Books / Rock and roll
New book celebrates the greatest rock shows in the West from 1963-1978
For over four decades, Robin Askew has been writing about music and film in Bristol. The film editor at Venue for more than 30 years, he now has the same role at Bristol24/7, and has contributed widely to books and magazines including Classic Rock, Empire and 2023’s Bristol 650.
For local prog and metal fans, he is also a familiar face, often to be found ‘down the front’ at gigs around the city.
Now, he has written a book compiling lost and little-known stories from a 15-year period in the West Country’s rock’n’roll history: 1963-1978.
is needed now More than ever
“The West Country might not have a place in rock history to match that of London or Liverpool, but some incredible shows took place here,” says Askew, “including the UK’s first outdoor pop riots and key performances by many of the greats.”
Front cover of The West’s Greatest Rock Shows
Featuring seminal musicians and bands of the time, from The Beatles and The Rolling Stones to Neil Young, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Pink Floyd and Queen, The West’s Greatest Rock Shows also contains what Askew terms “walk-on parts for such unlikely figures as Michael Palin and Terry Pratchett”.
It also includes amazing facts, previously unseen photographs, and “absolutely no indie or dance music of any description guaranteed”.
The book will be published on April 30 and officially launched on May 2.
The West’s Greatest Rock Shows 1963-1978: Lost, forgotten and previously untold eye-opening tales from the gigs you’ll wish you’d seen by Robin Askew is published in hardback on April 30, and available for preorder now.
The official book launch is at Waterstones, The Galleries on May 2 at 7pm.
All photos: Robin Askew
Read next:
- Watershed to host Bristol 650 Showcase and book launch
- Rock’n’roll tours to explore Bristol venues past and present
- New book on the history of Bristol music
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