Seeing Stars - October 1980

Gerry Brooke looks back on performances by Captain Beefheart, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, Julian Webber and Peter O'Toole

There was just about something for everyone in Bristol this October week in 1980 – Captain Beefheart, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC, The Shadows, Julian Lloyd-Webber and Peter O’Toole.

First to hit the Colston Hall stage was the legendary Captain.

“Due to the poor sound mix,” wrote the Post’s Nigel Summerley the next day, “ the audience heard more of the Magic Band than they did of the Captain.

“Renowned for the bizarreness of his lyrics and the peculiarity of his style, it was extremely frustrating to be able to catch only snatches of Beefheart’s pronouncements.

“Instead we had to make do with witty banter between numbers and his one unaccompanied song.

“The evening really belonged to the Magic Band – an eccentric bunch who pumped out the Captain’s complex and exotic compositions with obvious relish.

“The final frustration of the evening was when Beefheart and his merry men wound up the proceedings after playing for only an hour.”

Also at the Colston Hall this week was Midlands born rocker, Ozzy Osbourne, pictured.

“Last night’s show by former Black Sabbath man Ozzy Osbourne and his new band (Blizzard of Oz), was the sixth heavy metal show to be staged at the Colston Hall in the last month” wrote James Belsey.

“His was an almost full audience – a success story repeated by other bands such as AC/DC, Gillan, Scorpions and the rest.

“While new wave and more adventurous sounds dither, heavy metal, with its familiar fare of head banging, undemanding excitement, prospers.

“Blizzard of Oz aren’t the greatest performers in the world – they peak volume levels to frightening limits.

“In fact they weren’t simply loud – they were deafening.

“But if backsides on seats is what rock needs right now then I’ll be the last to complain.

It didn’t come as any surprise, however, when he let another critic review Australian rock band AC/DC – the loudest band, people said, on the concert circuit.

But the Post’s Paul Westbrook found that he didn’t need his earplugs after all.

“Compared to recent “heavy metal” acts, the band were well down the decibel table,” he wrote.

“In fact, the reason why AC/DC are one of the top touring bands came through the wall of sound.

“The flashy presentation is eye catching without appearing over rehearsed and in lead guitarist Angus Young they have rock’s No.I showman.

“Their music is instantly recognisable – AC/DC don’t sing about the jobless, more about bells in hell and sinful cities.

“Bawdy lyrics, guitarists baring their bums... Dame Edna Everage would surely never approved.”

Nigel Summerley was back in his Colston Hall seat for a rare treat – familiar, 20 year old tunes and twangy guitars.

Yes, it was the return of “The Shads.”

“ A concert by The Shadows is doubly enjoyable” he wrote the next day.

“Firstly, because their act is unashamedly professional and secondly because – thanks to Hank B. Marvin – they reaffirm the potency of the electric guitar.

“The show was a perfect balance of oldies, newies and a touch of comedy all performed with a timing and slickness born of two decades in the rock ‘n’ roll business.

“ In short, “The Shads” delivered the goods, just as the audience wanted.”

Julian Lloyd Webber – rated one of the country’s finest young cellists – was also at the Colston Hall and revelling in his “pop star” status.

His “Variations” album had sold over 300,000 copies.

Finally Bristol Old Vic trained Peter O’Toole was on stage at the Hippodrome in a new, London Old Vic, version of Macbeth.

The Post’s David Harrison, whilst appreciating the “young and sexy” witches, wrote “this (play) not only lacked conviction but did a grave disservice to anyone drawn to Shakespeare by Mr O’Toole’s name.”