BOC Donnington '81

[Swartz, John A.]

I recall back in the early 80s seeing in a rock magazine (Creem, Circus, Hit Parader, or maybe Kerrang), 2 pictures of Eric Bloom.  The first one showed a smiling Eric with a caption where they are presumably quoting him (although I doubt it - you know, it was more like a cartoon thing) as saying who cares if our drummer quit, our set was bad, and a few other things that I can't recall.  The next photo showed him jumping up and down on something (perhaps the very object in this discussion) with the text underneath saying something like "I f#$&ing do!".

Anyway, regarding the sound.  There's been some contention about what exactly happened.  Here's links to a few articles that tell more of the tale regarding the sound (some of the details regarding Albert's departure may be incomplete or misleading - everyone has their opinions and recollections on what happened).

http://www.ukrockfestivals.com/donington-1981.html  - overall description of the event

http://www.hotrails.co.uk/blueskybag/georgegeranios/810822_donington.htm - BOC soundman George Geranious' view of what happened, and some recollections about how soundmen deliberately hacked the live sound of opening bands on occasion.  Interesting reading.

John

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chris Baker [mailto:coffeebaker at SBCGLOBAL.NET]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 03, 2010 12:27 PM
> Subject: Re: BOC-L Digest - 2 Feb 2010 to 3 Feb 2010 (#2010-29)
> 
> Hi John,
> 
> Very nicely put!  And I don't think anyone took offense, it just struck me
> as funny since the drummer in question (Albert Bouchard) has posted here
> for years.
> 
> That's fascinating that such an on-stage announcement was made, I'd never
> heard that.  And it certainly sounds like the band was trying to lower the
> audience's expectations.  Which may have been wise - it also may not have
> mattered - but it sure makes it seem like they knew they were doomed going
> in.
> 
> I've heard the show and yeah it's as bad a performance as I've heard from
> any of the lineups.  Sorry about your unfortunate timing - on the other
> hand, it wasn't just _any_ lifeless, piss-poor show:  it was a lifeless,
> piss-poor slice of history!
> 
> -Chris
> 
> 
> >>Date:    Tue, 2 Feb 2010 18:29:05 +0000
> >>From:    John Rennie <hawkfan at RATSAUCE.CO.UK>
> >>Subject: Re: BOC: double reference related to winter
> 
> >>Google, Google, ah, I now appreciate that the version we were told may
> >>have been a little economical with the truth.
> 
> >>Apologies for any offence caused.
> 
> >>JR