The Action gigs 1965-1968

Welcome to another posting in a series of gig listings for 1960s bands. None of these lists is exhaustive and my idea is to add to them in the comments section below over time. They are here for future researchers to draw on and, where possible, I have added the sources used, whether they are newspapers or websites.  I have also added a few interesting bits of information and will add images in time.

I’d like to encourage band members to get in touch to share memories, or for anyone to send corrections/clarifications to my email: Warchive@aol.com 

Equally important, if you attended any of the gigs below or played in the support band, please do leave your memories below in the comments section for future historians to use. If you know of any missing gigs, please add them too, if possible, with the sources.

Image may be subject to copyright

THE ACTION:

1965

17 April 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London (poster) Billed as The Boys

 

5 June 1965 – Ticky Rick and Rang-A-Tang Club, Carnival Hall, Basingstoke, Hampshire (Hampshire & Berkshire Gazette) Billed as The Boys

6 June 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Morons (Lynn News/North Norfolk News)

Image may be subject to copyright

11 July 1965 – Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Rockin’ Roosters (Lynn News/North Norfolk News)

15 July 1965 – Birdcage, Kimbells Ballroom, Southsea, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

17 July 1965 – Bolton Palais, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)

24 July 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob (NME)

 

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

21 August 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 with Sonny Childe & The Cool School (NME)

26 August 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Steampacket, Long John Baldry and Brian Auger Trinity (Dave Allen research)

27 August 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London with The Birds (Ron Wood’s 1965 diary)

 

3 September 1965 – The Cavern, Liverpool with The Masterminds and Fritz, Mike and Mo (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)

4 September 1965 – Beachcomber, Bolton, Greater Manchester (Bolton Evening News)

5 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

12 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

16 September 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Goldie & The Gingerbreads (Dave Allen research)

19 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

26 September 1965 – Pontiac Club, Zeeta House, Putney, London, SW15 (Melody Maker)

 

3 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

15 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

21 October 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds and Johnny B Great & The Quotations (Dave Allen research)

23 October 1965 – Royal Links Pavilion, Cromer, Norfolk with The Cheaters (Julie Fielder book: What Flo Said Next)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 October 1965 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Herts with The Living Legends (Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire Express)

24 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

31 October 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

 

5 November 1965 – The Cavern, Liverpool with Earl Preston’s Realms (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)

7 November 1965 – Pontiac, Zeeta House, Putney, London (Melody Maker)

20 November 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

Image may be subject to copyright

27 November 1965 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

28 November 1965 – Sunshine Floor, Tavern, Dereham, Norfolk with Ian and Danny Eves & Sound Reformed (Eastern Evening News/North Norfolk News)

 

5 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Who (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live) Billed as The Boys

14 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Mark Leeman Five (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

17 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

Image may be subject to copyright

18 December 1965 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Herts with The Spectrum (Welwyn & Hatfield Advertiser)

24 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Roscoe Brown Combo (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

27 December 1965 – Goldhawk Social Club, Shepherd’s Bush, London (Melody Maker)

30 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

31 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

1966

1 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

2 January 1966 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

4 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

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

11 January 1966 – Bristol Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)

18 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

Image may be subject to copyright

21 January 1966 – Carousel Club, 1 Camp Road, Farnborough, Hampshire with The Soul Pushers (Aldershot News/Camberley News) David Else also has the band playing at the Ricky Tick at Staines Town Hall, Middlesex on this day which is feasible

Image may be subject to copyright

22 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

23 January 1966 – Ricky Tick, Plaza, Guildford, Surrey (David Else’s research)

28 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

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

8 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with Roscoe Brown Combo (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

12 February 1966 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

13 February 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

15 February 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Bo Street Runners (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

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

Image may be subject to copyright

20 February 1966 – The Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with Nocturnal (Mid Sussex Times)

27 February 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

 

2 March 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

6 March 1966 – Black Prince, Bexley, southeast London (Fabulous 208/Mick Capewell’s Marmalade Skies)

8 March 1966 – Bristol Chinese R&B Club, Corn Exchange, Bristol (Western Scene)

11 March 1966 – Mr McCoys, Middlesbrough with Jazzboard (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

13 March 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with St Louis Union (The Star)

18 March 1966 – Armco Sports & Social Club, Letchworth, Hermitage Ballroom, Hitchin, Herts with various others (Hertfordshire Express)

19 March 1966 – City Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire with P J Proby, The Searchers, Thane Russell & Three and The Shelley (The Star)

29 March 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Loose Ends (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

30 March 1966 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (Melody Maker)

 

5 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Image may be subject to copyright

8 April 1966 – Links R&B Club, Boreham Wood, Herts with The Vagabonds and The Fairies (Welwyn Advertiser)

Image may be subject to copyright

8-9 April 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

Image may be subject to copyright

10 April 1966 – Ultra Club, Downs, Hassocks, West Sussex with Cops ‘N’ Robbers (Mid Sussex Times)

17 April 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (website: https://dungeonmods.wordpress.com/)

21 April 1966 – The Village, Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire (Disc & Music Echo)

25 April 1966 – Bridgwater Town Hall, Bridgwater, Somerset (Disc & Music Echo)

26 April 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Clayton Squares (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

29 April 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, south London (Melody Maker)

30 April 1966 – Union, Manchester University, Manchester with The Lonely Ones (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

 

1 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

4 May 1966 – Stourbridge Town Hall, Stourbridge, Worcestershire (Beat Instrumental)

5 May 1966 – Kidderminster Town Hall, Kidderminster, Worcestershire (Beat Instrumental)

6 May 1966 – Bluesville, Manor House, north London (Beat Instrumental)

8 May 1966 – Downs Hotel, Hassocks, West Sussex (Beat Instrumental)

13 May 1966 – Ricky Tick, Staines Town Hall, Staines, Middlesex (Disc & Music Echo)

14 May 1966 – Cadillac, Brighton, Sussex (Disc & Music Echo)

15 May 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

16 May 1966 – Chatham Town Hall, Chatham, Kent (Beat Instrumental)

17 May 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Beat Instrumental)

19 May 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Herd (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 May 1966 – Zambesi, Hounslow, west London (Melody Maker)

21 May 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

23 May 1966 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk (Beat Instrumental)

24 May 1966 – Links, Borehamwood, Herts (Beat Instrumental)

25 May 1966 – Tower Ballroom, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk (Beat Instrumental)

26 May 1966 – Starlight, Crawley, West Sussex with The Powerhouse Six (Caterham Weekly Press)

27 May 1966 – Glenlyn Ballroom, Forest Hill, London (South East London Mercury) Beat Instrumental has Acton Town Hall on this date but it’s possible they played both

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

 

9 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, southeast London (South East London Mercury)

12 June 1966 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Beat Instrumental)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 June 1966 – Queen’s Ballroom, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (Express & Star)

14 June 1966 – Grand Black Daffodil, Odeon Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (The Star)

16 June 1966 – Bath Pavilion, Bath (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

17 June 1966 – Ready Steady Go Club, Market Hall, St Albans, Herts (Welwyn Advertiser)

Image may be subject to copyright

18 June 1966 – Uxbridge Blues Festival, Hillingdon Borough Show Ground, Hillingdon, west London with Manfred Mann, The Alan Walker Group and the Steampacket (Middlesex Chronicle)

19 June 1966 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)

22 June 1966 – Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley, London (South East London Mercury)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 June 1966 – KD Club, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

24 June 1966 – Durham University, Durham (Fabulous 208)

25 June 1966 – Leeds University, Leeds, West Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

28 June 1966 – Corn Exchange, Bristol (Fabulous 208)

30 June 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Bown Set (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

1 July 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, southeast London (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

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

Image may be subject to copyright

4 July 1966 – Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News) Says Straight from the Marquee in the advert

9 July 1966 – Ricky Tick, Windsor, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

10 July 1966 – Central Hotel, Gillingham, Kent (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

10 July 1966 – The Catacombe, Eastbourne, East Sussex with Dion Five (Eastbourne Herald Chronicle)

12 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Creation (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Image may be subject to copyright

14 July 1966 – Assembly Room, Worthing, West Sussex (Evening Argus/Worthing Herald)

15 July 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, London (Fabulous 208)

16 July 1966 – Trade Union Hall, Watford, Herts (Fabulous 208)

17 July 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Fabulous 208)

18 July 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 July 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Paul & Barry Ryan, James Royal Set, Rob Storme & The Whispers and The Ferry Boys (Lincolnshire Standard)

26 July 1966 – Town Hall, High Wycombe, Bucks (Fabulous 208)

29 July 1966 – Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, London (Fabulous 208)

30 July 1966 – Refectory Fields, Blackheath, London (Fabulous 208)

 

6 August 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

Image may be subject to copyright

7 August 1966 – Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey (Aldershot News/Camberley News)

12 August 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire (Fabulous 208)

13 August 1966 – Community Centre, Gosport, Hampshire (Fabulous 208)

14 August 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

15-19 August 1966 – Witch Doctor, Marine Court, St Leonards, East Sussex (Hastings & St Leonards Observer) Says every Monday-Friday

20 August 1966 – Grantham Drill Hall, Grantham with The Carpetbaggers and The Beathovens (Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph)

21 August 1966 – Starlite, Greenford, London with The Mode (Melody Maker)

23 August 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Clayton Squares (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

25 August 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol with Strange Fruits (Evening Post)

26 August 1966 – Flamingo Club, Folkestone, Kent (Fabulous 208)

27 August 1966 – Shoreline Club, Bognor Regis, West Sussex (Fabulous 208)

27 August 1966 – Bowes Lyon House, Stevenage, Hertfordshire (Hertfordshire Express/Welwyn Times)

30 August 1966 – Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

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

Image may be subject to copyright

3 September 1966 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with supporting groups (website: www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

6 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Graham Bell Trend (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

9 September 1966 – Chesterfield Ballroom, Chesterfield, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

10 September 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

15 September 1966 – Mayfair Ballroom, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear with The Fenman (Fabulous 208)

17 September 1966 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The Symbols (East Kent Times)

18 September 1966 – Redcar Jazz Club, Redcar, North Yorkshire with The Johnny Rogers Band (Dennis Weller, Chris Scott Wilson and Graham Lowe’s book)

21 September 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (Fabulous 208)

23 September 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Syn (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

24 September 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

25 September 1966 – King’s Arms, Wood Green, London (Fabulous 208)

29 September 1966 – Wykenham Hall, Romford, London (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

6 October 1966 – Assembly Hall, Worthing, West Sussex (Worthing Herald)

7 October 1966 – Fakenham Corn Hall and Cattle Market, Fakenham, Norfolk with Humphrey Lyttleton and His Band (North Norfolk News/Fabulous 208)

8 October 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Fabulous 208)

10 October 1966 – Top Rank Suite, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

13 October 1966 – Dino’s Club, Derby, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

16 October 1966 – George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

18 October 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Episode Six (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

20 October 1966 – Grove Hall, Market Drayton, Staffordshire with The Denims and Frankie & The Countdowns (Evening Sentinel

21 October 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire with The Move (Dave Allen research)

21 October 1966 – Cadillac Club, Brighton, Sussex (Fabulous 208)

22 October 1966 – Bristol University, Bristol (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

25 October 1966 – The Kazzoo Discotheque, Public Hall, Wallington, south London (Fabulous 208/Beckenham & Penge Advertiser)

Image may be subject to copyright

27 October 1966 – Le Metro Club, Birmingham, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail/Fabulous 208)

28 October 1966 – Benn Memorial Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire (Fabulous 208)

29 October 1966 – Marquee at the Shoreline, Bognor Regis, West Sussex with Long John Baldry and Bluesology and David Bowie & The Buzz (Melody Maker)

 

1 November 1966 – Ricky Tick, Borough Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with The Neat Change (website: http://aylesburymusictown.co.uk/)

2 November 1966 – The Cavern, Liverpool (Phil Thompson’s Story of the Cavern book)

2 November 1966 – Falcon Hotel, Eltham, London (Fabulous 208)

5 November 1966 – Watford Trade Hall, Watford, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)

6 November 1966 – Le Discotheque, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

9 November 1966 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Echo)

11 November 1966 – Goldsmith College, New Cross, London (Fabulous 208)

12 November 1966 – Regent Street Polytechnic, London (Fabulous 208)

16 November 1966 – Grandstand, Derby, Derbyshire (Fabulous 208)

16 November 1966 – Eight-day tour of Scandinavia starts in Oslo, Norway (Melody Maker)

The next two gigs would not have happened if the band’s Scandinavian tour went ahead from 16 November

19 November 1966 – St Mary’s College, Twickenham, London (Fabulous 208)

20 November 1966 – Dolly’s Club, Jermyn Street, London (Fabulous 208)

22 November 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Episode Six (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

24 November 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, London (Melody Maker)

 

8 December 1966 – Concorde, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

10 December 1966 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research) Last gig as a five piece

13 December 1966 – Kent University, Canterbury, Kent with Alan Bown Set (Fabulous 208)

16 December 1966 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

17 December 1966 – Smethwick Baths, Bearwood, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

18 December 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Fabulous 208)

19 December 1966 – Ram Jam, Brixton, London (Melody Maker)

22 December 1966 – Wykeham Hall, Romford, London (Fabulous 208)

23 December 1966 – Harpenden Public Hall, Harpenden, Hertfordshire (Fabulous 208)

1967 

21 January 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Nuneaton Evening Tribune)

Image may be subject to copyright

27 January 1967 – 1600, Hereford, Herefordshire (Worcester Evening News)

30 January 1967 – Bluesville, Ipswich, Suffolk (Evening Star)

31 January 1967 – Winter Gardens, Malvern, Worcestershire (Fabulous 208)

 

1 February 1967 – Hemel Hempstead Pavilion, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The New Conchords (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring and District News)

3 February 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Marmalade (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

4 February 1967 – Dreamland, Margate, Kent with The First Light (East Kent Times & Mail)

9 February 1967 – Clifton Hall, Rotherham, South Yorkshire (South Yorkshire & Rotherham Advertiser)

17 February 1967 – Il Rondo, Leicester (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

18 February 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Worcester Evening News)

19 February 1967 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

21 February 1967 – Top Rank Suite, Bristol (Fabulous 208) Debut of new four-piece

22 February 1967 – Decorum House, Hemel Hempstead, Herts (Fabulous 208)

Image may be subject to copyright

23 February 1967 – Salisbury City Hall, Salisbury, Wiltshire with Systems Go (Frogg Moody and Richard Nash’s book Hold Tight!/Western Gazette)

Image may be subject to copyright

25 February 1967 – Dacorum College, Hemel Hempstead, Herts with The New Conchords (Berkhamstead Gazette, Tring & District News)

28 February 1967 – Ritz, Bournemouth, Dorset with The Bossmen (Bournemouth Evening Echo)

 

1 March 1967 – Bromel Club, Downham, London (South East London Mercury)

4 March 1967 – Dunelm House, Durham, County Durham (Fabulous 208)

11 March 1967 – University of London, Malet Street, London (Fabulous 208)

16 March 1967 – New Locarno Ballroom, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (The Star)

19 March 1967 – Nottingham Boat Club, Nottingham (Down at the Boat book)

22 March 1967 – College of Art, Hornsey, London (Fabulous 208)

25 March 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

27 March 1967 – Nite Owl, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

 

1 April 1967 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Cortinas (Steve Ingless book: The Day Before Yesterday)

3 April 1967 – Adelphi Ballroom, West Brom, West Midlands (Birmingham Evening Mail)

4 April 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Stalkers (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

7 April 1967 – Rugby Town Hall, Rugby, Warwickshire with The Moodoos (Coventry Evening Telegraph/Leicester Mercury)

Image may be subject to copyright

8 April 1967 – Lewes FC Beat Rave, Lewes Town Hall, Lewes, East Sussex with TD Backus and The Powerhouse and The Teen Team (Sussex Express)

14 April 1967 – Civic Hall, Wulfun Halls, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Vogues, Cyril Stapleton & His Band and Reg Bradley & His Band (Express and Star)

Image may be subject to copyright

6 May 1967 – St George’s Ballroom, Hinckley, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

19 May 1967 – Memorial Hall, Barry, Wales (Fabulous 208)

20 May 1967 – University of Tech, Loughborough, Leicestershire (Fabulous 208)

25 May 1967 – Garden Club, London (Fabulous 208) This might be in Covent Garden

26 May 1967 – Il Rondo Ballroom, Leicester (Leicester Mercury)

27 May 1967 – Hertford Balls, Oxford with Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Swinging Blue Jeans, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and Hamilton & The Movement (Cherwell)

 

3 June 1967 – Victoria Cross Gallery, Wantage, Oxfordshire (Wiltshire Gazette)

13 June 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with The Prime Apples (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

16 June 1967 – Town Hall, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Fabulous 208)

21 June 1967 – Adam & Eve, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

24 June 1967 – Birdcage, Eastney, Hampshire (Dave Allen research)

Image may be subject to copyright

1 July 1967 – Torquay Town Hall, Torquay, Devon with Package Deal and Sixth Sense (Torquay Times)

Image may be subject to copyright

8 July 1967 – Royal Lido Ballroom, Prestatyn, Wales with The Raynes (website: www.45worlds.com/live)

15 July 1967 – Floral Hall, Gorleston, Norfolk with St Willie Cool School (North Norfolk News)

23 July 1967 – Starlite, Greenford, London with The Syn (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

1 August 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Timebox (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

Image may be subject to copyright

5 August 1967 – Town Hall, Clacton, Essex with The Mojos and First Movement (Essex County Standard)

7 August 1967 – Park Hall Hotel, Goldthorn Park, Wolverhampton, West Midlands with The Del Roy Good Good Band and Dual Purpose (Express & Star)

8 August 1967 – Holywell Community Centre, West Watford, Hertfordshire with Gene & The Cossacks (West Herts & Watford Observer)

Image may be subject to copyright

10 August 1967 – Cleveland Technical College, James Finegan Hall, Eston, Teesside with The Clockwork Orange and The Real McCoy (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

13 August 1967 – The Place, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

19 August 1967 – South Bank Jazz Club, Grimsby, Humberside (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

27 August 1967 – Rowley Rag, Whiteheath, West Midlands with The Acoustics (Express & Star)

 

9 September 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Mail)

Image may be subject to copyright

12 September 1967 – Concord, Bassett Hotel, Southampton, Hampshire (Southern Evening Echo)

21 September 1967 – Hanley Suite, Hanley, Staffordshire (Evening Sentinel)

23 September 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News and Chronicle)

Image may be subject to copyright

3 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Timebox (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

21 October 1967 – City University, London with Episode Six (Melody Maker)

23 October 1967 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, London with Nite People (Tony Bacon’s book: London Live)

 

4 November 1967 – Broken Wheel, Retford, Nottinghamshire (Retford Times)

5 November 1967 – Kirklevington Country Club, Kirklevington, North Yorkshire (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

8 November 1967 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Mail)

13 November 1967 – The Parlour, North End, Hampshire (Portsmouth News)

 

9 December 1967 – Boulevard, Tadcaster, North Yorkshire (Yorkshire Evening Post)

16 December 1967 – St Joseph’s College, Trent Vale, Staffordshire with Tamla Express (Evening Sentinel)

17 December 1967 – Samantha’s, Bournemouth, Dorset (website: https://bournemouthbeatboom.wordpress.com/)

21 December 1967 – Savoy Ballroom, South Parade, Southsea, Hampshire with Amen Corner and The St Louis Checks (Portsmouth News)

1968

7 January 1968 – The South Bank, Grimsby (Grimsby Evening Telegraph)

Image may be subject to copyright

12 January 1968 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough News)

Image may be subject to copyright

21 January 1968 – Le Metro Club, Birmingham (Birmingham Evening Mail)

27 January 1968 – Club A Go Go, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear (website: http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/club-agogo-newcastle-2/)

28 January 1968 – Cosmopolitan, Carlisle, Cumbria with Klue (Cumberland News)

 

2 February 1968 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, London with Mabel Greer’s Toyshop (Melody Maker)

9 February 1968 – Hammersmith College Student Union, Hammersmith, London with Chicken Shack (Melody Maker)

17 February 1968 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

Image may be subject to copyright

9 March 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex with Next In Line (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

13 March 1968 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, London with The Pretty Things, Fairport Convention, Blossom Toes and The Track (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

27 March 1968 – Cheltenham Spa Lounge and Ballroom, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (Gloucester Citizen)

29 March 1968 – Candlelight Club, Scarborough, North Yorkshire (Scarborough News)

 

11 April 1968 – Jigsaw, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

20 April 1968 – Royal Lido Ballroom, Prestatyn, Wales with The Konda Group (website: www.45worlds.com/live)

 

10 May 1968 – Middle Earth, Covent Garden, London with Family (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 May 1968 – Domino Club, Lion Hotel, Cambridge (Cambridge News)

18 May 1968 – St Joseph’s Hall, Archway, London with Mabel Greer’s Toyshop (Melody Maker)

24 May 1968 – METC Student’s Union, College Refectory, Essex with The Clear Blue Cloud (Essex Chronicle)

Image may be subject to copyright

3 June 1968 – Blue Lagoon, Newquay, Cornwall with Fantastics (West Briton & The Royal Cornwall Gazette)

15 June 1968 – St Mary’s College of Education, Twickenham, London (Fabulous 208)

22 June 1968 – Hastings Pier, Hastings, East Sussex (Roger Bistow’s research at Dizzy Tiger Music website)

 

4 September 1968 – Eel Pie Island, Twickenham, west London (Melody Maker)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 September 1968 – The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London with The Small Faces, Barclay James Harvest, Love Sculpture, Bakerloo Blues Band, Skin, Pete Drummond (Melody Maker)

 

29 November 1968 – East London Tech, London (Time Out)

30 November 1968 – Imperial College, London (Time Out)

Image may be subject to copyright

13 December 1968 – Fishmongers Hall, Wood Green, London with Sundae Times (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.

Hastings Pier, 9 March 1968. Image may be subject to copyright

19 thoughts on “The Action gigs 1965-1968”

  1. So many of these incredible people’s lives touched mine then, and remembering them today makes so much of my life today still alive in my memories today. To all of you, thanks. As I grow old, I am enriched beyond measure today.

  2. 1st Jan 66 The Action also appeared with Chris Farlowe & the Thuinderbirds at “King Edwards Dance” – I have a copy of the poster but no idea of the venue !

  3. the King Edwards dance on 1st Jan 66 was the King Edwards School in Southampton according to the blurb that accompanies a ciopy of the poster on Pinterest site.

  4. THIS IS A GREAT LIST, but I have three questions:
    Are there any gigs listed when the band went out as AZOTH? And did the band record anything while using that name, i.e. before John Curd renamed them as ‘Mighty Baby’? And finally, is there a tape of the complete Glastonbury set? (John Berg, Seattle area)

    1. The only date they played as Azoth as far as I’m aware was Freakshow at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm on Friday 5th August 1968. After that they reverted back to The Action. The poster for the gig still has them billed as The Action however.
      Don’t think any recordings were made at this time?

    2. Melody Maker has two references I found which talk about a name change but don’t say what it was

      The first is the 22 July 1967 issue, page 3, which says that Ian Whiteman joined last week and the band is due to change name. However, gigs in MM continued to be advertised under The Action name

      The second is in an October issue which says the band was due to announce the new name at their show at Saville Theatre in Shaftsbury Avenue on 29 October 1967

  5. The Action played at Mr McCoys Club, Bottomly Street, Middlesbrough on Friday 11th March 1966. I was in the support band, Jazzboard. Mr McCoys was the best club in the area and hosted some of the well known touring bands of the day – The Who, Geno Washington, The Shevelles, Herbie Goins etc. I can’t recall much about the Action’s set. What I do remember vividly is the guys in the band playing American football at the beginning of the evening when the club was empty. Here’s the link to gig listing: – http://www.readysteadygone.co.uk/66-2/

  6. The gig you have listed as 13 March 1968 was actually the following day. It was the Release Benefit Ball. Jeff Dexter confirmed this for me on the Mighty Baby & The Action Facebook page.
    Thanks for listing these gigs, some of them are new to me!

  7. Throughout 1966 the Action played at Watford Trade Union Hall, always a Saturday night and about once every 3 months or so.

  8. I’ve got the date for the Cavern Club as being the following day, 3rd November 1966. Fabulous 208 has the date for the 2nd November as being at The Falcon Hotel, Eltham.

  9. I am looking for the newspaper advert for:

    “The Who” April 7, 1965 Dacorum College, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire

    I would love to see it if you have it, but if not, you had another ad for this same place, do you know what newspaper it would be from? Thank you!

  10. In this list it wrongly states that on
    22 February 1967 the Action were playing – Decorum House, Hemel Hempstead, Herts (Fabulous 208) Thats impossibe, as I was talking with Bam King (The Actions Guitarist) that night at the Chalk Farm Round House and on the Bill was Jimi Hendrix and the Flies. Also on the bill and not advertised was Mighty Baby. I saw them with Roger Powell on stage with Roger Powell on drums, Bam King on guitar and I belive Mike “Ace” Evans was also on stage that night with some othere musicans. Please dont tell me I’m wrong? I was there you weren’t!

    1. Hi Gordon

      The date you mention is definitely correct but The Action didn’t become Mighty Baby until later in the 1960s. Also they would have had their original blonde haired singer Reg King at this time fronting the group.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.