When the sixth Nationwide Jazz and Blues Competition was held on the final weekend of July 1966, it was the primary to be held at Windsor, somewhat additional west than its authentic dwelling in Richmond, Surrey. As typical, the line-up was eclectic and doubtless among the best aggregations of artists thus far gathered collectively within the UK at a pageant.
The pageant – held at Balloon Meadow in Windsor from July 29 to 31 – featured the primary main efficiency by Cream, billed as Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce, and Ginger Baker. (They’d solely carried out as soon as collectively in public a couple of days earlier in Manchester.)
The Nationwide Jazz and Blues Festivals have been essential on the time as a result of they provided many bands their first likelihood to play earlier than hundreds of followers somewhat than the a whole bunch they have been used to in small golf equipment and halls in and round London (and additional afield). Along with the blues bands, there was – as you would possibly count on from the pageant’s identify – loads of jazz too. The road-up in 1966 included among the largest names within the nation: Chris Barber, Ronnie Scott, Stan Tracey, and Tubby Hayes all carried out.
Friday, July 29
The Friday night time of the pageant had historically been given over to among the finest younger up and coming bands round. Second up after lengthy forgotten Mark Barry have been The Soul Brokers, Rod Stewart’s former backing band who have been a tried and trusted outfit that included Roger Pope, Dave Glover and Ian Duck. The group, together with Caleb Quaye, would later type Hookfoot and report 4 albums in addition to backing Elton John on his early albums and singles.
Geno Washington and the Ram Jam Band have been on subsequent. Though little greater than a chart footnote, this band actually was the epitome of the Sixties hard-working soul bands that performed the circuit. They’d simply had their first hit single once they performed at Windsor, however hit was a relative time period because it solely reached No.39 on the UK charts.
Following on have been The Small Faces who had lately had a High 3 hit with, “Sha-La-La-La-Lee” and have been nearly to launch “All or Nothing” that topped one of the best vendor listing within the UK.
The Spencer Davis Group with Stevie Winwood on vocals and organ have been the apparent alternative because the Friday night time headliner, having had two No.1 singles with “Keep On Running” and “Somebody Help Me” through the earlier six months.
Saturday, July 30
Saturday’s line up was a combination of jazz, blues and pop that included Chris Farlowe and the Thunderbirds, a band that included the sensible guitarist Albert Lee and Dave Greenslade on organ. Gary Farr and The T-Bones have been additionally in a day slot earlier than the estimable Jimmy James and The Vagabonds received the night underway. James was initially from Jamaica and, like Geno Washington, was one other vastly common R&B and soul act on the 60s membership circuit.
The Transfer was one other of Saturday night time’s favorites and, whereas their first hit, “Night of Fear” was 5 months away, they’d earned their place on the invoice from some excellent reside exhibits. Initially from Birmingham, they’d a weekly residency at London’s Marquee Membership the place they appeared wearing gangster fits. Roy Wooden was on guitar and Carl Wayne their vocalist and so they, together with the remainder of the band, have been sensible performers. Producer Denny Cordell secured them a recording contract with Decca’s Deram label. Their first single was Roy Wooden’s “Night of Fear,” which peaked at No.2 in late January 1967. (It was solely saved from the highest by The Monkees “I’m A Believer.”)
The Yardbirds have been scheduled to play from 9.30 pm with a line up that includes Jimmy Web page, Jeff Beck, Keith Relf, Jim McCarty and Chris Dreja. Their “Shape of Things” single had lately been a prime 10 hit and their new report, Over Below Sideways Down had additionally charted. Sadly, they needed to pull out on the final minute as a result of sickness.
Saturday’s headliners have been The Who, having already secured 4 prime ten singles together with “My Generation,” which had made No.2 on the UK chart. The band had already performed over 100 gigs through the first half of the 12 months and among the many numbers they carried out have been “I Can’t Explain,” “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” “Substitute,” “A Legal Matter,” “I’m a Boy,” and “My Generation.”
Sunday, July 31
Sunday was a moist day and the afternoon was devoted to jazz. The night kicked off with The Alan Bown Set, with the sensible Georgie Fame and the Blue Flames on at 8.15 pm.
They have been adopted, in accordance with the night’s operating order, by The Cream. Their 40 minute set was performed in entrance of 10,000 enthusiastic followers who braved the pouring rain. Among the many numbers they performed was “Toad,” which featured a 20-minute Ginger Baker solo that had the group roaring for extra. Reviews fluctuate as to what else was carried out, however it’s thought that they did “Meet Me At the Bottom,” “Spoonful,” “Steppin’ Out,” and “I’m So Glad.” This was Cream as blues powerhouse, the band that may develop into the mannequin for numerous others.
Subsequent up have been The Motion earlier than Georgie Fame was again on stage to carry out with The Harry South Orchestra that includes Tubby Hayes.
And that was Windsor 1966, aside from another factor. Within the Marquee tent at 9.15 was a band known as Bluesology that had simply signed to Fontana Data. They have been from Pinner and featured a piano participant and singer named Reg Dwight. Dwight’s track “Come Back Baby” got here out simply earlier than the pageant, however didn’t trouble the charts. It wouldn’t be lengthy, in fact, earlier than he bothered them regularly below a distinct identify: Elton John.
