At 82 years old, Dave Robinson, the legendary music mogul who discovered icons like Kirsty MacColl, The Pogues, and Madness, is defying expectations by bringing live music to war-torn Ukraine. But here’s where it gets even more remarkable: this isn’t just any music veteran—it’s the same man who once toured with Jimi Hendrix as his manager. So, what drives someone of his age and stature to venture into a conflict zone? The answer lies in Robinson’s unyielding belief in the transformative power of music.
Robinson, a co-founder of Stiff Records, has a career spanning decades, from photographing The Beatles in Liverpool to trekking across America with Hendrix. His recent journey to Ukraine, just 12km from the front line, with the Carlisle band Hardwicke Circus, is a testament to his unwavering dedication. Even a bout of pneumonia couldn’t deter him—because, as he puts it, ‘the music must continue.’
But here’s where it gets controversial: Robinson insists that touring isn’t just about performing—it’s the crucible that forges great bands. He points to The Beatles’ early years in Hamburg as proof, arguing that relentless live performances transformed them from a raw act into global legends. ‘Touring makes the band,’ he says. ‘It tightens the show, makes it interesting for the audience.’ Yet, not everyone agrees. Some argue that studio work and streaming platforms are just as vital for modern artists. What do you think? Is touring still the ultimate test for musicians?
Robinson’s journey with Hendrix in 1968 offers a glimpse into the chaos and character-building challenges of the road. When he stepped in as tour manager for three months, he faced logistical nightmares, from carrying cash in a briefcase with a Beretta (because ‘you had to have a gun if you were carrying money’) to dealing with destroyed gear at airports. Hendrix’s audiences, overwhelmingly white college students dodging the Vietnam draft, highlighted the racial divides of the era. ‘Black people didn’t get on planes back then,’ Robinson recalls. ‘It was a very different time.’
Fast forward to today, and Robinson is applying those decades of experience to support bands in Ukraine, a place he believes ‘needs music more than anywhere else.’ His tours, which include visits to schools, hospitals, and underground venues, are met with packed crowds, mostly young women, as many local men are fighting on the front lines. Between gigs, he witnesses the devastation of war—wrecked cars, bombed buildings, and the constant hum of sirens. Yet, he remains undeterred, even after falling seriously ill with pneumonia during one tour.
And this is the part most people miss: Robinson doesn’t see his work as a sacrifice. ‘It’s not masochistic,’ he says. ‘It’s about bringing music to people who need it more than those at festivals.’ But here’s the question: Is it ethical to risk lives for the sake of art? Or is Robinson’s mission a noble act of cultural resilience in the face of war?
As he plans his next tour, Robinson’s message is clear: ‘People in the UK may or may not need the music, but Ukraine needs the music. So we’ll go.’ What’s your take? Is Robinson a hero, a risk-taker, or both? Let us know in the comments below.
