The Worst Live Performances and the Chaos of New Year’s Eve

The disappointing live performances:

I remember attending a live concert where Liza Minnelli took the stage, and although she provided an impressive performance, the experience was far from satisfying. While she dazzled with her wardrobe changes, she fell short in other areas. She didn't engage much with the audience and lacked the warmth that is often essential for a memorable show. Similarly, I recall attending a concert by Dalida, who had a memorable voice but failed to connect with the fans. It seemed more like a routine performance than an intimate and engaging experience for both the artist and the audience.

Chaos at The Crown Inn Romford East London

One of the most memorable nights of my life was the New Year's Eve performance at The Crown Inn in East London on December 31, 1981. My band, Mozaic, was thrilled to be selected to play the main stage on New Year's Eve, and we were expecting a lucrative pay day due to the high demand for performances during the holiday season.

Preparation and Performances:

Our lead singer, Shirley, was a notable figure in her own right, having achieved fame as Linda Lewis in the 1970s. Linda's sister was visiting from the US for the holiday, and she decided to join us on stage. We all agreed to dress in fancy dress, heightening the performance atmosphere. I went all out, dressed as an executioner, complete with a black balaclava, black roll-neck sweater, black leggings, and black Dr. Martens boots, accessorized with an axe for added effect. This got us into the mood for performing something out of the ordinary.

As midnight approached, the Crown Inn was packed with revelers looking forward to New Year's Eve festivities. We kicked off the night with the traditional Auld Lang Syne, and midway through the evening, Linda Lewis surprised us by joining us on stage. The audience was clearly charmed by her performance, but their reaction to this unexpected act of harmony was even more impressive.

The Unrest and the Police Intervention:

However, as the night progressed, things began to take a turn for the worse. A group of locals who knew Linda from their shared East End community started heckling her, and this quickly escalated into a heated argument. Before we knew it, the first glass was shattered at the bar. The crowd's reaction was immediate and intense. People started throwing glasses and the floor was soon a battlefield. Tables were knocked over, and bodies were everywhere, engaged in a free-for-all.

Caught in the middle of this madness, I decided to take my axe to the ladies' restroom for safekeeping. Five minutes later, the police arrived, but they could only manage to bring a temporary lull in the chaos. They left promptly, and within minutes, the night devolved into a free-for-all again. This time, it was our guitarist's brother who was attacked, forcing him to intervene. An hour later, I was with him at the hospital, watching in horror as a doctor removed fragments of glass from his eye.

The Aftermath:

As a result of the night's events, we lost our regular Thursday night gigs at The Crown Inn. The manager, rightfully concerned about the safety of his establishment, told us that we were not welcome back, no matter the attractive compensation.

Those memories, though chaotic and horrendous, are vivid in my mind. The lack of crowd control and the inability to engage with the audience made for a night that stood out not only for the memorable live performances but also for the extreme chaos that unfolded. Perhaps those memories can serve as a reminder of the importance of maintaining a safe and engaging atmosphere for both artists and fans.

Thank you, Terry, for the opportunity to share these memories!