Diamond Head - Bradford St. Georges Hall 22nd June 1981
As I write this for my website in late 2001, 1981 seems like an awfully long time ago. The members of Diamond Head were not much older than me when I first went to see them live. Funnily enough, there is stil only the same age gap now, 20 years later.
I saw Diamond Head twice in 1981, the first in Bradford, at St George's Hall. I remember, going to the first gig because I had "The White Album", and "Borrowed Time" had been released - I was heavily into going to see live bands then as now. I was seriously impressed by how good they were live. Whilst Colin Kimberley and Duncan Scott kept order and provided a strong backbone of rhythm, Sean Harris' vocals soared (and were quite astonishingly good compared to many of his contemporaries) and Brian Tatler's white Flying V chugged one minute and howled the next, always controlled and precise. The resulting overall sound showed a maturity way beyond their years and Diamond Head seemed destined for greatness.
I saw Diamond Head twice in 1981, the first in Bradford, at St George's Hall. I remember, going to the first gig because I had "The White Album", and "Borrowed Time" had been released - I was heavily into going to see live bands then as now. I was seriously impressed by how good they were live. Whilst Colin Kimberley and Duncan Scott kept order and provided a strong backbone of rhythm, Sean Harris' vocals soared (and were quite astonishingly good compared to many of his contemporaries) and Brian Tatler's white Flying V chugged one minute and howled the next, always controlled and precise. The resulting overall sound showed a maturity way beyond their years and Diamond Head seemed destined for greatness.
Diamond Head - Tiffany's Leeds 21st July 1981
The second time I saw them, it was in a much smaller, hotter, sweatier venue and they were absolutely electric. I was the day before my 18th birthday and the start was very late. Me and my mate Chris got a spot, up front, just to the right of centre-stage. Next to me was a young lad about my age, who was really into the band, head banging so hard throughout that gig that I was sure he was going to split his head open on the stage. He was so into it, that that particular image has remained with me, in spite of all the concerts I've been to, and all the head banging I've seen.
After the gig, me and Chris walked back through Leeds to the station. The cops stopped us and hassled us, checked our shoes for glass, searched us for drugs. Tossers! I spent the first half of my birthday sleeping in Leeds City railway station, waiting for the first train home. BUt, I'd seen Diamond Head, so I didn't mind.
Now, twenty years later, talking to Brian, after a recent outing at The Limelight in Crewe, I mentioned that show and learn that that particular gig was the first time that one Lars Ulrich saw Diamond Head live. Now, I don't remember what the young lad next to me looked like, all I remember is that he had a great night of much head-banging! It could well have been him.
After the gig, me and Chris walked back through Leeds to the station. The cops stopped us and hassled us, checked our shoes for glass, searched us for drugs. Tossers! I spent the first half of my birthday sleeping in Leeds City railway station, waiting for the first train home. BUt, I'd seen Diamond Head, so I didn't mind.
Now, twenty years later, talking to Brian, after a recent outing at The Limelight in Crewe, I mentioned that show and learn that that particular gig was the first time that one Lars Ulrich saw Diamond Head live. Now, I don't remember what the young lad next to me looked like, all I remember is that he had a great night of much head-banging! It could well have been him.
Anyway, I got my program signed back in 1981 and I have always remembered how friendly and down to earth they seemed because, after all, they were "Rock Stars". Well, we are all a lot older and wiser now and I am am still impressed by how down to earth and friendly they are. Nowadays though, it is not me that is awestruck at meeting rock stars, it is my daughter. She has grown up knowing the music of Diamond Head having absorbed it by osmosis and I daren't go to their gigs without her, or I'm in serious trouble!
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
November 2001
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
November 2001