40 years ago 17 nights of magic in NYC
Forums:
When The Clash took over the Broadway area supporting Sandinista. The first night was over sold, One show canceled because of that by the NYC Fire Dept. Tickets were being scalped at the unheard of price (at the time) of $200 a ticket for a GA show. The band says, "Fuck that shit" and proceeds to step up and makes a promise that everyone who wants to see them will be able to and at face value. 8 original dates turned into 17 nights of amazing shows that rocked everyone to the core. This was pure rock by a band that cared. By the end of the run, even the scalpers got into the vibe and were giving tickets away because it wasn't worth the hassle of the verbal beat downs the crowed, and sometimes band members, were giving them as the tried to sell tickets.
I consider myself luck to have seen 3 shows and experienced the circus. It was a time and place that will never be repeated.
- Log in to post comments
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mtndog
cool
cool
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
https://www.youtube.com/watch
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvtscc7AFJ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJqWjVCu3cE
Must have been a blast. Only saw them in 83 at the US Fest (Mick Jones last show with them) and 84 at Long Beach Arena.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: skifurthur
Must have been a blast.
Blast is almost too mellow of a word to describe those nights. Although I only caught 3 shows, from what I've heard from people that attended the others, there wasn't a dud in all 17 shows. The energy of the band and audience was cathartic. You could see it in the faces of the audience as they left the venue. There was a life affirming force that permeated all those who were there.
Of special note, to me at least, those shows taught me to listen to opening acts without prejudgment. Although some of the opening acts were booed, it was simply because many weren't at all familiar with the music. Many "punks" felt that anything but "punk" was crap. The Clash did a good job of letting people know what the sources of influences on their sound were. Lee "Scratch" Perry and Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five didn't go over so well. The punkier bands, Bad Brains, KRAUT and the Dead Kennedy's did better. Regardless of the genre of music. all the openers were hand picked and played their hearts out, just like The Clash did.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Blue Rose Task Force
Great story Tony
Great story Tony