Ray's Gigs

Daily news and reviews of gigs bars clubs restaurants product launches films theatre fashion shows books art galleries hotels competitions interesting places to visit ...and much more!

Tuesday 21 January 2025.

Tuesday 21 January 2025....11.45am to 1pm... JEFF BECK - The Guitar Collection - preview - Christie's ,King Street , St James's, London SW1. The actual auction is 5pm start on Wednesday 22 January. A celebration of the ultimate guitarist’s guitar hero, Christie’s is honoured to present Jeff Beck: The Guitar Collection, a live auction on 22 January 2025, in London. Spanning his almost six-decades-long career, from joining the Yardbirds in 1965 to his last tour in 2022, this unique auction presents over 130 guitars, amps, pedals, cases and ‘tools-of-the-trade’ used by the late, great guitar legend Jeff Beck (1944–2023). I have seen Jeff Beck on stage around a dozen times, with the first time in 1981 when he headlined Hammersmith Odeon. I saw his last ever London show at The Royal Albert Hall in 2022 , where he was joined by Johnny Depp for a few songs, and I was at both the tribute shows for him at the same venue a year later. Johnny Depp has been to see the collection , a few days before the auction. ------------ A pretty amazing collection of guitars from this rock legend. Most are hanging on the wall , with a full description. Lots of amps, guitar cases and pedals etc. A big screen is showing Jeff Beck live footage clips , via some very top notch quality Neumann sound system. You forget how much he loved Hot Rod cars, as there are a couple of books here, with some fantastic photos. then.... THE TOY FAIR at Olympia, West London....1.30pm to 5.15pm... This the first day of this three day event. The Toy Fair is the UK's largest dedicated toy, game and hobby trade show taking place annually at the end of January at Olympia. The toy industry's showcase welcomes more than 250 companies exhibiting thousands of products to visitors including retailers, buyers, media and the wider industry....www.toyfair.co.uk Miko unveils AI robots for kids, Miko Mini and Miko 3, previews new Sparky, and expands into gaming with its Chess Grand AI interactive chessboard. ------------ A massive event as it takes over all of the main two halls. You can see how the UK toy market is worth over £3 billion a year , as there is so much to choose from , including ... Cuddly Toys, Action Figures , Collectables, Construction Toys , Games, Puzzles , Vehicles, Stickers and much more. A mixture of big well known names, and smaller retailers , including Lego, Pokémon, Mr Men , Scrabble etc. 47% of 2024 sakes were under the £15 price point . A few celebs on different stands.. STEPHEN MULHERN is doing some magic tricks. Matt Edmondson is on Asmodee UK. Touker Suleyman is on Hunter Price Limited . Luke Robers (Yo-Yo Champion ) is on Bandai UK Ltd. LUKE LITTLER is on the Target Darts stand on the Wednesday. Lots of humans in character costumes walking around . I have a media pass , so handy for the sanctuary of the press room, and when talking to the folks on the various stands . Complimentary lunch in the press room included chicken and two veg carton, veggie wraps, cup cakes, crisps, prosecco , coffees ,teas and a pic n mix. Hippychick had a great Tribike that can be used as a two wheeler or a three wheeler. There was a children's DJ console by Tiësto. I got several toys from various retailers ,but easily the best was from The Paddington stand where I got given a very cute 12" Paddington Bear cuddly toy. An enjoyable colourful event. ----------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------- Monday 20 January 2025. Happy Birthday to PAUL STANLEY who is 73 today. A good time to.play some KISS final tour YouTube videos . ------------- Monday 20 January 2025. Very sad news that JOHN SYKES has passed away. Legendary English guitarist John Sykes (TYGERS OF PAN TANG, THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE, BLUE MURDER, SYKES) has died at the age of 65. Earlier today (Monday, January 20),the following statement was posted on Sykes's social media: "It is with great sorrow we share that John Sykes has passed away after a hard fought battle with cancer. He will be remembered by many as a man with exceptional musical talent but for those who didn’t know him personally, he was a thoughtful, kind, and charismatic man whose presence lit up the room. I first saw him on stage in1982 when Tygers of Pan Tang headlined Hammersmith Odeon....and then several times with Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake.