The Rolling Stones - Coventry Theatre 1964

The Rolling Stones - Coventry Theatre 1964

by Pete Clemons

Rolling Stones Coventry Theatre 1971

With all the things I read nowadays at people chatting at gigs, overuse of mobile phones etc I couldn't help but wonder if it was an inherent problem. The below is a fascinating account, I stumbled across, of when The Rolling Stones first played Coventry Theatre during 1964.

Two frenzied performances by the Rolling Stones pop group sent their hoards of loyal fans streaming away from the Coventry Theatre in a happy mood last night – and left one independent observer very puzzled.

Just why, I wondered, do people pay good money – in some cases, having queued all night for tickets – to see a particular group and then apparently do their utmost to drown away any noises their idols are making?.

I had attended one of the performances with an open mind, prepared to give The Rolling Stones a fair hearing.

'Hearing' is a somewhat ironic word to choose. All I did hear were piercing incessant screams from all around me, that multiplied into a great cacophony of sound and quite erased any attempts by the five young men on stage to compete.

The total effect was of a continuous siren blast, with each little jig in the air or shake of the head by one of the performers bringing extra loud squeals of appreciation.

The answer, one can only suppose, is that this type of entertainment is more visual than aural. The fans can only actually listen to their idols on records, while live performances are occasions for showing their appreciation in the only way they appear to know.

Of the Rolling Stones themselves, it would be unfair to comment on last nights evidence except to say that their reputation as the 'scruffiest group in the business' is well earned and is being faithfully maintained.

Not all of the show was lost to the ear. The fans were thankfully quiet during the performance of the Caravelles, the two attractive girls noted for their whispering style of singing, who included, of course, their record success 'You Don't Have to be a Baby to Cry'.

The big surprise of the night, however, was the performance of a group called The Barron Knights, led by Duke D'Mond, who showed themselves to be as much comedians as musicians and vocalists. Their idols having their legs pulled a bit.

The bill was completed by the Overlanders, The Chimes, Julie Grant and David John and The Mood with Tony Marsh the compere.

The Rolling Stones in Concert 1964

The Stones in Coventry 1971 - photos