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.
12 September 1964 – Gari Ballroom, Yarmouth, Norfolk (Yarmouth Mercury)
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
30 January 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
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)
5 April 1966 – Ilford Town Hall, Ilford, Essex with Jimmy Wilson, Thursday’s Children (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
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) Says from the Cromwellian
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
February 1965 ad courtesy of Peter Cornwell of Phaethon’s Brethren
The Bromel Club was initially a jazz venue that was located in the Bromley Court Hotel on Bromley Hill in south east London. During the 1960s, it hosted most of the top British bands of the day, including Cream, Pink Floyd and The Jimi Hendrix Experience.
I’ve started to compile a gig list and would welcome any additions and corrections as well as memories of the venue. These are advertised gigs so it’s quite possible that artists may have changed at the last minute.
If you played in one of the group, it would be great if you could provide some history of your band too in the comments below.
Also, if you have any old posters you can share, I would love to hear from you and will ensure you are credited.
1964
I don’t have many gigs listed for this year and earlier and would welcome any contributions.
Judging by the gigs below, rock artists performed on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Jazz artists played on Tuesdays (my list is incomplete).
The gigs are all from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted.
3 January – The Moody Blues
4 January – The South West Five
6 January – Sonny Boy Williamson with Shorty & Them
7 January – Billy Woods Combo
Photo: Melody Maker
10 January – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
11 January – Their Lordships
13 January – The Stormsville Shakers
14 January – The Billy Woods Combo
Photo: Melody Maker
17 January – The Spencer Davis Group
18 January – Themselves
20 January – The Yardbirds
21 January – The Billy Woods Combo
Photo: Melody Maker
24 January – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 January – The Loose Ends
27 January – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band
28 January – The Copains
31 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
1 February – Phaethon’s Brethren
3 February – Long John Baldy
4 February – The Cheminoes
7 February – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins
8 February – The Black Jacks
10 February – Ronnie Jones & The Night-Timers
11 February – The Second Thoughts
14 February – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
15 February – The Westsiders
17 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
18 February – Blues by Knight
Photo: Melody Maker
21 February – The Animals
22 February – The Britons
24 February – Alexis Korner Blues Incorporated
25 February – The Loose Ends
Photo: Melody Maker
28 February – The Falling Leaves
1 March – The Dissatisfied
3 March – The Spencer Davis Group
4 March – The Cops ‘N’ Robbers
7 March – Manfred Mann
8 March – Brothers Grim
10 March – Davy Jones & The Manish Boys
11 March – The Drovers
14 March – The Mike Cotton Sound
15 March – missing entry
17 March – Champion Jack Dupree with The Sheffields
18 March – missing entry
21 March – Alex Harvey Soul Band
22 March – missing entry
24 March – The Animals
25 March – missing entry
Photo: Melody Maker
28 March – The T-Bones (Gary Farr’s band)
29 March – The Ingoes
31 March – The Who
1 April – The Bumps in the Night
Photo: Melody Maker
4 April – The Pretty Things
5 April – Paul & The Travellers
7 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
8 April – The Tribe
11 April – The Spencer Davis Group
12 April – The Exits
14 April – Long John Baldry
15 April – The Pilgrims
Photo: Melody Maker
18 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
19 April – The Moaners
21 April – The Yardbirds
22 April – Isaiash’s Prophets
25 April – The Nashville Teens
26 April – The Toys
28 April – The Who
29 April – The Impacts
Photo: Melody Maker
2 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
3 May – The Vandals Blues
5 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
6 May – The Five Proud Walkers
9 May –The Moody Blues
10 May – The Lawlers Legs
12 May – John Lee Hooker (was this with The Cops ‘N’ Robbers backing?)
13 May – The Hammond K Four
16 May – The Loose Ends
17 May – The Heart and Souls
19 May – The Spencer Davis Group
Photo: Melody Maker
20 May – The Board Walkers
Photo: South East London Mercury
23 May – Manfred Mann
24 May – The Pineapple Chunks
26 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
27 May – The Bumps in the Night
Photo: Melody Maker
30 May – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
31 May – The CC Riders
2 June – The Soul Sisters with Brian Auger Trinity
3 June – The Solar Sounds
6 June – Alex Harvey (Soul Band)
7 June – The Peasants
9 June – Long John Baldry
10 June – The Desperados
Photo: Melody Maker
13 June – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Preachers
14 June – The Five Road Runners
16 June – Graham Bond Organisation
17 June – The Epitaph Soul Band
20 June – The Five Dimensions
21 June – The Trees
23 June – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
24 June – Modern Blues Six
27 June – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
28 June – The Doons
30 June – The Epitaphs with supporting group
Photo: Melody Maker
1 July – The Board Walkers
4 July – Graham Bond Organisation
5 July – The Planets
7 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
8 July – The CC Riders
11 July – The Artwoods
12 July – The Equals
14 July – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
15 July – The Spurleeweeves
18 July – Inez and Charlie Foxx with (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
19 July – Red, Whites, Blues (according to Bob Hodges, this band soon changed name to The New Jump Band)
21 July – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
22 July – The Bo Bo Links
Photo: Melody Maker
25 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
26 July – The Brethren
28 July – The Spencer Davis Group
29 July – The Ancient Britains
Photo: Melody Maker
1 August – John Lee’s Groundhogs
2 August – The Medieval Sounds
4 August – The Mike Cotton Sound
5 August – The Eyes
8 August – missing entry
9 August – missing entry
11 August – missing entry
12 August – missing entry
15 August – Club is closed
Photo: Melody Maker
16 August – The Five of That
18 August – Steampacket
19 August – The Equals
21 August – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Preachers (Saturday night)
22 August – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
23 August – The Prophets
25 August – The Graham Bond Organisation
26 August – The Planets
29 August – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
30 August – The Bungle Fins
1 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
2 September – Red, Whites, Blues
Photo: Melody Maker
5 September – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
6 September – The Worrying Kind
8 September – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
9 September – Red, Whites, Blues (according to Bob Hodges, this band soon changed name to The New Jump Band)
Photo: Melody Maker
12 September – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
13 September – The Creepers
15 September – The Graham Bond Organisation
16 September – Leslie Gantzer
19 September – (Geno Washington &) The Ram Jam Band
20 September – The Five Aces
21 September – Alan Elsdon Jazz Band (Tuesday night – does that mean jazz was on Tuesdays?)
22 September – The Spencer Davis Group
23 September – The Byrd-Herd
26 September – The Small Faces
27 September – Steve & The What 4
28 September – Terry Lightfoot (Tuesday night)
29 September – Bo Diddley
30 September – The Image
3 October – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
4 October – The Changing Times
5 October – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night)
6 October – The Alan Price Set
7 October – The Bumps in the Night
Photo: Melody Maker
10 October – The Graham Bond Organisation
11 October – The Five Road Runners
12 October – Alex Welsh (Tuesday night)
13 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 October – Planet Six
Photo: Melody Maker
17 October – The Herd
18 October – The Motivation (original version from Norbury, south London)
19 October – Chris Barber (Tuesday night)
20 October – The Graham Bond Organisation
21 October – The Bungle-Finns
24 October – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
25 October – The Prowlers
26 October – Eric Silk’s Southern Jazzband and Brian Green’s New Orleans Stompers
27 October – Steampacket
28 October – The Sons of Fred
31 October – Ben E King
1 November – The Classics
2 November – The Keith Smith Band (Tuesday night)
3 November – The Spencer Davis Group
4 November – The Changing Times
Photo: Melody Maker
7 November – The Train (aka Moon’s Train), The Preachers – Lew Rich with The Other Two
8 November – Junco’s Jump Band
9 November – Closed this week
10 November – The Alan Price Set
11 November – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers
Photo: Melody Maker
14 November – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
15 November – The Squires (this might be Tom Jones’ backing band)
16 November – Alan Elsdon (Tuesday night)
17 November – Wilson Pickett (with backing band)
The Riot Squad may also have played on 17 November but needs confirmation
18 November – Marshall Scott Etc
21 November – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
22 November – The End of Part One
23 November – Monty Sunshine (Tuesday night)
24 November – The Graham Bond Organisation
25 November – The Spectres (evolved into Status Quo)
28 November – The Mike Cotton Sound
29 November – The Minor Birds
30 November – Terry Lightfoot (Tuesday night)
1 December – Steampacket
2 December – The Prowlers
5 December – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
6 December – The Kingbeats
7 December – The Back O’Town Syncopants (Tuesday night)
8 December – Major Lance
9 December – The Squires (Tom Jones’ backing band?)
12 December – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
13 December – The Shylos
14 December – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night)
15 December – The Spencer Davis Group
Photo: Melody Maker
16 December – The Board Walkers
19 December – The Paramounts
20 December – The Name
21 December – Kenny Ball (Tuesday night)
22 December – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
23 December – The Alex Lane Group
24 December – The Train (aka Moon’s Train) and The Changing Times (Boyfriend magazine has The Paramounts on this date)
26 December – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
27 December – K N Star & The Ricochets
28 December – Eric Silk (Tuesday night)
29 December – Ronnie Jones (& The Blue Jays)
30 December – The Habits
Clive Chase, bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres notes in his diary that his group played here on 30 December
1966
Judging by the gigs below, rock artists performed on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Jazz musicians played on Tuesdays.
The gigs are all from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted.
2 January – The Train (aka Moon’s Train)
3 January – The Partisans
3 January – Alex Welsh (Tuesday night)
5 January – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
6 January – Victor Brox Blues Band
9 January – The Mike Cotton Sound
10 January – The Deck Hands
11 January – Terry Lightfoot (Tuesday night)
12 January – Steampacket
13 January – The Minor Birds
16 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
17 January – The Disciples
18 January – Monty Sunshine (Tuesday night)
19 January – Lee Dorsey (with The Krew backing?)
20 January – The Showtimers
23 January – The Alan Price Set
24 January – The Way
25 January – Alan Elsdon (Tuesday night)
26 January – The Mark Leeman Five
27 January – KN Starr & The Ricochets
29 January – David Bowie & The Lower Third (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
30 January – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
31 January – The Breed (South East London Mercury)
1 February – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
2 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
3 February – The Alex Lane Group
6 February – The Untamed (South East London Mercury)
7 February – The Soul System (South East London Mercury)
8 February – The Back O’Town Syncopaters (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
9 February – The Action
South East London Mercury lists Crispian St. Peters for 9 February
10 February – The Board Walkers (South East London Mercury)
13 February – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Alan Price Set (Beat Instrumental)
14 February – The Name (South East London Mercury)
15 February – Eric Silk & The Southern Jazz Band (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
16 February – The Soul Show (according to Record Mirror this was Elkie Brooks, Keith Powell, The Marionettes and The Excels) (South East London Mercury)
17 February – The Deck Hands (South East London Mercury)
Photo: Melody Maker
20 February – The Loose Ends
21 February – The Mixed Feelings
22 February – Spencer’s Washboard Kings (Tuesday night)
23 February – The Pretty Things
24 February – The Prowlers
27 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
28 February – L Henderson’s Soul Band (South East London Mercury)
1 March – Chris Barber (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
2 March – The Action (South East London Mercury)
3 March – The Subjects (South East London Mercury)
6 March – The VIPs (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Train (aka Moon’s Train for 6 March)
7 March – The In-Action
8 March – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
9 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
10 March – The Alex Lane Group
12 March – Them (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
13 March – The Alan Price Set (South East London Mercury)
14 March – System Four (South East London Mercury)
15 March – Alan Elsdon (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists Monty Sunshine for 15 March
16 March – The Loose Ends
20 March – St Louis Union (South East London Mercury)
21 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
22 March – Kenny Ball (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
23 March – Gary Farr & The T-Bones
24 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Objects for 24 March
26 March – The Kinks (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
27 March – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (South East London Mercury)
28 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Name for 28 March
29 March – Mike Daniels (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
30 March – The Action (South East London Mercury)
31 March – Group night (South East London Mercury)
3 April – The Graham Bond Organisation
4 April – The Keys
5 April – The Back O’Town Syncopants (Tuesday night)
6 April – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
7 April – Earl Henderson Soul Band
10 April – The Shevelles (South East London Mercury)
11 April – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Scuttlebugs for 11 April
12 April – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
13 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
14 April – Rachel’s Revenge (South East London Mercury)
16 April – The Candles (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
17 April – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
18 April – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists John Brown’s Bodies for 18 April
19 April – Brian Green (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
20 April – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds (South East London Mercury)
21 April – Deacon Lewis and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (South East London Mercury)
24 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
25 April – The Kind (South East London Mercury)
26 April – Monty’s Sunshine (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
27 April – Steampacket (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Paramounts on 27 April
28 April – Rachel’s Revenge (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Board Walkers on 28 April
1 May – The Kinks (South East London Mercury)
2 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
3 May – Eric Silk & His Southern Jazz Band (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
4 May – The Dixie Cups with Alvin Robinson (South East London Mercury)
5 May – The Prowlers (South East London Mercury)
7 May – Earl Henderson’s Soul Band and The Coffee Set (Saturday night) (South East London Mercury)
8 May – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
9 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
10 May – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
11 May – The T-Bones (Gary Farr’s band) (South East London Mercury)
12 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
14 May – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Saturday night) (Nick Simper’s diary)
15 May – The Shevelles (South East London Mercury)
16 May – Group night (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Kenetis on 16 May
17 May – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
18 May – Steampacket (South East London Mercury)
19 May – The Board Walkers (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists John Brown’s Bodies for 19 May but this could actually refer to the following Thursday, 26 May
22 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (South East London Mercury)
23 May – C-Jam Blues (South East London Mercury)
23 May – The Temperance Seven (South East London Mercury)
24 May – Lucas and The Mike Cotton Sound (South East London Mercury)
26 May – John Brown’s Bodies (South East London Mercury)
29 May – The Bo Street Runners (South East London Mercury)
30 May – Miss Named (South East London Mercury)
31 May – Ken Colyer (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
1 June – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
2 June – Five Steps Beyond (South East London Mercury)
5 June – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
6 June – Dawn & The Rising Sons (South East London Mercury)
7 June – Back O’Town Syncopaters (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
8 June – Roy C (South East London Mercury)
9 June – In-Action (South East London Mercury)
Photo: Melody Maker
12 June – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
13 June – Luther Morgan Relationship (South East London Mercury)
14 June – Charlie Galbraith’s All Stars (South East London Mercury)
15 June – The Moody Blues (South East London Mercury)
16 June – Sammy Samwell’s Record Show (South East London Mercury)
19 June – Steampacket (South East London Mercury)
20 June – The Midnites (South East London Mercury)
21 June – Brian Green’s New Orleans Stompers (Tuesday night) (South East London Mercury)
22 June – The Action (South East London Mercury)
23 June – Sammy Samwell Record Show (South East London Mercury)
Photo: Melody Maker
26 June – The Shotgun Express (South East London Mercury)
27 June – The Bo-Men (South East London Mercury)
28 June – The Eyes (South East London Mercury)
29 June – The Yardbirds (South East London Mercury)
3 July – missing entry
4 July – The Classics (South East London Mercury)
6 July – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
Melody Maker lists The Squires (Tom Jones’ band?) for 6 July. Beat Instrumental meanwhile lists Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
7 July – Sammy Samwell Record Show (South East London Mercury)
10 July – The Downliners Sect (South East London Mercury)
11 July – The Outcasts (South East London Mercury)
13 July – The Loose Ends and The Good Things (South East London Mercury)
14 July – Raymond Hayes Record Show (South East London Mercury)
17 July – George Bean & Loopy’s Lot (South East London Mercury)
18 July – The Borough of Bedrock (South East London Mercury)
20 July – The Loose Ends and The Squires (South East London Mercury)
Beat Instrumental lists Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band for 20 July
21 July – missing entry
24 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
25 July – The Kind (South East London Mercury)
27 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)
Fabulous 208 lists The Loose Ends on 27 July
28 July – Micket Nut Record Show (South East London Mercury)
31 July – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (South East London Mercury)
1 August – Group and records (South East London Mercury)
3 August – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (South East London Mercury)
4 August – Micket Nut Record Show (South East London Mercury)
7 August – The Tribe (South East London Mercury)
8 August – Lee Hawkins Four (South East London Mercury)
10 August – The VIPs (South East London Mercury)
11 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
12 August – Cream (South East London Mercury)
14 August – The Raisins (South East London Mercury)
Fabulous 208 lists The Downliners Sect for 14 August
15 August – Group and records (South East London Mercury)
17 August – The Alan Price Set (South East London Mercury)
18 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
21 August – The Subjects (South East London Mercury)
22 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
24 August – The Creation (South East London Mercury)
25 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
28 August – Wynder K Frog (South East London Mercury)
29 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
30 August – The Shotgun Express (South East London Mercury)
31 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
4 September – Lee Hawkins Group (South East London Mercury)
5 August – Records (South East London Mercury)
7 September – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (South East London Mercury)
8 September – Records (South East London Mercury)
Missing some entries for the rest of September. This is what I do have:
14 September – The Alan Bown Set and Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
18 September – The Amboy Dukes (South East London Mercury)
19 September – Ray Browns’ record show (South East London Mercury)
21 September – The VIPs (South East London Mercury)
22 September – Records (South East London Mercury)
25 September – The Combine (South East London Mercury)
26 September – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
28 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (South East London Mercury)
2 October – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (South East London Mercury)
3 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
5 October – The Herd (South East London Mercury)
6 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
9 October – Felders Orioles (South East London Mercury)
10 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
12 October – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (South East London Mercury)
13 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
16 October – Unit Four Plus 2 (South East London Mercury)
17 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
19 October – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and Bobby & The Crims (South East London Mercury)
20 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
23 October – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
24 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
26 October – The Crying Shames (South East London Mercury)
27 October – Records (South East London Mercury)
30 October – The Searchers (South East London Mercury)
31 October – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
2 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (South East London Mercury)
3 November – missing entry
5 November – The Tribe (South East London Mercury)
7 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
9 November – missing entry
10 November – missing entry
13 November – The Fortunes (South East London Mercury)
14 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
16 November – The Graham Bond Organisation (South East London Mercury)
17 November – missing entry
20 November – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
21 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
23 November – The Herd (South East London Mercury)
24 November – missing entry
27 November – The Good Thing (South East London Mercury)
28 November – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
30 November – The Herd (South East London Mercury)
1 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
4 December – Lee Hawkins Group (South East London Mercury)
5 December – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
7 December – The Shotgun Express (South East London Mercury)
8 December – missing entry
11 December – missing entry
12 December – missing entry
14 December – Cream (Christopher’s Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
15 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
18 December – EL Henderson’s Soul Band (South East London Mercury)
19 December – Ray Brown’s record show (South East London Mercury)
21 December – Eric Burdon & The Animals (South East London Mercury)
22 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
24 December – The Outrage and The New Jump Band (South East London Mercury)
26 December – The New Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)
28 December – Long John Baldry and Bluesology (South East London Mercury)
29 December – Records (South East London Mercury)
1967
Judging by the gigs below, rock artists performed on Sundays and Wednesdays with gigs on other days occasionally.
I have very few gigs for 1967 so would welcome any additions.
1 January – Brian Something and The What’s Its (South East London Mercury)
The Bag O’ Nails was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find confirmed gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions/corrections plus any posters of advertised gigs and photos of bands who appeared there (all credited accordingly).
1966
Opened in 1965, co-owners John Gunnell and Laurie Leslie launched the Bag O’ Nails as an upmarket, members-only, late night club during November 1966. Tony Knight’s Chessmen played on the opening night.
Colin Richardson, who joined the Rik Gunnell Agency in September 1966 and remained until December 1967, says his main job was to book Rik Gunnell Agency bands and in terms of the Bag O’ Nails, his role was probably to fill the ‘open’ dates with lesser known bands while the ‘name’ artists were booked by John or his brother Rik.
Colin says that, like the Cromwellian, Sibylla’s and the Speakeasy, the Bag O’ Nails had an extended licence to serve alcohol which required that food had to be made available to customers.
Like these other exclusive late night clubs, the Bag O’ Nails differed from rock venues like the Marquee and 100 Club in that punters generally didn’t go to see the band playing; the music was almost incidental. It was more a place to ‘hang out’ and to mix with media and music biz people and maybe spy the occasional rock star or celeb.
Colin states that when he took over bookings at the Bag O’ Nails, he usually put on a different band every night, though occasionally there could be runs of two or more nights. As noted above, the idea was to give the lesser known bands exposure to the influential audiences that frequented the club.
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede’s manager Ken Baxter (who is no longer with us) kept a note of bookings and Douglas’ group had a residency at the club from 21 November to 4 December 1966. During this time, Jimi Hendrix sat in with the band once (possibly 25 November but see comments section at the very end).
The Jimi Hendrix Experience played its showcase gig on 25 November and many music celebrities attended the event, including Terry Reid, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and members of The Rolling Stones.
Drummer Tony Richard remembers that his band The Fetish Crowd played at the Bag O’ Nails (either in late 1966 or early 1967).
Keyboard player Tony O’Malley says that his band Malcolm Magaron & The Blueshealers played at the club during late 1966 and early 1967 before the backing musicians left Magaron to work with American singer Ronnie Jones and were billed as The Q-Set.
Steve Ellis’ website notes that the original Love Affair played at the Bag O’ Nails (either in late 1966 or early 1967).
21 November (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 November (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 November (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
25 November (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Melody Maker reports that The Jimi Hendrix Experience played on 25 November, which would have been a showcase gig. It’s possible that he stayed on to sit in with Carl Douglas’ band later that evening (Colin Richardson’s website)
26 November (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
27 November (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
28 November (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
29 November (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
30 November (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
The Stage’s 1 December issue reports that Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede have a ten-day stand but don’t say when it started.
1 December (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
2 December (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
3 December (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
4 December (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
19 December (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
Julian Covey & The Machine had a residency here which, judging by the January gig below, appeared to be on a Monday evening.
26 December (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
According to Stage magazine, Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays, Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Brian Auger Trinity played over the Christmas period.
1967
Singer James Royal says that his band The James Royal Set played at the Bag O’ Nails. This would have been 1967 and/or 1968.
Drummer Chris Hunt notes that his group The Good Time Losers played at the venue in 1967. The most likely period would have been February/March.
Drummer Dino Coccia says that he played with a Jamaican band called The Healers who worked at the Bag O’ Nails regularly throughout 1967 until June 1968 when they left for Beirut, Lebanon for a residency there.
The Healers. Photo: Dino Coccia
1 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (Glenn Martin’s recollections, needs confirmation)
Drummer Glenn Martin says that when his group Hedgehoppers Anonymous split in early-mid January, he worked with singer Kenny Bernard at the Bag O’ Nails, taking over from The Peddlers, who had a residency here (most likely on Sundays). Bernard’s group played its first show at the Bag O’ Nails on Martin’s birthday (Sunday, 22 January). However, The Peddlers decided to continue their residency and returned the following week and Bernard’s group split with Martin reforming Hedgehoppers Anonymous.
2 January (Monday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (Fabulous 208)
8 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)
9 January (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
10 January (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
11 January (Wednesday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Fabulous 208)
15 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)
22 January (Sunday) – Kenny Bernard (Glenn Martin’s recollections – see 1 January)
29 January (Sunday) – The Peddlers (needs confirmation – see 1 January)
1 February (Wednesday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)
2 February (Thursday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208)
The Q-Set linked up with American singer Ronnie Jones in mid-March 1967 after he split with The Blue Jays and they played regularly at the Bag O’ Nails (see later).
7 February (Tuesday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
Phil Sawyer, the band’s lead guitarist, will join The Spencer Davis Group in April 1967.
8 February (Wednesday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
9 February (Thursday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
10 February (Friday) – The Shotgun Express (Fabulous 208)
According to Disc & Music Echo, the music magazine held its party at the Bag O’ Nails either on Sunday, 12 February or Sunday, 19 February and PJ Proby, Pete Townshend from The Who and Eric Clapton from Cream attended.
22 February (Wednesday) – Maxine Daniels (Fabulous 208)
25 February (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
Birmingham band, The Way of Life, featuring future Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham played at the Bag O’ Nails around late February 1967.
1 March (Wednesday) – The Real McCoy (Fabulous 208)
2 March (Thursday) – The Real McCoy (Fabulous 208)
3 March (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
4 March (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
5 March (Sunday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
6 March (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
7 March (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
8 March (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
9 March (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
10 March (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
11 March (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
12 March (Sunday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
17 April (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
18 April (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Disc & Music Echo’s 6 May issue reports that Georgie Fame, The Drifters, Zoot Money and Carl Douglas joined Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set) for a jam session in the week starting 24 April. Tom Jones and Paul McCartney attended.
27 April (Thursday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)
According to the Berkhamsted Gazette & Tring District News, Errol Daniel & JJ Sound played at the Bag O’ Nails in early May 1967.
4 May (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
8 May (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 27 May issue, Ronnie Jones (& The Q-Set) played at the Bag O’ Nails in the week starting 15 May and Sandie Shaw, Chris Andrews and The Moody Blues were among the guests.
The same issue (27 May) notes that Georgie Fame, Dick Gregory, Mary Wells and Maxine Brown were recent bookings at the Bag O’ Nails.
15 May (Monday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Beatles Bible book)
Disc & Music Echo lists Georgie Fame at the venue on 15 May.
30 May (Tuesday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
31 May (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
1 June (Thursday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
3 June (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
4 June (Sunday) – Diane Ferraz & The Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
5 June (Monday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
6 June (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
7 June (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
Fabulous 208 says that The Shevelles played on 7 June.
8 June (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
11 June (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
12 June (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
13 June (Tuesday) – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Fabulous 208)
14 June (Wednesday) – Diane Ferraz & The New Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
15 June (Thursday) – Diane Ferraz & The New Checkmates (Fabulous 208)
Melody Maker says that The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas played on 15 June.
16 June (Friday) – Felders Orioles (Fabulous 208)
Drummer John Halsey will join Timebox in August 1967
17 June (Saturday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
18 June (Sunday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
19 June (Monday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
20 June (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
21 June (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 June (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 June (Friday) – Amen Corner (Fabulous 208)
30 June (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
1 July (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
5 July (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
6 July (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
9 July (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
11 July (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
17 July (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
18 July (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
20 July (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 July (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 July (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
31 July (Monday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Disc & Music Echo)
1 August (Tuesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
This group were formerly called Diane Ferraz & The (New) Checkmates. Colin Richardson, who booked some of the artists that appeared at the Bag O’ Nails, says that he suggested Ferris Wheel as a loose pun on Diane’s surname after they had told him they wanted to change their current name as they felt it sounded dated.
6 August (Sunday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to the Reading Evening Post, 12 August, Kenny Bernard (possibly fronting Cats Pyjamas) plays around this time.
13 August (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
22 August (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
28 August (Monday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
31 August (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
2 September (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
Chicken Shack featured future Fleetwood Mac singer/pianist Christine Perfect (aka McVie).
3 September (Sunday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
8 September (Friday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
9 September (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
11 September (Monday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
14 September (Thursday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Fabulous 208)
Future Rolling Stones guitarist Mick Taylor was with the band at this point.
18 September (Monday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
19 September (Tuesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
20 September (Wednesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
21 September (Thursday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
22 September (Friday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
23 September (Saturday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
24 September (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Fabulous 208)
25 September (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Fabulous 208 has Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames on 25 September.
6 October (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
12 October (Thursday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
16 October (Monday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
17 October (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
21 October (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 October (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 October (Tuesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
30 October (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
2 November (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
6 November (Monday) – Ben E King (Disc & Music Echo)
16 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
19 November (Sunday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
22 November (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)
28 November – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
Fabulous 208 has Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band on 28 November. John Warburg says JJ Jackson performed on this date.
30 November (Thursday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
6 December (Wednesday) – Long John Baldry (and Bluesology) (Disc & Music Echo)
Pianist Reg Dwight (aka Elton John) was most likely still with Bluesology at this point.
8 December (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
16 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
Colin Richardson, who worked at for the Gunnell Agency booking artists, says he came up with the Cats Pyjamas name. Most of the band had previously worked as The Loose Ends but when their two singers Alan Marshall and Bob Saker left during the summer and the musicians were linked with new singer Kenny Bernard, they decided they wanted a new name.
23 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
27 December (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
29 December (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
30 December (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
1968
Guitarist Paul Brett says that he played at the Bag O’ Nails, which would have been with Tintern Abbey and/or later bands.
Sax player Geoff Glover says that The All Night Workers played at the Bag O’ Nails regularly, which would have been between 1968-1971.
2 January (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
4 January (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
9 January (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
10 January (Wednesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
11 January (Thursday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
12 January (Friday) – Garnet Mimms (needs confirmation)
Some acts this month mirrored the bookings at the Cromwellian.
15 January (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
17 January (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
18 January (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 January (Friday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
21 January (Sunday) – Jimmy McGriff (Melody Maker)
23 January (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 January (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
29 January (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
Fabulous 208 lists Edwin Starr for 29 January.
1 February (Thursday) – John L Watson & The Web (needs confirmation)
Some acts this month mirrored the bookings at the Cromwellian.
5 February (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
9 February (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
10 February (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
19 February (Monday) – Robert Parker (New Musical Express)
20 February (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
According to Melbourne music magazine, Go-Set, Australian band The Groop played the Bag O’ Nails between early March and mid-April.
2 March (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
7 March (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
11 March (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
12 March (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
Melody Maker reports that Fleetwood Mac, Zoot Money and Cliff Bennett were due to play at the Bag O’ Nails around this time.
20 March (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
25 March (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 March (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
27 March (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
9 April (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
14 April (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
15 April (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 April (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Melody Maker)
9 May (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
10 May (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
13 May (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 May (Monday) – Edwin Starr & The State Express (Melody Maker)
21 May (Tuesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 May (Wednesday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
It is possible that JJ Jackson may also have played on 22 May.
30 May (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
31 May (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
4 July (Thursday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
6 July (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 July (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
28 July (Sunday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
2 August (Friday) – The Penny Peep Show (needs confirmation that it happened but advertised)
The Penny Peep Show’s guitarist Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull in December 1968.
8 August (Thursday) – Happy Magazine (Fabulous 208)
11 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
12 August (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
18 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
20 August (Tuesday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
25 August (Sunday) – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
30 August (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
31 August (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
2 September (Monday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
According to the Stroud News, Gass played at the Bag O’ Nails just before 14 September.
20 September (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
21 September (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
25 September (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
29 September (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
2 October (Wednesday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Fabulous 208)
3 October (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208 and Time Out)
4 October (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas and Selofane (Colin Pullen’s gig diary, Fabulous 208 and Time Out)
5 October (Saturday) – Cats Pyjamas and Selofane (Colin Pullen’s gig diary, Fabulous 208 and Time Out)
6 October (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
9 October (Wednesday) – Cliff Bennett (Fabulous 208)
16 October (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
20 October (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
25 October (Friday) – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
27 October (Sunday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
4 November (Monday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
10 December (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
17 December (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
1969
Guitarist and violinist Mike Piggott says that Gass played at the Bag O’ Nails during 1969-1970.
Topper Clay from The New York Public Library notes that his group played this venue.
7 January (Tuesday) – Cliff Bennet (Fabulous 208)
8 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
15 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
20 January (Monday) – Junior Walker & The All Stars (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
22 January (Wednesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)
28 January (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
4 February (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
10 February (Monday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
21 February (Friday) – My Dear Watson and Ben E King (Melody Maker)
New Musical Express reports that Ben E King was backed by The Chris Shakespeare Globe Show for the February UK tour.
22 February (Saturday) – My Dear Watson (Melody Maker)
6 March (Thursday) – Freddy King (Melody Maker)
7 March (Friday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)
8 March (Saturday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)
13 March (Thursday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
14 March (Friday) – My Dear Watson (Fabulous 208)
7 April (Monday) – Girl Talk (Melody Maker)
5 May (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
14 May (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
2 July (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
9 July (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
17 July (Thursday) – Jimmy Ruffin with Sweet Blindness (Time Out)
10 August (Sunday) – James & Bobby Purify (Time Out)
15 August (Friday) – Glass Menagerie (Time Out)
18 August (Monday) – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
19 August (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Time Out)
20 August (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
Guitarist Terry Edmunds, who played with Ferris Wheel and had previously worked with Tony Knight’s Chessmen when they opened the Bag O’ Nails in late 1966, says that it was quite a period with the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Tom Jones, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney attending. He also recalls American singers like Diana Ross and Wilson Pickett getting on stage with Ferris Wheel. Edmunds adds that La Valbonne across the street from the Bag O’ Nails was a place to popular nightspot.
25 August (Monday) – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
26 August (Tuesday) – The Amboy Dukes (Time Out)
27 August (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
22 September (Monday) – Prince Buster (Time Out)
Melody Maker lists The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas on 22 September.
28 October (Tuesday) – Howlin Wolf and Junco Partners (Melody Maker)
19 November (Wednesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (John Warburg research)
20 November (Thursday) – Bo Diddley (Melody Maker)
1 December (Monday) – The Ronnetts (John Warburg research)
8 December (Monday) – The Upsetters (John Warburg research)
18 December (Thursday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
19 December (Friday) – Lucas & The Soul Band (Time Out)
21 December (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
24 December (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)
26 December (Friday) – The Rebel Rousers (Time Out)
27 December (Saturday) – The Eyes of Blue (Time Out)
30 December (Tuesday) – The Pavement (Time Out)
31 December (Wednesday) – The Web (Time Out)
1970
Guitarist Keith Kendall confirmed that The All Night Workers played at the Bag O’ Nails this year when he was a member.
1 January (Thursday) – The Rebel Rousers (Time Out)
5 January (Monday) – The Perishers (Time Out)
7 January (Wednesday) – Timebox (Time Out)
26 January (Monday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
24 October (Saturday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
Ted Hare’s diary doesn’t list the artist’s name on his books but drummer Geoff Coxon confirmed that this was for Calum Bryce. This is true of the other listings below.
6 November (Friday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
7 November (Saturday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
1971
14 January (Thursday) – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare gig diary)
The Black Prince Hotel in Bexley, southeast London was a popular live music venue during the 1960s. I’ve started to compile a list of artists that performed there and would welcome any additions and corrections as well as any memories of the pub. This is an incomplete listing
1964
12 April – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
17 May – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
31 May – The Pretty Things (Record Mirror and Beat Monthly)
21 June – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
5 July – The Pretty Things (Record Mirror and Beat Monthly)
23 August – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)
12 September – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
18 October – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
29 October – The Graham Bond Organisation (Bruno Ceriotti’s research)
6 December – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)
1965
All of the listings below for 1965 are from Melody Maker unless otherwise stated. Judging by the gigs below, rock bands performed on Sundays.
I have not included the other artists, including jazz players, who performed on Monday evenings.
Peter Hicks, who was a member of The Down & Outs, has a newspaper clipping of his band in the scrapbook section of his website which notes that the band opened for The Animals, The Mark Leeman Five and The Moody Blues at this venue (most likely 1965).
3 January – The Graham Bond Organisation
10 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
17 January – Tony Knight’s Chessmen
24 January – The Downliners Sect
31 January – The Spencer Davis Group
7 February – The Moody Blues
14 February – The Animals
21 February – The Graham Bond Organisation with The Epitaph Soul Band (confirmed by article in Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times)
28 February – Buddy Guy with Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents (with Rod Stewart)
7 March – The Mark Leeman Five
14 March – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
21 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
28 March – The Downliners Sect
4 April – The Moody Blues
The Just Blues appeared on one occasion when The Moody Blues played here (see John Farrier’s comment below)
Photo: Jeff Brook-Smith’s family
11 April – Long John Baldry
18 April – Alex Harvey Soul Band
25 April – The Graham Bond Organisation
2 May – The Five Dimensions and The Loose Ends
9 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
16 May – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
23 May – Memphis Slim and Alex Harvey Soul Band
30 May – The Mark Leeman Five
6 June – Jack Dupree with The Mike Cotton Sound
13 June – The Graham Bond Organisation
20 June – The Artwoods
19 June – Jazz & Blues Festival with Dutch Swing College, Solomon Burke, Zoot Money, Unit 4 Plus 2, The Spencer Davis Group, The Downliners Sect, Alan Elsdon Jazzband, Brian Green New-O-Stompers, Epitaph Soul Band and The Loose Ends (Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times)
Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times, 25 June 1965, page 12Bexley Heath & Welling Observer and Kentish Times, 25 June 1965, page 12
27 June – The Five Dimensions
4 July – Long John Baldry and Rod Stewart
11 July – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
18 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 July – The Spencer Davis Group and The Epitaphs Soul Band
The Epitaphs Soul Band featured Mick Fletcher on keyboards who went on to The New Generation (briefly Jimmy Cliff’s backing band), The Hamilton Movement (1966-1967) and The Amboy Dukes (1969-1970).
Earlier in their career, guitarist Del Grace was a member. He went on to The Big Wheel before joining Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede.
Andy Clark also played sax with them in late 1965 before switching to organ and joining The Big Wheel in spring 1966. He later played with The Fenmen (aka Kindness), Sam Gopal, VAMP and Clark-Hutchinson among others.
1 August – (Gary Farr &) The T-Bones
8 August – Alex Harvey Soul Band
15 August – The Graham Bond Organisation
22 August – The Blond Bombshell (from the US)
29 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
5 September – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
12 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
19 September – Steampacket
26 September – The Graham Bond Organisation
3 October – (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds
10 October – Alex Harvey Soul Band
17 October – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
24 October – The Spencer Davis Group
31 October – T-Bone Walker
7 November – Steampacket
14 November – The Graham Bond Organisation
21 November – The Shevelles
28 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
5 December – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
12 December – missing
19 December – missing
26 December – missing
1966
All of the listings below for 1966 are from South East London Mercury unless otherwise stated. Judging by the gigs below, rock bands performed on Sundays.
I have not included the other artists, including jazz players, who performed on Monday evenings.
2 January – missing
9 January – The Alan Price Set (Beat Instrumental)
16 January – missing
23 January – missing
30 January – The Spencer Davis Group
6 February – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band
13 February – The Graham Bond Organisation
The Big Wheel Soul Band opened for Graham Bond’s group at some point
20 February – missing
27 February – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
6 March – The Action
13 March – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
20 March – Melody Maker notes “Great blues singer from the US” (could this be John Lee Hooker?)
27 March – Steampacket
3 April – missing
10 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
17 April – Geno Washington’s Ram Jam Band
24 April – The Moody Blues
1 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
8 May – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound
15 May – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
22 May – missing
29 May – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
5 June – The Downliners Sect
12 June – Steampacket
19 June – The Shotgun Express
26 June – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Record Mirror)
3 July – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and Eric Silk’s Stompers
10 July – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
17 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
24 July – The Alan Price Set (Fabulous 208 and Record Mirror)
30 July – The Graham Bond Organisation
7 August – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Fabulous 208)
14 August – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound
21 August – The Shotgun Express
28 August – missing
4 September – The Moody Blues
11 September – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
18 September – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
25 September – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers
2 October – The Shevelles
9 October – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
16 October – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
23 October – The Mike Cotton Sound
30 October – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers
6 November – missing
13 November – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays
20 November – The Downliners Sect
27 November – Guy Darrell
4 December – missing
11 December – Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
18 December – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
Fabulous 208 has Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band on 18 December
24 December – Mike Cotton Sound with support
1967
Phil Mackie, who very kindly provided gigs for 1967 and 1968, recalls that Sunday was R&B night and Monday was mainstream jazz.
I have listed the sources next to the entries. There are indications from some of the dates below that rock gigs occasionally happened on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well.
1 January – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
8 January – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
15 January – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
22 January – The Graham Bond Organisation (Melody Maker)
29 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
5 February – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
12 February – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
19 February – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
26 February – Long John Baldry with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
5 March – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Melody Maker)
12 March – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
14 March – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
19 March – Cliff Bennett’s Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)
26 March – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
2 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
9 April – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
16 April – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
23 April – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
25 April – Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound (Melody Maker – this was a Tuesday)
30 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
7 May – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Melody Maker)
14 May – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Melody Maker)
21 May – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
28 May – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
30 May – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
4 June – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Fabulous 208 and Phil Mackie’s diary) South East London Mercury has The Coloured Raisins
11 June – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208 and Phil Mackie’s diary)
18 June – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
25 June – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
2 July – The Coloured Raisins with Honey Darling and Earl Green (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 July – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 July – Mike Cotton with Lucas (Phil Mackie’s diary)
30 July – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
6 August – Long John Baldry Show (aka Bluesology) (Phil Mackie’s diary)
13 August – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
20 August – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
27 August – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 September – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 September – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 September – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 September – Freddie Mack Show (Phil Mackie’s diary)
1 October – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
8 October – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
15 October – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Phil Mackie’s diary)
22 October – Ben E King (Phil Mackie’s diary)
29 October – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
4 November – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
7 November – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s diary – this was a Tuesday)
12 November – Dantalion’s Chariot (Phil Mackie’s diary)
19 November – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
26 November – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 December – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 December – The Gass (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 December – Peter’s Green Fleetwood Mac (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 December – The Shevelles and Terry Lightfoot Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
31 December – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set and Alan Elsdon’s Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
1968
Phil Mackie, who very kindly provided gigs for 1967 and 1968, recalls that Sunday was R&B night and Monday was mainstream jazz. I have listed the sources next to the entries.
7 January – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
14 January – Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set (Phil Mackie’s diary)
21 January – The Freddie Mack Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
28 January – Jimmy McGriff Quartet (Phil Mackie’s diary)
4 February – The Cliff Bennett Show (Phil Mackie’s diary)
11 February – The Savoy Brown Blues Band (Phil Mackie’s diary)
18 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
25 February – Lucas & The Mike Cotton Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
3 March – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
10 March – The Amboy Dukes (Phil Mackie’s diary)
17 March – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Phil Mackie’s diary)
24 March – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
31 March – The Impressions (Phil Mackie’s diary)
7 April – The Jeff Beck Group featuring Rod Stewart (Phil Mackie’s diary)
14 April – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
15 April – The Piccadilly Six (Swiss band) (Melody Maker – this was a Monday)
21 April – The Showstoppers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
28 April – The Cliff Bennett Band
5 May – Spooky Tooth (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 May – The Counts (Melody Maker – this was a Thursday)
12 May – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 May – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
19 May – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 May – The Rebel Rousers (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
26 May – The Peddlers (Phil Mackie’s diary)
30 May – The Shevelles (Phil Mackie’s diary – this was a Thursday)
2 June – Lucas with The Mike Cotton Sound (Phil Mackie’s diary)
9 June – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Phil Mackie’s diary)
16 June – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers with The Satin Dolls (Phil Mackie’s diary)
23 June – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
30 June – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Melody Maker)
7 July – Diane Ferraz & The Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
14 July – Joe Cocker (Melody Maker)
21 July – Tony Gregory & The Counts (Melody Maker)
28 July – Traffic (Melody Maker)
4 August – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
11 August – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
18 August – The Rebel Rousers (Melody Maker)
25 August – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1 September – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
8 September – The Joyce Bond Revue (Melody Maker)
15 September – Ten Years After (Melody Maker)
22 September – Timebox (Melody Maker)
29 September – The Drifters (Melody Maker)
6 October – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
12 October – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker – this is a Saturday)
20 October – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
27 October – Joe Cocker (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
3 November – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
10 November – Inez and Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
17 November – Paul Williams Set (Melody Maker)
24 November – Ferris Wheel and Nepenthe (Melody Maker)
1 December – Garnet Mimms with Village Green (Melody Maker)
2 December – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker – this was a Monday)
8 December – Bandwagon (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
10 December – Simon K & The Meantimers and Olaf Grumps Kneed (Melody Maker/South East London Mercury – this was a Tuesday)
15 December – Timebox (Melody Maker)
22 December – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
28 December – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1969
Judging by the gigs below, rock bands continued to play on Sundays with occasional gigs on other days of the week.
5 January – Paul Williams Set (Melody Maker)
12 January – Root and Jenny Jackson (Melody Maker)
19 January – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
26 January – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
2 February – Spooky Tooth (Melody Maker)
South East London Mercury has The Nice not Spooky Tooth
Photo: South East London Mercury
9 February – Happy Magazine (Melody Maker)
16 February – The Fantastics (Fabulous 208)
Melody Maker has Timebox for the 16 February gig as does South East London Mercury
23 February – Freddie King and Steamhammer (Melody Maker)
Martin Coller got in touch and noted that The Nice were billed to play on 23 February according to Martyn Hanson’s book “Hang on To Dream: The Story of The Nice”.
2 March – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
9 March – Interstate Road Show (Melody Maker)
16 March – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
23 March – The Fantastics (Melody Maker)
30 March – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
2 April – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker – this was a Wednesday)
6 April – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
13 April – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
20 April – Timebox (Melody Maker)
27 April – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
4 May – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
11 May – Toast (Melody Maker)
18 May – Howlin’ Wolf (Melody Maker)
25 May – The Riot Squad (Melody Maker)
1 June – No listing in Melody Maker
8 June – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
15 June – John Lee Hooker with The John Dummer Blues Band (Melody Maker)
22 June – Consortium (Melody Maker)
29 June – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
6 July – Timebox (Melody Maker)
13 July – The Platters (Melody Maker)
20 July – The Joyce Bond Show (Melody Maker)
27 July – The Symbols (Melody Maker)
3 August – The Brian Auger Trinity (Time Out)
10 August – Trapeze (Melody Maker)
17 August – The Globe Show (Melody Maker)
24 August – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
31 August – Timebox (Melody Maker)
7 September – The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
14 September – The Cliff Bennett Show (Melody Maker)
21 September – Linda Lewis and Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
28 September – The Dave Amboy Big Band (Melody Maker)
5 October – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)
12 October – Zoot Money (Melody Maker)
19 October – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
25 October – The Brian Auger Trinity (Melody Maker)
2 November – Marv Johnson (Melody Maker)
9 November – Timebox (Melody Maker)
16 November – Freddie King (Melody Maker)
23 November – No entry in Melody Maker
30 November – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
7 December – The Dave Amboy Band (aka The Amboy Dukes) (Melody Maker and Keith Guster’s diary)
According to Keith Guster, this was the reformed version featuring Keith Guster and Tago Byers from The Fleur De Lys and former Hamilton Movement keyboard player Mick Fletcher.
14 December – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
16 December – The Amboy Dukes (Keith Guster’s diary)
21 December – The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
28 December – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
1970
8 February – The Amboy Dukes (Keith Guster’s diary)
27 September – Black Widow and Amazing Grace (Poster from Roy Saxby)
Photo: Roy Saxby
4 October – Steamhammer (Poster from Roy Saxby)
11 October – Caravan (Poster from Roy Saxby)
18 October – Chicken Shack (Poster from Roy Saxby)
25 October – The Greatest Show on Earth (Poster from Roy Saxby)
1 November – Blodwyn Pig (Poster from Roy Saxby)
Photo: Roy Saxby
6 December – The Faces featuring Rod Stewart with Daniels Band (Poster from Roy Saxby)
13 December – Steamhammer (Poster from Roy Saxby)
20 December – Toe Fat with Albuquerque-Riccoti (Poster from Roy Saxby)
24 December – The Greatest Show on Earth with Tony Simon’s Progressive Show (Poster from Roy Saxby)
The Scotch of St James, situated at 13A Masons Yard, Mayfair, London was a notable music venue in the 1960s and a popular hang out for rock musicians, notably The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Jimi Hendrix also made his first UK appearance at the Scotch in September 1966.
Scotch of St James, 31 December 2023
The Scotch of St James was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find confirmed gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue/posters of advertised gigs/photos of bands who appeared there (all credited accordingly).
This exclusive Mayfair establishment was primarily a late night members club with gambling but did put on live music occasionally (see The Stormsville Shakers gigs immediately below). It was officially opened as a late night club offering regular live music from 14 July 1965.
1965
Drummer Tony Richard says that his band The Fetish Crowd played at the Scotch of St James, which would have been the 1965-1966 period.
Singer James Nairn (aka James Royal) notes that his bands James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set both performed at the club.
Phillip Goodhand-Tait kept diaries from 1961 onward and notes that his band The Stormsville Shakers were paid to play the Scotch on the above date. They arrived at 7.30pm and finished at 2am on the Saturday morning after playing three spots of 35 minutes. They were re-booked at the Scotch for the two dates below.
According to London Life magazine’s 9-15 October issue, The Marionettes were the resident band during this week. They were also listed for 16-22 October, 23-29 October and 30 October-5 November.
The Krew (who backed Beryl Marsden and Steve Aldo) played at the Scotch of St James around the middle-to-end of the first week of November, according to keyboardist Alan Reeves’ book. The Krew featured sax player Howie Casey who later did sessions for Paul McCartney & Wings.
9 November (Tuesday) – Wilson Pickett (backed either by The Links or The Maroons) with The Krew (Alan Reeves’s book Sex, Booze & Blues)
Bruno Ceriotti says that Wilson Pickett’s guitarist Jimmy Owen was joined by three members of The Animals.
3 December/4 December (Friday/Saturday) – The Krew (an advert in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette has the band playing at Kirklevington Country Club on Sunday, 5 December and says the band came direct from the Scotch Club)
8 December (Wednesday) – Major Lance (Record Mirror)
21 December (Tuesday) – Joe Tex (Melody Maker)
Record Mirror lists the Joe Tex gig as 16 December.
1966
Sometime during January 1966, The Krew backed US soul singer Fontella Bass for one night, according to Alan Reeves’s book Sex, Booze & Blues.
5 January (Wednesday) – Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Bluesology’s keyboard player was Reg Dwight, who became famous as Elton John.
11 January (Tuesday) – The Exciters (Record Mirror)
3 February (Thursday) – Stevie Wonder (probably backed by The Sidewinders) (Melody Maker)
According to an advert in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette for a show at the Kirklevington Country Club on 13 February, it says The Gass were residents at the Scotch of St James around this time.
According to the South East London Mercury, The Loose Ends began playing at the Scotch of St James three times a week for three months in the week starting 21 February (see clipping above).
The Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser lists a gig for The Manchester Playboys at the Club Creole in Wilmslow, Cheshire on 25 February 1966 and says the band are direct from the Scotch of St James.
30 March (Wednesday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary)
Melody Maker and Record Mirror both report that Martha & The Vandellas played at the Scotch of St James on 30 March.
1 April (Friday) – Episode Six (audition) (Brian Long’s research)
According to London Life magazine from 14-20 May, the three resident bands for this week were The VIPs, Gass and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
20 May (Friday) – Ben E King (London Life magazine)
According to London Life magazine for the week 28 May to 3 June, the three resident bands for this week were The VIPs, Gass and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
The same magazine notes that the three resident bands for the week 11-17 June were The VIPs, The Loose Ends and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
26 June (Sunday) – The Loose Ends (Fabulous 208)
This may be July not June so needs confirmation. However, The Loose Ends played in Stockton-on-Tees on Saturday, 25 June according to the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette and the advert notes they came from the Scotch of St James so it’s possible they played the week leading up to 25 June.
7 July (Thursday) – Norma Tanega (Record Mirror)
26 July (Tuesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
29 July (Friday) – Joe Tex (London Life magazine)
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends, together with The VIPs and The Paramounts were the three resident bands playing at the Scotch of St James during the week 30 July to 5 August.
10 August (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Guster says that Alan Price invited him to join his band at this gig.
The Westminster & Pimlico News’ 12 August 1966 issue notes that Gass played the club 6-7 nights a week around this time.
18 September (Sunday) – The Vibrations (needs source and confirmation but probably Melody Maker)
22 September (Thursday) – Jimi Hendrix solo (needs source and confirmation)
Apparently on the evening he’d arrived in the UK, Jimi Hendrix played a couple of songs as a solo act at the club.
23 September (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
24 September (Saturday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
26 September (Monday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
Jimi Hendrix sat in with The VIPs on 26 September – see Terry Ellis comment in the comments section below.
27 September (Tuesday) – The VIPs (needs confirmation)
28 September (Wednesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
Guitarist Vic Briggs says that Chas Chandler and Jimi Hendrix came into the Scotch of St James and sat in with the band. Brian Auger invited the American guitarist to sit in with the band at Blaises the following night, 29 September.
30 September (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
The Derby Evening Telegraph’s 1 October 1966 issue notes that Pepper’s Machine played the club recently.
3 October (Monday) – The Raylettes (London Life magazine)
7 October (Friday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
Robin Trower had left The Paramounts in late June/early July and formed The Jamm, so Martin Shaw (no relation to the actor) was on lead guitar.
8 October (Saturday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
13 October (Thursday) – The Trend (London Life magazine)
14 October (Friday) – The Trend (London Life magazine)
15 October (Saturday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
17 October (Monday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
18 October (Tuesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
19 October (Wednesday) – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jams with Cream (needs source and confirmation)
It has been noted that The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jammed with Cream at the Scotch of St James on 19 October (the alternative location was the Cromwellian). However, according to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book on the British blues boom, “Strange Brew”, Cream were playing at the Blue Moon in Cheltenham on this day.
According to London Life magazine, Tony & The Defenders played at the Scotch of St James during the week 22-28 October.
24 October (Monday) – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests) (London Life magazine)
29 October (Saturday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
This was one of the band’s final gigs before splitting in November 1966. Gary Brooker formed Procol Harum the following spring.
31 October (Monday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (London Life magazine)
1 November (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (London Life magazine)
2 November (Wednesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
3 November (Thursday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
4 November (Friday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
5 November (Saturday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
11 November (Friday) – Ben E King (London Life magazine)
18 November (Friday) – The Impressions (London Life magazine)
The Impressions featured future soul star Curtis Mayfield.
According to Disc & Music Echo on 26 November, Deep Feeling made their debut at the Scotch of St James around the week starting 21 November. Chris Curtis, Giorgio Gomelsky, Robert Stigwood, Speedy Acquaye and Beryl Marsden were among the guests.
According to Melody Maker, Bobby Darin sat in with Deep Feeling around early-to-mid December and played the drums.
London Life magazine reports that The Checkmates played at the Scotch of St James during the week 3-9 December.
The Manchester Independent notes that Manchester band The Powerhouse played at the venue during December.
7 December (Wednesday) – The Vibrations (London Life magazine)
8 December (Thursday) – The Young Rascals (Disc & Music Echo)
The magazine reports that Paul McCartney, Chas Chandler, Eric Burdon, Keith Moon, Brian Epstein and Bill Wyman are among the guests.
13 December (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
14 December (Wednesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
15 December (Thursday) – Bobby Hebb (Record Mirror)
The magazine says that Bobby Hebb came on at 1am. This is confirmed by London Life magazine, which notes the 14 December so it looks like Hebb came on stage after The Brian Auger Trinity had finished. Future Deep Purple bass player Nick Simper was in his backing band.
19 December (Monday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
20 December (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
21 December (Wednesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
22 December (Thursday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
23 December (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
24 December (Saturday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (London Life magazine)
28 December (Wednesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
29 December (Thursday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
31 December (Saturday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Disc & Music Echo and London Life magazine)
An article in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner (6 January 1967, page 14) says that The Bunch from Bournemouth had played the Scotch of St James in 1966.
1967
Guitarist Doug Ayers says that The All Night Workers played at the Scotch of St James (most likely in early 1967).
Jim Cregan, guitarist with Blossom Toes, remembers playing at the club and The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were there on the same night to catch his band performing.
Drummer Chris Hunt says The Good Time Losers played the club in the first half of 1967.
Tony Glyde remembers playing at the Scotch of St James with Simon K & The Meantimers in 1967-1968.
2 February (Thursday) – Edwin Starr (Evening Standard)
The Kettering Leader newspaper’s 17 February 1967 issue, page 4, mentions that Marmalade will start a residency at the Marquee and the Scotch of St James in March. If they played both venues on the same evening, most likely with the Scotch second, the dates they played were 16, 23, 30 March and possibly into April and May.
The Loose Ends were playing at the venue in late March/early April when the Stax-Volt show tour came in. This is where Otis Redding picked up singers Alan Marshall and Bob Saker and took them back to the US to record tracks at Fame Studios during June.
According to the Kidderminster Shuttle, The Heart and Souls played at the Scotch of St James before playing at the Black Horse in Kidderminster on 16 March 1967.
23 April (Sunday) – The Wages of Sin (Melody Maker)
28 April (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
Drummer Phil Wainman, who went on to produce The Sweet, remembers playing the club in May 1967 with Jack Hammer & The Hammer Jammers.
Keyboard player Mick Ketley says The Motivation/Penny Peeps played at the Scotch of St James on two occasions which would have been from May 1967 onwards.
7 May (Sunday) – The Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)
The Somerset County Press lists The Worrying Kynde playing in Taunton on 21 May and direct from The Scotch of St James
The Loose Ends were performing at the Scotch of St James in early June 1967 when former Ram Jam guitarist Pete Gage brought singer Kenny Bernard into see the musicians. This led to the formation of Cats Pyjamas with some of the group members.
16 June (Friday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
The Manchester Playboys performed at the Scotch of St James and July seems the most likely period as they were in London gigging. Also Peter Simensky, who had joined the band recently, was a member at the time and he recalls singer Billie Davis working at the Scotch at the time.
Frank Torpey, who was lead guitarist with London band, The Tribe (and would go on to become the original lead guitarist in The Sweet), says that when the group was playing regular Saturday nights at the Marquee in Wardour Street between July-September, the Marquee’s owner John Gee would get a call from the Scotch of St James asking what band was on and would they like to double up? He says The Tribe always said yes as it was a great top up. Torpey adds that they never had another band on with them. He thinks they may have played at the Scotch maybe three or four times.
It sounds like The Tribe may have played the Scotch in the early hours of the Sunday morning after finishing up at the Marquee but this would need confirmation.
This insight is interesting as it might mean other groups that played the Marquee went on and played the Scotch of St James after finishing up.
1 July (Saturday) – The Tribe (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
The Tribe (which changed name to The Dream in late August 1967) played at the Marquee every Saturday from 1 July to 30 September according to Tony Bacon’s excellent book on the London music scene and its Marquee listings, so it’s impossible to know what Saturday evenings/early Sunday mornings The Tribe went on to play at the Scotch of St James afterwards. It’s also quite possible that the other band sharing the billing at the Marquee with The Tribe may have been asked as well (see Torpey’s recollections above).
An article in the Aldershot News (30 June, page 3) reveals that the band Wishful Thinking are due to play at the Scotch in the next few weeks.
An article in the Worcester News (3 July, page 8) notes that Midlands band Locomotive had recently played at the Scotch of St James.
7 July (Friday) – Vince Edwards (Fabulous 208)
8 July (Saturday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
1 August (Tuesday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
Timebox played at the Scotch of St James during August 1967. They had a Tuesday night gig at the Marquee so possibly played afterwards. Former Felders Orioles drummer John Halsey advertised in Melody Maker for a new band on Thursday, 17 August and auditioned with Timebox shortly afterwards at the Scotch.
29 August (Tuesday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
According to the poster below for the Gloucester YMCA, The Official Receivers played at the Scotch of St James around October 1967.
31 October (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website and Disc & Music Echo)
1 November (Wednesday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website – see above)
2 November (Thursday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
3 November (Friday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
4 November (Saturday) – Mud (Melody Maker)
6 November (Monday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
7 November (Tuesday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
8 November (Wednesday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
9 November (Thursday) – Ben E King (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
10 November (Friday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
11 November (Saturday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
13 November (Monday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
14 November (Tuesday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
15 November (Wednesday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
16 November (Thursday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
17 November (Friday) – Mud (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
18 November (Saturday) – Mud (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
20 November (Monday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
21 November (Tuesday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
22 November (Wednesday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
23 November (Thursday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
24 November (Friday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
25 November (Saturday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
27 November (Monday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
28 November (Tuesday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
29 November (Wednesday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
30 November (Thursday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
30 December (Saturday) – Kaleidoscope (Melody Maker)
1968
Iain Pitwell, Brian Mansell and Geoff Glover confirm that The All Night Workers played at the Scotch of St James regularly during the 1968-1969 period.
Mo Umansky says his band Mr Mo’s Messengers played at the venue, most likely in 1968.
26 January (Friday) – The Magic Roundabout (audition) (Geoff Chinnery’s gig diary)
3 February (Saturday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
6 February (Tuesday) – James & Bobby Purify (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
8 February (Thursday) – Edwin Starr (New Musical Express)
According to Melody Maker, Rupert’s People played at the Scotch of St James around the week starting 19 February.
27 February (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker)
According to Melbourne music magazine, Go-Set, Australian band The Groop played the Scotch of St James between early March and mid-April.
8 March (Friday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
23 March (Saturday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
4 April (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
1 May (Wednesday) – Ike & Tina Turner and Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
2 May (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
9 May (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
16 May (Thursday) – Edwin Starr & The State Express (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
20 May (Monday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
According to the Manchester Evening News (1 June, page 3) The Whisky Macks who are playing in the city the following night had come direct from the Scotch of St James.
5 June (Tuesday) – The Coasters (New Musical Express)
17 June (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
18 June (Tuesday) – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)
30 June (Sunday) – The Crystals (New Musical Express)
16 July (Tuesday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
20 July (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
3 August (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
5 August (Monday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
6 August (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
Rose’s gig was cancelled.
13 August (Tuesday) – Elmer Gantry (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
19 August (Monday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
21 August (Wednesday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
22 August (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
26 August (Monday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
7 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
10 September (Tuesday) – Ben E King (New Musical Express)
14 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
27 September (Friday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
28 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
16 October (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
The New Musical Express lists Brook Benton for the 16 October.
12 November (Tuesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
18 November (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
28 November (Thursday) – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker)
12 December (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
17 December (Tuesday) – Bandwagon (New Musical Express)
18 December (Wednesday) – The Barrier (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
1969
Guitarist/violinist Mike Piggott confirms that Gass played the Scotch of St James during the 1969-1970 period.
21 January (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
31 January (Friday) – The N’ Betweens (later became Slade) (Don Powell’s website)
24 February (Monday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker)
New Musical Express reports that Ben E King is backed by Chris Shakespeare Globe Show for his UK tour in February 1969.
10 March (Monday) – The Tymes (Melody Maker)
29 March (Saturday) – Ben E King (Time Out)
14 April (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Fabulous 208)
21 April (Monday) – Turnstyle and Steamhammer (Fabulous 208)
19 May (Monday) – Bob & Earl (John Warburg research)
21 July (Monday) – Jimmy Ruffin with Sweet Blindness (New Musical Express)
25 August (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Time Out)
1 September (Monday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
4 September (Thursday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
8 September (Monday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
9 September (Tuesday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
11 September (Thursday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
1970
28 January (Wednesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
28 October (Wednesday) – Tear Gas (Melody Maker)
29 October (Thursday) – Czar (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
5 November (Thursday) – Legend (Melody Maker)
6 November (Friday) – Charge (Melody Maker)
7 November (Saturday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
8 November (Sunday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
9 November (Monday) – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
Ted Hare’s gig diary for bands he managed, including Calum Bryce, have this group listed at the Scotch of St James on 10 November not the 9 November so possible there is a mistake here.
10 November (Tuesday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
12 November (Thursday) – Fairfield Parlour (Melody Maker)
13 November (Friday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
14 November (Saturday) – Renea (Melody Maker)
16 November (Monday) – UFO (Melody Maker)
17 November (Tuesday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
18 November (Wednesday) – Bubastis (Melody Maker)
19 November (Thursday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
20 November (Friday) – Mataya (Melody Maker)
23 November (Monday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
24 November (Tuesday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
25 November (Wednesday) – Aquila (Melody Maker)
26 November (Thursday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
27 November (Friday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
30 November (Monday) – Nick Twilley (Melody Maker)
1 December (Tuesday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
2 December (Wednesday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
1971
15 April (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
6 May (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
The Spectres, February 1964. Photo: South East London Mercury
The El Partido in Lewisham, southeast London was located at 8-10 Lee High Road and was a popular spot for young Jamaicans and local mods.
There is a gig for The Spectres (who later morphed into Status Quo) who played here on 10 February 1964 and every Monday (see very top) which reveals that the club had originally operated under different management and closed sometime during 1964. It looks like the club re-opened on 12 December with The Beasts playing that evening.
The excellent Transpontine website notes that King Ossie Sound played at the club regularly. Other guests included Jamaicans Jimmy Cliff and The Duke Reid Sound.
Local R&B outfit, The Loose Ends, who cut two singles for Decca, were also house band at some point in late 1965.
I have started a gig list and would welcome any additions plus any memories of the venue, which was closed down in April 1967.
12 December 1964 – The Beasts
19 December 1964 – The Loose Ends
26 December 1964 – The Beavers
27 March 1965 – Tony Knight’s Chessmen and Mankinde
28 March 1965 – Duke Lee
31 March 1965 – The Hubbubs
1 April 1965 – Group Survival
2 April 1965 – The King Bees
3 April 1965 – The Loose Ends
Photo: Melody Maker
4 September 1965 – The Eyes
Photo: Melody Maker
9 September 1965 – The Duke Lee Sound System
10 September 1965 – The Loose Ends (upstairs)
10 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
11 September 1965 – Duke Lee (upstairs, first session)
11 September 1965 – The Loose Ends (downstairs, first session)
11 September 1965 – Lou Johnson, Sonny Childe, The Loose Ends and Duke Lee (second session)
16 September 1965 – The Mixed Feelings (upstairs)
16 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
17 September 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Duke Lee
18 September 1965 – Duke Lee (upstairs, first and second session)
18 September 1965 – The Artwoods (downstairs, first session)
18 September 1965 – The Artwoods and The Loose Ends (downstairs, second session)
South East London Mercury has The Loose Ends with Lou Johnson on the above date
22 September 1965 – The Changing Times (upstairs)
22 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
Photo: Melody Maker
23 September 1965 – The Plain Facts (upstairs)
23 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
24 September 1965 – Memphis Chucks (upstairs)
24 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
25 September 1965 – Guy Darrell (upstairs, first session)
25 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs, first session)
25 September 1965 – Guy Darrell, The Loose Ends and Duke Lee (second session)
26 September 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
29 September 1965 – The Minor Birds (upstairs)
The Minor Birds morphed into Mr Mo’s Messengers in 1967
29 September 1965 – Duke Lee (downstairs)
Photo: Melody Maker
30 September 1965 – The Sons of Fred and Duke Lee
1 October 1965 – Duke Lee
2 October 1965 – Jesse Fuller, The Spectres and Duke Lee (first session)
2 October 1965 – Jesse Fuller, Loose Ends, The Spectres and Duke Lee (second session)
The Spectres later morphed into Status Quo
3 October 1965 – Duke Lee
6 October 1965 – Kiko 6 and Duke Lee
7-8 October 1965 – Duke Lee
9 October 1965 – Dave Anthony’s Moods, Next of Kin and Duke Lee (first session)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 October 1965 – The Loose Ends, Dave Anthony’s Moods, Duke Lee and Next of Kin (second session)
10 October 1965 – Duke Lee
13 October 1965 – Creeper’s Blues and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
14 October 1965 – Diddley Daddies and Duke Lee
16 October 1965 – The Stormsville Shakers and Duke Lee (first session)
16 October 1965 – The Stormsville Shakers, Duke Lee and The Minor Birds (second session)
17 October 1965 – Bo Diddley and Duke Lee
20 October 1965 – Long, Short and Tall, Duke Lee and The Loose Ends
Photo: Melody Maker
21 October 1965 – Under-mined and Duke Lee Sounds
22 October 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
23 October 1965 – The Loose Ends and Duke Lee (first session)
23 October 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Minor Birds and Duke Lee (second session)
24 October 1965 – Duke Lee
27 October 1965 – John Brown’s Bodies and Duke Lee
This version of John Brown’s Bodies were from Hammersmith and weren’t the same Brighton group that had Keith Emerson
28 October 1965 – Next of Kin and Duke Lee
29 October 1965 – Marshall Scott Etc and Duke Lee
30 October 1965 – The Hamilton Movement and Duke Lee Sounds (first session)
Photo: Melody Maker
30 October 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Hamilton Movement and Duke Lee (second session)
31 October 1965 – Duke Lee
3 November 1965 – Blues Roots, Duke Lee and The Loose Ends
Photo: Melody Maker
4 November 1965 – Deacon Louis GP and Duke Lee
5 November 1965 – Duke Lee
6 November 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres and Duke Lee (first session)
6 November 1965 – Bobby King & The Sabres, The Movement and Duke Lee (second session)
7 November 1965 – Duke Lee
10 November 1965 – The Nature’s Boys and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
11 November 1965 – Lawlors Legs and Duke Lee
12 November 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
Photo: Melody Maker
13 November 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Duke Lee (first session)
13 November 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays, The Movement and Duke Lee (second session)
14 November 1965 – Duke Lee
17 November 1965 – The Links, The Fetish Crowd and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
18 November 1965 – Sounds Anonymous and Duke Lee
19 November 1965 – Duke Lee
20 November 1965 – Guy Darrell, Winds of Change and Duke Lee (first session)
20 November 1965 – The Loose Ends, Guy Darrell, Winds of Change and Duke Lee (second session)
21 November 1965 – Duke Lee
24 November 1965 – The New Jump Band and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
25 November 1965 – Two Squared and Duke Lee
26 November 1965 – Duke Lee
27 November 1965 – The Panics and Duke Lee (first session)
27 November 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Panics and Duke Lee (second session)
28 November 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
1 December 1965 – Group Survival and Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
17 December 1965 – Duke Lee Sounds
18 December 1965 – The Frank Sheen Sound and Duke Lee (first session)
18 December 1965 – The Loose Ends, The Frank Sheen Sound and Duke Lee (second session)
19 December 1965 – Major Lance (with Bluesology) and Duke Lee
22 December 1965 – The Templars, The Cardinals and Duke Lee
24 December 1965 – The Loose Ends, Duke Lee and The Frank Sheen Sound
Photo: Melody Maker
25-26 December 1965 – Duke Lee
31 December 1965 – Duke Lee
Photo: Melody Maker
22 January 1966 – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound and Duke Lee
23 January 1966 – The Exciters and Duke Lee
26 January 1966 – The Just Blues, The Wild Set and Duke Lee
28 January 1966 – Lee Dorsey and Duke Lee
29 January 1966 – Deakin Lewis and Duke Lee
30 January 1966 – The Drifters
Photo: Melody Maker
11 February 1966 – Doris Troy (with Bluesology) and Duke Lee
12 February 1966 – The Panicks and Duke Lee
13 February 1966 – Duke Lee
16 February 1966 – Duke Lee and various groups
18 February 1966 – Inez and Charlie Foxx
Photo: Melody Maker
25 March 1966 – Wilson Pickett with King Ossie Sounds (Wilson Pickett didn’t show)
Photo: South East London Mercury
26 March 1966 – Time Box, The Raisins and King Ossie Sounds
1 April 1966 – Don Covay and King Ossie Sounds
8 April 1966 – Jimmy Cliff (backed by New Generation?) with The Raisons, King Ossie Sound and Duke Reid
9 April 1966 – The New Jump Band with The King Ossie Sound
10 April 1966 – Don Covey with The King Ossie Sound
11 April 1966 – Owen Gray and Jackie Edwards with The Raisons and King Ossie Sound
22 May 1966 – The Charmers (with Carl Douglas)
11 June 1966 – Carl Douglas & The Charmers
18 June 1966 – The Partizans
4 August 1966 – Jimmy Cliff
2 September 1966 – The James Royal Set
24 September 1966 – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede
1 October 1966 – Timebox
15 November 1966 – The Iveys
6 January 1967 – Duke Lee
7 January 1967 – The Soul Trinity
13 January 1967 – Duke Lee
14 January 1967 – The Mellow Notes
20 January 1967 – Duke Lee
21 January 1967 – Ossie Layne & The Red Hot Band
4 March 1967 – Alan Marsh(all) & The Loose Ends
Sources:
Southeast London Mercury, Marmalade Skies website, Melody Maker and poster
Located at 3 Cromwell Road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, SW7, the Cromwellian Club was a notable London rock venue that was opened in late 1964 by entrepreneur Tony Mitchell and part owned and managed by Bob Archer, who later established the Pantiles club in Bagshot, Surrey. The club’s opening was reported in The Stage in its 8 October 1964 issue.
Brian Auger who played here with The Trinity claims that the Cromwellian is where Jimi Hendrix first jammed with his band after arriving in London in late September 1966, although others point to the Scotch of St James.
At its height in 1966-1967, it also hosted numerous jam sessions, featuring the likes of Chris Farlowe, Georgie Fame, Long John Baldry, Eric Burdon and Eric Clapton among others.
Like other exclusive clubs like Blaises and the Scotch of St James, the entrance fee was expensive and therefore catered less for music fans and more for the celebrities of the day and wealthy clientele.
The Cromwellian was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue and posters of advertised gigs as well as band photos (all credited accordingly).
1965
Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at the Cromwellian during 1965-1966:
Singer Jim Nairn (aka James Royal) says that James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set played there throughout this period.
Tony Richard who drummed and sang with The Fetish Crowd says that his group performed there during 1965-1966.
Singer Alan Chamberlain says that The Just Four, which became The Guests, played at the venue in 1965-1966.
Guitarist/singer Stuart Cowell says he was working with Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band when they performed at the Cromwellian in late 1965 before he left to join Gass.
Ray Lovegrove, who DJ’d at the venue, remembers seeing Stevie Wonder and also The Groundhogs at the club during 1965 when he was there. However, the Stevie Wonder gig could have been 26 January 1966 (see below).
The following list for 1965 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
Photo: Melody Maker
1 April 1965 (Thursday) – The Drifters (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker, 10 April 1965
5 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Soul Sisters (Melody Maker)
8 June 1965 (Tuesday) – Donnie Elbert (Melody Maker)
15 June 1965 (Tuesday) – Solomon Burke (Melody Maker)
23 June 1965 (Wednesday) – Doris Troy (Melody Maker)
Photo; Melody Maker
13 July 1965 (Tuesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
23 July 1965 (Friday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
London Life magazine for the week 9-15 October, and for subsequent issues running to December 1966 when it closed, notes that several groups played each week.
20 October 1965 (Wednesday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
28 October 1965 (Thursday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
Photo: West Surrey Advertiser
Boz & The Boz People played at the Cromwellian sometime before 4 November, according to the West Surrey Advertiser (see pic)
4 November 1965 (Thursday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
11 November 1965 (Thursday) – The Mark Leeman Five (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
22 November 1965 (Monday) – Wilson Pickett (Melody Maker)
2 December 1965 (Thursday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
7 December 1965 (Tuesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
9 December 1965 (Thursday) – The Mark Leeman Five (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
10 December 1965 (Friday) – The Beatstalkers (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
13 December 1965 (Monday) – The Beatstalkers (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
14 December 1965 (Tuesday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary – thanks to John Warburg for sharing)
15 December 1965 (Wednesday) – Major Lance (Melody Maker/Record Mirror) Melody Maker had Wednesday originally but it was later amended to the day after
16 December 1965 (Thursday) – Major Lance and Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Elton John (then known as Reg Dwight) was Bluesology’s keyboard player.
Photo: Record Mirror
20 December 1965 (Monday) – Joe Tex (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
1966
Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at the Cromwellian during 1966:
Keyboard player Stan Marut, who worked with Julian Covey & The Machine from late 1965-mid-1966 says the group had a regular Saturday night residency at the club in early 1966 (and also possibly late 1965 when John McVie was briefly a member when Jack Bruce filled his spot in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers). He remembers Sands were playing at the venue around the same time.
According to Chris Groom’s excellent book “Rockin’ and Around Croydon”, Croydon group The Kingpins played at the Cromwellian in early 1966.
Singer Alan Chamberlain says that The Guests played at the venue during 1966 (possibly with The Shevelles).
Jim Nairn (aka James Royal) says The James Royal Set played at the club this year.
Guitarist Frank Torpey, who later became an original member of The Sweet, confirms his group The Tribe played at the Cromwellian (most likely this year and possibly also 1967).
Guitarist Jim Cregan says that Blossom Toes performed at the venue (but this might have been 1967).
Ray Brown, who played bass with Jeff Curtis & The Flames from mid-1965 to late 1967 when they became The Kool, says that the band played at the Cromwellian a few times, most likely in 1966 (but also possibly early 1967).
Drummer Rocky Browne confirms that The Summer Set had a weekly residence at the Cromwellian during 1966.
Drummer Tony Richard says The Fetish Crowd played at the club during 1966.
The following list for 1966 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
4 January 1966 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
11 January 1966 (Tuesday) – Pattie La Belle & The Bluebells with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Elton John (then known as Reg Dwight) was Bluesology’s keyboard player.
13 January 1966 (Thursday) – The Exciters (Record Mirror)
Record Mirror originally billed this show for 19 January.
19 January 1966 (Wednesday) – Lee Dorsey (Record Mirror)
Melody Maker and Record Mirror originally had The Exciters on this date but Lee Dorsey replaced them.
Record Mirror also listed this for 31 January so this may not have happened. Dorsey was most likely backed by The Krew featuring sax player Howie Casey. I also have The Sidewinders, so probably shared. They were back the following Wednesday to back Stevie Wonder.
26 January 1966 (Wednesday) – Stevie Wonder (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
Stevie Wonder was backed by The Sidewinders (confirmed by drummer Malcolm Penn).
31 January 1966 (Monday) – Lee Dorsey (Melody Maker, Record Mirror and Rave Magazine)
Lee Dorsey was most certainly backed by The Krew.
5 February 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
This was 2-6am on the Sunday morning after a show at the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill on the Saturday night. Chase says The Searchers came in and watched them.
9 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Doris Troy (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
Melody Maker and Record Mirror lists Rufus Thomas for 16 February. Steampacket did perform at the Cromwellian and it’s possible that Rufus Thomas shared the billing or even backed him. Rod Stewart co-fronted Steampacket with Long John Baldry and Julie Driscoll.
19 February 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
23 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker, Record Mirror and Rave Magazine)
25 February 1966 (Friday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary – thanks to John Warburg for sharing)
2 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Solomon Burke (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
3 March 1966 (Thursday) – Episode Six (Brian Long’s research)
Future Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover were members.
5 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
10 March 1966 (Thursday) – Episode Six (Brian Long’s research)
12 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
19 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
Cromwellian, London, March 1966. Photo: Melody Maker
26 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (Melody Maker)
1 April 1966 (Friday) – The Sidewinders (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 May 1966 (Thursday) – Betty Everett (Record Mirror)
Christopher Hjort’s excellent book “Strange Brew: Eric Clapton & The British Blues Boom 1965-1970” notes that Eric Clapton attended the Cromwellian on 9 May after a gig at the Star Hotel in Croydon with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
The 9 May marks the inception of SLAGS (Society of Looning Alcoholic Guitarists) whose members include Jeff Beck, Stevie Winwood, Vic Briggs, Pete Townshend, Steve Marriott, Andy Somers, Alan Roskams and Dave Wendels. The members will meet regularly at the Cromwellian.
In early June Melody Maker prints a “Guide to Good Raving” which lists the “in” clubs of the London scene. The Cromwellian is featured and the magazine notes that Gary Farr & The T-Bones, The Mark Leeman Five, Dave Anthony’s Moods, The Shevelles, Sands and The Peter B’s (actually The Shotgun Express) have recently played at the venue (performing until 2am).
10 June 1966 (Friday) – Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Five Proud Walkers who play at the Beachcomber Club on 18 June came from the Cromwellian.
According to the Southern Evening Echo (Southampton), The Move, who play the Adam & Eve in Southampton on 12 July, came from the Cromwellian (see above)
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Cromwellians who play at the Beachcomber Club on 23 July came from the Cromwellian.
Photo: London Life magazine
27 July 1966 (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
Bass player Dave Aldhouse says his band The Zig Zags played the club, possibly twice, in the summer of 1966.
The Eyes of Blue, who have won Melody Maker’s National Beat Contest, celebrate with a party at the club on 7 August. Eric Clapton, Alan Price, Chris Farlowe and others attend.
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Coletrane Union, who play at the Britannia Rowing Club on 13 August came from the Cromwellian
According to this Moody Blues site, John Lodge’s band The Question were regulars at the Cromwellian during August/September 1966 before he took up the bass slot in The Moody Blues in October.
31 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
20 September 1966 (Tuesday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Melody Maker)
Guitarist Tim Large says that Dave Anthony’s Moods had a regular Wednesday night gig at the Cromwellian but the gigs in September are Tuesday nights.
21 September 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
27 September 1966 (Tuesday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Melody Maker)
According to this site, Brian Auger was playing at the Cromwellian on a Friday night and had invited Jimi Hendrix to sit in with his band at this venue earlier in the week. Auger insists that this was the first place that Hendrix jammed with his band.
However, Auger did play at Blaises on Thursday, 29 September and Hendrix did sit in on that occasion, having arrived in the UK on Thursday, 22 September. According to Vic Briggs (and other sources), Hendrix also turned up and jammed with the band at the Scotch of St James on Wednesday, 28 September.
8 October 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
11 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
It has been noted that The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jammed with Cream at the Cromwellian on 19 October (the alternative location was the Scotch of St James). However, according to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book on the British blues boom, “Strange Brew”, Cream are playing at the Blue Moon in Cheltenham this evening.
22 October 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
2 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
Photo: London Life magazine
16 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
18 November 1966 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 26 November issue, Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler and Bill Wyman attended the club on this date.
30 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to Bruno Ceriotti, Bluesology (featuring Reg Dwight aka Elton John) played at the Cromwellian regularly during December 1966, which is where Long John Baldry saw them and took them on as his new backing group.
7 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
14 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
According to Disc & Music Echo, The Magic Lanterns visited the club the week starting 19 December but it is not clear whether they performed or just attended.
24 December 1966 (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
1967
According to Disc & Music Echo, Ray Hunter and Paul Lincoln, who had previously run The Two I’s Coffee Bar in Soho, co-ran the Cromwellian this year.
Rob Tolchard says his band Sands played the Cromwellian in January where they were spotted by Brian Epstein who hired them for his Saville Theatre show on 5 February.
Bass player Bruce Usherwood says The Warren Davis Monday Band performed at the venue several times between December 1966 and February 1967 just before they signed with Columbia Records.
The Warren Davis Monday Band’s guitarist Rob Walker concurs and notes that one of the gigs was when the band was called The Boardwalkers.
Disc & Music Echo, 14 January 1967 issue, talks about Georgie Fame’s fiancé Carmen’s 21st birthday fancy dress party, which was held at the venue on 8 January. The guests include Jane Asher, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Georgie Fame.
The following list for 1967 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
17 January 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
28 January 1967 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Del Shannon, Johnny Rivers, Edwin Starr and Dave Davies of The Kinks were guests at the club during the week starting 30 January.
According to Martyn Hanson’s excellent book Hang on to a Dream: The Story of the Nice, Lee Jackson was part of the house band at the Cromwellian, The House of Usher during February and March 1967.
2 February 1967 (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
6 February 1967 (Monday) – The Web with John L Watson (Melody Maker)
9 February 1967 (Thursday) – Long John Baldry & Bluesology (Fabulous 208)
11 February 1967 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Bobby King & The Sabres perform from 2am to 6am after playing at the Greenford Hotel, Greenford, west London on the Saturday night, so this would probably be the early hours of the Sunday, 12 February.
20 February 1967 (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 February 1967 (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
25 February 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
The Good Time Losers had a residency at the club around about now, according to Melody Maker. Disc & Music Echo reported that they were managed by the club. Pretty certain it was a Saturday but needs confirmation.
4 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
11 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
18 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
25 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
3 April 1967 (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
8 April 1967 (Saturday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Disc & Music Echo)
12 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo report that Tom Jones attended. This may have been 5 April so needs confirmation
14 April 1967 (Friday) – Motivation with The James Garnet Soul and Roll Band (Swindon Advertiser) (cancelled)
Motivation (featuring future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre) are advertised to play the venue. Keyboard player Mick Ketley says they did play the Cromwellian. However, sax player Chris Rodger confirms they were in Italy until mid-May before returning home so this didn’t happen.
16 April 1967 (Sunday) – Disc and Music Echo says that The Bee Gees hold a reception at the club today
18 April 1967 (Tuesday) – Bo Diddley with The Canadians (Melody Maker)
The Canadians feature future producer and music executive David Foster on keyboards.
Disc & Music Echo’s 22 April issue says that US actress Jayne Mansfield attended the Cromwellian the previous Tuesday but the date might have been 11 April instead.
Drummer Phil Wainman, who later produced The Sweet and was playing with Jack Hammer & The Hammer Jammers in May 1967, says Jack Hammer played at the club, which would have most likely been this month.
1 May 1967 (Monday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Melody Maker, Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)
4 May 1967 (Thursday) – The Web with John L Watson (Melody Maker)
8 May 1967 (Monday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Record Mirror)
Photo: Melody Maker
15 May 1967 (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
17 May 1967 (Wednesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
22 May 1967 (Monday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
24 May 1967 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
26 May 1967 (Friday) – Tuesday’s Children (Fabulous 208)
27 May 1967 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Fabulous 208)
29 July 1967 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Fabulous 208)
31 July 1967 (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
9 August 1967 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
16 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 16 September issue, Long John Baldry keeps fit by running up the club’s stairs. Does this imply that he performed here with Bluesology during September?
1968
Guitarist/singer Paul Brett says that he played this venue during 1968, which was probably with Tintern Abbey but could have been with Elmer Gantry and/or Fire.
Drummer Paul Maher says that Jo Jo Gunne performed at the venue (possibly this year and/or 1969).
The following list for 1968 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions.
Judging by the dates below in January and February, it looks like jazz bands played on Mondays.
4 January 1968 (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
Mike Eastman notes in his diary that his band Katch 22 played on 4 January.
8 January 1968 (Monday) – Bill Nile’s Delta Jazzmen (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
10 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The Web featuring John L Watson (Melody Maker)
11 January 1968 (Thursday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
12 January 1968 (Friday) – Garnet Mimms (Melody Maker)
15 January 1968 (Monday) – The Red Onion Jazz Band (Melody Maker)
17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
18 January 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 January 1968 (Friday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
22 January 1968 (Monday) – Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen (Melody Maker)
23 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
25 January 1968 (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker and Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
26 January 1968 (Friday) – Jigsaw (Melody Maker)
29 January 1968 (Monday) – Spencer’s Washboard Kings (Melody Maker)
30 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound and Lucas (Melody Maker)
31 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Wee Willie Harris and The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1 February 1968 (Thursday) – The Web featuring John L Watson (Melody Maker)
Mike Eastman notes in his diary that his band Katch 22 played on 1 February.
2 February 1968 (Friday) – Clyde McPhatter and The Trend (Melody Maker)
5 February 1968 (Monday) – Alex Welsh & His Jazz Band (Melody Maker)
6 February 1968 (Tuesday) – Wishful Thinking (Melody Maker)
23 August 1968 (Friday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
24 August 1968 (Saturday) – Scrugg (Melody Maker and Jack Russell’s gig diary)
27 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
28 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
30 August 1968 (Friday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
31 August 1968 (Saturday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
6 September 1968 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
Photo: Melody Maker
7 September 1968 (Saturday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
14 September 1968 (Saturday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
16 September 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
17 September 1968 (Tuesday) – Little John & The Shaddocks (Melody Maker)
18 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
19 September 1968 (Thursday) – Katch 22 (Melody Maker and Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
21 September 1968 (Saturday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 October 1968 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
16 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
21 November 1968 (Thursday) – The Nite People (Melody Maker)
5 December 1968 (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
19 December 1968 (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
1969
Sax player Geoff Glover says his band The All Night Workers played at the Cromwellian when Clyde Barrow took over lead vocals from Iain Pitwell, which would have been from early 1969.
Guitarist/violinist Mike Piggott says that his band Gass played here during 1969/1970.
The following list for 1969 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
20 January 1969 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
8 February 1969 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
1 March 1969 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
3 November 1969 (Monday) – Sky (Melody Maker)
10 November 1969 (Monday) – She Trinity (Melody Maker)
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
