The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, and RickThe Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, and Rick
The Myddle Class traveled to Snyder’s Lake, near Troy, New York, to play two weekends, October 14, 15 & 16, and 21, 22 & 23 at the Excelsior House nightclub, which was then attracting college students and other young people (the drinking age was 18) four to five nights a week to see acts like the Critters, the Liverpool Set and the Knickerbockers.
I was astonished to find 11 snapshots taken during their time at the club, along with autographs collected from each. Hilariously, Charles Larkey is noted as “Tony” on the album pages, though he signed his autograph correctly as Charlie Larkey.
The Excelsior House ran ads regularly for their shows. For the Myddle Class, some were spelled correctly, but a couple others billed them as the Middle Class.
Autographs of Dave Palmer, Myke Rosa and Rick Philp of the Myddle Class, from the Excelsior House, October 1966Autographs of Charlie Larkey and Dan Mansolino of the Myddle Class, from the Excelsior House, October 1966
Charles Larkey (“Tony”) of the Myddle Class, at the Excelsior House, October 1966 Charlie Larkey (“Tony”) of the Myddle Class with patron or friend, at the Excelsior House, October 1966
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Dan Mansolino and Charlie (“Tony”) Larkey The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, Myke and Rick
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Dave Palmer, Rick Philp and Myke Rosa The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie “Tony” Larkey, Dave Palmer and Rick Philp
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Charlie Larkey and Dave Palmer The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Dave Palmer and Rick Philp
The Excelsior House, a 19th century house on tiny Snyder’s Lake, a short drive southeast of Troy, NY, had a history dating back to the 1930s as a rural nightclub and restaurant. It drew crowds from a wide geographic area with various forms of entertainment and events.
In 1964, a new owner, Harry Doakmajian, started bringing in rock and pop acts. Over the next four years the Excelsior House hosted a succession of notable house bands.
The Knickerbockers: Jimmy, Beau, John, Buddy, at the Excelsior House, The Troy Record, May 1, 1965
The Knickerbockers made the Excelsior House their second home, with frequent months-long bookings from August 1964 until December 1965, and occasional monthly residencies in 1966 and 1967.
The Sundowners, from Lake George, held down monthly gigs in 1965 into 1966, and the Good Times were regulars from April through July 1966 (billed early on as “Direct from Harlow’s in N.Y.C.”) and again in September and December 1966, and January 1967.
The Kynds and the Good Times, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, April 9
I am not certain if this is the Goodtimes from Providence, RI, who also recorded as the Tradewinds, or more likely the band from Newburgh who recorded two albums of pop on Meteor as the Goodtimes III. This group, comprised of Johnny Babb, Timmy Jones, Dave Kennedy and Bobby Lonie, among others, cut some good unreleased songs, possibly recorded at Earl Kennett’s studio, as Dave Kennedy recommended the studio to the Jelly Bean Bandits to make their first demos.
Below is a compendium of the acts that played, compiled mainly from ads in the Troy Record newspaper (which became the Times Record).
Bands were usually booked Friday and Saturday evenings. Over time, early Sunday shows were added, then Wednesdays and Thursdays as well.
1964:
February: Tino and the Revlons April 18: the James K4 June: Tino and the Revlons, the Act III July: the Capris (“direct from Miami Beach”), and the Continental Twisters August: the Act III and the James K4 August 3: Buddy Randell and the Knickerbockers August: the Mystics and the Continentals September through December: the Knickerbockers
1965:
Sundowners with Eddie Brick and Bobby Dickson, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, Nov 12January: the Knickerbockers February: the Sundowners March: Tino and the Revlons (“Troy’s Own Beetles”), the Blue Counts and the Motions April: the Motions, the Vi-Cleefs April and May: the Knickerbockers
Nick Brignola and His Modern Jazz Quartet: Thursdays in June and July
July 31: Jay and the Americans plus the Knickerbockers July: the Knickerbockers August: the Knickerbockers September: Don Sohl and the Road Runners (Nebraska band who cut great sax & guitar instrumentals like “Voo Doo” on Palms and “Rampage” on Dreem). September: the Road-ents, the Progressions October: the 4 Synns
Cordels at the Excelsior House, The Troy Record. 1965, Oct 9
October 16: the Classics and the Chessmen November: the Cordels December 23: the Knickerbockers and the Sundowners December: Sundowners
1966:
The Chartbusters, the Sundowners, and the Big Bear Revue, the Troy Record, 1966, Feb. 12By 1966 the Excelsior had two venues on the same compound: the main building with pop, rock and soul bands, and another called the Corral specializing in country music and square dancing, such as Rob Horton and the Friendly Travelers or Pete Williams and His Ranchers, but I have not compiled an extensive list of those c&w groups.
January – February: the Sundowners February 19, 20: the Big Bear Revue (“Big Bear” / “People” on Cuppy Records) February 25, 26: the Check Mates March: Snoopy’s Crew March 5: the Fugitives March 12: the “ever popular” Esquires March 25: the Fireballs April 3: the Group 4 April 9, 10: the Kynds April 14 had a special show, Jerry Lee Lewis and his Review!
May and June: Knickerbockers and Good Times
On July 29, the Souls Inc. “12 Man Group” took over through August, sometimes with Lord X and his X Chords August 27 (Saturday): Tim Rose Trio
The Critters and the Good Times, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, September 23, 1966
The Good Times resumed house band status for September but there were a number of interesting featured acts that month and October:
September 2, 3 and 4: the Younger Boys (I don’t know anything about this group) September 23: the Critters September 28, 29, 30, 31 & October 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: the Liverpool Set
The Myddle Class, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, Oct 22
October 14, 15 and 16 and 21, 22 and 23: the Myddle Class (billed in some ads as the Middle Class)
Check the Myddle Class link above to see photos from the interior of Excelsior House!
Ricardo and the 4 Most, Excelsior House, The Troy Times Record, February 3, 1967The Cleaners, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, October 29, 1966
Ricardo and the 4 Most, Excelsior House, The Times Record, Feb. 10, 1967 1967:
January: the Good Times February: Ricardo the the Fore Most (4 Most) March: the Sundowners and the O’Royals (the Fabulous Royals) March 26: Roger Freeman with the Spoiled Brats April 1: the Night Watch April: the Liverpool Set May: the Knickerbockers
1968:
February: the Shades of Brass, the Legends of Sound
Eva’s Towpath II, formerly Excelsior House, Imperials, The Troy Record, 1969, Nov 16In September, 1969, the Excelsior House was taken over by Eva Varaday and renamed Eva’s Towpath II, but it only continued for a few months before it was shut down by the Rensselaer County Health Department for the same reason the previous owner lost his liquor license: the Excelsior House, like most of the other residences on the lake, had been sending raw sewage into Snyder’s Lake, which was only 1/8 of a square mile (approximately) in area! It did reopen in the mid-’70s for a short time as a meeting place, but I read there was a major fire in 2009.
If anyone has photos of the Excelsior House please contact me!
By the time Philadelphia soul group The Orlons toured Britain in July 1966 they comprised lead singer Rosetta Hightower alongside singers Sandy Person and Audrey Brickley.
For some of this tour, The Orlons were backed by Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (aka Reg Dwight) on keyboards.
At this time Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Neil Hubbard (lead guitar); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Freddy Gandy (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Paul Gale (drums).
These tour dates are incomplete
Tour dates
1 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Dave Davani Four and The Meantimes (Melody Maker) Another band may have backed them on this gig, possibly The Dave Davani Four
2 July 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Another band may have backed them on this gig
9 July 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Bluesology and The Gates of Eden (Bucks Advertiser)
9 July 1966 – Kinky Blues Club, Manor House, north London with The Dave Davani Four (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by The Dave Davani Four
9 July 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)
13 July 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)
14 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book London Live)
14-15 July 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Another band may have provided support on this gig as Bluesology were billed to back Solomon Burke in Nottingham on 15 July
When The Orlons returned for a second British tour in late 1966 they were not backed by Bluesology. It’s not clear who did the honours but it’s possible it could have been The Gates of Eden who were one of the bands on promoter Roy Tempest’s books.
These tour dates are incomplete
Tour dates
8 December 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Pride (Melody Maker)
9 December 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)
10 December 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Bobby Hebb plus two supporting groups (Nottingham Evening Post)
10 December 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The Gates of Eden and The Ebonites (Lincolnshire Standard)
15 December 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
For the Orlons’ third British tour, it’s not clear who the backing band was.
These tour dates are incomplete
Tour dates
27 October 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with The Paper Blitz Tissue (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)
28 October 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Rick ‘n’ Beckers and Granny’s Intentions (Melody Maker)
After this tour, singer Rosetta Hightower returned to Britain in 1968. She subsequently married British keyboard player Ian Green and recorded extensively in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.
We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below
In August 1967, British promoter Roy Tempest had brought New York vocal quartet The Velours over to England for a tour and billed them as The Fabulous Temptations, which caused a great deal of confusion (and anger) as club owners mistakenly thought they were getting Motown superstars The Temptations.
Later that year, Tempest tried a similar ploy by promoting New York-based soul trio The Flirtations as Motown act, The Marvelettes, billing them as The Fabulous Marvelettes.
Originally formed as The Gypsies with three sisters – Betty, Ernestine and Shirley Pearce plus their friend Viola Billups, The Flirtations were reduced to a trio (minus Betty) by the time Tempest brought them to England.
For this first tour, they were backed by Dagenham, east London outfit, The Trend. The band’s guitarist Norman Cummins kept a diary and the following gigs are from the tour that The Trend provided backing for The Marvelettes. Where newspapers are listed confirming dates, I’ve only listed the papers, even though the dates are all listed in Cummins’ diary.
At the time, The Trend comprised Norman Cummins (lead guitar/vocals); Pete Cole (bass/vocals); Bob Mather (sax); Cliff Reuter (keyboards); and Frankie Morgan (drums).
Tour dates:
8 December 1967 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Start of tour with The Trend backing
9 December 1967 – New Century Hall, Manchester with Gerards Own (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend
9 December 1967 – Paradise Club, Wigan, Lancashire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
10 December 1967 – Georgian Club, Salford, Greater Manchester with The Trend (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend
10 December 1967 – Vaudeville Club, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
11 December 1967 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
12 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
14 December 1967 – Falmer House, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
15 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
15 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
16 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester with The Factotums (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend
16 December 1967 – Cavern Club, Liverpool (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
17 December 1967 – USAF base, Alconbury, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
18 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
19 December 1967 – Flintshire Tech College (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
21 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
22 December 1967 – Corn Exchange, Hertford, Hertfordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
23 December 1967 – Ritz Ballroom, King’s Heath, West Midlands (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
23 December 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
24 December 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
24 December 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
24 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
25 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend
26 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend
26 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend
When the trio returned from the States for a second tour in spring 1968, they reverted to their former name, The Flirtations, and based themselves in England where they recorded.
Thanks to Pete Cole and Norman Cummings for the tour information (see original documents below).
Grand Union, circa 1966. Left to right: Paul Thorpe, Tom Maudlin, Dick Winters and Robert Thorpe. Photo: Tom Maudlin
Rick Thorpe – lead guitar/vocals
Tom Maudlin – Bass/vocals
Dick Winters – Hammond organ/vocals
Paul Thorpe – Drums/lead vocals
This British band was formed around 1966/1967 and toured extensively before being chosen as the backing group for US soul artist Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon in late 1968 for their debut British tour.
Thanks to bass player Tom Maudlin for providing some more information about the group, the photo of the band and the posters below.
Gig on 19 May 1967
Before joining forces with The Bandwagon, they opened for Manfred Mann, Robert Plant & Band of Joy and Pink Floyd among many others.
1968 gig with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy1968 gig with Pink Floyd
Significantly, they also signed to CBS in 1968 and recorded a lone 45 “Slowly but Surely”.
Dick Winters and Tom Maudlin left around August 1969. Former Magic Roundabout bass player/singer Roger Flavell and keyboard player Les Lambert replaced them.
The Thorpe brothers later played in the bands Moonstone, Life and Enough’s Enough together. Maudlin moved to Ontario and currently lives in Brampton.
We’d welcome any further information below in the comments about this group
For Major Lance’s first British tour, promoter Roy Tempest arranged for northwest London group Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (known as Reg Dwight at the time), to back the singer.
It’s not clear whether Bluesology backed Major Lance on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this in the comments section below.
At the time, Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Rex Bishop (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Mick Inkpen (drums)
Melody Maker, 4 December 1965, page 4
The following tour gigs are incomplete
Tour dates:
3 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (two sessions including an all-nighter) with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker)
3 December 1965 – In Place, Baker Street, central London (Melody Maker)
4 December 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with Alex Harvey and The Mockingbirds (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
4 December 1965 – Oasis, Manchester with The Crestas (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
5 December 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Blues Incorporated (most likely Bluesology) (Melody Maker/Nottingham Evening Post)
6 December 1965 – Gig in Rochester, Kent (Melody Maker)
7 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Melody Maker)
8 December 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, southeast London (Melody Maker)
9 December 1965 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)
10 December 1965 – Durham University, Durham (Melody Maker)
11 December 1965 – Mr McCoy’s, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)
12 December 1965 – Lennoxbank House Hotel, Balloch, Scotland with The Five Interns (Clydebank Press)
15 December 1965 – TWW’s TV Discs A Gogo (Melody Maker)
16 December 1965 – Cromwellian, south Kensington, west London with Bluesology (Melody Maker) This was originally planned for 15 December.
16 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Price Set (London Live book: Tony Bacon)
17 December 1965 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester and then Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with Bluesology Incorporated, The Manchester Playboys and Jonathan Goon Tweed (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
17 December 1965 – Stockport, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker) Unless this is above gig
18 December 1965 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)
19 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (afternoon) (Melody Maker)
19 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)
20 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Melody Maker)
Having brought Lee Dorsey over to Britain for three tours during 1966, promoter Roy Tempest set up another British tour in spring 1967.
For this tour, it appears that London-based Scottish band, The Scots of St James may have backed Lee Dorsey on all dates, although we’d be interested in anyone who can provide more information. I’ve listed below the gigs where they definitely did provide backing.
Stuart Francis, the drummer with The Scots of St James, confirms they backed Lee Dorsey on a tour in March 1967.
The group’s personnel had changed since the previous tour in October 1966 (during which they had played a few gigs with Dorsey) and now comprised: Jimmy Oakley (vocals); Norrie MacLean (lead guitar); Graham Maitland (keyboards); Alan Gorrie (bass/vocals); and Stuart Francis (drums)
These tour dates are incomplete
Tour dates:
4 March 1967 – Faculty of Technology Union, Manchester with The Meads (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
4 March 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
5 March 1967 – Saville Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London with The Move (Melody Maker)
6 March 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with Marmalade and Barmby Barry (Evening Sentinel) Backed by The Scots of St James
11 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Montanas (Nottingham Evening Post) Backed by The Scots of St James
11 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Bystanders, The Equals and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard) Backed by The Scots of St James
12 March 1967 – Top Ten Club, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
16 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
18 March 1967 – Wem Town Hall, Wem, Shropshire with support group (Shropshire Journal)
Following two successful British tours earlier in 1966, the first with The Krew as backing band and the second with The League of Gentlemen, promoter Roy Tempest brought Lee Dorsey back for a final tour that autumn.
According to Disc & Music Echo, the tour kicked off on 14 October and the main backing group was The Garden of Eden.
Hailing from Watford, Hertfordshire, they comprised Dave Rodwell (vocals); Dicer Sarney (aka Roger Matthews) (lead guitar); Barry Rich (bass); Tom Hill (organ); Chunky Mo (drums). When The Garden of Eden started working with Dorsey, they had literally just come off another tour backing The Mad Lads.
However, they weren’t the only outfit to provide backing on this tour. Stuart Francis, drummer with Glaswegian outfit, The Scots of St James, says they backed Lee Dorsey on some gigs in late 1966. The line-up at this time comprised James Oakley (lead vocals); Hugh Nicholson (lead guitar); Ian Murray (bass); James Mylchreest (keyboards); and Stuart Francis (drums).
Chris Rodger, sax/trumpet player with London-based group The Noblemen, which became (The) Motivation in late October/early November 1966, says they also did some dates with Lee Dorsey. This is also confirmed by the band’s keyboard player Mick Ketley and bass player Bryan Stevens.
In addition, Martin Barre, the band’s guitarist, mentions backing Dorsey during this time in his recent book about his career, including with Jethro Tull, A Trick of Memory. At the time, the remaining two members of the band were Jimmy Marsh (lead vocals) and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums).
Finally, there is an advert in the Brighton Evening Argus, in its 16 December 1966 issue, that mentions The Groove and says they are just back from touring in the USA. It also says that they are backing group for Lee Dorsey. We’d welcome any clarity on this.
This is an incomplete gig list
Tour dates:
14 October 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London (Melody Maker/NME)
14 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich, southeast London with The Scots of St James (Melody Maker) Backed by The Scots of St James
Ian Murray says The Scots of St James backed Lee Dorsey at the Scotch of St James through their manager Stan Beadabeck and this date looks the most likely following the Woolwich gig.
15 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker/NME) Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald also lists this date but looks like Dorsey was replaced by Guy Darrell Syndicate so it didn’t happen. On this date Garden of Eden played with The Mad Lads at the Dungeon in Nottingham
15 October 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
16 October 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Wheels (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
16 October 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with The Hideways, The Dark Ages, The Times, Georgies Germs, The Insite and The Gates of Eden (Liverpool Echo) Mick Ketley, keyboard player with The Noblemen, says they backed Lee Dorsey here, although The Gates of Eden are on the bill unless they were advertised but substituted at the last minute
17 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Gates of Eden and The Sovereigns (Melody Maker) Chris Rodger, sax player with The Noblemen, and Mick Ketley say they did back Lee Dorsey on this gig. Again, The Gates of Eden are listed but may have been substituted at the last minute. The Sovereigns were also one of the groups that Roy Tempest used to back visiting US soul acts
19 October 1966 – Saddle Room, Park Lane, Mayfair, central London (NME) Mick Ketley confirmsThe Noblemen backed Dorsey here
20 October 1966 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton (Melody Maker)
Melody Maker article, 22 Oct 1966, page 4
21 October 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, Kent (Melody Maker)
22 October 1966 – Locomotive Club, Paris, France (Melody Maker/Disc & Music Echo)
23 October 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge Park, Harlesden, northwest London (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by Scots of St James
24 October 1966 – Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts with The Gates of Eden and The Trekkers (Welwyn & Hatfield Times) Backed by The Gates of Eden
25 October 1966 – Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with The Ivy League, The Jaybirds, Our Young, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Nottingham Evening Post) Melody Maker says Nottingham University
26 October 1966 – Locarno, Stevenage, Herts (Melody Maker/NME)
27 October 1966 – Locarno, Burnley, Lancashire (NME)
28 October 1966 – Golden Star Club, Westbourne Park, west London with The Dynacords (Melody Maker)
28 October 1966 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire (Widnes Weekly News)
29 October 1966 – New Century Hall, Manchester with The Black Velvets (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Disc & Music Echo) Possibly with Scots of St James
30 October 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Ebonites (Birmingham Evening Mail) Possibly backed by The Ebonites
30 October 1966 – Leofric, Coventry (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
31 October 1966 – Queen’s Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (NME)
1 November 1966 – Palais de Danse, Leicester with The Gates of Eden (Leicester Mercury) Backed by The Gates of Eden
3 November 1966 – Locarno, Streatham, southwest London (Melody Maker)
3 November 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
4 November 1966 – Bull’s Head, Syston, Leicestershire with The Gates of Eden, The Pilgrims and Sister Jill & The Brethren (Leicester Mercury) Backed by The Gates of Eden
5 November 1966 – Midnight City, Birmingham with Listen and The Ray King Soul Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)
5 November 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Gates of Eden and The Cortinas (Herts and Essex Observer) Backed by The Gates of Eden
6 November 1966 – Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham with Jerry Lee Lewis and Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Birmingham Evening News)
7 November 1966 – Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon, southwest London (Melody Maker)
8 November 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
9 November 1966 – Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (Disc & Music Echo)
10 November 1966 – Ashton Palais, Ashton, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Disc & Music Echo) Possibly backed by Motivation but they were touring with The Coasters at the time and potentially backed Ben E King today at the Twisted Wheel in Manchester (unless this was 12 November). An advert for Motivation playing Cardiff on 16 December says they are Lee Dorsey’s backing band
11 November 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire with three supporting groups (Retford, Gainsborough and Worksop Times)
11 November 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby with supporting groups (Grimsby Evening Telegraph/Disc & Music Echo)
12 November 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Melody Maker/NME)
14 November 1966 – Atalanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey with The Gates of Eden plus supporting group (Aldershot News) Backed by The Gates of Eden
17 November 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol with The Gates of Eden (Bristol Evening Post) Backed by The Gates of Eden
Judging by the article below, it looks like Lee Dorsey played at the Conservative Club in Bedford on this date backed by The Garden of Eden.
19 November 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Gates of Eden and The Ray King Soul Band (Lincolnshire Echo) Backed by The Gates of Eden
19 November 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with Ben E King plus top line groups (Nottingham Evening Post)
19 November 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Melody Maker/NME)
20 November 1966 – Dereham Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Johnny Lofty Soul Band and The Gates of Eden (Thetford & Watton Times) Backed by The Gates of Eden and final gig on his tour
Article on the tour mentioning The Garden of Eden, 22 Nov 1966
4 December 1966 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Disc & Music Echo) This did not happen as he’d already returned to the US
We’d welcome any further information below in the comments
The Four Kents at the Piper Club, Viareggio, Italy. Image from Nevil Cameron
According to this website, Indianapolis native George Chandler was serving in the US military in northern Italy when he formed this soul quartet with fellow expatriate servicemen Rudy Rollins, Charles Cannon and Stanley Evans.
The Four Kents formed a backing group called The Submarines in mid-1968 to support them live, which comprised a mix of British, Italian and Lebanese musicians.
Thanks to baritone sax player Roger Warwick who provided further information about this group, The Submarines also included Georges Dersey (trumpet); Carl Viola (tenor sax); Bill Mayer (bass); Tony Ollard (lead guitar); and Mauro Paolucci (drums).
Dersey and Warwick had both come from The Patrick Sansom Set. Warwick had joined this outfit in December 1966 after singer Patrick Sansom approached him to join the group in Italy while playing with Freddie Mack.
Warwick knew Tony Ollard from the north London scene. Ollard had previously played with The Robb Storme Group, The Creation and The Warren Davis Monday Band.
In June 1968, The Four Kents and The Submarines toured Britain for a short tour.
The following tour dates are incomplete
Tour dates:
16 June 1968 – Kinema Ballroom, Dunfermline, Scotland with The Submarines, The Falcons and The Shadettes (https://www.kinemagigz.com/1968.htm)
17 June 1968 – Carlton Club, Warrington, Cheshire (Warrington Guardian)
23 June 1968 – Riverside Club, Chertsey, Surrey (Woking Herald)
29 June 1968 – Tin Hat, Kettering, Northamptonshire with The Submarines (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)
During January 1966, promoter Roy Tempest brought Lee Dorsey over for a British tour on which he was backed by The Krew (https://garagehangover.com/lee-dorseys-january-1966-british-tour/). The response was so positive that Tempest lined-up another tour that kicked off three months later.
According to a review in the Derby Evening Telegraph in its 30 April issue, page 7, Lee Dorsey was backed on this tour by The League of Gentlemen.
At this time, the band comprised Jonathan Kent (lead vocals); Ron Cleave (lead guitar/vocals); Rob Thomas (rhythm guitar); Jeff Bentley (bass); Joel James (sax); and Ray Steadman (drums)
The following tour dates are incomplete
Tour dates:
15 April 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)
15 April 1966 – Flamingo, two sessions, including an all-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen and The Gass (Melody Maker)
16 April 1966 – Floral Hall, Morecambe, Lancashire with The League of Gentlemen, Farriers Blues and The Clansmen (Morecambe Visitor)
17 April 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Cymerons (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
20 April 1966 – Mecca Ballroom Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants with The League of Gentlemen (Southern Daily Echo)
21 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London with The Peter B’s (Melody Maker)
21 April 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)
23 April 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
25 April 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with supporting groups (Melody Maker)
26 April 1966 – Locarno, Derby with The League of Gentlemen (Derby Evening Telegraph)
28 April 1966 – Carlton Club, Erdington, West Midlands with Deep Feeling (Birmingham Evening Mail)
30 April 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with The BirdHerd (Sheffield Star)
30 April 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
1 May 1966 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester and then Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with The League of Gentlemen (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)
3 May 1966 – Klooks Kleek, West Hampstead, north London (Melody Maker)
3 May 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Disc & Music Echo)
4 May 1966 – Town Hall, Farnborough, Hants plus supporting group (Aldershot News)
6 May 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London with The Statesides (Dave Brogden’s diary) Backed by The Statesides on this gig
7 May 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)
8 May 1966 – Leofric, Coventry (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
We’d love to hear from anyone who can provide any further details about this tour in the comments section below
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I was astonished to find 11 snapshots taken during their time at the club, along with autographs collected from each. Hilariously, Charles Larkey is noted as “Tony” on the album pages, though he signed his autograph correctly as Charlie Larkey.
