Middle Earth

Located at 43 King's Street, Covent Garden, Middle Earth became London's major "underground" club after the UFO Club closed in summer 1967. Although Jeff Dexter was the main DJ at Middle Earth, Peel played regular gigs there following the closure of Radio London in August 1967. Notable gigs in which he was involved include the debut of Tyrannosaurus Rex as a two-piece and Captain Beefheart's first-ever appearance in the UK.

Middle Earth itself eventually faced problems with the police. In a March 1968 "Perfumed Garden" column for International Times, Peel wrote:


 * "Sympathies and my love to all those humiliated during and following the recent raid on Middle Earth. One girl told me that she was searched four times by an assortment of robust lady policemen. They found nothing, but didn't seem to mind. In view of all this may I urge your renewed support for Release. You may be next. Of course, if you go out and get drunk, puke and urinate in the tube and harass other and sober citizens, well, that's just comic old British behaviour, go to it freely."

The club soon left its original Covent Garden base and instead organized gigs at the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm for a time. Those in which Peel participated include the UK debut of the Doors on a double bill with Jefferson Airplane.

1967

 * Sept

23 Debut of two-piece Tyrannosaurus Rex on bill headed by Denny Laine's Electric String Band, The Picadilly Line

30 "Turn on to The Fairport Convention and Dreamland Express, plus Herbal Mixture and John Peel


 * Oct

21 Ginger Johnson's African Drum Band, Ultradelic Alchemists

27 The Nice, Eyes of Blues, Limousine, West Indian Steel Band


 * Nov

10 Soft Machine, Zeus, Sensory Armada

17 Fairport Convention, Crystal Ship, Jacob's Ladder Construction Co.

24 The Pretty Things, Eyes Of Blue, Tyrannosaurus Rex (alternative listing has Geranium Pond as third on the bill )


 * Dec

1 Electric Prunes, Eclection, Spell, Sensory Armada

15 Pink Floyd, Fusion Fluff

1968
Jan

20 Captain Beefheart &amp; The Magic Band

May

13 Tyrannosaurus Rex, Junior's Eyes, Beowolf

19 "Gandalf's Garden Benefit": Bill included Tyrannosaurus Rex, David Bowie. Peel was advertised but cancelled to attend due to involvement in the Beefheart tour at the time.

26 "Oz Magazine Benefit" Pink Floyd, The Pretty Things, Social Deviants, Blonde On Blonde, Alexis Korner, Miss Kelly, The Flamingoes, Buddy Lloyd

June

3 King Ida's Watch Chain, The Battered Ornaments

Nov

23 Middle Earth presents at the Roundhouse: Juniors Eyes, Writing On The Wall, Arcadium, The Gun, Auriel, Sleepy

Dec

27 Middle Earth: Special Christmas show with John Peel

28 Middle Earth: Special Christmas show with John Peel

Links

 * Wikipedia
 * Through The Looking Glass