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The Gig of my (Keele) Life!
Mike Beattie - 2002
Jools and his rhythm and blues orchestra was at the 2002 graduation – he played for a good couple of hours and tore the house down. He looked like he was really into the whole night. We had our customary fire alarm go off at the union, and while we were outside the orchestra kept our spirits up by playing a few tunes on the fire escape while we filed back in. Brilliant stuff.
Iain Phillips - 1975
I was at Keele 1971 to 1975. For a few years was on the Social Commitee with our elected rep - John Stokes. I remember coming across Osibisa (an African type band) in a store cupboard!!! The gig was great. I also saw some correspondence to Keele offering the Rolling Stones for £1,000 but it was beyond our budget! Also Paul McCartney played for few pounds after the Beatles break up, as Wings. We had the most amazing social programme!
Ruth Hayward - 2006
The Futureheads in 2006. Used our Keele cards to get into the then Gallery because the ballroom had put up the price for a beer. We were a little worse for wear and ended up drunkenly buying New Order tickets to see them at Wembley. That gig turned out to be the last performance with Peter Hook. Without our Keele cards it would never had happened.
Katie Harrington – 2006
I second Ruth Hayward's post! Largely because I was the other person getting drunk and buying New Order tickets! Can't remember all that much about the Futureheads gig but I know it was good!
Richard O’Hagan - 1989
Too many to mention. The most memorable were Primal Scream stalking off stage after about two songs because Bobby Gillespie thought someone had thrown a skiff at him (about 1988) and the La's having to take the stage walking through the audience because Lee Mavers had broken his foot skateboarding a few days before and couldn't climb the stairs. What else? Birdland almost having to cancel because they all got chickenpox, then playing for about 15 minutes before trashing their instruments, Head getting no reaction from the crowd because we were all blown away by their support band, The Sandkings. The very early Wonder Stuff gig, when they were all still alive (natch), the insanity of Buddy Curtis & the Grasshoppers...
Mark Holtz – 1993
Atomic Kitten around 2000. Pre-gig interview was longer than expected, and we ran out of questions. Shania Twain was playing in the background, so rather feebly, I asked them "What's the best thing about being a woman?" to which Kerry Katona grabbed her breast and said "THESE!". Now that's class.
Chris Parkins – 1981
Most Social Secretaries had a 'claim to fame' gig. Mine was probably the Pretenders, in the same week that 'Brass in Pocket' was no.1 - supported by UB40. But my personal favorite was the 'Sci-Fi' Christmas Ball of 1979 - Hawkwind, supported by Simple Minds. Ian Gillan (Deep Purple vocalist) jumping off the stage and punching a member of the audience was pretty memorable. Mind you, the guy was asking for it. The Enid divided opinion like Marmite. One guy dropped to his knees after the gig and thanked me for booking them. Another guy threatened to beat me severely for having booked them!
Haidee Van Duyvenbode - 1994
Transvision vamp 1992/3 ish? She was a bit drunk, shouted abuse and fell off stage I seem to recall
Gordon Mousinho - 1975
Vinegar Joe, circa 1973, Robert Palmer, and Elkie Brooks wearing a skirt that can generously be described as 'micro'. There were so many great bands...... Spirit, with Randy California playing in just a jockstrap and cowboy boots! Also Desmond Dekker and the Aces. When Andy Fairweather Low appeared and sang Wide eyed and legless, my girlfriend (now wife) and two of her flat mates decided to get up on stage and accompany him! Then there was the whole rugby/football club serenade of Frankie Miller! Saw lots of bands locally as every major act started their tour in Stoke. In one three week period in 1973 I saw Led Zeppelin, ELP and the Who, all at Trentham Gardens. Also Bowie as Ziggy at Victoria Hall.
David Harris – 1970
Starting in 1967, Jethro Tull almost a resident band. Pink Floyd and the Edgar Broughton Band. Then in 1972 Cream at the royal ball with Margaret dancing with a triple vodka in one hand and a galloise in the other. Second half of my Uni career a bit of a blur, but do remember talking to Rod Argent as the Zombies did their last gig at Keele [a little bit of history]. This was the musical wallpaper of our time before the bee gees inflicted disco on us.
