A new book, The Keele Gigs Volume 2 The 1960s/1970s, may feature all the big bands that played the University – like Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Simple Minds and The Buzzcocks – but also includes many local bands who played the circuit back then.
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The book features many such bands including Colour Supplement, The Bob Allard Band, Toyshop, Strange Fox, Life, Grace and even the original Climax Blues Band!
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Some bands originated from Leek, others had records out on Parlophone produced by Tony Hatch, one singer went on to write a 1974 No.1 hit single, and one local guitarist went on to play with stars like Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.
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In fact a young pre-fame Robert Plant & His Band Of Joy (1967) is another of the 500 bands in the new book, that also features the stories of Jethro Tull, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, Thin Lizzy, The Kinks, Fairport Convention, Mott The Hoople, Al Stewart and Cockney Rebel playing Keele’s Student Union Ballroom stage.
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Even Eric Clapton’s Cream headlined at Keele in 1967, plus appearances by ELO’s Jeff Lynne, Mike Oldfield and Robert Palmer. And then there was Huey Lewis and what would later become Crowded House.
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Hundreds of bands passed through, including The Scorpions and Roy Wood’s The Move, plus Ultravox, Can, Hawkwind, XTC and Eddie & The Hot Rods.
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So, to relive the excitement of the bands that played Keele in the 1960s/70s, find out more at www.impossibledreamers.co.uk, or https://ebay.us/m/HeTjAl
