By John Firminger These days, the Euro-vision Song Contest has become almost a parody of itself, thanks – in part – to some of the show’s presenters. However, back when it started in the 50s and 60s it was a great international event of great pride for all its participants, especially if you were successful. One such...
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AN OFFICAL statement from Wilko Johnson’s manager on May 2 said: “Wilko is recovering following a nine-hour operation on Wednesday in which doctors successfully removed a pancreatic tumour. “The head of the medical team treating Wilko said that they were happy with his condition. Wilko will stay under very close observation for...
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Graham Gouldman talks to Jim Stewart about his upcoming tour
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Francis ‘Franny’ Beecher, lead guitarist for Bill Haley and His Comets, died in his sleep last month at a nursing home near Philadelphia. He was 92. Franny played with Benny Goodman and Buddy Greco before joining Bill Haley and His Comets in 1955, when they helped begin the rock ‘n’ roll era with the worldwide chart-topper ‘Rock...
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Percy Sledge pulled out of a UK tour last month because of liver cancer treatment, but was back to performing at a concert in Jamaica on March 1 after the surgery. Sledge’s spokesman Mark Lyman said the ‘When A Man Loves A Woman‘ star underwent a procedure to have a cancerous polyp removed from his liver in...
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Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason was amused to come across the picture above of the group posing for the press outside EMI’s then London HQ when they turned professional in February, 1967. “Oh for the days when I could still lift my leg up that high!” said Nick, the only constant member of Pink Floyd since their formation in 1965....
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David Crosby calls himself a lucky man after he heeded his doctors and underwent a cardiac catheterisation and angiogram last month. A routine cardiac stress test had shown the left anterior coronary artery was 90% blocked, and two stents were placed to provide blood flow to his heart muscle. David – expected to make a full...
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By Ralph Gowling Ronnie Spector presents a special concert at London’s Queen Elizabeth Hall on Sunday, March 9 chronicling her 50-year career that began when she led The Ronettes to international stardom with hits like ‘Be My Baby’, ‘Baby I Love You’ and ‘Walking In The Rain’. “Fifty years ago, The Ronettes and I landed at...
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Herman’s Hermits, one of the busiest groups on the Golden Oldies circuit, have embarked on a 50th anniversary tour of the UK. The group first soared to stardom back in 1964 when they went to No.1 in the UK charts and No.13 in the US charts with ‘I’m Into Something Good’, written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Herman’s...
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The Honeycombs, featuring original leader Martin Murray, perform concerts this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ‘Have I The Right’ topping charts around the world. Martin, on rhythm guitar just like the hit-making days, lines up on stage with Geoff Thomas (lead vocals), Gayle Fraser (vocals), Martin Donald (lead...
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With a time-span of more than four and a half decades between his first and his latest recordings MIKE RUTHERFORD is showing no signs of resting
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January was a busy month in Los Angeles and in the UK. L.A. correspondent Elvis Aggy caught up with Ed Hill. Ed was the baritone singer for Elvis Presley. He was with Elvis’ back-up singers, JD Summers and the Stamps Quartet, for 25 years. He is also the famous voice at the end of every Elvis concert saying: “Elvis has left the...
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FOREIGNER, with special guests Europe and FM, appear on-stage together for the first time when they undertake a short tour of the UK throughout April.
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Vince Eager nearly had a crashing fall off stage last month – 55 years after tumbling into an orchestra pit at the Southend Odeon. “Joe Brown was backing me on guitar at the Southend Odeon and, to this day, he considers it to be the funniest thing he’s seen on stage!” said Vince. “Last night at The Guildhall Arts Centre,...
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Bobby Vee has braved Alzheimer’s disease and recorded a new album called “The Adobe Sessions.” The album is released this month to mark the 55th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and JP ‘‘The Big Bopper’’ Richardson near Clear Lake, Iowa on the way to a gig. The tragedy also launched Bobby’s...
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Barry Manilow has a new album out in March and tours the UK in May. “‘Night Songs’ is the most intimate album I’ve ever made, just me playing the piano, bass and singing – that’s it,” said Barry. “The songs I’ve chosen are a batch of my favourite standards, most of them not very famous, but fantastic songs by fantastic...
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BOBBY DAY (1928?), the first Black American rock ‘n’ roller to visit the UK on the strength of the 70s/80s revival, seems to have a variable birth date. Bobby played one show at The Powerhouse, Birmingham, promoted by Colin Silcocks, with backing from Welsh band ‘The Red Hot Pokers’. New movie ‘Last Vegas’, starring Michael...
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THE BLUESCLUB Band opens 2014 at The Eel Pie Club, Twickenham on Thursday, January 9. Later in the month, Chimes International launch the 50th anniversary Ultimate Rhythm and Blues tour starting at Aylesbury’s Waterside Theatre. The Eel Pie’s club gig will be a rip-roaring start to 2014! Bluesclub’s star line-up is Guy Fletcher...
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Phil Everly who, with his brother Don, formed the influential harmony duo that touched the hearts and sparked the imaginations of rock ‘n’ roll singers for decades, including The Beatles and Bob Dylan, died of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on Friday, January 3. He was 74. Full obituary in February issue of The...
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The iconic life and career of the famed guitarist of The Rolling Stones is detailed in a compilation of interviews that spans the past 50 years. Featuring articles from GQ, Melody Maker, and Rolling Stone, with interviews never previously in print, it charts Keith Richards’s journey from gauche, young pretender and swaggering...
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