So Paul Apperley, of the local punk legends The Prefects was at the Sex Pistols gigs and has sent us in these photographs of the Pistols on stage. These are, I think, the first time these photos have been publicly shown. These compliment the audio recording below, and capture the energy of the band and the completely different look. Bogarts was a predominately biker and rock club so to be confronted with the Sex Pistols, must have been, shall we say, interesting. I love the bloke sitting on what looks like the PA, and in the second photo, you can just make out part of the Bogarts sign.
As ever, I’d love to hear your memories of this gig. Where you there the night the Sex Pistols played at Bogarts?
Andy Marshall over at the Sex Pistols Archive has just posted another recording from the Sex Pistols gig at Bogarts on 20 October 1976. This is a legendary gig in the history of Birmingham music as it was one of only two gigs the Pistols played in Brum (the other one was at Barbarella’s on 14 August ’76).
We are still after pictures, videos and memories of the gig, so if you were then then please tell us!
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I went to both the Barbarellas and Bogarts gigs.My and my brother Alan got inspired by them and ended up forming the Prefects after seeing these shows. Barbarellas was a great gig and like nothing we had seen before, the Pistols were great. I would love to get a copy of this gig if anyones got one. If you listen to the Bogarts tape you can hear me and my bro shouting out to slow down between a couple of songs! We were at the front ( which wasn`t far from being at the back as I don`t remember too many people there. The band turned up late about 9ish and carried their gear in , set it up and played almost immediately ( no sign of any contrived swindle bullshit that Malcolm lated tried to make out) Just a band that wanted to play. I have access to some photos from both Brum gigs, a mate of mine took some and I have some copies. Seeing the Pistols before the Grundy thing happened and it exploded was a really memorable experience and having seem them later when Sid had joined, the earlier gigs were so much better in comparison.
Hi Paul
The above posting was supplied by me (as was the Pistols at Barb’s video). I have both complete shows in as good a quality as it’s able to obtain them. I can let you have copies iof both or either show. I’d love to see pictures from either show if possible. I run a Facebook page ‘Sex Pistols Archive’. You can email me at sexpistolsarchive@gmail.com. I’ve only ever seen one picture from Barbarella’s and none from Bogarts so it’d be a real treat for me if it were possible to see the pics you have. Even better if I could post one or two on the Facebook page!
Drop me an email by all means
Andy
It would be great – and in the spirit of punk! – to have Paul’s pics under an open licence, so they can be used in Wikipedia and by other bloggers.
Here’s how: http://pigsonthewing.org.uk/open-licensing-images-what-how/
I was at the pistols gig at Bogarts too. And it just happened to be my 21st which made it even more memorable. My memory of the gig is somewhat patchy but what I do remember is, I was a regular at Bogarts but I had never seen it more packed than it was that night. It was rammed in there. And though it was a rockers bar the audience was made up of mainly punks. I remember we had to wait what seemed like ages for them to take the stage and they seemed to have a, we dont wanna be here attitude.
Cannot remember what numbers they did but I think they performed at least 2 Who songs, one of them being Substitute. My main memory of that night is the cops waiting outside with vans and just randomly grabbing people leaving Bogarts with a You,r nick mate, Drunken disorderly. and then thrown into the vans. Two of my mates were arrested and beaten up by coppers that night. Just for being punks. Ahh The good old days!
I was there. 18 years old. Not a punk. My memory is not that clear. God save the queen I recall. Went with a few friends who probably have a better recollection than me. All the best
Was at both gigs spent all my time and money in the costermonger bogarts and barberella’s brilliant bands and music happy days rob Taylor
The events of that evening are recounted in my history of Bogarts which is available to order on Amazon (there is also a downloadable eBook version. “The band were running behind schedule and arrived late. At the time the Bogarts management had to be very very careful about finishing on time,on the dot of 10.30. There were no extensions to the bar license and the band had to come off by a certain time despite being late to start….”
Many other bands played at Bogarts between 1971 – 1981, including some well known names: U2, Average White Band, XTC, UFO etc.