Tag Archives: Ian Gillan

Categories: England, London

Wainwright’s Gentlemen

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Chris Wright – lead vocals

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Alfred Fripp – rhythm guitar

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Phil Kenton – drums

West London band Wainwright’s Gentlemen are most notable for containing several musicians who went on to fame and fortune in the late 1960s and early 1970s – Ian Gillan (Deep Purple) and Brian Connolly and Mick Tucker (The Sweet).

Formed as Unit 4 in early 1963, the band’s original formation comprised lead guitarist Jim Searle, rhythm guitarist Alfred Fripp (who had previously played with Hayes, Middlesex high school band, Paul & The Alpines) and bass player/singer Jan Frewer. Soon after, the trio were joined by lead singer Chris Wright and drummer Phil Kenton.

Paul & The Alpines, 1963 with Alf Fripp far right. Photo: John Kerrison

Taking on Jan’s father, John, as the group’s manager, the musicians began gigging at youth clubs and social clubs in the Hayes, Harrow and Wembley areas.

During late 1963, however, the band changed name to Wainwright’s Gentlemen after the musicians discovered that there was another Unit 4 on the west London scene (future Brinsley Schwartz Ian Gomm’s group).

In early 1964, Wainwright’s Gentlemen became resident band at Hayes Beat Club in Hayes, Middlesex and also landed a residency at two coffee bars in London’s West End – Le Chat Qui Peche in Regent Street and the Cave St Germain in Poland Street.

Having entered the Mecca Dancing and Walls Ice Cream nationwide Beat Group contest, Wainwright’s Gentlemen appeared at Hammersmith Palais on 9 January 1964 in their area competition, beating several groups, including The Detours, who later became The Who.

Wainwright’s Gentlemen returned to the Hammersmith Palais on 6 February for the ‘Hall Final’, which the band won.

Photo: Daily Sketch cutting, 2 April 1964

Unfortunately, when the national finals were held at the Lyceum on the Strand on 4 May, the group finished fifth out of 13 bands.

Later that year, Wainwright’s Gentlemen secured a recording test at Jackson Sound Studios in Rickmansworth but the session was not successful.

In mid-October, the band added Annette Culley as a second singer. She may have been the same Annette who sang with The Keymen.

Wright, who worked at Dawe Instruments in Acton, Middlesex, invited tenor sax player Dave Brogden from The Midnites to join the group in early November 1964 but the very night he auditioned and joined Wainwright’s Gentlemen, Wright had a falling out with Jan Frewer’s father and departed.

Selected gigs:

9 January 1964 – Mecca Dancing and Walls Ice Cream’s nationwide Beat Group Contest, Hammersmith Palais, Hammersmith, west London

10 January 1964 – Bedsitter Club, Holland Park, west London

11 January 1964 – Le Chat qui Peche, Regent Street, central London

 

6 February 1964 – Hall Final of Mecca Dancing nationwide Beat Group Contest, Hammersmith Palais, Hammersmith, west London

21 February 1964 – Bedsitter Club, Holland Park, west London

28 February 1964 – Bedsitter Club, Holland Park, west London

 

1 March 1964 – Beat contest at Watford Town Hall, Watford, Herts with others The group came third

7 March 1964 – The Scene, Florida Room, Brighton, West Sussex

9 March 1964 – Bedsitter Club, Holland Park, west London

30 March 1964 – Hi-Fi Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

 

30 April 1964 – Bedsitter Club, Holland Park, west London

 

2 May 1964 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop Stortford, Herts with The Marauders

4 May 1964 – Mecca Dancing nationwide Beat Group Contest finals, Lyceum Ballroom, Strand, central London with others

23 May 1964 – Hi-Fi Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

6 June 1964 – Assembly Hall, Walthamstow, north London with Johnny Lonesome & The Travellers adn Keith Young & The Skyways

9 June 1964 – Hi-Fi Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

12 June 1964 – Long’s Ballroom, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire with Manfred Mann

27 June 1964 – Hi-Fi Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

 

6 July 1964 – Attic Club, 1a High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex with Rory Blackwell & His Monsters

25 July 1964 – Assembly Hall, Walthamstow, north London with The Four Zodiacs and The Nu-Trons

31 July 1964 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex with The Shades

 

8 August 1964 – Bedsitter Club, Holland Park, west London

 

13 September 1964 – Attic, Hounslow, Middlesex

25 September 1964 – Attic Club, 1a High Street, Hounslow, Middlesex with Ken Gordon & The Downsiders

29 September 1964 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, Middlesex with The Dolphins and The Beachcombers

4 October 1964 – Kihoty Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Aces and The Shieks

24 October 1964 – Witham Public Hall, Witham, Essex (Billed as Annette with Wainwright’s Gentlemen)

Ian Gillan – lead vocals

Annette Cully – lead vocals

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Alfred Fripp – rhythm guitar

Dave Brogden – tenor saxophone

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Phil Kenton – drums

Within days of Dave Brogden joining on tenor saxophone, Wainwright’s Gentlemen brought in Chris Wright’s replacement – Ian Gillan, lead singer with Hayes, Middlesex group, The Javelins.

The new formation remained steady until early March 1965. Brogden’s diary shows that the musicians traveled to Jackson Sound Studios in Rickmansworth on a number of dates in February (3rd, 10th, 15-16th, 19th and 28th) presumably to cut material. However, his original date sheet puts the recording dates for the three tracks that the band cut as 3rd, 8th and 15th March.

Wainwright’s Gentlemen recorded three tracks – “Ain’t That (Just Like Me)”, which has since surfaced on Acid Jazz’s Rare Mod 3 CD compilation; “Que Sera Sera”; and “Slow Down”.

Thanks to Dave Brogden for sharing

At the start of March, Dave Brogden gave three months’ notice that he was leaving Wainwright’s Gentlemen to join west London group Jean & The Statesides. His first contribution to his new band was at EMI Abbey Road studio on 17 June. He would remain with The Statesides until 26 September when Phil Kenton got in touch to join him in an Irish show band at an Irish dance hall in Balham, south London (see later entry).

Around the same time, Ian Gillan started to get itchy feet and covertly started his own band Ian & The Dragsters who gigged intermittently while he remained with Wainwright’s Gentlemen until late April. Dave Brogden played with Gillan’s band on nights when Wainwright’s Gentlemen weren’t gigging.

Selected gigs:

7 November 1964 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

8 November 1964 – La Dolphin Club, Baker Street, central London

12 November 1964 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

14 November 1964 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with Tony Lindell & The Cruisers

15 November 1964 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

16 November 1964 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex

21 November 1964 – Assembly Hall, Walthamstow, north London with The Mad Hatters and Brian Ford & The Sapphires

22 November 1964 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

25 November 1964 – USAF Ruislip, Ruislip, Middlesex

26 November 1964 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

29 November 1964 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

30 November 1964 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex

1 December 1964 – Hammersmith Town Hall, Hammersmith, west London with The Grenades, The Impacts and The Fairlanes

3 December 1964 – Locarno Ballroom, Streatham, southwest London

6 December 1964 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

7 December 1964 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex

10 December 1964 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

12 December 1964 – Hammersmith Town Hall, Hammersmith, west London

13 December 1964 – Start & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

17 December 1964 – Locarno Ballroom, Streatham, southwest London

18 December 1964 – Willesden Grammar School Youth Club, Willesden, northwest London

19 December 1964 – Hotel in Holborn, central London

20 December 1964 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

22 December 1964 – Overseas Visitors Club, Fulham, west London

23 December 1964 – Ventures Youth Club, Greenford, Middlesex

24 December 1964 – Plaza Ballroom, Guildford, Surrey with The Downsiders

26-27 December 1964 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

28 December 1964 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex

31 December 1964 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex

 

1 January 1965 – Ventures Youth Club, Greenford, Middlesex

2 January 1965 – Watford Town Hall, Watford, Herts

3 January 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

7 January 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

8 January 1965 – Ashford Golf Club, Ashford, Middlesex

9 January 1965 – Unknown venue in West Wickham, Kent

10 January 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

11 January 1965 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex

14 January 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

15 January 1965 – London School of Economics, central London

16 January 1965 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with Twinkle and The Gonks

17 January 1965 – Locarno Ballroom, Leicester

20 January 1965 – Ballroom in Dartford, Dartford, Kent

21 January 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex

23-24 January 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

27 January 1965 – Hall in Carpenter’s Park (this could be Carpenders Park, Watford)

28 January 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

29 January 1965 – Hoover Social Club, Alperton, Middlesex

30 January 1965 – Hi-Fi Hop, Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

31 January 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

 

1 February 1965 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex

5 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex with Unit 5

6 February 1965 – Annunciation Club, Wembley, Middlesex

7 February 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

11 February 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

13 February 1965 – Tottenham Town Hall, Tottenham, north London

14 February 1965 – Kodak Social Club, Hemel Hempstead, Herts

17 February 1965 – London School of Economics, the Strand, central London

18 February 1965 – BOAC Social Club, Northolt, Middlesex

20 February 1965 – Railway Hotel, Greenford, Middlesex

21 February 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

22 February 1965 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex

23 February 1965 – Kodak Social Club, Harrow, Middlesex

25 February 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, Middlesex

25 February 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex (advertised in newspaper)

26 February 1965 – Kookey Nook, Windsor, Berkshire

27 February 1965 – Whetstone Hotel, Finchley, north London

28 February 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

Ian Gillan – lead vocals

Annette Cully – lead vocals

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Alfred Fripp – rhythm guitar

Dennis ??? – tenor saxophone (or Dave Brogden intermittently)

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Phil Kenton – drums

During early March 1965, Wainwright Gentlemen’s employed a tenor sax player called Dennis to cover for Dave Brogden, who was unable to commit to the band fully (he was working covertly and intermittently with Gillan’s band The Dragsters). Dennis, however, only lasted around a month until late March.

Even though he was leaving in mid-June to join Jean & The Statesides, Dave Brogden agreed with Jan Frewer to continue to perform with Wainwright’s Gentlemen from 1 April to 24 September whenever he was able to honour gigs (see gigs with *).

After a gig on 26 April, lead singer Ian Gillan left Wainwright’s Gentlemen to concentrate on his own group, Ian Gillan & The Dragsters. However, soon after performing a gig on 20 May with his band, Gillan joined Episode Six and later found fame with Deep Purple.

Alf Fripp (centre) with Jaymes Fenda & The Vulcans, December 1965. Photo: Alf Fripp

Alfred Fripp departed on the same date as Ian Gillan and joined south London band Jaymes Fenda & The Vulcans. Fripp would briefly return to Wainwright’s Gentlemen in January 1967 when Frewer was injured in a car accident and covered bass duties until Frewer recovered.

Selected gigs:

2 March 1965 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, Middlesex with The Gaylords and The Beachcombers

4 March 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex

18 March 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, Middlesex

 

1 April 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London *

2 April 1965 – Leonian Hall, Harrow, northwest London *

3 April 1965 – Blythe Hotel, Sevenoaks, Kent *

4 April 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

5 April 1965 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, west London

8 April 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, west London

9 April 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

10 April 1965 – Scala, Dartford, Dartford, Kent *

11 April 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

12 April 1965 – Co-op Hall, Wealdstone, northwest London *

15 April 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

16 April 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

17 April 1965 – Cinema in Watford, Watford, Herts *

18 April 1965 – Kodak Social Club, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

19 April 1965 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Tony Rivers & The Castaways

22 April 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, west London

23 April 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

25 April 1965 – Southall Community Centre, Southall, west London

26 April 1965 – Seagull Hotel, Southall, Middlesex (Gillan and Fripp’s last gig)

Annette Cully – lead vocals

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Phil Kenton – drums

+

Dave Brogden – tenor sax (intermittently)

The stripped back line-up played just over a week’s worth of gigs with Brogden helping out when he could make the commitment. However, around 10 May, Jan Frewer’s father brought in two new musicians – keyboard player Tyni Manning and new tenor sax player Robert Schole.

Selected gigs:

29 April 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

30 April 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

 

2 May 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

3 May 1965 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London * (this was mentioned in a newspaper cutting, dated 19 May)

6 May 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, west London

7 May 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London *

8 May 1965 – Venue in Reading, Berkshire (possibly Olympia Ballroom) *

9 May 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

Annette Culley – lead vocals

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Tyni Manning – keyboards

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Robert Schole – tenor saxophone

Phil Kenton – drums

The new line-up was short-lived and could have only lasted a month or so (possibly until 4 June) despite being promoted (and photographed) in the Harrow Weekly Post on 19 May.

Selected gigs:

13 May 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

15 May 1965 – St Mary’s College (most likely in Twickenham, west London)

16 May 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

20 May 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, west London

21 May 1965 – Old Lyon Hall, Harrow, northwest London (may have been Café de Artiste in Fulham, southwest London instead but was advertised in Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 May 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

23 May 1965 – gig in Mudeford (Dorset?)

27 May 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

28 May 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

29 May 1965 – Starlite (but was this Greenford, northwest London)

30 May 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

 

2 June 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London with Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Melody Maker says 3 June)

3 June 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, west London

4 June 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

Annette Culley – lead vocals

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Phil Kenton – drums

+

Dave Brogden – tenor saxophone (intermittently)

As agreed with Jan Frewer, Dave Brogden continued to occasionally gig with Wainwright’s Gentlemen (see below gigs with*) when he wasn’t working with The Statesides, who he officially joined on 17 June. This agreement to sit in with Wainwright’s Gentlemen lasted until late September.

Dave Brogden (third from left). Photo: Dave Brogden

Brogden remembers that a few days after 26 September, Wainwright Gentlemen’s drummer Phil Kenton got in touch (possibly because there was a hiatus in Wainwright Gentlemen’s gigs) and said he’d been offered an extremely well paid gig with an Irish show band performing at an Irish dance hall in Balham. The group also needed a sax player and the residency, which guaranteed three nights a week, started on 1 October.

The sax player left The Statesides and Kenton departed Wainwright’s Gentlemen to join the Irish show band but Kenton only lasted the weekend before being replaced by an Irish drummer. Kenton briefly returned to Wainwright’s Gentlemen but was clearly getting itchy feet to move on.

Brogden meanwhile lasted a few more weeks before the Irish show band stopped working and he returned to The Statesides on 29 October.

Selected gigs:

5 June 1965 – Assembly Hall, Walthamstow, north London with The Prophets *

6 June 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

10 June 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

11 June 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London *

12 June 1965 – LSE, Malden (Surrey?)

13 June 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

15 June 1965 – gig in Dagenham, Essex

17 June 1965 – Wistowe House dance hall, Hayes, west London

18 June 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

19 June 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire *

20 June 1965 – Star & Garter, Windsor, Berkshire

24 June 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

25 June 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

26 June 1965 – Kodak Hall, Hemel Hempstead, Herts

27 June 1965 – Windsor, Berkshire (most likely Star & Garter)

 

3 July 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London *

5 July 1965 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts

9 July 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London *

24 July 1965 – Hi-Fi Hop, Weybridge Hall, Weybridge, Surrey

 

6 August 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London *

13 August 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London *

21 August 1965 – Royal Star Ballroom, Maidstone, Kent (Kent Messenger)

21 August 1965 – The Savoy Rooms, Catford, southeast London  with Trendsetters Ltd

28 August 1965 – Gari Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with John’s Court

 

11 September 1965 – Queen of Harts (location not known) *

18 September 1965 – Club de Dance, Colchester, Essex *

22 September 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London *

24 September 1965 – Café des Artistes, Fulham, southwest London

Left to right: Jim Searle, Val Cockayne, Annette Cully, Jan Frewer, Phil Kenton and Peter Cockayne, circa late 1965. Thanks to Phil Cockayne for providing.

Annette Cully – lead vocals

Val Cockayne – lead vocals

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Peter Cockayne – keyboards

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Phil Kenton – drums

Around late September, the band appeared to have stopped gigging briefly, which was when Kenton landed the gig with the Irish show band. When that didn’t work out, he returned to Wainwright’s Gentlemen who had brought in a second (female) singer Val Cockayne and her husband Peter on keyboards during the drummer’s absence.

It isn’t clear how long the Cockaynes stayed with Wainwright’s Gentlemen but possibly until November-December (and long enough to be photographed).

Peter Cockayne recalls that Mick Tucker joined shortly before the couple  departed Wainwright’s Gentlemen. However, it’s also plausible that Tucker just auditioned when Kenton left to work with the Irish show band and the group held on to his details as a future replacement when Kenton did finally depart sometime in late 1965.

Selected gigs:

9 October 1965 – Hi-Fi Hop, Weybridge Hall, Weybridge, Surrey

Annette Cully – lead vocals

Gordon Fairminer – lead guitar

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Tony Hall – tenor saxophone (joined slightly after Fairminer)

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Mick Tucker – drums 

Gordon Fairminer (left) and Ian Gillan (centre) with The Javelins 1964. Photo: Tony Tacon

Lead guitarist Gordon Fairminer, who had played with Ian Gillan in The Javelins and who joined Wainwright’s Gentlemen immediately after the Cockaynes left, remembers that Mick Tucker came to see the group play at the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote on one occasion and that he replaced Kenton soon after. Tucker had started out in an instrumentals band with future Wainwright’s Gentlemen and Sweet guitarist Frank Torpey.

Shortly after Fairminer joined (circa November/December 1965), Wainwright’s Gentlemen also brought in tenor saxophone player Tony Hall, who had started out playing with early ‘60s west London band Peter Nelson & The Travellers. As Peter’s Faces, this group had made some recordings.

Fairminer and Searle began playing harmony solos on guitar, which was innovative for its time.

The new guitarist remembers that Wainwright’s Gentlemen had a regular Friday night residency at the Café des Artistes in Fulham from late 1965 through to 1967.

The new line up remained stable until around June-July 1966 when the musicians auditioned for another male singer and brought in Brian McManus (aka Connolly), who had previously sung with The Troop from Harefield, northwest London.

Selected gigs:

11 December 1965 – Acre Hall, Northwood, northwest London

 

25 June 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with Bob Kidman & His Band, The Paramounts, Mood Indigo and The Astrobeats

Annette Cully – lead vocals

Brian McManus (aka Connolly) – lead vocals

Gordon Fairminer – lead guitar

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Tony Hall – tenor saxophone

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Mick Tucker – drums

Sometime around early November Annette Cully departed and the group continued with Brian Connolly as sole lead singer.

Selected gigs:

30 July 1966 – Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Reasons

24 September 1966 – Victoria Ballroom, Cambridge (featuring Annette)

 

1 October 1966 – Harrow County School for Boys, Harrow, London with The Stalkers

22 October 1966 – ABC North Harrow Bowling Centre, Moonlight Bowl, Harrow, London (featuring Annette)

Brian McManus (aka Connolly) – lead vocals

Gordon Fairminer – lead guitar

Jim Searle – lead guitar

Tony Hall – tenor saxophone

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Mick Tucker – drums       

The remaining members – Brian Connolly, Tony Hall, Jim Searle, Gordon Fairminer, Jan Frewer and Mick Tucker – recorded two demo tracks at Regent’s Sound in late 1966/early 1967, which surfaced on an acetate – “You Look So Tame” and “One of a Kind”.

On 2 January 1967, Jan Frewer, Gordon Fairminer and Mick Tucker were involved in a car crash on the way home from a gig on the south coast, possibly in Brighton.

According to Fairminer, Frewer was driving his Singer Chamois when the incident happened. The guitarist was in the front passenger seat and Mick Tucker was in the back seat.

The car hit a tree at around 50-60 mph on a wet Mortlake Road. The guitarist broke both legs. Frewer fractured his pelvis and Tucker had some internal bleeding. The bass player and drummer were both hospitalised for about a week.

Former Wainwright’s Gentlemen guitarist Alf Fripp covered for Frewer while he recovered.

Fairminer had a full length plaster on his left leg for about four to five months and half length on his right leg for about a month. While he recuperated, Jim Searle carried all the lead guitar duties.

The guitarist remembers that after the plaster was removed from his right leg, he continued to gig with Wainwright’s Gentlemen and recalls a show at the Café Des Artistes in Fulham perched high at the front of the stage, with his straight plastered leg hanging over the edge of the stage with a very large black boot. Some of the audience scribbled messages on the plaster.

The Hounslow Post reported its 14 July 1967 issue, page 10, that Julie was singing with the band. However, Fairminer has no recollection of another female singer after Cully left.

Selected gigs:

12 November 1966 – Sperry FC, Bracknell, Berkshire

19 November 1966 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Oxfordshire with The Cinette Sounds

4 March 1967 – Harrow Boys County School, Harrow, London with The Mustangs

8 April 1967 – Sperry FC, Bracknell, Berkshire with The Movement

10 June 1967 – Sperry FC, Bracknell, Berkshire with The Rite Amount

11 August 1967 – Les Jeux Interdits, Cambridge

 

2 October 1967 – Harrow County Boys School, Harrow, London with Two of Each

 

1 November 1967 – Les Jeux Interdits, Cambridge

8 November 1967 – Les Jeus Interdits, Cambridge

Brian McManus (aka Connolly) – lead vocals

Frank Torpey – lead guitar

Tony Hall – tenor saxophone

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Mick Tucker – drums

Around November 1967, former Tribe lead guitarist Frank Torpey came in for Gordon Fairminer. Jim Searle also departed at this point (if not earlier) and later became a classical guitarist.

However, Torpey (who’d started out in a band with Mick Tucker in 1962) only lasted a handful of months and by late January 1968, Frewer’s friend Robin Box had succeeded him on lead guitar. According to an article in the Harrow Observer, dated 24 October 1969, Box had previously played with The Phantoms and Five’s Company.

Torpey notes in his diary that his final gig took place on 20 January at a hospital but he doesn’t have any more details. The gigs below are from his diary (where he has firm details).

Selected gigs:

17 November 1967 – Bedford College, Regent’s Park, central London

18 November 1967 – London University, London

25 November 1967 – Gillingham, Kent (possibly Aurora Hotel)

2 December 1967 – Harrow County Boys’ School, Harrow, northwest London with Two of Each

9 December 1967 – Croydon, south London (no details)

15 December 1967 – Ealing Town Hall, Ealing, west London

23 December 1967 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

31 December 1967 – Private party

Photo may need copyright. Wainwright’s Gentlemen, January 1968, left to right: Tony Hall, Robin Box, Mick Tucker, Jan Frewer and Brian Connolly

Brian McManus (aka Connolly) – lead vocals

Robin Box – lead guitar

Tony Hall – tenor saxophone

Jan Frewer – bass, vocals

Mick Tucker – drums

Photo may need copyright. Wainwright’s Gentlemen, January 1968

Tucker and Connolly weren’t happy with Torpey’s dismissal and in early February 1968 they left the band. The pair reunited with Torpey and together with bass player Steve Priest from another west London band, The Army, they formed The Sweet.

The Sweet, July 1968. Left to right: Steve Priest, Brian Connolly, Frank Torpey and Mick Tucker

Remaining members Robin Box, Jan Frewer and Tony Hall brought in drummer Roger Hills and, according to an article in the Harrow Observer from 24 October 1969, toured the northern clubs with Gordon Waller from Peter & Gordon.

They then toured Europe for three months, including playing at the P&N Club in Munich, West Germany as Rupert’s Spoon. Returning to the UK around late May, they toured the northern club circuit.

Selected gigs:

17 February 1968 – Ship Hotel, Weybridge, Surrey with The Effect

 

4 May 1968 – Harrow County Boys’ School, Harrow, northwest London with Orbit 5

1 June 1968 – Aurora Hotel, Gillingham, Kent with The Web and The Foundations

Minus Frewer, who later went on to roadie for The Sweet, Robin Box, Tony Hall and Roger Hills found work backing The Flowerpot Men whose members included Hall’s ex-colleagues from Peter’s Faces. They toured Europe as their backing band, Rupert’s Spoon.

Hall later left to join Simon K & The Meantimes before joining Geno Washington & The Ram Jam in mid-1970. In early 1971, however, he reunited with Robin Box and Roger Hills in White Plains.

In later years Hall went on to work with the Houseshakers, Screaming Lord Sutch, Flying Fox and Chas & Dave among others and also did session work for Shakin’ Stevens and Sheena Easton.

Huge thanks to Dave Brogden (who very kindly shared his diary entries), Jan Frewer, Alf Fripp, Val Cockayne, Phil Cockayne, Frank Torpey, Gordon Fairminer, Tony Tacon and Tony Hall for helping with the story. I’d also like to credit Mark Lay’s book on the band’s early years.

This is an extensively updated version of an article that was originally published on the Strange Brew website.  I’d like to thank Jason Barnard for all of his help and support over the years.

Gigs above were sourced from many newspapers and magazines. This is not a complete list but includes Melody Maker, Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette, Walthamstow Guardian, Hayes Gazette, Yarmouth Mercury, Herts & Essex Observer, Hertfordshire Express, Harrow Observer & Gazette, Woking Herald, Cambridge News, Surrey Advertiser and Evening Argus.

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.

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

Thanks to Dave Brogden for sharing

 

Categories: England, Fulham, London

Café des Artistes, Fulham Road, London

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Located at 266a Fulham Road, in southwest London, the Café des Artistes apparently opened its doors around 1960.

Mick Jagger, Keith Richard and Brian Jones briefly lived close by in an apartment in Edith Grove, Chelsea during 1962 but it’s not clear when this small basement club first began putting on live music.

It’s more than likely that the Café des Artistes only featured up and coming local bands.

Also, its close proximity to the Pontiac Club in Putney means it might also have featured some of the same groups.

The dearth of information on this little known club isn’t helped by the fact that none of the local newspapers, as far as I am aware, advertised shows. I would welcome any further information from readers.

Image provided by George Parnell

Status Quo front man Francis Rossi confirms in his book that The Spectres (who morphed into Status Quo) had a Monday night residency here while they were still at school and also played the El Partido in Lewisham. I’ve found gigs for them performing at the latter in October 1965, so it could well be the same time period.

Sax player Dave Brogden who worked with West London R&B band, Wainwright’s Gentlemen, provided the following dates from his diary. Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan was briefly a member during this period and also drummer Mick Tucker, who went on to join The Sweet, also worked with this band while Brogden played sax for them.

1964

24 March – The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)

28 March – Millie & The Five Embers (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)

1965

9 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals

16 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals

23 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) With Ian Gillan on vocals, who left after a gig on 26 April

30 April – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

 

7 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary) Mick Tucker joined on drums around this time

28 May – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

 

4 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

11 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

18 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

25 June – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

 

3 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

9 July – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

 

6 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

10 August – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Jim St Pier’s diary)

13 August – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

 

24 September – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

I have been unable to find any gigs for 1966, 1967 and 1968 but I presume it still put on live shows. I have only found a couple of gigs for 1969 below and would welcome any additional information

An article in the Westminster & Pimlico News, dated 25 August 1967, says the group Jon are residents at the club around this time

1968

27 June – Toast (Melody Maker)

 

3 July – Toast (Melody Maker)

11 July – Toast (Melody Maker)

 

31 October – Toast (Melody Maker)

1969

6 February – Toast (Melody Maker)

 

5 June – Black Velvet (Time Out)

An article in the Western Daily Press and Times and Mirror, dated 26 June 1969, says Bath group, The Mirror are residents at the club around this time

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.

 

 

Categories: England, Hounslow, London

Episode Six gigs 1964-1969

3 Comments
Photo: Hillingdon Mirror, August 1967. Image may be subject to copyright

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.

Adopting the name Episode Six in the summer of 1964, the line-up featured in an article published in the Harrow Weekly Post from 22 July, page 15 was as follows:

Andy Ross – lead vocals

Sheila Carter-Dimmock – organ/vocals (b. 18 March 1947, Hatch End, Middlesex)

Graham Carter-Dimmock – rhythm guitar/vocals (b. 27 April 1944, Hatch End, Middlesex)

Tony Lander – lead guitar (b. 10 August 1947, Cambridge)

Roger Glover – bass (b. 30 November 1945, Brecon, Wales)

Harvey Shields – drums (b. 6 September 1946, Twickenham, Middlesex)

1964

30 May 1964 – Territorial Army Centre, Harrow, Middlesex (Harrow Observer) Formerly The Lightnings

 

24 July 1964 – Public Hall, Witham, Essex with The Rubies (Essex Chronicle)

 

7 November 1964 – Westcliff Hotel, Clacton, Essex (Essex County Standard)

14 November 1964 – Glendale Hall, N15, north London (Tottenham Weekly Herald)

1965

19 January 1965 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, Middlesex with Jimmy Bond & The MI5 and The Beachcombers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

30 March 1965 – Kodak Hall, Wealdstone, Middlesex with The Prophets and The Group Five (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

When Andy Ross left, Ian Gillan (b. 19 August 1945, Hounslow, Middlesex) joined from Wainwright’s Gentlemen after performing his final gig with them on 26 April 1965 at the Seagull Hotel, Southall, London

Image may be subject to copyright

24 July 1965 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks (Buckinghamshire Advertiser)

 

8 October 1965 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette) Melody Maker has this as 7 October

 

31 December 1965 – Harrow County Boys, Harrow, northwest London (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1966

1 January 1966 – Royal Oak, Dagenham, east London (Brian Long research)

2 January 1966 – Oldfield Hotel, Greenford, northwest London (Brian Long research)

3 January 1966 – The Bluesday Club, Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

6 January 1966 – Coventry Locarno, Coventry, West Midlands (Brian Long research)

7 January 1966 – USAF High Wycombe, High Wycombe, Bucks (Brian Long research)

8 January 1966 – USAF Alconbury, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire (Brian Long research)

11 January 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

13 January 1966 – Nottingham Palais, Nottingham (Brian Long research)

14 January 1966 – Black Cat, Woolwich, southeast London (Brian Long research)

15 January 1966 – Ikelstone Palais, Ikelstone, Derbyshire (Brian Long research)

16 January 1966 – Royal Oak, Dagenham, east London (Brian Long research)

18 January 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, London (Brian Long research)

22 January 1966 – Westcliffe Hotel, Clacton, Essex (Brian Long research)

24 January 1966 – Dunstable Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Brian Long research)

25 January 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

27 January 1966 – Nottingham Palais, Nottingham (Brian Long research)

28 January 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

The Hounslow Post on 28 January 1966, page 8 has an article and picture on the band

29 January 1966 – Borough Polytechnic, Borough, south London (Brian Long research)

30 January 1966 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London (Brian Long research)

 

1 February 1966 – ‘Ready Steady Radio’, Lyceum, Strand, central London (Brian Long research)

4 February 1966 – USAF Welford, Welford, Northamptonshire (Brian Long research)

5 February 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

6 February 1966 – USAF Alconbury, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire (Brian Long research)

7 February 1966 – Hammersmith Palais, Hammersmith, west London (Brian Long research)

8 February 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

10 February 1966 – Canon’s Club (unknown location) (Brian Long research)

11 February 1966 – Royal Forest Hotel, Chingford, east London (Brian Long research)

12 February 1966 – Acton works social, Acton, west London (Brian Long research)

13 February 1966 – Big L Discotheque, Charing Cross Road, central London (Brian Long research)

14 February 1966 – Peterborough Nurses’ Home, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire (Brian Long research)

15 February 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

16 February 1966 – Silver Blades Ice Rink, Streatham, southwest London (Brian Long research)

18 February 1966 – RAF Abingdon, Abingdon, Oxfordshire (Brian Long research)

19 February 1966 – Woodford Memorial Hall, Woodford, east London (Brian Long research)

20 February 1966 – Royal Oak, Dagenham, east London (Brian Long research)

21 February 1966 – Kettering Workingmen’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Brian Long research)

22 February 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

24 February 1966 – Nottingham Palais, Nottingham (Brian Long research)

26 February 1966 – Ikelstone Palais, Ikelstone, Derbyshire (Brian Long research)

27 February 1966 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, southeast London (Brian Long research)

28 February 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford (Brian Long research)

 

1 March 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

2 March 1966 – New Victoria Cinema (audition) (Brian Long research)

3 March 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensingston, west London (Brian Long research)

5 March 1966 – Harrow County School, Harrow, northwest London (Brian Long research)

8 March 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

9 March 1966 – USAF Chicksands, Chicksands, Bedfordshire (Brian Long research)

10 March 1966 – Cromwellian Club, South Kensington, west London (Brian Long research)

11 March 1966 – Copdock House Hotel (possibly Ipswich), Suffolk (Brian Long research)

12 March 1966 – London School of Economics, Aldwych, central London (Brian Long research)

15 March 1966 – Chelmsford Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex (Brian Long research)

17 March 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

19 March 1966 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Oxfordshire with The Road Knights and The Frenzies (Brian Long research/Brackley Advertiser)

22 March 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

24 March 1966 – Nottingham Palais, Nottingham (Melody Maker)

25 March 1966 – Royal Forest Hotel, Chingford, east London (Brian Long research)

26 March 1966 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Melody Maker)

27 March 1966 – Windy City Club, Oxford, Oxfordshire (Melody Maker)

29 March 1966 – Overseas Club, Earl’s Court, west London (Melody Maker)

 

1 April 1966 – Scotch of St James, Mayfair, central London (audition) (Brian Long research)

2 April 1966 – Peterborough Nurses’ Home, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire (Brian Long research)

3 April 1966 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset (Melody Maker)

5 April 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

8 April 1966 – Recording session (Brian Long research)

12 April 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

16 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Brian Long research)

18 April 1966 – Dunstable Civic Hall, Dunstable, Bedfordshire (Brian Long research)

19 April 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

20 April 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Brian Long research)

21 April 1966 – Dorchester Hotel, Mayfair, central London (Brian Long research)

22 April 1966 – USAF Welford, Welford, Northamptonshire (Brian Long research)

23 April 1966 – USAF Alconbury, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire (Brian Long research)

26 April 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

27 April 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Brian Long research)

28 April 1966 – RAF Abingdon, Abingdon, Oxfordshire (Brian Long research)

29 April 1966 – Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire (Brian Long research)

The Middlesex Chronicle (Hounslow Edition) on 29 April 1966, page 3 has an article on band

30 April 1966 – Ilkestone Palais, Ilkestone, Derbyshire (Brian Long research)

 

3 May 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

7 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Brian Long research)

10 May 1966 – Ready Steady Radio (Tiles, Oxford Street, central London) (Broadcast 22 May) (Brian Long research)

12 May 1966 – Nottingham Palais, Nottingham (Brian Long research)

13 May 1966 – Coronation Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent with The Tea Set and Children of The Damned (Brian Long research/East Kent Times)

17 May 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

19 May 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Brian Long research)

20 May 1966 – Ready Steady Go (TV) (Brian Long research)

21 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Brian Long research)

21 May 1966 – RAF Wittering, Wittering, West Sussex (Brian Long research)

23 May 1966 – BBC audition, Piccadilly, central London (Brian Long research)

24 May 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

26 May 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Brian Long research)

27 May 1966 – Co-Op Hall, Gravesend, Kent (Brian Long research)

28 May 1966 – Recording session (Brian Long research)

 

1 June 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

3 June 1966 – Roya Forest Hotel, Chingford, east London (Brian Long research)

4 June 1966 – Winter Gardens, Banbury, Oxfordshire with The Lazyways (Brian Long research/Brackley Advertiser)

7 June 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

9 June 1966 – RAF Bicester, Bicester, Oxfordshire (Brian Long research)

Image may be subject to copyright

10 June 1966 – Winter Garden, Eastbourne, East Sussex with The Shades (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

16 June 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

17 June 1966 – Coronation Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent with Sands and Steve & The Corvettes (Brian Long research/East Kent Times)

18 June 1966 – Lloyds Bank, Beckenham, south London (Brian Long research)

19 June 1966 – Brands Hatch, West Kingsdown, Kent (Brian Long research)

21 June 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

23 June 1966 – RAF Tangmere, Chichester, West Sussex (Brian Long research)

25 June 1966 – Battersea Park, Battersea, south London (Brian Long research)

26 June 1966 – USAF Alconbury, Alconbury, Cambridgeshire (Brian Long research)

28 June 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

 

1 July 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

2 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Brian Long research)

7 July 1966 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Fag Paper Nose and Chin Band (Roger Bistow research)

8 July 1966 – Alton, Hampshire (Brian Long research)

9 July 1966 – Recording session (Brian Long research)

Image may be subject to copyright

14-15 July 1966 – Leys Hotel, Clacton, Essex (Brian Long research/Essex County Standard)

16 July 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London with The Legend (Melody Maker)

29 July 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

30 July 1966 – Grand Hotel, Brighton, West Sussex (Brian Long research)

 

1 August 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

3 August 1966 – Recording session for Pye (Brian Long research)

4 August 1966 – Nottingham Palais, Nottingham (Brian Long research)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 August 1966 – Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Berkhamsted Gazette & Tring and District News)

6 August 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London (Brian Long research)

8 August 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

12 August 1966 – Coronation Hall, Ramsgate, Kent (Brian Long research)

13 August 1966 – Coventry Air Pageant, Coventry, West Midlands (Brian Long research)

15 August 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

18 August 1966 – Wakefield Locarno, Wakefield, West Yorkshire (Brian Long research)

25 August 1966 – Kew Boathouse, Kew, west London (Brian Long research)

27 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Soul Agents (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) (According to Brian Long, show broadcast 5 September)

29 August 1966 – Overseas Visitors Club, Earls Court, west London (Brian Long research)

30 August 1966 – Ready Steady Radio at Tiles, Oxford Street, central London (Brian Long research)

31 August 1966 – Pickwick Club, central London (audition) (Brian Long research)

 

3 September 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, northwest London (Brian Long research)

9 September 1966 – Princess Club, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Brian Long)

9 September 1966 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Brian Long)

Image may be subject to copyright

12 September 1966 – Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with Tom Jones & The Squires (Berkhamsted Gazette & Tring and District News)

15 September 1966 – RAF Tangmere, Chichester, West Sussex (Brian Long)

16 September 1966 – Co-op Hall, Gravesend, Kent (Brian Long)

17 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Good Goods (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Photo: Hillingdon Mirror. Image may be subject to copyright

The Hillingdon Mirror ran a picture of the band in its 20 September 1966 issue, page 20

23 September 1966 – Recording session at Pye (Brian Long research)

25 September 1966 – Brands Hatch, Kingsdown, Kent (Brian Long research)

27 September 1966 – Finsbury Park Astoria, Finsbury Park, north London  with Dusty Springfield & The Echoes, Boz and His People, The Settlers, The Alan Price Set, The Mindbenders and Dave Berry (Brian Long research) This is the start of The Dusty Springfield tour

28 September 1966 – Bournemouth Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, Dorset with Dusty Springfield & The Echoes, The Alan Price Set, The Settlers, Dave Berry, David and Jonathan, Boz & His Group and Jeff Lenner (Brian Long research/website: https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

Image may be subject to copyright

29 September 1966 – Odeon, Cheltenham with Dusty Springfield, Alan Price Set, Boz & His Group, The Settlers, The Echoes and Los Bravos (Gloucester Citizen)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 September 1966 – Birmingham Odeon, Birmingham, West Midlands with Dusty Springfield, The Alan Price Set, Boz & His Group, The Settlers, The Echoes and Los Bravos (Brian Long research/Birmingham Evening Mail/Express & Star)

 

1 October 1966 – Cardiff Capitol, Cardiff, Wales (Brian Long research)

2 October 1966 – Colston Hall, Bristol (Brian Long research)

3 October 1966 – Manchester Odeon, Manchester (Brian Long research)

4 October 1966 – Newcastle Odeon, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (Brian Long research)

5 October 1966 – Liverpool Odeon, Liverpool (Brian Long research)

6 October 1966 – Hanley Gaumont, Hanley, Staffordshire (Brian Long research)

7 October 1966 – Sheffield Gaumount, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Brian Long research)

8 October 1966 – Leicester gig (Brian Long research)

9 October 1966 – Woburn Abbey gig, Buckinghamshire (Brian Long research)

11 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

15 October 1966 – Harrow County School, Harrow, northwest London with Five’s Company (Brian Long research/Harrow Observer)

18 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (audition) (Brian Long research)

21 October 1966 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

25 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

28 October 1966 – Witchdoctor Club, Catford, southeast London (Brian Long research)

29 October 1966 – University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent (Brian Long research)

 

1 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Spencer Davis Group (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

4 November 1966 – Beckenham Ballroom, Beckenham, south London (Brian Long research)

5 November 1966 – Wimbledon Stadium, Wimbledon, southwest London (Brian Long research)

11 November 1966 – Witchdoctor Club, Catford, southeast London (Brian Long research)

12 November 1966 – Nautilus Club, Lowestoft, Suffolk (Brian Long research)

13-14 November 1966 – Trip to the Netherlands around this time (Disc & Music Echo)

15 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

17 November 1966 – RAF Tangmere, Chichester, West Sussex (Brian Long research)

21 November 1966 – Recording session at Pye (Brian Long research)

22 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

23 November 1966 – ‘Swingalong’ recording at BBC (Brian Long research)

25 November 1966 – Recording session at Pye (Brian Long research)

25 November 1966 – Solvatorian College, Harrow Weald, northwest London (Brian Long research)

The Hounslow Post from 25 November 1966, page 6 has an article and picture on the band

Image may be subject to copyright

26 November 1966 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Clwyd, Wales with The Raynes (Rhyl & Prestayn Gazette)

28 November 1966 – ‘Monday Monday’ at the BBC (Brian Long research)

30 November 1966 – Fly to Beirut, Lebanon (Disc & Music Echo) This was on Roger Glover’s birthday

 

1-31 December 1966 – Casino du Liban, Beirut, Lebanon (Brian Long research)

1967

Image may be subject to copyright

11 February 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Soul’s Incorporated (Melody Maker/Newham, West Ham & East Ham, Barking and Stratford Express)

19 February 1967 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

22 February 1967 – Kingsway Theatre, Hadleigh, Essex with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, Cat Stevens, The Style and The Machine

Image may be subject to copyright

2 March 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Herd (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

3 March 1967 – Exeter University, Exeter, Devon (Fabulous 208)

4 March 1967 – Nautilus Club, Lowestoft, Suffolk (Fabulous 208)

17 March 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Bobby Johnson & The Atoms (Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright

13 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Jon (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

15 April 1967 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with Dilemma (West Surrey Advertiser)

Image may be subject to copyright

6 May 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with supporting group (South East London Mercury)

23 May 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Paul Kaye (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

28 May 1967 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with The Spectrum (Hertfordshire Express)

 

13 June 1967 – Clapham Common, Clapham, London (Disc & Music Echo) Start of open air gigs

18 June 1967 – Brands Hatch Radio London Motor Racing and Pop Festival, Brands Hatch, Kent with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch and Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Sutton & Cheam Advertiser)

Image may be subject to copyright

1 July 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with supporting group (South East London Mercury)

8 July 1967 – Ashton Palais, Ashton-under-Lyme, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

12 July 1967 – Victoria Rooms, Bristol with Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas (Fabulous 208)

15 July 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London (Fabulous 208)

16 July 1967 – Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, central London (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 July 1967 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Hayes Gazette/Hillingdon and Uxbridge Weekly Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

29 July 1967 – Embassy, Colchester, Essex with The Reaction (Essex County Standard)

The Hillingdon Mirror ran a colour picture in its 8 August 1967 issue, page 9 (see below)

Photo: Hillingdon Mirror. Image may be subject to copyright

12 August 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with supporting group (South East London Mercury)

Image may be subject to copyright

16 August 1967 – Big Beat Cruise, Solent, South Parade Pier, Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head with The Wrong Direction (Portsmouth News)

18 August 1967 – Diss Corn Hall, Diss, Norfolk with The Wild Oats (Thetford Times)

Portsmouth News has a photo of the band in its 10 August 1967 issue, page 10 (see below)

Image may be subject to copyright

Disc & Music Echo’s 26 August issue notes that the group are keen to sign Dick Allix from The Gnomes of Zurich to replace drummer Harvey Shields. Instead, they end up recruiting John Kerrison.

Episode Six before John Kerrison joined. Fabulous 208, August 1967. Image may be subject to copyright

1 September 1967 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Hayes Gazette/Hillingdon and Uxbridge Weekly Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

2 September 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with Konda Group and Arthur’s Limited (Warrington Guardian)

Image may be subject to copyright

9 September 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Summer Set (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)

 

7 October 1967 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire with Friday’s Mind (Evening Post: Hemel Hempstead)

9 October 1967 – Ready Steady Go Club, Kings Arms Hotel, Berkhamstead, Herts (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring & District News)

21 October 1967 – City University, central London with The Action (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

28 October 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with Bobby King & The Sabres (South East London Mercury)

 

3 November 1967 – “Big C”, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)

12 November 1967 – Sunday Club, Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire (Windsor, Slough and Eton Express)

According to Melody Maker, the band embarked on 16-day trip to West Germany on 13 November 1967 via Luxembourg

December 1967 – Blow Up, Munich, West Germany

10 December 1967 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian) Is this likely with German gigs above?

Photo: Kevin Reynolds

23 December 1967 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Tears (Rugby Advertiser)

Episode Six with John Kerrison (third right). Image may be subject to copyright

30 December 1967 – Co-op, Rainbow Suite, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

1968

20 January 1968 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Chasers (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)

Image may be subject to copyright

22 January 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

27 January 1968 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with Tramline and Magnus Opus (Southend Standard)

Image may be subject to copyright

24 February 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with The Rhodents Soul Quintet (Warrington Guardian)

 

1 March 1968 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Buckinghamshire Advertiser)

2 March 1968 – Co-op Hall, Chesham, Bucks with Tangerine Peel (Buckinghamshire Advertiser)

23 March 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

Image may be subject to copyright

30 March 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Great Xpectations (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

 

4 April 1968 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire (Luton News)

5 April 1968 – Heath Row, Ipswich, Suffolk with ‘Marshall’ Mick Lennox (Radio 1) (Ipswich Evening Star)

7 April 1968 – Nu Sunday Club, Manor Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk (Ipswich Evening Star)

11 April 1968 – Beaconsfield Youth Club, Beaconsfield, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 April 1968 – The Cobweb, St Leonards, East Sussex with The Embers (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

 

6 May 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday) This seems very unlikely considering the gig below

Image may be subject to copyright

6 May 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Illinois Press (Cornish Guardian)

Image may be subject to copyright

1 June 1968 – Elms Court Ballroom, Botley, Oxford with Pepper Pot (Oxford Mail) Billed as The Episode

Image may be subject to copyright

2 June 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Rainbow Reflection (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)

10 June 1968 – Civic Hall, Guildford, Surrey with The Move and Circus (Surrey Advertiser)

Image may be subject to copyright

22 June 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

 

12 July 1968 – Kew Boat House, Kew, west London (Thames Valley Times)

Image may be subject to copyright

14 July 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex (with supporting programme) (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)

20 July 1968 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with Glenroy Oakley & The Oracles and Lyte ‘N’ Eze (Essex County Standard)

27 July 1968 – The Barn Ballroom, Little Bardfield Hall, Little Bardfield, Essex (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

Fabulous 208 from 17 August 1968 announces Mick Underwood as John Kerrison’s replacement

Episode Six with Mick Underwood (bottom left). Image may be subject to copyright

30 August 1968 – Tigers Head, Downham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

 

15 September 1968 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

 

9 October 1968 – Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset with Disturbance and Dave the Rave (Somerset County Gazette) Billed as The Episode

19 October 1968 – University College, Gower Street, W1, central London with Proteus (Melody Maker)

20 October 1968 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Uxbridge Weekly Post) Replaced by Tremeloes

Image may be subject to copyright

15 November 1968 – Brunel University, Acton, west London with Timebox (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

16 November 1968 – Centre 185, Egham, Surrey with Five & a Penny (Staines & Egham News)

 

11 December 1968 – De La Warr Pavilion, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex with The Red Squares and The Motion (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)

14 December 1968 – Tavistock Town Hall, Tavistock, Devon with Blitz (Western Evening Herald)

31 December 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Lloyd (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

1969

24 January 1969 – Tigers Head, Downham, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

 

1 March 1969 – Bay Hotel, Sunderland (website: www.45worlds.com/live)

Image may be subject to copyright

1 April 1969 – The Clock House, Watford, Hertfordshire with Billy Davis (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

26 April 1969 – Kingston College of Technology, Kingston upon Thames, southwest London with Orange Rainbow (Melody Maker)

 

11 May 1969 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

In mid-June Ian Gillian and Roger Glover left to join Deep Purple

21 June 1969 – The Cobweb, St Leonards, East Sussex with Tanglewood (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

27 June 1969 – Pop Supershow, RAE Assembly Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire with Aynsley Dunbar’s Retaliation, Locomotive and Ten Percent Butter (Aldershot News)

 

10 October 1969 – Northern Polytechnic, Holloway, north London with Steamhammer (Time Out) Melody Maker says it was Battered Ornaments

 

22 November 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

 

19 December 1969 – Edgbarrow Youth Club, Crowthorne, Hampshire (Aldershot News)

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.

 

Categories: England, London

The Cromwellian, 3 Cromwell Road, South Kensington

6 Comments

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)

 

6 August 1965 (Friday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

14 August 1965 (Saturday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

30 August 1965 (Monday) – The Mark Leeman Five (Martyn Hanson’s Hang on to a Dream: The Story of the Nice book)

According to Hanson’s book, this was keyboard player Terry Goldberg’s final gig with Mark Leeman’s band.

 

8 September 1965 (Wednesday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

11 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

15 September 1965 (Wednesday) – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)

16 September 1965 (Thursday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

23 September 1965 (Thursday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)

Guitarist Tim Large says that Dave Anthony’s Moods had a regular Wednesday night gig at the Cromwellian but most of the 1965 gigs below are Thursdays.

25 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

 

1 October 1965 (Friday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

7 October 1965 (Thursday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

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)

 

2 December 1965 (Thursday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Record Mirror)

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 (Record Mirror)

16 December 1965 (Thursday) – Bluesology (Melody Maker)

Elton John (then known as Reg Dwight) was Bluesology’s keyboard player.

Photo: Record Mirror

20 December 1965 (Monday) – Joe Tex (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.

15 January 1966 (Saturday) – The Riot Squad (website: http://brunoceriotti.weebly.com/the-riot-squad.html)

19 January 1966 (Wednesday) – Lee Dorsey (Record Mirror)

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 (Record Mirror)

Stevie Wonder was backed by The Sidewinders (confirmed by drummer Malcolm Penn).

31 January 1966 (Monday) – Lee Dorsey (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 (Record Mirror)

16 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Steampacket (website: http://thebritishsound.blogspot.com/2011/07/steam-packet-family-tree-performance.html)

Record Mirror lists Rufus Thomas for 16 February. Steampacket did perform at the Cromwellian and it’s possible that Rufus Thomas shared the billing. 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 (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 (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)

30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Riot Squad (website: http://brunoceriotti.weebly.com/the-riot-squad.html)

 

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)

30 September 1966 (Friday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Jimi Hendrix website)

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)

31 May 1967 (Wednesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)

 

11 June 1967 (Sunday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)

13 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

20 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

Irish band Granny’s Intentions played around July 1967

4 July 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

11 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Vince Edwards (Fabulous 208)

13 July 1967 (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

18 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)

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)

8 February 1968 (Thursday) – Taste (Rory Gallagher’s Fandom site: https://concerts.fandom.com/wiki/Rory_Gallagher)

14 February 1968 (Wednesday) – The Tremeloes (Fabulous 208)

15 February 1968 (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

26 February 1968 (Monday) – Jethro Tull (Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

4 March 1968 (Monday) – Fleetwood Mac (Melody Maker)

5 March 1968 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound and Lucas (Melody Maker)

11 March 1968 (Monday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Melody Maker)

18 March 1968 (Monday) – Ten Years After (Melody Maker)

25 March 1968 (Monday) – Champion Jack Dupree (Melody Maker)

26 March 1968 (Tuesday) – Jethro Tull (Melody Maker)

 

22 April 1968 (Monday) – The Showstoppers (Melody Maker)

25 April 1968 (Thursday) – Nepenthe and Jigsaw (Melody Maker)

26 April 1968 (Friday) – My Dear Watson (Melody Maker)

29 April 1968 (Monday) – Duster Bennett (Melody Maker)

30 April 1968 (Tuesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)

 

1 May 1968 (Wednesday) – O’Hara’s Playboys (Melody Maker)

2 May 1968 (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)

3 May 1968 (Friday) – Duane Eddy with The Quotations (Melody Maker)

6 May 1968 (Monday) – Wishful Thinking (Melody Maker)

7 May 1968 (Tuesday) – The Jeff Beck Group (Melody Maker)

8 May 1968 (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)

9 May 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)

10 May 1968 (Friday) – Hopscotch (Melody Maker)

11 May 1968 (Saturday) – Merlin Q (Melody Maker)

13 May 1968 (Monday) – The Fantastics (with The House of Orange) (Melody Maker)

14 May 1968 (Tuesday) – The Embers (Melody Maker)

15 May 1968 (Wednesday) – O’ Hara’s Playboys (Melody Maker)

16 May 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)

17 May 1968 (Friday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)

18 May 1968 (Saturday) – Brass Tacks (Melody Maker)

20 May 1968 (Monday) – Wishful Thinking (Melody Maker)

21 May 1968 (Tuesday) – Wishful Thinking (Melody Maker)

22 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)

27 May 1968 (Monday) – Duane Eddy (Melody Maker)

 

3 June 1968 (Monday) – Bill Haley & The Comets (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)

14 June 1968 (Friday) – Ruby & The Romantics (Melody Maker)

18 June 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)

27 June 1968 (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)

 

8 July 1968 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)

20 July 1968 (Saturday) – The Mooche (Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

2 August 1968 (Friday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)

3 August 1968 (Saturday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)

8 August 1968 (Thursday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)

9 August 1968 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

10 August 1968 (Saturday) – The Pathfinders (Melody Maker)

12 August 1968 (Monday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)

15 August 1968 (Thursday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)

16 August 1968 (Friday) – Scrugg (Melody Maker and Jack Russell’s gig diary)

17 August 1968 (Saturday) – Alexander Bell & The Flies (Melody Maker)

20 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)

22 August 1968 (Thursday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)

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)

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.

Categories: England, London, Middlesex, Southall

The White Hart, Southall, west London

6 Comments

Beside Southall Community Centre, another popular venue in the west London suburb was the White Hart.

According to Terry O’Connor, The Chris Barber Band and Johnny Dankworth played the White Hart regularly during the 1950s. He also remembers Acker Bilk played here regularly.

O’Connor also remembers that Pat Cresswell & The Crestas were regulars at the White Hart.

The Statesmen, who later changed name to The Statesides and Jean & The Statesides had a regular residency at the White Hart in the early 1960s (see below). Future Animals’ guitarist Vic Briggs was briefly a member in 1962.

The Who played the venue quite a few times and Jimmy Royal & The Hawks were also regulars. Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers who featured Ritchie Blackmore on guitar also played here.

Frankie Reid & The Casuals (with future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell and Danny McCulloch, who was later in The Animals) also played frequently.

During 1964, future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan’s band The Javelins performed at the club quite a few times.

Later in the 1960s, future Queen guitarist Brian May’s band 1984 played at the White Hart.

The gigs below are incomplete so I would be interested to hear from anyone that can add any further dates in the comments section.

1960

12 September (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

This west London band morphed out of The Rocking Versatiles (formed September 1957) and included long-standing member Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), who remained with the group throughout its various incarnations (and name changes) until finally splitting on 1 July 1966. The band had regular residencies at this club as the huge number of bookings below show.

At this point, The Statesmen comprised Ray Heath (vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bob Kendall (rhythm guitar), Terry Crook (bass/piano) and Dave Evans (drums). 

17 September (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

19 September (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 September (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 September (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 October (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

3 October (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 October (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 October (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 October (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 October (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

7 November (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 November (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 November (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 November (Tuesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

5 December (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 December (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

The Statesmen’s singer Ray Heath left on 28 December. 

1961

2 January (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 January (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 January (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 January (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 January (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Keyboard player and sax player Bill Stemp joined in time for the above gig and, like Jeff Sturgeon, remained with the band until its demise in July 1966.

 

6 February (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 February (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 February (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

6 March (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 March (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 March (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 March (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 March (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 April (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

3 April (Monday) (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 April (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 April (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 April (Thursday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 May (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 May (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 May (Saturday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Ritchie Blackmore had joined Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers on lead guitar by now.

15 May (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 May (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 May (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Jeff Sturgeon notes that Paul Clarke from James Royal & The Hawks played lead guitar on 29 May gig.

 

5 June (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 June (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

The 12 June was rhythm guitarist Bob Kendall’s final gig with The Statesmen.

19 June (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 June (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

10 July (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 July (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 July (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 July (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 July (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

7 August (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 August (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 August (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

From 18 October to 1 December, numerous (and notable drummers) covered for Dave Evans, who left at the end of the year: Micky Waller, Eddie Thorpe, Terry Sealy and Carlo Little.

The Statesmen’s bass player Norman Merchant left on 22 December followed six days later by drummer Dave Evans. Steve Frankel took Evans’ place behind the kit.

Future Animals’ guitarist Vic Briggs, whose first significant band was The Cruisers Rock Combo (formed mid-late 1960), says his next group (after a brief stint with The Echoes), Mike Allen & The Sidekicks played regularly at the White Hart after forming around October 1961.

1962

New bass player Mick Tobias joined on 30 January.

23 February (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Vic Briggs joined on rhythm guitar and debuted on 2 March at the White Hart. Briggs had recently been playing with another White Hart regular, Mike Allen & The Sidekicks. The band had split when singer Mike Ledger and drummer Mick Underwood joined The Crescents.

 

2 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Mick Tobias left The Statesmen on 25 March.

30 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Mick Tobias’ replacement Mick Wilkinson joined on 4 April. Wilkinson had played in Mike Allen & The Sidekicks with Vic Briggs.

6 April (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 April (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 April (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Vic Briggs left The Statesmen on 18 April. His replacement was David Hinds. Briggs next joined Peter Nelson & The Travelers and then in September 1962 worked with The Shel Carson Combo, turning fully pro. He left this band in May 1963.

Shortly after Briggs left, Derek Bridges took over vocal duties. Bridges had previously worked with Briggs in The Cruisers Rock Combo.

 

4 May (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 May (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 May (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

25 May (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 May (Saturday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals and The Statesmen (Brian Mansell’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Frankie Reid & The Casuals’ line up at this time features future Animals bass player Danny McCulloch and future Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell.

 

1 June (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 June (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 June (Saturday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

15 June (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

Jeff notes that Micky King (aka Borer) from James Royal & The Hawks played lead guitar on 22 June in his place.

23 June (Saturday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals and The Statesmen (Brian Mansell’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 June (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

2 July (Monday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

6 July (Friday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals and The Statesmen (Brian Mansell’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

7 July (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 July (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 July (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 July (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 July (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

28 July (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

3 August (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 August (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

17 August (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 August (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 August (Friday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals and The Statesmen (Brian Mansell’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Terry Mabey had replaced Mitch Mitchell in The Casuals by now. Mitchell will deputise in The Statesmen in October 1962.

25 August (Saturday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals and The Statesmen (Brian Mansell’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 August (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 September (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

7 September (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 September (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 September (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 September (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Recent additions Mick Wilkinson (bass) and David Hinds (rhythm guitar) and drummer Steve Frankel all departed on 16 September.

Mick Wilkinson recalls that David Hinds tried to put together a new band that he believes included Mitch Mitchell. Wilkinson was briefly involved but left to work with several other bands, including an Ealing group called The MI5.

21 September (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 September (Saturday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

New bass player Mick Bloomfield and rhythm guitarist Dave Hovington debuted on 28 September. Both will remain with the group until its demise in July 1966 and both had previously been members of The  Cruisers Rock Combo with Vic Briggs and Derek Bridges.

28 September (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 September (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

5 October (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

New drummer Ian Walker debuted on 6 October and will remain with the band until its demise in July 1966. Walker is another former member of The Cruisers Rock Combo.

12 October (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 October (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell subbed for Ian Walker on 12-13 October gigs.

19 October (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 October (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 October (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 October (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

2 November (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 November (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 November (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 November (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 November (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 November (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 November (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 December (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

8 December (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

15 December (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

24 December (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

29 December (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1963

Dave Wigginton, bass player with Jeff Curtis & The Flames, remembers the band played at the White Hart a couple of times, most likely in 1963.

4 January (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

5 January (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 January (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell subbed for Ian Walker on 11 January gig.

18 January (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

25 January (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 February (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

After former Outlaws drummer Mick Underwood has filled in Ian Walker who has gone into hospital for one gig, Terry Sealy stepped in for 1 February gig.

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

Carlo Little from Screaming Lord Sutch’s band deputised on drums for 2 February gig.

8 February (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 February (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

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

 

1 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

8 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

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

29 March (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

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

 

5 April (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

6 April (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 April (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 April (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

19 April (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 April (Friday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 April (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Jean Hayles joined the band at this point after Derek Bridges left on 28 April and they worked as The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles until 15 June.

Former member Mick Wilkinson remembers seeing Derek Bridges singing with The Fleerekkers after he left The Statesmen. 

 

3 May (Friday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 May (Friday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 May (Saturday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 May (Friday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 May (Saturday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 May (Friday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 May (Friday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 June (Saturday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

7 June (Friday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 June (Saturday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 June (Friday) – The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

The band is now called Jean & The Statesmen.

22 June (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

28 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

5 July (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

6 July (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 July (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

19 July (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Ian Walker went on holiday and Mitch Mitchell filled in for two gigs, including 19 July before Charlie Chapman from James Royal & The Hawks covered for 20 July.

26 July (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

2 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

3 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

6 September (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

7 September (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 September (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 September (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 September (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 September (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 September (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

28 September (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 September (Monday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

4 October (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 October (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 October (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

25 October (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 November (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 November (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 November (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

6 December (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

7 December (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 December (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 December (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 December (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 December (Tuesday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 December (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

28 December (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 December (Tuesday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1964

3 January (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

4 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 January (Monday) – Art Wood Combo (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

17 January (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 January (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 February (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

7 February (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 February (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 February (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 February (Saturday) – The Javelins and Jean & The Statesmen (Tony Tacon’s gig diary and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan was the singer with The Javelins. He left in November to join Wainwright’s Gentlemen.

21 February (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 February (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

28 February (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

7 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 March (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 March (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 March (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

28 March (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

3 April (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

4 April (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

10 April (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 April (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 April (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Carlo Little subbed for Ian Walker on drums on 18 April gig.

24 April (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

1 May (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

2 May (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 May (Friday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

9 May (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

16 May (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

The band had changed name to Jean & The Statesides on 15 May.

22 May (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 May (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 May (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

5 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

6 June (Saturday) – The Who and Jean & The Statesides (Andy Neill’s research and Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 June (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 June (Monday) – The Javelins (Tony Tacon’s gig diary)

18 June (Thursday) – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)

19 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 June (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 June (Monday) – The Javelins (Tony Tacon’s gig diary)

25 June (Thursday) – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)

27 June (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 June (Monday) – The Javelins (Tony Tacon’s gig diary)

 

3 July (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

4 July (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

6 July (Monday) – The Javelins (Tony Tacon’s gig diary)

17 July (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 July (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

25 July (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

6 August (Thursday) – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)

7 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

14 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

28 August (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 August (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

4 September (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

5 September (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 September (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 September (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 September (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

25 September (Friday) – Jimmy Royal & The Hawks and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

26 September (Saturday) – Jimmy Royal & The Hawks and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

 

2 October (Friday) – Jimmy Royal & The Hawks and Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary and Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

3 October (Saturday) – Jimmy Royal & The Hawks (and Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

10 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 October (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 October (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 October (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

6 November (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

13 November (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

20 November (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

21 November (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 November (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

4 December (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

5 December (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 December (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 December (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Pete Ross, guitarist with The Flexmen, says that his group played at the White Hart quite a bit between mid-1964 and early 1965 (see photo at the very end).

Jean & The Statesides 1965. Left to right: Bill Stemp, Ian Walker, Dave Brogden, Jean Hayles, Jeff Sturgeon, Mick Bloomfield and Dave Hovington. Photo from Jeff Sturgeon.

1965

1 January (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

2 January (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

8 January (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 January (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

5 February (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

12 February (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

19 February (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

5 March (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 March (Friday) – Mike Dee & The Prophets (Don Martin’s gig diary)

 

9 April (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

30 April (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

8 May (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

29 May (Saturday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

This gig was held at International Aeradio instead of the Southall venue.

 

4 June (Friday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Jean left the band on 26 June and the musicians carried on as The Statesides with rhythm guitarist Dave Hovington singing lead. Former Wainwright’s Gentlemen and Ian Gillan & The Dragsters’ sax player Dave Brogden started playing with the band from 17 June but joined as a full-time member in mid-July.

The Statesmen, March 1966. Photo: Stan Thomas and Jeff Sturgeon

23 July (Friday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

7 August (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

12 November (Friday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

Singer Pat Richards covered for Dave Hovington for the 12 November.

19 November (Friday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

27 November (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

4 December (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

17 December (Friday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 December (Friday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1966

8 January (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 January (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

11 February (Friday) – The Chain Gang (Middlesex Chronicle)

26 February (Saturday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

The Statesides on tour with Wilson Pickett, March 1966. Photo: Stan Thomas and Jeff Sturgeon

23 September (Friday) – C-Jam Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

30 September (Friday) – C-Jam Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

 

7 October (Friday) – C-Jam Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

 

16 December (Friday) – The Ray Martin Group (Harrow Observer)

17 December (Saturday) – The Flamingos (Harrow Observer)

24 December (Saturday) – Jeep Rongle (Harrow Observer)

1967

20 January (Friday) – Jeep Rongle (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

21 January (Saturday) – The Lost Legends (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

27 January (Friday) – Torque (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 January (Saturday) – Jeep Rongle and Kenny Bishop (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

 

4 February (Saturday) – Torque, The Smoke Bombs and Kenny Bishop (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 February (Friday) – Jeep Rongle (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

18 February (Saturday) – The Lost Legends and Ray Peterson (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

25 February (Saturday) – Gene & The Cossacks (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

28 February (Tuesday) – Jeep Rongle (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

 

3 March (Friday) – Torque (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

4 March (Saturday) – The Outer Limits (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

10 March (Friday) – Albert Square (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

11 March (Saturday) – The Outer Limits (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

17 March (Friday) – C-Jam Blues (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

18 March (Saturday – Jeep Rongle (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

 

2 April (Sunday) – The Hot Peppers (from France) (Melody Maker)

7 April (Friday) – Albert Square (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

8 April (Saturday) – Night Train (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

14 April (Friday) – Chances Are (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)

 

13 May (Saturday) – Albert Square (Melody Maker)

20 May (Saturday) – Albert Square (Melody Maker)

 

14 July (Friday) – Themselves (Hounslow Post)

This group soon morphed into Virgin Sleep

15 July (Saturday) – 1984 (Hounslow Post)

Future Queen guitarist Brian May was a member of 1984

17 July (Monday) – Locomotion (Hounslow Post)

1968

6 September (Friday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)

Massive thank you to Jeff Sturgeon and Dave Brogden for sharing gigs. Also huge thanks to Vic Briggs for adding some further details.

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.

The Flexmen at the White Hart, circa late 1964, below. Photo: Pete Ross

Categories: Eastcote, England, London, Middlesex

Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

76 Comments

The Clay Pigeon in Eastcote was a notable rock music venue in northwest London during the 1960s.

During 1963, the Mann-Hugg Blues Brothers, which became Manfred Mann, held a residency there for several months.

Throughout the 1960s, many important British bands played this venue, including several groups from the west London area, such as Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Ian Gillan was lead singer in the first half of 1965), The Birds (with Ron Wood on guitar), The Soul Messengers (featuring future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell) and Episode Six (Ian Gillan and fellow future Deep Purple cohort Roger Glover were members).

The Sweet also played here regularly during their early years with original guitarist Frank Torpey and his successor Mick Stewart.

I have started to compile a gig list below and would welcome any additions in the comments box below as well as any memories. If anyone has any memorabilia and/or photos of bands playing at this venue, I would be happy to include them with a credit.

1960

27 June (Monday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

This west London band morphed out of The Rocking Versatiles (formed September 1957) and included long-standing member Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), who remained with the group throughout its various incarnations (and name changes) until finally splitting on 1 July 1966. The band played this venue regularly.

 

23 July (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

10 August (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

24 August (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

31 August (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

12 October (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

9 November (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

23 November (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

26 November (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1961

8 February (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

12 April (Wednesday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

22 April (Saturday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

1962

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

Singer Jean Hayles joined The Statesmen in late April 1963 and they became “The Statesmen featuring Jean Hayles” for a few months before gigging as Jean & The Statesmen until May 1964.

 

27 May (Sunday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Frankie Reid & The Casuals’ line up at this time featured future Animals bass player Danny McCulloch and future Jimi Hendrix Experience drummer Mitch Mitchell.

 

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

 

2 July (Monday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

 

22 August (Wednesday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)

Mitch Mitchell had moved on by now and Terry Mabey had taken over drums.

1963

17 January (Thursday) – The Limelights (Melody Maker)

The advert notes that this was the club’s grand opening

24 January (Thursday) – The Limelights (Melody Maker)

31 January (Thursday) – The Scepters (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

21 February (Thursday) – The Dauphine Street Six (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

Judging by this gig and the ones below, it looks like jazz bands took over Thursday evenings for a while.

28 February (Thursday) – The Colne Valley Six (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

7 March (Thursday) – Douggie Richford’s Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

14 March (Thursday) – Sonny Morris Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

21 March (Thursday) – Sonny Morris Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

28 March (Thursday) – Back O’Town Syncopaters (Melody Maker)

 

4 April (Thursday) – New Orleans Jazz Band (Melody Maker)

18 April (Thursday) – Charlie Gall’s Jazz Band (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

2 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

The group that became Manfred Mann assumed the Thursday residency, starting with this gig on 2 May.

9 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

16 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

23 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

30 May (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

 

6 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research)

13 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says two bands

20 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says two bands

27 June (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says two bands

 

4 July (Thursday) – Mann-Hugg Blues Band (Greg Russo’s research) Harrow Observer & Gazette says The Fantastic Sounds

11 July (Thursday) – Two bands (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

Photo: Melody Maker

1 August (Thursday) – Mike Forde & The Fortunes (Harrow Observer & Gazette/Melody Maker) Drummer Lindsey Bex joined The Tridents.

8 August (Thursday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

5 September (Thursday) – Graham Bond All-Stars (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

6 September (Friday) – Rikki Rand & The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

12 September (Thursday) – The Graham Bond All Stars (Melody Maker/Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

21 November (Thursday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

1964

3 February (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

5 February (Wednesday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary) Jeff Beck didn’t join The Tridents until early September.

6 February (Thursday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 February (Thursday) – The Tridents (Lindsey Bex’s diary)

17 February (Monday) – The Sensational Soundsmen (Uxbridge Post)

The advert notes that the band plays every Monday so assuming they also performed on 24 February and beyond

20 February (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

By this point the band comprised Jean Hayles (lead vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)

22 February (Saturday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

The Limelights morphed into The Legends (see below)

24 February (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

 

1 March (Sunday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

2 March (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 March (Sunday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

9 March (Monday) – The Tridents with The Soundsmen (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary/Harrow Weekly Post)

14 March (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

15 March (Sunday) – The Limelights (Fulson Stillwell website)

16 March (Monday) – The Tridents with The Soundsmen (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary/Harrow Weekly Post)

21 March (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

30 March (Monday) – The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post) Easter Monday

 

2 April (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

15 April (Wednesday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

25 April (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

30 April (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

9 May (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

14 May (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

After this gig, they became Jean & The Statesides.

16 May (Saturday) – The Tridents (John and Paul Lucas’ diary and Lindsey Bex’s diary)

18 May (Monday) – The Soundsmen, The Downbeat Combo and Mystine (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 May (Thursday) – The Soul Messengers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

Future Jimi Hendrix drummer Mitch Mitchell played with The Soul Messengers during 1964 before joining The Riot Squad.

5 June (Friday) – The Soundsmen and Mystine (Harrow Weekly Post)

11 June (Thursday) – The Soul Messengers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

19 June (Friday) – The Soundsmen, The Preachers and The Mystic (Uxbridge Post) Harrow Weekly Post says Mystine rather than The Mystic

25 June (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

24 July (Friday) – Lee Paris & The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

3 August (Monday) – Lee Paris & The Soundsmen (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 August (Thursday) – Jean & The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

18 August (Tuesday) – The Soul Messengers (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)

 

17 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

24 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners and The Peeple (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1 October (Thursday) – The Preachers and Senate Four (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

15 October (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners with The Paul Taylor Group (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

22 October (Thursday) – The RBQ and Kenny & The Shanes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

29 October (Thursday) – The Light and The Beethovens (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

1965

7 January (Thursday) – The Vibratons (Melody Maker)

14 January (Thursday) – The Modern Blues Six (Melody Maker)

21 January (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary and Melody Maker)

Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan joined this west London band in early November 1964 and remained band until late April.

28 January (Thursday) – Mystic and The Colorados (Melody Maker)

 

4 February (Thursday) – The Fenmen (Melody Maker)

11 February (Thursday) – The Wackers (Melody Maker)

18 February (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

25 February (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

 

4 March (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

11 March (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens (Melody Maker)

18 March (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker) Harrow Observer & Gazette says The Matadors

25 March (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens (Melody Maker)

 

1 April (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

8 April (Thursday) – The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

15 April (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

29 April (Thursday) – The Blue Ravens and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker) Ian Gillan had left  Wainwright’s Gentlemen after a gig on 26 April and joined Episode Six.

 

13 May (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

27 May (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

 

2 June (Wednesday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

By now, future Sweet drummer Mick Tucker had joined Wainwright’s Gentlemen.

3 June (Thursday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Melody Maker)

10 June (Thursday) – Tony Rivers &  The Castaways and Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

17 June (Thursday) – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (Melody Maker)

24 June (Thursday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Melody Maker)

 

8 July (Thursday) – Felders Orioles (Melody Maker)

Drummer John Halsey went on to Timebox in August 1967.

22 July (Thursday) – The Turnkeys (Melody Maker)

29 July (Thursday) – The Flamingos (Melody Maker) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Blue Ravens

 

12 August (Thursday) – The Reasons (Melody Maker)

19 August (Thursday) – The Sultans (Melody Maker)

26 August (Thursday) – The Flamingos (Melody Maker)

 

2 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)  Future Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood was with The Bo Street Runners at this point.

9 September (Thursday) – The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)

16 September (Thursday) – The Modern Blues Six (Melody Maker) Harrow Observer & Gazette has The Alan Price Set but this may relate to next week

22 September (Wednesday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Dave Brogden’s gig diary)

By this point, future Sweet singer Brian Connolly had joined the band. Sax player Dave Brogden was working with The Statesides by this point but helped out with this gig.

23 September (Thursday) – The Alan Price Set (Melody Maker)

30 September (Thursday) – The Olympics (Melody Maker)

 

7 October (Thursday) – Episode Six (Melody Maker)

Future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan joined Episode Six in May 1965 after leaving Wainwright’s Gentlemen in late April.

14 October (Thursday) – The MI4 (Melody Maker)

This band became The Maze and featured original Deep Purple singer Rod Evans and drummer Ian Paice.

 

28 November (Sunday) – The Legends (Hayes Gazette)

 

12 December (Sunday) – The Legends (Hayes Gazette)

1966

Missing all of 1966 apart from this lone gig, so would welcome any additions to this year.

28 January (Friday) – The Statesides (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

By this point the band comprised Jean Hayles (lead vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Dave Brogden (sax), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums).

1967

8 February (Wednesday) – The Beachcombers (Ealing Weekly Post)

 

15 April (Saturday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)

16 April (Sunday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)

 

10 June (Saturday) – Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig diary)

 

7 July (Friday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

21 July (Friday) – Episode Six (Harrow Weekly Post)

28 July (Friday) – The Moody Blues (Harrow Weekly Post)

Rupert’s People were also advertised originally but considering the gig on 11 August, they probably didn’t appear.

 

4 August (Friday) – The Syrian Blues (Harrow Weekly Post)

6 August (Sunday) – Dave Martin Group (Geoff Chinnery’s gig diary)

11 August (Friday) – Rupert’s People (Harrow Weekly Post)

Disc & Music Echo reports that this was Rupert’s People’s debut gig.

17 August (Thursday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 August (Friday) – Robert Hirst & The Big Taste (Harrow Weekly Post)

 

1 September (Friday) – Episode Six (Harrow Weekly Post)

8 September (Friday) – The Syrian Blues (Harrow Weekly Post)

The Original Drifters were booked originally for this date.

22 September (Friday) – James & Bobby Purify with The New York Public Library (Harrow Weekly Post)

29 September (Friday) – Studio Six (Harrow Weekly Post)

 

6 October (Friday) – The Coloured Raisins (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 October (Friday) – Whistling Jack Smith and The Quiet Five (Harrow Weekly Post)

17 October (Tuesday) – The Original Drifters (Harrow Weekly Post)

24 October (Tuesday) – The Symbols (Harrow Weekly Post)

31 October (Tuesday) – The Isley Brothers (Harrow Weekly Post)

 

14 November (Tuesday) – The Fabulous Temptations with The House of Orange (this is The Fantastics) (Harrow Weekly Post)

25 November (Saturday) – The Army (Melody Maker)

Future Sweet bass player Steve Priest was a member of The Army.

28 November (Tuesday) – The Electric Prunes (Fabulous 208)

The visiting Californian band was on a short UK tour and surprisingly played this small venue.

 

23 December (Saturday) – Wainwright’s Gentlemen (Frank Torpey’s gig diary)

Three of the original Sweet members (Brian Connolly, Mick Tucker and Frank Torpey) were part of Wainwright’s Gentlemen at this point.

1968

1 June (Saturday) – Baron Richthofen’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Circus (Harrow Observer & Gazette)

 

9 August (Friday) – The Group Show (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

11 August (Sunday) – Smokey Orange (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

16 August (Friday) – Advance Rate (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

18 August (Sunday) – The Beatstalkes (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

23 August (Friday) – The Nights (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

25 August (Sunday) – The Sweetshop (aka The Sweet) (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

30 August (Friday) – Late Night Love (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

 

1 September (Sunday) – Freddie Fingers Lee (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

13 September (Friday) – The House of Lords (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

15 September (Sunday) – Episode Six (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

18 September (Wednesday) – The Nights (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

21 September (Saturday) – The Cast (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

22 September (Sunday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

25 September (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

28 September (Saturday) – The Market (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

29 September (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

 

2 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

5 October (Saturday) – The Fresh Windows and The Outside Toilet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

6 October (Sunday) – Marmalade and Coconut Ice (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

9 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

12 October (Saturday) – Two top groups (Harrow Weekly Post)

13 October (Sunday) – Timebox (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

16 October (Wednesday) – Merlin Q (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

19 October (Saturday) – The Tracts (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

20 October (Sunday) – Episode Six (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

Episode Six were replaced by The Tremeloes plus support band.

23 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

26 October (Saturday) – The Bobcats (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

27 October (Sunday) – The New Formula with support (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

30 October (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

 

2 November (Saturday) – Merlin Q (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

3 November (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and Acceleration (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

6 November (Wednesday) – Pop group (Harrow Weekly Post)

9 November (Saturday) – The Colours (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

10 November (Sunday) – Little John & The Shadrocks (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

13 November (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

16 November (Saturday) – Top groups (Harrow Weekly Post)

17 November (Sunday) – Vanity Fair (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

20 November (Wednesday) – The Forbidden Fruit (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

24 November (Sunday) – The Paradox (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

27 November (Wednesday) – The Sweet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

30 November (Saturday) – Andy Cannon Quartet (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

 

1 December (Sunday) – The Tremeloes and Coconut Ice (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

4 December (Wednesday) – The Tremeloes (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

7 December (Saturday) – The Craven Brothers and Cabaret Show (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

8 December (Sunday) – Marmalade (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

14 December (Saturday) – The Four Sounds (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

15 December (Sunday) – Locomotive (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

18 December (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

22 December (Sunday) – The Dream Police (Uxbridge Weekly Post and Harrow Weekly Post)

29 December (Sunday) – The Tremeloes (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

Harrow Weekly Post reports that New Formula replaced The Tremeloes

1969

19 January (Sunday) – The Youngblood (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

26 January (Sunday) – The Formula (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

 

2 February (Sunday) – Danny Diaz & The Checkmates (from Hong Kong) (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

 

2 March (Sunday) – Harmony Grass (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

9 March (Sunday) – Justin Marhyr (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

16 March (Sunday) – Red Beans & Rice (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

23 March (Sunday) – Joyce Bond Revue (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

30 March (Sunday) – John L Watson & The Web (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

 

26 April (Saturday) – The Cats (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

 

4 May (Sunday) – The Nights (Uxbridge Weekly Post)

11 May (Sunday) – Episode Six (Uxbridge Weekly 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.

Categories: England, London, Middlesex

The Army

45 Comments
The Army at the Grange Club February 1968
The Army, mid-February 1968 at The Grange Club in Hayes, left to right: Richard Herring, Steve Priest, Alan Bennett, Anita (surname? – our go-go dancer), Richard Bennett, George Russell, Ron Lewingdon, John Barter and Dennis White. Photo: Richard Bennett

 

Richard Bennett – lead vocals

Tony Tacon – lead guitar

Ian Orton – keyboards 

John Barter – tenor sax

George Russell – tenor sax

Ron Lewingdon – trumpet 

Steve Priest – bass/vocals 

Alan Bennett – drums

West London R&B/soul connoisseurs The Army have the distinction of being the group that spawned future Sweet bass player/singer Steve Priest.

The Army’s roots can be traced as far back as 1962 when cousins Richard Bennett (lead vocals) and Alan Bennett (drums) decided to form their first band, The Satellites in Hayes, west London.

The Satellites in Hillingdon Mirror, 16 November 1965

Joined by Dave Harris (bass) and siblings Ian Orton (lead guitar) and Mick Orton (rhythm guitar), The Satellites had an early brush with fame when they appeared on the set of the James Bond movie Goldfinger in 1964.

The Satellites 1960
The Army was formed from this band, The Satellites, formed in 1960. Left to right: Richard Bennett, Dave Harris, Alan Bennett, Ian Orton and Mick Orton. This photo was taken at the opening scene of Goldfinger, The James Bond movie with Sean Connery. Photo: Richard Bennett

Around mid-July 1966, however, The Satellites underwent a significant reshuffle, starting with the addition of lead guitarist Tony Tacon, whose main claim to fame is that he had been a member of local rivals, The Javelins with future Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan during 1962-1964.

Gillan left to join Wainwright’s Gentlemen in November 1964 (Ed: future Sweet drummer Mick Tucker joined during late 1965) and Tacon joined Ealing band, Four Jacks and a Joker before hooking up with West Drayton outfit, The Ways & Means for a few months.

“I got a knock on my door from Clem [Clemson] who had been a part-time manager of The Javelins,” remembers Tacon. “He said that The Satellites were looking for a new lead guitarist if I was interested. I went down to Uxbridge for an audition and joined.”

With Tacon’s arrival, Ian Orton moved on to keyboards. At the same time Mick Orton dropped out. The following month, the band decided to remodel itself on Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers by bringing in some horn players.

For the proposed horn section, Tacon recommended his friend, sax player John Barter, who had played alongside the guitarist in Four Jacks and a Joker. Barter in turn introduced his friend, fellow sax player George Russell, a former member of Twickenham-based R&B outfit, Jeff Curtis & The Flames.

Not long after Dave Harris departed and future Sweet bass player Steve Priest took his place.

“Steve Priest joined as our new bass player,” continues Tacon. “I remember us going around to see him at his parents’ house in Hayes. I was familiar with him from his Countdowns days but someone else in the band had made contact with him.”

According to Steve Priest’s book Are you Ready, Steve?  it was Richard and Alan Bennett who approached him to join. Priest would later recruit future Army members, guitarist Richard Herring and organist Dennis White from his former group The Countdowns.

Tacon remembers one of his first gigs with the group (still billed as The Satellites) was in south Wales.

“I remember playing Afan Lido (Port Talbot) probably in their gym. It was early on after I joined The Satellites. Straight down the M4 and back the same day. Beautiful sunny day (so not winter) and I remember us relaxing on the nearby beach until the gig started. I reckon it was a regular dance venue as girls told us that they came down each week.” (Ed. The Port Talbot Guardian lists this as 23 July 1966 with Something Else in support)

Photo: Tony Tacon

Renamed The Army, in view of the increased number of personnel in the band, Richard Bennett, who worked as a sign writer, painted the new moniker, surrounded by instruments, on the sextet’s new purchase, an old 30cwt van.

“The van was so big that we used to have to take it in turns to have it for a week and park it outside our homes,” says Tacon.

From the outset, The Army’s repertoire was entirely comprised of cover material, mixing popular US R&B/soul numbers like Lee Dorsey’s “Ride Your Pony”, The Four Tops’ “Reach Out, I’ll Be There”, Larry Williams’s “Slow Down” and Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper’s “In the Midnight Hour” (which Steve Priest sang) with British classics, such as Zoot Money’s “Big Time Operator”.

At first, the revamped and renamed outfit found gigs at its local haunt – the Grange Club in Hayes. Interestingly, they were also invited to perform at several garden parties for the Tory party.

“I was impressed by the sort of gigs that we did,” recalls Tacon. “The band was well in with the Young Conservative Association, how I don’t know, and played at many of the functions in London and the Home Counties.”

Tacon remembers the band playing at the Bell House Hotel in Gerrards Cross, a venue in Harpenden with a Liverpool band that might have been The Undertakers and also at an RAF base at Dawes Hill near High Wycombe.

During this time, the guitarist also remembers the band landing a gig at the Queen’s Building in the centre of London (Heathrow) Airport and sharing the dressing room with Kenny Ball & His Jazzmen.

In late October, The Army played at a Halloween Party at a hotel opposite the airport, which was put on by a film producer.

Photo: Tony Tacon

More significant, the sextet started performing on London’s busy club scene, including shows at the Starlite Ballroom in Greenford and the 100 Club (Ed: this might have been Tiles) on Oxford Street.

“One night we played a dance hall in the Amersham area… then went straight off to the centre of London where we played [at Tiles] in the early hours of the morning. The Birds may have been on before us,” recalls Tacon.

“I remember that Steve [Priest] had some friends with him at that gig and one of them was robbed on the dance floor. My fiancée (now my wife) saw it happen and says that the gang turned Steve’s friend upside down to empty his pockets.”

Priest’s book doesn’t mention this incident but does note that the venue the group played after the Amersham area gig was Tiles on Oxford Street. Interestingly, The Army did play the Legion Hall in Amersham on 25 February 1967 and later that evening appeared at Tiles on Oxford Street (see selected gig list below).

As the band’s popularity grew, The Army ventured further afield, including shows in Cardiff (3 February 1967), Dunstable, Birmingham and Nottingham among others.

Cardiff gig, 3 February 1967

Tacon remembers the sextet playing a converted warehouse in Birmingham and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers were in the dressing room when they arrived [Ed: this was Midnight City on 19 November 1966, although the group is not advertised in Birmingham Evening Mail].

“I remember John Mayall sitting there smoking a spliff. The window at the end of the room looked out on to a large intersection and bang opposite was Digbeth police station,” continues the guitarist.

“We left our gear and all went off to the Bullring for something to eat, missing the Bluesbreakers’ set. I have often wondered if Eric Clapton was in the room that night, but after comparing notes with Steve Priest; he assures me that it was the first gig [sic] for Peter Green, who he saw frantically practising in readiness having just taken over from Clapton.”

Tacon adds that The Army played at the Dungeon Club in Nottingham the next evening, a venue that he recalls playing at least twice during his time with the band. [Ed: this would have been 20 November 1966. Again, the local paper, The Nottingham Evening Post does not list them, but rather The Amboy Dukes]

Another notable gig took place on Christmas Eve when The Army opened for their idols, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers at Burton’s in Uxbridge.

“I must have left in my own van earlier than the others after the gig because the next morning (Christmas Day), two of the band, probably Richard and Alan turned up with my share of the money,” recalls the guitarist.

“They were good lads in that band. I went all over the place with them and do not remember any upsets at all.”

The Army, Dungeon, Nottingham, 5 March 1967
The Army, Dungeon, Nottingham, 5 March 1967

During January 1967, Tacon introduced trumpet player Ron Lewingdon and The Army became a seven-piece act.

“He approached me about joining when he saw me driving the band’s van one day in the company car park,” explains the guitarist. “I was working in the tool room at the same company at the time. I put it to the others and he was in.”

With Lewingdon on-board, The Army played at the Adelphi Ballroom in Slough (18 March 1967) and Tacon’s old mate from The Javelins, Ian Gillan turned up and ended up taking photos of the group performing from the side of the stage.

“Ian came with me in my car to see the band for the first time,” continues the guitarist. “I had been going to see him in Episode Six, so he repaid the compliment. He was best man at my wedding later that year.”

The Army at the Adelphi Club
At The Adelphi Ballroom in Slough, above the cinema. Left to right: Steve Priest, Tony Tacon, Richard Bennett on lead vocals,  Ron Lewingdon and George Russell. Photo: Richard Bennett

On this particular night Richard Bennett’s PA played up and the singer remembers borrowing one from Ian Gillan. Tacon adds that the future Deep Purple singer also took the photo.

However, not long after, Tony Tacon handed his notice. The guitarist was indeed engaged and got married soon after; it was time to hang up his rock ‘n’ roll boots. In fact, Tacon didn’t play in a band again until The Javelins reformed in the early 1990s to record a CD. He currently plays with Lincoln band, Something Else.

The guitarist remembers that his last gig with The Army took place at the California Ballroom in Dunstable on 25 March 1967.

“There were three bands on that night,” he says looking back. “The Troggs were top of the bill and we shared the dressing room with them. I remember being impressed that they arrived in an Austin Princess and brought a portable black and white TV with them that was set up in the dressing room.”

The Army at the Adelphi Ballroom, 18 March 1967. Photo: Tony Tacon

With former Countdowns guitarist Richard Herring taking over on lead guitar and ex-Countdown Dennis White subsequently replacing Ian Orton on electric organ, The Army cut two tracks in late 1967 that were shelved until 2014 when this author helped secure the release of the band’s cover of the Joe Tex hit, “Sugar” on Acid Jazz’s Rare Mod Volume 5. The band’s cover of the Sam & Dave hit “You Don’t Know Like I Know” remains unreleased.

On 14 October, The Army returned to the California Ballroom to support Georgie Fame. Two months later, they played two shows at Burton’s in Uxbridge, the latter on New Year’s Eve, opening for Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers.

Sometime around this period, the group turned up at Chelsea Barracks to audition for Opportunity Knocks.

The Army continued to gig during early 1968, playing venues like Walton Hop. However, behind the scenes, Steve Priest began rehearsing with The Sweetshop (aka Sweet) on the side.

“I was a fan of smaller bands like Cream,” says Priest on his decision to explore new avenues. “The Army and Wainwright’s Gentlemen played at Ealing Town Hall on the same night. Mick [Tucker] was fired that night and Brian [Connolly] resigned.”

Left to right: Ron Lewingdon, George Russell, John Barter, Richard Bennett and Steve Priest. Opening for Marmalade (circa late 1967/early 1968). Photo: George Russell

Not long after playing a show at the Grange Club in Hayes in mid-February (see date stamped top picture), Priest announced his decision to leave The Army, playing his debut gig with The Sweetshop (subsequently shortened to The Sweet) on 9 March at Hemel Hempstead Pavilion.

Taking on a new bass player called Chris from Ealing, The Army continued to gig, including a clutch of shows at the New Pink Flamingo in Soho, Cooks Ferry Inn in Edmonton, north London and also opened for The Easybeats at St Albans City Hall.

By this point, Richard Herring had also departed and former Casuals’ lead guitarist Geoff Foster had joined. Not long after Dennis White left to join Merlin Q.

The group continued to pick up gigs, playing venues like Samanthas in New Burlington Street in London

Then, around September 1968, Pete Burt took over the drum stool from Alan Bennett. Burt had worked with George Russell in Jeff Curtis & The Flames during 1965 and had stuck with the group when it became The Kool. Bennett’s departure prompted Ron Lewingdon to also drop out.

Alan Bennett and Ron Lewingdon stuck together. Reunited with former member, the late Ian Orton on rhythm guitar and lead vocals and siblings Ray Spiteri (lead guitar) and Bob Spiteri (bass), they formed The Occasions and landed a prestigious gig at the Hilton Hotel on Park Lane the early 1970s.

The remaining members continued into early 1969 before splintering. Pete Burt briefly gigged with Bob Brittain and then formed Hogsnort Rupert, the house band at the Clay Pigeon in Eastcote.

Geoff Foster joined soul band, The Orange Rainbow (John Barter and George Russell both guested). Russell (and later Richard Bennett) emigrated to Australia but Russell subsequently returned to the UK.

Notable gigs:

3 September 1966 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Simon Dupree Sound (billed as The Satellites)

9 September 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London with The Jimmy Brown Sound (billed as The Satellites)

27 October 1966 – Royal Ballrooms, Boscombe, Dorset (billed as The Satellites)

 

19 November 1966 – Midnight City, Digbeth, Birmingham with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Tony Tacon’s memories: they must have replaced either Wynder K Frog or The Times who were also advertised)

20 November 1966 – The Dungeon, Nottingham (Tony Tacon’s memories: they must have replaced The Amboy Dukes who were advertised in Nottingham Evening Post)

24 November 1966 – Stereo Club, Wycombe, Bucks (billed as The Satellites)

25 November 1966 – Wy-Key Club, Burnham Lane, Slough, Berkshire (billed as The Satellites)

26 November 1966 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Blackout (billed as The Satellites)

 

10 December 1966 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with The Riot Squad (Tony Tacon confirmed)

24 December 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers

Thanks to David Else for providing the scan

4 February 1967 – Thames Hotel, Windsor, Berkshire (replaced The All Night Workers)

11 February 1967 – Kookoo-Byrd Discotheque, Cardiff, Wales

25 February 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks

25 February 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Gamblers and The Essex Five

 

5 March 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham

18 March 1967 – At the Union, Manchester with St Louis Union and Sound Venture (Tony Tacon doesn’t recall this gig at all, even though it was advertised)

18 March 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

25 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Troggs

1 April 1967 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

23 April – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

29 April 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks

29 April 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Lemon Line and The Penny Blacks

11 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Jokers and The Afex

28 May 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

 

2 July 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London with The Toys

15 July 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

16 July 1967 – Carlton Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

29 July 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Gass and The Fraternity

 

19 August 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Coloured Raisins and Tiles Big Band

20 August 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Maze and The Art Movement

23 August 1967 – Drayton Hall, West Drayton, west London

23 August 1967 – Town Hall Park, Hayes, west London

3 September 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, Slough, Berkshire

 

14 October 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Georgie Fame & Four Point Five

 

24 November 1967 – Private engagement (according to Melody Maker)

25 November 1967 – Clay Pigeon, Eastcote, northwest London

26 November 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Ronnie Jones & The Q-Set

27 November 1967 – Private engagement (according to Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

30 November 1967 – RAF Northwood, Hertfordshire

 

1 December 1967 – Private engagement (according to Melody Maker)

2 December 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London

3 December 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with The Temptations (this was The Fantastics not the Motown group)

31 December 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London with Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (this requires confirmation)

 

5 January 1968 – The Hub, Marlow, Bucks

13 January 1968 – Walton Hop, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey

20 January 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex with Radio Disc Show with Stuart Henry

According to Frank Torpey’s diary, Steve Priest was rehearsing with The Sweetshop (aka The Sweet) by 5 February and would have left a few weeks later. 

Frank Torpey’s final gig with Wainwright’s Gentlemen was 20 January and Mick Tucker was fired shortly afterwards so the Ealing Town Hall gig where Wainwright’s Gentlemen and The Army both appeared was probably in the last week of January 1968.

10 February 1968 – The Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset

Mid (13?) February 1968 – The Grange, Hayes, west London (picture has Steve Priest in it, so one of his final gigs with the band)

 

3 March 1968 – Slough Adelphi, Slough, Berkshire (Priest may have played this but very unlikely)

10 May 1968 – Dunstable Civic Hall, Dunstable, Beds with Spectrum

25 May 1968 – Nags Head, Motown Club, Wollaston, Northamptonshire with Alfred The Great

26 May 1968 – New Pink Flamingo, Wardour Street, central London

Photo credit: Geoff Foster

30 May 1968 – St Andrew’s Hall, Uxbridge, northwest London

 

2 June 1968 – New Pink Flamingo, Wardour Street, central London with The All-Nite Workers (billed as Army Soul Show)

14 June 1968 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset

21 June 1968 – St Albans City Hall, St Albans, Hertfordshire with The Easybeats and The Hello

6 July 1968 – Flamenco Club, Folkestone, Kent

Photo credit: Geoff Foster

10 August 1968 – Styx Discotheque, Luton, Bedfordshire

23 September 1968 – Penny Farthing Club, Southend-on-Sea, Essex with Kingsize Keen and His Rockin’ Machine

I would like to thank Tony Tacon, Richard Bennett, Alan Bennett, Ron Lewingdon, Steve Priest, John Kerrison, Geoff Foster, George Russell, John Barter and Keith Kendall for providing some information about this band. Thanks to Richard Bennett, George Russell and Tony Tacon for providing images.

Gigs were sourced from various national newspapers and Melody Maker (some sources are noted in the comments below).

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.

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