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.
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Top of the poppers Slade. Left to right: Jim Lea, Don Powell, Noddy Holder and Dave Hill (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Photo: Midlands
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Iconic rock group Status Quo. Left to right: Rick Parfitt, Francis Rossi, John Coughlan and Alan Lancaster. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Photo: Midlands
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Scottish psychedelic folk group The Incredible String Band. Left to right: Malcolm Le Maistre, Mike Heron, Robin Williamson and Christina 'Licorice' McKechnie. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) Photo: Midlands
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Irish singer and guitarist Rory Gallagher (1948 - 1995). (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images) EMN-210513-123918001 Photo: Midlands