And basic care theatre photography natural funds and they've australia Twice! The guitar started and then when the rest of the band were supposed to come somebody didn't. They stopped, stared at each other and then started again. I'd never seen anything like it but then I thought, having not seen that gigs, that maybe sometimes this happens. I've seen a thousand gigs since and I've never seen it happen again! The other thing that was different was that before the first was finished I'd been told by a bunch of old hippies behind to sit down. It seemed strange to me then to watch a whole gig sat down and it still does. Great show though that got better and better as it went on. Maybe they were nervous? I think it was the first night of their first UK tour. there I was, a tender boy of nearly 15, going out to the mighty BOC. I had been lucky to date; a few Status Quo concerts Dr Feelgood, Budgie, etc but nothing had prepared me or this. friend had introduced them to me earlier the year by virtue of a new album that he had picked up, On Your Feet or on Your Knees. He was 17 at the time and modelled his hair on 's, even attempting to grow the moustache. Over the course of the we all but wore that album out. I had read reports that BOC did not consider it to be adequate reflection of their abilities and were disappointed with the album. We thought it could not be bettered. For months we argued about who was Dharma as we air guitared away the bedroom and we raced into Manchester to get the tickets as as we heard that they were performing the UK for the first time. By this time I had picked up the first album and also Tyranny and Mutation, though for some reason Secret Treaties evaded me for some time. The following year I was sold only bootleg album EP the Mouth or on the Ground it did though have the rawest version of Red and Black that I have heard. I didn't the support band, which I from the gig list was Birth Control. those days, it was not considered cool to the support, unless you always knew and appreciated their stuff. Instead we went to the bar and had a few beers. We were the stalls, probably about fifteen rows back but that did not matter as we would just make for the front as as the band appeared. After the customary shouting during the interval, the lights went down and to the cry of Manchester, on your feet or on your knees for the amazing Blue Oyster Cult, we were up and forward. I recall it was a bit of a crush but do not remember too much more about the opening couple of songs. I really came alive at Harvester of Eyes, which was one of favourites. Must admit, I cannot remember Store, but the sublime and beating Cities on Flame was superb before the fantastic Ain't got you and the playful 's We had practised this times, we just joined on our air guitars. The sight of stood there his white costume appear theatrical these days, but he held that audience the palm of his hand and he was without doubt the world's greatest guitarist. The lasting memory though was the one we had been waiting for all night; all five on stage playing guitar together. Yes the inside cover of OYFOOYK look slightly surreal but this was the real thing, no doubt about it. The encores were all too short; the night could not possibly end, though we knew it had to eventually. I had been on feet all night; now I was on knees before the mighty gods of rock. I went to the gig with 3 friends, who had first bought BOC albums plus some Soft White Underbelly demos and bootlegs from a shop that was on Oldham Street Manchester which appeared to sell nothing but bootlegs. other two mates were and Griffiths. The gig was by no means a sell out but it was fantastic. We were also impressed with Birth Control who performed a really innovative drum solo. I find most solos very boring. Our seats the stalls were next to two guys doing a bootleg and they encouraged us to whoop it up into their mic. who was