I Was There

A reader’s recollection of a key music event

This month: Pink Floyd, Earls Court, 12 October 1994, London

Remember the days when getting a ticket for a gig meant using a telephone that had a dial? So, you dial, get the dreaded “engaged tone” for the next 30 to 40 minutes (no, really), eventually get through to the box office and beg for the best tickets as you have no idea of the seating plan. I punch the air as I secure no fewer than five!

We are excited beyond belief to know we are soon to be travelling from Birmingham to London to see the Floyd on The Division Bell Tour to ‘promote’ their new album which got to No 1 in the UK on pre-orders alone!

I remember being in awe when we found a parking spot pretty close to the stadium and witness the enormous white search lights beaming above.

So, we are all seated in the stand at the rear of the venue as the lights drop to whoops and whistles as Rick Wright starts to play those magical opening chords to Shine On You Crazy Diamond. Suddenly, about two minutes in, something extraordinary occurs. The stand starts to slowly lurch forward! Wow, cool effect, guys (I honestly thought it was part of the show). But the lurching forward doesn’t stop, the initial crunching sound gets louder, and a father and son sitting to my left literally disappear from my sight as they fall some 20ft or so to the ground. A guy in front shouts to me to grab his pregnant wife to prevent her falling, so I do, not knowing if both of us are going to fall.

Eventually, the movement stops, as does the music. The house lights come up. The stand is static, at a very scary forward angle, such that sitting is impossible, as is not knowing if it is going to start moving again. I cling to the pregnant lady until security rescue us from the stand. Truth is, it happens so fast I don’t get a chance to feel scared.

So here we are, driving back to Birmingham only a few hours after we arrived in London, awaiting news of what we genuinely believe may be deaths and serious injuries. It feels surreal.

Fortunately, no one did lose their lives that night. I never did know what became of the father and son or the pregnant lady, so if you are reading this, maybe let me and RC readers know how you are.

For our trauma and trouble, all those on the collapsed stand received a signed letter from the band along with a unique ‘dated’ T-shirt on the re-arranged date [17 October – Ed]. It is the shortest Floyd gig ever, I suspect, and one I’ll never forget.

Andy Cooke