A cold wet Wednesday in January, in the middle of the worst recession the UK has experienced for decades, is hardly the ideal start for any tour, let alone the CBB machine!
With Rod at the PA controls the stage was set and ready for the band in record time. Dave Bunting had the moving head lights rigged, programmed and set in equal haste. All that remains is large portions of Fish & Chips for all – except “chips is good!!!” Leigh!
Following grease excess all round, the band sailed through sound checks. With an almost A Team – Steve Walker on Trumpet for Dave Land who was away on ‘Come Dancing’ duties – the night was set for the CBB onslaught. Now…I could go on about radio mics breaking down, follow spot operators phoning in sick and yours truly ‘mullering’ Steam Roller Blues at sound check amongst a bunch of other stuff….but I won’t. The band was ready!
Ready is a total understatement. The band was cooking, the audience were well up for it and a great gig ensued.
The one blip on the radar was when Leigh’s amp start to make totally random noises….unfortunately at the wrong times. Doh!! Only option, turn amp off, unplug mic and DI the guitar directly to the desk. No-one noticed a damn thing. Was that down to my less than slick transition or Leigh's undoubted talent. The latter methinks!
Bottom line…..Great Gig….very happy punters….invited back!
Hurrah!!!!
Cheers- Pete
Thursday, 22 January 2009
Thursday, 15 January 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!?? Bah Humbug……
Firstly, here’s wishing everyone a very Happy New Year.
Okay, now that the lunatic season is over, we are about to unleash the fury that is The Chicago Blues Brothers on the unsuspecting mighty British public!
2009 sees us opening the furore at The Cliffs Pavilion Southend on Sea – my hometown!!!
Well more about all that next time- let me tell you about my all-too-time-consuming New Years Eve shenanigans in Belfast…..
Well we landed at George Best Airport, Belfast at 6.30pm on the 31st December (slightly late I thought) for a New Years Eve gig at The Europa. Now, when I said we, that was myself, Pussy Glamore (Tracy Graham, Lizzie Dean & Emma Nelson), Dave Levy (Tracy’s other half) and my missus Jayne.
We arrived at the hotel at 7.00pm-ish and I told the girls that they would not be needed until 10.30pm and I went off to sort my ‘compereing’ duties in the ballroom.
At 7.30 I was told that as dinner was to start at 8.00pm, I had better get my dinner suit on. Away I trotted to my room where Jayne was already getting sorted. As I got down to my pants, ready to get dressed, I got a frantic call from the ballroom to tell me that the piper was ‘piping in’ all the guests to their tables.
Doh! With Jayne putting on my bow tie whilst I pulled up my trousers, I launched myself down the corridor, shoes in hand, putting my socks on. I got dressed just in time for the lift to open and take me down to the ballroom.
On running into the room I got the vibe that after 10mins of bagpipe playing even the hardened Celt would have blood emanating from every orifice.
Step up – in Leigh’s words – Mr Showbiz! Mic in hand I welcomed everyone and went on with the usual compere stuff. 20 minutes later, and desperately looking for a drink, I was told that there was a wedding at the sister hotel – The Culloden – that didn’t have any entertainment and could I ‘do something’. You guessed it, I was in a car speeding passed the City Airport again heading for a gig that I knew nothing about – and by the way I had to sing Frank Sinatra's ‘It Had To Be Me’ as the first song. Not only had I never sung this song before, not known the lyrics, had a vague idea how the melody went, I did not have a backing track for it.
No problem! As I arrived a copy of the lyrics were thrust into my hand, curtains opened, I was introduced and the track started.
Now- looking into the faces of some 500 expectant individuals is fairly daunting anyway, however, this was pure murder. And, basically, in my view that is what I did to ‘It Had To Be You’. After the faltering start, I recovered with my ‘normal’ set of classic Motown and Soul classics and left some 35 mins later to a full dancefloor.
In car back at 9.30pm I got a call saying that the dinner was running early and where was I – 10 minutes away. Just enough time to arrive, pick up a drink, mic and start all over again this time with a 9 piece band backing me- not just any band but ex-members of Rory Gallagher’s band Taste (Richie McCracken, John Wilson and Sam Davidson) and featuring the brass section from The Commitments band!
The next 45 mins in my humble opinion was a ‘back to business’ performance.
The ‘Pussies’ went on after me – with me still on stage running their tracks – and at midnight, I led the countdown, and then sought out a very patient wife, Jayne to start my NYE celebrations, but I was too knackered to drink or eat!
I call the CBB band who are in Northampton having a seemingly interesting experience and I vow never to do another NYE gig again……until next year!!!
Cheers- Pete
Okay, now that the lunatic season is over, we are about to unleash the fury that is The Chicago Blues Brothers on the unsuspecting mighty British public!
2009 sees us opening the furore at The Cliffs Pavilion Southend on Sea – my hometown!!!
Well more about all that next time- let me tell you about my all-too-time-consuming New Years Eve shenanigans in Belfast…..
Well we landed at George Best Airport, Belfast at 6.30pm on the 31st December (slightly late I thought) for a New Years Eve gig at The Europa. Now, when I said we, that was myself, Pussy Glamore (Tracy Graham, Lizzie Dean & Emma Nelson), Dave Levy (Tracy’s other half) and my missus Jayne.
We arrived at the hotel at 7.00pm-ish and I told the girls that they would not be needed until 10.30pm and I went off to sort my ‘compereing’ duties in the ballroom.
At 7.30 I was told that as dinner was to start at 8.00pm, I had better get my dinner suit on. Away I trotted to my room where Jayne was already getting sorted. As I got down to my pants, ready to get dressed, I got a frantic call from the ballroom to tell me that the piper was ‘piping in’ all the guests to their tables.
Doh! With Jayne putting on my bow tie whilst I pulled up my trousers, I launched myself down the corridor, shoes in hand, putting my socks on. I got dressed just in time for the lift to open and take me down to the ballroom.
On running into the room I got the vibe that after 10mins of bagpipe playing even the hardened Celt would have blood emanating from every orifice.
Step up – in Leigh’s words – Mr Showbiz! Mic in hand I welcomed everyone and went on with the usual compere stuff. 20 minutes later, and desperately looking for a drink, I was told that there was a wedding at the sister hotel – The Culloden – that didn’t have any entertainment and could I ‘do something’. You guessed it, I was in a car speeding passed the City Airport again heading for a gig that I knew nothing about – and by the way I had to sing Frank Sinatra's ‘It Had To Be Me’ as the first song. Not only had I never sung this song before, not known the lyrics, had a vague idea how the melody went, I did not have a backing track for it.
No problem! As I arrived a copy of the lyrics were thrust into my hand, curtains opened, I was introduced and the track started.
Now- looking into the faces of some 500 expectant individuals is fairly daunting anyway, however, this was pure murder. And, basically, in my view that is what I did to ‘It Had To Be You’. After the faltering start, I recovered with my ‘normal’ set of classic Motown and Soul classics and left some 35 mins later to a full dancefloor.
In car back at 9.30pm I got a call saying that the dinner was running early and where was I – 10 minutes away. Just enough time to arrive, pick up a drink, mic and start all over again this time with a 9 piece band backing me- not just any band but ex-members of Rory Gallagher’s band Taste (Richie McCracken, John Wilson and Sam Davidson) and featuring the brass section from The Commitments band!
The next 45 mins in my humble opinion was a ‘back to business’ performance.
The ‘Pussies’ went on after me – with me still on stage running their tracks – and at midnight, I led the countdown, and then sought out a very patient wife, Jayne to start my NYE celebrations, but I was too knackered to drink or eat!
I call the CBB band who are in Northampton having a seemingly interesting experience and I vow never to do another NYE gig again……until next year!!!
Cheers- Pete
Monday, 1 December 2008
THE GIG THAT NEARLY NEVER WAS!!!!
What can go wrong? Well…. nearly everything!
5am and nothing was stirring… except for me. Marc, Chris (Gibbo’s dep for this gig) & Squirrel were well on time for our departure to pick up Mike enroute to London City. We met Tracy, Leigh, Dave & Rich at the allotted 7am. Checked in and proceeded to the restaurant in Duty Free for a thoroughly deserved breakfast, all seemingly ready for our 8.25am flight to Zurich.
This is when the day was turned upside down!
8.00am All flights in and out of London City were cancelled until further notice due to low cloud around London.
9.00am The Swiss Air desk re books us all on the 1.50pm flight to Zurich….from Heathrow!
10.30am We catch the bus to Heathrow that decides to take a route straight through the centre of London.
12.15pm We arrive at Terminal 2 Heathrow
12.30pm We check in, go through to Duty Free and await our flight to Zurich
1.30pm We get called through to board our flight
2.30pm …still on the runway at Heathrow – we missed our take off slot!!!
By the way… did I explain that we had to be on stage in Bern at 5pm, local time!!!!!!
3.15pm We finally take off
5.15pm We land in Zurich and clear Passport Control and the baggage hall in record time.
5.30pm We are speeding toward Bern
6.30pm The normal 90 minute trip takes an hour(!) and we arrive at the venue. Luckily there are over 400 people still waiting for us.
6.45pm We go on stage to the most rapturous ovation I have ever encountered. Apparently, the crowd were made aware of our plight.
The required 60 minute set ended up being 2 hours long including 2 encores. What a show! Absolutely fantastic!
We did however, have one more mishap, when Chris Kibble our keys dep fell off his riser and nearly knocked himself out. I did what any trooper would have done; I made sure he was okay, gave him some water, told to stay still and get his composure back and then played keys for the rest of the song!!! Thankfully for me, and the audience, Chris returned for the next song to finish the gig, nursing a very sore arm and leg.
This is when the day was turned upside down!
8.00am All flights in and out of London City were cancelled until further notice due to low cloud around London.
9.00am The Swiss Air desk re books us all on the 1.50pm flight to Zurich….from Heathrow!
10.30am We catch the bus to Heathrow that decides to take a route straight through the centre of London.
12.15pm We arrive at Terminal 2 Heathrow
12.30pm We check in, go through to Duty Free and await our flight to Zurich
1.30pm We get called through to board our flight
2.30pm …still on the runway at Heathrow – we missed our take off slot!!!
By the way… did I explain that we had to be on stage in Bern at 5pm, local time!!!!!!
3.15pm We finally take off
5.15pm We land in Zurich and clear Passport Control and the baggage hall in record time.
5.30pm We are speeding toward Bern
6.30pm The normal 90 minute trip takes an hour(!) and we arrive at the venue. Luckily there are over 400 people still waiting for us.
6.45pm We go on stage to the most rapturous ovation I have ever encountered. Apparently, the crowd were made aware of our plight.
The required 60 minute set ended up being 2 hours long including 2 encores. What a show! Absolutely fantastic!
We did however, have one more mishap, when Chris Kibble our keys dep fell off his riser and nearly knocked himself out. I did what any trooper would have done; I made sure he was okay, gave him some water, told to stay still and get his composure back and then played keys for the rest of the song!!! Thankfully for me, and the audience, Chris returned for the next song to finish the gig, nursing a very sore arm and leg.
The next day was nowhere near as exciting as everything came and went on time except for the shenanigans in Duty Free. But then we wouldn’t be The Chicago Blues Brothers without the odd bit of drama and chaos!
Friday, 7 November 2008
TURKEY WITHOUT THE DRESSING!
Just back from a truly restful and much needed break.I took the picture above whilst enjoying copious amounts of EFES PILSNER.
Now… to those that have visited the country of Turkey – especially the Dalaman Coast – will bear witness to its extreme beauty and hospitality. The areas of Calis, Fethiye and Olu Deniz warrant high praise indeed.
Anyway…..
‘Stitching up’ various members of our fraternity by posting caption competition seems to be fair game and very popular of late.
Not wanting to miss out – and somewhat reversing the scenario – I have also posted my own pic which I will gladly put up for a suitable caption ……. and eventual ridicule!
Yours,
Pete Tobit
Producer - & very occasional ‘JAKE’!
Not wanting to miss out – and somewhat reversing the scenario – I have also posted my own pic which I will gladly put up for a suitable caption ……. and eventual ridicule!
Yours,
Pete Tobit
Producer - & very occasional ‘JAKE’!
Monday, 13 October 2008
BRING ME SUNSHINE……..
The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury must be situated in the some of the loveliest countryside that England boasts.
Well as some of you may or may not know, the late great Eric Morecambe suffered a massive heart attack on the stage at The Roses Theatre and passed away in dressing room #2 – good job Tracy doesn’t know as she certainly would not have occupied that one.
In actual fact, Tewkesbury was the site of the last CBB visitation from the ‘other side’! We were staying at The Royal Hop Pole Hotel and after a terrific gig and a certain amount of ‘partaking’ in the bar we all retired to a sound sleep – some more soundly than others. Our drummer of the time – the infamous Roger Jacobs – was, shall we say, visited by a young lady! Hang on… I hear you shout! No this wasn’t a young lady of substance, but one of a ‘see through’ variety that happened to talk to him, sit on his legs (he was in bed and under the covers at the time) and then proceeded to vanish – Doh! The next morning presented the rest of the band with a rather shaken and dishevelled drummer.
Well enough of the Derek Acorah stuff and onward with the show…..
An initially very reserved audience soon gave way to the usual raucous shenanigans and once again CBB have worked their magic and given that we are back next autumn, the audience must have gone away extremely happy.
Here’s to next year and hopefully the only spirits we encounter then will be in a bottle …… hopefully marked Remy Martin!
Cheers- Pete.
Well as some of you may or may not know, the late great Eric Morecambe suffered a massive heart attack on the stage at The Roses Theatre and passed away in dressing room #2 – good job Tracy doesn’t know as she certainly would not have occupied that one.
In actual fact, Tewkesbury was the site of the last CBB visitation from the ‘other side’! We were staying at The Royal Hop Pole Hotel and after a terrific gig and a certain amount of ‘partaking’ in the bar we all retired to a sound sleep – some more soundly than others. Our drummer of the time – the infamous Roger Jacobs – was, shall we say, visited by a young lady! Hang on… I hear you shout! No this wasn’t a young lady of substance, but one of a ‘see through’ variety that happened to talk to him, sit on his legs (he was in bed and under the covers at the time) and then proceeded to vanish – Doh! The next morning presented the rest of the band with a rather shaken and dishevelled drummer.
Well enough of the Derek Acorah stuff and onward with the show…..
An initially very reserved audience soon gave way to the usual raucous shenanigans and once again CBB have worked their magic and given that we are back next autumn, the audience must have gone away extremely happy.
Here’s to next year and hopefully the only spirits we encounter then will be in a bottle …… hopefully marked Remy Martin!
Cheers- Pete.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
'I actually ordered two- and could you please not throw the other one...'
It's time for a caption competition. Here's a picture of Mike relaxing in the luxurious surroundings of the departure lounge of Marseilles Airport on our recent visit there. Can YOU come up with a snappy one-liner to sum it up? Leave us a comment and let us know!Cheers- Leigh
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Purple Hayes
I thought I'd say a few words here about last night's Beck Theatre show- it was that rare thing for me, a local CBB gig. Having spent most of the previous couple of weeks fending off phone calls, text messages and e-mails from people asking for free tickets I spent the days before the show attempting to shake off a rather peculiar virus that among other things caused my hands to swell up (Pete alluded to it in his last posting about our Dunstable show) and my limbs to ache. Come the day of the show I still wasn't feeling 100%- I was asleep until about 10 minutes before we had to leave for the venue- but in the end everything went well with everyone I spoke to after the show saying how much they'd enjoyed it, and my Dad complaining that there weren't enough guitar solos!
Excellent!
Thanks to all who made it all happen- you made a happy man feel very old...
Leigh.
Excellent!
Thanks to all who made it all happen- you made a happy man feel very old...
Leigh.
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