Anarchist Black Cross Gala Concert Programme [1975]

View PDF (490.9 KB)

Gala 
Concert 
in aid of 
Libertarian 
Political Prisoners
everywhere 
and the 
Libertarian Resistance in Spain
Souvenir 
Programme
5p.

CONCERT AND GALA
at the CONWAY HALL
Large and Small Halls
on
SATURDAY 3RD MAY 1975
Buffet open 5 p.m.
Guitar Convert and social – 5 p.m. to end. (Small Hall)
CONCERT – (Large Hall) – 7.30 p.m.

GORDON GILTRAP is one of the leading guitarists to come out of the British Folk scene. Unlike more folk-rooted guitarists, however, he is unique in the fact that he does not play finger style. In fact, as one critic wrote, he can play more notes with a single plectrum than most people can with ten fingers. He has recorded four albums and will shortly be producing his fifth, which will include his recently completed Suite for Guitar, which draws its inspiration from early English composers like Dowland and Byrd rather than folk music. It ends on a very contemporary note, however, as you can hear when he performs it tonight. 

TIGER LILY are described by their leader/lyricist, Dennis Leigh, as cosmic vandals. A miner’s son, Dennis was expelled from Preston Art College for “disorderly conduct with a model” and is currently finishing his third year at the Royal College of Art. His lyrics for Tiger Lily use many of the same images as his illustrations. A five-piece band, Tiger Lily recently issued a single for Gull of the theme tune for the erotic documentary “Ain’t Misbehavin’”. 

VALHALLA LIBERATION are a Birmingham blues group led by Dave Campbell. 

The compere for the evening is Karl Dallas, well-known journalist, author and broadcaster. 

Thanks of the Anarchist Black Cross go to the above artists who have demonstrated real solidarity in coming forward to help us this evening without charge – as friends of freedom and the struggle of the people everywhere, without necessarily being in agreement with our views. 

This event celebrates forty years of struggle by our comrade Albert Meltzer in the anarchist cause. He has been active in the anarchist movement from 1935 to the present. 

THE ANARCHIST BLACK CROSS exists to help libertarian political prisoners all over the world. It is not a charity. It is a means of solidarity by helping victims of the class struggle in the fight against the common enemy internationally. It is not exclusively concerned with prisoners: it is a springboard to militant action in every part of the world. Its aim is the building of a revolutionary libertarian international, not on paper but out of practical deeds. In Spain we have been instrumental in helping to re-structure the Resistance – to give aid to the political prisoners who are fighting fascism and to those who are re-building the workers’ movement despite world indifference. As a result of directing interest to helping the anarchist fighters of Spain, we have activated anarchist movements in many parts of the world, including Britain, France, Germany, Belgium. 

REMEMBER YOURE OUTSIDE FOR US
WHILE WERE IN HERE FOR YOU………
HELP LIBERTARIAN POLITICAL PRISONERS EVERYWHERE
Anarchist Black Cross

Show me a flag 
That does not fly over prison 
A flag no man has died for 
no law has lied for 
no child has cried for 
Show me this flag 
And I will call it my own. 
[Credited to Jerry Marshall in Schism, Winter 1970: Vol 1 Iss 2, with the third line reading That does not fly over prisons]
printed by black flag 

[Note:
As May 1975 represented the fortieth year of Albert Meltzer’s involvement in the anarchist movement, the Anarchist Black Cross presented, instead of a party, a gala concert at the Conway Hall, London – proceeds to go to Spanish Prisoners/Resistance fund of ABC. The profit proved to be £90 at the final count – for which thanks go to Karl Dallas, who compered and brought along the versatile guitarist Gordon Giltrap (and Brillo) the Tiger Lily rock group and the 2-Bit Band. Thanks also to Valhalla Liberation, our talented Birmingham comrades, and the many who helped entertain in the small hall as well as organising the buffet, tickets, stewarding and literature (we sold nearly £22-worth on our stall). We still have a few Souvenir Programmes (5p) if anyone wants to preserve it as a memento of a first class evening. (Black Flag, May 1975 v.4, n.1)]