Eric Clapton Crystal Palace Garden Party 31 July 1976
Support acts: Freddie King; The Chieftains; The Jess Roden Band; Barbara Dickson; Dick and the Fireman
I saw Clapton twice during 1976, once at Newcastle City Hall and at this gig at the Crystal Palace in London. A group of us went down to London by train for this gig, and when arrived at the Crystal Palace Bowl we met up with some other friends from Sunderland. It was a very hot day, as were most that summer; just right for spending the day in the park listening to some bands. The Crystal Place Bowl is a grassy picnic area, which used to have a shell-shaped stage situated at the other side of a lake from the grassy area where the audience sat. It was used for several concerts during the 70s, many of which ended with various members of the crowd taking to the water in the lake to get closer to the stage and their heroes. First up at this gig was Dick and The Fireman, who were an occasional “super”group of friends who came together for a fun jam every now and then. For that date the incarnation consisted of Mel Collins, Neil Hubbard, Mike Patto, Alan Spenner, Carol Grimes, Bob Tench, Henry McCulloch, Tim Hinkley, Boz Burrell, Simon Kirke, John Halsey, with Larry Coryell and Ron Wood guesting on some songs. The late, and very very great, Steve Marriott is listed in the programme, but didn’t show on the day. Now Henry McCulloch is one great guitarist and the late great Mike Patto was one cool vocalist, but the set seemed like what it was; a few friends jamming for a bit fun; nothing more, nothing less. Anyway it was ok as an opener. Next up was Barbara Dickson, who had just hit the charts with “Answer Me”, followed by the very under-rated Jess Roden. I saw Jess in Bronco, as support for Free once, and several times with his “Jess Roden Band”; he sang with a lot of soul, and is sadly hardly ever mentioned these days. 
The Chieftains seemed quite a strange choice for the day, and delivered a set of traditional Irish folk, which was quite fun, sitting on the grass on a hot summer afternoon. Next up was the legendary Freddie King. I’d heard quite a bit of Freddie’s material on the radio, including “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”, “Hide Away” and “Tore Down” and, as I recall, he played all of those. Clapton played a relatively short and subdued set on just over an hour, with Larry Coryell and Ron Wood joining for a couple of songs. I remember Larry Coryell being particularly impressive, giving Clapton a good run for his money. By the end of the show, quite a few people were in the water. Have a feeling Jesus Jellet was dancing down the front. This wasn’t one of the best times I’ve seen Clapton, but it was a fun day. After the gig we were all back on the midnight train up north. All in all a pretty good day; three great guitarists, sun, and a day out with friends; all for £4 and a day return which was £2 or £3 at the time. Clapton Setlist: Hello Old Friend – All Our Pastimes – Tell The Truth – I Shot The Sheriff – Double Trouble – Blues Power – Going Down Slow – Stormy Monday – Layla – Further On Up The Road.
26 Jun
Eric Clapton Crystal Palace Garden Party 31 July 1976
Posted June 26, 2012 by vintagerock in Barbara Dickson, Dick and the Fireman, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, The Chieftains, The Jess Roden Band. Tagged: blues, concert, concerts, gig, music, pop, prog rock, psych, R&B, rock, rock n roll. 13 Comments
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Posted by Indrani Mitra on February 2, 2013 at 7:20 pm
It was great coming across this as I was very lucky to have been there too! I remember ignoring the bouncers and wading into the yukky water just to be close to the stage!Thanks for posting this!!!
Posted by ElaR on May 15, 2014 at 10:35 am
I too was there and thought it was wonderful, I had never been to anything like it. I fully agree about Larry Coryell much much better than Clapton. Oh memories of that long hot summer…….
Posted by vintagerock on May 15, 2014 at 5:23 pm
Great memories Many thanks Peter
Posted by ElaR on May 15, 2014 at 10:36 am
PS I still have the ticket like the one above
Posted by opinionated on March 26, 2016 at 10:29 am
Freddie King stole the show, up until he came on stage, it was quite a mundane event.
Freddie was showbiz and certainly knew how to work a crowd.
Posted by Adam Primus on June 9, 2018 at 11:33 pm
Larry Coryell blew Clapton off the stage that day, I was hugely impressed by his playing when guesting with Eric during his set. But surely Randy California’s Spirit also appeared that day – or was I hallucinating? No-one else seems to recall it…
By the way, that water in the stage-front lake was disgusting, oily black, scummy and greasy – my mate broke out in a gross rash an hour after immersing himself in that watery garbage pit/impromptu lavatory! Ah good times, good times…
Posted by Frank Burnett-Alleyne on July 18, 2024 at 4:53 pm
from what I recall it was Freddie King who transformed Claptons set – Clapton was underwhelming, the crowd began chanting Fred-die, Fred-die – Clapton to his credit understood what he needed to do & brought Freddie back on stage – glorious finale, so tragic that Freddie died less than 6 months later from a stomach ulcer
Posted by Peter Doyle on August 31, 2024 at 1:19 am
Was there from opening time. I just lay on the grass for about 6 hours waiting for EC. I remember audience members in the water passing Eric bottles which he took a few swigs from. Dangerous carry on, could have contained anything. Anyway I saw the great Freddy King in fine form which alone was worth the price of the ticket.
Posted by vintagerock on August 31, 2024 at 11:09 am
A great day. I agree Freddie King was great as was Eric Clapton happy days Peter
Posted by ROBERT DYER on November 30, 2024 at 6:31 pm
I was there with my pregnant wife and some friends. It was hot, very hot, and we all got sunburnt. It was a great show and I was well and truly stoned. Clapton wasn’t his best but it was a great day of entertainment all the same.
Posted by vintagerock on December 1, 2024 at 12:10 pm
It was a great day indeed Robert. Excellent lineup and lovely weather Peter happy days
Posted by Bo Dyer on December 1, 2024 at 1:59 pm
I was over from Belfast visiting a few friend and neighbours I had lived beside when residing in West Kensington in 1972.
We also got to see the Stranglers at the Nashville Rooms and a few night later were invited by a reporter friend of a friend to join her to hear some band who were over from Australia who she had interviewed earlier that day. We joined the queue outside the Marquee Club and were at the end of it when this group of Aussie guys came past us heading for the top of the queue. One of them noticed the reporter and told us to follow them. We were the first into the club and we pulled a few tables together at the front of the stage. We didn’t have to buy a drink all night. We smoked our hash with them in the back room, off course. They played a brilliant set and were great blokes. They turn out to be AC/DC.
It really turned out to be a great holiday.
Posted by vintagerock on December 1, 2024 at 2:09 pm
Wow! What a wonderful holiday and such great memories. Thank you for sharing. Happy days Peter