There was no better band than Graham Parker and the Rumour in the late 70s. They exploded out of pub rock and were part of the scene, and sound, which influenced punk and new wave. Graham Parker was the coolest guy on the planet and rocked and sang white soul and R&B like no-one else (OK maybe that’s a little unfair on Van Morrisson who was clearly a strong influence on Graham). The Rumour came with all the right pub-rock credentials featuring the legendary Brinsley Schwarz (lead guitar) and Bob Andrews (keyboards) (both ex Brinsley Schwarz), Martin Belmont (rhythm guitar, ex-Ducks Deluxe) and Andrew Bodnar (bass) and Steve Goulding (drums).
And great songs: “Fool’s Gold”, “White Honey”, and the show-stopping reggae-tinged “(Hey Lord) Don’t Ask Me Questions”; it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about being at a gig with the entire audience singing along “Hey Lord; Don’t Ask Me Questions”. There was just no-one to touch them on a good night; power, passion, rhythms, rock, dancing, and Graham Parker on fire in terms of his singing and his overall performance. See my programme from the distant past.
Graham Parker and the Rumour gigged relentlessly from 1976 on, and I saw them lots of times. My old ticket stubs tell me I was at gigs at Newcastle City Hall on 23rd March 1977 with Southside Johnny as support, 17th November 1977 (my late wife Marie’s birthday, she agreed to come along although she wasn’t a fan, and a drunken guy behind us spilled a bottle of Newcastle Brown Ale all over her head, I was never forgiven for that night), 5th March 1979 and 5th April 1982 (by that point the Rumour had departed and the concert was Parker solo). I also remember a great gig at Newcastle Poly and seeing Parker as part of the supporting bill for Bob Dylan at his massive Blackbushe concert. There were probably others which escape my fading memory.
So, it is time to see Graham Parker again. This time at my local venue, The Fire Station, which is hosting many excellent performers. The Fire Station website announced the concert thus: “Graham Parker returns to the UK for 6 exclusive dates with backing band The Goldtops, expect a night of classic Parker songs alongside some newer material. Stereotyped early in his career as the quintessential angry young man, Graham Parker was one of the most celebrated singer/songwriters to emerge from England’s pub rock scene in the early ’70s. Drawing heavily from Van Morrison and the Rolling Stones, Parker developed a sinewy fusion of driving rock & roll and confessional folk-rock, highlighted by his indignant passion, biting sarcasm, and bristling anger.
At the outset of his career, his albums crackled with pub rock energy, snide witticisms, and perceptive insights, earning him a devoted following of fans and critics, who lavished praise on his debut, 1976’s Howlin’ Wind, recorded with the Rumour, his backing band of pub rock all-stars. After delivering Squeezing Out Sparks in 1979, which was a smash with critics and won him a larger audience in the United States, Parker courted a crossover career with solo projects such as 1982’s Another Grey Area and 1985’s Steady Nerves before settling into a cult following in the late ’80s and continuing to garner critical acclaim as his music mellowed but his lyrical perspective stayed sharp.”
Today Graham is once again surrounded by excellent musicians including old friend and legendary guitarist Martin Belmont, who I first saw in Ducks Deluxe in the Marquee club, London in 1974. He then became, of course, a member of the Rumour. Graham is no longer the angry young man but he is still a very soulful singer and yes, he still reminds me of Van Morrison. The set comprises songs new and old, many drawn from Parker’s latest album. But we also get treated to “Hey Lord, Don’t Ask Me Questions” and everyone sings along. As part of the lengthy encore Graham performs an exceptional version of Sinatra’s “That’s Life”. He really has mellowed in his later years. Finally, we are back to old favourites “Boogie Shoes” and “Soul Shoes”. Sadly, although someone in the crowd shouts for it, no “Fool’s Gold”. I can’t have everything. Still excellent after all these years.
Setlist: Ancient Past; Nothin’s Gonna Pull Us Apart; Under the Mask of Happiness; Last Stretch of the Road; Music of the Devil; It Mattered To Me; If it Ever Stops Raining; Hotel Chambermaid; Black Lincoln Continental; Get Started. Start a Fire; Lost Track of Time; Sun Valley; Back to Schooldays; (Hey Lord) Don’t Ask Me Questions; Since You Left Me Baby.
Encore: We Did Nothing; You Can’t Be Too Strong; Them Bugs; That’s Life; Boogie Shoes; Soul Shoes.
I remember seeing 
Something I wasn’t aware of, and that Jackie discovered while researching her background, was that she first came over to the UK as one of Ike and Tina Turner’s Ikettes, on a package tour supporting the Rolling Stones. This lady has a long career and is to be much respected.
PP started her set with a song dedicated to her mentor Tina Turner: “River Deep, Mountain High” and so we were off to a great start of another great concert. She has just released a new album, so her set consisted of old favourites, collaborations and tracks from her latest record. I recognised a number of the songs, but many were unfamiliar to me. PP was supported by a group of excellent musicians and her voice, rhythm and soul remain undiminished.
The lady is 76 years young and looks just great! She explained that she was once a backing singer for Eric Clapton in the days that he was forming Derek and the Dominoes. This led into a song that they were performing at the time: Traffics’ “Medicated Goo”. She then sang a song which she has performed with the great Steve Marriott and Small Faces in the late 60s. She made reference to rehearsing Small Faces’ “Tin Soldier” for future performances. Now that would be something to see. If you get the chance look up her performance of the song with Steve Marriott and Small Faces on YouTube. It is simply incredible.
Soon she was back for an encore, closing with “The First Cut Is the Deepest”, telling us that Cat Stevens wrote the song for her personally.Many thanks to Jackie for buying me a signed book (see image) for my birthday present 🙂
We go back a long way, you and I Kevin. I have seen you perform in many different incarnations over the years and you always come over as 100% authentic. Your influences were always clear: Geno Washington and the Ram Jam band, and witnessing Geno in the 60s and 70s in clubs in Birmingham. Jackie Wilson and sweet soul music straight from the heart. Chairman of the Board, their song “Give Me Just a Little More Time” and in particular their lead vocalist.
All of these came together and were the influences behind the first 
Soon after seeing you at the Mayfair I was in a marquee on Newcastle Town Moor for some sort of festival. You headlined one night and The Boomtown Rats headlined the other. I attended both nights, on my own as I recall. This was before “Come on Eileen”. I hadn’t seen you since the Mayfair and “Geno” days, so didn’t quite know what to expect. A bunch of rag–a–taggle gypsies came on stage. You were dressed in a tam hat, denim dungarees and surrounded by a band dressed similarly, including a violinist.
What had happened to Dexys Midnight Runners? They had somehow morphed into this strange new gypsy soul band. And the music was so, so very different. The Too Rye Aye album had yet to be released so I was hearing all these new tunes for the first time. You got me again Kevin. I was totally knocked out. I couldn’t wait to get back home and tell my wife and friends about this strange wonderful experience and how Dexys were back, reborn, different yet still magic and soulful. Of course “Come on Eileen” was a massive hit and you went on to further success.
You seemed to disappear from public view and I think, to my shame, I missed a tour. I picked up on you again some years ago at Whitley Bay Playhouse where you performed a whole new concept album based around the breakup between you and your girlfriend. You sang from the heart once again and I thought it was one of the best concerts I have ever witnessed. And so our journey together takes me to last night, Newcastle City Hall, getting soaking wet in the pouring rain and experiencing your new music. The band is now called simply Dexys. Your new album ,“The Feminine Divine” is based around the concept of male/female stereotypes and explores how the character you play transforms from being a stereotypical man to someone who recognises his partner is his Goddess.
He finally becomes submissive to her every whim, allowing her to take control of the relationship. You perform the entire album as the first set of the evening, a brave move which works well. The crowd have clearly come prepared. Many sing along. Everyone loves the new vision, the new Kevin and accepts the new direction. You look well dressed in red with a white sailor–like hat sitting perched on top of your head. After a short interval and a pint of Guinness you return and play a selection of songs from Too Rye Aye including many which are familiar and some less so. They include “Soon”, “Plan B”, “I’ll Show You”, “All in All”, “Until I Believe in My Soul” and of course “Come on Eileen”. Lots of dancing and singing along. Great. You did it again Kevin. For the encore we get more classics and more singalongs in the form of “Geno” and “Jackie Wilson Said”. The closing song is a traditional Irish song “Carrickfergus” which rounds off the evening very appropriately. Another tour, another side of you revealed to us very openly. Still a soul boy at heart. I look forward to the next chapter and the next part of our journey together Kevin.
After George’s passing in 1967, his widow Faye continued to manage the group and their success grew until they become a household name. The Drifters had many hits on both sides of the Atlantic and they were, quite rightly, inducted into the ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 1988.
Further success and accolades followed. In 1993 The Drifters were requested by the President of the USA to perform at the White House and in 2004 they were listed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the top 100 ‘Greatest Artists of All Time’.
Faye Treadwell passed away in May 2011 and then her daughter Tina Treadwell continued to manage The Drifters and their legacy. Tina has recently launched a new version of The Drifters and intends to take their story to the West End and Broadway. (Some of the above adapted from material on The Drifters official website).
It was this completely new version of The Drifters which I saw at Billingham Forum on Saturday night (a very appropriate evening on which to see this band). So, the members and the voices have changed many times over the years; yet the songs and the soul of the band remains constant. You know what to expect: lots of singalong, many hits which you have forgotten and a great evening of pure nostalgia and joyous entertainment.
That is exactly what we got. The show cleverly used video of Tina Treadwell introducing the band and their history, sections of covers of songs by Ben E King and Motown classics, all put together to ensure maximum entertainment. By the end of the evening everyone in the house was up and dancing. I knew almost every song. A few years ago, out of musical snobbery and would not have contemplated going to see this band. However today I have come to the point where I recognise music for what it is: an opportunity to get out and have some great fun.
Setlist: (Something like) Set 1: On Broadway; Under the Boardwalk; This Magic Moment; There Goes My First Love; Come on Over to My Place; I (Who Have Nothing); Spanish Harlem; Stand by Me; Fools Fall in Love; Down on the Beach Tonight; Hello Happiness; I Count the Tears; Dance With Me; Save the Last Dance for Me.
Set 2: Kissing in the Back Row; When My Little Girl Is Smiling; My Girl; Get Ready; I Can’t Help Myself; It’s the Same Old Song; Uptight; Some Kind of Wonderful; Up on the Roof; Like Sister and Brother.
Well this was a strange one. Diana Ross is, of course, an icon, a diva and someone I have never been lucky enough to see in the past. So I was greatly looking forward to seeing her perform at Durham County Cricket club ground which is a few miles away from my home, at Chester-le-Street. So a group of us: me, carer Elaine, Jan and Elaine’s daughter Sophie went along to experience Ms Ross. It had been raining during the day but by the time we arrived it was warm and dry, although the plastic seats were soaking wet!
All sung perfectly; Diana’s voice was really strong and she was clearly enjoying herself. For some reason she had decided to miss out all the glitz, strip back the show to its basics and deliver what, for me, was the authentic Diana: just as I remembered her on Top of the Pops when I was a kid. Wonderful! These are treasured “melt down” moments.
Thank You and closing song (of course) “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”. Then she waved to the crowd, walked off stage leaving her excellent band and vocalists to close the show. She was onstage for just over an hour. No encore (which is apparently usually “I Will Survive”), just some great music on a nice evening with everyone singing along.
So I finally made it! My first proper gig for a long, long time. And what a gig. None other than Sir 
We arrived around 7 PM just in time to catch the support acts the Dunhills and Megan McKenna, star of reality TV shows The X Factor and The Only Way Is Essex. Both acts put on a good performance and warmed up the crowd for Sir Tom.
Getting out on the venue was a little bit of an adventure. The officials were not allowing any vehicles into the car parks. This was to enable the park-and-ride buses and people on foot to leave safely. However, it also blocked my taxi from getting in. The taxi was stuck in a massive queue of cars somewhere down the road. With some clever to-ing and fro-ing on our phones we managed to locate him and, once we were out of the long traffic jam we were safely up the A19 and on our way home, arriving safely around midnight.
In 1985, Errol Brown left the band and at that point they disbanded. Hot Chocolate reformed with a new singer in 1992 and continue to tour to this day. Errol Brown went on to have a successful solo career until he retired in 2009.
Eric Burdon
Publicity for the concert read: “Despite Eric being the ripe old age of 77, his voice still packs a punch and he and his band put on one hell of a show. Seriously, the guy is North East music royalty; he and his band inspired generations of artists and wrote gritty, working -class tunes about gritty, working-class subjects before it was cool to write gritty, working-class tunes about gritty, working-class subjects. You can expect all the classic Animals’ tracks from a true master of the blues vocal performance – he’s been playing music for more years than many of us have been alive and he sure knows how to do it.” (
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