60s Gold tour The Sage Gateshead November 8th 2011
I can’t resist classic 60s bands. This show featured Gerry Marsden, The Searchers, The Fortunes and Chip Hawkes.
I’d bought two cheap tickets up in the gallery looking down onto the stage some time ago for this show. When it came to the night of the concert and after a very hectic day at work, I was feeling knackered and was in two minds whether to go. I guess I was also still feeling tired from the weekend in London seeing Roy Harper. However David said he’d come along with me so off we went to the Sage. My prime reason for buying the tickets was to see The Fortunes, as I’ve seen the other bands on the bill. When we arrived The Fortunes were on stage. They performed a pretty slick set of their hits such as You’ve Got Your Troubles and Storm in Teacup. The band has being touring consistently since the 60s, the line-up having changed along the way, with the last of the original band, Rod Allen, sadly passing away in 2008. Our compere (yes this was a proper 60s show) then introduced The Searchers. I’ve seen The Searcher on a number of occasions, the last being around 10 years or so ago. They always put on a professional show, and this was no exception with the hits Needles and Pins, Don’t Throw Your Love Away and What Have They Done to the Rain still sounding great. Guitarist John McNally was 70 this year and singer Frank Allen can’t be far behind him (is everyone I go to see now 70?) yet they still clearly enjoy playing and show no sign of slowing down.
David and I were both tired and beat a retreat home during the interval (sorry Gerry and Chip…will catch you next time).
Archive for the ‘Chip Hawkes’ Category
7 Nov