Formed from musicians drawn from the Tolworth, Surbiton and Chessington area of Surrey in April 1964, The Original Topics evolved out of the final version of The Classics and added John Horton (b. 14 November 1945; d. 25 September 2023) from The Outsiders.
Len Neldrett and Malcolm Penn had both attended Surbiton County Grammar and had earlier played in rival local bands The Gremlins and The Electrons.
In November 1964, Dickie Pride (b. 21 October 1941, Thornton Heath, Surrey; d. 26 March 1969), one of the late 1950s home-grown English rock stars from the Larry Parnes stable, including, among others, Marty Wilde, Billy Fury, Vince Eager, Georgie Fame, Lance Fortune, Duffy Power and Johnny Gentle (John Askew), joined as their new front man. Tragically, he later died of a heroin overdose in 1969
However, around March 1965, Nicky Graham (b. January 1945, Durban, South Africa; d. 3 February 2024) (quickly followed by John Horton) departed to form The End, a band that developed close links with Rolling Stones’ bass player Bill Wyman.
Wyman would oversee many of that group’s recordings. He would also remain friends with Nicky Graham who later formed Tucky Buzzard and worked with David Bowie in the early 1970s.
Stan Marut briefly took over from Graham and remembers playing at the Cromwellian while with the group.
In May 1965, Dickie Pride, Len Neldrett and Malcolm Penn joined a new central London-based outfit called The Sidewinders. Marut meanwhile joined The Jynx Pack and then Julian Covey & The Machine.
Photo: Malcolm Penn
Selected gigs:
17 July 1964 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, Surrey with The Searchers and Cats Whiskers (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 July 1964 – King George’s Hall, Esher, Surrey with The Yardbirds (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
8 August 1964 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with The Cheynes (Record Mirror)
29 August 1964 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Record Mirror)
12 September 1964 – Galaxy Club, Town Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire with The Westsiders (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)
19 September 1964 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with Dave Davani (Record Mirror)
3 February 1965 – Flamingo, Soho, Wardour Street, central London with Screaming Jay Hawkins (Record Mirror) Billed as The Topics with Dickie Pride
12 February 1965 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Poster) Billed as The Topics with Dickie Pride
Image may be subject to copyright
22 April 1965 – Whitehall, East Grinstead, West Sussex with The Plus Three (Sussex Evening Express)
Thanks to Malcolm Penn for the photo
31 August 1965 – Co-op Hall, Halstead, Essex with Heinz & The Wild Boys, Cops ‘N’ Robbers, The Fairies and Soul Foundations (Essex Chronicle) This is very unlikely unless it was a different band (possibly The Sidewinders?)
Left to right: Len, Dave and Nick. Photo: Malcolm Penn
A huge thanks to Malcolm Penn for providing the background notes and all of the photos for The Original Topics. Thanks to David Else for helping with some gigs from Record Mirror.
Drummer Robert Cromwell Anson (b. 20 October 1940, Sherwood, Nottingham) had played with various jazz bands, including The Don Rendell Quintet before joining The Brian Auger Trinity in July 1963 and working under the name Phil Kinnora.
In August 1964, Anson left to form his own group, The Machine, and adopted a new stage name, Julian Covey. The first line-up of the new formation came together that September.
Over the next three years, Julian Covey & The Machine underwent a staggering number of personnel changes, which often resulted in entirely new formations lasting a handful of months.
One of the first significant musicians to feature in the group’s ranks was Hammond organist Vincent Crane (b. Vincent Rodney Cheesman, 21 May 1943, Reading, Berkshire, d. 14 February 1989), who had previously worked with The Vincent Cheesman Trio, The Simon Magus Band/The Vincent Cheesman Blues Brothers, Lew Hird’s Australian Jazz Band and The Big Sound.
Photo: Melody Maker
It’s quite possible that Crane was part of the formation when Julian Covey & The Machine made its Marquee debut, opening for The Spencer Davis Group, on 4 May 1965.
Noted jazz sax player Bob Downes (b. 22 July 1937, Plymouth, Devon), who had previously worked with The John Barry Seven, remembers Crane being a member of the band for a while but it is unlikely that the Hammond organist was still on-board when Julian Covey & The Machine travelled to Accra in Ghana and performed a week-long gig in the city.
Crane, of course, would later go on to play with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown and Atomic Rooster after playing with The Word Engine, Vincent Crane’s Freedom Riders and The Vincent Crane Combo in the interim.
Downes meanwhile would also work with The Word Engine before playing with Jimmy Nicol & The Shub Dubs, Chris Andrews and then Dave Antony’s Moods.
Around June 1965, Julian Covey pieced together a new version of The Machine comprising the following:
Julian Covey – drums/vocals
Jim Cregan – lead guitar
Dave Levy – piano
Cliff Barton – bass
+
Saxophone player
Cliff Barton (b. 1944, West Ealing, London, d. 16 May 1968) had worked with a host of bands before joining but didn’t stay very long, according to Jim Cregan (b. 9 March 1946, Yeovil, Somerset). Barton’s pedigree included playing with Cyril Davies and The R&B All Stars and Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men. He would join The Alan Price Set on leaving Julian Covey.
Jim Cregan told Jason Barnard at the Strange Brew website that he joined Julian Covey and future Yes bass player Chris Squire for a short trip to Ghana to mark the inauguration of the Ghanaian TV service. The trio supported pianist Ramon Bouche and played on TV a couple of times but did not perform any live gigs. Ghana Today Television, the country’s national public broadcaster, run by the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation commenced operations on 31 July 1965, so the band’s trip to Ghana would have been around this time.
A former member of The Muldoons, Jim Cregan would go on to play with The Ingoes and more significantly Blossom Toes in 1960s among others. He would also become a noted session player during the 1970s.
Image may be subject to copyright. This image dates from 1965. I would welcome any comments on who the musicians are
In October 1965, Covey formed yet another formation of The Machine which included:
John McVie – bass
Stan Marut – Hammond organ
+
Geoff Krivit – lead guitar
John McVie (b. 26 November 1945, Ealing, London) had been sacked from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers for his drinking in early October (his place taken by Jack Bruce initially).
Hammond organist Stan Marut also joined at this time after working with The Jynx Pack. He had previously been a member of Dickie Pride & The Original Topics.
Before the year was out, guitarist Geoff Krivit (b. 1948) who had subbed for Eric Clapton in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers between September-October 1965 joined The Machine briefly. He’d previously played with The Secrets, Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions and The Five Dimensions.
According to the Lancashire Evening Post, the band supported The Shots (who later evolved into The Smoke) at Preston Public Hall on 29 October 1965 alongside Shawn Philips. The following dates opening for The Shots suggest that there may have been a short tour.
7 November 1965 – Belle Vue, Manchester with The Shots and Shawn Phillips (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
9 November 1965 – Middlesbrough Town Hall, Middlesbrough with The Shots and Shawn Phillips (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
Marut remembers that The Machine landed a regular Saturday night gig at the Cromwellian during this period.
Photo: Melody Maker, early 1966
According to Melody Maker, they played at the Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, south west London on 6 November (see below), which took place part of the way through the tour with The Shots.
Shortly after John McVie returned to John Mayall’s band in the first week of January 1966, future Herd drummer Andrew Steele (b. 2 August 1941, Hendon, London, d. 18 April 2005) joined after working with Johnny Halliday. Steele had started out with Gary Farr & The T-Bones and was an old friend of Jim Cregan’s, having played with him in The Muldoons in early 1965.
Geoff Krivit also departed around February 1966 to spend time with Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound before hooking up with Dr K’s Blues Band.
Guitarist Mike Ward and bass player Steve Rance from The Ad-Libs, the house band at Leicester Square club, the Ad-Lib joined at this time. The band then comprised:
Julian Covey – lead vocals
Mike Ward – guitar
Stan Marut – Hammond organ
Steve Rance – bass
Andrew Steele – drums
Marut remembers the band played Peter Stringfellow’s club, the King Mojo in Sheffield and also at the Britannia Boat Club in Nottingham.
Marut also remembers sax player Dave Quincy from Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds used to jam with the group regularly.
I found a few gigs during this period:
23 January 1966 – Kasban, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Daily Echo) Says from the Marquee
9 February 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with Doris Troy (Nottingham Evening Post)
26 February 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
18 March 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Melody Maker)
26 March 1966 – Cromwellian, South Kensington, west London (Melody Maker)
On the eve of a tour with John Lee Hooker in May 1966, Marut was forced to leave and Dave Greenslade took his place. After the tour, Dave Greenslade left to join Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds.
While playing at Tiles, Oxford Street on 5 May (see above), the band’s drummer (Ed: Andrew Steele?) had to pull out and Covey took over the drum stool and gained praise from Hooker.
I found a few gigs during this period:
4 May 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Bristol Evening Post) Billed as support group and backed John Lee Hooker
6 May 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Cataracts and The Tea Set (Rugby Advertiser) Billed as The Machine and backed John Lee Hooker
7 May 1966 – Burlesque, Leicester (Leicester Mercury) Backed John Lee Hooker
7 May 1966 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire with The Innmates (Chester Chronicle) Billed as The Machine and backed John Lee Hooker
8 May 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News) Billed as supporting group and backed John Lee Hooker
13 May 1966 – Village, Cleethorpes (Grimsby Evening Telegraph) Billed as The Machine and backed John Lee Hooker
14 May 1966 – Plaza Ballroom, Handsworth, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as The JCS Machine and backed John Lee Hooker
15 May 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent with John Lee Hooker & The Strangers (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News) Billed as J C & The Machine and backed John Lee Hooker
12 June 1966 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)
21 July 1966 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hants (Southern Evening Echo)
22 July 1966 – Peyton Place, Bromley South, London (Melody Maker)
According to David Else, a revamped line-up played in a side tent at the Windsor Festival on 30 July 1966.
Photo: Mirabelle, 27 August 1966 issue
Around September 1966, however, Covey reshuffled the band yet again to include:
Julian Covey – lead vocals
Dave Mason – lead guitar
Keith Webb – drums
Dave Mason (b. 10 May 1946, Worcester, Worcestershire) had played in several local Worcester bands, most notably The Hellions before jumping ship to join Covey in late 1966.
Keith Webb (b. 1934, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, d. 31 March 2007) had previously worked with The Hipster Image and was probably the most consistent member of The Machine after Covey, surviving to the band’s split in September 1967.
According to the Kent Messenger & Gravesend Journal, the group appeared at Coronational Ballroom in Ramsgate, Kent on 9 September 1966.
Photo: Melody Maker. 10 September 1966
On 22 September 1966, Julian Covey & The Machine made their second Marquee appearance, opening for The Move.
In late 1966, Julian Covey & The Machine played at the Bag O’Nails in Kingley Street, Soho for a week. However, Mason didn’t stay long and in spring 1967 he formed Traffic and later found success as a solo artist.
On 8 October 1966, the band returns for another show at the Greyhound Hotel, Cromford, Derbyshire. The group plays at the British Legion Hall in Princess Risborough in Buckinghamshire two days later.
On 14 October, the band performs at the Club A Go Go in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear.
On 29 October 1966, the group appears at the 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent with The Noyse.
Around November 1966, Covey reshuffled the pack again to:
Julian Covey – lead vocals
John Morsehead – lead guitar
Johnny Spence (aka Johnny Holiday) – bass
Keith Webb – drums
Johnny Spence (b. 26 January 1942, Birmingham) had some pedigree, having previously worked (most notably) with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and The Pirates after splitting from the singer. He’d recently spent time backing US legend, Jerry Lee Lewis.
Indian-born John Morsehead had met Spence while playing with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and The Pirates. In May 1966, he joined The Shotgun Express where he played with future Machine member Peter Bardens.
A few notable gigs from this period include:
4 November 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
5 November 1966 – Ricky Tick, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)
29 November 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton south London (Melody Maker)
14 December 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne (Fabulous 208)
16 December 1966 – Slade School of Fine Arts, Gower Street, central London with The Move (Fabulous 208)
30 December 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
2 January 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, central London (Fabulous 208)
12 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
19 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
Around late January/early February 1967, Covey formed what is probably considered to be the definitive version of the band, which cut the group’s lone 45, “A Little Bit Hurt” c/w “Sweet Bacon”.
Julian Covey – lead vocals
John Morsehead – lead guitar
Johnny Spence – bass
Pete Solley – Hammond organ
Keith Webb – drums
Ex-Trinity College of Music keyboard player Pete Solley (b. 19 October 1948, London) joined the existing line-up.
Having cut a lone single for Island Records, which was produced by Jimmy Miller, “A Little Bit of Hurt” c/w “Sweet Bacon” was released on 12 May 1967.
Image may be subject to copyright
The new formation gigged incessantly and shows included the following:
27 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
28 January 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Tropical Boot Company (Derby Evening Telegraph)
2 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
9 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
14 February 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire with Keith Webb (Evening Sentinel)
16 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
17 February 1967 – Dancing Slipper, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
8 March 1967 – Falcon Hotel, Falconwood, southeast London (PACE magazine)
18 March 1967 – Saturday Club, Royal York Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight with Times Creation (Isle of Wight County Press)
24 March 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
26 March 1967 – Klue J Club, Chelmsford, Essex (Poster)
21 April 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
5 May 1967 – George Inn, Wilby, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
6 May 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The All Night Workers (Melody Maker)
13 May 1967 – Bluesville, St Thomas Parish Hall, Brentwood, Essex (Melody Maker)
21 May 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)
27 May 1967 – Iron Curtain Club, Small Heath, West Midlands with Small Change (Birmingham Evening Mail)
On 29 May, Covey also depped on drums for Keith Moon in The Who when the sticks man hurt his stomach throwing his drum kit at the crowd.
4 June 1967 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
17 June 1967 – Stoke Hotel, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
23 June 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Middlesex County Times)
24 June 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph)
28 June 1967 – Charles Keene College, Leicester Corn Exchange, Leicester with The Family and The Invaders (Leicester Mercury)
6 July 1967 – Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (West Briton & Cornwall Gazette)
15 July 1967 – Cottingham Civic Hall, Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire with The Locomotion (Hull Daily Mail)
In August 1967, they also performed at the 6th National Jazz and Blues Festival but soon after Peter Bardens, who’d briefly worked with The Love Affair, joined on Hammond organ. Bardens had an impressive musical pedigree, which included The Cheynes, Them, The Peter B’s and The Shotgun Express, which is where he worked with Morsehead.
Pete Solley next joined Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds but left in May 1968 to briefly work with Los Bravos. In late 1968, he joined Terry Reid’s backing band (where he reunited with Keith Webb) and then worked with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown before becoming member of Paladin.
In September 1967, Julian Covey & The Machine ran its course. Renamed Philamore Lincoln, Anson joined Graham Bond for several months before embarking on an intriguing solo career.
Morsehead next joined Aynsley Dunbar’s Retaliation while Spence retired but later reformed The Pirates.
NOTE: the band’s history is difficult to trace accurately so I would welcome any additions/corrections below in the comments section
Thanks Stan Marut, Bob Downes, Jim Cregan, Jason Barnard, David Else, Bruno Ceriotti and John Warburg for providing information. This website was also incredibly useful:
Located at 3 Cromwell Road in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, SW7, the Cromwellian Club was a notable London rock venue that was opened in late 1964 by entrepreneur Tony Mitchell and part owned and managed by Bob Archer, who later established the Pantiles club in Bagshot, Surrey. The club’s opening was reported in The Stage in its 8 October 1964 issue.
Brian Auger who played here with The Trinity claims that the Cromwellian is where Jimi Hendrix first jammed with his band after arriving in London in late September 1966, although others point to the Scotch of St James.
At its height in 1966-1967, it also hosted numerous jam sessions, featuring the likes of Chris Farlowe, Georgie Fame, Long John Baldry, Eric Burdon and Eric Clapton among others.
Like other exclusive clubs like Blaises and the Scotch of St James, the entrance fee was expensive and therefore catered less for music fans and more for the celebrities of the day and wealthy clientele.
The Cromwellian was rarely advertised in the music papers so it’s been difficult to find gigs. The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue and posters of advertised gigs as well as band photos (all credited accordingly).
1965
Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at the Cromwellian during 1965-1966:
Singer Jim Nairn (aka James Royal) says that James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set played there throughout this period.
Tony Richard who drummed and sang with The Fetish Crowd says that his group performed there during 1965-1966.
Singer Alan Chamberlain says that The Just Four, which became The Guests, played at the venue in 1965-1966.
Guitarist/singer Stuart Cowell says he was working with Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band when they performed at the Cromwellian in late 1965 before he left to join Gass.
Ray Lovegrove, who DJ’d at the venue, remembers seeing Stevie Wonder and also The Groundhogs at the club during 1965 when he was there. However, the Stevie Wonder gig could have been 26 January 1966 (see below).
The following list for 1965 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
Photo: Melody Maker
1 April 1965 (Thursday) – The Drifters (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker, 10 April 1965
5 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Soul Sisters (Melody Maker)
8 June 1965 (Tuesday) – Donnie Elbert (Melody Maker)
15 June 1965 (Tuesday) – Solomon Burke (Melody Maker)
23 June 1965 (Wednesday) – Doris Troy (Melody Maker)
Photo; Melody Maker
13 July 1965 (Tuesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
23 July 1965 (Friday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
London Life magazine for the week 9-15 October, and for subsequent issues running to December 1966 when it closed, notes that several groups played each week.
20 October 1965 (Wednesday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
28 October 1965 (Thursday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
Photo: West Surrey Advertiser
Boz & The Boz People played at the Cromwellian sometime before 4 November, according to the West Surrey Advertiser (see pic)
4 November 1965 (Thursday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
11 November 1965 (Thursday) – The Mark Leeman Five (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
22 November 1965 (Monday) – Wilson Pickett (Melody Maker)
2 December 1965 (Thursday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
7 December 1965 (Tuesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (Melody Maker)
9 December 1965 (Thursday) – The Mark Leeman Five (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
10 December 1965 (Friday) – The Beatstalkers (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
13 December 1965 (Monday) – The Beatstalkers (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
14 December 1965 (Tuesday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary – thanks to John Warburg for sharing)
15 December 1965 (Wednesday) – Major Lance (Melody Maker/Record Mirror) Melody Maker had Wednesday originally but it was later amended to the day after
16 December 1965 (Thursday) – Major Lance and Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Elton John (then known as Reg Dwight) was Bluesology’s keyboard player.
Photo: Record Mirror
20 December 1965 (Monday) – Joe Tex (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
1966
Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at the Cromwellian during 1966:
Keyboard player Stan Marut, who worked with Julian Covey & The Machine from late 1965-mid-1966 says the group had a regular Saturday night residency at the club in early 1966 (and also possibly late 1965 when John McVie was briefly a member when Jack Bruce filled his spot in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers). He remembers Sands were playing at the venue around the same time.
According to Chris Groom’s excellent book “Rockin’ and Around Croydon”, Croydon group The Kingpins played at the Cromwellian in early 1966.
Singer Alan Chamberlain says that The Guests played at the venue during 1966 (possibly with The Shevelles).
Jim Nairn (aka James Royal) says The James Royal Set played at the club this year.
Guitarist Frank Torpey, who later became an original member of The Sweet, confirms his group The Tribe played at the Cromwellian (most likely this year and possibly also 1967).
Guitarist Jim Cregan says that Blossom Toes performed at the venue (but this might have been 1967).
Ray Brown, who played bass with Jeff Curtis & The Flames from mid-1965 to late 1967 when they became The Kool, says that the band played at the Cromwellian a few times, most likely in 1966 (but also possibly early 1967).
Drummer Rocky Browne confirms that The Summer Set had a weekly residence at the Cromwellian during 1966.
Drummer Tony Richard says The Fetish Crowd played at the club during 1966.
The following list for 1966 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
4 January 1966 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
11 January 1966 (Tuesday) – Pattie La Belle & The Bluebells with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Elton John (then known as Reg Dwight) was Bluesology’s keyboard player.
13 January 1966 (Thursday) – The Exciters (Record Mirror)
Record Mirror originally billed this show for 19 January.
19 January 1966 (Wednesday) – Lee Dorsey (Record Mirror)
Melody Maker and Record Mirror originally had The Exciters on this date but Lee Dorsey replaced them.
Record Mirror also listed this for 31 January so this may not have happened. Dorsey was most likely backed by The Krew featuring sax player Howie Casey. I also have The Sidewinders, so probably shared. They were back the following Wednesday to back Stevie Wonder.
26 January 1966 (Wednesday) – Stevie Wonder (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
Stevie Wonder was backed by The Sidewinders (confirmed by drummer Malcolm Penn).
31 January 1966 (Monday) – Lee Dorsey (Melody Maker, Record Mirror and Rave Magazine)
Lee Dorsey was most certainly backed by The Krew.
5 February 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
This was 2-6am on the Sunday morning after a show at the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill on the Saturday night. Chase says The Searchers came in and watched them.
9 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Doris Troy (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
Melody Maker and Record Mirror lists Rufus Thomas for 16 February. Steampacket did perform at the Cromwellian and it’s possible that Rufus Thomas shared the billing or even backed him. Rod Stewart co-fronted Steampacket with Long John Baldry and Julie Driscoll.
19 February 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
23 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker, Record Mirror and Rave Magazine)
25 February 1966 (Friday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary – thanks to John Warburg for sharing)
2 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Solomon Burke (Melody Maker/Record Mirror)
3 March 1966 (Thursday) – Episode Six (Brian Long’s research)
Future Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover were members.
5 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
10 March 1966 (Thursday) – Episode Six (Brian Long’s research)
12 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
19 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
Cromwellian, London, March 1966. Photo: Melody Maker
26 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (Melody Maker)
1 April 1966 (Friday) – The Sidewinders (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 May 1966 (Thursday) – Betty Everett (Record Mirror)
Christopher Hjort’s excellent book “Strange Brew: Eric Clapton & The British Blues Boom 1965-1970” notes that Eric Clapton attended the Cromwellian on 9 May after a gig at the Star Hotel in Croydon with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
The 9 May marks the inception of SLAGS (Society of Looning Alcoholic Guitarists) whose members include Jeff Beck, Stevie Winwood, Vic Briggs, Pete Townshend, Steve Marriott, Andy Somers, Alan Roskams and Dave Wendels. The members will meet regularly at the Cromwellian.
In early June Melody Maker prints a “Guide to Good Raving” which lists the “in” clubs of the London scene. The Cromwellian is featured and the magazine notes that Gary Farr & The T-Bones, The Mark Leeman Five, Dave Anthony’s Moods, The Shevelles, Sands and The Peter B’s (actually The Shotgun Express) have recently played at the venue (performing until 2am).
10 June 1966 (Friday) – Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Five Proud Walkers who play at the Beachcomber Club on 18 June came from the Cromwellian.
According to the Southern Evening Echo (Southampton), The Move, who play the Adam & Eve in Southampton on 12 July, came from the Cromwellian (see above)
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Cromwellians who play at the Beachcomber Club on 23 July came from the Cromwellian.
Photo: London Life magazine
27 July 1966 (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
Bass player Dave Aldhouse says his band The Zig Zags played the club, possibly twice, in the summer of 1966.
The Eyes of Blue, who have won Melody Maker’s National Beat Contest, celebrate with a party at the club on 7 August. Eric Clapton, Alan Price, Chris Farlowe and others attend.
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Coletrane Union, who play at the Britannia Rowing Club on 13 August came from the Cromwellian
According to this Moody Blues site, John Lodge’s band The Question were regulars at the Cromwellian during August/September 1966 before he took up the bass slot in The Moody Blues in October.
31 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
20 September 1966 (Tuesday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Melody Maker)
Guitarist Tim Large says that Dave Anthony’s Moods had a regular Wednesday night gig at the Cromwellian but the gigs in September are Tuesday nights.
21 September 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
27 September 1966 (Tuesday) – Dave Anthony’s Moods (Melody Maker)
According to this site, Brian Auger was playing at the Cromwellian on a Friday night and had invited Jimi Hendrix to sit in with his band at this venue earlier in the week. Auger insists that this was the first place that Hendrix jammed with his band.
However, Auger did play at Blaises on Thursday, 29 September and Hendrix did sit in on that occasion, having arrived in the UK on Thursday, 22 September. According to Vic Briggs (and other sources), Hendrix also turned up and jammed with the band at the Scotch of St James on Wednesday, 28 September.
8 October 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
11 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
It has been noted that The Paul Butterfield Blues Band jammed with Cream at the Cromwellian on 19 October (the alternative location was the Scotch of St James). However, according to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book on the British blues boom, “Strange Brew”, Cream are playing at the Blue Moon in Cheltenham this evening.
22 October 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
2 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
Photo: London Life magazine
16 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
18 November 1966 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 26 November issue, Eric Burdon, Chas Chandler and Bill Wyman attended the club on this date.
30 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to Bruno Ceriotti, Bluesology (featuring Reg Dwight aka Elton John) played at the Cromwellian regularly during December 1966, which is where Long John Baldry saw them and took them on as his new backing group.
7 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
14 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
According to Disc & Music Echo, The Magic Lanterns visited the club the week starting 19 December but it is not clear whether they performed or just attended.
24 December 1966 (Saturday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
1967
According to Disc & Music Echo, Ray Hunter and Paul Lincoln, who had previously run The Two I’s Coffee Bar in Soho, co-ran the Cromwellian this year.
Rob Tolchard says his band Sands played the Cromwellian in January where they were spotted by Brian Epstein who hired them for his Saville Theatre show on 5 February.
Bass player Bruce Usherwood says The Warren Davis Monday Band performed at the venue several times between December 1966 and February 1967 just before they signed with Columbia Records.
The Warren Davis Monday Band’s guitarist Rob Walker concurs and notes that one of the gigs was when the band was called The Boardwalkers.
Disc & Music Echo, 14 January 1967 issue, talks about Georgie Fame’s fiancé Carmen’s 21st birthday fancy dress party, which was held at the venue on 8 January. The guests include Jane Asher, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Georgie Fame.
The following list for 1967 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
17 January 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
28 January 1967 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Del Shannon, Johnny Rivers, Edwin Starr and Dave Davies of The Kinks were guests at the club during the week starting 30 January.
According to Martyn Hanson’s excellent book Hang on to a Dream: The Story of the Nice, Lee Jackson was part of the house band at the Cromwellian, The House of Usher during February and March 1967.
2 February 1967 (Thursday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
6 February 1967 (Monday) – The Web with John L Watson (Melody Maker)
9 February 1967 (Thursday) – Long John Baldry & Bluesology (Fabulous 208)
11 February 1967 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Bobby King & The Sabres perform from 2am to 6am after playing at the Greenford Hotel, Greenford, west London on the Saturday night, so this would probably be the early hours of the Sunday, 12 February.
20 February 1967 (Monday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)
23 February 1967 (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
25 February 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
The Good Time Losers had a residency at the club around about now, according to Melody Maker. Disc & Music Echo reported that they were managed by the club. Pretty certain it was a Saturday but needs confirmation.
4 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
11 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
18 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
25 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Good Time Losers (needs confirmation)
3 April 1967 (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
8 April 1967 (Saturday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Disc & Music Echo)
12 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo report that Tom Jones attended. This may have been 5 April so needs confirmation
14 April 1967 (Friday) – Motivation with The James Garnet Soul and Roll Band (Swindon Advertiser) (cancelled)
Motivation (featuring future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre) are advertised to play the venue. Keyboard player Mick Ketley says they did play the Cromwellian. However, sax player Chris Rodger confirms they were in Italy until mid-May before returning home so this didn’t happen.
16 April 1967 (Sunday) – Disc and Music Echo says that The Bee Gees hold a reception at the club today
18 April 1967 (Tuesday) – Bo Diddley with The Canadians (Melody Maker)
The Canadians feature future producer and music executive David Foster on keyboards.
Disc & Music Echo’s 22 April issue says that US actress Jayne Mansfield attended the Cromwellian the previous Tuesday but the date might have been 11 April instead.
Drummer Phil Wainman, who later produced The Sweet and was playing with Jack Hammer & The Hammer Jammers in May 1967, says Jack Hammer played at the club, which would have most likely been this month.
1 May 1967 (Monday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Melody Maker, Fabulous 208 and Disc & Music Echo)
4 May 1967 (Thursday) – The Web with John L Watson (Melody Maker)
8 May 1967 (Monday) – Prince Buster & The Bees (Record Mirror)
Photo: Melody Maker
15 May 1967 (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
17 May 1967 (Wednesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
22 May 1967 (Monday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
24 May 1967 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
26 May 1967 (Friday) – Tuesday’s Children (Fabulous 208)
27 May 1967 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Fabulous 208)
29 July 1967 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Fabulous 208)
31 July 1967 (Monday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
9 August 1967 (Wednesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
16 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 16 September issue, Long John Baldry keeps fit by running up the club’s stairs. Does this imply that he performed here with Bluesology during September?
1968
Guitarist/singer Paul Brett says that he played this venue during 1968, which was probably with Tintern Abbey but could have been with Elmer Gantry and/or Fire.
Drummer Paul Maher says that Jo Jo Gunne performed at the venue (possibly this year and/or 1969).
The following list for 1968 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions.
Judging by the dates below in January and February, it looks like jazz bands played on Mondays.
4 January 1968 (Thursday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
Mike Eastman notes in his diary that his band Katch 22 played on 4 January.
8 January 1968 (Monday) – Bill Nile’s Delta Jazzmen (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
10 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The Web featuring John L Watson (Melody Maker)
11 January 1968 (Thursday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
12 January 1968 (Friday) – Garnet Mimms (Melody Maker)
15 January 1968 (Monday) – The Red Onion Jazz Band (Melody Maker)
17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
18 January 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 January 1968 (Friday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
22 January 1968 (Monday) – Ken Colyer’s Jazzmen (Melody Maker)
23 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
25 January 1968 (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker and Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
26 January 1968 (Friday) – Jigsaw (Melody Maker)
29 January 1968 (Monday) – Spencer’s Washboard Kings (Melody Maker)
30 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound and Lucas (Melody Maker)
31 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Wee Willie Harris and The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
1 February 1968 (Thursday) – The Web featuring John L Watson (Melody Maker)
Mike Eastman notes in his diary that his band Katch 22 played on 1 February.
2 February 1968 (Friday) – Clyde McPhatter and The Trend (Melody Maker)
5 February 1968 (Monday) – Alex Welsh & His Jazz Band (Melody Maker)
6 February 1968 (Tuesday) – Wishful Thinking (Melody Maker)
23 August 1968 (Friday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
24 August 1968 (Saturday) – Scrugg (Melody Maker and Jack Russell’s gig diary)
27 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
28 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
30 August 1968 (Friday) – Dave Davani Five (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
31 August 1968 (Saturday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
6 September 1968 (Friday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)
Photo: Melody Maker
7 September 1968 (Saturday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
14 September 1968 (Saturday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
16 September 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
17 September 1968 (Tuesday) – Little John & The Shaddocks (Melody Maker)
18 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
19 September 1968 (Thursday) – Katch 22 (Melody Maker and Mike Eastman’s gig diary)
21 September 1968 (Saturday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 October 1968 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
16 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
21 November 1968 (Thursday) – The Nite People (Melody Maker)
5 December 1968 (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
19 December 1968 (Thursday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
1969
Sax player Geoff Glover says his band The All Night Workers played at the Cromwellian when Clyde Barrow took over lead vocals from Iain Pitwell, which would have been from early 1969.
Guitarist/violinist Mike Piggott says that his band Gass played here during 1969/1970.
The following list for 1969 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
20 January 1969 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
8 February 1969 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
1 March 1969 (Saturday) – The Maddening Crowd (Melody Maker)
3 November 1969 (Monday) – Sky (Melody Maker)
10 November 1969 (Monday) – She Trinity (Melody Maker)
This site is a work in progress on 1960s garage rock bands. All entries can be updated, corrected and expanded. If you have information on a band featured here, please let me know and I will update the site and credit you accordingly.
I am dedicated to making this site a center for research about '60s music scenes. Please consider donating archival materials such as photos, records, news clippings, scrapbooks or other material from the '60s. Please contact me at rchrisbishop@gmail.com if you can loan or donate original materials
