Frankie Goes To Hollywood Newcastle City Hall 1985
I only saw Frankie Goes to Hollywood once, when their 1985 UK tour called at Newcastle City Hall. Frankie were everywhere in 1984 and 1985. I remember going to a concert at Wembley Stadium (think it may have been Elton John, or Wham) and almost everyone there (except my mate and me) were wearing a “Frankie Says” t-shirt (probably an exaggeration, but you know what I mean). They were that big. This was in the days of postal application for tickets, and tickets for this gig sold out straight away. However, we were lucky enough to get four seats and I went along with Marie, her sister and her niece, who were all massive Frankie fans. 
The concert was quite theatrical and spectacular and was based around Frankie’s first album Welcome to the Pleasuredrome, with the hit singles Relax, Two Tribes, and Power of Love being great favourites. Power of Love had just been released at the time. The band were at the height at the time, and the buzz around and them, and the great singles, made this a powerful and fun gig. They were to tour once more, in mainland Europe, a couple of years later and then the band imploded and split. A setlist for the London gig in 1985 shows the songs played as: War; Love has got a gun; The only star in Heaven; Black night white light; The power of love; Pleasuredome; The world is my oyster; Get it on; Relax; Krisco kisses; Two tribes; Born to run; Ferry across the Mersey; Relax; Bang. I am sure the set at the Newcastle gig will have been the same. The covers of Ferry across the Mersey and Born to Run both appeared on the Pleasuredrome lp. Get it on is a cover of the T Rex song and appeared on the Pleasuredrome single.
Posts Tagged ‘gig’
2 Dec
Frankie Goes To Hollywood Newcastle City Hall 1985
1 Dec
Chris Farlowe in concert
Chris Farlowe in concert
Chris Farlowe is one great singer. I would put him alongside the greats (for me): P J Proby, Steve Ellis, Steve Marriott, Joe Cocker, Frankie Miller, Paul Rodgers, Rod Stewart, Robert Plant. I first saw him when he was being a rock star as vocalist on Atomic Rooster. He was only in the band for a short period during 1972 and possibly 1973, and I was lucky enough to see them at Sunderland Locarno. It seemed a strange match, but worked well. The next time I saw him was at the City Hall with my mate Will. This gig was billed as Chris Farlowe and Friends and was poorly attended, Chris wasn’t really seen as being “cool” at the time. However, he was amazing, and we came away as converts. A live lp exists from that period and shows his setlist as being: We’re Gonna Make It; Rhyme And Time; Peace Of Mind; After Midnight; Only Women Bleed; Mandy; Hot Property; Handbags & Gladrags; You Haven’t Done Nothin’; It Ain’t No Use. 
There are quite a few titles that I don’t recognise there, but I definitely remember him singing Mandy, Only Women Bleed and Handbags & Gladrags. It interesting that Out of Time is not listed. His band for the live album is listed as backing vocals – Joanne Williams, Madeline Bell; Bass – Pat Donaldson; Drums – Gerry Conway; Guitar – Albert Lee; Horns – Chris Mercer, Ron Carthy; and Keyboards – Jean Roussel. I do recall the great Albert Lee being on guitar at that gig, but can’t be certain about the rest of the band. I wonder if Madeline Bell was there; I have always been a great fan of Madeline, and I wasn’t sure if I have ever seen her. Maybe I saw her that night. 
Anyway it was great gig, and that night I realised just how good Chris was that night. Since then I’ve seen Chris a few times, including a couple of gigs at Newcastle Tyne Theatre some years ago. At one of those gigs, Marie and I chatted to Chris in the bar, and he signed my ticket. Chris is often backed by The Norman Beaker Band who are an excellent blues band. Favourites of mine are Handbags and Gladrags, Out of Time, and he does great versions of The Stones Paint It Black and The Small Faces All or Nothing. Long may he rock.
30 Nov
Peter Frampton (Frampton Comes Alive!) Manchester 1976
Peter Frampton (Frampton Comes Alive!) Manchester Belle Vue 1976
Support from Gary Wright
This was a great gig and one I remember to this day. I first saw Peter Frampton when he was touring with his band Frampton’s Camel as support for his old mates Humble Pie in 1972 or 1973. I remember that he played a great version of the Stone’s Jumping Jack Flash, and there was a song called Its a Plain Shame which was from his first solo album, and which was a great favourite of mine at the time. He then all but disappeared from view for a few years, and suddenly reappeared with massive success and his Frampton Comes Alive album. I bought the album, played it again and again, and when he arrived in the UK for a short tour in 1976 a group of us bought tickets to see him in Manchester. The gig was help in Manchester Belle Vue Kings Hall, which was a big hall in the centre of Manchester’s Belle Vue centre 
which was housed in an amusement park, and a zoo. This was before the days of arenas, and Kings Hall was at the time one of the largest indoor venues in the North of England. We had great seats close to the front. Support came from Gary Wright, ex Spooky Tooth, who wowed us with some great keyboard work and songs such as Dream Weaver. I think he also played Better By You, Better Than Me from his time with Spooky Tooth. Frampton was amazing. He played the entire Comes Alive! album and the place went nuts for him. I know that he has been touring the album again, and he brought it to the UK last year. The nearest gig to me was again in Manchester, and sadly I didn’t make it. Looking back that was a mistake. Setlist: Something’s Happening; Doobie Wah; Lines On My Face; Show Me the Way; It’s a Plain Shame; Wind of Change; Just the Time of Year; Penny For Your Thoughts; All I Wanna Be (Is by Your Side); Baby I Love Your Way; I Wanna Go To The Sun; Nowhere’s Too Far (For My Baby); (I’ll Give You) Money; Do You Feel Like We Do; Shine On; White Sugar; Jumpin’ Jack Flash; Day’s Dawning.
29 Nov
Fields of the Nephilim Newcastle Mayfair 1988
Fields of the Nephilim Newcastle Mayfair 1988
I got quite into goth music in the late 80s, and read a lot about Fields of the Nephilim. I was intrigued by their “dust and death” image; these guys looked pretty cool in their dusty leathers and large brim cowboy hats, straight out of a spaghetti western. Their music was a strange mix of doomy heavy rock, with soft growled vocals. Live they were a strange experience; very moody and challenging, but ultimately this was a gig I still remember to this day. This was the “Precious to the Lost” tour. 
The stage was filled with some sort of combination of dry ice, smoke or dust and the band were dressed in long ragged, cowboy clothes, covered in flour to give their trademark dusty look. The lighting was dark and doomy and the songs slow, rhythmic with strong bass lines and powerful vocals. I picked up a copy of their fan mag “Helter Skelter” at the gig. The picture on the cover will give you an idea of the band’s image. Their website also explains where they are coming from: “Fields of the Nephilim is the creation of vocalist and front man Carl McCoy, a seeker of the greater truth”. Their lyrics draw from the occult and related mythologies. This band still continues to this day, playing gigs every now and then and commands quite a legendary status. A setlist from a gig around that time shows the band playing the following songs: Preacher Man; Love Under Will; Endemoniada; Psychonaut; Trees Come Down; Celebrate; The Watchman; For Her Light; At the Gates of Silent Memory; Chord of Souls. Encore: Last Exit for the Lost; Moonchild; Phobia. I would guess that they will have played some of these songs at the gig I attended.
27 Nov
Focus Newcastle Mayfair 1976
Focus Newcastle Mayfair 1976
Jan Akkerman left on the eve of Focus’ 1976 UK tour. His last minute replacement was Belgian jazz-fusion guitarist Philip Catherine. Marie and I had been planning to go along to see them at Newcastle Mayfair, and to be honest, we hesitated and thought twice before attending. I just couldn’t imagine how Focus could continue without Jan Akkerman; he was such an important part of the band. However, several bands have continued successfully after the departure of a key member; Genesis, Deep Purple come to mind for example. So we did go along to the gig, to see what the new version of Focus were like. A respectable crowd turned out that night, but the place was by no means full. The concert was great, and the new guitarist was a fine replacement. However, Focus were soon to disband. However before they did they recorded one further album, “Focus con Proby” along with singer P J Proby. This was an unlikely pairing, and the album did not sell well. Focus were to lie dormant for many years until Thijs reformed the band in more recent times. Today they tour the UK pretty regularly; I’ve blogged on them a couple of times in the last couple of years. I really must try and find a copy of Focus con Proby on ebay; I’d love to hear what it sounds like.
26 Nov
The Rolling Stones O2 Arena London 25 November 2012
The Rolling Stones O2 Arena London 25 November 2012
I am sitting on the 06.15 train out of London, returning home after an amazing concert.
Well they pulled it off. Last night the Rolling Stones gave me and 20,000 other fans a night that we will remember for the rest of our lives. I should never have doubted how incredible they would be.
I travelled down to London on Sunday afternoon, arriving in time to meet my son David for a chat and a pizza. I travelled across London and arrived at the O2 around 7pm, to make sure I was there on time, as we had all been told that The Stones would be on stage at 8pm sharp. I bought a programme, and took my cheap (£250 ouch!) seat in the upper tier. A lot has been said and written about the expensive prices of ticket for these 50th anniversary gigs, with most floor and lower tier seats costing £400 and upwards, and I wondered if there would be a lot of empty seats, but on the night the O2 arena was packed. The stage was modelled on the Stones’ trademark lips and tongue, with a standing area in the centre of the tongue where lucky fans could get close up to our heroes. Actually, I had a pretty good view up there; I was seated in the fourth row of the balcony, directly opposite the stage and could see everything that was happening.
The proceedings started slightly later than advertised, at approx. 8.20pm with a video of stars giving their views on The Stones in their 50th year, including Elton John, Iggy Pop, Johnny Depp, Pete Townshend, The Black Keys and Angus Young. Iggy told us “hearing Keith Richards’ guitar is like being hit in the face by a wet mackerel”! Next a troop of 100 or so drummers in Grrr Gorilla suits paraded around the floor area, filling the arena with sound and rhythm. Then the lights went down and Jagger and co took to the stage. 
First song was “I Wanna Be Your Man”, with Mick wearing a black and white jacket and matching trilby. We were back in the 60s, and the sound and playing was superb. From where I sat I could hear every word clearly, and it was crisp and quite loud. A screen at either side of the stage and at the back, in the heart of the mouth, showed images of the band in their youth. Next was “Get Off My Cloud”, followed by “All Over Now”. Mick was in a playful mood asking “How is it up in the cheap seats?” and adding “Oh they aren’t really cheap are they?”, and joking about how the band missed out on the Queen’s jubilee and the Olympics ceremonies, but just made it “under the wire” for these gigs. He took off his jacket, all dressed in black for an amazing version of “Paint It Black” and the whole arena sang along; Ronnie and Keith sharing guitar parts, with Ronnie on an electric sitar. Ronnie Wood really shone in those first few numbers, taking on most of the lead parts. However, Keith came more to the fore as the show went on. “Gimme Shelter” saw the band welcome their first guest of the night, who was Mary J Blige, taking the vocals alongside Mick Jagger: “It’s Just a Shot Away”; great. The tone and the pace were then lowered a little for a beautiful version of “Wild Horses”. “All Down the Line” was accompanied by a video of the Stones’ influences and heroes: John Lee Hooker, James Brown, Howling Wolf, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, and a host of others appeared on the screen. The next guest to appear was “one of our contempories” Jeff Beck who led the band through “Going Down”, playing some amazing guitar; very flashy, loud, and for a few minutes outshining the band who were clearly loving it. The next song was “Out of Control” from Bridges to Babylon, which was less familiar to me. 
Mick then introduced the two new songs “One More Shot” and “Doom and Gloom”. I must say that these two new tracks are not my favourite Stones’ songs, but they sounded pretty good last night.
Original bass guitarist Bill Wyman joined the guys for the next two songs: spot on versions of “It’s Only Rock n Roll” and “Honky Tonk Women”. The band, and the crowd seemed genuinely pleased to see Bill, who looked well, and had a smile right across his face, obviously enjoying being back with his old mates. Jagger introduced the band members before the next song, including Bobby Keyes on brass, who has been with the band since I first saw them in 1971.
Keith took front of stage for the next couple of numbers: “Before They Make Me Run” and “Happy”, singing and playing well, and giving Mick a well-deserved breather. Jagger returned with Mick Taylor for an unbelievable version of “Midnight Rambler” which took me back to shows in the 70s, and seemed just as dark and moody as it did in those days. Many say that Taylor was the best guitarist The Stones ever had, and last night his bluesy playing was exactly what was needed. We were on the home stretch now, and next up were “Start Me Up”, “Tumbling Dice”, and “Brown Sugar”, all crowd pleasers, keeping up the pace. The last song was a classic version of “Sympathy for the Devil”, Mick looking the part in a long black furry cloak. Jagger, Wood, and Richards were running around the edge of the tongue, playing to the crowd. Mick in particular has so much and energy and seems so fit, he really was performing just as he did in the 70s. 
The band left the stage to a tremendous reception; they had delivered 100%, the last two hours had just flown over, and everyone in the arena cheered for more. They were quickly back, accompanied by a choir for a sweet version of “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”, followed by closer “Jumping Jack Flash”, with the voices of the crowd almost drowning the band. They left the stage for the last time at 11pm, the crowd clapping and shouting for more; then the tongue logo appeared with the words “Thanks for coming; have a safe journey home” and we knew that it was finally over. Apparently the set list had also included “Satisfaction” as the last song, but the strict curfew prevented them from playing it. So that was it. You have to give it to them; they showed all their critics that they could still deliver, and at a level that I haven’t seen for a long, long time. This was one of the best times I have seen The Rolling Stones; much, much better than the last time I saw them at the O2 in 2007. I can honestly say that I can’t think of any band to match last night in terms of performance, energy and the rich back catalogue that they have to draw from. And yes Mick’s voice held out, Keith can still play (and well too), Ronnie was great, and I mustn’t forget to mention Charlie, who sits quietly at the back, keeping the beat. And you could tell that they were all enjoying it. The self-styled Greatest Rock n Roll Band in the World retains its crown for a while yet.
I caught a packed tube back to my Travelodge, which I reached at around midnight, and was up at 05.15 to catch this train. Wish I was going again on Thursday. Those of you who are, enjoy it. You won’t be disappointed.
25 Nov
Focus and Blue Newcastle City Hall 1974
Focus Newcastle City Hall 1974
Support from Blue 
Focus were back at Newcastle City Hall in 1974, a year after their last gig at that venue. They had a new album out at the time, which was called “Hamburger Concerto” and a single “Harem Scarem” was released from the album. Their set at the time featured tracks from the new album and old favourites such as “Sylvia” and “Hocus Pocus”. This was another good gig, with amazing performances by Thijs van Leer and Jan Akkerman. I blogged about Focus quite a bit yesterday, so today I will focus (no pun intended 🙂 ) on the great support act Blue. Before Blue were a boy band, there was this outfit from the early 70s. Blue were fronted by ex-Marmalade guitarist Hughie Nicholson. Nicholson was a member of Marmalade between 1971 and 1973, writing their hits, “Cousin Norman”, “Back On The Road”, and “Radancer” before forming Blue in 1973. 
Blue’s most well known number is probably “Gonna Capture Your Heart”, but my favourite is “Little Jody”, which is a great song and got a lot of airplay at the time, although it didn’t chart. The late, great Jimmy McCulloch was also a member of Blue for a short period of time; however, by the time of this gig in 1974, Jimmy had left to join Paul McCartney and Wings. Blue made some good music, blending pop with soft rock, and some strong melodies. I still have their first album, which is a classic and gets played every now and then. It was to be a couple of years before I saw Focus again, by which time Jan Akkerman had left the band.
23 Nov
Focus Newcastle City Hall 1973
Focus Newcastle City Hall 1973
Support: Programme says Harvey Andrews and Graham Cooper; Ticket says Snake Eye!
I first saw Focus at a couple of festivals (Lincoln and Reading) in 1972. They were virtually unknown at the time, but were a big success with the crowd. They were (and still are!) a crazy, fun band. They had all the right ingredients, a crazy front man in Thijs van Leer, who was also a very accomplished and classically trained musician, an excellent, fluent guitarist in Jan Akkerman, some complex and beautiful instrumental pieces, and lots of crazy, mad fun. Highlights at the time were Hocus Pocus, House of the King and Sylvia. By 1973, Focus were well known enough in the UK to headline their own tour of concert halls. 
Thijs is a magnetic performer and dynamic guy on stage. He mixes first class musicianship (on organ and flute) with some very strange nonsensical lyrics, yodelling and very high falsetto singing. Jan Akkerman was the perfect foil; he seemed quiet and shy on stage, and his guitar playing was slick, beautiful, restrained; just perfection. A great gig. The programme says Harvey Andrews and Graham Cooper were support, while the ticket says Snake Eye! My memory doesn’t stretch to confirming who actually supported Focus that night. I certainly remember seeing Harvey Andrews on a number of occasions, but don’t recall when. I have no recollection of ever seeing Snake Eye, or who they were. Based on live recordings from the time, I would think that the set is likely to have contained a selection taken from the following Focus tunes: Focus; Focus II; Focus III; Answers? Questions! Questions? Answers!; Eruption; Sylvia; Hocus Pocus; Anonymous; House Of The King.
23 Nov
The Firm Middlebrough Town Hall 7th December 1984
In the early 80s Paul Rodgers joined forces with Jimmy Page to for The Firm, a British rock supergroup which also comprised Manfred Mann’s Earth Band and Uriah Heep drummer Chris Slade and bass player Tony Franklin. The band, played two UK gigs in 1984, one in London at Hammersmith Odeon, and another at Middlesbrough Town Hall. This was a big deal at the time, with two rock superstars coming back to the North East. In Paul Rodgers case, this was also a homecoming show, as he was born in Middlesbrough. The tickets went on sale from the Town Hall on a week day, and I was at work at the time. My mate Dave was on night shift that week and was able to go down to Middlesbrough and bought tickets for us.
We were really excited about the gig and full of anticipation. We were hoping for one or two Free, Bad Company or Zeppelin songs, but that wasn’t to be. The set consists of the new Firm album and some songs from Jimmy and Paul’s solo work. I remember Paul Rodgers seated at a grand piano for “Live in Peace” from his earlier solo album. Jimmy Page played songs from the Death Wish II soundtrack, which featured his trademark playing of the guitar with a violin bow while beneath the Zeppelin laser pyramid. They also played a great version of the Righteous Brothers’ You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’. It was a very enjoyable show, but I think we were expecting something more. The set list for the London show is listed as this: Closer; City Sirens; Make or Break; The Morning After; Together; Cadillac; Prelude; Money Can’t Buy; Radioactive; Live In Peace; Midnight Moonlight; You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’; The Chase; Someone To Love; Full Circle; Boogie Mama; Everybody Needs Somebody. I would imagine that the set at Middlesbrough was similar.
22 Nov
Free spin-offs gigs: Back Street Crawler, Andy Fraser band, Paul Rodgers; Bad Company
Free spin-offs gigs: Back Street Crawler, Andy Fraser band, Paul Rodgers; Bad Company
Having written about my Free concert experiences over the past few days, I thought it would be fitting to blog today about the Free spin-off bands that came about in the early to mid-70s, and the (relatively few) gig memories I have of those bands. 
I’ll start, for no particular reason with Free guitar legend Paul Kossoff. After Free split, I saw Paul Kossoff play at Sunderland Locarno a couple times. I think (but my memory could be playing tricks again) that one of these gigs was billed as The Paul Kossoff band, and the other as (the more familiar name of) Back Street Crawler. These gigs were, I would guess, in 1974 and 1975. Back Street Crawler featured excellent soulful local singer Terry Wilson-Slesser from Beckett. Although it was great to see Kossoff in action again, and some of the old guitar magic was still there, it was also clear that his health was not good. Sadly Paul Kossoff was to die on on an overnight flight from Los Angeles to New York in 1976. 
After leaving Free Andy Fraser formed Sharks along with vocalist Ships and guitarist Chris Spedding. He wasn’t with Sharks long; I saw Sharks in concert when they played Sunderland Locarno, but it was after Fraser had left the band. Sharks were a great live band, and Snips is a very under-rated singer. Snips and Chris have recently re-emerged as King Mob, who looked great, but were short-lived and have already split. Anyway, back to Andy Fraser. He next formed the Andy Fraser Band, a trio with Kim Turner on drums and Nick Judd on keyboards. I saw the band once at a gig in Sunderland Locarno in 1973; Andy took the front man role, but the lack of a guitarist seemed strange and didn’t work for me. The gig was poorly attended and I never saw the band again, although I do recall them playing Newcastle City Hall around the same time. 
Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke formed Bad Company. I have blogged separately about Bad Co in concert, who were just great, and carried the Free flag forward to some extent. However, they became a bit too much standard rock for me, and didn’t have the same emotional feel that Free had; they also moved to a more AOR style in their later days. Thats not to say that I didn’t enjoy Bad Company in concert; I did. But it was a very different band to Free, and although some things were gained and were better, some things were also lost in the transition. 
As usual, I did some searching to check my facts before blogging. I often discover something new, or I am reminded of something that I have forgetten. Today I discovered that after leaving Bad Con in 1982, Simon Kirke was briefly involved with a band called Wildlife who toured in support of the Michael Schenker Band. Now I saw Michael Schenker on most of his UK tours in the 80s, so will probably have seen Wildlife (although I have no recollection of doing so). 
I’ll finish today’s bog activity with a Postcript from my friend John who was lucky enough to see Paul Rodgers fronting his band, Peace, who were formed when Free split in 1971. This was at a gig at Newcastle City Hall (see programme right) which I sadly missed out on. Over to John: “I saw Peace play their only ever tour, supporting Mott the Hoople, November 5th 71 at the City Hall. They were a three piece, I liked them but remember think they sounded a lot like Free and so couldn’t understand why they had split up. This tour with Mott was to lay the foundations for Bad Company but that, of course, is a different story.”. I’ll complete my blogging on Free related bands tomorrow, by writing about The Firm, who I saw in Middlesbrough in 1984, and featured Paul Rodgers and Jimmy Page.
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