FOR his new book, a local author is writing about Salisbury’s bustling music scene in the 60s and 70s – and he’s calling for your memories.
Simon Hurford writes:
“Hello Salisbury and Avon Gazette,
“I am hoping to write a book about pop music in Salisbury in the years 1958 to 1980.
“Most of the big names in British pop have played concerts in Salisbury, usually at the Salisbury Gaumont, up to 1963, and then at Salisbury City Hall or the Alexandra Rooms.
“If any of your readers have attended gigs in Salisbury I would invite them to contact me, and tell me their stories and memories, good or bad.”
“The sort of artists I plan to write about would be Buddy Holly, Rolling Stones, Bowie, Troggs, Dave Dee, Manfred Mann, Cliff and the Shadows, Cream, Small Faces, The Who, The Move, Kinks, The Troggs, Status Quo, Led Zeppelin, and many many others.
“I would also appreciate any information your readers could give me about the local Salisbury groups of the time, such as Ricky Vernon and the Pathfinders, The Bohemians, The Satellites, Ten Feet Five, The Sceptres, and Danny and the Detonators. I’m sure there must be many others.
“My email address is-sphurford@yahoo.co.uk.”
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Dear All, I have a question for Simon Hurford about a gig played in Salisbury Alex Rooms by English progressive rock band GENTLE GIANT. Seems a gig took place in early 1971 in one the possible days: January 1971 (2,9,23,30), February 1971 (6), March 1971 (27), April 1971 (24). Well Simon Hurford if you have in your file this GENTLE GIANT gig (surely played in 1970 or ealry 1971) are you able to let me know when exatly this gig took place ? Thanks for your kindly attention
My husband used to be a regular at the Alexander Rooms between late 1967 to 1971 (or earlier as not sure when it closed). He saw, original Fleetwood Mac, Vinegar Joe (Ellie Brooks and Robert Palmer), Black Sabeth, Manfred Mannn Earth Band, Chicken Shack with Christine Perfect, Gary Moore at 16 years old (group- Skid Row?), Doctor Feelgood to start with.