51¹ú²úÊÓƵ

Surely it is more significant when a group is formed at university rather than just noting that a band member was an alumnus. Thus groups such as The Editors (from Staffordshire 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ) are more notable than Billy Idol dropping out of Sussex 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ.

The development of new universities in the 1960s was crucial for music because they offered new live venues that encouraged the proliferation of esoteric bands. Bands such as Van der Graaf Generator (Manchester 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ), might well fit the "Gownie rock" bill (see singer Peter Hamill's song The Comet and the Tail , derived from philosophy lectures, if anything ever was).

K. J. Donnelly
51¹ú²úÊÓƵ of Wales, Aberystwyth