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DJ. Ras Claude I was ... Luzern (Lucerne) Ska Switzerland The Roots Connection presents Wärchhof

Laurel Aitken live at Wärchhof, Luzern 1992

Laurel Aitken Pressure Tennants Wärchhof Luzern The Roots Connection presents live in concert october 8th 1992

The Roots Connection presents the Godfather of Ska live in Luzern on Thursday, October 8th 1992 at Wärchhof in Luzern

My first show was planned to be with the Godfather of Ska Mr. Skinhead Laurel Aitken. The bicycle ride from Thun documents my wishes (see further details here at The Selecter 1991). One year later, it was a great pleasure to welcome the one and only the Godfather himself. The club was tiny and in town (not like the Sedel, that is outside of town). It was a club for youngsters and Ska was not the main pleasure in that club. It was difficult, because Skinhead at that time was really difficult to explain. The newspapers wrote about Nazi and fascism with the term Skinhead. There was almost no knowledge about working class Skinhead or Ska Skinheads the whole left wing was cut off.

This is one of the posters I’ve made by hand for the Laurel Aitken show. Each was unique and this one is from a snapshot out of the Roland Wüthrich video captured from his room in 1995 after he shot the live set of Peacestreet at Schüür (see here).

With this background I engaged the best security for this event: Paddy It was Thursday and it wasn’t necessary, but I felt much better with the security.

Laurel Aitken at Wärchhof, Luzern 1992. This tiny little picture is all I have from this unbelievable event. Foto by Nassim.
Laurel Aitken promotional picture. Foto by unknown.

From the newspaper I received a lot of help, but it didn’t help a lot. The club wasn’t full at all, but the fire was on and everybody inside was very happy, dancing and in the mood for ska.

Newspaper before the show: Pioneer of the original ska by TL
Another article from a newspaper after show by sb.
Newspaper article after show by Charles Schum (sch.)

I’m sorry for this A4-flyer I made at the time. It was long before computer and other technology, it was made with love and edding.

Original flyer, pre-tickets at Claude in the Old Town Store records shop and at René in the book and comic store Räber © The Roots Connection 1992

I was managing the whole event and I was also the Jamaican-Jazz-Disco with D.J. Clat.

Because it was on a Thursday night, I had to plan it early. At Sedel the shows didn’t start before 10PM. But at Wärchhof it was possible to start 8PM. This event was the first personal meeting with Laurel Aitken. Later in 1996 we were together on the Skasplash tour and became close friends. I miss that wonderful man. Thanks for all the memories.

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