[Music] Hammersmith Odeon ,first gig / other stuff

[PeakGull]

RUSH 7th June 1980 - I've lost count of how many I went to after that but seemed to spend a lot of time there during the 80s - that and the Marquee club as well.

 

[Grombleton]

First gig I think was Be Your Own PET at the Barfly in Camden in 2006. A few indie bands supporting. Wasn't great for me, but the missus at the time wanted to go.

Next gig after that was Metric at the Concorde 2, supported by Blood Red Shoes. Metric were awesome that night.

 

[attila]

I supported the Jam there in 1981. My mate and fellow poet, the late, great Seething Wells, was on too.
John Weller, dad and manager, was so obnoxious to me I nearly hit him

 

[AmexRuislip]

Brought up in Shepherds Bush my mates & I used to bunk into The Odeon all the time. It was sometimes pretty hairy having to go the long way to avoid security, having to climb up drainpipes and get in via the roof!!! Once in through the maze of corridors we'd come out next to the stage and dart into the crowds before anyone could ask 'what are you doing here?'

I saw The Ramones, The Jam, Trouble Funk are just some that spring to mind. We used to bunk in walk around & leave again if we weren't into what was on stage.

Growing up eh!

When we moved up to Ruislip, the Shepherds Bush Empire was always a must for Mrs AR and myself.
Have watched numerous (then) upcoming acts for just £10 each.
Great times.
Used to park up in Aerial Way opposite the BBC HQ, this was also useful for attending Jools Holland Later gigs, when tickets were easier to get.

 

[SittingbourneSeagull]

AC/DC Nov 1979. A fantastic set list and I was a very excited 15 year old

Was that the Highway to Hell tour. Last one for Bon Scott sadly. If it was i saw that gig. Can't remember who was the support. For some reason I want to say a very young Def Leppard.

 

[Dinner with Gotsmanov]

I don’t think I ever went to the Hammersmith Odeon but do recall seeing SLF and the Stranglers at the Palais - 2 separate gigs.

First ever gig was The Police at the Brighton Centre in 1979. Flamin’ Nora, 41 years ago! How did I get so old........

 

[Pinkie Brown]

First gig at Hammersmith Odeon - The Who in 1975. First ever live gig was Sparks on Hastings Pier, 1974. The latter came close to being cancelled after a bomb hoax call.

 

[loz]

My first gig at the HO was the Damned supported by inner city unit ( I think) with Lemmy guesting on Guitar for a few songs and it was also the first time I heard Captain sing happy talk.

Because of the sort of bands I liked not many of the got to play venues as big as HO, but did see a few at the Hammersmith Palais .

 

[GT49er]

Never been to the Hammersmith Odeon. First gig, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Yarmouth Pier, 1966 (although a few years earlier Dad had taken us all to see Cliff and the Shadows in panto at the London Palladium, but I don't count that!)

 

[Pinkie Brown]

My first gig at the HO was the Damned supported by inner city unit ( I think) with Lemmy guesting on Guitar for a few songs and it was also the first time I heard Captain sing happy talk.

Because of the sort of bands I liked not many of the got to play venues as big as HO, but did see a few at the Hammersmith Palais .

I got a bit excited when I saw the original Damned line up were reuniting for a short tour next year. My enthusiasm was dampened at little when I saw the ticket prices. All subject to Covid being history of course plus not least, the band not having a huge fall out before the thing even gets underway.

 

[el punal]

Steamhammer at Chichester College of Further Education, 14th February 1969. Yep, how’s that for a memory! The Students Union organised a Valentine’s Day gig and Steamhammer were the chosen ones. I can’t remember too much as I was pissed but it was a great evening (I think!).

A couple of other bits, Steamhammer was a local blues band from Worthing and one of the members was Martin Quittenton who co-wrote Maggie May and You Wear It Well with Rod Stewart. Steamhammer’s best tune (for me) was Junior’s Wailing. Of course I was unaware of any of this at the time - the trials and tribulations of youth!

 

[Hiney]

First gig - Curved Air and Squeeze at Chichester festival Theatre in the summer of 1975
First Hammersmith Odeon gig - The Who, just before Chtristmas 1975

 

[blueandwhitestripes]

Was that the Highway to Hell tour. Last one for Bon Scott sadly. If it was i saw that gig. Can't remember who was the support. For some reason I want to say a very young Def Leppard.

You are spot on with all of the above. I had to look it up but Bon Scott died 3 months after that gig. 40 years on and I still think it was the best I’ve seen along with Springsteen at the Centre in ‘81.

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

First Gig: Guanabatz & Krewmen in Bolton Uni 1985...
So many fights going off, Manchester Psychos fighting the local psychos in Bolton and some cockneys that came up also kicking off, and then fighting with townies after the gig, I was so scared but hooked...

First Hammersmith: Morrissey 91, epic gig
https://youtu.be/xW0pCguzIGw

 

[cuthbert]

Ray Charles I think in the early sixties.

 

[loz]

I got a bit excited when I saw the original Damned line up were reuniting for a short tour next year. My enthusiasm was dampened at little when I saw the ticket prices. All subject to Covid being history of course plus not least, the band not having a huge fall out before the thing even gets underway.

Just cant see The captain and Rat lasting long in rehearsals without the odd strong word

 

[queens park pete]

RUSH 7th June 1980 - I've lost count of how many I went to after that but seemed to spend a lot of time there during the 80s - that and the Marquee club as well.

Ditto! Not sure I would be desperately keen to attend the old sweat box right now, but those were the days. £1.70 return on the X1 bus in from Reading.

 

[SittingbourneSeagull]

You are spot on with all of the above. I had to look it up but Bon Scott died 3 months after that gig. 40 years on and I still think it was the best I’ve seen along with Springsteen at the Centre in ‘81.

Yeah great gig. AC/DC were a real force then, and Def Leppard were raw before they became very Americanised.


Rush have always been my go to band and seen them loads, but for sheer quality probably Priest supported by a young Iron Maiden with Paul Dianno stands out for. me.

Never seen Springsteen live but I've heard its fantastic.

 

[Machiavelli]

The Cure in, I think, 1983, who were supported by And Also The Trees (I only mention this for @HWT's interest). I went back to the Odeon a month or so later to see The Psychedelic Furs and was stood a few spaces away from Fat Bob and Mary, which pleased my 13/14yo self

 

[SAC]

First at Hammersmith Odeon was Madness, Christmas 1980. Tickets were £3.50 I think. Been back plenty of times over the years.
First gig was to see The Who in May 1979 at the Rainbow Theatre in north London. Can't remember the price of tickets but I do remember being one of one a few mods there!