Everly Brothers Tribute.

[Bob Williams]

Oldphart music:

Last night I took missus Bob to a show at the Skegness Embassy Theatre. As we were and still are, Everly Bros. fans, we were not expecting the great show we actually saw. I saw the Everly’s live in 1963, just at the time when they were being eclipsed by all the British bands that eventually drove them from the top in the USA as well. So I had heard them live and I had all their albums, still got them. I was expecting these guys to be a shadow of the real thing, but they were good, very good in fact. The missus and I sang our lungs out among a packed mostly *Oldpharts audience that would not let the performers off the stage. Check out the show and dates:

http://tinyurl.com/y42bjd3l

The show is billed as “The Everly Brothers Story” and it was told in an innovative way, with 3 people telling the story from the sides of the stage, appearing as various music figures. I have the Brothers stories from various sources and their story here had obviously been well researched, from their country music beginnings through the massive hits, to their break up and reunion at the Royal Albert Hall in 1983. They had remained popular in the UK, NZ and Australia long after the USA hits dried up. I have seen quite a few ‘Tribute’ acts and TBH some of them are carp and are trading on past talent that was much better done by the original acts at the original time. I have also seen some acts from the 60’s and 70’s which are still performing and which should have been forcibly retired, others which are still pretty good considering they are as old or older than me. Watching and listening to Marty Wilde at 83, for example, is not an experience I would recommend to anyone.

But this show was really good, in fact the best Tribute since the Moody Blues last year. The duo playing the Brothers  is usually another pair of brothers: the Wilsons. We were not told why, but one of the Wilsons was replaced by another member of the band, Ollie Gray. I had not heard the Wilson Bros in the role, but the act was definitely true to the original. The parts of some music business personalities, Buddy Holly, Bo Diddly and other old Rock figures, were played by band members who made several quick wardrobe changes.

Anyone who likes this music can check out the few remaining dates on the website. It is definitely worth it: as feel good music, there is very little to compare, even if you are not of an age to remember the originals. Check out “Bye Bye Love” and I defy you not to tap along with the rhythm.

*Quite a few younger people there, boogying with the rest of us!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[JayCeeDee]

I’m off tomorrow night with the missus to go and see Jasper Carrott’s Stand Up and Rock at the Margate Winter Gardens. Been there a couple of times before for dinner shows and the like, but not for an act.

He’s supported on the tours by the Bev Bevan band which hits my music sweet spot from his days with The Move and ELO along with Geoff Turton from the Rockin’ Berries.

Should be good – I’ll report back.?

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

My mum saw it when it was in London last month Bob and she enjoyed it too.

[Bob Williams]

That all sounds good JCD: I have a memory of The Move from early days in Army Service. After Borneo, waiting at my depot in transit, a mate and I got bored and did what squaddies should never do: volunteered to work. We got the job of decorating one of the old pre-war huts as a games Room for permanent staff. Took a radio in with us and Radio One had begun broadcasting as we tuned in and switched on. We were therefore listeners to the first record played* on the first broadcast. “Flowers In The Rain” by The Move of course. DJ was Tony Blackburn, date was 30th September 1967.

*There is confusion over this: some say that “Beefeater” was the first record played. It wasn’t, because it was the jingle that TB brought with him and played every time as an intro. Now, what was the second record played after FITR? Answers on the back of a £9 note please!

There several bands created by members of The Move. IIRC, there was, besides ELO, The Herd, Wizzard and Roy Woods’ previous mob, whose name escapes me. Now there’s a real Brummy character, Roy Wood. Barking mad, but very creative.

Graham you are showing your mum’s age there, but glad she enjoyed it.

Another music question: who was the British star that Phil Everly made a record with, in the UK? I have this single and it’s a rarity.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[JayCeeDee]

Bob Williams wrote:

Another music question: who was the British star that Phil Everly made a record with, in the UK? I have this single and it’s a rarity.

Would that be our Cilla ?   or Cliff?? ( Google was my friend!!) Also from the big G, Roy started out with Gerry Levene & the Avengers then Mike Sheridan & the Nightriders.

Bev Bevan turned pro with Denny ( Laine ) and the Diplomats before Denny left to form the Moody Blues and Bev split to join the Move.

Bev later played with Black Sabbath and was great mates with John Bonham and later with Robert Plant. In fact, had Robert Plant wanted to keep Led Zeppelin going after John Bonham died, Bev was earmarked for the spot.

Overflowing with rock info, all gleaned from disappearing down the YT and Google rabbit hole!!??

 

[Ed P]

The Barron Knights were a tribute band I enjoyed watching in the 1970s. As they must all be older than Jagger I’d guess they are a bit creaky now – assuming they manage their final joust in Hunstanton.

[Bob Williams]

BL the duet single was with Cliff Richard: “She Means Nothing To Me”. A good song actually, but the other side was better: “On The Wings Of A Nightingale.”

Don’t know if Phil Everly recorded with Cilla, but he was a real Anglophile, loved the UK music scene.

Ed the Barron Knights are still good to see, they remain good musicians and very good comedians, still playing it “off the cuff” and still as daft as ever.

Don’t know what I’m going to smell of when I finish rolling in this pile of nostalgia!?

 

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Wheels-Of-Fire]

There is a fairly extensive collection of Barron Knights songs sitting on my hard drive. The smurf’s in prison, There’s a dentist in Birmingham, etc ?

[JayCeeDee]

Well, it was a great concert – Jasper was in fine form doing two thirty minute stints and Bev was top notch!! They did a couple of 45 minute sessions that included everything from Long John Baldry to a Quo medley via some Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis ,Little Richard, Righteous Brothers and many others with an excellent female vocalist – Suzi Dian – adding some Carole King and Aretha Franklin. Even the Funky Moped paid a short visit!! Overall a most enjoyable evening.

Only criticism I had is Jasper still uses a handheld mike and his arm muscles aren’t what they used to be so you missed the odd puchline as he doesn’t stand still for much. I always thought the ear mounted mike looked a bit daft, but they do give consistent sound.

[Bob Williams]

I still have some of his stuff on vinyl, my favourite being the Mole battles. The tale of him sitting in a chair which will revolve, then blasting the molehills with a shotgun, still cracks me up. His extremely Brum accent helps I think. The Magic Roundabout is another Golden Oldie. That sounds like a really enjoyable evening, JCD.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[JayCeeDee]

A couple of the jokes cracked me up.

(Seaside town ) …is a lot like Vegas – you can get sex for chips!!!

Went on a blind date, the girl was stunning, but looked about 14. I cleared off, after all I was a TV entertainer from the 70’s!!!

He also had a few updates of the Insurance claims forms… can’t remember them, but they were good too.

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