This week 48 years ago, the 16th of May 1977 to be precise, The Damned and The Adverts were due to play at the Top of the World nightclub, Newport Rd Stafford, but the gig was banned and cancelled at very short notice. There was controversy nationally at the time and some punk rock gigs were being stopped by local councils and some venues were finding that their insurance was being refused due to concerns about public safety and order. The Sex Pistols' had caused outrage during their appearance on the Bill Grundy Show a few months earlier (Queen had apparently been booked to appear, but Freddie developed toothache and pulled out), this interview marked the public's first widespread exposure to punk rock and it's rebellious attitude and controversial lyrics.
In Glasgow, a stage invasion during a Stranglers concert led the council to perceive punk rock as a threat to public order and effectively ban it from the city. Also a scheduled Clash concert in Belfast was cancelled after insurance cover was withdrawn, leading to a "battle of Bedford Street" with some punks causing trouble.
Fortunately for Stafford, the Students Union stepped in from North Staffs Polytechnic at Beaconside and the show was hurriedly rearranged and staged in 'The Refectory', just a few hundred metres away from where Vibe 1's studios are now, on the former University campus. The place was crammed to the rafters on a hot and sweaty Monday night and a total sell out. I remember there was a lot of pushing and shoving in front of the stage as the band came on and a lot of crazy foam being squirted about, but the event went off without any trouble.
It's argued that The Damned (Dave Vanian vocals, Brian James, guitar, Captain Sensible bass and later lead guitarist and drummer Rat Scabies), were the first punk rock band from the UK to release a single - "New Rose" in 1976 They went on to release 9 singles that charted.
The Sex Pistols never did play a gig in Stafford, the closest they got was just down the A518 in Newport when they played at 'The Village' nightclub and using another name - S.P.O.T's - Sex Pistols On Tour.
Credit to the Students Union for moving so quickly to put the show on.
Fond memories of interesting times!
