The Goldhawk Social Club, located at 205 Goldhawk Road in Shepherd’s Bush, west London is perhaps best known as being the venue where The Who regularly played during their formative years (as The Detours).
Unfortunately, very little has been documented about this important club so I would really welcome any additions in the comments below.
I do know from various sources that Adam Faith, Shane Fenton, The Birds (with Ron Wood), The Macabre (with Peter Vernon-Kell, a former member of The Detours), Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages, The Clique, The Undertakers, The Herd, Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, Jeff Curtis & The Flames, The Dae-b-Four, The Meantimers and John Brown’s Bodies played at the venue at some point.
This is an incomplete list. I would welcome any additions and corrections as well as memories. If you happen to have any posters, I would be happy to add them with credits.
26 April 1963 – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Hammersmith & Shepherd’s Bush Gazette)
7 June 1963 – The Detours (became The Who in 1964) (Andy Neill’s research)
5 July 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
12 July 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
16 August 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
6 September 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
25 October 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
8 November 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
22 November 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
29 November 1963 – The Detours (Andy Neill’s research)
6 December 1963 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
10 January 1964 – The Detours and Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
17 January 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
31 January 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
7 February 1964 – The Kinks and The Who (needs source)
8 February 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
28 February 1964 – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)
6 March 1964 – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)
20 March 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
27 March 1964 – The Who (Andy Neill’s research)
Between April and November, The Who worked as The High Numbers
10 April 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
11 April 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
17 April 1964 – The High Numbers (Andy Neill’s research)
1 May 1964 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s gig diary)
Together with St Mary’s Hall, also in Putney, the Pontiac Club was a popular venue in southwest London in the early-mid 1960s.
Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds were resident band there at one point as were The Action, formerly The Boys and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.
The club was located at 200 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, near the main railway station.
I have started a gig list below and would welcome any additions as well as memories in the comments below. If you have any memorabilia, including posters for the club, I would be happy to include them with a credit.
1963
28 December 1963 (Saturday) – Manfred Mann and Mark Leeman Five (Greg Russo’s research)
1965
Initially billed as the New Pontiac Club
27 May 1965 (Thursday) – Donovan with full supporting groups (Kingston & Malden Borough News)
28 May 1965 (Friday) – Alex Harvey Soul Band with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
29 May 1965 (Saturday) – The Peddlers with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
30 May 1965 (Sunday) – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
Photo: Melody Maker
2 June 1965 (Wednesday) – Alexis Korner with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)
4 June 1965 (Friday) – The Downliners Sect and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
5 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Beat Merchants, The Billy Woods Combo and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
6 June 1965 (Sunday) – Mike Berry & The Outsiders with support (Melody Maker)
9 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Muleskinners with support (Melody Maker)
Future Small Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan played with The Muleskinners.
11 June 1965 (Friday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
16 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Boston Dexters and The Blues Messengers (Melody Maker)
18 June 1965 (Friday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
19 June 1965 (Saturday) – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band (Melody Maker)
20 June 1965 (Sunday) – The Hollies and Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
25 June 1965 (Friday) – The Boston Dexters and Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men (Melody Maker)
26 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Mark Leeman Five (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
27 June 1965 (Sunday) – Phil Ryan & The Crescents (New Musical Express/Melody Maker) Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays may also have been on the bill for this date
30 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Artwoods and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
2 July 1965 (Friday) – The Mark Leeman Five and Platform 6 (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
3 July 1965 (Saturday) – The Comanches and The Primitives (Melody Maker)
4 July 1965 (Sunday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (Melody Maker)
7 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 July 1965 (Friday) – The Beat Merchants and The Comanches (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
10 July 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers and Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
11 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters and The Fetish Crowd (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
14 July 1965 (Wednesday) – Manfred Mann and The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
16 July 1965 (Friday) – The Checkmates and The Thoughts (New Musical Express)
17 July 1965 (Saturday) – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (New Musical Express)
18 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
21 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Classmates and Group Survival (Melody Maker)
23 July 1965 (Friday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders and The Five Proud Walkers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
24 July 1965 (Saturday) – The Action and Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
The Action were recently billed as The Boys.
25 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Thoughts (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
28 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Who and surf band in support (New Musical Express/Melody Maker) (see comments section below) This could have been The Summer Set
30 July 1965 (Friday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders and The RBQ (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
31 July 1965 (Saturday) – John Lee’s Groundhogs (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
1 August (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
4 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers started a regular (two month) Wednesday night residency on this date.
6 August 1965 (Friday) – Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Fetish Crowd (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
7 August 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers and Soul Survival (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)
Later this same evening The Byrds played at the Pontiac Club. According to author Don Hughes, The Dae-b-Four were the support band.
8 August (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
11 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
13 August 1965 (Friday) – Guy Hamilton & The Senators (Melody Maker)
14 August 1965 (Saturday) – The Primitives and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
15 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)
18 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
20 August 1965 (Friday) – The Fenmen (New Musical Express)
21 August 1965 (Saturday) – The Action and Sonny Childe & The Cool School (New Musical Express)
22 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Truth (New Musical Express)
25 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (New Musical Express)
According to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book Strange Brew, this was the last gig by The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton who left and was replaced by a succession of fill-in guitarists before returning in November.
Photo: Melody Maker
27 August 1965 (Friday) – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
28 August 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
29 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Ingoes (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
The Ingoes morphed into Blossom Toes.
1 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, John Weider, who has previously played with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates among others, covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
3 September 1965 (Friday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (New Musical Express)
4 September 1965 (Saturday) – The VIPs (New Musical Express)
The VIPs band morphed into Spooky Tooth.
5 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
The Action had a regular Sunday residency at this venue for a while. Some sources also note that The Objects played in support on this date.
8 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, John Slaughter from Chris Barber’s band covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
10 September 1965 (Friday) – The Crowd (Melody Maker)
11 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Melody Maker)
12 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
15 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, former Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions guitarist Geoff Krivit covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
Photo: Melody Maker
18 September 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)
19 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
22 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
According to Christopher Hjort’s book, former Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions guitarist Geoff Krivit covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.
This is the band’s final show at the Pontiac and Hjort notes that Peter Green approached Mayall at this venue to ask if he could take over from Krivit as permanent guitarist.
Photo: Melody Maker
24 September 1965 (Friday) – Tony Colton’s Big Boss Band (Melody Maker)
25 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Beat Merchants (Melody Maker)
26 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
1 October 1965 (Friday) – The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)
2 October 1965 (Saturday) – The VIPs (Melody Maker)
3 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
9 October 1965 (Saturday) – Five Proud Walkers (Info from John Treais)
10 October 1965 (Sunday) – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
15 October 1965 (Friday) – Them (Melody Maker)
Them was Van Morrison’s Belfast band. Around this time, former members began gigged in a rival Them.
16 October 1965 (Saturday) – The Arthur Brown Union (Info from John Treais)
17 October 1965 (Sunday) – Gary Farr & T-Bones (Melody Maker)
20 October 1965 (Wednesday) – T-Bone Walker and The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
22 October 1965 (Friday) – Dean Ford & The Gaylords (Melody Maker)
This band morphed into Marmalade.
23 October 1965 (Saturday) – The Vectors (Melody Maker)
24 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
30 October 1964 (Saturday) – Victor Brox (Info from John Treais)
31 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
6 November 1965 (Saturday) – J C & The Machine (aka Julian Covey) (Melody Maker)
After John McVie was sacked from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers on 3 October, he found work with Julian Covey’s band until he returned to Mayall in early January 1966.
7 November 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)
9 November 1965 (Tuesday) – Wilson Pickett (Melody Maker)
Photo: Melody Maker
17 December 1965 (Friday) – The Carnaby (Melody Maker)
18 December 1965 (Saturday) – The High Society (Melody Maker)
This group had recently been The Arthur Brown Union but when Arthur left earlier this month, singer Dave Terry (aka Elmer Gantry) took over. They soon became The Union.
19 December 1965 (Sunday) – The Crowd with Peter Fenton (Melody Maker)
24 December 1965 (Friday) – The Army (Melody Maker)
Emerging out of Hampton R&B band, The Others, this group soon changed name to Sands.
26 December 1965 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)
27 December 1965 (Monday) – The Mickey Finn (Melody Maker)
1966
17 March 1966 (Thursday) – The Loose Ends and support (Melody Maker)
19 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Checkers and support (Melody Maker)
20 March 1966 (Sunday) – The In Crowd (Melody Maker)
The In Crowd morphed into Tomorrow in early 1967.
23 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)
24 March 1966 (Thursday) – The Mickey Finns (Melody Maker)
26 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Basic 5 (Melody Maker)
27 March 1966 (Sunday) – The Shevells (Melody Maker)
5 May 1966 (Thursday) – The Carl Douglas Set (poster from Ken Baxter)
7 May 1966 (Saturday) – Dracken Lewis 5 (most likely Deakin Lewis) and Front Line (poster from Ken Baxter)
28 May 1966 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker)
4 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Drag Set (Melody Maker)
18 June 1966 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker)
The Blue Moon in Hayes was an important music venue in west London.
Bob Danks recalls Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers playing at the Blue Moon in Hayes regularly in the early 1960s (see comments section). He also thinks Ritchie Blackmore played his first show with Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages at the Blue Moon after leaving Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers.
I have started to collate a comprehensive gig list and would welcome any additions and memories of the club in the comments below.
1963
27 January 1963 (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Weekly Post)
3 February 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 April 1963 (Sunday) – Julie Grant & The Citizens (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 June 1963 (Sunday) – Sounds Inc with Bruce Welsh & The High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
16 June 1963 (Sunday) – Mike Berry & The Innocents (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 June 1963 (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Weekly Post)
30 June 1963 (Sunday) – Wee Willy Harris and High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
7 July 1963 (Sunday) – The Big Three with The Riversiders (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 July 1963 (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Weekly Post)
21 July 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)
28 July 1963 (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes and The High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
4 August 1963 (Sunday) – Robb Storme & The Whispers (Harrow Weekly Post)
25 August 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)
8 September 1963 (Sunday) – Rikki Rand & The Soundsmen and Bruce Lloyd & The Hi-Fi’s (Harrow Weekly Post)
15 September 1963 (Friday) – Malcolm Clark & The Cresters (Harrow Weekly Post) Needs confirmation
22 September 1963 (Sunday) – The Swinging Blue Jeans and The Robb Charles Combo (Harrow Weekly Post)
29 September 1963 (Sunday) – Malcolm Clark & The Cresters (Harrow Weekly Post)
6 October 1963 (Sunday) – The Undertakers and The High Five (Harrow Weekly Post)
13 October 1963 (Sunday) – The Federals (Beat Monthly)
20 October 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)
17 November 1963 (Sunday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Harrow Weekly Post)
24 November 1963 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)
1964
5 January 1964 (Sunday) – Manfred Mann (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
12 January 1964 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
19 January 1964 (Sunday) – The Contrasts (Beat Monthly)
2 February 1964 (Sunday) – Manfred Mann (Greg Russo’s research)
5 April 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)
19 April 1964 (Sunday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds and The Impacts (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)
26 April 1964 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)
3 May 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)
10 May 1964 (Sunday) – The Paramounts (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)
24 May 1964 (Sunday) – Alex Harvey Soul Band (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)
27 May 1964 (Wednesday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Dorothy Bullock’s membership card)
31 May 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)
10 June 1964 (Wednesday) – The Yardbirds (Alan Clayson’s book The Yardbirds: the band that launched Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page)
26 July 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Don Craine’s gig diary)
16 August 1964 (Sunday) – The Downliners Sect (Beat Monthly)
7 September 1964 (Monday) – The Birds (needs source but most likely Harrow Weekly Post)
20 December 1964 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Beat Instrumental/Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)
1965
3 January 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Nightimers (Ruislip and Northwood Gazette)
10 January 1965 (Sunday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Ruislip and Northwood Gazette)
17 January 1965 (Sunday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Harrow Weekly Post)
24 January 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Roger Dean is the lead guitarist with The Bluesbreakers at this stage.
31 January 1965 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Greenford Weekly Post)
7 February 1965 (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Weekly Post)
14 February 1965 (Sunday) – The Chessmen (Greenford Weekly Post)
21 February 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Night-timers and The Brian Auger Trinity (Harrow Weekly Post)
7 March 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)
4 April 1965 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Weekly Post)
11 April 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post)
Eric Clapton had joined earlier this month replacing Roger Dean.
18 April 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Night-timers (Harrow Weekly Post)
25 April 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post)
2 May 1965 (Sunday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Harrow Weekly Post)
9 May 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group and (Jimmy James &) The Vagabonds with Count Prince Miller (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)
16 May 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (Harrow Weekly Post)
23 May 1965 (Sunday) – Long John Baldry (Harrow Weekly Post)
30 May 1965 (Sunday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)
7 June 1965 (Monday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s Strange Brew book)
20 June 1965 (Sunday) – The Who (Harrow Weekly Post)
27 June 1965 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)
4 July 1965 (Sunday) – Ronnie Jones & The Night-timers (Harrow Weekly Post)
11 July 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Harrow Weekly Post) This gig is missing from Christopher Hjort’s book below so may not have happened. Also advert above suggests Georgie Fame instead
25 July 1965 (Sunday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
1 August 1965 (Sunday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (possibly Harrow Weekly Post)
22 August 1965 (Sunday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Harrow Weekly Post)
Southall Community Centre in Southall in west London was a significant music venue in the early to mid 1960s.
During the early 1960s, many of the American rock ‘n’ roll legends like Jerry Lee Lewis and Gene Vincent played at Southall Community Centre on their UK tours. This may well have been because visiting US artists would have passed through or near to Southall after arriving at London Airport on their way to central London.
The venue was also important for west London bands and is particularly significant because future Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore played there often, especially with Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers. It was while he was gigging with this band at Southall Community Centre that he was spotted by Screaming Lord Sutch, who invited him to join his backing band, The Savages. An invitation he duly accepted.
The Johnny Rebs were the resident band at Southall Community Centre in the early 1960s.
Terry O’Connor also remembers Duggie Dee & The Strangers played here and backed Screaming Lord Sutch when The Savages weren’t available. He also remembers Peter Nelson & The Travelers appeared a few times.
Malcolm Lenny says that his band Tony Holland & The Packabeats were regulars at the venue during the early-mid 1960s (see comments section at the very end).
Tony Holland & The Packabeats who played regularly at the Southall Community Centre (thanks to Malcolm Lenny for sharing the photo)
I have made a start on a list of artists that played here and dates. I would welcome any additions and also any memories of the venue in the comments section below. If anyone has any memorabilia or photos of bands playing here, I would be happy to include them with the images credited accordingly.
1960
14 February (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
This west London band morphed out of The Rocking Versatiles (formed September 1957) and included long-standing member Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), who remained with the group throughout its various incarnations (and name changes) until finally splitting on 1 July 1966. The band played this venue regularly.
21 August (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
4 September (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
18 September (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
2 October (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
16 October (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 November (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
11 December (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1961
Drummer Bob Danks recalls playing at Southall Community Centre with Ritchie Blackmore’s first band, The Dominators in early 1961.
8 January (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
22 January (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
19 February (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Brian Mansell has Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers playing an audition on 19 February 1961. This was before Ritchie Blackmore joined on lead guitar, replacing Brian Sell.
According to sax player Dave Brogden who later joined The Statesmen after they had changed name to The Statesides, Southall Community Centre auditioned groups before the main bands came on to see the punter’s reactions. Usually, they would play a 30-minute set from when the doors opened.
5 March (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
18 June (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
Ritchie Blackmore had joined Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers on lead guitar by now, taking over from Brian Sell.
2 July (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
16 July (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
23 July (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
3 September (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
1 October (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
10 December (Sunday) – The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
1962
1 April (Sunday) – Mike Dee & The Jaywalkers (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
Brian Mansell went on to join Frankie Reid & The Casuals after The Jaywalkers split.
6 May (Sunday) – Gene Vincent with Sounds Incorporated (Tony Tacon’s recollections)
Tony Tacon remembers attending the gig with his friends Nick Simper (who later joined the original Deep Purple) and Keith Roach, who later played drums in Tacon’s band Ian Gillan & The Javelins.
19 August (Sunday) – Frankie Reid & The Casuals (Brian Mansell’s gig diary)
Future Animals’ bass player Danny McCulloch was with the band at this point. Drummer Terry Mabey had already taken over from his predecessor Mitch Mitchell.
7 October (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates and Terry Franks & The Avalons (Johnny Kidd website)
1963
6 January (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 January (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 January (Sunday) – Barrie James Show (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
27 January (Sunday) – Barrie James Show and Vince Eager (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 February (Sunday) – Rolf Harris & The Diggeroos (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 February (Sunday) – Rolf Harris & The Diggeroos and Shane Fenton & The Fentones (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 February (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 March (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes and Terry Young, Tony Holland & The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
10 March (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 March (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
31 March (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 April (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
14 April (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 April (Sunday) – Roly Daniels and The Flintstones (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 April (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
5 May (Sunday) – The Avalons and The Spirits (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 May (Sunday) – Tony Holland & The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
19 May (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Beat Monthly/Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 May (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 June (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 June (Sunday) – Gene Vincent (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
16 June (Sunday) – The Golli-Golli Boys (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 June (Sunday) – Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
30 June (Sunday) – The Clearways and Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 July (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes and Jean & The Statesmen (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
14 July (Sunday) – The Packabeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 July (Sunday) – The Packabeats, Linda Laine & The Sinners and The Consuls (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 July (Sunday) – The Dreamers and Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
4 August (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
11 August (Sunday) – The Cherokees (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 August (Sunday) – The Cherokees (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 September (Sunday) – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 September (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Beat Monthly)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Johnny Leyton on 8 September
15 September (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 September (Sunday) – Rockin’ Henri (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 September (Sunday) – The Tornados (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
6 October (Sunday) – The Big Three (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 October (Sunday) – Buddy Britten & The Regents (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
20 October (Sunday) – Ray Pilgrim Show (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
27 October (Sunday) – Tommy Bruce & The Bruisers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 November (Sunday) – Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (Beat Monthly)
10 November (Sunday) – Russ Sainty & The Nu-Notes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 November (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
24 November (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 December (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors and Jimmy Crawford (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 December (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 December (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 December (Sunday) – The Clearways and The Shades (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 December (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Linda Laine & The Sinners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
Photo: Ken Samuels
1964
5 January (Sunday) – Johnny Milton & The Condors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
The Midnites 1964. Thanks to Dave Brogden for sharing.
12 January (Sunday) – The Midnites (audition) (Dave Brogden’s diary)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Shayne Fenton & The Fentones on 12 January so Brogden’s band would have auditioned earlier in the day
19 January (Sunday) – The Merseybeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 January (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 February (Sunday) – Brigitte Bond & The Contrasts (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 February (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Beat Monthly)
16 February (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 February (Sunday) – Tony Meehan Combo (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 February (Friday) – The Fortytwo Big Band led by Tommy Watt (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 March (Sunday) – The Clearways and The original Checkmates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
8 March (Sunday) – Grant Tracey & The Sunsets (Beat Monthly)
15 March (Sunday) – Gene Vincent (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
22 March (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Beat Monthly)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Pat Wayne & The Beachcombers on 22 March
28 March (Saturday) – Gene Vincent (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
Harrow Observer & Gazette has Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers on 28 March
5 April (Sunday) – The Rattles (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
Bass player Dave Wigginton says that Jeff Curtis & The Flames supported the German band at this venue and this seems the most plausible date.
12 April (Sunday) – Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
26 April (Sunday) – Erkey Grant (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 May (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Beat Monthly)
10 May (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
17 May (Sunday) – The Hollies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
This may refer to next week’s gig (see next entry)
23 May (Sunday) – The Hollies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
30 May (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
7 June (Sunday) – Tony Sheveton & The Shevalls (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
14 June (Sunday) – Kingsize Taylor & The Dominos (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
21 June (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
28 June (Sunday) – Diane & The Londoners (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
5 July (Sunday) – The Barron Knights (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
12 July (Sunday) – Robbie Hood & His Merrymen (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
19 July (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Beat Monthly)
26 July (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
2 August (Sunday) – The Fairies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
9 August (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides and The Druids (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
This is The Statesmen, who had changed name to Jean & The Statesides in May 1964. By this point the band comprised Jean Hayles (lead vocals), Jeff Sturgeon (lead guitar), Bill Stemp (keyboards/sax), Dave Hovington (rhythm guitar), Mick Bloomfield (bass) and Ian Walker (drums)
16 August (Sunday) – Erkey Grant (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
23 August (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
30 August (Sunday) – The Livewires (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
6 September (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
13 September (Sunday) – The Zombies (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 September (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
27 September (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Naturals (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
Dave Brogden’s band The Crossfires auditioned this evening before both bands played. The Crossfires played a 30-minute set after the doors opened but didn’t land any work at the Southall Community Centre after auditioning.
4 October (Sunday) – Dave Curtiss & The Tremors (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
11 October (Sunday) – The Roulettes (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
18 October (Sunday) – The Birds (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
25 October (Sunday) – The Merseybeats (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
1 November (Sunday) – Jean & The Statesides with The Druids (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
8 November (Sunday) – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
15 November (Sunday) – The Hollies (Middlesex County Times and West Middlesex Gazette)
22 November (Sunday) – Peter Jay & The Jaywalkers (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
29 November (Sunday) – The Mojos (Beat Instrumental)
6 December (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Jean & The Statesides (Harrow Observer & Gazette/Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)
13 December (Sunday) – Tommy Quickly (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
20 December (Sunday) – Sounds Incorporated (Beat Instrumental)
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
