Ray's Gigs

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

Monday 19 April 2021.

Tuesday 20 April 2021. Sad news that JIM STEINMAN has passed away , aged 73. His is best known for his contribution to Meat Loaf and the 'Bat Out Of Hell " albums. I went to see his musical "Bat Out Of Hell " twice in London, including the opening press night party. Steinman died at a Connecticut hospital after suffering from a "sudden medical emergency" on April 19, 2021. -------- 20 April 1991 - STEVE MARRIOTT died 30 years ago today, just three days before Johnny Thunders. I was lucky to see Steve Marriott with The Small Faces and as a solo artist. Status Quo,Thin Lizzy,Steve Marriott Kensington Olympia, London 31.12.1975 Small Faces Rainbow Theatre, London 28.04.1977 Small Faces Hammersmith Odeon, London. 25.09.1977 Chuck Berry, Steve Marriott Hammersmith Odeon , London 09.07.1987 -------- A 5,000-capacity festival promoted by Festival Republic is the latest pilot event taking part in the UK government’s Events Research Program (ERP). The one-day event – which features Blossoms, The Lathums and Zuzu on the bill – is scheduled for May 2 at Sefton Park, Liverpool. The poster explicitly mentions “no social distancing & no masks inside the event” as the event is part of a scientific experiment. ----------------- Wednesday 21 April 2021. Happy Birthday to QUEEN ELIZABETH who is 95 today. ---------- Happy Birthday to IGGY POP who is 74 today. I have seen Iggy Pop around 20 times since 1977 at The Rainbow, where David Bowie was on keyboards. ---------- Happy Birthday to The Cure's ROBERT SMITH who is 62 today. I have seen The Cure around 10 times, with the first time when they were a support band to Siouxsie and The Banshees at Hammersmith Odeon in 1979. ---------- Music legend PRINCE died five years ago today. Prince was one of the greatest live performers, and a total musical genius. I saw him in concert over 25 times since 1986. Many times when he played Wembley Arena and smaller venues including Shepherds Bush Empire and two shows in one night at The Roundhouse in June 2014.