East Anglia is home to some great music venues that have hosted some wonderful acts over the years – here are just a few more of the biggest acts who have graced our region’s smaller stages.
The Sex Pistols, Cromer, 1977
Punk legends The Sex Pistols brought anarchy to the seaside back in the mid-70s, and put on one hell of a show. Johnny Rotten and co took to the stage of Cromer’s The Links venue on December 24, 1977, shortly after the release of their seminal debut album Never Mind the Bollocks earlier that autumn.
The band played a 13-song-set during their Christmas Eve show, according to Setlist.fm. Tracks included God Save The Queen (which they played twice), Anarchy in the UK, New York, and they ended the set with an encore performance of No Fun by The Stooges.
The Sex Pistols played to a 500-capacity crowd, and the show ended up being their penultimate performance before they disbanded for over 18 years. The iconic gig has since been commemorated with a Blue Plaque near the former venue’s site.
The Rolling Stones, Ipswich, 1966
The former Gaumont (now The Regent) hosted some of the biggest names during its heyday – and who could forget when The Rolling Stones played?
The rockers visited Suffolk numerous times during the 60s – bringing with them some of the biggest names in music. In 1963, they were part of an ensemble tour which was headlined by The Everly Brothers, Bo Diddley, and Little Richard, and in April 1964 they shared a bill with The Bachelors.
On October 2, 1966, they played alongside the Yardbirds, with Ike and Tina Turner supporting.
Dinah Thorpe, who attended one of the Ipswich shows, said: “I went to see the Stones in 1966 at the Gaumont. I became hysterical screaming for Mick and was removed by the St John Ambulance. They let me back in when I calmed down, but I screamed some more and cried all the way home!”
Blur, Gorleston, 1995
Britpop favourites Blur played in Gorleston in the mid-90s – during the height of the genre’s popularity.
The band – which has roots in Colchester – stopped off at the Ocean Room on September 20 as part of its aptly-named Seaside Tour.
A Blur logo was beamed into the sky, and people began queueing as early as 8am to nab themselves a spot at the barrier.
“You could feel the excitement from Acle,” said a review at the time.
“The arrival of the chart-topping megastars to the cosy seaside town was anticipated like a royal visit but with all the frenzied delirium only pop idols command.”
David Bowie, Framlingham, 1967
Before he found fame as an acclaimed solo artist, it is believed that Bowie’s only Suffolk gig was at Framlingham’s Assembly Rooms on Church Street in April 1967 during his time as The Riot Squad’s lead singer.
Still going by David Jones then, he and his band played to the small Suffolk town, and East Anglian Daily Times reader Pat Ward remembers the gig well.
“They were a bit way-out. To be honest I wasn’t quite sure what to make of them. They came out in clown suits and I remember them blowing bubbles at the audience.
“He wasn’t famous at that time and after the concert we invited them over to ours for a coffee. We all went over there in their tour bus which had all their equipment – their instruments and speakers as well.”
Did you attend any of these shows? Or did you go to a show that you think deserves a mention? Get in touch with danielle.lett@newsquest.co.uk to share your photos and experiences.
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