The evening started with a massive and welcome surprise. Jackie, my carer for the evening, enquired of the steward “what time does the concert finish and is there a support act?” I was so pleased and surprised when she returned and said “there is a support act and they are called Son of Man”. Well, the reason I was so pleased was this. Many moons ago I was a massive fan of the band Man who were a Welsh band often compared to the Grateful Dead. I saw Man many times over the years including concert appearances at the City Hall in the early to mid 1970s. Indeed they were one of the first bands I saw at the City Hall in early 1971, supporting the Flaming Groovies. I also saw them perform at several festivals.
Man continued through various line – up changes, the one constant being the excellent guitarist Micky Jones. When Micky sadly passed away, his son George took on the mantle of lead guitarist and the band continued with original bass player Martin Ace and long-time keyboard player Phil Ryan. I saw this version of the band at the New Roscoe pub in Leeds and they were excellent.
Somewhere along the road, there was a split in the band. Bass player Martin Ace continued his version of the band, inheriting the name Man while Micky Jones’ son George Jones formed his own version of the band Son of Man. Confusing or what! And it was this band, the one and only Son of Man, who were supporting Hawkwind. Fantastic! Particularly as they normally play around Wales and this was my first chance to experience them. A blast from the past.
George has assembled a great band around his fantastic guitar playing, including an excellent vocalist. They played music from their latest album and also some Man favourites including “Spunk Rock” and “Bananas” which has the amazing lyric: “I like bananas, because they’ve got no bones; I like marijuana, because it gets me stoned”. He even mentioned that the last time one of the songs was played in the City Hall was when Man performed there alongside John Cipollina from the legendary Quicksilver Messenger Service. I remember that particular concert well! And you can probably find a review on my blog somewhere. A great start to the evening.
Could things get better? Yes of course they could. Hawkwind were also one of my favourite bands in the early 70s. I have seen them many times over the years from the days, before they hit the charts with “Silver Machine”, and Stacia danced naked with them on stage. The current tour publicity material guides us through the complex history of Hawkwind: “One of England’s most enduring hard rock bands, Hawkwind were formed in London during the late ’60s, just as art rock was coming into its own. Though lesser known than contemporaries like Pink Floyd, the band is widely hailed as one of space rock’s early pioneers, thanks to seminal albums like 1973’s live opus Space Ritual, and its 1974 studio follow-up In the Hall of the Mountain Grill.
Their potent mix of psychedelia, prog, straight-ahead hard rock, and lyrics steeped in science fiction — particularly the themes and imagery of author Michael Moorcock, who also became a member at various points — and drug effects helped define Hawkwind and separate them from the competition. The group’s history has been marked by a series of confusing lineup changes, as members began an almost revolving-door relationship with the band virtually from the outset. Throughout their many decades and incarnations, founding guitarist Dave Brock has remained Hawkwind’s chief steward, while notable players like Lemmy and Ginger Baker have also enjoyed stints with the band.”
As you will have gathered from the above, the line-up has changed many, many times over the years, the one constant being bandleader Dave Brock. Well, Captain Brock led his family through a selection of Hawkwind tracks old and new including favourites: “The Psychedelic Warlords Disappear in Smoke”, “Spirit of the Age” and “Brainstorm”. No “silver machine” and Dave Brock took a backseat in some of the songs and was not present for the encore (I believe it was said that he was backstage having a cup of tea) but, hey, who cares, this was still Hawkwind at their best.
A marvellous evening spent with two fantastic hippie/psychedelic bands. It doesn’t get much better than this. Many thanks to Jackie for the photographs and to Chris for manipulating the site.
Setlist: Brainbox Pollution; Arrival in Utopia; Till I Found You; The Psychedelic Warlords (Disappear in Smoke); Lost Chances; Underwater City; Assault and Battery; Golden Void; Psi Power; The Beginning; Spirit of the Age; Frozen in Time; Brainstorm. Encore: You’d Better Believe It
Vintagerock's Weblog. 
Posted by TerriersFan on April 23, 2024 at 3:23 pm
Sounds like another terrific evening, Peter.
Like you, I have seen Hawkwind many times and am looking forward to seeing them again at Nottingham Rock City on 14th June. I wonder if the support band will be the same?
I never saw Man in any incarnation, but I have the live double album ‘Maximum Darkness’ and it’s always been a favourite.
I’ll just have to cross my fingers and hope! 🤞🤞
Roger 🤘👍
Posted by vintagerock on April 23, 2024 at 3:38 pm
Hi Roger yes it was a great surprise when I discovered Son of Man were the support band. A perfect pairing. Fingers crossed that you get a similar line – up. Happy days Peter
Posted by Alun Rees on April 23, 2024 at 4:07 pm
I do enjoy your reviews. On the original Man band front I can thoroughly recommend the late Deke Leonard’s account of his Man days, “Rhinos, Winos & Lunatics – The legend of Man a rock’n’roll band”. Good to see Micky’s son keeping the fire burning.
Posted by vintagerock on April 23, 2024 at 4:12 pm
Many thanks for your support Alun. Yes I think I have Deke’s book somewhere! Micky Jones was a hero to me. Happy days Peter
Posted by ciarant1step on April 26, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Son of Man sound like they’d be great – I have a small memory of the original Man, probably from John Peel programs.
And Hawkwind? Not much left to say about them, except that each incarnation of the band sounds good.
Posted by vintagerock on April 26, 2024 at 4:08 pm
Hi Ciaran yes Man and Hawkwind are both classic bands. Happy days Peter