Monday 19 July 2021

Monday 19 July 2021. From today - Long awaited "life goes back to normal" date for gigs and theatre without social distancing. Gig goers can stand shoulder to shoulder at venues, which may feel very strange at first. There are several nice outdoor venues putting on shows for the first time this summer. Pubs can go back to serving customers when they are standing at the bar, instead of drinks being brought to your table. Nightclubs can open up again, after being totally closed since March 2020. Covid is still about, but the vaccines are doing a good job , so hopefully it does not get bad enough to have another lockdown in Sept/Oct, as that would be a total catastrophe. --------- Monday 19 July 1995 - it was 26 years ago today. THE ROLLING STONES at Brixton Academy - one of my greatest gigs ever. Me and a work mate Ray Fielding (Noel's dad) took the morning off work to queue at Virgin Megastore for the £25 wristbands that went on sale the day before the gig. We were a few rows from the front, dead centre, and they were on stage for 2 hours 10 mins. A week later i would see them headline Wembley Stadium, where The Black Crowes supported. Visit my Facebook page at lunchtime for a photo from that gig. --------- Monday 19 July 2021. Happy Birthday to BRIAN MAY who is 74 today. My first ever show i went to at Hammersmith Odeon was Dec 1973 where Queen supported Mott The Hoople.n The basement of his West London house was flooded earlier this week, after that freak rain. Visit my Facebook page at lunchtime for a photo of us together. -------- Monday 19 July 2021. Several venues in London are hosting "Freedom Day" events, so we chose to be in Kings Road, Chelsea on this lovely summers evening. 6pm to 7.30pm - "Freedom Party". BLUEBIRD , 350 Kings Road, Chelsea, London SW3. This massive bar and restaurant is very popular with Chelsea folks at The World's End section. It has a huge outside terrace and a huge space inside. So plenty of space tonight for paying customers in one area and the party folks in another. Complimentary Gin & Tonics for all those at "The Freedom Party". then 8pm to 9.30pm - "Freedom Party". STICKS N SUSHI, 113 Kings Rosd, Chelsea, London SW3. This trendy sushi brand have several branches across London. Complimentary Whiskey Sour cocktails along with sushi dishes including Tempura Shrimp and Crab Courgettes with wasabi for all guests. ------------------- Tuesday 20 July 2021. Happy Birthday to SEX PISTOLS drummer PAUL COOK who is 65 today. Paul is playing UK shows with his band The Professionals in Sept and Oct. Paul spent his birthday in court giving evidence against John Lydon in the "Pistol " court case. Unsurprisingly, Paul said " The Pistols are now probably gone for good". ---------- Happy Birthday to CARLOS SANTANA who is 74 today. I have seen him on stage over a dozen times since Hammersmith Odeon in 1976.

Posted 19th July 2021