Pistols to open new Roxy venue
The Ramones have pulled out of the big punk-rock package tour, in which they were to have co-headlined with the Sex Pistols. As a result the whole tour has now been completely revamped. It will be going ahead from the beginning of next month with the Pistols as sole bill-toppers – supported by two other fast-rising British punk bands, The Damned and The Clash, plus American outfit The Heartbreakers fronted by former New York Dolls member Johnny Thunders.
The climax of the revised tour itinerary will be two gigs at London’s new Roxy Theatre on Boxing Day (December 27), with December 28 being held for a third night if there is sufficient ticket demand. These dates will mark the official opening of the 2,000-seater Roxy and they are, at present, the only major London gigs set for immediately after Christmas Day.
Other confirmed dates (replacing those announced last week) are Norwich East Anglia University (December 3), Derby King’s Hall (4), Newcastle City Hall (5), Leeds Polytechnic (8), Manchester Electric Circus (9), Lancaster University (10), Liverpool Stadium (11), Cardiff Top Rank (12), Bristol Colston Hall (13), Glasgow Apollo Centre (15), Dundee Caird Hall (16), Sheffield City Hall (17), Southend Kursaal (18), Guildford Civic Hall (19) and Birmingham Town Hall (20).
Ramones out – Damned, Clash in
The Ramones apparently dropped out because they felt the original tour schedule had been set up too hurriedly, and without allowing them sufficient time to arrange promotion. Their manager said they were now thinking in terms of a British tour in the New Year, which would be “better organised.” The Talking Heads, another U.S. outfit who were in the original package, have withdrawn for the same reason.
The Damned, who were not included in the original line-up, announce that they have quit the current Flamin’ Groovies tour after playing just two gigs with the U.S. band. They say they reached their decision after last Sunday’s concert at the London Roundhouse, when the Groovies failed to appear, and The Damned went on as bill-toppers supported by The Troggs. The Groovies P.A. system had also been contracted for use by The Damned and, as a result of the Americans’ non-appearance, promoter John Curd had to hire another system with only an hour’s notice.
The Damned describe the Groovies’ attitude as “totally unco-operative”, and they say they are no longer interested in supporting “living legends.” Reason for the Groovies failing to play last weekend, in London and elsewhere, was that all the members had contracted ’flu. They were due to resume their tour.
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