Back to main page

1964
General notes: The band’s formation is noted as May 1, 1964 in a history of the Moodies given in a tour book for the Beatles UK tour of May 1965, for which the Moodies were an opening act. (The tourbook was described in "Higher and Higher" #23, Fall 1994, p.28.) In interviews with Graeme Edge prior to the 50^th Anniversary tour in 2014, Graeme recalled that their first meeting was on May 2, 1964. (Pollstar.com, noted on February 2, 2014 News on moodybluestoday.com, (retrieved on October 4, 2020) and GlideMagazine.com, noted on February 10, 2014 News on moodybluestoday.com, retrieved October 6, 2020).
DATES	VENUES	SET LIST	NOTES
May 2 or 4, 1964	Carlton Ballroom, Erdington (Birmingham)		The Moody Blues' first gig on May 2, noted in a history of the Moodies given in a tour book for the Beatles UK tour of May 1965, for which the Moodies were an opening act. (The tourbook was described in "Higher and Higher" #23, Fall 1994, p.28.) However, the venue given in the tourbook was "Colton Ballroom, Birmingham", which seems to be a misprint. In Brum Rocked! by Laurie Hornsby the Moodies' first concert (for which no date is given) is reported as being at the "Carlton Ballroom, Erdington" (Erdington is a district just north-east of Birmingham), complete with a photo of the venue on p.44. The May 2 date is confirmed by a concert poster shown at http://www.themoodyblues.co.uk/postersroom.htm (retrieved April 25, 2016). In an interview with Graeme Edge prior to the 50^th Anniversary tour in 2014, Edge recalled that their first show was on May 4, 1964. (GlideMagazine.com, noted on February 10, 2014 News on moodybluestoday.com (retrieved October 6, 2020).
May 15, 1964	Wembly Stadium, London		A widely-reported poster advertises this concert with the Moodies and the Kinks. This is a fantasy poster, and the concert never took place. At that time in their careers, even the Moodies and Kinks together couldn't have hoped to fill the 100,000-seat Wembley Stadium. Further, in The Kinks: All Day and All of the Night: Day by Day Concerts, Recordings and Broadcasts, 1964 -- 1997 by Doug Hinman, the Kinks were playing the Goldhawk Social Club in Shepherds Bush (west London) that day. Reported by Joyce Kelley.
June 19, 1964	Salford University		Show date and venue from a poster, reported by Val Weston.
July 4, 1964	Rhythm and Blues Club at the Stork Hotel, Walsall		“Walsall Observer” July 3, 1964 printed an ad for the club and “The Moody Blues 5”, and on July 10, 1964 printed an article titled, “The ‘Moody Blues’ five enchant the dancers” reporting the show from the previous Saturday. Both reported by Val Weston.
August 1, 1964	Crystal Ballroom, Shotton, Flintshire		Show date and venue reported by Tony Aldridge, the drummer for The Pathfinders, who shared the bill with the Moody Blues for this show. Tony recalls, "I can remember being with them backstage and we were very impressed with their stage outfits. Double breasted dark blue suits worn with a black polo-neck sweater. We were particularly impressed with the calf-length black boots that they wore. We later pinched the look for our own band."
August 15, 1964	Rhythm and Blues Club at the Stork Hotel, Walsall		“Walsall Observer” August 14, 1964 printed an ad for a show by the Moody Blues 5, reported by Val Weston.
September 1964	Single Lose Your Money / Steal Your Heart Away released in U.K. - First record released by the Moody Blues		The Moodies’ first single release noted in first "discography issue" of "Higher and Higher" #4, Winter/Spring 1985, p. 3.
September 1964	Town Hall, Birmingham		The Moodies opened for Alexis Kornor's Blues, Inc., reported by Robin Bean.
September 3, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour St., London		Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, reported by Joyce Kelley. The Moodies were supported by The Night Shift.
September 11, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour St., London		Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, reported by Joyce Kelley. The Moodies supported The Yardbirds.
September 24, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour St., London		Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, reported by Joyce Kelley. The Moodies were supported by The Night Shift.
October 2, 1964	Corporation Hall Cattle Market, Derby		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
October 4, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour Street, London		Show date and venue from a handbill, reported by Val Weston and shown at http://www.themoodyblues.co.uk/postersroom.htm (retrieved April 25, 2016). Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, reported by Joyce Kelley.
October 10, 1964	Whisky-a-Go-Go, Birmingham		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
October 11, 1964	Cavern Club and Ritz Ballroom, Birmingham (2 shows)		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
October 12, 1964	Memorial Hall, Harrow		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
October 15, 1964	TV appearance (?) Donaldson Pegran Studios, Chelsea		Media appearances from contracts, reported by Tony Brown
October 17, 1964	Trend Club, Colchester		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
October 18, 1964
October 19, 1964	venue unknown, Weybridge		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
October 25, 1964	Digbeth Civic Hall, Birmingham		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
October 28, 1964	Blue Indigo Club at the Bay Tree Inn, Southampton		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Full name of venue reported by John Stubbs.
October 29, 1964	TV appearance on "Beat Room" BBC Television Centre		Media appearances from contracts, reported by Tony Brown
October 30, 1964	Caroline House, London and Crawdady Club, Richmond (2 shows)		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. At the Crawdaddy Club, the Moodies shared the bill with Sugar Pie DeSanto, probably on November 6, although could also be October 30, according to a handbill reported by Joyce Kelley.
October 31, 1964	The Black Cat, Bradford		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
November 1, 1964
November 2, 1964	venue unknown, Weybridge TV Appearance on “The Beat Room” (BBC2)	Go Now	Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Noted at http://www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/britrock/60brchro/60brch64.html#DEC (retrieved April 25, 2016).
November 6, 1964	Crawdaddy Club, Richmond		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. The Moodies shared the bill with Sugar Pie DeSanto, probably on November 6, although could also be October 30, according to a handbill reported by Joyce Kelley. A handbill with no date is shown at http://www.themoodyblues.co.uk/postersroom.htm (retrieved April 25, 2016).
November 7, 1964
November 8, 1964	Casino Club, Walsall, Birmingham		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
November 9, 1964	Glenlyn Ballroom, Foresthill		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
November 10, 1964	Cavern, Liverpool		The Moodies and The Hideaways opened for Sonny Boy Williamson, noted on a flyer reported by Tony Brown.
November 11, 1964
November 12, 1964	The Moody Blues are mentioned in the Daily Mirror, “The Moody Blues pop group are hoping to fly their first record into the charts - with the assistance of homing pigeons. One hundred disc jockeys and show business personalities were invited to hear it. Their invitations were delivered by carrier pigeon which, when released, flew home with the replies. The record is called “Lose Your Money.”		Posted to https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/moodybluesattitude (retrieved August 17, 2020).
November 13, 1964	Corporation Hall, Cattle Market, Derby Single Go Now / It's Easy Child released in U.K. and U.S.		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Single release noted in first "discography issue" of "Higher and Higher" #4, Winter/Spring 1985, p. 3
November 14, 1964	Casino Club, Walsall, Birmingham		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Show date and venue from a contract reported in "Higher and Higher" #41, Summer 1999, p. 26.
November 16, 1964	TV appearance on "Scene at 6:30", TV Centre, Manchester (Granada TV Network)		Media appearances from contracts, reported by Tony Brown
November 21, 1964	Dagenham Tech College, Essex		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
November 22, 1964	Blue Indigo Club at the Bay Tree Inn, Southampton		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Full name of venue reported by John Stubbs.
November 23, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour Street, London		Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, (retrieved May 11, 2016). The Moodies were supported by the Muleskinners.
November 24, 1964	Battersea College of Technology, London		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
November 27, 1964	Goldsmiths College of Art, London		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
November 30, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour St., London		Show date and venue from a handbill, reported by Val Weston and shown at http://www.themoodyblues.co.uk/postersroom.htm (retrieved April 25, 2016). Show is also noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, (retrieved May 11, 2016). The Moodies supported Manfred Mann.
December 4, 1964	TV appearance on "Ready Steady Go!" episode 71	Go Now	Noted on www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/britrock/60brchro/60brch64.html, reported by Joyce Kelley.
December 7, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour St., London		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, reported by Joyce Kelley. The Moodies were supported by The Mark Leeman Five.
December 10, 1964	Go Now hits #1 on the UK charts		Noted on http://www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/britrock/60brchro/60brch64.html, reported by Joyce Kelley. However, https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/singles-chart/19650128/7501/ (retrieved September 7, 2020) notes that “Go Now” entered the charts on this date. Prior to 1968, there was more than one “chart” in the UK. For instance, ttps://www.sixtiescity.net/charts/64chart.htm (retrieved September 25, 2020) notes, “These Top 20 singles chart listings are based on sales statistics compiled by the 'Record Retailer', 'Record Mirror' and 'Music Week' music papers. The chart positions may differ from those quoted by the BBC who, until 1968, produced their own chart from a compilation of various pop papers.” That source notes that “Go Now” did not hit #1 until the week ending January 30, 1965.
December 11, 1964	Crawdaddy Club, Richmond		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown.
December 14, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour St., London		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, reported by Joyce Kelley.  The Moodies were supported by The Mark Leeman Five.
December 21, 1964	Marquee Club, Wardour St., London		Show dates and venues from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Show noted at www.themarqueeclub.net, reported by Joyce Kelley.  The Moodies were supported by The Mark Leeman Five.
December 23, 1964	TV appearance on “Vison On” (BBC1)	Go Now	Reported in “Higher and Higher” first videography issue #6, Summer 1986, p. 12, as live studio performance. Also noted as the band’s first promotional performance of “Go Now”, although it would seem the November 2 show noted above has that honor.
December 25, 1964	TV appearance on the "Ready Steady Go!" Christmas Day party		Noted in "New Musical Express" of January 15, 1965, reported by Val Weston. Ray Thomas describes, "as the cameras switched off us, Graham [sic] disappeared in a sea of girls with the rest of us following seconds later. . ." Also reported in “Higher and Higher” first videography issue #6, Summer 1986, p. 12, as a live performance.
December 26, 1964	Fellows Park, Walsall, Birmingham Casino Club, Walsall, Birmingham		The Moodies provided pre-game entertainment at the Walsall vs Mansfield football (soccer) match, according to an article from the Birmingham Post on December 12, 1964, reported by Val Weston. Although not explicitly stated, the venue is assumed to be Walsall’s home field. Show dates and venues from "New Music Express", December 18, 1964 reported by Val Weston. The article described these shows as, "Dates for the Moody Blues prior to their joining the Chuck Berry tour on January 8 ..."
December 27, 1964	City Hall, Digbeth		Show dates and venues from "New Music Express", December 18, 1964 reported by Val Weston.  The article described these shows as, "Dates for the Moody Blues prior to their joining the Chuck Berry tour on January 8 ..."
December 30, 1964	Aranmore, Balham TV appearance on "Three Go Round", Southern Television Ltd, Southampton	Go Now	Show dates and venues from "New Music Express", December 18, 1964 reported by Val Weston.  The article described these shows as, "Dates for the Moody Blues prior to their joining the Chuck Berry tour on January 8 ..." Media appearances from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Song performed from “Higher and Higher” first videography issue #6, Summer 1986, p. 12.
December 31, 1964	Astoria Ballroom, Rawtenstall TV appearance on "Top of the Pops", episode 54, Manchester	Go Now	Show date and venue from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. Show dates and venues from "New Music Express", December 18, 1964 reported by Val Weston. The article described these shows as, "Dates for the Moody Blues prior to their joining the Chuck Berry tour on January 8 ..." Media appearance from contracts, reported by Tony Brown. A note in "New Musical Express" of January 15, 1965 describes the filming of "Go Now" for "Top of the Pops" saying, "It was shot in London's Marquee Club last month and is directed by the Blue's co-manager Alex Murray." The Moodies played the Marquee Club on December 7, 14 and 21, although it is unknown which night was filmed. Also noted on http://www.skidmore.edu/~gthompso/britrock/60brchro/60brch64.html, reported by Joyce Kelley.
A tour program, described in "Higher and Higher" #23, Fall 1994, p.28 reported that the Moodies toured the UK in December 1964 and January 1965 as an opening act for Chuck Berry, along with The Five Dimensions, Winston G.", The Graham Bond Organization (with Ginger Baker), Mike Patto and Long John Baldry. However, a contract with (promoter) Robert Stigwood, reported in "Higher and Higher" #41, Summer 1999, p. 26 books the Moodies from January 8-31, seven days a week, therefore it would seem that the December 1964 dates did not materialize.
Updated April 17, 2021

Back to main page