Trevor Kirk looks back over the decades to highlight important Christian music events
January/February 1972
Buzz magazine in January
looked at the latest hit musical Godspell, featuring a cast of
relative unknowns, some of whom went on to become stars, notably David
Essex, Jeremy Irons and Julie Covington. Combining the power and
energy of Hair with the religion of Jesus Christ Superstar (according
to the article), Godspell was described by David Essex, who played
Jesus, as "basically entertainment, but there's a message there if you
want it." Buzz's verdict - "Its contents are orthodox, positive and
Biblical." - And talking of Jesus Christ Superstar, Bob Hope allegedly
asked a Roman Catholic Cardinal what he thought of the show, to which
the reply was, "It's not as good as the book." - Front page in
February's Buzz, Larry Norman, inventor of the One Way Sign (defined
as "a hand raised to the sky, with a simple index finger emerging from
a closed fist to point heavenwards"), which had become the trademark
symbol of the previous year's UK Festival Of Light. Even as a relative
newcomer, the then 25 year old from California had strong opinions on
many things, including other Christian musicians - "They are worried -
worried if the audience will like them. Worry brings fear and ego into
the picture and that separates you from the audience. I think they
worry too much." The article coincided with the release of 'On This
Rock' by Key Records, which Larry had cut for Capitol Records the
previous year, and his first ever visit to the UK for a tour of
colleges and universities. - No record reviews in January or February,
but one heart-warming story of how the Lord provides. Messrs Ian Smale
and Andrew Piercy, aka Ishmael & Andy, fulltime itinerant folk
singers spreading the Good News of Jesus with no regular financial
income, had need of a new PA system after their old one gave up the
ghost. Their local dealer quoted £100, a sizeable sum if you're
skint, especially in those days, but he knew the work they were doing,
so he challenged them, "Can't your Boss (meaning God) supply it?"
After a few moments' thought (and no doubt an arrow prayer or two),
the boys said, "Yes, of course he can," and promised to return in six
days to pick up the gear. Six days later, they came back with a mass
of small gifts totaling £100.50, but the skeptical salesman had
already sold the equipment. To make amends, however, he offered them a
more expensive set up for the same price, and in return, accepted a
Good News Bible.
January/February 1982
Things were not going at
all well for Paul Field, Mo McCafferty and Annie McCaig, aka Network
III (formerly Nutshell). Despite landing a short term EMI recording
contract, and doing things with and for Cliff Richard, their plight
led Buzz magazine to ask in its February issue, "What went wrong?"
Paul was Hi reasonably upbeat about the future, planning a solo
album (released by Myrrh Records as 'Restless Heart' later in 1982)
with the songwriting and production assistance of Dave Cooke, and an
Easter musical (which emerged a year or so later as 'Daybreak'). Annie
saw herself moving into mainstream music, although she thought that
EMI hadn't put a lot of effort into promoting their singles; and Mo
had recently become Mrs Mo Turner, after marrying author, poet and
future Cliff Richard biographer Steve Turner. Coincidentally, Myrrh
Records had just released a 'Best Of Nutshell' album, featuring the
band in both its incarnations, with Paul, Pam Thiele and Heather
Barlow on side one, and Paul, Mo and Annie on side two. - The Buzz
Readers' Awards for 1981 were published in February, with the Barratt
Band scooping Best UK Album with 'Playing In The City'. Best US Album
was Larry Norman's 'Something New Under The Son' (recorded in 1977,
but only released in the UK in May 1981); best male and female singers
were Cliff Richard and Sheila Walsh; best newcomers were the
Predators, and Best Live Act (for the third year running), After The
Fire. - The upcoming event of the year, and heavily promoted with a
double page colour advert in Buzz, was The Banquet, organised by the
newly merged Chapel Lane & Kingsway Music group, and due to be
staged at the Wembley Arena on the Sunday and Monday of the Spring
Bank holiday weekend. Sunday's theme would be praise; leading the
worship, Andrae Crouch, Dave Pope, Graham Kendrick, Dave Bilbrough,
Sheila Walsh and Heartbeat (at that time they were under the wing of
British Youth For Christ), and Monday was to be rock with Larry
Norman, Bryn Haworth, Norman Barratt and Mark Williamson with their
respective bands, Giantkiller, Sheila Walsh again, and Alwyn Wall.
Both days would feature a continuous eight hour programme from 2 pm to
10 pm, with ticket prices ranging from £2.50 to £7.50 for a day
ticket, or £4 to £13 for the whole thing.
January/February 1992
The cover of issue 10 of
Cross Rhythms magazine, covering February and March 1992, featured
Carman, who told the mag, "I recognise that in the contemporary
Christian music world, it's very popular now not to talk about Jesus."
Other features were on pioneering British R&B gospel sisters the
Escofferys, those zany Greenbelt favourites Fat And Frantic and an
interview with John Francis (before he became a bishop) about his
Inspirational Choir. The mag also carried an indepth interview with
Eh! Geoff Mann Band. Sadly for the many fans of Bolton's most radical
rockin' reverend, cancer would claim Geoff just a year later, but in
his article - incidentally titled The Parable Of The Chicken Tikka
Sandwich'! - James Attlee commented thus on the band's new album
'Ministry Of The Interior' - "It has a raw feel, complete with
off-mike comments and phones ringing, but the playing is of the
highest standard." - Amy Grant was planning to visit the UK during the
summer as part of a world tour. - Meanwhile, Trentham Gardens in
Stoke-on-Trent, just down the road from United Christian Broadcasters,
would host a major gig in May, featuring Martyn Joseph, Shirley Novak,
Ray Bevan and lona; and the provisional lineup for the 1992 Cross
Rhythms Festival, penciled in for July 10-12 at the Devon County
Showground in Exeter, included Eden Burning, Gethsemane Rose, Tracey
Riggan, Marilla Ness, Jonathan Day & Eye Of The Storm and Sammy
Horner. - A short news item on the imminent release of a Kingsway
album, to be entitled 'Celtic Praise', mentioned a few of the
contributors, including a certain Mr Sam Hill. As I write, Sam's album
with Irish poet Robert Stevenson Stockman (under the moniker of
Stevenson & Samuel), entitled 'Grace Notes', has just been picked
up for distribution by ICC Records. Fame at last?