The Afterword

Stan Deely on 12 Bowie Albums in 12 Months – Earthling

Picture the scene. Young Stan aged 14 is at his first festival – Reading 1978, hanging out with his older sister and her 18 year old post A level mates. Friday saw a new wave smorgasbord – Radio Stars, Penetration, Sham 69, the Pirates, Ultravox and the Jam – pretty impressive stuff. Saturday is quite different. The bill is much more old wave. I think Greg Kihn, Foreigner, the Motors headlined by Status Quo.

Lunchtime is spent out of the festival at a riverside pub and Stan has a pint or two. After this it gets a bit hazy. I don’t think vomiting ensued but there was certainly drunkeness and some stupid behaviour involving chucking shoes into the said river followed by a long nap.

Coming around later that evening Stan makes his way back into the festival not long before Status Quo are due on. It’s really exciting. The Quo Army are in the area. A low pitched “Quo – wow – wow” is the chant. Possibly dry ice before they hit the stage.

The heroes come on. They are loud and fast and rocking. » Continue Reading.