The 1999 solar eclipse in Portsmouth Pictures by Steve Spurgin and Esme Allenplaceholder image
The 1999 solar eclipse in Portsmouth Pictures by Steve Spurgin and Esme Allen | -

Eclipse: The Power in the Dark music show staged on Southsea Common in 1999 for the total eclipse

For the eclipse in 1999, a music concert was staged on Southsea Common

Do you remember the last solar eclipse in Portsmouth?

In 1999 virtually the whole of the country came to a standstill in the mid morning for the total eclipse, as day briefly became dusk.

In Portsmouth, Power FM - which would later become was Capital South Coast - held Power in the Dark at the Bandstand on Southsea Common.

The four-hour free show, which started at 8am and ran until midday, was hosted by Power FM's Des Paul and the breakfast crew of Rick Jackson and Ana Schofield, adn saw a line-up that included girl soul trio Fierce, Seafruit, Dove, BB Mak and Technique.

Before the event DJ Rick Jackson - a long-time News columnist - said: “We are all looking forward to taking part in this once-in-a-lifetime experience. There's no point in flocking to Cornwall with two million others when you can witness the event right here - with some brilliant music as well.”

Steve Spurgin has kindly shared his pictures of the event, and you can see them here alongside other News pictures from August 11, 1999, including a memorable montage of HMS Victory.

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