RIP Richard H Kirk
SMA are deeply saddened to hear the following news
It is with great sadness that we confirm our great and dear friend, Richard H. Kirk has passed away. Richard was a towering creative genius who led a singular and driven path throughout his life and musical career. We will miss him so much. We ask that his family are given space at this time.
A true pioneer of modern Sheffield music, Rest In Peace Richard
Violet May
Thanks to John Firminger, who has shared an article he wrote about Violet May’s legendary record shop.
The Process
I used to hang out with these guys in the early 80s and thought a lot of them. They payed many gigs in the area, alongside Pulp, Hula and other local outfits, as well as appearing on the Oxford Road show alongside the Smiths. They were Allen Walton bass, Brian Bentley guitar, Gary Trigg drums and Lyn Sheppard keys. They later lost Lyn, recruited Kent Roach & transmogrified into Tontons Macoute (crap name!) then She Said. If anyone has posters or tickets, please share them 😉
Here’s what they sounded like!
-
- Process (photo Pete Bargh)
-
- Process
Some local 45s
Some more records with a Sheffield connection!
-
- Toni Dalli 1958
-
- Toni Dalli 1958
-
- Tony Whyte 1976
-
- Tony Whyte 1976
-
- Bobby Knutt 1981
-
- Bobby Knutt 1981
Jazz at the Crucible
-
- Jazz at the Leadmill
-
- Jazz at the Crucible 79
-
- Jazz at the Crucible 80
-
- Jazz at the Crucible 81
-
- Jazz at the Crucible 82
Playback time
A piece of progressive rock ephemera. Without this little slip of paper who on earth would ever know about this evening at Sheffield’s ABC cinema on June 7th 1978? Given away on the counter at local record shops, you could get in and listen to the album through in full, then I assume dash down to Virgin or Bradley’s and pick it up the next day. Of course in 1978 such music was deeply unfashionable (a concept album centred on the pyramids of Giza). At the time the album was due out I suppose Arista Records had to try and think of ways to plug it; John Peel was hardly going to add it to his playlist! In the end it just tipped into the album charts peaking at number 49. If you remember going let us know how it all went… Simon R.
Some great Uni posters
thanks to David Shade. Anyone remember the Ladybirds? 😉
Help wanted with Sheffield venues
Izzy Hawksworth is looking to speak to someone who has knowledge on the history of O2 Academy Sheffield, The Leadmill, Sheffield Arena and Doncaster Dome for her college coursework. It would also be great if she could speak to
someone who has previously worked at one of the venues! Her contact details are izzyhawksworth@yahoo.co.uk, 07540001677 and her Twitter is @Izzy_Hawksworth. Any help is appreciated, thank you!’
The Jam, Uni 4 & 5 May 1979
thanks to Jon Downing
Sharon Lee sent in this poster, showing that Bob Marley played at Genevieves! Can anyone confirm (or deny) this? The story is that the Wailers went home before the end of the tour, but that Bob played in Nash’s backing band to the end of the tour.
