Earliest U.s. Soul Acts In U.k.?

[murgs]

I recall seeing JJ Jackson perform in July or August 1967 in Bedford or Luton (it was a long time ago!), backed by 'The Greatest Little Soul Band in the Land' British musicians I believe.

Got me wondering about other members recollections of U.S. Soul artists who performed over here, and who could claim to be the first?

[Guest Matt Male]

I recall seeing JJ Jackson perform in July or August 1967 in Bedford or Luton (it was a long time ago!), backed by 'The Greatest Little Soul Band in the Land' British musicians I believe.

Got me wondering about other members recollections of U.S. Soul artists who performed over here, and who could claim to be the first?

I'd have thought Chris Barber bringing acts over to perform at the Marquee had a good claim to some of the earliest performances. Singers like Muddy Waters were coming over in the late 50s. A lot of Jazz and blues artists, maybe not that many soul singers.

[Guest Phoenix8049]

My mate remembers seeing Ike And Tina Turner and also Larry Williams at the twisted wheel.

Prior to it becoming a northern soul venue.

About 1963 or 4 i think.

Stu.

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

Motown tours must have been mid 60's and would be a good shout for some early gigs here by soul singers.

[Geoff]

The Treniers, an early R&B group, toured the UK as support to Jerry Lee Lewis, on the tour where JLL was kicked out of the country for being married to his 13 year old cousin (actually he was still married to his first wife). I think the year was 1958. Also Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers toured in 1957. I was taken to see these acts at the Regal Edmonton by my Dad. I realise now that it must have been absolute torture for him as his musical preference was for classical music or jazz; I was only just in secondary school at the time.

Sam Cooke and Clyde McPhatter toured the UK in the early 60s on package tours. I saw Major Lance and Screaming Jay Hawkins at the Flamingo in 1965. The Motown tour was that year too. The Isley Brothers appeared on Ready Steady Go singing The Last Girl, probably 1965 too.

Otis Redding and the Stax tour were in 1967 I think, and Aretha Franklin shortly after that. Quite a lot of groups came to tour clubs pretending to be better known acts, eg. the Isleys or Temptations, etc.

There were also many blues artistes who toured the UK in the early 60s R&B boom.

[Gene-R]

A group of black American servicemen, who called themselves The Pharaohs (no relation to Richard Berry's group) toured the UK during 1958. They sang doo-wop and jump jive standards, and released an ultra-rare EP on Decca (their only recording as far as known), which now changes hands for around the £1,000++ mark, making it the rarest British R&B / Rock n' Roll EP (see below from Popsike).

Wonder if this would have pre-dated the jazz musicians importing US soul/blues artists?

https://www.popsike.com/MEGA-RARE-UK-EP-THE-PHAROAHS-on-DECCA-Near-Perfect/4813459517.html

[Chris L]

I'd have thought Chris Barber bringing acts over to perform at the Marquee had a good claim to some of the earliest performances. Singers like Muddy Waters were coming over in the late 50s. A lot of Jazz and blues artists, maybe not that many soul singers.

Not a lot of Muddy Waters played at the Casino I suspect

[Chris L]

That UK Motown tour of 1965 must rank as one of the earliest true "soul tours", I know the Spellbinders toured the UK in 1966 and performed at the Twisted Wheel.

[Rob Wigley]

That UK Motown tour of 1965 must rank as one of the earliest true "soul tours", I know the Spellbinders toured the UK in 1966 and performed at the Twisted Wheel.

Kim Weston was the first "Motown" act to appear in the UK--she was sent over on her own by Berry Gordy ! it also pre-dates the Motown "Ghost" Tour by several months-Kim told me herself !!

Rob

[Guest MBarrett]

That UK Motown tour of 1965 must rank as one of the earliest true "soul tours", I know the Spellbinders toured the UK in 1966 and performed at the Twisted Wheel.

With reference to the Motown acts don't forget that Mary Wells was support act on one of the Beatles U.K. tours in 1964.

[Guest MBarrett]

Kim Weston was the first "Motown" act to appear in the UK--she was sent over on her own by Berry Gordy ! it also pre-dates the Motown "Ghost" Tour by several months-Kim told me herself !!

Rob

Rob

Without doubt Kim Weston was in the U.K. in 1964 and as you say predated the 1965 tour by several months.

I believe there were others even before her who came over to do T.V. and promotional stuff. Almost certain that (Little) Stevie Wonder came to the U.K. as early as December 1963.

Having said that here is Kim Weston on Ready Steady Go - December 1964.

MB

Edited August 5, 2010 by MBarrett

[Mrtag]

remember seeing Little Stevie Wonder at Nelson Imperial around 67/68 Roman would be the man for exact dates me thinks:yes:

[nsoul2]

Rob

Without doubt Kim Weston was in the U.K. in 1964 and as you say predated the 1965 tour by several months.

I believe there were others even before her who came over to do T.V. and promotional stuff. Almost certain that (Little) Stevie Wonder came to the U.K. as early as December 1963.

Having said that here is Kim Weston on Ready Steady Go - December 1964.

MB

Nice clip, Towards the end of the clip is that Dave Godin visible through the open stairs:?

[Guest MBarrett]

Nice clip, Towards the end of the clip is that Dave Godin visible through the open stairs:?

OMG - you've got keen eyes.

For a while DG used to produce a fanzine called Hitsville USA. I just checked the one for the end of 1964 and there is a picture in there of him and Kim when she was in the U.K. during that year.

So every likelihood he was looking after her whilst she was here inc. chaperoning her whilst she was recording Ready Steady Go!

Can't be 100% certain - but I would bet this week's housekeeping that you are right.

MB

[Guest Matt Male]

Not a lot of Muddy Waters played at the Casino I suspect

Plenty of muddy 'water' in the bogs.

[nsoul2]

OMG - you've got keen eyes.

For a while DG used to produce a fanzine called Hitsville USA. I just checked the one for the end of 1964 and there is a picture in there of him and Kim when she was in the U.K. during that year.

So every likelihood he was looking after her whilst she was here inc. chaperoning her whilst she was recording Ready Steady Go!

Can't be 100% certain - but I would bet this week's housekeeping that you are right.

MB

Think you would win the bet. He was a regular audience member on Ready Steady Go, suppled tickets by producer Vicki Wickham, apparently herself a member of the Tamla Motown

Appreciation Society.

I think that Inez and Charlie Foxx may be amongst the first regular visitors to the UK, a transtion from the R & B artists to the soul sounds of the mod and soul clubs.

They are recorded as touring with the Rolling Stones in 64, but I am sure I saw them at the Odeon Manchester October 1963, on a bill that headlined Bo Diddley and Little Richard and The Rolling Stones amongst the support acts Or is my memory playing tricks again

[Mrtag]

Plenty of muddy 'water' in the bogs.

Yer dead right there I never new I could water ski until I hit the wall

[Geoff]

Think you would win the bet. He was a regular audience member on Ready Steady Go, suppled tickets by producer Vicki Wickham, apparently herself a member of the Tamla Motown

Appreciation Society.

I think that Inez and Charlie Foxx may be amongst the first regular visitors to the UK, a transtion from the R & B artists to the soul sounds of the mod and soul clubs.

They are recorded as touring with the Rolling Stones in 64, but I am sure I saw them at the Odeon Manchester October 1963, on a bill that headlined Bo Diddley and Little Richard and The Rolling Stones amongst the support acts Or is my memory playing tricks again

I'd forgotten Inez and Charlie Foxx, I saw them in late 1964 at the Bluesville club, Manor House, north London, think second on the bill was Long John Baldry and the Bluesbreakers with Rod "The Mod" Stewart. Also saw Freddie King there late 64. I also saw Prince Buster at the Marquee, that would probably have been in 1966. Unfortunately he didn't have his band with him, or at least they didn't sound like his records on Bluebeat.

[murgs]

remember seeing Little Stevie Wonder at Nelson Imperial around 67/68 Roman would be the man for exact dates me thinks:yes:

[Guest Brian Ellis]

Nice clip, Towards the end of the clip is that Dave Godin visible through the open stairs:?

Not being disrespectful to DG's memory - but I thought it was a young Jim Royle at first glance

[murgs]

Some amazing memories on here, Stevie Wonder in Nelson, talk about 'culture shock'!

The US artists must have wondered what the hell was going on with these white kids so into their music, especially considering the political climate in the States at the time, all seems like a world away now.

As for JJ Jackson, I read somewhere that he was actually recording stuff in the UK at this time, can anyone shed any light on how this came about and the who were the UK

members of his band etc?

[Guest MBarrett]

He was a regular audience member on Ready Steady Go, suppled tickets by producer Vicki Wickham, apparently herself a member of the Tamla Motown Appreciation Society.

That's interesting - I didn't know that - but makes perfect sense.

I would love to read Vicki Wickham's account of those early days.

DG, Vicki, and of course Dusty Springfield all championing the cause of the Motown and other U.S. soul artists.

Dusty went to the States in September 1964 to take part in Murray the K's Big Holiday Show at the Fox Theatre in Brooklyn.

It just so happened that a whole load of Motown artists were on the same bill - I believe Marvin, Miracles, Supremes, Vandellas, Temptations and Contours.

She came back"singing their praises" and I guess DG, Vicki and her then played a major part in the first Motown Review tour of the U.K., Sound of Motown T.V. spectacular, Tamla Motown label etc. etc.

And the rest is history . . . . . .

MB

Edited August 6, 2010 by MBarrett

[Guest MBarrett]

I recall seeing JJ Jackson perform in July or August 1967 in Bedford or Luton (it was a long time ago!), backed by 'The Greatest Little Soul Band in the Land' British musicians I believe.

Murgs

A bit of info here about JJ Jackson etc. on Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia....and_in_the_Land

Funny to see Rico Rodriguez's name in there. Went on to play with the Specials and now Jools Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

MB

[pikeys dog]

Solomon Burke appeared in the UK in the early 60s (63/64ish)

[nsoul2]

Solomon Burke appeared in the UK in the early 60s (63/64ish)

I have seen somewhere that he appeared at the Flamingo at that time.. Lou Johnson did the Flamingo November 64 as well.

Sam Cooke toured the Uk in October 62 with Little Richard, after tour of th US bases in Europe. Got me to thinking if other acts added

a London gig / promotion once they were this side of the pond courtesy of the US Army.

.

[Guest Mart B]

Was Talking to my Brother who got me into this Soul stuff:yes: .He seen inez & charlie fox & also Edwin Starr RIP '@ The Britt also known as the Boat Club Nottingham around 1967/ 1968.I was still playing with my Airfix soldiers then:D .

[Funky 4 Corners]

In a few big cities such as London and Manchester you did find jazz type clubs that featured early 60s R&B and Soul acts but I think that a big thank you should go to the Mecca Dancing organisation, mainly their Mecca Locarno dance halls. They would get together with big promoters such as Universal Dancing and host 80% of an artist's UK dates.

When I were a lad Wakefield Mecca and Leeds' Spinning Disc for example staged many early Soul shows.

There is some interesting stuff on the web about various Mecca venues, its well worth checking out.