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It Was 50 Years Ago Today …

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… that 1.2 million people turned at Manchester’s Lesser Free Trade Hall to witness an early performance by Bolton band. Later that evening the Sex Pistols (playing their first gig outside London) plugged in and changed the outlook (according to legend) of many audience members. Buzzcocks (who organised the show) went away and practiced a bit more, Peter Hook went out next day and bought a bass guitar, Morrissey (probably) went out and bought a Penguin paperback, Tony Wilson decided to form Factory (although that might’ve come later), and Paul Morley went away and wrote some impenetrable prose in the form of a manifesto based on little know Russian authors and Chinese philosophy. The capacity of the Lesser Free Trade Hall was 150, and the actual attendance is reckoned to be no more than 50 people. 6 weeks later, the Pistols returned, Buzzcocks played, and the crowd swelled to about 80 people. Mark E Smith was at this one, and Ian Curtis first met Barney and Hooky. Alan McGee claims he was at the later show, but I do wonder if he was mistaken for Mick Huchnall.

It’s Time The Tale Were Told – A People’s History Of The Smiths

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Author:Iain Key & Richard Houghton

Another stash of memories from the People’s History book thread. The basis of these books is fans, band members (sadly absent here), their entourage sharing the moments that formed, defined, and (possibly) broke the band. And give an insight to the enduring legacy, influence and reverence. And it is that legacy, influence and reverence that is important in these books – A People’s History of The Thompson Twins would unlikely (a) make the grade, or (b) sell that much if it did.

The Smiths were indeed a moment in time marking a point in the early 80s when “Indie” moved from being “small audience material on minor record labels” to a crossover into the mainstream. This is not intended to be a definitive history but a history across 300 pages told by those who were involved, were there, bear the scars, and still hold the highest esteem for an outspoken (some would say odd-ball) singer, musical partner in crime and tune, plus backing from a solid if un-noticed (until the court case) rhythm section. The stories range from their fist gig at The Hacienda when Morrissey got annoyed with the crowd and the poster stating » Continue Reading.

UFO – The Wild, The Willing and the Innocent (2 x CD / 3 x LP)

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What does it sound like?:

Speaking with a similar nerdy friend, we hit upon discussion of UFO: “Strangers In The Night is indeed one of the best Live albums out there, but did they ever have such a complete studio album?” “Umm … maybe Phenomenon?”

UFO on stage and UFO in the studio were 2 different beasts, and I’m not convinced they ever managed a truly great studio album. But (other than Phenomenon mentioned above), this one comes very close. Buoyed by the critical and commercial response to Strangers In The Night, Chrysalis spotted an opportunity and paired UFO with George Martin for No Place To Run. Even with the Chrysalis marketing machine at full chat (including various coloured vinyl singles, alternative album covers), and George Martin’s AIR Studios at their disposal, the album felt a bit flat, and the rougher edges cleaned up. Coming into The Wild, The Willing and the Innocent, UFO dispensed with a producer and took the job on themselves. A blessing because they now had the freedom to create the sounds they wanted, and a curse (as Paul Chapman noted) as the quality control went out of the window, and they ended up with » Continue Reading.

Football Focus

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Obituary

52 years old … what do I do with Saturday Lunchtimes now? Will probably be replaced by a Cooking show. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c98kz9pe01po

New Album from Vinnie Vincent – Yours for “only” $2m

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If that is a bit much, lead single Ride The Serpent is also available for a mere $300

Granted, the album is made available in Master form only, giving the buyer access to all Master files, artwork, and packaging (both CD and Vinyl) giving buyers the choice of whether to release the album in whatever form they desire.

However, all marketing must be presented and signed off by Vinnie. And Vinnie retains the copyright – you only get the album in perpetuity, no copyrights or trademarks my be used/exploited without additional contract arrangements.

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/music/former-kiss-guitarist-vinnie-vincent-is-charging-2-million-for-his-new-album/ar-AA1YKwUH?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531&cvid=69b85a3fab1d435091bab394db8d5ff0&ei=25

Is Everybody ready For The Next Band? The Rolling Stones 1969 US Tour

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Author:Richard Houghton

6th December marks 56 years since The Rolling Stones headlines a Free Festival held at Altamont Speedway in California. The events of that day have been well documented, and are often held up as “the point the 60s dream ended”. Thing is, the Altamont show was a tack on to the Stones 1969 US Tour – added in response to criticism of ticket prices for the Tour which spanned November 1969.

The Rolling Stones had released Beggars Banquet at the end of 1968 – it would be the last to feature Brian Jones. Jones appears in some shape on a number of the tracks, but his appearance at the sessions was unpredictable, and his contribution sporadic. Also at the end of 1968, the Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus was created – a concept that intended to create “the new shape of the rock-and-roll concert tour” (plus with no scheduled tour planned, it was a way to give additional marketing boost to Beggars Banquet). This was to be the last time Brian Jones appeared with the band he started They had not visited America since 1966, and like The Beatles found the experience to be restrictive and not » Continue Reading.

David Coverdale Retires

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After 50 years, it’s time to hang up the lions mane wig and watch Countdown.

Enjoy your dotage Mr C (until a huge reformation or final farewell offer comes along – maybe at the end of Saltburn Pier) Fare Thee Well …

Various Artists– Can’t Get Enough: A Tribute To Bad Company

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What does it sound like?:

Ahhh … the Tribute Album. A collection of artists rendering their own versions of to their favourite songs by an artist that was no doubt a formative influence on them. Bad Company will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in November 2025, and to mark the occasion, 10 acts have offered up their own takes on the cream of the Bad Company songbook. Paul Rogers and Simon Kirke also make appearances – cynical me says “did the acts just use the original backing tracks and perform over it karaoke style” – nope, they are both there on the recordings. Like Bruce Foxton in From The Jam, does this mean they are making a tribute to themselves. And why not … the songs remain a hard-wired part of 70s rock cannon. Whilst I can’t back this up with fact, I’m of the belief that Bad Company were bigger in America than the UK – and they were pretty big in the UK. This belief is evidenced by the roll call of names here – of the 10 (including Halestorm, Slash, Black Stone Cherry, and Charley Crockett) the only UK representation is » Continue Reading.

Iron Maiden – Infinite Dreams

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Author:Iron Maiden (Foreword by Steve Harris, Backword by Bruce Dickinson)

Produced to mark the 50th Anniversary of the band that have basically become the embodiment of Heavy Metal. If a non-HM fan was asked to name one band of the genre, the answer would more than likely be Iron Maiden. In a 45 year recording career, they have sold somewhere between “huge amounts” and “sh*tloads” of albums, toured almost every year and every continent, played to audiences ranging from 3 men and a dog to 250,000 punters, suffered line-up changes but not as many as contemporaries (as a recoding unit: 3 singers, 4 guitarists, 2 drummers, and 1 bass player), and just kept going in their own way. And it is that one bass player (step forward Mr Steve Harris) who has driven the band from the pubs in East End London to stadiums of the world, wrote many of the songs, and generally protected and coveted the Iron Maiden template and name. And to think, without the burning ambition – that’s the last time I lever an IM song title into this review, honest – Steve Harris could’ve gone down the professional football route (it was an option) or » Continue Reading.

Billy Bragg – A People’s History

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Author:Billy Bragg (Edited by Iain Key)

Billy Bragg wrote the foreword to the recent A People’s History Of The Clash, and now teams up with Iain Key (the author of The Clash tome) to release his own People’s History. This is the history (from early days learning guitar with next door neighbour Wiggy) told by those who saw it from street parties, to any club that would host a gig, to the back of a Volvo, and from the stage of Wembley Stadium. And when one of those voices is Billy himself, the oral history becomes partial autobiography. Despite his well recorded activism and outspokenness, I’m not convinced the “real” Billy Bragg is recognised. This book comes as close to revealing just who is Billy Bragg than any of the many passages, Wikipedia entries, biographies (and I’ve read a few). And who is he? Just a bloke from Barking with a belief in himself, those around him, fairness, justice, and the ability not to see himself as any better than anyone else. It’s not an “against the odds I made it” or “poor me, the hardship I’ve suffered” tale, but there is a certain fight for his voice to be » Continue Reading.

A Soul For Sale – Morrissey Invites Offers For All Things Smiths

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No re-Union coming then …

From Morrissey Official Facebook page: A SOUL FOR SALE September 3, 2025 Morrissey has no choice but to offer for sale all of his business interests in “The Smiths” to any interested party / investor. This would include Morrissey’s full and exclusive rights to : 1. The name ‘The Smiths’, as created by Morrissey. 2. All Smiths artwork, as created by Morrissey. 3. All Smiths merchandising rights. 4. All Smiths songs lyrically / musically. 5. All synchronisation rights. 6. All Smiths recordings. 7. All contractual rights for Smiths publishing. Morrissey: “I am burnt out by any and all connections to Marr, Rourke, Joyce. I have had enough of malicious associations. With my entire life I have paid my rightful dues to these songs and these images. I would now like to live disassociated from those who wish me nothing but ill-will and destruction, and this is the only resolution. The songs are me – they are no one else – but they bring with them business communications that go to excessive lengths to create as much dread and spite year after year. I must now protect myself, especially my health.” Any serious investors should make » Continue Reading.

Deep Purple – Made In Japan (Super Deluxe Edition)

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What does it sound like?:

Recognising the highly important 53rd Anniversary, one of the greatest Live albums of 70s Rock Cannon gets the (inevitable) Steven Wilson treatment, and big box configuration including the original album, each of the recorded shows, all the encores, and a Blu-Ray Dolby Atmos Mix. Deep Purple never wanted to put out a live album. It was the sales of a live bootleg, and the performance of recent live albums including the Who’s Live at Leeds and the Rolling Stones’ Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out that (begrudgingly?) convinced them there might some commercial sense in it. Scheduled to tour Japan, the band were still not “hot” on the idea especially when presented with the equipment offered by the record company in Japan. Martin Birch was pulled in to engineer, upgraded equipment secured, and 2 shows at Festival Hall Osaka and 1 at Budokan Tokyo recorded for later assembly to the finished album. After the Tour closed, band interest in the album was still not high, and the compiling and mixing left to Martin Birch (with some partial assistance from Ian Paice and Roger Glover). The finished product was originally intended to be for the Japanese market » Continue Reading.

All The Young Punks – A People’s History Of The Clash / Solid Bond In Your Heart – A People’s History Of The Jam

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Author:All The Young Punks – Iain Key / Solid Bond In Your Heart – Malcolm Wyatt

Two books based around memories, thoughts, and anecdotes of 2 bands from the same time period, and in many cases the same audience. These books aren’t intended to be a history of the bands, so don’t go expecting to find any new stories or revelations – The Jam book has a slightly more historic bent starting at 1973 (the formation of The Jam) whilst The Clash tale starts in September 1976. From these starting points, chronology follows stopping off at major points for comment and memories from a wealth of contributors – all with a story to tell how those moments are seared into memory. The authors, I’m guessing, are of a similar age to me as in their introductions they both state they never got to see the bands live (me neither, but I have seen many tribute acts – close enough), and in the case of Iain Key came late to The Clash through The Story Of The Clash compilation in 1988 (me too, and then worked backwards from there). Knowing the history, music, and reputation of the bands, and not being » Continue Reading.

David Johansen

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Obituary

The last of the New York Dolls leaves us aged 75. New York Dolls – their influence is perhaps greater than their substance. “Mock Rock” – possibly, but the first album is definitely worth a listen (maybe ignore the second album and go straight to the 2006 comeback album – coming after the Morrissey curated 2004 Meltdown Festival).

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/david-johansen-new-york-dolls-singer-buster-poindexter-dead-obituary-1235284539/ In between Dolls duties, tried his hand at acting and earned a whole $1 when his legs appeared in the John Lennon & Yoko Ono film Up Your Legs Forever

Rick Buckler RIP

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Passed away aged 69. Integral part of the trio – even if he was the most un-mod looking (he even had a beard at one point). Solid drummer throughout, and author of a couple of memoirs. Yes, admittedly it appeared like he did have a bit of a chip on his shoulder, but always came over as very calm and grounded and content with his lot in life. Only had one writing credit for The Jam – Funeral Pyre – which started as a jam in the studio and built from there, and showcases his contribution to the band.

NEW Sparks – Do Things My Own Way

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and they always have, and I’m sure always will. New single out now, album to follow at some point in 2025. Tour Dates through June and July, so best guess would be May (?) Nut if they are doing things their own way, it could be November …

The Greatest Greatest Hits

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Greatest Hits, The Best Of …, The Very Best Of …, The Collection, The Ultimate Collection … and other titles suggesting an indispensable collection of “stuff”. But does it always match up to expectations? A Greatest Hits album was often put out as a contract filler, at a time when artists were moving labels, or when they had split. And if you’re going to call an album “Greatest Hits”, it’s a good idea to actually have some.

cue Dave Gorman’s riff on Scouting For Girls Greatest Hits

The formula was simple – collect everything together and bung it on album as a sort of “Thank You and Goodbye!” Recently, and increasingly often, a Greatest Hits package is thrown out containing a couple of new tracks, exclusive re-mixes, alternate versions, or other chuff meaning even if you’ve got everything you have to buy it for the new things (note: you don’t HAVE to buy it, but if you have that completist gene, you probably will) And anyway, Greatest Hits album aren’t real albums are they, it’s not like they are an essential part of an artists canon. Maybe not, but they do offer a first route in to the unfamiliar, » Continue Reading.

Pete Sinfield

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Obituary

King Crimson lyricist responsible for: The rusted chains of prison moons are shattered by the sun I walk a road, horizons change, the tournament’s begun The purple piper plays his tune, the choir softly sing Three lullabies in an ancient tongue for the court of the crimson king

he also wrote: Run for the sun, little one You’re an outlaw once again Time to change, Superman He’ll be with us while he can In the land of make believe

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/music/peter-sinfield-lyricist-for-king-crimson-c%C3%A9line-dion-and-more-dies-aged-80/ar-AA1u9Ky2?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=dc84934cd0f34f958e2adcc6d997437b&ei=11

Give My Regards To Broad Street

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is 40 years old today, and I’ve never seen it. Probably scared off by the limp reviews and “it ain’t all that” warnings … but No More Lonely Nights is a superb Macca toon. (and no, I’m not posting a video in the box!) Has anyone actually seen it, and is it worth seeking out for a watch? Worthwhile addition to the cannon or a combination of over-estimating one’s abilities and audience acceptance (and/or a (potential) tax dodge)?

The wisdom of Gene Simmons

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The Smiths Should Reunite Without Johnny Marr, Gene Simmons Says: ‘Get Rid of the Guitar Player, Nobody Cares’

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/the_smiths_should_reunite_without_johnny_marr_gene_simmons_says_get_rid_of_the_guitar_player_nobody_cares.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwY2xjawFsaRxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXKIBoQ8Jn21TXb3Fcvi8z43QGLaZplYswx0pmdBRuE84sXSzzqdB0_hpw_aem_Dv9WzaznTuqCf5jYtQIDjA#Echobox=1727998821

Culturally Bereft

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My entries to Blogger Takeover have been dwindling over the past 3 or so months. Now OK, work has been busy, my mind often elsewhere, and for the last 6 weeks the house has been in pieces as some much welcomed re-decoration is taking place. As part of this clearance, the stereo was removed, so therefore was all “normal” listening. Spotify moments and YouTube selections (usually of “stuff” I already know) has become the new normal, and whilst 6Music is still perma-tuned station of choice in the car I find I’m no longer enjoying it as much as I once did (this could of course be down to a recent re-brand/re-shuffle/re-centring of the target market – which I am probably no longer part of)

Once decoration was finished, and as a birthday present to myself, I bought a new stereo and eagerly and gleefully set it up. And then stood for about 10 minutes staring at the CD shelves trying to find some inspiration – none came! And it’s still not coming … culturally, I’m at a low

Music – see above. Stacked CD shelves, Amazon Wish Lists, and 6Music not giving any magic (was in that London last week, » Continue Reading.

It’s a Game Of Two Halves (plus Injury Time) – Fantasy Football Returns

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As the Euros pass into history, the arguments of Gareth’s record become yesterdays news, there is no time for a Summer Break as FPL has re-launched for another season. This means I’m spending too many free moments debating whether having Salah and Haaland in the same team is viable, if an Ipswich defender is a playable 4.0m investment, and longer term planning for International Breaks, fixture congestion around Christmas, and the inevitable knee-jerk transfer required as one of my picks suffers a season-long injury in the first 10 minutes of the opening game. Anybody else want to ruin their Sunday mornings rueing their team and captain selections?

The Afterword League has been auto-renewed – so if you were in last year, you should get entered again. If not, then the code is: izs9mz

If there is enough interest, I’ll also set-up a Head To Head League for added competition and bragging rights