Latest additions are marked in yellow.
Most performances from this era have been dug up by biographer John Neil Munro who kindly gave permission to use them here.
1966
1966-00-00 Scotland, Glasgow, Langside Hall. "First gig I ever played," told John in 2004 to biographer John Neil Munro. "This was 1965 or 1966 at the Langside Borough Halls, which is two blocks away from where I was brought up. I appeared as Iain David McGeachy, for the first and only time. Played Fairy Tale Lullaby – think that's the only thing I had written by then."
February 1986 John told Trevor Dann about his first concert: "I remember the first time I ever played in public. That was in the local village hall, the Town Hall, partial as burro. That was because Josh McCrae got drunk in the pub and could not appear. So I was given the gig, because I was the only one in the audience who could play the guitar and sing." Chris Nickson relates that John went to this show because Hamish Imlach was the main act. In 2008 John told Rock 'n' Reel about one hundred people were present and that he also played Candyman, Cocaine and Run, Honey, Run.
Crime novelist Alex Gray claims she was the one who got John this first show: "I had Hamish Imlach and Matt McGinn there for the concert as well. As a seventeen year old, John could hold an audience spellbound even then."
October
1966-10-00 UK, London, Bunjies Folk Cellar. London Conversation material on barefoot performance, as remembered by Alec Milne.
1967
1967-00-00 Scotland, Dollar, Black Bull. "About four months after that first time I played in a place called The Black Bull in Dollar which is outside Stirling. I got eleven quid for it, that was wonderful."
April
May
1967-04-13 UK, London, Kingston Folk Barge. Steve Spurling, John Martin (sic).
1967-04-27 UK, London, Kingston Folk Barge. Jack Sheppard, John Martyn, Roger Hill.
May
1967-05-11 UK, London, Kingston Folk Barge. Jack Sheppard, John Martyn, Classic Washboard Band.
1967-05-18 UK, London, Kingston Folk Barge. Jack Sheppard, John Martyn and introducing Come All Ye.
1967-05-25 UK, London, Kingston Folk Barge. Jack Sheppard, John Martyn, Chris Mills, Steve Bridges.
June
1967-06-09 UK, Ewell (Surrey), Ewell Folk Club (King William IV pub). John Martyn, Roger Hill.
1967-06-30 Scotland, Glasgow, Folk Centre (45 Montrose Street). Friday night, 22:30-02:15 hrs. "Guitar folk and new folk". Listed as Ian McGeachy, shared bill with Les Brown, Frank Coia, Allan Tall.
July
1967-07-05 UK, Crawley (West Sussex), Civic Hall. Alex Campbell, The Flint Hill Three (local blues group), Roger Evans, John Martyn, Roger Hill.
November
1967-11-18 UK, London, Cousins. All nighter - "Beverley", admission 5 shillings.
December
1967-12-10 Scotland, Glasgow, Woodside Halls. 19:30 hrs. John headlined a 'Blues Folk' show also featuring Billy Connolly and Tommy Harvey, and as special guest Dorris Henderson, a blues and spiritual singer from Los Angeles.
1968
February
1968-02-09 UK, London, Les Cousins, 7.30-11pm John Martyn (Contemporary Scottish Base (sic) songwriter). Tickets 5 shillings.
1968-02-17 UK, London, Les Cousins. All-nighter Gerry Lockram, John Martyn plus guests.
1968-02-19 UK, London, Putney, Folksville, Half-Moon. Gerry Lockram, special guest John Martyn, welcomed by Lisa Turner, Boyd Rivers, Fingers Lewis and guitarist Horace.
March
1968-03-03 UK, London, The Horseshoe (Tottenham Court Road). The Pentangle with guest John Martyn, 7.30pm.
1968-03-17 UK, London, The Horseshoe. Sunday night, Stefan Grossman, The Compendium, John Martyn.
1968-03-24 UK, London, Troubadour. John Martyn. Sunday night, 9.30pm.
1968-03-30 UK, London, Les Cousins. Saturday night, 7.30-11pm - an evening with three fine blue artists, Beverley, Wizz Jones, Dave Deighton (fine electric blues guitarist.) All-night session, 12-7 an evening of organised chaos John Martyn, Ron Geesin, Ralph McTell. According to Ralph McTell, John Martyn never played this gig; Roy Harper stood in for him.
April
1968-04-01 UK, Richmond, The Vineyard, Hanging Lamp Club; Scoopy. First UK appearance with special guest John Martyn plus Frank McConnell and Verity Stephens, 8.15pm.
1968-04-06 UK, London, Teddington, New Anglers. Steve Baker, John Martyn.
1968-04-07 UK, London, The Horseshoe, Tottenham Court Road. Sunday night, 19:30 hrs. Admission 7s6d (members) and 10s (non-members). Stefan Grossman, John Martyn.
1968-04-13 UK, London, Les Cousins. All-night session - John Martin (sic) and Mike Cooper. 12-7am.
1968-04-14 UK, London, The Horseshoe. Sunday night, 19:30 hrs. Admission 7s6d (members) and 10 pennies (non-members). Stefan Grossman, John Martyn, Panama Ltd. Jug Band.
May
1968-05-05 UK, London, The Horseshoe. Mike Cooper, John Martyn. 7.30pm.
1968-05-10 UK, London, Les Cousins. John Martyn, Paul Wheeler. "Martyn was already the music itself. He'd rock back and forth on his stool - wild, free and just a little bit crazy, yet somehow more human than the others." (Mark Cooper).
1968-05-11 UK, London, The Horseshoe (Tottenham Court Road). Sandy Denny, John Martyn. 7.30pm.
1968-05-13 UK, Richmond, The Hanging Lamp. John Martyn plus residents and guests. 8.15pm.
1968-05-15 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - John Martyn, Paul Wheeler - admission 5 shillings.
1968-05-29 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - Paul Wheeler, John Martyn - admission 5 shillings.
June
1968-06-02 UK, London, Troubadour. John Martyn - 9.30pm.
1968-06-05 UK, London, Les Cousins. John Martyn, Paul Wheeler (two new contemporary artists) - 5 shillings. On one of these occasions, John was introduced by Al Stewart and three tracks were taped by a member of the audience.
1968-06-08 UK, London, Les Cousins. June Ball; Saturday, all night session 12-7am. Mike Cooper, John Martyn, "Bed socks and cocoa".
1968-06-13 UK, Sheffield Highcliffe Folk Club Festival. Ron Geesin, Stefan Grossman, John Martyn.
1968-06-15 UK, Sheffield Highcliffe Folk Club Festival. Hamish Imlach, The Jugular Vein, John Martyn (again).
1968-06-19 UK, London, Les Cousins. John Martyn and Paul Wheeler alternating with Clive Palmer and Wizz Jones, plus guests, 7.30-11pm come early to obtain seats! - 5 shillings.
1968-06-26 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - John Martyn and Paul Wheeler, plus guests.
July
1968-07-10 UK, London, BBC Radio 1 studio: John Peel's Night Ride, five songs.
1968-07-10 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - Clive Palmer, Paul Wheeler, Wizz Jones, John Martyn.
1968-07-17 UK, London, Les Cousins. Wednesday night, 7.30-11pm - John Martyn, Clive Palmer.
1968-07-19 UK, London, Westminster Central Hall. Folk concert in aid of Human Rights Year. Friday night, 19:00 hrs. Tickets 7/6, 10/- and 21/-. Julie Felix, Al Stewart, The Fairport Convention, John Martyn, Shirley Bland, Dorris Henderson, Theo Johnson, Stephen Delft, Mouse Proof, David Campbell. "Any profit from the concert will be used to launch and finance this year's Notting Hill Carnival, which is planned for the weekend of September 15. The Carnival is also in aid of the Human Rights Year."
1968-07-22 UK, Richmond, The Vineyard, at the Hanging Lamp - the Monday night club in the crypt of St Elizabeth's - John Martyn.
1968-07-24 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - Paul Wheeler, John Martyn, Stephen Delft.
1968-07-27 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm Davey Graham. All-night session - 12-7am. "A magnificent guitarist from Hull, Mike Chapman, and a fine contemporary artist John Martyn, plus guests".
August
1968-08-06 UK, London, The Dungeon Club, The Copper, Tower Bridge Road. Cliff Aungier presents John Martyn, Shelagh MacDonald.
1968-08-07 UK, London, Les Cousins, "London's folk and blues centre". 7.30-11pm - John Martyn, Paul Wheeler - 5 shillings.
1968-08-14 UK, London, Les Cousins. John Martyn, Claire - 5 shillings.
1968-08-21 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - John Martyn, Ian Anderson - 5 shillings.
1968-08-27 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - Clive Palmer, John Martyn.
1968-08-29 UK, London, Chelsea, La Fiesta (168 Fulham Road). London's top late night folk and bues club - 10pm - 2am - John Martyn a very fine contemporary guitarist and songwriter plus many guests.
1968-08-30 UK, Richmond, Community Centre. Friday night, 19:45 hrs. "Al Stewart, concert with John Martyn plus, Frank McConnell".
1968-08-31 UK, London, Les Cousins. 12-7am - Ralph McTell, John Martyn, "two fine contemporary songwriters".
September
1968-09-04 UK, London, Les Cousins. Shared bill with Clive Palmer. Wednesday night, 19:30-23:00 hrs. Tickets 5 shillings. "John Martyn plus many guests".
1968-09-11 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - John Martyn, Clive Palmer, - come early for seats. 5 shillings.
1968-09-18 UK, London, Les Cousins. John Martyn, Clive Palmer - 5 shillings.
1968-09-25 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - "LP out soon" - John Martyn.
1968-09-28 and 1968-09-29 UK, London, Battersea Park. Folk Festival on Saturday and Sunday, at the open-air concert pavilion in aid of a Social Services Centre for Battersea - John Martyn, Shelagh MacDonald and Mike Absalom plus many others. 5 shillings admission to each concert, matinee or evening.
1968-09-30 UK, London, The Phoenix (Cavendish Square). John Martyn, Helen Kennedy and Frank Taylor.
October
1968-10-02 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - John Martyn - 5 shillings.
1968-10-06 UK, London, Slough, Dolphin Folk Club. John Martyn - 5 shillings - with bar!
1968-10-09 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - John Martyn - 5 shillings.
1968-10-00 Scotland, Glasgow, Glasgow Folk Centre. "John Martyn, whose second album, The Tumbler, has just been released by Island records, recently returned to guest at the Glasgow Folk Centre, 45 Montrose Street, where he was one time resident." (Melody Maker, 19 Oct 1968).
1968-10-19 UK, London, Les Cousins. Saturday, all-nighter 12-7am - John Martyn, Peter Starstedt.
1968-10-24 UK, Sheffield, Highcliffe Hotel. Thursday night, 20:30 hrs. The Highcliffe Folk and Blues club hosted Les Cousins artists almost on a weekly basis.
November
1968-11-06 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - John Martyn, Gordon Giltrap - 5 shillings.
1968-11-10 UK, London, Bounds Green, Folk Club. John Martyn, Stuart Emms.
1968-11-13 UK, London, Les Cousins. John Martyn, Gordon Giltrap 7.30-11pm - 5 shillings.
1968-11-23 UK, London, Greenwich Theatre Folk Club. John Martyn, Four Square Circle - 7.30pm.
1968-11-25 UK, London, Enfield, The Hop-pole. John Martyn, Stuart Emms.
December
1968-12-07 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm - Marc Brierley, John Martyn (Jackson C. Frank doing the all-nighter).
1968-12-09 UK, London, BBC Radio 1 studio: Country Meets Folk. (John appeared on the program).
1968-12-09 UK, London, BBC Radio 1 studio: John Peel's Night Ride, six songs with Harold McNair. Broadcast two days later.
1968-12-16 UK, Richmond, The Hanging Lamp. John Martyn, plus residents. 8pm.
1968-12-27 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm John Martyn.
1969
1969-00-00 UK, Lincoln, Swiss Cottage Folk Club. Show mentioned by Taff Jeffery of supporting act The Whispering Dwarves, who ran the folk club. Might also have taken place 1970 or 1971.
January
1969-01-04 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm John Martyn, Dr Strangely Strange.
1969-01-13 UK, Croydon, The Gun (with supporting act Paul Wheeler).
1969-01-18 UK, London, Les Cousins. Saturday, all-night session 12-7am; John Martyn, Beverley, Al Jones.
February
1969-02-04 UK, [Doncaster], Three Horseshoes Folk Club. John Martyn, plus your residents The Exiles.
1969-02-07 Scotland, Dundee, University. Shared bill with Al Stewart. Wednesday night, 19:30 hrs. Tickets 5 shilling (members) and 6 shilling (rest). "Dundee University Folk Club | presents | in concert | Al Stewart and | John Martyn | New Dines 7.30pm 7th Feb | Members 5s Non members 6s". "We hoped John would play Seven Black Roses.. and he came up trumps." (Ken Richardson)
1969-02-14 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm John Martyn, Beverley. 5 shillings.
1969-02-19 Scotland, Aberdeen, Aberdeen University (YMCA Hall). Folk Club on Wednesday night; shared bill with Archie Fisher. Tickets 6 and 8 shillings.
1969-02-24 UK, Richmond, Hanging Lamp. John Martyn.
1969-02-26 UK, London, Westfield College. Wednesday night, 19:45 hrs. Tickets 9 and 12 shillings. "Folk Club presents | John Martyn & Stefan Grossman | on Wed. 26th Feb | 7.45 new dines".
March
1969-03-07 UK, London, Les Cousins. John Martyn 5 shillings.
1969-03-21 UK, London, Ilford, General Havelock. John Martyn.
1969-03-22 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm John Martyn, Mike Chapman.
1969-03-28 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm Jackson C. Frank, John Martyn 5 shillings.
1969-03-29 UK, London, Greenwich Theatre Folk Club (The Gloucester, King William Walk). John Martyn, Jenni and Maryl, Saturday, 19:30 hrs.
April
1969-04-06 UK, Swindon, Swindon Ballads & Blues Club (the Castle Hotel, North Street). Solo gig on a Sunday, listed in International Times 28 March 1969.
1969-04-07 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm John Martyn 5 shillings.
May
1969-05-01 UK, London, Sunken Garden (Bunhill Row, Moorgate). The Tinkers, Alex Campbell, John Martyn. Thursday night, 20:00 hrs, tickets 5 shillings. "City Student '69 presents | In Aid of Shelter". Announced Melody Maker 19 April.
1969-05-02 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm John Martyn 5 shillings.
1969-05-05 UK, London, Enfield, Folk Club The Hop-pole. John Martyn, The Folk Couriers.
1969-05-12 UK, Richmond, Hanging Lamp. John Martyn plus residents.
1969-05-21 UK, Rochford (Essex), The Kings Head. John Martyn, 8pm. "130 people packed in on the night John Martyn came, it was bursting in a room upstairs no bigger than a good sized dining room. I booked John for the Folkus club back in 1969. I started the club along with a couple of other pals, Ian Varcoe and Paul Bailey. I knew John quite well back in the late 1960's early 70's, in fact booked him again in Rochford. I can't remember year and date but his fee was £15 and that included his train fare! It was through the Les Cousins Folk Club at 49 Greek Street where I first met John. Great to put a date to this evening." (Chris Jones)
1969-05-24 UK, London, Chalk Farm Roundhouse. Benefit following death of Fairport Convention drummer Martin Lamble in M1 crash, featuring Family, Pink Floyd, John Martin (sic) and Beverley amongst others.
1969-05-29 UK, London, Roehampton, Digby Stuart College. Thursday night. John Martyn, 'Floor singers welcome'.
1969-05-31 UK, London, Les Cousins. Saturday night. 'Young Tradition | All night session' | John Martyn, Victor Brox, Keith Christmas.
June
1969-06-04 UK, London, BBC Radio 1. Episode of My Kind Of Folk presented by Hamish Imlach. Early Easy Blues and Fairy Tale Lullaby.
July
1969-07-04 USA, Woodstock, Woodstock Playhouse. Part of the annual Clearwater Festival, with Beverley. Two day festival also known as The Great Hudson River Revival, founded by Pete Seeger. "John and I were invited to take part in a charity gig to be played in Woodstock Playhouse on the weekend of July 4th. It was in aid of Pete Seeger's Clearwater Project which was committed to cleaning up the Hudson river, and a lot of first-rate folk and blues musicians would be playing on the night. [...] It was a strange night. [...] For some reason known only to him, John decided he didn't want me to do much singing so he performed five or six numbers before he called me on stage. I did one song, a 'Mr Jelly Roll Baker' blues and that was it. [...] John finished what was supposed to be our spot on his own." Beverley Martyn in her biography Sweet Honesty, page 45. Afterwards she met Bob Dylan.
Summer
1969-07-00 UK, Cranbrook (Kent), Big School assembly hall (solo). John was booked "for the pricely sum of £ 25".
August
1969-08-22 UK, London, Les Cousins. Friday night, 19:30-23.00 hrs. John Martyn, 5 shillings.
1969-08-29 UK, Plymouth, Van Dike. Friday night. Supporting act The Famous Jug Band.
1969-08-30 UK, London, Les Cousins. Saturday all-night session: John Martyn, Sam Mitchell.
September
1969-09-09 UK, Birmingham, Mothers (High Street, Erdington). Weekly folk session: Ron Geesin and John Martyn. Tuesday night, admission 5 shillings.
1969-09-12 UK, Farnham Folk and Blues Festival. Friday evening at Farnham Park, 18:30 hrs. First concert features The Johnstons, John Martyn, Pete Stanley & Brian Golbey, Allen 'Spud' Taylor, John James and the Humblebums. 9 shillings.
1969-09-13 UK, Farnham (same festival) Rugby Rag Festival, Blues Day: Alexis Korner, Groundhogs, John Martyn and others.
1969-09-14 UK, Scarborough, The Penthouse. Sunday night, 19:30 hrs. Tickets 7/6. Regular Folk Blues night.
1969-09-20 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm John Martyn, Keith Christmas.
1969-09-24 UK, London, Royal Festival Hall (with Beverley and Nick Drake 'sitting on a stool, staring at his shoes, never addressing the audience'). Nick opened for Fairport Convention and John & Bev and it was his first big show, for 2,500 people. "The audience were quiet and respectful," said Joe Boyd: "Nick's performance was brilliant, the audience were mesmerized."
October
1969-10-02 UK, London, Kingston College of Technology, Students Union: John Martyn, Johnny Silvo, 8pm.
1969-10-11 UK, Sheffield, Highcliffe Hotel (Greystones Road). John Martyn & John James on a Saturday gig.
1969-10-19 UK, Norwich Folk Club. John Martyn.
November
1969-11-11 UK, Watford, Tech College (Tuesday).
1969-11-14 UK, London, College for the Distributive Trades CDT. Joined bill with Manfred Mann Chapter III and Bulldog Breed. Friday night, tickets 7'6. Concert took place 107 Charing Cross Road, the building of Saint Martin's School of Art.
1969-11-14 UK, London, Les Cousins. Friday night. John only appeared to introduce Nick Drake, did not play.
1969-11-15 UK, London, LSE (London School of Economics). Saturday night, 20:00 hrs. Tickets 10 shilling. "LSE Houghton St WC2 | Holborn Temple | Freddie King | John Martyn | Sam Apple Pie | Andy Dunkley | Explosive Spectrum".
1969-11-18 UK, London, Barking College. John Martyn.
1969-11-21 UK, London, Ilford, General Havelock. John Martyn.
1969-11-26 UK, London, College for the Distributive Trades (30 Leicester Square). Wednesday. John Martyn, Rick Davey, Barry Youldon.
1969-11-27 UK, London, Mile End, Queen Mary College. John Martyn, 8pm.
December
1969-12-00 UK, Preston, The Amethyst (solo). Source said 'end of year'.
1969-12-02 UK, London, Hayes Folk Club (The Angel, Uxbridge Road, Hillingdon). Tuesday night. John Martyn plus guests.
1969-12-02 UK, Watford College of Technology. John Martyn (same date as above).
1969-12-19 UK, London, Les Cousins. 7.30-11pm: John Martyn.