Categories: Bismark, Dallas, Denton, San Antonio, Texas

The Beefeaters “Don’t Hurt Me”

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Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, published November 1965. The caption is incorrect. Should read from left to right: Mark Johnson (“Rocky”), Dan O’Banion, Paul Oakley, Bill McCollough (on drums), and Whit Snell.
Rocky and the Flying Squirrels or earlier group. Top from left (I think): Paul Oakley with bass, Whit Snell, and Dan O’Banion; bottom from left: Bill McCullough and Mark Johnson. I would appreciate any help to confirm these IDs.

The Beefeaters were part of the North Texas State University (NTSU) scene which included the Chessmen, but their story starts out 300 miles away, in San Antonio. Five students at Alamo Heights High School formed Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, wearing World War I aviator helmets and goggles, scarves, and turtle-neck sweaters in honor of their animated namesake.

Members included: Mark Johnson on lead vocals, Whit Snell lead guitar, Dan O’Banion rhythm guitar, Paul Oakley on bass, and Bill McCullough playing drums.

Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, in white from left (I think): Dan O’Banion with the Rickenbacker guitar, Bill McCullough drums, Paul Oakley with bass and Whit Snell. At left, I think that is Mark Johnson with the microphone. I would appreciate any help to confirm these IDs.

They played live at Alamo Heights High School auditorium and the student-run Mule Barn teen club by the football stadium, but the band made plans for a bigger future.

Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, front left: Dan O’Banion with hand-drawn raccoon tail), Whit Snell, Mark Johnson with tambourine, Paul Oakley (or Cary surname?) on bass with added sideburns, and Bill McCullough. Photo courtesy of Bill McCullough, like many of the ones seen here.
The Beefeaters 1966 promotional photo

From the Flying Squirrels to the Beefeaters

Graduating in May, 1966, all except Paul Oakley agreed to attend NTSU (now the University of North Texas) in Denton, northwest of Dallas. Bill McCullough’s older brother David, Jr. took over on bass to replace Paul. David had been guitarist in his own group in San Antonio, Spider and the Flies.

They cultivated the sound and “mod” looks of the English groups of the period, and took a new band moniker to fit the image: the Beefeaters.

The Beefeaters on stage 1966: Rocky and the Flying Squirrels, front left: Dan O’Banion, Mark Johnson, David McCullough, Bill McCullough on drums and Whit Snell

The Beefeaters’ first gig, on a flatbed truck on the commons by the NTSU student union, was a success and they started landing regular bookings at the Spinning Wheels skating rink and local frat parties. They bought a used ’56 Cadillac hearse, like other Denton groups, and adorned it with their band name and bumper stickers (“Eat More Beef” for one).

Who’s that pushing the hearse?!
The Chessmen, Felicity, the Jackals, the Beefeaters and the Briks at Club Saracen on San Jacinto in Austin, Sunday, April 16, 1967

Within a short time, the manager of the Campus Theatre, George Rickrich, brought the Beefeaters into his Bismark Agency, which also represented the Briks, the Chessmen, Felicity, and the Jackals. Rickrich booked the bands for college parties throughout Texas and into Oklahoma, and clubs: including Louann’s, the Three Thieves, and the Cellar in Dallas; the Box in Ft. Worth; Club Saracen, the New Orleans Club, and the Jade Room in Austin where they also shopped for clothes at the Electric Rocking Horse.

The Beefeaters provided entertainment on a day-long chartered train, the Santa Fe Big Chief, for a football game at Wichita State U. in Kansas. The Campus Chat covered the journey:

… North Texas won the game … the dance bands played well despite their precarious perch in a bucking, 9- by 70-foot baggage car, and the legal age for buying beer in Kansas is 18 …

The New Sound plugged in to one of the three baggage cars around 9 and, after 30 minutes of blow switches, was in full swing … Dancers, about 50 at a time, battled flailing elbows and a lurching floor in the cramped car …

… the Beefeaters struck up, and the dancers were once again making the most of their promised 20 hours of fun …

A promo sheet for the group lists Whitfield Snell, David McCullough as contact in Denton, and David Black in San Antonio.

The Beefeaters, possibly at the Alpha Delta Pi sorority house, from left: Whit Snell, Mark Johnson (with jug), Bill McCullough (drums), Dan O’Banion, and David McCullough (bass)
On stage at Club Saracen, Austin!

Towards the end of 1966, the Beefeaters entered a studio in Dallas to cut two originals by Whit Snell, “Don’t Hurt Me” / “Change My Mind”. The lineup that recorded these was: Mark Johnson, Whit Snell, Dan O’Banion, David McCullough, Jr., and Bill McCullough. Whit remembers Lee Hardesty of the Briks accompanying the band to the studio, and lending Whit his Vox fuzz pedal for “Don’t Hurt Me” and 12-string guitar for the “Change My Mind”.

Though satisfied with the recording, Whit thought the songs were not good enough, which may have been one reason why they didn’t see release on the Bismark label at the time. Tapes of the songs have circulated since, and they’re widely regarded as classics of the ’60s Texas teen sound.

Whit Snell of the Beefeaters at the Pusi-Kat Club, San Antonio, 1967
The Jackals, the Beefeaters, the Felicity with the Sweetarts, the Chevells and Chain Gang at Club Saracen on San Jacinto in Austin, Sunday, June 25, 1967. I’d like to know more about the Lebanon School Fund

During the Christmas holiday in 1966, the Beefeaters returned to San Antonio to play the Pusi-Kat club from December 26-30 with Lord August. When the band went back to Denton in January 1967, Mark Johnson had left the band and school to travel abroad.

That same January, the Denton Record-Chronicle reported the Beefeaters hearse was stolen from the NTSU campus, and they lost $4,000 worth of amplifiers, drums and guitars. Funny enough, the first report said it was the Chessmen’s hearse, but the paper corrected the story a few days later, and a later follow-up said the instruments were recovered in Gainesville.

The 1967 and ’68 school years saw the Beefeaters expand the scope of their gig territory: as far north as Amarillo, Wichita  Falls, and Oklahoma City, east to Houston, Galveston and Fort Smith, Arkansas, and south to Corpus Christi, and Matamoros, Mexico.

By the summer of ’68, Dan O’Banion and Whit Snell were living at the Eagle Apartments in Dallas near Don Henley and other former Denton musicians, a musically rewarding time.

The military draft pulled any band members who left college, including David McCullough, who joined the Navy, became a Corpsman, and was assigned to the Marines. During the war he was stationed in the Philippines and served on a hospital ship. Members of other groups, such as Cecil Cotton and Steve Martin of the Briks, and Mike Neal of the Jackals had already joined the reserves and returned to the scene.

The Beefeaters on stage at Gibson’s Discount Center in Kerrville: from left: Jimmie Randall, Whit Snell, Roger Brooks or Doyle Bramhall on drums, and Dan O’Banion.
The Beefeaters on stage at Gibson’s Discount Center, Whit Snell in foreground

Because of the draft taking David, and Bill McCullough leaving at about the same time, the Beefeaters went through a rotating cast of Dallas and Denton musicians filling in for short periods, including Jimmie Randall (of the Gentlemen) on bass; Roger Brooks, then Doyle Bramhall (of the Chessmen) on drums; John Talley (of the Jackals) on keyboards; and Lee Hardesty on guitar.

Doyle Bramhall or possibly Roger Brooks, performing with the Beefeaters at Gibson’s in Kerrville

A series of photos taken onstage at Gibson’s Discount Center in Kerrville, TX show Jimmie Randall on bass and I believe Doyle Brahmall on drums.

The Beefeaters played the Pusi-Kat in San Antonio frequently during the summer of ’68, as well as Love Street, and a show at the Teen Canteen in October, but their most notable gig was opening for the Jeff Beck Group at Southern Methodist University’s McFarlin Auditorium on Saturday, November 9, 1968. Whit recalls the Beefeaters also opened for the Jeff Beck Group in Oklahoma City on Sunday, November 10.

The Jeff Beck Group, Brige, and the Beefeaters at McFarlin Auditorium at SMU, November 9, 1968. I haven’t heard of Brige before.
Flyer for one of their later shows at Family Circle, 1901 Canton at Marilla in Dallas

Whit Snell left the band and school in 1969, but various lineups continued gigging as the Beefeaters for another year or so.

Thank you to Whit Snell, Dan O’Banion, Bill McCullough, and Mark Johnson of the Beefeaters (RIP David McCullough); William Williams (Wm Wms) of the Jackals, Birdman Cantillo, Don Julio, Wm Wms and other contributors to the now defunct Big D ’60s yahoo group and Trinity River Music flickr group, and anyone else I’ve missed. Photos courtesy of Bill McCullough, Whit Snell and Wm Wms.

Bill McCullough and Dan O’Banion

A shorter version of these notes accompany the new remastered 7″ release of “Don’t Hurt Me” / “Change My Mind” now available on Mojo-Bone Rekkids.

Bill McCullough

As always, I’d appreciate more info on the group, and help correcting any errors.

Categories: England

Fontella Bass’s British tour January 1966

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Fontella Bass featured in Melody Maker, 11 December 1965, page 10

Having arrived in Britain on 1 December 1965 for TV appearances only, including performing on BBC’s Top of the Pops, ITV’s Ready Steady Go and TWW’s Discs as Gogo, US soul singer Fontella Bass returned to Britain in the first week of January 1966 for a two-week tour.

Judging by the article from Melody Maker below, she was backed by seven-piece Surrey outfit, The Just Five for all of the gigs, although keyboard Alan Reeves says The Krew did back her for a one-off gig at the Scotch of St James.

Melody Maker, 8 January 1966, page 4

Tour dates (see pic above for more details)

8 January 1966 – Market Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with Just Five, Checkmates and The Dawnbreakers (Carlisle and Cumberland Journal)

9 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

11 January 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

12 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Quiet Five (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/)

13 January 1966 – Oldham Astoria, Oldham, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

14 January 1966 – ITV’s Ready Steady Go with The Kinks, Pretty Things, Patti LaBelle & Her Belles and Lee Dorsey (Melody Maker)

15 January 1966 – Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, Lancashire with The Just Five, The Rogues and The Beatroots (Accrington Observer/Lancashire Evening Telegraph)

Melody Maker, 15 January 1966, page 3

16 January 1966 – Flamingo All-nighter, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Chessmen (Melody Maker)

18 January 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Action (Melody Maker) Missed due to food poisoning

Melody Maker, 29 January 1966, page 5

19 January 1966 – Mecca Pavilion Royal Pier, Southampton, Hants with The Just Five (Southern Daily Echo)

We’d welcome any further information on this tour in the comments below

Categories: Berkeley Heights, New Jersey, Troy, Upstate New York

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House on Snyder’s Lake, NY, October 1966

The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, and Rick
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, and Rick
Ad in the Troy Record, October 15, 1966

The Myddle Class traveled to Snyder’s Lake, near Troy, New York, to play two weekends, October 14, 15 & 16, and 21, 22 & 23 at the Excelsior House nightclub, which was then attracting college students and other young people (the drinking age was 18) four to five nights a week to see acts like the Critters, the Liverpool Set and the Knickerbockers.

I was astonished to find 11 snapshots taken during their time at the club, along with autographs collected from each. Hilariously, Charles Larkey is noted as “Tony” on the album pages, though he signed his autograph correctly as Charlie Larkey.

The Excelsior House ran ads regularly for their shows. For the Myddle Class, some were spelled correctly, but a couple others billed them as the Middle Class.

See my recent post for a full listing of Excelsior House shows from 1964-1968.

Autographs of Dave Palmer, Myke Rosa and Rick Philp of the Myddle Class, from the Excelsior House, October 1966
Autographs of Charlie Larkey and Dan Mansolino of the Myddle Class, from the Excelsior House, October 1966
Charles Larkey (“Tony”) of the Myddle Class, at the Excelsior House, October 1966
Charlie Larkey (“Tony”) of the Myddle Class with patron or friend, at the Excelsior House, October 1966
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Dan Mansolino and Charlie (“Tony”) Larkey
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie (“Tony”), Dave, Myke and Rick
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Dave Palmer, Rick Philp and Myke Rosa
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, from left: Charlie “Tony” Larkey, Dave Palmer and Rick Philp
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Charlie Larkey and Dave Palmer
The Myddle Class at the Excelsior House, October 1966, Dave Palmer and Rick Philp
Categories: New York, Troy, Upstate New York

The Excelsior House on Snyder’s Lake near Troy: the Knickerbockers, Sundowners and other bands

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The Excelsior House, a 19th century house on tiny Snyder’s Lake, a short drive southeast of Troy, NY, had a history dating back to the 1930s as a rural nightclub and restaurant. It drew crowds from a wide geographic area with various forms of entertainment and events.

In 1964, a new owner, Harry Doakmajian, started bringing in rock and pop acts. Over the next four years the Excelsior House hosted a succession of notable house bands.

The Knickerbockers: Jimmy, Beau, John, Buddy, at the Excelsior House, The Troy Record, May 1, 1965

The Knickerbockers made the Excelsior House their second home, with frequent months-long bookings from August 1964 until December 1965, and occasional monthly residencies in 1966 and 1967. The booklet of the Sundazed CD The Great Lost Knickerbockers Album! includes photos of Buddy Randell and Beau Charles on stage at the Excelsior House in 1966.

The Sundowners, from Lake George, held down monthly gigs in 1965 into 1966, and the Good Times were regulars from April through July 1966 (billed early on as “Direct from Harlow’s in N.Y.C.”) and again in September and December 1966, and January 1967.

The Kynds and the Good Times, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, April 9

I am not certain if this is the Goodtimes from Providence, RI, who also recorded as the Tradewinds, or more likely the band from Newburgh who recorded two albums of pop on Meteor as the Goodtimes III. This group, comprised of Johnny Babb, Timmy Jones, Dave Kennedy and Bobby Lonie, among others, cut some good unreleased songs, possibly recorded at Earl Kennett’s studio, as Dave Kennedy recommended the studio to the Jelly Bean Bandits to make their first demos.

Below is a compendium of the acts that played, compiled mainly from ads in the Troy Record newspaper (which became the Times Record).

Bands were usually booked Friday and Saturday evenings. Over time, early Sunday shows were added, then Wednesdays and Thursdays as well.

1964:

February: Tino and the Revlons
April 18: the James K4
June: Tino and the Revlons, the Act III
July: the Capris (“direct from Miami Beach”), and the Continental Twisters
August: the Act III and the James K4
August 3: Buddy Randell and the Knickerbockers
August: the Mystics and the Continentals
September through December: the Knickerbockers

1965:

Sundowners with Eddie Brick and Bobby Dickson, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, Nov 12

January: the Knickerbockers
February: the Sundowners
March: Tino and the Revlons (“Troy’s Own Beetles”), the Blue Counts and the Motions
April: the Motions, the Vi-Cleefs
April and May: the Knickerbockers

Nick Brignola and His Modern Jazz Quartet: Thursdays in June and July

July 31: Jay and the Americans plus the Knickerbockers
July: the Knickerbockers
August: the Knickerbockers
September: Don Sohl and the Road Runners (Nebraska band who cut great sax & guitar instrumentals like “Voo Doo” on Palms and “Rampage” on Dreem).
September: the Road-ents, the Progressions
October: the 4 Synns

Cordels at the Excelsior House, The Troy Record. 1965, Oct 9

October 16: the Classics and the Chessmen
November: the Cordels
December 23: the Knickerbockers and the Sundowners
December: Sundowners

1966:

The Chartbusters, the Sundowners, and the Big Bear Revue, the Troy Record, 1966, Feb. 12

By 1966 the Excelsior had two venues on the same compound: the main building with pop, rock and soul bands, and another called the Corral specializing in country music and square dancing, such as Rob Horton and the Friendly Travelers or Pete Williams and His Ranchers, but I have not compiled an extensive list of those c&w groups.

January – February: the Sundowners
February 19, 20: the Big Bear Revue (“Big Bear” / “People” on Cuppy Records)
February 25, 26: the Check Mates
March: Snoopy’s Crew
March 5: the Fugitives
March 12: the “ever popular” Esquires
March 25: the Fireballs
April 3: the Group 4
April 9, 10: the Kynds
April 14 had a special show, Jerry Lee Lewis and his Review!

May and June: Knickerbockers and Good Times

On July 29, the Souls Inc. “12 Man Group” took over through August, sometimes with Lord X and his X Chords
August 27 (Saturday): Tim Rose Trio

The Critters and the Good Times, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, September 23, 1966

The Good Times resumed house band status for September but there were a number of interesting featured acts that month and October:

September 2, 3 and 4: the Younger Boys (I don’t know anything about this group)
September 23: the Critters
September 28, 29, 30, 31 & October 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9: the Liverpool Set

The Myddle Class, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, 1966, Oct 22

October 14, 15 and 16 and 21, 22 and 23: the Myddle Class (billed in some ads as the Middle Class)

Check this new Myddle Class post to see photos from the interior of Excelsior House!

October 26, 28, 29 and 30: the Cleaners

November: the Sundowners with Eddie Brick

December: the Knickerbockers, The Good Times

Ricardo and the 4 Most, Excelsior House, The Troy Times Record, February 3, 1967
The Cleaners, Excelsior House, The Troy Record, October 29, 1966
Ricardo and the 4 Most, Excelsior House, The Times Record, Feb. 10, 1967

1967:

January: the Good Times
February: Ricardo the the Fore Most (4 Most)
March: the Sundowners and the O’Royals (the Fabulous Royals)
March 26: Roger Freeman with the Spoiled Brats
April 1: the Night Watch
April: the Liverpool Set
May: the Knickerbockers

1968:

February: the Shades of Brass, the Legends of Sound

Eva’s Towpath II, formerly Excelsior House, Imperials, The Troy Record, 1969, Nov 16

In September, 1969, the Excelsior House was taken over by Eva Varaday and renamed Eva’s Towpath II, but it only continued for a few months before it was shut down by the Rensselaer County Health Department for the same reason the previous owner lost his liquor license: the Excelsior House, like most of the other residences on the lake, had been sending raw sewage into Snyder’s Lake, which was only 1/8 of a square mile (approximately) in area! It did reopen in the mid-’70s for a short time as a meeting place, but I read there was a major fire in 2009.

If anyone has old photos of the Excelsior House, or a news clipping on the 2009 fire, please contact me!

Fate of the Excelsior House, May, 1970
Categories: England

The Orlons’ British tours in 1966 and 1967

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By the time Philadelphia soul group The Orlons toured Britain in July 1966 they comprised lead singer Rosetta Hightower alongside singers Sandy Person and Audrey Brickley.

For some of this tour, The Orlons were backed by Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (aka Reg Dwight) on keyboards.

At this time Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Neil Hubbard (lead guitar); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Freddy Gandy (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Paul Gale (drums).

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

1 July 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Dave Davani Four and The Meantimes (Melody Maker) Another band may have backed them on this gig, possibly The Dave Davani Four

2 July 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Another band may have backed them on this gig

9 July 1966 – Assembly Hall, Aylesbury, Bucks with Bluesology and The Gates of Eden (Bucks Advertiser)

9 July 1966 – Kinky Blues Club, Manor House, north London with The Dave Davani Four (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by The Dave Davani Four

9 July 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

13 July 1966 – Orchid Ballroom, Purley, Surrey (Chris Broom’s book Rockin’ and around Croydon)

14 July 1966 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Move (Tony Bacon’s book London Live)

14-15 July 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker) Another band may have provided support on this gig as Bluesology were billed to back Solomon Burke in Nottingham on 15 July

 

When The Orlons returned for a second British tour in late 1966 they were not backed by Bluesology. It’s not clear who did the honours but it’s possible it could have been The Gates of Eden who were one of the bands on promoter Roy Tempest’s books.

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

8 December 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Pride (Melody Maker)

9 December 1966 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

10 December 1966 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Bobby Hebb plus two supporting groups (Nottingham Evening Post)

10 December 1966 – Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with Jimmy James & The Vagabonds, The Gates of Eden and The Ebonites (Lincolnshire Standard)

15 December 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

 

For the Orlons’ third British tour, it’s not clear who the backing band was.

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates

27 October 1967 – Cesar’s Club, Bedford, Bedfordshire with The Paper Blitz Tissue (Ampthill News & Flintwick Record)

28 October 1967 – Upper Cut, Forest Gate, east London with The Rick ‘n’ Beckers and Granny’s Intentions (Melody Maker)

After this tour, singer Rosetta Hightower returned to Britain in 1968. She subsequently married British keyboard player Ian Green and recorded extensively in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s.

We’d like to hear from anyone who can provide more information in the comments section below

 

Categories: England

The Fabulous Marvelettes’ December 1967 British tour

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In August 1967, British promoter Roy Tempest had brought New York vocal quartet The Velours over to England for a tour and billed them as The Fabulous Temptations, which caused a great deal of confusion (and anger) as club owners mistakenly thought they were getting Motown superstars The Temptations.

Later that year, Tempest tried a similar ploy by promoting New York-based soul trio The Flirtations as Motown act, The Marvelettes, billing them as The Fabulous Marvelettes.

Originally formed as The Gypsies with three sisters – Betty, Ernestine and Shirley Pearce plus their friend Viola Billups, The Flirtations were reduced to a trio (minus Betty) by the time Tempest brought them to England.

For this first tour, they were backed by Dagenham, east London outfit, The Trend. The band’s guitarist Norman Cummins kept a diary and the following gigs are from the tour that The Trend provided backing for The Marvelettes. Where newspapers are listed confirming dates, I’ve only listed the papers, even though the dates are all listed in Cummins’ diary.

At the time, The Trend comprised Norman Cummins (lead guitar/vocals); Pete Cole (bass/vocals); Bob Mather (sax); Cliff Reuter (keyboards); and Frankie Morgan (drums).

Tour dates:

8 December 1967 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Start of tour with The Trend backing

9 December 1967 – New Century Hall, Manchester with Gerards Own (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

9 December 1967 – Paradise Club, Wigan, Lancashire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

10 December 1967 – Georgian Club, Salford, Greater Manchester with The Trend (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

10 December 1967 – Vaudeville Club, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

11 December 1967 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

12 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

14 December 1967 – Falmer House, University of Sussex, Brighton, East Sussex (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

15 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

15 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

16 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester with The Factotums (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

16 December 1967 – Cavern Club, Liverpool (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

17 December 1967 – USAF base, Alconbury, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

18 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

19 December 1967 – Flintshire Tech College (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

21 December 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

22 December 1967 – Corn Exchange, Hertford, Hertfordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

23 December 1967 – Ritz Ballroom, King’s Heath, West Midlands (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

23 December 1967 – Penthouse, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Dungeon, Nottingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

24 December 1967 – Cedar Club, Birmingham (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

25 December 1967 – Sloopy’s, Manchester (Norman Cummins’ diary) Backed by The Trend

26 December 1967 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

26 December 1967 – Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with The Big City Soul Band (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) Backed by The Trend

When the trio returned from the States for a second tour in spring 1968, they reverted to their former name, The Flirtations, and based themselves in England where they recorded.

Thanks to Pete Cole and Norman Cummings for the tour information (see original documents below).

Categories: England

Grand Union

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Grand Union, circa 1966. Left to right: Paul Thorpe, Tom Maudlin, Dick Winters and Robert Thorpe. Photo: Tom Maudlin

Rick Thorpe – lead guitar/vocals

Tom Maudlin – Bass/vocals

Dick Winters – Hammond organ/vocals

Paul Thorpe – Drums/lead vocals

This British band was formed around 1966/1967 and toured extensively before being chosen as the backing group for US soul artist Johnny Johnson & The Bandwagon in late 1968 for their debut British tour.

Thanks to bass player Tom Maudlin for providing some more information about the group, the photo of the band and the posters below.

Gig on 19 May 1967

Before joining forces with The Bandwagon, they opened for Manfred Mann, Robert Plant & Band of Joy and Pink Floyd among many others.

1968 gig with Robert Plant & The Band of Joy
1968 gig with Pink Floyd

Significantly, they also signed to CBS in 1968 and recorded a lone 45 “Slowly but Surely”.

Dick Winters and Tom Maudlin left around August 1969. Former Magic Roundabout bass player/singer Roger Flavell and keyboard player Les Lambert replaced them.

The Thorpe brothers later played in the bands Moonstone, Life and Enough’s Enough together. Maudlin moved to Ontario and currently lives in Brampton near Toronto.

We’d welcome any further information below in the comments about this group

1968 gig
1968 gig
1968 gig
Categories: England

Major Lance’s British tour December 1965

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For Major Lance’s first British tour, promoter Roy Tempest arranged for northwest London group Bluesology, who featured a very young Elton John (known as Reg Dwight at the time), to back the singer.

It’s not clear whether Bluesology backed Major Lance on all the gigs, so we’d welcome any further information on this in the comments section below.

At the time, Bluesology comprised Stu Brown (guitar/vocals); Reg Dwight (keyboards/vocals); Rex Bishop (bass); Pat Higgs (trumpet); Dave Murphy (sax); and Mick Inkpen (drums)

Melody Maker, 4 December 1965, page 4

The following tour gigs are incomplete

Tour dates:

3 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (two sessions including an all-nighter) with The Rockhouse Band (Melody Maker)

3 December 1965 – In Place, Baker Street, central London (Melody Maker)

4 December 1965 – Jigsaw, Manchester with Alex Harvey and The Mockingbirds (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 December 1965 – Oasis, Manchester with The Crestas (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

5 December 1965 – Dungeon, Nottingham with Blues Incorporated (most likely Bluesology) (Melody Maker/Nottingham Evening Post)

6 December 1965 – Gig in Rochester, Kent (Melody Maker)

7 December 1965 – Birdcage, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire (Melody Maker)

8 December 1965 – Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, southeast London (Melody Maker)

9 December 1965 – Cue Club, Praed Street, Paddington, west London (Melody Maker)

10 December 1965 – Durham University, Durham (Melody Maker)

11 December 1965 – Mr McCoy’s, Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough Evening Gazette)

12 December 1965 – Lennoxbank House Hotel, Balloch, Scotland with The Five Interns (Clydebank Press)

12 December 1965 – Stramash TV (Melody Maker)

14 December 1965 – (possibly Birdcage Club), Harlow, Essex (Melody Maker)

15 December 1965 – TWW’s TV Discs A Gogo (Melody Maker)

16 December 1965 – Cromwellian, south Kensington, west London with Bluesology (Melody Maker) This was originally planned for 15 December.

16 December 1965 – Marquee, Wardour Street, Soho, central London with The Alan Price Set (London Live book: Tony Bacon)

17 December 1965 – Princess Theatre, Chorlton, Greater Manchester and then Domino Club, Openshaw, Greater Manchester with Bluesology Incorporated, The Manchester Playboys and Jonathan Goon Tweed (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

17 December 1965 – Stockport, Greater Manchester (Melody Maker) Unless this is above gig

18 December 1965 – New All-Star Club, Artillery Passage, Bishopsgate, east London (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – Flamingo, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (afternoon) (Melody Maker)

19 December 1965 – El Partido, Lewisham, southeast London with Duke Lee (Melody Maker)

20 December 1965 – Cooks Ferry Inn, Edmonton, north London (Melody Maker)

We’d welcome any comments from readers below

Categories: England

Lee Dorsey’s British tour in March 1967

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Having brought Lee Dorsey over to Britain for three tours during 1966, promoter Roy Tempest set up another British tour in spring 1967.

For this tour, it appears that London-based Scottish band, The Scots of St James may have backed Lee Dorsey on all dates, although we’d be interested in anyone who can provide more information. I’ve listed below the gigs where they definitely did provide backing.

Stuart Francis, the drummer with The Scots of St James, confirms they backed Lee Dorsey on a tour in March 1967.

The group’s personnel had changed since the previous tour in October 1966 (during which they had played a few gigs with Dorsey) and now comprised: Jimmy Oakley (vocals); Norrie MacLean (lead guitar); Graham Maitland (keyboards); Alan Gorrie (bass/vocals); and Stuart Francis (drums)

These tour dates are incomplete

Tour dates:

4 March 1967 – Faculty of Technology Union, Manchester with The Meads (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

4 March 1967 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

5 March 1967 – Saville Theatre, Shaftsbury Avenue, central London with The Move (Melody Maker)

6 March 1967 – Golden Torch, Tunstall, Staffordshire with Marmalade and Barmby Barry (Evening Sentinel) Backed by The Scots of St James

8 March 1967 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/)

10 March 1967 – California Ballroom, Dunstable, Bedfordshire with The Voyd (http://www.california-ballroom.info/gigs/)

11 March 1967 – Beachcomber, Nottingham with The Montanas (Nottingham Evening Post) Backed by The Scots of St James

11 March 1967 – Starlight Ballroom, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Bystanders, The Equals and Ray Bones (Lincolnshire Standard) Backed by The Scots of St James

12 March 1967 – Top Ten Club, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

16 March 1967 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

18 March 1967 – Wem Town Hall, Wem, Shropshire with support group (Shropshire Journal)

We’d welcome any further information below

Categories: England

Lee Dorsey’s British tour in October-November 1966

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Following two successful British tours earlier in 1966, the first with The Krew as backing band and the second with The League of Gentlemen, promoter Roy Tempest brought Lee Dorsey back for a final tour that autumn.

According to Disc & Music Echo, the tour kicked off on 14 October and the main backing group was The Garden of Eden.

Hailing from Watford, Hertfordshire, they comprised Dave Rodwell (vocals); Dicer Sarney (aka Roger Matthews) (lead guitar); Barry Rich (bass); Tom Hill (organ); Chunky Mo (drums). When The Garden of Eden started working with Dorsey, they had literally just come off another tour backing The Mad Lads.

However, they weren’t the only outfit to provide backing on this tour. Stuart Francis, drummer with Glaswegian outfit, The Scots of St James, says they backed Lee Dorsey on some gigs in late 1966. The line-up at this time comprised James Oakley (lead vocals); Hugh Nicholson (lead guitar); Ian Murray (bass); James Mylchreest (keyboards); and Stuart Francis (drums).

Chris Rodger, sax/trumpet player with London-based group The Noblemen, which became (The) Motivation in late October/early November 1966, says they also did some dates with Lee Dorsey. This is also confirmed by the band’s keyboard player Mick Ketley and bass player Bryan Stevens.

In addition, Martin Barre, the band’s guitarist, mentions backing Dorsey during this time in his recent book about his career, including with Jethro Tull, A Trick of Memory. At the time, the remaining two members of the band were Jimmy Marsh (lead vocals) and Malcolm Tomlinson (drums).

Finally, there is an advert in the Brighton Evening Argus, in its 16 December 1966 issue, that mentions The Groove and says they are just back from touring in the USA. It also says that they are backing group for Lee Dorsey. We’d welcome any clarity on this.

This is an incomplete gig list

Tour dates:

14 October 1966 – Starlite Ballroom, Greenford, northwest London (Melody Maker/NME)

14 October 1966 – Location, Woolwich, southeast London with The Scots of St James (Melody Maker) Backed by The Scots of St James

Ian Murray says The Scots of St James backed Lee Dorsey at the Scotch of St James through their manager Stan Beadabeck and this date looks the most likely following the Woolwich gig.

15 October 1966 – Toft’s, Folkestone, Kent (Melody Maker/NME) Folkestone, Hythe & District Herald also lists this date but looks like Dorsey was replaced by Guy Darrell Syndicate so it didn’t happen. On this date Garden of Eden played with The Mad Lads at the Dungeon in Nottingham

15 October 1966 – Twisted Wheel, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

16 October 1966 – Oasis, Manchester with The Wheels (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle)

16 October 1966 – Cavern, Liverpool with The Hideways, The Dark Ages, The Times, Georgies Germs, The Insite and The Gates of Eden (Liverpool Echo) Mick Ketley, keyboard player with The Noblemen, says they backed Lee Dorsey here, although The Gates of Eden are on the bill unless they were advertised but substituted at the last minute

17 October 1966 – Tiles, Oxford Street, central London with The Gates of Eden and The Sovereigns (Melody Maker) Chris Rodger, sax player with The Noblemen, and Mick Ketley say they did back Lee Dorsey on this gig. Again, The Gates of Eden are listed but may have been substituted at the last minute. The Sovereigns were also one of the groups that Roy Tempest used to back visiting US soul acts

19 October 1966 – Saddle Room, Park Lane, Mayfair, central London (NME) Mick Ketley confirms The Noblemen backed Dorsey here

20 October 1966 – Maple Ballroom, Northampton (Melody Maker)

Melody Maker article, 22 Oct 1966, page 4

21 October 1966 – Iron Curtain Club, St Mary’s Cray, Kent (Melody Maker)

22 October 1966 – Locomotive Club, Paris, France (Melody Maker/Disc & Music Echo)

23 October 1966 – Club West Indies, Stonebridge Park, Harlesden, northwest London (Melody Maker) Possibly backed by Scots of St James

24 October 1966 – Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts with The Gates of Eden and The Trekkers (Welwyn & Hatfield Times) Backed by The Gates of Eden

25 October 1966 – Sherwood Rooms, Nottingham with The Ivy League, The Jaybirds, Our Young, Zoot Money’s Big Roll Band (Nottingham Evening Post) Melody Maker says Nottingham University

26 October 1966 – Locarno, Stevenage, Herts (Melody Maker/NME)

27 October 1966 – Locarno, Burnley, Lancashire (NME)

28 October 1966 – Golden Star Club, Westbourne Park, west London with The Dynacords (Melody Maker)

28 October 1966 – Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, Cheshire (Widnes Weekly News)

29 October 1966 – New Century Hall, Manchester with The Black Velvets (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Disc & Music Echo) Possibly with Scots of St James

30 October 1966 – Club Cedar, Birmingham with The Ebonites (Birmingham Evening Mail) Possibly backed by The Ebonites

30 October 1966 – Leofric, Coventry (Coventry Evening Telegraph)

31 October 1966 – Queen’s Hall, Wolverhampton, West Midlands (NME)

 

1 November 1966 – Palais de Danse, Leicester with The Gates of Eden (Leicester Mercury) Backed by The Gates of Eden

3 November 1966 – Locarno, Streatham, southwest London (Melody Maker)

3 November 1966 – Whisky A Go Go, Wardour Street, Soho, central London (Melody Maker)

4 November 1966 – Bull’s Head, Syston, Leicestershire with The Gates of Eden, The Pilgrims and Sister Jill & The Brethren (Leicester Mercury) Backed by The Gates of Eden

5 November 1966 – Midnight City, Birmingham with Listen and The Ray King Soul Band (Birmingham Evening Mail)

5 November 1966 – Rhodes Centre, Bishop’s Stortford, Herts with The Gates of Eden and The Cortinas (Herts and Essex Observer) Backed by The Gates of Eden

6 November 1966 – Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, Birmingham with Jerry Lee Lewis and Cliff Bennett & The Rebel Rousers (Birmingham Evening News)

7 November 1966 – Wimbledon Theatre, Wimbledon, southwest London (Melody Maker)

8 November 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post)

9 November 1966 – Community Centre, Welwyn Garden City, Herts (Disc & Music Echo)

10 November 1966 – Ashton Palais, Ashton, Greater Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle/Disc & Music Echo) Possibly backed by Motivation but they were touring with The Coasters at the time and potentially backed Ben E King today at the Twisted Wheel in Manchester (unless this was 12 November). An advert for Motivation playing Cardiff on 16 December says they are Lee Dorsey’s backing band

11 November 1966 – Top Rank Ballroom, Doncaster, South Yorkshire with three supporting groups (Retford, Gainsborough and Worksop Times)

11 November 1966 – Gaiety Ballroom, Grimsby with supporting groups (Grimsby Evening Telegraph/Disc & Music Echo)

12 November 1966 – Reading University, Reading, Berkshire (Melody Maker/NME)

14 November 1966 – Atalanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey with The Gates of Eden plus supporting group (Aldershot News) Backed by The Gates of Eden

17 November 1966 – Locarno Ballroom, Bristol with The Gates of Eden (Bristol Evening Post) Backed by The Gates of Eden

18 November 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with The Good Goods (https://garagehangover.com/blue-moon-cheltenham-gigs-july-1965-may-1967/) Says backed by The Good Goods

Judging by the article below, it looks like Lee Dorsey played at the Conservative Club in Bedford on this date backed by The Garden of Eden.

19 November 1966 – Starlight Ballroom, Gliderdrome, Boston, Lincolnshire with The Gates of Eden and The Ray King Soul Band (Lincolnshire Echo) Backed by The Gates of Eden

19 November 1966 – Dungeon Club, Nottingham with Ben E King plus top line groups (Nottingham Evening Post)

19 November 1966 – King Mojo, Sheffield, South Yorkshire (Melody Maker/NME)

20 November 1966 – Dereham Tavern Club, Dereham, Norfolk with The Johnny Lofty Soul Band and The Gates of Eden (Thetford & Watton Times) Backed by The Gates of Eden and final gig on his tour

Article on the tour mentioning The Garden of Eden, 22 Nov 1966

4 December 1966 – Wimbledon Palais, Wimbledon, southwest London (Disc & Music Echo) This did not happen as he’d already returned to the US

We’d welcome any further information below in the comments

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