I Was There - Gigs That Changed The World

The most iconic gigs in rock history - from Live Aid and Altamont, to Bob Marley at the Lyceum and Kate Bush's Tour of Life - all told by the people who were there.

Can music change the world? Those at the heart of Live Aid recall the event that changed music’s role in the world, charity and celebrity culture forever, 35 years on. Bob Geldof, Live Aid organiser Harvey Goldsmith, Live Aid promoter Paul Gambaccini, Live Aid broadcaster And contributions from Live Aid performers such as Martin Kemp, Alison Moyet and Brian May Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

“All the way from Trenchtown, Jamaica – Bob Marley and the Wailers”, this introduction 45 years ago announced reggae arrival in Britain. With them they brought optimism, love and a music to unite! Chris Blackwell – Island Records founder and Bob Marley producer Danny Holloway – worked for island records and produced/recorded the show Roger Steffens – Bob Marley writer, archivist and lecturer Philip Norman – Journalist who reviewed the gig for the Times Dennis Morris, Bob Marley photographer Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore – Guitarist and celloist with Third World, Bob Marley’s support act Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

A day that should have seen one of the world’s biggest bands put on the Woodstock of the East. Instead, anarchy ensued. We remember the gig that ended in the loss of life and the counterculture. Joel Selvin, music critic and Altamont writer Langdon Winner, contributing writer to the significant Rolling Stone article on Altamont Bill Owens, photographer of the carnage Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

The first and (up until very recently) last tour of a mercurial pop superstar. A show that aimed to combine music, dance, poetry, mime, burlesque, magic and theatre, was it too ambitious for its own good? Or did it change what could be achieved in pop? Anthony Van Laast, Kate Bush choreographer Richard Ames, Tour manager Graeme Thomson, Kate Bush writer Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

Two and a half million people applied for tickets to see the biggest British band since the Beatles play two huge shows at Knebworth. It was a weekend that marked the pinnacle of Britpop and the defining musical event of the 90s. Claire Sturgess, Radio presenter and gig attendee Andre Barreau, George Harrison in the Bootleg Beatles opening Knebworth Mike Lowe, Oasis sound engineer With contributions from Noel Gallagher Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

A musical event that needs no introduction, it’s the most iconic music festival of all time, one that all gigs are now compared to. With historic performances from Jimi Hendrix, the Who and Janis Joplin, this weekend is synonymous with the 60s and hippy culture. Bob Gruen, Rock and Roll photographer Chip Monck, Woodstock MC Nick & Bobbi Ercoline, the couple in the iconic Woodstock album photograph Burk Uzzle, photographer who took the photo of the Ercolines Jorma Kaukonen, Jefferson Airplane guitarist Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

The most infamous year of a historic music festival. 500,000 descended on the Isle of Wight, bringing the island to a standstill for what would be the last large gathering for over 30 years. What’s it like performing in front of an audience that size? What’s it like to manage an event like that, that’s deteriorating in front of your very eyes? And what was it like in the crowd? Rikki Farr, Isle of Wight MC Ian Anderson, Jethro Tull Brian Hinton & Roger Simmons, attendees Ray Foulk, Original Isle of Wight organiser John Giddings, Current Isle of Wight organiser and 1970 attendee Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

In the midst of personal struggles and band turmoil, Nirvana defied those who doubted they would even show up, to triumph in their final ever UK appearance and prove why they were the band of their generation. Danny Goldberg, Kurt Cobain’s manager Michael Azerrad, Rolling Stone writer and Nirvana biographer who attended the gig Antony Hodgkinson, Nirvana’s on-stage dancer Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

One of the most ambitious, theatrical albums, brought to life on stage for an equally ambitious and theatrical tour. Who thinks to build a physical wall between band and audience? Pink Floyd. Marc Brickman, Pink Floyd lighting designer Jason Sawford, Australian Pink Floyd keyboard player Mark Blake, Pink Floyd writer and the Wall Tour attendee aged 15 Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.

As much a gig as it is now stuff of myth and folklore, an estimated 40 people paid 50p to see a band that would change their lives and send shockwaves throughout the music world. The entire history of Manchester music of the past 45 years can be traced to this gig. Pamela ‘Jordan’ Rooke, Infamous Sex Pistols groupie Peter Hook, future Joy Division & New Order bassist Steve Diggle, Buzzcocks member John Berry, audience member David Nolan, music writer Any opinions expressed in this podcast are that of contributors, not of Absolute Radio. We do not own any of the clips used, credit to rightful owners.