Although there are healthy doses of trivia and miscellany - see the ‘trivialities’ page - here and there, there are two main elements to this site. The first aim is to provide a record of the various groups and artistes that originated from the Salisbury area - see ‘artists’ pages - and the second is to compile what basically constitutes a list of appearances of ‘name’ acts that have played here over the years - see 'played' pages.

I’ve been carrying this sort of information around in my head for years now and I figured that if I was interested in it then maybe other people would be as well. I personally believe that writing off any particular ‘genre’ of music inevitably means you will miss out on a whole slice of good stuff. So I haven’t been particularly selective as to who I do or don’t include, although I am not intending to compile huge lists of all the various covers bands that have played in our pubs and clubs or the revival and tribute acts that regularly appear at the City Hall.

Geographically the site covers the Salisbury and South Wiltshire area, loosely speaking the boundaries of the lamented Salisbury District Council. However, I have allowed myself to stray a little further for particularly interesting snippets such as the Rolling Stones playing at Longleat, in that case because I still find it amazing they actually did and I assume quite a few Salisbury people attended.

The inspiration for this site was formed while I was re- reading ‘Rockin’ Around Britain’ by Pete Frame (Omnibus Press 1999). If, like me, you are obsessed with pop trivia to the extent that the eyes of your loved ones are regularly glazing over, this book is a must for you. I’m not sure if it’s still in print but you could try Amazon or E-Bay.

There is of course tons more of this sort of thing in Hold Tight (Voices Of The Sarum Sound 1945-1969) (Timezone Publishing 2007) and Endless Beat (Voices Of The New Sarum Sound 1970- 1999) (Timezone Publishing 2010).

Thanks also to Andrea, Michel Bands, Harriet Barr, Will Blake, Luke Boston, Rob Boston (tons of stuff - thanks); JJ, Daiv Carpenter, Tony Clayden, Roger Clotworthy, Ron Cooper (especially for filling in gaps in the DDDBMT discography), Amy Daniels, D’arbo, Drinky, Nigel Emm, Jane Gann, Gordon Griffiths, Perry 'M' Harris, Caroline Henderson (Gilbert as was), Dave Hitchins, Bryan Langford, Gary Loader, Paul M, Phil Manning, Milts, Frogg, Anne Morris at The Journal, Our Dad, Dave Notley, Little Barb, Ian Peel at Record Collector, Our Sandra, Steve Pugh, Raz, Gaz, Clive Roper, Dave Todd (for loads of stuff on the 80s and 90s indie scene - in fact I think he has provided more information than I have), Tom Vague, Herman van Gaal, Andy Ware, Wiggy, Wayner, Yan Webber and everyone I ever went to see a pop group with.

The last five updates to this site have been: A line each on Genesis and Stackridge at the Alex; Tom Paxton and the latest Bill Wyman at the City Hall (all added in November 2011); Saw Doctors at the City Hall; Ian Anderson at the Cathedral (not the hotel...the actual Cathedral) (both added in Decmber 2011); At long last - the New Forest Music page (added in May 2012).