The official FRIARS Aylesbury compendium
Page last updated 24th May 2008
Borough Assembly Hall, Market Square,
Aylesbury
Cockney Rebel
Saturday August 24th 1974
see also Saturday January 5th 1974 Saturday 25th May 1974 Thursday June 6th 1974 Wednesday 7th April 1976 Saturday December 20th 1980 Saturday December 12th 1981
see also Friars Dunstable Monday 4th March 1974 Monday 20th June 1974
Steve Harley Stuart Elliott
George Ford Duncan Mackay Jim Cregan
Al Matthews
Unknown
As below
Steve Harley, writing for the Friars Aylesbury website in 2008 said:
"In
the 70s, Friars was the gig of gigs. We could play 40-date tours of the
UK, to all towns and cities, and still carry that air of anticipation
throughout the bus, waiting especially for Aylesbury.Dave Stopps was a
sensational 'spotter and Promoter; finger on the pulse, hip to his
fingertips to all that was happening out of everywhere that boasted new
bands. In 1974, Cockney Rebel played Friars four times - in January, in
May, in June and again in August. All sold out and all buzzing.
Unforgettable. Good luck with your site. The old place was unique and
deserves such an accolade."
Steve Harley, writing on his official website in 2004 said:
"Have
heard they're tearing down Aylesbury Civic Hall, the legendary Friars'
replacement.
What a shame. What a drag. can it be true? No rock venue of that type and
size in amiable Aylesbury for the first time in ages?
Unbelievable.
The immortal Dave Stopps was the 70's promoter who brought many good names
to Bucks. He tapped a source there. The London-based music mag critics
would get out to Aylesbury, because it was only a short hop from The
Smoke.
Out of Friars, thanks mostly to the eagle-eye and sound judgment of Dave
Stopps, broke the careers of David Bowie, Genesis, Mott The Hoople, Roxy
Music, many many more and even yours truly.
The first front cover the first Cockney Rebel received from either the NME
or Melody Maker was after a show, early on, at Friars, Aylesbury.
There is an important rock audience in that general vicinity, and so a new
hall must be found/built pretty damn soon.
But why? The place can't be more than 20 years old. What on earth could
have happened to it, that it needs demolishing? The mind boggles and the
hackles rise"
None yet
None sourced yet
This original incarnation of Cockney Rebel had imploded by the summer after much internal strife. Only Steve Harley and Stuart Elliott from the classic line up were left by the time they made their fourth appearance at Friars in August 1974. Steve Harley continues to record and tour, sometimes using the Cockney Rebel moniker. Stuart Elliott apart from continuing in Cockney Rebel became an in demand drummer, playing on many Kate Bush records and with the Alan Parsons Project (as well as other artistes such as Deacon Blue)
Sights and sounds - Cockney Rebel - Sebastian (1973)
© copyright 2007-2008 www.aylesburyfriars.co.uk
