Andre Palfrey-martin collection
witch doctor
M.I.5. – Witch Doctor St Leonards-on-Sea 19th November 1966
Anyone remember this group, possible from Liverpool?
Caroline Shott… Wasn’t The Witch Doctor also the name of the club in Hastings? As I read your post it all came flooding back!
Mike Vawdrey… There was a Scottish group of the period known as Johnny Law and the M.I. 5 – don’t know if they were prominent enough to venture this far from their home turf ? ? An alternative possibility could be that they included somebody whose initials were MI …
The Kinsmen? plus The Motion – Witch Doctor 19th August 1967
Should this read The Kingsmen of Louie Louie fame, or a completely different band?
Mick O’Dowd… I think it is the Kinsmen. Don’t remember The Kingsmen actually touring the Uk as they were an American outfit and I think I would have gone to see them if they did.
Andre Martin… THE KINGSMEN were a group from Portland Oregon.Louis Louis was released in 1963 and held the no 2 slot on the Billboard chart for 6 weeks. Re-released again in 1966 it did chart, but much lower down.
Simon K & The Meantimers – Witch Doctor St Leonards 22nd July 1967
Neil Partrick… is that Heinz as in Telstar, Joe Meek etc?
Alan Esdaile… Same one Neil and I think Ritchie Blackmore was in the band at some stage.
Pete Fisher… according to wikipedia Blackmore played on “Just Like Eddie” in 1963, as one of The Outlaws, who Joe Meek used as a backing group for several artists…
Steve Marriotts’ Moments, The Confederates. The Witch Doctor Christmas 1964
supplied by Peter Millington.
Mick O’Dowd…..Steve is/was one of my musical heroes and if I had been in a band(no chance, can’t sing, can’t play an instrument) he would be who I would like to have been like.
Tony Court-holmes….sunday night tamla night
Mick Knights….I’ve always told those that would listen, that I saw Steve Marriot at the Witch Doctor before the Small Faces were formed, the thing I’m not too sure about is, did Steam Packett play the Witch Doctor, I know Long John did, as I do remember seeing him there. I feel sure someone will have the definative word. I also think he appeared more than on the one occasion, I wait to be proved wrong.
Andy Qunta… Wow! Steve Marriott, pre-Small Faces! Interesting!
Andy Knight… What was the Confederates line up that night?
Mick O’Dowd… No you’re not wrong Mick, he also appeared with The Small Faces here. Oh for a return of this sort of Christmas line-up!
Peter Millington… Andy, The line up was probably Johnny Conroy (Lead Vocals), Dave Johnson (Drums) Paul Burton (Rhythm + Vocals), Peter (Ginger) Millington (Bass + Vocals), Trev Spears (Lead Guitar + Vocals). At about that time Terry Chedzoy replaced Dave Johnson so it could have been either one.
Mick Knights… I have this vague memory of Christmas and New Year’s eve at the witch Doctor being the best two nights of the year, could have something to do with being 16 in 64!!
Andre Martin… Read all about Christmas & The New Year 1965 in my blog later this week – but here is a taster for all the Witch Doctor Fans.
David Bartlett…one of my all time heroes. love the music ( you,ve always been 10 years to late paul weller , c,est,la,vie ) long may you run stevie
Tony Court-holmes… the cobweb
The Candy Choir – Witch Doctor St Leonards 10th June 1967
Mick O’Dowd… I liked this band alot. Did they morph into someone more famous?
Witch Doctor – what the stars say but NO Moody Blues! July 1966
Andre Palfrey-Martin Collection
Andre Martin…..The Witch Doctor advertisement you have posted for July 1966 – which gives the Moody Blues as appearing -did not take place- having checked through the newspapers, see attached. All that I can think happened, was that this had been the original plan to get the Moodys back again, but as the 1966-1066 Programme book must have been planned and printed well in advance, something changed – perhaps the Moody Blue were on tour out of the country, who knows – in the end it was the Birds who topped the bill on that 3rd Birthday Party Night.
Mick Knights….the most likely reason for cancelation was a bands sudden increase in popularity (single climbing the charts) and the booking fee increasing by the same ratio. Seem to remember the same effect in reverse, when not enough tickets were sold to cover the bands fee.
Andre Martin….Mick -That’s what I thought, so I checked with their website and it would seem that Summer 66 was a ” troubled” time, with band members changing, so it would have been a logical move by management to pull dates. I don’t think we will ever know for sure.
Mick O’Dowd… I remember having a Witch Doctor flyer for this event which was the 2nd anniversary. 10/- entry (50p). Wanted to go but was working elsewhere that night. Never heard any reviews or talk afterwards.
John Warner… Alan Haven, the London director of the company that owned the Witchdoctor, sadly passed away.
Steve Maxted… sorry to hear that John
Jerry Fuentes… The Moodies performed in Prestatyn at the Royal Lido on July 18, 1966.
John Busbridge… was there, even got my ticket, saw the Moody Blues there twice and once at the Continental Club in Eastbourne where we went back stage with them.
Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames and Kenny and The Wranglers – Witch Doctor Aug 1965
supplied by Mandy Field
Richard Brimm… I saw Georgie Fame but can’t remember the other one
Nikolai Bukharin… I have a sleeveless copy of Georgie Fame live at the Flamingo club circa 65. Fuggin amazing.
Gerry Fortsch… Those were the days, if only we had another Witch Doctor now.
John Warner… I was a Manager of the Witchdoctor back in the 60’s. We had all the top groups there!