29 NOV 1985

I PLAYED STOCKHOLM WITH THE FIRM

After the ARMS tour, Paul and I decided to make some music together. The Firm recorded an album and here we are on the first date of what was to be a substantial tour of Europe and the Americas. We were really looking forward to this gig. The band was good, the material was good, the audience was good. There is no doubt that there is a Swedish aesthetic and when you looked out into the audience it was inspiring to say the least.

29 November 1985

ON THIS DAY… 02 NOV 1985

I played the Blues ‘N’ Booze benefit show

On this day in 1985, I jammed in a band with Elmer Gantry at a charity event called the ‘Blues ‘n’ Booze’ benefit, at Waltham St Lawrence in Berkshire. Curiously enough, in the first Led Zeppelin set in 1968 we covered ‘Flames’ by Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera. It was really great to play with him. More recently Elmer’s been in the bands Stretch and Rocky Recovery.

Watch video of Flames by Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera

ON THIS DAY… 02 NOV 1985

I played the Blues ‘N’ Booze benefit show

On this day in 1985, I jammed in a band with Elmer Gantry at a charity event called the ‘Blues ‘n’ Booze’ benefit, at Waltham St Lawrence in Berkshire. Curiously enough, in the first Led Zeppelin set in 1968 we covered ‘Flames’ by Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera. It was really great to play with him. More recently Elmer’s been in the bands Stretch and Rocky Recovery.

Watch video of Flames by Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera

ON THIS DAY… 02 NOV 1985

I played the Blues ‘N’ Booze benefit show

On this day in 1985, I jammed in a band with Elmer Gantry at a charity event called the ‘Blues ‘n’ Booze’ benefit, at Waltham St Lawrence in Berkshire. Curiously enough, in the first Led Zeppelin set in 1968 we covered ‘Flames’ by Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera. It was really great to play with him. More recently Elmer’s been in the bands Stretch and Rocky Recovery.

Watch video of Flames by Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera

2 November 1985

23 JULY 1985

THE FIRM PLAYED MEADOWLANDS WITH LES PAUL

During ‘The Firm’ tour, we were due to play at Meadowlands, New Jersey. I’d hooked up again with Les Paul in New York, and was really keen to introduce him onstage and establish what a tremendous influence he had been on myself and a whole playing and recording generation. Les accepted the invitation and on that evening, surprised me by saying that he had a small investment in Meadowlands going back some years.

23 July 1985

ON THIS DAY… 04 JUL 1985

I PLAYED INDEPENDENCE DAY WITH THE BEACH BOYS

Philadelphia and Washington were played on this memorable day and we travelled by train between the two cities. Mr T was also on that trip. I became quite friendly with Beach Boy musician Bruce Johnston. It was an honour to meet Brian and Carl Wilson and play with The Beach Boys on this historic day, however we don’t celebrate July 4th in England.

4 July 1985

ON THIS DAY… 18 MAY

I PLAYED IN BIRMINGHAM

1977

Led Zeppelin played the Jefferson Civic Center Coliseum in Birmingham, AL on the 1977 tour of the US. Just about any of the 1977 concerts were gripping by their dynamics.

1985

Also on this day, in 1985, The Firm played the NEC in Birmingham, UK. By all accounts it was an emotional concert.

ON THIS DAY… 18 MAY

I PLAYED IN BIRMINGHAM

1977

Led Zeppelin played the Jefferson Civic Center Coliseum in Birmingham, AL on the 1977 tour of the US. Just about any of the 1977 concerts were gripping by their dynamics.

1985

Also on this day, in 1985, The Firm played the NEC in Birmingham, UK. By all accounts it was an emotional concert.

18 May 1977/1985

ON THIS DAY… 30 APR 1985

I WENT TO SEE JACO PASTORIUS AT THE LONE STAR CAFÉ IN NEW YORK

Jaco was accompanied by a drummer he’d accessed from the The Village Voice Musician’s Column. Needless to say, this drummer from the small ads was having a bit of a problem keeping up with the powerhouse Jaco Pastorius, who was illustrating the complete textbook to the various approaches of electric bass. Jaco invited me up and I had a jam with him but more importantly, Chris Slade, The Firm’s drummer also got up to jam, relegating the current drummer to a table in the club. After about four numbers, I returned to our table to witness  a tremendous synergy and understanding of Jaco’s playing from Chris who remained for the rest of the set. That night I got to understand what an experienced and passionate drummer Chris Slade could be. And also what a monster of a player Jaco Pastorius was.

30 April 1985