The other band we recently saw…I have decided to confess…was The ELO Experience!

The front man, Brian Cummings, was totally hilarious…in fact, his first joke was a bit ‘near the mark’ for me and I wondered if it was going to be like that throughout, but actually he was very funny. However, throughout they showed massive respect to the music and to the work of Jeff Lynne. The lead violinist was especially impressive, taking the solos in Living Thing and singing the operatic parts in Rockaria.

The theatre of around 1500 was sold out with mainly more mature folks, all of whom ended upsinging along and some of whom were dancing in the aisles.

So all in all, and entertaining evening, giving due respect to the originals, whom they clearly held in high esteem.

Mick Abrahams, Jethro Tull and Blodwyn Pig guitarist, 82, cancer.

Jules

As per the above live cd - Neil Marshall : Happy Accident, Before Us Stands Yesterday, Road Movies era Albion Band sticksman...

Who was the drummer, Dan?

"Bass-wise, I stopped using the Fender. I was tired of people talking about the bass sound of the Stranglers, I just wanted to blend in. I used a dodgy Yamaha and it didn't last very long. I punch my guitars a lot just to get them to resonate – you do a chord and then hit the body. This particular one, I hit it and it just fell apart.”

Agreed, but I did understand why they became popular for a time. Funny thing is I don’t think I’ve seen one in photos or on stage by anyone since about 1991. Figure someone would bring it back like the mellotron or the Keytar in a retro mode! Nice clip though!.

They really were one of the most perfect Cropredy bands ever...sun setting at the end of an incredibly hot day...a band of supreme musicians playing music the Cropredy demographic would be familiar with (Joni & Carole), playing it with real skill and affection. No wonder Procol Harum had a hell of a job following them...

One moment I remember was Julie putting out a call from the stage for a certain bass player, as Pete Zorn wanted to play sax on "Raised On Robbery", and Peggy was still at the bar. It was quite funny to see the short delay as a refreshed, been in the sun all day ruddy-faced Peggy ran from the bar as fast as he could, strapped on Pete's bass and played a great version of said Joni song...