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
Image may be subject to copyright. Left to right: Carl Noel, Wallace Wilson, Phil Chen, Jimmy James, Carl Griffiths, Count Prince Miller and Rupert Balgobin. Photo shows line-up in late 1965
Jimmy James – lead vocals
Count Prince Miller – lead vocals
Wallace Wilson – lead guitar
Coleson Chen – bass
Carl Noel – keyboards
Carl Griffiths – tenor sax
Rupert Balgobin – percussion
Winston Martin – drums
Born on 13 September 1940 in the United States, Jimmy James moved to Jamaica in the mid-1940s and joined The Vagabonds in 1964 after recording solo singles. The Vagabonds had been formed in 1961 by Count Prince Miller, Coleson Chen and Wallace Wilson with other musicians, who were gradually replaced with the line-up above.
The musicians relocated to London in May 1964 with Chen’s younger brother Phil guesting on second guitar and initially they played at parties and social functions. This formation recorded The Vagabonds LP.
Soon after, Winston Martin left and Rupert Balgobin took over drums and Phil Chen became a permanent member.
Attracting the attention of manager Pete Meaden, who’d discovered The Who, the group landed a month-long residency at the Scene in March 1965. In mid-1965 Coleson Chen returned to Jamaica and his brother Phil moved on to bass.
Selected gigs
20 November 1964 – Kilburn State Ballroom, Kilburn, London with Ronnie Jones & The Night-Timers and Dixieland Steel Band (billed as The Jamaican Vagabonds)
18 March 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (billed as The Vagabonds)
30 April 1965 – Ricky Tick Club, Plaza, Guildford, Surrey with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
9 May 1965 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London with The Spencer Davis Group
18 May 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Mark Leeman Five
Photo may be subject to copyright
22 May 1965 – Haymarket Lounge, Basingstoke, Hampshire
10 July 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
12 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
13 July 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London with The Brian Auger Trinity
Photo may be subject to copyright
14 July 1965 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (billed as The Vagabonds)
19 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Manfred Mann
25 July 1965 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham
26 July 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The VIPs
29 July 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
31 July 1965 – Galaxy Club, Town Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire
Under Pete Meaden’s management, the band’s debut single on Columbia, “Shoo Be Doo (You’re Mine)” c/w “I’ll Never Stop Loving You” was released in August 1965 but was not a chart success. They then moved to Piccadilly for seven singles, starting with “I Feel Alright” c/w “I Wanna Be Your Everything” in February 1966.
Image may be subject to copyright
Despite not cracking the singles’ chart, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds became regulars at the Marquee and built up a huge following on the nationwide club circuit where they were regarded as one of the most dynamic live acts.
Selected gigs
2 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
9 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
12 August 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
16 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Boz and The Boz People
21 August 1965 – Ricky Tick Club, Clewer Mead, Windsor, Berkshire (Billed as The Vagabonds with Jimmy James and Count Prince Miller)
23 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
27 August 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
30 August 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with John Lee’s Groundhogs
2 September 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
6 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Crowd
9 September 1965 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London
13 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
17 September 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
20 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Sidewinders
22 September 1965 – Le Disque A Go Go, Bournemouth, Dorset
23 September 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London (billed as Vagabonds)
27 September 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Mark Leeman Five
1 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
4 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Boz & The Boz People
6 October 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London with Dave Antony’s Moods
11 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Uglys
13 October 1965 – Farnborough Town Hall, Farnborough, Hampshire
14 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
18 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
21 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with The Action and Johnny B Great & The Quotations (Dave Allen research)
24 October 1965 – Tavern Club, Sunshine Floor, Dereham, Norfolk with Mike Prior & The Pagans
25 October 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with John Lee’s Groundhogs
29 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
1 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Roscoe Brown Combo
4 November 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, London (billed as The Vagabonds)
6 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
8 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Banshees
9 November 1965 – Bristol Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol
15 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Train (Moon’s Train?)
17 November 1965 – Le Disque A Go Go, Bournemouth, Dorset
18 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
22 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
27 November 1965 – Milford R&B, Strutt Arms, Milford, Derbyshire
29 November 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
4 December 1965 – Ricky Tick Club, Clewer Mead, Windsor, Berkshire with Mike Cotton Sound
6 December 1965 – Adelphi, Slough, Berkshire wit Manfred Mann, The Yardbirds, Goldie (of the Gingerbreads), Shangaans, The Mark Leeman Five and Gary Farr & The T-Bones
10 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
12 December 1965 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
13 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Roscoe Brown Combo
15 December 1965 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, London with The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (billed as The Vagabonds)
19 December 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Blaizes
20 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London
Around this time Carl Griffiths returned to Jamaica but later came back to the UK with singer Prince Buster. He also worked with Cat Soul Packet in September-November 1967 before joining The Bees who became The Pyramids. Griffiths later worked with Manfred Mann Chapter 3
Jimmy James & The Vagabonds now comprises:
Jimmy James – lead vocals
Count Prince Miller – lead vocals
Wallace Wilson – lead guitar
Phil Chen – bass
Carl Noel – keyboards
Rupert Balgobin – drums
Selected gigs
9 January 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
10 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Mark Leeman Five
Around this time former Rupert & The Red Devils’ tenor sax player Fred “Nat” Frederick joins. Frederick may be the same Fred who had recently played with John Lee’s Groundhogs.
3 April 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey with support
4 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
6 April 1966 – Target Paul’s Row, High Wycombe, Bucks
Photo may be subject to copyright
8 April 1966 – Links R&B Club, Maxwell Park Youth Centre, Borehamwood, Herts with The Fairies (opening night) Melody Maker has The Action as second group
9 April 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
11 April 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with Sonny Childe & The TNT and The Real McCoy
14 April 1966 – The Village, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire
17 April 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Alan Bown Set
19 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Vibrations
20 April 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London
25 April 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey
28 April 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
29 April 1966 – York University, York
30 April 1966 – Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
The group releases its third 45, “Hi Diddley Dee Dum Dum” c/w “Come To Me Softly”
1 May 1966 – Dereham Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with The News
2 May 1966 – Rag Queen Dance, East Ham Town Hall, East Ham, east London with The Symbols
4 May 1966 – Highbury Technical College, Cosham
5 May 1966 – Burton Manor, Stafford, Staffordshire
6 May 1966 – Keele University, Keele
7 May 1966 – Manor Lodge, Stockport, Greater Manchester
8 May 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London with The Deakin Lewis Band (billed as The Vagabonds)
9 May 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, Ipswich, Suffolk
11 May 1966 – College of Technology, Brighton, West Sussex
12 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Statesides (This is missing from Beat Instrumental unless this was moved to 16th)
13 May 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
14 May 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London
15 May 1966 – Country Club, Kirklevington
16 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
19 May 1966 – Starlight, Crawley, West Sussex
20 May 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London
21 May 1966 – St Martin’s School of Art, central London
22 May 1966 – Leofric Hotel, Coventry
23 May 1966 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire and Concord Club, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hants
24 May 1966 – Concorde Club, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire
27 May 1966 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (possibly with John Brown’s Bodies) Trend & Boyfriend magazine has Links Ballroom, Borehamwood on this date as well
28 May 1966 – Gig in Islington, north London
29 May 1966 – Country Club, Kirklevington
30 May 1966 – Blues Festival, East Dereham, Norfolk with Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Sullivan James Band and Sounds Reformed. Beat Instrumental says this was the Tavern Club
3-5 June 1966 – Gigs in Ostend, Belgium
6 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
10 June 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
11 June 1966 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
12 June 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham
13 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
14 June 1966 – St John’s College, Cambridge
15 June 1966 – Blue Flame Club, Wolverhampton, West Midlands and Casino Club, Walsall, West Midlands
16 June 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
17 June 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Bobby Gibson and Group 004
18 June 1966 – Commonwealth Institute, central London
19 June 1966 – Blue Moon, Hayes, west London
20 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
21 June 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (billed as The Vagabonds)
23 June 1966 – Birdcage, Porthsmouth, Hants
24 June 1966 – Gig in Exeter, Devon (probably university)
25 June 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
26 June 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, west London (not mentioned in Beat Instrumental)
27 June 1966 – Wall City JC, Chester, Cheshire
28 June 1966 – American School, Hilton Hotel, central London
29 June 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire
30 June 1966 – Birmingham University, Birmingham
1 July 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough
2 July 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Lincolnshire with Roy C, The League of Gentlemen, The Amboy Dukes and The Ferryboys
4 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
5 July 1966 – Concord, Southampton, Hampshire
6 July 1966 – Orford Cellar, Norwich, Norfolk
7 July 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (not mentioned in Beat Instrumental)
8 July 1966 – Masonic Hall, Hornchurch, east London
9 July 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester
10 July 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
11 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Jimmy Brown Sound (not mentioned in Beat Instrumental)
12 July 1966 – Bristol University, Bristol
14 July 1966 – Bircage, Eastney, Hampshire
16 July 1966 – Porchester Hall, Paddington, central London
17 July 1966 –White Lion, Edgware, north London
18 July 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
19 July 1966 – Manor House, north London (not mentioned in Beat Instrumental)
22 July 1966 –Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough
23 July 1966 – Mojo Club, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
24 July 1966 – Country Club, Kirklevington
The band releases its fourth 45 on Piccadilly “This Heart of Mine” c/w “I Don’t Wanna Cry”
Photo may be subject to copyright
29 July 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary Cray, southeast London
2 August 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with The Move
4 August 1966 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
5 August 1966 – Beat ‘n’ Blues Festival, Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with The Better Days, The Kynd and The Reaction
6 August 1966 – Cadillac Club, Brighton, West Sussex
Photo may be subject to copyright
7 August 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
11 August 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 August 1966 – Taggs Island, Hampton Court Casino Ballroom, Hampton Court, Middlesex
17 August 1966 – Stevenage Mecca, Locarno, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
18 August 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol with The Fanatics
21 August 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham
23 August 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
25 August 1966 – Astoria, Finsbury’s Park, north London with Sonny & Cher, Sharon Tandy & The VIPs
27 August 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, west London and Lyceum, central London
28 August 1966 – Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
29 August 1966 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire
30 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Clayton Squares
31 August 1966 – Discoblue Club, Ryde, Isle of Wight
Baritone sax player Milton James, who has previously worked with Hogsnort Rupert, The Olympics and The Dynamics joins
Photo may be subject to copyright
2 September 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Him & Others
3 September 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent
5 September 1966 – Wall City Jazz Club, Chester, Cheshire
8 September 1966 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire
9 September 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
10 September 1966 – Porchester Hall, Paddington, central London
13 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Wynder K Frog
Photo may be subject to copyright
14 September 1966 – Ackys Scene, New Maid’s Head Hotel, King’s Lynn, Norfolk
16 September 1966 – Porchester Hall, Paddington, central London
17 September 1966 – Corn Exchange, Leicester
18 September 1966 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds
20 September 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
24 September 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Tony Rivers & The Castaways, Lord Sutch & The Savages, The Intruders, The Ferryboys
26 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, south London with Bluesology
27 September 1966 – Churchill Hall, Kenton, north London
1 October 1966 – St Mary’s College, Twickenham, west London
2 October 1966 – Palais Ballroom, Newbury, Berkshire
3 October 1966 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk
4 October 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
6 October 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
9 October 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
11 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Episode Six
14 October 1966 – Market Hall, St Albans, Herts
15 October 1966 – International Club, Leeds, West Yorkshire
15 October 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
Melody Maker says the band went to Belgium to play gigs in Brussels and Ostend on 17 October. Is this possible for one day?
18 October 1966 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks
19 October 1966 – Falcon Hotel, Eltham, southeast London
20 October 1966 – Concorde, Southampton with Simon Dupree & The Big Sound
20 October 1966 – Wykeham Hall, Romford, east London
Photo may be subject to copyright
21 October 1966 – The Marquee Show, Fairfield Hall, Croydon, south London with The Spencer Davis Group, The Move, Wynder K Frog, The Herd and The VIPs
22 October 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
23 October 1966 – George Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire
25 October 1966 – Concord, Southampton, Hampshire
26 October 1966 – Queen Mary’s College, Mile End, east London
28 October 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
29 October 1966 – Manchester University, Manchester
29 October 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester
30 October 1966 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
The band releases its fifth 45 “Ain’t Love Good, Ain’t Love Proud” c/w “Don’t Know What I’m Gonna Do”
Image may be subject to copyright
9 November 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Stevenage, Herts
10 November 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Streatham, southwest London
12 November 1966 – Chelsea College, Chelsea, southwest London
13 November 1966 – Youth Centre, Liverpool
Photo may be subject to copyright
16 November 1966 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire
18 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Summer Set
19 November 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
24 November 1966 – Rocky Rivers’ Top 20 Club, Conservative Club, Bedford
26 November 1966 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
27 November 1966 – Beachcomber Club, Nottingham
28 November 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire
29 November 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London
Around this time, the band releases its LP The New Religion
Photo may be subject to copyright
1 December 1966 – White Bicycle Club, Maple Ballroom, Northampton
2 December 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester
3-4 December 1966 – Maryland Club, Glasgow, Scotland
6 December 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Syn
9 December 1966 – Durham University, Durham with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
10 December 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Orlons, The Gates of Eden and The Ebonites
11 December 1966 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
12 December 1966 – White Bicycle Club, Maple Ballroom, Northampton with The Hip 100
13 December 1966 – Concord, Southampton, Hampshire
15 December 1966 – School of Art, Guildford, Surrey with The Alan Bown Set
Photo may be subject to copyright
16 December 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Unchained
17 December 1966 – Disco Club, Ryde, Isle of Wight
20 December 1966 – St Thomas, Brentwood, Essex
22 December 1966 – Southampton Guildhall, Hampshire with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
22 December 1966 – Ricky Tick, Corn Exchange, Bedford, Bedfordshire
23 December 1966 – Ricky Tick Club, Hounslow, west London with The Summer Set
24 December 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
26 December 1966 – Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk
27 December 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol
31 December 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Neat Change and The Bunch
The band releases its sixth 45 “I Can’t Get Home to My Baby” c/w “Hungry For Love”
1 January 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
2 January 1967 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire
The Hillingdon Mirror ran an article and photos in its 3 January 1967 issue, page 20
4 January 1967 – Stevenage Mecca, Locarno, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
7 January 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Soul Sisters with The Tonic and Charades
8 January 1967 – Beau Brummel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpians
Around this time Milton James departs. Baritone sax player Pat Gravende (aka Pat Sandy) replaces him. Also, longstanding member Carl Noel departs and Tom Parker, who has previously played with The Groundhogs, The Mark Leeman Five and Eric Burdon’s New Animals takes his place
The line-up now comprises:
Jimmy James – lead vocals
Count Prince Miller – lead vocals
Wallace Wilson – lead guitar
Phil Chen – bass
Tom Parker – keyboards
Fred “Nat” Frederick – tenor sax
Pat Sandy – baritone sax
Rupert Balgobin – drums
Selected gigs
27 January 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London
28 January 1967 – Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, Essex
Photo may be subject to copyright
29 January 1967 – Central R&B Club, Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
31 January 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Syn
3 February 1967 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire
4 February 1967 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire
5 February 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Delmonts
6 February 1967 – Wall City Club, Chester, Cheshire
7 February 1967 – Manchester University, Manchester with Alan Bown and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band
9 February 1967 – Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands
11 February 1967 – Liverpool University, Liverpool
17 February 1967 – Gyro Club, Troutbeck Hotel, Ilkley, West Yorkshire
19 February 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London
20 February 1967 – Bluesville Club, Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk
21 February 1967 – Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire
24 February 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
25 February 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Triads, The Eyes of Blonde and Ray Bones
25 February 1967 – Night Owl, Leicester
26 February 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
27 February 1967 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
2 March 1967 – City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with The Gordon Riots
5 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Hubbubs
7 March 1967 – Corn Exchange, Bristol
10 March 1967 – Phillipa Fawcett College, Streatham, London
11 March 1967 – Aquarium, Brighton, West Sussex
12 March 1967 – Beau Brummel, Nantwich, Cheshire with Phil Ryan & The Scorpians
14 March 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Wynder K Frog
15 March 1967 – The Thing, Oldham, Greater Manchester with The Drifters
16 March 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
17 March 1967 – Aston University, Birmingham
18 March 1967 – Manchester College, Manchester
19 March 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
20 March 1967 – Assembly Hall, Stafford, Staffordshire
21 March 1967 – Savoy Ballroom, Portsmouth, Hampshire
24 March 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London
25 March 1967 – Trade Union Hall, Watford, London
25 March 1967 – Clouds, Derby, Derbyshire with The Alan Price Set
27 March 1967 – King’s Lynn Corn Exchange with Family, Reformation and Rubber Band
28 March 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Bossmen
30 March 1967 – Locarno Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fab 208 says 29 March)
31 March 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside
1 April 1967 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire
2 April 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
4 April 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London
13 April 1967 – Concord, Southampton, Hampshire
14 April 1967 – Brighton Arts Festival, Metropole Hotel, Brighton, West Sussex with Paul Jones, The Move, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Mike Stuart Span, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and others
5 May 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The American Vibrations and The Hubbubs
6 May 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Fleur De Lys
Photo may be subject to copyright
7 May 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
8 May 1967 – Orford Cellar, Norwich, Norfolk
9 May 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset
24 May 1967 – Purple Fez Club, Devonport, Plymouth, Devon
25 May 1967 – Concorde, Basset Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire
25 May 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Wynder K Frog
27 May 1967 – Gaiety, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire with The Survivors
28 May 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Skyliners
29 May 1967 – Boulevard Gardens, Tadcaster, South Yorkshire with Brian Poole and The Echoes, Ellison’s Hog Line, The Screen, The Shotgun Express, Pete Lala Group and others
29 May 1967 – Crystal Bowl, Castleford, South Yorkshire with Brian Poole and The Echoes
1 June 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
3 June 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire
4 June 1967 – The Place, Oldham, Greater Manchester
5 June 1967 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk
7 June 1967 – Locarno Ballroom, Stevenage, Herts
8 June 1967 – Electric Garden, Covent Garden, London (Disc and Music Echo, 27 May issue, says the venue recently opened)
9 June 1967 – Matrix Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands (with Mike Cotton Sound and The Big Jump Band?)
10 June 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham
Photo may be subject to copyright
11 June 1967 – Ram Jam, Brixton, London
14 June 1967 – Savoy Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
15 June 1967 – City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with Life
17 June 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
17 June 1967 – Shoreline, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
According to Melody Maker, Jimmy James & The Vagabonds played at The Shoreline in Bognor Regis and Jimmy James collapsed from exhaustion. The Derby gig was called but he was fit to do the Klooks Kleek gig
18 June 1967 – Clouds, Derby (cancelled)
20 June 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London
22 June 1967 – Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands
25 June 1967 – Cosmo, Carlisle, Cumbria with The Jude Brown Trust
26 June 1967 – McGoo’s, Edinburgh, Scotland
28 June 1967 – Royal Pier, Mecca Ballroom, Southampton, Hampshire
29 June 1967 – Harper Adams Agricultural College, Newport, Wales with The Fortunes
30 June 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, London with The Condors
1 July 1967 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Triads, The Steps and Ray Bones
2 July 1967 – Spinning Disc Club, Leeds, West Yorkshire
3 July 1967 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Disc & Music Echo has this on 5 July)
3 July 1967 – Bath Pavilion, Bath
4 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Malvern, Worcestershire
7 July 1967 – McGoo’s, Edinburgh, Scotland
7 July 1967 – Victoria Hall, Dunbar, Scotland
8 July 1967 – Market, Carlisle, Cumbria
9 July 1967 – Top 10 Club, Dundee, Scotland
10 July 1967 – Kinema Ballroom, Dunfermline, Scotland
12 July 1967 – Douglas Hotel, Aberdeen, Scotland
13 July 1967 – Caledonian Hotel, Inverness, Scotland
15 July 1967 – Market Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with Stewart Henry & The Livewires
19 July 1967 – Disco Blue, Ryde, Isle of Wight
20 July 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire
21 July 1967 – Bluesville, Manor House, London
22 July 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire
22 July 1967 – Supreme Ballroom, Ramsgate, Kent
24 July 1967 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk
26 July 1967 – Top Rank Suite, Brighton, West Sussex
On 27 July 1967, Arthur (Art) Regis took over from Carl Noel after playing with Billie Davis & The Quality (and more recently Engelbert Humperdinck). Regis had previously worked with Frederick in Rupert & The Red Devils. He’d also played with Arthur Brown during 1965-1966 and then Freddie Mack in early 1967.
12 August 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs
15 August 1967 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London
18 August 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham
22 August 1967 – Bluesville, Manor House, London
24 August 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
26 August 1967 – St George’s Hall, Hinckley, Leicestershire with The Catharacts
28 August 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire with Elmer Gantry
28 August 1967 – Boogaloo, Castleford, West Yorkshire with Cockahoop (Wakefield Express) Missing from Art Regis’ gig list
29 August 1967 – Nottingham Blues Festival, Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, Long John Baldry, Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound and Wynder K Frog
1 September 1967 – Princess Club, Chorlton, Greater Manchester
1 September 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester
2 September 1967 – Matlock Bath Pavilion, Matlock, Derbyshire with Bread & Butter Band
Photo may be subject to copyright
3 September 1967 – Locarno, Wakefield, West Yorkshire
9 September 1967 – Gigs in Ghent and Lens, Belgium
10 September 1967 – Gig in Paris, France (possibly La Tour Club)
11 September 1967 – Gig in Paris, France (possibly La Tour Club)
15 September 1967 – St Michael’s Hall, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
16 September 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Friction and Eyes of Blonde
17 September 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Delmonts
19 September 1967 – Gig in Malvern, Worcestershire
Photo may be subject to copyright
20 September 1967 – Pavilion, Royal Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
23 September 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Crew and The Gentle Madness
24 September 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire
25 September 1967 – Bluesville ’67 Clubs, Manor House Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk
26 September 1967 – BBC Overseas Service, Aeolian Hall, London
29 September 1967 – Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire
30 September 1967 – Spa Royal Hall, Bridlington with the Purple Mist and The Penjants
Photo may be subject to copyright
1 October 1967 – Cosmopolitan, Carlisle, Cumbria
2 October 1967 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
3 October 1967 – BBC Dave Symonds, Saturday Club
5 October 1967 – Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire with Le Gay
6 October 1967 – McGoo’s, Edinburgh, Scotland
7 October 1967 – Maryland Glasgow and McGoo’s, Edinburgh, Scotland
8 October 1967 – Maryland Glasgow, Scotland
9 October 1967 – McGoo’s, Edinburgh, Scotland
11 October 1967 – 5th Dimension, Leicester
13 October 1967 – Loughborough University, Loughborough, Leicestershire
14 October 1967 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire
14 October 1967 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire
15 October 1967 – Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire
16 October 1967 – Gig in Norwich (cancelled)
17 October 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset
19 October 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
20 October 1967 – Carnatic Hall, Liverpool
21 October 1967 – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent
Photo may be subject to copyright
22 October 1967 – Kyrle Hall, Birmingham
24 October 1967 – Spinning Disc, Leeds, West Yorkshire
25 October 1967 – Majestic Ballroom, Reading, Berkshire
27 October 1967 – University of Surrey, Battersea Park Road, London
28 October 1967 – The Boogaloo, Castleford, West Yorkshire with Cockahoop
28 October 1967 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
29 October 1967 – Leofric Hotel, Coventry, West Midlands
Photo may be subject to copyright
30 October 1967 – Bluesville ’67 Clubs, St Matthew’s Baths Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk
3 November 1967 – Gig in York, North Yorkshire
4 November 1967 – Floral Hall, Southport, Lancashire
10 November 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Deadly Nightshades and The System
11 November 1967 – Taggs Island, Hampton Court, Middlesex
Photo may be subject to copyright
12 November 1967 – Saville Theatre, London with The Nice and David McWilliams
13 November 1967 – City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The Amboy Dukes
14 November 1967 – Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham (with Eddie Gray’s resident house band)
17 November 1967 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby, North East Lincolnshire with Bleu Kats
18 November 1967 – Leicester University, Leicester
18 November 1967 – Night Owl, Leicester
19 November 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
20 November 1967 – Bluesville ’67, St Mathew’s Baths, Ipswich, Suffolk
22 November 1967 – Pavilion Theatre, Southampton, Hampshire
23 November 1967 – Locarno, Streatham, London
24 November 1967 – Bluesville, Manor House, London
Photo may be subject to copyright
25 November 1967 – Wellington Club, Dereham, Norfolk with Nature’s Own
26 November 1967 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, London with The Living Daylights
27 November 1967 – Pavilion Theatre, Bath
1 December 1967 – Lancaster University, Lancaster
2 December 1967 – Nottingham University, Nottingham
Photo may be subject to copyright
3 December 1967 – New Regis Club, Butlin’s Holiday Camp, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
7 December 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear
8 December 1967 – Students’ Union, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk with Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers and Precious Few (Eastern Evening News)
Photo may be subject to copyright
9 December 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Jo Jo Gunn, Reformation and Ray Bones
10 December 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex
12 December 1967 – King’s Hall, Aberystwyth, Wales (cancelled)
12 December 1967 – Aston University, Birmingham
14 December 1967 – Student’s Union, University of East Anglia, Norwich, Norfolk with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers and Precious Few
15 December 1967 – “Big C”, Farnborough, Hampshire
16 December 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with support
18 December 1967 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk
21 December 1967 – Pavilion, Worthing, West Sussex
22 December 1967 – Manor House (could be London or Ipswich)
23 December 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester
24 December 1967 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Bluecaps
27 December 1967 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands
30 December 1967 – Pavilion Theatre, Matlock Bath, Matlock, Derbyshire with Peppers Machine
30 December 1967 – Night Owl, Leicester
31 December 1967 – Brave New World, Southsea, Hampshire
4 January 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 January 1968 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with Funny Farm
18 January 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Derby, Derbyshire
19 January 1968 – Students Union, Nottingham Regional College of Technology, Nottingham with Jimmy Cliff & The Shakedown Sound and The Litter
21 January 1968 – New Regis Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex
8 February 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
Around this time, Count Prince Miller, Wallace Wilson, Phil Chen and Rupert Balgobin gave notice that they were splitting from the group. Miller and Chen started to form The Counts with former member Carl Noel. The final gig with the old line-up appears to have been 2 March.
Jimmy James kept Art Regis, Fred “Nat” Frederick and Pat Sandy (aka Pat Gravesende) and started to recruit new musicians, billed as The New Vagabonds.
These included former Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band members John Roberts (bass) and Herb Prestidge (drums). Another new recruit was trumpet player Barry Sutton and guitarist Dave Tedstone, who gave notice with his current employer Freddie Mack.
Initially, Art Regis’ old band mate from The Arthur Brown Union, Roy Stacey played bass before John Roberts took over.
17 February 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London (billed as Jimmy James Show)
18 February 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Crawley, West Sussex
23 February 1968 – Tottenham Royal, Tottenham, London
24 February 1968 – Winter Gardens, Weston Super Mare, Somerset
25 February 1968 – Corn Exchange, Maidstone, Kent with The Coconut Mushroom
26 February 1968 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (billed as Jimmy James Show)
29 February 1968 – Streatham Locarno, Streatham, London
1 March 1968 – Top Rank, Doncaster, South Yorkshire
2 March 1968 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester
The new line up comprises:
Jimmy James – lead vocals
Dave Tedstone – lead guitar
Art Regis – organ
Roy Stacey – bass (replaced by John Roberts)
Fred “Nat” Frederick – tenor saxophone
Pat Gravesende – tenor and baritone saxophone
Barry Sutton – trumpet
Herb Prestidge – drums
Selected gigs
5 March 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (debut of new line up according to Regis’ diary) Roy Stacey on bass
6 March 1968 – South Parade Pier, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
9 March 1968 – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent with The Supernatural
Photo may be subject to copyright
10 March 1968 – Butlins “Regis Club” Bognor Regis, West Sussex
Roy Stacey left to work in a short-lived group with Iain Clark who went on to Cressida in late 1968 and John Roberts joined on bass
13 March 1968 – Mecca Ballroom, Leeds, West Yorkshire
16 March 1968 – Cheshire College of Education, Crewe, Cheshire
17 March 1968 – Lyddon Sports Club, Bournemouth, Dorset
20 March 1968 – Top Rank, Bristol
22 March 1968 – Gig in Addington, London
23 March 1968 – Brave New World, Portsmouth, Hampshire
27 March 1968 – Tangerine Club, East Ham, London
28 March 1968 – Marimba, Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
29 March 1968 – Salford University, Salford, Greater Manchester
30 March 1968 – Gig in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire (most likely Bridlington Spa)
In early April 1968, the press announces that Count Miller and other former Vagabonds had formed The Counts
Photo may be subject to copyright
5 April 1968 – Die Hallen, Kortrijk, Belgium with Johnny Halliday and The Lemons
6 April 1968 – Eden Ranch, Lens, Belgium
7 April 1968 – L’Omnibus and Le Trident, Paris, France
11 April 1968 – Barn Barbecue Dance, Thurmaston, Leicester with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Fleetwood Mac, Alan Bown, Soft Machine, Fairport Convention, Legay, Sons & Lovers, The Equals, Pesky Gee, Pitiful Souls and Six Across (Regis says this clashes with the following gig)
11 April 1968 – Skyline Ballroom, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
12 April 1968 – Maryland, Glasgow, Scotland
13 April 1968 – Maryland, Glasgow, Scotland
14 April 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Dominoes
Photo may be subject to copyright
15 April 1968 – The Barn Barbecue, Leicester with John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers, Soft Machine, Fleetwood Mac, The Equals, Alan Bown, Fairport Convention, Legay, Pitiful Souls, Sons & Lovers, Six Across, Pesky Gee
19 April 1968 – Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire
Photo may be subject to copyright
20 April 1968 – Civic Hall, Nantwich, Cheshire with Kaspers Engine (billed as The Jimmy James Show)
21 April 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
22 April 1968 – Bluesville ’68 Clubs, Manor House Ballroom, Ipswich, Suffolk
24 April 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
25 April 1968 – The Pier, Worthing, West Yorkshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
26 April 1968 – Pavilion Ballroom, Weymouth, Dorset with Delroy Williams and The Sugar Band, The New Trend and Continuity Big D Show
Photo may be subject to copyright
27 April 1968 – George Ballroom, Hinkley, Leicestershire (Regis has Hackney but this is more likely)
30 April 1968 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, London
4 May 1968 – Earlham Park, Norwich, Norfolk with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Titch, Ten Years After and The Precious Few
Photo may be subject to copyright
8 May 1968 – Spa Lounge & Ballroom, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
10 May 1968 – Trentham Gardens, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
11 May 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, London
12 May 1968 – Union Club, Nottingham
21 May 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
24 May 1968 – Manor House (London or Ipswich)
25 May 1968 – Cliffs Pavilion, Southend, Essex with support
26 May 1968 – Top Hat, Littlehampton, West Sussex
31 May 1968 – White Lion, Edgeware, London
1 June 1968 – George Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire with Peppermint Creams
3 June 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
7 June 1968 – Clockwork Orange, Chester, Cheshire with Green Ginger (billed as The Jimmy James Show)
8 June 1968 – Winter Gardens, Western Super Mare, Somerset
14 June 1968 – Anson Suite, New Union Building, Bristol
15 June 1968 – Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent
19 June 1968 – Locarno, Stevenage, Herts
20 June 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Streatham, London
21 June 1968 – College of Education, Leicester
22 June 1968 – Gig in Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire (most likely Bridlington Spa)
23 June 1968 – Top Hat, Littlehampton, West Sussex
28 June 1968 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire
29 June 1968 – Newark Rugby Club, Newark, Nottinghamshire
30 June 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Coatham Hotel, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The West Coast Promotion
The new formation releases its debut 45, issued on Pye, “Red Red Wine” c/w “Who Could be Loving You?”
Tony Priestland, who has played with Art Regis in Arthur Brown’s band in 1965 briefly joins around about now plus a trumpet player called Don.
4 July 1968 – Cornwall Technical College (possibly St Austell) with PP Arnold and Spirit of John Morgan
6 July 1968 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent
7 July 1968 – Douglas House, U.S. Military Social Club, London
12 July 1968 – Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire
13 July 1968 – Gig in Yardley, Birmingham
14 July 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
16 July 1968 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire
18 July 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol
19 July 1968 – Tottenham Royal, London
21 July 1968 – Union Club, Nottingham
23 July 1968 – The Spa Lounge, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
25 July 1968 – Locarno Ballroom, Portsmouth, Hampshire
26 July 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London
27 July 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with support
28 July 1968 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire
At some point (most likely during July), the band recorded four tracks which were later picked up by Acid Jazz for its Lookin’ Good EP: “She’s Looking Good”, “Aunt Dora’s Love Soul Shack”, “Soul Sister, Brown Sugar” and “Why (Must I Be Treated So Bad)”
Regis’ diary has Scottish tour for 29 July-6 August 1968
Dave Tedstone leaves immediately after this tour to work with Geno Washington. His temporary replacement is guitarist John Bedder who has played with The Savages and also Winston G
The line-up now comprises:
Jimmy James – lead vocals
John Bedder – lead guitar
Art Regis – organ
John Roberts – bass
Fred “Nat” Frederick – tenor saxophone
Pat Gravesende – baritone saxophone
Tony Priestland – alto saxophone
Barry Sutton – trumpet
Don ? – trumpet?
Herb Prestidge – drums
10 August 1968 – Botley, Oxfordshire
13 August 1968 – BBC Stuart Henry Show (if this is the date the show aired, this might be the tracks described above, later released by Acid Jazz)
15 August 1968 – Royal Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
16 August 1968 – Plaza, Teignmouth, Devon
Photo may be subject to copyright
16 August 1968 – Plaza, Tynemouth, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear (very unlikely but advertised)
17 August 1968 – R.A.F. Raven Club, Waddington, Devon
18 August 1968 – Linden Sports Club, Bournemouth, Dorset
24 August 1968 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
30 August 1968 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Dave Tedstone returns around about now
31 August 1968 – Gig in Western Super Mare, Somerset (may be Tedstone’s first gig back)
1 September – Mercers Arms, Coventry, West Midlands
8 September – Beau Brummel, Nantwich, Cheshire
9 September – Gig in Bath
12 September – Gig in Worthing, West Sussex
13 September 1968 – Kew Boathouse, Kew, west London
Around this time Art Regis departs and Bill Coleman takes over on organ. Tony Priestland also moves on to join Titus Groan. Another former Ram Jam member, Lionel Kingham comes in on sax
This same month, Pye issues the band’s LP Open Up Your Soul
25 September 1968 – City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
28 September 1968 – Leascliffe Hall, Folkestone, Kent
1 October 1968 – Spa Lounge, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
4 October 1968 – George Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire
5 October 1968 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with support
9 October 1968 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with Renaissance Fair
15 October 1968 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
18 October 1968 – Central Pier, Morecambe, Lancashire
19 October 1968 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Privy Seal
20 October 1968 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Chelfont Line
Photo may be subject to copyright
29 October 1968 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire
Photo may be subject to copyright
1 November 1968 – Shrubbery Hotel, Ilminster, Somerset with The Package Deal and Dave the Rave
3 November 1968 – Byron, Greenford, northwest London
8 November 1968 – University of Sussex, Brighton, West Sussex
9 November 1968 – Pavilion, Weston Super Mare, Somerset
10 November 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham
12 November 1968 – Kirkcaldy Ice Rink, Kirkcaldy, Scotland with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Love Affair, The Herd and Procession
Photo may be subject to copyright
13 November 1968 – Market Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich, The Herd, The Procession and The Emeralds
15 November 1968 – Falkirk Town Hall, Falkirk, Scotland with Brian Marshall Foundation, Haze and Procession
15 November 1968 – Dundee Ice Rink, Dundee, Scotland with The Love Affair, The Herd and Procession
28 November 1968 – Skyline Ballroom, Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
29 November 1968 – Elms Court Hotel, Botley, Oxford with Paper Lemon
30 November 1968 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent
Photo may be subject to copyright
3 December 1968 – Spa Lounge, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
6 December 1968 – Pier Ballroom, Morecambe, Lancashire
7 December 1968 – Brighton University, Brighton, West Sussex
8 December 1968 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
12 December 1968 – Walthamstow Assembly Hall, Waltham Forest Tech College and School of Art, northeast London with The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band and The Pretty Things
13 December 1968 – John Dalton College, Manchester
14 December 1968 – Walsall Town Hall, Walsall, West Midlands
14 December 1968 – Cliff Pavilion, Folkestone, Kent (unlikely)
15 December 1968 – Byron, Greenford, northwest London
16 December 1968 – Guildhall, Portsmouth, Hampshire
21 December 1968 – St George Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire with The Spring and Tom-E-Tee
In late December Jimmy James dissolves the current formation and puts together a new line up the following month. Phil Chen returns from The Counts and the group also features former Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band member, guitarist Pete Gage
Jimmy James – lead vocals
Pete Gage – lead guitar
Bill Coleman – keyboards
Phil Chen – bass
Clive Stephens – saxophone
Barry Sutton – trumpet
+ others
Pete Gage describes the situation as a “pick up band vibe” withvarious musicians coming and going alongside those listed above. He was also getting tired of the soul scene and started to get into more early jazz fusion so later that year he and Stephens left to form Dada. Chen also departs and Coleman helps Jimmy James revamped the group again
Selected gigs
1 January 1969 – Gaiety Ballroom, Ramsey, Cambridgeshire
6 January 1969 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey
10-11 January 1969 – Scene Two, Scarborough, North Yorkshire
24 January 1969 – Shrewsbury Hotel, Bridgewater, Somerset
25 January 1969 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London with Justin Tyme
26 January 1969 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Skyliners
Melody Maker notes that Jimmy James split from their recording manager John Schroeder and will use independent producers from now on. Next is Pete Gage and 45 “Close The Door on My World”.
1 February 1969 – Winter Gardens, Weston Super Mare, Somerset
4 February 1969 – Concord, Southampton, Hampshire
6 February 1969 – Locarno, Portsmouth, Hampshire
8 February 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
13 February 1969 – Locarno Ballroom, Coventry, West Midlands
15 February 1969 – New Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, West Midlands
16 February 1969 – Belle Vue, Manchester
17 February 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Lemon Cartoon and Cleo’s Mood
22 February 1969 – Town Hall, Glastonbury, Somerset
The band releases the 45 “Open the Door” c/w “Why” on Pye
6 April 1969 – Sherwood rooms, Nottingham with Marv Johnson & The Bandwagon
12 April 1969 – Burton’s, Uxbridge, northwest London
15 April 1969 – Revolution, central London
27 April 1969 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with White Rabbit
3 May 1969 – Kennington College, south London
26 May 1969 – Skegness Seaside Soul Festival, Skegness, Lincolnshire with Amen Corner, Inez and Charlie Foxx, The Fantastics and Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band
2 June 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Rubber Soul Band and Wall City Jazzmen
7 June 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with Rainbow Folly and The Connection
Photo may be subject to copyright
14 July 1969 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey
18 July 1969 – Devizes Corn Exchange, Devizes, Wiltshire with Tom Browne and Green Ice
20 July 1969 – Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire with Clyde McPhatter
Pip Williams joins on lead guitar around late July from The Fantastics’ backing band The House of Orange. From his recollections, it looks like some of the musicians who had played with Jimmy James in 1968 returned
Jimmy James – lead vocals
Pip Williams – lead guitar
Bill Coleman – keyboards
John Roberts – bass
Barry Sutton – trumpet
Lionel Kingham – tenor sax
Herb Prestidge – drums
Williams doesn’t remember many gigs but does recall playing at the Club Saint Hilaire de La Mer in St Maxime in the south of France during the summer, which lasted about a week. He also remembers that former member Count Prince Miller stepped in as MC a few times. The group later split from Jimmy James to back Jimmy Ruffin.
Selected gigs
6 August 1969 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset
6 September 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Attic Express and Paper Lemon
Photo may be subject to copyright
14 September 1969 – Le Metro, Birmingham
Photo may be subject to copyright
21 September 1969 – Caribbean Music Festival, Empire Pool, Wembley, London with Johnny Nash, Desmond Dekker, Maxi Romeo, Jackie Edwards, Count Prince Miller, Joyce Bond, Root and Jenny Jackson, Black Velvet, Derek Morgan, The Mohawks, Pat Kelly and The Skatalites
Photo may be subject to copyright
2 October 1969 – Rebecca’s, Birmingham with Ray King Soul Band
Photo may be subject to copyright
25 October 1969 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Ritual
27 October 1969 – Quaintways, Chester, Cheshire with Petrus, Golliwog and Wall City Jazzmen
Photo may be subject to copyright
31 October 1969 – Flamingo Entertainment Centre, Hereford
8 November 1969 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Village Green Road Show
9 November 1969 – Le Metro, Birmingham
23 November 1969 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
24 December 1969 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Freddie Mac Show and Lloyd Williams Soul Caravan
Photo may be subject to copyright
3 January 1970 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands with Dandelion Replaced Spooky Tooth
In early 1970, James completely revised the group line-up as the following:
Jimmy James – lead vocals
Chris Garefield – lead guitar
Alan Kirk – keyboards
Alan Wood – bass
Russell Courtney – drums
Selected gigs
Photo may be subject to copyright
2 March 1970 – Belfry, Wishaw, West Midlands
14 May 1970 – Byron, Greenford, northwest London
23 May 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with support
31 May 1970 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset
4 July 1970 – Cue Club, Paddington, central London
28 July 1970 – Top Rank Suite, Birmingham with Major Lance, J J Jackson & Dilemma, The Fantastic Honey and Darling & The Purple Bloom
9 August 1970 – Pavilion Ballroom, Bournemouth, Dorset
10 October 1970 – Madison Club, Torquay, Devon
24 December 1970 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Fantastics and Carl Edwards Roadshow
Art Regis helped greatly by sharing his diary dates. Thanks also to Pete Gage, Pip Williams, Dave Tedstone, Phil Chen and Roy Stacey. Big thanks to David Else for his help with chronology of the early years and fact checking
Sources include:
Aldershot News, Beat Instrumental, Maidstone Gazette, East Kent Times & Mail, Nuneaton Evening Tribune, Fabulous 208 Magazine, Derby Evening Telegraph, Evening Argus (Brighton), Bournemouth Evening Echo, Gloucestershire Echo, Melody Maker, Leicester Mercury, Southern Evening Echo, Northwich Chronicle, Nottingham Evening Post, Newham, West & East Ham, Barking and Stratford Express, Yorkshire Evening Post, Eastern Evening News, Evening Star (Ipswich), Bucks Free Press (High Wycombe), Dundee Evening Telegraph, Folkestone & Hythe Gazette, Essex Chronicle, Coventry Evening Telegraph, Portsmouth News, Retford Times, The Star, the Dorset Evening Echo, the Express & Star, Torbay Express and South Devon Echo. Western Gazette, Derbyshire Times, Wakefield Express, Dave Allen provided Birdcage gigs for Southsea and Eastney.
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.
The Speakeasy club, located at 48 Margaret Street in London, was a notable music venue that opened in December 1966.
During its heyday, the club was frequented by record industry and artist agency executives who in turn brought in many bands, hoping to land a record deal.
Many notable British bands played at the club during the 1960s, including The Move, The Soft Machine, Traffic, The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Pink Floyd. I’ve started a list below but would welcome any additions and any memories of the venue.
Jim Carter-Fea who managed Blaises (and later the Revolution) was also behind the Speakeasy.
29 December (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Disc & Music Echo)
1967
According to Disc & Music Echo, Roy Flynn and Mike Carey operated the club from early 1967. Apparently, the club was officially opened on 4 January.
Sometime in 1967, New Zealand/US band The New Nadir played at the club and Jimi Hendrix sat in. The band’s bass player was the late Gary Thain who went on to The Keef Hartley Band.
18 January (Wednesday) – Family (Melody Maker)
19 January (Thursday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo reported that The New Vaudeville Band attended the Speakeasy’s club party during the week starting 6 February.
14 February (Tuesday) – The Valentine’s Day Massacre party (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Roger Daltry from The Who, Jimi Hendrix and The Pretty Things attended this party.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 25 March issue, the new Track label had its launch party at the Speakeasy this week with guests including Michael Caine, Terence Stamp, Bobby Moore, Simon & Garfunkel, Jimi Hendrix and The Who. The website link suggests it was 16 March.
19 March (Sunday) – Dudley Moore (Disc & Music Echo)
Disc & Music Echo reported that John Lennon and Paul McCartney from The Beatles, Brian Jones, Eric Burdon, The Bee Gees and The Jimi Hendrix Experience attended Amen Corner’s show. Hendrix also sat in with the band.
15 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
Procol Harum also played on this date. Disc & Music Echo’s 3 June issue reported that all four Beatles, Georgie Fame, Chris Farlowe, Cat Stevens, Eric Burdon, Pete Townshend and Roger Daltry attended The Procol Harum gig. This website has more information.
29 May (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
The music magazine reported that Jimi Hendrix, Denny Laine, Brian Jones, Peter Asher and Terence Stamp were among those in the audience.
5 June (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation.
8 June (Thursday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)
Disc & Music Echo reported that Jimi Hendrix, Denny Laine and Eric Burdon were in the audience.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 10 June issue, Eric Burdon told stories and Brian Auger had a “happening” sometime this week.
The same issue reported that guests at the club had included The Beach Boys, The Turtles, Mary Wells, Ben E King, The Byrds and the Stax-Volt tour.
12 June (Monday) – Brian Auger & The Trinity (Disc & Music Echo)
Auger’s band gig is likely but needs confirmation. Disc & Music Echo’s 10 June issue did report that they played Mondays.
14 June (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Disc & Music Echo)
This date needs confirmation but the magazine’s 17 June issue reported that Marmalade played here and John Lennon and Paul McCartney attended. The Scottish band also played at the Speakeasy on 12 July.
28 June (Wednesday) – The Soft Machine (Fabulous 208)
12 July (Wednesday) – Marmalade (Disc & Music Echo)
The music magazine reported its 15 July issue that John Lennon, Graham Nash, Spencer Davis, Mike Nesmith, Mickey Dolenz, Davy Jones, Gary Leeds, Eric Clapton, Georgie Fame, Keith Moon and Roger Daltry were among the guests. It’s possible, however, that this event took place on the previous Wednesday, 5 July.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 9 September issue, Alan Price, Mitch Mitchell, Jeff Beck, Jimi Hendrix and Keith West were among the guests at Fairport Convention’s show.
According to Disc & Music Echo’s 14 October issue, Scott McKenzie and The Mamas & The Papas went to the Speakeasy on the Friday to celebrate Mama Cass’s clearance at West London of theft charges. Most likely it was 6 October to see Eric Burdon & The Animals play but needs confirmation.
As this website notes, the band reportedly were in attendance when a jam took place – see The Electric Prunes website for more information.
According to Disc & Music Echo, sometime in the week starting 11 December, The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation played and Noel Redding, Jimi Hendrix and Alan Price attended the show.
Spooky Tooth may also have played their debut show at the Speakeasy this month but this needs confirmation.
6 December (Wednesday) – The Foundations (Disc & Music Echo)
The music magazine reported that The Spencer Davis Group, Jimi Hendrix, Brian Jones, Manfred Mann and Mick Wilsher from The New Vaudeville Band were among the guests at the after party following The Foundations’ gig.
10 December (Sunday) – The Moody Blues (Disc & Music Echo)
14 December (Thursday) – Fairport Convention (Disc & Music Echo)
The magazine reported that Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix attended The Fairport Convention show.
16 January (Tuesday) – Procol Harum (New Musical Express)
27 January (Saturday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (New Musical Express)
This was probably either 26 or 28 January instead as Keith Guster confirms that his band The Fleur De Lys played this evening. His diary also notes that Jimi Hendrix and Mitch Mitchell joined the band for a 45 minute jam onstage.
4 February (Sunday) – Jimmy McGriff (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)
5 February (Monday) – Jethro Tull (Greg Russo’s gig diary)
29 February (Thursday) – Sharon Tandy & The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)
Keith Guster confirms that The Fleur De Lys did two 15-minute sets. They then backed singer Sharon Tandy for 30 minutes; singer Donnie Elbert for 30 minutes and then both singers for 20 minutes.
19 April (Friday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)
25 April (Thursday) – Ike & Tina Turner (New Musical Express)
26 April (Friday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
On Saturday, 27 April, a fire broke out and gutted the Speakeasy, according to Melody Maker’s 4 May issue. The fire caused £20,000 worth of damage. Roy Flynn, the club’s co-owner, said that the Speakeasy could not be re-opened for about three months and gigs would be transferred to Blaises and promoted as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
28 April (Sunday) – Ike & Tina Turner (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
30 April (Tuesday) – Bill Haley & The Comets (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
1 May (Wednesday) – Bobby Goldsboro (Melody Maker)
The above gig was either cancelled or moved to Blaises.
5 May (Sunday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (Melody Maker)
The above gig, if it happened, would have taken place at Blaises.
12 May (Sunday) – The Byrds (needs source)
The above gig, if it happened, would have taken place at Blaises – see that entry for more information (link through to this).
16 June (Sunday) – PP Arnold (with TNT) (Melody Maker)
This gig took place at Blaises and was billed as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
30 June (Sunday) – The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)
This gig took place at Blaises and was billed as “Speakeasy at Blaises”.
Melody Maker’s 29 June issue (page 3) noted that the Speakeasy would reopen in September (but this was not the case).
18 July (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
See the Blaises entry for more information on this.
New Musical Express reported that Roy Flynn planned to reopen the Speakeasy on 13 December 1968.
The above gig looks like the reopening of the club after seven months’ closure.
According to the East of Eden website, the band played at the Speakeasy in December with Taj Mahal. Mahal took part in The Rolling Stones’ Rock and Roll Circus on 11 December, so it’s quite possible if the club reopened on 13 December that Mahal and East of Eden played the following day (Saturday, 14 December) but this needs confirmation.
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
