Supported by Gillinski Bros and Prince Hammer and the Creation Rebels.
page updated - started May 2020
updated June 2021 added photos
updated July 2021 added repro green poster
updated 22 January 2022 added backstage pass
updated 9 February 2022 - added Pete Townsend photos
Somebody record it (see below)
No known audio or video has surfaced. If you know of any recording, email blackmarketclash
Pete Townshend joins the Clash
Pete Townshend got on stage to join The Clash in for a four-song encore on the first night (8th). Recollections suggest they played; playing Garageland, Armagideon Time, English Civil War and Louie Louie.
There is little reference to the following night at all.
Three bands opened up for The Clash before they took the stage, thus the encore probably went well past midnight.
Road manager Johnny Green recalls Pete Townsend getting up on stage in his book; 'A Riot of Their Own: Day and Night':
"In the Brighton Top Rank, the dinner-suited manager came to find me. 'There's someone at the door who's not on the guest list.' Pete Townshend was in a bright red jacket, steadying himself on the arms of two women. He came and gave a nod backstage: 'Jam up with you boys later?' 'Yeah, all right.' The band were toweling down before the encore. Townshend went back on stage with them. He came on, fists pumping the air, and I plugged his guitar in. No sound came out. I'd given him one of Mick's old guitars with a duff lead. I wandered off to replace it. I didn't hurry. He wasn't the Clash." After he gets a working guitar, he joins them for "Garageland", "Armagideon Time", "English Civil War" and "Louie Louie."
We have removed the green poster, alledged to be fake.
Posters
Tickets
Pass
Brighton - Top Rank
Kingswest, West Street, Brighton, BN1 2RE
The Top Rank Suite in Brighton was located at the corner of West Street and King's Road 11. 10. This iconic venue, which opened on November 10, 1965, was designed by Russell Diplock and became a significant part of Brighton's music scene 12.
The Top Rank Suite in Brighton opened its doors on November 10, 1965, designed by Russell Diplock. It quickly became a legendary venue, hosting numerous iconic performances throughout its lifetime 5 7.
In 1990, the venue underwent a transformation and was renamed "The Event." Despite the change, it continued to attract notable acts, including Blur, Pulp, and Suede. The venue was refurbished again in 1996 and rebranded as "Event II" m 5.
Further changes came in 2007 when the venue became "Oceana" for a brief period. In 2011, it was renamed once more to "Pryzm," which remains its current identity 3 5.
Throughout its various incarnations, the venue has been a cornerstone of Brighton's music scene, hosting a wide range of artists and genres, from rock and pop to electronic music 5.
1. 10 Things You Might Remember About Coasters and the Top Rank Suite - Brighton & Hove News
2. Music Venues in Brighton - Visit Brighton
3. Top Rank Brighton - Setlist.fm
4. The History of Brighton & Hove Concert Venues - Part 1
5. The History of Brighton & Hove Concert Venues - Part 2
6. Brighton Dome - Concert Hall
7. Top Rank Suite - My Brighton and Hove
8. A Guide to Live Music Venues in Brighton - WaterBear
9. The History of Brighton & Hove Concert Venues - Part 3
10. The History of Brighton & Hove Concert Venues - Part 4
11. Top Rank Suite - My Brighton and Hove
12. Snapshots of Brighton in the 1970s - Top Rank Suite (1974)
Top Rank Suite, West Street
Big band jazz was still in the mainstream, with Syd Dean and his band backing solo singers.
As styles and tastes changed, rhythm and blues began to compete with the more staid big band sound.
From the late 1970s the Top Rank Suite entered its heyday, drawing the country's biggest names to its stage including acts like the Undertones, Public Image Ltd, Joy Division and Killing Joke, to the reggae music of Aswad and Toots and the Maytalls, to Eighties chart-toppers Adam and the Ants, UltraVox, Culture Club, Annie Lennox, Kid Creole and Level 42
The venue had its first refurbishment in 1990 and was renamed the Event. After another refit in 1996 it was renamed the Event II. The club moved with the times as it approached the millennium. It changed to Oceana for a couple of years before coming Pryzm in 2011.
Two guys situated on the balcony who had two professional looking microphones
David: The Clash also played City Of The Dead at the Top Rank in Brighton the night that Pete Townshend joined them on stage. Can't believe a recording hasn't circulated, it was recorded by two guys situated on the balcony who had two professional looking microphones. Much better than the previous night when Joe lost his temper due to spitting and cut the set short.
Favourite Clash Gigs I attended... Brixton fair deal in July 1982 when they opened with White Riot, Hammersmith Palais in June 1980 and The Rainbow in July 1979.
Melody Maker 19 January 1980
Townsend gigs with the Clash
Pete Townsend played with the Clash on Garageland, Armagideon Time, English Civil War and Louie Louie.
Townsend gigs with Clash
PETE Townsend made a surprise appearance with the Clash at Brighton Top Rank last week when he joined the band for "Garage-land", "Armagideon Time" and "English Civil War, plus an encore of "Louie Louie".
Originally he went to the gig just for "a good night out" but bumped into the group and joined them for a drink before the concert. Then late on in the show Joe Strummer announced "We have a Pete in the audience" and invited him up to play. He strapped on a guitar borrowed from Mick Jones and reportedly threw himself wholeheartedly into the songs.
"He was really great" says Clash manager Kosmo Vinyl, "and the crowd were knocked out". Townsend is pictured backstage at Brighton with Strummer, Jones and Paul Simonon.
Did you see The Clash!
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Comments (both nights)
8th
The first wasn't so good .... too much spitting so Joe cut the gig short.
OP: The Clash played two nights. The first wasn't so good .... too much spitting so Joe cut the gig short. I went to the second night and Pete came on and played Garageland, Armagideon Time, English Civil War and Louie Louie with The Clash. Apparently it was recorded but the tape has never surfaced. It was one of the best gigs I ever went to and Pete appearing at the end was the cherry on the cake. -- reddit
Robin Tate -- Tonight saw The Clash playing their 3rd gig of the 16 Tons Tour. Here's my original ticket [#339] I kept from the Brighton Top Rank, for this the 8th of January 1980. facebook
8th
Chatted to Pete at the bar! He told me the Clash were right up his street
John Boulter -- I was at The Rank in Brighton the night Townsend came on. It was a few weeks after the Quadrophenia film came out. Saw them on the same tour in Sheffield a couple of weeks later when I was at Uni up there. Mikey Dread guested with them. -- facebook
Glenn Girling -- I was at that gig , and chatted to Pete at the bar! He told me the Clash were right up his street ! Funny thing was I started the conversation with, don’t I know you !! I was 17 at the time and liked the Who , nowhere near as much as I liked the Clash ! Still the only band that matters to me . -- facebook
Glenn Girling -- I was at the top rank , and had a pint with Townsend ,he was very enthusiastic about the gig, and just by chance I was staying opposite his house in Richmond last night , telling my girlfriend that he had played with The Clash many years ago ! I remember being late for college next morning , well worth the bollocking from all concerned
Tony Bywater -- I was at the Brighton gig with Pete Townshend, and a mate of mine, who was a good guitarist, was most unimpressed apparently Pete was very drunk and out of tune - although, I don't remember that myself!
Keith Sammons -- I was there too, he definitely played but my memory evades me as to which songs -- facebook -- I was at one of them cant remember which remembering walking back ove the down at night (8th Townsend) -- facebook
went to both nights
Probably the best 2 gigs I ever saw
Jim Clarke - They played 2 consecutive nights. I was at both of them. Probably the best 2 gigs I ever saw... Facebook
Dave Stinton - They played there two nights running. Went to both.
Robin Tate -- There wasn’t any room for any sort of stage set at the Brighton Top Rank. Before these two gigs the Clash had only ever played Brighton once before on the White Riot Tour May 77 -- facebook
Celia Has Mutated -- Was at both nights….amazing gigs. How I miss the Top Rank! -- facebook
went to both nights
Supported by Gillinski Bros a local Brighton band and Prince Hammer and the Creation Rebels
Robin Tate -- They were supported by Gillinski Bros a local Brighton band and Prince Hammer and the Creation Rebels on both nights. -- facebook
went to both nights
There was another photographer there that night
Derek Harris -- I was at both of these shows and this particular night was quite asthmatic so didn’t stayed on the outer edge of the crowd, left front. In that corner of the venue was a small bar which was closed that night, at some point I leant against it for a breather and the door opened behind me and I fell into the small, unlit bar. Quick as I could I grabbed a couple of beer bottles, went back out into the venue and shut the door. Told my mate to keep quiet about it and I passed him a bottle.
We were in and out of there all evening and nobody spotted us.
There was another photographer there that night, and when Townsend came on he asked to borrow my shoulder to steady his camera, I’m pretty sure it was printed in Sounds it NME the following week.
I only remember him playing Louie Louie but may have sank a few too many by that point.The bar door was locked the following evening. -- facebook
went to both nights
Two awesome nights in Brighton one featuring a drunken Pete Townsend during the encore
David McLean -- Two awesome nights in Brighton one featuring a drunken Pete Townsend during the encore - the story goes that the sound guys turned his amp off. -- facebook
Rory Clarke -- Went to both nights
Gill Carpenter -- I overdosed the first night, and was carted off to hospital in an ambulance with Neil Poste looking after me. I discharged myself just in time to make it back for the next night.
Mya Green -- Saw both nights of clash....i had enough aftwr the first night, bored
9th - Pete Townsend did not play
I remember strummer lost his neckerchief and refused to carry on till he got it back!
Yvette Forshaw -- I was there but can't remember Pete Townsend !!!!
Max Ellis -- I was there. Pete Townsend? I don't remember that at all. I remember strummer lost his neckerchief and refused to carry on till he got it back!
unknown night
Another great gig
Stewart Wyatt - I was there for that- I believe they are the best live band I’ve seen
Jeffrey Munday -- I was there - Wow . Not sure what happened to our tickets. Not sure we had any. We annoyed Johnny Green until he let us in . So thats 36 yrs ago today ?? -- facebook
Ian Mudway -- Another great gig -- facebook
unknown night
Was let into gig but had to take steel toe cap dms of with another couple of punks
Barrie Ball -- Was let into gig but had to take steel toe cap dms of with another couple of punks , great night tho even in socks -- Facebook
Jeffrey Munday -- I was there. Better keep this pic
Anna Allan -- I was there! I've still got all my gig tickets somewhere. Happy days
Karen Bell -- I was at the Brighton top Rank gig -- facebook
Steven Knight -- I WENT TO ONE OF THE GIGS BRILLIANT
Adam Flea-Newman -- I was at that gig!
Arrietty Blossom -- Me too,was at Pete Townsend gig!
unknown night
It was raining so they let us in to watch the sound check
Nick Linazasoro -- I was there for The Clash
Helena Maniak -- We were there...
Lizzy Dizzy -- I was there for one of The Clash gigs. We were really early and it was raining so they let us in to watch the sound check
Carol Morrison -- I was at that gig
unknown night
Got back stage at that gig
Dean Drewe -- great gig
Glenn O Neill Kane -- Was there
Carol Morrison -- I got back stage at that gig, band were really friendly DNS happy to sign autographs
Sue Crudge -- I was there!
Simon Paul - Saw them there, UB40 in support. Somehow got up the spiral staircase and met them and Pete Townshend having a little ‘get together’
1980 The Clash play a live show live at Top Rank in Brighton
The band were famously joined on stage for the encores by The Who’s Pete Townshend
A Riot of Our Own p223
Open photos in full in new window
Backstage
Two photos by Stan Cox
Link and link - (Both Clash City Collectors)
This shot of Joe was taken on an instamatic 100 camera with no flash and a tiny negative hence the grain. It was taken in ether the 8th or 9th of January 1980 at the Brighton Top Rank on their 16 Tons Tour. Taken by & kindly shared by my old Punk mate Stan Cox
Stan Cox Thats one of my pics btw. I think this one is better -- facebook
Paul Roundhill Clash City Collectors
Clash playing at The Top Rank in Brighton January the 8th 1980 - encore with Pete Townsend join them on stage- pics taken on an instamatic, & kindly shared by Paul Roundhill -- facebook
This shot of Joe was taken on an instamatic 100 camera with no flash and a tiny negative hence the grain. It was taken in ether the 8th or 9th of January 1980 at the Brighton Top Rank on their 16 Tons Tour. Taken by & kindly shared by my old Punk mate Stan Cox. -- Facebook
The Rock & Roll Museum -- Peter Townshend and Paul Simenon with the Clash at Brighton Top Rank January 9th 1980 - to buy prints of my photographs follow link In my bio.
Marc Starr
Pete Townsend photos below credit ictures are from Marc Starr
An original press photo
"Robin Tate. And for those of you who are interested Townsend played on Bankrobber, Louie Louie and Garageland reputedly?"
Robin Tate -- Last night & tonight saw The Clash playing Two gigs at Brighton Top Rank on their 16 Tons Tour. Here's an original press photo (Sorry no photographer credited on the back) used in the NME or Sounds gig review from when Pete Townsend joined them on stage & did a couple of numbers Jeffrey Munday+ my original tickets from both nights , 8th & 9th of January 1980. -- facebook
THE UNDERESTIMATOR — Pete Townshend joining The Clash for their...
Pete Townshend joining The Clash for their encore at Top Rank in Brighton, England on Jan. 1980, as snapped possibly by Robin Tate.
As the story goes, the Who’s guitarist went backstage and asked the boys if he could jam up with them later and when the time for their encore came, he got on stage with them, ready to rock on with fists pumping the air but no sound came from his guitar, since Johnny Green, the band’s road manager, didn’t want to to set up gear for him and had handed him one of Mick’s old guitars with a duff lead, according to Green’s book.
After getting a working guitar, he finally joined the band playing “Garageland”, “Armagideon Time”, “English Civil War” and “Louie Louie.” -- theunderestimator-2
Enhanced
Pete wearing a Clash T-shirt (elsewhere)
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STRUMMER, BAD, Pogues, films + : THE SOLO YEARS STRUMMER & THE LATINO ROCKABILLY WAR BOOKS, NEWSPAPERS & FEATURE MAGAZINES Sex Pistols / The Jam / The Libertines / Others
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No known audio or video
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Known tracks
Garageland
Armagideon Time
English Civil War
Louie Louie
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)
from Songkick (cannot be relied on)
... 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
Articles, check 'Rocks Back Pages'
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ARTICLES, POSTERS, CLIPPINGS ... A collection of A collection of articles, interviews, reviews, posters, tour dates January, February 1980 covering the period the 16 Tons tour of the UK.
VIDEO AND AUDIO Video and audio footage from the tour including radio interviews.
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Hundreds of fans comments about the gigs they went to...
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