“How strange that the Fall listing ended up next to Vivaldi played by Nigel Kennedy on violin! Of course Brix Smith's next partner after Mark was Nigel Kennedy.”
“Pretty sure I saw The Fall here circa 1978.
Marc Riley was playing guitar. I remember it was fantastic gig incredibly tight and powerful sound. One of the best gigs I ever seen.”
“Cheers Bob for saying The Fall didn't play because i was there on the day and being a massive Fall fan i would have deffo remembered. I lived locally to Alexandra park at the time in Whalley Range. Oh the Halcyion days of being on the dole and living in a bedsit like all my mates! I remember it was a lovely Sunny day and paticularly remember Graham Parkers set playing his recent album Squeezing Out Sparks. Also remember Buzzcocks and Steel Pulse. Great times. Vince.”
“Sorry Alf i dont have any contact details for Bill but i heard some news through Ian over the years. I know he very seriously got into road cycling and spent winters living on one of the canary islands. I believe in recent years he met and married an American woman from Texas and spends winters over there but still has a house in Todmorden just down the road from Ian who lives in Hebden Bridge. My big music passion post punk has been The Fall who i followed from the early singles. Gutted Mark E Smith is no longer with us. Were you a fan??”
“Great memories Alf. We were all on the dole but so rich culturally looking back. I'd heard about Alan passing but i didn't really know Clive. I remember when Bill first started Idrumming, passing his flat everyday you could hear him practicing down in that cellar for hours on end! I didn't know about the Johnny Marr connection which is fascinating. I heard that Billy did an audition for The Smiths but didn't like Morrisey so passed it by. What if hey!? The nick name Spud rings a bell. Did you ever meet Tony Burnside? Another lad from Wythenshawe who lived in the Range and knew Alan? I remember he bought a guitar and was learning in his flat. He played in a band called Home life with Paddy Steer that did pretty well. Also Yargo! Who did very well. I saw Yargo down in Bristol where i live now in 1989..”
“Cheers Alf! I lived in Whalley Range too at that time in fact just around the corner from Alan Gooch. I met them all through Bills brother Ian who lived in an attic flat in a big house and i was on the ground floor (He has lived in Hebden Bridge for decades). We used to hang out a lot at Alans flat. I didn't roadie as such but i distinctly remember this gig and the floor was shiny and the drums started moving. Bill asked me if i could hold them still. (No wonder my hearings not great!). I think this could be the gig and me sat holding the drums.”
“I think I'm the guy crouching down near the guitarist! I was friends with the drummer and bass player. The drums kept moving on the shiny floor so i volunteered to hold the drums still. Vince.”
“I worked in this pub for a time in the 70s and all I remember is they were constantly playing George Mcrae's Rock Me Baby which I hated and drove me nuts! Wish id heard The Fall instead but got a feeling is was before they formed. Yes there was such a time.”
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