Clash - The Image That Made Me Weep
by Andrew Twambley
published: 23 / 2 / 2020
intro
In the first of our new series 'The Image That Made Me Weep', in which a different one of our writers or photographers will be reflecting on a favourite photograph, Andrew Twambley writes of a photo taken at a life-changing Clash gig he attended at the legendary Liverpool venue Eric's.
In early 1976, I was listening to the likes of Queen and Rainbow and Genesis, thinking such genres were all I needed. In early September '76, I rode into Liverpool Poly on my motorbike and dug in for a three-year degree course. Later that month, a fellow halls of residence inmate, known as “The Pin”, came into my room telling me he had been to a city centre club called Erics and had seen The Runaways. The whole experience had been, according to The Pin, “life changing”. So we made arrangements to go to Eric's. For the life of me, I cannot recall who we saw first…probably Racing Cars or Deaf School. I would love to boast we saw The Pistols there, but we just missed them (what losers). Over that three-year period, The Pin and I were regulars, and saw virtually everyone who is anyone at that sweaty little club with the world’s worst toilet facilities. A highlight was The Stranglers on my 19th birthday, but THE highlight was seeing The Clash there on three occasions. The first time was on 5, May '77. Being 40 + years ago, my memory has faded, aided by several pints in The Grapes beforehand….but I was definitely reborn that night. I recall where I stood (gingerly avoiding the gobbing) and the exhilaration that I felt and how long I hung around afterwards. My euphoria is strengthened by the attached photo, not taken by me, but from that gig. It is my favourite music photo ever because it takes me back. It is not a perfect photo technically, but for me, it is everything. When I look at it, I secretly weep, recalling those great days. I have never looked back and will always thank The Pin for making me go to Eric's. NB1 I have never listened to Genesis or Rainbow since. NB2 The Pin remains my bezzy! NB3 The motorbike got nicked!
Also In The Image That Made Me Weep
Billie Holiday (2020)
Black Sabbath (2020)
Dave Grohl (2021)
David Bowie (2020)
Deep Purple (2022)
Doug Hoekstra (2020)
Band Links:-
http://www.theclash.com/https://www.facebook.com/theclash/
https://twitter.com/theclash
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clash
Visitor Comments:- |
917 Posted By: Mel, Liverpool on 10 Apr 2020 |
I was there the night this photo was taken, it was a phenomenal experience too. For a few songs we got to stand at the side of the stage until Paul Rutherford (who was doing some security/ roadieing) moved us on. We got to meet all the band and chatted, as they were milling around the venue.
|
profiles |
Tribal Stomp, Monterey, California, 3/9/1979 (2018) |
Our photographer Andrew Twambley in this two part gallery presents some rare photos which he took of the Clash at Tribal Stomp Festival in Monterey, California in 1979. |
Tribal Stomp, Monterey, California, 3/9/1979 (2018) |
favourite album |
Sandinista (2003) |
In the last of our Favourite Albums series, in which a different one of our writers each month writes about an album of his or her choice, Richard Mather writes about the impact on him of the Clash's controversial triple-album, 'Sandinista' |
features |
Ten Songs That Made Me Love (2020) |
Eoghan Lyng selects tracks by punk legends The Clash for this month’s edition of 'Ten Songs That Made Me Love...' Following the band’s progress, the cuts chart the outfit’s progress from London upstarts to their incorporation of many of the musical trends that came to define the 1980s. |
most viewed articles
current edition
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #15- On Being Dignified and Old aka Ten Tips From Jah Wobble On How To Be Happy.Elliott Murphy - Interview
Dennis Tufano - Copernicus Center, Chicago, 19/7/2024
Wreckless Eric - Interview
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #16: Living in the Minds of Strangers
In Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #17: Tom Robinson
Adrian Gurvitz - Interview
Norman Rodger - Interview
Chris Spedding - Interview
John Mayall - 1933-2024
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPIn Dreams Begin Responsibilities - #5 - ‘We all have good intentions/ But all with strings attached’: Music and Mental Health Part 2
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Allan Clarke - Interview
Nerve - Interview
One Thousand Violins - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Chuck Prophet - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
most viewed reviews
current edition
Groovy Uncle - Making ExcusesPhilip Parfitt - The Dark Light
Jules Winchester - The Journey
Ross Couper Band - The Homeroad
Deep Purple - =1
Hawkestrel - Chaos Rocks
Bill Wyman - Drive My Car
Popstar - Obscene
Splashgirl and Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe - More Human
John Murry and Michael Timmins - A Little Bit of Grace and Decay
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart