Upcoming gigs

[John From Austin]

Pete Townshend made news today saying The Who would “do something” in 2025.

He suggested a stripped down band tour. Could be good. Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

[davidmjs]

Pete Townshend made news today saying The Who would “do something” in 2025.

He suggested a stripped down band tour. Could be good. Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

Presumably Pete, Roger, Simon, Pino, Zak (or a.n.other if he's in Oasis?) + a keyboard player?

[Andy]

Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

He has been a one-day-on, three-days-off singer for years. I saw him in 1986 on Rockpalast with a great voice, the following night on a tv show it was completely shot. This is a pattern I have seen repeated ever since.

[Will S]

I've got the chaps on Thursday night in Launceston, and then Bellowhead in Plymouth in about three weeks

[John From Austin]

Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

He has been a one-day-on, three-days-off singer for years. I saw him in 1986 on Rockpalast with a great voice, the following night on a tv show it was completely shot. This is a pattern I have seen repeated ever since.

I could write volumes on this subject. In a nutshell, his voice is smoother and his range wider now than it was in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. I believe it is a combination of successful vocal cord treatments by a specialist named Steve Zeitels (who also treated Steven Tyler before his recent injury), coaching, and a resulting change in his whole approach. For but one example, he abandoned the scream at the end of WGFA (and uses a recording instead). He also ditched falsetto, which I imagine caused a vocal cord strain. I can hear the differences on live recordings and have personally witnessed his renaissance as a singer. I think hearing him sing is the single best reason to buy a ticket to see The Who these days, which was not true in previous decades.

[davidmjs]

Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

He has been a one-day-on, three-days-off singer for years. I saw him in 1986 on Rockpalast with a great voice, the following night on a tv show it was completely shot. This is a pattern I have seen repeated ever since.

I could write volumes on this subject. In a nutshell, his voice is smoother and his range wider now than it was in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s. I believe it is a combination of successful vocal cord treatments by a specialist named Steve Zeitels (who also treated Steven Tyler before his recent injury), coaching, and a resulting change in his whole approach. For but one example, he abandoned the scream at the end of WGFA (and uses a recording instead). He also ditched falsetto, which I imagine caused a vocal cord strain. I can hear the differences on live recordings and have personally witnessed his renaissance as a singer. I think hearing him sing is the single best reason to buy a ticket to see The Who these days, which was not true in previous decades.

The recordings (and not just one in four as Andy suggests above from when he was still in his early 40s.) from his last recent solo tour are extraordinarily strong.  

[ColinB]

Gilmore & Roberts are doing a livestream of their gig this evening which is their final duo gig of this year. They will then be out on the road in December as part of A Winter Union and Jamie is also touring with the Doonicans in November.

Tonight's gig from Margate - https://www.youtube.com/live/EwR9ost8gd8

[Chris from Fieldtown]

Gilmore & Roberts are doing a livestream of their gig this evening which is their final duo gig of this year. They will then be out on the road in December as part of A Winter Union and Jamie is also touring with the Doonicans in November.

Tonight's gig from Margate - https://www.youtube.com/live/EwR9ost8gd8

Thanks for the reminder, I shall be watching.

[Jim]

Pete Townshend made news today saying The Who would “do something” in 2025.

He suggested a stripped down band tour. Could be good. Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

Presumably Pete, Roger, Simon, Pino, Zak (or a.n.other if he's in Oasis?) + a keyboard player?

I doubt it will be Pino, he hasn't toured with the Who for about 10 years.  They had an American bloke playing with them at least since the 2016 tour

[John From Austin]

Pete Townshend made news today saying The Who would “do something” in 2025.

He suggested a stripped down band tour. Could be good. Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

Presumably Pete, Roger, Simon, Pino, Zak (or a.n.other if he's in Oasis?) + a keyboard player?

I doubt it will be Pino, he hasn't toured with the Who for about 10 years.  They had an American bloke playing with them at least since the 2016 tour

Pete publicly declared he wants Pino on bass, Simon Phillips on drums, Rabbit on keys and Simon T. on guitar/vocals. However, based on recent history, it appears to me that Roger gets to hire the band. That means Zak on drums if available, Scott Devours if not, John Button on bass and Loren Gold on keys. These are hardly household names, but Roger seems keen on being the boss and Pete (at least lately) seems okay with ceding that responsibility.

[davidmjs]

Pete Townshend made news today saying The Who would “do something” in 2025.

He suggested a stripped down band tour. Could be good. Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

Presumably Pete, Roger, Simon, Pino, Zak (or a.n.other if he's in Oasis?) + a keyboard player?

I doubt it will be Pino, he hasn't toured with the Who for about 10 years.  They had an American bloke playing with them at least since the 2016 tour

Pete publicly declared he wants Pino on bass, Simon Phillips on drums, Rabbit on keys and Simon T. on guitar/vocals. However, based on recent history, it appears to me that Roger gets to hire the band. That means Zak on drums if available, Scott Devours if not, John Button on bass and Loren Gold on keys. These are hardly household names, but Roger seems keen on being the boss and Pete (at least lately) seems okay with ceding that responsibility.

Didn't know that.  But Rabbit last played with the Who in 2011.  Fell out with Roger, I think.  Pity, as he was great.

[Jules Gray]

But Rabbit last played with the Who in 2011.  Fell out with Roger, I think.  Pity, as he was great.  

Really? It's always ******g Roger.

Jules

[Jim]

Pete Townshend made news today saying The Who would “do something” in 2025.

He suggested a stripped down band tour. Could be good. Roger is in fantastic voice these days.

Presumably Pete, Roger, Simon, Pino, Zak (or a.n.other if he's in Oasis?) + a keyboard player?

I doubt it will be Pino, he hasn't toured with the Who for about 10 years.  They had an American bloke playing with them at least since the 2016 tour

Pete publicly declared he wants Pino on bass, Simon Phillips on drums, Rabbit on keys and Simon T. on guitar/vocals. However, based on recent history, it appears to me that Roger gets to hire the band. That means Zak on drums if available, Scott Devours if not, John Button on bass and Loren Gold on keys. These are hardly household names, but Roger seems keen on being the boss and Pete (at least lately) seems okay with ceding that responsibility.

Didn't know that.  But Rabbit last played with the Who in 2011.  Fell out with Roger, I think.  Pity, as he was great.

I read a. PT interview recently where he said Roger has the band and he just joins in.  I do hope it's Zak on drums, the "join together" late 80's tour had Simon Phillips playing and I hated the drumming on it

[John From Austin]

But Rabbit last played with the Who in 2011.  Fell out with Roger, I think.  Pity, as he was great.  

Really? It's always ******g Roger.

Jules

Some years ago, Rabbit posted an essay on his website about his falling out with Roger. It was brewing for years. Roger once described an unnamed band member who was "always the last to board the bus." There were stories of Rabbit being too hungover to show up for soundcheck, all the way back to 1989. One time, Roger berated Rabbit for "ruining the show" because Roger couldn't hear anything but Rabbit in his monitors (as Rabbit noted, it was totally unfair because Rabbit had no control over the monitor levels). I also suspect Rabbit was more expensive than alternative players, and that Rabbit played the "I'm Pete's guy" card too many times. I believe I also read that Pete personally and regretfully informed Rabbit that he was not invited for the 2011-2012 Quadrophenia tour. Once Roger closed that door, it was closed for good.

[davidmjs]

But Rabbit last played with the Who in 2011.  Fell out with Roger, I think.  Pity, as he was great.  

Really? It's always ******g Roger.

Jules

Some years ago, Rabbit posted an essay on his website about his falling out with Roger. It was brewing for years. Roger once described an unnamed band member who was "always the last to board the bus." There were stories of Rabbit being too hungover to show up for soundcheck, all the way back to 1989. One time, Roger berated Rabbit for "ruining the show" because Roger couldn't hear anything but Rabbit in his monitors (as Rabbit noted, it was totally unfair because Rabbit had no control over the monitor levels). I also suspect Rabbit was more expensive than alternative players, and that Rabbit played the "I'm Pete's guy" card too many times. I believe I also read that Pete personally and regretfully informed Rabbit that he was not invited for the 2011-2012 Quadrophenia tour. Once Roger closed that door, it was closed for good.

Bloody children.  As well as a couple of Quadrophenia shows in '96, I feel privileged to have seen the Pete, Rog, Ox, Zak, Simon and Rabbit lineup at Shepherd's Bush in '99.  That was my Who gig for the ages.

[quodlibet (Ian)]

I have a vague recollection of Rabbit playing with someone at Cropredy, although when and with whom ecsapes me. Perhaps it was but a dream. Can anyone enlighten me?

[John From Austin]

I have a vague recollection of Rabbit playing with someone at Cropredy, although when and with whom ecsapes me. Perhaps it was but a dream. Can anyone enlighten me?

The internet tells me Rabbit joined Fairport at Cropredy as a special guest in 1998. I didn't see which song(s) he played on, but note that some of Sandy's solo material was presented. I know that Rabbit played on Sandy and Rendezvous.

[RobertD]

I have a vague recollection of Rabbit playing with someone at Cropredy, although when and with whom ecsapes me. Perhaps it was but a dream. Can anyone enlighten me?

The internet tells me Rabbit joined Fairport at Cropredy as a special guest in 1998. I didn't see which song(s) he played on, but note that some of Sandy's solo material was presented. I know that Rabbit played on Sandy and Rendezvous.

Well he’s definitely on Ledge, along with PJ Wright and Steve Gibbons as can be seen on the DVD. And then the Dylan Project recorded an album at Cropredy the following year. Not sure what/who else he might have performed with

[PaulT]

FC acoustic at Huntingdon Hall Worcester on Saturday 2 Nov. I'd thought of also seeing Calan at the same venue the following evening, but will wait for further details of their farewell gigs next year.

[davidmjs]

I have a vague recollection of Rabbit playing with someone at Cropredy, although when and with whom ecsapes me. Perhaps it was but a dream. Can anyone enlighten me?

The internet tells me Rabbit joined Fairport at Cropredy as a special guest in 1998. I didn't see which song(s) he played on, but note that some of Sandy's solo material was presented. I know that Rabbit played on Sandy and Rendezvous.

Well he’s definitely on Ledge, along with PJ Wright and Steve Gibbons as can be seen on the DVD. And then the Dylan Project recorded an album at Cropredy the following year. Not sure what/who else he might have performed with

Found this online.  I have vague memories... "Surprisingly, Strawbs had never performed at Fairport Convention's massively successful annual festival (held each year at Cropredy in Oxfordshire) until 2007. In 1998 however, Dave Cousins was invited as a special guest to perform with Fairport (and with John "Rabbit" Bundrick on piano and Maart Allcock on Hammond organ). Dave sang and played two songs with Fairport: "Lay Down" and then the obvious choice for Fairport fans, "Ringing Down The Years", his tribute to the late Sandy Denny. The latter is included on this album. There's also a Chris While version of "Who Knows Where The Time Goes", and a bonus Dave Mattacks on drums studio track "Castle Rock"."

Oh, and this helps too https://www.discogs.com/release/6147446-Fairport-Convention-Cropredy-98