Generaton X - Day By Day

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Day By Day

In London during the fall of 1976, Billy Idol (guitar), Tony James (bass & vocal) and John Towe (drums) perform a few gigs, under the name Chelsea with Gene October as frontman. Idol and James are also developing a song writing partnership, the results of which are not performed by Chelsea due to a lack of fit with the current group.

CHELSEA (pre GENERATION X)

18-Oct-76	Concert	London, I.A.C. Theatre. Throbbing Gristle / Chelsea
10-Nov-76	Concert	Manchester, Electric Circus. Buzzcocks / Chelsea
21-Nov-76	Concert	London, The Nashville. Stranglers / Chelsea

Idol and James eventually decide to leave Chelsea so that they can create a group based upon their own vision and songs. John Towe comes along as well. Gene October eventually recruits replacements and Chelsea continues on its own (but that's a different story). Meanwhile, Idol and James name their new group Generation X, from the title of a Sixties youth culture novel owned by Billy's Mom. On December 4th Billy finds the missing key to their new line up when he sees seventeen year old Bob "Derwood" Andrews playing guitar in the youth club band Paradox. Bob is quickly recruited, given a hair cut, and within as little as three weeks after leaving Chelsea, Generation X play their first gig.

GENERATION X (w/John Towe on drums)

10-Dec-76	Concert	London, Central College of Art and Design. Generation X play their first gig.
21-Dec-76	Concert	London, Roxy. Generation X / Siouxsie & The Banshees
15-Jan-77	Concert	London, Roxy.
16-Jan-77	Concert	London, Greenwich Theatre. The Zips / Squeeze / Generation X
22-Jan-77	Concert	Middlesbrough, Rock Garden. Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers / Generation X
28-Jan-77	Concert	Liverpool, Eric's.
29-Jan-77	Concert	London, Roxy. Penetration / Generation X
30-Jan-77	News	Generation X earn a half page article written by Tony Barnes in this week's New Musical Express.
11-Feb-77	Concert	London, Hope & Anchor. Generation X
?-Feb-77	Recording Session	Demos for Chiswick Records. Listen, New Order, Ready Steady Go
11-Mar-77	Concert	Leichester, University. Generation X / The Boys Halfway through the set, guitarist Bob Andrews is hit in the head with a full can of beer. The show has to be stopped so that Bob can be taken to the hospital for stitches.
12-Mar-77	Concert	London, Harlesden Coliseum. Slits / Generation X / Clash
28-Mar-77	Concert	Paris, Palais des Glaces. Generation X / Cherry Vanilla / Police / Wayne County Band / Stinky Toys
30-Mar-77	Concert	Plymouth, Woods Leisure Center.
31-Mar-77	Concert	London, The Marquee.
10-Apr-77	Concert	London, Roundhouse. John Cale / Generation X Listen, Kleenex, Trying For Kicks, This Heat, Prove It, Above Love, Ready Steady Go, No No No, New Order, Too Personal, Day By Day, Your Generation, Youth Youth Youth, Ready Steady Go, Day By Day
11-Apr-77	Concert	London, Roundhouse. John Cale / Generation X
12-Apr-77	Recording Session	London, BBC Studios. Intended for radio broadcast. Day By Day / Listen / Youth Youth Youth / Your Generation
20-Apr-77	Radio Broadcast	BBC Radio, John Peel Show. Broadcast of songs recorded on April 12, 1977.

Generation X decide that the weak link in their line-up is drummer John Towe, and he is asked to leave. After auditioning fifty-four different drummers, they decide upon eighteen year old Mark Laff (a.k.a. Mark Laffoley). He was drumming for Subway Sect, and had to leave them in the midst of their lengthy tour with the Clash so that he can join up with Generation X. By June of '77, Mark is on-board and the "classic" line-up of Generation X is born.

GENERATION X (classic line-up; Idol, James, Andrews, Laff)

20-Jun-77	Concert	London, Cooks Ferry Inn.
21-Jun-77	Concert	London, Dingwalls.
30-Jun-77	Concert	Manchester, Rafters.
12-Jul-77	Recording Session	London, BBC studios. Intended for radio broadcast. Rock On, No No No, Gimme Some Truth, From The Heart
19-Jul-77	News	Generation X sign a long term, world-wide recording contract with Chrysalis Records.
20-Jul-77	Concert	London, The Marquee. Generation X / The Lurkers Essentially a coming out party in celebration of being signed the day before with Chrysalis Records. The sides of the stage are filled with heavy lighting so that Chrysalis can videotape the event. Rock On, From The Heart, This Heat, Above Love, New Order, Listen, Wild Youth, Ready Steady Go, Day By Day, and several others.
21-Jul-77	Radio Broadcast	BBC Radio, John Peel Show. Broadcast of songs recorded on July 12, 1977.
1-Aug-77	Concert	London, The Vortex. Generation X / Lurkers / Art Attacks / Steel Pulse / Adam and the Ants
2-Aug-77	Concert	London, The Vortex. Generation X / Skrewdriver / Penetration
12-Aug-77	Recording Session	London, BBC Studios. Intended for radio broadcast. Day By Day, No No No, Your Generation, Rock On
12-Aug-77	Concert	London, The Marquee.
19-Aug-77	Concert	Edinburgh, The Clouds. Generation X / Johnny & Self Abusers
20-Aug-77	Concert	West Lindon, Pantiles Hotel. Generation X / Johnny & Self Abusers
22-Aug-77	Radio Broadcast	BBC Radio, DLT Radio Show. Broadcast of songs recorded on August 12, 1977.
26-Aug-77	Concert	Swindon, Brunel Rooms.
27-Aug-77	Concert	Liverpool, Eric's.
28-Aug-77	Concert	Plymouth, Castaway's.
29-Aug-77	Concert	Plymouth, Castaway's.
1-Sep-77	Record Release	Single: Your Generation b/w Day By Day (Chrysalis CHS-2165)
5-Sep-77	Concert	Stafford, Top of the World. Generation X / Killjoys / Rich Kids / Prefects
6-Sep-77	Concert	London, The Marquee. Generation X / The Jolt
?-Sep-77	Film Appearance	Appearance in The Punk Rock Movie by Don Letts
8-Sept-77	Concert	Rotherham, Windmill.
9-Sep-77	TV Appearance	Performing Your Generation on Marc Bolan's BBC TV show Marc. David Bowie also appears. Marc Bolan dies shortly after on Sept. 17, 1977.
9-Sep-77	Concert	Birmingham, Barbarella's.
10-Sep-77	Concert	Birmingham, Barbarella's.
11-Sep-77	Concert	Barrow-In-Furness, Maxim's.
13-Sep-77	Concert	London, Marquee. Steel Pulse / Generation X
16-Sep-77	Concert	Wolverhampton, Lafayette.
?-Sep-77	TV Appearance	Lip synch performance of Your Generation on Top Of The Pops
20-Sep-77	Concert	London, The Marquee. Generation X / Johnny Curious / Stranglers
22-Sep-77	Concert	Coventry, Mr. George's.
23-Sep-77	Concert	Manchester, The Rafters. Generation X / Crabs
28-Sep-77	Concert	Isle of Wight, Babalou.
1-Oct-77	Concert	London, North-East Pollytechnic. Pirates / Generation X / Soft Boys
28-Oct-77	Concert	London, Kings College.
4-Nov-77	Concert	London, Kings College. Generation X / Adam and the Ants
9-Nov-77	Concert	London, Roxy. Enemies of the World / Kassels / Generation X
19-Nov-77	Record Release	Single: Wild Youth b/w Wild Dub (Chrysalis CHS-2189)
?-77	TV Appearance	Lip synch performance of Wild Youth on Top Of The Pops
4-Dec-77	Concert	London, The Roundhouse. Valves / Lurkers / Saints / Generation X
18-Dec-77	Concert	Croydon, Greyhound. Metal Urbain / Generation X
31-Dec-77	Concert	London, The Rainbow. Ramones / Rezillos / Generation X
10-Feb-78	Record Release	Single: Ready Steady Go b/w No No No (Chrysalis CHS-2207)
?-78	TV Appearance	Performance of Ready Steady Go on Top Of The Pops
10-Mar-78	Concert	Liverpool, Eric's.
11-Mar-78	Concert	Newcastle University
16-Mar-78	Concert	Manchester, The Rafters. Adam & the Ants / Generation X / Blitzkrieg Bop
17-Mar-78	Record Release	LP: Generation X (Chrysalis CHR-1169), U.K. version. From The Heart, One Hundred Punks, Listen, Ready Steady Go, Kleenex, Promises Promises, Day By Day, The Invisible Man, Kiss Me Deadly, Too Personal, Youth Youth Youth
?-78	Film Appearance	Filming appearance in DOA, lip synching to Kiss Me Deadly.
9-Apr-78	Concert	London, Roundhouse. Generation X / The Jolt
14-Apr-78	Concert	High Wycombe, Town Hall. Generation X / The Jolt
20-Mar-78	Concert	Birmingham, The Mayfair. Generation X / The Jolt
11-May-78	Concert	London, Paris Theatre. Recorded live for broadcast on BBC Radio. Your Generation, From The Heart, Shakin' All Over, Kiss Me Deadly, King Rocker, Kleenex, The Invisible Man, One Hundred Punks, Youth Youth Youth
27-May-78	Radio Broadcast	BBC radio broadcast of live show recorded on 11-May-78
8-Aug-78	Concert	Stowaway, Newport.
10-Aug-78	Concert	Edinburgh, The Astoria.
12-Aug-78	Concert	Sheffield, The Limit.
?-Oct-78	Recording Session	Generation X with veteran musician/producer Ian Hunter, record songs for their second LP Valley Of The Dolls (released on January 26, 1979).
29-Nov-78	Concert	London, Wembley Arena. Generation X / Bernie Torme
8-Dec-78	Concert	Sheffield, Poly. Ready Steady Go, From The Hear, The English Dream, Night Of The Cadillacs, Paradise West One, No No No, Love Like Fire, King Rocker, Kiss Me Deadly, Promises Promises, Day By Day, 100 Punks, Kleenex, 100 Punks, Your Generation, Shakin' All Over
20-Dec-78	Concert	London, Electric Ballroom. Ready Steady Go, From The Heart, English Dream, Night Of The Cadillacs, Paradise West, No No No, Love Like Fire, King Rocker, Kiss Me Deadly, Promises Promises, Day By Day, 100 Punks, Wild Youth, 100 Punks
5-Jan-79	Record Release	Single: King Rocker b/w Gimme Some Truth (Chrysalis CHS-2261). Released with four different colors of vinyl and picture sleeves: red = Idol, pink = James, orange = Derwood, yellow = Laff. This single proves to be Generation X's greatest chart success topping out at #11.
?-79	TV Appearance	Performance of King Rocker on Top Of The Pops
26-Jan-79	Record Release	LP: Valley of the Dolls (Chrysalis CHR-1193) Running With The Boss Sound, Night Of The Cadillacs, Paradise West, Friday's Angels, King Rocker, Valley Of The Dolls, English Dream, Love Like Fire, The Prime Of Kenny Silvers
15-Jan-79	Recording Session	BBC Studios. Recording session for broadcast on the John Peel Show. Love Like Fire, English Dream, Night Of The Cadillacs, Paradise West
20-Jan-79	Concert	London, Paris Theatre. Recorded live for broadcast on BBC Radio. Ready Steady Go, Night Of The Cadillacs, Paradise West, King Rocker, Kiss Me Deadly, English Dream, Your Generation
14-Feb-79	Radio Broadcast	BBC Radio, John Peel Show, broadcast of songs recorded on 15-Jan-79
16-Feb-79	Concert	Edinburgh, University.
23-Feb-79	Concert	Manchester, The Mayflower. Generation X / Bernie Torme
24-Feb-79	Concert	Birmingham, Barbarella's. Generation X / Bernie Torme
27-Feb-79	Concert	London, Lyceum. Generation X / The Fall
23-Mar-79	Record Release	Single: Valley of the Dolls b/w Shakin' All Over (Chrysalis CHS-2310). First editions are printed on brown-marble colored vinyl.
?-79	TV Appearance	Lip synch performance of Valley of the Dolls on Top Of The Pops
26-Apr-79	News	Members of Generation X attend a concert at the Cambridge, North London, to watch performances by Back To Zero / The Purple Hearts / The Chords.
17-Jun-79	Record Release	Single: Friday's Angles b/w Trying for Kicks / This Heat (Chrysalis CHS-2330). The first pressing is on red vinyl.
20-Jun-79	Concert	London, Marquee. Generation X / Private Vices
25-Jun-79	Concert	Japan, Tokyo.
26-Jun-79	Concert	Japan, Tokyo.
28-Jun-79	Concert	Japan, Osaka Hall. Ready Steady Go, Trying for Kicks, This Heat, English Dream, Triumph, Anna Smiles, Night Of The Cadillacs, No No No, Valley Of The Dolls, Revenge, Kiss Me Deadly, Fridays Angels, Wild Youth, Day By Day, King Rocker, Your Generation, Rock'n'Roll, Shakin' All Over, Youth Youth Youth, Outro Jam All of this concert (except for Trying for Kicks) was later released as part of Anthology on April 8, 2003. Note: Trying for Kicks is listed on the packaging but the song heard on the disc is actually This Heat.
?-Jul-79	Recording Sessions	Recording sessions for the aborted third LP at Olympic Studios in south London. The tapes would eventually be issued as Sweet Revenge but not until April 14, 1998, and then later as part of Anthology on April 8, 2003.

During mid 1979, Bob "Derwood" Andrews announced that he was quitting the band. He agreed to complete the tour of Japan and the recording sessions for the 3rd LP Sweet Revenge, but wanted out after those obligations were met. When time came for him to depart, drummer Mark Laff decided to leave as well.

Bob "Derwood" Andrews and Mark Laff went on to form the group Empire and release one LP Expensive Sound in 1981, before breaking up.

Billy Idol and Tony James recruit former Chelsea guitarist James Stephenson and ex-Clash drummer Terry Chimes, re-christen the group Gen X, and go on to release one LP Kiss Me Deadly in 1981, before breaking up.

GENERATION X (the reunion)

20-Sep-93

Concert

Almost 14 years after last playing together, the classic line up of Generation X perform a reunion concert at the Astoria, England. The event is filmed by Chrysalis Records.
Kleenex, Ready Steady Go, Day By Day, Kiss Me Deadly, King Rocker, 100 Punks, Your Generation

Is that all? Well, all four members are still alive so anything is possible.

Chelsea in 1976
w/Gene October on vocals