News and Reviews: 11th November 2011
10 Nov 2011.Went to Ronnie Wood art preview then RHCP.6.30pm to 7.30pm.Ronnie Wood "Faces,Time And Places"
preview at Symbolic Gallery,28 Cork Street,London W1.
Lots of Ronnies paintings and sketchings here along with some guitars and general memorabilia.Freebie champers flowing.Jessie Wood is here.Ronnie turned up to the other preview on Tuesday but i had to leave for the gig so not sure if he turned up after i left.On until Saturday.Then
Red Hot Chili Peppers live at The 02 Arena,London.
Last of RHCP three sold out pronto shows at this venue as part of their world tour to promote recent album "I'm With You" that got pretty average reviews when it came out.
The stage production is great with a big screen behind them and eight other screens that move and tilt during each song.On stage for nearly two hours of supertight funk rock.Flea(bass) and Chad Smith(drums) really get into a great body moving groove.I thought their new guitarist sounded and fitted in well.A sprinkling of new album songs and loads of older classics.Set included "Can't Stop", "Scar Tissue" and "Dani California" and superb versions of "Under The Bridge","Californication" and "By The Way".Encores started with a funky jam and ended with a funky jam.Songs in the middle of it included a brilliant "Give It Away".
The floor standing all going crazy.A great show.
RHCP come back to the UK in June 2012 to headline a couple of big outdoor shows.
09 Nov 2011.6.30pm to midnight.Classic Rock Awards at The Roundhouse,London.
An excellent gathering of 1970s rockers here and some new bands that Classic Rock magazine are tipping for greatness.An hour of freebie drinks then three course dinner for 550 seated guests and there is another 50 standing.Then at 9pm KISS legend Gene Simmons hosted the awards and was perfect.He was a natural really as he is such a good speaker.Free booze all night here.Those here tonight inc winners Vintage Trouble(Won Best New Band),Lemmy(Won Best Film/DVD),Roger Taylor and Brian May(Queen Won Best Reissue),Ian Anderson(Jethro Tull Won Spirit Of Prog),Michael Monroe(Won Best Album for "Sensory Overdrive"),Roger Daltrey And Pete Townshend(Won Classic Album for "Quadrophenia"),Deep Purple(Won Best Innovators),
Manic Street Preachers(Won Classic Songwriters),Scorpions(Won The Metal Guru Award),Bob Ezrin(Won Outstanding Contribution) and the main award went to Jeff Beck(Won Living Legend).Presenters and other guests here inc Rat Scabies,Glenn Hughes,Duff McKagan,all of Gene Simmons family,Joss Stone,Paul Cooks wife but not Paul himself,Ray McVeigh,Rival Sons,Steel Panther,Peter Frampton,Jerry Shirley,Luke Morley,Biff Byford,Roy Harper,Chrissie Hynde,
Randy Bachman,Snowy White and Tom Baker(super sharp Soho rock n roll clothing designer).Also some music biz folks here inc promoter Harvey Goldsmith,photographer Ross Halfin,writer Mick Wall,booking agents Rod MacSween,Steve Zapp and Steve Strange.We had a couple of live acts.Rival Sons did a three song acoustic blues set.At the end Jeff Beck played five songs.The tone of his instrumental guitar playing was just sublime.He did a cover of Lady Gaga" Bad Romance" which was really good.Joss Stone sung on "I Put A Spell On You" and Chrissie Hynde sang a great version of "I'll Stand By You".Winding down drinks and chatting for 30 mins after the awards.
I took about a dozen photos inc one with me and Gene Simmons.Goodie bags had some good stuff in and some crap stuff.Overall a totally excellent evening.