Sally called when she got the word
And she said, “I suppose you’ve heard… about Alice?”
When I rushed to the window and I looked outside
And I could hardly believe my eyes
As a big limousine rolled up, into Alice’s drive
Oh, I don’t know why she’s leaving
Or where she’s gonna go
I guess she’s got her reasons
But I just don’t want to know
‘Cause for 24 years
I’ve been living next door to Alice
(Chinn,Chapman;1973)
Yes you know the song, don’t you?
So, a night out in Darlo with our heroine Alice! I have been wanting to see Smokie in concert for many years but for some reason it never happened until now. Looking through their back catalogue I had forgotten just how many hits this band has had. And, hey, so there are no original members left in the band, but who cares? It is a Saturday night, in the lovely old theatre Darlington Hippodrome and I am going to see Smokie! What fun.
From Happening Next: “Look at the Guinness Book Of Hit Singles and you could be forgiven for thinking SMOKIE’s success story was a 1970s phenomenon. After all, 11 of their 14 British hits came in that eventful musical decade. However, their massive success story has continued to flourish around the globe including Scandinavia, South Africa, Germany and even China. Smokie are a band which has sold out tours and gained platinum records in four decades – 70s, 80s, 90s and the present day. A quick recap then on past glories. Smokie first got together at school in Yorkshire in the late 60s. After going through various names and styles, they signed with Mickie Most’s then ultra-hot RAK label and found themselves chartbound. Songs like ‘If You Think You Know How To Love Me’, ‘Don’t Play Your Rock’n’Roll To Me’, ‘It’s Your Life’ and ‘Oh Carol’ (all Top 10 entries) became radio staples and gave Smokie their ticket to travel the world.”
“Smokie continue to be one of the most successful bands in the world today. Recent global events, as well as the devastating news of the passing of Terry Uttley have seen the line-up of today having to change and develop with the addition of Pete Lincoln, formerly of The Sweet on lead vocals, and rhythm Guitar and Luke Bullard, son of Martin Bullard stepping into Terry’s shoes on bass and backing vocals, the legacy of Smokie that was founded by Terry will live on and Smokie look forward to seeing you all on their continuing journey.”
Smokie’s current line – up: Steve Pinnell on drums; Mick McConnell on lead guitar; Pete Lincoln on lead vocals and rhythm guitar; Martin Bullard on keyboards and Luke Bullard on bass guitar. Some of the band have been with Smokie from the 1990s, so I guess that means this grouping is pretty authentic. I last saw Pete Lincoln when he was the lead singer in a later version of The Sweet as mentioned above.
But before Smokie we were all treated to a short set by alternative/indie rock band Allora who played a small batch of their own quite catchy rock tunes, and a couple of covers including Fleetwood Mac’s “The Chain”.
During the short interval I took the opportunity to purchase a “We sang Who the F**K is Alice with Smokie” T-shirt. Yes they really were selling them.
After a short interval the main act took to the stage starting with one of their many hits: “I’ll Meet You at Midnight”. Hit followed hit. Great. And yes, after they sang “Alice” quite a large proportion of the audience answered back “Who the F**K is Alice?” A magical end to a magical evening. Perfect.
Many thanks to Jan for taking the photos.
Setlist: (something like) I’ll Meet You at Midnight; It’s Your Life / Take Good Care of My Baby / Mexican Girl / For a Few Dollars More; (I Just) Died in Your Arms; Wild Wild Angels; Wild Horses; I Don’t Want to Talk About It; Have You Ever Seen the Rain?; Baby It’s You; Boulevard of Broken Dreams; Rose-a-Lee; Needles and Pins; Oh Carol.
Encore: Don’t Play Your Rock ‘n’ Roll to Me; Living Next Door to Alice
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