This blog is written by Johna Johnson, one of six people creating an exhibition based on his experiences called
Being Young in Bradford, which will be shown at Cartwright Hall Art Gallery as soon as Covid-19 complications allow.
Johna grew up in the 1970s and Punk changed his life.
He writes
Growing up in Bradford in the 70s
I grew up in a really multicultural area. It felt like Bradford was the world, or at least the most important city in the world, otherwise why would all these people come here? We all mixed freely. Newby Square was at the bottom of my road and I would regularly go down there and listen to a mixture of Reggae, Calypso, Ska and British pop. I remember being invited in to share family meals of all different cuisines. Food and music connects all cultures.
Why was punk important?
The punk years from 1977-79 were the most important years of my life. All these kids from different cultural backgrounds who didn’t feel like they fitted into society came together. Punk unified youth in Bradford to do something positive.
In 1977 I started out on a journey of self-discovery to be the person I wanted to be. It was all encompassing,
life-changing, everything seemed possible suddenly. It gave people the confidence to change their lives instead of ‘following Dad down the factory for life’ now you could be who you wanted to be. There was a real sense of community. Loads of people on the edge of society gravitated towards punk for lots of reasons.
My punk story
My punk rock story started when I heard the Damned’s ‘New Rose’ being played in a disco at Butlins, Skegness. It made the hairs of the back of my neck stand to attention. I then realised this is what I had been waiting for. The sound to my youth.
Then when I heard John Lydon speak for the first time on TV I realised these were kids just like me – from working class backgrounds singing about things that related to me as a young teenager growing up in the UK. It wasn’t just about being white British, it was about being young with little future at that point, and seemed open to anyone brave enough to get involved.
A whole new world appeared, giving confidence and changing our default settings on what could be achieved. It was a light bulb moment.
The Sex Pistols play West Yorkshire
Christmas 1977 was a great time as I got to see the Sex Pistols play twice in a week. First at the Knickers Club in Keighley on 19 December then Ivanhoes in Huddersfield on Christmas Day (a benefit gig for striking Firefighters).
Me and my friend Chris walked from Bradford to Huddersfield which took us three hours – only to find out it was sold out when we got there! Luckily the Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren saw us and let us in.
It turned out to be the Sex Pistols last UK gig. What made it special to me was that Lydon came over and talked to us. He was really nice and down to earth. We chatted about the Keighley gig (and the weird stage set up) and he painted a vivid picture of what living in London was like (where I later moved to). His attitude towards us impressed me. I liked him. It made me more committed to being a punk.
Rock Against Racism April 1978
The first Rock Against Racism Carnival was a massive unifying moment for the Bradford punks to do something positive as a group. We had always stuck up for one another when we had altercations at gigs outside Bradford, but this was for all the world to see. It cemented our belief in one another and in the fight for equality. Bradford took an incredible nine coaches of people!
My favourite band – Adam and the Ants
My favourite band was Adam and the Ants (1977-79). The whole experience was unlike any other punk gig. Adam was such a unique singer and intense performer the crowd would really go wild in response to him. He was living the music not just singing.
Adam was once quoted as having the madness of Iggy Pop and the grace of Freddie Mercury. At that point we were unaware of Adam’s mental health issues. It was only later after having my own mental health issues did I understand some of Adam’s behaviour.
Being Young in Bradford Playlist
Johna also took the time to give us a list of some of the songs he enjoys – chosen to show just how diverse Punk is as a Genre. He’s also included some Reggae songs, ‘as punks often liked chilling out after!’
You can find his selection via the spotify playlist below.
(Due to the nature of some of the songs, there may be some explicit lyrics)
