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I first went to the Reading Festival when it was called Reading Rock, and it had two stages, one next to the other, on which the bands appeared alternately. Can't remember the exact years, but I recall seeing Black Sabbath's one-off appearance with Ian Gillan as their singer, when the Stonehenge state set they'd built for the occasion was so big that the top of the tryptics extended beyond view [an incident often incorrectly attributed as the inspiration behind Spinal Tap's little Stonehenge - Tap had already been filmed. Ian Gillan told me in an interview that they'd chucked their Henge into the docks at Rotterdam].
There was also Marillion, with Fish in full face paint, MSG, with Mad Mickey Schenker bringing back slick-haired Australian lothario Graham Bonnet on vocals [Bonnet later wrote Night Games, the only rock song about the nocturnal proclivities of librarians, a tune that I enjoy singing to my girlfriend, who is a librarian... 'Oh the girl from the library - she's just like you and me...'], Thin Lizzy's last ever gig and many appearances by The Enid, one of which that was so stirring I went and bought one of their albums from a stall by the stage. You live and learn. At night, we would return to freezing tents down by the river, where the mist would roll in and chill our bones...
All of which came to mind when my eldest daughter went to this year's do. She had something called early admission [which, astonishingly, they charge you for...], which meant she and her friends pitched tent in the middle of a giant storm on the wednesday. She was home next morning. 'You know it hasn't actually started yet...' I said.
She fought her way back and saw it out. The look in her eyes when I picked her up took me back down the years - it was the festival-goer's thousand-yard stare that asks, plaintively, is it really over now...? Oh, I know that look. I've seen the world through those eyes. The next evening we watched the highlights together on TV. That was good.
I was amazed by the number of guitarists who have to look at their guitars while they play. Amateurs. The best band by a mile were Guns N' Roses. Axl is now a cross between Leigh from Bo Selector and a second division darts player. He needs an oxygen tank in the wings, and his personal manager used to be his cleaner. He spent 15 years making an album, and overslept before the gig so he was late on stage. When the promoter threw him off, he got a megaphone and harangued the crowd. What more could anyone ask?
We laughed as we watched, and it was lovely to share the moment with her. One day, she can tell her children that she was there...
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jesus, Marillion. My older brother was very much into them in the mid-late 80's. Kayleigh is probably my least favourite song of all time. My neice was at Reading too, but I've yet to hear a report of how it was for her. Perhaps she's still there
ReplyDeleteThat Guns n Roses performance does sound splendid. Is it just Axl these days or has he got the whole gang together?
ReplyDeletebtw I was amazed by the number of guitarists who have to look at their guitars while they play. Amateurs.
ReplyDeleteYes that sounds like exactly the fogeyish sort of thing that you have license to say, loud and often, as a Dad, if you want to really irritate your kids.
Marillion, yup - I'm with your bro. top band. I played tambourine on their last album, but that's a different story...
ReplyDeleteSadly just hired hands with Waxy, although if the rumours of his debts are true, maybe not for much longer... and Slash never looks at his hands when he's playing. Can i just say that this is the exact level of musical debate I like - well done chaps!