Roger Mairlot, a retired car mechanic in his 70s, takes center stage in this episode of Seeing Them Live. Renowned for his passionate dedication to live music, Roger’s story has attracted the attention of media giants like Vice News, The Guardian, and CBC Radio Canada. With an astonishing personal record of attending over 725 consecutive gigs and accomplishing the feat of attending six gigs in one night at different venues across London, Roger has become an icon in the city’s live music scene. His distinctive ornate military jacket, adorned with badges, has earned him the affectionate name “The Gig Slut” from Debbie Smith of the band Blindness.
Reflecting on his early music experiences, Roger shares memories of a Joan Baez concert in the 1960s, marking the beginning of his journey through London’s rich music scene. The cultural and social aspects of live performances are explored, emphasizing the intimate connection between the audience and the artists. Roger’s passion for live music goes beyond attendance; he meticulously documents gig timings and schedules in “The Book of Bands,” showcasing his dedication to discovering new bands and genres.
The conversation delves into Roger’s connection to the Mod Culture, influenced by bands like The Who and The Kinks, and explores his experiences in London’s music scene during the 1970s. Notable bands from that era, including Canned Heat and Queen, are mentioned, while Roger reflects on the changing music landscape in the ’70s.
Roger’s transition to retirement in the early 2000s allowed for greater flexibility in attending gigs, leading to a revival of his interest in live music. Charles and Roger discuss the impact of Mod Culture, Roger’s favorite band, The Kinks, and his experiences seeing iconic artists like Jimi Hendrix. Roger’s signature look, the guard’s jacket, is born out of his paper rounds, which he took on to finance his gigging passion during his early waking hours.
The episode delves into Roger’s mad gigging phase, discussing his gigging routine, how he justified spending money on gigs through his paper round earnings, and the development of detailed schedules for nightly gig adventures. The conversation also touches on Roger’s extensive guard’s jacket collection and the experiences he had wearing them.
In 2014, Roger pushed the limits by attending six gigs in one night, facing challenges in managing multiple venues and early start times. The episode explores Roger’s criteria for choosing gigs, post-pandemic changes in the gig scene, and the decline in fan attendance. Despite the challenges, Roger emphasizes the importance of enjoying a gig and shares his diverse taste in music, spanning genres from jazz to chamber rock.
BANDS: Adam Ant, Blindness, Blue Crime, Canned Heat, Color TV, Cream, Fleetwood Mac, Jimmy Hendrix, Joan Baez, Ogunquit, The Breeders, The Kinks, The Libertines, The Palpitations, The Who
VENUES: 100 Club, Camden (general reference to the area), Pure Groove, Rough Trade, Royal Festival Hall, Sculpture of St. James, The Clarendon Hotel, The Dublin Castle, The George Robey, The Hammersmith Odeon, The Hope and Anchor, The Kings Head, The Kursal, The Lock Tavern, The Marquee Club, The Monarch, The Old Blue Last, The Purple Turtle, The Roundhouse.
