Derby King’s Hall mystery – was a Clash concert rearranged in summer 1977?

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On 21st May 1977, Record Mirror reported that rock band The Clash had cancelled gig in Derby after guitarist Mick Jones underwent an operation on an infected finger, but that the band hoped to rearrange it.

The usual listing is Wednesday 11th May at King’s Hall, but that exact date still needs its own documentary confirmation.

What makes this intriguing is a detailed eyewitness account from David Turner, who worked as a local King’s Hall roadie.

He recalls packing away the equipment at a Clash concert in Derby and spending time with the band backstage, and says Topper Headon recognised him at the Mont-de-Marsan punk festival in early August 1977.

Although he is unable to remember the Derby date, there is a separately documented King’s Hall performance on 3rd November 1977, which researcher Graham Jones said would be too late for his recollection.

Graham has issued a call to former staff or family members or friends that used to know someone that worked at King’s Hall in 1977, or who attended a summer Clash concert, and remembers the lighting operator “Supermick”, or has an original ticket, advert or newspaper notice, to get in touch.

Graham said: “It would be especially valuable to establish a definite date, or evidence that the May show was not rearranged.”

Any responses can be directed to blackmarketclash.co.uk @ gmail.com.

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