There was no better band than Graham Parker and the Rumour in the late 70s. They exploded out of pub rock and were part of the scene, and sound, which influenced punk and new wave. Graham Parker was the coolest guy on the planet and rocked and sang white soul and R&B like no-one else (OK maybe that’s a little unfair on Van Morrisson who was clearly a strong influence on Graham). The Rumour came with all the right pub-rock credentials featuring the legendary Brinsley Schwarz (lead guitar) and Bob Andrews (keyboards) (both ex Brinsley Schwarz), Martin Belmont (rhythm guitar, ex-Ducks Deluxe) and Andrew Bodnar (bass) and Steve Goulding (drums).
And great songs: “Fool’s Gold”, “White Honey”, and the show-stopping reggae-tinged “(Hey Lord) Don’t Ask Me Questions”; it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about being at a gig with the entire audience singing along “Hey Lord; Don’t Ask Me Questions”. There was just no-one to touch them on a good night; power, passion, rhythms, rock, dancing, and Graham Parker on fire in terms of his singing and his overall performance. See my programme from the distant past.
Graham Parker and the Rumour gigged relentlessly from 1976 on, and I saw them lots of times. My old ticket stubs tell me I was at gigs at Newcastle City Hall on 23rd March 1977 with Southside Johnny as support, 17th November 1977 (my late wife Marie’s birthday, she agreed to come along although she wasn’t a fan, and a drunken guy behind us spilled a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale all over her head, I was never forgiven for that night), 5th March 1979 and 5th April 1982 (by that point the Rumour had departed and the concert was Parker solo). I also remember a great gig at Newcastle Poly and seeing Parker as part of the supporting bill for Bob Dylan at his massive Blackbushe concert. There were probably others which escape my fading memory.
So, it is time to see Graham Parker again. This time at my local venue, The Fire Station, which is hosting many excellent performers. The Fire Station website announced the concert thus: “Graham Parker returns to the UK for 6 exclusive dates with backing band The Goldtops, expect a night of classic Parker songs alongside some newer material. Stereotyped early in his career as the quintessential angry young man, Graham Parker was one of the most celebrated singer/songwriters to emerge from England’s pub rock scene in the early ’70s. Drawing heavily from Van Morrison and the Rolling Stones, Parker developed a sinewy fusion of driving rock & roll and confessional folk-rock, highlighted by his indignant passion, biting sarcasm, and bristling anger.
At the outset of his career, his albums crackled with pub rock energy, snide witticisms, and perceptive insights, earning him a devoted following of fans and critics, who lavished praise on his debut, 1976’s Howlin’ Wind, recorded with the Rumour, his backing band of pub rock all-stars. After delivering Squeezing Out Sparks in 1979, which was a smash with critics and won him a larger audience in the United States, Parker courted a crossover career with solo projects such as 1982’s Another Grey Area and 1985’s Steady Nerves before settling into a cult following in the late ’80s and continuing to garner critical acclaim as his music mellowed but his lyrical perspective stayed sharp.”
Today Graham is once again surrounded by excellent musicians including old friend and legendary guitarist Martin Belmont, who I first saw in Ducks Deluxe in the Marquee club, London in 1974. He then became, of course, a member of the Rumour. Graham is no longer the angry young man but he is still a very soulful singer and yes, he still reminds me of Van Morrison. The set comprises songs new and old, many drawn from Parker’s latest album. But we also get treated to “Hey Lord, Don’t Ask Me Questions” and everyone sings along. As part of the lengthy encore Graham performs an exceptional version of Sinatra’s “That’s Life”. He really has mellowed in his later years. Finally, we are back to old favourites “Boogie Shoes” and “Soul Shoes”. Sadly, although someone in the crowd shouts for it, no “Fool’s Gold”. I can’t have everything. Still excellent after all these years.
Setlist: Ancient Past; Nothin’s Gonna Pull Us Apart; Under the Mask of Happiness; Last Stretch of the Road; Music of the Devil; It Mattered To Me; If it Ever Stops Raining; Hotel Chambermaid; Black Lincoln Continental; Get Started. Start a Fire; Lost Track of Time; Sun Valley; Back to Schooldays; (Hey Lord) Don’t Ask Me Questions; Since You Left Me Baby.
Encore: We Did Nothing; You Can’t Be Too Strong; Them Bugs; That’s Life; Boogie Shoes; Soul Shoes.
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by TerriersFan on September 28, 2023 at 4:29 pm
You’re a lucky man, Peter.
Like you, I have also seen GP in his prime in the 1970s and I had hoped that this tour might pull in a date close to me, but no such luck.
Superb singer with an enviable back-catalogue.
I’ll just have to make do with playing the old albums again.
Roger 🤘
Posted by vintagerock on September 28, 2023 at 4:34 pm
Hi Roger yes Graham is still the man! Happy days. Play Fools Gold and it will take you back. Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on September 28, 2023 at 8:00 pm
Hi Peter,
Good to hear that Graham Parker is still in such fine voice. Nice to think that Martin Belmont is still playing with him too.
Sounds like another great night – the hits just keep on coming.
Posted by vintagerock on September 29, 2023 at 11:27 am
The old ones are still the best Ciaran happy days Peter
Posted by dcmuso on September 29, 2023 at 12:46 am
Great review and great memories from those 1970s concerts, Peter. I also still have that programme too and saw a very memorable gig from that tour at Manchester’s Palace Theatre. The BBC’s Mark Radcliffe was also there and has recounted his own enduring memory – the encore with GP & Rumour & the full Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes ensemble got the packed crowd on their feet and stomping so much that the elevated Circle tier that we were in actually did keen and sway, as if an earthquake was ongoing. 20 years later I saw a gig by Southside Johnny and he remembered the tour with GP well and signed my programme – though I have yet to get GP’s signature on it. I still have & treasure those classic albums by both bands.
Posted by vintagerock on September 29, 2023 at 11:23 am
Hi yes many thanks for your memories. As you have seen I have many happy memories of Graham Parker. Southside Johnny was also a very underrated artist. The old ones can still be the best. Happy days Peter