SALT at Reading Rock 1977

Mick writes: In 1977 SALT appeared at what was Britain's largest rock festival - Reading. Headliners that night were Thin Lizzy, and SALT had a modest slot, second band on, in the afternoon.

Which suited us just fine.. nothing to lose and ready to rock. With Stevie Smith (white suit) Stuart "Mac" McDonald on the bass, drummer Alan Platt in his orange jumpsuit, and myself resplendent in my fancy cowboy shirt made for me by my friend Heather, we hit the stage, I think, around two o'clock.

And we had a great set - we rocked it out and the crowd loved it. The DJ John Peel who was presenting the bands later wrote that we "set his feet most furiously to tapping".

I got a lift back to London on the back of a motor bike.. friend of Lou's I think. And I think we may have played at the Half Moon in Herne Hill that evening.. it was a long time ago.

So I thought I'd put a few photos together here for posterity. Alan is very sadly no longer with us, and in August 2025 we lost Mac. I know that Mac looked back on Reading as the 'zenith of his career' and I'm glad I was a part of it.

Myself and, I'm sure, Stevie, look back on Reading Rock 1977 with great affection. I wish there was some video - never mind, enjoy the pics.

Backstage photos by Jan McDonald

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