Book celebrates the golden annivesary of Wigan's famous Bickershaw rock festival

It was put together in 1972 by businessman turned television presenter, Jeremy Beadle, and held in fields in Bickershaw over the weekend of May 5, 6 and 7.

But it quickly turned into a mud-slide on the old mining site after heavy rain poured over the three days and drenched 40,000 music-lovers, when almost twice as many were expected to attend, leaving organisers with a £60,000 loss and it was never held again.

Chris Hewitt, Ozit Morpheus records, was a 16-year-old student who worked on the festival and helped Beadle promote it.

Mr Hewitt said: “The original idea came from market trader Harry ‘The Count’ Bilkus, but it was Jeremy Beadle who organised it.

“He contacted all the social secretaries at colleges around Lancashire to ask if anyone would like to help promote the festival and I was one of the people that got accepted.

“50 years later I am still in the business providing stage gear for music biopics including: Bohemian Rhapsody, Morrissey, Rocket Man and Danny Boyle’s Sex Pistols TV Series.”

To celebrate half a century since the Grateful Dead made only their second ever appearance in the UK at the time, Mr Hewitt has released a book filled with photographs, memorabilia and commentary along with other merchandise.

The spectacular line-up included legends such as: The Kinks, Donovan, Family Country Joe, Wishbone Ash, Cheech and Chong, Incredible String Band, Hawkwind, Captain Beyond, New Riders of The Purple Sage, Stackridge, Captain Beefheart and Brinsley Schwartz.

In the audience for Beefheart was The Clash frontman, Joe Strummer, who said it was the best gig he ever went to.

Musician Elvis Costello was also there as teenager to watch the Grateful Dead perform as he stood in the mud amazed by their five-hour set.

And, future rock journalist and biographer, Mick Middles, then just 16, who travelled to the festival on his moped.

To purchase the book, CD and other merchandise you can visit: CHvintageaudio.uk.

For more info email Chris Hewitt: [email protected] or call: 07970 219701