Free at Middlesbrough Town Hall: A Power-Cut Gig
Andrew Keeley of Warrington, Cheshire, recalls the legendary Free concert at Middlesbrough Town Hall on 19 February 1972. The band, led by local vocalist Paul Rodgers, was on what was rumored to be their farewell tour, creating massive anticipation. Tickets cost 50p and sold out, but a seven-week miners' strike forced a power cut scheduled for 9pm, so the start time was moved to 5pm. Coincidentally, the miners settled their pay dispute that same day, but power cuts continued until the following week.
After a brilliant gig with seven encores, the audience left just before 9pm, walking home in pitch darkness. Keeley notes this added to the night's legendary status, concluding, "It all turned out All Right Now."
Beatles' 1964 Christmas Show: Screaming Teenagers
Lesley Cramp of Harrow, London, attended the Beatles' 1964 Christmas show at Hammersmith Odeon. Her mother queued for tickets for 12-year-old Lesley, her 11-year-old friend Liz, and Liz's mother. They sat in the circle, filled with celebrities like DJ Pete Murray, while below in the stalls, teenage girls screamed incessantly. Cramp recalls the thrill of seeing the Beatles live, though they could barely hear over the screaming. Hits like "Twist and Shout" and "Can't Buy Me Love" were discernible. She remembers every second of the performance, though not the support acts or journey.
Beethoven Marathon: Rostropovich and Richter
Bob Owen of Chetnole, Dorset, describes a memorable classical concert on 30 August 1964 at Usher Hall, Edinburgh. Mstislav Rostropovich and Sviatoslav Richter performed all Beethoven cello and piano sonatas through the night. It was a short-notice, first-come, first-served event, and Owen secured an excellent balcony seat, calling it an unforgettable experience.
Missed Gigs: The Smiths
Paul Masterman of Shifnal, Shropshire, reflects on a missed opportunity. In the early 1980s, on a group holiday in Cornwall, a friend suggested seeing a new band at Falmouth Town Hall. The group opted for the pub instead. The band was the Smiths, who later became iconic. Masterman quips, "Whatever happened to them?"
