Sensational Alex Harvey Band Newcastle City Hall 1975
By the time of this gig SAHB had released four albums: Framed (1972); Next (1973); The Impossible Dream (1974) and Tomorrow Belongs to Me (1975). The band were at the top of their game and were selling out concert halls up and down the country. SAHB had graduated from playing the clubs to playing venues like the City Hall, but their show remained as crazy and intimate as ever. Seeing SAHB was very much a show, with Alex as Master of Ceremonies. The 1975 programme explains it well: “He [Alex[ class it simply a 1975 song-and-dance act, yet it inevitably comes off as something of a morality play. The show is often surreal, difficult to follow, but there emerges, beyond Harvey’s unadorned, solid presence (which suggest sailor, lion tamer, master of ceremonies) beyond the more defined roles (paperback detective, leather-jacketed, graffiti-scrawling, framed prisoner) and in paradoxical contrast to the blazing cynicism he projects, a clear and present appeal to sanity, to escape from the repression and yes, to respect for freedom. His warning: ‘Don’t pish in the water supply'”. 
Beneath all the show and bravado, Alex was a bit of a philosopher, and came over as an authentic, moralistic guy, a teacher, a role model, the older brother. He would tell us (in hos own words, also from the programme): “Dear Boys and Girls, As we start on our British tour – be good, don’t smash any windows or throw any rubbish. We look forward to seeing you because we love you and that’s why we don’t want you to get into any trouble, Love Alex xxxx”. So what we experienced in these concerts was part vaudeville, part morality lesson, part theatre, part madness, part proto-punk (and setting the scene for what was to come) and some great rock n roll music. We have never seen the like since and perhaps never will again. Yes it was that unique and ahead of its time. Setlist from 1975 (from Glasgow Apollo site): Faith Healer; Action Strasse; Tomahawk Kid; Give My Compliments To The chef; Delilah; The Tale Of The Giant Stone Eater; Vambo; Midnight Moses; Dance To The Music; Tomorrow Belongs To Me; Gang Bang; Framed
27 Apr
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by profesorjohn on January 10, 2023 at 9:45 am
The best freaking show I ever saw. I saw them on US tv and fell in love. Then I saw them opening with an abbreviated set in the US at a show I went to only because of them. And saw their full show in Croydon. 😁
Posted by vintagerock on January 10, 2023 at 12:43 pm
I agree John. Alex was, well simply sensational! Happy days Peter
Posted by Mark Oliver on August 20, 2023 at 2:55 am
I saw SAHB 24 times, including 4 you mention, (Buxton Festival ’73, Newcastle City Hall, Victoria Ground and Reading Festival). Also saw SAHBWA (without Alex) once and Alex with his new band/s twice. He was without doubt the greatest, most charismatic, riveting stage performer I’ve ever seen. I met them all many times… they sneaked me into their hotel in Bath after one gig and took me with them to the next day’s gig in Exeter. In 1974, they did a St.Valentine’s Day fancy dress gig at the Empire Ballroom. Leicester Square- I hitched down from Stoke dressed as Zal, in a home-made costume and halfway through the set, Alex beckoned me onstage from the wings and introduced me to the crowd. Later that year, Zal changed his original striped ‘pixie’ outfit (as seen on back cover of ‘Next’) for a ‘superhero’ outfit and gave me the ‘pixie’ one as a keepsake- I have it to this day.
The most compelling, unpredictable, witty, rocking, entertaining live act ever.
Posted by vintagerock on August 20, 2023 at 9:40 am
Hi Mark
I could not agree more. Alex Harvey was simply fearless and totally engaging. Thank you for sharing such great memories of the great man and a great band. I remember the Leicester Square concert, you clearly had a wonderful time there! You have a great momento to remind you of some great times. Happy days Peter
Posted by It’s ‘75 and I’m in Love! – The Rock of Blyth & other stories! on June 6, 2024 at 1:49 pm
[…] the successful support slot with Mott, The SAHB were now an established headline band. They had released their fourth album in four years “The […]