Monday 17 May 2021.

Monday 17 May 2021. The next stage of coming out of lockdown starts today, in the UK. From 17 May Restaurants, bars and pubs can have customers inside. From 17 May there are a few socially distanced gigs being held until 21 June. From 17 May some theatres will be putting on socially distanced only shows until 21 June. Many theatres will stay closed until at least 21 June as socially distanced shows are not viable. From 17 May we can start going to the cinema again, so a good time to watch Oscar winning films including "Nomadland" and "The Father". Despite covid there are many brand new restaurants, bars and hotels due to open after 17 May. Lets pray that this new Indian variant of the covid virus in the UK does not fuck things up. ---------- Today would have been the press / VIP day for The Chelsea Flower Show. This year ,it has been postponed to September. It is a always a great day out as it lasts from 10am to 10pm. It is spilt into three parts... Lunchtime session - celebrities turn up Afternoon session - the area is pretty much cleared for The Royal Family members private view. Evening session - party for around 1000 guests with champers etc flowing. See my Facebook page for some photos i took of The Queen, Prince Harry and Ringo Starr, from a few years ago. ----------------- Tuesday 18 May 2021. Happy Birthday to OLIVIA HARRISON who is 73 today . (wife of George Harrison) . I will put a photo of her with me on my Facebook page Tuesday lunchtime. --------- Happy Birthday to RICK WAKEMAN who is 72 today. I have seen him on stage a couple of times. --------- Happy Birthday to TOYAH WILLCOX who is 63 today. She was a regular at Hammersmith Odeon when I worked their in her 1980s heyday --------- 18 May 1980 - Joy Division's IAN CURTIS committed suicide 41 years ago today. I saw them a few times back in the day. Joy Division,Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark,Certain Ratio Nashville Pub, London 13.08.1979 Joy Division,Distractions,Certain Ratio Electric Ballroom, London 26.10.1979 Buzzcocks,Joy Division Rainbow Theatre, London 10.11.1979 great double bill Joy Division,Killing Joke,Certain Ratio Town Hall , High Wycombe 20.02.1980 well worth the drive up the A40/M40. Joy Division,Killing Joke,Certain Ratio Lyceum Theatre, London 29.02.1980 ---------- Looks like several tours are happening in America in the second part of the year. This nice pairing have been confirmed for Sept and Oct - Alice Cooper with special guest Ace Frehley. ------------------ Wednesday 19 May 2021. Happy Birthday to PETE TOWNSHEND who is 76 today. I have seen The Who over 20 times since two shows at Hammersmith Odeon in Dec 1975. Including two London shows in 2000 where Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros were the support band. Including The Greek Theatre, Los Angeles in 2002, when i went over to see The Sex Pistols headlining a huge festival which included over a dozen support acts including The Damned and The Buzzcocks. I also attended one Petes rare headlining solo shows... The Rainbow in 1979. ---------- Happy Birthday to GRACE JONES who is 73 today. I have seen her on stage a few times.

Posted 16th May 2021