Tag Archives: Dave Coxhill

Categories: England

Cat Soul Packet/Cat Road Show starring US Flattop

November 7, 2020 Nick Warburton 4 Comments

Photo: Mike Fauré. Left to right: Alan Rowell, Richard Henry, US Flattop

This little known soul act was active from around spring 1967 through to the end of 1969 and had an extremely fluid line-up with tonnes of musicians coming and going.

I’d be grateful for any further personnel in the comments below as well as stories and notable gigs.

Photo: Woking Herald. US Flattop with The Soul System, October 1966. Photo may be subject to copyright

Judging by adverts in the music press, it looks like US Flattop first worked with the band The Soul System in 1966. When he left to form this new group, his former outfit became Ivan St Claire & The Soul System.

Flattop’s new band was billed as both The Cat Soul Packet and The Cat Road Show, but mainly the latter.

An early mention in Melody Maker from April 1967 reveals the group was initially a 14-piece act but on another UK tour in August that year, there were 12 members. A show in September 1969 lists only nine members.

Photo: Mike Fauré. Keith Bleasby and Jacqui, late 1967

As well as starring singer US Flattop, the band also featured several guest singers over the years, as well as dancers, including Lorna and Lesley in late 1967, Jacqui and Sue in summer 1968 and Leroy and Jacqui in late 1968.

Photo: Mike Fauré. Left to right: Carl Griffiths, Dave Coxhill, Mike Fauré and Jon Lee

Thanks to South African tenor sax player Mike Fauré, I’ve been able to piece together the group’s line up for mid-September to early November 1967.

Fauré kept a diary and very generously shared the tour dates and band photos shown here.

Photo: Mike Fauré. Left to right: Fred D’Albert, Alan Rowell and Tony Knight

When he joined the band in mid-September 1967, the group comprised the following musicians:

US Flattop – Lead vocals

Richard Henry – Lead vocals

Keith Bleasby – Spokesperson and percussion

Fred D’Albert – Guitar

Ted Fraser – Keyboards

Alan “James” Rowell – Bass

Dave Coxhill – Baritone sax

Mike Fauré – Tenor sax

Carl Griffiths – Tenor sax

Jon Lee – Trumpet

Tony Knight – Drums/Vocals

Jacqui – Dancer

Mike Fauré says that he joined the band in time to play his first gig at the OVC Club in Earl’s Court.

Fred D’Albert, Tony Knight, Alan Rowell and Dave Coxhill all joined in September after Tony Knight’s Chessmen split up.

Jamaican Carl Griffiths had previously played with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Prince Buster & The Bees.

American Richard Henry, who hailed from Detroit, had first played with The Zig Zag Band when he came to England and then joined Timebox.

During 1967, he also led Tales of the City whose band opened for The Cat Soul Show in late August 1967 at the California Ballroom (see advert and gig listing below).

Photo: Mike Fauré. Richard Henry and Tony Knight

It is possible Keith Bleasby, Ted Fraser and Jon Lee had worked with the band on earlier tours in 1967.

After the 4 November date below, Mike Fauré joined the Paris-based Eddie Lee Mattison Soul Revue. He returned to South Africa in 1968 and briefly worked with The Square Set and Freedom’s Children before moving to the US where he continues to perform.

Photo: Mike Fauré. Left to right: Carl Griffiths, Mike Fauré and Ted Fraser

I believe that Carl Griffiths may have rejoined The Bees, which changed name to The Pyramids. However, he may have remained with The Cat Soul Packet longer.

Richard Henry later recorded some solo material.

Fred D’Albert and Tony Knight stuck together in The Magicians. D’Albert later played with Sweetwater Canal.

Alan Rowell joined The Simon Raverne Trio during 1968 while Dave Coxhill joined Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound around February 1968. He later reunited with Carl Griffiths in Manfred Mann Chapter 3.

Photo may be subject to copyright. Image from Melody Maker

I have found the following gigs from Melody Maker (unless otherwise noted) and would welcome any additions:

Photo: Birmingham Evening Mail. Photo may be subject to copyright

20 May 1967 – Iron Curtain Club, Small Heath, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Cats Soul Packet with US Flattop

15 June 1967 – Public Hall, Epping, Essex

16 June 1967 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts

17 June 1967 – Iron Curtain Club, Small Heath, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as The Cat with US Flattop

18 June 1967 – Blue Room, Edmonton, north London

22 July 1967 – Iron Curtain Club, Small Heath, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as The Cat with US Flattop

29 July 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Daily Mercury)

Photo: Melody Maker. Photo may be subject to copyright

4 August 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London Billed as Flat Top and The Cat Band

5 August 1967 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Dave Clemo research) Billed as The Cat with USA Flattop

Photo: Lincolnshire Standard/Spalding Guardian. Photo may be subject to copyright

12 August 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Zany Woodruff Operation, Katch 22 and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Guardian) Billed as The Cat with US singer Flattop

25 August 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Beds with Richard Henry’s Tales of The City

Photo: Mike Fauré. Left to right: Tony Knight, Mike Fauré, Fred D’Albert and Dave Coxhill

21 September 1967 – OVC Club, Earl’s Court, west London (Mike Fauré’s diary)

23 September 1967 – College of Further Education, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Mike Fauré’s diary)

26 September 1967 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Mike Fauré’s diary)

5 October 1967 – RAF Base, Helston, Cornwall (Mike Fauré’s diary)

6 October 1967 – Winter Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall (Mike Fauré’s diary)

7-8 October 1967 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall (Mike Fauré’s diary)

13 October 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Mike Fauré’s diary)

14 October 1967 – OVC Club, Earl’s Court, west London (Mike Fauré’s diary)

18 October 1967 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts (Mike Fauré’s diary)

20 October 1967 – Venue in Salisbury, Wiltshire (Mike Fauré’s diary) This was probably Alex Disco or City Hall

21 October 1967 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (Mike Fauré’s diary)

22 October 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Chatham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News/Mike Fauré’s diary)

Photo: Western Gazette. Photo may be subject to copyright

27 October 1967 – Steering Wheel Club, Dorchester, Dorset (Mike Fauré’s diary)

Thanks to Mike Fauré for supplying the clipping

28 October 1967 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall (Mike Fauré’s diary)

Photo: Mike Fauré. Left to right: Ted Fraser, US Flattop, Keith Bleasby, Carl Griffiths and Mike Fauré

3 November 1967 – Town Hall, Selkirk, Scotland (Mike Fauré’s diary)

4 November 1967 – Hotel, Galashiels, Scotland (Mike Fauré’s diary)

Photo: Mike Fauré. Left to right: Fred D’Albert, Mike Fauré, Dave Coxhill, Tony Knight, Alan Rowell

14 November 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News) Billed as Cat Soul Package with US Flat Top

Photo: Eastern Evening News. Photo may be subject to copyright

18 November 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Lunar 2 and The Late and Granny’s Intentions (Spalding Guardian) Billed as The New Cat Soul Packet

Photo: Lincolnshire Standard. Photo may be subject to copyright

24 November 1967 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)

26 November 1967 – Riverside Club, Cricketers Hotel, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald)

10 December 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Chatham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)

16 December 1967 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with The Vibrations (Nantwich Chronicle)

Photo: Lancashire Evening Post. Photo may be subject to copyright

16 December 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with The Vibrations (Lancashire Evening Post) Billed as Cat Soul Package

26 December 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News) Billed as Cat Soul Package with US Flat Top

Fred D’Albert remembers that trumpet player Pat Higgs worked with the group. Higgs had previously played with Bluesology (with a young Elton John), Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement and Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band

6 January 1968 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Tremeloes, Legay and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard) Billed as T.H.E Cat Soul Package with Flattop

7 January 1968 – Co-op Hall, Warrington, Cheshire (Runcorn Guardian)

21 January 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Says US Flattop and Richard Henry

22 January 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian) Billed as T.H.E CAT

Photo: Woking Herald. Photo may be subject to copyright

2 February 1968 – Riverside Club, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald) Billed as The Cat Soul Show with US Flatop

10 February 1968 – Big C, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News) Billed as The Cat Soul Show featuring Ricky, Henry, Flattop

12 February 1968 – Belfry, Wishaw, near Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands with The Monopoly (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as US Flat Top & The Cat Soul Packet

Photo: Herald Express. Photo may be subject to copyright

24 February 1968 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express) Billed as Cat Soul Show

25 February 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

26 February 1968 – British Legion Hall, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor & Eton Express)

Photo: Leicester Mercury. Photo may be subject to copyright

1 March 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

15 March 1968 – Rendevous Club, Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent (East Kent Times & Mail)

Photo: Evening Sentinel. Photo may be subject to copyright

2 May 1968 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with JJ Jackson (Evening Sentinel)

15 June 1968 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Herald)

22 June 1968 – La Bamba, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

28 June 1968 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts

29 June 1968 – 400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)

6 July 1968 – Alex Disco Club, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Western Gazette) Billed as The Cat Road Show with US Flattop

30 August 1968 – City Hall, St Albans, Herts with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Pakka Jax Billed as Cat Road Show

31 August 1968 – Middle Earth, Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon With US Flatop

2 September 1968 – Richmond Athletic Ground, Richmond, west London

7 September 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with Taste) (Dave Clemo research) Billed as The Cat Roadshow with US Flattop

14 September 1968 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury with Stormy (Central Somerset Gazette/Western Gazette) Billed as The Cat Road Show featuring US Flattop

26 September 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Devon with The Provokers (Cornish Guardian)

12 October 1968 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Cat Road Show

26 October 1968 – Alex Disco, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Salisbury Journal/Western Gazette) Billed as The Cat Road Show starring US Flattop

Photo: Warrington Guardian. Photo may be subject to copyright

10 November 1968 – Beat Discotheque Club, Co-Op Hall, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian) Billed as The Cat Show featuring US Flat-Top

15 November 1968 – Newmarket Discotheque, Bridgwater, Somerset (Bridgwater Mercury)

16 November 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with Katch 22 (Warrington Guardian) Billed as The Cat Road Show

18 November 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian) Billed as The Cat Road Show

14 December 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire ) (Dave Clemo research) Billed as The Cat Roadshow featuring US Flattop

24 December 1968 – Flamingo, Redruth, Cornwall with The Rick ‘N’ Beckers and Ray Williams & The Grenades (West Briton & Cornwall Advertiser)

26 December 1968 – Alex Disco Club, Salisbury, Wiltshire (Western Gazette) Billed as T.H.E Cat Road Show with US Flattop

31 December 1968 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald) Billed as The Cat Road Show starring US Flatop

Nick Ronai (trombone) and Brian Spibey (trumpet) played with The Cat Soul Packet after their band The Fulson Stillwell Band broke up. They didn’t stay long and soon formed Swegas.

25 January 1969 – Imperial College, South Kensington, southwest London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Cat Road Show featuring US Flattop

14 February 1969 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London

21 February 1969 – Pavilion, St Albans, Herts

22 February 1969 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with White Rabbit (Warrington Guardian) Billed as the Cat Road Show

1 March 1969 – Savoy, Catford, southeast London

15 March 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London

22 March 1969 – Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Duster Bennett and Elijah & The Goat (Lincolnshire Standard)

2 May 1969 – The Crown, Marlow, Bucks (Melody Maker) Billed as US Flattop and The Cat Road Show

10 May 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

8 June 1969 – Railway, Wealdstone, northwest London

Photo: Bucks Free Press. Photo may be subject to copyright

18 July 1969 – The Crown, Marlow, Bucks (Bucks Free Press) Billed as US Flattop Soul Show

27 October 1969 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

Huge thanks to Mike Fauré for the use of his photos.

Categories: England, London

Owen Gray’s soul years

September 9, 2020 Nick Warburton 5 Comments

Born in Kingston, Jamaica on 5 July 1939, Owen Gray (aka Grey) is one of the true reggae and ska greats but was also the author of a handful of superb soul/mod 45s, recorded in the UK and France between 1965-1969.

Very little is known about this period and so we’d welcome any additional information that readers can provide in the comments section below, particularly around the recording of these individual singles, any unreleased recordings and the personnel on the tracks.

Owen arrived in England in May 1962 and was a prolific recording artist. Like Jimmy Cliff, he’s best known for his reggae recordings but he was an exceptionally gifted soul performer and worked with some top British musicians during the mid-to-late 1960s. His backing bands included The Sound System, The Krew, Tony Knight’s Chessmen and Maximum Breed.

His first venture into soul appears to have been with two singles on the small Aladdin label (see below).

Released on 12 March 1965, Owen Gray’s “Gonna Work Out Fine” c/w “Dolly Baby”, was the first of two 45s on the label, the first produced by Denny Cordell.

His second release “Lindy Lu” was backed by a great version of “Can I Get a Witness”, which has since become a Northern Soul favourite.

In mid-to-late 1965, he moved labels and to Island Records for three singles. The first coupled “Shook, Shimmy & Shake” with “I’m Going Back” and was followed by “Paradise” c/w “Bye Bye Love”. Little is known about the background to both of these releases and the personnel on the recordings.

Initially, the singer worked with The Soul Sets, including a gig at the Cue Club in early January 1966.

However, in January/February 1966, Chris Blackwell linked Owen with west London Mod outfit, The Sound System.

The band had morphed out of The All-Nite Workers and featured guitarist Tony St Clair; bass player Ron Thomas; keyboard player Mick Fletcher; sax players Mel Wayne and Dave Mahoney; and drummer Phil Wainman, who later went on to produce The Sweet among others.

Together, they backed Owen on a lone 45, a rousing version of “You Don’t Know Like I Know” backed by “Take Me Serious”, which appears to have been penned by Ron Thomas, who later went on to work with The Heavy Metal Kids, among others.

Owen Gray & The Sound System also gigged around the London club circuit in the first few months of 1966 before Blackwell linked them up with Jimmy Cliff and renamed them The New Generation. Later that year, the group became singer Gary Hamilton’s second version of The Hamilton Movement.

Left without a band, Owen joined forces with The Krew who’d just lost their two lead singers Beryl Marsden and Steve Aldo.

Led by scouser and future Wings sideman Howie Casey on sax, the group also featured fellow Liverpudlian Tommy Murray on lead guitar (who was later replaced by Ted Tunnicliffe); Glaswegian Archie Legget; Yorkshireman Eddie Sparrow on drums; and Londoner Alan Reeves on keyboards.

Photo: Alan Reeves. Left to right (back), Eddie Sparrow, Archie Legget, Howie Casey, Alan Reeves. Front, left to right: Owen Gray and Tommy Murray

Owen Gray and The Krew moved to France in April 1966 and played several clubs in the ski resorts, notably the Bus Palladium in Courcheval, before landing a residency at exclusive Paris nightclub Le Bilboquet.

While playing in Paris in July that year, the musicians recorded an EP for Barclay Records’ subsidiary label, Riviera, comprising popular soul covers and strong Owen Gray originals, “Everything’s Alright” and “Somebody Stole My Girl”.

However, by the end of 1966, Owen Gray was back in London and back on the soul circuit, playing the clubs that were popular with the burgeoning Caribbean community such as Paddington’s Cue Club.

Back on Island Records, he recorded one of his finest soul outings, the stupendous “Help Me” coupled with “Incense”, which were produced by Chris Blackwell and Jimmy Miller respectively.

Issued in January 1967, the single should have been a massive hit but inexplicably it failed to chart and is now a much sought-after collectors’ item.

A few months later, Owen was back with another London band, this time Tony Knight’s Chessmen, led by drummer Tony Brown. The singer remained with the group until about September 1967.

During Owen’s time with The Chessmen, the musicians passing through included noted sax players Dave Coxhill and Stan Sulzmann and future John Mayall’s Bluesbreaker Keith Tillman.

Photo: Fred D’Albert. Left to right: Terry Ede, Dave Coxhill (hidden), Owen Gray, Tony Brown (hidden), Keith Tillman and Fred D’Albert in Italy.

In July 1967, the band travelled out to Italy to play the Piper Club in Viareggio.

Little is known about his soul projects from this point on, although he did work with singers Ruby and Youth backed by The Shell Shock Show during late 1967 and early 1968.

However, during 1968, he started to do studio work on the Old Kent Road with producer David Hadfield.

For the recordings, he was backed by Freddy Mack’s former band, The Mack Sound, who were going by the name Maximum Breed.

Future Butts Band and Gonzalez keyboard player Roy Davies was among the musicians in this talented band.

Several singles were issued during this period, including “Sitting in the Park” and “Dream Lover” but by now, Owen was starting to focus his efforts on the reggae audience.

I have tried to ensure the accuracy of this article but I appreciate that there are likely to be errors and omissions. I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who can provide any additions or corrections. Email: Warchive@aol.com

Categories: Country, England, London

Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band

January 27, 2019 Nick Warburton 2 Comments

Ralph Denyer – guitar/vocals

Stuart Cowell – guitar/vocals

Pete Solley – Hammond organ

Pete MacBeth – bass

Stan Sulzmann – saxophone

Dave Coxhill – saxophone

15 October 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

5 November 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)

6 November 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Peter B’s Looners (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Zambesi, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)

29 January 1966 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with Scotch of St James and The Gass (Hertfordshire Express)

14 February 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Small Faces (Camberley News)

20 March 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

18 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Irma Thomas and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

23 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

17 April 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News)

1 May 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire (Camberley News)

14 May 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Dianne Ferraz, Nicky Scott & The Untamed and The Anzaks (Lincolnshire Standard)

11 June 1966 – Unknown venue, Cromford, Derbyshire (Poster)

12 June 1966 – Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey (Poster from John Treais)

19 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

25 June 1966 – Co-Op Hall, Chesham, Bucks with The Framed (needs source)

10 July 1966 – The Micronest, Swiss Cottage, London with The Pieces Fit (Melody Maker)

In mid-July Ralph Denyer split with The Rockhouse Band and linked up with The Uptown Band, who were remnants of The Arthur Brown Union

15 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Solomon Burke (backed by Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band

16 July 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band

5 August 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club (Nottingham Evening Post)

6 August 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Says from Rufus Thomas tour

The Rockhouse Band

16 September 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Kentish Express) Billed as The Original Rockhouse

I know very little about this band and would welcome any further information in the comments below

Categories: England

Tony Knight’s Chessmen’s gigs 1964-1967

October 29, 2017 Nick Warburton 18 Comments

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.

TONY KNIGHT’S CHESSMEN:

Tony Knight (aka Tony Brown) – drums/lead vocals

Lol Coxhill – tenor/soprano saxophone

John Gummer – baritone saxophone/trumpet

Terry Martin – bass/vocals

Jeff Reed – organ

Formed in 1964 by Tony Knight and Terry Martin, who were from Wolverhampton. Lol Coxhill was a seasoned jazzer

1964

2 May 1964 – Hazell’s Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks (Bucks Advertiser) Billed as The Chessmen

23 May 1964 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Redcaps and The Telstars (Bucks Advertiser) Billed as The Chessmen featuring Jeff Read on organ

3 October 1964 – Central Club, Farnham, Surrey (Farnham Herald)

15 November 1964 – North Warnborough Village Hall, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)

16 November 1964 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book) Billed as The Chessmen

15 December 1964 – Ricky Tick, Aylesbury Borough Assembly Hall, Market Square, Aylesbury, Bucks with Rufus Thomas (Bucks Advertiser)

19 December 1964 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with Rufus Thomas (Essex Chronicle)

26 December 1964 – Ricky Ticky Club, Plaza Ballroom, Guildford, Surrey with The Cheynes (Surrey Advertiser)

1965

5 January 1965 – Bluesville, Aylesbury, Bucks (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

16 January 1965 – Le Disque A Go Go, Landsdowne, Dorset (Bournemouth Evening Echo)

17 January 1965 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

29 January 1965 – Lynx Club, Boreham Wood, Herts (Melody Maker)

30 January 1965 – Victoria Ballroom, Cambridge (Cambridge News) Billed as The Chessmen

2 February 1965 – Lorain Club, Royal Forest Hotel, Chingford, east London (Walthamstow Guardian) Club’s opening night

5 February 1965 – New Fender Club, Fenton, Middlesex (Greenford Weekly Post)

12 February 1965 – Ricky Tick, Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/)

14 February 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, Middlesex (Greenford Weekly Post) Billed as The Chessmen

16 February 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book) Billed as The Chessmen

20 February 1965 – New Georgian Club, Cowley, Middlesex (Greenford Weekly Post)

27 February 1965 – Victoria Ballroom, Cambridge (Cambridge News) Billed as The Chessmen

5 March 1965 – Ricky Tick, Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/) Billed as The Chessmen

16 March 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book) Billed as The Chessmen

27 March 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, south east London with The Mankinde (need to find source)

Around this time, Johnny Almond joined on baritone sax and John Gummer moved to trumpet

18 April 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Cops ‘N’ Robbers (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

19 April 1965 – Victoria Ballroom, Cambridge (Cambridge News) Billed as The Chessmen

23 April 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

24 April 1965 – Twin Town Youth Ball, Lynx Club, Maxwell Park Youth Centre, Borehamwood, Herts (Simon Gee research)

1 May 1965 – New Georgian Club, Uxbridge, northwest London (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

8 May 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Melody Maker)

15 May 1965 – Victoria Hotel, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)

29 May 1965 – Corn Exchange, Cambridge with The Dyaks (Cambridge News)

30 May 1965 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News)

7 June 1965 – Redcar Mini Festival, Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men, Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band, The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

13 June 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

15 June 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book) Billed as The Chessmen

11 July 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

25 July 1965 – Galaxy Club, Woburn Park Hotel, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

27 July 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book) Billed as The Chessmen

31 July 1965 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

6 August 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, south west London with The Fetish Crowd (NME)

7 August 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with Soul 5 (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)

Around this time, Terry Martin and John Reed departed

Former London Beats members Peter Carney (bass) and John Carroll (Hammond organ) filled the vacant spots. Terry Edmunds also joined on lead guitar

30 August 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

30 August 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Long Joh Baldry, Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll and Brian Auger Trinity, The Mike Cotton Sound and The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

14 October 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with The Jimmy Brown Sound (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)

16 October 1965 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

23 October 1965 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News)

29 October 1965 – Penthouse Club, Bromley South, southeast London with The Penthouse Sound System (Melody Maker)

5 November 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Artwoods, Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

14 November 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

26 November 1965 – Hermitage Halls, Hitchin, Herts with Alan Wade & The Hawkers and The Rising Sons (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)

28 November 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

Around this time, Johnny Almond left to join Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band and John Gummer reverted to baritone trumpet

4 December 1965 – Zambesi Club, Hounslow, west London (Middlesex Chronicle)

10 December 1965 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

16 December 1965 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Steampacket (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

18 December 1965 – The Zambesi, Hounslow, west London (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

24 December 1965 – King Mojo Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)

27 December 1965 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)

1966

2 January 1966 – Ricky Tick, Guildford Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/) Billed as The Chessmen

9 January 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

16 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Fontella Bass (Melody Maker)

22 January 1966 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire (Derby Evening Telegraph)

6 February 1966 – Hive Club, Wooden Bridge Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

17 February 1966 – Burton Manor, Stafford, Staffordshire (Stafford Newsletter)

5 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Loose Ends (Melody Maker)

5 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker)

1 April 1966 – The Refectory, Golders Green, London (Melody Maker)

4 April 1966 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire (Welwyn Times)

12 April 1966 – Ricky Tick, Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

6 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/) Billed as The Chessmen

28 May 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

29 May 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

24 June 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester with Five Minus One (Leicester Mercury)

2 July 1966 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

9 July 1966 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with The Shevells (Welwyn Times)

16 July 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with King Bees (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Hastings and St Leonards Observer)

24 July 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

29 July 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

31 July 1966 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)

In late July Peter Carney left to join Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and Liverpudlian Steve Lucas, who’d also worked with Bluesology, came in on bass briefly before Rick Eagles joined permanently

5 August 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Chessmen

Eagles, who had played with west London band, The Legends, debuted at the Witchdoctor in Catford on 6 August.

6 August 1966 – Witchdoctor, Catford, south east London (South East London Mercury/Fabulous 208)

6 August 1966 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Chessmen

7 August 1966 – Casino Ballroom, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

12 August 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

14 August 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Chessmen

18 August 1966 – Ricky Tick, Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Poster) Billed as The Chessmen

Future Procol Harum keyboard player Matthew Fisher briefly stepped in for John Carroll in time for the gig below. Fisher’s most recent band was The Hi-Fi Sounds, who’d played at Butlin’s Holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset.

29 August 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Zoot Money & His Big Roll Band, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Crawdaddies (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book/Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

Fisher departed after this and briefly joined The Downliners Sect and John Carroll returned.

2 September 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Chessmen

About this time, Lol Coxhill departed to join The Gass. John Gummer also left and former Mike Rabin Band/Rockhouse members Dave Coxhill (no relation to Lol) and Stan Sulzmann came in on saxophones.

Record Mirror’s 10 September issue noted that Dave Coxhill had joined but no mention of Stan Sulzmann.

23 September 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

23 September 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as The Chessmen

24 September 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

2 October 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

3 October 1966 – Aylesbury Social Club, Aylesbury, Bucks with Patterson’s People (Ric Eagles’ gig card)

8 October 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex with The Verdict (Essex Chronicle)

24 October 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with The Voids (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

12 November 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear with The Elcort (website: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

17 November 1966 – New Yorker Discotheque, Swindon, Wiltshire (Reading Evening Post) Says direct from the Marquee

19 November 1966 – Ricky Tick, Bridge House, Bracknell, Berkshire (Ricky Tick website: https://www.rickytick.com/)

During November, the band opened the Bag O’Nails in Kingley Street, Soho.

17 December 1966 – Afan Lido, Port Talbot, Wales with The Cheatin’ Hearts (Port Talbot Guardian)

According to the Stage magazine, the band played the Bag O’Nails over the Christmas period with The Brian Auger Trinity and Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays

1967

5 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

7 January 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

22 January 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

Later this month, John Carroll landed a job with The New Pirates after Rick Eagles told his old friend Nick Simper about the keyboard player.

4 February 1967 – Roaring ‘60s, Leicester (Leicester Mercury) This was the club’s opening night

15 February 1967 – Waltham Forest Technical College and School of Art, Waltham Forest, London with The Washington DCs (Poster)

18 February 1967 – Manhole, Redhill, Surrey (Crawley Advertiser)

Soon after Rick Eagles departed and later played with The Good Earth, which later became Mungo Jerry

Starting in early March, Tony Knight’s Chessmen started working with Jamaican singer Owen Gray who’d worked with The Krew in France during 1966. Not all the shows below are billed as with Owen Gray but he was with the band until about early September 1967.

9 March 1967 – Roaring 20’s, Carnaby Street, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as with Owen Gray

11 March 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

11 March 1967 – Roaring 20’s, Carnaby Street, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as with Owen Gray

18 March 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Friction (Cambridgeshire Times)

19 March 1967 – Roaring 20’s, Carnaby Street, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as with Owen Gray

25 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as with Owen Gary

27 March 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)

2 April 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as with Owen Gray

3 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

8 April 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as with Owen Gray

8 April 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as with Owen Gray

15 April 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire Echo) Billed as with Owen Gray

29 April 1967 – The Thing-a-me-jig Club, Reading, Berkshire (Reading Evening Post)

6 May 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Escorts and The Beechwoods (Warrington Guardian)

7 May 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

8 May 1967 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as with Owen Gray

20 May 1967 – The Embassy, Colchester, Essex with Mind Excursion (Essex County Standard)

21 May 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

26 May 1967 – Stoke Hole Club, Stoke Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser) Advert says they are an eight-piece

2 June 1967 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with The Raynes (Cheshire Observer) Billed as with Owen Gray

4 June 1967 – Hobmoor Carnaby Club, Yardley, West Midlands with The Monopoly and The Exception (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as with Owen Gray

In mid-June Terry Edmunds left to briefly work with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers but it only lasted a few weeks. Fred D’Albert joined on lead guitar. Around the same time, Stan Sulzmann left

17 June 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Apex R&B All Stars and The Gods (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

The group undertook some dates in Cornwall (late June) and played at the Piper Club in Viareggio, Italy (July).

Tenor sax player Terry Ede (ex-Jeff Elroy & The Blue Boys) remembers both and was a member during this time with Tony Knight, bass player Keith Tillman (ex-Stone’s Masonry), guitarist Fred D’Albert and Dave Coxhill. He says that Owen Gray was with them.

28 June 1967 – Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Cornwall with Time, Soul & Motion (West Briton & Royal Cornish Gazette)

29 June 1967 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Crestas (West Briton & Royal Cornish Gazette)

30 June-1 July 1967 – Winter Gardens Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall with support (West Briton & Royal Cornish Gazette)

Photo: Terry Ede. Left to right: Terry Ede, Tony Brown (hidden) and Dave Coxhill in Italy.

Keith Tillman leaves after Italian dates and subsequently joins John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers after playing with Aynsley Dunbar. Alan Rowell from several East Anglian bands takes his place.

6 August 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as with Owen Gray

12 August 1967 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London (Melody Maker) Billed as with Owen Gray

14 August 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)

19 August 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as with Owen Gray

9 September 1967 – 007 Sun Valley Club, Dalston, north London with Sir Dees Sound (Melody Maker)

In September, Tony Knight, Fred D’Albert, Alan Rowell and Dave Coxhill joined The Cat Soul Packet and worked with the group until November.

By early 1968, the following line-up performed as The Magicians who cut a lone single for MCA ‘Painting on Wood’ c/w ‘Slow Motion’

Dave Watkins – piano/vocals

Fred d’Albert – guitar

Terry Martin – bass

Tony Brown (aka Tony Knight) – drums/vocals

Huge thanks to David Else for his input

Categories: England, London

Freddie Mack’s bands March 1968-February 1969

August 14, 2015 Nick Warburton 11 Comments

Cover of Freddy Mack's Live album, re-released by Acid Jazz — Cover of Freddy Mack’s Live album, re-released by Acid Jazz

Retired American light-heavyweight boxer Freddie Mack, sometimes spelt Freddy Mack and also known as Mr Superbad, relocated to the UK in 1965 and established a second career as a soul singer and disc jockey.

Between late 1965 and the mid-1970s, Mack fronted a succession of bands featuring a staggering number of notable British R&B and soul musicians. Originally called The Mack Sound, the singer’s bands also worked under the names The Freddie Mack Sound, The Fantastic Freddie Mack Show and the Freddie Mack Extravaganza.

Thanks to tenor sax player Geoff Driscoll, it’s possible to pin down the line-up for Freddie Mack’s band from about early March 1968 through to around February 1969.

According to Driscoll, drummer Colin Davy left shortly before he joined (later playing with Joe Cocker among many others). The band, he adds, had just returned from playing the Blow Up Club in Munich (from mid-to-late March) which Davy’s replacement Pete Hunt had played.

When Driscoll hooked up with Freddie Mack around early April, the band comprised:

Freddie Mack – lead vocals

Tony Morgan – lead vocals

Sonny Gibbons – lead vocals

Tony St Clair (Sinclair) – lead guitar

Roy Davies – organ

Alan Cartwright – bass

Sonny Corbett – trumpet

Phil Kenzie – tenor saxophone

Dave Potter – tenor saxophone

Geoff Driscoll – tenor saxophone

Dave Coxhill – baritone saxophone

Pete Hunt – drums (took over from Colin Davy in mid-to-late March in time for Munich trip)

Of the new line-up, Pete Hunt came from the Southampton area and had worked with a number of bands, most notably The Quik, The Meddyevils and The Soul Agents.

Tony St Clair, who came from Hackney, had joined Phil Wainman’s band literally a few weeks after they’d played the Christmas/New Year show with Freddie Mack in 1965. He would remain with Wainman’s band as it became The New Generation and backed Jimmy Cliff during 1966. The formation then joined forces with Gary Hamilton and became The Hamilton Movement. When St Clair left in late 1967, it’s reported that he played with Lace.

Phil Kenzie of course had worked with Freddie Mack in 1966 and had gone on to play with Sonny Childe & The TNT, Tuesday’s Children and PP Arnold & TNT in the interim.

Dave Coxhill had played with Tony Knight’s Chessmen and would also spend time with The Cat Soul Packet in late 1967 (and possibly early 1968).

According to the band’s roadie Martin James Lumley, Nigerian conga player Jimmy Scott was also a member during this period.

Geoff Driscoll recalls that the new line-up soon returned to the Blow Up Club in Munich via a gig in Belgium and then travelled to Rome to play at the famous Piper Club for three weeks. Some of the band met an RCA record executive who informed the musicians that the label was about to release a single by an actor that was going to be an enormous hit – it was Richard Harris’ “MacArthur Park”.

However, after nearly a year of playing with Mack and moaning about not getting paid, the band split from the singer (around February 1969) whereupon they were approached by Dave Hadfield to work as the house band (The Breed) at his Maximum Sound Studio on the Old Kent Road. The Breed backed a few reggae singers on Hadfield’s label before Manfred Mann got involved and lured the horn section away for Manfred Mann Chapter 3.

While Dave Coxhill and Sonny Corbett remained with Manfred Mann Chapter 3, Geoff Driscoll and Phil Kenzie reunited with Roy Davies and Alan Cartwright in Sweet Water Canal. Pete Hunt later worked with The Jess Roden Band among many others.

Selected gigs:

Melody Maker notes in its 2 March issue that the group was playing in Salisbury (not Alex’s Disco unless they replaced the advertised act) and Tony Morgan was taken to hospital with a knife wound.

8 March 1968 – Bradford University, Student Union with The Attack, The Quick Selection and The Collection

15 March 1968 – 400 Club, Torquay, Devon

16 March 1968 – Impsella Club, Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire

16 March 1968 – Loughborough University, Loughborough with The Nice (The Pretty Things don’t show)

It was around now that Pete Hunt replaced Colin Davy on drums (not clear if it was before or after the Munich gigs below). Davy would reunite with former member Dave Tedstone in Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band in mid-August 1968.

Del Paramor says his group The Warren Davis Monday Band finished at the Blow Up Club in Munich (see Driscoll’s comment above) on 17 March and that Freddie Mack took over. The residency was probably for two weeks, starting on 18 March.

22 March 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (unlikely considering Munich gig)

Norwich newspaper The Eastern Evening News notes that the group is in Germany the week that they are due to play a show on 27 March at the University of East Anglia (which is rearranged for 15 June).

31 March 1968 – Carlton Ballroom, Erdington, West Midlands (may not have happened if they were still in Germany)

Geoff Driscoll would have joined The Mack Sound around the first week of April.

5 April 1968 – Grand Ballroom, Leicester with Chalky & The Decoys

6 April 1968 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts

9 April 1968 – Maidstone Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent

12 April 1968 – Flamingo Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall (listed as 7-piece Mac Sounds)

13 April 1968 – Winter Gardens Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall

14 April 1968 – Flamingo Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall (listed as 15-piece)

15 April 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Vigilantes (listed as 15-piece)

19 April 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Leicester with Johnny Wollaston and His Band

25 April 1968 – Flying Fox Club, Cottesmore, Rutland with Symbolin and A Mystery Group

It’s probably around late April that the band plays in Belgium on its way to a second residency at the Blow Up Club in Munich.

The group would probably have started its three-week residency at the Piper Club in Rome around 6 May, heading back to the UK around the last week of May.

7 June 1968 – Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Dual Purpose

8 June 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands

9 June 1968 – Cosmo, Carlisle, Cumbria with Jasper Stubbs Gloryland Band

10 June 1968 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Shady Lane

15 June 1968 – East Anglia Rag, University of East Anglia’s Student Union, Norwich, Norfolk (originally booked for 27 March but rearranged as they were in Germany)

16 June 1968 – Mothers, Erdington, West Midlands

17 June 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Barmy Barry

19 June 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London

25 June 1968 – Droitwich Winter Gardens, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Breakdown

26 June 1968 – Top Rank Birmingham Suite, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

30 June 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, south London

30 June 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Keef Hartley

4 July 1968 – Concorde, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire

6 July 1968 – The Swan, Yardley, West Midlands with Soul Express

19 July 1968 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with The Emotions

20 July 1968 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall (the group may have played gigs in Europe immediately after this date)

Melody Maker‘s 27 July issue, page 20, says that the band is back after a series of continental gigs.

28 July 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London

8 August 1968 – Fishmonger’s Arms, Wood Green, London

14 August 1968 – Winter Gardens Ballroom, Penzance, Cornwall

15 August 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with Fire and Sons and Lovers

16 August 1968 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset with Jamies Jyg Saw

17 August 1968 – New King’s Bay, Herne Bay, Kent

23 August 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham, West Midlands

24 August 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire

25 August 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London

31 August 1968 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire

2 September 1968 – Bluesology Festival, Chateau Impney, Droitwich, Worcestershire with Fleetwood Mac, Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, Family, The Move and others

7 September 1968 – Princess Pavilion, Falmouth, Cornwall with The Mood

10 September 1968 – Black Horse, Kidderminster, Worcestershire

23 September 1968 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Cleo’s Mood and Systems Five

25 September 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (cancelled due to illness)

26 September 1968 – Blue Pacific, Bristol Hotel, Gloucester

28 September 1968 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey

Around this time, the band was joined by Jamaican singer Owen Grey.

3 October 1968 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, London

5 October 1968 – Walsall Town Hall, Walsall, West Midlands with John McFlare Band

6 October 1968 – Bull’s Head, Yardley, West Midlands

6 October 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (this was pushed back to 13 October)

13 October 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London (this was pushed back from 6 October and marks the group’s third anniversary)

19 October 1968 – Shrewsbury Music Hall, Shrewsbury, Shropshire

24 October 1968 – Concorde, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire

25 October 1968 – Spinning Wheel Discotheque, Great Hall, Isle o Ely College, Wisbech, Cambridgeshire

25 October 1968 – Victoriana, Liverpool (9.30pm) and then Mardi Gras Club, Liverpool (11.30pm)

26 October 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham, West Midlands

30 October 1968 – Elbow Room, Aston, West Midlands

1 November 1968 – Queen Mary’s College, Mile End Road, London with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Fairport Convention, Blossom Toes, The Web and Black Cat Bones

2 November 1968 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex

4-6 November 1968 – Hatchettes Playground, Piccadilly, London

9 November 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Sweetshop

15 November 1968 – Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset with Fascination

16 November 1968 – Elms Court, Botley, Oxford

22 November 1968 – Co-op Hall, Nuneaton, Warwickshire with Legay

13 December 1968 – The Factory, Birmingham, West Midlands with The Gun

14 December 1968 – Glastonbury Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset with Sandy’s People

16 December 1968 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with Barmy Barry

21 December 1968 – The Swan, Yardley, West Midlands

By January 1969, the band was starting to be billed as The Freddy Mack Extravaganza.

17-18 January 1969 – Birmingham’s First 1969 Extravaganza, Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham, West Midlands with The Locomotive, The Fantastics, The Flirtations, The Californians, Ivan Chin Steel Band, Liz Christian and The Ebonites

23 January 1969 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with ‘Fat Boy’ Billy Stewart

23 January 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, London

27 January 1969 – Shipley Boat, Shipley, Eastwood Nottinghamshire with Fatboy Billy Stewart (this is probably one of the final gigs by the current formation)

Melody Maker‘s 8 March issue notes that Freddie Mack is forming a new 11-piece band to debut on 11 April in Bristol at the New Market Hotel.

GARAGE HANGOVER WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM ANYONE THAT CAN PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE 1969-1970 PERIOD.

I would personally like to thank Geoff Driscoll for helping to piece together this part of the band’s story. Thanks also to Greg Russo and Bruce Welsh.

PLEASE LEAVE COMMENTS BELOW TO ADD/CORRECT INFORMATION

Live gig sources:

During my research on Freddie Mack from 1965-1969, I have found gigs from the sources that include:

The Cornish Guardian, Derby Evening Telegraph, Evening Sentinel, Melody Maker, Gloucester Citizen, West Briton & Royal Cornwall Gazette, Lincolnshire Guardian, Birmingham Evening Mail, NME, Northwich Chronicle, Sheffield Star, Warrington Guardian, Wrexham Leader, Express & Star, Nottingham Evening Post

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author. To contact the author, email: Warchive@aol.com or nick_warburton@hotmail.com

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