Thanks to Roy Stacey for the photo. The Uptown Band plays the Cromwellian around July 1966
Ralph Denyer (lead vocals, guitar)
Graham Wilson (lead guitar)
Art Regis (keyboards)
Tony Priestland (alto sax)
Roy Stacey (bass)
Jim Toomey (drums)
The Uptown Band linked up with Ralph Denyer after he’d ditched The Rockhouse Band in mid-July 1966.
Stacey recalls that the band was booked by Georgie Fame and Zoot Money’s managers Rik and John Gunnell, who ran the Flamingo Club in Soho’s Wardour Street as well as the Bag O’Nails in nearby Kingley Street and Brixton’s Ram Jam. The Uptown Band played all three venues regularly during the latter half of 1966.
He also remembers that the band played at the Roaring Twenties in Carnaby Street which was run by Jamaican Count Suckle, owner of the Cue Club in Paddington.
Another notable gig took place at the Cromwellian in November 1966 when Mike Love from The Beach Boys sat in on Hammond organ, together with Georgie Fame’s percussionist “Speedy” Acquaye.
Around Christmas the band folded and Jim Toomey formed Jon with former Rockhouse Band and Gass member Stuart Cowell (guitar/vocals) plus Tom Tierney (bass) from Lulu’s backing band; Ron Reynolds (keys); and singer Chris Simmons (who left during 1967).
Jon became Still Life in February 1968 when Con Byrne took over bass and Tom Tierney moved to rhythm guitar. In March, however, Still Life joined forces with Warren Davis (and his two sax players) and worked as a new version The Warren Davis Monday Band from March-September 1968.
In February 1969, Cowell and Toomey joined forces with Bernie Holland (guitar) and Jerome Arnold (bass) to form The Jerome Arnold Band who played together until late May 1969.
Next, Toomey reunited with former Uptown Band sax player Tony Priestland in Titus Groan. Toomey later found fame with The Tourists, featuring Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart.
Ralph Denyer initially worked as a solo singer/songwriter before joining Welsh rock band, Blonde on Blonde. Later he joined Aquila and co-wrote The Guitar Handbook with American guitarist singer/songwriter Isaac Guillory. He died in 2011.
Art Regis meanwhile joined Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound in January/February 1967. He didn’t stay long, however, and in June that year briefly worked with Billie Davis & The Quality followed by a month with singer Engelbert Humperdinck.
In late July, Regis joined Jimmy James & The Vagabonds where he reunited with Nat Fredericks from his early 1960s band, Rupert & The Red Devils. He stayed until September 1968 and then worked with Art Regis & The Brass Cannon.
Tony Priestland briefly joined Jimmy James in July 1968 but it’s not clear how long he stayed before he reunited with Toomey in Titus Groan.
Roy Stacey, who’d filled in for John Treais in The Five Proud Walkers during late 1966, including a show at the Ram Jam in Brixton, also covered for his successor John Ford in January-February 1967 when he was ill. Later that year, Stacey worked with that band’s drummer Richard ‘Hud’ Hudson and backed American guitarist Champion Jack Dupree for several gigs at Eel Pie Island (most likely in August).
After auditioning for the bass player’s spot in The Crazy World of Arthur Brown at the Middle Earth in Covent Garden in September 1967 (he lost out to Nick Greenwood), Stacey briefly reunited with Art Regis in Jimmy James & The Vagabonds in March 1968, playing a handful of dates.
Stacey next worked with an unnamed gypsy rock eight-piece group who recorded two songs at Radio Luxembourg that year.
“It was quirky and ahead of the time,” he says. “We had a girl singer; two cellists, who doubled on bassoon and other wind instruments; singer/songwriter and guitarist Andy Rae; second guitarist Terry O’Leary; Alistair Fielder on various range flutes; me on electric bass; and drummer Iain Clark.
“Albert Hammond produced the acetate. We took the band to Tony Viscounti, who said the line-up wouldn’t work.”
In August 1968 Iain Clark auditioned for Danny Kirwan’s band but when the young guitarist joined Fleetwood Mac, the drummer joined Cressida (and later Uriah Heep) in October. The gypsy rock group carried on but folded around 1971.
However, during late 1968 (or possibly 1969), Stacey reunited with Art Regis again in an early jazz rock group that recorded material with the intention of playing some gigs in Sweden. Featuring jazz singer Bobby Breen and tenor sax legend Dick Morrissey (whose wife was Swedish), the project proved short-lived.
In the early 1970s, Stacey reunited with Paul Brett and worked with him alongside Johnny Joyce from Paul Brett’s Sage, recording some BBC Radio sessions.
Regis who lives in Germany and Stacey continue to pursue music projects. Toomey lives in Australia and also continues to play as well as act.
Notable gigs:
15 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Solomon Burke (backed by Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band
16 July 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band
23 July 1966 – New Spot, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
5 August 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club (Nottingham Evening Post)
6 August 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Says from Rufus Thomas tour
Jon was formed around October 1966 (possibly even early September) after Stuart Cowell left Gass. He’d previously worked with Ralph Denyer in The Rockhouse Band.
Tom Tierney had been a member of Lulu’s backing band, The Luvvers while Jim Toomey had been in The Arthur Brown Union and The Union (with Brown’s replacement Dave Terry) and finally The Uptown Band.
Image may be subject to copyright
Chris Simmons was the band’s original lead singer but he’s not pictured in either of the adverts featured in Melody Maker, to promote the release of Jon’s debut 45, which was issued in June 1967.
A second 45 appeared in August before Simmons departed and Stuart Cowell assumed lead vocals.
Notable gigs:
19-20 September 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Kentish Express)
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11 November 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
14 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
27 January 1967 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with The Great Expectations and Mood Indigo (West Surrey Advertiser)
23 February 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
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13 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with Episode Six (Melody Maker)
2 June 1967 – Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Hastings & St Leonards Observer) Billed as John
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23 June 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London plus supporting group (South East London Mercury)
Advert in Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
8 July 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester & Gillingham News)
An article in the Westminster & Pimlico News, dated 25 August 1967, says the group is nine months old and are residents at the Cafe des Artistes in Fulham
22 September 1967 – New Trades Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
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24 September 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Billed as John
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7 October 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, London (Coulson & Purley Advertiser)
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9 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Robert Hirst & The Big Taste (Melody Maker)
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11 November 1967 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)
11 December 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound (Melody Maker)
6 January 1968 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire with Canal Street Philharmonic (Luton News)
23 January 1968 – North Park Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
1 February 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Marmalade (Melody Maker)
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17 February 1968 – Walton Playhouse, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey (Woking Herald)
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In late February, the band changed name to Still Life
After changing name, the group released a lone 45 as Still Life in February 1968 before Tierney switched over to rhythm guitar and Con Byrne joined on bass.
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2 March 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Thackery (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)
9 March 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Open Mind (Melody Maker)
On 25 March, Still Life performed at the Marquee (supporting The Nice) where they were spotted by singer Warren Davis, who invited the band to joined forces with him in a new version of The Warren Davis Monday Band soon after.
1 April 1968 – Top Rank Suite, Watford, Herts with The Foundations (Harrow Observer & Gazette) This may have been under The Warren Davis Monday Band performing under this name
Although the gig below was billed as Still Life, this was in fact performed by The Warren Davis Monday Band.
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20 April 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Web Foundation (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)
A short-lived band formed by former Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Howlin’ Wolf bass player Jerome Arnold after he briefly moved to the UK in late 1968.
Arnold had initially gigged with Dogs Blues, who changed name to Clark-Hutchinson in February 1969, so this is when Jerome Arnold most likely formed this quartet.
Cowell and Toomey had recently worked with The Warren Davis Monday Band after playing together in Still Life and Jon. Both would go on to form Titus Groan.
Holland had previously worked with Long John Baldry’s band Bluesology after Elton John had left.
7 February 1969 – Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press/Melody Maker)
14 February 1969 – Fishmonger Arms, Wood Green, north London with Jody Grind (Wood Green & Southgate Weekly Herald/Melody Maker)
18 February 1969 – 100 Club, Oxford Street, central London (Melody Maker)
1 March 1969 – Evolution of the Blues, Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks with Mississippi Fred McDowell, Duster Bennett, The New Black Cat Bones, Jo-Ann Kelly, Mike Cooper, Bob Hall and Ian Anderson (Bucks Free Press)
28 March 1969 – Blues Loft, Nags Head, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
11 April 1969 – Lyceum, the Strand, central London with T-Rex, Eire Apparent and Wallace Collection (Melody Maker)
13 April 1969 – Farx Club, Northcote Arms, Southall, west London with Egg (Time Out)
13 April 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, central London (Melody Maker)
21 April 1969 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London (Hounslow Post)
27 April 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
29 April 1969 – Fishmongers Arms, Wood Green, north London (Time Out)
10 May 1969 – Blues Scene, Crown, Twickenham, west London with Levee Camp Moan (Kingston & Malden Borough News/Melody Maker)
13 May 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
22 May 1969 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
18 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Irma Thomas and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
23 March 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
17 April 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News)
1 May 1966 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire (Camberley News)
14 May 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Dianne Ferraz, Nicky Scott & The Untamed and The Anzaks (Lincolnshire Standard)
11 June 1966 – Unknown venue, Cromford, Derbyshire (Poster)
12 June 1966 – Bluesette Club, Leatherhead, Surrey (Poster from John Treais)
19 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
25 June 1966 – Co-Op Hall, Chesham, Bucks with The Framed (needs source)
10 July 1966 – The Micronest, Swiss Cottage, London with The Pieces Fit (Melody Maker)
In mid-July Ralph Denyer split with The Rockhouse Band and linked up with The Uptown Band, who were remnants of The Arthur Brown Union
15 July 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Solomon Burke (backed by Bluesology) (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band
16 July 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Ralph Denyer’s Uptown Band
5 August 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club (Nottingham Evening Post)
6 August 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Says from Rufus Thomas tour
The Rockhouse Band
16 September 1966 – Mick’s Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Kentish Express) Billed as The Original Rockhouse
I know very little about this band and would welcome any further information in the comments below
The original Warren Davis Monday Band from early 1967. Photo: Bruce Usherwood
Formed from the ashes of Croydon R&B outfit, The Boardwalkers, who’d recorded two tracks on a private pressing demo single – “A Miracle” and “Any Man’s Girl” (two versions), the original Warren Davis Monday Band came together in January 1967.
Warren Davis – (aka Max Spinks) – lead vocals
Rob Walker – lead guitar/vocals
Andy Wilson – Hammond organ
Bruce Usherwood – bass/vocals
Paul Houlton – tenor saxophone
Martin Grice – tenor saxophone
Peter Mole – drums
The Boardwalkers in Croydon, March 1966. Clockwise from top left: Bruce Usherwood, Jon White, Rob Walker, Peter Mole, Warren Davis (aka Max Spinks) and Martin Grice. Photo: Bruce Usherwood
This formation cuts the band’s debut single – Bill Wyman and Peter Gosling’s “Wait For Me” c/w Warren Davis’ “I Don’t Wanna Hurt You” (Columbia BD 8190). Usherwood knew Wyman and Gosling, who was working with Moon’s Train.
7 January 1967 – Southwark Pop Scene, Newington Public Hall, Walworth Road, south London with Manfred Mann and Dave Cash (South East London Mercury)
20 January 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
22 January 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
29 January 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
4 February 1967 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands with The Bobcats
5 February 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
10 February 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Rockin’ Berries
11 February 1967 – Manhole, Redhill, Surrey
12 February 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, central Soho, London
18 February 1967 – 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent with support (Kentish Express)
23 February 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with Ty-Burns (Aldershot News)
25 February 1967 – New Central Ballroom, Aldershot, Hampshire with The Shame (Aldershot News)
5 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
11 March 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
12 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
19 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
26 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
1 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Dave Berries & The Cruisers
2 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
8 April 1967 – Booker T & The MGs rave about them in Melody Maker
9 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
15 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
16 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
17 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd
22-23 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London (Newham, West Ham & East Ham, Barking and Stratford Express)
27 April 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
28 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Jeff Beck Group
29-30 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
4 May 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
6-7 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
13 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Terry Reid with Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers
Around this time, the band was joined briefly by Welshman, guitarist Dave Edmunds, who took over from Rob Walker. Melody Maker‘s 13 May issue, page 14, includes an advert for the group looking for a new singer and guitarist.
Edmunds who would soon move on to join the band that became Love Sculpture later became a successful solo artist. Walker briefly returned to the group after Edmunds had played only a handful of gigs.
14 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
16 May 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
21 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
25 May 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
27 May 1967 – Roaring 20s, Carnaby Street, Soho, central London
28 May 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Sookie Dolls
4 June 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
5 June 1967 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with Edwin Starr and Band of Joy
6 June 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Edwin Starr
8 June 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Edwin Starr gig but most likely The Warren Davis Monday Band as backing group)
9 June 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham with Edwin Starr
9 June 1967 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham with Edwin Starr
10 June 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Manfred Mann, Edwin Starr, The Darlings and Ray Bones
11 June 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
12 June 1967 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey with Edwin Starr
18 June 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
25 June 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
2 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Moons Train and The Trap
8 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Small Faces
9 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
Rob Walker left permanently around now. Further changes took place soon after when Andy Wilson and Paul Houlton also departed, the latter to join Moon’s Train.
L-R: Bruce Usherwood, Mick Patel, David Foster, Del Paramor, Martin Grice, Peter Mole and Warren Davis (aka Max Spinks). Photo: Bruce Usherwood
A new line-up comprised:
Warren Davis – lead vocals
David Foster – keyboards (came over from Vancouver with The Canadian Strangers)
Mick Patel – lead guitar/saxophone/vocals (ex-Loose Ends)
Martin Grice – tenor saxophone
Bruce Usherwood – bass/vocals
Peter Mole – drums
While the band was rehearsing at Billy Walker’s Upper Cut, they auditioned tenor saxophone Derek “Del” Paramor, who joined from Vince Edwards’ group. Until May 1967, he’d worked with David Essex & The Mood Indigo.
15 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Wynder K Frog (new line up’s debut)
16 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
22 July 1967 – Central R&B Club, Gillingham, Kent with Derrick Dee Soul Show
23 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
23 July 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (late nighter)
29 July 1967 – Leeds International Club, Leeds, West Yorkshire
30 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
2 August 1967 – The current formation cuts two tracks at Regent Sound studios with Jeff Collins producing. The recordings are featured on their second single – a cover of the Raleigh/Linden co-write (and recorded by Lou Rawls) “Love Is A Hurtin’ Thing” c/w Warren Davis and David Foster’s “Without Fear” (Columbia BD 8270).
4 August 1967 – Roaring ‘20s, Carnaby Street, Soho, central London
6 August 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Eric Burdon & The Animals
6 August 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
Soon after, the band headed to Naples, Italy to play at the NATO base from 9-16 August. The trip was a disaster as the club on the base didn’t know anything about the booking and the group only played a few times so they could afford to return to London.
19 August 1967 – Roaring ‘20s, Carnaby Street, Soho, central London
26 August 1967 – Nautilus Club, Lowestoft, Suffolk
27 August 1967 – Cat-Balou, Grantham, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal) This isn’t in Del Paramor’s gig list so was probably cancelled
28 August 1967 – Roaring ‘20s, Carnaby Street, Soho, central London
28 August 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, central London
Left to right: Martin Grice, Del Paramor, Warren Davis, Peter Mole, David Foster, Bruce Usherwood and Mick Patel. Photo: Bruce Usherwood
Following the double-nighter in Soho, David Foster, Mick Patel and Bruce Usherwood all departed. Usherwood subsequently joined Patrick Dane & The Front Line Band. Foster returned to Canada where he became a successful solo artist and producer.
The band regrouped, adding two former members of The Overlanders, lead guitarist Paul Brett and bass player Paul Petts. They also brought in keyboard player Keith Beck (real name: Burberry).
Clockwise top left: Keith Beck, Del Paramor, Paul Brett (hat), Peter Mole, Martin Grice, Warren Davis and Paul Petts. Photo: Paul Brett
The line-up now comprised:
Warren Davis – lead vocals
Paul Brett – lead guitar/vocals
Keith Beck – Hammond organ
Martin Grice – tenor saxophone
Del Paramor – tenor saxophone
Paul Petts – bass
Peter Mole – drums
8 September 1967 – Harrow Inn, Woolwich, southeast London
9 September 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London
17 September 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street Soho, central London
22 September 1967 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
22 September 1967 – Pink Flamingo, Soho, central London with Lloyd Alexander’s Blues Band
23 September 1967 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire
29 September 1967 – Elm Hotel, Leigh on Sea, Essex
30 September 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset
1 October 1967 – Lyme Regis, Dorset (possibly Marine Theatre)
4 October 1967 – Flamingo, Soho, central London
6 October 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with The Locomotion
7 October 1967 – Croydon Tech, Croydon, south London
10 October 1967 – Staircase, Soho, central London (opening night of club with Cat Stevens as guest of honour, who wasn’t performing)
13 October 1967 – Beachcomber (Dunstable, Bedfordshire?)
14 October 1967 – Royal Lido, Prestatyn, Wales with The Raynes (Rhyl & Prestayn Gazette)
16 October 1967 – Birdcage, Harlow, Essex
20 October 1967 – Silver Blades, Streatham, southwest London
21 October 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London
21 October 1967 – Roaring ‘20s, Carnaby Street, Soho, central London
28 October 1967 – Assembly Rooms, Oxford Town Hall, Oxford, Oxfordshire
31 October 1967 – Beachcomber, Dunstable, Bedfordshire
4 November 1967 – On this day, the Daily Sketch “Monkees” article appeared, only to be denied later in Variety
The band in late 1967. Photo: Paul Brett
4 November 1967 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire
8 November 1967 – The band records Paul Petts’ “What’s It Like Down There?” at Tony Pike Music Ltd studios in Putney.
9 November 1967 – The musicians record Paul Brett and Paul Petts’ “Queen Victoria” at Tony Pike Music Ltd studios in Putney. Both tracks are shelved.
10 November 1967 – Staircase, Soho, central London
11 November 1967 – Corby Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire with The Blue Magnum
14 November 1967 – Dollar Disco, Slough, Berkshire
15 November 1967 – Industrial Club, Norwich, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News) Missing from Del Paramor’s gigs so may have been cancelled
16 November 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, central London (with either The Syn or Love Affair)
17 November 1967 – Queen’s Hall, Leeds, West Yorkshire with Pink Floyd, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Ivan’s Jaguars, The JB’s, The Peighton Checks, Roger Bloom’s Hammer, The Roll Movement, The Screen and The Syndicate (Yorkshire Evening Post)
18 November 1967 – St Paul’s College, Shaftesbury Hall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
22 November 1967 – Dundee University, Dundee, Scotland
23 November 1967 – String O’ Beads, Bradford, West Yorkshire (Yorkshire Evening Post)
25 November 1967 – Castle Ballroom, Ryde, Isle of Wight
28 November 1967 – Racing Drivers Ball, Savoy Hotel, Strand, London
1 December 1967 – North West Polytechnic, Royal Hotel, Woburn Place, London with Denny Laine’s Electric String Band and Fleetwood Mac
2 December 1967 – Witham (possibly Public Hall), Essex
3-4 December 1967 – String O’Beads, Bradford, West Yorkshire
5 December 1967 – Bradford University, Bradford, West Yorkshire with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown
8 December 1967 – Shooters Hill Grammar School, Shooters Hill, SE10, near Greenwich, London
9 December 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London
10 December 1967 – RAF Witton, Kidderminster, Worcestershire (held at Frank Freeman’s)
15 December 1967 – Winter Gardens, Penzance, Cornwall
Photo: Richard Goddard. Bearing in mind the Cornish gig below, this booking seems unlikely and is not in Del Paramor’s gig list
16 December 1967 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Future Impression (billed as Dave Warren Monday Band)
18-20 December 1967 – Horseshoe Club, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester
22 December 1967 – Jason’s Club, Barnstaple, Devon
23 December 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with Friction
24 December 1967 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent
29 December 1967 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey
30 December 1967 – Luton Boys Club, Luton, Bedfordshire
31 December 1967 – Blaises, Kensington, west London
Paul Brett left early in the new year. He joined Tintern Abbey and later led his own group, Paul Brett’s Sage after playing with Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera, Velvet Opera and Fire. Tony Ollard joined after working with The Creation (he’d replaced Eddie Phillips).
The new line up now comprised:
Warren Davis – lead vocals
Tony Ollard – lead guitar
Keith Beck – Hammond organ
Martin Grice – tenor saxophone
Del Paramor – tenor saxophone
Paul Petts – bass
Peter Mole – drums
4 January 1968 – Warwick Hall, Kimpton Road, southeast London
5 January 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London
6 January 1968 – Shades, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
6 January 1968 – String of Beads, Bradford, West Yorkshire
7-8 January 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, central London
9 January 1968 – Carousel Club, Farnborough, Hampshire
9 January 1968 – Sybillas, Swallow Street, central London
11 January 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
13 January 1968 – College of Technology, Brighton, West Sussex
16 January 1968 – The new line up returns to Tony Pike’s Putney studio and record another Paul Petts song, “Thinkin’ About Tomorrow” and Warren Davis’ “Frances”. Both tracks are shelved.
17 January 1968 – Church Hall, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire
18 January 1968 – Liberal Hall, Yeovil, Somerset (Western Gazette)
19 January 1968 – Bristol, Avon (gig was cancelled)
20 January 1968 – YMCA, Gloucester, Gloucestershire with Here, There & Everywhere
25 January 1968 – Audition for BBC, central London
27 January 1968 – White Tiles, Swindon, Wiltshire
30 January 1968 – The Blue, Rotherhithe, southeast London
Clockwise from top left: Peter Mole, Martin Grice, Warren Davis, Paul Brett, Del Paramor, Paul Petts and Keith Beck. Photo: Paul Brett
1 February 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
3 February 1968 – RAF Waddington, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
4-5 February 1968 – Leofric Hotel, Coventry, West Midlands (also gig at Mercer’s Arms, Coventry on 5 February)
9 February 1968 – Big C, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News) Missing from Del Paramor’s gig list so may have been cancelled
10 February 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with The Block
13-28 February 1968 – Hotel Pino, Turin, Italy
1-17 March 1968 – Blow Up Club, Munich, West Germany
With the German dates completed, Martin Grice and Keith Beck returned to Turin and joined The Patrick Sansom Set.
Back in the UK in March 1968, the remaining members rehearsed new baritone sax player Roger Davis and debuted at Klooks Kleek in West Hampstead on 21 March 1968.
18 March 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts (billed as Warren Davis The Monday Band) This gig was billed but did not happen
21 March 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (new line-up’s debut)
Gig was cancelled
28 March 1968 – Liberal Hall, Yeovil, Somerset with Emotion (Western Gazette) Del Paramor says that this gig was cancelled
However, there was a split in the band’s ranks at this point with Warren Davis, Del Paramor and Roger Davis linking up with the group Still Life to form a new version of The Warren Davis Monday Band. Tony Ollard, Paul Petts and Pete Mole split to work on other projects. Ollard (see comments) moved to Italy.
Davis, Paramor and Davis had seen Still Life at the Marquee on 25 March 1968 and were impressed.
The new formation comprised:
Warren Davis – lead vocals
Stuart Cowell – guitar/lead vocals
Tom Tierney – guitar
Con Byrne – bass
Ron Reynolds – Hammond organ
Del Paramor – tenor saxophone
Roger Davis – baritone saxophone
Jim Toomey – drums
The new line-up recorded the track “No 9 Putney Bus” for what they hoped would be a TV series.
30 March 1968 – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
31 March 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
3 April 1968 – Blaises, Kensington, west London
5 April 1968 – Queen’s Hall, Barnstaple, Devon
6 April 1968 – Tardebigge, Redditch, Worcestershire (venue unknown)
19 April 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Del Paramor says David Essex turned up to see him at the gig which was a disaster)
20 April 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex (billed as Still Life)
24 April 1968 – Blaises, Kensington, west London
26 April-2 May 1968 – Rose Club, Hannover, West Germany
4 May 1968 – Tofts, Folkestone, Kent
7 May 1968 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Del Paramor and Roger Davis told they were sacked)
9 May 1968 – Quay Club, Exeter, Devon
10 May 1968 – Scottish Club Discotheque, Torquay, Devon (Herald Express)
11 May 1968 – Cirencester, Gloucestershire (possibly Stax Club)
14 May 1968 – Sybillas, Swallow Street, central London
15 May 1968 – Hampstead Country Club, north London
Del Paramor and Roger Davis left after this gig. Paramor joined Mr Mo’s Messengers, who morphed into Sonority, where he worked with Peter Mole.
20 May 1968 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with Fish-Hook (billed as Warren Davis Band)
21 May 1968 – New Pink Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
23 May 1968 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
26 May 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
28 May 1968 – New Pink Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
29 May 1968 – Hampstead Country Club, north London
1 June 1968 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with C G Morris and The Reactions
3 June 1968 – Whisky A Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
Guitarist Tom Tierney left around now. Warren Davis and Con Byrne wrote “The Painter”, which Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera record.
Two other tracks credited to Byrne-Davis: “Fire Fly” and “Deed I Do” were cut as acetates.
At some point, possibly with this final formation, the band cut two tracks at IBC Sound Recording Studios in Portland Place: “Nothing Is Sweeter Than Lovin’ You” and “Muddy Water”.
15 June 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex
29-30 June 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with The Vigilantes (Saturday) and The Provokers (Sunday)
By mid-July 1968 the band’s line-up comprised:
Warren Davis – lead vocals
Stuart Cowell – lead guitar/vocals
Ron Reynolds – Hammond organ
Con Byrne – bass
Jim Toomey – drums
Judging by a gig in Switzerland in mid-September (see comments), the band may have played some European dates around this time.
One of the band’s final gigs on 19 September 1968
19 September 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
The musicians, however, went their separate ways by late September 1968. Cowell and Toomey would form a new band with Jerome Arnold from Paul Butterfield’s Blues Band and later put together Titus Groan.
Warren Davis (see comments) audition for The Foundations but was not successful. In 1971 he co-wrote both sides of a single with Byrne for the band Mighty Dodos, which was released on Spark.
Huge thanks to Del Paramor for the gigs listings from July 1967-May 1968. Thanks to Del, Bruce Usherwood, Paul Brett and Stuart Cowell for details. Melody Maker also provided gigs for the Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London. I also used a number of regional newspapers for gigs. I will be writing a more detailed article on the band and would welcome hearing from other former members.
An early version of The Gass with lead guitarist Stuart Cowell who had played with The Rockhouse Band and would go on to Jon (Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush Gazette and Post)
Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
Bobby Tench – bass, vocals (b. Trinidad)
Godfrey McLean – drums, vocals (b. Guyana)
Frank Clark – keyboards (b. Guyana)
Errol McLean – bass, congas (b. Guyana)
Humphrey Okoh – alto saxophone (b. Nigeria)
Ian Thomas – tenor saxophone (b. England)
The Gass was formed in May 1965 by the McLean brothers and Tench who soon recruited the remaining three members.
According to an excellent article in the Westminster & Pimlico News from 12 August 1966 (page 7), the McLean brothers arrived in England from Guyana in 1962 having played in a number of bands together and separately, notably The Jokers. In London, Godfrey McLean played The Music Men and The Raymond Bouche group simultaneously.
The brothers formed The Senators in mid-1965 with Trinidadian Bobby Tench. The band became The Creators and then The Gass.
Okoh had previously played with The African Messengers among other groups. Ian Thomas came from South Norwood.
The band’s debut single, “One of These Days” c/w “I Don’t Know Why” was released on Parlophone on 8 October 1965.
1966
14 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Lee Dorsey (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Patti LaBelle & The Bluebells (Melody Maker)
15 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Peter B’s Looners (Melody Maker)
21 January 1966 – Galaxy Club, Town Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette)
22-23 January 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker)
29 January 1966 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with The Rockhouse Band and The Scots of St James (Luton News)
13 February 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette) Says they are resident band at Scotch of St James
14 February 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham with The Dawnbreakers (Down at the Boat book)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 February 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
27 February 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
4 March 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Shevells (Melody Maker)
27 May 1966 – Ilford Town Hall, Ilford, east London with The Clayton Squares
The Gass’ second single, recorded prior to Cowell joining, is released on Parlophone on 27 May 1966. The single combines “The New Breed” with “In The City”.
Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush Gazette and Post from June 1966. This relates to the image at the top of the page
3 June 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
The Kensington News and West London Times has a great story on the Gass in its 3 June issue with some details on the individual members.
5 June 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
12 June 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Chatham, Rochester and Gillingham News)
Image may be subject to copyright
13 June 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News) Says straight from the Flamingo, Soho
31 July 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)
Image may be subject to copyright
5 August 1966 – Market Hall, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 August 1966 – Marlborough Hall, Halifax, West Yorkshire (Halifax Evening Courier & Guardian)
6 August 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker) This seems unlikely with above gig
7 August 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
12 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
The Westminster & Pimlico News has a great article on Godfrey McLean and Gass in its 12 August issue, page 7. The paper says that the band was playing six and seven nights at the Scotch of St James around this time
15 August 1966 – Majestic, Reading, Berkshire (Bracknell News)
Around mid-late August Stuart Cowell left (to form Jon) and Alan Roskams came in from The Mark Leeman Five. Also, Lol Coxhill took over from Ian Thomas after joining from Tony Knight’s Chessmen
21 August 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
22 August 1966 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (see website above)
8 September 1966 – Thorngate Ballroom, Gosport, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 September 1966 – Market Hall, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn Advertiser)
Record Mirror’s 10 September issue notes that Alan Roskams has joined from The Mark Leeman Five
Image may be subject to copyright
12 September 1966 – Disc Club, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)
13 September 1966 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
17 September 1966 – The Scene Club, Cardiff, Wales (Poster)
19 September 1966 – Rainbow Rooms, Nottingham with Jimmy Payne Sound (Nottingham Evening Post)
Image may be subject to copyright
24 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
25 September 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)
26 September 1966 – Woodhall Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (see website above)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 September 1966 – De Montfort Hall, Leicester with The Shotgun Express, Mozzletoff, The Jigsaw, Makin Sound and Inside Outfit (Leicester Mercury)
1 October 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Powerhouse Six (East Kent Times)
6 October 1966 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
10 October 1966 – High Wycombe Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Bucks Free Press)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 October 1966 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames, John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Shotgun Express (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website/Hastings & St Leonards Observer/Maidstone Gazette)
15 October 1966 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
17 October 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Paterson’s People (Bucks Advertiser)
21 October 1966 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
22 October 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Sound Syndicate (Nottingham Evening Post)
29 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
1 November 1966 – Cellar Club, County Arms, Blaby, Leicestershire with Larry (Leicester Mercury)
5 November 1966 – Afan Lido, Port Talbot, Wales with Something Else (Port Talbot Guardian)
12 November 1966 – All Nighter Club, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Jerry Lee Lewis and The Amboy Dukes (Melody Maker)
10 November 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
11 November 1967 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)
20 November 1967 – The Parlour, North End, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
Image may be subject to copyright
24 November 1967 – George Inn, Wilby, Northamptonshire (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
9 December 1967 – Smethwick Baths, Smethwick, West Midlands with Skin Deep (Birmingham Evening Mail)
10 December 1967 – Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, southeast London (Poster)
Image may be subject to copyright
21 December 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
24 December 1967 – Rendevous Club, Margate, Kent with The Candy Choir (East Kent Times & Mail)
Photo: Kevin Reynolds
26 December 1967 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with Trip To The Sun and Psychotic Reaction (Rugby Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
29 December 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
30 December 1967 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire with Steve Aldo & The Fix (Warrington Guardian)
1968
5 January 1968 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 January 1968 – Brave New World, Southsea, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)
11 January 1968 – Carnaby Club, Red House Hotel, Coventry, West Midlands (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
Image may be subject to copyright
31 January 1968 – Night Prowler Club, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk with Somthin Else (Eastern Evening News/Yarmouth Mercury)
4 February 1968 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with Garefield Tate (Maidstone Gazette)
Image may be subject to copyright
10 February 1968 – Burton Leander Social Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)
22 February 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
23 February 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
2 March 1968 – Evington Club, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 March 1968 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London (South East London Mercury/Melody Maker)
9 March 1968 – The New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, E1 (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
16 March 1968 – Braintree Institute, Braintree, Essex with The Roulettes (Essex County Standard)
Image may be subject to copyright
22 March 1968 – Drill Hall, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire (Stratford upon Avon Herald)
27 March 1968 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset (Bournmouth Evening Echo)
11 April 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London with Carl Douglas (& The Big Stampede) (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 May 1968 – The Scene Discotheque Club, Marine Arcade, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Eastern Evening News)
24 May 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
13 June 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 June 1968 – Bedford Corn Exchange, Bedford with John Williams & The Spell (Bedfordshire Times)
Image may be subject to copyright
15 June 1968 – Peterborough Old Showground, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire with Jethro Tull (Cambridgeshire Times)
28 June 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, south London with George Paul Jefferson (Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
12 July 1968 – The Ship, Weybridge, Surrey (Woking Herald)
18 July 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
Image may be subject to copyright
20 July 1968 – Elms Court, Botley, Oxford with Bernard Reich (Oxford Mail)
Image may be subject to copyright
27 July 1968 – Savoy, Catford, London (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
2 August 1968 – Hastings Beat Festival, Hastings, East Sussex with ten other groups (Hastings & St Leonards Observer)
23 August 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset with Amboy Dukes and Fusion (Bournemouth Evening Echo)
25 August 1968 – Union Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
Image may be subject to copyright
7 September 1968 – Corn Exchange, Melton Mowbray, Lincolnshire with The Ides of March/Idle Rich (Grantham Journal/Leicester Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
14 September 1968 – Subscription Rooms, Stroud, Gloucestershire with The Jamm (Stroud News) Played Bag O’Nails and Rasputins just before this
28 September 1968 – Pantiles, Bagshot, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)
Image may be subject to copyright
12 October 1968 – Elms Court, Botley, Oxford with Climax Farm (Oxford Mail)
13 October 1968 – Lion Hotel, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)
Image may be subject to copyright
22 October 1968 – Cheltenham Spa Lounge and Ballroom, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)
21 November 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Geoff Williams’ research: Decca Studios and Klooks Kleek book)
29 November 1968 – Scene Disco Club, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Yarmouth Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
9 December 1968 – Colfe’s Grammar School, Lee, southeast London (South East London Mercury)
Image may be subject to copyright
18 December 1968 – Students’ Christmas Dance, Isle of Ely College, Wisbech, Cambridgeshrie with The Shevelles and Tuesday’s Outcome (Cambridgeshire Times)
Image may be subject to copyright
21 December 1968 – Stage Club, Oxford (Oxford Mail)
28 December 1968 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Impi (Eastern Evening News)
Image may be subject to copyright
1969
During this year, guitarist and violinist Michael Piggott joined from Junior’s Conquest
Image may be subject to copyright
28 June 1969 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
1970
9 April 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
27 April 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Starts Monday for one week
Image may be subject to copyright
29 May 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
30 May 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, Central London (Melody Maker)
3 June 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
19 June 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
20 June 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
24 June 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London with Genesis (Melody Maker)
3 July 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
4 July 1970 – Ronnie Scott’s, Frith Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
16 August 1970 – Torrington, North Finchley, London with Hate (Melody Maker)
13 September 1970 – Torrington, North Finchley, London (Melody Maker)
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)
2 December 1965 (Thursday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Record Mirror)
9 December 1965 (Thursday) – The Mark Leeman Five (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
10 December 1965 (Friday) – The Beatstalkers (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
13 December 1965 (Monday) – The Beatstalkers (Kevin Cann’s research – thanks to Andy Neill for sharing)
14 December 1965 (Tuesday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary – thanks to John Warburg for sharing)
15 December 1965 (Wednesday) – Major Lance (Record Mirror)
16 December 1965 (Thursday) – Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Elton John (then known as Reg Dwight) was Bluesology’s keyboard player.
Photo: Record Mirror
20 December 1965 (Monday) – Joe Tex (Record Mirror)
1966
Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at the Cromwellian during 1966:
Keyboard player Stan Marut, who worked with Julian Covey & The Machine from late 1965-mid-1966 says the group had a regular Saturday night residency at the club in early 1966 (and also possibly late 1965 when John McVie was briefly a member when Jack Bruce filled his spot in John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers). He remembers Sands were playing at the venue around the same time.
According to Chris Groom’s excellent book “Rockin’ and Around Croydon”, Croydon group The Kingpins played at the Cromwellian in early 1966.
Singer Alan Chamberlain says that The Guests played at the venue during 1966 (possibly with The Shevelles).
Jim Nairn (aka James Royal) says The James Royal Set played at the club this year.
Guitarist Frank Torpey, who later became an original member of The Sweet, confirms his group The Tribe played at the Cromwellian (most likely this year and possibly also 1967).
Guitarist Jim Cregan says that Blossom Toes performed at the venue (but this might have been 1967).
Ray Brown, who played bass with Jeff Curtis & The Flames from mid-1965 to late 1967 when they became The Kool, says that the band played at the Cromwellian a few times, most likely in 1966 (but also possibly early 1967).
Drummer Rocky Browne confirms that The Summer Set had a weekly residence at the Cromwellian during 1966.
Drummer Tony Richard says The Fetish Crowd played at the club during 1966.
The following list for 1966 is incomplete so I’d welcome additions:
4 January 1966 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
11 January 1966 (Tuesday) – Pattie La Belle & The Bluebells with Bluesology (Melody Maker)
Elton John (then known as Reg Dwight) was Bluesology’s keyboard player.
13 January 1966 (Thursday) – The Exciters (Record Mirror)
Record Mirror originally billed this show for 19 January.
19 January 1966 (Wednesday) – Lee Dorsey (Record Mirror)
Record Mirror also listed this for 31 January so this may not have happened. Dorsey was most likely backed by The Krew featuring sax player Howie Casey. I also have The Sidewinders, so probably shared. They were back the following Wednesday to back Stevie Wonder.
26 January 1966 (Wednesday) – Stevie Wonder (Record Mirror)
Stevie Wonder was backed by The Sidewinders (confirmed by drummer Malcolm Penn).
31 January 1966 (Monday) – Lee Dorsey (Record Mirror and Rave Magazine)
Lee Dorsey was most certainly backed by The Krew.
5 February 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
This was 2-6am on the Sunday morning after a show at the Glenlyn Ballroom in Forest Hill on the Saturday night. Chase says The Searchers came in and watched them.
9 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Doris Troy (Record Mirror)
Record Mirror lists Rufus Thomas for 16 February. Steampacket did perform at the Cromwellian and it’s possible that Rufus Thomas shared the billing. Rod Stewart co-fronted Steampacket with Long John Baldry and Julie Driscoll.
19 February 1966 (Saturday) – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
23 February 1966 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Record Mirror and Rave Magazine)
25 February 1966 (Friday) – The Nite People (Barry Curtis’ gig diary – thanks to John Warburg for sharing)
2 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Solomon Burke (Record Mirror)
3 March 1966 (Thursday) – Episode Six (Brian Long’s research)
Future Deep Purple members Ian Gillan and Roger Glover were members.
5 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
10 March 1966 (Thursday) – Episode Six (Brian Long’s research)
12 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
19 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (needs confirmation)
Cromwellian, London, March 1966. Photo: Melody Maker
26 March 1966 (Saturday) – Julian Covey & The Machine (Melody Maker)
1 April 1966 (Friday) – The Sidewinders (Malcolm Penn’s gig diary)
5 May 1966 (Thursday) – Betty Everett (Record Mirror)
Christopher Hjort’s excellent book “Strange Brew: Eric Clapton & The British Blues Boom 1965-1970” notes that Eric Clapton attended the Cromwellian on 9 May after a gig at the Star Hotel in Croydon with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
The 9 May marks the inception of SLAGS (Society of Looning Alcoholic Guitarists) whose members include Jeff Beck, Stevie Winwood, Vic Briggs, Pete Townshend, Steve Marriott, Andy Somers, Alan Roskams and Dave Wendels. The members will meet regularly at the Cromwellian.
In early June Melody Maker prints a “Guide to Good Raving” which lists the “in” clubs of the London scene. The Cromwellian is featured and the magazine notes that Gary Farr & The T-Bones, The Mark Leeman Five, Dave Anthony’s Moods, The Shevelles, Sands and The Peter B’s (actually The Shotgun Express) have recently played at the venue (performing until 2am).
10 June 1966 (Friday) – Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Melody Maker)
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Five Proud Walkers who play at the Beachcomber Club on 18 June came from the Cromwellian.
According to the Southern Evening Echo (Southampton), The Move, who play the Adam & Eve in Southampton on 12 July, came from the Cromwellian (see above)
According to the Nottingham Evening Post, The Cromwellians who play at the Beachcomber Club on 23 July came from the Cromwellian.
Photo: London Life magazine
27 July 1966 (Wednesday) – The Shevelles (Fabulous 208)
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
