Trevor Bass — Chelmsford music memories

Hi,

I am Chelmsford born and bred and grew up in the town during the late 50's, 60's, and 70's, although I moved away in 1980, and now live in Cheshire. I can't remember how I happened upon your site, but at the time, I bookmarked it to come back to when I had more time to take it all in.

I've just been looking at it and must say that it brought back some memories. Also, until I saw them all listed it never occurred to me that so many bands had played there over the years.

Here is a list of some that you may have overlooked, or been unaware of, which includes a few that you already have but I have been able to firm up the dates for you. These are all gigs that I attended. Where I have given a specific year, I am pretty sure of this, either because I remember that they were touring a particular album, and I have looked up the date of its release; or, because I have been able to check the dates against other sources. Some of these were probably the same gig; I can't remember who Brewers Droop were supporting, for instance, but I definitely remember seeing them. I am sure that I have forgotten a few, as my memory of those days, especially from the early to mid seventies is pretty hazy at times! However, if any more come to mind I'll let you know.

• Ace (Paul Carrack's band who had a hit with 'How Long') - Chancellor Hall (C.H.) - 1974, I think
• Argent - Civic Theatre - Definitely 1972
• Barclay James Harvest - C. H. - early 70's
• Be Bop Deluxe - C. H. - mid 70's
• Brewers Droop - Civic Theatre - 1971/2
• Chicken Shack (blues band had 1969 hit single 'I'd Rather Go Blind') - Chelmsford Technical College - 1970 (1st gig I went to)
• Kevin Coyne - C. H. - 1973
• Deep Purple - Shire Hall - 1971, I think
• Faust (Krautrock band) - C. H. - mid 70's
• Focus (Dutch band big at time) - C. H. - 72 or 73
• Rory Gallagher - C. H. - early 70's
• Groundhogs - Civic Theatre - 1971 or 1972
• Kokomo - C. H. - early/mid 70's
• Man - C. H. - early 70's
• Spice (forerunners of Uriah Heap) - Civic Theatre - 1970 I think
• Spirit (cult Californian 60's band, a personal favourite) - C. H. - early 70's
• Starry Eyed & Laughing (great little band) - Writtle Agricultural College (as was) - mid 70's
• Steeleye Span - Chelms. Folk Festival, Essex Showground - September 1972
• Strawbs - ditto (Steeleye headlined one night, Strawbs the other, wish I could remember who else was on)
• Vinegar Joe (Robert Palmer & Elkie Brooks on vocals) - C. H. - 1972 I think
• Wishbone Ash - can't remember where or when I saw them but think it was either C. H. or C. T. early 70's. I wasn't a big enough fan of the group to have travelled out of town.

I hope this list is useful, and please accept my apologies for any inaccuracies. As I said my memory of those days is pretty blurred at times. Keep up the good work.

Trevor Bass