1965
Jan 1 Caberfeidh Shinty Club
Vince Newman and the Veltones
The Drovers
Jan 2 Vince Newman and the Veltones
The Drovers
Vince Newman and the Veltones featured on the BBC programme "Come Thursday" on the 6th January along with the Mackinley Sisters.
Tain had Rebel Sounds and the Jet Blacks on Friday
Also The Copycats and the Jet Blacks on Saturday
Jan 8 Mark Anthony and the Chariots
Mark Val and the Valiants
Jan 9 Mark Anthony and the Chariots
Mark Val and the Valiants
Jan 13 Modern Dancing Enterprises presents at the Pavilion, Strathpeffer
Dave Berry and the Cruisers
(Pop, TV and Decca recording stars)
plus
The Jacobeats 6/6 9.30 - 1 p.m.
Modern Dancing Enterprises was the agency run by Elgin based Albert Bonici. He booked Dave Berry and the
Cruisers and the Jacobeats to appear at the Pavilion. The attendance was well over 500 and the crowd gave Dave Berry
a huge welcome, with many of the young ladies trying to get on the stage to touch him. His 45 minute set included
all his hits and he had male and female dancers in the palm of his hand.
The Edinburgh based Jacobeats, in full highland dress outfits, equally impressed with their rocking sound and the whole evening
augured well for future midweek dances.
The picture below shows Pavilion manager Steve Shepherd (right foreground) trying to hold back the crowd of Dave berry's admirers,
both male and female! The shadowy figure on the left is Dave Berry.
Catch up with the latter day Dave Berry at
The Jacobeats hailed originally from the Buckie area. They were Kenny Lawson and Margaret Riddoch on vocals, Douglas Maclennan on
lead, John Rennie on rhythm and Ian Young on drums. The bass player's name is not known yet.
Jan 15 Johnny Law and the MI5
Simon’s Gentlemen
Simon’s Gentlemen came from Wishaw and were making their first appearance at the Pavilion.
Jan 16 Johnny Law and the MI5
Simon’s Gentlemen
Simon's Gentlemen were billed to play on the Saturday but in the event pulled out at short notice. Gerry and the Oreogons
stepped in at the last moment and impressed manager Steve Shepherd . They had only been together for a few months when they got
their break and were still looking to acquire decent equipment to get the sound they wanted. They continued to play locally at venues
like Rosemarkie hall for a Valentines Dance, the Lower Town Hall for Teenagers dances and then their first venture upstairs to Upper
Town hall on February 6th. They began an extended run at the Pavilion on April 16th when they supported the Ardennes.
They were advertised as Jerry and the Oreogons to start with and became simply the Oreogons on June 25th. They played their last date
at the Pavilion on March 12th 1966 when their regular support spot was taken over by the Tribe. The Tribe had made their first appearance
on the same bill as the Oreogons both groups supporting Hedgehoppers Anonymous on January 21st, 1966.
Jan 22 The Kwintones
The Ardennes
Jan 23 The Kwintones
The Ardennes
The Kwintones were from East Kilbride.
The Ardennes were from Fife and played a number of dates at the Pavilion.
They were Ian Duffin on lead guitar, Alex Mackenzie on vocals and rhythm, Frank Burns on Cembalet keyboard, Hamish Hastie on bass
and Brian Buist on drums. James Robertson was also a member at one time.
Jan 29 Dave Hunter and the Arrows
The Drovers
Jan 30 Dave Hunter and the Arrows
The Drovers
The bass guitarist with Dave Hunter and the Arrows was 19 year old Raymond Pagani, who was the nephew of Mrs Ian Sutherland, wife
of the Dingwall photographer. Raymond was also the grandson of F W Urquhart, ex Baillie and celebrated photographer. Raymond's cousin,
Eric Sutherland, was anxious to follow in his footsteps and had recently formed the group which went on to become The Tribe, making their
debut at the Pavilion on January 21, 1966.
Feb 5 The Veltones
The Syndicate
Feb 6 The Veltones
The Syndicate
Feb 10 The Merseybeats
The Jacobeats 7/6
Following on from the good midweek crowd which turned up to see Dave Berry and the Cruisers Elgin promoter Albert Bonici
booked the Pavilion once again, this time for the Merseybeats, from Liverpool. Previous hits on the Fontana label had included "I think of you"
and "Love that really counts". Their current number was a slow song called "Last night I made a little girl cry".
This was the first time prices had been increased to 7/6 and manager Steve Shepherd let it be known that he was extremely unhappy
with the situation. He said " I would like it known that the admission price was completely outwith my control. The charge was far too high for
midweek and I'm sure it kept a lot of regulars away". In fact the event was almost cancelled because Mr Shepherd disagreed with the high price
set by Mr Bonici but relented in the end to avoid disappointing the group's fans. He added that it was "the youngsters themselves who had put
the Merseybeats where they are today". He admitted that he did not mind prices being increased on a Friday if necessary but that he would not
see his patrons being fleeced at a midweek dance and if he ever brought big names to the Pavilion on a Wednesday the price would be tailored
to suit teenagers' pockets.
This grainy photo of the Merseybeats, proudly posing beside their car, was taken at the rear of the Pavilion. When they appeared here they
had just undergone a change of personnel. The photo shows Aaron Williams (guitar), Tony Crane (guitar and vocals), John Banks (drums)
and Billy Kinsley (bass and vocals). Tony Crane and Billy Kinsley went on to form the Merseys in 1966 and had a huge hit, getting to number
4 in the charts with "Sorrow".
The Merseybeats are still going strong. Go to for up to date information.
Feb 12 Bobby Patrick and the Big Six (Has backed Brenda Lee on tours)
The Drovers
Feb 13 Bobby Patrick and the Big Six
The Drovers
Bobby Patrick and the Big Six backed American singing star Brenda Lee on her European tours. The band, consisting of two guitars,
organ, saxophone, trumpet and drums, had a residency at the Star Club, Hamburg as well as making regular TV appearances
and recording on the Decca label.
Feb 19 Mark Val and the Valiants
The Boyfriends
Feb 20 Mark Val and the Valiants
The Boyfriends
February 19th was the date originally pencilled in for the appearance of the Radio Caroline Show. As well as presenting
a 5 piece London group called Bubbles and Coy it was to have featured Radio Caroline DJs Rikki Stein and Roger Vincent
who were to give away prizes and t shirts to dancers. But "star" of the show was to be Chris Sandford, formerly of Coronation
Street. Chris was the actor who played Walter Potts, who was promoted by Dennis Tanner. After umpteen disappointments he
eventually made a record and left the street to pursue stardom in his own right.
Feb 26 The Ardennes
Eric and the Vikings
Feb 27 The Ardennes
Eric and the Vikings
Mar 5 The Senate Showband
Rue and the Rockets
Mar 6 Rue and the Rockets
Mark Val and the Valiants
March 5th and 6th were dates advertising the appearance of the Maurice Lynch Showband. However due to "some confusion
over contracts in the South" the band did not even leave Ireland. The band led by trumpeter Maurice, formerly of the Jack
Parnell Orchestra, had played a date at Dingwall Town Hall several years previously and got a terrific reception.
In the event they never made an appearance at the Pavilion and on this occasion the Senate Showband stepped in at short notice.
Mar 12 Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen
Magic Moments (from Newcastle)
Mar 13 Magic Moments
The Drovers
Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen appeared at the London Palladium on Sunday 7th March and then at the Pavilion just 5 days later.
Over 1100 patrons heard the band play two spots of one and a quarter hours each during which they played all their hits. The 10/- admission charge
was necessary because of the fee charged by the band but according to Steve Shepherd well worth the financial risk.
Support for beat aficionados was provided by the Magic Moments from Newcastle.
On their visits to the North the Drovers usually stopped for petrol at the West End Garage in Dingwall. On one occasion they heard
from Margaret Moyes, who worked there, that a motorist had knocked down and killed a dog belonging to her 10 year old daughter Yvonne.
After a visit to a stray animals' home in Glasgow they duly arrived with a replacement puppy for Yvonne who promptly named it 'Drover'.
Pictured is Yvonne with her new puppy "Drover".
Mar 19 Vince Newman and the Veltones
The Montanas (from Birmingham)
Mar 20 Vince Newman and the Veltones
The Montanas
Mar 26 Johnny Law and the MI5
The Kimbos
Mar 27 Johnny Law and the MI5
The Kimbos
Apr 2 The Painted Rhythms
The Drovers
Apr 3 The Painted Rhythms
The Drovers
Apr 9 The Vikings
The Syndicate
Apr 10 The Vikings
The Syndicate
The Vikings counted Drew Larg (vocals) and Donny Coutts (drummer / vocals) among their members, along with
Alan Gorrie. As The Vikings they recorded the single 'Bad news feeling' in the sixties. Along with guitarist Jimmie Glen,
Drew and Donny are still doing gigs in the Dundee area with Phil Robertson.
This info was kindly sourced from
http://www.rockingscots.co.uk
Apr 16 The Ardennes
Jerry and the Oreogons
Apr 17 The Ardennes
Jerry and the Oreogons
Apr 23 The Ardennes
Jerry and the Oreogons
Apr 24 The Ardennes
Jerry and the Oreogons
This advert from April shows some of the chart music enjoyed by patrons at the Pavilion.
Apr 30 Vince Newman and the Veltones
The Drovers
Jerry and the Oreogons
May 1 Vince Newman and the Veltones
The Drovers
Jerry and the Oreogons
May 7 Wayne Gibson and the Dynamic Sounds
Johnny Law and the MI5
Jerry and the Oreogons
May 8 Johnny Law and the MI5
Jerry and the Oreogons
May 14 Bobby Dean and the Dynamos
Jerry and the Oreogons
May 15 Bobby Dean and the Dynamos
Jerry and the Oreogons
May 21 Garry and the Hi-Landers (formerly known as the Erle Blue Stars)
Jerry and the Oreogons
+ The Miss Pavilion 1965 contest
May 22 Mark Val and the Valiants
Jerry and the Oreogons
See the note for the Earl Blue Stars for August 11th 1961. Gary and the Highlanders were formed from this band. Gary, on lead guitar, was a panel beater from Perth.
May 27 Thurs 27th May 1965 Highland Cabaret 8.30 p.m. 5/-
Argo Cameron Margaret Macdonald Johnny Bogan
Ben Wyvis Troupe of Highland Dancers
Strathpeffer Scottish Dance Band
Compère Charlie Bulloch
Not advertised in the press but making their first appearance at the Cabaret later in the 1965 season were the Wyvis Folk Trio. The three members, Angus MacLellan,
George Geddes and Charlie Fraser, were all Post Office workers, who had recently formed and played their first public date in May. They provided their own
accompaniment on guitar, banjo and mouth organ. Also on the bill were Dorothy Gollan's Ben Wyvis Highland Dancers two of whom, Sheila Buchanan and Edith Macleod,
regularly got a terrific reception for performing their version of the Cakewalk.
May 28 The Persuasions (From London)
Jerry and the Oreogons
May 29 The Persuasions
Jerry and the Oreogons
Jun 4 The Veltones
The Drovers
Jerry and the Oreogons
Jun 5 The Veltones
The Drovers
Jerry and the Oreogons
Jun 11 The Ardennes
The Drovers
Jerry and the Oreogons
Jun 12 The Ardennes
The Drovers
Jerry and the Oreogons
Jun 18 The Federals
20th Century Sounds
Jerry and the Oreogons
Jun 19 20th Century Sounds
Jerry and the Oreogons
An advert appeared on the 19th June 1965, which boasted the first disco in Scotland! It even spelt the word Discotheque phonetically with
Dis-ko-tek appearing in brackets. It was to be held in the Cluny Hill Hotel, Forres, with dancing to the Big Sound of SEEBURG MUSIC
commencing on 22nd June and continuing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday each week thereafter. Dancing was from 8.00 - 11.00
and the cost was 3/6.
Jun 25 The Mark V (this is a band that walked from Edinburgh to London to make their first recording)
The Oreogons
Jun 26 The Mark V
The Oreogons
Jul 2 The Ardennes
The Oreogons
Jul 3 The Ardennes
The Oreogons
Jul 9 The Veltones
The Drovers
The Oreogons
Jul 10 The Veltones
The Drovers
The Oreogons
Jul 16 The Syndicates
The Oreogons
Jul 17 The Syndicates
The Oreogons
Jul 23 The Mark V
The Oreogons
Jul 24 The Mark V
The Oreogons
Jul 30 Mark Val and the Valiants
The Drovers
The Oreogons
Jul 31 Mark Val and the Valiants
The Drovers
The Oreogons
Aug 6 The Ardennes
The Oreogons
Aug 7 The Drovers
TheArdennes
The Oreogons
Aug 13 The Veltones
The Oreogons
Aug 14 The Veltones
The Oreogons
Aug 20 The Drovers
The Pathfinders
The Oreogons
Aug 21 The Drovers
The Pathfinders
The Oreogons
Aug 27 20th Century Sounds
The Oreogons
Aug 28 20th Century Sounds
The Oreogons
20th Century Sounds were a popular band who had already made several TV appearances.
Sept 3 The Staceys
The Oreogons
Sept 4 The Staceys
The Oreogons
Sept 10 The Frenzie Beats
The Oreogons
Sept 11 The Frenzie Beats
The Oreogons
Sept 17 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Sept 18 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Sept 24 The Roadhogs
The Oreogons
Sept 25 The Roadhogs
The Oreogons
Oct 1 The Deputies
The Oreogons
Oct 2 The Deputies
The Oreogons
Oct 8 Johnny Law and the MI5
The Oreogons
Oct 9 Johnny Law and the MI5
The Oreogons
Oct 15 The Chevlons
The Oreogons
Oct 16 The Chevlons
The Oreogons
Oct 22 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Oct 23 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Oct 29 The Frenzie Beats
The Oreogons
Oct 30 The Frenzie Beats
The Oreogons
Nov 5 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Nov 6 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Nov 10 The Fabulous Pretty Things (stars of Radio and TV with their hits ‘ Don’t bring me down’ and ‘Cry to me’)
The Oreogons
Pavilion manager Steve Shepherd returned from his recent holiday to find that Inverness's only ballroom at the Caledonian Hotel was
soon to close. He said that when he heard about this he decided to give Inverness teenagers the chance to come to Strathpeffer on a
Wednesday, adding that they came in their hundreds at the weekends. However he understood that many of the dancers who attended
the Caley were married couples and he intended to have 2 bands each week to play dance music to suit all ages. Free transport was to
continue to run from Inverness and all other usual places. The first Wednesday dances had already been held earlier in the year under
the auspices of Modern Dancing Enterprises but the Pretty Things / Oreogons dance was the first one run by the Pavilion. Mr
Shepherd's good intentions were short-lived however and, while there can be no doubting the quality of artistes like the Poor Souls, the
Honours and the Wick Scottish, the Wednesday initiative only lasted a few weeks.
Nov 12 The Hi-Fi Combo
The Oreogons
Nov 13 The Alien Sect
The Oreogons
Nov 17 Special attraction The Wick Scottish Broadcasting Band
The Oreogons
Nov 19 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Nov 20 The Drovers
The Oreogons
Nov 24 The Honours (first time in the North) 8.30 – 12.30 4/-
The Oreogons
Nov 26 The Lairds
The Oreogons
Nov 27 The Lairds
The Oreogons
Dec 1 The Poor Souls (stars of BBC TV show Stramash)
The Oreogons
Dec3 Brian Poole and the Tremeloes
The Hi-Fi Combo
The Oreogons
Dec 4 The Hi-Fi Combo
The Oreogons
Brian Poole and the Tremeloes were a huge hit at the Pavilion with over 1200 dancers crowding into the ballroom to scream, stamp
and shout to their hits. The dance ran from 9.00 - 2.00 and entry was fixed at 10/-. Mr Shepherd said he hoped that fans of
the group would find the extra charge worth it.. He said that if there was a good response then even bigger names might find their
way to the Pavilion. In this grainy pic you can just make out Brian in the centre. Note the swords and crest behind the stage!
Dec 10 The 10 + 1
The Oreogons
Dec 11 The 10 + 1
The Oreogons
The 10 + 1 was described as being a surprise package which would surprise and delight the Pavilion crowds. The eleven piece band
was reputed to be one of the best ever to come to the Highlands.
Dec 10 Caberfeidh Water Ski Club
Pre Christmas Hop in the Public Hall Muir of Ord 9 p.m.
The Keynotes and The New Breed
Hot dogs and refreshments 4/-
Dec 17 20th Century Sounds
The Oreogons
Dec 18 20th Century Sounds
The Oreogons
Dec 24 From Top of the Pops The Mo-Jos and
the Sensational Tony and the Traders supported by
The Oreogons
Dec 25 Tony and the Traders
The Oreogons
Dec 31 Grand Hogmanay Dance 6/-
The Drovers and The Oreogons