A previous post appealed for information about The Clash when they appeared in the North East in the 1970s. Lancashire based Graham Jones runs an archive devoted to the band, he was looking to add to his impressive Black Market Clash website which includes fans recollections, rehearsal tapes, radio interviews and links to live shows. Graham recently got in touch –
‘Yes, the previous Newcastle University appeal produced useful results. Brian Gibson gave a first-hand account of the 20 May 1977 show, including Subway Sect and The Slits as the actual supports and the trouble getting non-students admitted. Martin Blank independently corroborated the same supports.’
‘Keith Newman helped with the local radio-network side, and Jimmy Burns emerged as the memorabilia collector lead. We also got a Rock’s Backpages attribution corrected during the follow-up. So, the local network has definitely been worthwhile.’
With the positive response he received, Graham expresses his appreciation to everyone who got in touch and now is curious if there is more Clash swag out there maybe just collecting dust in an attic. He is looking at another event that happened on a specific date here in the North East.
Graham explained ‘The Clash and Tom Robinson Band recorded TV programme ‘Alright Now’ at Tyne Tees Television on 6 March 1979. Contemporary accounts say producer Malcolm Gerrie used a small selected audience of local punks, and The Clash played a short warm-up plus a couple of extra songs after the formal recording, when the audience came onto the stage.’
‘I am asking for anyone who was actually in the Tyne Tees studio that day or worked on the programme to get in touch. The most useful material would be first-hand memories, names of the local audience, photographs or negatives, studio passes, call sheets, running orders, and names of sound or floor crew.’
Graham added ‘For ‘Alright Now’ the key is anyone who was actually inside Tyne Tees studio on 6 March 1979 rather than general Clash memories.’
You can contact Graham at blackmarketclash.co.uk@gmail.com.
He will seek permission before reproducing photographs or unpublished material.
Alikivi November 2026
