The Soft Machine
A Chronology 1966 to 1984

Compiled and written by Vernon Fitch.

With research assistance from Erik Engh, Ian Russell, David Parker, Alan Grange, Wolf, and Chuck Taylor.

© copyright Vernon Fitch / The Pink Floyd Archives


I first discovered the Soft Machine in 1968. I suppose it was the Jimi Hendrix Experience that led me to the Soft Machine. I was a huge fan of Hendrix, ever since the first notes of Purple Haze hit the U.S. airwaves in 1967. So in the summer of 1968, when Hendrix was touring the U.S., it came to my attention that the opening act on the tour was the Soft Machine. At the time, Soft Machine had no records available in the U.S. In fact, their only record at that point was the obscure British single, Love Makes Sweet Music, which garnered no airplay in the U.S. that I can remember. So my curiosity about this mysterious group on the Hendrix tour led me to purchase the first Soft Machine album when it was released in December 1968. Upon listening to the album, I was hooked. It was just amazing. I loved every minute of their music. The album was such an influence on me that I even played two songs from the album with my band, Invinculis. We played local Michigan weddings, dance clubs, and parties, and if you happened to catch us live you would hear renditions of Why Are We Sleeping, and We Did It Again, thrown in among our other standards. Not that anyone who hired us had likely ever heard the Soft Machine before, but I loved the words, the ideas, and the music. So began my fascination with the Soft Machine. I followed the band through the end of the 1960s and throughout the 1970s, purchasing every album as they were released. And I would keep up with their activities in Europe through the British music papers, such as Melody Maker and New Musical Express. While I was in college at Michigan State University, I witnessed the 1974 version of the Soft Machine perform live at the Silver Dollar Saloon in East Lansing, Michigan. The band was just fantastic, especially Mike Ratledge with his fuzz organ and extended organ solos. The new guy (that's how I referred to Allan Holdsworth) was a bit mysterious, as he stood at the front of the stage, waiting quietly for his section of the song to come around when he would come to life and begin playing these amazing lead solos, up and down the guitar neck at incredible speed, before stopping completely and letting the rest of the band carry on. It was almost like there was a switch that turned him on and off at precise moments. I don't remember him playing any rhythm guitar, just lead solos. A very unusual performance, but exactly what you would expect from the Soft Machine. So fast forward to 2003. Soft Machine is still very much a favorite of mine. So I created this chronological history of the Soft Machine for the purpose of documenting the history of the band, a band that became a part of my life many years ago. I hope that you enjoy reading this as much as I did in creating it. - Vernon Fitch.


Soft Machine was a part of my transition period in the late 1960s from rock to jazz. The first Soft Machine album I bought was Third. The thing that caught my interest about the album was that each song was an entire side of the LP. Since then I have collected all of the Soft Machine records that were available. I consider the period from 1969 to 1973 their creative peak, as their music has both an interesting rhythmic background and improvisational creativity. On March 27th and 28th, 1971, the Soft Machine performed at the H vikodden Art Centre, in Oslo, Norway, and I was there. The concert took place in a small exhibition room with an audience of no more than 200 to 300 people who sat in wooden chairs. The first set lasted an hour or so, followed by a 15 to 20 minute break, then another set. The intensity, the complexity, and the cooperation between the musicians was amazing. I have never, ever seen such a wall of sound being pushed at an audience for evaluation. This was really a band at its peak. Robert Wyatt's drum structure not only followed the music, but had a rhythmic purpose of its own as it influenced the direction of the music by its own creativity. Hugh Hopper had an advanced bass technique, with lyrical movements and bass solos that also directed the movement of the pieces. Mike Ratledge used classical improvisations and complex melodic structures to guide the songs like an instructor. And Elton Dean's improvisations provided an excellent bridge between the musical sections. I have never seen a band that has been able to create so much on a live stage. What more can you ask for? - Erik Engh.


Any comments, corrections or additions to this chronology would be appreciated.


Quick Click Guide

[Relics & Curios]
[Pink Floyd Archives home page]


Years and Musical Compositions

1966
1967 - Love Makes Sweet Music single
1968 - The Soft Machine
1969 - Soft Machine Volume Two
1970 - Soft Machine Third
1971 - Soft Machine 4
1972 - Soft Machine 5
1973 - Soft Machine Six / Soft Machine Seven
1974
1975 - Bundles
1976 - Softs
1977
1978 - Alive and Well
1979
1980
1981 - Land of Cockayne
1984


1966

Soft Machine
(Daevid Allen, Kevin Ayers, Larry Nowlin, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)

August

? - Midsummer Revels, Coombe Springs, England (Soft Machine's first concert)

1966
September

11 - Star Club, Hamburg, Germany (booked for three nights by their manager, Henri Henriod, but they only lasted one show, and three songs)
? - Spontaneous Underground, Marquee Theater, London, England

Soft Machine
(Daevid Allen, Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)

1966

30 - London Free School, All Saints Church Hall, London, England (opening for The Pink Floyd)

October


All Night Rave at The Roundhouse flyer
Soft Machine-October 15, 1966

15 - All Night Rave at The Roundhouse, London, England (launch party for the International Times newspaper, with Pink Floyd)


Tiles Club ad
Soft Machine-October 27, 1966

27 - Tiles Club, London, England

1966
November

2 - De Lane Lea Studios, London, England (Jimi Hendrix Experience recording session for the song, Stone Free, with Kevin Ayers & Robert Wyatt)

1966

Zebra Club poster
December

10 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
17 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
23 - UFO Presents Night Tripper, UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (with Pink Floyd)
24 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England
30 - UFO Presents Night Tripper, UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (with Pink Floyd)


The Zebra Club ad
Soft Machine-December 31, 1966

31 - A New Year's Eve All-Night Dance, The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England

During December, the Soft Machine went into CBS Recording Studios in London, England to record the songs, Fred the Fish, and Feelin', Reelin', Squeelin'.

[back to index]


1967

January


The Zebra Club ad
Soft Machine-January 7, 1967

7 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England


The Zebra Club ad
Soft Machine-January 14, 1967

14 - The Zebra Club, 18 Greek Street, London, England


A Million Volt Rave at The Roundhouse poster
Soft Machine-January 28, 1967

28 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England (The Soft Machine, and The Electric Poets with Daevid Allen, Gilli Smythe, and Robert Wyatt)

Sometime after the Roundhouse show, the Soft Machine went into CBS Recording Studios in London, England for a recording session to re-record the song, Fred the Fish.

Also, sometime in January, they went into Advision Studios in London, England for recording session in which they recorded the song, Love Makes Sweet Music.

1967

February


UFO Club poster
Soft Machine-February 3, 1967

3 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
4 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
5 - Olympic Sound Studios, London, England (additional recording session for the single Love Makes Sweet Music / Feelin', Reelin', Squeelin')


Love Festival at UFO poster
Soft Machine-February 17, 1967

17 - Love Festival, UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England


Love Makes Sweet Music single
Released in the U.K. on February 17, 1967
Also issued in France and Holland

During February 1967, Soft Machine were promoted on British radio following the release of their first single. These promotions included:

  1. Soft Machine-BBC Top Gear Show, London, England (the BBC featured their single on the Top Gear Show)
  2. Soft Machine-Interview on BBC radio by Barry Brown with Robert Wyatt, Mike Ratledge, Daevid Allen, and Kevin Ayers
  3. Soft Machine-London radio interview with Daevid Allen, Robert Wyatt, and Kevin Ayers


Saturday Scene ad
Soft Machine-February 18, 1967

18 - Corn Exchange, Chelmsford, England
22 - The Speakeasy, London, England (afternoon press reception for the release of Love Makes Sweet Music)

1967


UFO Club poster

March

1 - The Speakeasy, London, England


UFO Club ad in IT
Soft Machine-March 3, 1967

3 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
5 - Padworth Hall, Padworth, England
8 - The Speakeasy, London, England
9 - Polydor Studios, London, England (recording session)
15 - The Speakeasy, London, England


UFO Club ad
Soft Machine-March 17, 1967

17 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
22 - The Speakeasy, London, England


UFO Club ad in IT
Soft Machine-March 24, 1967

24 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (Return of the Microbiotic UFO-Mk.-2, special starborn lovepotion Soft-Machine in Idiosyncratic technicolor)
29 - The Speakeasy, London, England

1967

April

5 - The Speakeasy, London, England


UFO Club ad
Soft Machine-April 7, 1967

7 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England
12 - The Speakeasy, London, England
13 - The Electric Garden, London, England


Roundhouse ad
Soft Machine-April 15, 1967

15 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
19 - The Speakeasy, London, England


Roundhouse ad
Soft Machine-April 22, 1967

22 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
26 - The Speakeasy, London, England


14 Hour Techncolour Dream poster
Soft Machine-April 29, 1967

29 - 14 Hour Techncolour Dream, Alexandra Palace, London, England
? - College of Technology, Leicester, England

In April 1967, the Soft Machine spent three days in De Lane Lea Studios, in London, England for a recording session with Giorgio Gomelsky producing. They recorded the songs That's How Much I Need You, Save Yourself, I Should've Known, Jet Propelled Phonograph, When I Don't Want You, Memories, You Don't Remember, She's Gone, and I'd Rather Be With You. These demo recordings were released in 1971 on Byg Records.

1967


The Soft Machine Turns On poster
May

3 - The Speakeasy, London, England


UFO Club ad
Soft Machine-May 5, 1967

5 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England


Rag Ball ad
Soft Machine-May 6, 1967

6 - Target '67, Rag Ball, Canterbury Technical College, Canterbury, England
10 - The Speakeasy, London, England
14 - Theatre Royal, Stratford East, England
17 - The Speakeasy, London, England


New Cellar Club ticket
Soft Machine-May 18, 1967

18 - New Cellar Club, Thomas Street, South Shields, England
21 - Theatre Royal, Stratford East, England
24 - The Speakeasy, London, England
28 - Theatre Royal, Stratford East, England
31 - The Speakeasy, London, England

In the Spring of 1967, Soft Machine had a recording session in which they recorded the songs, Television Dream, and What's the Use of Tryin'.

1967

June


Happening 44 ad
Soft Machine-June 1, 1967

1 - Happening 44, 44 Gerrard Street, London, England
2 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England (Soft Machine performed a poem for John Hopkins) (with Pink Floyd)
7 - Speakeasy Club, 48 Margaret Street, London, England


UFO Coming poster
Soft Machine-June 16, 1967

16 - UFO Club, 31 Tottenham Court Road, London, England


The 8 Hour Psycho-Chromatic Fantasy flyer
Soft Machine-June 23, 1967

23 - The 8 Hour Psycho-Chromatic Fantasy, Great and Small Halls, Bradford University, Yorkshire, England


A Midsummer Night's Dream poster
Soft Machine-June 24, 1967

24 - A Midsummer Night's Dream, London School of Economics, London, England
25 - Pop and Poetry, Albany Institute, Deptford, England

In June 1967, Soft Machine went into Sound Techniques Studios in Chelsea, England for a recording session in which they recorded the songs, She's Gone, and I Should've Known.

? - Underground Parking Garage, Avenue Foch, Paris, France

1967

July


Festival St. Aygulf poster
Soft Machine-July 1-5, 1967

1 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France


Discoteque Interplay poster
Soft Machine-July 1-5, 1967

2 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
3 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
4 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
5 - Beer Festival, Discotheque Interplay, Sur la Plage de Saint-Aygulf Beach, France
14 - Town Square, St. Tropez, France

Also in July, Soft Machine performed at a party for Caroll Baker in France.

1967
August

? - Festival of Free Theatre, Cogolin, France (for two weeks they were the opening act for a Picasso play called, Desire Caught by the Tail)
? - Cafe Des Arts, St. Tropez, France
? - Voom Voom Club, St. Tropez, France
13 - La Nuit Psychédélique at L’Epi Plage, St. Tropez, France (Barclay Records party)
16 - Soft Machine return to England (Soft Machine were scheduled to depart San Tropez for Amsterdam to be part of the first Dutch Be-In, but the Dutch bookings were put on hold and they returned to England instead)

The British customs at Dover, England refused Daevid Allen re-entry into England because he had been working illegally in England without a work permit. Soft Machine was forced to become a trio.

Soft Machine
(Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)

26 - The Speakeasy, Ryde, Isle of Wight, England


Middle Earth ad
Soft Machine-August 27, 1967

27 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England

1967

September


Lullaby for Catatonics ad in IT
Soft Machine-September 1, 1967
(This ad was printed while Daevid was still in the band, so he is listed in the ad,
but by the time of the concert, he was no longer with the Soft Machine.)

1 - Lullaby for Catatonics, Edinburgh Festival, Barrie Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland (with dancer Graziella Martinez)


UFO RIA Festival ad in IT
Soft Machine-September 2, 1967

2 - Traverse Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland, and UFO at the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England (RIA Festival with Pink Floyd-benefit for Release)
4 - Churchill Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland (music for the Traverse Theatre Club's "Ubu in Chains")
5 - Churchill Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland (music for the Traverse Theatre Club's "Ubu in Chains")
6 - Churchill Theater, Edinburgh, Scotland (music for the Traverse Theatre Club's "Ubu in Chains")


UFO at The Roundhouse ad
Soft Machine-September 15, 1967

15 - UFO at The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England


Middle Earth ad
Soft Machine-September 16, 1967

16 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England

22 - Vitus Studios, Bussum, Holland
(Hoepla TV recording session - broadcast October 9, 1967)
[I Should've Known, We Know What You Mean]
23 - The Birds Club, Amsterdam, Holland
24 - The Birds Club, Amsterdam, Holland

1967
October

? - Biennale des Jeunes Artistes, Musee d'Art Moderne, Paris, France (with dancer Graziella Martinez) (two nights)
3 - ORTF Studios, Paris, France (Dim, Dam, Dum TV Show)
6 - Ste-Genevieve sur le Tobogan, Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris, France (with dancer Graziella Martinez)
7 - Ste-Genevieve sur le Tobogan, Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris, France (with dancer Graziella Martinez)
12 - The Birdcage, Harlow, Essex, England


Middle Earth poster
Soft Machine-October 13, 1967

13 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England


Friar's Hall ad
Soft Machine-October 14, 1967

14 - Friar's Hall, Blackfriars Road, London, England


Friar's Hall ad
Soft Machine-October 15, 1967

15 - Friar's Hall, Blackfriars Road, London, England


Roundhouse ad
Soft Machine-October 20, 22, 26, 27 & 29, 1967

20 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
22 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
26 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
27 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
29 - The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England

1967

November


Middle Earth ad
Soft Machine-November 10, 1967

10 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England (Hugh Hopper's first show as a roadie)


Hippy Happy Fair poster
Soft Machine-November 12, 1967

12 - Hippy Happy Fair, Ahoy-Heliport, Rotterdam, Holland (two shows)
? - Golf-Drouot, Paris, France


L'Fenetre Rose poster
Soft Machine-November 17-18, 1967

17 - L'Fenetre Rose, Palais des Sports, Paris, France (filmed for French TV - portion broadcast on Bouton Rouge TV Show, December 9, 1967)
18 - L'Fenetre Rose, Palais des Sports, Paris, France (filmed for French TV - portion broadcast on Bouton Rouge TV Show, December 9, 1967)
24 - Frenford Youth Club, Baths Hall, Ilford, England

1967
December

5 - Aeolian Hall, Studio 2, London, England
(BBC Top Gear Show recording session - broadcast December 17, 1967)
[Clarence In Wonderland, We Know What You Mean, Hope for Happiness, A Certain Kind , Strangest Scene]


The City University ad
Soft Machine-December 8, 1967

8 - The City University, St. John Street, London, England


Concertgebouw handbill
Soft Machine-December 10, 1967

10 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
[That's How Much I Need You, I Should've Known / We Did It Again, A Certain Kind, Save Yourself, Lullabye Letter / Priscilla, We Did It Again, Why Are We Sleeping?]
? - The Olympia, Paris, France
? - ORTF Studios, Paris, France (recording session for Francois Bayle "The Acoustical Experience")


Middle Earth poster
Soft Machine-December 16, 1967

16 - Middle Earth, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England


Christmas on Earth Continued poster
Soft Machine-December 22, 1967

22 - Christmas on Earth Continued, Grand and National Halls, Olympia, London, England

[back to index]


1968

January

12 - Drury Lane Arts Lab, London, England


Middle Earth Club ad
Soft Machine-January 13, 1968

13 - Middle Earth Club, 43 King Street, Covent Garden, London, England
? - Middlesborough, England

30 - Soft Machine depart for San Francisco via New York for their first United States tour as opening act for Jimi Hendrix (Soft Machine didn't take their equipment with them, loaning all their amps and technical gear to the Wilde Flowers while they were gone)

1968

February


Fillmore / Winterland poster
This is the poster for Soft Machine's first U.S. concerts, on February 1-2, 1968
[Soft Machine are not even mentioned on the poster!!!]

1 - Fillmore Auditorium, San Francisco, California (two shows)
2 - Winterland, San Francisco, California (two shows)
3 - Winterland, San Francisco, California (canceled due to disagreement between Robert Wyatt and Bill Graham)
4 - Winterland, San Francisco, California (canceled)


Arizona State University handbill
Soft Machine-February 5, 1968

5 - Sun Devils Gym, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona
6 - VIP Club, Tucson, Arizona


Sacramento State College poster
Soft Machine-February 8, 1968

8 - Men's Gym, Sacramento State College, Sacramento, California
9 - Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim, California


Pinnacle Concert poster
Soft Machine-February 10, 1968

10 - Pinnacle Concert, Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
11 - Robertson Gym, Santa Barbara, California
12 - Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington


UCLA handbill
Soft Machine-February 13, 1968

13 - Ackerman Union Grand Ballroom, UCLA, Los Angeles, California


Regis College Fieldhouse handbill
Soft Machine-February 14, 1968

14 - Fieldhouse, Regis College, Denver, Colorado
15 - Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas
16 - State Fair Music Hall, Dallas, Texas
17 - Will Rogers Auditorium, Fort Worth, Texas
18 - Music Hall, Houston, Texas (two shows)


Electric Factory poster
Soft Machine-February 21 & 22, 1968

21 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (canceled due to late arrival of organ)


Electric Factory handbill
Soft Machine-February 22, 1968

22 - Electric Factory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (two shows)


Masonic Temple postcard
Soft Machine-February 23, 1968

23 - Masonic Temple, Detroit, Michigan


CNE Coliseum poster
Soft Machine-February 24, 1968

24 - CNE Coliseum, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
25 - Civic Opera House, Chicago, Illinois (two shows)


The Factory poster
Soft Machine-February 27, 1968

27 - The Factory, Madison, Wisconsin (two shows)
28 - The Scene, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (two shows)
29 - The Scene, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (two shows)

1968

March


Hunter College ad
Soft Machine-March 2, 1968

2 - Hunter College, New York City, New York


Vets Memorial Auditorium poster
Soft Machine-March 3, 1968

3 - Vets Memorial Auditorium, Columbus, Ohio
4 - The Scene, New York City, New York
5 - The Scene, New York City, New York
6 - The Scene, New York City, New York


State University of New York poster
Soft Machine-March 9, 1968

9 - State University of New York, Stony Brook, Long Island, New York


Washington Hilton poster
Soft Machine-March 10, 1968

10 - International Ballroom, Washington Hilton Hotel, Washington D.C. (two shows)


The Scene ad
Soft Machine-March 11, 1968

11 - The Scene, New York City, New York
14 - The Scene, New York City, New York (concert and press reception)


Clark University ad
Soft Machine-March 15, 1968

15 - Atwood Hall, Clark University, Worcester, Massachusetts (two shows)


Lewiston Armory poster
Soft Machine-March 16, 1968
16 - Lewiston Armory, Lewiston, Maine

Capital Theater ad
Soft Machine-March 19, 1968
19 - Capital Theater, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (two shows)


Community War Memorial ad
Soft Machine-March 21, 1968

21 - Community War Memorial, Rochester, New York
22 - Bushnell Memorial Hall, Hartford, Connecticut


Buffalo Memorial Auditorium ad
Soft Machine-March 23, 1968
23 - Buffalo Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York


IMA Auditorium poster
Soft Machine-March 24, 1968

24 - IMA Auditorium, Flint, Michigan
26 - Public Music Hall, Cleveland, Ohio (two shows)


Lion's Delaware County Fairgrounds poster
Soft Machine-March 27, 1968

27 - Teen America Building, Lion's Delaware County Fairgrounds, Muncie, Indiana


Xavier University Fieldhouse flyer
Soft Machine-March 28, 1968
28 - Fieldhouse, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio (two shows)
29 - Chicago University, Chicago, Illinois

University of Toledo flyer
Soft Machine-March 30, 1968
30 - Fieldhouse, University of Toledo, Cincinnati, Ohio (two shows)

Philadelphia Arena ad
Soft Machine-March 31, 1968
31 - Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1968

Middle Earth Club poster
(Soft Machine are listed for April 13, 1968, but they were in the U.S. at the time)
April

2 - Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec, Canada


Symphony Hall, Newark handbill
Soft Machine-April 5, 1968
[Soft Machine are not mentioned on the handbill]

5 - Symphony Hall, Newark, New Jersey


Westchester County Center ticket
Soft Machine-April 6, 1968

6 - Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York
19 - The Armory, Troy, New York
? - Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York (Jazz Series)

During their stay in New York, the Soft Machine went into Record Plant Studios in New York City, and spent four days recording the first Soft Machine album. Nearly all the tracks were recorded in one take.

At the end of April, the Soft Machine returned to London, England.

1968
May

4 - Andy Summers flat, West Kensington, England (jam session with Andy Summers, Brian Hopper, Hugh Hopper, and Robert Wyatt)
? - Graveney and Canterbury, England (rehearsals by Mike Ratledge, Andy Summers, Kevin Ayers, and Robert Wyatt for the second U.S. tour)
17 - [IT publishes an article about Soft Machine. Robert Wyatt says that the group will be concentrating on work in America during the summer. Andy Summers has joined the group and they are busy rehearsing. They apologize to their British fans for cancelling recent British gigs.]

Soft Machine
(Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge, Andy Summers, Robert Wyatt)


Summer Ball poster
Soft Machine-May 25, 1968

25 - Summer Ball, Langwith College, York, England

1968
June

12 - May Ball, King's College, Cambridge, England


Grande Ballroom, Detroit postcard
Soft Machine-June 14 & 15, 1968
14 - The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan (Soft Machine cancelled and was replaced by Wilson Mower Pursuit)
15 - The Grande Ballroom, Detroit, Michigan (Soft Machine cancelled and was replaced by Wilson Mower Pursuit)


Corpus Summer Ball poster
Soft Machine-June 21, 1968
21 - Corpus Summer Ball, Corpus Christi College, Oxford, England, June 21, 1968 (the entire concert was cancelled due to poor ticket sales.

1968
July

11 - Jazz in the Garden, The Museum of Modern Art, New York City, New York


Independence Hall poster
Soft Machine-July 30, 1968
30 - Independence Hall, Lakeshore Auditorium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

1968
August

2 - Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas


Moody Coliseum, Southern Methodist University, Dallas ticket
Soft Machine-August 3, 1968
3 - Moody Coliseum, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas


Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston ticket
Soft Machine-August 4, 1968
4 - Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas


Auditorium Theater, Chicago ticket
Soft Machine-August 10, 1968
10 - Auditorium Theatre, Chicago, Illinois (two shows)

Col Ballroom poster
Soft Machine-August 11, 1968
11 - Col Ballroom, Davenport, Iowa
[Lullabye Letter, Priscilla, Everything I Have Known, We Did It Again, Plus Belle Qu'un Poubelle, Why Are We Sleeping, Joy of a Toy, Hope for Happiness, Clarence in Wonderland, You Don't Remember, 10:30 Returns to Bedroom]


Merriweather Post Pavilion poster
Soft Machine-August 16, 1968

16 - Merriweather Post Pavilion, Columbia, Maryland


Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia poster
Soft Machine-August 17, 1968

17 - Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia (two shows)
20 - The Mosque, Richmond, Virginia (two shows)
21 - The Dome, Virginia Beach, Virginia (two shows)

Soft Machine
(Kevin Ayers, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)


New York Rock Festival poster
Soft Machine-August 23, 1968

23 - The New York Rock Festival, Singer Bowl, Flushing Meadow Park, Queens, New York
25 - Carousel Theater, Framingham, Massachusetts (two shows)
26 - Kennedy Stadium, Bridgeport, Connecticut
30 - Lagoon Opera House, Salt Lake City, Utah

1968
September

1 - Red Rocks Park, Denver, Colorado


Balboa Stadium flyer
Soft Machine-September 3, 1968

3 - Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California


Phoenix Memorial Coliseum flyer
Soft Machine-September 4, 1968

4 - Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona


Swing Auditorium flyer
Soft Machine-September 5, 1968

5 - Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, California


Seattle Center Coliseum flyer
Soft Machine-September 6, 1968

6 - Seattle Center Coliseum, Seattle, Washington


Pacific Coliseum flyer
Soft Machine-September 7, 1968

7 - Pacific Coliseum, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada


Spokane Coliseum flyer
Soft Machine-September 8, 1968

8 - Coliseum, Spokane, Washington


Portland Memorial Coliseum flyer
Soft Machine-September 9, 1968

9 - Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon


Oakland Coliseum ad
Soft Machine-September 13, 1968

13 - Oakland Coliseum, Oakland, California


Hollywood Bowl ad
Soft Machine-September 14, 1968

14 - Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood, California
[improvisations, Box 25/4 Lid]

The Hollywood Bowl concert was the last Soft Machine concert on the Hendrix tour. Subsequent dates had been booked for Soft Machine, and flyers have been found for these dates, but Soft Machine did not play any of them.

At the end of the U.S. tour, the Soft Machine broke up and the musicians went their separate ways. Kevin Ayers went to live in Ibiza, Spain, Mike Ratledge returned to London, England, and Robert Wyatt remained in the United States and participated in recording sessions in California and New York.

1968

October

? - T.T.G. Studio, Hollywood, California (Robert Wyatt sang backing vocals for Eric Burdon & the Animals on the song River Deep, Mountain High)
? - T.T.G. Studio, Hollywood, California (demo recording by Robert Wyatt & Jimi Hendrix)
30 - T.T.G. Studio, Hollywood, California (Robert Wyatt sang backing vocals for Eire Apparent on the song The Clown)

1968

December

The Soft Machine album is released in the United States.


The Soft Machine LP
Released in the U.S. December 1968
The Soft Machine
[guest musicians include Hugh Hopper on bass on Box 25/4 Lid, and Cake on backing vocals on Why Are We Sleeping]
[Hope For Happiness, Joy Of A Toy, Hope For Happiness (reprise), Why Am I So Short, So Boot If At All, A Certain Kind, Save Yourself / Priscilla, Lullabye Letter, We Did It Again, Plus Belle Qu'une Poubelle, Why Are We Sleeping, Box 25/4 Lid]

Robert Wyatt was persuaded by the record company to reform the Soft Machine to support their album. Unable to contact Kevin Ayers in Spain, Hugh Hopper was recruited as his replacement on bass.

21 - Hugh Hopper leaves Canterbury to join the Soft Machine at Robert Wyatt's house in West Dulwich, England.

[back to index]


1969

February

Soft Machine
(Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)


Royal Albert Hall ad
Soft Machine-February 18, 1969

18 - Royal Albert Hall, London, England
[Pataphysical Introduction Pt. 1, A Concise British Alphabet Pt. 1 and 2, Hulloder, Dada Was Here, Thank You Pierre Lunaire, Have You Ever Been Green, Pataphysical Introduction Pt. 2, As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still, Fire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging, Pig, Orange Skin Food, A Door Opens and Closes, 10:30 Returns to the Bedroom]

During February and March, Soft Machine went into Olympic Studios in London, England, for recording sessions for the Soft Machine-Volume Two album.

1969

March


Middle Earth at The Royalty Theatre ad
Soft Machine-March 1, 1969

1 - Middle Earth at The Royalty Theatre, Lancaster Road, Ladbroke Grove, London, England


Bedford College Rag Ball ad
Soft Machine-March 14, 1969

14 - Rag Ball, Bedford College, Inner Circle, Regents Park, London, England


London 100 Club ad
Soft Machine-March 27, 1969

27 - London 100 Club, 100 Oxford Street, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax) (Syd Barrett attended this show and, afterwards, asked the Soft Machine to participate in his recording sessions for The Madcap Laughs album)

29 - Paradiso, Amsterdam, Netherlands
[Hulloder, Dada Was Here, Thank You Pierrot Lunaire, Have You Ever Been Green, Pataphysical Introduction, As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still, Hibou, Anemone And Bear, Fire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging, Pig, Orange Skin Food, A Door Opens And Closes, 10:30 Returns To Bedroom]


King's Theater ad
Soft Machine-March 30, 1969

30 - Fusion of Jazz & Pop, King's Theater, Southsea, Hampshire, Portsmouth, England

1969

April


The Soft Machine Volume Two LP
First released in the U.S.
April 1969
Soft Machine Volume Two
[Rivmic Melodies: Pataphysical Introduction-Pt. I, A Concise British Alphabet-Pt. I, Hibou, Anemone And Bear, A Concise British Alphabet-Pt. II, Hulloder, Dada Was Here, Thank You Pierrot Lunaire, Have You Ever Been Green?, Pataphysical Introduction-Pt. II, Out Of Tunes / Esther's Nose Job: As Long As He Lies Perfectly Still, Dedicated To You But You Weren't Listening, Fire Engine Passing With Bells Clanging, Pig, Orange Skin Food, A Door Opens And Closes, 10:30 Returns To Bedroom]


Mother's Club ad
Soft Machine-April 12, 1969

12 - Mothers Club, High Street, Erdington, Birmingham, England


Country Club ad
Soft Machine-April 13, 1969

13 - Country Club, 210a Haverstock Hill, London, England
[Moon in June, Eamonn Andrews, Mousetrap, Backwards, Mousetrap (reprise), Esther's Nose Job, Hibou, Anemone and Bear]
19 - Geneva, Switzerland
20 - Fribourg, Switzerland (filmed for TV)
25 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
(rehearsal filmed - broadcast on Forum Musiques-Special Londres, May 24, 1969)
[Esther's Nose Job]

1969
May

3 - Studio 3, EMI Studios, London, England [7:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.]
(Syd Barrett recording session for The Madcap Laughs album - during this session, each song was overdubbed once, with the Soft Machine adding a backing track to each of the three songs.)
[Love You, It's No Good Trying, Clowns and Jugglers]


Royal College of Art ad
Soft Machine-May 9, 1969

9 - Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London, England


East Anglia Rag Barbecue ad
Soft Machine-May 10, 1969

10 - East Anglia Rag Barbecue, Earlham Park, Norwich, England


Camden Fringe Festival poster
Soft Machine-May 18, 1969

18 - Parliament Hill Fields, Hampstead, London, England (Camden Free Festival)


Lyceum ad
Soft Machine-May 23, 1969

23 - Midnight Court, The Lyceum, Strand, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)


Accord International Ball at the Roundhouse poster
Soft Machine-May 31, 1969

31 - Accord International Ball, The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)

Also in May, Soft Machine recorded music to accompany the performances of Spaced. These sessions took place at St. Katherine's Dock in London.

1969

June


Mothers Club ad
Soft Machine-June 1, 1969

1 - Mothers Club, High Street, Erdington, Birmingham, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)


Van Dike Club poster
Soft Machine-June 7, 1969

7 - Van Dike Club, Plymouth, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)

10 - Maida Vale Studio 4, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
(BBC Top Gear Show recording session - broadcast June 15, 1969)
[Facelift, Mousetrap, Backwards, Mousetrap (reprise), The Moon in June ]
15 - Country Club, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)

17 - Studio 3, EMI Studios, London, England [10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.]
(Kevin Ayers recording session for the Joy of a Toy album)
[The IT Song (8 takes were recorded), Circus (one take was recorded)]
Note: The IT Song became Song for Insane Times, and Circus became Joy of a Toy continued.


Van Dike Club flyer
Soft Machine-June 21, 1969

21 - Van Dike Club, Plymouth, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)


Bataclan Theatre poster
Soft Machine-June 25, 1969

25 - Le Bataclan Theatre, Paris, France
? - Les Halles, Paris, France

1969
July


Marquee Club flyer
Soft Machine-July 8, 1969

8 - The Marquee Club, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)


Midnight Rave No. 3 ad
Soft Machine-July 11, 1969

11 - Brunel University Students' Union presents Midnight Rave No. 3 (or Summer Scream Scene!), Classic Theatre, Western Avenue, Park Royal, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)


Midnight Court ad
Soft Machine-July 18, 1969

18 - Oxford, England, and Midnight Court, The Lyceum, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)

1969
August

6 - Regent Street Sounds Studios, London, England
(Soft Machine participated in recording sessions for Hugh Hopper and Brian Hopper publishing demos)
[The Big Show, Memories, She Loves to Hurt, Impotence]


9th National Jazz & Blues Festival poster
Soft Machine-August 8, 1969

8 - 9th National Jazz & Blues Festival, Plumpton Racecourse, Lewes, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
{loss of power during Soft Machine's performance resulted in an aborted set)
[Moon in June]
9 - Mothers Club, Birmingham, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)
22 - Bilzen Jazz and Pop Festival, Bilzen, Belgium

1969
September


Concertgebouw, Amsterdam poster
Soft Machine-September 7, 1969

7 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
[Moon in June, Facelift, Eamonn Andrews, Mousetrap, Backwards, Mousetrap (reprise), Esther's Nose Job, We Did It Again, Noisette, Hibou Anemone and Bear]
20 - Free Concert, Hyde Park, London, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)


Cook's Ferry Inn ad
Soft Machine-September 29, 1969

29 - Cook's Ferry Inn, Angel Road, Edmonton, England (with Brian Hopper on tenor sax)

1969
October


Marquee Club flyer
Soft Machine-October 2, 1969

2 - The Marquee Club, London, England


The Sunday Lyceum ad
Soft Machine-October 5, 1969

5 - The Lyceum, London, England


City of London College poster
Soft Machine-October 6, 1969

6 - Union Hall, City of London College, Moorgate E.C.2, London, England

Soft Machine
(Marc Charig, Elton Dean, Lyn Dobson, Nick Evans, Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)


Actuel Music Festival poster
Soft Machine-October 28, 1969

28 - Actuel Music Festival, Amougies, Belgium (filmed and released as the movie, Amougies Music Power)

1969

November


Regent Street Polytechnic ad
Soft Machine-November 8, 1969

8 - Regent Street Polytechnic, Little Titchfield Street, London, England

10 - Playhouse Theater, Northumberland Avenue, London, England
(BBC Top Gear Show recording session - broadcast November 29, 1969)
[Instant Pussy, Mousetrap, Noisette, Backwards ballad, Mousetrap (reprise), Esther's Nose Job]


Ronnie Scott's Club ad
Soft Machine-November 11 & 18, 1969

11 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
15 - The Village Roundhouse, Dagenham, England


Dunstable Civic ad
Soft Machine-November 17, 1969

17 - Civic Hall, Dunstable, England
18 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
22 - Alhambra Theatre, Bordeaux, France (Bordeaux Jazz Festival)
26 - Liege, Belgium
27 - Theatre 140, Brussels, Belgium

28 - Europe 1 Studios, Paris, France
(radio recording session - broadcast on Europe 1)
[Facelift, Hibou, Anemone and Bear]

29 - Lanchester College of Technology, Coventry, England

1969

December

1 - Theatre National, Strasbourg, France
2 - Salle Poirel, Nancy, France
4 - Maison des Arts et Loisirs Thonon-Les-Bains, France
5 - Theatre du 8e, Lyon, France
6 - Theatre du 8e, Lyon, France

7 - ORTF Studio, Paris, France
(television session - broadcast live on L'Invite du Dimanche)
[Pigling Bland, Facelift, Hibou, Anemone and Bear]
8 - Salle de la Mutualite, Paris, France (on this day they were filmed miming to their music in front of the Paris train station-television broadcast on the evening news)
9 - Theatre de l'Est Parisien, Paris, France
10 - Rallye Drouot, Mulhouse, France
11 - Salle de l'Hotel de Ville, Sochaux, France
13 - Nouveau Gymnase, Marseille, France (two shows)
15 - Amphitheatre Aristote, Dijon, France
16 - Sous Les Halles, Beaune, France (canceled due to Hugh Hopper having food poisoning)
17 - Grand Theatre, Tours, France
18 - Maison de la Culture, Bourges, France
19 - Maison de la Culture, Amiens, France
20 - Theatre de l'Hotel de Ville, Le Havre, France

Also in December, the Soft Machine [Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt] participated in a BBC Radiophonic Workshop at Radio 3 Studios in London, England, under the supervision of producer David Ipps. The musicians were given access to the BBC's VCS3 synthesizer and used it to write the song, Eamonn Andrews. The show, which was broadcast on January 7, 1970, and re-broadcast on July 28, 1970, was a part of Radio 3's "The Pop Scene" series, and featured analysis by, and interviews with, the musicians, plus the debut performance of the song, Eamonn Andrews.


Kevin Ayers-Joy of a Toy LP

The Kevin Ayers album, Joy of a Toy, was released in December 1969. [Note: The release date given on the album's studio transfer order is October 31, 1969, but reviews indicate that it was issued in December]. The Soft Machine [Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt] can be heard playing on the songs, Joy of a Toy continued, and Song for Insane Times. The members of Soft Machine also played individually on some of the other songs. (this album is reviewed in the March 14, 1970 issue of Disc & Music Echo.)

[back to index]


1970

January


Syd Barrett-The Madcap Laughs LP

3 - The Syd Barrett album, The Madcap Laughs, is released. The Soft Machine [Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt] can be heard playing on the song, Love You.

Soft Machine
(Elton Dean, Lyn Dobson, Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)


Fairfield Hall poster
Soft Machine-January 4, 1970

4 - Fairfield Hall, Croydon, England (recorded live for use on Soft Machine Third album) (two reviews of concert in Disc, January 10, 1970)
(radio broadcast)
[Eamonn Andrews, Mousetrap, Noisette, Backwards, Mousetrap (reprise), Hibou, Anemone and Bear, Facelift, Moon in June (instrumental), 12/8 Theme, Esther's Nose Job, We Did It Again]


University College ad
Soft Machine-January 10, 1970

10 - University College, Gower Street, London, England


Mothers Club flyer
Soft Machine-January 11, 1970

11 - Mothers Club, Birmingham, England (recorded live for use on Soft Machine Third album)
12 - Hull, England
15 - Eindhoven, Holland
16 - Doelen, Rotterdam, Holland (VPRO television recording session - broadcast February 12, 1970)
17 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
18 - De Harmonie, Groningen, Holland
20 - Radio Bremen TV Studio 4, Bremen, Germany (Beat Club TV recording session)


Mensa am Westring poster
Soft Machine-January 21, 1970

21 - Mensa am Westring, Kiel, West Germany
23 - Hamburg University, Hamburg, West Germany
24 - Berlin University, Berlin, West Germany
25 - Berlin University, Berlin, West Germany
28 - Ghent, Belgium
30 - Antwerp, Belgium
31 - Turscip, Breda, Belgium [interview in Melody Maker with Lyn Dobson published]

1970
February

10 - Top Gear Show, BBC Maida Vale Studios, London, England
(Kevin Ayers session with Soft Machine as backup band - broadcast February 28, 1970)
[Stop This Train, Clarence in Wonderland, Why Are We Sleeping, The Oyster and the Flying Fish, Hat Song]
13 - University College, Swansea, Wales, England (without Elton Dean)


London School of Economics ticket
Soft Machine-February 14, 1970

14 - London School of Economics, Houghton Street, London, England (without Elton Dean)


Marquee Club ad
Soft Machine-February 17, 1970

17 - The Marquee Club, London, England
21 - Theatre des Amandiers, Nanterre, France
22 - Theatre des Amandiers, Nanterre, France
24 - Theatre Municipal, Annecy, France
25 - Sous Les Halles, Beaune, France
26 - Maison de la Culture, Grenoble, France
27 - Maison de la Culture, Grenoble, France
28 - Salle Rameau, Lyon, France

1970
March

2 - Theatre de la Musique, Paris, France
(concert filmed - broadcast on Pop 2, April 30, 1970, and July 23, 1970)
[Facelift, Eamonn Andrews, Backwards, Mousetrap (reprise), Out-Bloody-Rageous, Esther's Nose Job]

3 - Theatre Municipal, Orleans, France
4 - Maison de la Culture, Reims, France
5 - MJC Maxime Gorki, Petit-Quevilly, Rouen, France
10 - Cinema Le Paris, Nantes, France
11 - Palais des Arts et de Culture, Brest, France
12 - Theatre Municipal, Le Mans, France
13 - Comedie de Caen, Caen, France


Conciergerie poster
Soft Machine-March 14, 1970

14 - Conciergerie, Paris, France
15 - Reims, France


Mothers Club flyer
Soft Machine-March 21, 1970

21 - Mothers Club, Birmingham, England

1970

Soft Machine
(Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Mike Ratledge, Robert Wyatt)

April


Kolner Festival poster
Soft Machine-April 4, 1970

4 - Kolner Festival, Sporthalle, K ln, West Germany
10 - IBC Recording Studios, London, England (recording sessions for Soft Machine Third album)


Ronnie Scott's ad
Soft Machine-April 20-25, 1970

20 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
[11/8 Theme, Out-Bloody-Rageous, Eamonn Andrews, Mousetrap, Backwards, Mousetrap (reprise), Hibou, Anemone, And Bear / Facelift, Moon in June, Esther's Nose Job]
21 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
22 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
23 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
24 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
25 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England (concert review of a Ronnie Scott's show in Melody Maker)


Fairfiled Hall ad
Soft Machine-April 26, 1970

26 - Fairfield Hall, Croydon, England (concert review in May 2, 1970 issue of Disc & Music Echo)

1970
May

4 - Playhouse Theater, Northumberland Avenue, London, England
(BBC Top Gear Show recording session - broadcast May 16, 1970)
[Slightly All the Time, Out-Bloody-Rageous, Eamonn Andrews]
6 - IBC Recording Studios, London, England (recording sessions for Soft Machine Third album)
21 - Paris Cinema, Lower Regent Street, London, England
(BBC In Concert recording session - broadcast May 31, 1970)
[Facelift, Esther's Nose Job]


Bath Festival ad
Soft Machine-May 23, 1970

23 - The Aquae Sulis Incident, Spring Music Festival, Twerton Park, Bath, England (Note: Softs were replaced by Chicken Shack at this festival)


Queen Elizabeth Hall flyer
Soft Machine-May 24, 1970

24 - Festival of Progressive Music, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, England (two shows) (ad for show in April 25, 1970 Melody Maker, and in May 23, 1970 issue of Disc & Music Echo)
30 - [Melody Maker published an article that previewed the Soft Machine Third album]

1970

June

6 - Soft Machine Third album is released (Melody Maker published an article and interview with Mike Ratledge, and Robert Wyatt talks about the upcoming British election)


Soft Machine Third LP
Released June 6, 1970
Soft Machine Third
[Facelift, Slightly All The Time, Moon In June, Out-Bloody-Rageous]


U.K..summer tour ad
Soft Machine-June 9-17, 1970

9 - City Hall, Sheffield, England
10 - City Hall, Leeds, England


Birmingham Town Hall flyer
Soft Machine-June 11, 1970

11 - Town Hall, Birmingham, England


Manchester flyer
Soft Machine-June 13, 1970

13 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
14 - Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland


Bristol flyer
Soft Machine-June 17, 1970

17 - Colston Hall, Bristol, England


Holland Pop Festival 70 poster
Soft Machine-June 28, 1970

28 - Holland Pop Festival 70, Kralingse Bos, Rotterdam, Holland
(filmed and released as the movie, Stamping Ground, with the Soft Machine appearing only in the European version of the movie)
[Esther's Nose Job]

1970
July

18 - [Disc & Music Echo reported that Soft Machine would appear on the Top Gear Show on Saturday, July, 18th, and that Soft Machine may not play any more live dates in Britain after the Albert Hall concert. The column "Me and My Music" featured Mike Ratledge talking about himself and Soft Machine.]
25 - [Disc & Music Echo ran a half-page ad for the new Soft Machine album, Third. They also informed a reader that the first Soft Machine album has been released in America, France, Germany, and Holland, but not in Britain.]

1970
August

1 - Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, Aix-en-Provence, France (festival canceled on the first day due to rioting)
5 - Festival Maudit de Biot, Le Biot, France (RTL radio broadcast)


Popanalia Festival poster
Soft Machine-August 6, 1970

6 - Popanalia Festival, Nice, France (Soft Machine refused to perform when they were told they would not be paid the fee agreed to in their contract)


Revolution Club flyer
Soft Machine-August 8, 1970

8 - Revolution Club, Lloret de Mar, Barcelona, Spain (broadcast on Radio Monte Carlo)

13 - Henry Wood Promenade Concert, Royal Albert Hall, London, England
(live radio broadcast by BBC Radio 3, and filmed by BBC1 TV for Omnibus At The Proms - broadcast August 23, 1970)
[Out-Bloody-Rageous, Facelift, Esther's Nose Job, Pig, Orange Skin Food, A Door Opens and Closes, Pigling Bland, 10:30 Returns To The Bedroom]

1970
September

5 - [Disc & Music Echo published an article titled, "Why Sir Henry Moore turned in his grave . . . or how the Land of Hope and Glory people turned on to the Soft Machine." It featured an interview with Hugh Hopper and a picture of Soft Machine.]

17 - Camden Theatre, London, England
(BBC Alan Black Sounds of the Seventies recording - broadcast September 18, 1970, except Esther's Nose Job broadcast October 30, 1970)
[Out-Bloody-Rageous, Slightly All the Time, Mousetrap, Esther's Nose Job]

1970
October

3 - Neuchatel, Switzerland


Ronnie Scott's ad
Soft Machine-October 9-10, 1970

9 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
10 - Ronnie Scott's, 47 Frith Street, London, England
13 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
14 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
15 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
16 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)

19 - BBC TV Studios, London, England
(TV recording session for Anatomy of Pop - broadcast January 10, 1971)
[Neo-Caliban Grides]

23 - Stadsschouwburg, Eindhoven, Holland
24 - Doelen, Rotterdam, Holland

25 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
[Facelift, Virtually, Out-Bloody-Rageous, Neo-Caliban Grides, Teeth, Slightly All the Time, Eamonn Andrews, Kings and Queens, Esther's Nose Job]
27 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
28 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)


University College ad
Soft Machine-October 31, 1970

31 - University College, Gower Street, London, England

1970
November


Reading University flyer
Soft Machine-November 7, 1970

7 - New Union Building, Whiteknights Park, Reading University, Reading, England


Implosion at the Roundhouse ad
Soft Machine-November 8, 1970

8 - Implosion, The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, London, England
9 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
16 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
17 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
18 - Olympic Sounds Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 4 album)
28 - [Sounds published an article about Soft Machine titled "A Fantasy Come True by Robert Wyatt"]

1970
December

15 - Maida Vale Studio 4, London, England
(BBC Top Gear Show recording session - broadcast January 2, 1971)
[Virtually, Fletcher's Blemish]

[back to index]


1971

January


Royal Philharmonic Hall handbill
Soft Machine-January 7, 1971

7 - Royal Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, England


Big Apple ad
Soft Machine-January 9, 1971

9 - The Big Apple, Brighton, Sussex, England


Pop at the University
Soft Machine-January 14, 1971

14 - P.E. Janson Auditorium, Brussels, Belgium
15 - Theatre 140, Brussels, Belgium (live concert recording - broadcast on Pop Show, RTBF television)
16 - Festival Pop de Nancy, Nancy, France
26 - Bradford College, Bradford, England


University of Kent ad
Soft Machine-January 29, 1971

29 - Darwin College, University of Kent, Canterbury, England
31 - Palais de Sports, Paris, France (festival canceled due to rioting)

1971
February


East Anglia University poster
Soft Machine-February 5, 1971

5 - East Anglia University, Norwich, England


Soft Machine with their friends at the Roundhouse poster
Soft Machine-February 7, 1971

7 - The Roundhouse, London, England (benefit for Release)
27 - H vikodden Arts Centre, Oslo, Norway [The Dagbladet, No. 47 reported on February 25th that demand for tickets was so great for the Saturday show at H vikodden, they were adding a second concert on Sunday the 28th] [Disc and Music Echo published an article and interview with Hugh Hopper]
28 - H vikodden Arts Centre, Oslo, Norway

1971
March

2 - Copenhagen, Denmark
5 - rhus, Denmark

11 - Paris Cinema, Lower Regent Street, London, England
(Soft Machine & heavy friends BBC In Concert recording session - broadcast March 21, 1971)
  1. Elton Dean, Mark Charig, Phil Howard, Mike Ratledge & Neville Whitehead
    [Blind Badger]
  2. Soft Machine with Phil Howard
    [Neo-Caliban Grides]
  3. Soft Machine as a quartet
    [Out-Bloody-Rageous, Eamonn Andrews, All White, Kings and Queens]
  4. Soft Machine with Roy Babbington, Mark Charig, Paul Neiman & Ronnie Scott
    [Teeth, Pigling Bland, Noisette]


Soft Machine 4 LP
Released in the U.K. on March 12, 1971
Soft Machine 4 [review in Disc & Music Echo, March 13, 1971]
[Teeth, Kings and Queens, Fletcher's Blemish, Virtually Part 1, Virtually Part 2, Virtually Part 3, Virtually Part 4]

Soft Machine "Fourth" ad
15 - Twentse Schouwburg, Enschede, Holland
17 - Buiten Societet, Zwolle, Holland
19 - Doelen, Rotterdam, Holland
20 - Turfschip, Breda, Holland
21 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
23 - Gondel Filmkunst Theater, Bremen, Germany
(recorded for German radio - broadcast June 6, 1971. Different performance recorded by German TV for Bremen Beat Club TV Show, March 27, 1971)
[Facelift, Virtually, Slightly All The Time, Fletcher's Blemish, Neo-Caliban Grides, Out-Bloody-Rageous, Eamonn Andrews, All White, Kings And Queens, Teeth, Pigling Bland]


Guildford Civic Hall ad
Soft Machine-March 27, 1971

27 - Civic Hall, Guildford, England


Free Trade Hall poster
Soft Machine-March 29, 1971

29 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England

1971

April


Royal Festival Hall concert ticket
Soft Machine-April 3, 1971

3 - Royal Festival Hall, London, England [Disc & Music Echo list Soft Machine 4 album as indispensable]


Soft Machine In concert ad
Soft Machine-March 29-April 5, 1971

5 - The Dome, Brighton, England


Friars ad
Soft Machine-April 15, 1971

15 - Friars, Town Hall, Watford, England


Winter Gardens flyer
Soft Machine-April 23, 1971
23 - Winter Gardens, Bournemouth, England

1971
May


Oz Benefit ad
Soft Machine-May 5, 1971

5 - The Polytechnic of Central London, London, England [benefit for Oz Magazine] [articles in Sounds, March 13, 1971 & May 8, 1971]


Newcastle flyer
Soft Machine-May 14, 1971

14 - City Hall, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England

1971
June

1 - Maida Vale Studio 4, London, England
(BBC Top Gear Show recording session - broadcast June 26, 1971)
[Neo-Caliban Grides, Dedicated to You But You Weren't Listening, Eamonn Andrews, All White]
26 - City Hall, Leeds, England


London Coliseum flyer
Soft Machine-June 27, 1971

27 - The Coliseum, London, England

1971
July

7 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
8 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
9 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
10 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
11 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
12 - The Gaslight, New York City, New York
? - Canton, Ohio
? - Cleveland, Ohio
? - Akron, Ohio
? - Columbus, Ohio
16 - Easttown Theater, Detroit, Michigan
17 - Easttown Theater, Detroit, Michigan
? - Chicago, Illinois
? - Boston, Massachusetts
20 - Beacon Theatre, New York City, New York
21 - Beacon Theatre, New York City, New York
? - Houston, Texas
? - San Antonio, Texas
27 - Playhouse, Mamaroneck, New York

1971
August

Robert Wyatt leaves the Soft Machine

1971

September

Soft Machine
(Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, Phil Howard, Mike Ratledge)


Ahoy 24 Hour Pop poster
Soft Machine-September 10, 1971

10 - 24 Hour Pop, Ahoy, Rotterdam, Holland
11 - Fete de l'Humanite, Parc de La Courneuve, near Le Bourget airport, Paris, France
12 - Fete de l'Humanite, Parc de La Courneuve, near Le Bourget airport, Paris, France
24 - Casino Lido, Venice, Italy

October


Kongresshalle, Frankfurt poster
Soft Machine-October 10, 1971

10 - Kongresshalle, Frankfurt, West Germany


German tour poster 1971
Soft Machine-October 10-17, 1971
11 - Heidelberg, West Germany
13 - Rheinhalle, Dusseldorf, West Germany
14 - Stuttgart, West Germany
17 - Donaueschiegen Festival, West Germany
21 - Lyon, France
22 - Nancy, France
24 - Maison des Arts et Loisirs, Le Creusot, France
26 - TNP, Paris, France


Cathedral Eglise St. Etienne poster
Soft Machine-October 29, 1971

29 - Cathedral Eglise St. Etienne, Lille, France

1971
November

3 - Phoenix Jazz Club, London, England


Berliner Jazz Tage 71 poster
Soft Machine-November 7, 1971

7 - Berliner Jazz Tage 71 Festival, West Berlin, West Germany
11 - North London Poly, Walthamstow, England
12 - Loughton College, Loughton, England


St. Thomas's Hall poster
Soft Machine-November 13, 1971

13 - St. Thomas's Hall, Burgate, Canterbury, England

15 - Playhouse Theater, Northumberland Avenue, London, England
(BBC John Peel Show recording date - broadcast November 24, 1971)
[As If, Drop, Welcome to Frillsville]
16 - Studio T1, Transcription Service, Kensington House, Shepherd's Bush, London, England
(BBC Bob Harris, Sounds of The Seventies Show recording date - broadcast December 20, 1971 except & Grides, All White, Slightly All the Time broadcast January 10, 1972)
[From a Work in Progress, As If, Pigling Bland, & Grides, All White, Slightly All the Time]
19 - Stirling University, Stirling, Scotland
20 - Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland
22 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
23 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
24 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)


November & December 1971 U.K. tour flyer
Soft Machine-November 25-December 9, 1971

25 - Newcastle City Hall, Newcastle, England
26 - Manchester Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
27 - Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, England


Royal Albert Hall ticket
Soft Machine-November 29, 1971

29 - Royal Albert Hall, London, England
30 - Sheffield City Hall, Sheffield, England

1971
December

1 - Town Hall, Leeds, England


Guildhall Portsmouth poster
Soft Machine-December 2, 1971

2 - Guildhall, Portsmouth, England
6 - Town Hall, Birmingham, England, and Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
7 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
8 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)


Colston Hall, Bristol poster
Soft Machine-December 9, 1971

9 - Colston Hall, Bristol, England

[back to index]


1972

January


Rignhal, Arnhem poster
Soft Machine-January 29, 1972

29 - Rijnhal, Arnhem, Holland

1972

Soft Machine
(Elton Dean, Hugh Hopper, John Marshall, Mike Ratledge)

February

21 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
22 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
23 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
24 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)
25 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine 5 album)

* Melody Maker reported the winners of the Melody Maker Jazz Poll of 1972 in its February 26, 1972 issue. In the British section, Mike Ratledge finished first in the Organ category, Soft Machine finished second in the Small Group category, Elton Dean finished second in the Alto Sax category, John Marshall finished second in the Drums category, and Elton Dean finished second in the New Star category. In the International section, Elton Dean finished second in the Alto Sax category, and Mike Ratledge finished third in the Organ category.

1972
March


Chelsea College ad
Soft Machine-March 4, 1972

4 - Chelsea College, Manresa Road, London, England (first appearance since re-forming)


Rainbow Theater ad
Soft Machine-March 12, 1972

12 - Rainbow Theater, 232 Seven Sisters Road, London, England (cancelled without advance notice due to the sudden closing of the Rainbow Theater)

1972
April

15 - Palaghiaccio, Bolzano, Italy
16 - Lem Club, Verona, Italy
17 - Teatro Corso, Padova, Italy
18 - Teatro Alcione, Genoa, Italy
20 - Nautilus, Cardano, Italy
21 - Piro Piro Club, Toscanella di Dozza (Imola), Italy
22 - Palazzo dello Sport, Bergamo, Italy
23 - Bob Club, Rome, Italy
24 - Piper Club, Rome, Italy

1972
May

2 - Olympia, Paris, France
(live concert recording - broadcast on Europe 1)
[Plain Tiffs, All White, Slightly All The Time, Drop, M.C., Out-Bloody-Rageous, Facelift, And Sevens, As If, L.B.O., Pigling Bland, At Sixes]

3 - Alhambra, Bordeaux, France
4 - Stade, Agen, France
5 - Chapiteau, Montpellier, France
7 - ORTF TV Studio, Paris, France (broadcast on Tele-Dimanche)
8 - Le Cirque, Rouen, France
9 - Palais des Sports, Caen, France
10 - Rotonde des 4 Jours, Le Mans, France
12 - Le Fresnoy, Tourcoing, France
13 - Parc Montreau, Montreuil, France (outdoor show)
15 - Palais des Sports, Toulouse, France


Soft Machine 5 LP
Released June 23, 1972
Soft Machine 5
[All White, Drop, M.C., As If, L.B.O., Pigling Bland, Bone]

1972

June

Soft Machine
(Hugh Hopper, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall, Mike Ratledge)

7 - Kings Cross Cinema, London, England (canceled due to John Marshall not feeling well)

[John Marshall's illness also caused the cancellation of shows in Germany and Holland]

1972

July


Kings Cross Cinema & New Theater Oxford ad
Soft Machine-July 7 & 9, 1972

7 - Kings Cross Cinema, London, England (make-up concert for canceled June 7, 1972 show)
9 - New Theater, Oxford, England

11 - Maida Vale Studio 4, London, England
(BBC John Peel Show recording date - broadcast July 18, 1972)
[Stumble, L.B.O., As If, Fanfare, All White, Me, Drop]
12 - ILEA TV, London, England
16 - Greyhound, Croydon, England
20 - Paris Cinema, Lower Regent Street, London, England
(BBC In Concert recording date - broadcast September 2, 1972]
[Fanfare, All White, Slightly All The Time, M.C., Drop, Stumble, L.B.O., As If, Riff]


Malvern Winter Gardens poster
Soft Machine-July 22, 1972

22 - Malvern Winter Gardens, Malvern, England

1972

August

6 - La Rochelle, France
8 - St. Nazaire, France
9 - La Baule, France
10 - Le Touquet, France
11 - Dunkerque, France
12 - Montreuil sur Mer, France (outdoor gig canceled due to rain)
15 - Chateauvallon, France
18 - Cultural Centre, Hammamet, Tunisia
19 - Cultural Centre, Hammamet, Tunisia
25 - Geneva, Switzerland

1972

September

3 - Theatre Royal, Stratford, England
9 - Sporthall, Alphen an der Rijn, Holland
10 - Duinvermak, Bergen, Holland
14 - Stadsschouwburg, Tilburg, Holland
15 - Doelen, Rotterdam, Holland
16 - Circus, Den Haag, Holland
17 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland
18 - Cine Roma, Anvers, Belgium
19 - Salle de la Madeleine, Brussels, Belgium
20 - Conservatoire, Liege, Belgium
21 - Cine Capitol, Ghent, Belgium
22 - Stadsschowburg, Groningen, Belgium

1972
October

7 - Studio T1, Transcription Service, Kensington House, Shepherd's Bush, London, England
(BBC The Sequence, Sounds of The Seventies Show recording date - broadcast November 24, 1972)
[The Softweed Factor, Fanfare, All White, Between, Riff, Ceseureht, EPV, Stumble]


Soft Machine On Tour poster
Soft Machine-October 20, 1972 through November 1, 1972

20 - The Dome, Brighton, England (recorded live for Soft Machine Six album)
21 - Belfry Hotel, Wishaw, England
22 - The Coliseum, London, England
23 - Civic Hall, Wolverhampton, England
26 - City Hall, Leeds, England
27 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
28 - Empire Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland
30 - De Montfort Hall, Leicester, England

1972
November

1 - Civic Hall, Guildford, England (recorded live for Soft Machine Six album)
3 - St. Andrews Hall, Norwich, England


County Rock ad
Soft Machine-November 4, 1972

4 - County Rock, Northampton County Cricket Club, Wantage Road, Northampton, England
10 - Newcastle University, Newcastle, England
18 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
19 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
20 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
21 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
22 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
23 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
24 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
27 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
28 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
29 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
30 - Advision Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)

1972
December

1 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)


Fairfield Halls poster
Soft Machine-December 3, 1972

3 - Fairfield Halls, Croydon, England
4 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
5 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Six album)
15 - Sochaux, France
17 - Besancon, France
21 - Stoke-on-Trent, England

29 - BBC TV, London, England
(radio recording session - broadcast on Full House, February 17, 1973)
[Fanfare, All White, Gesoulreaut]
[back to index]


1973

January

11 - M & M Club, Madrid, Spain
16 - Barcelona, Spain (TV recording session)
20 - Cossatais, Cossato, Italy
21 - Cupole, Cavallermaggiore, Italy
22 - Palasport, Bologna, Italy
24 - Teatro Mediterraneo, Naples, Italy
25 - Piper Club, Rome, Italy
26 - Space Electronic, Firenze, Italy
30 - Teatro Alcoine, Genoa, Italy
31 - Teatro Corso, Mestre, Italy

1973
February

1 - Nautilus Club, Cardano, Italy
17 - The Soft Machine album, Six, is released. [review in MM]


Soft Machine Six LP
Released February 17, 1973

Soft Machine Six
[Fanfare, All White, Between, Riff, 37 1/2, Gesolreut, E.P.V., Lefty, Stumble, 5 From 13 (for Phil Seaman with love and thanks), Riff II, The Soft Weed Factor, Stanley Stamps Gibbon Album (for B.O.), Chloe And The Pirates, 1983]
22 - Corn Exchange, Cambridge, England


Rainbow Theatre ad
Soft Machine-February 24, 1973

24 - Rainbow Theatre, London, England [review of Soft Machine Six in Disc - received 4 stars for outstanding]

1973
March

24 - [Sounds published an article about Hugh Hopper, titled "1984-Hugh Hopper five years before" Disc also published an article about Hugh Hopper titled "Hugh Do You Do."]
27 - Belgium (concert filmed)
28 - Belgium

1973

April


Southend Technical College ad
Soft Machine-April 14, 1973

14 - Main Hall, Students' Union, Southend Technical College, England (originally scheduled for the 13th)


Great Easter Circus poster
Soft Machine-April 22, 1973

22 - Great Easter Circus, Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany
27 - Mayfair Club, Newcastle, England
29 - Festival, Mannheim, West Germany

1973
May


Liverpool University poster
Soft Machine-May 8, 1973

8 - Liverpool University, Liverpool, England
10 - University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland
11 - Aberdeen Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen, Scotland
12 - University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Scotland
13 - Caley Cinema, Edinburgh, Scotland

Soft Machine
(Hugh Hopper, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall, Mike Ratledge
with Roy Babbington, Gary Boyle, Art Themen, Linda Hoyle, & Wendy Hoyle)

15 - Congress Centrum, Hamburg, West Germany (Hugh Hopper's last concert with the Soft Machine)
[Fanfare, All White, Between, Soft Weed Factor, 37 1/2, Riff, Chloe and the Pirates, Stumble Stanley Stomps Gibbon Album, Down The Road, Gesolreat

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall, Mike Ratledge)

29 - Bataclan Theatre, Paris, France
(Pop 2 radio recording session - broadcast June 25, 1973)
[Riff, Down the Road, Gesolreut, Chloe and the Pirates]

1973
June

21 - Theater de l'Alhambra, Bordeaux, France
23 - Arenes, Le Grau-du-Roi, France


Palais des Sports poster
Soft Machine-June 25, 1973

25 - Palais des Sports, Pte de Versailles, France

1973
July

11 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
12 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
13 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
14 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
15 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
16 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
17 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine Seven album)
24 - Palacio de Sportes, Granolles, Spain
25 - Palacio de Sportes, Granolles, Spain
26 - Paradiso, Alicante, Spain
27 - Paradiso, Alicante, Spain
29 - Arc-en-Ciel, Villerest, France

1973
August

3 - Nautilus Club, Milan, Italy
4 - Papagayo, Ravenna, Italy
5 - Covo NE, Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy
6 - Altro Mondo, Rimini, Italy
7 - Cine Citta, Udine, Italy
9 - San Benedetto del Tronto, Italy
10 - Arena Beneamino Gigli, Porto Recanati, Italy
11 - Geo Club, St. Mauro Mare, Italy

1973

September


Scheessel Rock Festival poster
Soft Machine-September 8, 1973

8 - Scheessel Rock Festival, Speed-Way Stadium, Eichenring, West Germany

1973

October


Uxbridge University ad
Soft Machine-October 12, 1973

12 - Brunel University Students Union, Refectory Building, Kingston Lane, Uxbridge, Middlesex, England
13 - University of Essex, Colchester, England
18 - Warwick University, Warwick, England
26 - De Lantaren, Rotterdam, Holland
27 - Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Holland (The Soft Machine Seven album is released. Melody Maker runs a full page release ad for the Soft Machine Seven album]


Soft Machine Seven LP
Released October 27, 1973
Soft Machine Seven
[Nettle Bed, Carol Ann, Day's Eye, Bone Fire, Tarabos, D.I.S., Snodland, Penny Hitch, Block, Down the Road, The German Lesson, The French Lesson]

30 - Langham 1, London, England
(BBC John Peel Show recording date - broadcast November 20, 1973)
[Stanley Stamp's Gibbon Album, Hazard Profile, Down the Road]

1973

November


Robert Wyatt benefit concert ticket stub
Soft Machine-November 4, 1973

4 - Rainbow Theatre, Finsbury Park, London, England (two shows) (Pink Floyd & Soft Machine benefit concerts for Robert Wyatt)
9 - Goldsmith's College, England
17 - Leeds University, Leeds, England
23 - Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland
24 - Glasgow University, Glasgow, Scotland [on this date Melody Maker ran an interview with John Marshall]

1973
December


Hove Town Hall poster
Soft Machine-December 3, 1973

3 - Hove Town Hall, Brighton, England
7 - Coleraine University, Coleraine, Ireland
8 - Queen's University, Belfast, Ireland

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, Allan Holdsworth, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Mike Ratledge)


A Soft Machine Christmas Party
Soft Machine-December 23, 1973

23 - The Roundhouse, London, England

[back to index]


1974

January

3 - Palermo, Italy
4 - Catania, Italy
7 - Teatro Astoria, Florence, Italy
14 - Teatro Alcione, Genova, Italy
15 - Palasport, Torino, Italy
28 - Audimax, K ln, West Germany
29 - Theater a.d. Brienner Strasse, Munich, West Germany
30 - ATSV-Halle, Saarbrucken, West Germany
31 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany

1974
February


Funkhaus Am Maschsee, Hannover, West Germany poster
Soft Machine-February 2, 1974

2 - Funkhaus Am Maschsee, Hannover, West Germany


Musikhalle, Hamburg, West Germany poster
Soft Machine-February 3, 1974

3 - Musikhalle, Grosser Saal, Hamburg, West Germany
4 - G ttingen, West Germany
14 - Union Hall, Quebec City, Canada


CEGEP de Maisonneuve poster
Soft Machine-February 15, 1974

15 - CEGEP de Maisonneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
16 - Victory Theater, Toronto, Canada
18 - The Smiling Dog Saloon, Cleveland, Ohio (two shows)
21 - The Agora Ballroom, Cleveland, Ohio
22 - Latin Casino, Baltimore, Maryland
25 - Richard's, Atlanta, Georgia (experimental radio broadcast in quadraphonic by broadcasting two different stereo signals on two different radio stations, WRAS-FM and WREK-FM - preceded by an interview with the band)
26 - Richard's, Atlanta, Georgia
27 - Richard's, Atlanta, Georgia

1974
March

5 - The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
6 - The Main Point, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
7 - Liberty Theater, Elizabeth, New Jersey
11 - Silver Dollar Saloon, E. Lansing, Michigan (after the concert, an interview with Mike Ratledge and Allan Holdsworth was recorded for broadcast on WMSN, Michigan State University radio)


CSyracuse, New York poster
Soft Machine-March 13, 1974

13 - Crouse Auditorium, Syracuse, New York
? - Nazareth Performing Arts Center, Rochester, New York
? - Kennedy Center, Washington D.C.
18 - My Fathers Place, New York City, New York
19 - My Fathers Place, New York City, New York
20 - The Civic Centre, Ottawa, Canada
22 - Tower Theater, Upper Darby, Pennsylvannia
23 - Academy of Music, New York City, New York (midnight show with Renaissance, Adrian Belew, and Larry Coryell) [review of unspecified U.S. concert in Sounds]
24 - Howard University, Boston, Massachusetts

1974

April


Paramount Theater poster
Soft Machine-April 20, 1974

20 - Paramount Theater, Portland, Oregon (cancelled)

1974
May

11 - Sussex University, Brighton, England [concert review in Sounds, May 18, 1974]
12 - Lyons Consert Hall, York University, York, England


Jouy en Josas poster
Soft Machine-May 16, 1974

16 - HEC, Jouy-en-Josas, France
17 - Parc des Expositions, Rouen, France
19 - Palais des Fetes, Mulhouse, France
20 - Musicians Union Rock Workshop, Stoke-on-Trent, England
21 - Musicians Union Rock Workshop, Middelsborough, England

1974
June


N.E. London Polytechnic ad
Soft Machine-June 1, 1974

1 - North-East London Polytechnic Institute, Walthamstow, England
8 - [Melody Maker published articles in which John Marshall listed his drum equipment and explained how he got his sound, John Marshall discussed improvisation and how he learned to play, and an article about Soft Machine being added to the bill at the London Rock Proms on July 6th.]

10 - Langham 1, London, England
(BBC Radio 3 Jazz in Britain recording date - broadcast August 26, 1974)
[The Man Who Waived At Trains, Plain Bob]
29 - Musician's Union Rock Workshop, Newcastle, England (Soft Machine taught the class), and Newcastle Jazz Festival, Guildhall, Newcastle, England
30 - Musician's Union Rock Workshop, Newcastle, England (Soft Machine taught the class) [Melody Maker reported that advance interest in the two workshops was poor]

* Melody Maker reported the winners of the Melody Maker Jazz Poll of 1974 in its June 29, 1974 issue, with the headline, Victory for Softs! In the British section, Mike Ratledge finished first in the Organ category, Roy Babbington finished first in the Bass category, John Marshall finished first in the Drums category, Karl Jenkins finished first in the Miscellaneous Instrument category for Oboe, Elton Dean finished second in the Alto Sax category, Nick Evans finished third in the Trombone category, Karl Jenkins finished third in the Baritone Sax category, and the Soft Machine album, Soft Machine VII, finished third in the LP of the Year category. In the World Section, Mike Ratledge finished first in the Organ category, Roy Babbington finished fifth in the Bass category, and the Soft Machine album, Soft Machine VII, finished fifth in the LP of the Year category.

1974

July


Montreux Jazz Festival poster
Soft Machine-July 4, 1974

4 - 8th International Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland (concert filmed)
6 - London Rock Proms, Olympia National Hall, London, England [Melody Maker published an article titled "Sad Scene Say Softs" that featured an interview with Mike Ratledge, plus an ad for Mike Ratledge playing Lowery organs]
16 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
17 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
18 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
20 - Stokvishal, Arnheim, Holland
21 - Midsummer Pop Festival, Meerlo, Holland
22 - Tournai Festival, Tournai, Belgium
23 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
24 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
25 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
26 - CBS Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Bundles)
31 - Nice, France

1974
August


Barbecav Club poster
Soft Machine-August 7, 1974
7 - Barbecav Club, Jesolo Lido, Italy
8 - Cinema City - Lignano Sabbiadoro UD, Italy
9 - Geo Club, San Mauro Mare, Forl , Italy (w/o Holdsworth?)
10 - Piscina le Naiadi, Pescara, Italy
17 - [on this date Melody Maker published an article on the Soft Machine and recommended the album Third]
23 - Tabarka, Tunisa
24 - Jerba, Tunisa
25 - Jerba, Tunisa
26 - BBC Jazz in Britain, BBC, London, England (radio broadcast)

1974
September

23 - Rome, Italy

1974
October


Volkshaus, Zurich poster
Soft Machine-October 8, 1974
8 - Volkhaus, Zurich, Switzerland
9 - Hotel Ekkehard, St. Gallen, Switzerland
18 - Borough Hall, Greenwich, England (start of U.K. tour)
22 - Aberdeen University, Aberdeen, Scotland
23 - Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland
26 - Manchester University, Manchester, England


Rainbow Theater ad
Soft Machine-October 27, 1974

27 - Rainbow Theatre, London, England [concert review in Melody Maker, November 2, 1974]
28 - Lady Mitchell Hall, Cambridge, England
29 - Birmingham University, Birmingham, England

1974
November

1 - University of Wales, Bangor, England
2 - Bristol University, Bristol, England
6 - Manchester University, England
7 - Memorial Hall, Barry, England
9 - Dublin University, Dublin, Ireland
10 - Queens University, Belfast, Ireland
21 - Faculte de Droit d'Assas, Paris, France
23 - Arena, Poitiers, France
24 - Palais d'Hiver, Lyon, France
27 - Palais des Sports, Metz, France

[back to index]


1975

January

9 - De Verenging, Nijmegen, Holland
10 - Technische Hogeschool Twente, Enschede, Netherlands
11 - Stadsschouwburg, Tilburg, Netherlands
12 - De Oosterpoort, Groningen, Netherlands


Theater Carre poster
Soft Machine-January 13, 1975

13 - Theater Carre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
16 - Gustav-Siegle Haus, Stuttgart, West Germany
17 - Audimax, University of Freiburg, West Germany
18 - Audimax, Saarbrucken University, West Germany
19 - Konzerthaus Elzer Hof, Mainz, West Germany
21 - Schulzentrum, Bensberg, West Germany
22 - Audiomax der GHS, Duisburg, West Germany
23 - Stadthalle, Gottingen, West Germany
24 - Fabrik, Hamburg, West Germany
25 - Youth Centre, Weissenohe-Grafenberg, West Germany [New Musical Express ran an article titled Lookin' Back-The Soft Machine]
26 - Mensa University, Hoxter, West Germany
28 Sporthalle, Hildesheim, West Germany

29 - Postaula, Bremen, West Germany
(Radio Bremen recording session)
[The Floating World, Bundles, Land of the Bag Snake, Ealing Comedy, The Man Who Waived at Trains, Peff, North Point, Hazard Profile, Song of Aeolus]

1975

February

9 - Barcelona, Spain (two shows)
10 - Valencia, Spain
11 - Valencia, Spain
13 - San Sebastian, Spain


Rainbow Theater ad
Soft Machine-February 17, 1975

17 - Rainbow Theatre, London, England

1975
March

16 - Parc des Expositions, Paris, France [concert review in Melody Maker, March 22, 1975]
18 - Theatre de l'Alhambra, Bordeaux, France


British tour ad
Soft Machine-March 21-26, 1975

21 - Lanchester Polytechnic, Coventry, England (benefit for the Triumph Workers Cooperative) [concert review & Soft Machine Band Breakdown in Melody Maker, April 5, 1975]


Soft Machine Bundles LP
Released March 22, 1975
Soft Machine - Bundles
[Hazard Profile (Parts 1-5), Gone Sailing, Bundles, Land of the Bag Snake, The Man Who Waved At Trains, Peff, Four Gongs Two Drums, The Floating World]
22 - Colston Hall, Bristol, England
23 - Free Trade Hall, Manchester, England
24 - Town Hall, Birmingham, England
25 - City Hall, Newcastle, England

Usher Hall, Edinburgh ticket
Soft Machine-March 26, 1975
26 - Usher Hall, Edinburgh, Scotland

1975

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Mike Ratledge)

April

26 - Brescia, Italy [Melody Maker published an article announcing that Allan Holdsworth had quit the Soft Machine, and that the band were starting a European tour that would include shows in Italy, Yugoslavia, Austria, Germany, Holland and Scandinavia.]
28 - Teatro Goldoni, Livorno, Italy

1975
June

3 - Bourse du Travail, Lyon, France
4 - Hall des Expositions, Dijon, France
6 - Arenes, Arles, France
7 - Theatre de Verdure, Nice, France
15 - Summer Pop Festival, Turfschip, Breda, Holland
18 - Langelsheim, West Germany
19 - Ubach-Palenberg, West Germany
20 - Singen, West Germany
21 - Mosbach, West Germany
22 - Heidesheim am Rhein, West Germany
23 - Hagen, West Germany
24 - Munster, West Germany
27 - Hamburg, West Germany
28 - Kiel, West Germany
29 - Hannover, West Germany

1975
August

5 - Copenhagen, Denmark
7 - Oslo, Norway
9 - Turku, France
11 - Stockholm, Sweden


BTM Presents Star Truckin' 75 poster
Soft Machine tour 1975

14 - Startruckin' 75, Groenoordhal, Leiden, Holland
15 - Bilzen Festival, Bilzen, Belgium


A Golden Summer Night Concert poster

16 - A Golden Summer Night Concert, Ludwigsburg, West Germany (Soft Machine did not play)
17 - Startruckin' 75, Amphitheatre, Orange, France
18 - Startruckin' 75, Plaza de Toros, Marbella, Spain
20 - Startruckin' 75, Malaga, Spain


Reading Rock Festival ad
Soft Machine-August 24, 1975

24 - Reading Rock Festival, Reading, England [review in Melody Maker, August 30, 1975]
27 - Startruckin' 75, Hallenstadion, Zurich, Switzerland
29 - Startruckin' 75, Sporthalle, Vienna, Austria
31 - Startruckin' 75, Berlin, West Germany

1975
September

2 - Startruckin' 75, Hannover, West Germany
5 - Startruckin' 75, Essen, West Germany
6 - Startruckin' 75, Jaap Edenhal, Amsterdam, Holland


National Abortion Campaign + A Woman's Right to Choose benefit flyer
Soft Machine-September 21, 1975

21 - Tooting Bec Common, South London, England (benefit for the National Abortion Campaign + A Woman's Right to Choose)
27 - Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, England

1975
October

4 - Essex University, Colchester, England
8 - Norwich, England
10 - Edinburgh University, Edinburgh, Scotland
11 - Nottingham University, Nottingham, England


Polytechnic Central ad
Soft Machine-October 17, 1975

17 - Students' Union, Polytechnic Central London, London, England
22 - Southampton University, Southampton, England
25 - Manchester University, Manchester, England


St. Albans ad
Soft Machine-October 31, 1975

31 - City Hall, St. Albans, England

1975
November

1 - Kent University, Canterbury, England
16 - La Soucoupe, St. Nazaire, France
18 - Vox, Brest, France
19 - Rennes, France
22 - MJC, Douai, France


Reims Jazz Ferstival programme
Soft Machine-November 23, 1975

23 - Reims Jazz Festival, Reims, France (two performances)
24 - Mutualite, St. Etienne, France
25 - Theatre Municipal, Annecy, France
26 - Cinema Varietes, Marseilles, France
27 - Le Rigent, Montpellier, France
29 - Palais des Sports, Toulouse, France

1975
December

1 - Theatre de l'Alhambra, Bordeaux, France
2 - The Arena, Poitiers, France
3 - Salle des Fetes, Orleans, France
4 - Salle Wagram, Paris, France
6 - Colmar, France

[back to index]


1976

January

9 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
10 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
11 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
13 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall, Mike Ratledge & Alan Wakeman)

21 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
22 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
23 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
24 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
29 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)

1976

February

10 - Brussels, Belgium
11 - Antwerp, Belgium
12 - Louvain, Belgium
13 - Charleroi, Belgium
16 - Milan, Italy
17 - Milan, Italy
19 - Trieste, Italy
20 - Vicenza, Italy
21 - Venice, Italy
22 - Modena, Italy
23 - Rome, Italy
24 - Bologna, Italy
27 - Genua, Italy
28 - Turin, Italy
29 - Padua, Italy

1976
March

1 - Vienna, Austria

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Alan Wakeman)

10 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
11 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
12 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
18 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)
19 - EMI Studios, London, England (recording session for Soft Machine album, Softs)

1976
April

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, Carol Barratt, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Ray Warleigh)

8 - DeWolfe Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Rubber Riff).
9 - DeWolfe Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Rubber Riff).

Rubber Riff
[Crunch, Pavan, Jombles, A Little Floating Music, Hi-Power, Little Miss B, Splot, Rubber Riff, Sam's Short Shuffle, Melina, City Steps, Gentle Turn, Porky, Travelogue

1976
May

2 - Maximum Sound Studios, London, England (recording session)

June

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Alan Wakeman)

11 - Luxor Pallas Theatre, Hoensbroek, Holland
12 - Ijssehal, Zwolle, Holland
22 - Liberty Theatre, Dublin, Ireland
23 - Liberty Theatre, Dublin, Ireland


Soft Machine Softs LP
Released June 25, 1976

Soft Machine - Softs album
[Aubade, The Tale of Taliesyn, Ban Ban Caliban, Song of Aeolus, Out of Season, Second Bundle, Kayoo, The Camden Tandem, Nexus, One Over the Eight, Etika]

Soft Machine
(Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Ray Warleigh)


Hammersmith Palais poster
Soft Machine-June 27, 1976

27 - Hammersmith Palais, London, England

1976
July

7 - Manchester, England (performance filmed, broadcast on ITV, Rock Festival: So It Goes, August 9, 1976)
14 - Pistoia, Italy
17 - Castelfiorentino, Italy
19 - Milan, Italy
21 - Cittadella, Italy
24 - Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy (two shows)
25 - Este, Italy
26 - Miramare, Italy
27 - Club Papagaio, Milano Marittima, Italy
31 - Este, Italy

1976
August

1 - Este, Italy
2 - Porto Recanati, Italy
3 - Cittadella, Italy
6 - Miramare, Italy
7 - Lido di Jesolo, Italy
8 - Trieste, Italy
10 - Bussoladomani, Viareggio, Italy
11 - Isola d'Elba, Italy
14 - Vieste, Italy
15 - Manfredonia, Italy
16 - Paola, Italy
17 - Salerno, Italy


Edinburgh Playhouse ad in MM
Soft Machine-August 31, 1976

28 - [Melody Maker published an ad for the Soft Machine and Kevin Ayers in concert at The Playhouse in Edinburgh. The ad states that the current members of Soft Machine are Karl Jenkins, Roy Babbington, John Etheridge, John Marshall & Alan Wakeman]


Playhouse, Edinburgh ticket
Soft Machine-August 31, 1976
31 - The Playhouse, Edinburgh, Scotland

1976

Soft Machine
(John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, Percy Jones, John Marshall & Rick Sanders)

September


German tour poster
Soft Machine-September 26-October 4, 1976

26 - Deutsches Museum, Munich, West Germany
27 - Kongresshalle, Saarbrucken, West Germany
? - Ausbildungszentrum, Bremen, West Germany (Bremen Beat Club recording)
28 - Sindelfingen, West Germany
29 - Mannheim, West Germany
30 - Frankfurt am Main, West Germany

1976
October

1 - Philipshalle, Dusseldorf, West Germany
2 - Niedersachenhalle, Hannover, West Germany
3 - Neue Welt, Berlin, West Germany
4 - Musikhalle, Hamburg, West Germany
6 - Oslo, Norway
7 - Stockholm, Sweden
8 - Vaxjo, Sweden
9 - Copenhagen, Denmark


Stakladen, Denmark handbill
Soft Machine-October 10, 1976
10 - Stakladen, Arhus, Denmark
12 - Dortmund, West Germany
14 - Eindhoven, Holland
15 - Uden, Holland
29 - Newcastle Jazz Festival, Newcastle University Theater, Newcastle, England
BBC 2 TV filming, and BBC Radio 3 recording date - broadcast November 13, 1976
[Out of Season, Ban-Ban Caliban, The Tale of Taliesin, One Over the Eight]

1976

November

Steve Cook joined the Soft Machine in November, replacing Percy Jones.

Soft Machine
(Steve Cook, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Rick Sanders)

1976
December

8 - Orleans, France
9 - Lyon, France
10 - Montpellier, France
11 - Bordeaux, France


Palais des Sports ticket
Soft Machine-December 13, 1976
13 - Palais des Sports, Paris, France
14 - Reims, France
23 - Amsterdam, Holland (TV Broadcast)

[back to index]


1977

January

9 - Basildon, Holland
28 - Valkenburg, Holland
29 - Luxor Palace, Hoensbroeck, Holland
30 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany
31 - Koblenz, West Germany

1977
February

1 - Erlangen, West Germany (played as a quartet with Steve Cook, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Rick Sanders)
2 - Regensburg, West Germany
3 - Graz, Austria
4 - Lubljiana, Yugoslavia
5 - Zagreb, Yugoslavia
6 - Zagreb, Yugoslavia
7 - Belgrade, Yugoslavia
10 - Rasa, Utrecht, Holland
11 - Stadsgehoorzaaal, Vlaardingen, Holland
12 - Stadsdoelen, Delft, Holland
13 - Schouwburg, Heerenveen, Holland
14 - Grote Aula Zaal, Leuven, Belgium
15 - Liege, Belgium
16 - Brussels, Belgium

1977
May

21 - [Melody Maker published an article that reported that the Soft Machine are currently on tour in Italy, that they will return to the U.K. in late June for four concerts in London, and that they are looking for a suitable theater to use to record their shows for inclusion on their next album.]

1977
June

1 - Start of tour of Portugal (Allan Holdsworth substituted for John Etheridge for the Portugal tour)
3 - Pavilhao, dos Desportos de Cascais, Sexta-Feira, Portugal
7 - End of tour of Portugal


People's Jubilee Festival poster

19 - Alexandra Palace, London, England (12-hour People's Jubilee Festival) [article in Melody Maker June 11, 1977]

1977
July

6 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)
7 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)
8 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)
9 - Theatre le Palace, Monmartre, Paris, France (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Alive & Well)


Soft Machine Triple Echo 3-LP

30 - [Melody Maker published a review of the new Soft Machine retrospective album, Triple Echo]

1977

Soft Machine
(John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall & Rick Sanders)

August

9 - Tenda Show, Lignano, Italy
10 - Cabana Club, Loano, Italy
11 - Teatro Ambra, Genova, Italy
14 - Grosseto, Italy
15 - Stadio Communale, Pescara, Italy
16 - Stadio Communale, Formia, Italy
17 - Tendastrisce, Rome, Italy
18 - Bussola, Arenzano, Italy
20 - Cinema Drago, Venice, Italy

1977
September

3 - [Melody Maker published an interview with John Etheridge in which he stated that their live album would hopefully be released in November.]
17 - [Melody Maker published a Q & A in which John Etheridge described the equipment he used with Soft Machine, and added that it was all stolen while recording with the Soft Machine in Paris, France.]

[back to index]


1978

March


Soft Machine Alive & Well LP
Released March 1978

Soft Machine - Alive & Well
[White Kite, Eos, Odds Bullets and Blades (Pt. 1), Odds Bullets and Blades (Pt. 2), Song of the Sunbird, Puffin, Huffin, Number Three, The Nodder, Surrounding Silence, Soft Space]

1978
December

Soft Machine
(Steve Cook, Allan Holdsworth, Karl Jenkins & John Marshall)

8 - Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, West Germany

[back to index]


1979

Soft Machine broke up and the musicians went their separate ways.

[back to index]


1980

Soft Machine
(Jack Bruce, Stu Calver, Allan Holdsworth, Karl Jenkins, John Marshall,
Dick Morrissey, Alan Parker, John Perry, Tony Rivers, John Taylor, Ray Warleigh)

A number of musicians reformed the Soft Machine to record one more album. They went into Pye Studios, and Riverside Studios in England to record the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne.

1980
June

16 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
17 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
18 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
19 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
20 - Pye Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
23 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
24 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
25 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
26 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
27 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)

1980
July

17 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
18 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)
19 - Pye Studios / Riverside Studios, London, England (recording session for the Soft Machine album, Land of Cockayne)

[back to index]


1981

March


Soft Machine Land of Cockayne LP
Released March 1981
Land of Cockayne
[Over 'N' Above, Lotus Groves, Isle Of The Blessed, Panoramania, Behind The Crystal Curtain, Palace Of Glass, Hot Biscuit Slim, (Black) Velvet Mountain, Sly Monkey, A Lot of What You Fancy]

[back to index]


1984

Soft Machine
(Paul Carmichael, John Etheridge, Karl Jenkins, Dave MacRae, John Marshall, and Ray Warleigh)

A number of musicians reformed the Soft Machine to perform one last set of shows.

1984
July

30 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
31 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England

1984
August

1 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
2 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
3 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England
4 - Ronnie Scotts, London, England