RARITY: Marillion - Grendel - 1983 - ft. John Martyr

Andy Ward was on drums, and maybe some gypsies (intro) at the violins. This live was recorded somewhere in 1983. Fantastic drums paradidles works in the rock'n'roll section (minute 03:40). There was a malfunction on the recording, so some second of the song is absent. The latest version of Grendel played by Marillion and the best one.

[@ianf.macfarlane3886]

I'd never heard this version before, the whole band on top form. Back in the day when Marillion could rock out. Cheers Platoon72, You've made my year.

[@PLATOON72]

Ian Macfarlane yes, you are right. You're welcome.

[@ianf.macfarlane3886]

Cheers, do you know if the full set is available anywhere?

[@PLATOON72]

Ian Macfarlane I'd have yo search for it... I'll let you know.

[@aronschwarz236]

On 'Early Stages' ☺

[@drindroldog]

One of my favorite Marillion tunes!

[@PLATOON72]

Idem.

[@bettera]

Reading festival 1983. The last time Marillion performed this song. After getting the Script album a couple of months earlier it was the first time I had seen the band live. An incredible performance that I will never forget.

[@PLATOON72]

Tony Betteridge what are the instruments playing like violins at the beginning?

[@SeonShow]

Sounds so good

[@shaunbaxter4131]

Aahhh..... August bank holiday weekend 1983. I remember it well!!! Reading Festival. Probably one of the best line ups for a while and Marillion are support heaadliners on Saturday. They completely and utterly blew Black Sabbath (love Ian Gillan but he should never have been let loose on Supernaught) off the stage. Controversial comment perhaps but this line up - for one night only - was the best ever! It just went to show how a truly strong drummer could make such a difference. This show was one of the best memories of my youth!!! As Tommy Vance said on the follow up Radio 1 Rock Show, "only Marillion could start off a show with a 17 minute number" - and oh my.....it was fantastic!!!!!!!!!

[@PLATOON72]

Shaun Baxter You lucky oneeeeeeeeeeeeee!!! :-)))) How I would have partecipated and enjoyed too.....

[@mickparkinson5691]

A brilliant set from Marillion. I was gobsmacked when they opened with this. a cracking weekend.

[@PLATOON72]

mick parkinson lucky bas.. erhm... fellow!! 😊

[@mickparkinson5691]

@@PLATOON72 We used to go every year from probably 1976 to 1984 ish. seen some phenomenal bands there but Marillion was always a stand out performance coz we did follow them.remember the video for Garden Party and was well exited they were playing Reading but they surpassed all expectations. Remember it well. Thanks for posting.

[@pikemark100]

Reading Festival 1983. Marillion were on fire this day. They played so well after returning from a rather poorly received US tour.

[@PLATOON72]

Great!!

[@johnsmith-kv3vk]

Wish I was there. I only caught them 85-86 still brilliant even though more commercial

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

Just imagine, playing for a pumped up crowd of thousands, after travelling through a continent playing for desolate lounge lizards and sugar mice.

[@johnsmith-kv3vk]

I love hearing about Marillion early 80's feedback. Alas I only managed to see them through 85-86 although more commercial still one of the best live bands of the 80's ...amazing version of Grendel thanks for the upload

[@PLATOON72]

john smith totally agred.

[@ciceroleitao5453]

Superb!!! My favorite version... ever!!!

[@PLATOON72]

Thank you!

[@BeaujolaisDay]

Great Version. My first Marillion concert was 1984 Fugazi Tour in Cologne. Never heard this Version: Thanks!

[@PLATOON72]

Thank you! Don't forget to check the first version of Grendel too! VERY RARE - Marillion - Fish's First Practice - 03 - Grendel

[@richardd8]

I first saw Marilliom at Reading festival 83, Blown away, loved Black Sabbath, and Thin Lizzy,,, Don't compare the group's as all are completely different in styles of music.... enjoy all.....

[@PLATOON72]

great! (y)

[@simongrundy4777]

Funnily enough my 1st Marillion show was at Cologne in 84. A wonderful evening. Mover only played one gig with Marillion I believe.

[@PLATOON72]

Lucky guy! But there are yet luckier persons: the ones who assisted to the Diz Minnitt/Brian Jellyman/Michael Pointer formation.

[@TINYCHIHUAHUAHOUSE]

Amazing

[@PLATOON72]

TINY CHIHUAHUA HOUSE thank you, this is the best, and the last recorded, version of the song.

[@riffoftheday6878]

superb

[@PLATOON72]

riff oftheday thank you very much.

[@MiguelBaptista1981]

Those violins sure sounded like kazoos. Other than that, this is the best Grendel version ever. I mean, just listen to those drums. It sounds amazing played with a great drummer.

[@PLATOON72]

Miguel Baptista now that I listen again I'm not even sure they are violins! Kazoos play through the voice...but yes, the sound is somewhat similar... I really don't have a clue on what it could be...

[@Fugaziist]

This is live at the Reading Festival in August 1983 - the drummer is John Martyr (who had just replace Andy Ward). This version appears on the 'Early Stages' CD box set. Jonathan Mover hadn't actually joined the band at this stage.

[@PLATOON72]

OK, I'l fix it. I though it was him because of the sound of the snare drum.

[@stewartmonckton8108]

I was there that day - and you can hear me singing! (well, maybe!)

[@PLATOON72]

At what point of the song?

[@stewartmonckton8108]

I admit I may be exaggerating - but I am part of the chorus that is singing! One of the best gigs I have been too - If I remember correctly, Black Sabbath (with Ian Gillian!) played next and I went in search of a beer!

[@BeaujolaisDay]

John Martyr on drums and Andy Ward on percussion - if I´m right this must be the only gig with the two playing together

[@tadeuszcoos9685]

Jest jedyny w swoim rodzaju 🦂🦂🦂

[@PLATOON72]

Tadeusz Cołoś ??

[@politicaloutlier5393]

This version is mind blowing. Is this Reading gig available on DVD, does anyone know?

[@PLATOON72]

Political Outlier thank you! It's on the Early Stages demo compilation, although the radio voice intro is missing.

[@altawhite1699]

:)

[@tommeloman6969]

Wasn’t this with Andy Ward ?

[@flyingspaguettmonster8738]

Please change the title, the drummer is John Martyr, Andy ward only play percussion in some songs.

[@PLATOON72]

Mr. Godless Done.

[@flyingspaguettmonster8738]

Thanks bro

[@PLATOON72]

yw

[@isladeagua]

When Andy Ward was recruited by Marillion most of us said that it was a down step in his career. He used to play with some top musicians in prog and them.... with Marillion.....clearly a down level. This song is the perfect example of this. Never this song sounded like this. How a excelent drummer can inspire and elevate a song and a band. No doubt, a Higher band with Ward on board. Unfortunatly it doesnt last so much

[@PLATOON72]

Juan Diaz I agree with the drums part being awesome here.

[@flyingspaguettmonster8738]

the drummer is John Martyr

[@FrankBienenstein]

Mr. Sound Staunt keine Unterbrechung mehr man hasse euch und eure Einstellungen !!!

[@PLATOON72]

it's not my fault: I just downloaded, it was the mixer man who made the error.

[@PLATOON72]

bitte schreibe in Englisch.

[@PLATOON72]

@Marillion - The Fish Era I don't remember. Most probably on the by now dead WinMX.