Backstage at Live Aid, the first Knebworth and bands that don’t get on

[@danieladams9950]

Self-deprecation of both David and Mark re: Live Aid. They were at the epicentre of UK broadcasting that day and were magnificent.

[@JasonC1782]

I've always thought that David Hepworth had the most difficult job of any of the BBC Live Aid presenters because he had to anchor the second chunk of five hours by himself - and in doing so had to mollify an angry Bob Geldof and also link out of the 'Drive' video of Ethiopian famine victims.

[@danieladams9950]

@@JasonC1782 Completely agree. David also had to respond to Geldof questioning his authenticity.

[@CDSarahMillward]

Saw the Stones at Knebworth c 1975/6. They didn't come in until 2 am in the morning, after 10CC delayed things. I was, unusually, right at the front on the barriers, though certainly hadn't spent the day there, but a woman I met gave me a little pick me up! Thought they were great anyway. Used to see Jesus , clothed, regularly at the Marquee, and other pub rock venues, he worked as an office cleaner. I heard that punks beat him up. The live music scene has certainly changed, great discussion as always, thanks.

[@filmmakerslegal3115]

Interesting that David and Mark picked on Knebworth 74 for their podcast. I was there with a group of about 10 friends who headed up the A1 from North London in a caravan of battered Minis and Anglias; fortuitously none of them broke down. I am still in regular contact with three of those friends and with one of whom I was discussing Knebworth 50 on its anniversary just a few days ago. As an Allmans fan who happens to celebrate my birthday on 21.7, I was in my element at midnight on 20.7.74 as the Allmans were in full flow, though can't be sure precisely what piece was in progress as the clock struck 12. Going back throgh the setlist (below) doesn't help too much. One of the points made in the podcast was how different people remember events differently. This much was true in the conversation I had with my friend who recalled one particular non-musical aspects of our day that I had completely forgotten. Whilst I was there, principally, for the Allmans and Mahavishnu, I had also been looking forward to Van the Man and the Caldonia Soul ensemble. My disappointment was more than assuaged by the brilliant performance that Van gave with the scratch trio of Wingfield, van Hook and Rimson (OK so I had to look up the bass player who I didn't remember - see link below). Van came on around 4.30/5 and played a terrific set. Our team of (by then) mellowed out adults-in-age-but-teenagers-by-deed were all of a same mind and, from where we were sitting, - maybe 80/100 yards back from the stage - so were many of the audience. Oh, yes, please note, that the weather was kind to us that day - I have the photos to prove that at least it remained dry and there was no mud. I seem to remember that it was quite sunny for some/much of the day, though that maybe imagined as in some of those photos we are wearing pullovers or jean jackets over our shirts. Also, note that unless you could be bothered to fight your way to the front and ogle the bands from close-up, in those days the vast majority of the audience were happy to sit/lie/slump on the ground employing ageing family picnic rugs purloined from parental attics and garden sheds. Happy days www.setlist.fm/setlist/the-allman-brothers-band/1974/knebworth-house-knebworth-england-3dd61d7.html www.ukrockfestivals.com/knebvan74.html

[@johnvicary9276]

I was at Knebworth and Alex Harvey was before VM _ i was really looking forward to van and when he arrived on stage my friends and I shared some ganja and i then proceeded to sleep through most of Van's set so pleased to hear that it wasn't Astral Weeks or Moondance - The allmans were terrific and Betts excelled on the Brothers and Sisters stuff as it was their latest album

[@patrickcrowther9195]

Nearly 40 years on I am still trying to get over the sheer hell that was Deep Purple at Knebworth in 1985, otherwise known as the rock Somme. Torrential rain, some of the worst support acts imaginable and then Ritchie Blackmore in wellington boots.

[@sianwarwick633]

pinpointing the day when.... Captain Letdown. I think im only tuning in because David's exhortations to future Patreons is nearly pentecostal. You know, it might work

[@buena1968]

Loved this! Thanks guys. FYI my favourite 1 day UK fests are Knebworth 1979 Led Zeppelin & Bob Dylan's Picnic 1978. Worst was 1986 Knebworth - Queen, yep the audience were treated so badly worse than a bad Millwall home football match. Message me if you want more details.

[@stephenaskew4346]

Cat Steven's was on The Bill??? Playing Detective Inspector Stevens, I assume.

[@drssexy2142]

no he meant on the bill to play at Live Aid but he got scratched out.

[@geezertechhead]

I've got a mixing desk tape of Tim Hardin's set at Knebworth, first two songs are acoustic then the band joins in and he switches to electric.

[@iainwelsh9372]

All I can recall about Hardin’s set is that he made a lot of funny noises and nobody listened to him, as they were busy securing a pitch and settling in for a long day. You don’t have a recording of the Allmans, do you?

[@geezertechhead]

@@iainwelsh9372 alas no Allmans, tho it seems all the acts were recorded on the day so a copy may turn up.

[@foxbasealpha]

Give Adam Ant a break at Live Aid. He only got to play one song as opposed to Nik Kershaw singing four an hour later. No one talks about Nik’s performance.