News and Reviews: 22nd April 2018
Monday 23 April 2018.Punk rock guitar legend JOHNNY THUNDERS sadly died today in 1991 - 27 year ago...
I saw him live 18 times with the first at The Roxy Club in 1977 and included a gig on home turf in 1979
when he played at Max's Kansas City in New York.
Sunday 22 April 2018...6pm to 9pm...
My band had our fourth rehearsal in North Acton tonight.
Just the three of us this time but good fun.
Saturday 21 April 2018.
In my review of Friday nights Chas & Dave show i mentioned that they had a much bigger
stage production than they usually have and that there was a huge circular light rig above them
like David Gilmour uses and a massive wraparound screen behind them.
There was an explanation for that.
Basically they were using the production that was in situ for The Queen's 92nd birthday concert
at The Royal Albert Hall the following evening that was shown live on BBC1 tv.
Saturday 21 April 2018.
Another sad death to report.
VERNE TROYER dead - Austin Powers mini me actor dies aged 49.
Verne Troyer, famous for starring in Austin Powers films as Mini Me, has died aged 49.
The actor died on Saturday, according to reports.
Saturday 21 April 2018.
Happy Birthday to punk rock legend Iggy Pop who is 71 today.
Prince very sadly died two years ago today.
Friday 20 April 2018.
CHAS & DAVE live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
This is a special show to launch their new album 'A Little Bit of Us'.
Chas & Dave have had five Top 40 hits.
I have seen them several times since they supported 10cc at Hammersmith Odeon in 1976.
After being off the road for most of 2017 while Chas received treatment for cancer, the boys are playing again.
Bona fide national treasures Chas & Dave return with a new album ‘A Little Bit of Us,’ their first in over thirty years to feature brand-new Chas & Dave songs. The album, released on April 20th on the duo’s rejuvenated ‘Rockney’ label via Cooking Vinyl, is available on 12” vinyl (COOKLP704), CD (COOKCD704) and digital download.
The album features a mix of new Chas & Dave originals and live favourites.
There is an old clip on YouTube from 1982 where Eric Clapton & Albert Lee played with them.
Chas & Dave are most notable as creators and performers of a musical style labelled "rockney" (a portmanteau of "rock" and "cockney"), which mixes "pub singalong, music-hall humour, boogie-woogie piano and pre-Beatles rock 'n' roll".
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Not long ago we had heavy snowfalls and today was the third day of glorious sunshine.
The show tonight is not sold out but it is a respectable 95% per cent full.
The bars are doing a roaring trade as this crowd like a few sherbets.
CHAS & DAVE are on stage for two hours over two sets of 45 mins and 75 mins.
They have a much bigger than usual stage production as they have a huge circular light rig like
David Gilmour has and a brass section and string section are used on several tracks.
Also a big wraparound screen at the back showing the one image helps fill the stage out.
It is a lively pub knees-up type atmosphere and the crowd are keen to have a sing-song and dance.
Many tunes tick over nicely during the show but the biggies go down a treat with the first set including
'One Fing and Anuvver', 'When Two Worlds Collide' and 'Gercha'.
Second set included the gems 'London Girls', 'Down to Margate','Snooker Loopy' and 'Rabbit'.
A highlight was the final two songs of the night, 'Ain’t No Pleasing You' & 'The Sideboard Song' – the former was a big old lovely soppy arms-in-the-air singalong, and the latter was the perfect end to the night, a proper right old Cockernee knees up and exactly what we’d all come for.
A very enjoyable show.
Friday 20 April 2018.
Shock news that AVICII has passed away.
Swedish DJ Avicii, one of the world's biggest dance music stars, has died in Oman at the age of 28.
Avicii's club anthems include Wake Me Up, Levels, and recently, Lonely Together with Rita Ora.
His representative said in a statement: "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the loss of Tim Bergling, also known as Avicii.
"The family is devastated and we ask everyone to please respect their need for privacy in this difficult time."
No cause of death was announced, and Avicii's representative said no further statements would be issued.
The superstar DJ behind some of the decade's biggest hits
The electronic dance music (EDM) star, who reportedly made $250,000 (£180,000) a night on tour, had struggled with some health issues in the past, having his gall bladder and appendix removed in 2014.
He announced his retirement from touring in 2016, partly because of the health problems.
"I know I am blessed to be able to travel all around the world and perform, but I have too little left for the life of a real person behind the artist," he said at the time.
He had over 11 billion streams/views of tracks he has been involved with.
Thursday 19 April 2018...I went to two events tonight...
6.15pm to 9.15pm
ASH FROM CHAOS - private view - Lazinc Gallery, 29 Sackville Street, Mayfair, London W1.
In Nov 2016 , Joe Corre - The son of Vivienne Westwood and the late Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren
set fire to an estimated £5m worth of punk memorabilia on a boat on the river Thames.
Joe Corré torched the items alongside effigies of politicians loaded with fireworks, as part of a protest near Albert Bridge in Chelsea, west London.
Corre, who was wearing a top hat and bandana tied around his head, told the crowd before setting the items alight: “Punk was never, never meant to be nostalgic – and you can’t learn how to be one at a Museum of London workshop.
“Punk has become another marketing tool to sell you something you don’t need. The illusion of an alternative choice. Conformity in another uniform.”
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A nice buzzy atmosphere as over 150 guests and several photographers are at this gallery space.
Upstairs was a dark room where a dozen guests at a time would view the glass coffin with the ashes in it
and a five minute video of computer images showing the burning alongside a soundtrack of
The Sex Pistols 'Anarchy in The UK' (orchestral version from The Great Rock n Roll Swindle album).
Lots of folks here i knew which was nice.
Guests included...
Joe Corre
Dame Vivienne Westwood
Jordan (worked with Vivienne Westwood and the SEX boutique in the Kings Road in the mid-1970s)
Rose McGowan (American actress)
Meredith Ostrom (American actress)
Malcolm McLaren associate John 'Boogie' Tiberi who worked with The Sex Pistols
Ed Tudor-Pole / Tenpole Tudor (singer)
Bez (Happy Mondays / Black Grape)
Maggi Ronson (singer and sister to guitar legend Mick Ronson)
Patti Palladin (singer who recorded an album with Johnny Thunders)
Philip Sallon ( original member of The Bromley Contingent)
Nick Reynolds ( sculptor and member of Alabama 3 )
Sir Tom Baker ( rock n roll fashion designer who has a store in Soho)
Phil Strongman (made the documentary Anarchy! McLaren Westwood Gang in 2013)
Daniel Lismore (fashion designer who always wears one of his own stunning creations)
He has been described as "England's most outrageous dresser" by Vogue.
Gaz Mayall (dj whose sound system at Notting Hill Carnival is a must visit if go there )
Pandemonia (is a character and persona created as conceptual art by an anonymous London-based artist that has appeared in the art and fashion world since 2009.Clad in a latex full-head mask with stylized hair and latex dresses,Pandemonia is seven feet tall and was described by Katia Ganfield of Vice as "Roy Lichtenstein's blonde caricatures ... brought to life as a 7 ft Jeff Koons inflatable".Pandemonia was accompanied by an inflatable white dog named Snowy).
A dj was playing cool tunes in the background.
Also here was a 21 year old women fully dressed as Jordan in the 1978 film 'Jubilee'.
808 WHISKY provided three types of cocktails for all the guests.
The exhibition is on until Saturday 28 April 2018.
www.burnpunklondon.com
Visit the website here for more info and images.
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then
10.15pm to 12pm
BAT OUT OF HELL - opening night party - Bloomsbury Ballroom, London WC2.
This musical is back in London for a second stint.
I saw this great show based on the songs of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf last year.
I will definitely go and see it in the future at The Dominion.
Over 500 guests at this massive party after the show earlier at The Dominion Theatre.
All the cast members are here but not many celebs as such.
Chris Moyles and Pat Cash watched the show but I did not see them at the party.
Kerry Ellis was here, she has sung in many musicals including We Will Rock You.
I had a nice chat with legendary live music agent John Giddings who looked after
Meat Loaf until he had to retire due to ill health.
They had a silent disco here which was good fun as we put the headphones on for a few songs.
Complimentary prosecco, three different cocktails, wines, beers along with bowl food and canapés.
We left at midnight and it was still lively as it was due to finish at 1am.
Wednesday 18 April 2018...6.45pm to 9.15pm...
FASHIONED FROM NATURE - private view - V & A Museum, South Kensington, London SW7.
The first UK exhibition to explore the complex relationship between fashion and nature from 1600 to the present day.
This exhibition will present fashionable dress alongside natural history specimens, innovative new fabrics and dyeing processes, inviting visitors to think about the materials of fashion and the sources of their clothes.
Get to the venue and there must a dozen celebrity photographers outside the venue and several more inside.
This was a big event for the older sophisticated fashion crowd as there are over 300 guests here including
Stella McCartney, Jennifer Saunders ,Ellie Goulding, Arizona Muse, Natalie Imbruglia, Nicola Roberts,
Lady Amelia Windsor, Camilla Rutherford, David Downton, Eric Underwood, Stephen Jones and
rap duo Krept & Konan.
At 7.25pm we had a couple of introduction speeches.
From 7.45pm to 8.15pm I had a wander around the exhibition.
Presented chronologically , the first room of the two-tier show is a crash course in textile practises of the past.
Spanning 300 objects including outfits from well known designers including Dior , Christopher Kane ,
Calvin Klein and Stella McCartney (probably the UK's most socially conscious designer)
and lesser known designers of current day streetwear.
A female dj playing tunes in the background.
Complimentary Nyetimber English sparkling wines,three different Warner Edwards British Gin cocktails
and some very tasty canapés.
All guests got a linen clutch bag as a goodie bag with a few items inside.
www.vam.ac.uk
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets for £12.
Wednesday 18 April 2018.
Another sad death to report.
Dale Winton has sadly died aged 62.
Dale Winton was an English radio DJ and television presenter, best known for presenting shows including Dale's Supermarket Sweep from 1993 until 2000 and again in 2007, the National Lottery game show In It to Win It between 2002 and 2016 and the 2008 series of Hole in the Wall.
Tuesday 17 April 2018.
Very sad news about Matthew Mellon.
Matthew Mellon, the billionaire playboy and pal of Liz Hurley, has died aged only 54.
The banking heir and ex-husband of Jimmy Choo guru Tamara Mellon lost his battle
with drug addiction at a rehab clinic in Cancun, Mexico.
They were one of the 'golden couples' of the 1990s celebrity circuit.
In her book 'In My Shoes' Tamara said how Matthew had a debilitating cocaine addiction and
would disappear for days at a time , only to be found at a Notting Hill crack house.
A representative said in a statement: "Billionaire Matthew Mellon, 53, died suddenly in Cancun, Mexico, where he was attending a drug rehabilitation facility.
I chatted with him a couple of times in July 2016 at a Lionel Richie photographs private view and at
The Serpentine Gallery summer party.
Tuesday 17 April 2018... I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 8pm
BUNGATINI @ BUNGA BUNGA - showcase - 147 Drury Lane, Covent Garden,London WC2.
Bunga Bunga is a fantastic name for an Italian restaurant & bar.
The phrase "bunga bunga" has become inextricably linked with the private life of Italy's Silvio Berlusconi,
The comical-sounding phrase made its first appearance when young women
attended "bunga bunga" parties with other women at Mr Berlusconi's villa in Milan.
BungaTINI is a bar & pizzeria serving aperitivo, dinner, drinks, weekend brunch and everything in-between.
Inspired by a neighbourhood back-street Italian bar & pizzeria, they serve a delicious range of home-made pizzas and classically simple regional dishes available to eat in or take away. The bar houses a large selection of Italian wines, beers, Proseccos and vermouths and also serves a range of cocktails perfect for either an aperitivo or digestivo.
Upstairs is the main restaurant & bar and a big crowd of over 200 guests are in the basement area.
This is where they hold cabaret shows while folks eat their dinner.
A camp host introduced the singers,dancers and theatrical acts.
Complimentary food and drinks included different cocktails, wines, beers, bowl food , canapés
and lots of their very nice fresh pizza.
bungabungalondon.com
Visit their website here for info.
then
JETHRO TULL live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Jethro Tull are on a 50th anniversary UK tour.
They have released over 20 studio albums since 1968.
Ian Anderson on vocals is now aged 70 and is the only original member these days.
Jethro Tull were massive in the 1970s and 1980s and have sold over 50 million albums worldwide.
I have seen Jethro Tull 10 times since 1978...all were at Hammersmith Odeon.
I don't recall seeing Jethro Tull anytime over the past 10 years.
The loyal Prog rock crowd are out in force tonight as the venue is totally sold out.
JETHRO TULL played a two hour show over two sets of 60 mins.
I missed the first set as i was at the previous event so just saw the second set.
Jethro Tull arrived on stage at 8.55pm for their second set.
There is a big screen showing pre-recorded images, vintage Tull gig footage and song introductions
from big music names including Steve Harris, Joe Elliot and Slash.
Plenty of very English type humour stage banter from singer Ian Anderson who still plays the
flute on one leg while the other is bent at the knee during some songs.
In the first set i missed 'A Song for Jeffrey' , 'Living in the Past' and 'A New Day Yesterday' but
the second set had plenty of their well known tunes including 'Thick as a Brick' ,
'Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll, Too Young to Die', 'Songs From The Wood' , Aqualung' and
encore of 'Locomotive Breath'.
As expected there were far too many Prog muso meanderings which made it a pretty average gig
for me but my friends and the crowd loved it.
Full Jethro Tull setlist played tonight....
FIRST SET
My Sunday Feeling
Love Story
A Song for Jeffrey
Some Day the Sun Won't Shine for You
Dharma for One
Living in the Past
A New Day Yesterday
Bourrée in E minor (Johann Sebastian Bach cover)
With You There to Help Me
The Witch's Promise
My God
Cross-Eyed Mary
SECOND SET (I arrived at the interval to see the second set only)
Thick as a Brick
A Passion Play
Too Old to Rock 'n' Roll, Too Young to Die
Songs From the Wood
Ring Out, Solstice Bells
Heavy Horses
Farm on the Freeway
Aqualung
Encore:
Locomotive Breath
Monday 16 April 2018...7.15pm to 11.15pm...
TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST 'The Auction' at Christies, King Street, St James's, London SW1.
This charity auction is in support of people living with HIV.
Last year the online and live auctions combined raised over £240,000. Over its history, the event has raised over £4.2 million to make a difference to the lives of people living with and affected by HIV.
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I have been to this event a few times before and it is always a great evening.
Around 500 guests here with maybe 75% gay men & women.
A few well known faces are here including Wayne Sleep and Daniel Lismore (in full OTT attire).
Also Nancy Dell'Olio , Ivy Paige and performance artist Pandemonium (in full OTT attire)
Before the auction started the auctioneer mentioned the news that broke in the morning.
Eurovision winner Conchita has told fans that she is HIV-positive, and has been in regular treatment for “several years”. The 29-year-old Austrian drag performer made a public statement on Instagram in response to an ex-boyfriend allegedly threatening to reveal the information.
'I don't want to give anyone the right to cause me pain' says Conchita.
From 8.15pm to 9.15pm we are seated in the main auction room as bidding for world-renowned artwork,
luxury travel lots and exciting celebrity experiences takes place.
Around 21 lots are live in the room and another 49 lots are in the silent auction.
After the auction we had a standing quartet band roaming the room playing cover versions.
Lots of complimentary drinks and food for all guests throughout including Nicolas Courtin champers,
three different Smirnoff vodka cocktails along with different canapés and doughnuts.
www.tht.org.uk
Visit their website here for more info on the great work this charity does.
Sunday 15 April 2018.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony took place last night in Cleveland, USA.
5 artists from the ballot are included in the Performer Category
1 individual is recognised with an Award for Early Influence.
CLASS OF 2018 INDUCTEES ARE:
Performer Category:
Bon Jovi
The Cars
Dire Straits
The Moody Blues
Nina Simone R.I.P.
Award for Early Influence:
Sister Rosetta Tharpe R.I.P.
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Performances and speeches will be worth looking at on YouTube.
Bon Jovi played four songs and reunited with Richie Sambora.
The Cars played four songs.
The Moody Blues played four songs.
Dire Straits did not play as Mark Knopfler refused to attend the ceremony.
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Bon Jovi - I have seen around 25 times since 1984 when they supported KISS.
Only 500 fans out of 5000 were in The Brighton Centre early to see Bon Jovi.
I kind of felt sorry for them....now with over 130 million albums sold.
This show was the FIRST EVER gig by Bon Jovi in Europe as their debut album had just came out.
Two weeks later i would see them play their first ever London show, supporting KISS at Wembley Arena.
The Cars - Incredibly have played only two shows in the UK in 1978 when they debut album came out.
They stayed in America for the following decade and cleaned up over there.
Their classic debut album from 1978 was recorded in London with Roy Thomas Baker.
Dire Straits - I have seen around 15 times which included one of their earliest shows.
Amazingly they were first band on out of three on a new wave/punk bill at The Roundhouse in Jan 1978
when Talking Heads and Slaughter & The Dogs were more popular than them.
The Moody Blues - I have seen a few times but apart from the big hits are not really my cup of tea.
Nina Simone - I saw perform a couple of times at Hammersmith Odeon in the early 1990s.
Saturday 14 April 2018.
KYLIE MINOGUE has been promoting her latest album the past week all over UK tv, radio and print
which has resulted in 'Golden' going straight in at Number One in the charts.
Friday 13 April 2018...I went to two events today...
4.15pm to 7.15pm
THE LONDON COFFEE FESTIVAL at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1.
The UK's largest coffee event returns to the same venue as previous years.
This is a massive event for coffee lovers as this was day 2 of 4 which attracts around 5000
visitors a day over the different levels here.
Over 200 exhibitors here including 100 plus coffee brands along with tastings and master classes.
Lots of fresh coffee samples from the likes of BAILEYS ICED COFFEE.
Maybe 90% coffee drinks here but also wines, beers, tea , soft drinks and snacks.
Nice nutty protein snack bars from KIND and gourmet popcorn from JOE & SEPH'S.
A couple bands played a few songs in one of the larger spaces.
Complimentary drinks in the press area included Baileys Flat Martini, Mr Blacks Espresso Martini,
Papas Espresso and others.
Guests got a goodie bag with coffee samples and snacks inside.
www.londoncoffeefestival.com
Visit their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
then
8pm to 10.30pm
CAFE de PARIS presents THE SERVICE - press view - , 3-4 Coventry Street, London W1.
Café de Paris launch The Service, a theatrical and immersive burlesque and cabaret show that reflects the dark, sexy and alternative history of one of the world’s most renowned clubs. From the beginnings of Café de Paris in the roaring ‘20s through to the ‘40s big bands; the debauchery of Princess Margaret’s 21st birthday in the ‘50s and the ‘90s secret A-list parties from the likes of Prince. The Service features jaw-dropping performances that capture the essence of this iconic venue, spanning more than nine decades.
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The paying punters are downstairs sat at various sized tables.
Many are celebrating birthdays as the cake with sparklers is delivered to their table.
We are seated up in the press area on one side of the balcony with complimentary champagne cocktails.
The show started at 8.35pm and was on for 90 mins over two sets of 40 mins and 50 mins.
There are eight performers on stage ( four male/four female) with most doing two or three routines.
The whole evening is compered by the inimitable Reuben Kaye, our Maitre ‘D; an MC whose wit is as razor sharp as his tongue and whose handling of hecklers is nothing short of masterful. Kaye works the room like
a true virtuoso, between acts owning every moment in which he appears...very camp to say the least...
The evening is dedicated to Marlene Dietrich for her album Live at the Café de Paris , recorded in London, at her opening night in Café de Paris in June 21, 1954.
A vintage video footage of Dietrich being introduced by Noël Coward was shown on the big screen.
We have an ariel act, trapeze, burlesque,fire breathing,dance numbers,comedy , hula hoops girl,
juggling, balancing etc.
An enjoyable evening.
Ticket prices are £20 for general admission and extra for canapés and dinner packages.
www.cafedeparis.com
Check their website here for more info and to buy tickets.
Thursday 12 April 2018... I went to two events tonight...
6.15pm to 7.15pm
PLATINUM LACE - 14 Leicester Square, London WC2.
Lap dancing brand Platinum Lace have taken over this club that used to be called 14 Leicester Square.
It is only 200 or 300 yards from their other club in Coventry Street.
It is very luxurious inside and there are around 30 dancers dotted around the club.
They are taking it in turns on the various pole dance platforms and walking around in their underwear.
They are still working and gently asking 'would you like a sexy private dance for £20?'.
Complimentary Moët champers for all guests.
www.platinumlace.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
then
7.45pm to 11.30pm
CHOKHI DHANI - launch party - Unit 2, Riverlight Quay, Nine Elms Lane, London SW11.
I worked in Nine Elms Lane from 1993 to 1998 on the land where the new American Embassy sits.
It used to be a pretty desolate area but that has long gone as there are many luxury blocks of flats now
and the restaurants and bars and stores are now all gradually arriving.
For the last three decades, the name Chokhi Dhani has been synonymous with the championing of local Indian culture and hospitality. Now this legendary name opens in London.
Indian hotel brand Chokhi Dhani has chosen Battersea for its London debut, no doubt attracted by all the development around the nearby new American Embassy and Battersea Power Station. Chokhi Dhani is an ode to the maharajahs of Rajasthan, with dazzling interiors which are led by a collection of handmade artworks from some of India’s greatest talents, while a life-size 14-foot-high bronze elephant takes centre stage in the upstairs dining room. The menu is equally as regal, with the upstairs featuring classic Indian banquet-style dishes, celebrating ‘aristocratic luxury at its most seductive’. The ground floor is a little more subdued, offering a selection of dishes inspired by India’s street food scene.
We are greeted by staff dressed in tradional Indian attire.
A lively buzzy vibe as over 200 guests were here and the entertainment was all upstairs.
At 8.30pm PIXIE LOTT performed a 30 mins set of her best material to a backing tape.
Her set include her hits 'Boys and Girls' and 'Cry Me Out'.
At 9.30pm PROFESSOR GREEN performed a 30 mins set of his best material to a backing tape.
Professor Green was joined by another rapper for his set.
Highlights included 'I Need You Tonight', 'Just Be Good To Green' and 'Read All About It'.
Roman Kemp and Ollie Lyles were the djs playing tunes between the live acts.
There was a card magician entertaining guests.
Complimentary Moët champers, various spirits and mixers, wines, beers and lots of their
very tasty Indian food.
A great evening in a top quality venue.
www.chokhidhani.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
Wednesday 11 April 2018.
42nd STREET - musical - live at The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.
Singer LULU is returning to the West End stage after 30 years to join the cast of 42nd Street.
The 69-year-old will play Dorothy Brock in the production at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
She replaces Sheena Easton, who completed her run in the production, on March 19.
The Shout star last appeared in the West End, in The Mystery Of Edwin Drood, at the Savoy Theatre in 1987.
She told the Daily Mail: “I’m still ticking, so why not? One of the things I am blessed with – there’s no doubt about it – is to be still here.”
LULU will have nine costume changes and the cast includes around 50 actors and dancers.
LULU has had ten Top 10 hits in the UK including a number one with 'Shout' back in 1964.
Oddly enough i went to the big afterparty for Sheena Easton's opening night on 04 April 2017 at
One Embankment where Sheena turned up but i never saw her perform in the show that night or since.
The musical got across the board great reviews when it opened.
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I have a fantastic view in the stalls just five rows from the stage.
The show was on for around 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 75 mins and 60 mins.
From the opening moments of 42nd Street you know you are in for a good night. The first note from the orchestra is a deep, cheeky parp of brass. Then comes the curtain rise and it stops at knee length long enough for us to see 80 feet tap-dancing, kicking up a noise like so many mad rattlesnakes. Clack clack clack clack clack. Mesmerising.
It is set in America in 1933 and is really is a visual treat with loads of big dance numbers like that.
Dazzlingly lavish and bright , it was a full monty good old fashioned spectacle.
Great to see Lulu acting and singing and looking incredible for age 69.
There are some mega show tunes in this musical including '42nd Street', 'We’re in the Money’ ,
‘Lullaby of Broadway’ and 'Keep Young and Beautiful (If You Want to be Loved)’ .
A stunning show that i will definitely go and see again in a few months.
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In the interval i spotted NIGEL LYTHGOE who is one of those behind the scenes tv moguls.
He said he is in London for a week before flying back to Los Angeles on Saturday.
He's the man who started it all. Around 15 years ago, a TV show called Popstars was created in New Zealand.
On a holiday with his then wife Bonnie, British TV executive Nigel Lythgoe saw the Australian version, a format he brought back here. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Pop Idol followed, and then The X Factor.
He is good mates with Simon Cowell and Simon Fuller and owns six houses around the world.
Wednesday 11 April 2018.
The Amsterdam Arena to be re-named after a Dutch footie legend.
The 54,000-capacity soccer stadium in the Dutch capital Amsterdam will be known as
Johan Cruijff Arena once the 2018/2019 soccer season kicks off this summer.
I saw The Rolling Stones play at this venue in Aug 2003.
Tuesday 10 April 2018...6.45pm to 10.45pm...
BLUEBIRD CAFE - launch party - Television Centre,Wood Lane, White City, London W12.
Pretty amazing that The Television Centre is now a food and drink destination these days as
half a dozen restaurants are due to open there this week on the ground level opposite White City tube station.
I came here to see Top Of The Pops a few times in the 1970s and 1980s and other tv shows
including Jools Holland and Jonathan Ross.
Trendy private members club SOHO HOUSE have taken over most of the upper levels of the
building but there are still a couple of television studios here.
At Soho House , besides the club spaces, members will have access to the gym, two swimming pools (one of which is on the rooftop), space for members' events, two cinemas, a screening room and 45 bedrooms all within the building’s original Grade II listed central ring. Bedroom bookings will be open soon for stays in April onwards.
Around 150 guests here including a few celeb faces - Lottie Moss (Kate Moss daughter), Vic Reeves,
Meg Matthews, Pips Taylor and Tallia Storm.
Georgia Toffolo was here.She is an English television and media personality. She is best known for appearing on E4 reality television series Made in Chelsea from 2014 and winning the seventeenth series of ITV's I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! in 2017.
A female dj is playing some tunes and a female electric violinist performs a few tracks.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers, two different cocktails, wines, beers and very
tasty food including crispy chicken ,mini lobster rolls and mini doughnuts for all guests.
www.bluebirdcafe.co.uk
Visit the BLUEBIRD CAFE website here for more info.
Monday 09 April 2018.
LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM....He's quite literally going his own way.
It has been announced that Lindsey Buckingham has parted ways with Fleetwood Mac, with reports suggesting that he was fired from the group.
Guitarist/vocalist Buckingham first joined the band in 1974 and remained a member until 1987. He then reunited with the group in 1996.
Rolling Stone reports that Buckingham was “fired” from the group following “a disagreement over the band’s upcoming tour”.
Buckingham will be replaced on the tour by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers guitarist Mike Campbell and Crowded House’s Neil Finn.
Sunday 08 April 2018...6pm to 9pm...
My band GUN CONTROL had our third rehearsal in North Acton.
Three out of five original members along with a new singer.
The tunes sound good and it's great to be playing a bit of drums again.
The start and endings need to be tidied up but it's coming along ok.
Hopefully we will be playing a couple of pub gigs in West London in August.
Saturday 07 April 2018.
SEX PISSED DOLLS live at The 100 Club, London.
All girl band playing classic punk covers by the likes of The Clash, The Ramones, The Undertones, SLF,
The Dead Kennedy's , Sham 69 and of course The Sex Pistols....along with a few rock classics from the
likes of The Cult, Foo Fighters and Led Zeppelin.
Check out some of their great covers on YouTube.
The five band members names are...
NANCY DOLL ON VOCALS
KITTY VACANT ON GUITAR
CONNIE ROTTER ON GUITAR
JILLY IDOL ON BASS
ANNA KEY ON DRUMS
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Surely their Sex Pissed Dolls band name is one of the best out there?
At last I get to see this band play live at this legendary club venue , which is sold out.
The dj is playing a perfect bunch of punk classics when the bands are not on stage.
SEX PISSED DOLLS were on stage for 1 hour 55 mins over two sets of 25 mins and 90 mins.
The first set was semi acoustic and the second set was a full 90 mins electric set.
Between their two sets another band played three songs.
All the girls arrive on stage wearing some very nice 'rock chick' attire.
From the start it is a very lively crowd as there is plenty of dancing down the front
as everyone knows the words to the classic songs played.
Nancy Doll on vocals is giving it 100% as she headbangs with her long whirling hair.
Plenty of stage banter from her between the songs.
All the band make a great live sound on stage and had plenty of energy.
In the crowd was Steve English who was security for The Sex Pistols and The Clash in the late 1970s
as well as doing security for The Roundhouse in the 1970s.
A very enjoyable show.
SEMI-ACOUSTIC SET
1.Ever Fallen In Love( with someone you shouldn't have)
2.I Fought The Law
3.Smells Like Teen Sprit
4.God Save The Queen
5.Times Like These
THE NOVATONES from Southampton played three good indie-pop tunes.
ELECTRIC SET
1.Pretty Vacant
2.Teenage Kicks
3.Swords of a Thousand Men
4.their own song - title ???
5.Psycho Killer
6.Holiday in Cambodia
7.Hanging on The Telephone
8.You Gotta Fight For Your Right To Party
9.Holidays in The Sun
10.Hersham Boys
11.Hey Ho Lets Go
12.Common People
13.California Uber Alles
14.White Riot
15.Hurry Up Harry
16.Ever Fallen In Love (with someone you shouldn't have)
17.Smells Like Teen Spirit
18.She Sells Sanctuary
19.Rock and Roll
20.Drum Solo
21.Alternative Ulster
22.Anarchy In The UK
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The band return to The 100 Club on Friday 16 Nov 2018.
Saturday 07 April 2017.
When doing the photos for The Sun interview on my gig going i came across my original
black leather Belstaff jacket that i bought in 1978...40 years ago...
1. The jacket was bought for when i had a Suzuki GT750 motorbike at aged just 18.
2. The Ramones type jacket was used for wearing to rock gigs.
3. For punk gigs I would put a large nappy pin in the collar...which is still there...
Friday 06 April 2018.
After the huge success of this year’s ‘40 Years Of Disco’ tour Tony Denton Promotions has announced the line up for 2019 that once more brings together disco legends for this unique arena concert. The legendary acts confirmed to perform are Village People, The Trammps, Imagination featuring Leee John, The Gibson Brothers, The Three Degrees, The Real Thing and making a return due to overwhelming demand Odyssey.
Thurs 21st March 2019 - BRIGHTON - Centre 01273 290131 www.brightoncentre.co.uk
Fri 22nd March 2019 - LONDON - The SSE Arena, Wembley 0844 815 0815 www.ssearena.co.uk
Sat 23rd March 2019 - LIVERPOOL - Echo Arena 0844 8000 400 www.echoarena.com
Sun 24th March 2019 - BIRMINGHAM - Genting Arena 0844 33 88222 www.gentingarena.co.uk
www.tdpromo.com
Buy tickets direct from the promoter here.
Thursday 05 April 2018.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY + MONOLORD live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Black Label Society are on a month long European Tour to promote recent album 'Grimmest Hits'.
Black Label Society have released ten studio albums.
I have seen them a couple of times before as a support act at festivals.
They feature Zakk Wylde on guitar who is also in Ozzy Osbourne's band.
They are more popular back home in America as in the UK they have had no hit singles
and their highest album placing was only at number 30.
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Tonight must be one of the heaviest rock nights this iconic venue has ever held.
There are leather jackets and denim all over the place...both onstage and in the crowd...
The circle is half empty but still a good turn out as the tickets are much cheaper than most
of the bigger acts that usually play this iconic venue.
MONOLORD are a Swedish trio and arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played for 35 mins.
Their vocals were a bit dreary but the powerhouse drummer and Black Sabbath type heavy
guitar riffs meant they did rock.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY arrived on stage at 8.45pm and played a full two hour show.
Much longer than they usually play for as the show is being recorded for a live DVD.
Always nice for a band to have Live at The Royal Albert Hall on the cover of their DVD.
We have a full rock show set up with loads of lights and loads of amps and a production that
could easily be at Brixton Academy or Hammersmith Apollo.
Plenty of solid rock tunes and a couple where Zakk Wylde played some good piano.
Zakk said "We dedicate 'In This River' to Dimebag every night. I wrote the song before Dime passed away.
It is just like I never had a brother, but Dime was my brother. I laid him to rest".
Lots of guitar shredding from Zakk Wylde throughout the show.
The highlight of the show came near the end when Zakk Wylde performed his guitar solo as
he walked through the stalls standing with six security guards and stopped just in front of the sound mixer
for a few minutes and then played in the stalls seats for a few minutes.
For several minutes it was very impressive as the crowd all got up to him really close.
At the end of the show , 20 black balloons and ticker-tape covered those in the floor standing area.
An enjoyable rock show.
Full Black Label Society setlist played tonight...
Whole Lotta Sabbath (Wax Audio cover)
Genocide Junkies
Funeral Bell
Suffering Overdue
Bleed for Me
Heart of Darkness
Suicide Messiah
Trampled Down Below
All That Once Shined
Room of Nightmares
Bridge to Cross
Spoke in the Wheel
In This River
The Blessed Hellride
A Love Unreal
Fire it Up
Concrete Jungle
Stillborn
Click on previous page above for reviews of these recent gigs.
31 March 2018 - Evanescence with orchestra live at The Royal Festival Hall, London.
01 April 2018 - Toto live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
02 April 2018 - Gregory Porter with orchestra live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
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