Did you see Fairport in the Sixties?

[Gouty (Gary)]

Having watched the BBC4 doc, it occurred to me that there must be some TAWhilers (apart from Jude, obviously!)  who saw Fairport play live in '67, '68 and '69 (that 'golden age', if you like) but I've not come across any personal recollections on this board. I was a fan in the 70s, but didn't actually see them live until 1983 and would love to hear from anyone who was there at the beginning.

So, did you see Fairport in the 60s? Where was it? What was the atmosphere like? Were they good? What did they play? Did you think you'd still be seeing them in 2012?

Memory Lane is now open to traffic...

[Anne Dunn]

I can remember seeing Fairport in the late sixties, but sadly I can't remember anything about it. I think they were supporting another band but can't remember who. Since 1995 I've been keeping a log of all the gigs / festivals I go to and who we saw. Back then - sadly no.  
And as for your last question - I didn't even think that far ahead! (well at that age you don't do you?)

[David (terrrrrrrr)]

I'm an old so and so who did see them back then. Once in Leeds, at a club long since closed. It was somewhere close to Leeds Infirmary, and I've looked and looked to see if there is any building left that could have been a club. I have to report my failure to find one. Cant remember the set list but I'm confident that it would have been stuff from 1st album, and probably some of the second one. I got there early, and knew I'd found the right place because they were unloading the equipment right outside the door. I gave Simon a hand carrying some amplifiers up the stairs. I also remember a large Alsatian dog that I kept well clear of. There was not a huge audience that night, so I was able to stand right at the front. Hope I didn't scare anybody that night by staring. Were they good. Silly question... The biggest memory was that I deliberately missed the last bus home to see all of the performance. It meant I had an 8 mile walk home that night.

Bradford University was another concert. I most definitely recall listening to Sailors Life as a showcase to end the set. It was stunning... Bridget St John was also on the bill, as I think, were Principal Edwards Magic Theatre, but I'm not certain. I seem to recall some way-out band playing for far too long... Androgyne or something like that comes to mind... It was a John Peel Dandelion sponsored thing.

Harrogate keeps cropping up, but I'm beggared if I can remember why. Festival Gardens would have been the venue. The mind sometimes plays tricks...

Yorkshire was a long way from London (still is, unless one of them has moved), so the opportunity to see them was limited.

I haven't seen them this year, or for a number of years for that matter. But was I expecting to be still talking about them in 2012? Frankly, no. Am I glad to be? Absolutely...

[Gouty (Gary)]

Fantastic! If there was a 'Jealous' smiley, I'd use it now.

[StephenGiles]

When I'm next in touch with my old friend Steve Airey who played in the Ethnic Shuffle Orchestra, I'll ask him if he saw Fairport at that time.

Oddly enough, I saw Screaming Lord Sutch 8 times between 1962 and 1964 and can still remember each occasion vividly - now what did I have for lunch today???

[David (terrrrrrrr)]

Bradford University was another concert. I most definitely recall listening to Sailors Life as a showcase to end the set. It was stunning... Bridget St John was also on the bill, as I think, were Principal Edwards Magic Theatre, but I'm not certain. I seem to recall some way-out band playing for far too long... Androgyne or something like that comes to mind... It was a John Peel Dandelion sponsored thing.

I've been in touch with a mate who was at that concert with me. The name of that "other" band was ANDROMEDA. They were parc he reminded me. And he was right too.

[bassline (Mike)]

Unfortunately not.But I have seen Fairport in their sixties.Some of them at least.

[Sandra]

I saw them several times at Mothers in Erdington and another club that I can't remember the name of in Birmingham plus I also used to visit London quite a lot and eventually moved there for a short time in the late 60s and I saw the band at various clubs there.

I first got into them as I was a huge fan of west coast American bands like the Lovin' Spoonful, the Byrds and the Airplane etc. and Fairport were the nearest thing to them that we had of our own.

I would love to tell you what I remember of them in detail but they were one of many bands I saw round that time and sad to say the memories, with a few exceptions, all seem to have melded into one big gig, but they must have impressed me enough for me to seek them out.

They really hit me though at the Bath Festival in 1970. Their entrance there was impressive to say the least, the atmosphere was terrific and they played a blinding set, with Swarb and Richard bouncing off each other like maniacs.

And no, I didn't think I would still be seeing them now.

[KascadeDan]

Nope. I always managed to miss them somehow, mostly due to the fact that I wasn't born until about 25 years later  

[Andy Cutts]

According to the gig guide book that I have been putting together for the last couple of years, I first saw Fairport at the Barn Barbecue Dance at Thurmaston in Leicestershire on Easter Monday 1968.  This one day festival was headlined by John Mayall and featured Fleetwood Mac, Soft Machine and various soul and local groups. My memories of this are a bit vague, but I remember most of my friends and I had gone to see the Blues groups,Soft Machine and the Fairports.   The only other gig that I can remember in the 60's, was at a converted cinema in Market Harborough called the Frolickin' Kneecap. I think this was in September 1968, as I had seen Family there the same year.   I remember the set at the Bath Festival in 1970 very well, the guys were on top form that day, but didn't that festival over run!

[hendo (Dave)]

No, it was 70 and 71

[Andy Cutts]

Aargh! I shouldn't have had that brown acid.  I'll go and dig that Festival Programme out.

[hendo (Dave)]

Aargh! I shouldn't have had that brown acid.  I'll go and dig that Festival Programme out.

Sorry Andy I wasn't replying to your post.
It was 70 ,71 when I first saw Fairports.
Apropo of nothing Sheen saw the Farinas (pre Family) at a club in Kibworth in the mid 60's. I was playing with Charlie (John) Whitney in a pub in Ashby Folville , 10 yrs ago ish and he remembered the gig and was amazed Sheen had a Farinas single which is,apparently, now worth lots.

[Herts Claire]

1967 at the Malvern Winter Gardens in Worcestershire. Probably about 200 people there.
Then I got a boyfriend with a car, so went a couple of times to see them at Mothers.

[gower flower (Shirl)]

Sadly, I never saw Fairport in the sixties. But I have seen them in MY sixties. Does that count?  

[Polly Oxford (Andie)]

Memory very dodgy here too...
First saw them at a college gig in Brighton I think, 67/68? Vague memories of a hot basement and just loving the music.
I know I bought WWDOOH when it came out, and had been to a gig on the tour that was pictured on the sleeve, Sussex/Warwick Uni? Also Oxford Town Hall? probably 69...
I remember being amazed when Swarb joined them as I had seen him at various folk clubs and it was a dream team for me then. Not being into music press, the first I knew was when I saw him on stage, but where and when???
Many times and places since, but I vividly remember Sandy at the Dome on her last tour... -sadly not at her best, and I thought that would be the end of an era! How very wrong!

[Jules Gray]

Many times and places since, but I vividly remember Sandy at the Dome on her last tour... -sadly not at her best, and I thought that would be the end of an era! How very wrong!

Well wrong in one way, but right in another.  

Jules

[Henry Tompkins (Pete)]

I saw them in 68 at, I think the Marquee. A very hot and sweaty evening as I recall. It was the original lineup with Jude. We spent the entire evening staring at RT's fingers, amazed at his runs all over the neck. This was very much the 'English Jefferson Airplane' era, and that indeed was one of the things that inspired us to go.   We were all into the Airplane/Dead/Quicksilver/Byrds/Tim Buckley/Country Joe thing at the time.

We then saw them in 69 at either the Festival Hall or Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank. It was their first gig without Sandy - the five man lineup.  If my memory serves me correctly, John and Beverley Martin were the support act???.........well, it was a long time ago.  

[davidmjs]

I saw them in 68 at, I think the Marquee. A very hot and sweaty evening as I recall. It was the original lineup with Jude. We spent the entire evening staring at RT's fingers, amazed at his runs all over the neck. This was very much the 'English Jefferson Airplane' era, and that indeed was one of the things that inspired us to go.   We were all into the Airplane/Dead/Quicksilver/Byrds/Tim Buckley/Country Joe thing at the time.

We then saw them in 69 at either the Festival Hall or Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank. It was their first gig without Sandy - the five man lineup.  If my memory serves me correctly, John and Beverley Martin were the support act???.........well, it was a long time ago.  

The Sandy lineup played at the Festival Hall with John & Beverley and Nick Drake on 24th Sept 1969 which was I think the L&L 'launch' so to speak.

The first major live performance of the Full House band was at the same venue on 14th Feb 1970.  Not sure if the support was also John and Beverley?

[quodlibet (Ian)]

support was Dudu Pukwana.