MYTHS and RUMOURS

Three decades have passed since the footage was acquired and Adrian added a new date to the Gig History of all bands who appeared at Atomic Sunrise.

Several stories have emerged about both the film and the actual event. These are mainly built on rumour and over active imagination in an attempt to explain things – or lack of things, like the audio – when facts are lacking.

And then they get amplified with each repeat of the story.

Example:

SEND REINFORCEMENTS I’M GOING TO ADVANCE

Passed along the line becomes:

SEND THREE AND FOUR PENCE I’M GOING TO A DANCE

Unfortunately three of these have caused real damage – either directly or indirectly – regarding bringing the footage to screen.

1. Genesis were asked for money.
2. Yoko Ono was involved with the event and/or filming.
3. There are two versions of the film.

The true story.

1. It can only be assumed that the internet assertion that Adrian Everett ‘asked huge amounts for the film’ stems from his refusing an offer of £1000. The film has never been ‘For Sale’. Even when David Bowie offered to take it on, Adrian knew that that might make other potential participants wary. And so the full event would never be seen.
2. Yoko Ono had nothing to do with it. This has caused mayhem and lost decades when the film could have been seen. It is reported that Genesis management have even searched the vaults of Apple. Unsurprisingly they came up dry. Even this year there are reports of people still trying to get access to Apple ‘and coming close to finding the stash’. Sorry, but there is nothing at Apple. No reason for there to be.
3. People have seen varyingly poor quality VHS tapes. On some, the colour has bled to black and white and they think it is an ‘amateur version’ – not just an even more lousy copy!

These three old chestnuts, when taken as possibilities, have presented a distraction. A distraction from the real project of presenting what is possible of Atomic Sunrise.

Instead there has been an ongoing search for things that don’t exist – while the things that really do exist have been just ignored.

Until now!

And streaming.