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!

Friday 14 May 2021.

Friday 14 May 2021. Happy Birthday to DAVID BYRNE who is 69 today. I saw Talking Heads six times back in their heyday period - 1977 to 1980. The 1980 show had some new band supporting called U2...whatever happened to them? I have seen David Byrne with his band three times. I did not get along to his tour a couple of years ago, which got some great reviews. ----------------- Saturday 15 May 2021. Surprise news that UK GQ Editor DYLAN JONES is to leave his post after 22 years. The author and editor-in-chief of the UK Men’s Title published the August 2021 issue on Instagram on Friday. It will be his last with the publisher. Jones will join The list of finished Condé Nast editors who have departed over the past six months. The company has integrated its editorial team under global and regional leaders. GQ has a great annual party, that attracts many A-list names - i have been to a couple of them. ---------- Another big name shopping brand on UK high streets bites the dust. DEBENHAM'S has announced it will shut its remaining stores by 15 May, closing the door on more than 200 years of trade on UK high streets. ---------- Live on BBC1 5pm - FA Cup Final between Chelsea and Leicester. SKY ARTS 9pm - Paul Simon live in Central Park 1991. ---------- 45 years ago today on 15 May 1976. I saw KISS play their first concert in London at Hammersmith Odeon. First night i was eight rows back, second night i was front row centre. ------------------- Sunday 16 May 2021. SKY ARTS 10.15pm - Lynryd Skynryd documentary. I saw them live five times before their fatal plane crash in Oct 1977. This included supporting The Rolling Stones at Knebworth in 1976. I have seen them many times with the more recent line-ups. Lead vocalist/founding member Ronnie Van Zant, guitarist and vocalist Steve Gaines, backing vocalist Cassie Gaines (Steve's older sister), assistant road manager Dean Kilpatrick, pilot Walter McCreary and co-pilot William Gray all died as a result of the crash while twenty others survived. ---------- Happy Birthday to JONATHAN RICHMAN who is 70 today. I have seen him live at four UK shows including headlining Hammersmith Odeon in 1977. I also saw him in 2003 in San Francisco , when i went over to USA for some Sex Pistols shows. ---------- 40 years ago today on 16 May 1981 - JAPAN at Hammersmith Odeon. This was my first night on front stage security at this legendary venue. I would be working there for 11 years until 1992, when it became Hammersmith Apollo. Some months i would be working over 20 evenings, as it was very popular with big name artists.