Castle Rock

[Jeepster]

Hi all

I am new to this site.

I am currently researching a music charity festival that happened in the grounds of Dudley Castle , England, on Friday 5th June 1970 entitled 'Castle Rock'.
The Faces headlined the event which also included:
Edgar Broughton Band
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Quintessence
Sam Apple Pie
The compare was Jeff Dexter
All proceeds went to the World Wildlife Fund. The place must have been heaving with people but not much is mentioned of it. Can anyone here help? Were you there, did you take any photo's?
The ticket price was 1!! Around 4 months later Marc Bolan's career really took off and he became the first major music star of the decade. Rod Stewart and Marc Bolan on the same bill for 1! Wish I could have been there.

Jeepster

[mcnarie]

All I know is the Faces played Dudley Zoo at Dudley Castle that day. I've seen the gig poster online somewhere, on a 60s psych site.

[Jeepster]

Hi
Thanks for the reply

Dudley Castle
It must have been a great venue for a music event. The town of Dudley is steeped in history and there has been a castle (in some form) overlooking the town since 1071. The zoo was added later in 1937. The stage would have been in front of the 1530 renaissance range facing the ruined 14th century tower. What a magical place! I wonder if 'Mac' remembers playing there?

Jeepster

[oldstoagie]

A very late reply to this, I was searching for something else. Hopefully better late than never.
I was there, but funnily enough don't recall the Faces playing at all. The weather was hot and I remember Marc Bolan cross-legged on the front of the stage. He was in transition between the elf and the glam rock god phases and played a mixed electric/acoustic set. Robert Plant was there with his wife and child just to listen. Lots of people, but not uncomfortable or crushed.
The event ran massively overtime, the last band to play was Edgar Broughton and the plug was literally pulled out by the venue mid-set at sometime after 11:30pm. If the Faces were headlining, they may not even have got on stage, which might be one reason that I don't remember them (amongst many other things!). I remember leaving the castle with the whole crowd singing "out demons out", very good natured event.

[lesleycrazy27]

Just discovered this blog...I went to Dudley Castle Festival my first festival.. with no money where we went through the Zoo to get in free..sat between Marc Bolan and Robert Plant.watching Rod Stewart with ~The Faces Robert Plant then jumped on to the stage and sang 'Im so Glad' along with Rod Stewart. When Marc Bolan went on stage seemed very shy and tucked himself behind an amp..crosslegged on the floor. It was sunny and I cant remember many people being there as it seemed a 'secret' sort of gig......

[Jeepster]

Hi, oldstoagie and lesleycrazy27

Thanks for sharing your memories of 'Castle Rock'.

Jeepster

[nodsasgoodasawink]

hi , mega late to this subject but i was looking in a fantastic book yesterday all about the faces and it had a picture in there of the faces playing on stage at dudley zoo . was definatley dudley zoo because i recognise the part ruins in the back ground , so they definatley did play at dudley castle

[Jeepster]

Hi nodasgoodasawink

Thanks for the info.

Can you remember the name of the book? I will take a look.

Jeepster

[Delflord]

Greetings everyone,

I'm new to this forum but like 'Jeepster' above, i am researching on this event too as it took place within a couple of miles from where i live. Does anyone have any photos of the stage set up? to date, any such photos have eluded me. Thank you all in advance. 'Jeepster', maybe we could share some info on this event since you are researching this too?

Delf

[Jeepster]

Hi, Delflord, and welcome.

Glad to hear you are researching this event as well. I think it's a good idea to share our 'finds'.

Best wishes

Jeepster