Rare 1960s BBC recordings of American R&B Soul acts

[Frost Byte]

In October 1963 I taped Bo Diddley's 4 songs he did on the BBC radio show Saturday Club with Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts as back up band. They are now on one of my CDs but I have never been able to source an upload or bootleg or more info regarding these. I am sure I am not the only one who has these recordings. (Bo Diddley, Road Runner, Pretty Thing, Hey Bo Diddley). Anyone out there? The other obscure BBC reccordings from late 1966 I taped from the BBC Saturday club are James & Bobby Purify backed by The New York Public Library (a band from Leeds) singing I'm your Puppet, Mustang Sally and I take what I want. Any info how these two acts came to play together at the BBC?

[Hooker1951]

Hi Frost byte

1963 was the stones breakout year, at the time they idolised Bo Didley and Chuck Berry, they were on a run at that time , Ready steady go , Saturday club etc , and would probably of jumped through hoops at the time to be involved with Bo didley to be backing him up would be fantastic for their Street cred at that time, and I would suspect Brian Matthews who hosted the show would have an hand in it, It certainly paid off their  3 rd single January Not Fade Away with a distinctive Bo didley beat was a big hit for them.

Mck L

1 hour ago, Frost Byte said:

In October 1963 I taped Bo Diddley's 4 songs he did on the BBC radio show Saturday Club with Brian Jones, Bill Wyman and Charlie Watts as back up band. They are now on one of my CDs but I have never been able to source an upload or bootleg or more info regarding these. I am sure I am not the only one who has these recordings. (Bo Diddley, Road Runner, Pretty Thing, Hey Bo Diddley). Anyone out there? The other obscure BBC reccordings from late 1966 I taped from the BBC Saturday club are James & Bobby Purify backed by The New York Public Library (a band from Leeds) singing I'm your Puppet, Mustang Sally and I take what I want. Any info how these two acts came to play together at the BBC?

 

[Kenb]

@Frost Byte

https://garagehangover.com/new-york-public-library-gigs-1966-1970/

this should help, i hope

[Wiggyflat]

I collect BBC transcription discs of Brian Matthews TOTP shows (not to be confused with the TV Series) there are very few US acts on them...Edwin Starr, Showstoppers and the Flirtations come to mind but all of these acts relocated here.It s good that you taped these as i doubt the BBC still have them.

Edited October 30, 2023 by Wiggyflat

[Roburt]

Loads of US acts made appearances on BBC radio shows from 1962 thru to the start of Radio 1.

Some I know that were live on BBC shows were Sugar Pie DeSanto, backed by Mike Cotton Sound (64 -- Top Gear, Saturday Club  + on RSG on TV), Supremes, Ronettes, Dixie Cups -- all on Saturday Club in Oct 64.  

The BBC also recorded the 1964 US Blues Festival package at their Manchester show (again Oct 64).

It was common practise for any US acts (pop, soul, blues) who came here for promotional purposes or to tour to be booked to appear on a BBC radio show back then (before Radio 1, lots of BBC radio consisted of recorded live performances).