Bedfordshire, England – At 82, Dave Robinson isn’t slowing down; he’s bringing rock and roll to the front lines of ukraine, just 12 kilometers from active combat. The co-founder of iconic record label Stiff Records, responsible for launching the careers of artists like elvis Costello and the Pogues, is proving that the power of live music transcends even the moast harrowing circumstances.
Robinson’s decades-long career has taken him from photographing The Beatles to touring with Jimi Hendrix, but his latest venture may be his most impactful yet.
- Robinson co-founded Stiff Records, a pivotal label in the late 1970s and 80s punk and new wave scene.
- He’s toured extensively with major artists, including Jimi Hendrix, gaining firsthand experience in the logistics of live performance.
- Despite contracting pneumonia on a recent trip, he remains committed to bringing live music to Ukraine.
- Robinson believes that live performance is essential for a band’s advancement, citing the Beatles’ formative years in Hamburg as a prime example.
For Robinson, the importance of touring isn’t just about exposure-it’s about honing a band’s craft. “All the ones that are above ground now are still touring,” he noted, emphasizing that consistent live performance is a key to longevity. “It’s a very hard life…but it’s what makes the band.”
Robinson’s journey began in the early 1960s when he moved from Ireland to the UK, initially working as a photographer. A lunchtime assignment lead him to Liverpool’s Cavern Club, where he captured images of a then-unknown band: The Beatles. while he didn’t immediately recognize their potential, he recalled Paul McCartney’s friendliness contrasting with John Lennon’s reserved demeanor. “I was just taking the pictures and trying to remember left to right,” he said. “They were a different band” before their rigorous touring schedule in Hamburg.
What impact did relentless touring have on The Beatles’ development? Robinson believes their time in hamburg was transformative,turning them from a promising group into a global phenomenon. “Touring every night…tightening it up…making it really interesting for the public…All of that I’ve specialised in with Stiff Records.”
Robinson recently accompanied Hardwicke Circus on their tour of Ukraine.
The concerts were packed, largely with young women, as many Ukrainian men are currently fighting on the front lines. Between performances, Robinson witnessed the stark realities of war: wrecked cars, bombed buildings, and the constant sound of sirens. The band also conducted music workshops in schools and hospitals, often performing in underground venues for safety.”It seemed to me we would leave a town and the town would be bombed the following day,” he said.
Despite contracting pneumonia during the trip and being unconscious for three days, Robinson remains undeterred. He’s eager to return and organize more tours, driven by a belief in the transformative power of music. “I have toured with everybody,” he said. “It’s not masochistic…it’s there to bring the music to people who seem to need it more than the people at the festivals.”
