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.
1966
15 December (Thursday) – The Move (Melody Maker)
27 December (Tuesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
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.
22 February (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
This appears to be The Soft Machine’s debut Wednesday residency at the Speakeasy.
1 March (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Jimi Hendrix’s manager Chas Chandler introduced them and Duane Eddy attended the show.
7 March (Tuesday) – Keith (Disc & Music Echo)
8 March (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
9 March (Thursday) – Dudley Moore (Disc & Music Echo)
According to Disc & Music, Dudley Moore played every Thursday and Sunday from this date.
12 March (Sunday) – Dudley Moore and The Move (Disc & Music Echo)
14 March (Tuesday) – The Byrds (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Scott Walker attended the band’s show.
15 March (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
16 March (Thursday) – Jimi Hendrix Experience (Jimi Hendrix website)
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)
21 March (Tuesday) – The Byrds (Byrds website)
22 March (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
29 March (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
The Stax-Volt Revue had its after show party at the Speakeasy at the conclusion of its European tour in April.
Disc & Music Echo’s 8 April issue reported that Mia Farrow attended the club around about this time.
5 April (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
12 April (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
18 April (Tuesday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
This website reports that Jimi Hendrix reportedly jammed with Ben E King and Georgie Fame on 18 April.
19 April (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
22 April (Saturday) – The Soul Sisters backed by The Trend (Newham & Stratford Express)
26 April (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
30 April (Sunday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo/Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Auger’s band played every Monday so perhaps this is 1 May.
2 May (Tuesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
3 May (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
4 May (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins, King Ossie and Honey Darling (Melody Maker)
8 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Zoot Money, Georgie Fame and Jimi Hendrix attended this show.
9 May (Tuesday) – Garnet Mimms (probably backed by The Senate) (Melody Maker)
10 May (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
12 May (Friday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
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.
17 May (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
Melody Maker also lists Prince Buster & The Bees for 17 May.
22 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
24 May (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
Melody Maker lists The Web on 24 May.
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.
31 May (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Soft Machine website)
4 June (Sunday) – The Turtles (Disc & Music Echo)
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.
20 July (Thursday) – Amen Corner (Fabulous 208)
26 July (Wednesday) – The Eyes of Blue (Marmalade Skies website)
This was the band’s club debut.
According to Martyn Hanson’s book on The Nice, PP Arnold & The Nice played at the Speakeasy during August 1967.
3 August (Thursday) – Sharon Tandy & Les Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
10 August (Thursday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Disc & Music Echo)
17 August (Thursday) – Cream (Melody Maker and Eric Clapton website)
Fabulous 208 lists Ten Years After on 17 August. However, this is missing from this Alvin Lee website)
19 August (Saturday) – Granny’s Intentions (Marmalade Skies website)
21 August (Monday) – Pink Floyd (cancelled) (Marmalade Skies website)
26 August (Saturday) – Dantalion’s Chariot (Marmalade Skies website)
27 August (Sunday) – Fairport Convention (Marmalade Skies website)
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.
31 August (Thursday) – Dantalion’s Chariot (Marmalade Skies website)
Feltham band, Barney J Barnes & The Intro played at the Speakeasy once during September or October 1967, according to sax player Peter Davies.
19 September (Tuesday) – Pink Floyd (Marmalade Skies website)
27 September (Wednesday) – Ten Years After (Fabulous 208)
1 October (Sunday) – The Incredible String Band (Marmalade Skies website)
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.
6 October (Friday) – Eric Burdon & The Animals (Marmalade Skies website)
10 October (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker – needs confirmation)
12 October (Thursday) – The Pretty Things (Melody Maker – needs confirmation)
18 October (Wednesday) – The Moody Blues (Melody Maker – needs confirmation)
19 October (Thursday) – Vanilla Fudge (Fabulous 208)
Drummer Keith Guster of The Fleur De Lys confirms this gig happened as he attended and noted it in his diary.
21 October (Saturday) – Vanilla Fudge (Disc & Music Echo)
26 October (Thursday) – The Jeff Beck Group (Marmalade Skies website)
28 November (Tuesday) – Potential jam session (Electric Prunes website)
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.
18 December (Monday) – Traffic (Marmalade Skies website)
21 December (Thursday) – Pink Floyd (Disc & Music Echo)
28 December (Thursday) – The Electric Prunes (Disc & Music Echo)
29 December (Friday) – Tintern Abbey (Marmalade Skies website/Melody Maker)
1968
5 January (Friday) – Jethro Tull (Greg Russo’s research)
6 January (Saturday) – Circus (Stormsville Shakers’ website)
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)
10 February (Saturday) – Taste (Rory Gallagher website)
Melody Maker reported that Dr K’s (Blues Band) played around the week starting 19 February.
19 February (Monday) – Robert Plant & The Band of Joy (Marmalade Skies website)
21 February (Wednesday) – The Attack (Marmalade Skies website)
22 February (Thursday) – Monopoly (Marmalade Skies website)
24 February (Saturday) – Legay (Marmalade Skies website)
25 February (Sunday) – Tim Rose and Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)
Keith Guster’s gig diary confirms that Tim Rose played on this date. The Fleur De Lys’ drummer attended the gig with DJ Johnny Walker.
26 February (Monday) – The Eyes of Blue (Melody Maker)
This might have been Saturday, 24 February instead so needs confirmation.
28 February (Wednesday) – The Penny Peeps (Marmalade Skies website)
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.
10 March (Sunday) – Traffic (Marmalade Skies website)
16 March (Saturday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
21 March (Thursday) – Gospel Garden (Marmalade Skies website)
30 March (Saturday) – Tim Buckley (Revelation – Elektra Records’ newsletter)
According to Melbourne music magazine, Go-Set, Australian band The Groop played the Speakeasy between early March and mid-April.
2 April (Tuesday) – Reparta & The Delrons (Melody Maker)
7 April (Sunday) – Spooky Tooth (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Keith Guster confirms that he went to see the band at the Speakeasy on this date.
8 April (Monday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
9 April (Tuesday) – Circus (Stormsville Shakers’ website)
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.
13 December (Friday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website)
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.
24 December (Tuesday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website)
31 December (Tuesday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website)
1969
Melody Maker noted at the end of January that the club had been closed for eight months and only reopened that month but it was in December 1968.
The music magazine also reported that The Nice had played here in late December or early January.
10 January (Friday) – Kaleidoscope (Marmalade Skies website)
13 January (Monday) – Clouds (Time Out)
14 January (Tuesday) – Jethro Tull (Time Out)
15 January (Wednesday) – Juniors Eyes (Time Out)
16 January (Thursday) – Gary Farr & Mighty Baby (Time Out)
18 January (Saturday) – Freedom (Time Out)
20 January (Monday) – The Eyes of Blue (Time Out)
22 January (Wednesday) – Edgar Broughton Blues Band (Time Out)
23 January (Thursday) – Van Der Graaf Generator (Time Out)
Time Out and Fabulous 208 both list Eclection on 23 January, so perhaps there were two bands that evening.
25 January (Saturday) – Village (Time Out)
28 January (Tuesday) – Harmony Grass and Eclection (Fabulous 208)
30 January (Thursday) – The Eyes of Blue (Time Out)
31 January (Friday) – Barclay James Harvest (Time Out)
1 February (Saturday) – Edgar Broughton Band (Melody Maker)
3 February (Monday) – Caravan (Melody Maker)
4 February (Tuesday) – Idle Race (Melody Maker)
Time Out lists Spooky Tooth on 4 February so perhaps both bands played.
5 February (Wednesday) – Van Der Graaf Generator (Melody Maker and Time Out)
6 February (Thursday) – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
7 February (Friday) – Eire Apparent (Melody Maker and Time Out)
8 February (Saturday) – Jody Grind (Melody Maker and Time Out)
10 February (Monday) – Clouds (Melody Maker and Time Out)
11 February (Tuesday) – Taste (Melody Maker and Time Out)
12 February (Wednesday) – The Gods (Melody Maker)
13 February (Thursday) – Juniors Eyes (Melody Maker and Time Out)
14 February (Friday) – The Eyes of Blue (Melody Maker and Time Out)
15 February (Saturday) – Love and Poetry (Melody Maker)
17 February (Monday) – Village (Melody Maker and Time Out)
18 February (Tuesday) – Colosseum (Melody Maker and Time Out)
19 February (Wednesday) – McKenna Mendelson Mainline (Melody Maker)
20 February (Thursday) – The Nice (Melody Maker and Time Out)
21 February (Friday) – Pendulum (Melody Maker)
22 February (Saturday) – Sleepy (Melody Maker and Time Out)
24 February (Monday) – The Gods (Melody Maker and Time Out)
25 February (Tuesday) – Mason, Capaldi, Wood & Frog (Melody Maker and Time Out)
26 February (Wednesday) – Dr K’s Blues Band (Melody Maker and Time Out)
27 February (Thursday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website)
28 February (Friday) – Jody Grind (Melody Maker and Time Out)
17 March (Monday) – Eire Apparent (Time Out)
18 March (Tuesday) – Dr K’s Blues Band (Time Out)
19 March (Wednesday) – Blonde on Blonde (Time Out)
20 March (Thursday) – Deep Purple (Melody Maker and Time Out)
24 March (Monday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)
26 March (Wednesday) – Village (Time Out)
27 March (Thursday) – East of Eden (Time Out)
28 March (Friday) – Entire Sioux Nation (Time Out)
31 March (Monday) – Barclay James Harvest (Time Out)
4 April (Friday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website)
8 April (Tuesday) – Arcadium (Time Out)
9 April (Wednesday) – King Crimson (Time Out)
10 April (Thursday) – The Eyes of Blue (Time Out)
12 April (Saturday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
14 April (Monday) – Turnstyle (Time Out)
16 April (Wednesday) – Village (Time Out)
19 April (Saturday) – Smile (Time Out)
Smile featured future Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor.
22 April (Tuesday) – Clouds (Time Out)
23 April (Wednesday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)
25 April (Friday) – Arcadium (Time Out)
28 April (Monday) – Black Sabbath (Black Sabbath website)
29 April (Tuesday) – Keef Hartley (Melody Maker and Time Out)
30 April (Wednesday) – Hard Meat (Time Out)
Canadian guitarist Stan Endersby says that Mapleoak (Pete Quaife’s post-Kinks band) played the Speakeasy in May 1969.
Melody Maker reported that Audience played before 8 May. It also noted that Steppenwolf and The Misunderstood jammed at the club before 22 May.
14 May (Wednesday) – Lowell Fulsom (Melody Maker)
19 May (Monday) – Blonde on Blonde (Time Out)
20 May (Tuesday) – Eclection (needs source)
21 May (Wednesday) – Howlin’ Wolf with The John Dummer Blues Band (Melody Maker)
22 May (Thursday) – The Idle Race (Time Out)
27 May (Tuesday) – Juniors Eyes (Melody Maker and Time Out)
28 May (Wednesday) – Sam Gopal (Melody Maker and Time Out)
29 May (Thursday) – Spooky Tooth (Time Out)
30 May (Friday) – King Crimson (Time Out)
2 June (Monday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
3 June (Tuesday) – Samson (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
4 June (Wednesday) – Glass Menagerie (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
John Warburg says that Freddie King played on 4 June
5 June (Thursday) – Renaissance (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
6 June (Friday) – Velvet Opera (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
7 June (Saturday) – Audience (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
9 June (Monday) – Blonde on Blonde (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
10 June (Tuesday) – East of Eden (Time Out and East of Eden website)
11 June (Wednesday) – Three Dog Night (Time Out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
12 June (Thursday) – Jackie Lomax (Time Out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
13 June (Friday) – Entire Sioux Nation (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
14 June (Saturday) – The Majority (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
16 June (Monday) – Steamhammer (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
17 June (Tuesday) – Bodast (Time Out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
18 June (Wednesday) – Audience (Time Out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
19 June (Thursday) – Buddy Guy & His Band (Time Out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
20 June (Friday) – Gracious (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
21 June (Saturday) – Sk’Boo (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
23 June (Monday) – Brainbox (Time Out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
24 June (Tuesday) – Poet & His One Man Band (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
Time out lists Brainbox for 23 June.
25 June (Thursday) – Bodast (Time out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
26 June (Thursday) – The Wallace Collection (Time Out and Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
27 June (Friday) – Arcadium (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
28 June (Saturday) – Andromeda (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
30 June (Monday) – Audience (Speakeasy June listing at Don Powell’s website)
1 July (Tuesday) – Locomotive (Marmalade Skies website)
2 July (Wednesday) – Entire Sioux Nation (Marmalade Skies website)
3 July (Thursday) – Mighty Baby (Marmalade Skies website)
4 July (Friday) – Ambrose Slade (Marmalade Skies website)
5 July (Saturday) – Sam Apple Pie (Melody Maker)
8 July (Tuesday) – East of Eden (East of Eden website)
9 July – Arcadium (Marmalade Skies website)
10 July (Thursday) – Deep Purple (Melody Maker)
11 July (Friday) – Gypsy (Marmalade Skies website)
12 July (Saturday) – High Tide (Marmalade Skies website)
14 July (Monday) – Audience (Marmalade Skies website)
15 July (Tuesday) – Clouds (Marmalade Skies website)
16 July (Wednesday) – Glass Menagerie (Marmalade Skies website)
17 July (Thursday) – Principal Edwards Magic Theatre (Marmalade Skies website)
20 July (Sunday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Marmalade Skies website)
21 July – Shiva Jones and Quintessence (Time Out)
22 July – Jody Grind (Time Out)
23 July – Barclay James Harvest (Time Out)
24 July – Liverpool Scene (Time Out)
25 July – Gin (Marmalade Skies website)
26 July – The Majority (Marmalade Skies website)
28 July – The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
29 July – The Eyes of Blue (Marmalade Skies website)
30 July – Procession (Marmalade Skies website)
31 July – White Trash (Marmalade Skies website)
4 August (Monday) – Hard Meat (John Warburg research)
5 August (Tuesday) – King Crimson (Marmalade Skies website)
6 August (Wednesday) – Bakerloo (John Warburg research)
12 August (Tuesday) – East of Eden (East of Eden website)
13 August (Wednesday) – Arcadium (John Warburg research)
14 August (Thursday) – Renaissance (Melody Maker)
16 August (Saturday) – Sam Apple Pie (Melody Maker and Time Out)
18 August (Monday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)
19 August (Tuesday) – Blossom Toes (Melody Maker and Time Out)
22 August (Friday) – Battered Ornaments (Time Out)
23 August (Saturday) – Audience (John Warburg research)
25 August (Monday) – Steve Miller’s Delivery (Time Out)
27 August (Wednesday) – East of Eden (East of Eden website)
Melody Maker lists The Wallace Collection on 27 August.
28 August (Thursday) – Atomic Rooster (Marmalade Skies website)
29 August (Friday) – Barclay James Harvest (Time Out)
2 September (Tuesday) – Titus Groan (Marmalade Skies website)
11 September (Thursday) – Iron Butterfly (Melody Maker and Time Out)
15 September (Monday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
16 September (Tuesday) – Gun (Time Out)
17 September (Wednesday) – Poet & The One Man Band (Time Out)
18 September (Thursday) – Timebox (Time Out)
19 September (Friday) – Village (Time Out)
22 September (Monday) – Juniors Eyes (Time Out)
23 September (Tuesday) – Eclection (Time Out)
24 September (Wednesday) – The Edgar Broughton Band (Time Out)
25 September (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker and Time Out)
26 September (Friday) – Gypsy (Time Out)
27 September (Saturday) – Audience (Time Out)
29 September (Monday) – The Graham Bond Initiation and Stone The Crows (Time Out)
30 September (Tuesday) – Mighty Baby (Time Out)
7 October (Tuesday) – Mott The Hoople (Marmalade Skies website)
8 October (Wednesday) – The Graham Bond Initiation (Melody Maker)
13 October (Monday) – Freedom (Time Out)
14 October (Tuesday) – Zoot Money(Time Out)
16 October (Thursday) – Juicy Lucy (Time Out)
21 October (Tuesday) – Quintessance (Time Out)
22 October (Wednesday) – Writing on the Wall (Time Out)
23 October – Juicy Lucy (Marmalade Skies website)
Time Out lists Sam Gopal on 23 October.
24 October (Friday) – Arcadium (Time Out)
25 October (Saturday) – Cressida (Time Out)
27 October (Monday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)
28 October (Tuesday) – Delaney & Bonnie (Time Out)
29 October (Wednesday) – East of Eden (Time Out)
30 October (Thursday) – Jimmy McGriff (Time Out)
31 October (Friday) – Stone The Crows (Time Out)
6 November (Thursday) – Howlin’ Wolf and Junco Partners (Melody Maker)
12 November (Wednesday) – Mott The Hoople (Time Out)
13 November (Thursday) – Freddie King (John Warburg research)
17 November (Monday) – The Battered Ornaments (Time Out)
20 November (Thursday) – Gene Vincent & The Wild Angels (Time Out)
22 November (Saturday) – Freedom (Time Out)
24 November (Monday) – Titus Groan (Time Out)
25 November (Tuesday) – Glass Menagerie (Time Out)
26 November (Wednesday) – Hardin & York (Time Out)
27 November (Thursday) – Pete Brown & Piblokto (Time Out)
28 November (Friday) – Stone The Crows (Time Out)
1 December (Monday) – Trees (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
2 December (Tuesday) – Daddy Longlegs (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
3 December (Wednesday) – Quatermass (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
4 December (Thursday) – The Graham Bond International (aka Initiation) (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
5 December (Friday) – The Mooche (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
6 December (Saturday) – Heavy Water (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
8 December (Monday) – Creepy John Thomas (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
9 December (Tuesday) – The Wild Angels (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
10 December (Wednesday) – Rory Young (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
This is probably Roy Young (ex-Rebel Rouser).
11 December (Thursday) – Eire Apparent (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
12 December (Friday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
13 December (Saturday) – Napoleon (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
Napoleon is probably Bob Azzam’s band who changed name after moving to Sweden from Switzerland.
15 December (Monday) – Eclipse (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
16 December (Tuesday) – Murray Head (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
17 December (Wednesday) – Cressida (Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
18 December (Thursday) – Mott The Hoople (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
19 December (Friday) – Skin Alley (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
20 December (Saturday) – Man (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
22 December (Monday) – Business (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
23 December (Tuesday) – Grail (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
24 December (Wednesday) – Noir (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
26 December (Friday) – Sam Gopal (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
27 December (Saturday) – Good Earth (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
The Good Earth were led by future Mungo Jerry front man Ray Dorset.
29 December (Monday) – Delivery (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
30 December (Tuesday) – East of Eden (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
31 December (Wednesday) – Juicy Lucy (Time Out and Speakeasy calendar for December from Helene)
1970
8 January (Thursday) – David Bowie (Marmalade Skies website)
9 January (Friday) – Jody Grind (Time Out)
16 January (Friday) – Cochise (Time Out)
26 January (Monday) – The Groundhogs (Time Out)
27 January (Tuesday) – The Wild Angels (Time Out)
28 January (Wednesday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)
Marmalade Skies website has Badfinger on 28 January.
29 January (Thursday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
30 January (Friday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Time Out)
31 January (Saturday) – Imagination (Time Out)
9 February (Monday) – Heavy Jelly (Time Out)
12 February (Thursday) – Cressida (Time Out)
16 February (Monday) – Trees (Time Out)
17 February (Tuesday) – Man (Time Out)
18 February (Wednesday) – Hawkwind (Time Out)
19 February (Thursday) – Love (Melody Maker and Time Out)
20 February (Friday) – Badfinger (Marmalade Skies website)
23 February (Monday) – Grail (Time Out)
24 February (Tuesday) – Love (Melody Maker)
25 February (Wednesday) – Cochise (Time Out)
26 February (Thursday) – Matthews Southern Comfort (Time Out)
10 March (Tuesday) – Juicy Lucy (Time Out)
14 March (Saturday) – Free Little Rock (Time Out)
21 March (Saturday) – Alexander Patton (Time Out)
23 March (Monday) – Wishbone Ash (Melody Maker and Time Out)
24 March (Tuesday) – Graham Bond (Time Out)
25 March (Wednesday) – Silas (Time Out)
26 March (Thursday) – Sam Apple Pie (Time Out)
27 March (Friday) – One (Time Out)
28 March (Saturday) – Fire (Time Out)
30 March (Monday) – Pacific Drift (Time Out)
31 March (Tuesday) – May Blitz (Time Out)
6 April (Monday) – Cochise (Time Out)
Marmalade Skies website has Hawkwind on 6 April.
11 April (Saturday) – White Lighting (Melody Maker)
20 April (Monday) – Cochise (Time Out)
23 April (Thursday) – Flaming Youth (Marmalade Skies website)
Flaming Youth featured future Genesis drummer Phil Collins.
29 April (Wednesday) – Man (Time Out)
19 May (Tuesday) – Wishbone Ash (Time Out)
21 May (Thursday) – Gypsy (Time Out)
25 May (Monday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)
26 May (Tuesday) – Elton John (Time Out)
27 May (Wednesday) – Man (Time Out)
9 June (Tuesday) – Raven (Time Out)
10 June (Wednesday) – Wishbone Ash (Time Out)
16 June (Tuesday) – Cochise (Time Out)
25 June (Thursday) – Flaming Youth (Marmalade Skies website)
30 June (Tuesday) – Wishbone Ash (Melody Maker and Time Out)
2 July (Thursday) – Gentle Giant (Marmalade Skies website)
11 July (Saturday) – Supertramp (Time Out)
21 July (Tuesday) – Wishbone Ash (Time Out)
28 July (Tuesday) – Elton John (Time Out)
29 July (Wednesday) – Affinity (Marmalade Skies website)
30 July (Thursday) – Formerly Fat Sam (Time Out)
1 August (Saturday) – Crazy Mabel (Marmalade Skies website)
3 August (Monday) – Armada (Marmalade Skies website)
5 August (Wednesday) – Burnin’ Red Ivanhoe (Time Out)
6 August (Thursday) – Noir (Marmalade Skies website)
7 August (Friday) – Quiver (Marmalade Skies website)
8 August (Saturday) – Catapilla (Marmalade Skies website)
12 August (Wednesday) – Derek &The Dominoes (Time Out)
13 August (Thursday) – Head, Hands & Feet (Marmalade Skies website)
14 August (Friday) – Swegas (Marmalade Skies website)
18 August (Tuesday) – Cochise (Marmalade Skies website)
19 August (Wednesday) – Anno Domini (Marmalade Skies website)
20 August (Thursday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Marmalade Skies website)
21 August (Friday) – Czar (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
22 August (Saturday) – The Dog That Bit People (Marmalade Skies website)
24 August (Monday) – Uriah Heap (Time Out)
25 August (Tuesday) – Bronco (Time Out)
26 August (Wednesday) – Terry Reid (Marmalade Skies website)
27 August (Thursday) – Steamhammer (Marmalade Skies website)
29 August (Saturday) – Aardvark (Marmalade Skies website)
31 August (Monday) – The World (Neil Innes’ band) (Time Out)
1 September (Tuesday) – Opal Butterfly (Marmalade Skies website)
2 September (Wednesday) – Bronco (Marmalade Skies website)
5 September (Saturday) – High Broom (Marmalade Skies website)
8 September (Tuesday) – Cressida (Melody Maker)
9 September (Wednesday) – Lindisfarne (Marmalade Skies website)
10 September (Thursday) – Gun (Marmalade Skies website)
11 September (Friday) – Aquila (Marmalade Skies website)
12 September (Saturday) – Czar (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
14 September (Monday) – Granny’s New Intentions (Marmalade Skies website)
16 September (Wednesday) – Satisfaction (Marmalade Skies website)
17 September (Thursday) – The Nashville Teens (Marmalade Skies website)
18 September (Friday) – Dog That Big People (Marmalade Skies website)
19 September (Saturday) – Skin Alley (Marmalade Skies website)
21 September (Monday) – Warm Dust (Marmalade Skies website)
23 September (Wednesday) – Head, Hands & Feet (Marmalade Skies website)
24 September (Thursday) – Dada (Marmalade Skies website)
25 September (Friday) – Quiver (Time Out)
26 September (Saturday) – Arcadium (Marmalade Skies website)
28 September (Monday) – Gypsy (Time Out)
29 September (Tuesday) – Formerly Fat Harry (Marmalade Skies website)
30 September (Wednesday) – Everyone (Marmalade Skies website)
7 October (Wednesday) – Jack Bruce (Marmalade Skies website)
28 October (Wednesday) – Wishbone Ash (Marmalade Skies website)
4 December (Friday) – Czar (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
12 December (Saturday) – Gentle Giant (Marmalade Skies website)
Thank you to Helene for the Speakeasy calendar and holiday card.
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 there (Jo Jo Gunne) with Three Dog Night in 1968. Booked through Larie O’ Leary who I believe owned the club along with Cybillas in Swallow Street, now a wine bar!!
I was in Cybillas one night. I got absolutely parylised and couldn’t go on, I kept smashing into those glass screens each side of the stage. Laurie sent me home. When I woke up the next morning I was covered in white chalky paint stuff. Apparently I fell off of the platform at Piccadilly Circus underground but somebody lugged me back on to the platform. Happy days !!!
No, Laurie did not own the club, he was the PR…
Spot on!!!
And Bruno was one of the team working there. Thanx Bruno you got the facts straight!!
Wrong, He didn’t own it, he managed it after Roy Flynn( my husband) who opened it on Feb14 th 1967 Valentines Massacre party. It was owed by a company called Rambutan which was run by David Shamoon.
I worked on the door there.
Roy left to manage the group Yes
Suzanne you dead right, you were going out with Roy and I guess you ended up marrying him. He was tge first “Yes” manager. I cannot remember you working on the floor, somehow I remember you being a “model”, flick through your mod portfolio.
Never played there Laurie who managed it was a friend of mine. I had dinner there one night with a mate from “Mickey Finn”. We had dinner with Bill Wyman or Keith Richard. I can’t remember which. This was in 68/69. I think.
Its just a memory of the time. I believe that “Mickey Finn” would have played there as a matter of course, being a very “in” band at the time of opening.
I remember Micky Finn, just after a gig at Cybillas (Laurie’s club), Laurie sent Jo Jo Gunne off to the Bahamas (Freeport) for 3 months. Forgot we need a work permit, so were sent to Jamaica (Montego Bay) for a weel waiting for all our gear and a work permit. Is Laurie still on this planet?
No Laurie past a couple of years ago.
I Remember Alan, Laurie’s mate always at the Speak on week-ends.
Gonzalez played the Speakeasey all the time in the early 70s. When one of our musicians was on a tour of the States we would have another great player take his place and this way we built up a large list of musicians that would be available to keep our residency at the club. As most people who went down to the club were famous rock stars and all seemed to be recording their solo albums, Gonzalez horn section got lots of sessions from being seen on stage.
If you want to see some of these records we played on that were a direct result from playing at The Speakeasey throughout the 70s check out discogs/bud beadle
The Stax Volt Revue had their after show party here at the conclusion of the European tour in March-April 1967? Anyone know the date?
Hi Nick
Here is an extra gig.
August 29, 1969 Barclay James Harvest
Cheers
John
Speakeasy London 1975.
Lene Lovich. Brian Ferry, Back street crawler, Paul Kossoff all went there in 1975.
Spot on Mrs Knight, i worked at reception for 13 year and left after Carter F. took over as manager, then within 2/3 years it shut down. I remember very vividly that bunch, Paul Kossoff, such a talented, humble kind guy!!
I giggled at The Speakeasy, as part of Sugar Simone and the Programme to support the Jimi Hendrix Experience, in 1966.
Our managers were Ellis Elias, and Elliot Cohen, who ran the Red Bus company in Geldeston Road, London (the Cazenove Road end), Clapton at the time. They also managed the *UK version* of the Skatalites and who later managed Mungo Jerry, and later still, managed, Imagination.
After entering the venue, my friend ran out
and said it was a funeral parlour because there was a coffin with loads of flowers on the left. Convinced I had the right number of the street, I entered, saw the scene he described, and went further to read the brass plate on the coffin. It read, “ASHES TO ASHES, DUST TO DUST, IF THE DON’T GET YOU, THEN THE WHISKEY MUST.
Jimi did the most blinding stuff I’d ever seen, and made the most wonderful sounds I’d ever heard. The details are just for you to check. Ellis Elias and Elliot Cohen are my friends on Facebook, although I haven’t contacted them in a while.
Regards.
Des Chisholm.
Hi Des
Who were the other members of Sugar Simone & The Programme?
Attn: “front of a holiday card from the Speakeasy”
Hello Des,
The picture at the top of your excellent site features staff from the speakeasy.
Do you know if in the picture, 2nd row, first left, this is Luigi, an Italian Chef that after leaving the Speakeasy partnered with John French in the restaurant Villa Estense on the Fulham end of The Kings Road (Originally known as J Arthurs).
Would really appreciate it if you know Des.
Ray you are right is Luigi, but he was the waiter at the time then went on to Villa Estense!!
By the way the line up on that Xmas card are the following:
Top Row – Liza, Nicky, Chrissie (Waitresses) Roberto (Front Desk) Bruno, Laurie (PR), Patrick (DJ)
Mid. Row – Luigi(waiter) Tony Howard (PR] Mino.
Bottom – X (forgot her name, Avril (Clockroom)
Picture was shot by Manfred, German photographer a regular.
This is fascinating stuff, I played bass in the original Roy Young Band which was managed by Laurie, and amazing to see all these names from way back Luigi, Bruno, the suave Roberto, Tony Howard, Mino and the little Avril ! I wonder where she is now ? We spent many happy hours at the Speak great memories indeed.
Paul we had a ball, we met some amazing gifted musician. Roy Young band played there quite a few times, such an amazing band. I hit Roy’s band in Rome and Turin, such a coincidence!!! By the way I am still up and about and partying!!!
I’m here scored two goals for the speakeasy girls football team 2-0. (Little Avril)
I’m here .scored two goals for the speakeasy girls football team 2-0 .hi roberto .little avril.