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, parts of 1969 and also 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

1969

2 January – The Explosive Watson T Browne

4 January – Spirit of John Morgan

5 January – Rick ‘N’ Beckers

7 January – Jo Jo Gunne

No listing in Melody Maker for several weeks

23 January – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound (Melody Maker also has The Skatalites)

25 January – Arcadium

26 January – Jason Crest

28 January – Toast

30 January – Explosive Watson T Browne

1 February – Bunkers Brain

2 February – Trifle

4 February – Love and Poetry

6 February – The Skatalites

8 February – Rainbow Ffolly

9 February – Bunkers Brain

11 February – My Dear Watson

13 February – The Flames

15 February – Giant

16 February – Rainbow Ffolly

18 February – Toast

20 February – Red Beans and Rice

22 February – Jason Cord (Bob Hodges’ diary has Tuesday’s Children playing on this date)

23 February – Bunkers Brain

25 February – Rainbow Ffolly

27 February – Mouse and Cat Symphony

1 March – Cross Cut and Saw

2 March – Man

4 March – Bunkers Brain

6 March – Mouse & Cat Symphony

8 March – Fortes Mentum

9 March – Jason Cord

11 March – East of Eden

13 March – Red Beans and Rice

15 March – Smokey Blues

16 March – Bunkers Brain

18 March – Man

20 March – Mint Tulip

22 March – Bunkers Brain

23 March – Selofane

25 March – Mr Mo’s Messengers

27 March – Eire Apparent

29 March – Bunkers Brain

30 March – East of Eden

1 April – Joynt

3 April – The Explosive Watson T Browne

5 April – Mr Mo’s Messengers

6 April – Black Velvet

8 April – Bunkers Brain

10 April – Cool Combination

12 April – Smokey Blues

13 April – Jerome Arnold Band

15 April – Paradox

17 April – Cool Combination

19 April – Gingerman

20 April – Bunkers Brain

22 April – Silence

24 April – Cool Combination

26 April – Exception

27 April – Jerome Arnold Band

29 April – Exception

1 May – Explosive Watson T Browne

3 May – Joint

4 May – Bunkers Brain

6 May – Apple

8 May – Mouse and Cat Symphony

10 May – Gingerman

11 May – Spirit of John Morgan

13 May – Jerome Arnold Band

15 May – Milwaukee Coasters

17 May – Gracious

18 May – Bunkers Brain

20 May – East of Eden

22 May – Jerome Arnold Band

24 May – Pegasus

25 May – Trapeze

27 May – Gingerman

29 May – Bunkers Brain

31 May – Smile (Brian May’s pre-Queen band)

1 June – The Frontline Band

3 June – The Playground

5 June – The Shades

7 June – Sugar

8 June – Ambrose Slade

10 June – My Dear Watson

12 June – Mouse and Cat Symphony

14 June – Bunkers Brain

15 June – East of Eden

17 June – Ambrose Slade

19 June – Joint

21 June – Shades

22 June – East of Eden (this gig is missing from this list: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html)

23 June – Freddie Mac Extravaganza (direct from Germany)

24 June – Sugar

26 June – Robbie Ray

28 June – Joint

29 June – East of Eden

1 July – Black Velvet

3 July – Portrait

According to this website, East of Eden played on 3 July: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html

5 July – Milton’s Fingers

6 July – The Frontline Band

8 July – Procession

10 July – Surprise

12 July – Black Velvet

13 July – Spirit of John Morgan

15 July – Imagination

17 July – Demon Fuzz

19 July – Audience

20 July – Almanac

22 July – Milton’s Fingers

24 July – Demon Fuzz

26 July – Almanac

27 July – Circus

28 July – Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound

29 July – Explosives (Watson T Browne’s band?)

31 July – Demon Fuzz

2 August – Imagination

3 August – East of Eden

5 August – Milton’s Fingers

7 August – Black Velvet

9 August – Fire

10 August – Procession (Unlikely they played this)

12 August – Curiosity

14 August – Black Velvet

16 August – Stray

17 August – East of Eden

19 August – Grail

21 August – Sweet Blindness

23 August – Surprise

24 August – Procession (Unlikely they played this)

25 August – Freddie Mac Extravaganza

26 August – Milton’s Fingers

28 August – Sweet Blindness

30 August – The Frontline Band

31 August – East of Eden

1 September – Surprise

Missing entries

11 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers

13 September – Milton’s Fingers

14 September – New Look Soul Band

16 September – Heaven

18 September – Group 1850

20 September – Surprise

21 September – Almanac

23 September – The Frontline Band

25 September – Ruby James & The Sound Trekkers

27 September – Surprise

28 September – Glass Menagerie

29 September – Coloured Raisins

30 September – Splinter

2 October – Demon Fuzz

4 October – The Majority

5 October – Merlin Q

7 October – The Playground

9 October – Infinity

11 October – Ravingreen

12 October – Raw Material

14 October – The Majority

16 October – Heaven

18 October – Merlin Q

19 October – The Frontline Band

20 October – The Interstate Road Show

21 October – Almanac

23 October – Balloons

25 October – Infinity

26 October – Pink Checks

28 October – Ray King Soul Band

Missing entries for several weeks

27 November – The Interstate Road Show

29 November – Mouse & The Traps (US group)

30 November – Black Velvet

1 December – The Pioneers

Missing entries for a few weeks

17 December – The Upsetters

18 December – Ray King Soul Band

20 December – The Mickey Finn

24 December – Opal Butterfly

25 December – Mouse and The Traps

26 December – Cardboard Orchestra

27 December – Gaslight

28 December – Mouse and The Traps

31 December – Black Velvet

1970

Missing a large part of the year. These are the only listings I have

11 January – The Committee

17 January – Pity

18 January – Ray King Soul Band

19 January – The Committee

25 January – Lucas & The Soul Sounds

11 February – Tony Morgan & The Sensations

12 February – Cardboard Orchestra (every Thursday but not sure for how long)

19 February – Cardboard Orchestra

29 July – Tony Morgan (direct from German tour)

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