A memoir of 25 years (1975-2000) spent working in the world of records & music in Seattle, with occasional side trips into writings on Led Zeppelin and other adventures from my musical life.
Amazing story, Hugh! Never got to see them live, sadly (they ceased to function as a unit right around the time I began actively attending concerts); I’ve seen excellent solo shows by Edmunds and Lowe, though, which always make me think of how great it must have been to see them together (and with Bremner and Williams).
Of all the road trips to see a band, this was the most amazing.
The A+++ show, getting backstage, "sleeping" in the car. The other thing I remember was making a fool of myself trying to talk to the band. I was being such a fanboy.
Rent a Wreck... I think I purposely forgot that. I felt bad for putting everyone through it, but amazingly enough, none of us had cars. Remember doing everything in Seattle with no car in the late '70s? I do.
I'm pretty sure Lesley had a '68 VW Beetle at the time, but there was no way we were gonna fit 5 people in it for a 3 hour drive. And you were definitely the hero of the story for getting the transportation together, wreck or not!
Fantastic story! I have a Rockpile bootleg from Boston in 1979 and it's pretty much my favorite thing from them...it may approximate what you experienced.
Great story, Hugh! To hearing about the show to the long drive, and back again, with just enough time to open up! We could only do all that when we were young!
I have been waiting for this one! I so love that this trip/show still looms so large in your mind, as it does in mine too, of course. Even though I was lucky enough to end up in London working at Stiff and saw Rockpile many times, nothing could possibly compete with that night and that show. They were never less than stellar, but I never saw them in such a tiny place again where we were practically on stage with them. And of course I was madly in love with Dave Edmunds (ok, ok, AND Nick) so hanging out afterwards was a crazy treat for 18 or 19-year-old me. Being with you and Dick and Hump and Lesley, all of us just so in love with the music - I just can't imagine how it could possibly have gotten any better. I love that our passion for great music has never waned. Thank you so much for your impressive memory, and this wonderful series that takes me back to such an incredibly special time in our lives.
I was digging Rockpile around 1979/80 thanks to WPLJ 95.5 FM (R.I.P.) in New York City. I was an 11 year old rock music fanatic stuck out in the suburbs, too young to do anything but buy records and wait for the latest and coolest new music on the radio. WPLJ was exceptional, they were one of those FM rock stations that came up in the early 70’s, but unlike their competition WNEW, they embraced the catch all “new wave” genre while WNEW played The Beatles at 3 PM every afternoon. PLJ introduced me to Nick Lowe, Rockpile and Dave Edmunds, Pretenders, B-52s, Talking Heads, The Shirts, even Joy Division, although it would take until high school before I pursued them heavily. Even the issue of Creem jives with that younger version of myself, I read every issue cover to cover. Thanks!
I’m sure they only played there the one time. . . and I actually recorded it myself, but with a crappy small cassette deck strapped over my shoulder & under my jacket. Once the show started I completely forgot about it and the resulting recording is pretty bad - high end coming & going as I jumped around, and lots of whoops & comments caught on the tape.
As far as I know the recording has not surfaced (I have yet to digitize my cassette), and a quick web search supports that. Maybe I should rectify that situation and post it here on Substack. . .
Wow!! This is indeed the show I saw, the recording is incomplete and kind of rough for a soundboard, but fantastic to hear none the less - thanks so much for the link Sherman, you've made my day!
This recording is the middle portion of the set, starting with the third song and stopping 6 songs before the end. Here's the full setlist:
Great story, I’m jealous! Coincidentally only last night I was driving home from a friend’s house and Girls Talk came on the radio. A few notes in my brother said “who’s this”, as we always do, and I couldn’t bring Dave’s name quickly to mind so blurted out “Rockpile” even though I knew I was wrong. Dull story but it’s funny how often these musical coincidences occur.
But you were not wrong! “Girls Talk” from the ‘Repeat When Necessary’ LP is totally Rockpile, even though the album is credited as by Dave Edmunds. The same is true of “Get It'“ and “Tracks On Wax 4.” The latter might be my favorite Rocklpile salvo, if it not for Nick’s “Labour Of Lust” - also 100% Rockpile. Dang they were good.
The recording studio, which was actually named "Rockfield" was created by brothers Kingsley and Charles Ward. Dave's debut solo album from 1971 - including his first hit "I Hear You Knocking" - was recorded there and titled "Rockpile," but the band of the same name didn't come together until a few years later. Dave's 1977 LP "Get It" was the first release to feature Rockpile the band, as we've come to know them.
Oh those road stories that should be told. I grew up close enough to Portland to know the Purple Earth well. I spent a very memorable new years eve in 73 there listening to a great bar band called Brown Sugar with a great harp player named Paul Delay. That area has been gentrified and I'm not sure if the club is still there...
I love this story so much, it's one of my favorites of Cello history!
Thanks needed a good road trip story...
Amazing story, Hugh! Never got to see them live, sadly (they ceased to function as a unit right around the time I began actively attending concerts); I’ve seen excellent solo shows by Edmunds and Lowe, though, which always make me think of how great it must have been to see them together (and with Bremner and Williams).
Of all the road trips to see a band, this was the most amazing.
The A+++ show, getting backstage, "sleeping" in the car. The other thing I remember was making a fool of myself trying to talk to the band. I was being such a fanboy.
Rent a Wreck... I think I purposely forgot that. I felt bad for putting everyone through it, but amazingly enough, none of us had cars. Remember doing everything in Seattle with no car in the late '70s? I do.
I'm pretty sure Lesley had a '68 VW Beetle at the time, but there was no way we were gonna fit 5 people in it for a 3 hour drive. And you were definitely the hero of the story for getting the transportation together, wreck or not!
I'm glad you remember it all as fondly as I do.
I remember the Rent-a-wreck! We were just so damn grateful that you found a way for us to get there, nobody gave a damn about the car! What a night.
Fantastic story! I have a Rockpile bootleg from Boston in 1979 and it's pretty much my favorite thing from them...it may approximate what you experienced.
Great story, Hugh! To hearing about the show to the long drive, and back again, with just enough time to open up! We could only do all that when we were young!
Lucky bastard! :)
Just wow! Loved every word of this....
I have been waiting for this one! I so love that this trip/show still looms so large in your mind, as it does in mine too, of course. Even though I was lucky enough to end up in London working at Stiff and saw Rockpile many times, nothing could possibly compete with that night and that show. They were never less than stellar, but I never saw them in such a tiny place again where we were practically on stage with them. And of course I was madly in love with Dave Edmunds (ok, ok, AND Nick) so hanging out afterwards was a crazy treat for 18 or 19-year-old me. Being with you and Dick and Hump and Lesley, all of us just so in love with the music - I just can't imagine how it could possibly have gotten any better. I love that our passion for great music has never waned. Thank you so much for your impressive memory, and this wonderful series that takes me back to such an incredibly special time in our lives.
I was digging Rockpile around 1979/80 thanks to WPLJ 95.5 FM (R.I.P.) in New York City. I was an 11 year old rock music fanatic stuck out in the suburbs, too young to do anything but buy records and wait for the latest and coolest new music on the radio. WPLJ was exceptional, they were one of those FM rock stations that came up in the early 70’s, but unlike their competition WNEW, they embraced the catch all “new wave” genre while WNEW played The Beatles at 3 PM every afternoon. PLJ introduced me to Nick Lowe, Rockpile and Dave Edmunds, Pretenders, B-52s, Talking Heads, The Shirts, even Joy Division, although it would take until high school before I pursued them heavily. Even the issue of Creem jives with that younger version of myself, I read every issue cover to cover. Thanks!
Love Rockpile\Edmunds\Lowe! Great story! Pretty sure there’s a bootleg of them at Earth Tavern out there. Not sure if it’s the show you saw.
I’m sure they only played there the one time. . . and I actually recorded it myself, but with a crappy small cassette deck strapped over my shoulder & under my jacket. Once the show started I completely forgot about it and the resulting recording is pretty bad - high end coming & going as I jumped around, and lots of whoops & comments caught on the tape.
As far as I know the recording has not surfaced (I have yet to digitize my cassette), and a quick web search supports that. Maybe I should rectify that situation and post it here on Substack. . .
https://www.guitars101.com/threads/rockpile-1978-12-01-earth-tavern-portland-or.758137/?post_id=3589269&nested_view=1&sortby=oldest#post-3589269
I think this might be your show. Supposedly a soundboard . . .
Wow!! This is indeed the show I saw, the recording is incomplete and kind of rough for a soundboard, but fantastic to hear none the less - thanks so much for the link Sherman, you've made my day!
This recording is the middle portion of the set, starting with the third song and stopping 6 songs before the end. Here's the full setlist:
1) Down Down Down
2) And So It Goes
3) I Knew The Bride
4) Deborah
5) Trouble Boys
6) Breaking Glass
7) Let It Rock
8) You'll Never Get Me Up. . .
9) Here Comes The Weekend
10) Love So Fine
11) My Own Business
12) I Hear You Knocking
13) They Called It Rock
14) Juju Man
15) Heart Of The City
16) Promised Land
17) Let's Talk About Us
Awesome! Too bad not complete. Thought it seemed a bit short.
Great story, I’m jealous! Coincidentally only last night I was driving home from a friend’s house and Girls Talk came on the radio. A few notes in my brother said “who’s this”, as we always do, and I couldn’t bring Dave’s name quickly to mind so blurted out “Rockpile” even though I knew I was wrong. Dull story but it’s funny how often these musical coincidences occur.
But you were not wrong! “Girls Talk” from the ‘Repeat When Necessary’ LP is totally Rockpile, even though the album is credited as by Dave Edmunds. The same is true of “Get It'“ and “Tracks On Wax 4.” The latter might be my favorite Rocklpile salvo, if it not for Nick’s “Labour Of Lust” - also 100% Rockpile. Dang they were good.
Huh! That’s brilliant Hugh. I own both Repeat When Necessary and Labour of Lust. I’ll have to move them to R in my record collection.
PS Which came first Rockpile the group or Rockpile the recording studio?
The recording studio, which was actually named "Rockfield" was created by brothers Kingsley and Charles Ward. Dave's debut solo album from 1971 - including his first hit "I Hear You Knocking" - was recorded there and titled "Rockpile," but the band of the same name didn't come together until a few years later. Dave's 1977 LP "Get It" was the first release to feature Rockpile the band, as we've come to know them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rockfield_Studios
Oh those road stories that should be told. I grew up close enough to Portland to know the Purple Earth well. I spent a very memorable new years eve in 73 there listening to a great bar band called Brown Sugar with a great harp player named Paul Delay. That area has been gentrified and I'm not sure if the club is still there...
What a fun story, like being there!
What a fabulous tale! I never saw Rockpile but I live vicariously through Chris’s stories of Edmunds, Lowe and the whole lot of the era!