Category Archives: England

The 2 ‘B’s Club, Ashford, Kent

The 2 ‘B’s Club, located at 2B Bank Street in Ashford, Kent, was a short-lived music venue that had previously hosted local bands when it was known as the Beat House.

However, in July 1966 it changed name and began advertising better known visiting groups such as The Birds (with Ron Wood on guitar) who opened the new venue, David Bowie & The Buzz, Bluesology (featuring future solo star Elton John) and The Gods (with Mick Taylor on guitar) among others.

I’ve started a list of acts, taken from the Kentish Express newspaper, which advertised gigs for Saturdays and Sundays, from its opening night on 16 July until its closure; the exact date is unclear, but the newspaper stopped advertising the venue around early May 1967.

Please leave comments with any memories and missing acts.

Photo may be subject to copyright

16 July 1966 – The Birds and The Oscar Brooke Bluesette

17 July 1966 – The Bo Street Runners and The Noyse

23 July 1966 – The Noyse

24 July 1966 – The Riot Squad and The Oscar Brooke Bluesette

Photo may be subject to copyright

30 July 1966 – The Stormsville Shakers and The Noyse

31 July 1966 – The Herd and The Noyse

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6 August 1966 – The Downliners Sect and support

7 August 1966 – The Shades of Black

Missing dates here

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 August 1966 – The Fingers and The Pastel Shades

28 August 1966 – The Shades of Black

29 August 1966 – The Noblemen and The End (this is a Monday)

Photo may be subject to copyright

3 September 1966 – Cops ‘N’ Robbers

4 September 1966 – Chaos

10 September 1966 – Steve Darbyshire & The Yum Yum Band and Bobby Gibson & The 004s

11 September 1966 – The Stormsville Shakers and The Moral Set

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 September 1966 – Dave Anthony’s Moods

18 September 1966 – missing gig

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24 September 1966 – David Bowie & The Buzz

25 September 1966 – Parker’s Mood (replaced by The Couriers)

 

1 October 1966 – The Fingers

2 October 1966 – Pastel Shades

Missing dates here

Photo may be subject to copyright

15 October 1966 – Bluesology and The Guests

16 October 1966 – The Suspect

21 October 1966 – The End (this is a Friday)

22 October 1966 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Shades of Black

23 October 1966 – The King Pins

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 October 1966 – Julian Covey & The Machine and The Noyse (featuring Mouse)

30 October 1966 – The Mixed Feelings

 

5 November 1966 – Philip Goodhand Tait & The Stormsville Shakers and The End

6 November 1966 – The Noyse (featuring Mouse)

Photo may be subject to copyright

12 November 1966 – The Majority (straight from the Playboy Club, London) with support

13 November 1966 – The Kult

Missing dates here

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26 November 1966 – The [Mike] Stuart Span plus support

27 November 1966 – The Rebounce

Missing dates here

24 December 1966 – MI Five and Moral Set

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26 December 1966 – The Savoy Brown Blues Band and Shades of Black

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31 December 1966 – The Motivation (ex-Noblemen) and The Suspects

 

1 January 1967 – The Meantimers

Missing dates here

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14 January 1967 – The Gods and The Roots of Evil

15 January 1967 – The End

21 January 1967 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers and The Rebounds

22 January 1967 – The Poor Boys

Missing dates here

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4 February 1967 – Motivation (ex-Noblemen) and Spectre Quin Team and Vaughan & Diana

5 February 1967 – Vaughan & Diana’s Spin

Missing dates here

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18 February 1967 – The Warren Davis Monday Band with support

19 February 1967 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers

Missing dates here

 

4 March 1967 – Heinz & The Wild Boys and The Suspects and Vaughan & Diana

Photo may be subject to copyright

5 March 1967 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers

11 March 1967 – The Joyce Bond Show

12 March 1967 – Missing gig

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18 March 1967 – The Gods

19 March 1967 – Heart & Soul

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25 March 1967 – Long John Baldry Show and The Silhouettes

26 March 1967 – Winston’s Fumbs

 

Missing dates here

22 April 1967 – The Rick ‘N’ Beckers

23 April 1967 – Just 4

28 April 1967 – the Soulville Show (Friday)

The Limey’s with the London Sounds “Come Back” on Sherwood

The Limeys profiled in the Miami News March 15, 1966The Limeys were Andrea Gennard and Stephen Gennard, a sister and brother duo who arrived in Miami, Florida from London about 1962. While students at Rockway Junior High, they made this great single “Come Back” / “Green and Blue” with the London Sounds.

Limey's with the London Sounds, Sherwood 45 Come Back

Released on Sherwood 1715, a Miami News notice gave the exact release date, Monday, April 25, 1966. Printed sleeves included a small photo of the duo.

An February 25, 1966 ad for the Palmetto Bandstand featured the Limey’s backed by the Outcasts, on a bill with the Dirt Merchants. (The following night featured the Invaders, the Impacts and the Hares.)

The Miami News profiled the band on March 15, 1966, including:

Here are two down-to-earth teens with an out-of-this-world singing talent. They have no set style, but their music lends itself mostly to folk-rock …

Limeys Miami News May 27, 1966Stephen and Andrea, together with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eddie Gennard, of 1715 SW 97th Pl., arrived from London almost four years ago …

Usually they are coupled with a five-member band, the Outcasts.

With the Outcasts, the Limeys have appeared on Florida Bandstand, the Miami-Dade Junior College campus, on Chuck Zinc’s TV program and at the Cloverleaf Center.

The entire Gennard family has become involved: Dad is business manager, Mom a critic and booster.

They also appeared on the Rick Shaw show on May 27.

Limey's with the London Sounds, Sherwood 45 Green and BlueOn the single, the backing band is called the London Sounds, and includes horn players and strings. I’m not sure if the Outcasts were involved, or even who was in the Outcasts – if anyone knows please contact me.

Stephen and Andrea wrote “Come Back”, and co-wrote “Green and Blue” with Pat Tallis, publishing by Chalfont Music Publishing.

Copyright registration from February 1966 shows three other songs: “Take It Easy”, “I Love You”, and “Melonie”, the last two co-written with Pat Tallis.

In June both the Miami News and the Herald mentioned the duo signing to Scepter Records, I wonder if anything came of that.

They must have been unaware of the English group the Limeys, releasing singles on Amcan in the U.S. and Decca and Pye in the UK.

Andrea Gennard Miami News March 8, 1966

Back in England, Record Mirror profiled the duo on May 11, 1968, providing different last names, Andrea Gerome and Steve Gerome.

The article mentions they did work in America “but, as ever, work permits for artistes so young (Anna is 17, Steve 16) proved difficult. Anna used to be apprenticed to hairdresser Vidal Sassoon, abandoning haircutting for disc-cutting.”

Anna and Steve made two singles for Fontana under the artist name Too Much, “Wonderland of Love” / “Mr. Money” (written by Gerome) in 1967, then “It’s a Hip Hip Hippy World” / “Stay in My World” in February 1968.

As Anna Hamilton with Stephen they made another single on Fontana in April 1968, “Everybody Wants to Go to Heaven (But Nobody Wants To Die)” / “You Laughed When I Cried” (b-side writing credited to Gerome). Their version competed with the Karlins, (triplets Linda Wilson, Elaine Wilson and Evelyn Wilson) who released their 45 on Columbia (UK) about the same time.

Thank you to Ansgar for pointing me to the Record Mirror article (which I never would have found considering they had changed their name!).

Andrea and Steve Gerome in Record Mirror, May 11, 1968

Blue Moon, Cheltenham gigs July 1965-May 1967

The entry below should be credited to David Jackson, Chris Stanbury, Mike Williams and Richard Goddard who own the copyright on the following.

The story of the Blue Moon Club, Cheltenham began lunchtime on the 25th December 1964 as the then twenty-year-old John Norman and his elder brother Eddie were eating their Christmas Day lunch in the Headstone Hotel in West London. For some time under the guidance of Eddie the pair had been running regular live music events in and around Middlesex, including The Fender Club, Kenton; The Memorial Hall, Harrow Weald; The Railway Hotel, North Harrow; The New Georgian Club, Cowley and the original Blue Moon Club in Hayes.  In what would soon turned out to be a stroke of good luck for all concerned like-minded jazz musician and local music promotions rival Bill Reid was also in the restaurant that Christmas Day and overhearing Eddie and John’s conversation he made his way to their table saying to the brothers that he had often had similar thoughts of expansion.

Bill was well known to John and Eddie for his jazz-orientated promotions with fellow jazz enthusiast and business partner Jack Fallon. At the South Harrow Jazz Club, they would book such names as Jerry Lee Lewis, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Bill said he would be interested in their new venture suggesting they join forces and follow up the advertisement with a trip out ‘West’ to check out the premises in Cheltenham’s High Street.

The club opened on the 17th July 1965 and closed its doors finally on 17th May 1967 and was probably one of best of a small band of regional Mod clubs outside of London

The Action appeared nine times, followed by Gary Farr & The T-Bones who appeared eight times lead the way for visiting bands from outside the local area; local group The Alan Walker Band, managed by the club owners appeared nine times. The club will be well remembered for appearances of Jimi Hendrix and Cream

The artists and performance dates were sourced via original club members and club management flyers along with advertisements placed in The Gloucestershire Echo and The Citizen newspapers held at the local Archive Offices in Cheltenham and Gloucester, John Norman Stephen Reid, son of the late co-owner Bill Reid and fellow Blue Moon book researchers David Jackson, Chris Stanbury, Mike Williams and myself Richard Goddard.

1965

17 July 1965 – The Bo Street Runners (Grand opening night)

18 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

21 July 1965 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds

22 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

23 July 1965 – Ups ‘N’ Downs

24 July 1965 – Ray Martin Combo (aka Ray Martin Group)

25 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

28 July 1965 – The Chessmen featuring Tony Knight

29 July 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

30 July 1965 – Alan Walker’s Roadhogs (says first appearance at the Blue Moon)

31 July 1965 – The London Crowd (says from the West’s End’s Marquee and Flamingo)

 

1 August 1965 – Dave Whittling (top London folk singer) plus discotheque

4 August 1965 – Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band

5 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

6 August 1965 – Sons of Fred

7 August 1965 – The Artwoods (says that sensational recording group from RSG)

8 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

11 August 1965 – The Who (says Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere!!!)

13 August 1965 – Mickey Finn & The Blue Men

14 August 1965 – John Lee & The Groundhogs

15 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

18 August 1965 – The Ram Jam Band featuring Geno Washington

19 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

20 August 1965 – The Strats (says the newest sound to follow “Them” from Ireland

21 August 1965 – The Bo Street Runners (says by fantastic demand –the return of)

22 August 1965 – Discotheque

25 August 1965 – Steam Packet featuring Long John Baldry, Brian Auger, Rod Stewart & Julie Driscoll

26 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque

27 August 1965 – The Tyrants  (says top group from the West)

28 August 1965 – The Shevelles

29 August 1965 – Discotheque

30 August 1965 – Discotheque

31 August 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett/discotheque & dance auditions

 

1 September 1965 –T-Bones  (says great London sound of the)

2 September 1965 – Discotheque

3 September 1965 – John Lee & The Groundhogs (says fantastic demand, the return of)

4 September 1965 – Davy Jones & The Lower Third (says by request)

5 September 1965 – Discotheque

8 September 1965 – The Graham Bond Organisation

9 September 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque

10 September 1965 – The London Crowd (says from the West End those sensational)

11 September 1965 – The “0-0” Soul Show featuring Alex Harvey & Jimmy Cliff

12 September 1965 – Discotheque

15 September 1965 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (says by fantastic demand)

16 September 1965 – Discotheque

17 September 1965 – Ram Jam Band featuring Geno Washington (says by fantastic demand the return of)

Photo from Richard Goddard

18 September 1965 – Boz & The Boz People (says sensational new sound)

19 September 1965 – Discotheque (says best record selection anywhere!)

22 September 1965 – Lou Johnson plus Sonny & The Cool School (says direct from the States)

23 September 1965 – Discotheque

24 September 1965 – Ronnie Jones & The Nightimers (says from London’s West End)

25 September 1965 – Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds (says by fantastic demand the return of)

26 September 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque

27 September 1965 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (says reckoned the absolute tops. Don’t dare miss this!)

30 September 1965 – Discotheque

 

1 October 1965 – Discotheque

2 October 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says sensational London group)

3 October 1965 – Discotheque

6 October 1965 – The Shevelles (says the fabulous and unique sound of)

7 October 1965 – Discotheque

8 October 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque

9 October 1965 – John Lee & The Groundhogs (says fantastic demand, the return of)

10 October 1965 – Discotheque

13 October 1965 – The Mike Cotton Sound (says sensational must be heard)

14 October 1965 – Discotheque

15 October 1965 – Discotheque

16 October 1965 – The Chessmen (says fantastic demand, the return of London’s top group)

17 October 1965 – Discotheque

20 October 1965 – Steam Packet featuring Long John Baldry, Brian Auger, Rod Stewart & Julie Driscoll

21 October 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque

22 October 1965 – Discotheque

23 October 1965 – The Silence (says from London’s Flamingo & West End)

24 October 1965 – Discotheque

27 October 1965 – The Small Faces (says “Whatcha Gonna Do About It”) plus The Advocates

28 October 1965 – DJ Dave Bennett /discotheque

29 October 1965 – Discotheque

30 October 1965 – The Hellions (says west country’s top recording stars the sensational)

31 October 1965 – Discotheque

 

3 November 1965 – Zoot Money (says by fantastic demand the return of)

4 November 1965 – Discotheque

5 November 1965 – Discotheque

6 November 1965 – Blues Hounds (says Spencer Davis is raving about the sensational)

7 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group

10 November 1965 – The Graham Bond Organisation (says by fantastic demand)

11 November 1965 – Discotheque

12 November 1965 – Discotheque

13 November 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says by fantastic demand the return of)

14 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group

17 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (Alan Price advertised but did not play)

20 November 1965 – The Alan Bown Set (says Gent’s please note, Ties to be worn (Saturdays only)

21 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group

24 November 1965 – Advertised -From USA – ‘In the Midnight Hour” Wilson Pickett, did not appear.

26 November 1965 – The Alan Walker Group

27 November 1965 – The Action (says TV’s Disc-A-Go-Go tonight choosing 100 dancers for next Wednesday’s show.

28 November 1965 – Discotheque

 

2 December 1965 – Hedgehoppers Anonymous + The Alan Walker Group

3 December 1965 – Discotheque (Featuring Dave Bennett as your DJ)

4 December 1965 – Steam Packet: – Long John Baldry, Brian Auger, Julie Driscoll and Rod ‘The Mod’ Stewart

5 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group

9 December 1965 – The Spencer Davis Group plus The Hellions

10 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (says only 14 more days)

11 December 1965 – The Downliners Sect (says, Sensational Recording and R & B Group …The Exciting)

12 December 1965 – Discotheque (Extra shilling charged on admission to go towards Children’s Party)

16 December 1965 – The Action (says, By overwhelming demand, the return of the…)

17 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (says, Only 7 more days)

18 December 1965 – The Hellions plus The Advocates

19 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group (says, Getting Warmer)

23 December 1965 – Discotheque (says, Pre warm up for tomorrow)

24 December 1965 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (Christmas Party)

26 December 1965 – The Alan Walker Group plus The Advocates (says Boxing Day Bonanza)

27 December 1965 – Discotheque

30 December 1965 – Discotheque

31 December 1965 – John Lee and The Groundhogs (New Years Eve Party)

1966

1 January 1965 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones (says, Start the New Year at the Moon)

2 January 1965 – Discotheque (says, Back to normal!! Whew, what a week!!!)

6 January 1965 – The Birds (says, Sensational London Group)

7 January 1965 – Discotheque (DJ Dave Bennett, in the cage)

8 January 1965 – The Shakedown Sounds  (says, Birmingham and London top group, by demand the)

9 January 1965 – Discotheque

12 January 1966 – Fontella Bass plus Quiet Five (says, one sensational night only! “Rescue Me” From the USA)

13 January 1966 – The Alan Walker Group

14 January 1966 – Discotheque (DJ Dave Bennett)

15 January 1966 – The Fairies (says, sensational London Group – R S G -Thank Your Lucky Stars)

16 January 1966 – The Advocates

20 January 1966 – The Pretty Things (says, You may hate them, you may love them)

21 January 1966 – Discotheque

22 January 1966 – The Action (says, the group you’ve all been waiting for)

23 January 1966 – Discotheque

27 January 1966 – Lee Dorsey plus The Advocates (says, The Sensational  ” Ride Your Pony” Man)

28 January 1966 – Discotheque

29 January 1966 – James Royal and The Hawks (says, the up and coming London group)

30 January 1966 – Discotheque

 

3 February 1966 – Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds (says, the one and only)

4 February 1966 – Discotheque

5 February 1966 – The Carnaby (says, the street and band the whole country is talking about)

6 February 1966 – Discotheque

10 February 1966 – Doris Troy (says, “What Gonna Do About It” “Heartaches”)

11 February 1966 – Discotheque

12 February 1966 – Jimmy Brown Sound (says, the only Band that could back Ben. E. King on his last tour)

13 February 1966 – Discotheque

17 February 1966 – Zoot Money and his Big Roll Band (says, The Showman himself)

18 February 1966 – Discotheque

19 February 1966 – The Alan Bown Set

20 February 1966 – Discotheque

24 February 1966 – John Lee’s Groundhogs (says, Moon’s most favourite group)

25 February 1966 – Discotheque

26 February 1966 – The Advocates

27 February 1966 – Discotheque

 

3 March 1966 – Jimmy Cliffs Dynamic All Soul Show, Pete Hodges New Generation featuring Ayesha.

4 March 1966 – Discotheque

5 March 1966 – The Statesides (says, top London group with a big line-up)

6 March 1966 – Discotheque

7 March 1966 – The Advocates (Yardbirds advertised, did not play)

10 March 1966 – Steam Packet: – Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, and Brian Auger Trinity.

11 March 1966 – Discotheque

12 March 1966 – Mickey Finn (says, by overwhelming demand – the sensational)

13 March 1966 – Discotheque

16 March 1966 – Discotheque

17 March 1966 – The Birds (says, by request, the return of the dynamic)

18 March 1966 – Discotheque

19 March 1966 – John Lee’s Groundhogs

20 March 1966 – Discotheque

23 March 1966 – Discotheque

25 March 1966 – Discotheque

26 March 1966 – The Rosco Brown Combo (says, big London line-up… from London’s Marquee)

27 March 1966 – Discotheque

30 March 1966 – Discotheque (says, your first drink on the house)

 

1 April 1966 – Discotheque

2 April 1966 – Steam Packet: – Long John Baldry, Rod Stewart, Julie Driscoll, and Brian Auger Trinity

3 April 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage.

6 April 1966 – Discotheque

8 April 1966 – Discotheque

9 April 1966 – The Action (says, Sensational London Group)

10 April 1966 – Discotheque

11 April 1966 – The Alan Walker Group (says, After a long absence — from London’s Marquee & Flamingo)

13 April 1966 – Discotheque

15 April 1966 – Discotheque

16 April 1966 – The Crowd

17 April 1966 – Discotheque

20 April 1966 – Discotheque

22 April 1966 – Discotheque (the weekend starts here)

23 April 1966 – The Alan Bown Set (says, by demand, the sensational.)

24 April 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage

27 April 1966 – Discotheque

29 April 1966 – Discotheque

30 April 1966 – Gary Farr and the T-Bones (says, sensational London Group)

 

1 May 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage.

4 May 1966 – Discotheque

6 May 1966 – Discotheque

7 May 1966 – The Action (says, by overwhelming demand)

8 May 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage.

11 May 1966 – Discotheque

13 May 1966 – Discotheque

14 May 1 966 – The Good Goods (formerly known as The Advocates)

15 May 1966 – Discotheque

18 May 1966 – Discotheque

20 May 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett

21 May 1966 – The Shotgun Express: – Rod Stewart, Beryl Marsden, Peter B’s Looners, (great new steam packet)

22 May 1966 – Discotheque

25 May 1966 – Discotheque

27 May 1966 – Discotheque (the weekend starts here)

28 May 1966 – The Deep Feeling (formerly The Hellions)

30 May 1966 – The Buzz

 

1 June 1966 – Discotheque

2 June 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says, back by popular demand)

3 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett

4 June 1966 – The Jimmy Brown Sound

5 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett

8 June 1966 – Discotheque

10 June 1966 – Discotheque

11 June 1966 – The Shevelles (says, from London’s Flamingo, the exciting)

12 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett

15 June 1966 – Earl Richmond (says, Radio London’s DJ)

17 June 1966 – Discotheque

18 June 1966 – The Falling Leaves (says, Oxfords top group)

19 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett

22 June 1966 – Discotheque

24 June 1966 – Discotheque (the weekend starts here)

25 June 1966 – Jimmy James and The Vagabonds (says, by absolutely overwhelming demand)

26 June 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett

29 June 1966 – Discotheque

 

1 July 1966 – Discotheque

2 July 1966 – John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers (says, don’t miss this)

3 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage

6 July 1966 – Discotheque

8 July 1966 – Discotheque

9 July 1966 – David Bowie and The Buzz

10 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage

13 July 1966 – Discotheque

15 July 1966 – Discotheque

16 July 1966 – The Alan Bown Set plus The Bo Street Runners (says, first birthday party night)

17 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage

20 July 1966 – Discotheque

22 July 1966 – Discotheque

23 July 1966 – The Good Goods

24 July 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage

27 July 1966 – Discotheque

29 July 1966 – Discotheque

30 July 1966 – James Royal and The Hawks (afternoon opening for staff and members to watch World Cup)

 

3 August 1966 – Discotheque

5 August 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage

6 August 1966 – The Action

7 August 1966 – Discotheque

10 August 1966 – Discotheque

12 August 1966 – Discotheque

Photo from Richard Goddard

13 August 1966 – Cream (says, don’t dare miss this)

14 August 1966 – Discotheque

15 August 1966 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones (says, back again by demand)

17 August 1966 – Discotheque

19 August 1966 – Discotheque

20 August 1966 – Keith Powell and Billie Davis plus top band.

21 August 1966 – DJ Dave Bennett – in the Cage

24 August 1966 – Discotheque

26 August 1966 – Discotheque

27 August 1966 – Gary Farr and The T- Bones (says, back again by demand, the fantastic sound of)

28 August 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

31 August 1966 – Discotheque

 

2 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

3 September 1966 – The Koobas (say’s, Latest Recording “Sweet Music)

4 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

7 September 1966 – Discotheque

9 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

10 September 1966 – The Graham Bond Organisation

11 September 1966 – Discotheque

14 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

16 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

17 September 1966 –The Shevelles

18 September 1966 – Discotheque

21 September 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

23 September 1966 – DJ Frankie & Rocky

24 September 1966 – The Action (says, don’t be late for this one, free admission with advert)

25 September 1966 – Discotheque

28 September 1966 – Discotheque

30 September 1966 – DJ Frankie & Rocky

 

1 October 1966 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones

2 October 1966 – Discotheque

5 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

7 October 1966 – Discotheque

8 October 1966 – Dace Anthony’s Mood (says, from London’s Marquee. the big sound of) This is Dave Anthony’s Moods

9 October 1966 – Discotheque

12 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

13 October 1966 – Discotheque

15 October 1966 – The Falling Leaves (says, knockout group, currently playing at Tiles

16 October 1966 – Discotheque

19 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

21 October 1966 – Discotheque

22 October 1966 – Alvin Robinson (‘Something You Got” “Searching “ and Down Home Girl”)

23 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

26 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

28 October 1966 – Discotheque

29 October 1966 – Ray King Soul Band featuring James Royal (says, from Tiles the big sound of)

30 October 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

 

2 November 1966 – Discotheque

4 November 1966 – Discotheque

5 November 1966 – The Artwoods (says, the awaited return of London’s)

6 November 1966 – Discotheque

9 November 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

11 November 1966 – Discotheque

12 November 1966 – Nepenthe and the Subterraneans (says, from America, the way-out sounds of)

13 November 1966 – Discotheque

Photo from Richard Goddard

18 November 1966 – Lee Dorsey plus supporting show (support band the Good Goods)

19 November 1966 – Cream (says, England’s top group)

20 November 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

26 November 1966 – Discotheque

27 November 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

29 November 1966 – The Alan Bown Set (says, the sensational)

 

1 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

2 December 1966 – Discotheque

3 December 1966 – The Koobas

4 December 1966 – Discotheque

7 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

9 December 1966 – Discotheque

10 December 1966 – Zoot Money and his Big Roll (says, that Raving Looner)

11 December 1966 – Discotheque

14 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

16 December 1966 – Discotheque

17 December 1966 – The Move (says, the Psychedelic Phenomena)

18 December 1966 – Surprise band

21 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

23 December 1966 –Surprise Band

24 December 1966 – Gary Farr and the T-Bones (Christmas Eve Party)

26 December 1966 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

28 December 1966 – Discotheque

30 December 1966 – Discotheque (says, warm up for tomorrows rave)

31 December 1966 – Long John Baldry Show Ft Alan Walker & Stuart Brown & Bluesology

1967

1 January 1967 – Discotheque (says, phew its all over, back to normal, back to work tomorrow)

5 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

6 January 1967 – Discotheque (says, the weekend starts here)

7 January 1967 – Brian Auger Trinity Ft Julie Discoll

8 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

11 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

13 January 1967 – Discotheque

14 January 1967 – The Alan Bown (says, the awaited return of London’s)

15 January 1967 – The Good Goods

18 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

20 January 1967 – Discotheque

21 January 1967 – The Frame (from Birmingham, recorded “Doctor” “ I can’t go on” RCA Records)

22 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

23 January 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

27 January 1967 – Discotheque & Go Go Competition

28 January 1967 – Gary Farr and The T-Bones (says, after Christmas Eves fantastic rave)

29 January 1967 – Discotheque

 

1 February 1967 – Discotheque

3 February 1967 – Discotheque (says, phew its all over, back to normal, back to work tomorrow)

4 February 1967 – Long John Baldry Show Ft Alan Walker & Stuart Brown & Bluesology

5 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky and the Moon Go Go Girls

8 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

10 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

11 February 1967 – The Jimi Hendrix Experience

12 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

15 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

17 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (Says, the weekend starts here)

18 February 1967 – The Action (says, back again by demand. The fantastic sound of)

19 February 1967 – Discotheque

22 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

24 February 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (says, the weekend starts here)

25 February 1967 – Alan Bown (says, by demand, the return)

26 February 1967 – Discotheque

 

1 March 1967 – Geno Washington (says, one night only, on stage in person)

3 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

4 March 1967 – Sack’O’Woe

5 March 1967 – Discotheque and Go Go competition)

Photo from Richard Goddard

8 March 1967 – Lee Dorsey (says, by fantastic demand, the return of)

10 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

11 March 1967 – The Chessmen (says, London’s sensational)

12 March 1967 – Miss Go Go final discotheque.

15 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

17 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (Says, the weekend starts here)

18 March 1967 – Brian Auger Trinity Ft Julie Discoll

19 March 1967 – Discotheque

22 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

24 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

25 March 1967 – The Action (says, by fantastic demand)

26 March 1967 – Discotheque

27 March 1967 – Easter Egg Rave Discotheque

29 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

31 March 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky (says, the weekend starts here)

 

1 April 1967 – P.P.Arnold and The Mike Cotton Sound Ft Lucas (says, April fools rave)

2 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

5 April 1967 – Discotheque

7 April 1967 – Discotheque

8 April 1967 – John L Watson and The Webb (says, Americas….)

9 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

12 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

14 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Rocky

15 April 1967 – The Chessmen Ft Owen Gray (says, by fantastic demand – return of)

16 April 1967 – Top DJ’s (DJ’s from other clubs owned the Moon owners)

19 April 1967 – Jimmy James & The Vagabonds

21 April 1967 – DJ’s Frankie & Mad Jim (Jim Donovan, from the1600 club in Hereford)

22 April 1967 – Long John Baldry Show Ft Alan Walker & Stuart Brown & Bluesology

23 April 1967 – Top DJ’s

26 April 1967 – The Drifters (believed to be The Invitations)

28 April 1967 –Top DJ’s

29 April 1967 – The Soul Sisters (says, from America … The Dynamic Exciting.)

30 April 1967 – Discotheque

 

3 May 1967 – Discotheque

5 May 1967 – Discotheque

6 May 1967 – Cliff Bennett (an unannounced appearance)

7 May 1967 – Top DJ’s (Mad Jim, Tony Lott  & Frankie used over the final club dates)

10 May 1967 – Discotheque

12 May 1967 – Discotheque         

10 May 1967 – Discotheque

13 May 1967 – The Dual (the last band to play at the club)

14 May 1967 – The last Sunday discotheque at the Moon

17 May 1967 – Blue Moon Closed.

 

The Total

Many thanks to Steve Sheldon for providing the information below and all of the photos

Formed in Worthing, West Sussex in early 1965, the original line up comprised:

Ian Gander – lead vocals

Pete Wadeson – lead guitar

Steve Sheldon – rhythm guitar

Pete Cushion – bass

Paul Jordan – drums

With the exception of Jordan, who had previously played with Le Bambas and Peter & The Zodiacs, and former Thunderbolts, Sabres and Zabres member Pete Cushion, the core members came from local band Pythagoras and his Theorems.

In late 1965, former Guilty Party drummer Charlie Pert replaced Paul Jordan.

Then, around July 1966, Ian Gander departed and singer (and multi-instrumentalist) Raymond Thompson, briefly joined and shared lead vocals with Sheldon.

Summer 1966. Left to right: Charlie Pert, Steve Sheldon, Pete Cushion, Raymond Thompson and Pete Wadeson

Thompson had recently moved to the south coast after his former band, west London outfit Malcolm & The Countdowns split. The Countdowns, incidentally, featured future Sweet bass player Steve Priest.

The new singer, however, didn’t stay long and soon moved to Toronto, Canada with his parents, where he subsequently formed the duo Stillwater.

Summer 1966. Left to right: Charlie Pert, Raymond Thompson, Pete Cushion, Steve Sheldon and Pete Wadeson

With Thompson gone, Sheldon assumed lead vocals and the quartet continued to gig locally and along the south coast of England. During 1965 and 1966, The Total backed national acts like The Hollies, The Kinks, The Who, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band, The Zombies and others at top Worthing venues like the Assembly Hall and Pier Pavilion.

In early 1967, the band expanded its line-up with keyboard player Jim Denyer.

With Cushion unable to get time off his work, the band – Steve Sheldon, Pete Wadeson, Charlie Pert and newcomer Jim Denyer – did an audition at Regent Sound Studios in Denmark Street in Soho, central London during 1969.

The band at Regent Sound, 1969 with new member Jim Denyer (bottom right)

Not long afterwards, The Total (with Pete Cushion joining the others) recorded three tracks at Regent Sound with producer Shel Talmy. The track “Think” appears on Ace Records’ compilation CD Planet Mod.

1969 line up

However, in 1971, The Total split up and the individual members briefly worked with local bands.

Cushion, Sheldon and Wadeson subsequently reformed The Total later that year with new drummer Quentin Allen.

The Total in 1972. Left to right: Quentin Allen, Pete Cushion, Steve Sheldon and Pete Wadeson

The band continued into the mid-1970s but underwent a number of significant changes.

The Total, 1972

Sheldon moved to South Africa in 1975 but returned to the UK in 2017. While in South Africa he formed the band Easy Street and made some recordings.

The final Total line up in the mid 1970s. Bass player is Robert Elliott (far left)

The posters below have all been supplied by Steve Sheldon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cesar’s Club, Bedford

Cesar’s Club in Bedford was a significant rock venue in the 1960s that hosted a number of notable bands, including early Pink Floyd, Family and Ten Years After.

This is the start of an entry on listed artists, advertised in the Ampthill News & Flintwick Record and/or Bedfordshire Times. There are lots of gaps and we would welcome any additions.

Photo may be subject to copyright

9 June 1967 (Friday) – Freddie Mac & The Mac Sound

10 June 1967 (Saturday) – The Merseys

Photo may be subject to copyright

16 June 1967 (Friday) – Marmalade and The Alex Read Sound

17 June 1967 (Saturday) – The Family and The Clew

23 June 1967 (Friday) – Billy J Kramer & The Dakotas with The Minor Portions Roll Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 June 1967 (Saturday) – Pink Floyd (they either replaced The Skatterlights and The Contax or were replaced by them)

30 June 1967 (Friday) – The Chevells and The Peapots

 

1 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Dellroy Good Good Band and The Jamboree Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

7 July 1967 (Friday) – Elkie Brooks & The Scotch & Soda

8 July 1967 (Saturday) – Amen Corner

14 July 1967 (Friday) – Bag-o-Nails (ex-The Blue Flames)

15 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Move

21 July 1967 (Friday) – Wynder K Frog

22 July 1967 (Saturday) – Sonny Childe & The TNT

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 July 1967 (Friday) – Gass with The Niteshades or Nite Train

29 July 1967 (Saturday) – The Original Dyaks with Reaction

 

4 August 1967 (Friday) – TD Bachus & The Powerhouse and The Teapots

Photo may be subject to copyright

5 August 1967 (Saturday) – John Evans Smash and Minor Portion Roll Band

6 August 1967 (Sunday) – Minor Portion Roll Band

There is a gap in gigs advertised

Photo may be subject to copyright

25 August 1967 (Friday) – Freddie Mac & The Mac Sound

26 August 1967 (Saturday) – Tiles Big Band

27 August 1967 (Sunday) – The Kontax

There is a gap in gigs advertised

Photo may be subject to copyright

8 September 1967 (Friday) – Family and Flower Children

9 September 1967 (Saturday) – Floribunda Rose and Nite Train

10 September 1967 (Sunday) – Stuart James Inspiration

Photo may be subject to copyright

15 September 1967 (Friday) – The Kool and The 100w Carnation

16 September 1967 (Saturday) – The Lloyd Alexander Blues Band and The Courtelles

17 September 1967 (Sunday) – The Jambourie Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

22 September 1967 (Friday) – Amorous Prawns and The Paper Blitz Tissue

23 September 1967 (Saturday) – Hamilton & The Movement and Scotch of St James

24 September 1967 (Sunday) – The Maze

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 September 1967 (Friday) – The Soul Caravan and The Power

30 September 1967 (Saturday) – Geranium Pond and Roscoe Brown Combo

 

1 October 1967 (Sunday) – Craig King & The Night Train

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 October 1967 (Friday) – The Warren Davis Monday Band and The Locomotion

7 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Trax and The Jamboree Band

8 October 1967 (Sunday) – Tony Rivers & The Castaways and Plastic Dream Boat

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 October 1967 (Friday) – James Royal and The New Breed

14 October 1967 (Saturday) – Pink Floyd and The Tecknique

15 October 1967 (Sunday) – The Human Instinct and Modes Mode

Photo may be subject to copyright

20 October 1967 (Friday) – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers and The Triads

21 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Lemon Line and The Garden

22 October 1967 (Sunday) – Ten Years After and The Mead

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 October 1967 (Friday) – The Orlons and The Paper Blitz Tissue

28 October 1967 (Saturday) – The Gods and The New Jump Band

29 October 1967 (Sunday) – The Derek Savage Foundation and The Pink Champagne

Photo may be subject to copyright

3 November 1967 (Friday) – The Alan Price Set and The Taylor Upton Big Band

4 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Survivors (or The Healers with Spectre Powerhouse)

5 November 1967 (Sunday) – Pesky Gee

Friday (and most Sunday) gigs appear to be missing from now on

10 November 1967 (Saturday) – The New Breed (According to Graham Sclater’s diary, The Manchester Playboys played on this date)

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 November 1967 (Sunday) – Cats Pyjamas and Geranium Pond

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 November 1967 (Saturday) – The Skatelites with The Minor Portion Roll Band

25 November 1967 (Saturday) – Marmalade and The Vivas

Photo may be subject to copyright

2 December 1967 (Saturday) – Milton James and the Harlem Knock Out

9 December 1967 (Saturday) – Catch 22 (aka Katch 22)

16 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Skatelites

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Human Instinct

Photo may be subject to copyright

30 December 1967 (Saturday) – The Lloyd Alexander Blues Band

 

13 January 1968 (Saturday) – Copper Pot

20 January 1968 (Saturday) – Workshop

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 January 1968 (Saturday) – Simon K & The Meantimers

The Bedfordshire Times stopped advertising gigs in 1968 after the above date

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

400 Ballroom, Torquay, Devon

This is the start of an entry on a popular music venue located in Torquay’s harbour that hosted many important visiting bands during the 1960s.

The gigs below and images are all from the Herald Express newspaper

For most of the year, gigs are only on Fridays and Saturdays with occasional gigs on other days in the week, such as Mondays and Wednesdays

2 October 1964 – The Secrets

3 October 1964 – The Master Sounds

5 October 1964 – The Dictators

9 October 1964 – The Telstars

10 October 1964 – The Mon-Keys

12 October 1964 – The Hunters

16 October 1964 – The Cyclones featuring Johnny Carne

17 October 1964 – Kevin & The Kinsmen

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 October 1964 – The Townsmen

23 October 1964 – The Fortunes

24 October 1964 – Mike Allard & The Tremors

26 October 1964 – The Buccaneers

30 October 1964 – The Tycoons

31 October 1964 – The 007

 

1 November 1964 – The Southbeats

2 November 1964 – The Harlequins

6 November 1964 – The Telstars

7 November 1964 – The Avengers

9 November 1964 – The Cossacks

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 November 1964 – The Vikings

14 November 1964 – The Soul Agents

16 November 1964 – The Starfires

20 November 1964 – Steve Bradley & The Sounds Unlimited

21 November 1964 – The Impact

23 November 1964 – Tony Just & The Orbits

27 November 1964 – The Bossmen

28 November 1964 – The Chevrons

30 November 1964 – Bobby & The Blue Diamonds

 

3 December 1964 – The Buccaneers

4 December 1964 – The Master Sounds

7 December 1964 – The Harlequins

11 December 1964 – The Buccaneers

12 December 1964 – The Initials

14 December 1964 – The Starfires

18 December 1964 – Steve Bradley & Sounds Unlimited

19 December 1964 – The Companions

21 December 1964 – The Harlequins

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 December 1964 – The Jellys

26 December 1964 – The Southbeats

28 December 1964 – The Ebonies

31 December 1964 – Dek Dooley & The Dominators and The Buccaneers

 

1 January 1965 – The Plymouth Sounds

2 January 1965 – Dek Dooley & The Dynamic Dominators

8 January 1965 – The Merry Knights

9 January 1965 – Four Hits & a Miss

15 January 1965 – The Better Days

16 January 1965 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks (future Slade guitarist/singer Noddy Holder was a member until late 1965)

22 January 1965 – The Starfires

23 January 1965 – The Master Sounds (replaced by The Impacts)

29 January 1965 – The Better Days

30 January 1965 – The Strollers

 

5 February 1965 – The Tycoons

6 February 1965 – The Blues Syndicate (Bass player Geoff Penn says that the group opened for The Yardbirds this evening).

12 February 1965 – The Telstars

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 February 1965 – Les Fleur De Lys

17 February 1965 – The Montanas

19 February 1965 – The Royals

20 February 1965 – The Southbeats

26 February 1965 – The Better Days (replaced by Gary Kane & The Tornados)

27 February 1965 – Ricky Vernon & The Pathfinders

 

1 March 1965 – The Montanas

5 March 1965 – Four Steps Beyond

6 March 1965 – The Tallmen (replaced by The Dynacords)

8 March 1965 – The Secrets

12 March 1965 – The ‘N Betweens (this band evolved into Slade)

13 March 1965 – The Nite People

15 March 1965 – The Better Days

Photo may be subject to copyright

19 March 1965 – The Better Days

20 March 1965 – The Soul Agents (Rod Stewart was singer at this point)

22 March 1965 – The Better Days

26 March 1965 – The Better Days

27 March 1965 – The 007s

29 March 1965 – The Buccaneers

 

2 April 1965 – Tony Just & The Orbits

3 April 1965 – The Freebooters (replaced by The Palmer James Group)

5 April 1965 – The Tacits

9 April 1965 – The Emeralds with Daniel Boone

10 April 1965 – The Emeralds with Daniel Boone

12 April 1965 – Clive Richie & The Couriers

17 April 1965 – Zuider Lee (could be Zuyder Zee, a popular Dutch band)

19 April 1965 – The Southbeats

23 April 1965 – The Better Days

24 April 1965 – The Hoboes

26 April 1965 – The Guild

28 April 1965 – The Emeralds

30 April 1965 – The Condors

 

1 May 1965 – The Big T Show

3 May 1965 – The Better Days

5 May 1965 – The Guild

7 May 1965 – The Tac Tics

8 May 1965 – The Riots

10 May 1965 – The Better Days

12 May 1965 – The Telstars

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 May 1965 – The Undertakers

15 May 1965 – The Primitives

17 May 1965 – The Tic Tacs

19 May 1965 – Peter & The Wolves

21 May 1965 – The Applejacks

22 May 1965 – The Cougars

24 May 1965 – The Hunters

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 May 1965 – Johnny Kidd & The Pirates

29 May 1965 – The Diplomats

30 May 1965 – Robin & The Four Hoods

Photo may be subject to copyright

4 June 1965 – The Loose Ends and The Buccaneers

This is roughly the start of the summer season each year (the same applies for subsequent years) when certain artists play the entire the week from Saturday through to Friday. However, it’s not always clear whether they also played the Sunday

5 June 1965 – George Washington & His Congress Men

7-11 June 1965 – George Washington & His Congress Men

12 June 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

14-18 June 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

19 June 1965 – Mike Raynor & The Condors

21-22 June 1965 – Mike Raynor & The Condors

23-25 June 1965 – The Dynamos

26 June 1965 – The Emeralds

28 June-2 July 1965 – The Emeralds

 

3-9 July 1965 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

10-16 July 1965 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

17 July 1965 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

19-23 July 1965 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick and Tich

23 July 1965 – The Dowlands and The Sound Tracks

25-30 July 1965 – The Dowlands and The Sound Tracks

31 July 1965 – The Marauders

 

1-3 August 1965 – The Marauders

4-6 August 1965 – The King Pins with Roy Grant

7 August 1965 – The Spectres (this may be the same group that evolves into Status Quo)

9-13 August 1965 – Plain & Fancy

14-20 August 1965 – The Emeralds

21-27 August 1965 – The Quiet Five

28-31 August 1965 – The Big T Show

 

1-3 September 1965 – The Big T Show

4-10 September 1965 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks (Noddy Holder is still a member at this point)

11-12 September 1965 – Bern Elliott & His Clan

13-14 September 1965 – The Emeralds

15-16 September 1965 – The Rock-A-Fellows

18 September 1965 – The Emeralds

20-24 September 1965 – The Emeralds

25 September 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

27-30 September 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

 

1 October 1965 – The ‘N Betweens

2 October 1965 – Peter Fenton & The Tasty Mob

4-6 October 1965 – The Hi-Jackers

8 October 1965 – Tommy Quickly & The Remo Four

9 October 1965 – The Alleycats

11 October 1965 – The Better Days

15 October 1965 – Sounds Incorporated

16 October 1965 – The In-Sect

Photo may be subject to copyright

18 October 1965 – The Cherokees

22 October 1965 – Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers

23 October 1965 – The Condors

25 October 1965 – The Prophets

29 October 1965 – The Checkmates

30 October 1965 – The Kingpins

 

1 November 1965 – The Telstars

5 November 1965 – The Applejacks

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 November 1965 – The Hellions

8 November 1965 – The Blackjacks

12 November 1965 – The Swinging Blue Jeans

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 November 1965 – The Emeralds

15 November 1965 – Gary Kane & The Tornados

19 November 1965 – Rob Storm & The Whispers

Photo may be subject to copyright

20 November 1965 – The Wheels

22 November 1965 – The Cordettes

26 November 1965 – Eden Kane with supporting group

27 November 1965 – Pete de Witt & The Magic Strangers (Dutch band)

29 November 1965 – The Spartans

 

3 December 1965 – The Dedicated Men’s Jug Band and support

4 December 1965 – The Montanas

6 December 1965 – The Telstars

10 December 1965 – The Mojos

11 December 1965 – The Montanas (replaced by Trendsetters Limited)

13 December 1965 – The Royals

17 December 1965 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs with support

18 December 1965 – Finders Keepers (replaced by The Candles)

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 December 1965 – The Deltas

27 December 1965 – The Riots

31 December 1965 – Dave & The Diamonds

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 January 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

7 January 1966 – The Power House Six

8 January 1966 – Zuyder Zee (a popular Dutch band)

14 January 1966 – The Emeralds

15 January 1966 – The Symbols

21 January 1966 – Tony Rivers & The Castaways

22 January 1966 – Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich

28 January 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks (Noddy Holder had recently left)

29 January 1966 – The Cougars

Photo may be subject to copyright

4 February 1966 – The Nite People

5 February 1966 – The Manchester Playboys

11 February 1966 – The Quiet Five

12 February 1966 – The Trendsetters Limited

18 February 1966 – The Meddyevils

19 February 1966 – The Condors

23 February 1966 – The Maurice Price Seven

25 February 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

26 February 1966 – The Vibros

 

2 March 1966 – The Trendsetters Limited

4 March 1966 – The Symbols

5 March 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

9 March 1966 – The Trendsetters Limited

11 March 1966 – The Hot Springs (formerly The Riots)

12 March 1966 – The Majority

16 March 1966 – Carnaby 1 Plus 4

18 March 1966 – The Tennessee Teams

19 March 1966 – Ray Anton & The Profoma

23 March 1966 – The Couriers

25 March 1966 – Cops ‘N’ Robbers

26 March 1966 – The Vogue

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 April 1966 – The Alan Bown Set

2 April 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

9 April 1966 – The Bystanders

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 April 1966 – The Emeralds

15 April 1966 – Kris Ryan & The Questions

16 April 1966 – The Big Sound with Karol Keyes

22 April 1966 – The Statesmen

23 April 1966 – The Kingpins

29 April 1966 – The Couriers

30 April 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

 

6 May 1966 – The First Lites

7 May 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

13 May 1966 – Carnaby 1 Plus 4

14 May 1966 – The Deltas

20 May 1966 – Peter Fenton with Him & The Others

21 May 1966 – George Bean & The Runners

27 May 1966 – The Silhouttes

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 May 1966 – Davey Sands & The Essex

30 May 1966 – The Gaylords (this band became Marmalade)

 

3 June 1966 – The Anzaks

4 June 1966 – The ‘N Betweens (Noddy Holder may have joined by now)

6-10 June 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

11 June 1966 – The Vogue

13-17 June 1966 – The Vogue

18-24 June 1966 – The Bystanders

25-30 June 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

 

1 July 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

Photo may be subject to copyright

2 July 1966 – John Bull Breed (Bass player John Lodge joined The Moody Blues in October 1966)

4-8 July 1966 – John Bull Breed

9 July 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

11-15 July 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

16 July 1966 – The Nite People

18-22 July 1966 – The Nite People

23 July 1966 – Ray Grant & The Kingpins

25-29 July 1966 – Ray Grant & The Kingpins

30 July 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

 

1-5 August 1966 – The Powerhouse Six

6 August 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

8-12 August 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 August 1966 – The Noblemen (Guitarist Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull in late 1968)

15-19 August 1966 – The Noblemen

Photo may be subject to copyright

20 August 1966 – Ray Anton & The Proform

21-22 August 1966 – The Symbols

Photo may be subject to copyright

23-24 August 1966 – The Quiet Five

25-26 August 1966 – Trendsetters Limited

27 August 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

29 August-2 September 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

 

3 September 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

4 September 1966 – Steve Brett & The Mavericks

5-9 September 1966 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

Photo may be subject to copyright

10 September 1966 – Cops ‘n’ Robbers

12-16 September 1966 – Cops ‘n’ Robbers

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 September 1966 – The ‘N Betweens (this Wolverhampton band later became Slade)

19-23 September 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

24 September 1966 – The Beau Oddlot

Photo may be subject to copyright

26-27 September 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

 

28 September 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

29-30 September 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

 

1 October 1966 – Giorgio & Mario’s Men

Photo may be subject to copyright

7 October 1966 – Listen (possibly Robert Plant’s band)

8 October 1966 – Blaises

14 October 1966 – The Voids

15 October 1966 – The Combine

21 October 1966 – The Anzaks

22 October 1966 – Mr Hip Soul Band

28 October 1966 – The Onyx Set

Photo may be subject to copyright

29 October 1966 – The Palmer James Group

 

4 November 1966 – The Rage

5 November 1966 – The Kingpins with Ray Grant

12 November 1966 – The Lonely Ones

19 November 1966 – The Raging Storms

26 November 1966 – The Talismen

 

2 December 1966 – The Reason Why

3 December 1966 – The Palmer James Group

Photo may be subject to copyright

10 December 1966 – Grand Union

16 December 1966 – Guest Group

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 December 1966 – The ‘N Betweens

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 December 1966 – The Onyx Set

24 December 1966 – The Mike Stuart Span

Photo may be subject to copyright

30 December 1966 – Lord Caesar Sutch & The Roman Empire

31 December 1966 – Mr Hip Soul Band

 

7 January 1967 – Trendsetters Limited

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 January 1967 – The Albert Square

20 January 1967 – The Undertakers

Photo may be subject to copyright

21 January 1967 – The Bystanders

27 January 1967 – The Onyx Set

28 January 1967 – The Upliners

 

4 February 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

10 February 1967 – The Jaguars

11 February 1967 – The Ziggy Turner Combo

18 February 1967 – The Lonely Ones

25 February 1967 – The Raging Storms

 

4 March 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

11 March 1967 – The Palmer James Group

17 March 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

18 March 1967 – The Shannons

Photo may be subject to copyright

25 March 1967 – Paul Young’s Toggery

27 March 1967 – The Anzaks

31 March 1967 – Johnston McPhilby Five

 

1 April 1967 – The Measles

7 April 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

8 April 1967 – Heart & Souls

14 April 1967 –The Jaguars

15 April 1967 – The Vogues

21 April 1967 – The Jigsaw

22 April 1967 – The Delroy Good Good Band

28 April 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

29 April 1967 – The Sunspots

 

5 May 1967 – The Hoboes

6 May 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

Photo may be subject to copyright

12 May 1967 – The Onyx Set

13 May 1967 – The Outer Limits

19 May 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

20 May 1967 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

26 May 1967 – The Jaguars

Photo may be subject to copyright

27 May 1967 – The Lemon Line

 

2 June 1967 – The Hoboes

Photo may be subject to copyright

3 June 1967 – The Worrying Kynde

9 June 1967 – The Children

10 June 1967 – The Ray King Soul Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

16 June 1967 – The Parchment People

17 June 1967 – The Five Proud Walkers

23 June 1967 – Omega Plus

24 June 1967 – Dual Purpose

30 June 1967 – Pentworth’s People

Photo may be subject to copyright

1-7 July 1967 – The Mike Stuart Span

8 July 1967 – The Raging Storms

10-12 July 1967 – The Raging Storms

Photo may be subject to copyright

15-21 July 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

22-28 July 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

29 July-4 August 1967 – Wellington Kitch Band

Photo may be subject to copyright

5-11 August 1967 – The Heart and Souls

12-18 August 1967 – The Delroy Good Good Band

19-21 August 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

Photo may be subject to copyright

22 August 1967 – The Tremeloes and The ‘N Betweens

23-25 August 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

26 August-1 September 1967 – The Ziggy Turner Combo

 

2-8 September 1967 – The Real McCoy

Photo may be subject to copyright

9 September 1967 – The Colour Supplement

Photo may be subject to copyright

14 September 1967 – Wynder K Frog

15 September 1967 – The Jaguars

16 September 1967 – The Strange Fruit

23 September 1967 – The Shame (Greg Lake was the band’s bass player)

30 September 1967 – The Workshop

 

7 October 1967 – Johnny Carr & The Cadillacs

Photo may be subject to copyright

13 October 1967 – Scots of St James (rebooked for 17 November)

14 October 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

21 October 1967 – The Dreaded Spectres

28 October 1967 – The Omega Plus

 

3 November 1967 – The Last-Tik Band

4 November 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

11 November 1967 – The Vogues

Photo may be subject to copyright

17 November 1967 – The Scots of St James

18 November 1967 – The Shiralee

Photo may be subject to copyright

24 November 1967 – The Cat Soul Packet

25 November 1967 – The Shame

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 December 1967 – The Shell Shock Show

2 December 1967 – The ‘N Betweens

8 December 1967 – The Foundations

Photo may be subject to copyright

9 December 1967 – Robert Plant & The Band of Joy

15 December 1967 – The Lamb Bros & Co

16 December 1967 – Dual Purpose

22 December 1967 – Sounds Incorporated

23-24 December 1967 – The Mike Stuart Span

Photo may be subject to copyright

26 December 1967 – Pinkerton’s Colours

29 December 1967 – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

30-31 December 1967 – Mr Hip Soul Band

 

5 January 1968 – The Calgary Stampede

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 January 1968 – The Maze (singer Rod Evans and drummer Ian Paice co-founded Deep Purple)

12 January 1968 – The Clockwork Orange

13 January 1968 – The Go Show

19 January 1968 – The Tremeloes

20 January 1968 – John Drevar’s Experience

26 January 1968 – The Gods

27 January 1968 – The Purple Dream

 

2 February 1968 – Purple Art

3 February 1968 – Heart & Souls

9 February 1968 – The Vigilantes

10 February 1968 – Blossom

16 February 1968 – The Albie

17 February 1968 – The ‘N Betweens (the band became Slade)

Photo may be subject to copyright

23 February 1968 – Simon Dupree & The Big Sound

24 February 1968 – Cat Soul Show

Photo may be subject to copyright

1 March 1968 – The New York Public Library

2 March 1968 – The Firestones

8 March 1968 – The Bunch

9 March 1968 – The Maze

15 March 1968 – Freddie Mack Show

16 March 1968 – Lamb Bros & Co

Photo may be subject to copyright

22 March 1968 – Status Quo

23 March 1968 – The Shell Shock Show

29 March 1968 – The Big T Sound

30 March 1968 – The Vogues

 

5 April 1968 – The Onyx

Photo may be subject to copyright

6 April 1968 – Wishful Thinking (formerly The Emeralds)

13 April 1968 – The Ebonites (no Friday artist)

15 April 1968 – Locomotive

19 April 1968 – New World

20 April 1968 – John Drevar’s Experience

Photo may be subject to copyright

26 April 1968 – The Shy Limbs (Greg Lake on bass)

27 April 1968 – Delroy Williams & The Sugar Band

 

3 May 1968 – My Dear Watson

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4 May 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

10 May 1968 – The Late

11 May 1968 – Fanny Flickers Rock ‘N’ Roll Band

17 May 1968 – The Firm

18 May 1968 – The Extreme Sound

20 May 1968 – The Mike Westbrook Band

25 May 1968 – Gerry Temple & The Storm (no Friday artist)

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31 May 1968 – The Penny Peep Show (Martin Barre joined Jethro Tull)

 

1 June 1968 – The Epics

3 June 1968 – The Ebonites

8 June 1968 – George Bean & The Runners (no Friday artist) (says they are Lulu’s backing band)

10 June 1968 – Breakthru

14 June 1968 – The Merseys

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15 June 1968 – Floribunda Rose (John Kongos was singer)

17 June 1968 – Locomotive

21 June 1968 – Mud

22 June 1968 – Traction

24 June 1968 – Youngblood

25 June 1968 – Marmalade

28 June 1968 – Pepper

29 June 1968 – Cat Road Show starring US Flattop

There may be missing gigs during July as it wasn’t clear if artists played for the entire week

1 July 1968 – The Ebonites

3 July 1968 – The Ebonites

5 July 1968 – The Ebonites

6 July 1968 – The Jasper Stubbs Gloryland Band

8-10 July 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

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12 July 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

13 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

15 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

17 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

19 July 1968 – Finders Keepers

20 July 1968 – The Shiralee

22-24 July 1968 – Lamb Bros & Co

26 July 1968 – Lamb Bros & Co

27 July 1968 – Spectrum

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29 July 1968 – Spectrum

30 July 1968 – Reperata & The Delrons, Clouds and Spectrum

31 July 1968 – Spectrum

 

3 August 1968 – The Californians

5-9 August 1968 – The Californians

10 August 1968 – The Light Fantastic (formerly The Vogues)

12-16 August 1968 – The Light Fantastic

17 August 1968 – Wishful Thinking

19 August 1968 – The Onyx

20-23 August 1968 – Wishful Thinking

24 August 1968 – Bubblegum

26-27 August 1968 – Bubblegum

30 August 1968 – Bubblegum

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31 August 1968 – The Gods

 

2 September 1968 – The Gods (they may play all week but it is not clear)

6 September 1968 – The Gods

From this point onwards, it looks like gigs only took place on Saturdays

7 September 1968 – Traction

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14 September 1968 – The ‘N Betweens

21 September 1968 – Jason Cord and First Chapter

28 September 1968 – Mike Raynor & The Condors

 

5 October 1968 – The Luddy Sammes Soul Packet

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12 October 1968 – Scrugg (formerly Floribunda Rose)

19 October 1968 – Scrugg

26 October 1968 – Finders Keepers

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2 November 1968 – Mud

9 November 1968 – Hopscotch

15 November 1968 – Indiana Highway (Friday)

16 November 1968 – The Swamp with Jon & James

23 November 1968 – Breakthru

30 November 1968 – Ebony Blush

 

7 December 1968 – Cardboard Replica

14 December 1968 – Palmyra Stock

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19 December 1968 – Bandwagon and The Grand Union

21 December 1968 – Bubblegum

24 December 1968 – The Mike Stuart Span

26 December 1968 – Mud

Photo may be subject to copyright

28 December 1968 – The Epics

31 December 1968 – The Ebonites

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

Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede

Left to right: Dave Brooks, Mike Manners, Carl Douglas, Verdi Stewart, Del Coverley, Del Grace and Tony Charman, late 1966

In the summer of 1974, Carl Douglas’s disco anthem “Kung Fu Fighting” was shipped just as the chopsocky film craze was taking hold. Initially, the single struggled for airplay, but later that year it stormed to the top of the UK and US charts, eventually selling over 11 million copies worldwide.

In 2014, to mark the 40th anniversary of his global chart topper, Carl Douglas was preparing a new CD for release, his first collection of new material since 2008’s Return of the Fighter.

Although the long-awaited release never appeared, fans were treated to a superb compilation from revered collectors’ label Acid Jazz, issued on 30 June 2014. Pulling together much of Carl Douglas’s recorded work during the mid-late 1960s, including a cache of previously unreleased tracks, the collection finally casts a light on the singer’s little known, formative years.

To trace Carl Douglas’s rise to international superstardom, we need to go back to an afternoon in mid-1965 when the young Jamaican ventured from his home on Copleston Road, East Dulwich to his local football club’s party, and stumbled across the musicians that would come to form his first backing group – The Charmers.

Early Sounds 5 with Tony Charman on guitar (second left) and Nick Baxter on drums. Photo: Tony Charman

Formed in West Dulwich around late 1963 by multi-instrumentalist Tony Charman (the only musician to appear in most of the many iterations of Douglas’s Sixties bands), Sounds 5 originally comprised Charman on lead guitar; Johnny Johnson on rhythm guitar; Roger Simms on bass; Nick Baxter on drums; and Tony Fuller on lead vocals.

Sounds 5. Photo: Tony Charman

A regular fixture at local schools and youth clubs in south London, Sounds 5 decide to adopt a new name after the band’s manager Bob Charman (Tony’s father) invited Carl Douglas to join the musicians on stage.

“Carl came up and sang with us,” remembers Tony Charman. “Our singer at the time was my brother-in-law and he was leaving, so my dad said to Carl, ‘If you want to join a group, here’s the phone number’.”

Born and raised in Jamaica, Carl Douglas had spent part of his youth in southern California staying with relatives before joining his mother and stepfather in south London where he pursued a scholarship in engineering at Southeast London Technical College from 1959-1962.

While the plan was to qualify as an engineer and return home to take over his father’s family business, Douglas had secret ambitions to become the first black professional football player at Tottenham Hotspur and was a keen and proficient player. But as fate would have it, the afternoon he attended his football club’s party at Flodden Road in Camberwell, south London changed his destiny forever.

Encouraged by his football mates to go up and sing with The Charmers, Douglas impressed the young musicians with his raucous renditions of “Long Tall Sally” and “Tutti Frutti”.

“Bob had given me his number but I didn’t call because I wasn’t quite certain how to tell my mum,” admits Douglas. “One day while I was out at football training, he called and talked to my mum and asked if I’d decided yet.”

Despite his mother’s protestations over his decision to put his engineering career on hold, Douglas called Bob Charman back and agreed to try out at a rehearsal. It didn’t take long for everyone to realise that it was a winning combination.

Rechristened Carl Douglas & The Charmers, the musicians soon established a foothold in the Brixton/Streatham/Tulse Hill area, playing pubs, youth clubs and schools.

The Charmers. Left to right: Mick Patel, Lee Hall, Carl Douglas, Tony Charman and Nick Baxter. Photo: Tony Charman

Early on, lead guitarist Mick Patel and bass player Lee Hall took over from Johnny Johnson and Roger Simms respectively, while Charman (who’d adopted the stage name Tony Webb) moved from lead guitar to organ.

The band’s drummer then introduced his cousin Ken Baxter, who worked as an engineer at a recording studio in Crystal Palace.

“When Carl joined us, we needed some demos,” says Tony Charman. “Ken had this little recording studio, which he’d just started, so we recorded in there and then Ken was asked to be our manager.”

The Charmers, early 1966. Photo: Tony Charman

Impressed by Douglas’s singing, Ken Baxter oversaw the recording of a six-track demo, mixing soul standards like Otis Redding and Steve Cropper’s “Mr Pitiful”; Naomi Neville’s “Pain In My Heart”; and Wilson Pickett and Steve Cropper’s “In the Midnight Hour”, together with Carl Douglas originals – “Going Out of My Mind”, “Why Hurt” and “You Are the One I Love”.

Left to right: Carl Douglas, Nick Baxter, Lee Hall, Mick Patel and Tony Charman. Photo: Tony Charman

Having assumed the band’s management from Tony Charman’s father, Ken Baxter then hawked the demos around London in a bid to secure a recording deal. The tracks ended up with A&R scout Pierre Tubbs, who had connections with the small indie label, Strike Records. Tubbs offered the band some studio time to hone its act, in preparation for some further recordings.

Tony Charman on keyboards. Photo: Tony Charman

Around early 1966, the band’s personnel underwent another reshuffle with Ray Beresford taking over from long-standing drummer Nick Baxter. At the same time, a brilliant guitarist called Ron Bryer (aka Ron Spence), succeeded Mick Patel. A former member of The Loose Ends, the house band at Lewisham’s El Partido Club, Bryer had recently been working with another local outfit, The Revellos.

Left to right: Tony Charman, Ray Beresford, Carl Douglas, Ron Bryer and Lee Hall. Photo: Ken Baxter

Interestingly, Mick Patel would end up joining Bryer’s former band The Loose Ends in late 1966, initially as a horn player, but in spring 1967 moved back to lead guitar and briefly joined The Canadians with a very young David Foster. Foster and Patel would subsequently join The Warren Davis Monday Band in the summer of 1967 for the single “Love is a Hurtin’ Thing”. Patel later moved out to British Columbia, Canada to work with Foster in a new band but nothing has been heard about him since.

Mick Patel third left, August 1967

The reconfigured line up (often billed as The Carl Douglas Set) began gigging further afield, landing a regular gig at Tiles on Oxford Street, and playing a series of shows at the Goldhawk Social Club in Shepherd’s Bush.

Back in Tubbs’s studio, and with Ken Baxter at the helm, the new formation cut two new tracks – a gritty version of Hayes and Porter’s “You Don’t Know”, coupled with a soulful rendition of “I (Who Have Nothing)”, a song taken into the US charts by Terry Knight & The Pack.

Presented to Strike Records, the label was impressed by the raw energy of the recordings to sign Douglas to a one-off single deal. However, as Baxter recalls, arranger/producer Alan Tew was sceptical that the musicians had the experience to produce “a professional, economical sound behind Carl at the time”.

Handing production duties to Pierre Tubbs, Tew decided to bring in top session players like guitarist Big Jim Sullivan, organist Harry Stoneham, trumpet player Kenny Baker and bass player John Paul Jones to provide the instrumental support for Douglas’s first single, the frantic, infectious soul number “Crazy Feeling” (credited to Tubbs-Douglas), coupled with “Keep It To Myself” (attributed to Tubbs), which was cut at Pye’s studios in Marble Arch.

Ken Baxter notes that the group almost landed a record deal with EMI Records after an encounter with producer Tony Macaulay (who would work with Douglas’s friend Clem Curtis in The Foundations) prompted a one-off session. The whereabouts of the two tracks cut remains a mystery.

Left to right: Tony Charman, Ray Beresford, Carl Douglas, Ron Bryer and Lee Hall, mid-1966. Photo: Ken Baxter

While this was happening, Ray Beresford put in a good word for his neighbour – lead guitarist Del Grace, who stepped into Ron Bryer’s shoes in early July 1966.

Standing at six foot five, Grace had started out in the early 1960s with Carl Lee & The Epitaphs in the Bexley, Kent area. The band subsequently became known as The Epitaph Soul Band and then The Epitaphs. Of historic note, Grace also did several sessions with maverick producer Joe Meek at his studio on the Holloway Road during this period.

In late 1965, Grace formed Big Wheel, a local soul/R&B band, which opened for the likes of John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers and The Graham Bond Organisation at the Black Prince Hotel in Bexley. They also played at the Berlin Jazz Festival in February 1966 and undertook a short tour of West Germany, including Aachen, and Switzerland in early June.

Big Wheel, early 1966. Del Grace (far left), Mike Manners (second left) and Del Coverley (centre). Photo: Del Grace

In an entirely unplanned, albeit fascinating twist of fate, Big Wheel’s keyboard player Andy Clark (later of Clark-Hutchinson and Upp fame) decided to recruit Ron Bryer as Grace’s replacement!

When the rest of the band returned to England, Bryer stayed and joined the highly-rated Basel-based soul band, Berry Window & The Movements. Bryer later recorded with cosmic rockers Brainticket before returning to England and joining One with former Loose Ends’ singer Alan Marshall. Tragically, the guitarist died on 25 June 1973 of an accidental drug overdose.

Ron Bryer with Berry Window & The Movements. Photo: Barry Window

With Del Grace in place, The Carl Douglas Set performed at George Harrison’s new nightclub Sibylla’s in central London from 22-26 August.

That same month, Strike brought out “Crazy Feeling” but inexplicably the single failed to chart, even though, according to Tony Charman, it was voted a hit on Juke Box Jury.

Carl Douglas Set. Left to right: Del Grace, Ray Beresford, Carl Douglas, Danny McCulloch and Tony Charman. Photo: Tony Charman

A few days after completing the Sibylla’s residency, bass player Danny McCulloch took over from Lee Hall. Originally from Shepherd’s Bush, McCulloch had first come to prominence with Frankie Reid & The Casuals (alongside drummer Mitch Mitchell) before landing a gig with Screaming Lord Sutch & The Savages.

After recording a lone single with The Plebs – “Bad Blood” c/w “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”, McCulloch worked with Tony Sheridan in West Germany before returning home.

He was at something of a loose end, however, when the opportunity came to join Douglas; most likely after running into the band at the Goldhawk Social Club on his home turf.

The new bass player, however, did not hang around too long. Barely a week after opening for Otis Redding at Tiles on 18 September, he was poached by one of the England’s leading R&B singers.

“[Danny] was a talented bass player and had his own entourage of musicians in close proximity,” recalls Ken Baxter.

“It wasn’t surprising that he was soon to be poached from us by Eric Burdon, who used to visit the Cromwellian and witnessed Danny’s talent and offered him a job in his soon-to-be formed ‘New Animals’.”

Left to right: Tony Charman, Del Grace, Danny McCulloch, Carl Douglas and Ray Beresford. Photo: Ken Baxter

Inspired by McCulloch’s bass style and unhappy on keyboards, Tony Charman took up the bass. Just prior to McCulloch’s departure, Baxter placed an advert in Melody Maker for a sax player. A number of horn players responded, including recently departed Manfred Mann member Lyn Dobson, but the band settled on north Londoner, Dave Brooks.

“We auditioned loads of sax players but with Dave Brooks he seemed to click straight away,” says Charman. “We all liked him and if you’re pro, you’ve got to get on with each other.”

Around the same time, Del Grace brought in his former band mate from the original Big Wheel (and Andy Clark’s predecessor) – Mike Manners on Hammond organ and as musical director.

Mike Manners in South East London Mercury

Renamed Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede, after a very descriptive LP cover by US jazz band Woody Herman, the new line up’s first notable booking was Tiles on Oxford Street on 26 September.

Around this time, the musicians shared a bill with Eric Clapton’s band, Cream. Mike Manners has fond memories of the evening in question, a joint (no pun intended) booking at a university somewhere in the north of England. (Ed. Beresford says this was Nottingham University and Cream played in the city on 23 October, so this is the most likely date.)

“We were in an interval and had the same dressing room. He [Ginger Baker] handed me this huge joint and I said, ‘I’ll pass it round’ and he said, ‘No, no, no, that’s for you. I’m making one for everybody’. It was huge.”

Left to right: Carl Douglas, Tony Charman, Nick Baxter, Mike Manners, Dave Brooks and Del Grace,  Trafalgar Square, October 1966. Photo: Ken Baxter

A few days later Ray Beresford left to subsequently form Lewisham band, The National Existence. With road manager Nick Baxter briefly subbing, the musicians were photographed in Trafalgar Square.

National Existence with Ray Beresford far right in South East London Mercury.

Within a week, however, the drum stool was filled permanently by another Big Wheel member – Derek ‘Del’ Coverley, who returned from Switzerland where he was playing at the Hotel Hirschen in Zurich’s red light district.

Inspired by Jack Parnell, the drummer in the house band at the London Palladium, and jazz musicians Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa, Coverley had started playing drums in his early teens. After working with his school band, The Scimitars for several years, he signed up with Big Wheel at the tail end of 1965, taking over from original drummer Rick Dyett.

With only lead singer Paul Stroud and Del Coverley remaining from the original line up in July 1966, Big Wheel (Mark 2) now included bass player Mick Holland and organist Andy Clark from The Epitaph Soul Band and Del Grace’s predecessor in The Carl Douglas Set, Ron Bryer.

The new configuration developed quite a following in Switzerland and even issued a hopelessly rare (Swiss-only) mod single, Andy Clark’s “Don’t Give Up That Easy” c/w “You’re Only Hurting Yourself”, released on the Eurex label in February 1967.

Left to right: Carl Douglas, roadie, Tony Charman, Nick Baxter, Ken Baxter, Del Grace and Del Coverley. Photo: Tony Charman

With Coverley assuming the drum position in Carl Douglas’ band, the final piece in the jigsaw was West Norwood-based jazz trumpeter Verdi Stewart, a family friend of the Baxters, who agreed to try out after failing to land a gig with Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement (where he befriended future member Mel Wayne).

The son of a boxer, and christened Verdun Tristram Higham, Stewart was a colourful character who had learnt his trade from The Happy Wanderers’ William Longman and had previously played trumpet in a rumba band at the Astor Club in Berkeley Square.

Around this time, the band received some handy press coverage after Go Records picked up “Crazy Feeling” and re-issued the single on 4 November. This time around, the ‘45 became a hit, climbing to #21 in the British charts, perhaps helped by Radio London’s incessant plugging. In the US, it was issued on the Okeh label in the following month.

Having signed up to the Rik Gunnell Agency a few months earlier, work started to pour in. It was through the band’s association with Gunnell that Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede landed a prestigious 14-night residency at the Gunnell brothers’ latest West End acquisition, the Bag O’ Nails nightclub in Kingly Street, kicking off on 21 November.

“We were cheap and cheerful [and] they got their money’s worth with us,” confides Brooks on the arrangement. “Although Rik Gunnell liked Carl, he thought we were a bunch of wallies really, which were for the money we were playing for. But that’s the way things were. We were just glad to play.”

During those eventful two weeks, notable guests dropped in during the evening. One afternoon (25 November is the most plausible date), the musicians turned up to find a future rock legend on the stage.

“We’d been playing at the Bag O’ Nails the night before and had left the gear there,” remembers Charman. “When we went in [the next day] all of our gear was off the stage to one side. We didn’t know it at the time but this guy who we now know was [Jimi] Hendrix and his three-piece band was playing onstage with photographers. We were more annoyed that our gear had been taken off the stage!”

“Jimi Hendrix was having his press reception and we were all laughing at him,” adds Brooks. “He had lighter fluid and was setting his guitar alight for the press. We’re all going, ‘Oh, flash in the pan, he won’t last five minutes’…we were really slagging him off.”

However, a few days later, the guitarist returned to the club and joined the musicians on stage, as Charman continues. “This particular night we were playing and Hendrix come up to me and said, ‘Can I play your bass?’ Remember, he’s left handed and I’m right handed so he was playing my bass upside down. Big Del was playing beside him on guitar. Then I got back up on stage and Hendrix played Del’s guitar and we done another couple of numbers.”

Carl Douglas finishes the story: “That night the bass player from The Animals [Chas Chandler] comes up and says he’s got a wicked guitarist and he’s going to be a personality. Could he come up and jam with us? He joined us on this Otis Redding song, ‘Try A Little Tenderness’. What a night!”

Despite hobnobbing with future stars like Jimi Hendrix and personalities on the scene like Chris Farlowe, Eric Burdon and Long John Baldry, who all used to sit in with the group after hours, The Big Stampede were flat out gigging virtually every night.

In the run up to the Christmas period, the group had a packed schedule of bookings. The relentless one-nighters, however, soon took its toll as fatigue set in. Returning home from a gig at the Dancing Slipper Club in Nottingham late on the evening of 13 January 1967 (sans Douglas who’d stayed behind with a female fan) the band’s converted Bedford ambulance came off the road.

“We rolled down this embankment… and I got thrown out of the back and landed in a cow pat,” recalls Manners. “It was pitch-black, deep in rural England and there was a thunderstorm brewing in the distance, so that distant rumbling of thunder and the fact that we were in shock was very spooky.”

Four days later, the still-shaken band headed off for its first European jaunt – a booking at the New Inn Club in Liege, Belgium, where Ken Baxter met his future wife.

“All that I can remember is that the owner of the club took Tony, I think it was, and I for a spin in his Ferrari at five o’clock in the morning down the main high street at 150 mph,” says Manners. “I remember him saying, ‘I’ve got to take it in to get it tuned properly’.”

Back in London in late January, Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede honoured an important showcase gig at the Gunnells’ Flamingo nightclub in Wardour Street. The booking had been lined up a few months earlier thanks to top London disc-jockey Johnny Walker.

“We had [had] a gig at the Wimbledon Palais where the M.C. was Johnny Walker. He was impressed by our performance and asked me after the show to keep in touch,” remembers Ken Baxter.

“He invited the band to appear on a live broadcast show [for Radio Caroline] from the Flamingo. Johnny was very encouraging to Carl and the band and from that we got a booking at the Marquee and a helpful introduction to Mr Ronan O’Rahilly, which produced top draw bookings and appearances.”

Del Grace remembers one occasion when he met singer Nat King Cole and blues guitarist John Lee Hooker at the Flamingo. “They’d been in the club and they come backstage to talk to the band,” he says.

As winter turned to spring, the band kept up its frantic schedule of gigs, interspersing appearances at London hot spots like the Bag O’ Nails, Paddington’s Cue Club, Burton’s in Uxbridge, west London and Eel Pie Island in Twickenham, southwest London with shows further afield, such as the Student’s Union at Newcastle University and the Bird Cage in Hull.

It was also during this time that the musicians joined a star-studded bill at Loughborough University with The Move and The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (Ed: I’ve not been able to find this gig).

“I remember The Move; they were very professional,” says Coverley. “They went straight through the audience, all carrying their guitars high in a line, on the stage… and bang straight into the first number. I think it was ‘I Can Hear The Grass Grow’.”

However, with the musicians spending long periods of time together, conflicts were inevitable. In mid-April, sax player Dave Brooks bailed out (his deteriorating relationship with Del Grace the main cause) and briefly joined Felders Orioles.

Searching for a replacement, Verdi Stewart suggested west London-based sax player Mel Wayne, who’d recently left Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement after the band’s Bill Wyman-produced single, “I’m Not the Marrying Kind”, had bombed.

Mel Wayne (top row, second right) with Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement, November 1966. Photo: Fabulous 208

Originally from Twickenham, Wayne had an impressive pedigree, having started out with local outfit, The Shannons in 1962/1963. Progressing on to Mike Dee & The Prophets and then Simon Scott & The All Nite Workers (cutting a lone single, “Tell Him I’m Not Home” and an unreleased album), Wayne next found himself working with future Sweet producer Phil Wainman in a short-lived band at the tail end of 1965.

By early 1966, the renamed Sound System was backing soul acts Jackie Edwards, Millie and Owen Grey before future Island Records founder Chris Blackwell linked Wainman’s band with Jimmy Cliff and they became The New Generation. The partnership lasted six months before the musicians hooked up with singer Gary Hamilton.

Debuting at Klook’s Kleek in Hampstead (ironically Brooks’s home patch) on 13 April, Wayne had barely learnt the repertoire when he landed a cameo appearance (alongside Del Grace, Tony Webb and manager Ken Baxter) in the Desmond Davis-produced movie Smashing Time, starring Rita Tushingham, Lynn Redgrave and Jeremy Lloyd.

As Mel Wayne recalls, road manager Nick Baxter was working as a film extra and it was through this association that several members got the opportunity to star in the studio recording scene, which features Ken Baxter and Mel Wayne miming on drums and guitar, alongside Del Grace and Tony Charman on their usual instruments.

Later that same month, on 23 April, Go Records finally brought out a second Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede single, once again recorded with the cream of London’s session players – Douglas’s “Let The Birds Sing” coupled with “Something for Nothing” (credited to Tubbs but in fact a co-write with Douglas).

Produced this time by Peter Richard, both tracks capture Douglas’s soulful vocals to perfection but unfortunately the record sank without a trace.

“Some of them [the singles] we didn’t even know that Carl had done them,” confesses Charman. “We found out he’s been in the studio and obviously the band weren’t pleased about it because we were his band.

“But what could we do? When we started out as Sounds 5 it was a group but when Carl came along everything revolved around him because he’s the singer. We ended up as Carl’s backing band.”

When it came to the photo shoot for the single’s picture sleeve cover, Del Coverley was absent and manager Ken Baxter had to don a pair of shades and impersonate the missing drummer to an unsuspecting public.

Ken Baxter (far right in shades) steps in for Del Coverley in the photo shoot

Less than a week after the single’s release, the new line up piled into the group’s repaired converted ambulance and took the ferry across the channel, driving down to the south of France for an extended-tour of the coastal towns.

Based at a villa in Valbonne, a village about 12 km north of St Tropez, the group kicked off with a short residency at the Valbonne Club where Mike Manners celebrated his 21st birthday on 2 May.

The French tour had been set up through British businessman John Bloom, who had met Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede at Sibylla’s the previous year.

“The Valbonne had this beautiful Olympic-size swimming pool outside and we used to jump in at night to cool down after the dance,” remembers Douglas.

Using the Valbonne as a base, Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede next played the Voom Voom nightclub in St Tropez. On one occasion French beauty Brigitte Bardot turned up and danced after meeting the musicians at her husband, Gunter Sachs’s home.

After completing the French tour at the Whisky A Go Go in Nice, the musicians started the long journey home, stopping off in Lugano, Switzerland to play an American girls’ school in early June.

Incidentally, while staying in the south of France, Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede were also engaged by the producers of the British film Blow Up to perform at the opening night of its presentation at the Cannes Film Festival with its stars David Hemmings and Vanessa Redgrave and director Michelangelo Antonioni in attendance.

“The south of France was one of the places I enjoyed the most,” recalls Del Grace looking back on his time with the band. “We’d just finished doing Smashing Time with Jeremy Lloyd and he came down [to the Voom Voom] and joined us with Mike D’Abo from Manfred Mann.”

Back in the England, the band resumed its heavy workload, honouring a brace of shows in Southampton, Derby and Bradford before returning to London for a two-night stand at the Bag O’ Nails on 11-12 June.

Yet, with little money to show for their efforts and a punishing schedule, it was inevitable that further cracks would appear. After playing his final gig at the Cue Club in Paddington on 7 July, Mike Manners became the next member to bail out.

“We’d had a long, hard slog on the road,” explains the organist. “We were a touring club band if you like and we’d been exploited in my view by our agency.”

Initially hiring several stand-in players via the Rik Gunnell Agency, the group turned to Verdi Stewart’s mate, organist Ian Green, who’d spent a short time with Tony Jackson & The Vibrations. Green’s first engagements were two gigs at St Birinus School in Didcot and Rasputin’s on Bond Street in central London, both on 14 July.

“Ian Green was very good and was married to this blues singer who was at the High Tower,” says Douglas. “He didn’t stay long… He was a bit more advanced than we were. He was in the Georgie Fame class.”

Green was also on hand the following day to honour three gigs that kicked off with a show at the California Ballroom in Dunstable. Also on the bill was The All Night Workers whose bass guitarist Doug Ayris had previously played with Mel Wayne’s younger brother, Brian Hosking, in The Legend.

Borrowing a lead guitar from his band mate Brian Sell, Ayris returned with Carl’s group to London and a second show later that evening at Paddington’s Cue Club before the exhausted musicians headed south of the river for their final gig that evening at the Ram Jam in Brixton during the early hours.

While all of this was going on, former member Mike Manners was busy in the studio working with Australian singer Johnny Young, having answered an advert that Polydor Records had placed in the music press looking for backing musicians.

Joined by fellow Englishmen Rob Alexander (lead guitar) and Peter Piper (bass), plus Young’s long-standing drummer from Australia, Danny Finley, the band, Danny’s Word cut four tracks in the studio, all Gibb brother compositions, with Barry, Robin and Maurice also providing backing vocals.

The first single, “Craise Finton Kirk” c/w “I am The World” was issued on 30 July but failed to chart despite the Bee Gees association and a plug on the Dee Time TV show. A second release, coupling “Every Christian Lionhearted Man Will Show You” with “Wonderful World”, also flopped and, disillusioned by his reception in Britain, Johnny Young returned to Australia that December.

Manners wasn’t the only band member to get itchy feet. In early August, shortly after a gig at the Ram Jam in Brixton on 29 July, Del Coverley also departed.

“I thought flower power was going to be big because it was happening and the soul thing was dying,” explains Coverley on his decision to leave. “Andy Clark [from Big Wheel] got in touch with me and said, ‘a band is reforming with the old members of Bern Elliot & The Fenmen’, so I joined that.”

Linking up with guitarist Alan Judge and bass player Eric Wilmer, who’d carried on with The Fenmen name when Wally Allen and John Povey joined The Pretty Things in late March 1967, the new four-piece became Kindness.

After touring the country extensively, playing Byrds and Love covers, Kindness folded when Andy Clark left to join Sam Gopal’s Dream with guitarist Mick Hutchinson, bass player Pete Sears and drummer Viv Prince.

“Of course it [flower power] died. It had its lifespan,” says the drummer. “I should have hung around with Carl really and seen where it went.”

Next, Coverley was involved in a reformed Big Wheel with original members Mike Manners and Del Grace but by late 1968 he had re-joined Andy Clark (and Mick Hutchinson) in Dogs Blues. When this folded in February 1969, he formed the equally short-lived Fat Daughter.

Dogs Blues, January 1969. Photo: South East London Mercury

Coverley then briefly worked with singer John Thomas in a new version of Rust with bass player Alex Alexander and guitarist Eric Lindsey (today the owner of a music shop chain in southeast London). Thomas’ original band had cut an ultra-rare German-only LP, released in January 1969, and the new line-up promoted it on the road that summer.

After failing to land the drum position with Mark Bolan and Mickey Finn’s second version of T. Rex in early 1970, Andy Clark got back in touch.

Together with Mick Hutchinson, the keyboard player had formed the progressive rock outfit, Clark-Hutchinson. Cutting the highly-acclaimed album A=MH2 in 1969, the pair next decided to expand and brought Coverley in on drums for two more albums – 1970’s Retribution and Gestalt the following year.

In later years, the drummer very nearly landed a job with singer Kate Bush. He later worked as a drum tutor and occasionally played with his reformed school band, The Scimitars and his own group, Stardust.

Stumbling across red haired drummer Colin Davey via the music press, Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede returned to the south of France during August 1967 with veteran keyboard player Iain Hines added to the formation.

Hines had spent the early 1960s in Hamburg where he worked with The Jets at the Top Ten Club.

However, on the group’s return to London in late August, Verdi Stewart added to the exodus and returned to France. Over the next few years, he hired out his services as a jobbing musician on London’s session scene. Tapping into his other talent as a singer, he even entertained Frank Sinatra at a private party held at the Hilton on Park Lane in 1969.

In the early 1970s, Stewart assumed the stage name Johnny Fontane and sang with The Ray MacVay Band and then The Cyril Stapleton Band before returning to session work. He also worked extensively with the BBC’s B1 and B2 orchestras.

By the mid-1970s, Stewart had landed a regular gig with the Mecca Organisation and its house band at Purley’s Orchid Ballroom. Reuniting with Mike Manners, the group, which also included trombone player/singer Terry Martin and drummer John Snow, signed up with Dick James Music to work as session players.

When that band fell apart, Stewart did TV and live work with Georgie Fame and then became an integral member of Alan Price’s support band from 1978-1983. He later rehearsed a double act called The Dangerous Brothers to play the south London scene.

With his former band mates from The Big Wheel gone, Del Grace, who’d alerted Manners to the Johnny Young position advertised in the music press but missed out on the Australian singer’s band, decided he also wanted out.

In September 1967 he signed a solo deal with Liberty Records. Linking up with future Wombles producer Mike Batt, Grace laid down a handful of recordings at Marquee Studios, including a cover of John Sebastian’s “Younger Generation” and Jeff Lynne’s “Follow Me, Follow Me” with session musicians.

Forming a backing group called The Rifle with singer Malcolm Magaron, Grace landed a prestigious gig in the Swiss Alps and saw out 1967 in style.

“We played at the Farinet Hotel in Verbier, which is still there strangely enough,” he recalls.

“We played there right through Christmas and New Year. I got a really tight harmony band together. I asked Del [Coverley] to come with me but he didn’t come and we had a different drummer. They even sent a private aeroplane for us to Heathrow to pick us up and take us out there.”

The Rifle, early 1968. Del Grace (centre). Photo: Del Grace

Back in London, the guitarist renewed his ties with Pierre Tubbs and cut two further solo recordings for United Artists at Olympic Studios in Barnes with session players. One of these was the Tubbs penned “Gotta Get Back”, featuring the guitarist on banjo.

Grace subsequently moved into production and opened a studio with Tubbs, working with people like Steve Harley, Eddie Reader, Steve Hackett, Brian Poole and comedian Lenny Henry. Since the late 1990s, however, he lived in Marbella in Spain and released four solo CDs, recorded at his Pink Lizard Studio. Sadly, he died 28 May 2022.

New recruits Iain Hines and Colin Davy also bailed at this point. With Hines forming his own group Icarus, Davy joined Georgie Fame briefly before later working with Freddie Mack & The Mack Sound, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band and Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds among others.

In urgent need of new musicians to join Carl Douglas, Tony Charman and Mel Wayne, road manager Nick Baxter came to the rescue by recommending his wife Caroline’s cousin, Martin Pugh, who’d narrowly missed out on the French tour.

Martin Pugh reviewed in Torquay newspaper, 25 August 1967

Originally from Cornwall, Pugh had spent the past few years working with local band, The Package Deal before moving up to London in search of fame and fortune.

Around the same time, Ken Baxter recruited Kilburn-based sticks man Dave Richards via the music press as a permanent replacement for Del Coverley.

A few weeks later, the band also auditioned organ players at the Ram Jam in Brixton, including Mick Fletcher, Mel Wayne’s former mate from Hamilton & The Hamilton Movement. However, on 17 September, the position was given to northerner Rod Mayall, who turned up (on his 21st birthday) for an audition after his half-brother John Mayall had put a good word in for him.

A veteran of Middleton, Greater Manchester band Ivans Meads (another Rik Gunnell Agency signing), Mayall added a unique touch to The Big Stampede, explains Baxter.

“He was a very talented Hammond organist, who brought not only professionalism to our band but also boyish good looks. For the fans, he was shy and never pushed himself forward because he was not comfortable with the obvious charisma and stage presence he had.”

Formed in 1963, Ivans Meads had issued a clutch of superb Mod singles with Mayall’s Hammond to the fore, kicking off with a cover of P F Sloan’s “The Sins of the Family” c/w bass player Keith Lawless’s “A Little Sympathy”.

This was followed by a second, and final, single, Toni Wine and Carole Bayer’s “We’ll Talk about It Tomorrow” c/w band composition, “Bottle”, issued in September 1966. Having cut a final, unreleased track, “Sitting on Top of the World” with John Mayall producing, the band shortened its name to The Mead and spent a brief period in West Germany.

Rod Mayall’s debut gig with the band

Rod Mayall’s debut with The Big Stampede was the Shanklin Beat Cruise around Portsmouth Harbour on 20 September.

While the line-up changes were being made, Pierre Tubbs was poached by the United Artist’s label and with greater clout than the smaller Go, Carl Douglas was offered a two single recording deal.

With the new line up still finding its feet, session musicians were once again employed for a recording session on 21 September to cut the first single – “Nobody Cries” c/w “Serving a Sentence”. Released on 16 February 1968, and credited to Carl Douglas, the single failed to chart.

However, the band remained unsettled and in mid-December 1967, The Big Stampede’s most longstanding member, Tony Charman handed in his notice on the eve of another foreign trip, this time to Biarritz and Perpignan in the south of France.

Tony Dangerfield, a one-time member of Screaming Lord Sutch’s Savages and more recently part of Rupert’s People, assumed the bass position (albeit until spring 1968 when Charman agreed to return).

Left to right: Martin Pugh, Ken Baxter (filling in for Tony Charman), Carl Douglas, Rod Mayall, Mel Wayne and Dave Richards, November 1967. Photo: Ken Baxter

Mel Wayne also bailed out at the same time (but not before posing for some promotional shots with Ken Baxter filling in for Charman) to spend more time with his newly married French wife.

“Every time we were to go abroad, there was some member of the band who couldn’t or wouldn’t want to go, so we’d have to quickly rehearse and put somebody in,” says Douglas on the revolving door of changing personnel.

While Wayne would briefly abandon a career in music, he would resurface over a year later with Calum Bryce. He currently performs with The All Night Workers, the band that had once shared the bill with Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede at Dunstable’s California Ballroom.

In an incredible turn of events, his predecessor, Dave Brooks landed the job of replacing him for the French tour, which kicked off in Biarritz on 20 December 1967. By then, Brooks had moved away from rock music circles.

“I re-joined when the band went to Biarritz,” he recalls. “I got a train down from London. I think I went to the Rik Gunnell office… and [the agency] sent me off. I got a train that day to Biarritz.”

On his arrival in the French town, Brooks discovered that the group had undergone a complete make-over since his departure back in April 1967. Other than Carl Douglas, he didn’t know any of the other musicians.

With money tight and Tony Dangerfield keen to put his personal stamp on the band, Brooks says that only the group’s front man seemed keen to welcome him into the fold. The sax player had to work hard to be accepted.

“Carl Douglas wanted me on sax but they didn’t want a sax player and Tony Dangerfield kind of engineered this barrier to me,” remembers Brooks.

“Carl wanted me because it made it into a soul band. With Tony Dangerfield, it was turning kind of into a rock ‘n’ roll revue… He was all right [but] he was a bit of a showman.”

Back in the England, the musicians continued to intersperse London gigs with treks into the Home Counties and further afield. The Rik Gunnell Agency lined up plenty of bookings but thanks to other contacts, Baxter also landed some important engagements overseas.

On 29 April 1968, Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede (with Tony Charman back in the fold) drove down through France to Spain to play at the Stones Club in Madrid for 31 nights where they were joined towards the end of the engagement by singer Geno Washington minus his Ram Jam Band.

For Rod Mayall, the Spanish excursion would ultimately lead to his departure; the keyboard player returned to Spain later that summer to work with a Spanish/Portuguese outfit called Los Buenos, whose entire recorded output is available on CD from Spanish label, Rama Lama Music.

Before this happened, however, the musicians left Madrid and drove all the way to Rome to perform at the Titan Club for 15 nights, kicking off on 7 June.

Dave Richards (left) and Martin Pugh (right) in Rome. Photo: Tony Charman

With the gigs honoured, Mayall returned to Spain and hooked up with Los Buenos. He then joined a South American outfit called La Pipa to back Venezuelan singer Henry Stephen, who’d already enjoyed two gold records back home, including “El Limon El Limonero”. La Pipa recorded a lone Spanish single for RCA in early 1970 – “Your Daddy Won’t Do It” c/w “Take Him Back”.

While Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede were playing in Italy, United Artists released the group’s final single – “Sell My Soul to The Devil”, coupled with “Good Hard Worker”, arguably one of Carl Douglas’s finest efforts on disc. Credited to Tubbs/Douglas, the two tracks were, in fact, entirely written by the singer.

“The only two recordings that we all played on live is the new Stampede,” says Charman. “‘Good Hard Worker’ is my favourite. I know that I am playing bass on it but I really like the song. I think we done that about three o’clock in the bloody morning and then we went off to Spain. That’s totally live [that track]. We were only allowed one take and then they overdubbed the strings on that.”

Issued on 28 June 1968 and credited to Carl Douglas & The Big Stampede, the single should have been the group’s long overdue breakthrough.

However, despite the single’s great potential, any progress on the recording front was soon dashed when Rik Gunnell’s Agency was handed to the Robert Stigwood Organisation in July/August 1968. As Ken Baxter recalls, the band’s new employer didn’t feel that The Stampede fitted with the company’s portfolio and live work dried up.

Having resumed gigging on the London circuit that summer, Tony Charman dropped out again just before he got married on 14 September. His departure precipitated another mass exodus as the musicians in the current formation looked for new opportunities.

Looking back on his time with the band, Dave Brooks has this to say: “The second line up was much racier. It was a rock/blues band, playing Carl’s numbers. We used to stretch out to long solos. It was better musically. It was a much better group [than the first incarnation] but it still wasn’t what Carl wanted. He wanted a tight soul band, which he never got.”

While most of the musicians would retire from the music scene, several members went on to notable acts soon after.

Martin Pugh immediately landed on his feet and joined blues-rock band Steamhammer. The group’s eponymous debut yielded a minor European hit, “Junior’s Wailing”, and was followed by three more albums before disbanding. During his time with Steamhammer, Pugh also guested on Rod Stewart’s debut solo album alongside fellow band member Martin Quittenton.

In 1975, the guitarist joined former Yardbirds/Renaissance singer Keith Relf’s band, Armageddon whose lone album received favourable reviews. He currently resides in the United States where he works as a solo artist.

After nearly two years in Spain, Rod Mayall returned to the England and joined his half-brother John Mayall to back former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green at the Bath Festival of Blues & Progressive Music in June 1970.

The keyboard player also worked with future Genesis drummer/singer Phil Collins in Flaming Youth.

“The band was getting a fiver a week from the management,” recalls Mayall. “They paid me a tenner because I was living in a flat and they were living with their parents. Then Phil got offered a job with Genesis for fifteen quid a week, which he took.”

Rod Mayall then moved into session work. He contributed celeste to Thin Lizzy’s “Dublin”, a track on the E.P. “New Day” and also appeared on a recording by Iain Matthews. He currently lives in Macclesfield and continues to play and record.

Photo: Tony Charman. His post-Stampede group

Tony Charman also kept his hand in, albeit briefly, and worked with a south London band whose name he has long forgotten in early 1969. The group recorded some early Pink Floyd tracks before disbanding. Charman later moved to the West Country where he gigged with a succession of local outfits before opening a music shop and a recording studio.

City Road. Photo from Jeff Mason. Left to right: Alan Whitehead, Dave Richards, Jeff Mason, Jim Simpson and Clive ?

While Dave Richards subsequently played with City Road from the early 1970s into the early 1980s, and reportedly died around 2010 (Dave Brooks says Richards later joined the Gas Board), the sax player threw himself into touring and session work, spending six weeks backing American soul band, The Vibrations after making a cameo appearance on George Harrison’s Wonderwall album.

In mid-1970, Brooks undertook some sessions with Manfred Mann Chapter 3 and then participated in the band’s US tour. Throughout the early to late 1970s, Brooks kept incredibly busy, playing with a myriad of artists, including Flaming Youth, The Greatest Show on Earth, Kokomo and Graham Bond.

Brooks also made a habit of popping up on recordings by artists as diverse as Patto, Vinegar Joe, Jo Anne Kelly, Screaming Lord Sutch and Joan Armatrading.

After working with Jools Holland on the alternative comedy circuit and Buddy Bounds among others, Brooks embraced his Scottish heritage and eschewed the sax for bagpipes. His mother played the instrument and Brooks was keen to play music from the British Isles. In 2001, he released a CD, Piper on the Heath. Sadly, the sax player died in May 2020.

“At the time we didn’t know that it was a golden era,” says Brooks when interviewed for this article. “To us, it was just the now. We had no comprehension that it was the time.”

Judging by gigs, it does look like Carl Douglas kept a new version of The Big Stampede on the road until mid-October 1968 before finally laying the group to rest and exploring solo options. (Ed. There is a gig for The Big Stampede at St Albans City Hall on 14 December but this might be another group.)

The ever loyal Ken Baxter (who died in February 2016) remained firm friends with Carl Douglas. “I was able to negotiate a new contract for him with a businessman from Majorca, Spain [called] Peter Newman, who engaged Carl to front his Spanish band,” says Baxter.

An international group that drew together musicians from Argentina, Colombia, France, Spain and Morocco, alongside British Caribbean expats (and Links members) Tony Ellis (guitar), Ronald Simmonds (bass) and Danny Evans (drums), Carl Douglas & The Explosion spent the best part of 1969-1970 touring Spain, France, Italy and Portugal.

The multi-national outfit also cut two rare Spanish-only singles for Polydor – Ross Bloodhall-Brown’s “Eeny Meeny” c/w Barry Despenza and Carl Wolfolk’s “Can I Change My Mind” and Ronald Simmonds’ “Beggar For Your Loving” c/w Eddie Floyd and Steve Cropper’s “Knock On Wood” (credited to just The Explosion, which may have been recorded sans Douglas) during 1969 before folding the following year.

Carl Douglas plays Cue Club, Paddington, Christmas 1970. Photo: Melody Maker

Back in London, Carl Douglas’s next move was to sign up with another promising, yet commercially unsuccessful, outfit, Gonzales, which he joined in June 1971. Over the next two years, Douglas gigged with the band, opening for soul legend Curtis Mayfield on one occasion, but abandoned Gonzales in 1973 to pursue a solo career that took him into the stratosphere.

Three years after Douglas had struck gold with “Kung Fu Fighting”, the singer remembers playing in Montreux, Switzerland when he unexpectedly ran into his old employer Rik Gunnell, who was putting a surprise party on for him at his club, The Londoner.

“He gave me a hug and said, ‘Why didn’t you do this [become a megastar] when you were with us?’ I said, ‘Because you never supported me,’” laughs Douglas.

“You supported Georgie Fame, you supported Zoot Money, you supported Long John Baldy… you supported John Mayall, whose brother we took. He said, ‘Shit, Carl… I remember when your old manager Ken Baxter was asking for more money. He said, ‘he’s worth it, he’s worth it’… I wish I’d bloody listened to him. You’ve gone from £10 a night to £100,000 a night. You’re having a laugh, ain’t you?’”

Left to right: Tony Charman, Carl Douglas, Del Grace, Ken Baxter and Del Coverley. Reunion 2009

Del Grace, who took part in one of The Big Stampede reunions (2009), has fond memories of working with Carl Douglas. “He was a great guy. I never saw him put a bad show on. He was always one hundred percent. He was a great showman.”

Left to right: Ken Baxter, John Baxter, Nick Baxter, Carl Douglas, Mel Wayne, Del Coverley and Tony Charman. Reunion 2013

Many people helped piece this incredible story together. I’d like to personally thank Carl Douglas, Tony Charman, Ken Baxter, Del Grace, Danny McCulloch, Mike Manners, Del Coverley, Verdi Stewart, Dave Brooks, Mel Wayne, Rod Mayall and Iain Hines. Thanks to Ken Baxter and Tony Charman for the use of their photos.

Carl Douglas and Tony Charman.

This article was originally published on the Nick Warburton webpage on 29 June 2014. An earlier version appears on the Strange Brew website. This version has been significantly updated.

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.

Malcolm & The Countdowns

At St Bernadettes school in Hillingdon. Steve Priest is far left

Malcolm Sargeant – lead vocals

Richard Herring – lead guitar

Steve Priest – bass

Gez Lee – rhythm guitar (replaced by Raymond Thompson on keyboards)

Eddie Richards – drums

Malcolm Sargeant very kindly provided the following information and photos about the group, which included future Sweet member, Steve Priest.

Joe Meek promo photo
At the Martin Baker club in Denham, Buckinghamshire

I started singing with the school band at Mellow Lane, Hayes, west London and when I left I joined The Countdowns around 1962/63. I was always known as “Sadge”.

Their singer Bernard Powell was leaving. I auditioned at Eddie Richards’ (the leader of the band) house in Hayes and got the job. I joined Eddie who played drums, Richard Herring on lead guitar, Steve Priest on base and Gez Lee on rhythm (later replaced by Raymond Thompson on keyboards) who all sang backing vocals. Raymond Thompson was with us until the group disbanded around mid-1966.

Steve went on to join The Army and later Sweet with Brian Connolly (Mac) and Eddie went with First Class and then later Edison Lighthouse.

Gez Lee had left to continue his studies and Richard went on to work with many different bands (including reuniting with Priest in The Army) and the last I heard he was still gigging.

Ray Thompson emigrated to Canada with his parents and had a brilliant career in writing and broadcasting. He now lives in New Zealand and owns the Tirohana vineyards. His autobiography is called Keeping The Dream Alive.

I joined The Carltones (made up of members of the RAF central band) on the dinner and dance circuit; this fitted in with my career at British Gas.

The Countdowns played all the local venues, including cinemas, Burton’s club in Uxbridge, Botwell and Wistowe House run by the Fripps in Hayes, the A Train, various community centres, the Attic club in Hounslow, the Martin Baker Club in Denham, Buckinghamshire, and St. Bernadettes in Long Lane, Hillingdon where one of the promo photographs was taken.

Our band was friendly rivals of The Javelins (Ian “Jez” Gillan’s group) and Paul & The Alpines on the local circuit. We supported Steve Marriott’s band, The Pretty Things, The Rolling Stones, Wayne Fontana, The Outlaws (Ritchie Blackmore) and many more.

A gig under the temporary name of Malcolm James & The Callars

Richard and Eddie’s dads used to transport us and our gear all over the place: Margate Dreamland was a regular gig, The Kursaal in Southend too as well as a venue in Clacton and Crayford Town Hall in Kent among others.

I don’t recall where the temporary change of band name to Malcolm James & The Callers came from, maybe when we were recording with Joe Meek?

1965 gig from Sussex Express

We got picked up by Phil Jay (ex-pirate DJ and local management agent in Hounslow). He got us the opportunity to record several covers with the legendary Joe Meek at his studio in Holloway Road. One of which recently made it onto a CD of undiscovered recordings found in the “tea chests” that Joe had stored in a lock up garage.

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.

The Ray Martin Group

Photo: Melody Maker

Ray Martin – lead vocals

John Thompson – lead guitar (replaced by Pete Ross late 1965)

Brian Brown – bass

Terry Marshall – tenor saxophone

Pete ?? – tenor saxophone

Paul Atkinson – drums

Formed sometime in 1964 after Terry Marshall left The Soul Messengers, the band appears to have worked at the Ealing Club on a weekly basis throughout 1965. Ray Martin is probably the same Ray Martin who had previously led Ray Martin & The Corvettes.

The Middlesex County Times & West Middlesex Gazette has The Ray Martin Group appearing on a Saturday (and sometimes a Sunday) throughout the year, except in December when they switched to Fridays (see gig list below which is incomplete).

Ross, however, didn’t join until July 1965 after The Flexmen split up so the group must have had a different lead guitarist at the outset.

According to Ross, the band opened for James Brown at Tiles (circa March 1966). They also opened for Neil Christian & The Crusaders at Tiles later in July.

Thanks to Pete Ross and Terry Marshall for input

Selected gigs:

16 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)

23 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)

31 January 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)

 

6 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)

13 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday) Needs confirmation

Photo: Melody Maker

20 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)

27 February 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)

 

7 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)

13 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)

27 March 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Saturday)

 

4 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)

17 April 1965 – Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, Southend, Essex (Southend Standard)

18 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)

25 April 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, Middlesex (Sunday)

 

8 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

15 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

22 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

28 May 1965 – Cricketers Inn, Westcliff, Southend, Essex with The Paramounts (Southend Standard)

29 May 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

 

5 June 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

12 June 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

19 June 1965 – Uxbridge Blues Festival, Uxbridge, northwest London with Marianne Faithfull, The Who, Solomon Burke, Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers, Long John Baldry, Zoot Money, The Birds, John Mayall, The Spencer Davis Group and Dave Whittling (Ruislip & Northwood Gazette)

 

31 July 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

 

7 August 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

14 August 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

21 August 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

 

11 September 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

18 September 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

 

30 October 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

 

20 November 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Saturday)

Photo: Melody Maker

10 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)

Photo: Melody Maker

17 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)

24 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)

31 December 1965 – Ealing Club, Ealing, west London (Friday)

 

15 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with Neil Christian & The Crusaders (Melody Maker)

 

16 December (Friday) – White Hall, Southall, west London (Harrow Observer)

If you can add any further information, please leave a message in the comments below.