News and Reviews: 7th June 2016
Monday 6 June 2016...6.45pm to 9pm...DAVID BOWIE : Fame, Fashion, Photography - VIP private view - The Hub, Heddon Street, London, W1.
Three different photographers who took David Bowie photos host a joint collection.
Coinciding with the exhibition of the unseen images there will be an online auction of a selection of
27 prints taken by Chalkie Davies, Tony McGee and Denis O’Regan.
All proceeds raised will be donated to Cancer Research UK in David Bowie's memory.
The auction will be on until 6:30pm 19 June.
See the many sides to David Bowie at this Cancer Research exhibition of unseen photos. From the Thin White Duke, to Ziggy, David Jones and Aladdin Sane, Bowie's changing image is as much a part of music history as his music. Head to The Hub today to be one of the first to see the exhibition. Free, prebook a time slot, 11am, until 19 June.
A perfect location as it is opposite The David Bowie plaque to celebrate his famous album cover from 1972.
David Bowie was photographed in Heddon Street for 'The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the
Spiders From Mars' album cover in 1972, a record which catapulted him to fame.
The cover depicts 'Ziggy' (a jumpsuit-besuited, orange haired Bowie, with platform boots and a guitar slung over his shoulder) outside on a wet January night with his foot resting on a step outside 23 Heddon Street.
The late photographer Brian Ward, who was shooting pictures of the band in a makeshift photographic studio above the street, persuaded Bowie to step outside. The other band members thought it was too cold and declined to join him for the picture.
--------------------------------
Around 150 guests at this new gallery space.
Guests here included Glen Matlock (Sex Pistols) and Gary Kemp ( Spandau Ballet).
Siouxsie Sioux arrived late at 8.15pm but she is still looking great.
I wished her a belated Happy Birthday as she shares the same day as me.
She said "Are you a May 27 Gemini as well?". I nodded.
I asked if she is bringing out any new material but nothing forthcoming from her.
I should have asked why she has not got involved in any of the 40 YEARS OF PUNK - LONDON
events as the girls from The Slits,The Raincoats ,Jordan and others are doing lots of stuff.
Spiders From Mars drummer Woody Woodmansey was here.
BBC Radio London Robert Elms is here(he gave Spandau Ballet their name).
Mike Pickering was here (ex M People and Manchester dj legend from The Hacienda ).
A couple of the big pr music folks are here...
Alan Edwards who looked after David Bowie and other big names like The Who.
He is going down to see The Who and Iggy Pop on Saturday at Isle Of Wight Festival.
I said i may see him down there as still thinking about that one.
He started 40 years ago looking after acts like The Stranglers and Johnny Thunders Heartbreakers.
Also here was Murray Chalmers who looks after Siouxsie Sioux,Kate Bush,Coldplay and others.
Complimentary prosecco,two different Grey Goose vodka cocktails and canapés from the nearby
Heddon Street Kitchen restaurant.
www.cancerressearchuk.org
Visit the images on the Cancer Research website and to book free tickets.
Monday 06 May 2016.
Today's widely read free newspaper The Standard reviews from the weekend of London gigs.
AC/DC got 4 stars
Bruce Springsteen got 5 stars
Sunday 05 June 2016.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN & THE E STREET BAND live at Wembley Stadium,London...sold out...
The Boss and The E Street Band will be playing 'The River' double album from 1980 in full.
UPDATE on 04 May 2016 --- Steven Van Zant has revealed they will NOT be playing the album in full.
I have seen Bruce Springsteen around 20 times since 1975 when i was at both his legendary
debut UK shows at Hammersmith Odeon and i have seen him at least once on every UK tour since.
-----------------------------
The sunshine has come out for The Boss today.
I have a great view in the gold circle area just a few rows from the front of stage on the right.
The big screens are here but I barely look at them I am so close.
Bruce and his incredible band take to the stage at 6.20pm and play a long set as usual with
them being on stage for a whopping 3 hours 30 mins.
It's not long before Bruce is down front of stage on the first of many walkabouts revelling in a mass of
reaching,clawing and grabbing hands from his adoring fans down the front.
He even goes out to the outer area of the gold circle to perform in front of general pitch standing.
Many have brought cardboard song requests for Bruce to select.
Tonight a young girl gets picked to go on stage with her song request 'Waitin' On A Sunny Day' and sing along.
He picked out a sparkly well presented sign for 'Tougher Than The Rest' and joked this is a good sign.
He then dedicated the song to boxing legend M.Ali who had died the day before.
So many fantastic songs played tonight and he is changing the set a bit for every show.
Bruce is a bundle of energy but longtime E Street Band drummer Max Weinberg must get a special mention
as at aged 65 he pounded the drums for 3 hours 30 mins...respect is due...
Bruce downs a pint during one of the sax solos.
Like Axl Rose and others he has a lyrics teleprompter which no doubt helped for the ragged spontaneity
of 'I'll Work For Your Love' which was played for the first time on this tour.
The last hour was remarkable with a stunning encore section of classics that made the stadium bounce.
It was an incredible night and the best gig of the year for me as it was just a perfect 10/10 live show.
Full setlist played tonight....
Does This Bus Stop at 82nd Street? (Solo Piano, Tour Debut)
Seeds (Tour Debut)
Johnny 99
Wrecking Ball
The Ties That Bind
Sherry Darling
Hungry Heart
No Surrender. (Sign request)
Be True (Sign request)
Candy's Room (Sign request)
She's the One
My City of Ruins
I'll Work for Your Love (Solo Acoustic, Sign request, Tour Debut)
Spirit in the Night
Out in the Street
You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch)
Death to My Hometown
American Skin (41 Shots)
The River
The Promised Land
Darlington County
Waitin' on a Sunny Day
Tougher Than the Rest (Sign request)
Because the Night (Patti Smith Group cover)(lyrics by Bruce and Patti)
The Rising
Badlands
Encore:
Jungleland (Sign request)
Born to Run
Dancing in the Dark
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out
Shout (The Isley Brothers cover)
Bobby Jean
Encore 2:
Thunder Road (Solo Acoustic)
Sunday 05 June 2016.
An update from the AC/DC show last night from the internet.
Slash and Duff McKagan attended AC/DC’s concert last night in London to support their Guns N’ Roses bandmate Axl Rose, who is currently fronting AC/DC. Duff McKagan and his wife Susan shared photos and videos from the concerts.
Saturday 04 June 2016.
AC/DC live at The Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Stadium,Stratford,East London.
I have seen AC/DC over 40 times since 1976 as they are one of my fave live bands.
In 1976 alone I saw them 10 times playing small venues with Bon Scott on vocals.
By coincidence 40 years ago today in 1976 i saw AC/DC play The Marquee Club with Bon Scott on vocals.
Brian Johnson has confirmed that his hearing problems were the reason he cannot continue with singing live.
Axl Rose will be on vocals for the AC/DC European Tour before he starts the Guns & Roses American Tour.
Just 2 shows in the UK with Axl on vocals --- London and Manchester.
Needless to say for Axl this is a moment for him to play with his heroes so should be interesting to see.
UPDATE on 20 May - Axl foot is healing and he is now standing up more as normal during the show.
CLASSIC ROCK MAG were very impressed by Axl at the first show and said the following...
"We thought you might need that chair purely because you’re toting around THE BIGGEST BALLS IN ROCK! Who else would have the nerve, the chutzpah, the sheer cojones to face down one of the most fiercely partisan audiences in rock at their most feisty and belligerent and end up charming the entire stadium".
Supporting AC/DC will be Texan blues rockers Tyler Bryant & The Shakedown.
AC/DC TICKET UPDATE -- adverts in many newspapers the day before the gig are still saying tickets
are still available for AC/DC on the day at the box office.
Compare that to AC/DC at Wembley Stadium last summer which was a hot sold out pronto ticket.
AC/DC are the first band to play here at this stadium after it's recent refurbishment upgrade.
AC/DC have played to over four million fans on the Rock Or Bust World Tour and the current line-up of Angus Young, Cliff Williams, Stevie Young, Chris Slade and Axl Rose are set to continue their global trek with a return, for the final leg, to the USA.
---------------------------------
Three great gigs tonight to choose from including two by members of my fave band The Sex Pistols
(Glen Matlock acoustic show in Camden and John Lydon with PIL at Indigo)
but i simply had to be at the first AC/DC UK show with Axl Rose on vocals.
It's very possible this could end up being the only London show Axl performs with AC/DC.
Will AC/DC tour again?...Will Axl still be the singer next time?...Will Brian Johnson come back?...
Arrive near the venue and lots of spare tickets floating around for much less than face value.
Inside the venue there are a few unsold blocks on the upper level but still a massive crowd here.
AC/DC arrive on stage around 8.15pm and play for 2 hours 15 mins.
I am on the pitch floor standing left of stage.
The venue looks great as it is the new home of West Ham Football Club.
The sound is loud and clear and those colossal guitar riffs from Angus are just fantastic.
Sooo many classic AC/DC tunes played tonight one after the other.
Most of the show is the same as the Wembley Stadium show from last summer.
The stage production with the big screens is the same.
The catwalk stage extension is used by Angus and Axl quite a lot.
Axl had a teleprompter monitor on stage in case he forgot the lyrics.
Extra songs played included 'Rock n Roll Damnation ' and 'Riff Raff'.
Angus as usual is in his schoolboy uniform and he even did a guitar solo with his school tie.
Dusk fell for the second half of the show and there are thousands of Angus devil horns are flashing.
The buxom inflatable lady comes out for 'Whole Lotta Rosie'.
Axl said "Guns & Roses have played 'Whole Lotta Rosie' many times since their Marquee shows".
Near the end Angus is elevated on a hydraulic podium for his guitar solo in 'Let There Be Rock'.
Like last year i thought his guitar solo went on a bit too long even though it was great.
You can see why Angus is so slim as he is working his socks off as he duck walks across
the stage as the sweat beads drop off him through the show.
There many have been a couple of lesser known singers that could have done a good job
but Axl is an A-list rocker from one of the biggest rock bands out there so this has box office appeal.
Guns & Roses could easily headline this stadium this time next year as part of their re-union.
As usual they finish with 'For Those About To Rock(We Salute You)' with the cannons blasting away.
Even though Brian Johnson has a house in Chelsea he did not show his face tonight.
Would have been some icing on the cake that the crowd would have loved.
Perhaps Brian Johnson leaving is not amicable as it has been stated.
We get a fireworks display at the end.
Needless to say a superb show.
Full AC/DC setlist played tonight...
Video Intro
Rock or Bust
Shoot to Thrill
Hell Ain't a Bad Place to Be
Back in Black
Got Some Rock & Roll Thunder
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Rock 'n' Roll Damnation
Thunderstruck
High Voltage
Rock 'n' Roll Train
Hells Bells
Given the Dog a Bone
If You Want Blood (You've Got It)
Sin City
You Shook Me All Night Long
Shot Down in Flames
Have a Drink on Me
T.N.T.
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock (with Angus Young guitar solo)
Encore:
Highway to Hell
Riff Raff
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)
Saturday 04 June 2016
Muhammad Ali, the silver-tongued boxer and civil rights champion who famously proclaimed himself
"The Greatest" and then spent a lifetime living up to the billing, is dead.
Ali died Friday at a Phoenix-area hospital, where he had spent the past few days being treated for
respiratory complications, a family spokesman confirmed to NBC News. He was 74.
"After a 32-year battle with Parkinson's disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening," Bob Gunnell, a family spokesman, told NBC News.
Friday 03 June 2016.
Deftones + Black Peaks live at Wembley Arena,London.
American alt-metal band Deftones playing only two UK shows on their European Tour.
Wembley Arena and Downland Festival.
They seem to be at Download playing second or third on the bill every other year.
Tonight was the show that was postponed from late 2015 due to Paris terrorist attacks.
Deftones new album 'Gore' went straight in number 5 in the UK when released in April 2016.
'Gore' is their eighth studio album.
Rock critics love them with some dubbing Deftones "The Radiohead of metal".
-----------------------------
It is not sold out tonight but it's a healthy 90% of tickets sold.
Most of the crowd are in early too see the support act from Brighton.
Black Peaks arrive on stage at 8pm and play for 40 mins.
The singer says "this is the greatest day of our lives as we are so stoked to be playing this
famous venue supporting one of our fave bands".
They play some crunching loud tunes from their debut album 'Statues' which is out via Sony.
The singer screamed a bit too much at times but they played a decent set.
Deftones arrive on stage at 9.15pm and play for 85 mins.
It's floor standing tonight which gets very lively during the show.
I am on the floor on the front left a bit away from all the moshing.
Deftones have a big screen showing pre-recorded images but no live footage.
An excellent light and laser show that really mixed well with the bone-crushing riffs.
Sometimes it was so loud the music would drown out the vocals a bit.
Overall a really good show.
Full Deftones setlist played tonight...
Hearts/Wires (intro tape)
Rocket Skates
My Own Summer (Shove It)
Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)
MX
Swerve City
Rosemary
Diamond Eyes
You've Seen the Butcher
Prince
Prayers/Triangles
Digital Bath
Knife Prty
Change (In the House of Flies)
What Happened to You?
Around the Fur
Rickets
Rubicon
Encore:
Root
Engine No. 9
Friday 03 June 2016.
Prince died of an opioid overdose, a US law enforcement official has confirmed.
Fentanyl found in Prince body.
Fentanyl, prescribed by doctors for cancer treatment, can be made illicitly and is blamed for a spike in overdose deaths in the United States. It's 25 to 50 times more potent than heroin and 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
The 57-year-old star was found dead at his estate in Minneapolis on 21 April. An autopsy was completed on April 22, but medical examiners said at the time that the results of toxicology tests could take several weeks.
It is still hard to believe that Prince is dead.
The same painkiller caused Michael Jackson's death.
Thursday 02 June 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 9.15pm
Lincoln Townley: ICONS - private view - Portico Rooms,Somerset House,Strand,London WC2.
Around 150 folks at this nice buzzy art exhibition private view.
The artist is the husband of tv personality Denise Welch...Both are here tonight.
Denise Welch was married to actor Tim Healy and their son is The 1975 frontman Matt Healy.
Tonight was attended by one of the UK's most revered actors Sir Michael Caine and his wife Shakira.
The award-winning actor, previously described Townley as 'the next Andy Warhol', and looked thrilled to see the artist's portrait of him on display in the iconic venue.
Michael Caine is still looking good for age 83 and they stayed for around 30 mins.
Other guests included Jenny Powell, Carol McGiffin, Lizzie Cundy and Glynis Barber.
A dj is playing tracks in the background.
Complimentary prosecco,wines,beers ,burgers and canapés.
---------------------------------------
It’s been a short, sharp ascent for the 43-year-old artist. Just four years ago he was getting his first gallery rejections (the first of 93, he’s not ashamed to tell me); tonight he exhibits his ICONS collection at Portico Rooms in Somerset House.
“It’s a celebration of icons from across the spectrum,” says Townley. “Portraits of sports personalities, musicians, film and television stars… the whole span of people I’ve been lucky enough to paint.”
then
10pm to 11.30pm
THE SPOILS - press night & afterparty - Cuckoo Club,Swallow Street,London W1.
This was the afterparty for the play held earlier at The Trafalgar Studios.
Around 150 folks here at this West End club.
The main actors are here - Jesse Eisenberg, Kunal Nayyar, Alfie Allen, Katie Brayben.
Jesse Eisenberg was in The Social Network film amongst other films and plays.
Eisenberg’s third play The Spoils cements his reputation as a talented playwright whose tragicomic work
explores questions of American privilege and the nature of family and relationships.
Kunal Nayyar you would know better as one of the geeks from The Big Bang Theory.
The dad of Alfie Allen is actor Keith Allen who was here tonight.
Sadly Alfie Allen's sister Lily Allen did not make it tonight.
Actor Andrew Garfield who was also in The Social Network is here.
Also here were Maureen Lipman,Nigel Harman and Robert Sheehan.
A dj is playing tracks in the background.
Complimentary vodka cocktails,wines,beers and canapés for all guests.
Thurs 02 June---Happy Birthday to Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones who is 75 today.
Wednesday 01 June 2016...I went to two events tonight...
A bit of a tame evening compared to last night.
6.15pm to 7.15pm
Rhythm - private view - Imitate Modern, 90 Piccadilly, London, W1.
This gallery near Green Park tube is on the smaller side.
There is a dj playing tunes downstairs.
Complimentary Finlandia vodka cocktails for all guests.
Running from 31st May - 9th June, RHYTHM promises to start the summer with an explosive mix of colour, disciplines and styles, united by the central theme of music and encapsulated in the show's dramatic title piece Rhythm (incredible sound) by Ed Ball. In aiming to bring rhythm into the visual realm, our diverse selection of artworks pays homage to legends of music industry including Prince, David Bowie, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. Equally importantly, we celebrate the rhythm of everyday life, as well as the vitality and universality of music that unites and inspires us all.
www.imitatemodern.com
Visit the website to see the artwork.
then
7.30pm to 9pm
Magnum Pleasure Store - opening party - Magnum, 56 South Molten Street, London, W1.
It's back - The Magnum Pleasure Store where you can 'Make Your Own Magnum' will open as a pop-up shop at 56 South Molton Street, near Bond Street. Opening on Wednesday 1st June, yu'll be able to make your own Magnum by choosing the different elements - ice cream, chocolate, sprinkles - and then eat it, pausing only to Instagram the heck out of it. This year they'll be letting you do double-dipped ones - so two types of chocolate - for £4.50, the same price as before.
It will be here through the summer until 16 September.
You choose three toppings from the twenty available and it comes served on a small tray.
We had three each...my fave was a white chocolate Magnum topped with hazelnuts,honeycombe and pistachio.
It tasted better than some desserts i have had as part of a restaurant meal.
We had a dj spinning some tunes.
Complimentary presecco and Magum ice-creams for all the guests.
www.magnumicecream.com
Visit their website for more info.
Wednesday 01 June 2016.
Update on the phone launch from last night.
The Standard Paper had an article with actor Tom Hardy about the SOLARIN phone.
He was been given a titanium-panelled SOLARIN smartphone with military-grade encryption.
How much is the phone to buy?...a snip at £11,400...wow...
Tuesday 31 May 2016...I went to two events tonight....
6.30pm to 9pm
South Asia Fashion Parade - Mandarin Oriental Hotel ,66 Knightsbridge, London, SW1.
Always nice to be at this luxury five star hotel.
Around 250 folks smartly dressed folks here with 75% of them being Asian.
Guests included Nancy Dell'Olio,Lizzie Cundy and Olivia Grant.
There are complimentary presecco drinks and very nice canapés for the first 90 mins.
Then we have a full luxury couture fashion show in the room next door with five rows of seats
either side of the catwalk and a dozen photographers.
The 10 designers were
Faiza Samee
Seher Tareen
Hira Shah
Khushboos by Chand
Nomi Ansari
Ali Xeeshan
Saira Rizwan
Mehreen Noorani
Raishma
HSY
then we had a dozen prizes given out for The Save The Chidren charity raffle.
All guests got a small goodie bag that included a copy of Harper's Baazar mag.
then
9.30pm to 12.30pm
SIRIN LABS - SOLARIN launch party - One Marylebone, 1 Marylebone Road, London, NW1.
"SOLARIN is the most advanced smartphone available anywhere" says their press release.
They also say "exceptional people deserve exceptional devices".
They have done a fantastic job of dressing up this venue as it looks like a nightclub and we have a huge
screen showing futuristic images and we have lights and lasers.
Around 300 smartly dressed folks here including lots of glammed up females.
Pretty amazing that LEONARDO DICAPRIO turned up here.
He sneaked in the back entrance to avoid the photographers and stayed in the the vip area
with his trademark baseball cap on talking to his inner sanctum and avoiding any eye contact with others.
Leonardo DiCaprio made a surprise appearance and joined his Revenant co-star Tom Hardy at the launch of a new smartphone by Sirin Labs. Amber Le Bon and Becky Tong hit the DJ decks at One Marylebone, while Irina Shayk, Rachel Riley and Victoria's Secret angel Sara Sampaio posed for pictures with the phone, hoping to catch a glimpse of DiCaprio and brand ambassador Hardy. Guests including socialite Hum Fleming and models Eve Delf and Charlotte Wiggins under the futuristic decor, before Sirin CEO Tal Cohen made a speech about the brand.
Lots of folks dancing on the floor from 11pm onwards.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food for all guests.
Bernardin champers,different cocktails including espresso Martinis,wines,beers and
bowl food,canapés,burgers and desserts.
All guests got a small goodie bag on departure.
A really good event.
www.sirinlabs.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Twin girls for Ronnie Wood at 68.
Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood became a dad again on Monday aged 68, as his wife Sally Humphries gave birth to baby girl twins. Wood already has four kids by his ex wives and son Tyrone, 32, said of the news 'I'm ecstatic'.
The rocker was said to be at his wife Sally's side during the birth, and they have named the two girls
Gracie Jane and Alice Rose.
A nice early birthday present as Ronnie is 69 on Wed 01 June.
Tues 31 May---40 years ago today in 1976 i saw The Who play Charlton Football Club.
Support acts were Alex Harvey Band and Little Feat.
Sunday 29 May 2016.
BOWIE EXPERIENCE live at The Theatre Royal,Windsor,Berkshire.
All the main Bowie tribute acts are playing bigger venues since his sad death.
This lovely old venue has a capacity of 633 and it is pretty full.
Most visitors to www.raysgigs.com know that i love a good quality tribute act.
I was lucky to have seen the real Bowie play 17 times since 1976.
The show tonight was a nice long 2 hours 10 mins over two sets of 60 mins and 70 mins.
It was nicely paced with the first set covering the period up to 1973 and the second set
covering the period 1974 onwards...apart from the encore which was released in 1972.
Lots of classic Bowie classic gems played including a few that Bowie had not played for many years.
Several great costumes by Laurence as Bowie including Ziggy Stardust and The Union Jack Trench Coat.
He looked and sounded like Bowie and showed off Bowie type dancing moves.
Backed by seven musicians with some nifty guitar playing and brilliant backing vocals.
We had a big screen showing some atmospheric pre-recorded images.
Not much chat between songs as they played hit after hit.
Plenty of folks up and dancing in the second half as the crowd lapped up 'Heroes','Lets Dance'
and all the crowd are singing along to 'All The Young Dudes' which Bowie wrote for Mott The Hoople.
A very enjoyable show.
Some highlight tracks of the evening.
FIRST SET
Space Oddity
Starman
Changes
Life On Mars
Suffragette City
Moonage Daydream
The Jean Jenie
The Man Who Sold The World
Sorrow
John I'm Only Dancing
Rebel Rebel
SECOND SET
Diamond Dogs
Station To Station
Golden Years
Sound And Vision
Heroes
Boys Keep Swinging
Ashes To Ashes
Fashion
Let's Dance
China Girl
Under Pressure
Young Americans
Modern Love
Absolute Beginners
Encore
All The Young Dudes
www.bowieexperience.com
Visit their website here.
Sunday 29 May 2016.
Happy Birthday to Francis Rossi from Status Quo who is 67 today.
One of those bands who i have seen 40 odd times since the mid 1970s.
Remember their December 2016 UK Tour will be their last as an 'electric' band.
Fri 27 May---The Sex Pistols classic anthem 'God Save The Queen ' was released this day 39 years ago in 1977.
I bought it on the day of release which was my exact 18th birthday.
Fri 27 May---Happy Birthday to Siouxsie Sioux who is 59 today.
Fri 27 May---ABC release the album The Lexicon of Love 2 today on VIRGIN Records.
The London show on their UK tour to promote the album will be at The Royal Festival Hall on 25 Oct 2016.
Fri 27 May---The Monkees will release their first new album in twenty years on May 27
with the Adam Schlesinger produced Good Times.
On the album is a song co-written by Noel Gallagher and Paul Weller (Birth Of An Accidental Hipster).
Thursday 26 May 2016...6.45pm to 9.45pm...
MASERATI LEVANTE - launch party - Royal Horticultural Halls, Elverton Street, Victoria, London, SW1.
A lavish event where Italian luxury car brand launch their new SUV.
A massive crowd of around 500 folks at this event.
The host tonight was Lisa Snowdon.
We have a video then a mini string orchestra playing dramatic music as the new SUV gets unveiled.
The price for the car is £54,500.
Guests here included Sophie Ellis-Bextor and rock n roll jeweller Stephen Webster.
Other guests here included Nick Moran,Brix Smith-Start,Amber Le Bon,Becky Tong and others.
Lots of complimentary Italian drinks and food including top notch Ferrari prosecco,cocktails,
wines,beers and canapés.
A dj played tunes after the unveiling.
All guests got a Maserati embossed notebook when leaving.
A very nice event.
www.maserati.com
Visit the Maserati website for more info.
Thursday 26 May 2016.
Adult colouring books help boost sales.
Adult colouring books have helped to boost numbers of book sales, with over three million worth around £20.3m sold in the last year. Print and ebook sales also increased by 5.7% to £1.828bn last year, and Kate McFarlan, strategic director at book production specialist Clays, said 'Almost every year in publishing something big and unusual breaks out like Fifty Shades of Grey. Adult colouring books have been that in 2015. Whoever saw that coming?'.
Wednesday 25 May 2016...I went to two events tonight...
6.45pm to 9.15pm
Floris for Turnbull & Asser 71/72 - Cologne Fragrance launch party at Turnbull & Asser, 71-72 Jermyn Street, London, W1.
Floris perfumers have collaborated with English shirtmakers Turnbull & Asser to launch a new fragrance.
A nice buzzy event over the two floors of this upmarket gents outfitters.
Quality shirts are all over this immaculately presented store.
We try on some great silk dressing gowns...a snip at £1700 each...
The store person said Playboy owner Hugh Hefner was a regular purchaser of their dressing gowns.
Complimentary Pol Roger champers and nice canapés from HIX restaurant.
All guests got a goodie bag.
www.turnbullandasser.com
Visit the Turnbull & Asser website for more info.
www.florislondon.com
Visit the Floris website for more info.
then
10pm to 11.30pm
Romeo and Juliet - press night party - The Cafe at The National Gallery,Trafalgar Square,London WC2.
A big crowd of over 300 folks for this theatre event that was held earlier at The Garrick Theatre.
A few faces are here including Sir Kenneth Branagh ( his company are producing it) and stars from the show
including Sir Derek Jacobi,Lily James and Meera Syal.
Meera Syal husband Sanjeev Bhaskar was here.
Lily James boyfriend Matt Smith was here.
Also here were Dame Maggie Smith and Graham Norton.
Complimentary presecco,wines,beers and canapés for all guests.
Tuesday 24 May 2016.
Gordon Lightfoot live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Gordon now aged 77 plays his first UK tour for over 30 years.
Gordon Lightfoot is a Canadian singer-songwriter who achieved international success in folk, folk-rock, and country music, and has been credited for helping define the folk-pop sound of the 1960s and 1970s. He has been referred to as Canada's greatest songwriter and internationally as a folk-rock legend...pretty much the Canadian Bob Dylan...
He was massive in Canada and America but not as popular in the UK.
Not many artists got hour long BBC tv specials in the late 60s / early 70s but Gordon had one in 1972
that is all up on YouTube.com for folks to view.
His songs have been recorded by some of the world's most renowned recording artists, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., The Kingston Trio, Marty Robbins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Barbra Streisand, Johnny Mathis, Herb Alpert, Harry Belafonte, Scott Walker, Sarah McLachlan, Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp, Jack Jones, Bobby Vee, Roger Whittaker, Peter, Paul and Mary, Glen Campbell, The Irish Rovers, Nico, Olivia Newton-John and Paul Weller.
---------------------------------------------------
Gordon and his four piece band are on stage for 1 hour 40 mins over two sets of 50 mins.
Not sold out tonight but it's still 90% of tickets sold.
An older crowd here as expected and there seemed like there were quite a few Canadians here as
any time Ontario or Toronto got mentioned there were big cheers.
Gordon still has a full head of hair even though he looks a bit frail and gaunt.
He survived serious illness over the past decade but it's great he has made it to the UK.
Gordon said "it was great to be at this iconic venue as the last time he played London was
in 1981 at The Dominion Theatre".
Everyone on stage is static for the entire show but the vocals were nice and clear.
A respectful crowd who were dead quiet during the songs before bursting into applause at the end.
A bit too laid back easy listening at times but that's his style.
Highlights included 'Carefree Highway','The Wreck Of Edmund Fitzgerald','Early Morning Rain',
'Sundown' and his best known song 'If You Could Read My Mind'.
An enjoyable enough show.
Tues 24 May---Happy Birthday to Bob Dylan who is 75 today.
Wed 25 May---Happy Birthday to Paul Weller who is 58 today.
Tuesday 24 May 2016.
AMG acquire another London venue as part of their UK portfolio.
Academy Music Group (AMG), the venue group who own O2 Academy Brixton, O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
and O2 Academy Islington, have purchased O2 Forum Kentish Town.
Monday 23 May 2016...I went to two events today...
2pm to 4pm
The BLOOM Gin @ The Botanist Pop Up Bar - press launch - Sloane Square,London SW1.
For those that do not know The Botanist is a lively bar for Chelsea folks near the tube station.
I like to pop in there when i visit The Cadogan Hall which is two minutes away.
They have set up a open air bar in a sanded area with benches in the middle of Sloane Square.
We enjoyed some very nice complimentary BLOOM Gin cocktails.
A great place to watch the world go by and for some people watching.
I spotted ERIC CLAPTON driving around Sloane Square in his Porsche.
We also get a complimentary rickshaw ride for around 15 mins which takes us past some of the 37
posh stores of Chelsea & Knightsbridge who have amazing CHELSEA IN BLOOM flower displays
to celebrate this week of The Chelsea Flower Show.
They give out free maps listing the stores participating.
--------------------
The BLOOM Gin @ The Botanist Pop Up Bar is making its debut on Sloane
Square in London to celebrate the Chelsea Flower Show 2016.
The Botanist Bar & Restaurant on Sloane Square has teamed up with
BLOOM Gin to create two floral, botanical cocktails which will be
served at the bar this week to Saturday 28th May, between
12pm and 8pm for the duration of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The Botanist and BLOOM Gin’s al fresco pop-up will be serving the
fruity Chelsea de Janeiro (£10), a blend of BLOOM Gin, King's Ginger
Liqueur, kiwi, hibiscus, grapefruit bitters, pink grapefruit and
pineapple syrup. Classic BLOOM Gin & Tonics will also be available, as
well as Champagne, wine, beer and soft drinks.
Inside The Botanist itself, the limited edition Botanist Floral Spritz
(£12.50), mixed with BLOOM Gin, Belsazar White, Kamm and Sons, St
Germain elderflower, lemon juice and a dash of Angostura bitters,
topped with soda and garnished with cucumber, dill and an edible
flower.
www.thebotanistlondon.com
Visit The Botanist website for more info.
then
Alfresco cafe opposite Harrods for a coffee & cake.
London is really buzzing with tourists everywhere.
then
Magic of the Musicals live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
A special one-off show put together by Magic Radio.
You can see why this event sold out pronto as you have the best songs from over a dozen of the best
West End musicals sung by original cast members.
They were all backed by a 53 piece orchestra and a 27 piece choir.
Monday is 'dark' evening in theatre land where most are closed as a rest day as they work weekends.
The hosts were Ruthie Henshall and Tom Chambers who did a good job of introducing each musical
with some mind boggling ticket sales figures and how many countries each musical has been performed in.
The show was around 2 hours 30 mins long over two sets of 75 mins.
Most musicals had one song and others had two or three...with loads of great vocal performances.
Special guest singers included Kerry Ellis,Kimberley Walsh,Laura Rogers,Michael Xavier,Ramin Karimloo
and Ruthie Henshall.
We had the female lead from Beautiful sing Carole King classics 'I Feel The Earth Move' and
'(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman'.
Also the Sunny Afternoon cast played three Kinks classics with some go-go dancers.
A very enjoyable show.
ACT ONE
Chicago...All That Jazz
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...Pure Imagination
Evita...Oh What A Circus
Matilda The Musical...Naughty
Sunset Boulevard...Sunset Boulevard
Guys and Dolls...Luck Be A Lady
In the Heights...Inutil
Wicked...The Wizard And I
Miss Saigon...Last Night Of the World
Anything Goes...You're The Top
Phantom of the Opera...Music Of The Night
MAMMA MIA!...The Winner Takes It All
Beautiful - The Carole King Musical...I Feel The Earth Move
ACT TWO
Crazy For You...They Can't Take That Away From Me
Elf...Never Fall In Love With An Elf
In the Heights...It Won't Be Long Now
Cabaret...Cabaret
The Lion King...Can You Feel The Love Tonight
Beautiful-The Carole King Musical...(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Les Miserables...Bring Him Home & I Dreamed A Dream
Wicked...Defying Gravity
Rent...Seasons Of Love
Sunny Afternoon - The Kinks Musical...played three of their classic hits
Hairspray...I Know Where I've Been
Guys and Dolls...Sit Down,You're Rockin' The Boat
Sunday 22 May 2016.
Brian Wilson live at The Palladium,London.
Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson now aged 73 plays the last of three shows at The Palladium.
Brian Wilson is on a UK tour for the 50th anniversary of the 'Pet Sounds' album.
He will play 'Pet Sounds' in its entirety along with rare cuts and greatest hits.
His band will include Al Jardine ( a founding member of The Beach Boys) and
Blondie Chaplin (he played with The Beach Boys in the 1970s and more recently with The Rolling Stones).
I have seen Brian Wilson around 20 times since 2002 which is when he returned to playing live again.
-----------------------------------------
Brian Wilson and his top notch band were on stage for 2 hours 20 mins over two sets.
Some 40 songs played with most of the set being Beach Boys classics.
The second set was the classic Beach Boys 'Pet Sounds' album from 1966.
The first of many standing ovations happens before the band have even played a note.
Brian Wilson has suffered mental problems from his drug days in the 1960s so he still shuffles
on stage and looks a bit confused sometimes but the crowd love him even more because of it.
Great to see and hear Al Jardine singing more than half a dozen Beach Boys gems.
Blondie Chaplin played the second half of each set.In the first set he sung a few gems including
'Sail On,Sailor' and brought some loud electric guitar to proceedings and the second half
he took more of a back seat.
Brian was joined by 10 musicians on stage and 11 when Blondie Chaplin joined them.
As always the musicianship,harmonies,melodies and sound quality is perfect.
'God Only Knows' was introduced as Paul McCartneys fave Beach Boys track.
For the encore of the last 30 mins all the crowd are up and i nip down the front for a great view.
As usual he finished with a stunning 'Love and Mercy'.
A fantastic show as always from Brian & his brilliant band.
Full setlist played tonight...
Set 1:
Our Prayer (The Beach Boys song)
Heroes and Villains (The Beach Boys song)
California Girls (The Beach Boys song)
Dance, Dance, Dance (The Beach Boys song)
I Get Around (The Beach Boys song)
Shut Down (The Beach Boys song)
Little Deuce Coupe (The Beach Boys song)
Little Honda (The Beach Boys song)
Please Let Me Wonder (The Beach Boys song)
In My Room (The Beach Boys song)
Surfer Girl (The Beach Boys song)
Don't Worry Baby (The Beach Boys song)
Wake the World (The Beach Boys song)
Add Some Music to Your Day (The Beach Boys song)
Cotton Fields (Lead Belly cover)
Do It Again (The Beach Boys song)
One Kind of Love
Wild Honey (The Beach Boys song)
Funky Pretty (The Beach Boys song)
Sail On, Sailor (The Beach Boys song)
Set 2: PET SOUNDS ALBUM
Wouldn't It Be Nice (The Beach Boys song)
You Still Believe in Me (The Beach Boys song)
That's Not Me (The Beach Boys song)
Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder) (The Beach Boys song)
I'm Waiting for the Day (The Beach Boys song)
Let's Go Away for Awhile (The Beach Boys song)
Sloop John B ([traditional] cover)
God Only Knows (The Beach Boys song)
I Know There's an Answer (The Beach Boys song)
Here Today (The Beach Boys song)
I Just Wasn't Made for These Times (The Beach Boys song)
Pet Sounds (The Beach Boys song)
Caroline, No
Encore:
Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys song)
All Summer Long (The Beach Boys song)
Help Me, Rhonda (The Beach Boys song)
Barbara Ann (The Regents cover)
Surfin' U.S.A. (The Beach Boys song)
Fun, Fun, Fun (The Beach Boys song)
Love and Mercy
Sunday 22 May---Happy Birthday to Morrissey who is 57 today---he is five days older than me.
Saturday 21 May 2016.
40 years ago this week i saw four of the six ROLLING STONES shows at Earls Court Arena.
Rolling Stones, Meters - Earls Court Arena, London 21.05.1976 My first Rolling Stones show.
Rolling Stones, Meters - Earls Court Arena, London 25.05.1976 I got down the front for 2 of the shows.
Rolling Stones, Meters - Earls Court Arena, London 26.05.1976 Great shows in their 1970s heyday.
Rolling Stones, Meters - Earls Court Arena, London 27.05.1976
The last of these shows was on my 17th birthday.
Friday 20 May 2016.
THE DAMNED live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Original British punk rock legends play a sold out 40th anniversary show.
It's their debut show at this venue to celebrate 40 years of punk rock and their debut single.
Their classic debut track "New Rose" was the first single by a British punk rock group.
It was released on 22 October 1976 on Stiff Records.
I have seen these punk legends around 40 times since 1976.
I first saw them in Sept 1976 at the legendary 100 Club Punk Rock Festival.
In the punk heyday year of 1977 i saw them 10 times.
They still have two original members---Dave Vanian (vocals) and Captain Sensible (guitar).
Funny how times have changed...
The bands promoter Derek Block in 1977 tried to book them to play this iconic venue.
When punk pioneers The Damned asked to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in 1977,
the venue ruled that the band were wholly unsuitable for the plush auditorium.
-------------------------------
In a couple of interviews running up to the gig the band said "as it was such a special anniversary
we are gonna play the longest show of our career" and that's pretty much how it was as
the band played a mammoth 2 hours 45 mins over two sets of 70 mins and 95 mins.
The first set ticked along nicely with mainly lesser known tracks then the second set had all the classics
including 'Love Song','Smash It Up','Neat,Neat,Neat' and 'New Rose'.
Lots of my punk rock chums from Iggy Pop last week are here tonight.
The stage production was pretty basic like it always is with The Damned.
We have floor standing that gets very lively in the second set.
Captain Sensible is wearing a sparkly jacket and a bright beret.
The Damned started off as a traditional four piece but in the 1980s they added a keyboard player
and dabbled with goth rock,psychedelic rock and even a bit of Prog rock.
We also have a trumpet player for a few songs tonight.
A great extended version of 'Curtain Call' which featured a female violin player (Dave Vanians daughter Emily)
wearing black angel wings along with Dave Vanian who also was wearing them.
For the encore Captain Sensible wore a Crystal Palace football shirt as the following day his team would be
playing Man Utd in the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
It was pretty amazing to see The Damned in this iconic venue playing to a full house of hardcore fans.
A great show.
--------------------------------------