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| Meet Britain's biggest gigaholic | Meet Britain's biggest gigaholic |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| By Ian Youngs Music reporter, BBC News | By Ian Youngs Music reporter, BBC News |
| Signed posters and set lists plaster the walls of Ray Morrissey's home | Signed posters and set lists plaster the walls of Ray Morrissey's home |
| After more than 5,000 gigs over 35 years, rock fan Ray Morrissey can claim to be Britain's most prolific concert-goer. | After more than 5,000 gigs over 35 years, rock fan Ray Morrissey can claim to be Britain's most prolific concert-goer. |
| On piles of notebook pages in Mr Morrissey's front room, thousands of gigs are listed, one per line, all with a mark out of 10 circled at the end. | On piles of notebook pages in Mr Morrissey's front room, thousands of gigs are listed, one per line, all with a mark out of 10 circled at the end. |
| And stacks of diaries have more details of the shows, three or four a week - what they were like, what they played, who was there. | And stacks of diaries have more details of the shows, three or four a week - what they were like, what they played, who was there. |
| It is a personal history of British music, documenting the hazy glory of rock 'n' roll superstars and long-forgotten bands alike in meticulous, matter-of-fact detail. | It is a personal history of British music, documenting the hazy glory of rock 'n' roll superstars and long-forgotten bands alike in meticulous, matter-of-fact detail. |
| A few years ago, he spent six months putting most of the information onto his personal website. | A few years ago, he spent six months putting most of the information onto his personal website. |
| The 49-year-old started going to gigs in 1973, when he would sneak into his local venue, the Hammersmith Odeon, now the Apollo, without paying. | The 49-year-old started going to gigs in 1973, when he would sneak into his local venue, the Hammersmith Odeon, now the Apollo, without paying. |
| His first gig there was Mott the Hoople, supported by an up-and-coming Queen. "I remember Freddie Mercury's big teeth more than anything," Mr Morrissey says. | His first gig there was Mott the Hoople, supported by an up-and-coming Queen. "I remember Freddie Mercury's big teeth more than anything," Mr Morrissey says. |
| Mr Morrissey (second left) filled in for John Lydon with The Sex Pistols | Mr Morrissey (second left) filled in for John Lydon with The Sex Pistols |
| But he was hooked when punk came along. In 1976, hearing that two older boys from his school had formed a band, he went to check them out. They were called The Sex Pistols. | But he was hooked when punk came along. In 1976, hearing that two older boys from his school had formed a band, he went to check them out. They were called The Sex Pistols. |
| "It wasn't a gig as such, it was a nightclub and the band came on at midnight," he says of the show at the Sundown Club, now the Astoria 2 (he gave it nine out of 10.) | "It wasn't a gig as such, it was a nightclub and the band came on at midnight," he says of the show at the Sundown Club, now the Astoria 2 (he gave it nine out of 10.) |
| "There were 200 or 300 in the nightclub, but once the band came on they all went to the toilet and went for a drink, and 20 people watched the band." | "There were 200 or 300 in the nightclub, but once the band came on they all went to the toilet and went for a drink, and 20 people watched the band." |
| "The single God Save the Queen came out on my 18th birthday", he continues. | "The single God Save the Queen came out on my 18th birthday", he continues. |
| "Every gig was about jumping around down the front of the stage, falling over, and if you didn't come out covered with sweat, it weren't a gig." | "Every gig was about jumping around down the front of the stage, falling over, and if you didn't come out covered with sweat, it weren't a gig." |
| The verdicts on his website are peppered with wry observations into stage moments ranging from the momentous to the bizarre. | The verdicts on his website are peppered with wry observations into stage moments ranging from the momentous to the bizarre. |
| "The greatest day in live music ever," he declared about Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985 (10/10). | "The greatest day in live music ever," he declared about Live Aid at Wembley Stadium in 1985 (10/10). |
| RAY'S TOP 10 LIVE BANDS 1. Sex Pistols2. The Clash3. Kiss4. AC/DC5. U26. David Bowie7. The Rolling Stones8. The Who9. Thin Lizzy10. Van Halen | RAY'S TOP 10 LIVE BANDS 1. Sex Pistols2. The Clash3. Kiss4. AC/DC5. U26. David Bowie7. The Rolling Stones8. The Who9. Thin Lizzy10. Van Halen |
| "Noel stopped Wonderwall after two lines because he did not want any fans singing along to it," he wrote after seeing Oasis in Brighton in 2002 (9.5/10). | "Noel stopped Wonderwall after two lines because he did not want any fans singing along to it," he wrote after seeing Oasis in Brighton in 2002 (9.5/10). |
| There were "shuttlecocks down pants" for Wham at Hammersmith Odeon in 1983 (8.5/10). | There were "shuttlecocks down pants" for Wham at Hammersmith Odeon in 1983 (8.5/10). |
| "A woman walked on to the stage and smacked Howard full in the face," was the entry after a Howard Jones gig at Camden's Jazz Café in 1995 (9/10). | "A woman walked on to the stage and smacked Howard full in the face," was the entry after a Howard Jones gig at Camden's Jazz Café in 1995 (9/10). |
| "One of the greatest gigs of all time," he declared after seeing The Sex Pistols again at the Notre Dame Club off Leicester Square in November 1976 (10/10). | "One of the greatest gigs of all time," he declared after seeing The Sex Pistols again at the Notre Dame Club off Leicester Square in November 1976 (10/10). |
| Snapshots from the front of that gig were featured on a poster for The Sex Pistols' Pretty Vacant single, which Mr Morrissey proudly displays. | Snapshots from the front of that gig were featured on a poster for The Sex Pistols' Pretty Vacant single, which Mr Morrissey proudly displays. |
| In several of them, his sweaty, youthful face is frozen in time, mid-jump, mid-yelp. | In several of them, his sweaty, youthful face is frozen in time, mid-jump, mid-yelp. |
| It was on Raysgigs.com that he broke the news of a Faces reunion after talking to Rod Stewart at a party ("he was really nice"). | It was on Raysgigs.com that he broke the news of a Faces reunion after talking to Rod Stewart at a party ("he was really nice"). |
| AC/DC are to embark on their first UK tour for eight years | AC/DC are to embark on their first UK tour for eight years |
| He has also met Mick Jagger and Madonna and was at AC/DC's second UK gig at the long-gone Nashville Rooms in Fulham in April 1976 (9.5/10) - the first of 36 times he has seen the band. | He has also met Mick Jagger and Madonna and was at AC/DC's second UK gig at the long-gone Nashville Rooms in Fulham in April 1976 (9.5/10) - the first of 36 times he has seen the band. |
| And the Australian rockers' return to the UK next April after eight years away is shaping up to be the highlight of 2009, he says. | And the Australian rockers' return to the UK next April after eight years away is shaping up to be the highlight of 2009, he says. |
| "That's one ticket that I made sure I got tickets in advance," he says. "I've got my tickets for the O2 arena and I've already got my tickets to go to Paris for two shows. I will be seeing six shows, probably." | "That's one ticket that I made sure I got tickets in advance," he says. "I've got my tickets for the O2 arena and I've already got my tickets to go to Paris for two shows. I will be seeing six shows, probably." |
| Getting into a gig without a ticket is rarely a problem, Mr Morrissey says, as he knows all of the touts and has honed the art of talking his way in. | Getting into a gig without a ticket is rarely a problem, Mr Morrissey says, as he knows all of the touts and has honed the art of talking his way in. |
| "There's a fair amount of blagging goes on," he says. "There'll always be someone that I know. If you've got to get in you've got to get in. You've just got to get up there - you ain't going to get in if you're at home." | "There's a fair amount of blagging goes on," he says. "There'll always be someone that I know. If you've got to get in you've got to get in. You've just got to get up there - you ain't going to get in if you're at home." |
| He made it into the hugely over-subscribed Led Zeppelin reunion at the O2 last year as a guest of one of the Sex Pistols, and is London correspondent for a Sex Pistols website. | He made it into the hugely over-subscribed Led Zeppelin reunion at the O2 last year as a guest of one of the Sex Pistols, and is London correspondent for a Sex Pistols website. |
| So long as they've got quality gigs, I'll be making an effort - I don't like to miss out | So long as they've got quality gigs, I'll be making an effort - I don't like to miss out |
| That role led him to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams in 2002, when he was asked to fill in for John Lydon on vocals when the rest of the band rehearsed for a reunion show. | That role led him to fulfill one of his lifelong dreams in 2002, when he was asked to fill in for John Lydon on vocals when the rest of the band rehearsed for a reunion show. |
| "I think the band were just saying thanks for all the help. We just had an afternoon there and messed around on vocals for a couple songs. It was an amazing experience. | "I think the band were just saying thanks for all the help. We just had an afternoon there and messed around on vocals for a couple songs. It was an amazing experience. |
| "When I think about the Sex Pistols, I feel like I'm a 17 year old again. It's weird." | "When I think about the Sex Pistols, I feel like I'm a 17 year old again. It's weird." |
| Mr Morrissey worked in security at the Hammersmith Odeon in the 1980s when the bouncers got fed up of him bunking in, but has always been a fan first and foremost. | Mr Morrissey worked in security at the Hammersmith Odeon in the 1980s when the bouncers got fed up of him bunking in, but has always been a fan first and foremost. |
| As his 50th birthday approaches, Mr Morrissey still jumps around at gigs ("a little bit, not so much") and is keen to keep up his concert schedule. | As his 50th birthday approaches, Mr Morrissey still jumps around at gigs ("a little bit, not so much") and is keen to keep up his concert schedule. |
| "Live music's bigger than ever - there's more bands, more festivals, more gigs generally," he says. "So long as they've got quality gigs, I'll be making an effort. I don't like to miss out." | "Live music's bigger than ever - there's more bands, more festivals, more gigs generally," he says. "So long as they've got quality gigs, I'll be making an effort. I don't like to miss out." |
| Can you beat Ray Morrissey's gig-going tally? Send us your thoughts on this story using the form below. | Can you beat Ray Morrissey's gig-going tally? Send us your thoughts on this story using the form below. |
| I think my average has to be of a similar number of gigs per week, but I've still a few years to go yet before I'm Ray's age. I remember the Oasis moment Wonderwall stopped - we mere mortals wanting to sing along... what were we thinking? I hope to continue the gig going way into my sixties - tickets are cheaper than ever now, which helps in these times of tight cash flow.Lee, Cambridge, UK | I think my average has to be of a similar number of gigs per week, but I've still a few years to go yet before I'm Ray's age. I remember the Oasis moment Wonderwall stopped - we mere mortals wanting to sing along... what were we thinking? I hope to continue the gig going way into my sixties - tickets are cheaper than ever now, which helps in these times of tight cash flow.Lee, Cambridge, UK |
| What was the WORST gig Ray Morrissey attended?Al, Enfield, London | What was the WORST gig Ray Morrissey attended?Al, Enfield, London |
| Fair play, Ray! I am also somewhat of a self-confessed gigaholic. I have been gigging and festivalling since I was 15 (now 27) and I never tire of it. Week before last I saw 3 shows in the week; Rancid, Less Than Jake and Citizen Fish - all amazing gigs with some great support bands too. You have made me wish that I had employed a record system like your own though! All I have are a few tickets, set lists, and a blur of great memories and moments through my gigging history; I probably couldn't even hazard a guess at how many bands I have seen, but tonight when I get home I am going to try and find out! Long may we continue to support live music and encourage others to do it too, there is nothing else quite like it. Becky, Bristol, UK | Fair play, Ray! I am also somewhat of a self-confessed gigaholic. I have been gigging and festivalling since I was 15 (now 27) and I never tire of it. Week before last I saw 3 shows in the week; Rancid, Less Than Jake and Citizen Fish - all amazing gigs with some great support bands too. You have made me wish that I had employed a record system like your own though! All I have are a few tickets, set lists, and a blur of great memories and moments through my gigging history; I probably couldn't even hazard a guess at how many bands I have seen, but tonight when I get home I am going to try and find out! Long may we continue to support live music and encourage others to do it too, there is nothing else quite like it. Becky, Bristol, UK |
| I started at about the same time as Ray ... seeing the Mott the Hoople and then later the Pistols, Clash etc | I started at about the same time as Ray ... seeing the Mott the Hoople and then later the Pistols, Clash etc |
| The DEVO gig I went to was the one that blew me away ..... Nils Lofgren was very good live as well. A Kelly, UK | The DEVO gig I went to was the one that blew me away ..... Nils Lofgren was very good live as well. A Kelly, UK |
| What a great [but very expensive] hobby. | What a great [but very expensive] hobby. |
| Citing the 'Sex Pistols' as his best ever live band reflects the fact that the quality/calibre of the music at the gig is NOT the key concern - other factors such as ambience, vitality and personal emotional factors play an important role in one's opinion of a live act.Rupert Peregrine-Thomas, London, UK | Citing the 'Sex Pistols' as his best ever live band reflects the fact that the quality/calibre of the music at the gig is NOT the key concern - other factors such as ambience, vitality and personal emotional factors play an important role in one's opinion of a live act.Rupert Peregrine-Thomas, London, UK |
| I went to see Hawkwind and the Pink Fairies in 1972 and I think I am still there.Bill King, Cwmbran Wales | I went to see Hawkwind and the Pink Fairies in 1972 and I think I am still there.Bill King, Cwmbran Wales |
| Still going to rock and metal gigs after 25 years, aged nearly 40, wife, kids and mortgage. Unlike a lot of other areas of life, as you get older at rock gigs, the young kids actually show respect to the older fans. There is nothing like that second when the house-lights go out and the intro starts, after 25 years of gigs, it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!George Johnson, Hoddesdon, Herts | Still going to rock and metal gigs after 25 years, aged nearly 40, wife, kids and mortgage. Unlike a lot of other areas of life, as you get older at rock gigs, the young kids actually show respect to the older fans. There is nothing like that second when the house-lights go out and the intro starts, after 25 years of gigs, it still gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!George Johnson, Hoddesdon, Herts |
| I'm known here at work as the Concert Queen! When friends need tickets for a show, they contact me to find out how and where to get them!I've been attending gigs since November 1972 at the age of 15 - Alice Cooper was my first and I just haven't stopped since then. I waited 31 years to see T. Rex and saw them 9 months before Micky Finn died, albeit without my hero Marc Bolan. Although I haven't been to as many as 5000, it must be around 1000 I reckon, perhaps even more. It's hard to judge over the years. I can top his record of the number of times for seeing the same band though - Status Quo, over 60 times!! Over the years, I too have spoken with several of the artists like Nazareth, Status Quo, Uriah Heep, Rod Stewart and been on stage with Iron Maiden here in Munich. I was at Elton John's Red Piano Tour on Saturday, going to see Stereo MC's tonight and Alice Cooper and Whitesnake on Wednesday!! My record is 5 in 10 days. Furthest I've travelled from Munich to see a band is! | I'm known here at work as the Concert Queen! When friends need tickets for a show, they contact me to find out how and where to get them!I've been attending gigs since November 1972 at the age of 15 - Alice Cooper was my first and I just haven't stopped since then. I waited 31 years to see T. Rex and saw them 9 months before Micky Finn died, albeit without my hero Marc Bolan. Although I haven't been to as many as 5000, it must be around 1000 I reckon, perhaps even more. It's hard to judge over the years. I can top his record of the number of times for seeing the same band though - Status Quo, over 60 times!! Over the years, I too have spoken with several of the artists like Nazareth, Status Quo, Uriah Heep, Rod Stewart and been on stage with Iron Maiden here in Munich. I was at Elton John's Red Piano Tour on Saturday, going to see Stereo MC's tonight and Alice Cooper and Whitesnake on Wednesday!! My record is 5 in 10 days. Furthest I've travelled from Munich to see a band is! |
| London last year! Like Ray, I still bop around to many of them, especially Quo! I've had many, many brilliant experiences and memories over the years and like Ray, don't intend to give up! Keep on rockin'!!!Moyra Conner, Munich, Germany | London last year! Like Ray, I still bop around to many of them, especially Quo! I've had many, many brilliant experiences and memories over the years and like Ray, don't intend to give up! Keep on rockin'!!!Moyra Conner, Munich, Germany |
| I get pretty obsessive about gigs, and every now and again I say to my long-suffering wife, "Right, I think I've seen everyone I've ever wanted to see", and then something else comes along. It never ends. | I get pretty obsessive about gigs, and every now and again I say to my long-suffering wife, "Right, I think I've seen everyone I've ever wanted to see", and then something else comes along. It never ends. |
| I also keep an online list of gigs I've been to, (for my own gratification, rather than anyone else's).Steve Hurst, Wimborne | I also keep an online list of gigs I've been to, (for my own gratification, rather than anyone else's).Steve Hurst, Wimborne |
| I started rather late in life, Pearl Jam was my first gig when I was 27, I managed to see 70 gigs two years after that. But I don't have Ray's stamina, I'm down to 3 or 4 a year now. | I started rather late in life, Pearl Jam was my first gig when I was 27, I managed to see 70 gigs two years after that. But I don't have Ray's stamina, I'm down to 3 or 4 a year now. |
| I think my favourite was Blues Explosion, Mule and Kepone at the Leadmill in Sheffield.Steve, London | I think my favourite was Blues Explosion, Mule and Kepone at the Leadmill in Sheffield.Steve, London |
| I started going to gigs in Leeds back in the 70s and still go these days though nowehere near as often. I can't rememeber what my first gig was! | I started going to gigs in Leeds back in the 70s and still go these days though nowehere near as often. I can't rememeber what my first gig was! |
| best gig: sex pistols, I shall ignore that comment about the quality of the music, deary me. Awesome. | best gig: sex pistols, I shall ignore that comment about the quality of the music, deary me. Awesome. |
| best fun: Terrorvision, excellent live performers, always worth the money | best fun: Terrorvision, excellent live performers, always worth the money |
| worst gig: by miles and miles, van morrison, dire beyond belief, like watching paint dry to a boring background warble. | worst gig: by miles and miles, van morrison, dire beyond belief, like watching paint dry to a boring background warble. |
| gig I missed and regretted it: Queen at wembley, I was skint.jeff, glos | gig I missed and regretted it: Queen at wembley, I was skint.jeff, glos |
| John Otway must have played nearly as many gigs by now ?dave jones, Glos. UK | John Otway must have played nearly as many gigs by now ?dave jones, Glos. UK |
| I wonder what his hearing is like..Bill Johnson, Miami, USA | I wonder what his hearing is like..Bill Johnson, Miami, USA |
| I can't quite match 5000, but I must have done well over a thousand over the years. I did manage gigs seven nights in a row once. Highlights include The Who, Johnnie Thunders, Pattie Smith, Joy Division, Springsteen and Sigur Ros.Dave, Bristol | I can't quite match 5000, but I must have done well over a thousand over the years. I did manage gigs seven nights in a row once. Highlights include The Who, Johnnie Thunders, Pattie Smith, Joy Division, Springsteen and Sigur Ros.Dave, Bristol |
| I'm just completing a PhD in sociology exploring this topic - long-term music fans and the ways ageing shapes participation in music scenes and at gigs/clubs. There are lots of people across the country like Ray. Although not all of them document their gig experiences in such an explicit way, many older fans continue to attend gigs and being older can lead to a sense of distinction and empowerment. I wish I'd met Ray when I was doing my fieldwork - he'd have been a perfect respondent. Lucy Gibson, Warrington, UK | I'm just completing a PhD in sociology exploring this topic - long-term music fans and the ways ageing shapes participation in music scenes and at gigs/clubs. There are lots of people across the country like Ray. Although not all of them document their gig experiences in such an explicit way, many older fans continue to attend gigs and being older can lead to a sense of distinction and empowerment. I wish I'd met Ray when I was doing my fieldwork - he'd have been a perfect respondent. Lucy Gibson, Warrington, UK |
| I went to the Mott/Queen gig at Hammersmith Odeon in 1973, too. I remember that a big fight broke out at the end. Maybe that was Ray getting shoved out for sneaking in without a ticket?Paul Clark, Montreal, Canada | I went to the Mott/Queen gig at Hammersmith Odeon in 1973, too. I remember that a big fight broke out at the end. Maybe that was Ray getting shoved out for sneaking in without a ticket?Paul Clark, Montreal, Canada |
| Fisrt gig I saw was Cliff Richard in 1974 (although I dont usually count that one ;-)) Second gig was The Enid in 1976 (Thats the one I count). At age 48 I still go to on average 2 gigs per month (last two were Porcupine Tree and The Feeling) at home and on the continent. | Fisrt gig I saw was Cliff Richard in 1974 (although I dont usually count that one ;-)) Second gig was The Enid in 1976 (Thats the one I count). At age 48 I still go to on average 2 gigs per month (last two were Porcupine Tree and The Feeling) at home and on the continent. |
| Seen a lot of changes and a lot of bands go from nothing to the top and all the way back again. But there is still nothing like the live experience Ian Oakley, Rayleigh UK | Seen a lot of changes and a lot of bands go from nothing to the top and all the way back again. But there is still nothing like the live experience Ian Oakley, Rayleigh UK |
| Unless you live in London/Manchester/Birmingham or Glasgow or you a multi-millionaire, cost is prohibitive. | Unless you live in London/Manchester/Birmingham or Glasgow or you a multi-millionaire, cost is prohibitive. |
| I try to see as many gigs as I can, but the cost of the door tickets is a very small part of the overall cost, when you factor in travel and accomodation. | I try to see as many gigs as I can, but the cost of the door tickets is a very small part of the overall cost, when you factor in travel and accomodation. |
| It's a shame so many bands can't be bothered to tour outside the big-four cities. If they did, perhaps I might be bothered to buy their albums.Mark, Weymouth, UK | It's a shame so many bands can't be bothered to tour outside the big-four cities. If they did, perhaps I might be bothered to buy their albums.Mark, Weymouth, UK |
| Well I'm a little older than Ray and have averaged around 50 gigs a year over the last few years. Next gig is Bon Iver at Victoria. Saw Leonard Cohen twice this year and other great gigs from this year include a spectacular Sigur Ros gig, Eddy Grant at the Jazz Cafe, Cure at Wembley Arena and Neil Young at the Hop Farm. My top ten only includes one of Ray's, which is The Who, I'll be watching them at the Indigo shortly. But I am just AMAZED that the best live act ever is not in Ray's Top Ten, that has to go to Bruce Springsteen, the maestro of live. Dave Yeates, Bromley UK | Well I'm a little older than Ray and have averaged around 50 gigs a year over the last few years. Next gig is Bon Iver at Victoria. Saw Leonard Cohen twice this year and other great gigs from this year include a spectacular Sigur Ros gig, Eddy Grant at the Jazz Cafe, Cure at Wembley Arena and Neil Young at the Hop Farm. My top ten only includes one of Ray's, which is The Who, I'll be watching them at the Indigo shortly. But I am just AMAZED that the best live act ever is not in Ray's Top Ten, that has to go to Bruce Springsteen, the maestro of live. Dave Yeates, Bromley UK |
| I thought I'd seen a few in my time but Ray totally wipes my gig total off the map. I'm about to start my 30th year of gigs next month, hoping to nip along to a Pogues show to round off another good year and then next stop will be Leeds 2009 as funds are a bit tight! Brian Hamilton, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire | I thought I'd seen a few in my time but Ray totally wipes my gig total off the map. I'm about to start my 30th year of gigs next month, hoping to nip along to a Pogues show to round off another good year and then next stop will be Leeds 2009 as funds are a bit tight! Brian Hamilton, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire |
| Just had a look at Ray's website and although there's no disputing he's seen shedloads of bands, I think it's a bit of a cheat to count all the bands he saw while working as security at Hammersmith Odeon/Apollo. If you discount those that he's seen by default, I think that there are probably more than a few contenders for his crown (probably including my husband!)and all gigs paid for! Audrey Eade, Leicester UK | Just had a look at Ray's website and although there's no disputing he's seen shedloads of bands, I think it's a bit of a cheat to count all the bands he saw while working as security at Hammersmith Odeon/Apollo. If you discount those that he's seen by default, I think that there are probably more than a few contenders for his crown (probably including my husband!)and all gigs paid for! Audrey Eade, Leicester UK |
| Took my then 15 year old son to see Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Motorhead and Alice Cooper last year. He loved them. Age is a state of mind!Diane, Harrogate | Took my then 15 year old son to see Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Motorhead and Alice Cooper last year. He loved them. Age is a state of mind!Diane, Harrogate |
| My first gig was Pink Floyd at Wembley Empire Pool Nov 1974. Now 51, I have not stopped gigging since and at about or close to Ray's rate. I have a vast array of tickets hanging proudly on the wall at home and curse the day someone came up with paperless tickets! :) I cannot claim Ray's success at meeting the Bands but very much know the passion (not addiction) of attending a gig! I and some friends also had the idea of recording our gig comments online this year, which can be found at href="http://www.therockclubuk.com/">therockclubuk.com. Peter, Cambridge | |
| That's impressive. Even in my most prolific gig going period (mid 80s to early 90s) I rarely managed more than one a week. I go to very few nowadays, only about one every couple of months. | |
| Never saw anybody stopping a song because they didn't want the audience to sing along, butI do remember Pop Will Eat Itself stopping a song because the audience was out of key, they then started it again, but I don't think the audience were any more tuneful.Chris Luxford, London | |
| Nice to see Thin Lizzy in at number nine. When you've made eye contact with Phil Lynott at ten paces you can die happy. | |
| simon, cockermouth, cumbria | |
| Fair play Ray. I've been going to gigs for 26 years and I don't plan to stop anytime soon. I agree with George Johnson re goosebumps: whenever I catch a local band by chance, who are brilliant (but whom I did not know existed) the feeling I get is similar to an adrenaline rush - there's nothing like it. I signed up to Myspace only in March this year and it is absolutely brilliant for keeping up to date and communicating with my favourite bands. Being on Myspace means that I now get to see a lot more gigs that I would have missed otherwise.Joe Deegan, Dublin, Ireland | |
| First gig was Camel at Hammersmith Odeon 1977. 31 years later I'm crushed at the front of death metal band Opeth! You're never too old to rock'n'roll! Best gig? Devo at Sheperd's Bush 1990, followed by RUSH ... 37 times!NR, Dublin, Ireland | |
| I'm 34 and been going to gigs since i was 15. I think my first show was the Happy Mondays in 89 at the Manchester Gmex. Highlights have been Nirvana, Reading Festival 1992, Smashing Pumpkins, Leeds Town and Country Club 1993, and most recent Front 242 at Infest festival this year,Stefan Davey, Bradford, UK | |
| I bet "The Yeti" from Bristol could beat him! That guy is at 90% of gigs I attend.Mike, Bristol, UK | |