Thanks to http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/pollwinners-9-30-72-vftmud.html
The Archive.
Last update August 2004
Melody Maker Poll Concert
The Oval , Kennington .
9-30-72.
Wishbone Ash, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Genesis, Argent , Focus ,Jack Bruce.
Recollections and reviews .
Photos © C Cooper collection.
At 5:30 P.M., under the greying dusk of the disappearing sun, Emerson, Lake and Palmer prepared backstage to say thank you to more than 18,000 fans gathered in the London Oval cricket ground. Beneath the mighty steel of the mammoth Kennington gas holder, eager fans camped on the green turf, waiting for the stars of the show to emerge from the Oval’s famous Long Room where they were receiving their seven awards that gave them the sweep in a prestigious British paper’s pop poll.
Finally, all problems temporarily solved, ELP were ready. As the crowd roared their approval, the group raced from backstage, launching immediately into "Hoe Down"- the upbeat, good-humored number from their recent Trilogy LP and the crowd was on its feet. Without hesitation, the group jumped immediately into "Tarkus" and simultaneously pulled off the biggest feat in the history of rock wizardry. Two mammoth armadillo tanks appeared on both sides of the stage, bellowing replicas of the figures on the Tarkus cover. The metal dragons breathed clouds of smoke, and, as the show thundered to its climactic high point, the tanks thundered an ear-deafening barrage, driving fans into a wild frenzy of excitement and jubilation. Keith pounded the piano as "Take A Pebble" echoed from the massive multi-toned speakers,and Greg Lake brought down the house with his excellent acoustic guitar work on "Lucky Man". But with the advent of "Pictures at an Exhibition" off the LP of the same name, the crowd watched in absolute amazement as Carl Palmer’s drum solo threatened to pop the sliver of sun out of the darkening sky. In a fury, Carl hurled himself at the drum kit, battering the cymbals and destroying the gongs. The Tarkus tanks belched forth their deafening roar as London’s last great rock concert of the season shrieked to its end - and ELP proved once again that they remain the world’s greatest rock band, upholding their title of "Britain’s Best Band" (the title they won last year) and taking on the title of "World’s Best Band" as well.
As the last fans wearily straggled home, ELP slowly unwound backstage, gathering the remains of their shattered instruments with them. Each clutched at their golden trophies: Top Group, British and International; Emerson’s tribute as the top keyboard man; Palmer’s trophy as top drummer; Lake’s souvenir as the world’s most accomplished producer; ELP as the top pop arrangers; and finally the shared award, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake taking honors as the world’s top composers.
B Graustark
There was a Melody Maker Awards festival (1972 ?) at the Oval in Kennington headlined by Emerson Lake & Palmer - the Tarkus era. Large scale tank-armadillos on the wings of the stage belching fire and a fireworks show to end the day... Keith having to set up and tune his enormous Moog synthesiser rig before the set. Early Genesis with Peter Gabriel singing, Focus , Wishbone Ash - twin lead guitars AND using the echo from the buildings opposite the stage to good effect...
Roger Harvey
Hello, Regarding this one, “FUDD”, whoever they may have been, did not appear, but in between Argent and ELP, there was a set by Jack Bruce, together with Jan Akkerman and Perre Van Der Linden from Focus, who did indeed open the show. I mainly remember a storming version of "Powerhouse Sod", which Bruce seems to have played in every incarnation / line-up in which I saw him. The only version I’ve seen committed to vinyl is on the West Bruce & Laing "Live’n’Kickin" album. Cheers, Pete the Pick
Can YOU help flesh out the festival with reviews , information, recordings and photographs ?
Contact email if you can help.
Last update August 2004
Melody Maker Poll Concert
The Oval , Kennington .
9-30-72.
Wishbone Ash, Emerson Lake and Palmer, Genesis, Argent , Focus ,Jack Bruce.
Recollections and reviews .
Photos © C Cooper collection.
At 5:30 P.M., under the greying dusk of the disappearing sun, Emerson, Lake and Palmer prepared backstage to say thank you to more than 18,000 fans gathered in the London Oval cricket ground. Beneath the mighty steel of the mammoth Kennington gas holder, eager fans camped on the green turf, waiting for the stars of the show to emerge from the Oval’s famous Long Room where they were receiving their seven awards that gave them the sweep in a prestigious British paper’s pop poll.
Finally, all problems temporarily solved, ELP were ready. As the crowd roared their approval, the group raced from backstage, launching immediately into "Hoe Down"- the upbeat, good-humored number from their recent Trilogy LP and the crowd was on its feet. Without hesitation, the group jumped immediately into "Tarkus" and simultaneously pulled off the biggest feat in the history of rock wizardry. Two mammoth armadillo tanks appeared on both sides of the stage, bellowing replicas of the figures on the Tarkus cover. The metal dragons breathed clouds of smoke, and, as the show thundered to its climactic high point, the tanks thundered an ear-deafening barrage, driving fans into a wild frenzy of excitement and jubilation. Keith pounded the piano as "Take A Pebble" echoed from the massive multi-toned speakers,and Greg Lake brought down the house with his excellent acoustic guitar work on "Lucky Man". But with the advent of "Pictures at an Exhibition" off the LP of the same name, the crowd watched in absolute amazement as Carl Palmer’s drum solo threatened to pop the sliver of sun out of the darkening sky. In a fury, Carl hurled himself at the drum kit, battering the cymbals and destroying the gongs. The Tarkus tanks belched forth their deafening roar as London’s last great rock concert of the season shrieked to its end - and ELP proved once again that they remain the world’s greatest rock band, upholding their title of "Britain’s Best Band" (the title they won last year) and taking on the title of "World’s Best Band" as well.
As the last fans wearily straggled home, ELP slowly unwound backstage, gathering the remains of their shattered instruments with them. Each clutched at their golden trophies: Top Group, British and International; Emerson’s tribute as the top keyboard man; Palmer’s trophy as top drummer; Lake’s souvenir as the world’s most accomplished producer; ELP as the top pop arrangers; and finally the shared award, Keith Emerson and Greg Lake taking honors as the world’s top composers.
B Graustark
There was a Melody Maker Awards festival (1972 ?) at the Oval in Kennington headlined by Emerson Lake & Palmer - the Tarkus era. Large scale tank-armadillos on the wings of the stage belching fire and a fireworks show to end the day... Keith having to set up and tune his enormous Moog synthesiser rig before the set. Early Genesis with Peter Gabriel singing, Focus , Wishbone Ash - twin lead guitars AND using the echo from the buildings opposite the stage to good effect...
Roger Harvey
Hello, Regarding this one, “FUDD”, whoever they may have been, did not appear, but in between Argent and ELP, there was a set by Jack Bruce, together with Jan Akkerman and Perre Van Der Linden from Focus, who did indeed open the show. I mainly remember a storming version of "Powerhouse Sod", which Bruce seems to have played in every incarnation / line-up in which I saw him. The only version I’ve seen committed to vinyl is on the West Bruce & Laing "Live’n’Kickin" album. Cheers, Pete the Pick
Can YOU help flesh out the festival with reviews , information, recordings and photographs ?
Contact email if you can help.
My thanks again to http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/pollwinners-9-30-72-vftmud.html
If you can help then click on his site.
3 comments:
thanks for refreshing my memories of that brilliant day. and all for £1. I didn`t realise Jack Bruce was there, god knows what I was doing. Malcolm
Good times and great memories, mostly fading away nowadays!!!
I was there with a load of young hippy types, on a coach from Swansea, and remember very little. One thing I do remember was the guy who sat atop the stage canopy precariously, mimicking Keith Emersons piano playing, it was hilarious as a lot of the audience were watching him instead of ELP, and it was a note-perfect air-piano rendition! If I can remember anything else I will return! Cheers, Nick Fry
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