A lovely piece. Thank you. Russ Abbott? 😘 My abiding memory is john the beast pulling an apple from his arse and flinging it into the crowd prior to a carter usm concert.
This is a fantastic piece Peter. You capture the iconography of the sign perfectly and what it stands for. Love the Dylan anecdote. Some great writing - 'a gaudy, gallus pleasure beacon that for generations has shone into the Glasgow night, reflected in the mirrored windows of rock band coaches, in rain-choked Gallowgate gutters, and in the eyes of music fans intent on the good time to end all good times.' Perfect.
A lovely piece of writing as ever. Particularly pleased with the information that Russ Abbot was responsible for the first flip of the switch. Particularly given this extract from his Wikipedia entry:
In 2003, his "See You Jimmy" character (called C. U. Jimmy) came third in the Glasgow Herald's poll to find the most Scottish person in the world, behind Iain and Jimmy Krankie.
Thank you. I was laughing at the Herald thing when I suddenly thought, "Hang on, was I involved in running that poll?" We definitely had one where "Sexiest Scot" was found to be Maggie Broon.
Great piece, Peter! I remember making a documentary to celebrate the start of the international piping festival in Glasgow when we took a piper up onto the roof to film a sequence in front of that famous sign. Sadly, I no longer have the clip but it still flashes in my memory.
Lovely! Dylan at Barrowland - that would be a thing.
I still can’t quite believe it happened. I don’t even know how I got a ticket. Suffice to say it was something to do with Andrew Jaspan.
A lovely piece. Thank you. Russ Abbott? 😘 My abiding memory is john the beast pulling an apple from his arse and flinging it into the crowd prior to a carter usm concert.
That’s quite a different vibe.
This is a fantastic piece Peter. You capture the iconography of the sign perfectly and what it stands for. Love the Dylan anecdote. Some great writing - 'a gaudy, gallus pleasure beacon that for generations has shone into the Glasgow night, reflected in the mirrored windows of rock band coaches, in rain-choked Gallowgate gutters, and in the eyes of music fans intent on the good time to end all good times.' Perfect.
Thank you, Carol. I really appreciate it.
Perfect, Peter.
Many thanks, Jan.
A lovely piece of writing as ever. Particularly pleased with the information that Russ Abbot was responsible for the first flip of the switch. Particularly given this extract from his Wikipedia entry:
In 2003, his "See You Jimmy" character (called C. U. Jimmy) came third in the Glasgow Herald's poll to find the most Scottish person in the world, behind Iain and Jimmy Krankie.
Thank you. I was laughing at the Herald thing when I suddenly thought, "Hang on, was I involved in running that poll?" We definitely had one where "Sexiest Scot" was found to be Maggie Broon.
Always a delight to read these! I love how your brogue comes through the writing and your brilliant turns of phrase. Neon: it's a gas!!
Thank you, Beth. That’s very kind.
Great piece, Peter! I remember making a documentary to celebrate the start of the international piping festival in Glasgow when we took a piper up onto the roof to film a sequence in front of that famous sign. Sadly, I no longer have the clip but it still flashes in my memory.
Thank you, Tim. Hope all is good with you.
I have no memory of it happening at all. What a fantastic thing.
Wonderful article! It’s a place I’ve long meant to go for some live music, so many legendary performances-I must get there soon. Thanks!
Thank you. I hope that you will enjoy it when you do.
Need to catch up with some Glaswegian friends so will do it then.