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. This is supported by a club passport (see below), kindly provided by Harvey Jordan.
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
1966
According to the sleeve notes of RPM’s Timebox CD (and other band sources), the original Timebox, which may have been billed as Take Five at the time, landed a regular Wednesday night residency at this club when they first came to London thanks to manager Laurie Jay who worked at the George Cooper Agency. This would have been around January-March 1966.
18 January – The Key (needs source for confirmation)
17 February – Inez and Charlie Foxx with The League of Gentlemen
Melody Maker notes that Chris Lamb & The Universals play Wednesdays, which would have included 9 and 16 March
17 March – Irma Thomas (backed by The Sons of Adam)
4 April – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
7 April – Don Covay
12 April – Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages
14 April – Dee Dee Warwick
21 April – Lee Dorsey
24 April – The Blue Aces
This is Junior Kerr’s (aka Junior Marvin, future Wailers’ guitarist) band, who had played in Dakar from 4-16 April, according to Melody Maker advert
3 May – Lee Dorsey (Disc & Music Echo)
5 May – The Dixie Cups
9 May – Patti LaBelle & The Blue Bells (with Bluesology?)
12 May – Sugar Pie De Santo
17 May – Patti LaBelle & The Blue Bells (with Bluesology?)
19 May – The Original Drifters
26 May – Ben E King
9 June – Roy C
16 June – Stevie Wonder
20 June – Billy Stewart (with Bluesology?)
27 June – Irma Thomas
7 July – Noma Tanega (Disc & Music Echo has 5 July unless both days?)
14-15 July – The Orlons
18 July – Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry
22 July – Rufus Thomas
25 July – Solomon Burke
3 August – Solomon Burke
9 August – Jimmy Cliff (not sure who is the backing band as singer split with The New Generation, who went on to link up with Gary Hamilton as Hamilton Movement, the previous month)
16 August – Jimmy Cliff
23 August – Jimmy Cliff
25 August – The Ikettes (with PP Arnold?)
28 August – The Soul Set (says they play every Sunday)
4 September – The Soul Set
6 September – The Peeps
8 September – The Carnaby
11 September – The Soul Set
15 September – The Vibrations
18 September – The Soul Set (needs confirmation)
22 September – The Bunch
27 September – The Majority
29 September – The Gas Company
4 October – The Mad Lads
6 October – The Five Chants
10 October – The Mad Lads (Disc & Music Echo)
11 October – The Washington DCs
13 October – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
18 October – Alvin Cash & The Crawlers
20 October – The Spellbinders
24 October – Alvin Robinson
25 October – The Bunch
31 October – Alvin Robinson
1 November – The Bunch
3 November – Lee Dorsey
8 November – The Dixie Cups
10 November – The Dave Davani Four
11 November – The Subterraneans with Nepenthe (Disc & Music Echo has 14 November)
15 November – The Original Coasters
17 November – Joe E Young & The Tonicks
20 November – The Boardwalkers (became Warren Davis Monday Band shortly afterwards)
21 November – The Washington DCs
22 November – The Peeps
24 November – The Original Coasters
28 November – The Subterraneans with Nepenthe
29 November – Malcolm Magaron & The Bluehealers
1 December – The Subterraneans with Nepenthe
5 December – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound
6 December – The Mike Cotton Sound
13 December – The Bunch
15 December – The Orlons
20 December – The Iveys
22 December – The Bunch
24 December – The Sovereigns
25 December – The Flashbakks
26 December – Little People
27 December – The Images
31 December – The Sovereigns
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.
My group, ‘The Soniks’ had a regular monthly gig there in 1966
I saw Lee Dorsey, Patti la Belle, and Sugar pie De santo ..1966 good times.
The Avalons played there a few times as well as the flamingo which I think was in the same building
The WAGG opened in London in 1959 Nick.
I owned the Whisky from about 1969 till 1971
Thanks Fred for getting in touch. I don’t suppose you have any photos of the interior?
Hi did you know my dad Leslie Bussey as he owned it too along with Billy & Roger i believe?
I saw Bo Diddley and the Duchess sometime in the mid sixties when I was at college
I have an Original “Kingdom of Whisky A GoGo” Passport dated Jan 1965. Planning to sell it on ebay. Please let me know of any interest.
The Dynamic Apollos, an American R&B band, landed in London
in July 1965, and played The Whisky A Go Go.
It maybe mentioned here but I haven’t noticed i frequented the Whisky in the early 60’s when if memory serves me right it was mainly a disco venue with a DJ playing a varied array of music.
Late night cabaret was normally filled by Ray Martine and I also remember Frankie Vaughn showing up to promote his latest rendering. I also have recollections of gambling tables of soughts but could be wrong and that the owners then were Iranian brothers. It was always a truly great evening and of course an early experience of meeting the opposite sex.
I was most surprised to read of Stevie Wonder’s appearance and others as I left London in the late ‘60’s. Of course Georgie Fame who thanks is still around was a major draw at the Flamingo downstairs. As probably known by many there were numerous clubs but not as famous as the Whisky dotted about Soho at the time. Not to forget in the 50’s The 2 I’s coffee bar where the likes of Cliff etc frequented.
Hi be so interested to hear any stories of the whisky as my dad the owner passes away when i was quite young so don’t know much , thanks in advance
I used to play there on Sunday nights early 60s with my band The 27th. Freddie Mack would frequently drop by and wanted us to tour with his show. Money was peanuts so we didn’t take him up on the offer.
I went to the Whisky from 1970 to 1972/3
Loved it there. Great music and stayed open till about 3/4 am so not long
to wait for my first train home
I was the singer in The Pad, a five piece band from lewisham and we played at the club in the late 60’s. Great crowd great night. We also supported Freddie Mac that night.
So grateful for news and shared memories