According to Don Craine of The Downliners Sect fame (who played there as the original Downliners in 1962 and as The Downliners Sect in 1963), the Boathouse at Kew was run by the Jones brothers and was considered to be one of the best southwest/west London gigs, along with Hounslow Baths, the Capital R Feltham, and Southall Community Centre.

Craine adds that the club had two stages. He remembers that at one gig, The Mark Leeman Five played on the other stage when The Downliners Sect were there.

Kew Boathouse 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).

1961

11 February 1961 (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

25 March 1961 (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 December 1961 (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1962

11 June 1962 (Monday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

1963

Rhythm guitarist Keith Gardiner says that his band Jeff Curtis & The Flames played at Kew Boathouse in 1963 on a bill headed by Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers.

John Plumer, who played with The John Dee Combo, says that they played regularly at the club on Friday nights when he was doing his ‘A’ levels.

As well as Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, he also remembers Pat Cresswell & The Crescents playing here whose guitarist was future Hot Chocolate member Harvey Hinsley.

Malcolm Lenny says that Tony Holland & The Packabeats played here in the early days.

30 November 1963 (Saturday) – The Tridents (Paul Lucas’ gig diary)

1964

14 February 1964 (Friday) – The Tridents (Lindsay Bex’s gig diary)

18 April 1964 (Saturday) – The Tridents (Paul Lucas’ gig diary)

Jeff Beck didn’t join on lead guitar until early September 1964.

10 October 1964 (Saturday) – The Tridents (Paul Lucas’ gig diary)

Jeff Beck was the band’s lead guitarist now.

1966

25 August 1966 (Thursday) – Episode Six (Brian Long’s research)

1967

There are lots of gaps in this year and I would welcome any additions, clarifications and corrections.

According to Gray Newell, The Locomotion played at the venue during 1967-1968.

24 January 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

31 January 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

8 February 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

9 February 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

13 February 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

14 February 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

15 February 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

16 February 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

20 February 1967 (Monday) ­– The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

21 February 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

22 February 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

23 February 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

27 February 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

28 February 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

1 March 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

2 March 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

6 March 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

7 March 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

8 March 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

9 March 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

13 March 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

14 March 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

15 March 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

16 March 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

21 March 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

22 March 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

23 March 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

27 March 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

28 March 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

29 March 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

30 March 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

3 April 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

4 April 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

5 April 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

6 April 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

8 May 1967 (Monday) – Jack’s Union (Melody Maker)

9 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Jack’s Union (Melody Maker)

10 May 1967 (Wednesday) – Jack’s Union (Melody Maker)

11 May 1967 (Thursday) – Jack’s Union (Melody Maker)

Guitarist Paul Gardner got in touch (see comments below). This power trio, based on The Who, morphed out of The Select and would later changed name to Rainbow Reflection. Later, Gardner and drummer Terry Sullivan formed Dry Ice. Gardner later recorded with Pluto while Sullivan joined Renaissance.  

19 May 1967 (Friday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

29 May 1967 (Monday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

30 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

31 May 1967 (Wednesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

1 June 1967 (Thursday) – Marshal Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

5 June 1967 (Monday) – The Patch (Hounslow Post)

6 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Patch (Hounslow Post)

7 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The Patch (Hounslow Post)

8 June 1967 (Thursday) – The Patch (Hounslow Post)

12 June 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

13 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

14 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

15 June 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

19 June 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

20 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

21 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

22 June 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

26 June 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

27 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

28 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

29 June 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

3 July 1967 (Monday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

4 July 1967 (Tuesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

5 July 1967 (Wednesday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

6 July 1967 (Thursday) – The Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

10 July 1967 (Monday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

11 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

12 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

13 July 1967 (Thursday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

17 July 1967 (Monday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

18 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

19 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

20 July 1967 (Thursday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

24 July 1967 (Monday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

25 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

26 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

27 July 1967 (Thursday) – Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

14 August 1967 (Monday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

15 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

16 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

17 August 1967 (Thursday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

21 August 1967 (Monday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

22 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

23 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

24 August 1967 (Thursday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

28 August 1967 (Monday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

29 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

30 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Atmosphere (Hounslow Post)

31 August 1967 (Thursday)– Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)

4 September 1967 (Monday) – Impulse (Hounslow Post)

5 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Impulse (Hounslow Post)

6 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Impulse (Hounslow Post)

18 September 1967 (Monday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

19 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

20 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

Future Genesis drummer John Mayhew played with Milton’s Fingers in 1968-1969.

25 September 1967 (Monday) – Respect (Hounslow Post)

26 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Respect (Hounslow Post)

27 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Respect (Hounslow Post)

28 September 1967 (Thursday) – Respect (Hounslow Post)

2 October 1967 (Monday) – Impulse (Hounslow Post)

3 October 1967 (Tuesday) – Impulse (Hounslow Post)

4 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Impulse (Hounslow Post)

5 October 1967 (Thursday) – Impulse (Hounslow Post)

9 October 1967 (Monday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

10 October 1967 (Tuesday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

11 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

12 October 1967 (Thursday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

16 October 1967  (Monday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

17 October 1967  (Tuesday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

18 October 1967  (Wednesday) – Milton’s Fingers (Hounslow Post)

24 November 1967 (Friday) – The Washington DCs (Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Gazette)

27 November 1967 (Monday) – The Washington DCs and The Motives (Thames Valley Times and Hounslow Edition of Middlesex Chronicle)

4 December 1967 (Monday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

5 December 1967 (Tuesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

6 December 1967 (Wednesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

7 December 1967 (Thursday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

8 December 1967 (Friday) – The Hummingbirds (Thames Valley Times and Hounslow Edition of Middlesex Chronicle)

31 December 1967 (Sunday) – The Arrows (Thames Valley Times)

1968

The Thames Valley Times reports that the club puts on gigs Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Considering that some groups had residencies from Monday-Thursday, it looks like there may have been live music every night of the week. There are lots of gaps for 1968. I would welcome any additions, clarifications and corrections.

Ray Brown who played with The Kool until December 1967 and then formed Champagne remembers both groups appearing on the same bill during 1968.

According to the Crawdaddy Blues Band website, the band Sudden Change played at Kew Boathouse during 1967-1968.

1 January 1968 (Monday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

2 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

3 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

4 January 1968 (Thursday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

2 February 1968 (Friday) – The Frinton Bassett Blues Band (Poster from Gray Newell)

3 February 1968 (Saturday) – Sudden Change (Poster from Gray Newell)

4 February 1968 (Sunday) – Rosemarys E Motion (Poster from Gray Newell)

9 February 1968 (Friday) – The New Frinton Bassett Blues Band (Hounslow Post) Poster has Evolution on this date

10 February 1968 (Saturday) – The King Cossaks (Poster from Gray Newell)

11 February 1968 (Sunday) – Rosemarys E Motion (Poster from Gray Newell)

The Hounslow Post says that the group Fire played recently.

12 February 1968 (Monday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

13 February 1968 (Tuesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

14 February 1968 (Wednesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

15 February 1968 (Thursday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

16 February 1968 (Friday) – The Frinton Bassett Blues Band (Poster from Gray Newell)

17 February 1968 (Saturday) – The Bluesville Band (Poster from Gray Newell)

18 February 1968 (Sunday) – Rosemarys E Motion (Poster from Gray Newell)

23 February 1968 (Friday) – Katch 22 and The Arrows (Thames Valley Times)

24 February 1968 (Saturday) – Locomotion (Poster from Gray Newell)

25 February 1968 (Sunday) – Rosemarys E Motion (Poster from Gray Newell)

15 March 1968 (Friday) – Time & Motion (Thames Valley Times)

25 March 1968 (Monday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

26 March 1968 (Tuesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

27 March 1968 (Wednesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

28 March 1968 (Thursday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

29 March 1968 (Friday) – The Astronauts (Thames Valley Times)

12 April 1968 (Friday) – Carnival Special (Thames Valley Times)

14 April 1968 (Sunday) – Bob Wallis (Thames Valley Times)

Thames Valley Times notes that jazz started this Sunday

21 April 1968 (Sunday) – Alan Elsdon (Thames Valley Times)

28 April 1968 (Sunday) – Terry Lightfoot (Thames Valley Times)

29 April 1968 (Monday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

30 April 1968 (Tuesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

1 May 1968 (Wednesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

2 May 1968 (Thursday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

21 June 1968 (Friday) – One group plays (Thames Valley Times)

22 June 1968 (Saturday) – Two groups play (Thames Valley Times)

24 June 1968 (Monday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

25 June 1968 (Tuesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

26 June 1968 (Wednesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

27 June 1968 (Thursday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

30 June 1968 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)

12 July 1968 (Friday) – Episode Six (Thames Valley Times)

19 July 1968 (Friday) – Appearance (Thames Valley Times)

21 July 1968 (Sunday) – The Equals (Thames Valley Times)

26 July 1968 (Friday) – The Coloured Raisins (Thames Valley Times)

29 July 1968 (Monday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

30 July 1968 (Tuesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

31 July 1968 (Wednesday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

1 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Magic Roundabout (Geoff Chinnery’s gig list – thanks to Roger Flavell for sharing)

16 August 1968 (Friday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Thames Valley Times, Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)

25 August 1968 (Friday) – The Joyce Bond Revue (Melody Maker)

13 September 1968 (Friday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker and Thames Valley Times)

14 September 1968 (Saturday) – Two groups play (Thames Valley Times)

15 September 1968 (Sunday) – The Foundations ((Thames Valley Times)

22 September 1968 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & His Band (Thames Valley Times)

27 September 1968 (Friday) – The Skatalites (Thames Valley Times)

28 September 1968 (Saturday) – Two groups play (Thames Valley Times)

29 September 1968 (Sunday) – The Coloured Raisins (Thames Valley Times)

2 October 1968 (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Fabulous 208)

8 October 1968 (Tuesday) – The Pretty Things (Time Out)

11 October 1968 (Friday) – The Move (Melody Maker and Thames Valley Times)

20 October 1968 (Sunday) – Fleetwood Mac (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)

25 October 1968 (Friday) – Pink Floyd (Melody Maker and Thames Valley Times)

8 November 1968 (Friday) – The Pretty Things (Thames Valley Times)

22 November 1968 (Friday) – The Coloured Raisins (Thames Valley Times)

13 December 1968 (Friday) – Trifle (Thames Valley Times)

27 December 1968 (Friday) – The Jon James Swamp (Thames Valley Times)

1969

Martin Samuel, the drummer with Heatwave, says that the band’s debut performance was a four-night stand at Kew Boathouse in 1969 for which they were paid a total of £40.

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.