A newspaper cutting for Jimi Hendrix who appeared at the Kirklevington Country Club along with John McCoy’s band, The Real McCoy, formerly the Crawdaddies. Note the misspelling of Jimi’s name! The Jimi Hendrix Experience played their first North East gig at the ‘Kirk’, in January 1967.
Image courtesy of Jim McCurley.
Sad day yesterday, to learn of the death of another rock-legend that graced the tiny stage of The Kirk, none other than Mr Joe Cocker who appeared there with his ‘Grease Band’ in early 1968. He was then booked again by John McCoy in the August of that year, to appear at the ‘Teespop ’68 Festival’ (held at the Herlingshaw Ctr. Eston) Just under a year after that, Joe and his band were one of the headliner acts at the iconic ‘Woodstock Festival’, N.Y.
Did you saw also FREE (English rock band internationally famous for their hit “All Right Now” of 1970) at Kirklevington Country Club? Seems FREE played there at least two times during 1969 but not exact date are available. Any kind of additional information about FREE gigs is appreciate. Thanks for your memories
I saw Free twice at St Marys Youth Club Stockton, twice before & after the release of Tons of Sobs, probably 1969. Next time was at Redcar Jazz Club late 1970.
Thanks for your memories Norman ! Well recently I discover FREE played Stockton – St. Mary Church Youth Club 2 January 1970 (still I am searching for other gigs played before during 1969). Also I have another fan memory by Alastair Smith (posted 23rd January 2005) who says:
Yes it is true that Free played at St. Marys youth club as practice sessions. In fact I attended a gig they gave there as a thank you to St Marys after they had become famous. It would have been in the early 70s that this event occured. From my memory the charge was 50p which would date it after decimalisation day in February 1971.
Well perhaps FREE played a gig in Stockton – St. Mary Church Youth Club in March 1971…but who knows ! Any further recollections about FREE is always welcome ! Thanks
They appeared at the Redcar Jazz club sometime then. I think with Family or Nice or Chicken Shack or ELP. Cream were supposed to play but were ’held Up’ in Finland so they substituted. It happened a couple more times and stand ins were just as good rising stars.
I remember Jimi and the doorstaff playing ‘roll the bottle’ across the dance-floor during a ‘lock in’ session after his gig. Jimi was teamed up with ‘Big Lenny’ (a butcher during the day). The idea was to roll a bottle with your nose, from the corner bar to the stage. Now as Lenny had quite a big head and Jimi a flat nose, it was Lenny who won, with a cry of “White man wins!”. Strange, how neither Jimi (who laughed loudly), or anyone else, took any offence at that ‘jokey’ comment in a happier and certainly more relaxed pre-‘PC’ age…
How reliable is the rumour that someone walked in on Jimi with a young lady in the barbers shop on Yarm High Street, the day of this gig?
Jimmy McCurley and I, along with Felix McCoy, just finished a visit back to the UK and Teesside last week. During our visit we spent a few hours with John McCoy and a better few hours than I could have wished for. John shared some of his memories of those exciting days at the Kirk including this appearance by Jimi Hendrix. John is in the process of gathering his “memories”, possibly into written form so everybody can enjoy them. I sure hope so…. you’re a gentleman John, thanks for an incredible day… I hope to repay the visit when your out here in San Francisco.