The Milano Coffee Bar – The Midlands 2 I's.......

 

The Milano Coffee Bar – The Midlands 2 I's.......

By Pete Clemons

A follow on from an earlier article by Pete Clemons here

https://coventrygigs.blogspot.com/2013/07/coventrys-rock-n-roll-cafes.html

Certainly located on the Radford Road and on, I believe, the site now occupied by the Zorbas Greek restaurant was once the Milano Coffee Bar.

This unassuming building was, for a short while, a hub for teenage music fans. 'Calling all pop fans' it once cried out 'We have pleasure in announcing the formation of a rock club where you can meet all your favourite pop stars'.

The Milano even billed itself as The Midlands 2 I's. It used to advertise itself regularly as 'the cafe bar with a difference'. The place even had a house group named after it, 'The Milano Rockers'.

The Milano certainly had a very lively music scene with regular live appearances by bands like Ronnie Wilde and the Wildcats, Clive Lea and the Phantoms, The Zodiacs, The Vampires and The High Cards.

But where this café would really excel was when, for example, a name artist was visiting the city. The Milano would get them to appear at their venue during that afternoon prior to the main gig that they had been in the city to play.

This happened, for example, when Georgie Fame was due to play an evening show at The Rialto and when Johnny Gentle played at The Banba Club. I understand that this happened on several other occasions. Others who visited the venue included Lance Fortune, Paul Raven and Johnny Kidd and the Pirates.

Possibly though, the venues greatest coup was when, during January 1960, Eddie Cochran called in at The Milano after a show. Along with Gene Vincent, Vince Eager and others Eddie had appeared at The Gaumont, (now known as the Ellen Terry building) earlier on.

Coventry drummer Nigel Lomas, who has such a sharp and accurate memory, was in attendance at The Milano that night and had mentioned this extraordinary tale to me on more than one occasion.

Not that I ever doubted him, but Nigel’s story, has been emphatically endorsed by an interview with, the then, Vikings lead singer Terry Wallace in the excellent ‘Brum Rocked’ book. Terry and the band were playing in the Milano that very same night.

During the interview Terry spoke very specifically about when The Vikings had been playing in a Coventry coffee bar the day that Eddie and Gene were in the city. Coincidentally, Terry mentions, that The Vikings had just performed a Cochran song, ‘Twenty Flight Rock’. During the song Terry had become aware of a guy just staring at him.

At the end of the song the same guy cheered loudly. Terry then recognised him as being Eddie Cochran and with him was both Gene Vincent and guitarist Big Jim Sullivan.

The Vikings were just one of several Birmingham bands that played the Milano during 1960 and 1961. Also making their way down the A45 came El Riot and the Rebels and Danny King and the Royals. Both of these groups found their way onto the German circuit with each performing at the Top Ten Club in Hamburg.

Danny King, despite his own personal lack of a major success, has always been held in high esteem in the Birmingham area. Members of his bands always had the chance to nurture themselves and several did go on to greater things such as Trevor Burton and Clint Warwick.

For the El Riot and the Rebels gig, I am almost certain in saying that future Moody Blues members, Ray Thomas and John Lodge, were members of El Riot at that time and would also have graced the Milano.

King Size Kings 1964 / 65

King Size Kings 1964 / 65

by Pete Clemons

Around ten years ago I went to a fascinating chat with local soul singing legend Ray King. During the talk he mentioned how, before his own Soul Band, he had linked up with a band called Suzi and The King Size Kings. At that time he was still known by his birth name of Vibert Cornwall.

Suzi left the King Size Kings and, at the same time, Vibert became known by his stage name of Ray King. The King Size Kings changed their name to the Ray King Soul Band. This would have been toward the end of 1965 and early 1966.

At face value I took it that The King Size Kings were named so because of Ray King's involvement. But that does not appear to be the case. In fact, if anything, Vibert possibly gained the Ray King name through being with the band.

It seemed as though The King Size Kings were formed and had a life of their own before Ray King ever became involved with them.

An article I came across from October 1964 mentioned: – 'A Coventry group who have been playing together for only four months won the first heat of a beat music contest. The group will now appear in the semi finals of the competition along with The Barry James Four, another Coventry group, who finished in second place. The heat was staged at the Police Ballroom, Coventry'.

The article went on to name the band members: 'The five member of King Size Kings, Tony Ashton (lead singer), Barry Toal (drummer), Rick Bradford (bass guitar), Paul Price (lead guitar) and Bob Neal (rhythm guitar) hope that the contest will lead to a recording contract and, perhaps, a professional career'. No mention of Ray King - or Suzi for that matter.

Fast forward to July 1965 and the King Size Kings had just taken third place at their quarter final heat at the Wimbledon Palais with six original numbers including one composed by all members of the group titled, 'I've Been Wrong'.

It was reported that: 'The five members of a Coventry group, the King Size Kings – in it's present form, only came together two months ago, but the group has won its way through to the semi finals of the 'Melody Maker' national beat contest'.

The article continued that 'The Kings will take part in a semi final on August 1st and, if successful, in the finals on August 15th. Paul Price (17) is lead guitarist of the group, which has existed for about eighteen months but the present members, all from Coventry, only recently came together. They practice and perform most nights in the week. Mr E.W. Price, Paul's father and manager of the group, told the Coventry telegraph that they enjoy it. 'Any other life would be boring' he said'.

Sadly the Kings were unsuccessful in the contest. They were beaten at the semi final stage held, once more, in Wimbledon. However they were voted top group in the Midlands popularity poll of 1965.

Incidentally, as for the outcome of this most prestigious of competitions: 550 groups had initially entered the various heats. Prizes for the winners of the national contest include a Decca recording contract. A new Hammond organ worth (at that time) £525. An appearance on ABC-TV's 'Thank Your Lucky Stars'. And a set of stage clothes from the tailors Cecil Gee (later to become a chain). For the runners up a Vox PA system worth £180 and third place won a Premier drum kit worth £140.

The final, yet again at the Wimbledon Palais, was judged by, among others, Graham Nash of the Hollies, TV producer Muriel Young and DJ Kenny Everett. The panel voted a group called St Louis Union as the overall winners. St. Louis Union went on to have one top twenty record, when they covered the Beatles song 'Girl' in 1966. King Size Kings need not have been disappointed in being beaten at the semi final stage. They were in good company. Amboy Dukes, the UK band (not the US version) also fell at the semi final hurdle As did another band who achieved real fame and fortune. And they were called The Pink Floyd.

Not knowing the exact time Ray King joined The King Size Kings means it is difficult to establish if he was involved with the Melody Maker national beat contest of 1965.

Overall all though, despite the King Size Kings being short lived, they quickly established themselves. They became incredibly busy and very popular in a short space of time.

Also it is not clear how many, if any of King Size Kings followed Ray King into his Soul Band. So some mysteries still remain.

Shel Naylor

 

Shel Naylor

by Pete Clemons

Shel Naylor was a Coventry born singer who, under the management of Larry Page recorded two singles for Decca records. But if the name Shel Naylor is unfamiliar to you then that of Rob Woodward may be more recognisable.

Rob was a member of Lieutenant Pigeon who had the iconic, yet unlikely hit single, Mouldy Old Dough. And Rob and Shel are one the same. Lieutenant Pigeon were flying high 50 years ago. Shel Naylor was around almost 10 years previous to that.

Maybe inspired by pop impresario Larry Parnes, who renamed his string of acts, Larry Page would do similar. Drummer Nigel Lomas confirmed: Larry used our record producer Shel Talmy as the first name. Do not know where the 'Naylor' part of the name came from though.

By September 1963 Shel Naylor was amongst a string of Coventry artists, managed by Larry Page, who were challenging for the charts. A showcase of them was held at the Orchid Ballroom Coventry. Billed as a twang party night. Johnny B Great and the Goodmen, The Avengers, The Chimes, The Orchids and Shel Naylor. Five shillings a ticket, in advance, from Jill Hanson and other outlets.

November 1963 saw Shel release the first of two singles. 'How Deep is the Ocean'/'La Bamba'. The single was described in the music press as 'New boy with a violent vocal style who veritably attacks the oldie'. It seemed the critics were unanimous in there condemnation of the way Irving Berlin songs should be treated. Plus, I guess, being released at the same time as The Beatles 'I Want to Hold Your Hand' maybe didn't help.

Larry Page, apart from his Coventry acts, was also involved with the fledgling Kinks. Early 1964 saw Larry actively promoting the songwriting of the Davies brothers. Shel Talmy was still working with Larry's Coventry based acts. And a further two singles appeared in quick succession. Shel Naylor recorded 'One Fine Day' (Dave Davies) backed with 'It's Gonna Happen Soon'. The Orchids covered 'Ive Got That Feeling' (Ray Davies) backed with 'Larry'. Both single failed t set the charts alight. Dave Davies admitted that 'One Fine Day' was 'just a chord really'. 'It has the same chords in the verse as it does the chorus'. The music critics were a little kinder though. Describing the record as 'Fast beat which moves along at a brisk danceable pace'.

March 1964 saw Shel Naylor play a dinner dance at The Craven Arms on the High Street. Star of the night was Winston Foxwell who featured in the film 'Jugglers and Acrobats'. The film had been made to accompany the cinema distribution of the first Beatles film 'A Hard Days Night'. It shows some of the last jugglers and acrobats from the Variety Circuit. A form of popular entertainment which was dying out. Jugglers and Acrobats also featured Winston's son Paul Fox.

The Stage magazine reported during April 1964: Coventry's answer to 'Sunday Night at the London Palladium' could well be 'Sunday Night at the Bell Green Club' where variety, at its very best, is presented in one of the finest concert halls in the country. Appearing on Sunday last were Les Lynes comedian, now recovered from his injuries received in a car accident some time ago, Gavin Prime the nineteen year old singing guitarist and Shel Naylor formerly Robert Woodward who recently turned professional with his musical and vocal act.

The final significant work by Shel Naylor was a summer season of Sunday night shows during July and August 1964. This was where Shel appeared at the Royal Aquarium Theatre, Great Yarmouth. Billy Fury was heading the main show of the summer season for six nights a week. During those seasons, and in order to give the headline acts some restpite, Sunday featured one off concerts. For these Sunday shows, a series of 13 concerts headlined by Brian Poole and The Searchers, on alternate Sundays, were scheduled. These shows also featuring Shel, Johnny B Great and The Orchids. Although i'm not certain if The Orchids fulfilled all, if any, of those dates.

The Ray King Soul Band - Live at the Playboy Club 1968

 

The Ray King Soul Band - Live at the Playboy Club 1968.

by Pete Clemons

I noticed recently a commercial on TV advertising a programme called 'Secrets of the Playboy'. The television show claimed to explore the truth behind the Playboy empire famous for its gaming and bunny girl croupiers. Seeing that documentary advertised made me wonder if Coventry group, The Ray King Soul Band - who once recorded an LP at that very venue, would be featured.

After playing dozens of gigs in Coventry and surrounding areas the reputation of The Ray King Soul Band quickly spread. Gigs were arranged way beyond the Coventry boundaries. In fact The Ray King Soul Band performed an estimated 250 to 300 gigs between 1966 through to 1970. Possibly many more. These gigs were held in many parts of the country and included at least one trip to France. And these figures do not include Ray's gigs with his previous band The King Size Kings.

A gig by Ray and the band could last as long as two and a half hours to three hours. Quite a feat back then. News of The Ray King Soul Band reached London and, after many gigs in the capitol, the band were asked by the famous Playboy Club to perform there. During 1968 The Soul Band were offered a weekend residency. And from that residency an LP was released on the Direction label a subsidiary of CBS records.

Booking agent Victor Sutcliffe was, by then, dealing with Ray's gigs. And Victor added the sleeve notes to the album. He wrote 'Ray King Soul Band live session ingredients, one Ray King voice, one Tim Whelan tenor sax (with a dash of baritone), a large helping of Malc the Jenks drums, add Paul Williams guitar, Tony Lucas bass, mix with generous portion of Malc Aldridge type Hammond organ and leave to play for three hours in the London Playboy Club. Result, high quality, high fidelity long playing 12 inch album with an audience who for a few brief hours forgot that they had to go to work the following morning. Seldom on record does a live session give the same feeling as one would actually get from being there, but, this is as close as damn it. Already one of the three most popular bands in the London clubs the Ray King Soul Band is destined for the really big time, so when the opportunity is there, take it, become one of the many lovers of the Ray King Soul Band sound'.

And Victor, who headed the Tangerine Agency in London, wasn't wrong. DJ Johnnie Walker, who once wrote a soul column for a major music magazine, was flooded with readers letters recommending the band. In his column Johnnie once said: 'Thanks very much for your many letters re The Ray King Soul Band. They have just returned from a tour of France and are currently doing a week both on the 'David Symonds Show' and at the Playboy Club. This is a return gig for the band who, when there last, recorded there show for a new LP just available on the Direction label. 'Live at the Playboy' includes 'Mercy', 'Respect', 'Save Me', 'Knock on Wood', 'Malita' (a Ray King original), 'Funky Broadway', 'Hold on I'm Comin' etc etc. Haven't heard it yet but it should be very good'.

However album reviews were not exactly as enthusiastic. They were mixed, favourable and not hugely critical of the LP. Any issues were mainly around the sound: 'Nothing new here but its soul with a healthy sound and big beat. Nicely played too, but songs like 'Respect', 'Knock on Wood' and 'I'm a Man' are nearing retirement, for a while at least. The recording is occasionally a little muzzy and off balance but they do build a fair degree of excitement'.

'Featuring songs such as 'Respect' and 'Knock on Wood' this is really a discotheque sound, with audience participation plus announcements, some live soul singing from Ray and a compact sound behind featuring mostly organ and tenor sax. These boys really go – not distinctive but exciting'.

By the time of the record's release the music scene was rapidly changing. That said The Ray King Soul Band continued success in London was not just a flavour of the month. It lasted for another couple of years till the band broke up during 1970. Even after that Ray was in demand. But what a legacy they left us with.

An earlier article on Ray King by Pete Clemons on this blog

https://coventrygigs.blogspot.com/2012/05/ray-king-coventry-music-legend.html

I'm a Man

Gimmie a Little Sign

Soon You'll be Gone

Knock on Wood

Jordan River