ROCK ’N’ ROLLING BACK THE YEARS!
ALITTLE piece of music history has been uncovered at Newport Centre. The venue, which has welcomed a huge number of acts over the years, has been reacquainted with a book which dates back to the 1980s.
The book was used to record all information about those musical megastars who’d played at the Newport venue, including dates, tickets sold and prices (which modern-day gig goers might be surprised at).
Roger Broome, who was previously the centre’s events manager, dug out the book just in time to show the 20-year gap between one rock star’s Newport shows.
Marilyn Manson took to the stage at Newport Centre on December 8, 2017, and the book reveals how the American rocker was there 20 years ago, in 1997. But the first thing Roger explains is that the famed “black book” isn’t black at all.
“In actual fact, it’s a green-covered book, not black,” said Roger, who worked at the centre since it opened in 1985, leaving his role three years ago. “I don’t know where the ‘black’ came from – it’s always been green.
“It was set up, managed and maintained by [then-box office manager] Glenys Burnett-Jones.”
The first act recorded in the book was the Flying Pickets in August 1985. As the former events manager, Roger has seen some big names at the centre – David Bowie, Alice Cooper (“lovely man, great backstage”) Manic Street Preachers, Elton John, Robert Palmer, and Ronnie James Dio (“one of the best sets I’ve seen”) were some of the names that came up. And Genesis fan Roger added: “When Genesis came, that was fantastic for me to see Phil Collins.”
He believes the centre pulled these big names not only because it was one of the bigger venues in the area at the time with a capacity of just over 2,000, but also because the “auditorium lent itself to a rock concert”.
“If you wanted to be down in the mosh pit or against the barrier, you could. Or if you wanted to sit in the back row in the corner, you’d still have a fantastic view,” he added.
Glenys Burnett-Jones, who’s now front of house manager at the Riverfront Theatre, said: “I am delighted that this book has now become part of Newport Centre’s history and has reminded people of such amazing memories. “
Roger, who was given the book for safe keeping when he left the venue three years ago, said things have changed a lot since the1980s.
“Glenys would write it up – put the bands in there, how much the ticket prices were, who the promoter was, how many tickets sold,” Roger said.
“When you look at it, you’ll see some of the bands have come and gone over the years and been several times – and now people are paying £80 or £90 for a ticket instead of £8.50 or something.”
And the final gig written down, before full computerisation of the records? Kasabian in June 2007.