The Witch Doctor in Catford was a notable rock venue in southeast London and was located above the Savoy Rooms. It opened in October 1965 and mainly hosted bands on Saturday nights (the other nights of the week are noted).
I’ve started a list of artists that were advertised to play at the venue. I would welcome any additions and any memories from anyone that attended the club. All of the entries are from the South East London Mercury unless otherwise noted.
The gigs listed below from early August to mid-October were held at the Savoy Rooms before the Witch Doctor opened at the end of October 1965:
7 August 1965 – Johnny Cannon & The Shades with The Lonely Ones
14 August 1965 – The Gobbledegooks with Dave & The Strollers
21 August 1965 – The Trendsetters Ltd with Wainwright’s Gentlemen
28 August 1965 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich with The Equals
4 September 1965 – The Bo Street Runners
11 September 1965 – The Bretheren
18 September 1965 – Bubbles & Company
25 September 1965 – The Mark Four
2 October 1965 – The Crowd with The Epics
9 October 1965 – Just Four Men
16 October 1965 – The Symbols
23 October 1965 – missing entry
The following gigs were held at the Witch Doctor, above the Savoy Rooms:
31 October 1965 – The Mighty Avengers
6 November 1965 – The Herd
13 November 1965 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
14 November 1965 – The Lonely Ones (says every Sunday night)
20 November 1965 – The Fenmen
21 November 1965 – The Lonely Ones (Sunday night)
27 November 1965 – The Objects
28 November 1965 – Alan Haren with Tony Crombie and The Lonely Ones (Sunday night)
4 December 1965 – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men
5 December 1965 – The Lonely Ones (Sunday night)
11 December 1965 – The Herd
12 December 1965 – The Washington DCs (Sunday night)
19 December 1965 – The Washington DCs (Sunday night)
24 December 1965 – The Lonely Ones, Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men and The Confederates (Friday night)
31 December 1965 – The Majority, The Beat Syndicate and The High Jackers (Friday night)
8 January 1966 – The Mark Four
15 January 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex
22 January 1966 – The Carnaby
29 January 1966 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
5 February 1966 – The Washington DCs
12 February 1966 – The Mark Four (advert says Mark VI’s)
19 February 1966 – The Loose Ends
26 February 1966 – Peter B’s Looners
In March gigs were advertised for Friday. Not sure if that means gigs also happened on Saturdays and they are missing
4 March 1966 – Big beat group (Friday night)
11 March 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex (Friday night)
18 March 1966 – The Carnaby (Friday night)
25 March 1966 – The Mark Four (Friday night)
1 April 1966 – The Loose Ends and The Lonely Ones (Friday night)
8 April 1966 – missing entry (if band due to play on Friday night)
9 April 1966 – missing entry (if band due to play on Saturday night)
10 April 1966 – The Loose Ends and The Lonely Ones (Sunday night)
15 April 1966 – The Majority (Friday night)
16 April 1966 – missing entry (if band due to play Saturday night)
23 April 1966 – The Washington DCs
28 April 1966 – The Who (Thursday night)
30 April 1966 – The Mark Four
7 May 1966 – Johnny B Great & The Quotations
14 May 1966 – The Loose Ends
21 May 1966 – The Plus Four
28 May 1966 – The Fenmen
4 June 1966 – The Gaylords
11 June 1966 – Washington DCs
18 June 1966 – The Majority
25 June 1966 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
2 July 1966 – The Riot Squad
7 July 1966 – Guy Darrell (Thursday night)
9 July 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex
16 July 1966 – missing entry
23 July 1966 – missing entry
30 July 1966 – missing entry
6 August 1966 – Tony Knight’s Chessmen (Sunday night) (Fabulous 208)
13 August 1966 – missing entry
20 August 1966 – Dave Anthony’s Moods
27 August 1966 – The Herd
3 September 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex
10 September 1966 – missing entry
17 September 1966 – The Loose Ends
24 September 1966 – The Gaylords (changed name to Marmalade soon after)
1 October 1966 – The Herd
7 October 1966 – The Tea-Set (Friday night)
8 October 1966 – David Bowie
12 October 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex (Wednesday night)
14 October 1966 – Kenny Everett (Friday night)
15 October 1966 – The Creation
22 October 1966 – The Quiet Five
28 October 1966 – Episode Six (Radio London night) (Brian Long’s research)
29 October 1966 – The Gaylords (aka Marmalade)
4 November 1966 – Pop group (Friday night)
5 November 1966 – Tony Jackson & The Vibrations
9 November 1966 – The Clockwork Oranges (Wednesday night)
10 November 1966 – Steve Darbyshire & The Yum Yum Band (Thursday night)
11 November 1966 – Episode Six (Radio London night) (Brian Long’s research)
12 November 1966 – The Epics
19 November 1966 – The Fleur De Lyes with The Clockwork Oranges (Keith Guster’s diary)
23 November 1966 – The Clockwork Oranges (Wednesday night)
26 November 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex
Clive Chase who played bass with Bobby King & The Sabres says that his group played on 26 November 1966 with Marmalade (see comments section below where he also lists Bobby King & The Sabres’ gigs at the Savoy Rooms for the years 1963-1965).
30 November 1966 – The Clockwork Oranges (Wednesday night)
2 December 1966 – Radio London night
3 December 1966 – The Gaylords (aka Marmalade)
10 December 1966 – missing entry
16 December 1966 – Radio London night
17 December 1966 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s diary –see comments section below)
23 December 1966 – Radio London night
24 December 1966 – The Mark Barry Groove and The Clockwork Oranges
30 December 1966 – Radio London night
31 December 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex
The following are all Saturdays, unless otherwise noted. Most of the gigs had support but I did not list who they were.
7 January 1967 – missing entry
14 January 1967 – missing entry
21 January 1967 – The Lonely Ones
28 January 1967 – missing entry
4 February 1967 – The Stormsville Shakers
11 February 1967 – The Stormsville Shakers, The Coloured Raisins and The Heads
18 February 1967 – Guy Darrell and The Gnomes of Zurich
25 February 1967 – Dianne Ferris (aka Ferraz) and Nicky Scott & The New Images
4 March 1967 – Davey Sands & The Essex with supporting band
11 March 1967 – Davey Sands & The Essex
18 March 1967 – missing entry
25 March 1967 – missing entry
31 March 1967 – Davey Sands & The Essex (Friday night)
1 April 1967 – The Stormsville Shakers
7 April 1967 – The Washington DCs with supporting band (Friday night)
8 April 1967 – The Herd and Bobby King & The Sabres
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, confirms this gig from his diary – see comments section below.
14 April 1967 – The Symbols and The New Breed (Friday night)
15 April 1967 – The Lonely Ones with supporting band
21 April 1967 – The Creation with supporting band (Friday night)
22 April 1967 – The Flies with supporting band
28 April 1967 – (Simon K &) The Meantimers and The Groove (Friday night)
29 April 1967 – The Smoke with supporting band
5 May 1967 – The Coloured Raisins with King Ossie with supporting band (Friday night)
6 May 1967 – Episode Six with supporting band
12 May 1967 – The Next Issue and The Original Dyaks (Friday night)
13 May 1967 – The Fleur De Lyes with supporting band (Keith Guster’s diary)
19 May 1967 – The Human Instinct and The Jet Set (Friday night)
20 May 1967 – King Ossie and The Coloured Raisins with supporting band
26 May 1967 – John Watson & The Web and The Decision (recently The Showtimers but changed name) (Friday night)
27 May 1967 – The Fancy Bred
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 27 May – see comments section below.
2 June 1967 – The Attack with supporting band (Friday night)
3 June 1967 – Just Too Much (ex-members of Davey Sands & The Essex) with supporting band
9 June 1967 – The Knack (Friday night)
10 June 1967 – The H T
16 June 1967 – The Decision (formerly The Showtimers) and The Candy Choir (Friday night)
17 June 1967 – The Original Dyaks with supporting band
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 17 June – see comments section below.
23 June 1967 – The Fireballs and Jon (Friday night)
24 June 1967 – (Simon K &) The Meantimers with supporting band
30 June 1967 – The Power and The Original Dyaks (Friday night)
1 July 1967 – Episode Six with supporting band
7 July 1967 – The Skatellites and The Guns of Navarone (Friday night)
8 July 1967 – Washington DCs with supporting band
14 July 1967 – Coloured Raisins and King Ossie (Friday night)
15 July 1967 – The Creation and The Poor Boys
21 July 1967 – The Original Dyaks (Friday night)
22 July 1967 – Tony Jackson & The Garden (the ex-Searcher?)
28 July 1967 – The Stax (formerly The Heads) and Ruby James (Friday night)
29 July 1967 – The Robb Storme Group and The Amboy Dukes
4 August 1967 – The Iveys (Friday night)
5 August 1967 – Heinz & The Wild Boys
11 August 1967 – Washington DCs with supporting band (Friday night)
12 August 1967 – Episode Six with supporting band
18 August 1967 – The Original Dyaks with supporting band (Friday night)
19 August 1967 – The Marmalade with supporting band
25 August 1967 – (Simon K &) The Meantimers (Friday night)
26 August 1967 – Skip Bisserty (Skip Bifferty?)
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 26 August – see comments section below.
1 September 1967 – The Ebony Keys with supporting band (Friday night)
2 September 1967 – The Amboy Dukes with supporting band
8 September 1967 – The Fingers and Bobby King & The Sabres (Friday night)
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 8 September – see comments section below.
9 September 1967 – Robb Storme Group and The Fireballs
15 September 1967 – The Original Dyaks (Friday night)
16 September 1967 – The Skatallites
22 September 1967 – The Riot Squad and The New Breed (Friday night)
23 September 1967 – The Coloured Raisins
29 September 1967 – Robb Storme Group and Outrage (Friday night)
30 September 1967 – The Stormsville Shakers and The Soul Kings
6 October 1967 – The Love Affair with supporting band(Friday night)
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 6 October – see comments section below.
7 October 1967 – The Original Dyaks with supporting band
13 October 1967 – missing entry
14 October 1967 – missing entry
20 October 1967 – The Amboy Dukes with supporting band (Friday night)
21 October 1967 – Junior Smith
27 October 1967 – missing entry
28 October 1967 – Episode Six with Bobby King & The Sabres
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 28 October – see comments section below.
4 November 1967 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways
11 November 1967 – The Gaff and The All Coloured Soul Sensation
18 November 1967 – The Love Affair
25 November 1967 – The Skatallites
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 25 November – see comments section below.
2 December 1967 – Marmalade
9 December 1967 – missing entry
16 December 1967 – missing entry
23 December 1967 – missing entry
30 December 1967 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s diary)
I am missing most of 1968’s entries so would welcome any additions/corrections
17 February 1968 – Marmalade
24 February 1968 – The Amboy Dukes
1 March 1968 – Coloured Raisins
2 March 1968 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s diary)
16 March 1968 – The Gass
20 April 1968 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s diary)
1 June 1968 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s diary)
29 June 1968 – Sweet Rain
Clive Chase, the bass player with Bobby King & The Sabres, says that his group also played on 29 June – see comments section below. It is the debut gig for the band’s new drummer Geoff Britton who will later go on to join Wings.
6 July 1968 – The Coloured Raisins
17 August 1968 – Funky Fever
14 September 1968 – The Amboy Dukes (Savoy, Catford)
9 November 1968 – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s diary)
7 December 1968 – The Amboy Dukes (Savoy, Catford)
1969
11 January 1969 – The Dream Police (Savoy, Catford) Melody Maker entry says this was formerly the Witch Doctor
25 January 1969 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Justin Tyme
1 February 1969 – Amboy Dukes
8 February 1969 – The Skatelites
15 February 1969 – The Coloured Raisins and The Electric Sun
22 February 1969 – Justin Tyme
1 March 1969 – US Flattop with The Cat Road Show (Savoy, Catford) (Melody Maker)
8 March 1969 – The Skatelites
22 March 1969 – Desmond Dekker & The Aces
4 April 1969 – Bandwagon
5 April 1969 –Billie Davis (Savoy, Catford) (Melody Maker)
12 April 1969 – The Carnival
19 April 1969 – The Globe Show
26 April 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers and Lee Hawkins (Savoy, Catford)
3 May 1969 – Johnny James & The Swamp and Archimede’s Principle (Savoy, Catford) (Melody Maker)
10 May 1969 – The Greatest Show on Earth
17 May 1969 – The Pyramids and The Soft Sensation
31 May 1969 – Prince Buster
7 June 1969 – The Globe Show
14 June 1969 – The Cats
28 June 1969 – Purple Globe and The Skatelites
2 August 1969 – The Pyramids (Savoy, Catford) (Melody Maker)
9 August 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers (Savoy, Catford)
23 August 1969 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s diary)
30 August 1969 – Purple Globe
6 September 1969 – Dave Amboy Big Band (Amboy Dukes) (Savoy, Catford)
13 September 1969 – The Amboy Dukes (Savoy, Catford)
20 September 1969 – Bobby King & The Sabres (Clive Chase’s diary)
4 October 1969 – Simon K & The Meantimers (Savoy, Catford)
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.
I was in “Just four”. Vaguely remember the Club. Can’t remember the booking. No alzheimers, just sixties “stimulant’s of the day. LoLoLoLoL. I was going to say “Happy memories” but Hey. !!
I was the drummer of a support band called Orange Room and played the Witch Doctor one Sat. night in 1966/7. I seem to recall we supported The Gaylords who I believe became Marmalade. (But not certain).
That is true The Gaylords did become Marmalade in 67 I believe
I was the drummer in a band called OUTRAGE and we definitely supported bands Marmalade, Herd and the fleur de lyes. Great days -Stevie Maxted the dj was superb and the accoustics of the venue made all of the tamla records sound even better especially groups like the Supremes
Thanks to all of the kids who came and made it a memorable place to be.
hi Les, thanks for the kind remarks. Loved the club and you all too. Steve Maxted
I remember you Steve and you were the best. I also remember the nights you used to pierce your cheeks and other bits of body with meat skewers. The last time I saw you do that my girlfriend fainted and I had to lift her over everybody’s heads and get her home.
Hi John, sorry I caused your girlfriend to faint, didn’t feel so good myself lol. Glad you remember the shows. I cherish all the memories of those nights at Catford. I had the privilege of being able to play all the great music of the era, and to the best ever crowds
Where are you now? in The states> Tony
Hi my names malcolm i had great nights in the savoy in 1968 thank you hope your well
I lived off Brownhill Rd and loved seeing you do the amazing pins stunt – I didn’t faint but girls usually did! I used to go to Witch doctor dressed up to the 9s as a young teenage follower of fashion. Those were the days……. There should be a a reunion…
I’m still very much into music from this era today and grateful to have been growing up and absorbing all of the sounds around at that amazing time.
Hi Steve
Me and my friend went to witch doctor catford
We loved your shows and supported groups
Remember Desmond decker turning up at one event we loved the music ska was big then and reggae
Wish u could turn back time at 65 I’m reminiscing
My old haunts ha ha
Those were the days mate
Anitalouisa
Loved the witch doctor. Steve matted sticking pins through his skin. And the gorgeous Jan rodmell. My first love.
hi Kev, loved dj’ing there, you were all great. The hat pins certainly seems to be remembered well. Steve Maxted
Hi Steve
Do you remember my brother Kaz who worked with you as a DJ under the name Alan Reed?
Was The Witchdoctor at Catford the old Savoy Ballroom.My name is Ray Brown and I was the DJ at the Twist Club the Greenwich Town Hall,I was also the agent for The Coloured Raisins at South Eastern Entertainment Lewisham plus The Herd,Tony Simon’s the DJ who finished up on Radio Caroline.I am now living in Australia,Sydney.Great memories.
I remember you Ray, and I remember seeing “The Herd” at the Witchdoctor, which was above the Savoy as I recall. I’m now living in Melbourne by the way.
I hired the Coloured Raisins from you for a gig at my School, Bonus Pastor in Bromley road. I thought I hired about six in the band but about twenty turned up! They had just charted, the word got round and the school had get the police as so many turned up without tickets.
The band were amazing! I was a hero for having the insight to book them!
I think I paid £ 60.00. Great days.
I remember the days (mid to late 60’s) when I used to hang out at SE Entertainments and pester you till you occasionally gave me a booking for my band, The Setback, later known as Electric Sun and finally as Carnival. You put us in at The Witchdoctor/Savoy Rooms and many other venues. Great days and I’ve been playing in bands ever since.
Drew Spikes
I with alot of friends always went to the Savoy on Sunday nights, we were all about 15 & loved it – Steve Maxted was the resident dj & he was also a stunt man doing crazy things, one people sticking pins in his face. All fantastic memories!
hi Jill, glad you have great memories of the Savoy and my shows. I have fond memories of you all. Steve Maxted x
Where are you?
I remember this club it was fantastic
Me and my friend Grace went to the witchdoctor every Sunday night they were great times I remember Steve Maxted sticking pins in his face and horror pictures projected on the walls we were about 15 happy times.
i remenber stevw maxted well
Hi Jill yes I remember Steve Maxted and all the girls fainting when he stuck the needles in his face.
hi Raymond, nice to know you remember me so well. Great crowd and great days. Steve Maxted
I loved working with all those great artists and bands. Even more I loved all the crowd who used to support my d.j. stuntman shows every Sunday.
Thanks for all those kind remarks.
Steve Maxted d.j.
I was in the Clockwork Oranges played there many times, saw Steve Maxted with his pins trick, happy memories.
hi Robert, I remember your group well. we certainly had great times playing there. Steve Maxted
Hi Steve hope your keeping well are you still doing your DJ gigs? I am still playing and still enjoying the music it’s a shame that lots of venues like the Savoy are all closing down or gone.
All the best Robert.
Hi Robert, no more djing for me but still, like yo, love the music, cheers
Who were the other members of the Clockwork Oranges?
Hi Nick,
The other members were Roger Cotton lead guitar and keyboards vocals, Ricky Blakley bass guitar vocals, and John Parrish drums. Hope the information is what you wanted.
.
Hi there
Who else was in the band and did you do any recordings?
Hi Steve, remember me I was the guy who took over from DJ Len at the Mr Smiths Club, we used the Indian restaurant opposite the Witchdoctor a group of us from Blackheath , my stage name was Alan Reed, (Kasz) great days Steve, do you remember the Planet 6 played on a Saturday night a couple of times. Good luck Steve thanks for good times , Alan.
Hi Alan, yes I do remember you and the great times we all had at the club.
That band rings a bell but I can’t picture them as I worked with so many in those days. All the best to you,
Steve
Part of my youth, still brings back great memories of my mid-to-late teens.
Hi Steve
I am sorry to tell you that your old mate and fellow DJ, Kas (Alan Reed)
passed away on Tuesday 18th July
Ray (His brother)
hi Ray, very sorry to hear about your brother. We certainly had some good times, I remember him well. All the best, Steve
Bless you mate
Ray
If memory serves me correctly, Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band were a regular support act. Are the Wahington DCs the same band?
My abiding memory of the club was the lead singer of the Gaylords (Dean Ford?) lining up the Groupies by the side of the stage.
I’m pretty sure I saw The Who there more than once.
I used to go to the Witchdoctor all the time, remember the ultra violet lights made everything white that you were wearing GLOW, I’m sure I saw Desmond Dekker there ? Steve Maxted`s theme tune was Rough Rider by the Four Gees ?
Hi Dave, love Rough Rider, it is on my jukebox, but my theme song was ‘I Can’t Explain’ by The Who, cheers
Hi. Steve hope you’re well.. I recall all those crazy things you did on stage I.e. balancing swords and chairs on your chin and those games you played with the audience like eating 5 cream crackers in a minute and girls feeding boys with those baby bottles.. absolutely memorable days along with the music.. priceless.. thanks again for those memories.. Pete.
First time I tried to go to this venue was when it was Mr Smiths. They wouldn’t let me in to see the Rolling Stones because I wasn’t wearing a tie !Later I played the venue four times between 1967 and 1969 as part of the support band. I used to hang around the nearby South Eastern Entertainments and badger Ray Brown into giving us gigs. First time was when it was The Witchdoctor, on 09/06/67, when we were called The Setback. We also played the Witchdoctor – Hastings several times in 1967. We’d changed our name to Electric Sun by the time we returned on 15/02/69, and the venue was called Savoy Rooms. Was back twice more in 1969 (15/03/69 & 12/04/69), having changed our band name to Carnival. But, being local, I also used to go quite often as a punter to see local heroes such as The Coloured Raisins and, of course, the amazing Steve Maxted. I still live just up the road and I still play regularly in my band.
Hi Drew, glad to hear you had good times with your band at the Witchdoctor etc. Thanks for the kind mention of my shows, I too really enjoyed local bands and the Coloured Raisins were very good. Remember those days with affection
excellent, I remember working there with many great bands
Steve
I was one of the many modes who attended the Witchdoctor and saw your shows. Loved the music and the stunts , also the regular trips across the road to the Rising Sun..
One girl I looked after when she nearly fainted became a girlfriend and we went out together for a year or so – thanks.
Why don’t you start a website of your memories and gigs.
Also do you remember Wolff Hardee – aka Malcolm Hardee, the comedy presenter. He ran the Comedy Theatre in Greenwich. I went to school with him and he got me into more trouble than I care to remember.
Great Times. Thanks again
Hi Mike, thanks for the kind words. You were all such a great crowd and the music brought us all together. Strangely enough, one of my sons told me that I am mentioned in Malcolm Hardee’s book (autobiography?) he said I was an inspiration to him.
Yes, a lot of people have suggested I start a web site so people and myself can share memories. I will try & sort that out
many thanks,
Steve
Now having retired I was remembering about my days when I learnt to dance and started my love of reggae, ska etc. I never went to live band gigs at the Savoy Rooms which were downstairs. Ultra violet lights lambs wool jumpers where you learnt not to wear a white vest under it as you then looked like you had chronic dandruff. Downstairs was just disco on Friday night if I remember correctly no licence and we were all underage and the strongest you could get was a coke. Could remember your name Steve but from the description you must have been the dj there. The fire eating is what I most remember. Thanks for all the good times and starting my enduring love of reggae. BTW I was a part time mod as spent the rest of my time as a Rocker but preferred the mod music!!
Hi Martin, so glad you remember those good times and pleased I helped start your love of reggae. Quote fascinating that you were a rocker & mod at the same time. All the best, Steve
hear is a link to a 2 hour radio show I was guest on a few days ago. Had to choose Several of my favourite tracks from the 60’s & 70’s. Lots of mentions about my time at The Withchdoctor and the bands.. Hope the sounds bring back good memories. Steve Maxted
https://m.mixcloud.com/sarahharvey7737769/johnny-mason-60s-and-70s-show-on-chr-with-guest-steve-maxted-15022018/
Hi Steve,
I frequented the Savoy Rooms ’68 – ’69 after which we moved up the road to the Fellowship Inn and occasionally the Surrey Rooms Crystal Palace. I had a script I took to Cannes a couple years back called ‘The Golden Boy’ about those times. I had some interest but they thought the period would make it expensive (I don’t buy that). Hope you’re keeping well. I remember Pans People were down there one evening. Was that your show?
Best wishes. You lit up my life
Wolf Taylor
Hi Steve
What do you get up to these days?
I am in a band with Bob Valentine ex Clockwork Oranges and I am your old mate Kaz (AlanReed) the DJ’s brother
Would love to meet up with you and Bob for a drink and memory swap
The other member of our band was in another band that played at the Witch Doctor
We would bring him along as well
Kind regards
Ray
Right old trip down memory lane thanks. Band in August actually called Skip Bifferty, they had a hit with “On Love”. Coloured Raisins, Skatellites were getting played on the radio around that time. Also around 1967 there was a DJ called Steve Maxted, used to entertain us by piercing his face with big pins. I was only 16 & lived for a brief time in Farley Rd Catford behind The Witchdoctor having run away from my home in the Midlands. Anyone out there remember Mick Bush ? Originally from the I.O. Wight, Denmark Road, hung out round SE London, Forest Hill, Catford etc – he’d be about 70 now. Original skinhead type, suit & pork pie hat etc. Some good pubs locally with Bluebeat & ska music around that time.. Happy Days, Sue.
Hi I seem to remember seeing the “Animals” at the witch doctor, in the sixties. Possibly 1965.
There was a club in Lewisham, in the centre, any idea of the name.
Hi Steve, I was a regular at the Witchdoctor/Savoy during 1967/8. I remember your opening track as ‘I Can See For Miles” by The Who. Great days, met my late husband there and had some great nights with friends. I can’t remember all of the groups we saw but vividly remeber Marmalade, Desmond Dekker and Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon. Great times and thank you for the memories. Good wishes to any of our old friends Johnny Green, Steve Long, Steve Williams, Dave Keys , Dave and Ronnie Bailey and others, especially from the The Star in Nunhead. Sadly Chas and Sue Page and Den Brewster no longer with us.
From your list of ‘groups/bands’ playing the Savoy Rooms/Witchdoctor in the 60s…I don’t know if you wish to update your list (my having just seen it) or not. But if it helps I was bass player with Bobby King & the Sabres throughout the 60s & early 70s. We played there regularly and can confirm our gigs there (not appearing on your list…although some do) as follows : –
1963 :
17/8 alongside Emile Ford & Checkmates
14/9 alongside The Merseybeats
19/10 with Manfred Mann
20/11 – with Undertakers
14/12 – – The Fortunes
24/12 – Four Pennies
31/12 – Spencer Davies Group
1964 :
11/1 – Rob Storme & the Whispers
15/1 – We were their on our own
15/2 – The Fourmost
4/3 – The Federals
28/3 – The Big Three
11/4 – The Searchers
9/5 – The Rolling Stones
3/6 – on our own
20/6 – on our own
1/8 – Mike Cadillac & the Playboys
15/8 – on our own
26/9 – Spencer Davis Group
17/10 – on our own
25/10 on own
11/11 – on own
28/11 – on own
2/12 on own
19/12 on own
24/12 on own
1965
9/1 – Spencer Davis Group
1966
26/11 – with Marmalade
17/12 on own
1967
8/4 on own
27/5 on own
17/6 on own
26/8 on own
8/9 on own
6/10 on own
28/10 on own
25/11 on won
30/12 on own
1968
2/3 on own
20/4 on own
1/6 on own
29/6 on own (and our drummer Geoff Britton left us and joined WINGS)
1969
23/8 on own
20/9 on own
JUST TO BE CLEAR WE PLAYED THERE EVERY ONE OF THOSE DATES AND WHERE OTHER BANDS ARE NAMED WE PLAYED ALONGSIDE THEM.
From ‘ GOOD GOODS ‘ band diary, they played the Witchdoctor on Friday 28th October 1966 & Friday 9th December 1966.
Hi all,
Loved reading the threads, brings back so many memories, Rushy Green used to have scooters lined up from the Savoy past the Wimpy Bar (for the cool kids…) and we used to stand outside the pub (Green man I think) looking at the bikes before going in to see Steve Maxted, the girl I was with one Sunday volunteered to pull the pins from Steve’s face, good night was had by all. Still love the music, still have a scooter (it’s a 160GS Vespa) shame we don’t have a time machine because they were the glory days……