In 1965, the UK charts were dominated by British bands and artists. A few years earlier it was mostly US singles that charted in the UK. In the spring, an all-star Tamla Motown package tour played half empty theatres but towards the end of the year US soul music began to take off in the UK, in particular in the clubs and dance halls. The UK’s love of soul was kicked off by Wilson Pickett’s ‘In The Midnight Hour’, James Brown’s ‘Papas Got A Brand New Bag’ and Otis Redding’s cover of the Temptations’ ‘My Girl’. Some records by newcomers to to the UK charts in 1965 – acts that have stood the test of time – were Tom Jones with ‘It’s Not Unusual’ and The Who with ‘I Can’t Explain’. The Beatles and The Rolling Stones continued to chart regularly throughout the year.
Most local north east bands played either rhythm & blues material or songs from the Top Twenty. The Junco Partners were Newcastle’s number one band in 1965.
Mod gear was still fashionable in 1965 with the ‘trendy’ male wearing Ben Sherman shirts, hipster trousers, white jeans, Hush Puppies, pop-art styles and parkas. Hair was being worn short with a centre parting. Mini skirts or dresses were being worn by the girls.
January
North east gigs
11/1/65 Cilla Black, PJ Proby, Fourmost and Tommy Roe appear at Newcastle City Hall
13/1/65 Cilla Black, PJ Proby, Fourmost and Tommy Roe appear at Odeon, Stockton
19/1/65 Chuck Berry, Graham Bond and Moody Blues appear at Newcastle City Halll
23/1/65 Chuck Berry, Graham Bond and Moody Blues appear at Odeon, Stockton
Happening Elsewhere
The Kinks make their first tour of Australia and New Zealand beginning in January 1965 as part of a package bill that includes Manfred Mann and The Honeycombes
The Who’s first single ‘I can’t Explain’ was released on 15th January.
In New York on 21st January, The Animals show at the Apollo Theatre is cancelled when the U.S. Immigration authorities force the band to leave the venue.
On 24th January The Animals appear for a second time on the Ed Sullivan Show.
On 29th January The Who make their first appearance on the Rediffusion TV programme ‘Ready, Steady, Go!’. Fellow guests are the Animals, Elkie Brooks, Goldie & The Gingerbreads and Rhythm & Blues Inc. The Who mime to ‘I Can’t Explain’.
In the charts
1 Yeh Yeh – Georgie Fame & The Blue Flames
10 I’m Gonna Be Strong – Gene Pitney
20 You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – Righteous Brothers
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February
North east gigs
5/2/65 Alex Harvey Soul Band appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
13/2/65 Spencer Davis Group appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
18/2/65 Stormsville Shakers appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
My gigs (with the Kylastrons)
| Fri | 05/02/1965 | Blue Note, Sunderland | Black Knights |
| Sat | 06/02/1965 | Ashington Welfare | Lectrones) |
| Sun | 07/02/1965 | El Cubana / Rainbow Club, Seaton | |
| Thu | 11/02/1965 | The Scene, Middlesbrough | |
| Sat | 13/02/1965 | El Cubana, Sunderland | |
| Thu | 18/02/1965 | The Scene, Middlesbrough | |
| Sun | 21/02/1965 | Doncaster | Blue Jays |
| Thu | 25/02/1965 | County Hotel | |
| Fri | 26/02/1965 | Blue Note, Sunderland | |
| Sat | 27/02/1965 | Murton Democratic Club |
Happening Elsewhere
The Who’s ‘I Can’t Explain’ enters the NME chart at number 28.
On 6th February Donovan makes the first of three appearances on ITV’s Ready Steady Go.
‘The Sound of ‘65’ – the first LP by The Graham Bond Organisation, is released by Columbia. The album which featured US blues standards and original material receives excellent reviews but fails to chart.
The Animals have seven dates in New York cancelled due to problems with the Musicians Union.
On 24th February the Beatles begin filming their second movie – Help!
In the charts
1 You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling – Righteous Brothers
10 Cast Your Fate To The Wind – Sounds Orchestral
20 Yes I Will – The Hollies
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March
North east gigs
5/3/65 Jimmy Powell & The Dimensions (with Rod Stewart) appear at the Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
6/3/65 Roy Orbison, Rockin’ Berries and Marianne Faithful appear at The Globe, Stockton
7/3/65 Del Shannon, Wayne Fontana, Herman’s Hermits, The Shagi-Las appear at Newcastle City hall
7/3/65 Buddy Guy appear at Kirklevington Country Club
9/3/65 Rolling Stones, Dave Berry and The Hollies appear at Odeon, Sunderland
14/3/65 Kinks, Pretty Things, Animals and Screaming Lord Sutch appear at Newcastle City Hall
18/3/65 Roy Orbison, Rockin’ Berries and Marianne Faithful appear at Newcastle City Hall
19/3/65 Moody Blues appear at Durham University
20/3/65 T Bone Walker appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
25/3/65 Searchers, Dusty Springfield, Bobby Vee and the Zombies appear at Odeon, Stockton
26/3/65 Searchers, Dusty Springfield, Bobby Vee and the Zombies appear at Newcastle City Hall
My gigs (with the Kylastrons)
| Wed | 03/03/1965 | Morton Sound (recording) | |
| Fri | 05/03/1965 | Kendal Town Hall | |
| Sat | 06/03/1965 | Palais, Worksop | Mal Parker |
| Sun | 07/03/1965 | Rotherham Baths | Futures |
| Mon | 08/03/1965 | Arbourthorne Hotel, Sheffield | |
| Tue | 09/03/1965 | Wombwell | |
| Wed | 10/03/1965 | Hull University | Spencer Davis |
| Sat | 13/03/1965 | Blue Note, Sunderland | Invaders |
| Fri | 19/03/1965 | Blue Note, Sunderland | Invaders |
| Sat | 20/03/1965 | Blue Note, Sunderland | Junco Partners |
Happening Elsewhere
‘It’s Not Unusual’ by Tom Jones reaches number 1 in the UK charts and launches his career. His first single ‘Chills And Fever’ released by Decca in 1964 failed to make the charts but a heavy promotion of ‘It’s Not Unusual’ by pirate radio station – Radio Caroline ensures it’s success. The song was originally offered to Sandie Shaw who declined it after she heard Jones’ version.
Eric Clapton leaves the Yardbirds saying that they were “going too commercial”.
On 20th March Kathy Kirby finishes 10th in Eurovision Song Contest. She sings the song ‘I Belong’.
In the charts
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April
North east gigs
1/4/65 Moody Blues appear at Mayfair, Newcastle
30/4/65 Stormsville Shakers appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
Happening Elsewhere
On 11th April the New Musical Express poll winners concert takes place and features performances by The Beatles, The Animals, The Rolling Stones, Freddie And The Dreamers, The Kinks, The Searchers, Herman’s Hermits, The Moody Blues, Donovan, Cilla Black, Dusty Springfield, Tom Jones and Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders.
Bob Dylan begins a two week tour of the UK, which includes concerts at Sheffield, Liverpool, Leicester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester culminating with an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Eric Clapton joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers just a few months after the release of their first album.
Dusty Springfield hosts an edition of Rediffusion’s ‘Ready Steady Go!’ featuring a host of Tamla Motown artists who are on tour in the UK. Amongst those featured on the show are; The Supremes, The Temptations, The Miracles and Stevie Wonder.
The Tamla Motown tour of the UK comes to an end. Sadly, aside from two sold-out London dates, the shows were poorly attended, even with home-grown star Georgie Fame added to the roster. The few who did turn up witnessed some of the most joyful, life-affirming performances they’d ever experienced.
In the charts
1 The Minute You’re Gone – Cliff Richard
10 I’ts Not Unusual – Tom Jones
20 Pop Go The Workers – The Barron Knights
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May
North east gigs
3/5/65 The Who appear at the Majestic, Newcastle
5/5/65 Billy Fury, Brian Poole, Dave Berry and John Barry 7 appear at The Globe, Stockton
6/5/65 Bob Dylan appears at Newcastle City Hall
My gigs (with the Six Leaves)
| Sat | 01/05/1965 | Horder Labour Club |
| Tue | 04/05/1965 | The Queens, Hartlepool |
| Sun | 09/05/1965 | Dawdon Club |
| Sun | 16/05/1965 | Hordon Comrades |
| Fri | 21/05/1965 | Houghton Dance |
| Sat | 22/05/1965 | Blackhouse Club |
| Sun | 23/05/1965 | Hordon Comrades |
Happening Elsewhere
Alan Price leaves the Animals due to personal circumstances, musical differences and a fear of flying. He is temporarily replaced by Newcastle Hammond organist, Mick Gallagher and then by a permanent replacement – Dave Rowberry who had been playing in the Newcastle jazz/blues since his university days in the early sixties.
Keith Richards and Mick Jagger begin work on ‘Satisfaction’. Richards came up with the classic guitar riff while messing around with a Gibson Fuzz Box.
The Small Faces travel to Manchester and Sheffield for their first gigs outside of London. In Sheffield they are paid off at a Working Men’s club after playing just three songs. Shortly after the band played at Peter Stringfellow’s Mojo Club in Sheffield and according to Stringfellow go down an “absolute storm”.
The New York folk singer Joan Baez appears at the Albert Hall, London to an appreciative audience.
In the charts
1 Ticket To Ride – The Beatles
10 Wonderful World – Herman’s Hermits
20 Clapping Song – Shirley Ellis
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June
North east gigs
17/6/65 Wayne Fontana & The Mindbenders appear at Mayfair, Newcastle
My gigs (with the Six Leaves)
| Sat | 12/6/1965 | Hordon Labour Club |
| Sun | 13/6/1965 | Durham Club |
| Sun | 20/6/1965 | Silksworth WMC |
| Sun | 27/6/1965 | WestLea Club |
Happening Elsewhere
The Who appear at Le Club au Golf Drouot, Paris as part of a promotional trip to the French capital. Despite the language barrier, the appearance marked the beginning of the Who’s popularity in France, a market generally resistant to English acts.
On 12th June The Beatles are appointed Members Of The British Empire (MBEs) by the Queen. Some previous recipients of the MBE are offended and protest.
In the charts
1 Long Live Love – Sandy Shaw
10 Marie – Bachelors
20 Looking Through The Eyes Of Love – Gene Pitney
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July
North east gigs
30/7/65 Alex Harvey and The Fallouts appear at Blue Note, Sunderland
My gigs (with the Six Leaves)
| Thu | 1/7/1965 | The Queens, Hartlepool |
| Fri | 2/7/1965 | South Shields British Legion |
| Tue | 6/7/1965 | York House, Seaham |
| Sat | 10/7/1965 | Silksworth Buffs |
| Sun | 11/7/1965 | Glendale, Houghton |
| Mon | 12/7/1965 | York House, Seaham |
| Fri | 16/7/1965 | Aero Club, Sunderland |
| Mon | 19/7/1965 | York House, Seaham |
| Sat | 31/7/1965 | Rainton Club |
Happening Elsewhere
On 13th July The Beatles receive a record five Ivor Novello Awards.
On July 25, 1965 Bob Dylan appears for the third time at the Newport Folk Festival. On the previous two occasions he had performed as a solo artist and as a duo with Joan Baez. .On his third appearance he is booed by some fans when he plays with backing from Mike Bloomfield on electric guitar and other musicians from Bloomfield’s band – The Paul Butterfield Blues Band. The hostile reception from fans is because of Dylan’s “abandoning of the folk orthodoxy” but may also be because of poor sound quality on the night (or a combination of the two). The performance, Dylan’s first live “plugged-in” set of his professional career, marks the shift in his artistic direction from folk to rock and has wider implications for both styles of music.
The Graham Bond Organisation appear on Ready Steady Go! And promote their new single ‘Lease On Love’. Bond uses this opportunity to feature his new found instrument – the Mellotron.
In the charts
1 I’m Alive – The Hollies
10 Colours – Donovan
20 We Gotta Get Out Of This Place – The Animals
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August
North east gigs
16/8/65 Moody Blues appear at Majestic Ballroom, Newcastle
22/8/65 Moody Blues appear at Kirk Levington Country Club
My gigs (with the Six Leaves)
| Wed | 04/08/1965 | Newbottle |
| Sun | 08/08/1965 | Haswell Plough |
| Mon | 09/08/1965 | Seaham Harbour |
| Wed | 11/08/1965 | Horden Labour Club |
| Fri | 13/08/1965 | Easington Lane |
| Sat | 14/08/1965 | The Queens, Hartlepool |
| Sun | 15/08/1965 | Hordon Comrades |
| Mon | 16/08/1965 | Seaham Harbour |
| Fri | 20/08/1965 | Ivy Leaf Club |
| Sat | 21/08/1965 | Murton Democratic Club |
| Tue | 24/08/1965 | The Queens, Hartlepool |
Happening Elsewhere
6th August – The Small Faces release their first single ‘Whatcha Gonna Do About it?’
The Beatles release the sound track to their second movie – ‘Help!’
The Who videotape three songs for the US ABC network’s syndicated pop show ‘Shindig!’ at Twickenham Film Studios.
American band the Byrds arrive in London to begin a UK tour. After a series of poor performances involving bad sound quality and a lifeless stage act, two concerts are cancelled.
In the charts
1 Help – The Beatles
10 I Got You Babe – Sonny & Cher
20 He’s Got No Love – The Searchers
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September
North east gigs
19/9/65 John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers appear at Kirklevington Country Club
23/9/65 Peter, Paul & Mary appear at Newcastle City Hall
25/9/65 John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
My gigs (with the Six Leaves)
| Sun | 05/09/1965 | Hordon Labour Club |
| Sat | 18/09/1965 | Ryhope WMC |
| Wed | 22/09/1965 | Roker Hotel |
| Sat | 25/09/1965 | Glendale Club, Houghton |
(with Jazzboard)
| Thu | 30/9/1965 | Club 11, Sunderland |
Happening Elsewhere
Following several disagreements with Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce is sacked from The Graham Bond Organisation. However, he continues to return for gigs as he feels that it is his group as well. When Ginger Baker finally pulls a knife on Jack Bruce and tells him “If you show up again, this goes in you!”, Bruce leaves for good.
On 30th September Donovan appears on the U.S. TV programme ‘Shindig’ and plays ‘Universal Soldier’, written by Buffy Sainte-Marie.
In the charts
1 (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – The Rolling Stones
10 Tears Ken Dodd
20 Just A Little Bit Better – Herman’s Hermits
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October
North east gigs
7/10/65 Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis and Unit 4 +2 appear at Newcastle City Hall
8/10/65 Rolling Stones, Spencer Davis and Unit 4 +2 appear at ABC, Stockton
13/10/65 Winder K Frog appears at the Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
14/10/65 Everly Brothers, Cilla Black, Biily J Kramer appear at Newcastle City Hall
16/10/65 4th American Folk & Blues Festival featuring Big Mama Thornton, Eddie Boyd, Lonesome Jimmy Lee and Buddy Guy appear at Newcastle City Hall
23/10/65 Zoot Money & The Big Roll Band appear at the Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
28/10/65 Spencer Davis Group and Alan Price Set appear at Mayfair, Newcastle
29/10/65 Gene Pitney, Lulu and Rockin’ Berries appear at ABC, Stockton
30/10/65 Them, Steam Packet and Gas Board appear at Mayfair, Newcastle
My gigs (with Jazzboard)
| Fri | 01/10/1965 | Club 11, Sunderland |
| Sat | 02/10/1965 | La Cubana, Sunderland |
| Sun | 03/10/1965 | El Cubana, Sunderland |
| Thu | 07/10/1965 | El Cubana, Sunderland |
| Fri | 08/10/1965 | La Cubana, Sunderland |
| Fri | 22/10/1965 | Guys and Dolls, Newcastle |
| Sun | 24/10/1965 | El Cubana, Sunderland |
| Fri | 29/10/1965 | Guys and Dolls, Newcastle |
| Sat | 30/10/1965 | Guys and Dolls, Newcastle |
Happening Elsewhere
On 17th October The Animals appear for the fourth time on The Ed Sullivan Show.
In the charts
1 Tears – Ken Dodd
10 Message Understood – Sandie Shaw
20 Here It Comes Again – The Fortunes
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November
North east gigs
12/11/65 Stormsville Shakers appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
13/11/65 Steam Packet appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
14/11/65 Steampacket appear at Redcar Jazz Club (Coatham Hotel)
18/11/65 Wilson Pickett appears at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
20/11/65 Gene Pitney, Lulu and Rockin’ Berries appear at Newcastle City Hall
20/11/65 Spencer Davis Group appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
26/11/65 Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
27/11/65 Chris Farlowe & The Thunderbirds appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
My gigs (with Jazzboard)
| Fri | 5/11/1965 | Guys and Dolls, Newcastle |
| Sat | 06/11/1965 | Fuse Box, Whitburn |
| Fri | 12/11/1965 | Guys and Dolls, Newcastle |
| Sun | 14/11/1965 | Federation Club |
| Mon | 15/11/1965 | West End Dance |
| Thu | 18/11/1965 | Locarno Ballroom, Sunderland |
| Fri | 19/11/1965 | Guys and Dolls, Newcastle |
| Sat | 20/11/1965 | Jazzboard Club |
| Tue | 23/11/1965 | Peterlee Dance |
| Thu | 25/11/1965 | Locarno Ballroom, Sunderland |
| Fri | 26/11/1965 | 45 Club, Whitley Bay |
| Sat | 27/11/1965 | Ashington Welfare |
Happening Elsewhere
On 5th November The Who release their iconic single ‘My Generation’ in the UK. Roger Daltry stutters the lyrics throughout the song, which contains the famous line ‘Why don’t you all f’f’f’f fade away’ and ‘I hope I die before I get old’.
In the charts
1 Get Off My Cloud – The Rolling Stones
10 My Generation – The Who
20 Princess In Rags – Gene Pitney
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December
North east gigs
1/12/65 Winder K Frog appear at Club A’Gogo, Newcastle
4/12/65 Beatles and Moody Blues appear at Newcastle City Hall
16/12/65 Steam Packet appear at Redcar Jazz Club (Coatham Hotel)
My gigs (with Jazzboard)
| Fri | 03/12/1965 | 4X Jazz Club, Tynemouth | |
| Sat | 04/12/1965 | Redcar Jazz Club | Skyliners |
| Wed | 08/12/1965 | Seaburn (Arts Ball) | Crawdaddies & Junco Partners |
| Fri | 10/12/1965< | Peterlee Dance | |
| Sat | 11/12/1965 | Jazzboard Club | |
| Fri | 17/12/1965 | Peterlee College Dance | Continentals |
| Sat | 18/12/1965 | Jazzboard Club | |
| Mon | 20/12/1965 | Washington Grammar Dance | |
| Tue | 21/12/1965 | Peterlee Youth Centre | |
| Wed | 22/12/1965 | West End Club, Newcastle | |
| Thu | 23/12/1965 | Club a’GoGo, Newcastle | |
| Fri | 24/12/1965 | Ashington Welfare | |
| Fri | 31/12/1965 | Kirk Levington Country Club | John McCoys Crawdaddies |
Happening Elsewhere
The Who’s first album – ‘My Generation’ is released and reaches number 5 in the album charts.
The Beatles release their album ‘Rubber Soul’ and the double A-sided single ‘Day Tripper’/’We Can Work It Out’.
In the charts
1 The Carnival Is Over – The Searchers
10 Princess In Rags – Gene Pitney
20 Tell me Why – Elvis Presley
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Go to 1966
Go to 1967
Go to 1968
Go to 1969
Go to 1970
Go to 1971
Go to 1972
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The main sources for the material on the Years pages are as follows: –
- Marmalade Skies and it’s sister site – Remember The Times
- ‘A Promoter’s Tale – Rock At The Sharp End’ by Geoff Docherty: Omnibus Press ISBN 0-7119-9434-X
- Individual posts and images from North East History Facebook page
- ‘The Sixties Sounds That Made The North East Swing” by Mel Kirtley: Wearside Books ISBN 0-9525380-3-2
- “Ballroom Blitz” web site (not currently available)
- Various web sites containing historic gig listings for individual touring bands of the late sixties and early seventies
Very interesting…. I found the site accidentally but it was good to read a North East critique compiled by a Northerner – rather than the inevitable “Southerner’s” version of events at the other end of the country during those years!
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Is the January 29th Ready Steady Go episode available please.
Interested in Rick and Sandy
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