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The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford
The Harvest Moon Club, owned by Ray Musgrove, opened in early 1965 with a sign, over the front entrance, painted by Joseph Hills. It sat on the upper floor of the Rodboro’ Building, with windows blacked out with red paint.
4 June 1965: Soul Sisters, supported by the Brian Auger Trinity, and The Rupert Rayles at The Harvest Moon Club. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton Unlicensed, it was coffee and soft drinks only, the Harvest could choose its opening hours and it was open all day and evening during the week, all night on Saturdays, and by the summer of ’65 was holding all-nighters. On 4 June ’65 the US soul duet of Tresia Cleveland and Ann Gissendanner, better known as The Soul Sisters, were supported by the Brian Auger Trinity and The Rupert Rayles at The Harvest Moon. Later that year, The Rivals became the established, de facto house, band at the Harvest Moon from September ’65.
Reportedly not as hip as the Ricky Tick Club in Guildford, the club was notorious for its “drug problem”, with many a punter popping purple hearts (Drinamyl) to keep them going all night. David B., who worked the door on Sunday nights, reports financing a trade in ‘mothers little helpers’ (Diazepam), buying a thousands tabs up in London and selling packs of 20 (or 19) at the Harvest Moon.
Combo A Go Go at Harvest Moon, Guildford c’65/’66. Picture courtesy of Georgina and Fred Green via Guildford Town Past and Present In early ’66, Guildford’s Ricky Tick moved to the Harvest Moon, taking over the venue every Thursday. On the first Thursday in March ’66 the Ricky Tick promoted the Gary Farr fronted T. Bones, which may have had Keith Emerson on keyboards, supported by the Mark Barry Group. Cardiff beat pop group the Shevelles headlined the Ricky Tick night on 10 March ’66. On 16 January ’66, Four After One supported Group Survival at the Harvest. Enugu, Nigeria-based guitarist and producer Goddy Oku bought his band The Hygrades to Guildford’s Harvest Moon on 12 March ’66, where they were supported by Aldershot’s Combo A Go Go, who held a weekly residency at the club. Another local band with a residency at the club were Worplesdon based Roadrunners.
The following day Four After One – who may have been local – were back, playing in the afternoon, and local band The Whiskey Ring in the evening. Two day after, on 15 March, the Hounds took to the venues ‘stage’. The big draw this week in ’66 was John Mayall’s Blues Breakers, which then included Eric Clapton, playing the Ricky Tick night at the Harvest on 17 March; at which they previewed, for all present, most of the ‘Blues Breakers’ LP. The Rivals, supported by The Tekneeks, had to follow that the next night. Zoot Money appeared on 24 March for that weeks Ricky Tick.
Press Advert clipping from 1966 The Deakin Lewis Band headlined on 26 March with The Classics supporting. Combo A Go Go held their own in the evening of 27 March and The Subjects played the club night two days later. The Ricky Tick was back on Thursday and the following night saw The Overriders open for headliners Group Survival. The next Thursday, 7 April, was held by Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band. Manchester based The Chosen Few, moved down to London in ’66 and changed their name to The Hush, appearing at The Harvest Moon shortly after in November.
The Hush, and a band’s eye view, of The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford in November 1966. Source: manchesterbeat.com The DJs, Shotgun Willy Walker, Harvey the Rabbit, Mick Bradford and Dr Shotgun among them, always played the latest / good music and in the winter there would be a roaring log fire surrounded by old leather sofas.
Ian Latimer recalls a night at The Harvest Moon, standing in for Geoffrey Andrews on bass with The Primevals, to support The New Seekers. By February ’67, several similar venues were being taken over by London club ‘operators’. On one occasion, The Rivals had been booked by the Harvest Moon; but when they arrived East London based pop / rock band Pussyfoot were already playing. The local management knew nothing about the booking and were not intending to pay Pussyfoot, assuming they’d been sent by a London agency. The Rivals were asked to come back later that evening and to start at 11pm.
B. Lovegrove’s Harvest Moon membership card. Picture courtesy on Ben Darnton On 10 February ’67, The Net were supported by The Human Instincts for a Radio London night. This was followed by The Rivals final gig on 11 February ’67. On 3 March ’67, Radio London DJ, Ed Stewart spun the vinyl and compered with Right Attitude providing the live music. A trifecta of resident DJs held the club members attention for an all-nighter the next night, with The Tonicks ably handling the live music. The next night, and riding the wave of their first UK top-ten hit since the departure of lead singer Brian Poole with the Cat Stevens written “Here Comes My Baby”, The Tremeloes came to the Rodboro Building. Over the course of the next few weeks the club hosted: King George and the Harlem Kiddies, Lee Dorsey, The Drifters, and Cliff Bennett. Another luminary to have played the venue was Humphrey Lyttelton. Despite booking some of the times leading artists the club closed later that year.
Gallery:
4 June 1965: A second poster for Soul Sisters, Brian Auger Trinity, and The Rupert Rayles at The Harvest Moon Club. Source: www.tracks.co.uk 
March 1966: Press Ad for The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton 
March 1966: The Ricky Tick had moved to the Harvest Moon, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben Darnton 
Harvest Moon Club Membership Card. Source: Eva Johnson via Guildford Town Past & Present 
The Hush at The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford in November 1966. Source: manchesterbeat.com 
The Hush at The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford in November 1966. Source: manchesterbeat.com 
The Hush at The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford in November 1966. Source: manchesterbeat.com 
March 1967. Clipping from Aldershot News 
10 February 1967: The Net andThe Human Instincts, followed The Rivals final gig on 11 Feb ’67, at The Harvest Moon Club, Guildford. Ann Gissendanner, Brian Auger Trinity, Brian Poole, Cardiff, Cat Stevens, Cliff Bennett, Combo A Go Go, Combo Agogo, Deakin Lewis Band, Diazepam, Dr Shotgun, Drinamyl, Ed Stewart, Enugu, Eric Clapton, Four After One, Gary Farr, Gary Farr & the T-Bones, Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band, Geoffrey Andrews, Goddy Oku, Group Survival, Guildford, Harvest Moon, Harvey the Rabbit, Hounds, Humphrey Lyttelton, Ian Latimer, John Mayall's Blues Breakers, Joseph Hills, Keith Emerson, King George and The Harlem Kiddies, Lee Dorsey, London, Manchester, Mark Barry Group, Mick Bradford, Nigeria, Purple Hearts, Pussyfoot, Radio London, Ray Musgrove, Ricky Tick Club, Right Attitude, Roadrunners, Rodboro Building, Rodborough Building, Shotgun Willy Walker, T.Bones, The Chosen Few, The Classics, The Drifters, The Harvest Moon Club, The Human Instincts, The Hush, The Hygrades, The Net, THe New Seekers, The Overriders, The Rivals, The Rupert Rayles, The Shevelles, The Soul Sisters, The Subjects, The Tekneeks, The Tonicks, The Tremeloes, The Whiskey Ring, Tresia Cleveland, Worplesdon, Zoot Money -
The Star Inn, Guildford
Reportedly Guildford’s longest-running live music venue, The Star Inn on Quarry Street was the venue for The Stranglers first ever gig on 21 December 1974. Jet Black is reported as saying of the gig “The audience were expecting a folk band, and when they saw us, they were a bit shocked.”
The Star Inn (far right) in the Mid-80’s. Picture by Tony Ford, here courtesy of Bens Collectors Records In the 70s/80s there was a folk club in the Star, with the likes of Mr Fox and Finbar Furey on the bill. This Friday night folk club was organized by Mark and Margaret Berry. If November ’70 was a typical month: with the Grehan-Matthews Folk Group, Ian Campbell Folk Group- one of the most popular and respected folk groups of the British folk revival of the 60s, and Bob Davenport – a leading and influential in the same revival, who recorded with Chumbawumba in 2004, on the roster it was ‘rocking’, acoustically. On 14 March ’75, the Midlands based theatre group, that dramatized folk songs with shadow puppets, Magic Lantern, played at the Friday night folk club. Local musician Sev Lewkowicz, along with Richard Ashworth, played electric guitar and Neil Young covers at the Star Folk Club – the traditionalists were not ready; although no members of the audience shouted “Judas!” at Lewkowicz or Ashworth, as had happened at the oft cited Bob Dylan gig in Manchester years earlier. Ian Anderson ran the folk club for a while, becoming more contemporary. He would bring acts over from the US to do tours and you could have caught Kate and Anna McGarrigle – who’d appear years later at the Guildford Folk Festival in Stoke Park on 3 August ’97, and Isaac Guillory at The Star.
Front of Mick Stone’s The Star Blues Jazz club membership card from 1974. Picture courtesy Bens Collectors Records The Bottleneck Club ran out of The Star around ’74, focusing on R&B and progressive rock, with the likes of Zzebra, Kokomo, Asylum, and Marvelous Kid on the roster; and the aforementioned Stranglers. There was also a Blues / Jazz club and a Rock ‘N’ Roll Club too that ran from the late 70’s to the early 80’s – The latter may have been responsible for Shakin’ Stevens & the Sunsets and The Wild Horses appearing there one night in the early ’70s. Keith Jones ran a music club out of The Star in the 70’s’ and recalls turning Bad Company down because they wanted £80! 1979, when The Star was managed by Pete Alexander, saw the Superstar Club host Jackie Lynton’s HD Band on 17 March and The Volunteers on 24 March, a gig described by Tom O’Brain in the Barbed Wire fanzine as “a treat to the ears”.
The Star’s Rock ‘N’ Roll Club nights were rockin’…this ticket is from 17 October 1980. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records The early ’80s saw more local bands, such as Basic Essentials and The Sleep, on the stage. Towards the end of 1980, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Club held at The Star booked Jack Scott – not the High School Musical character but the predominantly early ’60s Canadian-American singer and songwriter, who in May ’77 recorded a Peel session – backed by The Cruisers on the evening on 17 October ’80. The Flying Tigers, supported by Germination, performed there on 30 March ’89 for Klub Kinney. Sammy Rat’s Big Big Blues Band appeared at The Star twice, following their reformation in the early ’00s, with The True Deceivers.
The backroom – which was built as a function room in the 1840s and originally called the Court Room, as the meeting room of the Guildford Castle Court of the Ancient Order of Foresters – is still hosting live music to this day. This is despite pressure from a local property developer, Neil Young, who’d converted a former office building backing onto the venue into four flats and Guildford Borough Council serving the establishment with a noise abatement notice in 2018. The venue fought back with the help of customers, community, bands, and the Music Venue Trust. On 31 January 2019, The Stranglers presented The Star with the PRS for Music Heritage Award and performed once more in The Backroom.
Gallery:
The Star. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Page 14 from Orbit (possibly November issue) 1970. Source: Paul Pickett via Guildford Town Past & Present 
Back of Mick Stone’s The Star Blues Jazz club membership card. Picture courtesy Bens Collectors Records 
14 March 1975: Magic Lantern played at the Friday night folk club organized by Mark and Margaret Berry at The Star, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Soho at The Star, Guildford, c’78/’79. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Soho at The Star, Guildford, c’78/’79. Picture by and courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Gig Review of The Volunteers at The Star Inn, Guildford from Barbed Wire Vol 2 No.2, May 1979. Picture courtesy of Fred 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
Basic Essentials at The Star, Guildford 1980. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Star, Guildford, on the right of Quarry Street, in 1980. Photograph by Tony Ford courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
The Sleep at The Star, August or September 1981. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Sleep at The Star, August or September 1981. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Sleep at The Star, August or September 1981. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Sleep at The Star, August or September 1981. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Sleep at The Star, August or September 1981. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Sleep at The Star, August or September 1981. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Sleep at The Star, August or September 1981. Picture courtesy of Fred Pipes 
The Flying Tigers – “Tygers” was a spelling mistake by the organizers – played The Star in 1989 Anna Macarrigle, Bad Company, Barbed Wire, Basic Essentials, Bob Davenport, Bottleneck Club, Chumbawumba, Court Room, Finbar Furey, Germination, Grehan-Matthews Folk Group, Guildford, Guildford Borough Council, Guildford Castle Court of the Ancient Order of Foresters, Guildford Folk Festival, Ian Anderson, Ian Campbell, Ian Campbell Group, Isaac Guillory, Jack Scott, Jackie Lynton, Jackie Lynton’s HD Band, Jet Black, Kate and Anna McGarrigle, Kate McGarrigle, Keith Jones, Klub Kinney, Kokomo, Magic Lantern, Margaret Berry, Mark Berry, Marvelous Kid, Mr. Fox, Music Venue Trust, Neil Young, Pete Alexander, Richard Ashworth, Rock ‘n’ Roll Club, Sammy Rats Big Big Blues Band, Sev Lewkowicz, Shakin’ Stevens & the Sunsets, Stoke Park, Superstar Club, The Backroom, The Cruisers, The Flying Tigers, The Sleep, The Star, The Star Inn, The Stranglers, The True Deceivers, The Volunteers, The Wild Horses, Tom O’Brrain, Zzebra -
The Flying Tigers
(c’82-to date) Adam Russel (vocals / guitar / harmonica), Alan Wise (bass), Chris Setterfield (lead guitar), and Kenny Richards (drums)
The Flying Tigers c’91-93 at The Seahorse, Shalford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel Guildford based, The Flying Tigers were started by Russel in ’82; settling on a line up that latest almost two years with Jonathon Roberts on lead guitar, Alan Todd on drums and Mark Burgess on bass, and Russel. The band did the odd gig at The Cranley Hotel, Cranleigh in mid 80’s, as well as a gig under another name when joined by Dave Gallagher & Bertie Licorice. Ben Darnton, who had been in The Bunkers joined and took over the sticks, and by ’86 the Flying Tigers had added Steve Keen (bass) and lost Setterfield – Russel and Setterfield had gotten into a few arguments during a gig at the Village Hall, Jacob’s Well in ’84, resulting in Russel disbanding the group that night and reforming it months later. On 24 July ’86, The Cricketers, Westfield hosted The Flying Tigers.
30th March 1989 and the Flying Tygers, supported by Germination played The Star, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records The Flying “Tygers” incarnation of ’89, a spelling mistake by a club organizer for a 30 March ’89 gig at The Star, Guildford with Germination in support; retained Darnton and Russel, but replaced Keen with Keith Jones (bass / vocals) and added Paul Baker (lead guitar); Chris Turner (sax) could also be seen with the band along with Gerry Trauber-Young on harp. On 17 November ’89, The Flying Tigers, supported by Walking The Dog, played The Parrot Inn, Shalford and some point that year a gig at The Duke of Wellington, Farncombe was recorded by Nick Dunning on a ghetto blaster. Around this time you could have also found Gary Midmer on drums with Wise and Russel.
By 1990 Barry Witham was on bass and in the mid-90’s Mick Bryant/Hogsden, front-man with Bloodhound, was the keyboard player. This ’89/’90 period also saw Nick Whitehouse and Nick Gibson (sax) – who’d been in the brass section of Bloodhound – with the band briefly. There were a few gigs in ’90/’91 that saw Ken Nornton on bass at the same time as Pete Weller.
The Flying Tigers at The Seahorse, Shalford in 1990. L-R: Adam Russel, Ben Darnton and Barry Witham. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel Over the years the band has appeared all over the local area at The Seahorse, Shalford; Ye Old Ship Inn, St Catherine’s, Guildford; The Compasses Inn, Gomshall; Stoke Hotel, Guildford; Limeburners, Billinghurst; and many more.
The band continued to play their 60s-style R’n’B into the next century. In 2002 Wise joined the Nomates Band. To help out when Wise was locked into other band commitments bassist, James Skilliter, was with the band from 2003 to 2005. Rehearsals in Cranleigh were always full of Skilliter’s comedic repartee. By 2008, after a few other member changes, Russel had compiled a 5-piece incarnation. Meanwhile, Russel could also be caught playing with Jackie Lynton, Geno Washington, and the Nashville Teens.
The Flying Tigers in 2010 (R-L: Adam Russel (guitar), Ray Smithers (drums), Bob Farrell, Alan Wise, and Tracey Murphie (vocals). Source: Roger Chalcraft post in Guildford Town Past & Present This 5-piece was Russel, Wise – who’d also played with Maid in England, Ray Smithers (drums), Bob Farrell, and Tracey Murphie on vocals. In February 2019 Ray “Razor” Smithers (drums), formally of The Flying Tigers for 10 years, joined The Flat Top Band. Paul Gaffikin was also in the band at some point.
Original member Richards died in 2014/15. Setterfield went off to the Isle of Wight and disappeared but may now be in Margate. Darnton also drummed with Slapattack, Rockit Men, and Wildfire. All that said the current version of The Flying Tigers is still playing today.
Gallery:
The Flying Tigers c’91-93 at Ye Old Ship Inn, St Catherine’s, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Flying Tigers c’91-93 at Ye Old Ship Inn, St Catherine’s, Guildford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Flying Tigers c’91-93 at The Seahorse, Shalford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Flying Tigers c’91-93 at The Seahorse, Shalford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Flying Tigers c’91-93 at The Seahorse, Shalford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Flying Tigers c’91-93 at The Seahorse, Shalford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Flying Tigers at The Compasses, Gomshall in 1989. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
Chris Turner takes the mic at the Duke of Wellington, Farncome in ’89. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Dressed up for Russel’s engagement party at Stoke Hotel, Guildford in 1989. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Cricketers, Westfield used to place ads in the local papers – Flying Tigers played on Friday, 24 July ’86. Picture courtesy (I stole it) of Ben. 
The Flying Tygers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tygers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tygers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tygers at Lion Brewery, Ash in 1986. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tigers at Limeburners, Billinghurst. 
The Flying Tigers at Seahorse Shalford. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
One of the Flying Tigers T-shirt given, by Muriel Quilter, to the band C’88/89. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
Darnton on drums with The Flying Tigers at the Seahorse, Shalford in the early 90’s. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
Darnton on drums with The Flying Tigers at the Seahorse, Shalford in the early 90’s. Picture courtesy of Adam Russel 
The Flying Tigers live at the Limeburners, Billingshurst in 1993. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tigers live at the Limeburners, Billingshurst in 1993. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
While the pictures of the band were taken at Lion Brewery, Ash, this Flying Tigers poster blank could be dated and put up in any venue. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
17 November 1989: The Flying Tigers, supported by Wakling The Dog, played The Parrot, Shalford. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tigers at the Duke of Wellington, Farncombe 1988/89. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
Flying Tigers at the Duke of Wellington, Farncombe 1988/89. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records 
The Flying Tigers at the Duke of Wellington, Farncombe in 1988/89. Picture courtesy of Ben’s Collectors Records Adam Russel, Alan Todd, Alan Wise, Ash, Barry Witham, Ben Darnton, Bertie Licorice, Billinghurst, Bloodhound, Bob Farrell, Chris Setterfield, Chris Turner, Cranleigh, Dave Gallagher, Duke of Wellington, Farncombe, Gary Midmer, Geno Washington, Germination, Gerry Trauber-Young, Gomshall, Guildford, Jackie Lynton, Jacobs Well, James Skilliter, Jonathon Roberts, Keith Jones, Ken Nornton, Kenny Richards, Limeburners, Maid in England, Mark Burgess, Mervyn Sprockett and The Crankshaft Assembly, Mick Bryant, Mick Hogsden, Nashville Teens, Nick Dunning, Nick Gibson, Nick Whitehouse, Nomates Band, Paul Baker, Paul Gaffikin, Pete Weller, Ray Smithers, Rockit Men, Shalford, Slapattack, St. Catherine’s, Steve Keen, Stoke Hotel, The Bunkers, The Compasses, The Cranley Hotel, The Cricketers, The Flat Top Band, The Flying Tigers, The Lion Brewery, The Parrot Inn, The Seahorse, The Standells, The Star, Tracey Murphie, Village hall, Walking the Dog, Westfield, Wildfire, Ye Old Ship Inn -
Stag Folk Club, Shackleford
(c’70-’83) The Stag Folk Club began in a room at The Stag, Lower Eashing in 1970, thanks to Kevin Baker, Ken Ingram and treasurer Angie Hughes.
Alex Campbell appeared at the club on 5 October 1970. It was standing room only in The Stag’s club room where you could catch the likes of Jasper Carrott and Mike Harding. Scottish folk singer, Alex “Big Daddy” Campbell appeared at the Stag Folk Club on 5 October ’70. Mid ’71 saw the club, now organized by Dave Johnson, move to the Shackleford Village Hall & Social Centre, with John Knight, Julian High, and Helmsman in residency. Around this time the club started organizing gigs, notably the bi-annual concerts at the Civic Hall, Guildford with The Yetties and other venues, such as The Maltings, Farnham.
Shackleford Village Hall & Social Centre On 26 March ’72 the club meet was recorded by Tony Engle, resulting in the “Stagfolk Live” LP featuring Ron Simmonds, June Tabor, Clan Mountain, Dew Bonded Boots, Colin Grant-Adams, Rod Bayton, and Dick Taggart. The artwork was by Lawrence Heath and includes St Mary the Virgin, on Shackleford Rd., Norney and the adjacent building: Shackleford Village Hall and Social Centre where the club met and “The Not The Finger In The Ear Show” was filmed for the BBC – more on that later.
StagFolk album sleeve front. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records Two of June Tabor’s outtakes from this session were later released: “Bird in a Cage” appeared on “Square Roots: An Unlikely Selection from the Pages of Folk Roots Magazine” in ’87 and “The Royal Oak” was included on the 4 CD June Tabor anthology “Always” in 2005.
On 9 December ’72 the club held the StagFolk Charity Concert at the Wilfrid Noyce Centre, Godalming and two days later, the English folk-rock band, Hunter Muskett played the club’s home venue. Vin Garbutt used his appearance at the club on 14 January ’74 to record tracks for his “The Young Tin Whistle Pest” album. In ’76 the club began holding barn dances at the Borough Hall, Godalming and initiated the Fleur de Lys Women’s Morris Dancers, who are still around. Dave Burland performed on 19 July ’76, with Curate’s Egg presenting an evening of songs, anecdotes and illustrations on the topic of ‘Good Ale’ the following week – 26 July. Although originally scheduled for 2 August. on 7 August ’76, the StagFolk presented an evening of English folk dance with ex-Fairport Convention / Steeleye Span bassist Ashley Hutchings led The Albion Dance Band at the Borough Hall. The band has rotated through a dizzying number English folk-rock luminaries – On this night Shirley Collins, Hutchings then wife, carried the vocals; along with Mike Gregory who handled percussion, Fairport Convention guitarist Simon Nicol, John Rodd on concertina, and Roger Soscott, and Eddie Upton calling.
Stagfolk Membership Card. Source: David Johnson’s post in Godalming Town Past & Present Tony Rose returned to on 9 August ’76, as did Wounded John Scott Cree on 16 August. The next week Steve Tilston, who had released an LP on Transatlantic earlier in the year, performed at the club on 23 August, and after a break for the bank holiday Noel Murphy returned on 6 September.
Past members of the Stag Folk Club often recall the local floor singers – unpaid local performers who get the chance to sing in public for pleasure, to learn/hone their skills in front of an audience that has maybe turned out for a ‘pro’. One popular floor singer was Tom Dillon, who lived in Godalming, and was often seen at the Ram Cider House folk sessions. Stag organizer Johnson recalls Dillon singing many times at Stagfolk and more than once having a guest singer ask after him.
A side project called the Singers’ Club was run at The Half Moon, Meadrow, Godalming for a couple of years from ’75 onwards. Monthly folk music and song at The Half Moon opened with the baritone of, ex-host of the Troubadour, Old Brompton Road, Martin Winsor on 20 November ’75 and followed by the traditional maritime music and sea shanties specialist, Johnny Collins the on 18 December. Rumour has it that discussions at the club led to the publication of The Southern Rag by Ian Anderson, which later became fROOTS magazine.
Ian Anderson was also involved in a BBC Community Programming show transmitted on 15 May 1982, at 6:30pm on BBC Two; titled “The Not The Finger In The Ear Show”. This ‘Open Door’ program featured the Stag Folk Club with Lawrence Heath as master of ceremonies for Maggie Holland from Farnham, Martin Simpson, Pete & Chris Coe; Anna Maude, Tony Engel, Peter Webb forming Peter Webb & Webb’s Wonders, and The Open Door Dance Band.
Just over a year after the show was broadcast the Stag Folk Club closed it’s doors in mid-1983.
Tracks:
Gallery:
Ticket for a StagFolk Charity Concert on December 9th, 1972. Source: David Johnson’s post in Godalming Town Past & Present 
StagFolk album sleeve back. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
StagFolk album insert. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
StagFolk album disc, Side 1. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
StagFolk album disc, Side 2. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
The StagFolk presents one of the gigs they organized, this one form 1976. 
StagFolk side project, Singers’ Club at The Half Moon, Godalming 1975. 
July / August 1976 Stagfolk gig list flyer. Image courtesy of John Scott Cree Alex Campbell, Angie Hughes, Anna Maude, Ashley Hutchings, BBC Community Programming, BBC Two, Borough Hall, Chris Coe, Civic hall, Clan Mountain, Colin Grant-Adams, Curate’s Egg, Dave Burland, Dave Johnson, Dew Bonded Boots, Dick Taggart, Eddie Upton, Fairport Convention, Farnham, Fleur de Lys Women’s Morris Dancers, fROOTS, Godalming, Guildford, Helmsman, Hunter Muskett, Ian Anderson, Jasper Carrott, John Knight, John Rodd, Johnny Collins, Julian High, June Tabor, Ken Ingram, Kevin Baker, Lawrence Heath, Lower Eashing, Maggie Holland, Martin Simpson, Martin Winsor, Meadrow, Mike Gregory, Mike Harding, Noel Murphy, Pete Coe, Ram Cider House, Rod Bayton, Roger Soscott, Ron Simmonds, Shackleford, Shirley Collins, Simon Nicol, Singers’ Club, Stag Folk, Stag Folk Club, StagFolk, Steeleye Span, Steve Tilston, The Albion Dance Band, The Half Moon, The Maltings, The Not The Finger In The Ear Show, The Open Door Dance Band, The Southern Rag, The Stag, The Yetties, Tom Dillon, Tony Engel, Tony Engle, Tony Rose, Troubadour, Village hall, Vin Garbutt, William Noyce Youth Centre, Wounded John Scott Cree -
Duster Bennett
(c’67-’76) Anthony “Duster” Bennett (vocals, guitar, harmonica, piano and drum).
Duster outside the Gin Mill Club, at the Angel, Godalming in 1968. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records Born in Wales, Duster attended the Guildford School of Art with the likes of William Neal (painter of the “Tarkus” and “Pictures at an Exhibition” LP artwork), Top Topham and Dick Forcey. In the early 60’s he made ends meet as a session musician playing harmonica and was a member of the Jericho Jug Band. Duster also paired up with Topham, post The Yardbirds, for some duo work.
Tony “Duster” Bennett (piano) jams with Tony “Top Topham” and Melvyn Smith at Guildford Art School in 1966. Photo by Vicky Griffiths courtesy of Bens Collectors Records He formed his one-man blues band around the mid 60’s and performed his own compositions along with country blues standards and the odd gospel song, often aided by Topham, and later Peter Green. He became popular in the clubs and was often backed on vocals by Stella Sutton, whom he met at Epsom Art College and later married. On 9 May ’67 a charity blues concert was held at the Borough Hall, Godalming that was headlined by the Graham Bond Organisation; Tony ‘Duster’ Bennett joined the Georgia Skin Men, Whisker Davies Blues Stormers, Alfie Lucas & Jim Cook, and The Combined Forces in support.
Back in ’67 Duster Bennett was still being billed as Tony Bennett, here supporting P.P. Arnold, Tony Rivers and the Castaways, and Whisker Davies Blues Stormers. On 6 July ’67, Duster – who was still being billed as Tony Bennett – supported P.P. Arnold, Tony Rivers and the Castaways, and Whisker Davies Blues Stormers at the Civic Hall, Guildford at an event organized by the Guildford School of Art. A couple of months later he was back at the Civic Hall, on 14 September, supporting Fleetwood Mac at a charity concert held at the Civic Hall, Guildford. This was reportedly Duster’s first gig as Duster Bennett the ‘one man blues band’. Fleetwood Mac were backstage and asked organizer and compere Pete Newberry, who ran The Gin Mill Club, Godalming, “Who’s the band onstage?” “Oh, that’s not a band, that is Duster Bennett.” John McVie called Mike Vernon, who owned Blue Horizon record company, and Bennett was signed, with Newberry managing him; ultimately recording three albums and a number of singles for the label, with these tracks often appearing on John Peel’s Top Gear. “Living Blues”, another charity concert, in aid of Cancer Research, on 14 December ’67 featured Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Duster – once more billed as Tony Bennett, Chicago Northwestern System, Spirit Level, Dr Brown’s Gospel Medicine, and Electric Blue at the Civic Hall, Guildford.
Melody Maker 23 March 1968: Blue Horizon advert listing Duster Bennett with some of his stable mates. The Blue Horizon, at The Nags Head, Battersea, presented Fleetwood Mac with Duster in support on 18 March ’68. Three months later, on 17 June, Duster was the headliner, holding the audience solo the whole night. Our research to date would indicate a very busy second half of 1968 for Duster: On 7 July ’68, Duster played the Woburn Music Festival, along with Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Champion Jack Dupree, Tim Rose and The Taste. The news breaks in the 20 July ’68 issue of Melody Maker that along with Fleetwood Mac and The New Generation, Duster has moved to the Starlite Artists agency with manager Cliff Davis; departing the Rik Gunnell agency. On the 22 July Duster supports Taste at the Marquee and was in Birmingham the day after, 23 July, headlining Henry’s Blueshouse at the Crown Hotel. As had become common place Peter Green’s Fleetwod Mac were supported by Duster at the Town Hall, Torquay on 26 July 1968. The following month he supported Jethro Tull at the Marquee, London on 23 August. A week later, on 30 August, he was performing support duties for Fleetwood Mac at the Bluesville ’68 Club held at The Manor House Tavern, Hackney. The following day he traveled up to Birmingham to headline, with Bakerloo Blues Line supporting, at Mothers. Bennett performed the day after too, with Geno Washington, John Mayall, Cliff Bennett, Jo Cocker, Jasper Stubbs, and The Passion Forest at the Bluesology Festival in the grounds of Chateau Impney, Droitwich. A few days later, on 5 September, he was at the Pied Bull, North London. Two days after that he is reported to have appeared at a Blues Concert at Conway Hall, London organized by The London Blues Society that included Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Free, Champion Jack Dupree, Dynaflow Blues, Ian Anderson and Elliot Jackson, and Bruno’s Blues Band. This was on 7 September ’68, a date the artwork for Duster’s first LP would contest, but more on that later. Duster headlined Mothers again on 14 September ’68, supported by Pegasus.
24 September 1968: Duster Bennett supported Fleetwood Mac at Klooks Kleek, Railway Hotel, Hampstead. Source: Charlie Reavley via Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac The next day the Bottleneck Blues Club held at The Railway Tavern, Stratford proudly presents Duster, and a short while later in the week he was back supporting Fleetwood Mac at Klooks Kleek, on the 17 September; although we also have an advert that put Duster at a return visit to Henry’s Blueshouse on the same day. At some point Green gifts Duster a Gibson 1952 Les Paul that held an illustrious history having been once owned by B.B. King and Muddy Waters, was gifted to Eric Clapton who’d then gave it to Green.
The Marquee has Duster supporting Fairport Convention the following day, the 18 September, and a visit to The Place, Hanley follows. The club had just reached 20,000 members that month and booked Duster to perform there on 22 September. Duster’s close relationship with Fleetwood Mac continued, seeing him support them again at Klooks Kleek, Railway Hotel, Hampstead on 24 September ’68. This was around the time Fleetwood Mac released “Mr Wonderful” on which Bennett played piano and harmonica. Newberry got Duster back to Godalming on 6 October for a performance at The Gin Mill Club in the hall behind The Angel, Godalming. The midlands based Astra Agency went into the club business, opening Club Lafayette, Wolverhampton in September ’68 and they booked Bennett for the 25 October.
1968 – Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records His first album was released towards the end of ’68. “Smiling Like I’m Happy” featured a number of tracks where Duster was backed by McVie, Mick Fleetwood and Green. The cover sleeve also featured a reproduction of a gig poster for his appearance at The Rectangle, Lichfield with Ground Hog Willis and the Rambling Jug Band in support on 7 September 1968; a date when he is also reported to have been booked to perform at a Blues Concert at Conway Hall, London. In October, Duster hinted at dropping the ‘one man blues band’ expository and starting his own band…but not for a least another year. Former John Mayall & the Bluesbreakers guitarist/bassist Geoff Krivit had formed the short-lived blues and boogie group Doctor K’s Blues Band in ’67, and Duster supported them at Toft’s, Folkstone on 23 November ’68. In reviewing “40 Minutes From Town” from the album in Melody Maker’s The New Blind Date column of 21 December ’68, Alvin Lee stated “He’s doing his own thing, but it’s a novelty thing. He’ll always be an added attraction.” Blue Horizon ensured he was included in their blues concerts, such as the one at Conway Hall, London on 7 December ’68, that also featured Bobby Parker Blues Band, Champion Jack Dupree, Chris Jones, Alexis Korner, Dave Kelly, Gordon Smith, T.S. McPhee and Mike Vernon. As part of the Folk, Blues Bristol & West Goes Electric series Duster visited Bristol on 15 December ’68 and played The Dug Out Club.
6 January 1969: Signed contract for Duster to appear at the Shakedown Club, Peterborough. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records The New Year started on 6 January for Duster with two, 30 minute sets at the Shakedown Club, Peterborough, which sadly closed it’s doors in 2023. The next month he was up in the Thornbury area of Bradford, headlining at the Jook Joint held at Farmer’s Inn on 23 February ’69. Then in came the 12″ vinyl, NME described as “an album that restores faith in British blues…”, which was recorded live at the Gin Mill Club, Godalming on the 15th April ’69. The “Bright Lights…” LP, featured Sutton singing backing vocal, Green on bass, and Topham on lead guitar; Newberry was the MC. A trip up to London on 22 April ’69 had Duster opening for B.B. King, Fleetwood Mac, and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee at the Royal Albert Hall. The following month, on 10 May, Duster appeared at Notts County Football Ground where he was on the bill for Nottingham’s Pop & Blues Festival with Fleetwood Mac, The Tremeloes, The Marmalade, Georgie Fame, Love Sculpture, The Move, Pink Floyd, Keef Hartley, Status Quo, Dream Police and Van Der Graaf Generator. The Camden Fringe Festival was a series of one day free concerts held under the auspices of the Camden Council. These were held at Parliament Hill and on 30 May ’69, Duster took to the stage amongst Fleetwood Mac, Taste, Group Therapy, Edgar Broughton Band, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, and Bridget St. John. On 30 June ’69, Duster supported Fleetwod Mac, along with The Pentangle, at the “Pop Proms” at The Royal Albert Hall, London. Later in the year “Justa Duster” was released.
12 September 1969: The Farnham Folk and Blues Festival had Duster Bennett as a headliner. Source: Ian Anderson via Historic Farnham Town And Surrounding Villages He headlined the Blues portion of the Folk & Blues Festival, partly organized by Jerry Gilbert of Farnham Herald, then Melody Maker, at Farnham Park on 12 September ’69; that also featured Jo-Ann Kelly, Mike Raven, Gordon Smith, Ina Anderson, and the Andy Fernbach’s Connexion. The 7″ single “I’m Gonna Wind Up Ending Up or I’m Gonna End Up Winding Up with You” on Blue Horizon [S 57-3164] was released in October 1969, the B-side carried “Rock 0f Ages Cleft for Me“. On 19 December ’69, Duster joined Groundhogs, along with Griffin, Key, and Grope, as the live acts at a charity dance in aid of Shelter, hosted by D.J. Andy Dunkley at Chiswick Polytechnic. 1969 also saw Duster’s “Jumping at Shadows“, from his debut LP, included on the ‘Super-Duper Blues‘ compilation issued by Blue Horizon. This track was subsequently covered by Fleetwood Mac and revisited by Gary Moore in ’92.
On 23 Jan 1970 Duster played the first night, titled ‘Priory Street Blues’, of the Lancaster Arts Festival; receiving a rave review from a Record Mirror writer. This was also the year he signed manager Clifford Davis, resulting in a higher profile and appearances in the UK, USA, Europe and Australia. Starting on 1 May ’70, at the Fairfield Hall, Croydon, Duster, along with wife Sutton, undertook a 13 date tour with John Mayall as part of his band line-up.
1 May 1970: John Mayall with Duster Bennett play Fairfield Hall, Croydon. Source: Duster Bennett – Remembered The tour wrapped up at De Monfort Hall, Leicester on 17 May. Duster played Peterborough’s Town Hall on 24 July ’70, with Zoawada! in support. In August, supported by Blitzkreig, he played The Tooting Blues Club at The Castle on 5 August ’70 and The Star Hotel, Croydon on 14 August. 11 days later, Bennett played the Blues Benefit gig with Green, Dave Kelly, Burning Sunflower and Errol Dixon at the 100 Club, London on 25 August. Duster played high in the billing at the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival (the first Glastonbury), mounted by Michael Eavis, on 19 Sept ’70. That same year the “12dbs” LP was released. Duster Bennett’s version of the Ray Davis written “Act Nice & Gentle” was released in the UK on Blue Horizon [57-3179] in October 1970; the Dutch version receiving a picture sleeve. The B-side carried Duster’s own “I Want You To Love Me”. On 22 November ’70, Duster returned to The Gin Mill, Godalming and a week later, on 29 November ’70, supported Steamhammer at The Lyceum, London with Amazing Blondel, and Patto.
Duster Bennett with John Mayall in 1970. Source: ME Music Tregye Festival of Contemporary Music held at Tregye Country Club just outside Truro on 21 August ’71 is noted today for being Queen’s first outdoor gig, but the festival’s organiser Rik Evans recalls, in a 2020 interview with Cornwall Live, that “Queen played most of what would become their first album, but there was no interest at all from the crowd…People were more interested in seeing the Duster Bennett Band”. The poster for the Autumn term entertainments at the University of Surrey, Guildford sees Duster listed and supporting Warm Dust, along with Swegas and Champion Jack Dupree on Saturday, 25 November ’71 in the Great Hall; however, that was a Thursday and other listings have Warm Dust and Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express playing there on the 27 November, without any mention of Duster. The 11 December ’71 edition of Melody Maker carried an advert, placed by The Student Union at the Technical College, Farnborough advertising two gigs. The second, on 17 December 1971, featured Duster, Warm Dust and Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express.
Duster headlined at Global Village, Charing Cross on 29 July ’73; supported by Bees Make Honey and Nicky James. In March ’75 he was part of the Levi’s Blues Australian Blues/Rock Festival Tour, taking in five cities in 10 days. Others on the tour inclded Freddie King and his Band, Alexis Korner, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, and Hound Dog Taylor and his Houserockers. The first four cities on the tour: Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, and Melboure then had a different set of ‘local’ supporting bands. The gig in the final city, Brisbane, was reportedly bereft of local talent. As time progressed he went more mainstream, with his last album, 1975’s “Fingertips”, influenced by soul, R&B and funk.
On 26 March ’76, Duster apparently fell asleep at the wheel while driving home after a gig with Memphis Slim in Burslem, Stoke on Trent. His Ford Transit collided with a lorry somewhere in Warwickshire and Duster Died at the scene.
“Out In The Blue” released by Indio Recording in 1995. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records In 1995 Indigo Recordings released “Out In The Blue” featuring 16 of Duster Bennett’s tracks recorded between ’66 and ’76 many with Green. In 2000 Indigo Recordings released “Duster Bennett – Shady Little Baby – Volume 3 Unreleased & Rare Recordings 1965 -1974” on CD [IGOCD 2126].
Gallery:
18 March 1968: Duster supported Fleetwood Mac at the Nag’s Head. From Melody Maker’s 16 March ’68 issue. 
17 June 1968: 17 June 1968: Duster is up the Nag’s Head. From Melody Maker 15 June 1968 issue 
Melody Maker 29 June 1968: Tony Wilson interviews Peter Green, who mentions Duster Bennett a couple of times… 
7 July 1968: John Peel to appear at Woburn Music Festival and Duster Bennett is on the bill. Melody Maker’s 6 July ’68 issue. 
7 July 1968: Duster Bennett was on the bill at Woburn Music Festival. Melody Maker’s 6 July ’68 issue. 
7 July 1968: Duster Bennett played the Woburn Music Festival, along with Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, Champion Jack Dupree, Tim Rose and The Taste. Source: Rory Gallagher 
Melody Maker 20 July 1968: Along with Fleetwood Mac and The New Generation, Duster moves to the Starlite Artists agency with manager Cliff Davis. 
22 July 1968: Duster supports The Taste at the Marquee. Melody Maker’s 20 July 1968 issue 
23 July 1968: Duster Bennett is listed to play the Crown Hotel, Birmingham in Melody Maker’s 20 July 1968 issue 
23 August 1968: First advert, for the Marquee, has Duster supporting Jethro Tull; then on 30 August 1968 the second puts Duster at the Bluesville ’68 Club at The Manor House supporting Fleetwood Mac. Melody Maker’s 24 Aug 1968 issue. 
30 August 1968 
1 September 1968: Advert for the Bluesology Festival, with Duster Bennett on the bill. Melody Maker 24 Aug ’68. 
1 September 1968: Bluesology Festival Advert from Melody Maker 31 August 1968 lists Duster Bennett playing the first day with Geno Washington, John Mayall, Cliff Bennett, Jo Cocker, jasper Stubbs and The Passion Forest. 
5 September 1968: Duster Bennett was at the Pied Bull, North London according to this listing from Melody Maker 31 August 1968. 
7 September 1968: Ad for Blues Concert at Conway Hall from Melody Maker 24 Aug 1968 
7 & 8 September 1968: Duster among acts expected at the Blues Convention at Conway Hall. Melody Maker’s 20 July 1968 issue. 
Duster Bennett was on Fleetwood Mac “Mr Wonderful” and gets a mention in this Melody Maker LP Supplement review from 7 Sept 1968 
14 & 17 September 1968: Clipping of two ads from 14 September 1968 Melody Maker shows Duster Bennett headling at Mothers, Birmingham; supported by Pegasus, and supporting Fleetwood Mac at the Railway Hotel, West Hampstead on 17 September 
15 September 1968: Ad clipping from 14 September 1968 Melody Maker has Duster Bennett headlining at the Raolway Tavern, Stratford on 15 September 
18 September 1968: Ad clipping from 14 September 1968 Melody Maker showing Duster Bennett supporting Fairport Convention at the Marquee 
22 September 1968: Advert from Melody Maker 14 Sept ’68: The Place, Hanley reaches 20,000 members and books Duster Bennett 
24 September 1968: Ad clipping from 21 Sept ’68 Melody Maker puts Duster Bennett at the Crown Hotel, Birmingham 
6 October 1968: Poster for Duster Bennett at Gin Mill. Source: Robert Clayson 
25 October 1968: The Astra Agency goes into the club business and books Duster. Melody Maker’s 24 Aug 1968 issue. 
Alvin Lee shares his opinion of Duster Bennett in Melody Maker’s The New Blind Data column of 21 December 1968. 
23 February 1969 
22 April 1969: Poster showing Duster Bennett, supporting BB King, Fleetwood Mac and Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee at The Royal Albert Hall. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
10 May 1969: Duster Bennett appeared on the bill for Nottingham’s Pop & Blues Festival 
30 June 1969: Duster Bennett supported Fleetwod Mac alonf with The Pentangle at the “Pop Proms”. 
12 September 1969: Duster Bennett headlines the Blues portion of the Folk & Blues Festival at Farnham Park; that also featured Jo-Ann Kelly, Mike Raven, Gordon Smith, Ina Anderson, and the Andy Fernbach Connexion. Source: Mike Andrews via Historic Farnham Town And Surrounding Villages 
Duster Bennett’s 7″ single “I’m Gonna Wind Up Ending Up Or I’m Gonna End Up Winding Up With You” on Blue Horizon [S 57-3164] was released in October 1969, the b-side carried “Rock Of Ages Cleft For Me”. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Review of Duster Bennett’ Bright Lights LP from the NME of 6 December 1969. 
Duster’s “Jumping At Shadows” was included on the Super-Duper Blues compilation issued in 1969 by Blue Horizon [SPR 31]. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Duster’s “Jumping At Shadows” was included on the Super-Duper Blues compilation issued in 1969 by Blue Horizon [SPR 31]. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
23 January to 1 February 1970: Duster Bennett is among who played The Lancashire Arts Festival, Coventry. Source: Jay Thurstans 
5 August 1970: Duster Bennett, supported by Blitzkreig, was at The Tooting Blues Club at The Castle; then on 14 August was at the Star Hotel, Croydon, again with Blitzkreig. Source: Richard Cusden 
25 August 1970: Record Mirror 22 August 1970: Duster Bennett played the Blues Benefit gig with Peter green, Dave Kelly, Burning Sunflower and Errol Dixon. 
19 September 1970: Duster Bennett played the Pilton Pop, Blues & Folk Festival, mounted by Michael Eavis. The 1st Glastonbury, attended by 1,500 people. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Duster Bennett’s version of the Ray Davis written “Act Nice & Gentle” was released in the UK on Blue Horizon [57-3179] in October 1970. The B-side carried Duster’s own “I Want You To Love Me”. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Blue Horizon [57-3178] released “Act Nice & Gentle” in The Netherlands in 1970 with a picture sleeve. 
17 December 1971: Technical College, Farnborough hosts Duster Bennett, Warm Dust and Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express. 
17 December 1971: Warm Dust supported by Duster Bennett and Brian Auger’s Oblivion Express played at Farnborough Tech. Advert from Melody Maker. Source: Steve McKeown via Farnborough (Hants) Nostalgia 
29 July 1973: Duster Bennett headlines at Global Village, Charing Cross; supported by Bees Make Honey and Nicky James. Source: Peter Cornish via Keep It Out Of Sight 
Record Mirror and Disc, 3 April 1976: Readers learn of Duster Bennett’s death. 
Melody Maker 31 August 1968: Duster Bennett supported by Bakerloo Blues Line play Mothers, Birmingham. 
Page 1 of an article on Duster Bennett. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Page 2 of an article on Duster Bennett. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Duster Bennett with Peter Green, John Altman and others. Source @katrien_vp 
Duster Bennett. Source @BMG_Radio 
Duster Bennett with Peter Green and John Altman. Source @katrien_vp 
Duster Bennett features on this Blue Horizon double LP. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Doreen Pettifer describes recording at The Angel Hotel for the Bright Lights LP. 
Duster Bennett’s Bright Lights LP back sleeve. 
Duster Bennett’s Bright Lights LP sleeve front. 
Duster Bennett at The Gin Mill ’68. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Duster Bennett playing at Godalming’s Gin Mill Club. Picture from Martin Celmins’ authorized biography “Duster Bennett Jumping at Shadows” 
12 July 1969: Derek Johnson reviews Duster Bennett’s new single, recorded at the Gin Mill Club, Godalming for NME 
Clipping from Record Mirror 28 March 1970. Duster Bennett to tour with John Mayall in May ’70 
Clipping from Record Mirror 31 January 1970: Duster gets a rave review for his appearance ay Lancaster Arts Festival ’70. 
Ad from Melody Maker 30 Nov 1968 Ad for Blues Concert at Conway Hall, London on 7 Dec 68 featuring Duster Bennett, along with the Bobby Parker Blues Band, Champion Jack Dupree, Chris Jones, Alexis Korner, Dave Kelly, Gordon Smith, T.S. McPhee and Mike Vernon. 
The Blues Convention adds gigs that include Duster Bennett (Melody Maker 19 October 1968) 
Solo artist Duster Bennett hints to Melody Maker (19 October 1968) hints that he may start his own band… 
Back of sleeve for Duster Bennett’s “Justa Duster” LP. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Poster for Duster Bennett at Peterborough Town Hall, 24 July 1970. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
22 Nov ’70: Duster was at the Gin Mill, Godalming according to page 11 from Orbit (possibly November issue) 1970. Source: Paul Pickett via Guildford Town Past & Present 
Cover of Indigo Recordings “Duster Bennett – Shady Little Baby – Volume 3 Unreleased & Rare Recordings 1965 -1974 CD [IGOCD 2126] released in 2000. 
Disc of Indigo Recordings “Duster Bennett – Shady Little Baby – Volume 3 Unreleased & Rare Recordings 1965 -1974 CD [IGOCD 2126] released in 2000. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
14 December 1967: “Living Blues” concert for Cancer Research featuring Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, Tony “Duster” Bennett, Chicago Northwestern System, Spirit Level, Dr Brown’s Gospel Medicine, and Electric Blue at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Ad from Melody Maker 9 December 1967. 
Blue Horizon Records advert listing Duster Bennett. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
23 November 1968: Dr K’s Blues Band supported by Duster Bennett played Toft’s, Folkstone. Source John Bannon via Jon Hiseman’s COLOSSEUM and JCM – Fan Page. 
26 July 1968: Peter Green’s Fleetwod Mac supported by Duster Bennett at the Town Hall, Torquay. Source: Duster Bennett – Remembered 
April 1969: BB King UK Tour Programme front cover. Source: https://www.fincharie.com/ 
April 1969: BB King UK Tour Programme center spread. Source: https://www.fincharie.com/ 
30 May 1969: Fleetwood Mac, Taste, Group Therapy, Edgar Broughton Band, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Duster Bennett and Bridget St. John appeared at the Camden Fringe Festival. Source: Duster Bennett – Remembered 
19 December 1969: Duster Bennet joined others at Chiswick Polytechnic. Advert from Melody Maker 20 Dec ’69 
Bennett and Mayall make the cover of Big Bear in January 1970. Source: Duster Bennett – Remembered 
Duster Bennett was part of the Levi’s Blues Australian Blues/Rock Festival Tour. This poster lists Freddie King and his Band, Alexis Korner, Sonny Terry & Brownie McGhee, Hound Dog Taylor and his Houserockers, along with Bennett playing dates from March 2 to 12, 1970. Each of the four cities then had a different set of ‘local’ supporting bands. Source: Rod Stroud 
3 May 1970: John Mayall with Duster Bennett play the Regal Cinema, Cambridge. Source: Duster Bennett – Remembered 
Peter Green in a studio with Duster Bennett. What you don’t see in this picture is bassist Klaus Voorman to Green’s right and BB King to Bennett’s left. 
1969 Royal Albert Hall ‘Pop Proms’ concert program front cover. Source: https://recordmecca.com 
1969 Royal Albert Hall ‘Pop Proms’ concert program pages 1 and 2. Source: https://recordmecca.com 
Duster Bennet’s biography from the 1969 Royal Albert Hall ‘Pop Proms’ concert program. Source: https://recordmecca.com 
Blue Horizon 1/2 page advert from 1969 Royal Albert Hall ‘Pop Proms’ concert program. Source: https://recordmecca.com 
29 November 1970 
21 August 1971 
Page 3 of Blues Review Issue No1 (April 1988) 
Page 1 of Top Topham’s Duster Bennett article, Blues Review Issue No1 April 1988 
Page 2 of Top Topham’s Duster Bennett article, Blues Review Issue No1 April 1988 100 Club, Adelaide, Alexis Korner, Alfie Lucas, Alvin Lee, Amazing Blondel, Andy Dunkley, Andy Fernbach's Connexion, Anthony Bennett, Astra Agency, Australia, Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation, B.B. King, Bakerloo Blues Line, Battersea, Bees Make Honey, Birmingham, Blitzkrieg, Blue Horizon, Blues Review, Bluesology Festival, Bluesville ’68 Club, Bobby Parker Blues Band, Borough Hall, Bottleneck Blues Club, Bradford, Brian Auger's Oblivion Express, Bridget St. John, Brisbane, Bristol, Brownie McGhee, Bruno’s Blues Band, Burning Sunflower, Burslem, Camden Council, Camden Fringe Festival, Champion Jack Dupree, Charing Cross, Chateau Impney, Chicago Northwestern System, Chiswick Polytechnic, Chris Jones, Civic hall, Cliff Bennett, Cliff Davis, Clifford Davis, Club Lafayette, Conway Hall, Cornwall, Cornwall Live, Crown Hotel, Croydon, Dave Kelly, De Montfort Hall, Dick Forcey, Doctor K’s Blues Band, Dr Brown's Gospel Medicine, Dream Police, Droitwich, Duster Bennett, Dynaflow Blues, Edgar Broughton Band, Electric Blue, Elliot Jackson, Epsom Art College, Eric Clapton, Erroll Dixon, Europe, Fairfield Hall, Fairport Convention, Farmer’s Inn, Farnborough, Farnham Herald, Fleetwood Mac, Folkstone, Freddie King and his Band, Free, Gary Moore, Geno Washington, Geoff Krivit, Georgia Skin Men, Georgie Fame, Gibson 1952 Les Paul, Gin Mill, Glastonbury, Global Village, Godalming, Gordon Smith, Graham Bond Organisation, Great Hall, Griffin, Grope, Ground Hog Willis, Groundhogs, Group Therapy, Guildford, Guildford School of Art, Hackney, Hampstead, Hanley, Henry’s Blueshouse, Hound Dog Taylor and his Houserockers, Ian Anderson, Ina Anderson, Indigo Recordings, Jasper Stubbs, Jericho Jug Band, Jerry Gilbert, Jethro Tull, Jim Cook, Jo Cocker, Jo-Ann Kelly, John Mayall, John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers, John McVie, John Peel, John Peel’s Top Gear, Jook Joint, Keef Hartley, Key, Klooks Kleek, Lancaster, Lancaster Arts Festival, Leicester, Levi’s Blues Australian Blues/Rock Festival, Lichfield, London, Love Sculpture, Lyceum, Marmalade, Marquee, Melbourne, Melody Maker, Melvyn Smith, Memphis Slim, Michael Eavis, Mick Fleetwood, Mike Raven, Mike Vernon, Mothers, Muddy Waters, Nicky James, Nottingham, Notts County Football Ground, P.P. Arnold, Parliament Hill, Patto, Pegasus, Pentangle, Perth, Pete Newberry, Peter Green, Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac, Peterborough, Pied Bull, Pilton Pop, Pink Floyd, Pop Proms, Queen, Rambling Jug Band, Rik Evans, Rik Gunnell, Royal Albert Hall, Shakedown Club, Sonny Terry, Spirit Level, Spontaneous Music Ensemble, Starlite Agency, Status Quo, Steamhammer, Stella Sutton, Stoke-on-Trent, Stratford, Swegas, Sydney, T.S. McPhee, Taste, Te London Blues Society, Technical College, The Angel, The Castle, The Combined Forces, The Dug Out Club, The Duster Bennett Band, The Gin Mill, The Manor House Tavern, The Marmalade, The Move, The Nags Head, The New Generation, The Passion Forest, The Pentangle, The Place, The Railway Hotel, The Railway Tavern, The Rectangle, The Star Hotel, The Tooting Blues Club, The Tremeloes, The Yardbirds, Thornbury, Tim Rose, Toft's, Tony Bennett, Tony Rivers and the Castaways, Tony Topham, Top Gear, Top Topham, Torquay, Town Hall, Tregye Country Club, Tregye Festival of Contemporary Music, Truro, University of Surrey, USA, Van Der Graaf Generator, Warwickshire, Whisker Davies Blues Stormers, William Neal, Woburn Music Festival, Wolverhampton, Zoawada! -
Bumblies
(c’63-66) Godfrey “Goff” Matthews (piano), Terry Ward (vocals), Peter Mould (Rhythm Guitar), Anthony Hawkes (guitar), Maurice Shelley (?), Richard Hodby (drums) and Mick Clarke (bass).
Bumblies Flyer from ’63 (L-R Tony Hawkes, Maurice Shelley, Godfrey Matthews, Richard Hodby, Mick Clarke and Terry Ward) The Bumblies (not to be confused with the Liverpool band of the same name) were possibly named after Michael Bentine’s Bumblies from the mid-50’s. In late ’59, Hodby and Ward, who both lived in Cranleigh, and been in The Senators with John Dixon on guitar. The Senators folded after Ward became a Butlin’s Redcoat in Pwllheli, Wales; where Ringo Starr was the drummer with Rory Storm and The Hurricanes, Ward even ended up doing a set with the band a few times a week. He then joined P&O as a steward on SS Strathedan. On his return, and after securing a job, Ward got together with fellow Senator Hodby and they formed Bumblies with Hawkes, Shelley, Matthews, and Clarke.
The band used to rehearse in Cranleigh, where, for weeks, Kenneth King, aka Jonathan King, would turn up, saying he would be their singer…he was initially turned down. Managed by Bruce J. Bunker out of 19 Addison Road, Guildford, the band played throughout Surrey and Hampshire; and up into London at The 2 I’s, Soho and the The Jazz Cellar, Kingston, amongst other venues. Bob Potter booked the band, although their name was misspelled as Bumbleies, to support The Mark Leeman Five at Agincourt, Camberley on 14 December ’63, a gig that was moved to the Drill Hall, Camberley. Bunker’s younger sister, Lesley, was the bands fan club secretary, which was also run out of 19 Addison Road.
10 January 1964: Bumblies played the Village Hall, Fetcham. Image courtesy of Brian Howard Local promoter, Brian Howard, booked the Bumblies to perform at the Village Hall, Fletham on 10 January ’64. King joined in ’64 and the band became Terry Ward & the Bumblies; with King acting as manager, securing the band gigs, including a 22 August ’64 appearance at The Celler Club, Kingston. The band spent many hours recording with Joe Meek but the project never came to anything. Terry Ward & the Bumblies were third on the bill, after the Druids, at the 20 February ’65 Moody Blues concert at the the Civic Hall, Guildford. The promoter, Graham Andrews, got them on because he was worried the Moody Blues wouldn’t turn up as “Go Now” had just hit No.1…Especially, as the day before the gig the Moody Blues manager called Andrews to say their drummer was ill. He was better the next day and they played the show, avoiding a last-minute cancellation. Signed to Philips Records in early ’65, one of the bands first gigs after signing was at the Village Hall, Merrow on 20 March ’65.
Handbill for the Bumblies appearance at Merrow Village Hall, in 1965. From the collection of Susan Veitch courtesy of Bens Collectors Records. The 7-inch “Gotta Tell”, backed by “When I Come To You” by Terry Ward (with The Bumblies) was released on the Fontana label [TF 558] on 2 April ’65. Both tracks were credited to King. The band broke away from King, shortly before his “Everyone’s Gone To The Moon” came out, on which Bumblies’ Hawkes worked on the chords.
In a 1999 interview with David Hughes, music journalist and Polydor then EMI PR man – and now Camberley resident – King said of his time with The Bumblies and his initial forays into the music business: “The only success I did have was that I did get a record out that I have produced and it was quite fun. It was by the band that used to back me up at P.A.’s called The Bumblies and a lovely man at Fontana put it out, so my first ever release was a track called ‘Gotta Tell’ by Terry Ward with The Bumblies which I’d written and produced, and that did come out and did nothing – it was bloody awful and probably no one’s got a copy except me, hidden away somewhere.”
Later in ’65, Mould went on to join Smokestakks and Matthews moved on to Philip Goodhand-Tait and the Stormsville Shakers. In ’66 the Bumblies reformed and toured France, including a gig at Paris’s St Hilaire Club and La Brocherie, Normany; in fact The Bumblies were the first British band to play this venue in Normandy, ultimately holding a residency for several weeks, having been booked by club owner Ivan Poupardin. Within a few months, Matthews was approached and joined French band Les Sunlights, achieving numerous No.1 singles in the French and the Belgian charts.
Matthews, who passed a few years ago, went on to forge a solo and songwriting career in France. On returning to the UK, Matthews joined Down To Earth, then the Tamla Tigers. Ward also spent considerable time working and recording in France, before permanently returning to the UK and is now in Brixham.
Tracks:
Gallery:
14 Dec ’63 and Bumblies supported The Mark Leeman Five at the Drill Hall, Camberley. 
22 August 1964: Bumblies play The Celler Club, Kingston. Source: www.garagehangover.com 
Bumblies single: “Gotta Tell”, released in April ’65 
Bumblies promo picture Agincourt, Anthony Hawkes, B.J. Bunker, Bob Potter, Brian Howard, Bruce Bunker, Bumbleies, Bumblies, Butlins, Camberley, Cellar Club, Civic hall, Cranleigh, David Hughes, Down To Earth, Drill Hall, Druids, EMI, Fetcham, Fontana, Godfrey Matthews, Graham Andrews, Guildford, Ivan Poupardin, Joe Meek, John Dixon, Jonathan King, Kenneth King, Kingston, La Brocherie, Les Sunlights, Lesley Bunker, Maurice Shelley, Merrow, Michael Bentine, Mick Clarke, Moody Blues, Normandy, P&O, Paris, Peter Mould, Philip Goodhand-Tate, Philips Records, Polydor, Pwllheli, Redcoat, Richard Hodby, Ringo Starr, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, Smokestakks, Soho, SS Strathedan, St Hilaire Club, Tamla Tigers, Terry Ward, Terry Ward & The Bumblies, Terry Ward with The Bumblies, The 2 I’s, The Bumblies, The Cellar Club, The Jazz Cellar, The Mark Leeman Five, The Senators, The Stormsville Shakers, Village hall, Wales -
Dreyfuss
(c’98-00) Greg Ford (drums / vocals), Gavin Maitland (bass), and Mark Ogden (guitar / vocals).
This Cove / Farnborough band was formed by Ogden and Ford after leaving Snide Line, in November ’98, releasing their “Shapes and Sizes” demo cassette and CDr [bulb001] on Helsinki Records on 28 June ’99; which carried “Kitty Jr”, “What I Want”, “Spitbug”, and “Tell Me Off”. It was the bands first recording and took place at Studio in the Park at the Bracknell Arts Centre, across the 8 and 9 May ’99 with Richard Sparkes at the desk; the result of winning a Battle of the Bands at the Tumbledown Dick, Farnborough. On 30 July ’99 they played their first gig in London at The Red Eye, Islington
Dreyfuss’ “Shapes and Sizes” demo CDr Sleeve “Kitty Jr” appeared on Bluefire Records’ “Snakebite City Nine” [BLU15] CD released in ’99. In 2000 they played the The Maltings, Farnham with Vex Red and Me Against It All in aid of Reef Protection. That same year “Kitty Jr” also appeared as track two on the A-side of Italian cassette compilation “Beware Of The Ricochet Vol.3” [LIE 018] on the Best Kept Secret label.
Italian cassette compilation “Beware Of The Ricochet Vol.3” Rueben covered the bands track “Girls On Top” and released it in June 2007 as track 3 on the “Blood, Bunny, Larkhall” CD single on Hideous Records [HDS002]. Rueben also used excerpts of a short film called ‘The Homecoming’ by Maitland at the end of the “Blood. Bunny. Larkhill’ video.
Dreyfuss later rebranded as Coldharbour after adding Chris ? as the second guitarist.
Gallery:
Back of sleeve for Italian cassette compilation “Beware Of The Ricochet Vol.3” 
Clipping from unknown local paper 
Dreyfuss’ “Kitty Jr” appeared on Bluefire Records “Snakebite City Nine” [BLU15] CD released in ’99 
Dreyfuss, Vex Red and Me Against It All play Farnham Maltings. Picture courtesy of The Surrey & NE Hampshire Music Scene 
“Shapes and Sizes” demo CDr label 
1999’s “Shapes and Sizes” demo cassette. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold 
Sleeve for 1999’s “Shapes and Sizes” demo cassette. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold Arts Centre, Battle of the Bands, Best Kept Secret, Bluefire Records, Bracknell, Coldharbour, Cove, Dreyfuss, Farnborough, Farnham, Gavin Maitland, Greg Ford, Helsinki Records, Hideous Records, Islington, London, Mark Ogden, Me Against It All, Richard Sparkes, Rueben, Snakebite City, Snide Line, Studio In The Park, The Maltings, The Red Eye, Tumbledown Dick, Vex Red -
Zero Time
(c’80-’81) Dave Norgrove (guitar), Ian Smith (bass), and Andy Parker (drums).
Zero Time, who were described as “fast pop” by Soundscene writer Jon Harlow, once supported The Vapors, and also supported UBz.
Smith recalls, after leaving Panther, seeing and responding to an advert in the NME looking for a bassist, and Zero Time were formed. The original drummer was replaced by Parker and they played their first gig at The Royal, Guildford, followed by others at the Cricketers in Westfield, and the Wooden Bridge amongst others.
When UBz headlined at The Royal on 29 November 1980 they were supported by Zero Time and The Rams. Zero Time were also once booked to support Nashville Teens at The Royal, Guildford, but the Teens never turned up – Zero Time still got paid. On 3 February ’81 The Wooden Bridge, Guildford presented Zero Time with Consenting Adults. An 18 year old Norgrove wrote “Red Badge”, after watching ‘All Quiet on the Western Front’; it is still in his future band, The Body Politic’s set list.
After one of the band’s appearances at The Wooden Bridge, they were approached by a promoter who set up a gig in Staines, with UBz and a couple of other bands, laying on a coach for supporters and transport for the bands and their gear. Hazel O’Connor reportedly performed at the venue, but when they arrived the place was deserted, and the promoter was nowhere to be found. It is still a mystery…
Norgrove is currently in The 4 Marys and is also solo-ing and still releasing new music, recently working on a track titled “Baby” produced by Chris Potter, who has produced/engineered such bands as The Verve, U2, and The Rolling Stones and more recently releasing April Sky.
Gallery:
Norgrove in Zero Time. Picture courtesy of Body Politic -
The Stranglers
(c’74- to date) Jean-Jacques Burnel (bass, voacals), Brian “Jet Black” Duffy (drums), Hans Warmling (keyboards/guitar), and Hugh Cornwell (guitar/vocals).
Stranglers at The Nashville Rooms, West Kensington in ’76 Many believe they started out as The Guildford Stranglers, and indeed on 11 September 1974 they officially registered their business name in Guildford as such – although none of the band were originally from Guildford. Black had been a semi-professional drummer in the late 50s / early 60s, but also went into business owning a fleet of ice cream vans, and later running “The Jackpot” off-license, at 61 Woodbridge Road, that would become the base for The Stranglers in the early days. Cornwell, who had played bass in a band called Emil & The Detectives with Richard Thompson, embarked on his post-grad in Sweden where he formed a band call Johnny Sox with Hans Warmling, Jan Knutsson, Gyrth Godwin and ‘Chicago Mike’ in late ’72.
Johnny Sox. Source: @StranglersA Then in ’73, Cornwell decided to move back to London, persuading the other members of ‘Johnny Sox’ to move with him. Johnny Sox came to the UK, without guitarist, keyboardist and saxophonist Warmling. This group played in London’s pubs and clubs, like The Newlands Tavern, Peckham on 17 January ’74, The Brecknock Arms, Camden – which is now called The Unicorn – and The Lord Nelson. Black joined the band, after auditioning in a squat in Camden in the early summer 1974; to replace the original drummer ‘Chicago Mike’ who, thanks to the US announcing an amnesty on draft dodgers, went home. Burnel also joined the line-up after being given a lift by Godwin. On vacation from Sweden, at Cornwell’s request, Warmling joined the group in the latter half of ’74, and they dropped Johnny Sox in favor of The Guildford Stranglers, before settling on The Stranglers; but they’ve also gigged as Oil & The Slicks, The Chiddingfold Chokers & The Old Codgers.
The Jackpot Off-Licence was in former brewery building on Lower Farnham Road, Guildford. Photo by EAW Tyrell here courtesy of Bens Collectors Records. In early ’74 they recorded “I Know It” for a demo, that included “Charlie Boy”, “Country Chaser (instrumental)”, “White Wedding” and “Make You Mine”. They played their first gig as The Stranglers at The Star, Guildford on 21 December 1974. The Quarry Street hostelry now carries a blue PRS for Music Heritage Award plaque. The band supported 50’s retro group Fumble on 28 Jan ’75 at the Technical College, Farnborough, playing a cover of Johnny B Goode among other covers. This was arranged by Guildford based teen impresarios, Mike and Richard Ashworth of Wax Promotions. The band continued to build a following within the mid-70s pub rock scene; including a short-lived lunchtime residency at The Royal, Guildford. They also played alternate Wednesdays at the North Camp Hotel’s Gaiety Bar.
Warmling was unhappy with The Stranglers’ musical direction and left the band, exiting the tour bus and the band itself suddenly while traveling to a gig in North London. Warmling and Cornwell did not meet again until ’94. Dave Greenfield (keyboards), who’d been in The Initials, The Blue Maxi, Rusty Butler, and Credo, replaced Warmling in July ’75 after answering an advert in Melody Maker; and played his first gig with The Stranglers on 24 August ’75. That same year, Black sold his businesses – 61 Woodbridge Road was scheduled for demolition anyway – and moved the Stranglers into a cottage at Lilian Place, Chiddingfold that they rented from a Mr Ruben.
The house at Lilian Place, Chiddingfold. The Stranglers home in ’75 The band rehearsed at Bramley Village Hall, Shalford Scout Hut and Brook cricket pavilion. It was at one of these that three schoolgirls left a note for them, reading: “To the group in the shed. We like your music and you. Why not go professional? You’re good enough.” In the Spring of that year, about the time the “The Stranglers are coming – they’re Strangtastic” graffiti appeared in the subway by the railway station and on a number of hoardings in the centre of Guildford, they recorded a demo of “Bitching” at Foel Studio, Llanfair Caereinion, Powys with Ian Gomm producing. Eric & Dave’s Christmas Party at The Nashville was held on the 18, 19 and 20 December ’75 with Albert Y Los Trios Paranoias supported by The Stranglers. A short-term recording deal with Safari Records scheduled the release The Stranglers first single in ’75, however Safari Records reneged on the deal to release “My Young Dreams” through a lack of cash. The track was finally released in ’82 by EMI to fulfill a contract. Strapped for cash Cornwell took a temporary job as a teacher, Burnel gave private French lessons, and Greenfield and Black became piano tuners/repairers.
In May ’76, The Stranglers opened for Patti Smith’s first UK appearances, playing The Roundhouse, London for two nights – 16 and 17 May – as part of the ‘Horses Tour’. Two months later, on 4 July, The Stranglers opened for the first British appearance of American punks The Ramones, also at The Roundhouse, a gig that was headlined by The Flamin’ Groovies; repeating the show the next night at Dingwalls, Camden. 1976 was spent playing about 350 gigs; including a week long residency at the Hope & Anchor, Islington on 13-17 July and a home turf appearance at ‘Rock At The Royal’ organized by Ray “Bonza” Bradman at The Royal, Guildford on 1 August 1976. Here they were billed as Punk Rock, but as any follower of the band will know this ‘Punk’ moniker is highly debated. NME’s Chas de Whalley referred to them having ‘all the punk poise of the Electric Prunes.’ in early ’76, while The News of the World, in April, named Cornwell as ‘the guru of punk’…the debate: Punk, New Wave or Pub Rock? goes on
1 August 1976: The Stranglers played ‘Rock At The Royal’ organized by Ray “Bonza” Bradman. They signed to United Artists for £40,000 in December ’76, resulting in debut album “Rattus Norvegicus”. Now, the rat pictured on “Rattus Norvegicus” was, like The Stranglers, also from Guildford. It belonged to Mark Taylor whose mother, Jane Burton, took the shot that would eventually become the album cover.
The rat pictured on Rattus Norvegicus was, like The Stranglers, Guildfordian. In January ’77, The Stranglers were featured in T. Moon’s Sideburns fanzine No.1, and Fox Leisure booked the band to play the Red Deer Croydon on 20 January, and the Toby Jug, Tolworth on 24 January ’77. They closed out the month supporting Climax Bles Band at the Rainbow Thearte, London on 30 January ’77. The next month, on 9 February, they played the Centre Halls, Woking. The band also appeared at the Rider Open Air Festival, Scheeßel, Germany on the 3 or 4 September ’77, along with two other local talents, namely Camel and Graham Parker, back by The Rumour. Prior to the release of “No More Heroes” on 23 September ’77; they released their third single, “Something Better Change” which was taken from the album. It made No.9 in the UK Singles Chart. It was also double A-sided with the song “Straighten Out”, a non-album track. Locally, the bands reception in Chiddingfold and Guildford could be best described as chilly. Guildford council had banned them from playing at the Civic Hall, even when they were No.1 in the album charts. According to Steve Baker, Hugh Cornwell said “we spent 2 hours moving all the chairs off the dance floor and someone has put them back, please be good boys and girls and put the chairs neatly against the walls please”. Two minutes later there was a pile of 400 broken chairs in the middle of the dance floor. Not really a riot, just people wanting to dance to the music. The London Borough Council also took issue with the band, banning them for wearing t-shirts emblazoned with “Fuck” in the form of the Ford logo at The Rainbow Theatre. In November ’77 there were more ‘issues’. On 12 November ’77 the band were to play at The Tivoli Theatre, Dublin. But they didn’t show, with the audience only seeing the support acts, The Radio Stars and The Vipers and a goodly dose of fighting. The previous night at Trinity College, Dublin was marred by violence and lots of gobbing, with the band deciding to give the Tivoli a miss – Not that those at Tivoli got an explanation at the time.
On the bands ‘return’ to Guildford for their 1978 appearance at the University of Surrey for the BBC TV programme Rock Goes to College, the group walked off stage because an agreement to make tickets available to non-university students had not been honoured. “Social Secs” was written after that BBC “Rock goes to College” debacle.
In February 1978 the Stranglers began a mini-tour, playing three secret pub gigs at the venues that supported them in the early days: The Duke of Lancaster, New Barnet; The Red Cow, Hammersmith; and The Nashville Rooms, West Kensington. They also return to the Civic Hall, Guildford, this time there was a heavy police presence and steel toe-capped boots, belts and anything dangerous looking was confiscated at the door. The band graced Brighton, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Stafford, Leeds, and London with their tour from late May to early June ’78. Over the coming years along with great gigs and music they brought strippers onstage at their open-air Battersea Park gig in September 1978; tied a female NME journalist up and left her in a Portuguese desert after a particularly vitriolic review in September ’79. On 7 October ’79 they appeared at the Apollo, Glasgow followed, on 14 October, by a gig at Top Rank, Sheffield. That same year they bound French TV journalist Antoine De Caunes halfway up the Eiffel Tower.
In June 1980 they were all jailed for inciting a university riot in Nice. On 2 March ’81 the band hit the Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes with Modern Eon in support, who also opened at the Pavilion, West Runton three days later, on 5 March ’81. French new wave band Taxi Girl, whose “Seppuku” LP was, produced by Burnel and featured percussion from Black, toured the UK in ’81, opening for The Stranglers on their La Folie tour; this included the Lyceum, Sheffield on 28 November ’81. “La folie” was the band’s sixth studio album, and was released on 9 November ’81, through the EMI record label Liberty. The Stranglers, supported by Boys in Darkness, played the Student Union at Sheffield City Polytechnic on 21 January ’82 and signed to Epic Records later that year. Jet Black was also regularly seen at The Kings Head, Guildford, along with The Jam‘s Bruce Foxton for House gigs.
Cornwell left in 1990 because he felt the band was spent and citing increasingly acrimonious relationships with his fellow band-members, particularly Burnel. He was replaced by John Ellis, who had opened for them in the 70s as a member of The Vibrators and had filled in for Cornwell during his time in prison for drug possession in 1980. On 25 February ’91, The Stranglers first UK gig without Cornwell was held at The Old Trout, Windsor.
Paul Roberts (lead vocals) joined in 1990. In 2000, Ellis left the band and a new guitarist and ex-bassist with Toy Dolls, Troubleshooters, Small Town Heroes (who had supported The Stranglers in ’95) and Sun Devils, Baz Warne, was recruited. In May 2006, Roberts left the band, and The Stranglers were now back to a four-piece line-up: Burnel, Black, Greenfield and Warne.
In 2007 it was announced that Black was suffering from atrial fibrillation, leading to several years of illnesses and absences from gigs where he was temporarily replaced by his full-time drum technician Ian Barnard. The bands 2013 annual tour kicked off in March with Drummer Jim “McDrum” Macaulay – who had history with Envy & Other Sins, Eliot Sumner, and Emmy the Great – playing the first half and Black the second. Black continued to appear sporadically, with Macaulay subbing, as his health deteriorated. Black last performed with the band at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on 20 March 2015 and officially retired in 2018 at the age of 79. On 6 December 2022, at the age of 84, Black passed. Roughly two an half years earlier Greenfield had passed, on 3rd May 2020, following a stay in hospital for heart problems where he tested positive for the Covid-19 and sadly lost the battle. Greenfield’s last appearance with the band was on 15 February 2020 at the Town Hall in Auckland, New Zealand. Toby Hounsham, who has previously played with Rialto, Mungo Jerry, Soft Watches and The Hype to name four; has been playing keyboards with The Stranglers since Greenfield’s untimely demise.
Warmling drowned in a boating accident on the 12 October ’95, aged 52, in Harryda, Gotenburg. Ellis started Chanoyu Records in 2009 to release his own music. Warne’s car was sent airbound and landed upside down in December 2005, a crash from which he emerged unharmed. He continues to write, record and perform.
Over the course of four plus decades the band have scored 23 UK top 40 singles and 17 UK top 40 albums. On 13 October 2000, Cornwell returned to Chiddingfold to play a gig at the Ex-Serviceman’s Club.
Gallery:
The Strangers’ off license home 
The Stranglers, 1975 
Jet Black’s off-license “The Jackpot”. Source: Jonathan Piers Butler via Guildford Town Past & Present 
1975: The Stranglers played New Windsor Castle in ’75 (month is unknown at this time). 
18, 19 and 20 December 1975: Albert Y Los Trios Paranoias were supported by The Stranglers at the Nashville Rooms. Source: Malcolm Wyatt via a Stranglers Forum 
8 March 1976: The Stranglers supported Pink Fairies at the Marquee. Source: Ulrich Wegener via Keep It Out Of Sight 
23 March 1976: The Stranglers, supported by The Snakes, were at The Nashville, London. Source Ulrich Wegener via Keep It Out Of Sight 
Early picture of The Stranglers – This was possibly taken at the Red Cow in 1976, but on display at The Star, Guildford. Picture courtesy of BBens Collectors Records 
13-17 July 1976: The Stranglers were in residency at The Hope & Anchor, Islington (Clipping from June ’76 publication unknown). Source: Steve Merry via Keep It Out Of Sight 
Stranglers gig review in Sniffin’ Glue from August ’76 
1 October 1976: The Stranglers played Erics, Liverpool. Source: John Martin via Keep It Out Of Sight 
Page 2 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1 
Page 3 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1 
Page 4 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1 
Page 5 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers, including a 16 December 1976 interview with Jett Black for Sideburns No.1 
2 January 1977: The Stranglers along with Little Bob Story and The Gorillas supported Pink Fairies at the Roundhouse, NW1. Source: Henry Mcnicol via Keep It Out Of Sight 
20 and 24 January 1977: The Stranglers played the Red Deer, Croydon, and Toby Jug, Tolworth respectively. 
30 January 1977: The Stranglers supported Climax Blues Band at Rainbow Theatre, London 
January 1977’s “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself) / London Lady” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
January 1977’s “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself) / London Lady” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
The Stranglers were featured in T. Moon’s fanzine Sideburns No.1, January 1977. 
Page 1 of T. Moon’s profile of The Stranglers in the Sideburns No.1 fanzine from January 1977. 
May 1977’s “Peaches / Go Buddy Go” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
May 1977’s “Peaches / Go Buddy Go” 7″ single sleeve. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
The Stranglers have a spot of bother with Guildford Council according to Record Mirror, 28 May 1977. 
July 1977’s “Something Better Change” was The Stranglers 3rd single. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
Record Mirror interviewed Jet Black for the 13 August 1977 edition. A year prior they were playing at The Royal, Guildford. 
3 & 4 September 1977: Camel, Stranglers, and Graham Parker all on the bill for Rider Open Air Festival in Scheeßel, Germany. Source: www.omegaauctions.co.uk 
6 October 1977: Poster for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
6 October 1977: Poster for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
6 October 1977: Ticket for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
The Stranglers backstage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
Dave Greenfield and Hugh Cornwell back stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
Jean-Jacques Burnel in the dressing room at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
Hugh Cornwell oon stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
Hugh Cornwell on stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
Hugh Cornwell oon stage at Winter Gardens, Malvern on 6 October 1977. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
30 October 1977: The Stranglers at Top Rank, Reading; at which they were supported by The Dictators. Source: John Berry via The Reading & Thames Valley Area “Memories of another day” 
8 November 1977: The Stranglers supported Johnny Curious at The Rochester, Stoke Newington and it was free! Source: Rob Jarvis via Keep It Out Of Sight 
12 November 1977: Ticket for Tivoli Theatre, Dublin: The Stranglers w/ The Radio Stars 
22 February 1978: Ticket for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
May/June 1978 
22 September 1978: Poster for The Stranglers at Winter Gardens, Malvern. Source: www.malvernrockarchive.org.uk 
26 May 1979: The Stranglers headined the first day of the Loch Lomand Rock Festival. Source: Ulrich Wegener via Keep It Out Of Sight 
7 October 1979: The Stranglers played the Apollo, Glasgow 
14 October 1979: The Strangler at Top Rank, Sheffield 
2 March 1981: Winter Gardens, Cleethorpes: The Stranglers w/ Modern Eon 
5 March 1981: The Stranglers supported by Modern Eon. Source: Mark Lattaway via West Runton Pavilion… gone but not forgotten. 
28 November 1981: Partial ticket for The Stranglers at The Lyceum, Sheffield. 
21 January 1982: Ticket No.0373 for The Stranglers at Sheffield City Polytechnic. 
26 January 1982: The Stranglers Civic Hall poster from the collection of Pat Conroy. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records 
The Stranglers signed to Epic Records in 1982 
19 March 1990 and The Stranglers are at the Civic Hall, Guildford. Source: Chewtonia. 
25 February 1991: The Stranglers first UK gig without Cornwell was held at The Old Trout, Windsor. Source: Edwardo Isdead via The Old Trout, Windsor – we still miss you 
Hugh Cornwell returned to Chiddingfold on 13th October 2000 to play a gig at the Ex-Serviceman’s Club. Picture courtesy of Steve Excell. 
It’s Malcolm Wyatt’s old badge collection, including example/s from The Stranglers. Picture courtesy (I stole it) of Malcolm Wyatt 
Stranglers’ pins. Picture courtesy of Bens Collectors Records Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias, Antoine De Caunes, Apollo, Auckland, Battersea Park, Baz Warne, Boys in Darkness, Bramley, Brecknock, Brian Duffy, Brighton, Brook, Bruce Foxton, Cambridge, Camden, Camel, Centre Halls, Chanoyu Records, Chas de Whalley, Chicago Mike, Chiddingfold, Civic hall, Cleethorpes, Climax Blues Band, Corn Exchange, Credo, Cricket Pavilion, Croydon, Dave Greenfield, Dingwalls, Dublin, Edinburgh, Electric Prunes, Eliot Sumner, EMI, Emil & The Detectives, Emmy the Great, Envy & Other Sins, Epic Records, Ex-Servicemen's Club, Farnborough, Farnborough Tech, Foel Studio, Gaiety Bar, Germany, Glasgow, Gotenburg, Graham Parker, Graham Parker & The Rumour, Guildford, Gyrth Godwin, Hammersmith, Hans Warmling, Harryda, Hope & Anchor, House, Hugh Cornwell, Ian Barnard, Ian Gomm, ider Open Air Festival, Islington, Jan Knutsson, Jane Burton, Jean-Jacques Burnel, Jet Black, Jim Macaulay, John Ellis, Johnny Sox, King’s Head, Leeds, Liberty, Lilian Place, Llanfair Caereinion, London, London Borough Council, Lyceum, Mark Taylor, Melody Maker, Mike Ashworth, Modern Eon, Mr Ruben, Mungo Jerry, New Barnet, New Zealand, News of the World, Nice, NME, North Camp Hotel, Oil & The Slicks, Patti Smith, Pavilion, Peckham, Powys, PRS for Music, Rainbow Theatre, Ray Bradman, Red Deer, Rialto, Richard Ashworth, Richard Thompson, Rock At The Royal, Rock Goes to College, Rusty Butler, Safari Records, Scheeßel, Scout Hut, Shalford, Sheffield, Sheffield City Polytechnic, Sideburns, Small Town Heroes, Stafford, Steve Baker, Stranglers, Student Union, Sun Devils, Sweden, T. Moon, Taxi Girl, Technical College, The Blue Maxi, The Brecknock Arms, The Chiddingfold Chokers, The Duke of Lancaster, The Flamin’ Groovies, The Guildford Stranglers, The Hype, The Initials, The Jackpot, The Jam, The Lord Nelson, The Nashville, The Nashville Rooms, The Newlands Tavern, The Old Codgers, The Old Trout, The Radio Stars, The Rainbow Theatre, The Ramones, The Red Cow, The Roundhouse, The Royal, The Star, The Stranglers, The Unicorn, The Vibrators, The Vipers, Tivoli Theatre, Toby Hounsham, Toby Jug, Tolworth, Top Rank, Town Hall, Toy Dolls, Trinity College, Troubleshooters, United Artists, University of Surrey, Village hall, West Kensington, West Runton, Windsor, Winter Gardens, Woking -
Giant Arc
(c’91-93) Dave ? (bass), Michael ? (guitar). Lee Rumble (drums), Geoff Hawkes (vocals / guitar).
On 14 June ’91, Giant Arc entered The Buzz Club‘s Midsummer Madness Band Competition at the West End Centre, Aldershot; where they competed against Red In Bed, Close Quarters, 33AD, and Lou Sends. Who made it to and won the final on 22 June is currently lost to the mists of time.
Sleeve for 3 track demo “Time Becomes A Monster”. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold They released the “Time Becomes A Monster” demo cassette in late ’91 having recorded the 3 tracks: “Hunters”, “Burn” and “Care” at Vons Studio, Islington that Autumn with production by Otteran ‘Ott’ Langrell, and Lee Rumble taking care of the mix. Another of their tracks, “Fire Up The Sun”, appeared earlier in ’91, as the very last track on the B-side of Farnborough Groove Vol.1, and was described by local music critic Adrian Creek as a “turgid effort”.
On 7 April ’92, Giant Arc were at Ragamuffins, Camberley for a student party; ten days later, the band appeared with Peachrazor, Flowers of Sacrifice, Nuss, and Girls on Dextrose at Barney Rubbles, Lakeside Caberet Club, Frimley on 17 April ’92. They were back at The Buzz Club on 9 May ’92 supporting The Deep Season, with Flavour and Pomeroy.
9 May ’92: Giant Arc supported Deep Season, with Flavour and Pomeroy Later that year, on 1 September, Giant Arc supported Dragonflies at The George, Ash Vale. The following year, “Hunters” popped up on “Return Of Farnborough Groove Vol.3. “Fire Up The Sun” also appeared on Farnborough Groove Best of Volumes 1-10 in December 2015.
Tracks:
Gallery:
3 track demo cassette “Time Becomes A Monster”. Picture courtesy of Sid Stovold 
The Giat Arc track “Fire Up The Sun” appeared earlier in ’91, as the very last track on the B-side of Farnborough Groove Vol.1. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 
Giat Arc’s “Fire Up The Sun” also appeared on Farnborough Groove Best of Volumes 1-10 in December 2015. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 
Giant Arc’s “Hunter” was included on Return of Farnborough Groove Vol.3 in 1993. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole. 
17 April 1992: Giant Arc with Peachrazor, Flowers of Sacrifice, Nuss, and Girls on Dextrose are at Barney Rubbles at Lakeside Caberet Club, Frimley. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
14 June 1991: West End Centre info sheet covering the first rounds of the Buzz Club’s MidSummer Madness local band competition. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
Giant Arc supported dragonflies at The George, Ash Vale on 1 September1992 according to this unidentified fanzine gig list. Picture courtesy of Steve Porter 
7 April 1992: Giant Arc were at Ragamuffins for a student party. Picture courtesy of Pete Cole 33AD, Adrian Creek, Aldershot, Ash Vale, Barney Rubbles, Buzz Club, Camberley, Close Quarters, Dragonflies, Farnborough Groove, Flavour, Flowers of Sacrifice, Frimley, Geoff Hawkes, Giant Arc, Girls on Dextrose, Islington, Lakeside Cabaret Club, Lee Rumble, Lou Sends, Nuss, Otteran Langrell, Peachrazor, Pomeroy, Ragamuffins, Red in Bed, The Deep Season, The George, Vons Studios, West End Centre
Our Soundscene 
Human beings takes me back to 1981. Followed them all over the Surrey reading area for a year a great band and 3 good guys playing well written songs of the era. I wish john Tim and steve well what ever they are doing now. Should reform for a few shows just like Oasis but do the wooden bridge.
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