Est. delivery Mon, 11 Aug - Wed, 20 AugEstimated delivery Mon, 11 Aug - Wed, 20 Aug
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The first book about one of the most legendary music festivals in British history. It started as a donkey derby, a small local charity event, but when plans for the 1971 Isle of Wight Festival fell through, Clacton Round Table decided to hold a pop concert of their own.
Great that the author Ray Clark has written about this event.Julie Felix,one of the performers at the festival,said it had the feel of a sixties festival(although it took place in 1971)and therefore could be called the last ‘60s festival.It describes a moment in time of people enjoying themselves in the sunshine,making themselves straw igloos and listening to a line-up of all British bands,only slightly marred by fighting between Hells Angels and ‘security’men hired by stall holders(of course it was this that made the media headlines).
The author has researched thoroughly the origins of the event which was started rather naively but also in a charming and very British way by members of Clacton Round Table.A licence was granted on the basis of 10,000 people attending-over 100,000 eventually attended.Its fair to say Health and Safety isn’t what it is now!
One nice vignette mentions Marc Bolan taking a bath at someone’s house in the village(for which he paid a £1).So no backstage VIP facilities.
Justice meted out to the Hells Angels is also thoroughly covered.Being quite local to the event I wondered if the biker gang named the Coggeshall Bastards would make an appearance and indeed they do.
I would have liked more information on the running order of the bands and set lists but with the book being so generally well researched I’m guessing that if the author could have provided more information in this area he would have done.
Some photos of the bands do not credit the musicians which I would have been of interest(without the musicians there is no festival).A photo of T.Rex does name the musicians but misses out drummer Bill Legend( the only surviving member).But I’m being pedantic and don’t be put of from checking this fantastic book out.
I’m looking forward to reading the authors other title about pirate radio.
Just a bit disappointed when a couple of pages dropped out , only 30 pages in. Bought two of these , one as a present for a friend who was also there , hope his doesn't do the same.