Strawbs 1972, 1973 and Newcastle City Hall 23rd September 1976
My mate Tony had the Strawbs lp “Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios” which we listened to endlessly. It must have been 1970 or 1971. Our favourite tracks were “Fingertips”, the epic “Where Is This Dream of Your Youth”, which still sounds great today, and (strangely) Rick Wakeman’s piano solo “Temperament of Mind”. I didn’t get to see Strawbs live until May 1972 at the Lincoln festival, where they played on a cold wet evening between I think Stone The Crows and The Faces. By then Rick Wakeman had departed and the line-up was Dave Cousins (vocals), Tony Hooper (guitar), Richard Hudson (drums), John Ford (bass) and Blue Weaver (keyboards). By that point their set contained classics such as “The Man Who Called Himself Jesus”, “The Hangman and the Papist” and “Benedictus”.
There was, and is, something unique about Strawbs music which sets them apart from many of their folk-rock contemporaries. Dave Cousins voice has a strange, other worldy, yet vpleasant, quality and their songs tell great stories.
The line-up of the band changed dramatically in late 1972 and early 1973, and Strawbs began to pursue a more rock/pop sound, hitting the charts with the excellent “Lay Down” and “Part of the Union”. By the time I saw them again in, I think, 1973 at Sunderland Locarno the line-up was Dave Cousins (now the only original member), Dave Lambert (guitar), Chas Cronk (bass) and Rod Coombes (drums). This was much more a rock band; Dave Cousins even wore a bright sparkling glittery jacket 🙂
The ticket here is for a later gig, in 1976 at Newcastle City Hall. By then the band were focussing more on playing in the USA. They called it a day in 1980, but soon reformed. Cousins, Lambert and Cronk continue to play today. I’ve written elsewhere on recent Strawbs gigs which I have attended, and pretty good they are too.
Posts Tagged ‘gig’
3 Jul
Strawbs 1972, 1973 and Newcastle City Hall 23rd September 1976
2 Jul
Secret Affair March of the Mods Newcastle 1979 and 1980
“We are the Mods. We are the Mods. We are, we are, we are the Mods.” So went the chants, reverberating around the Mayfair ballroom, coming from the mouths of young guys in parkas festooned with patches proclaiming their support for The Who, The Jam and our new mod heroes Secret Affair. This was Friday 31st August 1979 and the March of the Mods Tour was stopping off at Newcastle Mayfair. The tour was headlined by new mod faces Secret Affair, supported by The Purple Hearts and Back To Zero. The Mayfair was packed with a mix of new mods, a few rock fans who were becoming increasingly frustrated at “losing” their Friday night out to gigs by punk and new wave acts, and groups of mean looking skinheads, who had come to taunt the mods, and “sort them out”. The skins had their own, far more sinister chant: “We hate the Mods. We hate the Mods. We hate, we hate, we hate the Mods.”
There was an air of edginess around the place all evening. You could feel it as soon as you entered the venue.
From early on there were skirmishes between the mods and the skins, with small tussles and fights breaking out on the dance floor. The support acts were greeted by showers of beer, complete with glasses. As the evening progressed the fights became more frequent and nastier. Marie and I thought of leaving, but hey I don’t give up easy, and I wanted to see how this new mod band Secret Affair would shape up. By the time they took to the stage, things were starting to turn really nasty. The mods were shouting loudly now “We are the Mods. We are the Mods. We are, we are, we are the Mods”. The skins responded equally as loudly “We hate the Mods. We hate the Mods. We hate, we hate, we hate the Mods.” The band were onstage playing while the ballroom was turning into something out of a Wild West film. The dance floor was becoming one mass brawl. Some guys started throwing tables and chairs from the balcony down onto the crowd on the dance floor below. The chairs hit the massive chandeliers which hung from the ceiling and one of them fell down onto the fighting crowds. Scary stuff. Marie and I were wandering around the balcony being careful who we looked at, smiling sheepishly at any other rock fans we saw. I felt quite out of place and vulnerable, being one of a small number of people with long hair. The bouncers came into the crowd complete with Alsatian dogs, and eventually managed to stop the fights. Secret Affair played on and were pretty good, although the gig was marred by the evening’s events.
I saw Secret Affair on two further occasions.
The first was at Newcastle City Hall on 17th April 1980.
The place was packed and me and my mate Norm were right down the front, surrounded by the Glory Boys. “We are the Mods. We are the Mods. We are, we are, we are the Mods.” That chant again. But this time no skins, no fights and a joyous evening. Secret Affair were at the height of their success, and at the time were a hot live act, with some great songs: Time for Action, My World, Glory Boys. The music was a mix of power pop and soul with Ian Page the coolest front man, wearing the sharpest of suits, neat shirt and skinny tie, and Dave Cairns on guitar and sporting a smart regency style jacket. “We are the Mods. We are the Mods. We are, we are, we are the Mods.”…the chant continued as we left the venue.
Saw Secret Affair once more at Newcastle City Hall a few months later on 30th September 1980. The venue was nowhere near as full. Perhaps the gig was just too close to their previous visit, or maybe the mod scene was already passing. The band played ok, but the power, passion and craziness of the first two gigs I attended was missing.
Secret Affair have recently reformed, with original members Ian Page and Dave Cairns. The Glory Boys return.
“We are the Mods. We are the Mods. We are, we are, we are the Mods.”
Secret Affair were Ian Page – vocals and super sharp suits, Dave Cairns – guitars, Dave Winthrop – saxophone, Dennis Smith – bass, and Seb Shelton – drums.
Mod. It’s a way of life.
“Cause we’re the Glory Boys
So scared of getting old
We’re the Glory Boys
We may look cold but our hearts are gold.
You look at me boy you tryin’ to match my stare
Dont you know Im a Glory Boy?
I can cut you down by combing my hair
Nothing touches a Glory Boy
We look too good for you
If you wanna know about us
You gotta be one too”
(Glory Boys, Cairns & Page, 1979)
30 Jun
Stray Cats Newcastle Mayfair 1980 & Sunderland Poly 1981
Stray Cats Newcastle Mayfair 1980 & Sunderland Poly 1981
The Stray Cats were an American rockabilly band formed in 1979 by ace guitarist and vocalist Brian Setzer, double bassist Lee Rocker, and drummer Slim Jim Phantom. The group came through just after punk and new wave and relocated to London, hitting the charts in 1980 with “Runaway Boys” and again in 1981 with “Rock This Town” and “Stray Cat Strut”. Marie and I went to see them at the Mayfair on their first UK tour, just after “Runaway Boys” was released. They were just starting to make a name for themselves and the ballroom was pretty empty, as I recall. They pulled out an amazing high energy performance, Brian Setzer being particularly impressive. Stray Cats were a breath of fresh air at the time, a welcome diversion from punk and new wave, and very different from anything else around. 
You could, of course, see the rock’n’roll and rockabilly influences; Brian Setzer becoming a cross between Eddie Cochran, Carl Perkins, and Gene Vincent on stage. By the time I saw them again at Sunderland Poly Wearmouth Hall, less than one year later, the place was packed, and lots of rockin’ and rollin’ went down that night. Great gigs by a great band.
The Stray Cats reunite now and then for live performances, and Brian Setzer is now part of his 1990s swing-revival band The Brian Setzer Orchestra, and a pretty amazing guitarist.
29 Jun
Sky Newcastle City Hall 1st October 1979
Sky Newcastle City Hall 1st October 1979
Sky were a classical rock band formed by classical guitarist John Williams, bass player Herbie Flowers (former member of Blue Mink and T. Rex) and Francis Monkman (a founder member of Curved Air). They were joined by Tristan Fry on drums and percussion and Kevin Peek on guitars. They release their debut album, simply titled “Sky” in 1979 and toured in support of it, the tour being titled “Sky At Night”. The tour was very successful, including sold-out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall and five nights at the Dominion Theatre in London. I found it quite a strange event and unlike the normal rock concerts which I was used to at the time. A review on http://www.jacopastorius.co.uk/ describes the Manchester concert in 1979: “As I recall a quiet gig comparatively, the music precise, almost clinical.” which I sort of agree with. 
Sky were very different from other bands who had merged rock with classical. Their debut was promoted with the message: “FIVE OF THE MOST RESPECTED MUSICIANS ON EARTH ARE IN SKY. A group of people that talented can’t be bound by an earth-bound name. SKY. THE BAND. THE ALBUM. REACH FOR IT”. This was true symphonic rock and was massively popular for a number of years. The line-up of Sky changed over the years with John Williams and Francis Monkman both leaving the band in the early 80s and Herbie Flowers continuing with a new line-up. From Wikipedia: “Sky toured the UK again during spring 1993, playing notably smaller venues than they had in the 1980s. The last performance by Sky was at an RAF tribute concert in May 1995. Although Sky never formally disbanded, the band has not returned to active recording and performance.”
28 Jun
Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band 17th October 1977
Bob Seeger and the Silver Bullet Band 17th October 1977
Bob Seeger was the business; pure class. He did a short tour of the UK in 1977, calling at Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow and London. This was before he had big success, and as I recall the Newcastle concert, which I attended, was far from full. The guy was awesome. I would love to see him again.
I don’t recall what they played but I found a listing from a bootleg, which was recorded in the Boston in the same year. I would imagine the set would have been something like this: Rock And Roll Never Forgets; Travelin’ Man; Beautiful Loser; Turn The Page; Sunspot Baby; Ship Of Fools; Main Street; Come To Poppa; Mary Lou; Sunburst; Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man; Heavy Music; Katmandu; Night Moves; Let It Rock Medley.
Seger is performing again in the US; hope he comes back to the UK one day.
27 Jun
Smokie Newcastle City Hall 22nd July 1977
Smokie Newcastle City Hall 22nd July 1977
I guess this has to rate as a guilty pleasure but I have to admit that it was a pretty good concert. This was the classic Smokie line-up of Chris Norman (vocals), Alan Silson (guitar, vocals), Terry Uttley (bass, vocals) and Pete Spencer (drums). By 1977 Smokie had the UK singles charts 8 times with “If You Think You Know How To Love Me” (No 3), “Don’t Play Your Rock ‘N’ Roll To Me” (No 8), “Something’s Been Making Me Blue” (No 17), “I’ll Meet You At Midnight” (No 11), “Lay Back In The Arms Of Someone” (No 12), “It’s Your Life” (No 5; I don’t remember that one), their cover of “Needles And Pins” (No 10), and of course, the classic 🙂 “Living Next Door To Alice” (No 5, and surprisingly not actually their biggest hit). The concert featured all the hits, Chris Norman was great, and Marie and I just lapped it up. I think support band Wilder went on to become Gilbert O’Sullivan’s backing band.
26 Jun
Steel Pulse Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt 11th June 1978
Steel Pulse Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt 11th June 1978
Steel Pulse are a roots reggae band, from the Handsworth area of Birmingham. They formed at Handsworth Wood Boys School, composed of David Hinds (lead vocals, guitar), Basil Gabbidon (lead guitar, vocals), and Ronald McQueen (bass). They achieved considerable success in the late 70s as part of the interest in reggae alongside the growth of punk. This gig at Middlesbrough Town Hall Crypt was around the time they released their first album “Handsworth Revolution”. The place was packed and this was a great concert. I recall that they played the single “Ku Klux Klan” which discussed the evils of racism, and during which they donned the Klan hoods, Heavy stuff.
25 Jun
Peter Straker New Tyne Theatre Newcastle 26th Nov 1977
Peter Straker New Tyne Theatre Newcastle 26th Nov 1977
Sorry if my posts are a little short for the next few days. We are off to Glastonbury, so I have set up a few posts and scheduled them to appear each day, but my time was limited so they are briefer than they would normally be (and there will probably be even more typos than normal, which is saying something 🙂 ). I will return to normal next week and will also reflect on our Glastonbury experiences.
Anyway onward with the first of my pre-written and scheduled entries which is going to be Peter Straker. This guy was simply amazing! Peter Straker is a Jamaican born singer and actor, best known for appearances in Doctor Who (in the 1979 serial Destiny of the Daleks) and for being a friend of Freddie Mercury. He starred as Hud in the original 1968 London production of ‘Hair’. More recently his critically acclaimed one man show ‘Peter Straker’s Brel’ has featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
In 1977 Peter Straker was forging a career as a pop star, and had just released an album “This One’s on Me” which was produced by Freddie Mercury and Roy Thomas Baker. The tracks on the album were: Ada; I’ve Been To Hell & Back; The Day The Talkies Came; Heart Be Still; Alabama Song; Ragtime Piano Joe; Jackie; The Annual Penguin Show; The Saddest Clown; Vamp. His set consisted of tracks from the album. Straker’s performance was simply sensational, very theatrical, passionate and emotional. I remember both Marie and I really enjoyed the concert and thought that this guy was going to be massive. He has found success following a more theatrical path. The theatre was pretty empty, as I recall, which was a shame.
24 Jun
Shanghai Redcar Coatham Bowl 1975?
Shanghai Redcar Coatham Bowl 1975?
This was one of the first gigs I went to at Redcar Coatham Bowl. It was probably in 1975 or 1976. Shanghai were a rock band fronted by ex Rebel Rouser and top 60s R&B vocalist Cliff Bennet. The rest of the bands line-up featured former Pirate, ace guitarist and big Wilko Johnson influence Mick Green on choppy Telecaster; Brian Alterman, also on guitar; Speedy King on bass; and Pete Kircher on drums (who would later join Status Quo). This band had all the right ingredients but just never quite made it; another potentially great rock band who were passed by when punk came along and brushed everything aside. I also saw them supporting Status Quo around the same time. Shanghai lasted a couple of years, released two albums, and then split. Mick Green went on to reform the Pirates and sadly passed away in 2010, while Cliff Bennett continues to perform to this day. Wonder who the support act was. I think it may have been Raven, who were a North East band which formed in 1974 and gained popularity during the NWOBHM movement in the late 70s.
22 Jun
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel with Orchestra & Choir Sage Gateshead 21st June 2014
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel with Orchestra & Choir Sage Gateshead 21st June 2014
It was a truly amazing experience to see Steve Harley perform the first two classic Cockney Rebel albums “The Human Menagerie” and “The Psychomodo”, accompanied by full band, the Orchestra of the Swan and Choir, conducted by Andrew Powell, last night. This concert was first performed at the Birmingham Symphony Hall in 2012, and is now available on DVD. Steve Harley said at the time “ It’s been a long time coming – something like 39 years. Now we’re here, at last, with an orchestra and a choir and a big rock band, to play those first two albums pretty well the way they appeared on the original vinyl. Maybe some things should never change, in spite of progress. Welcome, my old friends.”
First Half; The Human Menagerie: Hideaway; What Ruthy Said; Loretta’s Tale; Crazy Raver; Sebastian; Mirror Freak; My Only Vice; Muriel the Actor; Spaced Out; Judy Teen; Chameleon; Death Trip.
Second Half; The Psychomodo: Sweet Dreams; Psychomodo; Mr. Soft; Singular Band; Ritz; Cavaliers; Bed in the Corner; Sling It!; Big Big Deal; Black or White; Tumbling Down.
Encore: Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me).
A great concert. Stand-outs (although there were many, with standing ovations for several songs) were: “Sebastian”, “”Tumbling Down”, and “Make Me Smile”.
Steve Harley put his heart and soul into the performance last night. His voice just gets better with time, and the songs found a new life when played with the full band and orchestra. Steve Norman (Spandau Ballet) was star number two of the show, playing great sax and clearly enjoying every minute of it. 
Steve had some great craic with us all, telling us stories about his days with the band in the 70s, and bringing back memories for me of classic gigs at Newcastle City Hall and Reading 1974, all of which he referred to. He related a memory from the City Hall of a guy jumping off the balcony and climbing down the light tower. He introduced “Tumbling Down” by reminding us all how we would leave the hall still singing the closing line “Oh dear!….look what they’ve done to the blues, blues, blues…”. Steve quoted Hammersmith Odeon as an example, with the Cockney Rebel crowds entering the tube still singing, but I recall the very same thing happening at Newcastle City Hall, and Reading in 74 and at a gig at Redcar Coatham Bowl. But for me the high point has to be “Sebastian”, Steve shrouded in dark gothic lighting, wringing every drop of emotion out of the epic, haunting, enigmatic ballad. Stunning and beautiful. And the mass singalong, including the full orchestra singing the “ooh la la la”s, for “Make Me Smile” took us all back to our youth. Me, I was back in the City Hall, Steve was No 1 in the charts and the atmosphere was simply electric; I thought the roof would come off.
Thanks for another great night, Steve.
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