All that changed in 1972 when on the Spring Bank Holiday weekend when sheep were turfed out of their field and replaced by more than 50,000 rock fans. The Great Western Festival had arrived. The four day event featured some of the music industry’s biggest names. Here are some pictures from that event 49 years ago.
9.
Rod Stewart performing with the Faces at the Great Western Express Lincoln Festival. They were promoting their ‘Nod’s as good as a wink’ album and single ‘Stay with Me’. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Photo: Midlands
10.
The Beach Boys came to Lincolnshire from California. From left to right: Blondie Chaplin, Ed Carter, Al Jardine, Carl Wilson, and Mike Love. The act before them was Monty Python’s Flying Circus! (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Photo: Midlands
11.
American singer-songwriter Don McLean, famed for such songs as American Pie and Vincent. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Photo: Midlands
12.
British rock group Humble Pie. Left to right: Steve Marriott (1947 - 1991), Jerry Shirley, Greg Ridley and Clem Clempson. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Photo: Midlands