Run by Harold and Doris Toft and located at 35-39 Grace Hill in Folkestone, Kent, Toft’s was a major music venue on the English south coast during the 1960s.
I’ve started to list gigs below and would welcome any additions and memories in the comments section below.
7 May 1966 (Saturday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
14 May 1966 (Saturday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
21 May 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 May 1966 (Friday) – The Playboys (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
28 May 1966 (Saturday) – Tony Knight’s Chessmen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 May 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
30 May 1966 (Monday) – The Playboys (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
4 June 1966 (Saturday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 June 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Alan Price Set (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
12 June 1966 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 June 1966 (Saturday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
19 June 1966 (Sunday) – Ralph Denyer’s Rockhouse Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
25 June 1966 (Saturday) – Sounds Incorporated (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
26 June 1966 (Sunday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
2 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Nashville Teens (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 July 1966 (Sunday) – Roy C with The League of Gentlemen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
9 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Shotgun Express (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 July 1966 (Sunday) – Rufus Thomas & Bluesology (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
16 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
17 July 1966 (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
22 July 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
23 July 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
24 July 1966 (Sunday) – The In Crowd (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 July 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
29 July 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Shevelles (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
31 July 1966 (Sunday) – Alexis Korner (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 August 1966 (Friday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
6 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Gass (Melody Maker)
7 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Melody Maker)
10 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Thornton Group and The End (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The End may not be the Surrey band that worked with Bill Wyman but a local group instead
13 August 1966 (Saturday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
14 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Senate (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
20 August 1966 (Saturday) – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
21 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
27 August 1966 (Saturday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
28 August 1966 (Sunday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 August 1966 (Monday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 September 1966 (Saturday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
4 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Ying Tongs (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
10 September 1966 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
11 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Vibrations (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) The Vibrations were most likely backed by The Noblemen
16 September 1966 (Friday) – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
17 September 1966 (Saturday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 September 1966 (Sunday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
23 September 1966 (Friday) – The Vibrations and The Noblemen (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
24 September 1966 (Saturday) – Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
25 September 1966 (Sunday) – John McCoy’s Crawdaddies (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
30 September 1966 (Friday) – The Summercumlauds (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
1 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Ying Tongs (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
2 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Tonicks (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
8 October 1966 (Saturday) – The HT (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
9 October 1966 (Sunday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Fabulous 208)
15 October 1966 (Saturday) – Lee Dorsey (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) Looks like he was replaced by Guy Darrell Syndicate
16 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
21 October 1966 (Friday) – Live group (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
22 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Amboy Dukes (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
23 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
25 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Scots of St James (Melody Maker) This needs confirmation
28 October 1966 (Friday) – Live group (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
29 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Gass (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
30 October 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
4 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
5 November 1966 (Saturday) – T D Backus and The Powehouse (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
6 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Scots of St James (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
12 November 1966 (Saturday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
13 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Meantimers (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
19 November 1966 (Saturday) – The HT (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
20 November 1966 (Sunday) – The Original Dyaks (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
25 November 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
26 November 1966 (Saturday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
27 November 1966 (Sunday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
2 December 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
3 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Nite People (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
4 December 1966 (Sunday) – The Luther Morgan Relationship (Melody Maker) The Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald has The Derek Savage Foundation instead
10 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Meddy Evils (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
11 December 1966 (Sunday) – Guy Darrell & The Gnomes of Zurich (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
16 December 1966 (Friday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker)
17 December 1966 (Saturday) – Little Richard, The Quotations and The Kingpins (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
18 December 1966 (Sunday) – The Peeps (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
23 December 1966 (Friday) – The Mixed Feelings and The Spectre Quin Team (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
24 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys and The Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
26 December 1966 (Monday) – The Heart and Souls and The Kingpins (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
31 December 1966 (Saturday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas and he Mixed Feelings (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald/Melody Maker)
7 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Original Dyaks (Melody Maker)
8 January 1967 (Sunday) – The See-Saw Soul Set (Melody Maker)
14 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
15 January 1967 (Sunday) – The Fenmen (Melody Maker)
22 January 1967 (Sunday) – The Spencer Davis Group (Melody Maker)
28 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Who (Melody Maker)
4 February 1967 (Saturday) – Manfred Mann (Melody Maker)
11 February 1967 (Saturday) – Maxine Brown (possibly with The Q-Set) (Melody Maker) Melody Maker also has The Gass
18 February 1967 (Saturday) – Cream (Melody Maker)
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
Photo: Roy Stacey. The Union before Dave Terry took over from Arthur Brown. Not all of the band are pictured. Left to right: Roy, Heather, Paul, Tony and Derek
Dave Terry (aka Elmer Gantry) (lead vocals)
Heather Swinson (vocals)
Paul Brett (guitar)
Art Regis (keyboards)
Tony Priestland (alto sax)
Derek Griffiths (tenor sax)
Roy Stacey (bass)
Jim Toomey (drums)
When Arthur Brown left The Union around December 1965, the group brought in blues singer Dave Terry (aka Elmer Gantry), who’d previously worked with Stacey, Regis and Swinson in Barnes R&B band, The Impacts.
After The Impacts split up, Dave Terry worked on the folk/blues circuit with Simon Lawrence. The pair had a regular gig at Studio 51 in Leicester Square and, according to Melody Maker, played a gig there as late as 2 December 1965.
Gantry recalls that The Union worked as The High Society for a while. According to Melody Maker, The High Society played at the Pontiac in Putney on 18 December 1965 and this would have been the same band. The High Society also performed at the Galaxy (in Basingstoke Town Hall) on 19 February 1966.
Photo: Melody Maker
As The Union, the band recorded two tracks at Tony Pike’s studio in Putney – covers of “In the Midnight Hour” and “Shake” in spring 1966 which have recently surfaced on Paul Brett’s anthology CD Stone Survivor.
Photo: Melody Maker. Possible Union gig from 1966 but needs confirmation
Soon after Dave Terry left, followed in quick succession by Heather Swinson and Derek Griffiths.
Terry joined The Five Proud Walkers in June 1966 and remained with this band as they morphed into Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera. During this period, he changed his name to Elmer Gantry.
In late 1968/early 1969, after splitting with The Velvet Opera, Gantry recruited members of The Downliners Sect – Johnny Sutton, Paul Martinez, Bob Taylor and Nat Dumaine to become The Elmer Gantry Band. Later, in the 1970s he fronted Stretch and later still, recorded with The Alan Parsons Project, Jon Lord, Cozy Powell among others.
Photo: Art Regis. Guitarist Paul Brett
Also in June 1966, Paul Brett left to re-join Arthur Brown and the second incarnation of his Paris-based Arthur Brown Set. The group moved on to work in Spain but by October Brett had returned to England where he subsequently joined The Overlanders alongside Laurie Mason (lead vocals); Paul Petts (bass); Ian Griffiths (rhythm guitar); and Brian Middleditch (drums). Middleditch was replaced by Phil Wainman (ex-Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement) around March 1967 for a few months then Vic Lythgoe before splitting in August/September.
Brett then played with The Warren Davis Monday Band from September-December 1967; Tintern Abbey from January-June 1968; (Elmer Gantry’s) Velvet Opera from June 1968-spring 1970 and later Fire and Paul Brett’s Sage.
With Brett gone, Stacey remembers that the band recruited an Australian guitarist called Graham Wilson.
Stacey recalls that the remaining members of The Union – guitarist Graham Wilson; keyboard player Art Regis; sax player Tony Priestland; and drummer Jim Toomey changed name to The Uptown Band and worked at the Cromwellian before linking up with Brett’s former band mate from The SW4, Ralph Denyer when the future Blonde on Blonde guitarist/singer split with his previous outfit, The Rockhouse Band in July.
Thanks to Elmer Gantry (aka Dave Terry), Roy Stacey and Paul Brett for helping with the story
Due to the success of earlier British tours, notably the one in October 1966, promoter Roy Tempest brought American soul singer Edwin Starr over for a second British tour in mid-1967.
Led by singer Sol Byron (aka Billy Lochart), Glaswegian soul outfit, The Senate, who’d backed Starr on some of the dates during the October 1966 tour, were brought back to provide backing on many of the dates during this tour.
However, The Senate also backed Garnet Mimms during spring 1967, so other groups helped out with some of the tour dates. We’d be interested to hear from any readers who can provide more information in the comments section below.
It looks like Cool Combination, who’d provided backing on the early 1967 tour, weren’t involved for some reason. However, it does look like The Warren Davis Monday Band did back Edwin Starr on some of these dates.
In mid-1967, The Senate also featured Alex “Ludgie” Ligertwood (aka Alex Jackson) on lead guitar and vocals; Brian Johnson on keyboards; Bill Irving on bass; Bob Mather on sax; Antony Rutherford (aka Tony Mimms) on trumpet; and Tam Frew on drums.
However, later this year, Johnson left to join The House of Orange (The Fantastics’ backing band) and was replaced by Michael Brandon Fraser. Robbie McIntosh took over from Tam Frew on drums and Dave Agnew (aka Mark David) succeeded Sol Byron on lead vocals.
The Senate had just completed a tour with Garnet Mimms before taking up the offer to work with Edwin Starr again.
I’ve found the following dates so far but would welcome any additions:
31 May 1967 – Clouds, Derby (Derby Evening Telegraph) Billed as Edwin Starr & The Senate
2 June 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, west London (Melody Maker) Most likely The Senate
3 June 1967 – Clouds, Derby with The Headline News (Derby Evening Telegraph) Billed as Edwin Starr & The Senate
5 June 1967 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Warren Davis Monday Band and The Band of Joy (Birmingham Evening Mail) Billed as Edwin Starr and The Warren Davis Monday Band
6 June 1967 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with The Warren Davis Monday Band (Nottingham Evening Post and website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/) Billed as Edwin Starr and The Warren Davis Monday Band
8 June 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Most likely backed by Warren Davis Monday Band
9 June 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Edwin Starr and The Warren Davis Monday Band
9 June 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) Billed as Edwin Starr and The Warren Davis Monday Band
10 June 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Manfred Mann, The Warren Davis Monday Band, The Darlings and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard) Most likely with The Warren Davis Monday Band as backing band
10 June 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester (Disc & Music Echo/Leicester Chronicle) Most likely The Senate
11 June 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield (The Star) Billed as Edwin Starr & The Senate
12 June 1967 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey with The Warren Davis Monday Band (Aldershot News) Most likely with The Warren Davis Monday Band as backing band
15 June 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)
18 June 1967 – Warmingham Grange Country Club, Warmingham, Cheshire with The Foundation and Life and Soul (Nantwich Chronicle)
18 June 1967 – Beat Centre Discotheque Club, Co-op Hall, Warrington, Cheshire (Liverpool Echo)
If you can add anything, please leave a comment below.
Photo: Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
Formed by keyboard player and singer/songwriter Peter Gosling in mid-1966, Moon’s Train evolved out of earlier bands, The Preachers and The Train, who featured future Herd guitarist/singer Peter Frampton.
Photo credit: Melody Maker, 1965. Image may be subject to copyright.
By late 1966, the group’s line up comprised:
Peter “Moon” Gosling – keyboards/vocals
Ian Dibben – guitar
Pete “Face” Attwood – bass
Ken Leamon – sax
Alex Brown – trumpet
Malcolm Penn – drums
Many thanks to drummer Malcolm Penn for the following gig list and to Peter Gosling for kindly sharing this with me. Where newspapers advertised and I have the posters, I’ve listed these too:
26 January 1967 – Golden Star Club, N7, London
28 January 1967 – Muirhead Sports ground, Beckenham, London
13 February 1967 – Star Hotel, Croydon, London
25 February 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
3 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
4 March 1967 – Raynes Park Football Club, Merton, London
4 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
5 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
6-7 March 1967 – Why Not Club (unknown address)
8 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
9 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
10 March 1967 – Stockwell College, Stockwell, London
10 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
11 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
12 March 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
17 March 1967 – Why Not Club (address unknown)
18 March 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham
25 March 1967 – Corby Civic Centre, Corby, Northamptonshire
31 March 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
1 April 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
5 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
21 April 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Beachcombers
22 April 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants
26 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
27 April 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
28 April 1967 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London
29 April 1967 – Unknown venue, New Forest, Hants
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
5 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
6 May 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
7 May 1967 – Dolphin (address unknown)
There was a Dolphin Club in Finchley, north London
3 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
4 June 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
8 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
30 June 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
1 July 1967 – Bag O’Nails, Kingley Street, Soho, London
Photo: Melody Maker. Image may be subject to copyright
2 July 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, London with The Warren Davis Monday Band and The Trap (Melody Maker)
This gig at the Upper Cut is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list so they may not have played it.
4 July 1967 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hants
7 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
8 July 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
11 July 1967 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
Sax player Paul Houlton left The Warren Davis Monday Band at the end of May. He says that his first gig with Moon’s Train was a long drive and July feels about right. He took over from Ken Leamon.
14 July 1967 – Waterfront Club, Woolston, Hampshire (Southern Echo)
15 July 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset
25 November 1967 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
2 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
9 December 1967 – The Drum, Penge, London
Photo: Woking Herald. Image may be subject to copyright
10 December 1967 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)
15 December 1967 – Technical College, Farnborough, Hants
16 December 1967 – Wykeham Hall, Romford, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
23 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
24 December 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
4 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
Photo credit: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
6 January 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
17 January 1968 – Blaises, Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London
18 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
19 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
20 January 1968 – Muirhead Sportsground, Beckenham, London
25 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
26 January 1968 – Revolution, Bruton Place, London
27 January 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
10 February 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
17 February 1968 – Big C Club, Farnborough, Hampshire
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
24 February 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
25 February 1968 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset
29 February 1968 – Nightingdale, Wood Green, London
1 March 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
2 March 1968 – Technical College, Hatfield, Herts
Photo: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
9 March 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
11 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
12 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
13 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
14 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
15 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
16 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
22 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
23 March 1968 – Hatchetts Playground, Piccadilly, London
29 March 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) Missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list
30 March 1968 – Downham Tavern, Catford, London
30 March 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
This final Hatchetts gig is missing from Malcolm Penn’s list, so they may not have played it.
6 April 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
20 April 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
22 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
23 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
24 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
25 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
26 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
27 April 1968 – Playboy Club, Park Lane, London
11 May 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
12 May 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
18 May 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
24 May 1968 – Guildford College, Guildford, Surrey
25 May 1968 – Farnborough College, Farnborough, Hants
7 June 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
8 June 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
28 June 1968 – Tiger’s Head, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)
Photo: South East London Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
7 July 1968 – Welcome Inn, Eltham, London
20 July 1968 – Scotch of St James, Mason’s Yard, Mayfair, London
23 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
Photo credit: Leicester Mercury. Image may be subject to copyright
27 July 1968 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
31 July 1968 – Hatchetts, Piccadilly, London (Julian Marks’ monthly club listings)
3 August 1968 – Unknown venue, Dagenham, London
9 August 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
10 August 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, London
30 August 1968 – Mistrale Club, Beckenham, London
6 September 1968 – Cromwellian, Kensington, London
7 September 1968 – Sibylla’s, Swallow Street, London
When the band split up in mid-September, guitarist Ian Dibben, bass player Pete Attwood and sax player Paul Houlton formed Failed Heritage with drummer Pete Mole from The Warren Davis Monday Band.
Photo: Redbridge & Ilford Recorder. Image may be subject to copyright
29 September 1968 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder) This is missing from Malcolm Penn’s gig list so perhaps they carried on after he left or this gig wasn’t honoured
Freddie Mack gig, 28 July 1968. Photo: Melody Maker
Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.
It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.
Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968 and during 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.
It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in the music press so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any memories of particular shows in the comments below.
Source:Melody Maker unless otherwise noted
1968
1 January – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
2 January – Granny’s Attic
4 January – Wilson’s Transaction
7 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer
9 January – Garnet Mimms (either backed by The Senate or Clockwork Orange)
11 January – Warren Davis Monday Band
13 January – The Castaways (probably Tony Rivers’ band)
14 January – Freak-Down-Lucifer
16 January – Garnet Mimms (either backed by The Senate or Clockwork Orange)
18 January – Watson T Browne (& The Explosion)
20 January – Love Machine
21 January – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
22 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
23 January – Locomotion
27 January – Purple Pipe Line
28 January – The Gold
30 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound with Lamb Bros & Co)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 February – Warren Davis Monday Band
4 February – Glenroy Oakely & The Oracles
6 February – Locomotion
8 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)
11 February – Glenroy Oakley & The Oracles
13 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)
15 February – Clyde McPhatter (with The Trend backing?)
18 February – Locomotion
20 February – The Diplomats
22 February – Margitte Bardot
23 February – The Chanters
25 February – Mr Mo’s Messengers
27 February – The Original Drifters
29 February – Watson T Browne & The Explosion
3 March – Sonnie Burke
5 March – The Original Drifters
7 March – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
10 March – The Ice Show
12 March – The Marvels
14 March – The Shiralee
16 March – Philosopher’s Stone
17 March – The Chanters
19 March – The Fabulous Impressions
Thanks to Jerry Booth for the images. He was handed these flyers when he attended the club in mid-March 1968Thanks to Jerry Booth for this image too!
21 March – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
23 March – The Art Movement
24 March – The Gold
26 March – The Fabulous Impressions
28 March – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
31 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
Photo: Melody Maker
2 April – The Fabulous Platters & Group (with The Trend backing?)
4 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers
6 April – The Klooks (Pete Carter’s Roy Tempest contract)
7 April – The Bunch
9 April – The Original Drifters
11 April – Glenn Oakely & The Oracles
14 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
16 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials
18 April – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
21 April – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
23 April – Garnet Mimms (most likely with The Village Green backing)
25 April – Fantastic Little Anthony & The Imperials
28 April – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
30 April – The Fabulous Ronettes
2 May – The Fabulous Platters (with The Trend backing?)
5 May – Sonnie Burke
7 May – Duane Eddy
9 May – The Chanters
12 May – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
16 May – The De-Tours with Gene Latter
19 May – Sonnie Burke
21 May – The Diplomats
Photo: Melody Maker
23 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
26 May – The Breakthru
28 May – The Crickets
30 May – The Coasters
2 June – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
3 June – Warren Davis Monday Band
4 June – The Coasters
Melody Maker stopped providing full listings for the club until December but I’ve found individual shows in New Musical Express, which suggests the club still put on shows during this period
Photo: Melody Maker
20 June – Ruby & The Romantics (New Musical Express)
30 June – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound and Keef Hartley (New Musical Express has The Crystals)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 July – The Crystals (New Musical Express)
28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
5 August – The Crystals (New Musical Express)
11 August – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)
25 August – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
8 September – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)
25 September – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (cancelled)
6 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (postponed until 13 October)
Paul Griggs’ diary notes that The Cortinas played on 6 October so it looks like they replaced Freddie Mack.
13 October – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (marks the group’s third anniversary)
Photo: Melody Maker
22 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)
24 October – Interstate Road Show
31 October – Dee Dee Warwick (New Musical Express)
10 November – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ diary)
12 November – The Impressions (aka The Topics) backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)
14 November – The Impressions (aka The Topics) backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)
21 November – Garnet Mimms backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)
24 November – J J Jackson (Melody Maker advert says Sunday, 24 December but November is correct)
28 November – Garnet Mimms backed by Village Green (Steve Fitzgerald’s gig diary)
3 December – The Chiffons
5 December – The Bandwagon
8 December – Interstate Road Show
12 December – The Track
14 December – South Sea Bubble
15 December – Toast
17 December – Sea Jam Blues
19 December – Bunkers Brain
21 December – Jalopy Ride
22 December – Cherry Smash
24 December – Rainbow Ffolly and The Riot Squad
26 December – The Nite Walkers (The All Night Workers?)
28 December – Spring
29 December – Octopus (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
Located at 33/37 Wardour Street, the Whisky A Go Go was a major rock music venue during the mid-late 1960s and was situated in the same building as the Flamingo.
It’s not clear when it first opened its doors to rock artists but according to London Life magazine, occasional live groups did perform at the venue during 1965. However, it appears that the club really took off in late 1966, with listings four times a week. I have started to compile a list of artists who were advertised from 1966 to 1970 and would welcome any additions/corrections.
Melody Maker advertised gigs for the Whisky A Go Go every week, although there were gaps in places, particularly in late 1968 and during 1970. All of the shows listed below are from Melody Maker unless otherwise noted. Disc & Music Echo also regularly advertised the venue.
It is important to stress that these are listings for artists who were advertised in the music press so it’s quite possible that changes in the final billing may have taken place. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any memories of particular shows in the comments below.
Source:Melody Maker unless otherwise noted
During 1967, New Zealand band Me & The Others featuring future Keef Hartley Band and Uriah Heep bass player Gary Thain auditioned at the club.
1967
1 January – The Soul Set
3 January – Jimmy Cliff (with The Shakedown Sound?)
10 January – The Canadians (with David Foster on keyboards)
Photo: Melody Maker
11 January – The Soul Sisters
12 January – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
17 January – The Bunch
19 January – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
Photo: Melody Maker
22 January – Warren Davis Monday Band
24 January – Cool Combination
26 January – Cool Combination
29 January – Warren Davis Monday Band
31 January – The Soul Set
5 February – Warren Davis Monday Band
7 February – Edwin Starr
12 February – Warren Davis Monday Band
14 February – The Bunch
21 February – The Night Train
23 February – The Bunch
28 February – The Bunch
2 March – Edwin Starr
5 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
9 March – Duane Eddy
12 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
14 March – The Night Train
16 March – Lee Dorsey
19 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
21 March – The Bunch
23 March – The Original Drifters
24 March – The Trap
26 March – Warren Davis Monday Band
27 March – The Flashbakks
28 March – The Bunch
30 March – The Hunky Chunk Band
4 April – The Night Train
9 April – The Soul Set
11 April – The Bunch
12 April – Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry
13 April – The Trap
16 April – The Soul Set
17 April – The Dave Martin Group (audition)
The Dave Martin Group’s manager Geoff Chinnery confirms the audition date above
18 April – The Bunch
20 April – The Flashbakks
23 April – The Soul Set
25 April – The Bunch
27 April – Warren Davis Monday Band
30 April – The Shell (Shock Show)
Photo: Melody Maker
2 May – Lunar 2
4 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
7 May – The Shell Shock Show
9 May – Garnet Mimms (most likely backed by The Senate)
11 May – The Bunch
14 May – The Ultimate
16 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
Photo: Melody Maker
17 May – Jack Hammer & His Hammer Jammers
18 May – The Bunch
21 May – The Ultimate
23 May – Clyde McPhatter
25 May – Warren Davis Monday Band
Photo: Melody Maker
28 May – The Ultimate
30 May – The Iveys
31 May – Jose Feliciano
1 June – The Bunch
Photo: Melody Maker
4 June – The Ultimate
6 June – The Trap
8 June – Edwin Starr
11 June – The Pussyfoot
13 June – Craig King & The Midnight Train
14 June – The Skatalites
15 June – The Original Drifters (most likely backed by The Trend)
18 June – The Pussyfoot
19 June – The Shell Shock Show
20 June – The Impact Blues
22 June – Sonny Smiles & The Original Sonny Smiles Band
25 June – The Pussyfoot
27 June – The Impact Blues
28 June – Sugar Simone & The Programme
29 June – The Toys
2 July – The Pussyfoot
4 July – Craig King & The Midnight Train
6 July – The Iveys
Photo: Caterham Weekly Press
7 or 8 July – The All Night Walkers (aka The All Night Workers) (needs confirmation)
9 July – The Bunch
11 July – The Original Drifters (most likely backed by The Trend)
13 July – The Shell Shock Show
14 July – The Maroons
16 July – The Bunch
18 July – Neat Change
20 July – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
Photo: Melody Maker
23 July – Warren Davis Monday Band
25 July – Mr Mo’s Messengers
27 July – The Skatalites
30 July – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
1 August – The Syrian Blues
3 August – Garnett Mimms (either backed by The Senate or The Clockwork Orange)
5 August – Katch 22
6 August – Warren Davis Monday Band
8 August – Wages of Sin
10 August – The Iveys
Photo: Melody Maker
13 August – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
14 August – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
15 August – Wages of Sin
17 August – Mr Mo’s Messengers
20 August – The Trend
22 August – The Choice
24 August – The Clockwork Orange
This version of The Clockwork Orange is either the group that became The Doves later in the year or The Sovereigns (see 1966 entry) who backed The Fantastics from August 1967 (usually billed as The House of Orange) and also did two tours with Garnet Mimms
27 August – The Choice
28 August – Warren Davis Monday Band
29 August – Wages of Sin
31 August – The Skatalites
3 September – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
5 September – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics) (backed by Clockwork Orange – see above)
7 September – Wages of Sin
10 September – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
12 September – Sean Buckley Set
14 September – Katch 22 and Wages of Sin
Photo: Melody Maker
17 September – Warren Davis Monday Band
19 September – The Original Drifters (most likely with The Trend backing)
21 September – Reg James Explosion
Photo: Melody Maker
24 September – John (this is Jon)
26 September – Garnet Mimms (either with The Senate or Clockwork Orange backing him)
28 September – Katch 22
Photo: Melody Maker
1 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers
3 October – Garnet Mimms (either with The Senate or The Clockwork Orange backing him)
5 October – Cats Pyjamas
8 October – Mr Mo’s Messengers
10 October – Max Baer & The Chicago Setback
12 October – The Soul Sisters with The Trend
15 October – Mr Hip
17 October – Clyde McPhatter (most likely with The Trend backing)
19 October – Duane Eddy
22 October – The Quotations
23 October – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)
24 October – The Original Drifters (most likely with The Trend backing)
26 October – Clyde McPhatter (most likely with The Trend backing)
28 October – Alison’s Dump
29 October – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
31 October – The Isley Brothers
2 November – Stacey’s Circle
5 November – Scots of St James
7 November – The Shiralee
9 November – Geranium Pond
11 November – Alison’s Dump
12 November – The Doves
14 November – The Fabulous Temptations (aka The Fantastics)
16 November – Nepenthe (most likely with The Trend backing)
19 November – The Unsuited Medium
21 November – Blue Rivers & His Maroons
23 November – Nepenthe (most likely with The Trend backing)
26 November – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
28 November – The Last Tic Band
30 November – James Brown Junior
3 December – Mr Hip
5 December – The Velours
7 December – Tuesday’s Children
10 December – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
12 December – The Fabulous Marvelettes (most likely with The Trend backing)
14 December – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
17 December – Eddie Lewison Combo
19 December – Mr Mo’s Messengers
21 December – The Fabulous Marvelettes (most likely with The Trend backing)
Photo: Melody Maker
23 December – Dr Marigold’s Prescription
24 December – The Shiralee
25 December – Alison’s Dump
26 December – The Cortinas (confirmed by Paul Griggs’ diary)
The Mood Indigo in mid-1966. Left to right: Rick Parker, original sax player, Pete Steed, Dave Dyer and original drummer Mick Martin. Photo: Del Paramor
Keyboard player Pete Steed formed the original Mood Indigo in early 1966 before singer David Essex became involved. The original formation comprised:
Pete Steed – organ/vocals
Dave Dyer – lead guitar
Rick Parker – bass
Mick Martin – drums
+
A sax player whose name no one can recall
Image may be subject to copyright
30 April 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Pinkerton’s Assorted Colours, The Triads, The Dickens Set and The Ferry Boys (Lincolnshire Standard)
Image may be subject to copyright
21 May 1966 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire with The Breed (Cambridge News)
Image may be subject to copyright
26 May 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Small Faces (Cambridge News)
Image may be subject to copyright
17 June 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers (Melody Maker)
20 June 1966 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire (Cambridge News)
24 June 1966 – Parkside Hall, Ampthill, Bedfordshire with support (Bury Free Press)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 June 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with Bob Kidman & His Band, The Paramounts, Wainwright’s Gentlemen and The Astrobeats (Cambridge News)
2 July 1966 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire with Beat Six (Cambridge News)
9 July 1966 – Marcam Hall, March, Cambridgeshire with Wayne Fontana (Lynn News)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 August 1966 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton with The Tykes (Northampton Chronicle)
Image may be subject to copyright
8 August 1966 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Cambridgeshire (Cambridge News)
Image may be subject to copyright
4 September 1966 – Burlesque, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)
On 11 September 1966, tenor sax player Del Paramor rehearsed with The Mood Indigo before playing his debut gig three days later, succeeding the sax player who’d left.
Paramor had previously worked in a group with future Procol Harum keyboard player Matthew Fisher at Butlin’s Holiday camp in Minehead, Somerset called The Hi-Fi Sounds.
The following gigs are from his diary.
14 September 1966 – USAF base, Broughton, Northamptonshire
16 September 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with BB Kidman & His Band, The Sassanacks, The County Cousins and The Swinging Q Men
17 September 1966 – Memorial Hall, Newmarket, Suffolk with The Still Waters
22 September 1966 – Conservative Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire
23 September 1966 – Letchworth Youth Club, Letchworth, Hertfordshire
The Mood Indigo pictured without David Essex in Cambridge, spring 1967. Photo: Del Paramor
1 October 1966 – DeHavilland Social Club, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
Image may be subject to copyright
3 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Mad Lads (Melody Maker)
7 October 1966 – Purple Door, Luton, Bedfordshire
8 October 1966 – Maidenhead, Berkshire (probably the Dolphin Hotel)
On the morning of 8 October, the musicians auditioned at the Marquee in Greek Street in London and met David Essex. The singer and his manager Derek Bowman were keen to link up with The Mood Indigo so that Essex could gain some “road” experience with a touring group
12 October 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge
14 October 1966 – Stanford-le-Hope, Essex (unknown venue)
Image may be subject to copyright
15 October 1966 – Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald)
Image may be subject to copyright
16 October 1966 – Olympia Ballroom, Cromer, Norfolk with Dawn & The Dee-Jays (North Norfolk News)
On 18 October, Mood Indigo had its first rehearsal with David Essex and baritone sax player Paddy Corea in Stevenage.
Originally from the Caribbean, Corea had played with several bands in the Stoke Newington/Tottenham area of London and knew Eddy Grant, Junior Marvin and Calvin Samuels among others.
22 October 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Plague, The Tramps and Formula 4
26 October 1966 – Mecca Ballroom, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with The Searchers
27 October 1966 – Mecca Ballroom, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with The Ted Heath Band
Image may be subject to copyright
29 October 1966 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton with The Hubb (Northampton Chronicle) This is missing from Del’s list
4 November 1966 – Garden of Eden Club, Bridge Hotel, Wheatley, Oxfordshire
Image may be subject to copyright
5 November 1966 – Parsons Hall, Irchester, near Rushden, Northamptonshire with The State Express (Royston band)
12 November 1966 – Leicester University, Leicester
12 November 1966 – Latin Quarter, Leicester
16 November 1966 – Mecca Ballroom, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with Lee Dorsey
18 November 1966 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Suffolk
19 November 1966 – Wittering near Peterborough, Cambridgeshire (unknown venue)
21 November 1966 – Goldsmith College, New Cross, southeast London
Image may be subject to copyright
24 November 1966 – Charity show at Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers
25 November 1966 – Caesars Palace, Luton, Bedfordshire
26 November 1966 – Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with The Fenton Wells
29 November 1966 – Letchworth College of Technology, Letchworth, Hertfordshire
1 December 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band
2 December 1966 – Witchdoctor Club, Catford, southeast London
3 December 1966 – Owl Club, Wanstead, Essex
9 December 1966 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London
10 December 1966 – Youth Club, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
Image may be subject to copyright
16 December 1966 – The Cricketers Inn, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
Following this gig, Mick, the drummer was sacked after crashing the van and replaced by Keith Harvey
17 December 1966 – Flamenco, Folkestone, Kent (Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald) This is missing from Del Paramor’s gig list so may not have happened
18 December 1966 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London
22 December 1966 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with Tykes (Club Moulin Rouge)
24 December 1966 – Mecca Ballroom, Stevenage, Hertfordshire
31 December 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire with The Mooche
Near the Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge, spring 1967. Left to right: second drummer Keith Harvey, Paddy Corea, Del Paramor, Pete Steed and Rick Parker. Photo: Del Paramor
1967
1 January 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (“Radio Caroline Night Out”) (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
6 January 1967 – Brackley Town Hall, Brackley, Northamptonshire
7 January 1967 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London
8 January 1967 – Maids Head, King’s Lynn, Norfolk
9 January 1967 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Suffolk
13 January 1967 – Purple Door, Luton, Bedfordshire
14 January 1967 – Nautilus Club, Lowestoft, Suffolk
20 January 1967 – USAF base, Mildenhall, Suffolk
21 January 1967 – Owl Club, Wanstead, east London
22 January 1967 – Hyams Sports and Social Club, Prickwillow, Cambridgeshire
23 January 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London
27 January 1967 – Harvest Moon, Guildford, Surrey with Jon and Great Expectations (West Surrey Advertiser) Paramor says this was cancelled
Image may be subject to copyright
28 January 1967 – 007 Club, Keys Hall, Brentwood, Essex with The Wishbones
30 January 1967 – Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire
On 3 February, Del Paramor remembers David Essex’s father hired a new Ford van for the group to travel in
3 February 1967 – Witchdoctor, Catford, southeast London
4 February 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, west London
8 February 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
10 February 1967 – Caesar’s Palace, Luton, Bedfordshire
11 February 1967 – Cliff Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, Essex
12 February 1967 – Tiffany’s, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London
14 February 1967 – Bournemouth Pavilion, Bournemouth, Dorset with Dave Berry
15 February 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Image may be subject to copyright
17 February 1967 – Royal Albion Hotel, Walton-on-Naze, Essex (Essex County Standard)
18 February 1967 – Legion Hall, Amersham, Bucks
19 February 1967 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London
23 February 1967 – Weir Hotel, Raleigh, Essex
Image may be subject to copyright
24 February 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker)
Image may be subject to copyright
25 February 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)
26 February 1967 – Olympia Ballroom, Cromer, Norfolk
1 March 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge
3 March 1967 – RAF Marham, near Swaffham, Norfolk
3 March 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset (website: https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/) This is missing from Del’s list but probably didn’t happen considering the confirmed date above on the same date
4 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Who
5 March 1967 – Maids Head, King’s Lynn, Norfolk
Image may be subject to copyright
6 March 1967 – Drill Hall, Newmarket, Suffolk (Cambridge News)
7 March 1967 – RAF Wyton, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire
12 March 1967 – Brandon, near Mildenhall, Suffolk (unknown venue)
17 March 1967 – Sawston College, near Cambridge
18 March 1967 – Assembly Rooms, Framlingham, Suffolk
Image may be subject to copyright
19 March 1967 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Insite (Eastern Evening News)
25 March 1967 – Thing Club, Oldham, Lancashire with Victor Brox
25 March 1967 – Majestic Club, Oldham, Lancashire (“guested”)
27 March 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge
31 March 1967 – Disk-a-Takis Club, Manchester
1 April 1967 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton with Fridays Mind
5 April 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge
6 April 1967 – Samantha’s, New Burlington Street, central London
8 April 1967 – New All-Star Club, 9a Artillery Passage, east London
9 April 1967 – Working Men’s Club, Kettering, Northamptonshire
13 April 1967 – RAF Henlow, Hertfordshire
15 April 1967 – Town Hall, Heacham, Norfolk
16 April 1967 – Co-op Hall, Warrington, Cheshire
17 April 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
22 April 1967 – Abertillery Jazz Club, Wales
25 April 1967 – Darrell’s Club, Wythenshawe, Greater Manchester
26 April 1967 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Tyne & Wear
27 April 1967 – Mecca/Locarno, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear
28 April 1967 – Cambridge City Football Club, Cambridge with The Spencer Davis Group, The Yardbirds, Family and The Breed
29 April 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire
3 May 1967 – Dorothy Ballroom, Cambridge with The Barron Knights
5 May 1967 – USAF base, Stanton, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
6 May 1967 – Burton Leander Social Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail) This is not on Del’s gig list so probably didn’t happen
Image may be subject to copyright
6 May 1967 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The All Night Walkers and Zany Woodruffe Operation (Melody Maker)
6 May 1967 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London
10 May 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire
12 May 1967 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London
Image may be subject to copyright
13 May 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Troggs
14 May 1967 – Dreamland Ballroom, Margate, Kent with The Troggs (final gig)
David Essex splits from The Mood Indigo after the Dreamland gigs and goes solo.
Del Paramor briefly works with singer Vince Edwards before joining The Warren Davis Monday Band in July. Paddy Corea joins a ‘fake’ version of The Skatelites and then Blue Rivers & The Maroons. Most of the band evolves into Demon Fuzz.
The Mood Indigo reform later in the year.
Although the gig advertised Mood Indigo, Del Paramor says it was his next band with Vince Edwards who honoured the booking. Image may be subject to copyright
Huge thanks to Del Paramor for the gigs listings from September 1966-May 1967. Thanks to Del for the use of photos as well.
The followings gigs were from June 1967 but it’s not clear if they went ahead:
2 June 1967 (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle). Image may be subject to copyright5 June 1967 (Bolton Evening News). Image may be subject to copyright15-16 June 1967, Cornish gigs (possibly Cornish Guardian). Image may be subject to copyright
According to Christopher Hjort’s excellent Strange Brew book, promoters Philip Hayward and John Mansfield opened the old inn Pantiles as a bar and music venue in July 1967 after they gave up their chain of Ricky Tick clubs.
However, Record Mirror says that it was the Cromwellian’s former managers Philip Hayward and Bob Anthony who opened Pantiles and it looks like PP Arnold & The Nice were possibly the first booking.
It is very difficult to find gigs for this venue, so would appreciate any more confirmed shows in the comments below.
Photo: Martin H Samuel
1967
20 July – PP Arnold & The Nice (Record Mirror)
11 August – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
2 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
22 September – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
3 November – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
28 November – Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac (Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
8 December – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker/Bob Hodges’ gig diary) Fabulous 208 lists The Alan Price Set
19 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
26 December – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
29 December – Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)
1968
19 January – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 January – Long John Baldry & Bluesology (Melody Maker)
28 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Melody Maker
1 February – Film African Queen (Melody Maker)
2 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
3 February – Jimmy McGriff & His Quartet (Melody Maker)
4 February – Wee Willie Harris (Melody Maker)
8 February – Film Darling (Melody Maker)
9 February – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
10 February – Unnamed band plus records (Melody Maker)
11 February – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)
13 February – The Pyramids (Melody Maker)
14 February – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames (Melody Maker)
16 February – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
22 February – Films (Melody Maker)
23 February – The Shevelles (Melody Maker)
24 February – The All Night Workers (Melody Maker)
Guitarist Brian Mansell says The All Night Workers played regularly at this venue, perhaps as many as 20 times during his time with the band from October 1967 to late 1969. They also played here extensively with later line-ups in 1970-1971.
25 February – The Web (Melody Maker)
27 February – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)
15 September – Cats Pyjamas (Colin Pullen’s gig diary)
20 September – Selofane (Fabulous 208)
27 September – The Flies (Surrey Advertiser)
28 September – The Gass (Surrey Advertiser)
29 September – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
1 October – Soul Bucket (Surrey Advertiser)
2 October – Chris Barber & His Jazz Band (Surrey Advertiser)
4 October – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
5 October – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
6 October – Tony Gregory & The Counts (Surrey Advertiser)
20 October – Toast (Melody Maker)
8 November – Happy Magazine (Surrey Advertiser)
9 November – Tuesday’s Children (Surrey Advertiser) Keyboard player Bob Hodges has the band at Rush Green College in Romford this night, so must have been another band that played this evening
10 November – Ferris Wheel (Surrey Advertiser)
12 November – The Web (Surrey Advertiser)
13 November – Alex Walsh (Surrey Advertiser)
19 November – Alexis Korner (Surrey Advertiser)
20 November – Tubby Hayes (Surrey Advertiser)
3 December – Georgie Fame (Surrey Advertiser)
14 December – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
21 December – The Gods (Surrey Advertiser)
22 December – Cliff Bennett (Surrey Advertiser)
24 December – Paul Williams Set (Surrey Advertiser)
26 December – Circus (Surrey Advertiser)
28 December – The Shevelles (Surrey Advertiser)
1969
25 January – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
31 January – Paul Williams Set (Fabulous 208)
Photo: Melody Maker
9 February – Toast (Melody Maker)
21 February – The Pattern (Melody Maker)
22 February – Ruby James (Melody Maker)
23 February – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker)
27 February – Film The Rebel
8 March – Old Nick’s Train Set (Surrey Advertiser)
9 March – Timebox (Surrey Advertiser)
14 March – Wishful Thinking (Surrey Advertiser)
29 March – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
Photo: Windsor, Slough & Eton Express
22 May – The Train (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
23 May – Ferris Wheel (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
24 May – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
25 May – The Playground (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
26 May – Cliff Bennett & His Band (Windsor, Slough & Eton Express)
Photo: Melody Maker
6 June – Bunkers Brain (Melody Maker)
7 June – Katch 22 (Melody Maker)
8 June – Brian Auger Trinity (Melody Maker)
17 June – Fleetwood Mac (Surrey Advertiser/Christopher Hjort’s book Strange Brew)
21 June – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)
1 August – Sir Percy Quintet (Melody Maker)
31 August – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1 September – Cliff Bennett (Time Out)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
17 October – Trifle (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 October – My Dear Watson (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
19 October – Ferris Wheel (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
24 October – New Formula (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
25 October – Boston Crabs (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 October – Zoot Money (Time Out)
28 October – Graham Bond Initiation (Melody Maker)
31 October – Timebox (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
1 November – Old Nick’s Train Set (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
2 November – Jimmy McGriff (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
7 November – Ray King Soul Band (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
8 November – Heatwave (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
9 November – Sir Percy Quintette (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
14 November – Katch 22 (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
16 November – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)
1970
Keyboard player Ronnie Clayden says that The Kool played this venue twice, either in 1969 or 1970.
Drummer Geoff Coxon confirms that the gigs listed for Calum Bryce above and below, which were listed in manager Ted Hare’s diary without being attributed to a band, were definitely Calum Bryce.
26 December – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
1971
30 January – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
31 May – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
4 July – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
24 September – Calum Bryce (Ted Hare’s gig diary)
Photo: Martin H Samuel
19 November – Jo Jo Gunne (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
20 November – The Fortunes (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
26 November – Mother Tucker’s Rubber Duck (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
27 November – The Staple Singers (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
3 December – Crew (Martin H Samuel’s clippings)
4 December – Freddie Mac (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
10 December – Gonzalez (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
11 December – Black Velvet (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
18 December – Tony Morgan’s Muscle Power (Martin H Samuel’s poster)
Hatchetts Playground, located at 67 Piccadilly, was one of the happening clubs in central London during the late 1960s and played host to rock bands every night.
According to an article in the Kensington Post (see comments below), Hatchetts was one of London’s oldest restaurants but was closed in April 1966 for a £200,000 face-lift.
Re-opened on Tuesday, 6 June 1967, the venue was transformed into a three-level entertainment centre. One of its partners was Tony Vinnicombe who also ran Sands in Bond Street.
According to an article in The Stage, dated 29 June 1967, the opening weeks line up included: The Symbols, Errol Daniels & The JJ Band, Sands (named after Vinnicombe’s Bond Street club), The Shevelles, 1-2-3, The Frugal Sound, The New Formula and The Bystanders.
The Stage‘s 14 September 1967 edition ran an advert, which showed that The Peddlers held a residency at the club from 8 September through to 6 October (excluding Sundays).
1967
9 June 1967 (Friday) – Errol Daniels & JJ Band (Evening Standard) Says opening night for live music
Gigs are missing for Saturday, 10 June, Sunday 11 June and Monday, 12 June 1967
13 June 1967 (Tuesday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
14 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The 1-2-3 (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing for Thursday, 15 June and Friday, 16 June 1967
17 June 1967 (Saturday) – The 1-2-3 (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 18 June 1967
19 June 1967 (Monday) – The Frugal Sound (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Tuesday, 20 June 1967
21 June 1967 (Wednesday) – Ferris Wheel (Evening Standard)
22 June 1967 (Thursday) – The 1-2-3 (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Friday, 23 June 1967
24 June 1967 (Saturday) – Sands (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 25 June 1967
26 June 1967 (Monday) – The Frugal Sound (Evening Standard)
27 June 1967 (Tuesday) – Errol Daniels & The JJ Band (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Wednesday, 28 June through to Sunday, 2 July 1967
3 July 1967 (Monday) – Sands (Evening Standard)
4 July 1967 (Tuesday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
5 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Granny’s Intentions (Evening Standard)
6 July 1967 (Thursday) – Ferris Wheel (Evening Standard/Fabulous 208)
7 July 1967 (Friday) – The Summer Set (Evening Standard)
8 July 1967 (Saturday) – Robb Storme Group (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 9 July 1967
10 July 1967 (Monday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
11 July 1967 (Tuesday) – The Bystanders (Evening Sentinel)
12 July 1967 (Wednesday) – Errol Daniels & The JJ Band (Evening Standard)
13 July 1967 (Thursday) – The Bystanders (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 14 July 1967
15 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 16 July 1967
17 July 1967 (Monday) – The Powerhouse (Evening Standard)
18 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Wynder K Frog (Evening Standard/Fabulous 208)
Gig is missing for Wednesday, 19 July 1967
20 July 1967 (Thursday) – New Formula (Evening Standard)
21 July 1967 (Friday) – The Web (Evening Standard)
22 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Chanters (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Sunday, 23 July 1967
24 July 1967 (Monday) – Marmalade (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Tuesday, 25 July through to Wednesday, 23 August 1967
24 August 1967 (Thursday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 25 August through to Tuesday, 29 August 1967
30 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Geranium Pond (Evening Standard)
31 August 1967 (Thursday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 1 September through to Thursday, 7 September 1967
8 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
9 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
10 September 1967 (Sunday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary)
11 September 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage) Graham Sclater’s diary also has The Manchester Playboys on this date
12 September 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
13 September 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
14 September 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
15 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
16 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Possibly missing gig for Sunday, 17 September 1967
18 September 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
19 September 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
20 September 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
21 September 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
22 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
23 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Possibly missing gig for Sunday, 24 September 1967
25 September 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
26 September 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
27 September 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
28 September 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
29 September 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
30 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Possibly missing gig for Sunday, 1 October 1967
2 October 1967 (Monday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
3 October 1967 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
4 October 1967 (Wednesday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
5 October 1967 (Thursday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
6 October 1967 (Friday) – The Peddlers (The Stage)
Gig is missing from Saturday, 7 October and possibly Sunday, 8 October 1967
9 October 1967 (Monday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
10 October 1967 (Tuesday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
11 October 1967 (Wednesday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
12 October 1967 (Thursday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
13 October 1967 (Friday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
14 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Manchester Playboys (Graham Sclater’s diary) Graham says this needs confirmation
Gigs are missing from possibly Sunday, 15 October through to Wednesday, 1 November 1967
2 November 1967 (Thursday) – The Web (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 3 November through to Tuesday, 7 November 1967
8 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Thursday, 9 November 1967
10 November 1967 (Friday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
11 November 1967 (Saturday) – Timebox (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 12 November through to Tuesday, 14 November 1967
15 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Coopers Climax (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Thursday, 16 November 1967
17 November 1967 (Friday) – Coopers Climax (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Saturday, 18 November through to Tuesday, 21 November 1967
22 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Remo Four (Evening Standard)
23 November 1967 (Thursday) – Ebony Keyes and Chris Shakespeare Movement (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Friday, 24 November 1967
25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Ebony Keyes and Chris Shakespeare Movement (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 26 November through to Wednesday, 29 November 1967
30 November 1967 (Thursday) – New Nadir (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Friday, 1 December through to Wednesday, 6 December 1967
7 December 1967 (Thursday) – New York Public Library (Evening Standard)
8 December 1967 (Friday) – New York Public Library (Evening Standard)
9 December 1967 (Saturday) – New York Public Library (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 10 December through to Tuesday, 12 December 1967
13 December 1967 (Wednesday) – The Anglians (Evening Standard)
14 December 1967 (Thursday) – The Anglians (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Friday, 15 December 1967
16 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Anglians (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 17 December through to Tuesday, 19 December 1967
20 December 1967 (Wednesday) – Mud (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Thursday, 21 December 1967
22 December 1967 (Friday) – Mud (Evening Standard)
23 December 1967 (Saturday) – Mud (Evening Standard)
Gigs are missing from Sunday, 24 December and from Tuesday, 26 December through to Thursday, 28 December 1967
29 December 1967 (Friday) – Big Pete Lancaster and The Upsetters (Evening Standard)
Gig is missing for Saturday, 30 December 1967
31 December 1967 (Sunday) – Big Pete Lancaster and The Upsetters (Evening Standard)
1968
For the 1968 dates listed below, I have found multiple sources that have confirmed the same date for when an artist appeared. However, I have tended to list only one source, usually from the music press such as Melody Maker or NME (New Musical Express).
Jonathan Marks’ gigs have been invaluable as they are the official gigs that were advertised by the club itself. As his flyers don’t cover all of the 1968 months, I’ve only listed them where there are gaps in the music press entries. I haven’t listed them if they concur with the music press entries.
Where there are conflicting entries, I have listed the artists and the sources that list them in italics after the main entry.
12 January 1968 (Friday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)
13 January 1968 (Saturday) – The Quotations (Melody Maker) Evening Standard suggests that Ray King Soul Band, Timebox and Ferris Wheel play on this date
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 14 January 1968 missing
15 January 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks lists The Quotations on this date
16 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
18 January 1968 (Thursday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
19 January 1968 (Friday) – The Three Sounds (Melody Maker)
20 January 1968 (Saturday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 21 January 1968 missing
22 January 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
23 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
24 January 1968 (Wednesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
25 January 1968 (Thursday) – The Web (Melody Maker)
26 January 1968 (Friday) – The Three Sounds (Melody Maker)
27 January 1968 (Saturday) – The Three Sounds (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 28 January 1968 missing
29 January 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
30 January 1968 (Tuesday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
31 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
Gigs from Thursday, 1 February to Monday, 5 February 1968 missing
6 February 1968 (Tuesday) – James & Bobby Purify (Melody Maker)
Gigs from Wednesday, 7 February to Wednesday, 14 February 1968 missing
Melody Maker
15 February 1968 (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
16 February 1968 (Friday) – The Copycats (Melody Maker)
17 February 1968 (Saturday) – Pussyfoot (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 18 February 1968 missing
19 February 1968 (Monday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
20 February 1968 (Tuesday) – Jo Jo Cooke & The Racket (Melody Maker)
21 February 1968 (Wednesday) – Little John & The Shadocks (Melody Maker)
22 February 1968 (Thursday) – Timebox (Melody Maker)
23 February 1968 (Friday) – Jo Jo Cooke & The Racket (Melody Maker)
24 February 1968 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Cooke & The Racket (Melody Maker)
Possibly a gig on Sunday, 25 February 1968 missing
26 February 1968 (Monday) – The New Formula (Melody Maker)
27 February 1968 (Tuesday) – Rainy Day Women (Swedish band) (Melody Maker)
28 February 1968 (Wednesday) – Rainy Day Women (Swedish band) (Melody Maker)
29 February 1968 (Thursday) – Rainy Day Women (Swedish band) (Melody Maker)
5 June 1968 (Wednesday) – Sonny Burke’s Outfit and The Flowerpot Men (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) The Flowerpot Men were ‘Top of the Pops Party’ – Invitation only)
28 June 1968 (Friday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
29 June 1968 (Saturday) – Lemon Tree (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
30 June 1968 (Sunday) – Strawberry Jam (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Jonathan Marks’ gig cards for the club have Junior Walker & The All Stars and Patti La Belle & The Bluebells as forthcoming attractions for July.
1 July 1968 (Monday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ diary) Jonathan Marks has Indiana Magnum and Julian Kersh
2 July 1968 (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
3 July 1968 (Wednesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
4 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
5 July 1968 (Friday) – Two of Each (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
6 July 1968 (Saturday) – Two of Each (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
7 July 1968 (Sunday) – The Cedars (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
8 July 1968 (Monday) – July plus guest artists (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) Members party
9 July 1968 (Tuesday) – The Coloured Raisins (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
10 July 1968 (Wednesday) – The Coloured Raisins (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
11 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Chanters (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
12 July 1968 (Friday) – The Chain Gang (NME)
13 July 1968 (Saturday) – Gala night with Dominic Grant, Vanity Fair, The Flirtations and Strawberry Jam (NME) Jonathan Marks has Strawberry Jam on 13 July
14 July 1968 (Sunday) – Cherry Smash (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Cedars on 14 July
15 July 1968 (Monday) – Impulse (NME)
16 July 1968 (Tuesday) – The Groop (Australian band) (NME) Melody Maker has Tim Rose also playing this date with The Groop
17 July 1968 (Wednesday) – Two of Each (Melody Maker)
18 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Melody Maker)
19 July 1968 (Friday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
20 July 1968 (Saturday) – Tim Rose and Impulse (NME) Fabulous 208 also has Tim Rose
23 July 1968 (Tuesday) – Moon’s Train (Melody Maker)
24 July 1968 (Wednesday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Melody Maker)
25 July 1968 (Thursday) – The Penny Peep Show (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Penny Pieces but this is The Penny Peeps aka The Penny Peep Show with future Jethro Tull guitarist Martin Barre
26 July 1968 (Friday) – Birds and Fellas and Two of Each (NME) Jonathan Marks only lists Two of Each
27 July 1968 (Saturday) – Two of Each (NME)
28 July 1968 (Sunday) – Fourth Floor (NME) Jonathan Marks lists The Cedars on 28 July
29 July 1968 (Monday) – Strawberry Jam (NME)
30 July 1968 (Tuesday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Melody Maker)
31 July 1968 (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Melody Maker)
1 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
2 August 1968 (Friday) – The Sweet Sops (NME)
3 August 1968 (Saturday) – The Sweet Sops (NME)
4 August 1968 (Sunday) – Bruce Channel and Strawberry Jam (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks only lists Strawberry Jam on this date
5 August 1968 (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth and Bruce Channel (Melody Maker)
6 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
7 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Simon K & The Meantimers (Melody Maker)
8 August 1968 (Thursday) – Coloured Raisins (NME)
9 August 1968 (Friday) – The Jackie Edwards Show (NME)
10 August 1968 (Saturday) – Circus (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Zion de Gallier & The Unicorn on this date
11 August 1968 (Sunday) – The Flirtations (NME) Jonathan Marks has Impulse on this date
12 August 1968 (Monday) – Pepper (NME) Jonathan Marks has Julian Kersh on this date
13 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Katch 22 (NME)
14 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Katch 22 (NME)
15 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Ike & Tina Turner Show (Melody Maker) VIP members and members only
16 August 1968 (Friday) – Memphis Express (NME)
17 August 1968 (Saturday) – Memphis Express (NME)
18 August 1968 (Sunday) – The Motion (NME)
19 August 1968 (Monday) – Skip Bifferty (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks also lists special gala party night guests
20 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Sweet Sops (Melody Maker)
21 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Zion de Gallier & The Unicorns (Melody Maker)
22 August 1968 (Thursday) – Julian Kersh (Melody Maker)
23 August 1968 (Friday) – Memphis Express (NME)
24 August 1968 (Saturday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
25 August 1968 (Sunday) – Motion (NME)
26 August 1968 (Monday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
27 August 1968 (Tuesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
28 August 1968 (Wednesday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
29 August 1968 (Thursday) – The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker)
30 August 1968 (Friday) – Mud (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Mooch
31 August 1968 (Saturday) – Jasper Stubbs Gloryland Band (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Mooch
1 September 1968 (Sunday) – Cherry Smash (Melody Maker)
2 September 1968 (Monday) – Cherry Smash (Melody Maker)
3 September 1968 (Tuesday) – Soul Committee (NME)
4 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Orange Seaweed (Melody Maker)
5 September 1968 (Thursday) – Strawberry Jam and Johnny Nash (NME) Jonathan Marks has only Strawberry Jam on this date
6 September 1968 (Friday) – Wild Uncertainty (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Chants on this date who could have been backed by The Wild Uncertainty
7 September 1968 (Saturday) – Strawberry Jam (NME)
8 September 1968 (Sunday) – Pepper (Melody Maker)
9 September 1968 (Monday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Stacks on this date. The gig card also notes special guest artistes for the member party, featuring a group managed by The Move
10 September 1968 (Tuesday) – The Flirtations (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Tuesday’s Children on this date. This is confirmed by Bob Hodges’ diary
11 September 1968 (Wednesday) – The Flirtations (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Tuesday’s Children on this date. This is confirmed by Bob Hodges’ diary
12 September 1968 (Thursday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Groop on this date
13 September 1968 (Friday) – Horace Faith (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Soul Committee on this date
14 September 1968 (Saturday) – Marble Arch Movement (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Soul Committee on this date
15 September 1968 (Sunday) – Strawberry Jam (NME)
16 September 1968 (Monday) – Circus (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Zion de Gallier & The Unicorn on this date
17 September 1968 (Tuesday) – The Fantastics (with The House of Orange) (NME)
18 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Dr Marigold’s Prescription (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Stacks on this date, who are managed by The Move
19 September 1968 (Thursday) – The Groop (Australian band) (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
20 September 1968 (Friday) – Horace Faith & The Wild Uncertainty (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Groop on this date
21 September 1968 (Saturday) – Tuesday’s Children (Melody Maker and Bob Hodges’ diary)
3 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Israeli band) (Melody Maker)
4 November 1968 (Monday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker)
5 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (NME)
6 November 1968 (Wednesday) – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (NME)
Melody Maker
7 November 1968 (Thursday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
8 November 1968 (Friday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
9 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
10 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
11 November 1968 (Monday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Members party night
12 November 1968 (Tuesday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
13 November 1968 (Wednesday) – Youngblood (NME)
14 November 1968 (Thursday) – Charlie & Inez Foxx (NME)
15 November 1968 (Friday) – The Lions of Judea and Gilded Cage (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Sea on this date
16 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Lions of Judea and Gilded Cage (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Sea on this date
17 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
18 November 1968 (Monday) – The Shadrocks with Little John, Watson T Brown & The Explosives (NME)
19 November 1968 (Tuesday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Ray King Soul Band on this date
20 November 1968 (Wednesday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has The Ray King Soul Band on this date
21 November 1968 (Thursday) – Garnett Mimms (with The Village Green Band) (NME)
22 November 1968 (Friday) – Julian’s Conquests and Lions of Judea (NME) Julian’s Conquests was Junior’s Conquest (Junior Marvin’s band). Jonathan Marks has only Julian’s Conquests on this date
23 November 1968 (Saturday) – Julian’s Conquests (NME)
24 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker)
25 November 1968 (Monday) – Sonny Bushe (NME) This is Sonny Burke
26 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Sea on this date
27 November 1968 (Wednesday) – The Iveys and The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has only The Iveys on this date
28 November 1968 (Thursday) – The Mojos and The Greatest Show on Earth (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks on only The Mojos on this date
29 November 1968 (Friday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Sleepy on this date
30 November 1968 (Saturday) – The Lions of Judea (Melody Maker) Jonathan Marks has Sleepy on this date
1 December 1968 (Sunday) – Toast (Melody Maker)
2 December 1968 (Monday) – Katch 22 (NME)
3 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Katch 22 (NME)
4 December 1968 (Wednesday) – The Flirtations (Melody Maker and Fabulous 208)
5 December 1968 (Thursday) – Mint Tulip (Melody Maker)
6 December 1968 (Friday) – Moving Finger (NME)
7 December 1968 (Saturday) – Mint Tulip (NME)
8 December 1968 (Sunday) – Mint Tulip (NME)
9 December 1968 (Monday) – Moving Finger (Melody Maker)
10 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Moving Finger (Melody Maker) Says final London appearance before US tour
11 December 1968 (Wednesday) – Circus (NME and Time Out)
12 December 1968 (Thursday) – The Drifters (NME)
13 December 1968 (Friday) – The Boston Crabs (NME)
14 December 1968 (Saturday) – The Boston Crabs (NME)
15 December 1968 (Sunday) – The Boston Crabs (NME)
16 December 1968 (Monday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker) Members party night
17 December 1968 (Tuesday) – The Peddlers and Soul Package (NME)
18 December 1968 (Wednesday) – Toast and The Peddlers (Melody Maker)
19 December 1968 (Thursday) – Electric Gramophone (NME) Jonathan Marks has The Shirelles on this date
20 December 1968 (Friday) – Julian Kersh (NME) Jonathan Marks has Modes Mode on this date
21 December 1968 (Saturday) – Julian Kersh (NME) Jonathan Marks and Time Out both have Circus on this date
22 December 1968 (Sunday) – Zion de Gallier & The Unicorn (NME) Jonathan Marks and Time Out both have Circus on this date
23 December 1968 (Monday) – The Dream Police (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
24 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) Xmas party
No artists on Christmas Day
26 December 1968 (Thursday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
27 December 1968 (Friday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
28 December 1968 (Saturday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
29 December 1968 (Sunday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
30 December 1968 (Monday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
31 December 1968 (Tuesday) – Unit 4 Plus 2 plus special guests (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
26 May 1969 (Monday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) This definitely did not happen as the band had a residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas at this time
14 October 1969 (Tuesday) – March Hare (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gig for Wednesday, 15 October 1969
16 October 1969 (Thursday) – Joyce Bond Revue (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Friday, 17 October to Sunday, 19 October 1969
20 October 1969 (Monday) – Bitter Suite (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Tuesday, 21 October to Wednesday, 22 October 1969
23 October 1969 (Thursday) – Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Friday, 24 October to Sunday, 26 October 1969
27 October 1969 (Monday) – Billy J Kramer (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gigs for Tuesday, 28 October to Wednesday, 29 October 1969
30 October 1969 (Thursday) – Marv Johnson (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing)
Missing gig for Friday, 31 October 1969
Missing gigs for Saturday, 1 November to Sunday, 2 November 1969
3 November 1969 (Monday) – Dave Amboy (Jonathan Marks’ Hatchetts monthly gig listing) This is credited as Dave Amboy but most likely this is The Amboy Dukes
Missing gigs for Tuesday, 4 November to Wednesday, 5 November 1969
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
