Whitesnake Newcastle City Hall 26th October 1978
Support from Magnum
David Coverdale embarked on a solo career in 1977 after the split of Deep Purple. His first solo album “White Snake” was released in February 1977. All the songs were written by David Coverdale and Micky Moody, who was also guitarist in David’s band. The album wasn’t particularly successful, but its title inspired the name of Coverdale’s future band, which was to come together one year later. In early 1978 Coverdale released his second solo album “Northwinds”. The band which was to be Whitesnake was already coming together. In June 1978 the “Snakebite” EP was released, which contained the Whitesnake favourite, their cover of Bobby Bland’s “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City”. Coverdale: “Originally I had no plans to actually record ‘Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City’…if you can believe it…a song that connects so deeply with so many that I still play it today, 25 years later.”
I first saw Whitesnake at Newcastle City Hall in October 1978. They had just released the “Trouble” album, and this was the first night of their first major tour of UK concert halls. The line-up was David Coverdale (vocals), Micky Moody (guitar), Bernie Marsden (guitar), Neil Murray (bass), Jon Lord (keyboards) and Dave Dowle (drums). Jon Lord had just joined. From the programme: “David Coverdale and Whitesnake – two names that have imprinted themselves on the British Rock media and the public in the last nine months….David Coverdale and Whitesnake left audiences and industry aware that a brilliant, yet deeply experienced new force had arrived on the rock scene.”
Whitesnake were heavy but soulful. Much more bluesy than Purple, but also heavier. Coverdale had an incredible voice; one minute he could be singing the most soulful gentle blues, and then he would thrust his head back, that mane of hair would sway behind him, and he would bellow and scream some of the rockiest songs to be heard on a concert stage anywhere. And with Jon Lord in the band, you knew that they had to play some Purple songs. Their versions of “Might Just Take Your Life” and “Mistreated” were pure class. “Mistreated” in particular was a tour de force for Whitesnake; particularly because of Coverdale’s amazing vocal performances of the song. But Whitesnake wasn’t just the David Coverdale show; this was a strong rock band with two excellent guitarists who both understood, and could play, the blues, and in Jon Lord the greatest exponent of the Hammond organ.
Phil Sutcliffe, reveiwing the concert is Sounds (11 November 1978): ‘Mistreated’: the most astonishing first line I’ve ever heard is Coverdale gathering into that bellow of “I’ve been Mistreated”: the sort of passion that 
enabled Samson to pull down the Philistine temple; the song is magnificent and raw, an insight like an old roaster’s painting of a butcher’s shop, life as red meat; at the end Coverdale throws his head back and howls like a wolf and we roar at him; “You like the blues? Of course you f***ing do – all northerners like the blues and don’t we know it”. Whitesnake were incredible that night, and the Newcastle heavy rock brigade now had a new band to worship alongside Rainbow and Gillan.
I saw Whitesnake 10 or so times over the next 5 or 6 years and will write about those gigs over the next week.
Setlist: Come On; Might Just Take Your Life (Deep Purple cover); Lie Down (A Modern Love Song); Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City; Trouble; Steal Away; Mistreated; Belgian Tom’s Hat Trick; Take Me with You; Rock Me Baby; Breakdown.
Thanks to Mitch for his photo of David Coverdale and Whitesnake, which he took at an earlier concert at Redcar Coatham Bowl on 24th March 1978.
6 Feb
Leslie West and Del Bromham Newcastle Opera House 21st April 2004
Leslie West and Del Bromham Newcastle Opera House 21st April 2004
An evening with two great guitarists and two heroes of mine. The ticket lists the support act as Stray, but it was actually their frontman Del Bromham on a solo outing, as was Leslie West. The concert was in the bistro bar (again, the ticket doesn’t quite match this as it lists a seat number, which suggests that the concert was originally intended for the main hall, and moved into the more intimate setting of the bistro, perhaps to reflect ticket sales).
Leslie West was quite a regular visitor to the North East at the time, with his band Mountain, who often played the Opera House. This particular event featured West alongside the guitarist from Sheryl Crow’s band, Todd Wolfe. Leslie had just released his “Blues To Die For” solo album and likewise, Del had recorded his first solo album, “The Devil’s Highway”.
Del opened the show with a set of songs from “Devil’s Highway” which is a blues-based album with a combination of old songs which Del remembered from his childhood and some self-penned songs in the style of the old blues masters. He also threw in song Stray favourites. A great opportunity to see a legend close up and an excellent start to the evening. “In the late 60s the first wave of heavy guitar idols were usually Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck. Bromham’s past work should be reappraised as he clearly slipped through the net.” (Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 2002)
Leslie West has a unique guitar style, which can effortlessly move from the sweetest, gentlest tone to the deepest heaviest rock. His advice to Joe Bosso on MusicRadar (2011): “Tune your guitar. So many people who don’t like their sound aren’t in tune. So tune your damn guitar already, that’s the first thing. After that, take off any effects you have going on. 
Play straight into the amp. That’s the only way to do it. Work with your hands. Play right into that amp. You’ll find a sound. It might take time – a couple of years or whatever – but that’s all right. The important thing is to get there.” “West was affectionately nicknamed “The King of Tone” by his legions of fans, referring to his influential and world-renowned guitar tone” (WikiPedia). Leslie’s set was a mix of blues from his current album and a few Mountain classics. In 2011 Leslie West had his lower right leg amputated as a result of complications from diabetes. He continues to play and tour, although he hasn’t visited the UK in recent years.
This was a great opportunity to see two legends close up. The following night I was back in the Opera House with a group of mates to see the late great Alvin Lee, with Edgar Winter and Tony McPhee. Happy days 🙂
5 Feb
Jefferson Starship Sage Gateshead 4th February 2015
Jefferson Starship Sage Gateshead 4th February 2015
Support from Auburn (Lesley Roley, as listed on the ticket, was not well and di not play)
So Captain Kantner steered the Starship to the cold wilds of the North of England, where it landed in Hall 2 of the beautiful peanut known as the Sage (at least Patti Smith said it looked like a peanut when she visited). A small, but enthusiastic crowd watched in awe as the Starship rolled back the years, became the Airplane and treated to an evening of psychedelia, nostalgia and good ole west coast rock. For two hours we transported back to the ’60s and the ’70s, and classic songs like “White Rabbit”, “Miracles” and “Jane”. Kanter spends much of the night seated on an amp, still managing to squeeze those broody, meandering rhythms from his Rickenbacker. Cathy Richardson has been in the band for 7 years now, and is clearly still relishing the opportunity to sing with her heroes, and recreate the sound of Grace Slick, which she does perfectly. Cathy told us how she was a big fan of the Airplane and Starship before she joined the band, and that when Paul Kantner approached her to become singer, she showed him her stack of old vinyl Airplane albums, asking him to sign “Blows to the Empire”. For me the star of the evening was David Freiberg who still has the voice of a rock’n’roll angel. Freiberg was “once described as “the nicest guy in the San Francisco music scene,” and holds the singular distinction of having been associated with more of the original San Francisco bands than any individual, boasting membership in Quicksilver Messenger Service (1966-1970), Jefferson Airplane (albeit only for a few months in 1972), and Jefferson Starship (1974-1984), and having equally strong connections to the Grateful Dead” (Wikipedia). 
Frieberg performed one song solo, which I didn’t recognise but I guess must be from the first Quicksilver album (he said it was the first song he wrote) and it was incredible. He also led the band in the ’60s classic “Get Together” which was first a hit for the Kingston Trio and was written by his Quicksilver Buddy Chet Powers (aka Dino Valenti). They finished with a storming “Somebody to Love” and returned for an encore of “Volunteers”. The revolution starts here. Laura came with me and also enjoyed it. A privilege to be able to see legends up and close and hear the classics which helped shape American rock.
The current line-up of Jefferson Starship is founder and leader Paul Kantner on guitar, vocals, long time member and founded of Quicksilver Messenger Service David Freiberg on vocals and (sometimes) guitar, Donny Baldwin on drums who first joined in 1982, Chris Smith on keyboards, synthesizers, Cathy Richardson on vocals (and sometimes guitar) and Jude Gold on lead guitar.
“Look what’s happening out in the streets
Got a revolution
Got to revolution
Hey I’m dancing down the streets
Got a revolution
Got to revolution
Ain’t it amazing all the people I meet
Got a revolution
Got to revolution” (Volunteers, Jefferson Airplane, 1969)
4 Feb
Brian Wilson Newcastle City Hall 6th March 2004
Brian Wilson Newcastle City Hall 6th March 2004
No support.
I didn’t think I would ever get to see Brian Wilson in concert. I’d seen the Beach Boys twice in the early 1970s, but on both occasions Brian was not in the band. At one of the concerts, at Wembley Stadium, Brian was there backstage and I think he may have come on stage to say “hello” to the crowd. But he had not actually played with the band for some years.
Then in the late 1990s the impossible happened. Brian Wilson put a band together and starting to play concerts. Those who saw him, reviewers and fans alike, were ecstatic and unanimous in praise for the man and his music. It is easy to use the word “genius”; we probably do so too often, but in the case of Brian Wilson, the term is true and well-deserved.
I got my first chance to see Brian Wilson when he came to Newcastle City Hall in March 2004. We (me, Marie, David and Laura) went along. We all wanted to see this. It was the “Smile” tour and consisted of a Beach Boys greatest hits set, followed by the legendary “Smile” album played in its entirety.
Brian Wilson had assembled a large band of first class musicians and vocalists to help him recreate the Beach Boys music and their lush harmonies. And they did so, faultlessly. This was a long show, but the pace and the pure class of the music and the performance didn’t let up for a moment. It was great to see Brian on stage, a few feet in front of us, looking and sounding great. Most of the Smile album was unfamiliar to me, but that didn’t matter. An amazing concert, and the first of a few visits by Brian to the UK. And during the encore, they played my favourite songs: “Do It Again” and “I Get Around”. It really doesn’t get much better 🙂
First Set: And Your Dream Comes True; In My Room; Hawaii; Please Let Me Wonder; All Summer Long; Good Timin’; You’re Welcome; Sloop John B; God Only Knows; Time to Get Alone; Soul Searchin’; California Girls; Dance, Dance, Dance; Darlin’; City Blues; Marcella
Brian Wilson Presents SMILE: Our Prayer/Gee; Heroes and Villains; Roll Plymouth Rock; Barnyard; Old Master Painter / You Are My Sunshine; Cabinessence; Wonderful; Look (Song for Children); Child Is Father of the Man; Surf’s Up; I’m in Great Shape / I Wanna Be Around / Workshop; Vega-Tables; On a Holiday; Wind Chimes; Mrs. O’Leary’s Cow; In Blue Hawaii; Good Vibrations
Encore: Do It Again; I Get Around; Help Me, Rhonda; Barbara Ann; Surfin’ U.S.A.; Fun, Fun, Fun
Encore 2: Love and Mercy
3 Feb
Robbie Williams Roundhay Park, Leeds 9th September 2006
Robbie Williams Roundhay Park, Leeds 9th September 2006
Support from Basement Jaxx and Orson
Time to admit to another guilty pleasure. I like Robbie Williams. There I said it. I know he isn’t classic or vintage rock but I can’t fail to be impressed by the guy. There is something about his confidence, his clearly enormous ego, and that I find impressive. Laura and David were also fans at the time, so we thought we would go along and see him at this massive event at Leeds Roundhay Park, where he played for two nights in September 2006. I even joined the Robbie fan club to be sure of tickets, which also got me a Robbie t-shirt which Laura still has.
Rounhay Park is a massive area, and it was crammed with 100,000 or so people for Robbie. Support acts Orson and Basement Jaxx went down well, but everyone was there for Robbie. The place erupted when he came on stage, the crowd went crazy and continued to do so throughout his set. Robbie of course, knows how to play the crowd, and has a knack of talking to 100,000 people in a way that feels likes he is talking to you. The guy really is the ultimate showman. A great show, which we all enjoyed. Even if it did take us 2 hours to get out of the car park 🙂
Here are a few comments from fans who attended the concert (from the Yorkshire Post):
“Once again a spectacular performance from the best entertainer out there. From the second Rob popped up on stage 100,000 people were eating out of his hand. The screaming was deafening, the atmosphere created memories that will last a lifetime.
“Whatever your opinion of Robbie or his music, you have to admire the showmanship of someone who can attract so many people of different ages to his concerts. Robbie doesn’t only attract girls in their twenties (as the TV coverage would suggest) – there were men and women of all ages. The youngest person we saw was about seven, the oldest probably in their seventies. Everyone, regardless of age, danced and sang along with great enthusiasm, and despite the amount of alcohol consumed by some, the vast majority of people remained very good natured.”
“Excellent performance by all but far too many people in 1 place. Could have been serious problems if the area needed to be cleared for any reason. But all in all an excellent day.”
Setlist: Radio; Rock DJ; Tripping; Monsoon; Sin Sin Sin; Millennium; Make Me Pure; Me and My Shadow; Strong; Back for Good; Advertising Space; Come Undone; Feel
Encore: Let Me Entertain You; Rudebox; Angels; Kids
2 Feb
Stevie Wonder Wembley Arena 6th September 1980
Stevie Wonder Wembley Arena 6th September 1980
No support
There was a massive buzz around Stevie Wonder’s first performances in Britain since 1974. Tickets for the six night “Hotter Than July Music Picnic” run of concerts at Wembley Arena were sold by postal application, and were massively over-subscribed. We were lucky enough to score tickets in the fourth row of the front block, giving us a great view of Wonder and his band.
The stars turned out in force for the show. As we took our seats we noticed Kate Bush sitting two rows behind us with a group of friends. We also noticed Goodie Bill Oddie in the front row.
Stevie began the first set with a run through some of his ’60s hits, starting with “For Once In My Life”. From a NME review of the time, written by Paul Du Noyer: “…there’s Stevie Wonder up there, the best soul voice this side of Smokey and he’s giving us ‘My Cherie Amour’ and ‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ and ‘If You Really Love Me’ and, oh, you really should have been there because it was a tremendous thing to hear.”
The show was in two sections, full of classic Motown, most of the “Innervisions” album, and those tremendous Wonder songs like “Living for the City” and “Higher Ground”. There were moments where it really just couldn’t have been any better, and others where Wonder got the crowd to singalong to the songs, almost spoiling them. “…those hoary old call-and-response sequences: ‘Now I want all you fellas to sing this part… and the ladies sing this part…’…..just a pointless pantomime” (Paul Du Noyer, NNME).
After the interval Wonder re-appeared as the young “Little Stevie Wonder”, dressed in a cute red velvet suit and bow-tie and proceeded to play an amazing version of “Fingertips”; complete with note-perfect mouth harp. Then it was back to classics: “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and an amazing “Superstition” which stunned everyone. The new songs of the evening were “Happy Birthday” in honour of Martin Luther King, and the single “Masterblaster” (more singalong, but still great). A breath-taking performance.
The following evening, which was last of the six night run, just before the very last song Stevie said “I’d like to bring on a couple of guests” and on walked Marvin Gaye and Diana Ross to sing along with him. Now I wish I’d been there that night.
Setlist. Set 1. For Once In My Life; My Cherie Amour; Signed Sealed Delivered; If You Really Love Me; Golden Lady; Boogie On Reggae Woman; Living For The City; Higher Ground; Don’t You Worry ’bout a Thing.
Interval.
Set 2. Fingertips; Sir Duke; You Are The Sunshine Of My Life; Superstition; Visions; You and I; Secret Life Of Plants; Happy Birthday; Masterblaster Jammin’ ; Did I Hear You Say You Love Me
1 Feb
Wishbone Ash live 2001 to 2007
I lost touch with Wishbone Ash for around 10 years and decided to go and see them again at a concert at Newcastle Opera House on 26th May 2001. The only remaining original member of the band was Andy Powell and they had released 5 album since I had last see them in concert; these were: Strange Affair (1991; reunion line-up without drummer Steve Upton); Illuminations (1996; brand new Andy Powell led band); Trance Visionary (1997; an electronic-based dance album); Psychic Terrorism (1998; another techno dance album), and Bare Bones (1999; an acoustic album with new versions of Ash classics, some new songs and some cover songs; and special guests including Claire Hamill). The line-up of Wishbone Ash in 2001 was Andy Powell (guitar, vocals), Ben Granfelt (guitar, vocals), Bob Skeat (bass, vocals) and Ray Weston (drums). It was great to see them and hear the old classics again. I saw this line-up once more at a concert at the Park Hotel Tynemouth on 8th October 2003. They released the album Bona Fide in 2002. Both concerts were excellent. I recall the Park Hotel being packed and giving Andy and the band a great reception.
In 2004 guitarist Ben Granfelt left the band and was replaced by another excellent guitarist Muddy Manninen. The band continued to tour, and I saw this line-up three times: back at the Park Hotel (20th October 2004), at Newcastle Cluny (19th October 2005, moved from the Park, as I recall; I have two tickets one saying the Park and one the Cluny!) and at Newcastle Academy (14th May 2007). All great gigs, although I think the Academy gig was not well attended. This line-up recorded the Clan Destiny album in 2006. The 2005 tour was billed as the 35th Anniversary Tour (see programme). in 2007 drummer Ray Weston left after being in the band for 10 years and was replaces by Joe Crabtree. This line-up has recorded three albums Power of Eternity (2007), Elegant Stealth (2011) and Blue Horizon (2014). I saw them at Newcastle Academy in 2001, which I blogged about at the time.
Andy Powell continues to fly the Wishbone Ash flag high, and tours the UK at least once a year, sometimes twice.
That concludes my Wishbone Ash memories. Writing about them has reminded me how great this band was, particularly during the 1970s. Both the Mk I and the Mk II line-ups were pure class. I’ve played a lot of Wishbone Ash this week, and those classic songs have really taken me back to those days. I’d forgotten just how many favourites I have: Blind Eye, The Pilgrim, Pheonix, Jailbait, Blowin’ Free, Time Was, The King Will Come, Warrior, Throw Down the Sword, Living Proof…all wonderful tracks. I think I’ll play a few more this morning before I move on to the next band. Happy happy days 🙂
31 Jan
Wishbone Ash the Reunion 1988 and 1989
In 1987,original Wishbone manager Miles Copeland began a new project “No Speak”, which was to be a series of albums featuring all instrumental music. Copeland asked the four original members of Wishbone Ash to consider reforming to record an all-instrumental album. For the first time in 14 years, Andy Powell, Steve Upton, Martin Turner and Ted Turner got together and recorded the album Nouveau Calls, which was released in February 1988.
The band went out on tour playing tracks from the new album, and old favourites. I saw them with a group of mates at a gig at Newcastle Mayfair on 27th March 1988. The ballroom was packed and the band were given a heroes welcome. It was great to see the original line-up playing together again. Ted Turner had only recently come over for the tour, and hadn’t rehearsed some of the songs, so for the first part of the tour the first seven songs were played with Jamie Crompton (who had been in Wishbone Ash in 1985) on guitar, with Ted Turner entering for “The King Will Come”. I remember Turner playing a lot of slide guitar at the concert.
In August 1989 Wishbone Ash released a new album (this time with vocals) “Here to Hear”. Around this time they played at Sunderland Empire (20th September 1989), which was another excellent show. The reunion lasted until 1991 when Steve Upton and then Martin Turner left the band. Ted Turner quit in 1994, leaving Andy Powell as the only original member. I’ll bring my Wishbone Ash memories to a close tomorrow, covering the Andy Powell-led line-ups which I have seen in concert.
Setlist early 1988: Tangible Evidence; Living Proof; Genevieve; No More Lonely Nights; Real Guitars Have Wings; Something’s Happening In Room 602; Underground; The King Will Come; Throw Down the Sword; In The Skin; Clousseau; Phoenix; Blowin’ Free; Jailbait; Bad Weather Blues
30 Jan
Wishbone Ash Spectrum Leisure Complex Willington 7th December 1985
Wishbone Ash Spectrum Leisure Complex Willington 7th December 1985
I’d lost touch with Wishbone Ash. It had been 4 years since I saw them perform at Newcastle City Hall on the Number the Brave tour. During that time much had happened. In 1982 the band released “Twin Barrels Burning”, an album which was quite heavy metal, capitalising on the popularity of the NWOBHM (New Wave Of British Heavy Metal) movement. “Twin Barrels Burning” was their highest charting album for several years, reaching No. 22 in the UK chart. Bassist Trevor Bolder left the group to rejoin Uriah Heep in 1983, and was replaced by bassist/vocalist Mervyn Spence from Trapeze. The heavy metal groove continued and in 1985 Wishbone Ash released “Raw to the Bone” on NWOBHM label Neat Records; their first lp not to make the charts.
I read somewhere that Wishbone Ash were playing at The Spectrum Leisure Complex in Willington. I didn’t know where Willington was, but a quick look at a map showed me that it lay just outside Durham city, and wasn’t too far away. So I went with a mate to see what Wishbone Ash were up to. The Spectrum Leisure complex had recently opened and was starting to host concerts. Captain Sensible appeared there the week before the Wishbone concert. The gig was held in a sports hall and was not well attended. The line-up of the band was Andy Powell, Laurie Wisefield, Mervyn Spence and Steve Upton. I remember being very impressed by Spence, who handled the front man role previously held by Martin Turner well, and took lead vocals on a lot of the songs. I think they may have started with “The King Will Come” and the set was a mix of classics and heavier tracks from their recent albums. I am pretty sure that they played “Pheonix”. We stood close to the stage, right in front of the band, and the sound was crisp and loud. It was great to see Wishbone Ash again, and the new line-up did the songs justice.
A couple of weeks after this gig, Laurie Wisefield announced his decision to quit Wishbone Ash. He was replaced by ex-Suzi Quatro guitarist Jamie Crompton. A month or so later, Mervyn Spence also quit the band, and was replaced by Andy Pyle (ex-Blodwyn Pig, Savoy Brown, and Chicken Shack).
It was three years until I saw Wishbone Ash again, and I’ll write about that tomorrow.
29 Jan
Wishbone Ash Newcastle City Hall 27th May 1981
Wishbone Ash Newcastle City Hall 27th May 1981
Martin Turner was replaced by bassist and vocalist John Wetton, who came with excellent pedigree, having previously been with Family, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Uriah Heep and UK. The new line-up recorded the 11th Wishbone Ash album “Number the Brave’, which was released in April 1981. Wetton left shortly after recording the album and rejoined Asia.For the 1981 “Number the Brave” tour Wetton was replaced by former Uriah Heep and David Bowie’s Spiders bassist Trevor Bolder. Female vocalist, Claire Hamill, also joined for the tour. Claire had sung on both the “Just Testing” and “Number the Brave” and co-wrote “Living Proof” with Laurie Wisefield. I saw the Newcastle City Hall concert n May 1981. For the concerts, lead vocals were shared between Andy Powell, Claire Hamill and Laurie Wisefield. This was quite a different Wishbone Ash, with Hamill adding soulful, rocky vocals and the mood of the performance moving much closer to heavy rock.
Support for the tour was heavy metal singer Nicky Moore, who had been in Hackensack and Tiger, and was fronting his own band at the time. Moore would soon go on to join Samson as replacement for Bruce Dickinson. Claire Hamill left the band after the tour. Encouraged by the success of the NWOBHM, heavy metal was very much the order of the day on their next album “Twin Barrels Burning”, which became the highest charting Wishbone Ash album in years reaching No. 22 in the UK charts.
Setlist: The King Will Come; Lady Whiskey; Where Is the Love; Time Was; Living Proof; Underground; Warrior; Throw Down the Sword; Loaded; Kicks on the Street; Phoenix; Number the Brave; Helpless; Jail Bait; Blowin’ Free; Get Ready; Bad Weather Blues.
It was 4 years ’til I next saw Wishbone Ash, and the line-up had changed again. I’ll write about that gig tomorrow.
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