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Friars kept faith
with Mott the Hoople in the early days when they were on the verge of
splitting. Even when they made it with All The Young Dudes, they never
forgot Friars and came back as superstars and Mott and Ian Hunter
continued to play Friars after.
Dr Feelgood first
played Friars in 1975 and made such an impression they played very
quickly after and again late in 1975 in the Vale Hall. Their Stupidity
live album which went to number 1 in 1976 featured initially a live
extra single partly recorded at Friars in 1975. Their appearances were
never forgotten and neither will Wilko's return to Friars in 2011.
Many won't be aware of
Ian's local connections having resided in Wingrave during the days of
Kilburn and the High Roads. A unique and charismatic showman, every
appearance was a sold out performance.
The Clash played
Aylesbury in 1978 immediately selling out and showing a big &$£* you to
other local councils who were "scared" of these new fangled bands. God
bless Friars and AVDC for the reality check. One of the best bands to
play Friars and the only band to play a Friars gig at Stoke Mandeville,
In 1977 The Jam started
the year playing pubs, by the end of the year they had released two
albums and remain the only band to play a matinee gig at Friars. By 1980
they were arena level but never forgot Friars. Paul Weller played Friars
in 2010 closing Phase Three with one of the most in demand and
sensational gigs ever.
Otway had put Aylesbury
on the map and in 1983, they were one of three local artists to break
out and sell out Friars. Marillion played the "last" Friars gig in 1984
and played the then unheard Misplaced Childhood album. By 1985 they were
superstars and arena level. In 2013 they returned to Friars to an
audience of unashamed devotion and played a special Friars encore like
it was like 1982.
Aside from Marillion
and Kajagoogoo, High Wycombe artist and his unique show with mime artist
Jed Hoile went big. By 1985 he was arena level and his Live Aid
performance was very special.
Genesis are the first
to aclnowledge the support of Friars in the early days and played Friars
any times until they got too big. That said, Peter Gabriel and Phil
Collins made a sensational "homecoming" in 1979 and in 1980 when Genesis
were stadium level, they came back to Friars one more time resulting in
the biggest queue for tickets in Friars history.
Sailor were one of
those bands, like Cockney Rebel, that Friars took a punt on because they
had "something" - it paid off and many sold out performances later
cemented their place in Friars history. They were the first band
inducted into the Friars Hall of Fame
Steve Harley described
Friars as "the gig of gigs" - four triumphant performances in 1974 and
Cockney Rebel became stars. Steve returned to Friars many times after as
a bona fide hero.
The Ramones........what
can we say? An amazing band who forged a strong link with Friars and
when their planned return in September 1979 got cancelled, the band were
publicly livid. They did come back and their gigs will never be
forgotten.
Otway needs no
introduction.
SLF's relationship with
Friars has lasted over 35 years. The band have never made any secret
about their feelings for Friars and when they returned in 2009, they
played a hugely memorable gig.
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