A bit of an adventure to see an old friend and hero. So, Jackie, my taxi driver and I set off early in the evening for a 50+ miles ride up into the wilds of Northumberland to see none other than Edgar Broughton. We travelled up towards Hexham, along a winding road up to Allendale and then a few miles further to Sinderhope where we easily found the High Forest Community Centre a small building set on its own surrounded by lovely fields and wildlife (see picture from website, below). We arrived in plenty of time, around 7 PM (the start time was 7:30 PM).
The staff on the door were very helpful “We’ve been expecting you” and made sure I safely entered the building. They directed me to a space right down the front of the small Hall, sitting close to Edgar himself. Edgar is a great hero of mine since the early 1970s. He was, and is, the original rebel as the T-shirt, which he kindly gave me, proclaims (see image). This guy had no fear in the 70s. He was left-wing, antiestablishment and wore his out–there credentials on his white karate suit (which he always seemed to wear at the time).
As I say I sat next to Edgar, my hero and role model (except I did not have the nerve that he did). So, what could I do but talk to the guy. I had a good chat with Edgar about old times and the first time I saw him perform which was with the Edgar Broughton Band back in 1971 at Sunderland Locarno. I recall being part of a conga trail which weaved its way around the ballroom, up the stairs and across the balcony chanting “Out Demons Out” along with Edgar, Steve Broughton (his brother) on drums and Arthur Grant on bass. Edgar was about to embark on a tour of seaside venues playing on the beach, or close by. The next date was at Redcar beach. However, the local council had banned Edgar and the band from playing there. Edgar told us all that night: “The police are trying to stop us playing at Redcar this weekend. We are going anyway and we will play off the back of a lorry. Please come along to see us. Bring your cars and let’s gridlock all of the roads in Redcar”.
And indeed, he did. I was too young to make my way to Redcar at 14 and had no way to get there. I was there in spirit with you Edgar I told him. The police arrested Edgar and he spent the night in a police cell in the local jail. He wrote a song “Judge Called me a Liar” to commemorate the event. I related the whole story to Edgar. “Yes I remember that day well” and he smiled to me. I also told him how I had seen him many times over the years at Newcastle Mayfair, Sunderland Locarno several times, Newcastle City Hall, the Buxton Festival “It was very wet” Edgar said, and in later years at the City Hall as the Broughtons supporting (Ian) Gillan, in a club at Sheffield, Hull Adelphi club, York Duchess and more recently supporting Roger Chapman at Newcastle Academy. All great memories. Edgar nodded. We chatted on about old times. He kindly signed a CD for me. I moved over to let others talk to Edgar and soon it was time for him to take to the stage.
The hall was small; I would estimate that there was not more than 50 people there and the place was full. The guy who organised the concert came up to see me. “Sorry I was not there when you arrived, I was busy lambing”. Such is rural Northumberland. Edgar sat on a stool not far away from Jackie and me in the centre front of the hall. He sang in his unique soulful voice a clutch of new songs, a few I recognised from recent performances and many from his new CD. His first song was about his brother Steve “We were soldiers together”. Steve sadly recently passed away. You could feel the pain in Edgar’s voice. Other songs were more beautiful. Another I recognise recounted a tale of two people falling in love “Can I dance with you?” (or something like that). Before each song Edgar recounted a story on which the song was based. Each song was challenging, beautiful and soulful. Edgar sang to us directly from his heart.
One particular song was a prequel to the Edgar Broughton Band track “Evening over the Rooftops”. Fascinating. After one song he blew me a kiss. Thank you Edgar. And soon it was over. Edgar Broughton took to the stage around 7:40 PM and concluded his set around 9 PM. After the show I said my goodbyes to my hero, Edgar, and Jackie and I entered our taxi. Our taxi driver informed us that he had been watching lambs, rabbits and deer frisking around in the fields. Wonderful.
We travelled back, this time through the centre of Hexham, and onward into the centre of Newcastle (there was a diversion and the A1 was closed southbound) down Westgate Road and across to Sunderland. I was back in my bed shortly after 11 PM. A wonderful evening. Oh, something I forgot. We asked for a drink and were informed that it was a “Bring your own” bar. One guy kindly said “Don’t worry, here’s a can of Red Stripe you can have”. How kind. But that was the sort of evening, the sort of place, the sort of people it had been. A magical night, with my hero Edgar, who was so friendly and kind to me, in a welcoming venue with such welcoming people. Thank you Edgar. Until next time my friend.
No photos from Jackie and me this time. The concert was so intimate and we were so close to Edgar sitting on his stool in front of us that it just didn’t feel right to take photographs. Instead, I have included a photograph of the venue, my T-shirt, the signed CD and a photograph from Wikimedia Commons of the Edgar Broughton Band at a reunion concert in the 100 Club in London, around the same time that I saw them in Sheffield, probably something like 20 years ago. Time for sleep.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by ciarant1step on May 4, 2024 at 1:29 pm
What a fantastic account, what a superb performer Edgar Broughton must still be. I really liked this one, and I’m relieved that the lambing went well too.
Posted by vintagerock on May 5, 2024 at 11:54 am
Thank you Ciaran. Yes Edgar remains fantastic. He was also a perfect gentleman. Yes it must have been the lambing season. Happy days Peter
Posted by TerriersFan on May 4, 2024 at 5:46 pm
They usually say “never meet your heroes”, Peter, so I’m glad that you got to meet yours, and that you weren’t disappointed.
I saw the EBB three or four times in the 70s but just couldn’t really get on with their unique style. Perhaps I should give him another chance if he is in my vicinity?
Roger 🤘👍
Posted by vintagerock on May 5, 2024 at 11:49 am
Thanks Roger I always enjoyed them. For me, personally, Edgar was and still is fantastic. Happy days Peter
Posted by John on May 5, 2024 at 8:15 am
Great write up Peter. I only vaguely remember the Edgar Broughton Band from the early 70s. Sounds like I missed out then. Best wishes , John
Posted by vintagerock on May 5, 2024 at 11:44 am
Thanks John Edgar was and still is fantastic. Happy days Peter
Posted by Brian Johnson on May 6, 2024 at 1:47 pm
Were you by chance at the Locarno gig (Sunderland Poly Rag Ball) in ’74? When the band van broke down en route and eventually got on stage after numerous ‘on the way’ announcements, around 0200? Just wondering, they played until around 0330 IIRC, got a taxi with my then girlfriend back to Ewesley Road, then I walked home to Ryhope (could not afford the extra taxi fare….) in time for a bacon sandwich with my Dad before he headed off to do the day shift at Rolls Royce in Pallion.
Then about one hour of sleep before going back to the Poly for a Biochemistry lecture…….
Posted by vintagerock on May 6, 2024 at 2:15 pm
Yes Brian I was at that concert and as I recall the other band was Mungo Jerry plus some local support bands. I also stayed until the end at 3:30 AM. My friend who was with me had a milk round and went straight from the Locarno to his milk round! Edgar was fantastic as always. And so were Mungo Jerry if I remember well enough Happy days Peter
Posted by Steve White on May 17, 2024 at 6:17 am
Great review and comments regarding Edgar B. Went to see him on the same tour at Nuneaton and was an excellent show. His son, Luke Broughton also played and is well worth seeing. As part of his “Fair Day’s Pay” campaign, Edgar played my 55th Birthday do at The Bartons Arms in Brum. I had seen him at Bristol Colston Hall on my 17th birthday.
Edgar was excellent company and shared stories about his time in the band particularly the trip to East Germany. We enjoyed a Thai meal at the venue and he reminisced about his early performances at the nearby Elbow Rooms backing strippers in the company of many of the Crossroads cast. Have seen him several times subsequently at Bilston, Leicester, Sutton Coldfield, Wigan etc and love the great songs. After the birthday gig Edgar sent me a CD recording of the show that is now a treasured memory.
Keep up the reviews, wish I was able to attend half of the gigs you get to!!
Posted by vintagerock on May 17, 2024 at 11:10 am
Thanks Steve for sharing. I am so jealous that you had Edgar Broughton play at your birthday party. The guy is a legend and also a lovely man. Happy days Peter