My first ever visit to Brixton, where I later lived, was on May 7th 1983 when I came to Brockwell Park for the Youth CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) 'Rock the Bomb Festival for Peace'. The day started out with a march from the Victoria Embankment to the Park led by the 'Youth CND - a future without fear' banner.
According to Socialst Action around 20,000 people took part in the march, with up to 60,000 in the park ('60,000 rock the bomb, 13 May 1983). I must have been near the front of the march because I remember seeing The Damned play (including Smash it Up and Love Song) and I know that a lot of people missed them as the march was still coming into the park. That left a lot of disgruntled punks moaning and throwing mud at other acts.
The festival also featured Clint Eastwood and General Saint, Hazel O'Connor, Madness and the Style Council. I was excited by the latter as I had been to the Jam's last London gig at Wembley in the previous December, and this was the first London outing for Weller's new band. They played two numbers, which were to be their first two singles - 'Speak Like a Child' and 'Money go Round'.
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| Style Council on stage in Brockwell Park, May 1983 |
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| 'Let Europe Dance. Our Future in Nuclear-Free' |
The festival was sponsored by the left wing and soon to be abolished Greater London Council, who put on some great festivals in London parks in that period
More details at https://www.ukrockfestivals.com/glc-peace-festivals.html
