Genesis, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Rolling Stones, Empire Pool Wembley, Stackridge, New Years Eve gig at The Marquee Club 10cc Hammersmith Odeon Free, Royal Albert Hall (farewell gig)
All between 1972 and 1974.
Much preferred smaller venues (still do) especially the Marquee in Wardour Street. Sadly managed to miss so many future star names there (Queen, Genesis, Yes, Status Quo to name but a few) though I think I saw Judas Priest as a support band to Wild Turkey once!
Radiohead, Cardiff International Arena Deep Purple, Margate Dreamland Ballroom Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Lewisham Odeon Ramones, Rainbow Finsbury Park Blur, Cardiff International Arena
These days go to small venue gigs, which I much prefer nowadays.
These are all a good shout. Locally I would add Bowie at Lewisham Odeon and Status Quo at Goldsmiths College. One from left field: The Sensational Alex Harvey Band somewhere in Croydon back in the day when I didn't know where I was half the time....
Janes Addiction Barrowlands about 88 Manics/pogues Clapham Grand about 95 Nine inch Nails Astoria around 91' hateful band, but great gig Metallica/anthrax Edinburgh playhouse about 84 Beastie Boys - Barrowlands 1986. The boys challenged Glasgow to a fight, did not go well
These are all a good shout. Locally I would add Bowie at Lewisham Odeon and Status Quo at Goldsmiths College. One from left field: The Sensational Alex Harvey Band somewhere in Croydon back in the day when I didn't know where I was half the time....
Maybe the Fairfield - I saw them there around 74 or 75.
Genesis, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Rolling Stones, Empire Pool Wembley, Stackridge, New Years Eve gig at The Marquee Club 10cc Hammersmith Odeon Free, Royal Albert Hall (farewell gig)
All between 1972 and 1974.
Much preferred smaller venues (still do) especially the Marquee in Wardour Street. Sadly managed to miss so many future star names there (Queen, Genesis, Yes, Status Quo to name but a few) though I think I saw Judas Priest as a support band to Wild Turkey once!
Great stuff, Bangkok - I used to enjoy gigs at the Marquee, a black-painted cave in Wardour Street crammed with 500 standing punters and sweat dripping down the walls. Saw U2 there in July 1980, when they were starting out - but much preferred Camel and Caravan!
Genesis, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Rolling Stones, Empire Pool Wembley, Stackridge, New Years Eve gig at The Marquee Club 10cc Hammersmith Odeon Free, Royal Albert Hall (farewell gig)
All between 1972 and 1974.
Much preferred smaller venues (still do) especially the Marquee in Wardour Street. Sadly managed to miss so many future star names there (Queen, Genesis, Yes, Status Quo to name but a few) though I think I saw Judas Priest as a support band to Wild Turkey once!
I saw Camel there as well. A confusing band as there were two Camels at the time, Great stuff, Bangkok - I used to enjoy gigs at the Marquee, a black-painted cave in Wardour Street crammed with 500 standing punters and sweat dripping down the walls. Saw U2 there in July 1980, when they were starting out - but much preferred Camel and Caravan!
I saw Camel there as well. First band I saw there was Nazareth. After that I was an almost weekly visitor. Great music and generally dirt cheap. Have a look at this link for some real Marquee nostalgia and see who you might have seen. http://www.themarqueeclub.net/calendar
Genesis, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Rolling Stones, Empire Pool Wembley, Stackridge, New Years Eve gig at The Marquee Club 10cc Hammersmith Odeon Free, Royal Albert Hall (farewell gig)
All between 1972 and 1974.
Much preferred smaller venues (still do) especially the Marquee in Wardour Street. Sadly managed to miss so many future star names there (Queen, Genesis, Yes, Status Quo to name but a few) though I think I saw Judas Priest as a support band to Wild Turkey once!
I saw Camel there as well. A confusing band as there were two Camels at the time, Great stuff, Bangkok - I used to enjoy gigs at the Marquee, a black-painted cave in Wardour Street crammed with 500 standing punters and sweat dripping down the walls. Saw U2 there in July 1980, when they were starting out - but much preferred Camel and Caravan!
I saw Camel there as well. First band I saw there was Nazareth. After that I was an almost weekly visitor. Great music and generally dirt cheap. Have a look at this link for some real Marquee nostalgia and see who you might have seen. http://www.themarqueeclub.net/calendar
Thanks for the fascinating link. I've seen much of the Calendar of Gigs in an excellent book, 'London Live' by Tony Bacon, and will enjoy the rest of the Marquee website this evening. I played there a couple of times myself, drummer in Dogwatch (no, you won't have heard of us!), Saturday nights in the late 1970s. Fantastic.
Genesis, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Rolling Stones, Empire Pool Wembley, Stackridge, New Years Eve gig at The Marquee Club 10cc Hammersmith Odeon Free, Royal Albert Hall (farewell gig)
All between 1972 and 1974.
Much preferred smaller venues (still do) especially the Marquee in Wardour Street. Sadly managed to miss so many future star names there (Queen, Genesis, Yes, Status Quo to name but a few) though I think I saw Judas Priest as a support band to Wild Turkey once!
Great stuff, Bangkok - I used to enjoy gigs at the Marquee, a black-painted cave in Wardour Street crammed with 500 standing punters and sweat dripping down the walls. Saw U2 there in July 1980, when they were starting out - but much preferred Camel and Caravan!
I worked behind the bar at the Marquee in the summer if '77 so I got to see quite a lot of bands. Most we're instantly forgettable but X-Ray Spex (silly but good fun) and The Heavy Metal Kids (poor) stick in the memory.
As for sweat dripping down the walls, at The Ramones at the Electric Ballroom, the sweat was raining down from the ceiling.
David Bowie - Hammersmith Odeon 2nd July 1973 The night before the famous Ziggy retirement gig. This gig was also filmed by Pennebaker who combined the footage from booth gigs for his film. Genesis - Drury Lane Jan 1974 Concert previewing 'Selling England by the Pound'. They played Suppers Ready - marvellous. Infamous for being the first time that Phil Collins took lead vocals on a song called 'More Fool Me' (this was the period when Peter Gabriel was lead singer.) I recall Collins looked self conscious and awkward in a blue boiler suit (maybe my memory plays tricks?) Lou Reed - New Victoria Theatre - April 1977 I shall never forget this gig (BTW I was at the valley for Lou and have seen him in total six times but this was the best) because of the opening song, Sweet Jane. The version played was the extended guitar instrumental introduction version (which is on the Rock'n'Roll Animal live album). Two guitarists appeared on stage in front of the curtain and started on the 'intro'. Everyone was a little concerned because Lou was much more hip that this - what the hell was going on??? Suddenly after seven or eight minutes of heavy guitar solo stuff the curtain slides open and the familiar very loud bass riff starts - everyone went absolutely apeshit. The Clash - Lyceum - Dec 1978 Stunning concert. Energy and ferocity was incredible - breathtaking concert. Bruce Springsteen - Wembley Empire Pool - May/June 1981 The River tour (before Born in the Bloody USA was even released.) Went on two nights (he played six consecutive nights) but can't remember which ones (might have tickets in loft?) Astounded by the quality, effort and integrity of his set. People who think he's just a flag waving Yankee boy are really missing out - he's one of the best songwriters around.
It was difficult to narrow it down to 5 but I managed it.
Interested to hear reminisces about The Marquee in Wardour Street. I was a regular. My cousin's boyfriend (Ian Flemming) was one of the two regular DJs and I was invariably on the guest list. I'd often do his set while he went of 'ligging' with someone or other. The decks were in a tiny booth, accessed from the rear of the bar next to the bands changing room. The booth would have been on the left hand side up the front as you faced the stage. I was very lucky to have seen hundreds of bands there. I also remember the Manager, a German by the name of Ouli and one of the then owners (a bit of a nonce) named Jack. Couldn't get a ticket for the 1980 Floor Show at the Marquee with Bowie in October 1973 but my cousin and Ian were there and I was absolutely jealous. I probably went there often from 1973-1980.
Does this trigger any Marquee memories with you Guys??
Interested to hear reminisces about The Marquee in Wardour Street. I was a regular. My cousin's boyfriend (Ian Flemming) was one of the two regular DJs and I was invariably on the guest list. I'd often do his set while he went of 'ligging' with someone or other. The decks were in a tiny booth, accessed from the rear of the bar next to the bands changing room. The booth would have been on the left hand side up the front as you faced the stage. I was very lucky to have seen hundreds of bands there. I also remember the Manager, a German by the name of Ouli and one of the then owners (a bit of a nonce) named Jack. Couldn't get a ticket for the 1980 Floor Show at the Marquee with Bowie in October 1973 but my cousin and Ian were there and I was absolutely jealous. I probably went there often from 1973-1980.
Does this trigger any Marquee memories with you Guys??
Other than Ian Fleming, regular DJs working from that tiny booth at the Marquee in the 1970s were Jerry Floyd and Andy Dunkley. As a punter, one of the thrills of being close to the stage at the Marquee and other small venues was hearing the instruments through the backline, rather than through the PA. There was no house PA system at the Marquee; bands used their own. Even when bass bins were commonplace in the early 1970s, Caravan were still using Wem columns, which weren't really powerful enough.
The place to lig before the show wasn't the Marquee bar, nor the Intrepid Fox, over the road. It was the Ship - a Fuller's pub, and still thriving - a little way north along Wardour Street: many of the bands themselves drank there. The building housing the Marquee has been converted to loft apartments, and there's a blue plaque on the façade proclaiming that Keith Moon drummed here.
Remember the fascinating link supplied by Bangkokaddick above - www.themarqueeclub.net
Thanks Viewfinder. You are absolutely correct. I remember Jerry Floyd in all honesty he was probably the senior DJ who got most of the good gigs. I certainly also remember Andy Dunkley but I don't think he was as regular? Jerry might play 3-4 nights a week and Ian would play 2-3. By the way Ian celebrated his 60th Birthday in Edinburgh last December. I was invited to attend a party to celebrate but had to withdraw as my Mum passed away shortly before. Ian's theme (the first tune played each session) was 'Free Four' by Pink Floyd - do you recall? Ian would play this, say something brief but profound and then leave me in the booth to play the remainder of the set. I am three years younger than Ian which is irrelevant now but was a world away in those heady days. One abiding memory of Ian is his continual introduction of Ultravox (John Foxx days) as Ultrapox. They didn't like it and used to get a little upset but Ian would smile and deny everything. Very funny - particularly as they were regulars in the laste1970's. Thanks for providing the link to the Marquee memorabilia site - very interesting. I'll pass this on to Ian and try and persuade him to contribute. I must also apologise for earlier suggesting that I attended from 1973 onwards. Having thought about it this is incorrect - I probably started in 1974-1975 but can't be certain of the exact time.
David Bowie - Hammersmith Odeon 2nd July 1973 The night before the famous Ziggy retirement gig. This gig was also filmed by Pennebaker who combined the footage from booth gigs for his film. Genesis - Drury Lane Jan 1974 Concert previewing 'Selling England by the Pound'. They played Suppers Ready - marvellous. Infamous for being the first time that Phil Collins took lead vocals on a song called 'More Fool Me' (this was the period when Peter Gabriel was lead singer.) I recall Collins looked self conscious and awkward in a blue boiler suit (maybe my memory plays tricks?) Lou Reed - New Victoria Theatre - April 1977 I shall never forget this gig (BTW I was at the valley for Lou and have seen him in total six times but this was the best) because of the opening song, Sweet Jane. The version played was the extended guitar instrumental introduction version (which is on the Rock'n'Roll Animal live album). Two guitarists appeared on stage in front of the curtain and started on the 'intro'. Everyone was a little concerned because Lou was much more hip that this - what the hell was going on??? Suddenly after seven or eight minutes of heavy guitar solo stuff the curtain slides open and the familiar very loud bass riff starts - everyone went absolutely apeshit. The Clash - Lyceum - Dec 1978 Stunning concert. Energy and ferocity was incredible - breathtaking concert. Bruce Springsteen - Wembley Empire Pool - May/June 1981 The River tour (before Born in the Bloody USA was even released.) Went on two nights (he played six consecutive nights) but can't remember which ones (might have tickets in loft?) Astounded by the quality, effort and integrity of his set. People who think he's just a flag waving Yankee boy are really missing out - he's one of the best songwriters around.
It was difficult to narrow it down to 5 but I managed it.
Interested to hear reminisces about The Marquee in Wardour Street. I was a regular. My cousin's boyfriend (Ian Flemming) was one of the two regular DJs and I was invariably on the guest list. I'd often do his set while he went of 'ligging' with someone or other. The decks were in a tiny booth, accessed from the rear of the bar next to the bands changing room. The booth would have been on the left hand side up the front as you faced the stage. I was very lucky to have seen hundreds of bands there. I also remember the Manager, a German by the name of Ouli and one of the then owners (a bit of a nonce) named Jack. Couldn't get a ticket for the 1980 Floor Show at the Marquee with Bowie in October 1973 but my cousin and Ian were there and I was absolutely jealous. I probably went there often from 1973-1980.
Does this trigger any Marquee memories with you Guys??
I remember Ouli. He was always a decent chap. The night The Who played Reading and nearly all the bar staff buggered off to see them on their staff passes, it left two of us to run the two bars. You can imagine how hectic that was. Ouli didn't go so far as to sully his hands and help out behind the bar but he did pay us double wages for being the only two to turn up.
Prince 02 (about night 10 of 21) 2007 The Undertones Malvern Winter Gardens 1981 The Ramones Bournemouth Stateside 1980 The Clash Brixton Academy 1982 Thin Lizzy Southampton Gaumont Guildhall 1980
This suggests I should have stopped going to gigs in about 1982
All overtaken by the gig equivalent of Charlton v Sunderland at Wembley - Prince at the Roundhouse - tonight I'm going party like it's 1998
Thanks Viewfinder. You are absolutely correct. I remember Jerry Floyd in all honesty he was probably the senior DJ who got most of the good gigs. I certainly also remember Andy Dunkley but I don't think he was as regular? Jerry might play 3-4 nights a week and Ian would play 2-3. By the way Ian celebrated his 60th Birthday in Edinburgh last December. I was invited to attend a party to celebrate but had to withdraw as my Mum passed away shortly before. Ian's theme (the first tune played each session) was 'Free Four' by Pink Floyd - do you recall? Ian would play this, say something brief but profound and then leave me in the booth to play the remainder of the set. I am three years younger than Ian which is irrelevant now but was a world away in those heady days. One abiding memory of Ian is his continual introduction of Ultravox (John Foxx days) as Ultrapox. They didn't like it and used to get a little upset but Ian would smile and deny everything. Very funny - particularly as they were regulars in the laste1970's. Thanks for providing the link to the Marquee memorabilia site - very interesting. I'll pass this on to Ian and try and persuade him to contribute. I must also apologise for earlier suggesting that I attended from 1973 onwards. Having thought about it this is incorrect - I probably started in 1974-1975 but can't be certain of the exact time.
Saw Ultravox at the Marquee December 1978 Boxing Day, was a Fantastic gig. Remember DJ Mandy would DJ from the booth on a Sunday night and I would pop round and have a chat with her and put a request in, saw so many good gigs at the Marquee, such a shame that a venue like this is no longer. Another DJ Worth a mention who was also very good during the 70's was Del Stevens but he was usually playing Heneky's in Bromley amongst other fine establishments.
Heck, this is difficult. I am sure I would come up with a different top 5 next week.....
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - small venue in Chicago + Marquee (when they were the 'a mystery band') Bruce Springsteen - Wembley Arena (front row) - I'm not really a big Bruce fan either Genesis (still with Gabriel, of course) - Rainbow - 1970-something Nils Lofgren - Liverpool (front row again) Roger Waters - O2, Dublin Youssou N'Dour - Melbourne, Indigo2 and the rather sterile Barbican Theatre Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Jakarta
Comments
Rolling Stones, Empire Pool Wembley,
Stackridge, New Years Eve gig at The Marquee Club
10cc Hammersmith Odeon
Free, Royal Albert Hall (farewell gig)
All between 1972 and 1974.
Much preferred smaller venues (still do) especially the Marquee in Wardour Street. Sadly managed to miss so many future star names there (Queen, Genesis, Yes, Status Quo to name but a few) though I think I saw Judas Priest as a support band to Wild Turkey once!
Deep Purple, Margate Dreamland Ballroom
Ian Dury & The Blockheads, Lewisham Odeon
Ramones, Rainbow Finsbury Park
Blur, Cardiff International Arena
These days go to small venue gigs, which I much prefer nowadays.
Stranglers. Folkestone. 1987
Squeeze. Newcastle Poly 1990
Offspring. Barcelona. 1997
Ultravox. Hammersmith. 1984 - my first gig
These are all a good shout. Locally I would add Bowie at Lewisham Odeon and Status Quo at Goldsmiths College. One from left field: The Sensational Alex Harvey Band somewhere in Croydon back in the day when I didn't know where I was half the time....
Manics/pogues Clapham Grand about 95
Nine inch Nails Astoria around 91' hateful band, but great gig
Metallica/anthrax Edinburgh playhouse about 84
Beastie Boys - Barrowlands 1986. The boys challenged Glasgow to a fight, did not go well
Lloyd Cole and the commotions, and Slade (an xmas ball) were great
http://www.themarqueeclub.net/calendar
As for sweat dripping down the walls, at The Ramones at the Electric Ballroom, the sweat was raining down from the ceiling.
The night before the famous Ziggy retirement gig. This gig was also filmed by Pennebaker who combined the footage from booth gigs for his film.
Genesis - Drury Lane Jan 1974
Concert previewing 'Selling England by the Pound'. They played Suppers Ready - marvellous. Infamous for being the first time that Phil Collins took lead vocals on a song called 'More Fool Me' (this was the period when Peter Gabriel was lead singer.) I recall Collins looked self conscious and awkward in a blue boiler suit (maybe my memory plays tricks?)
Lou Reed - New Victoria Theatre - April 1977
I shall never forget this gig (BTW I was at the valley for Lou and have seen him in total six times but this was the best) because of the opening song, Sweet Jane. The version played was the extended guitar instrumental introduction version (which is on the Rock'n'Roll Animal live album). Two guitarists appeared on stage in front of the curtain and started on the 'intro'. Everyone was a little concerned because Lou was much more hip that this - what the hell was going on??? Suddenly after seven or eight minutes of heavy guitar solo stuff the curtain slides open and the familiar very loud bass riff starts - everyone went absolutely apeshit.
The Clash - Lyceum - Dec 1978
Stunning concert. Energy and ferocity was incredible - breathtaking concert.
Bruce Springsteen - Wembley Empire Pool - May/June 1981
The River tour (before Born in the Bloody USA was even released.) Went on two nights (he played six consecutive nights) but can't remember which ones (might have tickets in loft?) Astounded by the quality, effort and integrity of his set. People who think he's just a flag waving Yankee boy are really missing out - he's one of the best songwriters around.
It was difficult to narrow it down to 5 but I managed it.
Interested to hear reminisces about The Marquee in Wardour Street. I was a regular. My cousin's boyfriend (Ian Flemming) was one of the two regular DJs and I was invariably on the guest list. I'd often do his set while he went of 'ligging' with someone or other. The decks were in a tiny booth, accessed from the rear of the bar next to the bands changing room. The booth would have been on the left hand side up the front as you faced the stage. I was very lucky to have seen hundreds of bands there. I also remember the Manager, a German by the name of Ouli and one of the then owners (a bit of a nonce) named Jack. Couldn't get a ticket for the 1980 Floor Show at the Marquee with Bowie in October 1973 but my cousin and Ian were there and I was absolutely jealous. I probably went there often from 1973-1980.
Does this trigger any Marquee memories with you Guys??
The place to lig before the show wasn't the Marquee bar, nor the Intrepid Fox, over the road. It was the Ship - a Fuller's pub, and still thriving - a little way north along Wardour Street: many of the bands themselves drank there. The building housing the Marquee has been converted to loft apartments, and there's a blue plaque on the façade proclaiming that Keith Moon drummed here.
Remember the fascinating link supplied by Bangkokaddick above - www.themarqueeclub.net
Thanks for providing the link to the Marquee memorabilia site - very interesting. I'll pass this on to Ian and try and persuade him to contribute.
I must also apologise for earlier suggesting that I attended from 1973 onwards. Having thought about it this is incorrect - I probably started in 1974-1975 but can't be certain of the exact time.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - small venue in Chicago + Marquee (when they were the 'a mystery band')
Bruce Springsteen - Wembley Arena (front row) - I'm not really a big Bruce fan either
Genesis (still with Gabriel, of course) - Rainbow - 1970-something
Nils Lofgren - Liverpool (front row again)
Roger Waters - O2, Dublin
Youssou N'Dour - Melbourne, Indigo2 and the rather sterile Barbican Theatre
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Jakarta
Hmm, that's seven - I did my best.
Have a DVD too, cannot remember the venue where it was filmed.