By: Bob Yawger

Bob Yawger — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 20:45:27 +0000

I was one of the first people in line for the show on May 28. The first show! We stood in line for hours and things started to get a little dicey with the police. Busting people for drinking and smoking weed. Personally, even though I was only 16 years old, I was smart enough to realize I could not drink or hit the pipe because it was going to be a long night of fighting for my place infront of the statge and I would not be able to afford a trip to the bathroom. Once the doors opened, it was a mad rush to the front of the stage. After many hours, the warm up bands came on and they were hounded off the stage. People were taking coins out of there pockets and throwing them at the band. It was viscous but of course, I never did throw anything. Towards the end of the warmup bands, it started getting hot, and everybody was soaked. The Clash came on late, around midnight I beleive. And the show rocked! I have been to well over a hundred shows in my life, I have played many sports and done some really cool things in my life, travelling the world and climbing the highest mountains. But to this day, I tell people my greates time ever was The Clash at Bonds Casino on May 28, 1981. All my favorite songs. London Calling and Safe European Home to start things off. It was a giant wrestling match in front of the stage and I did very well. They banged out Radio Clash and the best for me was when Paul did Guns of Brixton. He was right in front of me. I could see every detail of his tatoos. Anyway, it was really hot, and a lot of people were passing out. I was soaked through my clothes and close to passing out. On the way out the fire department were counting the number of people leaving the building. I ran across the street to the Burger King and pounded down two large root beers like they were nothing. I would see many great concerts after this one, but I never reached the level I was at at this show.

By: ned flood

ned flood — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:48:43 +0000

sleazy bruce, trip and bernie rhodes…it was a blur…i know we used our passes to sneak friends into the shows…i was assigned to selling ‘official” clash shirts on broadway..literally..”on the street’…i got into a shouting match with clash manager kosmo vinyl about the prices i was charging…way to go ned….piss off the band on the first night. and remember kiddies it was when times sq. was shady…drugs/hookers/dive bars. it’s where i met ‘the drunk cabbie” who printed up the legendary “clash in times sq.”shirts…so i go back stage and give a shirt to joe strummer personally …i was nervous…he cut the sleeves off with a switch blade…paul simonon came up asking for the shirt..i don’t remember if i came back. i did have a beer while trying to act cool. grand master flash opened some shows…they got booed…i saw joe ely in the crowd.the funny thing was the saturday riot was for the afternoon show.everybody looks so young. death or glory-ned “vender” flood -bond’s survivor.

Comments on: The Clash Photos at Bonds Casino 80s Retro Punk Rock

By: Bob Yawger

By: ned flood