John Martyn 1986 Glastonbury Festival (As broadcast by the BBC)

I used to really enjoy listening and indeed recording the BBC Radio 1 In Concert series on a Saturday evening during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. I also caught a few BBC Radio Friday Rock Show and Capital Radio sessions. I still have the cassette tapes and as the BBC has no immediate plan to make these available to the public I have decided to release close to 250 of these historical recordings on my YouTube channel.   -- DISCLAIMER! ---- Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.

[gillianchester]

I was at this set. He was sublime.
The first three songs, not on this recording, were John and Danny Thompson. So special.
I have a CD of this set, it was on streaming services, but it's gone now :( .
At one of his last ever shows some one shouted, "Your a legend John!"
"A leg end, " he replied, "What are you trying to say?"
If you know you know.

[freddiebond]

Probably one of the greatest Glastonbury gigs of all time..Paul McCartney got nofing on this godly performance. A favourite recording of mine!!

[Joolzratbag]

I saw him in 1986 at Cambridge Folk Festival in a small tent accompanied by Danny Thompson, before they played I bumped into them strolling through the grounds. John Martyn was my idol and I had so much I would have liked to say and ask him, but I was painfully shy and was rendered practically speechless...managed to ask for their autographs, had nothing for them to write on so they both signed the cover of my folk festival programme that I had just bought, a treasured possession!!

[RosBaylis]

I was there. Coming down from an epic night, laid out in the hot sunshine bathing in his beautiful music ❤

[FruitfulSoundsystem]

Lookin' On at 30 mins - bloody hell!! I'm lost for words. Just exceptional.

[stevencope]

I saw this gig. Chillin' on the grass, a sunny afternoon, about 3pm, pyramid stage, dead centre of the field, after a mouthful of mushrooms about an hour beforehand. OMG. John Wayne was awesome. Sometimes the man and the band hit it just right. This was one of those times.
I used to have a cassette recording of this performance that I took from the original radio broadcast, but it went the way of so many cassettes, so thanks for sharing, philhonley. Made my day.

[davidsanderson]

I was there and it was amazing. My first Glastonbury. Stood there in my long coat, transfixed and blissing out to this set. What a band.

[UK_Lemons]

This is a great recording of this stand-out gig. John is at his best here, throwing emotion into every syllable. Outside in, Mad Dog Days, Big Muff, Dealer and John Wayne are devistatingly good. This whole recording, content and quality, is exceptional. Happy to say, like so many others here, that I was there. 22 years old, off my nut and having a ball. Great times.

Always thought that if Simply Red or Johnny Hates Jazz had recorded Serendipity it would have been a big hit.

[wingandaprayer]

Ive heard and seen him many times - and I have to say he played a blinder there!..and his band, blistering stuff...

[TMitHyt]

I was at this! with my then 4 year old son on my shoulders :)

[jojenkins]

This was my first year at Glasto 18 yrs old ... John Martyn 🥰 I just couldn’t love you more ❤️

[melodymaker]

Appreciate you posting this Philhonley, the world needs music like this, thanks

[crazymanmichael]

This is available on CD, it's called BBC Radio 1 Live in Concert, it also includes 3 earlier recordings including a 15 minute version of Outside In which is superb.

[als]

I saw John Martyn in Manchester in '86, same set same band. He really was at the height of his powers.
Thanks for uploading this
Brilliant!

[yiasemi]

I just saw an article about John Martyn online and remembered what I had almost forgotten, I saw him at this, my second festival, I was 20. Thank goodness I don't have to rely on my memory. Thanks Phil, BBC and John and the band, this is a wonderful personal history.

[fingertones]

Nice my friend. What an altogether altruistic soul you are. I was at Glastonbury 1986 and watched this concert along with Louden Wainright. What a time to be alive. Thanks for the upload. Made my day.

[johncairns]

I saw the John Marytn band at the Glastonbury festival back in 1979 ' absolutely brilliant gig

[FruitfulSoundsystem]

Brilliant. Thanks for uploading. I was there aged 17 & recorded it on my 'ghetto blaster' - I found the tape today whilst sorting out the loft. This is a far better recording & I'm really grateful for it. Thankyou.

[MaurizioMusic]

Why is John Martyn not a household name? He was eons ahead of his time. He influenced U2/The Edges guitar sound, Looping - Trip-hop - and this performance sounds eerily like The Dave Matthews Band.

[pawlio]

I was there , got a sound desk recording the next day on cassette. :)