A MUSICIAN is trying to track down partygoers who went to a gig half a century ago in Swindon’s Locarno Ballroom.

Guy Mowbray, from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, wants to jog memories back to November 3, 1965, when new pop sensations The Small Faces played their first gig at the now derelict Old Town venue.

The 51-year-old is writing a book titled On Tour with The Small Faces which tells the story of the band’s rise and fall in their rollercoaster of live performances up until 1969 when they sang for the final time.

Using memories from fans and support bands, he hopes to weave together a definitive account of their tumultuous stage appearances as they competed with heavyweight rivals such as The Who.

“The Small Faces started out as a very neat and capable mod band, playing and recording classic soul covers by artists such as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and Booker T. & the M.G.’s,” said Guy.

“The Locarno gig in Swindon was the first of what many Small Faces fans consider to be the classic line up: Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and new member Ian McLagan.

“They then became more pop-orientated before their masterpiece album Ogdens’ Nut Gone Flake in 1968.”

Guy is keen to get in touch with anyone who remembers dancing along to the band on November 3 and November 11 (the band’s second gig) or can recall any explosive moments during the shows.

“Taking into account it was 52 years ago, I’d love to hear memories of specific songs played by the band and any thoughts on them, both as a live act and a band in general,” said Guy.

“I’d be keen on memories of any defining moments including incidents and audience behaviour. You know, if it was you who invaded the stage and had to be escorted out!

“I’d also like to hear from support band members who played at these gigs.”

Guy – who has been a Small Faces mega-fan for the last 37 years – has so far interviewed musicians including Arthur Brown, Jon Anderson from Yes and Simon Kirke from Free and Bad Company.

“For me, music is about live performances,” he said.

“You listen to a record over and over again but you get only the real human interaction as a one-off sensation at a concert.

“Each gig is unique and has this human side and indeed frailty to it, particularly in the 1960s, and can’t really be bottled.”

Though often drowned out by the screams of excited fans at live concerts, The Small Faces weren’t always well-received.

Guy recalls a disastrous 15-minute slot they played at a Sheffield working men’s club in May 1965 where they were paid and told to leave.

Lead singer Steve Marriott even walked off stage during a New Year’s Eve concert in the early hours of January 1, 1969 - just a month before the band played one of their last gigs at The Corn Exchange in Devizes.

“Their performance as a live act was perceived to be stagnant through the latter part of their existence,” said Guy. “They couldn’t hear themselves play for years because of the screaming. When the screaming stopped, they didn’t like what they heard.”

Anyone who remembers the November 3 or 11 gigs in 1965 at the Locarno or the band’s performance at The Corn Exchange on February 21, 1969, can contact Guy on 07979 597 260.