Backstage at Live Aid, the first Knebworth and bands that don’t get on
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Published 2024-07-17
… the “bucolic frolic” at Knebworth 50 years ago as seen from 100 yards away just past the burger van and featuring Tim Buckley, Alex Harvey, the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Van Morrison, the Doobie Brothers and the Allman Brothers Band. And a stark naked Jesus.
… when did the Age of Spectacle begin?
… how Two-Way Family Favourites helped start Live Aid.
… Waters v Gilmour, a feud way beyond candour and honesty.
… the moment Van Morrison first became ‘Captain Letdown’.
… memories of Wembley Stadium on July 13 1985 – Status Quo, U2, the non-appearance of Cat Stevens, the planned link with Ian Botham at Trent Bridge and swapping Tony Hancock lines with a man on Concorde.
... the three stages of rock and roll.
… life before mobile phones.
… The Revenant and Zone Of Interest, films that feel like the past without trying to make the past look cool.
… “the older I get, the older I wanna get”.
… Joni Mitchell and why we love an old curmudgeon.
… and birthday guest Andrew Stocks wonders why some bands can’t bury the hatchet.
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All Comments (10)
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Self-deprecation of both David and Mark re: Live Aid. They were at the epicentre of UK broadcasting that day and were magnificent.
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Saw the Stones at Knebworth c 1975/6. They didn't come in until 2 am in the morning, after 10CC delayed things. I was, unusually, right at the front on the barriers, though certainly hadn't spent the day there, but a woman I met gave me a little pick me up! Thought they were great anyway. Used to see Jesus , clothed, regularly at the Marquee, and other pub rock venues, he worked as an office cleaner. I heard that punks beat him up. The live music scene has certainly changed, great discussion as always, thanks.
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Nearly 40 years on I am still trying to get over the sheer hell that was Deep Purple at Knebworth in 1985, otherwise known as the rock Somme. Torrential rain, some of the worst support acts imaginable and then Ritchie Blackmore in wellington boots.
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Cat Steven's was on The Bill??? Playing Detective Inspector Stevens, I assume.
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I've got a mixing desk tape of Tim Hardin's set at Knebworth, first two songs are acoustic then the band joins in and he switches to electric.
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pinpointing the day when.... Captain Letdown. I think im only tuning in because David's exhortations to future Patreons is nearly pentecostal. You know, it might work
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Loved this! Thanks guys. FYI my favourite 1 day UK fests are Knebworth 1979 Led Zeppelin & Bob Dylan's Picnic 1978. Worst was 1986 Knebworth - Queen, yep the audience were treated so badly worse than a bad Millwall home football match. Message me if you want more details.
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Give Adam Ant a break at Live Aid. He only got to play one song as opposed to Nik Kershaw singing four an hour later. No one talks about Nik’s performance.
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Ten minutes plus talking about Live Aid with not a word about how it was set up to raise funds for famine relief is a poor show guys
