Before they were famous

[JackJarvisEsq]

Did you know, meet or see anyone perform before they were famous?

Another Level performed at my school before they made it and I remember Roxy from Eastenders being part of the support act for a Steps concert c2000

@HeadNorth loved Alan Rickman

Steve Coogan wrote our school am-dram play when he was in 6th form and I was in first year. It was called “Star Flaws” and was brilliant!

I was stage manager on a student production featuring a first year Cillian Murphy.

Fine Young Cannibals at Golddiggers in Chippenham. Back in the late 80s I think.

I knew Stan Campbell, who sang Free Nelson Mandela with The Special AKA in the eighties. He was an absolute arsehole, I remember one time, he was hanging out by the record section in Woolworths and said, v suggestively, hey babe, wanna come back to my place and do some " housework"...?

Video for those of you who have no idea who I'm talking about.

I met them, the original line up of six including Dickie Rock's son and the blond guy (Mark?) just after their legendary Late Late Show debut. I have all of their autographs somewhere. Would have been 1993/94.

I also went to university with James Lakeland, who became a clothes designer. He was a bitchy, spiteful, superficial little man who could never make his mind up if he was bisexual or gay. Still rankles me when I see his clothes in department stores...

I saw Radiohead when they released their first album.

No idea who.

They did the 'Beat on the Street' tour in the Summer of 94 if I remember correctly.

I saw Snow Patrol playing a set in a pub. I bought an ep with 3 songs that they were selling.

He was the year behind me at Uni, I suspect our paths have crossed!

@KnickerlessParsons Diggers was amazing - the discos and the bands. I saw a few people who played there, but they were already famous, so don't count for this game.

Well I'm lovely, but it wasn't me. You're going to have to give us a bit more info...

Maroon 5 at a nightclub back in the early 2000s when I was working.

I will be honest and say I thought he wasn’t much good.😀

I'm 66 and used to go to loads of uni gigs..in leeds.. saw loads of bands before they became famous.
The Jam ( my friend supported them). The Police. The Cure. Soft Cell. Ub40. The Prenteders.
Phil Oakey of The Human league took me for a drink and l ended up back at his digs.. say no more lol.
Loads more bands of late 70s / early 80s.

Ed Sheeran

Biffy Clyro at King Tuts in Glasgow. They were the first of 5 bands on that night and I remember thinking they were the best out of all five bands.

Leeds Festival, 2002. Ducked into a tent to get out of the rain just as a band came onto the stage, woman in a gold catsuit with a banshee scream and crazy moves. We were a awestruck. It was the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, before their first album was released. One of my favourite bands ever since.

Vicky McClure is a childhood friend. I used to play rugby professionally, so I know a few big names from the very start of their careers. My ex fiance when he was still just performing in very small bars and pubs and had smaller stage jobs in the theatre, now has multiple albums, had various number ones and has done a few world tours, some decent acting credits too.

My husband and I met at uni in the 80s and this is 'our song'!
Thanks for posting!

I saw Hugh Jackman in Oklahoma before he made the big time as a movie star.

I went to see a mate in her drama school show. A woman was playing the tiny role of a young boy but she was mesmerising. Better than any of the leads. I asked my friend about her and she said, oh that isn't her part. Someone was iill so she learned it this afternoon and stood in.
It was Anne Marie Duff.

My friend’s older brother saw U2 at QUB’s Mandela Hall for 50p! Must have been late 70s/very early 80s.