John has news reached you in Russia of ten Carter Vinyl box set. It’s pretty smashing. Though I’m a £180 poorer.
I liked the Small Faces, but never got to see them live. The nearest I got was in early 1966 me and a mate walked from Barnsley to Royston to see "Jimmy Winston & the Reflections at the 'Ace Ballroom' (now a Pentecostal Church). After the SF's first two hit singles Jimmy Winston (their original keyboard player) fell out with the band and formed the Reflections. Although not as good as the Small Faces (no way could they replicate Steve Marriot's singing) they were very good. We had a great night which made the walk back to Barnsley a lot easier. It was a Sunday and back then there were no buses.
The Yardbirds with their best live lineup (Beck, Page, Relf, Dreja and McCarty) played the Barnsley Civic in the 1960s. During that era the Civic hosted a load of top bands. Although the memory is going a bit I do remember seeing The Kinks, The Fourmost, one hit wonders 'Hedge Hoppers anonymous' & the Four Pennies, Georgie Fame, Alan Price, Yardbirds, Tom Paxton, Unit 4+2, Foundations and a band that played every Sunday night called the 'Outer Limits' Who I think went off to become the band 'Christie' of 'Yellow River' fame. This thread has triggered much loved memories of my mis-spent teenage years. Thanks for starting it.
Blimey, just checked in today, for first time in a few, an there's a picture of the Action and a thread about Mod bands. Saw the Action when they got back together in late 90's, only missed 2 of the gigs they did after reforming, rode me scooter down to see them at the I.O.W. Mod Rally, 1 week after taking me part 1 test, 10 days after getting the scooter. Travelling on A roads from South Yorkshire overnight, that were a journey. Some top bands mentioned so, Secret Affair, The Truth, seen them both this year, great bands, The Gents, saw em countless times when I still lived in the area and they were gigging. The Moment and Makin' Time, Prisoners, anyone, met Fay Hallam a while back when she played at the 100 Club in London.
Yeah I was into all that. The Jam being my favourite band, but Secret Affair, Lambrettas, Merton parkas, The Truth etc etc all being popular as well. Loved all the Ska revival as well. My favourites were the Specials, but it was all good to dance to. As mentioned, the Gents were good for a night out as well.
Still doing all the Mod do and gigs, some really good new bands around as well, The Spitfires, The Sha La La's, Deep Six, to name but 3.
Remember the Prisoners. James Taylor of JTQ was in them. Good band too, as were the others that you mention. The Action were massively under rated, were up there with the Small Faces for me, wished I'd seen them. I know their lineup changed a fair bit & they moved away from the mod scene eventually.