A promoter who brought The Clash to Bury St Edmunds in 1978 is recreating the concert 40 years on with a leading tribute act playing the setlist from the notorious gig.
In July 1978, John Hessenthaler – against all local authority opposition – promoted the legendary punk rock band at the Corn Exchange in Bury and support came from the The Coventry Automatics, who later became The Specials.
Although the expected insurrection was limited to a couple of minor skirmishes, the gig became so notorious that the council banned live music from public venues for 20 years.
Mr Hessenthaler said: “The punk thing was a bit of a no-go area, because on the Sex Pistols’ Anarchy tour, which The Clash supported, many of the advertised gigs had been cancelled due to of local council policy.
“This local council tried to stop it, but because I had a contract with them I insisted it went ahead. There were rumours that there was going to be trouble, but that didn’t happen.
“There was also a rumour that Bob Dylan was going to come to the gig, because he was a label-mate and in the country for the Blackbushe Aerodrome festival, but that didn’t happen either.”
Tribute act London Calling, who have toured the USA and across Europe, will recreate the concert at the Apex on July 5, with support from The Specials Ltd.
The Clash Revisited (Bury ’78) starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £24.50, call the Box Office on 01284 758000 or visit www.theapex.co.uk
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