them

Peter B’s Looners – The Witch Doctor Sat 1st January 1966.

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poster supplied by Peter Millington

Bruce Eder biographer – Peter B’s Looners (also sometimes called Peter B’s) were formed by Pete Bardens and Mick Fleetwood in 1966, following the breakup of their previous band, the Cheynes. The original lineup, in addition to Bardens and Fleetwood, included Dave Ambrose (ex-Steampacket) on bass and Mick Parker on guitar. An instrumental outfit, they were signed to EMI’s Columbia label, but Parker had exited before they got around to recording their sole single release, “If You Wanna Be Happy” b/w “Jodrell Blues,” with guitar chores on that record were handled by Peter Green in his debut recording. Despite the impressive names involved, Peter B’s Looners proved a transitional vehicle for all concerned and the group had split up by the end of 1966. Ambrose became a member of Brian Auger & the Trinity, while Green moved on to John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers. There, he hooked up with John McVie, and was later joined by Fleetwood, and together they formed Fleetwood Mac. Meanwhile, Bardens moved on to form Shotgun Express, passed through the lineup of Them, and a solo career that ultimately led to his forming Camel.

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/peter-bs-looners-mn0001893500/biography

Alan Esdaile…. some people here will remember Pete Bardens Camel.

Mick O’Dowd… Didn’t he also have Pete Bardens Express?

Them – Witch Doctor 30th April 1965

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them_band

Ad Andre Palfrey-martin collection. photo London Records Ad 1965

John Storer…Does this get votes as one of the most influential singles ever? both tracks are now standards and both sound as brilliant today as they did back then. “Gloria” was the b-side to “Baby Please Don’t Go” when it was released in the UK but the tracks were reversed when the single was released in the States. Yet it was “BPDG” as a b-side that caught the imagination of many American bands and it was a cover of that song by The Amboy Dukes in 1967 that brought a certain Mr Ted Nugent to prominence.

Andy Qunta…..Funnily enough, Gloria was the B-side to Baby Please Don’t Go, although it is perhaps the better-known one now. I like both, but I still prefer the A-side!  By the way, they say that if you drop a guitar down the stairs, sooner or later it will play Gloria!

Len……Saw ‘Them’ in the club upstairs above the Fiesta Coffee Bar, on the day they played the Witch Doctor.

Alan Esdaile….Anyone remember seeing Van Morrison at The White Rock Theatre in 1991?

Mick O’Dowd…..Yes I was there. Fantastic show from The Master and if I remember Mike Cotton Sound were a more than adequate band.

David Edwards… Well I never knew that Them had played the Witchdoctor.

John Warner… Mike Cotton, came across him again on a cruise, great trumpeter. Them – Van Morrison. Lonely Ones – Noel Redding. Great times!

Them in Club Continental Eastbourne in 1966

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shared from David McLean

David McLean… 1966 Them in Eastbourne. I think this was after Van Morrison had quit.

Anne Wells… I was there at the gig Eastbourne Continental in February 1966 and up close to Van Morrison who was definitely fronting the group. Later same year same club there was another gig with rival Them without Van Morrison

Anne Wells… The photo shows the 2nd gig with McCauley Bros and without Van Morrison