Fontella Bass’s British tour January 1966

Fontella Bass featured in Melody Maker, 11 December 1965, page 10 Having arrived in Britain on 1 December 1965 for TV appearances only, including performing on BBC’s Top of the Pops, ITV’s Ready Steady Go and TWW’s Discs as Gogo, US soul singer Fontella Bass returned to Britain in the first week of January 1966 for a two-week tour. Judging by the article from Melody Maker below, she was backed by seven-piece Surrey outfit, The Just Five for all of the gigs, although keyboard Alan Reeves says The Krew did back her for a one-off gig at the Scotch of St James. Melody Maker, 8 January 1966, page 4 Tour dates (see pic above for more details) 8 January 1966 – Market Assembly Hall, Carlisle, Cumbria with Just Five, Checkmates and The Dawnbreakers (Carlisle and Cumberland Journal) 9 January 1966 – Oasis, Manchester (Manchester Evening News & Chronicle) 11 January 1966 – Britannia Rowing Club, Nottingham (Nottingham Evening Post) 12 January 1966 – Blue Moon, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with…