O2 Shepherds Bush London: Woody Woodmansey's Holy Holy & Tony Visconti 30 June 2015

David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World" @ Shepherd's Bush Empire, London 30.06.2015

I'm a big Bowie fan, particularly of the album Aladdin Sane. On one holiday as a teenager back in the 70s, I only had one one cassette to listen to while sunbathing; it was Aladdin Sane. I listened to it again and again and quickly began to realise it was really special! I loved every track (which I can't say about many albums) and still do today with a passion. It will always be one of my all-time favourite albums.

Unfortunately I never saw Bowie live, but last night's gig pretty close. Woody Woodmansey's Holy Holy band were on fire! I got to see two tracks from Aladdin Sane performed live for the first time (Time and Watch That Man) and loads of other big Bowie favourites: Man Who Sold The World, Life on Mars, Changes, Ziggy Stardust and the concert ended with the huge sound of Suffragette City.

After the gig, the whole band (almost) signed albums and posters, posed for photos and chatted with fans for ages!

The warmth and affection the audience had for the band, and especially for Woody, was palpable. It was also very moving to see tributes paid to the two deceased members Spiders from Mars, Mick Ronson (two members of his family were in the band!) and Trevor Bolder.

An added bonus to the evening was to see both Marc Almond and Steve Norman of Spandau Ballet on stage singing several numbers! It was a shame David couldn't be there too, but I have to say Glenn Gregory (of Heaven 17) did a really excellent job as his replacement ;-)

I learned last night that David & the Spiders used to play a live medley of songs that included Oh! You Pretty Things and All The Young Dudes that David wrote and gave to Ian Hunter (Mott the Hoople). Pleasantly surprised to see that, because I saw Ian Hunter live recently and my mate Steve Holley is his drummer. Here's my clip of All The Young Dudes last night:

The sound quality was superb, so #respect to the sound guy! And what a treat to see and hear so many amazing and highly talented musicians on stage.  I'd also like to say #respect in particular to Paul Cuddeford, Berenice Scott and James Stevenson - and of course to Woody.

I wish the band all the very best for their forthcoming tour of Japan.

Ian Hunter and The Rant Band at the Concorde 2, Brighton

Ian Hunter in concert, with Steve Holley on drums (barely visible)

Steve Holley a bit more visible

The final number, All the Young Dudes (with Otis Gibbs, far right, who opened for Ian, joining in)

Back stage with Steve Holley

Steve Holley with Mariah June 

Friday 26 Oct 2012: I went to see my old chum Steve Holley at the Concorde 2 in Brighton. Steve is the drummer of The Rant Band, currently on tour with rock legend Ian Hunter. It was great to see him again; we go back a long way! What a great show it was. Ian is now 73 years old - can you believe it? But he can still really deliver!

I saw Steve and Ian in Brighton in 2010 and here's a short video clip I took of All the Way from Memphis from that gig:

Dell Streak and Alter Bridge

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I dropped my Dell Streak and the screen is all cracked! Yes, it's insured but I have to pay £60 excess to get it replaced! Yuk!
image: dwimarni.com

Barbara Lanik interviewing Scott Phillips and Mark Tremonti of Alter Bridge for "On the Mike with Mike Sherman" in the VIP bar at the Hammersmith Apollo, London - 22 Oct 2010

Alter Bridge in concert at the Hammersmith Apollo, London - 22 Oct 2010

Alter Bridge in concert at the Hammersmith Apollo, London - 22 Oct 2010

Scott Phillips, Barbara Lanik and Myles Kennedy after the show, Hammersmith Apollo, London - 22 Oct 2010

Alter Bridge in concert, O2 Academy, Birmingham - 26 Oct 2010

Been so busy! My new Dell Streak and going to see Alter Bridge live, twice, were 2 things I had every intention of blogging about. Just found time to add these photos - gotta go! Rush, rush, rush!

A Girl Named Raye - Live!

Photos from the FymGym acoustic set, Tues 16 Sept 08

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Photos of other artists performing that night:

Krysten

Earl Oken

Alice Watts

Apologies to Bash, Tys Panayis and Gold Digger - no photos of them because I had to leave as soon as Raye had finished her set (almost).

Alter Bridge play Australia for the first time

In just a few hours from now (what time is it in Perth right now anyway?), Alter Bridge go on stage for the first time in Australia - Metro City, Perth, Western Australia - to be exact. That's quite a milestone for a young band. You guys down under are in for a treat!

Alter Bridge at the Berlin Wall

They have 5 more dates in Australia after tonight, and then 3 in New Zealand. And after that, the UK!

http://alterbridge.sharenow.com

Hello Alter Bridge Nation,

We are giving all of you internet fans first shot at purchasing tickets to our 5/22 concert at The Rock in Maplewood, MN. That's ten miles away from St. Paul.

Just click on the link below and register to buy tickets first! This goes live at 5:00PM CST on 04/09/08.

https://tixx1.artistarena.com/alterbridge

Good luck!

Alter Bridgehttp://www.alterbridge.com/
http://www.myspace.com/alterbridge
http://alterbridge.sharenow.com/

Alter Bridge - LIVE at the Astoria, London, 26 Jan 08

Verdict: Awesome gig!

Alter Bridge, Astoria, London - 26 Jan 08

Myles Kennedy

Mark Tremonti

Brian Marshall

Scott Phillips

For more photos and video clips of full LIVE versions of Broken Wings, Buried Alive, Ties That Bind, visit:

http://www.sharenow.com/relations/folders/114/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3fY5J9Twr4
http://alterbridge.sharenow.com/

You can buy tickets for Alter Bridge LIVE at the Carling Brixton Academy, Sat 8 Nov 08!

For other forthcoming Alter Bridge gigs, click here.