Original BBC report on Rock Against Racism carnival in April 1978
Original BBC report on Rock Against Racism carnival in April 1978
By Andy Dangerfield BBC News
By Andy Dangerfield BBC News
It's 30 years since Rock Against Racism was formed to tackle growing racial tension in 1970s Britain. A series of concerts reached its climax in east London's Victoria Park on 30 April 1978, when the Clash played to 80,000. But did it have a lasting impact?
It's 30 years since Rock Against Racism was formed to tackle growing racial tension in Britain. A series of concerts reached its climax in east London's Victoria Park on 30 April 1978, when the Clash played to 80,000. Did it have a lasting impact?
Many people believe writing letters to complain is a waste of time. But Rock Against Racism (RAR) was one movement that was sparked by a single letter-writer.
Many people believe writing letters to complain is a waste of time. But Rock Against Racism (RAR) was one movement that was sparked by a single letter-writer.
Photographer Red Saunders penned the words that inspired RAR, incensed by comments blurted out by musician Eric Clapton at a Birmingham concert in 1976.
Photographer Red Saunders penned the words that inspired RAR, incensed by comments blurted out by musician Eric Clapton at a Birmingham concert in 1976.
RAR CONCERTS Nov 1976: First RAR gig, east LondonApr 1978: RAR Carnival, east LondonJuly 1978: Northern Carnival, Manchester, July 1981: Specials headline RAR Carnival, Leeds
RAR CONCERTS Nov 1976: First RAR gig, east LondonApr 1978: RAR Carnival, east LondonJuly 1978: Northern Carnival, Manchester, July 1981: Specials headline RAR Carnival, Leeds
Clapton had urged his audience to back former Conservative MP Enoch Powell's anti-immigrant stance. The guitarist, who has since said he is not a racist, suggested Britain was becoming "a black colony".
Clapton had urged his audience to back former Conservative MP Enoch Powell's anti-immigrant stance. The guitarist, who has since said he is not a racist, suggested Britain was becoming "a black colony".
Saunders' words were printed in NME and Melody Maker.
Saunders' words were printed in NME and Melody Maker.
"One of the biggest rock stars of the time was spouting awful racist nonsense. I'd been a fan of his and was absolutely shocked," says Mr Saunders.
"One of the biggest rock stars of the time was spouting awful racist nonsense. I'd been a fan of his and was absolutely shocked," says Mr Saunders.
Quoting the Bob Marley song Clapton had covered to achieve his first UK solo hit, the letter ended on the biting note: "Who shot the sheriff, Eric? It sure as hell wasn't you."
Quoting the Bob Marley song Clapton had covered to achieve his first UK solo hit, the letter ended on the biting note: "Who shot the sheriff, Eric? It sure as hell wasn't you."
The letter received an overwhelming response - nearly 400 replies in two weeks. Rock Against Racism was born. The fledgling organisation had close links to the Anti-Nazi League, and was soon organising a string of concerts featuring like-minded bands.
The letter received an overwhelming response - nearly 400 replies in two weeks. Rock Against Racism was born. The fledgling organisation had close links to the Anti-Nazi League, and was soon organising a string of concerts featuring like-minded bands.
The concert in Victoria Park was seen as paving the way for later giant cause-driven shows like Live Aid and Free Nelson Mandela.
The concert in Victoria Park was seen as paving the way for later giant cause-driven shows like Live Aid and Free Nelson Mandela.
High unemployment
High unemployment
Weyman Bennett was a School Kids Against the Nazis activist at the time of the Victoria Park concert.
Weyman Bennett was a School Kids Against the Nazis activist at the time of the Victoria Park concert.
"In contrast to the sense of fear that came before, the carnival brought a sense of elation," he says.
"In contrast to the sense of fear that came before, the carnival brought a sense of elation," he says.
The late 1970s were a time of recession, strikes and high unemployment, which RAR's founders saw as having created fertile territory for racists. The National Front was gaining support in the polls.The 1970s and early 1980s saw racial tension and riots
The late 1970s were a time of recession, strikes and high unemployment, which RAR's founders saw as having created fertile territory for racists. The National Front was gaining support in the polls.The 1970s and early 1980s saw racial tension and riots
By 1978, anti-racist gigs were being held across the country. By the time of the Victoria Park in April of that year, the movement had enough support for thousands of people to march the six miles from Trafalgar Square to the concert.
By 1978, anti-racist gigs were being held across the country. By the time of the Victoria Park in April of that year, the movement had enough support for thousands of people to march the six miles from Trafalgar Square to the concert.
"It was put together by a lorry load of anti-Nazi enthusiasts, a couple of elastic bands and tuppence hapenny," Mr Saunders jokes.
"It was put together by a lorry load of anti-Nazi enthusiasts, a couple of elastic bands and tuppence hapenny," Mr Saunders jokes.
The Spectator's Toby Young, who was at the Victoria Park concert, is one of those who has been sceptical about the lasting effects of the event.
The Spectator's Toby Young, who was at the Victoria Park concert, is one of those who has been sceptical about the lasting effects of the event.
Reminiscing recently, he said: "It's naive to think a few well intended musicians can do something about a problem so widespread and endemic."
Reminiscing recently, he said: "It's naive to think a few well intended musicians can do something about a problem so widespread and endemic."
While the extent to which RAR eased racial tensions is debatable, the performers involved said it certainly had a huge impact on their approach to music and sparked a rise in black and white artists performing on the same bill.
While the extent to which RAR eased racial tensions is debatable, the performers involved said it certainly had a huge impact on their approach to music and sparked a rise in black and white artists performing on the same bill.
Black performers
Black performers
This was a key plank for a movement that boasted the slogan "music that breaks down people's fear of one another".
This was a key plank for a movement that boasted the slogan "music that breaks down people's fear of one another".
Poly Styrene from X-Ray Spex, who opened the concert, explains that before RAR she had always performed with white artists. "RAR brought black and white artists together on stage," she says.
Poly Styrene from X-Ray Spex, who opened the concert, explains that before RAR she had always performed with white artists. "RAR brought black and white artists together on stage," she says.
It used to be a black and white issue - today there's more racism against Muslims or eastern Europeans for instance Don Letts, Musician
It used to be a black and white issue - today there's more racism against Muslims or eastern Europeans for instance Don Letts, Musician
David Hinds from Steel Pulse, who also performed, thinks RAR brought together different types of music.
David Hinds from Steel Pulse, who also performed, thinks RAR brought together different types of music.
"White people started going to gigs with black performers. People started to learn about different languages, dances, foods and cultures."
"White people started going to gigs with black performers. People started to learn about different languages, dances, foods and cultures."
A modern day incarnation of Rock Against Racism, the renamed LMHR (Love Music Hate Racism) formed in 2002.
A modern day incarnation of Rock Against Racism, the renamed LMHR (Love Music Hate Racism) formed in 2002.
The movement has organised a concert for 27 April, again in Victoria Park. But can racism still be tackled by popular music?
The movement has organised a concert for 27 April, again in Victoria Park. But can racism still be tackled by popular music?
"Racism is just as much of a problem today," says Mr Bennett, who is now LMHR chair.
"Racism is just as much of a problem today," says Mr Bennett, who is now LMHR chair.
"Today things are more covert. Racists wear suits and look respectable."
"Today things are more covert. Racists wear suits and look respectable."
Musician and film-maker Don Letts agrees. "It used to be a black and white issue. But now it's more complicated. Today there's more racism against Muslims or eastern Europeans for instance."RAR giggs brought black and white fans together
Musician and film-maker Don Letts agrees. "It used to be a black and white issue. But now it's more complicated. Today there's more racism against Muslims or eastern Europeans for instance."RAR giggs brought black and white fans together
London grime DJ Target, of Roll Deep, who is playing at the anniversary concert thinks music remains a good way to connect with young people.
London grime DJ Target, of Roll Deep, who is playing at the anniversary concert thinks music remains a good way to connect with young people.
"Kids of today would prefer to listen to a song than to a politician they can't relate to. A concert is a good way to communicate the anti-racism message," he says.
"Kids of today would prefer to listen to a song than to a politician they can't relate to. A concert is a good way to communicate the anti-racism message," he says.
Drew McConnell from Babyshambles, who will collaborate on the day with artists from Reverend and the Makers and the Guillemots seems to think LMHR can succeed.
Drew McConnell from Babyshambles, who will collaborate on the day with artists from Reverend and the Makers and the Guillemots seems to think LMHR can succeed.
"British people can be very apathetic. But when things start getting bad they have a quality of standing up and saying 'We're not going to stand for this.'"
"British people can be very apathetic. But when things start getting bad they have a quality of standing up and saying 'We're not going to stand for this.'"
There'll always be those who believe music and politics should never mix, but rock's anti-racists will plug on nevertheless.
There'll always be those who believe music and politics should never mix, but rock's anti-racists will plug on nevertheless.
Black and white photographs courtesy of Syd Shelton. An exhibition of his work, A Riot Of Our Own, is on display at the Chelsea Space Gallery, London, from 2 July.
Black and white photographs courtesy of Syd Shelton. An exhibition of his work, A Riot Of Our Own, is on display at the Chelsea Space Gallery, London, from 2 July.
