A big thank you to MJ Simpson for sending me his original photos he took from the Bad News Nottingham Concert on the 28th October 1987. A great, if blurry snippet from the show. Sadly Mike doesn’t remember an awful lot from the concert but does remember the record shop being absolutely packed earlier that day before the performance.
One specific memory he has from the signing, is that Rik said to him and the girl next to him in the crowd (a complete stranger), something like “How are you two?” Mike replied:
“Oh, we’re not together. Although being in this crowd is the biggest sexual thrill I’ve had for some time.” and he laughed at that.
I made Rik Mayall laugh!!!
Beyond that, He can’t recall much. And sadly it looks like his signed record sleeve left him when he got rid of 99% of his vinyl. But thankfully he did manage to keep hold of these great photos from the concert and signing at the record shop along with the tour programme.
The Bad News Tour Programme
On the 16th August 1986, Bad News played at The Monsters of Rock Festival, Castle Donington and then later in 1987 continued to tour around the UK at various venues:
Thanks to Nigel Planer for uploading an audio bootleg of Bad News live at the Hammersmith Odeon, 5th November 1987 Bad News are Vim Fuego, vocals and lead guitar (Ade Edmondson); Den Dennis, rhythm guitar (Nigel Planer); Colin Grigson, bass (Rik Mayall); and Spider “Eight-Legs” Webb, drums (Peter Richardson).
Set List:
00:00 – Intro: The Bad News Pledge
02:35 – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Creations
07:18 – Bad News
13:25 – Drink Till I Die
16:48 – Masturbike
18:56 – Bohemian Rhapsody
25:39 – Vampire Spunk Merchants From Hell
27:56 – Hey Hey Bad News
35:40 – I’m Going To Scream So Hard I’m Going To Scream My Bollocks Off
37:03 – Hey Mr Bassman
38:36 – Bitch Hell Mother
41:11 – Life with Brian
44:07 – Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin cover)
47:37 – Warriors Of Ghengis Khan
50:06 – My Generation (The Who cover) Cashing in on Christmas (Mimed, recorded as the song’s video) [removed for copyright]
57:00 – Twist and Shout (The Top Notes cover) (with Brian May)
58:24 – Guitar Duel (Vim versus Den, with Brian May)
1:02:22 – Hey Hey Bad News (with Brian May)
1:06:58 – Mama Weer All Crazee Now (Slade cover) (with Brian May)
1987
28th – 30th August – The Reading Festival
17th October – University of East Anglia
18th October – Margate Winter Gardens
19th October – Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall
21st October – Leister Polytechnic
22nd October – Loughborough University
23rd October – Victoria Hall Henley
24th October – Edinburgh Playhouse
25th October – Newcastle City Hall
26th October – Manchester Apollo
27th October – Sheffield City Hall
28th October – Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
29th October – Bradford St Georges Hall
30th October – Poole Arts Centre
31st October – St Austell Cornwall Coliseum
1st November – Birmingham Hippodrome
2nd November – Portsmouth Guildhall
3rd November – Cardiff St David’s Hall
4th November – Colston Hall Bristol
5th November – Hammersmith Odeon
9th November – Hammersmith Odeon
Here’s some brilliant footage from their performance at The Monsters of Rock Festival in 1986
Did you see Bad News at any of these venues? Or know of any other venues they played at. Get in touch if you have a great story to share.
I love it when peoples wonderful memories of Rik and co collide many years later. Paul remembers being at the above signing at Selectadisc in 1987, along with his cousin, who he’s has spotted in the photos!
Paul came across the website after having just found his Bad News autographed stuff
He asked Rik to draw himself, Peter Richardson to draw Nigel Planer (who apparently was I’ll in bed that day) and Ade Edmondson to write him a love letter.
It was quite a scrum! We got there a couple of hours early and claimed front row view. We totally hogged all 3 for as long as we could! Peter Richardson took so much time to chat to me; Rik and Ade were getting mobbed from all directions! Rik asked us if we were going to the gig (we were 15) and we said “no, we aren’t old enough!” – Rik replied “Well f**k you then!” – class!!
Are you enjoying the content on this website?
Would you like to show your appreciation for it?
Then why not donate to help support it and the running costs. In return you will receive an exclusive Rik Mayall Scrapbook badge.
£5 Donation – choose 1 badge.
£10 Donation – choose 3 badges.
£20 Donation – choose 6 badges.
£30 Donation – get the full set.
There are 12 different designs to choose from, so make sure you message me with your choice. See support page for more details. Thank you x
I saw Bad News at Portsmouth Guildhall and thanks to this article I now know what date it was!
It was my first ever gig and I was only 14. Me and a few friends from school went and I remember being surrounded by huge metallers who kindly made sure we could see the stage – a very friendly bunch despite how scary they looked to a tiny 14 year old with a squeaky voice.
I remember at one point Vim Fuego decided to ‘eat’ some Vim (the old cleaning powder) whilst Rik Mayall shouted “Vim eats the Vim!”.
There was also a News at 10 style chime accompanied by various ludicrous stunts (maybe the above was one of these). Rik again chiming in with “I’ve got a big…” just before one of the dongs. Great fun and a very memorable first gig!
Excellent to to find this website. I and my cousin actually feature in 2 of those images in Selectadisc – on one with Ade Edmonson, you can see my arm holding the album sleeve he had just signed. I found the album cover yesterday in my loft!
My cousin and me got to Selectadisc 2 hours before they were due to arrive, ensuring we got a front row view of the gang. Rik asked us if we were going to the gig (we were 15) and we said “no, we aren’t old enough!” – Rik replied “Well f**k you then!” – class!!
I have tweeted the autographed stuff to your Twitter – you can see the album cover matches up, which blew my mind, as this photo was taken 36yrs ago!!
Wow! That’s a spooky coincidence. Thanks for getting in touch and sharing your memories… I love it when things like this happen. It’s like more pieces of a huge jigsaw are put together – great stuff and thanks for the photos on Twitter what indeed are the chances! 👍
Yes I saw Bad News at the Donnington Monsters of Rock Festival and they were atrocious. Hahaha no seriously though a lot of fun and they had the crowd roaring with laughter. Like most people I had watched the Comic Strip program countless times before and since. One point. You give a listing of the gigs they played in 1987 and it says they played at the Cornwall Coliseum 31st October. I’m not sure about that. It was my local venue and I don’t recall them being there. Also I have a complete listing of all the concerts at the venue from 1980 onward and they’re not on the list. Perhaps they cancelled the gig? Anyway great site you have here. Love Rik.
I was looking for the date at Exeter Great Hall so maybe that’s where the mix up is. I was there and still have pix somewhere as I was right at the front. Insane crowd who started bouncing up and down immediately. I was around 13 and went with a mate. It was my first gig.
Rik Mayall Scrapbook 
I saw Bad News at Portsmouth Guildhall and thanks to this article I now know what date it was!
It was my first ever gig and I was only 14. Me and a few friends from school went and I remember being surrounded by huge metallers who kindly made sure we could see the stage – a very friendly bunch despite how scary they looked to a tiny 14 year old with a squeaky voice.
I remember at one point Vim Fuego decided to ‘eat’ some Vim (the old cleaning powder) whilst Rik Mayall shouted “Vim eats the Vim!”.
There was also a News at 10 style chime accompanied by various ludicrous stunts (maybe the above was one of these). Rik again chiming in with “I’ve got a big…” just before one of the dongs. Great fun and a very memorable first gig!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great memories there from your first gig, sounds like a brilliant night. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLike
Excellent to to find this website. I and my cousin actually feature in 2 of those images in Selectadisc – on one with Ade Edmonson, you can see my arm holding the album sleeve he had just signed. I found the album cover yesterday in my loft!
My cousin and me got to Selectadisc 2 hours before they were due to arrive, ensuring we got a front row view of the gang. Rik asked us if we were going to the gig (we were 15) and we said “no, we aren’t old enough!” – Rik replied “Well f**k you then!” – class!!
I have tweeted the autographed stuff to your Twitter – you can see the album cover matches up, which blew my mind, as this photo was taken 36yrs ago!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! That’s a spooky coincidence. Thanks for getting in touch and sharing your memories… I love it when things like this happen. It’s like more pieces of a huge jigsaw are put together – great stuff and thanks for the photos on Twitter what indeed are the chances! 👍
LikeLike
Yep – I always wondered how many photos I am on, that were taken by someone totally unrelated! Well, that’s one for a start!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha, yes. And what a brilliant one it is too.
LikeLike
Yes I saw Bad News at the Donnington Monsters of Rock Festival and they were atrocious. Hahaha no seriously though a lot of fun and they had the crowd roaring with laughter. Like most people I had watched the Comic Strip program countless times before and since. One point. You give a listing of the gigs they played in 1987 and it says they played at the Cornwall Coliseum 31st October. I’m not sure about that. It was my local venue and I don’t recall them being there. Also I have a complete listing of all the concerts at the venue from 1980 onward and they’re not on the list. Perhaps they cancelled the gig? Anyway great site you have here. Love Rik.
LikeLike
I was looking for the date at Exeter Great Hall so maybe that’s where the mix up is. I was there and still have pix somewhere as I was right at the front. Insane crowd who started bouncing up and down immediately. I was around 13 and went with a mate. It was my first gig.
LikeLike