Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London

Photo: Kent Messenger, 20 March 1964, page 4

Chislehurst Caves in the south eastern suburbs of London is a 22 miles long series of tunnels. During the 1960s, the caves were used as a music venue and many notable artists played there, including David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd, to name a few.

I have started to compile a list of artists that played and would welcome any additions. Also, I would welcome any memories of the caves from that period.

Photo: Kent Messenger, 20 March 1964, page 4

14 March 1964 – The Lonely Ones, The Corvettes, The Maniacs, The Outcasts, The Rockabeats and Band Seven (Kent Messenger)

Gig in Melody Maker, 30 March 1963

14 May 1965 (Friday) – The Epitaph Souls, The Forerunners, Danny & The Torinos, The Two Squared, The Great Expectations, Hamilton King’s Blues Messengers and Brian Something and The What’s Its (Melody Maker)

11 February 1966 (Friday) – The Downliners Sect (South East London Mercury) (opened the caves as a music venue)

25 February 1966 (Friday) – Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band (South East London Mercury)

 

4 March 1966 (Friday) – David Bowie & The Buzz (South East London Mercury)

11 March 1966 (Friday) – The Loose Ends (South East London Mercury)

18 March 1966 (Friday) – Deacon Lewis (South East London Mercury)

 

8 April 1966 (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (South East London Mercury and Melody Maker)

29 April 1966 (Friday) – Them (Melody Maker)

 

6 May 1966 (Friday) – The Pretty Things (Melody Maker)

20 May 1966 (Friday) – Brian Something and The What’s Its (Carl Ross’ gig diary)

 

1 July 1966 (Friday) – The Yardbirds (Record Mirror)

15 July 1966 (Friday) – The Action (Fabulous 208)

29 July 1966 (Friday) – The Action (Fabulous 208)

 

5 August 1966 (Friday) – The Graham Bond Organisation (Melody Maker)

 

28 October 1966 (Friday) – Brian Something and The What’s Its (Carl Ross’ gig diary)

 

16 December 1966 (Friday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Melody Maker)

30 December 1966 (Friday) – Herbie Goins & The Night-Timers (Melody Maker and Disc & Music Echo)

 

6 January 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

27 January 1967 (Friday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (needs source but probably Melody Maker)

 

17 February 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

 

17 March 1967 (Friday) – The Amboy Dukes (Fabulous 208)

 

14 April 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

 

19 May 1967 (Friday) – Brian Something and The What’s Its (Carl Ross’ gig diary)

 

7 July 1967 (Friday) – Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (Ken Baxter’s gig diary)

 

11 August 1967 (Friday) – The Nervous System (Melody Maker)

 

6 October 1967 (Friday) – Eric Burdon & The New Animals (Kathy Doughty’s memories – see comments below)

14 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Jimi Hendrix Experience (Fabulous 208)

 

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

 

8 December 1967 (Friday) –Pink Floyd (possibly Melody Maker but might be South East London Mercury)

 

9 February 1968 (Friday) – The Herd (South East London Mercury)

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.

 

12 thoughts on “Chislehurst Caves, Chislehurst, southeast London”

  1. Thanks, you may have solved my search unless anyone knows better.

    I was looking for a date at Chislehurst Caves when I saw The Herd at age 11, my first ever gig! That date fits the timeline – first year at senior school, so between Sept 67 and June 68, when I’d have been 12.

    Anyone know if The Herd played any other date at the caves in that period?

  2. During 1967 our band ‘The Shapes of Things to Come’ (abbreviated to The Shapes) used to practice in Chislehurst Caves as one of our band was a friend of Jim Gardener (son of the owner). If we had an important gig on a Saturday night we would often practice in the caves the previous evening (Friday) prior to big names starting up and then watch the concert. I remember one night seeing Van Morrison and Them – five very versatile and talented musicians who changed instruments and vocals often throughout the performance. We chatting to them afterwards when they were packing up (although Van was extremely laconic). From memory they spoke about splitting up (which was a shame) and something about a court case decision that day on deciding on which of them would inherit the name ‘Them’.

    1. I was the drummer in ”THE ECHO BEATS” who played The Chislehurst Caves in the early 1960’s. We were a very popular band with the crowds that went there. We played every Saturday night for about 3 years.
      Members of the band were: Eddie Smith Drums, Ray Finer Lead guitar.
      Ray Leonard guitar, Chris London bass guitar, Rob Curran vocals, Don Milton our manager. What great days!!!

  3. I lived 5 minutes walk from the caves during the mid 60s and was a regular at the Friday night gigs. I recall seeing Zoot Money, Pretty Things , Jimi Hendrix. Graham Bond and Downliners Sect. I shudder to think of the groups I missed due to a very picky attitude to music plus a lack of funds
    The Medical Students Union held an annual party in the caves with bands playing different genres of music on numerous stages. You could experience rock,R&B,trad and modern jazz, calypso etc all night long. A brilliant night.

  4. I saw Eric Burdon and The New Animals on my 16th birthday, 6th October 1967.

    We visited The Caves yesterday afternoon with our Classic Car Club; my how it’s changed, very interesting and a popular tourist attraction. The Stage area was just how I remembered it. Thank you for confirming my memory!

  5. I remember seeing Hendrix there and he was booed off the stage. He was off his head. Same thing happened at the Ram Jam Club in Brixton.

    I do remember that Dave Lee Travis was often there as the DJ when there was no band on.

  6. Few gigs I found in Melody Maker

    16 February 1963 – Dave Nelson’s Jazz Band, Ray Dell & The Deacons and The Features

    30 March 1963 – Dave Nelson’s Jazz Band, Ray Dell & The Deacons and The Caravelles

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