Tag Archives: Tomorrow

The In Crowd

Keith West – lead vocals

Les Jones – lead guitar

John “Junior” Wood – rhythm guitar

Simon Alcot – bass

Ken Lawrence – drums

The band was formed as Four + One in mid-1964. Les Jones and Ken Lawrence had both previously been members of The Tridents

Four + One. Left to right: Ken, Junior, Les, Keith and Simon

After a cover of “Time Is On My Side”, issued in January 1965, the band became The In Crowd and released a second single, “That’s How Strong My Love Is” in April 1965. According to Flashback magazine, the group became resident band at Club Noreik on Seven Sisters Road in north London

13 May 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

23 May 1965 – Face Club, Grantham, Lincolnshire (Grantham Journal)

29 May 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

3 June 1965 – Crayford Town Hall, Crayford, southeast London (Possibly Melody Maker)

12 June 1965 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton (Northampton Chronicle)

19 June 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

30 June 1965 – Le Disque A Go Go, Bournemouth, Dorset (website: https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

 

9 July 1965 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with James Royal & The Hawks and The Symbols (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

10 July 1965 – Club Noreik, Tottenham, north London (NME)

24 July 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser/West Surrey Advertiser) May not be the same band as says the rave of Staines

27 July 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with Terry Judge & The Barristers (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)

Photo: Ken Lawrence. Left to right: Keith West, Junior Wood, Ken Lawrence, Les Jones and Simon Alcot

Soon afterwards Steve Howe from The Syndicates replaced Les Jones. Simon Alcot left soon after and Junior Wood moved on to bass

Left to right: Ken Lawrence, Junior Wood, Simon Alcot, Steve Howe and Keith West, August 1965

13 August 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

17 August 1964 – Mexican Hat, Worthing, West Sussex (West Sussex)

20 August 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Overriders (Surrey Advertiser)

 

4 September 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

11 September 1965 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (http://www.76club.org.uk/gigs.html)

During September, The In Crowd released their first 45 as a quartet – “Stop! Wait a Minute”

18 October 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser)

29 October 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Just Five (Surrey Advertiser/West Surrey Advertiser) May not be the same band; possibly Staines group

30 October 1965 – Silsoe Village Hall, Silsoe, Bedfordshire (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

In November, The In Crowd issued their third 45 – “Why Must They Criticise”

13 November 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey with The Just Five (Surrey Advertiser/West Surrey Advertiser) May not be the same band; possibly Staines group

21 November 1965 – Harvest Moon Club, Guildford, Surrey (Surrey Advertiser) May not be the same band; possibly Staines group

 

10 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Gary Farr & The T-Bones (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

11 December 1965 – Victoria Cross Gallery, Wantage, Oxfordshire (Oxford Mail)

17 December 1965 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (http://www.76club.org.uk/gigs.html)

31 December 1965 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Children and The Shakeouts (Lincolnshire Standard)

 

8 January 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with support (Aldershot News)

15 January 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

21 January 1966 – The Village, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

 

8 February 1966 – The Witchdoctor, the Lifeboat Hotel, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

12 February 1966 – House of Aden, Witham Hall, Essex with The Orioles (Essex County Standard)

13 February 1966 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The High Set (Lynn News)

17 February 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

22 February 1966 – Bristol Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)

 

5 March 1966 – Le Discotheque, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

10 March 1966 – Florida Room, Brighton Aquarium, Cad-Lac Club, Brighton, West Sussex with The Graham Bond Organisation (Evening Argus)

19 March 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

20 March 1966 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, southwest London (Melody Maker)

 

1 April 1966 – Le Discotheque, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

2 April 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Anteeks (Poster scan from Geoffrey Mason)

24 April 1966 – Sunday Club, Addlestone, Surrey (Woking Herald)

 

6 May 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

13 May 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire (Aldershot News)

14 May 1966 – Star Hotel, Croydon, south London (Chris Broom book: Rockin’ and Around Croydon)

29 May 1966 – The Dolphin, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

30 May 1966 – Le Discotheque, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

30 May 1966 – The Witchdoctor, the Lifeboat Hotel, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

 

10 June 1966 – Oscar’s Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

Thanks to Geoffrey Mason for the photo

23 June 1966 – Hastings College 1066 Rag Appeal Dances, Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

Record Mirror reported that John “Twink” Alder had left The Fairies and joined The In Crowd in early July after working at Café des Artists in Fulham. 

14 July 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

15 July 1966 – Penthouse, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

16 July 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Mode (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

 

1 August 1966 – Disc Club, St Martin’s Centre, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

7 August 1966 – Embassy Club, Colchester, Essex with The Poachers (Essex County Standard)

20 August 1966 – Club De Danse, Colchester, Essex (Essex County Standard)

23 August 1966 – Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Evening Post)

 

3 September 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

According to Flashback magazine, the band played in the Netherlands in October

4 November 1966 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)

5 November 1966 – Princess Ballroom, Halifax, West Yorkshire with The Pythagoras Squares (Halifax Evening Courier & Guardian)

12 November 1966 – Witchdoctor, Lifeboat Hotel, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

In mid-November, The In Crowd played at the Charlie Max in Milan, Italy for two weeks, according to Flashback magazine

1 December 1966 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London (London Life)

3 December 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Cream and The Wrong Direction (Dave Allen research)

8 December 1966 – Blaises, Imperial Hotel, Queen’s Gate, west London (London Life)

According to Flashback magazine, the band returned to play in the Netherlands in December

31 December 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Graham Bond Organisation and The Wrong Direction (Dave Allen research)

 

14 January 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

27 January 1967 – El Grotto, Ilford, east London (Redbridge & Ilford Recorder)

 

9 February 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers and The Satin Dolls (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

17 February 1967 – 76 Club, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire (Burton Daily Mail)

18 February 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

23 February 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Herbie Goins & The Night Timers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

10 March 1967 – Nottingham Tech College, Nottingham with Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds, Robert Hirst & The Big Taste and Our Young

16 March 1967 – 76 Club, Burton on Trent, Staffordshire (http://www.76club.org.uk/gigs.html)

In late April 1967, The In Crowd change name to Tomorrow

29 April 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research) Billed as The In Crowd unless this is another band

 

6 May 1967 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Dave Allen research) Billed as The In Crowd unless this is another band

Thanks to Ken Lawrence for sharing all of the photos

Copyright © Nick Warburton. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior permission from the author.

Blaises, 121 Queen’s Gate, Kensington

Blaises was located in the basement of the Imperial Hotel at 121 Queen’s Gate in Kensington, west London, SW7 (now demolished) and was a magnet for musicians, agents, managers and writers.

Jim Carter-Fea, who later managed the Speakeasy and Revolution, was involved with the club.

The Byrds played here on their debut UK tour in 1965 and many top acts of the day performed on the stage in the mid-late 1960s, most notably Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Yes, to name just a few.

Blaises wasn’t consistently advertised in the music papers throughout the 1960s so it’s been difficult to find gigs.

The list below is a start but I’d welcome any additions and corrections plus any photos of the venue and posters of advertised gigs as well as band photos (all credited accordingly).

Although it’s not been possible to find exact dates the following musicians confirmed their bands played at Blaises during 1965-1966:

James Nairn (aka James Royal) says that his groups James Royal & The Hawks and The James Royal Set played at Blaises; the former during 1965-1966 and the latter from 1966-1968.

Drummer/singer Tony Richard says that his band The Fetish Crowd performed at the club during the 1965-1966 period.  

1965

6 August 1965 (Thursday) – The Byrds (Record Mirror)

 

3 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Stormsville Shakers (website: http://www.stormsvilleshakers.com/bandhistory.html)

20 October 1965 (Wednesday) – The Riot Squad (website: http://brunoceriotti.weebly.com/the-riot-squad.html)

London Life magazine’s 30 October to 5 November 1965 issue notes that there is a live group changing weekly.

1966

London Life magazine notes in its 8-14 January 1966 issue that there is a different live group every night at the club. This is the same for every issue until the final London Life magazine issue is published on 31 December 1966.

4 February 1966 (Friday) – John Lee Hooker (Melody Maker)

 

24 March 1966 (Thursday) – Wilson Pickett (backed by The Statesiders) (Jeff Sturgeon’s gig diary)

 

6 April 1966 (Wednesday) – Martha & The Vandellas (Melody Maker)

 

10 May 1966 (Tuesday) – John Lee Hooker (Record Mirror)

Julian Covey & The Machine were probably Hooker’s backing band as they provided support for the blues legends on a tour this month.

Keyboardist Stan Marut, who left just before the tour, says his place was taken by Dave Greenslade, who then joined Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds.

 

30 July 1966 (Saturday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)

3 August 1966 (Wednesday) – The Creation (Fabulous 208 and London Life magazine)

22 August 1966 (Monday) – The Artwoods (needs confirmation)

 

8 September 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (they became Tomorrow in early 1967) (Fabulous 208 and Marmalade Skies website).

9 September 1966 (Friday) – The Fleur De Lys (Keith Guster’s gig diary)

23 September 1966 (Friday) – The Knack (London Life magazine)

Paul Gurvitz went on to The Gun while Graham Clay joined The New York Public Library (see below). Brian Parrish went on to Badger.

27 September 1966 (Tuesday) – She Trinity (Fabulous 208 and London Life magazine)

29 September 1966 (Thursday) – The Brian Auger & The Trinity (Melody Maker)

This is the date that Jimi Hendrix sat in with The Brian Auger Trinity.

According to the Hendrix website  (and Vic Briggs and Kathy Etchingham’s recollections), The Brian Auger Trinity had played at the Scotch of St James the previous night where the waiter told Trinity guitarist Vic Briggs about an amazing black guitarist who had sat in with The VIPs the night before (27 September)

Chas Chandler and Hendrix walked in shortly afterwards and were introduced to the band who were playing a warm-up gig without singer Julie Driscoll. Brian Auger let Hendrix jam with the group and, impressed, invited the American guitarist to sit in at Blaises the following night.

On 29 September, Chandler and Hendrix arrived at Blaises after drinking at the Kilt Club where they met French singer Johnny Halliday. Auger introduced Hendrix to the crowd for a jam after the interval.

London Life has Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers for this date but it is possible that this was actually Friday, 30 September after a show at the California Ballroom in Dunstable.

 

3 October 1966 (Monday) – Robert Parker (Melody Maker)

4 October 1966 (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (Fabulous 208)

Future Deep Purple keyboard player Jon Lord was a member of The Artwoods.

5 October 1966 (Wednesday) – Robert Parker and Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)

11 October 1966 (Tuesday) – Garnet Mimms (Fabulous 208)

12 October 1966 (Wednesday) – Ike & Tina Turner (London Life magazine)

29 October 1966 (Saturday) – The Hush (London Life magazine)

Keith Fairhurst, singer with The Chosen Few, says the band played this venue about six times after moving down from Manchester and changing their name to The Hush. They also frequented the club on other occasions and he was there on 29 September when Jimi Hendrix sat in with The Brian Auger Trinity (see above).

Fairhurst adds that Blaises was only a small club and was an exclusive venue, which meant that normal club goers that frequented many of the other London clubs would not have attended; it was too expensive and licensed. Management insisted that they set up by 9pm and they never started before 9.30pm.

8 November 1966 (Tuesday) – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band (Melody Maker)

9 November 1966 (Wednesday) – Jerry Lee Lewis (Melody Maker)

17 November 1966 (Thursday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Tatler)

21 November 1966 (Monday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208)

22 November 1966 (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Tatler)

30 November 1966 (Wednesday) – The Young Rascals (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)

Melody Maker also has The Brian Auger Trinity on 30 November (see advert above). The two bands probably used the same equipment.

Guitarist Vic Briggs, who had moved on to join Eric Burdon’s New Animals by this point, says that all of the “in-clubs” were so small that you had to get your gear in before people arrived and wait until they left to move out. Also, they could not afford to pay more than one band per night.  There may have been exceptions but that was the general rule.

1 December 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (became Tomorrow) (London Life magazine) Nick Simper’s website has Bobby Hebb playing from 11.30pm

8 December 1966 (Thursday) – The In Crowd (became Tomorrow) (London Life magazine)

13 December 1966 (Tuesday) – The Farinas (became Family) (Record Mirror)

14 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Little Richard (John Warburg’s research)

20 December 1966 (Tuesday) – The Artwoods (needs confirmation)

21 December 1966 (Wednesday) – Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)

23 December 1966 (Friday) – The Iveys (became Badfinger) (Tom Brennan’s research at: http://www.badfingerlibrary.com/)

30 December 1966 (Friday) – Deep Feeling (Melody Maker)

Deep Feeling featured future members of Traffic, Family and Spooky Tooth

1967

Jim Cregan, guitarist with Blossom Toes, says his band played at the club during 1967.

Chris Hunt, drummer with The Good Time Losers, says that his group performed at Blaises during 1967.

Mick Ketley, keyboard player with Bognor Regis version of The Motivation which became The Penny Peep Show in September 1967, says that his group played at Blaises which would have been after May 1967.

Pete Cole, bass player with The Trend, says that he played the venue. The most likely time frame is after September 1967 and may have been when the group backed visiting US soul acts.

Jim Carter-Fae, who managed the club, took over the management of Hull band, The Majority and the group played this venue during 1967.

 

7 January 1967 (Saturday) – The Knack (Melody Maker)

Paul Gurvitz went on to The Gun while Graham Clay joined The New York Public Library (see below). Brian Parrish went on to Badger.

13 January 1967 (Friday) – The Savoy Brown Blues Band (Melody Maker)

17 January 1967 (Tuesday) – Family (Melody Maker)

18 January 1967 (Wednesday) – Wynder K Frog (Fabulous 208 – needs confirmation)

Still from the film The Sorcerers showing a band playing live (in January 1967 or earlier). Poster on the wall lists Inez & Charlie Foxx. Thanks to Christopher Matheson for providing

25 January 1967 (Wednesday) – Inez & Charlie Foxx (Poster on wall in film the Sorcerers)

26 January 1967 (Thursday) – Jimmy McGriff (Disc & Music Echo)

According to Flashback magazine, Keith West and Steve Howe’s band The In Crowd were residents at Blaises around late January/early February and soon changed name to Tomorrow.

 

8 February 1967 (Wednesday) – Maxine Brown & The Q-Set (Disc & Music Echo)

The Q-Set will link up with Ronnie Jones after its tour with Maxine Brown.

Disc & Music Echo’s 11 February issue notes that Ike & Tina Turner had played at the club recently.

14 February 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Fabulous 208)

According to Melody Maker in April 1967, Herbie Goins had a regular Tuesday night residency at Blaises so there may be more Tuesday dates between this one and the one below that they played. Future Bob Marley guitarist Junior Marvin was the keyboard player with the band at this time when he used the stage name Junior Kerr.

23 February 1967 (Thursday) – Chuck Berry (backed by The Canadians) (Melody Maker)

The Canadians’ keyboard player was future record producer and music executive David Foster.

28 February 1967 (Tuesday) – Pink Floyd and The Majority (Melody Maker)

If both bands indeed played on this evening, it would have been one of the rare occasions when more than one group played.

 

7 March 1967 (Tuesday) – Keith (Disc & Music Echo and Melody Maker)

18 March 1967 (Saturday) – The Hush (Melody Maker)

Singer Keith Fairhurst says that on one occasion when The Hush played Blaises on a Saturday night, a Canadian television crew filmed them but he’s never seen the footage.

Still from the film The Sorcerers. Thanks to Christopher Matheson for supplying. Judging by the gig poster on the wall, this performance was January 1967 or earlier.

Fairhurst adds that the inside of Blaises appears in the 1967 film The Sorcerers.

 

17 April 1967 (Monday) – Marmalade (Fabulous 208)

19 April 1967 (Wednesday) – Bo Diddley (backed by The Canadians) (Melody Maker)

David Foster was the keyboard player in The Canadians (see above).

 

1 May 1967 (Monday) – The Web (Melody Maker)

9 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers with The Satin Dolls (Melody Maker)

Future Bob Marley guitarist Junior Marvin was the group’s keyboard player at this time (see above).

11 May 1967 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins and Jack Hammer & His Hammer Jammers (Melody Maker)

Future Sweet producer Phil Wainman was the drummer with The Hammer Jammers. If both bands played, this would have been one of the rare occasions when two groups performed. 

16 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers and The Web (Melody Maker)

If both bands played, this would have been one of the rare occasions when two groups performed. 

23 May 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)

30 May 1967 (Tuesday) – The Web (Melody Maker)

Record Mirror says Herbie Goins’ band has a Tuesday residency so may have shared the bill. They may also have continued to play more Tuesday nights as they appear again below on 12 September.

 

5 June 1967 (Monday) – Amen Corner (Melody Maker)

8 June 1967 (Thursday) – The Turtles (Disc & Music Echo, Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)

14 June 1967 (Wednesday) – The Cliffons (needs source)

20 June 1967 (Tuesday) – The Coloured Raisins, King Ossie, Honey Darling and Earl Green (Melody Maker)

25 June 1967 (Sunday) – Jose Feliciano (Melody Maker)

 

6 July 1967 (Thursday) – Jefferson Airplane (cancelled) (needs source)

7 July 1967 (Friday) – Denny Laine’s Electric String Band (Disc & Music Echo and Fabulous 208)

14 July 1967 (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Fabulous 208)

25 July 1967 (Tuesday) – Amen Corner (Fabulous 208 and Melody Maker)

 

1 August 1967 (Tuesday) – Donnie Elbert (Melody Maker)

16 August 1967 (Wednesday) – Ten Years After (Fabulous 208)

18 August 1967 (Friday) – Granny’s Intentions (needs source)

26 August 1967 (Saturday) – Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)

 

6 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)

12 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Melody Maker)

14 September 1967 (Thursday) – Big Maybelle & The Majority (Melody Maker)

20 September 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)

26 September 1967 (Tuesday) – Ten Years After (Fabulous 208)

 

4 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)

5 October 1967 (Thursday) – Vanilla Fudge (Melody Maker)

Disc & Music Echo has this gig down for 8 October, not 5 October.

18 October 1967 (Wednesday) – Max Collier’s Rhythm Aces (Melody Maker)

19 October 1967 (Thursday) – Freddie King (Melody Maker)

23 October 1967 (Monday) – Vanilla Fudge (Disc & Music Echo)

24 October 1967 (Tuesday) – Brian Auger Trinity with Julie Driscoll (Melody Maker)

2 November 1967 (Thursday) – The Coloured Raisins (Melody Maker)

3 November 1967 (Friday) – Deuce Coup (Melody Maker)

4 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Mike Stuart Span (Melody Maker)

6 November 1967 (Monday) – The Majority (Melody Maker)

7 November 1967 (Tuesday) – Ferris Wheel (Melody Maker)

8 November 1967 (Wednesday) – Ten Years After (Melody Maker)

9 November 1967 (Thursday) – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)

10 November 1967 (Friday) – The Maze (Melody Maker)

11 November 1967 (Saturday) – Dr K’s Blues Band (Melody Maker)

14 November 1967 (Tuesday) – The Downliners Sect (Melody Maker)

25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

28 November 1967 (Tuesday) – The Mike Cotton Sound with Lucas and Chris Clark (Melody Maker)

 

1 December 1967 (Friday) – Gladys Knight & The Pips (Melody Maker)

12 December 1967 (Tuesday) – The Vibrations (Melody Maker)

14 December 1967 (Thursday) – Eddie Floyd (Melody Maker)

31 December 1967 (Sunday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)

1968

Guitarist Paul Brett says that he played this venue during 1968, which would have been with Tintern Abbey.

4 January 1968 (Thursday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

17 January 1968 (Wednesday) – Moon’s Train (Malcolm Penn’s diary – thanks to Peter Gosling for sharing)

20 January 1968 (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

 

9 February 1968 (Friday) – Taste (Rory Gallagher’s Fandom site: https://concerts.fandom.com/wiki/Rory_Gallagher)

 

30 March 1968 (Saturday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)

 

3 April 1968 (Wednesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)

5 April 1968 (Friday) – Dr K’s (Blues Band) (Melody Maker)

24 April 1968 (Wednesday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band (Del Paramor’s gig diary)

30 April 1968 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker’s 4 May issue notes that a fire gutted the Speakeasy on Saturday night (27 April), causing £20,000 worth of damage. Roy Flynn, co-owner, said that the club couldn’t reopen for about three months (it ended up being mid-December) and that gigs would be transferred to Blaises and billed as ‘Speakeasy at Blaises’. These are noted below.

Ike & Tina Turner were billed to play on Sunday, 28 April and Bill Haley & The Comets on 30 April. These may have been cancelled or transferred to Blaises. I’d be interested to hear from anyone who can add any further details.

1 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Bobby Goldsboro (Melody Maker)

This was billed to take place at the Speakeasy and may have been transferred to Blaises or alternatively cancelled.

5 May 1968 (Sunday) – Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band (Melody Maker)

Captain Beefheart was originally billed for the Speakeasy so most likely it was transferred to Blaises as the dates match.

8 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)

13 May 1968 (Monday) – The Byrds (Melody Maker)

This was originally billed for the Speakeasy so most likely it was transferred to Blaises.

23 May 1968 (Thursday) – Spooky Tooth (Marmalade Skies website)

29 May 1968 (Wednesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

 

9 June 1968 (Sunday) – Fairport Convention (Melody Maker)

12 June 1968 (Wednesday) – Reparta & The Delrons (New Musical Express)

15 June 1968 (Saturday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

16 June 1968 (Sunday) – PP Arnold (Melody Maker)

This was billed as ‘Speakeasy at Blaises’.

23 June 1968 (Sunday) – Reparta & The Delrons (Melody Maker – needs confirmation)

30 June 1968 (Sunday) – Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation (Melody Maker)

The Retaliation gig is another ‘Speakeasy at Blaises’ gig

 

3 July 1968 (Wednesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Melody Maker)

14 July 1968 (Sunday) – Tim Rose (see comments section below regarding this gig)

18 July 1968 (Thursday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

This was originally booked for the Speakeasy so if it wasn’t cancelled, it was most likely moved to Blaises.

20 July 1968 (Saturday) – The Sweet (the Sweet website: https://sweet.thesweetweb.com/gigs-1968-1981/)

23 July 1968 – The Cortinas (Paul Griggs’ gig diary)

Paul Griggs notes in his diary that Jimi Hendrix and Eric Burdon were in attendance that night. This was a 1 am show so probably early hours of 24 July.

28 July 1968 (Sunday) – Terry Reid & The Fantasy (Melody Maker)

 

17 August 1968 (Saturday) – Juniors Eyes (Melody Maker)

20 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Ben E King (Melody Maker and New Musical Express)

21 August 1968 (Wednesday) – Free (Alessandro Borri research – see comments section below)

27 August 1968 (Tuesday) – Jethro Tull (Greg Russo’s research)

 

6 September 1968 (Friday) – Juniors Eyes (Melody Maker – needs confirmation)

8 September 1968 (Sunday) – East of Eden (East of Eden website: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html)

The website says that Jefferson Airplane sat in with the band at the show.

15 September 1968 (Sunday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

According to Melody Maker and New Musical Express, Sly & The Family Stone were billed to play Blaises on 15 September. Apparently, they didn’t show and Roy Flynn asked The Nice’s manager Tony Stratton-Smith for help and he recommended Yes.

16 September 1968 (Monday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

This performance is unconfirmed and also missing from this site:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Yes_concert_tours_(1960s%E2%80%9370s)

18 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

25 September 1968 (Wednesday) – Glass Menagerie (Fabulous 208 and Time Out)

 

13 October 1968 (Sunday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

15 October 1968 (Tuesday) – Blue Cheer (Bruno Ceriotti’s research and New Musical Express)

19 October 1968 (Saturday) – Mint Tulip (Melody Maker)

22 October 1968 (Tuesday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

23 October 1968 (Wednesday) – July (Time Out)

30 October 1968 (Wednesday) – Yes with Dream Police (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

 

5 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

11 November 1968 (Monday) – Blonde on Blonde (Time Out)

17 November 1968 (Sunday) – The Show Stoppers (New Musical Express)

24 November 1968 (Sunday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

Yes’ gig on 24 November is unconfirmed

26 November 1968 (Tuesday) – Tuesday’s Children (Bob Hodges’ gig diary)

 

1 December 1968 (Sunday) – Bandwagon (New Musical Express)

7 December 1968 – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

Yes’ 7 December gig is not listed on the Yes tours wiki site above.

15 December 1968 (Sunday) – The Flame (the South African band plays one week) (Melody Maker)

16 December 1968 (Monday) – The Flame and Mint Tulip (Melody Maker)

17 December 1968 (Tuesday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)

18 December 1968 (Wednesday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)

19 December 1968 (Thursday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)

20 December 1968 (Friday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)

21 December 1968 (Saturday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)

22 December 1968 (Sunday) – The Flame (Melody Maker)

26 December 1968 (Thursday) – Yes (Peter Banks’ website: http://www.peterbanks.net/archive/bands/yes/)

1969

23 January 1969 (Thursday) – Yes (Time Out)

24 January 1969 (Friday) – The N’ Betweens (the band became Slade) (Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

25 January 1969 (Saturday) – Clouds (Time Out)

 

20 February 1969 (Thursday) – Majority Sun (Hounslow Post)

23 February 1969 (Sunday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)

24 February 1969 (Monday) – Pendulum (Hounslow Post)

25 February 1969 (Tuesday) – Cymbaline (Hounslow Post)

26 February 1969 (Wednesday) – The New York Public Library (Hounslow Post)

 

2 March 1969 (Sunday) – Affinity (Kensington Post)

4 March 1969 (Tuesday) – Sarolta (Kensington Post)

5 March 1969 (Wednesday) – Ben E King (Kensington Post)

9 March 1969 (Sunday) – Terry Reid (Melody Maker)

11 March 1969 (Tuesday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)

12 March 1969 (Wednesday) – The Web (Marylebone Mercury)

16 March 1969 (Sunday) – The Pretty Things (Hounslow Post)

17 March 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)

In an interview with Stefan Granados for Shindig magazine, guitarist Pete Mizen says that The Majority were playing here when they were approached to move to France and record with the Pink Elephant label.

18 March 1969 (Tuesday) – The New York Public Library (Hounslow Post)

19 March 1969 (Wednesday) – The Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)

23 March 1969 (Sunday) – Marv Johnson (Hounslow Post)

24 March 1969 (Monday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)

25 March 1969 (Tuesday) – Ray King Soul Band (Hounslow Post)

28 March 1969 (Friday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)

29 March 1969 (Saturday) – Trifle (Hounslow Post)

30 March 1969 (Sunday) – Joynt (Kensington Post)

31 March 1969 (Monday) – The Flames (Hounslow Post)

 

4 April 1969 (Friday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)

6 April 1969 (Sunday) – Explosive (Watson T Browne?) (Hounslow Post)

7 April 1969 (Monday) – Circus (Hounslow Post)

9 April 1969 (Wednesday) – Steamhammer (Time Out)

10 April 1969 (Thursday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Time Out)

12 April 1969 (Saturday) – Black Velvet (Hounslow Post)

13 April 1969 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Nightimers (Hounslow Post)

14 April 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post)

18 April 1969 (Friday) – Springfield Park (Hounslow Post)

19 April 1969 (Saturday) – Pure Gold (Hounslow Post)

20 April 1969 (Sunday) – The Flames (Hounslow Post)

21 April 1969 (Monday) – Jerome Arnold (Hounslow Post)

22 April 1969 (Tuesday) – The Web (Hounslow Post)

26 April 1969 (Saturday) – Village (Time Out)

28 April 1969 (Monday) – Village (Time Out)

4 May 1969 (Sunday) – King Crimson (Hounslow Post)

5 May 1969 (Monday) – Affinity (Hounslow Post)

6 May 1969 (Tuesday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)

8 May 1969 (Thursday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)

9 May 1969 (Friday) – The Shades (Melody Maker)

10 May 1969 (Sunday) – Bob & Earl (Marylebone Mercury)

11 May 1969 (Sunday) – Black Velvet (Marylebone Mercury)

19 May 1969 (Monday) – Jerome Arnold (Time Out)

20 May 1969 (Tuesday) – The Majority (Time Out)

21 May 1969 (Wednesday) – The Milwaukee Coasters (Time Out)

22 May 1969 (Thursday) – The Committee (Melody Maker)

24 May 1969 (Saturday) – Belle Sebastian (Hounslow Post)

25 May 1969 (Sunday) – The Gods (Hounslow Post and Time Out)

26 May 1969 (Monday) – The Majority (Hounslow Post and Time Out)

27 May 1969 (Tuesday) – The Web (Hounslow Post)

28 May 1969 (Wednesday) – Affinity (Time Out)

Photo: Don Powell’s site

1 June 1969 (Sunday) – Sarolta (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

2 June 1969 (Monday) – Methuselah (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

3 June 1969 (Tuesday) – Ambrose Slade (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

4 June 1969 (Wednesday) – The Majority (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

5 June 1969 (Thursday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Although advertised, Jo Jo Gunne didn’t appear as they were part through a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas.

6 June 1969 (Friday) – Blonde on Blonde (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms the Blonde on Blonde gig.

7 June 1969 (Saturday) – Exception (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Time Out has Black Velvet billed for 7 June. Hounslow Post confirms Exception.

8 June 1969 (Sunday) – Root and Jenny Jackson (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

9 June 1969 (Monday) – Entire Sioux Nation (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

10 June 1969 (Tuesday) – The Flames (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

11 June 1969 (Wednesday) – East of Eden (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Time out confirms this gig as does the East of Eden website: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html

12 June 1969 (Thursday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

13 June 1969 (Friday) – Black Velvet (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

15 June 1969 (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post and Time Out confirm this gig.

16 June 1969 (Monday) – Soul Committee (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

17 June 1969 (Tuesday) – Springfield Park (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

18 June 1969 (Wednesday) – Village (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

19 June 1969 (Thursday) – Samson (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

20 June 1969 (Friday) – The Majority (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

21 June 1969 (Saturday) – Heaven (John Warburg’s research)

22 June 1969 (Sunday) – Ski Boo (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

23 June 1969 (Monday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

24 June 1969 (Tuesday) – Brainbox (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

25 June 1969 (Wednesday) – The Majority (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

 

26 June 1969 (Thursday) – The Web (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

27 June 1969 (Friday) – Procession (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig. Future Manfred Mann’s Earth Band guitarist Mick Rogers was a member of Procession.

29 June 1969 (Sunday) – The Flames (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Hounslow Post confirms this gig.

30 June 1969 (Monday) – Clouds (Blaises gig poster at Don Powell’s website: http://www.donpowellofficial.com/)

Time out lists Ambrose Slade for 30 June.

 

1 July 1969 (Tuesday) – The Majority (Marmalade Skies website)

2 July 1969 (Wednesday) – Babylon (Marmalade Skies website)

3 July 1969 (Thursday) – Eddie Thornton Quartet (Hounslow Post)

4 July 1969 (Friday) – The New York Public Library (Hounslow Post)

5 July 1969 (Saturday) – The Fire (Marmalade Skies website)

6 July 1969 (Sunday) – The Flames (Hounslow Post)

7 July 1969 (Monday) – The Entire Sioux Nation (Marmalade Skies website)

8 July 1969 (Tuesday) – Arcadium (Marmalade Skies website)

10 July 1969 (Thursday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Hounslow Post)

Although advertised, Jo Jo Gunne may not have appeared as they returned from a three-month residency at the House of Lords club in the Bahamas in early-to-mid July.

11 July 1969 (Friday) – Spirit of John Morgan (Hounslow Post)

12 July 1969 (Saturday) – The Majority (Marmalade Skies website)

13 July 1969 (Sunday) – Arrival (Hounslow Post)

John Warburg’s research has Audience for 13 July.

14 July 1969 (Monday) – The New York Public Library (Marmalade Skies website)

15 July 1969 (Tuesday) – Samson (Marmalade Skies website)

17 July 1969 (Thursday) – The Flames (Marylebone Mercury)

18 July 1969 (Friday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Marmalade Skies website)

Confirmed by Marylebone Mercury.

20 July 1969 (Sunday) – Jimmy Ruffin with Sweet Blindness (Marylebone Mercury)

21 July 1969 (Monday) – East of Eden (East of Eden website: www.eastofedentheband.co.uk/GIGS.html)

22 July 1969 (Tuesday) – Circus (Marmalade Skies website)

25 July 1969 (Friday) – The Majority (Marmalade Skies website)

26 July 1969 (Saturday) – Velvet Opera (Marmalade Skies website)

28 July 1969 (Monday) – Shy Limbs (Marmalade Skies website)

29 July 1969 (Tuesday) – Black Velvet (Time Out)

30 July 1969 (Wednesday) – The Nite People (Melody Maker)

 

1 August 1969 (Friday) – Skin Alley (John Warburg’s research)

5 August 1969 (Tuesday) – Ashton, Gardner and Dyke (needs source)

10 August 1969 (Sunday) – Eire Apparent (Melody Maker)

This may be another Sunday so needs confirmation.

11 August 1969 (Monday) – Audience (John Warburg’s research)

12 August 1969 (Tuesday) – Cuby & The Blizzards (Melody Maker)

This may be another Tuesday so needs confirmation.

15 August 1969 (Thursday) – Demon Fuzz (Kensington Post)

16 August 1969 (Saturday) – Cressida (Kensington Post)

17 August 1969 (Sunday) – Paul Williams Set (Kensington Post)

18 August 1969 (Monday) – Circus (Time Out)

21 August 1969 (Thursday) – Windmill (Marylebone Mercury)

22 August 1969 (Friday) – Freedom (Marylebone Mercury)

24 August 1969 (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

25 August 1969 (Monday) – Procession (Marylebone Mercury) Unlikely they played this

28 August 1969 (Thursday) – Springfield Park (Marylebone Mercury)

31 August 1969 (Sunday) – Black Velvet (Time Out)

 

4 September 1969 (Thursday) – Rainbow People (Kensington Post/Marylebone Mercury)

5 September 1969 (Friday) – Rich Grimes & Babylon (Kensington Post)

6 September 1969 (Saturday) – TBC (Marylebone Mercury)

7 September 1969 (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Kensington Post)

12 September 1969 (Friday) – The Coloured Raisins (Marylebone Mercury)

13 September 1969 (Saturday) – The Shades (Marylebone Mercury)

14 September 1969 (Sunday) – Ray King Soul Band (Marylebone Mercury)

15 September 1969 (Monday) – Fire (Marylebone Mercury)

18 September 1969 (Thursday) – Skin Alley (Kensington Post)

19 September 1969 (Friday) – Audience (Kensington Post)

20 September 1969 (Saturday) – Fortes Mentum (Kensington Post)

21 September 1969 (Sunday) – The Web (Kensington Post)

25 September 1969 (Thursday) – Black Velvet (Marylebone Mercury)

26 September 1969 (Friday) – Front Line Band (Marylebone Mercury)

28 September 1969 (Sunday) – Prince Buster (Marylebone Mercury)

 

2 October 1969 (Thursday) – Ruby James (Kensington Post)

3 October 1969 (Friday) – David (Kensington Post)

4 October 1969 (Saturday) – Raw Material (Kensington Post)

5 October 1969 (Sunday) – Bulldog Breed (Kensington Post)

10 October 1969 (Friday) – Hawkwind (Melody Maker)

Time Out has Skin Alley on 10 October. 

11 October 1969 (Saturday) – Brain Child (Marylebone Mercury)

12 October 1969 (Sunday) – Lee Dorsey (Time Out)

13 October 1969 (Monday) – Ashton, Gardner and Dyke (Time Out)

14 October 1969 (Tuesday) – Audience (Time Out)

16 October 1969 (Thursday) – Village (Time Out)

17 October 1969 (Friday) – Merlin Q (Hounslow Post)

18 October 1969 (Saturday) – Tekneek (Hounslow Post)

19 October 1969 (Sunday) – Jacky Edwards and The Rainbow People (Hounslow Post)

21 October 1969 (Tuesday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)

24 October 1969 (Friday) – Bulldog Breed (Hounslow Post)

25 October 1969 (Saturday) – Shy Limbs (Hounslow Post)

26 October 1969 (Sunday) – Arrival (Hounslow Post)

31 October 1969 (Friday) – The Elastic Band (Marylebone Mercury)

 

2 November 1969 (Sunday) – Marv Johnson (Melody Maker)

7 November 1969 (Friday) – Big Movement (Kensington Post)

8 November 1969 (Saturday) – Man (Kensington Post)

9 November 1969 (Sunday) – Black Apple (Kensington Post)

13 November 1969 (Thursday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)

23 November 1969 (Sunday) – John Kramer (Time Out)

24 November 1969 (Monday) – Raw Material (Time Out)

26 November 1969 (Wednesday) – Lucas & The Soul Band (Time Out)

27 November 1969 (Friday) – Fire (Time Out)

 

4 December 1969 (Thursday) – Arcadium (Time Out)

5 December 1969 (Friday) – Raw Material (Time Out)

7 December 1969 (Sunday) – The Box Tops (Time Out)

According to Bruno Ceriotti The Box Tops tour was cancelled.

8 December 1969 (Monday) – Quatermass (needs source – possibly Melody Maker)

11 December 1969 (Thursday) – Tim Mycroft (Time Out)

12 December 1969 (Friday) – Bulldog Breed (Marylebone Mercury)

13 December 1969 (Saturday) – Brainchild (Marylebone Mercury)

14 December 1969 (Sunday) – Black Apple (Marylebone Mercury)

15 December 1969 (Monday) – The Committee (Marylebone Mercury)

16 December 1969 (Tuesday) – Mud (Marylebone Mercury)

17 December 1969 (Wednesday) – Magic Horse (Marylebone Mercury)

18 December 1969 (Thursday) – The Shades (Time Out)

19 December 1969 (Friday) – The Web (Time Out)

20 December 1969 (Saturday) – Fire (Kensington Post)

22 December 1969 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Time Out)

23 December 1969 (Tuesday) – Lucas & The Soul Band (Time Out)

24 December 1969 (Wednesday) – Imagination (Kensington Post)

27 December 1969 (Saturday) – Merlin Q (Time Out)

28 December 1969 (Sunday) – Ferris Wheel (Time Out)

29 December 1969 (Monday) – The Committee (Time Out)

30 December 1969 (Tuesday) – Hawkwind (Melody Maker)

Time Out has Skin Alley on 30 December.

31 December 1969 (Wednesday) – Bulldog Breed (Time Out)

1970

Guitarist and violinist Mike Piggott says that he played at Blaises with Gass during 1969-1970.

1 January 1970 (Thursday) – For Ever More (Marylebone Mercury)

2 January 1970 (Friday) – Noir (Marylebone Mercury)

3 January 1970 (Saturday) – Brain Child (Marylebone Mercury)

4 January 1970 (Sunday) – Roy Young (Marylebone Mercury)

5 January 1970 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Marylebone Mercury)

6 January 1970 (Tuesday) – Black Apple (Marylebone Mercury)

7 January 1970 (Wednesday) – The Committee (Marylebone Mercury)

8 January 1970 (Thursday) – Gentle Strength (Kensington Post)

9 January 1970 (Friday) – Fire (Kensington Post)

10 January 1970 (Saturday) – Merlin Q (Kensington Post)

11 January 1970 (Sunday) – The Wild Angels (Kensington Post)

12 January 1970 (Monday) – The Shy Limbs (Kensington Post)

13 January 1970 (Tuesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sounds (Melody Maker)

14 January 1970 (Wednesday) – Cressida (Kensington Post)

15 January 1970 (Thursday) – The Web (Time Out)

16 January 1970 (Friday) – Springfield Park (Kensington Post)

17 January 1970 (Saturday) – Shades (Kensington Post)

18 January 1970 (Sunday) – Noir (Kensington Post)

19 January 1970 (Monday) – Skin Alley (Time Out)

20 January 1970 (Tuesday) – Napoleon (Kensington Post)

21 January 1970 (Wednesday) – Stone the Crows (Kensington Post)

22 January 1970 (Thursday) – Committee (Marylebone Mercury)

23 January 1970 (Friday) – David (Marylebone Mercury)

25 January 1970 (Sunday) – Tim Mycroft (Marylebone Mercury)

26 January 1970 (Monday) – Hawkwind (Time Out)

27 January 1970 (Tuesday) – Animal Farm (Marylebone Mercury)

28 January 1970 (Wednesday) – Windmill (Marylebone Mercury)

29 January 1970 (Thursday) – Raw Material (Marylebone Mercury)

30 January 1970 (Friday) – Shades (Marylebone Mercury)

31 January 1970 (Saturday) – TBC (Marylebone Mercury)

 

1 February 1970 (Sunday) – Edwin Starr (Marylebone Mercury)

2 February 1970 (Monday) – Warm Dust (Marylebone Mercury)

3 February 1970 (Tuesday) – Shy Limbs (Marylebone Mercury)

4 February 1970 (Wednesday) – Mud (Marylebone Mercury)

5 February 1970 (Thursday) – Windmill (Marylebone Mercury)

6 February 1970 (Friday) – Cressida (Marylebone Mercury)

7 February 1970 (Saturday) – Forevermore (Marylebone Mercury)

8 February 1970 (Sunday) – Focus (Marylebone Mercury)

9 February 1970 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Marylebone Mercury)

10 February 1970 (Tuesday) – Skin Alley (Marylebone Mercury)

11 February 1970 (Wednesday) – Black Apple (Marylebone Mercury)

19 February 1970 (Thursday) – Majority (Kensington Post)

20 February 1970 (Friday) – Fire (Kensington Post)

22 February 1970 (Sunday) – This Year’s Girl (Kensington Post)

23 February 1970 (Monday) – Ray King Soul Band (Kensington Post)

24 February 1970 (Tuesday) – Black Apple (Kensington Post)

25 February 1970 (Wednesday) – The Majority (Kensington Post)

26 February 1970 (Thursday) – Genesis (Melody Maker and Time Out)

 

5 March 1970 (Thursday) – David (Kensington Post)

6 March 1970 (Friday) – Business (Kensington Post)

7 March 1970 (Saturday) – Cochise (Kensington Post)

8 March 1970 (Sunday) – Sam Gopal (Kensington Post)

9 March 1970 (Monday) – Pacific Drift (Kensington Post)

10 March 1970 (Tuesday) – Raw Material (Kensington Post)

11 March 1970 (Wednesday) – The Majority (Kensington Post)

12 March 1970 (Thursday) – Genesis (Kensington Post)

13 March 1970 (Friday) – Fire (Kensington Post)

14 March 1970 (Saturday) – Gorman Ghast (Kensington Post)

15 March 1970 (Sunday) – Jackie Edwards (Kensington Post)

16 March 1970 (Monday) – New Arrivals (Kensington Post)

17 March 1970 (Tuesday) – Ashton, Gardner & Dyke (Kensington Post)

19 March 1970 (Thursday) – Rainbow People (Kensington Post)

20 March 1970 (Friday) – Cardboard Orchestra (Kensington Post)

21 March 1970 (Saturday) – Mud (Kensington Post)

22 March 1970 (Sunday) – Wild Angels (Kensington Post)

24 March 1970 (Tuesday) – Lucas & The Soul Sound (Kensington Post)

25 March 1970 (Wednesday) – Cressida (Kensington Post)

 

12 May 1970 (Tuesday) – Gin House (Time Out)

25 June 1970 (Thursday) – Mirrors (Melody Maker)

 

8 August 1970 (Saturday) – Cressida (Time Out)

10 August 1970 (Monday) – David (Time Out)

12 August 1970 (Wednesday) – Pure Wings (Time Out)

13 August 1970 (Thursday) – Osibisa (Time Out)

14 August 1970 (Friday) – Flare (Time Out)

15 August 1970 (Saturday) – Satisfaction (Time Out)

16 August 1970 (Sunday) – Raw Material (Time Out)

17 August 1970 (Monday) – Camelot (Time Out)

21 August 1970 (Friday) – Crazy Mabel (Time Out)

24 August 1970 (Monday) – Anno Domini (Time Out)

26 August 1970 (Wednesday) – Mirrors (Time Out)

29 August 1970 (Saturday) – Crazy Mabel (Time Out)

 

20 September 1970 (Sunday) – Mirrors (Time Out)

29 November 1970 (Sunday) – The Flame (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.

 

 

The Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Upper Richmond Road, Putney

Together with St Mary’s Hall, also in Putney, the Pontiac Club was a popular venue in southwest London in the early-mid 1960s.

Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds were resident band there at one point as were The Action, formerly The Boys and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers.

The club was located at 200 Upper Richmond Road, Putney, near the main railway station.

I have started a gig list below and would welcome any additions as well as memories in the comments below. If you have any memorabilia, including posters for the club, I would be happy to include them with a credit.

1963

28 December 1963 (Saturday) – Manfred Mann and Mark Leeman Five (Greg Russo’s research)

1965

Initially billed as the New Pontiac Club

27 May 1965 (Thursday) – Donovan with full supporting groups (Kingston & Malden Borough News)

28 May 1965 (Friday) – Alex Harvey Soul Band with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)

29 May 1965 (Saturday) – The Peddlers with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)

30 May 1965 (Sunday) – Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)

Photo: Melody Maker

2 June 1965 (Wednesday) – Alexis Korner with support (Melody Maker/Kingston & Malden Borough News)

4 June 1965 (Friday) – The Downliners Sect and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)

5 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Beat Merchants, The Billy Woods Combo and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)

6 June 1965 (Sunday) – Mike Berry & The Outsiders with support (Melody Maker)

9 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Muleskinners with support (Melody Maker)

Future Small Faces keyboard player Ian McLagan played with The Muleskinners.

11 June 1965 (Friday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (New Musical Express)

Photo: Melody Maker

16 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Boston Dexters and The Blues Messengers (Melody Maker)

18 June 1965 (Friday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

19 June 1965 (Saturday) – Alex Harvey’s Soul Band (Melody Maker)

20 June 1965 (Sunday) – The Hollies and Rey Anton & The Peppermint Men (Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

25 June 1965 (Friday) – The Boston Dexters and Long John Baldry & The Hoochie Coochie Men (Melody Maker)

26 June 1965 (Saturday) – The Mark Leeman Five (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

27 June 1965 (Sunday) – Phil Ryan & The Crescents (New Musical Express/Melody Maker) Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays may also have been on the bill for this date

30 June 1965 (Wednesday) – The Artwoods and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)

 

2 July 1965 (Friday) – The Mark Leeman Five and Platform 6 (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)

3 July 1965 (Saturday) – The Comanches and The Primitives (Melody Maker)

4 July 1965 (Sunday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (Melody Maker)

7 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)

Photo: Melody Maker

9 July 1965 (Friday) – The Beat Merchants and The Comanches (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

10 July 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers and Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

11 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters and The Fetish Crowd (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

14 July 1965 (Wednesday) – Manfred Mann and The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

16 July 1965 (Friday) – The Checkmates and The Thoughts (New Musical Express)

17 July 1965 (Saturday) – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays and Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders (New Musical Express)

18 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)

Photo: Melody Maker

21 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Classmates and Group Survival (Melody Maker)

23 July 1965 (Friday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders and The Five Proud Walkers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

24 July 1965 (Saturday) – The Action and Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

The Action were recently billed as The Boys.

25 July 1965 (Sunday) – The Thoughts (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

28 July 1965 (Wednesday) – The Who and surf band in support (New Musical Express/Melody Maker) (see comments section below) This could have been The Summer Set

30 July 1965 (Friday) – Gerry L Thompson & The Sidewinders and The RBQ (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

31 July 1965 (Saturday) – John Lee’s Groundhogs (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

 

1 August (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (New Musical Express)

Photo: Melody Maker

4 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers started a regular (two month) Wednesday night residency on this date.

6 August 1965 (Friday) – Tony Knight’s Chessmen and The Fetish Crowd (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)

7 August 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers and Soul Survival (Melody Maker/New Musical Express)

Later this same evening The Byrds played at the Pontiac Club. According to author Don Hughes, The Dae-b-Four were the support band.

8 August (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)

11 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

13 August 1965 (Friday) – Guy Hamilton & The Senators (Melody Maker)

14 August 1965 (Saturday) – The Primitives and The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)

15 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Boston Dexters (Melody Maker)

18 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

20 August 1965 (Friday) – The Fenmen (New Musical Express)

21 August 1965 (Saturday) – The Action and Sonny Childe & The Cool School (New Musical Express)

22 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Truth (New Musical Express)

25 August 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (New Musical Express)

According to Christopher Hjort’s excellent book Strange Brew, this was the last gig by The Bluesbreakers with Eric Clapton who left and was replaced by a succession of fill-in guitarists before returning in November.

Photo: Melody Maker

27 August 1965 (Friday) – Ronnie Jones & The Blue Jays (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

28 August 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

29 August 1965 (Sunday) – The Ingoes (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

The Ingoes morphed into Blossom Toes.

 

1 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (New Musical Express/Melody Maker)

According to Christopher Hjort’s book, John Weider, who has previously played with Johnny Kidd & The Pirates among others, covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.

3 September 1965 (Friday) – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (New Musical Express)

4 September 1965 (Saturday) – The VIPs (New Musical Express)

The VIPs band morphed into Spooky Tooth.

5 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

The Action had a regular Sunday residency at this venue for a while. Some sources also note that The Objects played in support on this date.

8 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

According to Christopher Hjort’s book, John Slaughter from Chris Barber’s band covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.

10 September 1965 (Friday) – The Crowd (Melody Maker)

11 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers (Melody Maker)

12 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

15 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

According to Christopher Hjort’s book, former Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions guitarist Geoff Krivit covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.

Photo: Melody Maker

18 September 1965 (Saturday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)

19 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

22 September 1965 (Wednesday) – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Melody Maker)

According to Christopher Hjort’s book, former Jimmy Powell & The Five Dimensions guitarist Geoff Krivit covered for Eric Clapton in The Bluesbreakers for this gig.

This is the band’s final show at the Pontiac and Hjort notes that Peter Green approached Mayall at this venue to ask if he could take over from Krivit as permanent guitarist.

Photo: Melody Maker

24 September 1965 (Friday) – Tony Colton’s Big Boss Band (Melody Maker)

25 September 1965 (Saturday) – The Beat Merchants (Melody Maker)

26 September 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

 

1 October 1965 (Friday) – The Bo Street Runners (Melody Maker)

2 October 1965 (Saturday) – The VIPs (Melody Maker)

3 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

9 October 1965 (Saturday) – Five Proud Walkers (Info from John Treais)

10 October 1965 (Sunday) – Jimmy Witherspoon (Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

15 October 1965 (Friday) – Them (Melody Maker)

Them was Van Morrison’s Belfast band. Around this time, former members began gigged in a rival Them.

16 October 1965 (Saturday) – The Arthur Brown Union (Info from John Treais)

17 October 1965 (Sunday) – Gary Farr & T-Bones (Melody Maker)

20 October 1965 (Wednesday) – T-Bone Walker and The Blue Jays (Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

22 October 1965 (Friday) – Dean Ford & The Gaylords (Melody Maker)

This band morphed into Marmalade.

23 October 1965 (Saturday) – The Vectors (Melody Maker)

24 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

30 October 1964 (Saturday) – Victor Brox (Info from John Treais)

31 October 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

6 November 1965 (Saturday) – J C & The Machine (aka Julian Covey) (Melody Maker)

After John McVie was sacked from John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers on 3 October, he found work with Julian Covey’s band until he returned to Mayall in early January 1966.

7 November 1965 (Sunday) – The Action (Melody Maker)

9 November 1965 (Tuesday) – Wilson Pickett (Melody Maker)

Photo: Melody Maker

17 December 1965 (Friday) – The Carnaby (Melody Maker)

18 December 1965 (Saturday) – The High Society (Melody Maker)

This group had recently been The Arthur Brown Union but when Arthur left earlier this month, singer Dave Terry (aka Elmer Gantry) took over. They soon became The Union.

19 December 1965 (Sunday) – The Crowd with Peter Fenton (Melody Maker)

24 December 1965 (Friday) – The Army (Melody Maker)

Emerging out of Hampton R&B band, The Others, this group soon changed name to Sands.

26 December 1965 (Sunday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-timers (Melody Maker)

27 December 1965 (Monday) – The Mickey Finn (Melody Maker)

1966

17 March 1966 (Thursday) – The Loose Ends and support (Melody Maker)

19 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Checkers and support (Melody Maker)

20 March 1966 (Sunday) – The In Crowd (Melody Maker)

The In Crowd morphed into Tomorrow in early 1967.

23 March 1966 (Wednesday) – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (Melody Maker)

24 March 1966 (Thursday) – The Mickey Finns (Melody Maker)

26 March 1966 (Saturday) – The Basic 5 (Melody Maker)

27 March 1966 (Sunday) – The Shevells (Melody Maker)

The Carl Douglas Set at the Pontiac Club, Putney, May 1966

5 May 1966 (Thursday) – The Carl Douglas Set (poster from Ken Baxter)

7 May 1966 (Saturday) – Dracken Lewis 5 (most likely Deakin Lewis) and Front Line (poster from Ken Baxter)

 

28 May 1966 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Gunne (Melody Maker)

 

4 June 1966 (Saturday) – The Drag Set (Melody Maker)

18 June 1966 (Saturday) – Jo Jo Gunne (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.

 

The Myddle Class

The Myddle Class photo: Danny Mansolino, Dave Palmer, Rick Philp, Charlie Larkey, Myke Rosa
(from left) Danny Mansolino, Dave Palmer, Rick Philp, Charlie Larkey, Myke Rosa

Rewritten July, 2011 and again November, 2022

Dave Palmer (vocals)
Rick Philp (guitar)
Danny Mansolino (organ)
Charles Larkey (bass)
Michael “Myke” Rosa (drums)

The Myddle Class had three poorly-distributed 45s and little chart action, but there’s a lot more to their story.

They started as the King Bees in suburban New Jersey, in the Passaic Valley towns that border I-78 southwest of Summit. Dave Palmer and Rick Philp came from Warren Township, Myke Rosa from Berkeley Heights, Charles Larkey from Mountainside and Danny Mansolino from North Plainfield.

One account I’ve read says some of the group first got together as the Four Classics, with Danny Mansolino on vocals, Rick Philp on guitar, Myke Rosa on drums and Kurt Gabrook on bass. The band had one job at Hobby Hall, a formal dance school in Summit, where they played for classes until being fired for playing too many Rolling Stones songs.

Danny told me he played with Rick for some time before Dave Palmer joined, playing a Conn organ and doing many of the lead vocals. In any case, the King Bees had started by late 1964.

Dave Palmer and Rick Philp were students at Watchung Hills Regional High School. Danny Mansolino attended North Plainfield High School. He had started out on accordion, but joined the group because Rick wanted someone to play organ. At first Chris Irby played bass (Curt Gabrook, according to “Tales of the Myddle Class” by Todd Abramson), but when he decided to quit, drummer Myke Rosa brought in Charles Larkey, a friend of his from Governor Livingston Regional High School. Charles was only just learning the bass when he joined, but he had good stage presence and sharp clothes from his father’s store Larkey’s in Newark, which kept up on London fashions.

The King Bees live shows became legendary – one concert at Governor Livingston High in Berkeley Heights included versions of “Shout”, “She’s Not There” and an original, “It’s the Season”.

Myddle Class early band photo, taken in Carole King & Gerry Goffin's backyard: Myke Rosa, Rick Philp, Danny Mansolino, Dave Palmer and Charles Larkey
An early photo of the band, taken in Carole & Gerry’s backyard, photographer unknown
Front to back: Myke Rosa, Rick Philp, Danny Mansolino, Dave Palmer and Charles Larkey

Myddle Class Tomorrow 45 Free As the WindAfter a concert at the Berkeley Heights CYO in December of 1964 the band met New York Post columnist Al Aronowitz, who had heard about the band through his babysitter. Danny however recalls meeting Aronowitz at swim club in the New Providence area, with Bruce DeForrest.

Al became their manager, even though he hadn’t done any artist management work before. His home in Berkeley Heights became a base for the group.

Dan Mansolino:

It was my custom to record most rehearsals which took place at my home in North Plainfield. This is where the heavy organ was, first a Conn model and later a Hammond B3. The Conn organ is what you hear on “Gates of Eden,” “I Happen to Love You,” “Free As The Wind” and “It’s The Season.” Very few rehearsals occurred at the Aronowitz residence.

Aronowitz introduced them to Carole King and Gerry Goffin, the husband-and-wife song writing team who were then living in West Orange, New Jersey. Goffin and King agreed to write songs and produce the group.

Danny Mansolino told me that Barbara Rubin did film some of the Myddle Class performances, possibly at Cafe Bizarre & Night Owl, as well as taking photos during rehearsals, in a New Jersey swamp, and at a Fire Island cottage. Barbara Rubin had already made Christmas on Earth and would soon be collaborating with Andy Warhol, Dylan and Allen Ginsberg at about this time. Al Aronowitz wrote the film with the Myddle Class was titled The Suburbs of Heaven. It may not have been completed. I can’t find any mention of The Suburbs of Heaven or her filming the Myddle Class in accounts of Rubin’s career. However, many of her works haven’t been cataloged or made public yet.

A rumor of the King Bees or Myddle Class recording an album titled Soul in White Suburbia seems to be unfounded.

Myddle Class Tomorrow 45 Gates of EdenIn the fall of ’65 the King Bees changed their name to the Myddle Class to distinguish themselves from Danny Kortchmar’s King Bees who just had a release on RCA Victor. In October, Goffin and King signed a production deal for their new label, Tomorrow, with Atlantic-Atco, expressly to release their first single with the Myddle Class.

Billboard reviewed “Free as the Wind” in December 1965: “New label, new group and new Goffin-King material has smash hit possibilities. Folk rocker is a powerhouse!” Rick Philp and Dave Palmer share writing credit with Goffin and King. Despite the promising review, I can only find evidence of the single hitting the radio charts in Albany, New York in early ’66.

The flip is a moody garage version of Dylan’s “Gates of Eden” that I think is among the best covers of Dylan ever done.

Early on the Myddle Class used Talent Masters Studio in New York.

Myddle Class Summit High flyer, with pitchfork photo by John Lynch: Dave Palmer, Charles Larkey, Myke Rosa, Danny Mansolino and Rick Philp
Flyer for the Summit High show, with pitchfork photo by John Lynch
from left: Dave Palmer, Charles Larkey, Myke Rosa, Danny Mansolino and Rick Philp

On December 11, 1965, the Myddle Class headlined a legendary concert at the Summit High School Auditorium with opening acts the Forty Fingers and the Velvet Underground. Al Aronowitz produced the show and booked the Velvets. In fact, it was the first time Lou Reed, John Cale and Sterling Morrison billed themselves as the Velvet Underground and was also their first live show with Maureen Tucker on drums!

I’ve seen it written that Aronowitz was helping the Velvets out after they had been fired from the Cafe Wha?, but they had played at that venue much earlier in ’65. After the Summit High concert, Aronowitz did acquire a residency for the Velvets at Cafe Bizarre. He would get the Myddle Class into the Cafe Bizarre in 1966, along with the Night Owl Cafe and the Cafe Au Go Go (but not the Cafe Wha? according to Danny). Aronowitz claimed he was taping the Summit show, but someone from the Velvet Underground stole his new Wollensack tape recorder. The live tape has never surfaced, which is a shame, though all accounts say the Velvets received a very mixed reaction from the audience.

Review of the Summit High concert by Rob Norris<br /> Excerpt from "I Was a Velvetten", reproduced from Kicks #1 with permission
Review of the Summit High concert by Rob Norris
Excerpt from “I Was a Velvetten”, reproduced from Kicks #1 with permission

Myddle Class Tomorrow 45 Don't Let Me Sleep Too LongThe Myddle Class’s second single, “Don’t Let Me Sleep Too Long” was a #2 hit on WPTR in Albany during the summer of ’66. The success of the single led to a couple week-long gigs at Lake George that summer. They played shows with the All Night Walkers and the Barbarians and met Lloyd Baskin, who would later sing & play piano on some Myddle Class recordings in Boston. One of their set highlights was a version of the Jimmy Hughes single, “Neighbor, Neighbor”.

“I Happen to Love You” is a driving slice of cool teenage angst: in my opinion, their best recording. It may have been one of the songs Goffin and King intended for the Monkees, but the Monkees never recorded it. A revamped version of Them without Van Morrison did an effective cover of it in late 1967.

Myddle Class Tomorrow 45 I Happen To Love YouDespite the band receiving song writing credit on the label, “Don’t Let Me Sleep Too Long” was likely taken from the Blues Project’s “Wake Me, Shake Me”, a staple of that group’s live sets throughout 1966. The song derives from traditional spirituals going back to the early 20th Century or earlier. The Blues Project may have adapted the song from the version by the Golden Chords on the Columbia LP Introducing The Sweet Chariot, released in 1963, or from earlier versions such as the Coasters. The Blues Project recorded a demo in January ’66 and then a finished version in August that was used for their album Projections, released in November 1966. The Myddle Class beat them to first release by rushing their 45 out in June, ’66!

Myddle Class West coast pressing of their second 45, probably rush pressed when the song hit on KFXM in San Bernadino in October '66
West coast pressing of their second 45, probably rush-pressed when the song hit on KFXM in San Bernadino in October ’66

Al Kooper stated to Lyn Nuttal, “The Blues Project let The Myddle Class open for them as a favor and in return, they stole their closing song! Nobody really even heard The Myddle Class theft in the US outside of New York City. The Blues Project’s version of “Wake Me, Shake Me” was the big version in the US and influenced a lot of young bands.” True, but for many teenagers who heard the record that summer, the Myddle Class recording will always remain THE version of the song. When this Myddle Class 45 was reissued on the Buddah label, “Al Kooper and the Blues Project” were credited for the arrangement.

The deal Goffin and King had struck with Atco to distribute Tomorrow fell apart after only three releases (two by the Myddle Class and one by Carole King, “A Road to Nowhere” / “Some of Your Lovin'”).

Bachs Lunch Tomorrow 45 You Go OnGoffin and King moved their distribution deal for Tomorrow to Cameo-Parkway, and their first release on a redesigned Tomorrow label was by the Bach’s Lunch, a girl group (with singer Darlene McCrea of the Cookies and the Raelettes – I don’t know the other members), with some of the Myddle Class providing the instrumental backing (Dan Mansolino told me his is not playing on either song). The A-side was a remake of Goffin and King’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow”, but the real gem is an excellent Rick Philp and Dave Palmer song “You Go On”. Scott at Crud Crud wrote up a fine appreciation of the Bach’s Lunch record which I recommend reading.

The band had some regional successes, including good receptions in Montreal and Boston, a short residency at Ungano’s on the upper West Side of Manhattan, and a show in Smithtown, Long Island promoted by DJ Scott Ross that attracted over 3,000 people. However, a number of discouraging developments hurt the band around this time. They had a good audition with Tom Wilson, but supposedly Al Aronowitz didn’t allow the deal to go through. Dan recalls the audition as being for Columbia Records, not MGM. In February of ’67 they opened a show for the Animals, but their set was interrupted by problems with the microphones, and it seems the band worried this performance hurt their reputation with the press.

Myddle Class Tomorrow 45 Don't Look BackMyddle Class Tomorrow 45 Wind Chime Laughter

In April of 1967 the Myddle Class signed to Cameo-Parkway and released one last 45. The A-side “Don’t Look Back” was a cover of Temptations and, uniquely, produced solely by the group themselves. On the flip was the superb “Wind Chime Laughter”, with song writing listed by P. Palmer (actually Philp and Palmer) for Merlin Music, BMI, and production credited jointly to the Myddle Class and Goffin. Unfortunately Allen Klein took over Cameo-Parkway in August and ousted the band’s reps at the label, including Neil Bogart, leaving their new single without any promotion.

Esquire September 1967 Charles Larkey cover

Some of the Myddle Class appeared anonymously as models in ads photographed by Richard Avedon. One of Avedon’s photos of Charles Larkey was used for the cover of Esquire in September ’67. Larkey joined the Fugs in late ’67 with rival King Bee Dan “Kootch” Kortchmar for a series of shows at the Players Theater.

With some members away at college and pursuing other musical opportunities, the band was rarely performing live by this time. They did some recording sessions, usually at Dick Charles Recording Service, including demos for Goffin and King songs which would be placed with other artists. I’ve read that they helped recorded and helped arrange demos of “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “Porpoise Song” for the Monkees but that may be only a rumor. Nor have I heard a version of “Snow Queen” that they may have cut.

Myddle Class demos of Goffin-King songs that do exist include “Goin’ Back” (a single for the Byrds in October ’67), “I Can’t Make It Alone” (which Dusty Springfield would record for Dusty in Memphis) and a couple others: “An Angel Walks Beside Me” and “Who Does He Love”. The 1967 Myddle Class demo of “Fun and Games” turned up on a Regent Sound Studio lacquer acetate, and is excellent.

Dan recalls the group (except Dave) recording music for a 45-minute Fred Mogubgub film, and Dave and Dan doing a version of “I Can’t Make it Alone” for a Jules Dassin project.

Dave Palmer and Rick Philp signed a publishing with Screen Gems-Columbia, the same publishers representing Goffin and King songs from this period. They received some income from this deal, but a promise from Don Kirshner to sign the group to Colgems never materialized, nor did he place any of their songs with artists. The band recorded demos of some of these Palmer & Philp songs, like “Man on the Bridge”.

A Bell Sound Studios 12″ lacquer includes five of their released songs, a version of “Visions of Johanna” that has never been released, a short snippet of Rick playing during a live show, and six other demos.

Lovin’ Season
Visions of Johanna
Goin’ Back
Man on a Bridge
Can’t Make it Alone

Don’t Look Back
Gates of Eden
Wind Chime Laughter
Free as the Wind
Don’t Let Me Sleep Too Long
I Shall Be Released
Saint James Prelude

Dan wrote to me:

“Saint James Prelude” … was the intro Rick played for our cover of “Saint James Infirmary”, performed during a live set at the Bitter End Cafe.

I recorded this on my Wollensak stereo tape recorder. I lent the tape to Aronowitz and that was the last I heard of it.

Palmer and Philp’s original “I’ve Come Too Far” turned up on the b-side of a single by the Coven on SGC 15074 in 1968. This was produced by Gerry Goffin and engineered by Chris Hinshaw, indicating a west coast recording. Interestingly, the A-side, a cover of “I Shall Be Released” features a different female vocalist (and no David Palmer vocal) over the exact music track (pedal steel guitar and all) as it appears on the tape Al Aronowitz sold. It makes me wonder if “I’ve Come Too Far” also features members of the Myddle Class. This is not the same Coven from Indiana who recorded for Mercury, MGM, WB and Buddah.

I’ve seen two other titles but I don’t have confirmation that either was recorded or published: “There’s No Easy Way Down” and “Paper Walls of Innocence” (an early song the band stopped playing after their Ungano’s residency in the summer of ’66, according to Danny).

The Myddle Class circa late 1967: Dave Palmer, Myke Rosa, Rick Philp, Charles Larkey and Danny Mansolino, Bruce DeForrest and his girlfriend Ronnie
The Myddle Class circa late 1967: front and center is Dave Palmer
behind him, from left to right: Myke Rosa, Rick Philp (wearing hat), Charles Larkey and Danny Mansolino
In the background on the left side: Bruce DeForrest and his girlfriend Ronnie
Photographer unknown (possibly John or Thom Lynch)

Goffin and King divorced and relocated (separately) to California in early 1968, by which time the Myddle Class were effectively on hiatus. Rick Philp and Charles Larkey spent the summer of ’68 in Los Angeles working up arrangements with Carole King for songs that would appear on Now That Everything’s Been Said, the album by King’s group the City. Danny Kortchmar replicated Rick’s guitar parts for the final album, released in 1969. Charles Larkey and Carole had been seeing each other since before she left the east coast, and they eventually married in September 1970.

Myddle Class Buddah 45 Don't Let Me Sleep Too LongIn the fall of ’68 Philp was playing guitar with Van Morrison, including material that would become Astral Weeks. There is a photo of Rick playing guitar next to Morrison on the Boston Common, in a group that included bassist Tom Kielbania. Rick also joined Van Morrison for a live show on public TV channel WGBH with Charlie Mariano (see interview of Tom Kielbania by Richie Unterberger), and also possibly played shows with Van at the Ark.

Danny Mansolino and Dave Palmer were living in Boston at approximately the same time as Philp, and together they collaborated on songs with pianist and vocalist Lloyd Baskin. In March of 1969 they recorded a number of songs in a Boston studio:

“Mr. Charlie” (a new Goffin and King composition)
“Keys to the Kingdom” (written by Palmer and Philp)
“Redbeard” (another Palmer and Philp composition, Red Beard being their nickname for Al Aronowitz)
“Emmaretta Marx” (named for the Blues Project vocalist)
“No Easy Way Down”

and an untitled song with refrain: “let me hide my face within / the shelter of your hair / I traveled far, way down in sin / to find salvation there”

Dan tells me Emmaretta Marx” and “No Easy Way Down” have Lloyd Baskin on lead vocals on the Boston tape, and there is also a version of “Emmaretta Marx” recorded in New York without Lloyd.

Rick, Dave and Danny and Lloyd Baskin planned to have Myke Rosa and Charles Larkey meet them at Gerry Goffin’s new Larabee studio in Los Angeles for album sessions in the summer of 1969. Tragically, any future chances were lost when guitarist Rick Philp was murdered by his former roommate in Boston on May 24, 1969.

Myddle Class Buddah 45 I Happen to Love YouAll the remaining members of the Myddle Class have had some involvement with music since. Danny Mansolino and Myke Rosa joined Jake and the Family Jewels for two albums on Polydor in 1969 and ’70. They added Dave Palmer as vocalist for a 1971 album on Elektra as the Quinames Band, including Ken Pine (who had played with Charlie Larkey in the Fugs) and Jerry Burnham. Dave Palmer may have had the biggest success as an early vocalist with Steely Dan and with his own group, Wha-Koo.

Buddah Records sampler LP Rock & Roll With Buddah for N.E.C. Convention Memphis February 1970Neil Bogart , after leaving Cameo-Parkway and joining Buddah Records, reissued “Don’t Let Me Sleep Too Long” / “I Happen to Love You” on 45 in mid-1969, with little impact. “Lovin’ Season”, an unreleased song from circa 1968, showed up on a sampler LP “Rock And Roll With Buddah” given away only at the N.E.C. (National Entertainment Conference) in Memphis in February, 1970. These releases were possibly a tribute to Rick Philp. “Lovin’ Season” is a great rocker with a repetitive organ riff and harmonica solo, and definitely sounds like it was cut at the beginning of the Myddle Class’s career.

Buddah Records sampler LP Rock & Roll With Buddah
Rare sampler LP with “Lovin’ Season”

Before Al Aronowitz passed away on August 1, 2005, he was offering a cassette copy of a collection or recordings by the Myddle Class called One Time Only through his website. The track list is below in the comments, below. It was not the Myddle Class’s rumored unreleased “album” as it includes recordings spanning their entire career, including their singles, the Bach’s Lunch songs and some of the demos mentioned here.

The version of “I Can’t Make it Alone” is excellent but marred by a glitch in the tape. Dan Mansolino told me Lloyd Baskin’s piano was overdubbed on this cut. Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers would release a single of “I Can’t Make it Alone” on MGM in 1968.

The only other track on it that I haven’t mentioned so far is one titled “Unknown Instrumental” that is a home or live recording of a minute of Rick playing guitar in a jazz style. Dan Mansolino told me Rick played this as the intro to “St. James Infirmary” at Myddle Class live shows.

Supposedly a legitimate release of their material is languishing because of legal troubles. It’s a shame, as I can’t think of another band that deserves a retrospective more than these guys.

I hear that Michael Rosa passed away on January 13, 2012.

Update: Be sure to check out the scans I’ve added to this site of business cards, two fan newsletters and other ephemera sent to me by Dan Mansolino.

Sources:

Kathy West’s A Song For You is a an excellent source of first hand information on the band and Kathy’s relationship with Rick Philp. See my review for more information.

Al Aronowitz wrote an extremely funny and interesting account of trying to break the band into the charts. I recommend it highly, but currently only an excerpt is available online.

Lyn Nuttal provides an exhaustive history of “Don’t Let Me Sleep Too Long” / “Wake Me Shake Me” on his fascinating Pop Archives site.

“I Was a Velveteen” by Rob Norris in Kicks #1 (1979)

“Tales of the Myddle Class” by Todd Abramson in Breakthrough #1 (1984) was one of the first appreciations of the Myddle Class.

Info on the Velvet Underground’s early gigs here. A review of the concert used to be online but has since vanished.

Thank you to Susan Palmer De Leon, who sent in two photos of the Myddle Class that I had never seen before. Thanks also to Brian Kirschenbaum and Jeff Lemlich for excellent 45s scans, to Steve for the tip about the Coven single, and to Mike Dugo for alerting me to “Fun & Games” on youtube.

 Bach's Lunch Tomorrow 45 You Go On white label DJ copy
Bach’s Lunch – white label DJ copy
 Bach's Lunch Tomorrow 45 You Go On blue label promotional copy
Bach’s Lunch – blue label promotional copy