Roy Tempest went from being a decent UK promoter who ran numerous British tours for US soul acts to being the 'King of the Fake Groups'. In 1965/66 he was still legit & organising UK tours for the likes of Major Lance (backed up by Bluesology with Elton John). In January 1967 he was still legit & running Maxine Brown's first UK tour (she was backed by the Q Set). But it was getting more expensive for him to bring over top name US soul singers / groups. He was only making a small profit from such tours & some UK clubs were being priced out of having his US acts on.
Getting a really top line act such as the Temptations, Impressions, Isley Brothers wasn't possible financially. But then he had a great idea. There were lots of great New York based soul groups who had no UK profile but could be flown over to the UK quite cheaply. They would accept a level of fees that most British clubs could afford to pay. Only trouble was, nobody here (including mods / soul fans) had heard of any of them, so would the crowds turn out to watch an unknown act. ... BRAINWAVE ... book these acts but advertise them as a more famous group . . . . His first attempt involved the Velours and he decided to pass them off as the Temptations.
The group arrived in London in late August 67, were teamed with west London band, The Sovereigns (a King Records act) & sent out to do shows. The backing band soon took on a new name (Clockwork Orange) and the bookings rolled in . . . . I believe the teaming's first booking was at the Place, Hanley on Thursday 31st August 67. Friday they appeared at the California Ballroom, Dunstable. Saturday night it was on to the Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, followed by the allniter session in Leicester at the Nite Owl. Sunday they starred at the King Mojo alldayer in Sheffield. The following days saw them performing in London venues ... their tour was well & truly off & running.
I was in attendance @ their Nite Owl & Mojo shows and wrote about both in my pocket diary (very little though). SATURDAY ... Down on the train with Tom. The Nite Owl was full, Temptations good, had a fine time ... AND ... round to the White Cat cafe afterwards, then caught the train to Sheffield with Sully, Dave & Eric. Taxi up to the Mojo where we met the Hull crowd. Begged a ride home to Donny on the Hull coach ... as I'd commented on the Temptations performance @ the Nite Owl, I can't have thought it worth a 2nd mention !?!?
MY QUESTIONS ....
1/ were the above gigs I've listed indeed the Velours / Fabulous Temptations first UK gigs ?
2/ Did anyone here attend their 1st show @ the Place or the one after @ the California Ballroom? If so, can you post up your recollections of the night.
Roy Tempest went from being a decent UK promoter who ran numerous British tours for US soul acts to being the 'King of the Fake Groups'. In 1965/66 he was still legit & organising UK tours for the likes of Major Lance (backed up by Bluesology with Elton John). In January 1967 he was still legit & running Maxine Brown's first UK tour (she was backed by the Q Set). But it was getting more expensive for him to bring over top name US soul singers / groups. He was only making a small profit from such tours & some UK clubs were being priced out of having his US acts on.
Getting a really top line act such as the Temptations, Impressions, Isley Brothers wasn't possible financially. But then he had a great idea. There were lots of great New York based soul groups who had no UK profile but could be flown over to the UK quite cheaply. They would accept a level of fees that most British clubs could afford to pay. Only trouble was, nobody here (including mods / soul fans) had heard of any of them, so would the crowds turn out to watch an unknown act. ... BRAINWAVE ... book these acts but advertise them as a more famous group . . . . His first attempt involved the Velours and he decided to pass them off as the Temptations.
The group arrived in London in late August 67, were teamed with west London band, The Sovereigns (a King Records act) & sent out to do shows. The backing band soon took on a new name (Clockwork Orange) and the bookings rolled in . . . . I believe the teaming's first booking was at the Place, Hanley on Thursday 31st August 67. Friday they appeared at the California Ballroom, Dunstable. Saturday night it was on to the Starlight Room, Boston Gliderdrome, Boston, followed by the allniter session in Leicester at the Nite Owl. Sunday they starred at the King Mojo alldayer in Sheffield. The following days saw them performing in London venues ... their tour was well & truly off & running.
I was in attendance @ their Nite Owl & Mojo shows and wrote about both in my pocket diary (very little though). SATURDAY ... Down on the train with Tom. The Nite Owl was full, Temptations good, had a fine time ... AND ... round to the White Cat cafe afterwards, then caught the train to Sheffield with Sully, Dave & Eric. Taxi up to the Mojo where we met the Hull crowd. Begged a ride home to Donny on the Hull coach ... as I'd commented on the Temptations performance @ the Nite Owl, I can't have thought it worth a 2nd mention !?!?
MY QUESTIONS ....
1/ were the above gigs I've listed indeed the Velours / Fabulous Temptations first UK gigs ?
2/ Did anyone here attend their 1st show @ the Place or the one after @ the California Ballroom? If so, can you post up your recollections of the night.
Edited by Roburt