Knebworth 4 : Saturday June 24 1978 A Midsummer Night's Dream Promoted by Frederick Bannister On the bill in alphabetical order: ATLANTA RHYTHM SECTION BRAND X DEVO GENESIS JEFFERSON STARSHIP TOM PETTY and the HEARTBREAKERS Additional artists: ROY HARPER and ANDY ROBERTS "There was no concert in 1977 because, according to Freddie Bannister, no major bands were available. Maybe it was just as well to give everyone a quiet year and time to forget the problems of the last Festival." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "Welcome to our KNEBWORTH CONCERT. We hope you enjoy your day at Knebworth, and enter into the spirit of our Knebworth park." from the Official Programme.

Artists in order of appearance:

Roy Harper and Andy Roberts "Folk singer, Roy Harper, an old Knebworth stager, playing with Andy Roberts, gave the festival an impromptu start with an acoustic set thirty minutes earlier than scheduled, a hitherto undreamt of occurrence. His career has included spells in hospital and prison; an erratic performer with a cult following." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. Roy Harper's Second Appearance Refer to: Official Roy Harper Home Page Stormcock Biography All Music Guide profile Roy Harper and Trigger at Knebworth 2 1975 Top of Page Return to Home Page

Brand X "(Harper and Roberts) were followed by Brand X, who got the concert off to a good start: a top notch jazz and rock group, originally formed by Genesis drummer Phil Collins." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "Jazz-rock hasn't yet found the success in Britain that it has in America although visiting acts always seem to draw sell-out crowds when they come over. Maybe no-one's pushing hard enough yet, but when they do Brand X will be in a prime position to stake their claim as Britain's foremost band, individual enough to have developed a style of their own and avoiding many of the pitfalls that American groups seem to be falling into lately." from the Official Programme. Refer to: Top of Page Return to Home Page

"Fans still swarmed into the arena and pushed their way as near to the front of the huge stage as possible." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold.

Atlanta Rhythm Section "Next came Atlanta Rhythm Section, representing America's deep south. Ronnie Hammond, their singer, tried to persuade the crowd on to their feet but no one seemed keen to move." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "With seven albums under their belt, the Atlanta Rhythm Section should perhaps have made a greater impact in Britain than has so far been the case. But then any band basically composed of top line session musicians will always find it hard to gain a solid following until they give up their lucrative studio work and are prepared to slog it out night after night on the road." from the Official Programme. Refer to: Top of Page Return to Home Page

"After (Atlanta Rhythm Section's) set I wandered backstage past the pseudo jet setters and middle aged men in satin bomber jackets, up on to the 75 yd long stage. It was reputed to be the biggest in the world and it was an awe inspiring sight to look out over 60,000 fans sitting on eighteen acres of park like a mass of sprawling multi-coloured confetti. Knebworth House was silhouetted against the skyline in the distance. I was glad I wasn't expected to perform. Instead ..." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold.

Devo "... Devo, a bunch of American new wave weirdos, came on next. They were one of the most bizarre bands ever to have played at Knebworth, and it was the first time most people had seen the group, who were discovered in Detroit by Iggy Pop." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "To be seen talking about the Akron sound in any of London's trendy watering holes is currently the hippiest (sic) thing since arthritis. Whether it really is the future of rock and roll or not, it's certainly produced some of the more intriguing sounds of the past year and most of the interest so far has centred around Devo, whose version of the Rolling Stones' Satisfaction is as startlingly different as the original was ten years ago." from the Official Programme. Refer to: Top of Page Return to Home Page

"There was one bad moment in the crowd. One of the flying beer cans pole-axed a dancing spectator who had to be carried to the front of the arena and taken off site on a stretcher. Meanwhile half a dozen security men rushed in and dragged out (none too gently) a kicking, screaming youth and frogmarched him off." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold.

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers "Peace was restored by blonde haired Tom Petty, wearing a black hat and dark glasses, with his Heartbreakers from Los Angeles. It was their only appearance that summer and they replaced Jeff Beck who had dropped out of the Festival because he was unable to put a band together. Theirs was a rock 'n' roll action show featuring songs from their newly released album You're Gonna Get It. Petty's set brought the festival to life; the band received a standing ovation and responded by encoring with several old favourites." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "Britain can claim the credit for discovering Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers some time before their native America began to realise what a fine rock and roll band they'd been missing out on." from the Official Programme. Refer to: Top of Page Return to Home Page

"After the birth of a baby at the 1976 Festival, first aiders were given a crash course in midwifery, but most of the medical problems came from the Hare Krishna free soup kitchen. Escaping quickly from a crowd of 60,000 plus clutching one's stomach is not easy, and there was the unpleasant sight of unfortunate individuals who never made it! One man had a cardiac arrest and had to be rushed to hospital." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold.

Jefferson Starship ""Jefferson Starship without Slick is like Starship without Spock ... functioning, but never at maximum efficiency," said one review. The Starship never reached the dizzy heights expected of them since their harmonies lost much of their magic without her. But they won the day after Ride The Tiger and Wooden Spoon, and newer songs such as Skateboard, Count On My Fire and Runaway." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "For a band who've been placed in the 'legendary' category for the past decade, Jefferson Starship have been sparing with their appearances outside America. Knebworth is only their third British concert and the first since they switched craft from the Airplane to the Starship. In 1968 they shared the bill with the Doors at London's Roundhouse (which looked even scruffier than it does now) bringing the full flavour of the psychedelic West Coast to Britain for one memorable night. The second occasion was at the Bath Festival in 1970 when the writing of that era was already on the wall." from the Official Programme. Refer to: Top of Page Return to Home Page

"I had organised the House so that any artistes in search of a quiet moment or food while waiting to go on stage were welcome. I was mostly out in the arena, but there was always someone in the House to show them around if they were interested, and to make sure they signed their names in our ever growing 'famous visitors book'." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold.

Roy Harper - Second Appearance "Roy Harper returned on stage to try and prevent fans from getting restless while the sets were changed for Genesis." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. Roy Harper's First Appearance Refer to: Official Roy Harper Home Page Stormcock Biography All Music Guide profile Roy Harper and Trigger at Knebworth 2 1975 Top of Page Return to Home Page

"Darkness was descending, it was a cold windy evening and fans wrapped themselves in black plythene rubbish sacks, shivering as damp crept through their shoes. It was not what one expected of a midsummer's evening. A James Tayloralbum was played from the stage, then Bob Harris from BBC2's Old Grey Whistle Test climbed onto the vast 200ft stage to announce Genesis." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold.

Genesis "The night erupted in a bright glow and blue lights shone from under Tony Banks as his intricate keyboard playing heralded the group's opening number. Phil Collins concentrated on the vocals, Chester Thompson taking over the drums. Mike Rutherford clutched a double necked guitar which enabled him to switch between guitar and bass with Daryl Stuermer. Lights changed colour and reflected in the revolving mirrors that hung about the stage. Fireworks exploded, laser beams, all colours of the rainbow, began darting out across the instruments, stretching out over the heads of the crowd to all corners of the arena. It was a brilliant performance. They really did trip the light fantastic." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "Not many people gave Genesis much chance of survival after Peter Gabriel left them at the end of their Lamb Lies Down On Broadway tour in August 1975. But the reply from Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Steve Hackett and Mike Rutherford was emphatic: A Trick Of The Tail not only gave them a fresh impetus, it went on to become the biggest selling Genesis album to date." from the Official Programme. Recording: CD: Knebworth Show - Genesis CD 1 - 45:22; CD 2 - 41:44 ("unofficial") 1-1. Squonk (7:12) 1-2. Burning Rope (7:54) 1-3. Ripples (10:27) 1-4. The Fountain of Salmacis (9:06) 1-5. One for the Vine (10:40) 2-1. Deep in the Motherlode (6:53) 2-2. The Lady Lies (6:01) 2-3. Afterglow (4:30) 2-4. Follow You Follow Me (3:54) 2-5. Dance on a Volcano (6:09) 2-6. Los Endos (5:36) 2-7. I Know What I Like (8:38) Refer to: Top of Page Return to Home Page

Compere: Nicky Horne Bob Harris

"An hour after the Festival closed two fans asleep in polythene bags were run over by a Land Rover towing a broken down van. They were rushed to hospital but luckily were only badly bruised. It's amazing this doesn't happen more often. Another Knebworth Concert had passed without any major mishaps. Knebworth Mark 2 was on the cards for September, but so far the line-up was a secret." from Knebworth Rock Festivals by Chryssie Lytton Cobold. "Notes To Help Make Your Visit To Knebworth More Enjoyable: Pass-outs are available from the arena at the gate marked on the map, but unfortunately not before 10.00 a.m. Drinking Water is available in the arena at a number of points, just look for the signs. Concessionaires. This year the food is provided by Town and Country, a division of J. Lyons. Only buy from sales points that have the prices clearly displayed. The official prices are listed below: (Examples) Soft Ice Cream 15p; Yoglace (Iced Yoghurt) 15p; Fish and Chips 70p; Chicken and Chips 75p; Beef Burgers 65p; Hamburgers 35p; Tea 13p; Coffee 15p Telephones. This year we are delighted that the G.P.O. have agreed to provide public telephones, and these will be found next door to the Sounds Information tent Train Service. The Awayday Return fare between King's Cross and Stevenage is £2.00. Awayday Returns issued after 20.00 hours Friday 23 June will be available for return travel from Stevenage up to 11.45 on Sunday morning. These tickets will not be valid on trains departing after 11.45 and anyone returning from Stevenage will then have to purchase an ordinary single ticket (£1.75) and no refunds on the Awayday Return Ticket will be paid. We have been asked by the Police to point out that it is dangerous for pedestrians to be on a Motorway. It is also an offence, so please take care when leaving the concert to avoid walking on the A1(M) Motorway which passes Knebworth Park." extracts from the Official Programme. Price 50p. Programme notes by Hugh Fielder.

Top of Page Return to Home Page LINKS to other sites on the Web: Knebworth House - Rock Concert Pages There Must Be A Better Way - Forthcoming Memorabilia Package from Freddie Bannister Posters - direct from Knebworth House Posters - from Freddie Bannister

last updated May 31 2002 with copious thanks to: Chryssie Lytton Cobbold and Henry Cobbold of Knebworth House for their help and encouragement, and for granting permission to quote freely from Knebworth Rock Festivals which now appears to be out of print.