) – Roly Daniels and The Flintstones (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 April (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
5 May (Sunday) – The Avalons and The Spirits (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 May (Sunday) – Tony Holland & The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
19 May (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Beat Monthly/Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 May (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 June (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 June (Sunday) – Gene Vincent (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
16 June (Sunday) – The Golli-Golli Boys (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 June (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
30 June (Sunday) – The Clearways and Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 July (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes and Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 July (Sunday) – The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 July (Sunday) – The Packabeats, Linda Laine & The Sinners and The Consuls (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 July (Sunday) – The Dreamers and Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
4 August (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
11 August (Sunday) – The Cherokees (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 August (Sunday) – The Cherokees (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 September (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 September (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Beat Monthly)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Johnny Leyton on 8 September
15 September (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 September (Sunday) – Rockin’ Henri (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 September (Sunday) – The Tornados (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
6 October (Sunday) – The Big Three (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 October (Sunday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
20 October (Sunday) – Ray Pilgrim Show (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
27 October (Sunday) – Tommy Bruce & The Bruisers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 November (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Beat Monthly)
10 November (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 November (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 November (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 December (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors and Jimmy Crawford (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 December (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 December (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 December (Sunday) – The Clearways and The Shades (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 December (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Linda Laine & The Sinners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1964
5 January (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 January (Sunday) – The Midnites (audition) (Dave Brogden’s diary)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Shayne Fenton & The Fentones on 12 January so Brogden’s band would have auditioned earlier in the day
19 January (Sunday) – The Merseybeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 January (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 February (Sunday) – Brigitte Bond & The Contrasts (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 February (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Beat Monthly)
16 February (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 February (Sunday) – Tony Meehan Combo (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 February (Friday) – The Fortytwo Big Band led by Tommy Watt (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 March (Sunday) – The Clearways and The original Checkmates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 March (Sunday) – Grant Tracey & The Sunsets (Beat Monthly)
15 March (Sunday) – Gene Vincent (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 March (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Beat Monthly)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Pat Wayne & The Beachcombers on 22 March
28 March (Saturday) – Gene Vincent (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers on 28 March
5 April (Sunday) – The Rattles (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
Bass player Dave Wigginton says that Jeff Curtis & The Flames supported the German band at this venue and this seems the most plausible date.
12 April (Sunday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
19 April (Sunday) – Wee Willie Harris (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 April (Sunday) – Erkey Grant (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 May (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Beat Monthly)
10 May (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 May (Sunday) – The Hollies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
This may refer to next week’s gig (see next entry)
23 May (Sunday) – The Hollies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
30 May (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 June (Sunday) – Tony Sheveton & The Shevalls (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
14 June (Sunday) – Kingsize Taylor & The Dominos (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 June (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 June (Sunday) – Diane & The Londoners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
5 July (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 July (Sunday) – Robbie Hood & His Merrymen (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
19 July (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Beat Monthly)
26 July (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 August (Sunday) – The Fairies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 August (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides and The Druids (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
This is The Statesmen, who had changed name to Jean & The Statesides in May 1964. By this point the band comprised Jean Hayles (lead vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)
16 August (Sunday) – Erkey Grant (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 August (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
30 August (Sunday) – The Livewires (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
6 September (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 September (Sunday) – The Zombies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 September (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
27 September (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Naturals (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Dave Brogden’s band The Crossfires auditioned this evening before both bands played. The Crossfires played a 30-minute set after the doors opened but didn’t land any work at the Southall Community Centre after auditioning.
4 October (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
11 October (Sunday) – The Roulettes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 October (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
25 October (Sunday) – The Merseybeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 November (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Druids (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
8 November (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 November (Sunday) – The Hollies (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
22 November (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 November (Sunday) – The Mojos (Beat Instrumental)
6 December (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Harrow Observer & Gazette/Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 December (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 December (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Beat Instrumental)
27 December (Sunday) – The Stormsville Shakers and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)
1965
3 January (Sunday) – The Beat Merchants (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 January (Sunday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
24 January (Sunday) – Linda Laine & The Sinners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
31 January (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
7 February (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
14 February (Sunday) – The Yardbirds (Alan Clayson’s book, The Yardbirds: the band that launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page)
16 February (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
21 February (Sunday) – The Gobbledegooks (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
28 February (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 March (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
14 March (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens (Beat Instrumental)
21 March (Sunday) – The Animals (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
28 March (Sunday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
4 April (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
11 April (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 April (Sunday) – The Yardbirds (Alan Clayson’s book, The Yardbirds: the band that launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page)
25 April (Sunday) – The Birds and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary and Melody Maker)
2 May (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Mike Dee & The Prophets (Don Martin’s gig diary)
9 May (Sunday) – The Hollies and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Ken Samuels’ poster)
16 May (Sunday) – Manfred Mann with supporting band (Ken Samuels’ poster)
23 May (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Jean & The Statesides (Ken Samuels’ poster and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
30 May (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Ken Samuels’ poster and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
6 June (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
13 June (Sunday) – The Artwoods (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
27 June (Sunday) – The Rockin’ Berries (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
4 July (Sunday) – The Who (Andy Neill’s research/Harrow Observer & Gazette) Beat Instrumental lists Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers on 4 July
11 July (Sunday) – Goldie & The Gingerbreads (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 July (Sunday) – The Nashville Teens and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
25 July (Sunday) – The Measles (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 July (Thursday) – The Birds (rehearsal) (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
1 August (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
5 August (Thursday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
8 August (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 August (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
22 August (Sunday) – P J Proby and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)
30 August (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 September (Friday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)
5 September (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 September (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
19 September (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
26 September (Sunday) – The Bo Street Runners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 October (Sunday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 October (Sunday) – Jesse Fuller and The Artwoods (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 October (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
24 October (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Beat Instrumental)
31 October (Sunday) – The Animals (Record Mirror)
7 November (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 November (Sunday) – The Merseybeats and The Statesides (Dave Brodgden’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
21 November (Sunday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
5 December (Sunday) – Heinz and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
12 December (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
19 December (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
23 December (Thursday) – The Birds (rehearsal) (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)
1966
9 January (Sunday) – The Birds and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
16 January (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation and The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
23 January (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
30 January (Sunday) – The Statesides and The Profile (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
The Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette has The Persuasion rather than The Profile.
6 February (Sunday) – The Birds and Bobby King & The Sabres (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette and Clive Chase’s gig diary)
13 February (Sunday) – The Who (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
27 February (Sunday) – Jimmy Cliff & The New Generation (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
6 March (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
13 March (Sunday) – The Alan Walker Group (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
20 March (Sunday) – Peter Fenton & The Crowd (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
24 April (Sunday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1967
16 March (Thursday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Fabulous 208)
26 May (Friday) – The In-Sekt Ltd (Melody Maker)
9 June (Friday) – The Insayn (Melody Maker)
23 June (Friday) – The Real Thing (Melody Maker)
Many thanks to Rolf Hannett for the Beat Monthly and Beat Instrumental dates
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.
Played Southall Community Centre as singer with Ritchie Blackmore’s first band The Dominators, early ’61. Think it must have been shortly before he joined Mike Dee’s band full time. Although he appeared with the Jaywalkers as early as June, we played the White Hart Southall in July’61 just before The Doms broke up. I think you will find that S.L.Sutch came to watch Ritchie for a fair while before he joined the Jaywalkers. There was an article on Ricky (Fenson) Brown that was published in the D.Mail some time ago. There are references to it on line(google). Rick will be able to fill in more detail. Give Rick my regards if you contact him. He all but got me a job replacing Jagger in the Stones early ’63. Smashing guy.
Nearly forgot. Saw Jerry Lee Lewis at Southall CC. He cut his gig very short due to a crap piano. Can’t remember the date but it was the same night that Ritchie first played with S.L.sutch at the Blue Moon. Having seen Jerry Lee we hopped it over to see Ritchie, only to be buttonholed by Cliff Bennett who was unable to see Jerry Lee but wanted to know every last detail of the abandoned performance.
I too remember that night when Jerry Lee Lewis walked off. When he arrived he had a right hump because he thought it was a night off. We were all in the big side room at SCC and we were asked if we had our instruments with us to back him. We, Frankie Reid & The Casuals, had played there before. Sadly we didn’t have our gear because we only went just to watch the great man. The piano was an old upright and that didn’t please Jerry Lee who only did about 5 or 6 songs and then went. I thought it was the Rebel Rousers that backed him that night but the old grey cells ain’t what they used to be. Sadly some people booed him that night. I admit it wasn’t too good but I did see him at Hammersmith and he was Brill.
It was myself and guitarist Eddie Bowers of The Johnnie Rebs who were resident band the time who backed him, he had drummer with him and was not in a good mood when he came on and cut the performance sort slamming the piano key cover down with anger.
Yes Johnnie and the rebels was the group remember, was the first time I saw an Asian playing in rock band and he was gorgeous!! Had a DJ playing records during the interval .. first disco? lol
I was at that venue for most of those gigs!
Sweet never played their mate. Sure I saw you there in the army
Eddie and Dennis White joined us Merlin q after you all split. Spoke to Tony Hall a week ago. How are u
Can you tell me more about this band?
I remembering when I took someone to see the Who and the normal 5/6 had become ten bob. I was devistated but still payed up.
I was with Jo Jo Gunne when we supported the Fortunes and watched Tony Meehan Combo the following Friday (or was it Saturday). I also saw the Mojos, The Clearways, Tommy Quickly and the San Remo Four, as well as the Outlaws! Cannot remember the dates though!
I was one of the founder members of the ‘Clearways’ who went on to win Opportunity Knocks and signed up with Hughie Greens production team. After the the bands break up formed a duo with twin brother Derek ‘The Twins’. Now living in France I am a writer alias James Kingston and will get round one day to writing the ultimate expose about the whole period and what realy went on behind the scenes at Opp Knocks and a lot more
Eric – your old band is causing a bit of a consternation over here in Norwich – don’t know if you can access Facebook but here is a link to the discussion and a band photo from the 60’s.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=780496835405334&set=gm.815779121805042&type=1&theater
Just remembered I aslo saw Marmalade when we were suppoting ( I think) it was Amen Corner?
I remember Johnny Kidd and the Pirate there and was so impressed I went on and helped form The Sweet with the same Lead, bass, drums and singer line up.
Guitarist from Johhny Kidd was with the sweatshop yes ? Micky
On a note. My band used to rehearse at the Southall Community Centre on tuesdays in 1966. Our drummer was Hans Herbert. On another note. The listing for the California Ball room Dunstable for Oct 8th 1966 in incorrect. We were the “Guests” and I believe that it was us who backed Robert Parker.
He was so nervous that to try to put him at his ease I was clowning around and then stepped into the shower with it running to make him laugh. I then had to go onstage soaking wet. Not my cleverest trick but it did relax him.
I was a regular at the SCC on Sunday evenings during 1963-1964. I recall the resident band, Tony Holland and the Packabeats, who were excellent. I also recall seeing a number of well known groups, such as Brian Poole and the Trems, Shane Fenton and the Fentones (AKA: Alvin Stardust). Jet Harris and Tony Mehan, Screaming Lord Such and several others. Unfortunately I don’t recall dates for these appearances but I do remember the Southall Community Centre was always full on Sunday evenings and everyone had a great time.
I was also there every Sunday evening, what about Wee Willie Harris he used to entertain us sometimes.
Meet the wife here back in 1964, many great nights happy days. The Attic Friday/Saturday Southall on Sundays best way to spend your weekends,
Stood behind Keith Moon and Pete Townsend at SCC drinks shop in 1965. They bought a case of coke and then argued who was going to pay. Steve, I was a couple of years behind you at Dr Tripletts, always admired what you did. I ended up playing in a band with Alan Meacock, I think his brother Ray was a schoolfriend of yours. Great Sunday nights at SCC.
I was Lead Guitarist with The Packabeats and we played alongside the likes of Jet Harris & Tony Meehan, Shane Fenton & The Fentones, Brian Poole & The Tremelos, Jackie Lynton with Bob Xavior’s Jury, Sutch & The Savages, Terry Franks & The Avalons, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Cliff Benett & The Rebel Rousers plus many others.
It was a great venue, always packed every weekend and a joy to play there in the days when all the “musos” got on brilliantly!
Birds were brilliant . Saw them and had to put my Marshall on a chair like Kim
Around ’63/64 I saw a German group called “The Rattles”. They were a Beatles rip off, but quite good for all that. Around the same time I also saw Wee Willie Harris who was a great rocker and hilarious
Is this the Steve Lawrence I know. Did we go together? I certainly saw The Rattles and WeevWillie Harris. Also regularly saw Steve Priest with The Army at Wistowe House in Hayes.
Buddy Britten – real name, Geoffrey Glover-Wright (R.I.P.) – of Buddy Britten & The Regents, relocated to Jersey in the Channel Islands as Simon Raverne.
http://forgottenbands.blogspot.com/2011/03/next-band_2757.html
Glover-Wright later became an author.
http://www.gloverwright.com
I remember most of those names Gene Vincent was my favourite
Also I remember B Bumble and the Stingers, does anyone else remember them at the Community Centre
I saw the Hollies with a friend there in 1962
I also saw a lot of bands there….animals …arriving late…Joe Brown and the bruvvers….someone shouted out why don’t you get yer hair cut…Joe says why don’t you get your thoat cut….yeh..also merseybeats.cliff Bennett…I also went to Burton’s in uxbridge..Wow yeh good times..Jimmy Hendrix…hounslow Ricky tick..Terence k.
Terry , good to read your text , I too was a regular at Sou cc , and saw many groups there . I think you lived in the golf links estate ( brick houses ) am I right ? John bird .
Great memories of SCC. Intrigued to see an entry on 12 January 1964 for The Midnites (audition) from Dave Brogden’s diary. Can anyone throw any light on this please. My husband played in Southall with a group with the same name. Thanks