British Rock Meetings
British Rock Meetings


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.

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."

photo of Rory Gallagher at the First British Rock Meeting in Speyer, Germany
German TV report about the First British Rock Meeting in Speyer, Germany

The Second British Rock Meeting

The second British Rock Meeting was suppose to take place on Friesenheimer Island in Mannheim, Germany; however, the Mannheim city council opposed it and MAMA Concerts had to change the venue. The early posters still show Mannheim as the festival location. As can be seen on the left, the original poster was done in blue, with Mannheim as the venue, new posters were printed in red after the promoters found an alternate site to hold the festival. MAMA Concerts first tried to relocate the festival to Korsika and then to the racetrack in Hockenheim but strong reaction from the city councils made these sites unacceptable.

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.

By Saturday evening more than 72,000 - rock fans had crowded onto Insel Gruen... All told, the island, hugging the west bank of the Rhine between Mannheim and Karlsruhe looked like a cross between a muddy beach of drowsy sunbathers and a wartime refugee exodus...(read more)-- David Iams, Stars & Stripes (*Thanks to Timothy Boss for sending this article and ticket stub!)
fisheye view of the festival at Insel Grün courtesy of J.Wagner

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.

"People from other countries hardly could imagine, how popular Rory was here in the earlyer 70's. I saw him there for the first time, and he really did a great and intense performance! He was so good, we couldn't hardly wait for his next show..."--Doc's Diary


Comments to date: 68. Page 1 of 2. Bootleg Rating:

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
Next