Welcome to the Ray's Gigs website!

Here's the latest - updated 6th March 2021

Sunday 07 March 2021

Sunday 07 March 201.
Strong rumours that the cancelled Glastonbury Festival is back on.....but without a crowd.
They are lining up acts to play at Glastonbury for a televised event.
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Monday 08 March 2021.
From today we can meet someone from a different household outside, that does not involve exercise.
Meeting up socially outdoors with one other person will be allowed. Until then, it is illegal and you can still only meet another person, outdoors and for exercise. People in care homes will also be allowed one regular visitor.
Jan, Feb and March has been pretty gloomy due to the covid lockdown restrictions.
Roll on to the end of March , when the clocks change and days become warmer and brighter.
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Happy Bithday to GARY NUMAN who is 63 today.
I have seen Gary Numan live around 30 times since 1980.
He was a regular at Hammersmith Odeon when i worked front of stage security throughout the 1980s.

Updated 6th March 2021 Permalink

Thursday 04 March 2021.

Thursday 04 March 2021.
It was two years ago today, that KEITH FLINT from The Prodigy sadly passed away.
Police were called to Flint's home in North End, near Great Dunmow, Essex, in response to concerns for his welfare.Flint was pronounced dead at the scene, and the police did not treat the death as suspicious. It was later confirmed at an inquest into his death he had died as a result of hanging.
The Prodigy were a fantastic live act, who I saw live several times.
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Friday 05 March 2021.
SKY ARTS 9pm - Brian Johnson meets Joe Walsh.
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Will ALICE COOPER new album "Detriot Stories" go straight in at number one today?
It ended up going in at number 4.
The popularity of Queen continues as their "Greatest Hits" album is number 8 in the charts,
despite it being released 40 years ago in 1981.
"Greatest Hits " has spent over 900 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, and has been certified 22× platinum with sales of over 6 million copies, making it the best-selling album of all time in the UK.
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Released today - PAUL STANLEY ( KISS ) the debut album "Now and Then" from his project "Soul Station".
Stanley and Soul Station’s cover of “O-o-h Child” will appear on their upcoming debut album, Now and Then, out March 5th via UMe. The record will feature nine covers of classic soul and R&B songs, as well as five original tracks. Other covers include the Spinners’ “Could It Be I’m Falling in Love,” the Temptations’ “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me),” and the Miracles’ “Tracks of My Tears.”
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Released today - BLACK SABBATH release deluxe versions of their two albums with Ronnie James Dio.
Black Sabbath launch deluxe versions of " Heaven And Hell " (1980) and " Mob Rules" (1981).
Both the classic albums from the early 1980s will be packaged in double album format, vinyl and cd
along with rare and unreleased material.
I saw them eight times at Hammersmith Odeon during the touring for these two albums...
Black Sabbath, Girlschool Hammersmith Odeon, London 07.05.1980
Black Sabbath, Girlschool Hammersmith Odeon, London 08.05.1980
Black Sabbath,A To Z Hammersmith Odeon , London 19.01.1981
Black Sabbath,A To Z Hammersmith Odeon , London 20.01.1981
Black Sabbath,More Hammersmith Odeon , London 31.12.1981
Black Sabbath,More Hammersmith Odeon , London 01.01.1982
Black Sabbath,More Hammersmith Odeon , London 02.01.1982
Black Sabbath,More Hammersmith Odeon , London 03.01.1982
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Saturday 06 March 2021.
Happy Birthday to DAVID GILMOUR who is 75 today.
David has EIGHT children - four each with both his wives.
His last solo tour was the Rattle That Lock world tour in 2015/2016.
He played 11 shows at The Royal Albert Hall - 5 + 1 + 5
For the show on 24 April 2016 I was front row centre in the arena, just a few feet from the stage.
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SKY ARTS are having a punk evening from 9pm- four programmes.
Poly Styrene - documentary premiere.
I saw her fronting X-Ray Spex three times in the late 1970s.
X-Ray Spex Marquee Club, London 30.12.1977 (free entry)
Tom Robinson Band,Steel Pulse,The Clash,X-Ray Spex Victoria Park, London 30.04.1978
X-Ray Spex,Sore Throat Hammersmith Odeon, London 27.11 1978
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White Riot - documentary on Rock Against Racism featuring The Clash.
I attended the major event for Rock Against Racism.
Tom Robinson Band + Steel Pulse + The Clash + X-Ray Spex , Victoria Park, London 30.04.1978
Tom was a spokesperson for the movement , so TRB ended being the last band on at this free gig.
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The Sex Pistols - There'll always be an England.
It is a live concert film by Julien Temple of the Sex Pistols' November 2007 Brixton Academy shows celebrating the 30th Anniversary of Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols.
I was at all five of these Brixton shows - you can see me a couple of times in the superb crowd scenes.
The full DVD is also up on YouTube.
I have seen The Sex Pistols live 29 times.
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The Damned - Don't You Wish That We Were Dead documentary.
I saw The Damned once in 1976 and 10 times in 1977 ,along with many times since then.
Nick Mason produced their second album in 1977.
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Very sad news that the bands manager in This Is Spinal Tap has passed away.
Tony Hendra ,who played band manager Ian Faith in the film This Is Spinal Tap, has died at the age of 79.Hendra’s window, Carla Meisner, confirmed his death to the New York Times. The actor had been battling ALS - also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease - since being diagnosed in 2019.
He had many great lines in the classic 80s film , which spoofs the life of a rock band.
I saw Spinal Tap actually play live shows...Royal Albert Hall in 1992 and Wembley Arena in 2009.

Updated 3rd March 2021 Permalink

Tuesday 02 March 2021.

Tuesday 02 March 2021.
Happy Birthday to HARRY REDKNAPP who 74 today.
See my Facebook page to see a photo of the two of us together, along with my review of the event.
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BRYAN ADAMS has postponed his three Royal Albert Hall shows to 2022.
ERIC CLAPTON has postponed his UK & European Tour to 2022.
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Happy Birthday to JON BON JOVI who is 59 today.
I have seen Bon Jovi live around 25 times since they first came to the UK, as a support act.
Including all four superb shows at Hammersmith Odeon on the "Slippery When Wet" tour in 1986.
I also saw Bon Jovi in New Jersey, USA in 2000.
KISS,Bon Jovi Brighton Centre , Brighton 30.09.1984 KISS not wearing make-up on this tour.
KISS,Bon Jovi Wembley Arena , London 14.10.1984
KISS,Bon Jovi Wembley Arena , London 15.10.1984
Bon Jovi,FM Hammersmith Odeon , London 17.11.1986
Bon Jovi,FM Hammersmith Odeon , London 18.11.1986
Bon Jovi,Queensryche Hammersmith Odeon , London 24.11.1986
Bon Jovi,Queensryche Hammersmith Odeon , London 25.11.1986
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Sad news that another football legend has passed away.
Liverpool player IAN ST JOHN has died aged 82, the club have confirmed. The former striker played for the Reds throughout the 1960s, where he won two league titles and the FA Cup.
When he retired as a player , he was great as a tv football presenter/pundit with Jimmy Greaves.
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Sad news that an Australian music industry legend has passed away.
Michael Gudinski has been active over there since the 1970s.
His influence looms large in Australian music history, died March 2 at his home in Melbourne.
The founder of Frontier Touring and Mushroom Group, including record label Mushroom Recods, was 68.
According to a statement on Mushroom Group’s website, Gudinski died in his sleep and no cause was given.
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Wednesday 03 March 2021.
I get my first Covid jab today.
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Happy Birthday to CHRIS REA who is 70 today.
I have seen him perform live a couple of times.

Updated 1st March 2021 Permalink

Friday 26 February 2021.

Friday 26 February 2021.
Following a government announcement by Boris on Monday suggesting large-scale UK events will be able to open in June, two Live Nation festivals – Reading & Leeds and Creamfields – have jointly sold 170,000 tickets within 72 hours....Reading & Leeds & Creamfields are all held in the last weekend of August.
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SKY ARTS 9pm - Brian Johnson meets Mick Fleetwood.
SKY ARTS 11pm - Marvin Gaye documentary.
I saw Marvin Gaye at Hammersmith Odeon in 1981...his dad shot him dead in 1984.
SKY ARTS 12.15pm - James Brown live at Montreux 1981.
I have seen James Brown live around a dozen times, with the first time being Hammersmith Odeon in 1977.
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Saturday 27 February 2021.
Happy Birthday to STEVE HARLEY who is 70 today.
I have seen him on stage a dozen times , with the first times in 1975 and 1976 when
Cockney Rebel headlined Hammersmith Odeon.
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SKY ARTS 9pm - Dire Straits live at Hammersmith Odeon 1983....I was at both their shows on that tour...
In the foyer at those shows Phillips were showcasing their new product...it was called a CD player.
SKY ARTS 11pm - The Jam live in Germany 1980.
Film 4 11.45pm - Carrie (1976) - one of my fave ever films.
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Monday 01 March 2021
The Download Festival today announced that this years June event will not happen.
The date being early June that includes UK covid regulations and lots of American acts.
Headliners for Download June 2022 have been confirmed as KISS , Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro.
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Happy Birthday to ROGER DALTREY who is 77 today.
I have seen The Who around 30 times , including three times with Keith Moon in the 1970s.
The Who,Charlie Hammersmith Odeon, London 22.12.1975
The Who,Charlie Hammersmith Odeon, London 23.12.1975
The Who,Alex Harvey Band,Little Feat Charlton F.C. , London 31.05.1976

Updated 25th February 2021 Permalink

Monday 22 February 2021

Monday 22 February 2021.
Today at 3.30pm - BORIS JOHNSON revealed the next "lockdown roadmap exit plan" for England.
Over 17 million doses of the first Covid vaccine given out in the UK, so hopefully no more lockdowns.
08 March - we can officially meet one person from a different household outside for a chat, coffee etc.
12 April - bars and restaurants to open - outside areas only and socially distanced.
12 April - non-essential shops including barbers and hairdressers can open.
17 May - bars and restaurants to open - inside and socially distanced.
Theatres will reopen on May 17 but venues will be limited to half of their total capacity, with a maximum limit of 1,000 people, the Government has announced.
Restrictions on indoor events are among the strictest, with evidence showing that the virus is much more likely to spread between people who meet inside.
Theatre performances, cinemas and other live events will be phased back in as part of Step 3 of the easing of lockdown, but social distancing restrictions will be maintained and venues will be limited to a maximum capacity of 1,000 people, with no more than 50 per cent of seats filled.
21 June - if everything goes to plan , no covid restrictions and " life goes back to normal".
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Tuesday 23 February 2021.
AEROSMITH have postponed their European Tour to June/July 2022.
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MICK JAGGER narrates a 95-second film to celebrate the 150th anniversary of The Royal Albert Hall.
Watch legendary moments in music history, alongside appearances from artists, athletes and activists, in their 95-second tribute to live music and performance, narrated by Sir Mick Jagger.
View it on www.royalalberthall.com
I have been to a few hundred shows at that iconic venue , including many legendary gigs.
My first shows there were Bryan Ferry and Abba in 1977.
A spokesman for the venue said " the first major event back should be in June" so that means
shows including Bryan Adams (April) and Eric Clapton (May) will be officially postponed soon.
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Wednesday 24 February 2021.
Happy Birthday to actor DENNIS WATERMAN who is 73 today.
Anyone around my age will remember how good he was in tv series " The Sweeney" and "Minder".
He became well known as DS George Carter in The Sweeney during the 1970s. As well as starring as Terry McCann in Minder, Waterman sang the theme song, "I Could Be So Good for You", which was a top three UK hit in 1980 and a top ten hit in Australia.
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This time last year, i caught this Canadian singer-songwriter support at Shepherds Bush Empire.
Never heard of him before but had a few really good songs, and this was one of them.
It is an updated video with city images from his European tour , including London and Paris.
It also mixes in some front stalls fan clips from Shepherds Bush Empire.
On YouTube - JP Saxe - 3 Minutes (Official Music Video)
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Thursday 25 February 2021.
Happy Birthday to Welsh music legend MIKE PETERS who is 62 today.
I have seen The Alarm around 20 times since they headlined Hammersmith Odeon in 1985,
along with several shows of him in Dead Men Walking and other projects.
Check out this great 75 mins MTV worldwide broadcast from UCLA in 1986.
YouTube - The Alarm - Spirit of '86 (Full Broadcast)

Updated 22nd February 2021 Permalink

Friday 19 February 2021.

Friday 19 February 2021.
AC/DC singer BON SCOTT sadly died on this day 41 years ago - 19 Feb 1980.
Bon had been out drinking with friends in London – but the casual evening took a terrible turn as Scott passed out in his car, and ultimately choked to death on his own vomit. He was only 33 years old.
I was lucky to have seen Bon 19 times with AC/DC including many of their earliest shows in the UK.
I always remember seeing where i read about AC/DC the first time.
It was in Sounds music paper who had an article on new bands to look out for in 1976.
It mentioned AC/DC who had a guitarist who dressed up in full schoolboy uniform and
the singer would carry him on his shoulders through the crowd...that was enough to get me along.
Their live reputation soon got around and it only took seven months from arriving in the UK ,
and playing pubs and The Marquee to headlining Hammersmith Odeon.
AC/DC Captain Video Nashville Pub, London 26.04.1976 first time I saw them.just amazing.
AC/DC Back Street Crawler Marquee Club, London 12.05.1976
AC/DC Fulham Greyhound Pub, London 23.05.1976
AC/DC Marquee Club, London 04.06.1976
AC/DC Lyceum Theatre, London 07.07.1976 every time I saw them they were great
AC/DC Marquee Club, London 26.07.1976 broke the house attendance record
AC/DC Marquee Club, London 02.08.1976
AC/DC Marquee Club, London 09.08.1976 AC/DC had a weekly Monday gig at Marquee
AC/DC Marquee Club, London 16.08.1976
AC/DC, Tyler Gang Hammersmith Odeon, London 10.11.1976 first major London headline theatre show
AC/DC, Jenny Darren Rainbow Theatre, London 11.03.1977
AC/DC Hammersmith Odeon, London 25.11.1977
AC/DC,British Lions Hammersmith Odeon, London 07.05.1978
AC/DC,Blazer Blazer Hammersmith Odeon, London 15.11.1978
AC/DC,Blazer Blazer Hammersmith Odeon, London 16.11.1978
Who,Stranglers,AC/DC,Nils Lofgren Wembley Stadium, London 18.08.1979 fantastic stadium bill
AC/DC,Def Leppard Hammersmith Odeon, London 01.11.1979 first of 4 sold out shows here
AC/DC,Def Leppard Hammersmith Odeon, London 03.11.1979
AC/DC,Pirates Hammersmith Odeon, London 17.12.1979 (last London show with Bon)
Visit my Facebook page to see a photo.
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Saturday 20 February 2021.
8.30pm - Vive Le Rock magazine internet gig featuring a dozen acts.
I think it will be free to view after Saturday as well, as it is not a paid ticket event.
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SKY ARTS 9pm - THE CURE live at Hyde Park , London in July 2018 to celebrate their 40th anniversary.
I did not go to this show, as i saw their warm up show at The Royal Festival Hall.
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Sunday 21 February 2021.
Amazingly this live music fan has a gig clash , that is all of 15 months away.
You would think that booking agents and promoters would try and avoid this type of thing.
Birmingham has two large arenas, one in the city centre and one on the outskirts of town.
She sent a tweet to the A-ha Twitter account....
Why reschedule the A-ha date at Birmingham Utilita Arena to 28th May 2022, so that it now clashes with Pet Shop Boys at Birmingham Resorts World Arena on the same date? I already have tickets to both events. Do I now have to choose a “favourite” and get a refund on the other? Pouting face

Updated 19th February 2021 Permalink

Sunday 14 February 2021

Sunday 14 February 2021.
SYLVAIN SYLVAIN online gig from New York, in memory of his life.
Around 20 acts including David Johansen, Earl Slick, Debbie Harry, Clem Burke,Glen Matlock.
Looks like it is a paid ticket event....15 dollars - around £12.
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THE WHO recorded their classic album "Live at Leeds " on this day 51 years ago.
It was recorded at the University of Leeds Refectory on 14 February 1970, and is their only live album that was released while the group were still actively recording and performing with their best-known line-up of Roger Daltrey, Pete Townshend, John Entwistle and Keith Moon.
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The U.K. has now given out over 15 million Covid vaccines....pretty amazing.
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Happy Birthday to KEVIN KEEGAN who is 70 today.
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Monday 15 February 2021.
THE WHO have finally announced the cancellation of their March 2021 UK arena tour.
Covid strikes again, and no doubt a few more tours will be postponed or cancelled.
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THE MEMBERS have a new album out.
I saw them live 14 times in the period 1978 to 1982.
”Bedsitland” features 10 new Songs and three Members of the Classic classic 1978 line up (Nigel Bennett, Chris Payne and JC Carroll) Plus Long time drummer plus Nick Cash and Special Guests that include John Perry (The Only Ones) Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd/Nick Mason etc)
The Record will be available on Vinyl , CD, USB memory Stick and all the usual Digital Formats.
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Wednesday 17 February 2021.
From 23 Feb , New York will start allowing socially distanced events in arenas to happen.
Do expect a 10% capacity limit in arenas and stadiums that can fit over 10,000 people, plus assigned and socially distanced seatings, temperature checks and face covering requirements.
One more thing: everyone entering the various complexes must show proof of a negative PCR test within 72 hours of the event they're attending.
The thing is , how can anyone make any money unless the event is televised, when only 10% capacity ?
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Thursday 18 February 2021.
THE DAMNED released the first ever UK punk album on this day 44 years ago.
Damned Damned Damned is the debut studio album by English punk rock band the Damned. It was released on 18 February 1977 by Stiff Records. Produced by Nick Lowe, Damned Damned Damned was the first full-length album released by a UK punk group.
I bought it as soon as it came out.
I have seen The Damned live over 40 times, including once in 1976 and ten times in 1977.
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Some sad news.....Legendary pioneer of the dancehall, U Roy is dead.
The veteran toaster reportedly died in his native Jamaica on Wednesday night after ailing for sometime. He was 78.
Tributes flowed freely on social media Wednesday night as musicians expressed sorrow at the death of a pioneering godfather of Jamaican music.

Updated 14th February 2021 Permalink

Wednesday 10 February 2021.

Wednesday 10 February 2021.
Keith Moon: The Final 24 (Full Documentary).....it is up on YouTube...
Well worth watching is this 48 mins documentary on the life of this legendary rock drummer.
Features interviews from Alice Cooper, Kenney Jones and others.
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First it was 2020 then 2021 and now its 2022.
Queen + Adam Lambert's upcoming Rhapsody Tour has been rescheduled to 2022. The tour is due to include a massive London run of ten nights at The O2 from 5 - 21 June 2022.
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Not a good week for BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN.
The past weekend some fans and critics took a dim view of Bruce taking the big bucks
for his Jeep advert during Super Bowl , and today it has came out that he was arrested on suspicion of drunken driving.
The Boss was arrested in the Gateway National Recreation Area, also known as Sandy Hook, New Jersey in November, but authorities just confirmed the details Wednesday.
Springsteen received citations for driving while under the influence, reckless driving and consuming alcohol in a closed area. The spokesperson said Springsteen was cooperative throughout the process.
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10 Feb 1978 - VAN HALEN classic debut album released 43 years ago today.
It has now sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
I saw Van Halen supporting Black Sabbath twice at Hammersmith Odeon in June 1978 where
their setlist was based on that album , and they completely upstaged the headliners.
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Thursday 11 February 2021.
Happy Burthday to SHERYL CROW who is 59 today.
Happy Birthday to actress JENNIFER ANISTON who is 52 today.
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Friday 12 February 2021.
Happy Birthday to guitarist STEVE HACKETT who is 71 today.
Happy Birthday to guitarist BRIAN ROBERTSON who is 65 today.
I saw him playing , when he had stints with Thin Lizzy in the 1970s , and Motorhead in the early 1980s
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Saturday 13 February 2121.
Happy Birthday to PETER GABRIEL who is 71 today.
Another quality artist who puts on a great show.
I have seen him live several times , including this superb show when it played London.
Go to YouTube for a superb " in the round " production that came out on DVD - Growing Up 2003
Also another superb live DVD show - Secret World 1994
See my Facebook page on Saturday for a picture of the two of us together.
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Happy Birthday to PETER HOOK (Joy Division/ New Order / solo )
I was lucky to see Joy Division five times over 1979/1980.
I have seen New Order a few times, and his solo band shows are nice long sets of over two hours.
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SKY ARTS 9pm - Muse live in Rome 2013.
FILM 4 11pm - World War Z film ( Muse are on the soundtrack)
I went to the afterparty for this film which was a huge event back in 2013.
'World War Z' at Horse Guards Parade,St James's Park,London SW1.
I was at the Muse event...8pm to 10.30pm.
Brad Pitt is hosting a massive event after the premiere for his new film 'World War Z'.Paramount Pictures must have real clout as The Mall is closed to all traffic and i do not think this historic venue has ever had a film afterparty let alone a rock gig held here.
Around 15,000 comp winners with mainly floor standing and a few blocks of seats around the edge.
One block is for the vips that attended the film premiere earlier.Brad Piff looks cool with longer hair as he waves to the crowds.
There are clips of the film shown on the big screens.
We have a full production short gig by Muse.
A superb eight song hits set lasting 42 mins.
They arrive on stage dead on 9.35pm just as it is going dark so the effects of the spotlights and lasers on the old buildings around us is stunning.
Lots of columns of fire on stage for the opening track.
An excellent event.
Fourteen mins of Muse music used in the film soundtrack.
Full MUSE setlist played.....
Supremacy...Supermassive Black Hole...Follow Me...
Starlight...Madness...Uprising(Extended outro)...
Knights of Cydonia...
Encore:...Time Is Running Out...

Updated 10th February 2021 Permalink

Saturday 06 February 2021

Saturday 06 February 2021.
SKY ARTS 6.30pm - The Who live at Kilburn 1977.
SKY ARTS 8pm - The Making of Marc Bolan documentary.
SKY ARTS 9pm - documentary on 1980s indie band The Nightingales.
They were championed by legendary dj John Peel in the early 1980s.
They split up for 20 years but have reformed and are still ticking over today.
In the late 1970s, they were called The Prefects, who i saw in 1977 supporting The Slits at The Vortex.
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Sad news that STEFAN CUSH from folk punk group The Men They Couldn’t Hang has died ,
following a sudden heart attack...he was aged just 60.
I saw them play live a couple off times at the end of the 1980s at The Mean Fiddler, Harlesden.
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Sunday 07 Februay 2021.
The NFL Super Bowl is live from the USA on BBC1 11.30pm to 3.30am.
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida.
The Weeknd is playing the half-time show.
Great timing to promote his just announced ,massive 11 month world tour of arenas Jan to Nov 2022.
The Weekend performance is up on YouTube but much better is The TikTok Tailgate Party featuring
Miles Cyrus with guests Joan Jett / Billy Idol / Steve Stevens, which is also up on YouTube.
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Happy Birthday to ALAN LANCASTER (ex Status Quo) who 72 today.
I have seen Status Quo over 50 times since 1974 , when they headlined Hammersmith Odeon.
One of those bands that would always play multi-nights at that venue when they toured.
I was at all seven of their shows at that venue in 1984.
I saw them twice in Australia in 2003.
I was lucky to have seen a few of their "Frantic Four" shows several years ago when
all four original members re-united.
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Monday 08 February 2021.
Any NEW YORK DOLLS fans should watch this documentary on YouTube - 78 mins.
New York Doll - Killer Kane Documentary
The story of New York Dolls bass player and gentle soul Arthur "Killer" Kane.
He was left behind when the band broke up in the 1970s and other members had more success.
He said just before the reunion shows, " For 30 years , i have been living in obscurity and been told that I'm just a loser. And now, well we want to get back to that same excitement. But I have to get used to it. It's something that I haven't dealt with in thirty years" .
He joined The Mormon Church and then got the call for those amazing reunion shows in 2004
at Morrissey Meltdown Festival at The Royal Festival Hall.
I was at both those shows - on the film at 59.40 you can see me down the front.
Sadly Arthur died just a month after the shows took place.
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I was at both New York Dolls RFH aftershow parties.
16 June 2004 New York Dolls ,Royal Festival Hall,
London. Excellent aftershow party for the Dolls
first show anywhere for over 25 years .Morrissey
pops his head in for a few mins also Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) Bobby Gillespie (Primal
Scream ) Patti Palladin, Bob Gruen , Andy who
owned punk rock club The Roxy in 1977 .All the
Dolls are here and are friendly and chatty even
though David Johansen is well out of it .Plenty
of free booze for the 50 or so people here.Mega.
It was the same a couple of nights later for the
second New York Dolls show with Paul Cook (Sex
Pistols ) Mick Jones ( Clash + C Silicon )Tony
James (Gen X + C Silicon ) Bob Geldof ,Don Letts,
Shane McGowan and Primal Screams Bobby Gillespie
all here.
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Tuesday 09 February 2021.
Happy Birthday to JIMMY PURSEY from Sham 69 who is 66 today.
I have seen Sham 69 over 20 times since 1977 ,which included two shows at The Rainbow in
Dec 1977 when they supported The Clash.
They had a skinhead following ,so a few of their shows had to to be stopped due to fighting.
Jimmy met up with Steve Jones and Paul Cook for the ill-feted Sham Pistols.
Oddly Jimmy reformed Sham 69 a few years ago because there was a tribute band
going out using their exact same name , which is totally mis-leading to punters.
Check out a good Sham 69 45 mins YouTube show from a French Rock Festival in 2019.
Sham 69 - Live at Hellfest (Jun 22, 2019) HDTV
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MARY WILSON, who co-founded The Supremes and remained a member of the group until they split up, has suddenly died at the age of 76.
The singer passed away at her home in Henderson, Nevada, her publicist Jay Schwartz announced, but he did not confirm the cause of death.
The Supremes were known for hits such as Baby Love and You Can't Hurry Love.
The group was founded in Detroit as The Primettes in 1959, when Wilson was 15 years old.
Wilson was an original member of the group alongside Diana Ross, Florence Ballard and Barbara Martin.
I saw Mary singing with The Supremes at Hammersmith Odeon in 1975, after Diana Ross
had left the group to go solo.
Oddly , just two days before her death,Mary released a video on YouTube talking about releasing material.
Search in Google for - Mary Wilson YouTube Channel Celebrates Black History Month 2021
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Dutch rockers GOLDEN EARRING have broken up. The band, who originally formed as the Golden Earrings in 1961, are calling it quits after guitarist George Kooymans was diagnosed with the degenerative muscle disease ALS....this has meant that a planned final tour is not happening.
I saw them headline The Rainbow Theatre, London in 1977...they had a classic hit "Radar Love".

Updated 6th February 2021 Permalink

Monday 01 February 2021.

Monday 01 February 2021.
London Live tv 11pm - Rude Boy (1980 film) featuring The Clash.
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Tuesday 02 February 2021.
Sex Pistol SID VICIOUS died 42 years ago today on 02 Feb 1979... He was aged just 21.
VICIOUS WHITE KIDS at The Electric Ballroom, Camden, London on 15 August 1978.
I was at this show that was Sid Vicious last appearance on a UK stage.
Vicious was due to fly to New York City and needed money,so after bumping into ex-Pistol Glen Matlock one day, he decided to play a gig with him. Matlock, who Vicious had replaced in the Sex Pistols, saw it as an opportunity "to show there was no animosity" between them, he later commented.Matlock recruited his Rich Kids bandmate Steve New on guitar, and The Damned's Rat Scabies completed the line up on drums. Vicious' girlfriend Nancy Spungen sang backing vocals, but after hearing her at rehearsals, Matlock made sure her microphone was not plugged in on the night of the gig. The name of the band came from an amalgamation of Sid Vicious, The Rich Kids and Rat Scabies' part-time outfit The White Cats.
Although i went to many punk gigs in the 1970s , like everyone else i rarely took a camera, but for this I did.
One of those crappy little things where only half a dozen photos came out of a roll of 24.
There are three photos i took at the gig that night on my Facebook page.
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Wednesday 03 February 2021.
Happy Birthday to ex Kink DAVE DAVIES who is 74 today.
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Thursday 04 February 2021.
Happy Birthday to ALICE COOPER who is 73 today.
I have seen Alice Cooper live around 20 times, with the first being Wembley Arena in 1975.
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10 million covid vaccines have been given out in the UK...pretty amazing.
That is 19% of the entire UK population.
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Friday 05 February 2021.
This day 28 years ago on 05 Feb 1993.
I attended the first ever show at the newly re-named Hammersmith Apollo - JOE SATRIANI.
For the previous 30 years 1962 - 1992 it was known as Hammersmith Odeon.
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Some great news in the hotel world as THE MOXY HOTEL opens in Slough.
It is less than five minutes walk from Slough train station....just one stop on the train to Windsor.
A new 'double-decker' hotel has opened in Slough - featuring nods to the town's past and a classic TV show.
The Moxy and Residence Inn hotels are part of a bigger residential, retail and leisure hub built on the former site of Slough Library - at the junction Bath Road and Windsor Road.
At the moment, the hotels are only taking booking for guests exempted from the government's coronavirus guidelines - such as people coming to the town for work purposes or attending medical appointments.
The Moxy has 152 rooms and incorporates graphics from Thunderbirds into its designs. The world-famous puppet show was filmed in Slough in the 1960s by creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson.
The Residence Inn has 92 suites and designed for longer-staying guests, who can enjoy views of the London skyline.
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SKY ARTS 8pm - Pub Rock documentary.
BBC1 9pm - It's A Sin - episode 3 of 5.
Excellent sublime series about London’s gay community in the 1980s, from the creator of Queer as Folk.
Three young gay men move to London and are faced with the HIV crisis.
Olly Alexander from the band Years & Years is superb in the lead role.
Along with a great 1980s soundtrack.
SKY ARTS 10pm - Janis Joplin documentary.
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Actor CHRISTOPHER PLUMMER has died aged 91.
Veteran and respected actor had a career stretching back to the 1950s, but won his Oscar for best supporting actor for Beginners in 2011.
He was best known for his role in the classic film "The Sound of Music"
Christopher Plummer, the dazzlingly versatile Canadian actor whose screen career straddled seven decades, including such high-profile films as The Sound of Music, The Man Who Would Be King and All the Money in the World, has died aged 91.
His family confirmed the news, saying he died peacefully at home in Connecticut, USA.

Updated 1st February 2021 Permalink

Wednesday 27 January 2021.

Wednesday 27 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to NICK MASON who is 77 today.
See my Facebook page for a nice picture of us together.
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Friday 29 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to ADAM LAMBERT who is 39 today.
Queen are due to play a UK tour in June 2021.
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Saturday 30 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to PHIL COLLINS who is 70 today.
Genesis are re-forming for a UK tour later this year.
Happy Birthday to PETER CROUCH who is 40 today.
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Sunday 31 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to JOHN LYDON who is 65 today.
I have put a couple of photos from the following event up on Facebook that i took in October 2013.
Tuesday 15 October 2013....7pm to 1am... But
Broadcast Music, Inc. presented the BMI Icon Award to music legend John Lydon at its annual BMI London Awards held at London’s Dorchester Hotel, Park Lane,Mayfair, London W1. The BMI Icon designation is given to songwriters who have had “a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” John Lydon joins an elite list of songwriters that includes 2011 recipient Queen, as well as Ray Davies, Steve Winwood, Van Morrison, Donovan, Don Black and Bryan Ferry, among others.
“John Lydon is a true icon whose influence on music, fashion and art has been felt around the world. We are very pleased to recognise his impact on popular culture and his outstanding musical contributions with the BMI Icon Award,” said Del Bryant, BMI President and Chief Executive Officer.
Around 300 guests are here at this famous five star hotel for dinner and drinks at the 30 tables.
John is here with his wife Nora, John "Rambo" Stevens, Scott Murphy, Reggie
along other family members and friends and staff from Universal Music.
All the members of the current Public Image Limited are here but no Sex Pistols members are here.
The event was held during the PIL UK tour held that month.
Around 20 awards are given out, and John gets the main award at the end.
They played a nice video montage of Sex Pistols and PIL classic clips on the big screen.
John gets a full standing ovation when he goes up to collect the award and make a speech.
John's speech is up on YouTube.
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During lockdown a few people have asked me about Sex Pistols gigs so i have
compiled a basic list of all the Sex Pistols shows that I have seen.
Sex Pistols shows i have seen = 29
1976 x 3 - Sundown Club + 100 Club Punk Rock Festival + Notre Dame Hall.
1977 x 1 - Screen On The Green (with Sid on bass) .
Their Filthy Lucre reunion tour in 1996 was their first shows since Jan 1978.
1996 x 5 - Finsbury Park + Paris + Milan + Shepherds Bush Empire + Phoenix Festival.
2002 x 2 - one off show for Europe and one off show for North America.
Their shows in 2002 were their first shows since The Filthy Lucre Tour in 1996.
Sex Pistols at Crystal Sports Arena, London 27 July 2002
Sex Pistols + Offspring + Social Distortion + Bad Religion +Buzzcocks + Blink 182 + New Found Glory + X + Damned Glen Helen Blockbuster Pavillion,Devore , California , USA. 14 Sept 2002
Huge all day UK/USA punk festival outdoors in scorching heat.
2003 - x 5 - San Francisco + Las Vegas + Los Angeles + San Diego + Phoenix.
2007 - x 7 - all 5 at Brixton Academy + Manchester + Glasgow.
2008 - x 6 - Birmingham Academy + Isle of Wight Festival + Lokerse Festival, Belgium +
Electric Picnic Festival, Ireland + Hammersmith Apollo + Azkena Rock Festival , Northern Spain.
Public Image Limited shows I have seen = a dozen times with the first being their debut UK show at
The Rainbow , London on 25 Dec 1978 ( yes , they were allowed to play on Christmas Day back then) .

Updated 27th January 2021 Permalink

Tuesday 26 January 2021.

Saturday 23 January 2021.
Sad news that Legendary American TV personality LARRY KING has died today (January 23) aged 87.
The news was revealed on King’s official Twitter account by his representatives, Ora Media. No official cause of death has yet been announced, though King was hospitalised at the start of the month after contracting COVID-19.
During his six-decade career, which included 25 years hosting his own nightly programme on CNN, King interviewed many of the most famous political leaders, celebrities and sports people of the day.
He had been married EIGHT times.
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Saturday 23 Jan and Sunday 24 Jan is FA Cup 4th Round games.
Three live games on BBC1 over the weekend.
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Saturday 23 Jan SKY ARTS - The Story of Cream docu (2 hours plus) and Disraeli Gears classic album docu.
I was at all four Cream reunion shows at The Royal Albert Hall in 2005.
Saturday 23 Jan SKY ARTS - Manic Street Preachers live in Manchester 1997.
Sunday 24 Jan SKY ARTS - Rogers Waters "Us + Them" live on his 2017/2018 world tour.
Sunday 24 Jan SKY ARTS - Deep Purple "Perfect Strangers".
1984 saw the long-awaited reunion of the classic Deep Purple Mark II line-up of Ritchie Blackmore, Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Jon Lord and Ian Paice. It was the first time they had been together since 1973. They recorded a brand new studio album, "Perfect Strangers" and headed out on tour. This show was filmed in Melbourne, Australia and is the only full length concert film of the band at this time. It's a stunning concert with the band in incendiary form. The setlist mixes then new tracks from the "Perfect Strangers" album with favourites from the early seventies culminating in the brilliant "Smoke On The Water" finale.
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Monday 25 January 2021.
Hard to believe that "punk poet" JOHN COOPER CLARKE is 72 today.
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Check out this great show I went to - WHITESNAKE Hammersmith Apollo in 2004....1 hour 43 mins.
Full pro-shot DVD quality - type in Google/YouTube - Whitesnake - Live In The Still Of The Night 2004.
Reminds me of that great live gig atmosphere we have badly missed for nearly a year now.
I have seen Whitesnake live around 25 times since 1978.
This is my review of the after-party i attended for that show....
20 October 2004 Whitesnake + Quireboys ,
Hammersmith Apollo ,London. Aftershow at the
venue for around 150 people in the balcony bar. .
No free booze but a great atmosphere for 90 mins or so.
David Coverdale showed his face for a few mins along
with Jimmy Page (Led Zep) and Brian Johnson(AC/DC).
The remaining members of Whitesnake and
Quireboys all stayed until the end which was more
down to all the pretty woman showing an interest
in hanging out with them me thinks.
These included The Suns Top Page 3 Girl Zoe and
a couple of her model mates who all had a sherbet
too many .Also here was Luke Morley from Thunder
and rock n roll photographer Ross Halfin . A couple of
nice quotes were given .Me asking the drummer "Why
He Does Not Bother With Gloves Like Some Rock
Drummers Do?? Answer was " Gloves Are For
Homosexuals " also Brian Johnson could not confirm
whether the rumours of AC/DC playing Brixton
Academy just before or after Christmas are true.
Could be another Carling Live one off show??
All in all a proper rock n roll night really.
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Tuesday 26 January 2021.
ITV4 9pm - The Blues Brothers (1980 film) .... also repeated on Thursday evening.
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Great scenes from an outdoor "normal " concert in New Zealand, that was held on Saturday.
20,000 concert goers without social distancing due to the strict previous NZ lockdown.

Updated 23rd January 2021 Permalink

Sunday 17 January 2021.

Sunday 17 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to MICK TAYLOR ( ex Rolling Stones ) who is 72 today.
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Legendary music producer PHIL SPECTOR has died aged 81 , of Covid while in prison.
He was an American former record producer, musician, and songwriter who developed the Wall of Sound, a music production formula he described as a Wagnerian approach to rock and roll. Spector is regarded to be among the most influential figures in pop music history and as the first auteur of the music industry for the unprecedented control he had over every phase of the recording process.After spending three decades in semi-retirement, in 2009, he was convicted for the 2003 murder of the actress Lana Clarkson.At the time of his death, he was serving a prison sentence of 19 years to life.
The Ramones recorded with him , and they had to deal with his erratic behaviour.
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Tuesday 19 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to DOLLY PARTON who is 75 today.
I saw Dolly live at Wembley Arena (2007) and The 02 Arena (2008)
In 2019 I went to the opening night party for Dollys musical " 9 to 5" at The Savoy Hotel Ballroom.
A very lavish event, and Dolly was there for an hour or so.
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Wednesday 20 January 2021.
JOHN LYDON will appear on todays edition of Loose Women on ITV.
ITV, Loose Women, Wednesday, January 20th 2021 12:30pm - 1:30pm UK.
John was one of the few musicians that supported Donald Trump.
I presume it will be via video as John lives in America.
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Happy Birthday to NICKY WIRE (Manic Street Preachers) who is 52 today.
I have seen the Manics around 20 times since an early club show at The Hibernian Club, Fulham in 1991.
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Joe Biden takes over from Trump today in America.
Musicians will come out to support him at the main event and tv specials including
Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Bon Jovi, Lady Gaga, Cher, James Taylor and Barbra Streisand.
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Happy Birthday to PAUL STANLEY of KISS who is 69 today.
I have seen KISS over 30 times since their debut London shows in May 1976 at Hammersmith Odeon.
Includes five overseas shows...
Sept 1979 - Chicago , USA.
June 1997 - Ghent , Belgium.
March 1999 - Paris , France.
June 2008 - Milan, Italy.
June 2010 - Madrid, Spain ( see my photos page below to see me with KISS from this show).
See my Facebook page for a couple of KISS photos, including a flyer i picked up in 1979.
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Thursday 21 January 2021.
Artists not getting proper monies from streaming is a total scandal
Sky News spoke to Gary Numan about artist revenue from streaming as a Parliamentary inquiry looks into the economics. Gary Numan has told Sky News he received just £37 for a hit that had been streamed more than a million times, as an inquiry into the economics of digital music services continues.
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Rod Stewart usually kicks out 20 or so signed footballs at every show.
Rod Stewart said he will not be kicking signed footballs out anymore as too many
fights have broken out as fans fight over them.Rod said "sometimes it's like a Rangers v Celtic brawl".
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Friday 22 January 2021...Tonight , BBC4 tv have an evening dedicated to Neil Diamond
The legendary Neil Diamond in the week of his 80th birthday with Neil Diamond at the BBC - a brand new compilation film which looks back at some of Diamond’s best BBC moments. That same evening, audiences will have another chance to view his set from Glastonbury 2008 as well as from the Electric Proms, which took place at London's Roundhouse in 2010....Neil is 80 on Sunday.
I have seen Neil Diamond three times in concert.
1999 - Wembley Arena.
2005 - Earls Court Arena.
2008 - 02 Arena.

Updated 17th January 2021 Permalink

Thursday 14 January 2021.

Thursday 14 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) who is 52 today.
SKY ARTS 2pm - Sissy Spacek documentary - one of my fave actresses since she was in 1976 film Carrie.
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Friday 15 January 2021.
Very sad new news that glam-punk legend SYLVAIN SYLVAIN has died of cancer aged 69.
The news was announced on his Facebook page, with a statement saying that he had the disease for two and a half years. “While we grieve his loss, we know that he is finally at peace and out of pain,” it adds. “Please crank up his music, light a candle, say a prayer and let’s send this beautiful doll on his way.”
I was lucky to see The New York Dolls live 11 times after they reformed in 2004.
They brought out three great albums during that period too.
Also Sylvain Sylvain solo events...
1986 - Dingwalls
2013 - 100 Club
17 July 2018 - Sylvain Sylvain book launch party Omnibus Press, London W1 - 3 songs plus QnA.
22 July 2018 - Sylvain Sylvain book tour - Dublin Castle, London NW1 - 10 songs plus QnA.
See my Facebook page for photo of the autographed book.
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British tribute band PEARL JAMM have been served with lawyers papers from the real Pearl Jam,
to stop using their name, hand over their internet domain name, destroy all merch etc.
Pearl Jam are saying it is too similar to their own name.
Another well known tribute band are Pearl Jam UK but they are safe it seems...for now.
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Happy Birthday to Saxon vocalist BIFF BYFORD who is 70 today.
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Saturday 16 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to SADE who is 62 today
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Directors JULIEN TEMPLE and DAVID MALLETT.
Go on their wiki pages and see their incredible list of music videos and music films they have directed.
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SKY ARTS 9pm - JIMMY CARTER: ROCK & ROLL PRESIDENT ( documentary film from 2020)
If it hadn’t been for a bottle of scotch and a late-night visit from musician Gregg Allman, Jimmy Carter might never have been elected the 39th President of the United States. The documentary charts the mostly forgotten story of how Carter, a lover of all types of music, forged a tight bond with musicians Willie Nelson, the Allman Brothers, Bob Dylan and others. Low on campaign funds and lacking in name recognition, Carter relied on support from these artists to give him a crucial boost in the Democratic primaries. Once Carter was elected, the musicians became frequent guests in the White House. The surprisingly significant role that music played throughout Carter’s life and in his work becomes a thread in this engaging portrait of one of the most enigmatic Presidents in American history.
It is repeated Sunday evening at 11pm.

Updated 14th January 2021 Permalink

Sunday 10 January 2021.

Sunday 10 January 2021.
Sad news that the legendary hippie dancer gig-goer JESUS (William Jellett) has died age 72 ,
after a period of ill-health.
He was a regular figure at London venues, dancing at the front of his stage with his long straw-like hair,tambourine and maracas at loads of gigs and festivals in the late 1960s ,1970s and 1980s.
I saw him many times at venues including Hammersmith Odeon, The Marquee, The Roundhouse etc.
Many artists would also certainly remember him...
When I saw Neil Young at Hammersmith Apollo in 2008 , Neil recalled on stage to
seeing a guy named Jesus dancing at the front of stage when he played there in 1976.
When I saw Madness play The Roundhouse in 2019, Suggs recalled on stage to
seeing Jesus dancing madly at the front of stage in the late 1970s when he went to gigs there.
The last time I recall seeing Jesus dancing front of stage at a gig was 27 May 2004.
Alvin Lee + Edgar Winter + Tony McPhee at The Royal Albert Hall.
I bumped into Jesus around a decade or so ago, and I asked him where does he go ?
Oddly he said The Standard in Walthamstow which was mainly a pub venue for tribute bands.
I said that was an odd choice.
Jesus said " he was fed up with security hassling him at the bigger venues , and that the staff
at that venue were always happy to see him".....R.I.P.
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Happy Birthday to ROD STEWART who is 76 today.
See my Facebook page for photo of when i went to his book signing in 2012.
Would you queue for a few hours for Rods autograph? ...I did.
07 Oct 2012.Rod Stewart book signing at Waterstones,Piccadilly,London.
A big crowd here from all over the UK for Rods signing of his new autobiography.
A friend is a big Rod fan so i said i would go along.I got there 7.45am yes 7.45am for the signing that was down for 12.30pm.
Even then i am raffle ticket 91 out of 250 allowed.There was nice friendly banter between all the waiting crowd.
Rod Stewart and Penny were dead on time.
Rod looking very dapper as usual.
Some rules here.
Only the book to be signed.No other items.
Two copies per person allowed.
I bought my copies from Tesco for £9 as Waterstones charging £20 for the book.
Waterstones allowed book purchases from rivals, but you had to produce receipts.
No photos of Rod with the customers but you can take photos of Rod and Penny.
I got my two signed just after 1pm so pretty much i was there over 5 hours.Will not be making a habit of doing that any day soon but job done.
After the signing Rod flew to Glasgow to watch Celtic beat Barcelona 2-1.Rod was all over the tv and papers as he was seen crying with joy with the result.
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SKY ARTS 10.30pm - David Bowie " A Reality Tour" live in Dublin in 2003.
I went to the Birmingham show and both the Wembley Arena shows on this tour in Nov 2003.
This 2003/2004 tour was his final one before he retired due to ill-health.
I went to both the aftershow parties for the Wembley Arena shows.
Ricky Gervais and Frank Skinner were at the first night but the second night was better,
as Brian Eno and James Dean Bradfield were there and SONY presented David with a gold disc
as we all stood in a semi-circle and David went around the entire room shaking hands with all
including me...very surreal that was.
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Monday 11 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to SPIZZ ENERGI who is 62 today.
I have seen him live many times over the past 40 odd years.
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BRIAN MAY is taking on the fragrance market with his own scent, Save Me.
The guitarist and animal rights activist has teamed up with Sergio Momo – boss of perfume company Xerjoff – to launch the new scent, named after Queen’s 1980 hit, to raise money for the protection of wildlife and badgers....suitable for men and women.
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OLIVIA HARRISON ( wife of George) is in a London hospital suffering from Covid-19.
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Tuesday 12 January 2021.
This should be good......A six-part tv biopic based on Sex Pistol STEVE JONES autobiography.
Academy Award-winning director Danny Boyle has been confirmed as director.
It will consist of six episodes and will be based on Jones’s memoir Lonely Boy: Tales from a Sex Pistol.
The series will move throughout Jones’ life - from the Shepherd’s Bush council estates where he grew up, to the international controversy that came with the release of Never Mind the Bollocks - which is often cited at one of the most influential albums of all time - and the release of tracks such as God Save the Queen.
Production starts in March , so hopefully it will be on screens by the end of the year.
I have two copies of the book - one is autographed by Steve Jones.
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Wednesday 13 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to Wayne Coyne (Flaming Lips) who is 60 today.
Happy Birthday to Suggs (Madness) who is 60 today.
Happy Birthday to Bill Bailey who is 56 today.

Updated 10th January 2021 Permalink

Thursday 07 January 2021.

Thursday 07 January 2021.
NEIL YOUNG is the latest high-profile musician to cash in on his song rights, selling a 50% stake in his music to British investment company Hipgnosis. The company said it acquired half of Young's global copyright and income interests of his catalog, which includes 1,180 songs.
Would be funny if Neil Young forgot to tell them that the 50% he has kept are all his classic songs from the
1960s and 1970s and Hipgnosis has bought the other lesser known material.
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Friday 08 January 2021.
BBC4 tv has an evening of programmes for the 5th anniversary of David Bowies death - 10 Jan
David Bowie would have been 74 today.
I saw David Bowie live over 20 times from 1976.
I got his "Heathen" album signed by him and a handshake at HMV, Oxford Circus in Sept 2002.
There is a picture of it on my photos page at the bottom of my website.
When I had a five year stint reviewing gigs for my local paper, David Bowie was one of them.
See my Facebook page for the actual review.
I also went to the opening night for his 'Bowie Is" exhibition at The V & A Museum, London SW7.
That was 20 March 2013 - a great event with loads of celebs from music, film, art, fashion etc.
David Bowie was not there as he stayed in New York due to retirement/health problems.
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Happy Birthday to SHIRLEY BASSEY is 84 today.
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Saturday 09 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to guitar legend JIMMY PAGE who is 77 today.
See my Facebook page for a couple of photos from "Celebration Day" DVD premiere.
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Happy Birthday to DAVID JOHANSEN who is 71 today.
See my Facebook page for a couple of photos from their HMV signing.
Pretty amazing how many times I saw The New York Dolls after they reformed in 2004.
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SKY ARTS 9pm - Billy Joel live at Shea Stadium 2008...Billy is joined by Paul McCartney.
Sat and Sun - FA Cup third round - lots of games live on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer.

Updated 7th January 2021 Permalink

Saturday 02 January 2021.

Friday 01 January 2021.
No wonder Macca did not want to clash with Taylor Swift for opening week album sales,
as McCartney III has slumped to number 19 in its second week of release.
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Saturday 02 January 2021.
SKY ARTS 4pm - The Rolling Stones live in Hyde Park 2013.
Hyde Park Live is a live album by The Rolling Stones, released in 2013. It was recorded at Hyde Park, London on 6 and 13 July 2013 during the band's 50 and Counting Tour. The album was released exclusively as a digital download through iTunes on 22 July 2013 for a limited time of four weeks. The album debuted at #16 in the UK and #19 in the US.The same concert was later issued on DVD as Sweet Summer Sun: Live in Hyde Park.
I was at both these great shows...both were 65,000 capacity sold out.
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Sunday 03 January 2021.
Happy Birthday to JOHN PAUL JONES (Led Zeppelin / Them Crooked Vultures) who is 75 today.
See my Facebook page for a photo of us together.
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Very sad news that GERRY MARSDEN has passed away aged 78, following a heart infection.
The Gerry & The Pacemakers singer was best known for the hit, You'll Never Walk Alone.
It is still famously sung on the terraces at Anfield Football Stadium (Liverpoool F.C.)
It was one of their three number one singles, that all went to the top in 1963.
Another well known hit the following year was "Ferry Across The Mersey".
I saw Gerry & The Pacemakers play The Royal Albert Hall in 2005.
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Monday 04 January 2021.
04 Jan 1986 - PHIL LYNOTT sadly passed away 35 years ago today.
I was lucky to have seen him play with Lizzy 23 times including their last ever UK show.
After a difficult leg of the tour in Japan, where some members of the band had difficulty obtaining heroin, Thin Lizzy played their final UK concert before their break-up at the Reading Festival in August 1983.
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Tuesday 05 January 2021.
KISS NYE show in Dubai is up on YouTube and well worth watching.
Main show - 2 hours 13 mins full set.
The finale of " Rock n Roll All Nite" is spectacular , with non-stop fireworks and flames.
Pre-show documentary - 58 mins ( pretty amazing how much effort was put into getting this show on).
The band seem keen on promoting Dubai, Atlantis Hotel and Emirates Airlines (all sponsors) .
Only time I was in Dubai was in their airport for a couple of hours, en route to Australia.
Gene and Paul said that KISS will play their again, and bring their families with them.
Rehearsals - songs played with pyro but band not in make-up and costumes.

Updated 2nd January 2021 Permalink

Friday 01 January 2021.

Sunday 27 December 2020.
41 years ago this week, i went to all four Concerts for Kampuchea at Hammersmith Odeon.
Queen Hammersmith Odeon, London 26.12.1979
Ian Dury And The Blockheads,The Clash,Mutumbi Hammersmith Odeon, London 27.12.1979
The Who,Specials,Pretenders Hammersmith Odeon, London 28.12.1979
Wings,Elvis Costello,Rockpile Hammersmith Odeon, London 29.12.1979
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Monday 28 December 2020.
Rock legend LEMMY sadly passed away, five years ago today.
LEMMY died just four days after his 70th birthday, Lemmy died at his Los Angeles apartment from prostate cancer, cardiac arrhythmia, and congestive heart failure.
I saw Motorhead live over 40 times since 1975 when they supported Blue Oyster Cult.
Over half the times I saw them was at Hammersmith Odeon/Apollo.
A good excuse to play the great official video for Motorhead's "Killed By Death".
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Tuesday 29 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to Marianne Faithfull who is 74 today.
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BBC4 9pm - documentary- when Bruce Dickinson played war torn Sarajevo in 1994.
BBC4 10.45pm - Metallica live at Glastonbury Festival 2014.
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Sad news that Pierre Cardin has died at the age of 98. The French fashion designer passed away in hospital in Neuilly, west of Paris, his family confirmed.
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FOOTBALL great Jimmy Greaves is finally set to be given a gong in the New Year’s honours.
The record-breaking striker and former TV host, 80, will be made an MBE along with fellow 1966 World Cup squad member Ron Flowers, 86.
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Wednesday 30 December 2020.
BBC2 10pm - The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne (2020 documentary film)
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Sales of vinyl and cassettes surged once again in 2020, as music fans spent much of lockdown discovering new favourites to add to their collections.
The BPI, the organisation that represents the UK’s recorded music industry, reports Official Charts Company data showing that fans bought nearly 5 million vinyl LPs in 2020, marking a 21st century record and the highest total since the early Nineties.
Cassette sales are set to double by the end of the year, their highest level since 2003, as artists offer their music in a greater range of formats.
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Happy Birthday to PATTI SMITH who is 74 today.
Happy Birthday to JEFF LYNNE who is 73 today.
Happy Birthday to JAY KAY (Jamiroquai) who is 51 today.
Visit my Facebook page for a photo of me and him together.
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Thursday 31 December 2020.
Happy New Year to all visitors to my website.
Although "normal " gigs stopped in mid March due to Covid ,i still managed to get along to 35 of them.
I will put up my Top 10 gigs of the year in early 2021.

Updated 24th December 2020 Permalink

Thursday 17 December 2020.

Thursday 17 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to PAUL RODGERS who is 71 today.
Happy Birthday to TOMMY STEELE who is 84 today.
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17 Dec 1979 - 41 years ago today.
I saw Bon Scott play his last ever London show with AC/DC at Hammersmith Odeon.
It was the 4th time I had seen AC/DC that year , and the 19th time I had seen them with Bon Scott.
Bon was found dead just a couple of months later, in Feb 1980.
Who,Stranglers,AC/DC,Nils Lofgren Wembley Stadium, London 18.08.1979
AC/DC,Def Leppard Hammersmith Odeon, London 01.11.1979
AC/DC,Def Leppard Hammersmith Odeon, London 03.11.1979
AC/DC,Pirates Hammersmith Odeon, London 17.12.1979
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It was 10 years ago this week I went to a couple of mega PAUL McCARTNEY with band shows,
which included an intimate show at the legendary 100 Club.
18 Dec 2010 - Hammersmith Apollo - on stage for 2 hours 20 mins.
We had excellent seats 5th row of circle dead centre.Twiggy and Sharlene Spiteri are sitting in the row in front of us.Nearby are Paul Weller,Ali Campbell,comedians Steve Coogan,Rob Brydon and Frank Skinner.Also here were artist Sir Peter Blake and dj Chris Moyles.
-
17 Dec 2010 - The 100 Club - lunchtime show - on stage for 1 hour 55 mins.
This was when the first news of the threat of The 100 Club being sold off came out.
Paul did not respond to a couple of chaps who shouted out a few times between songs,
"Paul, why don't you buy The 100 Club".
Thursday lunchtime I will put a photo up on Facebook of the ticket and special edition t-shirt.
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Friday 18 December 2020.
RONNIE BIGGS passed away on this day in 2013.
See my Facebook page of a review and photo from when i attended Ronnies book launch event in 2011.
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PAUL McCARTNEY releases his third solo album today.
Looks like a deal was made so Macca could be number one for Christmas as Taylor Swift
brought her album out a week early , so as not to outsell Paul in his first week.
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Happy Birthday to KEITH RICHARDS who is 77 today.
Keith looked on deaths door in the 1970s with his heroin habit , but he is still out there rockin'.
The Rolling Stones 2020 American Tour has been postponed to 2021.
I have seen The Rolling Stones over 20 times since 1976 , when I saw four of their six shows
at Earls Court Arena.
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Saturday 19 December 2020.
Looks like the Paul McCartney pr machine goes into full action this week, to plug his new album.
Macca hoping to be the number one when the next charts are announced on Christmas Day.
Starting with , BBC1 9.20pm to 10.20pm Idris Elba meets Paul McCartney - recorded at The ICA, London.
It will be up on BBC iPlayer to view over the next month.
Update - Idris made a bit of a blooper during his intro as he said " I saw Paul perform a great show at
Wembley this time two years ago " - that was fake news as it was The 02 Arena - I was there.
Paul also did a phoned in interview to Howard Stern in New York.
---------
CHAN 4 at midnight - Carrie (1976)
I saw this great film in Hammersmith when it was first released - still in my Top 10 fave films of all time.
------------------
Sunday 20 December 2020.
We need a bit of cheering up these days and it was great that BILL BAILEY delivered.
The comedian & singer was the winner of this year's Strictly Come Dancing, becoming the oldest celebrity to lift the glitterball trophy. The 55-year-old shared his triumph with partner Oti Mabuse, the first Strictly dancer to win for two years in a row.
He had danced to Metallica and Queen over the weeks and strapped on a rocket firing guitar.
Bill has headlined Hammersmith Apollo in the past but I did see him a few years ago at
The Hexagon, Reading.
--------
SKY ARTS 9pm - The Eagles live at The Los Angeles Forum 2018.
-------------------
Monday 21 December 2020.
Very sad news that the legendary West End venue CAFE DE PARIS is to close after more
than 90 years, due to covid ,which has crippled their income.
I have been to loads of very nice events there at this 500 capacity venue including
2005 - the first ever Classic Rock Awards
2006 - INXS
2018 - Kylie Minogue launch party gig for her "Golden" album.
Paul Raymond Publications party every year was good fun.
On 8 March 1941, the café was bombed soon after the start of a performance ,and at least 34 people were killed and around 80 injured. Two bombs fell into the basement ballroom down a ventilation shaft and exploded in front of the stage. The victims included 26-year-old bandleader Ken "Snakehips" Johnson,his saxophonist Dave "Baba" Williams,other band members, staff and diners.
The venue did not reopen until 1948 but re-established itself as one of the leading theatre clubs in London, playing host to Judy Garland, Josephine Baker, Frank Sinatra, Ava Gardner, Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall, James Mason, David O. Selznick, Jennifer Jones, Tony Hancock and Grace Kelly. In the 1950s Noël Coward often performed cabaret seasons at the Café de Paris as did Marlene Dietrich. It was also used in the 2006 music video for I Think We're Alone Now by Girls Aloud.
-------------------
Tuesday 22 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to Cheap Trick guitarist RICK NIELSON who is 72 today.
Rick is the lead guitarist and primary songwriter of American rock band Cheap Trick. He is well known for his numerous custom-made guitars from Hamer Guitars, including his famous five-neck guitar.
I have seen Cheap Trick several times since 1979.
Rick throws out dozens of guitar plectrums at every show.
---------
JOE STRUMMER sadly passed away 18 years ago today...he was aged only 50...
Joe Strummer, was a British musician, singer, songwriter, composer, actor, and radio host who was best known as the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist, and co-lead vocalist of punk rock band The Clash.
After a break he formed Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros.
I was lucky to have seen The Clash 20 times and his other band several times.
-------------------
Wednesday 23 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to Pearl Jam vocalist EDDIE VEDDER who is 56 today.
Pearl Jam play two massive shows in Hyde Park in July 2021.

Updated 17th December 2020 Permalink

Monday 14 December 2020.

Monday 14 December 2020.
Very sad news that GERARD HOULLIER has passed away.
Liverpool and France manager, dies aged 73.
Houllier had undergone heart surgery in Paris before his death.
Led Liverpool to Uefa Cup, FA Cup and League Cup treble.
--------
It was this day 47 years ago that I saw the first of over 2000 shows at Hammersmith/Apollo.
14 Dec 1973 - Queen + Mott The Hoople
---------
The Clash third studio album "London Calling" was released 41 years ago today - 14 Dec 1979.
---------
Happy Birthday to JANE BIRKIN who is 74 today.
Check my Facebook page for a photo of us together.
-------------------
Tuesday 15 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to The Clash bass player PAUL SIMONON who is 65 today.
Happy Birthday to Kasabians SERGE PIZZORNO who is 40 today.
Check my Facebook page for a photo of us together.
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As has been threatened for a number of days now, London is confirmed as being raised to Tier 3 restrictions from midnight on Wednesday morning on 16 December.
Put simply, it means that all restaurants, bars and pubs have to shut - and are back to only deliveries and takeaways. Essentially it's the same as Lockdown 2.0.
This also means theatres have to close, and most have only been open a week.
This also means football stadiums in Tier 3 cannot have fans inside the stadium.
-------------------
Wednesday 16 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to ZZ Tops BILLY GIBBONS who is 71 today.
I have seen ZZ Top live around a dozen times since 1980.

Updated 14th December 2020 Permalink

Saturday 12 December 2020.

Saturday 12 December 2020.
December is usually a great time to see bands where we have a multi-choice every day
of the week, but not this year.
I went to see some great gigs 40 years ago in Dec 1980.
A new band called U2 were supporting Talking Heads.
I was also playing drums in my own band Gun Control.
-------------
Gen X Suma Studios , Chelsea, London 28.11.1980 private invite only gig with new line-up
after Generation X split.
Talking Heads,U2 Hammersmith Odeon, London 02.12.1980 bono climbing all over the pa system
Damned,Strapps Hammersmith Odeon, London 03.12.1980 fast , short and chaotic show
Gun Control Acton White Hart, London W3 04.12.1980
Queen,Straight 8 Wembley Arena , London 09.12.1980 freddie and band in top form
Al Stewart Hammersmith Odeon, London 10.12.1980
Gun Control Acton White Hart, London W3 11.12.1980
Ultravox,Fatal Charm Hammersmith Odeon, London 13.12.1980
Yes Hammersmith Odeon, London 15.12.1980 now include members of Buggles
Undertones,Orange Juice Hammersmith Palais , London 16.12.1980
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark,Fatal Charm Hammersmith Odeon, London 17.12.1980
Gun Control Clarendon ,Hammersmith,London 19.12.1980 our bass player faints after 3 songs
Ian Dury And The Blockheads,Selecter Sobell Centre , Islington, London 22.12.1980
Madness,Ten Pole Tudor Hammersmith Odeon, London 23.12.1980
Spandau Ballet Heaven Nightclub, London 29.12.1980 party gig to celebrate first hit single
Siouxsie And The Banshees,Altered Images Hammersmith Palais , London 30.12.1980
Stray Cats,Bette Brights Madness Venue , Victoria , London 31.12.1980 Johnsons Clothing NYE Party

Updated 12th December 2020 Permalink

Friday 11 December 2020.

COQBULL restaurant & bar is opening at 17- 19 Denham Street, Soho, London W1.
Coqbull have taken over the former Jamie’s Italian site near Piccadilly Circus.
Coqbull Restaurant is a chicken and burger concept with a mouth-watering menu of delicious rotisserie chicken and gourmet beef burgers as well as an array of tantalising coqtails and local craft beers, focusing on casual dining.
To celebrate their opening they are giving out 100 FREE BURGERS with fries each day this week,
Monday 07 Dec to Saturday 12 Dec , between 5pm and 6pm only , and that includes dining indoors too.
Just add their app to your smart phone and follow them to get the offer.
This includes their full range of burgers , which includes beef, chicken and veggie.
These pairings would normally cost between £12.95 and £14.95.
I will test drive it to see if it is as good as it sounds, and report back here.
www.coqbullsoho.com Visit their website here for more info.
------------
I checked out this new venue on Monday and Wednesday this week, before i went to other events.
Monday 07 December 5pm to 6pm
This visit was with my two friends at the start of our annual Christmas reunion drinks evening.
We checked in at the desk and they took my info for track and trace but no mention of Instagram.
We all had the Smokin' Bull (double beef patty, smoked Applewood Cheese, Crispy Bacon,
Smoked BBQ Mayo , Tobacco Onions) with fries and a glass of tap water.
The burger was huge and tasted great...all complimentary and we left £2 each tip and departed happy.
We then headed for much cheaper drinks at Montagu Pyke in Charing Cross Road which was a
1911 cinema and former Marquee Club (when it moved from Wardour Street) venue, now a Wetherspoons pub with 2 bars and a huge TV screen.
------------
Wednesday 09 December 5pm to 6pm
I went back on my own for a second visit before i went to Proud Cabaret at Embankment.
This time was a bit different as the girl at the desk asked to see I had liked their Instagram page.
Sat down and ordered the same meal as before, waitress said I need to buy some sort of paid drink.
Didn't question that too much , and ordered a cuppaccino.
The Smokin Bull' Burger and fries was again really nice and asked for the bill.
Looked at the bill and it said £3.95 for cuppaccino....and they had charged me £4 for tap water...WTF?
Called over a supervisor and pointed out the error and she was very apologetic and
said my cuppaccino would be complimentary to make up for the error...no tip this time.
So it is a good deal overall but they may or may not asked to see your smart phone to
check you have liked their Instagram page and they may or may not asked you to buy
some kind of drink....so head there just after 5pm, and there was no queue either day I went.

Updated 11th December 2020 Permalink

Thursday 10 December 2020.

Wednesday 09 December 2020.
CABARET at PROUD , Victoria Embankment, London WC2 re-opens in December.
Back open again this month with their Christmas Cabaret All Stars show, hosted by the UK’s
TV personality Denise Van Outen and pop sensations Duncan James and Rachel Stevens.
Duncan James was a member of Blue who had three number one singles around 20 years ago.
Rachel Stevens was a member of S Club 7 who had four number one singles around 20 years ago.
Rachel Stevens is there Tuesday's and Wednesday's.
Duncan James is there Thursday's and Friday's.
Denise Van Outen is there Saturday's.
The stars will both perform in and host the sensational show, accompanied by some of the world’s best cabaret and circus performers, giving audiences the glitzy Christmas celebration they deserve.
Other acts include Cirque du Soleil aerialist Katherine Would, international and award-winning cabaret star Pi the Mime, Darlings of the Moulin Rouge J’Adore La Vie and the infamous international burlesque show ghoul, horror diva and Brazilian bombshell Marie Devilreux.
Zoe Marshall will leave audiences stunned with her rare mouth balancing act and aerial hair hanging, whilst multi-talented Katrina Louise will be showcasing her many talents, including aerial silks, hoop and chains, fire breathing and contortion and burlesque.
Attendees will also be able to enjoy incredible food from world class head chef, Antonio Vacca, along with fabulous cocktails and first class service.
www.proudcabaret.com - Visit their website here.
-----------
The evening was over 4 hours - 6.30pm to 10.30pm....press review...
Another venue that I have been to , when it was under different name and ownership.
Alex Proud has moved from Camden down to this plush venue down by The River Thames.
Alex is here and goes on stage to thank the crowd for coming out and supporting live events.
Supper clubs like this with seating and waiter service are fully geared up for covid rules.
The show was on for 2 hours 10 mins over four sets of 30 mins, 30 mins, 40 mins, 30 mins.
Around 70 tables here, with maybe around 90% per cent sold.
Tables of 2, 4 and 6 are positioned nicely around the stage with the nearest tables reserved
for those having dinner and the other tables that are having drinks only.
Most of the female staff are all wearing raunchy outfits of corsets with stockings and suspenders.
We had a great cabaret show where most artists came on stage two or three times.
RACHEL STEVENS performed five songs including S Club 7 hit "LAX".
Rachel still looks great, she won FHM's Sexiest Woman Of All Time in 2014.
Rachel also introduced a few of the acts.
Compère Joanna Woodward did a good job of on-stage entertaining banter between acts,
which included two fun bouts of audience participation.
We had a couple of female singers sing a few songs / a few burlesque girls including one
setting fire to her tassels and giving them a twirl, and another bathing in a giant champers glass/
a mime artist/ a couple of drag acts/ a pair of dancing sisters/ silks-rope girl/
mouth balancing girl / aerial hoop girl / trapeze girl/ acrobat girl.
It is not a cheap night out as cocktails here are £15 each and dinner is also pricey.
They kindly gave a few complimentary glasses of prosecco to each of us on the press table.
Really great to see some live entertainment again.

Updated 10th December 2020 Permalink

Monday 07 December 2020.

Monday 07 December 2020...5pm to 10pm...
Today I went up to the West End for the first time in over a month.
Some big crowds were shown on tv over the past weekend, but not too busy tonight.
I met a couple of friends for some food and drinks as our usual big Christmas reunion
that normally attracts 15 to 20 cannot be held this year due to Tier 2 lockdown restrictions.
The West End stores would all be having a nice Christmas drinks party around now.
Bond Street stores including Dior, Fendi and others would be awash with champers.
I have been to many of them over the past 15 years or so.
None of those events are on as they are all standing and social distancing is impossible.
I popped into THE ROLLING STONES merch tour in Carnaby Street for the first time.
It is over two floors and looks nice in its red and black decor.
I was in there 15 mins, and nobody else came in during that time.
Loads of overpriced t-shirts(current and retro) and various merch including a Stones sofa.
Fancy a Rolling Stones water bottle?...a snip at £30...jokers.
The assistant said Ronnie Wood was the only member of the band to visit the store,
and he has signed a couple of the larger items that are on display.
Just along from The Stones store, Liam Gallaghers " Pretty Green" store has been closed awhile
due to big debts. It is now a Free Bike Store , which must be very handy for all the cyclists.
The nice Christmas Lights displays are up everywhere on the main streets.
Lots of theatres are open again , so a nice time to mix that in with seeing the Christmas Lights.
London is slowly getting back to life again...until the next total lockdown.

Updated 7th December 2020 Permalink

Sunday 06 December 2020....news for this week.

Sunday 06 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to cricketer and tv presenter FREDDIE FLINTOFF who is 43 today.
See my Facebook page for a nice photo of him and me together.
-------------------
Monday 07 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to singer-songwriter TOM WAITS who is 71 today.
Tom does not come to the UK that often , but i did see him at Hammersmith Odeon in 1987.
-------------------
Tuesday 08 December 2020.
JOHN LENNON was murdered 40 years ago today in New York.
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And just when you thought 2020 couldn’t throw up any more surprises Bob Dylan has become a complete sell-out. Dylan has sold the publishing rights to his songwriting catalogue in a deal said to be worth around $300 million to Universal Music.
-------------------
Wednesday 09 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to JOAN ARMATRADING who is 70 today.
I have seen Joan perform around a dozen times with the first time back in 1975,
when she supported Supertramp at Hammersmith Odeon.

Updated 6th December 2020 Permalink

Sunday 29 November 2020...news for this week...

Sunday 29 November 2020.
BBC Radio 2 3pm to 5pm - The Johnnie Walker 70s Show.
The only radio show I listen to these days...a great mix of classic rock, punk, soul, disco etc.
-----------
GEORGE HARRISON sadly passed away 19 years ago today - 29 November 2001.
------------------
Monday 30 November 2020.
Happy Birthday to BILLY IDOL who is 65 today.
I have seen him on stage many times, both with Generation X and solo.
Happy Birthday to Deep Purple's ROGER GLOVER who is 75 today.
I have Deep Purple around 15 times since 1975.
SKY ARTS 2am - Frank Sinatra live at The Royal Festival Hall 1970.
I saw Frank live just the once, Royal Albert Hall 1980.
------------------
Tuesday 01 December 2020.
Happy Birthday to BETTE MIDLER who is 75 today.
I saw her headline The 02 Arena in July 2015.
Happy Birthday to GILBERT O'SULLIVAN who is 74 today.
Gilbert has not toured that often since his 1970s heyday , but I have seen him live twice.
Happy Birthday to Blue Oyster Cult's ERIC BLOOM who is 76 today.
I have seen Blue Oyster Cult live around 20 times since 1975.
------------------
Wednesday 02 December 2020.
Promoters AEG are to open a new live music venue at Olympia...but not until 2024.
4400-capacity purpose-built live music venue as part of the £1.3 billion regeneration of Olympia London.
----------
SKY ARTS 10.30pm - Oasis live at Barrowlands, Glasgow in 2001.
I have seen Oasis live several times and Liam G solo and Noel G solo.
SKY ARTS 11.45pm - Paul Weller live at The Royal Festival Hall in 2018.
This was a special semi-acoustic show with full orchestra.
I saw Paul with The Jam several times back in the day, and have seen him several times solo.
-------------------
Thursday 03 December 2020.
PRINCE CHARLES and CAMILLA visited The 100 Club today to support live music venues.
They watched Emily Capell perform a couple of acoustic songs, and signed the dressing room wall.
---------
Happy Birthday to rock legend OZZY OSBOURNE who is 72 today.
Let's hope his health gets better for his planned 2022 European Tour.
I have seen Ozzy many times on stage with Black Sabbath and solo since 1974.
---------
After nearly 9 months the first premier league club to have a crowd allowed in to watch them.
Europa Cup - Arsenal play Rapid Vienna...2000 tickets will be made available.
-------------------
Friday 04 December 2020.
SKY ARTS 7pm - Madchester documentary.
SKY ARTS 8pm - Def Leppard classic album.
I have seen Def Leppard around 20 times since 1979 (when they supported AC/DC)
SKY ARTS 9pm - Brian Johnson meets Joe Elliot.
SKY ARTS 10pm - rock photographers - episode five - limited edition prints going for big bucks.
-------------------
Saturday 05 December 2020.
SKY ARTS 4pm - The Pretenders live in Austin, Texas.
SKY ARTS 5.15pm - Oasis live at Barrowlands, Glasgow in 2001.
Oasis were massive in 2001, and they played a short UK tour of small venues.
I had seen both their Wembley Stadium headlining shows the year before.
I saw Oasis play Shepherds Bush Empire on this tour.
Oasis Shepherds Bush Empire, London 07.10.2001 First of 2 London small venue shows as part of the 10 Years Of Noise And Confusion Tour .The only way to get tickets was to camp out for them but luckily I got to review it for local paper and got a guest ticket .Fantastic atmosphere for the 1 hour 50 mins set .
They mixed greatest hits with a few lesser known songs and tonight Paul Weller came on for a stunning Champagne Supernova .
SKY ARTS 6.15pm - John Lennons Last Weekend.
SKY ARTS 8pm - Pulp Live.
---------------------
Sunday 06 December 2020.
Buzzcocks singer-songwriter PETE SHELLEY sadly passed away two years ago today.
I have seen The Buzzcocks around 30 times since 1977 , including twice in America.
New York Sept 1979 at The Diplomat Hotel. We were staying at this famous hotel that I chose as
KISS and New York Dolls had played there a few years earlier.
California Sept 2002 at a huge punk festival where The Buzzcocks supported The Sex Pistols.

Updated 29th November 2020 Permalink

Wednesday 25 November 2020......news for this week...

Monday 23 November 2020.
PIERS MORGAN and co-host Susanna Reid today celebrate 5 years on "Good Morning Britain" breakfast tv.
Love him or loathe him, he is certainly always very entertaining.
Go to my Facebook page to see a picture of Piers and myself.
---------
John Lennon signed album is being sold at auction for mega bucks.
A signed copy of John Lennon’s ‘Double Fantasy’, signed by Lennon for murderer Mark Chapman just hours before Chapman killed Lennon, is up for auction.
Lennon signed the record hours before being murdered by Chapman outside The Dakota apartment building in New York City in December 1980.
The historic copy of ‘Double Fantasy’, his collaboration album with Yoko Ono, was actually submitted as evidence in the New York Police Department’s investigation into Lennon’s murder.
And according to Goldin Auctions, the police markings from the investigation still appear on the record.
The auction house has confirmed that bidding on the record will open on Monday (23.11.20), with bids set to begin at $400,000.
----------------------
Tuesday 24 November 2020.
Happy Birthday to Blondie drummer CLEM BURKE who is 66 today.
Happy Birthday to cricket legend IAN BOTHAM who is 65 today.
----------------------
Wednesday 25 November 2020.
Football legend GEORGE BEST sadly passed away 15 years ago today.
Sad news that Argentinian football legend DIEGO MARADONA has passed away age 60.
The same day as George Best , but exactly 15 years apart.
Maradona was best known to British audiences for his handball goal, which he dubbed the “Hand of God”, against England at the 1986 World Cup....Argentina won that World Cup.
Having said that,the second goal he scored against England in that game was incredible.
He battled a series of health problems and earlier this month needed surgery for a blood clot on his brain.
Maradona was then sent straight to a rehabilitation centre to be treated for alcohol dependency.
His life after football mirrored the troubles that George Best also had.
Diego had also dabbled with cocaine in the past.
----------
BBC Red Button all this week - Kylie Minogue live at The BBC Theatre, London.
SKY ARTS 10am - the making of 80s American Hair Metal videos.
SKY ARTS 10.30am - the making of Blondie videos.
SKY ARTS 4.30pm - the making of R.E.M. videos.
SKY ARTS 11pm - Queen live at The Rainbow.
---------------------
Thursday 26 November 2020.
Happy Birthday to TINA TURNER who is 81 today.
I have seen Tina several times , with the first time back in 1974 when she was with Ike Turner.
SKY ARTS 4.30pm - the making of Guns N Roses videos.
SKY ARTS 12pm - Brian Johnson meets Nick Mason (repeat from Friday)
---------------------
Friday 27 November 2020.
SKY ARTS 4.30pm - the making of Metallica videos.
SKY ARTS 9pm - Brian Johnson meets Sting.
SKY ARTS 10pm - rock photographers - episode 4 - magazine covers
---------------------
Saturday 28 November 2020.
Happy Birthday to Motown Records founder BERRY GORDY who is 91 today.
SKY ARTS 5.15pm - Joe Cocker "Mad Dog With Soul " documentary.
I saw Joe Cocker live half a dozen times , with the first being in 1982.
SKY ARTS 7pm - Dire Straits " Live July 1983".
Filmed during their two-night gig at the Hammersmith Odeon. The climax of their Love Over Gold tour. I was at both these shows...I saw Dire Straits fourteen times into total.
The first time I saw them was an early gig in 1978, when they supported Talking Heads.
Phillips launched a brand new product invention here....it was called the CD player and compact disc.
SKY ARTS 9pm - Eric Clapton " Crossroads Guitar Festival 2019".
I have seen Eric Clapton around 30 times since 1976, with most of them at The Royal Albert Hall.
SKY ARTS 11.15pm - Ronnie Wood "Somebody Up There Likes Me" documentary.
SKY ARTS 12.30pm - Carl Perkins & Friends - live in London 1985.
Great tv special featuring Carl and friends including George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton,
Rosanne Cash, Dave Edmunds, Slim Jim Phantom, Earl Slick, Lee Rocker and others.

Updated 23rd November 2020 Permalink

Tuesday 17 November 2020...Music news this week.

Tuesday 17 November 2020
Sad news that colourful music pr and football agent ERIC HALL has passed away aged 73.
Eric Hall was a show business and football agent famous for his flamboyant public persona, outlandish fashion sense and catchphrase "Monster, monster ..."
After an early career as a singer (he sang backing vocals for Tiny Tim) and actor, he became a publicist for EMI Records in the 1970s. Where he met Freddie Mercury, even claiming Killer Queen was written about him. He arranged the SEX PISTOLS ' notorious, expletive-filled appearance on the Today show in 1976 presented by Bill Grundy (after fellow EMI act Queen pulled out). He also worked with Cockney Rebel to have some hits.
Hall grew up in Bethnal Green in the East End of London and was a friend of MARC BOLAN(also on EMI) , He had been with him on the night of Bolan's death in 1977.
In 1986, a chance meeting with Steve Perryman led to him becoming a football agent, and he built up a roster of clients, which included Leon Cort, Robbie Savage, Tim Sherwood, John Scales, Neil Ruddock, Terry Venables, Paul Walsh and Dennis Wise.
-------
MORRISSEY confirms he has been dropped from BMG and is now in search of a new record deal.
----------------
Wednesday 18 November 2020.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND....it was 45 years ago this week that I saw both their
legendary debut London shows at Hammersmith Odeon on 18 Nov 1975 and 24 Nov 1975.
I have seen Bruce on stage around 20 times...He is one of the best live performers out there...
--------
Happy Birthday to singer-songwriter GRAHAM PARKER who is 70 today.
I have seen him a dozen times live , including 1976 supporting Thin Lizzy at Hammersmith Odeon and
five shows at Hammersmith Odeon in 1991 when he supported Bob Dylan.
Been looking back recently on all the great shows at Hammersmith when I got paid to watch bands.
I was front stage security all through the 1980s until 1992, when it became Hammersmith Apollo.
---------
BBC4 10pm film " Sex and Drugs and Rock n Roll" biopic.....Andy Serkis is great as Ian Dury.
I saw Ian Dury & The Blockheads 13 times including three shows at Hammersmith Odeon in 1979.
That year they were massive as they played several shows at Hammersmith Odeon.
-----------------
Thurs 19 November 2020.
SKY ARTS 10pm - I am Johnny Cash - documentary (repeated on Saturday)
-----------------
Friday 20 November 2020.
As expected AC/DC new album "Power Up" went straight in at number one in today's charts.
SKY ARTS 9pm - Brian Johnson meets Nick Mason
SKY ARTS 10pm - rock photographers - episode 3 - album covers
SKY ARTS 11.15pm - Bob Dylan "No Direction Home"
Happy Birthday to JOE WALSH who is 73 today.
I have seen him on stage several times with The Eagles including last year at Wembley Stadium.
-----------------
Saturday 21 November 2020.
21 Nov 1995 - 25 years ago legendary music manager PETER GRANT passed away.
Peter Grant (5 April 1935 – 21 November 1995) was the manager of Led Zeppelin from their creation in 1968 to their break up in 1980.With his intimidating size (6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 300 lb (140 kg))(at his peak weight) and confrontational manner, combined with his knowledge and experience, he drove strong deals for his band, and is widely credited with improving pay and conditions for all musicians in dealings with concert promoters.Grant has been described as "one of the shrewdest and most ruthless managers in rock history".
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SKY ARTS 5pm - Cyndi Lauper live in Austin, Texas, USA.
SKY ARTS 8pm - Pink Floyd "Delicate Sound Of Thunder" live 1988 USA in 4K vision/sound.
SKY ARTS 10pm - NICK MASON and the Saucerful of Secrets live at The Roundhouse May 2019.
I was at both those shows at The Roundhouse on that tour.
-----------------
Sunday 22 November 2020
SKY ARTS 9pm - Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at Wembley Stadium.
Happy Birthday to STEVEN VAN ZANDT who is 70 today.
I have seen him solo a few times as well as many times with Bruce Springsteen.

Updated 17th November 2020 Permalink

Saturday 14 November 2020...Music news this week...

Thursday 12 November 2020.
Happy Birthday to NEIL YOUNG who is 75 today.
I have seen him on stage around ten times with the first time being two shows in 1976,
Neil Young & Crazy Horse at Hammersmith Odeon.
--------------------
Friday 13 November 2020.
AC/DC release their new album " Power Up" today.
I have seen AC/DC live many times with all three vocalists they have had.
BBC Radio interview this afternoon included...
Matt Everitt asked " These are strange times but - you will go out on tour again? As soon as you can and it’s safe you’re going to go out aren’t you - obviously?
Brian Johnson: Yes we’re going to do some shows. I hate to use the word tour now because it sounds like two years and I think we’ve all got a little tired of that. But doing gigs - if we can just start doing gigs and cherry picking them - that’s fun. As they come along - booking them just two or three months ahead and not committing yourself.
--------
SKY ARTS 8pm - Meat Loaf "Bat Out Of Hell" album documentary.
This superb album has sold over 40 million copies.
It was released in 1977 and I saw his debut London show at Hammersmith Odeon in 1978.
I have seen Meat Loaf live over 15 times and seen the musical twice, including the
opening night and party in 2017.
SKY ARTS 9pm - Brian Johnson meets Lars Ulrich
I have seen Metallica around 15 times since 1986.
SKY ARTS 10pm - Rock photographers - episode 2 (features the first 3 songs rule)
The photographers on the programme have many crazy stories about how artists behave regards this.
One told me about a Download Festival when Korn played.
They were only allowed to photograph the first 60 seconds of the first three songs and for
the rest of the three songs they had to face the audience and put their cameras down.
SKY ARTS 11.15pm Laurel Canyon documentary - episode 1 of 2 (part 2 Saturday night)
feat The Doors, The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Frank Zappa, Alice Cooper, The Monkess, Love ,
The Mamas & Papas, The Turtles, Joni Mitchell , CSNY....music managers Elliot Roberts and David Geffen.
SKY ARTS 1am - Alice Cooper "Super Duper " documentary.
I have seen Alice Cooper live over 15 times with the first time back in 1975 at Wembley Arena.
Those interviewed for the documentary include John Lydon and Iggy Pop.
--------------------
Saturday 14 November 2020.
After a full week of tv and radio promo appearances KYLIE MINOGUE new album "Disco",
has gone straight in at number one.
She joins Bruce Springsteen as the only artist to have had a number one album
in the UK in each of the past five decades.
SKY ARTS 5.30pm - The Bee Gees live in Melbourne in Nov 1989
I saw The Bee Gees at Madison Square Garden in 1979 on my first visit to America.
SKY ARTS 9pm - David Crosby "Remember My Name" documentary.
In 2015 I saw Crosby and Nash join David Gilmour for three songs at The Royal Albert Hall.
In 2005 I saw Crosby and Nash play The Royal Festival Hall.
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Sunday 15 November 2020
15 Nov 1976 - it was 44 years ago that I attended this legendary SEX PISTOLS show.
Notre Dame Hall, Leicester Square , London.
It's the one where Janet Street Porter introduced punk on tv for The London Weekend Show.
Clips of it are shown regularly on tv, with me jumping around down the front.
I am in stills that were used for the "Dance to The Sex Pistols - Pretty Vacant" single poster.
One of the stills , with me in it , was the front cover of " Pretty Vacant" in New Zealand.
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Happy Birthday to PETULA CLARK who is 88 today.
I have seen her a couple of times in concert.
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SKY ARTS 9pm - The Who perform "Tommy" at The Royal Albert Hall, April 2017 ( I was there)
SKY ARTS 10.30pm - U2 live in Berlin Nov 2018 (I was at The 02 Arena show on this tour)
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Sad news that singer, comedian and tv presenter DES O'CONNOR has passed away , at age 88.
He had a 60 year career ,singing in the 1960s and always on the tv in the 1970s and 1980s.
He recorded 36 albums and had four top-ten singles, including a number-one hit with "I Pretend",
with global sales of more than sixteen million records.
He had his fifth child to his fourth wife at the age of 72...yes 72!
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Sad news that legendary goalkeeper RAY CLEMENCE has passed away , aged 72.
Former Liverpool, Tottenham and England goalkeeper Ray Clemence has died, aged 72. Clemence made 61 appearances for the Three Lions between 1972 and 1983. At club level, he won many trophies.

Updated 12th November 2020 Permalink

Monday 09 November 2020....Music news this week...

Monday 09 November 2020.
These amazing figures confirm how popular boy band New Direction were back in the day,
as their loyal fans still support the solo careers of the five members.
Ticketed livestream concert provider Driift said fans from 151 countries purchased more than 125,000 tickets to Niall Horan’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, 7 November.
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The world's number one concert promoter Live Nation are a bit happier today as shares have soared over 22% today following the news that a COVID-19 vaccine candidate developed by pharma firms Pfizer and BioNTech has been found to be more than 90% effective.
Live Nation have said 90% of punters worldwide have kept their tickets for their rescheduled shows.
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Tuesday 10 November 2020.
It was two years ago today on 10 Nov 2018.
GUN CONTROL - My band from the early 1980s played their first gig for over 35 years at
The George & Dragon Pub, Acton, London W3.
It was a great night as I drummed along to our original songs and a couple of cover versions.
We ended up playing every six months (3 times) and hopefully there's another one after Covid fucks off.
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Did you know that DJ and music producer Mark Ronson is the stepson of Mick Jones from Foreigner?
Mark Daniel Ronson was born 4 September 1975 in Notting Hill, London,to Laurence Ronson, a real-estate speculator and music manager, and writer/socialite Ann Dexter-Jones.His Jewish ancestors emigrated from Austria, Lithuania, and Russia. He was brought up in a Conservative Jewish household and celebrated his Bar Mitzvah.
The Ronsons had been one of Britain's wealthiest families in the 1980s, but they lost $1 billion of their wealth in the property crash of the early 1990s.He is the nephew of businessman Gerald Ronson. Through his mother, he is also related to British Conservative politicians Sir Malcolm Rifkind and the late Leon Brittan,and Odeon Cinemas founder Oscar Deutsch.
He is not related to the late English guitarist Mick Ronson.
After his parents' divorce, his mother married Foreigner guitarist Mick Jones,who contributed to a childhood surrounded by music.

Updated 9th November 2020 Permalink