Berlin Airlift Returns

The Berlin Airlift was originally formed by Mark Radcliffe, Andy Wright, Ross Warburton and the late James Leslie (all Class of 1976) whilst all four were pupils in the Boys’ Division, aged 14. For this one-night-only performance, Mark and Andy have invited fellow Old Boys Tony Wadsworth and Richard Pilkington (both Class of 1974) from ‘rival’ School band Black Cat Bone (whose other members included Stuart Bromley and Mike Singleton (also both Class of 1975)) to join them on stage, thus forming a Bolton School ‘super group’ of epic proportions. Mark Radcliffe is well known for his work as a radio broadcaster with the BBC, and has continued to play drums for UNE and Fine Lines. Tony Wadsworth went on to become Head of EMI Records and Chairman of the Brits, Richard Pilkington is now a professional musician with The Blackheart Orchestra, following a 30-year first career in advertising, and Andy works as an IT consultant. The exclusive reunion gig will take place on Saturday 26th November 2022, in the same room at Lostock Tennis Club as the band’s inaugural performance back in 1972. The band will play a mixture of covers, from The Beatles to David Bowie and Black Sabbath, based on the original set list from The Airlift’s first-ever gig. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to Trust Music (www.trustmusic.org.uk), a charity chosen by the School for the work it does to support young people to make music in Bolton. As preparations for the gig gather pace, current ViceCaptain Finley Littlefair interviewed Mark, Tony, Andy and Rick for the Boys’ Division’s Creatives Now magazine – all four have vivid recollections of being in bands at School: Mark: “I think one thing that unites the four of us is that none of us would have found our place in the world and in School without being in a band. None of us were sports people, none of us were academic whizz kids, but when we formed our bands, it was like we had a private club, where we could do what we wanted, with likeminded people. Even though it wasn’t a School activity – which at the time felt important, that it wasn’t School telling us what to do – School did give you the confidence to take your own route. I think we all feel that School helped us to realise that we could go our own way, which is the best thing you can engender in someone really.”

Rick: “I’m very glad to have been [at Bolton School], it was a place that taught you who you were, and I think, for me, it taught me how to rebel. In those days, you were either in the conformist camp – where your mum cut your hair and you looked really smart all the time – or you were in the rebellious camp, where you wanted to grow your hair as long as possible. Playing music was a big part of being in that rebellious gang.” Tony: “I grew up in Atherton, so when I joined the School I remember Mark on drums, Andy on bass and thinking, ‘My God, everybody’s so Ross on guitar; the late Clive Walker is clever and posh’, but I came out at pictured leaning over Ross’ shoulder the end thinking I could do anything. I think School made you feel like there was a lot of possibilities. As Mark said, [playing in a band] gave us a status, and an identity. It also gave you confidence: all of a sudden, you were a guitar player or a singer, or whatever you were.” Andy: “During the 1970s, my parents ran The Inn at Whitewell, in the Trough of Bowland, and they used to let me stay in our house on Dobson Road on my own at weekends whilst they were working there. So a lot of us used to gather at the house for a “coffee evening” every weekend where we’d rehearse. That is a huge memory for me – playing in the band every weekend, no parents there to interfere with our fun. I enjoyed every minute of it.” At the end of the interview, Rick summed up the feelings of the group regarding the gig: “I think it is going to be a real adventure. I’ve no idea how it’s going to sound but I think it’s going to feel terrific. As soon as Mark counts in the first song at our first rehearsal, I think it’s going to be ace, as we used to say, but even if it isn’t, I think we’ll just give it everything we’ve got and have a fantastic time.” Mark, Andy, Tony and Richard would be delighted if as many of their fellow 1970s Alumni Mark Radcliffe as possible could join them in reliving old times at the gig. Ticket information will be shared in the coming months; Old Boys are asked not to camp in sleeping bags in the Quad until those details are announced.

Richard Pilkington Tony Wadsworth

Andy Wright Mark on bass, with Sir Ernest Ryder, QC (Class of 1976) immediately behind him

Black Cat Bone performing at Moss Bank Festival, 1973; L-R Tony, Stuart and Rick