Dr Pepper Music Festival
Support Gregory Isaacs & Kurtis Blow
updated 17 July 2017
Audio 1 -
bit bassy but good - anal mast to cdr - Sound 4 - 85min - cdmast - tracks 24 - 14 Apr 02
Audio 2 -
master - 4+ sound - soundcheck - 24 mins
Audio 3 soundcheck -
better than main set - anal mast to cdr - Sound 4 - 22min - cdmast - tracks 5 - 14 Apr 02
A good sounding recording that also contains an interesting soundcheck.
An old version had a pretty good sound, good mix, good clarity and width spoilt by some echo/distance and tinnyness at the top end, a poor 4 overall.
An upgraded version from the master though is better, fractionally less tinny, you can make out the different drums hit and the bass is clear as guitars. It has a slightly bass heavy sound though
Soundcheck
A great soundcheck and better sound than the gig. Lasting some 22 minutes it contains 1977 instrumental, the versions of the Leader and a jamming Radio Clash.
High quality audience recordings circulate from the three Pier 84 shows; this is the best though. The taper is to be commended not just for the sound quality and presumably being backstage for the encore but for making the master tape widely available via Dime in 2006. All the instrumentation is captured clearly including bass, vocals suffer little from distance, the taper close to the stage for the gig and closer still for the soundcheck! For the gig, clapping near the taper does detract at times a little and Mick’s lead could be more prominent but these are minor quibbles for what is an excellent quality audience recording from back in the day.
Curiously Ghetto Defendant from the previous night was added to the Dime release in similar quality so presumably from the same taper but the recording of his whole 1st September gig does not sadly circulate.
Older versions circulate widely too with lesser but good quality sound and some versions have been sound processed to boost bass etc - a question of individual preference.
Final night of the three open air gigs at NYC’s Pier 84, the heavens opened as the band played White Riot to end a very memorable night, all captured by an excellent quality audience recording. Couple this with a fascinating recording of the soundcheck in even better audio quality makes this an indispensable Clash bootleg.
Terry Chimes entertaining book The Strange Case of Dr. Terry and Mr. Chimes includes an anecdote about this gig:
We were preparing to go onstage for an open air concert in New York. Previously double sided tape used to provide ready supply of plectrums on the amps. A new guy on road crew ready to impress used a spray adhesive instead, quicker and less messy. But he left the can of adhesive in the dressing room next to the hairspray. Paul sprayed his hair with glue and was not happy, refusing to go onstage and shampooing the hair turned it green! Meth’s then tried which turned the hair blue!
The audience waiting too long for the band to go on stage were also not happy. Terry’s wife Maxine came up with the solution “Why don’t you wear a hat!” Within 5 minutes the band were on stage and performing. “Incidentally, it was a great performance, because we were all pumped full of adrenaline - What’s more a thunderstorm raged all through the gig, in perfect alignment with the mood of everyone on stage. The audience was saturated by the end of the first song, so they couldn’t get any wetter. We played White Riot as a second encore during which the lightning really went crazy - perfect!”
Terry’s memory in 2014 maybe incorrect about the rain as other accounts suggest it did not strike until at least the encores:
Terry : “Somewhere along the line we saw The Clash 3 nights in a row outdoors at Pier 84 in New York City. At the end of the last show, a heavy summer thunderstorm rolled in. Instead of leaving the stage, they turned on all the lights and the band broke into White Riot! Although the stage was covered, the house lights seemed to light up every big raindrop all around them and the crowd. The Clash were totally energized by this as was the crowd. I will never forget this scene. It is burned into my brain."
“I ended up seeing the Clash 40+ times with the last gig being the one where it pissed-down on the Pier in New York, this was also the height of my 'I'm on the guest list' blagging, when I managed to get myself & two friends in even though there was no way I was on that bit of paper, the Pier gig was the best I had seen the Clash in a number of years (1st gigs being the White Riot tour), the humidity and the incredible electric storm which broke-out were the catalyst for a great and exciting atmosphere and inspired the band as well as the audience; the forked lightning and monsoon-like rain, which came-in at an angle and totally drenched the band and their gear right at the end of the set, felt like a release from the oppressive heat of the day, I actually couldn't believe that they carried on playing as I'd have thought the chances of an electric shock were very high. The rain was so hard that my leather jacket was soaked on the inside as well as out."
“I remember a 1982 outdoor show in new york at pier 84. it was cloudy all throughout until the end of the concert when it started to rain. by the time the encore came around it was pouring but that didn't stop the band. the lights were turned off but they kept playing and everyone got soaked in the process as the stage wasn't covered.” Daymar 77 http://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/the-clash-share-your-stories.314356/page-3
“..Was at the Palladium '80, 5 Bonds Shows including opening night and the Pier show when the sky opened up and the band, getting soaked, refused to bail and in fact broke into an unexpected White Riot with the crowd in a frenzy while getting soaked to the bone…I had the amazing good fortune to spend some time with Joe in 1989 and talked to him about that Pier Show moment which he remembered well, including wondering if he was going to get electrocuted in the rain!”
I made it to the Clash’s 3rd show at Pier 84 on Thursday, September 2, 1982 this was a part of the Dr. Pepper Summer Concert Series. Clash at Pier 84. The two things I remember about this concert are the crowd booing Kurtis Blow off the stage and the thunderstorm that moved in from New Jersey. The Clash kept on playing when the rain started and the crowd when crazy. Soaking wet we rocked the night away Joe and the band.
The audience was mostly white kids who were not into Rap yet. I assume you would call Kurtis Blow old school now, but then he was still new. Kurtis Blow became the first Rapper to be signed by a major label in 1979. This was a concert that I can never forget. http://stubstory.com/the-clash-live-in-concert/
Then saw them on the Combat Rock tour on Pier 84 in Manhattan. Very hot day but a huge thunderstorm rolled in for the encores. Cooled everyone off, you couldn't have scripted it better with the thunder and lightning and pretty soon it was this monsoon rain coming down. They ended with "White Riot", only time I saw them play it. That was probably the greatest show I've ever been to.
Saw them again at RPI in Troy NY on that tour and the new Clash in Poughkeepsie in 1984, but you couldn't top the first two shows I saw in NYC. ulysseseah it was the September 2nd show on the Pier. I remember Strummer was working with the roadies when the opening groups were playing, you couldn't miss him with the mohawk. Some people were being jerks towards Kurtis Blow, throwing cups at him and mocking him. Idiots. Afterwards when we were all leaving people was still hollering "white riot" a dozen blocks away in the pouring rain.
..Other memory is rain pouring down, and crowd going nuts at Pier 84, and MJ dropping guitar during encore and it sliding across the stage letting out a roar of feedback, crowd goes nuttier. Still have my torn, water logged stub.
I was at the show at Pier 84 in 1982-it was the third of 3 nights there and it started raining toward the end of the set and by the encores it was pouring-the harder the rain got the wilder the Clash got & the crowd was going apesh*t...what a great show! I saw them on the 1st night at the Pier & it didn't compare-
On thursday, september 2, 1982, I was crushed up against the stage at pier 84 in manhattan for the clashes' last "Combat rock" new york city show. It poured rain for the whole show, and I could barely move an inch. The clash played their full show (the stub says "Rain or shine, and they meant it!!), and they kicked some butt real good! I was soaking wet, exhausted, and bruised by the time the show ended. Before I left, I pulled out my trusty pocket knife (probably couldn't get into a show today with one!) and removed some stage camouflage that was hanging down in front of me. This is that piece of stage camouflage, along with my ticket stub from the show. This piece of camo is made out of some kind of rubberized canvas and measures about 10" x 12". Get a piece of history from the only band that matters!}o\on thursday, september 2, 1982, I was crushed up agaInst the stage at pIer 84 In manhattan for the clashes' last "combat rock" new york cIty show. It poured raIn for the whole show, and I could barely move an Inch. the clash played theIr full show (the stub says "raIn or shIne, and they meant It!!), and they kIcked some butt real good! I was soakIng wet, exhausted, and bruIsed by the tIme the show ended. before I left, I pulled out my trusty pocket knIfe (probably couldn't get Into a show today wIth one!) and removed some stage camouflage that was hangIng down In front of me. thIs Is that pIece of stage camouflage, along wIth my tIcket stub from the show. thIs pIece of camo Is made out of some kInd of rubberIzed canvas and measures about 10" x 12". get a pIece of hIstory from the only band that matters!
The Clash - Dr. Pepper Summer Concert Series
Jul 22, 2014
I made it to the Clash’s 3rd show at Pier 84 on Thursday, September 2, 1982 this was a part of the Dr. Pepper Summer Concert Series.
The two things I remember about this concert are the crowd booing Kurtis Blow off the stage and the thunderstorm that moved in from New Jersey. The Clash kept on playing when the rain started and the crowd when crazy. Soaking wet we rocked the night away Joe and the band.
The audience was mostly white kids who were not into Rap yet. I assume you would call Kurtis Blow old school now, but then he was still new. Kurtis Blow became the first Rapper to be signed by a major label in 1979. This was a concert that I can never forget.
Reply Monika Gross
June 16, 2017 at 8:42 pm
I was there too! Unforgettable. The sight of that dark storm rapidly crossing the Hudson, and the band just kept on playing, so we didn’t run. And they did three more encores! We were soaked and LIVING LARGE. Nothing like it. Nothing like it.
NameSeptember 5, 2018 at 6:00 pm
White riot in the rain will always be my favorite memory thstbsnd being on stage with them at bondsName
May 14, 2019 at 1:58 pm
One of my best memory was that stormy day….♥️
There are some fine live photos from Bob Gruen (included in his excellent book) and backstage photos from the after show party here -
The soundcheck lasts some 24 minutes and contains Charlie Don’t Surf, 1977 instrumental, a number of versions of the Leader and the highlight an extended Radio Clash; all in great sound quality. Joe jokes about sending out a search party for the Cool Ruler, Gregory Isaacs who did not show after the poor audience reception on the first night.
“Good evening and welcome to the open air Casbah Club on Pier 84 - somewhere in America! This song is entitled London Calling to the faraway towns”. The excellent sound quality is very apparent but there’s some annoying clapping near the taper but fortunately is only sporadic throughout the gig. Mick’s solo almost inaudible.
“Rights, out of sight and dynamite!” cries Joe over the terrific opening of One More Time. Joe’s slashing rhythm guitar chords crystal clear, the band indeed sound pumped up driving the song along hard and fast. Mick’s guitar is clearer with Joe in good voice; not extended but very enjoyable.
“This is Terry Chimes on the drum kit” into the New York themed Car Jamming, adding songs not played on earlier nights. Drops down to drum and bass and Mick’s effects clear; the audience are very enthusiastic. Know Your Rights sounds great but Mick’s solo lost amongst his effects. It does not have the rockabilly swing - would have been fascinating to hear Topper playing this song on the UK & US tours.
“Brixton, Mr Paul Simonon”; guitar swop time on Guns of Brixton. There’s a variation on the usual intro before Joe picks out the bass line. Excellent again; the band stretching out over the extended instrumental ending. Stay Free gets a welcome appearance next, the taper best placed seemingly for Joe’s guitar with Mick’s not prominent enough. Joe though provides some Beatle harmonies on a very enjoyable performance.
A good not great Rock The Casbah follows, Terry’s drumming to the fore and crystal clear. Career Opportunities orders Joe urgently, not wanting gaps between songs, the band oblige with a pumped up delivery. Despite a memorable Strummer adlib, a very enjoyable Magnificent Seven next with Paul’s bass lines really clear, the instrumental bridge variant a highlight.
A strong intense Police On My Back sounds great with Mick belting out his vocals. “Well this is the British National Anthem!“ Mick’s lead clear and loud on The Leader intro but Joe’s voice too far back. Straight into Janie Jones followed by the soundcheck highlight and a main set highlight; Radio Clash complete with Mick’s battery of effects.
English Civil War sounds great too; a passionate Strummer vocal followed by his wailed “Murder, Murder, Muuuurder!” Not an inspired opening crescendo to Somebody Got Murdered but a strong intense performance.
“Has anybody down here noticed I haven’t been looking at them? Yeah or No? It feels so weird to be stuck up on this shelf..when the lights are down I can’t see or hear anything so I feel we’re sort of rehearsing to an empty black space! I don’t want to look at you in case it’s horrible -! Mick knows what the next song is so I’ll leave it to him” Joe acknowledging he’s struggling to connect with the audience from the elevated stage but particularly with the encores overcomes these hurdles. Clampdown sounds great with a appeal for the weather to break and to Dylan’s Hard Rains A’Gonna Fall “let there be drums.. make it rain , yeah even Bob Dylan knew, through the fall, through the sky” sequeing into a frantic I Fought The Law to end the main set.
Charlie Don’t Surf unusually kicks off the encores, Joe conducting the Pier 84 choir as the audience sing back. A fine Should I Stay is followed by a rather languid (if that’s possible) Complete Control, Joe slightly hoarse and Mick’s guitar solo thin; no paint stripping version.
The band kick it up a level for the second encore though when the storm finally broke and the heaven’s opened. Beginning with a fine Straight To Hell with Joe in fine voice, followed by a fired up Brand New Cadillac. Mick’s shouted “1-2-3” kicks off an even better White Man In Hammersmith Palais with Mick’s backing vocals clear and impressive as is his playing over the extended finale at which from the roar from the audience its assumed the heaven’s finally opened to cool the cooked audience.
Then straight into White Riot the rain pouring down and the audience going crazy; Mick’s solo largely lost in mayhem. A memorable way to end a memorable night.
Did you go? What do you remember?
Info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Please
email blackmarketclash
"Somewhere along the line we saw The Clash 3 nights in a row outdoors at Pier 84 in New York City. At the end of the last show, a heavy summer thunderstorm rolled in. Instead of leaving the stage, they turned on all the lights and the band broke into White Riot! Although the stge was covered, the house lights seemed to light up every big raindrop all around them and the crowd.
The Clash were totally energized by this as was the crowd. I will never forget this scene. It is burned into my brain. "
"I often check your site for trip down memory lane and I was just reading about the Harlesdon Colliseum gigs, I went to one of these (and taped it ~bad sound as I remember) and I think one significant thing about these gigs was the fact that a quantity of t-shirts were given away on both nights, you can see one of these shirts in the bottom left of the attached picture (I have one washed & shrunk and another unworn), also shown are a Suicide TS bought at the Music Machine gig (Suicide received a bad case of bottling by Clash 'fans' at this one) and a couple of shirts from the Brixton gigs, I think 5th Column printed these as the guys were on the stall, I was selling Mikey Dread tees for Cosmo at the second set of dates the Clash played at this venue (late July).
The Music Machine tape, an amusing (in retrospect) story about this tape, which I thought had great sound, was that a close friend badgered me to borrow it for weeks, I lent it to him but wasn't truly comfortable about doing so. Calling round his house one day his Mum said 'He's in his room, go right up!' I did so only to find my mate with unspooled cassette tape all over his floor (it was a C120) and him with a pencil in the cassette trying to get it all back in again. The tape was fucked & had to be thrown away.
I remember it was the gig where Joe went on about Aberdeen & Perthshire etc before Safe European Home, they played Blitzkrieg Bop that night and Cook & Jones joined for a couple of encores along (I think) with that idiot Jimmy Sham. I have the cassette box with the track listing if its of any use.
I ended up seeing the Clash 40+ times with the last gig being the one where it pissed-down on the Pier in New York, this was also the height of my 'I'm on the guest list' blagging, when I managed to get myseld & two friends in even though there was no way I was on that bit of paper, the Pier gig was the best I had seen the Clash in a number of years (1st gigs being the White Riot tour), the humidity and the incredible electric storm which broke-out were the catalyst for a great and exciting atmosphere and inspired the band as well as the audience; the forked lightning and monsoon-like rain, which came-in at an angle and totally drenched the band and their gear right at the end of the set, felt like a release from the oppressive heat of the day, I actually couldn't believe that they carried on playing as I'd have thought the chances of an electric shock were very high. The rain was so hard that my leather jacket was soaked on the inside as well as out."
The Dr. Pepper Central Park Music Festival ran at the Wollman Rink from 1977 to 1980. In 1981, the Dr. Pepper concerts moved to Pier 84 on the Hudson River until 1988. The whole site spectacularly dramatized by the brooding presence of the aircraft carrier ''Intrepid,'' This was a great time in NYC to see summer shows with promoter Delsener putting on the likes of Led Zeppelin, The Who, Bob Marley, and many others. NY Times June 25 1982 stated
‘The Dr Pepper Music Festival's present location, Pier 84 at 12th Avenue and 45th Street, is not exactly Central Park, the festival's former home, but it is on the water. And the feature that always made the festival one of the city's most popular pop-music events - low ticket prices - has been retained.
The days when a music fan could wander into the park and hear the Young Rascals and the Jimi Hendrix Experience for $2 are gone forever, but this summer it will be possible to hear Bonnie Raitt, Miles Davis, King Crimson and Rickie Lee Jones, among others, for $7. With top ticket prices for most pop concerts passing the $15 mark and heading for $20, the Dr Pepper Music Festival is still a bargain. The August shows also begin at 8 P.M. Tickets are on sale at Ticketron outlets’.
|
1 |
London Callling |
|
 |
|
|
1 |
1977 Instrumental |
|
|
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
Also useful: Ultimate Music datbase, All Music, Clash books at DISCOGS
A collection of articles, interviews, memorabilia from the tour and the period around the tour, August to New Year 1982.
Ebet Roberts
9 excellent photos from New York
musicpictures.com
If you know of any articles or references for this particular gig, anything that is missing, please do let us know.
Miscellany News, Volume LXXII, Number 7,
29 October 1982 page 12
Where does The Clash go from here?
If you know any please let us know
Search all of facebook
Search all of Twitter
Search for a local library
Search auction site
Search flickr
Search Instagram
Search the internet
Any further info, articles, reviews, comments or photos welcome.
Submit an article here
We are looking for scans - articles - tickets - posters - flyers - handbills - memorabilia - photos - comments / any information - you might have.
Please like and post on our Facebook page or alternatively email blackmarketclash
You can also follow us on Twitter
We also have a Clash Twitter list of other notable Clash Twitter accounts here
The Clash Live At Five interview 1982
Toronto - at the old Exhibition (Grounds) Stadium - 3 minutes
City Limits - before gig
'City Limits' Clash retrospective - Canadian TV from mid eighties. Two minutes of Tommy Gun live at the O'Keefe plus interview [w/ Pennie Smith?] about torn out seating. Also includes 5 Sep 82 car lot interview and April 84 Tour Bus interview.
SNL Straight to Hell after a mash up of quotes
Joe Strummer & Paul Simonon interviewed on CBS New York News 1982 with a clip outside Shea Stadium
Interview with Mick and Paul
Joe Paul Mick on US Tour, Topper sacked -
Youtube?
Police on My Back + Interview cut though. Cable news?
Youtube?
May 1982
This very rare interview was filmed just prior to the release of "Combat Rock". It's bookended with Mick Jones and Joe Strummer playing the folk songs "Oh Shenandoah" and Woody Guthrie's "Who's Going To Shoe Your Pretty Little Feet" on a ukulele. We also have other iconic performances from the early punk years by the Sex Pistols, Generation X featuring Billy Idol, the Ramones, Patti Smith, New York Dolls, the Damned, X-Ray Spex, Dead Kennedys, Blondie and other great Clash footage spanning their entire career including a 40-minute set from the London Calling tour.
Reelin' In The Years Productions houses the world's largest library of music footage, containing over 20,000 hours of material covering nearly every genre from the last 60 years. We have live concerts, TV appearances, interviews, in-studio segments, b-roll and more. In addition to music we have thousands of hours of interviews with the most recognizable celebrities, comedians, politicians, athletes, artists and authors of the 20th Century. If you need footage for your film, documentary, TV show, commercial, museum exhibit or presentation, we are your one-stop shop. Visit our online database at http://www.reelinintheyears.com to explore our archive, but please email us as we are constantly adding new material to the archive. We do not supply material to fans or collectors under any circumstance, so please do not contact us if that is your intention.
Jamiaca - Short report 7.45min Interview with Strummer, Simonon and Jones and Police on My Back
Jamiaca -
00:58 Ranking Roger and Mick Jones
01:35 The Clash London Calling (snippet)
01:45 Rita Marley
02:05 Black Uhuru
02:33 The Grateful Dead
02:55 Bill Krautzmann Itw
03:08 Paul Simonon itw
03:16 Peter Tosh
03:23 Joe Strummer (snippet)
03:40 The Clash Police on my back
Jamiaca - Interview with Paul Simonon & Kosmo Vinyl of The Clash
Historic Films Stock Footage Archive
info@historicfilms.com / http://www.historicfilms.com
Off the Record with Mary Turner
Blackmarketclash Links
Extensive links page can be found here with links to web, twitter, Facebook, traders etc..
If Music Could Talk
The best Clash messageboard and which also has links to downloads on its megalists
www.Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Go here for uploads and downloads. It's not a massive space so its on an as and when basis.
Contact your local library here and see if they can help.
If you are searching for articles in the USA - DPLA Find the local US library link here
WorldCat? - find your local library Link
British Newspaper Archive - United Kingdom Link (£££ / trial period)
Newspaper ARCHIVE - USA+ Link ($$$ / trial period)
Historical Newspapers - USA & beyond $$$ Link ($$$ / trial period)
Elephind.com - international Link (free)
New York Times - USA Link ($$$)
Gallica - France - Not very helpful Link (free)
Explore the British Library Link (free to UK users - ask if you find something)
Trove - Australia National Library Link (free)
The Official Clash
Search @theclash & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash City Collectors - excellent
Facebook Page - for Clash Collectors to share unusual & interesting items like..Vinyl. Badges, Posters, etc anything by the Clash. Search Clash City Collectors & enter search in search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash on Parole - excellent
Facebook page - The only page that matters
Search Clash on Parole & enter search in the search box. Place, venue, etc
Clash City Snappers
Anything to do with The Clash. Photos inspired by lyrics, song titles, music, artwork, members, attitude, rhetoric,haunts,locations etc, of the greatest and coolest rock 'n' roll band ever.Tributes to Joe especially wanted. Pictures of graffitti, murals, music collections, memorabilia all welcome. No limit to postings. Don't wait to be invited, just join and upload.
Search Flickr / Clash City Snappers
Search Flickr / 'The Clash'
Search Flickr / 'The Clash' ticket
I saw The Clash at Bonds - excellent
Facebook page - The Clash played a series of 17 concerts at Bond's Casino in New York City in May and June of 1981 in support of their album Sandinista!. Due to their wide publicity, the concerts became an important moment in the history of the Clash. Search I Saw The Clash at Bonds & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Loving the Clash
Facebook page - The only Clash page that is totally dedicated to the last gang in town. Search Loving The Clash & enter search in the search box. Place, venue, etc
Blackmarketclash.co.uk
Facebook page - Our very own Facebook page. Search Blackmarketclash.co.uk & enter search in red box. Place, venue, etc
Search all of Twitter
Search Enter as below - Twitter All of these words eg Bonds and in this exact phrase, enter 'The Clash'
www.theclash.com/
Images on the offical Clash site. http://www.theclash.com/gallery
www.theclash.com/ (all images via google).
Images on the offical Clash site. site:http://www.theclash.com/
