The Damned finally rock Royal Albert Hall after 1977 punk “ban” is lifted When punk pioneers The Damned asked to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in 1977, the venue ruled that Rat […]

When punk pioneers The Damned asked to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in 1977, the venue ruled that Rat Scabies’ band were wholly unsuitable for the plush auditorium.

Now the “ban” has finally been lifted and the rockers are set to celebrate their 40th anniversary at the iconic location which once rejected group on musical grounds.

The Damned “is not considered to be a suitable group for appearance here.” The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Letters from the Royal Albert Hall archive reveal that The Damned, who released the first British punk single, New Rose, in 1976, fell foul of Marion Herod, the all-powerful “lettings manager” at the venue.

Their promoter Derek Block wrote to Ms Herod hoping to finalise the terms of a gig. “As promised, please find enclosed a copy of the Damned’s latest album. I will give you a call later in the week to discuss the final arrangements,” he wrote on May 3, 1977.

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Twelve days Mr Block received a disappointing response: “Thank you for your letter of the 3rd of May sending a copy of the latest album by ‘The Damned.’

“I regret to tell you that this is not considered to be a suitable group for appearance here. I hope you will be able to find a good alternative venue.”

Well-behaved ageing punks

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Ms Herod, who also banned Frank Zappa on grounds of obscenity, added: “The record is here for your collection should you need it. Yours sincerely, Secretary and Lettings Manager.”

Captain Sensible, The Damned guitarist, said: “To be honest if I’d had a venue back in the 70s there’s no way I’d have let the Damned come anywhere near it. There was a lot of gratuitous carnage. I mean, the song Smash It Up isn’t our anthem for no reason.”

A nervous Royal Albert Hall, which banned rock concerts in the early 70s after incidents of violence and vandalism at gigs by Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple, was not about to open its doors to the yobbish and anti-Royalist punk hordes.

But The Damned, who went on to enjoy chart success and a lengthy career, have now persuaded the Hall’s managers that they have musical merit and a well-behaved audience of ageing punk rockers. They will perform their 40th anniversary show on Friday.

Times have changed

Mr Block recalled: “Culturally, they didn’t want it. They might have just looked at the album cover. The bookings secretary was a lovely lady but she thought the New Seekers were a bit too modern. Times have changed now.”

Suzanne Keyte, RAH archivist, said: “There was no way The Damned were going to get past Ms Herod. She would listen to the album and refuse any band if she didn’t like the lyrics. There had been problems with the stewards because the rock audience would not sit in their seats.”

The Hall banned all rock and pop concerts in 1972 citing “damage to the hall” and the “public danger created by the hysterical behaviour of a large audience often encouraged by unthinking performers.”

Six curtain cords were found to be missing after a Led Zeppelin show.

@adamsherwin10