A 1000 Yard Stare - Remembering Pete de Freitas

Pete de Freitas was the drummer with Echo and The Bunnymen on and off from 1979 to his tragic death on 14th June 1989. During this time they made possibly the greatest run of four albums ever, certainly in the post punk era and for a period between 1981 and 1985 they were the greatest live act on the planet. The imperious, charismatic Mac, Will Sergeant’s magical guitar work and the steady, relentless, swirling bass of Les Pattinson were special enough. Add in Pete de Freitas and his incessant, creative, powerful, remarkable drumming they became unrivalled on stage.

I discovered the band thanks to a16 year old crush on a girl called Louise. This was the time of Porcupine with The Back Of Love and The Cutter as lead singles. My crush quickly extended to the band and while I went from 16 clumsy and shy to attempting to mimic Mac, Louise only had eyes for Pete. We saw them three times in a couple of years my time line tells me it was the Royal Shakespeare Theatre first, then the Hammersmith Palais and finally on my 18th birthday at The Royal Albert Hall. 18th July 1983. It remains the greatest live gig of my life. The second night on the 19th is available on YouTube and I return to it often.

I’ll never forget Louise running to the front of the stage to stare at Pete while I danced awkwardly and self consciously at our seats.

Pete was the undoubted star. His thousand yard stare intensifying as he drove the band on to ridiculous heights. All four of them were in the zone and at the top of their game. Even the support musicians seemed to sense the moment and went with it. Never Stop was always a favourite of mine and moments in this capture Pete’s aura and intensity better than I. As I approach my 60th birthday this night takes on more legendary status, as memories fade this one has been captured and I can be there again.

Louise and I drifted apart, I never took to Ocean rain as others did. I couldn’t understand the Top Of The Pops performance of Seven Seas dressed as sea creatures and as life moved on so did I.

News of Pete’s death was still a massive shock and the fact that I still think so deeply about him and the band from that era puts him and his memory in a very special place in my heart. That night in July is captured forever and this seems perfect way to sum up not just the band but especially Pete de Freitas and his thousand yard stare.

Measure by measure, drop by drop
And pound for pound, we're taking stock
Of all the treasure still unlocked
The love you found must never stop