If you enjoy what I have put together please consider donating any amount to support and help me to keep this valuable research going. Thanks!!
This day-by-day diary of The Soul Agents' 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: Jim Sach, Johnny Keeping, Don Shinn (RIP), David St. John, Vicky Bromley, Mike Walton, Mike Lamb, Dave Allen, Terry Rolph, Dave Edney, Stan Laundon, Mike, Tony Hargan, John McCoy, Duncan Campbell, Gerry Hayne, Chris Tappin, Roy Roberts, Colin Mason, Michael Cooper, Martyn Hanson, John H Warburg, Keith Emerson, Eric Clapton, Roger Pope, Sue Pope, Paul Anderson, David Edwards, Christopher Hjort, Nick Warburton, Richard Morton Jack, Brian Long, Pete Watt, Andy Neill, Matt Kent, David Scott, John Wharton, Raz, Roger Bristow, John Goodwin, William Terry Fox, John Langford, Neil Rice, John Scott Cree, Terry Collier, Colin Mason, Tony Bacon, John Lawler, Michael Poulter, Coventry Standard, Melody Maker, Record Mirror, Herald Express, Bedfordshire Times, Somerset Guardian/Standard, The Kent and Sussex Courier, East Kent Gazette, East Kent Times, Thanet Times, Whitstable Times, Cornish Guardian, Wishaw Press and Advertiser, Coventry Evening Telegraph, Evening Post and News, The Liverpool Echo and Evening Express, Herts and Essex Observer, Harrow Observer and Gazette, Stafford Newsletter, Evening Chronicle.
1960 - January 1962
Mostly known for the presence of Rod Stewart in their lineup, The Soul Agents are undoubtedly one of the hottest British rhythm and blues bands of the mid-60's. They emerged from a Southampton-based semi-pro pop band called The Lonely Ones, back in 1960 when four young aspiring musicians who lived close to one another on the edge of the New Forest district, south-west Hampshire, got together. At first Jerry Bromley, aka 'Big Brom' (b. Monday, September 25, 1944, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire) and Tony Good (b. Anthony Christie, Saturday, September 5, 1942, Ashurst, Hampshire) started jamming together on their new guitars and soon had ideas of forming a group. They invited a local lad, Johnny Keeping (b. John Barry Keeping, Sunday, June 25, 1944, Islington, North London), who had sung in the church choir, to join them and finally completed the group with Chris Warman, a budding drummer. With practice they built up a repertoire and the confidence to promote themselves for local functions. Chris suggested they call themelves The Stallions but they soon realised after their first few gigs towards the end of 1961 that 'Stallions' was a provocative name and therefore renamed the group The Lonely Ones in January 1962.
Mostly known for the presence of Rod Stewart in their lineup, The Soul Agents are undoubtedly one of the hottest British rhythm and blues bands of the mid-60's. They emerged from a Southampton-based semi-pro pop band called The Lonely Ones, back in 1960 when four young aspiring musicians who lived close to one another on the edge of the New Forest district, south-west Hampshire, got together. At first Jerry Bromley, aka 'Big Brom' (b. Monday, September 25, 1944, Kingston upon Hull, East Yorkshire) and Tony Good (b. Anthony Christie, Saturday, September 5, 1942, Ashurst, Hampshire) started jamming together on their new guitars and soon had ideas of forming a group. They invited a local lad, Johnny Keeping (b. John Barry Keeping, Sunday, June 25, 1944, Islington, North London), who had sung in the church choir, to join them and finally completed the group with Chris Warman, a budding drummer. With practice they built up a repertoire and the confidence to promote themselves for local functions. Chris suggested they call themelves The Stallions but they soon realised after their first few gigs towards the end of 1961 that 'Stallions' was a provocative name and therefore renamed the group The Lonely Ones in January 1962.
THE STALLIONS (1960 - JANUARY 1962) / THE LONELY ONES #1 (JANUARY 1962 - EARLY 1962)
1) Johnny Keeping vocals
2) Tony Good lead guitar
3) Jerry 'Big Brom' Bromley bass
4) Chris Warman drums
The Stallions, Southampton, 1960/61 - from left: Tony Good, Johnny Keeping, Chris Warman, and Jerry Bromley
Monday, August 7, 1961: Lido Ballroom, Worthy Lane, Winchester, Hampshire
early 1962
The Lonely Ones added a rhythm guitarist called Jim Sach (b. James Victor George Raphael Sach, Saturday, May 13, 1944, George, South Africa) known to friends as 'Jimmy' or 'Jimbo'. Jim started to play guitar in the spring of 1961 with an unnamed high school band that included singer Kevin Finn (aka Danny Finn of The New Seekers' fame). They only perfomed once, at the school concert. Jim left school in the summer of 1961 and formed a band called The Avengers with friends from school and the youth clubs, but gigs were few and far between so he jumped at the opportunity of joining The Lonely Ones in early 1962 changing his day job to accommodate the heavy schedule of gigs that The Lonely Ones were enjoying. By this time The Lonely Ones would occasionally have a guest support singer by the name of Ray Taylor, a friend who hung out with them and in time got to sing with them at a few gigs.
THE LONELY ONES #2 (EARLY 1962 - SUMMER 1962)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good
3) Jerry Bromley
4) Chris Warman
5) Jim Sach rhythm guitar
+
6) Ray Taylor vocals
Summer 1962
Ray Taylor became the band roadie for a while (before joining a rival band called The Countdowns under the alias of Layne Rogers) and The Lonely Ones added to the line-up a regular second singer (who did not have any musical experience) called Gene Anthony (real name: Eugene Squibb; his father was Jim Squibb, a well know speedway rider). Gene was very much the 'Elvis Presley' type of performer mostly singing rock and roll numbers, while Johnny Keeping was less flamboyant in style, singing the more melodic numbers. At this time Chris Warman became a spasmodic member of the band for a year or so (possibly because he went to play with another band called The Dowlands), so for the periods that he was unavailable, other drummers borrowed from local "rival" bands filling in for him, such as Johnny Picken of Ricky and The Hi-Lites (and formerly of The Avengers), Tony Burnett also of Ricky and The Hi-Lites (and formerly of The Buddy Britton Trio), Brian Ferguson, aka 'Fergy', of The Strangers (and formerly of the Three Stars), and Mike Lamb, the latter recruited by Johnny Keeping from a local modern jazz band called the Eric Reece Trio (and formerly of Johnny and The Phanters). Curiously, back then, the band wagon was Jerry Bromley's 1926 Rolls Royce, but unfortunately the car didn't last long. They did some damage to the sump and lost the oil doing a turn in a narrow London street. They thought no more of it until 60 miles later the engine starting knocking. The "big ends" had gone. The estimated cost of the repair was £100 which the band could not afford so the garage offered to pay £100 for the car (valued today at £70k!). They then hired a van and a roadie before they bought a Commer van.
Ray Taylor became the band roadie for a while (before joining a rival band called The Countdowns under the alias of Layne Rogers) and The Lonely Ones added to the line-up a regular second singer (who did not have any musical experience) called Gene Anthony (real name: Eugene Squibb; his father was Jim Squibb, a well know speedway rider). Gene was very much the 'Elvis Presley' type of performer mostly singing rock and roll numbers, while Johnny Keeping was less flamboyant in style, singing the more melodic numbers. At this time Chris Warman became a spasmodic member of the band for a year or so (possibly because he went to play with another band called The Dowlands), so for the periods that he was unavailable, other drummers borrowed from local "rival" bands filling in for him, such as Johnny Picken of Ricky and The Hi-Lites (and formerly of The Avengers), Tony Burnett also of Ricky and The Hi-Lites (and formerly of The Buddy Britton Trio), Brian Ferguson, aka 'Fergy', of The Strangers (and formerly of the Three Stars), and Mike Lamb, the latter recruited by Johnny Keeping from a local modern jazz band called the Eric Reece Trio (and formerly of Johnny and The Phanters). Curiously, back then, the band wagon was Jerry Bromley's 1926 Rolls Royce, but unfortunately the car didn't last long. They did some damage to the sump and lost the oil doing a turn in a narrow London street. They thought no more of it until 60 miles later the engine starting knocking. The "big ends" had gone. The estimated cost of the repair was £100 which the band could not afford so the garage offered to pay £100 for the car (valued today at £70k!). They then hired a van and a roadie before they bought a Commer van.
THE LONELY ONES #3 (SUMMER 1962 - AUGUST 1963)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good
3) Jerry Bromley
4) Chris Warman
5) Jim Sach
6) Gene Anthony vocals
+
7) Johnny Picken drums
8) Tony Burnett drums
9) Brian 'Fergy' Ferguson drums, vocals (falsetto voice for numbers like 'Hey Paula' when he would done a female wig)
10) Mike Lamb drums
The Lonely Ones #3, Southampton, 1962
1962 - 1963: Royal Pier Pavilion, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
The Royal Pier was the home venue for The Lonely Ones. It was managed by Len Canham who was also The Lonely Ones' personal manager and ran 'Avenue Artistes', the local agency that booked them until they joined the renowned 'Malcolm Nixon Agency' in mid 1964.
Friday, May 31, 1963: 'A Dance', Esso (Fawley) Recreation Club, Ashlett Road, Fawley, Hampshire
Sports Centre Committee present Fontana Recording Artistes: Frank Kelly and the "The Hunters" Supported by The "Lonely Ones" With Johnny Keeping and Gene Anthony. One show from 8:00pm to 12:30pm.
Monday, June 17, 1963: 'Home Grown', Southern Television (ITV Network) TV Show, Southern Independent Television Centre, Northam, Southampton, Hampshire (broadcast date)
The Lonely Ones (with Johnny Picken on drums but without Johnny Keeping and Gene Anthony) performed an instrumental beat arrangement of the classic 'Can Can'. The band also performed a vocal number with Johnny Keeping (Gene Anthony was not even there) at the audition but the panel chose the 'Can Can', probabily because Jim Sach and Jerry Bromley did high kicks whilst playing.
The Lonely Ones #3, 'Home Grown' TV Show, June 17, 1963 - from left: Jim Sach, Tony Good, Johnny Picken, and Jerry Bromley
August 1963
The Lonely Ones turned pro this month. However, Jerry Bromley didn't want to go pro so he left the band (he continued to play in local bands including The Threeways from Andover, then in 1972 he joined his old bandmates Jim Sach and Johnny Keeping in a band called Tapestry, and finally he sadly passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012, of heart failure in his sleep at home in Fair Oak, Hampshire, after a decade of declining health) and Jim Sach switched to bass.
THE LONELY ONES #4 (AUG 1963 - JANUARY 1, 1964)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good
3) Chris Warman
4) Gene Anthony
5) Jim Sach now on bass
The Lonely Ones #4, Southampton, August 1963
Wednesday, September 25, 1963: ‘Easy Beat at the Grand,’ Grand Cinema, Christchurch Street West, Frome, Somerset
The band was advertised as Gene Anthony and The Lonely Ones with Johnny Keeping. One show, started at 7:45pm.
Somerset Guardian/Standard (September 20, 1963)
Friday, September 27, 1963: Park Prewett Hospital, 1 Peggs Way, Park Village, Basingstoke, Hampshire
The band was advertised as 'Johnny Keeping & The Lonely Ones'. Also on the bill: Trevor Hall Orchestra, Mark Twayne [sic] and The Saxons.
Saturday, October 5, 1963: 400 Ballroom, Harbourside, Torquay, Devon
The band was advertised as Johnny Keeping, Gene Anthony with The Lonely Ones. One show, from 8:00pm to 11:30pm.
Herald Express (October 5, 1963)
Monday, October 7, 1963: 400 Ballroom, Harbourside, Torquay, Devon
The band was advertised as Johnny Keeping, Gene Anthony with The Lonely Ones. One show, from 8:00pm to 11:00pm.
Herald Express (October 7, 1963)
Friday, October 18, 1963: Lido Ballroom, Worthy Lane, Winchester, Hampshire
The band was advertised as 'Gene Anthony, Johnny Keeping & The Lonely Ones'. Also on the bill: Pete Mystery and The Redcoats.
Friday, October 25, 1963: Lido Ballroom, Worthy Lane, Winchester, Hampshire
The band was advertised as 'Gene Anthony, Johnny Keeping & The Lonely Ones'. Also on the bill: Pete Mystery and The Redcoats.
Monday, November 25, 1963: Top Twenty Club, Town Hall, Bridgwater, Somerset
The band was advertised as 'The Lonely Ones with Johnny Keeping and Gene Anthony'.
Sunday, December 1 - Tuesday, December 31, 1963: Storyville, Koln, Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring 32, Frankfurt, Germany
The Lonely Ones played here seven nights a week from 9:00pm to 2:00am, plus a matinee on Saturdays. A British singer named Paul Hanford (formerly of Paul Hanford and The Rhythm Seekers), who had a hit with 'Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini' back in 1960, joined the band over the festive season as "guest vocalist". The band could not fulfil its contract to the end of January 1964 due to Johnny Keeping contracting laryngitis. This residency at the Storyville was the start of the band transition from popular music to an earthier, gritty and tuff rhythm and blues sound.
Thursday, January 2, 1964
Gene Anthony and Chris Warman left The Lonely Ones (Gene went on to form Gene Anthony & The Trendsetters). Gene was not replaced while Chris was replaced by a local drummer called Johnny Watson, aka 'Tich', recruited from The Strangers (and also formerly of Clay Nicholls and The Blue Flames, The Graduates, Tony Sheridan and The Star Band, Vince Tayor and The Playboys, The Buddy Britton Trio, and Joe Brown and The Bruvvers).
THE LONELY ONES #5 (JANUARY 2, 1964 - FEBRUARY ?, 1964)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good
3) Jim Sach
4) Johnny 'Tich' Watson drums
Friday, January 3, 1964: unknown venue, Yate, South Glouchestershire
Monday, January 6, 1964: ‘Twist & Shout,’ Dowgate Hall, Tonbridge, Kent
The band was advertised as ‘Straight from the Star Club in Hamburg - the Fabulous Johnny Keeping, Gene Anthony and The Lonely-Ones.’ The show, which lasted from 7:45pm to 10:30pm, was presented by Eddie Curtis Promotions.
Monday, January 6, 1964: ‘Twist & Shout,’ Dowgate Hall, Tonbridge, Kent
The band was advertised as ‘Straight from the Star Club in Hamburg - the Fabulous Johnny Keeping, Gene Anthony and The Lonely-Ones.’ The show, which lasted from 7:45pm to 10:30pm, was presented by Eddie Curtis Promotions.
The Kent and Sussex Curier (January 3, 1964)
Wednesday, January 8, 1964: The Royal Ballrooms, 566 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset
Thursday, January 16, 1964: 'Teen Spectaculars', Marlands Hall, Marlands Road, Southampton, Hampshire
The band was advertised as 'Gene Anthony - Johnny Keeping & The Lonely Ones (Direct from Germany)'. Also on the bill: The Strangers.
Saturday, January 18, 1964: unknown venue, Bedford, Bedfordshire
Sunday, January 19, 1964: Il Rondo, Silver Street, Leicester, Leicestershire
Tuesday, January 21, 1964: Burdon Hotel, Weymouth, Dorset
Thursday, January 23, 1964: The Winter Gardens (aka The Wints), Alexandra Road, Penzance, Cornwall
Friday, January 24, 1964: unknown venue, New Milton, Hampshire
Saturday, January 25, 1964: ‘Jive, Twist and Shake,’ 400 Ballroom, Harbourside, Torquay, Devon
The band was advertised as Johnny Keeping, Gene Anthony with The Lonely Ones. One show, from 8:00pm to 11:30pm.
Herald Express (January 25, 1964)
Monday, January 27, 1964: ‘Jive, Twist and Shake,’ 400 Ballroom, Harbourside, Torquay, Devon
One show, from 8:00pm to 10:30pm.
Herald Express (January 27, 1964)
Tuesday, January 28, 1964: Tidworth Country Club, Tidworth, Wiltshire
Saturday, February 1, 1964: Locarno Ballroom, High Street, Old Town, Swindon, Wiltshire
Also on the bill: Julie Grant.
February ?, 1964
After a month or so Johnny Watson left The Lonely Ones (he went to play with The Star Combo before emigrated to Australia to become a car dealer) and was replaced by another local drummer called Johnny Baker, formerly of The Strangers, and Ricky and The Hi-Lites.
THE LONELY ONES #6 (FEBRUARY ?, 1964 - MARCH 2?, 1964)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good
3) Jim Sach
4) Johnny Baker drums
Tuesday, February 4, 1964: unknown venue, Clifford, West Yorkshire
Wednesday, February 5, 1964: The Royal Ballrooms, 566 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset
Saturday, February 8, 1964: Esso Recreation Club, Ashlett Road, Fawley, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Dynamos.
Sunday, February 9, 1964: Hillside Youth Club, Cheltenham Road, Paulsgrove, north Portsmouth, Hampshire
Wednesday, February 12, 1964: Il Rondo, Silver Street, Leicester, Leicestershire
Friday, February 14, 1964: Guildhall, West Marlands Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Kinsmen.
Saturday, February 15, 1964: 'School Dance', school hall, Itchen Grammar School, Middle Road, Butterne, Southampton, Hampshire
The Lonely Ones watched the performance of the opening act, The Countdowns, and were duly impressed by their drummer Roger Pope. They approached him after the show and Roger agreed to join them when his commitment to The Countdowns was finished a month or so later.
Tuesday, February 18, 1964: Banister Ballroom, Hulse Road Social Club, 23 Hulse Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Wednesday, February 19, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, February 21, 1964: 'Twist And Shake', Lido Ballroom, Worthy Lane, Winchester, Hampshire
The band was advertised as 'Johnny Keeping And The Lonely Ones'. Also on the bill: The Chants And Harlems. One show from 8:00pm to 11:30pm.
Wednesday, February 5, 1964: The Royal Ballrooms, 566 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset
Saturday, February 8, 1964: Esso Recreation Club, Ashlett Road, Fawley, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Dynamos.
Sunday, February 9, 1964: Hillside Youth Club, Cheltenham Road, Paulsgrove, north Portsmouth, Hampshire
Wednesday, February 12, 1964: Il Rondo, Silver Street, Leicester, Leicestershire
Friday, February 14, 1964: Guildhall, West Marlands Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Kinsmen.
Saturday, February 15, 1964: 'School Dance', school hall, Itchen Grammar School, Middle Road, Butterne, Southampton, Hampshire
The Lonely Ones watched the performance of the opening act, The Countdowns, and were duly impressed by their drummer Roger Pope. They approached him after the show and Roger agreed to join them when his commitment to The Countdowns was finished a month or so later.
Tuesday, February 18, 1964: Banister Ballroom, Hulse Road Social Club, 23 Hulse Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Wednesday, February 19, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, February 21, 1964: 'Twist And Shake', Lido Ballroom, Worthy Lane, Winchester, Hampshire
The band was advertised as 'Johnny Keeping And The Lonely Ones'. Also on the bill: The Chants And Harlems. One show from 8:00pm to 11:30pm.
Saturday, February 22, 1964: unknown venue, Guildford, Surrey
Sunday, February 23, 1964: The Grove Club, Marsden Road, Paulsgrove, north Portsmouth, Hampshire
Thursday, February 27, 1964: Village Hall, Ludgershall, Wiltshire
Friday, February 28, 1964: The Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin, Moray, Scotland
Friday, February 28, 1964: 'All-Nighter', unknown venue, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Saturday, February 29, 1964: unknown venue, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Sunday, March 1, 1964: Top Ten Club, The Palais, 31 South Tay Street, Dundee, Scotland
Monday, March 2, 1964: unknown venue, Thornhill, West Yorkshire
Wednesday, March 4, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, March 6, 1964: unknown venue, Whitchurch, Shropshire
Saturday, March 7, 1964: Dreamland Ballroom, 49-51 Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent
The band was advertised as Gene Anthony and Johnny Keeping with The Lonely Ones. Also on the bill: Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages. One show, from 8:00pm to 11:45pm.
Saturday, February 22, 1964: unknown venue, Guildford, Surrey
Sunday, February 23, 1964: The Grove Club, Marsden Road, Paulsgrove, north Portsmouth, Hampshire
Thursday, February 27, 1964: Village Hall, Ludgershall, Wiltshire
Friday, February 28, 1964: The Two Red Shoes Ballroom, Elgin, Moray, Scotland
Friday, February 28, 1964: 'All-Nighter', unknown venue, Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Saturday, February 29, 1964: unknown venue, Ellon, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
Sunday, March 1, 1964: Top Ten Club, The Palais, 31 South Tay Street, Dundee, Scotland
Monday, March 2, 1964: unknown venue, Thornhill, West Yorkshire
Wednesday, March 4, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, March 6, 1964: unknown venue, Whitchurch, Shropshire
Saturday, March 7, 1964: Dreamland Ballroom, 49-51 Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent
The band was advertised as Gene Anthony and Johnny Keeping with The Lonely Ones. Also on the bill: Screaming Lord Sutch and The Savages. One show, from 8:00pm to 11:45pm.
Whitstable Times (March 7, 1964)
East Kent Gazette (March 5, 1964)
Thanet Times (March 3, 1964)
|
East Kent Times (March 6, 1964)
|
Sunday, March 8, 1964: Il Rondo, Silver Street, Leicester, Leicestershire
Wednesday, March 11, 1964: The Royal Ballrooms, 566 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset
Thursday, March 12, 1964: Thorngate Hall, Bury Road, Gosport, Hampshire
Friday, March 13, 1964: unknown venue, Swansea, Galles
Saturday, March 14, 1964: Palais, Bury, Greater Manchester
Sunday, March 15, 1964: Three Coins Dance & Coffee Club, 64 Fountain Street off Market Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester
Wednesday, March 18, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, March 21, 1964: unknown venue, Oxford, Oxfordshire
Sunday, March 22, 1964: Hillside, Portsdown Hill, Hampshire
March 2?, 1964
The Lonely Ones added to the line-up the boy wonder Don Shinn (b. Donald John Walsh, Saturday, December 15, 1945, West Ham, East London, but just six months later he was adopted by the Shinn family and moved to Southampton, Hampshire), arguably one of the most influential organ players of his time. Initially Don played a Bird Duplex organ (it was 2 manual and a sort of poor man's Hammond) but a year later he switched to the superior L100 Hammond organ.
THE LONELY ONES #7 (MARCH 2?, 1964 - MARCH 28 or 29, 1964)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good
3) Jim Sach
4) Johnny Baker
5) Don Shinn organ
Thursday, March 26, 1964: Pill Social Centre, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed, Wales
Friday, March 27 - Saturday, March 28, 1964: Gateway Club, Northampton, Northamptonshire, East Midlands
Sunday, March 29 or Monday, March 30, 1964
After a month or so Johnny Baker leaves The Lonely Ones and was replaced by Roger Pope, aka 'Popey' (b. Roger S. Pope, Thursday, March 20, 1947, Whitestable, Kent - d. Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at Southampton General Hospital after a battle with a cancer). Pope, who began drumming at age 13 (his dad Ron (born in November 1923) was also a drummer in his day) and soon began playing in semi-pro rock bands such as The VanDells, The Dunc Campbell Combo, and The Countdowns, quit school to go pro with The Lonely Ones back then.
Friday, March 27 - Saturday, March 28, 1964: Gateway Club, Northampton, Northamptonshire, East Midlands
Sunday, March 29 or Monday, March 30, 1964
After a month or so Johnny Baker leaves The Lonely Ones and was replaced by Roger Pope, aka 'Popey' (b. Roger S. Pope, Thursday, March 20, 1947, Whitestable, Kent - d. Tuesday, September 17, 2013, at Southampton General Hospital after a battle with a cancer). Pope, who began drumming at age 13 (his dad Ron (born in November 1923) was also a drummer in his day) and soon began playing in semi-pro rock bands such as The VanDells, The Dunc Campbell Combo, and The Countdowns, quit school to go pro with The Lonely Ones back then.
THE LONELY ONES #8 (MARCH 29 or 30, 1964 - MAY 1964) / THE SOUL AGENTS #1 (APRIL 4, 1964 - DECEMBER 2, 1964)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good from now on also on harp
3) Jim Sach
4) Don Shinn
5) Roger Pope drums
The Soul Agents #1, Southampton, 1964 - from top left (clockwise): Don Shinn, Tony Good, Johnny Keeping, Jim Sach, and Roger Pope
The Soul Agents #1, London, 1964 - from left: Don Shinn, Johnny Keeping, Jim Sach, Tony Good, and Roger Pope
The Soul Agents #1, Hyde Park, London, 1964 - from left: Johnny Keeping, Don Shinn, Jim Sach, Roger Pope, and Tony Good
|
The Soul Agents #1, London, 1964 - from left: Don Shinn, Johnny Keeping, Jim Sach, Roger Pope, and Tony Good
The Soul Agents #1, London, 1964 - from left: Don Shinn, Johnny Keeping, Jim Sach, Tony Good, and Roger Pope
The Soul Agents #1's autographs
|
The Soul Agents #1, 1964 - from left: Roger Pope, Tony Good, Don Shinn, Johnny Keeping, and Jim Sach
The Soul Agents #1, from left: Roger Pope, Jim Sach, Tony Good, Don Shinn, and Johnny Keeping
The Soul Agents #1, 1964 - from left: Johnny Keeping, Don Shinn, Tony Good, Roger Pope, and Jim Sach
The Soul Agents #1, 1964 - from left: Jim Sach, Don Shinn, Tony Good, Johnny Keeping, and Roger Pope
|
The Soul Agents #1, 1964 - from left: Roger Pope, Tony Good, Don Shinn, Jim Sach, and Johnny Keeping
|
Tuesday, March 31, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Wednesday, April 1, 1964: Gateway Club, Northampton, Northamptonshire, East Midlands
Friday, April 3, 1964: unknown venue, Hamble-le-Rice, Hampshire
Saturday, April 4, 1964: Scala Ballroom, 37 Essex Road, Dartford, Kent
Tonight, the Lonely Ones debuted with their new name The Soul Agents, from a Salvation Army poster which proclaimed, “We are the soul agents for this area.”
Tuesday, April 7, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Thursday, April 9, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Ron Pope, Roger's dad, used to run this club so this is why his son's band play regularly there for several months this year.
Friday, April 10, 1964: The Aurora Hotel, Gillingham, Kent
Saturday, April 11, 1964: 'School Dance', school hall, Itchen Grammar School, Middle Road, Butterne, Southampton, Hampshire
Sunday, April 12, 1964: Clarence Pier, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Hampshire
Also on the bill: Terry and The New Cons.
Tuesday, April 14, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Wednesday, April 15, 1964: The Royal Ballrooms, 566 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset
Friday, April 17, 1964: unknown venue, Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Saturday, April 18, 1964: ‘Live Show & Big Beat Dance,’ Coleford British Legion Hall and Club, Coleford, Gloucestershire
The band was still advertised as Johnny Keeping and The Lonely Ones. Also on the bill: The Buckshots. One show, from 8:00pm to 12 midnight.
Somerset Guardian/Standard (April 17, 1964)
Monday, April 20, 1964: unknown venue, Parkstone, Dorset
Tuesday, April 21, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Wednesday, April 22, 1964: ‘Easy Beat at the Grand - Tip-Top Show,’ Grand Cinema, Christchurch Street West, Frome, Somerset
The band was still advertised as The Lonely Ones. One show, started at 7:45pm.
Somerset Guardian/Standard (April 17, 1964)
Thursday, April 23, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, April 25, 1964: Burdon Hotel, Weymouth, Dorset
Sunday, April 26, 1964: unknown venue, Sarisbury Green, Fareham, Hampshire
Tuesday, April 28, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Wednesday, April 29, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Thursday, April 30, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, May 1, 1964: Crosfield Hall, Broadwater Road, Romsey, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Strangers. One show, from 8:00pm to 11:30pm.
Saturday, May 2, 1964: Flamingo Ballroom, Illogan Highway, Pool, b/w Redruth and Camborne, Cornwall
The band was still advertised as Johnny Keeping and The Lonely Ones. Also on the bill: Billy Black and The Blue Stars.
Cornish Guardian (April 30, 1964)
Sunday, May 3, 1964: Flamingo Ballroom, Illogan Highway, Pool, b/w Redruth and Camborne, Cornwall
Thursday, May 7, 1964: Kimbells Ballroom, Osborne Road, Southsea, Hampshire
Friday, May 8, 1964: The Mojo R. & B. Club, Three Bridges Junior School Hall, Crawley, West Sussex
Saturday, May 9, 1964: unknown venue, Sevenoaks, Kent
Sunday, May 10, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Tuesday, May 12, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Thursday, May 14, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, May 15, 1964: unknown venue, Charlton Village, Charlton, London Borough of Greenwich, Greater London
Saturday, May 16, 1964: Norik Club, Egham, Runnymede, Surrey
Sunday, May 17, 1964: Rendezvous Club, Dreamland Ballroom, 49-51 Marine Terrace, Margate, Kent
One show, started at 7:45pm.
Thanes Times (May 12, 1964)
|
East Kent Times (May 15, 1964)
|
Monday, May 18, 1964: unknown venue, Winchester, Hampshire
Tuesday, May 19, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Thursday, May 21, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, May 22, 1964: unknown venue, Sarisbury Green, Fareham, Hampshire
Saturday, May 23, 1964: 400 Club, Torquay, Devon
Monday, May 25, 1964: 400 Club, Torquay, Devon
Tuesday, May 26, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Wednesday, May 27, 1964: The Royal Ballrooms, 566 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset
Thursday, May 28, 1964: unknown venue, Sale, Greater Manchester
Friday, May 29, 1964: Town Hall, Church Road, Lydney, Glouchestershire
Saturday, May 30, 1964: unknown venue, Stoke Aldermoor, Coventry, West Midlands
Sunday, May 31, 1964: Imperial Ballroom, Market Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire
Tuesday, June 2, 1964 (some wrong sources say "June 5, 1964")
The Soul Agents' debut single, 'I Just Want To Make Love To You (aka I just Wanna Make Love To You) / Mean Woman Blues' (Pye 7N 15660), was released in the UK. Unfortunately the band failed to dent the charts with this one and also with any of their following releases. 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' was a cover (with a minor variation lyrics) of a 1954 blues song written by Willie Dixon and first recorded by Muddy Waters with the original title of 'Just Make Love To Me', while 'Mean Woman Blues' was a cover of a 1957 12-bar slowed down blues song written by Claude Demetruis and first recorded by Elvis Presley. 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' was later included on the Various Artists LP/CD compilation, 'English Freakbeat Volume 2' (1996; Archive International Productions AIP CD 1047) and then also on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'That British Sound Volume Eleven' (2001; Blakey Records BLCD-063). 'Mean Woman Blues' was later included on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'Doin' The Mod Volume 3 - Maximum R&B' (2001; Castle Music CMRCD 283). Both songs were also included on the Various Artists LP/CD compilation, 'English Freakbeat Volume 4' (1997; Archive International Productions AIP CD 1051).
Record Mirror (June 6, 1964)
|
|
single ad
|
|
|
|
Thursday, June 4, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, June 6, 1964: 'Big Beat Dance', Blue Lagoon Ballroom, Clacton Pier, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex
Also on the bill: The Shamrocks. One show from 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
Monday, June 8, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
The Soul Agents #1, The Cellar Club, Poole, 1964
The Soul Agents #1, The Cellar Club, Poole, 1964 - from left: Tony Good, Jim Sach, Don Shinn, Roger Pope, and Johnny Keeping
|
article about The Soul Agents #1 at The Cellar Club, Poole, 1964
|
Tuesday, June 9, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Windsor, Berkshire
Thursday, June 11, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, June 12, 1964: Totton Youth Club, Testwood School, Testwood Lane, Totton, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, June 13, 1964: Agincourt Hall, 487 London Road, Camberley, Surrey
Sunday, June 14, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Monday, June 15, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Thursday, June 18, 1964: Locarno Ballroom, High Street, Old Town, Swindon, Wiltshire
Also on the bill: Millie and The Five Embers.
Friday, June 19, 1964: Uncle Bonnie Manzi's Chinese Jazz Club, Brighton, East Sussex
Saturday, June 20, 1964: 'Gazette', ABC-TV Show, Studio 6, Granada Studios, Quay Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester
'Gazette' was a comedy-chat-music-magazine show that was broadcasted live on Saturdays. The Soul Agents perfom 'I Just Want To Make Love To You'. Also on the bill: The Scaffold, Beryl Reid, Spike Milligan, Ted Ray, and Susan Maughan.
Sunday, June 21, 1964: Wheelhouse, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset
Monday, June 22, 1964: Hermitage Ballroom, Hermitage Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Tuesday, June 23, 1964: Downs Motel, Hassocks, West Sussex
Thursday, June 25, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, June 26, 1964: Burdon Hotel, Weymouth, Dorset
Saturday, June 27, 1964: Rendezvous Club, Oddfellows Hall, Kingston Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Sunday, June 28, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Monday, June 29, 1964: 'Day By Day', Southern Television (ITV Network) TV Show, Southern Independent Television Centre, Northam, Southampton, Hampshire
'Day By Day' was a daily news magazine that was broadcasted live between 5:55pm and 6.40pm in the south of England. The Soul Agents perfom 'I Just Want To Make Love To You'.
Monday, June 29, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset (evening show)
July 1964
The Soul Agents' debut single, 'I Just Want To Make Love To You / Mean Woman Blues' (Interphon IN-7702), was also released in the US.
|
|
Thursday, July 2 - Friday, July 3, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, July 4, 1964: unknown venue, Dartford, Kent
Sunday, July 5, 1964: unknown venue, Watford, Hertfordshire
Monday, July 6, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Wednesday, July 8, 1964: ‘Easy - Beat at the Grand,’ Grand Cinema, Christchurch Street West, Frome, Somerset
One show, started at 7:45pm.
Somerset Guardian/Standard (July 3, 1964)
Thursday, July 9, 1964: Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey
Friday, July 10, 1964: Guildhall, West Marlands Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, July 11, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Monday, July 13, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Tuesday, July 14, 1964: McIlroy's Ballroom, Havelock Square, Swindon, Wiltshire
Wednesday, July 15, 1964: unknown venue, Farnborough, Hampshire
Thursday, July 16, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, July 17, 1964: Pill Social Centre, Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed, Wales
Saturday, July 18, 1964: 'Taunton's Summer Ball', Taunton's School, Highfield Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Sunday, July 19, 1964: Bure Homage Country Club, Bure Lane, Mudeford, Dorset
Monday, July 20, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Wednesday, July 22, 1964: Cavern Club, Bournemouth, Dorset
Friday, July 24, 1964: Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley, Kent
Saturday, July 25, 1964: Town Hall, Norton Road, Hove, East Sussex
Also on the bill: Memphis Slim, Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men.
Sunday, July 26, 1964: unknown venue, Manchester, Greater Manchester
Monday, July 27, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Friday, July 31, 1964: The Mojo R. & B. Club, The Northgate Youth Centre, Crawley, West Sussex
Sunday, August 2 - Monday, August 3, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Tuesday, August 4, 1964: Copper Kettle, High Street, Andover, Hampshire
The show started at 7:30pm.
Wednesday, August 5, 1964: Orford Cellar, 25 Red Lion Street, Norwich, Norfolk
Friday, August 7, 1964: Riverboat Shuffle, Bournemouth, Dorset
Saturday, August 8, 1964: unknown venue, Feltham, London Borough of Hounslow, Greater London
Sunday, August 9, 1964: Jazz Club, P.M.C. Hotel Leofric, Broadgate, Coventry, Warwickshire
Also on the bill: Dave Goldberg with George Watts.
Coventry Evening Telegraph (August 8, 1964)
Monday, August 10, 1964: Gateway Club, Northampton, Northamptonshire, East Midlands
Wednesday, August 12, 1964: Le Disque A Go! Go!, 9 Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth, Dorset
Thursday, August 13, 1964: Olympia Ballroom, 75-77 London Street, Reading, Berkshire
Friday, August 14, 1964: Cavern Club, 11 Cromford Court (off Market Street), Manchester, Greater Manchester
Monday, August 17, 1964: Parr Hall, Warrington, Palmyra Square Street, Cheshire
Tuesday, August 18, 1964: Stamford Hall, Altrincham, Cheshire
Thursday, August 20, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, August 21, 1964: The Mojo R. & B. Club, The Northgate Youth Centre, Crawley, West Sussex
Saturday, August 22, 1964: The Top Ten Club, Corn Exchange, St Paul's Square, Bedford, Bedfordshire
Also on the bill: The Four Hits And A Miss.
|
Bedfordshire Times
|
Sunday, August 23, 1964: The Dungeon Club, 6 Stamford Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
One show, started at 7:30pm.
Evening Post and News (August 22, 1964)
Sunday, August 30, 1964: Imperial Ballroom, Market Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire
Monday, August 31, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Tuesday, September 1, 1964: The Attic Club, 1A High Street, Hounslow, London Borough of Hounslow, Greater London
Friday, September 4, 1964: Bamboo Club, Salisbury, Wilthshire
Saturday, September 5, 1964: Thorngate Hall, Bury Road, Gosport, Hampshire
Sunday, September 6, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Monday, September 7, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Tuesday, September 8, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, September 11, 1964: Club Creole, Rex Ballroom, Wilmslow, Cheshire
Saturday, September 12, 1964: Twisted Wheel, 26 Brazennose Street off Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester
Also on the bill: Jimmy Powell and The Five Dimensions.
Sunday, September 13, 1964: The Place, 67 Bryan Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Tuesday, September 15, 1964: Three Coins, Albion Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire
Wednesday, September 16, 1964: unknown venue, Sevenoaks, Kent
Friday, September 18, 1964: Uncle Bonnie Manzi's Chinese Jazz Club, Brighton, East Sussex
The Soul Agents also backed up the great late American blues harmonica player Little Walter tonight.
Saturday, September 19, 1964: The Attic Club, 1A High Street, Hounslow, London Borough of Hounslow, Greater London
Sunday, September 20, 1964: Cavern Club, 11 Cromford Court (off Market Street), Manchester, Greater Manchester
Monday, September 21, 1964: The Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, 111 Burgess Road, Southampton, Hampshire
The Soul Agents also backed up Little Walter tonight.
Friday, September 25, 1964: Lido Ballroom, Worthy Lane, Winchester, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Crescendoes.
Saturday, September 26, 1964: Little Barrow cottages farm, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glouchestershire
Sunday, September 27, 1964: The Witch Doctor, Marine Court, St Leonards-on-Sea, Hastings, East Sussex
Monday, September 28, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Thursday, October 1, 1964: University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, Hampshire (afternoon show)
"Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men were playing at Southampton Unversity. We got to open the bill for them as The Soul Agents". Roger Pope remembered in Paul Anderson's book Mods: The New Religion, "Personally, at that time I was already pissed off with our singer Johnny Keeping, who seemed to be more interested in running his dad's painting and decoration shop. After we'd finished playing, Tony Good and me were watching the band waiting for this guy called Rod Stewart to come on. When he did, it was like wow! The Hoochie Coochie Men were a good little band. Rod came on, and only did about 20 minutes because Long John Baldry wasn't having someone steal his glory. I said to Tony, 'Let's ask him to join our band. We'll get rid of Johnny.' So we went backstage, and pulled Rod to one side, told him we liked his voice, and asked if he fancied joining us. He told us that he really liked our band, but seemed unsure about joining, so said he'd think about it and ring us. We didn't really think anything would come of it but obviously he was fed up of playing second string to Baldry because he rang the next day. 'I'd like to join our band.... but I want a third of what you earn.' Tony didn't seem happy with that because money wasn't that great even though we were surviving. I reassured him by convincing him that with Rod on board our money would go up anyway."
Friday, October 2, 1964: Norik Club, Egham, Runnymede, Surrey
Also on the bill: Little Richard.
Saturday, October 3, 1964: Rendezvous Club, Oddfellows Hall, Kingston Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, The Downliners Sect.
Sunday, October 4, 1964: Hen & Chickens, Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, West Midlands
Monday, October 5, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Wednesday, October 7, 1964: Il Rondo, Silver Street, Leicester, Leicestershire
Saturday, October 10, 1964: The Attic Club, 1A High Street, Hounslow, London Borough of Hounslow, Greater London
Also on the bill: unknown supporting group. The show, which started at 7:30pm, was presented by Channell Entertainments Ltd.
Record Mirror (October 10, 1964)
Sunday, October 11, 1964: Blue Indigo, Bay Tree Inn, 10 New Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Monday, October 12, 1964: Hermitage Ballroom, Hermitage Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Thursday, October 15, 1964 (some wrong sources say "October 9, 1964")
The Soul Agents' second single, 'The Seventh Son / Let's Make It, Pretty Baby' (Pye 7N 15707), was released in the UK (some sources wrongly claim that the single was released on October 9, but this was actually only the date of when advance promotion copies of the disc were distribuited by Pye Records to mass media industry people). Although, as mentioned before, none of their releases entered the "official" charts, this second single went anyway to number one in the juke box charts in Liverpool. 'The Seventh Son', another cover of a 1955 blues song written by Willie Dixon, was posthumously included on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'Doin' The Mod Volume 1 - Go Go The Train' (2000; Castle Music NEMCD 479) and then also on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'That Driving Beat Volume 5' (2004; Past And Present PAPRCD 2056). 'Let's Make It, Pretty Baby', a cover of a 1962 blues song written by the great late legendary American blues singer-songwriter and guitarist John Lee Hooker, was posthumously included on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'Doin' The Mod Volume 3 - Maximum R&B' (2001; Castle Music CMRCD 283) and then also on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'That Driving Beat - UK Freakbeat Rarities - 32 Track Collection Of Rare British Freakbeat 1963-1967' (2003; Past And Present PAPRCD 2003).
|
|
Record Mirror (October 10, 1964)
Record Mirror (October 17, 1964)
|
Record Mirror (October 17, 1964)
|
Thursday, October 15, 1964: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men. Curiously, The Soul Agents were not billed in the Marquee monthly programme schedule maybe because at that time the Marquee people do not billed their supporting act (like The Soul Agents tonight) on a regular basis.
Friday, October 16, 1964: Starlite Ballroom, Allendale Road, Greenford, London Borough of Ealing, Greater London
Saturday, October 17, 1964: Rendezvous Club, Oddfellows Hall, Kingston Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Sunday, October 18, 1964: Imperial Ballroom, Market Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire
Monday, October 19, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Wednesday, October 21, 1964: Disc-A-Go-Go, Bournemouth, Dorset
Friday, October 23, 1964: unknown venue, Beverley, Yorkshire
Saturday, October 24, 1964: Stamford Hall, Altrincham, Cheshire
Sunday, October 25, 1964: Jazz Club, P.M.C. Hotel Leofric, Broadgate, Coventry, Warwickshire
One show, started at 7:00pm. Also on the bill: Vic Ash.
Coventry Evening Telegraph (October 21, 1964)
|
Coventry Evening Telegraph (October 23, 1964)
|
Monday, October 26, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Wednesday, October 28, 1964: The Orford Blues Cellar, 25 Red Lion Street, Norwich, Norfolk
One show, started at 8:00pm.
Friday, October 30, 1964: Cavern Club, 11 Cromford Court (off Market Street), Manchester, Greater Manchester
Saturday, October 31, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Clewer Mead (a semi-derelict river-side mansion), Windsor, Berkshire
Also on the bill: Sister Rosetta Tharpe (backed up by The Five Dimensions).
Sunday, November 1, 1964: dance hall, Eel Pie Island Hotel, Eel Pie Island, River Thames at Twickenham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
Monday, November 2, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Wednesday, November 4, 1964: unknown venue, Oxford, Oxfordshire
Thursday, November 5, 1964: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, November 6, 1964: Little Fat Black Pussy Cat, Millergate Tunnel under Sunbridge Road, Millergate, Bradford, West Yorkshire
Saturday, November 7, 1964: The Attic Club, 1A High Street, Hounslow, London Borough of Hounslow, Greater London
Sunday, November 8, 1964: unknown venue, Sarisbury Green, Fareham, Hampshire
Monday, November 9, 1964: The Cellar Club, Poole, Dorset
Friday, November 13, 1964: Ricky-Tick, Guildford, Surrey
Saturday, November 14, 1964: 400 Ballroom, Harbourside, Torquay, Devon
Herald Express
|
Herald Express (November 12, 1964)
|
Herald Express (November 14, 1964)
Saturday, November 21, 1964: (Junior) Cavern Club, 10 Mathew Street, Liverpool, Merseyside
One show, started at 1:00pm. Also on the bill: The Kubas.
Saturday, November 21, 1964: Cavern Club, 10 Mathew Street, Liverpool, Merseyside
One show, started at 7:00pm. Also on the bill: The Spidermen, The Easy Beats, The Kreeps.
Liverpool Echo and Evening Express (November 20, 1964)
Monday, November 23, 1964: 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: The King B Four. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
Wednesday, November 25, 1964: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
November 1964
The Soul Agents' single, 'The Seventh Son / Mean Woman Blues' (Pye 7N 15707) was released only in Denmark. Curiously, this single coupled the two A-sides of the band's previously UK singles. Also at the same time, The Soul Agents' EP, 'Mean Woman Blues / Solo Quiero Amarte (aka I Just Want To Make Love To You) / Hagamoslo Agradable Nena (aka Let's Make It, Pretty Baby) / El Septimo Hijo (aka The Seventh Son)' (Pye PYEP 2065), was released only in Spain. This extend play contained all the four songs of the band's previously two UK singles. By the way, both these discs are the only picture sleeve issues around so far.
Denmark single
|
Spain EP
|
1964: Bristol Chinese R&B Jazz Club, Corn Exchange, Corn Street, Bristol, Glouchestershire
1964: The King Mojo Cub, Dey's Ballroom and School of Dance, Barnsley Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Also on the bill: John Mayall's Bluesbreakers.
1964
The Soul Agents' debut single, 'I Just Want To Make Love To You / Mean Woman Blues' (Pye 748), was also released in Canada.
1964
The Soul Agents' second single, 'The Seventh Son / Let's Make It, Pretty Baby' (Pye 7N 15707), was also released in Netherlands.
|
|
Wednesday, December 2, 1964
Through the 'Malcolm Nixon Agency', The Soul Agents teamed up with the not yet famous singer Rod Stewart (b. Roderick David Stewart, Wednesday, January 10, 1945, 507 Archway Road, Highgate, North London, UK). Stewart, known to friends as 'Rod the Mod' back then, had left Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men a month before to pursue a solo career and his managers John Rowlands and Geoff Wright went looking to find a band to back him up and finally decided on The Soul Agents. There was no formal agreement/contract to Rod joining the band other than individual gig contracts that went out as 'Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents'. Unfortunately Rod and The Soul Agents were never able to record together as they were contracted to different labels back then. "So he came down to join us in Southampton", Roger Pope remembered in Paul Anderson's book Mods: The New Religion, "and we rehearsed down the Waterfront Club. Rod stayed at my mum's house. I remember on the first day Rod turned to me and said, 'Ere, Rog, you know when a guest comes round it's polite for your mum to offer a guest drink', because he could see a bottle of whisky in the cupboard. So I told mum to offer him a drink, which she duly did. He drank it with orange squash, and drank the whole fucking bottle!" "Rod had a suit made out of a butcher's apron." Roger Pope also remembered, "After he'd worn it a couple of times he gave it to me. I used to wear it with a pair of white shoes and bleached hair. I think Rod had more of an effect on me from the point of view of how you dressed. He had this sort of gingery orangey tweed jacket that he had made with big bell bottom-type sleeves, double-breasted. Beautiful it was! I said to him, 'I fucking love that!', and he just gave it to me. I'd worked in Hepworths designing suits so I liked Rod.... he was a Beau Brummell. I loved his dress sense because he always looked good, He'd wear something for a night, and then the next night he'd sell it out of the back of our van."
ROD STEWART AND THE SOUL AGENTS #1 (DECEMBER 3, 1964 - FEBRUARY 19, 1965)
1) Johnny Keeping
2) Tony Good
3) Jim Sach
4) Don Shinn
5) Roger Pope
6) Rod Stewart lead vocals
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents #1's autographs
Thursday, December 3, 1964: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men. Without rehearsal Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents performed together for the first time tonight (usually Johnny Keeping would do the first set and Rod Stewart would do the second set). While he sang rhythm and blues numbers with the band, one of Rod's ambitions at that time was to sing with the Count Basie Orchestra and this came through in the swing numbers the band did with him. Occasionally Rod also perfomed a solo acoustic set of blues numbers accompanying himself on acoustic guitar backed up by Jim Sach on bass. Curiously, the Marquee monthly programme schedule advertised (as supporting act) only Rod Stewart and not The Soul Agents, just because the programme was printed a month before when Rod was still a solo act and he had not yet teamed up with the band exactly. Anyway, Rod would often make his own way to gigs as he lived in Highgate, North London (his parents had taken over a newsagents with a two bedroomed flat above in Archway Road), whereas The Soul Agents were based in Southampton. Sometimes The Soul Agents would pick him up from home in their Commer van and Rod would while his time away on the journey drawing erotic graffiti on the doors and headlining!
|
Melody Maker (December 19, 1964)
|
Friday, December 4, 1964: University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, December 5, 1964: Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall, Rossendale Valley, Lancashire
Sunday, December 6, 1964: Hen & Chickens, Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, West Midlands
Wednesday, December 9, 1964: The Orford Cellar, 25 Red Lion Street, Norwich, Norfolk
One show, started at 8:00pm.
Thursday, December 10, 1964: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Sheffields. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm. In the Marquee monthly programme schedule Rod Stewart was again advertised as solo supporting act just because, as I said above, the programme was printed a month before when the singer was still a solo act and had not yet teamed up with The Soul Agents.
Record Mirror (December 12, 1964)
Friday, December 11, 1964: unknown venue, New Milton, Hampshire
Saturday, December 12, 1964: Wigan Casino, Wigan, Greater Manchester
Saturday, December 12, 1964: 'All-Nighter', Cubi Klub, Slack Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Sunday, December 13, 1964: Wheelhouse, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset
Thursday, December 17, 1964: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London (cancelled)
Also on the bill: Jimmy Powell and The Five Dimensions. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm. In the Marquee monthly programme schedule Rod Stewart was again advertised as solo supporting act just because, as I said above, the programme was printed a month before when the singer was still a solo act and had not yet teamed up with The Soul Agents. Anyway, Rod and the band finally cancelled this gig because they were contracted to play at another venue that same night (see below).
Melody Maker (December 19, 1974)
|
|
Thursday, December 17, 1964: The Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, 111 Burgess Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, December 19, 1964: Rhodes Centre, 1-3 South Road, Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Also on the bill: The Exiles. The show, which lasted from 8pm to 12 midnight, was presented by Limelight and Mark Gold Promotions.
The Herts and Essex Observer (December 18, 1964)
Sunday, December 20, 1964: Bromel Club, Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley Hill, Bromley, Kent
Monday, December 21, 1964: Top Twenty Club, Town Hall, Bridgwater, Somerset
Tuesday, December 22, 1964: Town Hall, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, Hampshire
Thursday, December 24, 1964: 'Long John's XMas Party', Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London (Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents cancelled)
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents were advertised to play but they finally canceled their appearance because they were contracted to play at another venue that same night (see below).
Thursday, December 24, 1964: Town Hall, Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Sunday, December 27, 1964: unknown venue, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire
Wednesday, December 30, 1964: ‘Easy-Beat at the Grand,’ Grand Cinema, Christchurch Street West, Frome, Somerset
Somerset Guardian/Standard (December 23, 1964)
Thursday, December 31, 1964: 'Old Year Out - New Year In', Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men, Sonny Boy Williamson II, Chris Barber's Blues Band. One show, from 7:30pm to 12:30am.
1965
The Soul Agents' second single, 'The Seventh Son / Let's Make It, Pretty Baby' (Cameo Parkway 350), was also released in the US.
Friday, January 1, 1965: Manchester College of IT & Business, 105-107 Princess Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester
Sunday, January 3, 1965 (?): Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
The venue was full to capacity that night and many were turned away. Johnny Keeping did the first as usual, and when Rod Stewart came on the place stood still and he had the audience in the palm of his hand!
Thursday, January 7, 1965: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
Record Mirror (January 9, 1965)
Friday, January 8, 1965: Dungeon Club, 6 Stamford Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
The gig was advertised as 'Good Morning Little Schoolgirl - Rod Stewart & the Soul Agents'.
Sunday, January 10, 1965: Hen & Chickens, Causeway Green Road, Oldbury, West Midlands
Thursday, January 14, 1965: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Alex Harvey Soul Band. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
Record Mirror (January 16, 1965)
Friday, January 15, 1965: Chelsea College of Art and Design, 16 John Islip Street, Chelsea, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, Greater London
Sunday, January 17, 1965: dance hall, Eel Pie Island Hotel, Eel Pie Island, River Thames at Twickenham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
The band was paid 60 pounds for this gig.
Thursday, January 21, 1965: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Jimmy Powell and The Five Dimensions. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00m.
|
Record Mirror (January 23, 1965)
|
Melody Maker (January 23, 1965)
|
Friday, January 22, 1965: Uncle Bonnie Manzi's Chinese Jazz Club, Brighton, East Sussex
Saturday, January 23, 1965: 'WUS Dance,' University Refectory, University of Southampton campus, 40 University Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Confederates. One show, from 8pm to 11:30pm.
Sunday, January 24, 1965: Imperial Ballroom, Market Street, Eastleigh, Hampshire
Thursday, January 28, 1965: 'An Evening With The Blues', Marquee Cub, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Sonny Boy Williamson II (who filled in for the early advertised T-Bone Walker), Chris Barber's Blues Band, Alex Harvey and His Soul Band. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:30pm.
Saturday, January 30, 1965: University of Nottingham, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Sunday, January 31, 1965: 'All-Nighter', Cubi Klub, Slack Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Thursday, February 4, 1965: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London (cancelled)
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men. Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents were advertised as supporting act on the Marquee monthly programme schedule, but they cancelled at last minute because they were contracted to play at another venue that same night (see below).
Thursday, February 4, 1965: The Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, 111 Burgess Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, February 5, 1965: The King Mojo Cub, Dey's Ballroom and School of Dance, Barnsley Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Saturday, February 6, 1965: Little Fat Black Pussy Cat, Millergate Tunnel under Sunbridge Road, Millergate, Bradford, West Yorkshire
Sunday, February 7, 1965: Gyro Club, Troutbeck Hotel, Crossbeck Road, Ilkley, Bradford, West Yorkshire
Monday, February 8, 1965: Cooks Ferry Inn, Angel Road, Edmonton, London Brough of Enfield, Greater London
Tuesday, February 9, 1965: Aylesbury Bluesville, Borough Assembly Hall, Market Square, Aylesbury, Buckingahmshire
Thursday, February 11, 1965: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London (Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents cancelled)
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men. Although early advertised in the Marquee monthly programme, Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents cancelled their appearance at last minute and were replaced by The Sheffields.
Friday, February 12, 1965: Glenlyn Ballroom, 15 Perry Vale, Forest Hill, London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London
Saturday, February 13, 1965: Twisted Wheel, 26 Brazennose Street off Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester
The band was misspelled as 'Rod Stuart and The Soul Agents' on the ad. Also on the bill: The Five Dimensions. Two shows, 7:00pm to 11:00pm and 12 midnight to 6:30am.
Sunday, February 14, 1965: The Place, 67 Bryan Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
Thursday, February 18, 1965: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Jimmy Powell and The Five Dimensions. This time Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents were back as the main act on the bill. By the way, besides playing at the Marquee, the band had also their one and only rehearsal with the legendary American blues guitarist and singer Buddy Guy today, before started to backed him up on his UK tour which started the next day.
Friday, February 19, 1965
The Soul Agents' third single, 'Don't Break It Up / Gospel Train' (Pye 7N 15768), was released only in the UK. 'Don't Break It Up', a gritty pop number written by the famous English songwriters duo of Ken Howard and Alan Blaikley, was posthumously included on the Various Artists LP/CD compilation, 'English Freakbeat Volume 4' (1997; Archive International Productions AIP CD 1051) and then also on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'Doin' The Mod Volume 2 - Jump And Dance' (2001; Castle Music CMRCD 097). 'Gospel Train', a classy Hammond organ mod dancin' instrumental written by the band members Tony Good, Jim Sach, Don Shinn and Roger Pope, was posthumously included on the Various Artists LP/CD compilation, 'English Freakbeat Volume 2' (1996; Archive International Productions AIP CD 1047) and then also on the Various Artists CD compilation, 'Doin' The Mod Volume 1 - Go Go The Train' (2000; Castle Music NEMCD 479). At that time 'Gospel Train' was subsequently used as a signature tune for an unknown programme on Radio Caroline.
|
|
Friday, February 19, 1965: 'Ready, Steady, Go!', ITV-Rediffusion TV Show, Studio 5, Wembley Studios, 128 Wembley Park Drive, Wembley, London Borough of Brent, Greater London
Also on the bill: Buddy Guy, Roy Orbison, Johnny Rivers, The Rockin' Berries, Georgie Fame and The Blue Flames. The Soul Agents (without Rod Stewart) perform 'Don't Break It Up', then backed up Buddy Guy in a couple of unknown numbers, and finally they closed the show with 'Gospel Train' with the credits running over them. The show was taped in the afternoon and broadcasted later that same evening. Just after the taping, Johnny Keeping left the band to care for his ailing father and take over the painting and decorating family business back in St. Mary's Street, Southampton.
ROD STEWART AND THE SOUL AGENTS #2 (FEBRUARY 19, 1965 - APRIL 10, 1965)
1) Tony Good
2) Jim Sach
3) Don Shinn
4) Roger Pope
5) Rod Stewart
(Rod Stewart and) The Soul Agents #2, Southampton, 1965 - from left: Jim Sach, Roger Pope, Don Shinn, and Tony Good
Friday, February 19, 1965: New Fender Club, Conservative Hall, Kenton, Middlesex (evening show)
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Saturday, February 20, 1965: The Ware Drill Hall, Ware, Hertfordshire
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Sunday, February 21, 1965: Jazz Club, P.M.C. Hotel Leofric, Broadgate, Coventry, Warwickshire
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents played the first set, and then the band only backed up the headliner Buddy Guy for the second set. Also on the bill: Bill Le Sage. One show, started at 7:00pm.
Coventry Evening Telegraph (February 19, 1965)
|
Coventry Evening Telegraph (February 18, 1965)
|
Monday, February 22, 1965: Atlanta Ballroom, Woking, Surrey
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Tuesday, February 23, 1965: Corn Exchange, Corn Street, Bristol, Glouchestershire
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Wednesday, February 24, 1965: dance hall, Eel Pie Island Hotel, Eel Pie Island, River Thames at Twickenham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set. The band was paid 90 pounds for this gig.
Thursday, February 25, 1965: 'An Evening With The Blues', Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Long John Baldry and The Hoochie Coochie Men, Chris Barber's Jazz Band. The Soul Agents (without Rod Stewart) were not billed on the Marquee monthly programme schedule because that night they were there only to backed up the main act of the show, Buddy Guy. Guitar legends such as Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were in the audience to watch the show because they were a huge fan of Buddy Guy.
Friday, February 26, 1965: Uncle Bonnie Manzi's Chinese Jazz Club, Brighton, East Sussex
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Saturday, February 27, 1965: 'All-Nighter', The Crazy E, John Bright Street at Hill Street, Birmingham, Warwickshire
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set. The great late Graham Bond was in the audience that night (he had probably played elsewhere in Birmingham earlier that evening and must have heard that Buddy Guy was in town and came to see him) and at some point he went for his alto sax and joined the band on stage for the remainder of the set.
Sunday, February 28, 1965: Black Prince R&B Club, Black Prince Hotel, Bexley, London Borough of Bexley, Greater London
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Monday, March 1, 1965: Wembley Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley Park, London Borough of Brent, Greater London
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Tuesday, March 2, 1965: Klooks Kleek Club, Railway Hotel, 100 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London Borough of Camden, Greater London
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set. Also on the bill: The Bobo Links.
Buddy Guy and The Soul Agents at the Klooks Kleek Club, March 2, 1965
|
|
Wednesday, March 3, 1965: College of Advanced Technology, Aston Express Way, Gosta Green, Birmingham, Warwickshire
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Thursday, March 4, 1965: Blue Opera Rhythm & Blues Club, Cook's Ferry Inn, Angel Road, Edmonton, London Borough of Enfield, Greater London
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up Buddy Guy for the second set.
Thursday, March 4, 1965: Le Disque A Go! Go!, 9 Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth, Dorset (canceled?)
Friday, March 5, 1965: Dungeon Club, 6 Stamford Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents did the first set, and then only the band backed up 'American Blues Man' (as he was advertised) Buddy Guy for the second set.
Saturday, March 6, 1965: 'All-Nighter', Twisted Wheel, 26 Brazennose Street off Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester
After the evening show of Cops 'n' Robbers (7:00 to 11:00pm), at 12 midnight Rod Stuart [sic] and The Soul Agents warming up the crowd before backed up (without Rod) Buddy Guy until 6:30am. According to William Terry Fox of Cops 'n' Robbers: "We actually backed Buddy Guy as well as playing our own sets for the early session. Rod Stewart turned up because he was travelling separately, but The Soul Agents were broken down on the road somewhere and we were asked to stand in for them. They got there in time to play the all nighter, however, when they backed Buddy as well as playing their own sets".
Sunday, March 7, 1965: Kirklevington Country Club (aka The Kirk), Kirklevington, Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents played their own set (with John McCoy, co-owner of the club and also singer of a local rhythm and blues band called The Crawdaddies, that sat in on stage with the band to sing with them 'Dancing In The Street'), then Rod played his solo acoustic set of blues numbers backed by Jim Sach on bass, and finally The Soul Agents (without Rod) backed up Buddy Guy (according to John McCoy, the cover of 'Twist and Shout' was the encore).
Rod Stewart And The Soul Agents #2, The Kirk, Kirklevington, March 7, 1965 - from left: Jim Sach, John McCoy, Rod Stewart, and Tony Good
Rod Stewart And The Soul Agents #2, The Kirk, March 7, 1965 - from left: Jim Sach, Tony Good, and Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart doing his solo set at The KIrk, March 7, 1965
Thursday, March 11, 1965: 'Beat Spectacular', City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, Wiltshire
Also on the bill: The Mundanes, Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich. By mistake the band was advertised only as The Soul Agents on the gig poster. Rod Stewart fell out with the promoter at City Hall because his name was not billed and refused to go on stage until the promoter got the contract out (and there the band was signed as Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents) and threatned him which soon changed Rod's mind.
|
|
Saturday, March 13, 1965: 'All-Nighter', Cubi Klub, Slack Street, Rochdale, Greater Manchester
Sunday, March 14, 1965: The Oasis Club, 45-47 Lloyd Street off Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester
Wednesday, March 17, 1965: Mecca Ballroom, Southampton Pier, Southampton, Hampshire
Friday, March 19, 1965: Guildhall, West Marlands Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, March 20, 1965: 400 Ballroom, Harbourside, Torquay, Devon
One show, from 8:00pm to 11:30pm.
Herald Express (March 17, 1965)
|
Herald Express (March 20, 1965)
|
Wednesday, March 24, 1965: Le Disque A Go! Go!, 9 Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth, Dorset
Friday, March 26, 1965: Esso Recreation Club, Ashlett Road, Fawley, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Jentet. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
Saturday, March 27, 1965: Egham Youth Centre, 185 High Street, Egham, Runnymede, Surrey
Thursday, April 1, 1965: ‘A Charity Dance in aid of local Charities’ (aka ‘Harrow Students’ Rag Week - Charity Dance’), Wembley Town Hall, Forty Lane, Wembley Park, London Borough of Brent, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Who London 1965, Donovan, The Five Good Reasons. The charity event, which was presented by Harrow Technical And School Of Art Rag Committee and lasted from 7:30pm to 1:00am, raised £350 for local charities, marred only by angry students storming the gate because of a reported ticket forgery.
|
Harrow Observer and Gazette (April 8, 1965)
|
Friday, April 2, 1965: 'Kinkotab', The Hermitage Halls, Hermitage Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire
Also on the bill: The Summits, The Imps. One show, from 8:00pm to 1:00am.
Saturday, April 3, 1965: The Coach & Horses, South Street, Titchfield, Fareham, Hampshire
The show was promoted by The Stable D'Or presents.
Sunday, April 4, 1965: Kon-Tiki Club, 48-49 Whitefriargate, Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire
Wednesday, April 7, 1965: Garden Of Eden, Unity Hall, Paul's Row, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
The band was advertised as 'Rod 'The Mod' Stewart and The Soul Agents'.
Friday, April 9, 1965: Thurrock Technical College, Thurrock, Essex
Saturday, 10 April, 1965: Sperry Canteen, Downshire Way, Bracknell, Borough of Bracknell Forest, Berkshire
Supposedly Jim Sach's last gig with The Soul Agents. He left the band right after this gig with with no immediate replacement as the band planned to use the Hammond bass and/or Tony Good swapping guitar for bass in some numbers. Anyway, Jim became a Chartered Accountant in 1971, and then in 1972 he formed a band called Tapestry with former bandmates Johnny Keeping and Jerry Bromley, plus drummer Alan Lamb. The band prospered for over thirty years.
ROD STEWART AND THE SOUL AGENTS #3 (APRIL 11, 1965 - JUNE ??, 1965)
1) Tony Good
2) Don Shinn
3) Roger Pope
4) Rod Stewart
Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents #3, Spring 1965 - from left: Roger Pope, Don Shinn, Rod Stewart, and Tony Good
Tuesday, 13 April, 1965: University College, Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London Borough of Camden, Greater London
Friday, April 16, 1965: The King Mojo Cub, Dey's Ballroom and School of Dance, Barnsley Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Saturday, April 17, 1965: Club A' Gogo, Percy Street, Haymarket, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Sunday, April 18, 1965: Kirklevington Country Club (aka The Kirk), Kirklevington, Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire
Monday, April 19, 1965: 'All-Nighter', unkown venue, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Thursday, April 22, 1965: Wheelhouse, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset
Friday, April 23, 1965: Glenlyn Ballroom, 15 Perry Vale, Forest Hill, London Borough of Lewisham, Greater London
Saturday, April 24, 1965: Wheelhouse, Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, Dorset
Sunday, April 25, 1965: Blue Indigo, Bay Tree Inn, 10 New Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Thursday, April 29, 1965: Thorngate Hall, Bury Road, Gosport, Hampshire
Also on the bill: Manfred Mann.
Friday, April 30, 1965: The Winter Gardens (aka The Wints), Alexandra Road, Penzance, Cornwall
Saturday, May 1, 1965: 'May Pole Dance', Students' Union, Falmer House, University of Sussex campus, Falmer, Lewes District, East Sussex
The band was mis-pelled as 'Rod Stewart & the Sole Agents' on the poster. One show, from 8:30pm to 12:30am. Also on the bill: Hamilton King and his Blues Messengers, The Baskervilles, The Jazz Trio, Folk Singers.
Sunday, May 2, 1965: The Oasis Club, 45-47 Lloyd Street off Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Mancheste
Tuesday, May 4, 1965: Corn Exchange, Corn Street, Bristol, Glouchestershire
Wednesday, May 5, 1965: Agincourt Ballroom, Camberley, Surrey
Also on the bill: The Emeralds.
Friday, May 7, 1965: Centenary Hall, Poole, Dorset
Saturday, May 8, 1965: The King Mojo Cub, Dey's Ballroom and School of Dance, Barnsley Road, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Friday, May 14, 1965: Locarno Ballroom, Blenheim House, 23 Market Pavement, Basildon, Essex
Also on the bill: The Animals, Felders Orioles. The show was promoted by 'Marconi Basildon Apprentice Association Present', and started at 8:00pm and ended at 1:00am. Curiously the band was billed only as The Soul Agents on the poster.
Saturday, May 15, 1965: Trade Union Hall, 27 Woodford Road, Watford, Hertfordshire
Sunday, May 16, 1965: dance hall, Eel Pie Island Hotel, Eel Pie Island, River Thames at Twickenham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
The band was paid 40 pounds for this gig.
Tuesday, May 18, 1965: HMS Collingwood, Newgate Lane, Fareham, Hampshire
Wednesday, May 19, 1965: ‘Easy-Beat at the Grand,’ Grand Cinema, Christchurch Street West, Frome, Somerset
Somerset Guardian/Standard (May 14, 1965)
Thursday, May 20, 1965: Co-op, Weymouth, Dorset
Friday, May 21, 1965: unknown venue, Hardwick, Stockton-on-Tees, North Yorkshire
Saturday, May 22, 1965: Stamford Hall, Altrincham, Cheshire
Sunday, May 23, 1965: Albert Hotel, Skerne Park, Borough of Darlington, County Durham
Thursday, May 27, 1965: 'R&B '65', Clarence Pier, Clarence Esplanade, Southsea, Hampshire
Also on the bill: The Downliners Sect, Mike Devon and The Diplomats. One show, from 8:00pm to 1:00am. Right after their performance, The Soul Agents returned home, while Rod Stewart went across Southsea Common to the recently opened Birdcage Club at Kimbells Ballroom on Osborne Road, and sat-in with The Brian Auger Trinity.
Friday, May 29, 1965: Freshfield Community Hall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Saturday, May 30, 1965: Blue Indigo, Bay Tree Inn, 10 New Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, June 5, 1965: Plebeian's Jazz Club (aka Plebs), Upper George Yard, Cheapside, Halifax, West Yorkshire
Sunday, June 7, 1965: Le Disque A Go! Go!, 9 Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth, Dorset
Saturday, June 12, 1965: 'All-Nighter', Twisted Wheel, 26 Brazennose Street off Albert Square, Manchester, Greater Manchester
After the evening show of St Louis Union (7:00 to 11:30pm), at midnight (so it was actually June 13) Rod Stewart and The Soul Agents performed all night long!
June ??, 1965
Rod Stewart departed company with The Soul Agents when they had an enforced lay-off due to Don Shinn contracting tuberculosis. With Rod gone (he went to form a super group called The Steam Packet) and Don in the hospital indefinitely, The Soul Agents were pratically broke up so Tony Good and Roger Pope decided to sell the band battered old handpainted Commer van to The MeddyEvils, another Southampton based rhythm and blues band of the 'Avenue Artistes' stable.
December 1965
After a six months of recovery, Don Shinn returned to play and, together with Roger Pope, the pair formed a new version of The Soul Agents with new members David 'Dave' Glover (b. 1948) on bass, formerly of Men Friday, and The Redwoods, Peter John 'Pete' Hunt, aka 'Little Pete' (b. Sunday, April 9, 1944 - d. Thursday, March 3, 2022, in bed at his home in Southampton) on vocals and congas, formerly of The Bit-T Show, The Falcons, and The Storms, plus Ian Duck of The Classics who sat-in on vocals and harp as "guest" from time to time when the band played local gigs in Hampshire.
THE SOUL AGENTS #2 (aka DON SHINN AND THE SOUL AGENTS) (DECEMBER 1965 - OCTOBER 1966)
1) Don Shinn
2) Roger Pope
3) Dave Glover bass
4) Pete Hunt vocals, congas
+
5) Ian Duck vocals, harp (sat-in from time to time)
1) Don Shinn
2) Roger Pope
3) Dave Glover bass
4) Pete Hunt vocals, congas
+
5) Ian Duck vocals, harp (sat-in from time to time)
The Soul Agents #2, 1966 - from left: Pete Hunt, Roger Pope, Dave Glover, and (with sunglasses) Don Shinn
|
Melody Maker (December 25, 1965)
|
Friday, December 24, 1965: Le Disque A Go! Go!, 9 Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth, Dorset
The Soul Agents played from 8:00pm to 11:00pm, and then The Nite People from 12 midnight to 3:00am.
Friday, December 31, 1965: Le Disque A Go! Go!, 9 Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth, Dorset
Also on the bill: The Anzaks, Cabaret. One show, from 8:00pm to 3:00am.
Saturday, January 1, 1966: Le Disque A Go! Go!, 9 Holdenhurst Road, Lansdowne, Bournemouth, Dorset
Also on the bill: The Nite People.
Saturday, January 1, 1966: 'Opening Night', Zack's Shack, Boar's Head, Boarhunt, Hampshire
Saturday, February 12, 1966: Agincourt Hall, 487 London Road, Camberley, Surrey
Also on the bill: The Steam Packet.
Friday, February 25, 1966: Birdcage Club, Cumberland Buildings, Eastney Road, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Friday, April 1, 1966: Birdcage Club, Cumberland Buildings, Eastney Road, Eastney, Portsmouth, Hampshire
Sunday, April 10, 1966: ‘Late Night Easter Egg-Flip,’ The Place, 67 Bryan Street, Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire
The band was advertised as The Soul Agents with Don Chinn [sic]. Also on the bill: The Vagabonds with Jimmy James and The Prince. One show, from 8pm to 2am.
Stafford Newesletter (April 1, 1966)
|
Stafford Newsletter (April 8, 1966)
|
Saturday, April 16, 1966: Stockbridge School, Stockbridge, Hampshire
Also on the bill: Rob Chance and The Chances R.
April 1966: Thorngate Hall, Bury Road, Gosport, Hampshire
Saturday, April 30, 1966: The Dungeon Club, 6 Stamford Street, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire
The band was advertised as Don Shinn and The Soul Agents.
Evening Post and News (April 29, 1966)
|
Evening Post and News (April 30, 1966)
|
Wednesday, May 11, 1966: dance hall, Eel Pie Island Hotel, Eel Pie Island, River Thames at Twickenham, London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, Greater London
The band was advertised as 'Don Shinn's Soul Agents' and was paid 25 pounds for the gig. The letter accompanying payment by the club owner Arthur Chisnall states “The Soul Agents seemed to have great difficulty in exceeding two three quarter hour spots with their programme. I think we ought to delete them from the list!".
Saturday, May 14, 1966: Flamingo Ballroom, Redruth, Cornwall
Also on the bill: The Reaction. The band was advertised as 'Don Shinn's Soul Agents'.
Thursday, May 19, 1966: Club A’ Gogo, Percy Street, Haymarket, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
Evening Chronicle (May 19, 1966)
Saturday, May 28, 1966: Starlite Ballroom, Allendale Road, Greenford, London Borough of Ealing, Greater London
May 1966
Curiously credited to Don Shinn and The Soul Agents, the band released only in the UK their fourth and last single, 'A-Minor Explosion / Pits Of Darkness' (Polydor BM 56075). Both were instrumental songs written by Don Shinn. 'A-Minor Explosion' was posthumously included in the Various Artists CD/LP compilation, 'Le Beat Bespoké Volume 3' (2008; Circle Records Ltd. CPW C110) and then as bonus track on the CD reissue of Don Shinn 1969's solo album, 'Don Shinn ...Takes A Trip' (2010; Flawed Gems GEM 19).
|
|
Monday, June 6, 1966: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Graham Bond Organ-isation. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm. The not yet famous organ God Keith Emerson was in the audience during one of the band Marquee shows that summer, and was duly inspired by Don Shinn's act that featuring hilarious stage antics such as a habit of disappearing around the back of his organ to draw out weird sounds with the aid of a screwdriver, and also "treated" adaptations of classical pieces such as an arrangement of the Edvard Grieg's 'Piano Concerto In A Minor', one of the most popular of all piano concerti. Seeing Don Shinn do that, made Keith Emerson realise that he'd like to compile an act from what Don did.
Melody Maker (June 4, 1966)
Sunday, June 19, 1966: Starlite Ballroom, Allendale Road, Greenford, London Borough of Ealing, Greater London
Also on the bill: The James Royal Set.
Monday, July 4, 1966: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Soul Agents were billed as supporting act of The Graham Bond Organization.
Friday, July 8, 1966: Steering Wheel, Weymouth, Dorset
Friday, July 15, 1966: Regency Ballroom, Bath, Somerset
Also on the bill: The MeddyEvils.
Saturday, July 16, 1966: Club A’ Gogo, Percy Street, Haymarket, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
Also on the bill: Invaders.
Evening Chronicle (July 15, 1966)
Monday, July 18, 1966: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Soul Agents were billed as supporting act of the great late American soul and rhythm and blues singer Solomon Burke.
Wednesday, July 20, 1966: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Also on the bill: Shinn Bone, The Anthony James Scene.
Tuesday, July 26, 1966: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Also on the bill: Uncle Don.
Friday, July 29, 1966: 'The 6th National Jazz & Blues Festival', Royal Windsor Racecourse, Maidenhead Road, Windsor, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire
The Soul Agents, as they were billed, played on the main stage from 8:40pm to 9:20pm. Also on the bill: Mark Barry, Geno Washington and The Ram Jam Band, The Small Faces, Spencer Davis. The 3-day festival (July 29-31) was presented by The National Jazz Federation in cooperation with the Ricky Tick Clubs, and was sponsored by The Evening News.
|
|
Post News (July 15, 1966)
Evening Post (July 30, 1966)
Wednesday, August 3, 1966: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, August 6, 1966: 'Saturday Night Soul', Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: Bluesology. One show, from 7:30pm to 11:00pm.
Melody Maker (August 6, 1966)
Wednesday, August 10, 1966: Waterfront Club, Cliff Hotel, Portsmouth Road, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire
Saturday, August 13, 1966: 'Saturday Night Soul', Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Soul Agents were billed as the main act with The Game as supporting act.
Saturday, August 20, 1966: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
The Soul Agents were billed as the main act with The James Royal Set as supporting act.
Saturday, August 27, 1966: Marquee Club, 90 Wardour Street, Soho, City of Westminster, Greater London
Also on the bill: The Episode Six. The show was radio broadcasted on Monday, September 5.
Friday, September 1966 (?): The Winter Gardens (aka The Wints), Alexandra Road, Penzance, Cornwall
Also on the bill: The Buccaneers.
October 1966 (?): The Concorde Club, Bassett Hotel, 111 Burgess Road, Southampton, Hampshire
Ian Duck of The Classics sat-in with The Soul Agents on one number tonight (Cannonball Adderley's Sack O' Woe). A pretty good quality live recording of this show survive.
1966 (?): The Kasbah, London Road, Southampton, Hampshire
October 1966
Don Shinn and The Soul Agents broke up. Roger Pope and Dave Glover went to form a new band together called The Loot, Pete Hunt joined The Quik (and later Freddie Mack, and Iguana), while Don Shinn first went to form his own band The Shinn, then he played with The Echoes (1967) and The Terry Smith Quartet (1968), then he goes solo and released a couple of albums in 1969, then he played with Dada (1970) and Iguana (1971), and finally he retired from the music business.
October ??, 1966: 'School Dance', unknown location, University of Warwick campus, Coventry, Warwickshire (The Soul Agents canceled)
Also on the bill: ? (other unknown groups).
Coventry Standard (October 27, 1966)
Saturday, November 19, 1966: The Golden Torch (aka The Torch), Hose Street, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire (canceled)
