Mark Knopfler & Brendan Croker at The Mean Fiddler 1988

[erjan]

Incorrect unfortunately.
Liz Whatley wrote MK joined Brendan after the June 1988 shows. So, it must be some date in 1988, not 1987.

If I'm correct this links shows that Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips played at the mean fiddler on Saturday September 17th 1988, so perhaps that could have been the day in 1988.
https://images.sk-static.com/images/media/img/col3/20210513-205336-786177.jpg
I'm pretty sure the news article is about the performance on Octobre 2nd 1987, but it seems that is not what Liz Whatley was referring to.

I see now that the news article from Liz was from August 1988, so this date in September also cannot be it (apart from the fact that Steve Phillips would also most likely have been mentioned).

I see the Bhundu Boys played at the mean fiddler at the 22nd of June 1988, perhaps Mark saw them that evening?

[erjan]

Also, these sleeve notes contain an interesting note:
Mark Cresswell and Brendan Croker are members of Leeds' finest, "Brendan Croker & The Five O'Clok Shadows" and appears regularly at The Mean Fiddler
https://vinyleers.com/products/tanita-tikaram-ancient-heart-lp-album-rsa-1

I guess Brendan was a regular performer at the Mean Fiddler, so it is probably difficult to find evidence of the exact date he played there with Mark.
My guess now would be the 22nd of June, given that the Bundhu Boys played that night, however I've not found evidence that Brendan and/or Mark played that night.

[erjan]

Damn, I see now in the comments on the youtube video that the Bhundu Boys performance itself was probably on the first of December 1987 and that it was broadcast on the 22nd of june 1988.
So there goes that theory 

[dustyvalentino]

MK played at Brixton Academy with the Bhundu Boys on 18th July 1988:

https://www.rikwalton.com/p951305595#he3cffb04

One online article says it was organised as a "rival" event to the Wembley thing due to the lack of black artists at that.

[dmg]

MK played at Brixton Academy with the Bhundu Boys on 18th July 1988:

https://www.rikwalton.com/p951305595#he3cffb04

One online article says it was organised as a "rival" event to the Wembley thing due to the lack of black artists at that.

Whitney Houston performed at the Mandela show.

[wayaman]

MK played at Brixton Academy with the Bhundu Boys on 18th July 1988:

https://www.rikwalton.com/p951305595#he3cffb04

One online article says it was organised as a "rival" event to the Wembley thing due to the lack of black artists at that.

Whitney Houston performed at the Mandela show.

And Tracy Chapman.

And I think Stevie Wonder when his HD was recovered from the thief.

[dustyvalentino]

I dunno, might not be true or maybe thought too few black artists played.

[dmg]

I dunno, might not be true or maybe thought too few black artists played.

It was a controversial show at the time remember; perhaps getting major acts to perform was difficult.

[dustyvalentino]

I dunno, might not be true or maybe thought too few black artists played.

It was a controversial show at the time remember; perhaps getting major acts to perform was difficult.

Can't say I do remember, was only 10 years old! What was controversial about it?

[dmg]

I dunno, might not be true or maybe thought too few black artists played.

It was a controversial show at the time remember; perhaps getting major acts to perform was difficult.

Can't say I do remember, was only 10 years old! What was controversial about it?

Mandela was in prison and was viewed by most as a terrorist (he admitted to sabotage).  Amnesty International, who received donations from the show, didn't back him at the time.  The show changed public attitudes about him since their idols were performing in his name and perhaps learned more about SA as a result.

[dustyvalentino]

Mmm, not sure how you can quantify "most" people taking that view. I think that would depend on your political viewpoints. Mrs Thatcher would have been of that mindset.

This article from 1986 shows that even 56% of white South Africans felt he should have been released by that point.

https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/03/world/poll-in-south-africa-shows-a-rise-in-whites-distaste-for-apartheid.html

[dmg]

Mmm, not sure how you can quantify "most" people taking that view. I think that would depend on your political viewpoints. Mrs Thatcher would have been of that mindset.

This article from 1986 shows that even 56% of white South Africans felt he should have been released by that point.

https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/03/world/poll-in-south-africa-shows-a-rise-in-whites-distaste-for-apartheid.html

I'm just going by an article I read a few years ago.  Didn't save it but it claimed it (the show) changed public opinion.