Pink Floyd! It was 50 years ago today (actually yesterday).

It was 50 years ago yesterday, on Saturday 5th July 1975, I went to Knebworth in Hertfordshire, UK, with the amazing Pink Floyd. I have to say, it’s pretty crazy that I'm coming to terms with the fact that it was that long ago. I was 17 and managed to get myself in with one of my all-time favourite bands.

Below is a brief snippet that tells part of the story of how it happened. The image of Dave Gilmour is available to buy on my website

https://www.dannyclifford.com/.../dave-gilmour-pink-floyd...

I hope you like it.

Best wishes,

Danny

Give Me The Film’

Pink Floyd

Knebworth, UK, 1975

I reached the front door of an old church. There were no signs, but I figured that this must be the place. I pressed the intercom and a lady answered:

“Hello?”

“Hello there, I just did the sandwich on the frungle, if you please?” I mumbled into my hand, breaking up the sound.

“Sorry?”

“I’ve got the fishcake, for the flaber on the ge’etz. Blumberblub” “Sorry, I can’t understand what you’re saying.”

Thinking there was something wrong with the intercom, she pushed the buzzer and told me to come up. I was in.

As I entered, I introduced myself and asked if they needed a photographer. I was told no, quite bluntly, and invited to leave again. A couple of weeks later, I had another go. More gibberish and up I went. This happened a few times, with the same conclusion each time.

Until, on one occasion, in an exasperated attempt to get rid of me, she agreed to make a note of my pager number – before the days of mobile phones, of course. A few months later and my pager went... Linda Stanbury at Britannia Row wanted me to call her immediately. So, I did.

“Where are you and have you got your cameras with you?”

I said I was a mile away and yes, I always had my cameras. It turned out that the band were there with some newly presented gold discs, but the EMI photographer hadn’t turned up! I told her I could be there in five minutes and I ran the whole way.

After all that, it was a few quick shots with the band who (thinking I was the EMI photographer who had stood them up) were a bit stroppy with me and then they swiftly departed without saying much. It was then that Linda asked me for the film… I said no. Irritated, she demanded I hand it over, as she needed to get it to the band’s manager, Steve O’Rourke.

“I’ll take it to him.” I said. Insistent, she said it was going by cab. “I’ll go in the cab then.” And so, I was off to New Bond Street.

O’Rourke’s offices blew me away. A proper, plush, ‘Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Manager’s office, with gold discs plastered across the walls. When the receptionist asked who I was, I explained and, just as Linda did, she asked for the film. I politely told her no, as I wished to speak to the manager.

She explained that he was busy and that it wasn’t necessary, but I refused. Before long, an impatient Steve O’Rourke marched in, asked “Where is he?” and stood in front of me. Just as with the others, he asked for the film. I said no. He asked again, increasingly displeased. I said no. Then, a pause.

“Give me the film.”

“Can I come and photograph the band at Knebworth?”

“…No.” I asked again, but he explained that it had all already been sorted and that there was no chance. Again, he asked for the film, and so we had a stand-off.

“…Please?” I smiled as he glared at me. After a tense silence, he broke into laughter.

“Bloody hell. Fine!” Shaking my hand, he agreed to give me an official photo pass in exchange for the film. A couple of weeks later, I arrived at Knebworth and began my collaboration with Pink Floyd.