Knebworth 1980

[The Shift]

My own faves on the night included Some of Your Love and Keeping the Summer Alive - it was great to hear them play fast, full and furious versions of new songs among the old favourites. I actually hated You Are So Beautiful on the night - couldn't understand why they'd throw in such a soppy slow-down track among the adrenalin rush that the gig otherwise was, and is never heard the tune before.!my opinion was swung 180 degrees since then… and what would any of us here sacrifice to hear Dennis sing that live just once more?

Alan, I can honestly recall where I was in relation to the bonfire… there was some other smokey stuff being passed around but I didn't partake (I just inhaled from afar, and the railway carriage heading home the next day was so full of the stuff you couldn't help but take it in…!). Honk the bonfire was well over to my left. Still have a flyer somewhere, and suspec I've kept my ticket too. Programme is on the shelf with the ray of the collection.

Lindisfarne played in the afternoon and they were great, Beach Boy-rivalling harmonies that brought a tear to the eye. Santana and Mike oldfield were sleep-inducing, Elkie Brooks was ace, Blues band were fab.

Kestrel lager was a new product at the time; it tasted like piss to me; threw my can on the bonfire (but not that bonfire).

Think my ticket cost £9.50, including camping. There was a vole under the tent one night.

These things I remember…

[drbeachboy]

I was at the Philadelphia show which opened the U.S. leg of the tour. I believe it was in May and without Dennis. Even so, it was a hell of a concert and they were a-rockin' that night as well. One of the very few times that I felt the Spectrum shake during a concert. Most of the show was like a sing-along. I remember not being able to hear to the band because so many in the audience were singing. As for fun and excitement, it was probably the best show that I ever attended. While there were some mistakes musically and vocally, I don't think anyone cared a lick. As it turned out out, it was one of the last arena sized shows that they played here. After that it was all small venue gigs for the next 30 plus years, except for the tour with Chicago in 1989 or 90.

[Sheriff John Stone]

I was at the Philadelphia show which opened the U.S. leg of the tour. I believe it was in May and without Dennis. Even so, it was a hell of a concert and they were a-rockin' that night as well. One of the very few times that I felt the Spectrum shake during a concert. Most of the show was like a sing-along. I remember not being able to hear to the band because so many in the audience were singing. As for fun and excitement, it was probably the best show that I ever attended. While there were some mistakes musically and vocally, I don't think anyone cared a lick. As it turned out out, it was one of the last arena sized shows that they played here. After that it was all small venue gigs for the next 30 plus years, except for the tour with Chicago in 1989 or 90.

April 18, 1980 - I was there, too. Do you remember when Mike said, "We have a special request....from Brian Wilson", and they played "Long Tall Texan"? And it was a pretty good version, too! I have a cassette recording of the concert complete with the post-concert interview with Bruce and Brian.

[drbeachboy]

I was at the Philadelphia show which opened the U.S. leg of the tour. I believe it was in May and without Dennis. Even so, it was a hell of a concert and they were a-rockin' that night as well. One of the very few times that I felt the Spectrum shake during a concert. Most of the show was like a sing-along. I remember not being able to hear to the band because so many in the audience were singing. As for fun and excitement, it was probably the best show that I ever attended. While there were some mistakes musically and vocally, I don't think anyone cared a lick. As it turned out out, it was one of the last arena sized shows that they played here. After that it was all small venue gigs for the next 30 plus years, except for the tour with Chicago in 1989 or 90.

April 18, 1980 - I was there, too. Do you remember when Mike said, "We have a special request....from Brian Wilson", and they played "Long Tall Texan"? And it was a pretty good version, too! I have a cassette recording of the concert complete with the post-concert interview with Bruce and Brian.

Yep, I remember, along with the big introduction of Goin' On. I also remember the audience going ape sh*t after Help Me Rhonda and Wouldn't It Be Nice. Out of the 40 plus shows that I have attended since 1969, that one was the most wild and exciting of them all. I had my sister record the show too, off of WIOQ 102 FM.

Edit: Don't think I have ever heard the interviews with Bruce & Brian. My tape ran out.

[Pinder's Gone To Kokomo And Back Again]

Didn't Brian eat his entire birthday cake by himself before going onstage at Knebworth?

[Bean Bag]

"California Girls" - love the organ intro
"Do It Again" - my favorite live version of the song; again the intro rocks
"Little Deuce Coupe" - a very underrated version
"I Get Around", "Surfin' USA", "Barbara Ann", "Fun, Fun, Fun" - they were able to capture on tape the way it feels to be there live; rock & roll doesn't get much better than that

Nice.  For me it's Lady Lynda.  I love the high falsetto throughout the tag.  Achingly beautiful.

[Alan Smith]

Didn't Brian eat his entire birthday cake by himself before going onstage at Knebworth?

He mowed through an chocolate one that was supposed to be for the tykes - according to Mr Mike Grant's CD liner notes:

"Back in 1980, Knebworth House had played host to the band, laying on a cold buffet and drinks for them prior to their performance.  When Brian, unimpressed by the spread, asked "Do you have any cake?", a chocolate cake was brought out which had been especially baked for the children of the house.  This was met a by a gleeful grin from Brian, who sat himself down on a nearby sofa and devoured it - then fell asleep, a cushion over his face!  The others did not have an easy time waking him from his slumber"

[Alan Smith]

These things I remember…

John, drbeachboy, Sheriff John Stone,

I can't tell you enough how great your recollections are  - The few BB events I've been to in Australia have been pretty polite affairs - indoors, allocated seating, just the BBs, etc etc. 

While these Oz performances have been pretty enjoyable, I'm eternally envious of those who were able to see our boys during the '70s and can relate a deep connection to these events.  Those shots looking out across the Knebworth audience; or stuff like those scenes from the "Free" Washington Concerts (as per An American Band/EH) just blow me away how HUGE some of those gigs were.

[The Shift]

There used to be something online, written by Lady Knebworth (whatever her name is… excuse me your Highness) in which she recounted the birthday cake tale firsthand. Can't find it right now… might have been taken down as they now sell a "scrapbook" recollecting the festivals, from the giftshop.

Interesting to note the slight audience decline, from the 200,000 for the previous year's 200,000 Led Zepellin weekend to the 45,000 for Beach Boys day.

Pretty sure I've recounted other memories from the gig here previously… like the live premiere of Santa Ana Winds, so new to the band that someone (Al) had to scuttle off to find a lyric sheet they could share; and a band member (Carl?) blaming Al for the Cotonfields/Heroes Medley. At one stage Brian was playing an entirely different tune to the rest of the band. And as Mike announced "the song you've all been waiting for…" the audience clamoured for Barbara Ann, only for the band to play Good Vibes!

[Lowbacca]

[...]and a band member (Carl?) blaming Al for the Cotonfields/Heroes Medley.

On the DVD it's Mike who introduces the medley with "It was his fault, that guy over here. [...] He made us do it. [...] So anybody that has any complains after the show about this particular song we're gonna do, please direkt them to Mr Al Jardine." ^^

[The Shift]

[...]and a band member (Carl?) blaming Al for the Cotonfields/Heroes Medley.

On the DVD it's Mike who introduces the medley with "It was his fault, that guy over here. [...] He made us do it. [...] So anybody that has any complains after the show about this particular song we're gonna do, please direkt them to Mr Al Jardine." ^^

Many thanks… long time since I watched the DVD (but will make it bedtime viewing for my daughter tonight I think!)

[Moon Dawg]

  The Knebworth performance of "Surfer Girl" is interesting. Dennis comes to the front of the stage and Mike clearly has no interest interacting with him. At the end of the song, Carl seems to be heading Mike's way for a word but is stopped by Dennis. Then you see Al and Dennis shaking hands while taking their bows. What was going on with Carl and Mike? Was Carl angry?

[bachelorofbullets]

  The Knebworth performance of "Surfer Girl" is interesting. Dennis comes to the front of the stage and Mike clearly has no interest interacting with him. At the end of the song, Carl seems to be heading Mike's way for a word but is stopped by Dennis. Then you see Al and Dennis shaking hands while taking their bows. What was going on with Carl and Mike? Was Carl angry?

I've watched this part many times, and my theory is that Carl (who was the last person to start trouble) was trying to get between Dennis and Mike to cut off any conflict between the two.  It looked like Dennis was trying to instigate Mike and he was probably hammered too.

[BillA]

  The Knebworth performance of "Surfer Girl" is interesting. Dennis comes to the front of the stage and Mike clearly has no interest interacting with him. At the end of the song, Carl seems to be heading Mike's way for a word but is stopped by Dennis. Then you see Al and Dennis shaking hands while taking their bows. What was going on with Carl and Mike? Was Carl angry?

I've watched this part many times, and my theory is that Carl (who was the last person to start trouble) was trying to get between Dennis and Mike to cut off any conflict between the two.  It looked like Dennis was trying to instigate Mike and he was probably hammered too.

I don't think Carl had any issues with Mike that day.  At the end of "Barbara Ann" he gives mike a bifg shout out.

[Smilin Ed H]

  The Knebworth performance of "Surfer Girl" is interesting. Dennis comes to the front of the stage and Mike clearly has no interest interacting with him. At the end of the song, Carl seems to be heading Mike's way for a word but is stopped by Dennis. Then you see Al and Dennis shaking hands while taking their bows. What was going on with Carl and Mike? Was Carl angry?

I've watched this part many times, and my theory is that Carl (who was the last person to start trouble) was trying to get between Dennis and Mike to cut off any conflict between the two.  It looked like Dennis was trying to instigate Mike and he was probably hammered too.

If I recall correctly, the rumour was that Dennis had quit or been sacked and the drummer on the tour was going to be Scott Matthews from the Durocs.

[Pretty Funky]

[...]and a band member (Carl?) blaming Al for the Cotonfields/Heroes Medley.

On the DVD it's Mike who introduces the medley with "It was his fault, that guy over here. [...] He made us do it. [...] So anybody that has any complains after the show about this particular song we're gonna do, please direkt them to Mr Al Jardine." ^^

Many thanks… long time since I watched the DVD (but will make it bedtime viewing for my daughter tonight I think!)

I've written this before when the subject has come up on these Knebworth threads. The truth behind Mike's comment is covered in an old BB Freaks United news letter I still have. In Holland (from memory) Al had heard that the bands last 'hit' had been 'Cottonfields' and got the group to rehearse the song for that reason. They must have kept it in the setlist.

[Micha]

and what would any of us here sacrifice to hear Dennis sing that live just once more?

Me nothing, but I would sacrifice quite something it they were all still alive and their voices were all in the shape of Al's...

[phirnis]

and what would any of us here sacrifice to hear Dennis sing that live just once more?

Me nothing, but I would sacrifice quite something it they were all still alive and their voices were all in the shape of Al's...

Sadly, can't even imagine what Dennis' voice might sound like today.

[Foster's Freeze]

I like Knebworth (and that period) a lot but it was perplexing. Side two of the M.I.U. Album was pretty laid back as was almost all of the L.A. Light Album. The next thing you know they came out blasting in 1980. Did they ever rock as hard?

I've thought exactly the same thing - at this point in time they really played like true a rock and roll band - what suddenly made things different?  At this point Dennis was deep into his issues but even when he takes his songs on the kit, he's fantastic as a "driver."  There was always something special about Denny behind the kit even in his later years.

[Andrew G. Doe]

 The Knebworth performance of "Surfer Girl" is interesting. Dennis comes to the front of the stage and Mike clearly has no interest interacting with him. At the end of the song, Carl seems to be heading Mike's way for a word but is stopped by Dennis. Then you see Al and Dennis shaking hands while taking their bows. What was going on with Carl and Mike? Was Carl angry?

I've watched this part many times, and my theory is that Carl (who was the last person to start trouble) was trying to get between Dennis and Mike to cut off any conflict between the two.  It looked like Dennis was trying to instigate Mike and he was probably hammered too.

If I recall correctly, the rumour was that Dennis had quit or been sacked and the drummer on the tour was going to be Scott Matthews from the Durocs.

Prior to the first show of the 1980 European tour (June 2nd), Dennis hadn't played with the band since mid-November the previous year, and those three gigs were the only shows he played between August 12th 1979 and the 1980 Euro shows. Basically, he was kicked out and told not to come back until he cleaned up his act.

[Jonathan Blum]

Basically, he was kicked out and told not to come back until he cleaned up his act.

...Which raises the question, given what he was like over the next two years...  what made them think his act was still sufficiently cleaned up to stay in?  Why was he not out on his ear again basically the moment they got back to the States?...

Cheers,
Jon Blum

[Nicko1234]

  The Knebworth performance of "Surfer Girl" is interesting. Dennis comes to the front of the stage and Mike clearly has no interest interacting with him. At the end of the song, Carl seems to be heading Mike's way for a word but is stopped by Dennis. Then you see Al and Dennis shaking hands while taking their bows. What was going on with Carl and Mike? Was Carl angry?

I`ve never looked at it like that. Doesn`t the booklet for this CD/DVD actually mention that Mike and Dennis smiling at each other and singing together is a beautiful moment or something like that?

And I presume that Carl wanted to talk about the performance for some reason. Doesn`t look angry to me.

[c-man]

  The Knebworth performance of "Surfer Girl" is interesting. Dennis comes to the front of the stage and Mike clearly has no interest interacting with him. At the end of the song, Carl seems to be heading Mike's way for a word but is stopped by Dennis. Then you see Al and Dennis shaking hands while taking their bows. What was going on with Carl and Mike? Was Carl angry?

I`ve never looked at it like that. Doesn`t the booklet for this CD/DVD actually mention that Mike and Dennis smiling at each other and singing together is a beautiful moment or something like that?

And I presume that Carl wanted to talk about the performance for some reason. Doesn`t look angry to me.

Agreed.

[Pretty Funky]

Being a new fan at the time I read everything and anything and it was pretty much all bad between Mike and Dennis. When the DVD came out I thought one thing. Dennis was taking the p!ss.

Carl may be doing something simple as cutting a song due to time constraints.

[RiC]

I say there's definetely something going on with Carl and Mike after Surfer Girl. The way Dennis grabs Carl away from Mike and how Al comes straight after that to shake Dennis' hand. I agree that Carl doesn't look angry, but something definetely happened there.

Plus I'm pretty sure Mike was pissed for Dennis during the performance. That "get the f*** off-smile" Mike has during it is pretty funny.