Ticket
The Apollo
14th June 1982

Freddie McGregor at The Apollo. Although he was mostly on the Lover’s tip he could get all militant and righteous when he wanted to. This around the time of the “Big Ship” album and not so well attended. Quite unusual to have reggae artists on at such large venues, even big name ones. Always seemed to work much better in smaller venues, maybe 3/ 400 capacity; mind you I’d say the same pretty much goes for any sort of music. Good on the bands who go on to stadium type affairs but the rare time I’ve ever gone to such a spectacle I’ve usually found it to the detriment of the music. Last one I did was Ray Charles a fair few years back knowing it would probably be me last chance. He was great though, with just a small band, no flashing lights, smoke bombs or whatever other gimmicks bands have at their disposal; usually to compensate for lack of musicality/ originality....I wasn’t even thinkin’ about Kiss....
Freddie played an open air gig in Albert Square, in ’86 I think; a thing called “Jamming For Jobs”, alongside Hollywood Beyond, Mint Julips, Sir Francis Sidebottom( who I remember seeing checking himself out in a shopfront down a side street before he got on stage, and being even better looking up close than I could have possibly imagined; film star looks but something unnerving about his eyes etc....
That band of twats Wet Wet Wet were also on, and during the afternoon occasionally stuck their heads out the Town Hall windows, winding up all the little girls who would obviously scream, even during other acts. Needless to say we all did the offski, down to The Rising Sun I think, when said band took to the stage. I might have a flyer for that; can’t recall seeing it. There was also another big bash in Albert Square round a similar time....not sure I have any memory of that.......whatevers. Next....!