One of two secret gigs, hastily arranged for Christmas and Boxing Day 1979 prior to the Concert for Kampuchea.
page updated - started May 2020
updated August 2022 added Story So Far fanzine
updted Feb 2024 with articles
No known audio or video
If you know of any recording, please email blackmarketclash
Two secret gigs, hastily arranged for Christmas and Boxing Day
Two secret gigs, hastily arranged for Christmas and Boxing Day 1979 were held for a combination of reasons; to thank their patient fans, as a warm up for the Kampuchea benefit performance on the 27th at the Hammersmith Odeon and because as Mick said no one in England has anything to do over the Christmas holiday.
Kosmo is reported in Bob Gruen's book (which includes a number of photos from Acklam Hall, see below) as giving the reason that the Westway to the Clash is what Trenchtown was to the Wailers a physical and spiritual place, so the idea to play at Christmas was to do something for the community from which they came. It was home, Mick Joe and Paul all walked from their places to gig.
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Acklam Hall, London off Ladbroke Grove
Acklam Hall off Ladbroke Grove, literally under the Westway is small place with a limited 250 capacity. It was 50p to get in same as the youth club held normally in the Hall. Mick had seen Joe playing with the 101'ers here.
A poster was given away at the Hall of the very recent Pennie Smith photos of the Clash in their US finery taken at Mick's Nan's flat in Wilmcote House. Tickets were in the form of a Christmas card from the band.
After the US tour grandeur it was back to Johnny Green and Baker with a transit for gear, and with the band heavily in debt The Clash skimped on the quality of the PA with the result that the sound was decidedly ropey. Mickey played organ, Kosmo in gold lame suit was MC and Bob Gruen played a bugle fan fare as the band hit the stage (Paul had evidently tried and failed to teach Baker to play it).
The band wore their Alex Michon designed bowling type shirts for the first time, which would remain their stage gear for most of 1980.
Kosmo paid for flyers from his own pocket but as the flyers were only posted after closing time on Christmas Eve and also because many must have thought it a wind-up ,attendance was sparse on Christmas Day. One special guest who did come and enjoyed herself was Stella, Mick's Nan seeing her grandson on stage for the first time!
Boxing Day night, from which this recording was made, was decidedly different; the word was out and the hall was packed with people passing out from the crush. A dozen or more boisterous skinheads invaded the stage during White Riot prompting Joe to say Jimmy Pursey was not expected!
The Clash Play Revolution Rock
Chris Salewicz, Trouser Press, March 1980
IT'S FOUR days before Christmas. A dark, early evening damp with snow and rain. Immediately south of the Thames, in the inappropriately genteel Victorians
Meanwhile at Aklam Hall
JAWS in Sounds 5th, January 1980 including The Clash's secret gigs.
One thing for certain
Clash make it good
Melody Maker REVIEW -
The Story So Far fanzine
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Band interview, likley date 26th December 79
(printed summer 1980)
Alternate Link
Clash: Tour and Single
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Martin Trakker - I was there - in those days everything (I mean EVERYTHING) was closed on Xmas day- London was usually like a ghost town. Mick called me to tell me about the gig- at first I thought he was having one of his jokes, but he assured me it was true. Best Xmas day ever !
Anto Qpr Grant - Acklam Hall was a notorious place for Music and Aggro in the 70s/80's...used to hang around outside as kids watching the entertainment
Paul Francis Morea - I was there on Boxing day, it was so secret there was no one there.
Stefan Wright - I was there! Still got a poster for the gig.
Dizzy Cooke - Joe wearing that yellow and black long sleeve shirt I lusted after , found a short sleeve bowling shirt original on the Kings Rd worlds end
Carol Doherty - I was there
Toby Baker - 50p to get in. Was in the afternoon.
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Photos:
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Julian Yewdell
https://www.facebook.com/
Mick Jones & Joe Strummer live at Acklam Hall,... - London Calling UK | Facebook
London Calling UK - Mick Jones & Joe Strummer live at Acklam Hall, now known as Subterania, in West London on Christmas Day (1979). bit.ly/LondonCalling1977
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No known audio or video
If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
There are several sights that provide setlists but most mirror www.blackmarketclash.co.uk. They are worth checking.
from Setlist FM (cannot be relied on)
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... both have lists of people who say they went
& from the newer Concert Database and also Concert Archives
Also useful: Ultimate Music database, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS
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ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ... A collection of A collection of articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates from the Clash's Take the Fifth US Tour covering the period of the Pearl Harbour Tour. If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.
VIDEO AND AUDIO Video and audio footage from the tour including radio interviews.
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by Johnny Green (Author), Garry Barker (Author), Ray Lowry (Illustrator)
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