1987

Sat 17th Jan

Keith Evans (Frogman Curtis), Mikel Snow, Keith Testill (Curley McVicar), Tim Hubball (Thomas Kelly) & Gary “Keys” Meechan held their first meeting at Frogman’s house in Fordhouses, Wolverhampton, where they first decided they would form a soul band.

Tue 20th Jan

The bands first rehearsal and the naming of The Soul Survivors. Weekly rehearsal’s at Zip Theatre’s Headquarters in Wolverhampton, where Tim was musical director followed.

Sun 8th Feb

The bands first photo session at Coseley Park, Wolverhampton Road, Coseley, by young lady photographic student by the name of Sam.

Thu 5th Mar

The bands first gig at The Wheat Sheaf pub, Oakham, Dudley was for the princely some of £50.00 and all the beer they could drink. Their second gig at the venue a week later resulted in their fee being renegotiated, to a monetary consideration only. The Soul Survivors played every Thursday in March at The Wheat Sheaf where they built a very healthy following.

Sun 22nd Mar

The Soul Survivors make their debut at JB’s, King Street, Dudley.

Sun 29th Mar

The Souls start a nine week run every Sunday at The Phoenix pub, Whiteheath.

Mon 13th Apr

The Soul Survivors bring the house down! The band play Rogues, Four ways, Cradley Heath, shortly after the Soul’s left the venue a lorry was backed into the building and the building collapsed.

Thu 9th Jul

The Soul Survivors first River Boat Shuffle from Stourport on Severn. The Souls river boat shuffles became very successful continuing for two years and featured many top comedians.

Sat 15th Aug

The band meets John Johnson for the first time at the Manor Abbey Sports & Social Club, Halesowen

Sun 30th Aug

The band meets Rob Fenton (Pee Wee) for the first time at JB’s, Dudley.

Mon 21 Sep

Mikel Snow leaves the band Rob Fenton and John Johnson officially join.

Fri 25th Sep

Rob “Pee Wee” Fenton and John Johnson’s first gig at The Railway Club, Station Hotel, Stoke on Trent.

Sat 10th Oct

The Soul Survivors make their first appearance at The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Sat 21 Nov

After performing at Allied Breweries Social Club in Burton on Trent, the band took part in a 24 hour Bikerthon for Children In Need at the newly opened Merry Hill shopping centre. This evolved keeping a seven seater cycle going round a circuit at Merry Hill’s car parks for 24 hours. This event raised several thousands of pounds for charity

The Soul Survivors appear with The Drifters at The Queen Elizabeth Hall, Oldham.

Thu 31st Dec

The Soulies end their first year at the A.E.W Social club, Foleshill, Coventry. To keep the club happy the band had to play a first set of all Rock ’n’ Roll numbers

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1988

Tues 2nd Feb

Photo session of the new line-up. Alan Johnson Photographic Studios, Wednesbury

Mon 7th Mar

The Soul Survivors first Showcase. This took place at the Stoneleigh Club Porthcawl. After the souls had played all the other acts refused to perform. This resulted in band being inundated with work across Wales.

Fri 10th June

The Bands first appearances in the North-East

Thu 20th Oct

The Soul Survivors performed at the official opening of Junction 10, Bentley, Willenhall

End of their 2nd year Tredegar Leisure Centre, Tredegar, South Wales

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1989

Mon 13th Feb

The Stage Showcase at Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green, Surrey

Wed 29th Mar

Springvale WMC, Wolverhampton, Thomas Kelly leaves band.

Fri 31st Mar

Craig Bellmore joins the band on bass, St Peppers Club, Hull

Thu 4th May

The Souls play their first Butlins gig at Minehead; the band still performs regularly for Butlins Holiday Centres

Fri 5th May

The Soul Survivors perform at The Royal Albert Hall, London. Their first London gig.

The band receive their first brand new van a white transit registration G35 NFK

Thu 14th Sep

The Soul Survivors first trip to Europe, Holland and West Germany

Sun 8th Oct

JB’s Dudley, Craig Belmore’s last gig

Thu 12th Oct

The BP club, Hull, Thomas Kelly rejoins the band

Sun 31st Dec

End of the third year SAS, Headquarters, Hereford.

1990

The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London

Sat 24th Feb

The Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton.

Thu 8th Mar

The Soul Survivors starts the M&B Soul Train 2 week promotional Tour in Aberdare, South Wales.

Fri 9 Mar

The Chubby Brown Show, Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham

Sat 11 Aug

The Chubby Brown Show, South Pier Blackpool (Two nights)

Sun 21 Oct

Start season, Chubby Brown Show, Blackpool, South Pier

Sat 24th Nov

The first time The Soul Survivors wore their black evening suits, High Pit Social Club, Cramlington, Newcastle on Tyne

Sun 30th Dec

The band end their forth at Butlin’s, Pwllheli, The Soul did not work this New Years Eve

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1991

Mon 21 Jan

The Soul Survivors recorded their first Album”The Soul Survivors” at Mad Hat Studio’s, Wolverhampton. Recording started Monday 21 January. Guest musicians on the CD were Mickey Lavender, Keyboards and Colin Edmonds on Percussion.

Thu 27th Jun

The first time The Soul Survivors play the Selly Park Tavern, Pershore Road, Birmingham. This became a very popular residency for the band, it lasted several years and it is where the band first met up with Mel Day and Errol Williams 

Tue 31st Dec

The band continued to tour national, including a summer season at three Butlins Holiday centers Minehead, Bognar Regis & Skegness a Blackpool season with Chubby Brown at The South Pier and a trip back to Holland and Germany in October, finishing their 5th year 31 December at the Star Club, Nelson, South Wales.

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1992

Fri 28th Feb

The Soul Survivors perform at Bistro French, Preston For the first time; this became a regular haunt for the band.

Fri 10th Apr

The Official opening of The Robin R’n’B Club, Merry Hill, Brierley Hill.

Fri 3rd Jul

20 years after the club closed The Soul Survivors re-opens the KB Soul Club at the Queen Mary Ballroom, Dudley Zoo

Mon 13th Jul

Recorded first single at Mad Hat Studio’s, Wolverhampton, Baby now that I found you C/W Harlem Shuffle

Fri 30th Oct

The Giants of Motown weekend, Butlins, Bogar Regis, with The Temptations.

Sat 7th Nov

Dudley Town Hall, with Geno Washington & The Ram Jam Band

Tue 17th Nov

The first time at Shepwell Green Social Club, Willenhall

Thu 31st Dec

The 6th year finishes at The Northwick Theatre, Worcester

1993 

The first visit to Ireland for The Soul Survivors, The Olympia Theatre Dublin, Metroland, Waterford and the Kilmore Hotel, Caven

Fri 21st May

The Soul Survivors return to Ireland, Dublin, Waterford and Kilarney

Mon 13th Sep

Pebble Mill Live Radio session with John Tainton

Fri 26th Nov

Recorded live album “Plugged In” at The Robin R’n’B Club, Merry Hill, guest musician Mickey Lavender on Keyboards

Sat 21st Dec

Roy Wood cancels gig at Wolverhampton Civic Hall, Roy pulls out after finding out The Soul Survivors were on the same bill.

Fri 31st Dec

During the year The Soul Survivors undertook a major promotional tour for Tennant Extra. On New Years Eve The Survivors finish their 7th year at The Robin R’n’B Club., Merry Hill. Roy Wood made a guest appearance?

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1994

Mon 17th Jan

The Soul Survivors start their first Week residency at Ronnie Scotts, Birmingham.

Sun 12th Jun

After appearing at JB’s Dudley, the Soul Survivors had their van and all their equipment stolen; although van was found two days later and the person was caught, the equipment was never recovered.

Tue 26th Jul

Quill, The Marks Bro’s, Rang-A-Tang, Mel Day along with The Soul Survivors play a benefit concert at The Kings Club, Great Barr, Birmingham, to raise funds to help the Survivors buy new gear.

Sat 31st Dec

Despite the band having all their gear stolen the band managed to continue to tour and took part again in the Tenants Extra promotional tour. They finished their 8th year at the The Robin R’n’B Club, Merry Hill. On that night Keith Testill (Curly McVicar) left the Band.

1995

Sat 7th Jan

Steve James, drums, joins the band Goodyear’s Sports & Social Club, Wolverhampton

Fri 24th Mar

End series party “Lenny Henry Show”, Putney, London

Thu 6th Jul

Hastings Festival, Headlined with Edwin Star

Sat 7th Oct

Headlined Birmingham Town Hall

Sun 31st Dec

Wolverhampton Civic Hall. Gary “Keys” Meechan leaves after 9 years.

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1996

Sat 6th Jan

Richie Lund joins on guitar. The Filling Station, Newport, Gwent

Sun 4th Aug

The Soul Survivors, The Dudley Show, Himley Hall

Mon 2nd Sep

Start 6 day rehearsals for ten week national theatre tour “Hold Back The Night”

Tue 10th Sep

Hold Back The Night starts at Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton, moving on to The Lyceum Theatre, Crewe-The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham-The Ashcroft Theatre, Croydon-The Charter Theatre, Preston-The Opera House, Buxton-The Theatre Royal, Wakefield-The Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne-The Horsham Arts Centre and Theatre Clwyd, Mold.

The Lounge at The Robin R ‘n’ B Club is named after The Soul Survivors. The Survivor Lounge complete with its own Survivor Menu full of Good Ole’ Soul Food

Tue 31st Dec

The Soul Survivors, tenth New Years Eve the second time at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

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1997

Thu 6 Feb

The Classic Soul Show starts at The Wimbledon Theatre, London. The Soul Survivors featuring Mel Day and Roy Gee star in their own theatre tour “The Classic Soul Show” appearing in all major theatres across Britain. This show ran for over two years. Due to Thomas Kelly’s commitments with Zip Theatre Dave Howson was brought in on Bass guitar for the Classic Soul Show while Thomas continued to play on all Soul Survivors shows. After the second week of touring Roy Gee was replaced by Errol Williams due to his commitments with the Drifters

Fri 19th Sep

The Classic Soul Show appears at The Waterfront Hall, Belfast

Mon 17th Nov

The Classic Soul Show starts Scottish tour at the Carnegie Hall, Dumfries

Wed 31st Dec

The Soul Survivors: Cheltenham Town Hall. 11th New Years Eve

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1998

Mon 26th Jan

Classic Soul Shows starts a week residency at Ronnie Scotts Birmingham.

Sun 2nd Aug

The Soul Survivors, Dudley Show, Himley Hall

Fri 28th Aug

The Soul Survivors perform Lenny Henry’s 40th Birthday Party in London

Tue 6th Oct

P & O Ferries Hull to Zeebrugge. Thomas Kelly’s last shows with The Soul Survivors.

Fri 9th Oct

Mel Day and Dave Howson join The Soul Survivors

Thu 31st Dec

The Robin R’n’B Club 2 Bilston, Wolverhampton, the bands 12th New Years Eve

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1999

Mon 8th Feb

The Classic Soul Show’s second season at Ronnie Scott’s, Birmingham

Sat 12th Jun

First Show backing Jaki Graham, The Roadhouse, Covent Garden, London

Tue 31st Aug

Steve James (Drums) last show, McCluskys, Derby

Wed 1st Sep

Dave Williams starts on Drums until December

Fri 10th Sep

The Classic Soul Show, Rock Circus, Piccadilly with The Supremes

Sun 28th Nov

The Classic Soul Show, Buxton Opera House, Dave Williams last gig

Wed 1st Dec

Brannigan’s, Derby, Soul Survivors, Ronnie Johnson, Drums first Show

Thu 23rd Dec

National Motor Cycle Museum, John Johnson’s last gig with The Soul Survivors

Fri 31st Dec

The Soul Survivors brought in the New Millennium at Cheltenham Town Hall, bands 13th New Years Eve

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2000

Mon 7th Feb

The Classic Soul Show’s third season at Ronnie Scott’s Birmingham

Fri 18th Feb

The Classic Soul Show’s last theatre gig, The Queen’s Theatre, Barnstable

Sat 13th May

The Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane, London

Mon 3 Jul

Jaki Graham & The Soul Survivors, Ronnie Scott’s, Birmingham

Jaki Graham & The Soul Survivors, The Mela Festival, Exhibition Park, Newcastle on Tyne

Fri 6th Oct

The Soul Survivors Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock

Mon 12 Nov

Frogman meets Glen Leon for the first time at the Barn Social Club

The Soul Survivors switch on Christmas Lights Hereford Town Centre

Sun 31st Dec

The Soul Survivors finish the year off at Ronnie Scott’s, Birmingham, 14th New Years Eve

The Classic Soul Show starts its fourth season at Ronnie Scott’s.

Mon 19th Mar

The band decide to start working with Glen Leon on a new Tom Jones tribute show,

Thu 17th May

A-TOM-IC JONES and The Explosive Reload Orchestra first gig at the Hunters Moon, Birmingham

Tue 4th Sep

A-TOM-IC JONES & ERO perform their first Butlins gig at Minehead.

Tue 25th Sep

The Classic Soul Show performs its fifth and final season at Ronnie Scott’s. The closed in 2002

Sat 22nd Dec

First gig with the bands second new van Iveco Daily, The Robin R’n’B Club, Merry Hill.

Mon 31st Dec

A-TOM-IC JONES & ERO Cheltenham Town Hall, the 15th New Years Eve.

The Soul Survivors celebrate ten years of The Robin R’ n’ B Club, Merry Hill. Ten years to day after the Survivors first opened the club

Fri 12th Apr

A-TOM-IC & ERO at Robin R ‘n’ B Club, Merry Hill, first show with dancers

Mon 3rd Jun

The Soul Survivors performed in Victoria Square, Birmingham, for The Queens Golden Jubilee. The show was broadcast live for BBC Television. The band backed the Birmingham massed children's choir for their live network broadcast of "All You Need Is Love"

Fri 26th Jul

A-TOM-IC JONES & ERO, Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. Richie Lund and Curly McVicars last gig.

Thu 22 Aug

The Soul Survivors & A-TOM-IC JONES double bill, Seagull Inn, Brean. Ronnie Johnson rejoins the band after his long illness and new guitarist Lee “Bugsy” Small comes in to replace Richie Lund.

Glen Leon, Mel Day and The Soul Survivors leave a for 10 Day tour of Ireland with their new theatre show Sex Bomb which featured Glen as A-TOM-IC JONES performing all Tom Jones classic hit songs and Mel & boys performing all the classic soul songs which influenced Tom. The tour took in Galway, Cork, Waterford, Belfast, Armagh, Cookstown, Inniskillen, Castlebar & Dublin

The Soul Survivors round off 2002 with an appearance in Centenary Square, Birmingham on New Years Eve. The five piece line up performed in front of 20,000 people, finishing off 2002 in traditional Soul Survivors style.

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