Judas Priest Newcastle City Hall October 1978
In many ways Judas Priest as the ultimate heavy metal band. When they returned to the City Hall in October 1978, their image had developed from the standard heavy rock band with flowery shirts and flares, and they we starting to become heavy metal gods. Rob Halford in particular was starting to wear more studded leather gear, with undertones of S&M, and he was using his incredible vocal range to greater effect on songs like The Ripper in which he would scream the vocals in his high pitched operatic style. I don’t remember at which point, or on which tour, Rob started to ride a motorbike on stage, but it wasn’t that long after this. 
A couple of years later Priest released British Steel, an album which in many ways defines the heavy metal genre. More than any other band I saw in concert, Priest developed from what I would class a solid rock band like many others in the mid 70s, to a top rate metal band, pushing at the boundaries and setting a standard that many others would attempt to match over the years, and to this day. This change was very evident in their live performances, which saw them graduate from clubs, through ballrooms to concert halls (and soon onward to arenas). Along the way I witnessed them deliver an excellent, and well received, performance at the Reading festival in 1975. Support for the late 1978 tour came from the multi talented Lea Hart who has been a producer, singer, songwriter, and (currently) manager (of Maiden’s Paul Di’Anno). Hart had been in Slowbone, and went on to join Fastway in the 80s.
Posts Tagged ‘folk’
12 Jun
Judas Priest mid 70s – 1978
Judas Priest mid 70s – 1978
Judas Priest toured a lot in the early days of their career, and played several times as Sunderland Locarno and Newcastle Mayfair. I saw some of those gigs and remember them as a pretty solid rock band. I think I saw them supporting Budgie once. This was the classic line-up of Rob Halford – vocals; K. K. Downing – guitar; Glenn Tipton – guitar; Ian Hill – bass guitar; the drummer changed a few times. Over the years you could see how these guys were developing as performers and song writers. Metal classics like The Ripper, Victim of Changes, and Sinner started to appear in the set. Rob Halford got crazier each time I saw them, and K K Downing and Glen Tipton started to perfect their guitar duels. I must mention Glen Tipton and his previous band, the Flying Hat Band. I saw that group on two occasions at Sunderland Locarno and they were simply stunning; one of the best live acts I ever saw. Tipton’s guitar playing was unbelievable; I remember standing at the front watching their entire set and being just blown away. 
By the time I saw Priest at Newcastle City Hall in February 1978, they were the quintessential pure metal band they we have all grown to love. Lots of leather and Rob was so over the top, whipping the audience, throwing bottles of beer into the crowd. I remember one night the crowd caught hold of his whip and pulled him off stage by it. I saw quite a few times over the next few years, mostly at the City Hall, and also at the Mayfair. I’ll spend a few days reflecting on the Priest. I found a track listing from a live recording of the Feb 1978 City Hall show which shows the set as: Exciter; White Heat, Red Hot; The Ripper; Savage; Sinner; Beyond The Realms Of Death; Victim Of Changes; Better By You, Better Than Me; Diamonds And Rust; Starbreaker; Tyrant
7 May
The Hollies 2005, 2006 and 2007
The Hollies 2005, 2006 and 2007
After the sad loss of Carl Wayne, The Hollies were once again left without a lead singer, and with a somewhat uncertain future. The band decided to continue and Peter Howarth was announced as the replacement lead singer in October 2004. Unlike Carl Wayne, Peter was not a household name, having enjoyed a career as a session singer, work in theatre and as backing singer for Cliff Richard. 
Although I didn’t realise it at the time, I’d seen Peter in concert once or twice, most notably as one of the singers in The Who’s Quadrophenia show in Hyde Park. The first chance I got to see Peter Howarth perform with The Hollies was at a free concert one Summer Sunday afternoon in South Shields Bents Park in August 2005. I went with David to this gig which was a shortened set and very much a greatest hits show. Peter delivered the songs well and it was clear that The Hollies were very much back in business. 
The first full Hollies concert I saw with Peter Howarth was at Sunderland Empire in 2006. I then saw the band twice in 2007, at Harrogate Centre and at the Sage Gateshead. 
Peter has fitted well within the band, bringing his own personality to the performance. As well as an excellent singer he is also an accomplished guitarist, which has allowed The Hollies to experiment with new arrangements of some of the songs. In particular, Peter often performs a very different acoustic solo version of Can’t Tell the Bottom From the Top.
I’ve seen the Hollies a few times since 2007 at the Sage Gateshead, and have already written on those gigs. I continue to enjoy The Hollies in concert and can’t get enough of those old songs. Typical setlist from recent Hollies show: Here I Go Again; Just One Look; Stay; I Would Fly; Bus Stop; On A Carousel; The Baby; Sandy (Acoustic); Then Now Always (Dolphin Days); We’re Through; Blowin’ In The Wind; Long Cool Woman. Interval. I Can’t Let Go; Jennifer Eccles; Sorry Suzanne; Yes I Will; One Way Ticket; I’m Alive; Look Through Any Window; I Can’t Tell The Bottom From The Top (Acoustic Solo); Listen To Me-Hey Willy-Gasoline Alley Bred; Weakness; Lucille; Carrie Anne; Stop Stop Stop; The Air That I Breathe; Encores: He Ain’t Heavy; Let Love Pass. Thanks to John who sent me the old 60s programme pictured here. Now thats a concert I wish I had attended 🙂
6 May
The Hollies Sunderland Empire 2003
The Hollies Sunderland Empire 2003
The Hollies returned to Sunderland Empire in 2003. By now I was getting used to seeing Carl Wayne in the lead vocal spot. I went with David and we both enjoyed the gig. Drummer Bobby Elliott described Carl as “a fearless performer and powerhouse singer”. Sadly Carl played his last concert with the Hollies on 10 July 2004 in Norway. Shortly afterwards he was admitted to hospital for tests, where he was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and he passed away a few weeks later, aged 61. The Hollies were once again left without a singer, and an uncertain future, but the band again decided to continue, this time with the introduction of a less known vocalist Peter Howarth. I’ll write tomorrow of my first concert experiences with that particular line-up of the Hollies. 
Setlist: Long Cool Woman; Here I Go Again; Jennifer Eccles; Yes I Will; Look Through Any Window; Sandy; Listen to Me; Butterfly; I’m Alive; I Can’t Let Go; Fire Brigade; We’re Through; On a Carousel; Blowin’ In the Wind. Interval. How Will I Survive; Sorry Suzanne; Just One Look; The Baby; Soldiers Song; Gasoline Alley Bred; Too Young to be Married; Bus Stop; Blackberry Way; Carrie Ann; The Air That I Breathe; I Can Hear The Grass Grow; Stop! Stop! Stop!; Tiger Feet; He Ain’t Heavy; It’s In Every One of Us.
5 May
The Hollies Sunderland Empire 2001
The Hollies Sunderland Empire 2001
The Hollies decided to continue when Allan Clarke retired, and the replacement was announced as being Carl Wayne, the 60s pop star who had been front man in the Move, and had also been an actor in the midlands soap Crossroads. I wasn’t sure how well this would wrk at first, but had to go along to see the band and find out how Carl shaped up. The first chance we got to see the Hollies with Carl was when they visited the Sunderland Empire theatre in 2001. I went along with Marie, and as soon as Carl took to the stage with the Hollies it was clear that he was an excellent choice as lead vocalist and front man. He was an experienced professional and had the stage presence and professionalism to take on the role. His singing was also excellent and suited the Hollies songs. The set consisted of the usual hits, along with favourites Soldier Song, Butterfly, The Baby, and Too Young to be Married. Covers included Blowing in the Wind from the Hollies sing Dylan album which brought back memories of seeing the band play that track during a Hollies TV special in the 60s, Peggy Sue Got Married from their Buddy Holly album which featured the band singing and playing along with the voice of Buddy Holly, and Blackbird by the Beatles. 
The arrival of Carl Wayne in the band also allowed the band to extend their set further, including a couple of Move tracks Flowers in the Rain, and my favourite Blackberry Way. They went a step further (and possibly a step to far :)) and included Tiger Feet from bass player Ray Stiles’ old band Mud. A great show, the Hollies proving that they were very much still a great live active, and Carl Wayne acquitting himself well. Setlist: I’m Alive; Here I Go Again; Jennifer Eccles; Just One Look; On a Carousel; Soldier Song; Bus Stop; Flowers in The Rain; Butterfly; I Can’t Let Go; The Baby; Blowing In The Wind. Interval. Stay; Sorry Suzanne; Yes I Will; Look Through Any Window; Peggy Sue Got Married; Blackbird; We’re Through; Too Young to be Married; Carrie Anne; Stop Stop Stop; The Air That I Breathe; Blackberry Way; Tiger Feet; Long Cool Woman In a Black Dress. Encore: He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother; It’s In Every One Of Us. The last encore was It’s In Everyone Of Us, a David Pomeranz song which featured in the Dave Clark musical Time, and was recorded by the Hollies on their album 5317704 (hOLLIES upside down in digital number view). Ray, Carl and Tony performed the song a cappella with Bobby standing behind looking on, which was a great end to the set. The band have continued to end their set in a similar way with an a cappella version of the song Let Love Pass. “It’s in everyone of us, To be wise, Find your heart, Open up both your eyes, We can all know everything, Without ever knowing why, It’s in everyone of us, By and by and…”
4 May
The Hollies Sunderland Empire in the 90s
The Hollies Sunderland Empire in the 90s
The Hollies toured quite regularly in the 80s and 90s often calling at Sunderland Empire theatre. By 1991 the line up had stabilised to original members Allan Clarke (vocals), Tony Hicks (guitar) and Bobby Elliott (drums), alongside Alan Coates (vocals, guitar), Ray Stiles (ex-Mud, bass) and Ian Parker (keyboards). Stiles and Parker remain in the band to this day. The set during those days continued to focus on the many hits, alongside a few albums tracks and covers. Towards the end of the 90s it was widely reported that Allan Clarke’s wife was very ill with cancer, and he missed a few shows. John Miles stepped in at short notice and covered for Alan at a handful of shows (now that would have been interesting to see), and some shows were postponed and rescheduled. The Sunderland Empire show in 1999 was one gig which was affected. I received a call on the night of the show to tell me that it wasn’t happening. 
However it was rescheduled shortly afterwards. I went with David and I remember them playing After The Fox from the film of the same name, complete with Peter Sellers’ voice, which amused David. The Hollies continued to be professional and perfection itself in concert, playing all those great songs to sold out crowds. At the end of the tour Allan Clarke announced his retirement from the Hollies. It was generally felt that the band would find it difficult to continue without their lead vocalist. However, continue they did and in 2000 Alan was replaced by 60s star Carl Wayne of the Move. I saw the band a couple of times with Carl, and I’ll write on those gigs next. The Hollies setlist from 1999 was: Here I go again; Jennifer Eccles; Just one look; Sandy (Springsteen cover); Stay; After the fox; Bus stop; Running through the night (the B side of I’m Alive),
Not that way at all (the B side of Sorry Suzanne); Butterfly (this a beautiful sing from the album of the same name. I remember seeing Cilla Black sing this one on her TV show in the 60s!); Im alive, When I’m dead and gone; On a carousel; Interval.
I cant let go; Sorry Suzanne; Yes I will; King Midas in reverse; Were through; Peggy Sue got married (from their Buddy Holly album which was their latest at the time); Blackbird (a cover of the Beatles song)
; Look through any window; Carrie Anne; Stop Stop Stop; The air that I breathe; He Aint heavy; Maybe baby / Lets dance (rock n roll medley); Long cool woman.
3 May
The Hollies Middlesbrough Town Hall 1985
The Hollies Middlesbrough Town Hall 1985
The next time I saw the Hollies was at Middlesbrough Town Hall with my mate Dave. We had seats right up in the upper gallery. The place was packed and the band put on their usual top class show. As usual there was no support and two sets with an interval in the middle. The Hollies were having a bit of a resurgence in popularity, having hit the charts with the Holliedaze medley and completed a reunion tour of the USA with Graham Nash. 
A typical Hollies set in the 80s consisted of a selection of the hits: I Can’t Let Go; Just One Look; Bus Stop; On a Carousel; Look Through Any Window; Stop Stop Stop; Carrie Anne; Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress. They would also play some great album tracks such as the ballad Soldier’s Song (written by Mike Batt), Too Young to be Married (written and sung by guitarist Tony Hicks) and The Baby which was a single from the short period when Mikael Rickfors replaced Alan Clarke on vocals. The set would also feature a few covers including excellent versions of Springsteen’s Sandy and Prince’s Purple Rain. The last couple of songs would always be (of course) The Air That I Breathe and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother. Great stuff.
2 May
The Hollies Newcastle Mayfair 1984
The Hollies Newcastle Mayfair 1984
I’ve been a big fan of the Hollies since I first heard those great singles in the 60s. Bus Stop was my favourite, but the band produced so many wonderful songs. Hollies Greatest Hits remains one of the album that I continue to play a lot to this day. It wasn’t until 1984, however, that I got to see them in concert. The Hollies played very few concerts in the UK in the 70s, and I certainly can’t remember them coming to the North East, so I was delighted when I spotted posters around Newcastle advertising the Mayfair gig. I went along with a friend to the Mayfair, looking forward to hearing all the old hits. In some ways The Mayfair was a strange venue for the Hollies to play, as it was usually host to heavy rock nights. For the Hollies the venue was transformed into a cabaret club, complete with older audience and chicken in the basket suppers. There was lots of dancing along to the hits (but not by us I am afraid 🙂 ). 
At the time of this gig the Hollies had just released a version of the Supremes Stop In the Name of Love, from the album What Goes Around, and the line-up featured original members Allan Clarke on vocals, Tony Hicks on guitar, and Bobby Elliott on drums, along with Alan Coates on guitar, Steve Stroud – bass, and Denis Haines on keyboards. The set featured all the hits, and the band were just great. Since that gig I have seen the Hollies lots of times, taking every opportunity I can to see them in concert. They never fail to impress me, their musicianship, harmonies and stage show are all just perfect, and they have such a rich back catalogue of songs to draw on. The programme pictured here is probably not from this gig, and is more likely to be from a later gig in the 80s or 90s. I have lots of Hollies programmes, and may not have managed to date them all correctly. I’ll blog more on the Hollies over the next few days.
25 Apr
The Hull Story Newcastle City Hall 2005
Ten years after the sad passing of Alan Hull, this gig was held at Newcastle City Hall to celebrate Alan’s life. Several special guests took part in the gig and played many of Alan’s songs to capacity crowd. Ray Jackson came out of retirement specially for the show. The concert also featured members of Lindisfarne; Prelude; The Motorettes; Kathryn Tickell and Jimmy Nail. A monologue was provided by Terry Morgan, whilst playwright Tom Pickard gave a reading of a piece of Alan’s poetry. This was a great celebration of the great man’s music and quite an emotional gig. A DVD of the concert was made and is pretty fine too. 
Full cast list: Featuring Phil Armstrong, Michael Bailey, Alan Clark, Simon Cowe, Andrew Craggs, Marty Craggs, Steve Cunninghan, Steve Daggett, Brian Duffy, Tommy Duffy, Mike Elliott, Frankie Gibbon, Charlie Harcourt, Graham Hardy, Brendan Healy, Tim Healy, John Hedley, Robin Howe, Brian Hume, Irene Hume, Ray Jackson, Jack Laidlaw, Jed Laidlaw, Ray Laidlaw, Ian McCallum, Finn McCardle, John Miles Jnr, Billy Mitchell, Scott Mitchell, Terry Morgan, Jimmy Nail, Paul Nichols, Tom Pickard, Greg Pullen, Rachael Rhodes, Chris Ringer, Stephen Robson, Bob Smeaton, Paul Smith, Julian Sutton, Kathryn Tickell and Peter Tickell. Setlist: Track Listing: Do What I Want; The Hully Variations; United States Of Mind; Dingly Dell; You’re The One; Malvinas Melody; All Fall Down; Court In The Act; Scarecrow Song; The Morgan Monologue; Peter Brophy Don’t Care; Make Me Want To Stay; Evergreen; A Reading From The Mocking Horse; Mystery Play; I Hate To See You Cry; Long Way From Home; 100 Miles To Liverpool; Money; This Heart Of Mine; Winter Song; River; Taking Care of Business; Numbers (Travelling Band); Walk In The Sea; Lady Eleanor; January Song; Fog On The Tyne; Clear White Light; Run For Home
24 Apr
Alan Hull Newcastle City Hall 1977: “Jimmy Carter for the Whitehouse; Alan Hull for the City Hall”
Alan Hull Newcastle City Hall 1977
This gig took place while Lindisfarne were taking a break as a band, and had officially split, although a reunion Christmas concert took place in 1976. The gig was promoted by Lindisfarne promoter Barry McKay and was heavily promoted around the town with a set of posters proclaiming: “Jimmy Carter for the Whitehouse; Alan Hull for the City Hall”. The bill comprised Alan with his new band the Radiators, Harcourt’s Heroes featuring Ray Jackson and Charlie Harcourt, and Hutch who worked with David Bowie in the 60s as one of his closest sidemen, and part of his early bands the Buzz, and the Hype. He was also a member of the Spiders from Mars at one point. 
The City Hall was packed and there was a great buzz about this concert. Alan had released two solo albums: Pipe Dream and Squire, and the set was drawn largely from them. Hutch was first up, performing solo with an acoustic guitar playing a mix of folk and country tinged songs. Then Harcourt’s Heroes with Jacka took to the stage. I don’t recall much about their set to be honest. Alan was great. The first half of the set was acoustic before he introduced the band which featured Kenny Craddock-Keyboards; Peter Kirtley-Guitars; John Ashcroft-Keyboards; Colin Gibson-Bass; Ray Laidlaw-Drums; and Terry Popple-Drums. The setlist was: Breakfast; United States Of Mind; Money Game; January Song; Lady Eleanor; One More Bottle Of Wine; A Walk In The Sea; Winter Song; Corporation Rock; Madmen And Loonies; Love Is The Alibi; Love Is The Answer; Band Introduction; I Wish You Well; Make Me Want To Stay; Somewhere Out There; Dancing On The Judgement Day; Anywhere Is Everywhere; Fog On The Tyne. Winter Song is one of my favourite songs of all time; just beautiful. A great gig.
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