Carl Perkins , Bo Diddley & Matchbox Newcastle City Hall 13th April 1978
This was a great concert with performances from two true legends of the first wave of rock’n’roll. First up were Matchbox, who are a rock’n’roll / rockabilly revival band that are still playing today. Matchbox went on to the have hit singles in 1979 and 1980 with “Rockabilly Rebel”, “Buzz Buzz a Diddle It” and “Midnite Dynamos”. Then came Bo Diddley who strutted the stage with his trademark rectangle guitar, playing those classic buzz riffs to the “Bo Diddley beat” like only he could, in tunes like “Who Do You Love” and “Bo Diddley”. From the programme: “Bo Diddley is one of the classic figures in contempary music, ranking alongside such originators as Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters”. 
Headliner Carl Perkins played the classic “Blue Suede Shoes” and a set of rock’n’roll, country and rockabilly. He played an excellent set, with was a little more country than rock. Dressed in a cream suit covered with rhinestones, he was in a every way a cool guy, and had the crowd (which included lots of teds in their full gear) literally rocking in the aisles. From the programme: “Had it not been for a serious car crash, Carl Perkins could have been bigger than Elvis Presley – at least, that’s the opinion of Sun Records’ boss Sam Philiips – the man who discovered them both.” A memorable gig, by two guys from the golden era who were part of the birth of rock music; I won’t see their like again.
Archive for the ‘Bo Diddley’ Category
7 Feb
Carl Perkins , Bo Diddley & Matchbox Newcastle City Hall 13th April 1978
8 Apr
Bo Diddley Sunderland 1982
Bo Diddley
Woooh Bo Diddley!!! I was lucky enough to see the great Bo Diddley when he came to town to play a gig at Close Encounters nightclub in 1982. Close Encounters was previously the BoilerMakers Club, a well known Sunderland workman’s club, and is now a venue for Sunderland University students. I’d seen the great man once before on a rock n roll bill with Carl Perkins in the 70s. Bo rocked the place, strutting his stuff with his famous red cigar box guitar, and treating us to such gems as Who Do You Love and Hey Bo Diddley. The place was packed and we all sang along. There was a good showing by local teds who turned up in force, all decked out in their drapes, and showing off some great rock n roll bopping. Support came from local blues acts Ray Stubbs and his Blues Band, and the Hokum HotShots, both of whom are still paying around their native North East.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 