When Fleetwood Mac rocked Glastonbury: A nostalgic look back at the Town Hall's past
In the tapestry of Somerset's history, the tale of Fleetwood Mac playing in Glastonbury emerges as a standout episode, particularly poignant for those who frequented the Town Hall during its prime.
This iconic venue, currently known for hosting weddings and council assemblies, was once the epicentre of youth culture in the area, pulsating with live music and the energy of young people.
The Town Hall, alongside the Black Cat café in Street, was a renowned teenage haunt, mainly due to the weekly dances organised by Westside Promotions. Initially hosted in Coxley, these dances were later shifted to Glastonbury owing to their overwhelming popularity, attracting youngsters from across the district. The introduction of these dances in Glastonbury was met with mixed reactions, delighting the youth but eliciting disapproval from some senior residents.
What made these dances particularly notable was the calibre of bands that performed at the Town Hall. Local groups like Eddie Dark and the Salvos and Johnny Carr and the Cadillacs shared the stage with musicians who later achieved substantial fame. This roster included The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band, Jethro Tull, Chicken Shack, and John Mayall And The Bluesbreakers, featuring legends such as Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood, Mick Taylor, and Peter Green.
The performance by Fleetwood Mac at the hall in 1968 is a significant highlight, years before they became one of the world's biggest-selling bands and got their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The dances were a defining feature of the sixties, culminating with the final dance on July 19, 1969. State Express and Tom Brown were the last band to perform at Westside's dances. Brian Mapstone of Westside Promotion, speaking to the Central Somerset Gazette, attributed the cessation of these dances to escalating costs and reducing attendance. He mentioned, "There is still scope for a Saturday pop dance for about 200 teenagers."
The editor of the Central Somerset Gazette expressed regret over the end of the dances. "We regret the end of a popular entertainment which has given Glastonbury an enviable reputation among many young pop music lovers in the country," they remarked. This sentiment resonated within the community, with many expressing sadness over the loss of a dynamic social scene for the youth.
The closure of these dances signalled a significant change in Glastonbury's social fabric. The Town Hall, once a hub of youthful activity and music, transitioned to a more subdued role in the community. This change signified not just the closure of a venue but also reflected the changing dynamics of youth culture and entertainment in the region.
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