The Courier
8 October 1985
Note: Strawberry Switchblade headlined this Live Aid benefit concert at Thomson Park, home of Lochee United football club in western Dundee. The band only get a passing mention in this article, but it’s a piece of their history so warrants a place in the Press archive.
Scroll down for a Dundee Evening Telegraph report that doesn’t even mention the band! Thanks to Brian for unearthing these clippings for us at Dundee library.
Crowds fill park for Lochee ‘Live Aid’
On the day Bob Geldof flew to Africa to see the effect of the Band Aid effort in the famine areas, the people of Lochee turned out in force for their own ‘Live Aid’ concert.
Thomson Park, turned into a concert arena for the occasion, was bathed in sunshine as hundreds of families spent holiday Monday being entertained by a line-up of 22 bands.
Chart duo Strawberry Switchblade, from Glasgow, were special guests and stars from Dundee and Dundee United signed autographs and kicked footballs into the crowd.
The organisers estimated around 2500 people had turned up during the day and it is hoped at least £5000 will be raised for Band Aid.
One of the men who started the ball rolling was District Councillor Charles Farquhar and he was ‘delighted’ with the public response.
‘It has turned out to be all we hoped for. The weather has been kind and that was the important thing,’ said Mr Farquhar.
‘The whole thing has been put together very quickly and I’d like to thank everyone who helped. The community spirit of Lochee made the concert a success.’
Local businesses have pledged donations and others provided fee services such as Adamson’s Limousines, who ferried the top names to and from Thomson Park.
British Airways donated two return tickets to London which will be raffled for the appeal.
The prize was made even more attractive when pop star Paul Weller telephoned the organisers yesterday to say he would give the winners a guided tour of his Solid bond recording studio during their stay in London.
Other top names from the music world, including Paul McCartney, Duran Duran, Elvis Costello, the Thomson [sic] Twins and Nik Kershaw, gave their support by sending autographed records and photographs to be raffled.
Contributions
Those who could not make it to the concert yesterday still have a chance to make a contribution.
The Lochee Live Aid Appeal does not close until October 26, and donations can be made until that date at the Halifax Building Society, Albert Square, Dundee.
When the final figure is known, Mr Farquhar will take a cheque to the Band Aid office in London.
Mr Farquhar concluded with a special word of thanks for the stewards and police at the concert.
Note: There was also this report in the Dundee Evening Telegraph, 7 October 1985 It doesn’t even mention Strawberry Switchblade or any of the other performers by name, so it doesn’t really warrant its own page on this fansite, but we’re adding it here in case you want more of a feel of the event.
‘Fantastic’ response to Dundee Live Aid
It may not be Wembley but Thomson Park, Lochee, had all the makings of a major gala occasion today as the Dundee Live Aid show kicked off.
What started as a trickle of fans in the early morning had grown into a substantial crowd – police estimate 600 – by lunchtime and delighted organisers were forecasting that more people would turn up during the afternoon.
‘It really is fantastic’ said one of the men behind the effort, Lochee Councillor Chic Farquhar.
The turnout has been magnificent, everything is going smoothly and we’re in for a great day.’
Donations from many local businesses were also coming in thick and fast as the show progressed.
On stage there was only one hiccup. Ten minutes before they were due on stage, Dundee band Streets of Nowhere were nowhere to be found.
Police said this afternoon they had received a number of complaints about noise levels at Thomson Park, mostly from nearby residents. One complaint came from as far away as Coupar Angus Road.
Councillor Farquhar confessed to having a few anxious moments last night when with final preparations for the show all but finished the rain started.
‘I can tell you I was really flapping!’ he said.
Organisers are convinced the day will be a success but aren’t sure exactly how much they’ll raise for the Band Aid effort.
‘We’ll make a few bob!’ said one.
Meantime top pop stars Duran Duran, Elvis Costello, The Thompson Twins, Paul McCartney and Nik Kershaw have all leant their support donating signed photographs and records to be raffled during the day.