Spine photography exhibit archive

When Rock Went to College

These photographs, taken by former Stage Manager Geoff Campbell (BA Sociology, 1976, County), are a celebration and recollection of some of the artists and performers in the Great Hall at Lancaster University between 1969 and 1985. Lancaster University hosted a definitive ‘who’s who’ of rock and roll thanks to Entertainments Manager Barry Lucas (BA English, 1972, Lonsdale).

Barry came to Lancaster as a student in 1970 where he started out as Lonsdale College's Social Secretary - counting The Who as his first booking - before becoming the Students’ Union Manager with a remit for entertainment. He later joined forces with co-author Paul Tomlinson, a local music enthusiast, to curate an extensive collection of all the bands and artists that performed over the years into their book When Rock Went to College.

The Undertones

Performed 8 December 1980

Formed in Northern Ireland in 1974, they played at the University as part of the See No More tour and released a total of 13 singles before breaking up in 1983.

The Clash

Performed 23 January 1980

The Clash performed at Lancaster in support of their 1979 album London Calling which was awarded Rolling Stone magazine’s best album of the eighties.

New Order

Performed 14 March 1985

New Order became one of the most critically acclaimed and influential bands of the 1980s. Their Lancaster setlist included Thieves Like Us, Blue Monday and The Perfect Kiss.

Rory Gallagher

Performed 3 December 1971, 24 April 1975, 28 January 1977, 29 November 1981

Rory Gallagher graced the Great Hall stage for four classic Lancaster University concerts and is widely regarded as one of the greatest blues guitarists in UK and Irish history.

The Pretenders

Performed 14 October 1980

Fronted by American singer-songwriter Chrissie Hynde, the band first came to prominence during the punk and new wave movement of the late 1970s.

Rik Mayall

Performed 3 December 1984

One of the first alternative comedians in the UK, Mayall became a household name alongside Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders after writing and starring in sitcom The Young Ones (1982). He performed at the Sugar House in Lancaster.

Japan

Performed 11 January 1981, 6 November 1982

Fronted by David Sylvian, Japan played the Great Hall twice. They achieved nine UK Top 40 hits, including Ghosts which reached number five. Creative differences resulted in their last ever performance on 16 December 1982.

Dire Straits

Performed 12 December 1980

Dire Straits were already global superstars (following the release of Sultans of Swing) by the time they came to perform here at Lancaster to promote their 1980 album Making Movies.

Tina Turner

Performed 25 February 1984

Arguably one of the biggest stars to have performed at the Great Hall, rising to fame in the 1960s and going on to enjoy a highly successful career. Tina was also elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

Elvis Costello performing with his guitar on the Great hall stage

Elvis Costello and The Attractions

Performed 13 March 1981, 2 October 1982, 27 October 1984

Elvis Costello OBE very much enjoyed playing at Lancaster and his concerts were sell-outs. Audiences even witnessed the first known live performance of hit single Pump It Up.

Dr Feelgood

Performed 10 October 1975, 10 December 1979

This British pub rock band were known primarily for their high energy live performances and both University gigs lived up to that reputation.

Siouxsie and The Banshees

Performed 8 August 1981

Siouxsie and The Banshees played at Lancaster in support of one of their biggest selling albums Juju. By all accounts, this was a legendary Great Hall concert.

Scorpions

Performed 12 October 1980

One of the most successful rock bands to come out of continental Europe (with sales of more than 200 million worldwide). The volume level of their show apparently tested the structural integrity of the Great Hall’s foundations!

Joan Armatrading

Performed 22 June 1980, 5 December 1981, 17 April 1983

Joan Armatrading MBE is a British singer-songwriter who first appeared at Lancaster supporting Supertramp, following up with three headlining visits becoming a favourite of Great Hall audiences.

Echo & The Bunnymen

Performed 1 May 1981, 21 October 1984

Their first Great Hall concert featured songs from their second album. They returned to promote their fourth, Ocean Rain, proclaimed by the group as "the greatest album ever made".

Kid Creole and The Coconuts

Performed 9 October 1982

Kid Creole and The Coconuts are an American band incorporating big band jazz, disco, Caribbean and Latin American salsa into their music.

The Selecter

Performed 23 February 1980, 30 January 1981

The Selecter are a two-tone British ska revival band fronted by the enigmatic Pauline Black, adding her unique voice to the band’s edgy, politically themed sound.

Got an idea for the next exhibition? 

Staff and students are welcome to get involved and curate new images for future exhibits, which will be updated twice a year.    

If you have an idea for a future exhibition which would appeal to all students and staff at Lancaster, please send an email to marketing-office@lancaster.ac.uk by 30 September 2024.   