It goes without saying that this follow-up to the authors’ previous work, which covered 1945-69, is essential reading for residents and ex-pats from the quiet Wiltshire market town, but there’s plenty here for collectors from elsewhere.
We check in on the further adventures of Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich; the story of NWOBHM-ers Tokyo Blade; one-single wonders The QTs, The Kitchens and Martian Schoolgirls, as well as The Badgemen, and Gillan discoveries Jerusalem, whose Julian Cope-approved 1996 album Ritual Landscape and self-titled LPs, respectively, are sought-after gems. RC’s own Jon “Mojo” Mills’ The Nuthins are documented too. Each decade and genre is covered in meticulous detail by award-winning local historian Moody and obsessive archivist Nash, with anecdotal evidence and great period photos, while, naturally, there’s also an account of the Stonehenge Free Festivals from idyllic beginnings to bloody end.
The big-fish-in-a-small-pond struggle of local bands trying to break through nationally remains the same whatever the year. Salisbury’s specific fanzines, characters, rivalries, riots and memorable shows by visiting bands make for an engrossing secret history.
