HappyDaze - Samantha Williams

'Happydaze' was produced and published as a dedication to my late partner and a tribute to the Acid House Era from my own personal photographic view... I took my trusty 35mm Camera and took many photos over the period from 89-95...all the prints had all been collecting dust under my bed since then, when in 2008 I decided to dust them off and share them on my website www.ravereunited.co.uk I received a mass of interest so I thought I would compile a book to share the love so people could have hands on recollection. With that contributors sent me there memoires and along with all the flyers I had .. Happydaze was born!

I was lucky enough to be a part of the Summer of Love in 1989, it was a revolution of music and unity.  My first experience was in the August of 1989 in Ipswich .. Energy 89. We had seen the flyer and all of my friends wanted to go... we awaited the location from the hotline and went on our way around the M25 orbital, I cannot remember where it was originally supposed to be, but the venue was moved a few times in the night but being determined we managed to get to it, along with a convoy of hundreds of others.. we arrived around 7am, the sun was up and the sky was blue. All we could see was all the dust from the cars racing across the field. We parked up outside a massive hangar, there were articulated lorries with huge speakers and inside and out there were thousands of people dancing in whacky outfits and smiley faces.

I was amazed at the feelings I felt, the feeling of freedom and one love for each other all we wanted to do was dance and we did.. This rave went on all day, the police were there just onlooking, I don't think they could believe how harmonious the event was and there wasn't anything they could do lawfully.. there wasnt any trouble or strife or anything for them to worry about... They had to let us have our party!

There are over 200 images, Flyers and lots of funny memories from original ravers from back in the day.

Happydaze is available online globally.. I recommend people buying the book directly from myself at
www.ravereunited.co.uk as I hold them in stock so it will be quicker and easier.