With the country still in the midst of lockdown and no sign of any live music in the foreseeable future if at all this year I thought I would take the opportunity to look back in the archives, sounds posh I know but it’s just an spreadsheet, and revisit gigs I attended on this day down the years. I will keep this going until I can attend my first gig again in person so hopefully this also brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
Just a couple today for my trip down memory lane for you down the years
1986, Graham Parker and the Rumour, the Marquee, London
My one and only visit to the old Marque and weirdly I made one appearance at all three locations for the Marque in its various guises. Tonight though it’s Graham Parker and the Rumour with John in tow. It’s a small venue on a typically hot and sweaty night. Tonight was simply brilliant. When you start with ‘White Honey’ and ‘Thunder and Rain’ you know you’re in for a good night. And we were. This was a band on top form. I don’t think there was an album to promote so it’s just a quality set of classics. My three gigs art the various locations for the Marquee have been brilliant and a sad shame that this legendary venue could not still exist somewhere in London.
1988. Prince, Wembley Arena, London
What can you say? It’s Prince it’s the eighties. It’s the Lovesexy tour but Prince is on a roll of producing some of the best R&B not just of the decade but of all time. Prolific doesn’t come into it and the albums come thick and fast. I am with old college friend Ian tonight and it’s just a mere thirty three songs tonight and like the other three times I have seen him he is incredible. Arguably the greatest performer of all time. Maybe Freddie as a frontman but Prince also writes, produces and can play all the instruments too.
And for me ‘the Cross’ tonight is one of those rare musical spiritual moments that you can’t describe. It’s a lump in the throat, tear in the eye moment for this epic song. Transcendental stuff from one of the best and I am so lucky to have seen him a few times and shortly before his untimely death too.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon. Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.