The ValleyLondon SW731st May 1976All started with the drive from Basildon in my Morris 1100 (provisional license probably failed my driving test a couple of times by then.) got to Charlton cops everywhere so parked up as quickly as possible and looked for a pub! The day started off sunny thinks I even got a bit burnt! After a few pints headed for the valley, the stage was on one of the side terraces so we headed for the one opposite facing the stage, I seem to remember the atmosphere quit good everyone having a laugh and when you think seventy odd thousand mainly men with a few drinks inside them! This was 76 when most pubs of a weekend only need fifty and there be a fight! First Band on Widowmaker remember they went down well, Ariel Bender on guitar (ex Mott the Hoople) next up the Street Walkers with Roger Chapman on vocals no memories there! Then we had the Outlaws from America and I think this was when it started to rain the light fine stuff that gets you soaked I seem to remember they didn’t go down too well, Then Little Feet who seemed to take ages to set up, people were getting bored one bloke decided to climb up the floodlights people from the stage were asking him to climb down as there where mirrors up there for the Who’s laser light show! When LF finally started I think they were a little too laid back for the crowd they even chucked maracas into the crowd which went back with even more stuff!Then SAHB who were Sensational I can remember scaffolding behind the Band and Alex writing VAMBO RULESBy the time The Who came on conditions were pretty soggy. Roger Daltrey sprinted out and slid straight on to his arse
The photos of that day are from an excellent website called ukrockfestivals.commore photos and memories can be found there.
Click on second button on player and you can hear The Who’s first tune I Cant Explain and then some Banta from Mr. Moon courtesy of hvh823iow on youtube