I saw the band just the once: but their performance was, as you intimate, memorable enuff for me to recall with affection; and indeed so much so, that one recent early-hours-of-the-morning, for me to 'Google' them and come across your site!

I was a student at Leicester University from 1978 to 1980 and in Feb. '80 the Never Never Band played our Students Union.

The circumstances are worth recounting.  The proposed gig for February 26th. 1980 was due to be Dexy's Midnight Runners, but due to some problem they had to cancel.  Replacing Dexys was an artist few of the fraternity at Leicester will have heard of at the time, one Shakin' Stevens.

For my part - though very disappointed at Kevin Rowland and band's cancellation, for I was a big fan - knew of Shaky too, having a background as a Rockabilly devotee and having seen him in the West End when he played Elvis in the musical of that name back in '77.

Anyhow, I dragged along my best buddy Mark and we joined a paltry gathering of others in the Queens Hall (as it was then known) in the LUSU Building.  I say, paltry and I mean it, coz my recollection (one I hope to check up on..) was that the total audience was a mere EIGHT.

The Never Never Band were the support - and, as I say, they were excellent and I certainly wanted to see more of them but never heard again of a gig to get to see 'em..

Shaky was pretty awful though to give him credit he was an ultimate pro refusing to be disheartened in any way by the near non-existent turn-out to see him!

Within a year he was a big star nationally - 'This Ole House' and all that!!

Now, at the time I was first dabbling in journalism (I am a Speedway journalist these days...) and I did write a review of the gig in the Students newspaper, 'Ripple'.  I will try and dig out a copy from my loft if it's there (in which case I can check if it really was only 8 they played to!); but my recollection is that in my review I predicted (long before anyone else!!) that Stevens would end up being a 'Mum's favourite'; but more pertinent to this email, said something along the lines that "The Never Never Band will never make it but if enjoying oneself is what matters then they're already big stars" or words to that effect..!!

Best wishes and look forward to hearing from you..: and well done again on an excellent site.

Derek

Derek Barclay remembers.....