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Ray Laidlaw, Jack The Lad
Bit
of a tall order this one. I can't remember much detail but I have very
fond memories of Friars, both venues, the first one being the most whacky.
I've got a feeling that the first time Lindisfarne played there we were a
last minute replacement for another band, it may have been David Bowie
(it was the Faces
in 1971 in fact - Ed.) I
remember a lot of disgruntled punters in the pub grumbling about having to
watch 'some bloody folk group'. As it happened a lot of them stayed and we
went down really well. I think David Stopps must have had close links with
Charisma records because all of the bands on the label, Genesis, Van Der
Graaf, Audience etc seemed to get booked at Friars on a regular basis. As
I said, I can't recall much detail, just lots of bonhomie, great
audience reaction, good crack in the pub before and after,
interesting herbal aromas and lots of bearded blokes and rustic
hippie chicks. Happy daze indeed
Barrie Masters, Eddie and the
Hot Rods:
In
my humble opinion Friars was the best all round gig in the country. The
size is great as you're never too far from stage or bar, acoustics are
excellent and from the bands point of view a perfect stage size and great
dressing rooms.David Stopps ( promoter in my day ) an excellent host,
always looked after us well and also ran a tight ship. I must add that the
Iggy Pop gig with David Bowie on keys, rates in my top ten gigs of all
time. So as you can tell, you won't get a bad word about Friars from
me, and I have done more gigs than most bands in the country, most
of them I have forgotten by now, but I always remember the Friars
gigs I have done. if only all gigs were as good as..... |
