1972

Hawkwind & Ace support – Hastings Pier 1st September 1973

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poster supplied by Mick Mepham.   Ad supplied by Sarah Harvey

Martyn Baker… My parents banned me from going to this one…. but I went anyway, which made it all the more exciting. Maybe they’d heard about Stacia dancing semi-naked onstage?

Phil Gill talking about Ace ‘How Long’….Brilliant single “How Long”, great guitar solo, fab Paul Carrick vocal. A great song is ageless.

Phil Gill… Stacia! I met her once, she was lovely. Every band needs a shaman.

Phil Thornton… did many gigs supporting Hawkwind !! a jolly bunch and no mistake ! – prepare for the sonic attack …..

John Storer…  In 1973, this was a fairly expensive gig to go to … 99p! Remember going to the gig but was only really interested in hearing Silver Machine because I found the rest of their stuff a little … overblown. Would echo Phil Gill’s comments about Paul Carrack … may be no coincidence that he appears (and sings) on my two favourite Squeeze albums … East Side Story (the brilliant “Tempted”) and Some Fantastic Place (the excellent “Loving You Tonight”)

Gary Kinch… I was there but don’t remember much of it…..I have vague hormone driven memories of Stacia though. Ace’s How Long was always a juke box favourite for me. …..and agree I with John, Tempted is very good.

Andrew Freeman… I used to work with a guy who played bass guitar with Hawkwind, but not sure which years as they had many changes over the years.

Pete Fisher… I was there (I think!)…vaguely remember the light show (mostly strobes) and the wall of sound…and Stacia of course…probably another of those gigs where everyone sat cross-legged on the floor, apart from a couple of stand-up dancers up front, who people occasionally threw beer cans etc at!!

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Skid Row, Graham Bond & Pete Brown – Hastings Pier 10th August & 17th August 1972 & memories of Gary Moore

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supplied by Mick Mepham

Phil Gill….Gary Moore had already left by this time and Adrian Fisher had stepped in.

Gary Kinch….Was there. Good gig…….so was Stray, Stackridge and Genesis. 50p a ticket, same price as 4 pints of bitter (12p Jenny)

Martyn Baker….Also. See Genesis Live! 60p!

Chris Meachen…..I sang ‘johnny b goode’ with skid row at that gig, & was invited to join the band!

Pete Fisher….the dawn of shredding – you’d have to go to John McLaughlin to find a guitarist who could play that fast back then .I’ve been combing my scrapbooks etc from back then recently, and I was at the Skid Row gig – featuring a very young Gary Moore, I think he was actually only 18, playing amazing guitar…I was also at the Stray gig, and still have a Stray badge – they also played the Pier 25.03.72, supported by Factory! When I get time I’ll post a list for 71/72/73, and some original tickets/photos!

Yvonne Cleland…I was in the front row for the Gary Moore Band, so can confirm that one. Don’t know why, but my memory is telling me he was the support act for someone, but my memory could easily be wrong.

Terry Pack…I got to know Gary quite well when I was recording at Morgan with The Enid in 1977. He was recording with Jon Hiseman’s band, as was Don Airey. Morgan had 4 studios in the same large building, with a central space containing a bar, where we used to meet for a drink and a game of pool. Heatwave were also recording there at the time, and I beat Rod Temperton time and again at darts. Gary was very shy, and very self-conscious about the scar on his cheek, which is why he always had his hair across his face. I met him a few more times at Blues Festivals during the 80s and 90s when I was playing with Johnny Mars.  He was a fine player.

Phil Gill….The Gary Moore Band played the pier with Vinegar Joe in 1973. Vinegar Joe had Robert Palmer and Elkie Brooks, but Gary was the man for me. Steve D and I were “Entertainments Secretaries” on the college Students Union and had booked them, so we were on the pier when they sound checked. Gary Moore had just left Skid Row and was touring his Grinding Stone album, great band, two guitarist and keyboards. He sound checked by playing You Don’t Love Me from the Allman Brothers live album, playing Duane’s solos almost note for note. It couldn’t get any better – one of my favourite guitarists playing a song from my favourite album.
I had to sort out time slots and stuff with him after the sound check, and I mentioned that he’d obviously studied the Allmans’ live album. He was pleased and surprised I’d noticed the reference, and I spent a great half hour or so with him in the dressing room discussing the Allmans, Duane and guitars – common ground, we were both fans. And Skid Row; I was a fan, Roger Carey had turned me on to “34 Hours”, so we talked about that and he happily answered a lot of my questions about the band and that album. He had a Gibson SG that night and I asked what had happened to his Les Paul from Skid Row – stolen, he said, but he really liked his replacement SG, then handed it to me…“Here you go – try it out and see what you think….”.  I was 17, he was 21. He could’ve just told me to clear off, but instead he gave me something to remember. He just loved talking music and sharing time with another young player to talk guitars. What a gent, what a memory.

Andy Clarke… And what was at No 2, Queens Rd?

Mark Hardwick… see Genesis for 60p…not bad

Lucy Pappas… I think I would have been at all the gigs on the poster. Shame I don’t remember them all. Phil, you mentioned Vinegar Joe. I definitely missed that one but I do remember being told that Elkie Brookes boob had fallen out of her frock! Shock horror in Hastings!

Roger Carey… I have this Skid Row pier related flyer too , it was indeed as Phil says Adrian Fisher (who subsequently played for Sparks) on guitar. Brush Shiels was leader on vocals and bass (an innovative player who was playing a lot of chord rhythm stuff that night. Possibly an ex ‘Taste’ guy John? on drums. The Skid gig was summer 1972… Gary Moore’s new band played early 1973 supporting Vinegar Joe.. He joined Thin Lizzy temporarily in 1974 – (have a great radio session of that line up on tape)-then formed Colosseum 11 with Jon Hiseman. I recommended the extended re release CD of their first album “Strange New Flesh “- an overlooked gem of highly crafted rock- bass players check out Neil Murray’s work on this album… Saw this line up at the Marquee 1976… could go on and on about Gary Moore and his musical quests- in my opinion one of the greatest rock guitarists- equal in overall stature to anyone we could discuss… I supported Allan Holdsworth at the White Rock gig in 2010 (with Andy Williams and Simon Page as “Engine clutch gearbox “)- it was in the White Rock bar later that Gary M took my place with Allan H to have a chat- I was more than happy to facilitate!

Tony Court-holmes… think i was there

 

Arthur Brown’s Kingdom Come 24th Nov & Budgie 6th Dec 1972 – Hastings Pier

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poster & tickets supplied by Mick Mepham 

John Storer…..Was at both these gigs – remember a ship floating across the stage at some point during the Arthur Brown gig – only a small one, mind! May have been where Spinal Tap got the idea for their pyramids 🙂

Phil Gill….Arthur Brown was awesome. He sat there behind that Bentley Ace analogue drum machine and scared the shit out of me right from the first song, “Time Captives”. I loved it.

Philip Thornton….agreed ! – the heart beat at the start went on for ages and then started speeding up !! class ! Mr Brown is a top class guy ! – and yes he has still got it big time ! – check out his performance on ‘Pollen’ by Mandragora if you get the chance !!

Mick Mepham….Ace track! He still has the voice too ……. and to start with, he was a soul singer ……

Philip Meston….Love the album ‘Journey’ from Kingdom Come, it’s an absolute classic!

Mick O’Dowd….First saw Arthur at Pilot Field Hastings in 67 with Kinks, Dave Dee, Geno Washington etc. Must have been a couple of weeks before he caught Fire!

Eric Cawthraw… I was with my old mate John Storer for both the Arthur Brown and Budgie gigs – so fond memories. The thing about the ship floating along the back of the stage – it was quite bizarre and theatrically it looked very Edwardian. There were long boards going right across, painted and shaped like waves and these were pulled back and forth to give a moving ocean effect. The ship was placed among them and rocking to and fro! We were definitely in a non computer age for graphic scenery!

Chris Meachen… Had to prevent the bouncers chucking Arthur off the pier.. He might have ‘over medicated’ & was looning about in the amusement arcade being strange….

Robert Searle… aw Arthur at the Saville Theatre supporting Jimi Hendrix with Carl Palmer on drums

Tony Court-holmes… saw Budgie a couple of times

Stan Atkinson… Certainly a character, was an interesting evening. Budgie were a brilliant band saw them several times on the pier and they were always excellent

Pete Houghton… What a great times for Both Band’s The first time i saw Arthur Brown we all had to sit on chairs and the second time we all stood around and both times i got the band to sign something And Budgie signed something for me

Dave Weeks… Always loved a Budgie gig.

Tracey Birrell… I remember it well. Also when he sang Fire he set his head alight and walked around. Elf and Safety wouldn’t allow that now!

 

Genesis & Budgie – Hastings Pier 2nd June 1972 and Budgie 30th June 1972

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ticket supplied by Roger Carey    poster supplied by Iain Cobby  ad Sarah Harvey

Mick Knights….This was the first time I saw Genesis and as I said in my first post with this group, I remember Gabriel standing behind two antenia like spot lights looking menecing. The last time I saw them was the penultimate concert before Gabriel’s departure, at Wembly arena, where they did the Lamb. The last concert I went to this year was Steve Hackett at the Albert Hall, which was two and three quarter hours of pure nostaiga.

Pete Fisher….back in the days when it was cool to sit cross-legged on the floor at concerts…also still have the ticket!

Glenn Piper….I remember this gig (I know, I know, but it’s true, I do) Peter Gabriel wearing his flower costume etc

Tim Bruce….”Wheres my time machine?…”

Barry M Dyke….I was there with my then girlfriend (now my wife of 40 years), Gill. We both agree that Genesis were nowhere near as good as Budgie. Wasn’t Simon Davies, AKA Tony Kane, doing the disco?

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Bob Marley’s first gig in the UK 1972 was at De La Warr Pavilion Bexhill by Mike Curtis.

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live in concert in Dalymount Park on 6 July 1980. source: Eddie Mallin

cutting Bexhill Observer 8th July 1972 source: Bexhill Museum https://twitter.com/bexhillmuseum/status/601049135161171968

Mike Curtis… A bit of local music history.
1. Bob Marley and the Wailers’ first ever UK gig was at the De La Warr Pavilion.
2. Paul Simon played DLWP 30/8/1965, with Shirley Collins.
3. Paul also played at The New Inn in Sidley at around the same time.
4. Paul Robeson played at DLWP, pronouncing it to be be the best venue, acoustically, he had ever played.

Anyone lucky enough to go to any of these gigs?

Yvonne Cleland… I thought Bob Marley and the Wailers’ first ever UK gig was in Nottingham. When are you claiming they played the DLWP? Do you have any documentary or pictorial evidence please? Oh no, hang on, he toured as support for Johnny Nash first, with Wailers as backing band. Spring-Summer 1972. However, did 2 shows at Bexhill and Bexleyheath without Johnny Nash (I think). All info gratefully received plus any documentary evidence. This needs to be in Bexhill Museum archives!

Yvonne Cleland… The first ever Bob Marley gig in the UK – at the DLWP: Found out more from an old newspaper at Bexhill Museum. On the bill were:- Bob Marley and the Wailers, The Equals and Johnny Nash. It was a charity event.

John Gale… I had no idea about this, 2 Legends there.

Pete Shoesmith… I went to the concert at Bexhill, I was 16.

Kevin White… Never knew that

Andy Gunton… I’d heard about that gig many times, but that’s the first time I’ve seen that press cutting. Great stuff.

Yvonne Cleland… Andy, the museum has the cutting.

Graham Belchamber… Fabulous.

Pete Houghton… I remember going to See Bob Marley along with Johnny Nash I was 18 had a great time Got their Autographs but I have lost them over the year’s with regret

Ian Johnson… Wow I didn’t know that

Gary Lancaster… So I am from Rye and I went to school with a chap called Jamie Tiltman. Jamie, now lives in Bexhill. As it happens, the very white Tiltman family are directly related to Bob Marley. So probably without realising it, he played in his own county. He’s got Sussex roots…. And I’m not joking, you can look this up.

Leigh Wieland-Boys… I went to that concert to see Johnny Nash, didn’t know who Bob Marley was at the time, I was 16

Alan Esdaile… They did show a programme on Bob Marley a while ago, on his first visit. It showed that he played a school in London with Johnny Nash but still looks like the first proper gig here was Bexhill?

Michael Wilson… I remember watching a Paul Simon’s documentary on tv. And there was a folk concert at the De La warr in the early 1960s .He was bottom of the bill on the poster.

Jane Dorsett… Leigh, we went together, I was 15.lol.xx