Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tom Bryant

Barking venue will host Neil Young Day to mark rocker's 1971 recording session

Barking is being remembered as the birthplace of one of the greatest albums of all time.

Rocker Neil Young recorded two tracks from seminal record Harvest on a rare trip to the East London town in March 1971.

Sessions with the London Symphony Orchestra produced Man Needs a Maid and There’s a World.

Harvest came out the following year and sold millions of copies worldwide.

The recording took place at Barking Assembly Hall, part of the town hall now known as The Broadway, an arts centre.

The original dressing room used by Neil remains and is exactly the same bar a lick of paint.

The Broadway is now celebrating their part in musical history by hosting their first ever Neil Young Day on June 3.

Singer Billy Bragg, known as the Bard of Barking as he was born there, will unveil a plaque celebrating the venue’s forgotten history.

He said: “As a thirteen year old, I was becoming obsessed with American singer-songwriters, but growing up in Barking that whole scene seemed like a million miles away.

"Had I known that, while I was enduring double physics one afternoon in 1971, Neil Young was playing at the Assembly Hall, it would have blown my mind.

Barking Assembly Hall (PA)

“It’s brilliant this unique event in Barking’s history is being commemorated.”

Last year marked the 50th anniversary of the release of Harvest.

Local legend Billy Bragg (AFP/Getty Images)

Previously unseen documentary film of the making of the album was released, clearly showing the Barking Assembly Hall.

Harvest Time will be screened as part of Neil Young Day, as well as talks and performances.

Tickets are on sale at thebroadwaybarking.com

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.