News and Reviews: 11th April 2019
Wednesday 10 April 2019.Happy Birthday to BRIAN SETZER of The Stray Cats who is 60 today.
I am looking forward to seeing The Stray Cats in the summer when they play the UK.
Monday 08 April 2019.
Happy Birthday to Fashion Icon Dame Vivienne Westwood who is 78 today.
Monday 08 April 2019.
Very sad news that well known security guy JERRY JUDGE has passed away.
Jerry was Johnny Depp's longtime personal security guy for 22 years.
Jerry was by his side as Johnny toured Europe last summer with his band The Hollywood Vampires.
As well as the Pirates of the Caribbean star he also guarded Paul McCartney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Antonio Banderas and Julia Roberts.
Judge also had cameos in several of Depp’s films including “Sweeney Todd" and appeared several episodes of “Dr. Who” between 1979 and 1984.
The bodyguard was the managing director of Music & Arts Security Ltd.
Music & Arts looked after most of The West End film premieres up until a couple of years ago when a couple
of staff left to set up their own company called Pace & Prestige which has taken over many of the contracts.
Jerry currently worked for Noble Protection.
Sunday 07 April 2019....4pm kick-off...
FA CUP SEMI-FINAL at Wembley Stadium.
Watford 3 Wolves 2.
Just over 80,000 here and the atmosphere is spine-tingling.
We are in the Wolves end.
Rock legend ROBERT PLANT is a massive Wolves fan and the announcer said he was in the crowd today.
Many years ago i went to a Robert Plant gig and afterparty and the pass had a picture of Steve Bull on it.
Steve Bull was a Wolves striker from 1986 to 1999.
Yesterday's game was pretty average but this one was full of drama along with an incredible comeback.
In a scarcely believable day that will live long, long in the memory, Watford somehow came from two goals down with 12 minutes to play to send this thrilling match to extra time with the most nerveless penalty from Troy Deeney. Not done there though, not by a long chalk, the Hornets came again and won it unbelievably in extra time through Gerard Deulofeu to reach the final of the FA Cup for only the second time in the club’s glorious history. It really was pinch-yourself stuff.
For Watford fans this will definitely go down as an " I was there" game.
Incredible stuff.
Saturday 06 April 2019...5.30pm kick-off...
FA CUP SEMI-FINAL at Wembley Stadium.
Man City 1 Brighton 0.
Over 71,000 are here and it is a fantastic atmosphere.
Oddly there are more Brighton fans here as a few Man City blocks are unsold.
Both sets of fans have been given a free flag by their seat.
We are up in Level 5 in the Man City end.
Many are drinking and getting a bit loud and it feels like you are an Oasis concert.
Man City fans smashed up one of the toliets.
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By the standards Manchester City set themselves these days, it is fair to say this was not the most shimmering or elegant performance from Pep Guardiola’s team. When, for example, was the last time they managed only four shots on target against an opponent? The official man-of-the-match award went to Anthony Knockaert of Brighton, rather than any of the players from the winning side, and the overall impression was that City peaked too early, scoring the game’s decisive goal after barely three minutes.
Not that those details should matter greatly to Guardiola when his team still managed to maintain their extraordinary winning sequence – 22 victories now from their last 23 games – and keeps open all manner of possibilities for the remainder of the season.
The quadruple is still on for Man City.
Friday 05 April 2019.
UFO live at The Forum, London.
UFO play the second of their two London shows on their farewell tour.
This means tonight is (as it stands) the last UK show by singer Phil Moog who is retiring.
They came on stage five minutes earlier than last night but the setlist was exactly the same.
I was hoping for some kind of extra song or special guest on stage but nothing.
Another great show though.
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Aftershow party in the balcony bar from 11pm to 12pm...
Surprisingly it is just a small gathering of around 30 guests.
The sounds are blaring out loud and it is a pay bar.
Only members of the band to turn up were Paul Raymond and Vinnie Moore.
No name musicians from any other bands.
My friend went to the afterparty at Shepherds Bush Empire the night before this.
He said again it was a small crowd of around 30 but all the band did turn up there.
Again no name musicians from any other bands.
Thursday 04 April 2019.
UFO + TARA LYNCH live at Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Singer Phil Moog will be playing his final UK tour with the band UFO after 50 years.
Because of this they are now playing two London dates at the end of their 'Last Orders' tour.
Both London shows sold out by Dec 2018...tonight was the first of the two shows.
A classic example of how bands can sell more tickets when they say it's their last ever shows.
I have seen UFO over 20 times since 1976 when Michael Schenker was playing guitar with them.
This was at the legendary Marquee Club in Wardour Street.
They still feature three original members from their heyday.
After the UK tour they play mainland Europe and North America but I got a feeling
there will be a final London show just before Christmas.
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Needless to say i was really looking forward to this classic rock show.
The crowd is 90% older males as expected.
A nice surprise to see a friend (Leon Lawson) who was in my secondary school class over 40 years ago.
Leon Lawson was Michael Schenker's ex-guitar technician in the 1990s.
TARA LYNCH arrived on stage at 8pm and played for around 40 mins.
Tara is from Los Angeles and is promoting her album " Evil Enough".
Tara fronts her band with some nifty guitar solos during most songs.
UFO arrived on stage at 9.20pm after the intro track and played for around 95 mins.
Singer Phil Mogg has lost all his hair and is totally bald.
Mogg’s little chats with the crowd are legendary, and tonight was no exception, but oddly
there was no real band interaction.
Paul Raymond has the same hair style as 40 years ago so surely that must be a wig.
UFO were one of the many rock bands that brought out double live albums in the 1970s.
I remember buying theirs "Strangers in the Night" in 1979 when it was released and they
played many of the rock classics from that album in the show tonight.
A great gig.
Full UFO setlist played tonight...
Intro music - Faith Healer (Sensational Alex Harvey Band)
Mother Mary
We Belong to the Night
Run Boy Run
Venus
Lights Out
Baby Blue
Only You Can Rock Me
Burn Your House Down
Cherry
Love to Love
Makin' Moves
Too Hot to Handle
Rock Bottom (including extended guitar solo)
Encore:
Doctor Doctor
Shoot Shoot
Thursday 04 April 2019.
Happy Birthday to SLADE guitarist DAVE HILL who is 73 today.
Wednesday 03 April 2019...6.45pm to 9pm...
MARY QUANT - private view - V & A Museum, South Kensington, London SW7.
A big crowd as around 500 are on the guest list for this event.
Pixie Geldof, Daisy Lewis and Lady Amelia Windsor led a fashionable crowd into the Victoria and Albert Museum for its new Mary Quant exhibition, joining veteran British designers Pam Hogg, Philip Treacy, Jasper Conran and Julien MacDonald at the show’s private view. VIP guests and influencers Gizzi Erskine, Henry Conway, Anne Robinson, Meredith Ostrom, Pearl Mackie, Zara Martin and Nell Hudson were among others previewing the iconic 1960’s designer’s fashion creations.
Also here were Jackie St Clair and Basia Briggs.
Dame Mary Quant, now age 85 is an English fashion designer and fashion icon, who is of Welsh heritage.
She became an instrumental figure in the 1960s London-based Mod and youth fashion movements.She was one of the designers who took credit for the miniskirt and hotpants, and by promoting these and other fun fashions she encouraged young people to dress to please themselves and to treat fashion as a game.Ernestine Carter, an authoritative and influential fashion journalist of the 1950s and 1960s, wrote: "It is given to a fortunate few to be born at the right time, in the right place, with the right talents. In recent fashion there are three: Chanel, Dior, and Mary Quant."
At 7.15pm we had a couple of speeches including one on the history of Kings Road, Chelsea.
King's Road derives its name from its function as a private road used by King Charles II to travel to Kew. It remained a private royal road until 1830, but people with connections were able to use it.
Mary Quant opened her first store in The Kings Road in 1955.
In the 1960s and 1970s it had many well known buildings including Tramp, Granny Takes A Trip,
The Chelsea Drugstore, Sex / Seditionaries, Swan Song Records (Led Zeppelin) and many more.
At 8.15pm we had a 20 minute walk around the exhibition.
Over 100 of her dresses on display along with a make-up section.
Fab black and white videos showing Kings Road in the 1960s were great to watch.
There is a live band playing an hour of classic 1960s cover versions.
Complimentary Bouvet Sparkling Wines, gin cocktails and canapés for all guests.
www.vam.ac.uk
Visit the website here for more info and to buy tickets which are £12 each.
It is on until 16 Feb 2020.
Tuesday 02 April 2019...6.30pm to 9.30pm...
MARKS & SPENCER FOOD - launch party - Unit 6, 6 Langley Street, London WC2.
Tonight was to celebrate the World Preview to celebrate their new tv advertising campaign.
After 12 years they are bringing back their iconic slogan "this is not just food, this is M & S food".
Over 200 guests here and it is nice and buzzy.
A nice surprise to bump into my journo mate PAT GILBERT who over the years has written for many
music mags including Q, Mojo, Classic Rock and others.
He is gonna get the ball rolling regards me doing an interview for one of the mags to celebrate
my 7000 gigs which i will hit sometime over the summer....at the moment I am on 6915...
There are televisions dotted around the venue showing the new advert.
There was a fun photo booth in the corner that was popular.
Complimentary prosecco, two different cocktails,Rose wines and lots of tasty M & S food including
bowl food, slices of pizza, canapés, tubs of trifle and hot cross buns.
Guests got a goodie bag of a M & S branded baseball cap, mug, sunglasses and
25cl bottles of M & S Rose wine.
www.marksandspencer.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Monday 01 April 2019.
MIKE + THE MECHANICS live at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Looks like the setlist will include three Genesis gems and the great Roachford hit "Cuddly Toy" from 1988.
I have seen them around a dozen times since they headlined Hammersmith Odeon in 1989.
Having been founded in 1984 by Genesis founding member Mike Rutherford (guitar), the band reformed in 2010 with Andrew Roachford, one of the UK’s most prolific R&B singers, and Canadian-born singer Tim Howar. Tim shares vocal duties with Roachford and they both add a new soulful dimension to the band’s already established sound.
The massive six week Looking Back Over My Shoulder Tour will include tracks from their highly acclaimed latest album Let Me Fly, as well as hit singles including The Living Years, and the unforgettable Over My Shoulder.
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The band have a full house tonight for their big London show on their UK tour.
The band are on stage for 2 hours 10 mins over two sets of 50 mins and 80 mins.
A nice stage production that had five hot air balloons of different sizes hovering over the stage
which were used on their latest album cover.
The band have two male lead vocals which works really well, mixing rock with soul.
Highlight of the first half was a stunning extended version of "Cuddly Toy".
The second half featured many of their radio friendly singalong tracks including
the superb "The Living Years" and encore of "Word of Mouth".
The crowd were up and dancing for the last few songs.
A great show.
Full setlist played tonight....
FIRST SET
The Best Is Yet to Come
Another Cup of Coffee
A Beggar on a Beach of Gold
One Way
Try to Save Me
Let Me Fly
Land of Confusion (Genesis cover)
Cuddly Toy (Roachford cover) (extended version)
Out of the Blue
SECOND SET
Follow You Follow Me (Genesis cover) (Acoustic)
Don't Know What Came Over Me (Acoustic)
What Would You Do (Acoustic)
Everybody Gets a Second Chance (Acoustic)
Silent Running
Get Up
The Living Years
I Can't Dance (Genesis cover)
All I Need Is a Miracle
Over My Shoulder
Encore:
Word of Mouth (extended version included band introductions and solos)
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I bumped into girl about town Jackie St Clair at the gig.
I will bump into her at many of the big London social summer events in May and June for sure.
Her previous boyfriends included Prince and Simon Cowell.
Sunday 31 March 2019....I went to two events today.
CHECKATRADE Cup Final at Wembley Stadium...2.30pm kick-off.
Well supported Portsmouth and Sunderland bring their legions of fans to Wembley.
Both have sold their 40,000 allocation and there is an incredible 85,021 here.
Bear in mind both teams are in the THIRD tier of English football (League One).
We were in the Sunderland end and the atmosphere was electric.
There will not be a better advert for the Checkatrade Trophy than this. A clash between two former Premier League clubs trying to claw their way back on to an upward curve, settled on penalties at the end of a pulsating, thrilling contest in front of the second largest crowd in Europe over the weekend.
It was a special occasion, in front of a record crowd, as supporters from England’s south and north east coasts poured into the capital, turning the final of this largely mocked and derided competition into a stunning spectacle, both inside and outside the stadium.
The game did not let it down, the balance of power shifting one way and then the other, the sense of drama unrelenting, the plot twisting and turning, leaving both sets of supporters exhausted by the end.
Portsmouth 2 Sunderland 2....Portsmouth win 5-4 on penalties.
A great game.
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then
Teenage Cancer Trust Gigs at The Royal Albert Hall continue THIS WEEK.
Levellers with special guests Dreadzone, and a DJ-set from film-maker, ,broadcaster and founding member of Big Audio Dynamite Don Letts.
Often political, occasionally angry but always big-hearted, Levellers have had 11 Top 40 albums, including a number one with 1995’s Zeitgeist, 38 weeks in the charts with 1991’s Levelling The Land, and their 2018 release We The Collective.
I saw both Levellers and Dreadzone back in 1997.
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This was the final night of the seven TCT shows at RAH and my second show of the seven.
DREADZONE arrived on stage at 8.20pm and played for 40 mins.
They have use of the big screen showing live footage.
One of their singers is sitting on a stool as he has crutches.
A good dance set.
Full Dreadzone setlist played tonight...
Life, Love & Unity
Iron Shirt
Mountain
Walk Tall
16 Hole
Music Army
Captain Dread
Don Letts played some great dub reggae cover versions during the breaks.
At 9.20pm we had the TCT film and 20 of the teenagers getting treatment came on stage to big applause.
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LEVELLERS arrived on stage at at 9.30pm and played for 80 mins.
They had a fantastic stage production with loads of lights and lasers.
Also a nice big screen showing live footage.
They are a very lively uptempo loud band that feature electric violin.
They have a long time touring musician to play the Didgeridoo on a couple of tracks.
There is plenty of moshing front of stage as the crowd are really getting into it.
Highlights included their hit singles "One Way" and "Beautiful Day".
A very enjoyable show.
Full Levellers setlist played tonight...
England My Home
Fifteen Years
100 Years of Solitude
The Fear
World Freak Show
Truth Is
Julie
Didgeridoo solo
Three Friends
One Way
Too Real
Men-an-Tol
Carry Me
Dirty Davey
Far From Home
The Cholera Well
The Riverflow
Encore:
Beautiful Day
What You Know
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I go to two or three RAH TCT shows every year since TCT shows started in 2000.
Not as good a line-up as previous years for my liking.
Last year i did FIVE of the seven shows...
UB40
Chic feat Nile Rodgers
Roger Daltrey
Kasabian
Def Leppard
Sunday 31 March 2019.
Happy Birthday to AC/DC guitarist ANGUS YOUNG who is 64 today.
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A couple of days ago Sex Pistol STEVE JONES interviewed DAVID COVERDALE for his radio show.
It is well worth watching for 36 mins...
Two British rockers shooting the breeze and David talking about Jon Lord and making up with Richie Blackmore.
Whitesnake have finally finished recording their 13th studio album 'Flesh & Blood' which comes out 10 May.
Go to Google and type in Jonesy's Jukebox David Coverdale in the search to view the footage.
I saw David Coverdale singing with Deep Purple in 1974 along with many times when he fronted Whitesnake.
Whitesnake only UK show this year is planned for The Download Festival in June.
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Saturday 30 March 2019.
The Rolling Stones American stadium tour has been postponed as Mick Jagger has a medical problem.
Jagger wrote on Twitter: “I’m so sorry to all our fans in America & Canada with tickets. I really hate letting you down like this. I’m devastated for having to postpone the tour but I will be working very hard to be back on stage as soon as I can. Once again, huge apologies to everyone.”
The band were due to kick off the US and Canada leg of their No Filter tour at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on 20 April , finishing at the Burl’s Creek Even Grounds in Ontario, Canada, on 29 June.
You feel sorry for all The Stones fans who have booked flights and hotels.
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Happy Birthday to ERIC CLAPTON who is 74 today.
Happy Birthday to JOHNNIE WALKER who is 74 today.
Johnnies BBC Radio 2 70s show on Sundays 3pm to 5pm is a fave of mine.
Friday 29 March 2019.
The Sensational 1960s Experience package tour live at The Beck Theatre, Hayes, Middlesex.
Six legendary names take to the stage and deliver to you a night you won’t forget. Starring Mike Pender (Original voice of The Searchers) Chris Farlowe, Herman’s Hermits,The Swinging Blue Jeans, New Amen Corner and The Fourmost.
The Fourmost were part of the Brian Epstein roster of acts in the 1960s.
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Always nice to be at this cosy all seated tiered venue on the outskirts of West London.
Freddie Mercury’s biopic Bohemian Rhapsody crew were here for a couple of days filming for it.
Around 500 tickets sold out of the 600 capacity, and it's a mainly older crowd.
The six acts all played between 20 and 30 mins.
Quick changeovers as they used the same drum kit for everyone.
I am mainly hear to see the legend that is Chris Farlowe who is now aged 78... yes 78.
I have seen him a few times before with the first time in 1982 when he headlined Hammersmith Odeon.
A few original members from the 1960s are here tonight but not many as most have retired or died.
THE FOURMOST arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played for 20 mins.
No original members but a drummer who was "affiliated" with the original band.
Looking very smart in their 60s suits and ties.
The Fourmost had its roots steeped in the eclectic 1960’s Mersey beat boom and was part of the Brian Epstein stable along with The Beatles, Billy J Kramer, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Cilla Black and others. The band played some 1960’s chart hits of their own such as Hello Little Girl (no.9) and A Little Loving (no.6).
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SWINGING BLUE JEANS arrived on stage at 7.55pm for their 20 mins set.
They are all wearing faded blue jeans, white trainers and identical striped jackets.
They have no original members but play the hits "Hippy Hippy Shake", "Good Golly Miss Molly", and "You're No Good".
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HERMAN'S HERMITS arrived on stage at 8.20pm for their 30 mins set.
They still feature original drummer Jan Barry “Bean” Whitwam, now age 72, 55 years behind his drum kit.
Hits played included "Sunshine Girl", "No Milk Today", "I'm Into Something Good" and "There's a Kind of Hush".
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Interval
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THE NEW AMEN CORNER arrived on stage at 9.10pm for their 20 mins set.
No original members here and later they would back both Chris Farlowe and Mike Pender.
They played their hits including "Bend Me Shape Me" and "If Paradise Is Half As Nice".
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CHRIS FARLOWE arrived on stage at 9.35pm for his 30 mins.
He still has that big frame and big voice.
Great stage banter as he slagged off PJ Proby and made fun of his recent ill-health.
He ended his great set with his two biggies "Handbags and Gladrags" (he had a hit with it before
Rod Stewart and The Stereophonic's) and his Jagger/Richards classic "Out of Time".
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MIKE PENDER was on stage for 25 mins.
He looks in great shape for age 78.
The Searchers were second only to The Beatles in the Merseybeat era of the 1960s.
Hits played included "Sweets for my Sweet", "Sugar and Spice", "Goodbye My Love",
"Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk in the Room".
Encore
All the acts on stage and Chris Farlowe on vocals for "Hold On, I'm Coming".
After the show all the acts came out to the foyer to chat and sign stuff.
An enjoyable evening of 1960s nostalgia.
Friday 29 March 2019.
Another sad death to report.
JOE FLANNERY, who was known as the "Secret Beatle" due to his close association with The Beatles
during their early years, has passed away aged 87.
The Beatles' booking manager, who was often regarded as the "Secret Beatle", passed away at his home in Aigburth, Merseyside, north west England, after being unwell "for the past month".
Joe's nephew Norman Meek said in a statement: "He had been unwell for the past month but he was still making plans for the future".
"Fans from all over the world would call at his home and he was always happy to speak with them".
I had a nice chat with Joe a few years back at Beatles photos exhibition private view in Kensington.
Thursday 28 March 2019...6.15pm to 8.30pm...
THAMES LUXURY CHARTERS - showcase - Butler's Wharf, Shad Thames, London SE1.
A nice sunny afternoon to walk by The Tower of London and London Bridge which is just five mins
away from our departure point for our cruise along The River Thames.
Around 200 guests over two levels are on this superb looking boat "The Elizabethan".
A beautiful replica of an 1890s stern-wheeled Mississippi paddle steamer which is one of the
most desirable boats for hire on the River Thames.
Whether you're seeking a venue for press receptions, film shoots, product launches, seminars, dinner dances, sightseeing, luncheons, wedding receptions, or simply to celebrate, the Elizabethan is in a class of her own.
We have a duo playing some acoustic cover versions.
At 7pm we leave for an hour's journey to The Houses of Parliament then back to Canary Wharf then back to dock.
Always great to see London at night from The River Thames.
Complimentary prosecco, vodka cocktails, gin cocktails, wines, beers and lots of different
bowl food, canapés, desserts and ice-cream.
www.thamesluxurycharters.co.uk
Visit their website here for more info.
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I was invited to the press launch for this event but could not make as it was the same time as the above.
The Halal Guys - 14 Irving Street, London WC2.
American chain opens a store in Leicester Square.
Its restaurants offer either a sandwich or platter in four different versions – chicken, beef, chicken & beef or falafel. They are served with a selection of toppings and sauces.
Check it out when you are up The West End.
Wednesday 27 March 2019...I went to two events today...
3pm to 4pm
THE DAVID GILMOUR GUITAR COLLECTION - preview - Christie's , King Street, London SW1.
Does this mean David Gilmour has retired from playing live???...DG is now aged 73.
Pink Floyd star David Gilmour’s collection of over 120 guitars is set to go under the hammer, including one
with a Juicy Fruit wrapper left inside.
It includes his most well known guitars including his Black 1969 Fender Strat.
The guitarist is auctioning off his enormous personal collection for charity, saying it is a “wrench” to let them go.
It is officially estimated that the collection of more than 120 instruments will fetch over one million dollars during the sale in New York but it is likely it will make much more than that.
It is a pretty amazing collection which is spread over five rooms.
Each room has Pink Floyd classics being played over the Sennheiser Sound Systems.
In the main room is a big screen showing two tracks from his "Live in Pompeii 2016" DVD.
The two tracks were "What Do You Want From Me" and "Comfortably Numb".
The later of course has that stunning section where the lasers kick in for the iconic guitar solo.
I was lucky to have seen him a few times at The Royal Albert Hall performing this - stunning.
The guitars are shown in Los Angeles in May before the New York auction on 20 June 2019.
It is on every afternoon until this Sunday and free to get in.
They ask to reserve a space if you are coming at the weekend...nobody checked me today.
www.christies.com
Visit their website here for more info and photos of the guitars.
then
7pm to 11.15pm
VIVE LE ROCK AWARDS at The Islington Academy, London.
Around 500 downstairs and 200 guests upstairs where i am.
A great buzzy vibe and great to see so many punk rockin' chums here.
The wacky and hyper ED TUDOR POLE was tonight's host.
At 7.30pm the house band with TOM SPENCER (The Professionals) played three cover songs.
At 7.45pm GLEN MATLOCK arrived on stage at 7.45pm and played three songs with the house band.
"Sexy Beast" , "Keep on Pushing" and "Pretty Vacant"....totally excellent.
At 8.05pm Surprise additions tonight were THE RICH KIDS who played three songs.
Glen Matlock , Midge Ure and Rusty Egan were joined by Neal X (ex Sigue Sigue Spuknik).
They played three Rich Kids classics that went down a storm.
"Sounds of Marching Men" , "Ghosts of Princes in Towers" and "Rich Kids".
At 8.50pm STEVE DIGGLE played three Buzzcocks classics "What Do I Get?", "Harmony In My Head"
and "Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)" .
9.25pm SUZI QUATRO with the house band performed "Sweet Little Rock n Roller".
At 9.30pm BARRIE MASTERS sung three songs with the house band..."Teenage Depression" ,
the glorious anthem "Do Anything You Wanna Do" and "Get Out Of Denver".
At 9.45pm Ed TUDOR POLE performed two great tracks with the house band.
"Who Killed Bambi?" and "Swords of a Thousand Men".
THE STRANGLERS arrived on stage at 10.30pm and played a six song 25 mins set.
A nice mix of older classics and more recent material...
5 Minutes
Tank
Unbroken
This Song Will Get Me Over You
Get A Grip On Yourself
No More Heroes
Others in the crowd who did not appear on stage included Gaye Advert and Stuart Pearce.
Award winners and presenters...
Pioneer - Barrie Masters (presented by Rat Scabies)
New Band - The Blue Carpet Band (presented by Glen Matlock)
Roots/Ska/Rock n Roll/ Blues - The Beat feat Ranking Roger (presented by Neville Staple)
Rock in Peace - Pete Shelley (presented by Pauline Murray to Steve Diggle )
Icon - Suzi Quatro (presented by Girlschool)
Live Band - SLF (presented to SLF drummer Steve Grantly by Jim Jones)
Album - Idles (presented by Tom Spencer from The Professionals).
Reissue - Burning Britain UK Punk 1980 to 1983 (presented by Animal ANL to Knox Vibrators)
Film - Lee Thompson : One Mans Madness (presented by Pauline Black).
Maverick - Killing Joke (presented by Chumbawamba chap)
Band of The Year - The Stranglers (presented by The Ruts DC)
A totally excellent punk rockin' evening.
Tuesday 26 March 2019.
Comedy Evening at The Royal Albert Hall, London.
Day two of the seven Teenage Cancer Trust Gigs at The Royal Albert Hall this week.
Host Kevin Bridges will be joined by fellow British comedy heavyweights: John Bishop,
Kerry Godliman, Romesh Ranganathan , Seann Walsh ,Tommy Tiernan and Susie McCabe.
Kevin Bridges is Scotland's most popular comedian since Billy Connolly.
I saw him at Hammersmith Apollo last year when he performed six sold out shows at that venue.
That tour included an incredible 19 night residency at the Glasgow Hydro Arena.
John Bishop has also played a UK arena tour recently.
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A full house for this comedy evening that lasted 2 hours 30 mins over two sets of 70 mins and 80 mins.
Kevin Bridges performed around 30 mins in total and the others performed 15 to 20 mins each.
There was a big screen showing live footage.
FIRST SET
Kevin Bridges was the host and did routines between the acts.
Kerry Godliman
Seann Walsh
Tommy Tiernan
SECOND SET
Kevin Bridges did his main set along with routines between the another acts.
Susie McCabe
Romesh Ranganathan
John Bishop
Lots of funny routines from all of the acts.
At the start of the second set ROGER DALTREY came on to introduce a TCT film and 20 of the
young people with cancer who got a massive round of applause.
Roger Daltrey has done an amazing job with the TCT shows over the past 20 years.
There are now 28 purpose-built TCT units thanks to £27m being raised during the shows history.
Donate £5 by texting REACH to 70500 and LIDL will match your donation with another £5.
Tuesday 26 March 2019.
Happy Birthday to STEVEN TYLER who is 71 today.
Happy Birthday to DIANA ROSS who is 75 today.
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Very sad news that The Beat vocalist RANKING ROGER has died, aged 56.
The musician, real name Roger Charlery, passed away earlier today (March 26). A post on The Beat’s Facebook page confirmed his passing, adding: “He fought & fought & fought, Roger was a fighter.
“Roger’s family would like to thank everyone for their constant support during this tough time,” the post concluded. See it below.
I saw him with The Beat 40 years ago as well as a couple of years ago at BBC 6 Radio Christmas Show.
How come so many musicians don't live to see their 60th birthday???
Monday 25 March 2019...6.45pm to 10.30pm...
HARD ROCK CAFE - showcase - Old Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1.
Around 150 guests at this iconic venue that opened back to June 1971.
I have seen some pretty amazing secret gigs here over the years including Aerosmith,
Deep Purple, Bad Company and a few others.
At 7pm had a welcome speech which told us the history of the stunning music memorabilia on the walls.
The first two items were guitars from Eric Clapton and Pete Townshend.
At 7.15pm we had a fashion show for 10 mins as they showed off some t-shirts etc from their retail store.
BANG BANG ROMEO arrived on stage at 8.50pm and played for 50 mins.
Bang Bang Romeo are starting to get themselves noticed.
Lead singer Anastasia Walker’s dramatic powerhouse blues-drenched vocal takes centre stage amid crashing guitar riffs and driving percussion.
Great songs played included "Bag of Bones" and "Shame on You".
See for yourself when the band support Pink on her stadium tour this summer.
After the band played there was a business card raffle for three prizes of Isle of Wight Festival tickets,
dinner at Hard Rock Cafe , Hard Rock merch voucher but none of us won anything this time.
Many companies hire out The Hard Rock Cafe for their Christmas parties as they have two levels here.
Complimentary wines, beers, burgers, chicken strips, brownies etc.
www.hardrock.com
Check out the Hard Rock website here for more info.
Monday 25 March 2019.
Happy Birthday to SIR ELTON JOHN who is 72 today.
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Sad news that SCOTT WALKER has passed away.
Hugely influential singer Scott Walker has died at the age of 76.
His death was confirmed by record label 4AD – who hailed him as “a solo artist, producer and composer of uncompromising originality.”
Sunday 24 March 2019.
STIFF LITTLE FINGERS + Eddie & The Hot Rods + The Vapors live at The Forum, London.
SLF are playing their annual March UK tour with special guests Eddie & The Hot Rods.
I have seen both bands many times over the past 40 odd years.
Eddie & The Hot Rods are saying 2019 will be their final year of performing live.
Original singer Barrie Masters is still on vocals for classics including " Do Anything You Wanna Do".
In the long hot summer of 1976 i saw many shows at The Marquee Club by Eddie & The Hot Rods and AC/DC who were vying for who could break the house attendance records at the famous Marquee Club in London.
First band on will be The Vapors who had a big hit "Turning Japanese" in 1980.
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Needless to say i was really forward to see this triple bill of bands.
Lots of folks here i know and respect to my Bristol punk rockin' chums who were
getting the midnight coach at Victoria after the gig to get back home.
I had a great third row centre seat view upstairs so i could rest my legs.
THE VAPORS arrived on stage at 7.20pm and played for 30 mins.
A short set but great to hear their catchy hit "Turning Japanese".
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EDDIE & THE HOT RODS arrived on stage at 8.10pm and played for 45 mins.
It looks like this will be their second last ever London show before Barrie Masters calls it a day.
Barrie singing their classic track "Do Anything You Wanna Do" was superb with all the crowd singing.
Great to see them again.
Full Eddie & The Hot Rods setlist played tonight...
Get Across to You
I Might Be Lying
Teenage Depression
Quit This Town
Telephone Girl
The Power & The Glory
Why Should I Care?
Life on the Line
Hard Drivin' Man ( J. Geils Band cover)
Do Anything You Wanna Do
Gloria (Them cover)
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STIFF LITTLE FINGERS arrived on stage at 9.20pm and played for 85 mins.
SLF have a big curtain of flames along the back of the stage.
Lots of their punk classics played including "Suspect Device", "Wasted Life", "Nobody's Hero",
"Gotta Getaway" , "Tin Soldiers" and of course their anthem "Alternative Ulster".
It got lively down the front stalls as folks jumped and danced away.
They whizzed through their set for a great show.
Full a SLF setlist played tonight...
Go For It (Intro)
Law and Order
At The Edge
Suspect Device
Guitar and Drum
Strummerville
16 Shots
Silver Lining
Harp
Guilty as Sin
Wasted Life
Can't Get Away With That
Listen
State of Emergency
My Dark Places
Just Fade Away
Nobody's Hero
Gotta Gettaway
Encore:
Drinkin' Again
Tin Soldiers
Alternative Ulster
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