In the current issue of Hot Press, we published a hand-written letter from journalist John 'George' Byrne. It is part of a lengthy tribute to the recently deceased journalist, who began his career with Hot Press, in the early days of the magazine. However, the letter pre-dated his involvement with Hot Press and was addressed to Brian O'Brien, who had been the editor of Scene Magazine before Niall Stokes – who would go on to found and edit Hot Press in 1977 – took over the editorial reins at Scene in 1976. The letter was written to accompany a review, also hand-written, which John had submitted to Brian O'Brien, but which did not run in the magazine. Today, we make up for that omission, by printing in full, John – later George – Byrne's first attempted foray into print. Like the letter that accompanied it, it is one to savour. Take it away, young John Byrne...

Budgie (National Stadium 16th. June, 1976)
The Stadium is three-quarters full for the first-ever visit of Budgie to these shores. The audience is yer average Quo, Gallagher, Lizzy one. Jeans, runners and combat jackets are as much in evidence as tartan at a B.C.R gig. The sound is excellent, if a little on the low side for heavey metal, the lights are sufficent and the audience is starved of live rock music. There should be no way that Budgie can fail, and they don't.
After an annoying wait of over half an hour following a rather anonymous back-up set from Jimmy McCarthy, Budgie took the stage. The moment Burke Shelley's slight frame appeared from the dressing-room, the place errupted. At this stage, let's get it clear about Budgie's music: they're loud, they sound like a cross between Led Zeppelin (vocally) and Black Sabbath (musically) and they don't use any effects at all. In short they're a good heavy metal band. Their albums are cold and devoid of any excitement or energy whatsoever, but live! Phew! Not a dry armpit in the house!
The highlights of their ninety-minute set were the beautiful 'Parents' featuring an outstanding guitar solo from Tony Bourge, the last number of the set 'Zoom Club' from In For The Kill and the natural encore 'Breadflan' from Squawk. The audience went completely beserk and I've no doubt that Budgie will return to Dublin, and next time the Stadium will be full.
It's nice to see the bouncers in the Stadium treating a rock audience like human beings for a change. For once, people were able to get up and dance without fear of being hit over the head with a torch. I sincerely hope this is a sign for the future.
John Byrne