As a founder of the Rock Against Racism movement in the 1970s, Red Saunders was a key player in organising gigs and festivals that inspired a generation of musicians and activists.

Rock Against Racism (RAR) emerged in the late 1970s as a powerful cultural and political movement in the United Kingdom. Fuelled by a commitment to combat racism and promote unity, the movement brought together musicians, activists, and ordinary people in a collective effort to address the rising tide of racial tensions.

In the mid-1970s, Britain was grappling with economic challenges and social upheaval. Against this backdrop, there was a noticeable increase in racist sentiments and activities. The National Front, a far-right political group, gained momentum, and incidents of racism were on the rise. In response, a group of activists and artists decided to use the power of music to counteract this divisive trend. RAR was born as a grassroots initiative in August, 1976, shortly after Eric Clapton’s infamous drunken rant in support of Enoch Powell at the Birmingham Odeon.