Judas Priest Newcastle City Hall 1981
The Priest continued to spread metal mayhem across the globe, but also remained true to the home crowd, and returned for another full UK tour in 1981. The “World Wide Blitz” Tour, which was in support of their Point of Entry album, called at Newcastle City Hall on 18th November 1981, and I went along with a group of mates to marvel at our leather-clad heroes. By now tracks from British Steel were part of the set, so we were treated to classics such as Breaking the Law, and Living After Midnight, as well as old favourites Sinner, Beyond the Realms of Death and their excellent, and very dark, cover of Green Manalishi. This was classic Priest at their very best; they were now a massively successful heavy rock act, and were building up a big following in the USA and Japan.
From this tour on, Priest’s visits to the UK would become less frequent, as they started to concentrate on touring the US and other parts of the world. But for now, these guys were our metal heroes, and never failed to blow us away in concert. I can picture Rob now, commanding the stage, screaming out the vocals, flanked by KK Downing and Glen Tipton with their guitars flashing and swinging about. Great stuff! A typical setlist from the 1981 tour: Solar Angels; Heading out to the Highway; Diamonds & Rust; Hell Bent for Leather; Breaking the Law; Sinner; Beyond the Realms of Death; Grinder; Desert Plains; Hot Rockin’; You Don’t Have to Be Old to Be Wise; Victim of Changes; The Green Manalishi (With the Two Pronged Crown). Encores: Living After Midnight; Tyrant. Support in 1981 came from Accept, a German heavy metal band who played an important role in the development of speed metal.
Posts Tagged ‘pop’
15 Jun
Judas Priest Newcastle City Hall 1979 and 1980 British Steel!
Judas Priest Newcastle City Hall 1979 and 1980 British Steel!
Judas Priest continued to tour throughout 1979 to 1980, moving from the Hellbent on Leather tour to the British Steel tour. Support acts were local band White Heat in 1979, and the mighty Iron Maiden in 1980. I also have a memory of attending a show at Newcastle Mayfair around this period; I think Priest may have played two nights at the City Hall and one at the Mayfair ballroom during the British Steel tour. British Steel was the sixth lp release by Judas Priest, and moved their music from dark, operatic metal, to shorter, more accessible and commercial rock songs. 
The album reached No 4 in the UK lp charts, their highest chart entry to date, and two singles from it reached the UK singles chart. These were Living After Midnight and the great Breaking the Law. The video for Breaking the Law is still shown on TV, and is a wonderful example of an early, very tongue in cheek, heavy metal promo. Their gigs continued to be crazy metal events, and Priest were a great favourite with the Newcastle metal crowds. The set around this time also included excellent covers of Fleetwood Mac’s Green Manalishi (1979) and Spooky Tooth’s Better By You, Better Than Me (in 1978). 
A typical setlist from 1980: Hell Bent for Leather; The Ripper; Running Wild; Living After Midnight; Sinner; Beyond the Realms of Death; You Don’t Have to Be Old to Be Wise; Grinder; Victim of Changes; Steeler; Genocide; Tyrant; The Green Manalishi. The programme for the 1980 Judas Priest tour is a true heavy metal work of art in itself. The cover shows a zipped leather suited guy wearing (of course) a studded belt complete with Judas Priest buckle. 
But the real treat lies inside. The centre fold of the programme contains a pop up of the band in all their onstage metal glory.
My copy has become a tad creased over the years, but I’ve done my best to photograph and present it here. Rob is on his motorbike in his usual leather gear, and the guitarists all have their axes held aloft. You couldn’t beat it!
14 Jun
Bon Jovi Stadium of Light Sunderland 13 June 2013
Bon Jovi Stadium of Light Sunderland 13 June 2013
The Stadium of Light is doing a great job of bringing top acts to Sunderland. So far, we have seen Oasis, Kings of Leon, Take That and others all take to the stage in the stadium. Last night it was Bon Jovi’s turn to rock the Sunderland venue, and the band and crowd didn’t let each other down. I won’t pretend to be a big Bon Jovi fan; the last time I saw them live was low down the bill at Donington, as support for ZZ Top, and before that it was as support for Kiss at Newcastle City Hall. Still, you have to hand it to these guys, they do know how to put on a show. The stage set up was modelled on a massive fender of a vintage cadillac, a fitting setting for performing songs of the road and the American dream. The Sunderland crowd sang along and cheered, and the weather held out. Support came from local heroes The Futureheads. 
As I said, I can’t pretend to be a fan, Marie and I went along to check the band out and to support the Stadium in bringing rock music to Sunderland. But I must admit I was impressed by Jon Bon Jovi; his stage presence, energy and stamina. The guy is just amazing and had the crowd in the palm of his hand. Setlist: That’s What the Water Made Me; You Give Love a Bad Name; Born to Be My Baby; Raise Your Hands; Because We Can; Keep the Faith; I’ll Be There for You; It’s My Life; I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead; Lost Highway; Runaway; Raise Your Hands; Bad Medicine. Encore: In These Arms; Wanted Dead or Alive; Rockin’ All Over the World; Have a Nice Day; Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night; Livin’ on a Prayer; Always.
13 Jun
Judas Priest Newcastle City Hall October 1978
Judas Priest Newcastle City Hall October 1978
In many ways Judas Priest as the ultimate heavy metal band. When they returned to the City Hall in October 1978, their image had developed from the standard heavy rock band with flowery shirts and flares, and they we starting to become heavy metal gods. Rob Halford in particular was starting to wear more studded leather gear, with undertones of S&M, and he was using his incredible vocal range to greater effect on songs like The Ripper in which he would scream the vocals in his high pitched operatic style. I don’t remember at which point, or on which tour, Rob started to ride a motorbike on stage, but it wasn’t that long after this. 
A couple of years later Priest released British Steel, an album which in many ways defines the heavy metal genre. More than any other band I saw in concert, Priest developed from what I would class a solid rock band like many others in the mid 70s, to a top rate metal band, pushing at the boundaries and setting a standard that many others would attempt to match over the years, and to this day. This change was very evident in their live performances, which saw them graduate from clubs, through ballrooms to concert halls (and soon onward to arenas). Along the way I witnessed them deliver an excellent, and well received, performance at the Reading festival in 1975. Support for the late 1978 tour came from the multi talented Lea Hart who has been a producer, singer, songwriter, and (currently) manager (of Maiden’s Paul Di’Anno). Hart had been in Slowbone, and went on to join Fastway in the 80s.
12 Jun
Judas Priest mid 70s – 1978
Judas Priest mid 70s – 1978
Judas Priest toured a lot in the early days of their career, and played several times as Sunderland Locarno and Newcastle Mayfair. I saw some of those gigs and remember them as a pretty solid rock band. I think I saw them supporting Budgie once. This was the classic line-up of Rob Halford – vocals; K. K. Downing – guitar; Glenn Tipton – guitar; Ian Hill – bass guitar; the drummer changed a few times. Over the years you could see how these guys were developing as performers and song writers. Metal classics like The Ripper, Victim of Changes, and Sinner started to appear in the set. Rob Halford got crazier each time I saw them, and K K Downing and Glen Tipton started to perfect their guitar duels. I must mention Glen Tipton and his previous band, the Flying Hat Band. I saw that group on two occasions at Sunderland Locarno and they were simply stunning; one of the best live acts I ever saw. Tipton’s guitar playing was unbelievable; I remember standing at the front watching their entire set and being just blown away. 
By the time I saw Priest at Newcastle City Hall in February 1978, they were the quintessential pure metal band they we have all grown to love. Lots of leather and Rob was so over the top, whipping the audience, throwing bottles of beer into the crowd. I remember one night the crowd caught hold of his whip and pulled him off stage by it. I saw quite a few times over the next few years, mostly at the City Hall, and also at the Mayfair. I’ll spend a few days reflecting on the Priest. I found a track listing from a live recording of the Feb 1978 City Hall show which shows the set as: Exciter; White Heat, Red Hot; The Ripper; Savage; Sinner; Beyond The Realms Of Death; Victim Of Changes; Better By You, Better Than Me; Diamonds And Rust; Starbreaker; Tyrant
11 Jun
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Newcastle Arena 10 June 2013
Neil Young & Crazy Horse Newcastle Arena 10 June 2013 The Alchemy tour
Support: Les Lobos
Went to see Neil Young last night at Newcastle Arena. This was the first time I have seen him with Crazy Horse in 40 years, which was also the last time he played in Newcastle (at the City Hall; with the Eagles support). The place was packed, and Neil played for over two hours. Great power, passion and his voice is in excellent shape. The guy doesn’t rest on his laurels. The set was drawn from across his career, with a few old favourites, but this time there was heavy emphasis on heavy, grungie riffs with lots of jamming and drawn out solos and endings. The first four songs took up over an hour, with one song ending with what seemed like ages of feedback, and doomy dark noise. A short acoustic set featured Comes a Time and a version of Dylan’s Blowin’ in the Wind. Then it was back to the heaviest, darkest, most lumbering garage psych that Neil and the Crazy Horse guys could squeeze and wrestle from their axes. 
The visuals were pretty fun; the stage was set with a group of mega towering Fender stacks, and a massive mike. A group of mad scientists (or were they alchemists?) took to the stage in white lab coats at various points in the set. At the start Neil and Co came on stage, saluting to the National Anthem and a large Union Jack; very patriotic! And at one point we were transported back to Woodstock, complete with rain and clips from the soundtrack “get down from the towers”. By the end Neil relented and gave the crowd a few favourites: Hey Hey My My, Cinnamon Girl, and Rockin’ in the Free World. I went with Marie, Laura and David and we all had quite different views of the show. David and his mates lapped it up and thought it was great; Laura was less sure, and Marie (who was a big Neil fan years ago, but has never seen him in concert before) was a little disappointed that he didn’t play all of After the Goldrush and Harvest! Me; I’m not sure. I certainly enjoyed it. And I guess I knew he wasn’t really going to play Southern Man and Alabama. You have to admire the guy; there aren’t many from his generation who can still deliver a set so uncompromising and powerful. Setlist: Love and Only Love; Powderfinger; Psychedelic Pill; Walk Like a Giant; Hole in the Sky; Comes a Time; Blowin’ in the Wind; Singer Without a Song; Ramada Inn; Cinnamon Girl; Fuckin’ Up; Surfer Joe and Moe the Sleaze; Mr. Soul; Hey Hey, My My (Into the Black). Encore: Rockin’ in the Free World
10 Jun
Iron Maiden Newcastle City Hall 1984
Iron Maiden Newcastle City Hall 1984
The last time I saw Iron Maiden was at Newcastle City Hall in 1984. This time they played two sold out shows at the City Hall. Support came from Waysted, who were fronted by the great Pete Way, bassist and crazy guy from UFO. The tour was entitled the World Slavery Tour, and was in support their album Powerslave. As always, Maiden put on a great show, to a massive reception from the Newcastle crowd. I was right down the front, and was just blown away by the power, energy and volume of the show. 
Setlist: Intro (Winston Churchill Speech); Aces High; 2 Minutes to Midnight; The Trooper; Revelations; Flight of Icarus; Rime of the Ancient Mariner; Losfer Words (Big ‘Orra); Powerslave; The Number of the Beast; Hallowed Be Thy Name; 22 Acacia Avenue; Iron Maiden. Encore: Run to the Hills; Running Free; Sanctuary. I was surprised to learn that this was the last time I saw Maiden in concert. I could have sworn that I had seen them more recently than 29 years ago; its just frightening how time passes. It’s something that I definitely need to put right! Another one for my ever growing list of bands who I intend to see again. I had some great times at Maiden gigs, and I’d almost forgotten just how great they are.
9 Jun
Iron Maiden Newcastle City Hall 1983
Iron Maiden Newcastle City Hall World Piece Tour 1983 
1983 and Iron Maiden were now a well established and mega-successful rock band. They went out on tour again, in support of their new lp “Piece of Mind”. This was the first tour to feature drummer Nicko McBrain, who came from Trust (they had supported Maiden a couple of years before) to replace Clive Burr and has been Iron Maiden’s drummer ever since. Clive Burr left the band due to ill health and the pressure of relentless touring. Support came from Grand Prix. The tour called at Newcastle City Hall on 17th May 1983. This was another great gig with Maiden again delivering a top metal performance. 
Setlist (a bootleg exists): Where Eagles Dare; Wrathchild; The Trooper; Revelations; Flight of Icarus; Die with Your Boots On; 22 Acacia Avenue; The Number of the Beast; Still Life; To Tame a Land; Phantom of the Opera; Hallowed Be Thy Name; Iron Maiden; Run to the Hills; Sanctuary; Drifter; Prowler. Eddie told us (from the programme): “To all ‘eadbangers, hell rats, rivet heads and earthdogs,….Welcome to the shattering World Piece Tour ’83….Maiden and me hope you enjoy the gig….Keep rockin’ and have fun.” By now Run to the Hills had replaced Runnin’ Free as my favourite Maiden song. Bruce’s soaring vocals were always exceptional on that song.
8 Jun
Iron Maiden Newcastle City Hall 1982 The Beast on the Road
Iron Maiden Newcastle City Hall 1982
Support came from the Rods, an American heavy rock band.
So it was farewell to Paul Di’Anno and welcome to Bruce Dickinson on vocals. Iron Maiden released their third album “Number of the Beast” and went out on another world tour. I went along to the City Hall wondering what the new singer would be like, and how he would match up. On the night, I was totally blown away. The place was packed and the Newcastle metal hordes went crazy and just lapped it all up. Maiden burst onto that stage with renewed energy and passion, a great set of new songs, and Bruce was simply a revelation. I’d seen him before with Samson, and hadn’t been over impressed to be honest. What I saw that night was a different guy, and a truly world class heavy rock singer. With Maiden he upped his game, to reveal an amazingly strong, operatic rock voice with tremendous depth and range. And great long hair. Put this together with a class performance by the whole band, a great stage set (complete with, of course, Eddie), lots and lots of VOLUME, and songs like “Number of the Beast”, and the single “Run to the Hills”, and what I saw that night was THE best hard rock band around at the time. Maiden had everything going for them, and they knew it and were enjoying it. In 1982 the Iron Maiden line-up was Bruce Dickinson (vocals), Dave Murray (guitar), Adrian Smith (guitar), Steve Harris (bass), and Clive Burr (drums). These were to be Clive Burr’s last appearances with the band. The tour took them to all the major concert halls in the UK. They recorded their show at the Hammersmith Odeon, and it was eventually released as Beast over Hammersmith in 2002. 
The new album was a massive success; their first to reach No. 1 in the UK chart, and the single “Run to the Hills” was the band’s first top-ten UK single. The content of the album was based on some pretty heavy visual and lyrical imagery, drawing from (as usual) horror, darkness and religion. From the title track: “Woe to you oh earth and sea; For the devil sends the beast with wrath; Because he knows that time is short; Let him who hath understanding reckon the number of the beast; For it is a human number; It’s number is six hundred and sixty six”. Pretty heavy stuff. Eddie says (from the tour programme): “If you find me drunk, prop me up: if you find me sober, buy me a drink!…Hope you have a great debauched time at the gig….Keep Rocking” 🙂 Setlist: The Ides of March; Murders in the Rue Morgue; Wrathchild; Run to the Hills; Children of the Damned; The Number of the Beast; Another Life; Killers; 22 Acacia Avenue; Total Eclipse; Transylvania; The Prisoner; Hallowed Be Thy Name; Phantom of the Opera; Iron Maiden; Drifter; Sanctuary. And so the Maiden campaign for world domination rolled onward, as it has to this day. At the time I defy you to find a better, slicker, LOUDER, more complete rock band. This was probably the best time I saw Maiden; pure class.
7 Jun
Iron Maiden Killers tour Newcastle City Hall 1981
Iron Maiden Killers tour Newcastle City Hall 1981
Iron Maiden were riding the crest of a wave in 1981. They released their second album Killers, and set out on a world tour which started off in the UK and took them across Europe , to Japan and the USA. I saw them when they played at Newcastle City Hall on 7th March 1981. Support came from Trust, a French heavy metal band. By now Maiden were establishing themselves as a rock band in their own right, with an identity of their own outside of the NWOBHM movement. And a pretty impressive rock band they were too. Most of the tracks on the new album already featured in Maiden’s live set, and were already well know to the fans. Themes of horror and darkness ran through it all: Poe’s Murders in the Rue Morgue, the Phantom of the Opera, The Ides of March. 
Some heavy symbolic stuff which was right up my street, along with mascot Eddie who featured in all their graphics, on album covers, tour programmes, their backdrop, and in person at the end of their set. Great stuff. By the end of the tour Paul Di’Anno was suffering from the pressure and the use of drugs and alcohol and was dismissed by the band. His replacement was Bruce Dickenson, aka Bruce Bruce from Samson. I’d see Bruce with Samson, and rated him OK, but not in the same league as Paul Di’Anno or Maiden. How wrong I was. Bruce rose to the challenge and more. I’ll write about that tomorrow. Setlist: The Ides of March; Wrathchild; Purgatory; Sanctuary; Remember Tomorrow; Another Life; Genghis Khan; Killers; Innocent Exile; Murders in the Rue Morgue; Twilight Zone; Phantom of the Opera; Iron Maiden; Running Free; Transylvania; Drifter; Prowler
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