Located at 3 New Burlington Street, W1, Samantha’s opened in early November 1966.
There is very little information about this important night club so I would welcome any memorabilia and further details about artists that performed here.
1966
London Life magazine’s 10-16 September issue notes that the club was opening during October.
London Life magazine, mid-October 1966
However, the same magazine’s 22-28 October issue reports that the club was opening shortly with James Bond décor and a coffee bar with outdoor patio, indicating that it was early November.
London Life mid-November 1966
London Life magazine’s 12-18 November issue reports that Samantha’s was open and hosted groups, although no names were listed.
London Life mid-December 1966
14 December (Wednesday) – Bobby Hebb (Melody Maker and London Life magazine)
London Life, New Year’s Eve, 1966
1967
I have no entries for this year apart from the one below so would welcome any further information on artists that performed at the central London club.
According to the poster for Gloucester YMCA below, The Official Receivers played at Samantha’s around October-November 1967.
The Artwoods and John’s Children, December 1966. Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
Originally called the Chuck Wagon and located in a corrugated iron hut at 22a Bridge Street in Leatherhead, Surrey, this notable music venue was renamed the Bluesette Club around March 1966. John’s Children, the group that once included Marc Bolan, owned the club at one point and performed regularly, initially under the name The Silence.
I’ve started to compile a list of gigs, which are taken from the Caterham Weekly Press unless otherwise noted. There are significant gaps in the listings, so I’d welcome any additions, corrections and memories, including when the venue operated as the Chuck Wagon. Judging by the listings below, shows took place on Fridays and Sundays unless otherwise noted.
1966
25 February 1966 – Tony Jackson & The Vibrations (Boyfriend magazine)
1 April 1966 – Too Many Kooks (Poster from John Treais)
3 April 1966 – Sons of Fred (Poster from John Treais)
8 April 1966 – Paddy, Klaus & Gibson (Poster from John Treais)
10 April 1966 – The Ends (aka The End) (Poster from John Treais)
15 April 1966 – The A-Jaes (Poster from John Treais)
17 April 1966 – The (Five) Proud Walkers (Poster from John Treais)
Photo: John Treais
22 April 1966 – Eddie’s Crowd (Poster from John Treais)
24 April 1966 – The Paramounts (Poster from John Treais)
29 April 1966 – The Silence (Poster from John Treais)
Bookings for May included The Herd, Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Gary Farr & The T-Bones and The Fenmen (see above)
29 May 1966 – Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Poster from John Treais)
3 June 1966 – The Silence (Poster from John Treais)
5 June 1966 – The Herd (Poster from John Treais)
10 June 1966 – The Five Proud Walkers (Contract from Colin Forster)
Thanks to Colin Forster
12 June 1966 – The Rockhouse Band (Poster from John Treais)
17 June 1966 – Paddy, Klaus & Gibson (Poster from John Treais)
19 June 1966 – Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Poster from John Treais)
24 June 1966 – Eddie’s Crowd (Poster from John Treais)
26 June 1966 – Sons of Fred (Poster from John Treais)
3 July – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers featuring Eric Clapton
8 July – Eddie’s Crowd (formerly The Five Aces)
10 July – The Silence
15 July – The Hounds
17 July – The Fadin’ Colours
22 July – The Fadin’ Colours
24 July – The Silence (just back from Nice, France)
29 July – The Worrying Kind
31 July – The Tea-Set
There is no listing for 5 and 7 August
12 August – Heinz & The Wildboys
14 August – The Five Proud Walkers (also confirmed by the Crawley Advertiser)
There is no listing for 19 August and after this but at some point around this time, the club closed and only re-opened in November
20 November – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (paper says club has reopened)
No listing for 25 November
27 November – John’s Children (ex-The Silence)
Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
2 December – The Mojos
4 December – The Iveys
9 December – The Tea-Set
11 December – The Fading Colours
16 December – The Fourmost
19 December – The Bunch
23 December – The Artwoods
24 December – John’s Children (switch from Sunday to Saturday)
30 December – Fading Colours
1967
1 January – Graham Bond Organisation (back to Sundays)
6 January – The Iveys
8 January – Winston’s Fumbs
13 January – Mike Stuart Span
15 January – The Bunch
20 January – The Fading Colours
22 January – The Fleur De Lys
27 January – The Creation
29 January – John’s Children
Photo: Caterham Weekly Post
3 February – Richard Henry & The Timebox
5 February – The Bunch
10 February – The Iveys
12 February – The Fenmen
17 February – Winston’s Fumbs
19 February – Savoy Brown
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
24 February – Cat Stevens
26 February – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
3 March – The (Five) Proud Walkers
5 March – Derek Savage Foundation
10 March – John’s Children with The A-Jaes
12 March – Graham Bond Organisation
17 March – Worrying Kind
19 March – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
24 March – One In A Million
26 March – Mike Stuart Span
31 March – Heart and Souls
2 April – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
7 April – Rosco Brown Combo
9 April – The Night People (aka The Nite People)
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
14 April – The Tribe
16 April – The Fleur De Lys
21 April – Derek Savage Foundation
23 April – Ray King Soul Band
26 April – John’s Children (Wednesday)
28 April – The Click
30 April – The Bunch
3 May – John’s Children (Wednesday)
No more listings in the paper but the club continued as gigs below confirm
18 June – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)
10 September – The Iveys (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)
17 December – The Iveys and John’s Children (Tom Brennan’s Iveys’ research)
Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.
It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.
Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968, parts of 1969 and also 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.
It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in the music press so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any memories of particular shows in the comments below.
Source:Melody Maker unless otherwise noted
1969
2 January – The Explosive Watson T Browne
4 January – Spirit of John Morgan
Photo: Melody Maker
5 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers
7 January – Jo Jo Gunne
No listing in Melody Maker for several weeks
23 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker also has The Skatalites)
25 January – Arcadium
26 January – Jason Crest
28 January – Toast
30 January – Explosive Watson T Browne
1 February – Bunkers Brain
2 February – Trifle
4 February – Love and Poetry
6 February – The Skatalites
8 February – Rainbow Ffolly
9 February – Bunkers Brain
11 February – My Dear Watson
13 February – The Flames
15 February – Giant
16 February – Rainbow Ffolly
18 February – Toast
20 February – Red Beans and Rice
22 February – Jason Cord (Bob Hodges’ diary has Tuesday’s Children playing on this date)
According to Christopher Hjort’s excellent Strange Brew book, promoters Philip Hayward and John Mansfield opened the old inn Pantiles as a bar and music venue in July 1967 after they gave up their chain of Ricky Tick clubs.
However, Record Mirror says that it was the Cromwellian’s former managers Philip Hayward and Bob Anthony who opened Pantiles and it looks like PP Arnold & The Nice were possibly the first booking.
It is very difficult to find gigs for this venue, so would appreciate any more confirmed shows in the comments below.
Photo: Martin H Samuel
1967
20 July – PP Arnold & The Nice (Record Mirror)
11 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
2 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
22 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
3 November – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
28 November – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
8 December – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker/Bob Hodges’ gig diary) Fabulous 208 lists The Alan Price Set
19 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
29 December – Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
1968
19 January – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 January – Long John Baldry & Bluesology (Melody Maker)
28 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 February – Film African Queen (Melody Maker)
2 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
3 February – Jimmy McGriff & His Quartet (Melody Maker)
4 February – Wee Willie Harris (Melody Maker)
8 February – Film Darling (Melody Maker)
9 February – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
10 February – Unnamed band plus records (Melody Maker)
11 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
13 February – The Pyramids (Melody Maker)
14 February – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
16 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 February – Films (Melody Maker)
23 February – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 February – The All Night Workers (Melody Maker)
Guitarist Brian Mansell says The All Night Workers played regularly at this venue, perhaps as many as 20 times during his time with the band from October 1967 to late 1969. They also played here extensively with later line-ups in 1970-1971.
25 February – The Web (Melody Maker)
27 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
15 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
27 September – The Flies (Surrey Advertiser)
28 September – The Gass (Surrey Advertiser)
29 September – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
1 October – Soul Bucket (Surrey Advertiser)
2 October – Chris Barber & His Jazz Band (Surrey Advertiser)
4 October – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
5 October – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
6 October – Tony Gregory & The Counts (Surrey Advertiser)
20 October – Toast (Melody Maker)
8 November – Happy Magazine (Surrey Advertiser)
9 November – Tuesday’s Children (Surrey Advertiser) Keyboard player Bob Hodges has the band at Rush Green College in Romford this night, so must have been another band that played this evening
10 November – Ferris Wheel (Surrey Advertiser)
12 November – The Web (Surrey Advertiser)
13 November – Alex Walsh (Surrey Advertiser)
19 November – Alexis Korner (Surrey Advertiser)
20 November – Tubby Hayes (Surrey Advertiser)
3 December – Georgie Fame (Surrey Advertiser)
14 December – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
21 December – The Gods (Surrey Advertiser)
22 December – Cliff Bennett (Surrey Advertiser)
24 December – Paul Williams Set (Surrey Advertiser)
26 December – Circus (Surrey Advertiser)
28 December – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
1969
25 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
31 January – Paul Williams Set (Fabulous 208)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 February – Toast (Melody Maker)
21 February – The Pattern (Melody Maker)
22 February – Ruby James (Melody Maker)
23 February – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)
27 February – Film The Rebel
8 March – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
9 March – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
14 March – Wishful Thinking (Surrey Advertiser)
29 March – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Windsor, Slough & Eton Express
22 May – The Train (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
23 May – Ferris Wheel (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
24 May – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
25 May – The Playground (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
26 May – Cliff Bennett & His Band (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 June – Bunkers Brain (Melody Maker)
7 June – Katch 22 (Melody Maker)
8 June – Brian Auger Trinity (Melody Maker)
17 June – Fleetwood Mac (Surrey Advertiser/Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
21 June – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
1 August – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
31 August – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1 September – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
17 October – Trifle (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 October – My Dear Watson (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
19 October – Ferris Wheel (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
24 October – New Formula (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
25 October – Boston Crabs (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 October – Zoot Money (Time Out)
28 October – Graham Bond Initiation (Melody Maker)
31 October – Timebox (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
1 November – Old Nick’s Train Set (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
2 November – Jimmy McGriff (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
7 November – Ray King Soul Band (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
8 November – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
9 November – Sir Percy Quintette (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
14 November – Katch 22 (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
16 November – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1970
Keyboard player Ronnie Clayden says that The Kool played this venue twice, either in 1969 or 1970.
Drummer Geoff Coxon confirms that the gigs listed for Calum Bryce above and below, which were listed in manager Ted Hare’s diary without being attributed to a band, were definitely Calum Bryce.
26 December – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
1971
30 January – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
31 May – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
4 July – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
24 September – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
19 November – Jo Jo Gunne (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
20 November – The Fortunes (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 November – Mother Tucker’s Rubber Duck (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
27 November – The Staple Singers (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
3 December – Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clippings)
4 December – Freddie Mac (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
10 December – Gonzalez (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
11 December – Black Velvet (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 December – Tony Morgan’s Muscle Power (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
A notable rock music venue in the South of France, the Voom Voom Club in St. Tropez was frequented regularly by French actress Brigitte Bardot and her husband, the late Gunter Sachs.
During the mid-late 1960s, many notable British bands performed at the Voom Voom, including Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede, Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound, The Soft Machine, The New Formula, Mickey Finn & The Blue Men and The Ray King Soul Band.
I have started to compile a list of bands that played at the Voom Voom Club but would welcome any additions and corrections in the comments below.
March 1967 (Melody Maker lists 16 days in St. Tropez but may not be Voom Voom):
The Herd: Peter Frampton (lead vocals/lead guitar), Gary Taylor (bass), Alan Bown (keyboards/lead vocals) and Andrew Steele (drums)
May 1967:
Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede: Carl Douglas (lead vocals), Del Grace (lead guitar), Mike Manners (keyboards), Tony Charman (bass), Mel Wayne (sax), Verdi Stewart (trumpet) and Del Coverley (drums)
New Formula: Mike Harper (lead vocals), Martin Fallon (lead guitar), Bruce Carey (bass), Ricky Dodd (vocals/saxophone) and Tommy Guthrie (drums)
July 1967:
Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound: Jimmy Cliff (lead vocals), Kevin Gammond (lead guitar), Terry (Verden) Allen (keyboards/vocals), John Best (bass) and Sean Jenkins (drums)
August 1967:
Ray King Soul Band: Ray King (lead vocals), Roger Dean (lead guitar), Terry Leeman (keyboards), Paul Slade (bass), Jim Lang (tenor saxophone), Ken Horton (baritone saxophone) and Malcolm Jenkins (drums)
August 1967:
Mickey Finn & The Blue Men: Alan Mark (lead vocals), Micky Waller (lead guitar), Rod Clark (bass/lead vocals), John Cooke (keyboards) and Richard Brand (drums)
Circa August/September 1967:
The Soft Machine: Daevid Allen (lead guitar/lead vocals), Kevin Ayers (bass/lead vocals), Mike Ratledge (keyboards/vocals) and Robert Wyatt (drums/lead vocals)
Ray King and Malcolm Aldridge (see below). Photo: Malcolm Aldridge
21 May-11 June 1968:
Ray King Soul Band: Ray King (lead vocals), Paul Price (lead guitar), Malcolm Aldridge (Hammond organ), Frank Farrell (bass), Tim Whelan (sax) and Malcolm Jenkins (drums).
Hatchetts Playground, located at 67 Piccadilly, was one of the happening clubs in central London during the late 1960s and played host to rock bands every night.
According to an article in the Kensington Post (see comments below), Hatchetts was one of London’s oldest restaurants but was closed in April 1966 for a £200,000 face-lift.
Re-opened on Tuesday, 6 June 1967, the venue was transformed into a three-level entertainment centre. One of its partners was Tony Vinnicombe who also ran Sands in Bond Street.
According to an article in The Stage, dated 29 June 1967, the opening weeks line up included: The Symbols, Errol Daniels & The JJ Band, Sands (named after Vinnicombe’s Bond Street club), The Shevelles, 1-2-3, The Frugal Sound, The New Formula and The Bystanders.
The Stage‘s 14 September 1967 edition ran an advert, which showed that The Peddlers held a residency at the club from 8 September through to 6 October (excluding Sundays).
1967
9 June 1967 (Friday) – Errol Daniels & JJ Band (Evening Standard) Says opening night for live music
Gigs are missing for Saturday, 10 June, Sunday 11 June and Monday, 12 June 1967
13 June 1967 (Tuesday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
14 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The 1-2-3 (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing for Thursday, 15 June and Friday, 16 June 1967
17 June 1967 (Saturday) – The 1-2-3 (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 18 June 1967
19 June 1967 (Monday) – The Frugal Sound (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Tuesday, 20 June 1967
21 June 1967 (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Evening Standard)
22 June 1967 (Thursday) – The 1-2-3 (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Friday, 23 June 1967
24 June 1967 (Saturday) – Sands (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 25 June 1967
26 June 1967 (Monday) – The Frugal Sound (Evening Standard)
27 June 1967 (Tuesday) – Errol Daniels & The JJ Band (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Wednesday, 28 June through to Sunday, 2 July 1967
3 July 1967 (Monday) – Sands (Evening Standard)
4 July 1967 (Tuesday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
5 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Granny’s Intentions (Evening Standard)
6 July 1967 (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Evening Standard/Fabulous 208)
7 July 1967 (Friday) – The Summer Set (Evening Standard)
8 July 1967 (Saturday) – Robb Storme Group (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 9 July 1967
10 July 1967 (Monday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
11 July 1967 (Tuesday) – The Bystanders (Evening Sentinel)
12 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Errol Daniels & The JJ Band (Evening Standard)
13 July 1967 (Thursday) – The Bystanders (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 14 July 1967
15 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 16 July 1967
17 July 1967 (Monday) – The Powerhouse (Evening Standard)
18 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Wynder K Frog (Evening Standard/Fabulous 208)
Gig is missing for Wednesday, 19 July 1967
20 July 1967 (Thursday) – New Formula (Evening Standard)
21 July 1967 (Friday) – The Web (Evening Standard)
22 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 23 July 1967
24 July 1967 (Monday) – Marmalade (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Tuesday, 25 July through to Wednesday, 23 August 1967
24 August 1967 (Thursday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 25 August through to Tuesday, 29 August 1967
30 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Geranium Pond (Evening Standard)
31 August 1967 (Thursday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 1 September through to Thursday, 7 September 1967
8 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
9 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
10 September 1967 (Sunday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
11 September 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage) Graham Sclater’s diary also has The Manchester Playboys on this date
12 September 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
13 September 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
14 September 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
15 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
16 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Possibly missing gig for Sunday, 17 September 1967
18 September 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
19 September 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
20 September 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
21 September 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
22 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
23 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Possibly missing gig for Sunday, 24 September 1967
25 September 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
26 September 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
27 September 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
28 September 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
29 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
30 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Possibly missing gig for Sunday, 1 October 1967
2 October 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
3 October 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
4 October 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
5 October 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
6 October 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Gig is missing from Saturday, 7 October and possibly Sunday, 8 October 1967
9 October 1967 (Monday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
10 October 1967 (Tuesday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
11 October 1967 (Wednesday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
12 October 1967 (Thursday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
13 October 1967 (Friday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
14 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
Gigs are missing from possibly Sunday, 15 October through to Wednesday, 1 November 1967
2 November 1967 (Thursday) – The Web (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 3 November through to Tuesday, 7 November 1967
8 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Thursday, 9 November 1967
10 November 1967 (Friday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
11 November 1967 (Saturday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 12 November through to Tuesday, 14 November 1967
15 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Coopers Climax (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Thursday, 16 November 1967
17 November 1967 (Friday) – Coopers Climax (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Saturday, 18 November through to Tuesday, 21 November 1967
22 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Remo Four (Evening Standard)
23 November 1967 (Thursday) – Ebony Keyes and Chris Shakespeare Movement (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Friday, 24 November 1967
25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Ebony Keyes and Chris Shakespeare Movement (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 26 November through to Wednesday, 29 November 1967
30 November 1967 (Thursday) – New Nadir (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 1 December through to Wednesday, 6 December 1967
7 December 1967 (Thursday) – New York Public Library (Evening Standard)
8 December 1967 (Friday) – New York Public Library (Evening Standard)
9 December 1967 (Saturday) – New York Public Library (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 10 December through to Tuesday, 12 December 1967
13 December 1967 (Wednesday) – The Anglians (Evening Standard)
14 December 1967 (Thursday) – The Anglians (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Friday, 15 December 1967
16 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Anglians (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 17 December through to Tuesday, 19 December 1967
20 December 1967 (Wednesday) – Mud (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Thursday, 21 December 1967
22 December 1967 (Friday) – Mud (Evening Standard)
23 December 1967 (Saturday) – Mud (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 24 December and from Tuesday, 26 December through to Thursday, 28 December 1967
29 December 1967 (Friday) – Big Pete Lancaster and The Upsetters (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Saturday, 30 December 1967
31 December 1967 (Sunday) – Big Pete Lancaster and The Upsetters (Evening Standard)
1968
For the 1968 dates listed below, I have found multiple sources that have confirmed the same date for when an artist appeared. However, I have tended to list only one source, usually from the music press such as Melody Maker or NME (New Musical Express).
Jonathan Marks’ gigs have been invaluable as they are the official gigs that were advertised by the club itself. As his flyers don’t cover all of the 1968 months, I’ve only listed them where there are gaps in the music press entries. I haven’t listed them if they concur with the music press entries.
Where there are conflicting entries, I have listed the artists and the sources that list them in italics after the main entry.
12 January 1968 (Friday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
13 January 1968 (Saturday) – The Quotations (Melody Maker) Evening Standard suggests that Ray King Soul Band, Timebox and Ferris Wheel play on this date
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 14 January 1968 missing
15 January 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks lists The Quotations on this date
16 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
18 January 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 January 1968 (Friday) – The Three Sounds (Melody Maker)
20 January 1968 (Saturday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 21 January 1968 missing
22 January 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
23 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
24 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
25 January 1968 (Thursday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
26 January 1968 (Friday) – The Three Sounds (Melody Maker)
27 January 1968 (Saturday) – The Three Sounds (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 28 January 1968 missing
29 January 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
30 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
31 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
Gigs from Thursday, 1 February to Monday, 5 February 1968 missing
6 February 1968 (Tuesday) – James & Bobby Purify (Melody Maker)
Gigs from Wednesday, 7 February to Wednesday, 14 February 1968 missing
Melody Maker
15 February 1968 (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
16 February 1968 (Friday) – The Copycats (Melody Maker)
17 February 1968 (Saturday) – Pussyfoot (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 18 February 1968 missing
19 February 1968 (Monday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
20 February 1968 (Tuesday) – Jo Jo Cooke & The Racket (Melody Maker)
21 February 1968 (Wednesday) – Little John & The Shadocks (Melody Maker)
22 February 1968 (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
23 February 1968 (Friday) – Jo Jo Cooke & The Racket (Melody Maker)
24 February 1968 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Cooke & The Racket (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 25 February 1968 missing
26 February 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
27 February 1968 (Tuesday) – Rainy Day Women (Swedish band) (Melody Maker)
28 February 1968 (Wednesday) – Rainy Day Women (Swedish band) (Melody Maker)
29 February 1968 (Thursday) – Rainy Day Women (Swedish band) (Melody Maker)
5 June 1968 (Wednesday) – Sonny Burke’s Outfit and The Flowerpot Men (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) The Flowerpot Men were ‘Top of the Pops Party’ – Invitation only)
28 June 1968 (Friday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
29 June 1968 (Saturday) – Lemon Tree (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
30 June 1968 (Sunday) – Strawberry Jam (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Jonathan Marks’ gig cards for the club have Junior Walker & The All Stars and Patti La Belle & The Bluebells as forthcoming attractions for July.
1 July 1968 (Monday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ diary) Jonathan Marks has Indiana Magnum and Julian Kersh
2 July 1968 (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
3 July 1968 (Wednesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
4 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
5 July 1968 (Friday) – Two of Each (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
6 July 1968 (Saturday) – Two of Each (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
7 July 1968 (Sunday) – The Cedars (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
8 July 1968 (Monday) – July plus guest artists (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) Members party
9 July 1968 (Tuesday) – The Coloured Raisins (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
10 July 1968 (Wednesday) – The Coloured Raisins (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
11 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Chanters (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
12 July 1968 (Friday) – The Chain Gang (NME)
13 July 1968 (Saturday) – Gala night with Dominic Grant, Vanity Fair, The Flirtations and Strawberry Jam (NME) Jonathan Marks has Strawberry Jam on 13 July
14 July 1968 (Sunday) – Cherry Smash (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Cedars on 14 July
15 July 1968 (Monday) – Impulse (NME)
16 July 1968 (Tuesday) – The Groop (Australian band) (NME) Melody Maker has Tim Rose also playing this date with The Groop
17 July 1968 (Wednesday) – Two of Each (Melody Maker)
18 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Melody Maker)
19 July 1968 (Friday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
20 July 1968 (Saturday) – Tim Rose and Impulse (NME) Fabulous 208 also has Tim Rose
23 July 1968 (Tuesday) – Moon’s Train (Melody Maker)
24 July 1968 (Wednesday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Melody Maker)
25 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Penny Peep Show (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Penny Pieces but this is The Penny Peeps aka The Penny Peep Show with future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre
26 July 1968 (Friday) – Birds and Fellas and Two of Each (NME) Jonathan Marks only lists Two of Each
27 July 1968 (Saturday) – Two of Each (NME)
28 July 1968 (Sunday) – Fourth Floor (NME) Jonathan Marks lists The Cedars on 28 July
29 July 1968 (Monday) – Strawberry Jam (NME)
30 July 1968 (Tuesday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Melody Maker)
31 July 1968 (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Melody Maker)
1 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
2 August 1968 (Friday) – The Sweet Sops (NME)
3 August 1968 (Saturday) – The Sweet Sops (NME)
4 August 1968 (Sunday) – Bruce Channel and Strawberry Jam (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks only lists Strawberry Jam on this date
5 August 1968 (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth and Bruce Channel (Melody Maker)
6 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
7 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
8 August 1968 (Thursday) – Coloured Raisins (NME)
9 August 1968 (Friday) – The Jackie Edwards Show (NME)
10 August 1968 (Saturday) – Circus (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Zion de Gallier & The Unicorn on this date
11 August 1968 (Sunday) – The Flirtations (NME) Jonathan Marks has Impulse on this date
12 August 1968 (Monday) – Pepper (NME) Jonathan Marks has Julian Kersh on this date
13 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Katch 22 (NME)
14 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Katch 22 (NME)
15 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Ike & Tina Turner Show (Melody Maker) VIP members and members only
16 August 1968 (Friday) – Memphis Express (NME)
17 August 1968 (Saturday) – Memphis Express (NME)
18 August 1968 (Sunday) – The Motion (NME)
19 August 1968 (Monday) – Skip Bifferty (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks also lists special gala party night guests
20 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Sweet Sops (Melody Maker)
21 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Zion de Gallier & The Unicorns (Melody Maker)
22 August 1968 (Thursday) – Julian Kersh (Melody Maker)
23 August 1968 (Friday) – Memphis Express (NME)
24 August 1968 (Saturday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
25 August 1968 (Sunday) – Motion (NME)
26 August 1968 (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
27 August 1968 (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
28 August 1968 (Wednesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
29 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
30 August 1968 (Friday) – Mud (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Mooch
31 August 1968 (Saturday) – Jasper Stubbs Gloryland Band (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Mooch
1 September 1968 (Sunday) – Cherry Smash (Melody Maker)
2 September 1968 (Monday) – Cherry Smash (Melody Maker)
3 September 1968 (Tuesday) – Soul Committee (NME)
4 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Orange Seaweed (Melody Maker)
5 September 1968 (Thursday) – Strawberry Jam and Johnny Nash (NME) Jonathan Marks has only Strawberry Jam on this date
6 September 1968 (Friday) – Wild Uncertainty (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Chants on this date who could have been backed by The Wild Uncertainty
7 September 1968 (Saturday) – Strawberry Jam (NME)
8 September 1968 (Sunday) – Pepper (Melody Maker)
9 September 1968 (Monday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Stacks on this date. The gig card also notes special guest artistes for the member party, featuring a group managed by The Move
10 September 1968 (Tuesday) – The Flirtations (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Tuesday’s Children on this date. This is confirmed by Bob Hodges’ diary
11 September 1968 (Wednesday) – The Flirtations (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Tuesday’s Children on this date. This is confirmed by Bob Hodges’ diary
12 September 1968 (Thursday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Groop on this date
13 September 1968 (Friday) – Horace Faith (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Soul Committee on this date
14 September 1968 (Saturday) – Marble Arch Movement (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Soul Committee on this date
15 September 1968 (Sunday) – Strawberry Jam (NME)
16 September 1968 (Monday) – Circus (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Zion de Gallier & The Unicorn on this date
17 September 1968 (Tuesday) – The Fantastics (with The House of Orange) (NME)
18 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Stacks on this date, who are managed by The Move
19 September 1968 (Thursday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
20 September 1968 (Friday) – Horace Faith & The Wild Uncertainty (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Groop on this date
21 September 1968 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker and Bob Hodges’ diary)
3 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Israeli band) (Melody Maker)
4 November 1968 (Monday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker)
5 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (NME)
6 November 1968 (Wednesday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (NME)
Melody Maker
7 November 1968 (Thursday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
8 November 1968 (Friday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
9 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
10 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
11 November 1968 (Monday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Members party night
12 November 1968 (Tuesday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
13 November 1968 (Wednesday) – Youngblood (NME)
14 November 1968 (Thursday) – Charlie & Inez Foxx (NME)
15 November 1968 (Friday) – The Lions of Judea and Gilded Cage (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Sea on this date
16 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Lions of Judea and Gilded Cage (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Sea on this date
17 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
18 November 1968 (Monday) – The Shadrocks with Little John, Watson T Brown & The Explosives (NME)
19 November 1968 (Tuesday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Ray King Soul Band on this date
20 November 1968 (Wednesday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Ray King Soul Band on this date
21 November 1968 (Thursday) – Garnett Mimms (with The Village Green Band) (NME)
22 November 1968 (Friday) – Julian’s Conquests and Lions of Judea (NME) Julian’s Conquests was Junior’s Conquest (Junior Marvin’s band). Jonathan Marks has only Julian’s Conquests on this date
23 November 1968 (Saturday) – Julian’s Conquests (NME)
24 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
25 November 1968 (Monday) – Sonny Bushe (NME) This is Sonny Burke
26 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Sea on this date
27 November 1968 (Wednesday) – The Iveys and The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has only The Iveys on this date
28 November 1968 (Thursday) – The Mojos and The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks on only The Mojos on this date
29 November 1968 (Friday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Sleepy on this date
30 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Sleepy on this date
1 December 1968 (Sunday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
2 December 1968 (Monday) – Katch 22 (NME)
3 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Katch 22 (NME)
4 December 1968 (Wednesday) – The Flirtations (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
5 December 1968 (Thursday) – Mint Tulip (Melody Maker)
6 December 1968 (Friday) – Moving Finger (NME)
7 December 1968 (Saturday) – Mint Tulip (NME)
8 December 1968 (Sunday) – Mint Tulip (NME)
9 December 1968 (Monday) – Moving Finger (Melody Maker)
10 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Moving Finger (Melody Maker) Says final London appearance before US tour
11 December 1968 (Wednesday) – Circus (NME and Time Out)
12 December 1968 (Thursday) – The Drifters (NME)
13 December 1968 (Friday) – The Boston Crabs (NME)
14 December 1968 (Saturday) – The Boston Crabs (NME)
15 December 1968 (Sunday) – The Boston Crabs (NME)
16 December 1968 (Monday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker) Members party night
17 December 1968 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers and Soul Package (NME)
18 December 1968 (Wednesday) – Toast and The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
19 December 1968 (Thursday) – Electric Gramophone (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Shirelles on this date
20 December 1968 (Friday) – Julian Kersh (NME) Jonathan Marks has Modes Mode on this date
21 December 1968 (Saturday) – Julian Kersh (NME) Jonathan Marks and Time Out both have Circus on this date
22 December 1968 (Sunday) – Zion de Gallier & The Unicorn (NME) Jonathan Marks and Time Out both have Circus on this date
23 December 1968 (Monday) – The Dream Police (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
24 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) Xmas party
No artists on Christmas Day
26 December 1968 (Thursday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
27 December 1968 (Friday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
28 December 1968 (Saturday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
29 December 1968 (Sunday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
30 December 1968 (Monday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
31 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 plus special guests (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
26 May 1969 (Monday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) This definitely did not happen as the band had a residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas at this time
14 October 1969 (Tuesday) – March Hare (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gig for Wednesday, 15 October 1969
16 October 1969 (Thursday) – Joyce Bond Revue (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Friday, 17 October to Sunday, 19 October 1969
20 October 1969 (Monday) – Bitter Suite (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Tuesday, 21 October to Wednesday, 22 October 1969
23 October 1969 (Thursday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Friday, 24 October to Sunday, 26 October 1969
27 October 1969 (Monday) – Billy J Kramer (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Tuesday, 28 October to Wednesday, 29 October 1969
30 October 1969 (Thursday) – Marv Johnson (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gig for Friday, 31 October 1969
Missing gigs for Saturday, 1 November to Sunday, 2 November 1969
3 November 1969 (Monday) – Dave Amboy (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) This is credited as Dave Amboy but most likely this is The Amboy Dukes
Missing gigs for Tuesday, 4 November to Wednesday, 5 November 1969
June 1969 listing at Revolution. Image from Don Powell’s website (see link below).
The Revolution Club was a popular rock venue in Bruton Place, Mayfair, central London that opened around January 1968. Yes were regulars and other notable outfits like Deep Purple also played there.
Jim Carter-Fea who managed Blaises and the Speakeasy also managed the Revolution.
I have started to compile a list of artists that performed there but would welcome any additions/corrections and photos.
1968
Melody Maker’s 27 January issue notes that Blues Train, The Downliners Sect, Monopoly and The Web were set to appear at the Revolution.
I think also Linda Lewis and Junior Kerr’s band White Rabbit may have played in February 1968.
Bass player Mo Umansky says his band Mr Mo’s Messengers played here too, most likely in 1968.
18 January (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
19 January (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
20 January (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
22 January (Monday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
25 January (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
26 January (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
17 April (Wednesday) – Delroy Williams (with The Sugar Band) (Melody Maker)
23 April (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
24 April (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Drummer Keith Guster says that the group rehearsed at the venue over three days ahead of its performance at the Montreux Festival in Switzerland on 27 April.
25 April (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
According to Keith Guster this was the second day that The Fleur De Lys rehearsed at the Revolution before the Swiss festival.
26 April (Friday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
According to Keith Guster this was the third day that The Fleur De Lys rehearsed at the Revolution before heading to Switzerland for the Montreux festival on 27 April.
27 April (Saturday) – Ike & Tina Turner (Melody Maker)
22 May (Wednesday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
18 June (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
19 June (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
24 June (Monday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
25 June (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
26 June (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Keith Guster says that The Web played this night after his group had rehearsed at the Revolution.
27 June (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
28 June (Friday) – Circus (Melody Maker)
11 July (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
12 July (Friday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
17 July (Wednesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
New Musical Express’ 3 August issue has a large spread on the club and notes that Ike & Tina Turner, Tim Rose and Eric Burdon & The New Animals had appeared recently. The music magazine says that Ben E King and O C Smith will appear soon.
New Musical Express adds that the club is open from Monday to Saturday every week. It notes that John L Watson & The Web, Terry Reid Fantasia and John Drevars’ Expression play regularly at the Revolution. When its reporters attended (presumably in late July), Pattie LaBelle & The Bluebells were performing.
8 August (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
14 August (Wednesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
16 August (Friday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
5 September (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
New Musical Express has Canned Heat performing on 5 September.
9 September (Monday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
24 September (Tuesday) – Glass Menagerie (Melody Maker, Time Out and Fabulous 208)
New Musical Express lists Sly & The Family Stone for 24 September but it is doubtful this happened.
25 September (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (rehearsal) (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
30 September (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
14 October (Monday) – Yes (Melody Maker)
15 October (Tuesday) – Julie Driscoll & The Brian Auger Trinity (New Musical Express)
17 October (Thursday) – The Grateful Dead (New Musical Express)
22 October (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
23 October (Wednesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
29 October (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
According to guitarist Peter Mizen, in an interview with Stefan Grandos, The Majority played at the Revolution shortly after he joined in October 1968.
Please note: this listing is not definitely November 1968 but a few of the dates e.g. Shy Limbs and Muddy Waters tally with below
1 November (Friday) – The Shy Limbs (Melody Maker)
12 November (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
13 November (Wednesday) – Yes (Melody Maker)
19 November (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
25 November (Monday) – Yes (Melody Maker)
27 November (Wednesday) – Muddy Waters (Time Out)
30 November (Saturday) – The Idle Race (Time Out)
10 December (Tuesday) – The Isley Brothers with Art Regis & Brass Cannon (New Musical Express)
The Isley Brothers’ gig was cancelled at the last minute. It sounds like the entire tour may have been cancelled.
3 June (Tuesday) – The Marbles and The Majority (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
4 June (Wednesday) – Root and Jenny Jackson (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
5 June (Thursday) – Interstate Road Show (Melody Maker and gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
6 June (Friday) – The Flames (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
7 June (Saturday) – Arcadium (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
9 June (Monday) – King Crimson (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
10 June (Tuesday) – Three Dog Night and The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
11 June (Wednesday) – Jo Jo Gunn (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
This was the original, UK Jo Jo Gunne, formed in Feltham in late 1965. Although advertised, the band didn’t appear as they were part through a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas.
12 June (Thursday) – The Ohio Express (Melody Maker)
The Majority may also have played on 12 June.
13 June (Friday) – Circus (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
16 June (Monday) – Samson (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
17 June (Tuesday) – Chris Barber (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
18 June (Wednesday) – Terry Reid (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
19 June (Thursday) – The Wallace Collection (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website and Time Out)
20 June (Friday) – Sk’boo (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
21 June (Saturday) – Heaven (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
23 June (Monday) – The Springfield Park (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
24 June (Tuesday) – The Web (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
25 June (Wednesday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
26 June (Thursday) – Sarolta (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
27 June (Friday) – The Flames (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
This is the South African band that recorded as The Flame (see below).
28 June (Saturday) – Deep Purple (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website and Time Out)
30 June (Monday) – The Majority (Gig poster for Revolution from Don Powell’s website)
2 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
3 July (Thursday) – Jo Jo Gunne (possibly Melody Maker)
Although advertised, the band didn’t appear as they were part through a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas.
4 July (Friday) – Arrival (possibly Melody Maker)
5 July (Saturday) – Cressida (possibly Melody Maker)
7 July (Monday) – Babylon (possibly Melody Maker)
8 July (Tuesday) – Samson (possibly Melody Maker)
9 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
10 July (Thursday) – The New York Public Library (possibly Melody Maker)
14 July (Monday) – Spirit of John Morgan (possibly Melody Maker)
16 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
17 July (Thursday) – The Web (possibly Melody Maker)
19 July (Saturday) – Phase of Reality (possibly Melody Maker)
21 July (Monday) – Velvet Opera (possibly Melody Maker)
23 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
24 July (Thursday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (needs source)
25 July (Friday) – Circus (Time Out)
28 July (Monday) – Entire Sioux Nation (possibly Melody Maker)
30 July (Wednesday) – The Majority (possibly Melody Maker)
31 July (Thursday) – Audience (possibly Melody Maker)
13 August (Wednesday) – Deep Purple (Melody Maker)
18 August (Monday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Melody Maker and Time Out)
20 August (Wednesday) – Deep Purple (Time Out)
Melody Maker lists Marsha Hunt & White Trash on 20 August so perhaps Deep Purple didn’t play as billed for the previous Wednesday.
22 August (Friday) – Audience (Melody Maker)
26 August (Tuesday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
27 August (Wednesday) – The Wallace Collection (Melody Maker)
28 August (Thursday) – Barclay James Harvest (Time Out)
30 August (Saturday) – Freedom (Time Out)
2 September (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
4 September (Tuesday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)
7 October (Tuesday) – Ruby James (Time Out)
14 October (Tuesday) – Terry Reid (Time Out)
16 October (Thursday) – Members of Hair cast (Time Out)
17 October (Friday) – Lee Dorsey (Time Out)
23 October (Thursday) – Renaissance (Time Out)
24 October (Friday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)
25 October (Saturday) – Pink Cheeks (Time Out)
27 October (Monday) – Poet & The One Man Band (Time Out)
28 October (Tuesday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
30 October (Thursday) – Rada Krishna Temple (Time Out)
31 October (Friday) – Audience (Time Out)
4 November (Tuesday) – Delaney & Bonnie (Time Out)
12 November (Wednesday) – Fat Mattress (John Warburg’s research)
13 November (Thursday) – Skin Alley (possibly Melody Maker)
20 November (Thursday) – Gene Vincent (John Warburg’s research)
22 November (Saturday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
27 November (Thursday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Melody Maker and Time Out)
2 December (Tuesday) – Chicago Transit Authority (Time Out)
4 December (Thursday) – Billy Preston and Timebox (Time Out)
5 December (Friday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
8 December (Monday) – Gary Hamilton (Time Out)
Former lead singer with Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement and part of the Hair cast.
9 December (Tuesday) – The Liverpool Scene (Time Out)
16 December (Tuesday) – Hawkwind (Melody Maker)
Time Out has Skin Alley on 16 December.
18 December (Thursday) – The Box Tops (Time Out)
The Box Tops’ UK tour may have been cancelled.
20 December (Saturday) – Black Apple (Time Out)
22 December (Monday) – Linda Kendricks (Time Out)
23 December (Tuesday) – Pavement (Time Out)
26 December (Friday) – Murray Head and Salt & Pepper (Time Out)
29 December (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Time Out)
1970
15 January (Thursday) – Kenny Rogers & The First Edition (Melody Maker)
22 January (Thursday) – The Web (Time Out)
24 January (Saturday) – Cressida (Time Out)
27 January (Tuesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
28 January (Wednesday) – Marsha Hunt (Time Out)
10 February (Tuesday) – The Rainbow People (Time Out)
17 February (Tuesday) – Cressida (Time Out)
19 February (Thursday) – Freddy King (Melody Maker)
20 February (Friday) – Skin Alley (Melody Maker)
25 February (Wednesday) – Genesis (Melody Maker and Time Out)
5 March (Thursday) – The Graham Bond Initiation (Melody Maker)
24 March (Tuesday) – The Wild Angels (Time Out)
25 March (Wednesday) – The Shy Limbs (Time Out)
26 March (Thursday) – Heavy Jelly (Time Out)
27 March (Friday) – Freedom (Time Out)
28 March (Saturday) – The New Arrivals (Time Out)
30 March (Monday) – Rada Krishna Temple (Time Out)
14 May (Thursday) – Lord Sutch (Time Out)
18 June (Thursday) – Terry Reid (Time Out)
24 June (Wednesday) – Mirrors (Melody Maker)
26 June (Friday) – Black Velvet (Time Out)
29 July (Wednesday) – Crazy Mabel (Time Out)
8 August (Saturday) – Flare (Time Out)
10 August (Monday) – Kingdom (Time Out)
12 August (Wednesday) – Paladin (Time Out)
14 August (Friday) – Osibisa (Time Out)
15 August (Saturday) – Cressida (Time Out)
17 August (Monday) – Deep Joy (Time Out)
18 August (Tuesday) – Crazy Mabel (Time Out)
19 August (Wednesday) – Mirrors (Time Out)
20 August (Thursday) – Terry Reid (Time Out)
21 August (Friday) – Anno Domini (Time Out)
25 August (Tuesday) – Elton John (Time Out)
27 August (Thursday) – Anno Domini (Time Out)
29 August (Saturday) – Mirrors (Time Out)
4 September (Friday) – Cressida (Melody Maker)
5 September (Saturday) – Deep Joy (Time Out)
19 September (Saturday) – Osibisa (Time Out)
13 October (Tuesday) – Kiss (Melody Maker)
28 November (Saturday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)
This was the South African band, The Flames (see above)
Blaises was located in the basement of the Imperial Hotel at 121 Queen’s Gate in Kensington, west London, SW7 (now demolished) and was a magnet for musicians, agents, managers and writers.
Jim Carter-Fea, who later managed the Speakeasy and Revolution, was involved with the club.
The Byrds played here on their debut UK tour in 1965 and many top acts of the day performed on the stage in the mid-late 1960s, most notably Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Yes, to name just a few.
Blaises wasn’t consistently advertised in the music papers throughout the 1960s 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).
Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at Blaises during 1965-1966:
James Nairn (aka James Royal) says that his groups James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set played at Blaises; the former during 1965-1966 and the latter from 1966-1968.
Drummer/singer Tony Richard says that his band The Fetish Crowd performed at the club during the 1965-1966 period.
1965
6 August 1965 (Thursday) – The Byrds (Record Mirror)
London Life magazine’s 30 October to 5 November 1965 issue notes that there is a live group changing weekly.
1966
London Life magazine notes in its 8-14 January 1966 issue that there is a different live group every night at the club. This is the same for every issue until the final London Life magazine issue is published on 31 December 1966.
4 February 1966 (Friday) – John Lee Hooker (Melody Maker)
24 March 1966 (Thursday) – Wilson Pickett (backed by The Statesiders) (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
6 April 1966 (Wednesday) – Martha & The Vandellas (Melody Maker)
10 May 1966 (Tuesday) – John Lee Hooker (Record Mirror)
Julian Covey & The Machine were probably Hooker’s backing band as they provided support for the blues legends on a tour this month.
Keyboardist Stan Marut, who left just before the tour, says his place was taken by Dave Greenslade, who then joined Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds.
30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
3 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Creation (Fabulous 208 and London Life magazine)
22 August 1966 (Monday) – The Artwoods (needs confirmation)
8 September 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (they became Tomorrow in early 1967) (Fabulous 208 and Marmalade Skies website).
9 September 1966 (Friday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
23 September 1966 (Friday) – The Knack (London Life magazine)
Paul Gurvitz went on to The Gun while Graham Clay joined The New York Public Library (see below). Brian Parrish went on to Badger.
27 September 1966 (Tuesday) – She Trinity (Fabulous 208 and London Life magazine)
29 September 1966 (Thursday) – The Brian Auger & The Trinity (Melody Maker)
This is the date that Jimi Hendrix sat in with The Brian Auger Trinity.
According to the Hendrix website (and Vic Briggs and Kathy Etchingham’s recollections), The Brian Auger Trinity had played at the Scotch of St James the previous night where the waiter told Trinity guitarist Vic Briggs about an amazing black guitarist who had sat in with The VIPs the night before (27 September).
Chas Chandler and Hendrix walked in shortly afterwards and were introduced to the band who were playing a warm-up gig without singer Julie Driscoll. Brian Auger let Hendrix jam with the group and, impressed, invited the American guitarist to sit in at Blaises the following night.
On 29 September, Chandler and Hendrix arrived at Blaises after drinking at the Kilt Club where they met French singer Johnny Halliday. Auger introduced Hendrix to the crowd for a jam after the interval.
London Life has Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers for this date but it is possible that this was actually Friday, 30 September after a show at the California Ballroom in Dunstable.
3 October 1966 (Monday) – Robert Parker (Melody Maker)
4 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (Fabulous 208)
Future Deep Purple keyboard player Jon Lord was a member of The Artwoods.
5 October 1966 (Wednesday) – Robert Parker and Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
11 October 1966 (Tuesday) – Garnet Mimms (Fabulous 208)
12 October 1966 (Wednesday) – Ike & Tina Turner (London Life magazine)
29 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Hush (London Life magazine)
Keith Fairhurst, singer with The Chosen Few, says the band played this venue about six times after moving down from Manchester and changing their name to The Hush. They also frequented the club on other occasions and he was there on 29 September when Jimi Hendrix sat in with The Brian Auger Trinity (see above).
Fairhurst adds that Blaises was only a small club and was an exclusive venue, which meant that normal club goers that frequented many of the other London clubs would not have attended; it was too expensive and licensed. Management insisted that they set up by 9pm and they never started before 9.30pm.
8 November 1966 (Tuesday) – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (Melody Maker)
9 November 1966 (Wednesday) – Jerry Lee Lewis (Melody Maker)
17 November 1966 (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Tatler)
21 November 1966 (Monday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)
22 November 1966 (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Tatler)
30 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Young Rascals (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
Melody Maker also has The Brian Auger Trinity on 30 November (see advert above). The two bands probably used the same equipment.
Guitarist Vic Briggs, who had moved on to join Eric Burdon’s New Animals by this point, says that all of the “in-clubs” were so small that you had to get your gear in before people arrived and wait until they left to move out. Also, they could not afford to pay more than one band per night. There may have been exceptions but that was the general rule.
1 December 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (became Tomorrow) (London Life magazine) Nick Simper’s website has Bobby Hebb playing from 11.30pm
8 December 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (became Tomorrow) (London Life magazine)
13 December 1966 (Tuesday) – The Farinas (became Family) (Record Mirror)
14 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Little Richard (John Warburg’s research)
20 December 1966 (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (needs confirmation)
21 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)
30 December 1966 (Friday) – Deep Feeling (Melody Maker)
Deep Feeling featured future members of Traffic, Family and Spooky Tooth
1967
Jim Cregan, guitarist with Blossom Toes, says his band played at the club during 1967.
Chris Hunt, drummer with The Good Time Losers, says that his group performed at Blaises during 1967.
Mick Ketley, keyboard player with Bognor Regis version of The Motivation which became The Penny Peep Show in September 1967, says that his group played at Blaises which would have been after May 1967.
Pete Cole, bass player with The Trend, says that he played the venue. The most likely time frame is after September 1967 and may have been when the group backed visiting US soul acts.
Jim Carter-Fae, who managed the club, took over the management of Hull band, The Majority and the group played this venue during 1967.
7 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Knack (Melody Maker)
Paul Gurvitz went on to The Gun while Graham Clay joined The New York Public Library (see below). Brian Parrish went on to Badger.
13 January 1967 (Friday) – The Savoy Brown Blues Band (Melody Maker)
17 January 1967 (Tuesday) – Family (Melody Maker)
18 January 1967 (Wednesday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208 – needs confirmation)
Still from the film The Sorcerers showing a band playing live (in January 1967 or earlier). Poster on the wall lists Inez & Charlie Foxx. Thanks to Christopher Matheson for providing
25 January 1967 (Wednesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (Poster on wall in film the Sorcerers)
26 January 1967 (Thursday) – Jimmy McGriff (Disc & Music Echo)
According to Flashback magazine, Keith West and Steve Howe’s band The In Crowd were residents at Blaises around late January/early February and soon changed name to Tomorrow.
8 February 1967 (Wednesday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Disc & Music Echo)
The Q-Set will link up with Ronnie Jones after its tour with Maxine Brown.
Disc & Music Echo’s 11 February issue notes that Ike & Tina Turner had played at the club recently.
14 February 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Fabulous 208)
According to Melody Maker in April 1967, Herbie Goins had a regular Tuesday night residency at Blaises so there may be more Tuesday dates between this one and the one below that they played. Future Bob Marley guitarist Junior Marvin was the keyboard player with the band at this time when he used the stage name Junior Kerr.
23 February 1967 (Thursday) – Chuck Berry (backed by The Canadians) (Melody Maker)
The Canadians’ keyboard player was future record producer and music executive David Foster.
28 February 1967 (Tuesday) – Pink Floyd and The Majority (Melody Maker)
If both bands indeed played on this evening, it would have been one of the rare occasions when more than one group played.
7 March 1967 (Tuesday) – Keith (Disc & Music Echo and Melody Maker)
18 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Hush (Melody Maker)
Singer Keith Fairhurst says that on one occasion when The Hush played Blaises on a Saturday night, a Canadian television crew filmed them but he’s never seen the footage.
Still from the film The Sorcerers. Thanks to Christopher Matheson for supplying. Judging by the gig poster on the wall, this performance was January 1967 or earlier.
Fairhurst adds that the inside of Blaises appears in the 1967 film The Sorcerers.
17 April 1967 (Monday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
19 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Bo Diddley (backed by The Canadians) (Melody Maker)
David Foster was the keyboard player in The Canadians (see above).
1 May 1967 (Monday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
9 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers with The Satin Dolls (Melody Maker)
Future Bob Marley guitarist Junior Marvin was the group’s keyboard player at this time (see above).
11 May 1967 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins and Jack Hammer & His Hammer Jammers (Melody Maker)
Future Sweet producer Phil Wainman was the drummer with The Hammer Jammers. If both bands played, this would have been one of the rare occasions when two groups performed.
16 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers and The Web (Melody Maker)
If both bands played, this would have been one of the rare occasions when two groups performed.
23 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)
30 May 1967 (Tuesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
Record Mirror says Herbie Goins’ band has a Tuesday residency so may have shared the bill. They may also have continued to play more Tuesday nights as they appear again below on 12 September.
5 June 1967 (Monday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
8 June 1967 (Thursday) – The Turtles (Disc & Music Echo, Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
14 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The Cliffons (needs source)
20 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Coloured Raisins, King Ossie, Honey Darling and Earl Green (Melody Maker)
25 June 1967 (Sunday) – Jose Feliciano (Melody Maker)
6 July 1967 (Thursday) – Jefferson Airplane (cancelled) (needs source)
7 July 1967 (Friday) – Denny Laine’s Electric String Band (Disc & Music Echo and Fabulous 208)
14 July 1967 (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Fabulous 208)
25 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Amen Corner (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)
1 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Donnie Elbert (Melody Maker)
16 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Ten Years After (Fabulous 208)
18 August 1967 (Friday) – Granny’s Intentions (needs source)
26 August 1967 (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)
6 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
12 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)
14 September 1967 (Thursday) – Big Maybelle & The Majority (Melody Maker)
20 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
26 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Ten Years After (Fabulous 208)
4 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
5 October 1967 (Thursday) – Vanilla Fudge (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo has this gig down for 8 October, not 5 October.
18 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)
19 October 1967 (Thursday) – Freddie King (Melody Maker)
23 October 1967 (Monday) – Vanilla Fudge (Disc & Music Echo)
24 October 1967 (Tuesday) – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)
2 November 1967 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)
3 November 1967 (Friday) – Deuce Coup (Melody Maker)
4 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Mike Stuart Span (Melody Maker)
6 November 1967 (Monday) – The Majority (Melody Maker)
7 November 1967 (Tuesday) – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
8 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Ten Years After (Melody Maker)
9 November 1967 (Thursday) – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)
10 November 1967 (Friday) – The Maze (Melody Maker)
11 November 1967 (Saturday) – Dr K’s Blues Band (Melody Maker)
14 November 1967 (Tuesday) – The Downliners Sect (Melody Maker)
25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
28 November 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas and Chris Clark (Melody Maker)
1 December 1967 (Friday) – Gladys Knight & The Pips (Melody Maker)
12 December 1967 (Tuesday) – The Vibrations (Melody Maker)
14 December 1967 (Thursday) – Eddie Floyd (Melody Maker)
31 December 1967 (Sunday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
1968
Guitarist Paul Brett says that he played this venue during 1968, which would have been with Tintern Abbey.
4 January 1968 (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
20 January 1968 (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
30 March 1968 (Saturday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
3 April 1968 (Wednesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
5 April 1968 (Friday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
24 April 1968 (Wednesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
30 April 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
Melody Maker’s 4 May issue notes that a fire gutted the Speakeasy on Saturday night (27 April), causing £20,000 worth of damage. Roy Flynn, co-owner, said that the club couldn’t reopen for about three months (it ended up being mid-December) and that gigs would be transferred to Blaises and billed as ‘Speakeasy at Blaises’. These are noted below.
Ike & Tina Turner were billed to play on Sunday, 28 April and Bill Haley & The Comets on 30 April. These may have been cancelled or transferred to Blaises. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any further details.
1 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Bobby Goldsboro (Melody Maker)
This was billed to take place at the Speakeasy and may have been transferred to Blaises or alternatively cancelled.
5 May 1968 (Sunday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (Melody Maker)
Captain Beefheart was originally billed for the Speakeasy so most likely it was transferred to Blaises as the dates match.
8 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
13 May 1968 (Monday) – The Byrds (Melody Maker)
This was originally billed for the Speakeasy so most likely it was transferred to Blaises.
23 July 1968 – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
Paul Griggs notes in his diary that Jimi Hendrix and Eric Burdon were in attendance that night. This was a 1 am show so probably early hours of 24 July.
28 July 1968 (Sunday) – Terry Reid & The Fantasy (Melody Maker)
17 August 1968 (Saturday) – Juniors Eyes (Melody Maker)
20 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
21 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Free (Alessandro Borri research – see comments section below)
27 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Jethro Tull (Greg Russo’s research)
Huge thanks to Paul Kane for supplying this
1 September 1968 (Sunday) – Mickey Finn (Poster from Paul Kane)
2 September 1968 (Monday) –July (Poster from Paul Kane)
3 September 1968 (Tuesday) – The Village (Poster from Paul Kane)
4 September 1968 (Wednesday) – East of Eden (Poster from Paul Kane)
5 September 1968 (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Poster from Paul Kane)
6 September 1968 (Friday) – Juniors Eyes (Poster from Paul Kane)
7 September 1968 (Saturday) – London (Poster from Paul Kane)
According to Melody Maker and New Musical Express, Sly & The Family Stone were billed to play Blaises on 15 September. Apparently, they didn’t show and Roy Flynn asked The Nice’s manager Tony Stratton-Smith for help and he recommended Yes. Poster confirms Sly & The Family Stone were originally due to play
20 February 1969 (Thursday) – Majority Sun (Hounslow Post)
23 February 1969 (Sunday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
24 February 1969 (Monday) – Pendulum (Hounslow Post)
25 February 1969 (Tuesday) – Cymbaline (Hounslow Post)
26 February 1969 (Wednesday) – The New York Public Library (Hounslow Post)
2 March 1969 (Sunday) – Affinity (Kensington Post)
4 March 1969 (Tuesday) – Sarolta (Kensington Post)
5 March 1969 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Kensington Post)
9 March 1969 (Sunday) – Terry Reid (Melody Maker)
11 March 1969 (Tuesday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
12 March 1969 (Wednesday) – The Web (Marylebone Mercury)
16 March 1969 (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Hounslow Post)
17 March 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)
In an interview with Stefan Granados for Shindig magazine, guitarist Pete Mizen says that The Majority were playing here when they were approached to move to France and record with the Pink Elephant label.
18 March 1969 (Tuesday) – The New York Public Library (Hounslow Post)
19 March 1969 (Wednesday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)
23 March 1969 (Sunday) – Marv Johnson (Hounslow Post)
24 March 1969 (Monday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
25 March 1969 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Hounslow Post)
28 March 1969 (Friday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)
29 March 1969 (Saturday) – Trifle (Hounslow Post)
30 March 1969 (Sunday) – Joynt (Kensington Post)
31 March 1969 (Monday) – The Flames (Hounslow Post)
4 April 1969 (Friday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
6 April 1969 (Sunday) – Explosive (Watson T Browne?) (Hounslow Post)
7 April 1969 (Monday) – Circus (Hounslow Post)
9 April 1969 (Wednesday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)
10 April 1969 (Thursday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
12 April 1969 (Saturday) – Black Velvet (Hounslow Post)
13 April 1969 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Hounslow Post)
14 April 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)
18 April 1969 (Friday) – Springfield Park (Hounslow Post)
19 April 1969 (Saturday) – Pure Gold (Hounslow Post)
20 April 1969 (Sunday) – The Flames (Hounslow Post)
21 April 1969 (Monday) – Jerome Arnold (Hounslow Post)
22 April 1969 (Tuesday) – The Web (Hounslow Post)
26 April 1969 (Saturday) – Village (Time Out)
28 April 1969 (Monday) – Village (Time Out)
4 May 1969 (Sunday) – King Crimson (Hounslow Post)
5 May 1969 (Monday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)
6 May 1969 (Tuesday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)
8 May 1969 (Thursday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
9 May 1969 (Friday) – The Shades (Melody Maker)
10 May 1969 (Sunday) – Bob & Earl (Marylebone Mercury)
11 May 1969 (Sunday) – Black Velvet (Marylebone Mercury)
19 May 1969 (Monday) – Jerome Arnold (Time Out)
20 May 1969 (Tuesday) – The Majority (Time Out)
21 May 1969 (Wednesday) – The Milwaukee Coasters (Time Out)
22 May 1969 (Thursday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)
24 May 1969 (Saturday) – Belle Sebastian (Hounslow Post)
25 May 1969 (Sunday) – The Gods (Hounslow Post and Time Out)
26 May 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post and Time Out)
10 July 1969 (Thursday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Hounslow Post)
Although advertised, Jo Jo Gunne may not have appeared as they returned from a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas in early-to-mid July.
11 July 1969 (Friday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)
Sibylla’s nightclub was situated at 9 Swallow Street in Mayfair, W1 and was opened on 23 June 1966 after a pre-opening celebration party the night before.
Beatle George Harrison was one of the investors in the nightclub, which featured up and coming bands like Family, Amen Corner and Robert Plant & The Band of Joy.
Sibylla’s 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).
Mickey Finn circa July 1966. Photo: London Life magazine
1966
London Life magazine ran an in-depth article on Sibylla’s in its 30 July to 5 August issue (pages 26-30). At the time, The Mickey Finn were photographed playing at the club.
Future Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour’s Cambridge band Jokers Wild were another group to perform at the club shortly after it opened. South coast band The Bunch also played the venue (possible in late 1966 and/or during 1967).
London Life magazine’s 6-12 August 1966 issue (and subsequent issues until the magazine closed that December) notes that there is a live group performing every night.
22 August 1966 (Monday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 August 1966 (Tuesday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
24 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
25 August 1966 (Thursday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
26 August 1966 (Friday) – The Carl Douglas Set (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
According to the South East London Mercury, The Coffee Set played at Sibylla’s before 16 September and The Rolling Stones were in the audience.
20 September 1966 (Tuesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Future Cressida guitarist Peter Jennings remembers playing at the club with White Rabbit (after Linda Lewis had left), which would have been September or October.
The Scotch of St James, situated at 13A Masons Yard, Mayfair, London was a notable music venue in the 1960s and a popular hang out for rock musicians, notably The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
Jimi Hendrix also made his first UK appearance at the Scotch in September 1966.
Scotch of St James, 31 December 2023
The Scotch of St James was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find confirmed gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue/posters of advertised gigs/photos of bands who appeared there (all credited accordingly).
This exclusive Mayfair establishment was primarily a late night members club with gambling but did put on live music occasionally (see The Stormsville Shakers gigs immediately below). It was officially opened as a late night club offering regular live music from 14 July 1965.
1965
Drummer Tony Richard says that his band The Fetish Crowd played at the Scotch of St James, which would have been the 1965-1966 period.
Singer James Nairn (aka James Royal) notes that his bands James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set both performed at the club.
Phillip Goodhand-Tait kept diaries from 1961 onward and notes that his band The Stormsville Shakers were paid to play the Scotch on the above date. They arrived at 7.30pm and finished at 2am on the Saturday morning after playing three spots of 35 minutes. They were re-booked at the Scotch for the two dates below.
According to London Life magazine’s 9-15 October issue, The Marionettes were the resident band during this week. They were also listed for 16-22 October, 23-29 October and 30 October-5 November.
The Krew (who backed Beryl Marsden and Steve Aldo) played at the Scotch of St James around the middle-to-end of the first week of November, according to keyboardist Alan Reeves’ book. The Krew featured sax player Howie Casey who later did sessions for Paul McCartney & Wings.
9 November (Tuesday) – Wilson Pickett (backed either by The Links or The Maroons) with The Krew (Alan Reeves’s book Sex, Booze & Blues)
Bruno Ceriotti says that Wilson Pickett’s guitarist Jimmy Owen was joined by three members of The Animals.
3 December/4 December (Friday/Saturday) – The Krew (an advert in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette has the band playing at Kirklevington Country Club on Sunday, 5 December and says the band came direct from the Scotch Club)
8 December (Wednesday) – Major Lance (Record Mirror)
21 December (Tuesday) – Joe Tex (Melody Maker)
Record Mirror lists the Joe Tex gig as 16 December.
1966
Sometime during January 1966, The Krew backed US soul singer Fontella Bass for one night, according to Alan Reeves’s book Sex, Booze & Blues.
5 January (Wednesday) – Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Bluesology’s keyboard player was Reg Dwight, who became famous as Elton John.
11 January (Tuesday) – The Exciters (Record Mirror)
3 February (Thursday) – Stevie Wonder (probably backed by The Sidewinders) (Melody Maker)
According to an advert in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette for a show at the Kirklevington Country Club on 13 February, it says The Gass were residents at the Scotch of St James around this time.
According to the South East London Mercury, The Loose Ends began playing at the Scotch of St James three times a week for three months in the week starting 21 February (see clipping above).
The Alderley & Wilmslow Advertiser lists a gig for The Manchester Playboys at the Club Creole in Wilmslow, Cheshire on 25 February 1966 and says the band are direct from the Scotch of St James.
30 March (Wednesday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary)
Melody Maker and Record Mirror both report that Martha & The Vandellas played at the Scotch of St James on 30 March.
1 April (Friday) – Episode Six (audition) (Brian Long’s research)
According to London Life magazine from 14-20 May, the three resident bands for this week were The VIPs, Gass and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
20 May (Friday) – Ben E King (London Life magazine)
According to London Life magazine for the week 28 May to 3 June, the three resident bands for this week were The VIPs, Gass and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
The same magazine notes that the three resident bands for the week 11-17 June were The VIPs, The Loose Ends and The Chavelles (The Caravelles?)
26 June (Sunday) – The Loose Ends (Fabulous 208)
This may be July not June so needs confirmation. However, The Loose Ends played in Stockton-on-Tees on Saturday, 25 June according to the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette and the advert notes they came from the Scotch of St James so it’s possible they played the week leading up to 25 June.
7 July (Thursday) – Norma Tanega (Record Mirror)
26 July (Tuesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
29 July (Friday) – Joe Tex (London Life magazine)
According to London Life magazine, The Loose Ends, together with The VIPs and The Paramounts were the three resident bands playing at the Scotch of St James during the week 30 July to 5 August.
10 August (Wednesday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Guster says that Alan Price invited him to join his band at this gig.
The Westminster & Pimlico News’ 12 August 1966 issue notes that Gass played the club 6-7 nights a week around this time.
18 September (Sunday) – The Vibrations (needs source and confirmation but probably Melody Maker)
22 September (Thursday) – Jimi Hendrix solo (needs source and confirmation)
Apparently on the evening he’d arrived in the UK, Jimi Hendrix played a couple of songs as a solo act at the club.
23 September (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
24 September (Saturday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
26 September (Monday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
Jimi Hendrix sat in with The VIPs on 26 September – see Terry Ellis comment in the comments section below.
27 September (Tuesday) – The VIPs (needs confirmation)
28 September (Wednesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
Guitarist Vic Briggs says that Chas Chandler and Jimi Hendrix came into the Scotch of St James and sat in with the band. Brian Auger invited the American guitarist to sit in with the band at Blaises the following night, 29 September.
30 September (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
The Derby Evening Telegraph’s 1 October 1966 issue notes that Pepper’s Machine played the club recently.
3 October (Monday) – The Raylettes (London Life magazine)
7 October (Friday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
Robin Trower had left The Paramounts in late June/early July and formed The Jamm, so Martin Shaw (no relation to the actor) was on lead guitar.
8 October (Saturday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
13 October (Thursday) – The Trend (London Life magazine)
14 October (Friday) – The Trend (London Life magazine)
15 October (Saturday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
17 October (Monday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
18 October (Tuesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
19 October (Wednesday) – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jams with Cream (needs source and confirmation)
It has been noted that The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jammed with Cream at the Scotch of St James on 19 October (the alternative location was the Cromwellian). However, according to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book on the British blues boom, “Strange Brew”, Cream were playing at the Blue Moon in Cheltenham on this day.
According to London Life magazine, Tony & The Defenders played at the Scotch of St James during the week 22-28 October.
24 October (Monday) – Edwin Starr (possibly backed by The Guests) (London Life magazine)
29 October (Saturday) – The Paramounts (London Life magazine)
This was one of the band’s final gigs before splitting in November 1966. Gary Brooker formed Procol Harum the following spring.
31 October (Monday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (London Life magazine)
1 November (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (London Life magazine)
2 November (Wednesday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
3 November (Thursday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
4 November (Friday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
5 November (Saturday) – The Loose Ends (London Life magazine)
11 November (Friday) – Ben E King (London Life magazine)
18 November (Friday) – The Impressions (London Life magazine)
The Impressions featured future soul star Curtis Mayfield.
According to Disc & Music Echo on 26 November, Deep Feeling made their debut at the Scotch of St James around the week starting 21 November. Chris Curtis, Giorgio Gomelsky, Robert Stigwood, Speedy Acquaye and Beryl Marsden were among the guests.
According to Melody Maker, Bobby Darin sat in with Deep Feeling around early-to-mid December and played the drums.
London Life magazine reports that The Checkmates played at the Scotch of St James during the week 3-9 December.
The Manchester Independent notes that Manchester band The Powerhouse played at the venue during December.
7 December (Wednesday) – The Vibrations (London Life magazine)
8 December (Thursday) – The Young Rascals (Disc & Music Echo)
The magazine reports that Paul McCartney, Chas Chandler, Eric Burdon, Keith Moon, Brian Epstein and Bill Wyman are among the guests.
13 December (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
14 December (Wednesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
15 December (Thursday) – Bobby Hebb (Record Mirror)
The magazine says that Bobby Hebb came on at 1am. This is confirmed by London Life magazine, which notes the 14 December so it looks like Hebb came on stage after The Brian Auger Trinity had finished. Future Deep Purple bass player Nick Simper was in his backing band.
19 December (Monday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
20 December (Tuesday) – The Brian Auger Trinity (Fabulous 208)
21 December (Wednesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
22 December (Thursday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
23 December (Friday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
24 December (Saturday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (London Life magazine)
28 December (Wednesday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
29 December (Thursday) – The VIPs (Fabulous 208)
31 December (Saturday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Disc & Music Echo and London Life magazine)
1967
Guitarist Doug Ayers says that The All Night Workers played at the Scotch of St James (most likely in early 1967).
Jim Cregan, guitarist with Blossom Toes, remembers playing at the club and The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were there on the same night to catch his band performing.
Drummer Chris Hunt says The Good Time Losers played the club in the first half of 1967.
Tony Glyde remembers playing at the Scotch of St James with Simon K & The Meantimers in 1967-1968.
2 February (Thursday) – Edwin Starr (Evening Standard)
The Loose Ends were playing at the venue in late March/early April when the Stax-Volt show tour came in. This is where Otis Redding picked up singers Alan Marshall and Bob Saker and took them back to the US to record tracks at Fame Studios during June.
23 April (Sunday) – The Wages of Sin (Melody Maker)
28 April (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
Drummer Phil Wainman, who went on to produce The Sweet, remembers playing the club in May 1967 with Jack Hammer & The Hammer Jammers.
Keyboard player Mick Ketley says The Motivation/Penny Peeps played at the Scotch of St James on two occasions which would have been from May 1967 onwards.
7 May (Sunday) – The Marshall Scott Etc (Hounslow Post)
The Loose Ends were performing at the Scotch of St James in early June 1967 when former Ram Jam guitarist Pete Gage brought singer Kenny Bernard into see the musicians. This led to the formation of Cats Pyjamas with some of the group members.
16 June (Friday) – Vince Edwards (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
The Manchester Playboys performed at the Scotch of St James and July seems the most likely period as they were in London gigging. Also Peter Simensky, who had joined the band recently, was a member at the time and he recalls singer Billie Davis working at the Scotch at the time.
Frank Torpey, who was lead guitarist with London band, The Tribe (and would go on to become the original lead guitarist in The Sweet), says that when the group was playing regular Saturday nights at the Marquee in Wardour Street between July-September, the Marquee’s owner John Gee would get a call from the Scotch of St James asking what band was on and would they like to double up? He says The Tribe always said yes as it was a great top up. Torpey adds that they never had another band on with them. He thinks they may have played at the Scotch maybe three or four times.
It sounds like The Tribe may have played the Scotch in the early hours of the Sunday morning after finishing up at the Marquee but this would need confirmation.
This insight is interesting as it might mean other groups that played the Marquee went on and played the Scotch of St James after finishing up.
1 July (Saturday) – The Tribe (Tony Bacon’s book, London Live)
The Tribe (which changed name to The Dream in late August 1967) played at the Marquee every Saturday from 1 July to 30 September according to Tony Bacon’s excellent book on the London music scene and its Marquee listings, so it’s impossible to know what Saturday evenings/early Sunday mornings The Tribe went on to play at the Scotch of St James afterwards. It’s also quite possible that the other band sharing the billing at the Marquee with The Tribe may have been asked as well (see Torpey’s recollections above).
7 July (Friday) – Vince Edwards (Fabulous 208)
8 July (Saturday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
1 August (Tuesday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
Timebox played at the Scotch of St James during August 1967. They had a Tuesday night gig at the Marquee so possibly played afterwards. Former Felders Orioles drummer John Halsey advertised in Melody Maker for a new band on Thursday, 17 August and auditioned with Timebox shortly afterwards at the Scotch.
29 August (Tuesday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
According to the poster below for the Gloucester YMCA, The Official Receivers played at the Scotch of St James around October 1967.
31 October (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website and Disc & Music Echo)
1 November (Wednesday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website – see above)
2 November (Thursday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
3 November (Friday) – The Anglians (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
4 November (Saturday) – Mud (Melody Maker)
6 November (Monday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
7 November (Tuesday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
8 November (Wednesday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
9 November (Thursday) – Ben E King (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
10 November (Friday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
Melody Maker lists The Downliners Sect.
11 November (Saturday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
13 November (Monday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
14 November (Tuesday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
15 November (Wednesday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
16 November (Thursday) – Timebox (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
17 November (Friday) – Mud (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
18 November (Saturday) – Mud (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
20 November (Monday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
21 November (Tuesday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
22 November (Wednesday) – Wishful Thinking (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
23 November (Thursday) – The Web (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
24 November (Friday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
25 November (Saturday) – The West Coast Consortium (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
27 November (Monday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
28 November (Tuesday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
29 November (Wednesday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
30 November (Thursday) – The Bystanders (Poster from Barry Monks on Patto website)
30 December (Saturday) – Kaleidoscope (Melody Maker)
1968
Iain Pitwell, Brian Mansell and Geoff Glover confirm that The All Night Workers played at the Scotch of St James regularly during the 1968-1969 period.
Mo Umansky says his band Mr Mo’s Messengers played at the venue, most likely in 1968.
26 January (Friday) – The Magic Roundabout (audition) (Geoff Chinnery’s gig diary)
3 February (Saturday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
6 February (Tuesday) – James & Bobby Purify (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
8 February (Thursday) – Edwin Starr (New Musical Express)
According to Melody Maker, Rupert’s People played at the Scotch of St James around the week starting 19 February.
27 February (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker)
According to Melbourne music magazine, Go-Set, Australian band The Groop played the Scotch of St James between early March and mid-April.
8 March (Friday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
23 March (Saturday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
4 April (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
1 May (Wednesday) – Ike & Tina Turner and Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
2 May (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
9 May (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
16 May (Thursday) – Edwin Starr & The State Express (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
20 May (Monday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
5 June (Tuesday) – The Coasters (New Musical Express)
17 June (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
18 June (Tuesday) – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)
30 June (Sunday) – The Crystals (New Musical Express)
16 July (Tuesday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
20 July (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
3 August (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
5 August (Monday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
6 August (Tuesday) – Tim Rose (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
Rose’s gig was cancelled.
13 August (Tuesday) – Elmer Gantry (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
19 August (Monday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
21 August (Wednesday) – The Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
22 August (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
26 August (Monday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
7 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
10 September (Tuesday) – Ben E King (New Musical Express)
14 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
27 September (Friday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
28 September (Saturday) – Scrugg (Jack Russell’s gig diary)
16 October (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
The New Musical Express lists Brook Benton for the 16 October.
12 November (Tuesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
18 November (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
28 November (Thursday) – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker)
12 December (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
17 December (Tuesday) – Bandwagon (New Musical Express)
18 December (Wednesday) – The Barrier (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
1969
Guitarist/violinist Mike Piggott confirms that Gass played the Scotch of St James during the 1969-1970 period.
21 January (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
31 January (Friday) – The N’ Betweens (later became Slade) (Don Powell’s website)
24 February (Monday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker)
New Musical Express reports that Ben E King is backed by Chris Shakespeare Globe Show for his UK tour in February 1969.
10 March (Monday) – The Tymes (Melody Maker)
29 March (Saturday) – Ben E King (Time Out)
14 April (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Fabulous 208)
21 April (Monday) – Turnstyle and Steamhammer (Fabulous 208)
19 May (Monday) – Bob & Earl (John Warburg research)
21 July (Monday) – Jimmy Ruffin with Sweet Blindness (New Musical Express)
25 August (Monday) – JJ Jackson (Time Out)
1 September (Monday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
4 September (Thursday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
8 September (Monday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
9 September (Tuesday) – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
11 September (Thursday) – Katch 22 (Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
1970
28 January (Wednesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)
28 October (Wednesday) – Tear Gas (Melody Maker)
29 October (Thursday) – Czar (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
5 November (Thursday) – Legend (Melody Maker)
6 November (Friday) – Charge (Melody Maker)
7 November (Saturday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
8 November (Sunday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
9 November (Monday) – Calum Bryce (Melody Maker)
Ted Hare’s gig diary for bands he managed, including Calum Bryce, have this group listed at the Scotch of St James on 10 November not the 9 November so possible there is a mistake here.
10 November (Tuesday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
12 November (Thursday) – Fairfield Parlour (Melody Maker)
13 November (Friday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
14 November (Saturday) – Renea (Melody Maker)
16 November (Monday) – UFO (Melody Maker)
17 November (Tuesday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
18 November (Wednesday) – Bubastis (Melody Maker)
19 November (Thursday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
20 November (Friday) – Mataya (Melody Maker)
23 November (Monday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
24 November (Tuesday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
25 November (Wednesday) – Aquila (Melody Maker)
26 November (Thursday) – Dave Davani (Melody Maker)
27 November (Friday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
30 November (Monday) – Nick Twilley (Melody Maker)
1 December (Tuesday) – Merlin (Melody Maker)
2 December (Wednesday) – Clear Blue Sky (Melody Maker)
1971
15 April (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
6 May (Thursday) – Octopus (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
