Welcome to another posting of a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on. I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.
I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com
Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.
THE FETISH CROWD:
Ian Le Geyt – lead guitar/vocals
John Hughes – rhythm guitar/vocals
Colin Letchford – bass/vocals
Tony Richard – drums/vocals
Thanks to Tony Richard, I have the following information about the band but would welcome further insights.
The Fetish Crowd were formed in St Helier, Jersey and were resident band at the Springfield Ballroom. During the summer of 1964, the musicians supported The Rolling Stones, Billy J Kramer and The Dakotas, The Merseybeats, The Swinging Blue Jeans, Gerry & The Pacemakers and The Hollies at the venue.
They soon headed for London and worked at the Crawdaddy in Richmond, the Ricky Tick and the Ad Lib Club in Leicester Square. Richard says that The Beatles and The Rolling Stones were in the audience but did not say which venue(s).
The quartet did some recordings at Abbey Road and then opened for The Nashville Teens and The Small Faces on a showcase gig (possibly in Bournemouth, Dorset), which was promoted by Don Arden. Richard says that Arden signed both The Fetish Crowd and The Small Faces but soon forgot about his group.
Richard also remembers the band played at the Ram Jam in Brixton and the Scots of St James in Mayfair. One notable gig was opening for The Graham Bond Organisation at the Fishmongers Arms on Turnpike Lane in North London. He also says that the band shared a double bill with The Who at the Ealing Club on 26 April but didn’t specify which year.
Richard later formed a band called The Diversions, which later recorded “Fatty Boom Boom” after being introduced to the song by Pete Townsend following a trip to Jamaica. Richard subsequently went into record producing.
1965
14 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
26 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex with The Who (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
14 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
21 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
28 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
5 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
7 May 1965 – Staines Town Hall, Staines, Middlesex (Staines and Egham News)
12 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
20 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
22 May 1965 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester with The Brian Auger Trinity (Manchester Evening News)
27 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
1 June 1965 – Elms Club, South Harrow, northwest London with CC Riders (Harrow Observer & Gazette)
3 June 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
10 June 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
17 June 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette)
25 June 1965 – 32 Club, Harlesden, northwest London with Tom Jones & The Squires and The Stratones (NME)
11 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with The Boston Dexters (NME/Melody Maker)
6 August 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London with Tony Knight’s Chessmen (NME)
6 November 1965 – Orchid Room, Oxford, Oxfordshire with The Tonebeats (Oxford Mail) Says Decca Artist and from Channel Islands
17 November 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with The Links and Duke Lee (Melody Maker)
Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any from or by any means, without prior permission from the author.
Found an old email from Tony Richard. The group played at the Cromwellian, Blaises, Bag O’Nails and Scotch of St James.
Richard found a ’45 acetate which includes four original tracks recorded at IBC Studios in Portland Place.
Tracks: ‘I’m Leaving and You Can’t Stop Me’, ‘Talking Big Crime Blues’, ‘Why’ and ‘Lies’.
I saw them at Staines Town Hall in 1965. At the same venue we saw the Yardbirds (with Beck) the Who, John Mayall (twice), the Downliners Sect and others!
Could it be possible The Fetish Crowd also did ‘warm-up’ gigs at smaller venues, I seem to recall probably the same year them doing a gig at a small possibly village hall type venue in Stanwell (near to Staines).
I remember talking to pone member about their set in the toilets during the break. I’ve usually got a really good memory, but could this be true?
Sadly on the death of Charles Watts today, the Kremlins band supported the Rolling Stones over three concerts in Springfield Hall, Jersey and three gigs in Guernsey Island. I just found your website today and I was surprised. The Fetish Crowd was named Nikki Red and the Kremlins and wore red costumes, the name changed when the band went to the UK. I lost touch when I left the music scene. If any of the members are alive, I would love to contact them.
Best regards
Colin’s surname was Letchford. I was the road manager for the group. I don’t think the Fishmongers Arms was on Turnpike Lane, this was where our flat was.
Hi Paul
I was very surprised to find this website, after 50-years.
I hope you are well and enjoying life.
I lost contact with all of the team and life moved on!
If you have any contacts with the fetish, let me know.
Best regards
John Hughes
Hi John, sorry I don’t have any pics or anything like that except for one of our original posters.
Great time though eh?
The Fishmonger’s Arms was located in Green Lanes, Wood Green. I will never forget that gig, we shared a very small stage with Cream and Ginger Baker was not too happy about Tony playing with Ginger’s drums. But with a few beers and the assurance that Tony was too small to play Ginger’s two drumkits setup. Tony played like a star, Ginger was friendly and everyone had a great show. That was in 1964, I think! 59 years ago.
Hi John
It is Nick who did the entry. Did you ever make contact with any of the other members? I did have an email for Tony but he never responded and used to. Think the date above was 66 as Cream was formed that summer.
Thanks Nick,
I guess the old memory is full of holes and wind. Thanks for all your efforts. I did not leave the Fetish Crowd, they kicked me out after we had won an audition to play in Germany, for 6-months, with real wages guaranteed.
John Hughes 20.7.2023
Hi there
These four tracks are on Spotify and you can listen to them:
https://www.marmosetmusic.com/artists/the-fetish-crowd
Nick
Hi can anyone help me get in contact with any members of the band or any crew. My grandad was Ian sadly he passed away a while ago but I’m trying to get any photos bits like that, any help would be great x
Hi Sarah
Sorry for the late response. It sounds like Tony Richard may have had some items but I suspect he’s no longer alive. I did have an email but he hasn’t responded in years. He was living in the US and you can hear some songs by the Fetish Crowd on Spotify. Have you thought about trying to access Jersey newspapers and any coverage of the band
Hi can anyone help me get in contact with any members of the band or any crew. My grandad was Ian sadly he passed away a while ago but I’m trying to get any photos bits like that, any help would be great x