For this tour Eric’s band were: Albert Lee on guitar and vocals; Chris Stainton on keyboards; Donald “Duck” Dunn on bass; and Jamie Oldaker on drums. I can’t recall who the support was for this tour, or if indeed there was a support act (although the ticket lists a support). Duck Dunn is the legendary bass play who played with Booker T and Steve Cropper on all those MG classics. This tour was to promote the album: “Cigarettes and Money”. 
Setlist: Tulsa Time; I Shot The Sheriff; I’ve Got A Rock N Roll Heart; Worried Life Blues; Ain’t Goin’ Down; Let It Rain; Double Trouble; Pink Bedroom; Key To The Highway; After Midnight; The Shape You’re In; Wonderful Tonight; Blues Power; Ramblin’ on my Mind; Have You Ever Loved A Woman; Cocaine; Layla; Further On Up The Road. It would be some 7 years until I saw Clapton again, at the Knewbworth Silver Clef show.
Laura and I are going to see Stone Roses tonight on the last night of their three night run at Heaton Park, Manchester and we’re really looking forward to it. Will report back some time tomorrow.
Posts Tagged ‘prog rock’
1 Jul
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall April 1983
30 Jun
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 1980
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 1980
Support: Chas and Dave
I saw Clapton twice in 1978. Once was at Newcastle City Hall, which I posted on yesterday, and once with Bob Dylan at Blackbushe (I’ll post on that concert when I cover the times I have seen Dylan). Eric was back at the City Hall in 1980, this time with support from Chas and Dave, who were in the charts at the time with “Rabbit”, and were good fun. EC’s band for this tour was: Henry Spinetti on Drums; Chris Stainton on Keyboards (from Joe Cocker’s band); Albert Lee on Guitar (Albert is a superb guitarist who I’d seen with Heads, Hands and Feet, and have since seen many times over the years); Dave Markee on Bass; and Gary Brooker on Keyboards (Procol Harum). 
Setlist: Tulsa Time; Early in the Morning; Lay Down Sally; Wonderful Tonight; Country Boy (this song is Albert Lee’s showcase); Thunder and Lightning; Blues Power; All Our Past Times; Setting Me Up; Leave The Candle; If I Don’t Be There by Morning; Ramblin’ on My Mind; Mean Old World; Have You Ever Loved a Woman; Home Lovin’; After Midnight; Cocaine; Further On Up The Road. I’ve just realised that Chas Hodges of Chas and Dave was drummer in Head, Hands and Feet alongside Albert Lee on guitar. Head, Hnds and Feet are long forgotten, and were a great live act. If you get the chance, hunt out their track Warming Up The Band (its on YouTube) which is excellent.
29 Jun
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 1978
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 1978
Support from Muddy Waters
Clapton was back in Newcastle one year from his last visit, this time with the legendary Muddy Waters as special guest. I was excited about seeing Clapton, but was perhaps even more excited about seeing Muddy Waters, who had truly legendary status. Muddy Waters seemed an old guy to me at the time, although he was actually only 63, which is not much that much older than I am now. I remember him singing his classic songs, including “Hoochie Coochie Man”. Clapton released a clutch of albums during the mid 70s, and new songs like “Wonderful Tonight” were becoming part of the set. 
He was still playing a lot of blues, which is what he is best at. Looking at set lists for the tour it seems he was opening with “Layla” on most nights, which was an interesting choice for a first song. A recording exists of the concert which shows the setlist as: Layla; Worried Life Blues; Wonderful Tonight; If I Don’t Be There By Morning; Double Trouble; I’ll Make Love to You Any Time; Badge; Key to the Highway; Cocaine; Blues Jam #1 (Tore Down); Blues Jam #2 (Standing Around Crying, Long Distance Call). Clapton’s band for this tour were a small tight unit of Dick Sims – Keyboard; Carl Radle – Bass; and Jamie Oldaker – Drums.
28 Jun
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall April 1977
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall April 1977
Support from Ronnie Lane and Slim Chance
Eric Clapton returned to Newcastle City Hall a year later, this time with Ronnie Lane and his band Slim Chance as special guests. We were spoilt for Clapton shows from the mid 70s onwards. Eric moved from a period of a few years where he hardly played at all, to a position of touring the Uk every year. I took every opportunity to see Eric, going to every show that he performed at the City Hall, and never left disappointed. 
Looking at set lists from 1977, it seems that Clapton varied some of the set, but that it was focussed largely on the blues. A recording from Hammersmith gives the set as :Hello Old Friend; Sign Language; Alberta; All Our Past Times; Tell The Truth; Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door; Can’t Find My Way Home; Crossroads; I Shot The Sheriff; Nobody Knows You; Further On Up The Road; Stormy Monday; Willie and the hand jive; Layla; Dream, Dream, Dream. 
Ronnie Lane was a great choice of support act, especially after 1976’s support act Mr Pugh’s Puppet Theatre. I’d seen Ronnie in the Faces and once before with Slim Chance when they brought their Passing Show to Newcastle Town Moor (I’ll post on that gig another time). Ronnie came over to me as laid back, unassuming, friendly and authentic on stage. His set was good fun, and a good reason to stay upstairs and watch the support act, rather than retreat to the bar.
27 Jun
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 12 August 1976
Eric Clapton Newcastle City Hall 12 August 1976
Two weeks after seeing Eric Clapton at The Crystal Palace Bowl, I saw him again at Newcastle City Hall. My strongest memory of this gig isof the bizarre support act, which was Mr Pugh’s Puppet Theatre, which was exactly as it suggests on the tin, a guy with a set of puppets in a seaside “punch and judy” like booth. This seemed an almost surreal choice as a support act at the time, and looking back still seems strange today. Clapton’s set was somewhat similar to what he played at Crystal Palace, quite short and a mix of blues, and Clapton standards. Not earth shattering, but good, as always, to see him. This gig was the first of quite a few national tours for Clapton, and as part of these he called at the City Hall several times over the next few years. I will blog on each of those shows over the coming days.
26 Jun
Eric Clapton Crystal Palace Garden Party 31 July 1976
Eric Clapton Crystal Palace Garden Party 31 July 1976
Support acts: Freddie King; The Chieftains; The Jess Roden Band; Barbara Dickson; Dick and the Fireman
I saw Clapton twice during 1976, once at Newcastle City Hall and at this gig at the Crystal Palace in London. A group of us went down to London by train for this gig, and when arrived at the Crystal Palace Bowl we met up with some other friends from Sunderland. It was a very hot day, as were most that summer; just right for spending the day in the park listening to some bands. The Crystal Place Bowl is a grassy picnic area, which used to have a shell-shaped stage situated at the other side of a lake from the grassy area where the audience sat. It was used for several concerts during the 70s, many of which ended with various members of the crowd taking to the water in the lake to get closer to the stage and their heroes. First up at this gig was Dick and The Fireman, who were an occasional “super”group of friends who came together for a fun jam every now and then. For that date the incarnation consisted of Mel Collins, Neil Hubbard, Mike Patto, Alan Spenner, Carol Grimes, Bob Tench, Henry McCulloch, Tim Hinkley, Boz Burrell, Simon Kirke, John Halsey, with Larry Coryell and Ron Wood guesting on some songs. The late, and very very great, Steve Marriott is listed in the programme, but didn’t show on the day. Now Henry McCulloch is one great guitarist and the late great Mike Patto was one cool vocalist, but the set seemed like what it was; a few friends jamming for a bit fun; nothing more, nothing less. Anyway it was ok as an opener. Next up was Barbara Dickson, who had just hit the charts with “Answer Me”, followed by the very under-rated Jess Roden. I saw Jess in Bronco, as support for Free once, and several times with his “Jess Roden Band”; he sang with a lot of soul, and is sadly hardly ever mentioned these days. 
The Chieftains seemed quite a strange choice for the day, and delivered a set of traditional Irish folk, which was quite fun, sitting on the grass on a hot summer afternoon. Next up was the legendary Freddie King. I’d heard quite a bit of Freddie’s material on the radio, including “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”, “Hide Away” and “Tore Down” and, as I recall, he played all of those. Clapton played a relatively short and subdued set on just over an hour, with Larry Coryell and Ron Wood joining for a couple of songs. I remember Larry Coryell being particularly impressive, giving Clapton a good run for his money. By the end of the show, quite a few people were in the water. Have a feeling Jesus Jellet was dancing down the front. This wasn’t one of the best times I’ve seen Clapton, but it was a fun day. After the gig we were all back on the midnight train up north. All in all a pretty good day; three great guitarists, sun, and a day out with friends; all for £4 and a day return which was £2 or £3 at the time. Clapton Setlist: Hello Old Friend – All Our Pastimes – Tell The Truth – I Shot The Sheriff – Double Trouble – Blues Power – Going Down Slow – Stormy Monday – Layla – Further On Up The Road.
25 Jun
Eric Clapton Hammersmith Odeon December 5th 1974
Eric Clapton Hammersmith Odeon December 5th 1974
Reflections on my first live connection with God
This was a big gig for me. I was a massive Clapton fan as a teenager. I bought the Goodbye Cream lp, and the Mayall/Clapton Bluesbreakers album, and spent hours learning to copy Clapton’s solos, playing and replaying the vinyl albums until I’d worked out how he played those licks. I sat in awe in front of our new (first) colour TV watching the Cream Farewell at the Albert Hall show. I talked about going to the Rainbow show with my mate Nicky, but was still pretty young and going to a gig in London seemed so unthinkable at the time; it was just talk really at that stage. But when Clapton announced a couple of comeback shows at the Hammersmith Odeon in 1974 I decided that I just had to go. I hadn’t managed to buy a ticket in advance for the Clapton gig, and the shows were sold out, but that didn’t discourage me. I was used to buying tickets for sold out gigs outside the venue on the night in Newcastle, so I planned to do the same at Hammersmith. 
I bought a day return train ticket to London and made my way to Hammersmith. I can still feel the excitement as I got off the tube and made my way to the legendary Hammersmith Odeon. I bought a ticket from a tout outside the venue, paying a little more than face value. I entered the venue and took my seat, which was to the rear of the stalls. I don’t think there was any support act. Clapton and band took to the stage, and started with Charlie Chaplin’s “Smile”, which was a big surprise to me. Why was this guitar god starting with an old song like this? After getting over the initial shock I realised how good the version was, with Clapton and Yvonne Elliman singing together and doing a great job. Real tears in the eyes stuff. Clapton had just released “461 Ocean Boulevard” which focussed much more on Clapton the singer than the guitarist, and “Smile” fitted with the mood of the album. Next up was “Let it Grow” from the album, another classic song. By this point I could hardly believe what I was experiencing; Clapton was there in front of me, and he was singing these great songs. Yvonne Elliman’s role in Clapton’s band at that point shouldn’t be understated. This was no backing vocals role, she was right up front with Eric dueting with him. The rest of the set was a mix of cold and new. Old blues like “The sky is crying” and “Ramblin’ on my mind”, covers such as “I shot the sheriff”, and “Little Wing” and “Badge” from Cream days. “Layla” was the first encore. Ronnie Wood joined in for the encores (Eric introduced him as Peter Townshend for a joke). By then I was getting nervous as I had to make it back for Kings Cross for the midnight train home. I did make the train, and arrived back how at around 7am the next morning having spent the night on the mail train as it wound its way up the country, stopping to pick up and deliver mail bags on the way. I went to college a couple of hours later and told everyone about it. So there it is, my first Clapton experience, and I gig that I’m so pleased I made the effort to get to. Clapton has remained a favourite of mine over the years, although I must admit that I did lose faith in him during the 90s a little. I’m going to spend the rest of the week reflecting on the other Clapton gigs which I have been to. Band: Carl Radle (Bass); George Terry (Guitar); Jamie Oldaker (Drums); Dick Sims (Keyboards); Yvonne Elliman (Vocals); Marcy Levy (Vocals). Setlist: Smile; Let It Grow; Can’t Find My Way Home; Tell the Truth; The Sky Is Crying; Have You Ever Loved a Woman; Ramblin’ on My Mind; Badge; Little Rachel; I Shot the Sheriff; Better Make It Through Today; Blues Power; Key To The Highway; Let It Rain; Little Wing; Singin’ the Blues. Encore: Layla; Steady Rollin’ Man; Little Queenie
23 Jun
The Cramps Newcastle Mayfair March 1986
The Cramps Newcastle Mayfair March 1986
When I was very young, around 10 years old, I discovered horror movies and a magazine called Famous Monsters of Filmland. I loved the classic 30s horror movies: Frankenstein, Dracula, the Wolfman, and was fascinated by zombies, ghouls, the creature from the black lagoon. Through my teens I bought Famous Monsters from Filmland regularly, and saw as many 30s, 40s, and 50s horror and scifi films as I could on TV or at the cinema (which was sometimes difficult as many were X rated, which meant that you had to be 16 to see them). Why I am telling you this in a post about The Cramps? Simple. The Cramps blended together several of my favourite things: a love of gothic horror, the bizarre, scifi, surf music, garage, and rockabilly. They came out of the New York punk scene, and are often credited with starting the psychobilly genre. Looking through the pages of the programme from this gig reminds me how great this band were. The programme is crammed with images taken from B movies and features the 1985 movie Return of the Living Dead, for which The Cramps wrote a song “Surfing Dead”. 
The Cramps were at their peak of popularity on this, their 1986 world tour. The tour took in several nights at Hammersmith Palais and a few nights at Hammersmith Odeon, as well as gigs around the country, including this North East gig at Newcastle Mayfair. They were fronted by singer Lux Interior and guitarist Poison Ivy. I went to the gig with my mate Dave, and it was a load of fun. The show was totally wild and wacky, quite similar in many ways to The B-52s, but much crazier. Lux Interior was totally wild on stage; I can picture him now, crawling all over the top of the speaker cabs, stripping off at the same time. The guy had no fear; think of Iggy Pop at his wildest times 10. The place was packed, and the crowd lapped it up. The Cramps continued throughout the 90s, and split only when Luz Interior passed away in 2009.
21 Jun
Can Newcastle City Hall 1974 and Redcar 1977
Can Newcastle City Hall 1974 and Redcar 1977
I went along to this gig out of curiosity as much as anything else. I’d read a lot about Can in the music press, and heard a few tracks, although I didn’t own any of their albums. It seemed a cool and trendy sort of gig to go to, so off I went to the City Hall, by myself as I often was. By 1974 Can had released 5 albums, and vocalist Damo Suzuki had just left the band. The set was largely instrumental, heavy on the bass courtesy of Holger Czukay, with lots of free form improvisation, very avant-garde and quite challenging. 
The songs were quite drawn out, some lasting up to 20 minutes. I enjoyed the gig, and am pleased that I went to see them. Support came from Crow, who became the Buster James Band a few years later, and are not to be confused with an American band of the same name. I got to see Can again a few years later, this time with a group of mates, at Redcar Coatham Bowl. That gig was in March 1977, I have a stub from a gig that year, but the name of the band has been torn off (which suggests it was a short name, like Can).
18 Jun
Roger Chapman recent gigs at Newcastle Tyne Theatre
Roger Chapman Newcastle Tyne Theatre
Marie and I have been to see Roger Chapman a couple of times over the past ten years. Both gigs were in the beautiful setting of the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle. Chappo is in a great shape, and his voice is as strong as ever, which is pretty amazing, given his throaty warbling style. The set was a mix of solo stuff and Family favourites, the latter going down well with the local crowd, who were all 40 to 50 somethings, steeped in Family music and looking for memories and a night of great rock; both of which were delivered in ample helpings. A CD exists of a 2002 gig at the Tyne Theatre, the ste being: Kiss My Soul; Down Bound Train; Habits Of A Lifetime; Midnite Child; Blind Willie McTell; Wheels & A Crowbar; X Town; Weavers Answer; My Friend The Sun; Holding The Compass; Shank (Shadow On The Wall); Toe Nail Draggin’; Short List; Burlesque; Jesus & The Devil; In My Own Time
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