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This day-by-day diary of The Preachers' live, studio, broadcasting and private activities is the result of three decades of research and interview work by Bruno Ceriotti, but without the significant contributions by other kindred spirits this diary would not have been possible. So, I would like to thank all the people who, in one form or another, contributed to this timeline: Keith Temple (RIP), Pam Temple, Felix Aeppli, Nick Warburton, Bill Wyman, Roger Bristow, John H. Warburg, Peter Millington, Tony Congdon, Andrew Marriott, Andrew Few, Alan Clayson, Peter Checksfield, Western Scene, and Beckenham Advertiser.
April or May 1963
Mostly known for the presence of Peter Frampton in their lineup, The Preachers were one of the seminal bands of the mid-60's British beat and rhythm 'n' blues scene. The band was led by Anthony 'Tony' Chapman, a drummer from Sydenham, South London, who started his musical career in the early 60s, playing first with The Cliftons and then with The Rolling Stones (both with his longtime friend Bill Wyman on bass). After he was fired from the latter band in January 1963 (in favour of Charlie Watts), Tony joined a well-known Croydon-based band called The Strangers. Shortly after, however, the band folded for some reason, so Tony and the band's bass player Keith Temple (b. Gerard Keith Temple, 1944, Alford, Lincolnshire - d. Wednesday, December 1, 2021, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, for COVID) decided to form a new band together. Tony told Keith he had a friend, Steve Carroll (b. 1944/45), who had played lead guitar and sang in The Cliftons with him, so they got him along for a trial. Steve was an amazing guitarist, a Chuck Berry admirer, and a superior player to Keith Richards at playing Chuck Berry stuff. He also sang the Chuck Berry numbers. So he joined Tony and Keith and they started out as a trio called The Alphabeats.
Mostly known for the presence of Peter Frampton in their lineup, The Preachers were one of the seminal bands of the mid-60's British beat and rhythm 'n' blues scene. The band was led by Anthony 'Tony' Chapman, a drummer from Sydenham, South London, who started his musical career in the early 60s, playing first with The Cliftons and then with The Rolling Stones (both with his longtime friend Bill Wyman on bass). After he was fired from the latter band in January 1963 (in favour of Charlie Watts), Tony joined a well-known Croydon-based band called The Strangers. Shortly after, however, the band folded for some reason, so Tony and the band's bass player Keith Temple (b. Gerard Keith Temple, 1944, Alford, Lincolnshire - d. Wednesday, December 1, 2021, East Surrey Hospital, Redhill, for COVID) decided to form a new band together. Tony told Keith he had a friend, Steve Carroll (b. 1944/45), who had played lead guitar and sang in The Cliftons with him, so they got him along for a trial. Steve was an amazing guitarist, a Chuck Berry admirer, and a superior player to Keith Richards at playing Chuck Berry stuff. He also sang the Chuck Berry numbers. So he joined Tony and Keith and they started out as a trio called The Alphabeats.
THE ALPHABEATS (APRIL or MAY 1963 - AUGUST ?, 1963) / THE PREACHERS #1 (AUGUST ?, 1963 - AUGUST 31, 1963)
1) Tony Chapman drums
2) Keith Temple bass, vocals (on only one or two numbers)
3) Steve Carroll vocals, lead guitar
1) Tony Chapman drums
2) Keith Temple bass, vocals (on only one or two numbers)
3) Steve Carroll vocals, lead guitar
May 1963 (?): riverboat cruise on the River Thames, London, Greater London
"One of the first gigs we got was on a 'Riverboat Cruise' - a sailing boat sailing down the Thames from Charing Cross to Hampton Court and back," Keith Temple recollects. "This boat had a bar room downstairs, and on the upper deck outside we were playing while people danced. It was quite exciting because The Rank Organisation were filming on the boat that day to make a short film called 'Jazz All The Way' which was part of their 'Look at Life' series which they used to show before the main feature film at Odeon Cinemas all over the country. When we got to see the film, they showed the boat going along the river but it had jazz music dubbed in and the only shot of the band was of Tony drumming. This must have been around May 1963 as near as I can guess. The weather was quite nice on the day it was filmed and we were only wearing shirts. I have a photo of that gig too."
"One of the first gigs we got was on a 'Riverboat Cruise' - a sailing boat sailing down the Thames from Charing Cross to Hampton Court and back," Keith Temple recollects. "This boat had a bar room downstairs, and on the upper deck outside we were playing while people danced. It was quite exciting because The Rank Organisation were filming on the boat that day to make a short film called 'Jazz All The Way' which was part of their 'Look at Life' series which they used to show before the main feature film at Odeon Cinemas all over the country. When we got to see the film, they showed the boat going along the river but it had jazz music dubbed in and the only shot of the band was of Tony drumming. This must have been around May 1963 as near as I can guess. The weather was quite nice on the day it was filmed and we were only wearing shirts. I have a photo of that gig too."
Steve Carroll's still from the film 'Jazz All The Way'
Tuesday, May 28, 1963: 'Wallington Rock Sessions - We Proudly Present A Big Beat Festival', Wallington Public Hall, 3A Stafford Road, Wallington, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
The Alphabeats were on the bill (misspelled as 'The Alpha Beats') along with Jerry Lee Lewis, The Outlaws, Tommy Bruce and The Bruisers. "One of our first gigs was supporting Jerry Lee Lewis at a local dance," Keith Temple recollects. "He was touring England. We shared a dressing room with him (he was there with his wife) and I got his autograph". "Wallington Public Hall had an upright piano permanently on the stage and Jerry Lee asked us if he could use one of our guitar amplifiers to amplify his piano," Keith adds. "We lent him Steve Carroll's old Vox amplifier. He looked at it and said 'Gee that's rather an ancient looking amplifier!'". "We probably did 7:00-7:45pm," Keith also recollects about the show, "then The Outlaws probably did 15 minutes or so on their own before Jerry Lee Lewis appeared onstage. The Outlaws backed him from 8:15 to 9:15pm. Tommy Bruce and The Bruisers would probably do an hour from 9:15 to 10:15pm, and we probably finished off the evening until 11pm."
Spring 1963: unknown venue, Beckenham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
The Alphabeats somewhere in Beckenham in the spring of 1963 - from left: Keith Temple, Steve Carroll, and Tony Chapman
The Alphabeats somewhere in Beckenham in the spring of 1963 - from left: Keith Temple, Tony Chapman, and Steve Carroll
The Alphabeats somewhere in Beckenham in the spring of 1963 - from left: Keith Temple, Tony Chapman, and Steve Carroll
Saturday, July 27, 1963: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Also on the bill: Brian Poole and The Tremeloes.
Tuesday, July 30, 1963: Wallington Public Hall, 3A Stafford Road, Wallington, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Hollies.
August ?, 1963
The Alphabeats changed their name to The Preachers. Although Keith Temple was not sure who came up with the new name, apparently it was suggested, at least according to him, by their recently hired manager Freddy Bannister, a local dance promoter who ran dances every week all over the country and later went on to stage the big pop festivals at Knebworth. In 2003 he also wrote a book called There Must Be A Better Way relating his experiences as a music promoter and which contains a chapter on The Preachers. "Let me tell you about Freddy Bannister," Keith Temple recalls. "Because he ran lots of weekly dances around the country, two of them quite near to us (Redhill Market Hall & Wallington Public Hall) we knew him from our time with The Strangers, as The Strangers regularly played supporting group at those two venues. Therefore when The Strangers disbanded and The Alphabeats were formed (just a trio then) we approached him for gigs which he gave us, and we used to do little jobs for him like fly posting posters on buildings for him. Perhaps he saw some potential in us or didn't want to miss out on the 'beat boom' because he decided to sign us up and become our manager". The deal between Freddy and the band was signed after a meeting held at The George Pub in Hayes, near Freddy's home. "Once Freddy was our manager we got more regular work from him," Keith adds. "He promoted dances in Wallington, Redhill, Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Bath, Bristol, and others. The format of these dances was always the same. The support group would go on for the first 45 minutes or so, then the 'famous' group would go on afterwards and then we would finish up doing the rest of the evening. Freddy was clever because he'd book a band at a good price when they had a record first released and hopefully it would be in the charts by the time they appeared at his dance hall, which meant he'd got a Top 10 act at a bargain price." Anyway, thanks to Freddy, the band had enough work and enough money to live on the earnings, to give up their regular day jobs at that point (all except Terry). "When The Alphabeats were formed, for several months afterwards we all had day jobs," Keith confirms. "Tony worked in an office in Croydon. I was working at a Croydon company wiring up small electrical equipment. This mean I had to get in to work at 8:00am even though I might not have got to bed until 2:00am that morning. I was sometimes so tired I fell asleep at my workbench or I would go to the toilet to have a short sleep. Terry worked for a shop delivering washing machines etc. He was supplied with a company van and often used to drive himself to gigs whereas Tony, Steve and myself would travel in the group's van. I'm not sure if Steve was working."
Saturday, August 10, 1963: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Also on the bill: The Hollies.
Saturday, August 17, 1963: unknown venue, Braintree, Essex
Saturday, August 24, 1963: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Also on the bill: Wayne Gibson and The Dynamic Sounds.
Saturday, August 31, 1963: unknown venue, unknown city, unknown county
The Preachers played at a wedding reception.
Sunday, September 1, 1963
The Preachers decided they needed another singer. "We never had a separate singer and Steve was finding it hard work doing most of the singing and lead guitar work," Keith Temple confirms. Originally Keith suggested a 17-year-old kid named Andy Bown, a fan of the band who used to take photos and occasionally came on gigs with them. "Andy came to see us at local gigs and we became friendly, and went back to his parents' house in Beckenham with him afterwards sometimes," Keith recalls. "He played the piano quite well. He worked in London for The Daily Mirror, Britain's biggest national newspaper, and he was the assistant to Franklin who was their political cartoonist. Andy had a camera (which was a bit of a luxury in those days) and came in our van with us on one or two gigs but he never played piano with us. When Steve said he'd like an extra person in the band to do some singing to ease the burden on himself, I wanted Andy to join the band as he was good-looking and a competent pianist, however for some reason that didn't happen." So, at that point, the band auditioned for another singer/guitarist and they ended up with a guy named Terence 'Terry' Clark. "We put an advert in either Melody Maker or New Musical Express and he was the best of the bunch," Keith confirms. "I don't know his backround regarding what bands he'd played in previously, but he was quite a good singer." "Terry was a good strummer and had a distinctive voice for rock 'n' roll and ballads too," Keith adds. "He used to sing the slow ballad 'Seven Golden Daffodils' which Lonnie Donegan made popular and that always went down well at dances. But then he also sang Jerry Lee Lewis' rock number 'Great Balls of Fire' well so he was useful."
THE PREACHERS #2 (SEPTEMBER 1, 1963 - MAY 1964)
1) Tony Chapman
2) Keith Temple
3) Steve Carroll
4) Terry Clark vocals, rhythm guitar
The Preachers #2, 1964 - from left: Tony Chapman, Keith Temple, Steve Carroll, and Terry Clark
The Preachers #2, 1963/64
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The Preachers #2, 1963/64
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Sunday, September 1, 1963: The Society Restaurant, Jermyn Street, St. James, City of Westminster, Greater London
Terry Clark's debut gig with The Preachers. "We were rehearsing in a pub one evening and a well-groomed youngish guy in a smart suit (a bit like Brian Epstein!) appeared with a young lady who he introduced as his secretary," recalls Keith Temple. "He explained he had several venues with bands and would we audition for him one Sunday afternoon at the Society Restaurant in Jermyn Street. Jermyn Street is an expensive, 'posh' street near to Piccadilly Circus. We thought we were heading for the big time! We went downstairs as it was in a basement and he asked us to play for 45 minutes which we did to people sitting drinking and eating. No more bookings resulted from this and we realised we'd been conned into providing a free cabaret."
Saturday, September 7, 1963: Lingfield Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club, Racecourse Road, Lingfield, Surrey
Monday, September 9, 1963: Under The Olive Tree coffee bar, South Croydon, London Borough of Croydon, Greater London
Tuesday, September 10, 1963: Wallington Public Hall, 3A Stafford Road, Wallington, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Saturday, September 14, 1963: unknown venue, Mottingham, London Boroughs of Bromley, Lewisham and Greenwich, Greater London
Saturday, September 21, 1963: unknown venue, Dorking, Surrey
Saturday, September 28, 1963: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey (The Preachers cancelled)
Also on the bill: Mel Turner and The Mohicans.
Saturday, October 5, 1963: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Also on the bill: Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages.
Sunday, November 3, 1963: unknown venue, Eltham, London Borough of Greenwich, Greater London
Saturday, November 9, 1963: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Also on the bill: The Federals.
Saturday, November 16, 1963: US Air Force Base (USAF), High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Tuesday, November 19, 1963: Wallington Public Hall, 3A Stafford Road, Wallington, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Hollies.
Friday, November 22, 1963: US Air Force Base (USAF) Bentwaters, Woodbridge, Suffolk
"We had just set up our gear in the officer's mess (probably about 7.30 pm)," Keith Temple recalls, "and were just running through a couple of numbers before people arrived when we were told to stop playing. Everyone there was standing round looking at the television in the corner of the room. It was just after President Kennedy had been shot and they were watching the news. We were told to pack up and go home - but we still got paid."
Saturday, November 23, 1963: unknown venue, Putney, London Borough of Wandsworth, Greater London
The Preachers played at a wedding reception.
Tuesday, November 26, 1963: Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Also on the bill: Big Dee Irwin.
Saturday, November 30, 1963: St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, Smithfield, Farringdon Without, City of London, Greater London
Saturday, December 21, 1963: Beckenham Public Hall, 4 Bromley Road, Beckenham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, December 28, 1963: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, 703 Forest Road, Walthamstow, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Greater London
Monday, December 30, 1963: St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, Smithfield, Farringdon Without, City of London, Greater London
Friday, January 3, 1964: US Air Force Base (USAF), High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Sunday, January 5, 1964: unknown venue, Eltham, London Borough of Greenwich, Greater London
Monday, January 6, 1964: unknown public house, Carshalton, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Tuesday, January 7, 1964: Tiger's Head, 350 Bromley Road, Catford, London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London
Wednesday, January 8, 1964: St Michael's Youth Centre, Lower Sydenham & Bell Green, London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley and Southwark, Greater London
The Preachers also used to practiced there at the time. "To be honest I can't remember it at all - it was a long time ago!", Keith Temple recalls about the venue. "It was probably what was called a 'Youth Club' in those days. They had a few dances, sold soft drinks, maybe had a jukebox - that sort of thing. They were nice places for teenagers to go to and meet and chat up the girls etc. Nowadays they do it on a computer!".
Friday, January 10, 1964: Anerley Town Hall, Anerley Road, Anerley, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, January 11, 1964: St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, Smithfield, Farringdon Without, City of London, Greater London
Tuesday, January 14, 1964: Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Also on the bill: The Hollies.
Wednesday, January 15, 1964: Robin Hood Public House, 807 Longbridge Road, Dagenham, Essex
Friday, January 17, 1964: IBC Recording Studios, 35 Portland Place, Marylebone, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Preachers recorded a cover of Tampa Red's 'Dont Lie To Me' and a cover of Chuck Berry's 'Sweet Little Rock 'n' Roller'. The songs were pressed on a red acetate at that time (Side A and Side B respectively), but remained unissued until they were released on the band's posthumous live album, 'Nod, Shake & Stomp With The Preachers" (Tenth Planet TP053). The album was released on Friday, August 30, 2002, on a limited edition of 1000 numbered copies, and included an insert featured lenghty liner notes from Bill Wyman, that document his journey from pre-Preachers outfit The Cliftons to the Stones, with the aid of some great, previously unpublished photos and gig posters from Bill's personal collection of memorabilia.
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Friday, January 17, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, January 18, 1964: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, 703 Forest Road, Walthamstow, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Greater London
Tuesday, January 21, 1964: Tottenham Royal (?), 415-419 High Road, Tottenham, London Borough of Haringey, Greater London
Friday, January 24, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
In the meantime, that same day, Keith Temple gave up his daytime job as electronic wireman at 'Philips Electrical' in Croydon, to go "professional" with The Preachers.
Saturday, January 25, 1964: Co-Op Hall, Harmer Street, Gravesend, Borough of Gravesham, Kent
The Preachers took their friend Andy Bown along with them and he took a few photos.
Tuesday, January 28, 1964: Wallington Public Hall, 3A Stafford Road, Wallington, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Also on the bill: Manfred Mann.
Wednesday, January 29, 1964: St Michael's Youth Centre, Lower Sydenham & Bell Green, London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley and Southwark, Greater London
Friday, January 31, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, February 1, 1964: Co-Op Hall, Harmer Street, Gravesend, Borough of Gravesham, Kent
Monday, February 3, 1964: Bath Pavilion, North Parade Road, Bath, North East Somerset
Also on the bill: Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders.
Wednesday, February 5, 1964: Town Hall, Crown Lane, Stourbridge, Metropolitan Borough of Didley, Worcestershire
Also on the bill: The Redcaps.
Thursday, February 6, 1964: Kidderminster Town Hall, Vicar Street, Kidderminster, Wyre Forest, Worchestershire
Also on the bill: Wayne Fontana and The Mindbenders.
Friday, February 7, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Also on the bill: Gene Vincent.
Saturday, February 8, 1964: Co-Op Hall, Harmer Street, Gravesend, Borough of Gravesham, Kent
Andy Bown came with the band.
Tuesday, February 11, 1964: Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Also on the bill: The Big Three.
Wednesday, February 12, 1964: unknown public house, Carshalton, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Friday, February 14, 1964: Eden Park Hotel, 422 Upper Elmers End Road, Beckenham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, February 15, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Tuesday, February 18, 1964: Tottenham Royal (?), 415-419 High Road, Tottenham, London Borough of Haringey, Greater London
Friday, February 21, 1964: US Air Force Base (USAF), High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
Saturday, February 22, 1964: Co-Op Hall, Harmer Street, Gravesend, Borough of Gravesham, Kent
Tuesday, February 25, 1964: Wallington Public Hall, 3A Stafford Road, Wallington, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Wednesday, February 26, 1964: unknown venue, unknown district, London Borough of Enfield, Greater London
Thursday, February 27, 1964: St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical College, Smithfield, Farringdon Without, City of London, Greater London
Saturday, February 29, 1964: '21st Birthday Party', unknown small hall, Forest Hill, London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London
Saturday, February 29, 1964: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, 703 Forest Road, Walthamstow, London Borough of Waltham Forest, Greater London (The Preachers cancelled)
Also on the bill: Jeff Curtis And The Flames, and Pat McQueen Combo.
Sunday, March 1, 1964: Whitehall Palace Cinema, London Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex
Tuesday, March 3, 1964: Wallington Public Hall, 3A Stafford Road, Wallington, London Borough of Sutton, Greater London
Also on the bill: Freddie and The Dreamers.
Wednesday, March 4, 1964: St Michael's Youth Centre, Lower Sydenham & Bell Green, London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley and Southwark, Greater London
Friday, March 6, 1964: Shirley Parish Hall, 81 Wickham Road, Croydon, Surrey
Also on the bill: Paul and the Playboys. One show, started at 7:30pm.
Beckenham Advertiser
Saturday, March 7, 1964: unknown venue, unknown city, unknown county
The Preachers played at a wedding reception.
Thursday, March 12, 1964: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Saturday, March 14, 1964: City of Westminster College, City of Westminster, Greater London
Sunday, March 15, 1964: The In Crowd Club (?), Hackney, London Borough of Hackney, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Checkmates.
Tuesday, March 17, 1964: UCL School of Pharmacy, 29-39 Brunswick Square, Bloomsbury, London Borough of Camden, Greater London
Wednesday, March 18, 1964: 'Bristol Big Beat Sessions', The Corn Exchange, Corn Street, Bristol
Also on the bill: The Paramounts.
Thursday, March 19, 1964: Atlanta Ballroom (?), Woking, Surrey
Saturday, March 21, 1964: Streatham Ice Arena, Streatham High Road, Streatham, London Borough of Lambeth, Greater London
Tuesday, March 24, 1964: Beckenham and Penge Grammar School for Boys, High Street, Penge, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
The Preachers played at Tony Chapman's old school.
Wednesday, March 25, 1964: Beckenham Public Hall, 4 Bromley Road, Beckenham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Cossacks, plus two other unknown bands. "The guy who ran a dance at Beckenham Public Hall, John (don't know his second name), recorded us on an ordinary tape recorder at the side of the stage," Keith Temple recalls. "There was no proper sound balancing or anything and the quality of the sound varied so that sometimes the vocals were muffled. Then I borrowed the tape from him and I had the best ones transferred to acetate discs at the time which got scratchy over the years as they're not intended for heavy use. Later in 2000 I copied the acetate discs onto a tape and sent it to Bill Wyman, so he would have a memory of his old late friend Steve Carroll's guitar playing." At that point Bill wrote back to Keith that he would like to released the recordings on a limited edition 190gm vinyl LP, which he did in conjunction with a small independent label called Tenth Planet Records. The album was, nedless to say, the above mentioned, 'Nod, Shake & Stomp With The Preachers'. Aside for two or three songs which weren't on the album (including a cover of Bo Diddley's 'Cops And Robbers' sang by Tony Chapman), all the other fourteen songs the band played that day appeared on the album: Ray Charles' 'Talkin' Bout You', The Shirelles' 'Boys', Chuck Berry's 'Johnny B. Goode', 'Reelin' And Rockin', 'Blue Feeling' 'I've Gotta Find My Baby', 'Route 66' and 'Back In The USA', Fats Domino's 'Blueberry Hill', Tampa Red's 'Don't Lie To Me', Jerry Lee Lewis' 'Great Balls Of Fire', Johnny Kidd & The Pirates' 'I'll Never Get Over You', Little Richard's 'Lucille', and Jimmy Reed's 'Honey What's Wrong'.
Thursday, March 26, 1964: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Friday, March 27, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, March 28, 1964: Market Hall, Station Road, Redhill, Surrey
Also on the bill: Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages.
Saturday, March 28, 1964: The Florida Rooms, Brighton Acquarium, Marine Parade, Brighton, East Sussex (cancelled)
Sunday, March 29, 1964: Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Also on the bill: Big Dee Irwin.
Tuesday, March 31, 1964: PYE Recording Studios, ATV House, Great Cumberland Place (with the studio entrance in Bryanston Street), just off Marble Arch, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Preachers auditioned for famous producer Tony Hatch, but it didn't go well and they were rejected!
Friday, April 3, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, April 4, 1964: Co-Op Hall, Harmer Street, Gravesend, Borough of Gravesham, Kent
Sunday, April 5, 1964: The Cambridge Public House, Cambridge Hotel, North Circular Road, Palmers Green, London Borough of Enfield, Greater London
Tuesday, April 7, 1964: Tiger's Head, 350 Bromley Road, Catford, London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London
Friday, April 10, 1964: Shendon Ballroom, Romford, Essex
Also on the bill: Tony Rivers and The Castaways.
Saturday, April 11, 1964: St. Bart's Hospital Sports Ground, Perry Street, Chislehurst, Kent
Tuesday, April 14, 1964: Central Bandstand, Central Parade, Herne Bay, Canterbury, Kent
Also on the bill: The Merseybeats.
Wednesday, April 15, 1964: Robin Hood Public House, 807 Longbridge Road, Dagenham, Essex
Friday, April 17, 1964: Justin Hall, Beckenham Road, West Wickham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Saturday, April 18, 1964: Co-Op Hall, Harmer Street, Gravesend, Borough of Gravesham, Kent
Sunday, April 19, 1964: Jewish Boys' Club, somewhere in East London, London Borough of ?, Greater London
Tuesday, April 21, 1964: The Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Also on the bill: Manfred Mann.
Thursday, April 23, 1964: Olympic Sound Studios, Carlton Street, near Piccadilly Circus, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Preachers recorded two originals, 'Goodbye Girl (1° Version)' (written by Bill Wyman of The Rolling Stones) and 'You've Got To Take It,' for a demo disc which nobody liked and that remained unissued. Keith Temple himself never got a copy of that.
Friday, April 24, 1964: 'Big Beat Ball', Town Hall, Vicker Street, Kidderminster, Wyre Forest, Worcestershire
Also on the bill: The Cossacks, Tommy and The Crestas, The Con-Men.
Saturday, April 25, 1964: Borough Assembly Hall, Market Square, Aylesbury, Aylesbury Vale, Buckingahmshire
Tuesday, April 28, 1964: Central Bandstand. Central Parade, Herne Bay, Canterbury, Kent
Also on the bill: Johnny Kidd and The Pirates.
Wednesday, April 29, 1964: 'Bristol Big Beat Sessions', The Corn Exchange, Corn Street, Bristol
Also on the bill: The Four Pennies.
Friday, May 1, 1964: Whitehall Palace Cinema, London Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex
Saturday, May 2, 1964: unknown venue, Orpington, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Monday, May 4, 1964: Town Hall, The Parade, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Also on the bill: The Animals.
Wednesday, May 6, 1964: St Michael's Youth Centre, Lower Sydenham & Bell Green, London Boroughs of Lewisham, Bromley and Southwark, Greater London
Friday, May 8, 1964: unknown venue, Birmingham, Warwickshire
Saturday, May 9, 1964: St Mark's Church Hall, Westmoreland Road, Bromley, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Keith Temple's last gig with The Preachers.
May 1964
Keith Temple was getting a bit fed up with travelling round the country in a van so he told the band he was leaving (and since then he disappeared from the music scene). Their old friend Andy Bown (b. Andrew Steven Brown, Wednesday, March 27, 1946, City of London) took the opportunity to take Keith's place on bass, although he'd never played that instrument before!
THE PREACHERS #3 (MAY 1964 - JUNE 3, 1964)
1) Tony Chapman
2) Steve Carroll
3) Terry Clark
4) Andy Bown bass
1) Tony Chapman
2) Steve Carroll
3) Terry Clark
4) Andy Bown bass
Wednesday, June 3, 1964: Town Hall, Crown Lane, Stourbridge, Metropolitan Borough of Didley, Worcestershire (cancelled)
The show was cancelled because on the way to Stourbridge, The Preachers' van crashed into a telegraph pole and sadly Steve Carroll was killed, while Tony Chapman had sustained head injuries and, because of that, he apparently had no memory of the last two hours before the accident. "It would appear that the van hit a telegraph pole and Tony was thrown out," Keith Temple recalls. "The van carried on moving which carried it over a bridge. Steve was trapped against the steering wheel, and as Tony had started giving him driving lessons around this time, there seems some possibility that maybe Steve was driving at the time." Luckily, Terry Clark and Andy Bown were not in the van with them. "Terry and Andy both had day jobs so were driving to the dance together later in Terry's van," Keith confirms. "Terry could use the van for his personal use so he and Andy probably arranged to travel after work that day." Anyway, shortly after, Tony, Terry and Andy, with Freddy Bannister still as manager, hired a couple of new musicians and put together a new band called The Herd but...that's another story.
June 1965
Tony Chapman was eased out from The Herd and he subsequently re-formed The Preachers with Peter Gosling, aka 'Moon', on vocals and organ, formerly of the Denny Mitchell Soundsations, Pete Attwood, aka 'Face', on bass, Ken Leamon on sax, and Peter Frampton on guitar (b. Peter Kenneth Frampton, Saturday, April 22, 1950, Beckenham Maternity Hospital, Beckehnam, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London), formerly of The Little Ravens, and The Trubeats.
THE PREACHERS #4 (JUNE 1965 - SEPTEMBER 1966)
1) Tony Chapman
2) Peter Frampton guitar
3) Peter Gosling vocals, Hammond organ
4) Pete Attwood bass
5) Ken Leamon sax
Sunday, June 13, 1965: Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Also on the bill: Cliff Bennett.
Also on the bill: Cliff Bennett.
Saturday, June 19, 1965: The Witch Doctor, Marine Court, St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, East Sussex
Also on the bill: The Confederates. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:45pm.
Monday, July 26, 1965: 'Wickham Enterprises' Fabulous Stage Show', Civic Hall, Orpington, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Also on the bill: Calvin James, Denny Mitchell, Lewis Rich, The Other Two, Barry J. Saich, Paul Christian. The show was devised and produced by David M. Meyer.
Wednesday, July 28, 1965: 'Wickham Enterprises' Fabulous Stage Show', Public Hall, 4 Bromley Road, Beckenham, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Also on the bill: Calvin James, Denny Mitchell, Lewis Rich, The Other Two, Barry J. Saich, Paul Christian. The show was devised and produced by David M. Meyer.
August 1965: PYE Recording Studios, ATV House, Great Cumberland Place (with the studio entrance in Bryanston Street), just off Marble Arch, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Preachers recorded three songs, a new uptempo jazzy and r&b arrangement of their old original 'Goodbye Girl', another original written by Tony Chapman and titled 'Too Old In The Head,' and a cover of Sascha Burland's 'Hole In My Soul.' An acetate of 'Goodbye Girl (2° Version)' and 'Hole In My Soul' (Side A and Side B respectively) exist, as well as a single sided acetate of 'Too Old In The Head.' Anyway, 'Hole In My Soul' and 'Tood Old In The Head' were released later that same month as the band's first and only single.
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Friday, August 27, 1965
The Preachers' first and only single, 'Hole In My Soul / Too Old In The Head' (Columbia DB 7680), was released only in the UK.
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Thursday, September 2, 1965: 'Ready, Steady, Go! - The Rolling Stones Special Show, Live!', ITV-Rediffusion TV Show, Studio 5, Wembley Studios, 128 Wembley Park Drive, Wembley, London Borough of Brent, Greater London
The Preachers appeared once on this pioneering British rock and pop music television programme which used to air live every Friday evening (6:08-7:00pm) and which was hosted by Cathy McGowan. This episode was actually a special one "event" centered on The Rolling Stones, which was taped today and then broadcasted a week later, on Friday, September 10. The Preachers appeared as opening act after an introduction speech made by their producer and Stones' bassist Bill Wyman.
Monday, September 20, 1965: IBC Recording Studios, 35 Portland Place, Marylebone, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Preachers recorded four songs - 'Gotta Go Catch Me A Woman' written by Bill Wyman and Peter Gosling, 'It’s In My Mind' written by Tony Chapman and Peter Gosling, 'Marriage Is For Old Folks' written by Carr-Shuman, and 'Say What I Mean' written by Tony Chapman and Peter Gosling. Bill Wyman produced the session, while Glyn Johns was the sound engineer. 'It's In My Mind' was released a couple of years later on a single credited to Moon's Train (the band Gosling, Attwood and Leamon formed after The Preachers split up). All the fours songs were also released only in Germany in December 1996 in the Moon's Train's anthology CD, 'The Life I Lead - Rare Recordings 1965-1967' (In-Akustik INAK 11004 CD).
Sunday, November 7, 1965: Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, London Borough of Bromley, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Train, Lew Rich with The Other Two.
Tusday, April 12, 1966: PYE Recording Studios, ATV House, Great Cumberland Place (with the studio entrance in Bryanston Street), just off Marble Arch, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Preachers, again with Bill Wyman as producer and Glyn Johns as sound engineer, recorded several songs included one titled 'Deed I Do', written by Walter Hirsh and Fred Rose, that was released a year later on a single credited to Moon's Train (the band Gosling, Atwood and Leamon formed after The Preachers slipt up).
September 1966
The Preachers split up. Peter Frampton went to play with The Herd, Peter Gosling, Pete Attwood and Ken Leamon went to form a new band called Moon's Train, while Tony Chapman retired from the music business and moved to Palm Springs, Florida, where he built up a fine art shipping business until he sold it well around 2011 when he moved to Portugal where he's retiring and playing golf.
January 1967
Moon’s Train's first and only single, 'Deed I Do / It’s In My Mind' (MGM K 13654), was released in the US (and later on Friday, March 10, 1967, also in the UK). As mentioned above both songs were actually recorded by The Preachers.
