This month's "Boot of the Month" is Rory's performances at the 1st and 2nd British Rock Meetings. These outdoor concerts were the promotional brainchild of Marcel Avram and Marek Lieberberg, the founders of MAMA Concerts, and showcased for the european audience a large number of British rock bands including: Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, Fairport Convention, Stone the Crowes, Rod Stewart, and a host of other notables. The first "Rock Meeting" took place on September 4th, 1971 in Speyer, Germany, and the second "Rock Meeting" took place in Germersheim, Germany on May 22, 1972. A 3rd "Rock Meeting" was planned for the following year in Ludwigshafen, Germany but was later cancelled.
Rory played on the final day of the festival and was one of only 2 bands to be broadcast over the radio, the other being Lindisfarne. Rory was also the only artist to give 3 encores.
Drew Gomber USA  |  Postd at 9:08am on Monday, October 15th, 2012 |
| Does anyone remember the singer from Nazareth (I think) grabbing the mikestand and electrocuting himself (he survived)? I can't agree that Speyer was a failure. We were up close to the stage, and we thought it was great. Some of the musicians may have been stoned, but so was everyone in the crowd. |
| Elmer Tau Chicago, IL area | Postd at 11:52am on Wednesday, September 26th, 2012 |
| I was there with my Army buddies from the V COSCOM, 85th Maintenance Battalion. It was one of the highlights of my time in Germany. Great concert and groups. |
| Apryle Arlington, TX | Postd at 9:24am on Thursday, September 20th, 2012 |
| We were stationed at Hahn, AFB at the time- I was in 8th grade and my Dad was cool enough to take me and 2 of my friends. I remember Humble Pie and Pink Floyd as being the standouts! |
| Joel Wood Galt California | Postd at 12:32am on Thursday, September 20th, 2012 |
| I was in army at the time and took some of my buddies from the 74th detachment located in Lagerlechfeld below Augsburg. It was the most awesome concert. I have been to. Pink Floyd was the best. That gong was crazy, one of the guys was whacking it with a giant mallet and the light reflecting from it racked the crowd and people just went nuts screami... read more » |
| Wayne DeVogler Anaheim, CA | Postd at 1:47am on Wednesday, September 19th, 2012 |
| I was and am a member of the BONES MC which was hired as Security for both the 1st and 2nd British Rock Meetings. I was on the stage while many of the top name bands were playing during both events. I still have a tamberine used by the band Family. During the 2nd event in 1972 I saw from the stage a sleeping audience at 2am while Buddy Miles Expre... read more » |
| Jerry Schiavo New Jersey |  Postd at 4:02pm on Saturday, September 15th, 2012 |
| I was there when I was stationed in Butzbach Germany i 1971 |
| harold parker evansville ind | Postd at 12:20pm on Tuesday, September 11th, 2012 |
| travel from illsheim army post with buds to speyer rock fest still have a residiual buzz far out man! |
Rory O'Neil Texas, USA  | Postd at 10:49am on Thursday, September 6th, 2012 |
| Most importantly and long overdue, I thank our patient and kind hosts! |
| Rory O'Neil Texas, USA | Postd at 9:28am on Thursday, September 6th, 2012 |
| Traveled from Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart to attend. Still have a drumstick from Humble Pie. Ray Davies was plastered. We tried to hitchhike home but couldn't get a ride - we were on the autobahn heading in the wrong direction. |
| Paul Bumpus Hahn AB, Germany | Postd at 4:07pm on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 |
| I was so excited when I found this article that I could barely type straight. |
| Paul Bumpus Plymouth, MA | Postd at 4:03pm on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 |
| First time I have ever found anything online about this most incredible event. was stationed at hanh AB and have never forgotten this wekend. Seeing Floyd (which one's Pink?) for the first time ever was the greatest moment. Did we really see the Doors???? Must have been stoned if we did :-) |
| "Blind Rat" Savannah,GA | Postd at 1:15pm on Tuesday, July 10th, 2012 |
| I WAS AT SPEYER IN 71. STILL HAVE STARS&STRIPES ARTICLE "BIRDS WERE SO STONED THEY WERE FALLING OUT OF THE AIR" |
| dale neice cleveland oh. | Postd at 7:11pm on Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 |
| me and some buds stationed at SPINELLI BARRACKS IN MANNHEIM were there ...... crawled under the stage and got blowed away ....... just tokin and jokin ........ good times speyer 1971 |
| Dan Murphy Oakland Beach, Warwick, Rhode Island | Postd at 3:19am on Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 |
| Stationed in Massweiler, we took the train from Permasens Nord and had a weekend we'll never forget! And I was so lucky to bump into a friend from high school, while another bro, my best friend who had transferred out, literally dropped into my tent, unannounced and unexpected, around midnight Saturday. Great time all around! |
| Dianne Blair Pennsylvania | Postd at 10:28pm on Monday, June 18th, 2012 |
| Forgot to add my rating. Of course it was excellent! |
| Dianne Blair USA | Postd at 10:25pm on Monday, June 18th, 2012 |
| I was there... does anyone remember the little lizards we found on the island? I remember everyone carrying them on our shoulders with little pieces of thread like we had leashes on them! |
| Thomas Tony Vance Alexandria, Kentucky | Postd at 11:50pm on Sunday, April 29th, 2012 |
| Was at both concerts. Ran with a commune of young Germand from Nuestadt on the Rhine. Guess I was the token American GI. Had a 1960 VW that went everywhere. Parked behind the bandstand at Germersheim the day before the concert and left 2 days after. I rember hanging out with a Jet mechanic with 2 stars from a Phantom he wore on his shoulders. L... read more » |
| Russ Culler Mobile, AL | Postd at 10:29am on Thursday, April 5th, 2012 |
| I was there. What a gas! |
| Smutje Fritz von der Küste | Postd at 3:20am on Sunday, March 4th, 2012 |
| ...diese grossartige festival hat mein weiteres leben bestimmt... :-)) |
| Larry Thomas usa | Postd at 1:17pm on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 |
| Marc Baranowski. I too have the Kurt Loder column from the Stars and Stripes. Had thoughts of sending it to him on MTV. |
| Larry Thomas usa | Postd at 1:11pm on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 |
| I attended the rock meeting, along with several of my GI buddies. On the German TV of the event myself and another buddy,"Cub" Wolf are seen carrying in a cooler within the first ten or so seconds. We had a great time. Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Rory Gallagher, Osibisa, and Stone the Crows stood out. Hashish was everywhere. |
| Jesus Duarte Brightwood, OR | Postd at 7:52pm on Tuesday, January 10th, 2012 |
| I was at the 2nd festival coming from Darmstadt, Cambrai-Fritsch Kaserne and in the 7th Evac Hospital. Went with two buddies of mine and had a blast. Loved Buddy Miles and Uriah Heep. |
| Molkie Bautista Almaden, CA | Postd at 9:38pm on Thursday, September 8th, 2011 |
| This concert by far was the best concert I've attended. My girlfriend, Judy, and I hitched a ride with a friend, Scotty, in his white VW bus lined with psychedelic posters of Jimi Hendrix from Ramstein AFB. The music was absolutely mind-blowing. It was Woodstock in Germany. I still tell this story to this day! There were so many bodies everywhere,... read more » |
| jim shannon shortsville n.y. | Postd at 7:12pm on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011 |
| I still tell peaple about this concert! I was in army then and we took the train from K-town. Rory,you left us too soon. |
| Irene (Charette) Gagne Cape Cod MASSACHUSETTS | Postd at 11:39am on Wednesday, July 27th, 2011 |
| My GI husband, a friend named Jim Leonard and I attended this 4 day concert and it was one of the best, if not the best, ever attended. We arrived really early after thumbing rides from Kornwestheim barracks and had our packs with food and other items. There was never a dull moment and after spreading ourselves all over the place, ended up with in... read more » |
| Frank Offenburg | Postd at 8:32am on Monday, June 13th, 2011 |
Best festival and Pink Floyd was the best concert I have ever seen
(more thn 500 till now), it was like a german Woodstock |
| Shorty Dallas | Postd at 8:51am on Thursday, April 14th, 2011 |
| Best outdoor concert I ever attended. My dad was stationed in Bamberg at he time and I went there with a couple of buddies. I still have my ticket stub. |
| william shorty brown chicago il | Postd at 11:51am on Monday, December 13th, 2010 |
| i was at the first rock meeting with friends from patch barracks. had a blast of a time. loved the music xpecialy pink floyd. the besttime of my life,really |
| kim ladd tempe az | Postd at 10:47am on Monday, December 6th, 2010 |
| I was going to high school in Wiesbaden at the time and somehow talked my folks into letting me go. Pink Floyd was awesome but my highlight was Wisbone Ash and they were not even on the bill. One of the best times of my life. |
| Andy Altlußheim | Postd at 3:28am on Monday, November 22nd, 2010 |
Ich war damal 15 und kein Geld
:-((( wir haben auf der anderen Seite vom Rhein gezeltet und drei Tage der Musig zugehöhrt :-))
Einfach spitzenklasse ! |
| Jeff Plesko Jonesboro, IL | Postd at 11:16pm on Saturday, October 9th, 2010 |
| I was at Speyer with a bunch of guys from 2nd Gen. Hosp. in Landsuthl. Got there in my '62 VW bus ($300), loaded up some coolers, smoke, enough munchies for about the first 3 hours. Remember nichts but lots of bodies and lines, not sure we could even hear the bands, but we had a helluva time, had a poster to remind me who was playing til about 198... read more » |
| Jerry Nelson Modesto, Ca. | Postd at 7:48pm on Friday, October 8th, 2010 |
| I too was at this concert 38 years ago, you forgot to name the headliner Pink Floyd & there awesome smoke & light show, tripped our balls off for three days & nights,wow I never seen so many GIs wasted in my life, what a killer memory, one of my fellow soldiers got a article 15 for not showing up on Monday to report for duty, man that was by far th... read more » |
| Marc Baranowski | Postd at 1:38pm on Thursday, September 9th, 2010 |
Terrific festival, better than any other I attended in Europe or the USA. Rory just smoked, as did Curved Air, Osibisa, Deep Purple, and Juicy Lucy (remember them?). I still have the footprints on my back from when I was stepped on while huddled in my sleeping bag in the wee hours of the morning. I also still have Kurt Loder's fine article on the f... read more »
Administrator comment: Back in the 70's I knew a few people who tended to confuse Rory Gallagher with Roy Buchannan, both great guitarists, totally different stage presence. I'd love a look at the article you mention, if you ever scan it, can you send me a copy? Milo
(milo@shadowplays.com) |
| JR DC | Postd at 10:27am on Sunday, July 11th, 2010 |
| The best outdoor rock concert I ever attended. A German Woodstock. Lots of music, dope, & sex. Took hundreds of photos which are going in a upcoming photo book on rock 'n' roll. |
| Terri Fischer (Newman) USA | Postd at 4:30pm on Sunday, June 27th, 2010 |
| It was Great! Smoked lots oh hash...Pink Floyd was mind blowing with the great music(of course)and all of the pink parachutes that lit up the sky!!!!!!!! |
| Capt Fro Heidelberg | Postd at 8:16pm on Thursday, June 10th, 2010 |
| Was in high-school in Heidelberg...hitch hiked to the concert with a buddy and had a blast...tripping the whole time! Best ever outdooor concert of all time...of my time anyway...OMG! |
| Leighton Reid USA | Postd at 3:45pm on Tuesday, May 11th, 2010 |
| Was attending my junior & senior year at Kaiserslautern HS--fortunate to have made it to both fests! |
| Hans-Helmut Stender Frankfurt/Main, Germany | Postd at 10:18am on Sunday, May 9th, 2010 |
I was 17, when we came to the Festival from Frankfurt. I still have the Ticket (Bought from a GI in Frankfurt) says 8$ (!!). Just 8 Dollars for 3 Days of a german Woodstock !! Great, great Memories...
Those were magnificent times !!! |
| tom foster gilbert, az | Postd at 6:49pm on Sunday, March 28th, 2010 |
| Went to this concert with a bunch of GIs from 2d Finance Section in Giessen. Remember the crowd, long lines in the car and lots of sun. Great music, still have the ticket and blue handbill. |
| Toni Hayward Texas | Postd at 3:26am on Saturday, February 27th, 2010 |
Got together with the Man I eventually married (Larry) there! He was a GI from Ramstein Air Base & I was an Army brat! I was 16! Great Memories! I did an anouncement from the stage one day, very weird in front of all those folks.
Larry was with the Cavemen MC, they and other clubs provided a good bit of the security for the festival. |
| barry reed auburn,ky | Postd at 2:55pm on Monday, February 15th, 2010 |
| i still have my ticket stub and remember pink floyd.i remember lots of refreshments going around .p.s. saw emerson,lake and palmer in frankfurt that year ,also. |
| Chris Dashiell Chicago Il | Postd at 3:12pm on Thursday, January 28th, 2010 |
| I still have the original "Second British Rock Meeting flier" |
| Rod Fla | Postd at 1:07pm on Monday, November 30th, 2009 |
| Went with my girlfriend too! |
| Rodney Thrailkill Fla. | Postd at 1:03pm on Monday, November 30th, 2009 |
| Went with friends from the 83rd Transportation in Kapaun Barracks. I was 18 and will never forget it... nice to see this site! |
| Lori MD | Postd at 5:38pm on Monday, November 16th, 2009 |
| WOW! Was there at age 15 with the love of my life. So shocked to find anything about it on here. Nice to see! |
| Roy Lara Tucson, Az. | Postd at 6:09pm on Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 |
| It was the best concert I went to while there from 1970 to 1974. I remember someone throwing a bottle of some kind at the band Uriah Heep and hitting the drummer where it counts. All the way back was a lake and nude bathing. Shops all the way around. Humble Pie, Rory Gallagher, and Pink Floyd were best. |
hector juarez michigan usa  | Postd at 1:11pm on Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 |
20 or 30 of us went from hanau 39th finance section..My twin brother victor and i were drafted and stationed together...we share those moments all the time.. Pink floyd was awesome...of course we were all
very stoned |
| robert cunningham dallas tx | Postd at 8:50am on Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 |
| It was a great time. Hard to believe it's been 37 years ago. Those were the days of a life style,Rock and Roll. |
| Daniel Grant Las vegas | Postd at 4:41pm on Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 |
Do you have a complete list of all the groups that played at the second meeting? I was there, stationed at lst Armored Div Hqtrs in Ansbach. I have talked about this festival my WHOLE life - i went on to see pink Floyd again in germany when they did Dark Side of the Moon before it wasreleased. This festival was EXCELLENT and Ive always wanted to fi... read more »
Administrator comment: The complete list of all the groups can be found Here: http://www.germersheim.de/kultur/popfestival/spielliste.html -- the list on the left are the groups that were suppose to play and the list on the right are the ones that actually played. -- Milo |
| Robert Cunningham Dallas,TX. | Postd at 3:15pm on Monday, August 24th, 2009 |
I was there,what a good time in this world for Rock en Roll. It's been 37 years ago and I remember it like it was today. I still have my ticket stub. I took a tent and stayed five days. Pink Floyd was great as usual. Most everybody I seen there was stoned to the bone. I took so much LSD that I couldn't even get off on it anymore. So wine and hash ... read more »
Administrator comment: If you scan the ticket stub I'll post it on the site -- Milo -- milo@shadowplays.com |
The first British Rock Meeting was originally planned for the Amphietheatre Thingstatte in Heidelberg, West Germany, and the early posters and tickets reflected this venue. However, the venue was changed to the new port in Speyer in anticipation of a crowd of over 25,000 people. The first British Rock Meeting was part of a 2-day, 2-city event, with half the bands playing in Speyer, Germany, and the other half playing in Vienna, Austria. The next day the bands would swap locations and play at the other venue. The Vienna portion of the event was officially called the "Sensational British Superstar Festival." 
The Second British Rock Meeting
After much searching, the concert promoters were finally able to relocate the festival to Insel Grün (Green Island) in Germersheim. Even then, it looked like the festival would not happen as Germersheim city officials began having second thoughts about allowing so a large festival to be held on Insel Grün and issued a police order against the festival the day prior to its start. City officials relented however after eleventh hour talks with the festival organizers, the mayor of Germersheim, and a top Rheinland Pfalz state official. Over 70,000 people attended this 4-day festival and 35 bands performed there, including Pink Floyd, Uriah Heep, Status Quo, Lindisfarne, and of course, Rory Gallagher. 
