Midnight Voices - Print Page


    
      
        Midnight Voices
        (https://www.peteatkin.com/cgi-bin/mv/YaBB.cgi)
      

        Pete Atkin >> Gigs >> Lost Gig: Intimate Theatre 1971?
        
(Message started by: Derek Wright on Today at 19:03)

Title: Lost Gig: Intimate Theatre 1971?
Post by Derek Wright on Today at 19:03

During my latest visit to The Pheasantry last weekend, the same thought occurred as it always does, so I thought I would finally seek some help.

The second time I saw Pete was at the Shaw Theatre in 1974. As that venue is listed only once in the gig list 1970-77 I can be reasonably sure that I was there on 5 May 1974.

Listing states that it was The Road Of Silk tour with Mama Flyer as support, but the gig I saw had Soft Machine as support. Their bass guitar solo on the night has remained long in my memory, but not in a good way. Does anyone else remember this?

The first time I saw him is slightly more puzzling. It was at the Intimate Theatre in Palmers Green and I'm pretty sure it was the year after I left school so that would make it 1971. The only listing for this venue was for June 1974.

Was anyone at the 1971 gig, or have any details?

All the best,

Derek Wright

Title: Re: Lost Gig: Intimate Theatre 1971?
Post by S J Birkill on Today at 21:09

Hi Derek

Interesting. The only mention of the Intimate Theatre I can find in the MV archive is in MV5566, a post from Bob Kingston on 7th February 2001. Bob writes:

Quote:

Think of my excitement when I discovered that PA was playing at The Intimate Theatre in Palmers Green, London, supported by Mama Flyer (whoever they were) and if I remember correctly Dave Edmonds? (Another senior moment!) I still have half the ticket tucked inside the album sleeve of AKAN (Vinyl) but, unfortunately, the date was on the other half. Any helpers? I have no doubt that it was a wonderful evening but my only clear recollection is the support band on stage playing to (putting it politely) a select audience commenting: "The Intimate? This place is about as intimate as an aircraft hanger!"

Bob states that the date must have been between 1972 (when he first heard Pete on the radio) and 1978 (A&R at the Donmar). Which of course fits with our listing (28th June 1974 (https://www.peteatkin.com/pagiglst.htm)) for the Palmers Green venue. Was there an earlier one?

As for the Shaw Theatre on 5th May that year, I have no information on any support act (Mama Flyer was Pete's own backing band for the 'Road of Silk' tour), and I can find no mention of Soft Machine (or Matching Mole for that matter) ever having played that venue.

Can anyone help?

Steve