The 2 ‘B’s Club, located at 2B Bank Street in Ashford, Kent, was a short-lived music venue that had previously hosted local bands when it was known as the Beat House.
However, in July 1966 it changed name and began advertising better known visiting groups such as The Birds (with Ron Wood on guitar) who opened the new venue, David Bowie & The Buzz, Bluesology (featuring future solo star Elton John) and The Gods (with Mick Taylor on guitar) among others.
I’ve started a list of acts, taken from the Kentish Express newspaper, which advertised gigs for Saturdays and Sundays, from its opening night on 16 July until its closure; the exact date is unclear, but the newspaper stopped advertising the venue around early May 1967.
Please leave comments with any memories and missing acts.
Photo may be subject to copyright
16 July 1966 – The Birds and The Oscar Brooke Bluesette
17 July 1966 – The Bo Street Runners and The Noyse
23 July 1966 – The Noyse
24 July 1966 – The Riot Squad and The Oscar Brooke Bluesette
Photo may be subject to copyright
30 July 1966 – The Stormsville Shakers and The Noyse
31 July 1966 – The Herd and The Noyse
Photo may be subject to copyright
6 August 1966 – The Downliners Sect and support
7 August 1966 – The Shades of Black
Missing dates here
Photo may be subject to copyright
27 August 1966 – The Fingers and The Pastel Shades
28 August 1966 – The Shades of Black
29 August 1966 – The Noblemen and The End (this is a Monday)
Photo may be subject to copyright
3 September 1966 – Cops ‘N’ Robbers
4 September 1966 – Chaos
10 September 1966 – Steve Darbyshire & The Yum Yum Band and Bobby Gibson & The 004s
11 September 1966 – The Stormsville Shakers and The Moral Set
Photo may be subject to copyright
17 September 1966 – Dave Anthony’s Moods
18 September 1966 – missing gig
Photo may be subject to copyright
24 September 1966 – David Bowie & The Buzz
25 September 1966 – Parker’s Mood (replaced by The Couriers)
1 October 1966 – The Fingers
2 October 1966 – Pastel Shades
Missing dates here
Photo may be subject to copyright
15 October 1966 – Bluesology and The Guests
16 October 1966 – The Suspect
21 October 1966 – The End (this is a Friday)
22 October 1966 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Shades of Black
23 October 1966 – The King Pins
Photo may be subject to copyright
29 October 1966 – Julian Covey & The Machine and The Noyse (featuring Mouse)
30 October 1966 – The Mixed Feelings
5 November 1966 – Philip Goodhand Tait & The Stormsville Shakers and The End
6 November 1966 – The Noyse (featuring Mouse)
Photo may be subject to copyright
12 November 1966 – The Majority (straight from the Playboy Club, London) with support
13 November 1966 – The Kult
Missing dates here
Photo may be subject to copyright
26 November 1966 – The [Mike] Stuart Span plus support
27 November 1966 – The Rebounce
Missing dates here
24 December 1966 – MI Five and Moral Set
Photo may be subject to copyright
26 December 1966 – The Savoy Brown Blues Band and Shades of Black
Photo may be subject to copyright
31 December 1966 – The Motivation (ex-Noblemen) and The Suspects
1 January 1967 – The Meantimers
Missing dates here
Photo may be subject to copyright
14 January 1967 – The Gods and The Roots of Evil
15 January 1967 – The End
21 January 1967 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Rebounds
22 January 1967 – The Poor Boys
Missing dates here
Photo may be subject to copyright
4 February 1967 – Motivation (ex-Noblemen) and Spectre Quin Team and Vaughan & Diana
5 February 1967 – Vaughan & Diana’s Spin
Missing dates here
Photo may be subject to copyright
18 February 1967 – The Warren Davis Monday Band with support
19 February 1967 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers
Missing dates here
4 March 1967 – Heinz & The Wild Boys and The Suspects and Vaughan & Diana
Photo may be subject to copyright
5 March 1967 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers
11 March 1967 – The Joyce Bond Show
12 March 1967 – Missing gig
Photo may be subject to copyright
18 March 1967 – The Gods
19 March 1967 – Heart & Soul
Photo may be subject to copyright
25 March 1967 – Long John Baldry Show and The Silhouettes
The entry below should be credited to David Jackson, Chris Stanbury, Mike Williams and Richard Goddard who own the copyright on the following.
The story of the Blue Moon Club, Cheltenham began lunchtime on the 25th December 1964 as the then twenty-year-old John Norman and his elder brother Eddie were eating their Christmas Day lunch in the Headstone Hotel in West London. For some time under the guidance of Eddie the pair had been running regular live music events in and around Middlesex, including The Fender Club, Kenton; The Memorial Hall, Harrow Weald; The Railway Hotel, North Harrow; The New Georgian Club, Cowley and the original Blue Moon Club in Hayes. In what would soon turned out to be a stroke of good luck for all concerned like-minded jazz musician and local music promotions rival Bill Reid was also in the restaurant that Christmas Day and overhearing Eddie and John’s conversation he made his way to their table saying to the brothers that he had often had similar thoughts of expansion.
Bill was well known to John and Eddie for his jazz-orientated promotions with fellow jazz enthusiast and business partner Jack Fallon. At the South Harrow Jazz Club, they would book such names as Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Bill said he would be interested in their new venture suggesting they join forces and follow up the advertisement with a trip out ‘West’ to check out the premises in Cheltenham’s High Street.
The club opened on the 17th July 1965 and closed its doors finally on 17th May 1967 and was probably one of best of a small band of regional Mod clubs outside of London
The Action appeared nine times, followed by Gary Farr & The T-Bones who appeared eight times lead the way for visiting bands from outside the local area; local group The Alan Walker Band, managed by the club owners appeared nine times. The club will be well remembered for appearances of Jimi Hendrix and Cream
The artists and performance dates were sourced via original club members and club management flyers along with advertisements placed in The Gloucestershire Echo and The Citizen newspapers held at the local Archive Offices in Cheltenham and Gloucester, John Norman Stephen Reid, son of the late co-owner Bill Reid and fellow Blue Moon book researchers David Jackson, Chris Stanbury, Mike Williams and myself Richard Goddard.
1965
17 July 1965 – The Bo Street Runners (Grand opening night)
18 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
21 July 1965 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
22 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
23 July 1965 – Ups ‘N’ Downs
24 July 1965 – Ray Martin Combo (aka Ray Martin Group)
25 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
28 July 1965 – The Chessmen featuring Tony Knight
29 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
30 July 1965 – Alan Walker’s Roadhogs (says first appearance at the Blue Moon)
31 July 1965 – The London Crowd (says from the West’s End’s Marquee and Flamingo)
1 August 1965 – Dave Whittling (top London folk singer) plus discotheque
4 August 1965 – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
5 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
6 August 1965 – Sons of Fred
7 August 1965 – The Artwoods (says that sensational recording group from RSG)
8 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
11 August 1965 – The Who (says Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere!!!)
13 August 1965 – Mickey Finn & The Blue Men
14 August 1965 – John Lee & The Groundhogs
15 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
18 August 1965 – The Ram Jam Band featuring Geno Washington
19 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
20 August 1965 – The Strats (says the newest sound to follow “Them” from Ireland
21 August 1965 – The Bo Street Runners (says by fantastic demand –the return of)
22 August 1965 – Discotheque
25 August 1965 – Steam Packet featuring Long John Baldry, Brian Auger, Rod Stewart & Julie Driscoll
26 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque
27 August 1965 – The Tyrants (says top group from the West)
28 August 1965 – The Shevelles
29 August 1965 – Discotheque
30 August 1965 – Discotheque
31 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque & dance auditions
1 September 1965 –T-Bones (says great London sound of the)
2 September 1965 – Discotheque
3 September 1965 – John Lee & The Groundhogs (says fantastic demand, the return of)
4 September 1965 – Davy Jones & The Lower Third (says by request)
5 September 1965 – Discotheque
8 September 1965 – The Graham Bond Organisation
9 September 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque
10 September 1965 – The London Crowd (says from the West End those sensational)
11 September 1965 – The “0-0” Soul Show featuring Alex Harvey & Jimmy Cliff
12 September 1965 – Discotheque
15 September 1965 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (says by fantastic demand)
16 September 1965 – Discotheque
17 September 1965 – Ram Jam Band featuring Geno Washington (says by fantastic demand the return of)
Photo from Richard Goddard
18 September 1965 – Boz & The Boz People (says sensational new sound)
19 September 1965 – Discotheque (says best record selection anywhere!)
22 September 1965 – Lou Johnson plus Sonny & The Cool School (says direct from the States)
23 September 1965 – Discotheque
24 September 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Nightimers (says from London’s West End)
25 September 1965 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (says by fantastic demand the return of)
26 September 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque
27 September 1965 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (says reckoned the absolute tops. Don’t dare miss this!)
30 September 1965 – Discotheque
1 October 1965 – Discotheque
2 October 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says sensational London group)
3 October 1965 – Discotheque
6 October 1965 – The Shevelles (says the fabulous and unique sound of)
7 October 1965 – Discotheque
8 October 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque
9 October 1965 – John Lee & The Groundhogs (says fantastic demand, the return of)
10 October 1965 – Discotheque
13 October 1965 – The Mike Cotton Sound (says sensational must be heard)
14 October 1965 – Discotheque
15 October 1965 – Discotheque
16 October 1965 – The Chessmen (says fantastic demand, the return of London’s top group)
17 October 1965 – Discotheque
20 October 1965 – Steam Packet featuring Long John Baldry, Brian Auger, Rod Stewart & Julie Driscoll
21 October 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque
22 October 1965 – Discotheque
23 October 1965 – The Silence (says from London’s Flamingo & West End)
24 October 1965 – Discotheque
27 October 1965 – The Small Faces (says “Whatcha Gonna Do About It”) plus The Advocates
28 October 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque
29 October 1965 – Discotheque
30 October 1965 – The Hellions (says west country’s top recording stars the sensational)
31 October 1965 – Discotheque
3 November 1965 – Zoot Money (says by fantastic demand the return of)
4 November 1965 – Discotheque
5 November 1965 – Discotheque
6 November 1965 – Blues Hounds (says Spencer Davis is raving about the sensational)
7 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group
10 November 1965 – The Graham Bond Organisation (says by fantastic demand)
11 November 1965 – Discotheque
12 November 1965 – Discotheque
13 November 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says by fantastic demand the return of)
14 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group
17 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (Alan Price advertised but did not play)
20 November 1965 – The Alan Bown Set (says Gent’s please note, Ties to be worn (Saturdays only)
21 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group
24 November 1965 – Advertised -From USA – ‘In the Midnight Hour” Wilson Pickett, did not appear.
26 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group
27 November 1965 – The Action (says TV’s Disc-A-Go-Go tonight choosing 100 dancers for next Wednesday’s show.
28 November 1965 – Discotheque
2 December 1965 – Hedgehoppers Anonymous + The Alan Walker Group
3 December 1965 – Discotheque (Featuring Dave Bennett as your DJ)
4 December 1965 – Steam Packet: – Long John Baldry, Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll and Rod ‘The Mod’ Stewart
5 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group
9 December 1965 – The Spencer Davis Group plus The Hellions
10 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (says only 14 more days)
11 December 1965 – The Downliners Sect (says, Sensational Recording and R & B Group …The Exciting)
12 December 1965 – Discotheque (Extra shilling charged on admission to go towards Children’s Party)
16 December 1965 – The Action (says, By overwhelming demand, the return of the…)
17 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (says, Only 7 more days)
18 December 1965 – The Hellions plus The Advocates
19 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (says, Getting Warmer)
23 December 1965 – Discotheque (says, Pre warm up for tomorrow)
24 December 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christmas Party)
26 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group plus The Advocates (says Boxing Day Bonanza)
27 December 1965 – Discotheque
30 December 1965 – Discotheque
31 December 1965 – John Lee and The Groundhogs (New Years Eve Party)
1966
1 January 1965 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones (says, Start the New Year at the Moon)
2 January 1965 – Discotheque (says, Back to normal!! Whew, what a week!!!)
6 January 1965 – The Birds (says, Sensational London Group)
7 January 1965 – Discotheque (DJ Dave Bennett, in the cage)
8 January 1965 – The Shakedown Sounds (says, Birmingham and London top group, by demand the)
9 January 1965 – Discotheque
12 January 1966 – Fontella Bass plus Quiet Five (says, one sensational night only! “Rescue Me” From the USA)
13 January 1966 – The Alan Walker Group
14 January 1966 – Discotheque (DJ Dave Bennett)
15 January 1966 – The Fairies (says, sensational London Group – R S G -Thank Your Lucky Stars)
16 January 1966 – The Advocates
20 January 1966 – The Pretty Things (says, You may hate them, you may love them)
21 January 1966 – Discotheque
22 January 1966 – The Action (says, the group you’ve all been waiting for)
23 January 1966 – Discotheque
27 January 1966 – Lee Dorsey plus The Advocates (says, The Sensational ” Ride Your Pony” Man)
28 January 1966 – Discotheque
29 January 1966 – James Royal and The Hawks (says, the up and coming London group)
30 January 1966 – Discotheque
3 February 1966 – Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds (says, the one and only)
4 February 1966 – Discotheque
5 February 1966 – The Carnaby (says, the street and band the whole country is talking about)
6 February 1966 – Discotheque
10 February 1966 – Doris Troy (says, “What Gonna Do About It” “Heartaches”)
11 February 1966 – Discotheque
12 February 1966 – Jimmy Brown Sound (says, the only Band that could back Ben. E. King on his last tour)
13 February 1966 – Discotheque
17 February 1966 – Zoot Money and his Big Roll Band (says, The Showman himself)
18 February 1966 – Discotheque
19 February 1966 – The Alan Bown Set
20 February 1966 – Discotheque
24 February 1966 – John Lee’s Groundhogs (says, Moon’s most favourite group)
25 February 1966 – Discotheque
26 February 1966 – The Advocates
27 February 1966 – Discotheque
3 March 1966 – Jimmy Cliffs Dynamic All Soul Show, Pete Hodges New Generation featuring Ayesha.
4 March 1966 – Discotheque
5 March 1966 – The Statesides (says, top London group with a big line-up)
6 March 1966 – Discotheque
7 March 1966 – The Advocates (Yardbirds advertised, did not play)
10 March 1966 – Steam Packet: – Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, and Brian Auger Trinity.
11 March 1966 – Discotheque
12 March 1966 – Mickey Finn (says, by overwhelming demand – the sensational)
13 March 1966 – Discotheque
16 March 1966 – Discotheque
17 March 1966 – The Birds (says, by request, the return of the dynamic)
18 March 1966 – Discotheque
19 March 1966 – John Lee’s Groundhogs
20 March 1966 – Discotheque
23 March 1966 – Discotheque
25 March 1966 – Discotheque
26 March 1966 – The Rosco Brown Combo (says, big London line-up… from London’s Marquee)
27 March 1966 – Discotheque
30 March 1966 – Discotheque (says, your first drink on the house)
1 April 1966 – Discotheque
2 April 1966 – Steam Packet: – Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, and Brian Auger Trinity
3 April 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage.
6 April 1966 – Discotheque
8 April 1966 – Discotheque
9 April 1966 – The Action (says, Sensational London Group)
10 April 1966 – Discotheque
11 April 1966 – The Alan Walker Group (says, After a long absence — from London’s Marquee & Flamingo)
13 April 1966 – Discotheque
15 April 1966 – Discotheque
16 April 1966 – The Crowd
17 April 1966 – Discotheque
20 April 1966 – Discotheque
22 April 1966 – Discotheque (the weekend starts here)
23 April 1966 – The Alan Bown Set (says, by demand, the sensational.)
24 April 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage
27 April 1966 – Discotheque
29 April 1966 – Discotheque
30 April 1966 – Gary Farr and the T-Bones (says, sensational London Group)
1 May 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage.
4 May 1966 – Discotheque
6 May 1966 – Discotheque
7 May 1966 – The Action (says, by overwhelming demand)
8 May 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage.
11 May 1966 – Discotheque
13 May 1966 – Discotheque
14 May 1 966 – The Good Goods (formerly known as The Advocates)
15 May 1966 – Discotheque
18 May 1966 – Discotheque
20 May 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett
21 May 1966 – The Shotgun Express: – Rod Stewart, Beryl Marsden, Peter B’s Looners, (great new steam packet)
22 May 1966 – Discotheque
25 May 1966 – Discotheque
27 May 1966 – Discotheque (the weekend starts here)
28 May 1966 – The Deep Feeling (formerly The Hellions)
30 May 1966 – The Buzz
1 June 1966 – Discotheque
2 June 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says, back by popular demand)
3 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett
4 June 1966 – The Jimmy Brown Sound
5 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett
8 June 1966 – Discotheque
10 June 1966 – Discotheque
11 June 1966 – The Shevelles (says, from London’s Flamingo, the exciting)
12 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett
15 June 1966 – Earl Richmond (says, Radio London’s DJ)
17 June 1966 – Discotheque
18 June 1966 – The Falling Leaves (says, Oxfords top group)
19 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett
22 June 1966 – Discotheque
24 June 1966 – Discotheque (the weekend starts here)
25 June 1966 – Jimmy James and The Vagabonds (says, by absolutely overwhelming demand)
26 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett
29 June 1966 – Discotheque
1 July 1966 – Discotheque
2 July 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says, don’t miss this)
3 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage
6 July 1966 – Discotheque
8 July 1966 – Discotheque
9 July 1966 – David Bowie and The Buzz
10 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage
13 July 1966 – Discotheque
15 July 1966 – Discotheque
16 July 1966 – The Alan Bown Set plus The Bo Street Runners (says, first birthday party night)
17 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage
20 July 1966 – Discotheque
22 July 1966 – Discotheque
23 July 1966 – The Good Goods
24 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage
27 July 1966 – Discotheque
29 July 1966 – Discotheque
30 July 1966 – James Royal and The Hawks (afternoon opening for staff and members to watch World Cup)
3 August 1966 – Discotheque
5 August 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage
6 August 1966 – The Action
7 August 1966 – Discotheque
10 August 1966 – Discotheque
12 August 1966 – Discotheque
Photo from Richard Goddard
13 August 1966 – Cream (says, don’t dare miss this)
14 August 1966 – Discotheque
15 August 1966 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones (says, back again by demand)
17 August 1966 – Discotheque
19 August 1966 – Discotheque
20 August 1966 – Keith Powell and Billie Davis plus top band.
21 August 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage
24 August 1966 – Discotheque
26 August 1966 – Discotheque
27 August 1966 – Gary Farr and The T- Bones (says, back again by demand, the fantastic sound of)
28 August 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
31 August 1966 – Discotheque
2 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
3 September 1966 – The Koobas (say’s, Latest Recording “Sweet Music)
4 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
7 September 1966 – Discotheque
9 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
10 September 1966 – The Graham Bond Organisation
11 September 1966 – Discotheque
14 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
16 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
17 September 1966 –The Shevelles
18 September 1966 – Discotheque
21 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
23 September 1966 – DJ Frankie & Rocky
24 September 1966 – The Action (says, don’t be late for this one, free admission with advert)
25 September 1966 – Discotheque
28 September 1966 – Discotheque
30 September 1966 – DJ Frankie & Rocky
1 October 1966 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones
2 October 1966 – Discotheque
5 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
7 October 1966 – Discotheque
8 October 1966 – Dace Anthony’s Mood (says, from London’s Marquee. the big sound of) This is Dave Anthony’s Moods
9 October 1966 – Discotheque
12 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
13 October 1966 – Discotheque
15 October 1966 – The Falling Leaves (says, knockout group, currently playing at Tiles
16 October 1966 – Discotheque
19 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
21 October 1966 – Discotheque
22 October 1966 – Alvin Robinson (‘Something You Got” “Searching “ and Down Home Girl”)
23 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
26 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
28 October 1966 – Discotheque
29 October 1966 – Ray King Soul Band featuring James Royal (says, from Tiles the big sound of)
30 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
2 November 1966 – Discotheque
4 November 1966 – Discotheque
5 November 1966 – The Artwoods (says, the awaited return of London’s)
6 November 1966 – Discotheque
9 November 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
11 November 1966 – Discotheque
12 November 1966 – Nepenthe and the Subterraneans (says, from America, the way-out sounds of)
13 November 1966 – Discotheque
Photo from Richard Goddard
18 November 1966 – Lee Dorsey plus supporting show (support band the Good Goods)
19 November 1966 – Cream (says, England’s top group)
20 November 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
26 November 1966 – Discotheque
27 November 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
29 November 1966 – The Alan Bown Set (says, the sensational)
1 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
2 December 1966 – Discotheque
3 December 1966 – The Koobas
4 December 1966 – Discotheque
7 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
9 December 1966 – Discotheque
10 December 1966 – Zoot Money and his Big Roll (says, that Raving Looner)
11 December 1966 – Discotheque
14 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
16 December 1966 – Discotheque
17 December 1966 – The Move (says, the Psychedelic Phenomena)
18 December 1966 – Surprise band
21 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
23 December 1966 –Surprise Band
24 December 1966 – Gary Farr and the T-Bones (Christmas Eve Party)
26 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
28 December 1966 – Discotheque
30 December 1966 – Discotheque (says, warm up for tomorrows rave)
31 December 1966 – Long John Baldry Show Ft Alan Walker & Stuart Brown & Bluesology
1967
1 January 1967 – Discotheque (says, phew its all over, back to normal, back to work tomorrow)
5 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
6 January 1967 – Discotheque (says, the weekend starts here)
7 January 1967 – Brian Auger Trinity Ft Julie Discoll
8 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
11 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
13 January 1967 – Discotheque
14 January 1967 – The Alan Bown (says, the awaited return of London’s)
15 January 1967 – The Good Goods
18 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
20 January 1967 – Discotheque
21 January 1967 – The Frame (from Birmingham, recorded “Doctor” “ I can’t go on” RCA Records)
22 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
23 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
27 January 1967 – Discotheque & Go Go Competition
28 January 1967 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones (says, after Christmas Eves fantastic rave)
29 January 1967 – Discotheque
1 February 1967 – Discotheque
3 February 1967 – Discotheque (says, phew its all over, back to normal, back to work tomorrow)
4 February 1967 – Long John Baldry Show Ft Alan Walker & Stuart Brown & Bluesology
5 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky and the Moon Go Go Girls
8 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
10 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
11 February 1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience
12 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
15 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
17 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (Says, the weekend starts here)
18 February 1967 – The Action (says, back again by demand. The fantastic sound of)
19 February 1967 – Discotheque
22 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
24 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (says, the weekend starts here)
25 February 1967 – Alan Bown (says, by demand, the return)
26 February 1967 – Discotheque
1 March 1967 – Geno Washington (says, one night only, on stage in person)
3 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
4 March 1967 – Sack’O’Woe
5 March 1967 – Discotheque and Go Go competition)
Photo from Richard Goddard
8 March 1967 – Lee Dorsey (says, by fantastic demand, the return of)
10 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
11 March 1967 – The Chessmen (says, London’s sensational)
12 March 1967 – Miss Go Go final discotheque.
15 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
17 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (Says, the weekend starts here)
18 March 1967 – Brian Auger Trinity Ft Julie Discoll
19 March 1967 – Discotheque
22 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
24 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
25 March 1967 – The Action (says, by fantastic demand)
26 March 1967 – Discotheque
27 March 1967 – Easter Egg Rave Discotheque
29 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
31 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (says, the weekend starts here)
1 April 1967 – P.P.Arnold and The Mike Cotton Sound Ft Lucas (says, April fools rave)
2 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
5 April 1967 – Discotheque
7 April 1967 – Discotheque
8 April 1967 – John L Watson and The Webb (says, Americas….)
9 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
12 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
14 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky
15 April 1967 – The Chessmen Ft Owen Gray (says, by fantastic demand – return of)
16 April 1967 – Top DJ’s (DJ’s from other clubs owned the Moon owners)
19 April 1967 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
21 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Mad Jim (Jim Donovan, from the1600 club in Hereford)
22 April 1967 – Long John Baldry Show Ft Alan Walker & Stuart Brown & Bluesology
23 April 1967 – Top DJ’s
26 April 1967 – The Drifters (believed to be The Invitations)
28 April 1967 –Top DJ’s
29 April 1967 – The Soul Sisters (says, from America … The Dynamic Exciting.)
30 April 1967 – Discotheque
3 May 1967 – Discotheque
5 May 1967 – Discotheque
6 May 1967 – Cliff Bennett (an unannounced appearance)
7 May 1967 – Top DJ’s (Mad Jim, Tony Lott & Frankie used over the final club dates)
10 May 1967 – Discotheque
12 May 1967 – Discotheque
10 May 1967 – Discotheque
13 May 1967 – The Dual (the last band to play at the club)
14 May 1967 – The last Sunday discotheque at the Moon
Run by Harold and Doris Toft and located at 35-39 Grace Hill in Folkestone, Kent, Toft’s was a major music venue on the English south coast during the 1960s.
I’ve started to list gigs below and would welcome any additions and memories in the comments section below.
7 May 1966 (Saturday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
14 May 1966 (Saturday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
21 May 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 May 1966 (Friday) – The Playboys (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
28 May 1966 (Saturday) – Tony Knight’s Chessmen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 May 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
30 May 1966 (Monday) – The Playboys (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
4 June 1966 (Saturday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 June 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Alan Price Set (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
12 June 1966 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 June 1966 (Saturday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
19 June 1966 (Sunday) – Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
25 June 1966 (Saturday) – Sounds Incorporated (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
26 June 1966 (Sunday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
2 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Nashville Teens (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 July 1966 (Sunday) – Roy C with The League of Gentlemen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
9 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Shotgun Express (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 July 1966 (Sunday) – Rufus Thomas & Bluesology (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
16 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
17 July 1966 (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
22 July 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
23 July 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
24 July 1966 (Sunday) – The In Crowd (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 July 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
29 July 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Shevelles (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
31 July 1966 (Sunday) – Alexis Korner (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 August 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
6 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Gass (Melody Maker)
7 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Melody Maker)
10 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
13 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
14 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Senate (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
20 August 1966 (Saturday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
21 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
27 August 1966 (Saturday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
28 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 August 1966 (Monday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 September 1966 (Saturday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
4 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Ying Tongs (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 September 1966 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
11 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Vibrations (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The Vibrations were most likely backed by The Noblemen
16 September 1966 (Friday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
17 September 1966 (Saturday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
23 September 1966 (Friday) – The Vibrations and The Noblemen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
24 September 1966 (Saturday) – Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
25 September 1966 (Sunday) – John McCoy’s Crawdaddies (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
30 September 1966 (Friday) – The Summercumlauds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
1 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Ying Tongs (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
2 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Tonicks (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
8 October 1966 (Saturday) – The HT (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
9 October 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Fabulous 208)
15 October 1966 (Saturday) – Lee Dorsey (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) Looks like he was replaced by Guy Darrell Syndicate
16 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
21 October 1966 (Friday) – Live group (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
22 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
23 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
25 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Scots of St James (Melody Maker) This needs confirmation
28 October 1966 (Friday) – Live group (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
30 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
4 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 November 1966 (Saturday) – T D Backus and The Powehouse (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
6 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
12 November 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
13 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Meantimers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
19 November 1966 (Saturday) – The HT (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
20 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Original Dyaks (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
25 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
26 November 1966 (Saturday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 November 1966 (Sunday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
2 December 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Nite People (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
4 December 1966 (Sunday) – The Luther Morgan Relationship (Melody Maker) The Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald has The Derek Savage Foundation instead
10 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Meddy Evils (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 December 1966 (Sunday) – Guy Darrell & The Gnomes of Zurich (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
16 December 1966 (Friday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker)
17 December 1966 (Saturday) – Little Richard, The Quotations and The Kingpins (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 December 1966 (Sunday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
23 December 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings and The Spectre Quin Team (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
24 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys and The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
26 December 1966 (Monday) – The Heart and Souls and The Kingpins (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
31 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas and he Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
7 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Original Dyaks (Melody Maker)
8 January 1967 (Sunday) – The See-Saw Soul Set (Melody Maker)
14 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
15 January 1967 (Sunday) – The Fenmen (Melody Maker)
22 January 1967 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (Melody Maker)
28 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Who (Melody Maker)
4 February 1967 (Saturday) – Manfred Mann (Melody Maker)
11 February 1967 (Saturday) – Maxine Brown (possibly with The Q-Set) (Melody Maker) Melody Maker also has The Gass
18 February 1967 (Saturday) – Cream (Melody Maker)
Left to right: Jimmy Scott, Dickie Pride, Boz Burrell and Johnnie Marshall, 1966
Dickie Pride (lead vocals)
Gery L Thompson (lead vocals)
Len Neldrett (lead guitar)
Jimmy Scott (congas)
Matthew Hutchinson (piano)
Mark Charig (trumpet)
Johnnie Marshall (baritone sax)
Tex Makins (bass)
Malcolm Penn (drums)
+
Boz Burrell (second lead vocals)
The Sidewinders pre-existed sometime before mid-1965 but Malcolm Penn says the line-up above dates from May that year when the remaining members of the original formation joined forces with players from Dickie Pride & The Original Topics.
Dickie Pride, Len Neldrett and Malcolm Penn had all previously been members of The Original Topics, formed in the Tolworth, Surbiton and Chessington area of Surrey.
Prior to joining the Sidewinders, Tex Makins and Johnnie Marshall (real name: John Renforth) had both played with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames.
Nigerian conga player Jimmy Scott is best known as the musician who inspired Paul McCartney to write “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, a phrase he originally used. He had also done some work with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames before joining.
Marshall, Scott and Matthew Hutchinson had all been in the original band, which was led by Jamaican singer Gery L Thompson who only stayed until about early September 1965.
The original formation also included Jamaican trumpet player Roy Edwards, future Led Zeppelin bass player John Baldwin (aka John Paul Jones) and a drummer called Min.
Some of the gigs during June-August were billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders.
Left to right: Malcolm Penn, Jimmy Scott, Len Neldrett, Marc Charig, Tex Makins, Johnnie Marshall, 1966
In early November 1965, Boz Burrell, who years later found fame with King Crimson and Bad Company, joined as a second lead vocalist after his group, The Boz People, had folded. The group’s keyboard player Ian McLagan had joined The Small Faces in the first week of November just before the group splintered.
Burrell had initially deputised for Pride when he was unavailable. It was so successful that the group decided to carry on with two singers when Pride returned. While with The Sidewinders, Burrell released two singles on Columbia.
Malcolm Penn
When The Sidewinders folded in June 1966, Malcolm Penn (and Len Neldrett) joined south London band, Moon’s Train, managed by Rolling Stones’ bass player Bill Wyman who oversaw the group’s recordings, including their debut single “Deed I Do”.
Len Neldrett who was studying graphic design subsequently did sessions for The End, featuring his old friend Nicky Graham. He later moved to Spain and worked with former Los Bravos singer Mike Kennedy.
Left to right: Mark Charig, Johnnie Marshall and Dickie Pride, 1966
Mark Charig briefly worked with Sonny Childe & The TNT before joining Bluesology, just before Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) left. David Else notes that he subsequently worked with The Keith Tippett Band and The Brotherhood of Breath.
Jimmy Scott later did session work at Maximum Sound and also recorded material there, which was released by Revolution Records. Years later he worked with Bad Manners.
David Else says that Johnnie Marshall rejoined Georgie Fame before later working with J J Jackson. Marshall died on 15 May 2017.
Photo: Hillingdon Mirror
Boz Burrell released two singles on Columbia in quick succession – “Pinochio” on 10 June 1966 and “The Baby Song” on 29 July 1966.
Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail
He then reformed The Boz People for a tour with Dusty Springfield (27 September-8 October 1966), which featured Groundhogs’ guitarist Tony McPhee and former Mark Leeman Five keyboard player Tom Parker in his group.
Left to right: Mark Charig, Boz Burrell and Johnnie Marshall, 1966
Burrell returned to Norwich where he joined local band Feel for Soul in June 1967 and stayed until October.
Re: Melody Maker. Boz backed by The Soul Reason, 21 October 1966 at Location, Woolwich
He then reunited with Makins in the short-lived Panorama in December 1967 alongside guitarist Colin Pincott, drummer Roy Mills and Australian Hammond organist Peter Beagley (later musician Peter Head). David Else notes that the original keyboard player was Mike O’Neill (not Nero of The Gladiators) and the drummer was originally Pete Williams.
In 1968, Burrell recorded two further singles for Columbia Records. Beagley confirms he was on the cover of Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released”.
Makins meanwhile joined The Flowerpot Men in February 1968. The English pop group, which was created in 1967 as a result of the single, “Let’s Go to San Francisco”, was a studio recording construct created by John Carter and Ken Lewis, originally the main songwriters for The Ivy League. Makins toured with David Garrick later that year alongside drummer Carlo Little.
Len Neldrett notes that The Sidewinders (minus Makins who was replaced by Boots Slade) reunited for a one-off gig as Jimmy Scott’s Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da Band on 2 December 1968.
The group comprising Jimmy Scott, Dickie Pride, Len Neldrett, Malcolm Penn, Johnnie Marshall, Mark Charig, Matthew Hutchinson and Boots Slade played at the Orchid Ballroom in Purley, Surrey.
Dickie Pride died of a heroin overdose on 26 March 1969.
In June 1969, Makins reunited with Jimmy Scott to form the short-lived Jungle Soup which subsequently morphed into The Last Supper.
Photo: Melody Maker (June 1969)
Selected Sidewinders’ gigs:
28 June 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
1 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alex Harvey Soul Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
4 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London (NME) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
8 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
10 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers (NME/Record Mirror) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
15 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Alex Harvey Soul Band (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
17 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (NME/Record Mirror) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
23 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Five Proud Walkers (NME/Record Mirror) Billed as Gery L Thompson & The Sidewinders
29 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
30 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with The RBQ (NME)
5 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Mike Cotton Sound (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
12 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
19 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Steampacket (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
20 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
24 September 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser) Billed as Garry & The Sidewinders
15 October 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with Keith Powell & The Rivals (Surrey Advertiser)
5 November 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Overriders (Surrey Advertiser) Billed as Sidewinders with Boz
2 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Graham Bond Organisation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Billed as Boz & The Sidewinders
4 December 1965 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with support (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle) Billed as Boz & The Sidewinders
19 December 1965 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
31 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London followed by a private party in Highgate Village (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
Left to right: Malcolm Penn, Len Neldrett and Tex Makins, 1966
1966
9 January 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with The Emeralds (Aldershot News/Camberley News) Advert mistakenly says ‘Original Georgie Fame Group featuring Phil Seaman on drums’
14 January 1966 – Co-op Hall, Grays, Essex (Melody Maker)
19 January 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensington, west London with Lee Dorsey & The Krew (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
20 January 1966 – Briefing for start of the Stevie Wonder Tour (no rehearsal!) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 January 1966 – Flamingo Club, Wardour Street, central London (start of Stevie Wonder tour) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 January 1966 – The In Place, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 January 1966 – Flamingo Club, Wardour Street, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Allnighter) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
22 January 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Little Stevie Wonder (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)
22 January 1966 – All Star Club, Bishopsgate, east London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
23 January 1966 – Oasis Club, Manchester with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
23 January 1966 – Cavern Club, Liverpool with Little Stevie Wonder and other acts (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
26 January 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
26 January 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensington, west London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
27 January 1966 – Ricky Tick Club, Windsor, Berkshire with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
28 January 1966 – Mr McCoys Club, Middlesborough with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
29 January 1966 – Birmingham (first venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
29 January 1966 – Birmingham (second venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
30 January 1966 – Flamingo Club, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
30 January 1966 – Macador Club, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 February 1966 – Klooks Kleek, Hampstead, north London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 February 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
2 February 1966 – TWW TV Studios, Bristol with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
3 February 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with Little Stevie Wonder (Birmingham Evening Mail)
4 February 1966 – Manchester (first venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
4 February 1966 – Manchester (second venue, no record of the club venue name) with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 February 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Greenford, west London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 February 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
6 February 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with Little Stevie Wonder (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary) David Else says Charlie Foxx was on the bill as well
7 February 1966 – St Joseph’s Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire with Little Stevie Wonder & The Alan Bown Set (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)
7 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Little Stevie Wonder (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) This was the end of the Stevie Wonder tour
9 February 1966 – Playhouse Theatre, Charing Cross, central London (BBC Jazz Beat Recording) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
Boz Burrell’s debut single on Columbia “Isn’t That So” was released on 11 February.
11 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
12 February 1966 – Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
4 March 1966 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 March 1966 – Zambezi Club, Hounslow, west London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary) David Else has the band backing Sonny Childe at the King Mojo on this date
12 March 1966 – University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
12 March 1966 – All Star Club, Bishopsgate, east London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
18 March 1966 – Railway Hotel, Wealdstone, northwest London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
20 March 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
21 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) This is billed as Boz and new group but most likely The Sidewinders
Left to right: Jimmy Scott, Tex Makins, Mark Charig, Boz Burrell and Johnnie Marshall, 1966
25 March 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
26 March 1966 – Holbeach, Lincolnshire (no record of the club venue name) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
27 March 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London with The Soul Pushers (Melody Maker)
31 March 1966 – The Village, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
1 April 1966 – Farnborough, Hampshire (no record of the club venue name but possibly Carousel Club) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 April 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensington, London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
2 April 1966 – Jigsaw Club, Manchester (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
2 April 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
3 April 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
Boz Burrell’s second Columbia single “Meeting Time” was released on 7 April
13 April 1966 – Britannia Boat Club, Nottingham (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
14 April 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
15 April 1996 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
16 April 1966 – Oasis Club, Manchester (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
17 April 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
23 April 1966 – Patrick (Tara) Browne’s 21 Birthday party, Luggala, Co Wicklow, Eire (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
1 May 1966 – Downes Hotel, Hassocks, West Sussex with Beryl Marsden and also Four and Seven Eights (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary/Mid Sussex Times) Billed as Boz, The Sidewinders, Dicky Pride and Beryl Marsden
5 May 1966 – Klooks Kleek, Hampstead, north London (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
7 May 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with Jackie Edwards (Aldershot News/Camberley News)
14 May 1966 – Stamford R&B Club, Stamford Hotel, Stamford, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal) With Sonny Childe
15 May 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
29 May 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)
25 June 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, north London (final Sidewinders gig) (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
I’d especially like to thank Malcolm Penn for providing the photos on the band and for also providing some background information on the group. Thank you too for correcting and adding to the gig list above.
Massive thank you also to David Else for helping out with research, correcting some facts and adding material.
This notable rock music venue on England’s south coast was run by Eric St John-Foti who later handed it over to the owners of the Marquee Club in London in late 1966.
Mike Read has written extensively about the Shoreline and the bands that played there in his excellent book “The South Coast Beat Scene during the 1960s”, which I would thoroughly recommend readers get a copy of. This excellent website also provides a wealth of information on the venue.
Initially, when the club opened in the Caribbean Hotel during the Easter holiday in 1965, it looks like gigs took place every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Mondays were added soon after.
In its few months, the club mainly catered for local bands but by late 1965 more nationally recognised groups began appearing at the club.
I have started to put an entry together but would welcome any additions/corrections in the comments section below.
1965
Photo: Littlehampton Post
17 April (Saturday) – Act 4 with Johnny Devlin and Dave Storme & The Tremors (Littlehampton Post)
18 April (Sunday) – The Road Runners and “The Fabulous” Mo-Henry (Littlehampton Post)
19 April (Monday) – Formula V and Force Four (Littlehampton Post)
21 April (Wednesday) – The Southbeats with support (Littlehampton Post)
Photo: Littlehampton Post
23 April (Friday) – The “Sensational” Southbeats and The Blue Chords (from Portsmouth) (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
24 April (Saturday) – The Southbeats and The Vigilantes (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
25 April (Sunday) – The Southbeats and The Hunters (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
30 April (Friday) – The Milestones and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
1 May (Saturday) – The Talismen and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
2 May (Sunday) – The Untamed (from Brighton) and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
5 May (Wednesday) – The Southbeats and The Road Runners (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) This may have been the first Wednesday booking
Photo: Littlehampton Post
7 May (Friday) – The Triffiks and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
8 May (Saturday) – The “Great” Untamed and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
9 May (Sunday) – Mo Henry and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
12 May (Wednesday) – Johnny Devlin with Act 4 and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
14 May (Friday) – The Soundwave Vibrations (from Worthing) and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
Photo: Littlehampton Post
15 May (Saturday) – Dave Storme & The Tremors and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
16 May (Sunday) – The Coastliners with Danielle (from Southampton) and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
19 May (Wednesday) – Force Four (from Portsmouth) and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
Photo: Littlehampton Post
21 May (Friday) – The Jaguars and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) The Deltas replaced The Southbeats
22 May (Saturday) – 4 Hits and a Miss (from Bournemouth) and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) Looks like The Coastliners featuring Danielle and Dawn and The Soundwave Vibrations replaced 4 Hits and a Miss
23 May (Sunday) – Mo Henry and The Untamed (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
26 May (Wednesday) – The Crow and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
28 May (Friday) – The Untamed and The Deltas (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
29 May (Saturday) – Dave Storme & The Tremors, The Southbeats and The Soundwave Vibrations (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) Blues by Five replaced The Southbeats
30 May (Sunday) – Plain and Fancy and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
Photo: Littlehampton Post
2 June (Wednesday) – The Milestones (from Midhurst) with supporting group (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
4 June (Friday) – The Cellarbrations and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
5 June (Saturday) – The Diamonds, The Southbeats and The Sound Vibrations (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) The Nightmares replaced The Sound Vibrations and The Warren J Show was added later along with The Cyan
6 June (Sunday) – The Web with Sandy Crawford and Act 4 with Johnny Devlin (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) The Web was formerly known as The Flames. A poster in Mike Read’s book has The Southbeats instead of Act 4 with Johnny Devlin
7 June (Monday) – The Untamed, The Soundbeats and The Sound Vibrations (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) A poster in Mike Read’s book also has The Zabres
9 June (Wednesday) – The Tremors with Dave Storme and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) A club poster in Mike Read’s book lists The Southbeats instead of The Tremors
11 June (Friday) – The Warren J Show, The Diamonds and Dave & The Sounds (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
12 June (Saturday) – Force 4, The Southbeats and The Sound Vibrations (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
Photo: Littlehampton Post
13 June (Sunday) – Act 4 with Johnny Devlin and The Southbeats (Poster)
16 June (Wednesday) – Johnny Tempest & The Nomads with resident group (Poster)
18 June (Friday) – The Untamed and The Just Men (from Bournemouth) (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
19 June (Saturday) – The Cosmic Sounds, The Southbeats, The Fenmen (not the London band) and The House-of-Blues (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) The Littlehampton Post also has The Fab
20 June (Sunday) – The Trackmarks and The Southbeats (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
The Littlehampton Post notes there is no dance on Wednesday, 23 June
25 June (Friday) – The Untamed, The Southbeats and The Just Men (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
26 June (Saturday) – The Alan Bown Set, The Untamed, The Southbeats and The Midnight Blues (from Bognor Regis) (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) The Littlehampton Post also lists the “reformed” John Barry Seven
27 June (Sunday) – The St Louis Checks (debut at Shoreline) supported by resident group (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
30 June (Wednesday) – The Web (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
2 July (Friday) – John Brown’s Body (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) This was Keith Emerson’s Brighton group not the Hammersmith one led by Clive Barrow
3 July (Saturday) – West Side (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post) A poster in Mike Read’s book (see above) also lists The Klassiks, The Southbeats and The Midnight Blues
4 July (Sunday) – Simon & The Surreys and resident group (Chichester & Southern Post/Littlehampton Post)
7 July (Wednesday) – The Untamed supported by The Ends (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
9 July (Friday) – The Cosmic Sounds (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
10 July (Saturday) – 4 Group Nite (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
11 July (Sunday) – The Dark Ages (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
27 August (Friday) – The Equals and The Bow Bells (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
28 August (Saturday) – The Klassiks, Heads & Tails and The Midnight Blues (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
29 August (Sunday) – The Strats and The Mob (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
30 August (Monday) – The Swinging Blue Jeans, The Bolts and The Midnight Blues (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
According to Mike Read’s excellent book The South Coast Beat Scene during the 1960s, September (this is more likely November) 1965 saw appearances from Billie Davis, Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers, Wayne Gibson and The Dynamic Sounds and The Mojos. Local bands that played this month included The Mike Stuart Span, The Web and Beau Brummell & The Noblemen.
24 September (Friday) – The Spectres (Poster) This is most likely the band that became Status Quo
25 September (Saturday) – The Inevitables and The Southbeats (Poster)
26 September (Sunday) – The Untamed (Poster)
29 September (Wednesday) – The Untamed (Poster)
15 October (Friday) – The Rebels (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
16 October (Saturday) – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and Five More (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
17 October (Sunday) – The Cosmic Sounds with Lynda Crane (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
24 October (Sunday) – The Web (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s) The Cherokees played in the evening
1 November (Monday) – The Mojos (Littlehampton Post)
8 November (Monday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Littlehampton Post)
12 November (Friday) – The Talismen (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
13 November (Saturday) – DJ Blues Band and Five More (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
14 November (Sunday) – The Buckinghams (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
15 November (Monday) – Heinz (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
8 December (Wednesday) – Dave & The Diamonds (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer) Every Wednesday
10 December (Friday) – The Just Men (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
11 December (Saturday) – The Changing Times and Five More (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
12 December (Sunday) – Plain & Fancy (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
13 December (Monday) – Wayne Gibson & The Dynamic Sounds (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer)
15 December (Wednesday) – Dave & The Diamonds (advert in local newspaper, possibly the Bognor Regis Observer) Every Wednesday
3 January (Monday) – Them (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
8 January (Saturday) – Beau Brummell & The Noblemen (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
9 January (Sunday) – The Klimaks (afternoon) (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
10 January (Monday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
12 January (Wednesday) – Dave & The Diamonds (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
15 January (Saturday) – The Brothers Scarlett with Gary & Lee (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
16 January (Sunday) – The Untamed (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s) The Klimaks play in the afternoon
17 January (Monday) – The Applejacks (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
19 January (Wednesday) – Dave & The Diamonds (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
22 January (Saturday) – All Nite Rave with five groups (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
23 January (Sunday) – The Cosmic Sounds (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s) The Klimaks play in the afternoon
24 January (Monday) – The Cardinals (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
26 January (Wednesday) – Dave & The Diamonds (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
29 January (Saturday) – The Alex Laine Group (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
30 January (Sunday) – Ray Flacke & His Muckabouts (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s) The Klimaks play in the afternoon
31 January (Monday) – The Mojos (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
7 March (Monday) – Tony Jackson & The Vibrations (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
21 March (Monday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
9 April (Saturday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers, The Mob and The Klimaks (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
10 April (Sunday) – The Untamed and The Clayton Squares (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
11 April (Monday) – The Jimmy Brown Sound and Jimmy Winston’s Reflections (poster in Mike Read’s book The South Coast Beat Scene of the 1960s)
18 May (Wednesday) – The Clayton Squares (Record Mirror: https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Record-Mirror/60s/66/Record-Mirror-1966-04-23.PDF) Record Mirror’s 23 April issue, page 12 says that the group starts a Wednesday residency at the Shoreline today but doesn’t say for how long. They are also booked for 11 Sunday concerts in the summer. Bass player Geoff Jones confirms the residency.
25 May (Wednesday) – The Clayton Squares (Record Mirror) Band has Wednesday residency
1 June (Wednesday) – The Clayton Squares (Record Mirror) Band has Wednesday residency but this needs confirmation as do other June dates
5 June (Sunday) – The Clayton Squares (Record Mirror) See above
12 June (Sunday) – The Clayton Squares (Record Mirror) See above
19 June (Sunday) – The Clayton Squares (Record Mirror) See above
21 September (Wednesday) – Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Fabulous 208)
28 September (Wednesday) – Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Fabulous 208)
As Mike Read notes in his book, in the autumn of 1966, Eric St John-Foti, who ran the Shoreline, signed the club over to the owners of the Marquee, Harold and Barbara Pendleton
29 October (Saturday) – The Action, Long John Baldry, Bluesology and David Bowie & The Buzz (Melody Maker) This was the grand opening of the Marquee at the Shoreline
Photo: Melody Maker
2 November (Wednesday) – Sands (Fabulous 208)
5 November (Saturday) – Sands, Duffy Power’s Nucleus and The Ultimate (Flyer in The Action book In The Lap of the Mods)
Photo: Melody Maker
12 November (Saturday) – The VIPs, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and The Herd (Fabulous 208, Melody Maker and flyer in The Action book In the Lap of the Mods)
Photo: Melody Maker
19 November (Saturday) – The James Royal Set and The Ultimate (Melody Maker) The flyer in The Action book In the Lap of the Mods notes Embers West, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Ultimate
26 November (Saturday) – The Artwoods and The Race (Melody Maker) The flyer in The Action book In the Lap of the Mods notes The Artwoods, Sands and The Herd
The flyer in The Action book In The Lap of the Mods lists the following artists for Saturday shows in December: Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The Action, The Alan Bown Set and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
6 May (Saturday) – The In Crowd and The Errol Bruce Show (flyer at: www.radiolondon.co.uk/caroline/scrap60/p4scrap60.html) Dave Allen’s research has Herbie Goins & The Night-timers on this date instead of The Errol Bruce Show
20 May (Saturday) – Prince Buster & The All-Stars (Fabulous 208)
28 May (Sunday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Fabulous 208)
17 June (Saturday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker) Melody Maker reports that Jimmy James collapses from exhaustion and the next gig in Derby is cancelled
15 July (Saturday) – The Move (Fabulous 208)
During August as Motivation changes to The Penny Peep Show, the group uses the Shoreline to rehearse their new stage act and material.
3 December (Sunday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Fabulous 208)
In October 1966, British promoter Roy Tempest brought over American soul singer Edwin Starr for an extensive tour. Judging by advertisements in Melody Maker and regional newspapers, Starr had already visited Britain at least twice before.
Melody Maker lists a gig at Count Suckle’s Cue Club in Paddington on 10 February 1966, backed by west London band, Bluesology, who featured a certain Reginald Dwight (aka Elton John) on keyboards. This was most likely part of a wider tour but it’s not certain whether Bluesology were the backing band on all of the dates. We’d be interested to hear from readers below in the comments section.
Fast forward to late September and Edwin Starr was advertised on a promotional flyer performing at the Twisted Wheel Club in Manchester (again with Bluesology). The date in question was 29 September. It’s not clear whether this was part of a wider tour, but, whatever the case, Edwin Starr was back in Britain about two weeks later for a full-scale tour.
Roy Tempest employed quite a few bands to perform backing duties for the soul artists he brought over (see Lee Dorsey’s January 1966 British tour as an example). More often than not, the groups weren’t mentioned in the advertisements.
For this reason, it’s been difficult to pinpoint exactly who supported Edwin Starr during this tour and subsequent ones throughout the rest of the 1960s, although the obscure group The State Express did the duties during May 1968 (and some later dates).
However, for the October 1966 tour, we do know that at least three bands backed Edwin Starr.
The most high-profile one was Glaswegian soul outfit, The Senate led by singer Sol Byron (aka Billy Lochart). At the time of this tour, the rest of The Senate comprised Alex “Ludgie” Ligertwood (aka Alex Jackson) on lead guitar and vocals; Brian Johnson on keyboards; Bill Irving on bass; Bob Mather on sax; Antony Rutherford (aka Tony Mimms) on trumpet; and Tam Frew on drums.
The Senate would back Edwin Starr on some dates during a May-June 1967 tour and there are quite a few gigs below which mention the Scottish group on the billing, so it seems quite likely that they fulfilled a large number of the engagements on this tour.
However, Roy Tempest also employed Beau Brummell’s former backing band, The Noblemen, led by Bognor Regis musicians Bryan Stevens (bass) and Mick Ketley (keyboards).
By October 1966, The Noblemen had been completely reshuffled and also featured west London musicians Jimmy Marsh (vocals) and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums), together with Birmingham players Chris Rodger (saxophone) and future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre. The Noblemen had previously backed The Vibrations and The Drifters.
The final group that we know who definitely did back Edwin Starr was Dalston, north London group, The Guests led by singer Alan Chamberlain. This little known group also comprised guitarist Bernie Jory (who went on to The Mickey Finn); bass player John Towell; drummer Hans Herbert (who went on to play with Geno Washington) plus two saxophone players, one of whom might have been Kenny Power who’d worked with Herbert in The Flexmen and joined the drummer in The All Night Workers in late 1966.
Chamberlain remembers the band played with Edwin Starr over a week period. Although the group was working for the Charles Kray entertainment agency, he believes that Roy Tempest may have requested for them to fill in when the other groups couldn’t honour the Edwin Starr gigs. He remembers the band rehearsing over a pub on Tottenham Court Road opposite Kray’s offices, based at the Clark Brothers dance studio.
I’ve listed the gigs I have found for the October 1966 tour below and would welcome any comments from readers and any clarification on the bands that did the honours in supporting Edwin Starr. It’s quite possible, for instance, that there were other groups who helped out on this tour. There also likely to be some missing gigs from this list.
14 October 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw and Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle) This was billed as Edwin Starr & The Senate featuring Sol Byron
15 October 1966 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Edwin Starr Show – possibly The Senate considering last night’s gig
16 October 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Nottingham Evening Post) The Noblemen were billed for this gig but Alan Chamberlain from The Guests insists they backed Edwin Starr as he got into an altercation with John Mayall. Chris Rodger, saxophone player with The Noblemen, confirms that it wasn’t his band as this was his birthday and he remembers The Noblemen playing in West Germany for a week, including on his birthday.
17 October 1966 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton (Express & Star) If The Guests played the previous night, this is most likely them again
19 October 1966 – Mecca Ballroom, Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants (Southern Evening Echo) Billed as Edwin Starr & The Senate featuring Sol Byron
21 October 1966 – Sleaford Mabern Club, Sleaford, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal) Billed as Edwin Starr & The Senate
21 October 1966 – Midnight City, Birmingham with Timebox, The Night People and Johnnie Neal (Birmingham Evening Mail) As this was the same evening and close to Leicester, it seems most likely this was The Noblemen but it could have been The Night People who were billed or The Senate as they played above gig on the same evening
21 October 1966 – Granby Halls, Leicester with The Ike & Tina Turner Revue with The Kings of Rhythm Band, Prince Albert, Jimmy Thomas, The Ikettes, Alvin Robinson and Family (Leicester Chronicle) Bryan Stevens, Mick Ketley and Martin Barre confirm this was definitely The Noblemen who switched to backing Alvin Robinson soon after
21 October 1966 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, Liverpool Street, east London (Melody Maker) Possibly The Noblemen but could have been The Guests as Liverpool Street wasn’t far from their Dalston base or The Senate as they played earlier gig
22 October 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Rhythm and Soul (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday/Herts & Essex Observer) This was billed as Edwin Starr & The Senate
22 October 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Melody Maker) Alan Chamberlain says The Guests played with Edwin Starr for a week, so this is quite possibly them but also could have been The Senate who played with Starr at the Rhodes Centre above on the same night
23 October 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London (Melody Maker) Possibly The Guests
24 October 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (London Life/Tatler) Possibly The Guests
24 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Jeff Curtis & The Flames (Melody Maker) Possibly The Guests
28 October 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News) Judging by the gig below, this is most likely The Senate
29 October 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with The Signs, The Times, The Fix, The B-Jays, The Prowlers and The Talismen (Liverpool Echo) This was Edwin Starr & The Senate
We’d be interest to hear from anyone who has any photos and/or concert advertisements. Please email: Warchive@aol.com
Located on Allendale Road in Greenford (sometimes billed as Sudbury or Wembley) in northwest London, the Starlite Ballroom was a significant music venue in the UK during the early-to-late 1960s. Peter Griffin booked artists for the venue, together with the Starlight Ballroom in Crawley, West Sussex.
Melody Maker advertised this venue weekly during 1966 and 1967. This doesn’t mean, however, that the advertised artists definitely appeared. It’s quite possible that some acts may have been replaced at the last minute. All of the listings below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the listings below, gigs took place on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
1966
Missing some listings from January to late May
1 January – The Fenmen and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
16 January – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
21 January – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
22 January – The Drifters (Record Mirror)
23 January – The Alan Bown Set and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)
5 February – Stevie Wonder (backed by The Sidewinders?) with The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
13 February – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
18 February – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
27 February – The Moody Blues and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary) Beat Instrumental lists The Who for this date as well
11 March – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)
23 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Beat Instrumental)
25 March – Wilson Pickett and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
1 April – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Record Mirror)
22 April – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental)
26 April – The Mindbenders (Beat Instrumental)
29 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Beat Instrumental)
6 May – Lee Dorsey and The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s diary)
15 May – The Small Faces (Record Mirror)
Photo: Melody Maker
27 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
28 May – The Soul Agents
29 May – The Fenmen and The Symbols
Missing listings for 3, 4 and 5 June
5 June – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames and Jean & The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary)
10 June – The Quiet Five and The Mark Four
11 June – The Ram Jam (most likely Geno Washington’s band) and The James Royal Set
12 June – The Yardbirds
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported The Yardbirds on this date
17 June – Roy C
Dave Brogden’s diary confirms that The Statesides supported Roy C on this date
18 June – The Spencer Davis Group
19 June – The James Royal Set and The Soul Agents
24 June – Radio London Night with bands
25 June – The Emeralds and The James Royal Set
26 June – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds
1 July – The Quiet Five and The Trendsetters Ltd
2 July – Radio London Night
3 July – Gary Farr & The T-Bones
Photo: Melody Maker
8 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
9 July – The Crystals
10 July – The Moody Blues
Photo: Melody Maker
15 July – The Who and Roscoe Brown Combo
16 July – Episode Six and The Legend
17 July – The Troggs, The Wild Things and The Jimmy Brown Sound
22 July – Rufus Thomas
23 July – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones
24 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The En-Devers Ltd
29 July – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and The Summer Set
30 July – The Riot Squad
31 July – Joyce Bond and The Jimmy Brown Sound
5 August – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
6 August – Episode Six
7 August – Solomon Burke
12 August – The Move
Missing listing for 13 August
14 August – Jimmy Brown Sound
19 August – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and The Tea Set
20 August – The Midnights
21 August – The Action and The Mode
26 August – The Magic Lanterns and The Knack
Missing listing for 27 August
28 August – The Pretty Things and Sands
2 September – The Spencer Davis Group
3 September – Episode Six
4 September – The Birds (with support)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 September – The Jimmy Brown Sound and The Satellites (soon to become The Army)
10 September – Julian Covey & The Machine
11 September – Long John Baldry & Steampacket
16 September – The Symbols and The Quiet Five
17 September – Two groups
18 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
23 September – The Trendsetters and Winston G
24 September – Two groups
25 September – Los Bravos
30 September – Robert Parker and The James Royal Set
1 October – Two groups
2 October – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
7 October – The Cryin Shames
8 October – Two groups
9 October – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
14 October – Lee Dorsey
15 October – Two groups
16 October – Batman & Robin
Photo: Melody Maker
21 October – Sonny Childe & The TNT
22 October – Two groups
23 October – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests)
Photo: Melody Maker
28 October – The Birds
29 October – Two groups
30 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
4 November – The Dixie Cups
5 November – Two groups
6 November – The Creation
11 November – The Coasters (probably backed by The Noblemen) and The Mode
12 November – Two groups
13 November – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
18 November – Wishful Thinking
19 November – Two groups
20 November – Ben E King and Winston G
25 November – The Mindbenders
26 November – Two groups
27 November – The Birds
Photo: Melody Maker
2 December – The All Night Workers and Sands
3 December – Two groups
4 December – Cream and The Essex Five
9 December – Gass and The Fleur De Lys
10 December – Two groups
11 December – The Drifters and The Bystanders
16 December – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
17 December – Two groups
18 December – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
23 December – Eric Burdon & The Animals and The Night Train
24 December – Gass and The Penny Blacks
30 December – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede and The Barry Lee Show
31 December – The Birds and The James Royal Set
1967
1 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Majority
6 January- (Sonny Childe &) The TNT and The Syn
No listing for 7 January
8 January – The Move and The Roscoe Brown Combo
Photo: Melody Maker
13 January – The Small Faces
No listing for 14 January
15 January – The Soul Sisters and Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
20 January – The Coloured Raisins and The Herd
No listing for 21 January
22 January – Long John Baldry (& Bluesology)
27 January – Inez & Charlie Foxx and (Joe E Young &) The Tonicks
No listing for 28 January
29 January – The Symbols and The Dyaks
3 February – Winston G
No listing for 4 February
5 February – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
Photo: Melody Maker
10 February – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Cool Combination)
No listing for 11 February
12 February – The Who
17 February – The Fenmen
No listing for 18 February
19 February – Cream
Photo: Melody Maker
24 February – Lemon Line
No listing for 25 February
26 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
3 March – Cliff Bennet & The Rebel Rousers
No listing for 4 March
5 March – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band and The Shell (Shock Show)
10 March – The Coloured Raisins and King Ossie Show
No listing for 11 March
12 March – The Gods
17 March – The Easybeats
No listing for 18 March
19 March – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
Photo: Melody Maker
24 March – Human Instinct and Joe E Young & The Tonicks
No listing for 25 March
26 March – The New Mojos and The Gods
31 March – Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set?)
No listing for 1 April
2 April – Ben E King
7 April – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 8 April
9 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 April – The Creation and The Syn
No listing for 15 April
16 April – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 April – Pink Floyd
No listing for 22 April
23 April – Mary Wells and The Gods
Photo: Melody Maker
28 April – PP Arnold (backed by The Nice?) and The Syn
No listing for 29 April
30 April – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and Shinn
5 May – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
No listing for 6 May
7 May – Jeff Beck Group and Sean Buckley
12 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 13 May
14 May – Normie Rowe & The Playboys
19 May – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
No listing for 20 May
21 May – The Troggs and The State Express (they later backed Edwin Starr)
26 May – The Shell Shock Show and The Syn
No listing for 27 May
28 May – Alan Price Set
Photo: Melody Maker
2 June – Edwin Starr (probably backed by The Senate)
No listing for 3 June
4 June – The Warm Sounds and The Birds and The Bees
9 June – Mike Quinn Rave
No listing for 10 June
11 June – Cream and The Triads
16 June – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 17 June
18 June – The Drifters
23 June – The Move and The Gods
No listing for 24 June
25 June – The Chiffons and Midnight Train
No listing for 30 June or 1 July
2 July – The Toys
Ron Lewingdon says Steve Priest’s pre-Sweet group, The Army were also on this bill. He remembers appearing at the venue with The Toys
No listing for 7 or 8 July
9 July – The Jeff Beck Group
14 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 15 July
16 July – The Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology)
21 July – The All Night Workers
No listing for 22 July
23 July – The Action and The Syn
28 July – Modes Mode
No listing for 29 July
30 July – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and The Human Instinct
4 August – The All Night Workers
No listing for 5 August
6 August – The Bee Gees and The Pussyfoot
11 August – Modes Mode
No listing for 12 August
Photo: Melody Maker
13 August – The Small Faces
Henry Turtle says that his group The Doves played with The Small Faces at this venue several times. This seems the most likely date for one of the shows but needs confirmation
18 August – The Syn
No listing for 19 August
20 August – The Jeff Beck Group
25 August – The New Jump Band
No listing for 26 August
27 August – The Human Instinct and The Triads
1 September – The Pussyfoot
No listing for 2 September
3 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
8 September – The Shell Shock Show
No listing for 9 September
10 September – James & Bobby Purify and The James Royal Set
15 September – The Unsuited Medium
No listing for 16 September
17 September – The Original Drifters (backed by The Trend)
22 September – The Wranglers
23 September (first Saturday listing for the year) – The Breakthru
24 September – The Tiles Big Band
29 September – The New York Public Library
30 September – The Breakthru
1 October – The Alan Bown Set and The Calgary Stampede
No listing for 6 October
No listing for 7 October
8 October – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
13 October – Amen Corner
No listing for 14 October
15 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
20 October – The Human Instinct
21 October – Warren Davis (was he on his own or with The Monday Band?)
22 October – The Ebony Keys and The All Night Workers (possibly the new version of this band)
27 October – Mr Hip Soul Band
28 October – The Wranglers
Photo: Melody Maker
29 October – Geno Washington & Ram Jam Band and The All Night Workers
3 November – Pesky Gee
4 November – The Taylor Upton Big Jump Band
5 November – Ben E King and Dr Marigold’s Prescription
10 November – Horatio Soul & The Square Deals
11 November – The Triads
12 November – Marmalade and Legay
17 November – Katch 22
18 November – Willie Walker & The Scene
19 November – The Skatalites and The Open Mind
24 November – The Minor Portion Roll Band
25 November – Keith Skues and The Shock Treatment
26 November – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and The Living Daylights
Photo: Melody Maker
1 December – J J Bendol & The SOS
2 December – Katch 22
3 December – Geranium Pond and Modes Mode
8 December – Hydro Bronx B Band
No listing for 9 December
10 December – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
No more listings for the year, so would welcome any additions
1968
Melody Maker didn’t appear to advertise the venue during 1968, so I’ve listed references next to the entries I have found. It looks like they were Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays but the listings are not complete and I would welcome any additions
Missing lists from January-April 1968
19 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 April – Ike & Tina Turner Show (Harrow Weekly Post/New Musical Express)
26 April – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
27 April – The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 April – Garnet Mimms and The Lace (Harrow Weekly Post) Mimms may have cancelled
3 May – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 May – Pandemonium (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 5 May
No listing on 10 May
11 May – The Cruudas (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 May – The Honeybus (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 17 May
18 May – Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
19 May – Marmalade and Rainbow Ffolly (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing on 24 May
25 May – Jo Jo Gunne (Harrow Weekly Post)
26 May – Edwin Starr (backed by The State Express) (and with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
31 May – The New Flamingos (Harrow Weekly Post)
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
1 June – The Greatest Show on Earth (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 June – Duane Eddy and The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Henry Turtle says his band The Doves played with Duane Eddy at this venue. The All Night Workers definitely played too
7 June – The Midnights (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 June – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 June – The Fantastics (backed by The House of Orange) (Harrow Weekly Post)
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
14 June – The Exits (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 June – Orange Seaweed (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 June – Whisky Mac (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
22 June – Size Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 June – The New Breed (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 June – The Apricots (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 June – The Group (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
30 June – The Apricots (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
5 July – The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 July – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
7 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 12 July
13 July – The Midnites (with support) (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 19 July
20 July – The Neuz (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 July – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
No listing for 26, 27 and 28 July
No listing for 2 August
3 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 August – The Unison (Harrow Weekly Post)
I don’t have any more listings for August and only odd ones for September and October so would welcome any additions
22 September – The New Breed (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 September – The All Night Workers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
5 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 October – The Race (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 October – Colin Berry (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post)
12 October – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
3 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 November – Colin Berry (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
10 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 November – The Midnites with Dynamic Maxine (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 17 November
22 November – Colin Berry and The Midnites (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 November – The James Morton Sound (Harrow Weekly Post)
There is no listing for 24 November
I have no more listings for November and a gap in early December
Photo: Harrow Weekly Post
11 December – The All Night Workers (Wednesday) (Harrow Weekly Post) Says Sudbury, but the address is the same – Allendale Road
I have no more listings for December so would welcome any additions
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.
Photo: Jackie Korzon. The Five Proud Walkers in 1964
THE (FIVE) PROUD WALKERS
Terry Elliott – lead vocals
Clive Omer – lead guitar
Colin Forster – lead guitar
John Treais – bass
Brian Thompson – drums
Clive Omer and John Treais were apprentices at the Post Office (now British Telecom) and formed the original band in north London during 1963 as The Proud Walkers with a singer called Joe and drummer Brian Thompson who had worked with John Treais in a previous group.
Photo: Jackie Korzon. Left to right: Brian Thompson, Terry Elliott, John Treais, Clive Omer and Colin Forster, 1964.
1963
6 July 1963 – St John’s Hall, Hoppers Road, N1, London with The Wolverine Jazz Band (Promotional card from John Treais) Billed as The Five Proud Walkers
Photo: John Treais
1964
The group wanted to move in a more blues direction so brought in singer Terry Elliott during 1964.
29 September 1964 – Cavern, Westcliff, Kent (East Kent Times & Mail)
1965
Photo: Luton News
27 February 1965 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with Bern Elliott & The Klan (Luton News)
At some point the band appeared on the same bill as The Yardbirds while Eric Clapton was a member. They also played alongside The Moody Blues.
On 5 March 1965, Clive Omer decided to leave the band. His old school friend Colin Forster bought his gear, including his ’50s Stratocaster.
Photo: John Treais. Left to right: John Treais, John Hanshay, Brian Thompson, Colin Forster and Terry Elliott (foreground)
The group briefly continued with keyboard player John Hanshay who stayed a few months.
2 May 1965 – Bure Club, Mudeford, Dorset with Felders Orioles (Advert from John Treais)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 May 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)
On 26 May Jimmy Horrocks, who was studying at the London School of Economics, joined on organ/flute, taking over from John Hanshay.
29 May 1965 – St Peter’s Youth Club, Staines, Middlesex (Staines and Egham News) Billed as The Proud Walkers
6 June 1965 – Top Rank Dance Club, Odeon Theatre, Wood Green, north London (Tottenham and Edmonton Weekly Herald)
23 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with The Sidewinders with Gary L Thompson (NME/Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
31 July 1965 – Cricket Club, Ashford, Middlesex (Staines and Egham News) Billed as The Proud Walkers
8 August 1965 – St Joseph’s Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire with The Byrds, Blues Syndicate, and The Bunch (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette) Billed as The Proud Walkers
Photo: Swindon Evening Advertiser
9 August 1965 – Corn Exchange, Newbury, Berkshire with The Byrds and The Bunch (Swindon Evening Advertiser)
Richard Hudson from north London band The Four Gonks replaced Brian Thompson on drums and started rehearsing with the group on 15 September.
18 September 1965 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Sorrows (East Kent Times)
9 October 1965 – Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London (Date from John Treais)
Photo: John Treais
14 November 1965 – Zambesi, Hounslow, west London (Date from John Treais)
24 November 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford street, central London with The Downliners Sect (Melody Maker)
11 December 1965 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Artwoods and Dave Anthony’s Moods (Melody Maker)
Photo: John Treais
17 December 1965 – Christmas gig at an apprentice’s association (Promotional card from John Treais)
Photo: John Treais. Back row, left to right: Richard Hudson, John Treais, Jimmy Horrocks. Centre: Colin Forster. Foreground: Terry Elliott
22 January 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with the Webb and The Y V L’s and The Partisans (Aldershot News/Camberley News) Billed as The Proud Walkers
15 February 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London with The Loose Ends (Melody Maker)
Photo: John Treais. Left to right: John Treais, Colin Forster, Jimmy Horrocks, Richard Hudson and Terry Elliott, 1966.
6 March 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Deakin Lewis Band (Contract from John Forster)
Thanks to Colin Forster for the image
10 March 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
12 March 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with Jimmy Brown Sound (Aldershot News/Camberley News)
17 March 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
Photo: John Treais
19 March 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London with Mea Mercer (Melody Maker)
24 March 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
26 March 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with Mae Mercer (Nottingham Evening Post)
Photo: John Treais
9 April 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London (Melody Maker)
11 April 1966 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express) Billed as The Proudwalkers
Photo: John Treais
17 April 1966 – Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey (Date from John Treais)
Photo: John Treais. Band play the 100 Club
19 April 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
26 April 1966 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
Photo: John Treais
7 May 1966 – RAE Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Aldershot News)
Photo: John Treais
13 May 1966 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London (Melody Maker)
10 June 1966 – Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey (Contract from Colin Forster)
Sometime in mid-June 1966, Terry Elliott departed. The group auditioned singers at Wood Green Jazz club.
Dave Terry, who’d taken over from Arthur Brown in The Union in late 1965, replaced Elliott.
18 June 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
19 June 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Says from Cromwellian
25 June 1966 – Chichester College of Further Education, Chichester, West Sussex with The Who (Dave Terry recollections)
Thanks to Colin Forster for the image
1 July 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Contract from Colin Forster) Dave Terry says he never played this venue but Terry Elliott had left by now, so perhaps it was cancelled?
Photo: John Treais
16 July 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Melody Maker)
3 September 1966 – Worthing Hospitals’ League of Friends, Steyne Gardens, Worthing, West Sussex with Kaine & Abel (Worthing Gazette)
Photo: Melody Maker
16 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker) Dave Terry says he never played this venue but Terry Elliott had left in June. Also, John Treais remembers that Roy Stacey covered for him once at this club when he couldn’t make the gig so at least show took place at the Ram Jam.
Photo: John Treais. The Five Proud Walkers with new singer Dave Terry at 28 September gig at London College of Fashion
28 September 1966 – London College of Fashion, central London with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Dave Terry’s recollections)
15 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich Arsenal Station, Woolwich, southeast London (Melody Maker)
Around this time John Treais left after a gig in Southampton and John Ford (ex-Jaymes Fenda & The Vulcans) took over on bass, making his debut backing Champion Jack Dupree, which may have been at Eel Pie Island (below).
3 December 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
10 December 1966 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
31 December 1966 – Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey with Whisky Ring (Surrey Advertiser)
1967
John Ford falls ill and Roy Stacey, who’d worked with Dave Terry in The Union, as well as early 1960s band The Impacts, subbed for him for about six weeks around January-February. Ford subsequently returned to the group in February.
7 February 1967 – Clouds, Derby with Champion Jack Dupree (Derby Evening Telegraph)
18 February 1967 – Club Continental, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
1 April 1967 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Vigilantes (West Briton & Cornwall Gazette)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 April 1967 – White Hart, Acton, west London (Melody Maker)
23 April 1967 – The Bridge, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey with Over 2,000 (Surrey Advertiser)
Photo: Melody Maker
27 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
6 May 1967 – The Pitch, Digbeth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)
8 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Neat Change (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)
Photo: Surrey Advertiser
27 May 1967 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with Dave Martin Group (Surrey Advertiser)
17 June 1967 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)
Photo: Surrey Advertiser. Photo shows the late 1966 before John Treais left.
24 June 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)
Photo: Melody Maker
27 June 1967 – Royal Ballroom, Southgate, north London (Melody Maker)
In late June Jimmy Horrocks left to join Robert Hirst & The Big Taste who were heading to Hamburg to play the Star Club in the first week of July. He later replaced Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) in Bluesology
Photo: Woking Herald
14 July 1967 – Twilight Zone, Constitutional Hall, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald) Billed as The Proudwalkers
In mid-July, the group changed name to Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera. However, an advert for The Velvet Opera had been printed in Melody Maker several weeks in a row as early as April 1967.
Photo: Velvet Opera advert, Melody Maker, April 1967
Thanks to Clive Omer, John Treais and Colin Forster for providing information about the band’s early years. Thanks also to Dave Terry (aka Elmer Gantry) and Roy Stacey. Thanks also to Mike Stax.
According to Christopher Hjort’s excellent Strange Brew book, promoters Philip Hayward and John Mansfield opened the old inn Pantiles as a bar and music venue in July 1967 after they gave up their chain of Ricky Tick clubs.
However, Record Mirror says that it was the Cromwellian’s former managers Philip Hayward and Bob Anthony who opened Pantiles and it looks like PP Arnold & The Nice were possibly the first booking.
It is very difficult to find gigs for this venue, so would appreciate any more confirmed shows in the comments below.
Photo: Martin H Samuel
1967
20 July – PP Arnold & The Nice (Record Mirror)
11 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
2 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
22 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
3 November – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
28 November – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
8 December – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker/Bob Hodges’ gig diary) Fabulous 208 lists The Alan Price Set
19 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
29 December – Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
1968
19 January – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 January – Long John Baldry & Bluesology (Melody Maker)
28 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 February – Film African Queen (Melody Maker)
2 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
3 February – Jimmy McGriff & His Quartet (Melody Maker)
4 February – Wee Willie Harris (Melody Maker)
8 February – Film Darling (Melody Maker)
9 February – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
10 February – Unnamed band plus records (Melody Maker)
11 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
13 February – The Pyramids (Melody Maker)
14 February – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
16 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 February – Films (Melody Maker)
23 February – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 February – The All Night Workers (Melody Maker)
Guitarist Brian Mansell says The All Night Workers played regularly at this venue, perhaps as many as 20 times during his time with the band from October 1967 to late 1969. They also played here extensively with later line-ups in 1970-1971.
25 February – The Web (Melody Maker)
27 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
15 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
27 September – The Flies (Surrey Advertiser)
28 September – The Gass (Surrey Advertiser)
29 September – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
1 October – Soul Bucket (Surrey Advertiser)
2 October – Chris Barber & His Jazz Band (Surrey Advertiser)
4 October – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
5 October – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
6 October – Tony Gregory & The Counts (Surrey Advertiser)
20 October – Toast (Melody Maker)
8 November – Happy Magazine (Surrey Advertiser)
9 November – Tuesday’s Children (Surrey Advertiser) Keyboard player Bob Hodges has the band at Rush Green College in Romford this night, so must have been another band that played this evening
10 November – Ferris Wheel (Surrey Advertiser)
12 November – The Web (Surrey Advertiser)
13 November – Alex Walsh (Surrey Advertiser)
19 November – Alexis Korner (Surrey Advertiser)
20 November – Tubby Hayes (Surrey Advertiser)
3 December – Georgie Fame (Surrey Advertiser)
14 December – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
21 December – The Gods (Surrey Advertiser)
22 December – Cliff Bennett (Surrey Advertiser)
24 December – Paul Williams Set (Surrey Advertiser)
26 December – Circus (Surrey Advertiser)
28 December – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
1969
25 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
31 January – Paul Williams Set (Fabulous 208)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 February – Toast (Melody Maker)
21 February – The Pattern (Melody Maker)
22 February – Ruby James (Melody Maker)
23 February – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)
27 February – Film The Rebel
8 March – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
9 March – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
14 March – Wishful Thinking (Surrey Advertiser)
29 March – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Windsor, Slough & Eton Express
22 May – The Train (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
23 May – Ferris Wheel (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
24 May – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
25 May – The Playground (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
26 May – Cliff Bennett & His Band (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 June – Bunkers Brain (Melody Maker)
7 June – Katch 22 (Melody Maker)
8 June – Brian Auger Trinity (Melody Maker)
17 June – Fleetwood Mac (Surrey Advertiser/Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
21 June – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
1 August – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
31 August – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1 September – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
17 October – Trifle (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 October – My Dear Watson (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
19 October – Ferris Wheel (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
24 October – New Formula (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
25 October – Boston Crabs (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 October – Zoot Money (Time Out)
28 October – Graham Bond Initiation (Melody Maker)
31 October – Timebox (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
1 November – Old Nick’s Train Set (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
2 November – Jimmy McGriff (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
7 November – Ray King Soul Band (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
8 November – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
9 November – Sir Percy Quintette (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
14 November – Katch 22 (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
16 November – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1970
Keyboard player Ronnie Clayden says that The Kool played this venue twice, either in 1969 or 1970.
Drummer Geoff Coxon confirms that the gigs listed for Calum Bryce above and below, which were listed in manager Ted Hare’s diary without being attributed to a band, were definitely Calum Bryce.
26 December – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
1971
30 January – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
31 May – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
4 July – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
24 September – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
19 November – Jo Jo Gunne (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
20 November – The Fortunes (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 November – Mother Tucker’s Rubber Duck (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
27 November – The Staple Singers (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
3 December – Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clippings)
4 December – Freddie Mac (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
10 December – Gonzalez (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
11 December – Black Velvet (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 December – Tony Morgan’s Muscle Power (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
Top Ten Club, Hamburg, photo courtesy of K&K Hamburg
Apart from the Star Club, the Top Ten Club on the Reeperbahn in St. Pauli was arguably the most important rock music venue in Hamburg during the 1960s.
Opened in 1960 by Peter Eckhorn and operated by Iain Hines, the Top Ten Club was where The Beatles played and also backed singer Tony Sheridan in the group’s first recording sessions during early-mid 1961.
Throughout the 1960s, the Top Ten Club played host to a huge number of British bands, some of which featured future stars such as Elton John, Ritchie Blackmore (later in Deep Purple) and Ray Thomas and Mike Pinder (later in The Moody Blues).
Initially, there was only one band each month but from the mid-1960s onwards, there would be several groups sharing the bill each month. Singer Isabella Bond was a regular fixture and saxophone player Ricky Barnes helped run the club during the mid-late 1960s.
I have started to compile a list of bands that played at the Top Ten Club during this period but would welcome any additions and corrections in the comments below.
October 1960:
The Beatles: John Lennon (rhythm guitar/lead vocals), Paul McCartney (rhythm guitar/lead vocals); George Harrison (lead guitar/lead vocals), Stuart Sutcliffe (bass/lead vocals) and Pete Best (drums).
1961?:
The Jets: Iain Hines (keyboards), Colin Meander (lead guitar), Tony Sheridan (rhythm guitar), Rick Hardy (guitar), Peter Wharton (bass) and others.
27 March-2 July 1961:
The Beatles: John Lennon (rhythm guitar/lead vocals), Paul McCartney (rhythm guitar/lead vocals); George Harrison (lead guitar/lead vocals), Stuart Sutcliffe (bass/lead vocals) and Pete Best (drums).
1 November 1961-January 1962:
Wayne Gibson & The Dynamic Sounds: Wayne Gibson (lead vocals), Mick Todman (lead guitar), Ray Rogers (bass), Pete Gillies (rhythm guitar) and Larry Cole (drums).
March 1963:
The Blackjacks: Pat Harris (lead vocals), Don Callard (lead guitar), Robbie Williams (rhythm guitar/vocals), Bob Wilkinson (bass) and Pete James (drums).
August 1964:
The Mastersounds: Mal Jefferson (lead vocals/bass), Adrian Lord (lead vocals), Tony Cockayne (lead guitar), Gerry Stewart (tenor sax), Mike Price (drums) and others.
February 1965:
The Krew, Paddy, Klaus & Gibson, London Beats (plus Isabelle Bond and Beryl Marsden)
The Krew: Robert Fielden-Nicholls (lead guitar), Howie Casey (tenor saxophone), John Bradley (bass) and Eddie Sparrow (drums).
Paddy, Klaus and Gibson: Paddy Chambers (lead guitar), Klaus Voorman (bass) and Gibson Kemp (drums).
The London Beats: Frank Bennett (rhythm guitar/lead vocals), Mick Tucker (lead guitar/lead vocals), Sam Coaffee (bass) and Jim Smith (drums)
??? 1965:
Next of Kin: Frankie Allan (lead vocals), Dai Johns (lead guitar), Mike Ashman (rhythm guitar), Robert Evans (bass) and Alan Snell (drums).
March 1966:
Frank Sheen Sound: Frank Sheen (lead vocals), T J Huggett (keyboards), John Cushen (bass), John Herridge (drums) and Jeff Condon (trumpet) plus others.
March 1966:
Bluesology and Linda Laine & The Sinners
Bluesology: Stewart Brown (lead guitar/lead vocals), Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) (keyboards/lead vocals), Rex Bishop (bass) and Mick Inkpen (drums).
Linda Laine & The Sinners: Linda Laine aka Veronica Lake (lead vocals), Del Hidden (lead guitar), Peter Bellotte (rhythm guitar), Russ Maxwell (bass) and Len Crawley (drums).
April 1967:
The Copycats: John Stewart (lead guitar), Iain Lyon (rhythm guitar/vocals), Billy Cameron (bass/vocals) and Rob Lawson (drums/vocals).
July/August 1967 (THIS IS MORE LIKELY TO BE MARCH 1968):
Bluesology and The Manchester Playboys
Bluesology: Alan Walker (lead vocals), Stewart Brown (lead guitar/vocals), Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) (keyboards/lead vocals), Caleb Quaye (guitar), Marc Charig (cornet), Fred Gandy (bass) and Pete Gavin (drums) (not sure this is the correct formation)
Manchester’s Playboys: Kerry Burke (lead vocals), Stuart Fahey (lead guitar/Trumpet), Graham Sclater (keyboards), Alan Watkinson (bass), Malcolm Tagg-Randall (saxophone) and Peter Simensky (drums).
Circa September 1967:
The Berkley Squares: Barry Wade (lead vocals), Ray Martinez (lead guitar/vocals), Dave Eldredge (keyboards/vocals), Leigh Catterall (bass/vocals) and Terry Abbs (drums).
December 1967:
Floribunda Rose: John Kongos (rhythm guitar/lead vocals), Chris Demetriou (keyboards/vocals), Pete Clifford (lead guitar/vocals), Jack Russell (bass/vocals) and Nick Dokter (drums).
March 1968:
Scrugg (possibly billed as Floribunda Rose)
Scrugg (two weeks from 1 March): John Kongos (lead guitar/lead vocals), Chris Demetriou (keyboards/vocals), Jack Russell (bass/vocals) and Henry Spinetti (drums).
The Manchester Playboys: Kerry Burke (lead vocals), Stuart Fahey (lead guitar/Trumpet), Graham Sclater (keyboards), Alan Watkinson (bass), Malcolm Tagg-Randall (saxophone) and Peter Simensky (drums).
Thanks to the following for contributing to the timeline: Mick Tucker, Jim Smith, Frank Bennett, Graham Sclater, Jack Russell, Nick Dokter, Len Crawley
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
