Guildford Technical College, or Guildford College of Further and Higher Education as it is known now, was established in 1939. But, in the early to mid 70’s Guildford Tech’s Student Union was very active and hosted a number of pretty high profile gigs.
But, live music at the college kicked off before the 70’s. The first concert listing at Guildford Technical College we have located to date featured New Zealand-born baritone Bryan Drake on 14 December ’59, well attended by pupils from Prior’s Field School, who was at the Welsh National Opera at the time. A couple of years later The Stormsville Shakers performed at the college on 12 December 1962, and a few years after that we find, Moon’s Train there on 24 may ’68 and English folk rockers, Fairport Convention on 27 September ’68.
Stone the Crows (a few months before Les Harvey’s electrocution) headlined on 24 March ’72, with ex-Yes guitarist Peter Banks led Flash and Guildford based Brahma in support at Guildford’s Technical College. Singer-songwriter and ex-Fairport Convention lead singer Sandy Denny was at Guildford Tech on 1 March ’73, supported by Mark Allain, who put out just one 7″ single on Island Records that same year. A few days later, on 10 March, Byzantium, who’d form at University College School, were the booked act. The next year, on 19 October ’74, rock band Hudson Ford, formed when John Ford and Richard Hudson left Strawbs the year prior, performed there; and the next month, on 30 November 74, Fusion Orchestra were supported by Marvelous Kid.
On 29 November ’75, Thin Lizzy graced the college with a performance. The Student Union Common Room hosted a disco on 29 April, in what is believed to be 1976, at which Brandenburg provided an injection of live music. Local band, The Vapors, also made an appearance there on 7 May ’78.
On 7 December ’80, Er Majesty’s Jolly took to the stage and entertained students and staff alike. On 6 February ’81, from the ashes of Generation X, EMPIRE claim to have played their first gig at Guildford Tech, supporting none other than Hazel O’Connor. However, we have O’Connor’s Megahype performing at the University of Surrey that day, supported by Prime Suspect.
In addition, we know that The Alan Bown Set and many more graced the college ‘stage’, but have yet to find date-able proof.
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