I was a spotty 17 year old and attended the Scottish leg which was held at Celtic Park. The line up inc Little Feat, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band and Widowmaker. I missed most of The Who set as I had to catch a train home but was so pleased to see Keith Moon in action.
Couldn’t agree more about Led Zeppelin and Clapton, forever a racist for me; drunken or not.
ELP were on my horizon while at school in the mid-70s but they were an lp band, like the tedious Floyd, and I was besotted with glam, Bowie and Roxy, and all the rest of the singles bands.
Which is why punk completely floored me; for its greatest medium was the 45. Closely followed by live performances in tiny venues. In the dark. Hot. Sweaty. And palpably real.
Unlike today’s extortionate stadium gigs, which seem to have been prototyped by those Who gigs at the Valley…ha-ha!
That is quite a musical journey. So interesting. I can't honestly say that I have ever listened to that much ELP, but I am totally behind the authenticity and what connects with you. I loved this. The opening few paragraphs are so atmospheric as well; thanks.
such a great essay. I was there the previous year when the sun broiled us, but the bathrooms were still disgusting. There was a lot of peace and love in 1974, at least where I was with my friends, sitting on grass. No bottles thrown, it was very relaxed. The ticket price was a mere £2.50. I wonder how much weather has to do with all this? Maybe the following year they just wanted to repeat the success of 74 and things had changed by then? Who knows, but as a non musician I have nothing but good memories. I was there to have a good time, and I did.
Thank you Rosalind, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. I remember the Knebworth concerts in 74 and 75 as peaceful affairs, and very enjoyable too. But Charlton really felt like some sort of pivot point. I had to edit out the horrible experience of leaving the stadium with poor policing, overcrowded transport and quite frightening congestion in the streets around the stadium. Ten years ago I met Paul Barrere of Little Feat. In his memory it was even more scary for the performers than the audience!
I remember when we all left the stadium, it was as if we left as one. Very frightening. I lost everything I was holding and the only reason I didn't fall down was my rather tall boyfriend who kept me up. Very scary as you say. And the traffic? Dreadful. But the good things outweigh the bad things...
I was at that Charlton gig. I mostly remember the queue for the toilets. And the lasers. Neither of which were very rock'n'roll.
Lasers! I’d totally forgotten! Still remember the toilets though!
I was a spotty 17 year old and attended the Scottish leg which was held at Celtic Park. The line up inc Little Feat, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band and Widowmaker. I missed most of The Who set as I had to catch a train home but was so pleased to see Keith Moon in action.
Couldn’t agree more about Led Zeppelin and Clapton, forever a racist for me; drunken or not.
ELP were on my horizon while at school in the mid-70s but they were an lp band, like the tedious Floyd, and I was besotted with glam, Bowie and Roxy, and all the rest of the singles bands.
Which is why punk completely floored me; for its greatest medium was the 45. Closely followed by live performances in tiny venues. In the dark. Hot. Sweaty. And palpably real.
Unlike today’s extortionate stadium gigs, which seem to have been prototyped by those Who gigs at the Valley…ha-ha!
Lovely essay, Mike!
Thank you Mark. Really appreciate your comments. I too was a massive fan of Bowie Roxy and Bolan. Also punk.
That is quite a musical journey. So interesting. I can't honestly say that I have ever listened to that much ELP, but I am totally behind the authenticity and what connects with you. I loved this. The opening few paragraphs are so atmospheric as well; thanks.
As always, many thanks for enjoying my writing and finding your own interest in it. Great how we all support each other here.
such a great essay. I was there the previous year when the sun broiled us, but the bathrooms were still disgusting. There was a lot of peace and love in 1974, at least where I was with my friends, sitting on grass. No bottles thrown, it was very relaxed. The ticket price was a mere £2.50. I wonder how much weather has to do with all this? Maybe the following year they just wanted to repeat the success of 74 and things had changed by then? Who knows, but as a non musician I have nothing but good memories. I was there to have a good time, and I did.
Thank you Rosalind, I'm pleased that you enjoyed it. I remember the Knebworth concerts in 74 and 75 as peaceful affairs, and very enjoyable too. But Charlton really felt like some sort of pivot point. I had to edit out the horrible experience of leaving the stadium with poor policing, overcrowded transport and quite frightening congestion in the streets around the stadium. Ten years ago I met Paul Barrere of Little Feat. In his memory it was even more scary for the performers than the audience!
I remember when we all left the stadium, it was as if we left as one. Very frightening. I lost everything I was holding and the only reason I didn't fall down was my rather tall boyfriend who kept me up. Very scary as you say. And the traffic? Dreadful. But the good things outweigh the bad things...