Yes, I saw Amazulu at Sheffield City Poly's Student Union, about '85.
What I remember of the evening was that the support act had finished and we waited for the main act to come on. And we waited, and we waited some more.... a lot more. Then the buzz went round that they were just getting on the train, in London.
When they finally appeared on stage about 3hrs late, there was no apology or explanation. To say that the crowd was not in a receptive mood would be an understatement.
"The music business is dominated by men, like the world is dominated by men, and they want to keep it like that. They don't want women to be in on it, because women would find out how easy it is.” Not unlike the rest of show business. They don't know what they're missing...
I had totally forgotten about Amazulu. What a great piece. They really did represent that time so well and on listening to them today, they sound great. Sadly, I feel they would still be a novelty.
This is great Penny. I remember them being on The Young Ones I've never forgotten how Rik pronounced Amazulu. What a proustian rush. I'm going to go back and have a listen. I'm sharing something here tomorrow about The Nolans. Linda Nolan's funeral is this weekend. A million miles away from Amazulu yet not, not really. Incredibly strong, talented women with a remarkable back story. I'll tell anyone that listens that Portrait from 1982 was the template for all girl bands that followed. Anyway I'm off out and I'm going to play some Amazulu. 😊
It's infuriating to realise that 41 years later the themes of the various forms of racism, distorted Media representation of women and music industry manipulation of women are still being discussed and not resolved.
They also had a sly cameo in Alex Cox’s Straight to Hell
Oh, I didn't know that, thank you.
Yes, I saw Amazulu at Sheffield City Poly's Student Union, about '85.
What I remember of the evening was that the support act had finished and we waited for the main act to come on. And we waited, and we waited some more.... a lot more. Then the buzz went round that they were just getting on the train, in London.
When they finally appeared on stage about 3hrs late, there was no apology or explanation. To say that the crowd was not in a receptive mood would be an understatement.
"Too good to be forgotten"? Not in my opinion.
"The music business is dominated by men, like the world is dominated by men, and they want to keep it like that. They don't want women to be in on it, because women would find out how easy it is.” Not unlike the rest of show business. They don't know what they're missing...
I had totally forgotten about Amazulu. What a great piece. They really did represent that time so well and on listening to them today, they sound great. Sadly, I feel they would still be a novelty.
This is great Penny. I remember them being on The Young Ones I've never forgotten how Rik pronounced Amazulu. What a proustian rush. I'm going to go back and have a listen. I'm sharing something here tomorrow about The Nolans. Linda Nolan's funeral is this weekend. A million miles away from Amazulu yet not, not really. Incredibly strong, talented women with a remarkable back story. I'll tell anyone that listens that Portrait from 1982 was the template for all girl bands that followed. Anyway I'm off out and I'm going to play some Amazulu. 😊
It's infuriating to realise that 41 years later the themes of the various forms of racism, distorted Media representation of women and music industry manipulation of women are still being discussed and not resolved.
Great article.
Yes, sometimes it seems we are going backwards not forwards. In the 80s we thought we were going to change the world.
So long since I heard that track, Penny. Nostalgia rush! Really interesting to read your 1984 interview.