Entertainment For Lively Minds
Back in the day...
Posted by FerrisCollier on 10 July 2008 - 5:32pm.
http://www.marmalade-skies.co.uk/yearbyyear.htm
This is part of Marmalade Skies, a website dedicated to British Psychedelia and rock generally during 1968-75. The old music press clipping are fascinating, but take a look at the gig listings for each month. I was amazed by the number of name bands, or at least bands I've heard of, out there gigging at any one time, and also by the number of venues. There are loads of college gigs of course, but also, no doubt, lots of pubs, clubs, halls etc. that just don’t do live music any more. I keep spotting places I know. Apparently, in 1970, Caravan, Argent, The Groundhogs, Brinsley Schwarz, the Quo - all played local pubs in my area.
- More from FerrisCollier.
- Login or register to post comments
-
Site of the month!
Brilliant find. Hmm, let's see. . . what was on in Manchester in December 1972 (in other words, what did I miss)? King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Free, Yes and David Bowie all played a single venue (the Hard Rock). Oh, and needless to say, I missed them all.
And, yes, the college gigs were just incredible. Clicked at random, October 1971 at the Students' Union at Warwick University was Word-blogger heaven: Van der Graaf Generator, Heads Hands & Feet, Steeleye Span, Yes* and Supertramp at the Students' Union - with Uriah Heep, Lindisfarne and Gong + Kevin Ayres only short bus rides away in Kenilworth and Coventry.
(*The stage was barely big enough for Rick Wakeman's cape, let alone his very large array of synths and Mellotrons. Perhaps they stuck him on the roof, like Brian May at Buck House.)
Stop. Desist.
You'll have me blubbering. I was at 3 of those you mention at the Hard Rock - now a B & Q I believe. Luckily the Student Unions are still going and providing equal enjoyment for little outlay. They don't mind old fogies like us turning up either.
My excuse
I was more a Krautrock at the Stoneground kinda guy. Although in retrospect perhaps Led Zep and Bowie would have been a somewhat more enjoyable evening out than what I spurned them for: Tangerine Dream and Can.
The Stoneground
Yikes memories come flooding back. The Pink Fairies!! Man playing a never ending "Bananas" and the great Joe Brown with his band Homebrew and last but not least the disc jockey playing
the Floyd's "One of These Days" followed by Dr John "Right Place, Wrong Time" followed by The Sweet "Little Willie" slipping on our arses on a beer soaked dancefloor. Blissful days!
Did
you see the advert in September 1970 for the Worthy Farm Festival - apply for tickets by post to Michael Eavis, Worthy Farm, Pilton. All cows milk free! You don't get THAT at yer Reading Leeds weekender do you?
Ain't nostalgia great!
Heady days. I remember weekly scouring the back pages of Disc/NME/MM etc, laboriously copying out the logos of the bands onto my desk, dreaming of the days I would be able to go see for myself. Tylers son is only doing the same, see neighbouring posts....
Loon
Pants. Need I say more?
OK. I see there is a gig coming up in a few months at Bolton Town Hall featuring The Groundhogs, Wishbone Ash & Focus. ON THE SAME BILL! Where's my flares? Tie-dye t-shirt? Zimmer frame?
I would love a picture of the massed bands, then and now.
Blimey, Thijs Van Leer and Tony T.S. McPhee had precious little top hair then, so God knows now? And does the one with a cap still play in Fishbone Wash? Presumably for the same reason.
Get a hat
Rarely seen without a hat these days. It's called 'doing an Elton'
Shocking.........
I suppose it's better than being bottle black......