Flyer
The Hacienda
10th February 1984

I remember this gig ‘cos it was pretty much the most packed I remember ever seeing the club, which surprised me.You could never tell with reggae music what might happen on the night and The Hac wasn’t your typical reggae venue.Anyway Winston was on form,dressed in a long white robe all mystical like.He was on for quite a long time and for half of every number he played the congas ,eyes shut ,Nyabingi style.Because it was so packed I was up top ,stood on a chair,which was just about purchased on a table ,next to the stairs so people were squeezing past the whole time and I spent a goodly amount of time making sure I didn’t get knocked off;small drawback for the night....
Thinking about reggae nights at The Hacienda (there weren’t that many),another good one was old Lee “Scratch”Perry himself.Now I’ve seen the man numerous times, not always at his best, but this was a goodie.He had a bible,a mirror (which he would glance in from time to time) and,yes...a cuddly toy,(trying not to think of Bruce Forsyth...).We were up the front and he kept toking on spliffs and he didn’t” bogart it my friend”;,he did pass it around.Never been quite sure how barking he is but there’s no denying his influence on music.