Comments on: BACKSTAGE STUFF

By: Keef Strang

Keef Strang — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 19:02:13 +0000

Hail Your Welchship,
Gotta big kick outta your article. Thanx.
As you’re a man who oozes music I wondered if you fancied gettin’ on your scuba gear and divin’ down, down, deeper and down with me into the murky music waters under the itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny tip of the rock iceberg? You can get into the whole gig at http://www.rockmusicblog.co.uk – a trawl thru the obscure sock drawer of rock.
May your stylus gather no dust,
Keef

By: Pismotality

Pismotality — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 19:43:35 +0000

Dear Chris,
This is a comment on your comment rather than the article itself, but I have fond memories of your semi-facetious style in the Melody Maker of old and it’s great to see it being aired again. And regarding the lack of remuneration – if you cast your mind back to the Alan Freed biopic American Hot Wax, there is a scene at the end where Chuck Berry (played by, er, Chuck Berry), learning that any profits from a concert will be confiscated, says: “Guess I’m playing this one for rock’n'roll.” If HE can do it, surely …? Oh, and loved your book on Viv Stanshall.
Best wishes, Tony aka Pismotality

By: Chris Charlesworth

Chris Charlesworth — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:42:24 +0000

Thanks for that Chris.
The Finsbury Park Astoria, of course, became the Rainbow in 1972, opening on November 4 with a three-night run by The Who, and I was there for all three shows.
I was fortunate enough to befriend the manager of the Rainbow, an American called John Morris who’d actually been the stage manager at Woodstock, not a job for the faint hearted. Anyway John M gave me a pass to the Rainbow that said ‘Admit to all parts of the theatre at all times’ and it was good for two people too, so I could take a date along to any gig any time I wanted and swan around backstage, front of stage, wherever. Brilliant!
In this way did I see Pink Floyd premiere DSOTM and watch Frank Zappa being felled by a lunatic. I also saw the Osmonds and was surrounded by their fans, a truly terrifying experience.
I’m told the Astoria/Rainbow is a church nowadays, or at least the HQ of some religious sect.

By: Jess Hansen

Jess Hansen — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 18:12:50 +0000

Brilliant job Mr. Welch !
Coming from the man who authored the very first through Jimi biography, your writing about “the man with the guitar” has been missed.
Thank you.

By: Chris Welch

Chris Welch — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:42:09 +0000

Spiffing article. More please. Oh, that’s me talking. What a give away. Anyone would think I got paid for writing this. Those days are over of course. Remember the campaign for ‘Free music man.’ ? Well, it seems to have worked. Thank you and good night Edgar Broughton. (He brought it on himself).